Module and Method for Manufacturing the Same

Abstract

To realize a seal structure with improved waterproof and dustproof properties.SOLUTION: A module includes a housing (4), a cover (6) that covers the housing, a first adhesive container (18-1) provided at the opening edge (opening 8) of the housing, a second adhesive container (18-2) provided on the outer peripheral side of the first adhesive container, and an adhesive (20) that bonds the housing and the cover and is housed in the first adhesive container and the second adhesive container, and the cover includes a skirt (12) surrounding the adhesive of the second adhesive container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to, for example, a module including elements such as a power storage device and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] A module is, for example, a component including elements such as a power storage device in a housing, and the housing is provided. In vehicles such as automobiles, high waterproofness and dustproofness are required to protect the elements from water intrusion from the outside air.

[0003] Regarding the seal structure of the housing, it is known that a sealing material is applied to the seal groove portion of the housing, and a lens is attached to this sealing material to waterproof the chamber of the housing (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Regarding the connection between the housing lid and the housing body, it is known that an O-ring is inserted between the housing lid and the housing body, and a tool is provided on the housing lid side to connect the housing lid and the housing body (for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, an O-ring seal structure is common in the connection structure between the housing and the cover. When using an O-ring, for example, a fixing structure is adopted in which the O-ring is fixed to the housing or the cover, and the housing and the cover are firmly fixed using fixing screws and the two are combined.

[0007] When such a fixing structure is used, a fixing portion for attaching the fixing screw is required, and moreover, this fixing portion extends over several locations. Moreover, in addition to the housing and the cover, fixing screws are required, and there is a problem that the fixing work is necessary.

[0008] Regarding the above problems, the inventors have obtained the knowledge that it is possible to eliminate the O-ring and the fixing screw, simplify the fixing work, and improve the waterproof and dustproof properties of the module.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to realize a seal structure that is lightweight and has improved waterproof and dustproof properties based on the above problems and knowledge.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the module of the present disclosure, a housing, a cover that covers the housing, and an opening edge portion of the housing Formed and surrounded by a first vertical wall portion and a second vertical wall portion, and the cover installed at the top of the first vertical wall portion and the second vertical wall portion a first adhesive accommodating portion, On the outer edge of the housing and a second adhesive accommodating portion provided on the outer peripheral side of the first adhesive accommodating portion formed by the second vertical wall portion and the curved edge portion of the cover and an adhesive that is accommodated in the first adhesive accommodating portion and the second adhesive accommodating portion and joins the housing and the cover.

[0011] In this module, further, the cover with the edge portion formed to be curved may include a skirt portion that surrounds the adhesive in the second adhesive accommodating portion. such that the skirt portion has an opening area wider than the face portion of the housing That's okay.

[0012] In this module, further, the cover may be locked to the housing by a locking portion provided on the cover.

[0013] In this module, further, the adhesive accommodated in the first adhesive accommodating portion and the second adhesive accommodating portion is It may be set such that the accommodation amount of the adhesive in the first adhesive accommodating portion > the accommodation amount of the adhesive in the second adhesive accommodating portion. In this module, the relationship between the amount of adhesive filled in the first adhesive storage part and the adhesive storage capacity of the first adhesive storage part may be "the amount of adhesive filled = the adhesive storage capacity" or "the amount of adhesive filled ≒ the adhesive storage capacity".

[0014] To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the method for manufacturing a module of the present disclosure, formed between the first vertical wall portion and the second vertical wall portion provided at the opening edge portion a step of storing an amount of adhesive exceeding the storage capacity of the first adhesive storage part in the first adhesive storage part of the housing, covering the housing with a cover, forming a second adhesive accommodating portion on the outer edge of the housing by the second vertical wall portion and the curved edge portion of the cover causing the adhesive to flow out from the first adhesive storage part to a second adhesive storage part at the outer edge of the housing, and joining the housing and the cover with the adhesive in the first adhesive storage part and the second adhesive storage part, and the a step of clamping a locking part provided on the cover to lock the cover to the housing.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the module of the present disclosure, any of the following effects can be obtained. (1) Without providing screws and their fixing parts, the housing and the cover can be firmly fixed with the common adhesive stored in the first and second adhesive storage parts. (2) The adhesive stored in the second adhesive storage part is surrounded by the cover, and the adhesion state between the housing and the cover can be reinforced.

