Battery module
The battery module design addresses the issue of impact resistance by integrating a duct and a member to be attached, forming a beam structure that enhances the module's ability to absorb and distribute external impacts, thereby protecting the battery cells.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022168078
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-10-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing battery modules lack sufficient impact resistance when subjected to excessive external impacts, such as those encountered during vehicle collisions.
A battery module design featuring a duct that extends in the stacking direction of the battery cells, forming a beam structure with a member to be attached, which includes a first wall portion and a pair of second wall portions. This configuration enhances the impact resistance by distributing external impacts evenly across the module.
The proposed design significantly improves the impact resistance of the battery module by creating a rigid beam structure that effectively absorbs and distributes external impacts, preventing damage to the battery cells.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a battery module.
Background Art
[0002] For example, International Publication No. 2014 / 024434 (Patent Document 1) discloses a power supply device including a battery laminate in which a plurality of battery cells are laminated via spacers, and a gas duct disposed on the upper surface of the battery laminate.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] As disclosed in the above Patent Document 1, a battery module including a plurality of stacked battery cells and a duct extending in the stacking direction of the battery cells through which gas discharged from each battery cell flows is known. When the battery module is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, for example, a situation where an excessive impact is applied to the battery module from the outside is assumed, and thus it is required to improve the impact resistance of the battery module.
[0005] Therefore, an object of this invention is to solve the above problems and provide a battery module having excellent impact resistance when receiving an excessive impact from the outside.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] [1] A plurality of battery cells laminated in a first direction, a duct that extends in the first direction while facing the plurality of battery cells in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction to form a flow space for gas discharged from the plurality of battery cells, and a member to be attached that is held by the battery cells and to which the duct is attached. The member to be attached has a first wall portion disposed parallel to a plane orthogonal to the second direction, and a pair of second wall portions that rise from the first wall portion in the second direction and are provided at intervals from each other in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The duct is disposed between the pair of second wall portions. The duct is disposed parallel to a plane orthogonal to the second direction, and has a third wall portion that faces the first wall portion across the flow space in the second direction, and a pair of fourth wall portions that extend from both ends of the third wall portion in the third direction toward the first wall portion in the second direction and face the pair of second wall portions in the third direction. A battery module.
[0007] According to the battery module configured as described above, by combining the first wall portion and the pair of second wall portions of the member to be attached with the third wall portion and the pair of fourth wall portions of the duct, a beam structure that extends in the first direction while facing the plurality of battery cells in the second direction can be formed in the duct and the member to be attached. Thereby, the impact resistance of the battery module when receiving an excessive impact from the outside can be improved.
[0008] [2] The duct extends in the first direction while passing through the center position of each of the battery cells in the third direction, the battery module according to [1].
[0009] According to the battery module configured as described above, impacts from both sides in the third direction can be received in a well-balanced manner by the beam structure formed by the duct and the member to be attached.
[0010] [3] Each wall portion of the third wall portion and the pair of fourth wall portions has a thickness of 2 mm or more, the battery module according to [1] or [2].
[0011] According to the battery module configured as described above, the rigidity of the beam structure formed by the duct and the attached member can be increased.
[0012] [4] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the duct is arranged in parallel with a plane orthogonal to the first direction, provided at intervals from each other in the first direction, and further has a pair of fifth wall portions connected to both ends of the third wall portion and the pair of fourth wall portions in the first direction.
[0013] According to the battery module configured as described above, the rigidity of the beam structure formed by the duct and the attached member can be increased.
[0014] [5] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the third wall portion and the pair of fourth wall portions are provided across a plurality of the battery cells laminated in the first direction.
[0015] According to the battery module configured as described above, when an external impact is applied to the battery module, the duct can prevent the battery cells from popping out in the second direction.
[0016] [6] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [5], comprising a plurality of battery cell units arranged in the first direction, each battery cell unit having a plurality of the battery cells arranged continuously in the first direction and a case body for housing the plurality of the battery cells arranged continuously in the first direction, and the attached member being composed of a plurality of the case bodies.
[0017] According to the battery module configured as described above, the impact resistance of the battery module can be improved by the beam structure formed by the duct and the plurality of case bodies.
