Battery pack

Abstract

To improve, in a case housing a terminal member, the holding power of a holding mechanism for maintaining an open condition at a predetermined angle, while allowing the holding mechanism to be easily manufactured.SOLUTION: A battery pack has a case for housing a terminal member. The case includes: a holder part for holding the terminal member; a cover part which is rotatable around a first axis with respect to the holder part; and a holding mechanism which maintains an open condition of the case at a first open angle. The holding mechanism includes a first protrusion which protrudes, from the holder part, in a direction parallel to the first axis so as to be engageable with the cover part at the first open angle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 08-121444 (Patent Document 1) discloses a hook-type connection mechanism as a mechanism for mounting a device main body on a base.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-143554 (Patent Document 2) discloses a mechanism for storing an external connection terminal portion of an electricity storage module, the mechanism including an opening / closing lid and a bearing member that rotatably supports the opening / closing lid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-121444 [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-143554 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a case that stores terminal members for electrically connecting battery cells in a battery pack to equipment external to the battery pack, there is a demand for a retention mechanism that maintains an open state at a specified angle while also improving the retention force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present technology provides the following assembled battery.

[0007] [1] An assembled battery comprising: a plurality of battery cells; terminal members electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; and an openable and closable case for housing the terminal members, the case including a holder portion for holding the terminal members, a cover portion that is rotatable about a first axis relative to the holder portion, and a retention mechanism for maintaining the open state of the case at a first open angle, the retention mechanism including a first protrusion that protrudes from the holder portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and is engageable with the cover portion at the first open angle.

[0008] [2] The battery pack described in [1], wherein the case is opened and closed by relative rotation between an axis portion formed in the holder portion and aligned with the first axis, and a cylindrical portion formed in the cover portion and fitted into the axis portion, and the holding mechanism includes first and second legs protruding radially outward from the cylindrical portion, a bridge portion connecting the first and second legs in the circumferential direction while forming a gap between the bridge portion and the cylindrical portion, and a second protrusion protruding radially outward from the bridge portion, and the second protrusion engages with the first protrusion to maintain the open state of the case at a first open angle.

[0009] [3] The battery pack according to [1] or [2], wherein the holder portion has a limiting protrusion that prevents the cover portion from rotating in the opening direction beyond a second opening angle that is greater than the first opening angle.

[0010] [4] A battery pack according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising a locking mechanism for maintaining the case in a closed state, the locking mechanism including a pair of fixed claws integrated with one of the holder portion and the cover portion, and a pair of movable claws integrated with the other of the holder portion and the cover portion, the pair of movable claws each including a tip claw portion that engages with the pair of fixed claws, and an operating portion for moving the tip claw portions, and the locking by the locking mechanism is released by clamping the operating portions of the pair of movable claws from the direction of the first axis. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present technology, by providing a first protrusion that can engage with a cover portion at a first open angle, the open angle at which the case is maintained in an open state can be easily changed simply by adjusting the position of the first protrusion. Also, a predetermined holding force (torque) required to maintain the case in an open state can be obtained simply by adjusting the aspect of the first protrusion (shape, protruding height, etc.). As a result, in a case that houses terminal members of a battery pack, it is possible to easily fabricate a holding mechanism that maintains the case in an open state at a predetermined angle, while improving the holding force. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a battery pack. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a battery cell. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a case for accommodating terminal members in an open state. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a case for accommodating terminal members in a closed state. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing details of a locking mechanism that keeps the case closed. [Figure 7] 4 is a side view showing an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the case and a holding mechanism for maintaining the case in an open state. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover of the case has been rotated in the closing direction from the state shown in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a modified example of the holding mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described. Note that the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference characters, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0014] In the embodiments described below, when referring to the number, amount, etc., the scope of the present technology is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, etc., unless otherwise specified. In addition, in the following embodiments, each component is not necessarily essential to the present technology, unless otherwise specified. In addition, the present technology is not necessarily limited to those that achieve all of the effects and advantages mentioned in the present embodiment.

[0015] In this specification, the words "comprise", "include" and "have" are open-ended, i.e., when a certain configuration is included, other configurations may or may not be included.

[0016] Furthermore, when geometric terms and terms expressing positional and directional relationships, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "45° diagonal," "coaxial," and "along" are used in this specification, these terms allow for manufacturing errors and slight variations. When terms expressing relative positional relationships, such as "upper side" and "lower side," are used in this specification, these terms are used to indicate relative positional relationships in one state, and the relative positional relationships can be inverted or rotated to any angle depending on the installation direction of each mechanism (for example, by turning the entire mechanism upside down).

