Battery case

Abstract

In a battery case equipped with an upper member that covers the battery from above, when the upper member is composed of multiple members, corrosion of the joints between each member due to water droplets is suppressed. [Solution] The upper member comprises a first member and a second member divided above the battery. The first member and the second member are joined in the width direction along the divided edges at an overlapping portion where their plate surfaces overlap. The first member, located above at the overlapping portion, includes an extended portion that extends from the overlapping portion toward the second member and is positioned to face the upper surface of the second member with a gap between them. The extended portion includes a first inclined portion that is inclined downward so as not to come into contact with the upper surface of the second member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery case for housing a battery.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a battery case for housing a battery mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. This battery case includes a plate-like lower member on which the battery is placed, an upper member that covers the battery placed on the lower member from above, and a side wall member that closes an opening between the upper member and the lower member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the above battery case, the lower member, the upper member, and the side wall member form a housing space for the battery, and it is possible to suppress the intrusion of water droplets such as rainwater into the housing space. By the way, since the upper member covers the entire housing space from above, its size becomes large. Therefore, the upper member may be divided into a plurality of members in view of ease of manufacture.

[0005] In this way, when the upper member is composed of a plurality of members, the ends of the respective members are overlapped and joined to each other. However, if only the ends of the respective members are overlapped at the joint portion, it is conceivable that water droplets enter the gap at the joint portion, water accumulates, and the joint portion is likely to corrode.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to suppress corrosion of the joint portion of each member by water droplets in a battery case provided with an upper member that covers the battery from above when the upper member is composed of a plurality of members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a battery case for housing a battery, comprising an upper member that covers the battery from above. The upper member comprises a first member and a second member, which are divided above the battery and configured such that their plate surfaces overlap at the division point. The first member and the second member are joined in the width direction along the divided edge at the overlapping portion where their plate surfaces overlap.

[0008] Furthermore, the first member, which is located above the overlapping portion, has an extended portion that extends from the overlapping portion toward the second member and is positioned opposite the upper surface of the second member with a gap between them. The extended portion is provided with a first inclined portion that is inclined downward so as not to come into contact with the main body portion of the second member.

[0009] Thus, in the battery case of the present disclosure, the first member of the upper member is provided with an extended portion that extends from the overlapping portion so as to face the upper surface of the second member with a gap between them, and the extended portion is provided with a first inclined portion that slopes downward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water droplets adhering to the upper surface of the first member from flowing around from the extended portion to the lower surface of the first member and reaching the overlapping portion.

[0010] Therefore, according to the battery case of this disclosure, in the overlapping portion, the first member and the second member and Water droplets can enter the gap between them, preventing water from accumulating. Therefore, corrosion of the joint between the first and second members due to water accumulating in the gap of the overlapping section can be prevented.

[0011] Next, in one aspect of the present disclosure, the second member may be provided with a second inclined portion that slopes downward from the overlapping portion and forms a recessed portion that is recessed below the overlapping portion. By providing a recess in the main body of the second component in this manner, even if water droplets adhering to the first component fall down the first inclined section, the fallen water droplets can be received by the recess in the second component and discharged outside the case through the recess. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent water droplets that fall down the first inclined section of the first component from flowing down the upper surface of the second component towards the overlapping section and entering the gap between the first and second components.

[0012] Furthermore, in one aspect of this disclosure, the first member and the second member may each have at least one inclined surface that slopes downward toward the periphery of the upper member, with the center in the width direction as the apex. If the first member and the second member have inclined surfaces in this way, water droplets adhering to the upper surface of the upper member can be directed out of the battery case via the inclined surface. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively suppress the water droplets from flowing around to the overlapping portion between the first member and the second member.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the first member and the second member may each include a side wall portion bent toward a lower member located below the upper member at both ends in the width direction, and a flange portion bent outward from the lower edge of the side wall portion and connected to the lower member.

