Battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack (10) comprises: a battery module (100); wiring (200); a housing (500) that houses the battery module (100) and the wiring (200); and a side wall (314) that at least partially separates the wiring (200) and the housing (500) from each other.

Description

Battery pack

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

[0002] In recent years, various battery packs have been developed. A battery pack includes a battery module and a housing that houses the battery module.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a battery wiring module. The battery wiring module includes a terminal electrically connected to a bus bar that connects terminals of a plurality of battery cells, a housing portion that houses the terminal, a hole portion provided in the housing portion, and a cover portion that closes the hole portion and has insulation.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a battery storage rack. The battery storage rack includes two insulating sleeves through which two conductors pass and an insulating spacer positioned between the two insulating sleeves.

[0005] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-035615 Chinese Utility Model Patent Specification No. 219246854

[0006] In a battery pack, the battery module and wiring may be housed in the housing. When the battery module and wiring are housed in the housing, it may be necessary to suppress a short circuit between the wiring and the housing.

[0007] An example of the object of the present invention is to suppress a short circuit between the wiring and the housing. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description in this specification.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is as follows: 1. A battery pack comprising: a battery module; wiring; a housing for housing the battery module and the wiring; and a partition wall separating the wiring and the housing at least partially from each other. 2. The battery pack according to 1, further comprising a guide member for guiding the wiring, wherein the guide member has at least partially the partition wall. 3. The battery pack according to 1 or 2, wherein the partition wall is at least partially located between the wiring and the housing in a first orthogonal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wiring toward the housing from the wiring toward the housing, and in a projection of the wiring and the partition wall onto a plane perpendicular to the first orthogonal direction, the dimensions of the overlapping portion of the wiring and the partition wall in the longitudinal direction and the second orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first orthogonal direction are 50% or more of the dimension of the wiring in the second orthogonal direction.

[0009] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, short circuits of wiring and housing can be suppressed.

[0010] This is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment. This is an enlarged view of a part of the first battery module according to an embodiment with the upper plate removed and its surroundings. This is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in Figure 1.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted where appropriate.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a part of the first battery module 100a and its surroundings according to the embodiment, with the upper plate 530 removed. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in Figure 1.

[0013] Each figure shows the X, Y, and Z directions for explanatory purposes. In Figure 3, the white circle with an X indicating the X direction indicates that the tip of the arrow pointing in the X direction is facing away from the viewer. The X direction indicates the front-to-back direction of the battery pack. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The Y direction indicates the left-to-right direction of the battery pack. The Z direction is perpendicular to both the X and Y directions. The Z direction indicates the up-to-down direction of the battery pack. The arrows pointing to the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction indicate the rear, right, and up directions of the battery pack, respectively.

[0014] Hereafter, where necessary, the side indicated by the arrow showing the X direction will be referred to as the +X side, and the opposite side of the side indicated by the arrow showing the X direction will be referred to as the -X side. Hereafter, where necessary, the side indicated by the arrow showing the Y direction will be referred to as the +Y side, and the opposite side of the side indicated by the arrow showing the Y direction will be referred to as the -Y side. Hereafter, where necessary, the side indicated by the arrow showing the Z direction will be referred to as the +Z side, and the opposite side of the side indicated by the arrow showing the Z direction will be referred to as the -Z side.

[0015] The battery pack 10 according to this embodiment is mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile. For example, the battery pack 10 is mounted between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle. The position in which the battery pack 10 is mounted in the vehicle is not limited to between the front and rear wheels. The battery pack 10 is not limited to use in vehicles. The battery pack 10 may also be used for purposes other than those in vehicles.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the battery pack 10 according to this embodiment comprises a plurality of battery modules 100, wiring 200, guide members 300, a plurality of clips 400, and a housing 500. In Figure 1, for illustrative purposes, the outlines of the plurality of battery modules 100 housed in the internal space of the wiring 200 are schematically shown with dashed lines.

[0017] In the example shown in Figure 1, the battery pack 10 comprises a battery module 100 housed in the internal space of the rear +X side of the housing 500, and another battery module 100 housed in the internal space of the front -X side of the housing 500. Each battery module 100 has a plurality of battery cells stacked in a predetermined direction such as the Y direction. The plurality of battery cells in each battery module 100 are electrically connected to each other in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel. The number and arrangement of battery modules 100 included in the battery pack 10 are not limited to the example shown in Figure 1. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the first battery module 100a refers to the battery module 100 housed in the internal space of the rear +X side of the wiring 200, and the second battery module 100b refers to the battery module 100 housed in the internal space of the front -X side of the wiring 200.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, the housing 500 houses multiple battery modules 100, wiring 200, guide members 300, and multiple clips 400. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the housing 500 has a lower plate 510, a side frame 520, an upper plate 530, and a support frame 540. The lower plate 510, the side frame 520, and the upper plate 530 are made of a conductor such as metal. The lower plate 510 and the side frame 520 are sometimes collectively referred to as the lower case. The upper plate 530 is sometimes referred to as the upper case.

