Battery pack

Abstract

The invention provides a battery pack capable of ensuring impact resistance. A battery pack according to the present invention comprises a plurality of battery cells arranged in a plurality of battery packs, and a rectangular parallelepiped housing case having an opening on the upper surface for housing the plurality of battery packs, in which a cross-shaped partition wall is provided so as to be integrally formed with the housing case, the battery pack includes a partition wall connecting inner side surfaces facing each other in a longitudinal direction of the housing case and connecting inner side surfaces facing each other in a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the housing case, and the battery pack includes a connection member that electrically connects adjacent battery packs across the partition wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a power supply device in which an electrical connection box is arranged between a plurality of batteries. In the power supply device disclosed in Patent document 1, by arranging the electrical connection box between a plurality of batteries, the distance from the electrical connection box to one end of the battery assembly and the distance from the electrical connection box to the other end of the battery assembly can be shortened, thereby reducing the length of the connector connecting them. In addition, in the power supply device disclosed in Patent document 1, a first battery group, an electrical connection box, and a second battery group are arranged in a straight line.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-004323 However, the power supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has no member for protecting the battery, and therefore may be damaged if subjected to an impact such as a collision. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack capable of ensuring impact resistance.

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the battery pack involved in the present invention has a battery group formed by a plurality of battery cells arranged and a storage shell having an opening on the upper surface for storing the plurality of battery groups, the storage shell being a rectangular parallelepiped, and a cross-shaped partition wall is provided in the storage shell in a manner of being integrally constructed with the storage shell, the partition wall connects inner side surfaces opposite to each other in the length direction of the storage shell, and connects inner side surfaces opposite to each other in the width direction orthogonal to the length direction of the storage shell, and the battery pack has a connecting component that spans the partition wall to electrically connect adjacent battery groups to each other.

[0006] Thus, compared with a case where the partition wall and the storage case are separate members, the case rigidity with respect to the input of the external load of the storage case during a collision can be increased, and thus the impact resistance can be ensured.

[0007] In addition, in the above-mentioned battery pack, harness connection parts may be provided at both ends of the plurality of battery groups in the longitudinal direction, and the harness connection parts are used to electrically connect to equipment components through harnesses.

[0008] As a result, the freedom in handling the wiring harness that electrically connects the battery pack (battery group) to the equipment components can be improved, the cost increase caused by the increase in the length of the wiring harness, the volume expansion caused by the wiring harness processing, etc. can be suppressed, and the freedom in the mounting layout of the equipment components can be improved.

[0009] The battery pack according to the present invention has the effect of ensuring impact resistance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment when viewed from above.

[0011] Figure 2 for Figure 1 AA cross-section of the battery pack shown.

[0012] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a first example in which the mounting layout of device components is changed in the battery pack according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a second example in which the mounting layout of device components is changed in the battery pack according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a battery pack according to the present invention will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment when viewed from above. Figure 2 for Figure 1 AA cross-sectional view of the battery pack 1 shown in the figure. In addition, the arrows Rr, UPR, and LH indicated appropriately in each figure respectively indicate the rear direction, the upper direction, and the left direction of the vehicle to which the battery pack 1 involved in the present embodiment is applied. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle indicates the width direction of the battery pack, the left-to-right direction of the vehicle indicates the length direction of the battery pack, and the up-down direction of the vehicle indicates the up-down direction of the battery pack.

[0016] The battery pack 1 involved in the embodiment includes a storage case 2, a plurality of first battery packs 3A, a second battery pack 3B, a third battery pack 3C, a fourth battery pack 3D, and an equipment component 6. In the following description, the first battery pack 3A, the second battery pack 3B, the third battery pack 3C, and the fourth battery pack 3D are collectively referred to as the battery packs 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, and are simply referred to as the battery pack 3 unless otherwise specified.

[0017] The storage housing 2 is composed of a first side wall 20A, a second side wall 20B, a third side wall 20C, a fourth side wall 20D, a bottom plate 21, a first partition wall 22A, and a second partition wall 22B, and is a rectangular parallelepiped having an opening at the top in the vertical direction of the battery pack. In the storage housing 2, the first side wall 20A, the second side wall 20B, the third side wall 20C, the fourth side wall 20D, the bottom plate 21, the first partition wall 22A, and the second partition wall 22B are integrally structured. The storage housing 2 is formed, for example, by aluminum die casting.

