Battery module

Abstract

A battery module includes a battery cell having an electrode body in which a plurality of laminated structures having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode are further laminated, and a battery cell case in which the electrode body is enclosed, and a heat dissipation member in contact with the battery cell case. The battery cell case has at least a metal layer and a welding resin layer disposed on the inner surface side of the metal layer, and has an exposed portion in which the metal layer is exposed on at least a portion of the outer surface side, and the heat dissipation member is in contact with the exposed portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a battery cell has been used in which an electrode body formed by stacking a plurality of positive electrodes, negative electrodes and separators is enclosed in a battery cell housing. In addition, heat is generated from the electrode body during charge / discharge, short circuit, etc., so conventionally, a method for dissipating the heat from the electrode body to the outside has been studied.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2012-511802 discloses a battery module having a structure in which a plurality of plate-shaped battery cells are continuously stacked in a module housing, wherein the plate-shaped battery cells respectively include an electrode assembly of a cathode / separator / anode structure installed in a battery housing formed by a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, a plurality of heat dissipation components are arranged at two or more interfaces between the battery cells, and a heat exchange component that integrally connects the heat dissipation components to each other is installed on a single side of the stacking structure of the battery cells, thereby utilizing the heat exchange component to remove heat generated from the battery cells during charging and discharging of the battery cells.

[0004] In addition, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-510463 discloses a battery module including a module shell having a lower plate and side walls forming an internal space, a plurality of battery cells existing in the internal space of the module shell, and a resin layer existing in the internal space of the module shell, wherein the resin layer is in contact with the plurality of battery cells and in contact with the lower plate or side walls of the module shell.

[0005] In addition, International Publication No. 2012 / 081311 discloses a battery having the following structure: a positive electrode component having a positive electrode active material and a current collector and a negative electrode component having a negative electrode active material and a current collector are stacked in a manner opposing each other with a separator component interposed therebetween, and are housed in a frame together with an electrolyte, and a heat transfer plate is provided in a manner joined to the outer surface of the frame, wherein the heat transfer plate has an area that directly contacts the outer surface of the frame and an area where a joining material for joining the heat transfer plate to the outer surface of the frame is provided. Summary of the invention

[0006] In the electrode body within the battery module, heat is generated during charge and discharge, short circuit, etc. Therefore, it is required to efficiently dissipate the heat generated from the electrode body to the outside. Based on the viewpoint of implementing this heat dissipation, in the battery module disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-511802, a heat dissipation component is arranged between a plurality of battery cells having a battery case formed by a laminate sheet, and in the battery disclosed in International Publication No. 2012 / 081311, a heat transfer plate for heat dissipation is also arranged. On the other hand, in the battery module disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-510463, a plurality of battery cells and a resin layer are arranged in the internal space of the module case, and the resin layer is in contact with the battery cells and the lower plate or side wall of the module case.

[0007] However, it is required to dissipate the heat from the electrode body more efficiently.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned actual situation, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module capable of efficiently dissipating heat generated from an electrode body.

[0009] <1> A battery module, comprising:

[0010] A battery cell having an electrode body and a battery cell case sealing the electrode body therein, wherein the electrode body is formed by further stacking a plurality of stacked structures having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and

[0011] a heat dissipation component, contacting the battery cell housing,

[0012] in,

[0013] The battery cell case includes at least a metal layer and a welding resin layer disposed on the inner surface side of the metal layer, and has an exposed portion where the metal layer is exposed on at least a portion of the outer surface side.

[0014] The heat dissipation member contacts the exposed portion.

[0015] <2> The battery module according to <1>, wherein:

[0016] The electrode surface of the electrode body has a rectangular shape, and the exposed portion is arranged at an end portion on a long side of the rectangular shape.

[0017] <3> The battery module according to <1> or <2>, wherein:

[0018] The battery cell case has the exposed portion on the outer surface side of the region E, the heat dissipation member contacts the exposed portion in the region E, and the inner surface side of the region E contacts the electrode body.

