Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a battery module.

For example, <CIT> discloses a battery module including: a plurality of battery cells; a holding member having a plurality of bus bars for connecting the plurality of battery cells in series, the plurality of bus bars being insert-molded; and a gas-discharge duct extending in an elongated form in a direction in which the battery cells are arranged side by side. The holding member is provided with a pair of supporting rails. The gas-discharge duct is provided with suspension rails slidably engaged with the pair of supporting rails in the direction in which the battery cells are arranged side by side.

<CIT> discloses a power supply device including: a battery stack formed by stacking a plurality of secondary battery cells with a separator being interposed therebetween; and a gas duct that guides, along a predetermined path, gas discharged from a safety valve of each secondary battery cell. A claw portion is provided at an upper end of the separator. A duct anchoring piece engaged with the claw portion is provided on a side surface of the gas duct.

As disclosed in <CIT>, there has been known a battery module including: a plurality of stacked battery cells; and a duct through which gas discharged from each battery cell flows, the duct extending in a stacking direction of the battery cells. During a process of assembling such a battery module, an operation of attaching the duct to the plurality of battery cells is performed.

However, in the battery module disclosed in <CIT>, the holding member provided with the pair of supporting rails and the gas-discharge duct provided with the suspension rails need to be slid relative to each other by a length corresponding to the total length of the plurality of battery cells in the stacking direction thereof. Therefore, a relative sliding amount of the holding member and the gas-discharge duct becomes large, thereby compromising workability when attaching the gas-discharge duct.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem and to provide a battery module excellent in workability when attaching a duct.

According to the battery module thus configured, by utilizing the first protrusion and the second protrusion respectively disposed at the one end and the other end of the plurality of battery cell units, the duct can be more firmly attached to the plurality of case bodies.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to figures. It should be noted that in the figures referred to below, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference characters.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is an exploded assembly diagram showing the battery module in <FIG>. Each of <FIG> is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the battery module in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view showing a battery cell unit included in the battery module in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view showing the battery cell included in the battery cell unit in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a battery module <NUM> is used as a power supply for driving a vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

In the present specification, for convenience of description of the structure of battery module <NUM>, the "Y axis" represents an axis extending in parallel with a stacking direction of a plurality of below-described battery cells <NUM>, the "X axis" represents an axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the Y axis, and the "Z axis" represents an axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the Y axis and the X axis. An obliquely rightward upward direction in the plane of sheet of <FIG> is "+Y axis direction", and an obliquely leftward downward direction in the plane of sheet of <FIG> is "-Y axis direction". An obliquely rightward downward direction in the plane of sheet of <FIG> is "+X axis direction" and an obliquely leftward upward direction in the plane of sheet of <FIG> is "-X axis direction". An upward direction in the plane of sheet of <FIG> is "+Z axis direction" and a downward direction in the plane of sheet of <FIG> is "-Z axis direction". Typically, battery module <NUM> is mounted on a vehicle in such a posture that the +Z axis direction corresponds to the upward direction and the -Z axis direction corresponds to the downward direction.

First, an overall structure of battery module <NUM> will be described. As shown in <FIG>, battery module <NUM> has a plurality of battery cell units <NUM> (21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F).

The plurality of battery cell units <NUM> are arranged side by side in the Y axis direction. Battery cell unit 21A, battery cell unit 21B, battery cell unit 21C, battery cell unit 21D, battery cell unit 21E, and battery cell unit 21F are arranged side by side in this order from the negative side to the positive side in the Y axis direction. It should be noted that the number of battery cell units <NUM> included in battery module <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as two or more battery cell units <NUM> are included.

As shown in <FIG>, each of battery cell units <NUM>, i.e., each of battery cell units 21A to 21F includes a plurality of battery cells <NUM> and a case body <NUM>.

In each battery cell unit <NUM>, two battery cells <NUM> are arranged side by side continuously in the Y axis direction. It should be noted that the number of battery cells <NUM> included in each battery cell unit <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as a plurality of battery cells <NUM> are included.

Each of battery cells <NUM> is a lithium ion battery. Battery cell <NUM> has an output density of <NUM> W/L or more. Battery cell <NUM> has a prismatic shape and has a thin plate shape in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped. The plurality of battery cells <NUM> are stacked such that the Y axis direction corresponds to the thickness direction of each battery cell <NUM>.

