阅读说明：本技术 汇流条板 (Bus bar board ) 是由 稻村卓思 吉田敬 三原弘幸 于 2020-04-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：为了提供一种能够应对电池的层叠数的增加的汇流条板,汇流条板(4)具有多个板单元(16)。各板单元(16)与1个电池(8)或若干电池(8)的集合体对应地配置,各板单元(16)具有使对应的电池(8)所具有的输出端子(14)暴露的端子用开口部(20)以及将相邻的板单元(16)彼此连结的连结机构(22)。连结机构(22)包括配置于相邻的两个板单元(16)中的一者的雄部(24)以及配置于另一者并供雄部(24)嵌合的雌部(26)。雄部(24)和雌部(26)以带有允许所连结的两个板单元(16)向电池(8)的层叠方向(X)进行预定量的位移的间隙的方式嵌合。(In order to provide a bus bar plate capable of coping with an increase in the number of stacked batteries, a bus bar plate (4) has a plurality of plate units (16). Each plate unit (16) is disposed so as to correspond to 1 battery (8) or an aggregate of a plurality of batteries (8), and each plate unit (16) has a terminal opening (20) that exposes an output terminal (14) of the corresponding battery (8), and a connecting mechanism (22) that connects adjacent plate units (16) to each other. The connecting mechanism (22) includes a male portion (24) disposed on one of the two adjacent plate units (16) and a female portion (26) disposed on the other and into which the male portion (24) is fitted. The male portion (24) and the female portion (26) are fitted with a gap that allows the two connected plate units (16) to displace by a predetermined amount in the stacking direction (X) of the battery (8).)

1. A bus bar plate which covers a surface of a cell stack having a plurality of stacked cells on which output terminals of the cells are arranged and supports a bus bar which electrically connects the output terminals to each other,

the bus bar plate has a plurality of plate units,

each plate unit is disposed so as to correspond to 1 battery or an aggregate of a plurality of batteries among the plurality of batteries, and each plate unit has a terminal opening portion for exposing the output terminal of the corresponding battery and a coupling mechanism for coupling adjacent plate units to each other,

the terminal opening portions are provided at both ends of each plate unit in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the batteries,

the connecting mechanism is provided inside the terminal opening in the orthogonal direction, and includes a male portion disposed on the 1 st plate unit of the 1 st plate unit and a female portion disposed on the 2 nd plate unit and into which the male portion is fitted,

the male portion and the female portion are fitted with a gap that allows the 1 st plate unit and the 2 nd plate unit to displace by a predetermined amount in the stacking direction of the batteries.

2. The bus bar plate of claim 1,

the 1 st plate unit has:

a main body portion that overlaps with the corresponding 1 st cell or 1 st aggregate when viewed from the 1 st direction in which the bus bar plate and the cell stack are arranged; and

and a 1 st projecting portion that projects from the body portion toward the 2 nd plate unit side and overlaps with the 2 nd plate unit when viewed from the 1 st direction.

3. The bus bar plate of claim 2,

the 2 nd plate unit has:

a main body portion that overlaps with the corresponding 2 nd battery or 2 nd aggregate when viewed from the 1 st direction; and

and a 2 nd projecting portion that projects from the body portion toward the 1 st plate unit side and overlaps with the 1 st plate unit when viewed from the 1 st direction.

4. The bus bar plate of claim 3,

the 1 st projection and the 2 nd projection are arranged with the coupling mechanism interposed therebetween,

the 1 st protruding part is inserted between the 2 nd plate unit and the 2 nd battery or the 2 nd aggregate,

the 2 nd protrusion is inserted between the 1 st plate unit and the 1 st battery or the 1 st aggregate.

5. The bus bar plate of claim 2,

The 2 nd plate unit has:

a main body portion that overlaps with the corresponding 2 nd battery or 2 nd aggregate when viewed from the 1 st direction; and

a 1 st hole provided in a surface of the main body facing the 1 st plate unit,

the 1 st protruding part is inserted into the 1 st hole part.

6. The bus bar plate of claim 3,

the 1 st plate unit has:

a main body portion that overlaps with the corresponding 1 st cell or 1 st aggregate when viewed from the 1 st direction; and

a 2 nd hole provided in a surface of the main body portion facing the 2 nd plate unit side,

the 2 nd protruding part is inserted into the 2 nd hole part.

7. The busbar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

the 1 st plate unit has one of a position regulating convex portion and a position regulating concave portion fitted to each other on the outer side of the terminal opening portion in the orthogonal direction,

the 2 nd plate unit has the other of the position regulating convex portion and the position regulating concave portion on the outer side of the terminal opening portion in the orthogonal direction.

8. The bus bar plate of claim 7,

The position regulating projection has a projection length larger than a projection length of the male portion.

9. The busbar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

the plurality of plate units have groove portions arranged in a row in a mutually connected state outside the terminal opening portion.

10. The busbar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein,

each plate unit has a secondary rotationally symmetrical shape as viewed from the 1 st direction in which the bus bar plates and the battery stack are arranged.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a bus bar plate.

Background

For example, a battery pack in which a plurality of batteries are electrically connected is known as a power supply for a vehicle or the like which requires a high output voltage. In general, in a battery module, a plurality of cells are stacked, and adjacent cells are electrically connected by a bus bar. Further, as disclosed in patent document 1, for example, the battery module has a bus bar plate that covers the terminal disposition surface of the battery laminate and supports the bus bar. By covering the terminal disposition surface of the battery laminate with the bus bar plate, the creepage distance between the output terminals can be ensured. The bus bar plate can also function as a support plate that supports voltage detection lines that detect the voltages of the respective cells.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2013/161655

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In recent years, the number of batteries included in a power supply tends to increase with the demand for higher capacity of the power supply. In order to increase the capacity of the power supply, it is also conceivable to increase the number of battery modules, but increasing the number of batteries stacked in 1 battery module is more effective in terms of the cost of the power supply. That is, by increasing the number of cells stacked in each cell assembly while maintaining the number of cell assemblies, it is possible to increase the capacity of the power supply while suppressing an increase in the number of components constituting the power supply, and thus possible to suppress an increase in cost. When the number of stacked batteries is increased, it is needless to say that the bus bar plate needs to be increased in size. However, if the bus bar plate is made large, the end of the bus bar plate is likely to be warped. If the bus bar plate is deformed due to warping at the end portion, it is difficult to secure a creepage distance between the output terminals, and it is difficult to support the voltage detection line. Therefore, a bus bar plate which is less likely to warp at the end even if it is large-sized is desired.

