BATTERY MODULE, ELECTRIC VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH BATTERY MODULE, AND ELECTRICITY STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract

In this battery module, end plates (3) disposed on both ends of a battery stack (2) are joined by means of a bind bar (4), and electrode terminals (11) of respective battery cells (1) and a voltage detection circuit (22) of an electronic circuit block (6) are connected by means of multiple voltage detection lines (19), wherein: the electronic circuit block (6) is disposed on an outer surface of one of the end plates (3); a single connector (17), in which multiple connection terminals (18) to which the voltage detection lines (19) are connected are linearly arranged, is fixed to a circuit board (20) on which the voltage detection circuit (22) is installed; the voltage detection circuit (22) is provided with linearly arranged multiple input terminals (23); and the circuit board (20) connects the connection terminals (18) and the input terminals (23), which are disposed at facing positions with each other, by means of multiple rows of connection lines (24) and inputs cell voltages of the respective battery cells (1) to adjoining input terminals (23) from the connection lines (24).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are connected, and an electric vehicle and a power storage device equipped with the battery module, and in particular to a battery module that is mounted on an electric vehicle such as a hybrid car, an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or an electric motorcycle to supply power to a motor that drives the vehicle, or to a large-current battery module used for power storage purposes in homes and factories, and further to an electric vehicle and a power storage device equipped with this battery module. In this specification, the term "battery module" is used in a broad sense to include all battery modules in which end plates are placed on both end surfaces of multiple battery cells, the pair of end plates are connected by a bind bar, and a voltage detection circuit is provided to detect the voltage of the battery cells, as well as "battery packs" that do not incorporate control circuits such as a charge / discharge control circuit that controls charge / discharge current. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Battery modules comprising a plurality of battery cells are used as power sources for vehicles such as hybrid cars and electric cars, and as power sources for power storage systems for factories and homes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). An example of such a battery module is shown in the exploded perspective view of Figure 14. The battery module 900 shown in this figure is formed by stacking multiple battery cells 901 into a battery stack 902, with end plates 903 arranged on both end faces of this battery stack 902, and the pair of end plates 903 are fastened together with bind bars 904 to secure the battery cells 901. Each battery cell 901 has a pair of positive and negative electrode terminals 911 arranged on a terminal surface 910 on the top surface. The positive and negative electrode terminals 911 are electrically connected via bus bars 914, connecting the battery cells 901 in series or in parallel.

[0003] Additionally, a circuit board 906 connected to each battery cell 901 is disposed on the top surface of the battery stack 902. The circuit board 906 is equipped with a voltage detection circuit that detects the voltage of the battery cell 901 so that the battery cell 901 can be charged and discharged while being protected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 024452 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above battery module has the drawback of being tall because the circuit board is placed on top of the battery stack. To overcome this drawback, the inventors moved the circuit board from above the battery stack to the surface of the end plate. However, battery modules with circuit boards placed on the surface of the end plate have the drawback of requiring a complex wiring pattern on the circuit board. This is because voltage detection lines are placed on both sides of the battery stack, and the cell voltages of each battery cell are input to both sides of the circuit board via separate connectors. In this battery module, the voltages of each battery cell are input from separate connectors on both sides of the circuit board, and the voltages of multiple battery cells are input sequentially to both sides of the circuit board. The cell voltages input from the separate connectors on both sides are input to the voltage detection circuit via the wiring pattern on the circuit board, but this circuit board has the drawback of requiring a complex wiring pattern.

[0006] The present invention was developed with the aim of further preventing the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a technology that reduces the height of the battery module while simplifying the wiring pattern of the circuit board, thereby achieving high reliability and safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery stack formed by stacking multiple battery cells, a pair of end plates disposed at both ends of the battery stack in the stacking direction, a bind bar connecting the end plates, an electronic circuit block equipped with a voltage detection circuit for detecting the voltage of each battery cell, and multiple voltage detection lines connecting the positive and negative electrode terminals of each battery cell to the electronic circuit block. The battery cells have terminal surfaces with the positive and negative electrode terminals disposed at both ends, and the battery stack is a stack formed by stacking multiple battery cells with the terminal surfaces on the same plane. The electronic circuit block is disposed on the outer surface of the end plates and includes a circuit board on which the voltage detection circuit is mounted. The circuit board has fixed thereto a connector formed by a linear arrangement of multiple connection terminals connecting the voltage detection lines. The voltage detection circuit has multiple input terminals arranged linearly, with adjacent input terminals serving as input terminals for the cell voltage of the battery cell. The circuit board has connection terminals and input terminals arranged in opposing positions, and the opposing connection terminals and input terminals are connected by multiple rows of connection lines, and the cell voltage of each battery cell is input to the connection terminals connected to the input terminals by the connection lines.

[0008] An electric vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention comprises the above-described power supply device, a driving motor supplied with power from the power supply device, a vehicle body equipped with the power supply device and the motor, and wheels driven by the motor to propel the vehicle body.

[0009] A power storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the above-described power supply device and a power supply controller that controls charging and discharging of the power supply device, and the power supply controller enables charging of battery cells using external power and controls charging of the battery cells. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The above battery module achieves high safety by protecting the electronic circuit block equipped with a voltage detection circuit from high-temperature, high-pressure exhaust gases while maintaining a low height, and is also able to efficiently dissipate heat from the electronic circuit block. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module shown in FIG. 1 taken along line III-III. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit board of an electronic circuit block. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example of a circuit board of an electronic circuit block. [Figure 8] 2 is a plan view showing an end portion of the battery module shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example in which a battery module is mounted on a hybrid vehicle that runs on an engine and a motor. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example in which a battery module is mounted on an electric vehicle that runs only on a motor. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example in which a battery module is used in a power storage device. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a battery module according to a reference example. [Figure 13] 13 is a block diagram showing a circuit board of an electronic circuit block of the battery module shown in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional battery module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] First, we will explain one of the key features of the present invention. The battery module includes an electronic circuit block equipped with a voltage detection circuit that detects the voltage of each battery cell to prevent overcharging or overdischarging of each battery cell. The voltage detection circuit provided in the electronic circuit block is connected to the electrode terminals of the battery cells via voltage detection lines to detect the voltage of each battery cell. While the electronic circuit block can be placed on the top surface of the battery stack to shorten the voltage detection lines, a battery module with this structure has the disadvantage that high-temperature, high-pressure exhaust gas emitted from the battery cells can cause thermal damage to the electronic circuit block.

