Battery module

Abstract

A battery module (1A) comprises battery cells (100), positive electrode bus bars (230) electrically connected to the battery cells (100), and a housing body (30A) that houses the battery cells (100) and the positive electrode bus bars (230). At least a part of the housing body (30A) has an exposed structure in which at least some of connection portions of the battery cells (100) and the positive electrode bus bars (230) are exposed toward a predetermined direction.

Description

Battery module

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module.

[0002] In recent years, various battery modules including battery cells such as lithium-ion secondary battery cells have been developed. For example, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a battery module includes a housing that houses a stack of multiple battery cells. The housing has a front plate, a rear plate, a right plate, a left plate, a lower plate, and an upper plate that respectively cover the housing of the multiple battery cells from the front, rear, right, left, lower, and upper sides.

[0003] Patent Publication No. 2018-518032 Chinese Utility Model No. 207818677

[0004] A battery module may include bus bars for electrically connecting battery cells to external devices such as other battery modules. In such a battery module, the battery cells and the bus bars may be joined by a joining method such as laser welding while they are housed in a housing. However, when such a joining method is used, a working space for joining the battery cells and the bus bars must be provided in the housing. This may result in a relatively large volume of the housing. As a result, it may be difficult to improve the volumetric efficiency of the battery module.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to improve the volumetric efficiency of a battery module. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification.

[0006] An aspect of the present invention is as follows. [1] A battery module comprising: a battery cell; a bus bar electrically connected to the battery cell; and a housing that houses the battery cell and the bus bar, wherein at least a portion of the housing has an exposure structure that exposes at least a portion of a connection between the battery cell and the bus bar in a predetermined direction. [2] The battery module according to [1], further comprising an insulating material that covers at least a portion of the connection portion. [3] The battery module according to [2], wherein at least a portion of the insulating material is located between at least a portion of the connection portion and at least a portion of the housing. [4] The battery module according to [2] or [3], wherein the insulating material is provided on the housing. [5] The battery module according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising a connector that connects at least a portion of the housing and at least another portion of the housing.

[0007] According to the above aspect of the present invention, the volumetric efficiency of the battery module can be improved.

[0008] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of the battery module according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of the battery module according to Embodiment 2.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module 1A according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of the battery module 1A according to embodiment 1.

[0011] For the purpose of explanation, arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are shown in each figure. The X direction is the front-to-rear direction of the battery module 1A. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the tip of an arrow indicating the X direction will be referred to as the rear side of the battery module 1A. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the base end of an arrow indicating the X direction will be referred to as the front side of the battery module 1A. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The Y direction is the left-to-right direction of the battery module 1A. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the tip of an arrow indicating the Y direction will be referred to as the left side of the battery module 1A. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the base end of an arrow indicating the Y direction will be referred to as the right side of the battery module 1A. The Z direction is perpendicular to both the X and Y directions. The Z direction is the up-down direction of the battery module 1A. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the tip of an arrow indicating the Z direction will be referred to as the upper side of the battery module 1A. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the base end of an arrow indicating the Z direction will be referred to as the lower side of the battery module 1A. Hereinafter, as needed, the direction perpendicular to the X direction will be referred to as the YZ plane direction. Hereinafter, as needed, the direction perpendicular to the Y direction will be referred to as the ZX plane direction. Hereinafter, as needed, the direction perpendicular to the Z direction will be referred to as the XY plane direction. Note that the relationship between each of the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction and each of the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the battery module 1A is not limited to the example described above.

[0012] The structure of the battery module 1A will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] The battery module 1A includes a cell stack 10, a front voltage detection device 20, a rear voltage detection device 20', and a housing 30A.

[0014] The cell stack 10 has a plurality of battery cells 100 and a plurality of compression pads 110. The plurality of battery cells 100 and the plurality of compression pads 110 are arranged alternately in the Y direction. A compression pad 110 is disposed on both sides of each battery cell 100 in the Y direction. The plurality of battery cells 100 and the plurality of compression pads 110 are compressed in the Y direction by a right plate 330A and a left plate 340A, which will be described later. This makes it possible to suppress displacement of the battery cells 100 in the ZX plane direction.

