Battery device

Abstract

A battery device (10) comprises a battery module (11) and a terminal block (30). The battery module (11) has a structure in which a plurality of laminate cells (20) are laminated, and a positive electrode terminal (22) provided on one of adjacent laminate cells (20) and a negative electrode terminal (23) provided on the other of the adjacent laminate cells (20) are connected. The terminal block (30) has terminal parts (32B, 32C) used for connecting the positive electrode terminal (22) and the negative electrode terminal (23), and is provided so as to extend along a front end part of a body part (21) of the laminate cell (20). The positive electrode terminal (22) provided on the one of the adjacent laminate cells (20) and the negative electrode terminal (23) provided on the other of the adjacent laminate cells (20) are joined to the terminal parts (32B, 32C) in a state of being overlapped and in a state in which the overlapping section is in contact with the front surface of the corresponding terminal part (32B, 32C).

Description

Battery device

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

[0002] Laminated cells using a laminate film as an exterior material have been put to practical use (see Patent Document 1). Also, a battery device has been put to practical use that includes a battery module in which a plurality of laminated cells are stacked and electrode terminals on one of two adjacent laminated cells are connected to electrode terminals on the other.

[0003] JP 2011-171245 A

[0004] The electrode terminals of laminated cells are formed into thin plates using low-rigidity metal materials such as copper and aluminum. Because these electrode terminals are easily deformed, it is difficult to maintain the electrode terminals in a predetermined shape suitable for connection when connecting them. This can complicate the process of positioning the electrode terminals, making the process of connecting the electrode terminals complicated. Therefore, the manufacturing efficiency of battery devices consisting of multiple laminated cells is likely to be low.

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery device is provided that includes a battery module in which a plurality of laminate cells are stacked, and an electrode terminal provided on one of the adjacent laminate cells is connected to an electrode terminal provided on the other. The battery device includes a terminal portion used to connect the electrode terminals and a terminal block extending along a specific outer edge portion of the laminate cell where the electrode terminals are provided. The electrode terminal provided on one side and the electrode terminal provided on the other side are joined to each other in an overlapping state, with the overlapping portion abutting against the outer surface of the terminal portion on the side farther from the specific outer edge portion.

[0006] Fig. 1 is an end view showing a terminal portion and its periphery in a battery device of one embodiment; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the battery device; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery device; Fig. 4 is a side view of a laminated cell; Fig. 5 is a front view of a terminal block; (a) to (e) are partial end views showing the connection structure of electrode terminals; Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the battery device; Fig. 7 is a bottom view of a cover portion of a case; Fig. 8 is a plan view of a base portion of a case.

[0007] An embodiment of the battery device will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In the drawings, the X-axis of the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes represents the longitudinal direction X of the battery device 10, the Y-axis represents the width direction Y of the battery device 10, and the Z-axis represents the height direction Z of the battery device 10. In the following description, for convenience, one side in the longitudinal direction X will be referred to as the "front" and the other side as the "rear," one side in the width direction Y will be referred to as the "right" and the other side as the "left," and one side in the height direction Z will be referred to as the "upper" and the other side as the "lower."

[0008] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the battery device 10 includes a battery module 11, a control unit 12, and a case 13. <Battery Module 11> The battery module 11 includes multiple (seven in this embodiment) laminate cells 20. As shown in FIG. 4 , the laminate cell 20 includes a main body 21, a positive terminal 22, and a negative terminal 23. The main body 21 has a rectangular plate shape and includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode encapsulated in a laminate film. The positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 are provided at the front end of the main body 21, spaced apart in the height direction Z. The positive terminal 22 is formed in a thin plate shape from a metal material (e.g., copper). The negative terminal 23 is formed in a thin plate shape from a metal material (e.g., aluminum). The tip portions of the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 each include four insertion holes 24 spaced apart in the height direction Z.

[0009] 3 , the plurality of laminate cells 20 are stacked in the width direction Y. In the battery module 11 of this embodiment, the plurality of laminate cells 20 are connected in series. Specifically, the battery module 11 has a structure in which a positive electrode terminal 22 provided on one of two laminate cells 20 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction is connected to a negative electrode terminal 23 provided on the other laminate cell 20.

