Battery module

Abstract

A battery module 1 is provided with: a plurality of battery cells 20; a cell holder 30 that comprises a plurality of cell accommodating sections 31 that retain the plurality of battery cells 20 so that first end surfaces 21 thereof face the same direction and a longitudinal wall 32 that covers one end of the plurality of cell accommodating sections 32 and the first end surfaces 21; and a plurality of lead plates arranged side-by-side in a direction of extension of the longitudinal wall 32. Each of the lead plates comprises at least a first connecting line 57 that is connected to a central electrode 24 or a second connecting line 58 that is connected to a peripheral electrode 25. The plurality of lead plates include a plurality of first lead plates 54 and a plurality of second lead plates 55 that are arranged side-by-side in alternation in the direction of extension. The cell holder 30 comprises ribs 34 that protrude from an outer surface of the longitudinal wall 32. The first lead plates 54 are supported by the ribs 34, and the second lead plates 55 are supported by the outer surface of the longitudinal wall 32.

Description

Battery module

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery module to which a so-called one-sided current collection structure is applied. In the one-sided current collection structure, a plurality of battery cells are arranged in parallel with each other in a posture in which end faces provided with a central electrode and a peripheral electrode face the same side. A plurality of lead plates are arranged so as to cover the end faces of the plurality of battery cells and are mechanically and electrically connected to the electrodes.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-118363

[0004] In a battery module to which the one-sided current collection structure is applied, a plurality of lead plates are intensively arranged on the same side with respect to the battery cells. It is difficult to achieve both ensuring an insulation distance between the plurality of lead plates and increasing the volume energy density of the entire battery module.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module that achieves both ensuring an insulation distance and improving the volume energy density of the entire battery module.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of battery cells, each having a first end face portion provided with a first electrode and a second electrode having different polarities; a plurality of cell housings that hold the plurality of battery cells such that the first end faces are facing the same side; a cell holder having a longitudinal wall covering one end of the plurality of cell housings and the first end faces of the plurality of battery cells; a plurality of exposure openings provided in the longitudinal wall that expose the first electrode and the second electrode of the plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of lead plates installed on the outer surface of the longitudinal wall and arranged along the extending direction of the longitudinal wall, wherein each of the plurality of lead plates The present invention provides a battery module having at least one of a first connecting wire that passes through the exposed opening and is connected to the first electrode, and a second connecting wire that passes through another exposed opening and is connected to the second electrode, wherein the plurality of lead plates include a plurality of first lead plates and a plurality of second lead plates, the plurality of first lead plates and the plurality of second lead plates are arranged alternately along the extending direction, the cell holder has ribs protruding from the outer surface of the longitudinal wall, the first lead plates are supported by the ribs and the second lead plates are supported by the outer surface of the longitudinal wall.

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a battery module that achieves both securing insulation distance and improving the overall volumetric energy density of the battery module.

[0008] A perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment. An exploded perspective view of the battery module of Figure 1. An exploded perspective view showing a part of the battery assembly of Figure 2. An exploded perspective view showing the battery assembly of Figure 3 viewed upside down. A bottom view of the battery assembly of Figure 3. A schematic diagram of the current collection structure of Figure 3. A perspective view showing the ribs of the cell holder, the first lead plate, and the second lead plate of Figure 3. An enlarged view of Figure 5.

[0009] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of battery cells, each having a first end face portion provided with a first electrode and a second electrode having different polarities; a plurality of cell housings that hold the plurality of battery cells such that the first end faces are facing the same side; a cell holder having a longitudinal wall covering one end of the plurality of cell housings and the first end faces of the plurality of battery cells; a plurality of exposure openings provided in the longitudinal wall that expose the first electrode and the second electrode of the plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of lead plates installed on the outer surface of the longitudinal wall and arranged along the extending direction of the longitudinal wall. Each of the plurality of lead plates has at least one of a first connecting line that passes through the exposed opening and is connected to the first electrode, and a second connecting line that passes through another exposed opening and is connected to the second electrode, and the plurality of lead plates includes a plurality of first lead plates and a plurality of second lead plates, and the plurality of first lead plates and the plurality of second lead plates are arranged alternately along the extending direction, and the cell holder has ribs that protrude from the outer surface of the longitudinal wall, the first lead plates are supported by the ribs and the second lead plates are supported by the outer surface of the longitudinal wall.