[0018] The first side wall 20A is located at one end in the width direction of the battery pack, and the second side wall 20B is located at the other end in the width direction of the battery pack. In addition, the third side wall 20C is located at one end in the length direction of the battery pack, and the fourth side wall 20D is located at the other end in the length direction of the battery pack. The first side wall 20A, the second side wall 20B, the third side wall 20C, and the fourth side wall 20D are formed in a manner of standing upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 21.

[0019] The first partition wall 22A extends in the width direction of the battery pack in a manner that connects the inner side surfaces of the first side wall 20A and the second side wall 20B that are opposite to each other. The second partition wall 22B extends in the length direction of the battery pack in a manner that connects the inner side surfaces of the third side wall 20C and the fourth side wall 20D that are opposite to each other. When viewed from above in the vertical direction of the battery pack, the first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B intersect to form a cross-shaped partition wall that connects the opposite side surfaces. The first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B also function as supporting components that support the first side wall 20A, the second side wall 20B, the third side wall 20C, and the fourth side wall 20D in the storage shell 2. The storage shell 2 is divided into four first storage sections 200A, the second storage section 200B, the third storage section 200C, and the fourth storage section 200D by the first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B. The first storage section 200A is formed by the first side wall 20A, the third side wall 20C, the first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B. In addition, the second storage section 200B is formed by the first side wall 20A, the fourth side wall 20D, the first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B. In addition, the third storage section 200C is surrounded by the second side wall 20B, the third side wall 20C, the first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B. In addition, the fourth storage section 200D is surrounded by the second side wall 20B, the fourth side wall 20D, the first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B.

[0020] Specifically, the first storage section 200A stores the first battery pack 3A. In addition, the second storage section 200B stores the second battery pack 3B. In addition, the third storage section 200C stores the third battery pack 3C. In addition, the fourth storage section 200D stores the fourth battery pack 3D. In the first storage section 200A, the second storage section 200B, the third storage section 200C, and the fourth storage section 200D, the four battery packs 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are stored in the vertical direction of the battery pack from the openings provided at the upper portion of the storage case 2.

[0021] The first battery pack 3A is configured such that a plurality of battery cells 31aA, 31bA, 31cA, 31dA, 31eA, 31fA, 31gA, 31hA, and 31iA are arranged in the battery pack longitudinal direction from the third side wall 20C side toward the first partition wall 22A side. In the following description, when the plurality of battery cells 31aA, 31bA, 31cA, 31dA, 31eA, 31fA, 31gA, 31hA, and 31iA are not particularly distinguished, they are also simply referred to as battery cells 31A. In the first battery pack 3A, the positive terminals and negative terminals of adjacent battery cells 31A are electrically connected to each other by a plurality of bus bars 4 as connecting members. Thus, the plurality of battery cells 31aA, 31bA, 31cA, 31dA, 31eA, 31fA, 31gA, 31hA, and 31iA are electrically connected in series.

[0022] In addition, harness connection parts 32aA and 32bA are provided at both ends of the first battery group 3A in the battery pack length direction. Specifically, in the battery cell 31aA located closest to the third side wall 20C in the battery pack length direction of the first battery group 3A, the harness connection parts 32aA are provided on the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cell 31bA through the bus bar 4. In addition, in the battery cell 31iA located closest to the first partition wall 22A in the battery pack length direction of the first battery group 3A, the harness connection parts 32bA are provided on the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cell 31hA through the bus bar 4.

[0023] The second battery pack 3B is configured such that a plurality of battery cells 31aB, 31bB, 31cB, 31dB, 31eB, 31fB, 31gB, 31hB, and 31iB are arranged in the battery pack longitudinal direction from the first partition wall 22A side toward the fourth side wall 20D side. In the following description, when the plurality of battery cells 31aB, 31bB, 31cB, 31dB, 31eB, 31fB, 31gB, 31hB, and 31iB are not particularly distinguished, they are also simply referred to as battery cells 31B. In the second battery pack 3B, the positive terminals and negative terminals of adjacent battery cells 31B are electrically connected to each other through a plurality of bus bars 4. Thus, the plurality of battery cells 31aB, 31bB, 31cB, 31dB, 31eB, 31fB, 31gB, 31hB, and 31iB are electrically connected in series.

[0024] In addition, harness connection parts 32aB and 32bB are provided at both ends of the second battery group 3B in the battery pack length direction. Specifically, in the battery cell 31aB located closest to the first partition wall 22A in the battery pack length direction of the second battery group 3B, the harness connection parts 32aB are provided on the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cell 31bB through the bus bar 4. In addition, in the battery cell 31iB located closest to the fourth side wall 20D in the battery pack length direction of the second battery group 3B, the harness connection parts 32bB are provided on the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cell 31hB through the bus bar 4.

