Battery case

Abstract

To prevent degradation in seal performance.SOLUTION: A battery case comprises a case body, a cover member, and a seal member. The cover member is disposed so as to cover the case body, and is made of metal that defines an internal space between itself and the case body. The seal member is disposed between the cover member and a circumferential end of the case body covered with the cover member, and closes the internal space. The cover member has a first contact part, a second contact part, and a gap formation part. The first contact part is a portion which comes into contact with the seal member. The second contact part is located opposite to the internal space with respect to the first contact part, and is a portion which comes into contact with the circumferential end of the case body. The gap formation part is located between the first contact part and the second contact part, and is a portion which forms a gap between itself and the case body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery case.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with a battery case that stores batteries and the like. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack including a lower case and an upper case. Flanges are formed on the outer edge of the lower case and the outer edge of the upper case. The respective flanges face each other with a gap provided therebetween, and a sealing material is provided between the respective flanges. Each flange has an overlapping portion that overlaps on the outer side of the sealing material.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the battery pack disclosed in Patent Document 1, the sealing material is in contact with or close to the overlapping portion of the respective flanges. Water droplets may adhere to the surface of the battery pack due to condensation in a high-humidity environment, splashes stirred up when a vehicle tire passes through a puddle, and the like. If there is a gap in the overlapping portion, the adhered water droplets may intrude into the sealing surface through the gap due to capillary action, which may cause deterioration of the sealing material. For this reason, there has been a problem that the sealing performance decreases.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is to suppress a decrease in sealing performance.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a battery case comprising a case body, a cover member, and a sealing member. The cover member is a metal member positioned to cover the case body and defining an internal space between it and the case body. The sealing member is positioned between the cover member and the peripheral edge of the case body covered by the cover member and closes the internal space. The cover member has a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and a gap-forming portion. The first contact portion is the portion that contacts the sealing member. The second contact portion is located on the opposite side of the internal space from the first contact portion and is the portion that contacts the peripheral edge of the case body. The gap-forming portion is located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and is the portion that forms a gap between it and the case body.

[0007] With this configuration, even if water droplets enter the gap between the second contact portion and the case body due to capillary action, the presence of an air gap between the second contact portion and the sealing member prevents the water droplets from corroding the sealing member. Therefore, a decrease in sealing performance can be suppressed.

[0008] In one aspect of this disclosure, the case body may have a third contact portion which is a portion that contacts the sealing member. At least one of the first contact portion and the third contact portion may have a portion which is closer to the gap than the distance between them decreases.

[0009] This configuration makes it possible to suppress the sealing member from filling the gaps during manufacturing. In one aspect of this disclosure, the sealing member may be an adhesive that is fluid when applied and solidifies after application.

[0010] Even with this configuration, since there is a gap between the second contact portion and the sealing member that is not filled by the sealing member, corrosion of the sealing member by water droplets can be suppressed. Therefore, a decrease in sealing performance can be suppressed.

[0011] In one aspect of this disclosure, the portion of the second contact portion that contacts the case body may be linear. The cover member may have a plate-shaped portion. The plate-shaped portion includes the second contact portion and extends from the portion between the first contact portion and the second contact portion to at least the second contact portion, and may bend in the thickness direction by contacting the case body at the second contact portion.

[0012] With this configuration, the cover member makes strong contact with the case body due to the bending of the plate-like portion, allowing for the precise manufacturing of the contact area between the cover member and the case body. In one aspect of this disclosure, the case body may be made of metal.

[0013] This configuration suppresses the leakage of electromagnetic waves generated inside the battery case. Furthermore, it reduces the impact of externally generated electromagnetic waves on the inside of the battery case. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the battery case. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1 of the battery case according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the cover flange and case flange in the battery case of the second embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of the battery case of the third embodiment before the cover flange and the case flange come into contact during the manufacturing process. Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of the cover flange and the case flange in the battery case of the third embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the battery case of the third embodiment before the cover flange and the case flange come into contact during the manufacturing process. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the cover flange and the case flange in the battery case of the third embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a seal member having a cross-sectional shape obtained by notching one corner of a rectangle, in a battery case according to another embodiment. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a seal member having a triangular cross-sectional shape, in a battery case according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view of a cover flange and a case flange in a battery case according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view of a cover flange not having a 1B contact portion and a case flange in a battery case according to another embodiment. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Overall Configuration] A battery case 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a case that accommodates a plurality of battery cells therein. A battery pack including the battery case 1 is mounted on a lower portion of a vehicle such as an automobile. For example, the battery pack may supply electric power to a motor for driving the vehicle, or may supply electric power to components other than the motor. In the present embodiment, as an example, the battery pack is disposed under a body of the vehicle.