Each of battery cells <NUM> has an exterior package <NUM>. Exterior package <NUM> is constituted of a housing having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and forms the external appearance of battery cell <NUM>. An electrode assembly and an electrolyte solution are accommodated in exterior package <NUM>.

Exterior package <NUM> has a cell side surface <NUM>, a cell side surface <NUM>, and a cell top surface <NUM>. Each of cell side surface <NUM> and cell side surface <NUM> is constituted of a flat surface orthogonal to the Y axis direction. Cell side surface <NUM> and cell side surface <NUM> are oriented oppositely in the Y axis direction. Each of cell side surface <NUM> and cell side surface <NUM> has the largest area among the areas of the plurality of side surfaces of exterior package <NUM>. Cell top surface <NUM> is constituted of a flat surface orthogonal to the Z axis direction. Cell top surface <NUM> is oriented in the +Z axis direction.

Battery cell <NUM> further has a gas-discharge valve <NUM>. Gas-discharge valve <NUM> is provided in cell top surface <NUM>. Gas-discharge valve <NUM> is provided at the center portion of cell top surface <NUM> in the X axis direction. When internal pressure of exterior package <NUM> becomes more than or equal to a predetermined value due to gas generated inside exterior package <NUM>, gas-discharge valve <NUM> discharges the gas to the outside of exterior package <NUM>. The gas from gas-discharge valve <NUM> flows through a below-described duct <NUM> and is discharged to the outside of battery module <NUM>.

Battery cell <NUM> further has electrode terminals <NUM> that are a pair of a positive electrode terminal 16p and a negative electrode terminal 16n. Electrode terminals <NUM> are provided on cell top surface <NUM>. Positive electrode terminal 16p and negative electrode terminal 16n are provided on both sides with gas-discharge valve <NUM> being interposed therebetween in the X axis direction.

Case body <NUM> has a rectangular parallelepiped appearance. Case body <NUM> is composed of a resin. In each battery cell unit <NUM>, case body <NUM> accommodates a plurality of battery cells <NUM>. Case body <NUM> has a case top portion <NUM>. Case top portion <NUM> has a wall shape having a thickness direction corresponding to the Z axis direction with case top portion <NUM> being disposed in parallel with the X-Y axes plane.

As shown in <FIG>, the plurality of battery cells <NUM> are stacked in the Y axis direction across battery cell units 21A to 21F arranged side by side in the Y axis direction. The plurality of battery cells <NUM> are stacked such that cell side surfaces <NUM> of battery cells <NUM> adjacent to each other in the Y axis direction face each other and cell side surfaces <NUM> of battery cells <NUM> adjacent to each other in the Y axis direction face each other. Thus, positive electrode terminals 16p and negative electrode terminals 16n are alternately arranged in the Y axis direction in which the plurality of battery cells <NUM> are stacked. Positive electrode terminal 16p and negative electrode terminal 16n adjacent to each other in the Y axis direction are connected to each other by a bus bar (not shown) disposed in case top portion <NUM>. Thus, the plurality of battery cells <NUM> are electrically connected together in series.

As shown in <FIG>, battery module <NUM> further has a pair of end plates <NUM> (42P, 42Q) and a pair of binding bars <NUM>. The pair of binding bars <NUM> and the pair of end plates <NUM> collectively hold the plurality of battery cell units <NUM> (the plurality of battery cells <NUM>) arranged side by side in the Y axis direction.

The pair of end plates <NUM> are disposed at both ends beside the plurality of battery cells <NUM> (the plurality of battery cell units <NUM>) in the Y axis direction. End plate 42P faces battery cell unit 21A in the Y axis direction, and end plate 42Q faces battery cell unit 21F in the Y axis direction.

Each of end plates <NUM> has a plate portion <NUM> and a roof portion <NUM>. Plate portion <NUM> has a plate shape having a thickness direction corresponding to the Y axis direction. Roof portion <NUM> extends, from an end portion (upper end portion) of plate portion <NUM> in the +Z axis direction, in a direction away from the stack of battery cells <NUM> in the Y axis direction. Roof portion <NUM> has a roof shape having a thickness in the Z axis direction and extending in the form of a strip along the upper end portion of plate portion <NUM>.

The pair of binding bars <NUM> are disposed at both ends of the stack of battery cells <NUM> in the X axis direction. Each of binding bars <NUM> extends in the Y axis direction. An end portion of binding bar <NUM> in the -Y axis direction is connected to end plate 42P. An end portion of binding bar <NUM> in the +Y axis direction is connected to end plate 42Q. The pair of binding bars <NUM> and the pair of end plates <NUM> apply a restraint force in the Y axis direction onto the plurality of battery cells <NUM> (the plurality of battery cell units <NUM>).

