Voltage detection device and battery module

Abstract

To improve workability for assembling a battery module.SOLUTION: A front voltage detection device 30 includes a holding body 310, a plurality of voltage detection lines 320, and a socket 330. The plurality of voltage detection lines 320 are electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells 100. The plurality of voltage detection lines 320 are held by the holding body 310. The socket 330 is electrically connected to the plurality of voltage detection lines 320. The socket 330 is provided in the holding body 310.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a voltage detection device and a battery module. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, a housing, a wire harness, and a connector. The housing accommodates the plurality of battery cells. The connector is electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells via the wire harness. In the voltage detection device described in Patent Document 1, the connector is attached to the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2020-517051 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, as described in Patent Document 1, when a connector is attached to a housing, the connector is attached to the receptacle after the battery cells and wire harness are accommodated in the housing. However, in this case, for example, an excess length of the wire harness is required to pull the wire harness out of the housing, which can reduce the workability of assembling the battery module.

[0005] An example of an object of the present invention is to improve the workability for assembling a battery module. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is as follows. [1] A holder; a plurality of voltage detection lines electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells and held by the holder; a connector electrically connected to the plurality of voltage detection lines and provided on the holder; A voltage detection device comprising: [2] The voltage detection device according to [1], wherein the connector is provided with a terminal hole through which at least a portion of an external terminal is inserted. [3] The voltage detection device according to [1] or [2], wherein the connector has a gap through which at least a part of an external connector to be connected to the connector is inserted. [4] The voltage detection device according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising an attachment structure for attaching the holder and the connector to each other. [5] the plurality of battery cells; [1] to [4], and a voltage detection device according to any one of [1] to [4]. A battery module comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above aspect of the present invention, the workability for assembling the battery module can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the battery module according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view of FIG. 1 from which the container has been removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the forward voltage detection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 3 with the two sockets and plugs removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the socket according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a front portion of a front voltage detecting device according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a front portion of a front voltage detecting device according to a second modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a front voltage detection device according to a third modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a battery module 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a view of Fig. 1 from which a housing body 20 has been removed.

[0011] For ease of explanation, arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are shown in each figure. The X direction indicates the front-to-rear direction of the battery module 1. Unless otherwise specified, the tip of an arrow indicating the X direction will refer to the rear side of the battery module 1. Unless otherwise specified, the base end of an arrow indicating the X direction will refer to the front side of the battery module 1. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The Y direction indicates the left-to-right direction of the battery module 1. Unless otherwise specified, the tip of an arrow indicating the Y direction will refer to the left side of the battery module 1. Unless otherwise specified, the base end of an arrow indicating the Y direction will refer to the right side of the battery module 1. The Z direction is perpendicular to both the X and Y directions. The Z direction indicates the up-down direction of the battery module 1. Unless otherwise specified, the tip of an arrow indicating the Z direction will refer to the upper side of the battery module 1. Unless otherwise specified, the base end of an arrow indicating the Z direction will refer to the lower side of the battery module 1. However, the relationship between the X, Y, and Z directions and the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions of the battery module 1 is not limited to the above example and will vary depending on the actual arrangement of the battery module 1.

[0012] The battery module 1 includes a cell stack 10, a housing 20, a front voltage detection device 30, and a rear voltage detection device 30'. The cell stack 10 includes multiple cell groups 100G. Each cell group 100G includes multiple battery cells 100. The housing 20 includes a front cover 210, a rear cover 220, a right cover 230, a left cover 240, a lower cover 250, and an upper cover 260. The front voltage detection device 30 includes a holder 310, multiple voltage detection wires 320, two sockets 330, and a terminal 340. Multiple voltage detection tips 322 are provided at one end of the multiple voltage detection wires 320 on the side of a tab group 110 (described later).