[0016] The outer shape of the battery case 1 in the present embodiment is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped. The battery case 1 includes a cover member 2, a case main body 3, and a seal member 4. The cover member 2 and the case main body 3 are members that form an internal space 51 for accommodating battery cells. The cover member 2 and the case main body 3 are box-shaped members arranged to face each other, with both facing sides open. The cover member 2 is arranged to cover an opening of the case main body 3, and defines the internal space 51 between the cover member 2 and the case main body 3. In a state where the battery case 1 is mounted on a lower portion of the vehicle, the cover member 2 is located closer to the vehicle body side than the case main body 3 (that is, above the case main body 3).

[0017] The cover member 2 is made of metal. Examples of the material of the cover member 2 include stainless steel and plated steel sheets. The material of the case body 3 is not particularly limited. Examples of the material of the case body 3 include metal, resin, and the like. In the present embodiment, the case body 3 is made of stainless steel.

[0018] The cover member 2 includes a cover facing portion 21, a cover wall portion 22, and a cover flange 23. The case body 3 includes a case facing portion 31, a case wall portion 32, and a case flange 33.

[0019] Both the cover facing portion 21 and the case facing portion 31 are substantially rectangular plate-shaped portions. The cover facing portion 21 and the case facing portion 31 are arranged to face each other. An internal space 51 is formed between the cover facing portion 21 and the case facing portion 31. Hereinafter, the direction in which the cover facing portion 21 and the case facing portion 31 are aligned is referred to as a first direction. In the first direction, the side where the cover facing portion 21 is located relative to the case facing portion 31 is referred to as the upper side in the first direction. The opposite side to the upper side in the first direction is referred to as the lower side in the first direction. The first direction coincides with the plate thickness direction of the cover facing portion 21 and the plate thickness direction of the case facing portion 31.

[0020] The cover wall portion 22 is a wall-shaped portion that protrudes downward in the first direction from the outer peripheral end of the cover facing portion 21 and extends along the outer periphery of the cover facing portion 21. The peripheral edge portion on the lower side in the first direction of the cover wall portion 22 forms an opening in the cover member 2.

[0021] Similarly, the case wall portion 32 is a wall-shaped portion that protrudes upward in the first direction from the outer peripheral end of the case facing portion 31 and extends along the outer periphery of the case facing portion 31. The peripheral edge portion on the upper side in the first direction of the case wall portion 32 forms an opening in the case body 3.

[0022] The cover flange 23 is a flange-shaped portion that protrudes from the end of the cover wall portion 22 opposite to the cover facing portion 21, in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, toward the side opposite to the internal space 51, and extends along the outer peripheral edge of the cover wall portion 22.

[0023] Similarly, the case flange 33 is a flange-shaped portion that protrudes from the end of the case wall portion 32 opposite to the case-facing portion 31, in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, toward the side opposite to the internal space 51, and extends along the outer peripheral edge of the case wall portion 32.

[0024] The cover flange 23 is positioned to cover the upper surface of the case flange 33 in the first direction. The sealing member 4 is positioned between the cover flange 23 and the case flange 33 so as to encircle the internal space 51, and is composed of an adhesive that closes the internal space 51. In other words, the internal space 51 is the space enclosed by the cover facing portion 21, the cover wall portion 22, a part of the cover flange 23, the case facing portion 31, the case wall portion 32, a part of the case flange 33, and the sealing member 4.

[0025] The internal space 51 is sealed by the sealing member 4. The sealing member 4 has a certain viscosity and fluidity when applied, and solidifies over time, losing its fluidity and bonding multiple members that come into contact with the sealing member 4. Examples of the sealing member 4 include urethane adhesives, epoxy adhesives, and silicone adhesives. Solidification here means that the sealing member 4 changes to a state in which it has lost its fluidity. The sealing member 4 may solidify after application not only over time, but also due to changes such as heat or pressure. The solidified sealing member 4 may have elasticity.