[0015] The longitudinal direction of each battery cell 100 is approximately parallel to the X direction. The lateral direction of each battery cell 100 is approximately parallel to the Z direction. The thickness direction of each battery cell 100 is approximately parallel to the Y direction. The multiple battery cells 100 are stacked in the Y direction. Note that the shape of each battery cell 100 is not limited to this example.

[0016] Each battery cell 100 includes a battery element (not shown), an exterior material 102, a positive electrode tab 104, and a negative electrode tab 106. The battery element includes a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes (not shown) stacked alternately in the Y direction, and a separator (not shown) positioned between adjacent positive electrodes and negative electrodes in the Y direction. The exterior material 102 seals the battery element and an electrolyte (not shown). The positive electrode tab 104 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery element. The positive electrode tab 104 is pulled out from one of both sides of the exterior material 102 in the X direction. The negative electrode tab 106 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery element. The negative electrode tab 106 is pulled out from the other side of both sides of the exterior material 102 in the X direction. However, the structure of each battery cell 100 is not limited to this example.

[0017] In the first embodiment, a plurality of cell groups 100G are connected in series from a cell group 100G located at one end in the Y direction to a cell group 100G located at the other end in the Y direction. Each cell group 100G includes a plurality of battery cells 100 connected in parallel. In the first embodiment, each cell group 100G includes two battery cells 100 adjacent to each other in the Y direction. Two positive electrode tabs 104 drawn from the two battery cells 100 included in each cell group 100G are oriented to the same side in the X direction. Two negative electrode tabs 106 drawn from the two battery cells 100 included in each cell group 100G are oriented to the same side in the X direction. The positive electrode tab 104 and the negative electrode tab 106 drawn from one of the cell groups 100G adjacent to each other in the Y direction are oriented opposite each other in the X direction. Two cell groups 100G adjacent to each other in the Y direction include tab groups 108 located in front of or behind the two cell groups 100G. The tab groups 108 include positive electrode tabs 104 and negative electrode tabs 106 joined to each other. The positive electrode tabs 104 and negative electrode tabs 106 included in the tab groups 108 are joined to each other by, for example, laser welding. As a result, the multiple tab groups 108 located in front of the cell stack 10 and the multiple tab groups 108 located in the rear of the cell stack 10 are arranged alternately in the Y direction.

[0018] In the first embodiment, a positive electrode tab 104 extends forward from the battery cell 100 located at the right end of the cell stack 10. Hereinafter, as needed, this positive electrode tab 104 will be referred to as a terminal positive electrode tab 104T. Also, a negative electrode tab 106 extends rearward from the battery cell 100 located at the left end of the cell stack 10. Hereinafter, as needed, this negative electrode tab 106 will be referred to as a terminal negative electrode tab 106T.

[0019] The configuration of the cell stack 10 is not limited to the above example. For example, each cell group 100G may include three or more battery cells 100 connected in parallel. Alternatively, a plurality of single battery cells 100 may be connected in series from a battery cell 100 located at one end in the Y direction to a battery cell 100 located at the other end in the Y direction. Furthermore, the positions of the terminal positive electrode tabs 104T and terminal negative electrode tabs 106T are not limited to the above example. The positions of the terminal positive electrode tabs 104T and terminal negative electrode tabs 106T vary depending on the number of cell groups 100G. For example, depending on the number of cell groups 100G, both the terminal positive electrode tabs 104T and terminal negative electrode tabs 106T may be located at the front or rear of the cell stack 10.

[0020] The front voltage detection device 20 includes a front holder 210 , a plurality of front voltage detection sections 220 , a plurality of front voltage detection lines 222 , a front connector 224 , and a positive bus bar 230 .

