Substrate with tab lead and battery module

Abstract

This substrate (11) with a tab lead comprises: a substrate unit (40) having a substrate (20) having mounting surfaces, and electronic components (30) mounted on the mounting surfaces of the substrate; and a first tab lead (60) and a second tab lead (70) connected to the mounting surfaces of the substrate. The first tab lead and the second tab lead hold a battery (12) so as to sandwich the battery in a thickness direction (T) of the substrate, and hold the battery such that a thickness center line (C1) of the entire substrate unit along the thickness direction is included in a thickness (H) range of the battery along the thickness direction.

Description

Substrate with tab lead and battery module

[0001] The present invention relates to a substrate with a tab lead and a battery module. This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-002690 filed in Japan on January 8, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] <Background Art of the First Invention> In an electronic module in which electronic components including various elements and the like are mounted on a substrate, in order to cope with miniaturization, thinning, etc. of an electronic device or the like on which the electronic module is mounted, further miniaturization, thinning, etc. are required. In particular, considering application to ultra-small IoT (Internet of Things) devices, the requirements for miniaturization, thinning, etc. of electronic modules are even stronger.

[0003] In the substrate and battery constituting an electronic module, for example, when directly mounting a battery on the substrate, a battery with a tab lead may be used. A general battery with a tab lead includes a positive electrode side tab lead electrically connected to the positive electrode side of the battery and a negative electrode side tab lead electrically connected to the negative electrode side of the battery. One of the positive electrode side tab lead and the negative electrode side tab lead is often a flat tab lead that has not been bent or deformed. In contrast, the other tab lead is often a tab lead having a Z-shaped side view that is bent in the middle. Therefore, this type of battery with a tab lead is often mounted on one side of the substrate. This is because the other tab lead is formed in a Z-shaped side view, so that it is possible to connect (fix) the other tab lead to the substrate together with one tab lead by soldering or the like on one side of the substrate.

[0004] Also, when mounting a battery with a tab lead on a substrate, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, it is also known to connect a pair of tab leads and the substrate in a state where the battery is housed in a battery housing hole formed in the substrate.

[0005] <Background Technology of the Second Invention> Electronic modules, on which various elements and other electronic components are mounted on a substrate, are required to be further miniaturized and thinned in order to accommodate the miniaturization and thinning of electronic devices and other equipment on which the electronic modules are mounted. In particular, when considering application to ultra-small IoT (Internet of Things) devices, the demand for miniaturization and thinning of electronic modules is even stronger.

[0006] In electronic modules, when a battery is directly mounted to the substrate, for example, a battery with tab leads may be used. A typical battery with tab leads has a positive tab lead that conducts to the positive electrode side of the battery and a negative tab lead that conducts to the negative electrode side of the battery. At least one of the positive and negative tab leads is often a tab lead that is bent and deformed midway, resulting in a Z-shape in side view.

[0007] When mounting such a battery with tab leads onto a substrate, it is also known to connect the pair of tab leads to the substrate while the battery is housed in a battery housing hole formed in the substrate, as shown in Patent Document 1 below.

[0008] Incidentally, there is a demand for miniaturization in tab-lead circuit boards where tab-lead batteries are mounted on a circuit board. To achieve miniaturization of tab-lead circuit boards, for example, a configuration in which the circuit board and batteries are arranged in the in-plane direction of the circuit board can be considered. With this configuration, compared to configurations in which batteries are stacked on the circuit board or battery housing holes are formed in the circuit board, the circuit board can be made smaller than the external dimensions of the battery, and the overall size of the tab-lead circuit board can be reduced. In addition, since the battery is not enclosed by the circuit board, the heat dissipation of the battery can be ensured.

[0009] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-183004

[0010] <Problems that the first invention aims to solve> When mounting a battery with tab leads on one side of a substrate, the thickness of the battery itself is added to the thickness of the substrate. As a result, the overall thickness of the electronic module increases, hindering thinning (low-profile design). In particular, the battery itself has more thickness than other electronic components, so it has a greater impact on the thickness of the electronic module. In other words, the battery contributes significantly to the overall thickness of the electronic module. Therefore, a structure in which the thickness of the battery is simply added on top of the thickness of the substrate is undesirable from the standpoint of thinning.

[0011] In contrast, in the structure described in Patent Document 1, for example, the battery is housed within a battery housing hole, thus reducing the amount of battery protrusion from the substrate by the thickness of the substrate. However, even in this case, the battery still protrudes in one direction from one side of the substrate. Therefore, the overall thickness of the electronic module still increases. Consequently, the challenge of miniaturization remains.

[0012] <Problems the second invention aims to solve> In a tab-lead substrate in which the substrate and battery are arranged in the in-plane direction of the substrate, if the battery is placed close to the substrate, one tab lead connected to the substrate comes close to the side of the battery which is electrically connected to the other tab lead. This may cause the battery to short circuit. On the other hand, if the battery is placed away from the substrate, it is difficult to achieve the miniaturization effect of the tab-lead substrate. In addition, since the battery is supported by the substrate at a position away from the substrate via the tab leads, the load on the tab leads increases, which may cause the tab leads to breakage. Therefore, the development of a technology to miniaturize tab-lead substrates is desired.

[0013] <Objective of the first invention> To provide a tab-lead substrate and a battery module that can further reduce the overall thickness of the electronic module. <Objective of the second invention> To achieve both miniaturization and improved mechanical strength of the tab-lead substrate.

[0014] <Means for solving the problems of the first invention> (1) The tab-lead substrate according to the present invention comprises a substrate unit having a substrate having a mounting surface and electronic components mounted on the mounting surface of the substrate, and a first tab lead and a second tab lead connected to the mounting surface of the substrate. The first tab lead and the second tab lead hold the battery so as to sandwich it in the thickness direction of the substrate, and hold the battery such that the thickness center line of the entire substrate unit along the thickness direction is included within the thickness range of the battery along the thickness direction.

[0015] According to the tab-lead substrate of the present invention, a battery can be held by sandwiching it in the thickness direction of the substrate using the first and second tab leads connected to the substrate. In particular, since the battery is held so that the center line of the thickness of the entire substrate unit, including the substrate on which various electronic components are mounted, is within the thickness range of the battery, it is possible to suppress the battery from protruding significantly in one direction from one side of the substrate, as in the conventional method. Therefore, it is easier to reduce the overall thickness of the substrate unit and the battery (battery module), and even with a battery that has a high contribution rate (large influence) to the thickness, it is possible to further reduce the thickness of the electronic module. In addition, the first and second tab leads can be used as leads for the electrode terminals of the battery.

[0016] (2) The first tab lead and the second tab lead may hold the battery such that the center line of the thickness of the entire substrate unit along the thickness direction coincides with the center line of the thickness of the battery along the thickness direction.

[0017] In this case, the first and second tab leads can be used to hold the battery so that the center line of the overall thickness of the substrate unit and the center line of the battery's thickness coincide in the thickness direction of the substrate. Therefore, the overall thickness, including the substrate unit and the battery, can be further reduced.

[0018] (3) The first tab lead and the second tab lead may hold the battery such that the thickness center line of the substrate along the thickness direction coincides with the thickness center line of the battery along the thickness direction.

[0019] In this case, the battery is held so that the center line of the thickness of the substrate and the center line of the battery's thickness align in the thickness direction of the substrate. Therefore, the overall thickness can be kept down without being affected by the number, size, etc., of the various electronic components mounted on the substrate. This is particularly effective when there are few electronic components mounted or when the height of the electronic components is low.

[0020] (4) The first tab lead may have one end connected to the mounting surface of the substrate and the other end connected to the battery. The second tab lead may have one end connected to the mounting surface of the substrate and the other end connected to the battery and located on the opposite side in the thickness direction from the other end of the first tab lead, with the battery in between. The first tab lead and the second tab lead may hold the battery between the other end of the first tab lead and the other end of the second tab lead outside the substrate.

[0021] In this case, the other end of the first tab lead, one end of which is connected to the substrate, and the other end of the second tab lead, one end of which is also connected to the substrate, are positioned on both sides of the substrate in the thickness direction, outside the substrate. Therefore, the battery can be held by being sandwiched between the other end of the first tab lead and the other end of the second tab lead, outside the substrate. Consequently, the battery can be held without forming a housing hole or the like in the substrate, for example, making it possible to reduce the size of the substrate.

[0022] (5) The first tab lead and the second tab lead may be bent and deformed such that the distance between their other ends in the thickness direction is greater than the distance between their other ends in the thickness direction.

[0023] In this case, for example, first and second tab leads formed in a Z-shape in side view can be used, so even batteries that are thicker than the thickness of the substrate can be held stably.

[0024] (6) The other end of the first tab lead and the other end of the second tab lead may be arranged such that at least a portion of each faces the other in the thickness direction.

[0025] In this case, at least a portion of the other end of the first tab lead and at least a portion of the other end of the second tab lead can be positioned facing each other in the thickness direction, with the battery in between. Therefore, it is easier to hold the battery firmly from both sides in the thickness direction. Consequently, more stable battery holding can be achieved.

[0026] (7) The other end of the first tab lead and the other end of the second tab lead may be arranged so as not to face each other in the thickness direction.

[0027] In this case, the battery can be held with the other end of the first tab lead and the other end of the second tab lead not facing each other in the thickness direction with the battery in between, but offset, for example, in the in-plane direction of the substrate. This makes it possible to hold the battery using the other ends of each tab lead, for example, with a larger gap between the first tab lead and the second tab lead. Therefore, it is easier to suppress unintended conductivity (short circuits) between the first tab lead and the second tab lead, and product quality can be improved.

[0028] (8) The substrate may have a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other in the thickness direction. The mounting surface may have a first mounting surface formed on the first main surface and a second mounting surface formed on the second main surface. The first tab lead and the second tab lead may each have one end connected to a common mounting surface which is either the first mounting surface or the second mounting surface.

[0029] In this case, the first tab lead and the second tab lead can be connected to a common mounting surface. Therefore, the first tab lead and the second tab lead can be mounted on one side of the substrate, sandwiching the battery in the thickness direction of the substrate, via one end of each tab lead. In particular, the mounting work of the first tab lead and the second tab lead to the substrate is easier.

