Battery Module

Abstract

To enable easily assembling a terminal member to a holder and fix the terminal member such that the terminal member does not come off the holder.SOLUTION: Terminal members 80 are each electrically connected to at least one battery cell 100 among a plurality of battery cells 100. Holders 90 are each located at an end of a laminate 2, and each can fix the terminal member 80 which is inserted from a first direction. One of the terminal member 80 and the holder 90 has a first convex portion 902 that protrudes in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The other of the terminal member 80 and the holder 90 has a first recess 841 that fits onto the first convex portion 902.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-064733 (Patent Document 1) is a prior art document that discloses the configuration of a battery module. In the battery module described in Patent Document 1, when connecting an end bus bar to a terminal that is connected to wiring for external connection, a fastening portion to which the end bus bar is fastened is inserted into a fitting portion of the plate, and the end bus bar is fixed to the plate.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-018766 (Patent Document 2) is a prior art document that discloses the configuration of a power storage module. The power storage module described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a terminal block that electrically connects the electrode terminals of the storage battery to an output line. The terminal block is fixed to the end plate at a plurality of fixing points. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-064733 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-018766 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Terminal members for connecting external terminals and battery cells may be fixed to a holder provided in a battery module. When the terminal members are inserted into and fixed in the holder using the battery module configuration described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the terminal members may come out in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, making it difficult to fix the terminal members so that they do not come off the holder. In addition, in the configuration of the energy storage module described in Patent Document 2, the configuration for assembling the terminal members to the holder is complicated.

[0006] The present technology has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery module in which a terminal member can be easily assembled to a holder while fixing the terminal member so that it does not come off the holder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present technology provides the following battery module. [1] A stack in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged side by side; a terminal member electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of battery cells; a holder that is located at an end of the laminate and that can be fixed by inserting the terminal member from a first direction; one of the terminal member and the holder has a first protrusion protruding in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the other of the terminal member and the holder has a first recess that fits into the first protrusion, the battery module. [2] The terminal member has a low rigidity portion, The battery module according to [1], wherein the first convex portion and the first concave portion are fitted together with elastic deformation of the low rigidity portion. [3] The battery module according to [1] or [2], wherein the first recess is provided near a tip of the terminal member in the first direction in an insertion direction. [4] the holder has a claw portion protruding in the second direction, The battery module described in any one of [1] to [3], wherein the claw portion is aligned with the terminal member in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and fixes the terminal member in the third direction. [5] A bolt member fastened to the terminal member is further provided. the bolt member includes a plate-shaped portion and a screw portion that protrudes from the plate-shaped portion in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and that penetrates the terminal member along the third direction to be fastened to the terminal member; the plate-shaped portion is fixed to the holder by being inserted from the first direction, one of the plate-like portion and the holder has a second protrusion protruding in the second direction, The battery module according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the other of the plate-shaped portion and the holder has a second recess that fits into the second protrusion. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present technology, a first convex portion provided on one of the terminal member and the holder engages with a first concave portion provided on the other of the terminal member and the holder in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the terminal member, thereby making it possible to easily assemble the terminal member to the holder while fixing the terminal member so that it does not come off the holder. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a battery module according to a first 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 a first 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 a first embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration around a terminal member included in a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present technology; [Figure 6] 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a terminal member and a holder included in a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 7]13 is a front view showing a state in which the terminal member is being assembled into the holder. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a bolt member and a holder included in a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 9] 11 is a front view showing a configuration of a terminal member and a holder included in a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present technology. FIG. [Figure 10] 11 is a front view showing the configuration of a terminal member and a holder included in a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 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 first convex portion protrudes is the X direction as the second direction, the direction in which the terminal member and the claw portion of the holder are aligned is the Y direction as the third direction, and the direction in which the terminal member is inserted into the holder is the Z direction as the first direction.

[0018] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present technology, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the battery module according to the first 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 the Y direction. Six units 10 according to this 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. A plurality of battery cells 100 (described later) housed in the multiple units 10 are arranged side by side in the Y direction to form a stack 2.

[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 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 openings 310. The plurality of openings 310 are provided at intervals in the Y direction. The openings 310 are formed as 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] 2, the terminal members 80 are disposed on both sides in the Y direction of the multiple units 10 including the stack 2. The terminal members 80 are made of a conductor. The terminal members 80 include a positive side terminal member 80a and a negative side terminal member 80b. The terminal members 80 form a path for electrical connection between the battery module 1 and a driving source or the like disposed outside the battery module 1.

