Battery modules and battery packs

Abstract

Provided are a battery module and a battery pack which are highly water resistant and capable of maintaining the storage of a battery in a storage part even when vibrations or impacts are applied. A battery module 10 according to the present disclosure comprises: a cylindrical battery 11; and a battery holder 20 which is in the form of a single elastic body and houses and holds the battery 11. The battery holder 20 has a storage part 21 for storing the battery 11. Both ends of the storage part 21 have an extension part 22 extending toward an axis AX of the battery 11, and an opening 23 surrounded by the extension part 22.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack including a battery and a battery holder having a battery housing portion for housing the battery. The battery holder has an insertion hole on its side surface through which the battery is inserted from the positive electrode side, and the diameter of the insertion hole is larger than the diameter of the bottom circle of the battery housed in the battery housing portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the battery pack described in Patent Document 1, since an insertion hole larger than the diameter of the bottom circle of the battery is provided, there is a possibility of water ingress through the insertion hole when the battery pack is submerged. In addition, when vibration or impact is applied to the battery pack, there is a probability that the battery may come out of the insertion hole, or the battery may move greatly in the axial direction within the battery housing portion and the battery cannot be maintained in the housing.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such a perspective. That is, the main object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module and a battery pack having high waterproofness and capable of maintaining the battery in the battery housing portion even when vibration or impact is applied.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The battery module of the present disclosure is a cylindrical battery, A single piece made of an elastic material, comprising a battery holder for housing and holding the battery, The battery holder has a housing portion for housing the battery, The housing portion has an extended portion that extends toward the shaft of the battery and an opening surrounded by the extended portions at both ends.

[0007] The battery pack of this disclosure comprises the battery module described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, the device is highly waterproof and can maintain the battery's position within the battery compartment even when subjected to vibration or shock. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the battery pack of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module housed in the battery pack of this disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery module of this disclosure. [Figure 4] Figures 4(a) to 4(c) are cross-sectional view diagrams illustrating the manufacturing process of the battery module of this disclosure. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery module of the present disclosure in which tabs are provided. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the protrusion in Figure 5A. [Figure 5C] Figure 5C is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the convex portion. [Figure 5D] Figure 5D is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a further modification of the protrusion. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified example of the battery module of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the extended portion shown in Figure 6A. [Figure 7A]Figure 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view of another modification of the battery module of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] Figure 7B is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the extended portion shown in Figure 6A. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another modification of the battery module of this disclosure. [Figure 9A] Figure 9A is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of another modification of the battery module of this disclosure. [Figure 9B] Figure 9B is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of another modification of the battery module of this disclosure, in which a tab is provided. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes in more detail a battery pack according to one embodiment of this disclosure. While the description will refer to the drawings as necessary, the various elements in the drawings are provided schematically and illustratively for the purpose of understanding this disclosure, and their appearance and dimensional ratios may differ from those of the actual product.

[0011] As used herein, "plan view" refers to the state when an object (e.g., a battery pack) is placed and viewed from directly above in the thickness (height) direction, which is the same as a plan view. As an example, the plan view is the state when viewed along the positive direction in the "Z direction" shown in FIG. 1. As used herein, "side view" refers to the state when an object (e.g., a battery pack) is placed and viewed from the side perpendicular to the thickness (height) direction, which is the same as a side view, unless otherwise specified. As an example, the side view is the state when viewed along the positive (or negative) direction in the "X direction" shown in FIG. 1. As used herein, "front view" refers to the state when an object (e.g., a battery pack) is placed and viewed from the front perpendicular to the thickness (height) direction, which is the same as a front view, unless otherwise specified. As an example, the front view is the state when viewed along the positive direction in the "Y direction" shown in FIG. 1. Note that the above-mentioned "positive direction" is intended to be the direction of the arrows in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in the drawing, and the "negative direction" is intended to be the direction opposite to the direction of the arrows in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in the drawing. Also, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other. Further, terms such as "about" and "approximately" referred to herein mean that they may include variations of a few percent, for example, ±10%.

[0012] [Battery Pack] The battery pack 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the battery pack 1.

[0013] The battery pack 1 may include a case CS and a battery module 10 housed in the case CS (see FIGS. 1 and 2). A detailed description of the battery module 10 will be given later item by item.

