Battery

Abstract

This battery comprises a first battery module 20a and a second battery module 20b. The first battery module (20a) comprises a battery cell (32), a first case (40a), and a first power distribution unit 51a. The battery cell (32) is accommodated inside the first case 40a. The first power distribution unit (51a) is electrically connected to the battery cell (32) inside the first case (40a) and is fixed to the first case (40a). The second battery module (20b) comprises a battery cell (32), a second case (40b), and a second power distribution unit (51b). The battery cell (32) is accommodated inside the second case (40b). The second power distribution unit (51b) is electrically connected to the battery cell (32) inside the second case (40b) and is fixed to the second case (40b). In the first battery module (20a) and the second battery module (20b), the first case (40a) and the second case (40b) are coupled to each other.

Description

Battery

[0001] The present invention relates to batteries.

[0002] In recent years, research and development has been conducted on batteries (secondary batteries) that contribute to energy efficiency in order to ensure that more people have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and advanced energy.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art For batteries used in electric motorcycles and the like, techniques have been proposed to improve the cooling performance of battery cells housed in a case (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] The battery described in Patent Document 1 includes a cooling plate that is cooled by airflow, battery cells mounted on the left and right sides of the cooling plate, and a pair of cooling half shells that cover the outside of the left and right battery cells. The pair of cooling half shells are connected to a central cooling plate. In this battery, heat generated in each battery cell can be dissipated to the outside through the central cooling plate.

[0005] Patent No. 6617972

[0006] In the battery described in Patent Document 1, after multiple battery cells are assembled on both the left and right sides of a central cooling plate, work is carried out to electrically connect the battery cells to power distribution components on the cooling plate. However, the block of the assembly in which multiple battery cells are assembled on both the left and right sides of the cooling plate is large and heavy, making it difficult to turn or move it when performing wiring work, etc. Therefore, improvements in this area are currently desired.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery that can improve workability during manufacturing.

[0008] As a means for solving the above problem, an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: A battery of aspect 1 includes a first battery module (20a) and a second battery module (20b) each accommodating a battery cell (32), the first battery module (20a) includes the battery cell (32), a first case (40a) in which the battery cell (32) is accommodated, and a first power distribution part (51a) electrically connected to the battery cell (32) inside the first case (40a) and fixed to the first case (40a), and the second battery module (20b) includes a first battery module (20a) and a second battery module (20b) each accommodating a battery cell (32), the first battery module (20a) includes the battery cell (32), a first case (40a) in which the battery cell (32) is accommodated, and a first power distribution part (51a) electrically connected to the battery cell (32) inside the first case (40a) and fixed to the first case (40a). The battery module (20b) comprises the battery cell (32), a second case (40b) in which the battery cell (32) is housed, and a second power distribution unit (51b) electrically connected to the battery cell (32) inside the second case (40b) and fixed to the second case (40b), and the first battery module (20a) and the second battery module (20b) are characterized in that the first case (40a) and the second case (40b) are connected to each other.

[0009] In the battery of this aspect 1, the first battery module and the second battery module can be roughly assembled, and then the first case of the first battery module and the second case of the second battery module can be connected to each other. Therefore, electrical connection work around each power distribution unit can be performed on each battery module before connecting the battery modules to each other. Therefore, when performing wiring work during manufacturing, it is easy to change the orientation or move the battery modules that are the target of the work.

[0010] The battery of aspect 2 is characterized in that, in the battery of aspect 1, when the arrangement direction of the first case (40a) and the second case (40b) is defined as a first direction, the first power distribution unit (51a) is arranged on one side of the first case (40a) in the first direction, and the second power distribution unit (51b) is arranged on one side of the second case (40b) in the first direction.

[0011] In the battery of Aspect 2, since each power distribution unit is disposed on one side of the corresponding case in the first direction, the power distribution unit does not occupy space in a direction intersecting with the first direction, which makes it possible to prevent the battery from becoming larger in size in the direction intersecting with the first direction.

[0012] A battery of aspect 3 is the battery of aspect 1, wherein, when the arrangement direction of the first case (40a) and the second case (40b) is defined as a first direction, the first case (40a) comprises a first peripheral wall (42a) extending along the first direction, and a first partition wall (43a) that divides the interior of the first peripheral wall (42a) into a first housing section (44a) that houses the battery cell (32) and a first opening (45a) that opens to the second case (40b), and the second case (40b) comprises a second peripheral wall (42b) extending along the first direction, and The battery pack is characterized in that it is provided with a second partition wall (43b) that divides the interior of the peripheral wall (42b) into a second storage section (44b) in which the battery cell (32) is stored and a second opening section (45b) that opens to the first case (40a) side, and a space section (45) surrounded by the first peripheral wall (42a) and the first partition wall (43a) and the second peripheral wall (42b) and the second partition wall (43b) is formed between the first case (40a) and the second case (40b), and a first power distribution section (51a) and the second power distribution section (51b) are arranged within the space section (45).