[0030] The holder 90 is located at an end in the Y direction of a plurality of units 10 including the laminate 2. The holder 90 has insulating properties. The holder 90 is connected to the end plate 20 by a known method such as bolt fastening. A terminal member 80 is fixed to the holder 90.

[0031] Next, a description will be given of the structure of the unit 10. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a unit included in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present technology.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the multiple units 10 includes a plurality of battery cells 100 and a case 140.

[0033] Each unit 10 includes two or more battery cells 100. The unit 10 according to the present embodiment 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 also be an odd number.

[0034] The two battery cells 100 are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The arrangement direction of the units 10 is the same as the arrangement direction of the battery cells 100 in each of the units 10. The battery cells 100 are electrically connected to each other by a bus bar (not shown).

[0035] The case 140 has a rectangular parallelepiped appearance. The case 140 houses and supports a plurality of battery cells 100 in at least the 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 Y direction by the restraining member 30.

[0036] 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 a top surface portion 180.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The first side wall portion 170 and the second side wall portion 171 are arranged side by side in the Y direction and face each other.

[0040] 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.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery cell included in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present technology.

[0042] 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.

[0043] The battery cell 100 according to this embodiment has an electrode terminal 110, a case 120, and a gas release valve .

[0044] 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 side by side in the X direction.

[0045] The positive electrode terminal 111 and the negative electrode terminal 112 are provided apart from each other in the 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 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration around a terminal member included in a battery module according to embodiment 1 of the present technology. In the following description of terminal member 80, the positive side terminal member 80a will be described, but the negative side terminal member 80b may have the same structure as the positive side terminal member 80a, except that it has a fuse portion 86, which will be described later.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, a terminal member 80 according to the present embodiment includes a first path 81, a second path 82, a third path 83, and a main body portion 84.

[0050] The first path 81 is located above the battery cell 100. The first path 81 is electrically connected to an electrode terminal 110 of at least one of the multiple battery cells 100. In this embodiment, the terminal member 80 is electrically connected to one battery cell 100 located at the end in the Y direction. Note that the terminal member 80 may be connected to the multiple battery cells 100 by one joint.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 other portions of the second path 82. When an excessive current flows through the terminal member 80 due to a short circuit or the like, 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] The main body portion 84 is connected to the third path 83, and extends in the XZ plane. The main body portion 84 is fastened by a bolt member 91, which will be described later, and is electrically connected to the external terminal 3.

[0055] The battery module 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a bolt member 91 and a nut member 92.

[0056] The bolt member 91 includes a plate-shaped portion 930 and a threaded portion 940. The bolt member 91 is made of a metal material such as steel.

[0057] The plate-shaped portion 930 extends in the XZ plane. The plate-shaped portion 930 abuts against the holder 90 in the Y direction. The screw portion 940 protrudes from the plate-shaped portion 930 in a third direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Z direction) and the second direction (X direction). The screw portion 940 penetrates the terminal member 80 along the third direction (Y direction). In this embodiment, a through hole 840 (described later) is provided in the main body portion 84 of the terminal member 80, and the screw portion 940 penetrates the through hole 840 in the Y direction.

[0058] The nut member 92 is screwed onto the threaded portion 940 with the main body portion 84 and the external terminal 3 sandwiched between the nut member 92 and the plate-shaped portion 930. The nut member 92 is made of a metal material such as steel. When the nut member 92 is screwed onto the threaded portion 940, the bolt member 91 is fastened to the terminal member 80 together with the external terminal 3. This electrically connects the terminal member 80 and the external terminal 3.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a front view showing a configuration of a terminal member and a holder included in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present technology.

[0060] 6, the holder 90 can be fixed by inserting the terminal member 80 from a first direction (Z direction). The holder 90 according to the present embodiment fixes the main body portion 84 of the terminal member 80 by inserting the main body portion 84 from the first direction (Z direction).

[0061] The holder 90 has a first side surface portion 900 , a second side surface portion 910 , a bottom surface portion 920 , a claw portion 901 , and a first protrusion portion 902 .

[0062] The first side surface portion 900 and the second side surface portion 910 extend in the Z direction and face each other in the X direction. The first side surface portion 900 and the second side surface portion 910 are positioned with the terminal member 80 sandwiched therebetween. The bottom surface portion 920 extends in the X direction and is positioned at the ends of the first side surface portion 900 and the second side surface portion 910 in the Z direction. The bottom surface portion 920 supports the main body portion 84.

