Bus bar, bus bar assembly and battery module

Abstract

To provide a bus bar capable of connecting a plurality of batteries in parallel and in series, a bus bar assembly, and a battery module.SOLUTION: A bus bar comprises: a plurality of first protrusions protruding from a virtual plane, which connects first and second ends in a state of a view in a plate surface direction, to one side in a plate thickness direction and being disposed in series at a predetermined pitch W in a length direction; a plurality of second protrusions protruding from the virtual plane to the other side in the plate thickness direction so as to be positioned alternately with the first protrusions in the length direction and being disposed in series at the predetermined pitch W in the length direction in such a manner that a distance from the adjacent first protrusion in the length direction becomes W / 2; and a plurality of connection parts connecting the first or second protrusions adjacent with the first end, adjacent first and second protrusions, and first or second protrusions adjacent with the second end and being tilted with respect to the virtual plane in the state of a view in the plate surface direction, the plurality of connection parts being elastically deformable in such a manner that the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions are proximate in the plate thickness direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bus bar and a bus bar assembly for electrically connecting a plurality of batteries, and a battery module in which a plurality of batteries are connected in parallel and in series.

Background Art

[0002] The demand for secondary batteries such as lithium ions and nickel cadmium that can be repeatedly used is increasing. When used as a power source for driving motors such as automobiles or as a household or industrial power source, it is necessary to obtain the desired power according to each application, and a battery module in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in parallel and in series has been proposed (see Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] The battery module described in Patent Document 1 has a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal on a first end face on one side in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of batteries arranged such that the first end faces are aligned on the same side, and a conductive member disposed above the first end faces of the plurality of batteries.

[0004] The plurality of batteries have first to nth rows. The conductive member is partitioned into a plurality of sections. One section is configured to be electrically connected to all the negative electrode terminals of the batteries in the first row and all the negative electrode terminals of the batteries in the second row adjacent to the first row, while being electrically connected to all the positive electrode terminals of the batteries in the third row adjacent to the second row and all the positive electrode terminals of the batteries in the fourth row adjacent to the third row. That is, one section serially connects all the negative electrode terminals of the batteries in the first and second rows and all the positive electrode terminals of the batteries in the third and fourth rows.

[0005] The battery module described in Patent Document 1 is useful for a battery having a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal on a first end face on one side in the longitudinal direction, but cannot be applied to a battery provided with first and second electrode terminals on a first end face on one side and a second end face on the other side in the longitudinal direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1 International Publication No. 2019 / 058938 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such prior art, and provides a bus bar and a bus bar assembly capable of connecting a plurality of batteries provided with first and second electrode terminals on one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction in parallel and in series, and a battery module in which the plurality of batteries are connected in parallel and in series by the bus bar assembly. Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a conductive bus bar having a first plate surface on one side and a second plate surface on the other side in the plate thickness direction, and a plurality of first protrusions protruding to one side in the plate thickness direction from a virtual plane connecting the first and second end portions in the longitudinal direction in a state viewed along the plate surface direction, the plurality of first protrusions being arranged in series in the longitudinal direction at a predetermined pitch W, and a plurality of second protrusions protruding to the other side in the plate thickness direction from the virtual plane so as to be alternately positioned along the longitudinal direction with respect to the first protrusions, the plurality of second protrusions being arranged in series in the longitudinal direction at a predetermined pitch W such that the longitudinal distance from an adjacent first protrusion is W / 2, and a plurality of connecting portions connecting between the first end portion and an adjacent first or second protrusion, between adjacent first and second protrusions, and between the second end portion and an adjacent first or second protrusion, the plurality of connecting portions being inclined with respect to the virtual plane in a state viewed along the plate surface direction, and the plurality of connecting portions being elastically deformable such that the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions approach each other in the plate thickness direction.

[0009] Preferably, the predetermined pitch W is set to the width of a battery electrically connected by the bus bar.

[0010] The present invention also provides a bus bar assembly including a plurality of the bus bars arranged in parallel in a same plane and spaced apart by a distance H, and first and second conductive connecting members connecting corresponding ends of the plurality of bus bars, wherein the plurality of bus bars are arranged such that plate surface orientations of adjacent bus bars are opposite to each other.

[0011] When a plurality of rows of the batteries having a width W arranged in parallel adjacent to each other in a width direction are defined as a first-stage battery row, and a plurality of rows of the batteries arranged in parallel in a state of being displaced by W / 2 in the width direction with respect to the batteries in the first-stage battery row by being arranged in depressions formed between adjacent batteries in the first-stage battery row are defined as a second-stage battery row, the distance H is set to a vertical distance between the batteries in the second-stage battery row and the batteries in the first-stage battery row.

[0012] The present invention also provides a battery module including a battery box having an accommodation space defined by X and Y directions orthogonal to each other in a plan view and having a predetermined depth in a Z direction orthogonal to both the X and Y directions, a plurality of batteries each provided with first and second electrode terminals on a first end face on one side in a longitudinal direction and a second end face on the other side, the plurality of batteries being accommodated in the battery box with the first end face facing a first X direction on one side in the X direction, and a plurality of bus bar assemblies.

[0013] In the battery module according to the present invention, the plurality of batteries are partitioned into a plurality of battery groups arranged in series along the X direction, each being movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction. The plurality of battery groups include one or more first-arrangement battery groups and one or more second-arrangement battery groups, and the first and second-arrangement battery groups are alternately arranged in the X direction.

