Battery module

Abstract

To secure a cooling property of a battery cell when using a cooler which cools the battery cell from a terminal side.SOLUTION: A battery module comprises: a conductive member which electrically connects terminals of adjacent battery cells with each other; an insulative cooler which cools the terminal of the battery cell via the conductive member; and a heat transfer member which is interposed between the conductive member and the cooler and transfers heat of the terminal to the cooler. The conductive member includes a conduction side projecting part which is in surface-contact with the heat transfer member. The heat transfer member includes a heat transfer side projecting part protruding downward from a first heat dissipation part and a second heat dissipation part, and the heat transfer side projecting part and the conduction side projecting part are joined while being in surface-contact with each other. The heat transfer side projecting part includes a deformable portion which is S-shaped and deformable in a vertical direction, and the deformable portion is deformed so as to allow a displacement of a heat transfer part in the vertical direction in such a manner that the heat transfer part maintains the state in the surface-contact with the conduction side projecting part and the first heat dissipation part and the second heat dissipation part maintain the state of the surface-contact with the cooler.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that a cooling device for a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked is provided with a cooler that cools bus bars connected to terminals of the battery cells. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-009220 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, if the thickness of the battery cells changes due to expansion or contraction of the battery cells, the bus bars can deform and the terminals of the battery cells can be displaced in the stacking direction. However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the cooler does not deform or displace when the bus bars deform, so there is a risk that the bus bars will separate from the cooler due to bus bar deformation, which could reduce the cooling performance of the battery cells.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a battery module that can ensure cooling of battery cells when using a cooler that cools the battery cells from the terminal side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a stacked body in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a plate-shaped conductive member that electrically connects terminals of the battery cells that are adjacent in the stacking direction of the stacked body, an insulating cooler that is arranged above the conductive member and cools the terminals of the battery cells via the conductive member, and a heat transfer member that is interposed between the conductive member and the cooler and transfers heat from the terminals to the cooler, wherein the conductive member has a first connection portion that is connected to one of the terminals, a second connection portion that is connected to the other of the terminals, and conductive-side protrusions that connect between the first connection portion and the second connection portion and protrude upward from the first connection portion and the second connection portion to be in surface contact with the heat transfer member, and the heat transfer members each have a first connection portion that is connected to one of the terminals, a second connection portion that is connected to the other of the terminals, and a conductive-side protrusion that connects between the first connection portion and the second connection portion and protrudes ..., and and a heat transfer side convex portion that connects the first heat transfer portion and the second heat transfer portion and protrudes downward from the first heat transfer portion and the second heat transfer portion, the heat transfer side convex portion and the conductor side convex portion being joined in a state of surface contact, the heat transfer side convex portion including a heat transfer portion in surface contact with the conductor side convex portion, and a deformation portion that is formed in an S-shape between the heat transfer portion and the first heat transfer portion and between the heat transfer portion and the second heat transfer portion and is deformable in the up and down direction, the deformation portion deforms to allow vertical displacement of the heat transfer portion so as to maintain the heat transfer portion in surface contact with the conductor side convex portion and the first heat transfer portion and the second heat transfer portion in surface contact with the cooler. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the present invention, the cooling performance of the battery cells can be ensured when using a cooler that cools the battery cells from the terminal side. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery module according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery module as viewed from above. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure including a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4]FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure including a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a conductive member. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a heat transfer member. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a contact state between a conductive member and a heat transfer member. [Figure 8] (a) is a diagram illustrating a reference state in which the heat transfer member is not deformed, (b) is a diagram illustrating a first deformed state in which the heat transfer member is deformed, and (c) is a diagram illustrating a second deformed state in which the heat transfer member is deformed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described, although the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0010] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment. The battery module 1 includes a plurality of battery cells 2, a conductive member 3, a heat transfer member 4, and a cooler 5.

[0011] The battery module 1 is mounted on an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle equipped with the battery module 1 runs by supplying the electric power stored in the battery module 1 to the motor. The electric vehicle is equipped with a battery pack, which is composed of multiple battery modules 1. The battery modules 1 are housed inside the battery pack case.