Advantages of the Invention
[0018] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery module having excellent impact resistance when receiving an excessive external impact.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0019]
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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view showing the battery module in FIG. 1. FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the internal structure of the battery module in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a battery cell unit constituting the battery module in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a battery cell constituting the battery cell unit in FIG. 1.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the battery module 100 is used as a driving power source for vehicles such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV).
[0023] In this specification, for the sake of convenience in explaining the structure of the battery module 100, an axis extending parallel to the stacking direction of a plurality of battery cells 11 described later is referred to as the "Y-axis". Based on the "Y-axis", an axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the Y-axis is referred to as the "X-axis", and an axis extending in a direction orthogonal to both the Y-axis and the X-axis is referred to as the "Z-axis". The upper right diagonal direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is the "+Y-axis direction", and the lower left diagonal direction is the "-Y-axis direction". The lower right diagonal direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is the "+X-axis direction", and the upper left diagonal direction is the "-X-axis direction". The upper direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is the "+Z-axis direction", and the lower direction is the "-Z-axis direction". Typically, the battery module 100 is mounted on a vehicle in a posture where the +Z-axis direction corresponds to the upward direction and the -Z-axis direction corresponds to the downward direction.
[0024] First, the overall structure of the battery module 100 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery module 100 has a plurality of battery cell units 21 (21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F).
[0025] The plurality of battery cell units 21 are arranged in the Y-axis direction. The battery cell unit 21A, the battery cell unit 21B, the battery cell unit 21C, the battery cell unit 21D, the battery cell unit 21E, and the battery cell unit 21F are arranged in order from the negative side to the positive side in the Y-axis direction. Note that the number of battery cell units 21 provided in the battery module 100 is not particularly limited as long as it is 2 or more.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the battery cell units 21A to 21F of the battery cell unit 21 has a plurality of battery cells 11 and a case body 31.
[0027] In each battery cell unit 21, two battery cells 11 are arranged continuously in the Y-axis direction. The number of battery cells 11 provided in each battery cell unit 21 is not particularly limited as long as it is a plurality.
[0028] The battery cell 11 is a lithium-ion battery. The battery cell 11 has an output density of 8000 W / L or more. The battery cell 11 is rectangular and has a thin plate shape of a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The plurality of battery cells 11 are laminated such that the Y-axis direction is the thickness direction of the battery cell 11.
[0029] The battery cell 11 has an exterior body 12. The exterior body 12 is formed of a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped housing and forms the appearance of the battery cell 11. An electrode body and an electrolytic solution are accommodated in the exterior body 12.
[0030] The exterior body 12 has a cell side surface 13, a cell side surface 14, and a cell top surface 15. Each of the cell side surface 13 and the cell side surface 14 is composed of a plane orthogonal to the Y-axis direction. The cell side surface 13 and the cell side surface 14 face opposite sides in the Y-axis direction. Each of the cell side surface 13 and the cell side surface 14 has the largest area among the plurality of side surfaces of the exterior body 12. The cell top surface 15 is composed of a plane orthogonal to the Z-axis direction. The cell top surface 15 faces the +Z-axis direction.
[0031] The battery cell 11 further has a gas discharge valve 17. The gas discharge valve 17 is provided on the cell top surface 15. The gas discharge valve 17 is provided at the central portion of the cell top surface 15 in the X-axis direction. When the internal pressure of the exterior body 12 becomes a predetermined value or more due to the gas generated inside the exterior body 12, the gas discharge valve 17 discharges the gas to the outside of the exterior body 12. The gas from the gas discharge valve 17 flows through a duct 71 described later and is discharged to the outside of the battery module 100.
[0032] The battery cell 11 further has an electrode terminal 16 in which a positive electrode terminal 16p and a negative electrode terminal 16n are paired. The electrode terminal 16 is provided on the cell top surface 15. The positive electrode terminal 16p and the negative electrode terminal 16n are provided on both sides of the gas discharge valve 17 in the X-axis direction, sandwiching the gas discharge valve 17.