[0013] Furthermore, while battery modules are almost always required to be compact in all applications, battery modules that have electronic circuit blocks arranged on top of the battery stack have the disadvantage of being high in overall height. While battery modules are required to have high performance by increasing the charge / discharge capacity per unit volume, it is difficult to reduce the overall height of battery modules that have electronic circuit blocks arranged on top of the battery stack. Specifically, components arranged on the top surface of the battery stack include gas ducts for exhausting exhaust gases, electrode terminals protruding from the terminal surface, metal bus bars for connecting adjacent electrode terminals, and insulating material for insulating components from the high-voltage battery stack. However, since many of these components are arranged so as not to interfere with each other, it is difficult to reduce the overall height of battery modules that have electronic circuit blocks arranged on top of them.

[0014] Making the electronic circuit block placed on top of the battery stack thinner is effective in reducing the overall height, but it also makes it more difficult to dissipate the heat energy from the heat-generating components mounted on the electronic circuit block. Because the electronic circuit block is equipped with heat-generating components such as semiconductor elements and discharge resistors, it is extremely important to efficiently dissipate the heat energy and keep the temperature rise of the heat-generating components below a set temperature.

[0015] The overall height of a battery module can be reduced by placing the electronic circuit block on the outer surface of the end plate rather than on top of the battery stack. This battery module includes a battery stack consisting of multiple stacked battery cells, a pair of end plates located at both ends of the battery stack in the stacking direction, a bind bar connecting the pair of end plates, and an electronic circuit block equipped with a voltage detection circuit that detects the voltage of the battery cells. The electronic circuit block is disposed on the outer surface of the end plate located at both ends of the battery stack and connected to each battery cell via a voltage detection line. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 12 , this battery module 60 has voltage detection lines 79 connected to the electrode terminals 71 of each battery cell 61 routed to the top surface of the battery stack 62, i.e., the terminal surface of the battery cells 61. The voltage detection lines 79 are then connected from the top surface of the battery stack 62 to the electronic circuit block 66 on the surface of the end plate 63, and the voltage of each battery cell 61 is detected by a voltage detection circuit (not shown) in the electronic circuit block 66. The positive and negative electrode terminals 71 of the battery cells 61 are arranged on both sides of the battery stack 62, so the voltage detection lines 79 connected to the electrode terminals 71 are arranged as two rows of wire harnesses on both sides of the battery stack 62, and each wire harness is connected to two sets of connectors 77 for connection to the electronic circuit block 66. Because the battery stack 62 connects a large number of battery cells 61, the two sets of connectors 77 connect the voltage detection lines 79 connected to the battery cells 61 to connection terminals 78 in the order of stacking.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 13 , the electronic circuit block 66 has a voltage detection circuit 72 mounted on a circuit board 65, and also has a connector 77 mounted thereon. The circuit board 65 has connection lines 74 formed as a wiring pattern 75, which connect the input terminals 73 of the voltage detection circuit 72 to connection terminals 78 of a connector 77. The input terminals 73 of the voltage detection circuit 72 are connected to the electrode terminals 71 of each battery cell 61 via the connection lines 74 on the circuit board 65, the connection terminals 78 of the connector 77, and voltage detection lines 79, thereby detecting the voltage of the battery cell 61, i.e., the cell voltage. The voltage of each battery cell 61 is detected via two pairs of connectors 77, and therefore the wiring pattern 75 has the connection lines 74 crossing each other, as shown in FIG. 13 . This is because the connection lines 74 alternately connect the connection terminals 78 of the two pairs of connectors 77 to the input terminals 73 of the voltage detection circuit 72 in sequence. A circuit board 65 with wiring patterns 75 where connection lines 74 intersect has a complex structure, for example, with wiring patterns 75 on both sides and connected by through holes, which increases manufacturing costs, and has the disadvantage that long and complex connection lines 74 are susceptible to noise, reducing the accuracy of cell voltage detection. The power supply module described in the following embodiment overcomes these drawbacks with its unique structure.

[0017] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (e.g., "upper," "lower," and other terms including these terms) will be used as necessary. However, the use of these terms is intended to facilitate understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the meaning of these terms does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, parts that appear with the same reference numerals in multiple drawings indicate the same or equivalent parts or components. Furthermore, the embodiments shown below are specific examples of the technical concept of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention thereto. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described below are intended as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto. Furthermore, the content described in one embodiment or example can also be applied to other embodiments or examples. Furthermore, the sizes and positional relationships of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation.

[0018] A battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a battery stack formed by stacking multiple battery cells, a pair of end plates disposed at both ends of the battery stack in the stacking direction, a bind bar connecting the end plates, an electronic circuit block equipped with a voltage detection circuit that detects the voltage of each battery cell, and multiple voltage detection lines connecting the positive and negative electrode terminals of each battery cell to the electronic circuit block. The battery cells have terminal surfaces with the positive and negative electrode terminals disposed at both ends, and the battery stack is a stack formed by stacking multiple battery cells with the terminal surfaces on the same plane. The electronic circuit block is disposed on the outer surface of the end plates and comprises a circuit board on which the voltage detection circuit is mounted. The circuit board has fixed thereto a connector formed by a linear arrangement of multiple connection terminals that connect the voltage detection lines, and the voltage detection circuit has a linear arrangement of multiple input terminals, with adjacent input terminals serving as input terminals for the cell voltage of the battery cell. The circuit board has connection terminals and input terminals arranged in opposing positions, and the opposing connection terminals and input terminals are connected by multiple rows of connection lines, and the cell voltage of each battery cell is input to the connection terminals connected to the input terminals by the connection lines.

[0019] The above battery module not only achieves a low overall height by placing the electronic circuit block on the outside of the end plates, but also achieves the advantage of being able to mass-produce the circuit board at low cost using a simple wiring pattern. Furthermore, by connecting the connection lines to the electrode terminals of all battery cells to a single connector, and then connecting the connection terminals of this connector to the input terminals of the voltage detection circuit with short, simple connection lines, it achieves the advantage of detecting battery cell voltage with high accuracy. Because battery modules control charging and discharging using cell voltage, being able to detect cell voltage with high accuracy is effective in preventing overcharging and over-discharging of battery cells. Overcharging and over-discharging of batteries cause battery degradation. Therefore, a battery module that can detect battery cell voltage with high accuracy is effective in suppressing degradation and extending battery life. The above features of the battery module are realized by fixing a single connector, which has multiple connection terminals connected to voltage detection lines in a linear arrangement, to the circuit board, arranging the input terminals of the voltage detection circuit mounted on the circuit board in a linear arrangement, arranging the connection terminals of the linearly arranged connector and the input terminals of the voltage detection circuit in opposing positions, providing multiple rows of connection lines connecting the opposing connection terminals and input terminals as a simple wiring pattern, and inputting the cell voltage of each battery cell to the input terminal provided adjacent to the voltage detection circuit.

