battery pack

Abstract

To provide a battery pack whose case for housing a terminal member can be easily manufactured, and which has high durability.SOLUTION: A battery pack has a case which houses a terminal member, and which has a lock mechanism for holding a closed condition of the case. The lock mechanism includes: a fixed claw which is integral with a first member constituting one of a holder part and a cover part; and a movable claw which is integral with a second member constituting the other of the holder part and the cover part. The movable claw includes: a tip claw part which engages with the fixed claw; and an operation part for moving the tip claw part. The second member has a gap, facing the operation part, which is provided to move the operation part. A portion, of the second member, facing the gap has an uneven shape which includes: a protrusion defining the minimum width of the gap; and a recess from which the tip claw part is exposed when viewed from above the gap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 08-121444 (Patent Document 1) discloses a hook-type connection mechanism as a mechanism for mounting a device main body on a base.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-143554 (Patent Document 2) discloses a mechanism for storing an external connection terminal portion of an electricity storage module, which includes an opening / closing cover and a bearing member that rotatably supports the opening / closing cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-121444 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-143554 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a case that houses terminal members for electrically connecting battery cells in a battery pack to devices external to the battery pack, it is desired to improve the durability of a locking mechanism that maintains the case in a closed state while facilitating the manufacture of the mechanism.

[0006] From a different perspective, it is also desirable to improve the operability of the locking mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present technology provides the following assembled battery.

[0008] [1] An assembled battery comprising: a plurality of battery cells; terminal members electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; and an openable and closable case that houses the terminal members, wherein the case has a holder portion that holds the terminal members, a cover portion that is rotatable around a first axis relative to the holder portion, and a locking mechanism that keeps the case closed; the case is opened and closed by rotating the cover portion around the first axis; the locking mechanism includes a fixed claw that is integrated with a first member that constitutes one of the holder portion and the cover portion, and a movable claw that is integrated with a second member that constitutes the other of the holder portion and the cover portion; the movable claw includes a tip claw portion that engages with the fixed claw and an operating portion for moving the tip claw portion; the second member faces the operating portion and has a gap for moving the operating portion; and the portion of the second member that faces the gap has an uneven shape that includes a protrusion that defines the minimum width of the gap and a recess that exposes the tip claw portion when viewed from above the gap.

[0009] [2] The battery pack according to [1], wherein the fixed claws are integrally molded with the holder portion, and the movable claws are integrally molded with the cover portion.

[0010] [3] The battery pack described in [1] or [2], wherein the locking mechanism includes a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism aligned in a direction parallel to the first axis, each of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism including a fixed claw and a movable claw, and the locking by the locking mechanism is released by clamping the operating parts of the movable claws of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism from the direction of the first axis.

[0011] [4] The battery pack according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the holder portion has a limiting protrusion that prevents the cover portion from rotating in the opening direction beyond a predetermined angle.

[0012] [5] The battery pack described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein the movable claw is integrated with the second member via the rod-shaped portion, and the tip claw portion and the operating portion are separately provided on both sides of the rod-shaped portion when viewed in the axial direction of the rod-shaped portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present technology, by providing a convex portion that defines the minimum width of the gap, excessive deformation of the movable claw is suppressed, and by providing a concave portion that exposes the tip claw portion when viewed from above the gap, it is possible to easily manufacture the integrated movable claw and second member. As a result, it is possible to provide a battery pack in which the case for accommodating the terminal members is easy to manufacture and which is highly durable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery pack. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery pack. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a battery cell. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an open state of a case that stores terminal members. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a case that houses terminal members in a closed state. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing details of a locking mechanism that keeps the case closed. [Figure 7] 10 is a side view showing an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the case and a holding mechanism for maintaining the case in an open state. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover of the case has been rotated in the closing direction from the state shown in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a modified example of the holding mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] 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 may not be repeated.

[0016] In the embodiments described below, when numbers, amounts, etc. are mentioned, the scope of the present technology is not necessarily limited to those numbers, amounts, etc., unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, each component is not necessarily essential to the present technology, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the present technology is not necessarily limited to those that achieve all of the effects and advantages mentioned in the present embodiments.

[0017] In this specification, the terms "comprise," "include," and "have" are open-ended. That is, when a certain feature is included, other features may or may not be included.

[0018] Furthermore, when geometric terms and terms expressing positional and directional relationships are used in this specification, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "45° diagonal," "coaxial," and "along," 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 a single state, and the relative positional relationships can be reversed or rotated to any angle depending on the installation direction of each mechanism (for example, by turning the entire mechanism upside down).

