Battery Module

Abstract

To reduce the amount of flame retardant material used while ensuring a flame retardant function of a holder that supports a terminal member.SOLUTION: A first terminal member 80a includes a fuse portion 86. A first holder 90a supports the first terminal member 80a. A second holder 90b supports a second terminal member 80b. A flame-retardant material portion 95 is provided on the first holder 90a at least at a position facing the fuse portion 86, and has higher flame retardancy than the second holder 90b. The fuse portion 86 is provided only in the first terminal member 80a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] International Publication No. WO 2016 / 151646 (Patent Document 1) is a prior art document that discloses the configuration of a power supply device. The power supply device described in Patent Document 1 includes a plate arranged on one surface of a battery block, and a general terminal bus bar for forming an output terminal of the battery block. The plate includes an output terminal portion on which the general terminal bus bar is arranged. The plate is made of insulating resin.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-16429 (Patent Document 2) is a prior art document that discloses the configuration of a battery wiring module. The battery wiring module described in Patent Document 2 includes a bus bar and a bus bar case. The bus bar connects a positive terminal of one of the multiple unit cells to a negative terminal of the other unit cells. The bus bar case is made of a flame-retardant synthetic resin and houses the bus bar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 151646 [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-16429 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the power supply device described in Patent Document 1 and the battery wiring module described in Patent Document 2, the support members that support the bus bars including the terminal members are made of a flame-retardant material, thereby imparting flame-retardant properties to the support members. On the other hand, if a large amount of flame-retardant material is used, the manufacturing cost of the battery module increases.

[0006] The present technology has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery module that can reduce the amount of flame-retardant material used while ensuring the flame-retardant function of the holder that supports the terminal members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present technology provides the following battery module. [1] A plurality of battery cells arranged side by side in a first direction, each of the battery cells having a rectangular shape; a first terminal member electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of battery cells and including a fuse portion; a first holder that supports the first terminal member; a second terminal member electrically connected to at least one battery cell other than the battery cell connected to the first terminal member; a second holder that supports the second terminal member; a flame-retardant material portion that is provided on the first holder at a position facing at least the fuse portion and has a higher flame retardancy than the second holder; The battery module, wherein the fuse portion is provided only in the first terminal member. [2] the battery cell has two electrode terminals aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; The flame-retardant material portion is a first portion extending in a first planar direction including the first direction and the second direction; and a second portion extending in a second planar direction perpendicular to the first planar direction. [3] The battery module according to [1] or [2], wherein a discharge space into which an arc generated when the fuse portion melts extends is generated on the opposite side of the plurality of battery cells and the flame-retardant material portion with respect to the first terminal member. [4] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the first holder and the flame-retardant material portion are integrally molded by two-color molding. [5] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the first holder and the flame-retardant material portion are joined by fitting. [6] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the flame-retardant material portion is formed by being applied in a liquid state to the first holder. [7] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the flame-retardant material portion is formed by being applied in a solid state to the first holder. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present technology, by arranging a flame-retardant material part at a position facing at least the fuse portion of the first terminal member, a battery module can be constructed that has flame-retardant material parts only where necessary, thereby reducing the amount of flame-retardant material used while maintaining the flame-retardant function of the holder that supports the terminal member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology; [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a unit included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery cell included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology; [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first terminal member and a first holder included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 6]1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first holder according to an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 7] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first holder of FIG. 7, as viewed in the direction of the arrows VII-VII. [Figure 8] 4 is a side view showing the state of an arc when an arc occurs in the fuse portion. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a first holder according to a first modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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).

[0014] 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 a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

[0015] In this specification, the term "battery cell" is not necessarily limited to a rectangular shape, but may also include cells of other shapes, such as a cylindrical shape.

[0016] The "battery module" can be installed in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), etc. However, the use of the "battery module" is not limited to in-vehicle use.