[0013] The multiple battery cells 100 are stacked in the Y direction. When viewed from the Y direction, each battery cell 100 has a substantially rectangular shape. The longitudinal direction of each battery cell 100 is substantially parallel to the X direction. The lateral direction of each battery cell 100 is substantially parallel to the Z direction. The thickness direction of each battery cell 100 is substantially parallel to the Y direction. However, the structure of each battery cell 100 is not limited to this example.

[0014] Each battery cell 100 includes a battery element (not shown), an exterior material 102, a positive electrode tab 112, and a negative electrode tab 114. The exterior material 102 seals the battery element and an electrolyte (not shown). The battery element includes multiple positive electrodes and multiple negative electrodes (not shown) stacked alternately in the Y direction, and a separator (not shown) located between adjacent positive electrodes and negative electrodes in the Y direction. The positive electrode tab 112 and the negative electrode tab 114 are drawn out from opposite sides of the exterior material 102 in the X direction. The positive electrode tab 112 is electrically connected to the multiple positive electrodes. The positive electrode tab 112 is made of, for example, aluminum. The negative electrode tab 114 is electrically connected to the multiple negative electrodes. The negative electrode tab 114 is made of, for example, copper.

[0015] Each cell group 100G includes two battery cells 100 connected in parallel. Positive electrode tabs 112 drawn from the two battery cells 100 included in each cell group 100G face the same side in the X direction. Negative electrode tabs 114 drawn from the two battery cells 100 included in each cell group 100G face the same side in the X direction. The positive electrode tabs 112 and negative electrode tabs 114 drawn from one of the cell groups 100G adjacent in the Y direction and the positive electrode tabs 112 and negative electrode tabs 114 drawn from the other of the cell groups 100G adjacent in the Y direction face opposite each other in the X direction.

[0016] The multiple cell groups 100G are connected in series. Adjacent cell groups 100G in the Y direction have tab groups 110 located in front or behind the cell groups 100G. Each tab group 110 includes two positive electrode tabs 112 extending from one of the cell groups 100G adjacent in the Y direction and two negative electrode tabs 114 extending from the other of the cell groups 100G adjacent in the Y direction. In each tab group 110, the two positive electrode tabs 112 and the two negative electrode tabs 114 are joined to each other by, for example, laser welding. The multiple tab groups 110 located in front of the cell stack 10 and the multiple tab groups 110 located in the rear of the cell stack 10 are staggered in the Y direction. Therefore, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the leftmost cell group 100G and the second-leftmost cell group 100G each have tab groups 110 located in front of these cell groups 100G. Additionally, the cell group 100G located second from the left and the cell group 100G located third from the left have tab groups 110 located behind these cell groups 100G.

[0017] The structure of the cell stack 10 is not limited to the above example. For example, each cell group 100G may include three or more battery cells 100. Also, a plurality of single battery cells 100 may be connected in series.

[0018] The housing 20 includes a cell stack 10, a front voltage detection device 30, and a rear voltage detection device 30'. The front cover 210 covers the front of the cell stack 10 and the front voltage detection device 30. The rear cover 220 covers the rear of the cell stack 10 and the rear voltage detection device 30'. The right cover 230 covers the right side of the cell stack 10. The left cover 240 covers the left side of the cell stack 10. The lower cover 250 covers the bottom of the cell stack 10. The upper cover 260 covers the top of the cell stack 10.

[0019] The holder 310 is provided in front of the cell stack 10. The holder 310 is formed of, for example, resin. The holder 310 integrally holds a plurality of voltage detection wires 320, a plurality of voltage detection tips 322, and two sockets 330. Therefore, by positioning the holder 310 relative to the cell stack 10, the plurality of voltage detection wires 320 and the plurality of voltage detection tips 322 can be positioned. For example, by attaching the holder 310 to the housing 20, the holder 310 is positioned relative to the cell stack 10. When the holder 310 is positioned, each of the plurality of voltage detection tips 322 is located in front of each of the plurality of tab groups 110 located in front of the cell stack 10.

