Battery Module

Abstract

The battery module (10) includes: a plurality of battery cells (20) including electrode terminals (21, 22); a conductive member (60) connected to the electrode terminals (21, 22) of at least one of the plurality of battery cells (20); and a terminal block (50) on which the conductive member (60) is fixed. The conductive member (60) includes a first plate portion (61) with its thickness direction facing a first direction. The first plate portion (61) is fixed to the terminal block (50). The conductive member (60) includes a second plate portion (62) with its thickness direction facing a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second plate portion (62) is fixed to the terminal block (50).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to battery modules. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a battery module having a battery assembly (multiple battery cells) and a busbar (conductive component) mounted on the battery assembly.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-159718 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In battery modules like those described above, sometimes a portion of the busbar is fixed to the terminal block for use.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to facilitate the fixing of a portion of the busbar to the terminal block in a battery module.

[0009] Technical means for solving problems

[0010] The battery module involved in the first method includes: a plurality of battery cells including electrode terminals; a conductive component connected to the electrode terminal of at least one of the plurality of battery cells; and a terminal block on which the conductive component is fixed, the conductive component including: a first plate portion facing a first direction in the thickness direction and fixed to the terminal block; and a second plate portion facing a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the thickness direction and fixed to the terminal block.

[0011] In this embodiment, the battery module comprises: a plurality of battery cells including electrode terminals; a conductive component connected to the electrode terminals of at least one of the plurality of battery cells; and a terminal block on which the conductive component is fixed.

[0012] In this embodiment, the conductive component includes a first plate portion whose thickness direction faces the first direction. The first plate portion is fixed to the terminal block.

[0013] Here, the conductive component also includes a second plate portion whose thickness direction faces the second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction. Furthermore, the second plate portion is fixed to the terminal block.

[0014] Therefore, by pre-fixing the second plate to the terminal block, the conductive component can be positioned relative to the terminal block, and as a result, the first plate can be easily fixed to the terminal block. Furthermore, since the pre-fixed portion is the second plate, which is different from the first plate, it is not necessary to form the first plate into a larger size compared to pre-fixing it using a different portion of the first plate.

[0015] The battery module involved in the second solution, based on the first solution, has a second through hole in the second plate portion, and the terminal block has: a terminal block body; a nut held in the terminal block body; and a fixing pin protruding from the terminal block body in the second direction. The first plate portion is fixed relative to the terminal block by using the nut to fasten the first plate portion together with other conductive components, and the second plate portion is fixed relative to the terminal block by inserting the fixing pin into the second through hole of the second plate portion.

[0016] In this embodiment, the terminal block includes a terminal block body and a nut held in place by the terminal block body. Furthermore, the first plate portion is fixed relative to the terminal block by using the nut to fasten the first plate portion together with other conductive components.

[0017] Therefore, by pre-fixing the second plate relative to the terminal block, the position of the first plate relative to the terminal block can be determined, making the aforementioned joint fastening operation easier.

[0018] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second plate portion has a second through hole penetrating through the second plate portion, and the terminal block has a fixing pin protruding from the terminal block body in a second direction. The second plate portion is fixed relative to the terminal block by inserting the fixing pin into the second through hole of the second plate portion.

[0019] Therefore, by fixing the second plate relative to the terminal block, positioning in both the first and third directions is possible. Furthermore, the third direction refers to a direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

[0020] The battery module involved in the third scheme, based on the first or second scheme, includes the following conductive component: a first plate; and a second plate, the thickness of which is smaller than that of the first plate, wherein the second plate is welded to the electrode terminal of the battery cell.

[0021] In this method, the conductive component includes a first plate and a second plate with a thickness smaller than that of the first plate.

[0022] Therefore, it is possible to balance electrical performance and structural reliability. This is because structural reliability can be ensured by using a thinner second plate, while electrical performance can be ensured by using a thicker first plate.

[0023] Furthermore, the plate thickness mentioned here refers to the average plate thickness.

[0024] In addition, in this method, the second plate is welded to the electrode terminals of the battery cell.

[0025] Therefore, welding operations are made easier because it is possible to weld a second plate with a relatively small thickness (e.g., laser welding).

[0026] The battery module involved in the fourth solution, based on the third solution, has the following features: a third plate portion that is joined to the first plate; a fourth plate portion that is welded to the electrode terminals; and a displacement absorption portion that connects the third plate portion and the fourth plate portion and facilitates the relative displacement of the third plate portion and the fourth plate portion.

[0027] In this embodiment, the second plate includes: a third plate portion that engages with the first plate; a fourth plate portion that connects to the electrode terminals; and a displacement absorption portion that connects the third plate portion and the fourth plate portion and facilitates relative displacement between the third plate portion and the fourth plate portion.

