Battery pack

Abstract

This battery pack (10) comprises: a lower plate (210); a first battery module (100a) that is mounted on the lower plate (210); a wire (300) that is led out from a region that is positioned on the same plane as at least a portion of the first battery module (100a) in a direction parallel to the lower plate (210), toward another region that is positioned offset from said region in a direction perpendicular to the lower plate (210); and a support base (420) and a clip (500) for supporting the wire (300) at least partially obliquely with respect to a plane that is parallel to the lower plate (210) from said region toward said other region.

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 may include a battery module and wiring.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a battery pack. The battery pack includes a battery module, a housing case for housing the battery module, a wire harness electrically connected to the battery module, and a reinforcing portion for reinforcing the housing case. The wire harness is arranged along the upper surface of the reinforcing portion.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a power battery module. The power battery module includes a battery and a battery housing assembly for housing the battery. The battery housing assembly has a cable snap fit for preventing the movement of a cable or wire.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes a battery pack. The battery pack includes a housing, a battery module installed in the housing, a conducting wire, a first plug provided at one end of the conducting wire, and a second plug provided at the other end of the conducting wire.

[0006] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019 - 169281, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017 - 501550, Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 116053711 Specification

[0007] In a battery pack, wiring may be arranged around the battery module. In such a battery pack, it may be required to facilitate the arrangement of the wiring around the battery module.

[0008] An example of the object of the present invention is to facilitate the arrangement of the wiring around the battery module. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description herein.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is as follows: 1.1 A battery pack comprising: a plate; a battery module mounted on the plate; wiring extending from a region located in the same plane as at least a portion of the battery module in a direction parallel to the plate toward another region located offset from the region in a direction perpendicular to the plate; and a support member supporting the wiring at least partially at an angle with respect to a plane parallel to the plate toward the other region. 1.2 The battery pack according to 1.1, wherein the support member has an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to a plane parallel to the plate toward the other region. 1.3 The battery pack according to 1.2, wherein the wiring and the inclined portion are at least partially fixed to each other.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention is as follows: 2.1 A battery pack comprising: a plate; a battery module mounted on the plate; wiring extending from a region located in the same plane as at least a portion of the battery module in a direction parallel to the plate toward another region located offset from the battery module in a direction perpendicular to the plate; and a partition wall at least partially separating the battery module from the battery module and a portion of the wiring located between the region and the other region. 2.2 The battery pack according to 2.1, wherein the partition wall has an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to a plane parallel to the plate toward the other region.

[0011] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the wiring around the battery module can be easily arranged.

[0012] This is a perspective view of the battery pack according to the embodiment. This is a schematic plan view of the battery pack according to the embodiment with the upper plate removed. This is a detailed perspective view of region α shown in Figure 2.

[0013] 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.

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment with the upper plate 230 removed.

[0015] In this embodiment, the battery pack 10 is mounted in an automobile. Specifically, the battery pack 10 is mounted between the front and rear wheels of the automobile. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the battery pack 10 will be described as being mounted in an automobile. However, the battery pack 10 can also be applied to applications other than automobiles.

[0016] Each figure shows the X, Y, and Z directions for explanatory purposes. The X direction indicates the front-to-back direction of the battery pack 10. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The Y direction indicates the left-to-right direction of the battery pack 10. 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 10. The X, Y, and Z directions are non-parallel to each other. The arrows pointing to the X, Y, and Z directions indicate the front, left, and up directions of the battery pack 10, respectively. In Figure 2, the white circle with a black dot indicating the Z direction indicates that the arrow pointing to the Z direction extends from the back of the page towards the front. However, the relationship between the X, Y, and Z directions and the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions of the battery pack 10 is not limited to this example.

[0017] In this embodiment, the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions of the battery pack 10 are determined by the vehicle in which the battery pack 10 is mounted. The X, Y, and Z directions represent the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions of the vehicle, respectively. The arrows pointing to the X, Y, and Z directions represent the front, left, and up directions of the vehicle, respectively. However, the relationship between the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions of the battery pack 10 and the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions of the vehicle is not limited to this example.

[0018] 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.

[0019] A battery pack 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the battery pack 10 comprises a plurality of battery modules 100 and a housing 200.

[0021] In the example shown in Figure 2, four battery modules 100 are arranged in two rows and two columns in the X and Y directions, respectively. Hereinafter, the first battery module 100a refers to the battery module 100 located on the -X side and the -Y side, the second battery module 100b refers to the battery module 100 located on the -X side and the +Y side, the third battery module 100c refers to the battery module 100 located on the +X side and the -Y side, and the fourth battery module 100d refers to the battery module 100 located on the +X side and the +Y side. The number and arrangement of the battery modules 100 are not limited to the number and arrangement shown in Figure 2. For example, the battery pack 10 may have only one battery module 100. Alternatively, the battery pack 10 may have, for example, five or more battery modules 100.

