JP2022186359A - power storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a power storage device that can improve the insulating property of a power storage element.SOLUTION: A power storage device 1 includes a plurality of power storage elements 200 including an electrode body 260 having electrode plates stacked in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, a first spacer 310 disposed across the power storage elements 200 at a position adjacent to the power storage elements 200 in the first direction, and a second spacer 320 disposed across the power storage elements 200 at a position having the power storage elements 200 held between the first spacer 310 and the second spacer 320 in the first direction. The first spacer 310 includes a first protrusion part 313 extending in a third direction intersecting with the first direction and the second direction, protruding between the power storage elements 200, and disposed among the power storage elements 200. The second spacer 320 includes a second protrusion part 323 extending in the third direction and protruding to the first protrusion part 313.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a power storage device including power storage elements and spacers.

Conventionally, a power storage device is known that includes a plurality of power storage elements and spacers, and has a structure in which the spacers are arranged at positions adjacent to the plurality of power storage elements over the plurality of power storage elements. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an assembled battery (power storage device) in which spacers are arranged at positions adjacent to a plurality of cells (power storage elements) over the plurality of cells.

JP 2009-87541 A

In the power storage device having the conventional structure, there is a possibility that sufficient insulation of the power storage element cannot be ensured. For example, in the power storage device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the spacer improves the insulation of the plurality of power storage elements on the spacer side of the plurality of power storage elements, but the insulation between the power storage elements is improved. have not been able to improve

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made by the inventors of the present application by focusing on the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power storage device capable of improving the insulation of a power storage element.

To achieve the above object, a power storage device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an electrode body in which electrode plates are stacked in a first direction, and a plurality of electrodes arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction. a first spacer disposed across the plurality of energy storage elements at a position adjacent to the plurality of energy storage elements in the first direction; and the first spacer in the first direction. and a second spacer disposed across the plurality of energy storage elements at positions sandwiching the energy storage elements, wherein the first spacer extends in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. and has a first projecting portion projecting between the plurality of power storage elements and arranged between the plurality of power storage elements, the second spacer extending in the third direction and a second projecting portion projecting toward the first projecting portion.

According to this, the power storage device includes the first spacer and the second spacer arranged across the plurality of power storage elements at positions sandwiching the plurality of power storage elements. The first spacer extends in the third direction and has a first protrusion projecting between the plurality of power storage elements, and the second spacer extends in the third direction and extends from the first protrusion. It has a second projecting portion projecting toward it. By arranging the first spacer and the second spacer on both sides of the plurality of power storage elements in this way, it is possible to improve the insulation on both sides of the plurality of power storage elements. By arranging the first projecting portion of the first spacer and the second projecting portion of the second spacer to extend between the plurality of power storage elements, insulation between the plurality of power storage elements can be improved. As a result, it is possible to improve the insulating properties of the electric storage element.

The first projecting portion and the second projecting portion may be arranged to extend from one end to the other end of the plurality of power storage elements in the third direction.

According to this, by extending the first projecting portion of the first spacer and the second projecting portion of the second spacer from one end portion to the other end portion of the plurality of energy storage elements, insulation between the multiple energy storage elements can be achieved. It is possible to further improve the performance. As a result, it is possible to improve the insulation of the electric storage element.

The first projecting portion and the second projecting portion may have positioning portions that position each other by being engaged with each other.

According to this, since the first protrusion of the first spacer and the second protrusion of the second spacer have the positioning portion, the first spacer and the second spacer can be positioned relative to each other. can be suppressed from moving with respect to the storage element. As a result, it is possible to improve the insulation of the electric storage element.

Furthermore, a pair of end plates arranged over the plurality of storage elements may be provided at positions sandwiching the plurality of storage elements, the first spacer and the second spacer in the first direction.

According to this, a pair of end plates are arranged over the plurality of storage elements at positions sandwiching the plurality of storage elements, the first spacer, and the second spacer. As a result, even when the end plates are made of a conductive material such as metal, the insulation between the plurality of energy storage elements and the pair of end plates can be improved by the first spacers and the second spacers. insulation can be improved. Since the pair of end plates can collectively sandwich a plurality of power storage elements, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration in which a pair of end plates is arranged for each power storage element.

