Connector with temperature control function and resin battery module

Abstract

To provide a connector with a temperature control function excellent in insulation and heat dissipation.SOLUTION: The connector with a temperature regulating function is provided with a bus bar and a temperature regulating tube for regulating the temperature of the bus bar, and a cured product of an epoxy resin composition is filled between the bus bar and the temperature regulating tube, wherein the epoxy resin composition contains an epoxy resin and an inorganic filler, and when the thermal conductivity of the cured product of the epoxy resin composition is R (W / m·K) and the gap between the bus bar and the temperature regulating tube is D (μm), R / D satisfies 1.0 * 10-1 or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector with a temperature control function and a resin battery module. [Background technology]

[0002] Various developments have been made in battery modules. Patent Document 1, for example, describes a known technology of this type. Patent Document 1 describes a battery module including: a cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells, each of which has a positive electrode lead, a negative electrode lead, and at least one of a sensing negative electrode lead and a sensing positive electrode lead; a busbar assembly including a plurality of connection busbars electrically connected to one of the positive electrode leads and the negative electrode leads, a plurality of sensing busbars electrically connected to the sensing negative electrode leads or the sensing positive electrode leads, and a plurality of busbar frames each including a connection housing portion to which the connection busbars are attached and a sensing housing portion to which the sensing busbars are attached; and a sensing assembly including a circuit board electrically connected to the connection busbars and the sensing busbars, and a sensing frame attached to the front surface of the busbar assembly and having a board-embedded portion for housing the circuit board therein (see, for example, the abstract of Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2020-523766 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, as a result of investigations by the present inventors, it has been found that the bus bar accommodating portion described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of insulation and heat dissipation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] After further investigation, the inventors found that a temperature-regulating connector with excellent insulation and heat dissipation properties can be achieved by using an index of "thermal conductivity / gap width," which is calculated by using the width of the gap between the bus bar and the temperature-regulating tube and the thermal conductivity of the cured product of the epoxy resin composition formed in the gap, and by appropriately controlling this index, which led to the completion of the present invention.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, the following temperature-regulating connector and resin battery module are provided. 1. A connector with temperature control function, comprising a bus bar and a temperature control pipe for controlling the temperature of the bus bar, and wherein a cured product of an epoxy resin composition is filled between the bus bar and the temperature control pipe, The epoxy resin composition comprises Epoxy resin, an inorganic filler, When the thermal conductivity of the cured product of the epoxy resin composition is R (W / m K) and the gap between the bus bar and the temperature control pipe is D (μm), R / D is 1.0×10 -1 configured to satisfy the following: Connector with temperature control function. 2. The temperature-regulating connector according to 1., The R / D is 1.0 x 10 -3 A temperature-controlled connector configured to satisfy the above requirements. 3. The temperature-regulating connector according to 1. or 2., A connector with temperature control function, wherein D is 100 or more and 300 or less. 4. The temperature-regulating connector according to any one of 1. to 3., A temperature-regulating connector, wherein the inorganic filler in the epoxy resin composition contains one or more selected from the group consisting of silica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, alumina, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, and magnesium oxide. 5. The connector with temperature control function according to any one of 1. to 4., A temperature-controlling connector, wherein D50 of the inorganic filler is 10 μm or more and 150 μm or less, when D50 is the particle diameter at which the cumulative volume from the small particle side reaches 50% in a volume frequency particle size distribution measured by a laser diffraction scattering method. 6. The connector with temperature control function according to any one of 1. to 5., A connector with temperature control function, wherein the temperature control tube is made of metal. 7. A temperature-regulating connector according to any one of 1. to 6., a plurality of battery cells having battery cell terminals; A battery module comprising: The bus bar in the temperature-regulating connector is electrically connected to the battery cell terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells and the circuit board. 8. The resin battery module according to 7., The resin battery module, wherein the bus bar has a bent structure along a surface of the temperature control pipe. 9. A resin battery module according to 7. or 8., A resin battery module comprising an insulating covering member that covers at least a portion of the surface of the temperature control pipe. 10. The resin battery module according to 9., The resin battery module, wherein the insulating covering member includes insulating paper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a connector with a temperature control function that is excellent in insulation properties and heat dissipation properties, and a resin battery module including the same are provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a resin battery module according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a configuration of a stacked structure of multiple battery cells according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a temperature-regulating connector according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a resin battery module according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a configuration of a stacked structure of multiple battery cells according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a temperature-regulating connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of each component according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic diagrams and do not correspond to actual dimensional proportions.