[0017] In the drawings, the direction in which the positive and negative terminals of the battery cells are arranged is the X-direction as a second direction, the direction in which multiple battery cells are stacked is the Y-direction as a first direction, and the height direction of the battery module is the Z-direction as a third direction.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0019] First, there will be described the overall structure of the battery module 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the battery module 1 includes a plurality of units 10, end plates 20, restraining members 30, a cover member 60, a gas duct 70, a terminal member 80, and a holder 90.

[0020] The multiple units 10 are arranged side by side in a first direction (Y direction). Six units 10 according to the present embodiment are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The number of the multiple units 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more.

[0021] The multiple units 10 are sandwiched between two end plates 20. The multiple units 10 according to this embodiment are pressed against the end plates 20 and are restrained between the two end plates 20.

[0022] The end plates 20 are provided on both ends of the multiple units 10 in the Y direction. The end plates 20 are fixed to a base such as a pack case that houses the battery modules 1. The end plates 20 are made of, for example, aluminum or iron.

[0023] The restraining members 30 are provided on both ends in the X direction of the multiple units 10 and the end plates 20. When the restraining members 30 are engaged with the end plates 20 while a compressive force in the Y direction is applied to the multiple units 10 and end plates 20 arranged side by side, and the compressive force is then released, a tensile force acts on the restraining members 30 connecting the two end plates 20. As a reaction to this, the restraining members 30 press the two end plates 20 in a direction that brings them closer to each other. As a result, the restraining members 30 restrain the multiple units 10 in the first direction (Y direction).

[0024] The restraining member 30 includes a main portion 300, a first flange portion 320, and a second flange portion 330. The restraining member 30 is made of, for example, iron.

[0025] The main portion 300 is a member extending in the Y direction. The main portion 300 is provided with a plurality of through holes 310. The plurality of through holes 310 are provided at intervals in the Y direction. The through holes 310 are formed from through holes that penetrate the main portion 300 in the X direction.

[0026] The first flange portion 320 wraps around from the side surfaces of the multiple units 10 to the upper surfaces of the multiple units 10. By providing the first flange portion 320, the rigidity of the restraining member 30, which is formed relatively thin, can be ensured.

[0027] The second flange portion 330 is connected to both ends of the main portion 300 in the Y direction. The second flange portion 330 is fixed to the end plate 20. The second flange portion 330 is fixed to the end plate 20 by a known fixing method such as bolt fastening. In this way, the restraining member 30 connects the two end plates 20 to each other.

[0028] 1, the cover member 60 protects the electrical connection of the battery module 1. The cover member 60 is located above the units 10. The gas duct 70 extends in the Y direction. The gas duct 70 is disposed between the multiple units 10 and the cover member 60 in the Z direction.

[0029] The terminal members 80 are arranged on both sides of the multiple units 10 in the Y direction. The terminal members 80 are made of a conductor. The terminal members 80 include a first terminal member 80a (positive terminal member) and a second terminal member 80b (negative terminal member). The terminal members 80 form a path for electrical connection between the battery module 1 and a driving source or the like arranged outside the battery module 1.

[0030] The first terminal member 80a is electrically connected to at least one battery cell 100 among the multiple battery cells 100. The second terminal member 80b is electrically connected to at least one battery cell 100 other than the battery cell 100 connected to the first terminal member 80a. Note that the terminal member 80 may be connected to the multiple battery cells 100 by one joint.

[0031] The holder 90 is located at an end of the unit 10 in the Y direction. The holder 90 has insulating properties. The holder 90 is connected to the end plate 20 by a known method such as bolt fastening. The holder 90 includes a first holder 90a and a second holder 90b.

[0032] The terminal members 80 are fixed to the holders 90, and support the terminal members 80. Specifically, the first holder 90a supports the first terminal member 80a, and the second holder 90b supports the second terminal member 80b.

[0033] Next, a description will be given of the structure of the unit 10. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a unit included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the multiple units 10 includes a plurality of battery cells 100 and a case 140.

