Battery Module

Abstract

To provide a battery module in which the central part of a battery cell can be efficiently cooled.SOLUTION: A partition wall member 190 includes a body portion 191 and a plurality of protrusions 192. The plurality of protrusions 192 protrudes from the body portion 191 toward at least one battery cell 100 of the plurality of battery cells 100. Each of the plurality of protrusions 192 has a first end portion 193, a second end portion 194, and an intermediate portion 195. The first end portion 193 and the second end portion 194 face each other in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction. The intermediate portion 195 is located between the first end portion 193 and the second end portion 194. A cooling medium path 11 along the second direction is formed between the plurality of protrusions 192. When viewed in the second direction, a cross sectional area of the cooling medium path 11 is decreased from the first end portion 193 toward the intermediate portion 195 and is increased from the intermediate portion 195 toward the second end portion 194.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. 2018-6058 (Patent Document 1) is a prior art document that discloses the configuration of a battery module. The battery module described in Patent Document 1 has multiple battery cells and multiple resin frames stacked alternately in the thickness direction. The resin frame has a base portion and multiple ribs that abut from the base portion to the surfaces of the battery cells. The ribs have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape that becomes wider as they approach the base end in the thickness direction, making creep deformation of the ribs less likely to occur.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-76967 (Patent Document 2) is a prior art document that discloses the configuration of a battery pack. The battery pack described in Patent Document 2 includes a plurality of separators arranged between a plurality of unit cells, and a cooling air introduction duct. Each of the separators has a flow path for cooling air. The flow path extends perpendicular to the cooling air flow direction of the cooling air introduction duct. The width of the flow path continuously decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the cooling air flow direction in the cooling air introduction duct. This allows cooling air to flow uniformly into each flow path, suppressing variations in cooling between unit cells. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-6058 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2011-76967 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, when a battery module is operated, the temperature at the center of the battery cells becomes high. In the battery module described in Patent Document 1 and the assembled battery described in Patent Document 2, the center of the battery cells cannot be efficiently cooled.

[0006] The present technology has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a battery module that can efficiently cool the center portion of a battery cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present technology provides the following battery module. [1] A plurality of battery cells arranged side by side in a first direction, each of the battery cells having a rectangular shape; a partition member having insulating properties and provided between the plurality of battery cells; the partition member includes a main body and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the main body toward at least one of the plurality of battery cells, Each of the plurality of protrusions is a first end portion and a second end portion opposed to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; an intermediate portion located between the first end and the second end; A cooling medium passage is formed between the plurality of protrusions along the second direction, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage decreases from the first end portion toward the intermediate portion and increases from the intermediate portion toward the second end portion, when viewed from the second direction. [2] The battery module according to [1], wherein a width of the cooling medium passage in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction tapers from the first end portion toward the middle portion, and tapers from the middle portion toward the second end portion. [3] The battery module according to [2], wherein the width of the cooling medium passage in the third direction has a taper angle of 0.5° or more. [4] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein a width of the cooling medium passage in the first direction tapers from the first end portion toward the intermediate portion, and tapers from the intermediate portion toward the second end portion. [5] The battery module according to [4], wherein the width of the cooling medium passage in the first direction has a taper angle greater than 0.2° and less than 0.5°. [6] The battery module described in any one of [1] to [5], wherein the partition member is formed in a case that houses the plurality of battery cells and supports them in at least the first direction, forming a unit including the plurality of battery cells. [7] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the plurality of protrusions are integrally formed with the partition member. [8] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the cooling medium flowing through the cooling medium passage is air. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to this technology, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage is reduced from the first end toward the middle portion and expanded from the middle portion toward the second end, thereby increasing the flow rate of the cooling medium in the middle portion. This makes it easier to exchange heat between the battery cell and the cooling medium in the middle portion located near the center of the battery cell compared to the first end and the second end, and therefore makes it possible to efficiently cool the center of the battery cell, where the temperature of the battery cell is likely to increase. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology; [Diagram 2]1 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology; [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a unit included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery cell included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology; [Diagram 5] 1 is a side view showing a configuration of a cooling medium passage included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology; [Figure 6] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a change in the cross-sectional area of ​​a cooling medium passage in a partition member. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module of FIG. 5, as viewed in the direction of the arrows VII-VII. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of a unit in the battery module of FIG. 5, as viewed from the direction of the arrows along line VIII-VIII. 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] 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.

[0016] In the drawings, the direction in which the positive and negative terminals of the battery cells are lined up is the X direction as a second direction, the direction in which the multiple battery cells are stacked is the Y direction as a first direction, and the height direction of the battery module is the Z direction as a third direction. In addition, in Figures 6 to 8, the dimensional scale of the components of the battery module is changed to make the invention easier to understand.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0018] 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, bus bars 40, cover members 60, gas ducts 70, and terminal members 80.

