Battery pack

Abstract

To reduce an influence of a reaction of a battery cell while easily inserting the battery cell into a housing and securing an initial binding force of the battery cell.SOLUTION: A lamination body 10 contains a plurality of battery cells 100 arranged in a first direction. A housing 20 includes a wall surface 21 that is aligned with the lamination body 10 in the first direction, and houses the lamination body 10. An elastic member 30 is provided between the wall surface 21 and the lamination body 10. The elastic member 30 contains a first part 300 and a second part 310. The second part 310 is projected toward the wall surface 21 from the first part 300. The first part 300 includes a first surface 303 that is in a surface contact with the lamination body 10. The second part 310 includes a first concave part 311 and a second concave part 312. The first concave part 311 and the second concave part 312 are separated from each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and each include a second surface 313 that is surface contact with the wall surface 21. In a state where the elastic member 30 is compressed in the first direction, the lamination body 10 and the elastic member 30 are housed in the housing 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology relates to a battery pack.

Background Art

[0002] As a prior art document that discloses the configuration of a battery module, there is Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-044105 (Patent Document 1). The battery module described in Patent Document 1 includes a case body, a plurality of single cells, and an end plate. The end plate is housed in the case body so as to be aligned with a single cell at one end of the plurality of single cells in the direction in which the plurality of single cells are arranged. The end plate includes a facing surface and a protrusion. The facing surface faces the side surface of one end of the plurality of single cells. The protrusion protrudes from the central portion of the facing surface in the direction in which the plurality of single cells are arranged and contacts the wall surface of the case body in the direction in which the plurality of single cells are arranged. The plurality of single cells and the end plate are housed in the case body in a state of being compressed by the case body in the direction in which the plurality of single cells are arranged.

[0003] Also, as prior art documents that disclose configurations similar to those in Patent Document 1, there are Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-228306 (Patent Document 2), Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-026090 (Patent Document 3), Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-022817 (Patent Document 4), Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-156303 (Patent Document 5), Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-161211 (Patent Document 6), and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-086684 (Patent Document 7).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

[0005] In battery packs employing a structure where a stack of multiple battery cells is directly supported by a housing (cell-to-pack structure), the battery cells are sometimes inserted into the housing in a compressed state by pressing them with a jig. In this case, the jig becomes larger in order to obtain the high pressing force required to compress the battery cells. This makes handling the jig and other equipment cumbersome, making it difficult to insert the battery cells into the housing.

[0006] Furthermore, in the battery pack described in Patent Document 1, the end plate is in line contact with the case body, making it difficult to properly restrain the individual cells with the end plate and the case body. Therefore, there is room to reduce the effect of the reaction force of the battery cells during use while ensuring the initial restraining force of the battery cells by properly restraining them.

[0007] This technology was developed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery pack that makes it easy to insert battery cells into the housing, ensures initial restraint force on the battery cells, and reduces the influence of the reaction force of the battery cells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A battery pack based on this technology comprises a laminate, a housing, and an elastic member. The laminate includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction. The housing has a wall surface aligned with the laminate in the first direction and houses the laminate. The elastic member is located between the wall surface and the laminate. The elastic member includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion protrudes from the first portion toward the wall surface. The first portion has a first surface that is in surface contact with the laminate. The second portion has a first convex portion and a second convex portion. The first and second convex portions are spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and each has a second surface that is in surface contact with the wall surface. The laminate and the elastic member are housed in the housing with the elastic member compressed in the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] This technology makes it easier to insert battery cells into the housing, ensures initial restraint force on the battery cells, and reduces the influence of the reaction force of the battery cells. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of this technology. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of a battery cell according to Embodiment 1 of this technology. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack as seen from the direction of the arrow III-III. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the elastic member included in the battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of this technology. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the laminate and elastic members being inserted into the housing using a jig. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which a pressing force is applied to an elastic member from a jig. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the reaction force generated by the battery cell during use is applied to the elastic member. [Figure 8] This graph shows the relationship between the compressibility and stress of an elastic material. [Figure 9]It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery pack according to the first modification of Embodiment 1 of the present technology. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view showing the configuration of an elastic member included in a battery pack according to the second modification of Embodiment 1 of the present technology. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view showing the configuration of an elastic member included in a battery pack according to the third modification of Embodiment 1 of the present technology. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view showing the configuration of an elastic member included in a battery pack according to the fourth modification of Embodiment 1 of the present technology. [Figure 13] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of the present technology.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described. In cases where the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description may not be repeated.