[0063] A pair of first protrusions 902 are provided on both sides of the holder 90 in the X direction. Specifically, the first protrusions 902 have one first protrusion 902a provided on the first side surface portion 900 and the other first protrusion 902b provided on the second side surface portion 910. The one first protrusion 902a and the other first protrusion 902b are provided at positions at approximately the same height in the first direction (Z direction).

[0064] The first protrusion 902 protrudes in a second direction (X direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Z direction). In this embodiment, one first protrusion 902a and the other first protrusion 902b protrude toward the main body 84 in the second direction (X direction).

[0065] The claw portion 901 protrudes in the second direction (X direction). Specifically, a plurality of claw portions 901 are provided, protruding in the second direction (X direction) from each of the first side surface portion 900 and the second side surface portion 910. Four claw portions 901 are provided at intervals from each other so as to fix the main body portion 84 evenly.

[0066] The claw portions 901 are aligned with the main body portion 84 of the terminal member 80 in the third direction (Y direction). As a result, the claw portions 901 fix the terminal member 80 in the third direction (Y direction).

[0067] The number of the claws 901 is not limited to four, but may be at least one. The protruding direction of the claws 901 is not limited to the X direction, but the claws may be provided on the bottom surface 920 and protrude in the Z direction.

[0068] The main body portion 84 of the terminal member 80 has a first recess 841 and a first low-rigidity portion 842.

[0069] The first recesses 841 are provided as a pair on both sides in the X direction of the main body portion 84. Specifically, the first recesses 841 are provided such that one first recess 841a faces the first side surface portion 900, and the other first recess 841b faces the second side surface portion 910.

[0070] One first recess 841a and the other first recess 841b are provided at substantially the same height in the first direction (Z direction). The first recess 841 is provided near the tip of the terminal member 80 in the insertion direction in the first direction (Z direction). In this embodiment, the vicinity of the tip refers to a position at a height approximately 1 / 20 to 1 / 5 above the height of the main body portion 84 in the Z direction, based on the tip of the main body portion 84 (the lower end of the main body portion 84 in FIG. 6).

[0071] The first recess 841 fits into the first protrusion 902 in the second direction (X direction) with respect to the insertion direction in the first direction (Z direction). This allows the terminal member 80 to be fixed to the holder 90 in the first direction (Z direction). In this embodiment, the main body 84 is sandwiched adjacently between the first side surface portion 900 and the second side surface portion 910, so that the first recess 841 is fixed to the holder 90 in the second direction (X direction). Furthermore, the main body 84 is fixed in the third direction (Y direction) by the claw portion 901.

[0072] As described above, the terminal member 80 is fixed in each of the first direction (Z direction), the second direction (X direction), and the third direction (Y direction) with respect to the holder 90. Note that the first convex portion 902 and the first concave portion 841 may have a gap between them in the X direction, or may have no gap between them when they are elastically deformed relative to each other.

[0073] The first low-rigidity portions 842 are provided as a pair on the inner side of the first recess 841 in the X direction. Specifically, the first low-rigidity portions 842 are provided such that one first low-rigidity portion 842a is adjacent to one first recess 841a, and the other first low-rigidity portion 842b is adjacent to the other first recess 841b.

[0074] The first low-rigidity portion 842 is a portion of the terminal member 80 that has low rigidity. That is, the first low-rigidity portion 842 is a portion of the components of the terminal member 80 that is more likely to deform. In the present embodiment, the first low-rigidity portion 842 has low rigidity due to the formation of a groove. The first low-rigidity portion 842 may be formed by partially reducing the thickness of the main body portion 84, or the first low-rigidity portion 842 may be formed of a material that is more likely to deform than the other components of the terminal member 80.

[0075] The first convex portion 902 and the first concave portion 841 fit together with the elastic deformation of the first low-rigidity portion 842. The elastic deformation of the first low-rigidity portion 842 makes it easier to shift the positions of adjacent first concave portions 841, so that the first convex portion 902 and the first concave portion 841 fit together easily.

