Battery module

Details Battery module Battery module

2001-09-07

2004-01-06

Bell, Bruce F. (Department: 1746)

Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and

Cell support for removable cell

For plural cells

C429S151000, C429S157000, C429S158000, C429S159000, C429S160000, C429S161000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06673485

ABSTRACT:

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-272815, filed on Sep. 8, 2000, the contents of which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly to a battery module used as a battery power source for an electric vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 1
shows a conventional battery module disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 10-106533, the battery module made by connecting a plurality of cells and coupling them integrally so as to obtain a necessary power capacity. In the conventional battery module, a plurality of cylindrical cell A shown in
FIG. 2
are arranged in series in the axial direction thereof, and adjacent cells are connected together through a connector
1
shown in
FIGS. 3A
to
3
C, by welding.
As shown in
FIGS. 3A
to
3
C, the connector
1
is formed like a circular dish having two steps in a depth direction. An opening
17
is concentrically formed in a bottom plate
5
of the connector
1
, the opening
17
for inserting a protruding portion
14
of an electrode
10
of the cell A therethrough. As shown in
FIG. 4
, four projections
2
formed on the bottom plate
5
of the connector
1
are welded to the electrode
10
of the cell A. Subsequently, four projections
3
formed on a cylindrical wall
4
of the connector
1
are welded to a cell case
11
of another cell A, thereby connecting the cells electrically and mechanically together.
Another conventional battery module is disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 10-112299. As shown in FIG.
5
and
FIG. 6
, the battery module includes a tube body
21
, a plurality of elements for electromotive force (i.e., unit cells).
25
a,
25
b,
and
25
c
fitted on the peripheral surface of the body
21
, and a case
22
for covering them. In other words, the battery module is made by accommodating a plurality of elements for electromotive force in a single case.
Furthermore, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application. No. 8-329971 discloses another battery module. As shown in
FIG. 7
, the battery module includes a plurality of sealed elements for electromotive force
31
, a single case
36
for accommodating the elements
31
, and a connector
35
for connecting the elements
31
.
However, the conventional battery modules have some disadvantages. The battery module disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 10-106533 necessitates a number of connectors. Moreover, it is difficult to ensure a desired mechanical strength of the battery module, since the battery module is made by connecting a plurality of cells. Furthermore, the connectors are exposed in an external atmosphere, so that they may be progressively subjected to corrosion when condensation occurs thereon due to sudden changes in environmental temperature.
Regarding the battery module disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 10-112299, it is very difficult to electrically connect between collector leads
26
b,
26
c
and a collector lead fixing member
27
c
for connecting between the collector leads
26
b,
26
c,
while reducing a dead space between them.
Furthermore, the battery module disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 8-329971 has a low resistance to pressure of gas generated from the element for electromotive force, since each of the elements is sealed with a sealing sheet. What is worse, such a battery module is unsuitable for a large capacity electric discharge because a current-feeding portion is made of a thin metal plate in order to seal each of the elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module having a high mechanical strength, a high weight energy density, a high volume energy density, and a corrosion-free connection between cells.
To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a battery module which includes a cylindrical or columnar case; a plurality of elements for electromotive force accommodated in the case, the elements being placed in series in the axial direction of the case; a partition wall for spatially isolating the elements from one another; an electric connector for connecting the elements through the partition wall; and sealing plates placed on both ends of the case. In the battery module, a desired mechanical strength is obtained because the plurality of elements for electromotive force is accommodated in a single case. Moreover, since the connecting portion between the elements for electromotive force is positioned inside the case, a corrosion-free connection between the elements is achieved and the dead space is minimized, resulting in a high weight energy density and a high volume energy density. Preferably the electric connector is loaded into the partition wall by pressing, so that the boundary face therebetween is sealed to prevent liquid or gas leakage.
These and other objects and characteristics of the present invention will become further clear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.


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patent: 10-106533 (1998-04-01), None
patent: 10-112299 (1998-04-01), None
patent: 10-340738 (1998-12-01), None
patent: 2000-62472 (2000-02-01), None

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