Battery pack

Abstract

This battery pack features a configuration that effectively utilizes the space within the case, thereby suppressing the need to increase the size of the case. [Solution] In this battery pack 1, the case 40 includes a case body 43 having a bottom 41 and a side wall portion 42 surrounding the bottom 41, a lid 44 covering the opening 43a of the case body 43, a partition plate 51 extending in a first direction and separating a battery module 20 located on the side of the bottom 41 from a battery module 20 located on the side of the lid 44, a first support plate 52 provided between the bottom 41 and the partition plate 51 at one end of the partition plate 51 in the first direction and supporting one end of the partition plate 51, and a second support plate 53 provided between the bottom 41 and the partition plate 51 at the other end of the partition plate 51 in the first direction and supporting the other end of the partition plate 51, with one battery module 20 located between the partition plate 51 and the bottom 41, and another battery module 20 located between the partition plate 51 and the lid 44.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology relates to a battery pack.

Background Art

[0002] A structure in which battery modules are arranged in two stages is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013 - 114953). By arranging the battery modules in two stages, improvement in the energy density and miniaturization of the battery pack can be achieved.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a battery pack, the number of battery cells constituting the mounted battery modules tends to increase. As a result, the weight of the battery modules also increases. On the other hand, when many pillars are provided in the case to support the increasing weight of the battery modules, the case becomes larger. As a result, it can be a factor that inhibits improvement in the energy density and miniaturization of the battery pack.

[0005] This technology has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a battery pack having a configuration capable of suppressing an increase in the size of the case by effectively utilizing the space inside the case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] [[ID=…]] This technology provides the following battery pack. [1] A battery pack comprising a battery module including a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction, and a case housing two or more of the battery modules, wherein the case includes a case body having a bottom and side walls surrounding the bottom, a lid covering an opening in the case body, a partition plate extending in the first direction and separating the battery modules located on the bottom side from the battery modules located on the lid side, a first support plate provided between the bottom and the partition plate at one end of the partition plate in the first direction and supporting one end of the partition plate, and a second support plate provided between the bottom and the partition plate at the other end of the partition plate in the first direction and supporting the other end of the partition plate, wherein one battery module is arranged between the partition plate and the bottom, and other battery modules are arranged between the partition plate and the lid.

[0007] [2] The battery pack according to [1], wherein the battery module includes end plates arranged to sandwich the battery cells at one end and the other end in the first direction, the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the bottom is fixed to the bottom by the end plates being fixed to the bottom, and the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the lid is fixed to the partition plate by the end plates being fixed to the partition plate.

[0008] [3] The battery pack according to [2], wherein the end plate has a first leg portion that protrudes toward the bottom portion, and in the battery module disposed between the partition plate and the bottom portion, the battery module is fixed to the bottom portion such that the first leg portion of the end plate abuts against the bottom portion, and in the battery module disposed between the partition plate and the lid, the battery module is fixed to the partition plate such that the first leg portion of the end plate abuts against the partition plate.

[0009] [4] The battery pack according to [2] or [3], wherein the battery module includes an intermediate plate sandwiched between the battery cells at an intermediate position in the first direction, and in the case of the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the bottom, the intermediate plate is fixed to the bottom, and in the case of the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the lid, the intermediate plate is fixed to the partition plate.

[0010] [5] The battery pack according to [4], wherein the intermediate plate has second legs protruding from the bottom side, and in the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the bottom, the battery module is fixed to the bottom such that the second legs of the intermediate plate abut against the bottom, and in the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the lid, the battery module is fixed to the partition plate such that the second legs of the end plate abut against the partition plate.

[0011] [6] The battery pack according to [5], wherein the intermediate plate has a projection that protrudes toward the side of the lid, and in the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the bottom, the intermediate plate is fixed to the partition plate such that the projection of the intermediate plate abuts against the partition plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The objective of this technology is to provide a battery pack with a configuration that can suppress the increase in case size by effectively utilizing the space inside the case. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the battery pack according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack in the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Embodiments of this technology are described below. The same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions may not be repeated.