[0010] The resin battery module and the connector with temperature control function of this embodiment will be described.

[0011] 1 and 4 are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view, respectively, that schematically show an example of a resin battery module (battery module 100) according to this embodiment. 3 and 6 are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view, respectively, that schematically show an example of a connector with temperature control function according to this embodiment.

[0012] The battery module 100 in FIGS. 1 and 4 includes a plurality of battery cells 10, a circuit board 20, and a temperature-regulating connector 30 including a bus bar 31. In the battery module 100 , the bus bar 31 in the temperature-regulating connector 30 has a structure in which the bus bar 31 is electrically connected to the battery cell terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells 10 and the circuit board 20 .

[0013] The connector with temperature control function 30 of Figures 3 and 6 includes a bus bar 31 and a temperature control pipe 32 that controls the temperature of the bus bar 31, and includes a cured product of an epoxy resin composition (resin sealing member 33) filled between the bus bar 31 and the temperature control pipe 32.

[0014] In the temperature-regulating connector 30 of this embodiment, when the thermal conductivity of the cured product of the epoxy resin composition is R (W / m·K) and the gap between the bus bar 31 and the temperature-regulating pipe 32 is D (μm), R / D is 1.0×10 -1 The temperature control connector 30 is configured to satisfy the following: As a result, in the thin-walled region between the bus bar 31 and the temperature control pipe 32, a balance between insulation and heat dissipation can be achieved.

[0015] The upper limit of R / D is 1.0×10 -1 Less than or equal to 9.0 x 10 -2 Less than or equal to 8.0 × 10 -2 This improves the filling efficiency of the resin sealing member 33. This makes it possible to achieve excellent insulation and heat dissipation in the thin region.

[0016] On the other hand, the lower limit of R / D is, for example, 1.0×10 -3 or more, preferably 5.0 x 10 -3 More preferably, 5.0 × 10 -3 This makes it possible to improve the reliability of the product.

[0017] As a result of the investigations conducted by the present inventors, the following findings were obtained. Using the epoxy resin composition described below, a connector with temperature control function 30 as shown in Figure 6(a) could be formed by low-pressure transfer molding at 10 MPa or less, filling the gap between the bus bar 31 and the temperature control pipe 32 while sealing them together. It was also confirmed that deformation of the temperature control pipe 32 could be suppressed during molding, and that the gap between the bus bar 31 and the temperature control pipe 32 was entirely filled with resin sealing member 33, which is a cured product of the epoxy resin composition.

[0018] Furthermore, using the temperature-controlled connector 30 formed above, conditions of R = 3, 5, 14 (W / m·K) and D = 0.1 to 0.3 mm were adopted, and R / D = 0.01 to 0.07 (W / mm 2 Thermal simulations were performed in the range of K. In Case 1, a thermal simulation was carried out for cooling during charging, in which cooling water (temperature control medium) with an initial temperature of 30°C and a liquid temperature of 10°C was supplied to the temperature control pipe 32. The simulation results for Case 1 showed that within the above R / D range, the cooling performance (heat dissipation) to maintain a uniform temperature inside the module exhibited practical performance. In Case 2, a thermal simulation was carried out to preheat the cells before a cold start, in which hot water (temperature control medium) with an initial temperature of -10°C and a liquid temperature of 45°C was supplied into the temperature control pipe 32. The simulation results for Case 2 showed that within the above R / D range, the heating performance (heat dissipation) to maintain a uniform temperature inside the module exhibited practical performance. In both cases 1 and 2, conduction between the bus bar 31 and the temperature control pipe 32 is suppressed, and it is shown that the insulation also reaches a practical value.

