JP2019067665A - Power storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a power storage device having a plurality of power storage elements, the power storage device being designed to apply uniform load to each power storage element, even if the power storage elements vary in dimension, and to reduce a manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: A power storage device comprises: a plurality of power storage elements arrayed in one direction; and a plate-like spacer 21A disposed between the power storage elements or at least one of ends of the plurality of power storage elements arrayed in one direction. The spacer 21A includes a first main surface 35A and a second main surface located at an end part in a thickness direction; and a plurality of projecting parts 31A1 to 31A9 formed on the first main surface 35A. In a case where two spacers 21A are disposed opposite each other, the plurality of projecting parts 31A1 to 31A9 formed on one spacer 21A are respectively fitted between the plurality of projecting parts 31A1 to 31A9 formed on the other spacer 21A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a power storage device.

  Conventionally, a power storage device provided with a plurality of battery cells is known. The battery module described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2014-102939 contains several battery cells, several intermediate members, and a case.

  The case accommodates therein a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of intermediate members. The case includes a bottom plate, an end plate, and a side plate, and the battery cell is accommodated in the space surrounded by each plate. The battery cell includes a box-shaped storage case and an electrode body disposed in the storage case.

  The intermediate member includes an insulating sheet and supports provided on both sides of the insulating sheet. The intermediate member is disposed between the battery cells. A support provided on the intermediate member supports a central portion of the battery cell.

  When the battery cells are accommodated in the case, gaps are provided between the battery cells and between the battery cells and the end plate, and after the battery cells are disposed, intermediate members are disposed in the respective gaps.

JP, 2014-102939, A

  Due to manufacturing variations of the housing case and manufacturing variations of the electrode body, the dimensions of the battery cell have variations. Therefore, depending on the battery cells to be accommodated, gaps may occur between the end plate and the battery cells or between the battery cells and the intermediate members, or the intermediate members may not be inserted between the battery cells or the like.

  In such a case, it is conceivable to insert a spacer between battery cells and the like to fix each battery cell.

  However, the size of the gap generated due to the dimensional variation of the battery cells is various, and preparing various spacers in accordance with the size of the gap leads to an increase in manufacturing cost.

  In addition, the above subjects are not restricted to the battery module etc. which provided the battery cell, The same subject arises also in the capacitor provided with the several capacitive element.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a power storage device including a plurality of power storage elements, in which even if the size of the power storage elements varies, each power storage element An object of the present invention is to provide a power storage device capable of applying an even load and reducing manufacturing costs.

  A storage device according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of storage devices arrayed in one direction, a storage case storing the plurality of storage devices, and at least one end of the plurality of storage devices arrayed between the storage devices or in one direction. And a plate-like spacer disposed at any position. The spacer includes a first main surface and a second main surface located at an end in a thickness direction, and a plurality of protrusions formed on the first main surface. Assuming that two spacers face each other, each convex portion of the plurality of convex portions formed in one spacer is formed so as to be fitted between the plurality of convex portions formed in the other spacer.

  In the above power storage device, when superposing the respective spacers, the total thickness of the superimposed spacers can be changed by making the superposition mode different. Thus, the spacers can be inserted into the gaps of various dimensions by adjusting the overlapping aspect of the spacers, the number of the spacers, and the like according to the dimensions of the gaps generated between the storage elements and the like.

  According to the power storage device according to the present disclosure, even if variations occur in the dimensions of the power storage element, an equal load can be applied to each power storage element, and reduction in manufacturing cost can be achieved.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing power storage device 1; FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a case main body 5; FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cell unit 3; It is a perspective view showing spacer 21A. It is a top view which shows spacer 21A, and is a top view which shows the main surface 35A side. It is a perspective view which shows spacer 21A, and is a perspective view which shows the main surface 36A side. It is sectional drawing in the VII-VII line of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the VIII-VIII line of FIG. It is a side view showing spacer 21B and spacer 21C. It is a side view showing spacer 21D and spacer 21E. It is a side view showing spacers 21F, 21G, and 21H. It is a side view which shows the modification of the combination aspect of spacer 21F, 21G, 21H. It is a side view showing spacer 100 concerning a comparative example.

  Power storage device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described using FIGS. 1 to 13. Among the configurations shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 13, the same or substantially the same configurations may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing power storage device 1. The power storage device 1 includes a storage case 2 and cell units 3 and 4.

  The storage case 2 includes a case body 5, a lid 6 and a plurality of bolts 7. The case body 5 is formed with an opening that opens upward. The lid 6 is provided to close the opening of the case main body 5. A plurality of flanges 8 are formed at the outer peripheral edge of the lid 6. Each flange 8 is formed with a through hole into which a bolt 7 is inserted.