In addition, batteries generally tend to expand and contract with use. When the number of stacked cells is increased, the dimensional change of the cell stack becomes large, and the load applied to the bus bar plate becomes large. If an excessive load is applied to the bus bar plate, the bus bar plate may be damaged. Therefore, a bus bar plate that is not easily broken even if the number of stacked batteries is increased is desired.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a bus bar plate that can cope with an increase in the number of stacked batteries.

Means for solving the problems

One aspect of the present invention is a bus bar plate that covers a surface of a cell stack including a plurality of stacked cells, on which output terminals of the cells are arranged, and supports a bus bar that electrically connects the output terminals to each other. The bus bar plate has a plurality of plate units. Each plate unit is disposed so as to correspond to 1 battery or an aggregate of a plurality of batteries among the plurality of batteries, and each plate unit has a terminal opening portion for exposing an output terminal of the corresponding battery and a coupling mechanism for coupling adjacent plate units to each other. The terminal openings are provided at both ends of each plate unit in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the batteries. The connecting mechanism is provided inside the terminal opening in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the battery, and includes a male portion disposed on the 1 st plate unit of the 1 st plate unit and the 2 nd plate unit adjacent to each other, and a female portion disposed on the 2 nd plate unit and into which the male portion is fitted. The male portion and the female portion are fitted with a gap that allows the 1 st plate unit and the 2 nd plate unit to displace by a predetermined amount in the stacking direction of the batteries.

In addition, any combination of the above-described constituent elements, and a method of converting the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, and the like are also effective as the aspect of the present invention.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bus bar plate that can cope with an increase in the number of stacked batteries.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module having bus bar plates of embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a region of the bus bar plate including the coupling mechanism.

Fig. 3 (a) to 3 (C) are views showing an assembly process of the battery module.

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of the bus bar plate of embodiment 2 viewed from obliquely above.

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of the bus bar plate of embodiment 2 viewed obliquely from below.

Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of the bus bar plate of embodiment 3 as viewed from obliquely above.

Fig. 7 (a) and 7 (B) are views showing an assembly process of the battery module according to modification 1.

Fig. 8 (a) is a perspective view of the 2 nd plate unit of modification 2 viewed from the 1 st plate unit side. Fig. 8 (B) is a perspective view of the 1 st plate unit of modification 2 viewed from the 2 nd plate unit side.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are not intended to limit the invention but to exemplify the invention, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential features and combinations of the invention. The same or equivalent constituent elements, members, and processes shown in the respective drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are appropriately omitted. In addition, scales and shapes of respective portions shown in the respective drawings are set conveniently for ease of explanation, and are not to be construed restrictively unless otherwise mentioned. In addition, in the case where the terms "1 st", "2 nd", and the like are used in the present specification or the claims, unless otherwise specified, the terms do not denote any order or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one structure from another. In the drawings, a part of a member which is not important in describing the embodiment is omitted and shown.

(embodiment mode 1)

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module having bus bar plates of embodiment 1. The battery module 1 has a battery stack 2, a bus bar plate 4, and a plurality of bus bars 6. The cell stack 2 includes a plurality of cells 8 stacked together. Each battery 8 is a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, and a nickel cadmium battery. The battery 8 is a so-called prismatic battery, and has an outer can 10 in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped. An opening (not shown) having a substantially rectangular shape is provided on one surface of the outer can 10, and the electrode body, the electrolyte solution, and the like are accommodated in the outer can 10 through the opening. A sealing plate 12 for sealing the outer can 10 is provided at the opening of the outer can 10.

A positive output terminal 14 is provided near one end of the sealing plate 12 in the longitudinal direction, and a negative output terminal 14 is provided near the other end. The pair of output terminals 14 are electrically connected to the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate constituting the electrode body, respectively. Hereinafter, the positive output terminal 14 is referred to as a positive terminal 14a, and the negative output terminal 14 is referred to as a negative terminal 14b, as appropriate. When it is not necessary to distinguish the polarity of the output terminal 14, the positive terminal 14a and the negative terminal 14b are collectively referred to as the output terminal 14. The outer can 10, the sealing plate 12, and the output terminal 14 are electrically conductive and made of, for example, metal. The opening of the outer can 10 and the sealing plate 12 are joined by laser welding, for example. The output terminals 14 are inserted through holes (not shown) formed in the sealing plate 12. An insulating sealing member (not shown) is interposed between each output terminal 14 and each through hole.

In the description of the present embodiment, for convenience, the sealing plate 12 is defined as the upper surface of the battery 8, and the bottom surface of the outer can 10 facing the sealing plate 12 is defined as the lower surface of the battery 8. In addition, the battery 8 has two main surfaces connecting the upper surface and the lower surface. The main surface is the largest area of the 6 surfaces of the battery 8. The main surface is a long side surface connected to the long side of the upper surface and the long side of the lower surface. The remaining two surfaces other than the upper surface, the lower surface, and the two main surfaces are set as the side surfaces of the battery 8. The side surfaces are a pair of short side surfaces connected to the short side of the upper surface and the short side of the lower surface.

For convenience, in the battery stack 2, the upper surface side of the battery 8 is defined as the upper surface of the battery stack 2, the lower surface side of the battery 8 is defined as the lower surface of the battery stack 2, and the side surface side of the battery 8 is defined as the side surface of the battery stack 2. These directions and positions are specified for convenience. Therefore, for example, in the present invention, the portion defined as the upper surface does not necessarily mean the portion located above the portion defined as the lower surface.

A safety valve (not shown) is provided between the pair of output terminals 14 in the sealing plate 12. The safety valve is a mechanism for ejecting gas inside the battery from each battery 8. The safety valve is configured to be opened when the internal pressure of the outer tank 10 rises to a predetermined value or more, and to release the gas inside. The safety valve includes, for example, a thin portion having a thickness smaller than that of other portions provided in a part of the sealing plate 12, and a linear groove formed in a surface of the thin portion.

Each cell 8 has an insulating film (not shown). The insulating film is, for example, a tubular shrink tube, and is heated after the outer can 10 passes through the inside thereof. Thereby, the insulating film shrinks and covers both main surfaces, both side surfaces, and the bottom surface of the exterior can 10. Short-circuiting between adjacent cells 8, or between a cell 8 and an end plate or a restraint member can be suppressed by the insulating film.

