Battery module

Abstract

To improve a function of a battery module having a conductor that electrically connects battery cells.SOLUTION: A battery module 10 includes: a plurality of battery cells 100; a bus bar 210 electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 100; and a conductive partition plate 220 positioned at least partially between the battery cells 100. The bus bar 210 and the conductive partition plate 220 are electrically connected to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, various battery modules have been developed, each of which includes a plurality of battery cells.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a battery module. The battery module includes a plurality of cells stacked in a predetermined direction and a heat-insulating buffer material positioned between adjacent cells.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a cell unit, which includes a plurality of cell groups each including a plurality of cells electrically connected to each other, and a heat-resistant insulating member located between adjacent cell groups.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes a battery module. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells stacked in a predetermined direction. Each battery cell includes a first battery cell and a second battery cell electrically connected to each other, and a heat insulating member located between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

[0006] Patent Document 4 describes a battery pack. The battery pack includes a plurality of unit cells stacked in a predetermined direction and a spacer disposed on one end of the unit cells. At least a portion of the spacer is located between the electrode tabs of adjacent unit cells. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 113140852 [Patent Document 2] Chinese Utility Model Patent No. 215644880 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0291026 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-129240 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Battery cells may be electrically connected to each other via conductors such as bus bars, and there may be a demand for improved functionality of battery modules that include such conductors.

[0009] One object of the present invention is to improve the functionality of a battery module that includes conductors that electrically connect battery cells to one another. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description herein. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is as follows. 1. A plurality of battery cells; a first conductor electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; a second conductor located at least partially between the battery cells; Equipped with The first conductor and the second conductor are electrically connected to each other. 2. The battery module described in 1., wherein the second conductors are drawn out toward a side of the plurality of battery cells different from the side on which the first conductors are located. 3. The battery module according to 1. or 2., wherein the second conductor at least partially separates the battery cells from each other. 4. The battery module according to any one of 1. to 3., wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are joined to each other. 5. The battery module according to any one of 1. to 3., wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are integrally molded. 6. The battery module according to any one of 1 to 5, further comprising an electronic element electrically connected to the second conductor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the above aspects of the present invention, it is possible to improve the functionality of a battery module that includes conductors that electrically connect battery cells to each other. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top view of the battery module according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of one battery cell according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the battery module according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a top view of a bus bar and a conductive partition plate according to a first modified example. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bus bar and a conductive partition plate according to a second modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first modified example of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second modified example of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view of a bus bar and a conductive partition plate according to a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a top view of a battery module 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a side view of one battery cell 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a front view of a portion of a battery module 10 according to an embodiment.

[0015] For the sake of explanation, the X, Y, and Z directions are shown in Figures 1 to 3. In Figure 1, a white circle with a black dot indicating the Z direction indicates that the arrow indicated by the Z direction is pointing towards the front of the page. In Figure 2, a white circle with a black dot indicating the Y direction indicates that the arrow indicated by the Y direction is pointing towards the front of the page. In Figure 3, a white circle with a black dot indicating the X direction indicates that the arrow indicated by the X direction is pointing towards the front of the page. The X direction is the front-to-back direction of the battery module 10. The Y direction is one of the directions perpendicular to the X direction. The Y direction is the left-to-right direction of the battery module 10. The Z direction is a direction perpendicular to both the X and Y directions. The Z direction is the up-down direction of the battery module 10. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the directions indicated by the arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are the front, left, and up directions of the battery module 10, respectively. However, the relationships between the X direction, Y direction, Z direction, and the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the battery module 10 are not limited to this example.