[0019] The lower plate 510 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. The multiple battery modules 100 are located on the +Z side relative to the +Z side surface of the lower plate 510. As shown in Figure 1, the lower plate 510 has a substantially rectangular shape with a pair of long sides substantially parallel to the X direction and a pair of short sides substantially parallel to the Y direction. The shape of the lower plate 510 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 1.

[0020] The side frame 520 extends from the entire circumference of the +Z-side surface of the lower plate 510 toward the +Z direction. Viewed from the Z direction, the side frame 520 surrounds the area where the multiple battery modules 100 are located.

[0021] The upper plate 530 is located on the +Z side relative to the multiple battery modules 100 and the side frame 520. Viewed from the Z direction, the lower plate 510 and the upper plate 530 have substantially the same shape. The side frame 520 and the portion of the upper plate 530 that overlaps with the side frame 520 in the Z direction are fastened to each other by fasteners such as bolts (not shown). With the side frame 520 and the portion of the upper plate 530 that overlaps with the side frame 520 in the Z direction fastened to each other, the lower plate 510, the side frame 520 and the upper plate 530 form an internal space that accommodates the multiple battery modules 100, wiring 200, guide members 300 and multiple clips 400.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the upper plate 530 has a first raised portion 532 and a second raised portion 534. The first raised portion 532 and the second raised portion 534 are raised upward on the +X side relative to the lower plate 510 and the side frame 520. The first raised portion 532 covers the first battery module 100a, and the second raised portion 534 covers the second battery module 100b.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the first raised portion 532 includes a first top portion 532a and a first side portion 532b. The first top portion 532a is located on the +Z side with respect to the first battery module 100a and is positioned substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. The first side portion 532b extends from the entire circumference of the first top portion 532a around the Z direction toward the -Z side and is located around the Z direction of the +Z side portion of the first battery module 100a.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the second raised portion 534 includes a second top portion 534a and a second side portion 534b. The second top portion 534a is located on the +Z side relative to the second battery module 100b and is positioned substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. The second side portion 534b extends from the entire circumference of the second top portion 534a around the Z direction toward the -Z side and is located around the Z direction of the +Z side portion of the second battery module 100b.

[0025] The support frame 540 is positioned at least partially around each battery module 100 in the Z direction. In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, the portion of the support frame 540 located on the -Y side with respect to the first battery module 100a is shown.

[0026] The battery pack 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0027] The wiring 200 is located at least partially around the Z direction of the first battery module 100a. In the example shown in Figure 2, the wiring 200 is routed from a region located on the +X side relative to the +X side of the first battery module 100a to a region located on the -Y side relative to the -Y side of the first battery module 100a.

[0028] The wiring 200 is used in conjunction with the battery module 100. The wiring 200 has multiple wires bundled together by a binding member such as a tube or tape. Examples of the wires constituting the wiring 200 include low-voltage wiring such as wiring that operates as a signal line and wiring that constitutes a circuit consisting of a vehicle power supply, and high-voltage wiring such as voltage detection lines that detect the voltage of each battery cell contained in the battery module 100 and signal lines for thermistors that detect the temperature of each battery cell contained in the battery module 100.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the guide member 300 is located on the -Y side with respect to the first battery module 100a. In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, the guide member 300 guides the portion of the wiring 200 located on the -Y side with respect to the -Y side surface of the first battery module 100a in the X direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the guide member 300 includes an extension 310 and a pair of support legs 320.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the extending body 310 includes a bottom plate 312 and side walls 314. The bottom plate 312 and side walls 314 extend in the X direction. The bottom plate 312 has a substantially plate shape that is substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. A pair of support legs 320 are provided at both ends of the bottom plate 312 in the X direction. The bottom plate 312 is supported by the pair of support legs 320, away from the +Z side upper surface of the support frame 540 toward the +Z side. In the example shown in Figure 2, each support leg 320 and the +Z side upper surface of the support frame 540 are fixed to each other by fasteners 322. The side walls 314 protrude from the -Y side end of the bottom plate 312 toward the +Z side. As shown in Figure 3, when viewed from the X direction, the bottom plate 312 and side walls 314 have a substantially L shape. Therefore, the +Y side portion of the extending body 310 is open toward the +Y side. Therefore, compared to the case where a side wall corresponding to the side wall 314 is also provided on the +Y side portion of the extending body 310, it is possible to route the wiring 200 along the extending body 310. A side wall corresponding to the side wall 314 may also be provided on the +Y side portion of the extending body 310.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, multiple clips 400 are attached to the wiring 200. As shown in Figure 3, each clip 400 includes a holder 410 and an insertion shaft 420. As shown in Figure 3, the holder 410 surrounds the wiring 200 around its longitudinal direction and holds the wiring 200. In the example shown in Figure 3, the X direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the wiring 200. The insertion shaft 420 protrudes from the -Z side end of the holder 410 toward the -Z side and is inserted into the bottom plate 312 in the Z direction. The extension body 310 and the clips 400 are attached to each other with the insertion shaft 420 inserted into the bottom plate 312.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the wiring 200 and the extension 310 are attached to each other with the holder 410 holding the wiring 200 and the insertion shaft 420 inserted into the bottom plate 312. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, with the wiring 200 and the extension 310 attached to each other, the portion of the wiring 200 located on the -Y side relative to the -Y side surface of the first battery module 100a is guided in the X direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, with the wiring 200 and the extension 310 attached to each other, the wiring 200 is located on the +Z side relative to the bottom plate 312, and the side wall 314 is located on the -Y side relative to the wiring 200. In the example shown in Figure 3, the side wall 314 is at least partially located between the wiring 200 and the first side portion 532b in a first orthogonal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wiring 200, from the wiring 200 toward the first side portion 532b. In the example shown in Figure 3, the X direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the wiring 200, and the Y direction corresponds to the first orthogonal direction. Therefore, the side wall 314 acts as a partition wall that separates the wiring 200 and the first side portion 532b from each other, at least partially. Consequently, short circuits between the wiring 200 and the first side portion 532b can be suppressed compared to the case where the side wall 314 is not provided. Furthermore, the number of components in the battery pack 10 can be reduced compared to the case where a partition wall is provided separately from the guide member 300. However, the member corresponding to the partition wall described above may be provided separately from the guide member 300 instead of the guide member 300.