[0020] In the battery module described above, the electronic circuit block is positioned on the outer surface of the end plate, rather than on the terminal surface of the battery stack. This allows for a low overall design while protecting the electronic circuit block from high-temperature, high-pressure exhaust gases emitted by the battery cells. Furthermore, the end plate is positioned between the battery stack and the electronic circuit block. This insulates the electronic circuit block from the battery cell exhaust gases, protecting it from high-temperature, high-pressure exhaust gases. This ensures normal operation of the electronic circuit block even under abnormal conditions, ensuring high safety. Furthermore, heat generated by the electronic circuit block can be efficiently dissipated to the end plate, minimizing temperature rise in the electronic circuit block. Furthermore, by placing the electronic circuit block vertically on the surface of the end plate, smooth air convection can be achieved over the surface of the electronic circuit block, improving cooling efficiency. A structure that efficiently dissipates heat from the electronic circuit block minimizes localized temperature rise, even when the electronic circuit block is minimized and heat is concentrated in a small area. This also minimizes temperature rise in the heat-generating electronic components of the electronic circuit block, ensuring more stable operation.

[0021] In the battery module of the second embodiment of the present invention, a wiring pattern in which the connection lines do not cross each other is provided on the surface of the circuit board, and the connection lines input the cell voltage of each battery cell to an adjacent input terminal of the voltage detection circuit.

[0022] In the battery module described above, a wiring pattern in which multiple rows of connection lines do not cross each other is provided on the surface of the circuit board, so the wiring pattern formed on the circuit board has a simple structure and can be mass-produced at low cost.

[0023] In a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the terminal surfaces of the battery cells are arranged on the upper surface of the battery stack, and voltage detection lines are wired on the upper surface of the battery stack. A connector provided on the circuit board of the electronic circuit block arranges multiple linearly arranged connection terminals in a line that extends along the upper edge of the circuit board.

[0024] In the above battery modules, the battery stack is arranged with the terminal surfaces of the battery cells on the top surface, and the voltage detection lines are routed on the top surface of the battery stack. In this specification, the "top surface" of the battery stack refers to the terminal surface of the battery cells. Therefore, for example, in a battery module in which the battery stack shown in Figure 1 is rotated 90 degrees and used on its side, the top surface of the battery stack becomes a side surface.

[0025] In a battery module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of input terminals provided on a voltage detection circuit mounted on a circuit board are arranged in a position extending in the same direction as the connection terminals.

[0026] In a battery module according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a voltage detection circuit mounted on a circuit board has a plurality of input terminals arranged in a line extending in the same direction as the connection terminals.

[0027] In a battery module according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the circuit board has a wiring pattern in which multiple rows of connection lines are arranged in parallel.

[0028] In a battery module according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, adjacent connection terminals of a connector are connected to voltage detection lines that are connected to the positive and negative electrode terminals of battery cells arranged at both ends of the terminal surface of the battery cells, and the cell voltage of each battery cell is input to the adjacent connection terminal.

[0029] In a battery module according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, the voltage detection circuit is a circuit that detects the voltage of an adjacent input terminal as the cell voltage.

[0030] In the battery module according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention, the connection terminals of the connector are arranged in a straight line.

[0031] In a battery module according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention, the input terminals of the voltage detection circuit are arranged in a straight line.

[0032] In a battery module according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, the voltage detection line is a wire harness.

[0033] (Embodiment 1) The battery module shown in the following examples is primarily suitable as a power source for electric vehicles such as hybrid cars and plug-in hybrid cars that run on both an engine and a motor, electric cars that run only on a motor, and electric motorcycles that run on a motor. However, the battery module of the present invention is also suitable as a power source for power storage devices that require high output other than electric vehicles.

[0034] 1 to 4 includes a battery stack 2 in which multiple battery cells 1 are stacked in the thickness direction, a pair of end plates 3 located at both ends of the battery stack 2 in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1, a bind bar 4 connecting the end plates 3 at both ends of the battery stack 2, and an electronic circuit block 6 equipped with a voltage detection circuit that detects the voltage of the battery cells 1 in the battery stack 2. The battery module 10 shown in the figures also includes a gas duct 5 connected to the opening of the exhaust valve 1a provided on each battery cell 1, a top cover 8 located above the gas duct 5 above the battery stack 2, and a base plate 9 located below the battery stack to which the end plates 3 are fixed.

[0035] (Battery cell 1) As shown in Figure 2, the battery cells 1 are rectangular secondary batteries that are wider than they are thick, i.e., thinner than they are wide. They are stacked in the thickness direction to form a battery stack 2. The battery cells 1 are lithium-ion secondary batteries. However, the battery cells can also be any other rechargeable secondary batteries, such as nickel-metal hydride batteries or nickel-cadmium batteries. The battery cells 1 contain positive and negative electrode plates together with an electrolyte in a sealed outer can. The outer can is made of a metal plate, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, pressed into a rectangular shape, and the opening is airtightly sealed with a sealing plate. The sealing plate, made of the same aluminum or aluminum alloy as the outer can, secures the positive and negative electrode terminals 11, and has an exhaust valve 1a between the electrode terminals 11. At least one of the positive and negative electrode terminals 11 is insulated from the sealing plate. The positive and negative electrode terminals 11 of this battery cell 1 are located on the sealing plate, which serves as the terminal surface 1X. Furthermore, the bottom and side surfaces of the outer can of the battery cell 1 are covered with an insulating film.

[0036] The multiple battery cells 1 are stacked so that the thickness direction of each battery cell 1 is the stacking direction to form a battery stack 2. The multiple battery cells 1 are stacked so that terminal surfaces 1X on which positive and negative electrode terminals 11 are provided are arranged on the same plane to form terminal surfaces 2X to form the battery stack 2.

[0037] (battery stack 2) As shown in Figure 2, the battery stack 2 has insulating spacers 12 sandwiched between the stacked battery cells 1. The insulating spacers 12 shown in the figure are made of an insulating material such as resin in the form of a thin plate or sheet. The insulating spacers 12 shown in the figure are plate-shaped and approximately the same size as the opposing surfaces of the battery cells 1, and these insulating spacers 12 are stacked between adjacent battery cells 1 to insulate the adjacent battery cells 1 from each other. Note that the spacers placed between adjacent battery cells 1 can also be shaped to form a flow path for cooling gas between the battery cells and the spacer.

