Battery pack

Abstract

This battery pack is provided with: a case having an inlet through which a liquid flows in and an outlet through which the liquid flows out; a holder provided in the case and holding the plurality of batteries; and a plurality of collector plates provided inside the case and electrically connecting the plurality of batteries. The holder has: a main body disposed at a distance from the battery; and a battery holding part which is connected to the main body, is made of a material softer than the main body, and has a contact part in contact with the battery.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, as a battery pack, there is a battery pack described in Patent Document 1. This battery pack includes: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a holding member disposed inside the housing and holding a plurality of batteries; and a plurality of current collecting plates disposed inside the housing and electrically connecting the plurality of batteries. This battery pack cools the plurality of batteries inside the housing by flowing an insulating coolant in from the inlet and out from the outlet.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-511642 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Since the above-described battery pack has a structure in which an insulating coolant flows into the housing and the coolant directly contacts the batteries, it can achieve cooling efficiency dozens to hundreds of times that of a cooling structure in which the coolant does not directly contact the batteries.

[0007] However, in the above-described battery pack, since the structure is such that the coolant directly contacts the batteries, there is a possibility that the batteries are likely to move relative to the holding member and vibrate relative to the holding member due to the force exerted by the flowing coolant, and damage is likely to occur at the joint between the current collecting plate and the battery or the like.

[0008] The battery pack of the present invention includes: a housing having an inlet for liquid to flow in and an outlet for liquid to flow out; a holding member disposed inside the housing and holding a plurality of batteries; and a plurality of current collecting plates disposed inside the housing and used for electrically connecting the plurality of batteries. The holding member has: a main body disposed at a distance from the batteries; and a battery holding portion connected to the main body and made of a material softer than the main body, having a contact portion that contacts the batteries.

[0009] According to the battery pack of the present invention, it is easy to achieve high cooling efficiency, and it is also possible to suppress the movement of the batteries relative to the holding member. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Figure 1 It is a schematic cross-sectional view in a plane in the thickness direction of the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention, including an inlet, an outlet, and a holding member.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a schematic top view when observing the holding member from the first side in the thickness direction.

[0012] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional view when the first holding member of the holding member of the second embodiment is cut by a plane passing through the battery holding portion and orthogonal to the height direction.

[0013] Figure 4 It is related to the holding member of the third embodiment Figure 2 corresponding schematic top view.

[0014] Figure 5 It is a partial cross-sectional view in a plane including the thickness direction of the holding member of the fourth embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, hereinafter, in the case of including a plurality of embodiments, modification examples, etc., it is assumed from the beginning that the characteristic parts of the plurality of embodiments, modification examples, etc. are appropriately combined to construct a new embodiment. In addition, in the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the same structures in the drawings, and repeated explanations are omitted. In addition, among the schematic diagrams included in a plurality of drawings, the ratio of the longitudinal, horizontal, height, etc. of each member may not be the same between different drawings.

[0016] In addition, in the following description, the case where the battery 5 is a cylindrical battery is described, and the case where the height direction of the battery 5 coincides with the axial direction of the battery 5 is described. However, the battery may be a battery other than a cylindrical battery, such as a square battery. In addition, among the constituent elements described below, those not described in the independent claims representing the most general concept are arbitrary constituent elements and not essential constituent elements.

[0017] (First Embodiment)

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic cross-sectional view in a plane including the thickness direction of the battery pack 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, including the inlet 2, the outlet 3, and the holding member 20. Figure 2 It is a schematic top view when the holding member 30 is viewed from the first side in the thickness direction. In addition, Figure 1 corresponding to Figure 2 the cross-section along line A - A of Figure 1 coincides.

[0019] As Figure 1As shown, the battery pack 1 includes: a housing 10; a holding member 30 disposed within the housing 10 for holding a plurality of batteries 5; and two current collectors 70, 80 disposed within the housing 10 for electrically connecting the plurality of batteries 5. The housing 10 is made of resin or the like and has a battery accommodation chamber 7 therein. The housing 10 has an inlet 2 formed by one or more through-holes and an outlet 3 formed by one or more through-holes. The passages for communicating the battery accommodation chamber 7 with the outside of the housing 10 are only the inlet 2 formed by one or more through-holes and the outlet 3 formed by one or more through-holes.