[0022] Each battery module 100 has a plurality of battery cells (not shown) stacked in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction. The plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel. Each battery module 100 shown in Figure 2 shows the shape of a housing that accommodates the battery cells (not shown). In the example shown in Figure 2, the housing has a roughly rectangular shape with a roughly rectangular base having a pair of long sides extending in the X direction and another pair of sides extending in the Y direction when viewed from the Z direction.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 200 has a lower plate 210, a side frame 220, an upper plate 230, and a support frame 240. The lower plate 210 and the side frame 220 are sometimes collectively referred to as the lower case. The upper plate 230 is sometimes referred to as the upper case. The housing 200 houses a plurality of battery modules 100.

[0024] The lower plate 210 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. Multiple battery modules 100 are mounted on the +Z side surface of the lower plate 210. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower plate 210 has a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the X direction and a transverse direction substantially parallel to the Y direction. The shape of the lower plate 210 is not limited to the examples shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0025] The side frame 220 extends from the entire circumference of the +Z-side surface of the lower plate 210 toward the +Z direction. Viewed from the Z direction, the side frame 220 surrounds the area where the multiple battery modules 100 are located.

[0026] The upper plate 230 is located on the +Z side relative to the multiple battery modules 100 and the side frame 220. Viewed from the Z direction, the lower plate 210 and the upper plate 230 have substantially the same shape. The side frame 220 and the portion of the upper plate 230 that overlaps with the side frame 220 in the Z direction are fastened to each other by fasteners such as bolts (not shown). With the side frame 220 and the portion of the upper plate 230 that overlaps with the side frame 220 in the Z direction fastened to each other, the lower plate 210, the side frame 220 and the upper plate 230 form a housing space for accommodating the multiple battery modules 100.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, when viewed from the Z direction, the support frame 240 extends in a frame shape that at least partially surrounds each battery module 100. The Y-direction sides of each battery module 100 and the Y-direction sides of the support frame 240 are fastened to each other by fasteners such as bolts (not shown). With the corresponding parts of each battery module 100 and the corresponding parts of the support frame 240 fastened to each other, each battery module 100 and the housing 200 are attached to each other.

[0028] Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of region α shown in Figure 2.

[0029] In Figure 3, the first battery module 100a shows a plate portion of the housing that houses the battery cells of the first battery module 100a. In Figure 3, the second battery module 100b shows a plate portion of the housing that houses the battery cells of the second battery module 100b. As shown in Figure 3, the battery pack 10 further includes wiring 300, a first branch wiring 310, and a second branch wiring 320.

[0030] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b refer to the regions located between the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b in the Y direction. The lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b are located on the same plane as at least a portion of the first battery module 100a and at least a portion of the second battery module 100b in a direction parallel to the lower plate 210.

[0031] Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the upper region of the support frame 240 refers to the region that is offset toward the +Z side in the Z direction relative to the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b.

[0032] Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the upper region of the first battery module 100a refers to the region located offset to the +Z side in the Z direction relative to the first battery module 100a. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the upper region of the second battery module 100b refers to the region located offset to the +Z side in the Z direction relative to the second battery module 100b.