[0019] The multiple units 10 are arranged side by side in a first direction (Y direction). Six units 10 according to the present embodiment are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The number of the multiple units 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The restraining members 30 are provided on both ends in the X direction of the multiple units 10 and the end plates 20. When the restraining members 30 are engaged with the end plates 20 while a compressive force in the Y direction is applied to the multiple units 10 and end plates 20 arranged side by side, and the compressive force is then released, a tensile force acts on the restraining members 30 connecting the two end plates 20. As a reaction to this, the restraining members 30 press the two end plates 20 in a direction that brings them closer to each other. As a result, the restraining members 30 restrain the multiple units 10 in the first direction (Y direction).

[0023] The restraining member 30 includes a plate-shaped portion 300, a first flange portion 320, and a second flange portion 330. The restraining member 30 is made of, for example, iron.

[0024] The plate-shaped portion 300 is a member extending in the Y direction. A plurality of openings 310 are provided in the plate-shaped portion 300. The plurality of openings 310 are provided at intervals in the Y direction. The openings 310 are constituted by through-holes that penetrate the plate-shaped portion 300 in the X direction.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The second flange portion 330 is connected to both ends of the plate-shaped 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.

[0027] Busbar 40 is made of a conductor. Busbar 40 includes a first busbar portion (not shown), a second busbar portion 420, and a third busbar portion 430.

[0028] The first busbar portion (not shown) electrically connects the multiple battery cells in the unit 10 to each other. The second busbar portion 420 electrically connects the battery cell arranged at one end in the Y direction to the positive terminal member 80. The third busbar portion 430 electrically connects the battery cell arranged at the other end in the Y direction to the negative terminal member 80.

[0029] 1, the cover member 60 is located above the units 10 and covers conductors such as the bus bar 40. 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.

[0030] The terminal members 80 are arranged on both sides of the multiple units 10 arranged side by side in the Y direction. The terminal members 80 connect the battery module 1 to external wiring such as a cable (not shown) arranged outside the battery module 1.

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

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

[0033] The unit 10 includes two or more battery cells 100. The unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present technology includes two battery cells 100, which is an even number. The number of battery cells 100 included in each of the multiple units 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more. The number of battery cells 100 included in each of the multiple units 10 may be an odd number.

[0034] The multiple battery cells 100 are arranged side by side in a first direction (Y direction). Two multiple battery cells 100 according to an embodiment of the present technology are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The arrangement direction of the multiple units 10 and the arrangement direction of the multiple battery cells 100 in each of the multiple units 10 are the same direction.

[0035] The case 140 has a rectangular parallelepiped appearance. The case 140 houses a plurality of battery cells 100 and supports them in at least a first direction (Y direction). The case 140 is formed from a resin such as polypropylene. The case 140 is compressed in the first direction (Y direction) by the end plates 20 and the restraining members 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, which will be described later.

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

[0040] Top surface portion 180 includes a plurality of wall portions 181, an engagement surface 182, and a hole portion 183. The plurality of wall portions 181 are erected in the Z direction. The plurality of wall portions 181 define an installation location for bus bar 40. A first flange portion 320 of restraint member 30 engages with engagement surface 182. Hole portion 183 communicates with gas exhaust valve 130, which will be described later.

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

[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 along a second direction (X direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Y 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.

[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] FIG. 5 is a side view showing a configuration of a cooling medium passage included in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0049] 5, a partition member 190 is formed inside the case 140. The partition member 190 has insulating properties. The partition member 190 is provided between the multiple battery cells 100 in the Y direction.

[0050] The partition member 190 includes a main body portion 191 and a plurality of protrusions 192. The main body portion 191 extends in the Z direction between the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0051] The multiple protrusions 192 protrude from the main body portion 191 toward at least one of the multiple battery cells 100. In the present embodiment, the multiple protrusions 192 protrude toward two sandwiched battery cells 100 among the multiple battery cells 100. The multiple protrusions 192 abut against each of the two battery cells 100. The multiple protrusions 192 are integrally formed with the main body portion 191 of the partition member 190.

[0052] Cooling medium passages 11 extending along the second direction (X direction) are formed between the multiple protruding portions 192. The cooling medium flowing through the cooling medium passages 11 is, for example, air.

[0053] The cooling medium passage 11 communicates with the first duct portion 151 and the second duct portion 161 in the X direction. The cooling medium flows through the cooling medium passage 11 via the first duct portion 151 or the second duct portion 161, thereby cooling the battery cells 100.

[0054] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the change in the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage in the partition member. As shown in Fig. 6, each of the multiple protrusions 192 in the partition member 190 has a first end 193, a second end 194, and an intermediate portion 195. The first end 193 and the second end 194 face each other in the second direction (X direction). The intermediate portion 195 is located between the first end 193 and the second end 194. The intermediate portion 195 is located in the center of the battery cell 100 in the X direction.

