JP2022029073A - Power storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a power storage device that can improve safety with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A power storage device 10 includes a power storage element unit 200 having a power storage element 210, a path forming member 252 arranged on a gas discharge valve 213 side of the power storage element 210 in the power storage element unit 200, and a plate-shaped heat insulating member 400. The heat insulating member 400 is supported at a position facing the gas discharge valve 213 inside the path forming member 252, and is freely inserted and removed with respect to the path forming member 252. The power storage element unit 200 has a spacer 222 which is a plate-shaped member arranged at a position facing a side surface of the power storage element 210 adjacent to the surface on which the gas discharge valve 213 is arranged. The spacer 222 includes a regulation unit 205 that is provided at an end on the path forming member 252 side, and restricts the heat insulating member 400 from coming out of the path forming member 252.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a power storage device including a power storage element.

Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack including a battery stack composed of a plurality of cells and a case for accommodating the battery stack. Each of the plurality of cells has a gas discharge valve configured to discharge the internal gas to the outside when the internal pressure rises. In this battery pack, a plate material is arranged between each gas discharge valve and the upper case constituting the upper part of the case. The plate material is arranged so that the plate material overlaps with each gas discharge valve when the battery stack and the plate material are viewed in a plan view from above.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-197622

In the conventional battery pack (power storage device), a plate material made of, for example, metal is arranged directly above each gas discharge valve in a battery stack (power storage element unit) having a plurality of cells (power storage elements). As a result, the resin member such as the upper case arranged above the power storage element unit can be protected from the heat of the gas vigorously discharged from the gas discharge valve. However, in the above-mentioned conventional power storage device, it is necessary to fix the plate material to the upper case with a fixing tool such as several bolts. This causes problems such as the need for a space for arranging the fixture and an increase in the number of parts of the power storage device. That is, in the conventional power storage device, the configuration of the power storage device becomes complicated in order to improve the safety.

The present invention has been made by the inventor of the present application with a new focus on the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power storage device capable of improving safety with a simple configuration.

The power storage device according to one aspect of the present invention has a power storage element unit having a power storage element and a path of gas discharged from the gas discharge valve arranged on the gas discharge valve side of the power storage element in the power storage element unit. It is provided with a path forming member to be formed and a plate-shaped heat insulating member supported at a position facing the gas discharge valve inside the path forming member and freely arranged with respect to the path forming member. The power storage element unit has a plate-shaped member arranged at a position facing the side surface of the power storage element adjacent to the surface on which the gas discharge valve is arranged, and the plate-shaped member is the path forming member. It is a regulation unit provided at the end on the side, and has a regulation unit that regulates the escape of the heat insulating member from the path forming member.

According to this configuration, the heat insulating member can protect, for example, a path forming member made of resin from a high temperature gas. Further, by inserting the heat insulating member into the path forming member, the heat insulating member is supported by the path forming member, and in that state, the path forming member is attached to the power storage element unit. As a result, the heat insulating member cannot escape from the path forming member. That is, fixing work such as fastening or bonding of the heat insulating member to the path forming member is unnecessary. In addition, there is no need for a space for arranging fixtures such as bolts. For example, a part of the plate-shaped member that holds, protects, or restrains the power storage element is used to regulate the escape of the heat insulating member from the path forming member. can do. As described above, the power storage device according to this aspect can improve the safety with a simple configuration.

The path forming member is an opening exposed to the outside of the path forming member, and has an opening that allows insertion and removal of the heat insulating member into the inside, and the restricting portion is a direction in which the heat insulating member comes out. It may be located outside the opening in the above.

According to this configuration, for example, the heat insulating member can be easily inserted into the path forming member, and the heat insulating member can be more reliably pulled out from the path forming member. Further, in the manufacturing stage, it is easy to visually check whether or not the heat insulating member is restricted from coming out, or to recognize an image. That is, the safety is improved and the manufacturing process is facilitated.

The path forming member may have a discharge port formed at a position different from the opening for discharging the gas inside the path forming member to the outside of the path forming member.

According to this configuration, for example, the gas inside the path forming member is discharged to the outside of the path forming member from the discharge port formed at a position different from the opening, so that the regulation provided on the outside of the opening is provided. The part does not interfere with the discharge of gas. Further, since the possibility that the regulating portion is deformed or melted due to the heat of the gas is reduced, it is unlikely that the function of regulating the position of the heat insulating member by the regulating portion is lost. That is, when the gas discharge valve of the power storage element is opened (when the valve is opened), the protective effect of the path forming member by the heat insulating member is maintained, and the gas discharged from the power storage element is efficiently guided to a predetermined position. be able to.

The restricting portion is a protruding portion of the plate-shaped member that protrudes from the power storage element in the direction in which the gas discharge valve is directed, and is a end face of the heat insulating member in the exit direction from the path forming member. It may be a protruding portion arranged at an opposite position.