[0033] The wiring 300 is used in conjunction with the battery module 100. The wiring 300 is housed in the casing 200. The wiring 300 has multiple wires bundled together by a binding member such as a tube or tape. Examples of the wires constituting the wiring 300 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 included in the battery module 100 and signal lines for thermistors that detect the temperature of each battery cell included in the battery module 100.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the mounting member 400 is located on the +Z side relative to the support frame 240 in the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b. The mounting member 400 attaches the housing 200 and the wiring 300 to each other, at least partially. The mounting member 400 has a guide portion 410, a support base 420, and a partition wall 430.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the guide portion 410 defines a guide groove 412. The guide groove 412 extends in the X direction and opens upward on the +Z side. The wiring 300 can be pushed into the guide groove 412 from the +Z side opening. As shown in Figure 3, the wiring 300 is at least partially inserted into the guide groove 412. By at least partially inserting the wiring 300 into the guide groove 412, the wiring 300 is guided in the X direction by the guide groove 412. Guiding the wiring 300 with the guide groove 412 makes it easier to route the wiring 300 in the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the support base 420 is located on the -X side relative to the guide portion 410. The support base 420 includes an inclined surface 422 and a horizontal surface 424. The inclined surface 422 is an inclined portion that slopes with respect to a plane parallel to the lower plate 210, extending from the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b toward the upper region of the support frame 240. In the example shown in Figure 3, when viewed from the Y direction, the inclined surface 422 slopes upward toward the +Z side relative to the plane parallel to the lower plate 210 as it approaches the -X side end of the support base 420. The horizontal surface 424 is located on the -X side relative to the inclined surface 422. The horizontal surface 424 is substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. The -X side end of the inclined surface 422 and the +X side end of the horizontal surface 424 are connected to each other.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the wiring 300 and the inclined surface 422 are fixed to each other by clips 500. For example, the clips 500 are detachable from the inclined surface 422 while the wiring 300 and clips 500 are locked to each other. As shown in Figure 3, with the wiring 300 and the inclined surface 422 fixed to each other, the wiring 300 is pulled out from the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b toward the upper region of the support frame 240.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the inclined surface 422 and the clip 500 are support members that support the wiring 300 at least partially at an angle from the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b toward the upper region of the support frame 240. In the example shown in Figure 3, the wiring 300 is supported at an angle along the inclined surface 422. When routing the wiring 300 from the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b toward the upper region of the support frame 240, it is necessary to bend the wiring 300 between the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b and the upper region of the support frame 240. In this embodiment, compared to the case where the wiring 300 is bent at approximately a right angle between the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b and the upper region of the support frame 240, the bending angle of the wiring 300 between the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b and the upper region of the support frame 240 can be reduced. Furthermore, compared to the case where the wiring 300 is bent at approximately a right angle between the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b and the upper region of the support frame 240, the downward pushing of the portion of the wiring 300 that overlaps with the support base 420 in the Z direction on the -Z side can be reduced in the wiring 300 routing. Therefore, in this embodiment, compared to the case where the wiring 300 is bent at approximately a right angle between the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b and the upper region of the support frame 240, the routing of the wiring 300 from the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b toward the upper region of the support frame 240 can be facilitated, and the routing of the wiring 300 around the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b can be facilitated.

[0039] As the diameter of the wiring 300 increases, it tends to become more difficult to bend the wiring 300 at approximately a right angle. As described above, in this embodiment, the wiring 300 can be routed from the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b toward the upper region of the support frame 240 without bending the wiring 300 at approximately a right angle. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the diameter of the wiring 300 is relatively large, it is possible to easily route the wiring 300 from the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b toward the upper region of the support frame 240.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the bulkhead 430 is located on the -Y side with respect to the support base 420. The bulkhead 430 includes an inclined bulkhead section 432 and a horizontal bulkhead section 434. The inclined bulkhead section 432 extends at least partially from the -Y side end of the horizontal plane 424. The inclined bulkhead section 432 is inclined upward on the +Z side with respect to a plane parallel to the lower plate 210 as it approaches the -Y side end of the bulkhead 430. The horizontal bulkhead section 434 extends from the +Z side end of the bulkhead 430 toward the -Y side.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the wiring 300 is routed from the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b toward the upper region of the first battery module 100a. In the example shown in Figure 3, the wiring 300 is bent around the corner between the +Y side and the +Z top surface of the first battery module 100a. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the corner of the first battery module 100a refers to the corner between the +Y side and the +Z top surface of the first battery module 100a. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the bent portion of the wiring 300 refers to the bent portion of the wiring 300 between the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b and the upper region of the first battery module 100a.

[0042] The partition wall 430 at least partially separates the corner of the first battery module 100a and the bent portion of the wiring 300 from each other. Therefore, contact between the corner of the first battery module 100a and the bent portion of the wiring 300 can be suppressed. Thus, damage to the wiring 300 due to contact between the corner of the first battery module 100a and the bent portion of the wiring 300 can be suppressed. Therefore, compared with the case where the corner of the first battery module 100a and the bent portion of the wiring 300 contact each other, the routing of the wiring 300 around the corner of the first battery module 100a can be facilitated.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the bent portion of the wiring 300 and the horizontal plane 424 at least partially overlap in the Z direction. Therefore, compared with the case where the support base 420 has an inclined surface flush with the inclined surface 422 instead of the horizontal plane 424, interference between the bent portion of the wiring 300 and the support base 420 can be easily suppressed. However, the support base 420 may have an inclined surface flush with the inclined surface 422 instead of the horizontal plane 424.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the inclined partition wall portion 432 is an inclined portion inclined with respect to a plane parallel to the lower plate 210 from the lateral region of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b toward the upper region of the first battery module 100a. Therefore, the bent portion of the wiring 300 can be routed along the inclined partition wall portion 432. Therefore, compared with the case where the partition wall 430 has a partition wall portion parallel to the Z direction instead of the inclined partition wall portion 432, the wiring 300 can be easily routed from the lateral region of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b toward the upper region of the first battery module 100a. However, the partition wall 430 may have a partition wall portion parallel to the Z direction instead of the inclined partition wall portion 432.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the horizontal bulkhead portion 434 is at least partially located between the bent portion of the wiring 300 and the upper surface on the +Z side of the first battery module 100a. Therefore, contact between the bent portion of the wiring 300 and the upper surface on the +Z side of the first battery module 100a can be easily suppressed. Furthermore, compared to the case where the bulkhead 430 has an inclined bulkhead portion with the same inclination as the inclined bulkhead portion 432 instead of the horizontal bulkhead portion 434, the height of the bulkhead 430 in the Z direction can be reduced and the strength of the bulkhead 430 can be improved. However, the bulkhead 430 may have an inclined bulkhead portion with the same inclination as the inclined bulkhead portion 432 instead of the horizontal bulkhead portion 434.

