Battery case

Abstract

To inhibit a blowout of high-temperature gases from a battery cell from propagating to other battery cells around the battery cell, the battery cells constituting a battery stack.SOLUTION: A battery case comprises metal pedestal bases, metal plates, partition walls, and penetration metal parts. The pedestal base supports a battery stack. The pedestal base is fixed to the plate. The partition wall is provided between two battery cells adjacent to each other, the battery cells constituting a battery stack. The penetration part extends in a vertical direction relative to a longitudinal direction of the battery stack and penetrates inside of the partition wall. The pedestal bases include a partition-wall pedestal base. The partition-wall pedestal base is provided between the plate and the partition wall and supports the battery stack and the partition wall. The partition-wall pedestal base makes contact with one end of the penetration part on the partition-wall pedestal base side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery case that houses a battery stack. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2021-125400 discloses a battery case that houses multiple battery stacks. This conventional battery case houses four battery stacks. The interior of the battery case is divided into three levels, with two battery stacks provided in each of the first and second levels. In each of the first and second levels, two battery stacks are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery case. In each level, the two battery stacks are attached to the battery case via support members.

[0003] In addition to Patent Publication No. 2021-125400, Patent Publication No. 2020-64770 can be cited as examples of documents that show the technical state of the art in the technical field related to the present disclosure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-125400 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-64770 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] High-temperature gas may be emitted from the battery cells that make up a battery stack. For example, if a foreign object gets into the battery case and causes a short circuit between electronic components, the electrolyte in the battery cell evaporates, causing high-temperature gas to be emitted. High-temperature gas can also be emitted if the battery is overcharged. When high-temperature gas is emitted, the temperature of the battery cell next to the battery cell from which the high-temperature gas was emitted rises due to heat transfer. This causes high-temperature gas to be emitted from the adjacent battery cell as well.

[0006] Such high-temperature gas emissions can also spread between battery stacks. In the battery case of JP 2021-125400 A, two battery stacks are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when high-temperature gas is emitted, heat is transferred from the battery stack of the battery cell from which the high-temperature gas was emitted to the adjacent battery stack, which may cause high-temperature gas to be emitted from the battery cell of the adjacent battery stack.

[0007] One object of the present disclosure is to prevent high-temperature gas emitted from a battery cell that constitutes a battery stack from propagating to battery cells surrounding that battery cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a battery case having the following features. The battery case Multiple battery cells stacked The battery case includes a metal base, a metal plate, a partition wall material, and a metal penetrating member. The base supports the battery stack. The base is fixed to the plate. The partition wall material is In the stacking direction of multiple battery cells Adjacent The battery stack The penetrating member is provided between two battery cells. Lamination The partition wall extends perpendicular to the direction of the partition wall and penetrates the interior of the partition wall material. The base includes a partition base that is disposed between the plate member and the partition member to support the battery stack and the partition member. The partition base and one end of the penetrating member on the partition base side are in contact with each other.

[0009] The second aspect of the present disclosure further includes the following features in addition to the first aspect. The partition base includes a seating portion and an outer peripheral portion. One end of the penetrating member on the partition base side is seated on the seating portion. The outer peripheral portion surrounds the seating portion.

[0010] A third aspect of the present disclosure is the first or second aspect further characterized by the following. The penetrating member has a cylindrical hollow portion that is formed along the vertical direction. The partition base has an internal thread formed in a seating portion on which one end of the penetrating member on the partition base side is seated. The battery case further includes a bolt. The head of the bolt contacts one side surface of the partition wall material in the vertical direction, and the tip of the bolt protrudes from the other side surface of the partition wall material in the vertical direction and is mated with the female thread. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the first aspect, In the stacking direction of multiple battery cells Adjacent Battery stack A partition wall material is provided between the two battery cells, and a penetrating member is provided that penetrates the interior of this partition wall material. A partition wall base fixed to the plate material is in contact with one end of the penetrating member on the partition wall base side. This allows heat to transfer from the partition wall material to the plate material via the penetrating member and the partition wall base. Therefore, when high-temperature gas is released from one battery cell, the amount of heat transferred to another battery cell separated by the partition wall material can be reduced. This makes it possible to suppress the propagation of high-temperature gas across the partition wall material.