[0010] <Terminal Block 30> The battery module 11 has a terminal block 30. The terminal block 30 extends along the front end portion of the main body 21 of the laminate cell 20. In this embodiment, the front end portion of the main body 21 corresponds to the specific outer edge portion where the electrode terminals at the outer edge portion of the laminate cell 20, i.e., the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23, are provided. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the terminal block 30 has, from the top to the bottom, a first protrusion 31, a first terminal block portion 32, an intermediate base 33, a second terminal block portion 34, and a second protrusion 35.

[0011] <First protrusion 31> The first protrusion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the terminal block 30. When viewed from the longitudinal direction X, the first protrusion 31 protrudes upward to form a stepped shape, a so-called convex shape, in which the central portion in the width direction Y protrudes upward like the Japanese character "convex".

[0012] <First terminal block portion 32> The first terminal block portion 32 constitutes a portion of the terminal block 30 that faces the upper one of the two electrode terminals of each laminate cell 20, i.e., the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23.

[0013] 5, the first terminal block 32 has four terminals 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D. The terminals 32A to 32D extend in the height direction Z. The terminals 32A to 32D extend parallel to each other at intervals in the width direction Y.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the front portion of each of the terminal portions 32A to 32D is formed by a first terminal plate 301. The first terminal plate 301 is formed by a rectangular metal plate. The first terminal plate 301 has four female screw portions 3011 spaced apart in the height direction Z. In this embodiment, the portions of the terminal block 30 other than the first terminal plate 301 are integrally molded from a hard synthetic resin material. The first terminal plate 301, which is formed by a metal plate, is formed integrally with the portion of the first terminal block portion 32 that is made of a hard synthetic resin material.

[0015] 5, the first terminal block 32 has a plurality of slits 303 (seven in this embodiment) extending in the height direction Z between the terminals 32A to 32D. Specifically, a pair of slits 303 is provided for each of the three terminals 32B, 32C, and 32D, extending parallel to each other and sandwiching the terminals 32B, 32C, and 32D. Furthermore, one slit 303 extending along the terminal 32A is provided for the terminal 32A.

[0016] In this embodiment, the three terminal portions 32B to 32D are used to connect the electrode terminals of two adjacent laminate cells 20, more specifically, to connect the positive electrode terminal 22 provided on one of the two adjacent laminate cells 20 to the negative electrode terminal 23 provided on the other.

[0017] <Electrode Terminal Fixing Structure> A connection structure for connecting the electrode terminals of the laminate cell 20 together using the terminal portions 32B to 32D will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0018] 6 shows the connection structure of the electrode terminal in terminal portion 32B. In this embodiment, the connection structures of the electrode terminals in terminal portions 32B to 32D are the same, so only the connection structure of the electrode terminal in terminal portion 32B will be described here, and the connection structures of the electrode terminals in terminal portions 32C and 32D will not be described.

[0019] 6( a) and 6(b), when connecting electrode terminals, the positive electrode terminal 22 provided on one of two adjacent laminate cells 20 is inserted into one (the one on the right in the figures) of a pair of slits 303 arranged to sandwich the terminal portion 32B therebetween. The negative electrode terminal 23 provided on the other of the two adjacent laminate cells 20 is inserted into the other (the one on the left in the figures) of the pair of slits 303 arranged to sandwich the terminal portion 32B therebetween. The positive electrode terminal 22 and the negative electrode terminal 23 are inserted until the front end of the main body 21 of each laminate cell 20 abuts against the rear end of the terminal block 30 (the state shown in FIG. 6(b)).

[0020] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6( c), the positive electrode terminal 22 inserted into one of the pair of slits 303, specifically the right slit 303, is bent to fit the inner surface of the slit 303 and the front surface of the terminal portion 32B.

[0021] 6( d ), the negative electrode terminal 23 inserted through the other of the pair of slits 303, specifically the left slit 303, is bent along the inner surface of the slit 303 and the front surface of the terminal portion 32B. At this time, the negative electrode terminal 23 is placed on top of the positive electrode terminal 22.

