Assembled battery and manufacturing method thereof

• US 9,246,145 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2005
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Envision AESC Japan Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Watanabe, Masashi, Tanjou, Yuuji, Ota, Masayasu, Enokida, Tsuyoshi, Kishimoto, Hiroaki, Amagai, Ryuichi, Segawa, Teruo, Hayami, Muneto
• Primary Examiner(s): Conley, Helen O
• Application Number:
  US11/597,907
• Publication Number:
  US 20080070102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,893 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0413 Large-sized flat cells or batteries for motive or stationary systems with plate-like electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/647 Prismatic or flat cells, e.g. pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6555 arranged between the cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6557 arranged between the cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6566 Means within the gas flow to guide the flow around one or more cells, e.g. manifolds, baffles or other barriers H01M10/6565 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/211 adapted for pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/51 Connection only in series
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/516 by welding, soldering or brazing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/548 on opposite sides of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/569 Constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals battery terminal connectors with integrated measuring arrangements G01R31/364
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/42 Grouping of primary cells into batteries H01M6/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/46 of flat cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 : Electric battery cell making

Abstract

A combined battery (100) comprising a plurality of flat-type cells (10A to 10F) by laminating thereof so that polarity of electrode tabs (11A to 11F and 12A to 12F) is alternately set, wherein welding parts to connect in series the flat cells themselves, to compose a set when all the flat-type cells (10A to 10F) are laminated, are separated at a plurality of positions of the combined battery, and the flat-type cells having such a structure that all the flat-type cells are electrically connected in series by welding each of the welding parts.

Claims

1. A combined battery, comprising:

first and second units, each including a plurality of flat-type cells, each flat-type cell having a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, wherein the flat-type cells have two major surfaces and a thickness,

wherein in each of the first and second units, the plurality of flat-type cells are laminated by stacking the flat-type cells in a lamination direction substantially perpendicular to the major surfaces and electrically connected to one another at a respective welding part that connects a positive electrode tab of a first flat-type cell to a negative electrode tab of a second flat-type cell, and portions of the positive electrode tab of the first flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the second flat-type cell that are electrically connected to one another by the welding part are offset from a negative electrode tab of the first flat-type cell, a positive electrode tab of the second flat-type cell, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell in each unit when viewed down into the lamination direction, and

wherein the first and second units are further electrically connected to one another in series with a unit welding part connecting a positive electrode tab of a flat-type cell in one of the first and second units and a negative electrode tab of a flat-type cell in the other of the first and second units, and portions of the positive electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the one of the first and second units and the negative electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the other of the first and second units that are electrically connected to one another by the unit welding part are offset from a negative electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the one of the first and second units, a positive electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the other of the first and second units, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell in the first and second units, when viewed down into the lamination direction.

3. The combined battery according to claim 1, wherein each flat-type cell has a rectangular shape when viewed down into the lamination direction, and wherein the unit welding part is offset in at least one of (1) a direction of a short length of the flat-type cells and (2) a direction of a long length of the flat-type cells.

2. A combined battery, comprising:

a unit including a plurality of flat-type cells, each flat-type cell having a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, wherein the flat-type cells have two major surfaces and a thickness,

wherein the plurality of flat-type cells are laminated by stacking the flat-type cells in a lamination direction substantially perpendicular to the major surfaces and electrically connected to one another at a respective welding part that connects a positive electrode tab of a first flat-type cell to a negative electrode tab of a second flat-type cell, and portions of the positive electrode tab of the first flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the second flat-type cell that are electrically connected to one another by the welding part are offset from a negative electrode tab of the first flat-type cell, a positive electrode tab of the second flat-type cell, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell in the unit when viewed down into the lamination direction, and

wherein

1) the unit is further electrically connected to another flat-type cell in series by a unit welding part connecting a positive electrode tab of a flat-type cell in the unit and a negative electrode tab of the another flat-type cell, and portions of the positive electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the unit and the negative electrode tab of the another flat-type cell that are electrically connected to one another by the unit welding part are offset from a negative electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the unit, a positive electrode tab of the another flat-type cell, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell in the unit, when viewed down into the lamination direction, or

2) the unit is further electrically connected to another flat-type cell in series by a unit welding part connecting a positive electrode tab of the another flat-type cell and a negative electrode tab of a flat-type cell in the unit, and portions of the positive electrode tab of the another flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the unit that are electrically connected to one another by the unit welding part are offset from a negative electrode tab of the another flat-type cell, a positive electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the unit, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell in the unit, when viewed down into the lamination direction.

