Battery Module

Abstract

To provide a battery module with high assembly of a flexible printed board.SOLUTION: In a state where a flexible printed board and a control substrate are connected, the flexible printed board is bent. A positioning part of the flexible printed board on a plate member is provided. The positioning part includes: a projection that is provided to the plate member; and a hole provided to the flexible printed board. By a side surface of the hole being pressed against the projection due to the bending of the flexible printed board, the flexible printed board is positioned. The projection includes: a column part that is erected substantially vertically from a main surface of the plate member; and a projection part that projects from the column part in a direction that crosses the column part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a battery module. [Background technology]

[0002] A flexible printed circuit board is sometimes used as wiring for a battery module including a plurality of battery cells. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 107583 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-68696 [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2021-72289 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Flexible printed circuit boards are easily deformed, and therefore may bend during assembly, causing them to unintentionally rise up. There is a demand for improving the ease of assembly of flexible printed circuit boards.

[0005] An object of the present technology is to provide a battery module that allows easy installation of a flexible printed circuit board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present technology provides the following battery module. [1] A battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction; a plate member provided on the plurality of battery cells; a flexible printed circuit board provided on the plate member; a control board provided on the plate member and electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board; and a connector portion provided between the flexible printed circuit board and the control board, wherein the flexible printed circuit board and the control board are electrically connected to each other via the connector portion, and when the flexible printed circuit board and the control board are connected, the flexible printed circuit board has a deflection, and a positioning portion for the flexible printed circuit board on the plate member is provided, the positioning portion includes a protrusion provided on the plate member and a hole provided in the flexible printed circuit board, and the flexible printed circuit board is positioned when a side of the hole is pressed against the protrusion due to the deflection of the flexible printed circuit board, and the protrusion includes a column portion rising approximately perpendicularly from a main surface of the plate member, and a protrusion portion protruding from the column portion in a direction intersecting the column portion.

[0007] [2] The battery module according to [1], wherein the protrusion protrudes from the pillar portion toward the connector portion.

[0008] [3] The battery module according to [1] or [2], wherein the hole provided in the flexible printed circuit board is an elongated hole, and the side surface of the elongated hole is pressed against the protrusion along the extension direction of the elongated hole.

[0009] [4] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the protrusion has a substantially L-shaped vertical cross section.

[0010] [5] The battery module according to any one of [1] or [4], wherein the control board includes a control circuit that controls charging and discharging of each of the multiple battery cells. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present technology, by providing the protrusion protruding from the column portion of the protrusion, it is possible to prevent the flexible printed circuit board from floating up when the connector is connected, thereby improving the assembling property of the flexible printed circuit board. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a battery module. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery cell. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a wiring module is provided on a battery module. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of bus bars in a battery pack. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining deflection of a flexible printed circuit board. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a positioning portion of a flexible printed circuit board. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a protrusion that constitutes a positioning portion. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a positioning function provided by a protrusion. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first step in an example of a process for assembling a flexible printed circuit board. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second step in the example of a process for assembling a flexible printed circuit board. [Figure 11] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a first step in a modified example of the process for assembling a flexible printed circuit board. [Figure 12] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a second step in a modified example of the process for assembling a flexible printed circuit board. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views showing modified examples of the protrusions. [Figure 14] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a press-fit part to be press-fitted into a protrusion. FIG. [Figure 15] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a protrusion into which a press-fit part is press-fitted. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described. Note that the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference characters, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0014] In the embodiments described below, when referring to the number, amount, etc., the scope of the present technology is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, etc., unless otherwise specified. In addition, in the following embodiments, each component is not necessarily essential to the present technology, unless otherwise specified. In addition, the present technology is not necessarily limited to those that achieve all of the effects and advantages mentioned in the present embodiment.

[0015] In this specification, the words "comprise", "include" and "have" are open-ended, i.e., when a certain configuration is included, other configurations may or may not be included.