[0013] In the battery of Aspect 3, the first power distribution unit and the second power distribution unit are disposed in the space formed between the two cases. Therefore, the air in the space acts as an insulating layer, making it difficult for heat generated by the battery cells in each case to be transferred to the battery cells in the other case. This allows the heat generated by the battery cells to be efficiently dissipated to the outside. Furthermore, the battery of Aspect 3 allows the outside of each case in the first direction to be cooled more efficiently by outside air than when the corresponding power distribution unit is disposed on the outside of each case in the first direction. Therefore, adopting this configuration further improves the cooling performance of the battery cells.

[0014] The battery of aspect 4 is the battery of aspect 3, characterized in that a first electrode terminal (56a) for extracting power from the battery cell (32) in the first storage portion (44a) to the outside is arranged in an area of ​​the first peripheral wall (42a) facing the first opening (45a), a second electrode terminal (56b) for extracting power from the battery cell (32) in the second storage portion (44b) to the outside is arranged in an area of ​​the second peripheral wall (42b) facing the second opening (45b), the first power distribution portion (51a) is connected to the first electrode terminal (56a) via a first conductive member (91a), and the second power distribution portion (51a) is connected to the second electrode terminal (56b) via a second conductive member (91b).

[0015] In the battery of this aspect 4, the connection work of the corresponding power distribution part can be easily performed for each battery module through the opening of the case.

[0016] The battery of aspect 5 is characterized in that, in the battery of aspect 3, the first power distribution section (51a) and the second power distribution section (51b) are shifted in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and are arranged so that at least a portion of them overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0017] In the battery of Aspect 5, the first and second power distribution units are arranged so as to overlap in a direction perpendicular to the first direction without interfering with each other within the space. This allows the space occupied by the power distribution units in the first direction to be narrowed while ensuring an air gap between the cases. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the battery can be made smaller in size in the first direction.

[0018] According to the present invention, workability during manufacturing can be improved.

[0019] 1. A left side view of a vehicle. A perspective view of a battery in an embodiment. An exploded perspective view of a battery. An exploded perspective view of a cell module. A cross-sectional view of the battery along line V-V in FIG. 1. An enlarged view of part VI in FIG. 5 of the battery. An inner side view of a first battery module of the battery. An inner side view of a second battery module of the battery. A cross-sectional view of the battery along line IX-IX in FIG. 1.

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Directions such as front, rear, up, down, left, and right in the following description are the same as directions in a vehicle described below. In the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating the left side of the vehicle, and an arrow UP indicating the top of the vehicle are shown at appropriate locations. A side closer to the center of the left-right direction (first direction) of the vehicle may be referred to as the inside in the left-right direction, and a side farther away from the center of the left-right direction of the vehicle may be referred to as the outside in the left-right direction. In the following description, expressions indicating relative or absolute positions, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "center," and "coaxial," not only mean the exact position but also include a state in which the positions are relatively displaced by a tolerance or an angle or distance that provides the same function.

[0021] 1 is a left side view of a vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is a scooter-type electric two-wheeled vehicle having a floor portion 14 (low-floor portion) on which a rider (driver) places his / her feet. The vehicle 1 includes a front wheel 2, a rear wheel 3, a body frame 5, a body cover 6, a swing unit 8, a battery 20, a seat 15, and a control device 9.

[0022] The front wheel 2 is supported by a front fork 4. The front wheel 2 can be steered by a handlebar 18. The rear wheel 3 is supported by the rear end of a swing unit 8. The rear wheel 3 can be driven by an electric motor 7 provided in the swing unit 8. The front end of the swing unit 8 is connected to the body frame 5.

[0023] The handlebars 18, the front forks 4, and the front wheel 2 constitute steering system components. The steering system components are steerably supported at the front end of the body frame 5. The swing unit 8 and the rear wheel 3 are supported at the bottom of the body frame 5 so as to be able to swing up and down. The body frame 5 is surrounded by a body cover 6.

[0024] The vehicle 1 includes a floor portion 14 that forms a footrest surface on which a driver seated in a seat 15 places his or her feet, a front body FB that is connected to the front of the floor portion 14, and a rear body RB that is connected to the rear of the floor portion 14. A straddling space K is formed above the floor portion 14 to make it easier for an occupant to straddle the vehicle body.

[0025] A seat 15 for a passenger to sit on is supported on the rear body RB. The lower front end of the seat 15 is connected to the vehicle body via a hinge shaft 16 that extends along the vehicle width direction (left-right direction). The seat 15 rotates up and down around the hinge shaft 16 to open and close the upper part of the rear body RB.