[0055] When viewed from the second direction (X direction), the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage 11 decreases from the first end portion 193 toward the intermediate portion 195 and increases from the intermediate portion 195 toward the second end portion 194. As a result, the cross-sectional area S1 at the first end portion 193 of the cooling medium passage 11 and the cross-sectional area S3 at the second end portion 194 are larger than the cross-sectional area S2 of the cooling medium passage 11 at the intermediate portion 195. The above-mentioned change in cross-sectional area occurs because the main body portion 191 and the multiple protrusions 192 are inclined with respect to the flow direction of the cooling medium passage 11.

[0056] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module of Fig. 5 as viewed from the direction of the arrows VII-VII. As shown in Fig. 7, the width of the cooling medium passage 11 in the third direction (Z direction) tapers narrower from the first end 193 toward the middle portion 195, and tapers wider from the middle portion 195 toward the second end 194.

[0057] The width W1 of the cooling medium passage 11 at the first end 193 is, for example, 10.89 mm. The width W2 of the cooling medium passage 11 at the intermediate portion 195 is, for example, 10.46 mm. The width W3 of the cooling medium passage 11 at the second end 194 is, for example, 10.89 mm.

[0058] The width of the cooling medium passage 11 in the third direction (Z direction) has taper angles A1, A2 of 0.5° or more. When the partition member 190 including the multiple protrusions 192 is manufactured by resin molding using a mold, the mold may move along the X direction. In this case, the mold can be easily removed from the resin-molded partition member 190 by considering the removal taper of the mold. In this embodiment, if the taper angles A1, A2 are 0.5° or more, the mold can be easily removed from the partition member 190. Note that the upper limit of the taper angles A1, A2 is not limited, and may be set within a range in which the cooling medium passage 11 is formed from the first end 193 to the second end 194.

[0059] 8 is a cross-sectional view of a unit in the battery module of FIG. 5, as viewed from the direction of the arrows along line VIII-VIII.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 8, the width of the cooling medium passage 11 in the first direction (Y direction) tapers from the first end portion 193 to the intermediate portion 195 and tapers from the intermediate portion 195 to the second end portion 194.

[0061] The width W4 of the cooling medium passage 11 at the first end 193 is, for example, 1.32 mm. The width W5 of the cooling medium passage 11 at the intermediate portion 195 is, for example, 1.19 mm. The width W6 of the cooling medium passage 11 at the second end 194 is, for example, 1.32 mm.

[0062] The width of the cooling medium passage 11 in the first direction (Y direction) has taper angles A3, A4 greater than 0.2° and less than 0.5°. When manufacturing the partition member 190 by resin molding, the die may move along the X direction. In this case, the die can be easily removed from the resin-molded partition member 190 while suppressing the occurrence of burrs, taking into account the removal taper of the die.

[0063] When the taper angles A3 and A4 are expressed as gradient angles, gradient angles A5 and A6 are defined with respect to the X direction as shown in Fig. 6. The gradient angles A5 and A6 are greater than 0.1° and less than 0.25°.

[0064] In general, v=Q / S holds true, where v is the flow velocity of the cooling medium in the cooling medium passage 11, Q is the flow rate of the cooling medium, and S is the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage 11. Therefore, by reducing the cross-sectional area S of the cooling medium passage 11 while keeping the flow rate Q constant, the flow velocity v of the cooling medium can be increased.

[0065] The cooling medium passage 11 according to the present embodiment has a continuous passage configuration, and therefore the flow rate of the cooling medium is constant. Therefore, by reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage 11 from the first end 193 toward the intermediate portion 195 and expanding it from the intermediate portion 195 toward the second end 194, the flow rate of the cooling medium can be increased in the intermediate portion 195. As a result, by increasing the flow rate of the cooling medium near the center of the battery cell 100 adjacent to the intermediate portion 195, heat exchange can be efficiently performed between the center of the battery cell 100, where the temperature is likely to increase, and the cooling medium. This allows the center of the battery cell 100 to be efficiently cooled.

[0066] In the battery module 1 according to one embodiment of the present technology, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage 11 is reduced from the first end portion 193 toward the intermediate portion 195 and expanded from the intermediate portion 195 toward the second end portion 194, thereby making it possible to increase the flow rate of the cooling medium in the intermediate portion 195. This makes it easier to exchange heat between the battery cell 100 and the cooling medium in the intermediate portion 195 located near the center of the battery cell 100 compared to the first end portion 193 and the second end portion 194, and therefore makes it possible to efficiently cool the center portion of the battery cell 100, where the temperature of the battery cell 100 is likely to increase.