[0016] Furthermore, when geometric terms and terms expressing positional and directional relationships, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "45° diagonal," "coaxial," and "along" are used in this specification, these terms allow for manufacturing errors and slight variations. When terms expressing relative positional relationships, such as "upper side" and "lower side," are used in this specification, these terms are used to indicate relative positional relationships in one state, and the relative positional relationships can be inverted or rotated to any angle depending on the installation direction of each mechanism (for example, by turning the entire mechanism upside down).

[0017] In this specification, the term "battery" is not limited to lithium ion batteries, but may include other batteries such as nickel-metal hydride batteries and sodium ion batteries. In this specification, the term "electrode" may collectively refer to positive and negative electrodes. In addition, the term "electrode plate" may collectively refer to positive and negative plates.

[0018] In this specification, a "battery cell" can be mounted in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), an electric vehicle (BEV), etc. However, the use of the "battery cell" is not limited to being mounted in a vehicle.

[0019] 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of a battery pack 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 1 includes a battery cell 100, an end plate 200, and a restraining member 300.

[0020] The multiple battery cells 100 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction (first direction). This forms a stack of the battery cells 100. The battery cells 100 include electrode terminals 110. Separators (not shown) are interposed between the multiple battery cells 100. The multiple battery cells 100 sandwiched between the two end plates 200 are pressed by the end plates 200 and are restrained between the two end plates 200.

[0021] The end plates 200 are disposed on both ends of the battery pack 1 in the Y-axis direction. The end plates 200 are fixed to a base such as a case that houses the battery pack 1. The restraining members 300 connect the two end plates 200 to each other.

[0022] By fixing the restraining member 300 to the end plate 200 while a compressive force in the Y-axis direction is applied to the stack of multiple battery cells 100 and end plates 200, and then releasing the compressive force, a tensile force acts on the restraining member 300 connecting the two end plates 200. In reaction to this, the restraining member 300 presses the two end plates 200 in a direction that brings them closer to each other.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery cell 100. As shown in Fig. 2, the battery cell 100 has a rectangular shape. The battery cell 100 has an electrode terminal 110 and a housing 120 (external can). In other words, the battery cell 100 is a rectangular secondary battery cell.

[0024] The electrode terminal 110 is formed on the housing 120. The electrode terminal 110 has a positive electrode terminal 111 and a negative electrode terminal 112 aligned along an X-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to a Y-axis direction (first direction). The positive electrode terminal 111 and the negative electrode terminal 112 are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction.

[0025] The housing 120 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and forms the external appearance of the battery cell 100. The housing 120 includes a case body 120A that contains an electrode body and an electrolyte (not shown), and a sealing plate 120B that seals an opening of the case body 120A. The sealing plate 120B is joined to the case body 120A by welding.

[0026] The housing 120 has an upper surface 121, a lower surface 122, a first side surface 123, a second side surface 124, and two third side surfaces 125. The housing 120 is provided with a gas exhaust valve 126.

[0027] The upper surface 121 is a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis direction (third direction) perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction. The electrode terminals 110 are disposed on the upper surface 121. The lower surface 122 faces the upper surface 121 along the Z-axis direction.

[0028] Each of the first side surface 123 and the second side surface 124 is formed of a plane perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. Each of the first side surface 123 and the second side surface 124 has the largest area among the multiple side surfaces of the housing 120. Each of the first side surface 123 and the second side surface 124 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the Y-axis direction. Each of the first side surface 123 and the second side surface 124 has a rectangular shape with the X-axis direction being the long side direction and the Z-axis direction being the short side direction when viewed in the Y-axis direction.

[0029] The multiple battery cells 100 are stacked such that the first side surfaces 123 and the second side surfaces 124 of the battery cells 100 adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction face each other. As a result, the positive electrode terminals 111 and the negative electrode terminals 112 are arranged alternately in the Y-axis direction in which the multiple battery cells 100 are stacked.