[0012] The battery module 1 comprises a stack in which a plurality of battery cells 2 and a plurality of heat insulating materials are alternately arranged in the stacking direction. The stack is housed in a battery pack case in a state compressed in the stacking direction.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the battery module 1 includes first to sixth battery cells 2A to 2F. In the battery module 1, the first battery cell 2A, the second battery cell 2B, the third battery cell 2C, the fourth battery cell 2D, the fifth battery cell 2E, and the sixth battery cell 2F are arranged in this order from one side to the other in the stacking direction. Note that heat insulating materials are omitted from Fig. 1 etc.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the battery cell 2 includes a positive electrode terminal 11, a negative electrode terminal 12, a casing 13, a positive electrode 14, a negative electrode 15, and an electrolyte 16. The positive electrode terminal 11 and the negative electrode terminal 12 are terminals provided outside the casing 13 and protrude upward from the top of the casing 13. Inside the casing 13, the positive electrode 14 and the negative electrode 15, which are power generating elements, are stacked with a separator sandwiched between them. The positive electrode terminal 11 is electrically connected to the positive electrode 14 inside the casing 13. The negative electrode terminal 12 is electrically connected to the negative electrode 15 inside the casing 13. The casing 13 is sealed with the positive electrode 14, the negative electrode 15, the separator, and the electrolyte 16 housed inside. The positive electrode 14 includes a thin plate-shaped positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer. The negative electrode 15 includes a thin plate-shaped negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer. In this description, when there is no need to distinguish between the positive electrode terminal 11 and the negative electrode terminal 12, they may be simply referred to as terminals or battery cell 2 terminals.

[0015] The conductive members 3 are plate-shaped metal members that are connected to the terminals of the battery cells 2. The conductive members 3 are formed, for example, from bus bars. The conductive members 3 electrically connect the terminals of the battery cells 2 that are adjacent in the stacking direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive members 3 extend in the stacking direction while connected to the terminals of the battery cells 2. There are no particular restrictions on the method of connecting the conductive members 3 to the terminals of the battery cells 2. Possible connection methods include welding and bolt fastening. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conductive members 3 are formed in a shape that is larger in the width direction than the terminals of the battery cells 2. In this explanation, the width direction of the stack will simply be referred to as the width direction.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 5, the battery module 1 includes first to fifth conductive members 3A to 3E. The first conductive member 3A connects terminals arranged on one side in the width direction, electrically connecting the adjacent first battery cell 2A and second battery cell 2B. The first conductive member 3A is connected to the negative terminal of the first battery cell 2A and the positive terminal of the second battery cell 2B. The second conductive member 3B connects terminals arranged on the other side in the width direction, electrically connecting the adjacent second battery cell 2B and third battery cell 2C. The second conductive member 3B is connected to the negative terminal of the second battery cell 2B and the positive terminal of the third battery cell 2C. The third conductive member 3C connects terminals arranged on one side in the width direction, electrically connecting the adjacent third battery cell 2C and fourth battery cell 2D. The third conductive member 3C is connected to the negative terminal of the third battery cell 2C and the positive terminal of the fourth battery cell 2D. The fourth conductive member 3D connects terminals arranged on the other side in the width direction, electrically connecting the adjacent fourth battery cell 2D and fifth battery cell 2E. The fourth conductive member 3D is connected to the negative terminal of the fourth battery cell 2D and the positive terminal of the fifth battery cell 2E. The fifth conductive member 3E connects terminals arranged on one side in the width direction, electrically connecting the adjacent fifth battery cell 2E and sixth battery cell 2F. The fifth conductive member 3E is connected to the negative terminal of the fifth battery cell 2E and the positive terminal of the sixth battery cell 2F. In this way, for adjacent battery cells 2 in the stacking direction, the conductive member 3 electrically connects the negative terminal of the battery cell 2 on one side in the stacking direction to the positive terminal of the battery cell 2 on the other side in the stacking direction. In the battery module 1, multiple battery cells 2 are electrically connected in series. Note that the heat transfer member 4 and the cooler 5 are omitted from FIG. 5.

