Battery pack

Abstract

This provides a battery pack that can protect the ventilation membrane without requiring multiple separate components to seal and waterproof the battery. [Solution] A battery pack according to one embodiment of this technology comprises a battery, a housing capable of housing the battery, and a ventilation membrane. The housing has a wall that forms a battery housing space. Inside the wall, a path is provided that connects the housing space and the external space. The path has a first port extending from the external space side and a second port extending from the housing space side and connected to the first port at an angle or perpendicular to it. The ventilation membrane is arranged to spatially separate the housing space and the path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology relates to a battery pack.

Background Art

[0002] Since electronic devices have become widespread, the development of batteries as power sources applied to such electronic devices has been underway. In this case, in order to easily and safely handle a plurality of batteries, a battery pack including the plurality of batteries has been proposed.

[0003] Regarding technologies related to the configuration of battery packs, various studies have been made. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack in which internal batteries are sealed and waterproofed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the battery pack described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of components for protecting the ventilation film for adjusting the internal pressure are provided outside the housing of the battery pack. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the battery pack, assembly of a plurality of components is required. Thus, conventionally, there has been a problem that it is necessary to separately provide a plurality of components for sealing and waterproofing the battery. It is desirable to provide a battery pack capable of protecting the ventilation film without separately providing a plurality of components for sealing and waterproofing the battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A battery pack according to one embodiment of this technology comprises a battery, a housing capable of housing the battery, and a ventilation membrane. The housing has a wall that forms a battery housing space. Inside the wall, a path is provided that connects the housing space and the external space. The path has a first port extending from the external space side and a second port extending from the housing space side and connected to the first port at an angle or perpendicular to it. The ventilation membrane is arranged to spatially separate the housing space and the path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In one embodiment of this technology, a battery pack is provided with a path connecting the storage space and the external space inside the wall of a housing capable of housing the battery, and a ventilation membrane is arranged to spatially separate the storage space and the path. Thus, in this technology, the path connected to the ventilation membrane is provided inside the wall of the housing. This allows, for example, that at least the portion of the wall including the path be made of a resin part formed by injection molding, and the path be formed by injection molding. Furthermore, by adjusting the shape of the path, the ventilation membrane can be protected from user tampering and the water pressure of a high-pressure washer. In other words, the path can be given the role of protecting the ventilation membrane from user tampering and the water pressure of a high-pressure washer. As a result, even without providing multiple parts to protect the ventilation membrane on the outside of the battery pack housing, it is possible to prevent damage to the ventilation membrane from user tampering and the water pressure of a high-pressure washer by adjusting the shape of the path. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a perspective view configuration of a battery pack according to one embodiment of this technology. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the unfolded configuration of the battery pack shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the unfolded configuration of the battery pack shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4]Figure 4(A) shows an example of the cross-sectional configuration of the battery pack in Figure 1 along line AA. Figure 4(B) shows an example of the configuration of the battery pack in Figure 4(A) with the contents 10A removed. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a magnified view of a portion of the cross-section shown in Figure 4(A). [Figure 6] Figure 6(A) is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-section shown in Figure 5. Figure 6(B) is a perspective view showing an example of the lid-shaped housing configuration in Figure 6(A). [Figure 7] Figure 7(A) shows a modified example of the cross-sectional configuration shown in Figure 5. Figure 7(B) shows an example of a perspective view of the lid-shaped housing in Figure 7(A). [Figure 8] Figure 8(A) shows a modified example of the cross-sectional configuration shown in Figure 5. Figure 8(B) shows an example of a perspective view of the lid-shaped housing in Figure 8(A). [Figure 9] Figure 9(A) shows a modified example of the cross-sectional configuration shown in Figure 5. Figure 9(B) shows an example of a perspective view of the lid-shaped housing in Figure 9(A). [Figure 10] Figure 10(A) shows a modified example of the cross-sectional configuration shown in Figure 5. Figure 10(B) shows an example of a perspective view of the lid-shaped housing in Figure 10(A). [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows a modified example of the cross-sectional configuration shown in Figure 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments for implementing this technology will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The order of explanation is as follows. 1. Embodiment 1-1. Composition 1-2. Effects 2. Variations

[0010] <1. Embodiments> First, we will describe a battery pack 1, which is one embodiment of this technology.