[0014] Case CS may consist of a first case CS1 and a second case CS2. The first case CS1 and the second case CS2 may then form a housing space for accommodating the battery module 10. In the example in Figure 1, a configuration in which the housing space is composed of two cases (first case CS1 and second case CS2) is illustrated, but the configuration is not limited to this, and it may consist of three or more cases.

[0015] The case CS may be made of any material, including resin materials (e.g., plastic) or metal materials. Examples of resin materials include polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE), and polyamide (PA). Examples of metal materials include aluminum. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of more suitably housing the battery module 10, a material with high rigidity may be used for the case CS.

[0016] The case CS may be provided with a connector CN that is electrically connected to the battery module 10. In the example shown in Figure 1, the connector CN is shown on the second case CS2, but the connector CN may also be provided on the first case CS1. The connector CN may be a terminal for drawing power from the battery module 10.

[0017] [Battery Module] The battery module 10 of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5D. Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the battery module 10 housed in the battery pack 1 of this disclosure, Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery module 10 of this disclosure, Figures 4(a) to 4(c) are process cross-sectional views illustrating the manufacturing process of the battery module 10 of this disclosure, Figure 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery module of this disclosure with tabs, Figure 5B is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the protrusion in Figure 5A, Figure 5C is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the protrusion, and Figure 5D is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a further modified example of the protrusion.

[0018] The battery module 10 of this disclosure comprises a battery 11 and a battery holder 20 (see Figure 2). More preferably, the battery module 10 of this disclosure may also comprise a tab TB and a control board SB. The components constituting the battery module 10 of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0019] -battery- The battery 11 is intended to be a chemical battery that primarily converts chemical energy into DC power through chemical reactions. The battery 11 used in the battery module 10 of this disclosure is intended to be a cylindrical battery having a cylindrical axis AX in the ±Y direction. However, the shape of the battery may be other than cylindrical (for example, elliptical or polygonal).

[0020] In the battery module 10 of this disclosure, there may be two or more batteries 11. Also, each battery 11 may be arranged adjacent to another. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, four batteries 11 may be arranged adjacent to each other in the ±X direction and stacked in two rows in the +Z direction.

[0021] The battery 11 may have a positive electrode terminal 12 on one side of its axis AX and a negative electrode terminal 13 on the opposite side (see Figure 3). The positive electrode terminal 12 and the negative electrode terminal 13 are circular in shape when viewed along the Y direction, corresponding to the cylindrical battery 11. The positive electrode terminal 12 may have a positive electrode surface 12a that protrudes from the terminal surface of the battery 11. Specifically, when viewed along the Y direction, the positive electrode surface 12a may be located in the center of the positive electrode terminal 12. The positive electrode surface 12a is circular in shape, and the center of the positive electrode surface 12a and the center of the positive electrode terminal 12 may coincide. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the positive electrode surface 12a may protrude in the +Y direction from the terminal surface of the battery 11.

[0022] -Battery holder- The battery holder 20 is a one-piece molded product made of an elastic material and includes a housing portion 21 for housing the aforementioned batteries 11 (see Figure 3). In this specification, "one-piece molded product" refers to a molded product made of the same continuous material by removing the molding material with a mold or the like. In other words, it refers to a molded product that does not have joints made by welding or mechanical joining. Since the multiple batteries 11 described above are housed adjacent to each other in the one-piece molded battery holder 20, even if gas is ejected from the batteries 11, unlike battery holders with joints, the ejected gas is less likely to directly spray onto adjacent batteries. In other words, it is effective against sympathetic explosions in the event of an abnormality. In other words, it has excellent explosion resistance. The elastic material constituting the battery holder 20 is, for example, silicone rubber and / or elastomer. Any material with elasticity can be appropriately selected as the elastic material. Specifically, materials with an elongation [%] of 100 to 1000, a Young's modulus [GPa] of 0.01 to 10, and a Poisson's ratio of 0.3 to 0.5 may be used. Examples of materials include natural rubber, butyl rubber, fluororubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene rubber, and acrylonitrime rubber. In this specification, "elongation" refers to the original length of the elastic material, where 0% elongation means the original length of the elastic body.

