This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP
2014-105962 filed on May 22, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack, a power storage device, a power
storage system, an electronic appliance, an electric vehicle, and a power system.
Background Art
[0003] In recent years, the application of secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries
have rapidly expanded and the batteries have come to be applied to, for example,
storage batteries for automobiles or power storage devices for electric power accu
mulation combined with the new energy system, such as solar batteries or wind power
generation. For generating high output, a battery system to which one or a plurality of
power storage devices is connected is used. For example, a power storage device is
formed by housing one or a plurality of battery blocks, which corresponds to a battery
pack, in an exterior case. The battery block is formed by connecting a plurality of unit
cells (also referred to as a single battery or a cell, and hereinafter called battery cell
simply), which corresponds to an example of a power storage element.
[0004] PTLs 1 to 5 have disclosed techniques related to the power storage device including
the battery pack.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0005] PTL 1: JP 2011-521403 T
PTL 2: JP 2008-541386 T
PTL 3: JP 2009-123371 A
PTL 4: JP 5030499 B
PTL 5: JP 2010-282811 A
Summary
Technical Problem
[0006] In the battery pack, it is necessary to detect the voltage of a plurality of battery cells
more accurately.
[0007] In view of the above, it has been desired to provide a battery pack, a power storage
device, a power storage system, an electronic appliance, an electric vehicle, and a
power system that can detect the voltage of a plurality of battery cells more accurately.
Solution to Problem
[0008] For solving the problem, the present technique provides a battery module comprising
a battery group including a plurality of battery columns, the battery columns include at
least a first battery column and a second battery column each including a plurality of
battery cells ; and a connection terminal portion coupled with terminal lanes of the
battery cells, wherein the connection terminal portion includes a coupling portion
including a first coupling portion configured to couple at least with the first battery
column and a second coupling portion configured to couple at least with the second
battery column adjacent to the first battery column, and an extension portion extended
from an end of the coupling portion in a longitudinal direction, and when a horizontal
distance between the first battery column and the second battery column is L and a
center line between the first and second battery columns is set, a center of an extension
starting end of the extension portion is between a first position of a horizontal distance
L/ 12 on a first side of the first coupling portion from the center line and a second
position of a horizontal distance 3L/12 on a second side of the second coupling portion
from the center line.
[0009] The present technique provides a battery module comprising: a battery group
including a plurality of battery columns, the battery columns include at least a first
battery column and a second battery column each including a plurality of battery cells ;
and a connection terminal portion coupled with terminal planes of the battery cells,
wherein the connection terminal portion includes a coupling portion including a first
coupling portion configured to couple at least with the first battery column and a
second coupling portion configured to couple at least with the second battery column
adjacent to the first battery column, and an extension portion obtained by connecting a
first portion extended from a first end of the first coupling portion in a longitudinal
direction and a second portion extended from a second end of the second coupling
portion in a longitudinal direction.
[0010] The present technique provides a battery module comprising: a battery group
including a plurality of battery columns, the battery columns include at least a first
battery column and a second battery column each including a plurality of battery cells ;
and a connection terminal portion coupled with terminal planes of the battery cells,
wherein the connection terminal portion includes a coupling portion including a first
coupling portion configured to couple at least with the first battery column and a
second coupling portion configured to couple at least with the second battery column
adjacent to the first battery column, and an extension portion connected to the
connection terminal portion, wherein the extension portion is at a position to allow
measurement of a first resistance value between the position and the first coupling
portion and a second resistance value between the position and the second coupling
portion, and wherein a resistance value difference between the first and second r e
sistance values is 0.4 or less.
[001 1] The present technique provides a connection terminal portion for a battery module
comprising: a coupling portion including a first coupling portion configured to couple
at least with a first battery column and a second coupling portion configured to couple
at least with a second battery column adjacent to the first battery column, and an
extension portion extended from an end of the coupling portion in a longitudinal
direction, and when a horizontal distance between the first battery column and the
second battery column is L and a center line between the first and second battery
columns is set, a center of an extension starting end of the extension portion is between
a first position of a horizontal distance L/12 on a first side of the first coupling portion
from the center line and a second position of a horizontal distance 3L/12 on a second
side of the second coupling portion from the center line.
[0012] A power storage device, a power storage system, an electronic appliance, an electric
vehicle, and a power system according to an embodiment of the present technique
include the aforementioned battery pack.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present technique, the voltage of a plurality of
battery cells can be detected more accurately.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0014] [fig. 1]Fig. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating an external appearance of a power
storage device.
[fig.2]Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional diagram taken along a line A-A' of Fig. 1.
[fig.3]Fig. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electric structure of a
power storage device according to a first embodiment of the present technique.
[fig.4]Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the electric structure of the
power storage device according to the first embodiment of the present technique.
[fig.5]Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a front end portion of a
power storage device.
[fig.6]Fig. 6 is a perspective diagram illustrating a member that is removed with a front
plane portion.
[fig.7]Fig. 7 is a perspective diagram illustrating the state in which the front plane
portion has been removed.
[fig.8]Fig. 8 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electric structure of the
power storage device according to the first embodiment of the present technique.
[fig.9]Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a structure example of a
battery unit.
[fig.lO]Fig. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating a structure example of a top case
[fig. 1l]Fig. 11 is a perspective diagram illustrating the state before two battery units
are combined.
[fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective diagram illustrating a structure of the
partition plate and a state before the partition plate and the battery block group are
combined.
[fig.l3]Fig. 13A is a perspective diagram illustrating a part of the connection terminal
portion having a structure different from that of the present technique. Fig. 13B is a
plan diagram illustrating the part of the connection terminal portion having the
structure different from that of the present technique.
[fig.l4]Fig. 14 is a plan diagram of the power storage device including the typical
connection terminal portion, which is different from that of the present technique.
[fig.l5]Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the connection
terminal portion on the top plane side and the connection terminal portion on the
bottom plane side, which are obtained by viewing Fig. 14 from the top plane side
[fig. 16] Fig. 16A to Fig. 16D are schematic diagrams illustrating the polarity of the
terminal planes of the battery cells coupled to the connection terminal portion on the
top plane side and the connection terminal portion on the bottom plane side, and the
electric structure.
[fig.l7]Fig. 17A is a plan diagram illustrating a part of a power storage device
including a connection terminal portion of the present technique. Fig. 17B and Fig.
17C are schematic diagrams illustrating the polarity of the terminal planes of the
battery cells coupled to the connection terminal portion on the top plane side and the
connection terminal portion on the bottom plane side.
[fig.l8]Fig. 18 is a perspective diagram illustrating a structure example of the entire
connection terminal portion.
[fig.l9]Fig. 19A is a perspective diagram illustrating a part of the connection terminal
portion. Fig. 19B is a plan diagram illustrating a part of the connection terminal
portion.
[fig.20]Fig. 20 is a plan diagram illustrating a modified example of the connection
terminal portion.
[fig.21]Fig. 2 1 is a photograph of a structure of the connection terminal portion and the
like used in the test example.
[fig.22]Fig. 22 is a graph of the measurement results from the test example.
[fig.23]Fig. 23 is a plan diagram illustrating a structure example of a connection
terminal portion used in a power storage device according to a second embodiment.
[fig.24]Fig. 24 is a block diagram for describing an application example of the power
storage device according to an embodiment of the present technique.
[fig.25]Fig. 25 is a block diagram for describing an application example of the power
storage device according to an embodiment of the present technique.
Description of Embodiments
[0015] Embodiments of the present technique are described below with reference to the
drawings. The description is made in the following order. Throughout the drawings,
the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numeral.
1. First embodiment (an example of power storage device)
2. Second embodiment (another example of power storage device)
3. Another embodiment (modified example)
4. Application example
Note that the embodiments and the like described below are the preferable specific
examples of the present technique and the content of the present technique is not
limited to the embodiments and the like. Moreover, the effect described in this speci
fication is just the example and the effect different from the effect herein described
may be obtained.
[0016] 1. First embodiment
(Structure example of power storage device)
A structure example of a power storage device according to a first embodiment of the
present technique is described with reference to drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective
diagram illustrating an external appearance of a power storage device. Fig. 2 is a
sectional diagram taken along a line A-A' of Fig. 1. Note that in Fig. 2, the
components other than an exterior case, a battery case, a battery cell, and a partition
plate are not illustrated. Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an electric structure of a power
storage device according to the first embodiment of the present technique. Fig. 4
schematically illustrates the electric structure of the power storage device according to
the first embodiment of the present technique.
[0017] As illustrated in Fig. 1, a power storage device 1 includes an exterior case 20. The
exterior case 20 is an approximately rectangular parallelepiped with a front plane
portion 20a, a rear plane portion 20b, a top plane portion 20c, a bottom plane portion
20d, and two side plane portions 20e and 20f. As the material of the exterior case 20, a
material with high thermal conductivity and a high radiation rate is preferable. In other
words, for the front plane portion 20a, the rear plane portion 20b, the top plane portion
20c, the bottom plane portion 20d, and the two side plane portions 20e and 20f, the
material with the high thermal conductivity and the high radiation rate is preferably
used. This enables the case to have high heat release property and can suppress the
temperature increase inside the exterior case 20. For example, each of the front plane
portion 20a, the rear plane portion 20b, the top plane portion 20c, the bottom plane
portion 20d, and the two side plane portions 20e and 20f of the exterior case 20 has a
plate-like shape or a shape obtained by processing a plate-like shape. The plate-like
body is, for example, a metal plate of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, copper alloy,
or the like.
[0018] The front plane portion 20a of the case is covered with a protective cover 21. The
protective cover 2 1 is formed of, for example, an insulating material such as resin. By
covering the front plane portion 20a with the protective cover 2 1 formed of the in
sulating material, for example, the front plane portion 20a can be surely insulated from
the connection member that electrically connects between the plural power storage
devices 1, such as a bus bar. Note that the power storage device 1 can be placed with
the plane other than the front plane portion 20a facing downward. In other words, the
power storage device 1 can be placed with the rear plane portion 20b, the top plane
portion 20c, the bottom plane portion 20d, the side plane portion 20e, or the side plane
portion 20f facing downward.
[0019] As illustrated in Fig. 2, a battery unit 51, a battery unit 52, and a board with a control
circuit block, etc. mounted thereon (not illustrated in Fig. 2) are housed in the exterior
case 20 of the power storage device 1. Each of the battery unit 5 1 and the battery unit
52 is obtained by arranging components such as a battery block group 10, which is a
battery pack including a plurality of battery cells 10a, a partition plate 93 inserted
between the columns of the battery cells 10a arranged in the columnar shape, and a
connection terminal portion 9 1 (not shown in Fig. 2) that electrically connects between
the battery cells 10a in a battery case 6 1 including a top case 61a and a bottom case
61b.