The plurality of cells 8 are stacked at predetermined intervals in such a manner that the main surfaces of the adjacent cells 8 face each other. Further, "stacked" means that a plurality of members are arranged in an arbitrary 1 direction. Therefore, the stacking of the cells 8 also includes a case where a plurality of cells 8 are arranged horizontally. In the present embodiment, the cells 8 are stacked horizontally. Therefore, the stacking direction X of the cells 8 is a direction extending horizontally. Hereinafter, a direction horizontal and perpendicular to the stacking direction X is referred to as a horizontal direction Y, and a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction X and the horizontal direction Y is referred to as a vertical direction Z.

In addition, the batteries 8 are arranged such that the output terminals 14 face in the same direction. Each battery 8 of the present embodiment is arranged such that the output terminal 14 faces upward in the vertical direction. Therefore, the upper surface of the battery stack 2 constitutes a terminal arrangement surface 2a on which the output terminals 14 of the batteries 8 are arranged. When the adjacent batteries 8 are connected in series, the batteries 8 are stacked such that the positive electrode terminal 14a of one battery 8 and the negative electrode terminal 14b of the other battery 8 are adjacent to each other. When the adjacent batteries 8 are connected in parallel, the batteries 8 are stacked such that the positive electrode terminal 14a of one battery 8 and the positive electrode terminal 14a of the other battery 8 are adjacent to each other.

The battery stack 2 includes a plurality of cell spacers (not shown). The cell spacer is also called an insulating spacer and is made of, for example, a resin sheet having insulating properties. Examples of the resin constituting the monomer spacer include thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polycarbonate (PC), and NORYL (registered trademark) resin (modified PPE). The cell spacer is disposed between two adjacent batteries 8 to electrically insulate the two batteries 8 from each other.

The cell stack 2 is sandwiched by a pair of end plates (not shown). The pair of end plates are disposed at both ends of the cell stack 2 in the stacking direction X of the cells 8. The pair of end plates are adjacent to the cells 8 positioned at both ends in the stacking direction X with an outer end separator (not shown) therebetween. The outer end partition plate can be made of the same resin material as the cell partition plate. Each end plate is a metal plate made of metal such as iron, stainless steel, or aluminum. The outer end separator is interposed between the end plate and the cell 8, thereby insulating the two.

The cell stack 2 and the pair of end plates are constrained by a pair of constraining members (not shown). The pair of restraining members, which are also referred to as fasteners, are elongated members that are long in the stacking direction X of the cells 8. The pair of constraining members are arranged in the horizontal direction Y. The pair of constraining members is made of metal, and is made of iron or stainless steel, for example.

The plurality of cells 8 and the plurality of cell spacers are alternately arranged, and the plurality of cells 8 and the plurality of cell spacers are sandwiched by a pair of end plates in the stacking direction X via outer end separators. In this state, both end portions of each restraining member in the stacking direction X and the pair of end plates are fixed by screwing or the like, and thereby the plurality of cells 8 are fastened and restrained in the stacking direction X. Thereby, the respective cells 8 are positioned in the stacking direction X. The partition plate, the end plate, and the constraining member have well-known configurations, and thus, illustration and detailed description are omitted.

The bus bar plate 4 is mounted on the terminal disposition surface 2a of the battery stack 2. The bus bar plate 4 is a plate-like member covering the terminal arrangement surface 2 a. The bus bar plate 4 has a plurality of plate units 16 arranged for the plurality of batteries 8, respectively. In the bus bar plate 4, a plurality of plate units 16 are connected to each other to form a plate shape as a whole.

Each plate unit 16 is made of a resin such as polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polycarbonate (PC), NORYL (registered trademark) resin (modified PPE), or the like. Each board unit 16 includes a main body portion 18, a pair of terminal openings 20, and a coupling mechanism 22.

The main body portion 18 overlaps the corresponding battery 8 as viewed from the 1 st direction (vertical direction Z in the present embodiment) in which the bus bar plate 4 and the battery stack 2 are arranged. The main body portion 18 has a shape substantially matching the upper surface of the battery 8. Specifically, the main body 18 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member that is long in the horizontal direction Y.

The pair of terminal openings 20 are openings that expose the pair of output terminals 14 of the corresponding battery 8. Each plate unit 16 has a pair of terminal openings 20 at positions overlapping the corresponding battery 8, i.e., the pair of output terminals 14 of the battery 8 on which the plate unit 16 is mounted, in the vertical direction Z. The pair of terminal openings 20 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the substantially rectangular main body portion 18. That is, the terminal openings 20 are provided at both ends of each plate unit 16 in a direction (horizontal direction Y in the present embodiment) orthogonal to the stacking direction X of the batteries 8.

The bus bar 6 is placed on each terminal opening 20. A plurality of bus bars 6 are supported by the bus bar plate 4. Each bus bar 6 is a substantially strip-shaped metal member that electrically connects the output terminals 14 of the adjacent cells 8 to each other. One end side of the bus bar 6 is electrically connected to the output terminal 14 of one battery 8, and the other end side is electrically connected to the output terminal 14 of the other battery 8. The bus bar 6 and the output terminal 14 are joined by, for example, laser welding or ultrasonic bonding. Further, there are also cases where: the bus bar 6 connects the output terminals 14 of the same polarity of the adjacent plurality of cells 8 in parallel with each other to form a cell block, and further connects the cell blocks in series with each other.

The coupling mechanism 22 is a mechanism for coupling the adjacent plate units 16 to each other, and is disposed between the pair of terminal openings 20 in the arrangement direction (horizontal direction Y in the present embodiment) of the pair of terminal openings 20. That is, the coupling mechanism 22 is provided inside the terminal opening 20 in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction X of the batteries 8. The coupling mechanism 22 of the present embodiment is provided at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the substantially rectangular main body portion 18. Each plate unit 16 has an opening (not shown) for exposing the safety valve of the battery 8 at a position overlapping the safety valve in the vertical direction Z. The coupling mechanism 22 is provided at a position not interfering with the opening. The coupling mechanism 22 is integrally formed with the main body portion 18.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a region of the bus bar plate 4 including the coupling mechanism 22. As shown in fig. 2, the coupling mechanism 22 includes a male portion 24 and a female portion 26. The male portion 24 is disposed on the 1 st plate unit 16a and the female portion 26 is disposed on the 2 nd plate unit 16b of any of the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b adjacent to each other. Each plate unit 16 has a male portion 24 on one long side surface of the body portion 18 and a female portion 26 on the other long side surface. This allows each plate unit 16 to be connected to two adjacent plate units 16.

