【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、電池の接続構造及び接続方法に関し、特に、隣接する単電池間の異極端子を接続して複数個の単電池を直列に接続させる電池の接続構造及び接続方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
一般に、リチウムイオン二次電池の定格電圧は３．７Ｖである。そこで、より大きな起電力を得るために複数のリチウムイオン二次電池を直列に接続し、リチウムイオン二次電池の組電池を構成することが行われる。この場合、隣接する単電池（リチウムイオン二次電池）間の異極端子が銅材等の導電体からなる端子接続用部材により接続される（例えば、特許文献１参照）。そして、隣接する単電池間の異極端子を接続させる場合、当該異極端子間に端子接続用部材を掛け渡し、各端子に螺設された雌ねじにボルトを螺合して各端子と端子接続用部材とを締結させて接続することが従来行われていた。しかしながら、このボルトを用いる接続構造では、端子と端子接続用部材とを締結させるボルトの締付けトルクが規定されているが、充放電が繰り返し行われることや使用環境等によりボルトが弛緩することがある。
【０００３】
このように、ボルトが弛緩した場合、端子と端子接続用部材との接触部の電気抵抗が増大し、出力を損失したり発熱して電池の内部温度が上昇し電池が劣化する虞がある。さらに、従来のボルトを用いる接続構造では、部品点数が増加すると共に多数のボルトを規定トルクで締付けなくてはならず工数を要し、製造コストを増大させる要因になっていた。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開平８−９６８４１号公報（段落番号００５３、第６図）
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
そこで本発明は、上記事情に鑑みてなされたもので、隣接する単電池間の端子を容易に且つ確実に接続することができる電池の接続構造及び接続方法を提供することを目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、本発明のうち請求項１に記載の発明は、正極端子と負極端子とが一側面に突出された複数個の単電池を隣接する単電池間の対向する端子の極性が異なる極性になるように配列して電池モジュールを構成し、該電池モジュールの隣接する単電池間の対向する端子が接続されて複数個の単電池が直列に接続された組電池が形成される電池の接続構造であって、電池モジュールの各単電池の各端子が絶縁材からなる端子接続用基板の各端子挿通用孔に挿通され、相互に接続させる各端子の各端子挿通用孔から突出された部分を折り重ねて接合させたことを特徴とする。
【０００７】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の発明において、端子接続用基板の単電池配列方向へ配列された端子挿通用孔間に、各端子の折り重ねられた部分を臨む端子接合用孔が配設されることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
上記目的を達成するために、本発明のうち請求項３に記載の発明は、正極端子と負極端子とが一側面に突出された複数個の単電池を隣接する単電池間の対向する端子の極性が異なる極性になるように配列して電池モジュールを構成し、電池モジュールの隣接する単電池間の対向する端子を接続させて複数個の単電池を直列に接続させる電池の接続方法であって、絶縁材からなる端子接続用基板の各端子挿通用孔に電池モジュールの各単電池の各端子を挿通させ、相互に接続させる各端子の各端子挿通用孔から突出させた部分を折り重ねて接合させて複数個の単電池を直列に接続させることを特徴とする。
【０００９】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項３に記載の発明において、端子接続用基板に各端子の折り重ねられた部分を臨む複数の端子接合用孔を配設し、接合装置の工具を端子接続用基板の裏側からアプローチさせて各端子接合用孔に臨む各端子の折り重ねられた部分に接触させ、各端子の折り重ねられた部分を金属接合させることを特徴とする。
【００１０】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項３又は４に記載の発明において、各端子の折り重ねられた部分の複数箇所を同時に接合させることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
従って、請求項１に記載の発明では、隣接する各単電池間の異極端子の端子接続用基板から突出された部分を折り重ねて接合させることで、電池モジュールの各単電池が直列に接続される。
【００１２】
請求項２に記載の発明では、接合装置の工具を端子接続用基板の裏側から各端子の折り重ねられた部分にアプローチさせて接触させ、各端子の折り重ねられた部分を接合させる。
【００１３】
請求項３に記載の発明では、絶縁材からなる端子接続用基板の各端子挿通用孔に電池モジュールの各単電池の各端子を挿通させ、相互に接続させる各端子の各端子挿通用孔から突出させた部分を折り重ねて接合させて複数個の単電池を直列に接続させる。
【００１４】
請求項４に記載の発明では、接合装置の一方の工具を端子接続用基板の裏側からアプローチさせて各端子接合用孔に臨む各端子の折り重ねられた部分に接触させ、各端子の折り重ねられた部分を金属接合させる。
【００１５】
請求項５に記載の発明では、各端子が折り重ねられた部分の複数箇所を同時に接合することにより接合の工数が削減される。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の一実施の形態を図１〜図７に基づいて説明する。図１及び図２に示すように、本電池の接続構造は、正極端子１と負極端子２とが一側面３ａに突出された複数個の単電池３（本実施の形態ではリチウムイオン二次電池）を隣接する単電池３間の対向する端子１，２の極性が異なる極性になるように配列して電池モジュール４を構成し、該電池モジュール４の隣接する単電池３間の対向する端子１，２が接続されて複数個の単電池３が直列に接続された組電池が形成される電池の接続構造であって、上記電池モジュール４の各単電池３の各端子１，２が絶縁材からなる端子接続用基板５の各端子挿通用孔６に挿通され、相互に接続させる各端子１，２の各端子挿通用孔６から突出された部分を折り重ねて超音波接合（金属接合）させた構造になっている。
【００１７】
図３に示すように、各単電池３（リチウムイオン二次電池）は、ラミネート加工された金属製ケーシング７の一面に板状の正極端子１と負極端子２とが配設されて形成されている。また、図４に示すように、上記ケーシング７内には、正極板８、負極板９、セパレータ１０及び電解液１１が収容されている。上記正極板８は、アルミ基板に正極活物質が薄層状に塗布されて形成され、上記正極端子１が一体で形成されている。また、上記負極板９は、銅基板に炭素材料と結着材との混合物を有機溶剤でペースト状にしたものを薄層状に塗布して形成され、上記負極端子２が一体で形成されている。