[0020] The side plane portion 20e of the exterior case 20 on the front side and the side plane
portion 20f thereof on the rear side are, for example, rectangular plate-like bodies. The
battery unit 51 is fixed on the side plane portion 20f and the battery unit 52 is fixed on
the side plane portion 20e. Although not shown, for example, the battery unit 51 is
fixed to the side plane portion 20f by having a plurality of convex engagement parts of
the side plane portion 20f fitted to a plurality of hole-like engagement parts of the
bottom plane portion of the bottom case 61b. Moreover, the battery unit 52 is fixed to
the side plane portion 20e by having a plurality of convex engagement parts of the side
plane portion 20e fitted to a plurality of hole-like engagement parts of the bottom plane
portion of the bottom case 61b.
[0021] The battery block group 10 includes, for example, a plurality of battery blocks
connected in series, and one battery block includes a plurality of battery cells 10a
connected in parallel. The battery cell 10a is, for example, a secondary battery such as
a cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery. Note that the battery cell 10a is not limited
to the lithium ion secondary battery.
[0022] For example, the battery unit 51 and the battery unit 52 are housed in the exterior
case 20 while being two-stage stacked horizontally in the state that the bottom plane
portion and the top plane portion of the battery case 6 1 face in a horizontal
direction. A space S is provided between the surfaces of the battery unit 51 and the
battery unit 52 that face each other, which is specifically described below.
[0023] As illustrated in Fig. 3, for example, in the battery unit 5 1 and the battery unit 52,
battery blocks Bl to B16 each including 14 battery cells 10a connected in parallel to
each other are housed while being connected in series. The battery unit 5 1 houses the
battery block group 10 including the battery blocks Bl to B8, and the battery unit 52
houses the battery block group 10 including the battery blocks B9 to B16. Note that
the number of battery cells 10a included in each battery block is not limited to 14 and
the number of battery blocks included in the battery block group 10 is not limited to
the above number.
[0024] In the battery unit 5 1 and the battery unit 52, the connection terminal portion 9 1
formed of the electrically conductive material for connection is used for connecting
between the battery cells 10a or between the battery cells 10a and the adjacent battery
blocks in series and/or in parallel. The connection terminal portion 9 1 is a plateshaped
body formed of the electrically conductive material such as metal.
[0025] Each of the battery blocks Bl to B16 is connected to the control circuit block
(hereinafter called control block), and the charging and discharging are controlled
thereby. The charging and discharging are conducted through an external positive
electrode terminal 4 and an external negative electrode terminal 5. For example, one
power storage device 1 outputs (16 * 3.2 V = 51. 2 V).
[0026] For monitoring the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery cell 10a, the
control block is provided in the power storage device 1. The information from the
control block is transmitted to the external controller through the communication. The
external controller conducts the management for the charging, the discharging, and the
deterioration suppression. For example, the control block monitors the voltage of each
battery block, converts the detected voltage into digital signals, and transmits the
signals to a control box ICNT, which is the external controller. In addition to the
voltage, the temperature of each battery block may be detected, the temperature may
be converted into digital data, and the data may be transmitted to the control box
ICNT.
[0027] Fig. 4 illustrates an example of the control block. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the voltage
at opposite ends of the 16 battery blocks Bl to B16 connected in series and the voltage
of each battery block are detected. A multiplexer 8 (MUX 8) for sequentially
outputting the voltage at opposite ends of the battery blocks Bl to B16 connected in
series and the voltage of each battery block is provided.
[0028] The MUX 8 selects one piece of analog voltage data from among n pieces of analog
voltage data by switching channels in response to a predetermined control signal. The
one piece of analog voltage data selected by the MUX 8 is supplied to an A/D
converter (ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) 6).
[0029] The ADC 6 converts the analog voltage data supplied from the MUX 8 into digital
voltage data. For example, the analog voltage data are converted into the digital
voltage data of 14 to 18 bits. The digital voltage data from the ADC 6 are supplied to a
communication unit COM1. The communication unit COM1 is controlled by the
control unit 7 to communicate with an external device to be connected through a com
munication terminal. For example, the communication is made with another power
storage device MO through the communication terminal and with the control box
ICNT through the communication terminal. Moreover, the control signal is received
from the control box ICNT through the communication terminal. Thus, the commu
nication unit COM1 conducts the bidirectional communication.
[0030] Moreover, the control unit 7 controls to homogenize the voltages of the battery
blocks B1 to B16. Such control is referred to as cell balance control. For example, if
the discharge voltage of one battery block among the battery blocks Bl to B16 has
reached the lower limit, the other battery blocks still have a capacity left. In the next
charging, the other battery blocks having the capacity left reach the charge upper-limit
voltage sooner and therefore it is difficult to obtain the fully-charged state. For
avoiding such unbalance, the MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect
Transistor) is turned on so that the battery block having the capacity left is forcibly
discharged. Note that the type of the cell balance control is not limited to the passive
type as described above and may be so-called active type or other various types.
[0031] A pulse generator 17 generates control pulses for a switch (MOSFET) SI on the
primary side of a flyback transformer Tl of a module balance control circuit, which
controls the voltage balance between the power storage device 1 and the plural power
storage devices MO. The pulse generator 17 generates control pulses in response to
control signals from the control unit 7 of the module controller CTN1. For example,
the pulse generator 17 outputs the control pulses whose pulse width has been
modulated. The control pulses for a switch (MOSFET) S01 on the secondary side of
the flyback transformer Tl are supplied from an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) in the
communication unit COM1.
[0032] Based on the voltage information from the power storage device 1 and the power
storage devices MO, the control box ICNT decides the sequence of the balance
between the power storage devices. The presence or absence of the charging and di s
charging of the balance between the power storage devices is individually transmitted
to the MCU in each power storage device. The MCU supplies the control signal
directly to the secondary side of the flyback transformer or transmits the control signal
to the primary side of the flyback transformer Tl through the insulated communication
via the insulating unit ISO.
[0033] The temperature detector 15 includes a temperature detection element such as a
thermistor. The analog temperature data T representing the temperature of each of the
battery blocks B l to B16 detected by the temperature detector 15 are supplied to a cell
temperature multiplexer 16 (MUX 16). For example, the analog temperature data Tl
representing the temperature of the battery block Bl are supplied to the MUX 16. The
analog temperature data T2 representing the temperature of the battery block B2 are
supplied to the MUX 16. Similarly, the analog temperature data T3 to analog tem
perature data T16 respectively representing the temperature of the battery blocks B3 to
B 16 are supplied to the MUX 16.
[0034] The MUX 16 switches the channels in response to a predetermined control signal to
select one piece of analog temperature data T from 16 pieces of analog temperature
data T l to T16. The one piece of analog temperature data T selected by the MUX 16
are supplied to the ADC 6.
[0035] The current detector 9 detects the value of current flowing through the plural battery
blocks B 1 to B 16. The current detector 9 includes, for example, a current detection
resistor 9a and a current detection amplifier 9b. The current detection resistor 9a
detects the analog current data representing the voltage value at the both opposite ends
of the current detection resistor 9a. The analog current data are constantly detected
either during the charging or the discharging, for example. The analog current data
may be detected at a predetermined cycle.
[0036] The detected analog current data are supplied to the current detection amplifier
9b. The current detection amplifier 9b amplifies the analog current data. The
amplified analog current data are supplied to the ADC 6.
[0037] With the ADC 6, the analog current data supplied from the current detection
amplifier 9b are converted into the digital current data. The analog current data are
converted into the digital current data and the digital current data are output by the
ADC 6.
[0038] For example, upon the detection of the flow of excessively large current at the di s
charging, the module controller CTN1 determines the state as the over-current di s
charging state and controls the switch (not shown) to an open state (state of blocking
the current). On the other hand, upon the detection of excessively large current in the
charging, the module controller CTNl controls the switch (not shown) to an open state
(state of blocking the current).
[0039] The insulating unit ISC1 has a function of insulating between the communication
unit COMl and the module controller CTNl. In other words, the reference potential of
the power source of the communication unit COMl and the reference potential of the
power source of the module controller CTNl are separated and made in
dependent. Moreover, in the insulated state, the insulating unit ISC1 has the function
of supplying the power source voltage to the module controller CTNl and the function
as a transmission medium of the bidirectional communication.
[0040] In the bidirectional communication conducted through the insulating unit ISO, for
example, CAN specification can be used. As the power transmission conducted
through the insulating unit ISO, an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic
resonance type, a radio wave reception type, or the like can be used.
[0041] In the first embodiment, for example, a noncontact IC card technique is used. In the
noncontact IC card technique, communication and power transmission are conducted
between a reader/writer and a card by the magnetic coupling between an antenna coil
of the reader/writer and an antenna coil of the card. The communication is conducted
at a speed of 212 or 424 kbps by using a method in which the carrier wave with a
frequency of 13.56 kHz is modulated by ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying). The in
sulating unit ISO has the specification similar to the noncontact IC card. Moreover,
for example, the insulating unit ISO performs the communication and the power
transmission between the antennas (coils) formed in the different layers of the
multilayer printed board.
[0042] (Front end portion of power storage device)
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a front end portion of a power
storage device. Fig. 6 is a perspective diagram illustrating a member that is removed
with the front plane portion. Fig. 7 is a perspective diagram illustrating the state in
which the front plane portion has been removed.
[0043] As illustrated in Fig. 5, the front plane portion 20a is covered with the protective
cover 21, and the space for housing the component group including the board and the
like is secured on the inner surface side of the front plane portion 20a. In this space,
the component group including at least an external communication board 45 and an
output terminal board 44 illustrated in Fig. 6 is disposed and fixed. This component
group specifically includes, for example, the output terminal board 44 provided with
the external positive electrode terminal 4 and the external negative electrode terminal
5, which correspond to output terminals, the external communication board 45, a fuse
2, bus bars 47al to 47a3, a board holding member 49, connectors 3a and 3b, and the
like. The external communication board 45 and the output terminal board 44 are
connected to a main board 46 with a connector (not shown). The board holding
member 49 is formed of an insulating material such as resin, and plays the role of
holding the boards mechanically and additionally insulating between the boards and
between the board and the components, for example. Moreover, two sub-boards 42 are
fixed to the battery unit 51 and the battery unit 52. For example, the sub-board 42 is
disposed and fixed so that one main plane of the sub-board 42 is opposite to, and partly
in close contact with one wall surface among four wall surfaces of the battery case 61,
which is orthogonal to the column direction of the battery column. The sub-boards 42,
the output terminal board 44, the external communication board 45, and the main
board 46 have a control block mounted thereon, the control block including monitor
and control circuits as illustrated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Thus, the component group
including the plural boards and the like configured separately is disposed between the
inner surface of the front plane portion 20a and the front wall surface of the battery
unit 51 and the battery unit 52 and each is connected with a connection member or a
connector such as a plate-shaped member, for example, the bus bars 47al to
47a3. Accordingly, the connection between the boards is easily possible. Such a
power storage device 1 is capable of easy and efficient assembly and can achieve high
energy due to the space reduction.