[0021] The front holder 210 is disposed in front of the cell stack 10. The front holder 210 has a plurality of front openings 212. Each of the plurality of tab groups 108 located in the front of the cell stack 10 is exposed forward through each of the plurality of front openings 212. The front holder 210 integrally holds a plurality of front voltage detection units 220 and a plurality of front voltage detection wires 222.

[0022] The multiple front voltage detection units 220 are attached to the front support 210. Each of the multiple front voltage detection units 220 is joined by, for example, laser welding to the front surface of each of the multiple tab groups 108 located in the front of the cell stack 10. The multiple front voltage detection units 220 are electrically connected to the front connector 224 via multiple front voltage detection wires 222. The multiple front voltage detection wires 222 are routed through the front support 210. In the first embodiment, by installing the front support 210 in an appropriate position relative to the cell stack 10, each of the multiple front voltage detection units 220 can be disposed in an appropriate position relative to each of the multiple tab groups 108 located in the front of the cell stack 10.

[0023] The positive bus bar 230 is disposed at the right end of the front holding body 210. The positive bus bar 230 is generally L-shaped. Specifically, the positive bus bar 230 includes a front horizontal conductor 232 and a front vertical conductor 234. The front horizontal conductor 232 extends generally parallel to the Y direction. The front vertical conductor 234 extends generally parallel to the Z direction downward from the right end of the front horizontal conductor 232.

[0024] The front horizontal conductor 232 functions as a terminal for electrically connecting to an external device such as another battery module. Specifically, a fastening hole 232a is provided at the left end of the front horizontal conductor 232. A fastener (not shown) can be installed in the fastening hole 232a to fasten a bus bar (not shown) that is electrically connected to an external device (not shown) such as another battery module.

[0025] The front vertical conductor 234 is electrically connected to the terminal positive electrode tab 104T. The terminal positive electrode tab 104T is located to the right of the front vertical conductor 234. In the first embodiment, the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 are joined by laser welding. However, the method for joining the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 is not limited to laser welding.

[0026] The rear voltage detection device 20′ is similar to the front voltage detection device 20 except for the following points: The rear voltage detection device 20′ includes a rear holder 210′, a plurality of rear voltage detection portions 220′, a plurality of rear voltage detection lines 222′, a rear connector 224′, and a negative bus bar 230′.

[0027] The rear retaining body 210′ ​​is disposed at the rear of the cell stack 10. A plurality of rear openings 212′ are provided in the rear retaining body 210′. Each of the plurality of tab groups 108 located at the rear of the cell stack 10 is exposed rearward through each of the plurality of rear openings 212′. The rear retaining body 210′ ​​integrally holds a plurality of rear voltage detection portions 220′ and a plurality of rear voltage detection lines 222′.

[0028] The multiple rear voltage detection units 220' are attached to the rear support 210'. Each of the multiple rear voltage detection units 220' is joined to the rear surface of each of the multiple tab groups 108 located at the rear of the cell stack 10, for example, by laser welding. The multiple rear voltage detection units 220' are electrically connected to the rear connector 224' via multiple rear voltage detection wires 222'. The multiple rear voltage detection wires 222' are routed through the rear support 210'. In the first embodiment, by installing the rear support 210' at an appropriate position relative to the cell stack 10, each of the multiple rear voltage detection units 220' can be disposed at an appropriate position relative to each of the multiple tab groups 108 located at the rear of the cell stack 10.

[0029] The negative bus bar 230' is disposed at the left end of the rear holding body 210'. The negative bus bar 230' is generally L-shaped. The negative bus bar 230' includes a rear vertical conductor 232' and a rear vertical conductor 234'. The rear vertical conductor 232' extends generally parallel to the Y direction. The rear vertical conductor 234' extends generally parallel to the Z direction downward from the left end of the rear vertical conductor 232'.

[0030] The rear vertical conductors 232' function as terminals for electrical connection to external devices such as other battery modules.

[0031] The rear vertical conductor 234' is electrically connected to the terminating negative electrode tab 106T. The terminating negative electrode tab 106T is located to the left of the rear vertical conductor 234'. In embodiment 1, the terminating negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234' are joined by laser welding. However, the method of joining the terminating negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234' is not limited to laser welding.

