Method for manufacturing battery module

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to facilitate production in a method for manufacturing a battery module provided with a plurality of battery cells, a case, and a busbar member. A battery module is provided with: a plurality of battery cells having electrode terminals; a case accommodating the plurality of battery cells; and a busbar member that connects the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells to each other. The case has a plurality of holding parts that determine the position of the battery cans. A method for manufacturing a battery module includes: a holding step of inserting and holding a battery can in each of a plurality of holding parts; and a battery cell production step for producing a plurality of battery cells in a state in which the battery cans are held in each of the plurality of holding parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a battery module. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a battery module having multiple battery cells, a housing and a busbar component, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-529217 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 1, after the battery cell is produced, the battery cell is inserted into the housing.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to facilitate the production of a battery module comprising multiple battery cells, a housing, and busbar components in a manufacturing method.

[0006] The battery module manufacturing method of the first method is used to manufacture a battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells having electrode terminals; a housing for housing the plurality of battery cells; and a bus component for connecting the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells to each other. Each battery cell includes a battery can and internal battery components housed within the battery can. The housing has a plurality of holding portions for determining the position of the battery can. The battery module manufacturing method includes: a holding step of inserting and holding the battery can in each of the plurality of holding portions; and a battery cell manufacturing step of manufacturing the plurality of battery cells while holding the battery can in each of the plurality of holding portions.

[0007] This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a battery module. The battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells having electrode terminals; a housing housing the plurality of battery cells; and a bus component connecting the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells to each other. Each battery cell includes a battery canister and internal battery components housed within the battery canister. The housing has a plurality of retaining portions for determining the position of the battery canister.

[0008] In this type of battery module, positioning the electrode terminals of the multiple battery cells at the desired locations is crucial during the bus assembly process. If the positions of the electrode terminals deviate from the desired locations, it becomes difficult to assemble the bus assembly.

[0009] Therefore, in this method, the manufacturing process includes: a holding step in which a battery can is inserted into and held in each of a plurality of holding parts; and a battery cell production step in which a plurality of battery cells are produced while the battery can is held in each of the plurality of holding parts.

[0010] Therefore, the busbar components can be easily assembled, which in turn simplifies the production of battery modules. The reasons are as follows.

[0011] In other words, the deviation of multiple electrode terminals from their desired positions is due to thickness variations in the battery cells or assembly deviations during the fabrication of the stack containing multiple battery cells. Thickness variations in the battery cells occur during battery cell production. To address this, in this method, the battery cell manufacturing process is performed while the multiple battery cells are positioned relative to the housing, thus suppressing electrode terminal positional shifts caused by battery cell thickness variations. Furthermore, since the process of fabricating the stack containing the battery cells and inserting it into the housing is not performed, electrode terminal positional shifts caused by assembly deviations do not occur. Therefore, it is easy to position the multiple electrode terminals at their desired locations, thereby facilitating the assembly of the busbar assembly.

[0012] In the embodiments described later, the terminal spacing (the distance between adjacent electrode terminals in the second direction) is constant, but this method is not limited to this.

[0013] In the embodiments described later, the retaining part is a pair of grooves, but this method is not limited to this.

[0014] Regarding the manufacturing method of the battery module involved in the second method, in the first method, the battery can has a shape with a first direction as its length direction, the first direction being a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction into the housing, and the retaining part is configured to determine the positions of the two ends of the battery can in the first direction.

[0015] In this embodiment, the battery can has a shape with a first direction as its length direction, which is perpendicular to the insertion direction into the housing. Here, the retaining part is configured to define the positions of the two ends of the battery can in the first direction.

[0016] Therefore, the location of the battery canister can be properly positioned.

[0017] Regarding the manufacturing method of the battery module involved in the third method, in the second method, the retaining part is a pair of grooves at both ends in the first direction that accommodate the battery canister.

[0018] In this configuration, the retaining part is a pair of grooves at both ends in the first direction that accommodate the battery canister.

[0019] Therefore, it is possible to configure other components (e.g., spacers with cooling functions, etc.) between adjacent battery tanks.

