JP2008004289A - Power pack and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A power supply pack and a vehicle in which excessive stress concentration is suppressed from occurring in the power supply device even when the power supply device is expanded.
A power supply pack includes a plurality of battery modules and a plurality of battery cases each storing a plurality of battery modules. The plurality of battery cases 411 containing the battery modules 410 are arranged in parallel in the direction of the arrow DR1. Spacers 420 </ b> A and 420 </ b> B are provided on the side surfaces 411 </ b> A and 411 </ b> B of the battery case 411 and defining gaps between the adjacent battery cases 411. The spacers 420A and 420B include convex portions 422A and 422B, respectively. Here, the convex portion 422 </ b> A is in contact with the battery case 411. And the convex part 422A located on the side surface 411A is selectively formed at a position avoiding the position facing the convex part 422B located on the side surface 411B.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply pack and a vehicle, and more particularly to a power supply pack formed by arranging a plurality of power supply devices in parallel and a vehicle including the same.

  An assembled battery as a “power pack” formed by combining a plurality of battery cells or battery modules is conventionally known.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-5167 (Patent Document 1), a spacer is disposed between battery modules, and a protrusion formed on the spacer prevents the battery module from expanding and is formed on the spacer. An assembled battery in which a refrigerant passage is formed between the recessed portion and the battery module is disclosed.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-48867 (Patent Document 2) discloses that, in an assembled battery formed by stacking a plurality of batteries, the spacers are configured by corrugated springs.

  Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-23702 (Patent Document 3) and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-14520 (Patent Document 4) also disclose an assembled battery in which corrugated spacers are provided between battery modules.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-71784 (Patent Document 5) discloses a bipolar battery in which a cooling tab is provided on a current collector.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-5167 JP 2000-48867 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-23702 JP 2004-14520 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-71784

  In the assembled battery described in Patent Document 1, since the convex portions of the spacers located on both sides of the battery module face each other, when the battery module expands, stress tends to concentrate on a part of the battery module. Such a problem is particularly likely to occur when the spacer protrusion and the battery module case are in direct contact with each other.

  Further, in the assembled battery described in Patent Document 2, the apexes of the wave-shaped springs located on both sides of the battery do not face each other, but a plate material is interposed between the battery case and the spring, and the spacer Patent Document 2 does not disclose a structure in which the convex portion and the battery module case are in direct contact with each other.

  In Patent Documents 3 and 4, the positional relationship between the convex portions of the corrugated spacers located on both sides of the battery module is not clearly shown.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power pack and a vehicle in which excessive stress concentration is suppressed from occurring in the power supply device even when the power supply device is expanded. It is to provide.

  The power supply pack according to the present invention includes a plurality of power supply devices and a plurality of cases each housing the plurality of power supply devices. Here, a plurality of cases in which the power supply devices are stored are stacked. The case has first and second side surfaces along a stacking surface on which the plurality of cases are stacked, and the first and second side surfaces oppose each other. And the 1st and 2nd spacer which each is located on the 1st and 2nd side surface and prescribes | regulates the clearance gap between several adjacent cases is provided. The first spacer includes a first protrusion that protrudes in a direction toward the first side surface or in a direction away from the first side surface, and the second spacer protrudes in a direction toward the second side surface or in a direction away from the second side surface. 2 convex parts are included. At least one of the first and second protrusions directly contacts the case. And the 1st convex part on the 1st side is selectively formed in the position which avoided the position facing the 2nd convex part on the 2nd side.

  According to the above configuration, the first and second convex portions located on both sides of the case for housing the power supply device are formed at positions shifted from each other, so that even when the power supply device expands, the power supply device is excessively large. Generation of stress concentration can be suppressed.

  In the power supply pack, as an example, the first and second spacers define a refrigerant passage between a plurality of adjacent cases.

  In the above power supply pack, as an example, the first and second protrusions have a hardness that can maintain a constant gap between a plurality of adjacent cases when the power supply pack is used.

  In the present specification, “maintaining the gap between the cases constant” is not limited to the case where the gap is always kept constant from the time of manufacturing the power pack, but at a relatively early time from the start of use of the power pack. After the gap is changed, the case where the gap is held constant is included.

  In the above power supply pack, as an example, the power supply device includes a bipolar battery in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series.

  In the power supply pack, the first and second spacers may be formed separately from the case, or may be formed integrally with the case.

  In the power pack, preferably, the plurality of cases are constrained in the stacking direction. In this case, when the power supply device expands, stress in the stacking direction is generated. According to the configuration described above, the stress in the stacking direction can be dispersed.