[0030] (9) The first tab lead may have an intermediate portion connecting one end and the other end. The second tab lead may have an intermediate portion connecting one end and the other end. When two mutually orthogonal directions are defined as the first and second directions in a plan view from the thickness direction, the first tab lead and the second tab lead may be arranged parallel to each other along the first direction. In a plan view from the thickness direction, the first tab lead and the second tab lead may be formed such that the distance between their respective intermediate portions along the second direction is greater than the distance between their respective ends along the second direction.

[0031] In this case, the distance between the intermediate portions of the first and second tab leads in the second direction is greater than the distance between the ends of the first and second tab leads in the second direction. Therefore, it is easier to suppress unintended conductivity (short circuits) between the first and second tab leads, which are mounted on one side of the substrate. Consequently, product quality can be improved.

[0032] (10) The substrate may have a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other in the thickness direction. The mounting surface may have a first mounting surface formed on the first main surface and a second mounting surface formed on the second main surface. The first tab lead may have one end connected to the first mounting surface. The second tab lead may have one end connected to the second mounting surface.

[0033] In this case, the first tab lead and the second tab lead can be mounted on both sides of the substrate. Therefore, the battery can be held with the first tab lead and the second tab lead sandwiching the substrate from both sides. Consequently, the battery can be held more stably. For example, if an external force is applied to the held battery in the thickness direction of the substrate, the external force will act on one tab lead in a direction that causes it to move away from the substrate, while the external force will act on the other tab lead in a direction that causes it to press against the substrate. Consequently, problems such as the first tab lead and the second tab lead separating from the substrate can be made less likely, and the quality can be improved.

[0034] (11) The first tab lead may have one end connected to the first mounting surface such that the other end of the first tab lead is located on the second main surface side. The second tab lead may have one end connected to the second mounting surface such that the other end of the second tab lead is located on the first main surface side.

[0035] In this case, the first tab lead and the second tab lead are positioned such that one end and the other end are on opposite sides of the substrate. Therefore, if an external force is applied to the held battery in the thickness direction of the substrate, the external force acts on both the first tab lead and the second tab lead in a direction that presses them against the substrate. Consequently, it is possible to further reduce the likelihood of problems such as the first tab lead and the second tab lead separating from the substrate.

[0036] (12) The first tab lead and the second tab lead may be formed to be the same shape as each other.

[0037] In this case, for example, the first tab lead and the second tab lead can be formed using a common molding die, which reduces component costs and lowers overall costs. Furthermore, the first tab lead and the second tab lead can be used as shared electrode terminal leads for the positive and negative electrodes of the battery.

[0038] (13) The battery module according to the present invention is characterized by comprising the substrate with tab leads and a battery held in a state of electrical conductivity with respect to the mounting surface via the first tab lead and the second tab lead.

[0039] According to the battery module of the present invention, since the battery can be held using the tab-lead substrate described above, the overall thickness of the battery module can be reduced. Therefore, when configuring an electronic module that includes a battery module, it can contribute to further thinning of the electronic module.

[0040] (14) A first fixing portion may be provided between the first tab lead and the battery to fix the first tab lead and the battery together. A second fixing portion may be provided between the second tab lead and the battery to fix the second tab lead and the battery together.

[0041] In this case, the first tab lead and the battery can be firmly fixed using the first fixing part (e.g., a welded part such as a spot weld), and the second tab lead and the battery can be firmly fixed using the second fixing part (e.g., a welded part such as a spot weld). Therefore, the inconvenience of the battery being held by the first and second tab leads unintentionally coming off the first and second tab leads can be suppressed. Consequently, the product reliability of the battery module can be improved.

[0042] (15) The first fixing portion, the second fixing portion, and the battery may be sealed so as to be embedded inside, and a resin mold portion may be provided which has a predetermined external shape.

[0043] In this case, the resin molded portion is used to seal the first fixing portion, the second fixing portion, and the battery so that they are at least embedded. Therefore, the battery can be further prevented from coming loose, and the electrical connection between the first tab lead and the second tab lead and the battery can be properly maintained. Furthermore, since the battery can be protected by the resin molded portion, it is possible to prevent, for example, external forces from acting directly on the battery, and dust, moisture, etc. from acting directly on the first and second fixing portions.

[0044] <Means for Solving the Problems of the Second Invention> (16) The substrate with tab leads according to the present invention includes a substrate unit having a substrate and electronic components mounted on the substrate, a first tab lead and a second tab lead connected to the substrate, and a battery arranged side by side with the substrate in a first direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate and held so as to be sandwiched in the thickness direction by the first tab lead and the second tab lead. The battery has a first electrode joined to the first tab lead, a second electrode joined to the second tab lead, and a side surface portion facing the substrate side and electrically connected to the first electrode. The first tab lead contacts the side surface portion from the substrate side. The second tab lead is separated from the side surface portion.

[0045] According to the substrate with tab leads of the present invention, while avoiding contact between the side surface portion of the battery and the second tab lead, the substrate and the battery can be arranged close to each other in the first direction which is the in-plane direction of the substrate, and the dimension of the substrate with tab leads in the first direction can be reduced. Further, the first tab lead contacts the side surface portion of the battery from the substrate side. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the first tab lead does not contact the side surface portion of the battery, the battery is stably supported by the first tab lead. Thereby, the load applied to the first tab lead is reduced, and breakage of the first tab lead can be suppressed. Therefore, a substrate with tab leads in which the battery is firmly held can be formed. Thus, both miniaturization of the substrate with tab leads and improvement of mechanical strength can be achieved.

[0046] (17) The first tab lead may have a first substrate joint portion joined to the substrate, a first battery joint portion joined to the first electrode, and a first intermediate portion located between the first substrate joint portion and the first battery joint portion and extending along the thickness direction. The first intermediate portion may contact the side surface portion.

[0047] In this case, since the side surface portion of the battery is applied to the first intermediate portion, variation in the dimension of the substrate with tab leads in the first direction can be suppressed.

[0048] (18) The second tab lead may include a second substrate joint portion joined to the substrate, a second battery joint portion joined to the second electrode, and a second intermediate portion located between the second substrate joint portion and the second battery joint portion and extending from the second substrate joint portion in a direction away from the first battery joint portion along the thickness direction. The second intermediate portion may face the side surface portion with a gap therebetween.

[0049] In this case, the battery can be disposed within the thickness range of the substrate, and it is possible to suppress the battery from protruding significantly in one direction from one side of the substrate. Therefore, the overall thickness of the substrate with tab leads can be reduced.

[0050] (19) The second intermediate portion may be located inside the edge of the substrate when viewed from the thickness direction.

[0051] In this case, since the edge of the substrate is located between the second intermediate portion and the side surface portion of the battery in the first direction, the approach of the side surface portion of the battery to the second intermediate portion can be restricted by the edge of the substrate. Therefore, contact between the second intermediate portion and the side surface portion of the battery can be reliably suppressed.

[0052] (20) The battery may be located at one end in the first direction.

[0053] In this case, the dimension of the substrate with tab leads in the first direction changes depending on the position of the battery in the first direction with respect to the substrate. That is, simply by bringing the battery closer to the substrate, the substrate with tab leads can be miniaturized in the first direction. Therefore, a substrate with tab leads capable of effectively exhibiting the above-described operational effects can be obtained.

[0054] (21) The dimension of the first intermediate portion in the thickness direction may be larger than the dimension of the second intermediate portion in the thickness direction.

[0055] In this case, compared with a configuration where the dimension of the first intermediate portion in the thickness direction is less than or equal to the dimension of the second intermediate portion in the thickness direction, the dimension of the contact portion between the first tab lead and the side surface portion of the battery in the thickness direction can be ensured to be larger. Thereby, the battery is supported in a stable state by the first tab lead. Therefore, a substrate with tab leads in which the battery is held more firmly can be formed.

[0056] (22) The substrate may have a mounting surface to which the first substrate joint and the second substrate joint are connected. The first intermediate portion may be in contact with the edge of the substrate.

[0057] In this case, the first intermediate portion contacts the edge of the substrate, making the first tab lead even less likely to be displaced relative to the substrate. Therefore, the first tab lead can be firmly connected to the substrate. Thus, a substrate with tab leads can be formed in which the battery is firmly supported to the substrate via the first tab lead.

[0058] <Effects of the First Invention> According to the present invention, even when using batteries that contribute significantly to the thickness, it is possible to further thin the entire electronic module. <Effects of the Second Invention> According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both miniaturization of the tab-lead substrate and improvement of its mechanical strength.

[0059] This is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a battery module comprising a tab-lead substrate according to the present invention, corresponding to a vertical cross-sectional view along line A-A shown in Figure 2. This is a top view of the battery module shown in Figure 1. This is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example in which a conventional tab-lead battery is mounted on one side of a substrate, corresponding to a vertical cross-sectional view along line B-B shown in Figure 4. This is a top view of the battery module shown in Figure 3. This is a vertical cross-sectional view of a battery module showing a modified example of the first embodiment. This is a vertical cross-sectional view of a battery module showing another modified example of the first embodiment. This is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of a battery module comprising a tab-lead substrate according to the present invention. This is a top view showing a third embodiment of a battery module comprising a tab-lead substrate according to the present invention. This is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of a battery module comprising a tab-lead substrate according to the present invention, corresponding to a vertical cross-sectional view along line C-C shown in Figure 10. This is a top view of the battery module shown in Figure 9. This is a top view of a battery module showing a modified example of the fourth embodiment. This is a top view of a battery module showing another modified example of the fourth embodiment. This is a top view of a battery module showing another modified example of the fourth embodiment. This is a side view of a battery module according to the fifth embodiment. This is a plan view showing an enlarged view of a tab-lead substrate according to the fifth embodiment. This is a side view of a tab-lead substrate according to the sixth embodiment.

[0060] <Modes for Carrying Out the First Invention> (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the tab-lead substrate and battery module according to the present invention (first invention) will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the battery module 10 of this embodiment comprises a tab-lead substrate 11, a battery 12 held by the tab-lead substrate 11, and a resin molded portion 13. Note that the resin molded portion 13 is not shown in Figure 2.