[0046] As shown in Figure 3, the first branch wiring 310 and the second branch wiring 320 branch off from the bent portion of the wiring 300. As shown in Figure 3, the first branch wiring 310 is drawn out from the bent portion of the wiring 300 toward the upper region of the second battery module 100b. As shown in Figure 3, the second branch wiring 320 is drawn out from the bent portion of the wiring 300 toward the upper region of the first battery module 100a. The branch portions of the first branch wiring 310 and the second branch wiring 320 at the bent portion of the wiring 300 can be difficult to cover with protective materials such as protective tape. However, in this embodiment, the corner portion of the first battery module 100a and the branch portion of the wiring 300 can be separated from each other by a partition wall 430. Therefore, even if the branch portion of the wiring 300 is not covered with a protective material, the branch portion of the wiring 300 can be protected from the corner portion of the first battery module 100a.

[0047] 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.

[0048] In the embodiment, the "plate" in the above-described Aspect 1 corresponds to the lower plate 210 in the embodiment, the "battery module" in the above-described Aspect 1 corresponds to the first battery module 100a or the second battery module 100b in the embodiment, the "region" in the above-described Aspect 1 corresponds to the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b in the embodiment, and the "other region" in the above-described Aspect 1 corresponds to the upper region of the support frame 240 in the embodiment. An example of the above-described Aspect 1 is described in this state. However, the above-described Aspect 1 is not limited to the example described in the embodiment, and includes examples different from the example described in the embodiment as long as the intended purpose of the above-described Aspect 1 can be achieved.

[0049] In the embodiment, the "plate" in the above-described Aspect 2 corresponds to the lower plate 210 in the embodiment, the "battery module" in the above-described Aspect 2 corresponds to the first battery module 100a in the embodiment, the "region" in the above-described Aspect 2 corresponds to the lateral regions of the first battery module 100a and the second battery module 100b in the embodiment, and the "other region" in the above-described Aspect 2 corresponds to the upper region of the first battery module 100a in the embodiment. An example of the above-described Aspect 2 is described in this state. However, the above-described Aspect 2 is not limited to the example described in the embodiment, and includes examples different from the example described in the embodiment as long as the intended purpose of the above-described Aspect 2 can be achieved.

[0050] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-181889 filed on October 17, 2024, and incorporates the entire disclosure thereof herein.

[0051] 10 Battery pack, 100 Battery module, 100a First battery module, 100b Second battery module, 100c Third battery module, 100d Fourth battery module, 200 Housing, 210 Lower plate, 220 Side frame, 230 Upper plate, 240 Support frame, 300 Wiring, 310 First branch wiring, 320 Second branch wiring, 400 Mounting member, 410 Guide portion, 412 Guide groove, 420 Support base, 422 Inclined surface, 424 Horizontal surface, 430 Partition wall, 432 Inclined partition wall portion, 434 Horizontal partition wall portion, 500 Clip

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: a plate; a battery module mounted on the plate; wiring extending from a region located in the same plane as at least a portion of the battery module in a direction parallel to the plate toward another region located offset from the region perpendicular to the plate; and a support member supporting the wiring at least partially at an angle with respect to a plane parallel to the plate toward the other region.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the support member has an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to a plane parallel to the plate, extending from the region toward the other region.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the wiring and the inclined portion are at least partially fixed to each other.

4. A battery pack comprising: a plate; a battery module mounted on the plate; wiring extending from a region located in the same plane as at least a portion of the battery module in a direction parallel to the plate toward another region located offset from the battery module in a direction perpendicular to the plate; and a partition wall that at least partially separates the battery module from the other region and the portion of the wiring located between the region and the other region.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the partition wall has an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to a plane parallel to the plate toward the other region.

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