JP2002008603A - Power supply - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To provide a highly rigid power supply device that can surely communicate a gas discharge tube of a battery module and a gas discharge path. SOLUTION: The gas exhaust pipe 68 is made of polypropylene. By doing so, the grommet 102 fitted in the long hole 73 of the gas discharge pipe 68 and the gas discharge cylinder 30 of the battery module 12 are fitted together so that the grommet 10
The gas discharge pipe 68 is positioned so that 2 is directly above the gas discharge cylinder 30.
When the gas exhaust pipe 68 is pressed toward the battery module 12 in the state where the position is determined, the gas exhaust pipe 68 does not collapse, so that the grommet 102 and the gas exhaust pipe 68 can be securely fitted. Further, since the gas exhaust pipe 68 has higher rigidity than the rubber gas exhaust pipe, the rigidity of the power supply device as a whole is also improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power supply apparatus having a battery array in which a plurality of batteries are arranged, and more particularly, to a gas exhaust passage for exhausting gas discharged from batteries and a battery cover for covering the battery array. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A power supply device having a relatively large capacity used in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and the like is a power supply device in which a plurality of batteries are arranged in a thickness direction. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a conventional power supply device 10 configured as described above. The power supply device 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a battery module row (ie, battery row) 14 in which a plurality of battery modules (ie, batteries) 12 are stacked in the thickness direction.
And a mounting table 16 on which the battery module row 14 is mounted.
And a battery cover (not shown) that covers the battery module row 14 and is fixed to the mounting table 16. The battery module row 14 includes a pair of restraining plates 18 that are brought into close contact with the battery module 12 at both ends in the stacking direction, and a plate-like stay 22 having both ends fixed to the upper surfaces of the pair of restraining plates 18 by bolts 20, respectively. Therefore, they are integrally restrained. The restraining plate 18 is fixed to the mounting table 16 by bolts 24.

The battery module 12 includes one or more (for example, six) battery cells (not shown) which are secondary batteries such as nickel-metal hydride batteries, and is entirely covered by a flat module case 26. ing. On the upper surface 28 of the module case 26, an upwardly protruding gas discharge tube 30 is integrally provided. The gas discharge tube 30 is communicated with the inside of the module case 26, and when hydrogen gas or the like is generated in the module case 26 and the pressure in the case becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value,
The gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 32 at the upper end of the gas discharge tube 30. The gas discharge cylinder 30 has an engagement projection 34 having a larger diameter at the upper surface 28 side of the module case 26 at the upper portion.
A locking plate portion 36 is formed between the upper surface 28 and the upper surface 28.

The gas discharge pipe 38 is made of rubber or a relatively soft resin, and is a longitudinal tubular member provided with a plurality of communication holes 40 to be engaged with the gas discharge cylinder 30. The gas discharge pipe 38 is communicated with the gas discharge port 32 by being fitted into the communication hole 40 of the discharge pipe 38. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the power supply device 10 cut in a vertical section parallel to the gas discharge pipe 38 in a state where the gas discharge pipe 38 is communicated with the gas discharge port 32. Gas exhaust pipe 38
Is closed by fitting a cover plate 42 in the longitudinal direction, and the other end is connected to a conduit (not shown) for discharging gas out of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the periphery of the communication hole 40 of the gas discharge pipe 38 is formed to be slightly thicker to form a fitting ring 44, and the fitting ring 44 is engaged with the gas discharge cylinder 30. It fits between the mating projection 34 and the locking plate 36.

[0005] The power supply device 10 configured as described above has an advantage that the number of work steps and the number of parts can be reduced because the individual battery modules 12 are not fixed to the mounting table 16.

[0006]

However, in order to fit the gas discharge tube 30 into the communication hole 40 of the gas discharge pipe 38, the power supply device 10 needs to be connected to the communication hole 40 of the gas discharge pipe 38. After adjusting the position of the gas exhaust pipe 3
8 to the battery module 12 direction,
Since it is necessary to perform the process for each gas discharge cylinder 30, there is a problem that the number of work steps is large. Further, even if the gas discharge pipe 38 is pressed in the direction of the battery module 12, if the pressing force or the pressing method is not appropriate, the gas discharge pipe 38 is crushed in the pressing direction, and the gas discharge pipe 30 is securely connected to the communication hole 40. Could not fit into

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-283106 discloses a power supply device in which a stay for fixing a battery module row is positioned above the battery module, and a gas exhaust passage is integrally provided in the stay. Has been described. This power supply, by attaching the stay,
Since the gas exhaust passage in the stay is communicated with the exhaust hole (gas exhaust tube) provided in the battery module, the gas exhaust passage and the gas exhaust tube can be easily communicated. In addition, since the gas discharge pipe 38 required in the case of the power supply device 10 of FIG. 1 is not required, the number of parts can be further reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

However, the power supply device described in the above publication has a gas exhaust passage in the stay,
Since a strong tightening force cannot be applied to the stay, the rigidity of the power supply device is relatively low, and it may not be possible to maintain the integrity of the battery module row due to vibration of the vehicle or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a battery, a gas discharge tube,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device that can reliably and easily communicate a gas discharge path and has high rigidity.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the present invention is as follows. A battery row in which a plurality of batteries are arranged, and one end is provided with a plurality of batteries. A gas discharge member having a plurality of gas discharge cylinders communicated with each other and a plurality of fitting holes, the fitting holes being fitted to the other end of the gas discharge cylinder, and having a gas discharge passage formed therein. Wherein the gas discharge member is crushed by a pressing force required when the fitting hole of the gas discharge member and the other end of the gas discharge cylinder are fitted. Not to consist of hard materials.

With this configuration, in order to fit the gas discharge cylinder and the fitting hole of the gas discharge member, each of the fitting holes provided in the gas discharge member is connected to the battery in advance. When the gas discharge member is pressed to the battery side in a state where the position of the gas discharge member is determined so as to be located at the upper part of the gas discharge member, the gas discharge member does not collapse, so the fitting hole of the gas discharge member and the gas discharge cylinder Can be securely fitted, and a plurality of locations can be fitted together by a single pressing operation. Therefore, it is possible to reliably and easily communicate the battery, the gas discharge tube, and the gas discharge path of the gas discharge member. Further, since the gas discharge member has higher rigidity than the rubber gas discharge pipe, the rigidity of the power supply device as a whole is also improved.