[0014] The first array battery group includes a first battery row in which a predetermined number of the batteries are arranged in parallel in the Y direction at a predetermined pitch W, and a second battery row in which the same number or a different number of the batteries as the first battery row are arranged in parallel in the Y direction at a pitch W in a state of being displaced by W / 2 in the Y direction with respect to the batteries in the first battery row. The first battery row is arranged at the lowermost stage, and the first and second battery rows are configured to be alternately arranged in the Z direction.

[0015] The second array battery group includes the first battery row and the second battery row. The second battery row is arranged at the lowermost stage, and the first and second battery rows are configured to be alternately arranged in the Z direction.

[0016] The plurality of bus bar assemblies include first and second array bus bar assemblies alternately arranged in the X direction. On the other side in the X direction of the base end side battery group located on the other side in the X direction among the plurality of battery groups, between each of the first to nth battery groups, and on the one side in the X direction of the tip end side battery group located on the one side in the X direction among the plurality of battery groups, they are arranged to be movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction.

[0017] The first and second array bus bar assemblies have a first plate surface on one side in the plate thickness direction and a second plate surface on the other side, and are a plurality of conductive bus bars provided in the same number as the number of stacked layers of the battery rows in the Z direction. In the installed state, the plate surfaces are parallel to each other so as to face the corresponding battery rows in the battery group, and the directions of the plate surfaces of adjacent bus bars are opposite to each other, and include first and connecting members that are conductive and connect one end sides and the other end sides in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of bus bars.

[0018] The bus bar has a plurality of first protrusions equal in number to the plurality of batteries in the first battery row, protruding to one side in the plate thickness direction from a virtual plane connecting both longitudinal ends when viewed along the plate surface direction, and the plurality of first protrusions are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar at the predetermined pitch W. The bus bar also has a plurality of second protrusions equal in number to the plurality of batteries in the second battery row, protruding to the other side in the plate thickness direction from the virtual plane when viewed along the plate surface direction, and the plurality of second protrusions are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar at the predetermined pitch W at a position displaced by W / 2 in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar from the first protrusions. The bus bar further has a plurality of connecting portions inclined with respect to the virtual plane when viewed along the plate surface direction, connecting between the end portion on one longitudinal end side and the adjacent first or second protrusion, between the adjacent first and second protrusions, and between the end portion on the other longitudinal end side and the adjacent first or second protrusion, and the plurality of connecting portions are elastically deformable such that the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions approach each other in the plate thickness direction.

[0019] In the plurality of bus bars in the first array bus bar assembly, when in the installed state, starting from the lowermost stage upward, they are alternately arranged in the order of a first posture in which the first plate surface faces the first X direction and a second posture in which the second plate surface faces the first X direction. In the plurality of bus bars in the second array bus bar assembly, when in the installed state, starting from the lowermost stage upward, they are alternately arranged in the order of the second posture and the first posture.

[0020] The base end side bus bar assembly arranged on the other side in the X direction of the base end side battery group is the first array bus bar assembly when the base end side battery group is the first array battery group, and is the second array bus bar assembly when the base end side battery group is the second array battery group.

[0021] Preferably, the first and second connecting members are configured to extend along the Z direction in the installed state, the first and second array bus bar assemblies have the same configuration, and when the first array bus bar assembly is rotated 180° around the axis of the first or second connecting member, it becomes the second array bus bar assembly.

[0022] Preferably, the second posture is presented by rotating the bus bar in the first posture by 180° around the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar.

[0023] Preferably, the outer surfaces of the first and second connecting members are in an insulating state and are abutted against the inner surface of the side wall of the battery box so as to be movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction.

[0024] Preferably, the lower end surfaces of the first and second connecting members are in an insulating state and are abutted against the inner surface of the bottom wall of the battery box.

[0025] The battery module according to the present invention may further include a conductive base end side partition plate disposed adjacent to the other side in the X direction of the base end side bus bar assembly. The base end side partition plate is configured such that its lower end surface and both side surfaces are respectively in an insulating state and are abutted against the inner surface of the bottom wall and the side wall of the battery box so as to be movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction, and is abutted against the protruding portion protruding to the other side in the X direction among the first and second protruding portions of the bus bar of the base end side bus bar assembly.

[0026] Preferably, the base end side partition plate is used as one of the external connection terminals of the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of battery groups.

[0027] The battery module may be provided with an insulating base end side partition plate instead of the conductive base end side partition plate. The insulating base end side partition plate is configured such that its lower end surface and both side surfaces are respectively abutted against the inner surface of the bottom wall and the side wall of the battery box so as to be movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction, and is abutted against the protruding portion protruding to the other side in the X direction among the first and second protruding portions of the bus bar of the base end side bus bar assembly. In this case, the base end side bus bar assembly is used as one of the external connection terminals of the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of battery groups.

[0028] The battery module according to the present invention may further include a conductive tip-side partition plate disposed adjacent to one side in the X direction of the tip-side bus bar assembly disposed on one side in the X direction of the tip-side battery group. The tip-side partition plate is configured such that its lower end surface and both side surfaces are respectively in an insulating state and are in contact with the inner surfaces of the lower wall and the side wall of the battery box, being movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction, and contacting the protruding portion protruding to one side in the X direction among the first and second protruding portions of the bus bar of the tip-side bus bar assembly.

[0029] Preferably, the tip-side partition plate acts as the other external connection terminal for the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of battery groups. The battery module according to claim 13.

[0030] It is also possible for the battery module to include an insulating tip-side partition plate instead of the conductive tip-side partition plate. The tip-side partition plate is configured such that its lower end surface and both side surfaces are respectively in contact with the inner surfaces of the lower wall and the side wall of the battery box, being movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction, and contacting the protruding portion protruding to one side in the X direction among the first and second protruding portions of the bus bar of the tip-side bus bar assembly. In this case, the tip-side bus bar assembly is used as the other external connection terminal for the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of battery groups.