[0017] In this specification, the term "battery" is not limited to lithium ion batteries, but may include other batteries such as nickel-metal hydride batteries and sodium ion batteries. In this specification, the term "electrode" may collectively refer to a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

[0018] In this specification, the term "battery cell" is not necessarily limited to a rectangular shape, but may also include cells of other shapes, such as a cylindrical shape.

[0019] In addition, the "battery pack" in this specification can be mounted in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), etc. However, the use of the "battery pack" in this specification is not limited to in-vehicle use.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the battery pack 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery pack 1.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery pack 1 includes battery cells 100, end plates 200, restraining members 300, cover members 400, terminal members 500, and a case 600.

[0022] A plurality of battery cells 100 are stacked in the Y direction to form a stack 10. Separators (not shown) are interposed between the plurality of battery cells 100. The stack 10 is sandwiched between two end plates 200. The stack 10 according to this embodiment is pressed against the end plates 200 and restrained between the two end plates 200.

[0023] The end plates 200 are provided on both ends in the Y direction of the stack 10. The end plates 200 are fixed to a base such as a pack case that houses the battery pack 1. The end plates 200 are made of, for example, aluminum or iron.

[0024] The restraining members 300 are provided on both ends in the X direction of the stack 10 and the end plates 200. When the restraining members 300 are engaged with the end plates 200 while a compressive force in the Y direction is applied to the stack 10 and the end plates 200 arranged side by side, and the compressive force is then released, a tensile force acts on the restraining members 300 connecting the two end plates 200. In reaction to this, the restraining members 300 press the two end plates 200 in a direction that brings them closer to each other. As a result, the restraining members 300 restrain the stack 10 in the Y direction.

[0025] The cover member 400 is provided so as to cover the laminate 10 from the Z direction. The cover member 400 is made of an electrically insulating resin material.

[0026] The terminal members 500 are provided to electrically connect the laminate 10 to an external terminal (not shown). The terminal members 500 are arranged on both sides of the laminate 10 in the Y direction. The terminal members 500 are made of a plate-shaped conductor. The terminal members 500 are electrically connected to at least one of the multiple battery cells 100.

[0027] 1 and 2, the case 600 is located at the end of the laminate 10 in the Y direction. The case 600 includes a holder portion 610 (first member) and a cover portion 620 (second member).

[0028] The holder portion 610 has insulating properties. The holder portion 610 is connected to the end plate 200 by a known method such as bolt fastening. The terminal member 500 is fixed to the holder portion 610. In other words, the holder portion 610 holds the terminal member 500.

[0029] Cover portion 620 is rotatable about the X-axis (first axis) relative to holder portion 610. Case 600 is opened and closed by cover portion 620 rotating about the X-axis.

[0030] 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the battery cell 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the battery cell 100 includes an electrode terminal 110, a housing 120, and a gas release valve .

[0031] The electrode terminal 110 is formed on the housing 120. The electrode terminal 110 has a positive electrode terminal 111 and a negative electrode terminal 112. The positive electrode terminal 111 and the negative electrode terminal 112 are disposed side by side in the X direction.

[0032] The housing 120 is a container that contains an electrode body and an electrolyte (not shown). The housing 120 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 120 is made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, iron, or an iron alloy such as stainless steel.

[0033] The gas exhaust valve 130 breaks when the pressure inside the housing 120 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, thereby allowing the gas inside the housing 120 to be exhausted to the outside of the housing 120.

[0034] 4 and 5 are perspective views showing an open state and a closed state, respectively, of case 600. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, case 600 includes a locking mechanism 630. Locking mechanism 630 includes a fixed claw 631 and a movable claw 632. Locking mechanism 630 holds case 600 in the closed state.

[0035] Fixed claw 631 is integrated with holder portion 610, and movable claw 632 is integrated with cover portion 620. However, the scope of the present technology is not limited to this, and fixed claw 631 may be integrated with cover portion 620, and movable claw 632 may be integrated with holder portion 610. In this specification, "integration" typically means integral molding of resin, but the scope of the present technology is not limited to this, and for example, holder portion 610 and fixed claw 631 may be formed separately and then fixed by adhesion or the like.

[0036] Fixed claw 631 is provided so as to protrude from the side surface of holder portion 610. Movable claw 632 includes a tip claw portion 632A that engages with fixed claw 631, an operating portion 632B for moving tip claw portion 632A, and a rod-shaped portion 632C.

