Abstract:
A battery-pack case includes the following: a metal base; a container that has an opening in the top surface thereof, accommodates a battery pack, and is affixed to the metal base; a lid that closes the opening in the container; a positive-electrode bus bar and a negative-electrode bus bar provided on an exterior surface of the container, with a conductive member connected to each of the bus bars; and a plurality of wires that lead inside the container from the outside thereof. The wires are routed between the positive-electrode bus bar and the negative-electrode bus bar so as not to interfere with the aforementioned conductive members.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2014/072373 filed on Aug. 27, 2014, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-188272 filed on Sep. 11, 2013, the contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a battery assembly container (battery-pack case) for accommodating a battery assembly. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    In general, frequency adjustment in an electric power system and adjustment of power demands and power supplies in the electric power system are carried out using a plurality of power generators, storage batteries, etc., equipped in the electric power system. Further, in most cases, adjustment in the difference between the generated electric power from natural energy based power generators and its planned output electric power, and reduction in the changes of electric power generated by the natural energy based power generators are also performed using the power generators, storage batteries, etc. In comparison with general electric power generators, the storage batteries can change the electric power output at high speed, and can be used effectively in frequency adjustment of the electric power system, adjustment of the difference between the generated electric power from natural energy based power generators and its planned output electric power, and adjustment of power demands and power supplies in the electric power system. 
         [0004]    Further, as a storage battery operated at high temperature connected to the power system, a sodium-sulfur battery (hereinafter referred to as the NaS battery) is used, for example. This NaS battery is a high temperature secondary battery containing metal sodium and sulfur as active materials in an isolated manner using a solid electrolyte pipe. When the NaS battery is heated at high temperature of about 300° C., a certain amount of energy is produced by an electrochemical reaction of both of the melted active materials. Normally, the NaS battery is formed by assembling a plurality of battery cells upright, and used in a form of a battery assembly (module) including a plurality of battery cells connected together. That is, the battery assembly has structure where circuits (strings) each formed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series are connected in parallel to form a block, at least two blocks are connected in series to form a battery assembly, and the battery assembly is placed in a battery assembly container. 
         [0005]    In use of the NaS battery, a plurality of heat insulating containers are stacked in the vertical direction using metal racks to form one module string, and a plurality of module strings are arranged in a lateral direction to form one electric power storage apparatus (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-055373 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-226488). 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    In this regard, in the conventional battery assembly container, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-226488, a positive electrode external terminal and a negative electrode external terminal are provided in the outer surface of the battery assembly container. The positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal are connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery assembly in the battery assembly container, respectively. For example, the positive electrode external terminal is provided on the right side, and the negative electrode external terminal is provided on the left side, of the outer surface. When two heat insulating containers that are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are considered, for example, the positive electrode external terminal of the upper heat insulating container and the negative external terminal of the lower heat insulating container are electrically connected through a cable. 
         [0007]    In this case, since the cable is provided adjacent to a lid of the battery assembly container, when the battery assembly is partially combusted, the cable is affected by the combustion easily. For example, metal wires exposed from the cable due to the combustion may contact the metal base frame, and insulation of the cable may not be maintained undesirably. 
         [0008]    Further, in the battery assembly container, for example, various heaters for maintaining the temperature in the battery assembly container at a certain level, various measurement instruments for measuring the block voltage, etc., and various sensors for measuring the temperature, etc. in the battery assembly container are provided. To this end, in addition to the above described cable, wiring lines (heater wires) to the various heaters, and wiring lines (signal lines) from the various measurement instruments and the various sensors need to be provided inside and outside the battery assembly container. Therefore, there is also a demand to perform operation to provide the wiring lines reliably and promptly. 
         [0009]    The present invention has been made taking such a problem into account, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery assembly container in which even if the battery assembly is partially combusted, the cable is not affected easily by the combustion, and it becomes possible to perform operation to provide the wiring lines reliably and promptly. 
