JP4052127B2 - Thin battery support structure, assembled battery and vehicle - Google Patents

Description

なお、図５に示すように、第１の部材３１及び第２の部材３２の各直線部３１１、３２１に対して各角部３１２、３２２を、厚み調整用ブロック３３ａ、３３ｂとして別体で成形しても良い。例えば、図５（Ａ）は、６個の薄型電池１０を積層した積層体２０ａを、長さＤ’の厚み調整用ブロック３３ａを用いた薄型電池支持構造体３０ａにより支持した組電池４０ａを示している。これに対し、図５（Ｂ）は、１４個の薄型電池１０を積層した積層体２０ｂを、長さＤ’’の厚み調整用ブロック３３ｂを用いた薄型電池支持構造体３０ｂにより支持した組電池４０ｂを示している。各厚み調整用ブロック３３ａ、３３ｂの長さＤ’、Ｄ’’は、上述の式にｎ＝６又は１４を代入して算出された変位幅を考慮して設定される。
【００５０】
このように、薄型電池支持構造体に厚み調整用ブロックを設け、積層方向の長さを可変とすることにより、積層体を構成する薄型電池の数に適宜対応することが可能となる。
【００５１】
このように組み立てられている薄型電池支持構造体３０は、部材３１、３２の直線部３１１、３２１が、積層体２０の最上面及び最下面を略対角線状に支持すると共に、積層体２０から導出する各電極端子１０４、１０５の両側面を支持している。
【００５２】
すなわち、積層体２０の最上側に位置する第１の部材３１において、一方の第１の角部３１２が、積層体２０の最上段、２段目及び５段目の薄型電池１０ａ、１０ｂ、１０ｅの各正極端子１０４と、３段目及び４段目の薄型電池１０ｃ、１０ｄの各負極端子１０５と、の一方の各側面を支持している。
【００５３】
また、当該第１の部材３１の他方の第１の角部３１２が、最上段、２段目及び５段目の薄型電池１０ａ、１０ｂ、１０ｅの各負極端子１０５と、３段目及び４段目の薄型電池１０ｃ、１０ｄの各正極端子１０４と、の他方の各側面を支持している。
【００５４】
そして、積層体２０の最上側に位置する第２の部材３２において、一方の第２の角部３２２が、積層体２０の最上段、２段目及び５段目の薄型電池１０ａ、１０ｂ、１０ｅの各正極端子１０４と、３段目及び４段目の薄型電池１０ｃ、１０ｄの各負極端子１０５と、の他方の各側面を支持している。また、当該第２の部材３２の他方の第２の角部３２２が、最上段、２段目及び５段目の薄型電池１０ａ、１０ｂ、１０ｅの各負極端子１０５と、３段目及び４段目の薄型電池１０ｃ、１０ｄの各正極端子１０４と、の一方の各側面を支持している。
【００５５】
これと同様に、積層体２０の最下側に位置する第１の部材３１において、一方の第１の角部３１２が、積層体２０の６段目、９段目及び１０段目の薄型電池１０ｆ、１０ｉ、１０ｊの各正極端子１０４と、７段目及び８段目の薄型電池１０ｇ、１０ｈの各負極端子１０５と、の一方の各側面を支持している。また、当該第１の部材３１の他方の第１の角部３１２が、６段目、９段目及び１０段目の薄型電池１０ｆ、１０ｉ、１０ｊの各負極端子１０５と、７段目及び８段目の薄型電池１０ｇ、１０ｈの各正極端子１０４と、の他方の各側面を支持している。
【００５６】
そして、積層体２０の最下側に位置する第２の部材３２において、一方の第２の角部３２２が、積層体の６段目、９段目及び１０段目の薄型電池１０ｆ、１０ｉ、１０ｊの各正極端子１０４と、７段目及び８段目の薄型電池１０ｇ、１０ｈの各負極端子１０５と、の他方の各側面を支持している。また、当該第２の部材３２の他方の第２の角部３２２が、６段目、９段目及び１０段目の薄型電池１０ｆ、１０ｉ、１０ｊの各負極端子１０５と、７段目及び８段目の薄型電池１０ｇ、１０ｈの各正極端子１０４と、の一方の各側面を支持している。
【００５７】
従って、積層体２０の各薄型電池１０ａ〜１０ｊから導出する各電極端子１０４、１０５は、第１の部材３１の各第１の角部３１２と、第２の部材３２の対応する各第２の角部３２２との間から、当該薄型電池支持構造体３０の外部に露出しており、放充電時の当該電極端子１０４、１０５の冷却が容易な構造となっている。
【００５８】
なお、薄型電池支持構造体３０を構成する第１の部材３１及び第２の部材３２は、例えばポリプロピレン（ＰＰ）、ポリブチレンテレフタレート（ＰＢＴ）及びポリアミド（ＰＡ）などの電気的に絶縁特性を有する材料から形成されているため、各角部３１２、３２２と電極端子１０４、１０５とが電気的に導通することはない。
【００５９】
さらに、各電極端子１０４、１０５の各側面を支持する各角部３１２、３２２は、各薄型電池１０ａ〜１０ｊの電極端子１０４、１０５が導出する電池外装１０６、１０７の外周縁の一部にも接触して支持すると共に、図２（Ａ）に示すように、各角部３１２、３２２から成る輪郭の長さＬ’が、薄型電池１０の長手方向の長さＬに対して２〜１０％程度大きく（Ｌ’＝Ｌ×（１．０２〜１．１））、各角部３１２、３２２から成る輪郭の幅Ｗ’が、薄型電池１０の幅Ｗに対して２〜１０％程度大きくなっており（Ｗ’＝Ｗ×（１．０２〜１．１））、当該各角部３１２、３２２から成る輪郭が、薄型電池１０の輪郭より大きくなっている。
【００６０】
従って、例えば、電極端子１０４、１０５が導出する方向を底面として、車両等の対象物に搭載した場合には、当該電極端子１０４、１０５が導出する電池外装１０６、１０７の外周縁の一部が、薄型電池支持構造体３０の各角部３１２、３２２により支持され、第１及び第２の部材３１、３２の角部３１２、３２２が底面として載置されるため、電極端子１０４、１０５自体が対象物に接触することはない。
【００６１】