[0020] Regarding the manufacturing method of the battery module involved in the fourth method, in the third method, the pair of slots accommodate the entire insertion direction of both ends of the battery can in the first direction.

[0021] In this method, a pair of slots accommodate the insertion direction of both ends of the battery can in the first direction.

[0022] Therefore, it can properly prevent the battery can from tilting.

[0023] Regarding the battery module manufacturing method involved in the fifth method, in any of the first to fourth methods, the battery cell production process includes: inserting an electrode body, which is an internal component of the battery, into the battery can; and injecting an electrolyte, which is an internal component of the battery, into the battery can.

[0024] In this method, the battery cell manufacturing process, which is carried out while the battery can is held in each of the multiple holding parts, includes: inserting an electrode into the battery can; and injecting electrolyte into the battery can.

[0025] Therefore, the two processes mentioned above, which are prone to causing thickness deviations in the battery cells (battery cans), are performed while the battery can is held in one of the multiple holding portions. As a result, positional misalignment of the electrode terminals can be further suppressed.

[0026] Invention Effects

[0027] As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate the production of a battery module having multiple battery cells, a housing, and busbar components in a manufacturing method. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic exploded 3D view of the battery module.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic top view of the battery module with the busbar components omitted.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the conventional production method and the production method of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following uses Figures 1-3 The manufacturing method of the battery module 10 according to the embodiment will be described. First, the structure of the battery module 10 will be described.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the battery module 10 includes a housing 20, a plurality of battery cells 30 housed in the housing 20, and a bus component 40 (see reference). Figure 1 ) and multiple spacers 50.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the housing 20 has multiple slots 21. The slots 21 function to individually position the battery canisters 32 constituting each of the multiple battery units 30. Specifically, a pair of slots 21, 21 are provided opposite each other in a first direction, and multiple slots 21, 21 are provided along a second direction. The pair of slots 21, 21 function to hold the battery canisters 32 (described later), and are therefore sometimes referred to as holding portions 28. In the completed state of the battery module 10, both ends of the battery unit 30 in the width direction are disposed within the slots 21.

[0034] The shell 20 has a peripheral wall 22. The peripheral wall 22 is composed of a pair of long side walls 22A and a pair of short side walls 22B. In addition, the shell 20 has a bottom wall 23.

[0035] The housing 20 has a plurality of protruding walls 24 that protrude from each of a pair of long side walls 22A toward the end inward (inward in the first direction). A plurality of grooves 21 are formed by the plurality of protruding walls 24. The protruding walls 24 are formed to extend from the bottom wall 23 of the housing 20 to the upper end of the housing 20.

[0036] Furthermore, the vertical dimensions of the protruding wall 24 are not limited to this. However, it is preferable that the battery can 32 is integrally disposed within the groove 21 in the vertical direction.

[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the battery unit 30 includes a battery canister 32, internal battery components (not shown), a cover 34, and electrode terminals 36A and 36B.

[0038] The internal components of the battery are housed inside the battery canister 32. These internal components are collectively referred to as the electrode body (wound body), separator, electrolyte, etc. A cover 34 is provided to enclose the battery canister 32. Positive electrode terminal 36A and negative electrode terminal 36B are provided as electrode terminals 36A and 36B. Electrode terminals 36A and 36B are located on the side surface of the cover 34. Positive electrode terminal 36A and negative electrode terminal 36B are respectively located near both ends of the longitudinal direction of the side surface of the cover 34. Multiple battery cells 30 are configured such that the positive electrode terminals 36A and negative electrode terminals 36B of adjacent battery cells 30 are arranged in opposite directions within the housing 20.

[0039] Busbar component 40 is connected to the electrode terminals 36A and 36B of battery cell 30. Specifically, busbar component 40 functions to connect multiple battery cells 30 to each other, so as to use multiple battery cells 30 as a battery pack. The terminal spacing X between adjacent battery cells 30 is designed to be constant. However, due to the thickness variation of battery cells 30, it is difficult to keep the terminal spacing X constant, and therefore, busbar component 40 may be poorly assembled. In addition, the connection method between busbar component 40 and each electrode terminal 36A and 36B is not particularly limited, for example, a method without welding, such as using fastening components such as bolts and nuts.