         [0000]    [1] A battery assembly container according to the present invention includes a metal base frame, a box body fixed to the base frame, the box body including an opening in an upper surface of the box body, and accommodating a battery assembly, a lid body configured to close the opening of the box body, a positive electrode external terminal and a negative electrode external terminal provided for one outer surface of the box body, and connected to electrically conductive members, respectively, and a plurality of wiring lines extending from outside of the box body to inside of the box body. The plurality of wiring lines are provided between the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal at a position where no interference with the electrically conductive members occurs. 
         [0010]    In the structure, even if the battery assembly is partially combusted, the electrically conductive members and the plurality of wiring lines are not affected easily by the combustion. Even if operation to provide the plurality of wiring lines is performed after connecting the electrically conductive members, the wiring lines can be provided without obstruction by the electrically conductive members. Likewise, even in the case of connecting the electrically conductive members after operation of providing the plurality of wiring lines, the electrically conductive members can be connected without obstruction by the plurality of wiring lines. Consequently, the operation of providing the wiring lines can be performed reliably and promptly. 
         [0000]    [2] In the present invention, the position where no interference with the electrically conductive members occurs may represent a position where a projected area of the plurality of wiring lines on the base frame does not overlap with projected areas of the electrically conductive members on the base frame. The electrically conductive members are connected to the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal, respectively.
 
[3] In the present invention, a lead-out direction of a connector portion of the electrically conductive member connected to the positive electrode external terminal and a lead-out direction of a connector portion of the electrically conductive member connected to the negative electrode external terminal are oriented away from each other. In the structure, the plurality of wiring lines can be provided between the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal, at a position where no interference with the electrically conductive members occurs.
 
[4] In this case, the electrically conductive member connected to the positive electrode external terminal may be connected to a negative electrode external terminal of an adjacent battery assembly container provided on one side in a lateral direction, and the electrically conductive member connected to the negative electrode external terminal may be connected to a positive electrode external terminal of an adjacent battery assembly container provided on another side in the lateral direction. In the structure, since the wiring lines connected to the external terminals of the battery assembly containers are arranged in the lateral direction of the battery assembly containers, in the case where the battery assembly is partially combusted, the plurality of wiring lines are not affected by the combustion easily.
 
[5] In the present invention, the battery assembly container may further comprise a terminal frame connected to the plurality of wiring lines, and the terminal frame may be provided on the base frame, at a position between the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal. In the structure, the plurality of wiring lines can be provided locally between the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal. Further, it becomes possible to easily identify types of the wiring lines easily. It is a matter of course that the plurality of wiring lines may be provided at a position where no interference with the electrically conductive members occurs.
 
[6] In this case, the terminal frame may be configured to have no interference with the lid body. Therefore, even if the number of wiring lines is increased, and the length of the terminal frame in the vertical direction is increased, the terminal frame does not interfere with (e.g., contact) the lid body. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with the increase in the number of battery cells accommodated in the box body, and the increase in the number of measured points easily.
 
[7] For example, the configuration having no interference with the lid body may include a gap formed at least between a portion of the terminal frame facing the lid body and a portion of the lid body facing the terminal frame.
 
[8] In the present invention, a member configured to insert the plurality of wiring lines may be provided in the outer surface of the box body, at a position between the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal. Accordingly, the plurality of wiring lines can be provided at a position where no interference with the electrically conductive members occurs.
 
[9] In the present invention, a vacuum sensor and a vacuum seal plug used for adjusting a degree of vacuum inside the box body may be provided in the outer surface of the box body, at positions between the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal. In the structure, evacuation operation and sealing operation in the box body can be performed without obstruction by the plurality of wiring lines, the terminal frame, etc., and improvement in the work efficiency of these operations can be achieved.
 
[10] In the present invention, a member configured to insert the plurality of wiring lines connected to the terminal frame may be provided in the outer surface of the box body, at a position between the terminal frame and one of the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal, and a vacuum sensor and a vacuum seal plug used for adjusting a degree of vacuum inside the box body may be provided in the outer surface of the box body, at positions between the member and one of the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal.