[0023] The housing section 21 has extending sections 22 that extend toward the axis AX of the battery 11 at both ends, and an opening 23 surrounded by the extending sections 22. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the extending sections 22 extend toward the axis AX of the battery 11 in the ±Z and ±X directions. Specifically, the extending sections 22 extend toward the axis AX of the battery 11 in the ±Z and ±X directions, with the position where they are in contact with the housing section 21 as their base. When the battery 11 is housed in this housing section 21, the battery 11 can be housed in the housing section 21 while exposing the positive electrode surface 12a and the negative electrode terminal 13 through the opening 23. Therefore, the entire circumference of the battery 11, except for the positive electrode surface 12a and the negative electrode terminal 13, is covered by the battery holder 20, which is an integrally molded product made of an elastic material, and the battery holder 20 adheres tightly to the battery 11 due to its elasticity, thus improving waterproofness. In addition, because the battery holder 20 is elastic, it can improve impact resistance and vibration resistance. Furthermore, portions of the positive terminal 12 and negative terminal 13 of the battery 11 are covered by the extended portion 22. Specifically, the vicinity of the outer edge of the circular positive terminal 12 and the vicinity of the outer edge of the circular negative terminal 13 are covered by the extended portion 22 when viewed from the ±Y direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, the movement of the battery 11 in the ±Y direction within the housing 21 can be restricted by the extended portion 22. Thus, even if vibration or shock is applied to the battery module 10, the battery can be kept in place within the battery housing.

[0024] The battery holder 20 of this disclosure may be in contact with the battery 11. When the battery holder 20 is in contact with the battery 11, the gap between the battery holder 20 and the battery 11 is reduced, and the movement of the battery 11 within the housing 21 can be further reduced. In other words, the battery can be properly held by the battery holder. A preferred mode of contact between the battery holder 20 and the battery 11 is when the battery holder 20 is in contact with the battery 11 while applying a pressing force toward the battery 11. This pressing force may be applied, for example, in the ±X direction and ±Z direction. The extended portion 22 may also be applied with a pressing force in the ±Y direction. Such a contact mode can more preferably enhance water resistance.

[0025] In a preferred configuration of the battery holder 20, the diameter D1 of the opening 23 when the battery 11 is housed in the housing 21 may be smaller than the diameter D2 of the battery 11 and greater than or equal to the diameter D3 of the positive electrode surface 12a of the battery 11 (see, for example, Figure 3). By making the diameter D1 of the opening 23 smaller than the diameter D2 of the battery 11, the extension portion 22 can appropriately restrict the movement of the battery 11 in the axial AX direction (movement in the ±Y direction in Figure 3). Furthermore, by making the diameter D1 of the opening 23 greater than or equal to the diameter D3 of the positive electrode surface 12a of the battery 11, it is possible to prevent the opening from obstructing the electrical connection between the positive electrode surface and the tab.

[0026] The battery holder 20 of this disclosure may be molded by forced mold release. Forced mold release will be explained below with reference to Figures 4(a) to 4(c). First, a pair of molds M1 and M2 for manufacturing the molded product are clamped together, and the cavity CA of the molds M1 and M2 is filled with molding material (see Figure 4(a)). After the molding material has solidified, the molds M1 and M2 are opened and demolded (see Figure 4(b)). At this time, the undercut corresponding to the extended portion 22 is elastic, and therefore deforms elastically in conjunction with the forced demolding of the molds M1 and M2. In Figure 4(b), which is an example, the undercut corresponding to the extended portion 22 deforms elastically along the direction in which the mold is opened. After that, when the molds M1 and M2 are completely demolded, the undercut that was elastically deformed in conjunction with the demolding returns to its original shape elastically, forming the extended portion 22 (see Figure 4(c)). Then, by removing the molded parts from molds M1 and M2, the battery holder 20, which is a single molded product made of elastic material, is formed.

[0027] Thus, the battery holder 20 of this disclosure is formed by forcibly removing the molds M1 and M2, and at least one of the extended portions 22 provided at both ends of the housing portion 21 is an undercut, so it can be elastically deformed even when forcibly removed from the mold. Therefore, the desired extended portion 22 can be formed by forcibly demolding the mold. Because the extended portion 22 can be elastically deformed in this way, when inserting the battery 11 into the battery holder 20 during the manufacturing of the battery module of this disclosure, the ease of inserting the battery can be further improved by elastically deforming the extended portion 22.

[0028] One way to determine whether the extended portion 22 is an undercut is to check for scratches on the extended portion 22 when it is forcibly removed from the mold. Another way to determine whether the extended portion 22 is an undercut is to check for scratches on the extended portion 22 when it is forcibly removed from the mold. Additionally, if the extended portion 22 has relatively high hardness, a cloudy white discoloration may occur at the base of the extended portion 22 relative to the battery holder 20.