[0020] At the inlet 2, the tip of an inflow-side pipe (not shown) is connected, and the inflow-side pipe allows an insulating coolant 4, which is an example of a liquid, to flow into the inlet 2. Further, at the outlet 3, the tip of an outflow-side pipe (not shown) is connected, and the outflow-side pipe allows the coolant 4 to flow out of the outlet 3. The battery accommodation chamber 7 is included in a circulation path 8. The circulation path 8 includes, for example, the internal chamber of a pump (not shown). By circulating the coolant 4 using the pump, the coolant 4 circulates in the circulation path 8, and the coolant 4 flows from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3 within the battery accommodation chamber 7.

[0021] The holding member 30 is made of an insulating resin or the like. The holding member 30 has: a first holding member 31 that holds a first end portion of the battery 5 in the height direction; a second holding member 32 that holds a second end portion of the battery 5 in the height direction; and a connecting portion 33 that extends substantially parallel to the height direction of the battery 5 and connects the first holding member 31 and the second holding member 32.

[0022] The first holding member 31 has a plurality of first holding portions 41 for holding the first end portions of the plurality of batteries 5 in a substantially parallel state while being spaced apart from each other in the height direction, and the second holding member 32 has a plurality of second holding portions 42 for holding the second end portions of the plurality of batteries 5 in a substantially parallel state while being spaced apart from each other in the height direction.

[0023] The first end portions of the plurality of batteries 5 are constrained and held by the first holding portions 41 of the first holding member 31, and the second end portions of the plurality of batteries 5 are constrained and held by the second holding portions 42 of the second holding member 32. Thereafter, the first end portion in the height direction of the connecting portion 33 is joined to the first holding member 31 by laser welding, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, or an adhesive, etc., and the second end portion in the height direction of the connecting portion 33 is joined to the second holding member 32 by laser welding, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, or an adhesive, etc. The holding member 30 can be manufactured, for example, by such a method.

[0024] In addition, the case where the holding member 30 has an integral structure has been described, but the holding member may not have a connecting portion and may not have an integral structure. Specifically, the holding member may also be composed of a first holding member that holds the first end portion in the height direction of the battery and a second holding member that holds the second end portion in the height direction of the battery, and the first holding member and the second holding member are not connected.

[0025] The first holding member 31 has: a main body 51 that is disposed at a distance from the battery 5; and a battery holding portion 53 that is connected to the main body 51 and is made of a material softer than the main body 51 and has a contact portion 57 that contacts the battery 5. The main body 51 is made of a harder resin, such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, phenolic resin, etc. On the other hand, the battery holding portion 53 is made of a resin material softer than the main body 51. The battery holding portion 53 is made of an elastomer, etc., for example, made of polyurethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber, etc. The main body 51 and the battery holding portion 53 are integrally formed by, for example, two-color molding.

[0026] The battery holding portion 53 has: a cylindrical portion 53a that covers and holds the outer peripheral surface of the first end portion in the height direction of the battery 5 over the entire circumference; and an annular portion 53b that projects inward in the radial direction of the battery 5 from the cylindrical portion 53a and covers the outer peripheral side of the end face of the first end portion of the battery 5. The main body 51 has an overlapping portion 54 that overlaps the annular portion 53b in the height direction. In a state where the first holding member 31 properly holds the first end portion in the axial direction of the battery 5, the cylindrical portion 53a is in a state of being compressed in the radial direction, and the annular portion 53b is in a state of being compressed in the height direction.

[0027] By providing the harder overlapping portion 54 that overlaps the annular portion 53b in the height direction on the main body 51, sufficient rigidity of the first holding member 31 can be ensured. In addition, by providing the harder overlapping portion 54 that overlaps the annular portion 53b in the height direction on the main body 51, the compression rate of the battery holding portion 53 in the battery holding state of the first holding member 31 can be increased, the first end portion of the battery 5 can be held tightly by the battery holding portion 53, and the first end portion of the battery 5 can be firmly held.

[0028] In addition, similarly, the second holding member 32 has: a main body 61 that is disposed at a distance from the battery 5; and a battery holding portion 63 that is connected to the main body 61 and is made of a material softer than the main body 61 and has a contact portion 67 that contacts the battery 5. The main body 61 is made of a harder resin, such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, phenolic resin, etc. On the other hand, the battery holding portion 63 is made of a resin material softer than the main body 61. The battery holding portion 63 is made of an elastomer, etc., for example, made of polyurethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber, etc. The main body 61 and the battery holding portion 63 are integrally formed by, for example, two-color molding.