[0012]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery array in which a plurality of batteries are aligned, and one end of which is provided in the plurality of batteries. A power supply device comprising: a gas discharge tube fitted with a provided fitting hole; and a gas discharge member communicated with the gas discharge tube and having a gas discharge path formed therein.
The gas discharging member is made of a hard material that is not crushed by a pressing force required when the fitting hole of the battery and the gas discharging cylinder are fitted.

[0013] According to this configuration, in order to fit the gas discharge tube and the fitting hole of the battery, each gas discharge tube previously communicated with the gas discharging member is positioned above the fitting hole of the battery. When the gas discharge member is pressed to the battery side in a state where the position of the gas discharge member is determined as described above, the gas discharge member does not collapse, so that the gas discharge cylinder and the fitting hole of the battery are securely fitted. And a plurality of locations can be fitted together by a single pressing operation. Therefore, it is possible to reliably and easily communicate the battery, the gas discharge tube, and the gas discharge path of the gas discharge member. Further, since the gas discharge member has higher rigidity than the rubber gas discharge pipe, the rigidity of the power supply device as a whole is also improved.

[0014] Preferably, a seal member is fitted in the fitting hole of the gas discharge member to fit the plurality of gas discharge cylinders, and the fitting hole is formed in a longitudinal direction of the gas discharge member. The diameter in the direction is longer than the diameter of the seal member in a portion facing the inner side surface of the fitting hole (claim 3). With this configuration, since a gap is formed between the inner surface of the fitting hole and the seal member in the longitudinal direction of the gas discharge member, the seal member can move in the longitudinal direction of the gas discharge member. Therefore, even if the battery expands due to heat generated due to the battery reaction and the gas exhaust tube moves in the stacking direction of the battery, the sealing member can move in accordance with the movement of the gas exhaust tube. The member can be prevented from coming off the gas discharge tube and leaking gas therefrom.

Preferably, the power supply device further includes a battery cover for covering the battery row, and the gas discharge member is formed integrally with the battery cover. In this case, since the battery cover and the gas exhaust member can be formed at the same time, the number of parts can be reduced.
Further, since no gas exhaust path is provided in the stay that restrains the battery array, a strong tightening force can be applied to the stay even when the battery array is restrained using the stay.

Preferably, the gas exhaust member formed integrally with the battery cover has a pair of a longitudinally extending lid wall having the fitting hole and a pair of the lid walls separated from each other. A longitudinal upper bottom wall having a pair of side edge surfaces to be brought into contact with the side edge surface, and one of the lid wall portion and the upper bottom wall portion has an end thereof and an upper wall of the battery cover. Is connected to the end of the battery cover by an integral hinge, whereby the battery cover can be rotated on a plane perpendicular to the upper wall of the battery cover and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery cover. With this configuration, the integral hinge portion of the lid wall portion and the upper bottom wall portion in a state where the pair of side edge surfaces of the lid wall portion and the pair of side edge surfaces of the upper bottom wall portion are separated from each other. As a result, the side connected to the upper wall of the battery cover can be rotated to the outside of the battery cover. By molding in this state, the gas discharge member can be integrally formed with the battery cover. Further, from the molded state, the pair of side edge surfaces of the lid wall portion and the pair of side edge surfaces of the upper bottom wall portion were brought into abutment, and were connected to the connection portion of the lid wall portion and the upper bottom wall portion. By locating the side inside the battery cover, the gas discharge path can be easily formed.

Preferably, the upper bottom wall is an elongated tube having a concave groove that opens in one direction, and the lid wall closes the concave groove of the upper bottom wall. The upper bottom wall is rotatably connected to the upper bottom wall, and the upper bottom wall is rotatably connected to the upper wall of the battery cover in a plane perpendicular to the upper wall of the battery cover and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery cover. It further includes a connecting portion connecting an end and an end of the upper bottom wall portion (claim 6). With this configuration, the lid wall and the upper bottom wall are moved outside the battery cover by rotating the upper bottom wall in a plane perpendicular to the upper wall of the battery cover and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery cover. And by rotating the lid wall portion with respect to the upper bottom wall portion, the pair of side edge surfaces of the lid wall portion and the pair of side edge surfaces of the upper bottom wall portion can be mutually moved. Since the gas discharge member can be separated from the battery cover, the gas discharge member can be integrally formed together with the battery cover. Further, from the molded state, by rotating the lid wall to close the concave groove of the upper bottom wall, and further rotating the lid wall and the upper bottom wall to locate the inside of the battery cover. ,
A gas discharge path can be easily formed inside the battery cover.

Preferably, the gas discharge member is composed of a plurality of gas discharge pipes, and a communication pipe for mutually communicating the plurality of gas discharge pipes in a battery cover covering the battery module row. It is further provided (claim 7).
In this way, in the operation after the battery cover is assembled and the communication pipe is covered with the battery cover, an operator may accidentally touch the communication pipe and disconnect the communication pipe from the gas discharge pipe. Absent.

Preferably, the gas discharge member is a tube having a rectangular cross section including a pair of side walls parallel to a projecting direction of the gas discharge cylinder and a pair of connection walls connecting the side walls. The fitting hole is formed in one of the pair of connecting walls. With this configuration, since the fitting hole is formed in the connecting wall that connects the pair of side walls parallel to the direction in which the gas discharge cylinder projects, the sealing member fitted in the fitting hole is The pressing force for fitting the gas discharge cylinder connected to the battery is applied in parallel with the pair of side walls. Further, since the pair of side walls are parallel to each other, even if the thickness of the side walls is relatively thin, the gas discharge member can obtain high rigidity in the direction parallel to the side walls. Therefore, the thickness of the gas discharge member can be reduced, and the material cost of the gas discharge member is reduced.

