Battery module manufacturing method

Abstract

To suppress the outflow of filler material. [Solution] A method for manufacturing a battery module comprising a laminate in which a plurality of units are stacked, each unit including a first cell group and a second cell group in which a plurality of cells extending in a first direction are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a temperature control plate disposed between the first cell group and the second cell group and extending in the second direction, and a cover bonded to the first end face in the first direction of the cells of the laminate, includes applying an amount of adhesive to the first end face of the cell that is greater than the amount required to bond the first end face to the cover, pressing the cover against the first end face to which the adhesive has been applied to bond the first end face to the cover via the adhesive, and filling at least a portion of the gap formed between the inner surface of the cover and the side surface of the cell with the adhesive that has overflowed from between the first end face and the cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a battery module.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electric vehicle capable of running with a motor using the electric power stored in a battery module in a battery pack has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack that is disposed at the center of the lower part of the vehicle body of an electric vehicle and includes a plurality of battery modules. The battery module of Patent Document 1 includes a laminate in which a plurality of units including a first cell group, a second cell group, and a temperature control plate disposed between the first cell group and the second cell group are stacked.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the manufacturing process of the battery module, after the above-described laminate is housed in a case, potting may be performed. In potting, a fluid filler is injected into the inside of the case, and the injected filler is cured so that the filler fills the gaps between the laminates. Potting is performed to fix the positions of the respective members inside the case. However, for example, if there is a gap in the vicinity of a cover that will be located below the laminate when potting is performed, the filler may flow out of the laminate through the gap. When the filler flows out, the filling of the filler becomes insufficient, and for example, the positions of the respective members may not be properly fixed.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a battery module capable of suppressing the outflow of the filler. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention is: A method for manufacturing a battery module comprising a laminate in which a plurality of units are stacked, each unit including a first cell group and a second cell group in which a plurality of cells extending in a first direction are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a temperature control plate disposed between the first cell group and the second cell group and extending in the second direction, and a cover bonded to the first end face in the first direction of the cells of the laminate, Applying an amount of adhesive to the first end face of the cell that is greater than the amount required to bond the first end face to the cover, By pressing the cover against the first end face to which the adhesive has been applied, the first end face and the cover are bonded together via the adhesive, and the adhesive that overflows from between the first end face and the cover is filled into at least a portion of the gap formed between the inner surface of the cover and the side surface of the cell. Includes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the outflow of the filler. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the laminate. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of the battery module according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the assembly process. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the coating process in the upper cover assembly process. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the pressing process in the upper cover assembly process. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the state after the pressing process in the upper cover assembly process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The specific dimensions, materials, numerical values, etc., shown in these embodiments are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the invention and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustrations.

[0010] (Battery module) Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the battery module 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, the X' direction indicates the width direction of the battery module 1, the Y' direction indicates the length direction of the battery module 1, and the Z' direction indicates the height direction of the battery module 1.

[0011] The battery module 1 may be mounted on a vehicle V, such as an electric vehicle equipped with a motor-generator as a power source. Note that the vehicle V is not limited to an electric vehicle; it may also be a hybrid electric vehicle equipped with both a motor-generator and an engine as power sources. Furthermore, the battery module 1 is not limited to being mounted on a vehicle V; it may be mounted on various devices.

[0012] The battery module 1 comprises a case 10, a stacked body 12, and a busbar module 14.

[0013] Case 10 forms an accommodation space S inside. Case 10 has an upper cover 20, a side plate 22, and a lower cover 24. The space surrounded by the upper cover 20, the side plate 22, and the lower cover 24 is the accommodation space S. In the accommodation space S inside case 10, a laminate 12 and a bus bar module 14 are accommodated. The laminate 12 is located above the bus bar module 14 in the Z' direction.

[0014] The upper cover 20 is arranged above the laminate 12 in the Z' direction. The upper cover 20 has a rectangular flat plate shape. The upper cover 20 covers the upper side of the laminate 12 in the Z' direction.

[0015] The lower cover 24 is arranged below the bus bar module 14 in the Z' direction. The lower cover 24 has a rectangular flat plate shape. The lower cover 24 covers the lower side of the bus bar module 14 in the Z' direction.