According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to reliably regulate the escape of the heat insulating member from the path forming member by using a part of the end member, the end spacer, or the like. That is, it is possible to obtain a power storage device having a simple configuration and having improved safety.

The heat insulating member has an engaging portion that forms an opening penetrating in the thickness direction, and the restricting portion is a protrusion portion of the plate-shaped member inserted into the engaging portion of the plate-shaped member. It may be a protrusion portion arranged at a position where it engages with the engaging portion in the exit direction from the path forming member.

According to this configuration, for example, the heat insulating member is prevented from coming off in a state where the regulating portion, which is a protruding portion of the end member or the end spacer, is inserted into the engaging portion of the heat insulating member. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably regulate the escape of the heat insulating member from the path forming member. As a result, it is possible to obtain a power storage device with improved safety.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power storage device having improved safety with a simple configuration.

It is a perspective view which shows the appearance of the power storage device which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the exterior body by separating the main body and the cover of the exterior body in the power storage device which concerns on embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view which shows by disassembling the component inside the exterior body of the power storage device which concerns on embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view which shows each component by disassembling the energy storage element unit which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the power storage element unit and the bus bar frame which concerns on embodiment in the state which we separated from each other. It is a perspective sectional view which shows the inside of the path forming member which concerns on embodiment. It is a 1st perspective view which shows the structure of the regulation part and its periphery in the power storage device which concerns on embodiment. It is a 2nd perspective view which shows the structure of the regulation part and its periphery in the power storage device which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention (including a modification thereof) will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below are comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, manufacturing processes, order of manufacturing processes, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, in each figure, the dimensions and the like are not exactly shown. Further, in each figure, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the following description and drawings, the longitudinal direction of the exterior body of the power storage device, the arrangement direction of the power storage element unit and the electric device unit, the arrangement direction of a plurality of side members, the facing direction of the short side surface of the container of the power storage element, or The arrangement direction of the pair of electrode terminals in one power storage element is defined as the X-axis direction. The alignment direction of the power storage element and the bus bar or the bus bar frame is defined as the Y-axis direction. The direction in which the main body of the exterior of the power storage device and the lid are arranged, the direction in which the pair of end members are arranged, the direction in which the power storage element and the spacer and the end member are arranged, the direction opposite to the long side surface of the container of the power storage element, and the flat direction of the power storage element. , The stacking direction or the vertical direction of the electrode plates of the electrode body of the power storage element is defined as the Z-axis direction. These X-axis directions, Y-axis directions, and Z-axis directions intersect each other (orthogonally in the present embodiment). Depending on the usage mode, the Z-axis direction may not be the vertical direction, but for convenience of explanation, the Z-axis direction will be described below as the vertical direction.

Further, in the following description, for example, the X-axis plus direction indicates the arrow direction of the X-axis, and the X-axis minus direction indicates the direction opposite to the X-axis plus direction. The same applies to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Further, expressions indicating relative directions or postures such as parallel and orthogonal include cases where they are not strictly the directions or postures. For example, the fact that two directions are orthogonal not only means that the two directions are completely orthogonal, but also that they are substantially orthogonal, that is, a difference of, for example, about several percent. It also means to include.

(Embodiment)
[1. General description of power storage device]
First, a schematic configuration of the power storage device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the power storage device 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the exterior body 100 by separating the main body and the lid of the exterior body 100 in the power storage device 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the inner components of the exterior body 100 of the power storage device 10 according to the embodiment in an exploded manner.

The power storage device 10 is a device capable of charging electricity from the outside and discharging electricity to the outside, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in the present embodiment. For example, the power storage device 10 is a battery module (assembled battery) used for power storage, power supply, and the like. Specifically, the power storage device 10 is for driving or starting an engine of a moving body such as an automobile, a motorcycle, a watercraft, a ship, a snowmobile, an agricultural machine, a construction machine, or a railroad vehicle for an electric railway. It is used as a battery or the like. Examples of the above-mentioned vehicle include an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and a gasoline vehicle. Examples of the railcars for electric railways include trains, monorails, maglev trains, and hybrid trains equipped with both diesel engines and electric motors. The power storage device 10 can also be used as a stationary battery or the like used for home use, a generator, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the power storage device 10 includes an exterior body 100, a power storage element unit 200 housed in the exterior body 100, a bus bar frame 251 and an electric device unit 300. In addition to the above components, the power storage device 10 may include a connector or the like connected to the electric device unit 300 by an electric wire or the like to transmit a signal to the outside.