[0020]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, portions having the same configuration as the above-described conventional power supply device 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the battery pack, that is, the power supply device 50 to which the present invention is applied, with the battery cover and the lower case removed. Power supply 50
The battery module row (that is, battery row) 14 in which the battery modules 12 are stacked in the thickness direction is sandwiched between a pair of end plates 52 and 54. The upper side 56 of one end plate 52 has two upper restraining rods 5.
One end of each of 8, 58 is fixed by a bolt 60,
The other ends of the upper constraint rods 58 are fixed to the upper side 62 of the other end plate 54 by bolts (not shown). Also, on the lower side of the end plate 52,
Two brackets 64 protruding downward are provided, and one end of a lower restraining rod 65 is fixed to the bracket 64 by a bolt 66, and the other end of the lower restraining rod 65 is not shown of the other end plate 54. It is fixed to the bracket by a bolt (not shown). Bolt 6
When 0, 66 and the like are tightened, a pressing force is generated in a direction in which the pair of end plates 52 and 54 approach each other, and the battery module row 14 is integrally restrained. The battery cover (not shown) is configured to cover the entire battery module row 14 above the battery module row 14.

The gas discharge tube 30 of the battery module 12 is
The gas discharge pipes 68 have the same shape and communicate with one of the gas discharge pipes 68. In the present embodiment, the gas discharge pipe 68 functions as a gas discharge member. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the pair of gas discharge pipes 68. The gas discharge pipe 68 is made of polypropylene.

The gas discharge pipe 68 has a pair of side walls 69 parallel to each other, a lower connection wall 70 connecting the lower edges of the pair of side walls 69, and an upper connection connecting the upper edges of the pair of side walls 69. It has a main body tube part 72 of a long hollow tubular shape having a substantially rectangular cross section constituted by the wall 71, and the inside of the main body tube part 72 is used as a gas discharge passage. In the present embodiment, the thickness of the pair of side walls 69, the lower connecting wall 70, and the upper connecting wall 71 is 2 m.
m. In a state where the gas discharge tube 30 of the battery module 12 is communicated with the gas discharge pipe 68, the pair of side walls 69 is substantially in the direction in which the gas discharge tube 30 protrudes from the battery module 12, as shown in FIG. Parallel.

Returning to FIG. 4, the lower connecting wall 70 of the gas discharge pipe 68 is provided with long holes 73 penetrating in the thickness direction at predetermined intervals. At the center in the direction, a semi-cylindrical portion 74 protrudes upward.
The semi-cylindrical part 74 is provided substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main body pipe part 72 of the gas discharge pipe 68, and one end is closed at a position flush with one side wall 69, thereby forming an end face 78. Is formed, and the end opposite to the end face 78 is
An opening end 80 is formed by being opened at a position protruding from the other side wall 69. Communication pipe 82
Is made of rubber, one end of which is fitted into the open end 80 of the semi-cylindrical part 74 of one gas exhaust pipe 68, and the other end of which is fitted into the open end 80 of the semi-cylindrical part 74 of the other gas exhaust pipe 68. Have been combined. Further, the semi-cylindrical portion 74 is formed on the upper connecting wall 71 of the main body tube portion 72.
The portion that is brought into contact with the main body tube portion 72 is communicated with the main body tube portion 72. Therefore, the one gas discharge pipe 68 and the other gas discharge pipe 68 communicate with each other.

The gas discharge pipe 68 has a tapered shape having the smallest sectional area at the center in the longitudinal direction and the larger sectional area toward the end. This is to make it easier to pull out the middle rod when molding the gas discharge pipe 68, and to make the semi-cylindrical part 74 protruding from the center
The height of the protrusion is reduced so as not to hinder the attachment of a battery cover (not shown). At one end of the gas discharge pipe 68, a projecting pipe part 8 projecting from the main pipe part 72 on the opposite side to the opening end 80 of the semi-cylindrical part 74.
6 is provided, and an exhaust hose 88 is connected to a projecting tube portion 86 provided on one of the pair of gas discharge tubes 68. Further, the protruding tube portion 86 provided on the other gas discharge tube 68 is closed by fitting a sealing member (not shown).

The lower connecting wall 70 of the gas discharge pipe 68 is provided with projections 90 protruding downward from the lower connecting wall 70 and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 73 on both sides in the width direction of the elongated hole 73. Further, rubber end grommets 92 are fitted into both ends of the gas discharge pipe 68, respectively. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the terminal grommet 92, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4. In FIG. 5, the terminal grommet 92 has an opening 94 for communicating with the gas discharge pipe 68 and the gas discharge tube 30 of the battery module 12.
And a fitting hole 96 into which the is fitted. The fitting hole 96 has a circular shape, and the diameter thereof is the same as the diameter of the cylindrical portion between the engaging projection 34 and the locking plate 36 of the gas discharge tube 30. In addition, terminal grommet 9
2 has a gas exhaust pipe 68 fitted into a gas exhaust pipe 68.
The upper and lower two fitting projections 98 are provided on the portion brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the gas discharge pipe 68. The fitting projections 98 are provided on the inner peripheral surface at the end of the gas discharge pipe 68. The recesses 100 are fitted respectively.

An elongated hole 73 provided in the gas discharge pipe 68
Functions as a fitting hole in the present embodiment, and the grommet 102 shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 is fitted therein. 6 is a plan view of the grommet 102, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the grommet 1
02 has an oblong shape in plan view, and the upper member 10
4, a lower member 106, and a connecting member 108 for connecting the upper member 104 and the lower member 106. The above-mentioned oval shape is a pair of sides 110 and 112 parallel to each other.
And one end 110 of the one side 110 and the other side 1 facing the end
12 and a pair of semi-circles 114 connecting between the ends. The upper member 104 is a flat upper plate 1.
16 and a cylindrical shaft portion 118 protruding downward at a radial center of the upper panel portion 116. The center of the upper member 104 penetrates the upper panel portion 116 and the shaft portion 118, A substantially cylindrical fitting hole 120 into which the gas discharge tube 30 of the battery module 12 is fitted in a close state is formed.