[0037] 4 and 5, a pair of locking mechanisms 630 (first and second locking mechanisms) are provided aligned in a direction parallel to the X-axis (first axis). Each of the pair of locking mechanisms 630 includes a fixed claw 631 and a movable claw 632.

[0038] By clamping operation portions 632B of movable claws 632 of a pair of locking mechanisms 630 along the X direction, the locking by the locking mechanisms 630 is released. In this manner, a locking mechanism 630 with high operability is obtained.

[0039] Movable claw 632 is integrated with holder portion 610 via rod-shaped portion 632C. Rod-shaped portion 632C is provided so that its axial direction is along the Y direction. When movable claw 632 is viewed from the Y direction, tip claw portion 632A is located on one side in the Z direction (lower side in the figure), and operation portion 632B is located on the other side in the Z direction (upper side in the figure). That is, tip claw portion 632A and operation portion 632B are provided separately on both sides of rod-shaped portion 632C when viewed from the axial direction of rod-shaped portion 632C.

[0040] Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the details of the lock mechanism 630. As shown in Fig. 6, a gap 621 facing the operation portion 632B of the movable claw 632 is formed in the cover portion 620. In addition, the portion of the cover portion 620 facing the gap 621 has an uneven shape. More specifically, the uneven shape includes a protrusion 622 and a recess 623. The protrusion 622 is formed on both sides of the recess 623. The recess 623 is formed so as to be sandwiched between the protrusions 622. The protrusion 622 and the recess 623 are formed so as to be adjacent to each other in the Y direction.

[0041] The formation of the gap 621 allows the operating portion 632B of the movable claw 632 to move in the X direction. When the operating portion 632B is pushed toward the cover portion 620, the rod-shaped portion 632C is deformed so as to be twisted slightly, and the engagement between the tip claw portion 632A and the fixed claw 631 is released. This releases the closed state maintained by the lock mechanism 630.

[0042] The convex portion 622 defines the minimum width of the gap 621. In the structure shown in FIG. 6, the length of the operation portion 623B in the Y-axis direction is longer than the length of the recessed portion 623 located between the convex portions 622 in the Y-axis direction. In this manner, the operation portion 632B of the movable claw 632 abuts against the convex portion 622, the movable range of the operation portion 632B in the X-axis direction is defined, and excessive deformation of the rod-shaped portion 632C is suppressed, so that damage to the movable claw 632 can be suppressed. However, the scope of the present technology is not limited to that shown in FIG. 6, and the structure in which the operation portion 623B abuts against the convex portion 622 is also not limited to the above-mentioned example.

[0043] The recess 623 is formed so as to expose the tip claw portion 632A when the gap 621 is viewed from the Z direction (upward in FIG. 6), that is, so as to make the tip claw portion 632A visible when the gap 621 is viewed from above. This makes it easier to provide a molding die for integrally molding the cover portion 620 and the movable claw 632, and therefore makes it easier to manufacture the integrated cover portion 620 and movable claw 632.

[0044] In this way, according to the battery pack 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to easily manufacture the lock mechanism 630 while improving its durability.

[0045] Next, the opening / closing mechanism 640 for opening and closing the case 600, and the holding mechanism 650 for maintaining the case 600 in an open state will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the opening / closing mechanism 640 and the holding mechanism 650, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover portion 620 has been rotated in the closing direction from the state shown in FIG.

[0047] 7 and 8, the opening / closing mechanism 640 includes a shaft portion 641 and a tube portion 642. The shaft portion 641 fits into the tube portion 642. The case 600 is opened and closed by relative rotation between the shaft portion 641 and the tube portion 642. The shaft portion 641 and the tube portion 642 are formed along the X direction.

[0048] 7 and 8, shaft portion 641 is formed in holder portion 610, and tube portion 642 is formed in cover portion 620. However, the scope of the present technology is not limited thereto, and shaft portion 641 may be formed in cover portion 620, and tube portion 642 may be formed in holder portion 610.

[0049] The holding mechanism 650 includes a protrusion 651 (first protrusion) and an engagement portion 652. The protrusion 651 protrudes in the X direction from the holder portion 610. The engagement portion 652 is provided integrally with the cover portion 620. In the example of FIG. 7, the engagement portion 652 is a part of the cover portion 620.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, protrusion 651 and engagement portion 652 are engaged with each other, so that case 600 is maintained in the open state shown in FIG. 7 (first open angle).