[0028] Therefore, the displacement absorption section of the conductive component can absorb the positional shift between the electrode terminal and the terminal block. Furthermore, since the displacement absorption section is formed on a second plate with a relatively small thickness, the performance of the displacement absorption section is easily ensured.

[0029] The battery module involved in the fifth method, based on any one of the first to fourth methods, includes a cover member covering the second plate portion, the cover member having a locking portion that is locked to the terminal block to determine the position of the cover member relative to the terminal block in a second direction.

[0030] In this method, the battery module has a cover component that covers the second plate.

[0031] Here, the cover component has a locking portion that is locked to the terminal block to determine the position of the cover component relative to the terminal block in a second direction.

[0032] Therefore, the position of the conductive component relative to the terminal block in the second direction is determined by the cover component.

[0033] Invention Effects

[0034] According to this disclosure, in a battery module, a portion of the busbar can be easily fixed to the terminal block. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic exploded view of battery module 10.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a battery 90 having multiple battery modules 10.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the end busbar (conductive component).

[0038] Figure 4 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the terminal block and the terminal busbar (conductive component).

[0039] Figure 5 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the cover and the terminal block. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure will now be described.

[0041] Furthermore, in the diagrams, arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow UP indicates the top of the vehicle, and arrow LH indicates the left side in the vehicle width direction. Additionally, in the following descriptions, unless otherwise specified, the terms front-back, up-down, and left-right refer to the front-back direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction in the vehicle width direction.

[0042] Furthermore, the three mutually perpendicular directions will be referred to as "first direction," "second direction," and "third direction" for explanation. In the following embodiments, the first direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle, the second direction is the width direction of the vehicle, and the third direction is the front-to-back direction of the vehicle, but the "first direction," "second direction," and "third direction" of this disclosure are not limited to these.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic exploded view of the battery module 10 of this embodiment.

[0044] The battery module 10 includes multiple battery cells 20, multiple inter-cell busbars 30, a pair of end plates 40, terminal blocks 50 fixed to the pair of end plates 40, and a pair of end busbars 60 fixed to the terminal blocks 50.

[0045] Figure 2 This indicates a battery 90 that has multiple battery modules 10.

[0046] In battery 90, multiple battery modules 10 are arranged along a second direction. Two adjacent battery modules 10 in the second direction are interconnected using a third-direction end busbar 60 (not shown). The third-direction end busbar 60 is connected to, for example, a junction block via a busbar (not shown).

[0047] The battery cell 20 is a square cell. The thickness direction of the battery cell 20 faces a third direction. That is, the third-direction dimension of the battery cell 20 is smaller than the dimensions in the first and second directions. Multiple battery cells 20 are arranged along the third direction.

[0048] The battery cell 20 has electrode terminals 21 and 22. Specifically, the battery cell 20 has a positive terminal 21 and a negative terminal 22. The positive terminal 21 and the negative terminal 22 are respectively disposed on two sides of the battery cell 20 in a second direction.

[0049] The inter-cell connection busbar 30 connects two adjacent battery cells 20 in the arrangement direction (third direction).

[0050] A pair of end plates 40 are arranged to clamp a plurality of battery cells 20 in their arrangement direction. The pair of end plates 40 are connected to each other by a constraint member not shown. The end plates 40 are, for example, die-cast aluminum.

[0051] A pair of terminal blocks 50 are disposed on the third-direction outer side relative to a pair of end plates 40.

[0052] A pair of terminal busbars 60 are fixed to a pair of terminal blocks 50. Hereinafter, the terminal busbars 60 will sometimes be referred to as conductive components 60.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the conductive component 60 includes a first plate 60A and a second plate 60B. The second plate 60B is formed of a sheet metal with a thickness less than that of the first plate 60A. The second plate 60B is bonded to the first plate 60A, thereby forming an integral part of the conductive component 60. The first plate 60A and the second plate 60B are formed of aluminum.

[0054] The first plate 60A includes a first plate portion 61 with its thickness direction facing a first direction, a second plate portion 62 with its thickness direction facing a second direction, and a first curved portion 65 connecting the first plate portion 61 and the second plate portion 62.

[0055] The first plate portion 61 has a first through hole 61A passing through the first plate portion 61. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the first plate portion 61 is fixed to the terminal block 50 via the first through hole 61A.

[0056] The second plate portion 62 is positioned on the side further in the second direction than the first plate portion 61. The first curved portion 65 is a curved portion extending in the third direction.

[0057] The second plate portion 62 has a second through hole 62A passing through it. The second plate portion 62 is fixed to the terminal block 50 via the second through hole 62A. The second through hole 62A is provided at a position overlapping the first plate portion 61 in the third direction. Specifically, the second through hole 62A is a hole smaller than the first through hole 61A, and is provided at a position overlapping the first through hole 61A in the third direction.