[0040] The thickness deviation of the battery cell 30 can be caused by variations in the thickness of the electrode body (wound body) inside the battery canister 32 or by gas inclusions during electrolyte injection. These deviations accumulate and increase as the number of battery cells increases, potentially making it difficult to assemble with the busbar assembly 40.

[0041] Busbar component 40 is, for example, a battery busbar module (hereinafter referred to as BBM). The BBM may have the function of detecting the connection between battery cells 30 and the status of battery cells 30 and transmitting the information to a monitoring unit (not shown).

[0042] Spacers 50 are disposed between adjacent battery cells 30. Spacers 50 may have internal channels for air to pass through, thus having a cooling function.

[0043] Next, the manufacturing method of the battery module 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0044] First, for the purpose of comparison, the previous manufacturing methods will be explained. Figure 3 (A) represents the production process in a conventional manufacturing method. In the conventional manufacturing method, the processes of inserting the electrode body into the battery can, injecting electrolyte into the battery can, and stacking the battery cells and spacers are affected by thickness deviations of the battery cell 30 or assembly deviations when stacking the battery cell 30 and spacers 50. Therefore, it may be difficult to assemble the electrode terminals 36A, 36B and the bus component 40 (BBM).

[0045] on the other hand, Figure 3 (B) indicates the production process in the manufacturing method involved in this embodiment.

[0046] The manufacturing method involved in this embodiment includes the following steps in sequence.

[0047] (1) Process of producing the wound body (electrode body)

[0048] (2) The process of inserting the battery can 32 into the housing 20

[0049] (3) The process of inserting the spacer 50 into the housing 20

[0050] (4) The process of inserting the wound body into the battery can 32

[0051] (5) The process of injecting electrolyte into battery tank 32

[0052] (6) Aging process

[0053] (7) Assembly of busbar component 40 (BBM)

[0054] In processes (4) and (5), thickness deviations in the battery cell 30 may occur. However, since the battery can 32 is positioned via the slot 21 of the housing 20, positional offset relative to the housing 20 is prevented. In other words, since the position of the battery can 32 is determined by the housing 20 with the slot 21, the positions of the electrode terminals 36A and 36B mounted on the battery can 32 are also determined by the housing 20. As a result, it is easy to set the terminal spacing to the desired value (e.g., to a value of equal spacing).

[0055] Because of the manufacturing process described above, the battery canister 32 can be placed in the housing 20 with the groove 21 to manufacture the battery cell 30 before manufacturing the battery cell 30, which may have thickness deviations. As a result, the terminal spacing X between adjacent battery cells 30 can be made to the desired size. This is because, since the battery canister 32 is positioned through the groove 21 of the housing 20, the positions of the electrode terminals 36A and 36B of the battery cell 30 are less affected by the thickness deviation of the battery cell 30. Furthermore, in conventional methods that alternately stack battery cells and spacers to create a laminate and insert the laminate into the housing, thickness deviations accumulate during the laminate manufacturing stage; therefore, this problem does not exist in this method.

[0056] <Effects>

[0057] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained.

[0058] This embodiment relates to a method for manufacturing a battery module 10. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the battery module 10 includes: a plurality of battery cells 30 having electrode terminals 36A, 36B; a housing 20 that accommodates the plurality of battery cells 30; and a bus component 40 (see reference). Figure 1 This connects the electrode terminals 36A and 36B of multiple battery cells 30 to each other. For example... Figure 1As shown, the battery unit 30 includes a battery canister 32 and internal battery components (not shown) housed within the battery canister 32. The housing (20) has multiple retaining portions (28) that define the position of the battery canister (32).

[0059] In this battery module 10, it is important to position the electrode terminals 36A and 36B of the multiple battery cells 30 at the desired locations during the assembly of the busbar assembly 40. If the positions of the multiple electrode terminals 36A and 36B deviate from the desired locations, it will be difficult to assemble the busbar assembly 40.