[0026] The body frame 5 is formed by joining multiple types of steel together by welding or the like. The body frame 5 includes a head pipe 10 located at the front end, a pair of left and right down frames 11 that branch off to the left and right from the head pipe 10, extend downward, and then extend rearward, and a pair of left and right rear frames 12 that extend upward and rearward from the rear portions of the left and right down frames 11. A battery 20 is disposed in an underfloor space surrounded by the lower portions of the left and right down frames 11 and the front portions of the left and right rear frames 12.

[0027] The control device 9 includes a PCU (Power Control Unit) that controls the electric motor 7. The PCU includes a PDU (Power Drive Unit) that is a motor driver, an ECU (Electric Control Unit) that controls the PDU, and the like. Cables extending from the positive and negative terminals of the battery 20 are connected to the PDU. Cables extending from the PDU are connected to the electric motor 7. The PDU includes, for example, an inverter. The inverter converts the current supplied from the battery 20 from direct current to alternating current, and then supplies the power to the electric motor 7.

[0028] <Battery> The battery 20 of this embodiment will be described in detail. Note that a first direction, which is the arrangement direction of a first chamber 44a and a second chamber 44b (described later), corresponds to the left-right direction in this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the battery 20 of this embodiment. The battery 20 is L-shaped in a side view. The battery 20 has an elongated portion 21 and an upright portion 22. The elongated portion 21 extends longitudinally in the front-rear direction. The upright portion 22 stands upright from the rear of the elongated portion 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the elongated portion 21 is disposed below the floor portion 14. The upright portion 22 is disposed below the seat 15.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the battery 20 is covered by a case 40. The case 40 has a first case 40a and a second case 40b adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The case 40 has a plurality of mounting portions 40f. The plurality of mounting portions 40f are used to mount the battery 20 to the body frame 5. The case 40 has an opening 48 above the upright portion 22. The opening 48 is covered by the lid portion 24.

[0030] The battery 20 is formed by combining a first battery module 20a on the left side and a second battery module 20b on the right side. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery 20. The protrusions and the multiple mounting portions 40f on the top surface of the cover 24 are not shown in FIG. 3. A negative terminal 56a (first electrode terminal) and a positive terminal 56b (second electrode terminal) are provided in front of the upright portion 22 of the battery 20. The negative terminal 56a is provided on the first battery module 20a, and the positive terminal 56b is provided on the second battery module 20b. As shown in FIG. 2, a charging terminal 57 and a low-voltage signal terminal 58 are provided in the rear of the upright portion 22 of the battery 20. The charging terminal 57 is provided on the second battery module 20b. The low-voltage signal terminal 58 is provided on the first battery module 20a.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the first battery module 20a includes a cell module 30, a first case 40a, and a first power distribution unit 51a (power distribution component). FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cell module 30. The protrusions and mounting portions 40f on the top surface of the lid 24 shown in FIG. 2 are omitted from FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the battery 20 taken along line V-V in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of portion VI in FIG. 5. The cell module 30 includes battery cells 32, cell holders 34c and 34d, bus bars 35c and 35d, insulating sheets 36c and 36d, and a sensor unit 60. Note that the aforementioned components of the cell module 30 may be omitted as appropriate depending on the required specifications. For example, if the battery cells 32 are fixed to the first case 40a and the second case 40b with adhesive, the cell holders 34c and 34d may be omitted.

[0032] The battery cells 32 are rechargeable secondary batteries. The battery cells 32 are generally cylindrical in shape. The central axes of the battery cells 32 are arranged parallel to the left-right direction. The battery cells 32 are provided with electrodes 80 at one end and the other end in the left-right direction. The multiple battery cells 32 are arranged side by side in the front-rear and up-down directions. Note that the electrodes 80 may be provided only at one end or the other end in the left-right direction of the battery cells 32.

[0033] The cell holders 34c, 34d are formed in a flat plate shape using a resin material or the like. The cell holders 34c, 34d include an inner cell holder 34c and an outer cell holder 34d. The inner cell holder 34c is positioned inside the battery cells 32 in the left-right direction. The inner cell holder 34c has a protrusion (not shown) on its periphery (end surface) that extends toward the outer cell holder 34d. The outer cell holder 34d has an insertion portion (not shown) on its periphery (end surface) into which the protrusion of the inner cell holder 34c is inserted. The relative positions of the inner cell holder 34c and the outer cell holder 34d are determined by inserting the protrusion into the insertion portion. The outer cell holder 34d is positioned outside the battery cells 32 in the left-right direction. The cell holders 34c, 34d have multiple through holes that pass through the cell holders 34c, 34d in the left-right direction. The left and right ends of the battery cells 32 are inserted into the through-holes. The cell holders 34c, 34d cover the periphery of the battery cells 32. The cell holders 34c, 34d support the battery cells 32. Second through-holes (not shown) that penetrate the cell holders 34c, 34d in the left and right direction are formed around (on the end faces of) the inner cell holder 34c and the outer cell holder 34d. Fastening members (bolts, etc., not shown) are inserted into the second through-holes and screwed into fixing portions (not shown) provided on the first partition wall 43a, thereby fixing the cell module 30 to the first case 40a and the second case 40b, respectively. Note that the method of fixing the cell module 30 to the first case 40a and the second case 40b is not limited to the above-mentioned fastening members. For example, the cell module 30 may be fixed to the first case 40a and the second case 40b with an adhesive.