[0076] Fig. 7 is a front view showing a state in which the terminal member is being assembled into the holder. In Fig. 7, the claw portion 901 is omitted in order to facilitate understanding of the invention.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 7, the terminal member 80 is inserted into the holder 90 in the insertion direction (A1 direction). When the terminal member 80 is inserted into the holder 90, the tip of the main body portion 84 in the insertion direction (A1 direction) comes into contact with the first convex portion 902. At this time, the tip of the main body portion 84 in the insertion direction (A1 direction) is pressed by the first convex portion 902, and the first low-rigidity portion 842 is elastically deformed. The first low-rigidity portion 842 in this embodiment is elastically deformed so that the width of the groove portion becomes narrower. As a result, the tip of the main body portion 84 in the insertion direction (A1 direction) moves in the direction of the arrow A2.

[0078] When the terminal member 80 is inserted until it abuts against the bottom surface portion 920, the tip of the main body portion 84 in the insertion direction (A1 direction) returns to its original position in the X direction before insertion. As a result, the first concave portion 841 of the terminal member 80 is fitted into the first convex portion 902 of the holder 90.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a front view showing a configuration of a bolt member and a holder included in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present technology.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 8, the plate-shaped portion 930 of the bolt member 91 is fixed to the holder 90 by being inserted from a first direction (Z direction).

[0081] The holder 90 further has a second protrusion 903. A pair of the second protrusions 903 are provided on both sides of the holder 90 in the X direction. Specifically, the second protrusions 903 have one second protrusion 903a provided on the first side surface portion 900 and the other second protrusion 903b provided on the second side surface portion 910. The one second protrusion 903a and the other second protrusion 903b are provided at positions at approximately the same height in the first direction (Z direction).

[0082] The second convex portion 903 protrudes in a second direction (X direction). In the present embodiment, one second convex portion 903a and the other second convex portion 903b protrude in the second direction (X direction) toward the plate-shaped portion 930.

[0083] The plate-shaped portion 930 has a second recess 931 and a second low-rigidity portion 932 .

[0084] The second recesses 931 are provided as a pair on both sides in the X direction of the plate-shaped portion 930. Specifically, the second recesses 931 are provided such that one second recess 931a faces toward the first side surface portion 900, and the other second recess 931b faces toward the second side surface portion 910.

[0085] One second recess 931a and the other second recess 931b are provided at substantially the same height in the first direction (Z direction). The second recess 931 in this embodiment is provided near the tip of the bolt member 91 in the insertion direction in the first direction (Z direction). The vicinity of the tip in this embodiment refers to a position at a height approximately 1 / 20 to 1 / 5 above the height of the plate portion 930 in the Z direction, based on the tip of the plate portion 930 (the lower end of the plate portion 930 in FIG. 8).

[0086] The second recess 931 is fitted with the second protrusion 903 in the second direction (X direction) with respect to the insertion direction of the first direction (Z direction). As a result, the bolt member 91 is fixed to the holder 90 in the first direction (Z direction). In this embodiment, the plate-shaped portion 930 is sandwiched adjacently between the first side surface portion 900 and the second side surface portion 910, so that the second recess 931 is fixed to the holder 90 in the second direction (X direction). As a result, the bolt member 91 is fixed to the holder 90 in the first direction (Z direction) and the second direction (X direction). Note that the second protrusion 903 and the second recess 931 may have a gap between them in the X direction, or may not have a gap when they are elastically deformed.

[0087] The second low-rigidity portions 932 are provided as a pair on the inner side of the second recess 931 in the X direction. Specifically, the second low-rigidity portions 932 are provided such that one second low-rigidity portion 932a is adjacent to one second recess 931a, and the other second low-rigidity portion 932b is adjacent to the other second recess 931b.

[0088] The second low-rigidity portion 932 is a portion having low rigidity in the plate-shaped portion 930. That is, the second low-rigidity portion 932 is a portion that is easily deformed among the components of the plate-shaped portion 930. In the present embodiment, the low rigidity is achieved by forming a groove.

[0089] The second convex portion 903 and the second concave portion 931 fit together with the elastic deformation of the second low-rigidity portion 932. The elastic deformation of the second low-rigidity portion 932 makes it easier to shift the positions of adjacent second concave portions 931, so that the second convex portion 903 and the second concave portion 931 fit together easily.

[0090] When the bolt member 91 is inserted into the holder 90 in the Z direction, the tip of the plate-shaped portion 930 in the insertion direction comes into contact with the second convex portion 903, and the second low-rigidity portion 932 is elastically deformed. As a result, the tip of the plate-shaped portion 930 in the insertion direction moves so as to narrow its width in the X direction.