[0029] The battery holding portion 63 has: a cylindrical portion 63a that covers and holds the outer peripheral surface of the second end portion in the height direction of the battery 5 over the entire circumference; and an annular portion 63b that protrudes inward in the radial direction of the battery 5 from the cylindrical portion 63a and covers the outer peripheral side of the end surface of the second end portion of the battery 5. The main body 61 has an overlapping portion 64 that overlaps with the annular portion 63b in the height direction. In a state where the second holding member 32 properly holds the second end portion in the axial direction of the battery 5, the cylindrical portion 63a is in a state of being compressed in the radial direction, and the annular portion 63b is in a state of being compressed in the height direction.

[0030] By providing a relatively rigid overlapping portion 64 on the main body 61 that overlaps with the annular portion 63b in the height direction, sufficient stiffness of the second holding member 32 can be ensured. In addition, by providing a relatively rigid overlapping portion 64 on the main body 61 that overlaps with the annular portion 63b in the height direction, the compression ratio of the battery holding portion 63 in the battery holding state of the second holding member 32 can be increased, the second end portion of the battery 5 can be held tightly by the battery holding portion 63, and the second end portion of the battery 5 can be held firmly.

[0031] The battery pack 1 includes a first current collector plate 70 and a second current collector plate 80. The first current collector plate 70 is made of a metal material and has a plate portion 71 and a plurality of lead portions 72. The plurality of lead portions 72 protrude from the plate portion 71 toward the first terminal 5a of the battery 5 and are joined to the first terminal 5a. The lead portion 72 has the shape of a tongue portion. The lead portion 72 is formed, for example, by stamping a metal plate. At least a part of the plate portion 71 at a position overlapping with the lead portion 72 in the thickness direction has a through hole (not shown) generated when the lead portion 72 is formed.

[0032] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the first holding member 31 has: a plurality of first through holes 58 provided at a position of the first holding member 31 that overlaps at least a part of the lead portion 72 in the height direction of the battery 5; and a plurality of second through holes 59 provided at a position of the first holding member 31 that does not overlap with all the lead portions 72 in the height direction of the battery 5. The first through holes 58 and the second through holes 59 extend along the height direction of the battery 5 respectively.

[0033] As Figure 1 shown, the end surface on the second side in the height direction of the plate portion 71 abuts against the end surface on the first side in the height direction of the first holding member 31. The plate portion 71 is fixed to the first holding member 31 in this state by fixing means, such as an adhesive or a fastening means.

[0034] The lead portion 72 is received in the first through hole 58. The top end portion of the lead portion 72 is joined to the end face (first terminal 5a) of the first end portion of the battery 5 by welding or the like. The inlet 2 is located on the first side in the height direction of the first current collector plate 70. The battery accommodation chamber 7 includes a first side flow path 91 on the first side of the first current collector plate 70. The first side flow path 91 extends in a direction orthogonal to the height direction and allows the coolant 4 to flow through it.

[0035] The second current collector plate 80 is made of a metallic material and has a plate-like portion 81 and a plurality of lead portions 82. The plurality of lead portions 82 project from the plate-like portion 81 toward the second terminal 5b side of the battery 5 and are joined to the second terminal 5b. The lead portion 82 has the shape of a tongue portion. The lead portion 82 is formed, for example, by stamping a metal plate. The plate-like portion 81 has through holes (not shown) generated when the lead portion 82 is formed in at least a part of the portion that overlaps the lead portion 82 in the thickness direction.

[0036] The second holding member 32 has: a plurality of first through holes 68 provided in a portion of the second holding member 32 that overlaps at least a part of the lead portion 82 in the height direction of the battery 5; and a plurality of second through holes 69 provided in a portion of the second holding member 32 that does not overlap all of the lead portions 82 in the height direction of the battery 5. The first through holes 68 and the second through holes 69 extend along the height direction of the battery 5, respectively.

[0037] As Figure 1 shown, the second holding member 32 has a plurality of column portions 39 that extend in the height direction and are located at spaced positions. The end face on the first side in the height direction of the plate-like portion 81 is supported by the end faces on the second side in the height direction of the plurality of column portions 39. In this state, the plate-like portion 81 is fixed to the end faces on the second side in the height direction of two or more column portions 39 by fixing means, such as an adhesive or fastening means.

[0038] The lead portion 82 is received in the first through hole 68. The top end portion of the lead portion 82 is joined to the end face (second terminal 5b) of the second end portion of the battery 5 by welding or the like. The outlet 3 is located in the height direction between the second holding member 32 and the plate-like portion 81 of the second current collector plate 80. The battery accommodation chamber 7 includes a second side flow path 92 for the coolant 4 to flow through in the height direction between the second holding member 32 and the plate-like portion 81 of the second current collector plate 80. The second side flow path 92 extends in a direction orthogonal to the height direction. The inside of the battery pack 1 is filled with the coolant 4 without any gaps.