[0016] According to the method for manufacturing a module of the present disclosure, any of the following effects can be obtained. (1) By covering the housing with the cover using the adhesive stored in the first adhesive storage part, the housing and the cover can be adhered with the common adhesive by a one-touch operation of moving a part of the adhesive from the first adhesive storage part to the second adhesive storage part. (2) Post-treatment such as the removal treatment of the adhesive during adhesion can be simplified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] <Power storage module 2> Figure 1-A shows a plane with a part of the power storage module 2 according to an embodiment cut out, and Figure 1-B shows a side view of the power storage module 2 cut along the line IB-IB of Figure 1-A. The configurations shown in Figures 1-A and 1-B are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to such configurations.

[0019] The power storage module 2 is an example of the module of the present disclosure and is a circuit device including a power storage element and the like. This power storage module 2 includes a housing 4 and a cover 6. The housing 4 is, for example, a rectangular tubular container formed of an insulating resin and has an opening 8.

[0020] The cover 6 is a lid member installed on the housing 4 to close the opening 8 and is formed of, for example, a steel plate that can be formed. This cover 6 has a similar shape larger than the housing surface portion on the opening 8 side and includes a reinforcing portion 10 and a skirt portion 12. The reinforcing portion 10 is a protruding portion that protrudes from the plate-shaped base material forming the cover 6 in a narrower range than the opening 8 of the housing 4. The skirt portion 12 is a curved portion formed by curving the edge portion of the cover 6 in one surface direction, and the opening area of the skirt portion 12 is set wider than the surface portion of the housing 4 including the opening 8.

[0021] At the edge of the opening 8 of the housing 4, first and second vertical wall portions 14 and 16 are formed. The space portion surrounded by these vertical wall portions 14 and 16 and the cover 6 constitutes the first adhesive accommodating portion 18-1. Further, the space portion surrounded by the vertical wall portion 16 and the skirt portion 12 side of the cover 6 constitutes the second adhesive accommodating portion 18-2.

[0022] An adhesive 20 is accommodated in each of the adhesive accommodating portions 18-1 and 18-2, and the housing 4 and the cover 6 are joined by this adhesive 20.

[0023] And, as shown in B of FIG. 1, a locking portion 22 is provided at the end of the skirt portion 12 of the cover 6, and this locking portion 22 is bent to the back side of the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1 of the housing 4 and locked to a part of the housing 4.

[0024] Before the housing 4 is sealed by the cover 6, elements such as a power storage element 26 and circuit members such as a substrate 28 are stored in the storage space 24 as shown in B of FIG. 1.

[0025] <Adhesive structure between the housing 4 and the cover 6> A in FIG. 2 shows a cross-section taken along line IIA-IIA of FIG. 1. A vertical wall portion 14 is formed on the housing 4, and a vertical wall portion 16 is formed on a flange portion 30 that protrudes in the peripheral direction. The vertical wall portions 14 and 16 are set to the same height, and the cover 6 is installed at the top of the vertical wall portions 14 and 16. As described above, the space portion surrounded by the vertical wall portions 14 and 16 and the cover 6 constitutes the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1, and the adhesive 20 accommodated in the space portion of this adhesive accommodating portion 18-1 has solidified. The space portion surrounded by the vertical wall portion 16, the cover 6, and its skirt portion 12 constitutes the adhesive accommodating portion 18-2, and the adhesive 20 accommodated in the space portion of this adhesive accommodating portion 18-2 has solidified.