[0033] In one example, the side wall 314 is an insulator such as resin. When the side wall 314 has electrical insulating properties, it is possible to electrically insulate the wiring 200 and the first side portion 532b from each other. Therefore, a short circuit between the wiring 200 and the first side portion 532b can be suppressed. In another example, the side wall 314 may be a conductor such as metal. When the side wall 314 is conductive, it is possible to make it easier for the current leaking from the wiring 200 to flow towards the side wall 314 rather than towards the first side portion 532b. Therefore, a short circuit between the wiring 200 and the first side portion 532b can be suppressed.

[0034] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, in the projection of the wiring 200 and the side wall 314 onto a first plane P1 perpendicular to the Y direction, the dimension H1 in the second orthogonal direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions of the overlapping portion of the wiring 200 and the side wall 314 is 50% or more of the dimension H2 of the wiring 200 in the second orthogonal direction. In the example shown in Figure 3, the Z direction corresponds to the second orthogonal direction. In this embodiment, the wiring 200 and the first side portion 532b can be separated from each other more easily compared to the case where the dimension H1 in the Z direction of the projection of the overlapping portion of the wiring 200 and the side wall 314 onto the first plane P1 is less than 50% of the dimension H2 in the Z direction of the projection of the wiring 200 onto the first plane P1. The dimension H1 in the Z direction of the projection of the overlapping portion of the wiring 200 and the side wall 314 onto the first plane P1 may be less than 50% of the dimension H2 in the Z direction of the projection of the wiring 200 onto the first plane P1.

[0035] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the +Z side end of the side wall 314 is located on the -Z side with respect to a second plane P2 perpendicular to the Z direction, which includes the +Z side end of the wiring 200. Therefore, compared to the case where the +Z side end of the side wall 314 is located on the +Z side with respect to the second plane P2, it is possible to suppress discharge between the +Z side end of the side wall 314 and the first side portion 532b due to proximity between the two. However, the +Z side end of the side wall 314 may be located on the +Z side with respect to the second plane P2, as long as a distance is ensured between the +Z side end of the side wall 314 and the first side portion 532b so as to suppress discharge between them. Alternatively, the +Z side end of the wiring 200 and the +Z side end of the side wall 314 may be located in the same plane perpendicular to the Z direction.

[0036] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0037] In this embodiment, a short circuit between the portion of the wiring 200 located on the -Y side relative to the first battery module 100a and the portion of the upper plate 530 located on the -Y side relative to the first battery module 100a is suppressed by a partition wall, such as a side wall 314, located between the portions of the wiring 200 and the upper plate 530. This suppression of discharge in this embodiment is also applicable to other parts of the internal space of the housing 500. That is, a short circuit between the wiring 200 and the housing 500 can be suppressed by a partition wall that separates the wiring 200 and the housing 500 at least partially from each other.

[0038] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-161947, filed on 19 September 2024, and incorporates all of its disclosures herein.

[0039] 10 Battery pack, 100 Battery module, 100a First battery module, 100b Second battery module, 200 Wiring, 300 Guide member, 310 Extension body, 312 Bottom plate, 314 Side wall, 320 Support leg, 322 Fastener, 400 Clip, 410 Holder, 420 Through shaft, 500 Housing, 510 Lower plate, 520 Side frame, 530 Upper plate, 532 First raised portion, 532a First top portion, 532b First side portion, 534 Second raised portion, 534a Second top portion, 534b Second side portion, 540 Support frame, P1 First plane, P2 Second plane

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: a battery module; wiring; a housing for housing the battery module and the wiring; and a partition wall for separating the wiring and the housing at least partially from each other.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising a guide member for guiding the wiring, wherein the guide member has at least a portion of the partition wall.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the partition wall is at least partially located between the wiring and the housing in a first orthogonal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wiring toward the housing, and in the projection of the wiring and the partition wall onto a plane perpendicular to the first orthogonal direction, the dimensions of the overlapping portion of the wiring and the partition wall in the longitudinal direction and the second orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first orthogonal direction are 50% or more of the dimensions of the wiring in the second orthogonal direction.

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