[0016] Hereinafter, as necessary, the side toward which the arrow pointing in the X direction is pointed and the side opposite to the side toward which the arrow pointing in the X direction is pointed will be referred to as the +X side and the -X side, respectively; the side toward which the arrow pointing in the Y direction is pointed and the side opposite to the side toward which the arrow pointing in the Y direction is pointed will be referred to as the +Y side and the -Y side, respectively; and the side toward which the arrow pointing in the Z direction is pointed and the side opposite to the side toward which the arrow pointing in the Z direction is pointed will be referred to as the +Z side and the -Z side, respectively.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, a battery module 10 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of battery cells 100, a plurality of bus bars 210, a plurality of conductive partition plates 220, and a plurality of insulators 300. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, each battery cell 100 includes a battery element 110, a pair of lid members 120, a positive terminal 132, a negative terminal 134, and an exterior film 140. In Figs. 1 to 3, the outline of the battery element 110 is shown by a dashed line. In Figs. 1 and 2, the outline of the lid member 120 is shown by a dashed line. In Fig. 3, the outlines of the positive terminal 132 and the negative terminal 134 are shown by a dashed line.

[0018] The battery element 110 includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery element 110 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with its length in the X direction, its width in the Z direction, and its height in the Y direction. When viewed from the X direction, the battery element 110 has a substantially rectangular shape with a pair of short sides substantially parallel to the Y direction and a pair of long sides substantially parallel to the Z direction. However, the shape of the battery element 110 is not limited to this example.

[0019] 1 and 2, a pair of lid members 120 are located on both sides of the battery element 110 in the X direction. The lid member 120 on the +X side covers the end face on the +X side of the battery element 110. The lid member 120 on the -X side covers the end face on the -X side of the battery element 110. When viewed from the X direction, each lid member 120 has a substantially rectangular shape having a pair of short sides substantially parallel to the Y direction and a pair of long sides substantially parallel to the Z direction. However, the shape of each lid member 120 is not limited to this example.

[0020] 6, the positive electrode terminal 132 and the negative electrode terminal 134 are located on both sides of the battery element 110 in the X direction. The positive electrode terminal 132 and the negative electrode terminal 134 protrude from the pair of lid members 120 toward both sides in the X direction. The positive electrode terminal 132 and the negative electrode terminal 134 are, for example, a conductor block or an embossed conductor plate. The positive electrode terminal 132 and the negative electrode terminal 134 are electrically connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the battery element 110, respectively.

[0021] The exterior film 140 is wrapped around the battery element 110 and the pair of lid members 120 in the X direction. The exterior film 140 is, for example, a laminate film. The inner peripheral surface around the X direction of the +X side end of the exterior film 140 and the outer peripheral surface around the X direction of the +X side lid member 120 are joined to each other by a joining method such as heat fusion. Thus, the +X side sealing portion 142 is formed by the inner peripheral surface of the exterior film 140 and the outer peripheral surface of the +X side lid member 120. The inner peripheral surfaces around the X direction of the -X side end of the exterior film 140 and the outer peripheral surface around the X direction of the -X side lid member 120 are joined to each other by a joining method such as heat fusion. Thus, the -X side sealing portion 142 is formed by the inner peripheral surface of the exterior film 140 and the outer peripheral surface of the -X side lid member 120. The exterior film 140 is also sealed at other sealing portions extending in the X direction from one of the +X side sealing portion 142 and the −X side sealing portion 142 to the other. For example, when the exterior film 140 is wrapped around the battery element 110 and the pair of lid materials 120 once in the X direction, excess portions of the exterior film 140 pulled out from the wrapped portions around the battery element 110 and the pair of lid materials 120 are joined to each other by a joining method such as heat fusion, to form other sealing portions.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, multiple battery cells 100 are stacked in the Y direction. The multiple battery cells 100 are connected in series from the battery cell 100 located at one end in the Y direction to the battery cell 100 located at the other end in the Y direction. In the example shown in FIG. 1, adjacent battery cells 100 in the Y direction are connected in series via bus bars 210 on the +X side or the −X side of the adjacent battery cells 100. Each bus bar 210 has a substantially plate shape perpendicular to the X direction. Each bus bar 210 is made of a metal such as copper or aluminum. As shown in FIG. 1, the +Y side end of the +X side bus bar 210 and the positive electrode terminal 132 of the battery cell 100 located on the −X side of the +Y side end of the bus bar 210 are joined to each other by a joining method such as laser welding. 1, the -Y side end of the +X side busbar 210 and the negative electrode terminal 134 of the battery cell 100 located on the -X side of the -Y side end of the busbar 210 are joined to each other by a joining method such as laser welding. Therefore, the +X side busbar 210 is a conductor that is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 132 and negative electrode terminal 134 of the battery cell 100 located on the -X side of the busbar 210 and adjacent in the Y direction. The same applies to the -X side busbar 210.

