JP2013012466A - Battery pack and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery pack having excellent energy density and strength and capable of being easily manufactured.
A plurality of battery blocks each having a plurality of pipe-shaped members each containing a single cell arranged in parallel in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member are connected to each other in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member. In the battery pack, the radial connection of the pipe-shaped members between the battery blocks is performed by bonding the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery blocks and the lower portions of the side surfaces with a cured adhesive. , Battery pack.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery pack including a plurality of battery blocks and a manufacturing method thereof.

  A battery pack including a large number of single cells is known as a large-capacity power source used for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 describes a battery pack (assembled battery) in which a plurality of single cells are connected to form a battery block (battery unit) and further connected to this battery block. In the battery pack described in Patent Document 1, the positions of the plurality of battery blocks are fixed to each other by covering the plurality of battery blocks with a heat shrink film.

JP 2000-133227 A

  In recent years, with the increase in capacity of battery packs, there has been a demand for downsizing of battery packs. That is, a battery pack having a high energy density is demanded. In addition, from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost, it is also demanded that battery blocks can be easily connected.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this point, and it aims at providing the battery pack which is excellent in energy density and intensity | strength, and can be manufactured easily.

  The present inventor has found that the above problem can be solved by connecting a plurality of battery blocks using an adhesive, or an adhesive and a rigid member, and has further studied and completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention relates to the following battery pack.
[1] A plurality of battery blocks in which a plurality of pipe-shaped members each containing a single cell are arranged in parallel in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member are connected to each other in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member. It is a battery pack: The radial connection of the pipe-shaped member between the battery blocks is performed by bonding the upper parts of the side surfaces of the battery blocks and the lower parts of the side surfaces with a cured adhesive. Battery pack.
[2] The plurality of battery blocks are connected to each other in the radial direction and the axial direction of the pipe-shaped member; the connection between the battery blocks in the axial direction of the pipe-shaped member is a side surface of one of the battery blocks. [1], which is performed by interposing a rigid member between the cured adhesive adhered to the upper part of the adhesive and the cured adhesive adhered to the lower part of the side surface of the other battery block. Battery pack.
[3] The space between the adhesive cured product that bonds the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery block and the cured adhesive product that bonds the lower portions of the side surfaces of the battery block is the side surface of the battery block. The battery pack according to [1] or [2], which serves as an air flow path for cooling.

Moreover, this invention relates to the manufacturing method of the following battery packs.
[4] A step of preparing a plurality of battery blocks in which a plurality of pipe-shaped members each having a single cell inserted therein are arranged in parallel in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member; Supplying an adhesive between the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery blocks and between the lower portions of the side surfaces thereof in order to connect the battery blocks to each other in a radial direction; Connecting in the radial direction of the shaped member.
[5] Before the step of curing the adhesive, in order to connect the battery blocks to each other in the axial direction of the pipe-shaped member, the adhesion supplied between the upper portions of the side surfaces of one of the battery blocks. A step of interposing a rigid member between the adhesive and the adhesive supplied between the lower portions of the side surfaces of the other battery block; in the step of curing the adhesive, The method for producing a battery pack according to [4], wherein the battery blocks are cured and connected to each other in a radial direction and an axial direction of the pipe-shaped member.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the battery pack which is excellent in energy density and intensity | strength and can be manufactured easily can be provided.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery block. FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the battery block. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that two battery blocks are connected in a horizontal direction. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that two battery blocks are connected in a horizontal direction. It is a perspective view of the battery pack of Embodiment 1 which connected four battery blocks to the horizontal direction. FIG. 5A is a plan view of the battery pack according to Embodiment 1 in which four battery blocks are connected in the horizontal direction. FIG. 5B is a side view of the battery pack of Embodiment 1 in which four battery blocks are connected in the horizontal direction. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that four battery blocks are connected to a horizontal direction and an up-down direction. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a state in which a rigid member is disposed between adhesive receivers. FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing a state where the rigid member is fixed by the cured adhesive. It is a side view of the battery pack of Embodiment 1 which connected four battery blocks to the horizontal direction and the up-down direction. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a battery pack in which a plurality of battery blocks are connected in the horizontal direction. FIG. 9B is a front view of a rack mount type battery pack. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that two battery blocks are connected in a horizontal direction. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that two battery blocks are connected in a horizontal direction. It is a perspective view of the battery pack of Embodiment 2 which connected four battery blocks to the horizontal direction. FIG. 13A is a plan view of the battery pack according to Embodiment 2 in which four battery blocks are connected in the horizontal direction. FIG. 13B is a side view of the battery pack of Embodiment 2 in which four battery blocks are connected in the horizontal direction. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that four battery blocks are connected to a horizontal direction and an up-down direction. It is a side view of the battery pack of Embodiment 2 which connected four battery blocks to the horizontal direction and the up-down direction.

