storage battery

Abstract

The battery includes a first battery cell (101), a second battery cell (102), and a reinforcing portion (510) that strengthens the connection between the first battery cell and the second battery cell. Each battery cell includes at least one electrode body, a laminated outer casing (160), and a current collector terminal (140) protruding from the laminated outer casing. The current collector terminal (140) of the first battery cell (101) is connected to the current collector terminal (140) of the second battery cell (102). The reinforcing portion (510) is fixed to the connection between the current collector terminal (140) of the first battery cell (101) and the current collector terminal (140) of the second battery cell (102), and extends from the edge (162) of the laminated outer casing in the first battery cell (101) to the edge (162) of the laminated outer casing in the second battery cell (102).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to storage batteries. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-509216 discloses a battery having multiple electrode groups and a casing housing the multiple electrode groups. The multiple electrode groups are connected in series with each other via a first connecting member.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-509216 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the battery described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-509216, there is a case where the connection between the electrode assembly and the first connecting member is partially detached due to vibration or other reasons, and in this case, the resistance increases.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a storage battery capable of suppressing the increase in resistance.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] A rechargeable battery according to one aspect of this disclosure includes a first battery cell, a second battery cell connected to the first battery cell, and a reinforcing portion that reinforces the connection between the first battery cell and the second battery cell. Each of the first and second battery cells includes at least one electrode body, a laminated outer casing covering the at least one electrode body, and a current collector terminal electrically connected to the at least one electrode body and protruding from the laminated outer casing. The laminated outer casing has an edge portion, and the current collector terminal protrudes from the edge portion. The current collector terminal of the first battery cell is connected to the current collector terminal of the second battery cell. The reinforcing portion is fixed to the connection between the current collector terminal of the first battery cell and the current collector terminal of the second battery cell, and extends from the edge portion of the laminated outer casing in the first battery cell to the edge portion of the laminated outer casing in the second battery cell.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to this disclosure, a storage battery capable of suppressing the increase in resistance can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1This is a perspective view of a storage battery in one embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in a schematic manner.

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The image shows an exploded perspective view of the storage battery.

[0015] Figure 3 This is an exploded 3D view of a battery cell.

[0016] Figure 4 This is the front view of the storage battery.

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view at the V-V line.

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A sectional view at line VI-VI.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a front view that schematically shows the vicinity of the protrusion of the collector terminal.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a modified example of the collector terminal.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a modified example of the collector terminal.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a modified example of the collector terminal.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a modified example of the collector terminal. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the drawings referred to below, identical or equivalent components are labeled with the same numbers.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a storage battery in one embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in a schematic manner. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The image shows an exploded perspective view of the storage battery. Figure 3 This is an exploded 3D view of a battery cell. Figure 4 This is the front view of the storage battery. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view at the V-V line. Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view at line VI-VI. The battery 1 is, for example, mounted on the bottom of the vehicle.

[0026] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the storage battery 1 includes multiple battery cells 100 and a cover sheet 200 (see reference). Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The unit housing 300, external terminals 400, first reinforcing part 510, and second reinforcing part 520 are also included. Furthermore, in... Figure 2 The illustration of the cover sheet 200 is omitted in the text.

[0027] The plurality of battery cells 100 includes a first battery cell 101, a second battery cell 102, a third battery cell 103, and a fourth battery cell 104. In this embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 100 includes eight battery cells 100. However, the number of battery cells 100 is not limited to eight. For example, a lithium-ion battery can be cited as one of the battery cells 100. Each battery cell 100 may be constituted as a so-called all-solid-state battery containing a solid electrolyte.

[0028] The first battery unit 101 is connected to the second battery unit 102. The third battery unit 103 is connected to the fourth battery unit 104. The first battery unit 101 and the third battery unit 103 are adjacent to each other in a second direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the vertical direction in which the first battery unit 101 and the second battery unit 102 are arranged. The second battery unit 102 and the fourth battery unit 104 are adjacent to each other in the second direction. Each battery unit 100 has a shape that extends longer in the first direction than in the second direction and longer in the first direction than in the vertical direction. Each battery unit 100 has a shape that extends longer in the vertical direction than in the second direction.