[0061] In this embodiment, the battery module 10 has multiple electronic components 30 mounted on a printed circuit board 20 (described later), and at least one of these electronic components 30 includes a functional component (not shown). This functional component could be, for example, a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) with communication or control functions. Therefore, the battery module 10 itself functions as an electronic module.

[0062] (Substrate with tab leads) The substrate with tab leads 11 comprises a substrate unit 40 having a printed circuit board (substrate according to the present invention) 20 and various electronic components 30 mounted on the printed circuit board 20, and a battery holder 50 connected to the printed circuit board 20.

[0063] The printed wiring board 20 comprises an insulating blank substrate 21 and printed wiring (first printed wiring 22 and second printed wiring 23) formed on the surface of the blank substrate 21. The blank substrate 21 is a flat, rigid substrate with a uniform thickness throughout. The blank substrate 21 has a first main surface 21a and a second main surface 21b that face each other in the thickness direction T. As shown in Figure 2, the blank substrate 21 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view from the thickness direction T, where the first direction L1 is longer than the second direction L2. Note that in a plan view, the first direction L1 and the second direction L2 are orthogonal to each other. However, the shape of the blank substrate 21 is not limited to a rectangular shape in a plan view and may be changed as appropriate.

[0064] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a plurality of first printed circuit boards 22 are formed on the first main surface 21a of the blank substrate 21. The first printed circuit boards 22 are formed using a conductive material such as copper or gold to form a predetermined circuit pattern. The surface of the first printed circuit boards 22 functions as the first mounting surface 22a. Similarly, a plurality of second printed circuit boards 23 are formed on the second main surface 21b of the blank substrate 21 using a conductive material to form a predetermined circuit pattern. The surface of the second printed circuit boards 23 functions as the second mounting surface 23a.

[0065] Furthermore, the multiple first printed wirings 22 and the multiple second printed wirings 23 may be electrically connected via, for example, through-electrodes (not shown) that penetrate the raw substrate 21 in the thickness direction T. In addition, the printed substrate 20 may be configured as a multilayer substrate such as a through-layer substrate or a build-up substrate.

[0066] The electronic components 30 include, for example, active elements (including various semiconductor elements such as transistors and diodes), passive elements (including resistors, capacitors, and condensers), functional components such as integrated circuits, piezoelectric elements, safety components such as fuses, and auxiliary components such as relays and switches. These various electronic components 30 are mounted on the first mounting surface 22a and the second mounting surface 23a, respectively, using solder or the like, and are fixed in a state of electrical conductivity with the first printed circuit board 22 and the second printed circuit board 23.

[0067] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate the electronic components 30 mounted on the first mounting surface 22a and the second mounting surface 23a. Furthermore, the size, arrangement, number, etc., of the electronic components 30 to be mounted may be appropriately changed according to the functions required of the battery module 10.

[0068] The board unit 40 is a so-called printed circuit board, which functions as an electronic circuit by mounting multiple electronic components 30 on the printed circuit board 20 described above.

[0069] The battery holder 50 has a first tab lead 60 and a second tab lead 70 connected to the printed circuit board 20. The first tab lead 60 is positioned on the first main surface 21a side of the printed circuit board 20 and is connected to the first mounting surface 22a. As a result, the first tab lead 60 is fixed in a state of electrical conductivity to the first printed wiring 22. The second tab lead 70 is positioned on the second main surface 21b side of the printed circuit board 20 and is connected to the second mounting surface 23a. As a result, the second tab lead 70 is fixed in a state of electrical conductivity to the second printed wiring 23. Therefore, the second tab lead 70 is positioned on the opposite side of the printed circuit board 20 from the first tab lead 60 in the thickness direction T. The method of connecting the first tab lead 60 to the first mounting surface 22a and the method of connecting the second tab lead 70 to the second mounting surface 23a are not particularly limited, but for example, soldering, thermocompression bonding, ultrasonic welding, etc., can be used.

[0070] The first tab lead 60 is formed in a Z-shape in side view by press forming or bending a metal plate with excellent conductivity, such as copper, using a molding die (not shown). The thickness of the first tab lead 60 is uniform throughout. However, this is not limited to this case, and the first tab lead 60 may be formed with varying thickness in certain areas.

[0071] The first tab lead 60 has one end (first end) 61 connected to the first mounting surface 22a, another end (second end) 62 connected to the battery 12, and an intermediate portion 63 located between the one end 61 and the other end 62. The one end 61 of the first tab lead 60 is positioned at the edge of the printed circuit board 20 so as to face the first main surface 21a and is connected to the first mounting surface 22a. The other end 72 of the first tab lead 60 is positioned outside the printed circuit board 20 and spaced apart from the one end 61 in the thickness direction T. The intermediate portion 63 extends from the one end 61 connected to the first mounting surface 22a in a direction away from the printed circuit board 20 along the thickness direction T, then bent at approximately a right angle, and extends away from the printed circuit board 20 along the first direction L1, thereby connecting to the other end 62.

[0072] The first tab lead 60, which is bent into a Z-shape in a side view, is cantilevered and held by being connected to the first mounting surface 22a via one end 61, such that the other end 62 is positioned outside the printed circuit board 20. The width of the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 along the second direction L2 is wider than the width of the one end 61 along the second direction L2. In the illustrated example, the first tab lead 60 is described as having one end 61 and the other end 62 formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, but it is not limited to this case. For example, one end 61 and the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 may be formed in a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, etc. in a plan view.

[0073] The second tab lead 70 is formed in the same shape as the first tab lead 60 described above. Therefore, the second tab lead 70 is formed in a side view Z shape having one end (first end) 71, the other end (second end) 72, and an intermediate portion 73. Furthermore, the second tab lead 70 is made of the same material as the first tab lead 60 and is formed to be uniform and of the same thickness throughout.

[0074] The second tab lead 70, which is bent into a Z-shape in side view, is cantilevered and held by being connected to the second mounting surface 23a via one end 71, such that the other end 72 is positioned outside the printed circuit board 20. In particular, the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 is positioned opposite the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 with a gap in the thickness direction T. More specifically, the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 are positioned so that at least a portion of each faces the other in the thickness direction T, with the battery 12 in between. Therefore, in a plan view from the thickness direction T, the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 are positioned so that they overlap each other with the battery 12 in between.

[0075] As a result, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are able to hold the battery 12 between their other ends 62 and 72 on the outside of the printed circuit board 20. Furthermore, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are bent and deformed in a Z shape when viewed from the side. Therefore, the distance between the other ends 62 and 72 along the thickness direction T is greater than the distance between the one ends 61 and 71 along the thickness direction T. Consequently, it is possible to hold a battery 12 that has a height (thickness H) greater than the thickness of the printed circuit board 20.

[0076] Furthermore, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are arranged parallel to each other along the first direction L1 in a plan view from the thickness direction T. As described above, the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 are arranged to overlap each other in a plan view from the thickness direction T. In contrast, the one end 61 of the first tab lead 60 and the one end 71 of the second tab lead 70 are arranged with a gap between them in the second direction L2 in a plan view from the thickness direction T.

[0077] (Battery) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the battery 12 is a so-called coin (button) type battery having a predetermined diameter and thickness H. The thickness H of the battery 12 is, for example, 1.6 mm or more, and is thicker than the printed circuit board 20. The battery 12 may be a primary battery such as a lithium battery or a silver oxide battery, or a secondary battery such as a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery.

[0078] The battery 12 is held by the battery holder 50 of the tab-lead substrate 11. Specifically, the battery 12 is held outside the printed circuit board 20 by being sandwiched in the thickness direction T between the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70. As a result, the battery 12 is mechanically held by the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 with its electrodes electrically connected to them. Therefore, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 also function as lead terminals for the electrodes of the battery 12.

[0079] In the illustrated example, the positive electrode (positive electrode can 12a) of the battery 12 is connected to the first tab lead 60, and the negative electrode (negative electrode can 12b) is connected to the second tab lead 70. Therefore, the first tab lead 60 functions as the positive lead terminal, and the second tab lead 70 functions as the negative lead terminal. However, the orientation of the battery 12 may be reversed. In this case, the first tab lead 60 functions as the negative lead terminal, and the second tab lead 70 functions as the positive lead terminal.

[0080] Furthermore, a first fixing portion 65 is provided between the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the battery 12 to secure the first tab lead 60 and the battery 12 to each other. Similarly, a second fixing portion 75 is provided between the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 and the battery 12 to secure the second tab lead 70 and the battery 12 to each other. Specifically, the space between the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the battery 12, and the space between the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 and the battery 12, are fixed using spot welding, high-frequency welding, etc. Therefore, the welded parts, welded parts, etc., created by these methods function as the first fixing portion 65 and the second fixing portion 75. In this embodiment, the first fixing portion 65 is fixed between the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the battery 12 so that it is located in the center of the battery 12. Similarly, the second fixing portion 75 is fixed between the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 and the battery 12 so as to be located in the center of the battery 12.

[0081] (Resin molded part) The resin molded part 13 is formed by molding a resin for mold sealing to have a predetermined outer shape. The resin for mold sealing is not particularly limited, but for example, a thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin can be used. The molding method for the resin molded part 13 is not particularly limited, but for example, a molding method similar to injection molding, such as transfer molding, can be used.

[0082] The resin molded portion 13 is formed so as to embed at least the first fixing portion 65, the second fixing portion 75, and the battery 12 inside, sealing the area around the battery 12. In this embodiment, the resin molded portion 13 is formed to cover the entire tab-lead substrate 11 and the battery 12 from the outside, sealing them inside. The resin constituting the resin molded portion 13 may contain metal fillers or the like as appropriate to adjust, for example, heat dissipation properties and thermal expansion coefficient.

[0083] (Battery Holding Position) In the battery module 10 configured as described above, as shown in Figure 1, the battery 12 is held between the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 such that the thickness centerline C1 of the entire substrate unit 40 along the thickness direction T is included within the thickness range H of the battery 12 along the thickness direction T. In this embodiment, the battery 12 is held between the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 such that the thickness centerline C1 of the entire substrate unit 40 along the thickness direction T coincides with the thickness centerline C2 of the battery 12 along the thickness direction T. More specifically, the battery 12 is held between the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 such that the thickness centerline C3 of the printed circuit board 20 excluding the electronic component 30 coincides with the thickness centerline C2 of the battery 12. In particular, in this embodiment, because the size (height) of the electronic component 30 is small, the thickness centerline C3 of the printed circuit board 20 excluding the electronic component 30 coincides with the thickness centerline C1 of the entire substrate unit 40.

