Battery pack

Abstract

To provide a battery pack excellent in burning resistance.SOLUTION: A battery pack 100 includes: a power storage cell 1; a capacitor 2 that is connected to the power storage cell 1 and stores electric energy output from the power storage cell 1; a DC-DC converter 3 that is connected to the capacitor 2 and changes an output voltage of the capacitor 2 to a predetermined voltage; a control unit 4 that controls the DC-DC converter 3; and an outer shell structure 10 that houses the power storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3 and the control unit 4, wherein the outer shell structure 10 has a housing space, and has an outer shell body 10 made from metal, which houses the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3 and the control unit 4 in the housing space, and fire proof cloths 12 and 13 that are provided in the outer shell body 10, covers the inner side face of the outer shell body 10, and separates the outer shell body 10 from each of the power storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3 and the control unit 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A battery pack having an outer shell structure that houses a battery cell is known (Patent Document 1). In the battery pack disclosed in Patent Document 1, the outer shell structure includes a cover that constitutes the outer shell of the upper or ceiling part of the battery pack, and a base that constitutes the outer shell of the lower or bottom part of the battery pack. The cover is made of resin, and the base is formed of aluminum die-casting. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-98058 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is known that a single cell may catch fire. In the battery pack disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a single cell catches fire, the shell structure is directly exposed to the flame. Since the shell structure is made of resin or aluminum die-cast, when a single cell catches fire, heat may be transferred to the shell structure or the shell structure may melt, causing the flame to spread to the outside of the shell structure.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack with excellent flame resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention also provides a power storage device comprising: a storage cell; a capacitor connected to the storage cell and storing electrical energy output from the storage cell; a DC-DC converter connected to the capacitor and changing an output voltage from the capacitor to a predetermined voltage; a control unit for controlling the DC-DC converter; and an outer shell structure accommodating the storage cell, the capacitor, the DC-DC converter, and the control unit, the outer shell structure having an accommodating space, the outer shell body being made of a fire-resistant resin and accommodating the storage cell, the capacitor, the DC-DC converter, and the control unit in the accommodating space; a fire-resistant cloth provided on the outer shell body, covering an inner surface of the outer shell body to separate the outer shell body from the storage cell, the capacitor, the DC-DC converter, and the control unit; A metal coating material provided on the outer shell body and covering an outer surface of the outer shell body; has. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a battery pack with excellent flame resistance can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] First Embodiment First, a battery pack 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 100. The battery pack 100 is, for example, an in-vehicle lithium-ion secondary battery pack.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 100 includes a storage cell 1, a capacitor 2 connected to the storage cell 1, a DC-DC converter 3 connected to the capacitor 2, and a control unit 4 connected to the DC-DC converter 3. The storage cell 1 has an electrode body and an electrolyte housed in a case, and converts energy released by a chemical reaction of a substance into electrical energy. The storage cell 1 may be modularized. The capacitor 2 accumulates electrical energy output from the storage cell 1. The DC-DC converter 3 changes the output voltage from the capacitor 2 to a predetermined voltage. The control unit 4 controls the DC-DC converter 3.

[0013] The battery pack 100 further includes a shell structure 10 that houses the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4. The shell structure 10 includes a metal shell body 11 having an accommodation space, and fire-resistant cloths 12, 13 provided on the shell body 11. For ease of explanation, the thicknesses of the fire-resistant cloths 12, 13 are exaggerated in FIG. 1 .

[0014] The shell body 11 is a box body including a pair of box members 11a and 11b. The box member 11a is formed in a concave shape. Like the box member 11a, the box member 11b is also formed in a concave shape. The pair of box members 11a and 11b are formed from a metal plate having a thickness of 1 mm or more, more preferably a thickness of 1.6 mm or more. The metal forming the pair of box members 11a and 11b is, for example, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, etc.

[0015] The outer shell body 11 is used in a state where a pair of box members 11a and 11b are stacked on top of each other so that the internal space of the box member 11a and the internal space of the box member 11b are connected to each other. The pair of box members 11a and 11b form a storage space. The storage space contains the power storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4.

[0016] The fire-resistant cloth 12 is attached to the box member 11a, and covers the inner surface of the box member 11a to separate the box member 11a from the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4. The fire-resistant cloth 13 is attached to the box member 11b, and covers the inner surface of the box member 11b to separate the box member 11b from the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4. In other words, the fire-resistant cloths 12 and 13 cover the inner surface of the outer shell body 11 to separate the outer shell body 11 from the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4. The fire-resistant cloths 12 and 13 are attached to the box members 11a and 11b using members such as pins, screws, and screws.

[0017] The fire-resistant cloths 12 and 13 are, for example, cloths made of a non-flammable material, and are also called "fireproof cloths." As the fire-resistant cloths 12 and 13, fireproof cloths made of Zylon (registered trademark), fireproof cloths made of glass fiber, and fireproof cloths made of silica fiber can be used. One or both surfaces of these fireproof cloths may be coated with a heat-resistant resin. As the fireproof cloth made of Zylon (registered trademark), a fireproof cloth for extinguishing, Wizard WL-9090 manufactured by Tokyo Glass Machinery Co., Ltd., or the like can be used depending on the dimensions of the battery pack 100. The non-flammable material may be calcium silicate.

[0018] In this manner, in the battery pack 100, the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4 are accommodated in the accommodation space of the metallic shell body 11. Therefore, the battery pack 100 can withstand the explosion of the storage cell 1. In addition, the fireproof cloths 12 and 13 cover the inner surface of the shell body 11 and separate the shell body 11 from the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4. Therefore, even if the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4 ignite, the shell body 11 is not directly exposed to the flame. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heat from being transferred to the shell body 11 and to prevent the shell body 11 from melting, and it is possible to prevent the flame from spreading to the outside of the battery pack 100.