[0034] The bus bars 35c, 35d are formed in the shape of thin plates from a metal material. The bus bars 35c, 35d include an inner bus bar 35c and an outer bus bar 35d. The inner bus bar 35c is arranged inside the inner cell holder 34c in the left-right direction. The outer bus bar 35d is arranged outside the outer cell holder 34d in the left-right direction. The bus bars 35c, 35d contact electrodes 80 at the ends of the multiple battery cells 32. The bus bars 35c, 35d electrically connect the multiple battery cells 32. Note that if the electrodes 80 are provided at either one end or the other end of the battery cell 32 in the left-right direction, the bus bars 35c, 35d are arranged on the side of the battery cell 32 where the electrodes 80 are formed.

[0035] The insulating sheets 36c, 36d are formed in a sheet shape using a resin material or the like. The insulating sheets 36c, 36d include an inner insulating sheet 36c and an outer insulating sheet 36d. The inner insulating sheet 36c is arranged inside the inner cell holder 34c and the inner bus bar 35c in the left-right direction. The outer insulating sheet 36d is arranged outside the outer cell holder 34d and the outer bus bar 35d in the left-right direction. The insulating sheets 36c, 36d electrically insulate the bus bars 35c, 35d from the case 40.

[0036] At one left-right end of each battery cell 32 of the cell module 30, the electrode 80 portion contacts the first partition wall 43a of the first case 40a via the bus bar 35c, insulating sheet 36c, and heat transfer paste (not shown). In this embodiment, the cell holder 34c, bus bar 35c, insulating sheet 36c, heat transfer paste, etc. constitute a heat transfer member that transfers heat from the battery cell 32 to the first partition wall 43a of the first case 40a. When the cell module 30 is fixed to the first case 40a and the second case 40b with adhesive, the adhesive also constitutes a heat transfer member.

[0037] The sensor unit 60 has a sensor 61, a sensor wire 62, and an output section 63. The sensor 61 acquires information about the battery cells 32. The information about the battery cells 32 includes voltage and temperature. Multiple sensors 61 are attached to corresponding battery cells 32. The sensor wire 62 connects the sensor 61 to the output section 63. The multiple sensor wires 62 extend from the corresponding sensors 61 to the common output section 63. The sensor wires 62 are attached mainly to the upper surfaces of the cell holders 34c, 34d (see FIG. 3).

[0038] The output part 63 is one side of a connector (a socket or a plug). As shown in FIG. 3, the output part 63 is fixed to the upper surface of the inner cell holder 34c. The output part 63 is arranged facing inward in the left-right direction. The output part 63 is connected to a sensor connection part 73 of the harness unit 70. The sensor connection part 73 is the other side of the connector (a plug or a socket).

[0039] The first case 40a is formed of a metal material such as aluminum. The first case 40a includes a case main body 41 and a cover 47. The case main body 41 has a peripheral wall that covers the front-rear and up-down directions. The peripheral wall is oriented in the front-rear and up-down directions, which intersect the left-right direction. The case main body 41 has an inner opening that opens to the inside in the left-right direction and an outer opening that opens to the outside in the left-right direction. The case main body 41 has a partition wall inside the peripheral wall, midway between the left and right directions. The partition wall extends perpendicular to the left-right direction. The partition wall separates the inner opening and the outer opening in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall of the first case 40a forms a first peripheral wall 42a, and the inner opening of the first case 40a forms a first opening 45a. The first opening 45a opens to the second case 40b.

[0040] The cover 47 is disposed on the outside of the case body 41 in the left-right direction. The cover 47 covers the outer opening of the case body 41. The cover 47 has side walls that are perpendicular to the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the side walls of the first case 40a form the first side walls 46a. The space surrounded by the first partition wall 43a, the first side walls 46a, and the first peripheral wall 42a forms a first chamber 44a, which is a first storage section. The cell module 30 is stored inside the first chamber 44a.

