Battery

Abstract

The invention provides a battery. A pair of laminated exterior bodies, which cover an entire laminated body by being thermally welded to each other while sandwiching the entire laminated body in which a plurality of electrodes each having a current collector are laminated in a predetermined lamination direction, are provided with: a conductive layer that is electrically conductive to an end current collector, which is a current collector of the electrodes at both end portions of the laminated body; a first sealant layer provided on a first surface, which is a surface of the conductive layer opposite to the laminate; and a laminate layer provided on a surface of the first sealant layer on the opposite side from the conductive layer, the first bent portion, the second bent portion, and the third bent portion being bent so as to form a U-shaped cross-section.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] A battery is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-276486. The battery includes: a laminate in which a plurality of electrodes each having a current collector are laminated in a predetermined lamination direction; and a laminated exterior body that covers the entire laminate. The laminated exterior body includes a conduction layer that is electrically connected to the current collectors of the electrodes at both ends in the lamination direction of the laminate. Further, the laminated exterior body has a pair of laminated layers connected to the conduction layer and a sealing resin connected to the outer peripheral edge portions of the pair of laminated layers. Summary of the Invention

[0003] When a hole is formed in the laminated layer, there is a possibility of short circuit between the conduction layer exposed through the hole and other conductors (for example, the conduction layer of another battery). Therefore, there is a case where a sealant layer (sealing material) is interposed between the laminated layer and the conduction layer. However, in this case, if the sealant layer is not enlarged to increase the sealing length using the sealant layer, there is a possibility that foreign matters such as moisture enter the inner peripheral side space of the laminated exterior body from the outside of the laminated exterior body. However, when the sealant layer is enlarged, the volume of the battery becomes large.

[0004] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a battery in which foreign matters are less likely to enter the inner peripheral side space of the laminated exterior body from between the sealant layer, which is a component of the laminated exterior body, and a component adjacent to the sealant layer without increasing the overall size.

[0005] The battery according to the first aspect includes: a laminate in which a plurality of electrodes each having a current collector are laminated in a predetermined lamination direction; and a pair of laminated exterior bodies that are heat-sealed to each other while sandwiching the entire laminate, thereby covering the entire laminate. Each of the laminated exterior bodies includes: a conduction layer that is electrically connected to the end current collectors, which are the current collectors of the electrodes at both ends in the lamination direction of the laminate; a first sealant layer provided on a first surface, which is a surface of the conduction layer opposite to the laminate; and a laminated layer provided on a surface of the first sealant layer opposite to the conduction layer. A first bent portion, which is a part of the first sealant layer, a second bent portion, which is a part of the laminated layer, and a third bent portion, which is a part of the conduction layer, overlap in the thickness direction of the laminated exterior body, and the first bent portion, the second bent portion, and the third bent portion are bent in a manner that forms a U-shaped cross section.

[0006] As described above, the battery according to the present invention has an excellent effect that foreign matter is difficult to enter the inner peripheral side space of the laminated exterior body from between the sealant layer, which is a component constituting the laminated exterior body, and the component adjacent to the sealant layer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Hereinafter, features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the battery according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the laminate, the first exterior component, and the second exterior component, which are components of the battery according to the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the first laminated exterior body.

[0011] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the first laminated exterior body in an unfolded state.

[0012] Figure 5 is along Figure 4 sectional view taken along the V-V arrow line.

[0013] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the first laminated exterior body in which the front region and the rear region are bent.

[0014] Figure 7 is along Figure 6 sectional view taken along the VII-VII arrow line.

[0015] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the first laminated exterior body in which the left region and the right region are bent.

[0016] Figure 9 is along Figure 8 sectional view taken along the IX-IX arrow line.

[0017] Figure 10 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a plurality of batteries are stacked in the vertical direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, a bipolar lithium ion secondary battery (hereinafter referred to as battery 10) according to the embodiment will be described. The battery 10 of the present embodiment is Figure 1 the shape shown, as Figure 2Shown as components, there are a laminate 15, a first laminated exterior body 30 (laminated exterior body) (first exterior component 30A), and a second laminated exterior body 50 (laminated exterior body) (second exterior component 50A). The battery 10 is mounted on an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery electric vehicle) and can supply power to an electric motor as a drive source. In addition, the arrows UP, FR, and LH shown in each drawing respectively indicate the upper side in the vehicle up-down direction, the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the left side in the vehicle left-right direction.

