JP6375722B2 - Storage module manufacturing method and storage pack manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a power storage module and a method for manufacturing a power storage pack.

  Some power storage packs have a power storage module housed in a casing. An example of such a power storage pack is a power storage stack assembly (power storage pack) described in Patent Document 1. This power storage stack assembly is configured by stacking a plurality of power storage columns each including a plurality of power storage modules. Thus, normally, in an electrical storage pack, the electrical storage module is accommodated in the housing.

JP 2011-054353 A

  In the electricity storage pack, a temperature sensor is used for the purpose of detecting an abnormally high temperature state of the electricity storage cell included in the electricity storage module. The temperature sensor is connected to the storage cell. For example, when the temperature sensor is disconnected from the power storage cell or the temperature sensor is inclined and connected to the power storage cell, the connection state between the temperature sensor and the power storage cell is deteriorated. In this case, the temperature of the storage cell cannot be accurately detected by the temperature sensor. For this reason, the electrical storage module which can test | inspect the connection state of an electrical storage cell and the temperature sensor connected to the said electrical storage cell is desired.

  The objective of this invention is providing the manufacturing method of the electrical storage module which can test | inspect the connection state of an electrical storage cell and the temperature sensor connected to the said electrical storage cell, and the manufacturing method of an electrical storage pack.

  A method for manufacturing a power storage module according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a power storage module comprising: a plurality of power storage cells; and a temperature sensor connected to at least one power storage cell among the plurality of power storage cells. An inspection for inspecting the connection state between the storage cell and the temperature sensor based on the heating process for heating the storage cell or the heat transfer member thermally connected to the storage cell and the temperature of the storage cell measured by the temperature sensor And a process.

  In this manufacturing method, the temperature of the storage cell is measured by a temperature sensor. Thereby, for example, when the temperature of the storage cell measured by the temperature sensor exceeds a threshold value, it can be determined that the connection state between the storage cell and the temperature sensor is good. Note that the heating step and the inspection step may be performed simultaneously, or the inspection step may be performed after the heating step.

  In one embodiment, the power storage module may further include a cover member that covers one surface of the power storage cell, and the temperature sensor may be disposed between the cover member and one surface of the power storage cell.

  In this case, the connection part between the storage cell and the temperature sensor cannot be directly confirmed visually by the cover member. Even in such a case, it is not necessary to directly confirm the connection portion between the storage cell and the temperature sensor by visual observation or the like, and therefore the connection state between the storage cell and the temperature sensor can be inspected.

  In one embodiment, the heat transfer member is a heat transfer plate provided between a power storage cell to which the temperature sensor is connected and a power storage cell adjacent to the power storage cell. In the heating step, the heat transfer plate is heated. May be.

  In this case, since the power storage cell connected to the temperature sensor and the power storage cell adjacent to the power storage cell are heated by the heat transfer plate heated in the heating step, the plurality of power storage cells are efficiently heated. be able to.

  A method for manufacturing a power storage pack according to another aspect of the present invention includes a housing, a plurality of power storage cells accommodated in the housing, and a temperature sensor connected to at least one power storage cell among the plurality of power storages. A method for manufacturing an electricity storage pack, comprising: a heating step for heating a housing; and an inspection step for inspecting a connection state between the electricity storage cell and the temperature sensor based on a temperature of the electricity storage cell measured by the temperature sensor. .

  In this manufacturing method, the temperature of the storage cell is measured by the temperature sensor, and the connection state between the storage cell and the temperature sensor is inspected based on the temperature of the storage cell measured by the temperature sensor. For this reason, the connection state of the electrical storage cell accommodated in the housing | casing and a temperature sensor can be test | inspected.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the manufacturing method of the electrical storage module and the manufacturing method of an electrical storage pack which can test | inspect the connection state of an electrical storage cell and the temperature sensor connected to the said electrical storage cell are provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a power storage pack according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the power storage module. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a part of the power storage module shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an installation mode of the temperature sensor. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method for manufacturing the power storage module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a power storage module included in a power storage pack according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the power storage module shown in FIG. 6.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match those described.

(First embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the electrical storage pack 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a power storage pack 1 according to an embodiment.

  The power storage pack 1 includes a plurality of power storage modules 2 and a housing 3 that houses the plurality of power storage modules 2. In FIG. 1, a plurality of power storage modules 2 housed in a power storage pack 1 are schematically illustrated. Each of the plurality of power storage modules 2 includes a power storage cell such as a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. The power storage cell included in the power storage module 2 is not limited to a secondary battery, and may be, for example, an electric double layer capacitor. The plurality of power storage modules 2 are electrically connected to each other, and are fixed in the housing 3 by fixing members such as bolts.