Battery module <NUM> further has duct <NUM> and a cover body <NUM>. Duct <NUM> is composed of a resin. Duct <NUM> extends in the Y axis direction with duct <NUM> facing the plurality of battery cells <NUM> (the plurality of battery cell units <NUM>) in the Z axis direction. Duct <NUM> is an elongated body extending in the Y axis direction. Duct <NUM> forms a path through which gas discharged from each of the plurality of battery cells <NUM> flows. Duct <NUM> is attached to an attachment-target member <NUM>. Attachment-target member <NUM> is a member held by battery cells <NUM>, and, in the present embodiment, is constituted of the plurality of case bodies <NUM> arranged side by side in the Y axis direction.

Cover body <NUM> is composed of a resin. Cover body <NUM> is provided to cover the plurality of battery cells <NUM> in the Z axis direction. Cover body <NUM> is provided to face case top portions <NUM> of case bodies <NUM> in the Z axis direction. Cover body <NUM> is provided to further cover duct <NUM>.

Next, a structure for attaching duct <NUM> to attachment-target member <NUM> (the plurality of case bodies <NUM>) will be described in detail.

Each of <FIG> and <FIG> is a perspective view showing the duct. <FIG> is a cross sectional view showing the battery module (state in which the duct is attached to the attachment-target member) when viewed in a direction of arrow on a line IX-IX in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross sectional view showing the battery module (state in which the duct is attached to the attachment-target member) when viewed in a direction of arrow on a line X-X in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross sectional view showing the battery module (state in which the duct is attached to the attachment-target member) when viewed in a direction of arrow on a line XI-XI in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> as well as <FIG>, attachment-target member <NUM> (the plurality of case bodies <NUM>) has a floor wall portion <NUM> and a pair of vertical wall portions <NUM> (<NUM>, 116T).

Floor wall portion <NUM> is constituted of a portion of case top portion <NUM> of each case body <NUM>. Floor wall portion <NUM> is disposed in parallel with the X-Y axes plane. Floor wall portion <NUM> has a wall shape having a thickness in the Z axis direction and extending in the Y axis direction across the plurality of case bodies <NUM> arranged side by side in the Y axis direction. Floor wall portion <NUM> is disposed just above each of cell top surfaces <NUM> of battery cells <NUM> accommodated in case bodies <NUM>. Floor wall portion <NUM> is disposed between positive electrode terminals 16p and negative electrode terminals 16n in the X axis direction. Floor wall portion <NUM> is provided with through holes <NUM> to expose gas-discharge valves <NUM>.

The pair of vertical wall portions <NUM> rise from floor wall portion <NUM> in the +Z axis direction. An end portion (lower end portion) of each vertical wall portion <NUM> in the -Z axis direction is connected to floor wall portion <NUM>. Vertical wall portion <NUM> has a wall shape having a thickness in the X axis direction and extending in the Y axis direction with an unchanged height in the Z axis direction across the plurality of case bodies <NUM> arranged side by side in the Y axis direction.

The pair of vertical wall portions <NUM> are provided with a space being interposed therebetween in the X axis direction. Vertical wall portion <NUM> is provided at a position away from vertical wall portion 116T in the +X axis direction. The pair of vertical wall portions <NUM> are provided at the center portions of case top portions <NUM> in the X axis direction. Through holes <NUM> are opened between vertical wall portion <NUM> and vertical wall portion 116T in the X axis direction. In a state in which duct <NUM> is not attached to attachment-target member <NUM>, a space surrounded in three directions by floor wall portion <NUM>, vertical wall portion <NUM>, and vertical wall portion 116T is opened in the +Z axis direction and the ±Y axis direction.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> as well as <FIG>, duct <NUM> has a duct main body portion <NUM>. Duct main body portion <NUM> forms a main part of duct <NUM> for allowing gas from each battery cell <NUM> to flow therethrough. Duct main body portion <NUM> extends in the Y axis direction with duct main body portion <NUM> facing, in the Z axis direction, the plurality of gas-discharge valves <NUM> arranged side by side with a space being interposed therebetween in the Y axis direction.

