JP3900132B2 - Assembled battery - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembled battery that is optimal as a power source that supplies large energy with high energy density, small size, and light weight.

  In recent years, in response to growing environmental awareness, there is a movement to shift the power source of automobiles from an engine using fossil fuel to a motor using electric energy. For this reason, the technology of the battery that serves as a power source for the motor is also rapidly developing.

  An automobile is desired to be mounted with a battery that is small and light and can be charged and discharged with a large amount of electric power and has excellent vibration resistance and heat dissipation. As an assembled battery excellent in heat dissipation capable of supplying large electric power, there is a battery as shown in Patent Document 1 below.

In the flat assembled battery disclosed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of single cells electrically connected in series, parallel or series-parallel are arranged at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction of the single cells, A pressing member that presses the unit cells on both sides is arranged on the side, and a plurality of unit cells are fixed by an exterior member. By adopting such a structure, the heat dissipation characteristics of the single battery are improved, and the cycle characteristics and rate characteristics as an assembled battery are improved.
JP 2000-195480 A (see paragraph numbers “0014” to “0029” and the descriptions of FIGS. 1, 2, and 4)

  Since the assembled battery of Patent Document 1 uses a flat battery as a single battery, the battery has the same energy capacity and higher energy density than a conventional assembled battery configured using a battery other than the flat battery. If so, downsizing is possible. For this reason, the assembled battery comprised by the flat battery is suitable as a battery for motor vehicles from the point of a small size and a high energy density.

  However, in the assembled battery of Patent Document 1, single cells are sequentially stacked and connected. When the cells are connected in series, the total voltage of the stacked cells increases every time they are stacked. At the end of the assembled battery, the total voltage is very high, for example, 250V to 300V. In addition, when the cells are connected, the operator must handle a high-voltage one, so that handling is necessary and workability is poor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an assembled battery in which a plurality of unit cells having good workability are connected in series.

  The assembled battery of the present invention includes a plurality of unit cells stacked, a conductive means having conductivity, and an insulating means having insulating properties, and the conductive means and the insulating means are provided in the unit cell. The unit cells are alternately arranged in the stacking direction with the output ends of the unit cells interposed therebetween, and the unit cells are electrically connected in series in the stacking direction, and at least one of the conductive means is connected between the output ends of the unit cells. Can be inserted and removed.

  In the present invention, since at least one conductive means can be inserted / removed between the output ends of the unit cells later, a plurality of unit cells are connected to such an extent that the high voltage is not reached, and finally, These connecting bodies can be connected by a conductive means that can be inserted and removed. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the connection work and improve the workability without performing the work of connecting the single battery to the connection body that has become a high voltage by connecting the single battery.

  The assembled battery according to the present invention includes a plurality of stacked unit cells, conductive means having conductivity (conductive washers), and insulating means having insulation properties (insulating washers), and the conductive means and The insulating means are alternately arranged in the stacking direction of the unit cells with the output ends of the unit cells interposed therebetween, and electrically connect the unit cells in the stacking direction. It is detachable between the output ends.

  Hereinafter, this feature will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, divided into [Embodiment 1] and [Embodiment 2].

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a unit cell.

  The flat unit cell 1 is a battery formed in a flat type, and includes a plurality of stacked power generation elements (not shown) in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator are sequentially stacked. In the case of stacking as an assembled battery, the flat unit cell 1 is stacked in the same direction as the stacking direction of the power generating elements to be included. Hereinafter, such a flat unit cell 1 is simply referred to as a unit cell 1.

  The unit cell 1 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example. The unit cell 1 includes a positive electrode tab 10 and a negative electrode tab 12 as two electrode tabs that are output ends extending in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction.

  The unit cell 1 is provided with a hole 13 in either the positive electrode tab 10 or the negative electrode tab 12. In FIG. 1, the negative electrode tab 12 is provided with the hole 13, but there is also a cell 1 in which the positive electrode tab 10 is provided with the hole 13.

  FIG. 2 is a side view showing an assembled battery of the present invention in which a plurality of unit cells 1 are stacked. In addition, in the following drawings, in order to clarify the characteristic part of this invention, the magnitude | size of the cell 1 is partially shown small.