[0060] Therefore, in this embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown in (B), the manufacturing method includes: a holding process in which the battery can 32 is inserted into and held in each of the plurality of holding portions 28; and a battery cell production process in which a plurality of battery cells 30 are produced while the battery can 32 is held in each of the plurality of holding portions 28.

[0061] Therefore, the assembly of the busbar component 40 is made easier, which in turn makes the production of the battery module 10 easier. The reasons are as follows.

[0062] That is, in the previous manufacturing methods (see reference) Figure 3 In (A), the reason why the positions of multiple electrode terminals 36A and 36B deviate from the desired positions is due to the thickness deviation of the battery cell 30 or the assembly deviation during the fabrication of the stack containing multiple battery cells 30. The thickness deviation of the battery cell 30 occurs during the production of the battery cell 30. To address this, in this embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown in (B), the battery cell manufacturing process of producing the battery cell 30 is performed with the multiple battery canisters 32 positioned relative to the housing 20, thus suppressing positional offsets of the electrode terminals 36A and 36B caused by thickness deviations of the battery cell 30. Furthermore, since the process of fabricating a laminate containing the battery cell 30 and inserting the laminate into the housing is not performed, positional offsets of the electrode terminals 36A and 36B caused by assembly deviations do not occur. Therefore, it is easy to position the multiple electrode terminals 36A and 36B at the desired locations, thereby facilitating the assembly of the busbar assembly 40.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, the battery canister 32 has a shape with a first direction as its length direction, which is perpendicular to the insertion direction into the housing 20. Here, the retaining part 28 is configured to determine the positions of the two ends of the battery canister 32 in the first direction.

[0064] Therefore, the position of the battery canister 32 can be properly positioned.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, the retaining part 28 is a pair of grooves 21, 21 at both ends of the battery canister 32 in the first direction.

[0066] Therefore, other components (e.g., spacers 50 with cooling function, etc.) can be arranged between adjacent battery cans 32.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, a pair of slots 21, 21 accommodate the insertion direction of the two ends of the battery canister 32 in the first direction.

[0068] Therefore, it is possible to properly prevent the battery canister 32 from tilting.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown in (B), the battery cell manufacturing process performed while holding the battery can 32 in each of the plurality of holding portions 28 includes: a process of inserting an electrode into the battery can 32; and a process of injecting electrolyte into the battery can 32.

[0070] Therefore, the two processes mentioned above, which are prone to causing thickness deviations in the battery cell 30 (battery canister 32), are both performed while the battery canister 32 is held in each of the multiple holding portions 28. As a result, positional shifts in the electrode terminals 36A and 36B can be further suppressed.

[0071] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above description.

[0072] Symbol Explanation

[0073] 10-Battery module, 20-Housing, 21-Slot, 28-A pair of slots (holding parts), 30-Battery cell, 32-Battery canister, 36A-Positive electrode terminal (electrode terminal), 36B-Negative electrode terminal (electrode terminal), 40-Bus assembly.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a battery module, characterized in that, The battery module has the following features: Multiple battery cells, each having electrode terminals; A housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells; and A bus component that connects the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells to each other. The battery unit includes a battery canister and internal battery components housed within the battery canister. The housing has multiple retaining portions that define the position of the battery canister. The method for manufacturing the battery module includes: The holding process involves inserting and holding the battery can into each of the plurality of holding portions; and The battery cell manufacturing process involves producing the plurality of battery cells while the battery canister is held in each of the plurality of holding portions.

2. The method for manufacturing a battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery canister has a shape with its length along a first direction, which is perpendicular to the insertion direction into the housing. The retaining portion is configured to determine the positions of the two ends of the battery can in a first direction.

3. The method for manufacturing a battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The retaining portion is a pair of grooves at both ends of the battery canister in a first direction.

4. The method for manufacturing a battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pair of slots accommodate the insertion direction of both ends of the battery can in the first direction.

5. The method for manufacturing a battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery cell manufacturing process includes: The process of inserting electrode bodies, which are internal components of the battery, into the battery can; and The process of injecting electrolyte, which is an internal component of the battery, into the battery canister.

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