[0019] 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.

[0020] In this specification, the term "battery cell" is not necessarily limited to a rectangular cell, but may also include cells of other shapes, such as a cylindrical cell.

[0021] Furthermore, the "battery pack" in this specification can be installed in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), etc. However, the use of the "battery pack" in this specification is not limited to in-vehicle use.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the battery pack 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery pack 1.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery pack 1 includes battery cells 100, end plates 200, restraining members 300, cover members 400, terminal members 500, and a case 600.

[0024] A plurality of battery cells 100 are stacked in the Y direction to form a stack 10. Separators (not shown) are interposed between the plurality of battery cells 100. The stack 10 is sandwiched between two end plates 200. The stack 10 according to this embodiment is pressed against the end plates 200 and is constrained between the two end plates 200.

[0025] The end plates 200 are provided on both ends of the stack 10 in the Y direction. The end plates 200 are fixed to a base such as a pack case that houses the battery pack 1. The end plates 200 are made of, for example, aluminum or iron.

[0026] The restraining members 300 are provided on both ends of the stacked body 10 and the end plates 200 in the X direction. When the restraining members 300 are engaged with the end plates 200 while a compressive force in the Y direction is applied to the stacked body 10 and end plates 200 arranged side by side, and the compressive force is then released, a tensile force acts on the restraining members 300 connecting the two end plates 200. In reaction to this, the restraining members 300 press the two end plates 200 in a direction that brings them closer to each other. As a result, the restraining members 300 restrain the stacked body 10 in the Y direction.

[0027] The cover member 400 is provided so as to cover the laminate 10 from the Z direction. The cover member 400 is made of an electrically insulating resin material.

[0028] The terminal members 500 are provided to electrically connect the laminate 10 to external terminals (not shown). The terminal members 500 are arranged on both sides of the laminate 10 in the Y direction. The terminal members 500 are made of plate-shaped conductors. The terminal members 500 are electrically connected to at least one battery cell 100 out of the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0029] 1 and 2, the case 600 is located at the end of the laminate 10 in the Y direction. The case 600 includes a holder portion 610 (first member) and a cover portion 620 (second member).

[0030] The holder portion 610 has insulating properties. The holder portion 610 is connected to the end plate 200 by a known method such as bolt fastening. The terminal member 500 is fixed to the holder portion 610. In other words, the holder portion 610 holds the terminal member 500.

[0031] Cover portion 620 is rotatable about the X axis (first axis) relative to holder portion 610. Case 600 is opened and closed by cover portion 620 rotating about the X axis.

[0032] 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the battery cell 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the battery cell 100 includes an electrode terminal 110, a housing 120, and a gas release valve .

[0033] The electrode terminal 110 is formed on the housing 120. The electrode terminal 110 has a positive electrode terminal 111 and a negative electrode terminal 112. The positive electrode terminal 111 and the negative electrode terminal 112 are arranged side by side in the X direction.

[0034] The housing 120 is a container that houses an electrode assembly and an electrolyte (not shown). The housing 120 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 120 is made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, iron, or an iron alloy such as stainless steel.

[0035] The gas exhaust valve 130 breaks when the pressure inside the housing 120 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, thereby allowing the gas inside the housing 120 to be exhausted to the outside of the housing 120.

[0036] 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the open and closed states of case 600. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, case 600 includes a locking mechanism 630. Locking mechanism 630 includes a fixed claw 631 and a movable claw 632. Locking mechanism 630 keeps case 600 in the closed state.

[0037] Fixed claw 631 is integrated with holder portion 610, and movable claw 632 is integrated with cover portion 620. However, the scope of the present technology is not limited to this, and fixed claw 631 may be integrated with cover portion 620, and movable claw 632 may be integrated with holder portion 610. In this specification, "integration" typically means integral molding of resin, but the scope of the present technology is not limited to this, and for example, holder portion 610 and fixed claw 631 may be formed separately and then fixed by adhesion or the like.

[0038] Fixed claw 631 is provided to protrude from the side surface of holder portion 610. Movable claw 632 includes tip claw portion 632A that engages with fixed claw 631, operating portion 632B for moving tip claw portion 632A, and rod-shaped portion 632C.