[0020] The multiple voltage detection wires 320 are, for example, a wire harness. Each of the multiple voltage detection wires 320 electrically connects a corresponding one of the multiple tab groups 110 to the socket 330. Specifically, one end of each of the multiple voltage detection wires 320 is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the multiple tab groups 110 located at the front of the cell stack 10 via a corresponding one of multiple voltage detection tips 322. Each voltage detection tip 322 is, for example, a conductive plate such as a metal plate. Each voltage detection tip 322 is joined to the front surface of the corresponding tab group 110 by, for example, laser welding. The other end of each of the multiple voltage detection wires 320 is electrically connected to the socket 330.

[0021] The terminal 340 is electrically connected to the positive electrode tab 112 that is pulled forward from the rightmost battery cell 100. The cell stack 10 can be electrically connected to an external device via the terminal 340.

[0022] The rear voltage detection device 30' is equipped with a holder, multiple voltage detection wires, a connector, and terminals (not shown), similar to the front voltage detection device 30. The terminal of the rear voltage detection device 30' is electrically connected to the negative electrode tab 114 drawn rearward from the battery cell 100 arranged on the leftmost side.

[0023] Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the forward voltage detection device 30 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a view in which two sockets 330 and a plug 430 have been removed from Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the socket 330 according to the embodiment.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, the two sockets 330 and the plug 430 will be described.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, a step 262 is provided at the front end of the upper cover 260. Due to the step 262, the front end of the upper cover 260 is positioned lower in the Z direction than the rear part of the front end of the upper cover 260. The two sockets 330 shown in Fig. 3 are disposed in the space formed by the step 262. This allows the volumetric efficiency of the battery module 1 to be improved.

[0026] The plug 430 shown in Fig. 3 is connectable to the socket 330 on the left side shown in Fig. 3. The plug 430 has a plurality of terminals and a plug cover 434, not shown. The plurality of terminals of the plug 430 protrude toward the right. When viewed from the right of the plug 430, the plug cover 434 surrounds the plurality of terminals of the plug 430. Therefore, compared to when the plurality of terminals of the plug 430 are not surrounded by the plug cover 434, it is possible to make it less likely that an operator's fingers or foreign matter such as dust will come into contact with the plurality of terminals of the plug 430.

[0027] The left socket 330 shown in Fig. 3 has a body 332 and a socket cover 334. Some of the multiple voltage detection wires 320 are electrically connected to the left socket 330 shown in Fig. 3. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the some of the voltage detection wires 320 pass through tubes 324 attached to the socket 330 and are connected to the socket 330.

[0028] The body 332 is provided with a plurality of terminal holes 332a. Terminals are embedded inside the plurality of terminal holes 332a. Therefore, in the socket 330 according to the embodiment, the terminals are less likely to come into contact with foreign matter such as an operator's fingers or dust, compared to when the terminals of the socket 330 protrude outward. Each of the plurality of terminals of the plug 430 is inserted into each of the plurality of terminal holes 332a in the Y direction. By inserting the plurality of terminals of the plug 430 into each of the plurality of terminal holes 332a in the Y direction, the socket 330 and the plug 430 are electrically connected.

[0029] The socket cover 334 surrounds at least a portion of the body 332 via a gap 336. By inserting at least a portion of the plug cover 434 into the gap 336 in the Y direction, the socket 330 and the plug 430 are connected to each other. Therefore, the mechanical connection between the socket 330 and the plug 430 can be strengthened compared to when the gap 336 and the plug cover 434 are not provided. However, the gap 336 and the plug cover 434 do not have to be provided. Even in this case, the socket 330 and the plug 430 can be mechanically connected to each other by inserting each of the plurality of terminals of the plug 430 into each of the plurality of terminal holes 332a in the Y direction.