[0014] In this case, the side wall portion of the first member may be cut diagonally from the open end of the extension portion on the second member side, located above the side wall portion, toward the open end of the flange portion of the second member on the first member side, so that the flange portions of the first member and the second member can be joined by butt welding.

[0015] In other words, by cutting a diagonal notch in the side wall of the first member, the open end of the flange portion of the first member on the second member side is aligned with the open end of the flange portion of the second member on the first member side, allowing the flange portions to be joined together by butt welding.

[0016] As a result, when the flange portions are provided on the first member and the second member, it is not necessary to overlap the flange portions with each other, and the joining operation between the flange portions can be easily performed.

[0017] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present disclosure, in the first member and the second member, the overlapping portion includes a horizontal portion that is horizontal above the battery, and a third inclined portion that inclines downward from the horizontal portion toward the second member, and the first member and the second member may be joined at the third inclined portion.

[0018] Also, in this case, in the first member, the extending portion includes a first horizontal portion that extends horizontally from the third inclined portion of the overlapping portion, and the first inclined portion may extend so as to incline downward from the first horizontal portion.

[0019] According to the battery case configured as described above, the water droplets adhering to the upper surface of the first member flow to the extending portion via the third inclined portion, and further flow from the first horizontal portion of the extending portion to the first inclined portion and fall onto the main body portion of the second member.

[0020] And since the first inclined portion of the extending portion inclines downward from the overlapping portion via the first horizontal portion, the first horizontal portion widens the distance from the upper surface of the second member, and it is possible to more effectively suppress the water droplets that have fallen onto the main body portion of the second member from flowing back into the overlapping portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the battery case of the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A - A of the battery case shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B - B showing the cross-sectional shape of the upper member shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the battery case of the first modified example. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing the cross-sectional shape of the upper member of the second modified example. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional shape of the upper member of the third modification corresponding to FIG. 3. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional shape of the upper member of the fourth modification corresponding to FIG. 3. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional shape of the upper member of the fifth modification corresponding to FIG. 3. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional shape of the upper member of the sixth modification corresponding to FIG. 3. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the joint portion of the flange portion of the upper member of the seventh modification. [Figure 11] It is a side view of the flange portion of the upper member of the eighth modification as viewed from the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 12] It is a side view of the side wall portion of the upper member of the ninth modification as viewed from the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 1.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment] First, the overall configuration of the battery case 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0023] The battery case 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a case for housing a plurality of battery cells 4 therein. As an example of the battery cell 4, there is a lithium-ion battery cell. The battery pack including the battery case 1 is mounted on the lower part of a vehicle such as an automobile. In the present embodiment, "up" and "down" mean up and down in the vertical direction with respect to the battery case 1 in a state where the battery case 1 is mounted on the vehicle. The vertical direction may be read as the vertical direction.

[0024] Note that the battery pack may supply power to, for example, a motor for driving the vehicle, or may supply power to components other than the motor. In the present embodiment, as an example, the battery pack is disposed under the body of the vehicle.

[0025] The battery case 1 has an external shape that is roughly rectangular. The battery case 1 comprises a lower member 10 on which the battery cells 4 are placed, and an upper member 20 that covers the battery cells 4 from above the lower member 10. The lower member 10 and the upper member 20 are box-shaped members that form an internal space 6 for housing a plurality of battery cells 4.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, both the lower side of the upper member 20 and the upper side of the lower member 10 are open. The upper member 20 is positioned above the lower member 10 so as to cover the opening of the lower member 10, defining an internal space 6 between the two. Multiple battery cells 4 are arranged in the internal space 6.

[0027] The material of the lower member 10 is not particularly limited. Examples of materials for the lower member 10 include metal and resin. In this embodiment, the material of the lower member 10 is a cationic coated product. The upper member 20 is made of metal. In this embodiment, the upper member 20 is made of stainless steel. However, the upper member 20 may be made of another metal material that has been surface-treated, such as a cationic coating.