Furthermore, a joining member may be provided to join the pair of end plates so as to pass through the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion.

According to this, by arranging the joining member that joins the pair of end plates so as to pass through the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion, even if the joining member is formed of a conductive material such as metal, It is possible to suppress the electric storage element from being electrically connected to the joining member. As a result, it is possible to suppress electrical conduction between the storage element and the end plate via the joining member, so that it is possible to improve the insulation of the storage element. The pair of end plates can be joined between the plurality of power storage elements by arranging the joining member so as to penetrate the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion, so that the pair of end plates can be firmly joined. As a result, the need to increase the thickness of the end plate or to form the end plate with a high-strength member is reduced, so that it is possible to reduce the size, weight, and cost of the power storage device.

The present invention can be realized not only as a power storage device, but also as a combination of a first spacer and a second spacer, or a combination of a first spacer, a second spacer and a pair of end plates.

According to the power storage device of the present invention, it is possible to improve the insulation of the power storage element.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a power storage device according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing components included in the power storage device according to the embodiment; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing components included in the power storage device according to the embodiment; 1 is an exploded perspective view showing each component by disassembling a power storage device according to an embodiment; FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the exterior body (a 1st exterior body and a 2nd exterior body) which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the spacer (1st spacer and 2nd spacer) which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between an exterior body (first exterior body and second exterior body) and spacers (first spacer and second spacer) according to the embodiment;

Hereinafter, power storage devices according to embodiments of the present invention (including modifications thereof) will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. Numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection forms of constituent elements, manufacturing processes, order of manufacturing processes, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In each drawing, dimensions and the like are not strictly illustrated. In each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar components.

In the following description and drawings, the longitudinal direction of the power storage device, the direction in which the power storage unit and the control unit are arranged, the direction in which the short sides of the container of the power storage element face each other, or the direction in which the pair of electrode terminals of the power storage element are arranged is Define the X-axis direction. The lateral direction of the power storage device, the alignment direction of the power storage element, the busbar plate, the busbar, and the busbar cover, the alignment direction of the body and lid of the container of the power storage element, or the projecting direction of the electrode terminal of the power storage element is the Y-axis direction. defined as The direction in which the main body and the lid of the power storage device are arranged, the direction in which the power storage element and the spacer are arranged, the direction in which the long sides of the container of the power storage element face each other, the stacking direction of the electrode plates of the electrode body of the power storage element, or the vertical direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. These X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction are directions that cross each other (perpendicularly in this embodiment). Although the Z-axis direction may not be the vertical direction depending on the mode of use, the Z-axis direction will be described below for convenience of explanation.

In the following description, for example, the positive direction of the X-axis indicates the arrow direction of the X-axis, and the negative direction of the X-axis indicates the direction opposite to the positive direction of the X-axis. The same applies to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Hereinafter, the Z-axis direction may also be referred to as the first direction, the X-axis direction may also be referred to as the second direction, and the Y-axis direction may also be referred to as the third direction. Expressions indicating relative directions or orientations, such as parallel and orthogonal, also include cases where the directions or orientations are not strictly speaking. For example, two directions are parallel means not only that the two directions are completely parallel, but also substantially parallel, i.e., including a difference of about several percent also means Furthermore, in the following description, the expression "insulation" means "electrical insulation".

(Embodiment)
[1 General description of power storage device 1]
First, a schematic configuration of a power storage device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a power storage device 1 according to this embodiment. FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views showing components of the power storage device 1 according to the present embodiment. Note that FIG. 3 shows a further disassembled configuration of the exterior body 100, the storage element 200, and the spacer 300 shown in FIG.