[0038] In the battery stack 2, metal bus bars 14 are connected to the positive and negative electrode terminals 11 of adjacent battery cells 1, and the bus bars 14 connect the multiple battery cells 1 in series, in parallel, or in series and parallel. The output voltage and charge / discharge capacity of the battery stack 2 are set by the number of battery cells 1 stacked. The output voltage of the battery stack 2 can be increased by the number of battery cells 1 connected in series, and the charge / discharge capacity can be increased by the number of battery cells 1. The output voltage and capacity of the battery module 10 are set by the number of battery cells 1 that make up the battery stack 2 and the connection state of the parallel and series connections, so the number of battery cells 1 and the connection state are optimized taking into account the application.

[0039] The busbar 14 has a connection portion (not shown) for connecting to the electrode terminal 11. The busbar 14 is connected to the electrode terminal 11 by irradiating the boundary between the connection portion and the electrode terminal 11 with a laser beam and welding it to the electrode terminal 11. However, the busbar can also be connected to the electrode terminal by providing a male thread on the electrode terminal, opening a through-hole for inserting the electrode terminal, and screwing a nut onto the male thread of the electrode terminal inserted into the through-hole, or by providing a female threaded hole in the electrode terminal and screwing a set screw that passes through the busbar into the female threaded hole. The battery module 10 can be provided with a resin insulating cover (not shown) on the top surface of the battery stack 2. The insulating cover has openings that expose the electrode terminals 11, and metal plate busbars 14 are connected to the electrode terminals 11 exposed from the openings on the top surface of the insulating cover, allowing multiple battery cells 1 to be connected in a predetermined arrangement.

[0040] (End face spacer 13) To insulate the battery stack 2 from the metal end plates 3, end plates 3 can be placed on both end faces with end spacers 13 sandwiched between them. The end spacers 13 are placed between the battery stack 2 and the end plates 3 to insulate the end plates 3 from the battery stack 2. The end spacers 13 are made of insulating material such as resin in the form of thin plates or sheets. The end spacers 13 have plate sections large enough to cover the entire opposing surfaces of the battery cells 1, and these plate sections are layered between the end plates 3 and the battery cells 1 located at both ends of the battery stack 2.

[0041] (End plate 3) The end plates 3 are located on both end faces of the battery stack 2 in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1 and secure the battery stack 2. The end plates 3 are rectangular metal plates with an outer shape roughly equal to or slightly larger than that of the battery cells 1. The end plates 3 can be made of high-tensile steel to provide a strong structure. The end plates 3 can be made of a single metal plate, a structure made of multiple laminated metal plates, or a laminate of metal plate and plastic. An end plate 3 made of a single metal plate has a large thermal capacity and can efficiently absorb the thermal energy of the electronic circuit block 6. Furthermore, for end plates 3 made of multiple laminated plates, at least the surface on which the electronic circuit block 6 is secured is made of a metal plate. This is to ensure that the electronic circuit block 6 is thermally bonded and improve heat dissipation characteristics. Furthermore, the end plates 3 can be made of a laminated structure of aluminum plate and high-tensile steel plate. The end plates can be constructed such that the front surface is an aluminum plate to which the electronic circuit block is fixed, and the aluminum plate and the high-tensile steel plate are laminated in surface contact, allowing for efficient heat conduction from the aluminum plate to the high-tensile steel plate. However, the end plates do not necessarily have to be made of metal, and can also be made of plastic with excellent strength, such as engineering plastic.

[0042] (Binding bar 4) The bind bars 4 extend in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1 and are fixed at both ends to the end plates 3, securing the battery stack 2 with the pair of end plates 3. The bind bars 4 shown in the figure are metal plates with a predetermined vertical width and thickness that fit along the side of the battery stack 2, and are arranged opposite both sides of the battery stack 2. The bind bars 4 apply strong pressure to both end faces of the battery stack 2, positioning the battery cells 1 in place as they expand during charging and discharging. The metal plate of the bind bars 4 is preferably made of high-tensile steel. The metal plate bind bars 4 are formed into the desired shape by press forming.

[0043] As shown in the exploded perspective view of Figure 2, the bind bar 4 has fixing sections 4A at both ends in the stacking direction of the battery stack 2, which are bent to fit along the outer surfaces of the end plates 3, in order to secure both ends to the pair of end plates 3. The bind bar 4 fastens the pair of end plates 3 by screwing these fixing sections 4A into the end plates 3, for example.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bind bar 4 has its lower end bent into an L-shape to form a lower connecting piece 4B. This lower connecting piece 4B is stacked on the underside of both sides of the base plate 9 and connected to the base plate 9. The bind bar 4 also has its upper end bent to form a pressing piece 4C that presses against the edge of the top surface of the battery stack 2. This pressing piece 4C is separated for each battery cell 1 so that it can individually press against the top surface of the battery cell 1 of the battery stack 2. This allows each pressing piece 4C to press against the battery cell 1 toward the base plate 9 independently of the adjacent pressing piece 4C. In this way, the bind bar 4 prevents each battery cell 1 from lifting up from the base plate 9 and holds it in place vertically. This prevents each battery cell 1 from shifting vertically even when vibrations or shocks are applied to the battery stack 2. In this way, the bind bar 4 covers and holds the corners of the top and bottom surfaces of the battery stack 2 on both left and right sides.

[0045] Known structures can be used as appropriate for the shape of the bind bar 4 and the fastening structure to the end plate 3. For example, both ends of the bind bar may be flat without being bent into an L-shape, and configured to screw into the side surface of the end plate. Alternatively, the portion of the bind bar facing the side surface of the end plate may have an engagement structure that engages in a stepped manner, and the bind bar may be further screwed into the side surface of the end plate after being locked by an engagement structure.

[0046] An insulating sheet may also be interposed between the bind bar 4 and the battery stack 2. The insulating sheet is made of an insulating material, such as resin, and provides insulation between the metal bind bar 4 and the battery cells 1.

[0047] (Base Plate 9) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the base plate 9 is disposed on the bottom surfaces of the battery stack 2 and the end plates 3. The end plates 3, and preferably the lower ends of the bind bars 4, are fixed to the base plate 9. The end plates 3 and bind bars 4 are fixed to the base plate 9 via fixing screws 15 and 16. The fixing screws 15 that fix the end plates 3 pass through the end plates 3 in the vertical direction and fix the end plates 3 to the base plate 9. The fixing screws 16 that fix the bind bars 4 also pass through the lower connecting pieces 4B, which are the lower ends of the bind bars 4, and are fixed to the base plate 9.

