Battery holder

The invention provides a battery holder consisting of one plate-like support member and another support member. A plurality of battery holes of a predetermined depth into which sealed portions of a positive or negative side of sealed-type batteries that are clamped at one side by the support member are to be respectively fitted are formed in one face of the support member, so that one row of the battery holes is a row for positive terminals and another row of the battery holes is a row for negative terminals. A terminal hole is formed in a bottom face of each of the battery holes. A groove is formed between adjacent paired positive-terminal and negative-terminal holes among the terminal holes disposed in the bottom faces of the battery holes of the rows. The paired positive-terminal and negative-terminal holes are communicated with each other through the groove. Vent holes are opened at appropriate places among the battery holes. In each of the one and other rows of the other support member, only the battery hole for a positive terminal or a negative terminal is formed at each of opposite end portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The invention relates to a battery holder which holds a plurality of
 sealed-type batteries in a bundle.
 A prior art battery holder has a structure such as that shown in Japanese
 Utility Model Publication (Kokai) No. SH060-22752. In the battery holder,
 a plurality of cylindrical batteries are arranged in such a manner that
 their peripheral side faces are adjacent to each other, a frame surrounds
 the periphery of the arranged batteries, and a cover is attached to each
 of the end faces of the cylindrical batteries through which the positive
 and negative terminals of the cylindrical batteries are exposed. The frame
 consists of a side wall surrounding the periphery of the batteries, and a
 number of partition walls which are inwardly projected from the side wall.
 The cylindrical batteries are supported by inserting them into the spaces
 between the side wall and the partition walls, respectively. In some
 cases, a plurality of holes are formed in a block-like frame and
 cylindrical batteries are respectively fitted into the holes, or
 alternatively a large hole having a shape which is obtained by coupling
 such holes to each other is formed and a plurality of cylindrical
 batteries are fitted in a bundle into the hole. In the covers, elastic
 connecting plates are adequately disposed on the faces respectively
 opposing the end faces of the cylindrical batteries in the frame, so that
 the cylindrical batteries are electrically connected to each other.
 In Japanese Utility Model Publication (Kokai) No. HEI2-99561, proposed is a
 battery box in which a plurality of battery housing portions are formed by
 a case outer wall and a case partition wall so as to respectively house a
 plurality of batteries as one unit. In each of the battery housing
 portions, a stay is inserted into a center portion of the unit of the
 plural housed batteries, so that the plural batteries are fixed with being
 closely contacted with the partition wall.
 When a battery is discharged, heat is generated as a result of an internal
 chemical reaction. In the case of a heavy current drain, particularly, the
 amount of generated heat is increased. In a sealed-type secondary battery
 such as a nickel cadmium battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery, the
 heat generation occurs also when the battery is charged. When the
 temperature of the battery is raised as a result of the heat generation,
 self-discharge may reduce the battery capacity or shorten the service life
 of the battery. Therefore, it is previously determined that such a battery
 is used in a temperature range of -10 to 60.degree. C. during a
 discharging process and 0 to 35.degree. C. during a charging process.
 In the prior art battery holder, however, each cylindrical battery is
 surrounded by the frame and both the ends are covered by the covers so
 that the interior of the holder is substantially hermetically sealed, and
 hence heat generated from the cylindrical batteries during the discharging
 or charging process cannot be sufficiently dissipated to the exterior.
 This produces a problem in that the temperature of the cylindrical
 batteries may be raised to a level higher than the specified range. In the
 case where battery packs are to be used, when the battery packs are
 longitudinally held by a battery holder, a large space is required. In
 some cases, in order to eliminate this problem, batteries are held by a
 battery holder so as to constitute a battery pack, and the battery pack is
 used with being laterally arranged with a number of similar battery packs.
 When battery packs are to be connected to each other, the connection must
 be surely conducted so that connecting portions where a terminal is
 connected to another terminal are not short-circuited. When battery packs
 are to be connected to each other, furthermore, the connection is
 requested so to be unaffected by vibration or shock as much as possible.
 These problems are also applicable to sealed-type batteries of other types
 such as those of rectangular batteries.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The invention has been conducted in order solve the above-discussed
 problems. It is an object of the invention to provide a battery holder
 which allows a number of battery holders to be arranged under a state
 where both the ends of batteries are supported by the support members and
 the support members are laterally arranged, which allows a number of
 battery packs to be connected to each other while a short-circuit is
 surely prevented from occurring, which is advantageous in view of a space,
 and in which heat generated from sealed-type batteries can be rapidly
 dissipated to the exterior.