また、例えば、電池外装１０６、１０７の側面方向を底面として、対象物に搭載した場合には、電極端子１０４、１０５の両側面が、薄型電池支持構造体３０の各角部３１２、３２２により支持され、第１及び第２の部材３１、３２の角部３１２、３２２が底面として載置されるため、柔軟な薄型電池１０ａ〜１０ｊ自体が対象物に接触することはない。
【００６２】
このように、薄型電池支持構造体が、各薄型電池の各電極端子の両側面及び電池外装の各電極端子が導出する外周縁の一部と、積層体の最上面及び最下面を支持することにより、柔軟な薄型電池から構成される積層体を、電極端子が導出する方向や側面（外周縁）方向を底面として、車両等の対象物に安定して載置することが可能となり、配置自由度が著しく向上する。
【００６３】
また、薄型電池支持構造体の輪郭を、薄型電池の輪郭より大きくすることにより、薄型電池支持構造体に支持された積層体を、電極端子が導出する方向や側面方向を底面として、車両等の対象物に載置した場合であっても薄型電池又は電極端子自体が対象物に接触しないため、当該薄型電池の性能維持を図ることが可能となる。
【００６４】
以上のような積層体２０及び薄型電池支持構造体３０は、組電池４０を構成するために、特に図示しない組電池用筐体の内部に収容される。なお、要求される電圧及び容量に応じて、組電池用筐体の内部に複数の積層体２０及び薄型電池支持構造体３０が収容されても良い。
【００６５】
図６に示すように、各薄型電池１０の輪郭と薄型電池支持構造体３０の各角部３１２、３２２から成る輪郭との差から、当該各角部３１２、３２２の間に第２の凹部３０１が形成される。この第２の凹部３０１に合わせて、組電池用筐体の底板４１に凸部４１ａを形成し、組電池４０への積層体２０の収容時に、第２の凹部３０１を凸部４１ａに係合させることにより、組電池４０の組立が容易となる。なお、積層体２０の電極端子１０４、１０５の導出方向を底面とする場合には、電極端子１０４、１０５の幅に相当する凸部４１ａを、組電池用筐体の底板４１に形成すれば良い。
【００６６】
図７は、本発明の実施形態に係る薄型電池支持構造体３０を用いた組電池４０を、車両１のフロア下に車載した例を示す模式図である。車両１のようにレイアウト上の制約が多く、且つ高電圧、高容量に伴って放充電時に高温発熱するような使用態様において、上述の薄型電池支持構造体３０を用いることにより、薄型電池を特に有効に活用することが可能となる。
【００６７】
なお、以上説明した実施形態は、本発明の理解を容易にするために記載されたものであって、本発明を限定するために記載されたものではない。したがって、上記の実施形態に開示された各要素は、本発明の技術的範囲に属する全ての設計変更や均等物をも含む趣旨である。例えば、積層体を構成する薄型電池の数は、上述の６、１０、１４個の薄型電池に限定されることなく、２個以上の薄型電池により積層体を構成することができる。また、積層体を構成する薄型電池の接続方式は、上述の２並列５直列に限定されることなく、要求される電圧や容量に応じて、任意の薄型電池同士において、直列接続、並列接続又は直列並列接続の接続方式を採用することが出来る。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】図１（Ａ）は本発明の実施形態に係る薄型電池の全体を示す平面図、図１（Ｂ）は（Ａ）のII−II線に沿う断面図である。
【図２】図２は本発明の実施形態に係る薄型電池支持構造体を用いた組電池の全体を示す図であり、図２（Ａ）はその平面図、図２（Ｂ）はその側面図、図２（Ｃ）はその正面図である。
【図３】図３は本発明の実施形態に係る薄型電池支持構造体の第１の部材を示す図であり、図３（Ａ）はその平面図、図３（Ｂ）はその側面図、図３（Ｃ）はその正面図である。
【図４】図４は本発明の実施形態に係る薄型電池支持構造体の第２の部材を示す図であり、図４（Ａ）はその平面図、図４（Ｂ）はその側面図、図４（Ｃ）はその正面図である。
【図５】図５は本発明の他の実施形態に係る薄型電池支持構造体の厚み調整機能を示す側面図であり、図５（Ａ）は６個の薄型電池を積層した場合を示し、図５（Ｂ）は１４個の薄型電池を積層した場合を示す。
【図６】図６は本発明の実施形態に係る薄型電池支持構造体と組電池用筐体の底板との嵌合状態を示す斜視図であり、図６（Ａ）は嵌合前の状態を示し、図６（Ｂ）は嵌合した状態を示す。
【図７】図７は本発明の実施形態に係る薄型電池支持構造体を用いた組電池を車両に搭載した状態を示す模式図である。
【符号の説明】
１…車両
１０、１０ａ〜１０ｊ…薄型電池
１０１…正極板
１０２…セパレータ
１０３…負極板
１０４…正極端子
１０４ａ…正極側集電部
１０５…負極端子
１０５ａ…負極側集電部
１０６…上部電池外装
１０７…下部電池外装
１０９…発電要素
２０、２０ａ、２０ｂ…積層体
３０、３０ａ、３０ｂ…薄型電池支持構造体
３０１…第２の凹部
３１…第１の部材
３１１…第１の直線部
３１２…第１の角部
３１３…貫通孔
３１４…第１の凹部
３２…第２の部材
３２１…第２の直線部
３２２…第２の角部
３２３…貫通孔
３３ａ、３３ｂ…厚み調整用ブロック
４０、４０ａ、４０ｂ…組電池
４１…組電池用筐体の底板
４１ａ…凸部[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to a thin battery support structure that supports a plurality of thin batteries whose electrode terminals are led out from an outer peripheral edge of a battery exterior, an assembled battery using the thin battery support structure, and a vehicle including the assembled battery.