[0048] The battery stack 2 is arranged such that each battery cell 1 is in contact with the base plate 9 and is thermally coupled to the base plate 9. The battery cells 1 that are thermally coupled to the base plate 9 dissipate thermal energy to the base plate 9. Furthermore, the base plate 9 can be forcibly cooled to more efficiently dissipate the thermal energy of the battery cells 1. Although not shown, the forcibly cooled base plate 9 can be forcibly cooled by circulating a refrigerant or coolant inside. The base plate can also be forcibly cooled by providing heat dissipation fins on its underside. Furthermore, a cooling plate can be stacked in surface contact with the underside of the base plate, and forcibly cooled by the cooling plate. The cooling plate can be forcibly cooled by circulating a refrigerant or coolant inside.

[0049] (Gas Duct 5) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the gas duct 5 is positioned on the top surface of the battery cell 1, i.e., facing the terminal surface 1X of the battery cell 1, and exhausts the exhaust gas emitted from the exhaust valve 1a to the outside. The gas duct 5 shown in Figure 4 is positioned in the center of the terminal surface 2X of the battery stack 2, extending in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1. The gas duct 5 is tubular with an internal volume that smoothly discharges the gas emitted from the openings of the exhaust valve 1a, and is open at the bottom, which is connected to the openings of the exhaust valve 1a of each battery cell 1. The gas duct in Figure 4 has a square cross-section with a wide rectangular shape. The gas duct 5 is positioned close to the top surface of the battery stack 2 so that there is no gap between it and the terminal surface 1X of the battery cell 1, so that the exhaust gas emitted from the exhaust valve 1a to the outside is exhausted. The openings 5a on the bottom are connected to the exhaust valve 1a of each battery cell 1. The gas duct 5 can be arranged so that the exhaust gas does not leak by arranging a packing or a sealing material between the gas duct 5 and the terminal surface 1X.

[0050] Furthermore, although not shown, the gas duct can also be configured with a collecting duct arranged on the top surface of the battery stack in an orientation extending in the stacking direction of the battery cells, and branch ducts connected to the collecting duct and with their ends connected to the exhaust valve. In this gas duct, the collecting duct can be arranged away from the terminal surface, and the ends of the branch ducts can be connected to the opening of the exhaust valve.

[0051] (Electronic Circuit Block 6) 2, 4, and 5, an electronic circuit block 6 is fixed to the outer surface of end plates 3 that hold the battery stack 2 in place by applying pressure from both ends. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the electronic circuit block 6 has a voltage detection circuit 22 that detects the voltage of the battery cells 1 mounted on a circuit board 20. The electronic circuit block 6 connects the voltage detection circuit 22 to the electrode terminals 11 of the battery cells 1 via voltage detection lines 19. The voltage detection lines 19 are routed to the top surface of the battery stack 2, with the terminal surfaces 1X of the battery cells 1 arranged on the same plane, and connect the electrode terminals 11 of each battery cell 1 to the electronic circuit block 6. All voltage detection lines 19 are connected to the electronic circuit block 6 via a single connector 17.

[0052] One end of the voltage detection line 19 is connected to the electrode terminal 11 of the battery cell 1, and the other end is connected to the connection terminal 18 of the connector 17. The voltage detection line 19 in Figures 4 and 5 is configured as a wire harness. The wire harness connects all of the voltage detection lines 19 to one connector 17. However, in the present invention, the voltage detection line does not necessarily have to be a wire harness, and can also be configured as a flexible printed circuit board, flexible flat cable, or the like.

[0053] The connector 17 connects adjacent connection terminals 18 to the positive and negative electrode terminals 11 of each battery cell 1 via respective voltage detection lines 19. As shown in Fig. 5, this connector 17 connects the voltage detection lines 19 to the connection terminals 18 so that the cell voltage of each battery cell 1 is input to the adjacent connection terminal 18. In Fig. 5, the voltages V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, and V8 of the battery cells E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, and E8 stacked from bottom to top are output between the adjacent connection terminals 18 of the connector 17 as follows:

[0054] The voltage of each battery cell 1 is Voltage V1 is output as the voltage between terminals T1 and T2, Voltage V2 is output as the voltage between terminals T2 and T3. Voltage V3 is output as the voltage between terminals T3 and T4. Voltage V4 is output as the voltage between terminals T4 and T5. Voltage V5 is output as the voltage between terminals T5 and T6. Voltage V6 is output as the voltage between terminals T6 and T7. Voltage V7 is output as the voltage between terminals T7 and T8. Voltage V8 is output as the voltage between terminals T8 and T9.

[0055] The connector 17 consists of a line-side connector 17A that connects all of the voltage detection lines 19 and a board-side connector 17B that is fixed to the circuit board 20. By linking both connectors 17, the voltage detection lines 19 are connected to the electronic circuit block 6. The line-side connector 17A has multiple connection terminals 18 that connect the voltage detection lines 19 arranged linearly, in a straight line in the figure. The board-side connector 17B has connection terminals 18 that connect to the circuit board 20 arranged linearly so that the connection terminals 18 of the line-side connector 17A can be connected. Both connectors 17 have an elongated shape with multiple connection terminals 18 arranged linearly, and connect all of the voltage detection lines 19 to the circuit board 20 to input the voltage of each battery cell to the electronic circuit block 6.

[0056] 5 and 6, multiple connection terminals 18 connected to voltage detection lines 19 are arranged in a single linear row, but the connector can also arrange the multiple connection terminals in two linear rows, or in multiple linear rows. The connector has an elongated shape with multiple connection terminals arranged in multiple linear rows, and can connect all voltage detection lines to the circuit board, inputting the voltage of each battery cell to the electronic circuit block. Similar to a connector with multiple linear rows of connection terminals, a voltage detection line is connected to adjacent connection terminals so that each cell voltage is input.

[0057] The voltage detection circuit 22 mounted on the circuit board 20 has multiple input terminals 23 arranged in a line. The voltage detection circuit 22 detects the voltage of the battery cell 1 from the voltage input to the input terminal 23. The voltage detection circuit 22 has multiple input terminals 23 arranged in a line, with adjacent input terminals 23 serving as input terminals for the cell voltage of the battery cell 1. The input terminals 23 are connected to the connection terminals 18 of the connector 17 via connection lines 24 provided as wiring patterns 25 on the circuit board 20. The voltage detection circuit 22 is connected to the electrode terminals 11 of each battery cell 1 via the connection lines 24, the connector 17, and voltage detection lines 19. In the battery module 10 of FIGS. 4 and 5, adjacent battery cells 1 are connected in series by bus bars 14, and therefore the voltages of all battery cells 1 are detected by detecting the voltages of the bus bars 14 connected to the electrode terminals 11 and the positive and negative output terminals 31.