[0022] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6( e), the tip portion of the positive electrode terminal 22 and the tip portion of the negative electrode terminal 23 are fixed to the front surface of the terminal portion 32B by screw fastening. The second terminal plate 302 is used for this fixation. As shown in FIG. 3, the second terminal plate 302 is formed of a rectangular metal plate and has four insertion holes 3021 spaced apart in the height direction Z. When connecting the electrode terminals to each other, the male screw member 16 is inserted through the insertion holes 3021 of the second terminal plate 302, the insertion holes 24 of the positive electrode terminal 22, and the insertion holes 24 of the negative electrode terminal 23, and is then screwed into the female screw portion 3011 of the terminal portion 32B (more specifically, the first terminal plate 301). As a result, as shown in Figures 1 and 6 (e), the tip portion of the positive terminal 22 and the tip portion of the negative terminal 23 are fixed to the terminal portion 32B in a state where they are sandwiched between the first terminal plate 301 and the second terminal plate 302 that form the front portion of the terminal portion 32B.

[0023] In this embodiment, the tip portion of the positive electrode terminal 22 and the tip portion of the negative electrode terminal 23 are overlapped with each other. Furthermore, the overlapping portion of the tip portion of the positive electrode terminal 22 and the tip portion of the negative electrode terminal 23 is in contact with the outer surface of the terminal portion 32B on the side farther from the specific outer edge portion of the laminate cell 20, i.e., the front surface of the terminal portion 32B. In this state, the tip portion of the positive electrode terminal 22 and the tip portion of the negative electrode terminal 23 are fixed to the terminal portion 32B by screw fastening.

[0024] In this embodiment, the positive terminal 22 of the laminate cell 20 located at one end in the stacking direction, specifically the left end, is fixed to the terminal 32A. To achieve this, the positive terminal 22 of the laminate cell 20 is first inserted into a slit 303 extending along the terminal 32A. The positive terminal 22 inserted into the slit 303 is then bent to fit the inner surface of the slit 303 and the front surface of the terminal 32A. The tip of the positive terminal 22 is then fixed to the front surface of the terminal 32A by screw fastening. Specifically, the male screw member 16 is inserted through the insertion hole 3021 of the second terminal plate 302 and the insertion hole 24 of the positive terminal 22, and then threaded into the female screw portion 3011 of the terminal 32A.

[0025] The second terminal plate 302 used to secure the positive electrode terminal 22 to the terminal portion 32A extends to a fixing portion 33A of the intermediate base 33 (see FIG. 5). This fixing portion 33A will be described later.

[0026] <Intermediate Base 33 > As shown in FIG. 3 , the intermediate base 33 of the terminal block 30 faces a portion sandwiched between the positive electrode terminal 22 and the negative electrode terminal 23 at the front end portion of the main body 21 of the laminate cell 20 .

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5 , the intermediate base 33 has three fixing portions 33A, 33B, and 33C. The three fixing portions 33A, 33B, and 33C are spaced apart in the width direction Y. Each fixing portion 33A, 33B, and 33C has a rectangular cross section and protrudes forward. Each fixing portion 33A, 33B, and 33C has a female thread portion 331. The fixing portions 33A, 33B, and 33C are used to secure the second terminal board 302 for the terminal portion 32A, the relay board 122 (described later), the second terminal board 302 for the terminal portion 34H, the positive wire 14, and the negative wire 15.

[0028] <Second terminal block portion 34> As shown in Figure 3, the second terminal block portion 34 of the terminal block 30 forms a portion that faces the other of the two electrode terminals of each laminate cell 20 (more specifically, the electrode terminal arranged on the lower side).

[0029] 5, the second terminal block 34 has four terminal portions 34E, 34F, 34G, and 34H. Each of the terminal portions 34E to 34H extends in the height direction Z. Each of the terminal portions 34E to 34H extends parallel to each other at intervals in the width direction Y. The front portion of each of the terminal portions 34E to 34H is formed by the first terminal plate 301. In this embodiment, the first terminal plate 301, which is formed by a metal plate, is formed integrally with the portion of each of the terminal portions 34E to 34H that is formed by a hard synthetic resin material.

[0030] The second terminal block 34 has a plurality of slits 303 (seven in this embodiment) extending in the longitudinal direction X between the terminals 34E to 34H. More specifically, a pair of slits 303 is provided for each of the three terminals 34E, 34F, and 34G, extending parallel to each other and sandwiching the terminals 34E, 34F, and 34G. Furthermore, one slit 303 is provided for the terminal 34H, extending along the terminal 34H.