[0091] Thereafter, when the bolt member 91 is inserted until it abuts against the bottom surface portion 920, the tip end of the plate-shaped portion 930 in the insertion direction (A1 direction) returns to its original position in the X direction before the insertion. As a result, the second recess 931 of the bolt member 91 is fixed to the second protrusion 903 of the holder 90.

[0092] In the battery module 1 relating to embodiment 1 of the present technology, the first convex portion 902 provided on the holder 90 engages with the first concave portion 841 provided on the terminal member 80 in a direction (X direction) perpendicular to the insertion direction of the terminal member 80, thereby enabling the terminal member 80 to be easily assembled to the holder 90 while fixing the terminal member 80 so that it does not come off the holder 90.

[0093] In the battery module 1 relating to embodiment 1 of the present technology, by providing the first low-rigidity portion 842, it is possible to facilitate elastic deformation around the first recess 841, thereby making it easier to engage the first recess 841 of the terminal member 80 with the first convex portion 902 of the holder 90.

[0094] In the battery module 1 relating to embodiment 1 of the present technology, by providing a first recess 841 in the terminal member 80, the terminal member 80 and the holder 90 can be engaged with each other near the tip of the terminal member 80 in the insertion direction (A1 direction), making it easier to fix the terminal member 80 to the holder 90.

[0095] In the battery module 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present technology, by providing a claw portion 901 on the holder 90 to fix the terminal member 80, it is possible to prevent the terminal member 80 from floating up in the third direction (Y direction) relative to the holder 90.

[0096] In the battery module 1 relating to embodiment 1 of the present technology, the terminal member 80 is fixed to the holder 90 by the first convex portion 902 and the first concave portion 841, and the bolt member 91 is fixed to the holder 90 by the second convex portion 903 and the second concave portion 931, so that both the terminal member 80 and the bolt member 91, which are connected to each other, are fixed to the holder 90, thereby enabling each component around the external terminal to be securely fixed.

[0097] The first convex portion 902 and the second convex portion 903 may be formed of a single member. When the first convex portion 902 and the second convex portion 903 are formed of a single member, it is preferable that the first convex portion 902 and the second convex portion 903 are arranged side by side in the third direction (Y direction).

[0098] Hereinafter, battery modules according to embodiments 2 and 3 of the present technology will be described. Since the battery modules according to embodiments 2 and 3 of the present technology have different configurations of terminal members and holders from battery module 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present technology, the description of the configurations similar to those of battery module 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present technology will not be repeated.

[0099] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 9 is a front view showing a configuration of a terminal member and a holder included in a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present technology.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 9, a terminal member 80A in this embodiment has a first convex portion 833A and a first low-rigidity portion 834A.

[0101] The first protrusions 833A are provided as a pair on both sides of the main body 84A in the X direction. Specifically, the first protrusions 833A have one first protrusion 833a facing toward the first side surface portion 900, and the other first protrusion 833b facing toward the second side surface portion 910.

[0102] One first protrusion 833a and the other first protrusion 833b are provided at substantially the same height in the first direction (Z direction). In this embodiment, the first protrusion 833A is disposed near the end opposite to the tip in the insertion direction in the first direction (Z direction) of the terminal member 80A. In this embodiment, the vicinity of the end opposite to the tip is a position at a height approximately 1 / 20 to 1 / 5 below the height of the main body 84A in the Z direction, based on the end of the main body 84A (the upper end of the main body 84A in FIG. 9).

[0103] The first low-rigidity portion 834A is provided as a pair on the inner side of the first convex portion 833A in the X direction. Specifically, the first low-rigidity portion 834A has one first low-rigidity portion 834c provided adjacent to one first convex portion 833a, and the other first low-rigidity portion 834d provided adjacent to the other first convex portion 833b.

[0104] The holder 90A has a first recess 904A. A pair of the first recesses 904A are provided on both sides of the holder 90A in the X direction. Specifically, the first recesses 904A are provided such that one first recess 904a is provided on the first side surface portion 900, and the other first recess 904b is provided on the second side surface portion 910. The one first recess 904a and the other first recess 904b are provided at approximately the same height in the first direction (Z direction).

[0105] The first recess 904A fits into the first protrusion 833A. Specifically, the first recess 904A fits into the first protrusion 833A in the second direction (X direction) with respect to the insertion direction of the first direction (Z direction). This causes the terminal member 80A to be fixed to the holder 90A in the first direction (Z direction).