[0033] The case body 31 has a rectangular parallelepiped appearance. The case body 31 is made of resin. In each battery cell unit 21, the case body 31 houses a plurality of battery cells 11. The case body 31 has a case top 32. The case top 32 has a wall shape in which the Z-axis direction is the thickness direction and is arranged parallel to the X-axis - Y-axis plane.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked in the Y-axis direction across the battery cell units 21A to 21F arranged in the Y-axis direction. The plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked such that the cell side surfaces 13 face each other and the cell side surfaces 14 face each other between the battery cells 11 adjacent in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the positive electrode terminals 16p and the negative electrode terminals 16n are alternately arranged in the Y-axis direction in which the plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked. The positive electrode terminals 16p and the negative electrode terminals 16n adjacent in the Y-axis direction are connected to each other by a bus bar (not shown) disposed on the case top 32. Thereby, the plurality of battery cells 11 are electrically connected in series to each other.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the battery module 100 further includes a pair of end plates 42 (42P, 42Q) and a pair of binding bars 43. The pair of binding bars 43 and the pair of end plates 42 integrally hold a plurality of battery cell units 21 (a plurality of battery cells 11) arranged in the Y-axis direction.
[0036] The pair of end plates 42 are respectively disposed at both ends of the plurality of battery cells 11 (the plurality of battery cell units 21) in the Y-axis direction. The end plate 42P faces the battery cell unit 21A in the Y-axis direction, and the end plate 42Q faces the battery cell unit 21F in the Y-axis direction.
[0037] The end plate 42 has a plate portion 46 and a flange portion 47. The plate portion 46 has a plate shape in which the Y-axis direction is the thickness direction. The flange portion 47 extends from the end portion (upper end portion) of the plate portion 46 in the +Z-axis direction in a direction away from the stack of the battery cells 11 in the Y-axis direction. The flange portion 47 has a thickness in the Z-axis direction and has a flange shape extending in a band shape along the upper end portion of the plate portion 46.
[0038] A pair of binding bars 43 are arranged at both ends of the stack of battery cells 11 in the X-axis direction. The binding bars 43 extend in the Y-axis direction. The end of the binding bar 43 in the -Y axis direction is connected to the end plate 42P. The end of the binding bar 43 in the +Y axis direction is connected to the end plate 42Q. The pair of binding bars 43, together with the pair of end plates 42, apply a restraining force in the Y-axis direction to the plurality of battery cells 11 (the plurality of battery cell units 21). Note that a retainer that extends in the X-axis direction while intersecting the duct 71 described later and is connected to the pair of binding bars 43 at both ends thereof may be further provided.
[0039] The battery module 100 further includes a duct 71 and a cover body 51. The duct 71 is made of a resin such as polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT resin). The duct 71 extends in the Y-axis direction while facing the plurality of battery cells 11 (the plurality of battery cell units 21) in the Z-axis direction. The duct 71 is an elongated body that extends in the Y-axis direction. The duct 71 forms a passage through which the gas discharged from the plurality of battery cells 11 flows. The duct 71 is attached to the member to be attached 30. The member to be attached 30 is a member held by the battery cells 11 and is composed of a plurality of case bodies 31 arranged in the Y-axis direction in this embodiment.
[0040] The cover body 51 is made of resin. The cover body 51 is provided so as to cover the plurality of battery cells 11 in the Z-axis direction. The cover body 51 is provided to face the case top 32 of the case body 31 in the Z-axis direction. The cover body 51 is provided so as to further cover the duct 71.
[0041] Subsequently, the attachment structure of the duct 71 to the member to be attached 30 (the plurality of case bodies 31) will be described in detail.
[0042] Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing the duct. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery module (in a state where the duct is attached to the member to be attached) as viewed in the arrow direction on the line IX-IX in Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery module (in a state where the duct is attached to the member to be attached) as viewed in the arrow direction on the line X-X in Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery module (in a state where the duct is attached to the member to be attached) as viewed in the arrow direction on the line XI-XI in Fig. 2.
[0043] Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, and Figs. 9 to 11, the member to be attached 30 (a plurality of case bodies 31) has a floor wall portion 111 and a pair of vertical wall portions 116 (116S, 116T).
[0044] The floor wall portion 111 is constituted by a part of the case top portion 32 of the case body 31. The floor wall portion 111 is arranged parallel to the X-axis - Y-axis plane. The floor wall portion 111 has a thickness in the Z-axis direction and forms a wall shape extending in the Y-axis direction across the plurality of case bodies 31 arranged in the Y-axis direction. The floor wall portion 111 is arranged directly above the cell top surface 15 of the battery cell 11 housed in the case body 31. The floor wall portion 111 is arranged between the positive electrode terminal 16p and the negative electrode terminal 16n in the X-axis direction. The floor wall portion 111 is provided with a through hole 112 for exposing the gas discharge valve 17.