[0035] The unit 10 includes two or more battery cells 100. The unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present technology includes two battery cells 100, which is an even number. The number of battery cells 100 included in each of the multiple units 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more. The number of battery cells 100 included in each of the multiple units 10 may be an odd number.

[0036] The multiple battery cells 100 are arranged side by side in a first direction (Y direction). Two multiple battery cells 100 according to an embodiment of the present technology are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The arrangement direction of the multiple units 10 and the arrangement direction of the multiple battery cells 100 in each of the multiple units 10 are the same direction. The multiple battery cells 100 are electrically connected to each other by a bus bar (not shown).

[0037] The case 140 has a rectangular parallelepiped appearance. The case 140 houses a plurality of battery cells 100 and supports them in at least a first direction (Y direction). The case 140 is formed of a resin such as polypropylene. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the case 140 is compressed in the first direction (Y direction) by the restraining member 30.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the case 140 has a front wall portion 150, a rear wall portion 160, a first side wall portion 170, a second side wall portion 171, and an upper surface portion 180.

[0039] The front wall portion 150 is a surface adjacent to one of the restraining members 30. A first duct portion 151 is provided on the front wall portion 150. The first duct portion 151 protrudes from the front wall portion 150 toward the one of the restraining members 30. The first duct portion 151 is provided so as to penetrate the front wall portion 150 in the X direction.

[0040] The rear wall portion 160 is a surface that faces the front wall portion 150 in the X direction, with multiple battery cells 100 sandwiched therebetween. A second duct portion 161 is provided on the rear wall portion 160. The second duct portion 161 protrudes from the rear wall portion 160 toward the other restraint member 30. The second duct portion 161 is provided so as to penetrate the rear wall portion 160 in the X direction. The second duct portion 161 communicates with the first duct portion 151 by a cooling medium passage (not shown) provided inside the case 140.

[0041] The first side wall portion 170 and the second side wall portion 171 are arranged side by side in the first direction (Y direction) and face each other.

[0042] Top surface portion 180 includes a plurality of wall portions 181, an engagement surface 182, and a plurality of holes 183. The plurality of wall portions 181 are erected in the Z direction. The plurality of wall portions 181 define an installation location for a bus bar (not shown). A first flange portion 320 of restraint member 30 engages with engagement surface 182. The plurality of holes 183 are provided so that electrode terminal 110 and gas exhaust valve 130, which will be described later, are exposed from top surface portion 180.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery cell included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0044] 4, the battery cell 100 is, for example, a lithium ion battery. The battery cell 100 has a rectangular shape. The output density of the battery cell 100 is, for example, about 8000 W / L or more. The voltage of the battery cell 100 is, for example, about 1.0 V or more.

[0045] The battery cell 100 according to this embodiment has an electrode terminal 110, a case 120, and a gas release valve .

[0046] The electrode terminals 110 are formed on a housing 120. The electrode terminals 110 include a positive terminal 111 and a negative terminal 112 as two electrode terminals 110 arranged along a second direction (X direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Y direction).

[0047] The positive electrode terminal 111 and the negative electrode terminal 112 are provided apart from each other in the second direction (X direction). The positive electrode terminal 111 and the negative electrode terminal 112 are provided on both sides of the gas duct 70 in the second direction (X direction). The positive electrode terminal 111 and the negative electrode terminal 112 are joined to the bus bar by laser welding or the like.

[0048] The housing 120 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and forms the external appearance of the battery cell 100. The housing 120 contains an electrode assembly and an electrolyte, not shown.

[0049] The gas exhaust valve 130 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 120. When the internal pressure of the housing 120 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value due to gas generated inside the housing 120, the gas exhaust valve 130 exhausts the gas to the outside of the housing 120. The gas from the gas exhaust valve 130 flows through the gas duct 70 and is exhausted to the outside of the battery module 1.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first terminal member and a first holder included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the first terminal member 80a includes a first path 81, a second path 82, a third path 83, and a fourth path 84.