Advantages of the Invention

[0031] According to the bus bar and the bus bar assembly of the present invention, the electrical parallel connection state of a plurality of batteries provided with first and second electrode terminals on one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction can be effectively exhibited.

[0032] In addition, the battery module according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery groups formed by a plurality of batteries each provided with first and second electrode terminals on one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction. In each of the plurality of battery groups, the plurality of batteries are electrically connected in parallel, and further, a state in which the plurality of battery groups are electrically connected in series can be effectively exhibited.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0034] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the bus bar assembly according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a perspective view and a plan view of a battery module 100 to which a bus bar assembly 1 according to the present embodiment is applied, respectively. Further, FIGS. 3 and 4 show cross-sectional views taken along lines III-III and IV-IV in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the battery module 100 includes a battery box 110, a plurality of batteries 90 housed in the battery box 110, and a plurality of bus bar assemblies 1.

[0036] The battery box 110 has a housing space defined by an X direction and a Y direction orthogonal to each other in a plan view and having a predetermined depth in a Z direction orthogonal to both the X direction and the Y direction. The battery box 110 is formed of an insulating material such as plastic.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the present embodiment, the battery box 110 has a low wall 112 having a rectangular shape in a plan view and side walls 114 extending upward from the periphery of the low wall 112, and is open at the top.

[0038] The side walls 114 include a pair of first and second side walls 114a and 114b extending along the X direction while being spaced apart in the Y direction, a base end side end wall 114c connecting the X-direction other ends of the pair of first and second side walls 114a, and a tip end side end wall 114d connecting the X-direction one ends of the pair of first and second side walls 114a and 114b.

[0039] FIGS. 5(a) and (b) show perspective views of the battery 90 viewed from one side and the other side in the axial direction, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and (b), the battery 90 has a first electrode terminal (for example, a positive electrode terminal) 91 and a second electrode terminal (for example, a negative electrode terminal) 92 on a first end face 90a on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second end face 90b on the other side, respectively. The battery 90 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of batteries 90 are housed in the battery box 110 with the first end face 90a facing one side in the X direction, and are arranged so as to be partitioned into a plurality of battery groups 200(1), 200(2),... arranged in series in the X direction.

[0041] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the battery module 100 has 11 battery groups 200(1) to 200(11). In FIG. 1, for ease of understanding, only the first battery group (base-end side battery group) 200(1) and the second battery group 200(2) located on the other side in the X direction are shown in solid, and the third to eleventh battery groups 200(3) to 200(11) are schematically shown by a two-dot chain line. Note that the battery group located on the one side in the X direction (the eleventh battery group 200(11) in the present embodiment) may be referred to as the tip-side battery group.

[0042] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a cross-sectional plan view along line VI-VI and a cross-sectional perspective view along line VII-VII in FIG. 4, respectively. FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the base-end side battery group 200(1) and the second battery group 200(2) with the battery box 110 removed.

[0043] The plurality of battery groups (200(1) to 200(11) in the present embodiment) include one or more first-arrangement battery groups 210 and one or more second-arrangement battery groups 220, and the first and second-arrangement battery groups 210, 220 are alternately arranged in the X direction in a state where they are movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction with respect to the battery box 110.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 etc., in the present embodiment, the first base-end side battery group 200(1) located on the other side in the X direction among the plurality of battery groups is the first array battery group 210. In this case, the second battery group 200(2) adjacent to the one side in the X direction of the base-end side battery group 200(1) is the second array battery group 220, and after the third battery group 200(3), the first array battery group 210 and the second array battery group 220 are alternately arranged in this order.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the first array battery group 210 provided as the base-end side battery group 200(1) (and the third, fifth,... battery groups) includes a first battery row 250 in which a predetermined number of the batteries 90 are arranged in parallel in the Y direction at a predetermined pitch W corresponding to the width of the battery 90, and a second battery row 260 in which the same number or a different number of the batteries 90 are arranged in parallel in the Y direction at a pitch W in a state of being displaced by W / 2 in the Y direction with respect to the batteries 90 in the first battery row 250. With the first battery row 250 arranged at the lowermost stage, the first and second battery rows 250 and 260 are configured to be alternately arranged from the lower side to the upper side in the Z direction.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the first array battery group 210 has three battery rows including the first battery row 250 arranged at the lowermost stage, the second battery row 260 arranged at the second stage from the bottom, and the first battery row 250 arranged at the third stage from the bottom (uppermost stage).

[0047] In the present embodiment, the second array battery group 220 provided as the second battery group 200(2) (and the fourth, sixth,... battery groups) is common with the first array battery group 210 in that it has the first and second battery rows 250 and 260, but is different from the first array battery group 210 in the arrangement order (stacking order) of the first and second battery rows 250 and 260.

[0048] That is, the second array battery group 220 is configured such that the second and first battery rows 260 and 250 are alternately arranged from the lower side to the upper side in the Z direction with the second battery row 260 arranged at the lowermost stage.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the second array battery group 220 has three battery rows including the second battery row 260 arranged at the lowermost stage, the first battery row 250 arranged at the second stage from the bottom, and the second battery row 260 arranged at the third stage from the bottom (uppermost stage).