[0026] Therefore, the cover 6 placed on the standing wall portions 14 and 16 of the housing 4 is firmly adhered by the adhesive 20 on the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1 side and the adhesive 20 on the adhesive accommodating portion 18-2 side, and the storage space 24 of the housing 4 is sealed by the housing 4, the cover 6, and the adhesive 20. The adhesive 20 may be installed in the narrow portion formed by the inner side of the standing wall portion 14 of the housing 4 and the cover 6.

[0027] <Adhesion and locking structure between the housing 4 and the cover 6> B in FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the IIB portion of B in FIG. 1. Also in this IIB portion, as described above, the cover 6 placed on the standing wall portions 14 and 16 of the housing 4 is firmly adhered by the adhesive 20 on the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1 side and the adhesive 20 on the adhesive accommodating portion 18-2 side, and the storage space 24 of the housing 4 is sealed by the housing 4, the cover 6, and the adhesive 20. Further, the adhesive 20 may be installed in the narrow portion formed by the inner side of the standing wall portion 14 of the housing 4 and the cover 6.

[0028] Furthermore, a locking portion 22 is integrally formed on the skirt portion 12 of the cover 6. This locking portion 22 surrounds the back side of the flange portion 30 side of the housing 4, that is, the adhesive accommodating portion 18-2, and is bent to the back side of the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1 and locked to the flange portion 30.

[0029] Therefore, in addition to the adhesion between the housing 4 and the cover 6 by the adhesives 20 on the adhesive accommodating portions 18-1 and 18-2 sides, the housing 4 and the cover 6 are firmly fixed by the locking of the locking portion 22 provided on the cover 6 to the housing 4.

[0030] <Molding material of the housing 4> An insulating synthetic resin material is used for the housing 4. For this synthetic resin material, for example, a resin with good moldability having insulation properties such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) resin and TPS (styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) resin may be used.

[0031] <Molding material of the cover 6> The cover 6 is made of, for example, a formable and highly rigid plated steel sheet. An insulating coating film may be formed on the cover 6.

[0032] <Material of the adhesive 20> Before curing, the adhesive 20 needs to have a shape-retaining property such that it stays in the adhesive storage part 18-1 due to surface tension when filled in the adhesive storage part 18-1, and also needs to have a fluidity that allows a part of it to be extruded into the adhesive storage part 18-2 by the cover 6.

[0033] Therefore, as the main material and curing agent of the adhesive 20 can be cured at room temperature, for example, a two-component adhesive can be used, and silicone-based and urethane-based adhesives are suitable materials.

[0034] <Manufacturing process of the power storage module 2> FIG. 3 shows the manufacturing process of the power storage module 2, which includes a pre-mounting process of the cover 6 (A in FIG. 3), a mounting process of the cover 6 (B in FIG. 3), and a caulking process of the locking part 22 (C in FIG. 3). The manufacturing process of the power storage module 2 is an example of the manufacturing method of the module of the present disclosure.

[0035] <Pre-mounting process of the cover 6> As shown in A of FIG. 3, a device member including a substrate 28 on which a power storage element 26 is mounted is housed in the housing 4. After housing the device member, the housing 4 is maintained horizontally, and the adhesive 20 is supplied to the adhesive storage part 18-1 by a supply means such as a dispenser (not shown). The amount of the adhesive 20 is appropriate such that, for example, the top of the adhesive 20 is higher than the vertical walls 14 and 16 due to the surface tension of the adhesive 20.

[0036] Before the adhesive 20 cures, the cover 6 is aligned with the surface of the housing 4 on the opening 8 side maintained horizontally, and as shown by the dashed arrow, the cover 6 is lowered onto the housing 4. As the cover 6 is lowered, air Air flows out from above the housing 4, and in response to this air Air, the adhesive 20 on the adhesive storage part 18-1 flows toward the adhesive storage part 18-2 side.

[0037] <Mounting process of the cover 6> As shown in B of FIG. 3, before the adhesive 20 cures, when the cover 6 is pressed against the housing 4, the adhesive 20 is confined within the allowable volume of the space portion of the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1, and the excess adhesive 20 that cannot be fully accommodated in the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1 flows out along the inner surface of the cover 6 over the standing wall portion 16 into the adhesive accommodating portion 18-2.