[0028] The lower member 10 has a rectangular, plate-shaped bottom plate portion 12, a plate-shaped side wall portion 14 that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 12 and extends along the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 12, and a bend from the upper end of the side wall portion 14. It is further equipped with a flange-shaped flange portion 16 that extends in the outer circumferential direction.

[0029] The upper member 20 comprises a rectangular, plate-shaped top plate portion 22, a plate-shaped side wall portion 24 that protrudes downward from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion 22 and extends along the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion 22, and a flange-shaped portion 26 that is bent from the lower end of the side wall portion 24 and extends in the outer peripheral direction.

[0030] The bottom plate portion 12 of the lower member 10 and the top plate portion 22 of the upper member 20 are approximately the same size, and are arranged so that their surface faces each other. The side wall portion 14 of the lower member 10 forms an opening in the lower member 10, and the side wall portion 24 of the upper member 20 forms an opening in the upper member 20.

[0031] Since the bottom plate portion 12 and the top plate portion 22 are approximately the same size, the openings formed by the side wall portions 14 and 24 are also approximately the same size. Therefore, the internal space 6 can be sealed by joining the flange portions 16 and 26 of the lower member 10 and the upper member 20 with a sealing material or fastening member.

[0032] Next, the configuration of the upper member 20 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the upper member 20 comprises a first member 20A and a second member 20B, which are divided into left and right halves approximately in the center of the top plate portion 22.

[0033] The first member 20A and the second member 20B are configured such that, with the first member 20A positioned above, the top plate portions 22A, 22B, side wall portions 24A, 24B, and flange portions 26A, 26B of each member overlap at the dividing point.

[0034] The first member 20A and the second member 20B are joined in the width direction along the divided edges at the overlapping portion 30 where the plate surfaces of the respective parts overlap, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 1. For this joining, welding such as laser welding or seam welding is used. The number and behavior of the joining portions 38 shown by the dotted line in Figure 1 can be set as appropriate and are not particularly limited.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, in the top plate portions 22A and 22B, the overlapping portion 30 includes horizontal portions 32A and 32B that are parallel to the bottom plate portion 12 of the lower member 10, and third inclined portions 34A and 34B that extend from the horizontal portions 32A and 32B.

[0036] The horizontal sections 32A and 32B are located on the side of the first member 20A, while the third inclined sections 34A and 34B are located on the side of the second member 20B. The third inclined sections 34A and 34B are inclined downward toward the main body portion of the second member 20B, such that the side of the second member 20B is lower.

[0037] The first member 20A and the second member 20B are welded together over the entire width of the upper member 20 at the third inclined portions 34A and 34B of the overlapping portion 30. In other words, the joint 38 is formed over the entire width of the first member 20A and the second member 20B, from the top plate portions 22A and 22B to the side wall portions 24A and 24B and the flange portions 26A and 26B (see Figure 1).

[0038] Furthermore, the first member 20A includes an extended portion 40A that extends from the third inclined portion 34A of the overlapping portion 30 toward the second member 20B, and the second member 20B includes a recessed portion 50B that is recessed downward from the third inclined portion 34B of the overlapping portion 30.

[0039] The recessed portion 50B of the second member 20B includes a second inclined portion 52B that extends downward from the third inclined portion 34B at a larger angle than the third inclined portion 34B. A bottom portion 54B extends from the second inclined portion 52B. A fourth inclined portion 56B extends upward from the bottom portion 54B. The fourth inclined portion 56B is located in the second member 20B It extends to approximately the same height as the top plate portion 22B of the main body and is connected to the top plate portion 22B of the main body portion of the second member 20B.

[0040] Therefore, a long groove in the width direction is formed in the top plate portion 22 of the upper member 20 by the recessed portion 50B of the second member 20B, and water droplets adhering to the top plate portion 22B of the second member 20B will flow down to the bottom portion 54B of the recessed portion 50B via the fourth inclined portion 56B.