[0029] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the battery cell 100. Each battery cell 100 has at least one electrode body 110, a spacer 120, a terminal member 130, a current collector terminal 140, a cover 150, and a laminated outer casing 160. Furthermore, in... Figure 3 The illustration of the laminated outer casing 160 is omitted. Additionally, in... Figure 2 The laminated outer casing 160 of the second battery unit 102 and the laminated outer casing 160 of the fourth battery unit 104 are omitted.

[0030] At least one electrode body 110 includes two electrode bodies 110. However, the number of electrode bodies 110 is not limited to two. Each electrode body 110 is composed of a wound body obtained by winding a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet with a spacer in between. However, each electrode body 110 may also be composed of a laminated body obtained by stacking a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet with a spacer in between. The two electrode bodies 110 are in the stacking direction where the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet are stacked together ( Figure 5The electrodes 110 are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. Each electrode body 110 is formed into a shape that is orthogonal to both the stacking direction and the vertical direction. The stacking direction (thickness direction) corresponds to the second direction, and the orthogonal direction corresponds to the first direction.

[0031] Each electrode body 110 has a coating portion 112 and an electrode tab 114. The coating portion 112 is the area in the electrode foil at the positive or negative electrode where an active material layer is provided. The electrode tab 114 is the area in the electrode foil at the positive or negative electrode where no active material layer is provided, that is, the uncoated portion of the electrode foil exposed.

[0032] A spacer 120 is disposed between a pair of adjacent electrode tabs 114. The spacer 120 is made of an insulating material (synthetic resin, etc.). Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the spacer 120 has a shape in which the dimensions in the stacking direction gradually increase as it moves away from the coating portion 112 in the orthogonal direction.

[0033] Terminal member 130 is connected to the outer surface of spacer 120 in the orthogonal direction. Terminal member 130 is made of conductive material (metals such as copper and aluminum). Figure 5 As shown, the terminal member 130 is connected to a pair of electrode tabs 114 that are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction.

[0034] The current collector terminal 140 is connected to the terminal member 130. The current collector terminal 140, which is electrically connected to the positive electrode tab 114 via the terminal member 130, is made of aluminum, for example. The current collector terminal 140, which is electrically connected to the negative electrode tab 114 via the terminal member 130, is made of copper, for example. The current collector terminal 140 has a connecting portion 142 and a protrusion 144.

[0035] The connecting portion 142 is connected to the outer surface of the terminal member 130 in the orthogonal direction by welding or the like. The connecting portion 142 is formed in the shape of a flat plate.

[0036] The protrusion 144 protrudes outward in an orthogonal direction from the connecting portion 142. The protrusion 144 is formed in a flat plate shape. Figure 5 As shown, the protrusion 144 of the current collector terminal 140 in the first battery cell 101 is connected to the protrusion 144 of the current collector terminal 140 in the second battery cell 102. Similarly, the protrusion 144 of the current collector terminal 140 in the third battery cell 103 is connected to the protrusion 144 of the current collector terminal 140 in the fourth battery cell 104.

[0037] The cover 150 covers the ends of the electrode bodies 110 in the orthogonal direction; more specifically, it covers the electrode tabs 114. The cover 150 is made of an insulating material (synthetic resin, etc.). Figure 2 , Figure 3as well as Figure 5 As shown, a through hole h is provided in the cover 150 to allow the protrusion 144 to be inserted.

[0038] The laminated outer casing 160 houses the electrode bodies 110, spacers 120, terminal members 130, a portion of the current collector terminal 140, and a cover 150. The laminated outer casing 160 is constructed of a laminated film. Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the laminated outer casing 160 has an edge portion 162. The edge portion 162 is formed by connecting (welding) the laminated films together. A protrusion 144 protrudes from the edge portion 162 of the laminated outer casing 160 in an outward direction in an orthogonal direction.