[0031] In this embodiment, the three terminal portions 34E to 34G are used to connect the electrode terminals of two adjacent laminate cells 20, more specifically, to connect the positive electrode terminal 22 provided on one of the two adjacent laminate cells 20 to the negative electrode terminal 23 provided on the other.

[0032] <Electrode Terminal Fixing Structure> The electrode terminal connection structure of terminal portions 34E to 34G is the same as the electrode terminal connection structure of terminal portions 32B to 32D (see FIG. 1 ). More specifically, the tip portion of positive electrode terminal 22 and the tip portion of negative electrode terminal 23 are fixed to terminal portions 34E to 34G in a state where they are sandwiched between first terminal plate 301 and second terminal plate 302 that form the front portions of terminal portions 34E to 34G.

[0033] In this embodiment, the tip portion of the positive electrode terminal 22 and the tip portion of the negative electrode terminal 23 are overlapped with each other. Furthermore, the overlapping portion of the tip portion of the positive electrode terminal 22 and the tip portion of the negative electrode terminal 23 is in contact with the outer surface of the terminal portions 34E to 34G on the side farther from the specific outer edge portion of the laminate cell 20, i.e., the front surface of the terminal portions 34E to 34G. In this state, the tip portion of the positive electrode terminal 22 and the tip portion of the negative electrode terminal 23 are fixed to the terminal portions 34E to 34G (more specifically, the first terminal plate 301) by screw fastening.

[0034] The structure for fixing the electrode terminal in the terminal portion 34H is similar to the structure for fixing the electrode terminal in the terminal portion 32A described above (see FIG. 1 ). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 , in this embodiment, the negative electrode terminal 23 of the laminate cell 20 located at the other end (right end) in the stacking direction is fixed to the terminal portion 34H. To fix the electrode terminal, the negative electrode terminal 23 of the laminate cell 20 is first inserted into a slit 303 extending along the terminal portion 34H. The negative electrode terminal 23 inserted in the slit 303 is then bent to fit the inner surface of the slit 303 and the outer surface of the terminal portion 34H. The tip of the negative electrode terminal 23 is then fixed to the front surface of the terminal portion 34H by screw fastening. More specifically, the male screw member 16 is threaded into the female screw portion 3011 of the terminal portion 34H (more specifically, the first terminal plate 301) while being inserted through the insertion hole 3021 of the second terminal plate 302 and the insertion hole 24 of the negative terminal 23. In this embodiment, the second terminal plate 302 used to fix the negative terminal 23 to the terminal portion 34H extends to the fixing portion 33C of the intermediate base 33.

[0035] <Second protrusions 35> The second protrusions 35 form the lower end portion of the terminal block 30. The second protrusions 35 protrude downward to form a rectangular cylindrical shape. One second protrusion 35 is provided on each end of the lower portion of the terminal block 30 in the width direction Y.

[0036] 3 and 7 , the battery module 11 has a holder 40. The holder 40 is for holding the rear portions of the plurality of laminate cells 20. The holder 40 has a holder main body 41 and a third protrusion 43.

[0037] The holder main body 41 has a rectangular cylindrical shape and is made up of an upper wall 44, a pair of side walls 45, and a lower wall 46. The upper wall 44 extends forward beyond the pair of side walls 45 and the lower wall 46. In this embodiment, the holder 40 is assembled inside the case 13 so that the rear portions of the multiple laminate cells 20 are inserted inside the holder main body 41.

[0038] The third protrusion 43 is provided at the rear end of the upper wall 44. The third protrusion 43 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper wall 44 so as to form a convex shape when viewed from the longitudinal direction X. <Control Unit 12> The control unit 12 has a battery management system (hereinafter referred to as BMS 121) and a relay board 122.

[0039] The BMS 121 is a device for monitoring and managing the state of the battery module 11. The BMS 121 is connected to each part of the battery device 10, such as the relay board 122 and the terminal parts 32A to 32D, 34E to 34H of the terminal block 30. The BMS 121 is fixed to the upper surface of the upper wall 44 of the holder 40.

[0040] The relay board 122 is a switching device for switching between a state in which power can be supplied from the battery device 10 to an external device and a state in which power supply is disabled. The relay board 122 is fixed to the fixing portions 33A to 33C of the terminal block 30.