[0045] The pair of vertical wall portions 116 rise from the floor wall portion 111 in the +Z-axis direction. The end portion (lower end portion) of the vertical wall portion 116 in the -Z-axis direction is connected to the floor wall portion 111. The vertical wall portion 116 has a thickness in the X-axis direction and forms a wall shape extending in the Y-axis direction with a constant height in the Z-axis direction across the plurality of case bodies 31 arranged in the Y-axis direction.
[0046] The pair of vertical wall portions 116 are provided at intervals in the X-axis direction. The vertical wall portion 116S is provided at a position away from the vertical wall portion 116T in the +X-axis direction. The pair of vertical wall portions 116 are provided at the central portion of the case top 32 in the X-axis direction. The through hole 112 opens between the vertical wall portion 116S and the vertical wall portion 116T in the X-axis direction. In a state where the duct 71 is not attached to the member 30 to be attached, a space surrounded by the floor wall portion 111, the vertical wall portion 116S, and the vertical wall portion 116T is open facing the +Z-axis direction and the ±Y-axis directions.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, and FIGS. 7 to 11, the duct 71 has a duct main body portion 72. The duct main body portion 72 forms the main part of the duct 71 for allowing the gas from the battery cell 11 to flow through. The duct main body portion 72 extends in the Y-axis direction while facing a plurality of gas discharge valves 17 arranged at intervals in the Y-axis direction in the Z-axis direction.
[0048] The duct 71 (duct main body portion 72) is arranged between the pair of vertical wall portions 116. The duct 71 (duct main body portion 72) forms a flow space 110 for the gas discharged from the battery cell 11 together with the case body 31.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the duct 71 (duct main body portion 72) has a duct top wall portion 136, a pair of duct side wall portions 131 (131S, 131T), and a pair of duct side wall portions 141 (141P, 141Q).
[0050] The duct top wall portion 136 is arranged parallel to the X-axis - Y-axis plane. The duct top wall portion 136 has a thickness in the Z-axis direction and forms a wall shape that extends in the Y-axis direction while having a constant width in the X-axis direction. The duct top wall portion 136 faces the floor wall portion 111 across the flow space 110 in the Z-axis direction. The flow space 110 is formed between the duct top wall portion 136 and the floor wall portion 111 in the Z-axis direction.
[0051] The pair of duct side wall portions 131 extend from both ends of the duct top wall portion 136 in the X-axis direction toward the floor wall portion 111 in the Z-axis direction (in the -Z-axis direction). The duct side wall portions 131 have a thickness in the X-axis direction and form a wall shape that extends in the Y-axis direction while having a constant height in the Z-axis direction. The pair of duct side wall portions 131 are provided at intervals from each other in the X-axis direction. The duct side wall portion 131S is provided at a position away from the duct side wall portion 131T in the +X-axis direction. The flow-through space 110 is formed between the duct side wall portion 131S and the duct side wall portion 131T in the X-axis direction.
[0052] The duct side wall portion 131S faces the vertical wall portion 116S in the X-axis direction. The duct side wall portion 131T faces the vertical wall portion 116T in the X-axis direction. A gap is provided between the duct side wall portion 131S and the vertical wall portion 116S in the X-axis direction. A gap is provided between the duct side wall portion 131T and the vertical wall portion 116T in the X-axis direction. The size of these gaps may allow for a slight leakage of gas from the flow-through space 110.
[0053] The duct side wall portion 141 (corresponding to the "fifth wall portion") is arranged parallel to the X-axis - Z-axis plane. The pair of duct side wall portions 141 are provided at intervals from each other in the Y-axis direction. The pair of duct side wall portions 141 are respectively connected to both ends of the duct top wall portion 136 and the pair of duct side wall portions 131 in the Y-axis direction.
[0054] The duct side wall portion 141P is provided at a position away from the duct side wall portion 141Q in the -Y-axis direction. The flow-through space 110 is formed between the duct side wall portion 141P and the duct side wall portion 141Q in the Y-axis direction. The duct side wall portion 141 has a thickness in the Y-axis direction and forms a wall shape that extends in the X-axis direction while having a constant height in the Z-axis direction.