[0015] In the embodiments described below, when referring to the number, quantity, etc., unless otherwise specified, the scope of this technology is not necessarily limited to that number, quantity, etc. In the embodiments described below, each component is not necessarily essential to this technology unless otherwise specified. This technology is not necessarily limited to achieving all of the effects and advantages mentioned in these embodiments.

[0016] In this specification, the terms “comprise,” “include,” and “have” are in open-ended form. That is, if a configuration includes one configuration, it may also include other configurations, or it may not.

[0017] In this specification, when geometric terms and terms describing positional and directional relationships, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "45° oblique," "coaxial," and "alongside," are used, these terms allow for manufacturing tolerances or slight variations. When terms describing relative positional relationships, such as "upper" and "lower," are used in this specification, these terms are used to indicate the relative positional relationship in a single state, and the relative positional relationship may be reversed or rotated to any angle depending on the installation direction of each mechanism (for example, by inverting the entire mechanism upside down).

[0018] In this specification, "battery" is not limited to lithium-ion batteries, but may include other batteries such as nickel-metal hydride batteries and sodium-ion batteries. In this specification, "electrode" may refer collectively to the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0019] The "battery pack" in this specification can be mounted on hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), battery electric vehicles (BEV), etc. The use of the "battery pack" in this specification is not limited to in-vehicle use.

[0020] In the following description, the direction in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged in one battery module is the first direction (X direction in the figure), the battery modules are arranged in parallel in the same plane, and the direction orthogonal to the first direction (X direction in the figure) is the second direction (Y direction in the figure), and the direction in which the battery modules are arranged in two stages is the third direction (Z direction in the figure). For the sake of facilitating the understanding of this technology, there are parts where the dimensional ratios of each component in the drawings are shown changed from the actual dimensional ratios.

[0021] (Battery Pack 1) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the overall configuration of the battery pack 1 will be described. The battery pack 1 includes a battery module 20 including a plurality of battery cells 2 arranged in the first direction (X direction), and a case 40 that houses two or more of these battery modules 20. The battery cell 2 has a rectangular outer shape. The battery module 20 includes end plates 30 arranged to sandwich the battery cells 2 at one end side and the other end side in the first direction (X direction). The battery module 20 includes an intermediate plate 31 sandwiched by the battery cells 2 at an intermediate position in the first direction (X direction). By fastening the end plates 30 on both sides with a binding bar 20b or the like, the battery module 20 is fixed so as to be integrated.

[0022] In the battery pack 1 of this embodiment, an area 60 for arranging devices and the like is provided in the case 40, but the necessity of the area 60 is appropriately selected according to the performance required for the battery pack 1.

[0023] (Forms of the End Plate 30 and the Intermediate Plate 31) The shapes of the end plate 30 and the intermediate plate 31 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The end plate 30 is made of a material such as resin or metal. The end plate 30 has first legs 30f that protrude from the bottom 41. In this embodiment, there are two such legs provided in the second direction (Y direction) separated by a predetermined gap (similar to the second legs 31f of the intermediate plate 31 described later). Furthermore, a through hole BH1 is provided that penetrates the end plate 30 in the third direction (Z direction) so as to include the first legs 30f.

[0024] The intermediate plate 31 is made of a material such as resin or metal. The intermediate plate 31 has second legs 31f that protrude from the bottom portion 41. In this embodiment, these legs are provided in two locations separated by a predetermined gap in the second direction (Y direction). Furthermore, a through hole BH2 is provided that penetrates the intermediate plate 31 in the third direction (Z direction), including the second legs 31f.

[0025] The intermediate plate 31 has a projection 31p that protrudes toward the side of the lid 44. The projection 31p is located between two through holes BH2. The projection 31p has two screw holes 31p1 that extend toward the bottom portion 41 in the third direction (Y direction) along the second direction (Y direction).

[0026] (Securing the battery module 20) In this embodiment, two rows of battery modules 20 are arranged inside the case 40 in the second direction (Y direction), and two layers of battery modules 20 are stacked in the third direction (Z direction), with a total of four battery modules 20 housed inside the case 40. The number of battery modules 20 housed in the case 40 is such that, in the configuration where two layers of battery modules 20 are stacked in the third direction (Z direction), the number of battery modules 20 arranged in the second direction (Y direction) must be one or more.