[0010] According to the above configuration, in a single-sided current collection structure, lead plates supported on the outer surface of the cell holder and lead plates supported on ribs provided on the outer surface of the cell holder are arranged alternately. By utilizing the height of the ribs, an insulating distance can be increased between adjacent lead plates, allowing multiple battery cells to be densely arranged in the direction of the longitudinal wall. This makes it possible to achieve both securing the insulating distance and improving the overall volumetric energy density of the battery module.

[0011] In a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the height of the rib may be in the range of 0.2 to 1 mm.

[0012] According to the above configuration, an insulating distance can be secured between adjacent lead plates, and the battery module can be prevented from becoming larger in the height direction of the ribs (normal direction to the outer surface of the cell holder).

[0013] A battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an outer case housing the cell holder and the plurality of lead plates, a fan that forms cooling air flowing inside the outer case, and a cooling air passage provided between the cell holder and the outer case on the side of the cell holder away from the plurality of lead plates, for guiding the cooling air.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the adoption of a single-sided current collection structure makes it easier to secure space on the side opposite to the side where the lead plates are located relative to the cell holder. This space is effectively utilized to position the structure for air cooling. This allows for both improved air cooling performance of the battery module and the suppression of increasing the size of the battery module.

[0015] The following describes specific examples of this disclosure in detail based on the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (e.g., "up," "down," and other terms including these) will be used as needed. The use of these terms is for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the disclosure with reference to the drawings, and the meaning of these terms does not limit the technical scope of this disclosure. Also, parts with the same reference numerals appearing in multiple drawings indicate the same or equivalent parts or components. Furthermore, the embodiments shown below are examples of the technical concept of this disclosure and do not limit this disclosure to them. In addition, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described below are intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of this disclosure unless specifically stated. Also, the content described in one embodiment or example is applicable to other embodiments or examples. Furthermore, the size and positional relationships of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity in the explanation.

[0016] The battery module of this disclosure is applicable, for example, to emergency power sources such as battery backup units (BBUs). However, this disclosure does not specify the application of the battery module, and it can be used as a power source for various other electrical devices, such as a power source for a vehicle's drive motor.

[0017] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the battery module 1 according to this embodiment comprises an outer case 2, a battery assembly 3, a block body 4 (fan 5 and DC-DC converter 6), and a duct member 8.

[0018] The outer casing 2 is, for example, shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped. The outer casing 2 includes a first end wall 11 and a second end wall 12 facing each other in a first direction X, a first longitudinal wall 13 and a second longitudinal wall 14 facing each other in a second direction Z perpendicular to the first direction X and connecting the first end wall 11 and the second end wall 12, and a first side wall 15 and a second side wall 16 facing each other in a third direction Y perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Z and connecting the first end wall 11 and the second end wall 12.

[0019] The first direction X corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the outer case 2. The second direction Z corresponds to the height direction of the outer case 2. In the following description, one side of the second direction Z will be referred to as the "bottom side" and the other side as the "top side". The first longitudinal wall 13 is above the second longitudinal wall 14 and corresponds to the top wall, and the second longitudinal wall 14 corresponds to the bottom wall. The third direction Y corresponds to the width direction of the outer case 2. The first longitudinal wall 13 and the second longitudinal wall 14 are rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The first direction X is the direction in which the longer side of the rectangle extends, and the third direction Y is the direction in which the shorter side of the rectangle extends.

[0020] The outer casing 2 has a first ventilation opening 17 provided in the first end wall 11 and a second ventilation opening 18 provided in the second end wall 12. The first ventilation opening 17 and the second ventilation opening 18 are composed of multiple through holes, which connect the inside and outside of the outer casing 2.