[0058] The second plate portion 62 engages with the second plate 60B in a portion that is more inwardly relative to the portion of the first plate portion 61 that overlaps with it in the third direction. The first directional dimension of the portion of the second plate portion 62 that engages with the second plate 60B is larger than the first directional dimension of the portion of the second plate portion 62 that overlaps with the first plate portion 61 in the third direction.

[0059] The end of the portion of the second plate 62 that engages with the second plate 60B is located on the first direction side of the first plate portion 62, which is positioned on the first direction side closer to the first curved portion 65.

[0060] The end of the portion of the second plate 62 that engages with the second plate 60B in the first direction is aligned with the end of the portion of the second plate 62 that overlaps with the first plate 61 in the third direction in the first direction in the first direction.

[0061] The second plate 60B includes a third plate portion 63 with its thickness direction facing the second direction, a fourth plate portion 64 with its thickness direction facing the second direction, and a displacement absorbing portion 66 that connects the third plate portion 63 and the fourth plate portion 64 and facilitates the relative displacement of the third plate portion 63 and the fourth plate portion 64.

[0062] The third plate portion 63 is welded to a portion of the second plate portion 62 in the thickness direction. Specifically, the welding method is laser welding. The third plate portion 63 is positioned on the opposite side in the second direction than the second plate portion 62.

[0063] The fourth plate portion 64 is welded to the electrode terminals 21 and 22 of the battery cell 20. Specifically, the welding method is laser welding. The fourth plate portion 64 is positioned on the side further in the second direction than the electrode terminals 21 and 22. The fourth plate portion 64 has a weldable portion 64A whose thickness is locally thinned to facilitate laser welding.

[0064] The displacement absorbing section 66 is formed by combining a curved section extending in the first direction. The displacement absorbing section 66 mainly absorbs relative displacement in the second and third directions, but it can also absorb relative displacement in the first direction. By providing the displacement absorbing section 66, even if the position of the fourth plate section 64, which is engaged with the electrode terminals 21 and 22, is offset, the positional offset of the first plate section 61, etc., can be suppressed.

[0065] like Figure 4 As shown, the terminal block 50 includes a terminal block body 51 formed of synthetic resin and a nut 52 held in the terminal block body 51.

[0066] Nut 52 is inserted into terminal block body 51. In other words, terminal block body 51 is formed with nut 52 as an insert.

[0067] The first plate portion 61 is fixed relative to the terminal block 50 by using a nut 52 to fasten the first plate portion 61 together with other conductive components 80. Specifically, a first bolt 53 passes through the through hole of the other conductive component 80 and the first through hole 61A and is screwed into the nut 52. The first bolt 53 is screwed into one side in a first direction.

[0068] The terminal block 50 has a retaining pin 54 protruding in a second direction from the terminal block body 51. The retaining pin 54 is integrally formed with the terminal block body 51. The second plate portion 62 is fixed relative to the terminal block 50 by inserting the retaining pin 54 into the second through hole 62A of the second plate portion 62. The retaining pin 54 has an anti-detachment portion 54A at its front end.

[0069] In addition, the battery module 10 has a cover component 70 that covers at least the second plate portion 62.

[0070] The cover member 70 has a portion 71 disposed on the other side in the second direction relative to the second plate portion 62 of the conductive member 60. Alternatively, the cover member 70 may also have a portion disposed on one side in the second direction relative to the second plate portion 62 (not shown).

[0071] like Figure 5 As shown, the cover member 70 includes a locking portion 72 that locks onto the terminal block 50. The locking portion 72 functions to determine the position of the cover member 70 relative to the terminal block 50 in a second direction. The locking portion 72 is located at a position third outward from the second plate portion 62. The locking portion 72 is also located at a position on the other side of the first plate portion 61 in the first direction.

[0072] <Effects>

[0073] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained.

[0074] In this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the battery module 10 includes: a plurality of battery cells 20 including electrode terminals 21, 22; a conductive component 60 connected to the electrode terminals 21, 22 of at least one of the plurality of battery cells 20; and a terminal block 50 for fixing the conductive component 60.

[0075] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the conductive component 60 has a first plate portion 61 facing the first direction in the thickness direction. The first plate portion 61 is fixed to the terminal block 50.

[0076] Here, the conductive component 60 also includes a second plate portion 62 whose thickness direction is oriented in the second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction. Furthermore, the second plate portion 62 is fixed to the terminal block 50.

[0077] Therefore, by pre-fixing the second plate portion 62 to the terminal block 50, the conductive component 60 can be positioned relative to the terminal block 50, and as a result, the first plate portion 61 can be easily fixed to the terminal block 50. Furthermore, since the pre-fixed portion is the second plate portion 62, which is different from the first plate portion 61, it is not necessary to make the first plate portion 61 larger compared to pre-fixing it by using different portions of the first plate portion 61.