【００１８】
さらに、上記電解液１１は、混合溶媒を主体とする有機電解液であって、例えば、高誘電率溶媒として、エチレンカーボネート（ＥＣ）、プロピレンカーボネート（ＰＣ）、γ−ブチロラクトン（γ−ＢＬ）、ジメチルスルホキシド（ＤＭＳＯ）、また低粘度溶媒として、ジメチルカーボネード（ＤＭＣ）、ジメトキシエタン（ＤＭＥ）等が用いられている。また、電解液１１にイオン伝導性を付与する支持電解質には、六弗化燐酸リチウム（ＬｉＰＦ６）、過塩素酸リチウム（ＬｉＣｌＯ４）、四弗化ホウ酸リチウム（ＬｉＢＦ４）、六弗化ヒ酸リチウム（ＬｉＡｓＦ６）等のリチウム塩が用いられている。そして、上記セパレータ１０は、電流遮断機能を有するポリエチレンやポリプロピレン等の微多孔膜により形成され、電解液１１を保持すると共にをケーシング７内を正極と負極とに分離させる構造になっている。
【００１９】
上記端子接続用基板５は、フェノール系樹脂を板状に樹脂成形して形成され、図５に示すように、電池モジュール４の各単電池３の各端子１，２に整合させて配置された端子挿通用孔６が設けられている。さらに、端子接続用基板５には、単電池配列方向（図５における紙面視左右方向）に配列された各端子挿通用孔６間に端子接合用孔１２が設けられている。これにより、各端子接合用孔１２に各端子挿通用孔６から突出された各端子１，２の折り重ねられた部分が臨み、該折り重ねられた部分を超音波接合（金属接合）させるに際して、超音波接合装置の一対の工具の一方が各端子１，２の折り重ねられた部分の上側（図１における紙面視上側）に接触されると共に上記超音波接合装置の他方が端子接続用基板５の裏側からアプローチされて各端子接合用孔１２を通して各端子１，２の折り重ねられた部分の下側（図１における紙面視下側）に接触される構造になっている。
【００２０】
次に、本実施の形態の作用を説明する。まず、各単電池３（本実施の形態ではリチウムイオン二次電池）を隣接する単電池３間の相互に対向する端子１，２の極性が異極になるように配列させて束縛して電池モジュール４を構成する。次に、図６及び図７に示すように、端子接続用基板５を電池モジュール４に被せて当該電池モジュール４の各単電池３の各端子１，２を端子接続用基板５の各端子挿通用孔６から突出させる。そして、隣接する単電池３間の相互に接続させる各端子１，２を折り重ね、図１及び図２に示すように、各端子１，２の折り重ねた部分を超音波接合（金属接合）させて接続する。この際、超音波接合装置の一対の工具の一方を各端子１，２の折り重ねられた部分の上側（図１における紙面視上側）に接触させ、また超音波接合装置の他方を端子接続用基板５の裏側からアプローチさせて各端子接合用孔１２を通して各端子１，２の折り重ねられた部分の下側（図１における紙面視下側）に接触させる。そして、この状態で超音波接合装置の一対の工具を振動させることにより、各端子１，２の折り重ねられた部分が接合される。
【００２１】
この実施の形態では以下の効果を奏する。
本電池の接続構造は、隣接する単電池３（本実施の形態ではリチウムイオン二次電池）間の対向する端子１，２の極性が相互に異極になる向きに各単電池３を配列させて束縛して電池モジュール４を形成し、該電池モジュール４に絶縁材からなる端子接続用基板５を被せて当該端子接続用基板５の各端子挿通用孔６から電池モジュール４の各単電池３の各端子１，２を突出させる。そして、相互に接続させる各端子１，２の端子接続用基板５の各端子挿通用孔６から突出させた部分を折り重ねて接合させ、各端子１，２を直列に接続させた。
従って、本電池の接続構造は、ボルト等で端子１，２と端子接続用部材とを締結させる従来の接続構造と比較して、各端子１，２の接続が容易であると共にボルト等が弛緩するようなことがないので、各端子１，２を確実に接続することが可能になる。また、上記従来の接続構造と比較して部品点数が減少し、製造コストを削減することができる。さらに、端子１，２を折り重ねるので、従来の接続構造と比較して図１に示すＨ寸法が小さくなり、電池（組電池）をコンパクトに形成することができる。
また、本電池の接続構造は、端子接続用基板５の単電池配列方向に配置された各端子挿通用孔６間に各端子１，２の折り重ねられた部分を臨む端子接合用孔１２が配設されたので、超音波接合装置の一対の工具の一方を各端子１，２の折り重ねられた部分の一側に接触させ、また超音波接合装置の他方を端子接続用基板５の裏側からアプローチさせて各端子接合用孔１２を通して各端子１，２の折り重ねられた部分の他側に接触させて、超音波接合装置の一対の工具を振動させることにより各端子１，２の折り重ねられた部分を接合させて接続することができる。
【００２２】
なお、実施の形態は上記に限定されるものではなく、例えば次のように構成してもよい。
本実施の形態では、複数個のリチウムイオン二次電池の単電池３を接続させる二次電池１の接続構造について説明したが、接続される単電池３はリチウムイオン二次電池に限らず、本接続構造を、例えば、電池とコンデンサとの中間の容量を有する電気二重層キャパシタを接続する場合に採用してもよい。
各端子１，２の折り重ねられた部分の複数箇所を同時に超音波接合（金属接合）させてもよい。この場合、接合の工数が減少して製造コストを削減することができる。
折り重ねられた各端子１，２の接合は、金属接合で確実に接合されるものであればよく、例えば、抵抗溶接、圧接、はんだ接合、塑性締結等であってもよい。
【００２３】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述したように、本発明によれば、隣接する単電池間の端子を容易に且つ確実に接続することができる電池の接続構造及び接続方法を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本電池の接合構造の説明図であって、端子接続用基板を用いて電池モジュールの隣接する単電池間の端子が折り重ねられると共に接合されて接続された状態を示す正面図である。
【図２】本電池の接合構造の説明図であって、端子接続用基板を用いて電池モジュールの隣接する単電池間の端子が折り重ねられると共に接合されて接続された状態を示す平面図である。
【図３】単電池としてのリチウムイオン二次電池の斜視図である。
【図４】単電池としてのリチウムイオン二次電池の概略構成を示す図である。
【図５】本電池の接合構造に用いられる端子接続用基板の平面図である。
【図６】本電池の接合構造の説明図であって、電池モジュールに端子接続用基板を被せて当該端子接続用基板の各端子挿通用孔から電池モジュールの各単電池の各端子が突出された状態を示す正面図である。