The male portion 24 is a convex engaging portion protruding from the body portion 18 of the 1 st plate unit 16a toward the 2 nd plate unit 16 b. The female portion 26 is a concave engaging portion provided on the surface of the body portion 18 of the 2 nd plate unit 16b on the 1 st plate unit 16a side. The male portion 24 protrudes in the stacking direction X, and the female portion 26 is recessed in the stacking direction X. The male portion 24 of the 1 st plate unit 16a is fitted to the female portion 26 of the 2 nd plate unit 16b, thereby connecting the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16 b.

The male portion 24 of the present embodiment includes a flat plate portion 28 protruding toward the 2 nd plate unit 16b side and a columnar portion 30 disposed at the distal end of the flat plate portion 28. The flat plate portion 28 is provided with its thickness direction oriented in the horizontal direction Y. The columnar portion 30 is provided with its central axis directed in the vertical direction Z, and its peripheral surface is connected to a side surface of the flat plate portion 28 directed toward the 2 nd plate unit 16b side. The diameter of the columnar portion 30 is larger than the thickness (dimension in the horizontal direction Y) of the flat plate portion 28. The female portion 26 of the present embodiment includes a flat plate-shaped space 32 corresponding to the flat plate portion 28 and a cylindrical space 34 disposed at the tip end of the flat plate-shaped space 32 and corresponding to the cylindrical portion 30. The thickness (dimension in the horizontal direction Y) of the flat plate-like space 32 is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 30. Further, the flat plate portion 28, the columnar portion 30, the flat plate-like space 32, and the columnar space 34 extend from the lower end to the upper end of the main body portion 18, respectively.

When the 1 st plate element 16a and the 2 nd plate element 16b are pressed against each other with the male portion 24 and the female portion 26 aligned, the columnar portion 30 is pushed into the flat plate-like space 32. Then, the cylindrical portion 30 enters the cylindrical space 34 through the flat plate-like space 32. Thus, the male portion 24 is fitted to the female portion 26. The cylindrical portion 30 housed in the cylindrical space 34 and the side wall defining the flat plate-like space 32 narrower than the cylindrical portion 30 interfere with each other, thereby suppressing displacement in the direction in which the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b are separated.

The male portion 24 and the female portion 26 are fitted with a gap G that allows the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b to displace by a predetermined amount in the stacking direction X of the batteries 8. That is, in the state where the male portion 24 is fitted to the female portion 26, the cylindrical portion 30 and the circumferential surface of the cylindrical space 34 are separated by the gap G. Thereby, the relative displacement of the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b, particularly the displacement in the stacking direction X, is allowed by an amount corresponding to the gap G.

Further, it is preferable that a notch 36 is provided in the vicinity of the female portion 26 in the horizontal direction Y, and the notch 36 and the flat plate-like space 32 extend substantially in parallel with the flat plate-like space 32 with a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction Y. By providing the notch 36, the width of the flat plate-like space 32 is easily increased when the male portion 24 is fitted into the female portion 26, and therefore, the male portion 24 can be easily fitted into the female portion 26. The notch 36 may be disposed on both sides of the female portion 26, or may be disposed on only one side.

As shown in fig. 1, the plurality of plate units 16 have groove portions 38 arranged in a row in a mutually connected state outside the terminal opening portion 20. In the present embodiment, the groove portions 38 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the substantially rectangular main body portion 18. Each groove 38 is located outside the terminal opening 20 in the horizontal direction Y and extends in the stacking direction X. Therefore, guide grooves 40, which are formed by the groove portions 38 of the respective plate units 16 and extend in the stacking direction X, are provided at both ends of the bus bar plate 4 in the horizontal direction Y. Each plate unit 16 has a groove portion 38, and thus a creepage distance between the outside of the battery module 1 and each output terminal 14 can be extended.

By setting the positions of the grooves 38 to both ends of each plate unit 16 in the horizontal direction Y, a creepage distance can be ensured more reliably. Further, since the voltage detection line and the duct structure of the gas discharged from each cell 8 are provided in the central region in the horizontal direction Y of the bus bar plate 4, it is difficult to provide the groove portion 38 having a height in the vertical direction Z. In contrast, the groove 38 can be easily provided in the region outside the terminal opening 20.

The guide groove 40 is used in the assembly process of the battery module 1. Fig. 3 (a) to 3 (C) are views showing an assembly process of the battery module 1. First, as shown in fig. 3 (a), the plurality of plate units 16 are coupled to each other by the coupling mechanism 22, and the bus bar plate 4 is assembled. Then, the fixing bars 42 are fitted into the pair of guide grooves 40 of the bus bar plate 4. The fixing bar 42 extends from one end side to the other end side in the stacking direction X of the bus bar plates 4. Therefore, the fixing rod 42 is fitted into each groove 38 of the plurality of plate units 16.

On the other hand, the plurality of batteries 8 and the cell separators are alternately stacked to assemble the battery stack 2. The cell laminated body 2 is sandwiched by a pair of end plates and is restrained by a pair of restraining members. After that, the bus bar plate 4 with the fixing bar 42 fitted in the guide groove 40 is placed on the terminal arrangement surface 2a of the battery stack 2.

As shown in fig. 3(B), when the bus bar plate 4 is placed on the terminal disposition surface 2a, the output terminals 14 are exposed from the terminal opening portions 20 of the respective plate units 16. By fitting the fixing bar 42 into the guide groove 40 of the bus bar plate 4, the mutual displacement of the plate units 16 can be suppressed when the bus bar plate 4 is placed on the terminal placement surface 2 a. This allows the terminal opening 20 of each plate unit 16 and the output terminal 14 of each battery 8 to be easily positioned. Therefore, the bus bar plate 4 can be easily mounted on the terminal arrangement surface 2 a. After the bus bar plate 4 is placed on the terminal placement surface 2a, the bus bar 6 is placed on the terminal opening 20 of each plate unit 16. Further, a voltage detection line (not shown) is also mounted on the bus bar plate 4. Therefore, the bus bar plate 4 also functions as a support plate for the voltage detection lines.