[0041] The extended portion 40A of the first member 20A includes a first horizontal portion 42A that extends from the third inclined portion 34A of the overlapping portion 30 so as to be parallel to the plate surface of the bottom plate portion 12 of the lower member 10, and a first inclined portion 44A that extends from the first horizontal portion 42A so as to be inclined downward. The inclination of the first inclined portion 44A is separate from the inclination of the second inclined portion 52B, and the tip of the first inclined portion 44A is separate from the bottom portion 54B of the second member 20B.

[0042] Therefore, any water droplets adhering to the top plate portion 22A of the first member 20A will flow down to the bottom portion 54B of the recessed portion 50B via the third inclined portion 34A of the overlapping portion 30, the first horizontal portion 42A and the first inclined portion 44A of the extended portion 40A.

[0043] Therefore, water droplets flowing through the first inclined portion 44A do not wrap around to the lower side of the first inclined portion 44A and penetrate into the gap between the first member 20A and the second member 20B in the overlapping portion 30. Thus, according to the battery case 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress water droplets from entering the gap between the first member 20A and the second member 20B in the overlapping portion 30 of the upper member 20 and causing corrosion of the joint portion 38 by those water droplets.

[0044] Furthermore, in the second member 20B, the bottom 54B of the recessed portion 50B is gently sloped such that the side of the fourth inclined portion 56B, which is further away from the overlapping portion 30, is lower than the side of the second inclined portion 52B. As a result, water droplets that flow down to the bottom 54B of the recessed portion 50B accumulate on the side of the fourth inclined portion 56B. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively suppress the water droplets accumulated at the bottom 54B from spreading into the gap between the first member 20A and the second member 20B in the overlapping portion 30.

[0045] Furthermore, the top plate portions 22A and 22B of the first member 20A and the second member 20B, including the overlapping portion 30, the extended portion 40A, and the recessed portion 50B, are gently inclined downward toward the outer periphery in the width direction, with the edge passing approximately through the center in the width direction of the battery case 1 as the vertex P (see Figure 2).

[0046] Therefore, water droplets adhering to the top plates 22A and 22B of the first member 20A and the second member 20B not only flow down into the groove of the recessed portion 50B, but also flow downward along the slope of the top plates 22A and 22B, which are inclined from the apex P toward the periphery.

[0047] Then, water droplets that flow downward along the slopes of the top plates 22A and 22B flow to the flanges 26A and 26B via the side walls 24A and 24B. Similarly, water droplets that fall onto the bottom 54B of the recessed portion 50B also flow down the slope of the bottom 54B to the flanges 26A and 26B. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively suppress the penetration of these water droplets into the joint 38 between the first member 20A and the second member 20B, preventing corrosion of the joint 38.

[0048] [Other embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms. [First variation] In the battery case 1 of the above embodiment, the top plate portion 22 of the upper member 20 is the battery case 1 The explanation assumes that the edge passing approximately through the center in the width direction is a vertex P, and that the structure has a slope that inclines downward toward the outer periphery in the width direction, and that water droplets fall along this slope.

[0049] However, the top plate portion 22 of the upper member 20 may, for example, as shown in Figure 4A, have a short edge that forms a vertex P, and four slopes 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60D may be formed on the top plate portion 22 by edges extending from both ends of that edge to the four corners of the top plate portion 22.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4B, for example, the top plate portion 22 of the upper member 20 may have an arbitrary vertex P, and four slopes 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60D may be formed on the top plate portion 22 by edges extending from that vertex P to the four corners of the top plate portion 22.

[0051] Even if the battery case 1 has this shape, if the upper member 20 is divided and the divided members are overlapped at the divided portion, as in the above embodiment, water droplets can accumulate in the gaps between the members at the overlapping portion 30, thereby suppressing corrosion of the joint portion 38.