【図７】本電池の接合構造の説明図であって、電池モジュールに端子接続用基板を被せて当該端子接続用基板の各端子挿通用孔から電池モジュールの各単電池の各端子が突出された状態を示す平面図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 正極端子
２ 負極端子
３ 単電池（リチウムイオン二次電池）
４ 電池モジュール
５ 端子接続用基板
６ 端子挿通用孔
７ 端子接合用孔[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a battery connection structure and a connection method, and more particularly, to a battery connection structure and a connection method for connecting a plurality of cells in series by connecting different polarity terminals between adjacent cells.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, the rated voltage of a lithium ion secondary battery is 3.7V. Therefore, in order to obtain a larger electromotive force, a plurality of lithium ion secondary batteries are connected in series to form an assembled battery of the lithium ion secondary batteries. In this case, different terminal terminals between adjacent unit cells (lithium ion secondary batteries) are connected by a terminal connecting member made of a conductor such as a copper material (for example, see Patent Document 1). Then, when connecting different polarity terminals between adjacent cells, a terminal connection member is bridged between the different polarity terminals, and a bolt is screwed into a female screw threaded to each terminal to connect each terminal to the terminal. It has been conventionally performed to fasten and connect with a member for use. However, in the connection structure using the bolt, the tightening torque of the bolt for fastening the terminal and the terminal connection member is specified, but the bolt may be loosened due to repeated charging / discharging or a use environment. .
[0003]
As described above, when the bolt is loosened, the electric resistance of the contact portion between the terminal and the terminal connecting member increases, and the output may be lost or heat may be generated to increase the internal temperature of the battery, thereby deteriorating the battery. Further, in the conventional connection structure using bolts, the number of parts increases, and a large number of bolts must be tightened with a specified torque, which requires man-hours and increases the manufacturing cost.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-96841 (paragraph number 0053, FIG. 6)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery connection structure and a connection method capable of easily and reliably connecting terminals between adjacent cells.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a method in which a plurality of cells having a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal protruding on one side are formed by opposing terminals between adjacent cells. A battery module is configured by arranging the polarities to have different polarities, and opposing terminals between adjacent cells of the battery module are connected to form an assembled battery in which a plurality of cells are connected in series. Connection structure of the battery, wherein each terminal of each cell of the battery module is inserted into each terminal insertion hole of the terminal connection board made of an insulating material, and is connected to each terminal insertion hole of each terminal to be connected to each other. The protruding portion is folded and joined.