 In order to solve the problems, the battery holder of the invention is
 characterized in that it has configuration 1 in which the battery holder
 comprises a plate-like support member (2') wherein a plurality of battery
 holes (2a) of a predetermined depth into which sealed portions of a
 positive or negative side of sealed-type batteries that are clamped at one
 side by the support member are to be respectively fitted are formed in one
 face of the support member (2'), one row of the battery holes being a row
 for positive terminals, another row of the battery holes being a row for
 negative terminals, an terminal hole (2b) is formed in a bottom face of
 each of the battery holes (2a), a groove (2c) is formed between adjacent
 paired positive-terminal and negative-terminal holes among the terminal
 holes (2b) disposed in the bottom faces of the terminal holes of the rows,
 the paired positive-terminal and negative-terminal holes (2b) being
 communicated with each other through the groove, and vent holes (2d) which
 pass through from one face to another face are opened at appropriate
 places among the battery holes of the support member (2').
 The battery holder of the invention is characterized in that it has
 configuration 2 in which the battery holder comprises a support member (2)
 wherein a plurality of battery holes (2a) of a predetermined depth which
 are formed in one side face of the support member so that one row of the
 battery holes is a row for positive terminals of sealed-type batteries and
 another row of the battery holes is a row for negative terminals, and, in
 each of the one and other rows, only a battery hole (2a) for a positive
 terminal or a negative terminal is formed at each of opposite end
 portions.
 The battery holder of the invention is characterized in that it has
 configuration 3 in which the battery holder comprises a pair of plate-like
 support members which support one and another sides of batteries,
 respectively, one of the support members is the support member (2') of the
 configuration 1, and the other support member is the support member (2) of
 the configuration 2.
 The battery holder of the invention is characterized in that it has
 configuration 4 in which, among the terminal holes (2b) disposed in the
 bottom faces of the terminal holes (2a) of the rows, the paired
 positive-terminal (2b) and negative-terminal holes (2b) which are
 communicated with each other through the groove (2c) are inclinedly
 disposed.
 The battery holder of the invention is characterized in that it has
 configuration 5 in which a recess groove (2e) is formed at an appropriate
 place of a side face of the plate-like support member (2, 2').
 The battery holder of the invention is characterized in that it has
 configuration 6 in which terminals (1a, 1b) of different heights are
 disposed on the positive and negative sides, and the battery holes (2a,
 2a) which are adjacent to each other are respectively formed at depths
 having a height difference which is equal to a height difference of the
 terminals of different polarities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference
 to the accompanying drawings.
 FIG. 1 is a plan view of the battery holder of the invention, FIG. 2 is a
 section view taken along the line A--A of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a section view
 taken along the line B--B of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a section view taken
 along the line C--C of FIG. 1.
 The battery holder consists of a support member 2 which, for example, holds
 one side of sealed-type batteries, and is produced by injection molding a
 synthetic resin (for example, an ABS resin) which is flame resistant and
 electrically insulative. When batteries are to be held, one side of each
 battery is held by the support member 2, and the other side is held by a
 support member 2' having a structure which is obtained by slightly
 modifying that of the support member 2 as described later.
 FIG. 5(A) is a perspective view of a sealed-type battery which is to be
 held by the battery holder of the invention, and as seen from the positive
 side, and FIG. 5(B) is a perspective view of the battery as seen from the
 negative side. As the battery, a sealed-type secondary battery such as a
 nickel cadmium battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery is used. However,
 the kind of the battery is not restricted to the above. In the cylindrical
 battery 1, a tall terminal 1a is attached to a cover 11 on the positive
 side, and a low terminal 11b is attached to the lower face of a case 12 on
 the negative side.
 In the support member 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, battery holes 2a having
 a diameter which is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the
 cylindrical portion of the cylindrical battery 1 are formed in one side
 face and in two rows each of which consists of five holes (the number of
 holes is not limited.
 The first support member 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 has an upper face
 2U and a lower face 2L and a plurality of openings or holes each formed of
 a smaller diameter upper terminal receiving hole 2b and/or a larger
 diameter lower battery case receiving hole 2a that extend vertically
 through the first upper support 2 and are arranged in a rear row R and a
 front row F extending from left to right as shown in FIG. 1.