[0026] [1-1-2. Flange Configuration] As shown in Figure 2, the cover flange 23 has a first A contact portion 24a, a first B contact portion 24b, a first A gap forming portion 25a, a first B gap forming portion 25b, and a second contact portion 26. Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the cover wall portion 22 will be referred to as the second direction. In the second direction, the side on which the internal space 51 is formed relative to the cover wall portion 22 will be referred to as the inside of the second direction, and the side opposite the inside in the second direction will be referred to as the outside of the second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the case wall portion 32.

[0027] The cover flange 23 has a step that extends outward in the second direction. The step may be one step or two or more steps. In this embodiment, two steps are formed. That is, the first A contact portion 24a, the first A gap forming portion 25a, and the second contact portion 26 are substantially parallel to the second direction (in other words, substantially parallel to the case flange 33). The first B contact portion 24b and the first B gap forming portion 25b are substantially parallel to the first direction (in other words, substantially perpendicular to the case flange 33). The first B contact portion 24b connects the outer end of the first A contact portion 24a in the second direction to the inner end of the first A gap forming portion 25a in the second direction. The first B gap forming portion 25b connects the outer end of the first A gap forming portion 25a in the second direction to the inner end of the second contact portion 26 in the second direction.

[0028] The first A contact portion 24a and the first B contact portion 24b are both portions that come into contact with the sealing member 4. The first A gap-forming portion 25a is the portion that forms a gap 52 between itself and the case flange 33. The first B gap-forming portion 25b is the portion adjacent to the gap 52. The length of the gap 52 in the second direction is, for example, about 5 millimeters.

[0029] The second contact portion 26 is the part that contacts the case flange 33. In this embodiment, the second contact portion 26 makes surface contact with the case flange 33. The portion where the second contact portion 26 and the case flange 33 are in contact circumferentially outside the sealing member 4 in the second direction. The second contact portion 26 and the case flange 33 may be joined by welding, adhesive, or the like.

[0030] The case flange 33 has a first case contact portion 34, a case gap forming portion 35, and a second case contact portion 36. In this embodiment, the first case contact portion 34, the case gap forming portion 35, and the second case contact portion 36 are located on the same plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

[0031] The first contact portion 34 of the case is the part that comes into contact with the sealing member 4. The case gap forming portion 35 is the portion of the cover flange 23 that faces the first A gap forming portion 25a. In other words, the gap 52 is the space surrounded by the first A gap forming portion 25a, the first B gap forming portion 25b, the case gap forming portion 35, and the sealing member 4.

[0032] The second contact portion 36 of the case is the portion that contacts the second contact portion 26 of the cover flange 23. The second contact portion 26 and the second contact portion 36 of the case are separated from the sealing member 4 by a gap 52.

[0033] [1-1-3. Method for manufacturing a battery case] The manufacturing method for the battery case 1 comprises a first step of applying a sealing member 4 to the case flange 33, and a second step of bonding the cover flange 23 to the case flange 33 via the sealing member 4.

[0034] First, in the first step, the sealing member 4 is applied to the upper surface of the case flange 33 in the first direction, so as to surround the opening in the case body 3. One method of applying the sealing member 4 is to fill a container with holes with the sealing member 4 and squeeze the container to cause the fluid sealing member 4 to flow out through the holes and be applied.

[0035] By arbitrarily setting the shape of the holes, the thickness and cross-sectional shape of the applied sealing member 4 (i.e., the shape of the cross-section perpendicular to the direction in which the sealing member 4 extends) can be controlled. The sealing member 4 is applied in a position and thickness such that the first A contact portion 24a and the first B contact portion 24b contact each other when the cover flange 23 is bonded to the case flange 33. The cross-sectional shape of the sealing member 4 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as an example, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member 4 is substantially rectangular.

[0036] Next, in the second step following the first step, the cover flange 23 is positioned to press the sealing member 4 downward in the first direction. The pressing by the cover flange 23 in the first direction continues until the second contact portion 26 of the cover flange 23 contacts the second contact portion 36 of the case. Since the sealing member 4 is fluid immediately after application, it deforms under pressure and comes into contact with the first A contact portion 24a and the first B contact portion 24b. At this time, in the first step, it is necessary to control the shape and thickness of the sealing member 4 so that it does not deform more than necessary under pressure and fill the gap 52. After that, the sealing member 4 solidifies over time and adheres the first A contact portion 24a and the first B contact portion 24b of the cover flange 23 to the first contact portion 34 of the case.