4. The combined battery according to claim 2, wherein each flat-type cell has a rectangular shape when viewed down into the lamination direction, and wherein the unit welding part is offset in at least one of (1) a direction of a short length of the flat-type cells and (2) a direction of a long length of the flat-type cells.

5. A combined battery, comprising:

at least three flat-type cells, each flat-type cell having a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, wherein the flat-type cells have two major surfaces and a thickness,

wherein all flat-type cells are electrically connected in series and are laminated by stacking the flat-type cells in a lamination direction substantially perpendicular to the major surfaces and a positive electrode tab of one of a first flat-type cell and a second flat-type cell and a negative electrode tab of the other of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell are selectively and electrically connected to one another at a welding part connecting electrode tabs of the first and second flat-type cells,

wherein a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of a third flat-type cell, which is laminated next to the first and second flat-type cells connected by the welding part, are offset from portions of the positive electrode tab of the one of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the other of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell that are electrically connected to one another by the welding part, when viewed down into a lamination direction.

6. The combined battery according to claim 5, wherein the welding part is offset from a negative electrode tab of the one of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell, a positive electrode tab of the other of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell in the at least three flat-type cells, when viewed down into the lamination direction.

7. The combined battery according to claim 5, wherein each flat-type cell has a rectangular shape when viewed down into the lamination direction, and wherein the welding part is offset in a direction of a short length of the flat-type cells.

8. The combined battery according to claim 6, wherein each flat-type cell has a rectangular shape when viewed down into the lamination direction, and wherein the welding part is offset in a direction of a short length of the flat-type cells.

9. The combined battery according to claim 5, wherein each flat-type cell has a circular shape or a polygonal shape with at least as many sides as a pentagon, when viewed down into the lamination direction, and

wherein the positive electrode tab of the one of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the other of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell that are electrically connected by the welding part protrude from a different position along a circumference of the circular or the polygonal shape than other positive and negative electrode tabs that are electrically connected, when viewed down into the lamination direction.

10. The combined battery according to claim 6, wherein each flat-type cell has a circular shape or a polygonal shape with at least as many sides as a pentagon, when viewed down into the lamination direction, and

wherein the positive electrode tab of the one of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the other of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell that are electrically connected by the welding part protrude from a different position along a circumference of the circular or the polygonal shape than other positive and negative electrode tabs that are electrically connected, when viewed down into the lamination direction.

11. A method for producing a combined battery, comprising:

forming first and second units each including a plurality of flat-type cells, each flat type-cell having a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, wherein the flat-type cells have two major surfaces and a thickness,

wherein the plurality of flat-type cells are laminated by stacking the flat-type cells in a lamination direction substantially perpendicular to the major surfaces and electrically connected to one another by a respective welding part that connects a positive electrode tab of a first flat-type cell to a negative electrode tab of a second flat-type cell, wherein portions of the positive electrode tab of the first flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the second flat-type cell that are electrically connected to one another by the respective welding part are offset from a negative electrode tab of the first flat-type cell, a positive electrode tab of the second flat-type cell, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell in each unit, when viewed down into the lamination direction, and

forming the combined battery by further electrically connecting a positive electrode tab of a flat-type cell in one of the first and second units and a negative electrode tab of a flat-type cell in the other of the first and second units,

wherein portions of the positive electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the one of the first and second units and the negative electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the other of the first and second units that are electrically connected to one another in series by a unit welding part are offset from a negative electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the one of the first and second units, a positive electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the other of the first and second units, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell in the first and second units, when viewed down into the lamination direction.

12. The method for producing the combined battery according to claim 11, wherein each flat-type cell has a rectangular shape when viewed down into the lamination direction, and wherein the respective welding part is offset in at least one of (1) a direction of a short length of the flat-type cell and (2) a direction of a long length of the flat-type cell.

24. The method for producing the combined battery according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of flat-type cells are electrically connected to one another by ultrasonic welding.