[0038] In B of FIG. 3, the two-dot chain line portion is the excess of the adhesive 20, and this excess flows out and fills the adhesive accommodating portion 18-2.

[0039] <Crimping process of the locking portion 22> As shown in C of FIG. 3, before the adhesive 20 cures, the state where the cover 6 is in close contact with the housing 4 is maintained, the locking portion 22 in the skirt portion 12 is crimped toward the housing 4 side, and is locked to the flange portion 30 and maintained.

[0040] If the adhesive 20 is cured in this state, the cover 6 can be firmly fixed to the housing 4 by the locking by the locking portion 22 along with the curing of the adhesive 20, and a strong sealing structure can be realized.

[0041] <Total supply amount of the adhesive 20 and volume ratio of the adhesive accommodating portions 18-1 and 18-2> Let the total supply amount of the adhesive 20 be Mm, and the volume of the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1 be M1. The total supply amount Mm is an amount exceeding the volume M1 of the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1. The volume M1 corresponds to the volume of the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1. If the volume of the adhesive accommodating portion 18-2 is M2, the volume M2 is provided by the excess obtained by subtracting the volume M1 of the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1 from the total supply amount Mm. Therefore, the total supply amount Mm of the adhesive 20 can be expressed by Equation (1). Mm = M1 + M2 ···(1)

[0042] The ratio M2 / M1 of the volumes M1 and M2 can be expressed by Equation (2). M2 / M1 = (Mm - M1) / M1 = (Mm / M1) - 1 ···(2)

[0043] Here, assuming that the total supply amount Mm of the adhesive 20 includes a 20% increase in the storage capacity M1, substituting Mm = 1.2×M1 into Equation (2) can be expressed by Equation (3). M2 / M1=(1.2×M1 / M1)-1=1.2-1=0.2 ···(3)

[0044] That is, 20% of the adhesive 20, which is the increase amount relative to the storage capacity M1, becomes the storage capacity M2 of the adhesive storage portion 18-2. This is an example, and the increase amount relative to the storage capacity M1 may be 20% or less, or may exceed 20%. In short, an appropriate amount of the increase amount may be, for example, an amount that can be maintained in the adhesive storage portion 18-1 before sealing.

[0045] Assuming the condition that the total supply amount Mm including the storage capacity M1 of the adhesive storage portion 18-1 can be maintained in the adhesive storage portion 18-1, the magnitude relationship between the storage capacities M1 and M2 can be expressed by Equation (4). M1>M2 ···(4)

[0046] <Relationship between the adhesive storage portion 18-2 and the storage capacity M2 of the adhesive 20> The adhesive storage portion 18-2 is composed of the standing wall portion 16 and the skirt portion 12 of the cover 6. The total volume V of the adhesive storage portion 18-2 is proportional to the interval W between the standing wall portion 16 and the skirt portion 12, the height H of the skirt portion 12, and the circumferential length L of the adhesive storage portion 18-2 as shown clearly at A in FIG. 2. Assuming that the circumferential length L is constant, it is proportional to the interval W and the height H. That is, if the interval W is narrowed, the adhesive 20 forms a bridging state between the inner wall surfaces of the standing wall portion 16 and the skirt portion 12 and flows in the height direction of the standing wall portion 16 and the skirt portion 12.

[0047] Therefore, in order to store the adhesive 20 within the range of the height H of the skirt portion 12, the interval W between the standing wall portion 16 and the skirt portion 12, the height H of the skirt portion 12, or both may be optimized in relation to the storage capacity M2 of the adhesive 20.

[0048] <Effect of one embodiment> According to this one embodiment, any of the following effects can be obtained. <Power storage module 2> (1) The housing 4 and the cover 6 can be firmly fixed with the vertical wall portions 14 and 16 formed on the housing 4 side, the cover 6, and the adhesive 20, and the housing 4 can be sealed with the cover 6 to realize a sealing structure with enhanced waterproof and dustproof properties.