[0078] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the terminal block 50 includes a terminal block body 51 and a nut 52 held in place of the terminal block body 51. Furthermore, the first plate portion 61 is fixed relative to the terminal block 50 by using the nut 52 to fasten the first plate portion 61 together with other conductive components 80.

[0079] Therefore, by pre-fixing the second plate portion 62 relative to the terminal block 50, the position of the first plate portion 61 relative to the terminal block 50 can be determined, making the aforementioned joint fastening operation easier.

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the second plate portion 62 has a second through hole 62A extending through the second plate portion 62, and the terminal block 50 has a fixing pin 54 protruding from the terminal block body 51 in a second direction. Furthermore, the second plate portion 62 is fixed relative to the terminal block 50 by inserting the fixing pin 54 into the second through hole 62A of the second plate portion 62.

[0081] Therefore, by fixing the second plate portion 62 relative to the terminal block 50, positioning in the first direction and the third direction is possible.

[0082] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the conductive component 60 includes a first plate 60A and a second plate 60B with a thickness smaller than that of the first plate 60A.

[0083] Therefore, both electrical performance and structural reliability can be achieved. This is because structural reliability can be ensured by the relatively thin second board 60B, while electrical performance can be ensured by the relatively thick first board 60A. Furthermore, the board thickness mentioned here refers to the average board thickness.

[0084] In addition, in this embodiment, the second plate 60B is welded to the electrode terminals 21 and 22 of the battery cell 20.

[0085] Therefore, welding operations are made easier because it is possible to weld the second plate 60B with a relatively small plate thickness (e.g., laser welding).

[0086] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 3As shown, the second plate 60B includes: a third plate portion 63, which is joined to the first plate 60A; a fourth plate portion 64, which is connected to the electrode terminals 21 and 22; and a displacement absorption portion 66, which connects the third plate portion 63 and the fourth plate portion 64 and facilitates the relative displacement of the third plate portion 63 and the fourth plate portion 64.

[0087] Therefore, the displacement absorption portion 66 of the conductive member 60 can absorb the positional shift between the electrode terminals 21 and 22 and the terminal block 50. In addition, since the displacement absorption portion 66 is formed on the second plate 60B with a relatively small plate thickness, the performance of the displacement absorption portion 66 is easily ensured.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the battery module 10 has a cover member 70 that covers the second plate portion 62.

[0089] Here, the cover member 70 has a locking portion 72 that is locked to the terminal block 50 to determine the position of the cover member 70 relative to the terminal block 50 in a second direction.

[0090] Therefore, the position of the conductive component 60 relative to the terminal block 50 in the second direction is determined by the cover component 70.

[0091] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle. Therefore, for example, the first plate 61 can be fixed relative to the terminal block 50 from the upper side of the vehicle, making the fixing operation easy.

[0092] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but this disclosure is not limited to the above description.

[0093] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0094] 10 Battery Modules

[0095] 20 battery cells

[0096] 21 Positive terminal (electrode terminal)

[0097] 22 Negative terminal (electrode terminal)

[0098] 50 terminal block

[0099] 52 Nuts

[0100] 54 Fixed pins

[0101] 60-terminal busbar (conductive component)

[0102] 60A First Board

[0103] 60B Second Board

[0104] 61 First Board Section

[0105] 61A First Through Hole

[0106] 62 Second Board Section

[0107] 62A Second Through Hole

[0108] 63 Third Board Section

[0109] 64 Fourth Board Section

[0110] 66 Displacement Absorption Section

[0111] 70 Cover Components

[0112] 72. Fixed part

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: Multiple battery cells including electrode terminals; A conductive component, connected to the electrode terminal of at least one of the plurality of battery cells; and Terminal block, on which the conductive component is fixed. The conductive component includes: The first plate portion, with its thickness direction facing the first direction, is fixed to the terminal block; and The second plate has its thickness direction oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, i.e., the second direction, and is fixed to the terminal block.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The second plate portion has a second through hole that penetrates through the second plate portion. The terminal block includes: Terminal block body; Nut, held in place by the terminal block body; and A retaining pin protrudes from the terminal block body in the second direction. The first plate portion is fixed relative to the terminal block by using the nut to fasten the first plate portion together with other conductive components. The second plate portion is fixed relative to the terminal block by inserting the fixing pin into the second through hole of the second plate portion.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The conductive component includes: The first board; and The second board is thinner than the first board. The second plate is welded to the electrode terminal of the battery cell.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein, The second plate has: The third plate portion is joined to the first plate; The fourth plate is welded to the electrode terminals; and The displacement absorbing section connects the third plate section and the fourth plate section, and facilitates the relative displacement of the third plate section and the fourth plate section.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The battery module has a cover component that covers the second plate portion. The cover component includes a locking portion that is locked to the terminal block to determine the position of the cover component relative to the terminal block in a second direction.

Images