Name plate for battery packs, housing for battery packs, and battery pack

Abstract

To provide a name plate for battery packs by which at least a manufacturing lot number, etc., in a display content of a name plate can be easily read into a digital apparatus.SOLUTION: A name plate 10 is stuck on an outer surface of a battery pack. The name plate comprises: a manufacturing lot number display region 10a in which at least one of the year-and-month of manufacturing and a manufacturing lot number of a battery pack is displayed as characters; a model number display region 10b in which a model number of the battery pack is displayed as characters; a mass display region 10c in which a mass of the battery pack is displayed as characters; and a two-dimensional code display region 10d in which a two dimensional code including one of or both the at least one of the year-and-month of manufacturing and the manufacturing lot number and the model number of the battery pack is displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a nameplate for a battery pack, a housing for a battery pack, and a battery pack. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a secondary battery cell. The secondary battery cell includes a lid member on which an external positive terminal and an external negative terminal are disposed. An identification information display section is formed on the top surface of the lid member, and displays identification information indicating at least one of manufacturing information and information related to battery performance. The identification information can be formed by a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional data matrix code. Alternatively, a QR code (registered trademark) can be used as the identification information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-113854 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, the nameplate for a battery pack displays, in letters (including numbers), the name of the battery pack, at least one of the battery pack's manufacturing lot number and manufacturing date (hereinafter referred to as the manufacturing lot number, etc.), the battery pack's model number, the mass of the battery pack, etc. In recent years, to facilitate the management of batteries, there has been a demand for the information displayed on the nameplate, particularly the manufacturing lot number, to be easily readable by digital devices.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a nameplate for a battery pack, a casing for the battery pack, and a battery pack that enable at least the manufacturing lot number and other information displayed on the nameplate to be easily read by a digital device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] The nameplate for a battery pack according to the present disclosure is a nameplate attached to the outer surface of the battery pack, and includes a first area that displays in text at least one of the date of manufacture and the production lot number of the battery pack, a second area that displays in text the mass of the battery pack, and a third area that displays a two-dimensional code including at least one of the date of manufacture and the production lot number of the battery pack.

[0007] The nameplate in [1] above displays a two-dimensional code including the manufacturing lot number, etc. This makes it easy to read at least the manufacturing lot number, etc., of the information displayed on the nameplate, into a digital device, making it easier to manage the battery pack.

[0008] [2] The nameplate for a battery pack according to the present disclosure is a nameplate affixed to the outer surface of the battery pack, and includes a first area that displays in text at least one of the date of manufacture and the production lot number of the battery pack, a second area that displays in text the mass of the battery pack, a third area that displays a two-dimensional code including at least one of the date of manufacture and the production lot number of the battery pack and one or both of the model number of the battery pack, and a fourth area that displays the model number in text.

[0009] The nameplate in [2] above displays a two-dimensional code containing either or both of the manufacturing lot number and the model number. This allows at least one of the manufacturing lot number and the model number displayed on the nameplate to be easily read into a digital device, making it easier to manage the battery pack.

[0010] [3] In the nameplate of [1] or [2] above, the third area may be located to the right of the second area. In the second area, i.e., the area displaying the mass of the battery in text, the unit display (e.g., "kg") at the right end is often fixed in position. In this case, even if the number of digits of the displayed content (mass) changes, the display extends to the left of the unit display, and the area to the right of the unit display is not compressed. This allows for a stable area to be secured for displaying the two-dimensional code.

[0011] [4] In the nameplate described in [3] above, the third area may be located between the line immediately above and the line immediately below the second area. Unlike the second area displaying the mass, in other areas (e.g., the first and fourth areas), the more characters in the display content, such as the manufacturing lot number or model number, the more the displayed text extends to the right. Therefore, depending on the display content, the area between the right edge of the nameplate may become narrow. By having the third area located between the line immediately above and the line immediately below the second area, even if the text in at least one of the lines immediately above and below the second area extends to the right, the third area is not affected, and an area for displaying the two-dimensional code can be reliably secured.

[0012] [5] In the nameplates described in [1] to [4] above, the third area may be closest to the right edge of the nameplate compared to other markings other than the two-dimensional code. In this case, the third area can be secured while minimizing interference with other character markings on the nameplate.

[0013] [6] In the nameplates described in [1] to [5] above, the number of characters included in the two-dimensional code may be 34 or less. In this case, the size of the two-dimensional code can be made small enough to prevent it from interfering with other character displays on the nameplate.

[0014] [7] In the nameplates of [1] to [6] above, the length of one side of the two-dimensional code may be 11.99 mm or less. In this case, the size of the two-dimensional code can be made small enough to prevent it from interfering with other character displays on the nameplate.