The exterior body 100 is a box-shaped (substantially rectangular parallelepiped) container (module case) that constitutes the housing of the power storage device 10. That is, the exterior body 100 is arranged outside the power storage element unit 200 and the electric equipment unit 300, and these power storage element units 200 and the electric equipment unit 300 are fixed at predetermined positions to protect them from impacts and the like. The exterior body 100 includes, for example, polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyphenylene ether (PPE (including modified PPE)), polyethylene terephthalate (including modified PPE). PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkylvinyl ether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethersulfon (PES), ABS resin, or , These composite materials and other insulating members, or insulatingly coated metal and the like. As a result, the exterior body 100 prevents the power storage element unit 200 and the electric device unit 300 from coming into contact with an external metal member or the like. As long as the electrical insulation between the exterior body 100 and the power storage element unit 200, the electric device unit 300, and the like is maintained, the exterior body 100 may be formed of a conductive member such as metal. good.

The exterior body 100 has an exterior body main body 110 that constitutes the main body of the exterior body 100, and a lid body 120 that constitutes the lid body of the exterior body 100. The exterior body body 110 is a bottomed rectangular tubular housing having an opening formed on the plus direction side of the Z axis, and accommodates the power storage element unit 200 and the electrical equipment unit 300. The exterior body body 110 has a bottom wall portion 111 and four side wall portions 112.

The bottom wall portion 111 is a wall portion that forms the bottom surface of the exterior body main body 110 arranged on the Z-axis negative direction side of the exterior body main body 110. The four side wall portions 112 are arranged on both sides in the X-axis direction and both sides in the Y-axis direction of the exterior body body 110, and have two short side surfaces on both sides in the X-axis direction and two long side surfaces on both sides in the Y-axis direction of the exterior body body 110. It is four flat plate-shaped and rectangular wall portions forming the above.

The lid 120 is a flat rectangular member that closes the opening of the exterior body 110. The lid 120 is preferably airtightly or watertightly bonded to the exterior body 110 by an adhesive, heat seal, ultrasonic welding, or the like. On the lid 120, a pair of external terminals 130, which are a pair of module terminals (total terminals) on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side, are arranged at both ends in the minus direction and the Y axis direction in the X-axis direction. The power storage device 10 charges electricity from the outside and discharges electricity to the outside through the pair of external terminals 130. The external terminal 130 is formed of, for example, a conductive member made of a metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or a copper alloy.

The power storage element unit 200 is a component having one or more power storage elements 210. In the power storage element unit 200 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of power storage elements 210 are arranged horizontally (flatly stacked) in the Z-axis direction and arranged in the X-axis direction in a state where the plurality of power storage elements 210 are laid horizontally (sideways). .. As a result, the power storage element unit 200 has a shape that is flat in the Z-axis direction and long in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the power storage element unit 200 includes a plurality of power storage elements 210 arranged in the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction, a pair of end members 230 and a plurality (three) side members 240 in the Z-axis direction together with a spacer 220. It also has a configuration of sandwiching in the X-axis direction. A bus bar frame 251 for positioning a plurality of bus bars 250 is attached to the Y-axis minus direction side of the power storage element unit 200. The details of the configuration of the power storage element unit 200 and the bus bar frame 251 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The electric device unit 300 includes an electric device 310, a mounting member 320, and a bus bar unit 330. The electric device 310 is a device capable of monitoring the state of the power storage element 210 included in the power storage element unit 200 and controlling the power storage element 210. In the present embodiment, the electric device 310 is a flat rectangular member arranged and attached in the X-axis plus direction of the power storage element unit 200. The electric device 310 includes, for example, a circuit board for monitoring the charge / discharge state of the power storage element 210, controlling the charge / discharge of the power storage element 210, and electrical components such as a shunt resistor and a connector. The electrical device 310 has a configuration in which these electrical components are housed in an insulating cover member. The mounting member 320 is a flat plate-shaped member for mounting the electric device 310 to the power storage element unit 200. Specifically, the mounting member 320 is mounted on the end member 230 and the side member 240, which will be described later, of the power storage element unit 200. In the present embodiment, the mounting member 320 is attached to the end member 230 and the side member 240 by four bolts 321.

The bus bar unit 330 has a bus bar, a relay (relay), and the like, and includes an electrical connection between the power storage element unit 200 and the electric device 310, an electrical connection between the electric device 310 and the external terminal 130, and a power storage element unit. An electrical connection is made between the 200 and the external terminal 130. The bus bar is formed of, for example, a conductive member made of metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, copper alloy, nickel, or a combination thereof, or a conductive member other than metal.

[2. Configuration of power storage element unit and bus bar frame]
Next, in addition to FIG. 3, the configuration of the power storage element unit 200 and the bus bar frame 251 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing each component by disassembling the power storage element unit 200 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the power storage element unit 200 includes a plurality of power storage elements 210, a plurality of spacers 220 (221, 222), a pair of end members 230 (231, 232), and three side members. It has 240 and. A bus bar frame 251 for positioning a plurality of bus bars 250 is arranged on the side (Y-axis minus direction side) of the power storage element unit 200 to which the electrode terminal 210b of the power storage element 210 is directed.