[0023] Each conductive partition plate 220 has a generally plate-like shape perpendicular to the Y direction. Each conductive partition plate 220 is made of a metal such as copper. As shown in FIG. 1 , when viewed from the Z direction, each conductive partition plate 220 is at least partially located between adjacent battery cells 100 connected in series in the Y direction. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the +Y side surface of each conductive partition plate 220 is insulated from the −Y side surface of the battery cell 100 located on the +Y side of each conductive partition plate 220. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , an insulator 300 is at least partially located between the surface of each conductive partition plate 220 and the surface of the corresponding battery cell 100. The insulator 300 is, for example, a resin coating layer, a tape layer, or a foam material that absorbs the expansion of the battery cell 100. The insulator 300 may be located entirely between the surface of each conductive partition plate 220 and the surface of the battery cell 100, or may be located partially between the surface of each conductive partition plate 220 and the surface of the battery cell 100. The -Y side surface of each conductive partition plate 220 and the +Y side surface of the battery cell 100 located on the -Y side of each conductive partition plate 220 are also insulated by the insulator 300.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 , each conductive partition plate 220 serves as a partition that at least partially separates adjacent battery cells 100 connected in series in the Y direction from one another. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , at least a portion of the +X-side end of each conductive partition plate 220 is located on the +X side of a position flush with the +X-side surface of the lid member 120 on the +X side of each battery cell 100. At least a portion of the +X-side end of each conductive partition plate 220 separates the +X-side sealing portions 142 located on both sides of each conductive partition plate 220 in the Y direction from one another. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , at least a portion of the -X-side end of each conductive partition plate 220 is located on the -X side of a position flush with the -X-side surface of the lid member 120 on the -X side of each battery cell 100. At least a portion of the -X-side end of each conductive partition plate 220 separates the -X-side sealing portions 142 located on both sides of each conductive partition plate 220 in the Y direction from one another.

[0025] Relatively high-temperature gas of approximately 800°C to approximately 1000°C may be emitted from the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the lid member 120 around the X direction and the inner peripheral surface of the exterior film 140 around the X direction in the sealing portion 142 of an abnormal battery cell 100. However, in the embodiment, even if gas is generated from the sealing portion 142 of one of the battery cells 100, the conductive partition plate 220 can prevent the gas from propagating to the sealing portion 142 of the battery cell 100 that is connected in series to the battery cell 100 and adjacent to the battery cell 100 in the Y direction. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1 , even if gas is generated from the +X-side sealing portion 142 located on the +Y side with respect to one of the conductive partition plates 220, the conductive partition plate 220 can prevent the gas from propagating to the +X-side sealing portion 142 located on the −Y side with respect to the conductive partition plate 220. Furthermore, even if gas is generated from the -X-side sealing portion 142 located on the +Y side of any of the conductive partition plates 220, the conductive partition plate 220 can prevent the gas from propagating to the -X-side sealing portion 142 located on the -Y side of the conductive partition plate 220. Therefore, even if relatively high-temperature gas is generated from the sealing portion 142 of any of the battery cells 100 in which an abnormality has occurred, the gas can be prevented from propagating to the sealing portions 142 of the other battery cells 100 connected in series to the abnormal battery cell 100. Therefore, in the embodiment, the spread of fire among multiple battery cells 100 can be prevented compared to when the conductive partition plate 220 is not provided.