 
[11] In the present invention, a member configured to insert the plurality of wiring lines connected to the terminal frame may be provided in the outer surface of the box body, at a position between the terminal frame and one of the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal, and a vacuum sensor and a vacuum seal plug used for adjusting a degree of vacuum inside the box body may be provided in the outer surface of the box body, at positions between the terminal frame and another of the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal.
 
[12] In the present invention, a member configured to insert the plurality of wiring lines connected to the terminal frame may be provided in the outer surface of the box body, at a position between the terminal frame and one of the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal, and a vacuum sensor and a vacuum seal plug used for adjusting a degree of vacuum inside the box body may be provided in the outer surface of the box body, at positions between the terminal frame and the member.
 
         [0011]    As described above, in the battery assembly container according to the present invention, even if the battery assembly is partially combusted, the cable is not affected easily by the combustion, and it becomes possible to perform operation of providing the wiring lines reliably and promptly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front view showing a battery assembly container according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a vertical cross sectional view showing the battery assembly container with partial omission; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a battery assembly contained in the battery assembly container; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a lateral sectional view showing part (positive electrode side) of the battery assembly container; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a lateral cross sectional view showing part (negative electrode side) of the battery assembly container; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing part of a positive electrode bus bar, a positive electrode support body, and a base frame; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view showing connection structure of a conductor connector of the positive electrode bus bar and a connector of an electrically conductive member; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view showing part of the positive electrode bus bar, the positive electrode support body, and the base frame; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a front view showing a state where a plurality of battery assembly containers are connected by the electrically conductive members, with partial omission; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10A  is a side view showing main components in a state where a terminal frame is provided on the base frame of the battery assembly container, with partially broken away; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10B  is a front view showing this state; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a front view showing a first modified example of the battery assembly container; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a front view showing a second modified example of the battery assembly container; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a front view showing a third modified example of the battery assembly container; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a front view showing a fourth modified example of the battery assembly container; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a front view showing a fifth modified example of the battery assembly container. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Hereinafter, an embodiment of a battery assembly container according to the present invention applied to, e.g., a NaS battery will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 15 . 
         [0029]    A battery assembly container  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention has a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from above. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the battery assembly container  10  includes a box body  14  of, e.g., a vacuum heat insulating design specification placed on a base frame  12  made of, e.g., steel material, and a lid body  16  of, e.g., an atmospheric air heat insulating design specification for closing an opening of the box body  14 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a battery assembly  20  made up of a large number of battery cells  18  is accommodated in the box body  14 . For example, each of the battery cells  18  has a cylindrical shape, and is accommodated in the box body  14  in a state where the axial direction of the battery cells  18  is oriented vertically. Further, in order to suppress damages and abnormal heating of the battery cells  18  or leakage of active material, etc., though not shown, as fire extinction sand, silica sand is filled in a gap between the box body  14  and the battery assembly  20 . 
         [0031]    For example, the box body  14  has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes four side walls and a bottom wall. An opening is formed in an upper surface of the box body  14 . For example, the box body  14  is made of plate material of stainless steel. The box body  14  is formed in a box shape having a hollow area  22  in itself. The hollow area  22  is a hermetical space which is sealed in an air-tight manner. The hollow area  22  is connectable to the external space by a vacuum valve (not shown). A porous vacuum heat insulating board  24  formed by solidifying glass fiber into a plate shape using adhesive is loaded in the hollow area  22  to achieve vacuum heat insulating structure of the box body  14 . 