Duct <NUM> (duct main body portion <NUM>) is disposed between the pair of vertical wall portions <NUM>. Duct <NUM> (duct main body portion <NUM>) and case bodies <NUM> form a flow space <NUM> for gas discharged from each battery cell <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, duct <NUM> (duct main body portion <NUM>) has a duct top wall portion <NUM>, a pair of duct side wall portions <NUM> (<NUM>, 131T), and a pair of duct side wall portions <NUM> (141P, 141Q).

Duct top wall portion <NUM> is disposed in parallel with the X-Y axes plane. Duct top wall portion <NUM> has a wall shape having a thickness in the Z axis direction and extending in the Y axis direction with an unchanged width in the X axis direction. Duct top wall portion <NUM> faces floor wall portion <NUM> with flow space <NUM> being interposed therebetween in the Z axis direction. Flow space <NUM> is formed between duct top wall portion <NUM> and floor wall portion <NUM> in the Z axis direction.

The pair of duct side wall portions <NUM> extend, in the Z axis direction toward floor wall portion <NUM> (in the -Z axis direction), from both end portions of duct top wall portion <NUM> in the X axis direction. Each of duct side wall portions <NUM> has a wall shape having a thickness in the X axis direction and extending in the Y axis direction with an unchanged height in the Z axis direction. The pair of duct side wall portions <NUM> are provided with a space being interposed therebetween in the X axis direction. Duct side wall portion <NUM> is provided at a position away from duct side wall portion 131T in the +X axis direction. Flow space <NUM> is formed between duct side wall portion <NUM> and duct side wall portion 131T in the X axis direction.

Duct side wall portion <NUM> faces vertical wall portion <NUM> in the X axis direction. Duct side wall portion 131T faces vertical wall portion 116T in the X axis direction. A space is provided between duct side wall portion <NUM> and vertical wall portion <NUM> in the X axis direction. A space is provided between duct side wall portion 131T and vertical wall portion 116T in the X axis direction. The size of each of these spaces may be such a size that leakage of a small amount of gas from flow space <NUM> is permitted.

Each of duct side wall portions <NUM> is disposed in parallel with the X-Z axes plane. The pair of duct side wall portions <NUM> are provided with a space being interposed therebetween in the Y axis direction. The pair of duct side wall portions <NUM> are connected to both end portions of duct top wall portion <NUM> and both end portions of each of the pair of duct side wall portions <NUM> in the Y axis direction.

Duct side wall portion 141P is provided at a position away from duct side wall portion 141Q in the -Y axis direction. Flow space <NUM> is formed between duct side wall portion 141P and duct side wall portion 141Q in the Y axis direction. Duct side wall portion <NUM> has a wall shape having a thickness in the Y axis direction and extending in the X axis direction with an unchanged height in the Z axis direction.

Each of <FIG> and <FIG> is a side view showing a step when attaching the duct to the attachment-target member. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, each vertical wall portion <NUM> of attachment-target member <NUM> (the plurality of case bodies <NUM>) has claw portions <NUM>. Each of claw portions <NUM> has a protruding shape protruding in the X axis direction.

As shown in <FIG>, claw portions <NUM> are provided in each of vertical wall portions <NUM>, i.e., vertical wall portion <NUM> and vertical wall portion 116T. Each of claw portions <NUM> is provided in vertical wall portion <NUM> to protrude toward duct side wall portion <NUM> from the inner surface of vertical wall portion <NUM> facing duct side wall portion <NUM> in the X axis direction. Each of claw portions <NUM> is provided in vertical wall portion 116T to protrude toward duct side wall portion 131T from the inner surface of vertical wall portion 116T facing duct side wall portion 131T in the X axis direction.

Claw portions <NUM> are provided at the upper end portion of each vertical wall portion <NUM>. The plurality of claw portions <NUM> are provided in each vertical wall portion <NUM> with a space being interposed therebetween in the Y axis direction. The plurality of claw portions <NUM> are provided such that claw portions <NUM> of vertical wall portion <NUM> and claw portions <NUM> of vertical wall portion 116T face each other in the X axis direction.