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the terminal junction faces the folded portion of each terminal between the terminal insertion holes arranged in the cell array direction of the terminal connection board. A hole is provided.
[0008]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is directed to a method in which a plurality of cells having a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal protruding on one side are formed by opposing terminals between adjacent cells. A battery connection method in which a battery module is configured by arranging the polarities to have different polarities, and connecting a plurality of cells in series by connecting opposing terminals between adjacent cells of the battery module. Then, each terminal of each unit cell of the battery module is inserted into each terminal insertion hole of the terminal connection board made of an insulating material, and a portion protruding from each terminal insertion hole of each terminal to be connected to each other is folded. It is characterized in that a plurality of unit cells are connected in series by joining.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of terminal joining holes facing the folded portion of each terminal are provided on the terminal connecting board, and a tool of the joining apparatus is used for the terminal. It is characterized in that the folded portion of each terminal is approached from the back side of the connection substrate and is brought into contact with the folded portion of each terminal facing the hole for joining each terminal, and the folded portion of each terminal is metal-joined.
[0010]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, a plurality of folded portions of each terminal are simultaneously joined.
[0011]
Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the unit cells of the battery module are connected in series by folding and joining the portions of the different-polarity terminals between the adjacent unit cells that protrude from the terminal connection substrate. Is done.
[0012]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the tool of the joining apparatus is brought into contact with the folded portion of each terminal from the back side of the terminal connection board and brought into contact therewith, and the folded portion of each terminal is joined.
[0013]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, each terminal of each unit cell of the battery module is inserted into each terminal insertion hole of the terminal connection board made of an insulating material, and each terminal is inserted from each terminal insertion hole of each terminal to be connected to each other. The protruding portions are folded and joined to connect a plurality of cells in series.