[0058] The circuit board 20 has the connection terminals 18 of the connector 17 and the input terminals 23 of the voltage detection circuit 22 arranged opposite each other. By arranging the connection terminals 18 and the input terminals 23 opposite each other, the connection lines 24 can be shortened and made approximately equal in length, allowing for accurate detection of each cell voltage. The connection terminals 18 and the input terminals 23 arranged opposite each other are connected by multiple rows of connection lines 24. In the circuit board 20 shown in FIG. 6, the connection terminals 18 of the elongated connector 17 are arranged parallel to the arrangement of the input terminals 23. The input terminals 23 arranged opposite the connection terminals 18 are arranged linearly extending in the same direction, allowing for approximately equal lengths of each connection line 24. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the circuit board 20 can also have the input terminals 23 arranged linearly along the angled corners of the electronic component 26 that is rectangular in plan view and that implements the voltage detection circuit 22, and the input terminals 23 and the connection terminals 18 arranged linearly extending in the same direction.

[0059] The circuit board 20 of FIG. 6 has a wiring pattern 25 on its surface, in which multiple rows of connection lines 24 do not intersect with each other. Circuit boards 20 with wiring pattern 25 in which connection lines 24 do not intersect have a simple structure and can be mass-produced inexpensively. The multiple rows of connection lines 24 connect each connection terminal 18 to each input terminal 23. Therefore, the number of connection terminals 18, input terminals 23, and connection lines 24 is the same, and each connection terminal 18 is connected to each input terminal 23 via each row of connection lines 24. The circuit board 20 of FIG. 6 has a wiring pattern 25 on its surface, in which the connection lines 24 are parallel. If the spacing between the input terminals differs from the spacing between the connection terminals, the circuit board can be smoothly connected by bending the connection lines extending vertically in the horizontal direction midway to adjust the spacing.

[0060] The voltage detection circuit 22 detects the voltage of an adjacent input terminal 23 as a cell voltage, and detects the voltage of each battery cell 1 via a voltage detection line 19, a connector 17, and a connection line 24. On the circuit board 20, the input terminal 23 and the connection terminal 18 are arranged opposite each other, and the voltage of each battery cell 1 is input to the adjacent terminal. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the voltage detection circuit 22 detects the voltage of each battery cell 1 by connecting the input terminal 23 to the electrode terminal 11 of each battery cell 1 via the connection line 24 of each column and the voltage detection line 19 connected to the electrode terminal 11 of each battery cell 1. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, by providing the connection lines 24 connecting the connection terminals 18 and the input terminals 23 on the surface of the circuit board 20 as non-intersecting wiring patterns 25, it is possible to mass-produce the circuit board 20 with a simple structure at low cost, while ideally connecting the connection terminals 18 and the input terminals 23 via short connection lines 24.

[0061] The electronic circuit block 6 has electronic components that implement the voltage detection circuit 22 mounted on the circuit board 20. However, the electronic circuit block 6 can also be mounted on the circuit board 20 as a block in which all electronic circuits, including the voltage detection circuit 22, are integrated circuits and the integrated circuits are embedded in an insulating package.

[0062] The electronic circuit block 6, which includes a voltage detection circuit 22, detects the voltage of the battery cells 1, which fluctuates due to charging and discharging, and sets the battery voltage within a set range to prevent overcharging and over-discharging of each battery cell 1. The battery module 10 may also include a control circuit 30 in the electronic circuit block 6 that controls the charging and discharging current of the battery stack 2. This control circuit 30 controls the charging and discharging current to prevent overcharging and over-discharging of the battery cells 1. The voltage detection circuit 22 transmits battery cell 1 voltage data to this control circuit 30. The electronic circuit block can also transmit battery information to an external control circuit without including a control circuit, and the external control circuit can control the charging and discharging current of the battery module.

[0063] The voltage detection circuit 22 preferably detects the voltages of all battery cells 1. However, the voltage detection circuit 22 does not necessarily detect the voltages of all battery cells 1. For example, the battery cells 1 constituting the battery stack 2 can be divided into multiple battery units and the voltage of each battery unit can be detected. A battery unit in which multiple battery cells are connected in parallel can detect the voltage of all battery cells by detecting the voltage of the battery unit. A battery unit in which multiple battery cells are connected in series can detect the voltage of the battery unit to detect the total voltage of the series-connected battery cells. A battery unit in which multiple battery cells are connected in series consists of 2 to 5 battery cells. This battery unit detects the voltage of the battery unit to detect the total voltage of the 2 to 5 battery cells, so the voltage of each battery cell is 1 / 2 to 1 / 5 of the detected total voltage. The voltage of the battery cell 1 changes depending on the remaining capacity. If the battery cell 1 is overcharged, its voltage will be higher than a preset maximum voltage, and if it is overdischarged, it will be lower than a preset minimum voltage. If the battery cell 1 is overcharged or overdischarged, its electrical characteristics will deteriorate and its safety will also be reduced. The voltage detection circuit 22 detects the voltage of the battery cell 1 and transmits it to the control circuit 30, which then controls the charge and discharge current so that the voltage of the battery cell 1 falls within a set range.

[0064] The electronic circuit block 6 is fixed to the end plate 3 and dissipates heat to the end plate 3. The electronic circuit block 6 includes heat-generating elements, such as semiconductor elements such as FETs that control current. The electronic circuit block 6 dissipates the thermal energy of the heat-generating elements to the end plate 3, thereby reducing temperature rise. Temperature rise in the electronic circuit block 6 adversely affects the built-in heat-generating elements. Temperature rise due to the heat energy of heat-generating components can lead to component failure. Therefore, designs are implemented to prevent abnormal temperature rises in the heat-generating components by increasing the overall size and reducing the amount of heat generated. If the electronic circuit block 6 is miniaturized so that it can be placed in a small space, the heat dissipation area decreases, reducing the heat dissipation energy and increasing the temperature rise. Thus, the electronic circuit block 6 must be miniaturized to be placed in a small space, while its heat dissipation area must be increased to improve its heat dissipation performance. Therefore, miniaturization and improved heat dissipation performance are mutually exclusive characteristics of the electronic circuit block 6, and it is not possible to satisfy both. Therefore, the electronic circuit block 6 faces the conflicting challenges of miniaturization for placement in a limited space and high heat dissipation performance.