[0019] The laminate 15 is a structure in which a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of spacers are laminated in a predetermined lamination direction ( Figure 1 the up-down direction). As Figure 2 shown, these electrodes include a negative terminal electrode 17 forming the lower end portion of the laminate 15, a positive terminal electrode 20 forming the upper end portion of the laminate 15, and a plurality of bipolar electrodes 23.

[0020] The negative terminal electrode 17 includes a current collector (end current collector) 18D and a negative electrode active material layer (not shown) provided on one surface ( Figure 2 the upper surface) of the current collector 18D. The positive terminal electrode 20 includes a current collector (end current collector) 18U and a positive electrode active material layer (not shown) provided on one surface ( Figure 2 the lower surface) of the current collector 18U. Each bipolar electrode 23 includes a current collector (not shown), a negative electrode active material layer (not shown) provided on one surface ( Figure 2 the upper surface) of the current collector, and a positive electrode active material layer provided on the other surface ( Figure 2 the lower surface) of the current collector.

[0021] A spacer (not shown) is provided between the negative electrode active material layer of the negative terminal electrode 17 and the positive electrode active material layer of the bipolar electrode 23 adjacent to the negative terminal electrode 17. Further, a spacer (not shown) is provided between the positive electrode active material layer of the positive terminal electrode 20 and the negative electrode active material layer of the bipolar electrode 23 adjacent to the positive terminal electrode 20. Further, a spacer (not shown) is provided between the negative electrode active material layer and the positive electrode active material layer of adjacent bipolar electrodes 23.

[0022] Both end faces in the lamination direction of the laminate 15 are formed by current collectors 18U and 18D. A non-aqueous electrolyte (hereinafter referred to as electrolyte) is sealed in the laminate 15, and each negative electrode active material layer and each positive electrode active material layer are impregnated with the electrolyte.

[0023] Next, the first laminated outer package 30 (the first outer package component part 30A) and the second laminated outer package 50 (the second outer package component part 50A) will be described. The first laminated outer package 30 and the second laminated outer package 50 are symmetrically arranged vertically. Therefore, hereinafter, only the first laminated outer package 30 will be described in detail, and the detailed description of the second laminated outer package 50 will be omitted.

[0024] As Figures 3 to 7 shown, the first laminated outer package 30 includes a laminated layer 31 which is a sheet-like component having flexibility, a first sealant layer 35, a conduction layer 40, and a second sealant layer 45.

[0025] As Figure 3 shown, the unfolded shape of the laminated layer 31 is a rectangle that is longer in the front-back direction than in the left-right direction. The entire surface of the laminated layer 31 is made of a heat-meltable resin having insulation properties. That is, both sides of the laminated layer 31 are made of a laminated material of a resin having heat-melting properties. An opening 32 that is a rectangle longer in the front-back direction than in the left-right direction is formed in the laminated layer 31. The front-back dimension of the laminated layer 31 when the laminated layer 31 is in the unfolded state is L1, and the front-back dimension of the opening 32 is L2. In addition, the left-right dimension of the laminated layer 31 when the laminated layer 31 is in the unfolded state is W1, and the left-right dimension of the opening 32 is W2.

[0026] As Figure 3 shown, the unfolded shape of the first sealant layer 35 having insulation properties is a rectangle that is longer in the front-back direction than in the left-right direction. The first sealant layer 35 is made of, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyvinyl chloride. An opening 37 that is a rectangle longer in the front-back direction than in the left-right direction is formed in the first sealant layer 35. The front-back dimension of the first sealant layer 35 when the first sealant layer 35 is in the unfolded state is L3, and the front-back dimension of the opening 37 is L4. In addition, the left-right dimension of the first sealant layer 35 when the first sealant layer 35 is in the unfolded state is W3, and the left-right dimension of the opening 37 is W4. Further, L2 = L4, W2 = W4, L1 > L3, and W1 > W3.

[0027] As Figure 3 shown, the unfolded shape of the conduction layer 40 made of a metal foil is a rectangle that is longer in the front-back direction than in the left-right direction. The front-back dimension of the conduction layer 40 when the conduction layer 40 is in the unfolded state is L5, and the left-right dimension of the conduction layer 40 is W5.

[0028] As Figure 3As shown, the unfolded shape of the second sealant layer 45 having insulation is a rectangle that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the left-right direction. The second sealant layer 45 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyvinyl chloride, for example. An opening 46 that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the left-right direction is formed in the second sealant layer 45. When the second sealant layer 45 is in the unfolded state, the front-rear dimension of the second sealant layer 45 is L6, and the left-right dimension of the second sealant layer 45 is W6.