[0002]
[Background]
With the diversification of usage and usage conditions of thin batteries, high voltage and high capacity are achieved by connecting multiple thin batteries with electrode terminals derived from the outer periphery of the battery exterior to make an assembled battery. ing. In such an assembly of thin batteries, a technique for supporting a plurality of flexible thin batteries by accommodating a plurality of thin batteries arranged in a lateral direction inside a support structure is known (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
[0003]
However, when the assembled battery is configured by arranging the thin batteries in a row in the horizontal direction as described above, there are many restrictions on the layout of an object such as a vehicle on which the assembled battery is mounted. The degree of freedom of arrangement in the object becomes poor.
[0004]
In addition, it is necessary to cool the thin battery in order to maintain the performance of the thin battery that generates heat during discharging, but since the entire thin battery is housed inside the support structure, the thin battery that generates heat can be easily It cannot be cooled down.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-256938 A
[0006]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a thin battery support structure that supports a thin battery in which electrode terminals are led out from the outer peripheral edge of the battery exterior, and in particular, increases the degree of freedom of arrangement in an object on which the thin battery is mounted, and the thin battery An object of the present invention is to provide a thin battery support structure that can be easily cooled.
[0007]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a thin battery support structure for supporting a plurality of thin batteries in which electrode terminals are led out from the outer peripheral edge of the battery exterior, wherein the plurality of thin batteries are stacked. Each electrode terminal derived from the body in substantially the same direction And supporting the portion leading out from the battery exterior in the side, Battery exterior In The electrode terminal is derived The side that is not The From the side First supporting means for supporting, and second supporting means for supporting the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface of the laminate. , A thin battery support structure is provided.
[0008]
In the present invention, by stacking the plurality of thin batteries so that the electrode terminals of the plurality of thin batteries are led out substantially in the same direction, as compared with the case where they are simply arranged in the lateral direction as described above, Layout restrictions can be reduced.
[0009]
In general, since thin batteries are flexible, when a laminate is configured as described above, the surface of the laminate that can be stably placed on an object such as a vehicle is relatively large. It is limited to the uppermost surface or the lowermost surface having an area. On the other hand, in this invention, each electrode terminal which leads out the laminated body which laminated | stacked the flexible thin battery as mentioned above to the substantially same direction by the 1st support means. In addition to supporting the portion leading out from the battery exterior in the side, Battery exterior In Derived electrode terminals Across the side that is not support Shi , further By the second support means, the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface of the laminate The By supporting, it becomes possible to stably place the electrode terminals in the lead-out direction or the side surface direction other than the uppermost surface or the lowermost surface of the laminate made of a flexible thin battery, and the degree of freedom of arrangement in the object is increased. Further improve.
[0010]
Furthermore, the first support means and the second support means provide both sides of each electrode terminal essential for supporting the thin battery, the battery exterior In Derived from each electrode terminal The side that is not Further, by supporting only the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface, and by exposing the electrode terminals to the outside from the thin battery support structure, it is possible to provide a structure that can be easily cooled during discharging.
[0011]
Therefore, by adopting the thin battery support structure of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a structure that achieves both improvement in the degree of freedom of arrangement in the object and easy cooling of the thin battery.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIG. 1A is a plan view showing an entire thin battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. FIG. 1 shows one thin battery (unit battery), and an assembled battery having a desired voltage and capacity is formed by connecting a plurality of thin batteries 10.
[0014]
First, the overall configuration of the thin battery 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The thin battery 10 of this example is a lithium-based thin secondary battery, and includes two positive electrode plates 101, It is composed of five separators 102, two negative plates 103, a positive terminal 104, a negative terminal 105, an upper battery exterior 106, a lower battery exterior 107, and an electrolyte (not shown). Among these, the positive electrode plate 101, the separator 102, the negative electrode plate 103, and the electrolyte are particularly referred to as a power generation element 109.
[0015]
The number of positive plates 101, separators 102, and negative plates 103 is not limited in any way, and the power generation element 109 can be configured with one positive plate 101, three separators 102, and one negative plate 103. . The number of positive electrode plates, negative electrode plates, and separators can be selected and configured as necessary.
[0016]
The positive electrode plate 101 that constitutes the power generation element 109 includes, for example, 100 weight ratio of a positive electrode active material such as a metal oxide, a conductive material such as carbon black, and an adhesive such as an aqueous dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene. : A mixture of 3:10 is applied to both surfaces of a metal foil such as an aluminum foil as a positive electrode side current collector, dried, rolled, and then cut into a predetermined size. In addition, the mixing ratio of said aqueous dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene is the solid content.
[0017]
As the positive electrode active material, for example, lithium nickelate (LiNiO) ₂ ), Lithium manganate (LiMnO) ₂ ), Lithium cobaltate (LiCoO) ₂ ) And the like, and chalcogen (S, Se, Te) compounds.
[0018]
The negative electrode plate 103 constituting the power generation element 109 is made of a negative electrode active material that occludes and releases lithium ions of the positive electrode active material, such as amorphous carbon, non-graphitizable carbon, graphitizable carbon, or graphite. An aqueous dispersion of styrene butadiene rubber resin powder as a precursor material of an organic fired body is mixed at a solid content ratio of, for example, 100: 5, dried and then pulverized to support carbonized styrene butadiene rubber on the surface of carbon particles The resulting material is mixed with a binder such as an acrylic resin emulsion at a weight ratio of, for example, 100: 5, and this mixture is used as a metal foil such as nickel foil or copper foil as a negative electrode side current collector. These are coated on both sides, dried, rolled, and then cut into a predetermined size.