The power storage device 1 is a device that can charge electricity from the outside and discharge electricity to the outside, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in the present embodiment. For example, the power storage device 1 is a battery module (assembled battery) used for power storage or power supply. Specifically, the power storage device 1 is, for example, an automobile, a motorcycle, a watercraft, a ship, a snowmobile, an agricultural machine, a construction machine, or a rolling stock for an electric railway. It is used as a battery etc. Examples of the vehicles include electric vehicles (EV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and fossil fuel (gasoline, light oil, liquefied natural gas, etc.) vehicles. Examples of railway vehicles for the electric railway include electric trains, monorails, linear motor cars, and hybrid trains having both diesel engines and electric motors. The power storage device 1 can also be used as a stationary battery or the like for home or business use.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the power storage device 1 includes a power storage unit 10 and a control unit 20 , and the power storage unit 10 has an exterior body 100 and a terminal unit 30 . That is, hereinafter, the portion of the power storage device 1 that has the power storage element 200 will be referred to as the power storage unit 10 , and the portion that has the control device that controls the power storage element 200 will be referred to as the control unit 20 . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, inside the exterior body 100, there are a storage element 200, a spacer 300 (a first spacer 310 and a second spacer 320), a bus bar plate 400, a bus bar 500 (510 to 530), a bus bar The cover 600, the control unit 20, and the like are accommodated. The power storage device 1 may include, in addition to the components described above, an exhaust section for discharging gas discharged from the power storage element 200 to the outside of the exterior body 100 .

The terminal unit 30 is a member having an external terminal 31a that is a module terminal (general terminal) on the positive electrode side or the negative electrode side of the power storage device 1. It is attached to the end in the negative direction of the X-axis. The terminal unit 30 has a busbar 31 . The bus bar 31 is a plate-shaped conductive member, and is formed of 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. there is The bus bar 31 is connected to the bus bar 520 at its positive Y-axis end and has a negative Y-axis end functioning as an external terminal 31a. The external terminal 31a is, for example, a negative external terminal. As a result, power storage element 200 of power storage unit 10 and external terminal 31 a are electrically connected via bus bar 520 . Bus bar 31 and bus bar 520 are connected (joined) by bolting, but may be connected (joined) by welding or the like.

The control unit 20 is a device having a control device (not shown) that controls the storage elements 200 of the storage unit 10 , specifically a BMS (Battery Management System) that controls the storage elements 200 . The control device is, for example, a circuit board, a fuse, a relay, a semiconductor switch such as a FET (Field Effect Transistor), a shunt resistor, or the like, which controls charging and discharging of the storage element 200 .

An external terminal 21 that is a module terminal (general terminal) on the positive electrode side or the negative electrode side of the power storage device 1 is arranged at the end of the exterior body 100 in the positive direction of the X axis and the negative direction of the Y axis. The external terminal 21 has a polarity different from that of the external terminal 31 a of the terminal unit 30 (for example, a positive external terminal). External terminal 21 is electrically connected to storage element 200 . The power storage device 1 charges electricity from the outside and discharges electricity to the outside through these external terminals 21 and 31a. The external terminals 21 are made of any conductive material that can be used for the busbars 31, for example.

The exterior body 100 is a box-shaped (substantially rectangular parallelepiped) container (module case) that constitutes a housing (outer shell) of the power storage device 1 (power storage unit 10). The exterior body 100 is arranged outside the power storage elements 200 and the like, fixes the power storage elements 200 and the like at predetermined positions, and protects them from impacts and the like. The exterior body 100 includes a first exterior body 110 and a second exterior body 120 arranged side by side in the Z-axis direction (first direction), and a joining member for joining the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120. 130 and 140 and collar 150 .

The first exterior body 110 is arranged in the negative Z-axis direction of the second exterior body 120 and is a flat rectangular member forming the bottom wall of the exterior body 100, on which the power storage element 200 and the like are placed. The second exterior body 120 is a bottomed rectangular tubular member that constitutes the main body of the exterior body 100 (a portion other than the bottom wall), and is connected (joined) to the first exterior body 110 to cover the power storage element 200 and the like. . The second exterior body 120 has a top wall 120a, a pair of long side walls 120b, and a pair of short side walls 120c. In other words, the second exterior body 120 has an opening facing in the negative Z-axis direction, and the first exterior body 110 functions as a lid that closes the opening of the second exterior body 120 . The first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 are made of, for example, metal members such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, steel plate, etc., or insulating coating, etc., from the viewpoint of ensuring safety (resistance to crushing). It is formed of a highly rigid member such as the metal member subjected to insulation treatment. The first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 can be formed by, for example, aluminum die casting. The first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 may be formed of members of the same material, or may be formed of members of different materials.