  The vehicle according to the present invention includes the power pack described above. Thereby, a vehicle having a power supply pack in which excessive stress concentration is suppressed in the power supply device is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of excessive stress concentration in the power supply device even when the power supply device is expanded.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may not be repeated.

  Note that in the embodiments described below, when referring to the number, amount, and the like, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, and the like unless otherwise specified. In the following embodiments, each component is not necessarily essential for the present invention unless otherwise specified. In addition, when there are a plurality of embodiments below, it is planned from the beginning to appropriately combine the features of each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hybrid vehicle (HV) including a power pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the specification of the present application, the “vehicle” is not limited to the hybrid vehicle. For example, a fuel cell vehicle and an electric vehicle are also included in the “vehicle”. Further, a capacitor may be used instead of the assembled battery (battery 400) as a “power pack” described later.

  Referring to FIG. 1, hybrid vehicle 1 includes an engine 100, a motor generator 200, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 300, a battery 400 which is a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery, and a cable 500 (510, 520). And the wheel 600.

  As shown in FIG. 1, motor generator 200 and PCU 300 are connected by a cable 510. PCU 300 and battery 400 are connected by a cable 520. The power of engine 100 and motor generator 200 is transmitted to wheel 600 via a drive shaft (not shown) to rotate wheel 600.

  Motor generator 200 is driven by at least one of the electric power stored in battery 400 and the electric power generated by motor generator 200. Thus, the driving force of engine 100 can be assisted by the driving force from motor generator 200, or hybrid vehicle 1 can be driven only by the driving force from motor generator 200.

  On the other hand, during regenerative braking of the hybrid vehicle 1, the wheels 600 are rotated by the inertial force of the vehicle body. The motor generator 200 is driven by the rotational force of the wheels 600. At this time, the motor generator 200 operates as a generator. Thus, motor generator 200 acts as a regenerative brake that converts braking energy into electric power. The electric power generated by the motor generator 200 is stored in the battery 400 via an inverter (not shown) provided in the PCU 300.

  Next, the structure of the battery 400 included in the hybrid vehicle 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, a battery 400 as a “power supply pack” is arranged in parallel with a plurality of battery modules 410 stacked in the direction of arrow DR1 and a spacer 420 arranged between the plurality of battery modules 410. The restraint plates 430 disposed at both ends of the row of the battery modules 410 and the restraint rods 440 that restrain the distance between the restraint plates 430 so as not to increase (that is, restrain the battery modules 410 in the direction of the arrow DR1). Consists of. In the example of FIG. 2, a plane (XY plane) orthogonal to the direction of the arrow DR <b> 1 constitutes a “stack plane” of the battery module 410.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a battery module 410 according to a comparative example and spacers 420A and 420B provided on both sides thereof. Referring to FIG. 3, spacers 420A and 420B provided on both sides of battery case 411 have plate-like portions 421A and 421B, and convex portions 422A and 422B protruding from plate-like portions 421A and 421B, respectively. The spacers 420A and 420B are made of an insulator (for example, resin) that is easy to mold. The convex portions 422A and 422B define a refrigerant passage between a plurality of adjacent battery cases 411. Further, the convex portions 422A and 422B have such a hardness that the gaps between the plurality of adjacent battery cases 411 can be kept constant when the battery 400 is used. The detailed structure inside the battery case 411 will be described later.

  The spacer 420 </ b> A is provided so that the convex portion 422 </ b> A directly contacts the battery case 411. The spacer 420B is provided such that the convex portion 422B abuts (indirectly) the battery case 411 via the plate-like portion 421B. Note that both the convex portions 422A and 422B may be provided so as to directly contact the battery case 411.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the force acting on the case from the spacer in the structure shown in FIG. With reference to FIG. 4, in this comparative example, convex part 422A located on one side surface 411A of battery case 411 and convex part 422B located on the other side surface 411B of battery case 411 face each other. In the position. Therefore, when the internal electrode of the battery module 410 expands and the internal pressure of the battery case 411 rises, a part of the force (arrow in FIG. 4) acting from the convex portions 422A and 422B toward the inside of the battery case 411 is partially obtained. Concentrate on. As a result, a stress concentration site is generated in the internal electrode of the battery module 410.

  The internal pressure of the battery case 411 increases at the start of use of the battery module 410, and at this time, the battery case 411 is slightly deformed. The internal pressure of the battery case 411 fluctuates due to subsequent charging / discharging (increase during charging and decrease during discharging).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing battery module 410 according to the present embodiment and spacers 420A and 420B provided on both sides thereof. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the force acting on the case from the spacer in the structure shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 5, battery module 410 and spacers 420 </ b> A and 420 </ b> B according to the present embodiment have substantially the same configuration as that of the comparative example shown in FIG. 3, but convex portions 422 </ b> A located on both sides of battery case 411. , 422B are formed so as to be shifted so as not to overlap in the direction of the arrow DR1. By doing in this way, when the internal electrode of the battery module 410 expands and the internal pressure of the battery case 411 increases, the force (in FIG. 6) acts from the convex portions 422A and 422B toward the inside of the battery case 411. Arrows) are scattered. As a result, the occurrence of stress concentration sites on the internal electrode of the battery module 410 is suppressed.