[0032] The container 30A includes a front plate 310A, a rear plate 320A, a right plate 330A, a left plate 340A, a lower plate 350A, and an upper plate 360A.

[0033] The front plate 310A covers the cell stack 10 and the front voltage detection device 20 from the front direction. The front plate 310A is made of an insulating material such as resin. A front protrusion insulating material 312aA is provided at the right end of the front plate 310A. The front protrusion insulating material 312aA protrudes rearward from the right end of the front plate 310A.

[0034] The rear plate 320A covers the cell stack 10 and the rear voltage detection device 20' from the rear direction. The rear plate 320A is made of an insulating material such as resin. A rear protrusion insulating material 322aA is provided on the left end of the rear plate 320A. The rear protrusion insulating material 322aA protrudes forward from the left end of the rear plate 320A.

[0035] The right plate 330A covers the cell stack 10, the front voltage detection device 20, and the rear voltage detection device 20' from the right side. The right plate 330A is made of a metal such as aluminum. A front notch 332aA is provided on the front edge of the right plate 330A. The front notch 332aA is open toward the front. A pair of front protrusions 332bA is provided on both sides of the front notch 332aA on the front edge of the right plate 330A in the Z direction. The pair of front protrusions 332bA protrude toward the front. The pair of front protrusions 332bA are engageable with the right end of the front plate 310A.

[0036] The left plate 340A covers the cell stack 10, the front voltage detection device 20, and the rear voltage detection device 20' from the left side. The left plate 340A is made of a metal such as aluminum. A rear notch 342aA is provided on the rear edge of the left plate 340A. The rear notch 342aA is open toward the rear. A pair of rear protrusions 342bA is provided on both sides in the Z direction of the rear notch 342aA on the rear edge of the left plate 340A. The pair of rear protrusions 342bA protrude toward the rear. The pair of rear protrusions 342bA are engageable with the left end of the rear plate 320A.

[0037] The lower plate 350A covers the cell stack 10, the front voltage detection device 20, and the rear voltage detection device 20' from below. The lower plate 350A is made of a metal such as aluminum. A thermally conductive adhesive 352 is disposed between the upper surface of the lower plate 350A and the lower end of the cell stack 10. This allows heat generated from the cell stack 10 to escape downward through the thermally conductive adhesive 352 toward the bottom of the battery module 1A.

[0038] The upper plate 360A covers the cell stack 10, the front voltage detection device 20, and the rear voltage detection device 20' from above. The upper plate 360A is made of a metal such as aluminum.

[0039] Next, an example of a method for assembling the battery module 1A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In this example, the battery module 1A is assembled as follows.

[0040] First, the cell stack 10 is manufactured. The cell stack 10 has a plurality of battery cells 100 and a plurality of compression pads 110.

[0041] Next, the cell stack 10 is pressed in the Y direction by the right plate 330A and the left plate 340A to hold the cell stack 10 in place.

[0042] Next, the front voltage detection device 20 is placed in front of the cell stack 10. As a result, each of the multiple front voltage detection units 220 is placed in front of each of the multiple tab groups 108 located in the front of the cell stack 10. In addition, the terminal positive electrode tab 104T is placed to the right of the front vertical conductor 234.

[0043] Next, each of the multiple tab groups 108 located at the front of the cell stack 10 is joined to each of the multiple front voltage detection units 220 by laser welding. Also, the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 are joined by laser welding. This forms a connection between the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234. Note that the method of joining each tab group 108 and each front voltage detection unit 220 is not limited to laser welding. Also, the method of joining the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 is not limited to laser welding.