[0021] The outer casing 2 has a base 2A and a cover 2B that are separable in the second direction Z. The base 2A constitutes a second longitudinal wall 14 as a bottom wall. The cover 2B constitutes a first longitudinal wall 13 as a top wall and integrally has a second end wall 12, a first side wall 15 and a second side wall 16. The base 2A has a pair of vertical walls 19 in the third direction Y. The vertical walls 19 are erected from the long side of the first longitudinal wall 13 toward the second direction Z and extend toward the first direction X. The cover 2B is placed over the base 2A from above, and the first side wall 15 and the second side wall 16 are fastened to the pair of vertical walls 19, respectively.

[0022] The outer casing 2 further comprises an end plate 2C that constitutes the first end wall 11 and a pair of columns 2D erected from the first longitudinal wall 13. The pair of columns 2D are positioned on one side in the first direction X relative to the pair of vertical walls 19. The end plate 2C is fastened to the pair of columns 2D.

[0023] The battery assembly 3 and the block body 4 are housed inside the outer casing 2, adjacent to each other in the first direction X. The battery assembly 3 faces the first end wall 11. The block body 4 faces the second end wall 12.

[0024] The block body 4 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The fan 5 and the DC-DC converter 6 are unitized within the block body 4. The DC-DC converter 6 converts voltage when outputting DC power discharged and collected by the battery assembly 3 to the outside, or when supplying DC power for charging input from the outside to the battery assembly 3. The fan 5 is positioned between the battery assembly 3 and the DC-DC converter 6 in the first direction X.

[0025] When fan 5 operates, air flows from the outside of the outer case 2 into the inside of the outer case 2 through the first vent 17 and flows in the first direction X inside the outer case 2. In this process, the air absorbs heat from the battery assembly 3, is drawn into fan 5, blown out from fan 5, and absorbs heat from the DC-DC converter 6. The heated air flows out from the inside of the outer case 2 to the outside of the outer case 2 through the second vent. Fan 5 forms cooling air inside the outer case 2, flowing from the first vent 17 to the second vent 18.

[0026] The duct member 8 includes a cooling air duct portion 8a and a gas duct portion 8b that covers the second and third surfaces. The cooling air duct portion 8a is interposed between the first longitudinal wall 13 and the battery assembly 3. The cooling air duct portion 8a and the first longitudinal wall 13 define a cooling air passage that guides the cooling air. The cooling air that flows into the outer casing 2 flows through the cooling air passage toward the other side of the first direction X. The gas duct portion 8b is L-shaped when viewed in the third direction Y and includes a first duct portion 81 interposed between the second longitudinal wall 14 and the battery assembly 3, and a second duct portion 82 along the end face of the battery assembly 3 on one side in the first direction X. The gas duct portion 8b and the surface of the battery assembly 3 define a gas passage that guides the gas ejected from the battery assembly 3.

[0027] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the battery assembly 3 includes a plurality of battery cells 20, a cell holder 30 that holds the plurality of battery cells 20, a heat transfer element 40 that removes heat from the plurality of battery cells 20, and a current collection structure 50 that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells 20.

[0028] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the battery cell 20 is a cylindrical lithium-ion secondary battery. However, the battery cell 20 may be a battery other than a cylindrical type, such as a prismatic battery, or a battery other than a lithium-ion secondary battery, such as an all-solid-state battery.

[0029] The battery cell 20 has a first end face portion 21, a second end face portion 22, and a side portion 23. The battery cell 20 is elongated in its axial direction. The first end face portion 21 and the second end face portion 22 face each other in the cell length direction (axial direction). The side portion 23 connects the periphery of the first end face portion 21 to the periphery of the second end face portion 22. The first end face portion 21 and the second end face portion 22 are circular when viewed in the axial direction. The side portion 23 has a circular cross-section, and its outer diameter is constant in the axial direction. The battery cell 20 has a central electrode 24 provided in the center of the first end face portion 21, and a peripheral electrode 25 provided on the periphery of the first end face portion 21. The central electrode 24 and the peripheral electrode 25 have opposite polarities. For example, the central electrode 24 is the first electrode and is the positive electrode. The peripheral electrode 25 is the second electrode and is the negative electrode. However, the polarity can be reversed.