[0025] The third battery pack 3C is configured such that a plurality of battery cells 31aC, 31bC, 31cC, 31dC, 31eC, 31fC, 31gC, 31hC, and 31iC are arranged in the battery pack longitudinal direction from the third side wall 20C side toward the first partition wall 22A side. In the following description, when the plurality of battery cells 31aC, 31bC, 31cC, 31dC, 31eC, 31fC, 31gC, 31hC, and 31iC are not particularly distinguished, they are also simply referred to as battery cells 31C. In the third battery pack 3C, the positive terminals and negative terminals of adjacent battery cells 31C are electrically connected by a plurality of bus bars 4. Thus, the plurality of battery cells 31aC, 31bC, 31cC, 31dC, 31eC, 31fC, 31gC, 31hC, and 31iC are electrically connected in series.

[0026] In addition, harness connection parts 32aC and 32bC are provided at both ends of the third battery group 3C in the battery pack length direction. Specifically, in the battery cell 31aC located closest to the third side wall 20C in the battery pack length direction of the third battery group 3C, the harness connection parts 32aC are provided on the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cell 31bC through the bus bar 4. In addition, in the battery cell 31iC located closest to the first partition wall 22A in the battery pack length direction of the third battery group 3C, the harness connection parts 32bC are provided on the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cell 31hC through the bus bar 4.

[0027] The fourth battery pack 3D is configured such that a plurality of battery cells 31aD, 31bD, 31cD, 31dD, 31eD, 31fD, 31gD, 31hD, and 31iD are arranged in the battery pack length direction from the first partition wall 22A side toward the fourth side wall 20D side. In the following description, when the plurality of battery cells 31aD, 31bD, 31cD, 31dD, 31eD, 31fD, 31gD, 31hD, and 31iD are not particularly distinguished, they are also simply referred to as battery cells 31D. In the fourth battery pack 3D, the positive terminals and negative terminals of adjacent battery cells 31D are electrically connected to each other through a plurality of bus bars 4. Thus, the plurality of battery cells 31aD, 31bD, 31cD, 31dD, 31eD, 31fD, 31gD, 31hD, and 31iD are electrically connected in series.

[0028] In addition, harness connectors 32aD and 32bD are provided at both ends of the fourth battery pack 3D in the battery pack length direction. Specifically, the harness connectors 32aD are provided on the remaining terminals of the battery cell 31aD located closest to the first partition wall 22A in the battery pack length direction of the fourth battery pack 3D that are not electrically connected to the battery cell 31bD through the bus bar 4. In addition, the harness connectors 32bD are provided on the remaining terminals of the battery cell 31iD located closest to the fourth side wall 20D in the battery pack length direction of the fourth battery pack 3D that are not electrically connected to the battery cell 31hD through the bus bar 4.

[0029] In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, the harness connection portion 32aA provided in the battery cell 31aA of the first battery group 3A and the harness connection portion 32aC provided in the battery cell 31aC of the third battery group 3C are electrically connected via the harness 5A across the second partition wall 22B.

[0030] In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, the harness connection portion 32bA of the battery cell 31iA provided in the first battery group 3A and the harness connection portion 32aB of the battery cell 31aB provided in the second battery group 3B are electrically connected via the harness 5B across the first partition wall 22A.

[0031] In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, the harness connection portion 32bC of the battery cell 31iC of the third battery pack 3C and the harness connection portion 32aD of the battery cell 31aD of the fourth battery pack 3D are electrically connected via the harness 5C across the first partition wall 22A.

[0032] The equipment component 6 includes a system main relay or other electrical components. One terminal of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the equipment component 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32bB provided in the battery cell 31iB of the second battery pack 3B through the harness 5D across the fourth side wall 20D. In addition, the other terminal of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the equipment component 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32bD provided in the battery cell 31iD of the fourth battery pack 3D through the harness 5E across the fourth side wall 20D.

[0033] In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, the harness connection portion 32 for electrically connecting to the device component 6 through the harness 5 is provided at both ends of each battery pack 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D in the battery pack length direction. This can improve the degree of freedom in handling the harness 5 that electrically connects the battery pack 1 (battery pack 3) to the device component 6. Therefore, in the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, it is possible to suppress the cost increase caused by the increase in the length of the harness 5, the volume increase caused by the harness handling, etc., and improve the degree of freedom in the mounting layout of the device component 6.