[0044] When the front plane portion 20a covered with the protective cover 2 1 is removed,
the component group including at least the external communication board 45 and the
output terminal board 44 is also removed together with the front plane portion 20a. As
illustrated in Fig. 7, when the front plane portion 20a and the component group are
removed, the portion including the main board 46 disposed more on the rear side than
the component group is exposed to the outside from the opening of the exterior case 20
from which the front plane portion 20a has been removed. Then, the operator can put
his hand into the opening to maintain the main board 46, for example, or extract the
main board 46 quickly. Thus, simply by removing the front plane portion 20a and the
component group together with the front plane portion 20a enables the maintenance of
the main board 46, whereby the maintenability can be improved. That is to say, the
maintenance, the inspection, and the exchange of the components included in the
component group can be facilitated. Further, the complicated wire extraction and rear
rangement of the wires can be omitted.
[0045] The external positive electrode terminal 4 and the external negative electrode
terminal 5 provided for the power storage device 1 for charging and discharging are
exposed to the outside through the opening provided for the protective cover 2 1 and
the front plane portion 20a.
[0046] The front plane portion 20a and the protective cover 2 1 of the power storage device 1
are provided with windows 25a, 25b, 26a, and 26b which are close to each other. As
illustrated in Fig. 1, the windows 25a, 25b, 26a, and 26b are covered with a conductive
member 11 during the operation of the power storage device 1.
[0047] The connectors 3a and 3b are installed inside the windows 25a and 25b of the front
plane portion 20a. As illustrated in Fig. 8, the terminals of the battery blocks Bl to
B16 connected in series on the positive electrode side are connected to the connector
3a through the fuse 2 serving as a current blocking element. The other connector 3b is
provided near the connector 3a. The connector 3b is connected to the external positive
electrode terminal 4. The terminal of the battery blocks Bl to B16 on the negative
electrode side is connected to the external negative electrode terminal 5.
[0048] As the connection portion for the connectors 3a and 3b, the conductive member 11
capable of free insertion and removal is provided for preventing the wrong
connection. The conductive member 11 has a structure that a conductive plate is bent
to have a pair of plate-shaped projections 12a and 12b and a base part of the
conductive plate is attached to one surface of a support plate 13. By extension of one
end of the support plate 13, a cover 14 is formed. Further, the other surface of the
support plate 13 is provided with a knob 15. The support plate 13 having the cover 14
and the knob 15 is, for example, a molded product of synthetic resin.
[0049] The connectors 3a and 3b have two spring contact plates disposed to face each other,
and have a space between the two spring contact plates into which the plate-shaped
projections 12a and 12b of the conductive member 11 can be inserted through the
windows 25a and 25b. Moreover, the windows 26a and 26b can be closed by the
cover 14 integrated with the support plate 13 of the conductive member 11. Since the
plate-shaped projections 12a and 12b are held by the two spring contact plates of the
connectors 3a and 3b, the state in which the conductive member 11 is inserted in the
connectors 3a and 3b can be maintained.
[0050] By the insertion of the plate-shaped projections 12a and 12b of the conductive
member 11 into the space of each connector, the connectors 3a and 3b are connected
(made electrically conductive) by the conductive member 11. On the other hand, by
the removal of the plate-shaped projections 12a and 12b of the conductive member 11
out of the space of each connector, the connectors 3a and 3b are disconnected (made
electrically nonconductive). In this manner, the connected state in which the
conductive member 11 is inserted into the connectors 3a and 3b and the disconnected
state in which the conductive member 11 is removed from the connectors 3a and 3b
can be switched.
[0051] An electronic component 28 for setting or connecting is disposed inside the windows
26a and 26b provided for the front plane portion 20a. The electronic component 28
corresponds to, for example, a slide switch, a rotary switch, a JTAG connector,
etc. For example, the address for the power storage device 1 is set by the rotary
switch. In other words, a plurality of power storage devices 1 can be connected and
used, and in the case of connecting the plural devices, the identification address is set
for each of the power storage devices. The external controller performs the control
process based on the addresses. The slide switch is used to increase the address
specified by the rotary switch.
[0052] The JTAG connector is a standard connector suggested by JTAG (Joint European
Test Action). The test data are input/output for inspecting an MPU (Micro Processing
Unit), an IC (Integrated Circuit), and the like in the case through the JTAG
connector. Moreover, the firmware of the internal MPU is rewritten. Note that the
electronic component may be other switching components or connectors than those
described above.
[0053] In the connected state in which the conductive member 11 is inserted into the
connectors 3a and 3b, the cover 14 covers the windows 25a, 25b, 26a, and 26b in front
of the operation plane of the electronic component. In other words, in the connected
state, the access to the electronic component is prohibited. On the other hand,
removing the conductive member 11 from the connectors 3a and 3b opens the window
in front of the operation plane of the setting unit, and by operating the operation plane
through the windows 25a, 25b, 26a, and 26b, the address of the power storage device 1
can be set, for example.
[0054] The access to the operation plane becomes possible only when the conductive
member 11 is removed to open the windows 25a, 25b, 26a, and 26b in front of the
operation plane, and thus the operation setting of the electronic component becomes
possible. By conducting the setting operation from the outside of the exterior case 20,
the workability can be improved and the safety is increased as compared to the case of
operating the electronic component inside the case.
[0055] Moreover, the power storage device 1 is provided with a connector 27, which is the
communication terminal for the communication with the external controller. As
described above, the power storage device 1 is provided with control blocks for
monitoring the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery. The information from
the control block is transmitted to the external controller through the commu
nication. The external controller executes the management for the charging, dis
charging, and deterioration suppression.
[0056] As the communication with the external controller made via the connector 27, for
example, a serial interface is used. As the serial interface, specifically, an SM bus
(System Management Bus) or the like is used. For example, I2C bus can be used. I2C
bus is for the synchronous serial communication performing the communication
through two signal lines of bidirectional SDA (serial data) and SCL (serial clock).
[0057] (Battery unit)
Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a structure example of a battery
unit. The battery unit 5 1 is formed by housing the battery block group 10 including a
plurality of battery cell blocks, the partition plate 93, the connection terminal portion
91, and a positive electrode insulating sheet 92 in the battery case 6 1 including the top
case 61a and the bottom case 61b. Note that the battery unit 52 has the structure
similar to the battery unit 51. Therefore, the structure of the battery unit 5 1 is
specifically described and the detailed description of the battery unit 52 is omitted.
[0058] (Battery case)
The battery case 6 1 includes the top case 61a and the bottom case 61b. The battery
case 6 1 is, for example, a resin molded product made of the electrically insulating
resin.
[0059] Fig. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating a structure example of the top case
61a. The top case 61a includes a top plane portion and wall portions standing around
the top plane portion. The top plane portion of the top case 61a is provided with a
plurality of openings 7 1 at which the connection terminal portion 9 1 disposed on the
terminal plane of the battery cells 10a is exposed. The top plane portion of the top case
61a is provided with a plurality of holes 72 to which projections 93a of the partition
plate 93, which will be described below, are fitted. Moreover, engagement parts 62 are
provided projecting from the top plane portion of the top case 61a. The projecting en
gagement parts 62 are provided to form a space S between the battery unit 51 and the
battery unit 52 that face each other, and moreover, by combining the battery unit 51
and the battery unit 52, the space S can be stably maintained. Although not shown, the
top plane portion of the top case 61a may be provided with a hole into which the
thermistor is inserted.
[0060] The bottom case 61b includes a bottom plane portion and wall portions standing
around the bottom plane portion. Although not shown, four hollow structure bodies
are provided in the columnar shape in the center of the bottom plane portion, and are
fitted to hollow structure bodies 70 of the top case 61a to be combined with the top
case 61a. The hollow structure body of the bottom case 61b is, for example, a hollow
structure which has a hollow cylindrical shape whose top plane is open and bottom
plane has a hole in the center. Note that the hole is fitted to the projection of the side
plane portion 20f, and is fixed with a screw as necessary, whereby the battery unit 5 1 is
fixed to the side plane portion 20f. Although not illustrated, the bottom plane portion
of the bottom case 61b is provided with the plurality of openings 7 1 at which the
connection terminal portion 91b is exposed in a manner similar to the top plane portion
of the top case 61a. The bottom plane portion of the bottom case 61b is provided with
the holes 72 into which the projections 93a of the partition plate 93 to be described
below are fitted.
[0061] Fig. 11 is a perspective diagram illustrating the state before the two battery units are
combined. As illustrated in Fig. 11, when the battery unit 5 1 and the battery unit 52
are combined, the top plane portion of the top case 61a of the battery unit 5 1 and the
top plane portion of the top case 61a of the battery unit 52 are disposed to face each
other and the engagement parts 62 projecting from one top plane portion and the en
gagement parts 62 projecting from the other top plane portion are fitted to each other.
[0062] (Battery block group)
Back to Fig. 9, the battery block group 10 has a structure in which the battery
columns including the plural battery cells 10a disposed linearly are arranged in parallel
to a direction approximately orthogonal to the column direction of the battery
column. Each of the battery columns includes, for example, 14 batteries.
[0063] The battery block group 10 is a battery pack in which the plural battery cells 10a are
electrically connected to each other. The plural battery cells 10a included in the
battery block group 10 are electrically connected to each other by the connection
terminal portion 91. For example, the battery columns constitute the battery blocks Bl
to B8 having the battery cells 10a connected in parallel. Further, the battery blocks Bl
to B8 are connected to each other in series to constitute the battery block group 10.
[0064] Although not illustrated, the battery block group 10 housed in the battery case 6 1 of
the battery unit 52 has the similar structure. For example, in each column of the
battery columns LI to L8, the battery cells 10a connected in parallel constitute the
battery blocks B9 to B16. Moreover, the battery blocks B9 to B16 are connected in
series to constitute the battery block group 10.
[0065] In the battery block group 10, the plural battery columns (battery columns LI to L8)
having the plural battery cells 10a connected in parallel are arranged in a direction ap
proximately orthogonal to the column direction and by connecting the columns in
series, the current path can be rectified in a single direction (for example, in a direction
approximately orthogonal to the column direction of the battery column), and
moreover the total length of the current path can be shortened, whereby the increase in
resistance value can be suppressed.