  The cell units 3 and 4 include a plurality of battery cells 20, and the plurality of battery cells 20 are arranged in the arrangement direction D1. Cell unit 3 and cell unit 4 are arranged to be arranged in arrangement direction D2.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the case main body 5. The case body 5 includes a bottom plate 10, a peripheral wall 11, a partition wall 12, and a boss 13.

  The peripheral wall 11 is formed to rise upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 10. The peripheral wall 11 includes side walls 17A and 17B and side walls 18A and 18B.

  The side wall 17A and the side wall 17B are arranged to face each other in the arrangement direction D1. The side walls 18A and 18B are arranged to face each other in the arrangement direction D2.

  The partition wall 12 is provided to divide the inside of the housing case 2 into two housing spaces 15 and 16. The partition wall 12 is formed to extend in the arrangement direction D1.

  A plurality of bosses 13 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 11 at intervals. The boss 13 is formed with a hole into which the bolt 7 is inserted, and the hole is formed with a female screw for screwing the screw portion of the bolt 7.

  Each bolt 7 is inserted into the flange 8 and the boss 13, and the lid 6 is fixed to the case body 5 by the plurality of bolts 7.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, cell unit 3 is accommodated in accommodation space 15, and cell unit 4 is accommodated in accommodation space 16.

  Cell units 3 and 4 include a plurality of battery cells 20. The plurality of battery cells 20 are provided to be arranged in one direction.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cell unit 3. Cell unit 3 includes a plurality of battery cells 20 and a plurality of spacers 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, and 21E.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the cell unit 3 includes five spacers 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D and 21E.

  Battery cell 20 includes a case 22 and an electrode body 23. Case 22 is formed of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The electrode body 23 includes a plurality of positive electrode sheets, a plurality of separators, and a plurality of negative electrode sheets.

  The case 22 includes a case body 24 and a lid 25. The case main body 24 is formed with an opening that opens upward. The lid 25 is welded to the opening edge of the case body 24.

  The case body 24 is formed by squeeze molding or extrusion, and the dimensions of the case body 24 may vary.

  Therefore, for example, when the cell unit 3 is housed in the housing space 15, depending on the cell unit 3, a gap may be generated between the side walls 17A and 17B of the case main body 5 and the cell unit 3.

  The electrode body 23 is formed by sequentially laminating a positive electrode sheet, a separator, and a negative electrode sheet. For this reason, in the manufacturing process of the electrode body 23, the dimensional variation of the electrode body 23 tends to occur. Furthermore, the dimensions of the electrode body 23 vary depending on the state of charge and the temperature. For example, when the charge amount of the electrode body 23 increases, the electrode body 23 is deformed to swell, and when the charge amount decreases, the size of the electrode body 23 may be reduced.

  Therefore, when the cell unit 3 is housed in the housing space 15, a gap is generated between the battery cells 20, or a gap is generated between the battery cells 20 and the side walls 17A and 17B.

  When the gaps are formed between the battery cells 20 or between the battery cells 20 and the side walls 17A and 17B as described above, the load applied to each of the battery cells 20 is difficult to become even.

  The load applied to the battery cell 20 affects the battery capacity of the battery cell 20. When the load applied to each battery cell 20 varies, the battery capacity of each battery cell 20 is affected. As a result, as a result of repeating charge and discharge, in the specific battery cell 20, there is a possibility that adverse effects such as lithium deposition may occur.

  In power storage device 1 according to the present embodiment, spacers 21 are appropriately arranged in cell units 3 and 4 in cell units 3 and 4 in accordance with the state of cell units 3 and 4. And the gap between the battery cells 20 is filled.

  Thereby, equalization of load applied to each battery cell 20 in cell units 3 and 4 is achieved.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, one spacer 21A is inserted between the battery cell 20A and the battery cell 20B.

  The spacer 21B and the spacer 21C are stacked in two and inserted between the battery cell 20C and the battery cell 20D. The spacer 21D and the spacer 21E are also stacked and inserted between the battery cell 20E and the battery cell 20F. Each of the spacers 21A to 21F has the same or substantially the same shape.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the spacer 21A. The spacer 21A includes a substrate 30A and a plurality of convex portions 31A1 to 31A18.

  The substrate 30A is formed in a plate shape. Substrate 30A includes main surfaces 35A and 36A and circumferential surface 37A. The major surface 35A and the major surface 36A are located at both ends in the thickness direction TH. The circumferential surface 37 is formed to connect the major surface 35A and the major surface 36A. The spacer 21A is disposed such that the thickness direction TH is oriented in the arrangement direction D1.

  The convex portions 31A1 to 31A9 are formed on the main surface 35A so as to be spaced apart from each other in an array. Each of the convex portions 31A to 31A9 is formed to project from the main surface 35A.