[0044] In the first embodiment, when the front voltage detection device 20 is disposed in front of the cell stack 10 and the right plate 330A is disposed to the right of the cell stack 10 and the front voltage detection device 20, the connection portion between the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 is exposed to the right through the front notch 332aA of the right plate 330A. That is, the front notch 332aA has an exposed structure that exposes at least a portion of the connection portion to the right. This allows a laser to be irradiated onto the connection portion from the right through the front notch 332aA of the right plate 330A. Therefore, in the first embodiment, compared to when the connection portion is covered by the right plate 330A, it is easier to ensure a working space for joining the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 even when the cell stack 10 and the right plate 330A are brought closer to each other in the Y direction. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the volume of the housing 30A can be reduced compared to the above-described case. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the volumetric efficiency of the battery module 1A can be improved compared to the above-described case.

[0045] The exposure structure that exposes at least a portion of the connection portion between the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 toward the right is not limited to the front notch 332aA. For example, instead of the front notch 332aA, a hole that exposes the connection portion may be provided in the front end portion of the right plate 330A. Alternatively, the entire front end portion of the right plate 330A may be located rearward of the connection portion.

[0046] Next, the rear voltage detection device 20' is placed behind the cell stack 10. As a result, each of the rear voltage detection units 220' is placed behind each of the tab groups 108 located behind the cell stack 10. In addition, the terminal negative electrode tab 106T is placed to the left of the rear vertical conductor 234'.

[0047] Next, each of the multiple tab groups 108 located at the rear of the cell stack 10 is joined to each of the multiple rear voltage detection units 220' by laser welding. Also, the terminating negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234' are joined by laser welding. This forms a connection between the terminating negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234'. Note that the joining method of each tab group 108 and each rear voltage detection unit 220' is not limited to laser welding. Also, the joining method of the terminating negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234' is not limited to laser welding.

[0048] In the first embodiment, when the rear voltage detection device 20′ is disposed behind the cell stack 10 and the left plate 340A is disposed to the left of the cell stack 10 and the rear voltage detection device 20′, the connection portion between the terminal negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234′ is exposed to the left through the rear notch 342aA of the left plate 340A. That is, the rear notch 342aA has an exposed structure that exposes at least a portion of the connection portion to the left. This allows a laser to be irradiated onto the connection portion from the left through the rear notch 342aA of the left plate 340A. Therefore, in the first embodiment, compared to when the connection portion is covered by the left plate 340A, it is easier to ensure a working space for joining the terminal negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234′ even when the cell stack 10 and the left plate 340A are brought closer to each other in the Y direction. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the volume of the housing 30A can be reduced compared to the above-described case. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the volumetric efficiency of the battery module 1A can be improved compared to the above-described case.

[0049] The exposure structure that exposes at least a portion of the connection portion between the terminal negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234' toward the left is not limited to the rear notch 342aA.

[0050] Next, the front plate 310A is placed in front of the cell stack 10 and the front voltage detection device 20. At this stage, the right end of the front plate 310A and the pair of front protrusions 332bA on the front end of the right plate 330A may be engaged with each other. In the first embodiment, when the front plate 310A is placed in front of the cell stack 10 and the front voltage detection device 20 and the right plate 330A is placed to the right of the cell stack 10 and the front voltage detection device 20, the front protrusion insulator 312aA covers at least a portion of the connection between the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 from the right side. In this state, at least a portion of the front protrusion insulator 312aA is located between the connection between the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 and the periphery of the front notch 332aA of the right plate 330A. Therefore, the front protrusion insulator 312aA can prevent contact and short circuit between the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the right plate 330A. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, in the above-described state, at least a portion of the front protrusion insulator 312aA is located to the left of the front notch 332aA. Therefore, when viewed from the right, the front notch 332aA can be blocked by the front protrusion insulator 312aA. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the front protrusion insulator 312aA is provided on the front plate 310A. Therefore, by positioning the front plate 310A in an appropriate position, the front protrusion insulator 312aA can be positioned in an appropriate position. However, the front protrusion insulator 312aA may be separate from the front plate 310A.