[0084] (Operation of Tab-Leaded Substrate and Battery Module) With the battery module 10 configured as described above, the battery 12 can be held using the battery holder 50 (first tab lead 60 and second tab lead 70) of the tab-leaded substrate 11. Specifically, the first tab lead 60 and second tab lead 70 connected to the printed circuit board 20 are used to hold the battery 12 so that the thickness centerline C1 of the entire substrate unit 40, including the printed circuit board 20 on which various electronic components 30 are mounted, is within the thickness range H of the battery 12. This prevents the battery 12 from protruding significantly in one direction from one side of the printed circuit board 20, as in the conventional design. In particular, in this embodiment, the battery holder 50 holds the battery 12 so that the thickness centerline C1 of the entire substrate unit 40 and the thickness centerline C2 of the battery 12 coincide in the thickness direction T. This further effectively prevents the battery 12 from protruding in one direction from one side of the printed circuit board 20, and reduces the overall thickness of the battery module 10.

[0085] For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, in a conventional case where a battery 80 with tab leads is mounted on one side of a printed circuit board 20, with two tab leads 81 fixed to the battery 82, the thickness of the battery 82 is added to the thickness of the printed circuit board 20, resulting in an increased overall thickness.

[0086] In contrast, as shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, even with a battery 12 that contributes significantly to the thickness (has a large influence), the overall thickness of the battery module 10 can be reduced compared to conventional designs. Therefore, it can contribute to making the battery module 10, which functions as an electronic module, thinner. Moreover, in this embodiment, the battery holder 50 holds the battery 12 such that the thickness centerline C3 of the printed circuit board 20 and the thickness centerline C2 of the battery 12 coincide in the thickness direction T. Therefore, the overall thickness of the battery module 10 can be reduced without being affected by the number, size, etc. of various electronic components 30. This is particularly effective when the number of mounted electronic components 30 is small or when the height of the electronic components 30 is low.

[0087] Furthermore, the battery 12 can be held by sandwiching it between the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70, outside of the printed circuit board 20. Therefore, the battery 12 can be held without forming a housing hole or the like in the printed circuit board 20. As a result, the size of the printed circuit board 20 can be reduced. Moreover, since there is no need to provide a housing hole or the like in the printed circuit board 20, that space can be effectively used for other purposes.

[0088] Furthermore, since the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are bent into a Z shape in side view, even a battery 12 with a thickness H greater than the thickness of the printed circuit board 20 can be held stably. In particular, the amount of deformation of the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 can be appropriately adjusted to correspond to the thickness H of the battery 12.

[0089] Furthermore, since the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are positioned on opposite sides of the printed circuit board 20, they can be mounted on both sides of the printed circuit board 20. As a result, the battery 12 can be held with the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 sandwiching the printed circuit board 20 from both sides, making it easier to hold the battery 12 more stably. For example, if an external force is applied to the held battery 12 in the thickness direction T of the printed circuit board 20, the external force will act on one tab lead in a direction away from the printed circuit board 20, while the external force will act on the other tab lead in a direction pressed against the printed circuit board 20. Consequently, problems such as the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 separating from the printed circuit board 20 can be made less likely, and quality can be improved.

[0090] Furthermore, since the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are formed to be the same shape, component costs can be reduced, and overall costs can be lowered.

[0091] Furthermore, the first tab lead 60 and the battery 12 can be firmly fixed using the first fixing part 65, and the second tab lead 70 and the battery 12 can be firmly fixed using the second fixing part 75. Therefore, the inconvenience of the battery 12 being held by the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 unintentionally coming off the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 can be suppressed. Thus, the product reliability of the battery module 10 can be improved. In addition, in a plan view from the thickness direction T, the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 are arranged to overlap each other with the battery 12 in between. Therefore, the battery 12 can be held firmly by being sandwiched from both sides in the thickness direction T, so that the battery 12 can be held stably.

[0092] Furthermore, the resin molded portion 13 is used to seal the first fixing portion 65, the second fixing portion 75, and the battery 12 so that they are at least embedded. As a result, the detachment of the battery 12 can be further suppressed, and the electrical connection between the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 and the battery 12 can be properly maintained. In addition, the resin molded portion 13 can protect the battery 12. Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress external forces acting directly on the battery 12. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress dust, moisture, etc. acting directly on the first fixing portion 65 and the second fixing portion 75.

[0093] (Modification of the First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the resin molded portion 13 was formed to cover the entire substrate 11 with tab leads and the battery 12 from the outside. However, as shown in Figure 5, for example, the resin molded portion 13 may be formed so that the first fixing portion 65, the second fixing portion 75 and the battery 12 are embedded inside. In this case as well, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved, and dust, moisture, etc., can be prevented from directly acting on the first fixing portion 65 and the second fixing portion 75. Furthermore, the amount of resin used to mold the resin molded portion 13 can be reduced, and the weight can be reduced.

[0094] (Another Modification of the First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 were described as being arranged on opposite sides of the printed circuit board 20 in the thickness direction T, but the invention is not limited to this case. For example, as shown in Figure 6, one end 61 of the first tab lead 60 may be connected to the first mounting surface 22a so that the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 is located on the second main surface 21b side of the printed circuit board 20. Similarly, one end 71 of the second tab lead 70 may be connected to the second mounting surface 23a so that the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 is located on the first main surface 21a side of the printed circuit board 20.

[0095] In this case, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are positioned such that one end 61, 71 and the other end 62, 72 are on opposite sides of the printed circuit board 20. Therefore, for example, if an external force is applied to the held battery 12 in the thickness direction T of the printed circuit board 20, the external force can be applied to both the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 in a direction that presses them against the printed circuit board 20. Therefore, it is preferable that problems such as the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 separating from the printed circuit board 20 are made even less likely to occur.

[0096] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention (the first invention) will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0097] As shown in Figure 7, in the battery module 90 of this embodiment, for example, one of the multiple electronic components 30 mounted on the first mounting surface 22a of the printed circuit board 20 has a greater height than the other electronic components 30. Therefore, the thickness centerline C1 of the entire board unit 40 is shifted in the thickness direction T toward the first main surface 21a side compared to the thickness centerline C3 of the printed circuit board 20 alone.

[0098] In the first tab lead 60 of the tab-lead substrate 11, the other end 62 is formed to be spaced further away from the first main surface 21a than in the first embodiment, corresponding to the shift in the thickness centerline C1. Correspondingly, the second tab lead 70 is formed so that the other end 72 is closer in the thickness direction T toward the second main surface 21b than in the first embodiment. As a result, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 hold the battery 12 such that the thickness centerline C1 of the entire substrate unit 40 and the thickness centerline C2 of the battery 12 coincide in the thickness direction T. However, even in this embodiment, the battery 12 is held such that the thickness centerline C1 of the entire substrate unit 40 is included within the thickness range H of the battery 12.

[0099] Even with the battery module 90 of this embodiment, the overall thickness of the battery module 90 can be reduced, so the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved, and it can contribute to the thinning of electronic modules. In this embodiment, the resin molded portion 13 is not shown. Even in this embodiment, the resin molded portion 13 may be formed to cover the entire substrate 11 with tab leads and the battery 12, or the resin molded portion 13 may be formed to cover the first fixing portion 65, the second fixing portion 75 and the battery 12.

[0100] (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention (the first invention) will be described with reference to the drawings. In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0101] As shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment, the battery module 95 is arranged such that the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 are not facing each other in the thickness direction T. Specifically, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are physically spaced further apart in the second direction L2 than in the first embodiment shown in Figure 2, when viewed from the thickness direction T in a plan view. As a result, the one end 61 and the middle part 63 of the first tab lead 60 and the one end 71 and the middle part 73 of the second tab lead 70 are spaced further apart in the first embodiment in a plan view from the thickness direction T in a plan view. Consequently, the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 are spaced further apart in the second direction L2, so that they do not face each other in the thickness direction T, i.e., they are not facing each other.

[0102] The first fixing portion 65 and the second fixing portion 75 are positioned in a location offset in the second direction L2 from the center of the battery 12, corresponding to the positions of the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70.

[0103] The battery module 95 of this embodiment can achieve the same effects as in the first embodiment. In addition, it is possible to hold the battery 12 using the other ends 62 and 72 while increasing the distance W between the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70. Therefore, it is easier to suppress unintended conduction (short circuit) between the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70, thereby improving product quality.

[0104] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention (the first invention) will be described with reference to the drawings. In the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0105] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the battery module 100 of this embodiment comprises a tab-lead substrate 110 on which the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are mounted on one side. The first tab lead 60 is cantilevered, as in the first embodiment, by being connected via one end 61 to the first mounting surface 22a of the first printed wiring 22 formed on the first main surface 21a of the printed circuit board 20.

[0106] In this embodiment, the second tab lead 70 is cantilevered and held by being connected to the first mounting surface 22a of the first printed circuit board 22 via one end 71, similar to the first tab lead 60. Therefore, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are connected to the first mounting surface 22a, which is a common mounting surface, via their respective ends 61 and 71. In a plan view from the thickness direction T, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are arranged parallel to each other along the first direction L1. At this time, one end 61 of the first tab lead 60 and one end 71 of the second tab lead 70 are arranged side by side in the second direction L2 with a predetermined gap W1 between them. As a result, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are mounted on one side of the first main surface 21a of the printed circuit board 20 in a state where unintended conduction (short circuit) is suppressed.

[0107] Even in this embodiment, the second tab lead 70 is positioned such that its other end 72 faces the other end 72 of the first tab lead with a gap in the thickness direction T. This allows the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 to hold the battery 12 between their other ends 62, 72 outside the printed circuit board 20.