Specifically, the connection portions 111 and 112 of the first exterior body 110 and the connection portion 121 and the like of the second exterior body 120 are joined using the joining members 130 and 140 and the collar 150 to form the first The exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 are connected (fixed). The long side wall 120b, which is the wall portion (side wall) of the second exterior body 120 in the Y-axis negative direction, is positioned to sandwich the busbar plate 400, the busbars 500 (510 to 530), and the busbar cover 600 with the power storage element 200. placed. A through hole 125 is formed in the long side wall 120b. The through-hole 125 is a through-hole having a rectangular shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction, which is arranged at the end of the long side wall 120b in the negative direction of the X-axis and penetrates the long side wall 120b in the Y-axis direction. The through hole 125 is a through hole through which the bus bar 31 passes when connecting (joining) the bus bar 31 of the terminal unit 30 to the bus bar 520 .

In the present embodiment, first exterior body 110 and second exterior body 120 are joined together to sandwich power storage element 200 . That is, the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 sandwich and constrain the power storage element 200 in the Z-axis direction (first direction), and apply a restraining force to the power storage element 200 in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 include a plurality of power storage elements 200 arranged in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and a plurality of spacers 300 (a first spacer 310 and a second spacer 300) arranged in the Z-axis direction. 2 spacer 320) in the Z-axis direction (first direction), and are arranged over the plurality of power storage elements 200 aligned in the X-axis direction. Then, the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 collectively sandwich and constrain the plurality of power storage elements 200 and the plurality of spacers 300 . Thus, it can also be said that the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 are a pair of end plates. A detailed description of the configuration of the exterior body 100 (the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120) will be given later.

The storage element 200 is a secondary battery (single battery) capable of charging and discharging electricity, and more specifically, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. . The power storage element 200 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape (rectangular shape), and a plurality of power storage elements 200 are arranged in the X-axis direction (second direction intersecting the first direction) and in the Z-axis direction (first direction). direction) are stacked. In the present embodiment, the eight power storage elements 200 are placed horizontally (sideways) (with the long side surfaces 211a of the power storage elements 200, which will be described later, facing the Z-axis direction). arranged in the direction Specifically, four power storage elements 201 to 204 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction from the X-axis minus direction to the X-axis plus direction, and four power storage elements 205 to 208 are arranged from the X-axis minus direction to the X-axis plus direction. are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction. Four power storage elements 201 to 204 and four power storage elements 205 to 208 are stacked (flat-stacked) in the Z-axis direction.

The number of power storage elements 200 is not particularly limited, and any number of power storage elements 200 may be arranged (arranged) in the X-axis direction, and how many power storage elements 200 may be arranged (stacked) in the Z-axis direction. may have been The shape of the electric storage element 200 is not limited to the rectangular shape described above, and may be other shapes such as a polygonal columnar shape, a cylindrical shape, an elliptical columnar shape, and an oval columnar shape. The storage element 200 is not limited to a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and may be a secondary battery other than a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, or may be a capacitor. The power storage element 200 may be a primary battery that can use stored electricity without being charged by the user, instead of a secondary battery. The storage element 200 may be a battery using a solid electrolyte. The storage element 200 may be a pouch-type storage element. A detailed description of the configuration of the storage element 200 will be given later.

Spacer 300 is a rectangular plate-shaped spacer that is aligned with power storage element 200 in the Z-axis direction (first direction) and is arranged adjacent to power storage element 200 . Spacer 300 is arranged in the positive Z-axis direction or the negative Z-axis direction of storage element 200 , facing long side surface 211 a of storage element 200 . The spacer 300 is made of, for example, polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyphenylene ether (PPE (including modified PPE)), polyethylene terephthalate (PET ), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethersulfone (PES), polyamide (PA), It is formed of a resin member (insulating member) such as ABS resin or a composite material thereof, or a heat insulating material such as a damper material.

In this embodiment, a first spacer 310 and a pair of second spacers 320 are arranged as spacers 300 . The first spacer 310 is arranged across the plurality of power storage elements 200 at a position adjacent to the plurality of power storage elements 200 arranged in the X-axis direction in the Z-axis direction (first direction). Specifically, the first spacer 310 is positioned adjacent to the four power storage elements 200 (201 to 204 or 205 to 208) aligned in the X-axis direction in the Z-axis direction, and extends across the four power storage elements 200 in the X-axis direction. It is arranged so as to extend in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the first spacer 310 is an intermediate spacer arranged between the energy storage elements 200 adjacent in the Z-axis direction (between the four energy storage elements 201 to 204 and the four energy storage elements 205 to 208). is.