         [0032]    The lid body  16  includes a ceiling wall  26  and eaves  28 , and provided to close the opening in the upper surface of the box body  14 . In the same manner as in the case of the box body  14 , the lid body  16  is made of plate material of stainless steel. A heat insulating material layer for achieving the required minimum heat insulating property is placed under an inner surface (lower surface) of the lid body  16 . At least two stacked detachable heat insulating plates  32  are filled (stacked) in a hollow area  30  to provide air heat insulating structure only in the lid body  16  (upper surface) of the battery assembly  20 . In the structure, the quantity of heat radiation from the upper surface of the battery assembly  20  can be regulated. In the case where the heat insulating performance in the battery assembly  20  is important, it is a matter of course that the lid body  16  may adopt vacuum heat insulating structure as in the case of the box body  14 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the battery assembly  20  is formed by connecting two or more blocks  38  in series from a positive electrode  34  to a negative electrode  36 . Each of the blocks  38  is formed by connecting two or more circuits (strings  40 ) in parallel, and each of the strings  40  is formed by connecting two or more battery cells  18  in series. 
         [0034]    The positive electrode  34  includes a positive electrode bus bar  42  of the positive electrode external terminal and a positive electrode bus  44  as a relay member. The positive electrode bus  44  includes a positive electrode current collector  46 , a positive electrode extension  48 , and a positive electrode pole  50 . The negative electrode  36  includes a negative electrode bus bar  52  of the negative electrode external terminal and a negative electrode bus  54  as a relay member. The negative electrode bus  54  includes a negative electrode current collector  56 , a negative electrode extension  58 , and a negative electrode pole  60 . 
         [0035]    Next, an example of specific structure of the positive electrode  34  and the negative electrode  36  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the positive electrode current collector  46  and the positive electrode extension  48  of the positive electrode  34  are accommodated in an accommodation space of the box body  14 . The positive electrode pole  50  extends through a first side wall  14   a  of the box body  14 . The positive electrode current collector  46  and the positive electrode extension  48  are formed by bending an intermediate portion of one electrically conductive material (e.g., metal plate) at a right angle. The positive electrode current collector  46  is provided along an inner surface of a second side wall  14   b . The positive electrode extension  48  is provided along an inner surface of the first side wall  14   a . The positive electrode pole  50  is joined to the positive electrode extension  48  in the accommodation space of the box body  14 , and joined to the positive electrode bus bar  42  outside the box body  14 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the negative electrode current collector  56  and the negative electrode extension  58  are accommodated in the accommodation space. The negative electrode pole  60  extends through the first side wall  14   a . The negative electrode current collector  56  and the negative electrode extension  58  are formed by bending an intermediate portion of one electrically conductive material (e.g., metal plate) at a right angle. The negative electrode current collector  56  is provided along an inner surface of a third side wall  14   c . The negative electrode extension  58  is provided along an inner surface of the first side wall  14   a.    
         [0038]    The negative electrode pole  60  is joined to the negative electrode extension  58  in the accommodation space, and joined to the negative electrode bus bar  52  outside the box body  14 . 
         [0039]    It should be noted that since the above described positive electrode current collector  46 , the positive electrode extension  48 , the negative electrode current collector  56 , and the negative electrode extension  58  are made of metal plates, this structure contributes to reduction in the electrical resistance of the positive electrode bus  44  and the negative electrode bus  54 . It is a matter of course that each of the positive electrode current collector  46  and the positive electrode extension  48 , and the negative electrode current collector  56  and the negative electrode extension  58  may be formed by joining two or more electrically conductive parts or components. Further, since each of the positive electrode pole  50  and the negative electrode pole  60  has a pole shape, this structure contributes to suppression of movement of the heat into, and out of the box body  14  through the positive electrode pole  50  and the negative electrode pole  60 . 
         [0040]    Then, an electrically conductive member  62  is connected to each of the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the negative electrode bus bar  52  (see  FIG. 1 ). Now, a state where the electrically conductive member  62  is connected to the positive electrode bus bar  42  of the battery assembly  20  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 8 . 