[0019] <4> The battery module according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein:

[0020] The battery cell case includes a first sheet having the exposed portion and a second sheet not having the exposed portion, and an average thickness of the metal layer in the first sheet is greater than an average thickness of the metal layer in the second sheet.

[0021] <5> The battery module according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein:

[0022] The heat dissipating member includes at least one of a battery module case and a cooler, and the at least one of the battery module case and the cooler is in contact with the exposed portion.

[0023] <6> The battery module according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein

[0024] The invention comprises at least one of a battery module case and a cooler, and comprises a resin member for joining at least one of the battery module case and the cooler as the heat dissipation member to the battery cell case, wherein the resin member contacts the exposed portion.

[0025] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a battery module capable of efficiently dissipating heat generated from an electrode body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a battery cell used in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 It is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another aspect of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another aspect of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 5 It is a schematic perspective view showing a cross section and a surface viewed from an oblique direction of a battery cell used in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 6 It is a schematic perspective view showing a cross section and a surface viewed from an oblique direction of a battery cell used in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 7It is a schematic plan view showing the main parts of the vehicle.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic perspective view of a battery module.

[0034] Fig. 9 This is a top view of the battery module with the upper cover removed.

[0035] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram of battery cells housed in a battery module as viewed from the thickness direction.

[0036] (Explanation of symbols)

[0037] 20A: outer surface side; 20B: inner surface side; 20C: side surface; 210: first sheet; 220: second sheet; 212, 222: welding resin layer; 214, 224: metal layer; 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D: exposed part; 216, 226: protective resin layer; 40: battery module housing; 42: resin component; 8: electrode body; 10: battery pack; 11, 11A, 11 B, 11C: battery module; 12: voltage terminal; 14: connector; 20: battery cell; 22: flexible printed substrate; 24: thermistor; 26: terminal; 28: laminating film; 30: fixing belt; 100: vehicle; 102: converter; 104: electric compressor; 106: heater; 108: motor; 110: gear box; 112: inverter; 114: on-board charger; 116: charging port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] <Battery Module>

[0039] The battery module of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell and a heat dissipation component. The battery cell has an electrode body and a battery cell shell that seals the electrode body inside, and the electrode body is formed by further stacking a plurality of stacked structures having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The heat dissipation component is configured in a manner that contacts the battery cell shell.

[0040] The battery cell housing has at least a metal layer and a welding resin layer disposed on the inner surface side of the metal layer. The battery cell housing has an exposed portion where the metal layer is exposed on at least a portion of the outer surface side. In addition, a protective resin layer may be disposed on a portion of the outer surface side of the metal layer. Furthermore, the heat dissipation component contacts the exposed portion.

[0041] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using the drawings.

[0042] The following drawings are schematically shown, and the size and shape of each part are appropriately exaggerated for easy understanding. In addition, the same symbols are added to the corresponding parts in each drawing, and repeated descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0043] First, a battery cell used in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a battery cell used in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 1 The battery cell 20 shown has an electrode body 8 and a battery cell case, and the battery cell case seals the electrode body 8 inside and is composed of a first sheet 210 and a second sheet 220. The electrode body 8 is composed of a stacked structure having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and further stacked in multiple layers.

[0045] The first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 constituting the battery cell case are welded together at their ends to form a housing portion 20D that seals the electrode body 8 inside. The first sheet 210 constituting the battery cell case has a metal layer 214 and a welding resin layer 212 disposed on the inner surface side of the metal layer 214. The second sheet 220 constituting the battery cell case has a metal layer 224 and a welding resin layer 222 disposed on the inner surface side of the metal layer 224, and further a protective resin layer 226 is disposed on the outer surface side of the metal layer 224. The first sheet 210 has an exposed portion 214A where the metal layer 214 is exposed on the entire surface of the outer surface 20A. On the other hand, on the outer surface side of the second sheet 220, the metal layer 224 is not exposed.

[0046] Here, the exposed portion refers to the area where the metal layer is exposed on the outer surface side of the battery cell housing. Figure 1 The inner surface 20B of the first sheet 210) and the side surface (e.g. Figure 1 In the figure, the side surface 20C of the first sheet 210 is referred to as, for example, a cut end surface formed by trimming the welded portion after welding the ends of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 to each other. If the metal layer is exposed, this area does not correspond to the exposed portion.