[0011] The battery pack 1 described here is a power source equipped with a plurality of batteries and is applicable to various uses such as electronic devices. Details of the uses of the battery pack 1 will be described later. Since the type of battery is not particularly limited, it may be a primary battery or a secondary battery. The type of secondary battery is not particularly limited, but specifically, it is a lithium-ion secondary battery that obtains battery capacity by utilizing the absorption and release of lithium ions, etc. The number of batteries is not particularly limited and can be arbitrarily set. Hereinafter, the case where the battery is a secondary battery (lithium-ion secondary battery) will be described. That is, the battery pack 1 described below is a power source equipped with a plurality of secondary batteries.

[0012] [1-1. Configuration] FIG. 1 shows a perspective configuration example of the battery pack 1. FIGS. 2 and 3 show developed configuration examples of the battery pack 1. FIG. 4(A) shows a cross-sectional configuration example taken along line A-A of FIG. 1. FIG. 4(B) shows a configuration example in which the accommodation 10A described later is removed from the battery pack 1.

[0013] The battery pack 1 includes, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 4(A), a cylindrical housing 10 and lid-shaped housings 20 and 30 as an exterior case (housing). The cylindrical housing 10 and the lid-shaped housings 20 and 30 have a wall 1A that forms an accommodation space S, for example, as shown in FIG. 4(B). The accommodation space S is surrounded by the wall 1A.

[0014] The cylindrical housing 10 constitutes a part of the wall of the housing of the battery pack 1 and is composed of a cylindrical wall. The cylindrical housing 10 is composed of, for example, a cylindrical metal member or resin member. The lid-shaped housings 20 and 30 constitute a part of the wall of the housing of the battery pack 1. The lid-shaped housing 20 is composed of a lid-shaped wall that can be fitted into one end of the cylindrical housing 10. The lid-shaped housing 30 is composed of a lid-shaped wall that can be fitted into the other end of the cylindrical housing 10. The lid-shaped housings 20 and 30 are resin parts formed by injection molding. The gap between the lid-shaped housings 20 and 30 and the ends of the cylindrical housing 10 is blocked by a water-stopping part 40. The water-stopping part 40 is formed of, for example, an annular rubber material.

[0015] The lid-shaped housing 20 is provided with a plurality of screw holes 21. The lid-shaped housing 20 is fixed to the end of the cylindrical housing 10 by screws inserted into the respective screw holes 21 being fitted to the end of the cylindrical housing 10. The lid-shaped housing 30 is provided with a plurality of screw holes (not shown) and external terminals (not shown). The lid-shaped housing 30 is fixed to the end of the cylindrical housing 10 by screws inserted into the respective screw holes being fitted to the end of the cylindrical housing 10. The external terminals are connected to a substrate 80 described later. The external terminals are connected to a plurality of battery cell blocks 50 described later via the substrate 80.

[0016] The battery pack 1 further includes, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(A), a contained object 10A. The contained object 10A is accommodated in an accommodation space S shown in, for example, FIG. 4(B). The contained object 10A includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of battery cell blocks 50, a plurality of insulating plates 60, a substrate holder 70, and a substrate 80. The battery cell block 50 includes, for example, a plurality of batteries, a holder that supports the plurality of batteries, and tabs that electrically connect the plurality of batteries. The plurality of battery cell blocks 50 are arranged side by side in the extending direction of the cylindrical housing 10. The insulating plate 60 is disposed between two adjacent battery cell blocks 50. The insulating plate 60 is a component for preventing two adjacent battery cell blocks 50 from being electrically short-circuited through an unintended path.