[0030] Gas exhaust valve 126 is provided on top surface 121. When the temperature of battery cell 100 rises (thermal runaway) and the internal pressure of housing 120 exceeds a predetermined value due to gas generated inside housing 120, gas exhaust valve 126 exhausts the gas to the outside of housing 120.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a wiring module is provided on the battery pack 1. As shown in Fig. 3, a plate member 400 is placed on the battery pack 1, and a flexible printed circuit board 500 is provided on the plate member 400. The flexible printed circuit board 500 can be electrically connected to an external device via a connector 600. A cover member 700 is provided on the plate member 400 so as to cover the flexible printed circuit board 500.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of bus bars 800 in the battery pack 1. In the example of Fig. 4, the positive electrode terminals 111 and negative electrode terminals 112 of adjacent battery cells 100 are electrically connected by the bus bars 800, and the multiple battery cells 100 are electrically connected in series.

[0033] That is, the battery pack 1 includes a plurality of battery cells 100, each having an electrode terminal 110, arranged along a predetermined direction, and a bus bar 800 that connects the electrode terminals 110 of the plurality of battery cells 100 together.

[0034] 5 is a diagram for explaining bending of the flexible printed circuit board 500. The flexible printed circuit board 500 is connected to the control board 1000 via a connector portion 900. In this way, the control board 1000 is electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board 500. The control board 1000 includes a control circuit that controls charging and discharging of each of the multiple battery cells 100.

[0035] Since the flexible printed circuit board 500 is easily deformed, the flexible printed circuit board 500 has a bending property when the flexible printed circuit board 500 and the control board 1000 are connected to each other.

[0036] 5, when the flexible printed circuit board 500 is connected to the control board 1000 via the connector portion 900, a bending portion 510 is generated in the flexible printed circuit board 500. This may cause the flexible printed circuit board 500 to unintentionally rise up. The unintentional rise of the flexible printed circuit board 500 may also lead to the flexible printed circuit board 500 being misaligned.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a positioning portion of the flexible printed circuit board 500. As shown in Fig. 6, the plate member 400 has protrusions 410, 420, 430, and 440, and the flexible printed circuit board 500 is positioned on the plate member 400 by inserting the protrusions 410, 420, 430, and 440 into holes provided in the flexible printed circuit board 500. In the battery module according to the present embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board 500 is positioned using the protrusion 410 closest to the connector portion 900.

[0038] 7 is a perspective view showing a protrusion 410 constituting a positioning portion of the flexible printed circuit board 500. As shown in FIG.

[0039] When the flexible printed circuit board 500 is formed with the bending portion 510, a force that causes the flexible printed circuit board 500 to slide due to the bending acts, and the side surface of the hole 520 is pressed against the protrusion 410. As a result, the flexible printed circuit board 500 is positioned on the plate member 400.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7, the protrusion 410 includes a pillar portion 411 that rises substantially perpendicularly from the main surface of the plate member 400 , and a protruding portion 412 that protrudes from the pillar portion 411 in a direction intersecting with the pillar portion 411 .

[0041] Thus, in the example of FIG. 7, protrusion 410 has a substantially L-shaped vertical cross section, and protruding portion 412 protrudes from pillar portion 411 towards connector portion 900. As shown in FIG.

[0042] 7, the hole 520 is an elongated hole extending in the Y-axis direction. The side surface of the hole 520 is pressed against the protrusion along the extension direction of the elongated hole.

[0043] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the positioning function of the protrusion 410. As shown in Fig. 8, the protrusion 410 is provided with a protrusion 412 protruding from a column portion 411. With this, even if a force that causes the flexible printed circuit board 500 to float due to bending is applied when the flexible printed circuit board 500 is connected to the connector portion 900, the protrusion 412 engages with the flexible printed circuit board 500, thereby preventing the hole 520 of the flexible printed circuit board 500 from coming off the protrusion 410. As a result, the assembling property of the flexible printed circuit board 500 is improved.

[0044] 9 and 10 are diagrams showing an example of a process for assembling the flexible printed circuit board 500. In the example of Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the protrusions 412 protrude from the column parts 411 towards both sides in the X-axis direction.

[0045] 9, by orienting the flexible printed circuit board 500 in the X-axis direction, the long axis direction of the hole 520 can be aligned with the protruding direction of the protrusion 412. Therefore, the protrusion 410 can be inserted into the hole 520.