The power storage element 210 is a secondary battery (cell battery) capable of charging electricity and discharging electricity, and more specifically, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. .. The power storage element 210 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped (square) container 210a, an electrode body, a current collector, an electrolytic solution, and the like housed in the container 210a. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of (positive electrode side and negative electrode side) electrode terminals 210b and a gas discharge valve 213 are arranged on the side surface of the container 210a on the negative direction side of the Y axis.

The electrode body of the power storage element 210 is a power storage element (power generation element) having a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator arranged between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. The positive electrode plate is a positive electrode active material layer formed on a positive electrode base material layer which is a current collecting foil made of a metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The negative electrode plate is a negative electrode active material layer formed on a negative electrode base material layer which is a current collecting foil made of a metal such as copper or a copper alloy. As the active material used for the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer, known materials can be appropriately used as long as they can occlude and release lithium ions. As such an electrode body, a wound electrode body formed by winding an electrode plate (positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate) around a winding axis (virtual axis), and a plurality of flat plate-shaped electrode bodies are laminated. An example thereof is a laminated type (stack type) electrode body formed by the above-mentioned, or a bellows type electrode body in which an electrode plate is folded in a bellows shape.

The electrode terminal 210b is a terminal (positive electrode terminal and negative electrode terminal) of the power storage element 210, and is arranged in the container 210a so as to project in the negative direction of the Y axis. The electrode terminal 210b is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate of the electrode body via a current collector. The electrode terminal 210b is formed of a conductive member such as a metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or a copper alloy.

The gas discharge valve 213 provided in the container 210a receives the internal pressure of the container 210a and opens (opens the valve), for example, when the internal pressure of the container 210a rises excessively due to the vaporization of the electrolytic solution inside the container 210a. This is the part where the gas of the container 210a is discharged.

In the present embodiment, the eight power storage elements 210 configured as described above are laid horizontally (sideways) (with the long side surface of the power storage element 210 facing the Z-axis direction), and Z. They are arranged in the axial direction and the X-axis direction. Specifically, the four storage elements 210 on the minus direction of the X axis are arranged (flatly stacked) in the Z axis direction (arrangement direction), and the four storage elements 210 on the plus direction of the X axis are arranged in the Z axis direction (arrangement direction). ) Are arranged (flat stacking). That is, the power storage element unit 200 has two rows of power storage elements 210 formed by arranging four power storage elements 210 in the Z-axis direction, and these two power storage element 210 rows are in the X-axis direction. They are arranged side by side.

The number of power storage elements 210 is not particularly limited, and any number of power storage elements 210 may be stacked (flatly stacked) in the Z-axis direction, and any number of power storage elements 210 may be arranged in the X-axis direction. You may. That is, the power storage element unit 200 may have only one power storage element 210. The shape of the power storage element 210 is not limited to the above-mentioned prismatic shape, and may be a polygonal pillar shape, a cylindrical shape, an elliptical pillar shape, a long cylindrical shape, or the like. The power storage element 210 is not limited to the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and may be a secondary battery other than the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, or may be a capacitor. The power storage element 210 may be a primary battery that can use the stored electricity without being charged by the user, instead of the secondary battery. The power storage element 210 may be a battery using a solid electrolyte. The power storage element 210 may be a pouch-type power storage element.

The spacer 220 (221, 222) is a flat plate-shaped and rectangular member that is arranged side by side with the power storage element 210 in the Z-axis direction (arrangement direction) and electrically insulates the power storage element 210 from other members. The spacer 220 (221, 222) is formed of, for example, any electrically insulating resin material that can be used for the exterior body 100 described above.

Specifically, the spacer 221 is an intermediate spacer (inter-cell spacer) arranged adjacent to the power storage element 210 in the Z-axis direction. That is, the spacer 221 is arranged between two adjacent power storage elements 210, and electrically insulates between the two power storage elements 210.

The spacer 222 is an end spacer arranged at an end portion of the plurality of spacers 220 in the Z-axis direction (arrangement direction), and is arranged along the side surface of the energy storage element 210 at the end portion in the Z-axis direction. That is, spacers 222 are arranged on both sides of the storage element 210 row including the four storage elements 210 in the Z-axis direction.

The end member 230 and the side member 240 are members (constraint members) that press (constrain) the power storage element 210 from the outside in the Z-axis direction. That is, the end member 230 and the side member 240 press the respective storage elements 210 and the plurality of spacers 220 from both sides in the Z-axis direction by sandwiching the plurality of storage elements 210 and the plurality of spacers 220 from both sides in the Z-axis direction. (to restrict. The end member 230 and the side member 240 are made of a metal member such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, or a plated steel plate, but may be made of an insulating member such as a highly rigid resin. good.