[0029] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the first sealant layer 35 is placed on the first surface 41 on one side of the conduction layer 40 and fixed to the first surface 41. In addition, substantially L3 = L5 and W3 = W5. Therefore, the outer peripheral edge of the conduction layer 40 and the outer peripheral edge of the first sealant layer 35 are substantially the same.

[0030] Furthermore, the second sealant layer 45 contacts the second surface 42 on the other side of the conduction layer 40 and is fixed to the second surface 42. In addition, L6 = L4 < L5. Also, W6 = W4 < W5. Therefore, when observing the first laminated exterior body 30 along the thickness direction ( Figure 3 , Figure 4 the up-down direction) of the first laminated exterior body 30, the outer peripheral edge of the second sealant layer 45 is located more on the inner peripheral side than the outer peripheral edge of the conduction layer 40 and is substantially the same as the peripheral edge of the opening 32 of the laminated layer 31 and the peripheral edge of the opening 37 of the first sealant layer 35.

[0031] Furthermore, the laminated layer 31 is placed on the upper surface of the first sealant layer 35 and fixed to the first sealant layer 35. In addition, substantially L2 = L4 and W2 = W4. Therefore, the peripheral edge of the opening 37 of the first sealant layer 35 and the peripheral edge of the opening 32 of the laminated layer 31 are substantially the same.

[0032] The first laminated exterior body 30 having such a structure is bent in the Figures 6 to 9 shown style. That is, for the first laminated exterior body 30, after being bent at the vicinity of the front end and the vicinity of the rear end, the vicinity of the left end and the vicinity of the right end are bent. Hereinafter, the process of bending the vicinity of the front end and the vicinity of the rear end of the first laminated exterior body 30 is referred to as the first bending process, and the process of bending the vicinity of the left end and the vicinity of the right end of the first laminated exterior body 30 is referred to as the second bending process.

[0033] First, with reference to Figures 4 to 7 , the first bending process will be described. In the first bending process, Figure 4 and Figure 5The front region AF near the front end and the rear region AB near the rear end of the first laminated exterior body 30 shown are bent. In a plan view, the leading edge portion of the front region AF coincides with the leading edge portions of the first sealant layer 35 and the conduction layer 40, and the trailing edge portion of the front region AF coincides with the leading edge portion of the opening 46 of the second sealant layer 45. Further, in a plan view, the trailing edge portion of the rear region AB coincides with the trailing edge portions of the first sealant layer 35 and the conduction layer 40, and the leading edge portion of the rear region AB coincides with the trailing edge portion of the opening 46.

[0034] Here, as Figures 3 to 7 shown, the portion of the laminated layer 31 included in the front region AF is the front-side bent portion (second bent portion) 33F that extends linearly in the left-right direction and is located more forward than the opening 32 and the pair of left and right front-side surface forming portions 34F that are adjacent to the front-side bent portion 33F from the rear. The front-side bent portion (first bent portion) 36F that extends linearly in the left-right direction of the first sealant layer 35 and is located more forward than the opening 37 is included in the front region AF. The portion of the conduction layer 40 included in the front region AF is the front-side bent portion (third bent portion) 43F and the front-side surface forming portion (surface forming portion) 44F that is adjacent to the front-side bent portion 43F from the rear, and the portion of the second sealant layer 45 included in the front region AF is the front-side bent portion 46F.

[0035] The portion of the laminated layer 31 included in the rear region AB is the rear-side bent portion (second bent portion) 33B that extends linearly in the left-right direction and is located more rearward than the opening 32 and the pair of left and right rear-side surface forming portions 34B that are adjacent to the rear-side bent portion 33B from the front. The rear-side bent portion (first bent portion) 36B of the portion that extends linearly in the left-right direction of the first sealant layer 35 and is located more rearward than the opening 37 is included in the rear region AB. The portion of the conduction layer 40 included in the rear region AB is the rear-side bent portion (third bent portion) 43B and the rear-side surface forming portion (surface forming portion) 44B that is adjacent to the rear-side bent portion 43B from the front, and the portion of the second sealant layer 45 included in the rear region AB is the rear-side bent portion 46B.