[0014]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, one of the tools of the joining device is approached from the back side of the terminal connection substrate to contact the folded portion of each terminal facing each terminal joining hole, thereby folding each terminal. The part thus joined is metal-bonded.
[0015]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the number of joining steps is reduced by simultaneously joining a plurality of portions where the terminals are folded.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connection structure of the present battery includes a plurality of cells 3 (in this embodiment, a lithium ion secondary battery in which a positive electrode terminal 1 and a negative electrode terminal 2 protrude from one side surface 3 a). ) Are arranged so that the polarities of the opposed terminals 1 and 2 between the adjacent unit cells 3 are different from each other to form the battery module 4, and the opposite terminal 1 between the adjacent unit cells 3 of the battery module 4 is configured. , 2 are connected to form an assembled battery in which a plurality of cells 3 are connected in series, and each terminal 1, 2 of each cell 3 of the battery module 4 is made of an insulating material. The portions of the terminals 1 and 2 that are inserted into the terminal insertion holes 6 of the terminal connection board 5 and that protrude from the respective terminal insertion holes 6 of the terminals 1 and 2 to be connected to each other are folded and ultrasonically bonded (metal bonding). The structure has been made.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 3, each unit cell 3 (lithium ion secondary battery) is formed by disposing a plate-like positive electrode terminal 1 and a negative electrode terminal 2 on one surface of a laminated metal casing 7. I have. As shown in FIG. 4, the casing 7 contains a positive electrode plate 8, a negative electrode plate 9, a separator 10, and an electrolytic solution 11. The positive electrode plate 8 is formed by coating a positive electrode active material in a thin layer on an aluminum substrate, and the positive electrode terminal 1 is integrally formed. The negative electrode plate 9 is formed by applying a paste of a mixture of a carbon material and a binder with an organic solvent on a copper substrate in a thin layer, and the negative electrode terminal 2 is integrally formed. .
[0018]
Further, the electrolytic solution 11 is an organic electrolytic solution mainly composed of a mixed solvent. For example, as a high dielectric constant solvent, ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), γ-butyrolactone (γ-BL), Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC), dimethoxyethane (DME) and the like are used as low-viscosity solvents. In addition, supporting electrolytes for imparting ion conductivity to the electrolytic solution 11 include lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), lithium perchlorate (LiClO4), lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4), and lithium arsenate hexafluoride. A lithium salt such as (LiAsF6) is used. The separator 10 is formed of a microporous film having a current blocking function, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and has a structure that holds the electrolytic solution 11 and separates the inside of the casing 7 into a positive electrode and a negative electrode.
[0019]
The terminal connection substrate 5 is formed by molding a phenolic resin into a plate shape, and is arranged in alignment with the terminals 1 and 2 of each unit cell 3 of the battery module 4 as shown in FIG. A terminal insertion hole 6 is provided. Further, the terminal connection substrate 5 is provided with a terminal joining hole 12 between the terminal insertion holes 6 arranged in the unit cell arrangement direction (the left-right direction as viewed in the drawing in FIG. 5). As a result, the folded portions of the terminals 1 and 2 projecting from the respective terminal insertion holes 6 face the respective terminal joining holes 12, and the folded portions are subjected to ultrasonic bonding (metal bonding). One of the pair of tools of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus is brought into contact with the upper side of the folded portion of each of the terminals 1 and 2 (upper side as viewed in the drawing in FIG. 1), and the other of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus is connected to the terminal connection board. 5 is approached from the back side, and comes into contact with the lower side (the lower side in the paper surface of FIG. 1) of the folded portion of each terminal 1 and 2 through each terminal joining hole 12.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. First, the cells 3 (the lithium ion secondary batteries in this embodiment) are arranged and bound so that the terminals 1 and 2 facing each other between the adjacent cells 3 have different polarities, and the cells 3 are bound. Construct module 4. Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the terminal connection board 5 is put on the battery module 4, and the terminals 1 and 2 of each cell 3 of the battery module 4 are inserted into each terminal of the terminal connection board 5. It protrudes from the passage hole 6. Then, the terminals 1 and 2 to be connected to each other between the adjacent cells 3 are folded, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the folded portions of the terminals 1 and 2 are ultrasonically bonded (metallic bonding). And connect. At this time, one of the pair of tools of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus is brought into contact with the upper side of the folded portion of each of the terminals 1 and 2 (upper side in the paper surface in FIG. 1), and the other of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus is used for terminal connection. By approaching from the back side of the substrate 5, it is brought into contact with the lower side of the folded portion of the terminals 1 and 2 (the lower side in the paper surface in FIG. 1) through the respective terminal joining holes 12. Then, by vibrating a pair of tools of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus in this state, the folded portions of the terminals 1 and 2 are bonded.