At the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion 116, an annular portion 122 having a substantially vertical vertical section and a circular planar shape is formed, and the upper end diameter of the fitting hole 120 is slightly reduced. . A protruding ring portion 124 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion 118 and slightly below the center in the axial direction and radially inward of the shaft portion 118 to protrude to the same extent as the annular portion 122. The fitting hole 120 is narrowed. On the other hand, the diameter of the lower end of the shaft portion 118, that is, the end opposite to the side on which the annular portion 122 is formed, is slightly widened so that the gas discharge tube 30 can be easily fitted. Furthermore, fitting hole 1
A lubricating oil such as silicon grease is applied to 20 to make it easier to fit the gas discharge tube 30. Further, on the outer periphery of the upper surface of the upper panel 116, the lower member 10
An inclined surface 126 approaching the fourth side is formed.

The lower member 106 of the grommet 102 has an outer peripheral shape that is substantially the same oval shape as the upper member 104,
A flat disk-shaped member whose inner peripheral shape is a circle slightly larger than the outer peripheral diameter of the shaft portion 118. The length of the lower member 106 in the width direction is the same as the distance between a pair of protrusions 90 provided on both sides of the elongated hole 73 in the lower connection wall 70 of the gas discharge pipe 68. A concave annular groove 12 into which the connecting member 108 is fitted is provided on the inner peripheral side of the lower member 106.
8 are formed. The lower member 106 is configured so that the thickness increases toward the outer peripheral side.
The groove 130 formed between the upper plate 116 and the lower member 106 of the substrate 04 is narrower toward the opening.

The connecting member 108 has a large cylindrical portion 132
From one end of the large cylindrical portion 132 to the large cylindrical portion 132
134 protruding radially outward of the disk, and the disk 1
And a small cylindrical portion 136 extending from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 34 to a side opposite to the large cylindrical portion 132. Connecting member 108
Of the large cylindrical portion 132 is fitted into a groove 138 formed in the upper plate portion 116 of the upper member 104, and the disc portion 134 of the connecting member 108 is fitted into the concave ring groove 128 of the lower member 106.
The grommet 102 is formed by being engaged with. The upper member 104 and the lower member 106 are made of rubber, and the connecting member 108 is made of a resin harder than the rubber used for the upper member 104 and the lower member 106, for example, polypropylene. Such a hard resin is used for the connecting member 108 in order to improve the sense of moderation of the positioning of the grommet 102, and to expand the battery module 12 and move the gas discharge cylinder 30 in the stacking direction of the battery modules 12. In this case, the deformation of the fitting hole 120 in which the gas discharge tube 30 is fitted is suppressed, and the grommet 1
02 is moved.

FIG. 9 shows that the grommet 102 is connected to the gas discharge pipe 6.
It is a figure showing the state where it was fitted in 8 long hole 73. As shown in FIG. 9, the grommet 102 is
Slot 7 so that the upper plate 116 is located inside the gas exhaust pipe 68.
3 As described above, the lower member 106 of the grommet 102 has a length in the width direction equal to the distance between the pair of ridges 90 provided on both sides of the elongated hole 73, so that the grommet 102 is fitted into the elongated hole 73. In the inserted state, the grommet 102 is prohibited from rotating around the axis of the shaft 118. Also, the upper member 10 of the grommet 102
The outer diameter of the shaft portion 118 of the fourth hole is shorter than the length of the long hole 73 in the longitudinal direction, and there is a gap between the inner surface of the long hole 73 and the shaft portion 118. The longitudinal length of the upper plate 116 and the lower member 106 of the upper member 104 of the grommet 102 is equal to the length between the inner surface of the elongated hole 73 and the shaft portion 118 in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 73. (I.e., the length of the gap). Therefore, the grommet 102 fitted in the long hole 73 is fitted into the fitting hole 12.
In a portion other than 0, the inside and outside of the gas discharge pipe 68 can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the gas discharge pipe 68 without communication. The fitting hole 120 is provided with the gas discharge cylinder 30.
The grommet 10 is tightly fitted.
Reference numeral 2 functions as a seal member for sealing the connection between the gas discharge tube 30 and the gas discharge pipe 68.