  Each of the convex portions 31A1 to 31A9 includes an end surface located in the protruding direction of each of the convex portions 31A to 31A9, and each end surface is formed in a flat surface shape.

  A groove 40A is formed by the convex portions 31A to 31A9 between the convex portions 31A1 to 31A9. The grooves 40A are formed in a lattice shape.

  In the height direction H, the length of each of the convex portions 31A1 to 31A9 approximates the length of the groove 40A, and the length of the groove 40A is slightly longer.

  In the width direction W, the length of each of the convex portions 31A1 to 31A9 approximates the length of the groove 40A, and the length of the groove 40A is slightly longer.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the spacer 21A and is a plan view showing the main surface 35A side. In the example shown in FIG. 6 etc., when the main surface 35A of the spacer 21A is viewed in plan, the end faces of the convex portions 31A1 to 31A9 are formed in a square shape, and the outer peripheral edge of the main surface 35A is also in a square shape. It is formed. In addition, various shapes, such as polygonal shape, circular shape, elliptical shape, etc. can be suitably employ | adopted for the shape etc. of each convex part.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the spacer 21A and a perspective view showing the main surface 36A side. A plurality of convex portions 31A11 to 31A19 are formed on the main surface 36A. Each of the convex portions 31A11 to 31A19 is also formed to protrude from the main surface 36A.

  The convex portions 31A11 to 31A19 are arranged in an array at intervals. Each convex part 31A11-31A19 includes the end surface located in the protrusion direction of each convex part 31A11-31A19, and each end surface is formed in flat surface shape. Groove portions 41A are formed by the convex portions 31A11 to 31A19 between the convex portions 31A11 to 31A19. The grooves 41A are also formed in a grid shape, similarly to the grooves 40A.

  The dimensions of the respective convex portions 31A11 to 31A19 and the dimensions of the respective convex portions 31A1 to 31A9 coincide or substantially coincide. The dimensions of the groove 40A and the dimensions of the groove 41A are also identical or substantially located.

  7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. First, in FIG. 7, the convex portion 31A2 and the convex portion 31A12 are formed to overlap with each other in the thickness direction TH. It is arranging. The convex portion 31A5 and the convex portion 31A15 are formed to overlap in the thickness direction TH. The convex portion 31A8 and the convex portion 31A18 are both formed to overlap in the thickness direction TH.

  Similarly, the convex portions 31A1, 31A4, 31A7, 31A3, 31A6, 31A9 and the convex portions 31A11, 31A14, 31A17, 31A13, 31A16, 31A19 overlap in the thickness direction TH. That is, the respective convex portions 31A1 to 31A9 are formed to overlap the respective convex portions 31A11 to 31A19 in the thickness direction TH. Therefore, the groove 40A and the groove 41A are formed to overlap in the thickness direction TH.

  In FIG. 7, in the thickness direction TH, the distance t1 from the end face of the convex portions 31A4, 31A5, 31A6 to the end face of the convex portions 31A14, 31A15, 31A16 is, for example, 1.5 mm.

  In the thickness direction TH, a distance t2 between the main surface 36A (bottom of the groove 41A) and the main surface 35A (bottom of the groove 40A) is, for example, 0.5 mm.

  In the present embodiment, spacer 21A is disposed between battery cell 20A and battery cell 20B, and battery cell 20A and battery cell 20B are separated by about 1.5 mm by spacer 21A. There is.

  Although the configuration of the spacer 21A has been described in detail, the spacers 21B, 21C, 21D, and 21E also have the same shape or substantially the same shape as the spacer 21A.

  Assuming that two spacers 21A are prepared in the spacer 21A formed as described above, one of the protrusions 31A1 to 31A9 and the protrusions 31A11 to 31A19 fit into the grooves 40A and 41A of the other spacer 21A. Can be

  Thus, the spacers can be inserted into various gaps depending on the combination of the plurality of spacers, and the details will be described using the spacers 21C and 21D, the spacers 21E and 21F, and the like. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the spacer 21B and the spacer 21C. The spacer 21B and the spacer 21C are disposed such that the convex portions are in contact with each other.

  In FIG. 9, the convex portion 31A17 of the spacer 21B and the convex portion 31C7 of the spacer 21C are in contact with each other. Similarly, the convex portions 31B18 and 31B19 are in contact with the convex portions 31C8 and 31C9. In addition, the other convex part of spacer 21B which is not shown in figure is in contact with the convex part of spacer 21C.