[0037] In this way, the cover member 2 and the case body 3 are bonded together via the sealing member 4, and the internal space 51 is sealed. [1-2. Action and Effects] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following actions and effects can be obtained.

[0038] (1a) The first A gap forming portion 25a forms a gap 52 between itself and the case flange 33. The second contact portion 26 of the cover flange 23 and the second case contact portion 36 are separated from the sealing member 4 by the gap 52. The first A contact portion 24a and the first B contact portion 24b of the cover member 2 and the first case contact portion 34 of the case body 3 are in contact with the sealing member 4.

[0039] With this configuration, even if a water droplet adhering to the surface of the battery case 1 enters the gap between the second contact portion 26 of the cover flange 23 and the second contact portion 36 of the case by capillary action, the presence of the void 52 prevents the water droplet from reaching the sealing member 4. Therefore, deterioration of the sealing member 4, a decrease in the adhesiveness of the sealing member 4, and a decrease in the sealing performance of the sealing member 4 due to corrosion caused by water droplets can be suppressed.

[0040] Furthermore, the cover member 2 is made of metal, and in this embodiment, the case body 3 is made of stainless steel. Therefore, it is possible to suppress crevice corrosion caused by water droplets not only to the sealing member 4, but also to the first A contact portion 24a and the first B contact portion 24b of the cover member 2, and the first case contact portion 34 of the case body 3.

[0041] (1b) The battery case 1 is mounted on the underside of the vehicle. The cover member 2 is located on the vehicle body side (i.e., above the case body 3) than the case body 3. The cover member 2 is made of metal.

[0042] With this configuration, the leakage of electromagnetic waves generated inside the battery case 1 into the vehicle, and the influence of electromagnetic waves generated inside the vehicle on the inside of the battery case 1, can be suppressed by the metal cover member 2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case body 3 is made of stainless steel. Therefore, the leakage of electromagnetic waves generated inside the battery case 1 to the outside of the battery case 1, and the influence of electromagnetic waves generated outside the battery case 1 on the inside of the battery case 1, can be suppressed by the metal cover member 2 and the stainless steel case body 3.

[0043] (1c) The second contact portion 26 of the cover flange 23 contacts the second contact portion 36 of the case. The portion where the second contact portion 26 and the second contact portion 36 of the case contact each other is located outside the sealing member 4 in the second direction. The second contact portion 26 and the second contact portion 36 of the case are separated from the sealing member 4 by a gap 52.

[0044] With this configuration, it is possible to suppress direct adhesion of water droplets generated outside the battery case 1 to the sealing member 4. Furthermore, if mist-like moisture is generated around the battery case 1, even if there is a gap between the second contact portion 26 and the case second contact portion 36, the mist-like moisture will combine in the gap and be promoted to change into water droplets. Once the mist-like moisture changes into water droplets, it is prevented from reaching the sealing member 4 by the void 52, for the same reasons as described above.

[0045] [1-3. Correspondence between terms] In the above embodiment, the case flange 33 corresponds to an example of the peripheral edge end of the case body 3, the first A contact portion 24a and the first B contact portion 24b correspond to an example of the first contact portion, the first A gap forming portion 25a corresponds to an example of the gap forming portion, and the second contact portion 26 corresponds to an example of the second contact portion.

[0046] [2. Second Embodiment] [2-1. Structure] The basic configuration of the battery case 1 in the second embodiment shown in Figure 3 is the same as that of the battery case 1 in the first embodiment; therefore, the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be explained below. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment indicate the same components, and refer to the preceding description.

[0047] The battery case 1 of the second embodiment includes a cover flange 623 having a different shape in place of the cover flange 23 of the first embodiment described above. The cover flange 623 includes a first B contact portion 624b in place of the first B contact portion 24b. The cover flange 623 has the same configuration as the cover flange 23 of the first embodiment except for the configuration of the first B contact portion 624b.

[0048] The first B contact portion 624b has a configuration that is generally identical to that of the first B contact portion 24b. That is, the first B contact portion 624b connects the outer end in the second direction of the first A contact portion 24a to the inner end in the second direction of the first A gap forming portion 25a. The first B contact portion 624b is the portion of the cover flange 23 that comes into contact with the sealing member 4.