[0051] Next, the rear plate 320A is placed behind the cell stack 10 and the rear voltage detection device 20′. At this stage, the left end of the rear plate 320A and the pair of rear protrusions 342bA at the rear end of the left plate 340A may be engaged with each other. In embodiment 1, when the rear plate 320A is placed behind the cell stack 10 and the rear voltage detection device 20′ and the left plate 340A is placed to the left of the cell stack 10 and the rear voltage detection device 20′, the rear protrusion insulator 322aA covers at least a portion of the connection between the terminating negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234′ from the left side. In this state, at least a portion of the rear protrusion insulator 322aA is located between the connection between the terminating negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234′ and the periphery of the rear notch 342aA of the left plate 340A. Therefore, the rear-projection insulator 322aA can prevent contact and short circuit between the terminal negative electrode tab 106T and the left plate 340A. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, in the above-described state, at least a portion of the rear-projection insulator 322aA is located to the right of the rear notch 342aA. Therefore, when viewed from the left, the rear notch 342aA can be blocked by the rear-projection insulator 322aA. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the rear-projection insulator 322aA is provided on the rear plate 320A. Therefore, by positioning the rear plate 320A in an appropriate position, the rear-projection insulator 322aA can be positioned in an appropriate position. However, the rear-projection insulator 322aA may be separate from the rear plate 320A.

[0052] Next, the lower plate 350A and the upper plate 360A are respectively placed below and above the cell stack 10. The lower plate 350A and the upper plate 360A are then bonded to the front plate 310A, the rear plate 320A, the right plate 330A, and the left plate 340A.

[0053] In this manner, the battery module 1A according to the first embodiment is manufactured.

[0054] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module 1B according to embodiment 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of the battery module 1B according to embodiment 2. The battery module 1B according to embodiment 2 is similar to the battery module 1A according to embodiment 1 except for the following points.

[0055] The housing 30B of the battery module 1B according to the second embodiment has a front plate 310B, a rear plate 320B, a right plate 330B, a left plate 340B, a lower plate 350B, and an upper plate 360B.

[0056] The front plate 310B includes a front insulating plate 312B and a front metal plate 314B. The front insulating plate 312B and the front metal plate 314B overlap in the X direction. A front protruding insulating material 312aB is provided on the right end of the front insulating plate 312B. The front metal plate 314B is disposed in front of the front insulating plate 312B. When the front plate 310B includes both the front insulating plate 312B and the front metal plate 314B, the strength of the front plate 310B can be improved compared to when the front plate 310B does not include the front metal plate 314B.

[0057] The rear plate 320B includes a rear insulating plate 322B and a rear metal plate 324B. The rear insulating plate 322B and the rear metal plate 324B overlap in the X direction. A rear protruding insulating material 322aB is provided on the left end of the rear insulating plate 322B. The rear metal plate 324B is disposed rearward of the rear insulating plate 322B. When the rear plate 320B includes both the rear insulating plate 322B and the rear metal plate 324B, the strength of the rear plate 320B can be improved compared to when the rear plate 320B does not include the rear metal plate 324B.

[0058] A front notch 332aB and a pair of front protrusions 332bB are provided on the front edge of the right plate 330B. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, at least a portion of the connection portion between the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 can be exposed to the right through the front notch 332aB. Also, as in the first embodiment, the front protrusion insulator 312aB can cover at least a portion of the connection portion between the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 from the right. Also, at least a portion of the front protrusion insulator 312aB can be positioned between the connection portion between the terminal positive electrode tab 104T and the front vertical conductor 234 and the periphery of the front notch 332aB of the right plate 330B.

[0059] A rear notch 342aB and a pair of rear protrusions 342bB are provided on the rear edge of the left plate 340B. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, at least a portion of the connection portion between the terminal negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234' can be exposed to the left through the rear notch 342aB. Also, as in the first embodiment, the rear protrusion insulator 322aB can cover at least a portion of the connection portion between the terminal negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234' from the left. Also, at least a portion of the rear protrusion insulator 322aB can be positioned between the connection portion between the terminal negative electrode tab 106T and the rear vertical conductor 234' and the periphery of the rear notch 342aB of the left plate 340B.