[0026] Metal foil, such as aluminum foil, included in the exterior film 140 may be exposed from the +X-side edge of the +X-side sealing portion 142. Therefore, at least one of the +X-side edge of the +X-side sealing portion 142 and a portion of the conductive partition plate 220 that overlaps with the edge of the sealing portion 142 in the Y direction may be insulated. This insulation treatment can prevent a short circuit between the metal foil included in the exterior film 140 and the conductive partition plate 220. For example, the above-mentioned portion of the conductive partition plate 220, or the entire +Y-side or −Y-side of the conductive partition plate 220, may be covered with an insulating layer. Alternatively, the +X-side edge of the +X-side sealing portion 142 may be covered with an insulating layer. The same applies to the −X-side edge of the −X-side sealing portion 142 and the portion of the conductive partition plate 220 that overlaps with the edge of the sealing portion 142 in the Y direction.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the −X-side surface of the +X-side busbar 210 and the +X-side end of the conductive partition plate 220 electrically connected to the busbar 210 and positioned between adjacent battery cells 100 in the Y direction are joined to each other by a joining method such as laser welding. Therefore, the +X-side busbar 210 and the conductive partition plate 220 joined to the busbar 210 are electrically connected to each other. Therefore, the voltage of the +X-side busbar 210 and the voltage of the conductive partition plate 220 electrically connected to the busbar 210 can be made substantially equal. Therefore, the voltage of the +X-side busbar 210 can be at least one of utilized and detected via the conductive partition plate 220 electrically connected to the +X-side busbar 210. Therefore, the functionality of the battery module 10 can be improved compared to when the busbar 210 and the conductive partition plate 220 are not electrically connected to each other. The same applies to the bus bar 210 on the -X side and the conductive partition plate 220 electrically connected to the bus bar 210 and positioned between adjacent battery cells 100 in the Y direction.

[0028] 1 , the conductive partition plate 220 electrically connected to the +X-side busbar 210 is extended toward the −X-side. Therefore, by disposing a voltage detection device (not shown) on the −X-side of the plurality of battery cells 100, electrically connecting the −X-side busbars 210 and the voltage detection device to each other, and electrically connecting the +X-side busbars 210 and the voltage detection device to each other via the conductive partition plate 220 electrically connected to the +X-side busbars 210, it is possible to detect the voltages of the +X-side busbars 210 and the −X-side busbars 210. When a voltage detection device (not shown) is disposed on the +X-side of the plurality of battery cells 100, it is possible to detect the voltages of the +X-side busbars 210 and the −X-side busbars 210 by electrically connecting the +X-side busbars 210 and the voltage detection device to each other and electrically connecting the −X-side busbars 210 and the voltage detection device to each other via the conductive partition plate 220 electrically connected to the −X-side busbars 210.

[0029] The manner in which each conductive partition plate 220 is drawn out is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 1. The conductive partition plate 220 electrically connected to the +X side bus bar 210 may be drawn out toward a side different from the side on which the +X side bus bar 210 of the multiple battery cells 100 is located. For example, the conductive partition plate 220 may be drawn out toward the +Z side or the -Z side. The conductive partition plate 220 electrically connected to the -X side bus bar 210 may be drawn out toward a side different from the side on which the -X side bus bar 210 of the multiple battery cells 100 is located. For example, the conductive partition plate 220 may be drawn out toward the +Z side or the -Z side.

[0030] In the embodiment, the bus bar 210 and the conductive partition plate 220 are electrically connected to each other. However, the conductor electrically connected to the bus bar 210 may be a metal wire such as a copper wire instead of the conductive partition plate 220. When a metal wire is used instead of the conductive partition plate 220, the insulator 300 may serve as a partition that at least partially separates the battery cells 100 adjacent to each other in the Y direction. Even when the insulator 300 serves as a partition, the spread of fire among the multiple battery cells 100 can be suppressed in the same way as when the conductive partition plate 220 serves as a partition. When the insulator 300 serves as a partition, one end of the metal wire can be electrically connected to the bus bar 210 by routing the metal wire through the insulator 300 located between the battery cells 100 adjacent to each other in the Y direction, and the other end of the metal wire can be drawn out toward the side opposite to the side where the one end of the metal wire of the multiple battery cells 100 is located.

