Prismatic sealed rechargeable battery, battery module, and battery pack

Abstract

A prismatic sealed rechargeable battery includes a substantially prismatic battery case that accommodates an electrode plate assembly and an electrolyte solution. The battery case is formed of metal. On a side face of the battery case, a thin plate is provided which has a plurality of protruding portions formed in parallel at appropriate intervals. The protruding portion and the side face form spaces opened at both ends therebetween. The thin plate is bonded to the side face of the battery case by making flat portions between the protruding portions into surface-contact with the side face, thereby improving cooling capability of the battery.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A prismatic sealed rechargeable battery comprising: 
 a substantially prismatic battery case formed of metal;    an electrode plate assembly and an electrolyte solution accommodated in the battery case; and    a thin plate provided on a side face of the battery case, the thin plate having a plurality of rib-like protruding portions, formed in parallel at appropriate intervals, the protruding portions being configured to form spaces that are opened at both ends, between the side face of the battery case and the protruding portions, wherein    the thin plate is bonded to the side face of the battery case by bringing flat portions between the protruding portions into surface-contact with the side face of the battery case.    
     
     
         2 . The prismatic sealed rechargeable battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the thin plate is provided on each of two opposite side faces of the battery case.  
     
     
         3 . The prismatic sealed rechargeable battery according to  claim 2 , wherein the protruding portions of the thin plates provided on the opposite side faces of the battery case are arranged in such a manner that the protruding portions on one of the side faces are staggered with respect to the protruding portions on the other side face.  
     
     
         4 . The prismatic sealed rechargeable battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the side face of the battery case, on which the thin plate is provided, and the thin plate provide surface strength for preventing deformation beyond a predetermined degree of deformation while a predetermined inner pressure acts on the battery case.  
     
     
         5 . The prismatic sealed rechargeable battery according to  claim 1 , further comprising a positive connection terminal and a negative connection terminal respectively provided on opposite side faces of the battery case that are perpendicular to the side face on which the thin plate is provided, wherein the thin plate is arranged to set both ends of the protruding portions toward the side faces on which the positive and negative connection terminals are provided, respectively.  
     
     
         6 . The prismatic sealed rechargeable battery according to  claim 1 , further comprising a positive connection terminal and a negative connection terminal respectively provided on opposite side faces of the battery case that are perpendicular to the side face on which the thin plate is provided, wherein the thin plate is arranged to set both ends of the protruding portions toward a top face and a bottom face of the battery case.  
     
     
         7 . A battery module comprising a plurality of the prismatic sealed rechargeable batteries according to  claim 5 , wherein 
 the prismatic sealed rechargeable batteries are arranged in one direction in such a manner that the side face of the battery case of each of the rechargeable batteries, on which the positive or negative connection terminal is provided, is opposed to the side face of the battery case of an adjacent rechargeable battery, on which the negative or positive connection terminal is provided,    the prismatic sealed rechargeable batteries are connected in series by welding the positive connection terminal and the negative connection terminal that are opposed to each other, and    the number of the protruding portions of the thin plate of one of the rechargeable batteries in downstream of a flow of cooling fluid flowing in the direction in which the rechargeable batteries are arranged is more than that in upstream of the flow of the cooling fluid.    
     
     
         8 . A battery module comprising a plurality of the prismatic sealed rechargeable batteries according to  claim 6 , wherein 
 the prismatic sealed rechargeable batteries are arranged in one direction in such a manner that the side face of the battery case of each of the rechargeable batteries, on which the positive or negative connection terminal is provided, is opposed to the side face of the battery case of an adjacent rechargeable battery, on which the negative or positive connection terminal is provided, and    the prismatic sealed rechargeable batteries are connected in series by welding the opposed positive and negative connection terminals.    
     
     
         9 . A battery pack comprising a plurality of the battery modules according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the battery modules are arranged in parallel and an insulator is interposed between the thin plates of adjacent ones of the battery modules.