[0066] In the battery block group 10, the battery column LI and the battery column L2 are
disposed to face each other, the battery column L2 and the battery column L3 are
disposed to face each other, the battery column L3 and the battery column L4 are
disposed to face each other, the battery column L4 and the battery column L5 are
disposed to face each other, the battery column L5 and the battery column L6 are
disposed to face each other, and the battery column L7 and the battery column L8 are
disposed to face each other. In the battery columns LI, L3, L5, and L7, the battery
cells 10a are disposed so that the top plane corresponds to the positive electrode
terminal plane and the bottom plane corresponds to the negative electrode terminal
plane. In the battery columns L2, L4, L6, and L8, the battery cells 10a in each battery
column are disposed so that the top plane corresponds to the negative electrode
terminal plane and the bottom plane corresponds to the positive electrode terminal
plane.
[0067] In the odd-numbered battery columns LI, L3, L5, and L7, the battery cells 10a
included in each battery column are disposed linearly and in the close contact state. In
the example illustrated in Fig. 9, in the odd-numbered battery columns LI, L3, L5, and
L7, the 14 battery cells 10a included in each battery column are disposed linearly and
in the close contact state.
[0068] On the other hand, in the even-numbered battery columns L2, L4, L6, and L8, the
battery cells 10a included in the battery columns are disposed so that the space sub
stantially corresponding to one battery cell 10a is provided between two sets of battery
cells 10a disposed linearly and in the close contact state. The space substantially cor
responding to one battery is preferably disposed at the position opposite to the center
of the battery columns LI, L3, L5 or L7 that are adjacent to and opposite to each other.
[0069] In the even-numbered battery columns L2, L4, L6, and L8, the 14 battery cells 10a
included in each battery column are disposed so that the space corresponding to one
battery cell 10a is provided between two sets of seven battery cells 10a disposed
linearly and in the close contact state. The space substantially corresponding to one
battery is provided at the position opposite to the center of the battery columns LI, L3,
L5 or L7 that are adjacent to and opposite to each other.
[0070] In the space substantially corresponding to one battery cell 10a, the hollow structure
body of the bottom case 61b (not shown) and the hollow structure body 70 of the top
case 61a that faces the aforementioned hollow structure body are fitted. As described
above, the bottom plane of the hollow structure body of the top case 61a is provided
with the holes into which the projections of the side plane portion 20f are fitted and
fixed with a screw if necessary, whereby the battery unit 5 1 is fixed to the side plane
portion 20f. Since the fixing portion for the side plane portion 20f is provided near the
center of the battery unit 51, it is possible to suppress the swelling around the center of
the battery unit 5 1 that is caused by the displacement of the battery cells 10a included
in the battery block group 10, for example.
[0071] In the battery block group 10 including the battery columns L I to L8, the adjacent
battery columns are stacked into a triangular shape while being displaced in the
column direction by the length substantially equal to the radius of the circumference of
the external radius of the battery cell 10a. The arrangement in the triangular stacked
state includes the arrangement in which the substantial centers of the end surfaces of
two adjacent battery cells 10a in one column and the substance center of the battery
cell 10a in another column adjacent to the one column, which is between the two
battery cells 10a adjacent to the one column, form a substantially regular triangle.
[0072] In the arrangement in the triangular stacked state, a larger number of battery cells 10a
can be housed in the limited space of the battery case 61. Therefore, the number of
battery cells per unit area can be increased and the energy density of the power storage
device 1 can be improved.
[0073] (Connection terminal portion on top case side)
The connection terminal portion 9 1 as the coupling member, which electrically
connects the plural battery cells 10a, is provided on the terminal plane of the battery
cells 10a. One connection terminal portion 9 1 is electrically coupled with the terminal
on the bottom plane of the battery cells 10a included in the two adjacent battery
columns. The connection terminal portion 9 1 is, for example, a plate-shaped body
with an approximately rectangular planar shape, which will be described specifically
below.
[0074] (Connection terminal portion on bottom case side)
The connection terminal portions 9 1 are arranged side by side in a direction ap
proximately orthogonal to the column direction of the battery column as the connection
terminal portion 9 1 on the plane on the inside of the bottom plane portion of the
bottom case 61b. One connection terminal portion 9 1 is electrically coupled with the
terminal on the bottom plane of the battery cell 10a included in the two adjacent
battery columns.
[0075] (Positive electrode insulating sheet on top case side)
The positive electrode insulating sheet 92 is overlapped on the positive electrode
terminal plane of the battery cell 10a included in the battery block group
10. Specifically, the positive electrode insulating sheet 92 is overlapped on the
positive electrode terminal plane of the battery cell 10a whose top plane is the positive
electrode terminal plane. The positive electrode insulating sheet 92 is overlapped on
the positive electrode terminal plane of the plural battery cells 10a constituting the
battery columns.
[0076] The positive electrode insulating sheet 92 is formed of the material having the in
sulating property, such as the resin material with the insulating property. The positive
electrode insulating sheet 92 is provided with the openings into which the plural
convex positive electrode terminals are fitted.
[0077] Into each of the openings of the positive electrode insulating sheet 92, each positive
electrode terminal is fitted, and the positive electrode terminals are exposed from the
opening of the positive electrode insulating sheet 92. The positive electrode terminal
exposed from the opening of the positive electrode insulating sheet 92 is electrically
coupled with the connection terminal portion 91a or the connection terminal portion
91b. On the other hand, by covering the peripheral plane of the positive electrode
terminal with the positive electrode insulating sheet 92, the peripheral plane of the
positive electrode terminals is electrically insulated from the connection terminal
portion 91a or the connection terminal portion 91b.
[0078] (Positive electrode insulating sheet on bottom case side)
In a manner similar to the positive electrode insulating sheet 92 on the bottom case
side, the positive electrode insulating sheet 92 on the bottom case 61b side is to
suppress the short-circuiting between the peripheral plane of the convex positive
electrode terminal and the connection terminal portion 91b. The positive electrode in
sulating sheet 92 on the battery case side is overlapped on the positive electrode
terminal plane of the battery cells 10a in the battery columns L2, L4, L6 and L8.
[0079] (Structure of partition plate)
(Partition plate)
Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective diagram illustrating the structure of the partition
plate and the state before the partition plate and the battery block group are
combined. The partition plate 93 is to be fitted between the battery columns that are
opposite to and adjacent to each other in the battery block group 10 as indicated by an
arrow. The partition plate 93 is, for example, the resin molded product made of the
resin with the electrically insulating property.
[0080] Moreover, the partition plate 93 is detachable from the battery case 61. The partition
plate 93 includes a plurality of projections 93a on the top plane and the bottom plane,
and by having the projections 93a fitted to the holes 72 of the battery case 61, the
partition plate 93 can be attached to the battery case 6 1 and removed from the battery
case 6 1 by removing the fitted projections out of the hole.
[008 1] For example, the plural projections 93a are provided at predetermined positions on
the top plane and the bottom plane of the partition plate 93. The projections 93a on the
top plane are fitted to the holes 72 for positioning of the partition plate, which are
provided at predetermined positions of the top case 61a, and the projections 93a
provided on the bottom plane are fitted to the holes 72 for positioning of the partition
plate, which are provided at predetermined positions of the bottom case 61b. Thus, the
partition plate 93 is fixed between the top case 61a and the bottom case 61b.
[0082] By the fixed partition plate 93, the plural battery cells 10a can be disposed and fixed
at the predetermined positions. Thus, the battery block group 10 in which the battery
cells 10a are fixed according to the optimum arrangement for the high energy density
can be configured without the use of a conventional holder case including a plurality of
individual battery holders whose shape suits each battery. Moreover, by providing the
fixed partition plate 93 between the battery columns stacked in the state that the side
plane of the battery cell 10a faces in the vertical direction, the load applied from the
upper battery cell 10a to the lower battery cell 10a can be reduced and the pressure and
stress can be dispersed, so that the force applied to the battery block group 10 can be
distributed. Thus, the deformation of the battery cells 10a and the like can be
suppressed.
[0083] (Details of connection terminal portion of present technique)
Detailed description of the connection terminal portion 9 1 of the present technique is
hereinafter made. First, for helping the understanding of the present technique, the
typical connection terminal portion with a structure different from that of the
connection terminal portion 9 1 of the present technique is described and then, the
structure example of the connection terminal portion 9 1 of the present technique is
described.
[0084] Fig. 13A is a perspective diagram illustrating a part of the connection terminal
portion having a structure different from that of the present technique. Fig. 13B is a
plan diagram illustrating the part of the connection terminal portion having the
structure different from that of the present technique. As illustrated in Fig. 13A and
Fig. 13B, this connection terminal portion 191b has a coupling portion 191R which
couples the terminal planes of the two battery columns and an extension portion 191R3
to be connected to the sub-board 42 for sensing the voltage of the battery cells 10a.
[0085] The coupling portion 191R includes a first coupling portion 191R1 to be coupled
with the terminal plane of one battery column, and a second coupling portion 191R2 to
be coupled with the terminal plane of the other battery column that is adjacent to the
one battery column. The first coupling portion 191R1 corresponds to an ap
proximately half portion on the front side sectioned by the center line d along the lon
gitudinal direction passing the center in the short-side direction of the connection
terminal portion 191b. The second coupling portion 191R2 corresponds to an ap
proximately half portion on the rear side sectioned by the same center line d.
[0086] The extension portion 191R3 corresponds to a portion extended in a long and thin
shape with a narrower width than the width of the first coupling portion 191R1 from
the substantially central portion of one end of the first coupling portion 191R1 in the
longitudinal direction. An end of this extension portion 191R3 is connected to the subboard
42 and is assumed as a sensing position Si, at which each voltage of the battery
columns L I to L8 is sensed.
[0087] Fig. 14 is a plan diagram of the power storage device including the connection
terminal portion as illustrated in Fig. 13A and Fig. 13B. Fig. 15 is a schematic
diagram illustrating the arrangement of the connection terminal portion on the top
plane side and the connection terminal portion on the bottom plane side, which cor
responds to Fig. 14 that is viewed from the top plane side of the battery cell. Fig. 16A
to Fig. 16D are schematic diagrams illustrating the polarity of the terminal plane of the
battery cell coupled to the connection terminal portion on the top plane side and the
connection terminal portion on the bottom plane side, and the electric structure. Note
that in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16A to Fig. 16D, the connection terminal portion 191a is not i l
lustrated.
[0088] In the battery columns LI, L3, L5, and L7 illustrated in Fig. 14, the battery cells 10a
included in the battery columns are arranged so that the top plane is the negative
electrode terminal plane and the bottom plane is the positive electrode terminal
plane. In the battery columns L2, L4, L6, and L8, the battery cells 10a included in the
battery columns are arranged so that the top plane is the positive electrode terminal
plane and the bottom plane is the negative electrode terminal plane.