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8, etc., in the present embodiment, in the first battery row 250, a plurality (14 in the illustrated configuration) of batteries 90 are arranged in parallel in an adjacent state in the Y direction so as to be movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction. In this case, the arrangement pitch of the batteries in the first battery row 250 is the width W of the battery 90, and depressions that open to one side (upper side) and the other side (lower side) in the Z direction are formed between adjacent batteries 90, 90.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the second battery row 260 is arranged such that a plurality (13 in the illustrated configuration, which is 14 - 1 = 13, the number of batteries 90 in the first battery row 250) of batteries 90 enter the depressions formed between adjacent batteries 90, 90 in the first battery row 250. In this case, the arrangement pitch of the batteries 90 in the second battery row 260 is also the width W of the battery 90.

[0052] As described above, the first and second array battery groups 210 and 220 are alternately arranged in the X direction. In the first array battery group 210, the first and second battery rows 250 and 260 are alternately stacked from the lowermost stage upward, and in the second array battery group 220, the second and first battery rows 260 and 250 are alternately stacked from the lowermost stage upward.

[0053] In such a configuration, between the battery packs 200 adjacent in the X direction, the first and second battery rows 250 and 260 face each other at the same height.

[0054] For example, the lowermost first battery row 250, the second second battery row 260 from the bottom, and the uppermost first battery row 250 of the first base - side battery pack 200(1) face the lowermost second battery row 260, the second first battery row 250 from the bottom, and the uppermost second battery row 260 of the second battery pack 200(2), respectively.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2, 6, 8, etc., the plurality of bus bar assemblies 1 include first - arranged bus bar assemblies 1A and second - arranged bus bar assemblies 1B alternately arranged in the X direction, and are arranged on the other side in the X direction of the base - side battery pack 200(1), between each of the plurality of battery packs 200, and on the one side in the X direction of the tip - side battery pack (in this embodiment, the 11th battery pack 200(11)) located on the most one - side in the X direction of the plurality of battery packs 200, so as to be movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction.

[0056] In this specification, the bus bar assembly arranged on the other side in the X direction of the base - side battery pack 200(1) is appropriately referred to as the base - side bus bar assembly, and the bus bar assembly arranged on the one side in the X direction of the tip - side battery pack is referred to as the tip - side bus bar assembly.

[0057] FIGS. 9 to 11 show a perspective view, a plan view, and an exploded perspective view of the base - side bus bar assembly 1 and the second bus bar assembly 1 inserted between the base - side battery pack 200(1) and the second battery pack 200(2), respectively.

[0058] The first and second array bus bar assemblies 1A and 1B each have a first plate surface on one side in the plate thickness direction and a second plate surface on the other side, and are provided in the same number as the number of Z-direction laminations of the battery strings in the battery pack 200 in a posture where the plate surfaces face the battery strings. The plurality of conductive bus bars 10 are arranged parallel to each other in a substantially same plane, and include a conductive first connecting member 30 that connects the first ends of the plurality of conductive bus bars 10 at one end side in the longitudinal direction, and a conductive second connecting member 40 that connects the second ends of the plurality of conductive bus bars 10 at the other end side in the longitudinal direction. In this regard, they are common.

[0059] As described above, in the present embodiment, the battery pack 200 has three stages of battery strings. Therefore, each of the first and second array bus bar assemblies 1A and 1B has three of the conductive bus bars 10.

[0060] The bus bar 10 can be formed by forming a plate material of various conductive materials, preferably pure copper, beryllium copper, or phosphor bronze, into a predetermined length shape and then performing forming processing (wire bending processing). Therefore, there is no need for a mold, and it can effectively cope with small quantities and multiple varieties, that is, batteries of various shapes.

[0061] The bus bar 10 has a plurality of first protrusions 12, a plurality of second protrusions 14, and a plurality of connecting portions 16.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 6, 10, and 11, the plurality of first protrusions 12 protrude to one side in the plate thickness direction from a virtual plane FP that connects the first and second ends when the bus bar 10 is viewed along the plate surface direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of first protrusions 12 are provided in the same number as the plurality of batteries 90 in the first battery string 210, and are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 10 at the predetermined pitch W.

[0063] The plurality of second protrusions 14 protrude to the other side in the plate thickness direction from the virtual plane FP when the bus bar 10 is viewed along the plate surface direction. The plurality of second protrusions 14 are provided in the same number as the plurality of batteries of the second battery string 260, and are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 10 at a predetermined pitch W at a position displaced by W / 2 in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 10 from the first protrusion 12.

[0064] The plurality of connecting portions 16 are inclined with respect to the virtual plane FP in a state viewed along the plate surface direction so as to connect between the first or second protrusions 12 and 14 adjacent to the first end portion, between the adjacent first and second protrusions 12 and 14, and between the first or second protrusions 12 and 14 adjacent to the second end portion, and the plurality of first protrusions 12 and the plurality of second protrusions 14 are elastically deformable so as to approach each other in the plate thickness direction.

[0065] On the other hand, the first and second array bus bar assemblies 1A and 1B are different with respect to the orientation of the plate surface of the bus bar 10 located at the same height in the installed state.

[0066] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 and the like, in the first array bus bar assembly 1A, among the plurality of bus bars 10, the bus bar 10-1 located at the lowermost stage in the installed state has a first posture in which the first plate surface faces one side in the X direction, and the bus bar 10-2 at the second stage from the bottom has a second posture in which the second plate surface faces one side in the X direction. Thereafter, the plurality of bus bars 10 are arranged such that the orientations of the plate surfaces alternate in the order of the first posture and the second posture.

[0067] That is, in the present embodiment, the first array bus bar assembly 1A has three of the bus bars 10, and the bus bar 10-3 located at the uppermost stage has the first posture. In FIG. 10, the bus bar 10-3 in the first posture located at the uppermost stage in the first array bus bar assembly 1A and the bus bar 10-2 in the second posture at the second stage from the bottom are shown.