The second spacer 320 is arranged across the plurality of power storage elements 200 arranged in the X-axis direction at a position where the first spacer 310 sandwiches the plurality of power storage elements 200 in the Z-axis direction (first direction). . Specifically, the second spacer 320 and the first spacer 310 sandwich the four energy storage elements 200 (201 to 204 or 205 to 208) aligned in the X-axis direction in the Z-axis direction. 200 extending in the X-axis direction. In the present embodiment, second spacer 320 is an end spacer arranged between power storage element 200 and first exterior body 110 or second exterior body 120 . Specifically, a pair of second spacers 320 are arranged between the four storage elements 205 to 208 and the first exterior body 110 and between the four storage elements 201 to 204 and the second exterior body 120. be done.

In this way, the first spacer 310 and the pair of second spacers 320 are arranged so as to sandwich the power storage element 200 in the Z-axis direction, and are spaced between the power storage elements 200 and between the power storage element 200 and the first exterior body 110 . and the second exterior body 120 are insulated. A detailed description of the configuration of the spacer 300 (the first spacer 310 and the second spacer 320) will be given later.

Busbar plate 400 is a flat rectangular insulating member that is disposed between power storage element 200 and busbar 500 and that can insulate busbar 500 from other members and regulate the position of busbar 500 . The busbar plate 400 is made of, for example, any insulating resin material that can be used for the spacers 300 . The busbar plate 400 is arranged in the Y-axis negative direction of the plurality of power storage elements 200 and positioned with respect to the plurality of power storage elements 200 . As a result, the bus bar 500 is positioned with respect to the plurality of power storage elements 200 and joined to electrode terminals 220 (described later) of the plurality of power storage elements 200 .

The bus bar 500 is a plate-shaped member that is arranged in the Y-axis negative direction of the plurality of power storage elements 200 and is connected (bonded) to the plurality of power storage elements 200 and the terminal unit 30 . In the present embodiment, three busbars 510 , 520 and 530 are arranged as busbars 500 . Bus bar 510 is arranged between bus bar 520 and bus bar 530 and connects electrode terminals 220 of adjacent power storage elements 200 to each other. The bus bar 520 is arranged most in the negative direction of the X axis among the plurality of bus bars 500, and connects the electrode terminal 220 of the power storage element 200, which is the most in the negative direction of the X axis, to the bus bar 31 of the terminal unit 30 to connect the power storage element. 200 and the external terminal 31a are electrically connected. Bus bar 530 is arranged most in the positive X-axis direction among a plurality of bus bars 500 and electrically connects electrode terminal 220 of storage element 200 in the most positive X-axis direction with external terminal 21 .

In the present embodiment, bus bar 500 and electrode terminal 220 of power storage element 200 are connected (joined) by welding, but may be connected (joined) by bolting or the like. Bus bar 500 is formed of, for example, any conductive material that can be used for bus bar 31 . In the present embodiment, bus bar 500 connects two storage elements 200 in parallel to form four sets of storage element groups, and connects the four sets of storage element groups in series. The form is not particularly limited.

Busbar cover 600 is an insulating cover member that is arranged to cover busbar 500 and insulates busbar 500 from other members. In the present embodiment, the busbar cover 600 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the X-axis direction over the plurality of busbars 500 (510 to 530) so as to cover the plurality of busbars 500 (510 to 530). . The busbar cover 600 is arranged between the busbar 500 and the wall portion of the second exterior body 120 (the long side wall 120b in the negative Y-axis direction). Thereby, the busbar cover 600 insulates the plurality of busbars 500 from other members such as the long side walls 120b. The busbar cover 600 is made of, for example, any insulating resin material or the like that can be used for the spacers 300 . Busbar cover 600 is arranged at a position sandwiching busbar 500 with busbar plate 400 , and is attached and fixed to busbar plate 400 by having a portion that engages with busbar plate 400 , for example.