[0012] In the embodiments described below, when referring to the number, quantity, etc., unless otherwise specified, the scope of the present technology is not necessarily limited to such number, quantity, etc. Also, in the following embodiments, each component is not necessarily essential for the present technology, unless otherwise specified. Further, the present technology is not limited to those that necessarily exhibit all the effects described in the present embodiment.

[0013] In this specification, the descriptions of "comprise", "include", and "have" are in an open-ended format. That is, when including a certain configuration, other configurations outside the said configuration may or may not be included.

[0014] Furthermore, where geometric terms and terms describing positional and directional relationships are used in this specification, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "45° oblique," "coaxial," and "alongside," these terms allow for manufacturing tolerances or slight variations. Where terms describing relative positional relationships, such as "upper" and "lower," are used in this specification, these terms are used to indicate the relative positional relationship in a single state, and the relative positional relationship may be reversed or rotated to any angle depending on the installation direction of each mechanism (for example, by inverting the entire mechanism upside down).

[0015] In this specification, "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, "electrode" may refer collectively to the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0016] Furthermore, the "battery module" can be installed in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). However, the use of the "battery module" is not limited to automotive applications.

[0017] In the drawings, the X direction is defined as the second direction, which is perpendicular to the direction in which the battery cells are arranged and in which the first and second protrusions of the elastic member are spaced apart; the Y direction is defined as the first direction, which is the direction in which the battery cells are arranged; and the Z direction is defined as the third direction, which is the height direction of the battery cells perpendicular to the first and second directions.

[0018] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of this technology. As shown in Figure 1, the battery pack 1, as a battery pack, comprises a laminate 10, a housing 20, and an elastic member 30.

[0019] The laminate 10 is made up of multiple battery cells 100 bundled together. The multiple battery cells 100 are arranged in a first direction (Y direction). Separators (not shown) are interposed between the multiple battery cells 100. The multiple battery cells 100, sandwiched between two elastic members 30, are pressed by the elastic members 30 and restrained between the two elastic members 30.

[0020] The housing 20 houses the laminate 10 and the elastic member 30. The laminate 10 and the elastic member 30 are inserted into the housing 20 while a compressive force in a first direction (Y direction) is applied to the multiple laminated battery cells 100 and the elastic member 30. After releasing the compressive force, the elastic member 30 presses the multiple battery cells 100 toward each other. In this way, the battery pack 1 in this embodiment has a structure (Cell-to-Pack structure) in which the laminate 10, in which multiple battery cells 100 are arranged, is directly supported by the housing 20.

[0021] The housing 20 is made of, for example, aluminum or steel. The components used in the housing 20 are formed, for example, by extrusion molding.

[0022] The elastic member 30 is provided to provide an initial restraining force to the battery cell 100 and to receive the reaction force of the battery cell 100 generated during use. The elastic member 30 is provided at the end of the laminate 10 in the first direction (Y direction). In this embodiment, the elastic member 30 is provided at both ends of the laminate 10 in the first direction (Y direction).

[0023] The elastic member 30 is made of, for example, rubber. Specifically, the elastic member 30 is made of, for example, ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). However, the elastic member 30 may be made of resin or the like, as long as it is more elastically deformable than the laminate 10 and the required modulus of elasticity can be obtained.

[0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a battery cell according to Embodiment 1 of this technology. As shown in Figure 2, the battery cell 100 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The battery cell 100 has a rectangular shape.

[0025] Each of the multiple battery cells 100 includes electrode terminals 110, a case body 120, and a gas discharge valve 130.

[0026] The electrode terminal 110 has a positive electrode terminal 111 and a negative electrode terminal 112. The electrode terminal 110 is formed on the case body 120.

[0027] The case body 120 is a container for housing electrode bodies and electrolyte (not shown). The case body 120 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The case body 120 is made of aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, or iron alloy, etc.

[0028] The case body 120 has an upper surface 121, a lower surface 122, a pair of long sides 123, and a pair of short sides 124.

[0029] Electrode terminals 110 are positioned on the upper surface 121. The lower surface 122 faces the upper surface 121 in the third direction (Z direction).

[0030] A pair of long sides 123 and a pair of short sides 124 constitute the sides of the case body 120. The pair of long sides 123 and the pair of short sides 124 intersect the top surface 121 and the bottom surface 122, respectively. Each of the pair of long sides 123 faces each other in a first direction (Y direction). Each of the pair of short sides 124 faces each other in a second direction (X direction). Each of the pair of long sides 123 has a larger area than each of the pair of short sides 124.