[0068] On the other hand, in the second array bus bar assembly 1B, among the plurality of bus bars 10, the bus bar 10-1 located at the lowermost stage in the installation state is in the second posture, the bus bar 10-2 at the second stage from the bottom is in the first posture, and thereafter, the plurality of bus bars 10 are arranged so that the plate surface directions alternate in the order of the second posture and the first posture.

[0069] That is, in the present embodiment, the second array bus bar assembly 1B has three of the bus bars 10, and the bus bar 10-3 located at the uppermost stage is in the second posture. In FIG. 10, the bus bar 10-3 in the second posture located at the uppermost stage in the second array bus bar assembly 1B and the bus bar 10-2 in the first posture at the second stage from the bottom are shown.

[0070] The first and second connecting members 30 and 40 are formed of various conductive materials, and preferably, are formed of the same material as the bus bar 10.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the like, the first and second connecting members 30 and 40 are configured to extend along the Z direction in the installation state, and the outer surfaces are in an insulating state and are abutted against the inner surfaces of the side walls 114a and 114b of the battery box 110 so as to be movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the lower end surfaces of the first and second connecting members 30 and 40 are in an insulating state and are abutted against the inner surface 112 of the bottom wall of the battery box 110.

[0073] Among the plurality of bus bar assemblies 1, the base end side bus bar assembly 1 arranged on the other side in the X direction of the base end side battery group 200(1) is the first array bus bar assembly 1A when the base end side battery group 200(1) is the first array battery group 210, and is the second array bus bar assembly 1B when the base end side battery group 200(1) is the second array battery group 220.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, in the present embodiment, the proximal-side battery group 200(1) is the first array battery group 210. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2, 7, 8 and the like, the proximal-side bus bar assembly is the first array bus bar assembly 1A.

[0075] Since the first and second array bus bar assemblies 1A and 1B are alternately arranged in the X direction, in the present embodiment, the second bus bar assembly 1 arranged between the proximal-side battery group 200(1) (the first battery group) and the second battery group 200(2) is the second array bus bar assembly 1B. Thereafter, the first and second array bus bar assemblies 1A and 1B are alternately arranged with the battery group 200 therebetween.

[0076] The lowermost bus bar 10-1 of the proximal-side bus bar assembly 1 formed by the first array bus bar assembly 1A is in a first posture in which the first plate surface faces one side in the X direction, and the lowermost battery row of the proximal-side battery group 200(1) (the first battery group) formed by the first array battery group 210 is the first battery row 250.

[0077] Therefore, the plurality of first protrusions 12 of the lowermost bus bar 10-1 of the proximal-side bus bar assembly 1 respectively contact the corresponding electrode terminals (second electrode terminals 92) of the batteries 90 in the lowermost first battery row 250 of the proximal-side battery group 200(1) (the first battery group).

[0078] Also, the second-lowermost bus bar 10-2 of the proximal-side bus bar assembly 1 is in a second posture in which the second plate surface faces one side in the X direction, and the second-lowermost battery row of the proximal-side battery group 200(1) (the first battery group) formed by the first array battery group 210 is the second battery row 260.

[0079] Therefore, the plurality of second protrusions 14 of the second bus bar 10-2 from the second row from the bottom of the base-end side bus bar assembly 1 respectively contact the corresponding electrode terminals (second electrode terminals 92) of the batteries 90 in the second battery row 260 from the second row from the bottom of the base-end side battery group 200(1) (the first battery group).

[0080] Furthermore, the bus bar 10-3 at the uppermost stage (the third row from the bottom in this embodiment) of the base-end side bus bar assembly 1 is in the first posture in which the first plate surface faces one side in the X direction, and the battery row at the uppermost stage (the third row from the bottom in this embodiment) of the base-end side battery group 200(1) (the first battery group) formed by the first array battery group 210 is the first battery row 250.

[0081] Therefore, the plurality of first protrusions 12 of the bus bar 10-3 at the uppermost stage (the third row from the bottom in this embodiment) of the base-end side bus bar assembly 1 respectively contact the corresponding electrode terminals (second electrode terminals 92) of the batteries 90 in the first battery row 250 at the uppermost stage (the third row from the bottom in this embodiment) of the base-end side battery group 200(1) (the first battery group).

[0082] That is, the base-end side bus bar assembly 1 is electrically connected in parallel with the corresponding electrode terminals (second electrode terminals 92) of all the batteries 90 of the base-end side battery group 200(1).

[0083] Next, the electrical connection of the second bus bar assembly 1 will be described. In this embodiment, since the base-end side bus bar assembly 1 is the first array bus bar assembly 1A, the second bus bar assembly 1 inserted between the base-end side battery group 200(1) and the second battery group 200(2) in the X direction is the second array bus bar assembly 1B.

[0084] The lowermost bus bar 10-1 of the second bus bar assembly 1 formed by the second array bus bar assembly 1B is in a second posture in which the second plate surface faces one side in the X direction, and the first plate surface faces the other side in the X direction.

[0085] And the base-end side battery group 200(1) arranged on the other side in the X direction of the second bus bar assembly 1 is the first array battery group 210, and the second battery group 200(2) arranged on one side in the X direction is the second array battery group 220.

[0086] Therefore, the plurality of first protrusions 12 of the lowermost bus bar 10-1 of the second bus bar assembly 1 respectively contact the corresponding electrode terminals (first electrode terminals 91) of the batteries 90 in the lowermost first battery row 250 of the base-end side battery group 200(1) (the first battery group), and the plurality of second protrusions 14 respectively contact the corresponding electrode terminals (second electrode terminals 92) of the batteries 90 in the lowermost second battery row 260 of the second battery group 200(2).