[0031] 4 is a top view of bus bar 210A and conductive partition plate 220A according to the first modified example. Bus bar 210A and conductive partition plate 220A according to the first modified example are similar to bus bar 210 and conductive partition plate 220 according to the embodiment, except for the following points.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4, the bus bar 210A and the conductive partition plate 220A may be molded integrally with each other. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the bus bar 210A and the conductive partition plate 220A are bent toward each other. Specifically, the +X side end of the conductive partition plate 220A is bent at a substantially right angle from the +X side toward the -Y side, and the bus bar 210A is bent approximately 180 degrees from the -Y side toward the +Y side with respect to the bent end of the conductive partition plate 220A. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the bus bar 210A and the conductive partition plate 220A are also electrically connected to each other. However, the manner in which the bus bar 210A and the conductive partition plate 220A are bent is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 4.

[0033] The integral molding of bus bar 210A and conductive partition plate 220A is not limited to bending, but bus bar 210A and conductive partition plate 220A may be integrally molded with each other by a method such as extrusion molding or cutting.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bus bar 210B and a conductive partition plate 220B according to the second modified example.

[0035] 5 includes a first conductive plate 212B and a second conductive plate 214B. The first conductive plate 212B, the second conductive plate 214B, and the conductive partition plate 220B are integrally molded. Therefore, the first conductive plate 212B, the second conductive plate 214B, and the conductive partition plate 220B are electrically connected to each other.

[0036] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first conductive plate 212B and the conductive partition plate 220B are bent toward each other. Specifically, the first conductive plate 212B is bent toward the +Y side at a substantially right angle with respect to a +Z side portion of the +X side end of the conductive partition plate 220B. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the second conductive plate 214B and the conductive partition plate 220B are bent toward each other. Specifically, the second conductive plate 214B is bent toward the -Y side at a substantially right angle with respect to a -Z side portion of the +X side end of the conductive partition plate 220B. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the Z-direction dimension of the first conductive plate 212B is approximately half the Z-direction dimension of the conductive partition plate 220B, and the Z-direction dimension of the second conductive plate 214B is approximately half the Z-direction dimension of the conductive partition plate 220B.

[0037] 1 , when the bus bar 210B and the conductive partition plate 220B according to the second modification are used instead of the bus bar 210 and the conductive partition plate 220 according to the embodiment, the −X side surface of the first conductive plate 212B and the +X side surface of the negative electrode terminal 134 of the battery cell 100 located on the +Y side with respect to the conductive partition plate 220B are joined to each other, and the −X side surface of the second conductive plate 214B and the +X side surface of the positive electrode terminal 132 of the battery cell 100 located on the −Y side with respect to the conductive partition plate 220B are joined to each other. Therefore, the battery cells 100 located on both sides in the Y direction with respect to the conductive partition plate 220B can be electrically connected to each other via the bus bar 210B.

[0038] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a first modified example of Fig. 5. The example shown in Fig. 6 is similar to the example shown in Fig. 5 except for the following points.

[0039] 6, the Z-direction dimension of first conductive plate 212B may be less than half the Z-direction dimension of conductive partition plate 220B, and the Z-direction dimension of second conductive plate 214B may be less than half the Z-direction dimension of conductive partition plate 220B. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the center in the Z direction of first conductive plate 212B is located closer to the Z-direction center of conductive partition plate 220B than the +Z side end of conductive partition plate 220B. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the Z-direction center of second conductive plate 214B is located closer to the Z-direction center of conductive partition plate 220B than the -Z side end of conductive partition plate 220B. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the portions of the +X side edge of the conductive partition plate 220B located on both sides of the first conductive plate 212B and the second conductive plate 214B in the Z direction are substantially flush with the first conductive plate 212B and the second conductive plate 214B.