13. A method for producing a combined battery, comprising:

forming a unit including a plurality of flat-type cells, each flat-type cell having a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, wherein the flat-type cells have two major surfaces and a thickness,

wherein the plurality of flat-type cells are laminated by stacking the flat-type cells in a lamination direction substantially perpendicular to the major surfaces and electrically connected to one another at a respective welding part that connects a positive electrode tab of a first flat-type cell to a negative electrode tab of a second flat-type cell, wherein portions of the positive electrode tab of the first flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the second flat-type cell that are electrically connected to one another by the respective welding part are offset from a negative electrode tab of the first flat-type cell, a positive electrode tab of the second flat-type cell, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell in the unit, when viewed down into the lamination direction, and

forming the combined battery by

1) further electrically connecting a positive electrode tab of a flat-type cell in the unit and a negative electrode tab of another flat-type cell in series by a welding part, wherein portions of the positive electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the unit and the negative electrode tab of the another flat-type cell that are electrically connected to one another by the welding part are offset from a negative electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the unit, a positive electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the another flat-type cell, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell in the unit, when viewed down into the lamination direction, or

2) further electrically connecting a positive electrode tab of another flat-type cell and a negative electrode tab of a flat-type cell in the unit in series by a welding part, wherein portions of the positive electrode tab of the another flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the unit that are electrically connected to one another by the welding part are offset from a negative electrode tab of the another flat-type cell, a positive electrode tab of the flat-type cell in the unit, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell in the unit, when viewed down into the lamination direction.

14. The method for producing the combined battery according to claim 13, wherein each flat-type cell has a rectangular shape when viewed down into the lamination direction, and wherein the respective welding part is offset in at least one of (1) a direction of a short length of the flat-type cell and (2) a direction of a long length of the flat-type cell.

15. A method for producing a combined battery including at least three flat-type cells, each flat-type cell having a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, wherein the flat-type cells have two major surfaces and a thickness, wherein all flat-type cells are electrically connected in series and are laminated by stacking the flat-type cells in a lamination direction substantially perpendicular to the major surfaces, the method comprising:

selectively and electrically connecting a positive electrode tab of one of a first flat-type cell and a second flat-type cell and a negative electrode tab of the other of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell with a welding part, wherein portions of the positive electrode tab of the one of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the other of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell that are electrically connected to one another by the welding part are offset from an electrode tab of a third flat-type cell, which is laminated next to the first and second flat-type cells connected by the welding part, when viewed down into the lamination direction.

16. The method for producing a combined battery according to claim 15, wherein the welding part is offset from a negative electrode tab of the one of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell, a positive electrode tab of the other of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of every other flat-type cell, when viewed down into the lamination direction.

17. The method for producing a combined battery according to claim 15, wherein each flat-type cell has a rectangular shape, when viewed down into the lamination direction, and wherein the welding part is offset in a direction of a short length of the flat-type cell.

18. The method for producing a combined battery according to claim 16, wherein each flat-type cell has a rectangular shape, when viewed down into the lamination direction, and wherein the welding part is offset in a direction of a short length of the flat-type cell.

19. The method for producing a combined battery according to claim 15, wherein the flat-type cells are laminated by folding a series of the flat-type cells in zigzags or winding the flat-type cells in a roll-shape.

20. The method for producing a combined battery according to claim 16, wherein the flat-type cells are laminated by folding a series of the flat-type cells in zigzags or winding the flat-type cells in a roll-shape.

21. The method for producing a combined battery according to claim 17, wherein the flat-type cells are laminated by folding a series of the flat-type cells in zigzags or winding the flat-type cells in a roll-shape.

22. The method for producing a combined battery according to claim 15, wherein each flat-type cell has a circular shape or a polygonal shape with at least as many sides as a pentagon, when viewed down into the lamination direction, and

wherein the positive electrode tab of the one of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the other of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell that are electrically connected by the welding part protrude from a different position along a circumference of the circular or the polygonal shape from other positive and negative electrode tabs that are electrically connected, when viewed down into the lamination direction.

23. The method for producing a combined battery according to claim 16, wherein each flat-type cell has a circular shape or a polygonal shape with at least as many sides as a pentagon, when viewed down into the lamination direction, and

wherein the positive electrode tab of the one of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell and the negative electrode tab of the other of the first flat-type cell and the second flat-type cell that are electrically connected by the welding part protrude from a different position along a circumference of the circular or the polygonal shape from other positive and negative electrode tabs that are electrically connected, when viewed down into the lamination direction.