[0055] According to such a configuration, the duct top wall portion 136 and the pair of duct side wall portions 131 of the duct 71 are combined with the floor wall portion 111 and the pair of vertical wall portions 116 of the plurality of case bodies 31 arranged in the Y-axis direction, so that a beam structure extending in the Y-axis direction while facing the plurality of battery cells 11 in the Z-axis direction can be provided. Thereby, even when the battery module 100 is subjected to an excessive impact from the outside, such as during a collision of a vehicle on which the battery module 100 is mounted, the battery cells 11 can be appropriately protected from the impact. Further, since a high-rigidity beam structure is arranged directly above the plurality of battery cells 11, it is possible to prevent the plurality of battery cells 11 from protruding in the Z-axis direction.
[0056] Further, the duct 71 (duct main body portion 72) further has a pair of duct side wall portions 141, and the pair of duct side wall portions 141, together with the pair of duct side wall portions 131, form a frame body that surrounds the flow space 110 in a plane parallel to the X-axis - Y-axis plane. With such a configuration, the rigidity of the beam structure formed by the duct 71 and the attached member 30 (the plurality of case bodies 31) can be further enhanced.
[0057] The duct 71 (duct main body portion 72) extends in the Y-axis direction while passing through the central positions of the respective battery cells 11 in the X-axis direction. According to such a configuration, regardless of whether the direction in which an impact is applied to the battery module 100 is the +X-axis direction or the -X-axis direction, these impacts can be evenly received by the beam structure formed by the duct 71 and the attached member 30.
[0058] The thickness of each wall portion in the duct main body portion 72 (duct top wall portion 136, the pair of duct side wall portions 131, and the pair of duct side wall portions 141) is preferably 2 mm or more. According to such a configuration, the rigidity of the beam structure formed by the duct 71 and the attached member 30 can be further enhanced.
[0059] The duct top wall portion 136 and the pair of duct side wall portions 131 are provided across a plurality of battery cells 11 laminated in the Y-axis direction. The duct top wall portion 136 and the pair of duct side wall portions 131 extend in the Y-axis direction so as to face the plurality of battery cells 11 in the Z-axis direction across a plurality of battery cell units 21 (21A to 21F) arranged in the Y-axis direction. According to such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent the plurality of battery cells 11 from protruding in the Z-axis direction.
[0060] FIGS. 12 and 13 are side views showing steps at the time of attaching the duct to the member to be attached. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 10, and 12, the vertical wall portion 116 of the member to be attached 30 (a plurality of case bodies 31) has a claw portion 121. The claw portion 121 has a convex shape protruding in the X-axis direction.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 10, the claw portion 121 is provided on each of the vertical wall portions 116 of the vertical wall portion 116S and the vertical wall portion 116T. On the vertical wall portion 116S, the claw portion 121 is provided so as to protrude from the inner surface of the vertical wall portion 116S facing the duct side wall portion 131S in the X-axis direction toward the duct side wall portion 131S. On the vertical wall portion 116T, the claw portion 121 is provided so as to protrude from the inner surface of the vertical wall portion 116T facing the duct side wall portion 131T in the X-axis direction toward the duct side wall portion 131T.
[0062] The claw portion 121 is provided at the upper end portion of the vertical wall portion 116. A plurality of claw portions 121 are provided at intervals in the Y-axis direction on the vertical wall portion 116. The plurality of claw portions 121 are provided such that the claw portions 121 face each other in the X-axis direction between the vertical wall portion 116S and the vertical wall portion 116T.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 5, in each case body 31 constituting the member 30 to be attached, a first protrusion 121P and a second protrusion 121Q are provided on the vertical wall portion 116. The first protrusion 121P and the second protrusion 121Q are provided at both ends of the case body 31 in the Y-axis direction. The first protrusion 121P and the second protrusion 121Q have a convex shape protruding in the X-axis direction.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, when a plurality of case bodies 31 are arranged in the Y-axis direction, between the case bodies 31 adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction, the first protrusion 121P and the second protrusion 121Q are continuous in the Y-axis direction to form a claw portion 121.
[0065] In FIGS. 4 and 12, the case bodies 31 constituting the battery cell units 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, and 21F are shown as case body 31A, case body 31B, case body 31C, case body 31D, case body 31E, and case body 31F, respectively. For example, the first protrusion 121P provided on the case body 31C and the second protrusion 121Q provided on the case body 31D adjacent to the case body 31C are continuous in the Y-axis direction to form a claw portion 121.