[0030] The right-side socket 330 shown in FIG. 3 has a similar configuration to the left-side socket 330 shown in FIG. 3. When two sockets 330 are provided, some of the voltage detection lines 320 can be electrically connected to one socket 330, and some of the voltage detection lines 320 can be electrically connected to the other socket 330. This allows the number of terminal holes 332a in each socket 330 to be reduced compared to when all of the voltage detection lines 320 are electrically connected to a single socket 330. For example, when at least some of the terminal holes 332a in each socket 330 are aligned in the Z direction, the width of each socket 330 in the Z direction can be reduced. This allows the top surface of each socket 330 to be prevented from protruding above the top surface of the upper cover 260. However, the front voltage detection device 30 may have only one socket 330, or may have three or more sockets 330.

[0031] The right socket 330 shown in FIG. 3 is disposed forward of the left socket 330 shown in FIG. 3. That is, the two sockets 330 shown in FIG. 3 are offset from each other in the X direction. Therefore, a space can be secured behind the left socket 330 shown in FIG. 3 for passing the multiple voltage detection lines 320 connected to the right socket 330 shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, compared to when the two sockets 330 shown in FIG. 3 are aligned in the X direction, the space required in the Y direction for arranging the two sockets 330 shown in FIG. 3 can be reduced. However, the layout of the sockets 330 is not limited to this example. For example, the two sockets 330 shown in FIG. 3 may be aligned in the X direction.

[0032] 4 and 5, a method for attaching the left socket 330 shown in FIG. 3 to the holder 310 will be described.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4 , a pair of locking grooves 352 are provided on the front surface of the holder 310. The pair of locking grooves 352 extend substantially parallel to the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 5 , a pair of locking portions 354 are provided on the rear surface of the socket cover 334. The pair of locking portions 354 extend substantially parallel to the Y direction. The pair of locking portions 354 can be inserted into the pair of locking grooves 352 in the Y direction from the left of the pair of locking grooves 352. The socket 330 is attached to the holder 310 by inserting the pair of locking portions 354 into the pair of locking grooves 352 in the Y direction from the left of the pair of locking grooves 352. In other words, the pair of locking grooves 352 and the pair of locking portions 354 form an attachment structure that attaches the holder 310 and the left-side socket 330 shown in FIG. 3 to each other. However, this attachment structure is not limited to the example of the pair of locking grooves 352 and the pair of locking portions 354. The right-side socket 330 shown in FIG. 3 is also attached to the holder 310 by a mounting structure similar to that of the left-side socket 330 shown in FIG.

[0034] 4 and 5, the mounting structure, i.e., the pair of locking grooves 352 and the pair of locking portions 354, are located on the rear side of the socket 330. Therefore, when the plug cover 434 is inserted into the gap 336 in the Y direction, the mounting structure does not interfere with the plug cover 434. Therefore, there is no need to provide a notch in the plug cover 434 to avoid interference with the mounting structure. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the strength of the plug cover 434 due to the notch. However, the plug cover 434 may have a notch if necessary.

[0035] In the embodiment, the socket 330 is provided on the holder 310. Therefore, after the front voltage detection device 30 is attached to the cell stack 10, the cell stack 10 and the front voltage detection device 30 can be housed in the housing 20. For example, if the socket 330 is provided on the housing 20, the socket 330 is attached to the housing 20 after the cell stack 10 is housed in the housing 20. However, in this case, excess length of the multiple voltage detection wires 320 is required to pull the multiple voltage detection wires 320 out to the outside of the housing 20. In contrast, in the embodiment, it is not necessary to consider this excess length of the multiple voltage detection wires 320. Therefore, in the embodiment, the workability of assembling the battery module 1 can be improved compared to when the socket 330 is provided on the housing 20.

[0036] In the embodiment, the socket 330 is a connector provided in the front voltage detection device 30, and the plug 430 is an external connector of the front voltage detection device 30. However, the connector provided in the front voltage detection device 30 may be a plug, and the external connector of the front voltage detection device 30 may be a socket. In this example, too, it is not necessary to consider the above-mentioned excess length of the multiple voltage detection wires 320 when assembling the battery module 1. Therefore, in the embodiment, the workability of assembling the battery module 1 can be improved compared to when the above-mentioned plug is provided in the housing 20.