[0039] In addition, a case where the first current collector plate 70 abuts against the end surface on the first side of the first holding member 31 and a part of the flow path for the coolant 4 to flow is provided on the first side in the height direction of the first current collector plate 70 has been described. In addition, a case where the second current collector plate 80 is supported by the end surfaces of the plurality of column portions 39 of the second holding member 32 has been described. However, the first current collector plate may also be supported by the end surfaces of the plurality of column portions provided at intervals in the first holding member and extending in the height direction. In addition, the second current collector plate may be brought into contact with the end surface on the second side of the second holding member, and a part of the flow path for the coolant to flow may be provided on the second side in the height direction of the second current collector plate.

[0040] In the above structure, the coolant 4 flowing in from the inlet 2 flows in the first side flow path 91, and then flows into the space 88 between the first holding member 31 and the second holding member 32 through the through hole 77 provided in the first current collector plate 70 and the second through hole 59 of the first holding member 31 as shown by the arrow A, and then flows into the second side flow path 92 through the second through hole 69 of the second holding member 32. Then, it flows out of the battery housing chamber 7 through the outlet 3 from the second side flow path 92. The coolant 4 flowing in from the inlet 2 absorbs the heat released from the battery 5 and gets heated during the process of flowing in the battery housing chamber 7, and the heated coolant 4 flows out from the outlet 3. Through the transfer of this heat, the battery 5 is cooled.

[0041] As described above, the battery pack 1 includes: a housing 10 having an inlet 2 for the insulating coolant 4 to flow in and an outlet 3 for the coolant 4 to flow out; a holding member 30 provided in the housing 10 and holding a plurality of batteries 5; and a plurality of current collector plates 70, 80 provided in the housing 10 and used for electrically connecting the plurality of batteries 5. In addition, the holding member 30 has: main bodies 51, 61 disposed at intervals from the batteries 5; and battery holding portions 53, 63 connected to the main bodies 51, 61 and made of a material softer than the main bodies 51, 61, having contact portions 57, 67 in contact with the batteries 5.

[0042] According to the present invention, since the structure is such that the insulating coolant 4 flows in the housing 10 and the coolant 4 is in direct contact with the battery 5, the cooling efficiency can be significantly improved as compared with the cooling structure in which the coolant is not in direct contact with the battery.

[0043] In addition, since the holding member 30 has main bodies 51, 61 made of a harder material, the rigidity of the holding member 30 can be improved. Therefore, even if the holding member 30 bears the force from the coolant 4 flowing in the housing 10, the holding member 30 is not easily deformed, and the durability of the holding member 30 can also be improved.

[0044] In addition, since the contact portions 57 and 67 that come into contact with the battery 5 in the holding member 30 are made of a material softer than the main bodies 51 and 61, the battery 5 can be closely attached to the battery 5 by the contact portions 57 and 67, and the battery 5 can be firmly held. Therefore, the movement of the battery 5 relative to the holding member 30 can be suppressed, and damage can be suppressed from occurring at the joint portions between the current collector plates 70 and 80 and the battery 5, etc.

[0045] In addition, the current collector plates 70 and 80 may also have plate-like portions 71 and 81 and lead portions 72 and 82. The lead portions 72 and 82 project from the plate-like portions 71 and 81 toward the terminals 5a and 5b of the battery 5 and are joined to the terminals 5a and 5b. Moreover, the holding member 30 may also have: a plurality of first through holes 58 and 68 provided at a portion of the holding member 30 that overlaps at least a part of the lead portions 72 and 82 in the height direction of the battery 5; and a plurality of second through holes 59 and 69 provided at a portion of the holding member 30 that does not overlap all of the lead portions 72 and 82 in the height direction of the battery 5.

[0046] According to this structure, the coolant 4 can flow through the second through holes 59 and 69, and the flow rate of the coolant 4 can be increased. Thereby, the cooling efficiency of the battery 5 can be further improved.