[0039] Covering sheet 200 (refer to Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The coating sheet 200 covers multiple battery cells 100. More specifically, the coating sheet 200 covers the battery cells 100 in a manner that surrounds the multiple battery cells 100 together. The coating sheet 200 is made of an insulating material (synthetic resin, etc.).

[0040] The cell housing 300 houses multiple battery cells 100 and a cover sheet 200. The cell housing 300 is made of, for example, aluminum. The cell housing 300 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the first direction. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the unit housing 300 has a housing body 310 and a cover 320.

[0041] The housing body 310 is formed into a rectangular cylindrical shape that is elongated in the first direction. The housing body 310 surrounds a plurality of battery cells 100 and a cover sheet 200.

[0042] The cover 320 is connected to the housing body 310 by welding or the like to seal the opening of the housing body 310.

[0043] An external terminal 400 is disposed on the cover 320. The external terminal 400 is connected to the current collector terminal 140 of the battery cell 100 among the plurality of battery cells 100, which is located at the position closest to the cover 320.

[0044] The first reinforcing part 510 reinforces the connection between the first battery unit 101 and the second battery unit 102. For example... Figure 5 as well as Figure 7As shown, the first reinforcing part 510 is fixed to the connection between the protrusion 144 of the first battery cell and the protrusion 144 of the second battery cell 102. The first reinforcing part 510 is made of an insulating material (synthetic resin, etc.). The first reinforcing part 510 has the function of improving the bending rigidity of the protrusion 144 of the first battery cell and the protrusion 144 of the second battery cell 102. The thickness (dimension in the second direction) of the first reinforcing part 510 can be set to be the same as or greater than the thickness (dimension in the second direction) of each protrusion 144. The first reinforcing part 510 is an example of a "reinforcing part" in this disclosure. Furthermore, in Figure 7 In the diagram, the protrusion 144 of the first battery unit 101 is indicated by a single-dot dashed line, the protrusion 144 of the second battery unit 102 is indicated by a double-dot dashed line, and the first reinforcing part 510 is indicated by a diagonal line.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown, the first reinforcing part 510 covers the portion of the connection between the protrusion 144 of the first battery unit 101 and the protrusion 144 of the second battery unit 102, and the portion of the connection between the protrusion 144 of the current collector terminal 140 in the third battery unit 103 and the protrusion 144 of the current collector terminal 140 in the fourth battery unit 104 that faces each other.

[0046] like Figure 7 As shown, the first reinforcing portion 510 covers the connection between the protrusion 144 of the first battery cell 101 and the protrusion 144 of the second battery cell 102, extending over the entire vertical direction. The first reinforcing portion 510 extends from the edge 162 of the laminated outer casing 160 in the first battery cell 101 to the edge 162 of the laminated outer casing 160 in the second battery cell 102. The end of the first reinforcing portion 510 in the first direction may be in contact with the end face 160s of the laminated outer casing 160, or it may be separated from the end face 160s of the laminated outer casing 160.

[0047] The first reinforcing part 510 is formed, for example, by applying an insulating material to the connection portion of the protrusion 144 of the first battery unit 101 and the protrusion 144 of the second battery unit 102 after they are connected to each other.

[0048] The second reinforcing part 520 reinforces the connection between the third battery unit 103 and the fourth battery unit 104. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the second reinforcing part 520 is fixed to the connection between the protrusion 144 of the third battery unit and the protrusion 144 of the fourth battery unit 104. The second reinforcing part 520 is made of an insulating material (synthetic resin, etc.). The second reinforcing part 520 is an example of "other reinforcing parts" in this disclosure.

[0049] like Figure 5As shown, the second reinforcing part 520 covers the portion of the connection between the protrusion 144 of the third battery unit 103 and the protrusion 144 of the fourth battery unit 104 that faces the first reinforcing part 510.

[0050] like Figure 7 As shown, the second reinforcing portion 520 covers the connection between the protrusion 144 of the third battery cell 103 and the protrusion 144 of the fourth battery cell 104, covering the entire area in the vertical direction. The second reinforcing portion 520 extends from the edge 162 of the laminated outer casing 160 in the third battery cell 103 to the edge 162 of the laminated outer casing 160 in the fourth battery cell 104.