[0017] The substrate holder 70 is for supporting the substrate 80 and protecting it from impact. The battery pack 1 has a discharge mode in which power output from the plurality of battery cell blocks 50 is supplied to a load via the external terminals. The battery pack 1 may further have a charging mode in which power supplied via the external terminals from a power source connected to the external terminals is stored in the plurality of battery cell blocks 50. When each battery included in the battery cell block 50 is a secondary battery, the substrate 80 is adapted to switch between the discharge mode and the charging mode according to the type of the connected object connected to the external terminals. When each battery included in the battery cell block 50 is a primary battery, the substrate 80 is adapted to execute only the discharge mode.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the lid-shaped housing 20 will be described in detail. Figure 5 shows an example of the cross-sectional configuration of the lid-shaped housing 20. The lid-shaped housing 20 constitutes a part of the wall (wall 20C) of the housing of the battery pack 1. Inside the wall 20C, a ventilation hole 22 is provided as a path that connects the housing space S and the external space. The ventilation hole 22 is a through hole formed by injection molding. The ventilation hole 22 has, for example, a first port 22a extending from the external space side, a second port 22b extending from the housing space S side and connected diagonally or perpendicularly to the first port 22a, and a third port 22c extending from the external space side and connected diagonally or perpendicularly to the first port 22a, as shown in Figure 6(A). Figure 6(A) shows an example in which the second port 22b and the third port 22c are connected perpendicularly to the first port 22a.

[0019] The first port 22a extends in a first direction inside the wall 20C. One end of the first port 22a is provided on the circumferential surface 20B of the lid-shaped housing 20 and exposed to the outside space, for example, as shown in Figure 6(B). The third port 22c extends in a second direction inside the wall 20C. One end of the third port 22c is provided on the end face 20A of the lid-shaped housing 20 and exposed to the outside space, for example, as shown in Figure 6(B). The other end of the third port 22c is connected to the other end of the first port 22a. The third port 22c is connected to the second port 22b via the first port 22a. The end (opening) of the second port 22b, formed on the inner surface of the first port 22a, is provided in the shortest route between the end of the ventilation hole 22 on the outside space side of the first port 22a and the end of the third port 22c on the outside space side. The end (opening) of the second port 22b, formed on the inner surface of the first port 22a, is positioned so as not to be visible from the external space via the third port 22c. In the second port 22b, the diameter of the end (opening) on ​​the first port 22a side is smaller than the diameter of the end (opening) on ​​the accommodation space S side, as shown in Figure 6(A), for example.

[0020] The lid-shaped housing 20 has a ventilation membrane 23, as shown in Figure 6(A), for example. The ventilation membrane 23 is positioned to spatially separate the containment space S from the ventilation holes 22. The ventilation membrane 23 is positioned to close the end (opening) of the second port 22b, which is formed on the inner surface of the wall 20C. The ventilation membrane 23 allows gas in the containment space S to permeate to the ventilation holes 22 side, and gas in the ventilation holes 22 to permeate to the containment space S side. The ventilation membrane 23 also functions as a watertight membrane that prevents moisture in the ventilation holes 22 from permeating to the containment space S side. The ventilation membrane 23 is composed of a porous membrane sheet made of Teflon® resin, for example.

[0021] [1-2. Effects] Next, I will explain the effects of battery pack 1.

[0022] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack in which the internal battery is sealed and waterproofed. In Patent Document 1, the ventilation membrane has the function of eliminating the pressure difference between the battery housing space and the external space, and preventing water and debris from entering the housing space. If the ventilation membrane is damaged, the waterproof function of the ventilation membrane is lost. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, several components are attached to the outside of the housing to protect the ventilation membrane from user tampering and the water pressure of a high-pressure washer. However, when manufacturing the battery pack described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to attach such multiple components to the outside of the housing. Therefore, there is a problem in that mounting costs are incurred for attaching such multiple components to the outside of the housing.

[0023] On the other hand, in this embodiment, a ventilation hole 22 is provided inside the wall 20C of the housing capable of housing a battery, serving as a path connecting the housing space S and the external space, and a ventilation membrane 23 is arranged to spatially separate the housing space S and the path. Thus, in this embodiment, the ventilation hole 22 connected to the ventilation membrane 23 is provided inside the wall 20C of the housing. This allows the lid-shaped housing 20 to be constructed from resin parts formed by injection molding, and the ventilation hole 22 to be formed by injection molding. Furthermore, by adjusting the shape of the ventilation hole 22, the ventilation membrane 23 can be protected from user tampering and water pressure from a high-pressure washer. In other words, the ventilation hole 22 can be given the role of protecting the ventilation membrane from user tampering and water pressure from a high-pressure washer. As a result, even without providing multiple parts to protect the ventilation membrane 23 on the outside of the housing of the battery pack 1, it is possible to prevent damage to the ventilation membrane from user tampering and water pressure from a high-pressure washer by adjusting the shape of the ventilation hole 22.