[0066] On the other hand, the first protrusion 121P provided on the case body 31A is arranged alone at the end of the vertical wall portion 116 in the -Y axis direction. The second protrusion 121Q provided on the case body 31F is arranged alone at the end of the vertical wall portion 116 in the +Y axis direction and forms a claw portion 121.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 7, 8, 10, and 12, a groove portion 161 is provided on the duct side wall portion 131 of the duct 71. The groove portion 161 has a concave shape recessed in the X-axis direction.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 10, the groove portion 161 is provided on each of the duct side wall portions 131 of the duct side wall portion 131S and the duct side wall portion 131T. In the duct side wall portion 131S, a groove portion 161 that is recessed so as to move away from the vertical wall portion 116S is provided from the outer surface of the duct side wall portion 131S facing the vertical wall portion 116S in the X-axis direction. In the duct side wall portion 131T, a groove portion 161 that is recessed so as to move away from the vertical wall portion 116T is provided from the outer surface of the duct side wall portion 131T facing the vertical wall portion 116T in the X-axis direction.
[0069] A plurality of groove portions 161 are provided on the duct side wall portion 131 at intervals in the Y-axis direction. The plurality of groove portions 161 are provided such that the groove portions 161 face each other in the X-axis direction between the duct side wall portion 131S and the duct side wall portion 131T. The plurality of groove portions 161 are provided corresponding to the plurality of claw portions 121 provided on the vertical wall portion 116, respectively. With such a configuration, a set of the claw portion 121 and the groove portion 161 is provided at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the Y-axis direction.
[0070] The duct side wall portion 131 (131S, 131T) is further provided with a groove portion 162. The groove portion 162 is provided at the end portion of the duct side wall portion 131 in the -Y axis direction. The concave shape formed by the groove portion 162 is open facing the +Z axis direction and the -Y axis direction.
[0071] The groove portion 161 has a first section portion 166 and a second section portion 167. The first section portion 166 extends in the Y-axis direction. In a state where the duct 71 is attached to the member 30 to be attached (a plurality of case bodies 31), the claw portion 121 is disposed in the first section portion 166. The first section portion 166 locks the claw portion 121 in the Z-axis direction.
[0072] The first section portion 166 extends in the Y-axis direction along the end portion (upper end portion) of the duct side wall portion 131 in the +Z axis direction. The first section portion 166 forms a step with the outer surface of the duct side wall portion 131 at the end portion in the -Z axis direction and forms a concave shape extending with the Y-axis direction as the longitudinal direction.
[0073] The second section 167 extends in a direction intersecting the Y-axis direction and is continuous with the first section 166. The second section 167 extends in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the Y-axis direction. The second section 167 forms a stepped shape with the outer surface of the duct side wall portion 131 at both ends in the Y-axis direction and extends in a concave shape with the Z-axis direction as the longitudinal direction. The end portion (upper end portion) of the second section 167 in the +Z-axis direction and the end portion of the first section 166 in the -Y-axis direction are continuous. The first section 166 extends in the +Y-axis direction from the position where the first section 166 and the second section 167 are continuous. The second section 167 enables the claw portion 121 to enter the first section 166 when the duct 71 is attached to the member 30 to be attached.
[0074] The length of the first section 166 in the Y-axis direction is preferably 1 / 2 or less of the total length of the duct side wall portion 131 in the Y-axis direction, more preferably 1 / 4 or less, and even more preferably 1 / 6 or less.
[0075] The duct side wall portion 131 has a stepped portion 163. The stepped portion 163 is provided in at least one of the plurality of groove portions 161.
[0076] The stepped portion 163 is provided on the path of the first section 166. The stepped portion 163 is provided between the end portion of the first section 166 in the +Y-axis direction and the end portion of the first section 166 in the -Y-axis direction. The stepped portion 163 forms a stepped shape rising from the bottom surface of the groove portion 161. More specifically, the stepped portion 163 has a top surface having the same height as the outer surface of the duct side wall portion 131 in the X-axis direction, an end portion of the top surface in the -Y-axis direction, and an inclined surface obliquely extending with respect to the Y-axis - X-axis plane between the bottom surface of the groove portion 161, and a right-angle surface extending parallel to the X-axis - Z-axis plane between the end portion of the top surface in the +Y-axis direction and the bottom surface of the groove portion 161.