[0106] In a battery module 1A relating to embodiment 2 of the present technology, a first convex portion 833A provided on terminal member 80A engages with a first concave portion 904A provided on holder 90A in a direction (X direction) perpendicular to the insertion direction of terminal member 80, thereby enabling terminal member 80A to be easily assembled to holder 90A while fixing terminal member 80A so as not to come off from holder 90A.

[0107] (Embodiment 3) FIG. 10 is a front view showing a configuration of a terminal member and a holder included in a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present technology.

[0108] 10, terminal member 80B in the present embodiment is provided with one first recess 841B. Holder 90B is provided with one first protrusion 902B. The side surface of terminal member 80B opposite to the side on which first recess 841B is provided is in contact with holder 90B. First low-rigidity portion 842B is provided on the center side in the X direction of main body portion 84B with respect to first recess 841B.

[0109] In a battery module 1B relating to embodiment 3 of the present technology, a first convex portion 902B provided on the holder 90B engages with a first concave portion 841B provided on the terminal member 80B in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the terminal member 80 (X direction), thereby enabling the terminal member 80B to be easily assembled to the holder 90B while fixing the terminal member 80B so that it does not come off from the holder 90B.

[0110] In a battery module 1B relating to embodiment 3 of the present technology, by providing a first convex portion 902B on only one of the side surfaces of the terminal member 80B located on both sides in the insertion direction, the terminal member 80B can be fixed to the holder 90B while being positioned by abutting the other side surface against the holder 90B.

[0111] Although the insertion direction of the terminal member into the holder is exemplified as the Z direction, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The insertion direction of the terminal member into the holder may be the X direction or the Y direction. When the insertion direction is the X direction or the Y direction, the protruding direction of the convex portion is a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0112] In the above-described embodiment, the entire convex portion protrudes in the second direction (X direction), but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. It is sufficient that a part of the convex portion protrudes in the second direction (X direction). For example, the convex portion may have a base portion extending in the first direction (Z direction) from the bottom surface of the holder, and a tip portion protruding in the second direction (X direction). In this case, the recess is provided at the tip of the main body portion of the terminal member in the insertion direction.

[0113] 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]

[0114] 1, 1A, 1B battery module, 2 laminate, 3 external terminal, 10 unit, 20 end plate, 30 restraint member, 60 cover member, 70 gas duct, 80, 80A, 80B terminal member, 80a positive terminal member, 80b negative terminal member, 81 first path, 82 second path, 83 third path, 84, 84A, 84B main body, 86 fuse portion, 90, 90A, 90B holder, 91 bolt member, 92 nut member, 100 battery cell, 110 electrode terminal, 111 positive terminal, 112 negative terminal, 120 housing, 121 sealing plate, 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 Top surface portion, 181 Wall portion, 182 Engagement surface, 183 Hole portion, 300 Main portion, 310 Opening portion, 320 First flange portion, 330 Second flange portion, 833A, 833a, 833b, 902, 902B, 902a, 902b First protrusion portion, 834A, 834c, 834d, 842, 842B, 842a, 842b First low rigidity portion, 840 Through hole, 841, 841B, 841a, 841b, 904A, 904a, 904b First recess portion, 900 First side portion, 901 Claw portion, 903, 903a, 903b Second protrusion portion, 910 Second side portion, 920 Bottom portion, 930 Plate-shaped portion, 931, 931a, 931b second recess, 932, 932a, 932b second low rigidity portion, 940 screw portion.

Claims

1. A stack in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged side by side; a terminal member electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of battery cells; a holder having insulating properties, the holder being located at an end of the laminate and capable of being fixed by inserting the terminal member from a first direction; one of the terminal member and the holder has a first protrusion protruding in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the other of the terminal member and the holder has a first recess that fits into the first protrusion.

2. The terminal member has a low rigidity portion, The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion and the first recess are fitted together with elastic deformation of the low rigidity portion.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the first recess is provided near a tip end of the terminal member in the first direction in an insertion direction.

4. the holder has a claw portion protruding in the second direction, 3 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the claw portions are aligned with the terminal members in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and fix the terminal members in the third direction.

5. A bolt member fastened to the terminal member is further provided. the bolt member includes a plate-shaped portion and a screw portion that protrudes from the plate-shaped portion in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and that penetrates the terminal member along the third direction to be fastened to the terminal member; the plate-shaped portion is fixed to the holder by being inserted from the first direction, one of the plate-like portion and the holder has a second protrusion protruding in the second direction, The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the other of the plate-like portion and the holder has a second recess that fits into the second protrusion.

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