[0051] Holder portion 610 has limiting protrusion 611. When cover portion 620 is further increased in opening angle from the state shown in Fig. 7 (cover portion 620 is rotated clockwise in the figure), cover portion 620 comes into contact with limiting protrusion 611, thereby preventing cover portion 620 from further rotating in the opening direction. This makes it possible to prevent excessive rotation of opening / closing mechanism 640 and protect case 600.

[0052] When cover portion 620 is rotated in the open direction from the state shown in FIG. 8 to the state shown in FIG. 7, cover portion 620 is slightly deformed so as to bend in the X direction around engagement portion 652, and can overcome protrusion 651 and reach the state shown in FIG.

[0053] Fig. 9 is a side view showing a modified example of the holding mechanism 650. In the example of Fig. 9, the shape of the engagement portion 652 is different from the examples of Figs.

[0054] In the modified example of FIG. 9, the engagement portion 652 includes a first leg portion 652A, a second leg portion 652B, a bridge portion 652C, and a protrusion 652D (second protrusion). The first leg portion 652A and the second leg portion 652B protrude radially outward from the tube portion 642. The bridge portion 652C connects the first leg portion 652A and the second leg portion 652B in the circumferential direction while forming a gap between the bridge portion 652C and the tube portion 642. The protrusion 652D protrudes radially outward from the bridge portion 652C. The protrusion 652D engages with the protrusion 651, thereby maintaining the open state of the case 600 in the state shown in FIG. 9 (first open angle). When the protrusion 652D rides over the protrusion 651, the bridge portion 652C is slightly deformed so as to bend radially inward.

[0055] In the holding mechanism 650 of the present embodiment, the structures of the projection 651 and the engagement portion 652 are simple, and the open angle at which the open state of the case 600 is maintained can be easily changed simply by adjusting the position of the projection 651. Also, a predetermined holding force (torque) required to maintain the open state of the case 600 can be obtained simply by adjusting the aspect (shape, projection height, etc.) of the projection 651 or the aspect (for example, the shape, projection height, etc. of the projection 652D) of the engagement portion 652.

[0056] In this way, according to the battery pack 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to easily manufacture the holding mechanism 650 that keeps the case 600 open at a predetermined angle, while improving the holding force.

[0057] Although the embodiment of the present technology has been described above, the embodiment disclosed herein should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present technology is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 battery pack, 10 laminate, 100 battery cell, 110 electrode terminal, 111 positive electrode terminal, 112 negative electrode terminal, 120 housing, 130 gas release valve, 200 end plate, 300 restraint member, 400 cover member, 500 terminal member, 600 case, 610 holder portion, 611 limiting protrusion, 620 cover portion, 621 gap, 622 convex portion, 623 concave portion, 630 lock mechanism, 631 fixed claw, 632 movable claw, 632A tip claw portion, 632B operation portion, 632C rod-shaped portion, 640 opening / closing mechanism, 641 shaft portion, 642 tube portion, 650 holding mechanism, 651 protrusion, 652 engagement portion, 652A first leg portion, 652B second leg portion, 652C Bridge section, 652D protrusion.

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells; a terminal member electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; an openable and closable case for housing the terminal member; the case includes a holder portion that holds the terminal member, a cover portion that is rotatable about a first axis relative to the holder portion, and a retention mechanism that maintains an open state of the case at a first open angle, the holding mechanism includes a first protrusion protruding from the holder portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and engageable with the cover portion at the first opening angle.

2. the case is opened and closed by relative rotation between a shaft portion that is formed in the holder portion and that is aligned with the first axis and a tubular portion that is formed in the cover portion and that is fitted to the shaft portion, The holding mechanism includes: a first leg portion and a second leg portion protruding radially outward from the cylindrical portion; a bridge portion that connects the first leg portion and the second leg portion in a circumferential direction while forming a gap between the bridge portion and the cylindrical portion; a second projection projecting radially outward from the bridge portion, 2 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the second projection engages with the first projection, thereby maintaining the case in an open state at the first open angle.

3. 3 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the holder portion has a limiting protrusion that prevents the cover portion from rotating in the open direction beyond a second opening angle that is larger than the first opening angle.

4. Further, a lock mechanism is provided to hold the case in a closed state, the locking mechanism includes a pair of fixed claws integrated with one of the holder portion and the cover portion, and a pair of movable claws integrated with the other of the holder portion and the cover portion, The pair of movable claws each include a tip claw portion that engages with the pair of fixed claws, and an operation portion for moving the tip claw portion, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is released by pinching the operation portions of the pair of movable claws from a direction of the first axis.

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