[0052] Furthermore, although the overall shape of the battery case 1 was described as a rectangular parallelepiped in the above embodiment, it may be a shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped, such as a triangular or trapezoidal shape. In other words, even if the overall shape of the battery case 1 is a shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained by configuring the upper member in the same way as in the above embodiment. [Second variation] In the above embodiment, the first member 20A and the second member 20B were described as being joined by welding at the overlapping portion 30. However, welding alone leaves a gap between the first member 20A and the second member 20B.

[0053] Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the first member 20A and the second member 20B may be further connected with an adhesive 39 or the like to fill the gap between the first member 20A and the second member 20B. In this way, it is possible to more effectively suppress the intrusion of water droplets into the gap between the first member 20A and the second member 20B. [Third variation] In the above embodiment, the extension portion 40A of the first member 20A was described as comprising a first horizontal portion 42A and a first inclined portion 44A, but these horizontal and inclined portions may be further increased to two, three, or more.

[0054] In other words, for example, as shown in Figure 6, a second horizontal section 46A may be extended from the first inclined section 44A on the opposite side from the first horizontal section 42A, and a fifth inclined section 48A may be extended from the second horizontal section 46A so as to be inclined downward. In this case, the inclination angle of the fifth inclined section 48A may be set to be different from that of the first inclined section 44A.

[0055] Furthermore, in Figure 6, the inclination of the third inclined portions 34A and 34B in the overlapping portion 30 is steeper than that shown in Figure 3, but the inclination angles of the third inclined portions 34A and 34B can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the inclination angles of the second inclined portion 52B, the bottom portion 54B, and the fourth inclined portion 56B that constitute the recessed portion 50B of the second member 20B can also be changed as appropriate. [Fourth variation] In the above embodiment, the third inclined portions 34A and 34B in the overlapping portion 30 were described as being inclined downward so that the second member 20B side is lower. In contrast, as shown in Figure 7, the third inclined portions 34A and 34B in the overlapping portion 30 may be inclined upward so that the second member 20B side is higher.

[0056] In this way, water droplets flowing from the top plate portion 22A of the first member 20A into the recessed portion 50B By reducing the amount, it is possible to suppress the water droplets that accumulate in the recessed portion 50B from flowing into the overlapping portion 30.

[0057] Furthermore, in Figure 7, the extended portion 40A of the first member 20A is composed only of the first inclined portion 44A which extends downward from the third inclined portion 34A of the overlapping portion 30. Even in this configuration, it is possible to suppress water droplets from flowing down the lower surface of the extended portion 40A to the overlapping portion 30.

[0058] Furthermore, in Figure 7, a sixth inclined portion 58B is provided, extending downward from the fourth inclined portion 56B that constitutes the recessed portion 50B of the second member 20B. This reduces the amount of water droplets flowing from the top plate portion 22B of the second member 20B into the recessed portion 50B, thereby preventing water droplets accumulated in the recessed portion 50B from flowing into the overlapping portion 30. In other words, the recessed portion 50B of the second member 20B can also be modified as appropriate, for example, by providing the sixth inclined portion 58B. [Fifth variation] In the above embodiment, the extended portion 40A of the first member 20A was described as being composed of a first horizontal portion 42A and a first inclined portion 44A. In contrast, for example, as shown in Figure 8, a seventh inclined portion 41A that is inclined upwards may be provided between the third inclined portion 34A and the first horizontal portion 42A of the overlapping portion 30, such that the first horizontal portion 42A becomes higher.

[0059] In this way, the amount of water droplets flowing from the top plate portion 22A of the first member 20A into the recessed portion 50B can be reduced, and water droplets accumulated in the recessed portion 50B can be prevented from flowing into the overlapping portion 30. [Sixth variation] In the above embodiments and modifications, the extended portion 40A of the first member 20A is provided with a first inclined portion 44A that slopes downward toward the second member 20B. In contrast, as shown in Figure 9, for example, the first inclined portion 44A may be formed as a projection, more specifically, a ridge that is long in the width direction, projecting downward from the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 42A.