[0052] The first path 81 is located above the battery cell 100. The first path 81 is joined to the battery cell 100 at one end (not shown).

[0053] The second path 82 is connected to the first path 81 and extends in the X direction. The second path 82 includes a fuse portion 86.

[0054] The fuse portion 86 is located approximately at the center of the second path 82 in the X direction. The fuse portion 86 has a narrower width than the portion of the second path 82 other than the fuse portion 86. When an excessive current flows through the terminal member 80, the fuse portion 86 melts preferentially, thereby cutting off the second path 82. As a result, the inflow of an excessive current into the battery module 1 is prevented.

[0055] The third path 83 is connected to the second path 82 and extends in the Y direction. It is preferable that the width of the third path 83 is the same as that of the first path 81.

[0056] The fourth path 84 is connected to the third path 83 and extends in the XZ plane. The fourth path 84 is electrically connected to an external terminal (not shown).

[0057] The second terminal member 80b may have a structure that is mirror symmetrical to the first terminal member 80a with respect to the XZ plane, except for the fact that the second terminal member 80b has the fuse portion 86. As a result, the fuse portion 86 is provided only in the first terminal member 80a.

[0058] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first holder according to an embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first holder in Fig. 7 as viewed from the direction of the VII-VII line arrows. In Fig. 6, in order to facilitate understanding of the structure of the first holder, the first terminal member 80a is shown in a see-through manner, and a flame-retardant material portion, which will be described later, is omitted.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a first holder 90a in this embodiment includes a first flat surface 91, a second flat surface 92, and a third flat surface 93.

[0060] The first plane 91 is a surface of the first holder 90a that extends in the XY plane. The first plane 91 has a first bottom surface 900 and a second bottom surface 901.

[0061] The first bottom surface 900 is provided at a position facing the fuse portion 86. The first bottom surface 900 supports the fuse portion 86.

[0062] The second bottom surface 901 is located lower in the Z direction than the first bottom surface 900. A gap is provided between the fuse portion 86 and the second bottom surface 901 in the Z direction. If an excessive current flows through the fuse portion 86 and the fuse portion 86 melts, the melted portion of the fuse portion 86 melts down to the second bottom surface 901, and therefore the melted portion of the fuse portion 86 can be prevented from remaining near the fuse portion 86. This prevents the melted portion of the fuse portion 86 from becoming a conductive path, making it easier to cut off the conductive path in the second path 82.

[0063] The second flat surface 92 is a surface of the first holder 90a that extends in the YZ plane. The second flat surface 92 has a first side surface 910, a second side surface 911, and a standing wall portion 912.

[0064] The first side surface 910 stands upright so as to cover one side of the first terminal member 80a in the X direction. The second side surface 911 stands upright so as to cover the other side of the first terminal member 80a in the X direction. The standing wall portion 912 is located approximately in the center between the first side surface 910 and the second side surface 911 in the X direction. The standing wall portion 912 is provided so as to support a part of the fuse portion 86.

[0065] The third plane 93 is a surface of the first holder 90a that extends in the XZ plane. The third plane 93 is provided so as to protect one side of the second path 82 of the first terminal member 80a in the Y direction.

[0066] The first holder 90a is made of a first material. The first material is, for example, polypropylene (PP). Note that the first material is not limited to PP, and may be other general-purpose resins.

[0067] The second holder 90b may have a structure in which the first holder 90a is mirror-symmetric with respect to the XZ plane.

[0068] The second holder 90b is made of a second material. The second material is, for example, PP. Note that the second material is not limited to PP and may be other general-purpose resins. The first holder 90a and the second holder 90b may be made of different materials.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the battery module 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a flame-retardant material section 95. As shown in FIG.

[0070] The flame-retardant material portion 95 is provided on the first holder 90a at a position facing at least the fuse portion 86. A part of the first terminal member 80a is supported by the first holder 90a with the flame-retardant material portion 95 sandwiched therebetween.