[0041] At the other left-right end of each battery cell 32 of the cell module 30, the electrode 80 portion contacts the first side wall 46a of the cover 47 via the bus bar 35d, the insulating sheet 36d, and heat transfer paste (not shown). In this embodiment, the cell holder 34d, the bus bar 35d, the insulating sheet 36d, the heat transfer paste, etc. constitute a heat transfer member that transfers heat from the battery cell 32 to the first side wall 46a of the first case 40a.

[0042] FIG. 7 is an inner side view (side view seen from the inside in the left-right direction) of the first battery module 20a, and FIG. 8 is an inner side view (side view seen from the inside in the left-right direction) of the second battery module 20b. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the battery 20 taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 1. The first power distribution unit 51a is a circuit board on which electronic components such as relays and fuses are mounted. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the first power distribution unit 51a is fixed to the inside in the left-right direction of the first partition wall 43a of the first case 40a. One end of the first power distribution unit 51a is connected to the cell module 30 housed in the first chamber 44a via a bus bar 90a. The first partition wall 43a of the first case 40a has a communication hole 65 (see FIG. 7 ) formed therein, penetrating the first partition wall 43a in the thickness direction. The bus bar 90a is inserted through the communication hole 65 and connected to the cell module 30 in the first chamber 44a. The other end of the first power distribution section 51a is connected to the negative electrode terminal 56a installed in the first case 40a via the bus bar 91a. In this embodiment, the bus bar 91a constitutes the first conductive member.

[0043] The second battery module 20b includes a cell module 30, a second case 40b, and a second power distribution section 51b (power distribution component). The second battery module 20b is formed in the same manner as the first battery module 20a.

[0044] The peripheral wall of the second case 40b constitutes a second peripheral wall 42b. The inner opening of the second case 40b constitutes a second opening 45b. The second opening 45b opens to the first case 40a side. The partition wall of the second case 40b constitutes a second partition wall 43b. The side wall of the second case 40b constitutes a second side wall 46b. The space surrounded by the second partition wall 43b, the second side wall 46b, and the second peripheral wall 42b constitutes a second chamber 44b, which is a second storage section. The cell module 30 is stored inside the second chamber 44b.

[0045] At one left-right end of each battery cell 32 of the cell module 30, the electrode 80 portion contacts the second partition wall 43b of the second case 40b via the bus bar 35c, insulating sheet 36c, and heat transfer paste (not shown). In this embodiment, the cell holder 34c, bus bar 35c, insulating sheet 36c, heat transfer paste, etc. constitute a heat transfer member that transfers heat from the battery cell 32 to the second partition wall 43b of the second case 40b. At the other left-right end of each battery cell 32, the electrode 80 portion contacts the second side wall 46b of the cover 47 via the bus bar 35d, insulating sheet 36d, and heat transfer paste (not shown). In this embodiment, the cell holder 34d, bus bar 35d, insulating sheet 36d, heat transfer paste, etc. constitute a heat transfer member that transfers heat from the battery cell 32 to the second side wall 46b of the second case 40b.

[0046] The second power distribution unit 51b is a substrate similar to the first power distribution unit 51a. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the second power distribution unit 51b is fixed to the inner side of the second partition wall 43b of the second case 40b in the left-right direction. One end of the second power distribution unit 51b is connected to the cell module 30 housed in the second chamber 44b via a bus bar 90b. The second partition wall 43b of the second case 40b has a communication hole 65 (see FIG. 8 ) that penetrates the second partition wall 43b in the plate thickness direction. The bus bar 90b is inserted through the communication hole 65 and connected to the cell module 30 in the second chamber 44b. The other end of the second power distribution unit 51b is connected to the positive terminal 56b installed in the second case 40b via the bus bar 91b. In this embodiment, the bus bar 91b constitutes a second conductive member.

[0047] The case 40 is formed by joining the first opening 45a of the first case 40a and the second opening 45b of the second case 40b. Specifically, the first case 40a and the second case 40b are butted against each other in the left-right direction (first direction) with the first opening 45a and the second opening 45b, and then joined by bolting or the like after a gasket is interposed (applied) between them. The space enclosed by the first partition wall 43a and the first peripheral wall 42a of the first case 40a and the second partition wall 43b and the second peripheral wall 42b of the second case 40b forms a third chamber 45. The third chamber 45 is formed between the first chamber 44a and the second chamber 44b in the left-right direction. The third chamber 45 is a space sealed from the outside of the case 40. The first partition wall 43a divides the first chamber 44a from the third chamber 45, which is the space on the first opening 45a side, in the left-right direction. The second partition wall 43b divides the second chamber 44b into a second chamber 44b and a third chamber 45, which is a space on the second opening 45b side. The first power distribution unit 51a and the second power distribution unit 51b are housed inside the third chamber 45.