[0060] Even in this manner, water droplets that have flowed from the top plate portion 22A of the first member 20A to the underside of the extended portion 40A are blocked by the first inclined portion 44A, thereby preventing the water droplets from flowing into the overlapping portion 30.

[0061] The projection (ridge) of the first inclined portion 44A may simply be a projection that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 42A, or it may be a rib shape formed by deforming the plate surface of the first horizontal portion 42A to protrude downward from above.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and modifications, each inclined portion was described as a plate-shaped member inclined at an arbitrary angle. However, the slope of each inclined portion may be curved, or the inclination may be simulated by changing the thickness of the plate.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and modifications, the flange portions 26A and 26B of the first member 20A and the second member 20B were described as being flat and being joined by overlapping them. However, in order to suppress corrosion of the joint portion 38 at the overlapping portion 30 of the flange portions 26A and 26B, the flange portions 26A and 26B may be configured as shown in the seventh to ninth modifications below, for example. [7th variation] As shown in Figure 10, in this modified example, at the overlapping portion 30 of the flange portions 26A and 26B of the first member 20A and the second member 20B, the welding of the joint portion 38 along the width direction of the battery case 1 is performed perpendicular to this joint portion 38. That is, the flange portions 26A and 2 The overlapping portion 30 of 6B is provided with a joint portion 38A welded along the longitudinal direction of the flange portions 26A and 26B.

[0064] In this way, water droplets can be prevented from entering the gap in the overlapping portion 30 of the flange portions 26A and 26B from the outside, and corrosion of the joint portion 38 of the flange portions 26A and 26B can be prevented. [8th variation] As shown in Figure 11, in this modified example, at the overlapping portion 30 of the flange portions 26A and 26B, the flange portions 26A and 26B are provided with gentle inclines 27A and 27B such that the joint portion 38 is higher than the upper surface of the flange portions 26A and 26B.

[0065] In this way, it is possible to prevent water droplets from entering the joint 38 of the overlapping portion 30 of the flange portions 26A and 26B from the outside, and to prevent corrosion of the joint 38. [9th variation] As shown in Figure 12, in this modified example, the open end 25A on the second member 20B side of the side wall portion 24A of the first member 20A is cut at an angle so that the overlapping portion 30 is not formed in the flange portions 26A and 26B.

[0066] Specifically, the open end 25A of the side wall portion 24A of the first member 20A on the second member 20B side is cut out diagonally from the open end of the extension portion 40A of the upper top plate portion 22A on the second member 20B side toward the open end of the flange portion 26B of the second member 20B on the first member 20A side.

[0067] As a result, by adjusting the inclination of this notch, the open ends of flange sections 26A and 26B can be brought together and joined by butt welding. In this way, flange sections 26A and 26B do not overlap, so water does not accumulate at the joint between flange sections 26A and 26B, which prevents corrosion of the joint.

[0068] In Figure 12, the flange portions 26A and 26B are butt-welded at the same position as the joint 38 of the side wall portions 24A and 24B. To achieve this, the side wall portion 24B of the second member 20B should also be cut diagonally, similar to the first member 20A. [Other variations] For example, in the above embodiment, the upper member 20 of the battery case 1 was described as being divided into two parts, a first member 20A and a second member 20B. However, the upper member 20 may be divided into three or more parts. In this case, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained by configuring the joints between each member in the same way as in the above embodiment.

[0069] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described the battery case 1 as being divided vertically by an upper member and a lower member, a side wall member that closes the internal space between the upper member and the lower member may also be provided separately.

[0070] Furthermore, the battery case may be divided left and right along a dividing line in the vertical direction, rather than vertically. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained by configuring the joint between the left and right battery cases in the same way as in the above embodiment.

[0071] Furthermore, multiple functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. At least a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configuration of other above embodiments.