[0049] (2) The adhesive 20 is installed in the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1 on the side of the vertical wall portions 14 and 16 of the housing 4 side, and the adhesive 20 is also installed in the adhesive accommodating portion 18-2 on the side of the skirt portion 12 of the vertical wall portion 16 and the cover 6. Therefore, the housing 4 and the cover 6 can be firmly fixed with the respective adhesives 20 in the adhesive accommodating portions 18-1 and 18-2, the fixing strength can be enhanced, and the robustness of the power storage module 2 can be achieved.

[0050] (3) Regarding the interval W between the vertical wall portion 16 and the skirt portion 12 of the cover 6 and the height H of the skirt portion 12, the optimization of the adhesive 20 for the adhesive accommodating portion 18-2 can be achieved by adjusting either of these two or adjusting the accommodation amount M2 of the adhesive 20. The exposure from the skirt portion 12 can be prevented, and the appearance of the power storage module 2 can be enhanced.

[0051] (4) Even if the cover 6 is formed of an opaque member such as a steel plate, the presence or absence and the surface state of the adhesive 20 within the interval between the skirt portion 12 and the vertical wall portion 16 of the cover 6 can be visually recognized. From the confirmation of the state, the fixing state of the adhesive 20 in the adhesive accommodating portion 18-1 can be predicted, etc. The sealing state between the housing 4 and the cover 6 can be easily confirmed, and the reliability of the sealing state can be ensured.

[0052] (5) Even if the housing 4 is formed of an insulating resin or the like and the cover 6 is formed of a steel plate or the like, both can be fixed with the common adhesive 20.

[0053] (6) Since the housing 4 and the cover 6 can be firmly fixed with at least the respective adhesives 20 in the adhesive accommodating portions 18-1 and 18-2, compared with the conventional mechanical fixing mechanism using fixing screws or the like, the volume of the fixing portion can be reduced, the weight reduction and the compactification of the power storage module 2 can be achieved, and the workability of the fixing can be enhanced.

[0054] <Method for manufacturing the power storage module 2> (7) According to this method for manufacturing the power storage module 2, an amount of the adhesive 20 exceeding the volume of the adhesive storage portion 18-1 (that is, the amount of the adhesive stored in the adhesive storage portion 18-1) is injected into the space portion of the adhesive storage portion 18-1 formed in the opening portion 8 of the housing 4, and by attaching the cover 6 to the housing 4, the adhesive 20 can be extruded from the adhesive storage portion 18-1 and stored in the adhesive storage portion 18-2, and the housing 4 and the cover 6 can be combined and joined.

[0055] (8) The storage amount of the adhesive 20 in the adhesive storage portion 18-2 can be regulated by the storage amount of the adhesive 20 that can be maintained in the adhesive storage portion 18-1, eliminating the need to measure the storage amount and omitting the labor of the sealing operation.

[0056] (9) Whether an appropriate amount of the adhesive 20 is stored in the adhesive storage portion 18-2 can be easily confirmed by the presence or absence of the adhesive 20 stored within the interval between the skirt portion 12 and the standing wall portion 16. Along with the control of the adhesive 20, the sealing quality of the power storage module 2 can be made uniform.

[0057] <Relationship between the storage amount and the filling amount of the adhesive 20> The relationship between the amount of the adhesive 20 filled in the adhesive storage portion 18-1 and the storage amount of the adhesive in the adhesive storage portion 18-1 is set to "the filled amount of the adhesive = the storage amount of the adhesive" or "the filled amount of the adhesive ≒ the storage amount of the adhesive".

[0058] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure includes the following other embodiments. <Locking structure of the locking portion 22> As shown in A of FIG. 4, a hooking portion 32 may be provided at the end of the locking portion 22, and this hooking portion 32 may be inserted into and hooked in a recess 34 formed in the flange portion 30.