[0031] The gas discharge valve 130 ruptures when the pressure inside the case body 120 exceeds a predetermined value. This causes the gas inside the case body 120 to be discharged outside the case body 120.

[0032] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack shown in Figure 1, taken from the direction of the arrow III-III. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the elastic members in the battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of this technology.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the housing 20 has a pair of first walls 21 and a pair of second walls 22. Each of the pair of first walls 21, one first wall 21a and the other first wall 21b, is a wall that aligns with the laminate 10 in a first direction (Y direction). Each of the pair of second walls 22, one second wall 22a and the other second wall 22b, is a wall that aligns with the laminate 10 in a second direction (X direction).

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the elastic member 30 is located between the first wall surface 21 and the laminate 10. The elastic member 30 includes a first portion 300 and a second portion 310.

[0035] The first part 300 has a main body 301, a projection 302, and a first surface 303. The main body 301 is a portion that extends on the XZ plane within the housing 20. The projection 302 protrudes from the main body 301 toward the laminate 10. In this embodiment, multiple projections 302 are provided near the center in the second direction (X direction), spaced apart from each other in the second direction (X direction) and the third direction (Z direction).

[0036] The first surface 303 is the surface that contacts the laminate 10. In this embodiment, the first surface 303 is located on the protruding portion 302. The first surface 303 is in surface contact with the laminate 10. Specifically, the first surface 303 is in surface contact with the long side surface 123 of the battery cell 100. By the elastic member 30 making surface contact with the laminate 10 at the protruding portion 302, localized pressing of the laminate 10 by the elastic member 30 is suppressed compared to the case where they make point contact or line contact.

[0037] The second portion 310 protrudes from the first portion 300 toward the first wall surface 21. In this embodiment, the second portion 310 protrudes from the main body portion 301 toward the first wall surface 21.

[0038] The second portion 310 has a first protrusion 311 and a second protrusion 312. Each of the first protrusion 311 and the second protrusion 312 is spaced apart from each other in a second direction (X direction) perpendicular to a first direction (Y direction). Each of the first protrusion 311 and the second protrusion 312 has a second surface 313 that is in surface contact with the first wall surface 21.

[0039] The cross-sectional area of ​​the XZ plane of the second surface 313 at each of the first protrusion 311 and the second protrusion 312 is preferably the same in order to uniformly receive the reaction force of the battery cell 100 generated during use.

[0040] A recess 314 is formed in the elastic member 30. The recess 314 opens to the first wall surface 21 in the first direction (Y direction) between the first protrusion 311 and the second protrusion 312. In this embodiment, the recess 314 and the protrusion 302 are aligned in the first direction (Y direction).

[0041] The laminate 10 and the elastic member 30 are housed in the housing 20 with the elastic member 30 compressed in the first direction (Y direction). This ensures an initial restraining force on the laminate 10. When the initial restraining force is acting, the protruding portion 302 of the elastic member 30, which has a smaller cross-sectional area in the XZ plane than the other components, undergoes mainly elastic deformation.

[0042] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the laminate and elastic member being inserted into the housing using a jig. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the elastic member under pressure from the jig.

[0043] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the laminate 10 and the elastic member 30 are inserted into the housing 20 by the jig 2. Specifically, the jig 2 is composed of a pair of claw members. The jig 2 grips the laminate 10 and the elastic member 30 while applying a pressing force F1 to them in a first direction (Y direction). The jig 2 is moved in a third direction (Z direction), and the laminate 10 and the elastic member 30 are inserted into the housing 20 together with the jig 2.

[0044] When a pressing force F1 is applied from the jig 2 to the laminate 10 and the elastic member 30, the protrusion 302 elastically deforms in the compression direction of the first direction (Y direction). Because the protrusion 302 elastically deforms, the laminate 10 is held between the elastic member 30 without elastic deformation. As a result, the jig 2 does not require a pressing force to elastically deform the laminate 10, and therefore the jig 2 can be made smaller compared to the case where the jig 2 elastically deforms the laminate 10 in the compression direction. Furthermore, by making the jig 2 smaller, the space occupied by the jig 2 within the housing 20 can be reduced, and thus the housing 20 can be made smaller.

[0045] When the laminate 10 and the elastic member 30 are held by the jig 2, the jig 2 is located inside the recess 314. That is, the jig 2 is located between the first protrusion 311 and the second protrusion 312. This prevents the jig 2 from interfering with the housing 20 when inserting the laminate 10 and the elastic member 30 into the housing 20.