[0072] [Technical Concept Disclosed in This Specified Specification] [Item 1] A battery case for housing batteries, The battery is provided with an upper member that covers it from above, The upper member comprises a first member and a second member, which are divided above the battery and configured such that their plate surfaces overlap at the division point. The first member and the second member are joined together in the width direction along the divided edges at the overlapping portion where the plate surfaces overlap. The first member, located above the overlapping portion, includes an extended portion that extends from the overlapping portion toward the second member and is positioned to face the upper surface of the second member with a gap between them. The battery case comprises an extended portion which includes a first inclined portion that is inclined downward so as not to come into contact with the upper surface of the second member.

[0073] [Item 2] The battery case described in item 1, The second member is, A battery case comprising a second inclined portion that slopes downward from the overlapping portion and forms a recessed portion that is recessed below the overlapping portion.

[0074] [Item 3] A battery case as described in item 1 or item 2, The first member and the second member are A battery case comprising at least one inclined surface that slopes downward toward the periphery of the upper member, with the center in the width direction as its apex.

[0075] [Item 4] A battery case described in any one of items 1 to 3, The first member and the second member are, respectively, At both ends in the width direction, the side wall portion is bent toward the lower member located below the upper member, A flange portion that is bent outward from the lower edge of the side wall portion and connected to the lower member, Equipped with, A battery case in which the side wall portion of the first member is cut out diagonally from the open end of the extension portion on the second member side, located above the side wall portion, toward the open end of the flange portion of the second member on the first member side, so that the flange portions of the first member and the second member can be joined by butt welding.

[0076] [Item 5] A battery case described in any one of items 1 to 4, In the first member and the second member, the overlapping portion comprises a horizontal portion that is horizontal above the battery and a third inclined portion that slopes downward from the horizontal portion toward the second member, and the first member and the second member are joined at the third inclined portion. A battery case in which the first member comprises a first horizontal portion extending horizontally from the third inclined portion of the overlapping portion, and the first inclined portion extends downward from the first horizontal portion. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1...Battery case, 4...Battery cell, 20...Upper member, 20A...First member, 20B...Second member, 30...Overlapping part, 40A...Extended part, 44A...First inclined part.

Claims

1. A battery case for housing batteries, The battery is provided with an upper member that covers it from above, The upper member comprises a first member and a second member, which are divided above the battery and configured such that their plate surfaces overlap at the division point. The first member and the second member are joined together in the width direction along the divided edges at the overlapping portion where the plate surfaces overlap. The first member, located above the overlapping portion, includes an extended portion that extends from the overlapping portion toward the second member and is positioned to face the upper surface of the second member with a gap between them. The battery case comprises an extended portion which includes a first inclined portion that is inclined downward so as not to come into contact with the upper surface of the second member.

2. A battery case according to claim 1, The second member is, A battery case comprising a second inclined portion that slopes downward from the overlapping portion and forms a recessed portion that is recessed below the overlapping portion.

3. A battery case according to claim 1 or claim 2, The first member and the second member are A battery case comprising at least one inclined surface that slopes downward toward the periphery of the upper member, with the center in the width direction as its apex.

4. A battery case according to claim 1 or claim 2, The first member and the second member are, At both ends in the width direction, the side wall portion is bent toward the lower member located below the upper member, A flange portion that is bent outward from the lower edge of the side wall portion and connected to the lower member, Equipped with, A battery case in which the side wall portion of the first member is cut out diagonally from the open end of the extension portion on the second member side, located above the side wall portion, toward the open end of the flange portion of the second member on the first member side, so that the flange portions of the first member and the second member can be joined by butt welding.

5. A battery case according to claim 1 or claim 2, In the first member and the second member, the overlapping portion comprises a horizontal portion that is horizontal above the battery and a third inclined portion that slopes downward from the horizontal portion toward the second member, and the first member and the second member are joined at the third inclined portion. A battery case in which the first member comprises a first horizontal portion extending horizontally from the third inclined portion of the overlapping portion, and the first inclined portion extends downward from the first horizontal portion.

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