[0024] In this embodiment, the second port 22b is connected to the first port 22a at an angle or right angle, and the third port 22c is connected to the first port 22a at an angle or right angle. This allows the ventilation membrane 23 to be protected by user tampering and the water pressure of a high-pressure washer through the ventilation holes 22. As a result, even without providing multiple components to protect the ventilation membrane 23 on the outside of the housing of the battery pack 1, it is possible to prevent damage to the ventilation membrane from user tampering and the water pressure of a high-pressure washer by adjusting the shape of the ventilation holes 22.

[0025] In this embodiment, the third port 22c is connected to the second port 22b via the first port 22a. This allows water entering from the first port 22a to be discharged to the outside space via the third port 22c, and water entering from the third port 22c to be discharged to the outside space via the first port 22a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the water pressure in the second port 22b from becoming excessively high. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ventilation membrane 23 from being damaged by the water pressure in the second port 22b.

[0026] In this embodiment, the end (opening) of the second port 22b, formed on the inner surface of the first port 22a, is located at the shortest route between the end of the ventilation hole 22 on the external space side of the first port 22a and the end of the third port 22c on the external space side. This allows water entering from the first port 22a to be discharged to the external space via the third port 22c, and water entering from the third port 22c to be discharged to the external space via the first port 22a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the water pressure inside the second port 22b from becoming excessively high. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ventilation membrane 23 from being damaged by the water pressure inside the second port 22b.

[0027] In this embodiment, the end (opening) of the second port 22b, formed on the inner surface of the first port 22a, is positioned so as not to be visible from the outside space via the third port 22c. This makes it possible to protect the ventilation membrane 23 from user tampering and water pressure from a high-pressure washer through the ventilation holes 22. As a result, even without providing multiple components on the outside of the housing of the battery pack 1 to protect the ventilation membrane 23, it is possible to prevent damage to the ventilation membrane from user tampering and water pressure from a high-pressure washer by adjusting the shape of the ventilation holes 22.

[0028] In this embodiment, the diameter of the end (opening) of the second port 22b on the first port 22a side is smaller than the diameter of the end (opening) on ​​the housing space S side. This makes it possible to protect the ventilation membrane 23 from user tampering and water pressure from a high-pressure washer by the ventilation hole 22. As a result, even without providing multiple components to protect the ventilation membrane 23 on the outside of the housing of the battery pack 1, it is possible to prevent damage to the ventilation membrane from user tampering and water pressure from a high-pressure washer by adjusting the shape of the ventilation hole 22.

[0029] In this embodiment, the ventilation membrane 23 is positioned to cover the end (opening) of the second port 22b, which is formed on the inner surface of the wall 20C. This allows the ventilation hole 22 to protect the ventilation membrane 23 from user tampering and the water pressure of a high-pressure washer. As a result, even without providing multiple components on the outside of the housing of the battery pack 1 to protect the ventilation membrane 23, it is possible to prevent damage to the ventilation membrane from user tampering and the water pressure of a high-pressure washer by adjusting the shape of the ventilation hole 22.

[0030] In this embodiment, the lid-shaped housing 20 is a resin part formed by injection molding, and the ventilation holes 22 are through holes formed by injection molding. As a result, even without providing multiple parts to protect the ventilation membrane 23 on the outside of the housing of the battery pack 1, it is possible to prevent damage to the ventilation membrane by user tampering or water pressure from a high-pressure washer by adjusting the shape of the ventilation holes 22.

[0031] <2. Variant> Next, we will describe a modified version of battery pack 1.