[0036] In the first bending step, while the front region AF and the rear region AB are heated, they are bent in the Figure 6 、 Figure 7 shown pattern. That is, as Figure 7As shown, the front bent portions 33F, 36F, and 43F that overlap each other in the vertical direction (the thickness direction of the first laminated outer package 30) are bent so as to form a U-shaped cross-section that opens on the outer peripheral edge side of the first laminated outer package 30, and the rear bent portions 33B, 36B, and 43B that overlap each other in the vertical direction are bent so as to form a U-shaped cross-section that opens on the outer peripheral edge side of the first laminated outer package 30. At this time, a part of the front bent portion 33F becomes the first component portion 33F1, and the remaining portion of the front bent portion 33F becomes the second component portion 33F2 that overlaps the first component portion 33F1 in the vertical direction. Further, the first component portion 33F1 and the second component portion 33F2 are heat-sealed to each other. Therefore, the cross-sectional shapes of the front bent portions 33F, 36F, and 43F are maintained in a U shape. Although not shown, at this time, a part of the rear bent portion 33B becomes the first component portion, and the remaining portion of the rear bent portion 33B becomes the second component portion that overlaps the first component portion in the vertical direction and is heat-sealed to the first component portion. Therefore, the cross-sectional shapes of the rear bent portions 33B, 36B, and 43B are maintained in a U shape.

[0037] Further, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, in the first bending step, the front surface component portion 34F of the laminated layer 31, the front surface component portion 44F of the conduction layer 40, and the front bent portion 46F of the second sealant layer 45 are bent so as to form a U-shaped cross-sectional shape opposite to that of the front bent portions 33F, 36F, and 43F. Similarly, the rear surface component portion 34B of the laminated layer 31, the rear surface component portion 44B of the conduction layer 40, and the rear bent portion 46B of the second sealant layer 45 are bent so as to form a U-shaped cross-sectional shape opposite to that of the rear bent portions 33B, 36B, and 43B. As Figure 7 shown, at this time, a part of the front bent portion 46F becomes the first portion 46F1 fixed to the front surface component portion 44F, and the remaining portion of the front bent portion 46F becomes the second portion 46F2 fixed to the front bent portion 43F, overlapping the first portion 46F1 in the vertical direction, and heat-sealed to the first portion 46F1. Therefore, the cross-sectional shapes of the front surface component portion 34F and the front bent portion 46F are maintained in a U shape. Although not shown, at this time, a part of the rear bent portion 46B becomes the first portion, and the remaining portion of the rear bent portion 46B becomes the second portion that overlaps the first portion in the vertical direction and is heat-sealed to the first portion. Therefore, the rear surface component portion 34B (refer to Figure 6) and the cross-sectional shape of the rear bent portion 46B is maintained in a U shape. Further, as Figure 6 shown, a part of the front surface forming portion 44F and a part of the rear surface forming portion 44B of the conduction layer 40 are formed in a planar shape that is substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0038] Further, as Figure 6 shown, the first laminated exterior body 30 is bent in such a manner that the portions adjacent to the front surface forming portions 34F, 44F from the rear and the portions adjacent to the rear surface forming portions 34B, 44B from the front in the first laminated exterior body 30 are inclined with respect to the front-rear direction and the vertical direction when viewed along the left-right direction. The metal conduction layer 40 has a function of maintaining its own shape. Therefore, even when the force applied to the first laminated exterior body 30 to bend it disappears, the inclined shape is still maintained. That is, a front inclined portion 40F and a rear inclined portion 40B are respectively formed at the portion of the conduction layer 40 adjacent to the front surface forming portion 44F and the portion adjacent to the rear surface forming portion 44B.

[0039] Next, with reference to Figure 4 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the second bending process will be described. In the second bending process, Figure 6 the left region AL near the left end and the right region AR near the right end of the first laminated exterior body 30 shown are bent. When viewed from above, the left edge of the left region AL coincides with the left edge of the first sealant layer 35 and the conduction layer 40, and the right edge of the left region AL coincides with the left edge of the opening 46 of the second sealant layer 45. Further, when viewed from above, the right edge of the right region AR coincides with the right edge of the first sealant layer 35 and the conduction layer 40, and the left edge of the right region AR coincides with the right edge of the opening 46.