[0019] An example of an epoxy resin composition used in the thermal simulation contains, based on 100 mass of solid content, 1 mass % to 15 mass % of thermosetting resin (A), 80 mass % to 95 mass % of inorganic filler (B), and 0.05 mass % to 15 mass % of curing agent (C) for thermosetting resin (A), and may also contain, as necessary, at least one of a curing accelerator (D), a coupling agent (E), a mold release agent, a stress reducing agent, an ion scavenger, etc. An example of the thermosetting resin (A) includes at least one or more of a cresol novolac type epoxy resin, a trisphenylmethane type epoxy resin, and a bisphenol A type epoxy resin. An example of the inorganic filler (B) includes at least one or more of fused spherical silica, crystalline silica, and spherical alumina. An example of the curing agent (C) includes a phenol novolac resin, and an example of the curing accelerator (D) may include an imidazole-based curing accelerator. The thermal conductivity of the cured product of the epoxy resin composition can be controlled by appropriately selecting the type and amount of each component, the production method, etc. Among these, factors for adjusting the thermal conductivity to a desired range include, but are not limited to, using a predetermined type of epoxy resin and using a predetermined amount and type of inorganic filler.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, in a cross section passing through bus bar 31 and temperature control pipe 32, the minimum width of the gap between bus bar 31 and temperature control pipe 32 is defined as D (μm). The upper limit of D (the minimum width of the gap) is, for example, not more than 300, preferably not more than 250, and more preferably not more than 200. This results in a structure with even better heat dissipation properties. On the other hand, the lower limit of D (the minimum width of the gap) is, for example, 100 or more, preferably 120 or more, and more preferably 150 or more. This can further improve the insulating properties.

[0021] In this embodiment, the battery module 100 equipped with the temperature-regulating connector 30 can be used for a variety of purposes, including, for example, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric motorcycles, and other vehicles, as well as power equipment used in homes, factories, and the like.

[0022] Each component of the battery module 100 will be described below.

[0023] (Module case: end plate, side plate) The battery module 100 has a plurality of battery cells 10 housed in a housing space in a module case. The plurality of battery cells 10 in the module case are arranged along the cell arrangement direction (one direction) shown in Fig. 1 so that the side surfaces of the cells with the largest surface areas overlap each other.

[0024] The module case may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped structure from the viewpoint of saving space when installing multiple battery modules 100. At least two of the six faces of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped plate assembly may be formed by plate assemblies assembled from multiple plate members. However, one or two of the six faces may not have plate members that form the module case. Furthermore, each plate member constituting the plate assembly has a plate-like structure as a main component, but may have a connecting structure in part for connecting to other members.

[0025] The module case of FIG. 1 is a plate assembly having a frame structure, assembled from a pair of end plates 60 and a pair of side plates 70. Specifically, the pair of end plates 60a, 60b are provided on the side surfaces of both ends of the plurality of battery cells 10 arranged in the cell arrangement direction. The pair of side plates 70a, 70b are coupled to the pair of end plates 60a, 60b to form an enclosure structure (plate assembly having a frame structure) that houses the plurality of battery cells 10.

[0026] In this specification, in a battery module 100 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped structure, when the cell arrangement direction of the battery cells 10 is defined as the X-axis direction, the remaining two directions are defined as the Y-direction, the longitudinal direction of the battery module 100, and the Z-direction, the lateral direction of the battery module 100. In this case, the installation surface of the end plate 60 is the YZ plane, and the installation surface of the side plate 70 is the XZ plane.

[0027] In this embodiment, at least one of the pair of end plates 60a, 60b, and preferably both, is made of a cured product of a thermosetting resin composition or a known material. In the battery module 100 , a fire-resistant plate 50 and a pair of end plates 60 function as protective plates 40 disposed on the sides of the battery cells 10 .

[0028] In another embodiment, the pair of end plates 60 may include a cured product of a thermosetting resin composition, or may include a material other than the thermosetting resin composition, such as a component made of a composite material of this cured product and a metal material.

[0029] (fireproof plate) 2 and 5 are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view, respectively, that schematically show an example of a stack structure of multiple battery cells according to this embodiment.

[0030] The entire arrangement structure in which a plurality of battery cells 10 are arranged in a cell arrangement direction inside the battery module 100 is referred to as a battery cell assembly 11. In this battery cell assembly 11, a fire-resistant plate 50 is disposed between at least one pair of adjacent battery cells 10. That is, each battery cell 10 of the battery cell assembly 11 is housed in one of a plurality of housing spaces partitioned by the fire-resistant plate 50. Partitioning the housing spaces improves the fire prevention structure.

[0031] The fire-resistant plate 50 divides the storage space in the YZ directions of the battery cell 10, and can divide the storage space in the XZ direction by covering at least one of the upper and lower surfaces in the XZ plane of the battery cell 10. In this way, by assembling a plurality of fire-resistant plates 50, a fire-resistant housing 51 having a storage space for accommodating at least one battery cell 10 can be configured.