[0049] In the first embodiment described above, the first B contact portion 24b was substantially parallel to the first direction (in other words, substantially perpendicular to the case flange 33). In contrast, in the second embodiment, the first B contact portion 624b is inclined outward in the second direction with respect to the first direction. That is, the first B contact portion 624b is inclined such that the distance between the first B contact portion 624b and the case first contact portion 34 decreases as it moves outward in the second direction (in other words, as it approaches the gap 52).

[0050] [2-2. Action and Effects] As described in detail above, the second embodiment provides the same effects as the first embodiment. In addition, as in the first embodiment, in the second step of manufacturing the battery case 1, in which the cover flange 623 is bonded to the case flange 33 via the sealing member 4, the sealing member 4 is deformed by being pressed by the first A contact portion 24a and the first B contact portion 624b. At this time, since the first B contact portion 624b is inclined outward in the second direction with respect to the first direction, the sealing member 4 is deformed so as to be guided inward in the second direction by the inclination of the first B contact portion 624b. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the sealing member 4 from filling the gap 52 by pressing.

[0051] [2-3. Correspondence between terms] In the above embodiment, the first B contact portion 624b corresponds to an example of a portion where the distance between the first contact portion and the third contact portion decreases as it approaches the gap.

[0052] [3. Third Embodiment] [3-1. Structure] The basic configuration of the battery case 1 in the third embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B is the same as that of the battery case 1 in the first embodiment; therefore, the differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment will be explained below. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment indicate the same components, and refer to the preceding description.

[0053] The battery case 1 of the third embodiment includes a cover flange 723 having a different shape in place of the cover flange 23 of the first embodiment described above. The cover flange 723 has a first plate-shaped portion 727 and a second plate-shaped portion 728. The cover flange 723 may further include a third plate-shaped portion 729, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

[0054] The first plate-like portion 727 is a plate-like part of the cover flange 723 that extends in the second direction. The second plate-like portion 728 is a plate-like part that is inclined outward in the second direction relative to the first direction, starting from the outer end of the first plate-like portion 727 in the second direction. The distance of the second plate-like portion 728 from the case flange 33 decreases as it extends outward in the second direction. The second plate-like portion 728 contacts the case flange 33 at the second contact portion 726, which is the end of the second plate-like portion 728 opposite to the first plate-like portion 727.

[0055] The second plate-like portion 728 is configured to bend in the thickness direction when a force is applied in the first direction, with the point where the first plate-like portion 727 and the second plate-like portion 728 are connected as the pivot point. The second plate-like portion 728 is bending in the thickness direction by contacting the case flange 33 at the second contact portion 726.

[0056] The third plate-like portion 729 is a plate-like part that protrudes outward in the second direction along a direction intersecting the second plate-like portion 728, from the end of the second plate-like portion 728 opposite to the first plate-like portion 727.

[0057] As shown in Figures 4A and 5A, in the second step of manufacturing the battery case 1 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, in which the cover flange 723 is bonded to the case flange 33 via the sealing member 4, the second plate-like portion 728 is inclined by an angle θ with respect to the first direction before the cover flange 723 comes into contact with the case flange 33.

[0058] In the second step, the cover flange 723 is positioned to press the sealing member 4 downward in the first direction. In the third embodiment, the pressing by the cover flange 723 in the first direction is performed until the sealing member 4 is deformed so that a portion of the first plate-shaped portion 727 can be sufficiently bonded to the case flange 33 via the sealing member 4, after the second plate-shaped portion 728 has come into contact with the case flange 33 at the second contact portion 726.

[0059] At this time, the second plate-like portion 728 bends in the thickness direction due to the resistance force received from the case flange 33 at the second contact portion 726. Therefore, after the second step, the second plate-like portion 728 is in contact with the case flange 33 while bent in the thickness direction. At this time, as shown in Figures 4B and 5B, the second plate-like portion 728 is inclined at an angle greater than θ with respect to the first direction. The second contact portion 726 makes strong linear contact with the case flange 33, as if being pressed against it by the restoring force of the bending. That is, the portion of the second plate-like portion 728 in contact with the case flange 33 is linear.

[0060] [3-2. Action and Effects] According to the third embodiment described in detail above, the same effects as the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, according to the third embodiment, the second plate-like portion 728 makes strong contact with the case flange 33 due to its deflection, so that the portion where the cover member 2 and the case body 3 come into contact can be manufactured with high precision.

[0061] [3-3. Correspondence between terms] In the above embodiment, the second plate-like portion 728 and the third plate-like portion 729 correspond to examples of plate-like portions, and the second contact portion 726 corresponds to an example of a second contact portion.