[0040] Here, as Figure 6 and Figure 9As shown, the portion of the laminate layer 31 included in the left region AL is the left bent portion (second bent portion) 33L that extends linearly in the front-rear direction and is located more to the left than the opening 32, and a pair of left surface forming portions 34L adjacent to the left bent portion 33L from the right in the front-rear direction. The left bent portion (first bent portion) 36L of the portion of the first sealant layer 35 that extends linearly in the front-rear direction and is located more to the left than the opening 37 is included in the left region AL. The portion of the conduction layer 40 included in the left region AL is the left bent portion (third bent portion) 43L and the left surface forming portion (surface forming portion) 44L adjacent to the left bent portion 43L from the right, and the portion of the second sealant layer 45 included in the left region AL is the left bent portion 46L.

[0041] The portion of the laminate layer 31 included in the right region AR is the right bent portion (second bent portion) 33R that extends linearly in the front-rear direction and is located more to the right than the opening 32, and a pair of right surface forming portions 34R adjacent to the right bent portion 33R from the left in the front-rear direction. The right bent portion (first bent portion) 36R of the portion of the first sealant layer 35 that extends linearly in the front-rear direction and is located more to the right than the opening 37 is included in the right region AR. The portion of the conduction layer 40 included in the right region AR is the right bent portion (third bent portion) 43R and the right surface forming portion (surface forming portion) 44R adjacent to the right bent portion 43R from the left, and the portion of the second sealant layer 45 included in the right region AR is the right bent portion 46R.

[0042] In the second bending process, while the left region AL and the right region AR are heated, Figure 8 and Figure 9The illustrated style is bent. That is, the left bent portions 33L, 36L, and 43L that overlap each other in the vertical direction are bent in a manner that forms a U-shaped cross-section opening on the outer peripheral edge side of the first laminated exterior body 30, and the right bent portions 33R, 36R, and 43R that overlap each other in the vertical direction are bent in a manner that forms a U-shaped cross-section opening on the outer peripheral edge side of the first laminated exterior body 30. At this time, a part of the left bent portion 33L becomes the first component portion 33L1, and the remaining portion of the left bent portion 33L becomes the second component portion 33L2 that overlaps the first component portion 33L1 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the first component portion 33L1 and the second component portion 33L2 are heat-sealed to each other. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the left bent portions 33L, 36L, and 43L is maintained as a U shape. Although not shown in the figure, at this time, a part of the right bent portion 33R becomes the first component portion, and the remaining portion of the right bent portion 33R becomes the second component portion that overlaps the first component portion in the vertical direction and is heat-sealed to the first component portion. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the right bent portions 33R, 36R, and 43R is maintained as a U shape.

[0043] Furthermore, in the second bending process, the left surface component portion 34L of the laminated layer 31, the left surface component portion 44L of the conduction layer 40, and the left bent portion 46L of the second sealant layer 45 are bent in a manner that forms a U-shaped cross-section shape opposite to that of the left bent portions 33L, 36L, and 43L, and the right surface component portion 34R of the laminated layer 31, the right surface component portion 44R of the conduction layer 40, and the right bent portion 46R of the second sealant layer 45 are bent in a manner that forms a U-shaped cross-section shape opposite to that of the right bent portions 33R, 36R, and 43R. As Figure 9As shown, at this time, a part of the left bent portion 46L becomes the first portion 46L1 fixed to the left surface forming portion 44L, and the remaining portion of the left bent portion 46L becomes the second portion 46L2 fixed to the left bent portion 43L, overlapping the first portion 46L1 in the vertical direction and heat-sealed to the first portion 46L1. Therefore, the cross-sectional shapes of the left surface forming portion 34L and the left bent portion 46L are maintained in a U shape. Although not shown, at this time, a part of the right bent portion 46R becomes the first portion, and the remaining portion of the right bent portion 46R becomes the second portion overlapping the first portion in the vertical direction and heat-sealed to the first portion. Therefore, the cross-sectional shapes of the right surface forming portion 34R and the right bent portion 46R are maintained in a U shape. Further, a part of the left surface forming portion 44L and a part of the right surface forming portion 44R of the conduction layer 40 become planar perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0044] Further, the first laminated exterior body 30 is bent so that the portions adjacent to the left surface forming portion 34L and the left surface forming portion 44L from the right in the first laminated exterior body 30 and the portions adjacent to the right surface forming portion 34R and the right surface forming portion 44R from the left are inclined with respect to the left-right direction and the vertical direction when viewed along the front-back direction. The metal conduction layer 40 has a function of maintaining its own shape. Therefore, even when the force applied to the first laminated exterior body 30 to bend it disappears, the inclined shape is still maintained. That is, as Figure 8 shown, a left inclined portion 40L and a right inclined portion 40R are respectively formed at the portions of the conduction layer 40 adjacent to the left surface forming portion 44L and the portions adjacent to the right surface forming portion 44R. Further, as Figure 8 shown, the region between the front inclined portion 40F, the rear inclined portion 40B, the left inclined portion 40L, and the right inclined portion 40R in the conduction layer 40 becomes a planar conduction portion 40EC perpendicular to the vertical direction. In addition, Figure 8 the region with a large number of circles shown represents the conduction layer 40.