[0065] In a battery module 10 in which the electronic circuit block 6 is thermally coupled to the end plate 3 and the end plate 3 is also used to dissipate heat from the electronic circuit block 6, the heat energy generated by the electronic circuit block 6 can be efficiently dissipated by the end plate 3. In particular, the end plate 3 has an extremely large heat capacity, which reduces the temperature rise relative to the heat energy absorbed. Furthermore, the end plate 3 has a large surface area, which reduces the heat energy dissipated from its surface, thereby reducing the temperature rise. Furthermore, a structure in which the end plate 3 is fixed to the base plate 9 conducts thermal energy from the end plate 3 to the base plate 9, further reducing the temperature rise. Furthermore, a structure in which the base plate 9 is forcibly cooled, or a cooling plate is stacked on the base plate 9, forcibly cools the end plate 3 with the base plate 9, further reducing the temperature rise. This further increases the cooling effect of the electronic circuit block 6, and reduces the temperature rise of the electronic circuit block 6 to an ideal level.

[0066] 1 and 4, the electronic circuit block 6 is fixed to the outer surface of the end plate 3. This battery module 10 is characterized by the fact that the heat energy generated by the electronic circuit block 6 can be dissipated by being conducted to the end plate 3 to which it is fixed, and that heat can also be dissipated into the outside air from its exposed surface, allowing for more efficient heat dissipation. The electronic circuit block 6 fixed to the surface of the end plate 3 has an outer shape smaller than that of the end plate 3 and does not protrude beyond the outer edge of the end plate 3. This battery module 10, while having the electronic circuit block 6 disposed on the end plate 3, does not increase the outer shape of the battery module 10, allowing for efficient heat dissipation from the electronic circuit block 6 while still being compact.

[0067] 8, the thickness of the electronic circuit block 6 is sized so that it does not protrude from the leading edge of the base plate 9 to the outer surface in plan view. This battery module 10 secures the electronic circuit block 6 to the end plate 3, but the external dimensions in plan view are no larger than the base plate 9, allowing the electronic circuit block 6 to be positioned in an ideal position while maintaining a compact overall size.

[0068] The battery module 10 described above can be used as a vehicle power source that supplies power to a motor that runs the electric vehicle. Examples of electric vehicles that can be equipped with the battery module 10 include hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles that run on both an engine and a motor, and electric vehicles that run only on a motor, and the battery module 10 can be used as a power source for these vehicles. To obtain power to drive the vehicle, it is preferable to construct and install a large-capacity, high-output power supply device 100 by connecting a large number of the battery modules 10 described above in series or parallel and adding the necessary control circuitry.

[0069] (Power supply unit for hybrid vehicles) FIG. 9 shows an example of a hybrid vehicle powered by both an engine and a motor, equipped with a power supply device 90 connected to multiple battery modules. The vehicle HV equipped with the power supply device 90 shown in this figure includes a vehicle body 91, an engine 96 and a traction motor 93 that propel the vehicle body 91, wheels 97 driven by the engine 96 and the traction motor 93, the power supply device 90 that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator 94 that charges the battery of the power supply device 90. The power supply device 90 is connected to the motor 93 and the generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. The vehicle HV runs on both the motor 93 and the engine 96 while charging and discharging the battery of the power supply device 90. The motor 93 is driven to propel the vehicle in areas where the engine is inefficient, such as during acceleration or low-speed driving. The motor 93 is powered by electricity supplied from the power supply device 90. The generator 94 is driven by the engine 96 or by regenerative braking when the vehicle is braked, and charges the battery of the power supply device 90. As shown in the figure, the vehicle HV may be provided with a charging plug 98 for charging the power supply device 90. By connecting this charging plug 98 to an external power source, the power supply device 90 can be charged.

[0070] (Power supply unit for electric vehicles) FIG. 10 shows an example of an electric vehicle that runs solely on a motor, equipped with a power supply device 90 consisting of multiple battery modules. The vehicle EV equipped with the power supply device 90 shown in this figure includes a vehicle body 91, a traction motor 93 that propels the vehicle body 91, wheels 97 driven by the motor 93, the power supply device 90 that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator 94 that charges the battery of the power supply device 90. The power supply device 90 is connected to the motor 93 and the generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 90. The generator 94 is driven by energy generated when the vehicle EV is regeneratively braked, and charges the battery of the power supply device 90. The vehicle EV also includes a charging plug 98 that can be connected to an external power source to charge the power supply device 90.

[0071] (Power supply device for power storage device) Furthermore, the present invention does not limit the use of the battery module to a power source for a motor that runs a vehicle. The battery module according to the embodiment can also be used as a power source for a power storage device that charges a battery with power generated by solar power generation, wind power generation, etc. and stores the power. Fig. 11 shows a power storage device that charges a battery of a power supply device 90 with a solar cell 82 and stores the power.

[0072] The power storage device shown in FIG. 11 charges batteries in a power supply device 90 consisting of multiple battery modules with power generated by solar cells 82 installed on the roof or rooftop of a building 81, such as a house or factory. This power storage device charges the batteries of the power supply device 90 using a charging circuit 83, with solar cells 82 as the charging power source, and then supplies the power to a load 86 via a DC / AC inverter 85. For this reason, this power storage device has a charge mode and a discharge mode. The power storage device shown in the figure connects the DC / AC inverter 85 and the charging circuit 83 to the power supply device 90 via a discharge switch 87 and a charge switch 84, respectively. The discharge switch 87 and the charge switch 84 are switched on and off by a power storage device power supply controller 88. In the charge mode, the power supply controller 88 switches the charge switch 84 on and the discharge switch 87 off, allowing charging from the charging circuit 83 to the power supply device 90. Furthermore, when charging is completed and the battery is fully charged, or when the battery capacity is charged to a predetermined value or more, the power supply controller 88 switches the charging switch 84 OFF and the discharging switch 87 ON to switch to discharging mode, and permits discharging from the power supply device 90 to the load 86. Furthermore, if necessary, the charging switch 84 can be turned ON and the discharging switch 87 can be turned ON to supply power to the load 86 and charge the power supply device 90 simultaneously.

[0073] Furthermore, although not shown, the power supply device can also be used as a power source for a power storage device that uses late-night power to charge and store electricity in a battery. A power supply device that is charged with late-night power is charged with late-night power, which is surplus electricity from the power plant, and outputs electricity during the day when the power load is high, thereby minimizing daytime peak power. Furthermore, the power supply device can also be used as a power source that charges with both solar cell output and late-night power. This power supply device effectively utilizes both the power generated by the solar cell and the late-night power, and can efficiently store electricity while taking into account the weather and power consumption.