[0016] A pair of side plates 22 are arranged on both sides in the X' direction with respect to the laminate 12 and the bus bar module 14. The side plates 22 have a rectangular flat plate shape. The side plates 22 cover both sides of the laminate 12 and the bus bar module 14 in the X' direction. The upper cover 20 is connected to the upper end of the side plates 22 in the Z' direction. The lower cover 24 is connected to the lower end of the side plates 22 in the Z' direction.

[0017] The laminate 12 includes a plurality of cells 30. The cell 30 is a single cell of a secondary battery capable of charge and discharge, such as a lithium-ion battery. The cell 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be formed in various shapes such as a prismatic shape or an elliptical cylinder shape. Each of the plurality of cells is arranged upright so as to extend in the height direction (Z' direction in FIG. 1) of the battery module 1. The cell 30 has electrodes of a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The laminate 12 will be described in detail later.

[0018] The bus bar module 14 has a bus bar plate 40, a plurality of bus bars 42, and a plurality of wires 44. The bus bar plate 40 holds the plurality of bus bars 42. The bus bars 42 are formed in a sheet shape or a plate shape from a conductive material. The wires 44 electrically connect any electrode of any cell 30 to any bus bar 42. The bus bars 42 electrically connect the electrodes of the plurality of cells 30 via the wires 44. The plurality of cells 30 are connected in parallel and in series via the wires 44 and the bus bars 42.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the laminate 12. FIG. 2 shows the laminate 12 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the Z' direction in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the X direction is the first direction corresponding to the extending direction of the cell 30. In FIG. 2, the Y direction is the second direction orthogonal to the X direction and corresponds to the direction in which the plurality of cells 30 are arranged. In FIG. 2, the Z direction is the third direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction and corresponds to the stacking direction of the unit 50 described later. The X direction in FIG. 2 corresponds to the Z' direction in FIG. 1, the Y direction in FIG. 2 corresponds to the Y' direction in FIG. 1, and the Z direction in FIG. 2 corresponds to the X' direction in FIG. 1.

[0020] The laminate 12 includes a plurality of units 50. Each of the plurality of units 50 includes a first cell group 60, a second cell group 62, a temperature control plate 64, and an insulating sheet 66. The units 50 may include two types, those including the insulating sheet 66 and those not including the insulating sheet 66. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the first cell group 60 and the second cell group 62 may be collectively referred to simply as the cell group without distinction.

[0021] Each of the first cell group 60 and the second cell group 62 includes a plurality of cells 30. Each of the plurality of cells 30 is arranged to extend in the first direction (the X direction in FIG. 2). That is, the central axis of the cell 30 extends in the X direction.

[0022] The first cell group 60 is configured such that multiple cells 30 extending in the first direction are arranged in a second direction (Y direction in Figure 2) perpendicular to the first direction. In the example in Figure 2, the first cell group 60 is shown as six cells 30 arranged in the Y direction. However, the number of cells 30 constituting the first cell group 60 can be multiple, and may be 5 or less, or 7 or more.

[0023] The second cell group 62 is a cell group configured separately from the first cell group 60, and is configured such that multiple cells 30 extending in the first direction are aligned in a second direction (Y direction in Figure 2) perpendicular to the first direction. The direction in which the multiple cells 30 constituting the second cell group 62 are aligned is the same direction as the direction in which the multiple cells 30 constituting the first cell group 60 are aligned. Hereafter, for the sake of explanation, the direction in which the multiple cells 30 constituting the cell group are aligned may be referred to as the parallel direction.

[0024] In the example in Figure 2, the second cell group 62 is shown as six cells 30 arranged in the Y direction. However, the number of cells 30 constituting the second cell group 62 can be multiple, and may be 5 or less, or 7 or more. The number of cells 30 constituting the second cell group 62 is assumed to be the same as the number of cells 30 constituting the first cell group 60, but may be different from the number of cells 30 constituting the first cell group 60.

[0025] The temperature control plate 64 is positioned between the first cell group 60 and the second cell group 62. The temperature control plate 64 is formed in a corrugated shape. The temperature control plate 64 is positioned so that its longitudinal direction, which corresponds to the direction of wave propagation, is in the same direction as the parallel direction of the cells 30 of the cell group.