[2 Explanation of storage element 200]
Next, the configuration of the storage element 200 will be described in detail. Since the eight power storage elements 200 (201 to 208) included in the power storage unit 10 all have the same configuration, the configuration of one power storage element 200 will be described below. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing each component by disassembling the power storage device 200 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of each part in a state in which the electric storage device 200 shown in FIG. 3 is placed vertically (upright).

As shown in FIG. 4 , the storage element 200 includes a container 210 , a pair of electrode terminals 220 (positive electrode side and negative electrode side), and a pair of gaskets 230 (positive electrode side and negative electrode side). A pair of gaskets 240 (positive electrode side and negative electrode side), a pair of current collectors 250 (positive electrode side and negative electrode side), and an electrode assembly 260 are housed inside the container 210 . An electrolytic solution (non-aqueous electrolyte) is sealed inside the container 210, but illustration thereof is omitted. As the electrolytic solution, the type is not particularly limited as long as it does not impair the performance of the electric storage element 200, and various kinds can be selected. In addition to the components described above, a spacer disposed on the side or below the electrode body 260, an insulating film wrapping the electrode body 260 and the like, an insulating sheet covering the outer surface of the container 210, or the like may be disposed.

The container 210 is a rectangular parallelepiped (square or box-shaped) case having a container body 211 with an opening and a container lid 212 closing the opening of the container body 211 . The container 210 has a structure that can hermetically seal the inside by joining the container body 211 and the container cover 212 by welding or the like after the electrode body 260 and the like are housed inside the container body 211 . The material of the container main body 211 and the container lid 212 is not particularly limited, but weldable metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, and plated steel plate are preferable.

The container main body 211 is a rectangular tubular member that constitutes the main body of the container 210 and has a bottom, and an opening is formed on the Y-axis negative direction side. That is, the container body 211 has a pair of rectangular and planar (flat) long side surfaces 211a on both side surfaces in the Z-axis direction, and a pair of rectangular and planar (flat) side surfaces on both side surfaces in the X-axis direction. a) It has a short side surface 211b and a rectangular and planar (flat) bottom surface 211c on the Y-axis plus direction side. The container lid 212 is a rectangular plate-like member that constitutes the lid of the container 210 , and is arranged to extend in the X-axis direction in the negative Y-axis direction of the container body 211 . The container cover 212 has a gas discharge valve 212a that releases the pressure inside the container 210 when the pressure rises, and an injection part (not shown) for injecting the electrolytic solution into the container 210. ) etc. are provided.

The electrode body 260 is a power storage element (power generation element) formed by laminating a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The positive electrode plate is formed by forming a positive electrode active material layer on a positive electrode substrate layer, which is a collector foil made of a metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The negative electrode plate is formed by forming a negative electrode active material layer on a negative electrode substrate layer, which is a collector 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, any known material can be appropriately used as long as it can intercalate and deintercalate lithium ions. In the present embodiment, electrode body 260 is formed by winding electrode plates (positive electrode plate and negative electrode plate) around a winding axis (virtual axis parallel to the X-axis direction) extending in the X-axis direction. It is a type (so-called vertically wound type) electrode assembly.

Here, since the electrode plates (positive electrode plate and negative electrode plate) of the electrode body 260 are stacked in the Z-axis direction (first direction), the Z-axis direction (first direction) is also called the stacking direction. That is, the electrode body 260 is formed by stacking electrode plates in the stacking direction. The electrode body 260 has a pair of flat portions 261 aligned in the Z-axis direction and a pair of curved portions 262 aligned in the Y-axis direction by winding the electrode plate. is the stacking direction of the electrode plates in the flat portion 261 . The flat portion 261 is a flat portion that connects the ends of the pair of curved portions 262, and the curved portion 262 is a portion curved in a semicircular shape or the like so as to protrude in the Y-axis direction. The direction in which the flat surface of the flat portion 261 faces or the facing direction of the pair of flat portions 261 can also be defined as the stacking direction. Therefore, it can be said that the power storage elements 201 and 205 are arranged in the stacking direction. The same applies to other storage elements 200 . The X-axis direction in which the power storage elements 201 to 204 are arranged is also called an arrangement direction. That is, the storage elements 201 to 204 are arranged in the arrangement direction crossing the stacking direction. The same applies to the storage elements 205-208.