[0030] The battery cell 20 has a bottomed cylindrical outer casing 26 that houses the electrode body and electrolyte, and a sealing plate 27 that closes the opening of the outer casing 26. The outer casing 26 and the sealing plate 27 are made of a conductive material. The sealing plate 27 is attached to the outer casing 26 via an insulating material (not shown). A safety valve (not shown) is provided in the sealing plate 27 to release gas to the outside of the outer casing 26 when the internal pressure of the battery cell 20 rises. The aforementioned gas passage is configured to guide this gas.

[0031] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the cell holder 30 has a plurality of cell housing sections 31 for housing battery cells 20, and a longitudinal wall 32 covering one end of each cell housing section 31. The plurality of cell housing sections 31 define a space having a shape complementary to the outer shape of the battery cell 20. In this embodiment, the cell housing sections 31 are cylindrical and extend in the second direction Z. The longitudinal wall 32 corresponds to the bottom wall of the cell holder 30 and closes the lower ends of the plurality of cell housing sections 31.

[0032] Multiple battery cells 20 are housed in each of the multiple cell housings 31 with their first end faces 21 facing downwards. The first end faces 21 abut against the inner surface of the longitudinal wall 32. As a result, the multiple battery cells 20 are held in the cell holder 30 in a vertical orientation with their heights aligned. The vertical orientation is an orientation in which the axial direction of the battery cells 20 is oriented in the second direction Z (the height direction of the outer case 2). The multiple cell housings 31 and the multiple battery cells 20 housed therein are arranged in a staggered pattern in the planes of the first direction X and the third direction Y when viewed from above (viewed in the second direction Z). The multiple battery cells 20 form multiple rows (for example, 24 rows) of cells aligned in the first direction X. In each cell row, multiple (for example, 3) battery cells 20 are arranged in the third direction Y.

[0033] When the battery cell 20 is housed in the cell housing 31, the second end face 22 is exposed facing upward. The heat transfer body 40 consists of a thermal interface material 41 (TIM) placed on top of the cell holder 30 and an insulating sheet 42 placed on top of the thermal interface material 41. The thermal interface material 41 contacts the second end face 22 of the multiple battery cells 20. The thermal interface material 41 is made of, for example, a silicon-based material containing a thermally conductive filler and has insulating properties. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the multiple battery cells 20 from short-circuiting via the heat transfer body 40. The heat generated by the battery cell 20 is transferred to the insulating sheet 42 via the thermal interface material 41.

[0034] The current collection structure 50 employs so-called single-sided current collection. The current collection structure 50 is concentrated on the side opposite to the heat transfer element 40 in the second direction Z relative to the cell holder 30, i.e., on the lower side. Multiple battery cells 20 constitute multiple parallel units 28 arranged in the first direction X, and in each parallel unit 28, two or more battery cells 20 are connected in parallel to each other. Multiple parallel units 28 are sequentially connected in series. The current collection structure 50 realizes the electrical connection between these battery cells 20.

[0035] In this embodiment, as merely one example, the battery assembly 3 has 72 battery cells 20, the 72 battery cells 20 constitute 12 parallel units 28, and the 6 battery cells 20 constitute 1 parallel unit 28. The 72 battery cells 20 form 24 cell rows, the 3 battery cells 20 form 1 cell row, and the 2 cell rows constitute 1 parallel unit 28.

[0036] The battery assembly 3 is provided with a valve plate 70 that is stacked below the current collection structure 50. The valve plate 70 has a base portion 71 that is stacked on the lead plate and a valve body portion 72 that is continuous with the base portion 71. The first duct portion 81 of the gas duct portion 8b covers the valve plate 70 from below. When gas is ejected from the battery cell 20, the valve body portion 72 opens, allowing the gas to flow into the back side of the valve plate 70, i.e., into the gas passage.