[0017] The heat transfer member 4 is a plate-shaped metal member that transfers heat from the terminals of the battery cells 2 to the cooler 5. The heat transfer member 4 is disposed above the battery cells 2 and is interposed between the conductive member 3 and the cooler 5. The heat transfer member 4 is in surface contact with the conductive member 3 and also with the cooler 5. The heat transfer member 4 is structured to be deformable in both the stacking direction and the vertical direction. For example, the heat transfer member 4 has a structure in which metal foils are stacked. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat transfer member 4 extends in the stacking direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, two heat transfer members 4 are provided for each conductive member 3, aligned in the width direction of the laminate. One conductive member 3 connects one negative electrode terminal 12 and one positive electrode terminal 11. Heat from the negative electrode terminal 12 is transferred to the two heat transfer members 4 via one conductive member 3. Heat from the positive electrode terminal 11 is transferred to the two heat transfer members 4 via one conductive member 3.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 6, the battery module 1 includes first to tenth heat transfer members 4A to 4J. The first heat transfer member 4A and the second heat transfer member 4B are in surface contact with the first conductive member 3A. The first heat transfer member 4A is disposed on the outer side in the width direction, and the second heat transfer member 4B is disposed on the inner side in the width direction. The third heat transfer member 4C and the fourth heat transfer member 4D are in surface contact with the second conductive member 3B. The third heat transfer member 4C is disposed on the inner side in the width direction, and the fourth heat transfer member 4D is disposed on the outer side in the width direction. The fifth heat transfer member 4E and the sixth heat transfer member 4F are in surface contact with the third conductive member 3C. The fifth heat transfer member 4E is disposed on the outer side in the width direction, and the sixth heat transfer member 4F is disposed on the inner side in the width direction. The seventh heat transfer member 4G and the eighth heat transfer member 4H are in surface contact with the fourth conductive member 3D. The seventh heat transfer member 4G is disposed on the inner side in the width direction, and the eighth heat transfer member 4H is disposed on the outer side in the width direction. A ninth heat transfer member 4I and a tenth heat transfer member 4J are in surface contact with the fifth electrically conductive member 3E. The ninth heat transfer member 4I is disposed on the outer side in the width direction, and the tenth heat transfer member 4J is disposed on the inner side in the width direction.

[0019] The cooler 5 cools the terminals of the battery cells 2 via the conductive members 3. The cooler 5 is a cooler for cooling the battery cells 2 from the terminal side. The cooler 5 cools the conductive members 3 via the heat transfer members 4. The cooler 5 is placed above the conductive members 3 and extends along the stacking direction. The cooler 5 is a fixed member. For example, the cooler 5 is fixed to the case of the battery pack. A coolant flows inside the cooler 5. The coolant flows inside the cooler 5 in the stacking direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the battery module 1 includes first to fourth coolers 5A to 5D. In the battery module 1, the first cooler 5A, second cooler 5B, third cooler 5C, and fourth cooler 5D are arranged in this order from one side to the other in the width direction. The first cooler 5A and second cooler 5B are arranged above the first conductive member 3A, the third conductive member 3C, and the fifth conductive member 3E. The first cooler 5A is arranged on the outer side in the width direction, and the second cooler 5B is arranged on the inner side in the width direction. The first cooler 5A and second cooler 5B cool the terminals arranged on one side in the width direction and also cool the first conductive member 3A, the third conductive member 3C, and the fifth conductive member 3E. The third cooler 5C and fourth cooler 5D are arranged above the second conductive member 3B and the fourth conductive member 3D. The third cooler 5C is arranged on the inner side in the width direction, and the fourth cooler 5D is arranged on the outer side in the width direction. The third cooler 5C and the fourth cooler 5D cool the terminals arranged on the other side in the width direction, and also cool the second conductive member 3B and the fourth conductive member 3D.

[0021] The cooler 5 is included in a cooling system that cools the battery cells 2 housed inside the battery pack case. A known example of this cooling system is a bottom cooler, which is placed below the battery cells 2 and cools them from the underside of the battery cells 2. However, a bottom cooler cannot directly cool the terminals of the battery cells 2. The terminals of the battery cells 2 are in metallic contact with the current collectors (electrodes) inside the housing 13. The current collectors of the battery cells 2 are heat-generating parts. Therefore, the battery module 1 is equipped with a cooler 5 to directly cool the terminals of the battery cells 2. In the battery module 1, the cooler 5 supplies cold heat to the terminals of the battery cells 2 and the conductive members 3 via the heat transfer members 4. The heat from the terminals of the battery cells 2 is transferred to the cooler 5 via the conductive members 3 and the heat transfer members 4. The temperature of the electrodes (current collectors) near the terminals inside the battery cells 2 can be reduced, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the battery cells 2. This increases the allowable current value of the battery cells 2 and improves the output of the battery cells 2. Furthermore, the battery module 1 is configured to ensure cooling of the battery cells 2 when the cooler 5 is used to cool the battery cells 2 from the terminal side of the battery cells 2.