[0045] After the first bending process and the second bending process are completed in this way, the first laminated exterior body 30 becomes Figure 8The first exterior component part 30A shown. The outer peripheral part of the first exterior component part 30A becomes an outer peripheral fusion part 31EP in a frame shape that forms a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and is constituted by the outer peripheral part of the laminated layer 31. Further, when observing the first exterior component part 30A along the vertical direction, the front bent part 33F, the rear bent part 33B, the left bent part 33L, the right bent part 33R, the front bent part 36F, the rear bent part 36B, the left bent part 36L, the right bent part 36R, the front bent part 43F, the rear bent part 43B, the left bent part 43L, the right bent part 43R, and the front bent part 46F, the rear bent part 46B, the left bent part 46L, the right bent part 46R form an annular shape on the outer peripheral side at the center of the conduction part 40EC. Further, the front surface component part 44F, the rear surface component part 44B, the left surface component part 44L, and the right surface component part 44R of the conduction layer 40 are located more upward than the conduction part 40EC. That is, the space surrounded by the conduction part 40EC, the front inclined part 40F, the rear inclined part 40B, the left inclined part 40L, and the right inclined part 40R becomes an adhesive injection space 40CS. Further, a connection region 40CFL that is substantially square in plan view and is constituted by the intersection of the front surface component part 44F and the left surface component part 44L, a connection region 40CFR that is substantially square in plan view and is constituted by the intersection of the front surface component part 44F and the right surface component part 44R, a connection region 40CBL that is substantially square in plan view and is constituted by the intersection of the rear surface component part 44B and the left surface component part 44L, and a connection region 40CBR that is substantially square in plan view and is constituted by the intersection of the rear surface component part 44B and the right surface component part 44R are located at the uppermost part in the first exterior component part 30A and are substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction. In addition, when processing the second laminated exterior body 50 that is vertically symmetric with the first laminated exterior body 30 through the first bending process and the second bending process, it becomes a second exterior component part 50A that is vertically symmetric with the first exterior component part 30A.

[0046] If the first exterior component part 30A and the second exterior component part 50A are completed in this way, the laminate 15 is placed between the first exterior component part 30A and the second exterior component part 50A, the lower surface of the conduction part 40EC of the first exterior component part 30A is made to contact the current collector 18U of the laminate 15, and the upper surface of the conduction part 40EC of the second exterior component part 50A is made to contact the current collector 18D of the laminate 15. Further, the entire outer peripheral fusion part 31EP of the first exterior component part 30A and the entire outer peripheral fusion part 31EP of the second exterior component part 50A are heat-fused. Thereby, Figure 1 The battery 10 shown is completed.

[0047] If a plurality of such batteries 10 are manufactured, the batteries 10 are overlapped in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 10 . At this time, the respective portions (hereinafter referred to as corresponding portions) of the second outer package forming portion 50A of the battery 10 located directly above one battery 10, which correspond to the connection regions 40CFL, 40CFR, 40CBL, and 40CBR, are brought into contact with the connection regions 40CFL, 40CFR, 40CBL, and 40CBR of the first outer package forming portion 30A of this battery 10, respectively. Further, a liquid conductive adhesive (not shown) is filled into the adhesive injection space 40CS of each battery 10 in which another battery 10 is located directly above itself. Therefore, a part of the adhesive filled into the adhesive injection space 40CS adheres to a part of the lower surface of the second outer package forming portion 50A of the battery 10 located directly above the battery 10 having this adhesive injection space 40CS. Therefore, when the adhesive hardens, the adjacent batteries 10 are fixed to each other by the adhesive, and the connection regions 40CFL, 40CFR, 40CBL, and 40CBR of the first outer package forming portion 30A of the battery 10 and the corresponding portions of the second outer package forming portion 50A of the battery 10 located directly above this battery 10 are in contact with each other.