[0047] ·1st battery module

[0048] Next, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 2 It is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 2 The battery module 11A shown has Figure 1 In the battery module 11A, a plurality of battery cells 20 are stacked. Figure 2In FIG. 4 , four battery cells among the stacked battery cells 20 are shown in an enlarged manner. Figure 2 Other battery cells are further stacked on the upper and lower sides.

[0050] The battery module 11A includes a battery module case 40 as an example of a heat dissipation member, and the stacked battery cells 20 are accommodated in the battery module case 40. The battery module case 40 is arranged so as to contact the exposed portion 214A of the first sheet 210 constituting the battery cell case. In addition, the welded portion formed by welding the ends of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 to each other is bent in a curved shape, and the exposed portion 214A on the front end side of the welded portion is arranged so as to contact the battery module case 40.

[0051] The battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has the above-described structure, and thus can efficiently dissipate the heat generated from the electrode body.

[0052] In the electrode body, heat is generated during charge and discharge, short circuit, etc. In order to dissipate the heat generated from the electrode body to the outside, in the past, the battery cell housing was configured in such a way that it contacts a heat dissipation component (e.g., a battery module housing or a resin layer between the battery module housing and the battery cell housing, etc.) provided on the outside of the battery cell. That is, a heat transfer path is formed from the electrode body in the battery cell through the battery cell housing to the heat dissipation component. However, in previous battery modules, as a battery cell housing, a three-layer structure sheet having a metal layer and a resin layer arranged on both sides of the metal layer (specifically, a welding resin layer arranged on the inner surface side of the metal layer and a protective resin layer arranged on the outer surface side of the metal layer) is generally used. For example, by using two sheets of the three-layer structure, the ends of the two sheets are welded to each other and the electrode body is sealed inside thereof, thereby forming a battery cell. However, in a battery cell shell having this structure, the metal layer is exposed only on the side sides (for example, the cut end faces formed by trimming the welded portion formed by welding the ends of two sheets together), and the exposed area is limited to an area equal to the thickness of the metal layer. Therefore, the portion of the battery cell shell that is in direct contact with the heat dissipation component provided on the outside of the battery cell is the metal layer exposed on the resin layer or the side sides, and the range of contact between the metal layer and the heat dissipation component is roughly only a small range for line contact. Here, when the battery cell shell is used as a heat transfer path, the metal layer mainly contributes to the heat transfer during heat dissipation. Therefore, in the past, the contact portion between the battery cell shell and the heat dissipation component became the rate-limiting process of the heat transfer path, and heat transfer was not performed efficiently.

[0053] In contrast, the battery module of the embodiment of the present disclosure has an exposed portion where the metal layer is exposed on the outer surface side of the battery cell housing, and the exposed portion contacts the heat dissipation component. That is, the metal layer has a large range of direct contact with the heat dissipation component, so the rate-limiting process of the heat transfer path can be reduced, and heat transfer during heat dissipation can be performed efficiently. As a result, the heat generated from the electrode body can be efficiently dissipated.

[0054] Furthermore, since no separate dedicated component for heat dissipation is provided in the battery cell, and the battery cell case is used as a heat transfer path, the number of components can be reduced and the structural efficiency can be improved.

[0055] In addition, Figure 2 In the battery module 11A shown, a solution is shown in which a battery module housing 40 is provided as a heat dissipation component, and the exposed portion 214A contacts the battery module housing 40. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a solution may be provided in which a cooler (e.g., a cooling plate having a refrigerant inside) is provided as a heat dissipation component, and the exposed portion contacts the cooler. In addition, a solution may be provided in which both a battery module housing and a cooler are provided as heat dissipation components, and the exposed portion contacts the battery module housing and the cooler.

[0056] Furthermore, the device may include at least one of a battery module case and a cooler, and a resin member as a heat dissipation member for joining at least one of the battery module case and the cooler to the battery cell case, wherein the resin member is in contact with the exposed portion.