[0037] Because single-sided current collection is applied to the current collection structure 50, the battery assembly 3 can be miniaturized in the second direction Z compared to the case where the current collection structure 50 is distributed on both sides of the battery assembly 3 in the second direction Z. The first end faces 21 of all battery cells 20 are oriented to the same side (downward). Therefore, each battery cell 20 ejects gas downward. If the gas passage is on the same side as the current collection structure 50 in the second direction Z, it can receive the gas ejected from any of the battery cells 20. The gas passage does not need to be provided on both sides of the battery assembly 3 in the second direction Z, similar to the current collection structure 50. Therefore, space for a cooling air passage can be secured on the side (upper side) where neither the current collection structure 50 nor the gas passage is located. This makes it possible to achieve both improved cooling performance and miniaturization of the battery module 1.

[0038] The cell holder 30 and the current collection structure 50 will be described below.

[0039] Referring to Figure 4, the cell holder 30 is composed of a first holder member 30a and a second holder member 30b that can be divided in the second direction Z. The first holder member 30a is positioned on the lower side (upper side of the paper in Figure 4), and the second holder member 30b is positioned on the upper side (lower side of the paper in Figure 4). The longitudinal wall 32 is provided on the first holder member 30a.

[0040] The cell housing section 31 is composed of a first half 31a provided on the first holder member 30a and a second half 31b provided on the second holder member 30b. The first half 31a is a bottomed cylindrical shape. The lower end of the first half 31a is closed by a longitudinal wall 32. The second half 31b is a cylindrical shape that is open at both ends. By assembling the first holder member 30a and the second holder member 30b together in the second direction Z, a pair of first halves 31a and second halves 31b are aligned with each other, forming a single cell housing section 31. The first half of the battery cell 20, on the side of the first end face 21, is housed in the first half 31a. The second half of the battery cell 20, on the side of the second end face 22, is housed in the second half 31b.

[0041] On the elongated wall 32, a plurality of exposure openings 33 (see FIG. 7) for exposing the central electrode 24 and the peripheral electrode 25 are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of battery cells 20. The exposure openings 33 include a central exposure opening 33a for exposing the central electrode 24 and a peripheral exposure opening 33b for exposing the peripheral electrode 25. For one battery cell 20, a set of exposure openings 33 including one central exposure opening 33a and one peripheral exposure opening 33b is provided. The central exposure opening 33a and the peripheral exposure opening 33b are independent through-holes and are arranged close to each other.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the current collecting structure 50 is installed on the outer surface of the elongated wall 32 and has a plurality of lead plates arranged along the first direction X. The plurality of lead plates include a first end lead plate 51 arranged at one end on the first direction X side, a second end lead plate 52 arranged at the other end on the first direction X side, and a plurality of intermediate lead plates 53 arranged in the first direction X between the first end lead plate 51 and the second end lead plate 52.

[0043] Each lead plate has a plate-shaped base portion 56 that is stacked on the cell holder 30 and a plurality of connection lines that extend from the base portion 56 in the second direction Z, pass through the exposure openings 33, and are connected to the electrodes. The connection lines include a first connection line 57 connected to the central electrode 24 and a second connection line 58 connected to the peripheral electrode 25. The first connection line 57 passes through the central exposure opening 33a. The second connection line 58 passes through the peripheral exposure opening 33b.

[0044] The first end lead plate 51 has a plurality of first connection lines 57 as lead wires. The second end lead plate 52 has a plurality of second connection lines 58 as lead wires. The intermediate lead plate 53 has a plurality of first connection lines 57 and a plurality of second connection lines 58. In each lead plate, the number of the first connection lines 57 corresponds to the number of the battery cells 20 constituting the parallel unit 28. The number of the second connection lines 58 is the same.

[0045] The first end lead plate 51 is connected to the central electrode 24 of the battery cell 20 that constitutes the parallel unit 28 at one end on one side in the first direction X. The adjacent intermediate lead plate 53 is connected to the peripheral electrode 25 of the battery cell 20 that constitutes the parallel unit 28 and is also connected to the central electrode 24 of the battery cell 20 that constitutes the parallel unit 28 adjacent to the parallel unit 28. The same applies to the other intermediate lead plates 53. The second end lead plate 52 is connected to the peripheral electrode 25 of the battery cell 20 that constitutes the parallel unit 28 at the other end on the other side in the first direction X. Thereby, parallel connection within each parallel unit 28 and series connection between the parallel units 28 are realized.