[0074] The above-described power storage device can be suitably used for applications such as a backup power supply device that can be mounted on a computer server rack, a backup power supply device for wireless base stations for mobile phones and the like, a power storage power supply for home or factory use, a power supply for street lights, a power storage device combined with a solar cell, and a backup power supply for traffic lights and road traffic indicators. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] The battery module according to the present invention can be suitably used as a power source for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles, etc., which are switchable between EV driving mode and HEV driving mode. It can also be suitably used as a backup power source that can be mounted on a computer server rack, a backup power source for wireless base stations for mobile phones and the like, a power storage power source for homes and factories, a power source for street lights, a power storage device combined with a solar cell, a backup power source for traffic lights, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...Battery cell 1a...Exhaust valve 1X…Terminal surface 2...Battery stack 2X…Terminal surface 3...End plate 4...Binding bar 4A…Fixed part 4B…Lower connection piece 4C...Pressing piece 5...Gas duct 5a...Opening 6...Electronic circuit block 8...Top cover 9...Base plate 10...Battery module 11...Electrode terminal 12...Insulating spacer 13...End face spacer 14...Busbar 15...Fixing screw 16...Fixing screw 17...Connector 17A...Line side connector 17B...Board side connector 18...Connection terminal 19...Voltage detection line 20...Circuit board 22...Voltage detection circuit 23...Input terminal 24...Connection line 25...Wiring pattern 26...Electronic components 30...Control circuit 31...Output terminal 60...Battery module 61...Battery cell 62...Battery stack 63...End plate 65...Circuit board 66...Electronic circuit block 71...Electrode terminal 72...Voltage detection circuit 73...Input terminal 74...Connection line 75...Wiring pattern 77...Connector 78...Connection terminal 79...Voltage detection line 81...Building 82...Solar cell 83…Charging circuit 84...Charging switch 85...DC / AC inverter 86...Load 87...Discharge switch 88...Power supply controller 90…Power supply device 91...Vehicle body 93...Motor 94...Generator 95...DC / AC inverter 96...Engine 97...Wheel 98...Charging plug 900...Battery module 901...Battery cell 902...Battery stack 903...End plate 904...Binding bar 905...Gas duct 906...Circuit board 910…Terminal surface 911...Electrode terminal 914...busbar HV, EV...Vehicles

Claims

1. a battery stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; a pair of end plates disposed at both ends of the battery stack in a stacking direction; A bind bar formed by connecting the end plates; an electronic circuit block including a voltage detection circuit for detecting a voltage of each of the battery cells; a plurality of voltage detection lines connecting positive and negative electrode terminals of each of the battery cells to the electronic circuit block; a line side connector in which line side connection terminals connected to the respective voltage detection lines are arranged in a linear fashion; A battery module comprising: The battery cell is A terminal surface is provided with positive and negative electrode terminals at both ends, The battery stack includes: A stack of multiple battery cells with the terminal surfaces on the same plane, The electronic circuit block includes: disposed on an outer surface of the end plate; The voltage detection circuit is mounted on a circuit board (excluding a flexible printed circuit board), The circuit board includes: a board-side connector is fixed, the board-side connector being configured by arranging a plurality of board-side connection terminals in a linear fashion for connection to the line-side connection terminal connected to the voltage detection line, the board-side connector being provided on the line-side connector; The voltage detection circuit includes: a plurality of input terminals for inputting the cell voltages of the battery cells are arranged in a line; The circuit board includes: The board-side connection terminal and the input terminal provided on the board-side connector are disposed in opposing positions, The board-side connection terminals and the input terminals, which are located opposite to each other, are connected by a plurality of rows of connection lines, The board-side connection terminal is connected to the input terminal by the connection line, A battery module comprising: an input terminal for inputting a cell voltage of each of said battery cells;

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , A wiring pattern in which the connection lines do not cross each other is provided on a surface of the circuit board, The connection line is The input terminal adjacent to the voltage detection circuit is A battery module comprising: an input of a cell voltage of each battery cell.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, The battery stack is The terminal surface of the battery cell is disposed on an upper surface, the voltage detection line is routed on the top surface of the battery stack, The board-side connector provided on the circuit board of the electronic circuit block, A plurality of the board-side connection terminals arranged in a line, A battery module characterized in that the battery cells are arranged in a line extending along an upper edge of the circuit board.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, A plurality of input terminals provided in the voltage detection circuit mounted on the circuit board, A battery module characterized in that the battery modules are arranged in a position extending in the same direction as the board-side connection terminals.

5. The battery module according to claim 3, A plurality of input terminals provided in the voltage detection circuit mounted on the circuit board, The battery module is characterized in that the board-side connection terminals are arranged in a line extending in the same direction as the board-side connection terminals.

6. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The circuit board is A battery module characterized in that it has a wiring pattern in which a plurality of rows of connection lines are arranged in parallel.

7. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The adjacent board-side connection terminals of the board-side connector are the line-side connector is connected to the voltage detection lines, which are connected to positive and negative electrode terminals of the battery cells disposed at both ends of a terminal surface of the battery cells, via the line-side connection terminals provided on the line-side connector; The cell voltage of each of the battery cells is A battery module characterized in that adjacent substrate-side connection terminals are connected to each other.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, The voltage detection circuit includes: A battery module comprising a circuit for detecting the voltage of an adjacent input terminal as a cell voltage.

9. A battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The board-side connection terminals of the board-side connector are arranged in a straight line, The input terminals of the voltage detection circuit are arranged in a straight line, a straight line of the board-side connection terminal of the board-side connector and a straight line of the input terminal of the voltage detection circuit are arranged in parallel.

10. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The board-side connection terminals of the board-side connector are arranged in a straight line, the plurality of linearly arranged input terminals are disposed on two intersecting sides of the voltage detection circuit, a voltage detection circuit that detects a voltage from a voltage applied to the board and a voltage applied to the board;

11. A battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The battery module, wherein the voltage detection line is a wire harness.

12. An electric vehicle comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The battery module; a driving motor supplied with power from the battery module; a vehicle body having the battery module and the motor mounted thereon; wheels that are driven by the motor to move the vehicle body; An electric vehicle comprising:

13. A power storage device comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The battery module; a power supply controller for controlling charging and discharging the battery module; Equipped with The power storage device is characterized in that the power supply controller enables charging of the battery cells with external power and controls charging of the battery cells.

Images