[0039] 4 and 5, a pair of locking mechanisms 630 (first and second locking mechanisms) are provided aligned in a direction parallel to the X-axis (first axis). Each of the pair of locking mechanisms 630 includes a fixed claw 631 and a movable claw 632.

[0040] By pinching the operation portions 632B of the movable claws 632 of the pair of locking mechanisms 630 along the X direction, the locking by the locking mechanisms 630 is released. In this way, the locking mechanism 630 with high operability is obtained.

[0041] Movable claw 632 is integrated with holder portion 610 via rod-shaped portion 632C. Rod-shaped portion 632C is provided so that its axial direction is along the Y direction. When movable claw 632 is viewed from the Y direction, tip claw portion 632A is located on one side in the Z direction (the lower side in the figure), and operation portion 632B is located on the other side in the Z direction (the upper side in the figure). In other words, tip claw portion 632A and operation portion 632B are separately provided on both sides of rod-shaped portion 632C when viewed from the axial direction of rod-shaped portion 632C.

[0042] Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the details of the locking mechanism 630. As shown in Fig. 6, a gap 621 facing the operation portion 632B of the movable claw 632 is formed in the cover portion 620. Furthermore, the portion of the cover portion 620 facing the gap 621 has an uneven shape. More specifically, the uneven shape includes a protrusion 622 and a recess 623. The protrusions 622 are formed on both sides of the recess 623. The recess 623 is formed so as to be sandwiched between the protrusions 622. The protrusions 622 and the recess 623 are formed so as to be adjacent to each other in the Y direction.

[0043] The formation of gap 621 allows operation portion 632B of movable claw 632 to move in the X direction. When operation portion 632B is pushed toward cover portion 620, rod-shaped portion 632C is deformed in a slightly twisted manner, and the engagement between tip claw portion 632A and fixed claw 631 is released. This releases the closed state maintained by locking mechanism 630.

[0044] The convex portions 622 define the minimum width of the gap 621. In the structure shown in FIG. 6, the length of the operation portion 623B in the Y-axis direction is longer than the length of the recessed portions 623 located between the convex portions 622 in the Y-axis direction. In this way, the operation portion 632B of the movable claw 632 abuts against the convex portions 622, the movable range of the operation portion 632B in the X-axis direction is defined, and excessive deformation of the rod-shaped portion 632C is suppressed, thereby suppressing damage to the movable claw 632. However, the scope of the present technology is not limited to that shown in FIG. 6, and the structure in which the operation portion 623B abuts against the convex portions 622 is also not limited to the above-described example.

[0045] Recess 623 is formed so as to expose tip claw portion 632A when gap 621 is viewed from the Z direction (from above in FIG. 6), that is, so as to make tip claw portion 632A visible when gap 621 is viewed from above. This makes it easier to provide a molding die for integrally molding cover portion 620 and movable claw 632, and therefore makes it easier to manufacture integrated cover portion 620 and movable claw 632.

[0046] As described above, according to the battery pack 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to easily manufacture the locking mechanism 630 while improving its durability.

[0047] Next, the opening / closing mechanism 640 that opens and closes the case 600 and the holding mechanism 650 that maintains the open state of the case 600 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the opening / closing mechanism 640 and the holding mechanism 650, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover part 620 has been rotated in the closing direction from the state shown in FIG.

[0049] 7 and 8, the opening / closing mechanism 640 includes a shaft portion 641 and a cylindrical portion 642. The shaft portion 641 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 642. The case 600 is opened and closed by relative rotation between the shaft portion 641 and the cylindrical portion 642. The shaft portion 641 and the cylindrical portion 642 are formed to extend along the X direction.

[0050] 7 and 8 , the shaft portion 641 is formed on the holder portion 610, and the tube portion 642 is formed on the cover portion 620. However, the scope of the present technology is not limited thereto, and the shaft portion 641 may be formed on the cover portion 620, and the tube portion 642 may be formed on the holder portion 610.

[0051] The holding mechanism 650 includes a protrusion 651 (first protrusion) and an engaging portion 652. The protrusion 651 protrudes in the X direction from the holder portion 610. The engaging portion 652 is provided integrally with the cover portion 620. In the example of FIG. 7, the engaging portion 652 is a part of the cover portion 620.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, protrusion 651 and engagement portion 652 are engaged with each other, thereby maintaining case 600 in the open state shown in FIG. 7 (first open angle).