[0077] In a state where the duct 71 is attached to the attached member 30, the claw portion 121 is disposed on the opposite side of the second section 167 across the step portion 163 on the path of the first section 166. The claw portion 121 is disposed between the end of the first section 166 in the +Y axis direction and the step portion 163.
[0078] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the battery module as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow XIV in FIG. 3. Referring to FIGS. 7, 8, and 14, the duct 71 further has a duct extension portion 74 and a clip portion 78.
[0079] The duct extension portion 74 extends in the +Y axis direction from the end of the duct main body portion 72 in the +Y axis direction. The duct extension portion 74 has a plate shape arranged parallel to the X-axis - Y-axis plane.
[0080] The clip portion 78 extends in the -Y axis direction from the duct extension portion 74. The clip portion 78 has a bar shape that has a thickness in the Z axis direction and extends in the Y axis direction while having a constant width in the X axis direction. The end of the clip portion 78 in the +Y axis direction is continuous with the duct extension portion 74. The clip portion 78 is configured to be elastically deformable such that the end of the clip portion 78 in the -Y axis direction is displaced along the Z axis direction with the position where it is continuous with the duct extension portion 74 as a fulcrum.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 14, in a state where the duct 71 is attached to the attached member 30, the clip portion 78, together with the duct extension portion 74, sandwiches the end plate 42Q in the Z axis direction. The flange portion 47 of the end plate 42Q is sandwiched between the duct extension portion 74 and the clip portion 78 in the Z axis direction.
[0082] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, when attaching the duct 71 to the attached member 30, first, in the Z axis direction, the duct 71 is arranged with respect to the attached member 30 such that the plurality of claw portions 121 and the second section 167 of the plurality of groove portions 161 face each other.
[0083] Next, slide the duct 71 in the -Z axis direction shown by the arrow 510 in FIG. 12 and place it between the pair of vertical wall portions 116 (116S, 116T). At this time, the plurality of claw portions 121 enter the plurality of second section portions 167 respectively, and pass through the second section portions 167 to move to the position where the first section portion 166 and the second section portion 167 are continuous (the position where the claw portions 121 are shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 13). Further, the first protrusion 121P provided on the case body 31A is positioned so as to face the groove portion 162 in the Y-axis direction, and the eaves portion 47 of the end plate 42Q is positioned so as to face the gap between the clip portion 78 and the duct extension portion 74 in the Y-axis direction.
[0084] Next, slide the duct 71 in the -Y axis direction shown by the arrow 520 in FIG. 12. At this time, the plurality of claw portions 121 move from the position where the first section portion 166 and the second section portion 167 are continuous through the first section portion 166 to a position away from the +Y axis direction. Further, in the groove portion 161 provided with the step portion 163, the claw portion 121 gets over the step portion 163 while moving in the first section portion 166. The claw portion 121 disposed in the first section portion 166 is locked in the Z-axis direction by contacting the step portion in the X-axis direction formed by the first section portion 166 and the outer surface of the duct side wall portion 131.
[0085] Further, the first protrusion 121P provided on the case body 31A is disposed in the groove portion 162. The first protrusion 121P disposed in the groove portion 162 is locked in the Z-axis direction by contacting the step portion in the X-axis direction formed by the groove portion 162 and the outer surface of the duct side wall portion 131. The eaves portion 47 of the end plate 42Q is inserted between the clip portion 78 and the duct extension portion 74.
[0086] Through the above steps, the attachment work of the duct 71 to the member 30 to be attached is completed. When removing the duct 71 from the member 30 to be attached, the above steps may be executed in the reverse order.
[0087] Summarizing the structure of the battery module 100 in the embodiment of the present invention described above, the battery module 100 in the present embodiment includes a plurality of battery cells 11 stacked in the Y-axis direction (first direction), a duct 71 that extends in the Y-axis direction while facing the plurality of battery cells 11 in the Z-axis direction (second direction) orthogonal to the Y-axis direction, and forms a flow space 110 for the gas discharged from the plurality of battery cells 11, and a member 30 to be attached that is held by the battery cell 11 and to which the duct 71 is attached.