[0108] Even in the battery module 100 of this embodiment, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are used to hold the battery 12 such that the thickness centerline C1 of the entire substrate unit 40 is included within the thickness range H of the battery 12. Furthermore, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 hold the battery 12 such that the thickness centerline C1 of the entire substrate unit 40 and the thickness centerline C2 of the battery 12 coincide in the thickness direction T. Therefore, the overall thickness of the battery module 100 can be reduced. Consequently, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved, and it can contribute to the thinning of electronic modules. In particular, when the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are mounted on one side of the first main surface 21a of the printed circuit board 20, there is an advantage in that it is easier to mount compared to when they are mounted on both sides.

[0109] In this embodiment, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are mounted on one side of the first main surface 21a of the printed circuit board 20, but they may also be mounted on one side of the second main surface 21b. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the resin molded portion 13 is not shown. Even in this embodiment, the resin molded portion 13 may be formed to cover the entire substrate 110 with tab leads and the battery 12, or the resin molded portion 13 may be formed to cover the first fixing portion 65, the second fixing portion 75 and the battery 12.

[0110] (Modification of the fourth embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, for example, as shown in Figure 11, the end 61 and intermediate portion 63 of the first tab lead 60 and the end 71 and intermediate portion 73 of the second tab lead 70 may be arranged such that there is a larger gap W2 between them than in the configuration shown in Figure 10 when viewed in a plan view from the thickness direction T. In this case, in the case of single-sided mounting, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 can be physically separated in the second direction L2. Therefore, the occurrence of unintended conduction (short circuit) can be further suppressed.

[0111] (Another modified form of the fourth embodiment) Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, for example, the intermediate portion 63 of the first tab lead 60 may be formed such that it is spaced apart from one end 71 of the second tab lead 70 along the second direction L2 from one end 61 connected to the first mounting surface 22a, and then bent along the first direction L1. Similarly, the intermediate portion 73 of the second tab lead 70 may be formed such that it is spaced apart from one end 61 of the first tab lead 60 along the second direction L2 from one end 71 connected to the first mounting surface 22a, and then bent along the first direction L1.

[0112] In this case, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 can be formed such that, in a plan view from the thickness direction T, the distance W4 between the intermediate portions 63 and 73 of the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 is greater than the distance W3 between the ends 61 and 71 of the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 along the second direction L2. Therefore, unintended electrical conduction (short circuit) between the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 can be suppressed more effectively.

[0113] (Another Modification of the Fourth Embodiment) Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, for example, even when the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are mounted on one side, the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 may be arranged so as not to face each other in the thickness direction T. In the illustrated example, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 are arranged so as to be spaced apart in the second direction L2 when viewed from the thickness direction T, so that one end 61 and the middle part 63 of the first tab lead 60 and one end 71 and the middle part 73 of the second tab lead 70 are spaced apart by a gap W2. Accordingly, the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70 are arranged so as not to face each other in the thickness direction T, that is, so as not to face each other.

[0114] In this case, the first fixing portion 65 and the second fixing portion 75 are positioned offset in the second direction L2 from the center of the battery 12, corresponding to the positions of the other end 62 of the first tab lead 60 and the other end 72 of the second tab lead 70.

[0115] Even in this case, it is easier to suppress unintended electrical conduction (short circuit) between the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70, thereby improving product quality.

[0116] Although embodiments of the present invention (the first invention) have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Embodiments and their modifications include, for example, those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are equivalent.

[0117] For example, in the embodiments described above in the first invention, the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 were described using the case where they are formed in a Z shape in side view as an example, but the invention is not limited to this case. The shape of the first tab lead 60 and the second tab lead 70 can be freely designed as long as they can hold the battery 12 in the thickness direction T so that the thickness center line C1 of the entire substrate unit 40 is included within the thickness range H of the battery 12. More preferably, the thickness center line C1 of the entire substrate unit 40 and the thickness center line C2 of the battery 12 should coincide.

[0118] Furthermore, although the above embodiments have described the case in which the battery 12 is held outside the printed circuit board 20, the invention is not limited to this case. For example, a through hole for housing the battery 12 may be formed in the printed circuit board 20, and with the battery 12 housed in the through hole, the battery 12 may be held by being sandwiched in the thickness direction T such that the thickness centerline C1 of the entire board unit 40 is included within the thickness range H of the battery 12 (more preferably, the thickness centerline C1 of the entire board unit 40 and the thickness centerline C2 of the battery 12 coincide).

[0119] Furthermore, the present invention (first invention) includes the following embodiments: <1> A substrate unit comprising a substrate having a mounting surface and an electronic component mounted on the mounting surface of the substrate, and a first tab lead and a second tab lead connected to the mounting surface of the substrate, wherein the first tab lead and the second tab lead hold the battery so as to sandwich it in the thickness direction of the substrate, and the battery is held such that the thickness center line of the entire substrate unit along the thickness direction is included within the thickness range of the battery along the thickness direction. <2> A tab-leaded substrate according to <1>, wherein the first tab lead and the second tab lead hold the battery such that the thickness center line of the entire substrate unit along the thickness direction coincides with the thickness center line of the battery along the thickness direction. <3> A tab-leaded substrate according to <2>, wherein the first tab lead and the second tab lead hold the battery such that the thickness center line of the substrate alone along the thickness direction coincides with the thickness center line of the battery along the thickness direction. <4> A tab-lead substrate according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the first tab lead has one end connected to the mounting surface of the substrate and the other end connected to the battery, and the second tab lead has one end connected to the mounting surface of the substrate and the other end connected to the battery and located on the opposite side in the thickness direction from the other end of the first tab lead with the battery in between, and the first tab lead and the second tab lead hold the battery between the other end of the first tab lead and the other end of the second tab lead outside the substrate. <5> A tab-lead substrate according to <4>, wherein the first tab lead and the second tab lead are bent and deformed relative to each other such that the distance between their respective other ends in the thickness direction is greater than the distance between their respective one ends in the thickness direction.<6> A tab-leaded substrate according to <4> or <5>, wherein the other end of the first tab lead and the other end of the second tab lead are arranged such that at least a portion of each faces each other in the thickness direction. <7> A tab-leaded substrate according to <4> or <5>, wherein the other end of the first tab lead and the other end of the second tab lead are arranged such that they are not facing each other in the thickness direction. <8> A tab-leaded substrate according to any one of <4> to <7>, wherein the substrate has a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other in the thickness direction, the mounting surface has a first mounting surface formed on the first main surface and a second mounting surface formed on the second main surface, and the first tab lead and the second tab lead each have one end connected to a common mounting surface which is either the first mounting surface or the second mounting surface. <9> A tab-lead substrate as described in <8>, wherein the first tab lead has an intermediate portion connecting one end and the other end, the second tab lead has an intermediate portion connecting one end and the other end, and when two mutually orthogonal directions are defined as the first and second directions in a plan view from the thickness direction, the first tab lead and the second tab lead are arranged parallel to each other along the first direction, and in a plan view from the thickness direction, the first tab lead and the second tab lead are formed such that the distance between their respective intermediate portions along the second direction is greater than the distance between their respective ends along the second direction. <10> A tab-leaded substrate according to any one of <4> to <7>, wherein the substrate has a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other in the thickness direction, the mounting surface has a first mounting surface formed on the first main surface and a second mounting surface formed on the second main surface, the first tab lead has one end connected to the first mounting surface, and the second tab lead has one end connected to the second mounting surface.<11> A tab-leaded substrate according to <10>, wherein one end of the first tab lead is connected to the first mounting surface such that the other end of the first tab lead is located on the second main surface side, and one end of the second tab lead is connected to the second mounting surface such that the other end of the second tab lead is located on the first main surface side. <12> A tab-leaded substrate according to any one of <1> to <11>, wherein the first tab lead and the second tab lead are formed to be the same shape as each other. <13> A battery module characterized by comprising a tab-leaded substrate according to any one of <1> to <12>, and a battery held in a state of electrical conductivity to the mounting surface via the first tab lead and the second tab lead. <14> A battery module according to <13>, wherein a first fixing portion is provided between the first tab lead and the battery for fixing the first tab lead and the battery to each other, and a second fixing portion is provided between the second tab lead and the battery for fixing the second tab lead and the battery to each other. <15> A battery module according to <14>, wherein a resin molded portion is provided that seals the first fixing portion, the second fixing portion and the battery so that they are embedded inside at least, and has a predetermined external shape.

[0120] <Modes for Carrying Out the Second Invention> Hereinafter, embodiments of the tab-lead substrate and battery module according to the present invention (second invention) will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, redundant descriptions of these components may be omitted.

[0121] (Fifth Embodiment) Figure 14 is a side view of a battery module according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in Figure 14, the battery module 210 of this embodiment includes a substrate 211 with tab leads and a resin molded portion 213. In Figure 14, the resin molded portion 213 is shown in a cross-sectional view to represent the substrate 211 with tab leads inside the battery module 210.

[0122] In the battery module 210 of this embodiment, multiple electronic components 230 constituting the battery module 210 are mounted on a printed circuit board 220, which will be described later. At least one of these electronic components 230 includes a functional component (not shown). This functional component may be, for example, a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) that includes communication and control functions. Therefore, the battery module 210 itself functions as an electronic module.

[0123] (Tab-lead board) The tab-lead board 211 comprises a board unit 240 having a printed wiring board 220 and various electronic components 230 mounted on the printed wiring board 220, a battery holder 250 connected to the printed wiring board 220, and a battery 212 held in the battery holder 250.

[0124] The substrate unit 240 and the battery 212 are aligned in a first direction L1 perpendicular to the thickness direction T of the printed circuit board 220. The battery 212 is located at one end of the tab-lead substrate 211 in the first direction L1, and the printed circuit board 220 is located at the other end. Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction T and the first direction L1 will be referred to as the second direction L2. Note that when the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction T is not limited to the first direction L1 or the second direction L2, it may be referred to as the in-plane direction. Furthermore, of the two directions that are parallel to the thickness direction T and facing opposite directions, one is defined as the front side, and the direction opposite to the front side is defined as the back side.