         [0041]    Next, the state where the electrically conductive member  62  is connected to the positive electrode bus bar  42  of the battery assembly  20  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the positive electrode bus bar  42  includes a conductor connector  64  and a bent portion  66 . The electrically conductive member  62  electrically connects the positive electrode bus bar  42  of one of the adjacent battery assembly containers  10  and the negative electrode bus bar  52  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the other of the adjacent battery assembly containers  10 . As the electrically conductive member  62 , a connector  68  made of a metal plate and metal mesh wire  70  are provided. Therefore, hang-down and deflection are suppressed, and the electrically conductive member  62  can have a shape conformed to the curved wiring line path. 
         [0043]    The positive electrode pole  50  is joined to the bent portion  66  of the positive electrode bus bar  42 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , a bolt hole  72  is formed in the conductor connector  64  of the positive electrode bus bar  42 . A bolt hole  74  is formed also in the connector  68  of the electrically conductive member  62 . The conductor connector  64  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the connector  68  of the electrically conductive member  62  are stacked together. Bolts  76  are inserted into bolt holes  72  formed in the conductor connector  64  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  and bolt holes  74  formed in the connector  68  of the electrically conductive member  62 . The bolts  76  are screwed into nuts  78 . The conductor connector  64  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the connector  68  of the electrically conductive member  62  are tightened together using the bolts  76  and the nuts  78 . 
         [0044]    The surface of the conductor connector  64  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the surface of the connector  68  of the electrically conductive member  62  are nickel plated. In this case, in comparison with the case where silver plating is used, though improvement in the durability and the heat resistance of the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the electrically conductive member  62  is achieved, the connection resistance is increased. The problem of the higher connection resistance is resolved by increasing the contact area between the conductor connector  64  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the connector  68  of the electrically conductive member  62 , and closely tightening the conductor connector  64  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the connector  68  of the electrically conductive member  62  that are in contact with each other. 
         [0045]    The positive electrode bus bar  42  has a plate shape. The conductor connector  64  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  is positioned at a position closer to one end of the positive electrode bus bar  42 . The bent portion  66  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  is positioned at a position closer to the other end of the positive electrode bus bar  42 . The conductor connector  64  and the bent portion  66  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  are provided in parallel with the outer surface of the first side wall  14   a . The distance from the first side wall  14   a  to the conductor connector  64  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  is larger than the bolt length of the bolts  76 , and larger than the length from the first side wall  14   a  to the bent portion  66 . Preferably, the distance from the first side wall  14   a  to the conductor connector  64  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  is twice or more times as large as the bolt length. 
         [0046]    In the case where the distance from the first side wall  14   a  (wall on the front side) of the box body  14  to the conductor connector  64  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  is larger than the bolt length, the bolts  76  do not contact the first side wall  14   a  easily. 
         [0047]    In the case where the distance from the first side wall  14   a  to the bent portion  66  of the positive electrode bus bar  42  is short, the positive electrode pole  50  is short. Consequently, movement of the heat into, and out of the box body  14  through the positive electrode pole  50  is suppressed, and the temperature inside the box body  14  is regulated easily. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , a positive electrode support body  80  supporting the positive electrode bus bar  42  on the base frame  12  has a pedestal  82 , a pedestal fixing bolt  84 , a lower end cap  86 , an insulator  88 , an upper end cap  90 , an L angle metal  92  (see  FIG. 8 ), and an L angle metal fixing bolt  94 , and an L angle metal fixing nut  96  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0049]    A lower end  98  of the insulator  88  and a recess  100  of the lower end cap  86  are joined together using cement. An outer surface  102  of the lower end cap  86  and an upper surface  104  of the pedestal  82  are welded together. 
         [0050]    The pedestal  82  is fixed to the base frame  12  using the pedestal fixing bolt  84 . A bolt hole  106  is formed in the base frame  12 . A bolt hole  108  is formed in the pedestal  82 . A screw groove is formed in the inner surface of the bolt hole  106 . The pedestal  82  is placed on the base frame  12  of the battery assembly container  10 . The pedestal fixing bolt  84  is inserted into the bolt hole  108  formed in the pedestal  82  and the bolt hole  106  formed in the base frame  12 , and screwed into the screw groove of the bolt hole  106  formed in the base frame  12 . The bolt hole  108  formed in the pedestal  82  is a long hole elongated in the depth direction of the pedestal  82 . In the structure, the position of the pedestal  82  is adjustable in the depth direction. 