[0047] (Second Embodiment)

[0048] In the first embodiment, the case where the battery holding portions 53 and 63 closely hold the outer peripheral surface of the battery 5 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction has been described. However, the battery holding portion may not closely hold the outer peripheral surface of the battery over the entire circumference. In the second embodiment, the case where the battery holding portion closely holds only a partial portion in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the battery will be described. In addition, in the following embodiments including the second embodiment, the description of the same functions and effects and modification examples as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0049] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional view when the first holding member 131 of the holding member 130 of the second embodiment is cut by a plane passing through the battery holding portion 153 and orthogonal to the height direction. As Figure 3 shown, the holding member 130 has a main body 151 and a battery holding portion 153. The battery holding portion 153 is integrally formed with the main body 151 and is made of a material softer than the main body 151.

[0050] The battery retaining portion 153 includes a plurality of columnar portions 155, which are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the battery 5 and have a columnar shape. The top end surfaces 155a of the plurality of columnar portions 155 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the battery 5, so that the battery 5 is constrained in the radial direction. The retaining member 130 has a through groove 159 through which the coolant can pass between the circumferentially adjacent columnar portions 155 in the circumferential direction. Both ends of the through groove 159 in the extension direction, i.e., the height direction, are open in the height direction, and the through groove 159, on the radial battery 5 side of the battery 5, is open in the battery storage space 167 and communicates with the battery storage space 167.

[0051] According to this structure, the cooling liquid can pass through the through groove 159, and the cooling liquid can flow near the battery 5. This makes it easy to improve the cooling efficiency of the battery 5.

[0052] The plurality of pillars 155 are preferably arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and each pillar 155 preferably extends in the radial direction of the battery 5. However, the plurality of pillars may be arranged at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction, and at least one pillar may extend in a direction inclined with respect to the radial direction.

[0053] In addition, Figure 3 In the example shown, there are no through holes corresponding to the plurality of second through holes 59, 69 in the first embodiment, and the plurality of second through holes 59, 69 are provided at locations that do not overlap with any lead portions 72, 82 in the height direction of the battery 5. However, in the case of the second embodiment, there may be through holes provided at locations that do not overlap with any lead portions in the height direction of the battery.

[0054] (Third embodiment)

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, in the first embodiment, the plurality of second through holes 59, 69 provided at the portion that does not overlap with any lead portion 72, 82 in the height direction of the battery 5 are all substantially the same, and the cross-sectional areas of the cross sections perpendicular to the extending directions thereof are all substantially the same. However, the plurality of second through holes provided at the portion that does not overlap with any lead portion in the height direction of the battery may include two or more through holes having different cross-sectional areas.

[0056] For example, you can also Figure 4 That is, the retainer 230 of the third embodiment Figure 2 As shown in the corresponding schematic top view, in the schematic top view, the above-mentioned cross-sectional area of ​​the second through hole 259a provided at a portion of the outer edge portion of the retaining member 230 (the cross-sectional area of ​​the section perpendicular to the extension direction of the second through hole 259a) is larger than the above-mentioned cross-sectional area of ​​the second through hole 259b provided at other portions.

[0057] Here, the second through-hole 259a is disposed, for example, at a position relatively close to a heat source such as a motor located outside the battery pack 201. In this way, it is easy to uniformly cool the plurality of batteries 5 in the battery pack 201, and it is possible to suppress the deviation of the battery temperature of the plurality of batteries 5 in the battery pack 201.

[0058] In addition, in the case where the temperature of the central portion of the holding member with a higher battery density is more likely to rise than the temperature of the outer edge portion of the holding member with a lower battery density, it is preferable that, contrary to the example shown in Figure 4 the cross-sectional area of the second through-hole provided at the outer edge portion of the holding member is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second through-hole provided at the central portion of the holding member. In this way, it is easy to uniformly cool the plurality of batteries in the battery pack, and it is possible to suppress the deviation of the battery temperature of the plurality of batteries in the battery pack.

[0059] In addition, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 3 the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of through-grooves 159 generated around one battery 5 is the same regardless of the holding position of the battery 5. However, it is also possible to vary the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of through-grooves generated around one battery (around the outer peripheral surface of the battery) based on the holding position of the battery. In this way, in the case where a temperature deviation is likely to occur among the plurality of batteries in the battery pack, similar to the third embodiment, it is easy to achieve the equalization of the temperatures of the plurality of batteries in the battery pack, and it is possible to suppress the deviation of the battery temperature of the plurality of batteries in the battery pack.