[0040] The dimension in the Z direction of the first conductive plate 212B shown in the example shown in Fig. 6 is less than the dimension in the Z direction of the first conductive plate 212B shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, in the example shown in Fig. 6, compared to the example shown in Fig. 5, it is possible to make it less likely for the first conductive plate 212B to come into contact with members other than the positive electrode terminal 132 or the negative electrode terminal 134. The same applies to the second conductive plate 214B.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a second modified example of Fig. 5. The example shown in Fig. 7 is similar to the example shown in Fig. 6 except for the following points.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7 , a pair of protrusions 222B is provided on both sides in the Z direction of the first conductive plate 212B and the second conductive plate 214B at the +X side end of the conductive partition plate 220B. The first conductive plate 212B, the second conductive plate 214B, the conductive partition plate 220B, and the pair of protrusions 222B shown in FIG. 7 are formed by bending the first conductive plate 212B and the second conductive plate 214B without removing the pair of protrusions 222B. In other words, the pair of protrusions 222B shown in FIG. 7 is removed from the first conductive plate 212B, the second conductive plate 214B, and the conductive partition plate 220 shown in FIG. 6 . Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 7 , the process of removing the pair of protrusions 222B is eliminated, which makes it easier to form the first conductive plate 212B, the second conductive plate 214B, the conductive partition plate 220B, and the protrusions 222B.

[0043] 8 is a side view of bus bar 210C and conductive partition plate 220C according to the third modified example. Bus bar 210C and conductive partition plate 220C according to the third modified example are similar to bus bar 210 and conductive partition plate 220C according to the embodiment, except for the following points.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 8, when viewed from the Y direction, the conductive partition plate 220C defines a hole in which a temperature sensor 400C is to be placed at approximately the center thereof. The temperature sensor 400C is, for example, a thermistor. The temperature sensor 400C is in contact with a battery cell 100 located on the +Y side or the -Y side of the conductive partition plate 220C. Therefore, the temperature sensor 400C can detect the temperature of the battery cell 100 located on the +Y side or the -Y side of the conductive partition plate 220C. The number of temperature sensors 400C and the positions at which the temperature sensors 400C are placed are not limited to the example shown in Fig. 8.

[0045] The conductive partition plate 220C and the temperature sensor 400C are electrically connected to each other. For example, the conductive partition plate 220C and the temperature sensor 400C are connected to each other via a conductor not shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, the voltage of the bus bar 210C and the conductive partition plate 220C can be used as a power supply voltage for the temperature sensor 400C.

[0046] The electronic element electrically connected to the conductive partition plate 220C is not limited to the temperature sensor 400C. Examples of the electronic element include sensors such as a temperature sensor, a gas sensor, and a pressure sensor. The gas sensor can detect gas emitted from a battery cell 100 in which an abnormality has occurred. When the gas sensor is electrically connected to the conductive partition plate 220C, the voltage of the bus bar 210C and the conductive partition plate 220C can be used as the power supply voltage for the gas sensor. The pressure sensor can detect expansion of a battery cell 100 in which an abnormality has occurred. When the pressure sensor is electrically connected to the conductive partition plate 220C, the voltage of the bus bar 210C and the conductive partition plate 220C can be used as the power supply voltage for the pressure sensor.

[0047] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10 Battery module, 100 Battery cell, 110 Battery element, 120 Lid material, 132 Positive electrode terminal, 134 Negative electrode terminal, 140 Outer film, 142 Sealing portion, 210, 210A, 210B, 210C Bus bar, 212B First conductive plate, 214B Second conductive plate, 220, 220A, 220B, 220C Conductive partition plate, 222B Protrusion, 300 Insulator, 400C Temperature sensor

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells; a first conductor electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; a second conductor located at least partially between the battery cells; Equipped with The first conductor and the second conductor are electrically connected to each other.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the second conductors are drawn out toward a side of the plurality of battery cells different from a side on which the first conductors are located.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second conductor at least partially separates the battery cells from each other.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are joined to each other.

5. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are integrally molded.

6. The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising an electronic element electrically connected to the second conductor.

Images