[0046] The plurality of lead plates include a first lead plate 54 that is odd-numbered when counted from one end on one side in the first direction X and a second lead plate 55 that is even-numbered when counted from one end on one side in the first direction X. As is clear from this definition, the first lead plate 54 and the second lead plate 55 are arranged alternately along the first direction X. When the number of parallel units 28 is even (for example, 12), the number of intermediate lead plates 53 is odd (for example, 11), so both the first end lead plate 51 and the second end lead plate 52 become the first lead plate 54.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 6, the cell holder 30 (the first holder member 30a) has ribs 34 protruding from the outer surface of the longitudinal wall 32. The base portion 56 of the first lead plate 54 is supported by the rib 34 and is in a floating state from the outer surface of the longitudinal wall 32. On the other hand, the base portion 56 of the second lead plate 55 is supported by the outer surface of the longitudinal wall 32. Therefore, the first lead plate 54 and the second lead plate 55 are separated from each other by the height H34 of the rib 34 in the second direction Z.

[0048] Thereby, an insulation distance can be obtained between adjacent lead plates by utilizing the height of the rib 34. Therefore, it is allowed to densely arrange the plurality of battery cells 20 in the extending direction of the longitudinal wall 32 (the in-plane direction of the first direction X and the third direction Y). It is possible to achieve both ensuring the insulation distance and improving the volume energy density of the entire battery module 1.

[0049] The height H34 of the rib 34 may be in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm, preferably in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm. This ensures sufficient insulation distance between adjacent lead plates and prevents the battery module 1 from becoming larger in the height direction of the rib 34 (second direction Z).

[0050] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the ribs 34 are arranged in a manner that weaves between the exposed openings 33 within the area where the base portion 56 of the first lead plate 54 is installed.

[0051] Here, the base portion 56 of the intermediate lead plate 53 has a central portion 56a extending in the third direction Y from the center of the first direction X, a plurality of first legs 56b extending from the central portion 56a to the other side of the first direction X, and a plurality of second legs 56c extending from the central portion 56a to one side of the first direction X. The first connecting line 57 extends from the edge of the central portion 56a on the other side of the first direction X and from the plurality of first legs 56b. The second connecting line 58 extends from the edge of the central portion 56a on one side of the first direction X and from the plurality of second legs 56c.

[0052] To support the intermediate lead plate 53 as the first lead plate 54, the rib 34 has a plurality of central ribs 34a that support the central portion 56a, a plurality of first ribs 34b that each support a plurality of first legs 56b, and a plurality of second ribs 34c that each support a plurality of second legs 56c. The plurality of central ribs 34a are divided into segments in the third direction Y. The central rib 34a at the other end in the third direction Y is continuous with one of the first ribs 34b. The central rib 34a at one end in the third direction Y is continuous with one of the second ribs 34c. In the third direction Y, the central ribs 34a other than those at both ends are continuous with one of the first ribs 34b and also continuous with one of the second ribs 34c.

[0053] The base portion 56 of the first end lead plate 51 is shaped like the intermediate lead plate 53 with the second leg portion omitted. The rib 34 supporting the first end lead plate 51 corresponds to the rib 34 supporting the intermediate lead plate 53 with the second rib omitted. The base portion 56 of the second end lead plate 52 is shaped like the intermediate lead plate 53 with the first leg portion omitted. The rib 34 supporting the second end lead plate 52 corresponds to the rib 34 supporting the intermediate lead plate 53 with the first rib omitted.

[0054] In this way, the ribs 34 are arranged on the outer surface of the longitudinal wall 32, weaving between the exposed openings 33, corresponding to the ladder-shaped base portion 56. As a result, the base portion 56 of the first lead plate 54 is stably supported overall.

[0055] While embodiments have been described above, the above configuration can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of this disclosure.