         [0051]    An upper end  110  of the insulator  88  and a recess  112  of the upper end cap  90  are joined together using cement. An outer surface  114  of the upper end cap  90  and an outer surface  118  of a horizontal portion  116  of the L angle metal  92  are welded together. 
         [0052]    A vertical portion  120  of the L angle metal  92  is fixed to the positive electrode bus bar  42  using the L angle metal fixing bolt  94  and the L angle metal fixing nut  96 . A bolt hole  122  is formed in the vertical portion  120  of the L angle metal  92 . A bolt hole  124  is formed in the positive electrode bus bar  42 . The vertical portion  120  of the angle metal  92  and the positive electrode bus bar  42  are stacked together. The L angle metal fixing bolt  94  is inserted into the bolt hole  122  formed in the L angle metal  92  and the bolt hole  124  formed in the positive electrode bus bar  42 . The L angle metal fixing bolt  94  is screwed into the L angle metal fixing nut  96 . The bolt hole  122  formed in the L angle metal  92  is a long hole elongated in the vertical direction. Therefore, the position of the L angle metal  92  is adjustable in the vertical direction. Accordingly, variation of the dimension of the insulator  88  is absorbed by positional adjustment of the pedestal  82  and the L angle metal  92 . 
         [0053]    The positive electrode bus bar  42  is supported by the positive electrode support body  80 . The pedestal  82  joined to the base frame  12  and the L angle metal  92  joined to the positive electrode bus bar  42  are electrically insulated by the insulator  88 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a negative electrode support body  126  supporting the negative electrode bus bar  52  on the base frame  12  also has the same structure in this respect. 
         [0054]    Therefore, even in the case where the battery assembly  20  is partially combusted, and the electrically conductive member  62  is affected by the combustion, as long as the positive electrode bus bar  42  is supported by the positive electrode support body  80  and the negative electrode bus bar  52  is supported by the negative electrode support body  126 , the electrically conductive member  62  is not detached easily and the electrically conductive member  62  is kept insulated electrically. Therefore, improvement in the security of the battery assembly container  10  is achieved. 
         [0055]    Further, in the box body  14 , in addition to the above described battery assembly  20 , though not shown, a plurality of heaters for maintaining the inside of the box body  14  at a certain temperature, a plurality of thermometers for measuring the temperature in the box body  14 , and a plurality of voltage meters for measuring the block voltage, etc. are provided. Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of wiring lines  130  including a plurality of heater wiring lines  130   a  for supplying electrical energy to various heaters, a plurality of signal lines  130   b  from various voltage meters, and a plurality of signal lines  130   c  from various thermometers are provided inside and outside the battery assembly container  10 . 
         [0056]    In this case, since a large number of wiring lines are present, it is preferable that these wiring lines are provided locally at one position, and types of the wiring lines can be identified easily. To this end, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a terminal frame  132  connected to the plurality of wiring lines  130  is provided on the base frame  12 , at a position between the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the negative electrode bus bar  52 . Further, a member for inserting the plurality of wiring lines  130 , in particular, the member (e.g., bellows tube  134 ) for inserting the plurality of wiring lines  130  in the hermetical, air tight state is provided between the terminal frame  132  and one of the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the negative electrode bus bar  52  (in the example of  FIG. 1 , the positive electrode bus bar  42 ). 