[0046] After inserting the laminate 10 and elastic member 30 into the housing 20, the pressing force F1 of the jig 2 is released, and the jig 2 is pulled out of the recess 314 in a third direction (Z direction). The elastic member 30, which is elastically deformed at the protruding portion 302, elastically deforms in a direction that expands in a first direction (Y direction) between the laminate 10 and the housing 20. As a result, the elastic member 30 presses against the laminate 10 at the protruding portion 302. An initial restraining force F2 acts on the laminate 10 from the elastic member 30. By restraining the laminate 10, damage to the battery cells 100 due to external inputs such as vibrations to the battery pack 1 can be suppressed, thereby improving the vibration resistance characteristics of the battery cells 100.

[0047] Since the recess 314 and the protrusion 302 are aligned in the first direction (Y direction), the pressing force F1 applied by the jig 2 in the first direction (Y direction) is efficiently transmitted to the protrusion 302. The pressing force F1 applied by the jig 2 to the laminate 10 and the elastic member 30 can be arbitrarily set according to the degree of elastic modulus of the elastic member 30 and the degree of elastic deformation of the protrusion 302.

[0048] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the reaction force generated by the battery cell during use is applied to the elastic member.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, the battery cell 100 may expand during use. In this case, the battery cell 100 expands mainly on the long side 123 in the first direction (Y direction), generating a reaction force F3 from the battery cell 100 to the elastic member 30. The elastic member 30 transmits the reaction force F3 received from the battery cell 100 to the housing 20 via the first part 300 and the second part 310.

[0050] When a reaction force F3 is applied to the elastic member 30, the first protrusion 311 and the second protrusion 312, which have smaller cross-sectional areas on the XZ plane compared to the main body 301, each undergo elastic deformation. As a result, the elastic member 30 can withstand the reaction force F3 of the battery cell 100. Consequently, the effect of the reaction force F3 of the battery cell 100 on the housing 20 can be reduced.

[0051] Figure 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the compressibility and stress of an elastic member. In Figure 8, the compressibility of the elastic member is on the horizontal axis, and the stress acting on the elastic member is on the vertical axis, showing the characteristics required of the elastic member.

[0052] The first compressibility ratio C1 of the elastic member 30 is a set value for which the protruding portion 302 of the elastic member 30 elastically deforms to exert an initial restraining force F2 on the battery cell 100. The first compressibility ratio C1 is, for example, 10%. The second compressibility ratio C2 is a set value for which the second portion 310 of the elastic member 30 elastically deforms to receive the reaction force of the battery cell 100. The second compressibility ratio C2 is, for example, 90%.

[0053] The stress that the elastic member 30 can withstand when it is compressed to the above-mentioned compression ratio is defined. The compression ratio and stress of the elastic member 30 differ for HEV, PHEV, and BEV, respectively. As a typical example, in an HEV, the first stress σ1 at the first compression ratio C1 is, for example, 0.2 MPa. Also in an HEV, the second stress σ2 corresponding to the second compression ratio C2 is, for example, 2.5 MPa. The characteristics of the elastic member 30 that are considered in order to define these stresses are the amount of compression of the elastic member and the reaction force of the battery cell, etc.

[0054] The broken line in Figure 8 shows the ideal displacement of the elastic deformation of the elastic member 30. It is desirable that the elastic member 30 undergoes elastic deformation within an appropriate range R defined between the first compressibility ratio C1 and the second compressibility ratio C2, and between the first stress σ1 and the second stress σ2. The wider this appropriate range R is, the easier it is to deform the elastic member 30 using the jig 2, making the elastic member 30 easier to handle and allowing the elastic member 30 to reliably withstand the reaction force F3 of the battery cell 100.

[0055] In the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this technology, elastic members 30 are placed at both ends of the laminate 10 in the first direction (Y direction), and the laminate 10 is held by the jig 2 while elastically deforming the elastic members 30. As a result, the pressing force required for the jig 2 can be reduced compared to the case where the battery cells 100 are pressed and elastically deformed, so the jig 2 can be made smaller. This makes it easier to handle the jig 2 and other components, and makes it easier to insert the battery cells 100 into the housing 20. Consequently, the housing 20 can be made smaller as a result of the miniaturization of the jig 2.

[0056] In the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this technology, the elastic member 30 is provided with a first protrusion 311 and a second protrusion 312, and a jig 2 can be inserted between the first protrusion 311 and the second protrusion 312. This prevents the jig 2 from interfering with the housing 20 when inserting the battery cell 100, making it easier to insert the battery cell 100 into the housing 20. Furthermore, since there is no need to secure space for the jig 2 inside the housing 20, the housing 20 can be made smaller.