[0056] This disclosure may include the following embodiments: (Embodiment 1) A plurality of battery cells, each having a first end face portion provided with a first electrode and a second electrode having different polarities; a plurality of cell housings that hold the plurality of battery cells such that the first end faces are facing the same side; a cell holder having a longitudinal wall covering one end of the plurality of cell housings and the first end faces of the plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of exposure openings provided in the longitudinal wall that expose the first electrode and the second electrode of the plurality of battery cells; a plurality of lead plates installed on the outer surface of the longitudinal wall and arranged along the extending direction of the longitudinal wall, wherein each of the plurality of lead plates has at least one of a first connection line that passes through the exposure opening and is connected to the first electrode, and a second connection line that passes through another exposure opening and is connected to the second electrode, wherein the plurality of lead plates include a plurality of first lead plates and a plurality of second lead plates, and the plurality of first lead plates and the plurality of second lead plates are arranged alternately along the extending direction. A battery module wherein the cell holder has ribs protruding from the outer surface of the longitudinal wall, the first lead plate is supported by the ribs, and the second lead plate is supported by the outer surface of the longitudinal wall. (Aspect 2) The battery module according to aspect 1, wherein the height of the ribs is in the range of 0.2 to 1 mm. (Aspect 3) The battery module according to aspect 1 or 2, further comprising: an outer case housing the cell holder and the plurality of lead plates; a fan that forms cooling air flowing inside the outer case; and a cooling air passage provided between the cell holder and the outer case on the side of the cell holder opposite to the plurality of lead plates, for guiding the cooling air.

[0057] 1 Battery module 2 Outer case 2A Base 2B Cover 2C End plate 2D Column 3 Battery assembly 4 Block body 5 Fan 6 DC-DC converter 8 Duct member 8a Cooling air duct section 8b Gas duct section 11 First end wall 12 Second end wall 13 First longitudinal wall 14 Second longitudinal wall 15 First side wall 16 Second side wall 17 First vent 18 Second vent 19 Vertical wall 20 Battery cell 21 First end face section 22 Second end face section 23 Side section 24 Central electrode 25 Peripheral electrode 26 Outer can 27 Sealing plate 28 Parallel unit 30 Cell holder 30a First holder member 30b Second holder member 31 Cell housing section 31a First half 31b 32 Second half 33 Long wall 33 Exposed opening 33a Central exposed opening 33b Peripheral exposed opening 34 Rib 34a Central rib 34b First rib 34c Second rib 40 Heat transfer element 41 Thermal interface material 42 Insulating sheet 50 Current collection structure 51 First end lead plate 52 Second end lead plate 53 Intermediate lead plate 54 First lead plate 55 Second lead plate 56 Base part 56a Central part 56b First leg part 56c Second leg part 57 First connecting wire 58 Second connecting wire 70 Valve plate 71 Base part 72 Valve body part 81 First duct part 82 Second duct part X First direction Y Third direction Z Second direction

Claims

1. A cell holder comprising: a plurality of battery cells, each having a first end face portion provided with a first electrode and a second electrode having different polarities; a plurality of cell housing portions that hold the plurality of battery cells such that the first end faces are facing the same side; a longitudinal wall covering one end of the plurality of cell housing portions and the first end faces of the plurality of battery cells; a plurality of exposure openings provided in the longitudinal wall that expose the first electrode and the second electrode of the plurality of battery cells; a plurality of lead plates installed on the outer surface of the longitudinal wall and arranged along the extending direction of the longitudinal wall, wherein each of the plurality of lead plates has at least one of a first connection line that passes through the exposure opening and is connected to the first electrode, and a second connection line that passes through another exposure opening and is connected to the second electrode, wherein the plurality of lead plates include a plurality of first lead plates and a plurality of second lead plates, and the plurality of first lead plates and the plurality of second lead plates are arranged alternately along the extending direction. A battery module in which the cell holder has ribs protruding from the outer surface of the longitudinal wall, the first lead plate is supported by the ribs, and the second lead plate is supported by the outer surface of the longitudinal wall.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the height of the rib is in the range of 0.2 to 1 mm.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an outer case housing the cell holder and the plurality of lead plates; a fan that forms cooling air flowing inside the outer case; and a cooling air passage provided between the cell holder and the outer case on the side of the cell holder away from the plurality of lead plates, for guiding the cooling air.

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