[0057] Hereinafter, a configuration in which a resin member as a heat dissipation member is provided and the resin member is in contact with the exposed portion will be described using drawings.

[0058] · Second battery module

[0059] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Figure 3 The battery module 11B shown has Figure 1 In the battery module 11B, a plurality of battery cells 20 are stacked. Figure 3 In FIG. 4 , four battery cells among the stacked battery cells 20 are shown in an enlarged manner. Figure 3 Other battery cells are further stacked on the upper and lower sides.

[0061] The battery module 11B has a battery module case 40, and the stacked battery cells 20 are housed in the battery module case 40. In addition, a resin member 42, which is an example of a heat dissipation member, is disposed in a gap between the battery module case 40 and the battery cell 20, and the gap is filled with the resin member 42 and the battery cell 20 is fixed. The resin member 42 joins the battery module case 40 and the battery cell case, and is disposed in such a manner that the resin member 42 contacts the exposed portion 214A of the battery cell case.

[0062] In this way, by having an exposed portion where the metal layer is exposed on the outer surface side of the battery cell shell, the exposed portion contacts a resin component as an example of a heat dissipation component, and the resin component contacts the battery module shell, it is possible to reduce the speed-limiting process of the heat transfer path, and to efficiently transfer heat during heat dissipation. As a result, the heat generated from the electrode body can be efficiently dissipated. In addition, no other dedicated components for heat dissipation are provided in the battery cell, and the battery cell shell is used as the heat transfer path, so the number of components can be reduced and the structural efficiency can be improved.

[0063] ·3rd battery module

[0064] A battery module according to yet another embodiment will be described. Figure 4 It is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] Figure 4 The battery module 11C shown has Figure 1 In the battery module 11C, a plurality of battery cells 20 are stacked. Figure 4 In FIG. 4 , four battery cells among the stacked battery cells 20 are shown in an enlarged manner. Figure 4 Other battery cells are further stacked on the upper and lower sides of the Figure 4 In the embodiment, the stacked battery cells 20 are not in contact with each other, and inter-cell gaps are formed between the battery cells 20 .

[0066] The battery module 11C includes a battery module case 40, and the stacked battery cells 20 are housed in the battery module case 40. A resin member 42, which is an example of a heat dissipation member, is disposed in the gap between the battery module case 40 and the battery cells 20, and the gap is filled with the resin member 42 to fix the battery cells 20. Therefore, the inter-cell gap formed by the battery cells 20 not being connected to each other is also filled with the resin member 42.

[0067] The resin member 42 joins the battery module case 40 and the battery cell case, and is arranged so that the resin member 42 contacts the exposed portion 214A of the battery cell case.

[0068] In this way, by having an exposed portion where the metal layer is exposed on the outer surface side of the battery cell shell, the exposed portion contacts a resin component as an example of a heat dissipation component, and the resin component contacts the battery module shell, it is possible to reduce the speed-limiting process of the heat transfer path, and to efficiently transfer heat during heat dissipation. As a result, the heat generated from the electrode body can be efficiently dissipated. In addition, no other dedicated components for heat dissipation are provided in the battery cell, and the battery cell shell is used as the heat transfer path, so the number of components can be reduced and the structural efficiency is also improved.

[0069] Furthermore, the battery cell case has an exposed portion 214A on the outer surface side of the region 20E, and the resin member 42 as an example of a heat dissipation member contacts the exposed portion 214A in the region 20E, wherein the inner surface side of the region 20E contacts the electrode body 8. Therefore, the heat from the electrode body as the heat generating portion can be more efficiently transferred and the heat can be more efficiently dissipated.

[0070] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of more efficiently dissipating heat, it is preferable that the entire surface of the exposed portion of the battery cell case is covered with a resin member (the resin member is in direct contact).

[0071] In addition, Figure 3 The battery module 11B and Figure 4 In the battery module 11C shown, a solution is shown in which a resin component as a heat dissipation component is joined to the battery module case 40. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a solution may be provided with a cooler (e.g., a cooling plate having a refrigerant inside), and the resin component is joined to the cooler. Alternatively, a solution may be provided with both a battery module case and a cooler, and the resin component as a heat dissipation component is joined to the battery module case and the cooler.