Since the electrode body 260 is wound with the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate shifted in the X-axis direction, the active material is formed (coated) at the ends of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate in the shifted direction. 3) It has a part (active material layer non-formed part) where the base material layer is exposed without being exposed. That is, the electrode body 260 protrudes from the flat portion 261 and the curved portion 262 to both sides in the X-axis direction at both ends in the X-axis direction, and the active material layer non-formed portions of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are laminated to collect current. It has an end 263 that connects with the body 250 .

The electrode body 260 may be a so-called horizontal-wound electrode body formed by winding electrode plates around a winding axis extending in the Y-axis direction, or a laminated type electrode body formed by stacking a plurality of flat plate-shaped electrode plates ( Any type of electrode body may be used, such as a stack type electrode body or a bellows-shaped electrode body in which electrode plates are folded into a bellows shape. In the case of the horizontally wound electrode body, the flat portion is the flat portion other than the curved portion and the connection portion (tab) with the current collector. A flat portion is a flat portion other than the connection portion (tab) with the current collector.

The electrode terminal 220 is a terminal member (a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal) of the storage element 200, and is arranged on the container lid 212 so as to protrude in the Y-axis negative direction. The electrode terminal 220 is electrically connected to the positive plate and the negative plate of the electrode assembly 260 via the current collector 250 . The electrode terminal 220 is made of a conductive member such as metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, or copper alloy.

The current collector 250 is a conductive member (a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode current collector) electrically connected to the electrode terminal 220 and the end portion 263 of the electrode body 260 . The current collector 250 is made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy, or the like. The gaskets 230 and 240 are flat insulating sealing members arranged between the container lid 212 and the electrode terminal 220 and current collector 250 . Gaskets 230 and 240 are made of, for example, any insulating resin material that can be used for spacer 300 .

[3 Explanation of exterior body 100 and spacer 300]
Next, the configurations of the exterior body 100 (the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120) and the spacers 300 (the first spacer 310 and the second spacer 320) will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the exterior body 100 (the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120) according to the present embodiment and showing the configuration for housing the power storage element 200. As shown in FIG. Specifically, (a) of FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first exterior body 110 when viewed from above, and (b) of FIG. 5 is a part of the second exterior body 120 ( 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a portion accommodating a power storage element 200) viewed from below. FIG. Hereinafter, a part of the second exterior body 120 (the part that accommodates the power storage element 200) shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of spacer 300 (first spacer 310 and second spacer 320) according to the present embodiment. Specifically, (a) of FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first spacer 310 when viewed from below, and (b) of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration when viewed from above; Since the pair of second spacers 320 have the same configuration (shape symmetrical with respect to the XY plane), FIG. omitted.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the exterior body 100 (the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120) and the spacer 300 (the first spacer 310 and the second spacer 320) according to this embodiment. . Specifically, in (a) of FIG. 7, the power storage unit 10 passes through the third connection portion 112 of the first exterior body 110 and the fourth connection portion 122 of the second exterior body 120 and is parallel to the XZ plane. It shows a cross section when cut along a plane. (b) to (d) of FIG. 7 are enlargements of portions surrounded by dashed lines at the end in the negative direction of the X axis, the central portion in the direction of the X axis, and the end in the positive direction of the X axis in (a) of FIG. is shown.

[3.1 Description of First Armor 110 and Second Armor 120]
As shown in FIG. 5 , the first exterior body 110 has connecting portions 111 and 112 and an engaging portion 113 . The second exterior body 120 has a top wall 120a, a pair of long side walls 120b, and a pair of short side walls 120c and 120d. The pair of long side walls 120b and the pair of short side walls 120c and 120d are provided with connecting portions 121 and engaging portions 123, and the upper wall 120a is provided with connecting portions 122 and 124. As shown in FIG. The above-described through hole 125 is formed in the long side wall 120b in the Y-axis minus direction. Hereinafter, the connection portion 111 is also referred to as the first connection portion 111, the connection portion 121 is also referred to as the second connection portion 121, the connection portion 112 is also referred to as the third connection portion 112, and the connection portion 122 is also referred to as the fourth connection portion 122. .