[0057] In the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this technology, an initial restraining force F2 can be applied to the battery cell 100 by bringing the elastic member 30 into contact with the battery cell 100 in an elastically deformed state. Subsequently, even if a reaction force F3 is generated in the battery cell 100 due to use, the elastic member 30 can elastically deform and absorb the reaction force of the battery cell 100, thereby reducing the influence of the reaction force of the battery cell 100 on the battery pack 1.

[0058] In the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this technology, compared to the case where the entire first portion 300 of the elastic member 30 is pressed against the laminate 10 to elastically deform the elastic member 30, the elastic member 30 can be elastically deformed with less force by elastically deforming the protruding portion 302, which has a smaller cross-sectional area on the XZ plane than the first portion 300. As a result, the pressing force required for the jig 2 can be reduced, and the jig 2 can be made smaller. Consequently, the handling of the jig 2 and other components becomes easier, making it easier to insert the battery cells 100 into the housing 20. Furthermore, the housing 20 can be made smaller as a result of the miniaturization of the jig 2.

[0059] In the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this technology, the recess 314 and the protrusion 302 are aligned in a first direction (Y direction), which allows the pressing force F1 from the jig 2 to be efficiently transmitted to the protrusion 302 in the first direction (Y direction). This makes it easier for the jig 2 to elastically deform the elastic member 30.

[0060] In the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this technology, by making the elastic member 30 out of rubber, it is possible to easily obtain the necessary compressibility, stress, and other properties of the elastic member 30.

[0061] The following describes a modified battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of this technology. Since the configuration of the elastic members in this modified battery pack differs from that of Battery Pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this technology, the same configuration as that of Battery Pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this technology will not be repeated in the description.

[0062] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery pack according to a first modified example of Embodiment 1 of the present technology. As shown in Figure 9, the battery pack 1A comprises a laminate 10, a housing 20, and an elastic member 30A. The elastic member 30A includes a first portion 300A and a second portion 310.

[0063] The first part 300A has a main body 301A, a projection 302A, and a first surface 303A. The projection 302A protrudes from the main body 301A toward the laminate 10. The second part 310 and the projection 302A are aligned in the first direction (Y direction).

[0064] In the battery pack 1A according to the first modified example of Embodiment 1 of this technology, the reaction force F3 of the battery cell 100 generated during use is propagated along a first direction (Y direction) within the elastic member 30, thereby ensuring that the reaction force F3 of the battery cell 100 is reliably received by the elastic member 30.

[0065] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the elastic member in a battery pack according to a second modification of Embodiment 1 of this technology. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the elastic member in a battery pack according to a third modification of Embodiment 1 of this technology. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the elastic member in a battery pack according to a fourth modification of Embodiment 1 of this technology.

[0066] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the elastic member can take on various shapes. In the elastic member 30B of the second modified example, multiple protrusions 302B are arranged so as to be aligned in both the recess 314 and the second portion 310 in the first direction (Y direction). This ensures the initial restraining force of the battery cell 100 and makes it easier to receive the reaction force of the battery cell 100.

[0067] In the third modified example, the elastic member 30C is provided with multiple rectangular parallelepiped protrusions 302C having a longitudinal direction in the second direction (X direction). This increases the contact area between the laminate 10 and the elastic member 30C, making it easier to grip the battery cell 100 when clamping it with the jig 2.

[0068] In the fourth modified example, the elastic member 30D is provided with multiple protrusions 302D having a longitudinal direction in the second direction (X direction) and a first surface 303D having an uneven shape. As a result, even when the reaction force of the battery cell 100 is applied to the elastic member 30 at an angle from the first direction (Y direction), the first surface 303D that comes into contact with it has an uneven shape that easily conforms to the reaction force, making it easier to receive the reaction force of the battery cell 100.

[0069] Furthermore, the elastic member is not limited to a configuration in which the protrusions are aligned with either the recess 314 or the second portion 310 in the first direction (Y direction). The elastic member may also be configured in which the protrusions are aligned with both the recess 314 and the second portion 310 in the first direction (Y direction), as shown in the second to fourth modified examples.

[0070] (Embodiment 2) The following describes a battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of this technology. Since the configuration of the elastic members in the battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of this technology differs from that of the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this technology, the same configuration as that of the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this technology will not be repeated in the description.