[0019]
In particular, when amorphous carbon or non-graphitizable carbon is used as the negative electrode active material, the flatness of the potential during charge / discharge is poor and the output voltage decreases with the amount of discharge. However, when used as a power source for an electric vehicle or the like, it is advantageous because there is no sudden drop in output.
[0020]
In addition, the separator 102 of the power generation element 109 prevents a short circuit between the positive electrode plate 101 and the negative electrode plate 103 described above, and may have a function of holding an electrolyte. The separator 102 is a microporous film made of polyolefin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), for example. When an overcurrent flows, the pores of the layer are blocked by the heat generation, thereby blocking the current. It also has.
[0021]
The separator 102 of the present invention is not limited to a single-layer film such as polyolefin, but a three-layer structure in which a polypropylene film is sandwiched with a polyethylene film, or a laminate of a polyolefin microporous film and an organic nonwoven fabric can be used. . By forming the separator 102 in multiple layers, various functions such as an overcurrent prevention function, an electrolyte holding function, and a separator shape maintenance (rigidity improvement) function can be provided. Further, instead of the separator 102, a gel electrolyte or an intrinsic polymer electrolyte can be used.
[0022]
The above power generation element 109 is laminated in such an order that the positive electrode plate 101 and the negative electrode plate 103 are alternately arranged from above and the separator 102 is positioned between the positive electrode plate 101 and the negative electrode plate 103. The separators 102 are stacked one by one on the top and bottom. Each of the two positive plates 101 is connected to the positive terminal 104 made of metal foil via the positive current collector 104a, while the two negative plates 103 are connected to the negative current collector 105a. Is connected to the negative electrode terminal 105 which is also made of metal foil. The positive electrode terminal 104 and the negative electrode terminal 105 are not particularly limited as long as they are electrochemically stable metal materials. Examples of the positive electrode terminal 104 include aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, and nickel. Can include nickel, copper, stainless steel or iron. Both the positive electrode side current collector 104a and the negative electrode side current collector 105a in this example are configured by extending the aluminum foil, nickel foil, copper foil, and iron foil that constitute the current collector of the positive electrode plate 101 and the negative electrode plate 103. However, the current collectors 104a and 105a can be formed of separate materials and parts.
[0023]
The power generation element 109 is sealed by the upper battery casing 106 and the lower battery casing 107. The upper battery exterior 106 in the embodiment of the present invention is not particularly illustrated, but three layers are laminated in order of the first resin layer, the metal layer, and the second resin layer from the inside to the outside of the thin battery 10. Is done. These three layers are laminated over the entire surface of the upper battery casing 106, and the first resin layer is made of an electrolyte solution resistant and heat-fusible, such as polyethylene, modified polyethylene, polypropylene, modified polypropylene, and ionomer. It is an excellent resin film. The second resin layer is, for example, a resin film excellent in electrical insulation, such as a polyamide resin or a polyester resin. The metal layer is a metal foil such as aluminum. Therefore, the upper battery exterior 106 and the lower battery exterior 107 are laminated with a resin such as polyethylene, modified polyethylene, polypropylene, modified polypropylene, or ionomer on one surface of a metal foil such as aluminum (inner surface of a thin battery), for example, The other surface (the outer surface of the thin battery) is formed of a flexible material such as a resin-metal thin film laminate material in which a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, or the like is laminated. Thus, when the battery exterior member includes the metal layer in addition to the resin layer, the strength of the battery exterior member can be improved.
[0024]
The lower battery casing 107 has the same structure as that of the upper battery casing 106. Although not particularly shown, the first resin layer, the metal layer, and the second resin layer are arranged from the inside of the thin battery 10 toward the outside. In this order, three layers are laminated. The first resin layer of the lower battery casing 107 has the same resistance to electrolytic solution and heat fusion as polyethylene, modified polyethylene, polypropylene, modified polypropylene, ionomer, etc., like the first resin layer of the upper battery casing 106. It is an excellent resin film. The metal layer of the lower battery casing 107 is, for example, a metal foil such as aluminum, like the metal layer of the upper battery casing 106. Similar to the second resin layer of the upper battery casing 106, the second resin layer of the lower battery casing 107 is a resin film excellent in electrical insulation, such as a polyamide resin or a polyester resin.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the positive terminal 104 is led out from one end of the sealed battery casings 106 and 107, but the upper battery casing 106 and the lower battery casing 107 are equivalent to the thickness of the positive terminal 104. In order to maintain the sealing performance in the thin battery 10, a seal made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like is provided at a portion where the positive electrode terminal 104 and the battery exterior 106, 107 are in contact with each other. The film can be interposed by a method such as heat fusion.
[0026]
Similarly, the negative electrode terminal 105 is led out from the other end of the sealed battery casings 106 and 107, and here, similarly to the positive terminal 104 side, the negative electrode terminal 105 and the battery casings 106 and 107 It is also possible to interpose a seal film at the portion where the contacts. In any of the positive electrode terminal 104 and the negative electrode terminal 105, it is desirable from the viewpoint of heat-fusibility that the seal film is made of the same resin as the resin constituting the battery casings 106 and 107.
[0027]
These battery casings 106 and 107 enclose the power generation element 109, the positive current collector 104a, a part of the positive terminal 104, the negative current collector 105a and a part of the negative terminal 105 described above, After injecting a liquid electrolyte having a lithium salt such as lithium perchlorate or lithium borofluoride into an organic liquid solvent into the space formed by 107, the outer peripheral edges of the upper battery casing 106 and the lower battery casing 107 are hot-pressed. To heat seal and seal.
[0028]
Examples of the organic liquid solvent include ester solvents such as propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), and dimethyl carbonate (DMC), but the organic liquid solvent of the present invention is not limited thereto, An organic liquid solvent prepared by mixing and preparing an ether solvent such as γ-butylactone (γ-BL) and dietoshikiethane (DEE) in an ester solvent can also be used.
[0029]
Below, the assembled battery comprised by laminating | stacking the above-mentioned thin battery in multiple numbers and supporting the said laminated body by a thin battery support structure is demonstrated.
[0030]
2A and 2B are views showing the entire assembled battery using the thin battery support structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a side view, and FIG. (C) is a front view thereof, FIG. 3 is a view showing a first member of a thin battery support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 (A) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 3 (B) is a view thereof. 3C is a front view thereof, FIG. 4 is a view showing a second member of the thin battery support structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a side view thereof, FIG. 4C is a front view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a side view showing a thickness adjustment function of a thin battery support structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. 5A shows a case where six thin batteries are stacked, FIG. 5B shows a case where 14 thin batteries are stacked, and FIG. 6 shows a thin battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. Is a perspective view showing a fitting state between the bottom plate of the lifting structure and the assembled battery housing 6 (A) is shown a state before fitting and FIG. 6 (B) shows the mated condition.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 2, the assembled battery 40 includes a laminated body 20 composed of ten thin batteries 10 laminated so that the lead-out directions of the electrode terminals 104 and 105 are substantially the same direction, and the laminated body. The thin battery support structure 30 that surrounds the periphery of the battery 20 and supports the stacked body 20, and a battery pack housing (not shown) that houses the stacked body 20 and the thin battery support structure 30.
[0032]
The ten thin batteries 10a to 10j constituting the assembled battery 40 are all thin batteries having the structure described above. As shown in FIG. 2, the uppermost thin battery 10a and the second thin battery 10b of the laminate 20 are the same as the electrode terminals 104 and 105 of the uppermost thin battery 10a and the second thin battery 10b. The electrode terminals 104 and 105 are stacked in such a direction that leads out in substantially the same direction, and the lower surface of the uppermost thin battery 10a and the lower surface of the second thin battery 10b are stacked. .
[0033]
Similarly, in the laminated body 20, the third-stage thin battery 10c and the fourth-stage thin battery 10d, the fifth-stage thin battery 10e and the sixth-stage thin battery 10f, the seventh-stage thin battery 10g and the eight-stage thin battery 10g. The thin battery 10h of the eye and the thin battery 10i of the ninth stage and the thin battery 10j of the tenth stage lead out the same polarity terminals 104 and 105 in substantially the same direction, and mutually They are stacked so that the bottom faces overlap.
[0034]
In addition, the second-stage thin battery 10b and the third-stage thin battery 10c of the laminate 20 include the electrode terminals 104 and 105 of the second-stage thin battery 10b and the third-stage different polarity terminals 105 and 104, respectively. The layers are stacked so that the upper surface of the second-stage thin battery 10b and the upper surface of the third-stage thin battery 10c are overlapped in a direction that leads out substantially in the same direction.
[0035]
Similarly, in the laminate 20, a fourth-stage thin battery 10d and a fifth-stage thin battery 10e, a sixth-stage thin battery 10f, a seventh-stage thin battery 10g, and an eighth-stage thin battery 10h The ninth-tier thin battery 10i is stacked in such a direction that leads the different-polarity terminals 104 and 105 in substantially the same direction and so that the upper surfaces thereof overlap each other.
[0036]
That is, in the direction in which the same polarity terminals of the Nth thin battery and the (N + 1) th thin battery are led out in substantially the same direction from the top of the laminate 20, and the Nth thin battery The lower surface of the N + 1-th thin battery is stacked on the lower surface. Further, the electrode terminal of the (N + 1) th stage thin battery and the different polarity terminal of the (N + 2) th stage thin battery are led out in substantially the same direction, and on the upper surface of the (N + 1) th stage thin battery, The N + 2th thin batteries are stacked so that the upper surfaces of the thin batteries are stacked. However, N is an odd number.
[0037]
Further, the positive terminal 104 of the uppermost thin battery 10a of the laminate 20 is joined to the positive terminal 104 of the second thin battery 10b by welding or the like, and the negative terminal 105 of the uppermost thin battery 10a is connected to the positive terminal 104 of the uppermost thin battery 10a. It is joined to the negative electrode terminal 105 of the second-stage thin battery 10b, and the uppermost thin battery 10a and the second-stage thin battery 10b are electrically connected in parallel.
[0038]
Similarly, the third thin battery 10c, the fourth thin battery 10d, the fifth thin battery 10e, the sixth thin battery 10f, the seventh thin battery 10g, and the eighth thin battery 10h. The same-polarity terminals 104 and 105 of the ninth-stage thin battery 10i and the tenth-stage thin battery 10j are joined together by welding or the like, and are electrically connected in parallel.
[0039]
Further, the negative electrode terminal 105 of the second-stage thin battery 10b of the laminate 20, the positive electrode terminal 104 of the third-stage thin battery 10 and the negative-electrode terminal 105 of the fourth-stage thin battery 10d and the fifth-stage thin battery 10e. The positive terminal 104, the negative terminal 105 of the sixth stage thin battery 10f and the positive terminal 104 of the seventh stage thin battery 10g, and the negative terminal 105 of the eighth stage thin battery 10h and the ninth stage thin battery 10i. The positive electrode terminal 104 is joined by welding or the like, the uppermost and second-tier thin batteries 10a and 10b, the third and fourth-tier thin batteries 10c and 10d, and the fifth and sixth-tier thin batteries. The batteries 10e and 10f, the 7th and 8th thin batteries 10g and 10h, and the 9th and 10th thin batteries 10i and 10j are electrically connected in series.
[0040]
That is, the same-polarity terminals of the Nth thin battery and the N + 1th thin battery from the top of the laminate 20 are joined together by welding or the like, and the Nth thin battery and the N + 1th thin battery are joined. Are electrically connected in parallel. Further, the negative terminal of the (N + 1) th thin battery and the positive terminal of the (N + 2) th thin battery are electrically connected.
[0041]
Therefore, in the assembled battery 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ten thin batteries 10a to 10j constituting the stacked body 20 have five combinations of two thin batteries connected in parallel connected in series. Yes.
[0042]
In this way, by stacking the thin batteries so that the electrode terminals of each thin battery are led out in substantially the same direction, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of arrangement of the stacked bodies. Become. Moreover, since each electrode terminal is derived | led-out in the substantially same direction and adjoins, it becomes possible to connect the said electrode terminals directly, and it becomes possible to achieve size reduction of an assembled battery.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 2, the thin battery support structure 30 of the battery pack 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of first members 31 and second members on the uppermost thin battery 10 a side of the stacked body 20. It is configured by combining the member 32 and another set of the first member 31 and the second member 32 on the lowermost thin battery 10 j side of the stacked body 20, and is derived from the stacked body 20. A part of the outer peripheral edge from which each electrode terminal 104,105 leads out of the both sides of each electrode terminal 104,105 and each battery terminal 106,107 of each thin battery 10a-10j, and the uppermost thin battery 10a of the said laminated body 20 And on the substantially diagonal line of the surface of the lowermost thin battery 10j.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 3, each first member 31 extends in a perpendicular direction from a flat plate-like first straight portion 311 (second support means) and both ends of the first straight portion 311. The first straight portion 311 and the first square portion 312 (first support means) formed integrally with the first straight portion 311, and has a substantially U-shape as a whole. Yes. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, each second member 32 includes a flat plate-like second straight portion 321 (second support means) and both ends of the second straight portion 321 at right angles. It is composed of two prismatic second corner portions 322 (first support means) that are integrally formed with the second straight portion 321, and have a substantially U-shape as a whole. Have.
[0045]
The first straight portion 311 of each first member 31 constitutes one straight line of a substantially diagonal line of the upper surface of the uppermost thin battery 10a or the upper surface of the lowermost thin battery 10j of the laminate 20, Two first corner portions 312 located at both ends of the first straight portion 311 are located at one pair of diagonals of the stacked body 20 and extend in the stacking direction of the stacked body 20. On the other hand, the second straight portion 321 of each second member 32 constitutes the other straight line of the substantially diagonal line of the upper surface of the uppermost thin battery 10a or the upper surface of the lowermost thin battery 10j, Two second corners 322 positioned at both ends of the second member 32 are positioned at the other pair of diagonals of the stacked body 20 and extend in the stacking direction of the stacked body 20.
[0046]
A first recess 314 for engaging each second linear portion 321 is formed in an intermediate portion of the first linear portion 311 of each first member 31. The corner portions 312 and 322 are formed with through holes 313 and 323 penetrating along the stacking direction. In addition, you may form the recessed part engaged with the 1st recessed part 314 of the 1st linear part 311 or the 1st linear part 311 in the intermediate part of the 2nd linear part 321 of each 2nd member 32. .
[0047]
In the thin battery support structure 30, first, each second linear portion 321 constituting the other straight line of the diagonal line is formed in the first concave portion 314 formed in the first linear portion 311 of each first member 31. Are engaged, and two sets of the first member 31 and the second member 32 on the uppermost side and the lowermost side of the laminate 20 are assembled. Then, the substantially U-shaped openings of the two combinations of the members 31 and 32 face each other, and the axis of the through holes 313 and 323 of the respective corner portions 312 and 322 coincides with the laminate 20 being interposed in the openings. In particular, it is fixed by a bolt or the like (not shown), and easy assembly is possible.
[0048]
The length D in the stacking direction constituted by the corner portions 312 and 322 of the members 31 and 32 of the thin battery support structure 30 is the thickness, number and change width d of the thin battery 10 constituting the stack 20. It is set by.
[0049]
This change width d takes into account the change in thickness and dimensional tolerance of the thin battery and the thin battery support structure due to heat generation from the thin battery during discharge, and the thickness (median value) per thin battery. H, dimensional tolerance of thin battery ± α, thickness variation ± β of thin battery due to charging / discharging, thin battery thermal expansion coefficient ± γ, dimensional tolerance of thin battery support structure ± τ, thermal expansion of thin battery support structure Coefficient ± ω, upper limit temperature T ₁ , Lower limit temperature T ₂ Then, the change width d is calculated by the following equation. This equation can be applied when n combinations of two thin batteries connected in parallel as described above are connected in series (n is a natural number).
[Formula 1]

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, each corner | angular part 312 and 322 are separately shape | molded as the thickness adjustment blocks 33a and 33b with respect to each linear part 311 and 321 of the 1st member 31 and the 2nd member 32, respectively. You may do it. For example, FIG. 5A shows an assembled battery 40a in which a stacked body 20a in which six thin batteries 10 are stacked is supported by a thin battery support structure 30a using a thickness adjustment block 33a having a length D ′. ing. On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows an assembled battery in which a laminated body 20b in which 14 thin batteries 10 are stacked is supported by a thin battery support structure 30b using a thickness adjusting block 33b having a length D ″. 40b is shown. The lengths D ′ and D ″ of the respective thickness adjustment blocks 33a and 33b are set in consideration of the displacement width calculated by substituting n = 6 or 14 into the above-described equation.
[0050]
As described above, by providing the thickness adjustment block on the thin battery support structure and making the length in the stacking direction variable, it is possible to appropriately correspond to the number of thin batteries constituting the stack.
[0051]
In the thin battery support structure 30 assembled in this way, the straight portions 311 and 321 of the members 31 and 32 support the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface of the stacked body 20 in a substantially diagonal shape, and are derived from the stacked body 20. Both side surfaces of the electrode terminals 104 and 105 to be supported are supported.
[0052]
That is, in the first member 31 located on the uppermost side of the stacked body 20, one first corner 312 is the thinnest battery 10a, 10b, 10e of the uppermost, second and fifth stages of the stacked body 20. Each side surface of each positive electrode terminal 104 and each negative electrode terminal 105 of the third-stage and fourth-stage thin batteries 10c, 10d is supported.
[0053]
The other first corner 312 of the first member 31 is connected to the negative terminals 105 of the uppermost, second and fifth thin batteries 10a, 10b and 10e, and the third and fourth stages. The other side surfaces of the positive terminals 104 of the thin batteries 10c and 10d are supported.
[0054]
And in the 2nd member 32 located in the uppermost side of the laminated body 20, one 2nd corner | angular part 322 is the thinnest battery 10a, 10b, 10e of the uppermost stage of the laminated body 20, the 2nd stage, and the 5th stage. The other side surfaces of the positive terminal 104 and the negative terminals 105 of the third and fourth thin batteries 10c and 10d are supported. In addition, the other second corner 322 of the second member 32 is connected to the negative terminals 105 of the uppermost, second and fifth thin batteries 10a, 10b and 10e, and the third and fourth stages. Each side surface of one of the positive terminals 104 of the thin batteries 10c and 10d is supported.
[0055]
Similarly, in the first member 31 positioned on the lowermost side of the stacked body 20, one first corner portion 312 is a thin battery in the sixth, ninth, and tenth stages of the stacked body 20. Each side surface of each positive electrode terminal 104 of 10f, 10i, and 10j and each negative electrode terminal 105 of the 7th and 8th thin batteries 10g and 10h is supported. Further, the other first corner 312 of the first member 31 is connected to the negative terminals 105 of the sixth, ninth, and tenth thin batteries 10f, 10i, and 10j, and the seventh and eighth stages. The other side surfaces of the positive terminals 104 of the thin batteries 10g and 10h in the stage are supported.
[0056]
And in the 2nd member 32 located in the lowest side of the laminated body 20, one 2nd corner | angular part 322 is the thin battery 10f, 10i of the 6th stage of the laminated body, the 9th stage, and the 10th stage, The other side surfaces of the positive terminals 104 of 10j and the negative terminals 105 of the seventh and eighth thin batteries 10g and 10h are supported. Further, the other second corner 322 of the second member 32 is connected to the negative terminals 105 of the sixth, ninth, and tenth thin batteries 10f, 10i, and 10j, and the seventh and eighth stages. Each side surface of each of the positive terminals 104 of the thin batteries 10g and 10h in the stage is supported.
[0057]
Accordingly, the electrode terminals 104 and 105 derived from the thin batteries 10 a to 10 j of the stacked body 20 are respectively connected to the first corners 312 of the first member 31 and the corresponding second terminals of the second member 32. It is exposed to the outside of the thin battery support structure 30 from between the corner portions 322, and the electrode terminals 104 and 105 are easily cooled during discharging.
[0058]
The first member 31 and the second member 32 constituting the thin battery support structure 30 have electrically insulating characteristics such as polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polyamide (PA). Since it is formed from a material, the corner portions 312 and 322 and the electrode terminals 104 and 105 are not electrically connected.
[0059]
Furthermore, the corners 312 and 322 that support the side surfaces of the electrode terminals 104 and 105 are also provided on part of the outer peripheral edge of the battery sheaths 106 and 107 led out by the electrode terminals 104 and 105 of the thin batteries 10a to 10j. As shown in FIG. 2 (A), the length L ′ of the contour formed by the corner portions 312 and 322 is 2 to 10% with respect to the length L in the longitudinal direction of the thin battery 10. About large (L ′ = L × (1.02 to 1.1)), the width W ′ of the contour formed by the corner portions 312 and 322 is about 2 to 10% larger than the width W of the thin battery 10. (W ′ = W × (1.02 to 1.1)), and the contour formed by the corner portions 312 and 322 is larger than the contour of the thin battery 10.
[0060]
Therefore, for example, when mounting on an object such as a vehicle with the direction leading out of the electrode terminals 104 and 105 as the bottom surface, a part of the outer peripheral edge of the battery sheath 106 or 107 led out by the electrode terminals 104 and 105 is Since the corner portions 312 and 322 of the first and second members 31 and 32 are mounted as the bottom surfaces, the electrode terminals 104 and 105 themselves are supported by the corner portions 312 and 322 of the thin battery support structure 30. There is no contact with the object.
[0061]
Further, for example, when the battery casings 106 and 107 are mounted on an object with the side surface direction as the bottom surface, both side surfaces of the electrode terminals 104 and 105 are supported by the corner portions 312 and 322 of the thin battery support structure 30. And since the corner | angular parts 312 and 322 of the 1st and 2nd members 31 and 32 are mounted as a bottom face, flexible thin battery 10a-10j itself does not contact a target object.
[0062]
In this way, the thin battery support structure supports both side surfaces of each electrode terminal of each thin battery and a part of the outer periphery derived from each electrode terminal of the battery exterior, and the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface of the laminate. This makes it possible to stably place a laminate composed of flexible thin batteries on an object such as a vehicle, with the electrode terminal lead-out direction or the side surface (outer peripheral edge) direction as the bottom surface, and freedom of placement The degree is significantly improved.
[0063]
In addition, by making the outline of the thin battery support structure larger than the outline of the thin battery, the laminated body supported by the thin battery support structure can be used as a vehicle or the like with the direction in which the electrode terminals are led out or the side direction as the bottom face. Even when placed on the object, the thin battery or the electrode terminal itself does not contact the object, so that the performance of the thin battery can be maintained.
[0064]
The laminated body 20 and the thin battery support structure 30 as described above are housed in an assembled battery casing (not shown) in order to form the assembled battery 40. In addition, according to the voltage and capacity | capacitance requested | required, the some laminated body 20 and the thin battery support structure 30 may be accommodated in the inside of the housing | casing for assembled batteries.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 6, due to the difference between the outline of each thin battery 10 and the outline formed by each corner 312, 322 of the thin battery support structure 30, the second recess 301 is provided between each corner 312, 322. Is formed. A convex portion 41 a is formed on the bottom plate 41 of the assembled battery casing in alignment with the second concave portion 301, and the second concave portion 301 is engaged with the convex portion 41 a when the stacked body 20 is accommodated in the assembled battery 40. By doing so, the assembled battery 40 can be easily assembled. When the lead-out direction of the electrode terminals 104 and 105 of the stacked body 20 is the bottom surface, a convex portion 41a corresponding to the width of the electrode terminals 104 and 105 may be formed on the bottom plate 41 of the assembled battery casing. .
[0066]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the assembled battery 40 using the thin battery support structure 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the floor of the vehicle 1. In a usage mode in which there are many restrictions on the layout as in the vehicle 1 and high temperature heat is generated at the time of discharging with high voltage and high capacity, by using the above thin battery support structure 30, the thin battery is particularly It can be used effectively.
[0067]
The embodiment described above is described in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not described in order to limit the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention. For example, the number of thin batteries constituting the laminate is not limited to the above-described 6, 10, 14 thin batteries, and the laminate can be constituted by two or more thin batteries. Moreover, the connection method of the thin battery which comprises a laminated body is not limited to the above-mentioned 2 parallel 5 series, According to the voltage and capacity | capacitance requested | required, in arbitrary thin batteries, series connection, parallel connection or A serial parallel connection method can be employed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a plan view showing an entire thin battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an entire assembled battery using a thin battery support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 (A) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 2 (B) is a side view thereof. FIG. 2C is a front view thereof.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a first member of a thin battery support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 (A) is a plan view thereof, FIG. 3 (B) is a side view thereof, FIG. 3C is a front view thereof.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a second member of the thin battery support structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 (A) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 4 (B) is a side view thereof. FIG. 4C is a front view thereof.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a thickness adjusting function of a thin battery support structure according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 (A) shows a case where six thin batteries are stacked; FIG. 5B shows a case where 14 thin batteries are stacked.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fitting state between the thin battery support structure and the bottom plate of the assembled battery housing according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 (A) is a state before fitting. FIG. 6B shows a fitted state.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a state in which an assembled battery using the thin battery support structure according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Vehicle
10, 10a-10j ... Thin battery
101 ... Positive electrode plate
102 ... Separator
103 ... Negative electrode plate
104: Positive terminal
104a ... Positive current collector
105 ... Negative electrode terminal
105a ... Negative electrode current collector
106 ... Upper battery exterior
107 ... lower battery exterior
109 ... Power generation element
20, 20a, 20b ... laminate
30, 30a, 30b ... Thin battery support structure
301 ... second recess
31 ... 1st member
311 ... 1st straight part
312 ... first corner
313 ... through hole
314: first recess
32 ... Second member
321 ... Second straight line portion
322 ... Second corner
323 ... through hole
33a, 33b ... Thickness adjustment block
40, 40a, 40b ... assembled battery
41 ... Bottom plate of battery case
41a ... convex part

Claims (13)

A thin battery support structure for supporting a plurality of thin batteries from which electrode terminals are led out from the outer periphery of the battery exterior,
The electrode terminals that are led out from the laminated body in which the plurality of thin batteries are laminated in substantially the same direction are supported by sandwiching a portion led out from the battery outer case from the side, and the electrode terminals in the battery outer case. First support means for supporting the side that is not led from the side ,
Thin cell support structure having a second support means for supporting the top and the lowermost surface of the laminate. 2. The thin battery support structure according to claim 1, wherein the first support means is longer in the longitudinal direction than the thin battery and has a wider outline than the thin battery. The first support means is interposed between the second support means,
2. The first support means may be interposed between the second support means and another first support means having a different length along the stacking direction of the stacked body. Or the thin battery support structure of 2 description. The thin battery support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second support means supports the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface of the stacked body in a substantially diagonal line. The second support means includes a first straight portion that constitutes one straight line that supports the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface of the laminate in a substantially diagonal line;
Constituting the other straight line that supports the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface of the laminate in a substantially diagonal line, and having a second straight part intersecting the first straight part,
The thin battery support structure according to claim 4, wherein a concave portion that engages with the second linear portion is formed in a substantially intermediate portion of the first linear portion. The thin battery support structure according to claim 1, wherein the first support means and the second support means include an electrical insulator. The thin battery support structure according to claim 6, wherein the electrical insulator includes a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyamide. A battery pack in which a plurality of thin batteries are supported by the thin battery support structure according to claim 1,
The assembled batteries in which the thin batteries are connected to each other by any one of series connection, parallel connection, and series-parallel composite connection. The power generation element of the thin battery has a positive electrode active material that functions as a positive electrode,
The assembled battery according to claim 8, wherein the positive electrode active material is a lithium composite oxide. The assembled battery according to claim 9, wherein the lithium composite oxide is a lithium-manganese composite oxide. The power generation element of the thin battery has a negative electrode active material that functions as a negative electrode,
The assembled battery according to claim 8, wherein the negative electrode active material is a carbon-based material. The assembled battery according to claim 11, wherein the carbon-based material is a crystalline carbon material or an amorphous carbon material. A vehicle equipped with the assembled battery according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

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