[0029] From the perspective that the battery holder 20 of this disclosure is molded by forcibly removing molds M1 and M2 as described above, the specific material of the housing portion 21 and / or the extended portion 22 may be composed of silicone rubber and / or elastomer. In this way, if the housing portion 21 and / or the extended portion 22 is made of silicone rubber and / or elastomer, it will act to elastically deform in response to impact, thus providing resistance to impact. Furthermore, if the extended portion 22 is made of silicone rubber and / or elastomer, the extended portion 22 will be more elastically deformed when inserting the battery 11 into the battery holder 20 during the manufacturing of the battery module 10 of this disclosure, thereby improving the ease of inserting the battery. The housing portion 21 and / or the extended portion 22 may be appropriately selected as long as they are elastic materials. Specifically, a material with elongation [%]: 100 to 1000, Young's modulus [GPa]: 0.01 to 10, and Poisson's ratio: 0.3 to 0.5 may be used. Examples of materials include natural rubber, butyl rubber, fluororubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene rubber, and acrylonitrime rubber.

[0030] -tab- The battery module 10 of this disclosure may further be provided with tabs TB that are electrically connected to the battery 11. In Figure 2, which shows an example, a pair of tabs TB may be provided so as to sandwich the battery 11 in the ±Y direction. The tabs TB may electrically connect the positive terminals 12 and / or negative terminals 13 of adjacent batteries 11. In Figure 2, which shows an example, the tabs TB may be electrically connected in parallel by electrically connecting the positive terminals 12 (or negative terminals 13) of adjacent batteries 11 in the ±Z direction. Also, in Figure 2, which shows an example, the tabs TB may be electrically connected in series by electrically connecting the positive terminal 12 and negative terminal 13 of adjacent batteries 11 in the ±X direction.

[0031] As an electrical connection between the tab TB and the battery 11, the tab TB may contact a protrusion 24 provided around the opening 23 in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis AX direction of the housing 21 (for example, a cross-sectional view viewed in the ±X direction in Figure 5A), as shown in Figure 5A. The protrusion 24 is part of the battery holder 20 and is easily elastically deformable. Therefore, when the battery 11 and the tab TB are electrically connected with the terminal surface of the battery 11 exposed through the opening 23, the protrusion 24 around the opening 23 elastically deforms, acting to improve the airtightness between the tab TB and the battery holder 20. As a result, the airtightness within the housing 21 is improved, and the waterproofness of the battery module can be improved. The protrusion 24 may have any shape as long as it is provided around the opening 23. For example, it may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, or polygonal when viewed along the Y direction. Also, when viewed along the X direction, the contact surface with the tab TB may be chamfered, as shown in Figure 5C. The height h of the protrusion 24 (see Figure 5B) may be set to approximately 10% to 100% of the thickness of the extension 22, from the viewpoint of improving airtightness. In this specification, "height of the protrusion 24" refers to the length that protrudes from the extension 22 along the Y direction, as shown in Figure 5B. The width w of the protrusion 24 is set to a value that allows the protrusion 24 to easily undergo elastic deformation when it comes into contact with the tab TB. In this specification, "width w of the protrusion 24" refers to the length along the Z direction of the protrusion 24, as shown in Figure 5B. The tip shape of the protrusion 24 may be flat, curved, or triangular. By setting the height h, width w, and tip shape of the protrusion 24 in this way, the airtightness between the tab and the battery holder can be suitably improved. In addition, multiple protrusions 24 may be provided adjacent to each other in the Z direction, as shown in Figure 5D. In the example shown in Figure 5D, the heights h of the two protrusions 24 are the same, and the widths w1 and w2 of the protrusions 24 are such that the side closer to the opening 23 is longer. Note that the protrusions 24 are not limited to the example shown in Figure 5D; for example, the heights h, widths w, and tip shapes of the two protrusions 24 may be the same or different.

[0032] -Control board- The battery module 10 of this disclosure may further include a control board SB that controls the supply of power to the battery 11. In Figure 2, which shows an example, the control board SB may be located on the outer surface of the battery holder 20. The control board SB may receive power from the battery 11 via a tab TB and may control the power output from the battery 11 via the tab TB.

[0033] As described above, the battery module 10 and the battery pack 1 equipped with the battery module 10 of this disclosure have high water resistance and can maintain the storage of the batteries within the battery housing even when vibration or shock is applied.