[0032] Specifically, the fireproof casing 51 has a structure that surrounds each battery cell 10 or a plurality of battery cells 10. The fireproof casing 51 may surround two, three, or four sides of the battery cell 10 on which no battery cell terminals are formed.

[0033] The fire-resistant casing 51 in FIG. 2 is composed of, for example, fire-resistant plates 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. The fire-resistant plates 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d may be composed of separate, assemblable members, or at least some of these may be composed of the same member. The fire-resistant casing 51 composed of the same member is formed by collectively molding the fire-resistant plates using a molding material according to a predetermined molding method to form a molded product having various structures, such as a bent structure. For example, using the example of FIG. 5(a), the fire-resistant plates 50a, 50b, and 50c may be individually molded together to form a single molded product having a U-shaped structure.

[0034] In the fireproof casing 51 shown in FIG. 5(a), the fireproof plates 50a, 50b, and 50c are configured with a member A having a U-shaped structure. In this case, the multiple fireproof casings 51 can be connected to each other, and may be connected in multiples in the cell arrangement direction. In a structure in which multiple fireproof casings 51 are connected, the fireproof plate 50b located between adjacent storage spaces may be shared, as shown in FIG. 5(b). The multiple connected fireproof casings 51 in FIG. 2 show a structure in which the multiple connected fireproof casings 51 surround four sides of the battery cell 10, in the YZ plane and the XY plane.

[0035] In another embodiment, two large-area, plate-like fire-resistant plates 50a and 50c may be arranged opposite each other and separated by a plurality of fire-resistant plates 50b and 50d, thereby forming a plurality of storage spaces in the fire-resistant casing 51. Alternatively, the fire-resistant casing 51 may further include, in addition to the member A, a fire-resistant plate 50d which serves as a plate-like member B that can be attached to the member A.

[0036] The thickness of the fire-resistant plate 50 is, for example, 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, and more preferably 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. By setting the thickness within this range, a balance between thinness and lightness and fire spread prevention performance can be achieved.

[0037] The storage space of the fireproof housing 51 is required to accommodate at least one battery cell 10, and from the viewpoint of balancing space saving and fire prevention structure, a stack of two or more battery cells 10, i.e., a battery cell assembly 11, may also be accommodated.

[0038] Furthermore, various sensors such as a temperature sensor may be installed on the outermost layer in the cell arrangement direction of the fire-resistant casing 51. For example, the temperature sensor is connected via wiring to a circuit board 20 installed on the surface of the end plate 60b. This allows temperature management of the battery cells 10 inside the fire-resistant plate 50.

[0039] In this embodiment, the fire-resistant plate 50 is made of a cured product of a thermosetting resin composition, which will be described in detail later. By constructing the fire-resistant plate 50 arranged between the multiple battery cells 10 from a cured product of a thermosetting resin composition, heat resistance is improved compared to when a thermoplastic resin plate is used. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in rigidity when heated. In addition, because the plate is insoluble and non-meltable compared to when a thermoplastic resin plate is used, fire spread prevention is improved. On the other hand, the heat insulating property and the insulation property can be improved compared to when a metal plate is used, and weight can be reduced. In a battery pack equipped with a plurality of such battery modules 100, a structure excellent in preventing the spread of fire can be realized.

[0040] The thermosetting resin composition is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin composition containing a thermosetting resin, but is preferably, for example, a composition containing at least one of a phenolic resin, an unsaturated polyester, a diallyl phthalate resin, and an epoxy resin. Among these, a thermosetting resin composition containing at least a phenolic resin is used from the viewpoint of heat resistance.

[0041] Using a thermosetting resin composition and an appropriate mold, a molded product (fire-resistant plate 50, end plate 60, or side plate 70) can be produced by a molding method such as transfer molding, compression molding, or injection molding.

[0042] (battery cell) The battery cell 10 is a secondary battery formed by housing a sheet laminate in which one or more positive electrode sheets and one or more negative electrode sheets are separated by a separator inside an exterior material. The battery cell 10 is a secondary battery having any of a pouch type, a square type, and a cylindrical type (can type) structure. Prismatic and cylindrical secondary batteries are made by winding a sheet laminate and enclosing it in a rectangular or cylindrical container (exterior material). Pouch-type secondary batteries are made by enclosing a sheet laminate in a pouch (exterior material) without winding it in a stacked state. Among these, from the viewpoint of reducing the space required for placement, it is preferable that the battery cell 10 be either a pouch-type or prismatic-type.