[0012] According to the second aspect, since the partition base includes an outer periphery in addition to the seating portion, it is possible to increase the amount of heat transfer from the partition material to the plate material compared to when this outer periphery is not included, thereby enhancing the effect of the first aspect.

[0013] According to the third aspect, the partition wall material can be fixed to the partition wall base by a bolt inserted into the hollow portion of the penetrating member and a mating female screw, thereby enabling the battery stack to be firmly fixed to the partition wall base. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a battery case according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of fixing a battery stack to a bottom plate material. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of fixing an intermediate plate to a base. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of fixing an intermediate plate to a base. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of connection between the base and the collar. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, a battery case according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0016] 1. Example of overall battery case configuration The battery case according to the embodiment is applied to a storage battery system in a small facility such as a general household or a food and beverage store. The battery case according to the embodiment is installed adjacent to the facility and supplies power to various electrical appliances or receives power from an external power source. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a battery case according to the embodiment. Note that the positive direction of the x-axis shown in FIG. 1 indicates, for example, the front of the battery case, the positive direction of the y-axis indicates, for example, the left of the battery case, and the positive direction of the z-axis indicates, for example, the top of the battery case. The example of the positional relationship between the positive directions of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis and the battery case is the same in other figures.

[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the battery case is equipped with a battery cover 11. The battery cover 11 is formed in a box shape. The bottom of the battery cover 11 is open, and the outer edge of this bottom protrudes around the battery cover 11 like a canopy. This outer edge is mechanically joined (bolted) to a bottom plate material 12. The bottom plate material 12 is made of, for example, a general-purpose flat bar (flat steel). The bottom of the battery cover 11 is sealed by this bottom plate material 12.

[0018] In the example shown in Figure 1, for ease of explanation, the internal structure of the battery case is depicted as seen through the battery cover 11. The interior of the battery case is made up of three levels, with the first level (lower level) and the second level (middle level) separated by a plate material 21, and the second level (middle level) and the third level (upper level) separated by a plate material 31. The plates 21 and 31 are made up of, for example, general-purpose flat bars. The second level houses a battery stack FS2 in which multiple battery cells FC are stacked.

[0019] A battery stack having the same configuration as battery stack FS2 is also housed in the first tier. The battery stack housed in the first tier is "battery stack FS1." However, this battery stack FS1 is hidden behind the back surface of the L-shaped plate member 51a shown in FIG. 1. Electronic components (not shown) for controlling the charging and discharging of these battery stacks FS1 and FS2 are housed in the third tier.

[0020] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the battery case has multiple support members 41 (support members 41a to 41j). These support members 41 are provided around the battery stack FS, and each support member 41 extends in the z-axis direction (i.e., vertical direction). Each support member 41 is made of, for example, a general-purpose aluminum extrusion. Each tip of the support member 41 faces the inner surface of the battery cover 11. Meanwhile, each base end of the support member 41 faces the upper surface of the bottom plate material 12. The support members 41a, 41c, 41e, 41g, and 41i are lined up on the left side of the battery stack FS2. Meanwhile, the support members 41b, 41d, 41f, 41h, and 41j are lined up on the right side of the battery stack FS2.

[0021] The support members 41a and 41b form a pair on the left and right sides of the battery stack FS2. Similarly, the support members 41c and 41d form a pair, the support members 41e and 41f form a pair, the support members 41g and 41h form a pair, and the support members 41i and 41j form a pair. The total number of support members 41 is not limited to the number (10) shown in FIG. 1. The total number of support members 41 can be changed as desired, as long as it includes at least the support members 41 corresponding to the four corners of the battery stack FS2 (i.e., the support members 41a, 41b, 41i, and 41j).

[0022] 2. Battery stack fixing example An example of fixing the battery stack FS1 to the bottom plate material 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Note that an example of fixing the battery stack FS2 to the bottom plate material 21 is basically the same as that of fixing the battery stack FS1 to the bottom plate material 12.