  In the above description, the example of the spacers 420A and 420B in which the convex portions 422A and 422B are formed in a comb-teeth shape has been described. However, the convex portions 422A and 422B may be formed in a dimple shape.

  Next, a detailed structure of the battery module 410 and a modified example of the “spacer” will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the battery module 410 includes battery cells 410A to 410F, a battery case 411 that houses the battery cells 410A to 410F, and “spacers” formed on the side surfaces 411A and 411B of the battery case 411. Convex portions 412A and 412B, a terminal 413, a laminated electrode body 414, and a current collector plate 415 are configured.

  The convex portions 412A and 412B are formed integrally with the battery case 411. The laminated electrode body 414 is configured, for example, by stacking a plurality of sheet-like electrode members in an insulated state with a separator. The pair of current collector plates 415 are arranged so as to sandwich the laminated electrode body 414. The laminated electrode body 414 is impregnated or injected with an electrolytic solution.

  In the laminated electrode body 414, electrode members that are positive electrodes and electrode members that are negative electrodes are alternately stacked in the direction of the arrow DR1. Further, the end portions of the electrode member serving as the positive electrode are collectively connected to one current collector plate 415. And the edge part of the electrode member used as a negative electrode is connected to the other current collecting plate 415 collectively. As a result, all the electrode members serving as positive electrodes and one current collecting plate 415 are electrically connected. Moreover, all the electrode members used as a negative electrode and the other collector plate 415 will be in the electrically connected state. The battery cells 410A to 410F included in the battery module 410 are electrically connected in series. For example, when the rated voltage of each of the battery cells 410A to 410F is 1.2V, the rated voltage of the entire battery module 410 is 7.2V. Thus, the battery module 410 is a bipolar battery in which a plurality of battery cells 410A to 410F formed in the battery case 411 are connected in series, for example. Note that the configuration of the battery cells 410A to 410F is not limited to the configuration described above, and may be another configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the convex part 412A formed on one side surface 411A of the battery case 411 and the convex part 412B formed on the other side surface 411B of the battery case 411 are formed at positions that do not face each other. Has been. In other words, the convex portions 412A and 412B are formed at positions that do not overlap in the arrow DR1 direction.

  5 and 6, the convex portions 422A and 422B are provided so as to extend in the direction in which the battery cells are arranged (lateral direction), whereas in the example of FIG. 7, the convex portion 412A is provided. , 412B are provided so as to extend in a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the battery cells 410A to 410F are arranged.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a battery 400 configured by combining the battery modules 410 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of battery modules 410 are connected in series by electrically connecting terminal 413 on the positive electrode side of battery module 410 and terminal 413 on the negative electrode side of another battery module 410 by bus bar 416. The battery 400 is configured. The convex portions 412A and 412B formed integrally with the battery case 411 are in direct contact with the convex portions 412A and 412B formed integrally with the adjacent battery case 411. That is, in the example of FIG. 8, both the convex portions 412 </ b> A and 412 </ b> B are in direct contact with the battery case 411. Here, the battery case 411 is configured to have a symmetrical shape, and a plurality of battery modules 410 including the battery case 411 having the same shape are arranged in parallel while the directions thereof are alternately reversed. The structure shown in FIG. 8 is obtained.

  In the above example, the structure in which the battery 400 is configured by stacking a plurality of battery modules 410 has been described. However, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the battery 400 is configured by stacking a plurality of battery cells 4100. May be. In the example of FIG. 9, a resin member 4200 is provided between the plurality of battery cells 4100. Here, the convex portion 4220 provided on the resin member 4200 is in contact with the battery case 4110 to define a cooling air passage between the plurality of battery cells 4100.

  FIG. 10 is a view showing a modification of the form of the convex portion 4220. In the example of FIG. 10, the resin member 4200 includes a first portion 4200A in which a rib-like convex portion 4220A is formed and a second portion 4200B in which a cylindrical convex portion 4220B is formed.

  The concept of the present invention can naturally be applied to the battery 400 as shown in FIGS.