As shown in fig. 3 (C), each bus bar 6 is electrically connected to the output terminal 14 exposed from the terminal opening 20. In addition, usually, before the bus bars 6 are connected to the output terminals 14, voltage detection lines are connected to the respective bus bars 6 by laser welding or the like. After the respective bus bars 6 are fixed to the output terminals 14, the fixing bars 42 are detached from the guide grooves 40. This makes it possible to obtain the battery module 1. Further, a cover plate (not shown) may be placed on the upper surface of the bus bar plate 4 after the fixing bar 42 is removed from the guide groove 40. By placing the cover plate on the bus bar plate 4, contact of condensed water, dust, and the like with the output terminals 14 of the batteries 8, the bus bars 6, the voltage detection lines, and the like can be suppressed.

As described above, the bus bar plate 4 of the present embodiment is a member that covers the terminal arrangement surface 2a of the battery stack 2 including the plurality of stacked batteries 8 and supports the bus bar 6 that electrically connects the output terminals 14 to each other. The bus bar plate 4 has a plurality of plate units 16 arranged for the plurality of batteries 8, respectively. Each plate unit 16 has a pair of terminal openings 20 that expose the pair of output terminals 14 of the corresponding battery 8, and a coupling mechanism 22 that is disposed between the pair of terminal openings 20 and couples the adjacent plate units 16 to each other.

The connecting mechanism 22 includes a male portion 24 disposed on the 1 st plate unit 16a of the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b adjacent to each other, and a female portion 26 disposed on the 2 nd plate unit 16b and into which the male portion 24 is fitted. The male portion 24 and the female portion 26 are fitted with a gap G that allows the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b to displace by a predetermined amount in the stacking direction X of the batteries 8.

By configuring the bus bar plate 4 to be a structure in which the plurality of plate units 16 are connected, that is, by dividing the bus bar plate 4 into a plurality of members, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of warpage at the end portion of the bus bar plate 4 as compared with a case in which the bus bar plate is configured by one plate. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the bus bar plate 4 can be increased in size in accordance with an increase in the number of stacked batteries 8, and the end portion of the bus bar plate 4 can be prevented from warping.

The male portion 24 and the female portion 26 constituting the coupling mechanism 22 of the present embodiment are fitted with a gap G that allows the plurality of plate units 16 to be coupled to each other to be displaced in the stacking direction X. That is, the plurality of plate units 16 are coupled to each other with a predetermined degree of freedom in position. This enables the bus bar plate 4 to follow the dimensional change of the battery laminate 2 caused by the expansion and contraction of the battery 8. The size of the gap G can be appropriately set based on the experience of the designer, the experiment by the designer, the simulation, and the like, in accordance with the amount of expansion, the number of stacked layers, and the like of the battery 8.

Therefore, even if the dimensional change of the battery laminated body 2 becomes large as the number of lamination of the batteries 8 increases, it is possible to avoid the load applied to the bus bar plate 4 from becoming excessively large. In addition, with this configuration, the impact and vibration applied to the bus bar plate 4 from the outside can be absorbed. Therefore, the possibility that the bus bar plate 4 is damaged by dimensional change of the battery stack body 2, impact applied from the outside, or the like can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to separately provide a displacement and impact absorbing structure for suppressing the breakage of the bus bar plate 4, the structure of the bus bar plate 4 can be suppressed from being complicated and the manufacturing process of the bus bar plate 4 can be suppressed from being complicated.

Further, in the bus bar plate of one plate, the size is increased, which tends to cause a reduction in dimensional accuracy. If the size of the bus bar plate does not match the size of the battery stack 2, it is difficult to mount the bus bar plate to the battery stack 2. In contrast, by providing a coupling structure that allows relative displacement of the plurality of plate units 16, the size of the entire bus bar plate 4 can be freely adjusted within a predetermined range. Further, since the bus bar plate 4 is divided into the plurality of plate units 16, the size of each plate unit 16 is naturally smaller than the size of the entire bus bar plate 4. Therefore, the dimensional accuracy of each plate unit 16 can be improved. This can avoid difficulty in mounting the bus bar plate 4 to the battery stack 2 even if the bus bar plate is increased in size.

Further, since the bus bar plate 4 has a structure in which a plurality of plate units 16 are connected, the size can be easily changed by adjusting the number of the plate units 16. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly cope with a change in the number of stacked batteries 8. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the bus bar plate 4 capable of coping with an increase in the number of stacked batteries 8.

Each plate unit 16 of the present embodiment has groove portions 38 arranged in a row in a mutually connected state outside the terminal opening portion 20. This can extend the creepage distance between the outside of the battery module 1 and each output terminal 14. In addition, the guide grooves 40 are formed by the groove portions 38 arranged in a row, and the fixing bars 42 are fitted into the guide grooves 40 in the process of assembling the battery module 1. This can restrict the relative displacement of the plate units 16 when the bus bar plate 4 is placed on the battery stack 2. Therefore, the assembly process of the battery module 1 can be simplified.

(embodiment mode 2)

Embodiment 2 has a configuration common to embodiment 1 except for the shape of the plate unit 16. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described mainly with respect to a structure different from that of embodiment 1, and common structures will be described simply or will not be described. Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of the bus bar plate 4 of embodiment 2 viewed from obliquely above. Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of the bus bar plate 4 of embodiment 2 viewed obliquely from below.

The bus bar plate 4 has a plurality of plate units 16. In any of the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b adjacent to each other, the 1 st plate unit 16a has a main body portion 18 and a 1 st projection 44. The main body portion 18 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member that overlaps the corresponding 1 st cell 8a when viewed from the 1 st direction (vertical direction Z in the present embodiment) in which the bus bar plate 4 and the cell stack 2 are aligned. The 1 st projecting portion 44 projects from the body portion 18 toward the 2 nd plate unit 16b side, and overlaps the 2 nd plate unit 16b as viewed from the 1 st direction. The 1 st projecting portion 44 is a plate-like portion elongated in the horizontal direction Y, and is arranged such that its main surface faces the vertical direction Z. In addition, the 1 st projecting portion 44 and the main body portion 18 are integrally formed.

By providing the 1 st projecting portion 44 on the 1 st plate element 16a, the terminal disposition surface 2a can be suppressed from being exposed from the gap between the 1 st plate element 16a and the 2 nd plate element 16b when the 1 st plate element 16a and the 2 nd plate element 16b are relatively displaced. This can more reliably maintain the creepage distance between the outside of the battery module 1 and the output terminal 14.