[0051] The second reinforcing part 520 is formed, for example, by applying an insulating material to the connection portion after the protrusion 144 of the third battery unit 103 and the protrusion 144 of the fourth battery unit 104 are connected to each other.

[0052] As described above, in the battery 1 of this embodiment, since the connection between the current collector terminal 140 of the first battery unit 101 and the current collector terminal 140 of the second battery unit 102 is reinforced by the first reinforcing portion 510, and the connection between the current collector terminal 140 of the third battery unit 103 and the current collector terminal 140 of the fourth battery unit 104 is reinforced by the second reinforcing portion 520, the peeling of these current collector terminals 140 from each other can be suppressed. Therefore, the increase in resistance can be suppressed.

[0053] Furthermore, since the first reinforcing part 510 and the second reinforcing part 520 are made of insulating material, short circuits caused by contact between the current collector terminal 140 of the first battery unit 101 and the current collector terminal 140 of the second battery unit 102, and between the current collector terminal 140 of the third battery unit 103 and the current collector terminal 140 of the fourth battery unit 104, can be suppressed.

[0054] Hereinafter, variations of the above-described embodiments will be described.

[0055] <First Variation>

[0056] like Figure 8 As shown, the protrusion 144 of the current collector terminal 140 may also have a base 144a and a bent portion 144b. Furthermore, in Figure 8Only the portion near the current collector terminals 140 of the first battery cell 101 and the second battery cell 102 is shown. The portion near the current collector terminals 140 of the third battery cell 103 and the fourth battery cell 104 has a structure that is substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane orthogonal to the stacking direction and passing through the boundary between the first battery cell 101 and the third battery cell 103, and is also substantially symmetrical with respect to the portion near the current collector terminals 140 of the first battery cell 101 and the second battery cell 102.

[0057] The base 144a protrudes outward from the connecting portion 142 in an orthogonal direction.

[0058] The bent portion 144b is bent relative to the base 144a. The bent portion 144b is bent outward relative to the base 144a in the stacking direction. The outer side of the bent portion 144b of the first battery cell 101 in the orthogonal direction is connected to the outer side of the bent portion 144b of the second battery cell 102 in the orthogonal direction.

[0059] The first reinforcing part 510 covers the inner side surface of the base 144a of the first battery unit 101 in the stacking direction and the inner side surface of the base 144a of the second battery unit 102 in the stacking direction.

[0060] In this scheme, the size between a pair of battery cells 100 arranged in the first direction is shortened, thus enabling miniaturization of the storage battery 1.

[0061] <Second Variation>

[0062] like Figure 9 As shown, the bent portion 144b may also have a first bent portion 144b1 bent outward relative to the base 144a in the stacking direction, and a second bent portion 144b2 bent outward relative to the first bent portion 144b1 in the orthogonal direction. In this example, the second bent portion 144b2 of the first battery cell 101 is connected to the second bent portion 144b2 of the second battery cell 102.

[0063] In this scheme, the size between the pair of battery cells 100 arranged in the first direction is shortened, thus enabling miniaturization of the battery 1. Furthermore, the movement of one of the pair of battery cells 100 arranged in the first direction away from the other is absorbed by deforming each of the bending portions 144b1 and 144b2 in such a way that the angle formed by the base 144a and the first bending portion 144b1 and the angle formed by the first bending portion 144b1 and the second bending portion 144b2 increases, thus suppressing the peeling of the current collector terminals 140 from each other.

[0064] <3rd Variation>

[0065] like Figure 10 As shown, the protrusion 144 of the current collector terminal 140 may also have a base 144a and a folded-back portion 144c. The folded-back portion 144c is folded back relative to the base 144a. The folded-back portion 144c may be folded back outward in the stacking direction relative to the base 144a, or it may be folded back inward. Figure 10 In the example shown, the outer side of the folded-back portion 144c of the first battery cell 101 in the stacking direction is connected to the inner side of the folded-back portion 144c of the second battery cell 102 in the stacking direction.