[0022] Specifically, the battery module 1 is configured to ensure connectivity between the conductive member 3 and the heat transfer member 4 so that the heat transfer path from the terminal of the battery cell 2 via the conductive member 3 and the heat transfer member 4 to the cooler 5 is not blocked.

[0023] The conductive member 3 has a first connection portion 31, a second connection portion 32, and a conductive-side protrusion 33. The first connection portion 31 and the second connection portion 32 are connection portions that are connected to the terminals of the battery cells 2. The first connection portion 31 is connected to the terminal of one of the adjacent battery cells 2. The second connection portion 32 is connected to the terminal of the other of the adjacent battery cells 2. The first connection portion 31 is connected to one of the terminals aligned in the stacking direction, and the second connection portion 32 is connected to the other of the terminals aligned in the stacking direction. The first connection portion 31 is connected to the negative terminal of the battery cell 2 on one side in the stacking direction, and the second connection portion 32 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery cell 2 on the other side in the stacking direction.

[0024] The conductor-side protrusion 33 is an intermediate portion that connects the first connection portion 31 and the second connection portion 32. The conductor-side protrusion 33 protrudes upward from the first connection portion 31 and the second connection portion 32. The conductor-side protrusion 33 includes a portion that comes into surface contact with the heat transfer member 4. The conductor-side protrusion 33 deforms to allow displacement of the first connection portion 31 and the second connection portion 32 in the stacking direction, and also deforms to allow the portion that comes into surface contact with the heat transfer member 4 to displace in the up-and-down direction relative to the first connection portion 31 and the second connection portion 32.

[0025] The conductor-side convex portion 33 includes a flat portion 33a, a first inclined portion 33b, and a second inclined portion 33c. The flat portion 33a extends along the stacking direction and is in surface contact with the heat transfer member 4. The first inclined portion 33b is inclined with respect to the stacking direction between the first connecting portion 31 and the flat portion 33a. The second inclined portion 33c is inclined with respect to the stacking direction between the second connecting portion 32 and the flat portion 33a.

[0026] The heat transfer member 4 has a first heat dissipation portion 41, a second heat dissipation portion 42, and a heat transfer side protrusion 43. The first heat dissipation portion 41 and the second heat dissipation portion 42 are in surface contact with the cooler 5 at different positions in the stacking direction. The first heat dissipation portion 41 is in surface contact with the cooler 5 on one side in the stacking direction. The second heat dissipation portion 42 is in surface contact with the cooler 5 on the other side in the stacking direction of the first heat dissipation portion 41. The first heat dissipation portion 41 and the second heat dissipation portion 42 are fixed to the cooler 5. For example, the first heat dissipation portion 41 is joined to the cooler 5 at a position on one side in the stacking direction of the heat transfer side protrusion 43. The second heat dissipation portion 42 is joined to the cooler 5 at a position on the other side in the stacking direction of the heat transfer side protrusion 43.

[0027] The heat-transfer-side convex portion 43 is an intermediate portion that connects the first heat-dissipating portion 41 and the second heat-dissipating portion 42. The heat-transfer-side convex portion 43 protrudes downward from the first heat-dissipating portion 41 and the second heat-dissipating portion 42. The heat-transfer-side convex portion 43 includes a heat-transfer portion 43a, a first deformation portion 43b, and a second deformation portion 43c.

[0028] The heat transfer portion 43a is a portion that comes into surface contact with the conductor-side convex portion 33. The heat transfer portion 43a is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the stacking direction. The first deformation portion 43b is formed in an S-shape between the heat transfer portion 43a and the first heat dissipation portion 41. The second deformation portion 43c is formed in an S-shape between the heat transfer portion 43a and the second heat dissipation portion 42. The first deformation portion 43b and the second deformation portion 43c are deformable in the stacking direction and also in the vertical direction. The first deformation portion 43b and the second deformation portion 43c deform to allow vertical displacement of the heat transfer portion 43a so that the heat transfer portion 43a remains in surface contact with the upper surface of the flat plate portion 33a of the conductor-side convex portion 33 and the first heat dissipation portion 41 and the second heat dissipation portion 42 remain in surface contact with the lower surface of the cooler 5.