[0060] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0061] In the first embodiment, the case where the flow path for the coolant to flow does not have a flow path portion in the shape of the letter U has been described. However, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view in the plane including the thickness direction of the holding member 330 of the fourth embodiment, the holding member 330 may include partition walls 388a, 388b, 388c, and the flow path 397 of the coolant 4 passing through the holding member 330 includes a flow path portion 397a in the shape of the letter U in which the flow of the coolant 4 is indicated by arrows B, C, and D, thereby restricting the flow path 397. Figure 5 In this way, it is possible to extend the path length of the flow path 397 of the coolant 4 in the battery accommodation chamber, and it is possible to efficiently cool the battery by the coolant 4. In addition, in the example shown in

[0062] there is only one flow path portion 397a in the shape of the letter U, but there may be two or more flow path portions in the shape of the letter U, and the flow path of the coolant may be bent two or more times repeatedly. Figure 5

[0063] (Modification) ​

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and their modified examples, and various improvements and changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims of the present application and their equivalents.

[0065] For example, the case where the current collector plate 70 for electrically connecting the first electrodes of the plurality of batteries 5 and the current collector plate 80 for electrically connecting the second electrodes of the plurality of batteries 5 are arranged to face each other in the height direction with the battery 5 therebetween has been described. However, it is also possible that both the current collector plate for electrically connecting the first electrodes of the plurality of batteries and the current collector plate for electrically connecting the second electrodes of the plurality of batteries are arranged on one side in the height direction of the battery. In addition, in this case, it is also possible to reliably prevent a short circuit between the two current collector plates by interposing a plate made of an insulating material between the current collector plate for electrically connecting the first electrodes of the plurality of batteries and the current collector plate for electrically connecting the second electrodes of the plurality of batteries. In addition, the case where the battery pack 1 has two current collector plates 70 and 80 has been described. However, the battery pack may also have three or more current collector plates, and in this case, the electrical connection of the plurality of batteries can be set to an electrical connection including series connection and parallel connection.

[0066] Explanation of reference numerals

[0067] 1, 201, battery pack; 2, inlet; 3, outlet; 4, coolant; 5, battery; 7, battery storage chamber; 8, circulation path; 10, housing; 20, holding member; 30, 130, 230, 330, holding member; 31, 131, first holding member; 32, second holding member; 33, connecting portion; 39, column portion; 41, first holding portion; 42, second holding portion; 51, 61, 151, main body; 53, 63, 153, battery holding portion; 53a, 63a, cylindrical portion; 53b, 63b, annular portion; 54, 64, overlapping portion; 57, 67, contact portion; 58, 68, first through hole; 59, 69, 259a, 259b, second through hole; 70, first current collector plate; 71, 81, plate-like portion; 72, 82, lead portion; 77, through hole; 80, second current collector plate; 91, first side flow path; 92, second side flow path; 155, column portion; 155a, top surface; 159, through groove; 167, battery storage space; 388a, 388b, 388c, partition portion; 397, flow path; 397a, letter U-shaped flow path portion.

Claims

1. A battery pack, wherein, the battery pack includes: a plurality of batteries; a housing having an inlet for liquid to flow in and an outlet for the liquid to flow out; a holding member disposed within the housing and holding the plurality of batteries; and a plurality of current collector plates disposed within the housing and for electrically connecting the plurality of batteries, the holding member having: a main body configured at a distance from the plurality of batteries; and a battery holding portion connected to the main body and made of a material softer than the main body, having a contact portion in contact with the plurality of batteries.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, the current collector plate has: a plate-like portion; and a plurality of lead portions protruding from the plate-like portion toward corresponding terminals among the plurality of terminals of the plurality of batteries and engaging with the corresponding terminals among the plurality of terminals, the holding member having: a plurality of first through-holes provided at a portion of the holding member that overlaps at least a part of the plurality of lead portions in the height direction of the plurality of batteries; and a plurality of second through-holes provided at a portion of the holding member that does not overlap all of the plurality of lead portions in the height direction of the plurality of batteries.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the battery holding portion includes a plurality of column portions arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of one of the plurality of batteries, the holding member having a plurality of through-grooves through which the liquid can pass, each through-groove being provided between the circumferentially adjacent column portions among the plurality of column portions.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein, the cross-sectional area of a cross-section orthogonal to the extending direction of one of the plurality of second through-holes is different from the cross-sectional area of a cross-section orthogonal to the extending direction of another one of the plurality of second through-holes.

5. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein, the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of through-grooves generated around one of the plurality of batteries and orthogonal to their extending direction varies based on the respective holding positions of the plurality of batteries.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the holding member includes a partition wall portion that restricts the flow path such that the flow path of the liquid passing through the holding member includes a U-shaped flow path portion.

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