The end member 230 (231, 232) is arranged at a position sandwiching the plurality of spacers 220 (221, 222) and the plurality of power storage elements 210 in the Z-axis direction, and is a pair of flat plate-shaped members sandwiching them in the Z-axis direction. (End plate). As a result, the binding force in the Z-axis direction is collectively applied to the plurality of power storage elements 210 and the plurality of spacers 220 arranged in the Z-axis direction. The end member 231 is the end member 230 on the Z-axis minus direction side of the pair of end members 230, and the end member 232 is the end member 230 on the Z-axis plus direction side. Both ends of the side member 240 in the Z-axis direction are attached to the pair of end members 230, and by connecting the pair of end members 230, the plurality of power storage elements 210 and the plurality of spacers 220 are restrained. Specifically, a plurality of bolt holes 243 are provided on both end faces of the side member 240 in the Z-axis direction, and a pair of end members 231 and 232 are provided by bolts 230a screwed into the respective bolt holes 243. The side member 240 is fastened. The method of connecting the end member 230 and the side member 240 may be a method other than fastening using bolts 230a, and may be, for example, welding, caulking, bonding, welding, or the like.

The bus bar 250 is a conductive member connected to the power storage element 210. Specifically, the bus bar 250 is arranged in the negative direction of the Y-axis of the plurality of power storage elements 210, and is connected (bonded) to the electrode terminals 210b of the plurality of power storage elements 210 and the bus bar unit 330. In the present embodiment, the bus bar 250 and the electrode terminal 210b of the power storage element 210 are connected (joined) by welding, but may be connected (joined) by bolt fastening or the like. The bus bar 250 is formed of, for example, a conductive member made of metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, copper alloy, nickel, or a combination thereof, or a conductive member other than metal. In the present embodiment, in the bus bar 250, two power storage elements 210 are connected in parallel to form four sets of power storage element 210 groups, and the four sets of power storage element 210 groups are connected in series. The electrical connection mode of the eight power storage elements 210 by the bus bar 250 is not limited to this, and for example, all of the eight power storage elements 210 may be connected in series by the plurality of bus bars 250.

The bus bar frame 251 is a flat rectangular insulating member capable of electrically insulating the bus bar 250 from other members and restricting the position of the bus bar 250. The bus bar frame 251 is made of, for example, any electrically insulating resin material that can be used for the exterior body 100. The bus bar frame 251 is arranged in the negative direction of the Y-axis of the plurality of power storage elements 210, and is positioned with respect to the plurality of power storage elements 210. Further, a plurality of bus bars 250 are positioned by the bus bar frame 251. As a result, each of the plurality of bus bars 250 is positioned with respect to the plurality of power storage elements 210 and is joined to the electrode terminals 210b of the plurality of power storage elements 210.

In this embodiment, the bus bar frame 251 includes a path forming member 252. The path forming member 252 is a member arranged on the gas discharge valve 213 side of the power storage element 210 to form a path for the gas discharged from the gas discharge valve 213. That is, in the present embodiment, it can be expressed that a part of the bus bar frame 251 functions as a route forming member 252, or a part of the route forming member 252 functions as a bus bar frame 251.

In the power storage element unit 200, the path forming member 252 is arranged at a position facing each of the two rows of power storage elements 210 arranged in the X-axis direction. That is, four gas discharge valves 213 are arranged side by side in the Z-axis direction on the Y-axis plus direction side of each of the two path forming members 252. Inside the path forming member 252, the heat insulating member 400 is arranged at a position facing the four gas discharge valves 213. The bus bar frame 251 is attached to the power storage element unit 200 in a state where the heat insulating member 400 is housed inside the path forming member 252. As a result, the heat insulating member 400 is in a state where it cannot escape from the path forming member 252. Specifically, the power storage element unit 200 has a regulation unit 205 that regulates the position of the heat insulating member 400 with respect to the path forming member 252. Hereinafter, the configuration of the regulation unit 205 and its surroundings will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