[0062] [4. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0063] (4a) In the above embodiment, in the first step of applying the sealing member 4 to the case flange 33 in the manufacturing method of the battery case 1, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member 4 (i.e., the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the sealing member 4 is applied) was not particularly limited. In contrast, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member 4 in the first step may be such that the height in the first direction decreases as it moves outward in the second direction. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member 4 may be such that the portion that contacts the first B contact portion 624b in the second embodiment is substantially parallel to the first B contact portion 624b.

[0064] As an example, as shown in Figure 6A, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member 804a may be such that the upper corner in the first direction and the outer corner in the second direction of the four corners of the rectangle are cut out along the inclined direction of the first B contact portion 624b. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6B, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member 804b may be triangular in shape, with its base in contact with the case flange 33 and one side substantially parallel to the inclined direction of the first B contact portion 624b.

[0065] With this configuration, in the second step of manufacturing the battery case 1, similar to the first embodiment, where the cover flanges 23, 623, and 723 are bonded to the case flange 33 via the sealing members 804a and 804b, the sealing members 804a and 804b are deformed so as to be guided inward in the second direction by the pressure applied in the first direction by the cover flanges 23, 623, and 723. Therefore, in the manufacturing process, it is possible to suppress the sealing members 804a and 804b from filling the gap 52 by the pressure.

[0066] (4b) In the above embodiment, the portion of the cover member 2 that abuts the surface of the sealing member 4 in the first direction was planar, such as the first A abutment portion 24a and the first plate-like portion 727. However, the portion that abuts the surface of the sealing member 4 in the first direction is not limited to being planar. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the cover member 2 may have a cover flange 923 in which a groove 924 recessed on the upper side in the first direction is formed, instead of the cover flange 23. The groove 924 is a portion that abuts the sealing member 4, at least in part. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 924 may be, for example, concave, V-shaped, U-shaped, arc-shaped, etc.

[0067] With this configuration, it becomes easier to determine the position where the sealing member 4 is applied during the manufacturing process of the battery case 1. Furthermore, since the surface area in contact between the cover member 2 and the sealing member 4 is increased, the adhesive strength between the cover member 2 and the sealing member 4 can be improved.

[0068] (4c) In the above embodiment, the second contact portion 26 of the cover flange 23 and the second contact portion 36 of the case were both substantially parallel to the second direction. However, the direction in which the second contact portion 26 and the second contact portion 36 of the case extend is not limited to the second direction, and may be substantially parallel to the first direction, for example, as shown in Figure 7.

[0069] With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the cover member 2 in the second direction relative to the case body 3 when positioning the cover member 2 during the manufacturing process of the battery case 1. (4d) In the above embodiment, the first B contact portion 24b, which is substantially parallel to the first direction, connected the outer end of the first A contact portion 24a in the second direction to the inner end of the first A gap forming portion 25a in the second direction. However, as shown in Figure 8, the cover member 2 may not have the first B contact portion 24b, and the outer end of the first A contact portion 24a in the second direction to the inner end of the first A gap forming portion 25a in the second direction may be directly connected. In this case, the first A contact portion 24a and the first A gap forming portion 25a may be located on substantially the same plane.

[0070] (4e) In the above embodiment, the first B contact portion 624b was inclined such that the distance between the first B contact portion 624b and the case first contact portion 34 decreases as it moves outward in the second direction (in other words, as it approaches the gap 52), and had a planar shape with a straight cross-section. However, the first B contact portion 624b only needs to be such that the distance between it and the case first contact portion 34 decreases as it approaches the gap 52, and may be a curved shape with an arc-shaped cross-section, for example, rather than a planar shape. Alternatively, the first B contact portion 624b may have both a planar portion and a curved portion.

[0071] (4f) In the above embodiment, the first A contact portion 24a, the first B contact portion 24b, the first A gap forming portion 25a, the first B gap forming portion 25b, and the second contact portion 26 of the cover flange 23 formed a step toward the outside in the second direction. The first case contact portion 34, the case gap forming portion 35, and the second case contact portion 36 of the case flange 33 were located on the same plane. However, the configuration of the cover flange 23 and the case flange 33 is not limited to this, and any configuration that includes a portion that contacts the sealing member 4, a portion located outward in the second direction from the portion that contacts the cover flange 23 and the case flange 33 and where the cover flange 23 and the case flange 33 contact each other, and a portion located between these contact portions and forming a gap between the cover flange 23 and the case flange 33 is acceptable.