[0053] Holder portion 610 has limiting protrusion 611. When the open angle of cover portion 620 is further increased from the state shown in Fig. 7 (when cover portion 620 is rotated clockwise in the figure), cover portion 620 comes into contact with limiting protrusion 611, thereby preventing cover portion 620 from further rotating in the opening direction. This prevents excessive rotation of opening / closing mechanism 640 and protects case 600.

[0054] When the cover part 620 is rotated in the open direction from the state shown in FIG. 8 to the state shown in FIG. 7, the cover part 620 is slightly deformed so as to bend in the X direction around the engaging part 652, and can overcome the protrusion 651 and reach the state shown in FIG. 7.

[0055] 9 is a side view showing a modified example of the holding mechanism 650. In the example of FIG. 9, the shape of the engaging portion 652 is different from the examples of FIGS.

[0056] In the modified example of FIG. 9, the engagement portion 652 includes a first leg portion 652A, a second leg portion 652B, a bridge portion 652C, and a protrusion 652D (second protrusion). The first leg portion 652A and the second leg portion 652B protrude radially outward from the cylindrical portion 642. The bridge portion 652C connects the first leg portion 652A and the second leg portion 652B in the circumferential direction while forming a gap between the bridge portion 652C and the cylindrical portion 642. The protrusion 652D protrudes radially outward from the bridge portion 652C. The engagement of the protrusion 652D with the protrusion 651 maintains the open state of the case 600 in the state shown in FIG. 9 (first open angle). When the protrusion 652D rides over the protrusion 651, the bridge portion 652C is slightly deformed so as to bend radially inward.

[0057] In holding mechanism 650 in the present embodiment, the structures of protrusion 651 and engaging portion 652 are simple, and the open angle at which case 600 is maintained in the open state can be easily changed simply by adjusting the position of protrusion 651. Furthermore, a predetermined holding force (torque) required to maintain case 600 in the open state can be obtained simply by adjusting the aspect (shape, protrusion height, etc.) of protrusion 651 or the aspect (e.g., shape, protrusion height, etc. of protrusion 652D) of engaging portion 652.

[0058] Thus, according to the battery pack 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to easily manufacture the holding mechanism 650 that maintains the open state of the case 600 at a predetermined angle, while improving the holding force.

[0059] Although the embodiments of the present technology have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be 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 meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 battery pack, 10 laminate, 100 battery cell, 110 electrode terminal, 111 positive electrode terminal, 112 negative electrode terminal, 120 housing, 130 gas release valve, 200 end plate, 300 restraining member, 400 cover member, 500 terminal member, 600 case, 610 holder portion, 611 limiting protrusion, 620 cover portion, 621 gap, 622 convex portion, 623 concave portion, 630 locking mechanism, 631 fixed claw, 632 movable claw, 632A tip claw portion, 632B operating portion, 632C rod-shaped portion, 640 opening / closing mechanism, 641 shaft portion, 642 cylindrical portion, 650 holding mechanism, 651 protrusion, 652 engaging portion, 652A first leg portion, 652B second leg portion, 652C Bridge section, 652D protrusion.

Claims

1. A plurality of battery cells; terminal members electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; an openable and closable case for accommodating the terminal member; the case has a holder portion that holds the terminal member, a cover portion that is rotatable about a first axis relative to the holder portion, and a locking mechanism that keeps the case closed, and the case is opened and closed by rotating the cover portion about the first axis; the locking mechanism includes a fixed claw integrated with a first member constituting one of the holder portion and the cover portion, and a movable claw integrated with a second member constituting the other of the holder portion and the cover portion, The movable claw includes a tip claw portion that engages with the fixed claw and an operating portion for moving the tip claw portion, the second member faces the operating unit and has a gap for moving the operating unit; a portion of the second member facing the gap has an uneven shape including a protrusion that defines a minimum width of the gap and a recess that exposes the tip claw portion when viewed from above the gap.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the fixed claws are integrally molded with the holder portion, and the movable claws are integrally molded with the cover portion.

3. the locking mechanism includes a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism aligned in a direction parallel to the first axis, each of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism including the fixed claw and the movable claw; 3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the locking by the locking mechanisms is released by pinching the operating portions of the movable claws of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism from the direction of the first axis.

4. 3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the holder portion has a limiting protrusion that prevents the cover portion from rotating in the opening direction beyond a predetermined angle.

5. the movable claw is integrated with the second member via a rod-shaped portion, 3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the tip claw portion and the operating portion are separately provided on both sides of the rod-shaped portion when viewed in the axial direction of the rod-shaped portion.

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