[0026] A first cell group 60 is connected to the first of the two surfaces of the temperature control plate 64 via adhesive. Each cell 30 of the first cell group 60 is housed in a groove formed on the first surface of the temperature control plate 64. A second cell group 62 is connected to the second of the two surfaces of the temperature control plate 64 via adhesive. Each cell 30 of the second cell group 62 is housed in a groove formed on the second surface of the temperature control plate 64.

[0027] Although not shown in the diagram, a flow channel for the heat transfer medium is formed inside the temperature control plate 64. The temperature control plate 64 performs heat exchange between the heat transfer medium flowing through the internal flow channel and the first cell group 60 and the second cell group 62. Through this heat exchange, the temperatures of the first cell group 60 and the second cell group 62 are adjusted.

[0028] Unit 50 is formed by bonding a first cell group 60 to at least the first surface of a temperature control plate 64, and bonding a second cell group 62 to the second surface of the temperature control plate 64.

[0029] Multiple units 50 are stacked in a third direction (Z direction in Figure 2) that is perpendicular to the extension direction (first direction) and the parallel direction (second direction) of the cells 30. In other words, the third direction is the stacking direction in which the multiple units 50 are stacked. When the multiple units 50 are stacked, the first cell group 60 and the second cell group 62 are arranged alternately along the stacking direction.

[0030] The laminate 12 is formed by stacking multiple units 50 with an insulating sheet 66 in between. The insulating sheet 66 is formed in a sheet shape from an insulator. The insulating sheet 66 is located between the first cell group 60 of one unit 50 and the second cell group 62 of the other unit 50 of two adjacent units 50. The insulating sheet 66 prevents adjacent cell groups in the stacking direction from coming into contact.

[0031] The insulating sheet 66 is bonded to at least one of the two cell groups that sandwich the insulating sheet 66 via an adhesive. The insulating sheet 66 may also be bonded to at least one of the first cell group 60 and the second cell group 62 of the unit 50 on the side opposite to the temperature control plate 64.

[0032] (Battery module manufacturing method) Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 includes a unit creation step S100, a lamination step S200, an assembly step S300, a wire bonding step S400, and a potting step S500. Each step of the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 may be performed by a manufacturing machine, by a person, or by a collaboration between a manufacturing machine and a person.

[0033] In the unit creation process S100, a unit 50 is created that includes a first cell group 60, a second cell group 62, and a temperature control plate 64. For example, in the unit creation process S100, the first cell group 60 is bonded to the first surface of the temperature control plate 64 via adhesive, and the second cell group 62 is bonded to the second surface of the temperature control plate 64 via adhesive. In addition, in the unit creation process S100, an insulating sheet 66 may be bonded to the part of the second cell group 62 opposite to the temperature control plate 64 via adhesive.

[0034] In the lamination process S200, multiple units 50 are stacked via an insulating sheet 66 to form a laminate 12 (see Figure 2).

[0035] In assembly step S300, the busbar module 14 and the created laminate 12 are assembled to at least some of the components that make up the case 10. Assembly step S300 will be described in detail later.

[0036] In the wire bonding process S400, the electrodes of the cell 30 and the busbar 42 are connected by a wire 44.

[0037] In the potting process S500, potting is performed to fill the inside of the case 10, which houses the laminate 12 and the busbar module 14, with a filler. The potting process S500 is performed in a position where the upper cover 20 is located below the laminate 12 and the busbar module 14 is located above the laminate 12, that is, in a position where the top and bottom of Figure 1 are reversed. In the potting process S500, a fluid filler is injected into the inside of the case 10 from the busbar module 14 side so that the filler fills the gaps in the laminate 12.

[0038] In the potting process S500, after the filler is injected, it hardens after a predetermined time has elapsed under predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions and time vary depending on the type and characteristics of the filler. As the filler injected into the case 10 hardens, the ability to fix the position of the laminate 12 inside the case 10 is improved, thereby improving the structural characteristics, electrical characteristics, and environmental characteristics of the battery module 1.

[0039] Here, if there is a gap near the cover (e.g., upper cover 20) that will be located below the laminate 12 during potting, the filler may leak out of the laminate 12 through that gap. If the filler leaks out, the filling will be insufficient, and for example, the positions of each component may not be properly fixed.