[0088] The member 30 to be attached has a floor wall portion 111 as a first wall portion arranged parallel to the X-axis - Y-axis plane orthogonal to the Z-axis direction, and a pair of vertical wall portions 116 as second wall portions that rise from the floor wall portion 111 in the Z-axis direction and are provided at intervals from each other in the X-axis direction (third direction) orthogonal to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The duct 71 is arranged between the pair of vertical wall portions 116. The duct 71 is arranged parallel to the X-axis - Y-axis plane orthogonal to the Z-axis direction, and in the Z-axis direction, has a duct top wall portion 136 as a third wall portion facing the floor wall portion 111 with the flow space 110 interposed therebetween, and a pair of duct side wall portions 131 as fourth wall portions that extend from both ends of the duct top wall portion 136 in the X-axis direction toward the floor wall portion 111 in the Z-axis direction and face the pair of vertical wall portions 116 in the X-axis direction.
[0089] According to the battery module 100 in the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, by providing a highly rigid beam structure extending in the stacking direction of the battery cells 11 by the floor wall portion 111 and the pair of vertical wall portions 116 of the member 30 to be attached, and the duct top wall portion 136 and the pair of duct side wall portions 131 of the duct 71, the battery cells 11 can be appropriately protected from external impacts.
[0090] In the present embodiment, the case where the member to be attached in the present invention is composed of a plurality of case bodies 31 for accommodating the battery cells 11 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first wall portion and the pair of second wall portions in the present invention may be integrally provided on a separator inserted between the battery cells stacked in the Y-axis direction, for example.
[0091] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims be included.
Explanation of Reference Numerals
[0092] 11 Battery cell, 12 Exterior body, 13, 14 Cell side surfaces, 15 Cell top surface, 16 Electrode terminal, 16n Negative electrode terminal, 16p Positive electrode terminal, 17 Gas discharge valve, 21, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F Battery cell unit, 30 Member to be attached, 31, 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, 31E, 31F Case body, 32 Case top, 42, 42P, 42Q End plate, 43 Binding bar, 46 Plate portion, 47 Flap portion, 51 Cover body, 71 Duct, 72 Duct main body portion, 74 Duct extension portion, 78 Clip portion, 100 Battery module, 110 Flow space, 111 Floor wall portion, 112 Through hole, 116, 116S, 116T Vertical wall portion, 121 Claw portion, 121P First protruding portion, 121Q Second protruding portion, 131, 131S, 131T, 141, 141P, 141Q Duct side wall portion, 136 Duct top wall portion, 161, 162 Groove portion, 163 Step portion, 166 First section portion, 167 Second section portion.
Claims
1. A battery module, comprising: a plurality of battery cells stacked in a first direction; a duct that extends in the first direction while facing a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with respect to the plurality of battery cells, and forms a flow space for gas discharged from the plurality of battery cells; a member to be attached that is held by the battery cell and to which the duct is attached; The member to be attached includes: a first wall portion disposed parallel to a plane orthogonal to the second direction; a pair of second wall portions that rise from the first wall portion in the second direction and are provided at intervals from each other in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction; The duct is disposed between the pair of second wall portions; The duct includes: a third wall portion disposed parallel to a plane orthogonal to the second direction and facing the first wall portion across the flow space in the second direction; a pair of fourth wall portions that extend from both ends of the third wall portion in the third direction toward the first wall portion in the second direction and face the pair of second wall portions in the third direction respectively; The second wall portion has a thickness in the third direction, has a height larger than the thickness in the second direction, and has a wall shape extending in the first direction; The battery module includes a plurality of battery cell units arranged in the first direction; Each of the battery cell units includes: a plurality of the battery cells arranged continuously in the first direction; a case body that houses the plurality of battery cells arranged continuously in the first direction; The member to be attached is a battery module composed of a plurality of the case bodies.
2. The duct extends in the first direction while passing through the center position of each of the battery cells in the third direction, according to the battery module of Claim 1.
3. Each wall of the third wall portion and the pair of fourth wall portions has a thickness of 2 mm or more. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The duct is Arranged parallel to the plane orthogonal to the first direction, provided at intervals from each other in the first direction, and further having a pair of fifth wall portions connected to both ends of the third wall portion and the pair of fourth wall portions in the first direction. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2.
5. The third wall portion and the pair of fourth wall portions are provided across a plurality of the battery cells laminated in the first direction. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2.
Citation Information
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