On the other hand, the 2 nd plate unit 16b has a main body portion 18 and a 2 nd projecting portion 46. The main body portion 18 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member that overlaps the corresponding 2 nd battery 8b when viewed from the 1 st direction. The 2 nd projecting portion 46 projects from the body portion 18 toward the 1 st plate unit 16a side, and overlaps the 1 st plate unit 16a as viewed from the 1 st direction. The 2 nd projecting portion 46 is a plate-like portion elongated in the horizontal direction Y, and is arranged such that its main surface faces the vertical direction Z. In addition, the 2 nd projecting portion 46 and the main body portion 18 are integrally formed.

By providing the 2 nd projecting portion 46 on the 2 nd plate unit 16b, the exposure of the terminal arrangement face 2a can be further suppressed. This can more reliably maintain the creepage distance between the outside of the battery module 1 and the output terminal 14.

The 1 st projecting portion 44 and the 2 nd projecting portion 46 of the present embodiment are arranged with the coupling mechanism 22 interposed therebetween in the horizontal direction Y. The 1 st projecting portion 44 is aligned so that the lower main surface and the lower main surface of the main body portion 18 are flush with each other. The 1 st protruding portion 44 is inserted between the main body portion 18 of the 2 nd plate unit 16b and the 2 nd battery 8 b. The 2 nd projecting portion 46 is aligned so that the lower main surface and the lower main surface of the main body portion 18 are flush with each other. The 2 nd projecting portion 46 is inserted between the main body portion 18 of the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 1 st battery 8 a.

Therefore, the adjacent 1 st plate unit 16a and 2 nd plate unit 16b overlap each other such that the 1 st plate unit 16a is located downward and the 2 nd plate unit 16b is located upward in one end region in the horizontal direction Y, and such that the 1 st plate unit 16a is located upward and the 2 nd plate unit 16b is located downward in the other end region in the horizontal direction Y. This can prevent one of the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b from coming off the other in the vertical direction Z.

The main body portion 18 of the 2 nd plate unit 16b has a 1 st recess 48 recessed so as to be apart from the 2 nd battery 8b on the lower surface facing the terminal disposition surface 2 a. The 1 st recess 48 is arranged to overlap the 1 st protrusion 44 when viewed in the stacking direction X. The 1 st recess 48 is continuous with the surface of the body portion 18 facing the 1 st plate unit 16a side. When the male portion 24 of the 1 st plate element 16a is fitted into the female portion 26 of the 2 nd plate element 16b, the 1 st projection 44 is inserted into the 1 st recess 48. In this state, the lower surface of the 1 st projecting portion 44 is exposed on the battery stack body 2 side, constituting a part of the lower surface of the bus bar plate 4.

The main body portion 18 of the 1 st plate unit 16a has a 2 nd recessed portion 50 recessed so as to be apart from the 1 st battery 8a on a lower surface facing the terminal disposition surface 2 a. The 2 nd recessed portion 50 is arranged to overlap the 2 nd projecting portion 46 when viewed from the stacking direction X. The 2 nd recessed portion 50 is continuous with the surface of the main body portion 18 facing the 2 nd plate unit 16b side. When the male portion 24 of the 1 st plate element 16a is fitted into the female portion 26 of the 2 nd plate element 16b, the 2 nd protrusion 46 is inserted into the 2 nd recess 50. In this state, the lower surface of the 2 nd projecting portion 46 is exposed on the battery laminated body 2 side, constituting a part of the lower surface of the bus bar plate 4.

By accommodating the 1 st protruding portion 44 in the 1 st recessed portion 48 and the 2 nd protruding portion 46 in the 2 nd recessed portion 50, the lower surface of the bus bar plate 4 facing the battery stack body 2 side can be made flat. This can suppress the occurrence of a gap between the bus bar plate 4 and the terminal disposition surface 2 a. Therefore, the creepage distance between the outside of the battery module 1 and each output terminal 14 can be more reliably maintained.

The body portion 18 of the 1 st plate unit 16a has a positioning projection 52 projecting toward the 2 nd plate unit 16 b. The positioning projection 52 has a triangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction Z, and projects so that the width in the horizontal direction Y gradually decreases as the projection is separated from the main body portion 18. On the other hand, the body portion 18 of the 2 nd plate unit 16b has a positioning notch 54 on the surface facing the 1 st plate unit 16 a. The positioning notch 54 has a triangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction Z, and is recessed so that the width in the horizontal direction Y gradually decreases with distance from the 1 st plate unit 16 a. The positioning projection 52 and the positioning notch 54 are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the stacking direction X. In the present embodiment, the positioning projection 52 of the 1 st plate unit 16a is disposed on the upper surface of the 1 st projection 44.

When the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b are coupled, the positioning projection 52 is fitted into the positioning notch 54. Thereby, the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b can be positioned with respect to each other particularly in the horizontal direction Y.

The body portion 18 of the 2 nd plate unit 16b has a positioning projection 52 projecting toward the 1 st plate unit 16a side. On the other hand, the body portion 18 of the 1 st plate unit 16a has a positioning notch 54 on the surface facing the 2 nd plate unit 16 b. The positioning projection 52 and the positioning notch 54 are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the stacking direction X. In the present embodiment, the positioning projection 52 of the 2 nd plate unit 16b is disposed on the upper surface of the 2 nd projecting portion 46. In each plate unit 16, the positioning projection 52 and the positioning notch 54 are disposed in the horizontal direction Y with the coupling mechanism 22 interposed therebetween. This enables the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b to be positioned more reliably.

Each plate unit 16 has a male portion 24, a 1 st protruding portion 44, a 2 nd recessed portion 50, a positioning protrusion 52, and a positioning notch 54 on one long side surface side of the body portion 18, and has a female portion 26, a 1 st recessed portion 48, a 2 nd protruding portion 46, a positioning notch 54, and a positioning protrusion 52 on the other long side surface side. This allows each plate unit 16 to be connected to two adjacent plate units 16.

(embodiment mode 3)

Embodiment 3 has a configuration common to embodiment 1 or 2, except for the shape of the plate unit 16. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described mainly with respect to the configurations different from those of embodiments 1 and 2, and common configurations will be described simply or omitted. Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of the bus bar plate 4 of embodiment 3 as viewed from obliquely above.