[0040] Therefore, the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment ensures that the gaps near the cover (e.g., upper cover 20) which will be located below the stacked body 12 during the potting process S500 are sealed in a process prior to the potting process S500. More specifically, the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment ensures that a portion of the adhesive used to bond the first end face in a first direction (X direction in Figure 2) of the cell 30 of the stacked body 12 to the cover (e.g., upper cover 20) bonded to the first end face is filled into at least a portion of the gaps near the cover (e.g., upper cover 20).

[0041] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of assembly process S300. As shown in Figure 4, assembly process S300 includes the side plate assembly process S310, the upper cover assembly process S320, the transport process S330, the busbar module assembly process S340, and the lower cover assembly process S350. Each step of the assembly process may be performed by a manufacturing machine, by a person, or by a combination of a manufacturing machine and a person.

[0042] In the side plate assembly process S310, the side plates 22 are bonded to both sides of the laminate 12 in the third direction (Z direction in Figure 2, i.e., the stacking direction of the unit 50) via adhesive.

[0043] In the upper cover assembly process S320, the upper cover 20 is bonded to the first end face in the first direction (X direction in Figure 2) of the cell 30 of the laminate 12 via adhesive. The first end face of the cell 30 is, for example, the one of the two end faces in the first direction that does not have an electrode, in other words, the end face opposite to the end face that has an electrode.

[0044] The upper cover assembly process S320 includes an application process S321 in which adhesive is applied to the cell 30, and a pressing process S322 in which the upper cover 20 is pressed against the cell 30 to which the adhesive has been applied. The upper cover assembly process S320 will be described in detail later.

[0045] In the transport process S330, the semi-finished product, in which the side plates 22 and upper cover 20 are assembled to the laminate 12, is transported to the workshop for the busbar module assembly process S340.

[0046] In the busbar module assembly process S340, the busbar module 14 is assembled to the transported semi-finished product. For example, the busbar module 14 is fixed to the side plate 22 such that the busbars 42 are positioned near the electrodes of the cells 30 of the laminate 12.

[0047] In the lower cover assembly process S350, the lower cover 24 is attached to the semi-finished product on which the busbar module 14 is assembled. For example, the lower cover 24 is fixed to the side plate 22 such that the lower cover 24 is positioned on the opposite side of the laminate 12 from the busbar module 14.

[0048] The lower cover 24 may be integrated with the busbar module 14. In that case, the lower cover assembly process S350 may be substantially included in the busbar module assembly process S340.

[0049] Furthermore, the lower cover assembly process S350 is not limited to being performed in the assembly process S300, but may also be performed after the wire bonding process S400 or after the potting process S500.

[0050] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the coating process S321 of the upper cover assembly process S320. Figure 5 shows an example of the coating system 100 that realizes the coating process S321. Hereafter, the semi-finished product being manufactured that is the target of the upper cover assembly process S320 may be referred to as the target semi-finished product.

[0051] The target semi-finished product is positioned so that the first end face 110 of the cell 30 of the laminate 12 faces vertically upward. As described above, the first end face 110 is the end face opposite to the end face on which the electrodes are provided.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5, the coating system 100 includes an imaging device 120, a coating nozzle 130, a tank 132, a drive device 134, and a control device 140. The coating system 100 may also include a movable stage on which the target semi-finished product is placed.

[0053] The imaging device 120 is capable of imaging at least a portion of the target semi-finished product. The coating nozzle 130 is connected to the tank 132, which contains adhesive 200. The tip 150 of the coating nozzle 130 is directed toward the central part of the first end face 110 of any one of the cells 30 in the parallel direction. The drive device 134, under the control of the control device 140, can discharge the adhesive 200 contained in the tank 132 from the tip 150 of the coating nozzle 130 and move the coating nozzle 130.

[0054] The control device 140 includes one or more processors 142 and one or more memories 144 connected to the processors 142. The memories 144 include ROM, which stores programs, and RAM, which serves as a work area. The processors 142 work in cooperation with the programs contained in the memories 144 to perform various processes.