1. Battery Pack The battery pack of the present invention includes a plurality of battery blocks. Each battery block is electrically connected to each other. Each battery block may be connected in series or may be connected in parallel. The battery pack of the present invention is characterized in that each battery block is connected to each other by a cured adhesive, or a cured adhesive and a rigid member.

  The battery block has a plurality of pipe-like members (also referred to as housings). Each of the plurality of pipe-shaped members accommodates a single cell. The plurality of pipe-like members are arranged in parallel in the radial direction of the pipe-like member on the same plane. The plane direction of the plane and the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member are parallel to each other.

  The shape of the pipe-shaped member is not particularly limited as long as it is cylindrical. For example, the shape of the pipe-shaped member is a cylindrical shape or a rectangular tube shape. The outer diameter of the pipe-shaped member is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 16.4 to 33.6 mm (thickness 0.2 to 0.8 mm). The material of the pipe-shaped member is not particularly limited as long as it has necessary strength and thermal conductivity. For example, the pipe-shaped member is an aluminum pipe.

  The pipe-shaped member accommodates the unit cell therein. The cells usually have power storage performance and are preferably connected in parallel with each other. The shape of the unit cell is preferably a columnar shape. For example, the shape of the unit cell is a columnar shape or a prismatic shape. The diameter of the columnar unit cell is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 16 to 32 mm. Moreover, it is preferable that the columnar cell has one electrode terminal at the top and the other electrode terminal at the bottom.

  For example, the battery block includes a plurality of pipe-shaped members each accommodating a columnar unit cell, a first electrode plate disposed on the top side of the unit cell, and a second unit disposed on the bottom side of the unit cell. Electrode plate. The first electrode plate disposed on the top side of the unit cell is connected to the electrode terminal on the top of the unit cell. The second electrode plate disposed at the bottom of the unit cell is connected to the electrode terminal at the bottom of the unit cell.

  In the battery pack of the present invention, the plurality of battery blocks are connected to each other in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member or in the radial direction and the axial direction of the pipe-shaped member. As described above, the battery pack of the present invention is characterized in that the battery blocks are connected to each other by the cured adhesive, or the cured adhesive and the rigid member.

  The pipe-shaped member between the battery blocks is connected in the radial direction by bonding the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery blocks and the lower portions of the side surfaces with a cured adhesive. The type of the adhesive is not particularly limited as long as it has a certain degree of heat resistance and strength. For example, the adhesive is a composition containing a heat resistant resin and a filler.

  Further, the axial connection of the pipe-shaped members between the battery blocks is made of an adhesive cured product attached to the upper part of the side surface of one battery block, and an adhesive cured product attached to the lower part of the side surface of the other battery block. It is carried out by interposing a rigid member between them. A rigid member will not be specifically limited if it has required intensity | strength. For example, the rigid member is a metal pipe. From the viewpoint of further improving safety, the rigid member preferably has insulating properties. By using an insulating rigid member, a short circuit in the battery pack can be more reliably prevented. For example, an insulating rigid member can be produced by covering the surface of a metal pipe with an insulator.

  As described above, the battery blocks are electrically connected to each other. The means for electrically connecting each battery block is not particularly limited. For example, the electrode plates of each battery block may be connected by a conductive member such as a bus bar or a lead wire.

  In the battery pack of the present invention, between the battery blocks adjacent to each other in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member, an adhesive cured product that bonds the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery block and an adhesive cured product that bonds the lower portions of the side surfaces. There is a space between them. By connecting this space to the intake port and the exhaust port, this space can be used as a ventilation channel for cooling the side surface of the battery block. The distance in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member between the battery blocks is not particularly limited, but is 4 mm, for example.

  In the battery pack of the present invention, the battery blocks are efficiently arranged, and both the capacity and the size are reduced. That is, the battery pack of the present invention is excellent in energy density. In addition, the battery pack of the present invention is excellent in strength because the battery blocks are firmly fixed to each other with an adhesive or an adhesive and a rigid member. As will be described later, the battery pack of the present invention can be easily manufactured by connecting battery blocks using an adhesive or an adhesive and a rigid member.

  The method for producing the battery pack of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the battery pack of the present invention can be manufactured by the following procedure.

2. Battery Pack Manufacturing Method The battery pack manufacturing method of the present invention includes: 1) a first step of preparing a plurality of battery blocks; 2) a second step of supplying an adhesive between the battery blocks; A third step of interposing a rigid member between the adhesives supplied in step 2, and 4) curing the adhesive supplied in the second step. In the case of manufacturing a battery pack in which a plurality of battery blocks are connected only in the radial direction of the pipe-like member, the third step is unnecessary. Hereinafter, each step will be described.

  In the first step, the battery block described above is prepared.