[0072] (Resin parts)

[0073] Here, the description Figure 3 and Figure 4 Resin parts shown.

[0074] The resin member, which is an example of a heat dissipation member and which joins at least one of the battery module case and the cooler to the battery cell case, is required to have thermal conductivity.

[0075] The thermal conductivity of the resin component is preferably, for example, 1.5 W / mk or more. On the other hand, the upper limit of the thermal conductivity is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 50 W / mk or less. The thermal conductivity of the resin component is measured in accordance with ASTM D5470 or ISO 22007-2.

[0076] As the resin in the resin component, for example, a known curable resin can be used, and examples of the curable resin include acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, olefin resin, EVA (Ethylene vinylacetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) resin, and silicone resin.

[0077] In addition, from the viewpoint of improving thermal conductivity, fillers can be further added to the resin component. Examples of fillers include alumina, AlN (aluminum nitride), BN (boron nitride), silicon nitride, ZnO, SiC, BeO and other ceramic fillers, and carbon fillers such as graphite.

[0078] (Roughening and carbon coating)

[0079] Where the exposed portion of the battery cell housing contacts the heat dissipation component (especially in the case of at least one of the battery module housing and the cooler as the heat dissipation component), it is preferred to perform at least one of a roughening treatment and a carbon coating treatment on the surface of at least one of the metal layer in the exposed portion and the heat dissipation component. This allows for more efficient heat dissipation. In addition, in the case of performing a carbon coating treatment, it is deemed that the heat dissipation component is in direct contact with the exposed portion.

[0080] In addition, in the case where the heat dissipation component is a resin component, further at the place where the resin component serving as the heat dissipation component contacts at least one of the battery module case and the cooler, it is preferred to perform at least one of a roughening treatment and a carbon coating treatment on the surface of at least one of the battery module case and the cooler and one or both of the heat dissipation component.

[0081] (Position of exposed part)

[0082] exist Figure 2 The battery module 11A shown in FIG. Figure 3 The battery module 11B and Figure 4 In the battery module 11C shown, the entire outer surface of the first sheet 210 constituting the cell case is an exposed portion 214A where the metal layer 214 is exposed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the exposed portion may be formed only on a portion of the outer surface.

[0083] For example, you can also Figure 5As can be seen in the battery cell 200 shown in FIG. 1 , the electrode surface of the electrode body 8 is in the shape of a rectangle, and the exposed portion is arranged at the ends 214B and 214C on the long sides of the rectangular shape. Here, a protective resin layer 216 is provided as the outermost layer in the area other than the ends 214B and 214C. Figure 5 , the exposed portion is formed at the end portions 214B and 214C on both sides of the long side of the rectangular shape, but the exposed portion may be formed only at the end portion on one side of the long side.

[0084] In addition, you can also Figure 6 As shown in the battery cell 202, the electrode surface of the electrode body 8 is in the shape of a rectangle, and the exposed portion is arranged at the end 214D on the short side of the rectangular shape. Figure 6 , the exposed portion is formed at one end 214D of the short side of the rectangular shape, but it may be formed at both ends of the short side (in this case, the other end is provided relative to the Figure 6 An exposed portion is formed in the cross section closer to the front side.

[0085] also, Figure 5 and Figure 6 It is a schematic perspective view showing a cross section and a surface viewed from an oblique direction of a battery cell used in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] However, when the shape of the electrode surface of the electrode body is a rectangle, the exposed portion is preferably arranged at least at the end of the long side of the rectangular shape (that is, compared to the exposed portion). Figure 6 The battery cell 202 shown, Figure 5 The battery cell 200 shown in the figure is more preferred). By arranging the exposed portion at least at the end of the long side of the rectangular shape, the distance between the center portion where heat is particularly likely to accumulate in the electrode body and the exposed portion of the battery cell case can be reduced compared to the case where the exposed portion is arranged only at the end of the short side, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the heat transfer path during heat dissipation can be increased. As a result, heat dissipation can be performed more efficiently.