[0125] The printed circuit board 220 is an example of a "circuit board". The printed circuit board 220 comprises an insulating blank substrate 221 and printed wiring (first printed wiring 222 and second printed wiring 223) formed on the blank substrate 221. The printed circuit board 220 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the thickness direction T in a plan view. The printed circuit board 220 has a plan view shape with the first direction L1 as the longitudinal direction and the second direction L2 as the short direction. However, the shape of the printed circuit board 220 is not limited to a rectangular shape in a plan view and may be changed as appropriate. The printed circuit board 220 has a battery-side edge 226 that faces the battery 212 in the in-plane direction. The battery-side edge 226 is one edge of the printed circuit board 220 in the first direction L1 and extends in the second direction L2.

[0126] The raw substrate 221 is a flat, rigid substrate having a uniform thickness throughout. The raw substrate 221 has a first main surface 221a facing the front side and a second main surface 221b facing the back side.

[0127] Multiple first printed circuit boards 222 are formed on the first main surface 221a of the blank substrate 221. The first printed circuit boards 222 are formed using a conductive material such as copper or gold to form a predetermined circuit pattern. The surface of the first printed circuit boards 222 functions as the first mounting surface 222a. Similarly, multiple second printed circuit boards 223 are formed using a conductive material on the second main surface 221b of the blank substrate 221 to form a predetermined circuit pattern. The surface of the second printed circuit boards 223 functions as the second mounting surface 223a.

[0128] Figure 15 is an enlarged plan view showing the tab-lead substrate 211 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 15, the printed circuit board includes a first terminal 224 connected to the positive terminal of the battery 212 and a second terminal 225 connected to the negative terminal of the battery 212. The first terminal 224 and the second terminal 225 are formed on the first mounting surface 222a. The first terminal 224 and the second terminal 225 are arranged side by side in a second direction L2 along the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. The first terminal 224 and the second terminal 225 are arranged on opposite sides of the center of the printed circuit board 220 in the second direction L2.

[0129] Furthermore, the multiple first printed wirings 222 and the multiple second printed wirings 223 may be electrically connected via, for example, through-electrodes (not shown) that penetrate the raw substrate 221 in the thickness direction T. In addition, the printed substrate 220 may be configured as a multilayer substrate such as a through-layer substrate or a build-up substrate.

[0130] The electronic components 230 include, for example, active elements (including various semiconductor elements such as transistors and diodes), passive elements (including resistors, capacitors, and condensers), functional components such as integrated circuits, piezoelectric elements, safety components such as fuses, and auxiliary components such as relays and switches. These various electronic components 230 are mounted on the first mounting surface 222a and the second mounting surface 223a, respectively, using solder or the like, and are fixed in a state of electrical conductivity with the first printed circuit board 222 and the second printed circuit board 223.

[0131] Figure 14 schematically illustrates the electronic components 230 to be mounted on the first mounting surface 222a and the second mounting surface 223a. Furthermore, the size, arrangement, number, etc. of the electronic components 230 to be mounted may be appropriately changed according to the functions required of the battery module 210.

[0132] The board unit 240 is a so-called printed circuit board, which functions as an electronic circuit by mounting multiple electronic components 230 on the printed circuit board 220 described above.

[0133] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the battery holder 250 has a first tab lead 260 and a second tab lead 270 connected to the printed circuit board 220. The first tab lead 260 and the second tab lead 270 are connected to the first mounting surface 222a of the printed circuit board 220. As a result, the first tab lead 260 and the second tab lead 270 are fixed in a state of electrical connection to the first printed wiring 222. The method of connecting the first tab lead 260 and the second tab lead 270 to the first mounting surface 222a is not particularly limited, but for example, soldering, thermocompression bonding, ultrasonic welding, etc., can be used.

[0134] The first tab lead 260 is formed in a Z-shape in side view by press forming or bending a metal plate with excellent conductivity, such as copper, using a molding die (not shown). The thickness of the first tab lead 260 is uniform throughout. However, this is not limited to this case, and the first tab lead 260 may be formed with varying thickness in certain areas.

[0135] The first tab lead 260 has a first substrate-side end (first substrate connection portion) 261 joined to a printed circuit board (first printed circuit board 222), a first battery-side end (first battery connection portion) 262 joined to a battery 212, and a first intermediate portion 263 located between the first substrate-side end 261 and the first battery-side end 262.

[0136] The first substrate-side end 261 is positioned facing the surface of the printed circuit board 220 and is connected to the first terminal 224 on the first mounting surface 222a. The entire first substrate-side end 261 is positioned inward (closer to the center of the raw substrate 221) in a plan view from the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. The first substrate-side end 261 extends along the in-plane direction. The first battery-side end 262 is positioned outward in a plan view from the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220 and is positioned offset to the back side relative to the first substrate-side end 261. The first battery-side end 262 extends along the in-plane direction.

[0137] The first intermediate portion 263 extends along the thickness direction T from one end connected to the first substrate-side end 261 to the other end connected to the first battery-side end 262. The first intermediate portion 263 extends to the back side along the thickness direction T so as to straddle the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. The first intermediate portion 263 is in contact with the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. However, the first intermediate portion 263 may be separated from the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. In the illustrated example, the first intermediate portion 263 extends approximately parallel to the thickness direction T, but it is sufficient that the first intermediate portion 263 straddles the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. For example, the first intermediate portion 263 may extend outward in the in-plane direction and to the back side as it moves from one end connected to the first substrate-side end 261 towards the other end connected to the first battery-side end 262.

[0138] The first tab lead 260, which is bent into a Z shape in side view, is cantilevered and held by being connected to the first mounting surface 222a via the first substrate-side end 261, such that the first battery-side end 262 is positioned outside the printed circuit board 220.

[0139] The second tab lead 270 is formed in a Z-shape in side view by press forming or bending a metal plate with excellent conductivity, such as copper, using a molding die (not shown). The thickness of the second tab lead 270 is uniform throughout. However, this is not the only case, and the second tab lead 270 may be formed with varying thickness in certain areas.

[0140] The second tab lead 270 has a second substrate-side end (second substrate-connecting portion) 271 joined to a printed circuit board (first printed circuit board 222), a second battery-side end (second battery-connecting portion) 272 joined to a battery 212, and a second intermediate portion 273 located between the second substrate-side end 271 and the second battery-side end 272.

[0141] The second substrate-side end 271 is positioned facing the surface of the printed circuit board 220 and is connected to the second terminal 225 on the first mounting surface 222a. The entirety of the second substrate-side end 271 is positioned inward in a plan view from the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. The second substrate-side end 271 extends along the in-plane direction. The second battery-side end 272 is positioned such that at least a portion of it is located outward in a plan view from the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220, and is positioned offset to the front side relative to the second substrate-side end 271. The second battery-side end 272 extends along the in-plane direction.

[0142] The second intermediate portion 273 extends along the thickness direction T from one end connected to the second substrate-side end 271 to the other end connected to the second battery-side end 272. The second intermediate portion 273 extends from the second substrate-side end 271 toward the side away from the first battery-side end 262 (the front side) along the thickness direction T. For example, the entirety of the second intermediate portion 273 is positioned inward in a plan view from the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. The dimension of the second intermediate portion 273 in the thickness direction T is smaller than the dimension of the first intermediate portion 263 in the thickness direction T. In the illustrated example, the second intermediate portion 273 extends approximately parallel to the thickness direction T, but the second intermediate portion 273 only needs to be inclined with respect to the in-plane direction. The second intermediate portion 273 may extend toward the front side and outward in the in-plane direction as it moves from one end connected to the second substrate-side end 271 toward the other end connected to the second battery-side end 272.

[0143] The second tab lead 270, which is bent into a Z shape in side view, is cantilevered and held by being connected to the first mounting surface 222a via the second substrate-side end 271, such that the second battery-side end 272 is positioned outside the printed circuit board 220.

[0144] In the illustrated example, the ends of the first tab lead 260 and the second tab lead 270 are formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, but the explanation is not limited to this case. For example, the ends of the tab leads may be formed in a circular, elliptical, polygonal, or other shape in plan view.

[0145] The first tab lead 260 and the second tab lead 270 are positioned outside the printed circuit board 220, and are capable of holding the battery 212 between the battery-side ends 262 and 272. Furthermore, the first tab lead 260 and the second tab lead 270 are arranged parallel to each other in a plan view along a first direction L1. The first battery-side end 262 and the second battery-side end 272 are arranged to overlap each other in a plan view. The first board-side end 261 and the second board-side end 271 are arranged with a gap between them in a second direction L2 in a plan view.

[0146] The first intermediate section 263 and the second intermediate section 273 are positioned offset from each other in the second direction L2. The first intermediate section 263 and the second intermediate section 273 are positioned on opposite sides of the center of the printed circuit board 220 in the second direction L2. As a result, the entirety of the first intermediate section 263 and the second intermediate section 273 are positioned offset from the center of the printed circuit board 220 in the second direction L2.

[0147] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the battery 212 is a so-called coin (button) type battery having a predetermined diameter and thickness. The battery 212 is thicker than, for example, the printed circuit board 220. The battery 212 may be a primary battery such as a lithium battery or a silver oxide battery, or a secondary battery such as a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery.

[0148] The battery 212 has a positive electrode can 280 and a negative electrode can 290. The positive electrode can 280 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and has a bottom wall portion 281 that forms one end face of the battery 212 and a peripheral wall portion 282 that forms the outer circumferential surface of the battery 212. The bottom wall portion 281 is the positive electrode of the battery 212 and is an example of a "first electrode". The peripheral wall portion 282 is an example of a "side portion" that is conductive to the positive electrode of the battery 212. The negative electrode can 290 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and is inserted inside the peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280. The negative electrode can 290 has a bottom wall portion 291 that forms the other end face of the battery 212. The bottom wall portion 291 is the negative electrode of the battery 212 and is an example of a "second electrode". The battery 212 is arranged with both end faces oriented in the thickness direction T.

[0149] The battery 212 is positioned such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the printed circuit board 220 in a first direction L1 when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the center position of the battery 212 and the center position of the printed circuit board 220 coincide in a second direction L2. At least a portion of the battery 212 is located within the thickness range of the printed circuit board 220 along the thickness direction T.