[3. Regulatory Department and its surroundings]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the power storage element unit 200 and the bus bar frame 251 according to the embodiment are separated from each other. In FIG. 5, the heat insulating member 400 is shown in a state of being removed from the path forming member 252. FIG. 6 is a perspective sectional view showing the inside of the path forming member 252 according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a part of the power storage element unit 200 and the bus bar frame 251 according to the embodiment in a state of being cut out in a YZ plane passing through the VI-VI line of FIG. FIG. 7 is a first perspective view showing the configuration of the regulation unit 205 and its surroundings in the power storage device 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a second perspective view showing the configuration of the regulation unit 205 and its surroundings in the power storage device 10 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the path forming member 252 is formed by at least a part of the bus bar frame 251 according to the embodiment, and the path forming member 252 has an opening exposed to the outside of the path forming member 252. Has 253. The opening 253 is a portion that forms an opening (through hole) through which the heat insulating member 400 can pass. That is, in a state where the movement of the heat insulating member 400 is not restricted, the heat insulating member 400 can be inserted into the path forming member 252 via the opening 253, and the heat insulating member 400 can be inserted through the opening 253. It is also possible to extract from the path forming member 252. Specifically, a peripheral wall portion 256 erected in the Y-axis plus direction is arranged at the end of the bus bar frame 251 in the Z-axis direction, and a position facing the opening 253 of the peripheral wall portion 256 in the Z-axis direction. Is provided with a notch 256a (see FIG. 6). The cutout portion 256a is closed by the protruding portion 235 of the end member 232 when the bus bar frame 251 is attached to the power storage element unit 200. However, when the bus bar frame 251 is not attached to the power storage element unit 200, the protruding portion 235 disappears from the cutout portion 256a, so that the cutout portion 256a is in an open state (a state in which it can pass in the Z-axis direction). .. Therefore, in a state where the bus bar frame 251 is not attached to the power storage element unit 200, the heat insulating member 400 can be inserted into the path forming member 252 from the opening 253 by passing through the cutout portion 256, and in the opposite direction. It is also possible to extract it.

The heat insulating member 400 is a plate-shaped member made of a dammer material, glass wool, a heat-resistant resin, or a combination thereof. As shown in FIG. 6, the heat insulating member 400 is arranged inside the path forming member 252 in a posture facing the gas discharge valve 213 of each of the four power storage elements 210 arranged in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the path forming member 252 has a support portion 257 that supports the heat insulating member 400 from the gas discharge valve 213 side. By being supported by the support portion 257, the heat insulating member 400 is maintained in a state of being separated from the gas discharge valve 213 by a predetermined distance in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the path forming member 252 can be protected from the heat of the gas or the like while changing the flow of the gas discharged from the gas discharge valve 213. The support portion 257 is arranged at each end of the path forming member 252 in the Z-axis direction so as to support both ends of the heat insulating member 400 in the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction). Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, a plurality of gas discharge valves 213 are supported at one end (X-axis minus direction) of the path forming member 252 in the lateral direction. A plurality of discharge ports 254 are provided. The gas discharged from each gas discharge valve 213 collides with the heat insulating member 400 to change the traveling direction, and is discharged from the inside of the path forming member 252 to the outside of the path forming member 252 via the discharge port 254. That is, the gas discharged from each gas discharge valve 213 is guided to the X-axis minus direction side by the path forming member 252, and is provided at the end of the exterior body 100 on the X-axis minus direction side (not shown). ) To the outside of the exterior body 100.

As shown in FIG. 5, the heat insulating member 400 can be freely inserted and removed from the path forming member 252 via the opening 253 in a state where the path forming member 252 is not attached to the power storage element unit 200. However, when the path forming member 252 in which the heat insulating member 400 is housed is attached to the power storage element unit 200, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the heat insulating member 400 comes out (Z-axis plus direction). ) Has a regulation unit 205. The position of the heat insulating member 400 with respect to the path forming member 252 is restricted to a regular position range by the regulating unit 205. Therefore, escape of the heat insulating member 400 from the path forming member 252 is substantially prohibited. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the spacer 222, which is an example of the plate-shaped member adjacent to the side surface (long side surface or short side surface) of the power storage element 210, has a protrusion portion 223 that functions as a regulation portion 205. There is. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the protruding portion 235 of the end member 232, which is another example of the plate-shaped member adjacent to the side surface (long side surface or short side surface) of the power storage element 210. However, it functions as the regulation unit 205.

The path forming member 252 is also formed with openings at the ends in the minus direction of the Z axis in order to support the heat insulating member 400 by the support portions 257 at both ends in the Z axis direction. However, in front of the opening (Z-axis minus direction), the protrusion 223 of the spacer 222 is present, and further, the peripheral wall portion 256 of the bus bar frame 251 is present. Therefore, regardless of whether or not the bus bar frame 251 is attached to the power storage element unit 200, it is substantially impossible to insert and remove the heat insulating member 400 into and out of the path forming member 252 through the opening. Is.

As described above, the power storage device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the power storage element unit 200 having the power storage element 210 and the path forming member 252 arranged on the gas discharge valve 213 side of the power storage element 210 in the power storage element unit 200. , A plate-shaped heat insulating member 400 is provided. The path forming member 252 forms a path for the gas discharged from the gas discharge valve 213. The heat insulating member 400 is supported inside the path forming member 252 at a position facing the gas discharge valve 213, and is removably arranged with respect to the path forming member 252. The power storage element unit 200 has a spacer 222 which is a plate-shaped member arranged at a position facing the side surface (long side surface in the present embodiment) adjacent to the surface on which the gas discharge valve 213 is arranged in the power storage element 210. .. The spacer 222 is a regulation unit 205 provided at an end on the path forming member 252 side, and has a regulation unit 205 that restricts the heat insulating member 400 from coming out of the route forming member 252.