The grommet 102 is connected to the gas exhaust pipe 68
Before the gas discharge tube 30 is communicated with the gas discharge tube 30, the gas discharge tube 68 is fitted in the elongated hole 73 in advance. Therefore, in order to fit the elongated hole 73 of the gas discharge pipe 68 and the gas discharge pipe 30 of the battery module 12, the grommet 102 and the gas discharge pipe 30 must be fitted.
The pressing force required to fit the long hole 73 into the gas discharge tube 30 is the pressing force required to fit the grommet 102 and the gas discharge tube 30. The following procedure is used to fit the grommet 102 and the gas discharge tube 30. First, the position of the gas discharge pipe 68 is adjusted so that the respective fitting holes 96 and 120 of the terminal grommet 92 and the grommet 102 previously fitted to the gas discharge pipe 68 are directly above the gas discharge cylinder 30 of the battery module 12. decide. Subsequently, when the gas exhaust pipe 68 is pressed downward in this state, the material of the gas exhaust pipe 68 is changed to the grommet 10.
Since the gas exhaust pipe 68 is harder than the material No. 2, the gas exhaust pipe 68 is not crushed by the pressing force required to fit the gas exhaust pipe 30 of the battery module 12 into the grommet 102. The pressing force is transmitted to all or a plurality of grommets 102 and terminal grommets 92, and the gas discharge cylinder 30 of the battery module 12 can be fitted into the fitting holes 120 and 96 of all or a plurality of grommets 102 and terminal grommets 92. . That is, since fitting can be performed at a plurality of places by one pressing operation, the number of pressing operations can be reduced, and workability is improved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in order to fit the gas discharge tube 30 and the long hole 73 of the gas discharge tube 68, each of the long holes 73 provided in the gas discharge tube 68 is set in advance. When the gas exhaust pipe 68 is pressed toward the battery module 12 in a state where the position of the gas exhaust pipe 68 is determined so as to be located above the gas exhaust pipe 30 communicated with the battery module 12, the gas exhaust pipe 68 The gas exhaust pipe 6
The long hole 73 of 8 and the gas discharge tube 30 can be securely fitted, and a plurality of places can be fitted by a single pressing operation. Therefore, the battery module 12,
The gas discharge tube 30 and the gas discharge passage formed in the gas discharge pipe 68 can be reliably and easily communicated. Since the gas exhaust pipe 68 has higher rigidity than the rubber gas exhaust pipe, the rigidity of the power supply device 50 as a whole is also improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the gas discharge pipe 68
In the longitudinal direction, the inner surface of the elongated hole 73 and the grommet 1
02, there is a gap between the grommet 102
Is movable in the longitudinal direction of the gas discharge pipe 68. Therefore, even if the battery module 12 expands due to heat generated due to the battery reaction and the gas discharge tube 30 moves in the stacking direction of the battery modules 12, the grommet 102 moves corresponding to the movement of the gas discharge tube 30. Therefore, the grommet 102 is prevented from coming off the gas discharge tube 30. The fitting hole 96 provided in the terminal grommet 92 is provided between the engaging projection 34 of the gas discharge tube 30 and the locking plate 36.
However, since the terminal grommet 92 itself is movable in the stacking direction of the battery module 12, the gas discharge tube 30 does not come off from the fitting hole 96 of the terminal grommet 92.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the communication pipe 82 for communicating between the pair of gas discharge pipes 68 is provided so as to be located inside the battery cover (not shown), the battery cover is assembled. In the operation after the communication pipe 82 is covered with the battery cover, the operator does not accidentally touch the communication pipe 82 and the connection between the communication pipe 82 and the gas discharge pipe 68 is not disconnected. In the conventional power supply device 140, as shown in FIG.
The communication pipe 144 for communicating between the end plates 52
Since it is provided outside, it is in an exposed state even after a battery cover (not shown) is attached,
During the subsequent work, the operator may accidentally touch the communication pipe 144 and the communication pipe 144 may come off.

Further, according to this embodiment, since the elongated hole 73 is formed in the lower connecting wall 70 which connects the pair of side walls 69 parallel to the direction in which the gas discharge tube 30 projects, the elongated hole 7 is formed.
The pressing force for fitting the grommet 102 fitted to 3 and the gas discharge tube 30 of the battery module 12 is:
It is added parallel to the pair of side walls 69. Further, since the pair of side walls 69 are parallel to each other, even if the thickness of the side wall 69 is relatively thin, the gas exhaust pipe 68 can obtain high rigidity in a direction parallel to the side wall 69. Therefore, the thickness of the gas discharge pipe 68 can be reduced, so that the gas discharge pipe 6
8, the material cost is reduced.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a battery cover 210 used in a power supply device to which the present invention is applied in an expanded state. The battery cover 210 has two gas exhaust pipes (that is, gas exhaust members) 212 parallel to each other. This is a synthetic resin molded product obtained by injection molding in which a polypropylene resin is injected into a molding cavity formed by a mating surface of a mold and integrally provided. The power supply device using the battery cover 210 of FIG. 11 has the same configuration as the conventional power supply device, such as the power supply device 10 illustrated in FIG. Having.

The battery cover 210 has a flat upper wall 210.
a, a pair of side walls 210c extending substantially vertically downward from both sides of the upper wall 210a through a stepped wall 210b having an L-shaped cross section, and a mounting hole 210d
From the lower end of the pair of side walls 210c to the upper wall 21.
0a and a mounting wall 210e extending outward in parallel with the mounting wall 210e. The battery cover 210 is attached to the mounting wall 210
e through the mounting hole 210d of the mounting table 16 shown in FIG.
Are fixed integrally with the mounting table 16 by fixing screws (not shown) screwed into screw holes (not shown).

The two gas discharge pipes 212 have a longitudinally open tubular upper bottom wall 214 in which a concave groove 213 opening in one direction is formed, and a longitudinal shape closing the concave groove 213 of the upper bottom wall 214. And the lid wall portion 216 are integrally provided. A circular fitting hole 220 into which a rubber grommet 218 shown in FIG.
2 are provided in the longitudinal direction at intervals of twice the length in the thickness direction.

FIG. 12 is a view showing the structure of the gas discharge pipe 212 in more detail.
4 is a gas discharge pipe 212 in a state where the opening of the concave groove 213 is closed.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 12, the upper bottom wall portion 214 is a member having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the side edge of the upper bottom wall portion 214 connected to the lid wall portion 216 has a side edge surface. 217 are formed. On the other hand, a side edge surface 219 is formed on the side edge on the side connected to the upper bottom wall portion 214 of the cover wall portion 216, and when the cover wall portion 216 closes the concave groove 213 of the upper bottom wall portion 214, Upper bottom wall 2
The side edge surface 217 of the cover 14 and the side edge surface 219 of the lid wall portion 216 abut each other. In addition, a portion between the side edge of the upper bottom wall 214 connected to the lid wall 216 and the side edge connected to the upper bottom wall 214 of the lid wall 216 is thin. The first integral hinge part 222
Is formed. Thus, the upper bottom wall 214 and the lid wall 2
16 are integrally connected by the first integral hinge part 222, so that the lid wall part 216 is rotatable about the first integral hinge part 222 as a rotation axis with respect to the upper bottom wall part 214. At the same time, the side edge surface 217 of the upper bottom wall portion 214 and the side edge surface 219 of the lid wall portion 216 can be separated from each other.

On the side edge of the upper bottom wall 214 opposite to the first integral hinge portion 222, a receiving wall 224 protruding outward from the side edge substantially parallel to the opening of the concave groove 213.
And a side wall 228 extending vertically from the outer edge of the receiving wall 224 to the opening of the concave groove 213 of the upper bottom wall 214 and having a hook 26 at the tip thereof. . A long rubber 230 is attached to the receiving wall 224 on the opening-side surface of the upper bottom wall 214.