As shown in <FIG>, in each case body <NUM> of attachment-target member <NUM>, vertical wall portion <NUM> is provided with a first protrusion 121P and a second protrusion 121Q. First protrusion 121P and second protrusion 121Q are provided at both end portions of case body <NUM> in the Y axis direction. Each of first protrusion 121P and second protrusion 121Q has a protruding shape protruding in the X axis direction.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the plurality of case bodies <NUM> are arranged side by side in the Y axis direction, respective first protrusions 121P and second protrusions 121Q of adjacent case bodies <NUM> in the Y axis direction are connected together in the Y axis direction, thereby forming claw portions <NUM>.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, respective case bodies <NUM> of battery cell unit 21A, battery cell unit 21B, battery cell unit 21C, battery cell unit 21D, battery cell unit 21E, and battery cell unit 21F are shown as a case body 31A, a case body 31B, a case body 31C, a case body 31D, a case body 31E, and a case body 31F, respectively. For example, first protrusion 121P provided in case body 31C and second protrusion 121Q provided in case body 31D adjacent to case body 31C are connected to each other in the Y axis direction to form a claw portion <NUM>.

On the other hand, at the end portion of vertical wall portion <NUM> in the -Y axis direction, first protrusion 121P provided in case body 31A is disposed solely. At the end portion of vertical wall portion <NUM> in the +Y axis direction, second protrusion 121Q provided in case body 31F is disposed solely to form a claw portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, groove portions <NUM> are formed in each duct side wall portion <NUM> of duct <NUM>. Each of groove portions <NUM> has a recessed shape recessed in the X axis direction.

As shown in <FIG>, groove portions <NUM> are provided in each of duct side wall portions <NUM>, i.e., duct side wall portion <NUM> and duct side wall portion 131T. Duct side wall portion <NUM> is provided with groove portions <NUM> each recessed from the outer surface of duct side wall portion <NUM> facing vertical wall portion <NUM> in the X axis direction so as to be separated away from vertical wall portion <NUM>. Duct side wall portion 131T is provided with groove portions <NUM> each recessed from the outer surface of duct side wall portion 131T facing vertical wall portion 116T in the X axis direction so as to be separated away from vertical wall portion 116T.

The plurality of groove portions <NUM> are formed in each duct side wall portion <NUM> with a space being interposed therebetween in the Y axis direction. The plurality of groove portions <NUM> are provided such that groove portions <NUM> of duct side wall portion <NUM> and groove portions <NUM> of duct side wall portion 131T face each other in the X axis direction. The plurality of groove portions <NUM> are provided to respectively correspond to the plurality of claw portions <NUM> provided in vertical wall portion <NUM>. With such a configuration, respective sets of claw portions <NUM> and groove portions <NUM> are provided at a plurality of positions with a space being interposed therebetween in the Y axis direction.

Each of duct side wall portions <NUM> (<NUM>, 131T) is further provided with a groove portion <NUM>. Groove portion <NUM> is provided at the end portion of duct side wall portion <NUM> in the -Y axis direction. The recessed shape of groove portion <NUM> is opened in the +Z axis direction and the -Y axis direction.

Each of groove portions <NUM> has a first segment portion <NUM> and a second segment portion <NUM>. First segment portion <NUM> extends in the Y axis direction. In a state in which duct <NUM> is attached to attachment-target member <NUM> (the plurality of case bodies <NUM>), claw portion <NUM> is disposed in first segment portion <NUM>. First segment portion <NUM> anchors claw portion <NUM> in the Z axis direction.

First segment portion <NUM> extends in the Y axis direction along the end portion (upper end portion) of duct side wall portion <NUM> in the +Z axis direction. First segment portion <NUM> has a recessed shape forming a step in the X axis direction with respect to the outer surface of duct side wall portion <NUM> at its end portion in the -Z axis direction and extending in the Y axis direction as its longitudinal direction.

Second segment portion <NUM> extends in a direction intersecting the Y axis direction and is connected to first segment portion <NUM>. Second segment portion <NUM> extends in the Z axis direction orthogonal to the Y axis direction. Second segment portion <NUM> has a recessed shape forming steps with respect to the outer surface of duct side wall portion <NUM> at its both end portions in the Y axis direction and extending in the Z axis direction as its longitudinal direction. The end portion (upper end portion) of second segment portion <NUM> in the +Z axis direction and the end portion of first segment portion <NUM> in the -Y axis direction are connected to each other. First segment portion <NUM> extends in the +Y axis direction from a position at which first segment portion <NUM> and second segment portion <NUM> are connected to each other. Second segment portion <NUM> allows claw portion <NUM> to enter first segment portion <NUM> when attaching duct <NUM> to attachment-target member <NUM>.

The length of first segment portion <NUM> in the Y axis direction is preferably <NUM>/<NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM>/<NUM> or less, and further preferably <NUM>/<NUM> or less of the total length of duct side wall portion <NUM> in the Y axis direction.