  Therefore, in the state where the spacer 21B and the spacer 21C are overlapped, the total thickness t3 of the spacer 21B and the spacer 21C in the thickness direction TH is 3.0 mm.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the spacer 21D and the spacer 21E.
The convex portions 31D18 and 31D19 of the spacer 21D are fitted in the groove 40E of the spacer 21E. In addition, the other convex part adjacent to the width direction W with respect to convex part 31D17, 31D18 is also fitted in in the groove part 40E.

  The convex portions 31E8 and 31E9 of the spacer 21E are fitted in the groove 41D of the spacer 21D. In addition, the other convex part adjacent to the width direction W with respect to convex part 31E, 31E9 is also stuck in in groove part 41D.

  Therefore, in the state where the spacer 21D and the spacer 21E are overlapped, the total thickness t4 of the spacer 21D and the spacer 21E in the thickness direction TH is 2.5 mm.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it can be seen that even with two identically shaped spacers, the thickness of the combined spacer can be adjusted by the combination mode.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, it will be described that three spacers can be combined to have various thicknesses.

  FIG. 11 is a side view showing the spacers 21F, 21G, 21H. In the combination mode shown in FIG. 11, the convex portions 31F17, 31F18, 31F19 of the spacer 21F are in contact with the convex portions 31G7, 31G8, 31G9 of the spacer 21G.

  The convex portions 31G17, 31G18, and 31G19 of the spacer 21G are in contact with the convex portions 31G7, 31G8, and 31G9 of the spacer 21H.

  Thus, the thickness t5 in the width direction W when the spacers 21F, 21G, and 21H are combined is 4.5 mm.

  FIG. 12 is a side view showing a modification of the combination of the spacers 21F, 21G and 21H. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the convex portions 31F17 and 31F18 of the spacer 21F are fitted in the groove 40G of the spacer 21G.

  The protrusions 31G8 and 31G9 of the spacer 21G are fitted in the groove 41F of the spacer 21F.

  The convex portions 31G18 and 31G19 of the spacer 21G are fitted into the groove 40H of the spacer 21H. The protrusions 31H7 and 31H8 of the spacer 21H are fitted in the groove 41G.

  The total thickness t6 of the spacers 21F, 21G, and 21H in the combination mode shown in FIG. 12 is about 3.5 mm.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the total thickness of the three spacers 21F, 21G, and 21H can be adjusted by the combination mode.

  FIG. 13 is a side view showing a spacer 100 according to a comparative example. In this spacer 100, even if two spacers 100 are used, the total thickness of the spacers can form only one type of thickness. Similarly, even if three spacers 100 are used, only one type of thickness can be formed.

  On the other hand, the dimensions of the gap formed between the battery cells 20 and the dimensions of the gaps formed between the battery cell 20 and the side walls 17A and 17B are various.

  Therefore, if it is attempted to insert the spacers 100 into the gaps between the cell units 3 and 4, it is necessary to prepare various spacers 100 having different thicknesses.

  On the other hand, according to the spacer 21A according to the present embodiment, even in the gaps of various gap sizes of the cell units 3 and 4, the cell unit 3, It can be inserted into the gap of 4. For this reason, it is less necessary to prepare a plurality of types of spacers having different thicknesses, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In the above embodiment, each spacer is formed such that the protrusion fits into the groove in the two spacers in which the protrusion and the groove are formed. On the other hand, the portion in which each protrusion fits is not limited to the shape like a groove, and may be, for example, a recess, a recess or a recess, and various shapes may be used as the shape in which the protrusions fit. It can be adopted. That is, the convex part of each spacer is formed so that it can be inserted between the convex parts of other spacers.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment based on this invention was described, the matter indicated this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The technical scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

  Reference Signs List 1 power storage device, 2 storage case, 3, 4 cell unit, 5, 24 case main body, 6, 25 lid, 7 bolt, 8 flange, 10 bottom plate, 11 peripheral wall, 12 partition wall, 13 boss, 15, 16 storage space, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B sidewalls, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F battery cells 21, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F, 21G, 21H, 100 Spacers, 22 cases, 23 Electrode body, 30A substrate, 31A1 to 31A9, 31A11 to 31A19 convex portion, 35A, 36A main surface, 37, 37A circumferential surface, 40A, 41A groove portion, D1, D2 alignment direction, H height direction, TH thickness direction, W Width direction, t1, t2 distance, t3, t5, t6 thickness.

Claims (1)

A plurality of storage elements arranged in one direction;
A plate-like spacer disposed between at least one of the storage elements or at least one end of the plurality of storage elements arranged in the one direction;
Equipped with
The spacer includes a first main surface and a second main surface located at an end in a thickness direction, and a plurality of protrusions formed on the first main surface,
Assuming that the two spacers face each other, each convex portion of the plurality of convex portions formed in one spacer is formed so as to be fitted between a plurality of convex portions formed in the other spacer , Storage device.

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