 In rear row R, each of the four adjacent circular holes beginning with the
 opening on the left end of row R of FIG. 1 consists of an upper smaller
 diameter terminal receiving hole 2b which extends downwardly from upper
 face 2U and a lower large diameter battery case receiving hole 2a which is
 coaxial with the upper small diameter terminal receiving holes 2b and has
 a lower termination at lower face 2L. The lower large diameter battery
 case holes 2a have a diameter that is equal to or slightly larger than the
 diameter of the cylindrical portion of battery case 12 of cylindrical
 battery 1 as shown in FIG. 5.
 It should be observed that the opening on the right end rear row R consists
 solely of a lower large diameter battery case receiving hole 2a and the
 vertical height dimensions of the lower large diameter battery body
 receiving holes 2a and the upper small diameter terminal receiving holes
 2b are approximately the same in rear row R as shown in FIG. 2 of the
 drawings.
 In front row F, the circular holes differ from the holes of rear row R in
 two main respects as best shown in FIG. 3. Firstly, the four holes forming
 the right end of front row F each include both taller upper small diameter
 terminal receiving holes 2b' and lower large diameter battery case
 receiving holes 2a'. Terminal receiving holes 2b' are of greater vertical
 dimension (height) than are the shorter lower large diameter battery case
 receiving holes 2a'. Additionally, the circular opening on the left end of
 front row F consists solely of a shorter large diameter battery case
 receiving hole 2a" which is not associated with a small diameter terminal
 hole in the manner of the four right hand holes 2a'in the front row F.
 Thus, it should be noted that hole 2a" at the left end of front row F of
 the first support member 2 and the hole 2a at the right end of the rear
 row R are formed so as to project outwardly beyond the upper terminal
 receiving holes 2b and 2b' of their respective rows.
 It is also significant that the rear row R of holes is not aligned
 transversely with corresponding holes in the front row F in that the holes
 in the rear row are shifted to the right relative to the holes in the
 front row F as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, adjacent holes of the two rows are
 inclined relative to each other. The foregoing position of the rows of
 holes permits the first support member 2 to have a transverse dimension H
 of a smaller value than would be the case if the holes were aligned in
 front to rear orientation.
 The height dimension of the upper shorter small diameter terminal receiving
 holes 2b in rear row R is sufficient to accommodate the height dimension
 of the short negative terminal 1b of the battery. Similarly, in front row
 F the height dimension of the upper taller terminal receiving holes 2b' is
 sufficient to permit positioning and enclosure of the taller positive
 terminal 1a when the battery case 12 is inserted in the lower large
 diameter battery case receiving hole 2a' of the front row F. The foregoing
 relationship is possible because the taller holes 2b' have a height (axial
 dimension) which exceeds the height of the shorter lower large diameter
 holes 2a' by an amount equal to the difference in height between terminals
 1a and 1b of the battery.
 Each of the upper small diameter terminal receiving holes 2b of rear row R
 is configured so that when the positive end cylindrical portion of the
 cylindrical battery 1 is fitted into the corresponding round battery hole
 2a, the negative terminal 1a enters the terminal hole 2b and the shoulder
 or upper end of the cylindrical casing 12 abuts against the upper face 2f'
 of the battery receiving hole 2a. Similarly, the configuration of the
 upper taller small diameter terminal receiving holes 2b' is such that when
 the negative end of the battery is inserted in the aligned corresponding
 shorter lower large diameter battery case receiving hole 2a', the positive
 terminal 1a enters the hole 2b' and the shoulder or upper end of the
 negative terminal end of battery casing 12 abuts against the upper face
 2f' of the battery hole 2a' of the front row so as to accurately position
 the positive terminal in the terminal hole 2b' in the corresponding
 aligned terminal hole 2b'. The difference in depth of the holes 2b' and
 2a' is such that the upper end surfaces of the tip ends of the terminals
 1a and 1b are substantially horizontally flush with each other.
 As described later, a plurality of battery packs in each of which the
 batteries 1 are held between the first support member 2 and a second or
 lower support member 2' are produced and these battery packs are connected
 to each other. In this case, the terminal 1a of one battery pack is
 connected to the terminal 1b of another battery pack by a connecting plate
 3 in such a manner that the connecting plate 3, the terminals 1a and 1b,
 and bolts 5 fixed (screwed) to the terminals 1a and 1b do not protrude to
 the outside of the first support member 2 or second support member 2'.