[0060] The container 30B according to the second embodiment further includes a front bracket 372B and a rear bracket 374B.

[0061] The front bracket 372B is disposed at the corner between the right end of the front plate 310B and the front end of the right plate 330B of the rack 30B. When viewed from the Z direction, the front bracket 372B is generally L-shaped. Specifically, when viewed from the Z direction, the front bracket 372B includes a portion extending generally parallel to the Y direction and a portion extending generally parallel to the X direction. The portion of the front bracket 372B extending generally parallel to the Y direction is joined to the right end of the front metal plate 314B by welding, for example. The portion of the front bracket 372B extending generally parallel to the X direction is joined to the front end of the right plate 330B by welding, for example. This allows the front bracket 372B to function as a connector connecting the front plate 310B and the right plate 330B to each other. The front bracket 372B can improve the strength of the rack 30B. Furthermore, the front bracket 372B can cover the front notch 332aB. Furthermore, the front bracket 372B can suppress resonance of the housing body 30B.

[0062] The rear bracket 374B is disposed at the corner between the left end of the rear plate 320B and the rear end of the left plate 340B of the rack 30B. When viewed from the Z direction, the rear bracket 374B is generally L-shaped. Specifically, when viewed from the Z direction, the rear bracket 374B includes a portion extending generally parallel to the Y direction and a portion extending generally parallel to the X direction. The portion of the rear bracket 374B extending generally parallel to the Y direction is joined to the left end of the rear metal plate 324B by welding, for example. The portion of the rear bracket 374B extending generally parallel to the X direction is joined to the rear end of the left plate 340B by welding, for example. This allows the rear bracket 374B to function as a connector connecting the rear plate 320B and the left plate 340B to each other. The rear bracket 374B can improve the strength of the rack 30B. Furthermore, the rear bracket 374B can cover the rear notch 342aB. Furthermore, the rear bracket 374B can suppress resonance of the housing body 30B.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0064] 1A, 1B Battery module 10 Cell stack 20 Front voltage detection device 30A, 30B Housing 100 Battery cell 100G Cell group 102 Exterior material 104 Positive electrode tab 104T Terminal positive electrode tab 106 Negative electrode tab 106T Terminal negative electrode tab 108 Tab group 110 Compression pad 210 Front support 210' Rear support 212 Front opening 212' Rear opening 220 Front voltage detection portion 220' Rear voltage detection portion 222 Front voltage detection line 222' Rear voltage detection line 224 Front connector 224' Rear connector 230 Positive electrode bus bar 230' Negative electrode bus bar 232 Front horizontal conductor 232' Rear vertical conductor 232a Fastening hole 234 Front vertical conductor 234' Rear vertical conductor 310A, 310B Front plate 312B Front insulating plate 312aA, 312aB Front protruding insulating material 314B Front metal plate 320A, 320B Rear plate 322B Rear insulating plate 322aA, 322aB Rear protruding insulating material 324B Rear metal plate 330A, 330B Right plate 332aA, 332aB Front notch 332bA, 332bB Front protrusion 340A, 340B Left plate 342aA, 342aB Rear notch 342bA, 342bB Rear protrusion 350A, 350B Lower plate 352 Thermally conductive adhesive 360A, 360B Upper plate 372B Front bracket 374B Rear bracket

Claims

1. A battery cell; A bus bar electrically connected to the battery cell; a housing that houses the battery cells and the bus bars; Equipped with The container has a plate that covers a portion of the battery cell, a battery module, wherein at least a portion of the plate has an exposure structure in which at least a portion of the connection portion between the battery cell and the bus bar is exposed in a direction from the side where the battery cell is located toward the side where the plate is located.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising an insulating material covering said at least a portion of said connection portion.

3. The battery module of claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the insulating material is located between the at least a portion of the connection and the at least a portion of the plate.

4. The battery module according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the insulating material is provided on the container.

5. The housing further includes another plate covering another portion of the battery cell; 4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the container further includes a connector that connects the plate and the other plate to each other.