  In the assembled battery of the present invention, a plurality of unit cells 1 are stacked as described above. In the assembled battery, the single cells 1 are stacked such that the positive electrode tabs 10 and the negative electrode tabs 12 are alternated in the stacking direction.

Each of the conduction washer 2 and the insulating washer 3 has an insertion hole into which a later-described through pin 4 can be inserted, and is fixed to the through pin 4 by inserting the through pin 4 into the insertion hole. The nut 5 is fastened from above and below the stack. In the assembled battery of the present embodiment, current flows from the lower layer to the upper layer.
Needless to say, the through pin 4 must be electrically insulated from the conductive washer 2 and the electrode tab.

  Each of the conduction washer 2 and the insulating washer 3 has an insertion hole into which a later-described through pin 4 can be inserted, and is fixed to the through pin 4 by inserting the through pin 4 into the insertion hole. The nut 5 is fastened from above and below the stack. In the assembled battery of the present embodiment, current flows from the lower layer to the upper layer.

Each of the conductive washers 2 is held by the connection case 6. The connection case 6 is made of an insulating material and insulates the road washer 2 from the outside. As described below,
The conductive washer 2 is detachable between the insulating washers 3 before the nut 5 is fastened.

  Next, the configuration of the removable conductive washer 2 will be described.

  3 is a side view of the assembled battery with the conductive washer removed, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled battery with the conductive washer removed, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled battery with the conductive washer attached. FIG. 6 is a view showing the conductive washer attached to the connection case. 6A shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the connection case shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6B shows a plan view seen from above the connection case.

  As shown in FIG. 3, before attaching the conductive washer 2, one insulating washer 3 is disposed between the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 of the unit cell 1. Here, the insulating washer 3 is inserted into the through pin 4 together with the hole 13 of the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12.

  The conductive washer 2 is inserted between the insulating washers 3 and between the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 until it hits the through pin 4. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 (B), the insertion hole of the conduction washer 2 is formed in a U-shape that is partially opened so that it can be inserted and removed from a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the unit cells 1. Has been.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the conductive washer 2 has recesses 20 formed on both side surfaces. The recess 20 is fitted to the end 60 of the C-shaped connection case 6, and the conduction washer 2 is sandwiched between the ends 60 of the connection case 6. The conduction washer 2 is only clamped by the clamping force by the end portion 60 of the connection case 6 and is not fixed to the connection case 6, so that it can move up and down along the connection case 6.

  Thereby, even if the position of the insulating washer 3 attached to the penetrating pin 4 varies somewhat in the stacking direction, the conductive washer 2 can be easily inserted between the insulating washers 3 by changing the position of the conductive washer 2. .

  Since a plurality of the conductive washers 2 are held by the case 6, the conductive washers 2 can be collectively inserted into the through pins 4 between the negative electrode tabs 12. The inserted state is as shown in FIGS. After the conduction washer 2 is inserted, the nut 5 is firmly tightened.

  In addition, a voltage detection line is connected to the conduction washer 2 as shown in FIG. The voltage detection line is connected to a voltmeter (voltage detection means) (not shown), and is used to detect a voltage in unit cells via the conduction washer 2. The voltage detection lines are housed together in the connection case 6. Thereby, when an operator handles case 6, a voltage detection line does not get in the way.

  As described above, in the battery pack of Embodiment 1, the conductive washer 2 can be disposed between the insulating washers 3 later. In particular, in the above embodiment, since a plurality of conductive washers 2 are held by one case 6, the plurality of conductive washers 2 can be arranged between the insulating washers 3 at one time by operating the case 6. Thereby, the several cell 1 in an assembled battery can be connected at once. Therefore, for example, an operator can easily connect and improve workability without connecting the unit cell 1 to a connection body that has become a high voltage by connecting the unit cell 1. Can do.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, the example in which the plurality of conductive washers 2 are arranged between the plurality of insulating washers 3 at a time has been described. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which conductive washers that can be inserted between the insulating washers are arranged between the insulating washers every predetermined level. In this case, a conductive washer is inserted between the insulating washers every predetermined level. In other layers, a conductive washer that cannot be inserted is arranged in advance between the insulating washers. Details will be described below.