[0043] Examples of secondary batteries include lithium secondary batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. Among these, it is preferable to use a secondary battery containing at least one of lithium and nickel. An example of a lithium secondary battery may have a positive electrode containing a lithium-based oxide and a negative electrode containing a carbon material.

[0044] Each of the plurality of battery cells 10 has a positive lead and a negative lead battery cell terminal (not shown). The pouch-type battery cell 10 has a structure in which a tab-shaped positive electrode lead (positive electrode tab) and a tab-shaped negative electrode lead (negative electrode tab) are pulled out to the outside of the exterior packaging material. As an example of the pouch-type battery cell 10, a bidirectional battery cell in which the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead are pulled out in opposite directions from one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the cell may be used.

[0045] (busbar) The bus bar 31 is electrically connected to the battery cell terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells 10. A known method can be used to electrically connect the battery cell terminals and the bus bar 31, and examples of such methods include welding, pressure welding, and the like, for joining the battery cell terminals to the bus bar 31. Furthermore, to electrically connect multiple battery cells 10 in parallel, battery cell terminals of the same polarity are interconnected, and to electrically connect multiple battery cells 10 in series, battery cell terminals of different polarities are interconnected.

[0046] The bus bar 31 may be made of a metal material having high electrical conductivity, such as copper, aluminum, nickel, gold, or an alloy containing two or more of these metals. The bus bar 31 may be made up of one member, or may be made up of multiple members.

[0047] Furthermore, the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead in the battery cell 10 may each be made of the same type of material as the portion of the bus bar 31 to which they are connected. The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be made of the same material, or may be made of different materials. For example, if the materials are different, a positive electrode lead made of aluminum and a negative electrode lead made of copper may be used.

[0048] The wiring portion of the bus bar 31 is housed in the module case together with the plurality of battery cells 10. The end portion (terminal portion) of the bus bar 31 is exposed to the outside through the end plate 60b and is electrically connected to the circuit board 20.

[0049] (circuit board) The circuit board 20 has a structure for electrically connecting to the bus bar 31, and can be connected to a plurality of battery cells 1 via the bus bar 31. The circuit board 20 may include a circuit (BMS circuit) that detects or controls the voltage and current of the plurality of battery cells 10, as well as the temperature of the temperature control pipes and the temperature control medium in the temperature control pipes for temperature control of the battery cells 10. The circuit board 20 may be provided outside the module case, and in FIG. 4, it is installed on the outer surface of the end plate 60a.

[0050] (Temperature-controlled connector) The connector 30 with temperature control function has a temperature control function for the bus bar 31. The temperature control function is not particularly limited as long as it employs a known temperature control method. In other words, the connector 30 with temperature control function not only cools the battery cells 10 to prevent the temperature from becoming too high, but also heats the battery cells 10 for a cold start in cold regions. For example, when starting to use the battery module 100 in a low-temperature environment of -10°C, the connector 30 can heat the battery cells 10 to 0°C or higher.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the connector 30 with temperature control function comprises a bus bar 31, a temperature control pipe 32 that controls the temperature of the bus bar 31, and a resin sealing member 33 that includes at least a filling portion filled between the bus bar 31 and the temperature control pipe 32.

[0052] The temperature control pipe 32 has a pipe structure through which a known temperature control medium passes. The temperature control medium may be, for example, a liquid or a gas. The cooling medium may be any medium having a temperature lower than the surface temperature of the battery cell 10, such as cold water or cold air. The heating medium may be any medium having a temperature higher than the external environmental temperature, such as hot water or hot air. The inlet and outlet of the temperature control pipe 32 are exposed to the outside of the module case, and a temperature control medium may be supplied from the outside and discharged to the outside.

[0053] The temperature control pipe 32 can be made of a material with high thermal conductivity, but from the standpoint of workability, it may be made of one or more metal materials, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0054] The busbar 31 in the temperature-regulating connector 30 may have a structure that conforms to the surface shape of the temperature-regulating pipe 32, or may have a roughly U-shaped cross-sectional structure as shown in Fig. 3. The cross-sectional shape of the busbar 31 is not limited to a roughly U-shaped cross-sectional shape, and may have a curved and / or bent structure. This structure allows for efficient temperature regulation of the busbar 31.