[0089] As illustrated in Fig. 15, on the top plane side of the battery cell 10a, two connection
terminal portions 191a (not shown) and three connection terminal portions 191b are
arranged side by side in a direction approximately orthogonal to the column direction
of the battery column, and on the bottom plane side of the battery cell 10a, four
connection terminal portions 191b2 illustrated with dotted lines are arranged side by
side in a direction approximately orthogonal to the column direction of the battery
column. Note that the connection terminal portion 191bi and the connection terminal
portion 191b2 are referred to as the connection terminal portion 191b unless they need
to be distinguished.
[0090] As illustrated in Fig. 16A, the connection terminal portion 191bi is electrically
coupled with the positive electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the
battery column L2 and the negative electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a
included in the battery column L3. The connection terminal portion 191b is elec
trically coupled with the positive electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included
in the battery column L4 and the negative electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a
included in the battery column L5. Moreover, the connection terminal portion 191b is
electrically coupled with the positive electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a
included in the battery column L6 and the negative electrode terminals of the battery
cells 10a included in the battery column L7.
[0091] As illustrated in Fig. 16C, the connection terminal portion 191b2 is electrically
coupled with the positive electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the
battery column LI and the negative electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a
included in the battery column L2. The connection terminal portion 191b2 is elec
trically coupled with the positive electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included
in the battery column L3 and the negative electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a
included in the battery column L4. Moreover, the connection terminal portion 191b is
electrically coupled with the positive electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a
included in the battery column L5 and the negative electrode terminals of the battery
cells 10a included in the battery column L6. Moreover, the connection terminal
portion 191b is electrically coupled with the positive electrode terminals of the battery
cells 10a included in the battery column L7 and the negative electrode terminals of the
battery cells 10a included in the battery column L8.
[0092] As illustrated in the electric structure in Fig. 16B, the battery columns LI, L3, L5,
and L7 are close to the voltage sensing position on the other hand, the battery
columns L2, L4, L6, and L8 are far from the voltage sensing position Si.
[0093] As illustrated in Fig. 16D, for example, in the connection terminal portion 191b2
where the two battery columns are coupled, current flows between the two battery
columns through a resistor R, which is the portion where the resistance of the
connection terminal portion 191b2 is generated from the sensing position Si, as
indicated by an arrow. Therefore, at the sensing position Si, the voltage of the battery
column that is far from the sensing position Si is sensed after being influenced by the
voltage drop due to the resistor R. On the other hand, at the sensing position Si, the
voltage of the battery column that is close to the sensing position Si is sensed without
being influenced by the voltage drop due to the resistor R.
[0094] Therefore, in the two battery columns coupled to one connection terminal portion
191b, the measurement error is caused in the sensed voltage between one battery
column that is close to the sensing position Si and the other battery column that is far
from the sensing position Si because of the voltage drop by the resistor R. Since large
current (for example, 10 A or more) flows in the power storage device, the mea
surement error corresponding to the voltage drop due to the resistor R tends to be
large. For solving this, in the present technique, the connection terminal portion with
the structure as described below is employed.
[0095] (Structure of connection terminal portion of present technique)
A structure example of a connection terminal portion of the present technique is
described. Fig. 17A is a plan diagram illustrating a part of a power storage device
including a connection terminal portion of the present technique. Fig. 17B is a
schematic diagram illustrating the polarity of the terminal planes of the battery cell
coupled to the connection terminal portion on the top plane side and the connection
terminal portion on the bottom plane side, and the electric structure. Note that in Fig.
17B, the connection terminal portion 91a is not illustrated.
[0096] As illustrated in Fig. 17A and Fig. 17B, on the top plane side of the battery cell 10a,
two connection terminal portions 91a and three connection terminal portions 91bi are
arranged side by side as the connection terminal portion 9 1 of the present technique in
a direction approximately orthogonal to the column direction of the battery column,
and on the bottom plane side of the battery cell, four connection terminal portions 91b2
are arranged side by side as the connection terminal portion 9 1 of the present technique
in a direction approximately orthogonal to the column direction of the battery
column. Note that the connection terminal portion 91bx and the connection terminal
portion 91b2 are referred to as the connection terminal portion 91b unless they need to
be distinguished.
[0097] The connection terminal portion 91a is electrically coupled with the terminal planes
of the battery cells 10a constituting one battery column. The connection terminal
portion 91b is electrically coupled with the terminal planes of the battery cells 10a con
stituting the adjacent two battery columns. As the method of coupling, for example,
electric resistance welding or laser heating welding is applicable; however, the method
is not limited thereto and other known welding methods are applicable.
[0098] By connecting at least one battery column with one connection terminal portion 91a
or one connection terminal portion 91b, the resistance value can be reduced and the
heat generation of the terminal can also be reduced. Moreover, the coupling between
the connection terminal portions is also possible by the simple coupling. Moreover, a
measurement terminal for the battery cells 10a can be shared. Since the battery cells
10a constituting the battery column are coupled with one connection terminal portion,
the assembling work can be simplified and the working efficiency at the assembly can
be improved. In addition, the coupling portions can be reduced, whereby the tem
perature increase of the battery cells 10a at the coupling time in the assembly can be
reduced. The heat generated in the charging and discharging of the battery cells 10a
can be transmitted to the connection terminal portion 91a and the connection terminal
portion 91b and released.
[0099] As illustrated in Fig. 17B, the connection terminal portion 91bx is electrically coupled
with the positive electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the battery
column L2 and with the negative electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included
in the battery column L3. The connection terminal portion 91bx is electrically coupled
with the positive electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the battery
column L4 and with the negative electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included
in the battery column L5. The connection terminal portion 91bx is electrically coupled
with the positive electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the battery
column L6 and with the negative electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included
in the battery column L7.
[0100] The connection terminal portion 91b2 is electrically coupled with the positive
electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the battery column LI and with
the negative electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the battery column
L2. The connection terminal portion 191b2 is electrically coupled with the positive
electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the battery column L3 and with
the negative electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the battery column
L4. The connection terminal portion 191b is electrically coupled with the positive
electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the battery column L5 and with
the negative electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the battery column
L6. The connection terminal portion 191b is electrically coupled with the positive
electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the battery column L7 and with
the negative electrode terminals of the battery cells 10a included in the battery column
L8.
[0101] Fig. 18 is a perspective diagram illustrating a structure example of the entire
connection terminal portion of the present technique. The connection terminal portion
91b has an approximately line symmetric shape that is symmetric along a center line c
along a short- side direction. A notch 99b exists in the center in the longitudinal
direction. For example, the notch 99b has an arc-like shape. For example, the notch
99b of the connection terminal portion 91b is disposed at a position overlapping with a
space substantially corresponding to one battery cell in the even-numbered battery
column. By the provision of the notch 99b, the heat propagation can be
suppressed. Moreover, if large current is generated in the occurrence of abnormality of
the battery, the connection terminal portion 9 1 is fused starting from the notch 99b,
thereby blocking the current. Note that the connection terminal portion 91a also has
the similar cut portion 99a and notch 99b and has the approximately line symmetric
shape that is symmetric along a center line along the short-side direction, whereby the
effect similar to the aforementioned effect can be obtained.
[0102] Fig. 19A is a perspective diagram illustrating a part of the connection terminal
portion illustrated in Fig. 18, and Fig. 19B is a plan diagram illustrating the part of the
connection terminal portion illustrated in Fig. 18. The connection terminal portion 91b
includes a coupling portion 91R to be connected to the terminal plane of two battery
columns, and an extension portion 91R3 to be connected to the sub-board 42 for
detecting the voltage of the battery cells 10a.
[0103] The coupling portion 91R includes a first coupling portion 91R1 to be coupled with
the terminal plane of one battery column, and a second coupling portion 91R2 to be
coupled with the terminal plane of the other battery column that is adjacent to the one
battery column. The first coupling portion 91R1 corresponds to an approximately half
portion on the front side (left side in Fig. 19B) sectioned by the center line d along the
longitudinal direction passing the center in the short- side direction of the connection
terminal portion 91b. The second coupling portion 91R2 corresponds to an ap
proximately half portion on the rear side (right side in Fig. 19B) sectioned by the same
center line d. The coupling portion 91R is coupled with the terminal plane of the one
battery column and the terminal plane of the other battery column which are stacked
into a triangular shape. For dealing with this, the first coupling portion 91R1
preferably has the portion that is extended by the length substantially equal to the
radius of the circumference of the external shape of the battery cell in the longitudinal
direction for each of one end and the other end of the second coupling portion 91R2.
[0104] The extension portion 91R3 corresponds to a portion extended from one end of the
coupling portion 91R in the longitudinal direction. The extension portion 91R3 has,
for example, smaller width than the first coupling portion 91R1 and the second
coupling portion 91R2. An end of this extension portion 91R3 is connected to the subboard
42 and is assumed as the sensing position Si, at which each voltage of the battery
columns is detected. For example, the voltage of each of the battery columns LI to L8
connected in series and the battery columns L9 to L16 (not shown) connected in series
is sensed and the voltage difference in the battery columns is sensed.
[0105] Note that the extension portion 91R3 may be formed integrally with the coupling
portion 91R as illustrated in the example of Fig. 19A and Fig. 19B or may be formed
separately from the coupling portion 91R and coupled with the coupling portion
91R. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 20, the extension portion 91R3 may be formed
of an electric conductor such as a conductive wire, for example a harness, formed
separately from the coupling portion 91R.
[0106] The extension portion 91R3 is provided so that the center p of an extension starting
end t of the extension portion 91R3 comes to a predetermined position. For example,
the extension portion 91R3 is provided so that the center p of the extension starting end
t of the extension portion 91R3, which is illustrated with a dotted line, comes between
the position of the horizontal distance L/12 on the first coupling portion 91R1 side
from the center line d and the position of the horizontal distance 3L/12 on the second
coupling portion 91R2 side. Note that L refers to the distance in the horizontal
direction between the center of one battery column coupled with the connection
terminal portion 91b and the center of the other battery column adjacent to the one
battery column. Note that the range of the position includes the position at the
boundary value (this also applies similarly to the description below).
[0107] From the viewpoint of further improving the measurement accuracy, the extension
portion 91R3 is preferably provided so that the center p of the extension starting end of
the extension portion 91R3 comes between the position of the horizontal distance L/12
on the first coupling portion side from the center line d and the position of the distance
2L/12 in the horizontal direction on the second coupling portion side from the center
line d. From the viewpoint of improving the measurement accuracy furthermore, the
extension portion 91R3 is preferably provided so that the center p of the extension
starting end of the extension portion 91R3 comes between the position of the
horizontal distance L/12 on the first coupling portion 91R1 side from the center line d
and the position of the horizontal distance L/12 on the second coupling portion 91R2
side from the center line d.