[0066] exist Figure 10 In the example shown, the first reinforcing part 510 is covered with the inner side of the folded-back part 144c of the second battery cell 102 in the stacking direction.

[0067] In this scheme, the size between a pair of battery cells 100 arranged in the first direction is shortened, thus enabling miniaturization of the storage battery 1.

[0068] <4th Variation>

[0069] like Figure 11 As shown, the protrusion 144 of the current collector terminal 140 may also have a base 144a and a corrugated portion 144d. The corrugated portion 144d is connected to the base 144a. The corrugated portion 144d is formed by repeatedly folding back the portion of the protrusion 144 that is closer to the front end of the base 144a in a pleated manner. The outer surface of the corrugated portion 144d of the first battery cell 101 in the orthogonal direction is connected to the outer surface of the corrugated portion 144d of the second battery cell 102 in the orthogonal direction.

[0070] In this design, the size between the pair of battery cells 100 arranged in the first direction is shortened, thus enabling miniaturization of the battery 1. Furthermore, any movement of one of the pair of battery cells 100 arranged in the first direction away from the other is absorbed by the elongation of the corrugated portion, thereby suppressing the peeling of the current collector terminals 140 from each other.

[0071] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following solutions.

[0072] [Option 1]

[0073] A type of storage battery, comprising:

[0074] First battery cell;

[0075] The second battery unit is connected to the first battery unit; and

[0076] The reinforcement section strengthens the connection between the first battery unit and the second battery unit.

[0077] The first battery unit and the second battery unit each include:

[0078] At least one electrode;

[0079] A laminated outer casing covering the at least one electrode body; and

[0080] A current collector terminal, electrically connected to at least one electrode body, and protruding from the laminated outer casing.

[0081] The current collector terminal of the first battery cell is connected to the current collector terminal of the second battery cell.

[0082] The reinforcing part is fixed to the connection part between the current collector terminal of the first battery unit and the current collector terminal of the second battery unit.

[0083] In this storage battery, the connection between the current collector terminals of the first battery cell and the current collector terminals of the second battery cell is reinforced, thereby preventing the current collector terminals from peeling off from each other. Consequently, the increase in resistance can be suppressed.

[0084] [Option 2]

[0085] According to the storage battery described in Scheme 1,

[0086] The laminated outer casing has an edge portion.

[0087] The current collector terminal protrudes from the edge.

[0088] The reinforcement extends from the edge of the laminated outer casing in the first battery cell to the edge of the laminated outer casing in the second battery cell.

[0089] [Option 3]

[0090] According to the storage battery described in Scheme 1 or 2,

[0091] The current collector terminal includes a protrusion that extends from the laminated outer casing.

[0092] The thickness of the reinforcing part is the same as or greater than the thickness of the protrusion.

[0093] In this design, the overall bending rigidity of the current collector terminal and the reinforcing part is effectively improved by the reinforcing part, thereby suppressing the deformation of the protrusion.

[0094] [Option 4]

[0095] According to the storage battery described in any of Schemes 1 to 3,

[0096] The storage battery also has:

[0097] The third battery unit is disposed adjacent to the first battery unit in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in which the first battery unit and the second battery unit are arranged;

[0098] A fourth battery unit is disposed adjacent to the second battery unit in the second direction and connected to the third battery unit; and

[0099] Other reinforcing components reinforce the connection between the third and fourth battery units.

[0100] The reinforcing part and the other reinforcing parts are made of insulating material.

[0101] The third battery cell and the fourth battery cell each include:

[0102] At least one electrode;

[0103] A laminated outer casing covering the at least one electrode body; and

[0104] A current collector terminal, electrically connected to at least one electrode body, and protruding from the laminated outer casing.

[0105] The current collector terminal of the third battery cell is connected to the current collector terminal of the fourth battery cell.

[0106] The other reinforcing parts are fixed to the connection between the current collector terminal of the third battery unit and the current collector terminal of the fourth battery unit.