[0048] Therefore, the electric power generated by each battery 10 can be supplied to various electrical devices and electronic devices (not shown) provided in the electric vehicle via a conduction member (not shown) connected to the conduction portion 40EC of the second outer package forming portion 50A of the lowermost battery 10 and a conduction member (not shown) connected to the conduction portion 40EC of the first outer package forming portion 30A of the uppermost battery 10.

[0049] (Operation and Effect)

[0050] Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.

[0051] The first laminated exterior body 30 (first exterior component part 30A) and the second laminated exterior body 50 (second exterior component part 50A) of each battery 10 include: a conduction layer 40 that is electrically connected to the current collectors 18U and 18D of the electrodes at both ends in the lamination direction of the laminate 15; a first sealant layer 35 provided on the first surface 41 of the conduction layer 40; and a lamination layer 31 provided on the surface of the first sealant layer 35 on the side opposite to the conduction layer 40. Further, the front bent portions 36F, rear bent portions 36B, left bent portions 36L, right bent portions 36R, front bent portions 33F, rear bent portions 33B, left bent portions 33L, right bent portions 33R, and front bent portions 43F, rear bent portions 43B, left bent portions 43L, right bent portions 43R that overlap in the thickness direction of the first laminated exterior body 30 and the second laminated exterior body 50 are bent in a U-shape that opens on the outer peripheral edge side of the first exterior component part 30A and the second exterior component part 50A. Therefore, without increasing the overall size of the first sealant layer 35 and the overall size of the battery 10, it is possible to extend the total length of the sealing structure of the first sealant layer 35 formed between the front bent portions 36F, rear bent portions 36B, left bent portions 36L, right bent portions 36R, front bent portions 33F, rear bent portions 33B, left bent portions 33L, right bent portions 33R, and front bent portions 43F, rear bent portions 43B, left bent portions 43L, right bent portions 43R. Further, when observing the first exterior component part 30A and the second exterior component part 50A in the vertical direction, the front bent portions 33F, rear bent portions 33B, left bent portions 33L, right bent portions 33R, front bent portions 36F, rear bent portions 36B, left bent portions 36L, right bent portions 36R, front bent portions 43F, rear bent portions 43B, left bent portions 43L, right bent portions 43R, and front bent portions 46F, rear bent portions 46B, left bent portions 46L, right bent portions 46R form an annular shape on the outer peripheral side of the center of the conduction portion 40EC. Therefore, foreign matter (such as moisture) in the outer peripheral side space of the battery 10 is difficult to enter the inner peripheral side space of the first exterior component part 30A and the second exterior component part 50A surrounded by the first exterior component part 30A and the second exterior component part 50A from between the lamination layer 31, the first sealant layer 35, and the conduction layer 40 of the first exterior component part 30A and the second exterior component part 50A.

[0052] Furthermore, the first exterior component portion 30A and the second exterior component portion 50A of each battery 10 have a second sealant layer 45 provided on the second surface 42 of the conductive layer 40. Furthermore, each conductive layer 40 includes a front surface component portion 44F, a rear surface component portion 44B, a left surface component portion 44L, and a right surface component portion 44R that overlap the front bent portion 43F, the rear bent portion 43B, the left bent portion 43L, and the right bent portion 43R from the outside. Furthermore, each second sealant layer 45 has a first portion (first portion 46F1, first portion 46L1) located between the front surface component portion 44F, the rear surface component portion 44B, the left surface component portion 44L, the right surface component portion 44R, and the front bent portion 43F, the rear bent portion 43B, the left bent portion 43L, and the right bent portion 43R and provided on the second surface 42 of the front surface component portion 44F, the rear surface component portion 44B, the left surface component portion 44L, and the right surface component portion 44R, and a second portion (second portion 46F2, second portion 46L2) provided on the second surface 42 of the third bent portion and fused to the first portion. Therefore, compared with the case where the battery 10 does not have the first portion and the second portion, foreign matters (such as moisture) in the outer peripheral side space of the battery 10 are more difficult to enter the inner peripheral side space of the first exterior component portion 30A and the second exterior component portion 50A surrounded by the first exterior component portion 30A and the second exterior component portion 50A from between the laminate layer 31, the first sealant layer 35, and the conductive layer 40 of the first exterior component portion 30A and the second exterior component portion 50A.