[0015] [8] The battery pack housing according to the present disclosure is a housing for housing multiple batteries, and has a nameplate according to any one of [1] to [7] attached to its exterior. With this housing, at least one or both of the manufacturing lot number and model number displayed on the nameplate can be easily read into a digital device, making it easy to manage the battery pack.

[0016] [9] The battery pack according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of batteries and the housing described in [8]. With this battery pack, at least one or both of the manufacturing lot number and model number displayed on the nameplate can be easily read into a digital device, making it easy to manage the battery pack.

[0017]

[10] In the battery pack of [9] above, the plurality of batteries may be lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, or zinc-acid batteries. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a nameplate for a battery assembly, a casing for a battery assembly, and a battery assembly that allow at least the manufacturing lot number and other information displayed on the nameplate to be easily read by a digital device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a battery pack. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery pack. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the nameplate. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the nameplate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of a nameplate for a battery pack, a housing for a battery pack, and a battery pack according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same elements in the description of the drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In this disclosure, the concept of "letters" includes "numbers."

[0021] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a battery pack 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the battery pack 1. The battery pack 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a battery pack having a plurality of cells of the same type, and is used, for example, as an automobile battery, the main power source for an electric vehicle (or an electric vehicle) such as an electric forklift, or a backup power source to be used during a power outage. The battery pack 1 has a battery group 3 having a plurality of storage batteries 2, a housing 4, and a plurality of side spacers 5.

[0022] The housing 4 accommodates the battery group 3 and the side spacers 5. The housing 4 is made of a conductive material. The housing 4 has a bottom plate 41, side walls 42 extending along the edges of the bottom plate 41, and a reinforcing portion 43. The bottom plate 41 has a planar shape of, for example, a square or a rectangle. When viewed from the normal direction of the bottom plate 41, the side walls 42 have, for example, a square or rectangular frame shape. The bottom plate 41 and the side walls 42 are formed of, for example, a metal plate or an alloy plate and are integrated with each other. The bottom plate 41 and the side walls 42 may be formed by processing a single metal plate or an alloy plate, or may be integrated with each other by welding or the like. As shown in FIG. 2 , a nameplate 10 is affixed to the side wall 42. The nameplate 10 is affixed, for example, to a predetermined position near the right end and the upper end of one of the four outer surfaces of the side wall 42. When the bottom plate 41 has a rectangular shape, the surface to which the nameplate 10 is attached may be the surface corresponding to the long side of the bottom plate 41.

[0023] The reinforcing portion 43 stands on the bottom plate 41 and extends along one side of the bottom plate 41 (or along the shorter side of the bottom plate 41 if the bottom plate 41 has a rectangular shape). One end and the other end of the reinforcing portion 43 reach the side wall 42, and the reinforcing portion 43 is integrated with the side wall 42. If necessary, the reinforcing portion 43 can be omitted.

[0024] The battery group 3 is composed of a plurality of storage batteries 2 housed in a housing 4. In the illustrated example, the battery group 3 is composed of 24 storage batteries 2. The storage batteries 2 are, for example, lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, or zinc-acid batteries. In this embodiment, the storage batteries 2 are, for example, clad-type lead-acid batteries with clad electrodes. In addition to the plurality of storage batteries 2, the battery group 3 also includes a plurality of internal connection members 31 and external connection members 32 and 33 for connecting to an external device. Each of the plurality of internal connection members 31 electrically connects adjacent storage batteries 2. The internal connection member 31 has, for example, a conductive portion connected to both adjacent storage batteries 2 and a protective portion that protects the conductive portion. The plurality of internal connection members 31 may connect the plurality of storage batteries 2 in series or in parallel. Alternatively, the plurality of internal connection members 31 may include both series and parallel connections in the battery group 3.

[0025] 3 and 4 are front views showing the nameplate 10. FIG. 3 explains each item displayed on the nameplate 10. FIG. 4 shows specific examples of each item displayed on the nameplate 10. The nameplate 10 has a horizontally long, approximately rectangular shape and is made of, for example, a metal plate or sticker. The length La of the long side of the nameplate 10 is, for example, 100 mm, and the length Lb of the short side of the nameplate 10 is, for example, 63 mm.

[0026] The nameplate 10 includes a manufacturing lot number display area (first area) 10a, a model number display area (fourth area) 10b, a mass display area (second area) 10c, a two-dimensional code display area (third area) 10d, a name display area 10e, a model display area 10f, a nominal voltage display area 10g, a rated capacity display area 10h, an electrolyte specific gravity display area 10i, and a manufacturer name display area 10j. The font size of the characters written on the nameplate 10 is preferably 6 points or larger to ensure legibility.