[0055] 3, the resin sealing member 33 is filled in the gap between the bus bar 31 and the temperature control pipe 32. This increases the thermal conductivity in the gap compared to air, and improves the temperature control ability of the temperature control pipe 32. Furthermore, the insulation between the bus bar 31 and the temperature control pipe 32 can be improved, and the current of the bus bar 31 can be prevented from being conducted to the temperature control pipe 32 .

[0056] ((Epoxy resin composition)) The resin sealing member 33 is made of a cured product of an epoxy resin composition, which allows the resin sealing member 33 to have excellent heat dissipation and insulation properties. The epoxy resin composition is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin composition containing an epoxy resin, and may be in a solid or liquid form depending on the application. A solid epoxy composition can be used as a molding material used in mold molding such as transfer molding. A liquid epoxy resin composition can be used as a casting material used in casting, coating, impregnation, or the like.

[0057] An example of an epoxy resin composition includes an epoxy resin, an inorganic filler, and a curing agent for the epoxy resin.

[0058] Examples of epoxy resins that can be used include crystalline epoxy resins such as bisphenol A epoxy resin, bisphenol F epoxy resin, and tetramethylbisphenol F epoxy resin; biphenyl epoxy resin, stilbene epoxy resin, and hydroquinone epoxy resin; novolac epoxy resins such as cresol novolac epoxy resin, phenol novolac epoxy resin, and naphthol novolac epoxy resin; phenol aralkyl epoxy resins such as phenylene skeleton-containing phenol aralkyl epoxy resin, biphenylene skeleton-containing phenol aralkyl epoxy resin, phenylene skeleton-containing naphthol aralkyl epoxy resin, and alkoxynaphthalene skeleton-containing phenol aralkyl epoxy resin; trifunctional epoxy resins such as triphenolmethane epoxy resin and alkyl-modified triphenolmethane epoxy resin; modified phenol epoxy resins such as dicyclopentadiene-modified phenol epoxy resin and terpene-modified phenol epoxy resin; and heterocycle-containing epoxy resins such as triazine nucleus-containing epoxy resin. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0059] From the viewpoint of mechanical strength, the inorganic filler may include one or more selected from the group consisting of silica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, alumina, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, and magnesium oxide. From the viewpoint of thermal conductivity, the inorganic filler may include a high thermal conductivity filler having a thermal conductivity of 10 W / m K or higher.

[0060] The D50 of the inorganic filler is, from the viewpoint of filling property, for example, 150 μm or less, preferably 120 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or less, and from the viewpoint of fluidity, for example, 10 μm or more, preferably 20 μm or more, more preferably 50 μm or more. D50 is the particle diameter (median diameter) at which the cumulative volume from the small particle side reaches 50% in the volume frequency particle size distribution measured by the laser diffraction scattering method.

[0061] Known curing agents for epoxy resins can be used, including, for example, phenolic resin curing agents. Examples of phenolic resin curing agents include novolac-type phenolic resins such as phenol novolac resin, cresol novolac resin, bisphenol novolac, and phenol-biphenyl novolac resin; polyvinylphenol; multifunctional phenolic resins such as triphenolmethane-type phenolic resin; modified phenolic resins such as terpene-modified phenolic resin and dicyclopentadiene-modified phenolic resin; phenol aralkyl-type phenolic resins such as phenylene and / or biphenylene skeleton-containing phenol aralkyl resin and phenylene and / or biphenylene skeleton-containing naphthol aralkyl resin; and bisphenol compounds such as bisphenol A and bisphenol F.

[0062] In addition to the above components, the epoxy resin composition may contain other components as needed. Examples of other components include a curing accelerator, a coupling agent, a fluidity imparting agent, a mold release agent, an ion scavenger, a colorant, and a flame retardant. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0063] A known method can be used to manufacture a molded product in which the bus bar 31 and the temperature control pipe 32 are integrally molded, but a molding method using an epoxy resin composition by a low-pressure molding method (specifically, a low-pressure transfer molding method) or a casting method (also called a pouring method) is used.