[0087] Also, the second-lowermost bus bar 10-2 of the second bus bar assembly 1 is in the first posture, the plurality of first protrusions 12 face one side in the X direction, and the plurality of second protrusions 14 face the other side in the X direction.

[0088] Therefore, the plurality of second protrusions 14 of the second-lowermost bus bar 10-2 of the second bus bar assembly 1 respectively contact the corresponding electrode terminals (first electrode terminals 91) of the batteries 90 in the second-lowermost second battery row 260 of the base-end side battery group 200(1) (the first battery group), and the plurality of first protrusions 12 respectively contact the corresponding electrode terminals (second electrode terminals 92) of the batteries 90 in the second-lowermost first battery row 250 of the second battery group 200(2).

[0089] Furthermore, the bus bar 10-3 at the uppermost stage (the third stage from the bottom in the present embodiment) of the second bus bar assembly 1 is in the second posture, with a plurality of second protrusions 14 facing one side in the X direction and a plurality of first protrusions 12 facing the other side in the X direction.

[0090] Accordingly, each of the plurality of first protrusions 12 of the bus bar 10-3 at the uppermost stage (the third stage from the bottom in the present embodiment) of the second bus bar assembly 1 abuts against the corresponding electrode terminal (the first electrode terminal 91) of the battery 90 in the first battery row 250 at the uppermost stage (the third stage from the bottom in the present embodiment) of the base-end side battery group 200(1) (the first battery group), and each of the plurality of second protrusions 14 abuts against the corresponding electrode terminal (the second electrode terminal 92) of the battery 90 in the second battery row 260 at the uppermost stage (the third stage from the bottom in the present embodiment) of the second battery group 200(2).

[0091] That is, in the battery module 100, the plurality of batteries 90 in one battery group 200 (for example, the base-end side battery group 200(1)) are electrically connected in parallel by one bus bar assembly 1 (for example, the second bus bar assembly 1), and further, one battery group and another battery group (for example, the second battery group 200(2)) adjacent to it in the X direction are electrically connected in series by the one bus bar assembly.

[0092] Furthermore, the plurality of battery groups 200 and the plurality of bus bar assemblies 1 are made movable in the X direction in a state where they cannot move in the Y direction, and on this basis, the bus bar 10 of the bus bar assembly 1 is elastically deformable so that the first protrusions 12 and the second protrusions 14 protruding to the opposite side with respect to the plate surface are close to each other in the plate thickness direction.

[0093] Accordingly, by compressing the plurality of bus bar assemblies 1 and the plurality of battery groups 200 in the X direction, it is possible to effectively ensure the contact between the bus bar 10 of the plurality of bus bar assemblies 1 and the battery 90 of the plurality of battery groups 200.

[0094] Preferably, when the plurality of bus bar assemblies 1 are positioned at positions where the plurality of battery groups 200 housed in the battery box 100 are effectively electrically connected by the plurality of bus bar assemblies 1, the battery box 110 may be provided with fixing means for fixing all or part of the plurality of bus bar assemblies 1 in that position.

[0095] For example, one or a plurality of slits (not shown) are formed at a predetermined position of the battery box 110, and one or a plurality of bus bar assemblies 1 are held in a predetermined position by a plate-shaped or pin-shaped stopper engaged in the slit, so that the bus bar 10 is in a compressed state in the plate thickness direction. The plurality of battery groups 200 and the plurality of bus bar assemblies 1 can be held in a predetermined position.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and the like, the bus bar assembly 1 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and can form the first and second array bus bar assemblies 1A and 1B.

[0097] Specifically, the first and second connecting members 30 and 40 are configured to extend along the Z direction in the installed state, and when the first array bus bar assembly 1A is rotated 180° around the axis of the first or second connecting member 30 or 40, the second array bus bar assembly 1B is formed.

[0098] By providing such a configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts types and reduce manufacturing costs and inventory management costs.

[0099] Furthermore, in the bus bar assembly 1 according to the present embodiment, the second posture can be exhibited by rotating the bus bar 10 in the first posture 180° around the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 10.

[0100] By providing such a configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts types and reduce manufacturing costs and inventory management costs.

[0101] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 8, etc., in the present embodiment, the battery module 100 is further provided with a conductive base-end side partition plate 150 disposed adjacent to the other side in the X direction of the base-end side bus bar assembly 1.

[0102] The base-end side partition plate 150 is configured such that its lower end surface and both side surfaces are in an insulating state and are in contact with the inner surfaces of the low wall 112 and the side walls 114a, 114b of the battery box 110, and is movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction, and contacts the protruding portion (in the present embodiment, the second protruding portion 14 in the lowermost bus bar 10, the first protruding portion 12 in the second bus bar 10 from the bottom, and the second protruding portion 14 in the uppermost (the third from the bottom) bus bar 10) among the first and second protruding portions 12, 14 of the bus bar 10 of the base-end side bus bar assembly 1 that protrudes to the other side in the X direction.

[0103] Preferably, the base-end side partition plate 150 is configured to act as one of the external connection terminals for the positive and negative electrodes of the battery module 100, that is, the plurality of battery groups 200. The base-end side partition plate 150 can be formed of the same material as the bus bar 10.

[0104] Instead of the conductive base-end side partition plate 150, it is also possible to provide an insulating base-end side partition plate (not shown). Similar to the base-end side partition plate 150, the insulating base-end side partition plate is configured such that its lower end surface and both side surfaces are in contact with the inner surfaces of the low wall 112 and the side walls 114a, 114b of the battery box 110 and is movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction, and contacts the protruding portion among the first and second protruding portions 12, 14 of the bus bar 10 of the base-end side bus bar assembly 1 that protrudes to the other side in the X direction.