  Next, the configuration of one power storage module 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of one power storage module 2. In the power storage module 2, a plurality of power storage units 10 and 10A arranged in parallel are electrically connected. End plates 16 and 16 are provided on both ends of the plurality of power storage units 10 and 10A in the juxtaposed direction, respectively. A plurality of power storage units 10, 10 </ b> A are restrained by the pair of end plates 16, 16. Four bolts 19 </ b> A to 19 </ b> D extending from one end plate 16 toward the other end plate 16 are inserted into the pair of end plates 16 and 16. The four bolts 19 </ b> A to 19 </ b> D are inserted through the power storage units 10, 10 </ b> A and the pair of end plates 16, and are screwed and fixed to nuts on the other end plate 16 side. The end plates 16 and 16 are comprised from a member with high rigidity, for example, are comprised with iron. A fixing member 18 is fixed to each of the pair of end plates 16 and 16. The fixing member 18 is fixed to the housing 3 by bolts or the like, for example.

  The power storage module 2 is provided with a lid 12 that covers the top surfaces of the plurality of power storage units 10 and 10A along the direction in which the plurality of power storage units 10 and 10A are provided. The lid 12 is a cover member that covers the upper surface of the power storage cell 11 of the power storage unit 10 to which the thermistor 20 (temperature sensor) is connected (a surface on which a terminal 13 described later is provided). The thermistor 20 is connected to at least one power storage cell 11 among the plurality of power storage cells 11. The thermistor 20 is disposed between the upper surface of the storage cell 11 covered by the lid 12 and the lid 12. The thermistor 20 will be described later. The lid 12 is a gas discharged from the storage cell 11 in the role of achieving electrical insulation between the storage module 2 positioned on the lower side and the storage module 2 positioned on the upper side when a plurality of storage modules 2 are stacked. Has a function of preventing the air from blowing upward. The lid 12 is a member also called a bus bar cover.

  On the lid 12, a control device E that performs various controls relating to the power storage module 2 is placed. The control device E has a terminal input portion Ea to which the connection terminal 17A of the cable 17B including the signal line 22 of the thermistor 20 is connected. The control device E measures the electric resistance of the thermistor 20 input via the signal line 22, and cuts off the current flowing through the power storage module 2 when detecting an abnormal electric resistance.

  Then, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure of the electrical storage units 10 and 10A is demonstrated. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a part of one power storage module 2 shown in FIG. 2, and shows a plurality of power storage units 10 and 10A. One power storage unit 10 includes a power storage cell 11, a heat transfer plate 15 (heat transfer member), and a resin holder 14 that holds the power storage cell 11 and the heat transfer plate 15. The heat transfer plate 15 is interposed between the power storage cell 11 of the power storage unit 10 and the power storage cell 11 of the power storage unit 10A (the power storage cell adjacent to the power storage cell to which the temperature sensor is connected). The power storage unit 10A is configured in the same manner as the power storage unit 10 except that the thermistor 20 described later is not provided.

  The storage cell 11 includes an electrode assembly (not shown) housed in the case main body 121 and a pair of terminals 13 and 13 joined to the electrode assembly. The pair of terminals 13 and 13 are terminals for taking out the electric power of the electrode assembly to the outside.

  The case body 121 is a bottomed rectangular tube-shaped member made of a conductive material such as aluminum. The opening of the case body 121 is covered with a cover plate 122. The case main body 121 includes a rectangular flat plate-like bottom plate 12a, two main surface portions 12b and 12c and two side surface portions 12d and 12e that are erected from four sides of the bottom plate 12a. Main surface portions 12b and 12c are opposed to each other in the juxtaposed direction in power storage units 10 and 10A. The direction in which the side surface portions 12d and 12e face each other intersects the direction in which the main surface portions 12b and 12c face each other.

  The resin holder 14 is a frame integrally molded with resin, and includes a bottom surface portion 14b facing the bottom plate 12a of the case body portion 121, a side surface portion 14c facing the side surface portion 12d of the case body portion 121, and a case body. A side surface portion 14d facing the side surface portion 12e of the portion 121, and a top surface portion 14a extending between the side surface portion 14c and the side surface portion 14d and facing the bottom surface portion 14b and the cover plate 122.

  The heat transfer plate 15 is an L-shaped metal plate that covers the main surface portion 12b and the side surface portion 12e of the case main body 121, and is made of, for example, aluminum. The heat transfer plate 15 receives heat from the outside at a portion covering the side surface portion 12e, and transfers the received heat to the storage cell 11 mainly from a portion covering the side surface portion 12e. The heat transfer plate 15 can receive heat from the storage cell 11 and radiate heat from a portion covering the side surface portion 12e.

  The power storage module 2 of the present embodiment is disposed so that the portion of the heat transfer plate 15 that covers the side surface portion 12 e contacts the housing 3 when the power storage module 2 is fixed to the housing 3.