[0029] The heat-transfer-side convex portion 43 and the conductor-side convex portion 33 are joined in a surface-to-surface contact state. The heat-transfer-side convex portion 43 and the conductor-side convex portion 33 are joined by welding or the like. When the conductor-side convex portion 33 deforms, the first deformation portion 43b and the second deformation portion 43c deform so that the vertical position of the heat-transfer portion 43a is displaced in accordance with changes in the load applied from the conductive member 3. In the battery module 1, when the conductor-side convex portion 33 deforms, the first deformation portion 43b and the second deformation portion 43c deform so as to follow the deformation.

[0030] As shown in Figure 8(a), in the reference state where the conductive member 3 is not deformed, the heat transfer member 4 is not deformed. In the reference state, the length of the conductive member 3 in the stacking direction is L, and the length of the heat transfer member 4 in the vertical direction is h. When transitioning from the reference state to the deformed state, as shown in Figures 8(b) and (c), the heat transfer member 4 deforms in accordance with the deformation of the conductive member 3. Note that in both the reference state and the deformed state, the vertical distance H between the terminals of the battery cell 2 and the cooler 5 remains unchanged.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 8(b), in a first deformed state in which the first connection portion 31 and the second connection portion 32 of the conductive member 3 are deformed to extend in the stacking direction, the heat transfer member 4 is deformed to extend downward. When the battery cells 2 expand in the stacking direction, the conductive member 3 deforms to allow the terminals of the battery cells 2 to displace in the stacking direction. This deformation makes the length of the conductive member 3 in the stacking direction longer than L. When the conductive member 3 deforms to extend in the stacking direction, the flat portion 33a displaces downward. Because the heat transfer member 4 is joined to the conductive member 3, the downward displacement of the flat portion 33a causes the heat transfer portion 43a to displace downward. The first deformed portion 43b and the second deformed portion 43c deform to extend in the vertical direction and contract in the stacking direction. This deformation causes the vertical length of the heat transfer member 4 to h1, which is longer than h.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 8(c), in the second deformed state in which the first connection portion 31 and the second connection portion 32 of the conductive member 3 are deformed so as to shrink in the stacking direction, the heat transfer member 4 is deformed so as to shrink upward. When the battery cells 2 shrink in the stacking direction, the conductive member 3 deforms to allow the terminals of the battery cells 2 to displace in the stacking direction. This deformation makes the length of the conductive member 3 in the stacking direction shorter than L. When the conductive member 3 deforms so as to shrink in the stacking direction, the flat portion 33a displaces upward. Because the heat transfer member 4 is joined to the conductive member 3, the heat transfer portion 43a displaces upward as the flat portion 33a displaces upward. The first deformed portion 43b and the second deformed portion 43c shrink in the vertical direction and deform so as to bend and extend in the stacking direction. This deformation makes the vertical length of the heat transfer member 4 h2, which is shorter than h.

[0033] When the conductive member 3 deforms in this way, the heat transfer member 4 deforms accordingly, so the heat path from the terminal of the battery cell 2 through the conductive member 3 and the heat transfer member 4 to the cooler 5 remains connected. As shown in Figure 2, the high temperature area inside the battery cell 2 moves from position P1 close to the terminal to a lower position P. Position P1 is the position of the high temperature area in the structure of the comparative example.

[0034] The comparative example has a structure in which cooling by the cooler 5 is not performed from the terminal side of the battery cell 2, and is provided with only a bottom cooler that cools the battery cell 2 from the underside of the battery cell 2. With only a bottom cooler as in the comparative example, heat is dissipated from the underside of the casing 13 of the battery cell 2, so the current collector near the terminal becomes hot at position P1. In this case, the output of the battery cell 2 is limited.

[0035] The battery module 1 is structured so that cooling is performed by the cooler 5 from the terminal side of the battery cells 2. In this case, heat from the terminals of the battery cells 2 is transferred to the cooler 5 via the heat transfer member 4, and the temperature of the current collectors near the terminals inside the battery cells 2 on the terminal side of the battery cells 2 drops.

[0036] As described above, according to the embodiment, it is possible to ensure connectivity between the conductive members 3 and the heat transfer members 4, and therefore it is possible to ensure cooling of the battery cells 2 using the cooler 5. Cold heat can be supplied to the battery cells 2 and the conductive members 3 by the cooler 5 via the heat transfer members 4. This makes it possible to suppress temperature rise in the battery cells 2 and increase the current draw.