 The second or lower support member 2' is similar to the first support
 member 2 in that it includes large diameter battery case receiving holes
 2a'and smaller diameter terminal receiving holes 2b' ; however, the
 position of the battery case receiving holes 2a is reversed from the
 position of the same holes in the first support member in that the holes
 2a of the second support member are provided extending downwardly from the
 upper surface 2'U as opposed to the first support member in which the
 larger diameter holes extend upwardly from the lower face 2L. Also, the
 terminal receiving holes 2b extend upwardly from the lower face 2'L of the
 second support member. Lastly, the lower support member 2'U does not have
 any single diameter holes corresponding to the opening at the right end of
 row R or the left hand opening 2a of row F of the first support member 2.
 Thus, all of the holes of the lower support member 2'U are identical to
 each other and consist of an upper battery case receiving larger diameter
 openings 2a and lower terminal receiving openings 2b.
 A groove 2c is formed between each of pairs of adjacent terminal receiving
 holes 2b and 2b' on the positive and negative sides and in the one and
 other rows of the terminal holes formed in the support member 2. These
 terminal holes are communicated with each other through the groove. The
 groove 2c is formed so as to be inclined in accordance with the terminal
 holes 2b which are formed in the bottoms of the battery holes 2a that are
 inclinedly disposed. The grooves 2c are used for placing the connecting
 plates 3 which are respectively connected between the terminals 1a and 1b
 of the batteries 1 (see FIGS. 7 to 10). Each connecting plate 3 is bridged
 between paired terminals 1a and 1b, and fixed to the terminals by screwing
 of nuts 6 and bolts 5. The grooves 2c inhibit the connecting plates 3 from
 being rotated from their illustrated position when one side of one of the
 connecting plates 3 is disconnected, thereby preventing a short circuit
 from occurring. The grooves 2c have a depth at which, when the connecting
 plates 3 are attached, no part of each connecting plate 3 protects from
 the surface of the first support member 2.
 In the first and second support members 2 and 2', vent holes 2d which pass
 through from one face to another face are opened at appropriate places in
 a thick portion surrounded by the battery holes 2a, etc. A plurality of
 vertical recess grooves 2e are provided in the front and rear faces of
 suppports 2 and 2' for effecting the flow of air and the resulting cooling
 of the batteries 1. The four corners of each of the first second
 rectangular support members 2 and 2' are ground into an arcuate convex
 shape, thereby forming rounded portions 2f.
 FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the batteries 1 are
 held by the first and second support members 2 and 2'. The first and
 second support members 2 and 2' are placed in a direction in which their
 faces wherein the battery holes 2a are formed are opposed to each other
 and the opposing battery holes 2a have different depths. Therefore, the
 cylindrical portions of the positive and negative sides of ten cylindrical
 batteries 1 are fitted into the battery holes 2a of the first and second
 support members 2 and 2', respectively.
 FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which the ten cylindrical
 batteries 1 are held between the first and second support members 2 and
 2', FIG. 8 is a perspective view as seen in the direction of the arrow P
 in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a bottom view as seen in the direction of the
 arrow Q in FIG. 7.
 As shown in the figures, the ten cylindrical batteries 1 are pressingly
 held between the first and second support members 2 and 2', and the
 terminals 1a and 1b of the cylindrical batteries 1 are sequentially
 connected to each other by the connecting plates 3 bridged in the grooves
 2c through which the paired terminal holes 2b and 2b' are communicated
 with each other. In the upper 2U of the first support member 2, flat
 plate-like connecting plates 3 made of a conductor are bridged between the
 terminals 1a and 1b which are adjacent to each other in the row direction,
 and screwed by the bolts 5 and the nuts 6. In the lower face 22 and
 similar connecting plates 3 are bridged between the terminals 1a and 1b
 which are adjacent to each other across the rows, and held in place on the
 bolts 5 by the nuts 6 screwed onto the bolts 5. As a result, as shown in
 FIG. 9, all the ten the cylindrical batteries 1 are connected in series
 between the terminals 1a and 1b on the positive and negative sides which
 are exposed respectively at two end places of the upper support member 2
 to which the connecting plates 3 are not attached. The screwing of the
 connecting plates 3 by means of the bolts 5 and the nuts 6 is performed by
 passing male-thread portions of the bolts 5 through holes opened in the
 ends of the connecting plates 3 and then screwing the male-thread portions
 into female-thread holes of the connecting faces of the terminals 1a and
 1b. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the connecting faces of the
 terminals 1a and 1b are substantially flush with the upper face 2U of the
 first support member 2, and hence the flat plate-like connecting plates 3
 can held in place on the bolts 5 in at parallel positions which are
 substantially contacted with the upper face 2U of the first support member
 2. The screw fixation of the connecting plates 3 enables the first and
 second support members 2 and 2' to be fixed integrally with the ten
 cylindrical batteries 1. In the first support member 2 (and also in the
 second support member 2'), as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the like, a step
 2g is formed in an edge of each of the terminal holes 2b and the grooves
 2c. Covers 4 (see FIG. 8) are fitted into the steps 2g, respectively.