  FIG. 7 is a side view of the assembled battery showing a state where the conductive washer is attached, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of the conductive washer. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the assembled battery of the present embodiment, the unit cells 1 are stacked, and the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 on one side are joined by ultrasonic welding. The positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 on the other side are penetrated by the through pins 4, and the insulating washers 3 and the conductive washers 8 are alternately arranged in the stacking direction of the unit cells 1. Here, the conductive washer 8 has conductivity, and electrically connects the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 that are in contact with each other. The conduction washer 8 and the insulating washer 3 are both formed in a ring shape and have an insertion hole through which the through pin 4 is inserted.

  The conductive washer 8 and the insulating washer 3 connect a predetermined number of unit cells 1 in series so as not to become a very high voltage that exceeds a predetermined voltage. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 7, conduction from the uppermost unit cell 1 of the stack to the unit cell 1a in the sixth layer and from the lower unit cell 1 to the unit cell 1b in the fifth layer are conducted. It is electrically connected by a washer 8. However, the conduction washer 8 is not arranged between the unit cell 1a and the unit cell 1b, and they are not connected.

  In order to connect the unit cell 1a and the unit cell 1b, as shown in FIG. 7, the conduction washer 20 is inserted. Similar to the conductive washer 2 of the first embodiment, the insertion hole of the conductive washer 20 is formed in a U shape so that it can be inserted into the through pin 4. The conductive washer 20 is provided with a handle 22 made of an insulating material, and the conductive washer 20 can be inserted and pulled out by pinching the handle 22.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, a certain amount of the unit cells 1 are connected in advance by the ring-shaped conductive washer 8, and they are collectively connected to the last by the U-shaped conductive washer 20. The voltage does not increase with the stacking of the batteries 1. Therefore, the operator does not need to handle the connection body of the unit cells 1 having a high voltage, and the workability can be greatly improved.

It is a perspective view which shows a cell. It is a side view which shows the assembled battery of this invention. It is a side view of the assembled battery which shows the state which removed the conduction washer. It is a perspective view of the assembled battery which shows the state which removed the conduction washer. It is a perspective view of the assembled battery which shows the state which attached the conduction washer. It is a figure which shows the conduction | electrical_connection washer attached to the connection case, FIG. 6 (A) shows AA sectional drawing of the connection case shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 (B) shows the top view seen from the connection case top. . It is a side view of an assembled battery which shows a mode that a conduction washer is attached. It is a top view of a conduction washer.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1a, 1b ... cell,
2, 8, 20 ... conductive washers,
3 ... Insulating washer,
4 ... Penetration pin,
5 ... Nut,
6 ... Case,
10 ... positive electrode tab,
12 ... Negative electrode tab.

Claims (8)

A plurality of unit cells stacked;
A conductive means having electrical conductivity;
Insulating means having insulating properties;
Have
The conductive means and the insulating means are alternately arranged in the stacking direction of the unit cells across the output end of the unit cells, and the unit cells are electrically connected in series in the stacking direction,
The assembled battery in which at least one of the conductive means can be inserted and removed between output terminals of the unit cells.   The plurality of conductive means are held in a connecting case in the stacking direction of the unit cells, and a plurality of the conductive means can be collectively inserted and removed between the output ends of the unit cells. The assembled battery as described. When the conductive means is not inserted between the output terminals of the unit cells, the conductive unit is held in a connection case that holds the plurality of conductive units in an insulated state and is movable in the stacking direction of the unit cells. The assembled battery according to claim 2.   4. The assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein the conductive means is connected to a voltage detection line connected to an external voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the unit cell.   The assembled battery according to claim 4, wherein the voltage detection line is accommodated in the connection case.   The assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein the connection case is made of an insulating material.   The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the single battery is a flat battery having an electrode tab as an output end extending in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction. Further having a penetrating pin extending through the electrode tab of the unit cell extending in the stacking direction of the unit cell;
The through pin is electrically insulated from the conductive means and the electrode tab of the unit cell,
8. The conductive means has a U-shaped through-pin through hole so that it can be inserted into the through-pin from a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the through-pin. The assembled battery described in 1.

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