[0087] (Thickness of metal layer)

[0088] The thickness of the metal layer in the battery cell case is not particularly limited. However, in the case where the battery cell case is composed of a first sheet (e.g. Figure 1 The first sheet 210 shown) and the second sheet without the exposed portion (e.g. Figure 1 In the case where the second sheet 220 shown in the figure is composed of two or more sheets, it is preferred that the average thickness of the metal layer in the first sheet (for example Figure 1 The average thickness L1 of the metal layer 214 shown is greater than the average thickness L2 of the metal layer in the second sheet (e.g. Figure 1 The average thickness L2 of the metal layer 224 is shown. Since the average thickness of the metal layer of the first sheet is larger than that of the second sheet, the cross-sectional area of ​​the heat transfer path during heat dissipation can be increased, and heat dissipation can be performed more efficiently.

[0089] In addition, the average thickness means the arithmetic mean of the layer thicknesses at 10 points selected arbitrarily in the metal layer.

[0090] Next, a battery pack and a vehicle including a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using the drawings.

[0091] (Overall Structure of Vehicle 100)

[0092] Figure 7 1 is a schematic top view showing the main parts of a vehicle 100 to which the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment is applied. Figure 7 As shown, the vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle) equipped with a battery pack 10 under the floor. In addition, the arrows UP, FR, and LH in each figure respectively indicate the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction, the front side in the vehicle front-back direction, and the left side in the vehicle width direction. When the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions are used for explanation, unless otherwise specified, they are assumed to indicate the front-back in the vehicle front-back direction, the left-right in the vehicle width direction, and the up-down in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0093] As an example, regarding the vehicle 100 of the present embodiment, the DC / DC converter 102, the electric compressor 104, and the PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater 106 are arranged on the front side of the vehicle relative to the battery pack 10. In addition, the motor 108, the gear box 110, the inverter 112, and the charger 114 are arranged on the rear side of the vehicle relative to the battery pack 10.

[0094] The DC current output from the battery pack 10 is supplied to the electric compressor 104, the PTC heater 106, the inverter 112, etc. after the voltage is adjusted by the DC / DC converter 102. In addition, the electric power is supplied to the motor 108 via the inverter 112, so that the rear wheels rotate and the vehicle 100 travels.

[0095] A charging port 116 is provided on the right side of the rear portion of the vehicle 100 . By connecting a charging plug of an external charging device (not shown) to the charging port 116 , electric power can be stored in the battery pack 10 via the on-vehicle charger 114 .

[0096] In addition, the configuration and structure of each component constituting the vehicle 100 are not limited to the above-mentioned structure. For example, it can also be applied to a hybrid vehicle (HV: Hybrid Vehicle) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) equipped with an engine. In addition, in the present embodiment, a rear-wheel drive vehicle is provided with a motor 108 mounted at the rear of the vehicle, but it is not limited to this. It can be provided as a front-wheel drive vehicle with a motor 108 mounted at the front of the vehicle, or a pair of motors 108 can be mounted at the front and rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, it can also be a vehicle with an in-wheel motor at each wheel.

[0097] Here, the battery pack 10 is composed of a plurality of battery modules 11. In the present embodiment, as an example, 10 battery modules 11 are provided. Specifically, on the right side of the vehicle 100, five battery modules 11 are arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction, and on the left side of the vehicle 100, five battery modules 11 are arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction. In addition, each battery module 11 is electrically connected.

[0098] Figure 8 1 is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of the battery module 11. Figure 8 As shown, the battery module 11 is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the vehicle width direction as the length direction. In addition, the outer shell of the battery module 11 is formed of an aluminum alloy. For example, the outer shell of the battery module 11 is formed by joining an aluminum die-casting product to both ends of an extruded material of an aluminum alloy by laser welding or the like.

[0099] A pair of voltage terminals 12 and a connector 14 are provided at both ends of the battery module 11 in the vehicle width direction. A flexible printed circuit board 22 described later is connected to the connector 14. Bus bars (not shown) are welded to both ends of the battery module 11 in the vehicle width direction.

[0100] The battery module 11 has a length MW in the vehicle width direction of, for example, 350 mm to 600 mm, a length ML in the vehicle front-rear direction of, for example, 150 mm to 250 mm, and a height MH in the vehicle vertical direction of, for example, 80 mm to 110 mm.

[0101] Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a top view of the battery module 11 with the upper cover removed. Fig. 9 As shown, a plurality of battery cells 20 are housed in an aligned state inside the battery module 11. In the present embodiment, as an example, 24 battery cells 20 are aligned in the vehicle front-rear direction and bonded to each other.

[0102] A flexible printed circuit (FPC) 22 is disposed on the battery cell 20. The flexible printed circuit 22 is formed in a strip shape with the vehicle width direction as the length direction, and thermistors 24 are provided at both ends of the flexible printed circuit 22. The thermistor 24 is not bonded to the battery cell 20, but is pressed toward the battery cell 20 by the upper cover of the battery module 11.

[0103] In addition, one or more buffer materials (not shown) are accommodated inside the battery module 11. For example, the buffer material is a thin plate-shaped member that can be elastically deformed, and is arranged between adjacent battery cells 20 with the arrangement direction of the battery cells 20 as the thickness direction. In this embodiment, as an example, buffer materials are arranged at both ends of the battery module 11 in the longitudinal direction and in the central part of the longitudinal direction.

[0104] Fig.10 2 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell 20 housed in a battery module 11 as viewed from the thickness direction. Fig.10 As shown, the battery cell 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and an electrode body (not shown) is accommodated inside. The electrode body is formed by stacking a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, and is sealed with a laminate film 28 .

[0105] In this embodiment, as an example, the electrode body receiving portion is formed by folding and laminating the embossed sheet-shaped laminate film 28. In addition, two structures, a single cup embossing structure with embossing at one location and a double cup embossing structure with embossing at two locations, can be adopted, but in this embodiment, a single cup embossing structure with a drawing depth of about 8 mm to 10 mm is adopted.

[0106] The upper ends of both ends of the battery cell 20 in the longitudinal direction are bent, and the corners form an outline. In addition, the upper end of the battery cell 20 is bent, and a fixing band 30 is wound around the upper end of the battery cell 20 along the longitudinal direction.

[0107] Here, terminals (connectors) 26 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 20. In the present embodiment, as an example, the terminals 26 are provided at positions offset downward from the center in the vertical direction of the battery cell 20. The terminals 26 are joined to bus bars (not shown) by laser welding or the like.

[0108] The length CW1 of the battery cell 20 in the vehicle width direction is, for example, 530 mm to 600 mm, the length CW2 of the region containing the electrode body is, for example, 500 mm to 520 mm, and the height CH of the battery cell 20 is, for example, 80 mm to 110 mm. In addition, the thickness of the battery cell 20 is, for example, 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm, and the height TH of the terminal 26 is, for example, 40 mm to 50 mm.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: A battery cell having an electrode body and a battery cell case sealing the electrode body therein, wherein the electrode body is formed by further stacking a plurality of stacked structures having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a heat dissipation component contacting the battery cell housing, in, The battery cell case includes at least a metal layer and a welding resin layer disposed on the inner surface side of the metal layer, and has an exposed portion where the metal layer is exposed on at least a portion of the outer surface side. The heat dissipation member contacts the exposed portion.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode surface of the electrode body has a rectangular shape, and the exposed portion is arranged at an end portion on a long side of the rectangular shape.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The battery cell case has the exposed portion on the outer surface side of the region E, and the heat dissipation member contacts the exposed portion in the region E, and the inner surface side of the region E contacts the electrode body.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The battery cell case includes a first sheet having the exposed portion and a second sheet not having the exposed portion, and an average thickness of the metal layer in the first sheet is greater than an average thickness of the metal layer in the second sheet.

5. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The heat dissipating member includes at least one of a battery module case and a cooler, and the at least one of the battery module case and the cooler is in contact with the exposed portion.

6. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The invention comprises at least one of a battery module case and a cooler, and comprises a resin member for joining at least one of the battery module case and the cooler as the heat dissipation member to the battery cell case, wherein the resin member contacts the exposed portion.

Images