[0027] The manufacturing lot number display area 10a is an area for displaying the manufacturing lot number of the battery pack 1 in text. The manufacturing lot number is displayed, for example, after "MFG No." The text may be meaningful alphanumeric characters or a code. In one example, the manufacturing lot number display area 10a is positioned slightly below the center of the nameplate 10 in the vertical direction.

[0028] The model number display area 10b is an area for displaying the model number of the battery pack 1 in characters. The model number is a number that can identify, for example, the use of the battery pack 1. The model number is displayed, for example, after "PART No." The characters may be meaningful alphanumeric characters or may be a code. In one example, the model number display area 10b is positioned below the center of the nameplate 10 in the vertical direction, on the line immediately below the manufacturing lot number display area 10a.

[0029] The mass display area 10c is an area for displaying the mass of the battery pack 1 in text. The mass is displayed, for example, as a number followed by "Assembly Weight." The number is followed by the unit "kg." In one example, the mass display area 10c is positioned in the center of the nameplate 10 in the vertical direction, on the line immediately above the manufacturing lot number display area 10a. The mass display area 10c is also positioned in the center of the nameplate 10 or toward the left edge 12 in the horizontal direction.

[0030] The two-dimensional code display area 10d is an area for displaying a two-dimensional code including one or both of the manufacturing lot number and the model number of the battery pack 1. The two-dimensional code may include only the manufacturing lot number, only the manufacturing date, or only the model number. The two-dimensional code is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). In the illustrated example, the two-dimensional code display area 10d is located to the right of the mass display area 10c (more specifically, to the right of the "kg" display). In other words, the two-dimensional code display area 10d is located between the mass display area 10c and the right edge 11 of the nameplate 10. Compared to other displays other than the two-dimensional code, the two-dimensional code display area 10d is closest to the right edge 11 of the nameplate 10. Furthermore, the two-dimensional code display area 10d is located between the line immediately above and the line immediately below the mass display area 10c. In the illustrated example, the two-dimensional code display area 10d is located between the line of the electrolyte specific gravity display area 10i and the line of the manufacturing lot number display area 10a. To make the dimensions of the two-dimensional code small enough to fit within such a line space, the number of characters included in the two-dimensional code is preferably 34 or less, and the length of one side of the two-dimensional code is preferably 11.99 mm or less.

[0031] The name display area 10e is an area for displaying the name of the battery pack 1 (e.g., "TRACTION BATTERY") in text. In one example, the name display area 10e is located on the top line of the nameplate 10 in the vertical direction. The model display area 10f is an area for displaying the model of the battery pack 1 in text. The model is the name of the battery pack 1 determined, for example, by the manufacturer of the battery pack 1. In one example, the model display area 10f is located on the line immediately below the name display area 10e in the vertical direction of the nameplate 10. The nominal voltage display area 10g is an area for displaying the nominal voltage of the battery pack 1. In one example, the nominal voltage display area 10g is located to the right of the model display area 10f, i.e., between the model display area 10f and the right edge 11 of the nameplate 10. The rated capacity display area 10h is an area for displaying the rated capacity of the battery pack 1 in numbers. In one example, the rated capacity display area 10h is arranged between the row of the model display area 10f and the row of the mass display area 10c in the vertical direction of the nameplate 10. The electrolyte specific gravity display area 10i is an area for displaying the specific gravity of the electrolyte of the battery pack 1 in text. In one example, the electrolyte specific gravity display area 10i is arranged to the right of the rated capacity display area 10h, i.e., between the rated capacity display area 10h and the right end 11 of the nameplate 10. The manufacturer name display area 10j is an area for displaying the manufacturer's name or its abbreviation in text. In one example, the manufacturer name display area 10j is arranged in the bottom row of the nameplate 10 in the vertical direction.

[0032] The effects obtained by the nameplate 10 of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described below. A two-dimensional code including a manufacturing lot number and the like is displayed on the nameplate 10 of this embodiment. This allows at least the manufacturing lot number and the like, which are displayed on the nameplate 10, to be easily read into a digital device, making it easier to manage the battery pack 1.

[0033] As in this embodiment, a two-dimensional code including one or both of a manufacturing lot number or the like and a model number may be displayed on the nameplate 10. This allows at least one or both of the manufacturing lot number or the like and the model number displayed on the nameplate 10 to be easily read into a digital device, making management of the battery pack 1 even easier.