The lid wall 216 rotated about the first integral hinge 222 as a rotation axis from the unfolded state shown in FIG. 11 is prevented from rotating toward the upper bottom wall 214 by the receiving wall 224. The rotation of the side wall 228 in the direction away from the upper bottom wall portion 214 is prevented by the hook portion 226, so that the position is fixed, and the gas discharge tube 212 is formed. It is a gas discharge path. At this time, the first integral hinge portion 22 of the lid wall portion 216
2, a side edge surface 231 on the side opposed to the side edge portion of the upper bottom wall portion 214 (that is, the receiving wall portion 224) and a side edge portion of the upper bottom wall portion 214 are formed. Receiving wall 2
24, the surface on the side of the lid wall portion 216, that is, the side edge surface 233,
It is abutted via rubber 230. Further, the grommet 218 fitted in the fitting hole 220 of the lid wall portion 216 has a gas discharge cylinder 3 of the battery module 12 at the center.
A fitting hole 232 into which 0 is fitted is formed.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 11 in order to explain a connection portion between the gas exhaust pipe 212 and the battery cover 210 in detail. As shown in FIG. 13, one end of the upper wall 210 a of the battery cover 210 and one end of the first connection part 234 are connected by a second integral hinge part 236 formed by being thin, The other end of the first connecting portion 234 and one end of the second connecting portion 238 are connected by a third integral hinge 240 formed by being thin, and the second connecting portion 2
The other end of the upper bottom wall portion 214 and the opening side of one end in the longitudinal direction are connected by a fourth integral hinge portion 242 formed by being thin. With these second integral hinge portion 236, third integral hinge portion 240, and fourth integral hinge portion 242, the first connection portion 234, the second connection portion 238, and the gas discharge pipe 212 are connected to the upper wall 210a. In a plane that is vertical and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery cover 210, the battery cover 210 is rotatable relative to the battery cover 210.

The battery cover 210 and the gas exhaust pipe 212 thus constructed are made of polypropylene, the gas exhaust pipe 212 is located outside the battery cover 210, and the lid wall part 216 is rotated so that The bottom wall portion 214 is integrally formed by injection molding in a developed state where the bottom wall portion 214 is opened.

FIG. 14 shows that the lid wall portion 216 is rotated to close the upper bottom wall portion 214 from the unfolded state (molded state), and then the first connecting part 234, the second connecting part 238, and the gas discharge 13 is a cross section cut along the same cut surface as in FIG. 13 in a state where the pipe 212 is rotated to position the gas discharge pipe 212 at a position after assembly (that is, a state where the pipe 212 is in contact with the inner side surface of the upper wall 210a) FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, in a state where the gas exhaust pipe 212 is in contact with the inner side surface of the battery cover 210, the grommet 218 fitted into the lid wall 216 of the gas exhaust pipe 212, as illustrated in FIG. After the gas discharge tube 30 provided in the battery module 12 constituting the battery module row 14 is fitted, the mounting wall 210e of the battery cover 210 is attached to the mounting hole 2 of the mounting wall 210e.
The power supply device is assembled by fixing to the mounting table 16 with a fixing screw (not illustrated) that penetrates through 10d and is screwed into a screw hole (not illustrated) of the mounting table 16.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the gas exhaust pipe 212 is made of polypropylene, the grommet 218 fitted in the fitting hole 220 of the gas exhaust pipe 212 and the gas exhaust pipe 212 of the battery module 12 are used. In order to fit the cylinder 30, the gas exhaust pipe 212 is connected to the battery module 12 via the battery cover 210 in a state where the position of the gas exhaust pipe 212 is determined so that the grommet 218 is directly above the gas exhaust cylinder 30. Side, the gas exhaust pipe 212
Grommet 218 and gas exhaust pipe 212
Can be surely fitted. Further, since the gas discharge pipe 212 has higher rigidity than the rubber gas discharge pipe, the rigidity of the power supply device as a whole is also improved.

Also, according to the present embodiment, the battery cover 21
0 and the gas discharge pipe 212 are formed at the same time,
The number of parts can be reduced. Further, since the gas exhaust pipe 212 is not provided in the stay 22 for restraining the battery module 12, even when the battery module row 14 is restrained using the stay 22, a strong tightening force can be applied to the stay 22.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the upper bottom wall 214
Is rotated in a plane perpendicular to the upper wall 210a of the battery cover 210 and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery cover 210, so that the lid wall portion 216 and the upper bottom wall portion 214 are positioned outside the battery cover 210. By rotating the lid wall portion 216 with respect to the upper bottom wall portion 214, a pair of side edge surfaces 219 and 231 of the lid wall portion 216 and a pair of side edge surfaces 217 of the upper bottom wall portion 214 are formed. , 233 can be separated from each other, and by molding in this state, the gas exhaust pipe 212 can be integrally molded with the battery cover 210. Also, from the molded state, the lid wall 21
6 is rotated to close the concave groove 213 of the upper bottom wall 214, and further, the lid wall 216 and the upper bottom wall 214 are rotated to be positioned inside the battery cover 210, so that the battery cover can be easily formed. A gas exhaust pipe 212 can be formed inside 210.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention can be applied to other embodiments.

For example, in the above-described first embodiment, the fitting hole into which the grommet 102 is fitted is the elongated hole 73, but may be a circular hole. Further, in the second embodiment, the fitting hole 220 into which the grommet 218 is fitted is circular, but may be an elongated hole.

In the above embodiment, the gas discharge pipe 6
8, 212 are made of polypropylene, but a resin harder than rubber such as polystyrene or ABS resin, or a metal such as iron may be used.

Further, the grommet 10 of the first embodiment described above is used.
2 is a structure in which the upper member 104 and the lower member 106 made of rubber are connected by a connecting member 108 made of polypropylene, but all the grommets are made of rubber and are integrally molded. You may.