Duct side wall portion <NUM> has a stepped portion <NUM>. Stepped portion <NUM> is provided in at least one groove portion <NUM> of the plurality of groove portions <NUM>.

Stepped portion <NUM> is provided on a path of first segment portion <NUM>. Stepped portion <NUM> is provided between the end portion of first segment portion <NUM> in the +Y axis direction and the end portion of first segment portion <NUM> in the -Y axis direction. Stepped portion <NUM> has a stepped shape rising from the bottom surface of groove portion <NUM>. More specifically, based on the bottom surface of groove portion <NUM> as a reference, stepped portion <NUM> is constituted of: a top surface having the same height as the outer surface of duct side wall portion <NUM> in the X axis direction; an inclined surface extending obliquely with respect to the Y-X axes plane between the end portion of the top surface in the -Y axis direction and the bottom surface of groove portion <NUM>; and a right-angled surface extending in parallel with the X-Z axes plane between the end portion of the top surface in the +Y axis direction and the bottom surface of groove portion <NUM>.

In a state in which duct <NUM> is attached to attachment-target member <NUM>, claw portion <NUM> is disposed opposite to second segment portion <NUM> with stepped portion <NUM> being interposed therebetween on the path of first segment portion <NUM>. Claw portion <NUM> is disposed between the end portion of first segment portion <NUM> in the +Y axis direction and stepped portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing the battery module when viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow XIV in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, duct <NUM> further has a duct extension portion <NUM> and a clip portion <NUM>.

Duct extension portion <NUM> extends in the +Y axis direction from the end portion of duct main body portion <NUM> in the +Y axis direction. Duct extension portion <NUM> has a shape of plate disposed in parallel with the X-Y axes plane.

Clip portion <NUM> extends in the -Y axis direction from duct extension portion <NUM>. Clip portion <NUM> has a bar shape having a thickness in the Z axis direction and extending in the Y axis direction with an unchanged width in the X axis direction. An end portion of clip portion <NUM> in the +Y axis direction is connected to duct extension portion <NUM>. Clip portion <NUM> is elastically deformable such that the end portion of clip portion <NUM> in the -Y axis direction is displaced along the Z axis direction with respect to a position connected to duct extension portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in a state in which duct <NUM> is attached to attachment-target member <NUM>, clip portion <NUM> and duct extension portion <NUM> sandwich end plate 42Q in the Z axis direction. Roof portion <NUM> of end plate 42Q is sandwiched between duct extension portion <NUM> and clip portion <NUM> in the Z axis direction.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when attaching duct <NUM> to attachment-target member <NUM>, duct <NUM> is first disposed to face attachment-target member <NUM> such that the plurality of claw portions <NUM> respectively face second segment portions <NUM> of the plurality of groove portions <NUM> in the Z axis direction.

Next, duct <NUM> is slid in the -Z axis direction indicated by an arrow <NUM> in <FIG> and is accordingly disposed between the pair of vertical wall portions <NUM> (<NUM>, 116T). On this occasion, each of the plurality of claw portions <NUM> enters a corresponding one of the plurality of second segment portions <NUM>, and is moved through second segment portion <NUM> to the position at which first segment portion <NUM> and second segment portion <NUM> are connected to each other (position at which claw portion <NUM> is indicated by a chain double-dashed line in <FIG>). Further, first protrusion 121P provided in case body 31A is positioned to face groove portion <NUM> in the Y axis direction, and roof portion <NUM> of end plate 42Q is positioned to face a space between clip portion <NUM> and duct extension portion <NUM> in the Y axis direction.

Next, duct <NUM> is slid in the -Y axis direction indicated by an arrow <NUM> in <FIG>. On this occasion, each of the plurality of claw portions <NUM> is moved through first segment portion <NUM> to a position away in the +Y axis direction from the position at which first segment portion <NUM> and second segment portion <NUM> are connected to each other. Further, in groove portion <NUM> provided with stepped portion <NUM>, claw portion <NUM> climbs over stepped portion <NUM> during the movement in first segment portion <NUM>. Claw portion <NUM> disposed in first segment portion <NUM> is brought into abutment with the stepped portion in the X axis direction as formed by first segment portion <NUM> and the outer surface of duct side wall portion <NUM>, and is accordingly anchored in the Z axis direction.