[0027] Referring again to Figure 2, the case 40 houses, in the diagram, two rows of battery modules 20 arranged from bottom to top, a support member 50, and two rows of battery modules 20. The opening 43a at the top of the case 40 is closed by a lid 44. The lid 44 is fixed to the case 40 using bolts B1.

[0028] The support member 50 is provided to extend in a first direction (X direction) and includes a partition plate 51 that separates the battery module 20 located on the bottom 41 side from the battery module 20 located on the lid 44 side, a first support plate 52 provided between the bottom 41 and the partition plate 51 at one end of the partition plate 51 in the first direction (X direction) and supporting one end of the partition plate 51, and a second support plate 53 provided between the bottom 41 and the partition plate 51 at the other end of the partition plate 51 in the first direction (X direction) and supporting the other end of the partition plate 51.

[0029] With this support member 50, the battery module 20 is positioned between the partition plate 51 and the bottom 41, and between the partition plate 51 and the lid 44.

[0030] (Battery module 20 on the lid side) Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, the battery module 20, positioned between the partition plate 51 and the lid 44, is fixed to the partition plate 51 by the end plate 30 and the intermediate plate 31 being fixed to the partition plate 51. Specifically, the end plate 30 has a first leg portion 30f that protrudes toward the partition plate 51 (bottom portion 41). The battery module 20 is fixed to the partition plate 51 such that this first leg portion 30f abuts against the partition plate 51.

[0031] Similarly, the intermediate plate 31 has second legs 31f that protrude toward the partition plate 51 (bottom portion 41). The battery module 20 is fixed to the partition plate 51 such that these second legs 31f abut against the partition plate 51.

[0032] More specifically, the end plate 30 is fastened to the partition plate 51 by passing bolts B2 through through holes BH1, which are provided so as to penetrate the end plate 30 in a third direction (Z direction) including the first leg portion 30f, and fastening them to bolt holes 51h provided in the partition plate 51. There are two fastening points using bolts B2 with the first leg portion 30f on one end of the end plate 30 and two fastening points on the other end of the end plate 30.

[0033] In the intermediate plate 31, a bolt B2 is passed through a through hole BH2 that penetrates the end plate 30 in a third direction (Z direction) including the second leg portion 31f, and fastened to a bolt hole 51h provided in the partition plate 51. There are two fastening points using bolt B2 with the second leg portion 31f.

[0034] (Bottom battery module 20) The battery module 20, positioned between the partition plate 51 and the bottom 41, is fixed to the bottom 41 by the end plate 30 and the intermediate plate 31 being fixed to the bottom 41. Specifically, the end plate 30 has a first leg portion 30f that protrudes toward the bottom 41, as described above. The battery module 20 is fixed to the bottom 41 such that this first leg portion 30f abuts against the bottom 41.

[0035] Similarly, the intermediate plate 31 has second legs 31f that protrude towards the bottom 41. The battery module 20 is fixed to the partition plate 51 such that these second legs 31f abut against the bottom 41.

[0036] More specifically, the end plate 30 is fastened to the bottom portion 41 by passing bolts B2 through through holes BH1, which are provided to penetrate the end plate 30 in a third direction (Z direction) including the first leg portion 30f, and fastening them to bolt holes 41h provided in the bottom portion 41. There are two fastening points using bolts B2 with the first leg portion 30f on one end of the end plate 30 and two fastening points on the other end of the end plate 30.

[0037] In the intermediate plate 31, a bolt B2 is passed through a through hole BH2 that penetrates the end plate 30 in a third direction (Z direction) including the second leg portion 31f, and fastened to a bolt hole 41h provided in the bottom portion 41. There are two fastening points using bolt B2 with the second leg portion 31f.

[0038] Furthermore, the intermediate plate 31 is provided with a projection 31p that protrudes toward the partition plate 51 (lid 44). A bolt B5 is passed through a partition plate through hole 51g provided in the partition plate 51 through a screw hole 31p1 provided in the projection 31p, thereby fixing the projection 31p to the partition plate 51. There are two fastening points using the bolt B5 with the projection 31p. When providing the partition plate through hole 51g in the partition plate 51, a bolt head groove 51f may be provided to avoid the bolt head being exposed from the partition plate 51.