  In the second step, an adhesive is supplied between the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery block and between the lower portions of the side surfaces in order to connect the battery blocks prepared in the first step in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member. To do.

  In an optional third step, the adhesive supplied between the upper portions of the side surfaces of one battery block to connect the battery blocks prepared in the first step in the axial direction of the pipe-shaped member. And a rigid member is interposed between the adhesives supplied between the lower parts of the side surfaces of the other battery block.

  The second step and the third step may be performed simultaneously or separately. For example, 1) an adhesive is supplied between the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery block, 2) one end of the rigid member is inserted into the adhesive supplied between the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery block, and 3) the battery block. You may supply an adhesive agent between the lower parts of the side surface of. In the step 3), the other end of the rigid member is buried in the adhesive supplied between the lower portions of the side surfaces of the battery block.

  In the fourth step, the adhesive supplied in the second step is cured after the second step (when the third step is not performed) or after the third step. Accordingly, the plurality of battery blocks are fixed to each other in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member (when the third step is not performed), or in the radial direction and the axial direction (when the third step is performed) of the pipe-shaped member. .

  The battery pack of the present invention can be manufactured by the above procedure.

3. Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a configuration of battery block 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the battery block 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the battery block 100 includes a first electrode plate 110, a first holder 120, a plurality of pipe-shaped members 130, a plurality of single cells 140, a second holder 150, and a second holder. An electrode plate 160 is provided.

  Each of the plurality of unit cells 140 is accommodated in the pipe-shaped member 130. Each unit cell 140 is supported by the first holder 120 and the second holder 150. One electrode 142 of the unit cell 140 is connected to the first electrode plate 110. The other electrode 144 of the unit cell 140 is connected to the second electrode plate 160.

  2 and 3 are perspective views showing a state in which two battery blocks 100 are connected in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member 130 (hereinafter also referred to as “horizontal direction”). FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which two battery blocks 100 are connected in the long axis direction of the battery block 100. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which two battery blocks 100 are connected in the short axis direction of the battery block 100.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, horizontal connection of each battery block 100 is performed by 1) arranging adhesive receivers 210a to 210d and backing plates 220a to 220d between battery blocks 100, and 2) adhesive receiver. It is performed by pouring an adhesive into 210a-d and 3) curing the adhesive to form cured adhesives 230a-d. The adhesive receivers 210a to 210d are members for holding the adhesive before curing. The contact plates 220 a to 220 d are members for forming an appropriate gap between the battery blocks 100. The adhesive receptacles 210a to 210d are provided with a backing plate presser 212 for preventing the positional displacement of the backing plates 220a to 220d.

  By the above procedure, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery blocks 100 and the lower portions of the side surfaces are bonded with the cured adhesives 230 a to 230 d, so that the battery blocks 100 are horizontally aligned. Can be linked. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the battery pack 300 of the present embodiment in which four battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction. FIG. 5A is a plan view of battery pack 300 of the present embodiment in which four battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction. FIG. 5B is a side view of battery pack 300 according to the present embodiment in which four battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction (viewed from the right side in FIG. 5A). In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the cured adhesives 230a to 230d are hatched.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, in the battery pack 300 of the present embodiment, the adhesive cured product 230a that bonds the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery block 100 between the battery blocks 100 adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction of the pipe-shaped member. A space is provided between c and the cured adhesives 230b and 230d that adhere the lower portions of the side surfaces. By connecting this space to the intake port and the exhaust port, this space can be used as a ventilation channel for cooling the side surface of the battery block.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing how the four battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction and the axial direction of the pipe-shaped member 130 (hereinafter also referred to as “vertical direction”). In this figure, an example in which each battery block 100 further includes an explosion-proof hood 170 is illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the vertical connection of each battery block 100 is as follows: 1) rigid members 240a, 240b are arranged between the adhesive receivers 210a, 210b and between the adhesive receivers 210c, d; It is performed by pouring an adhesive into the adhesive receivers a to d, and 3) curing the adhesive. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a state in which the rigid member 240a is disposed between the adhesive receivers 210a and 210b. FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing a state in which the rigid member 240a is fixed by the cured adhesives 230a and 230b.

  Through the above procedure, as shown in FIG. 8, the cured adhesives 230 a and 230 c attached to the upper part of the side surface of one battery block 100 and the cured adhesive product attached to the lower part of the side surface of the other battery block 100. By interposing the rigid members 240a and 240b between the battery blocks 100b and 230b, the battery blocks 100 can be connected in the vertical direction. FIG. 8 is a side view of battery pack 300 of the present embodiment in which four battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. In FIG. 8, the cured adhesives 230a to 230d and the rigid members 240a and 240b are hatched.