[0071] The flame-retardant material part 95 has higher flame resistance than the second holder 90b. In this embodiment, the flame-retardant material part 95 is made of a material having higher flame resistance than the first material and the second material. The flame-retardant material part 95 is, for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). Note that the flame-retardant material part 95 is not limited to PPS, and may be a resin having flame resistance such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, the flame-retardant material portion 95 includes a first portion 96, a second portion 97, and a third portion 98.

[0073] The first portion 96 extends in the direction of a first plane 91 including a first direction (Y direction) and a second direction (X direction). The first portion 96 is provided on the first plane 91 (XY plane). The first portion 96 exhibits a flame retardant function, for example, when the fuse portion 86 melts down and comes into contact with the first portion 96. In the flame retardant material portion 95 in this embodiment, the first portion 96 corresponds to a portion facing the fuse portion 86.

[0074] The second portion 97 extends in a direction of a second plane 92 perpendicular to the direction of the first plane 91. The second portion 97 is provided on the second plane 92 (YZ plane). The third portion 98 is provided on the third plane 93 (XZ plane). The second portion 97 and the third portion 98 exhibit a flame retardant function, for example, when heat is transferred from the first portion 96, or when an arc generated by melting the fuse portion 86 extends and contacts the second portion 97 or the third portion 98.

[0075] As described above, the flame-retardant material portion 95 is provided only around the fuse portion 86 of the first holder 90a. When an arc occurs due to melting of the fuse portion 86, the flame-retardant material portion 95 is disposed around the arc, improving the flame retardancy of the first holder 90a. Furthermore, by disposing the flame-retardant material only at necessary locations in the first holder 90a, the amount of flame-retardant material used is reduced compared to when the entire first holder 90a is made of flame-retardant material.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the flame-retardant material portion 95 is provided on the first plane 91, the second plane 92, and the third plane 93, but is not limited to this configuration. The flame-retardant material portion 95 may be disposed only on the first plane 91 and the second plane 92, or may be disposed only on the first plane 91 and the third plane 93. Furthermore, the second plane 92 and the third plane 93 may be inclined from the YZ plane and the XZ plane. In this embodiment, the direction of the second plane 92 is parallel to the YZ plane, but may be inclined to the YZ plane while being perpendicular to the XY plane.

[0077] The first holder 90a and the flame-retardant material part 95 are integrally molded by two-color molding. In the present embodiment, the upright wall part 912 is arranged on the first holder 90a, so that the flame-retardant material part 95 can be connected to the first holder 90a from various directions, and therefore the flame-retardant material part 95 is firmly connected to the first holder 90a.

[0078] The flame-retardant material part 95 is formed in an uneven shape. This increases the surface area compared to when the flame-retardant material part is flat, making it easier to exhibit the flame-retardant properties of the flame-retardant material part 95. The flame-retardant material part 95 may be provided in the second holder 90b.

[0079] Next, a description will be given of the arc that occurs in the first terminal member 80a and the function of the flame-retardant material portion 95 against the arc. Fig. 8 is a side view showing the state of an arc when an arc occurs in the fuse portion.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 8, the cover member 60 includes a main surface portion 61, a beam portion 63, and a wall surface portion 64. The main surface portion 61 extends in the XY plane. An opening 62 is provided in the main surface portion 61. The beam portion 63 is provided inside the opening 62. The opening 62 and the beam portion 63 are located above the fuse portion 86. This allows the arc to be released to the outside through the opening 62, making it easier to extinguish the arc.

[0081] Around the fuse portion 86, there is a discharge space S that is generated when the fuse portion 86 melts. The discharge space S in the present embodiment is a space in which an arc is generated and can extend when the fuse portion 86 melts in the absence of the beam portion 63. The opening 62 faces the discharge space S.

[0082] Considering the overall shape of the first terminal member 80a, a current I flows through the first terminal member 80a from the first path 81 to the fourth path 84. Depending on the direction of the current I, a magnetic field B is generated in one direction in the X direction according to the right-hand rule. In FIG. 8, the magnetic field B is generated toward the front side in the direction perpendicular to the page. In response to the current I and the magnetic field B, a Lorentz force F is applied to the fuse portion 86 in an upward direction in the Z direction according to Fleming's left-hand rule.