According to this configuration, the heat insulating member 400 can protect the path forming member 252 made of a resin such as PP or PE from the high temperature gas. Further, by inserting the heat insulating member 400 into the path forming member 252, the heat insulating member 400 is supported by the path forming member 252, and in that state, the path forming member 252 is attached to the power storage element unit 200. As a result, the heat insulating member 400 is in a state where it cannot escape from the path forming member 252. That is, fixing work such as fastening or bonding of the heat insulating member 400 to the path forming member 252 is unnecessary. Further, there is no need for a space for arranging a fixing member such as a bolt for fixing the heat insulating member 400, and a part of another member (spacer 222 in the present embodiment) is used to route the heat insulating member 400. It is possible to regulate the escape from the forming member 252. As described above, the power storage device 10 according to this aspect can improve the safety with a simple configuration.

Further, in the present embodiment, the path forming member 252 is an opening 253 exposed to the outside of the path forming member 252, and the opening 253 that allows the heat insulating member 400 to be inserted and removed inside the path forming member 252. Have. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the restricting portion 205 is located outside the opening 253 in the exit direction of the heat insulating member 400.

According to this configuration, for example, the heat insulating member 400 can be easily inserted into the path forming member 252, and the heat insulating member 400 can be more reliably restricted from coming out of the path forming member 252. Further, in the manufacturing stage, it is easy to visually check whether or not the heat insulating member 400 is in a regulated state, or to recognize an image. That is, the safety is improved and the manufacturing process is facilitated.

Further, in the present embodiment, the path forming member 252 has an discharge port 254 formed at a position different from the opening 253 for discharging the gas inside the path forming member 252 to the outside of the path forming member 252. Have.

According to this configuration, for example, the gas inside the path forming member 252 is discharged to the outside of the path forming member 252 from the discharge port 254 formed at a position different from the opening 253. Therefore, the regulating portion 205 provided on the outside of the opening 253 does not interfere with the gas discharge. Further, since the possibility that the regulation unit 205 is deformed or melted due to the heat of the gas is reduced, it is unlikely that the position regulation function of the heat insulating member 400 by the regulation unit 205 is lost. That is, when the power storage element 210 is opened, the protective effect of the path forming member 252 by the heat insulating member 400 is maintained, and the gas discharged from the power storage element 210 can be efficiently guided to a predetermined position.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, a part of each of the end member 232 and the spacer 222 is configured to function as the regulating portion 205. That is, it can be said that the regulating portion 205 is a protruding portion 235 (see FIG. 6) of the end member 232 that protrudes from the power storage element 210 in the direction in which the gas discharge valve 213 is directed (Y-axis minus direction). .. The protruding portion 235 is arranged at a position facing the end surface of the heat insulating member 400 in the exit direction from the path forming member 252.

That is, in the present embodiment, a part of the end member 232 that applies a binding force in the Z-axis direction to the plurality of power storage elements 210 is used to surely restrict the heat insulating member 400 from coming out of the path forming member 252. Can be done. That is, the power storage device 10 having a simple configuration and improved safety has been realized.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the heat insulating member 400 has an engaging portion 401 that forms an opening penetrating in the thickness direction. The restricting portion 205 is a protrusion 223 inserted into the engaging portion 401 of the spacer 222, which is a plate-shaped member, and engages with the engaging portion 401 in the direction of exit from the path forming member 252 of the heat insulating member 400. It can also be said that it is the protrusion portion 223 arranged at the position.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the heat insulating member 400 uses a part of the spacer 222 that plays a role of electrical insulation between the power storage element 210 at the end of the power storage element 210 row and the end member 232. It is possible to regulate the escape from the path forming member 252. Further, the heat insulating member 400 is prevented from coming off in a state where the restricting portion 205, which is the protruding portion 223 of the spacer 222, is inserted into the engaging portion 401 of the heat insulating member 400. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably regulate the escape of the heat insulating member 400 from the path forming member 252. As a result, it is possible to obtain a power storage device 10 with further improved safety.

In this embodiment, since the spacers 222 at both ends of the 210 rows of power storage elements in the Z-axis direction are shared, the protrusion 223 is also arranged on the Z-axis minus direction side of the path forming member 252. However, the protrusion 223 does not have to be arranged on the Z-axis minus direction side of the path forming member 252. Since the peripheral wall portion 256 of the bus bar frame 251 exists on the Z-axis minus direction side of the path forming member 252, the heat insulating member 400 does not come out from the path forming member 252 on the Z axis minus direction side. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, engaging portions 401 are provided at both ends of the heat insulating member 400 in the Z-axis direction, which means, for example, the direction in which the heat insulating member 400 is inserted into the path forming member 252. It is advantageous in that the power storage device 10 can be assembled without worrying about it. However, when the protrusion portion 223 is arranged only on the Z-axis plus direction side of the path forming member 252, the engaging portion 401 may be provided only on the end portion of the heat insulating member 400 on the Z-axis plus direction side.