  The above configuration is summarized as follows. That is, the battery 400 as the “power supply pack” described with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 includes a plurality of battery modules 410 as “power supply devices” and a plurality of “cases” each housing the plurality of battery modules 410. The battery case 411 is provided. Here, the plurality of battery cases 411 in which the battery modules 410 are stored are stacked. The battery case 411 has side surfaces 411A and 411B as “first side surface” and “second side surface” along a stacked surface (XY plane in FIG. 2) on which the plurality of battery cases 411 are stacked. The side surfaces 411A and 411B face each other. In the example of FIGS. 5 and 6, spacers 420 </ b> A and 420 </ b> B serving as “first spacers” and “second spacers” that are located on the side surfaces 411 </ b> A and 411 </ b> B respectively and define gaps between the adjacent battery cases 411 are provided. Provided. The spacer 420A includes a convex portion 422A as a “first convex portion” that protrudes in a direction toward the side surface 411A, and the spacer 420B includes a convex portion 422B as a “second convex portion” that protrudes in a direction away from the side surface 411B. Including. Here, the convex portion 422A directly contacts the battery case 411, and the convex portion 422B contacts the battery case 411 via the plate-like portion 421B. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 8, the convex portions 412A and 412B provided integrally with the battery case 411 are in direct contact with the convex portions 412A and 412B provided integrally with the adjacent battery case 411, and a plurality of battery cases 411 are provided. Define the gap between them. That is, in the example of FIG. 8, the convex portions 412A and 412B constitute “first and second spacers”.

  In the present embodiment, the convex portions 412A and 422A located on the side surface 411A are selectively formed at positions avoiding the positions facing the convex portions 412B and 422B located on the side surface 411B.

  According to the battery 400 according to the present embodiment, the convex portions 422A and 422B located on both sides of the battery case 411 that houses the battery module 410 are formed at positions shifted from each other, whereby the stacked layers constituting the battery module 410 are formed. Even when the electrode body 414 expands, excessive stress concentration can be suppressed from occurring in the laminated electrode body 414.

  In the above-described example, the example in which the “first and second spacers” are formed at positions that do not completely overlap each other has been described. However, as long as the above-described effect of reducing the stress concentration can be obtained, A part of the “second spacer” may be formed at a position overlapping with the arrow DR1 direction.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a diagram showing a hybrid vehicle including a power pack in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows a power supply pack in one embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the battery module in the power supply pack which concerns on a comparative example, and the spacer provided in the both sides. It is a figure explaining the force which acts on a case from the spacer in the structure shown by FIG. It is the figure which showed the battery module in the power supply pack which concerns on one embodiment of this invention, and the spacer provided in the both sides. It is a figure explaining the force which acts on a case from the spacer in the structure shown by FIG. It is the figure which showed the battery module contained in the modification of the power pack which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the power supply pack comprised combining the battery module shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the power supply pack which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the form of the spacer in the power supply pack shown by FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hybrid vehicle, 100 Engine, 200 Motor generator, 300 PCU, 400 Battery, 410 Battery module, 410A-410F Battery cell, 411, 4110 Battery case, 411A, 411B Side surface, 412A, 412B Convex part, 413 terminal, 414 Stacked electrode Body, 415 Current collector plate, 416 Bus bar, 420, 420A, 420B Spacer, 421A, 421B Plate-like portion, 422A, 422B, 4220, 4220A, 4220B Convex part, 430 Restraint plate, 440 Restraint rod, 4100 Battery cell, 4200 Resin Member, 4200A first part, 4200B second part.

Claims (8)

Multiple power supplies;
A plurality of cases each housing a plurality of the power supply devices,
The plurality of cases storing the power supply devices are stacked and arranged.
The case has first and second side surfaces along a stacking surface on which the plurality of cases are stacked, and the first and second side surfaces are opposed to each other,
First and second spacers are provided on the first and second side surfaces, respectively, and define a gap between a plurality of adjacent cases.
The first spacer includes a first protrusion protruding in a direction toward the first side surface or in a direction away from the first side surface,
The second spacer includes a second convex portion protruding in a direction toward the second side surface or in a direction away from the second side surface,
At least one of the first and second protrusions directly contacts the case;
The 1st convex part on the 1st side is a power pack selectively formed in the position which avoided the position facing the 2nd convex part on the 2nd side.   The power pack according to claim 1, wherein the first and second spacers define a refrigerant passage between a plurality of adjacent cases.   3. The power pack according to claim 1, wherein the first and second protrusions have a hardness capable of maintaining a constant gap between a plurality of adjacent cases when the power pack is used.   The power supply pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power supply device includes a bipolar battery in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series.   The power pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second spacers are formed separately from the case.   The power pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second spacers are formed integrally with the case.   The power pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of cases are constrained in a stacking direction.   A vehicle comprising the power pack according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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