  Since the resin holder 14 does not have a portion that covers the main surface portion 12 b of the case main body 121, the heat transfer plate 15 faces the main surface portion 12 b of the storage cell 11 held by the resin holder 14.

  In addition, the double-sided adhesive tape T may be affixed to the main surface portions 12b and 12c of the storage cell 11 on the entire surface except for the outer edge region. The heat transfer plate 15 is bonded to the main surface portion 12 b of the electricity storage cell 11 via the double-sided adhesive tape T. The double-sided adhesive tape T is a thermal interface material. As shown in FIG. 3, the heat transfer plate 15 of the adjacent power storage unit 10 </ b> A also exists on the main surface portion 12 c side of the power storage cell 11. Therefore, the storage cell 11 is sandwiched between the pair of heat transfer plates 15 and 15 via the double-sided adhesive tape T.

  Here, the thermistor 20 will be described with further reference to FIG. The thermistor 20 includes a thermistor body (not shown), a case 21 for housing the thermistor body, and a signal line 22 extending from the thermistor body.

  The thermistor body is an element whose electric resistance changes according to temperature. The thermistor body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The case 21 is a metal case having conductivity such as aluminum. The case 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The internal dimensions of the case 21 are designed according to the external dimensions of the thermistor body, and the thermistor body is accommodated in the case 21 without any gaps.

  The outer surface of the case 21 is the outer surface of the thermistor 20. The outer surface of the thermistor 20 is a conductive surface having conductivity. One end of the signal line 22 is connected to an element which is a thermistor body. The other end of the signal line 22 extends outward from one side surface of the thermistor body. The signal line 22 constitutes a cable 17B of the power storage module 2 together with other signal lines.

  The thermistor 20 is installed such that one surface (lower surface) thereof is in contact with the cover plate 122 of the storage cell 11. The lower surface of the thermistor 20 corresponds to a contact portion that contacts the lid plate 122. The lower surface of the thermistor 20 is in contact with the installation region of the thermistor 20 on the cover plate 122 of the storage cell 11. The installation area is a portion where the thermistor 20 in the power storage unit 10 is attached. Therefore, the thermistor 20 is installed on the cover plate 122 of the electricity storage cell 11, and the position and posture thereof are held by the holding unit 30 described later as shown in FIG.

  The upper surface part 14 a includes a holding part 30. The holding unit 30 includes an upper surface holding unit 30a and a side surface holding unit 30b. The upper surface holding part 30a is formed in a plate shape. The upper surface holding part 30 a regulates the movement of the thermistor 20 in the direction away from the cover plate 122. The side surface holding part 30b regulates the movement in the surface direction of the surface of the lid plate 122 on which the thermistor 20 abuts. The side surface holding portion 30b is provided so as to be substantially L-shaped when viewed from above.

  An upper surface holding portion 30a is provided on the surface of the side surface holding portion 30b opposite to the surface facing the cover plate 122. The thermistor 20 is inserted into the accommodating space defined by the upper surface holding part 30a and the side surface holding part 30b. This restricts the thermistor 20 from moving away from the cover plate 122.

  As a method for manufacturing such a power storage module 2, the following processing procedure is executed. This processing procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for manufacturing the power storage module.

  First, in step S10 (heating step), the heat transfer plate 15 thermally connected to the storage cell 11 is heated. In this embodiment, after the electrical storage module 2 is assembled, the heat transfer plate 15 is heated. The heating is performed by a heating device such as a heater. The heating temperature is, for example, 50 to 60 ° C. In the heating step, the storage cell 11 and the heat transfer plate 15 may be heated, or the storage cell 11 may be heated. When heating the electrical storage cell 11, for example, the bottom plate 12a of the case body 121 is directly heated.

  Next, in step S20 (inspection step), the connection state between the storage cell 11 and the thermistor 20 is inspected. Step S20 further includes a step of measuring the temperature of the storage cell 11 with the thermistor 20 (Step S22), and a step of determining whether the connection state between the storage cell 11 and the thermistor 20 is good or not from the measured temperature of the storage cell 11 ( Step S24). After step S20, the non-defective power storage module 2 is selected.

In step S <b> 22, the temperature of the storage cell 11 is measured by the thermistor 20. In step S24, for example, when the temperature value of the storage cell 11 measured by the thermistor 20 exceeds a threshold value, it is determined that the connection state between the storage cell 11 and the thermistor 20 is good. Alternatively, for example, when the amount of change temperature rise in a charge reservoir cell 11 exceeds a threshold value, the connection state may be determined to be good. The inspection is performed by, for example, a computer that receives temperature data of the storage cell 11 from the control device E.