[0023] In the example shown in FIG. 2, a battery stack FS1 is composed of battery cells FC1, FC2, . . . , FC12, FC13, . . . FC23, and FC24. These battery cells are arranged in the x-axis direction (i.e., the front-to-rear direction of the battery case or the longitudinal direction of the battery stack FS). An intermediate plate MP1 is provided between battery cells FC12 and FC13. The intermediate plate MP1 is a resin wall material that separates battery cells FC12 and FC13 and corresponds to the "partition wall material" in the present disclosure. The position and total number of intermediate plates MP1 are not particularly limited. That is, they may be provided not only between battery cells FC12 and FC13 but also between any two adjacent battery cells that make up the battery stack FS1. Furthermore, in addition to between battery cells FC12 and FC13, intermediate plates having a configuration similar to that of the intermediate plate MP1 may be added between any two adjacent battery cells.

[0024] The battery stack FS1 is fastened to metal pedestals 13a, 13b, and 13c fixed to the bottom plate material 12. The battery stack FS1 is fastened to the pedestal 13a by combining a bolt BT inserted into both a bolt hole formed in the pedestal 13a and a bolt hole formed in a support bracket SM1 of the battery stack FS1 with a nut NT. The fastening of the battery stack FS1 to the pedestal 13b is basically the same as that between the pedestal 13a and the battery stack FS1. That is, the battery stack FS1 is fastened to the pedestal 13b by combining a bolt BT inserted into a bolt hole formed in the pedestal 13b and the support bracket SM2 with a nut NT.

[0025] On the other hand, the base 13c and the battery stack FS1 are fastened together by inserting a bolt BT penetrating the intermediate plate MP1 into a female screw formed in the base 13c. FTThe base 13c has a female screw. FT In addition to the above, pins PN are provided. The pins PN are inserted into holes (hereinafter also referred to as "pin holes") formed in the bottom surface of the intermediate plate MP1, thereby determining the position of the battery stack FS1. However, the pins PN and the pin holes into which they are inserted are optional configurations within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a view of the battery case shown in Fig. 1 cut along line III-III in Fig. 1 and viewed from the front. Fig. 4 is a view of the battery case cut along line VI-VI in Fig. 1 and viewed from the front. Note that Fig. 3 corresponds to a view of the battery case cut at approximately the center of intermediate plate MP1, and Fig. 4 corresponds to a view of the battery case cut at a position slightly forward of intermediate plate MP1. For ease of explanation, battery stacks FS1 and FS2 are omitted from Fig. 4.

[0027] 3 or 4, the intermediate plate MP1 is located between the base 13c and the bottom plate material 12. An intermediate plate MP2 having a similar configuration is provided above the intermediate plate MP1. The intermediate plate MP2 is a resin wall material that separates the two battery cells that make up the battery stack FC1, and corresponds to the "partition wall material" in this disclosure. The intermediate plate MP2 is located between the plate material 21 and the metal base 23.

[0028] The base 23 is fixed to the plate material 21. The base 23 is fixed to the plate material 21 by two rivets RV provided in the x-axis direction of the base 23. The base 23 has a bolt BT and a pin PN, just like the base 13c. In the example shown in FIG. 3 or 4, the positions of the bolt BT and the pin PN are reversed between the base 13c and the base 23. Accordingly, the positions of the pin PN and the pin hole into which it is inserted are reversed between the intermediate plate MP1 and the intermediate plate MP2.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, collars CL are provided on each of the intermediate plates MP1 and MP2. These collars CL are metallic components with cylindrical hollows. The positions and total number of collars CL on each intermediate plate are not limited to the examples shown in FIG. 3 or 4. That is, the positions of the collars CL provided on the intermediate plates MP1 and MP2 may be the same in the y-axis direction. Furthermore, the number of collars CL provided on the intermediate plate MP1 or MP2 may be two or more.