[0150] The battery 212 is held outside the printed circuit board 220 by being sandwiched in the thickness direction T between the first battery-side end 262 of the first tab lead 260 and the second battery-side end 272 of the second tab lead 270. As a result, the battery 212 is mechanically held by the first tab lead 260 and the second tab lead 270 with its electrodes electrically connected to them. Therefore, the first tab lead 260 and the second tab lead 270 also function as lead terminals for the electrodes of the battery 212.

[0151] The positive electrode casing 280 of battery 212 is electrically connected to the first tab lead 260. The negative electrode casing 290 of battery 212 is electrically connected to the second tab lead 270. Therefore, the first tab lead 260 functions as the positive lead terminal, and the second tab lead 270 functions as the negative lead terminal.

[0152] A first fixing portion 265 is provided between the first battery-side end 262 of the first tab lead 260 and the bottom wall portion 281 of the positive electrode can 280, joining the first tab lead 260 and the positive electrode can 280 together. Similarly, a second fixing portion 275 is provided between the second battery-side end 272 of the second tab lead 270 and the bottom wall portion 291 of the negative electrode can 290, joining the second tab lead 270 and the negative electrode can 290 together. Each fixing portion 265, 275 is a welded portion formed by spot welding or the like, or a welded portion formed by high-frequency welding or the like. The relative positional relationship between the first fixing portion 265 and the second fixing portion 275 is not particularly limited.

[0153] The peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 and the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220 face each other in a first direction L1. The peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 is in contact with the first intermediate portion 263 of the first tab lead 260 from the outside of the printed circuit board 220. The peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 is in contact with the first intermediate portion 263 in a first direction L1. That is, the peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 and the first intermediate portion 263 are in contact with each other at a point where they overlap when viewed from the first direction L1. As a result, the displacement of the positive electrode can 280 toward the printed circuit board 220 is restricted by the first intermediate portion 263. In this embodiment, since the first intermediate portion 263 extends in the second direction L2, the contact portion between the first intermediate portion 263 and the cylindrical peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 has substantially no width in the second direction L2. However, the first intermediate portion 263 may be curved along the peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 and may contact the peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 with width in the second direction L2.

[0154] In the illustrated example, the peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 is not in contact with the printed circuit board 220. However, the peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 may be in contact with the edge of the printed circuit board 220. For example, in this embodiment, since the first intermediate portion 263 is offset from the center of the battery 212 in the second direction L2, the center of the peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 in the second direction L2 can be brought into contact with the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220.

[0155] (Resin molded part) The resin molded part 213 is formed by molding a resin for mold sealing to have a predetermined outer shape. The resin for mold sealing is not particularly limited, but for example, a thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin can be used. The molding method for the resin molded part 213 is not particularly limited, but for example, a molding method similar to injection molding, such as transfer molding, can be used.

[0156] The resin molded portion 213 is formed to cover the entire tab-lead substrate 211 from the outside, sealing them inside. The resin constituting the resin molded portion 213 may contain metal fillers or the like to adjust properties such as heat dissipation and thermal expansion coefficient.

[0157] As described above, the battery 212 of this embodiment faces the printed circuit board 220 and has a peripheral wall portion 282 of a positive electrode can 280 that is conductive to the positive electrode. The first tab lead 260 is in contact with the peripheral wall portion 282 from the printed circuit board 220 side. The second tab lead 270 is away from the peripheral wall portion 282. With this configuration, the printed circuit board 220 and the battery 212 can be positioned close together in the first direction L1, which is the in-plane direction of the printed circuit board 220, while avoiding contact between the peripheral wall portion 282 of the battery 212 and the second tab lead 270, and the dimensions of the tab lead substrate 211 in the first direction L1 can be reduced. Furthermore, the first tab lead 260 is in contact with the peripheral wall portion 282 of the battery 212 from the printed circuit board 220 side. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the first tab lead 260 is not in contact with the peripheral wall portion 282 of the battery 212, the battery 212 is stably supported by the first tab lead 260. This reduces the load on the first tab lead 260, thereby suppressing damage to the first tab lead 260. As a result, a substrate 211 with tab leads that firmly holds the battery 212 can be formed. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both miniaturization and improved mechanical strength of the substrate 211 with tab leads.

[0158] The first tab lead 260 has a first substrate-side end 261 joined to the printed circuit board 220, a first battery-side end 262 joined to the first electrode, and a first intermediate portion 263 located between the first substrate-side end 261 and the first battery-side end 262 and extending along the thickness direction T. The first intermediate portion 263 is in contact with the peripheral wall portion 282 of the battery 212. With this configuration, the peripheral wall portion 282 of the battery 212 is in contact with the first intermediate portion 263, so that variations in the dimensions of the tab lead substrate 211 in the first direction L1 can be suppressed.

[0159] The second tab lead 270 has a second substrate-side end 271 joined to the printed circuit board 220, a second battery-side end 272 joined to the second electrode, and a second intermediate portion 273 located between the second substrate-side end 271 and the second battery-side end 272, extending from the second substrate-side end 271 toward the side away from the first battery-side end 262 along the thickness direction T. The second intermediate portion 273 faces the peripheral wall portion 282 with a gap between them. With this configuration, the battery 212 can be placed within the thickness range of the printed circuit board 220, and it is possible to suppress the battery 212 from protruding significantly from one side of the printed circuit board 220 toward one side in the thickness direction T. Therefore, the entire tab lead substrate 211 can be made thinner.

[0160] The second intermediate portion 273 is located inward from the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220 in a plan view. With this configuration, in the first direction L1, the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220 is located between the second intermediate portion 273 and the peripheral wall portion 282 of the battery 212. Therefore, the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220 can prevent the peripheral wall portion 282 of the battery 212 from approaching the second intermediate portion 273. Thus, contact between the second intermediate portion 273 and the peripheral wall portion 282 of the battery 212 can be reliably suppressed.

[0161] The battery 212 is located at one end of the tab-lead substrate 211 in the first direction L1. With this configuration, the dimensions of the tab-lead substrate 211 in the first direction L1 change depending on the position of the battery 212 relative to the printed circuit board 220. In other words, the tab-lead substrate 211 can be miniaturized in the first direction L1 by the amount by which the battery 212 is brought closer to the printed circuit board 220. Therefore, a tab-lead substrate 211 is obtained that can effectively exhibit the above-mentioned effects.

[0162] The dimension of the first intermediate portion 263 in the thickness direction T is larger than the dimension of the second intermediate portion 273 in the thickness direction T. With this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the dimension of the first intermediate portion 263 in the thickness direction T is less than or equal to the dimension of the second intermediate portion 273 in the thickness direction T, a larger contact area between the first tab lead 260 and the peripheral wall portion 282 of the battery 212 can be secured in the thickness direction T. As a result, the battery 212 is supported in a stable state by the first tab lead 260. Therefore, a substrate 211 with tab leads in which the battery 212 is held more firmly can be formed.

[0163] The first intermediate portion 263 is in contact with the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. With this configuration, the contact of the first intermediate portion 263 with the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220 makes the first tab lead 260 even less likely to be displaced relative to the printed circuit board 220. Therefore, the first tab lead 260 can be firmly connected to the printed circuit board 220. Thus, a tab-lead substrate 211 can be formed in which the battery 212 is firmly supported on the printed circuit board 220 via the first tab lead 260.

[0164] Alternatively, the peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 may be brought into contact with the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. In this case, the battery 212 can be positioned as close to the printed circuit board 220 as possible, and the tab-lead board 211 can be miniaturized in the first direction L1.

[0165] (Sixth Embodiment) Next, the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 16. The sixth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that the first intermediate portion 263A of the first tab lead 260A does not straddle the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. Other than what is described below, the configuration is the same as that of the fifth embodiment.

[0166] Figure 16 is a side view of a substrate with tab leads according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in Figure 16, the battery holder 250 is equipped with a first tab lead 260A in place of the first tab lead 260 of the fifth embodiment.

[0167] The first tab lead 260A is connected to the second mounting surface 223a of the printed circuit board 220. As a result, the first tab lead 260A is fixed in a state of electrical connection to the second printed wiring 223. In this embodiment, the first terminal 224 of the printed wiring is formed on the second mounting surface 223a. The first tab lead 260A has a first board-side end 261 connected to the printed wiring, a first battery-side end 262 connected to the battery 212, and a first intermediate portion 263A located between the first board-side end 261 and the first battery-side end 262.

[0168] The first substrate-side end 261 is positioned facing the back surface of the printed circuit board 220 and is connected to the first terminal 224 on the second mounting surface 223a. The first intermediate portion 263A extends in a direction away from the printed circuit board 220 along the thickness direction T, from one end connected to the first substrate-side end 261 to the other end connected to the first battery-side end 262. The first intermediate portion 263A is positioned outside the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220 in a plan view. In the illustrated example, the first intermediate portion 263A extends approximately parallel to the thickness direction T, but for example, the first intermediate portion 263A may extend outward in the in-plane direction and towards the back side as it moves from one end connected to the first substrate-side end 261 to the other end connected to the first battery-side end 262.

[0169] The peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 is in contact with the first intermediate portion 263A of the first tab lead 260A from the outside of the printed circuit board 220. The peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 is in contact with the first intermediate portion 263A in a first direction L1. That is, the peripheral wall portion 282 and the first intermediate portion 263A of the positive electrode can 280 are in contact with each other at a point where they overlap when viewed from the first direction L1. As a result, the displacement of the positive electrode can 280 toward the printed circuit board 220 is restricted by the first intermediate portion 263A. The peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 may or may not be in contact with the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220.

[0170] This embodiment provides the same effects as the fifth embodiment. In addition, this embodiment provides the following effects. Since the first intermediate portion 263A of the first tab lead 260A does not straddle the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220, the first tab lead 260A is not interposed between the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220 and the first intermediate portion 263A. This makes it easier to bring the peripheral wall portion 282 of the positive electrode can 280 into contact with the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220. Therefore, the battery 212 can be positioned as close to the printed circuit board 220 as possible, and the tab-lead substrate 211 can be miniaturized in the first direction L1.

[0171] In the sixth embodiment, the relative positional relationship of the first tab lead 260A and the second tab lead 270 in the second direction L2 is not particularly limited. For example, the first intermediate portion 263A and the second intermediate portion 273 may be offset from each other in the second direction L2, or the regions in which they are located may overlap in the second direction L2.