  Note that a rack-mount battery pack can be manufactured by housing a battery pack 300 in which a plurality of battery blocks 100 as shown in FIG. 4 are connected in a horizontal direction in a rack. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a battery pack 300 in which a plurality of battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction. FIG. 9B is a front view of a rack mount type battery pack 400 in which a battery pack 300 in which a plurality of battery blocks 100 are connected in a horizontal direction is accommodated in a rack 410.

(Embodiment 2)
The battery pack 500 of the second embodiment differs from the battery pack 300 of the first embodiment in that the contact plates 220a to 220d are not used. Therefore, the same components as those of battery pack 300 of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  10 and 11 are perspective views showing a state in which two battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which two battery blocks 100 are connected in the long axis direction of the battery block 100. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which two battery blocks 100 are connected in the short axis direction of the battery block 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction by 1) arranging adhesive receivers 210a to 210d between the battery blocks 100, and 2) adhesives to the adhesive receivers 210a to 210d. 3) The adhesive is cured to form the cured adhesives 230a to 230d.

  By the above procedure, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery blocks 100 and the lower portions of the side surfaces are bonded to each other with the cured adhesives 230a to 230d. Can be linked. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of battery pack 500 of the present embodiment in which four battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction. FIG. 13A is a plan view of battery pack 500 of the present embodiment in which four battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction. FIG. 13B is a side view (viewed from the right side in FIG. 13A) of battery pack 500 of the present embodiment in which four battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction. In FIGS. 13A and 13B, the cured adhesives 230a to 230d are hatched.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing how the four battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. In this figure, an example in which each battery block 100 further includes an explosion-proof hood 170 is illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the vertical connection of each battery block 100 is as follows: 1) rigid members 240a, b are arranged between the adhesive receivers 210a, 210b and between the adhesive receivers 210c, d; It is performed by pouring an adhesive into the adhesive receivers a to d, and 3) curing the adhesive.

  With the above procedure, as shown in FIG. 15, the cured adhesive material 230 a, c adhered to the upper part of the side surface of one battery block 100 and the cured adhesive material adhered to the lower part of the side surface of the other battery block 100. By interposing the rigid members 240a and 240b between the battery blocks 100b and 230b, the battery blocks 100 can be connected in the vertical direction. FIG. 15 is a side view of battery pack 500 of the present embodiment in which four battery blocks 100 are connected in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. In FIG. 15, the cured adhesives 230a to 230d and the rigid members 240a and 240b are hatched.

  The battery pack of the present invention is useful, for example, as a large capacity storage battery.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Battery block 110 1st electrode plate 120 1st holder 130 Pipe-shaped member 140 Single cell 142,144 Electrode 150 2nd holder 160 2nd electrode plate 170 Explosion-proof hood 210a-d Adhesive receptacle 212 212 Contact plate holder 220a ~ D Catch plate 230a ~ d Adhesive cured product 240a, b Rigid member 300,500 Battery pack 400 Rack mount type battery pack 410 Rack

Claims (5)

A battery pack in which a plurality of battery blocks in which a plurality of pipe-shaped members each containing a single cell are arranged in parallel in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member are connected to each other in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member. There,
The connection of the pipe-shaped members between the battery blocks in the radial direction is performed by bonding the upper parts of the side surfaces of the battery blocks and the lower parts of the side surfaces with a cured adhesive.
Battery pack. The plurality of battery blocks are connected to each other in the radial direction and the axial direction of the pipe-shaped member,
The axial connection of the pipe-shaped members between the battery blocks is the adhesive cured product attached to the upper part of the side surface of one of the battery blocks and the adhesive agent attached to the lower part of the side surface of the other battery block. It is done by interposing a rigid member between the cured product,
The battery pack according to claim 1.   The space between the cured adhesive that adheres the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery block and the cured adhesive that adheres the lower portions of the side surfaces of the battery block cools the side surfaces of the battery block. The battery pack according to claim 1, which serves as an air flow path. Preparing a plurality of battery blocks in which a plurality of pipe-shaped members each having a single cell inserted therein are arranged in parallel in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped members;
Supplying an adhesive between the upper portions of the side surfaces of the battery blocks and between the lower portions of the side surfaces in order to connect the battery blocks to each other in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member;
Curing the adhesive and connecting the battery blocks to each other in the radial direction of the pipe-shaped member;
A method for manufacturing a battery pack, comprising: Before the step of curing the adhesive, in order to connect the battery blocks to each other in the axial direction of the pipe-shaped member, the adhesive supplied between the upper portions of the side surfaces of one of the battery blocks; A step of interposing a rigid member between the adhesive supplied between the lower portions of the side surfaces of the other battery block;
In the step of curing the adhesive, the adhesive is cured, and the battery blocks are connected in the radial direction and the axial direction of the pipe-shaped member,
The manufacturing method of the battery pack of Claim 4.

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