[0019] A terminal (not shown) for extracting the electric power output from the energy storage cell 1 is provided on the outer periphery of the shell structure 10. The terminal is connected to the energy storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4 through a power path (not shown). The power path partially penetrates at least one of the fire-resistant cloths 12, 13.

[0020] <Second embodiment> Next, a battery pack 200 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 200. In the following, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same or corresponding configurations as those described in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment and will not be described. In Fig. 2, the thicknesses of the fire-resistant cloths 12 and 13 are also exaggerated for ease of explanation.

[0021] In the battery pack 200, the shell structure 210 has a shell body 211 made of fire-resistant resin having an accommodation space. The shell body 211 is a box structure including a pair of box members 211a and 211b. The box member 211a is formed in a concave shape. Like the box member 211a, the box member 211b is also formed in a concave shape. The fire-resistant resin forming the pair of box members 211a and 211b is, for example, a resin composition including a resin and a fire-resistant additive.

[0022] Resins used in the resin composition include thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, and elastomeric resins.

[0023] Examples of thermoplastic resins include synthetic resins such as polyolefin resins, polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene resins, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resins, polyvinyl acetal resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins (EVA), polyvinyl alcohol resins, polycarbonate resins, polyphenylene ether resins, acrylic resins, polyamide resins, polyvinyl chloride resins (PVC), novolac resins, polyurethane resins, and polyisobutylene.

[0024] Examples of the thermosetting resin include synthetic resins such as epoxy resin, urethane resin, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin, and polyimide, and among the thermosetting resins, epoxy resin is preferred.

[0025] Examples of elastomer resins include acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), ethylene-propylene rubber, natural rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene block copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-isoprene block copolymers, and hydrogenated styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers.

[0026] In the present invention, the above-mentioned resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0027] The outer shell body 211 is used in a state where a pair of box members 211a, 211b are stacked on top of each other so that the internal space of the box member 211a and the internal space of the box member 211b are connected to each other. An accommodation space is formed by the pair of box members 211a, 211b. The storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4 are accommodated in the accommodation space.

[0028] The fire-resistant cloth 12 is attached to the box member 211a, covers the inner surface of the box member 211a, and separates the box member 211a from the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4. The fire-resistant cloth 13 is attached to the box member 211b, covers the inner surface of the box member 211b, and separates the box member 211b from the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4. In other words, the fire-resistant cloths 12 and 13 cover the inner surface of the outer shell body 211, and separate the outer shell body 211 from the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4. The fire-resistant cloths 12 and 13 are attached to the box members 211a and 211b using members such as pins, screws, and screws, for example.

[0029] In this manner, in the battery pack 200, the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4 are accommodated in the accommodation space of the shell body 211 made of fire-resistant resin. Therefore, the battery pack 200 can withstand the explosion of the storage cell 1. In addition, the fire-resistant cloths 12 and 13 cover the inner surface of the shell body 211 to separate the shell body 211 from the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4. Therefore, even if the storage cell 1, the capacitor 2, the DC-DC converter 3, and the control unit 4 catch fire, the shell body 211 is not directly exposed to the flame. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heat from being transferred to the shell body 211 and to prevent the shell body 211 from melting, and it is possible to prevent the flame from spreading to the outside of the battery pack 200.

[0030] <Third embodiment> Next, a battery pack 300 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 300. In the following, differences from the second embodiment will be mainly described, and the same or corresponding configurations as those described in the second embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment and will not be described. In Fig. 3, the thicknesses of the fire-resistant cloths 12 and 13 are also exaggerated for ease of explanation.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3, the shell structure 310 further has metallic covering materials 314, 315 provided on the shell main body 211. The covering material 314 is attached to the box member 211a and covers the outer surface of the box member 211a. The covering material 315 is attached to the box member 211b and covers the outer surface of the box member 211b. In other words, the covering materials 314, 315 cover the outer surface of the shell main body 211. The covering materials 314, 315 are formed from metal plates. Examples of metals forming the covering materials 314, 315 include steel, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, and titanium.

[0032] Thus, in the battery pack 300, the metallic covering materials 314, 315 cover the outer surface of the outer shell main body 211. This increases the strength of the outer shell structure 310, enabling it to reliably withstand an explosion of the power storage cell 1.

[0033] In addition, in the battery pack 300, since the shell structure 310 has the shell body 211 made of fire-resistant resin, the thickness of the metal covering materials 314, 315 can be made thinner than the thickness of the metal shell body 11 in the battery pack 100.

[0034] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments merely show some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 100, 200, 300... Battery packs 1. Energy storage cell 2. Capacitor 3. DC-DC converter 4. Control unit 10, 210, 310... Shell structure 11, 211... Outer shell body 12, 13...Fireproof cloth 314, 315...covering material

Claims

[Claim 1] A storage cell; a capacitor connected to the storage cell and configured to store electrical energy output from the storage cell; a DC-DC converter connected to the capacitor and configured to change an output voltage from the capacitor to a predetermined voltage; A control unit for controlling the DC-DC converter; an outer shell structure that houses the storage cell, the capacitor, the DC-DC converter, and the control unit; The shell structure is a shell body made of fire-resistant resin having an accommodation space in which the storage cell, the capacitor, the DC-DC converter, and the control unit are accommodated; a fireproof cloth provided on the shell body, covering an inner surface of the shell body to separate the shell body from the storage cell, the capacitor, the DC-DC converter, and the control unit; A metal coating material is provided on the outer shell body and covers the outer surface of the outer shell body. Battery pack.

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