[0048] 9 , first power distribution section 51a fixed to first partition wall 43a on the first case 40a side is disposed in a rear region of third chamber 45. In contrast, second power distribution section 51b fixed to second partition wall 43b on the second case 40b side is disposed in a front region of third chamber 45. First power distribution section 51a and second power distribution section 51b are disposed so as to be offset from each other in the front-rear direction (direction perpendicular to the first direction) and so as to at least partially overlap each other in the front-rear direction (direction perpendicular to the first direction).

[0049] As described above, the case 40 has the opening 48 above the upright portion 22. The opening 48 opens upward and is covered by the lid portion 24 of the case 40. The opening 48 communicates with the third chamber 45, and allows the third chamber 45 to be exposed to the outside (above) of the battery 20.

[0050] The battery 20 further includes a bus bar 28, a battery management system (BMS) 25, and a harness unit 70. The bus bar 28 is formed of a metal material or the like. The bus bar 28 is housed in the third chamber 45. One end of the bus bar 28 is connected to the cell module 30 of the first battery module 20a. The other end of the bus bar 28 is connected to the cell module 30 of the second battery module 20b. The first partition wall 43a of the first case 40a and the second partition wall 43b of the second case 40b each have a communication portion 66 (see FIGS. 7 and 8 ) that penetrates the upper portion of each partition wall in the thickness direction. Each end of the bus bar 28 is inserted into the communication portion 66 and connected to the cell module 30 in the first chamber 44a and the cell module 30 in the second chamber 44b, respectively. The electrical connections of the battery 20 are in the order of negative terminal 56a, first power distribution section 51a, cell module 30 of the first battery module 20a, bus bar 28, cell module 30 of the second battery module 20b, second power distribution section 51b, and positive terminal 56b.

[0051] The BMS (component) 25 is a circuit that manages the state of the battery 20. The BMS 25 is housed in the opening 48. The BMS 25 has an input unit 26 at the front. The input unit 26 is one side of a connector (socket or plug). A pair of input units 26 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The input unit 26 is connected to a BMS connection unit 76 of the harness unit 70. The BMS connection unit 76 is the other side of the connector (plug or socket). A signal acquired by the sensor 61 is input to the input unit 26.

[0052] The harness unit 70 is housed in the third chamber 45 and the opening 48. The harness unit 70 includes a low-voltage signal terminal 58, a pair of sensor connectors 73, a pair of BMS connectors 76, and a wire harness (wiring) 71. The pair of sensor connectors 73 are connected to the output section 63 of the sensor unit 60 of the first battery module 20a and the output section 63 of the sensor unit 60 of the second battery module 20b. The pair of BMS connectors 76 are connected to the pair of input sections 26 of the BMS 25. The wire harness 71 connects the corresponding sensor connectors 73 and BMS connectors 76. As a result, the wire harness 71 connects the corresponding output section 63 of the sensor unit 60 and the input section 26 of the BMS 25.

[0053] The method of assembling the battery 20 will now be described. As shown in Figure 4, the left and right ends of the battery cells 32 are inserted into the cell holders 34c, 34d. Bus bars 35c, 35d are joined to the inside and outside of the cell holders 34c, 34d in the left and right direction. A sensor unit 60 is attached to the battery cells 32 and the cell holders 34c, 34d. Insulating sheets 36c, 36d are attached to the inside and outside of the cell holders 34c, 34d in the left and right direction. With the above steps, the cell module 30 is completed.

[0054] Heat transfer paste is applied to the outer surfaces of the partition walls 43a, 43b in the left-right direction of the case body 41 shown in Figure 3. The cell module 30 is installed in the case body 41 with the cell module 30 abutting against the partition walls 43a, 43b of the case body 41. The above work is performed for the first battery module 20a and the second battery module 20b. The sensor unit 60 is provided in each of the first case 40a and the second case 40b.

[0055] The following work is performed on the second battery module 20b. A second power distribution section 51b and a positive terminal 56b are installed in the case body 41. A bus bar 90b connects the second power distribution section 51b to the cell module 30. A bus bar 91b connects the second power distribution section 51b to the positive terminal 56b. A gasket is applied to the contact area of ​​the case body 41 with the cover 47. A heat transfer paste is applied to the inner surfaces of the left and right sides of the side walls 46b of the cover 47. With the cell module 30 contacting the side walls 46b of the cover 47, the cover 47 is joined to the case body 41. A charging terminal 57 (see FIG. 2) is installed and connected to the second power distribution section 51b.