[0083] Generally, the arc extends in the direction in which the Lorentz force acts. For this reason, in this embodiment, the arc extends upward in the Z direction due to the Lorentz force F. As a result, the discharge space S is generated on the opposite side of the first terminal member 80a from the multiple battery cells 100 and the flame-retardant material portion 95.

[0084] When the fuse portion 86 is blown due to an excessive current flowing therethrough, an arc A may be generated between one side and the other side of the second path 82 that sandwiches the fuse portion 86. The arc A is affected by the Lorentz force F and extends upward in the Z direction.

[0085] As the arc A extends, it comes into contact with the beam portion 63. When the arc A comes into contact with the beam portion 63, the continuous arc A is interrupted by the beam portion 63 and split into two. That is, the arc A is extinguished. The current flow between one side and the other side of the second path located on either side of the fuse portion 86 is interrupted.

[0086] While the arc A is generated in the fuse portion 86, the first holder 90a is protected by the flame-retardant material portion 95. By disposing the flame-retardant material portion 95 around the fuse portion 86, melting of the first holder 90a due to the arc A is suppressed.

[0087] Hereinafter, a battery module according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present technology will be described. Since the battery module according to this modified example has a different method of forming a flame-retardant material portion from the battery module 1 according to the embodiment of the present technology, the description of the same configuration as the battery module 1 according to the embodiment of the present technology will not be repeated.

[0088] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a first holder according to Modification 1. As shown in Fig. 9, in the first modification of an embodiment, a first holder 190a and a flame-retardant material part 95A are joined by fitting.

[0089] Specifically, recesses 191 are formed in the first plane 91A and the second plane 92A of the first holder 190a. The flame-retardant material part 95A is formed so as to have protrusions 192 that protrude downward in the Z direction in the first portion 96A and the second portion 97A.

[0090] First holder 190a and flame-retardant material part 95A are connected by fitting recess 191 and protrusion 192. In this modification, standing wall part 912A is provided at approximately the center of first holder 190a in the X direction, so two combinations of recess 191 and protrusion 192 are formed. As a result, first holder 190a and flame-retardant material part 95A in this modification are connected more firmly than in a case where standing wall part 912A is not provided.

[0091] In a second variation of the embodiment, the flame-retardant material portion is formed by being applied in a liquid state to the first holder.

[0092] When applying the flame-retardant material in a liquid state, it is preferable to apply the flame-retardant resin particles by using a fluorine-based solvent or a phosphazene-based solvent to make the flame-retardant resin particles in a liquid state. The particle size of the flame-retardant material is preferably several μm to several tens of μm. The flame-retardant material portion may be formed by encapsulating the liquid flame-retardant material in a capsule or the like and disposing the capsule in the first holder, and then heating the capsule to cause the flame-retardant material inside the capsule to leak out of the capsule.

[0093] In a third variant of the embodiment, the flame-retardant material portion is formed by being applied to the first holder in a solid state.

[0094] When applying the flame-retardant material in a solid state, it is preferable to mix a powder of solid phosphazene or a flame-retardant polymer with a general-purpose resin such as PP and apply the mixture. The particle size of the flame-retardant material is preferably several μm to several tens of μm. As with the liquid flame-retardant material, the flame-retardant material portion may be formed by encapsulating the solid flame-retardant material in a capsule or the like and placing it in the first holder, and then heating the capsule to expose the flame-retardant material inside the capsule to the outside.

[0095] In the battery module 1 according to the embodiment of the present technology, by disposing the flame-retardant material part 95 at least at a position facing the fuse part 86 of the first terminal member 80a, it is possible to configure the battery module 1 having the flame-retardant material part 95 only at necessary places, so that it is possible to reduce the amount of flame-retardant material used while ensuring the flame-retardant function of the first holder 90a that supports the first terminal member 80a. By reducing the amount of flame-retardant material used in the first holder 90a, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the first holder 90a.