[0071] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of this technology. As shown in Figure 13, the battery pack 1E according to Embodiment 2 comprises a laminate 10, a housing 20, and an elastic member 30E.

[0072] The elastic member 30E is composed of a plate-shaped member. The elastic member 30E includes a first portion 300E and a second portion 310E.

[0073] The first portion 300E is a flat plate extending in a second direction (X direction) and a third direction (Z direction). The first portion 300E has a main body portion 301E and a first surface 303E. The first surface 303E is located on the main body portion 301E. The first surface 303E is in surface contact with the laminate 10.

[0074] The second portion 310E is a leaf spring. The second portion 310E has a first protrusion 311E and a second protrusion 312E. Each of the first protrusion 311E and the second protrusion 312E has a second surface 313E, which is in surface contact with the first wall surface 21 of the housing 20.

[0075] The elastic member 30E is elastically deformed in the first direction (Y direction) at the second portion 310E, which is a leaf spring. To elastically deform the second portion 310E, the second portion 310E is pressed from the outside in the first direction (Y direction) by a jig. When inserting the laminate 10 and the elastic member 30E into the housing 20 using the jig, the laminate 10 is inserted into the housing 20 while the jig is inserted into a notch (not shown) provided in the housing 20.

[0076] In the battery pack 1E according to Embodiment 2 of this technology, elastic members 30E are arranged at both ends of the laminate 10 in the first direction (Y direction), and the laminate 10 is held by a jig while elastically deforming the elastic members 30E. This reduces the pressing force required by the jig compared to the case where the battery cells 100 are pressed and elastically deformed, thus allowing the jig to be miniaturized. This simplifies the handling of the jig and makes it easier to insert the battery cells 100 into the housing 20. Consequently, the housing 20 can be miniaturized as a result of the miniaturization of the jig.

[0077] In the battery pack 1E according to Embodiment 2 of this technology, an initial restraining force can be applied to the battery cell 100 by bringing the elastic member 30E into contact with the battery cell 100 in an elastically deformed state. Subsequently, even if a reaction force is generated in the battery cell 100 due to use, the elastic member 30E can elastically deform and absorb the reaction force of the battery cell 100, thereby reducing the influence of the reaction force of the battery cell 100 on the battery pack 1E.

[0078] In the battery pack 1E according to Embodiment 2 of this technology, the elastic member 30E can be made of a plate-shaped member, thereby enabling the elastic member 30E to be constructed in an inexpensive manner.

[0079] While embodiments of the present technology have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present technology is defined by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1,1A,1E Battery pack, 2 Jig, 10 Laminate, 20 Housing, 21,21a,21b First wall, 22,22a,22b Second wall, 30,30A,30B,30C,30D,30E Elastic member, 100 Battery cell, 110 Electrode terminal, 111 Positive terminal, 112 Negative terminal, 120 Case body, 121 Top surface, 122 Bottom surface, 123 Long side, 124 Short side, 130 Gas discharge valve, 300,300A,300E First part, 301,301A,301E Main body, 302,302A,302B,302C,302D Protruding part, 303,303A,303D,303E First surface, 310, 310E; second part, 311, 311E; first convex part, 312, 312E; second convex part, 313, 313E; second surface, 314; concave part, F1 pressing force, F2 initial restraining force, F3 reaction force of the battery cell.

Claims

1. A laminate containing multiple battery cells arranged in a first direction, A housing having a wall surface aligned with the laminate in the first direction and housing the laminate, The laminate comprises a pair of elastic members located between the wall surface and the laminate, and provided at both ends of the laminate in the first direction, Each of the pair of elastic members includes a first portion and a second portion that protrudes from the first portion toward the wall surface. The first portion has a first surface that is in surface contact with the laminate, The second portion has a first convex portion and a second convex portion, each having a second surface that is spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and in surface contact with the wall surface, Each of the pair of elastic members is housed in the housing with the laminate and each of the pair of elastic members compressed in the first direction. The first part further comprises a main body and a protruding portion that extends from the main body toward the laminate, The first surface is located on the protrusion, Each of the pair of elastic members has a recess formed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, which opens toward the wall surface in the first direction. The battery pack wherein the protrusions are aligned with both the recess and the second portion in the first direction.

2. Each of the pair of elastic members is made of rubber, In the second direction, the width dimension of the main body is approximately the same as the width dimension of the laminate. The first protrusion is located at one end of the main body in the second direction, The second protrusion is located at the other end of the main body opposite to the one end in the second direction, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the protrusions are provided at intervals from each other in the second direction and in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

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