[0108] By providing the extension portion 91R3 in this manner, the distance between the
battery cell in the one battery column coupled with the connection terminal portion 91b
and the sensing position S i and the distance between the battery cell in the other
battery column coupled with the connection terminal portion 91b and the sensing
position S i can be made appropriate. As a result, it is possible to prevent the voltage of
the battery cell sensed at the sensing position S i from being influenced by the voltage
drop due to the resistance of the connection terminal portion 91b.
[0109] The connection terminal portion 91b is provided with a plurality of holes 96 through
which the projections 93a of the partition plate 93 are inserted. The connection
terminal portion 91b is provided so that a longitudinal direction thereof is in parallel to
the column direction of the battery column. Moreover, one or more cut portions 99a
are formed which are cut from a side end of the connection terminal portion 91b in a
direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connection
terminal portion 91b. By the formation of this cut portion 99a, the heat propagation in
the connection terminal portion 91b in the occurrence of the abnormal heat generation
of the battery cell 10a can be suppressed.
[0110] This cut portion 99a is preferably formed at, for example, a position corresponding to
the position between the adjacent battery cells 10a connected in parallel to each
other. By the formation of the cut portion 99a at the position corresponding to the
position between the adjacent battery cells 10a, the thermal influence of one battery
cell 10a on the adjacent battery cell 10a can be effectively suppressed. Moreover, in
the case where current flows from battery cell 10a connected in parallel in the oc
currence of internal short-circuiting of the battery cell 10a, the connection terminal
portion 91b is fused starting from the cut portion 99a due to Joule heat caused by the
electric resistance of the connection terminal portion 91b, so that the incoming current
can be blocked. Moreover, since the cut direction of the cut portion 99a is ap
proximately parallel to the direction where current flows (direction where battery cell
blocks are connected in series), the current flow is not interrupted in the normal use
and the current flow in the abnormal direction can be interrupted only when the ab
normality has been detected.
[0111] (Test example)
In the test examples below, description is made of the results of examining the
optimum position of the center p of the extension starting end t of the aforementioned
extension portion 91R3. As illustrated in Fig. 21, in a connection terminal portion
where the two battery columns are coupled, in regard to Points 0 to 11 (Point X) of the
connection terminal portion set by dividing the distance L between the centers of the
two battery columns evenly into 12 sections, the resistance value between Point A and
Point X and the resistance value between Point X and Point B were measured. The
measurement results are shown in Table 1. Moreover, the graphs based on the mea
surement results are shown in Fig. 22.
[0112] Table 1
[0113] As shown by Table 1 and Fig. 22, it has been confirmed that if Point X exists
between the position of the horizontal distance L/12 on the first coupling portion side
from the center line d and the position of the horizontal distance 3L/12 on the second
coupling portion side from the center line d, the difference in resistance value is small,
which is preferable. Moreover, it has been confirmed that if Point X exists between
the position of the horizontal distance L/12 on the first coupling portion side from the
center line d and the position of the horizontal distance 2L/12 on the second coupling
portion side from the center line d, the difference in resistance value is smaller, which
is more preferable. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that if Point X exists between
the position of the horizontal distance L/12 on the first coupling portion side from the
center line d and the position of the horizontal distance L/12 on the second coupling
portion side from the center line d, the difference in resistance value is particularly
small, which is particularly preferable.
[0114] 2. Second embodiment
Description is made of a structure example of a power storage device according to a
second embodiment. The power storage device according to the second embodiment is
similar to that of the first embodiment except that the connection terminal portion has
the different structure. The structure of the connection terminal portion is described
below and the others are similar to those of the first embodiment, so that the detailed
description thereto is omitted.
[0115] (Connection terminal portion)
Fig. 23 is a plan diagram illustrating a part of the connection terminal portion. In a
manner similar to the first embodiment, the connection terminal portion 91b is
connected to the terminal plane of the two battery columns. The connection terminal
portion 91b includes the coupling portion 91R and the extension portion 91R3. The
coupling portion 91R includes the first coupling portion 91R1 to be coupled with the
terminal plane of one battery column and the second coupling portion 91R2 to be
coupled with the terminal plane of the other battery column that is adjacent to the one
battery column.
[0116] The extension portion 91R3 is obtained by uniting a portion extended from one end
of the first coupling portion 91R1 in a longitudinal direction and a portion extended
from one end of the second coupling portion 91R2 in a longitudinal direction. In the
second embodiment, the difference between the distance between the battery cell in
one battery column among the two battery columns coupled to one connection terminal
portion 91b and the sensing position and the distance between the battery cell in the
other battery column and the sensing position can be reduced. As a result, the
accuracy of sensing the voltage can be improved further.
[0117] 3. Another embodiment
The present technique is not limited to the embodiments of the present technique
described above, and various modifications and applications within the scope not
departing from the content of the present technique are possible.
[0118] For example, the numerals, structure, shapes, materials, raw materials, manufacturing
process, etc. described in the above embodiments and examples are merely examples
and numerals, structure, shapes, materials, raw materials, manufacturing process, etc.
different from those above may be employed as necessary. For example, the plurality
of projections and the plurality of holes may be one projection and one hole.
[01 19] The structures, methods, processes, shapes, materials, and numerals described in the
above embodiments and examples can be combined with each other unless departing
from the content of the present technique.
[0120] In the first embodiment, the number of battery units housed in the exterior case 20 is
two; however, the number of battery units housed in the exterior case 20 is not limited
to two. For example, the number of battery units housed in the exterior case may be
one or three or more. For example, in the power storage device, three or more battery
units may be stacked horizontally in three stages or more and housed in the exterior
case 20 in the state that the top plane portion of the top case 61a faces in the horizontal
direction, or three or more battery units may be stacked horizontally in three stages or
more and housed in the exterior case 20 in the state that the top plane portion of the top
case 61a faces in the vertical direction. The bottom plane portion of the bottom case
61b may have the structure similar to the top plane portion of the top case 61a. The
two battery units 5 1 and 52 may be stacked horizontally in two stages or more and
housed in the exterior case 20 so that the top plane portion of the top case 61a and the
bottom plane portion of the bottom case 61b face in the vertical direction. The
coupling terminal portion may have the structure in which the terminal planes of three
or more battery columns are coupled.
The power storage device according to an embodiment of the present technique may
have the structure as below.
(1)
A battery pack including:
a battery block group in which a plurality of battery columns each including a
plurality of battery cells disposed in a columnar shape is arranged side by side in a
direction approximately orthogonal to a column direction; and
a connection terminal portion which is coupled with terminal planes of the plurality
of battery cells constituting at least two of the battery columns and whose longitudinal
direction is in parallel to the column direction of the battery column, wherein the
connection terminal portion includes
a coupling portion including a first coupling portion to be coupled with one battery
column and a second coupling portion to be coupled with the other battery column
adjacent to the one battery column, and
an extension portion extended from one end of the coupling portion in a longitudinal
direction, and when a horizontal distance between the one battery column and the other
battery column is L and a center line passing a center between the battery columns is
set, a center of an extension starting end of the extension portion is between a position
of a horizontal distance L/12 on the first coupling portion side from the center line and
a position of a horizontal distance 3L/12 on the second coupling portion side from the
center line.
(2)
The battery pack according to (1), wherein the center of the extension starting end of
the extension portion is between the position of the horizontal distance L/12 on the first
coupling portion side from the center line and a position of a horizontal distance 2L/12
on the second coupling portion side from the center line.
(3)
The battery pack according to (1), wherein the center of the extension starting end of
the extension portion is between the position of the horizontal distance L/12 on the first
coupling portion side from the center line and a position of a horizontal distance L/12
on the second coupling portion side from the center line.
(4)
The battery pack according to any of (1) to (3), wherein the adjacent two battery
columns are stacked into a triangular shape while being displaced in the column
direction by a length substantially equal to a radius of a circumference of an external
radius of the battery cell.
(5)
The battery pack according to (4), wherein the first coupling portion has a portion that
is extended in the longitudinal direction by a length substantially equal to the radius of
the circumference of the external shape of the battery cell for each of one end and the
other end of the second coupling portion in the longitudinal direction.
(6)
The battery pack according to any of (1) to (5), wherein the extension portion is
connected to a board at which voltage of the battery cells is detected.
(7)
The battery pack according to any of (1) to (6), wherein the extension portion is
formed integrally with the coupling portion.
(8)
The battery pack according to any of (1) to (7), wherein the extension portion is an
electric conductor coupled with the coupling portion formed separately from the
coupling portion.
(9)
The battery pack according to (8), wherein the electric conductor is a conductive wire.
(10)
A battery pack including:
a battery block group in which a plurality of battery columns each including a plurality
of battery cells disposed in a columnar shape is arranged side by side in a direction ap
proximately orthogonal to a column direction; and
a connection terminal portion which is coupled with terminal planes of the plurality of
battery cells constituting at least two of the battery columns and whose longitudinal
direction is in parallel to the column direction of the battery column, wherein the
connection terminal portion includes
a coupling portion including a first coupling portion to be coupled with one battery
column and a second coupling portion to be coupled with the other battery column
adjacent to the one battery column, and
an extension portion obtained by uniting a portion extended from one end of the first
coupling portion in a longitudinal direction and a portion extended from one end of the
second coupling portion in a longitudinal direction.
(ID
A power storage device including the battery pack according to any of (1) to (10).
(12)
A power storage system wherein the battery pack according to any of (1) to (10) is
charged by a power generation device that generates power from renewable energy.
(13)
A power storage system including the battery pack according to any of (1) to (10) and
supplying power to an electronic appliance connected to the battery pack.
(14)
An electronic appliance receiving power from the battery pack according to any of (1)
to (10).
(15)
An electric vehicle including a conversion device that converts power received from
the battery pack according to any of (1) to (10) into a driving force of a vehicle, and a
control device that processes information in regard to vehicle control based on in
formation related to the power storage device.
(16)
A power system including a power information transmission/reception unit that
transmits and receives signals to and from another appliance through a network,
wherein charging and discharging of the battery pack according to any of (1) to (10) is
controlled based on information received by the transmission/reception unit.
(17)
A power system receiving power from the battery pack according to any of (1) to (10)
or supplying power from a power generation device or a power network to the battery
pack.