[0107] The reinforcing portion covers the portion of the connection between the current collector terminal of the first battery unit and the current collector terminal of the second battery unit, and the portion of the connection between the current collector terminal of the third battery unit and the current collector terminal of the fourth battery unit that faces each other.

[0108] The other reinforcement covers the portion of the connection between the current collector terminal of the third battery cell and the current collector terminal of the fourth battery cell that faces the reinforcement.

[0109] In this battery, the connection between the third and fourth battery cells is effectively reinforced by other reinforcing parts. Furthermore, since the reinforcing parts and other reinforcing parts are made of insulating material, short circuits caused by contact between the current collector terminals of the first and second battery cells and between the current collector terminals of the third and fourth battery cells can be suppressed.

[0110] [Option 5]

[0111] According to the storage battery described in Scheme 4,

[0112] The collector terminal includes:

[0113] The base protrudes from the laminated outer casing; and

[0114] The bent portion is bent relative to the base.

[0115] The bent portion of the first battery cell and the bent portion of the second battery cell are bent in an orientation (direction) away from the connection portion between the current collector terminal of the third battery cell and the current collector terminal of the fourth battery cell.

[0116] The bent portion of the third battery unit and the bent portion of the fourth battery unit are bent toward the direction away from the connection portion between the current collector terminal of the first battery unit and the current collector terminal of the second battery unit.

[0117] The bent portion of the current collector terminal in the first battery cell is connected to the bent portion of the current collector terminal in the second battery cell.

[0118] The bent portion of the current collector terminal in the third battery cell is connected to the bent portion of the current collector terminal in the fourth battery cell.

[0119] The reinforcing portion covers the portion of the base of the first battery cell and the base of the second battery cell that faces the other reinforcing portions.

[0120] The other reinforcing portions cover the portions of the base of the third battery cell and the base of the fourth battery cell that are opposite to the reinforcing portions.

[0121] In this scheme, the size between a pair of battery cells arranged in the first direction is shortened, thus enabling the miniaturization of the battery.

[0122] [Option 6]

[0123] According to the storage battery described in Scheme 4,

[0124] The collector terminal includes:

[0125] The base protrudes from the laminated outer casing; and

[0126] The folded-back portion folds back relative to the base portion.

[0127] The folded-back portion of the current collector terminal in the first battery cell is connected to the folded-back portion of the current collector terminal in the second battery cell.

[0128] The folded-back portion of the current collector terminal in the third battery cell is connected to the folded-back portion of the current collector terminal in the fourth battery cell.

[0129] In this scheme, the size between a pair of battery cells arranged in the first direction is shortened, thus enabling the miniaturization of the battery.

[0130] [Option 7]

[0131] According to the storage battery described in Scheme 4,

[0132] The collector terminal includes:

[0133] The base protrudes from the laminated outer casing; and

[0134] The corrugated portion is connected to the base and is formed into a pleated shape.

[0135] The outer side of the corrugated portion of the first battery cell in the first direction is connected to the outer side of the corrugated portion of the second battery cell in the first direction.

[0136] The outer side of the corrugated portion of the third battery cell in the first direction is connected to the outer side of the corrugated portion of the fourth battery cell in the first direction.

[0137] In this scheme, the size between a pair of battery cells arranged in the first direction is shortened, thus enabling the miniaturization of the battery.

[0138] Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. The scope of this disclosure is defined not by the description of the embodiments above but by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0139] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0140] 1. Storage battery, 100. Battery cell, 101. First battery cell, 102. Second battery cell, 103. Third battery cell, 104. Fourth battery cell, 110. Electrode body, 112. Coated part, 114. Electrode tab, 120. Spacer, 130. Terminal component, 140. Current collector terminal, 142. Connecting part, 144. Protrusion, 144a. Base, 144b. Bending part, 144c. Fold-back part, 144d. Corrugated part, 150. Cover, 160. Laminated outer casing, 162. Edge, 200. Sheet, 300. Cell housing, 310. Housing body, 320. Cover, 400. External terminal, 510. First reinforcing part (reinforcing part), 520. Second reinforcing part (other reinforcing parts).