[0072] For example, the cover flange 23 may be flat, and the case flange 33 may have a stepped shape like the cover flange 23 in the first embodiment. Alternatively, both the cover flange 23 and the case flange 33 may have stepped shapes.

[0073] For example, the cover flange 23 may be planar, and the case flange 33 may have a third contact portion that abuts against the sealing member 4, as in the cover flange 623 of the second embodiment. The third contact portion may have a shape in which it is inclined such that the distance between the third contact portion and the cover flange 23 decreases as it moves outward in the second direction (in other words, as it approaches the gap 52). Alternatively, the cover flange 23 may be the cover flange 623 having the first B contact portion 624b of the second embodiment, and the case flange 33 may have the shape in which the third contact portion is present.

[0074] For example, as in the third embodiment described above, both the cover flange 23 and the case flange 33 may have a shape without steps. (4g) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configurations of other above embodiments.

[0075] [Technical concepts disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] It is a battery case, The case body and A metal cover member is positioned to cover the case body and define an internal space between itself and the case body, A sealing member is disposed between the cover member and the peripheral edge of the case body covered by the cover member, and closes the internal space. Equipped with, The cover member is The first contact portion is the part that comes into contact with the sealing member, A second contact portion is located on the opposite side of the internal space from the first contact portion and is a portion that contacts the peripheral edge end of the case body, A gap-forming portion is located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and forms a gap between itself and the case body, A battery case.

[0076] [Item 2] The battery case described in item 1, The case body has a third contact portion which is the portion that contacts the sealing member, At least one of the first contact portion and the third contact portion has a portion where the distance between them decreases as it approaches the gap. Battery case.

[0077] [Item 3] A battery case as described in item 1 or item 2, The sealing member is an adhesive that is fluid when applied and solidifies after application. Battery case.

[0078] [Item 4] A battery case described in any one of items 1 through 3, The portion of the second contact portion that contacts the case body is linear. The cover member has a plate-shaped portion, The plate-like portion includes the second contact portion, extends from the portion between the first contact portion and the second contact portion to at least the second contact portion, and is deflected in the thickness direction by contacting the case body at the second contact portion. Battery case.

[0079] [Item 5] A battery case described in any one of items 1 through 4, The case body is made of metal. Battery case. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1...Battery case, 2...Cover member, 3...Case body, 4, 804a, 804b...Sealing members, 23, 623, 723, 923...Cover flange, 24a, 24b, 624b, 924...First contact part, 25a, 25b...Gap forming part, 26, 726, 926...Second contact part, 33, 933...Case flange, 51...Internal space, 52...Gap.

Claims

1. It is a battery case, The case body and A metal cover member is positioned to cover the case body and define an internal space between itself and the case body, A sealing member is disposed between the cover member and the peripheral edge of the case body covered by the cover member, and closes the internal space. Equipped with, The cover member is The first contact portion is the part that comes into contact with the sealing member, A second contact portion is located on the opposite side of the internal space from the first contact portion and is a portion that contacts the peripheral edge end of the case body, A gap-forming portion is located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and forms a gap between it and the case body, It has, The case body has a third contact portion which is the portion that contacts the sealing member, At least one of the first contact portion and the third contact portion has a portion where the distance between them decreases as it approaches the gap. Battery case.

2. It is a battery case, The case body and A metal cover member is positioned to cover the case body and define an internal space between itself and the case body, A sealing member is disposed between the cover member and the peripheral edge of the case body covered by the cover member, and closes the internal space. Equipped with, The cover member is The first contact portion is the part that comes into contact with the sealing member, A second contact portion is located on the opposite side of the internal space from the first contact portion and is a portion that contacts the peripheral edge end of the case body, A gap-forming portion is located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and forms a gap between it and the case body, The plate-like part, It has, The portion of the second contact portion that contacts the case body is linear. The plate-like portion includes the second contact portion, extends from the portion between the first contact portion and the second contact portion to at least the second contact portion, and is deflected in the thickness direction by contacting the case body at the second contact portion. Battery case.

3. A battery case according to claim 1 or claim 2, The sealing member is an adhesive that is fluid when applied and solidifies after application. Battery case.

4. A battery case according to claim 1 or claim 2, The case body is made of metal. Battery case.

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