[0037] 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the front portion of a front voltage detecting device 30A according to Modification 1. The front voltage detecting device 30A according to Modification 1 is similar to the front voltage detecting device 30 according to the embodiment, except for the following points.

[0038] At least a portion of the socket 330A is embedded in a recess 312A provided on the upper surface of the holder 310A. A gap 336A is provided between the outer surface of the socket 330A and the inner surface of the recess 312A. The plug 430A can be connected to the socket 330A from above. By inserting the plug cover 434A into the gap 336A in the Z direction, the socket 330A and the plug 430A are mechanically connected to each other. Therefore, in the first modification, as in the embodiment, the mechanical connection between the socket 330A and the plug 430A can be strengthened.

[0039] 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the front portion of a front voltage detecting device 30B according to Modification 2. The front voltage detecting device 30B according to Modification 2 is similar to the front voltage detecting device 30 according to the embodiment, except for the following points.

[0040] At least a portion of the socket 330B is embedded in a recess 312B provided in the front surface of the holder 310B. A gap 336B is provided between the outer surface of the socket 330B and the inner surface of the recess 312B. The plug 430B can be connected to the socket 330B from the front of the socket 330B. By inserting the plug cover 434B into the gap 336B in the X direction, the socket 330B and the plug 430B are mechanically connected to each other. Therefore, in the second modification, as in the embodiment, the mechanical connection between the socket 330B and the plug 430B can be strengthened.

[0041] 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a front voltage detecting device 30C according to Modification 3. The front voltage detecting device 30C according to Modification 3 is similar to the front voltage detecting device 30 according to the embodiment, except for the following points.

[0042] A front voltage detection device 30C according to the third modification includes a socket holder 350C. The socket holder 350C is attached to a holder 310 (not shown). The socket holder 350C holds a socket 330C. In the example shown in FIG. 8 , a plurality of terminal holes 332aC are provided on the left side surface of the socket 330C. The socket holder 350C holds the socket 330C with a gap 336C formed between the socket 330C and a portion of the socket holder 350C surrounding the socket 330C. As in the embodiment, a plug cover 434 (not shown) is inserted into the gap 336C in the Y direction, thereby mechanically connecting the socket 330C and a plug 430 (not shown) to each other.

[0043] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Battery Module 10 Cell stack 20 Containment Unit 30, 30A, 30B, 30C Forward voltage detection device 100 battery cells 100G cell group 102 Exterior materials 110 Tabs 112 Positive electrode tab 114 Negative electrode tab 210 Front cover 220 rear cover 230 Right cover 240 Left cover 250 Lower cover 260 Upper cover 262 steps 310,310A,310B Holder 312A, 312B recess 320 Voltage detection wire 322 Voltage detection tip 324 tubes 330, 330A, 330B, 330C sockets 332 Body 332a,332aC terminal hole 334 Socket Cover 336, 336A, 336B, 336C gap Terminal 340 350C Socket Holder 352 Locking groove 354 Locking part 430, 430A, 430B plug 434, 434A, 434B plug cover

Claims

1. a holder provided on one side of the plurality of battery cells; a plurality of voltage detection lines electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells and held by the holder; a connector electrically connected to the plurality of voltage detection lines and provided on the holder; Equipped with The connector is arranged so that an external connector is inserted into the connector in a direction from the one side toward the side where the plurality of battery cells are located.

2. 2. The voltage detection device according to claim 1, wherein the connector is provided with a terminal hole through which at least a part of an external terminal of the external connector is inserted.

3. The voltage detection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a gap through which at least a portion of the external connector is inserted.

4. The voltage detection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a mounting structure for mounting the holder and the connector to each other.

5. the plurality of battery cells; The voltage detection device according to claim 1 or 2; A battery module comprising:

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