[0039] By fixing the intermediate plate 31 to the partition plate 51, the intermediate plate 31 acts as a support column for the partition plate, thereby suppressing the bending and vibration of the partition plate 51.

[0040] According to the battery pack 1 described above, by using the support member 50, it is possible to effectively utilize the space inside the case 40 and suppress the increase in the size of the case 40.

[0041] Furthermore, by adopting the aforementioned fixing structure for the battery module 20, a gap is created between the battery module 20 located on the bottom side and the bottom 41, making it possible to place a cooling component, for example, in this gap. Similarly, a gap is created between the battery module 20 located on the lid side and the partition plate 51, making it possible to place a cooling component, for example, in this gap.

[0042] In the above configuration, a configuration in which the battery modules 20 are arranged in two rows in the second direction (Y direction) and the battery modules 20 are stacked in two layers in the third direction (Z direction) is shown as an example. However, even if there is one or three or more battery modules 20 arranged in the second direction (Y direction) and the battery modules 20 are stacked in three layers in the third direction (Z direction), the same effects and advantages as in this embodiment can be obtained.

[0043] While embodiments of the present technology have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present technology is defined by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1 Battery pack, 2 Battery cells, 20 Battery module, 30 End plate, 30f First leg, 31 Intermediate plate, 31f Second leg, 31p1 Screw hole, 31p Projection, 40 Case, 41 Bottom, 41h, 51h Bolt holes, 43a Opening, 44 Cover, 50 Support member, 51 Partition plate, 51f Groove for bolt head, 51g Partition plate through hole, 52 First support plate, 53 Second support plate, 60 Area.

Claims

1. A battery module including multiple battery cells arranged in a first direction, A case for housing two or more of the aforementioned battery modules, A battery pack equipped with, The aforementioned case is, A case body having a bottom and side walls surrounding the bottom, A lid that covers the opening of the case body, A partition plate is provided so as to extend in the first direction and separates the battery module located on the bottom side from the battery module located on the lid side, A first support plate is provided between the bottom and the partition plate at one end of the partition plate in the first direction, and supports one end of the partition plate. A second support plate is provided between the bottom portion and the partition plate on the other end side of the partition plate in the first direction, and supports the other end of the partition plate. Includes, One of the battery modules is placed between the partition plate and the bottom. Another battery module is positioned between the partition plate and the lid. Battery pack.

2. The aforementioned battery module is The end plates are arranged to sandwich the battery cell at one end and the other end in the first direction, The battery module, positioned between the partition plate and the bottom, is fixed to the bottom by the end plate being fixed to the bottom. The battery module, positioned between the partition plate and the lid, is fixed to the partition plate by the end plate being fixed to the partition plate. The battery pack according to claim 1.

3. The end plate has a first leg portion that protrudes from the bottom side, In the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the bottom, the battery module is fixed to the bottom such that the first leg portion of the end plate abuts against the bottom. In the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the lid, the battery module is fixed to the partition plate such that the first leg portion of the end plate abuts against the partition plate. The battery pack according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned battery module is The intermediate plate is sandwiched between the battery cells at an intermediate position in the first direction, The battery module, positioned between the partition plate and the bottom, has the intermediate plate fixed to the bottom. The battery module, positioned between the partition plate and the lid, has an intermediate plate fixed to the partition plate. The battery pack according to claim 2.

5. The intermediate plate has a second leg portion that protrudes from the bottom side, In the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the bottom, the battery module is fixed to the bottom such that the second leg portion of the intermediate plate abuts against the bottom. In the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the lid, the battery module is fixed to the partition plate such that the second leg portion of the end plate abuts against the partition plate. The battery pack according to claim 4.

6. The intermediate plate has a projection that protrudes toward the side of the lid, In the battery module positioned between the partition plate and the bottom portion, the projection of the intermediate plate is fixed to the partition plate such that it abuts against the partition plate. The battery pack according to claim 5.

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