[0053] Furthermore, the front surface component portion 44F, the rear surface component portion 44B, the left surface component portion 44L, and the right surface component portion 44R of the conductive layer 40 of the first exterior component portion 30A of each battery 10 are located higher than the conductive portion 40EC. Therefore, when the liquid adhesive is filled in the adhesive injection space 40CS, it is difficult for a large amount of adhesive to suddenly move to the side of the front surface component portion 44F, the rear surface component portion 44B, the left surface component portion 44L, and the right surface component portion 44R. Therefore, adjacent batteries 10 can be simply connected to each other via the adhesive.

[0054] Furthermore, the connection regions 40CFL, 40CFR, 40CBL, and 40CBR of the first exterior component portion 30A are planes that are located at the highest positions in the first exterior component portion 30A and are substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction. Similarly, the corresponding portions of the second exterior component portion 50A are planes that are located at the lowest positions in the second exterior component portion 50A and are substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction. When a plurality of batteries 10 are stacked in the vertical direction, the corresponding portions of the second exterior component portion 50A of the battery 10 located directly above one battery 10 are brought into contact with the connection regions 40CFL, 40CFR, 40CBL, and 40CBR of the first exterior component portion 30A of this battery 10, and the two batteries 10 are fixed to each other. Therefore, even if it is assumed that irregularities (concavities and convexities) are generated on the surfaces of portions different from the connection regions 40CFL, 40CFR, 40CBL, and 40CBR of the first exterior component portion 30A and on the surfaces of portions different from the corresponding portions of the second exterior component portion 50A, the upper and lower batteries 10 can be fixed in a stable state.

[0055] Furthermore, a first sealant layer 35 is provided between the lamination layer 31 and the conduction layer 40. Therefore, even if it is assumed that the lamination layer 31 of the first exterior component portion 30A of one battery 10 and the lamination layer 31 of another battery 10 located directly above this battery 10 are perforated, the first sealant layer 35 prevents the conduction layers 40 of these two batteries 10 from being short-circuited with each other via these two holes.

[0056] As described above, the battery 10 according to the embodiment has been described, but these can be appropriately modified in design without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0057] For example, the laminate 15 may be composed of an all-solid-state battery that does not include an electrolytic solution.

Claims

1. A battery having: a stacked body in which a plurality of electrodes having current collectors are stacked in a predetermined stacking direction; and A pair of laminated outer bodies are heat-fused to each other in a state of sandwiching the entire laminated body, thereby covering the entire laminated body. Each of the laminated outer casings comprises: A conductive layer electrically connected to the current collectors of the electrodes at both ends of the stack in the stacking direction, i.e., end current collectors; a first sealant layer provided on a first surface of the conductive layer opposite to the laminate; and a lamination layer provided on a surface of the first sealant layer opposite to the conductive layer, The first bent portion as a part of the first sealant layer, the second bent portion as a part of the laminate layer, and the third bent portion as a part of the conductive layer overlap in the thickness direction of the laminated outer package. The first bent portion, the second bent portion, and the third bent portion are bent so as to form a U-shaped cross section.

2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein The lamination layer has an opening that exposes a portion of the conductive layer. When the laminated exterior body before being bent is viewed in the thickness direction, the overall shape of the first bent portion, the second bent portion, and the third bent portion is annular and located on the outer peripheral side of the center of the opening.

3. The battery according to claim 2, wherein The first bent portion is bent so as to form a U-shaped cross-sectional shape opening on the outer peripheral edge side of the laminated outer casing. The second bent portion is bent so that a U-shaped cross-sectional shape opening on the outer peripheral edge portion side is formed in the inner peripheral side space of the first bent portion. The third bent portion is bent so as to form a U-shaped cross-sectional shape opened on the outer peripheral edge side on the outer peripheral side of the first bent portion.

4. The battery according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The conductive layer comprises: a conductive portion that is located in the opening when the laminated exterior body is viewed in the thickness direction and is conductively connected to the end current collector; and The surface forming portion is located further outward than the third bent portion. When the opening is directed upward, the surface constituent portion is located above the conductive portion.

5. The battery according to claim 4, wherein The laminated outer casing includes a second sealant layer provided on a second surface of the conductive layer on the laminated body side. The second sealant layer includes a first portion located between the surface constituent portion and the third bent portion and provided on the second surface of the surface constituent portion, and a second portion provided on the second surface of the third bent portion and welded to the first portion.

6. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The stacked body is composed of an all-solid-state battery.

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