[0096] In a battery module 1 according to one embodiment of the present technology, by arranging a flame-retardant material part 95 around the fuse part 86 in addition to at a position opposite the fuse part 86, when an arc occurs in the fuse part 86, the flame-retardant material part 95 is arranged around the area where the arc A occurs, thereby further improving the flame retardancy of the first holder 90a.

[0097] In a battery module 1 according to one embodiment of the present technology, when an arc A occurs in the fuse portion 86, the arc A can be made less likely to come into contact with the flame-retardant material portion 95 by extending the arc A in the direction opposite the battery cell 100 and the flame-retardant material portion 95.

[0098] In the battery module 1 according to the embodiment of the present technology, the first holder 90a and the flame-retardant material portion 95 are formed by two-color molding, thereby making it possible to improve productivity.

[0099] In a battery module according to a first variant of an embodiment of the present technology, the first holder 190a and the flame-retardant material part 95A can be connected with a simple configuration by engaging the first holder 190a and the flame-retardant material part 95A.

[0100] In a battery module according to a second variant of an embodiment of the present technology, the flame-retardant material part can be provided by applying the flame-retardant material part to the first holder as a liquid, thereby easily adjusting the thickness of the flame-retardant material part.

[0101] In a battery module according to a third variant of an embodiment of the present technology, the flame-retardant material part is applied to the first holder in a solid state, which makes it possible to provide the flame-retardant material part without using a solvent, compared to applying the flame-retardant material part in a liquid state, thereby reducing the impact on the environment.

[0102] 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]

[0103] 1,1A battery module, 10 unit, 20 end plate, 30 restraint member, 60 cover member, 61 main surface portion, 62 opening, 63 beam portion, 64 wall portion, 70 gas duct, 80 terminal member, 80a first terminal member, 80b second terminal member, 81 first path, 82 second path, 83 third path, 84 fourth path, 86 fuse portion, 90 holder, 90a,190a first holder, 90b second holder, 91,91A first plane, 92,92A second plane, 93 third plane, 95,95A flame retardant material portion, 96,96A first portion, 97,97A second portion, 98 third portion, 100 battery cell, 110 electrode terminal, 111 positive electrode terminal, 112 negative electrode terminal, 120 Housing, 130 gas exhaust valve, 140 case, 150 front wall portion, 151 first duct portion, 160 rear wall portion, 161 second duct portion, 170 first side wall portion, 171 second side wall portion, 180 upper surface portion, 181 wall portion, 182 engagement surface, 183 hole portion, 191 recessed portion, 192 protruding portion, 300 main portion, 310 through hole, 320 first flange portion, 330 second flange portion, 900 first bottom surface, 901 second bottom surface, 910 first side surface, 911 second side surface, 912, 912A vertical wall portion, A arc, B magnetic field, F Lorentz force, I current, S discharge space.

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells arranged side by side in a first direction, each of the battery cells having a rectangular shape; a first terminal member electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of battery cells and including a fuse portion; a first holder that supports the first terminal member; a second terminal member electrically connected to at least one battery cell other than the battery cell connected to the first terminal member; a second holder that supports the second terminal member; a flame-retardant material portion provided on the first holder at a position facing at least the fuse portion, the flame-retardant material portion having a higher flame retardancy than the second holder; The fuse portion is provided only on the first terminal member.

2. the battery cell has two electrode terminals aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; The flame-retardant material portion is a first portion extending in a first planar direction including the first direction and the second direction; The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second portion extending in a second planar direction perpendicular to the first planar direction.

3. 3 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein a discharge space into which an arc generated when the fuse portion melts extends is generated on an opposite side of the first terminal member from the plurality of battery cells and the flame-retardant material portion.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the first holder and the flame-retardant material portion are coupled together by fitting.

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