[0037] Note that the battery module 1 does not necessarily have to include four coolers 5. If heat is sufficiently dissipated from the terminal side of the battery cells 2, a structure in which one heat path is provided for each terminal, or a structure in which a heat path is provided for only one terminal, is also acceptable. A structure in which one heat path is provided for each terminal is, for example, a structure in which the terminals of the battery cells 2 are cooled by two coolers 5 including a first cooler 5A and a fourth cooler 5D. A structure in which a heat path is provided for only one terminal is, for example, a structure in which the terminals of the battery cells 2 are cooled by a single cooler 5 including only the fourth cooler 5D. These structures make it possible to provide a cooler 5 that is simpler and lighter.

[0038] The battery module 1 may also include a bottom cooler below the battery cells 2. The bottom cooler cools the battery cells 2 from the underside. For example, the bottom cooler may be arranged below the battery cells 2 and include a heat transfer member interposed between the bottom cooler and the underside of the housing 13. The bottom cooler is installed inside the battery pack case. In this case, the battery cells 2 are cooled from the terminal side by the cooler 5 arranged above the battery cells 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the current collectors become hot at position P, and the high-temperature portion is located lower than in the comparative example. Therefore, when the battery module 1 has a structure including a bottom cooler, position P on the bottom side becomes a high-temperature portion, and this high-temperature portion can be more easily cooled by the bottom cooler. The cooler 5 and the bottom cooler can improve the cooling efficiency of the battery cells 2. The battery cells 2 may be battery cells containing a solid electrolyte. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Battery Module 2 battery cells 3 Conductive materials 4 Heat transfer materials 5 Cooler 11 Positive terminal 12 Negative terminal 13. Cabinet 31 First connection part 32 Second connection part 33 Conductive side convex part 33a Flat plate part 33b 1st slope part 33c 2nd slope 41 1st heat dissipation section 42 Second heat dissipation section 43 Heat transfer side convex part 43a Heat transfer section 43b First deformation section 43c Second deformation section

Claims

1. a stacked body in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a plate-shaped conductive member that electrically connects terminals of the battery cells that are adjacent in the stacking direction of the stack; an insulating cooler disposed above the conductive member and configured to cool the terminals of the battery cells via the conductive member; a heat transfer member interposed between the conductive member and the cooler and configured to transfer heat from the terminal to the cooler; Equipped with The conductive member is a first connection portion connected to one of the terminals; a second connection portion connected to the other of the terminals; a conductive-side protrusion that connects the first connection portion and the second connection portion, protrudes upward from the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and comes into surface contact with the heat transfer member, The heat transfer member is a first heat dissipation portion and a second heat dissipation portion that are in surface contact with the cooler at different positions in the stacking direction; a heat transfer side protrusion that connects the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion and protrudes downward from the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion, the heat transfer side convex portion and the electric conductor side convex portion are joined in a surface contact state, The heat transfer side convex portion is a heat transfer portion that is in surface contact with the conductive side protrusion; a deformation portion formed in an S-shape between the heat transfer portion and the first heat radiation portion and between the heat transfer portion and the second heat radiation portion, the deformation portion being deformable in an up-down direction; The deformation portion deforms to allow vertical displacement of the heat transfer portion so as to maintain a state in which the heat transfer portion is in surface contact with the conductor-side convex portion and a state in which the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion are in surface contact with the cooler. A battery module characterized by:

2. the conductor-side convex portion deforms to allow displacement of the first connection portion and the second connection portion in the stacking direction, and also deforms to allow a portion that comes into surface contact with the heat transfer member to displace in an up-and-down direction relative to the first connection portion and the second connection portion, The deformation portion deforms so that the vertical position of the heat transfer portion is displaced in accordance with a change in the load applied from the conductive member when the conductive-side convex portion is deformed. The battery module according to claim 1 .

3. The conductive side convex portion is a flat plate portion extending along the stacking direction and in surface contact with the heat transfer member; a first inclined portion inclined with respect to the stacking direction between the first connection portion and the flat plate portion; a second inclined portion inclined with respect to the stacking direction between the second connection portion and the flat plate portion, The battery module according to claim 2 .

4. The cooler extends in the stacking direction, the first heat dissipation portion is joined to the cooler on one side of the heat transfer side protrusion in the stacking direction, The second heat dissipation portion is joined to the cooler on the other side of the heat transfer side protrusion in the stacking direction. The battery module according to claim 3 .

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