[0034] [Examples of battery modules] Next, modifications 1 to 4 of the battery module 10 of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 6A to 9B. Figures 6A to 8 are schematic cross-sectional views of modifications of the battery module 10 of this disclosure, Figure 9A is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of another modification of the battery module of this disclosure, and Figure 9B is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of another modification of the battery module of this disclosure with tabs added. When describing the battery modules of modifications 1 to 4, explanations of points that are common with the explanation in the [Battery Module] section above will be omitted as appropriate. In other words, the following explanation will focus on the points that differ from the explanation in the [Battery Module] section above.

[0035] -Experimental Variation 1- Modification 1, as shown in Figure 6A, may have a taper 22a that narrows toward the axis AX of the battery 11 on at least one of the extended portions 22 provided at both ends of the housing portion 21. When the extended portion 22 is provided with a tapered 22a, the battery 11 can be inserted into the battery holder 20 along the taper 22a, and the taper 22a makes the extended portion 22 more elastically deformable, thereby further improving the insertability of the battery 11. The taper 22a may also be a curved surface from the viewpoint of battery insertability.

[0036] In a more preferable configuration of the taper 22a, the taper 22a may have a slope on the outer surface side of the extended portion 22. Specifically, in the configuration shown in Figure 6A, the taper 22a on the positive terminal 12 side may be provided on the +Y direction side of the extended portion 22, and the taper 22a on the negative terminal 13 side may be provided on the -Y direction side of the extended portion 22. When the extended portion 22 is provided with a tapering taper 22a in this way, the battery can be easily inserted along the taper, and the extended portion becomes more elastically deformable due to the taper, thereby further improving the ease of battery insertion.

[0037] The thickness T1 of the extension portion 22 on the opening 23 side, given the presence of the taper 22a, may be approximately 10% to 50% of the maximum thickness T2 of the extension portion 22. In the modified example 1, "maximum thickness T2 of the extension portion 22" refers to the length T2 from the starting point of a virtual line V to the intersection point of the virtual line V and the edge of the extension portion 22, based on a cross-sectional view of the battery module 10 along the X direction as shown in Figure 6B, and an extension along the housing surface of the housing portion 21 (the surface facing the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical battery 11). Such a taper 22a can further improve the ease of inserting the battery.

[0038] -Variation 2- A modified example of the battery module 10, as shown in Figure 7A, may have a thin-walled portion 22b on the surface of the extension portion 22 facing the battery 11, at least one of the extension portions 22 provided at both ends of the housing portion 21, when viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis AX direction of the housing portion 21 (for example, a cross-sectional view viewed in the ±X direction in Figure 7A), on the side of the extension portion 22 facing the battery 11, on the side opposite to the direction toward the axis AX of the battery 11. More specifically, in Figure 7A, the thickness of the extension portion 22 is cut away on the -Y direction side of the extension portion 22 and on the opposite side to the direction toward the axis AX of the battery 11 (in the case of the upper extension portion 22 in Figure 7A, the -Z direction side; in the case of the lower extension portion 22, the +Z direction side), thereby reducing the thickness of the extension portion 22 and forming a thin-walled portion 22b. With the thin-walled portion 22b provided in this way, the extended portion 22 becomes more elastically deformable starting from the thin-walled portion 22b, thereby improving the insertability of the battery 11. The minimum thickness T3 of the thin-walled portion 22b (see Figure 7B) may be about 50% of the maximum thickness T4 of the extended portion 22. In Modification 2, "minimum thickness T3 of the thin-walled portion" refers to the length T3 from the starting point of a virtual line V to the intersection point of the virtual line V and the edge of the extended portion 22, based on a cross-sectional view of the battery module 10 along the X direction as shown in Figure 7B, and an extended virtual line V along the housing surface of the housing portion 21 (the surface facing the cylindrical surface 11a of the cylindrical battery 11). Also in Modification 2, "maximum thickness of the extended portion 22" refers to the maximum length T3 of the extended portion 22 in the Y direction in the region on the opening 23 side of the virtual line V. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of the strength of the thin-walled portion 22b, the thickness of the thin-walled portion 22b may be about 90% of the maximum thickness of the extended portion 22. In other words, the thickness of the thin-walled portion 22b may be between 50% and 90% of the maximum thickness of the extended portion 22. With this thickness, the strength of the thin-walled portion 22b can be maintained while appropriately elastically deforming the extended portion 22 when inserting the battery 11 into the battery holder 20.