[0056] The following work is performed on the first battery module 20a. The first power distribution section 51a and the negative terminal 56a are installed in the case body 41. The first power distribution section 51a and the cell module 30 are connected by a bus bar 90a. The first power distribution section 51a and the negative terminal 56a are connected by a bus bar 91a. A gasket is applied to the contact area of ​​the case body 41 with the cover 47. A heat transfer paste is applied to the inner lateral surfaces of the side walls 46a of the cover 47. With the cell module 30 contacting the side walls 46a of the cover 47, the cover 47 is joined to the case body 41. A harness unit 70 including a low-voltage signal terminal 58 is installed in the first battery module 20a and connected to the first power distribution section 51a. The sensor connection section 73 of the harness unit 70 is connected to the output section 63 of the sensor unit 60 of the first battery module 20a.

[0057] A gasket is applied to the abutting portion between the first case 40a of the first battery module 20a and the second case 40b of the second battery module 20b. The first battery module 20a and the second battery module 20b are joined. The bus bar 28 is inserted into the third chamber 45 through the opening 48. The bus bar 28 is connected to the cell modules 30 of the first battery module 20a and the cell modules 30 of the second battery module 20b.

[0058] The sensor connection portion 73 of the harness unit 70 installed in the first battery module 20a is connected to the output portion 63 of the sensor unit 60 in the second battery module 20b. The BMS 25 is inserted into the opening 48. The pair of BMS connection portions 76 of the harness unit 70 are connected to the pair of input portions 26 of the BMS 25.

[0059] A gasket is applied to the contact portion of the opening 48 with the lid 24. The lid 24 is joined to the opening 48. In this manner, the battery 20 is completed.

[0060] As described above in detail, the battery 20 of this embodiment is configured to include a first battery module 20a and a second battery module 20b. The first battery module 20a includes battery cells 32, a first case 40a, and a first power distribution unit 51a, while the second battery module 20b includes battery cells 32, a second case 40b, and a second power distribution unit 51b. The first case 40a and the second case 40b of the first battery module 20a and the second battery module 20b are coupled to each other. Therefore, in the battery 20 of this embodiment, the first battery module 20a and the second battery module 20b can be roughly assembled in advance, and then the first case 40a of the first battery module 20a and the second case 40b of the second battery module 20b can be coupled to each other. Therefore, electrical connection work around each power distribution unit 51 a, 51 b can be performed for each battery module 20 a, 20 b before connecting the battery modules 20 a, 20 b to each other. Therefore, when the battery 20 of this embodiment is used, it is possible to easily change the orientation or move the battery module that is the target of the work when performing wiring work or the like during manufacturing. Therefore, when the battery 20 of this embodiment is used, workability during manufacturing can be improved.

[0061] Furthermore, in the battery 20 of this embodiment, the first power distribution unit 51a and the second power distribution unit 51b are disposed on one side of the corresponding cases 40a, 40b in the left-right direction (first direction). Therefore, the first power distribution unit 51a and the second power distribution unit 51b do not occupy space in the front-rear direction, which intersects with the left-right direction (first direction). Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, it is possible to prevent the battery 20 from becoming larger in the front-rear direction.

[0062] In the battery 20 of this embodiment, the first case 40a includes a first peripheral wall 42a extending in the left-right direction and a first partition wall 43a that divides the interior of the first peripheral wall 42a into a first storage section 44a and a first opening 45a, and the second case 40b includes a second peripheral wall 42b extending in the left-right direction and a second partition wall 43b that divides the interior of the second peripheral wall 42b into a second storage section 44b and a second opening 45b. A third chamber 45 (space) is formed between the first case 40a and the second case 40b and is surrounded by the first peripheral wall 42a, the first partition wall 43a, the second peripheral wall 42b, and the second partition wall 43b. A first power distribution section 51a and a second power distribution section 51b are disposed in the third chamber 45. Therefore, in the battery 20 of this embodiment, the air in the third chamber 45 (space) acts as an insulating layer, making it difficult for heat generated by the battery cells 32 in each case 40a, 40b to be transferred to the battery cells 32 in the other case. This allows the heat generated by the battery cells 32 to be efficiently dissipated to the outside. Furthermore, the battery 20 of this embodiment allows the outside of each case 40a, 40b in the left-right direction to be efficiently cooled by outside air, compared to a case in which the corresponding power distribution units 51a, 51b are disposed on the outside of each case 40a, 40b in the left-right direction. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the cooling performance of the battery 20 can be further improved.

[0063] Furthermore, in the battery 20 of this embodiment, a negative terminal 56a (first electrode terminal) is disposed in a region facing the first opening 45a of the first peripheral wall 42a, and a positive terminal 56b (second electrode terminal) is disposed in a region facing the second opening 45b of the second peripheral wall 42b. The first power distribution section 51a is connected to the negative terminal 56a via a bus bar 91a (first conductive member), and the second power distribution section 51a is connected to the positive terminal 56b via a bus bar 91b (second conductive member). Therefore, when the battery 20 of this embodiment is employed, the corresponding power distribution sections 51a, 51b can be easily connected to each other for each battery module 20a, 20b through the openings 45a, 45b of the cases 40a, 40b.