[0041] In this embodiment, the other end of the second terminal board 302, one end of which is fixed to the terminal portion 32A, and the relay board 122 are overlapped and fixed to the fixing portion 33A of the terminal block 30 by screw fastening. Also, the relay board 122 and one end of the positive side electric wire 14 are overlapped and fixed to the fixing portion 33B of the terminal block 30 by screw fastening. The other end of the second terminal board 302, one end of which is fixed to the terminal portion 34H, the relay board 122, and one end of the negative side electric wire 15 are overlapped and fixed to the fixing portion 33C of the terminal block 30 by screw fastening.

[0042] 2, in this embodiment, the positive electric wire 14 and the negative electric wire 15 extend from the fixing portions 33B, 33C of the terminal block 30 to the outside of the case 13. The positive electric wire 14 and the negative electric wire 15 are used to connect the battery device 10 to an external device.

[0043] 2 and 7, the case 13 constitutes an exterior member of the battery device 10. The case 13 has a rectangular box shape with an outer surface that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The battery module 11 and the control unit 12 are housed in the case 13. The case 13 has a cover portion 50 and a base portion 60.

[0044] 7 and 8 , the cover portion 50 has a rectangular cylindrical peripheral wall 51 and a rectangular plate-like top wall 52 that closes the upper opening of the peripheral wall 51. Four fixing portions 53 are provided inside the cover portion 50, more specifically, on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 51. The fixing portions 53 are provided at the four corners of the lower opening of the cover portion 50. Each fixing portion 53 has a female thread portion 531. The four fixing portions 53 are used to fix the base portion 60 to the case 13.

[0045] A first recess 54 having a rectangular cross section is formed inside the cover 50, more specifically, in the front portion of the lower surface of the top wall 52. More specifically, a first ridge 55 extending in a rectangular shape is provided in the front portion of the lower surface of the top wall 52. The portion surrounded by the first ridge 55 constitutes the first recess 54. This first recess 54 has substantially the same shape as the upper end portion of the first protrusion 31 of the terminal block 30.

[0046] Furthermore, a third recess 56 having a rectangular cross section is formed inside the cover 50, more specifically, in the rear portion of the lower surface of the top wall 52. More specifically, a third ridge 57 extending in a rectangular shape is provided in the rear portion of the lower surface of the top wall 52. The portion surrounded by this third ridge 57 constitutes the third recess 56. This third recess 56 has substantially the same shape as the upper end portion of the third protrusion 43 of the holder 40.

[0047] <Base portion 60> As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the base portion 60 has a rectangular plate shape. The base portion 60 is shaped to cover the lower opening of the cover portion 50. Through holes 61 that penetrate the base portion 60 in the height direction Z are provided at the four corners of the base portion 60. These through holes 61 are used to secure the base portion 60 to the cover portion 50. A second recess 62 with a rectangular cross section is provided in the front portion of the upper surface of the base portion 60. The second recess 62 has a rectangular cross section into which the lower end portions of the two second protrusions 35 of the terminal block 30 fit. A fourth recess 64 with a rectangular cross section is provided in the rear portion of the upper surface of the base portion 60. The fourth recess 64 is shaped to fit into the lower end portion of the holder 40.

[0048] <Retention structure of battery module 11 within case 13> As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7, in this embodiment, the terminal block 30 and the holder 40 are supported on the inner surface of the case 13 with the battery module 11 sandwiched between them so that the battery module 11 does not come into contact with the inner surface of the case 13.

[0049] When the battery module 11 is assembled to the case 13, the battery module 11 is inserted into the cover portion 50. At this time, the first protrusion 31 on the upper part of the terminal block 30 is fitted into the first recess 54 on the top wall 52 of the cover portion 50, and the third protrusion 43 on the upper part of the holder 40 is fitted into the third recess 56 on the top wall 52 of the cover portion 50.

[0050] In this embodiment, before the battery module 11 is inserted into the cover portion 50, one end of the positive side wire 14 and the negative side wire 15 are connected to the battery module 11, and the other ends of the wires 14, 15 are pulled out from the inside of the cover portion 50 to the outside.