[0059] According to such a configuration, the cover 6 can be more firmly locked to the housing 4, and the fixing strength between the housing 4 and the cover 6 can be enhanced.

[0060] <Relationship between flange portion 30 and locking portion 22> As shown in B of FIG. 4, the flange portion 30 may be provided with an overhanging portion 36 below the adhesive accommodating portion 18-2, and the locking portion 22 may be bent along the outer surface of the overhanging portion 36.

[0061] According to such a configuration, the locking portion 22 can be bent along the overhanging portion 36, facilitating the processing of the locking portion 22 and making the formed shape uniform.

[0062] <Adhesive 20 between the inner side of the standing wall portion 14 of the housing 4 and the cover 6> In the above embodiment, the adhesive 20 is installed in the narrow portion formed by the inner side of the standing wall portion 14 of the housing 4 and the cover 6. This adhesive 20 may be installed over the entire circumference, or a part of it, or it may not be installed at all.

[0063] As described above, the most preferred embodiment of the module and its manufacturing have been described. The present disclosure is not limited to the above description. Based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the embodiments for carrying out the invention, various modifications and changes are possible for those skilled in the art. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0064] According to the module or its manufacturing method of the present disclosure, the weight reduction, waterproofness, and dustproofness of modules such as power storage modules can be enhanced, and in-vehicle applications and the like of power storage device modules can avoid the intrusion of foreign substances such as water, dust, and mud.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0065] 2 Power storage module 4 Housing 6 Cover 8 Opening 10 Reinforcing portion 12 Skirt part 14, 16 Vertical wall part 18-1, 18-2 Adhesive storage part 20 Adhesive 22 Locking part 24 Storage space 26 Energy storage element 28 Substrate 30 Flange part 32 Hooking part 34 Concave part 36 Protruding part

Claims

1. A housing, a cover covering the housing, a first vertical wall portion and a second vertical wall portion formed at an opening edge portion of the housing, and a first adhesive accommodating portion formed and surrounded by the cover installed at tops of the first vertical wall portion and the second vertical wall portion, a second adhesive accommodating portion provided on an outer edge of the housing and on an outer peripheral side of the first adhesive accommodating portion, the second adhesive accommodating portion being formed by the second vertical wall portion and a curved edge portion of the cover, an adhesive accommodated in the first adhesive accommodating portion and the second adhesive accommodating portion to join the housing and the cover, A module comprising the above.

2. Furthermore, the cover has a skirt portion formed by curving an edge portion thereof, the skirt portion surrounding the adhesive in the second adhesive accommodating portion, The module according to claim 1, wherein the skirt portion has an opening area wider than a face portion of the housing.

3. Furthermore, the module according to claim 1, wherein the cover is locked to the housing by a locking portion provided on the cover.

4. The adhesive accommodated in the first adhesive accommodating portion and the second adhesive accommodating portion is set such that the amount of the adhesive accommodated in the first adhesive accommodating portion > the amount of the adhesive accommodated in the second adhesive accommodating portion, The module according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The relationship between the amount of the adhesive filled in the first adhesive accommodating portion and the amount of the adhesive accommodated in the first adhesive accommodating portion is "the amount of the filled adhesive = the amount of the adhesive accommodated" or "the amount of the filled adhesive ≒ the amount of the adhesive accommodated". The module according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. A step of accommodating an amount of adhesive exceeding the accommodation capacity of a first adhesive accommodating portion formed between a first vertical wall portion and a second vertical wall portion provided at an opening edge portion of a housing in the first adhesive accommodating portion, covering the housing with a cover to form a second adhesive accommodating portion at an outer edge of the housing by the second vertical wall portion and a curved edge portion of the cover, flowing the adhesive from the first adhesive accommodating portion to the second adhesive accommodating portion at the outer edge of the housing, and joining the housing and the cover with the adhesive in the first adhesive accommodating portion and the second adhesive accommodating portion, a step of clamping a locking portion provided on the cover to lock the cover to the housing, A method for manufacturing a module including the above.

Images