First protrusion 121P provided in case body 31A is disposed in groove portion <NUM>. First protrusion 121P disposed in groove portion <NUM> is brought into abutment with the stepped portion in the X axis direction as formed by groove portion <NUM> and the outer surface of duct side wall portion <NUM>, and is accordingly anchored in the Z axis direction. Roof portion <NUM> of end plate 42Q is inserted between clip portion <NUM> and duct extension portion <NUM>.

With the above steps, the operation of attaching duct <NUM> to attachment-target member <NUM> is completed. It should be noted that when detaching duct <NUM> from attachment-target member <NUM>, the above steps may be performed in the reverse order.

According to such a configuration, when attaching duct <NUM> to attachment-target member <NUM>, claw portion <NUM> enters first segment portion <NUM> through second segment portion <NUM> extending in the direction intersecting with the Y axis direction, with the result that a sliding amount of duct <NUM> in the Y axis direction can be suppressed to be small. In particular, in the present embodiment, since second segment portion <NUM> extends in the Z axis direction orthogonal to the Y axis direction, the sliding amount of duct <NUM> in the Y axis direction can be suppressed to be smaller. Thus, workability when attaching duct <NUM> to attachment-target member <NUM> can be improved.

The sets of claw portions <NUM> and groove portions <NUM> are provided at the plurality of positions with a space being interposed therebetween in the Y axis direction. With such a configuration, since the anchoring structures by claw portions <NUM> and groove portions <NUM> are obtained at the plurality of positions with a space being interposed therebetween in the Y axis direction, duct <NUM> can be more firmly attached to attachment-target member <NUM>.

Further, at least one groove portion <NUM> of the plurality of groove portions <NUM> is provided with stepped portion <NUM> rising from the bottom surface of groove portion <NUM>, and claw portion <NUM> climbs over stepped portion <NUM> and is then disposed in first segment portion <NUM> when attaching duct <NUM> to attachment-target member <NUM>. With such a configuration, since movement of claw portion <NUM> in the Y axis direction is regulated by stepped portion <NUM>, a state of attachment of duct <NUM> to attachment-target member <NUM> can be more securely maintained.

Further, first protrusion 121P and second protrusion 121Q are respectively provided at the both end portions of each case body <NUM> in the Y axis direction, and first protrusion 121P and second protrusion 121Q of respective case bodies <NUM> adjacent to each other in the Y axis direction are connected to each other to form claw portion <NUM>. According to such a configuration, in addition to claw portion <NUM> formed by first protrusion 121P and second protrusion 121Q, first protrusion 121P and second protrusion 121Q are respectively disposed at the both end portions of the plurality of case bodies <NUM> arranged side by side in the Y axis direction. By anchoring these first protrusions 121P and second protrusions 121Q to groove portion <NUM> and groove portions <NUM>, duct <NUM> can be more firmly attached to attachment-target member <NUM>.

Further, by providing clip portion <NUM> in duct <NUM> and sandwiching roof portion <NUM> of end plate 42Q by clip portion <NUM> and duct extension portion <NUM>, the state of attachment of duct <NUM> to attachment-target member <NUM> can be more securely maintained.

The direction (+Y axis direction) in which first segment portion <NUM> extends in the Y axis direction from the position at which first segment portion <NUM> and second segment portion <NUM> are connected to each other and the direction (-Y axis direction) in which clip portion <NUM> extends from duct extension portion <NUM> are opposite to each other along the Y axis direction. In this case, when attaching duct <NUM> to attachment-target member <NUM>, the direction of insertion of roof portion <NUM> of end plate 42Q with respect to clip portion <NUM> and the direction of movement of claw portion <NUM> in first segment portion <NUM> become the same along the Y axis direction, with the result that the placement of claw portion <NUM> to first segment portion <NUM> and the sandwiching of roof portion <NUM> of end plate 42Q by clip portion <NUM> can be performed simultaneously.

The above-described structure of battery module <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention are summarized as follows. Battery module <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes: the plurality of battery cells <NUM> stacked in the Y axis direction (first direction); duct <NUM> through which gas discharged from each of battery cells <NUM> flows, duct <NUM> extending in the Y axis direction with duct <NUM> facing the plurality of battery cells <NUM> in the Z axis direction (second direction) orthogonal to the Y axis direction; and attachment-target member <NUM> to which duct <NUM> is attached, attachment-target member <NUM> being held by battery cells <NUM>. Attachment-target member <NUM> has the pair of vertical wall portions <NUM> serving as first wall portions and facing each other with a space being interposed between the pair of vertical wall portions <NUM> in the X axis direction (third direction) orthogonal to the Y axis direction and the Z axis direction. Duct <NUM> has the pair of duct side wall portions <NUM> serving as second wall portions and respectively facing the pair of vertical wall portions <NUM> in the X axis direction, and is disposed between the pair of vertical wall portions <NUM>.