[0032] [Differentiation A] In the above embodiment, one end of the third port 22c may be provided on the circumferential surface 20B of the lid-shaped housing 20, for example, as shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B). Even in this case, the ventilation holes 22 can prevent damage to the ventilation membrane due to user tampering or water pressure from a high-pressure washer.

[0033] [Variation B] In the above embodiment, the end (opening) of the second port 22b, formed on the inner surface of the first port 22a, may be provided at a location different from the shortest route between the end of the first port 22a on the external space side and the end of the third port 22c on the external space side of the ventilation hole 22, as shown in Figures 8(A) and 8(B). Even in this case, water that enters from the first port 22a can be discharged to the outside space via the third port 22c, and water that enters from the third port 22c can be discharged to the outside space via the first port 22a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the water pressure inside the second port 22b from becoming excessively high. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ventilation membrane 23 from being damaged by the water pressure inside the second port 22b.

[0034] [Differentiation C] In the above embodiment, the first port 22a, the second port 22b, and the third port 22c may form a Y-shaped intersection (folk road) with their respective ends connected at a common point, as shown in Figures 9(A) and 9(B). Even in this case, the ventilation holes 22 can prevent damage to the ventilation membrane from user tampering or water pressure from a high-pressure washer.

[0035] [Differentiation D] In the ventilation hole 22 according to the above embodiment, the third port 22c may be omitted, for example, as shown in Figures 10(A) and 10(B). Even in this case, the ventilation hole 22 can prevent damage to the ventilation membrane due to user tampering or water pressure from a high-pressure washer.

[0036] [Differentiation Example E] In the ventilation hole 22 according to the modified example D described above, for example, both ends of the first port 22a may be exposed to the outside space, as shown in Figure 11. Even in this case, the ventilation hole 22 can prevent damage to the ventilation membrane due to user tampering or water pressure from a high-pressure washer.

[0037] Although the present technology has been described above with reference to several embodiments and their variations, the present technology is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. Furthermore, the effects described herein are merely illustrative, and the effects of the present technology are not limited to those described herein. Therefore, other effects may be obtained with respect to the present technology. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1...Battery pack, 1A, 20C...Wall, 10...Cylindrical housing, 10A...Contents, 20, 30...Lid-shaped housing, 20A...End face, 20B...Circumferential surface, 21...Screw hole, 22...Ventilation hole, 22a...First port, 22b...Second port, 22c...Third port, 23...Ventilation membrane, 40...Waterproofing component, 50...Battery cell block, 60...Insulating plate, 70...Substrate holder, 80...Substrate, S...Housing space.

Claims

1. Batteries and A housing capable of accommodating the aforementioned battery, Ventilated membrane and Equipped with, The housing has walls that form a battery housing space, A path is provided inside the wall that connects the containment space and the external space. The aforementioned route is The first port extending from the external space side, A second port extending from the accommodation space and connected to the first port at an angle or right angle, It has, The ventilation membrane is arranged to spatially separate the containment space from the path. Battery pack.

2. The aforementioned path further includes a third port that extends from the external space side and is connected to the first port at an angle or perpendicular to it. The battery pack according to claim 1.

3. The third port is connected to the second port via the first port. The battery pack according to claim 2.

4. The end of the second port, formed on the inner surface of the first port, is provided in the shortest route between the end of the first port on the external space side and the end of the third port on the external space side of the path. The battery pack according to claim 3.

5. The end of the second port, formed on the inner surface of the first port, is provided at a location in the path that is different from the shortest route between the end of the first port on the external space side and the end of the third port on the external space side. The battery pack according to claim 3.

6. In the first port, the second port, and the third port, the ends of each port are connected at a common point. The battery pack according to claim 2.

7. Both ends of the first port are exposed to the external space. The battery pack according to claim 1.

8. The opening of the second port, formed on the inner surface of the first port, is positioned so as not to be visible from the external space side via the third port. The battery pack according to claim 2.

9. The ventilation membrane is formed on the inner surface of the wall and is positioned to close the opening of the second port. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Of the aforementioned wall, at least the portion including the aforementioned path is a resin part formed by injection molding. The aforementioned path is a through hole formed by injection molding. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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