[0039] In a more preferable configuration of the thin-walled portion 22b, the thin-walled portion 22b may have a slope on the side facing the housing portion 21. Specifically, in the configuration shown in Figure 7B, the thin-walled portion 22b on the positive terminal 12 side may have a slope on the -Y direction side of the extended portion 22, and the thin-walled portion 22b on the negative terminal 13 side may have a slope on the -Y direction side of the extended portion 22. By providing the thin-walled portion 22b with a slope on the side facing the housing portion 21 in this way, the extended portion 22 can be easily deformed toward the housing portion 21 when the battery 11 is housed in the battery holder 20, thereby further improving the ease of battery insertion.

[0040] -Variation 3- Modification 3 of the battery module 10, as shown in Figure 8, allows the thickness T5 of at least one of the extensions 22 provided at both ends of the housing 21 to be thinner than the thickness T6 of the housing 21 at the position facing the battery 11. By defining the thickness of the extension 22 in this way, the extension 22 becomes more easily deformable, further improving the ease of inserting the battery. As an example of the thickness of the extension 22, the thickness T5 of the extension 22 may be about 50% of the thickness T6 of the housing 21 at the position facing the battery 11. Also, from the viewpoint of the strength of the extension 22, the thickness T5 of the extension 22 may be about 90% of the thickness T6 of the housing 21 at the position facing the battery 11. In other words, the thickness T5 of the extension 22 may be 50% or more and 90% or less of the thickness T6 of the housing 21 at the position facing the battery 11. With this thickness, the strength of the thin-walled portion 22b can be maintained while the extended portion 22 can be appropriately elastically deformed when inserting the battery 11 into the battery holder 20.

[0041] -Variation 4- Modification 4 of the battery module 10, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, may have at least one of the extended portions 22 provided at both ends of the housing portion 21 curved in an arc shape toward the axis AX while bulging in the +Y direction from the end of the battery holder 20. By curving the extended portion 22 in an arc shape in this way, it is possible to achieve an opening diameter D1' that is wider than the opening diameter D1 shown in Figure 3, while making the length of the curved portion 22 of the extended portion 22 about the same as the length of the extended portion 22 of the battery module shown in Figure 3. By widening the opening diameter D1' as in Modification 4, it is possible to forcibly remove the mold during molding of the battery holder 20. In addition, it is possible to insert the battery 11 into the battery holder 20.

[0042] Furthermore, the thickness T7 of the extended portion 22 may be thinner than the thickness T6 of the housing portion 21 (see Figure 9A). With this configuration, the extended portion 22 can be more elastically deformed, making it easier to forcibly remove the mold or insert the battery.

[0043] Furthermore, in the modified example 4, when a tab TB is provided to the battery module 10 as shown in Figure 9B, the arc-shaped extended portion 22 is elastically deformed so as to be pressed against the tab TB, thereby improving the adhesion between the tab TB and the extended portion 22. This improves the waterproofness and / or explosion resistance of the battery module 10. In this modified example 4, "improvement in explosion resistance" means that, due to the high adhesion between the tab TB and the battery holder 20, abnormal gases ejected from a malfunctioning battery can be prevented from entering the battery holder 20 by passing between the tab TB corresponding to an adjacent battery 11 in the Y or X direction (see Figure 2) and the extended portion 22 of the battery holder 20.

[0044] In a more specific example of modification 4, a space S may be provided between the surface TB1 of the tab TB facing the battery 11 and the surface 121 of the positive terminal 12 (or negative terminal 13) (see Figure 9B). When a space S is provided in this way, if an impact is applied to the battery 11 from the outside in the axial direction (±Y direction in Figure 9B), the space S functions to allow the extended portion 22 to elastically deform. This elastic deformation of the extended portion 22 absorbs the impact from the outside. Therefore, the impact resistance and / or vibration resistance of the battery module 10 can be improved.

[0045] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and do not constitute a limiting interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of this disclosure is not to be interpreted solely by the embodiments described above, but is defined based on the claims. Furthermore, the technical scope of this disclosure includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the claims. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 5A, the configuration of the extension 22 on the positive terminal 12 side and the configuration of the extension 22 on the negative terminal 13 side may be different. For example, the configuration of the extension 22 on the positive terminal 12 side may be the configuration shown in Figure 3, and the configuration of the extension on the negative terminal 13 side may be the configuration shown in Figure 5A.