[0172] It should be noted that the present invention (the second invention) is not limited to the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, and various modifications are possible within its technical scope. For example, in the above embodiment, the second tab lead 270 has a second intermediate portion 273 that extends along the thickness direction T, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the second tab lead may extend in the in-plane direction from the second substrate side end to the second battery side end.

[0173] In the above embodiment, the second intermediate portion 273 of the second tab lead 270 is positioned inward in a plan view from the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220, but the configuration is not limited to this. The second intermediate portion 273 only needs to be positioned inward in a plan view from the first intermediate portions 263 and 263A of the first tab leads 260 and 260A, and at least a part of the second intermediate portion 273 may be positioned outward in a plan view from the battery-side edge 226 of the printed circuit board 220.

[0174] Furthermore, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0175] Furthermore, the present invention (second invention) includes the following aspects: <16> A substrate unit having a substrate and electronic components mounted on the substrate; a first tab lead and a second tab lead connected to the substrate; a battery arranged alongside the substrate in a first direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the substrate and held so as to be sandwiched in the thickness direction by the first tab lead and the second tab lead, wherein the battery has a first pole joined to the first tab lead; a second pole joined to the second tab lead; and a side portion facing the substrate side and conductive to the first pole, the first tab lead contacts the side portion from the substrate side, and the second tab lead is away from the side portion, the substrate with tab leads. <17> A tab-lead substrate according to <16>, wherein the first tab lead has a first substrate bonding portion bonded to the substrate, a first battery bonding portion bonded to the first electrode, and a first intermediate portion located between the first substrate bonding portion and the first battery bonding portion and extending along the thickness direction, wherein the first intermediate portion is in contact with the side surface. <18> A tab-lead substrate according to <17>, wherein the second tab lead has a second substrate bonding portion bonded to the substrate, a second battery bonding portion bonded to the second electrode, and a second intermediate portion located between the second substrate bonding portion and the second battery bonding portion and extending from the second substrate bonding portion toward the first battery bonding portion along the thickness direction, wherein the second intermediate portion faces the side surface with a gap between them. <19> A tab-leaded substrate according to <18>, wherein the second intermediate portion is located inward from the edge of the substrate when viewed in the thickness direction. <20> A tab-leaded substrate according to any one of <16> to <19>, wherein the battery is located at one end in the first direction. <21> A tab-leaded substrate according to <18>, wherein the dimension of the first intermediate portion in the thickness direction is larger than the dimension of the second intermediate portion in the thickness direction.<22> A tab-leaded substrate according to <18> or <21>, wherein the substrate has a mounting surface to which the first substrate joint and the second substrate joint are connected, and the first intermediate portion is in contact with the edge of the substrate.

[0176] According to the first invention, even when using batteries that contribute significantly to the thickness, it is possible to further thin the entire electronic module. According to the second invention, it is possible to achieve both miniaturization of the tab-lead substrate and improvement of its mechanical strength.

[0177] <First Invention> H...Battery thickness T...Substrate thickness direction C1...Center line of the substrate unit thickness C2...Center line of the battery thickness C3...Center line of the printed circuit board thickness 10, 90, 95, 100...Battery module 11, 110...Substrate with tab leads 20...Printed circuit board (substrate) 21a...First main surface 21b...Second main surface 22a...First mounting surface 23a...Second mounting surface 30...Electronic component 40...Substrate unit 60...First tab lead 61...One end of the first tab lead 62...Other end of the first tab lead 70...Second tab lead 71...One end of the second tab lead 72...Other end of the second tab lead 65...First fixing part 75...Second fixing part <Second Invention> 211...Substrate with tab leads 212...Battery 220...Printed circuit board (substrate) 222a...First mounting surface (mounting surface) 226...Battery side edge (edge) 230...Electronic component 240...Substrate unit 260, 260A...First tab lead 261...First substrate side end (first substrate joint) 262...First battery side end (first battery joint) 263, 263A...First intermediate section 270...Second tab lead 271...Second substrate side end (second substrate joint) 272...Second battery side end (second battery joint) 273...Second intermediate section 281...Bottom wall (first pole) 282...Peripheral wall (side) 291...Bottom wall (second pole) L1...First direction T...Thickness direction

Claims

1. A substrate unit having a substrate with a mounting surface and an electronic component mounted on the mounting surface of the substrate, and a first tab lead and a second tab lead connected to the mounting surface of the substrate, wherein the first tab lead and the second tab lead hold a battery so as to sandwich the battery in the thickness direction of the substrate, and hold the battery such that the thickness center line of the entire substrate unit along the thickness direction is included within the thickness range of the battery along the thickness direction. A substrate with tab leads, characterized by this.

2. The substrate with tab leads according to claim 1, wherein the first tab lead and the second tab lead hold the battery such that the thickness center line of the entire substrate unit along the thickness direction coincides with the thickness center line of the battery along the thickness direction. A substrate with tab leads.

3. The substrate with tab leads according to claim 2, wherein the first tab lead and the second tab lead hold the battery such that the thickness center line of the single substrate along the thickness direction coincides with the thickness center line of the battery along the thickness direction. A substrate with tab leads.

4. In the substrate with tab leads according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the first tab lead has one end connected to the mounting surface of the substrate and the other end connected to the battery, and the second tab lead has one end connected to the mounting surface of the substrate and is connected to the battery, and has another end located on the opposite side in the thickness direction with the battery sandwiched between the other end of the first tab lead, and the first tab lead and the second tab lead hold the battery between the other end of the first tab lead and the other end of the second tab lead outside the substrate. A substrate with tab leads.

5. The substrate with tab leads according to claim 4, wherein the first tab lead and the second tab lead are bent and deformed with respect to each other such that the interval between the respective other ends along the thickness direction is larger than the interval between the respective one ends along the thickness direction. A substrate with tab leads.

6. The substrate with tab leads according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the other ends of the first tab lead and the other ends of the second tab lead are arranged such that at least a part of each faces each other in the thickness direction.

7. The substrate with tab leads according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the other ends of the first tab lead and the other ends of the second tab lead are arranged such that they are in a non-facing relationship in the thickness direction.

8. The substrate with tab leads according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the substrate has a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other in the thickness direction, the mounting surface has a first mounting surface formed on the first main surface and a second mounting surface formed on the second main surface, and the first tab lead and the second tab lead are each connected at one end thereof to a common mounting surface which is either one of the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface.

9. The substrate with tab leads according to claim 8, wherein the first tab lead has an intermediate portion connecting the one end and the other end, the second tab lead has an intermediate portion connecting the one end and the other end, and when two directions orthogonal to each other in a plan view seen from the thickness direction are defined as a first direction and a second direction, the first tab lead and the second tab lead are arranged parallel to each other along the first direction, and in a plan view seen from the thickness direction, the first tab lead and the second tab lead are formed such that the interval between the intermediate portions of each along the second direction is larger than the interval between the one ends of each along the second direction.

10. The substrate with tab leads according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the substrate has a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other in the thickness direction, the mounting surface has a first mounting surface formed on the first main surface and a second mounting surface formed on the second main surface, one end of the first tab lead is connected to the first mounting surface, and one end of the second tab lead is connected to the second mounting surface.

11. In the substrate with tab leads according to claim 10, the one end of the first tab lead is connected to the first mounting surface such that the other end of the first tab lead is located on the second main surface side; and the one end of the second tab lead is connected to the second mounting surface such that the other end of the second tab lead is located on the first main surface side. A substrate with tab leads.

12. In the substrate with tab leads according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the first tab lead and the second tab lead are formed in the same shape with each other. A substrate with tab leads.

13. A battery module comprising: the substrate with tab leads according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and a battery held in a conductive state with respect to the mounting surface via the first tab lead and the second tab lead.

14. In the battery module according to claim 13, a first fixing portion for fixing the first tab lead and the battery to each other is provided between the first tab lead and the battery; and a second fixing portion for fixing the second tab lead and the battery to each other is provided between the second tab lead and the battery. A battery module.

15. In the battery module according to claim 14, a resin mold portion is provided which seals at least the first fixing portion, the second fixing portion and the battery so as to be buried inside and is formed to have a predetermined outer shape. A battery module.

16. A substrate unit having a substrate and electronic components mounted on the substrate; first tab leads and second tab leads connected to the substrate; and a battery arranged side by side with the substrate in a first direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate and held so as to be sandwiched in the thickness direction by the first tab leads and the second tab leads. The battery has a first electrode joined to the first tab lead, a second electrode joined to the second tab lead, and a side surface portion facing the substrate side and conducting to the first electrode. The first tab lead contacts the side surface portion from the substrate side, and the second tab lead is separated from the side surface portion. A substrate with tab leads.

17. The tabbed substrate according to claim 16, wherein the first tabbed lead has: a first substrate joint portion joined to the substrate; a first battery joint portion joined to the first electrode; and a first intermediate portion located between the first substrate joint portion and the first battery joint portion and extending along the thickness direction, and the first intermediate portion is in contact with the side surface, the tabbed substrate.

18. The tabbed substrate according to claim 17, wherein the second tabbed lead has: a second substrate joint portion joined to the substrate; a second battery joint portion joined to the second electrode; and a second intermediate portion located between the second substrate joint portion and the second battery joint portion and extending along the thickness direction from the second substrate joint portion to the side away from the first battery joint portion, and the second intermediate portion faces the side surface with a gap therebetween, the tabbed substrate.

19. The tabbed substrate according to claim 18, wherein the second intermediate portion is located inside the edge of the substrate when viewed from the thickness direction, the tabbed substrate.

20. The tabbed substrate according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the battery is located at one end in the first direction, the tabbed substrate.

21. The tabbed substrate according to claim 18, wherein the dimension of the first intermediate portion in the thickness direction is larger than the dimension of the second intermediate portion in the thickness direction, the tabbed substrate.

22. The tabbed substrate according to claim 18 or 21, wherein the substrate has a mounting surface to which the first substrate joint portion and the second substrate joint portion are connected, and the first intermediate portion is in contact with the edge of the substrate, the tabbed substrate.

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