[0034] As in this embodiment, the two-dimensional code display area 10d may be located to the right of the mass display area 10c. In the mass display area 10c, i.e., the area that displays the mass of the battery pack 1 in text, the unit display (e.g., "kg") at the right end is often fixed in position. In this case, even if the number of digits of the displayed content (mass) changes, the display extends to the left of the unit display, and the area to the right of the unit display is not compressed. Therefore, the area for displaying the two-dimensional code can be reliably secured.

[0035] As in this embodiment, the two-dimensional code display area 10d may fit between the line immediately above and the line immediately below the mass display area 10c. Unlike the mass display area 10c, which displays the mass, in other areas (e.g., the manufacturing lot number display area 10a and the model number display area 10b), the more characters in the display content, such as the manufacturing lot number or model number, the more the displayed character string extends to the right. Therefore, depending on the display content, the area between the right edge of the nameplate 10 may become narrow. By fitting the two-dimensional code display area 10d between the line immediately above and the line immediately below the mass display area 10c, even if the character string in at least one of the lines immediately above and below the mass display area 10c extends to the right, this does not affect the two-dimensional code display area 10d, and the area for displaying the two-dimensional code can be reliably secured.

[0036] As in this embodiment, the two-dimensional code display area 10d may be closest to the right end 11 of the nameplate 10 compared to other displays other than the two-dimensional code. In this case, the two-dimensional code display area 10d can be secured while suppressing interference with other character displays on the nameplate 10.

[0037] As in this embodiment, the number of characters included in the two-dimensional code may be 34 or less. In this case, the size of the two-dimensional code can be made small enough to prevent it from interfering with the display of other characters on the nameplate 10.

[0038] As in this embodiment, the length of one side of the two-dimensional code may be 11.99 mm or less, in which case the size of the two-dimensional code can be made small enough to prevent it from interfering with other characters displayed on the nameplate 10.

[0039] The battery pack nameplate, battery pack housing, and battery pack according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other modifications are possible. For example, the display content of the nameplate is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The nameplate according to the present disclosure may include at least the manufacturing lot number display area 10a, the model number display area 10b, the mass display area 10c, and the two-dimensional code display area 10d, and other display areas may be omitted. Alternatively, a new display area not described in the above embodiments may be added.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the two-dimensional code display area 10d is located to the right of the mass display area 10c, close to the right edge 11 of the nameplate 10, and fits between the row immediately above and the row immediately below the mass display area 10c. However, the arrangement of the two-dimensional code display area 10d is not limited to this. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1...battery pack, 2...storage battery, 3...battery group, 4...casing, 5...side spacer, 10...nameplate, 10a...manufacturing lot number display area (first area), 10b...model number display area (fourth area), 10c...mass display area (second area), 10d...two-dimensional code display area (third area), 10e...name display area, 10f...model display area, 10g...nominal voltage display area, 10h...rated capacity display area, 10i...electrolyte specific gravity display area, 10j...manufacturer name display area, 11...right end, 12...left end, 31...internal connection member, 32, 33...external connection member, 41...bottom plate, 42...side wall, 43...reinforcement part.

Claims

1. A nameplate attached to the outer surface of the battery pack, a first area displaying at least one of the date of manufacture and the lot number of the battery pack in text; a second area for displaying the mass of the battery pack in text; a third area displaying a two-dimensional code including at least one of a manufacturing date and a manufacturing lot number of the battery pack; A nameplate for a battery pack comprising:

2. A nameplate attached to the outer surface of the battery pack, a first area displaying at least one of the date of manufacture and the lot number of the battery pack in text; a second area for displaying the mass of the battery pack in text; a third area displaying a two-dimensional code including at least one of a manufacturing date and a manufacturing lot number of the battery pack and one or both of a model number of the battery pack; a fourth area displaying the model number in characters; A nameplate for a battery pack comprising:

3. The nameplate for a battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third area is located to the right of the third area.

4. The nameplate for a battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the third region is located between a row immediately above the third region and a row immediately below the third region.

5. 3. The nameplate for a battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the third region is closest to a right end of the nameplate compared to other indicia excluding the two-dimensional code.

6. The nameplate for a battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of characters included in the two-dimensional code is 34 or less.

7. 3. The nameplate for a battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the length of one side of the two-dimensional code is 11.99 mm or less.

8. A housing for a battery pack, the housing being for housing a plurality of batteries, and having the nameplate for a battery pack according to claim 1 or 2 attached to an outer surface thereof.

9. Multiple batteries and The housing according to claim 8; A battery pack comprising:

10. 10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of batteries are lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, or zinc-acid batteries.

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