(18)
A battery module comprising:
a battery group including a plurality of battery columns, the battery columns include
at least a first battery column and a second battery column each including a plurality of
battery cells ; and
a connection terminal portion coupled with terminal planes of the battery cells,
wherein the connection terminal portion includes
a coupling portion including a first coupling portion configured to couple at least with
the first battery column and a second coupling portion configured to couple at least
with the second battery column adjacent to the first battery column, and
an extension portion extended from an end of the coupling portion in a longitudinal
direction, and
when a horizontal distance between the first battery column and the second battery
column is L and a center line between the first and second battery columns is set, a
center of an extension starting end of the extension portion is between a first position
of a horizontal distance L/ 12 on a first side of the first coupling portion from the center
line and a second position of a horizontal distance 3L/12 on a second side of the
second coupling portion from the center line.
(19)
The battery module according to (18), wherein the center of the extension starting end
of the extension portion is between the first position of the horizontal distance L/12 on
the first side from the center line and a third position of a horizontal distance 2L/12 on
the second side from the center line.
(20)
The battery module according to any of (18)-(19), wherein the center of the extension
starting end of the extension portion is between the first position of the horizontal
distance L/12 on the first side from the center line and a fourth position of a horizontal
distance L/12 on the second side from the center line.
(21)
The battery module according to any of (18)-(20), wherein the first and second battery
columns are stacked into a triangular shape while being displaced in a column
direction by a length substantially equal to a radius of a circumference of an external
shape associated with the battery cells.
(22)
The battery module according to any of (18)-(21), wherein the first coupling portion
has a first portion configured to extend in the longitudinal direction by a length sub
stantially equal to the radius of the circumference of the external shape associated with
the battery cells.
(23)
The battery module according to any of (18)-(22), wherein the extension portion
connected to a board where a voltage of the battery cells is configured to be detected.
(24)
The battery module according to any of (18)-(23), wherein the extension portion is
configured to be formed integrally with the coupling portion.
(25)
The battery module according to any of (18)-(24), wherein the extension portion is an
electric conductor coupled with the coupling portion formed separately from the
coupling portion.
(26)
The battery module according any of (18)-(25), wherein the electric conductor is a
conductive wire.
(27)
A battery module comprising:
a battery group including a plurality of battery columns, the battery columns include
at least a first battery column and a second battery column each including a plurality of
battery cells ; and
a connection terminal portion coupled with terminal planes of the battery cells,
wherein
the connection terminal portion includes
a coupling portion including a first coupling portion configured to couple at least with
the first battery column and a second coupling portion configured to couple at least
with the second battery column adjacent to the first battery column, and
an extension portion obtained by connecting a first portion extended from a first end
of the first coupling portion in a longitudinal direction and a second portion extended
from a second end of the second coupling portion in a longitudinal direction.
(28)
A power storage device comprising the battery module according to any of (18)-(27).
(29)
A power storage system comprising the battery module according to any of (18)-(27),
wherein the power storage system is configured to be charged by a power generation
device that generates power from renewable energy.
(30)
A power storage system comprising the battery module according to any of (18)-(27),
wherein the power storage system is configured to supply power to an electronic
appliance connected to the battery module.
(31)
An electronic appliance configured to receive power from the battery module
according to any of (18)-(27).
(32)
An electric vehicle comprising a conversion device that converts power, received from
a power storage device including the battery module according to any of (18)-(27), into
a driving force of the electric vehicle, and a control device configured to process in
formation associated with vehicle control based on information related to the power
storage device.
(33)
A power system comprising a power information transmission/reception unit
configured to transmit and receive signal through a network, wherein charging and dis
charging of the battery module according to any of (18)-(27) is configured to be
controlled based on information received by the power information transmission/
reception unit.
(34)
A power system configured to at least one of receive power from the battery module
according to any of (18)-(27) and supply power from at least one of a power generation
device and a power network to the battery module.
A battery module comprising:
a battery group including a plurality of battery columns, the battery columns
include at least a first battery column and a second battery column each including a
plurality of battery cells ; and
a connection terminal portion coupled with terminal planes of the battery cells,
wherein
the connection terminal portion includes
a coupling portion including a first coupling portion configured to couple at least
with the first battery column and a second coupling portion configured to couple at
least with the second battery column adjacent to the first battery column, and
an extension portion connected to the connection terminal portion, wherein the
extension portion is at a position to allow measurement of a first resistance value
between the position and the first coupling portion and a second resistance value
between the position and the second coupling portion, and wherein a resistance value
difference between the first and second resistance values is 0.4 or less.
(36)
A connection terminal portion for a battery module comprising:
a coupling portion including a first coupling portion configured to couple at least with
a first battery column and a second coupling portion configured to couple at least with
a second battery column adjacent to the first battery column, and
an extension portion extended from an end of the coupling portion in a longitudinal
direction, and
when a horizontal distance between the first battery column and the second battery
column is L and a center line between the first and second battery columns is set, a
center of an extension starting end of the extension portion is between a first position
of a horizontal distance L/ 12 on a first side of the first coupling portion from the center
line and a second position of a horizontal distance 3L/12 on a second side of the
second coupling portion from the center line.
[0122] 4. Application example
An application example of the power storage device including the battery pack is
hereinafter described. Note that the application example of the power storage device is
not limited to the application example described below.
[0123] The present technique may be the power storage system in which the battery pack of
the above power storage device is charged by the power generation device that
generates power from the renewable energy. The present technique may be the power
storage system that includes the battery pack of the power storage device and supplies
power to the electronic appliance connected to the battery pack of the power storage
device. The present technique may be the electronic appliance that receives power
from the battery pack of the above power storage device. These electronic appliance
and power system are embodied as, for example, a power supply system for a house,
and moreover embodied as a system that supplies efficiently the power in cooperation
with the external power supply network. The present technique may be the electric
vehicle including the conversion device that converts the power supplied from the
battery pack of the power storage device into the driving force of the vehicle, and the
control device that processes information in regard to the vehicle control based on the
information related to the battery pack of the power storage device. The present
technique may be the power system including the power information transmission/
reception unit that transmits and receives the signals to and from another appliance
through the network, wherein the charging and discharging of the battery pack of the
power storage device is controlled based on the information received by the
transmission/reception unit. The present technique may be the power system that
receives the power from the battery pack of the power storage device or supplies the
power to the battery pack of the power storage device from the power generation
device or the power network.
[0124] (Power storage system in house as application example)
An example in which the present technique is applied to a power storage system for a
house is described with reference to Fig. 24. For example, in a power storage system
100 for a house 101, the electric power is supplied from a concentrated power system
102 such as a thermal power plant 102a, an atomic power plant 102b, or a hydro
electric power plant 102c through a power network 109, an information network 112, a
smart meter 107, a power hub 108, etc. to the power storage device 103. In addition,
the electric power is supplied to the power storage device 103 from an independent
power source such as a power generation device 104. The electric power supplied to
the power storage device 103 is accumulated. With the use of the power storage
device 103, the electric power to be consumed in the house 101 is supplied. The
similar power storage system can be used not just in the house 101 but also in the
building.
[0125] The house 101 is provided with a control device 110 that controls each device of the
power generation device 104, a power consumption device 105, the power storage
device 103, and the like, the smart meter 107, and a sensor 111 that acquires pieces of
information. The devices are connected by the power network 109 and the information
network 112. As the power generation device 104, a solar cell, a fuel cell, a windmill
and the like are used and the generated power is supplied to the power consumption
device 105 and/or the power storage device 103. The power consumption device 105
corresponds to a refrigerator 105a, an air conditioner 105b, a television receiver 105c,
a bathroom 105d, and the like. Moreover, an electric vehicle 106 is also included in
the power consumption device 105. The electric vehicle 106 corresponds to an electric
car 106a, a hybrid car 106b, and an electric bike 106c. The electric vehicle 106 may be
a power-assisted bicycle.
[0126] The power storage device 103 includes the battery pack including the secondary
battery or the like. For example, the battery pack includes a lithium ion secondary
battery. As the power storage device 103, the power storage device 1 according to an
embodiment of the present technique as described above can be used. One power
storage device 1 or a plurality of power storage devices 1 is applicable. The smart
meter 107 has the function of detecting the consumption amount of the commercial
power and transmitting the detected amount to the power company. As the power
network 109, any one of, or a plurality of DC power supply, AC power supply, and
noncontact power supply may be used.
[0127] As the sensors 111, for example, a motion sensor, an illuminance sensor, an object
detection sensor, a consumption power sensor, a vibration sensor, a contact sensor, a
temperature sensor, an infrared ray sensor, and the like can be used. The information
acquired by the sensors 111 is transmitted to the control device 110. By the use of the
information from the sensor 111, the state of weather or the state of a person is known
and the power consumption device 105 is automatically controlled to minimize the
energy consumption. Moreover, the control device 110 can transmit the information in
regard to the house 101 to the power company on the outside through the Internet.
[0128] By the power hub 108, the branching of the power line or the conversion between
DC and AD is performed. As the communication method of the information network
112 connected to the control device 110, a method of using the communication
interface such as UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter: asynchronous
serial communication transmission/reception circuit), or a method of using a sensor
network based on the wireless communication specification such as Bluetooth, ZigBee,
or Wi-Fi is given. Bluetooth method is applied to the multimedia communication and
one-to-many communication is possible. ZigBee uses the IEEE (Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers) 802.15.4 physical layer. IEEE 802.15.4 is the name of the
short-range wireless network specification called PAN (Personal Area Network) or W
(Wireless) PAN.
[0129] The control device 110 is connected to an external server 113. This server 113 may
be managed by any of the house 101, the power company, and the service
provider. The information transmitted to and received from the server 113 is, for
example, the power consumption information, the life pattern information, the power
rate, the weather information, the natural calamity information, and the information in
regard to the electric power transaction. These pieces of information may be
transmitted to or received from the power consumption device in the house (such as a
television receiver) or the device outside the house (such as a cellular phone). These
pieces of information may be displayed on the appliance with the display function,
such as a television receiver, a cellular phone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
[0130] The control device 110 controlling each unit is formed by a CPU (Central Processing
Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like, and
in this example, housed in the power storage device 103. The control device 110 is
connected to the power storage device 103, the power generation device 104, the
power consumption device 105, the sensor 111, and the server 113 through the in
formation network 112, and has the function of adjusting the use amount of
commercial power and the amount of power generation. In addition, the control device
110 may have the function of selling and buying the electric power in the power
market.
[0131] As thus described, the generated power can be accumulated in the power storage
device 103 from the power generation device 104 (solar power generation, wind power
generation) in addition to the concentrated power system 102 such as the thermal
power plant 102a, the atomic power plant 102b, or the hydroelectric power plant
102c. Therefore, even though the power generated from the power generation device
104 fluctuates, the control can be made so that the amount of power to be supplied to
the outside can be made constant or just a necessary amount of power is
discharged. For example, the power obtained from the solar power generation is ac
cumulated in the power storage device 103 and the midnight power, which is the
power that costs less in the nighttime, is accumulated in the power storage device 103
during the nighttime and in the daytime where the power costs high, the power ac
cumulated in the power storage device 103 is discharged to be used.