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery, comprising: First battery cell; The second battery unit is connected to the first battery unit; and The reinforcement section strengthens the connection between the first battery unit and the second battery unit. The first battery unit and the second battery unit each include: At least one electrode; A laminated outer casing is used to cover the at least one electrode body; as well as A current collector terminal, electrically connected to at least one electrode body, and protruding from the laminated outer casing. The laminated outer casing has an edge portion. The current collector terminal protrudes from the edge. The current collector terminal of the first battery cell is connected to the current collector terminal of the second battery cell. The reinforcing portion is fixed to the connection between the current collector terminal of the first battery cell and the current collector terminal of the second battery cell, and extends from the edge of the laminated outer casing in the first battery cell to the edge of the laminated outer casing in the second battery cell.

2. The storage battery according to claim 1, The current collector terminal includes a protrusion that extends from the laminated outer casing. The thickness of the reinforcing part is the same as or greater than the thickness of the protrusion.

3. The storage battery according to claim 1, The storage battery also has: The third battery unit is disposed adjacent to the first battery unit in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in which the first battery unit and the second battery unit are arranged; A fourth battery unit is disposed adjacent to the second battery unit in the second direction and connected to the third battery unit; and Other reinforcing components reinforce the connection between the third and fourth battery units. The reinforcing part and the other reinforcing parts are made of insulating material. The third battery cell and the fourth battery cell each include: At least one electrode; A laminated outer casing is used to cover the at least one electrode body; as well as A current collector terminal, electrically connected to at least one electrode body, and protruding from the laminated outer casing. The current collector terminal of the third battery cell is connected to the current collector terminal of the fourth battery cell. The other reinforcing parts are fixed to the connection between the current collector terminal of the third battery unit and the current collector terminal of the fourth battery unit. The reinforcing portion covers the portion of the connection between the current collector terminal of the first battery unit and the current collector terminal of the second battery unit, and the portion of the connection between the current collector terminal of the third battery unit and the current collector terminal of the fourth battery unit that faces each other. The other reinforcement covers the portion of the connection between the current collector terminal of the third battery cell and the current collector terminal of the fourth battery cell that faces the reinforcement.

4. The storage battery according to claim 3, The collector terminal includes: The base protrudes from the laminated outer casing; and The bent portion is bent relative to the base. The bent portion of the first battery unit and the bent portion of the second battery unit are bent toward the direction away from the connection portion between the current collector terminal of the third battery unit and the current collector terminal of the fourth battery unit. The bent portion of the third battery unit and the bent portion of the fourth battery unit are bent toward the direction away from the connection portion between the current collector terminal of the first battery unit and the current collector terminal of the second battery unit. The bent portion of the current collector terminal in the first battery cell is connected to the bent portion of the current collector terminal in the second battery cell. The bent portion of the current collector terminal in the third battery cell is connected to the bent portion of the current collector terminal in the fourth battery cell. The reinforcing portion covers the portion of the base of the first battery cell and the base of the second battery cell that faces the other reinforcing portions. The other reinforcing portions cover the portions of the base of the third battery cell and the base of the fourth battery cell that are opposite to the reinforcing portions.

5. The storage battery according to claim 3, The collector terminal includes: The base protrudes from the laminated outer casing; and The folded-back portion folds back relative to the base portion. The folded-back portion of the current collector terminal in the first battery cell is connected to the folded-back portion of the current collector terminal in the second battery cell. The folded-back portion of the current collector terminal in the third battery cell is connected to the folded-back portion of the current collector terminal in the fourth battery cell.

6. The storage battery according to claim 3, The collector terminal includes: The base protrudes from the laminated outer casing; and The corrugated portion is connected to the base and is formed into a pleated shape. The outer side of the corrugated portion of the first battery cell in the first direction is connected to the outer side of the corrugated portion of the second battery cell in the first direction. The outer side of the corrugated portion of the third battery cell in the first direction is connected to the outer side of the corrugated portion of the fourth battery cell in the first direction.

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