[0051] Furthermore, when assembling the battery module 11 to the case 13, the base portion 60 is attached to the cover portion 50 so as to close the lower opening of the cover portion 50, with the seal member 131 sandwiched between the cover portion 50 and the base portion 60. At this time, the second convex portion 35 on the lower part of the terminal block 30 is fitted into the second concave portion 62 on the upper surface of the base portion 60, and the lower end portion of the holder 40 is fitted into the fourth concave portion 64 on the upper surface of the base portion 60. Then, in this state, the base portion 60 is fixed to the cover portion 50 by screw fastening. Specifically, the male screw member 16 is inserted into the through hole 61 of the base portion 60 and is screwed into the female screw portion 531 of the fixing portion 53 of the cover portion 50.

[0052] In this embodiment, the battery module 11 is supported on the inner surface of the case 13 at four locations: a first protrusion 31 on the upper part of the terminal block 30, a second protrusion 35 on the lower part of the terminal block 30, a third protrusion 43 on the upper part of the holder 40, and the lower end part of the holder 40. In this embodiment, the shapes of each part of the battery device 10, specifically the terminal block 30, the holder 40, the cover 50, and the base 60, are determined so that the laminate cells 20 do not come into contact with the inner surface of the case 13 in this state.

[0053] <Operations and Effects> The operations and effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The battery device 10 includes a battery module 11 and a terminal block 30. The battery module 11 is configured by stacking a plurality of laminate cells 20, with a positive terminal 22 provided on one of adjacent laminate cells 20 connected to a negative terminal 23 provided on the other. The terminal block 30 has terminal portions 32B-32D, 34E-34G used to connect the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23, and extends along the front end portion of the main body 21 of the laminate cell 20. The positive terminal 22 provided on one of adjacent laminate cells 20 and the negative terminal 23 provided on the other are joined to each other in an overlapping state, with the overlapping portion abutting the front surfaces of the terminal portions 32B-32D, 34E-34G.

[0054] With the above configuration, the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 of adjacent laminate cells 20 can be positioned and firmly held by simply pressing them against the front surfaces of the terminal portions 32B-32D, 34E-34G in an overlapping state. Then, the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 can be joined together in this state. Since the operation of connecting the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 can be easily performed in this manner, the manufacturing efficiency of the battery device 10 can be improved.

[0055] (2) The terminal block 30 is provided with a pair of slits 303 extending along the front end portion of the main body 21 of the laminate cell 20, for each of the terminal portions 32B to 32D, 34E to 34G, so as to sandwich the terminal portion 32B to 32D, 34E to 34G therebetween. A positive electrode terminal 22 provided on one of adjacent laminate cells 20 and a negative electrode terminal 23 provided on the other are inserted into the pair of slits 303, respectively. The tip portions of the positive electrode terminal 22 and the negative electrode terminal 23 are joined to each other in a state where they are bent toward the terminal portions 32B to 32D, 34E to 34G and overlap each other so as to fit along the inner surface of the slit 303 and the outer surface of the terminal portions 32B to 32D, 34E to 34G.

[0056] According to the above configuration, the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 can be positioned by a simple operation of inserting the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 into the slit 303 of the terminal block 30 and bending them to fit the inner surface of the slit 303 and the outer surfaces of the terminal portions 32B to 32D, 34E to 34G. This improves the manufacturing efficiency of the battery device 10.

[0057] (3) The battery device 10 includes a relay board 122 that switches between a state in which power can be supplied to an external device and a state in which power supply is disabled. The relay board 122 is fixed to the terminal block 30.

[0058] According to the above configuration, the terminal block 30 used to connect the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 of the laminate cell 20 can also be used as a fixing block for fixing the relay board 122. Therefore, the battery device 10 can have a simpler structure than when a fixing block for the relay board 122 is provided separately from the terminal block 30. Furthermore, the relay board 122 can be disposed near the electrode terminals to which it is connected, specifically the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23. Therefore, the connection circuits connecting the relay board 122 to the electrode terminals can be disposed together near the electrode terminals. Therefore, according to the above configuration, even though the relay board 122 is provided, the battery device 10 can be prevented from becoming larger.

[0059] (4) The battery device 10 includes a holder 40 that holds the rear portions of the plurality of laminated cells 20, and a BMS 121 that manages the state of the battery module 11. The BMS 121 is fixed to the holder 40.

[0060] According to the above configuration, the holder 40 that holds the battery module 11 can also be used as a fixing base for fixing the BMS 121. Therefore, although the holder 40 and the BMS 121 are provided, the battery device 10 can have a simpler structure than when a fixing base for the BMS 121 is provided separately from the holder 40.