 In the battery holder in which the ten cylindrical batteries 1 are held by
 the first and second support members 2 and 2' as described above,
 ventilation is enabled between the exterior and the vicinity of the
 inward-directed peripheral side faces of the cylindrical batteries 1, via
 the vent holes 2d of the first and second support members 2 and 2'.
 Consequently, heat generated from the cylindrical batteries 1 can be
 rapidly dissipated to the exterior. The outward-directed peripheral side
 faces of the cylindrical batteries 1 which are arranged in two rows are
 exposed as they are between the first and second support members 2 and 2',
 so that heat can be dissipated also from the faces. Accordingly, the heat
 dissipation of the cylindrical batteries 1 is accelerated by the vent
 holes 2d and the like, whereby the temperature rise of the cylindrical
 batteries 1 can be suppressed so as not to exceed the specified range. The
 ventilation due to the vent holes 2d and the like is conducted by natural
 convection. Particularly when the amount of generated heat is large, the
 ventilation may be forcedly conducted by using a fan or the like.
 As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of battery packs 7 in each of which ten
 cylindrical batteries 1 are held by the battery holder consisting of the
 first and second support members 2 and 2' may be laterally connected to
 each other. When the battery packs 7 in which the batteries 1 are held
 between the first and second support members 2 and 2' are laterally
 closely arranged, namely, the battery packs are located at positions where
 the terminal 1a at first end portion of the one support member 2 of a
 certain battery pack 7 can be just connected to the other terminal 1b of
 another battery pack 7 by the connecting plate 3. When a plurality of
 battery packs are connected to each other by the connecting plates 3 in
 this way, a number of batteries 1 are connected in series.
 In the embodiment of the invention, the battery holder in which ten
 cylindrical batteries 1 are held has been described. The number of the
 cylindrical batteries 1 can be set arbitrarily. The battery holes 2a and
 the like in first and second members 2 and 2' are adequately formed in
 accordance with the number of the cylindrical batteries 1 and the manner
 of arrangement.
 Under a state in which unit batteries are connected to each other, the
 conductor portions such as the connecting plates 3 and the bolts 5 are
 exposed. In the first support member 2 (and also in the second support
 member 2' ), however, the steps 2g are formed in the edges of the terminal
 holes 2b and the grooves 2c, and the covers 4 are respectively fitted into
 the steps 2g, whereby risks such as that the batteries are erroneously
 short-circuited can be prevented from occurring.
 As described above in detail, according to the battery holder of the
 invention, a number of batteries can be held by a support member, and the
 support member is laterally disposed, whereby the batteries can be
 disposed as, for example, batteries for an electric vehicle without
 requiring a large space on the floor. When battery packs each holding a
 plurality of batteries are configured, a number of battery packs can be
 laterally arranged.
 In the invention, heat generated from the cylindrical batteries can be
 dissipated to the exterior via the vent holes of the support members and
 the exposed side faces between the upper and lower support members, and
 hence the temperature rise of the cylindrical batteries can be suppressed
 as a result of performing natural convection or forced ventilation. When
 the battery holder in which cylindrical batteries are held by a pair of
 support members is horizontally laid on the floor, heat can be dissipated
 to the exterior via the recess grooves between the support members and the
 floor. Even when a number of cylindrical batteries are densely arranged,
 therefore, the temperature rise can be surely suppressed.