  According to the method for manufacturing the power storage module 2 described above, the temperature of the power storage cell 11 is measured by the thermistor 20 even when the lid 12 is provided. For this reason, even when the control device E such as a power storage monitoring board is attached, it is not necessary to directly confirm the connection portion between the power storage cell 11 and the thermistor 20 visually. Therefore, the connection state between the storage cell 11 and the thermistor 20 can be inspected based on the temperature of the storage cell 11 measured by the thermistor 20.

  When the heat transfer plate 15 is provided between the power storage cell 11 of the power storage unit 10 and the power storage cell 11 of the power storage unit 10A, the heat transfer plate 15 heated in step S10 heats the plurality of power storage cells 11. The plurality of storage cells 11 can be efficiently heated.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
Here, with reference to FIG.6 and FIG.7, the modification of 1st embodiment is demonstrated. In the power storage module 2A according to the modification of the first embodiment, the heat transfer plate 15 covers the main surface portion 12b and the side surface portion 12d so that the notch portion 35 formed in the side surface portion 14d of the resin holder 14 is exposed. It is the same as that of the electrical storage module 2 which concerns on 1st embodiment except the point. Hereinafter, overlapping description with the first embodiment will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a power storage module included in a power storage pack according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the power storage module shown in FIG. 6.

  The power storage module 2 of this modification is disposed so that the portion of the heat transfer plate 15 that covers the side surface portion 12 d abuts the housing 3 when the power storage module 2 is fixed to the housing 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the power storage module 2 </ b> A, a cutout portion 35 is formed in the side surface portion 14 d of the resin holder 14. In the power storage module 2 </ b> A configured as described above, the power storage cell 11 can be heated by inserting a heating device into the notch 35. In this case, examples of the heating device include a rod-like member made of a metal material that can be inserted into the notch 35 and can be heated. Even if it is a case where it is comprised in this way, there can exist the effect | action and effect which were mentioned above.

(Second embodiment)
Here, the second embodiment will be described. The manufacturing method of the electrical storage pack 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as the manufacturing method of the electrical storage module 2 according to the first embodiment except for the heating target in the heating step. Hereinafter, overlapping description with the first embodiment will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

  In the second embodiment, the electricity storage pack 1 is manufactured. As described above, the power storage pack 1 includes the housing 3, the plurality of power storage cells 11 accommodated in the housing 3, and the thermistor 20 connected to the power storage cells 11 (see FIG. 1).

  In the power storage module 2 of the present embodiment, when the power storage module 2 is fixed to the housing 3, the portion of the heat transfer plate 15 that covers the side surface portion 12 e contacts the housing 3 as shown in the first embodiment. Arranged to touch. Alternatively, in the power storage module 2, when the power storage module 2 is fixed to the housing 3, as shown in the modification of the first embodiment, the portion of the heat transfer plate 15 that covers the side surface portion 12 d is the same as the housing 3. You may arrange | position so that it may contact | abut.

  First, in the heating process, the housing 3 of the electricity storage pack 1 is heated. The heating is performed by a heating device such as a heater. Next, the connection state between the storage cell 11 and the thermistor 20 is inspected in the inspection step.

  According to the second embodiment, when the housing 3 is heated, heat is transferred to the storage cell 11 provided in the storage pack 1, and the temperature of the storage cell 11 is measured by the thermistor 20. Thereby, for example, when the temperature of the storage cell 11 measured by the thermistor 20 exceeds a threshold value, it can be determined that the connection state between the storage cell 11 and the thermistor 20 is good.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention and modifications of the embodiments have been described above, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

  In the embodiment described above, the heating step may be performed when the power storage unit 10 is assembled. As the temperature sensor, for example, a thermocouple may be used instead of the thermistor 20.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Power storage pack, 2, 2A ... Power storage module, 3 ... Housing, 10 ... Power storage unit, 11 ... Power storage cell, 12 ... Cover (cover member), 14 ... Resin holder, 15 ... Heat transfer plate (heat transfer member) 20 ... Thermistor (temperature sensor).

Claims (2)

A method of manufacturing a power storage module comprising a plurality of power storage cells and a temperature sensor connected to at least one power storage cell among the plurality of power storage cells,
Heating to heat said storage cell to said temperature sensor is connected, is disposed between the storage cells adjacent to the storage cell, the pre-Symbol heating apparatus the heat transfer plates are thermally connected to the storage cell Process,
Based on the temperature of the electricity storage cell measured by the temperature sensor, an inspection step for inspecting the connection state between the electricity storage cell and the temperature sensor;
Including
And in the inspection process, depending on whether the amount of change in the temperature rise exceeds the threshold value before Symbol storage cell, the method for producing a quality determining, power storage modules connected. The power storage module further includes a cover member that covers one surface of the power storage cell,
The temperature sensor is disposed between the cover member and the one surface of the storage cell.
The manufacturing method of the electrical storage module of Claim 1.

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