[0067] In the battery module 1 according to an embodiment of the present technology, the width of the cooling medium passage 11 in the third direction (Z direction) narrows from the first end 193 toward the intermediate portion 195 and widens from the intermediate portion 195 toward the second end 194, thereby changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path. As a result, the flow rate of the cooling medium can be increased near the center of the battery cell 100, and the center of the battery cell 100, where the temperature is likely to rise, can be efficiently cooled.

[0068] In a battery module 1 according to one embodiment of the present technology, by setting the taper angle of the cooling medium passage 11 in the third direction (Z direction) to be 0.5° or more, the mold used when manufacturing the partition member 190 by resin molding can be easily removed from the partition member 190 after manufacturing, making it easier to form the cooling medium passage 11 while ensuring the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage 11.

[0069] In the battery module 1 according to an embodiment of the present technology, the width of the cooling medium passage 11 in the first direction (Y direction) narrows from the first end portion 193 toward the intermediate portion 195 and widens from the intermediate portion 195 toward the second end portion 194, thereby changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage 11. As a result, the flow rate of the cooling medium can be increased near the center of the battery cell 100, and the center of the battery cell 100, where the temperature is likely to rise, can be efficiently cooled.

[0070] In a battery module 1 according to one embodiment of the present technology, by setting the taper angle of the cooling medium passage 11 in the first direction (Y direction) to greater than 0.10° and less than 0.25°, the mold used to manufacture the partition member 190 by resin molding can be easily removed from the partition member 190 after manufacture and the occurrence of burrs can be suppressed, making it easier to form the cooling medium passage 11 while ensuring the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage 11.

[0071] In a battery module 1 according to one embodiment of the present technology, even when a case 140 is used to house a plurality of battery cells 100, a configuration can be applied that can efficiently cool the center portion of the battery cell 100, which is prone to temperature rise, by providing a partition member 190 inside the case 140.

[0072] In the battery module 1 according to an embodiment of the present technology, the plurality of protrusions 192 and the partition member 190 are integrally molded, so that the cooling medium passages 11 can be efficiently manufactured.

[0073] In a battery module 1 according to one embodiment of the present technology, by using air as the cooling medium circulating through the cooling medium passage 11, the battery cells 100 can be cooled without the need for cooling piping, etc., compared to when a liquid cooling medium such as cooling water is used for the battery cells 100.

[0074] In the embodiment of the present technology, the widths of the cooling medium passage 11 are changed in both the first direction (Y direction) and the third direction (Z direction), but this is not limited thereto. The width of the cooling medium passage 11 may be changed in only one of the first direction (Y direction) and the third direction (Z direction).

[0075] In addition, in one embodiment of the present technology, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage 11 is the same at the first end 193 and the second end 194, but is not limited to this. The cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage 11 may be different at the positions of the first end 193 and the second end 194.

[0076] 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]

[0077] 1 battery module, 10 unit, 11 cooling medium passage, 20 end plate, 30 restraining member, 40 bus bar, 60 cover member, 70 gas duct, 80 terminal member, 100 battery cell, 110 electrode terminal, 111 positive electrode terminal, 112 negative electrode terminal, 120 housing, 121 upper surface, 130 gas exhaust valve, 140 case, 150 front wall portion, 151 first duct portion, 160 rear wall portion, 161 second duct portion, 170 first side wall portion, 171 second side wall portion, 180 upper surface portion, 181 wall portion, 182 engagement surface, 183 hole portion, 190 partition member, 191 main body portion, 192 protruding portion, 193 first end portion, 194 second end portion, 195 middle portion, 300 Plate-shaped portion, 310 opening, 320 first flange portion, 330 second flange portion, 420 second bus bar portion, 430 third bus bar portion.

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells arranged side by side in a first direction, each of the battery cells having a rectangular shape; a partition member having insulating properties and provided between the plurality of battery cells; the partition member includes a main body portion and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the main body portion toward at least one of the plurality of battery cells, Each of the plurality of protrusions is a first end portion and a second end portion opposed to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; an intermediate portion located between the first end and the second end; A cooling medium passage is formed between the plurality of protrusions along the second direction, When viewed from the second direction, a cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling medium passage decreases from the first end portion toward the intermediate portion and increases from the intermediate portion toward the second end portion, a width of the cooling medium passage in the first direction taperingly narrows from the first end portion toward the intermediate portion and taperingly widens from the intermediate portion toward the second end portion.

2. 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a width of the cooling medium passage in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction tapers down from the first end portion toward the intermediate portion and tapers up from the intermediate portion toward the second end portion.

3. The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the width of the cooling medium passage in the third direction has a taper angle of 0.5° or more.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the width of the cooling medium passage in the first direction has a taper angle greater than 0.2° and less than 0.5°.

5. 3 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the partition member is formed in a case that houses and supports the plurality of battery cells in at least the first direction and forms a unit including the plurality of battery cells.

6. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are integrally formed with the partition member.

7. 3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the cooling medium flowing through the cooling medium passage is air.

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