[0046] The embodiments of the battery module and battery pack described herein are as follows: <1> A cylindrical battery, A single piece made of an elastic material, comprising a battery holder for housing and holding the battery, The battery holder has a housing portion for housing the battery, A battery module having an extended portion extending toward the axis of the battery and an opening surrounded by the extended portions at both ends of the housing portion. <2> The aforementioned battery has a positive electrode surface on one side in the axial direction, When the battery is housed in the housing, the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the battery and greater than or equal to the diameter of the positive electrode surface. <1> The battery module described above. <3> The extended portion is provided with a taper that narrows toward the shaft of the battery. <1> or <2> The battery module described above. <4> The taper has a slope on the outer surface side of the extended portion. <3> The battery module described above. <5> At least one of the extended portions provided at both ends of the housing portion has a thin-walled portion in which the thickness of the extended portion facing the battery is reduced when viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing portion. <1> ~ <4> The battery module listed in one of the following. <6> The thin-walled portion has a slope on the side facing the housing portion. <5> The battery module described above. <7> In at least one of the extended portions provided at both ends of the housing portion, when viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing portion, the thickness of the extended portion is thinner than the thickness of the housing portion at the position facing the battery. <1> ~ <6> The battery module listed in one of the following. <8> The battery further comprises a tab that is electrically connected to the battery, In a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing portion, a protrusion is provided around the opening. <1> ~ <7> The battery module listed in one of the following. <9> At least one of the extensions provided at both ends of the housing portion is an undercut. <1> ~ <8> The battery module listed in one of the following. <10> At least one of the extensions provided at both ends of the housing portion is curved in an arc shape from the end of the battery holder. <1> ~ <9> The battery module listed in one of the following. <11> The housing portion and / or the extending portion are made of silicone rubber and / or elastomer. <1> ~ <10> The battery module listed in one of the following. <12> The battery holder is in contact with the battery, <1> ~ <11> The battery module listed in one of the following. <13> <1> ~ <12> A battery pack comprising one of the battery modules described in any one of the following. [Industrial applicability]

[0047] This disclosure can be suitably used as a battery module and battery pack that have high water resistance and can maintain the storage of batteries within the housing even when vibration or shock is applied. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1 Battery pack 10 Battery Modules 11 Batteries 12 Positive terminal 12a Positive electrode surface 13 Negative terminal 20 Battery holders 21 Storage Unit 22 Extension 22a Taper 22b Thin wall part 23 Aperture 24 Convex part D1, D1' Diameter of opening D2 Battery diameter D3 Diameter of the positive electrode surface T1 Thickness of the extended portion Outer thickness of the patient in the T2 containment area TB tab SB control board CS Case CS1 Case 1 CS2 Case 2 CN connector M1, M2 molds CA Cavity

Claims

1. A cylindrical battery, A single piece made of an elastic material, comprising a battery holder for housing and holding the battery, The battery holder has a housing portion for housing the battery, A battery module having an extended portion extending toward the axis of the battery and an opening surrounded by the extended portions at both ends of the housing portion.

2. The aforementioned battery has a positive electrode surface on one side in the axial direction, The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the opening when the battery is housed in the housing is smaller than the diameter of the battery and greater than or equal to the diameter of the positive electrode surface.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the extended portions provided at both ends of the housing portion is provided with a taper that narrows toward the axis of the battery.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the taper has a slope on the outer surface side of the extended portion.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the extended portions provided at both ends of the housing portion has a thin-walled portion in which the thickness of the extended portion on the side facing the battery is reduced when viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing portion.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein the thin-walled portion has a slope on the side of the housing portion.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein in at least one of the extended portions provided at both ends of the housing portion, when viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing portion, the thickness of the extended portion is thinner than the thickness of the housing portion at the position facing the battery.

8. The battery further comprises a tab that is electrically connected to the battery, The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is provided around the opening in an axial cross-sectional view of the housing portion.

9. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the extended portions provided at both ends of the housing portion is an undercut.

10. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the extended portions provided at both ends of the housing portion is curved in an arc shape from the end of the battery holder.

11. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the housing portion and / or the extending portion are made of silicone rubber and / or elastomer.

12. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the battery holder is in contact with the battery.

13. A battery pack comprising the battery module described in claim 1.

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