         [0057]    Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, a lead-out direction of a connector portion of the electrically conductive member  62  connected to the positive electrode bus bar  42  and a lead-out direction of a connector portion of the electrically conductive member  62  connected to the negative electrode bus bar  52  are oriented away from each other. In the structure, in the case of connecting the plurality of battery assembly containers  10  in series, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the electrically conductive member  62  connected to the positive electrode bus bar  42  of the battery assembly container  10  is connected to the negative electrode bus bar  52  of an adjacent battery assembly container  10 A provided on one side in the lateral direction (battery cell assembly container on the right side in  FIG. 9 ). Likewise, the electrically conductive member  62  connected to the negative electrode bus bar  52  of the battery assembly container  10  is connected to the positive electrode bus bar  42  of an adjacent battery assembly container  10 B provided on the other side in a lateral direction (battery cell assembly container on the left side in  FIG. 9 ). 
         [0058]    Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of wiring lines  130  can be provided between the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the negative electrode bus bar  52 , at the position where no interference with the electrically conductive members  62  occurs, and locally in the terminal frame  132 . The position where no interference with the electrically conductive members  62  occurs is shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, as a position where a projected area Z 3  of the wiring lines  130  on the base frame  12  does not overlap with projected areas Z 1 , Z 2  of the electrically conductive members  62  (connected to the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the negative electrode bus bar  52 , respectively) on the base frame  12 . Therefore, the plurality of wiring lines  130  such as the above described heater wiring lines  130   a  and the signal lines  130   b ,  130   c  can be provided at the position where no interference with the electrically conductive member  62  occurs. Even if operation to provide the plurality of wiring lines  130  is performed after connecting the electrically conductive members  62 , the wiring lines  130  can be provided without obstruction by the electrically conductive members  62 . Likewise even in the case of connecting the electrically conductive member  62  after operation of providing the plurality of wiring lines, the electrically conductive member  62  can be connected without obstruction by the plurality of wiring lines  130 . Consequently, the operation of providing the wiring lines can be performed reliably and promptly. 
         [0059]    Further, since the electrically conductive members  62  for electrically connecting the plurality of battery assembly containers  10  are arranged in the lateral direction of the battery assembly containers  10 , for example, even if the battery assembly  20  is partially combusted, the electrically conductive members  62  and the plurality of wiring lines  130  are not affected by the combustion easily. Even if the electrically conductive member  62  is affected by the combustion, as described above, since electrical insulation is achieved by positioning insulating material (insulator  88 ) between the base frame  12  and the positive electrode bus bar  42  and between the base frame  12  and the negative electrode bus bar  52 , the electrically conductive member  62  is not detached easily, and the electrically conductive member  62  is kept insulated electrically. It is possible to avoid occurrence of short circuiting at multiple points. 
         [0060]    Further, in the terminal frame  132 , terminals  136  corresponding to the number of the plurality of wiring lines  130  are arranged in the vertical direction such that at least a group of a plurality of terminals  136   a  for heater wires, a group of a plurality of terminals  136   b  for signal lines (block voltage), and a group of a plurality of terminals  136   c  for signal lines (temperature) are arranged separately. Therefore, the heater wiring lines  130   a  and the signal lines  130   b ,  130   c  are provided locally in the terminal frame  132  at the position where no interference with the electrically conductive member  62  occurs. Further, it is possible to easily recognize which wiring line should be connected to which terminal. Accordingly, improvement in the reliability and swiftness in operation of providing wiring lines is achieved. 
         [0061]    In the case where the number of wiring lines to be connected is increased, the size of this terminal frame  132  in the vertical direction is increased, and the terminal frame  132  may contact the lid body  16  undesirably. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the terminal frame  132  is configured to have no interference with the lid body  16 . Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the terminal frame  132  includes a mount frame  138  fixed to the base frame  12 , and a terminal plate  140  fixed to the front side of the mount frame  138 . An upper end  138   a  of the mount frame  138  is positioned below a lower end  28   a  of the eaves  28  of the lid body  16 . A gap  142  is formed between a portion of the terminal plate  140  fixed to the front side of the mount frame  138 , facing the side surface of the eaves  28  of the lid body  16 , and a portion of the side surface of the eaves  28  facing the terminal plate  140 . In the structure, the terminal frame  132  is configured to have no interference with the lid body  16 . Accordingly, even if the number of terminals  136  arranged on the terminal frame  132  is increased, the terminal frame  132  does not contact the lid body  16 . Accordingly, it is possible to cope with the increase in the number of battery cells  18  accommodated in the box body  14 , and the increase in the number of measured points easily. 