The bus bar plate 4 has a plurality of plate units 16. In any of the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b adjacent to each other, the 1 st plate unit 16a has one of the position regulating convex portion 56 and the position regulating concave portion 58 fitted to each other outside the terminal opening portion 20 in a direction (horizontal direction Y in the present embodiment) orthogonal to the stacking direction X of the batteries 8. The 1 st plate unit 16a has the above-described one on the outer side of at least one terminal opening 20. The 2 nd plate unit 16b has the other of the position regulating protrusion 56 and the position regulating recess 58 on the outer side of the terminal opening 20 in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction X of the batteries 8. The 2 nd plate unit 16b has the other one described above outside at least one terminal opening 20. The position regulating projection 56 is substantially plate-shaped, and is provided such that its main surface faces the vertical direction Z and projects toward the adjacent plate unit 16. The position regulating recess 58 has a recessed shape corresponding to the shape of the position regulating protrusion 56.

The 1 st plate unit 16a of the present embodiment has a position regulating protrusion 56 on the outer side in the horizontal direction Y of one terminal opening 20, and a position regulating recess 58 on the outer side in the horizontal direction Y of the other terminal opening 20. The 2 nd plate unit 16b has a position regulating concave portion 58 at a position overlapping with the position regulating convex portion 56 of the 1 st plate unit 16a in the stacking direction X, and has a position regulating convex portion 56 at a position overlapping with the position regulating concave portion 58 of the 1 st plate unit 16a in the stacking direction X.

When the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b are coupled, the position regulating protrusion 56 enters the position regulating recess 58 and fits together. By disposing the position regulating convex portion 56 and the position regulating concave portion 58 outside the terminal opening portion 20, it is possible to effectively suppress the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b from relatively rotating about the coupling mechanism 22 as a rotation axis. Further, by setting the positions where the position regulating convex portion 56 and the position regulating concave portion 58 are provided as the end portions of the plate units 16 in the horizontal direction Y, the installation space for the position regulating convex portion 56 and the position regulating concave portion 58 can be easily secured.

In each plate unit 16, one end portion of the body portion 18 in the horizontal direction Y has a position regulating protrusion 56 on one long side surface side and a position regulating recess 58 on the other long side surface side. Further, at the other end portion of the body portion 18 in the horizontal direction Y, a position regulating recess 58 is provided on one long side surface side, and a position regulating protrusion 56 is provided on the other long side surface side. Thus, the position regulating convex portion 56 of each plate unit 16 can be fitted into the position regulating concave portion 58 of the two adjacent plate units 16, and the position regulating concave portion 58 of each plate unit 16 can be fitted into the position regulating convex portion 56 of the two adjacent plate units 16.

In the present embodiment, the projection length L1 of the position regulating projection 56 is greater than the projection length L2 of the male part 24. That is, the dimension of the position regulating projection 56 in the stacking direction X is larger than the dimension of the male part 24 in the stacking direction X, and the tip of the position regulating projection 56 projects from the tip of the male part 24 toward the adjacent plate unit 16. Therefore, when the 1 st plate element 16a and the 2 nd plate element 16b are coupled, the position regulating projection 56 starts to enter the position regulating recess 58 before the male portion 24 starts to enter the female portion 26.

Therefore, the position regulating convex portion 56 and the position regulating concave portion 58 function as a guide for determining the posture of each plate unit 16 when the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b are coupled. This can simplify the assembly process of the bus bar plate 4. Further, both the position regulating protrusion 56 and the position regulating recess 58 and the groove 38 may be provided in each plate unit 16.

The coupling mechanism 22 of the present embodiment includes two sets of male portions 24 and female portions 26. Specifically, the 1 st plate unit 16a has a male portion 24 and a female portion 26 on the surface facing the 2 nd plate unit 16 b. On the other hand, the 2 nd plate unit 16b has a female portion 26 and a male portion 24 on the surface facing the 1 st plate unit 16 a. The male portion 24 of the 1 st plate element 16a and the female portion 26 of the 2 nd plate element 16b are arranged to overlap when viewed in the stacking direction X. Similarly, the female portion 26 of the 1 st plate element 16a and the male portion 24 of the 2 nd plate element 16b are arranged so as to overlap when viewed in the stacking direction X.

The male portion 24 and the female portion 26 provided in the 1 st plate unit 16a are arranged close to each other in the horizontal direction Y. Similarly, the male portion 24 and the female portion 26 provided in the 2 nd plate unit 16b are arranged close to each other in the horizontal direction Y.

When the 1 st plate element 16a and the 2 nd plate element 16b are pressed against each other, the male portion 24 of the 1 st plate element 16a and the female portion 26 of the 2 nd plate element 16b are fitted to each other. The female portion 26 of the 1 st plate unit 16a and the male portion 24 of the 2 nd plate unit 16b are fitted to each other. This enables the plurality of plate units 16 to be more firmly coupled. Each plate unit 16 has a male portion 24 and a female portion 26 on both long side surfaces of the body portion 18. This allows each plate unit 16 to be connected to two adjacent plate units 16.

The plate unit 16 of the present embodiment has a secondary rotationally symmetrical shape as viewed from the 1 st direction (vertical direction Z in the present embodiment) in which the bus bar plate 4 and the battery stack 2 are arranged. That is, each plate unit 16 has a rotationally symmetric shape having an axis line passing through an intermediate point in the stacking direction X of the battery 8, being an intermediate point in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction X, and extending in the 1 st direction as a rotation center. Therefore, the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 2 nd plate unit 16b have the same shape, and when the 1 st plate unit 16a is rotated, the 2 nd plate unit 16b is formed. This can suppress an increase in the number of components of the bus bar plate 4 and the battery module 1, and simplify the assembly work.

This rotationally symmetrical shape can be achieved by: the male portion 24, the female portion 26, the positioning protrusion 52, the positioning notch 54, the position regulating protrusion 56, and the position regulating recess 58 are provided on the surfaces on both sides of the plate unit 16 in the stacking direction X of the batteries 8, the structures provided on one surface and the structures provided on the other surface are provided at rotationally symmetrical positions, the 1 st protruding portion 44 provided on one surface and the 2 nd protruding portion 46 provided on the other surface are provided at rotationally symmetrical positions, and the 2 nd recessed portion 50 provided on one surface and the 1 st recessed portion 48 provided on the other surface are provided at rotationally symmetrical positions.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. The above-described embodiments are merely specific examples for carrying out the present invention. The contents of the embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and various design changes such as changes, additions, deletions, and the like of the constituent elements can be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concept defined in the claims. The new embodiment to which the design change is added has both the effects of the combined embodiment and the modification. In the above-described embodiments, the contents that can be subjected to such a design change are emphasized with expressions such as "in the present embodiment" and "in the present embodiment", but the design change is allowed even if the contents do not have such expressions. Any combination of the constituent elements included in the embodiments is also effective as an aspect of the present invention. The hatching lines in the cross section of the drawings do not limit the material of the hatched object.