In the above-described first embodiment, the grommet 102 is fitted in the elongated hole 73 of the gas discharge pipe 68 in advance, and when the gas discharge pipe 68 communicates with the gas discharge pipe 30 of the battery module 12, , The grommet 102 and the gas discharge tube 30 are fitted, but the grommet 10
2 into the gas discharge tube 30 of the battery module 12,
The gas discharge pipe 68 and the gas discharge cylinder 30 of the battery module 12 may be communicated by fitting the grommet 102 into the long hole 73 of the gas discharge pipe 68. In this case,
In order to fit the long hole 73 of the gas discharge pipe 68 and the gas discharge tube 30 of the battery module 12, the grommet 102 and the long hole 73 of the gas discharge pipe 68 must be fitted. The pressing force required to fit the long hole 73 into the gas discharge tube 30 is the pressing force required to fit the grommet 102 and the long hole 73 in the gas discharge pipe 68. Therefore, the gas discharge pipe 68 is made of a hard material that is not crushed by a pressing force required when fitting the grommet 102 into the elongated hole 73.

In the first embodiment, the gas discharge tube 30 is provided integrally with the module case 26 on the upper surface of the module case 26. However, the gas discharge tube 30 is provided separately from the module case 26. While being molded, a fitting hole is provided in the module case 26,
Prior to fitting the gas discharge tube 30 into the long hole 73 of the gas discharge pipe 68, the gas discharge tube 30 may be fitted in the fitting hole of the module case 26 in advance.

In the above-described first embodiment, the gas discharge tube 30 is provided in advance on the battery module 12 side, and the gas discharge tube 68 is provided with the elongated hole 7 into which the gas discharge tube 30 is fitted.
3 had been formed. However, the gas discharge tube 30 is formed integrally with the gas discharge tube 68 in advance, or the gas discharge tube 30 formed separately from the gas discharge tube 68 and the module case 26 is previously formed in the long hole 73 of the gas discharge tube 68. The gas discharge tube 30 may be provided on the gas discharge pipe 68 side by being fitted, and the module case 26 may be provided with a fitting hole to be fitted with the gas discharge tube 30. In this case, the gas discharge member 68 is connected to the gas discharge pipe 6.
8 is made of a hard material (for example, polypropylene) which is not crushed by a pressing force required when the fitting hole of the module case 26 is fitted. In this way, in order to fit the gas discharge tube 30 and the fitting hole of the battery module 12, each gas discharge tube 30 previously communicated with the gas discharge pipe 68 is connected to the fitting hole of the battery module 12. In a state where the position of the gas exhaust pipe 68 is determined so as to be located above the
When pressed to the side, the gas discharge pipe 68 member is not crushed, so that the gas discharge tube 30 and the fitting hole of the battery module 12 can be securely fitted, and a plurality of locations can be formed by a single pressing operation. Can be fitted. Therefore, the battery module 12, the gas discharge tube 30, and the gas discharge path of the gas discharge pipe 68 can be reliably and easily communicated. Further, since the gas exhaust pipe 68 has higher rigidity than the rubber gas exhaust pipe, the rigidity of the power supply device as a whole is also improved.

In the first embodiment, the rubber grommet 102 is used as a sealing member for sealing the connection between the gas discharge pipe 68 and the gas discharge tube 30. The gas discharge tube 30 may also function as a seal member by forming the elastic member 30 such as rubber.

In the above-described second embodiment, the gas discharge pipe 212 is connected to the battery cover 210 by the two connection portions of the first connection portion 234 and the second connection portion 238. The connection may be made by a connection part or three or more connection parts.

In the above-described second embodiment, the upper bottom wall portion 214 having the concave groove 213 opened in one direction and the long lid wall portion closing the concave groove 213 of the upper bottom wall portion 214 are provided. 21
6, the gas discharge pipe 2 functioning as a gas discharge member
Although 12 is formed, a gas discharge member may be formed as shown in FIGS.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view showing a connecting portion between an upper wall 276a and a cover wall portion 278 of the battery cover 276, which is different from the embodiment described above. FIG. FIG. 276 is a plan view seen from the inside of 276. The upper wall 276a is formed to be relatively thick, and a longitudinal groove 282 is formed on the inner side surface 280 thereof, and a pair of side edges which are brought into contact with the lid wall portion 278 are formed on both side edges of the groove 282. Face 2
84 and 286 are formed. The battery cover 276 and the lid wall 278 are made of polypropylene.
The width of the lid wall portion 278 is the same as the width of the side edge surface 284 from the edge opposite to the groove 282 to the edge of the other side edge surface 286 opposite to the groove 282. 15 and 16, both side edges of a lower surface 288 which is a lower surface in the unfolded state shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are brought into contact with side edge surfaces 284 and 286 formed on both side edges of the concave groove 282. Side edge surfaces 290, 292. Also, the lid wall 278
Is formed with a fitting hole 294 similar to that of the above-described embodiment, so that a grommet (not shown) can be fitted therein.

The end of the upper wall 276a and the lid wall 27
8 is connected by an integral hinge portion 296 formed by making it thin, and the lid wall portion 27 is formed.
8 is rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the upper wall 276a and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery cover 276. By rotating the lid wall portion 278, the side edge surface 290 of the lid wall portion 278,
When the 292 and the side edge surfaces 284 and 286 of the upper wall 276a are brought into abutment, the opening of the concave groove 282 is closed by the lid wall portion 278, and a gas discharge path is formed. That is, in the case of the configuration shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper wall 276a and the lid wall 27
8 form a gas discharge path, so that the upper wall 2
76a and the lid wall 278 function as a gas discharge member, and the upper wall 276a functions as an upper bottom wall.