[0034] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first example in which the mounting layout of the device components 6 is changed in the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 In the battery pack 1 shown, a mounting layout is adopted in which the device components 6 are provided in the battery pack width direction of the battery pack 1 .

[0035] exist Figure 1 The wiring harness connection portion 32bB of the battery cell 31iB of the second battery group 3B, which is originally electrically connected to the device component 6 in the battery pack 1 shown in FIG. Figure 3 In the battery pack 1 shown, the harness connection portion 32bD of the battery cell 31iD provided in the fourth battery group 3D is electrically connected via the harness 5F across the second partition wall 22B.

[0036] Furthermore, one terminal of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the device component 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32bC of the battery cell 31iC provided in the third battery pack 3C via the harness 5G across the second side wall 20B. In addition, the other terminal of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the device component 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32aD of the battery cell 31aD provided in the fourth battery pack 3D via the harness 5H across the second side wall 20B. Thus, Figure 3 In the battery pack 1 shown, the device component 6 is connected to Figure 1 Similarly, in the battery pack 1 shown, the lengths of the harnesses 5G and 5H can be shortened compared to the case where the harness connection portion 32bB and the harness connection portion 32bD are electrically connected.

[0037] Figure 4FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second example in which the mounting layout of the device components 6 is changed in the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 4 In the battery pack 1 shown, a mounting layout is adopted in which the device components 6 are provided on the battery pack 1 .

[0038] exist Figure 1 The wiring harness connection portion 32bB of the battery cell 31iB of the second battery group 3B, which is originally electrically connected to the device component 6 in the battery pack 1 shown in FIG. Figure 4 In the battery pack 1 shown, the harness connection portion 32bD of the battery cell 31iD provided in the fourth battery group 3D is electrically connected via the harness 5F across the second partition wall 22B.

[0039] Furthermore, one terminal of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the device component 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32bA of the battery cell 31iA provided in the first battery pack 3A through the harness 5I across the first side wall 20A. In addition, the other terminal of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the device component 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32aB of the battery cell 31aB provided in the second battery pack 3B through the harness 5J across the first side wall 20A. Thus, in Figure 4 In the battery pack 1 shown, the device component 6 is connected to Figure 1 The battery pack 1 shown can also shorten the lengths of the harnesses 5I and 5J compared to the case where the harness connection portion 32bB and the harness connection portion 32bD are electrically connected.

[0040] In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, a cross-shaped partition wall formed by the first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B intersecting each other is provided in the storage case 2 as an integral structure with the first side wall 20A, the second side wall 20B, the third side wall 20C, the fourth side wall 20D, and the bottom plate 21. Thus, for example, compared with a case where the cross-shaped partition wall (the first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B) and the storage case 2 (the first side wall 20A, the second side wall 20B, the third side wall 20C, the fourth side wall 20D, and the bottom plate 21) are separate components, it is possible to improve the resistance to external input from the storage case 2 during a collision. Figure 1 The housing is rigid under the load F shown, and therefore impact resistance can be ensured.

[0041] In addition, in the embodiment, each battery group 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D in the battery pack 1 may be composed of a plurality of battery cells 31, a plurality of partitions provided between adjacent battery cells 31, and a pair of end plates provided at both ends of the battery group 3. In addition, in the battery pack 1 involved in the embodiment, a bus bar may be used instead of a wiring harness as a connection component that electrically connects adjacent battery groups 3 across the first partition wall 22A or the second partition wall 22B. In addition, in the battery pack 1 involved in the embodiment, a wiring harness may be used instead of a bus bar as a connection component that electrically connects the positive terminals and negative terminals of adjacent battery cells 31.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising a battery group formed by arranging a plurality of battery cells and a storage case having an opening on an upper surface for storing the plurality of battery groups, wherein the storage case is a rectangular parallelepiped, characterized in that: A cross-shaped partition is provided in the storage shell in a manner of being integrally constructed with the storage shell, the partition connecting inner side surfaces that are mutually opposed in the length direction of the storage shell and inner side surfaces that are mutually opposed in the width direction that is orthogonal to the length direction of the storage shell. The battery pack includes a connection member that electrically connects the adjacent battery groups across the partition wall.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: Harness connection parts are provided at both ends of the plurality of battery packs in the length direction, and the harness connection parts are used to be electrically connected to equipment components through a harness.

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