         [0062]    Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a vacuum sensor  144  and a vacuum seal plug  146  used for adjusting the degree of vacuum in the box body  14  are provided in the outer surface of the first side wall  14   a  of the box body  14 , at positions between the positive electrode bus bar  42  and the negative electrode bus bar  52 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , the vacuum sensor  144  and the vacuum seal plug  146  are provided between the bellows tube  134  and the positive electrode bus bar  42 , and in particular, the vacuum sensor  144  is provided immediately above the vacuum seal plug  146 . In this case, the terminal frame  132  is provided on the left side of the bellows tube  134 , and the vacuum sensor  144  and the vacuum seal plug  146  are provided on the right side of the bellows tube  134 . Therefore, the vacuum sensor  144  and the vacuum seal plug  146  are provided at positions where no interference with at least the electrically conductive members  62 , the terminal frame  132  and the plurality of wiring lines  130  occurs. Therefore, evacuation operation and sealing operation in the box body  14  can be performed without obstruction by the plurality of wiring lines  130 , the terminal frame  132 , etc., and improvement in the work efficiency in these operations can be achieved. 
         [0063]    It should be noted that the positions of providing the terminal frame  132 , the bellows tube  134 , the vacuum sensor  144 , and the vacuum seal plug  146  can also be adopted preferably in first to fifth modified examples shown in  FIGS. 11 to 15  in addition to the example of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0064]    Specifically, in the first modified example (battery assembly container  10   a ), as shown in  FIG. 11 , the terminal frame  132  is provided between the bellows tube  134  and the negative electrode bus bar  52 , and the vacuum sensor  144  and the vacuum seal plug  146  are provided between the terminal frame  132  and the negative electrode bus bar  52 . 
         [0065]    In the second modified example (battery assembly container  10   b ), as shown in  FIG. 12 , the terminal frame  132  is provided between the bellows tube  134  and the negative electrode bus bar  52 , and the vacuum sensor  144  and the vacuum seal plug  146  are provided between the bellows tube  134  and the terminal frame  132 . In this case, the terminal frame  132  may be provided at a position closer to the negative electrode bus bar  52 . 
         [0066]    In the third modified example (battery assembly container  10   c ), as shown in  FIG. 13 , the terminal frame  132  is provided between the bellows tube  134  and the positive electrode bus bar  42 , and the vacuum sensor  144  and the vacuum seal plug  146  are provided between the bellows tube  134  and the negative electrode bus bar  52 . 
         [0067]    In the fourth modified example (battery assembly container  10   d ), as shown in  FIG. 14 , the terminal frame  132  is provided between the bellows tube  134  and the positive electrode bus bar  42 , and the vacuum sensor  144  and the vacuum seal plug  146  are provided between the terminal frame  132  and the positive electrode bus bar  42 . 
         [0068]    In the fifth modified example (battery assembly container  10   e ), as shown in  FIG. 15 , the terminal frame  132  is provided between the bellows tube  134  and the positive electrode bus bar  42 , and the vacuum sensor  144  and the vacuum seal plug  146  are provided between the bellows tube  134  and the terminal frame  132 . In this case, the terminal frame  132  may be provided at a position closer to the positive electrode bus bar  42 . 
         [0069]    Among the first to fifth modified examples, in the first modified example, the third modified example, and the fourth modified example, as in the case of the embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum sensor  144  and the vacuum seal plug  146  can be provided at positions where no interference with at least the electrically conductive member  62 , the terminal frame  132 , and the plurality of wiring lines  130  occurs. 
         [0070]    It is a matter of course that the battery assembly container according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various structures can be adopted without deviating from the gist of the present invention.