Vertical wall portion <NUM> serving as one wall portion that is one of each vertical wall portion <NUM> and each duct side wall portion <NUM> is provided with claw portion <NUM> having a protruding shape protruding in the X axis direction. Duct side wall portion <NUM> serving as the other wall portion that is the other of each vertical wall portion <NUM> and each duct side wall portion <NUM> is provided with groove portion <NUM> having a recessed shape recessed in the X axis direction. Groove portion <NUM> includes first segment portion <NUM> and second segment portion <NUM>, first segment portion <NUM> extending in the Y axis direction, claw portion <NUM> being disposed in first segment portion <NUM>, first segment portion <NUM> anchoring claw portion <NUM> in the Z axis direction, second segment portion <NUM> being opened at the end portion of duct side wall portion <NUM> in the Z axis direction, second segment portion <NUM> extending in the direction intersecting the Y axis direction, second segment portion <NUM> being connected to first segment portion <NUM>, second segment portion <NUM> allowing claw portion <NUM> to enter first segment portion <NUM> when attaching duct <NUM> to attachment-target member <NUM>.

According to battery module <NUM> of the embodiment of the present invention thus configured, when attaching duct <NUM> having an elongated shape in the Y axis direction to attachment-target member <NUM>, the sliding amount of duct <NUM> in the Y axis direction can be suppressed to be small, with the result that the workability when attaching duct <NUM> can be excellent.

It should be noted that second segment portion <NUM> may extend in a direction intersecting the Y axis direction at an angle smaller than <NUM>°. The angle formed between second segment portion <NUM> and the Y axis direction is preferably <NUM>° or more, and is more preferably <NUM>° or more. Further, in the present invention, the claw portion may be provided on the duct side, and the groove portion may be provided on the attachment-target member side.

In the present embodiment, it has been described that the attachment-target member in the present invention is constituted of the plurality of case bodies <NUM> that each accommodate battery cells <NUM>; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. The duct in the present invention may be attached to a separator interposed between the battery cells stacked in the Y axis direction, for example.

Claim 1:
A battery module comprising:
a plurality of battery cells (<NUM>) stacked in a first direction;
a duct (<NUM>) through which gas discharged from each of the battery cells (<NUM>) flows, the duct (<NUM>) extending in the first direction with the duct (<NUM>) facing the plurality of battery cells (<NUM>) in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and
an attachment-target member (<NUM>) to which the duct (<NUM>) is attached, the attachment-target member (<NUM>) being held by the battery cells (<NUM>), wherein
the attachment-target member (<NUM>) has a pair of first wall portions (<NUM>) facing each other with a space being interposed between the pair of first wall portions (<NUM>) in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction,
the duct (<NUM>) has a pair of second wall portions (<NUM>) respectively facing the pair of first wall portions (<NUM>) in the third direction, and is disposed between the pair of first wall portions (<NUM>),
characterized in that
one wall portion that is one of each first wall portion (<NUM>) and each second wall portion (<NUM>) is provided with a claw portion (<NUM>) having a protruding shape protruding in the third direction,
the other wall portion that is the other of each first wall portion (<NUM>) and each second wall portion (<NUM>) is provided with a groove portion (<NUM>) having a recessed shape recessed in the third direction, and
the groove portion (<NUM>) includes a first segment portion (<NUM>) and a second segment portion (<NUM>), the first segment portion (<NUM>) extending in the first direction, the claw portion (<NUM>) being disposed in the first segment portion (<NUM>), the first segment portion (<NUM>) anchoring the claw portion (<NUM>) in the second direction, the second segment portion (<NUM>) being opened at an end portion of the other wall portion in the second direction, the second segment portion (<NUM>) extending in a direction intersecting the first direction, the second segment portion (<NUM>) being connected to the first segment portion (<NUM>), the second segment portion (<NUM>) allowing the claw portion (<NUM>) to enter the first segment portion (<NUM>) when attaching the duct (<NUM>) to the attachment-target member (<NUM>).