[0064] Furthermore, in the battery 20 of this embodiment, the first power distribution unit 51a and the second power distribution unit 51b are arranged so that they are offset in the front-rear direction (a direction perpendicular to the first direction) and at least partially overlap each other in the front-rear direction (a direction perpendicular to the first direction). Therefore, the first power distribution unit 51a and the second power distribution unit 51b are arranged so that they overlap in the front-rear direction without interfering with each other within the third chamber 45 (space). This allows the space occupied by the power distribution units 51a and 51b in the left-right direction to be narrowed while ensuring an air gap between the left and right cases 40a and 40b. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the battery 20 can be made smaller in the left-right direction (first direction).

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configurations of the embodiments may be applied not only to scooter-type motorcycles but also to various saddle-ride vehicles. Saddle-ride vehicles include all vehicles on which a rider straddles the body, and include not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooter-type vehicles), but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four-wheeled vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies).

[0066] The configuration of the above embodiment is one example of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiment with well-known components. For example, in the above embodiment, the negative terminal 56a and the positive terminal 56b are disposed in front of the upright portion 22 of the battery 20. However, the negative terminal 56a and the positive terminal 56b may be disposed behind the upright portion 22 of the battery 20.

[0067] 20 Battery 20a First battery module 20b Second battery module 32 Battery cell 40 Case 40a First case 40b Second case 42a First circumferential wall 42b Second circumferential wall 43a First partition wall 43b Second partition wall 44a First chamber (first storage section) 44b Second chamber (second storage section) 45 Third chamber (space section) 45a First opening 45b Second opening 51a First power distribution section (power distribution component) 51b Second power distribution section (power distribution component) 91a Bus bar (first conductive member) 91b Bus bar (second conductive member)

Claims

1. A battery module (20a) and a second battery module (20b) each accommodating a battery cell (32), wherein the first battery module (20a) comprises: the battery cell (32), a first case (40a) in which the battery cell (32) is accommodated, and a first power distribution unit (51a) electrically connected to the battery cell (32) inside the first case (40a) and fixed to the first case (40a); and the second battery module (20b) comprises: the battery cell (32), a second case (40b) in which the battery cell (32) is accommodated, and a second power distribution unit (51b) electrically connected to the battery cell (32) inside the second case (40b) and fixed to the second case (40b); The battery, wherein the first case (40a) and the second case (40b) of the first battery module (20a) and the second battery module (20b) are coupled to each other.

2. A battery as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, when the arrangement direction of the first case (40a) and the second case (40b) is defined as a first direction, the first power distribution section (51a) is arranged on one side of the first case (40a) in the first direction, and the second power distribution section (51b) is arranged on one side of the second case (40b) in the first direction.

3. In the battery of claim 1, when the arrangement direction of the first case (40a) and the second case (40b) is defined as a first direction, the first case (40a) comprises: a first peripheral wall (42a) extending along the first direction; and a first partition wall (43a) that divides the interior of the first peripheral wall (42a) into a first housing section (44a) that houses the battery cells (32) and a first opening (45a) that opens to the second case (40b) side; and the second case (40b) comprises: a second peripheral wall (42b) extending along the first direction; and a second partition wall (43b) that divides the interior of the second peripheral wall (42b) into a second housing section (44b) that houses the battery cells (32) and a second opening (45b) that opens to the first case (40a) side. a space (45) surrounded by the first peripheral wall (42a), the first partition wall (43a), and the second peripheral wall (42b), the second partition wall (43b) is formed between the first case (40a) and the second case (40b), and a first power distribution section (51a) and a second power distribution section (51b) are arranged in the space (45).

4. A battery as claimed in claim 3, wherein a first electrode terminal (56a) for extracting power from the battery cell (32) in the first storage section (44a) to the outside is arranged in an area of ​​the first peripheral wall (42a) facing the first opening (45a), and a second electrode terminal (56b) for extracting power from the battery cell (32) in the second storage section (44b) to the outside is arranged in an area of ​​the second peripheral wall (42b) facing the second opening (45b), and the first power distribution section (51a) is connected to the first electrode terminal (56a) via a first conductive member (91a), and the second power distribution section (51a) is connected to the second electrode terminal (56b) via a second conductive member (91b).

5. A battery according to claim 3, characterized in that the first power distribution section (51a) and the second power distribution section (51b) are arranged so as to be offset in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and to overlap at least partially with each other in the direction perpendicular to the first direction.

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