[0061] (5) The battery device 10 includes a case 13 that constitutes an exterior member, a terminal block 30, and a holder 40. The terminal block 30 and the holder 40 are supported on the inner surface of the case 13 with the battery module 11 sandwiched between them so that the battery module 11 does not come into contact with the inner surface of the case 13.

[0062] According to the above configuration, by utilizing the terminal block 30 for connecting the electrode terminals and the holder 40 for holding the battery module 11, the battery module 11 can be accommodated within the case 13 without the battery module 11 coming into contact with the inner surface of the case 13.

[0063] <Modifications> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0064] The positive electrode terminal 22 provided on one of adjacent laminate cells 20 and the negative electrode terminal 23 provided on the other may be inserted through the same slit 303 and fixed to the same terminal portions 32B to 32D, 34E to 34G. In this case, one of the pair of slits 303 provided corresponding to each of the terminal portions 32B to 32D, 34E to 34G can be omitted.

[0065] Instead of configuring the front portions of terminal portions 32A to 32D, 34E to 34H using first terminal board 301 formed from a metal plate, they may be configured using portions formed from a hard synthetic resin material. In this case, it is also possible to integrally mold the entire terminal block 30, including the front portions of terminal portions 32A to 32D, 34E to 34H, using the hard synthetic resin material.

[0066] The tip portion of the positive electrode terminal 22 and the tip portion of the negative electrode terminal 23 may be fixed to the front surface of the terminal portions 32B to 32D, 34E to 34G without using the second terminal plate 302. In the terminal portions 32B to 32D, 34E to 34G, the tip portion of the positive electrode terminal 22 and the tip portion of the negative electrode terminal 23 may be joined by screw fastening, or may be joined by welding or ultrasonic bonding.

[0067] The BMS 121 may be fixed to a part other than the holder 40, such as to the base unit 60 or to a dedicated fixing stand. The battery device 10 according to the above embodiment can also be applied to a battery device that does not have a BMS 121.

[0068] Instead of the relay board 122, a changeover switch or a circuit breaker may be fixed to the terminal block 30. In this case, the changeover switch or the circuit breaker corresponds to a switching device that switches between a state in which power can be supplied to an external device and a state in which power cannot be supplied.

[0069] The switching device may be fixed to a portion other than the terminal block 30, such as the base 60 or a dedicated fixing base. The battery device 10 according to the above embodiment can also be applied to a battery device that does not have a switching device.

[0070] The battery device 10 according to the above embodiment can also be applied to a battery device of a type in which a plurality of laminate cells 20 are connected in parallel.

Claims

1. A battery device comprising a battery module in which a plurality of laminate cells are stacked, and an electrode terminal provided on one of the adjacent laminate cells is connected to an electrode terminal provided on the other of the laminate cells, the battery device comprising a terminal block having a terminal portion used for connecting the electrode terminals and extending along a specific outer edge portion which is a portion of the outer edge portion of the laminate cell where the electrode terminals are provided, the electrode terminal provided on one side and the electrode terminal provided on the other side are joined to each other in an overlapping state, with the overlapping portion abutting the outer surface of the terminal portion on the side farther from the specific outer edge portion.

2. The battery device as described in claim 1, wherein the terminal block has a pair of slits extending along the specific outer edge portion so as to sandwich the terminal portion therebetween, an electrode terminal provided on one of the pair of slits and an electrode terminal provided on the other of the pair of slits are respectively inserted into the pair of slits, and tip portions of the two electrode terminals respectively inserted into the pair of slits are joined to each other in a state in which they are bent toward the same terminal portion so as to follow the inner surface of the slit and the outer surface of the terminal portion, and are overlapped.

3. A battery device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a switching device for switching between a state in which power supply to an external device is possible and a state in which power supply is impossible, said switching device being fixed to said terminal block.

4. A battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: a holder for holding the battery module; and a battery management system for managing the state of the battery module, the battery management system being fixed to the holder.

5. A battery device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a case constituting an exterior member and a holder for holding the battery module, wherein the holder and the terminal block are supported on the inner surface of the case with the battery module sandwiched between them so that the battery module does not come into contact with the inner surface of the case.

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