[0055] The control device 140 can acquire images captured by the imaging device 120. The control device 140 can control the drive device 134 by having the processor 142 execute a program. For example, the control device 140 analyzes the acquired images to determine the positions where the adhesive 200 should be applied, and controls the drive device 134 to perform the application of the adhesive 200.

[0056] In the coating process S321 of the upper cover assembly process S320, the control device 140 applies an amount of adhesive 200 to the first end face 110 of the cell 30 that is greater than the amount required to bond the first end face 110 to the upper cover 20, as shown in Figure 5.

[0057] The adhesive 200 has at least enough fluidity to allow for deformation when applied. Furthermore, the adhesive 200 may harden while maintaining its adhesive function after a predetermined time has elapsed under predetermined conditions after application.

[0058] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the pressing process S322 in the upper cover assembly process S320. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the state after the pressing process S322 in the upper cover assembly process S320 has been performed.

[0059] As shown by the white arrow A10 in Figure 6, in the pressing step S322, the upper cover 20 is moved from vertically above the first end face 110 of the cell 30 to which the adhesive 200 has been applied, in a direction approaching the first end face 110, and the upper cover 20 is pressed against the first end face 110.

[0060] When the upper cover 20 is pressed against the first end face 110, the first end face 110 of the cell 30 and the inner surface 210 of the upper cover 20 are bonded together via the adhesive 200, as shown in Figure 7.

[0061] Here, as shown in Figure 7, the side surface of the temperature control plate 64 on the upper cover 20 side is located further inside the laminate 12 than the first end face 110 of the cell 30. Therefore, the inner surface 210 of the upper cover 20, the side surface of the cell 30 of the first cell group 60, the side surface of the cell 30 of the second cell group 62, and the side surface of the temperature control plate 64 on the upper cover 20 side form the first space 220A.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the side surface of the insulating sheet 66 facing the upper cover 20 is located further inside the laminate 12 than the first end face 110 of the cell 30. As a result, the inner surface 210 of the upper cover 20, the side surface of the cell 30 of the first cell group 60, the side surface of the cell 30 of the second cell group 62, and the side surface of the insulating sheet 66 facing the upper cover 20 form a second space 220B.

[0063] The thickness of the temperature control plate 64 in the stacking direction (Z direction in Figure 7) may be greater than the thickness of the insulating sheet 66 in the stacking direction (Z direction in Figure 7). In this case, the first space 220A may be wider than the second space 220B.

[0064] The first space 220A and the second space 220B are located near the upper cover 20 and are examples of gaps 220 formed by the inner surface 210 of the upper cover 20 and the side surface of the cell 30. In other words, the gap 220 may include either or both of the first space 220A and the second space 220B.

[0065] As described above, in the coating process S321 of the upper cover assembly process S320, a larger amount of adhesive 200 than is required to bond the first end face 110 of the cell 30 to the upper cover 20 is applied. Therefore, when the upper cover 20 is pressed against the first end face 110 of the cell 30 in the pressing process S322, some of the adhesive 200 overflows from between the first end face 110 and the upper cover 20 into the gap 220 near the upper cover 20. For example, some of the adhesive 200 overflows from between the first end face 110 and the upper cover 20 into the first space 220A and the second space 220B.

[0066] In other words, in the pressing step S322, the adhesive 200 that has overflowed from between the first end face 110 and the upper cover 20 fills at least a portion of the gap 220 formed by the inner surface 210 of the upper cover 20 and the side surface of the cell 30. For example, the overflowing adhesive 200 fills at least a portion of the first space 220A. Similarly, the overflowing adhesive 200 fills at least a portion of the second space 220B.

[0067] Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to filling all of the multiple first spaces 220A with adhesive 200, but may also be configured to fill one or more of the multiple first spaces 220A with adhesive 200. Also, the configuration is not limited to filling the entire area of ​​one first space 220A with adhesive 200, but may also be configured to fill at least a portion of the area of ​​one first space 220A with adhesive 200.

[0068] Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to filling all of the multiple second spaces 220B with adhesive 200, but may be configured to fill one or more of the multiple second spaces 220B with adhesive 200. Also, the configuration is not limited to filling the entire area of ​​one second space 220B with adhesive 200, but may be configured to fill at least a portion of the area of ​​one second space 220B with adhesive 200.