[0064] Here, Figure 6(a) is an oblique cross-sectional view of the connector 30 with temperature control function as seen from the side plate 70a side of Figure 3(a), and Figure 6(b) shows an oblique view of the connector 30 with temperature control function as seen from the battery cell 10 side. 6(a) and 6(b), the resin sealing member 33 may have a busbar covering portion that covers the surface of the busbar 31 other than the surface that is bonded to the lead electrode (the surface that is adjacent to the battery cell 10), and may have a temperature control pipe covering portion that covers the periphery of the temperature control pipe 32. In this way, the resin sealing member 33 realizes a structure in which the busbar 31 and the temperature control pipe 32 are integrated into one member.

[0065] If necessary, the temperature-regulating connector 30 may be provided with an insulating covering member between the bus bar 31 and the temperature-regulating pipe 32 that covers at least a part or the entire surface of the temperature-regulating pipe 32 . As the insulating covering member, known materials can be used, for example, insulating paper can be used. The insulating coating member is embedded in the resin sealing member 33. This further improves the insulating properties of the resin sealing member 33.

[0066] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(c), at least one of the pair of side plates (side plate 70a) may function as a cover plate that covers at least a part of the temperature-regulating connector 30.

[0067] In another embodiment, the battery module 100 may include a fire-resistant burst valve plate 80 disposed between the temperature-controlled connector 30 and the cover plate (side plate 70a). By including the fire-resistant burst valve plate 80, an escape route for gas can be created, preventing gas from accumulating inside the battery module 100 and causing an explosion. For example, an air circulation path may be created between the side plate 70a and the fire-resistant burst valve plate 80. The entrance and exit of the air circulation path may be formed by a hole in the end plate 60.

[0068] In another embodiment, at least one of the side plate 70a (including when it functions as a cover plate), the side plate 70b, and the fire-resistant burst valve plate 80 may be made of a known material, but from the standpoint of fire-spread prevention ability, they may also be made of a member mainly made of a cured product of a thermosetting resin composition.

[0069] FIG. 7 shows an example of each component that constitutes the battery module 100.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations may be adopted. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 100 Battery Module 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) Battery cells 11 Battery Cell Assembly 20 Circuit Board 30 Temperature-controlled connector 31 Busbar 32 Temperature control tube 33 Resin sealing material 40 Protective Plate 50, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d fireproof plates 51 Fireproof enclosure 60, 60a, 60b end plates 70, 70a, 70b side plates 80 Fire-resistant burst valve plate

Claims

1. A connector with temperature control function, comprising: a bus bar; and a temperature control pipe that controls the temperature of the bus bar; and a cured product of an epoxy resin composition is filled between the bus bar and the temperature control pipe, The epoxy resin composition comprises Epoxy resin, an inorganic filler, When the thermal conductivity of the cured product of the epoxy resin composition is R (W / m K) and the gap between the bus bar and the temperature control pipe is D (μm), R / D is 1.0 × 10 －１ configured to satisfy the following: Connector with temperature control function.

2. The temperature-regulating connector according to claim 1, The R / D is 1.0×10 －３ A temperature-controlled connector configured to satisfy the above requirements.

3. The temperature-regulating connector according to claim 1 or 2, A connector with a temperature control function, wherein D is 100 or more and 300 or less.

4. The temperature-regulating connector according to claim 1 or 2, A temperature-regulating connector, wherein the inorganic filler in the epoxy resin composition contains one or more selected from the group consisting of silica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, alumina, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, and magnesium oxide.

5. The temperature-regulating connector according to claim 1 or 2, A connector with temperature control function, wherein D50 of the inorganic filler is 10 μm or more and 150 μm or less, when D50 is the particle diameter at which the cumulative volume from the small particle side reaches 50% in a volume frequency particle size distribution measured by a laser diffraction scattering method.

6. The temperature-regulating connector according to claim 1 or 2, A connector with temperature control function, wherein the temperature control tube is made of metal.

7. The connector with temperature control function according to claim 1 or 2; a plurality of battery cells having battery cell terminals; A battery module comprising: The bus bar in the temperature-regulating connector is electrically connected to the battery cell terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells and the circuit board.

8. The resin battery module according to claim 7, The resin battery module, wherein the bus bar has a bent structure along a surface of the temperature control pipe.

9. The resin battery module according to claim 8, A resin battery module comprising an insulating covering member that covers at least a portion of the surface of the temperature control pipe.

10. The resin battery module according to claim 9, The resin battery module, wherein the insulating covering member includes insulating paper.

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