(modification 1)

In the assembly process of the battery module 1 described in embodiment 1, the bus bar plate 4 and the battery stack 2 are individually assembled, and then the bus bar plate 4 is placed on the battery stack 2, but the order is not particularly limited. Fig. 7 (a) and 7 (B) are views showing an assembly process of the battery module 1 according to modification 1. In the present modification, as shown in fig. 7 (a), the plate units 16 are fixed to the upper surfaces of the batteries 8.

Then, as shown in fig. 7 (B), the plurality of batteries 8 to which the plate units 16 are fixed and the cell separators are alternately stacked to assemble the battery stack 2. At this time, the batteries 8 are pressed in the stacking direction X, and the adjacent plate units 16 are coupled to each other by the coupling mechanism 22. Thereby, the bus bar plate 4 is assembled simultaneously with the battery laminate 2. Thereafter, the bus bar 6 is placed in the terminal opening 20 of each plate unit 16, and is electrically connected to the output terminal 14 exposed from the terminal opening 20. Further, a voltage detection line is also placed on the bus bar plate 4 and electrically connected to the bus bar 6. This makes it possible to obtain the battery module 1.

(modification 2)

In embodiment 2, the 1 st projection 44 is housed in the 1 st recess 48 provided in the lower surface of the 2 nd plate unit 16b, and the 2 nd projection 46 is housed in the 2 nd recess 50 provided in the lower surface of the 1 st plate unit 16a, but the configuration is not particularly limited thereto. Fig. 8 (a) is a perspective view of the 2 nd plate unit 16b of modification 2 viewed from the 1 st plate unit 16a side. Fig. 8 (B) is a perspective view of the 1 st plate unit 16a of modification 2 viewed from the 2 nd plate unit 16B side.

The 2 nd plate unit 16b of the present modification includes a main body portion 18 and a 1 st hole portion 60 provided in a surface of the main body portion 18 facing the 1 st plate unit 16 a. The 1 st hole 60 has an opening shape corresponding to the 1 st protruding portion 44 when viewed from the stacking direction X. When the 1 st plate element 16a and the 2 nd plate element 16b are coupled, the 1 st protruding portion 44 of the 1 st plate element 16a is inserted into the 1 st hole portion 60. In this state, the upper surface and the lower surface of the 1 st protruding portion 44 are in contact with the top surface (inner upper surface) and the bottom surface (inner lower surface) of the 1 st hole portion 60. Therefore, by adopting the structure in which the 1 st protruding portion 44 is inserted into the 1 st hole portion 60, the creepage distance between the outside of the battery assembly 1 and the output terminal 14 of each battery 8 can be further extended.

Similarly, the 1 st plate element 16a of the present modification includes the body portion 18 and the 2 nd hole portion 62 provided on the surface of the body portion 18 facing the 2 nd plate element 16 b. The 2 nd hole 62 has an opening shape corresponding to the 2 nd projecting portion 46 when viewed from the stacking direction X. When the 1 st plate element 16a and the 2 nd plate element 16b are coupled, the 2 nd projecting portion 46 of the 2 nd plate element 16b is inserted into the 2 nd hole portion 62. In this state, the upper and lower surfaces of the 2 nd projecting portion 46 are in contact with the top and bottom surfaces of the 2 nd hole portion 62. Therefore, by adopting the structure in which the 2 nd projecting portion 46 is inserted into the 2 nd hole portion 62, the creepage distance between the outside of the battery assembly 1 and the output terminal 14 of each battery 8 can be further extended.

(others)

The number of the batteries 8 included in the battery module 1 is not particularly limited. The configuration of each part of the battery assembly 1 including the fastening configuration of the end plates and the constraining member is not particularly limited. The battery 8 may be cylindrical.

In the above embodiment and modification, each plate unit 16 and each battery 8 are associated with each other in a 1-to-1 manner, but the configuration is not particularly limited thereto. For example, an aggregate of several batteries 8 may be associated with 1 board unit 16. That is, each plate unit 16 may be disposed for every 1 battery 8 of the plurality of batteries 8, or the plurality of batteries 8 may be divided into a plurality of aggregates each composed of a plurality of batteries 8, and each plate unit 16 may be disposed for each aggregate. In addition, one board unit 16 may be provided for 1 battery 8, and the other board units 16 may be provided for the aggregate.

By disposing the plate units 16 for the aggregate of the batteries 8, the number of the plate units 16 constituting the bus bar plate 4 can be reduced. For example, in the case where the 1 st plate unit 16a of embodiment 1 is provided for two batteries 8, the dimension of the body portion 18 of the 1 st plate unit 16a in the stacking direction X is doubled. Two terminal openings 20 are arranged in parallel in the stacking direction X at both ends of the body 18 in the horizontal direction Y.

When the 1 st plate unit 16a is disposed to the 1 st assembly of the batteries 8 and the 2 nd plate unit 16b is disposed to the 2 nd assembly of the batteries 8, the main body portion 18 of the 1 st plate unit 16a overlaps the 1 st assembly, and the main body portion 18 of the 2 nd plate unit 16b overlaps the 2 nd assembly. The 1 st projection 44 of the 1 st plate unit 16a is inserted between the 2 nd plate unit 16b and the 2 nd aggregate, and the 2 nd projection 46 of the 2 nd plate unit 16b is inserted between the 1 st plate unit 16a and the 1 st aggregate.

The embodiments may be specified by the items described below.

[ item 1]

A battery pack 1 is characterized in that,

the battery pack 1 includes:

a battery laminate 2 in which a plurality of batteries 8 are laminated;

a bus bar 6 that electrically connects the output terminals 14 of the plurality of cells 8 to each other; and

and a bus bar plate 4 that supports the bus bar 6.

Description of the reference numerals

2. A battery laminate; 4. a busbar plate; 6. a bus bar; 8. a battery; 14. an output terminal; 16. a plate unit; 18. a main body portion; 20. an opening for a terminal; 22. a connecting mechanism; 24. a male portion; 26. a female portion; 38. a groove part; 44. 1 st protruding part; 46. a 2 nd projection; 56. a position regulating projection; 58. a position regulating recess; 60. 62, a hole portion.