[0105] In this case, the proximal end side bus bar assembly 1 is used as one of the external connection terminals of the positive and negative electrodes of the battery module 100, that is, the plurality of battery groups 200.

[0106] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, the battery module 100 further includes a conductive distal end side partition plate 160 disposed adjacent to one side in the X direction of the distal end side bus bar assembly 1 disposed on one side in the X direction of the distal end side battery group (in the present embodiment, the 11th battery group 200(11)).

[0107] The distal end side partition plate 160 is configured such that its lower end surface and both side surfaces are in an insulated state and are in contact with the inner surfaces of the low wall 112 and the side walls 114a and 114b of the battery box 110, and are movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction, and the protruding portion protruding to one side in the X direction among the first and second protruding portions 12 and 14 of the bus bar 10 of the distal end side bus bar assembly 1 (in the present embodiment, the second protruding portion 14 in the lowermost bus bar 10, the first protruding portion 12 in the second bus bar 10 from the bottom, and the second protruding portion 14 in the uppermost (the third from the bottom) bus bar 10).

[0108] Preferably, the distal end side partition plate 160 is configured to act as the other external connection terminal of the positive and negative electrodes of the battery module 100, that is, the plurality of battery groups 200. The distal end side partition plate 160 can be formed of the same material as the bus bar 10.

[0109] Instead of the conductive distal end side partition plate 160, it is also possible to provide an insulating distal end side partition plate (not shown). Similar to the tip-side partition plate 160, the insulating tip-side partition plate has its lower end surface and both side surfaces respectively abutted against the inner surfaces of the low wall 112 and the side walls 114a, 114b of the battery box 110, and is configured to be movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction, and to abut against the protrusion that protrudes to one side in the X direction among the first and second protrusions 12, 14 of the bus bar 10 in the tip-side bus bar assembly 1.

[0110] In this case, the tip-side bus bar assembly 1 is used as the other external connection terminal for the positive and negative electrodes of the battery module 100, that is, the plurality of battery groups 200.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0111] 1 Bus bar assembly 1A First-array bus bar assembly 1B Second-array bus bar assembly 10 Bus bar 12 First protrusion 14 Second protrusion 16 Connecting portion 30 First connecting member 40 Second connecting member 90 Battery 90a First end face 90b Second end face 91 First electrode terminal 92 Second electrode terminal 100 Battery module 110 Battery box 150 Base-end side partition plate 160 Tip-side partition plate 200 Battery group 210 First-array battery group 220 Second-array battery group 250 First battery row 260 Second battery row FP Virtual plane

Claims

1. A conductive bus bar having a first plate surface on one side in the plate thickness direction and a second plate surface on the other side, a plurality of first protrusions protruding to one side in the plate thickness direction from a virtual plane connecting the first and second end portions in the longitudinal direction in a state viewed along the plate surface direction, the plurality of first protrusions being arranged in series in the longitudinal direction at a predetermined pitch W; a plurality of second protrusions protruding to the other side in the plate thickness direction from the virtual plane so as to be alternately positioned along the longitudinal direction with respect to the first protrusions, the plurality of second protrusions being arranged in series in the longitudinal direction at a predetermined pitch W such that the longitudinal distance from an adjacent first protrusion is W / 2; a plurality of connecting portions connecting between the first end portion and an adjacent first or second protrusion, between adjacent first and second protrusions, and between the second end portion and an adjacent first or second protrusion, the plurality of connecting portions being inclined with respect to the virtual plane in a state viewed along the plate surface direction, the plurality of connecting portions being elastically deformable such that the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions approach each other in the plate thickness direction. A bus bar characterized by having.

2. The bus bar according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined pitch W is set to the width of a battery electrically connected by the bus bar.

3. A plurality of the bus bars according to claim 2 arranged in parallel in a state separated by a distance H in the same plane, and conductive first and second connecting members connecting corresponding end portions of the plurality of bus bars, The bus bar assembly, wherein the plurality of bus bars are arranged such that the directions of the plate surfaces of adjacent bus bars are opposite to each other.

4. A plurality of columns of the batteries having a width W arranged in parallel adjacent to each other in the width direction are used as a first-stage battery column, and are arranged in a depression formed between adjacent batteries in the first-stage battery column, so that the batteries in the first-stage battery column are displaced by W / 2 in the width direction. When a plurality of columns of the batteries arranged in parallel in a displaced state are used as a second-stage battery column, the distance H is set to the vertical distance between the batteries in the second-stage battery column and the batteries in the first-stage battery column. The bus bar assembly according to claim 3, characterized by being.