[4. Modification example]
Although the power storage device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary and not restrictive in all respects, and the scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. Is done.

For example, the power storage element unit 200 does not need to have both the protruding portion 223 of the spacer 222 and the protruding portion 235 of the end member 232 as the regulating portion 205. That is, at least one of the protruding portion 223 and the protruding portion 235 may be provided in the power storage element unit 200 as the regulating portion 205. Thereby, in the state where the path forming member 252 is attached to the power storage element unit 200, the heat insulating member 400 can be kept in the regular position range with respect to the path forming member 252 by the regulating unit 205.

Further, the plate-shaped member having the regulating portion 205 is not limited to the spacer 222 and the end member 232. For example, the spacer 221 which is an inter-cell spacer has a protruding portion, and the protruding portion is inserted into the engaging portion (hole) of the heat insulating member 400 inside the path forming member 252 so that the heat insulating member 400 can escape. (Position shift) may be regulated. That is, the protruding portion of the spacer 221 may function as the regulating portion 205.

Further, the path forming member 252 does not have to have one or more discharge ports 254. In this case, for example, the opening 253, which is the insertion port of the heat insulating member 400, may also serve as the discharge port for discharging the gas inside the path forming member 252 to the outside.

Further, the path forming member 252 may be a separate body from the bus bar frame 251. In this case, for example, the bus bar frame 251 can be formed of a resin having excellent processability such as PP, and the path forming member 252 can be formed of a resin having excellent heat resistance such as phenol resin.

Further, it is not essential that the plurality of (four in the embodiment) power storage elements 210 arranged in the Z-axis direction are constrained in the Z-axis direction. For example, the power storage device 10 includes an intermediate case accommodating eight power storage elements 210 laid out in the same manner as in the embodiment, and the bus bar frame 251 (path forming member 252) may be attached to the intermediate case. In this case, the side wall portion in the Z-axis direction of the intermediate case may function as a plate-shaped member having the regulating portion 205.

Further, the power storage element unit 200 does not have to have the spacer 221 which is an inter-cell spacer when, for example, each of the containers 210a of the plurality of power storage elements 210 is wrapped with an insulating film. Further, the power storage element unit 200 may not have the spacer 222, which is an end spacer, regardless of the presence or absence of the spacer 221. That is, it is not essential that the power storage element unit 200 has the spacer 220. Even when the power storage element unit 200 does not have the spacer 220, the protruding portion 235 of the end member 232 is arranged as the regulating portion 205, so that the regulating portion 205 regulates the position of the heat insulating member 400 for safety. The improvement effect of can be obtained.

Further, a form constructed by arbitrarily combining the components included in the above-described embodiment and its modifications is also included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be applied to a power storage device including a power storage element such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

10 Power storage device 200 Power storage element unit 205 Regulator Discharge port 256 Peripheral wall part 256a Notch part 257 Support part 400 Insulation member 401 Engagement part

Claims (5)

A power storage element unit having a power storage element and
A path forming member in the power storage element unit, which is arranged on the gas discharge valve side of the power storage element and forms a path for gas discharged from the gas discharge valve.
Inside the path forming member, a plate-shaped heat insulating member supported at a position facing the gas discharge valve and freely inserted and removed with respect to the path forming member is provided.
The power storage element unit has a plate-shaped member arranged at a position facing the side surface of the power storage element adjacent to the surface on which the gas discharge valve is arranged.
The plate-shaped member is a regulating portion provided at an end portion on the path forming member side, and has a regulating portion that regulates the escape of the heat insulating member from the path forming member.
Power storage device. The path forming member is an opening exposed to the outside of the path forming member, and has an opening that allows insertion and removal of the heat insulating member into the inside.
The restricting portion is located outside the opening in the exit direction of the heat insulating member.
The power storage device according to claim 1. The path forming member has a discharge port formed at a position different from the opening for discharging the gas inside the path forming member to the outside of the path forming member.
The power storage device according to claim 2. The restricting portion is a protruding portion of the plate-shaped member that protrudes from the power storage element in the direction in which the gas discharge valve is directed, and is a end face of the heat insulating member in the exit direction from the path forming member. It is a protruding part arranged at the opposite position,
The power storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The heat insulating member has an engaging portion that forms an opening that penetrates in the thickness direction.
The restricting portion is a protrusion portion of the plate-shaped member inserted into the engaging portion, and is arranged at a position where the heat insulating member engages with the engaging portion in the exit direction from the path forming member. It is a protruding part,
The power storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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