[0046] Here, by inclining the upper surface of protruding portion 412 so that it faces diagonally downward (toward the main surface of plate member 400) as it moves away from column portion 411, protrusion 410 can be easily inserted into hole 520.

[0047] After the protrusions 410 are inserted into the holes 520, the flexible printed circuit board 500 is rotated to face the Y-axis direction as shown in Fig. 10. Then, the flexible printed circuit board 500 is connected to the control board 1000 via the connector portion 900, and the flexible printed circuit board 500 is positioned by utilizing the sliding movement caused by bending.

[0048] 11 and 12 are diagrams showing a modified example of the assembly process of the flexible printed circuit board 500. In the example of Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, after the protrusion 410 is inserted into the hole 520, the tip of the protrusion 410 is bent to form the protruding portion 412.

[0049] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of protrusion 410. In the example of Fig. 13, after protrusion 410 is inserted into hole 520, protrusion 412 is formed by forming thermal crimping portion 412A at the tip of column portion 411.

[0050] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a press-fit part 410A being press-fitted into the protrusion 410. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the protrusion 410 into which the press-fit part 410A is press-fitted. As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the protrusion 412 may be formed by inserting the protrusion 410 into the hole 520 and then press-fitting the press-fit part 410A into the protrusion 410.

[0051] Although the embodiment of the present technology has been described above, the embodiment disclosed herein should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present technology is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 battery pack, 100 battery cell, 110 electrode terminal, 111 positive terminal, 112 negative terminal, 120 housing, 120A case body, 120B sealing plate, 121 upper surface, 122 lower surface, 123 first side, 124 second side, 125 third side, 126 gas exhaust valve, 200 end plate, 300 restraining member, 400 plate member, 410, 420, 430, 440 protrusion, 410A press-fit part, 411 column portion, 412 protrusion portion, 412A thermal crimping portion, 500 flexible printed circuit board, 510 flex portion, 520 hole, 600 connector, 700 cover member, 800 bus bar, 900 connector portion, 1000 control board.

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction; a plate member provided on the plurality of battery cells; a flexible printed circuit board provided on the plate member; a control board provided on the plate member and electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board; a connector portion provided between the flexible printed circuit board and the control board, the flexible printed circuit board and the control board are electrically connected to each other via the connector portion, When the flexible printed circuit board and the control board are connected to each other, the flexible printed circuit board has a deflection, a positioning portion for positioning the flexible printed circuit board on the plate member, the positioning portion includes a protrusion provided on the plate member and a hole provided in the flexible printed circuit board, and the flexible printed circuit board is positioned by a side surface of the hole being pressed against the protrusion due to bending of the flexible printed circuit board; The protrusion includes a column portion that rises substantially perpendicularly from a main surface of the plate member, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the column portion in a direction intersecting the column portion, A battery module in which the protrusions are arranged in a row in the first direction, the protrusions include some that include the protrusion portion and some that do not include the protrusion portion, and the protrusion portion is provided on the protrusion among the multiple protrusions that is closest to the connector portion.

2. A plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction; a plate member provided on the plurality of battery cells; a flexible printed circuit board provided on the plate member; a control board provided on the plate member and electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board; a connector portion provided between the flexible printed circuit board and the control board, the flexible printed circuit board and the control board are electrically connected to each other via the connector portion, When the flexible printed circuit board and the control board are connected to each other, the flexible printed circuit board has a deflection, a positioning portion for positioning the flexible printed circuit board on the plate member, the positioning portion includes a protrusion provided on the plate member and a hole provided in the flexible printed circuit board, and the flexible printed circuit board is positioned by a side surface of the hole being pressed against the protrusion due to bending of the flexible printed circuit board; The protrusion includes a column portion that rises substantially perpendicularly from a main surface of the plate member, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the column portion in a direction intersecting the column portion, The protrusion protrudes from the column portion toward the connector portion.

3. 3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the hole provided in the flexible printed circuit board is an elongated hole, and a side surface of the elongated hole is pressed against the protrusion along an extension direction of the elongated hole.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion has a substantially L-shaped vertical cross section.

5. 3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the control board includes a control circuit that controls charging and discharging of each of the plurality of battery cells.

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