5. A battery box having a storage space defined by X and Y directions orthogonal to each other in plan view and having a predetermined depth in the Z direction orthogonal to both the X and Y directions, A plurality of batteries each having a first electrode terminal provided on a first end face on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second electrode terminal provided on a second end face on the other side, the plurality of batteries being housed in a battery box with the first end face facing a first X direction on one side in the X direction, and a plurality of bus bar assemblies, wherein the plurality of batteries are partitioned into a plurality of battery groups arranged in series along the X direction, each being movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction, the plurality of battery groups include one or more first-arranged battery groups and one or more second-arranged battery groups, and the first and second-arranged battery groups are alternately arranged in the X direction, the first-arranged battery group includes a first battery row in which a predetermined number of the batteries are arranged in parallel in the Y direction with a predetermined pitch W, and a second battery row in which the same number or a different number of the batteries as in the first battery row are arranged in parallel in the Y direction with a pitch W in a state of being displaced by W / 2 in the Y direction with respect to the batteries in the first battery row, the first battery row being arranged at the lowermost stage, and the first and second battery rows being alternately arranged in the Z direction, the second-arranged battery group includes the first battery row and the second battery row, the second battery row being arranged at the lowermost stage, and the first and second battery rows being alternately arranged in the Z direction, the plurality of bus bar assemblies include first and second-arranged bus bar assemblies alternately arranged in the X direction, and are arranged on the other side in the X direction of the base-end side battery group located on the other side in the X direction among the plurality of battery groups, between each of the first to n battery groups, and on the one side in the X direction of the tip-end side battery group located on the one side in the X direction among the plurality of battery groups, so as to be movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction, the first and second-arranged bus bar assemblies each have a first plate surface on one side in the plate thickness direction and a second plate surface on the other side, and are a plurality of conductive bus bars provided in the same number as the number of Z-direction laminations of the battery rows, the plate surfaces being parallel to each other so as to face the corresponding battery rows in the battery group in the installed state, and the directions of the plate surfaces of adjacent bus bars being opposite to each other, and include conductive first and connecting members that connect one longitudinal ends and the other longitudinal ends of the plurality of bus bars to each other, The bus bar has a plurality of first protrusions equal in number to the plurality of batteries in the first battery row, protruding to one side in the plate thickness direction from a virtual plane connecting both longitudinal ends when viewed along the plate surface direction, and the plurality of first protrusions are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar at the predetermined pitch W; a plurality of second protrusions equal in number to the plurality of batteries in the second battery row, protruding to the other side in the plate thickness direction from the virtual plane when viewed along the plate surface direction, and the plurality of second protrusions are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar at the predetermined pitch W at a position displaced by W / 2 in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar from the first protrusion; and a plurality of connecting portions inclined with respect to the virtual plane when viewed along the plate surface direction so as to connect between the first or second protrusion adjacent to the end on one longitudinal end side, between the adjacent first and second protrusions, and between the first or second protrusion adjacent to the end on the other longitudinal end side, and the plurality of connecting portions are elastically deformable so that the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions approach each other in the plate thickness direction. In the plurality of bus bars in the first array bus bar assembly, in the installed state, from the lowermost stage upward, they are alternately arranged in the order of a first posture in which the first plate surface faces the first X direction and a second posture in which the second plate surface faces the first X direction. In the plurality of bus bars in the second array bus bar assembly, in the installed state, from the lowermost stage upward, they are alternately arranged in the order of the second posture and the first posture. A battery module characterized in that a base end side bus bar assembly arranged on the other side in the X direction of the base end side battery group is the first array bus bar assembly when the base end side battery group is a first array battery group, and is the second array bus bar assembly when the base end side battery group is a second array battery group.

6. The first and second connecting members are configured to extend along the Z direction in the installed state. The first and second array bus bar assemblies have the same configuration. The battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that when the first array bus bar assembly is rotated 180° around the axis of the first or second connecting member, it becomes the second array bus bar assembly.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that the second posture appears by rotating the bus bar in the first posture 180° around the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar.

8. The battery module according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first and second connecting members are in contact with the inner surface of the side wall of the battery box in a state where the outer surface is insulated and is movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein the first and second connecting members are in contact with the inner surface of the bottom wall of the battery box in a state where the lower end surface is insulated.

10. Comprising a conductive proximal end side partition plate disposed adjacent to the other side in the X direction of the proximal end side bus bar assembly, The proximal end side partition plate is configured to contact the protruding portion protruding toward the other side in the X direction among the first and second protruding portions of the bus bar of the proximal end side bus bar assembly in a state where the lower end surface and both side surfaces are respectively insulated and are in contact with the inner surfaces of the bottom wall and the side wall of the battery box and are movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction. The battery module according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

11. The battery module according to claim 10, wherein the proximal end side partition plate acts as one of the external connection terminals of the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of battery groups.

12. Comprising an insulating proximal end side partition plate disposed adjacent to the other side in the X direction of the proximal end side bus bar assembly, The proximal end side partition plate is configured to contact the protruding portion protruding toward the other side in the X direction among the first and second protruding portions of the bus bar of the proximal end side bus bar assembly in a state where the lower end surface and both side surfaces are respectively in contact with the inner surfaces of the bottom wall and the side wall of the battery box and are movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction, The battery module according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the proximal end side bus bar assembly acts as one of the external connection terminals of the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of battery groups.

13. Comprising a conductive distal end side partition plate disposed adjacent to the one side in the X direction of the distal end side bus bar assembly disposed on the one side in the X direction of the distal end side battery group, The distal end side partition plate is configured to contact the protruding portion protruding toward the one side in the X direction among the first and second protruding portions of the bus bar of the distal end side bus bar assembly in a state where the lower end surface and both side surfaces are respectively insulated and are in contact with the inner surfaces of the bottom wall and the side wall of the battery box and are movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction. The battery module according to claim 11.

14. The battery module according to claim 13, wherein the tip-side partition plate acts as the other external connection terminal for the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of battery groups.

15. Comprising an insulating tip-side partition plate disposed adjacent to one side in the X direction of a tip-side bus bar assembly disposed on one side in the X direction of the tip-side battery group, The tip-side partition plate is configured to contact a protruding portion protruding toward one side in the X direction among the first and second protruding portions of the bus bar of the tip-side bus bar assembly in a state where the lower end surface and both side surfaces are respectively in contact with the inner surfaces of the low wall and the side wall of the battery box and are movable in the X direction and immovable in the Y direction. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein the tip-side bus bar assembly acts as the other external connection terminal for the positive and negative electrodes of the plurality of battery groups.

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