[0030] The bolts BT that penetrate the intermediate plates MP1 and MP2 are inserted along the hollow portions of the collars CL provided on each intermediate plate. These collars CL correspond to the "penetrating members" in this disclosure. The heads of the bolts BT inserted into the hollow portions are in contact with the upper surface of the intermediate plate MP1 or MP2. Meanwhile, the tips of the bolts BT protrude from the bottom surface of the intermediate plate MP1 or MP2. The tips of the bolts BT are threaded through the female threads formed in the base 13c or 23. FT It is fitted into.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of connection between the base 13c and the collar CL. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the base 13c as seen from above. The connection between the base 13c and the collar CL is made in the area surrounded by the dashed line in Fig. 5. This dashed line area corresponds to the seating surface of the collar CL, and the female thread FT and includes a portion of the upper surface of the base 13c. When the seating surface is extended in the z-axis direction, a portion 131 of the base 13c corresponds to the "seating portion" in this disclosure, and a portion 132 surrounding this portion corresponds to the "periphery" in this disclosure. Note that the connection example between the base 23 and the collar CL is basically the same as that between the base 13c and the collar CL.

[0032] 3.Effects According to the battery case of the embodiment described above, the collar CL provided on the intermediate plate MP1 contacts the portion 131 of the base 13c, allowing heat to transfer from the intermediate plate MP1 to the bottom plate material 12 via the collar CL and portion 131. As with the intermediate plate MP1, the intermediate plate MP2 also allows heat to transfer from the intermediate plate MP2 to the plate material 21 via the collar CL provided on the intermediate plate MP1 and the portion of the base 23 when the seating surface of this collar CL is extended in the z-axis direction.

[0033] As already explained, high-temperature gas can be emitted from a battery cell, and this gas can spread to surrounding battery cells. In this regard, the battery case according to the embodiment ensures heat transfer from the intermediate plate MP1 to the bottom plate material 12 and from the intermediate plate MP2 to the plate material 21. Therefore, for example, if high-temperature gas is emitted from the battery cell FC12, the amount of heat transferred to the battery cell FC13 due to this gas emission can be reduced. This makes it possible to suppress the propagation of the high-temperature gas across the intermediate plate MP1.

[0034] 4. Other Examples In the battery case according to the embodiment, collars CL having cylindrical hollow portions are provided on the intermediate plates MP1 and MP2. However, the collars CL do not have to have hollow portions. In this case, for example, the collars CL may be replaced with a metal rod-shaped member (e.g., a bolt or a pin). As long as one end of the rod-shaped member on the seat 13c or 23 side is seated on the opposing seat 13c or 23, the battery case according to the embodiment can be modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 11 Battery cover 12 Bottom plate material 13a, 13b, 13c, 23 pedestal 21, 31 Plate material 22a~22d, 32a~32d Support material 41a~41j Support members 51a, 51b L-shaped plate material BL Bolt CL Color FC1, FC2, FC12, FC13, FC23, FC24 battery cells FS1, FS2 battery stack FT female thread MP1, MP2 intermediate plate NT nut PN pin RV Rivets

Claims

1. A battery case that houses a battery stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a metal base that supports the battery stack; a metal plate to which the base is fixed; a partition wall material provided between two battery cells of the battery stack that are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells; a metal penetrating member extending in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and penetrating the interior of the partition wall material; Equipped with the base includes a partition base provided between the plate member and the partition member to support the battery stack and the partition member, The partition base and one end of the penetrating member on the partition base side are in contact with each other. A battery case characterized by:

2. The partition base includes a seating portion on which one end of the penetrating member on the partition base side is seated, and an outer periphery surrounding the seating portion.

2. The battery case according to claim 1, wherein the battery case is made of a polycarbonate material.

3. the penetrating member has a cylindrical hollow portion formed along the vertical direction, the partition base has a female thread formed in a seat portion on which one end of the penetrating member on the partition base side is seated, Further including a bolt inserted into the hollow portion, The head of the bolt contacts one side surface of the partition wall material in the vertical direction, and the tip of the bolt protrudes from the other side surface of the partition wall material in the vertical direction and is engaged with the female thread.

3. The battery case according to claim 1 or 2.

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