[0069] Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to filling both the first space 220A and the second space 220B with adhesive 200; it is also possible to fill either the first space 220A or the second space 220B with adhesive 200.

[0070] In this way, when the adhesive 200 for bonding the first end face 110 of the cell 30 to the inner surface 210 of the upper cover 20 is filled into the gap 220 near the upper cover 20, the gap 220 is substantially closed by the adhesive 200.

[0071] As described above, in the subsequent potting process S500, the upper cover 20 is positioned below the laminate 12, and a fluid filler is injected into the laminate 12. In the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment, the gap 220 near the upper cover 20 is sealed by the adhesive 200, so that the filler does not leak out of the laminate 12 through the gap 220.

[0072] In addition, during the coating process S321, an amount of adhesive 200 required to bond the first end face 110 to the upper cover 20, plus the volume of at least a portion of the gap 220 near the upper cover 20, may be applied to the first end face 110.

[0073] As described above, the battery module 1 of this embodiment comprises a laminate 12 in which a plurality of units 50 are stacked, each unit 50 including a first cell group 60 and a second cell group 62 in which a plurality of cells 30 extending in a first direction are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a temperature control plate 64 disposed between the first cell group 60 and the second cell group 62 and extending in the second direction, and a cover (for example, an upper cover 20) that is bonded to the first end face 110 in the first direction of the cell 30 of the laminate 12. The manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment includes applying an amount of adhesive 200 to the first end face 110 of the cell 30 that is greater than the amount required to bond the first end face 110 to the cover. The manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment includes pressing a cover against a first end face 110 to which adhesive 200 has been applied, thereby bonding the first end face 110 and the cover via the adhesive 200, and filling at least a portion of the gap 220 formed by the inner surface 210 of the cover and the side surface of the cell 30 with the adhesive 200 that has overflowed from between the first end face 110 and the cover.

[0074] As a result, in the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the gap 220 is sealed by the adhesive 200. Therefore, in the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment, when the filler is injected into the laminate 12 in the potting step S500, it is possible to suppress the outflow of the filler from the laminate 12 through the gap 220. As a result, in the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment, the filling of the filler in the potting step S500 can be performed appropriately.

[0075] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the gap 220 can be closed simply by performing the simple operation required for bonding the upper cover 20, which is to press the upper cover 20 against the first end face 110 of the cell 30. Therefore, in the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the outflow of filler in the potting process S500 while suppressing the complexity of the manufacturing process.

[0076] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment, the gap 220 may include a space (for example, a first space 220A) formed by the inner surface 210 of the cover (for example, the upper cover 20), the side surface of the cell 30 of the first cell group 60, the side surface of the cell 30 of the second cell group 62, and the cover-side side of the temperature control plate 64.

[0077] As a result, in the manufacturing method of the battery module 1 of this embodiment, the adhesive 200 is filled into the first space 220A, which has a relatively large volume near the upper cover 20. Therefore, the outflow of the filler during the potting process S500 can be further suppressed.

[0078] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1 Battery Module 12-layer structure 20 Upper cover 30 cells 50 units 60 Cell Group 1 62 Cell Group 2 64 Temperature control plate 110 First end surface 210 Inner self 200 Adhesives 220 gap 220A First Space

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a battery module comprising a laminate in which a plurality of units are stacked, each unit including a first cell group and a second cell group in which a plurality of cells extending in a first direction are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a temperature control plate disposed between the first cell group and the second cell group and extending in the second direction, and a cover bonded to the first end face in the first direction of the cells of the laminate, Applying an amount of adhesive to the first end face of the cell that is greater than the amount required to bond the first end face to the cover, By pressing the cover against the first end face to which the adhesive has been applied, the first end face and the cover are bonded together via the adhesive, and the excess adhesive that spills out from between the first end face and the cover is filled into at least a portion of the gap formed between the inner surface of the cover and the side surface of the cell. including, A method for manufacturing battery modules.

2. The gap includes the space formed by the inner surface of the cover, the side surface of the cell of the first cell group, the side surface of the cell of the second cell group, and the side surface of the temperature control plate on the cover side. A method for manufacturing a battery module according to claim 1.

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