Further, a gas discharge member may be formed as shown in FIGS. FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view showing a connecting portion between the upper wall 298a and the lid wall portion 300 of the battery cover 298 different from the above-described embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the connection portion viewed from the inside of the battery cover 298. The battery cover 298 and the cover wall 30
0 is made of polypropylene. The upper wall 298a has a flat plate shape as in the above-described embodiment of FIG. 11, and an end thereof and a connecting portion 302 are connected by an integral hinge portion 304 formed by being thin. In addition, since the end of the connection portion 302 on the opposite side to the integral hinge portion 304 and the bottom surface 306 of the cover wall portion 300 are also connected by the integral hinge portion 308, the cover wall portion 300 is Battery cover 29 perpendicular to wall 298a
8 is rotatable in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction.
The lid wall portion 300 has an elongated bottom surface 306 provided with a fitting hole 310 into which a grommet (not shown) is fitted, and both side edges of the bottom surface 306 with respect to the bottom surface 306 as shown in FIG.
7 and a pair of side walls 312, 314 projecting vertically downward in the deployed state shown in FIG.
Longitudinal side edge surfaces 316 and 318 are formed at lower ends of the side walls 312 and 314, respectively.

By rotating the lid wall 300, the side wall 31 is rotated.
When the side edge surfaces 316 and 318 of the second and 314 abut against the inner side surface 320 of the upper wall 298a, the upper wall 298a and the lid wall 30
With 0, a gas discharge path is formed. That is, FIG.
Also, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 18 as well, the gas exhaust passage is formed by the upper wall 298a and the lid wall portion 300,
98a and the lid wall 300 function as a gas exhaust member, the upper wall 298a functions as an upper bottom wall, and the inner wall 320 of the upper wall 298a has side edges 316, 311 on the side of the lid wall 300.
18 is the side edge surface 3 on the upper wall 298a side.
22 and 324 function.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, this is merely an embodiment,
The present invention can be implemented in various modified and improved aspects based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional power supply device in which a plurality of battery modules are arranged in a thickness direction.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the power supply device of FIG. 1 cut along a vertical section parallel to the gas discharge pipe in a state where the gas discharge pipe is communicated with a gas discharge port.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a power supply device to which the present invention is applied, with a battery cover and a lower case removed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a pair of gas discharge pipes of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a grommet fitted into a long hole of the gas discharge pipe of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the grommet is fitted into a long hole of the gas discharge pipe.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional power supply device, which is different from FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a battery cover used in a power supply device to which the present invention is applied, in an unfolded state.

12 is a cross-sectional view of the gas discharge pipe in a state where the lid wall covers the opening of the upper bottom wall, taken along line DD in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the same cut plane as in FIG. 13 in a state where the first connection portion, the second connection portion, and the gas discharge pipe are rotated to position the gas discharge pipe in a position after assembly; FIG.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view showing a connection portion between an upper wall and a lid wall portion of the battery cover different from FIG.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of FIG. 15 as viewed from the inside of the battery cover.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view showing a connecting portion between an upper wall and a lid wall portion of the battery cover different from FIGS. 11 and 15;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of FIG. 17 as viewed from the inside of the battery cover.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12: Battery module (battery) 14: Battery module row (battery row) 26: Module case 30: Gas discharge cylinder 50: Power supply device 68: Gas discharge pipe (gas discharge member) 72: Slot (fitting hole) 102: Grommet (seal member) 210: Battery cover 210a: Top wall 212: Gas discharge pipe (gas discharge member) 214: Top bottom wall 216: Lid wall 232: Fitting hole 234: First connection portion 236: Second integral Hinge part 238: Second connecting part 240: Third integral hinge part 242: Fourth integral hinge part

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takaki Morioka 1 Miyashitagawara, Shigo-cho, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Uchihama Kasei Co., Ltd. F-term (reference)

Claims (7)

[Claims] A battery array in which a plurality of batteries are arranged;
A plurality of gas discharge tubes each having one end communicating with the plurality of batteries; and a plurality of fitting holes, wherein the fitting holes are fitted to the other end of the gas discharge tube, and gas discharge is performed inside. A power supply device comprising a gas discharge member having a passage formed therein, wherein the gas discharge member is configured such that a fitting hole of the gas discharge member and the other end of the gas discharge cylinder are fitted. A power supply device comprising a hard material that is not crushed by a required pressing force. 2. A battery array in which a plurality of batteries are arranged,
A gas exhaust tube having one end fitted into a fitting hole provided in the plurality of batteries; and a gas exhaust member connected to the gas exhaust tube and having a gas exhaust passage formed therein. Wherein the gas discharge member is made of a hard material that is not crushed by a pressing force required when the fitting hole of the battery and the gas discharge tube are fitted. Power supply. 3. A fitting member of the gas discharge member is fitted with a seal member fitted to each of the plurality of gas discharge cylinders, and the fitting hole has a diameter in the longitudinal direction of the gas discharge member. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the seal member at a portion facing the inner surface of the fitting hole is longer than a diameter of the seal member. 4. The power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery cover that covers the battery row, wherein the gas exhaust member is formed integrally with the battery cover. . 5. A gas discharge passage formed integrally with the battery cover, wherein the gas discharge passage has a longitudinal lid wall having the fitting hole and a pair of side edge surfaces of the lid wall so as to be separated from each other. An upper bottom wall having a pair of side edge surfaces to be brought into contact with each other, and one of the lid wall and the upper bottom wall has an end thereof and an end of the upper wall of the battery cover. 5. The power supply according to claim 4, wherein the power supply is rotatable in a plane perpendicular to an upper wall of the battery cover and parallel to a longitudinal direction of the battery cover by being connected by an integral hinge portion. apparatus. 6. The upper bottom wall portion is a longitudinal open tube having a concave groove that opens in one direction, and the lid wall portion closes the concave groove of the upper bottom wall portion. The upper bottom wall portion is rotatably connected to a plane perpendicular to the upper wall of the battery cover and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery cover. 6. A connection part for connecting an end of the upper bottom wall part.
The power supply as described. 7. The gas exhaust member further comprises a plurality of gas exhaust pipes, and further includes a communication pipe for interconnecting the plurality of gas exhaust pipes within a battery cover covering the battery row. The power supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein