Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging – Serially connected batteries or cells
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-08
2001-08-14
Wong, Peter S. (Department: 2838)
Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging
Serially connected batteries or cells
C320S107000, C429S149000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06275003
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a battery, pack constructed with a plurality of prismatic battery modules arranged in a row and electrically connected with each other by means of connection modules.
FIG. 13
shows a conventional battery pack
41
constituted by arranging a plurality of prismatic battery modules in a row adjacent each other and connecting these electrically in series. End plates
43
are arranged at the opposite ends in the direction of juxtaposing arrangement of battery modules
42
. The battery pack is unified by binding together the battery modules
42
with these two end plates
43
at either end by means of binding straps
44
. The battery modules
42
are electrically connected by means of connection modules
46
,
47
comprising a plurality of metal connecting elements that effect connection between connecting terminals
45
of adjacent battery modules
42
. The connection modules
46
,
47
are fixedly mounted in synthetic resin holders by insertion molding.
In one of the connection modules
46
at one end in the longitudinal direction of battery modules
42
, there are also insertion-molded battery voltage detection terminals, while, in the other connection module
47
at the other end, only the metal connection elements are insertion-molded. The battery voltage detection terminals are connected to a battery voltage detection device
48
.
However, with a battery pack
41
as described above, there are variations in the position of the connecting terminals
45
of the battery modules
42
in the direction orthogonal to the direction of arrangement of the battery modules
42
. This means that the connecting terminals
45
are not positioned on the same plane, and when, in this condition, connecting terminals
45
are connected by directly screwing onto connection modules
46
,
47
, there is the problem that load acts on the connecting terminals
45
, impairing the sealing characteristics between the connecting terminals
45
and the battery cases. A further problem was that, due to the variations in the thickness dimensions of the battery modules
42
, it was impossible to eliminate variations in the positions of connecting terminals
45
in the direction of arrangement of battery modules
42
. Such variations can sometimes be so large that screwing attachment and fixing of the connection modules
46
,
47
is difficult.
A further problem was that, when such a battery pack
41
was arranged within the metal body of a vehicle, there was a risk that contact between the metal body and connecting terminals
45
of battery pack
41
resulting for example from a vehicle collision could result in the formation of a short circuit.
Yet a further problem was that, since there was a considerable voltage difference between adjacent connecting terminals
45
,
45
that were not mutually connected and the spatial distance between these was short, there was a risk of a short circuit being generated if dust collected between them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack wherein, even if there are variations in the position of the connecting terminals of the battery modules, fixing of the connection modules can be performed easily without compromising sealing performance of the connecting. Terminals.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack, wherein, even though the battery pack is mounted in a metallic body of a vehicle, there is no risk of short-circuiting in the event of collisions etc, and wherein short-circuiting due to accumulation of dust between the connecting terminals cannot occur.
A battery pack according to the present invention comprises:
a plurality of prismatic battery modules, each of the plurality of battery modules having a positive electrode connecting terminal and a negative. Electrode connecting terminal arranged at opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of the battery modules, the plurality of battery modules being arranged in a row such that the positive electrode connecting terminal and the negative electrode connecting terminal are directed alternately in opposite directions; and
a first connection module and a second connection module arranged respectively at opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of the battery modules, wherein the first and second connection modules comprise a plurality of module connectors that are linked together in a relatively displaceable manner,
the module connectors being constructed with metal connection elements, that are integrally held in a resin frame, for connecting the positive and negative connecting terminals of adjacent battery modules.
Even if there are variations in the position of the connecting terminals in the direction orthogonal to the direction of juxtaposing arrangement of the battery modules, these can be absorbed by displacement of each of the module connectors, when the metal connecting elements are fixed with screws. No large load acts on the connecting terminals and sealing between the cases of the connecting terminals can therefore be improved. Also, even if there are variations in the pitch space of the connecting terminals due to the variations in the position of the connecting terminals in the direction of juxtaposing arrangement of the battery modules, since the module connectors are mutually displaceable, fixing of the connection modules can be achieved without difficulty.
Specifically, it is preferable that adjacent module connectors be separated by slits, the ends of voltage detection terminal holding frames that extend from the module connectors being mutually integrally linked, or that the adjacent module connectors be linked through U-shaped linkage sections.
Synthetic resin covers may be provided for covering the top and outside faces of the connection modules. When the battery pack is arranged in the metal body of a vehicle, even if the metal body is deformed in a collision etc, contact between the connecting terminals and the metal body can be prevented by these covers, thereby enabling the risk of short-circuiting to be prevented.
In a portion of the inside surface of the cover facing a connecting terminal, there nay be provided an annular rib surrounding the periphery of a portion of the connecting terminal that projects from the outer surface of a nut and is of a height greater than the height of this projecting portion. Thereby, the risk of short-circuiting can be eliminated since any risk of the covers being pierced by the connecting terminals due to these connecting terminals of small contact area pressing on the covers is avoided.
Preferably, the sheet thickness of at least the portion of the cover facing the connecting terminal should be made greater than the height of the portion projecting from the outer surface of the nut of the connecting terminal. Thereby, even if, for example, deformation of the annular ribs makes them unable to fulfill their function, the risk of short-circuiting can be eliminated.
Also, if reinforcing ribs are provided in lattice fashion in at least the portion of the outer surface of the cover facing the connecting terminal, and its periphery, the risk of short-circuiting can be eliminated even if external forces from various directions act thereon.
Insulating means may be provided on the connection modules such as to protrude into the gap between the ends of adjacent battery modules opposite the spaces between the module connectors. Thereby, entry of dust, which facilitates short-circuiting between connecting terminals, can be prevented, and so insulation between the connecting terminals can be ensured.
Specifically, insulating means may be provided on the module connectors such as to protrude into the gap between the ends of adjacent battery modules opposite the spaces between the module connectors, or, insulating means may be provided on the U-shaped linkage sections such as to protrude into the gap between the ends of adjacent battery modules opposite the spaces between the module connectors. Alternatively
Fukao Yasuyoshi
Marukawa Shuhei
Watanabe Ko
Jordan & Hamburg LLP
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
Toatley Jr. Gregory J
Wong Peter S.
LandOfFree
Battery pack does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Battery pack, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Battery pack will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2439379