[0021]
This embodiment has the following effects.
The connection structure of the present battery is such that the cells 3 are arranged in such a direction that the polarities of the opposite terminals 1 and 2 between the adjacent cells 3 (in this embodiment, the lithium ion secondary battery) are different from each other. To form a battery module 4, cover the battery module 4 with a terminal connection board 5 made of an insulating material, and insert each of the cells 3 of the battery module 4 through each terminal insertion hole 6 of the terminal connection board 5. The terminals 1 and 2 are projected. Then, the portions of the terminals 1 and 2 to be connected to each other protruding from the terminal insertion holes 6 of the terminal connection board 5 were folded and joined, and the terminals 1 and 2 were connected in series.
Therefore, the connection structure of the present battery is easier to connect the terminals 1 and 2 and the bolts are loosened compared to the conventional connection structure in which the terminals 1 and 2 and the terminal connection member are fastened with bolts or the like. Therefore, the terminals 1 and 2 can be reliably connected. Further, the number of parts is reduced as compared with the above-described conventional connection structure, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, since the terminals 1 and 2 are folded, the H dimension shown in FIG. 1 is smaller than that of the conventional connection structure, and the battery (assembled battery) can be made compact.
In the connection structure of the present battery, a terminal joining hole 12 facing the folded portion of each of the terminals 1 and 2 is provided between the terminal insertion holes 6 arranged in the unit cell array direction of the terminal connection substrate 5. Since one of the pair of tools of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus is provided, one of the pair of tools is brought into contact with one of the folded portions of the terminals 1 and 2, and the other of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus is connected to the back side of the terminal connection substrate 5. From each other, and contact the other side of the folded portion of each of the terminals 1 and 2 through each of the terminal joining holes 12 to vibrate a pair of tools of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus to fold each of the terminals 1 and 2. The overlapped portions can be joined and connected.
[0022]
The embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be configured as follows, for example.
In the present embodiment, the connection structure of the secondary battery 1 for connecting the plurality of single cells 3 of the lithium ion secondary battery has been described. However, the connected single cells 3 are not limited to the lithium ion secondary battery. The connection structure may be adopted, for example, when connecting an electric double layer capacitor having an intermediate capacity between a battery and a capacitor.
A plurality of the folded portions of the terminals 1 and 2 may be simultaneously subjected to ultrasonic bonding (metal bonding). In this case, the number of joining steps is reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
The folded terminals 1 and 2 may be securely joined by metal joining, and may be, for example, resistance welding, pressure welding, solder joining, plastic fastening, or the like.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery connection structure and a connection method that can easily and reliably connect terminals between adjacent unit cells.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a joining structure of the present battery, and is a front view showing a state in which terminals between adjacent cells of a battery module are folded, joined and connected using a terminal connection substrate. is there.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a joining structure of the present battery, and is a plan view showing a state in which terminals between adjacent cells of a battery module are folded, joined and connected using a terminal connection substrate. is there.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lithium ion secondary battery as a unit cell.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a lithium ion secondary battery as a unit cell.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a terminal connection substrate used in the connection structure of the present battery.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a joint structure of the present battery, in which a terminal connecting substrate is put on the battery module, and each terminal of each unit cell of the battery module projects from each terminal insertion hole of the terminal connecting substrate. It is a front view showing the state where it fell.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a joint structure of the present battery, in which a terminal connecting substrate is put on a battery module, and each terminal of each unit cell of the battery module projects from each terminal insertion hole of the terminal connecting substrate. It is a top view showing the state where it fell.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Positive electrode terminal 2 Negative electrode terminal 3 Single cell (lithium ion secondary battery)
4 Battery module 5 Terminal connection board 6 Terminal insertion hole 7 Terminal joining hole