[0132] Although this example has described the case in which the control device 110 is
housed in the power storage device 103, the control device 110 may be housed in the
smart meter 107 or may be configured alone. Moreover, the power storage system 100
may be used in a plurality of rooms in a condominium or a plurality of houses.
[0133] (Power storage system in vehicle as application example)
An example in which the present technique is applied to a power storage system for a
vehicle is described with reference to Fig. 25. Fig. 25 schematically illustrates an
example of the structure of a hybrid vehicle employing a series hybrid system to which
the present technique is applied. The series hybrid system refers to a car driven by the
power driving force conversion device by using the power generated by a power
generator, which is driven by an engine, or the power obtained by accumulating the
aforementioned power in a battery for a while.
[0134] This hybrid vehicle 200 includes an engine 201, a power generator 202, a power
driving force conversion device 203, a driving wheel 204a, a driving wheel 204b, a
wheel 205a, a wheel 205b, a battery 208, a vehicle control device 209, a sensor 210,
and a charging port 2 11. As the battery 208, the aforementioned power storage device
1 can be applied. The number of power storage devices 1 may be one or more than
one.
[0135] The hybrid vehicle 200 runs using the power driving force conversion device 203 as
a driving source. An example of the power driving force conversion device 203 cor
responds to a motor. By the power from the battery 208, the power driving force
conversion device 203 operates, and the rotation force of the power driving force
conversion device 203 is transmitted to the driving wheels 204a and 204b. Note that
by the use of DC-AC (DC-AC) or the inverse conversion (AC-DC conversion) in the
necessary portion, the power driving force conversion device 203 is applicable re
gardless of whether the device 203 is the AC motor or the DC motor. The sensor 210
controls the engine speed through the vehicle control device 209 or the opening of a
throttle valve (throttle opening) that is not shown. The sensors 210 may include a
speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an engine speed sensor.
[0136] The rotating force of the engine 201 is transmitted to the power generator 202, and
by the rotating force, the power generated by the power generator 202 can be ac
cumulated in the battery 208.
[0137] When the hybrid vehicle is decelerated by a control mechanism, which is not shown,
the resistant force at the deceleration is added as the rotating force to the power driving
force conversion device 203, and the regenerated power produced from the power
driving force conversion device 203 by this rotating force is accumulated in the battery
208.
[0138] When the battery 208 is connected to the power source outside the hybrid vehicle,
the power is supplied through the charging port 211 from the external power source
and the received power can be accumulated in the battery 208.
[0139] Although not shown, an information processing device that processes information in
regard to the vehicle control based on the information related to the secondary battery
may be provided. As the information processing device, for example, an information
processing device displaying the battery residual amount based on the battery residual
amount is given.
[0140] In the above example, the series hybrid car runs by the motor using the power
generated by the power generator running on the engine or the power obtained by ac
cumulating the aforementioned power in the battery once. However, the present
technique is similarly applicable to the parallel hybrid car that runs on the output of the
engine and the motor as a driving source while switching the three methods of the
running on the engine only, the running on the motor only, and the running on the
engine and motor. Furthermore, the present technique can be applied effectively to the
so-called electric vehicle running by the drive of only the driving motor without the
use of the engine.
Reference Signs List
1 Power storage device
2 Fuse
3a Connector
3b Connector
4 External positive electrode terminal
5 External negative electrode terminal
7 Control unit
8 MUX
9 Current detector
9a Current detection resistor
9b Current detection amplifier
10 Battery block group
10a Battery cell
11 Conductive member
12a Plate-shaped projection
12b Plate-shaped projection
13 Support plate
14 Cover
15 Temperature detector
16 MUX
17 Pulse generator
20 Exterior case
20a Front plane portion
20b Rear plane portion
20c Top plane portion
20d Bottom plane portion
20e Side plane portion
20f Side plane portion
2 1 Protective cover
25a, 25b Window
26a, 26b Window
27 Connector
28 Electronic component
Sub-board
Output terminal board
External communication board
Main board
al Bus bar
a2 Bus bar
a3 Bus bar
Board holding member
Battery unit
Battery unit
Battery case
a Top case
b Bottom case
Engagement part
a Engagement part
b Engagement part
Hollow structure body
Opening
Hole
Hollow structure body
, 91a, 91b Connection terminal portion
R Coupling portion
R 1 First coupling portion
R2 Second coupling portion
R3 Extension portion
Positive electrode insulating sheet
Partition plate
a Projection portion
Hole
a Cut portion
b Notch
0 Power storage system
1 House
2 Concentrated power system
2a Thermal power plant
2b Atomic power plant
2c Hydroelectric power plant
3 Power storage device
104 Power generation device
105 Power consumption device
105a Refrigerator
105b Air conditioner
105c Television receiver
105d Bathroom
106 Electric vehicle
106a Electric car
106b Hybrid car
106c Electric bike
107 Smart meter
108 Power hub
109 Power network
110 Control device
111 Sensor
112 Information network
113 Server
200 Hybrid vehicle
201 Engine
202 Power generator
203 Power driving force conversion device
204a, 204b Driving wheel
205a, 205b Wheel
208 Battery
209 Vehicle control device
210 Sensor
2 11 Charging port
Bl to B16 Battery block
COM1 Communication unit
CTN1 Module controller
ICNT Control box
ISC1 Insulating unit
LI to L8 Battery column
MO Power storage device

Claims
[Claim 1] A battery module comprising:
a battery group including a plurality of battery columns, the battery
columns include at least a first battery column and a second battery
column each including a plurality of battery cells ; and
a connection terminal portion coupled with terminal planes of the
battery cells, wherein the connection terminal portion includes
a coupling portion including a first coupling portion configured to
couple at least with the first battery column and a second coupling
portion configured to couple at least with the second battery column
adjacent to the first battery column, and
an extension portion extended from an end of the coupling portion in a
longitudinal direction, and
when a horizontal distance between the first battery column and the
second battery column is L and a center line between the first and
second battery columns is set, a center of an extension starting end of
the extension portion is between a first position of a horizontal distance
L/12 on a first side of the first coupling portion from the center line and
a second position of a horizontal distance 3L/12 on a second side of the
second coupling portion from the center line.
[Claim 2] The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the center of the
extension starting end of the extension portion is between the first
position of the horizontal distance L/12 on the first side from the center
line and a third position of a horizontal distance 2L/12 on the second
side from the center line.
[Claim 3] The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the center of the
extension starting end of the extension portion is between the first
position of the horizontal distance L/12 on the first side from the center
line and a fourth position of a horizontal distance L/12 on the second
side from the center line.
[Claim 4] The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first and second
battery columns are stacked into a triangular shape while being
displaced in a column direction by a length substantially equal to a
radius of a circumference of an external shape associated with the
battery cells.
[Claim 5] The battery module according to claim 4, wherein the first coupling
portion has a first portion configured to extend in the longitudinal
WO 2015/177989 PCT/JP2015/002426
direction by a length substantially equal to the radius of the cir
cumference of the external shape associated with the battery cells .
[Claim 6] The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the extension
portion connected to a board where a voltage of the battery cells is
configured to be detected.
[Claim 7] The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the extension
portion is configured to be formed integrally with the coupling portion.
[Claim 8] The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the extension
portion is an electric conductor coupled with the coupling portion
formed separately from the coupling portion.
[Claim 9] The battery module according to claim 8, wherein the electric
conductor is a conductive wire.
[Claim 10] A battery module comprising:
a battery group including a plurality of battery columns, the battery
columns include at least a first battery column and a second battery
column each including a plurality of battery cells ; and
a connection terminal portion coupled with terminal planes of the
battery cells, wherein
the connection terminal portion includes
a coupling portion including a first coupling portion configured to
couple at least with the first battery column and a second coupling
portion configured to couple at least with the second battery column
adjacent to the first battery column, and
an extension portion obtained by connecting a first portion extended
from a first end of the first coupling portion in a longitudinal direction
and a second portion extended from a second end of the second
coupling portion in a longitudinal direction.
[Claim 11] A power storage device comprising the battery module according to
claim 1.
[Claim 12] A power storage system comprising the battery module according to
claim 1, wherein the power storage system is configured to be charged
by a power generation device that generates power from renewable
energy.
[Claim 13] A power storage system comprising the battery module according to
claim 1, wherein the power storage system is configured to supply
power to an electronic appliance connected to the battery module.
[Claim 14] An electronic appliance configured to receive power from the battery
module according to claim 1.
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[Claim 15] An electric vehicle comprising a conversion device that converts
power, received from a power storage device including the battery
module according to claim 1, into a driving force of the electric vehicle,
and a control device configured to process information associated with
vehicle control based on information related to the power storage
device.
[Claim 16] A power system comprising a power information transmission/
reception unit configured to transmit and receive signal through a
network, wherein charging and discharging of the battery module
according to claim 1 is configured to be controlled based on in
formation received by the power information transmission/reception
unit.
[Claim 17] A power system configured to at least one of receive power from the
battery module according to claim 1 and supply power from at least one
of a power generation device and a power network to the battery
module.
[Claim 18] A battery module comprising:
a battery group including a plurality of battery columns, the
battery columns include at least a first battery column and a second
battery column each including a plurality of battery cells ; and
a connection terminal portion coupled with terminal planes of the
battery cells, wherein
the connection terminal portion includes
a coupling portion including a first coupling portion configured to
couple at least with the first battery column and a second coupling
portion configured to couple at least with the second battery column
adjacent to the first battery column, and
an extension portion connected to the connection terminal portion,
wherein the extension portion is at a position to allow measurement of
a first resistance value between the position and the first coupling
portion and a second resistance value between the position and the
second coupling portion, and wherein a resistance value difference
between the first and second resistance values is 0.4 or less.
[Claim 19] A connection terminal portion for a battery module comprising:
a coupling portion including a first coupling portion configured to
couple at least with a first battery column and a second coupling
portion configured to couple at least with a second battery column
adjacent to the first battery column, and
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an extension portion extended from an end of the coupling portion in a
longitudinal direction, and
when a horizontal distance between the first battery column and the
second battery column is L and a center line between the first and
second battery columns is set, a center of an extension starting end of
the extension portion is between a first position of a horizontal distance
L/ 12 on a first side of the first coupling portion from the center line and
a second position of a horizontal distance 3L/12 on a second side of the
second coupling portion from the center line.