The upper wall 120a is a flat and rectangular wall portion (ceiling wall) located on the Z-axis positive direction side of the second exterior body 120, and is arranged adjacent to the long side wall 120b and the short side walls 120c and 120d. . The long side walls 120b are flat and rectangular walls (side walls) located on both sides in the Y-axis direction of the second exterior body 120, adjoining the upper wall 120a and the short side walls 120c and 120d, and larger outer surface area than The short side walls 120c and 120d are flat and rectangular wall portions (side walls) located on both sides of the second exterior body 120 in the X-axis direction, adjacent to the upper wall 120a and the long side wall 120b, and are closer to the long side wall 120b than the long side wall 120b. Small outer surface area.

The first connection portion 111 is a connection portion with a second connection portion 121 arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the first exterior body 110 when viewed from the Z-axis direction (first direction). The outer peripheral portion of the first exterior body 110 is a portion located in the vicinity of the outer edge of the first exterior body 110 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. is the area within In other words, the first connecting portion 111 is arranged at a position adjacent to the outer edge of the first exterior body 110 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The same applies to the expression of "peripheral portion" below. In the present embodiment, 14 first connection portions 111 are arranged in an annular shape along the outer edge of the first exterior body 110 along the entire circumference of the outer peripheral portion of the first exterior body 110 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. are placed in The second connection portion 121 is a connection portion with the first connection portion 111 arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the second exterior body 120 when viewed from the Z-axis direction (first direction). Similarly, for the second connecting portion 121, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the outer peripheral portion of the second exterior body 120 (the pair of long side walls 120b and the pair of short side walls 120c, 120d) is along the outer edge of the second exterior body 120. 14 second connection portions 121 are arranged in a ring over the entire circumference of the . In this manner, the first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121 are arranged at positions corresponding to (opposing) each other on the outer peripheral portions of the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120, and are connected (joined) to each other. .

Specifically, the first connection portion 111 and the second connection portion 121 are joined by a joining member 130 (see FIG. 7). In the present embodiment, the first connection portion 111 is formed with a circular through-hole in a top view (as seen from the Z-axis direction), and the second connection portion 121 is formed with a female screw portion. . The joint member 130 is a screw (bolt) having a male threaded portion. With such a configuration, the male screw portion of the joint member 130 passes through the through hole of the first connection portion 111 and is screwed with the female screw portion of the second connection portion 121, whereby the joint member 130 is connected to the second connection. It is fixed to the portion 121 and the first connection portion 111 and the second connection portion 121 are joined. In the present embodiment, the first connection portion 111 and the second connection portion 121 are joined while being in contact with each other in the Z-axis direction (see FIG. 7). As a result, the outer peripheral portion of the first exterior body 110 and the outer peripheral portion of the second exterior body 120 (the pair of long side walls 120b and the pair of short side walls 120c and 120d) are joined to form the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body. The body 120 is connected (fixed).

The third connection portion 112 is a connection portion with a fourth connection portion 122 arranged inside the outer peripheral portion of the first exterior body 110 when viewed from the Z-axis direction (first direction). The inner side of the outer periphery of the first exterior body 110 is a position farther from the outer edge of the first exterior body 110 than the outer periphery when viewed from the Z-axis direction. It is a position separated by more than several millimeters. In other words, the third connecting portion 112 is arranged at a position sandwiching the outer peripheral portion with the outer edge of the first exterior body 110 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The same applies to the expression “inside the outer peripheral portion” below. The third connecting portion 112 is arranged at a position including the central portion of the first exterior body 110 when viewed from the Z-axis direction (first direction). In the present embodiment, ten third connection portions 112 are arranged in a lattice in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction inside the first connection portions 111 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. Specifically, two third connection portions 112 are arranged in the Y-axis direction at both end portions, the center portion, and between the both end portions and the center portion of the first exterior body 110 in the X-axis direction. ing. As a result, the third connecting portion 112 is arranged at a position (between the energy storage elements 200 aligned in the X-axis direction) that sandwiches the energy storage elements 200 aligned in the X-axis direction in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 7).

The fourth connection portion 122 is a connection portion with the third connection portion 112 arranged inside the outer peripheral portion of the second exterior body 120 when viewed from the Z-axis direction (first direction). The fourth connection portion 122 is arranged at a position including the central portion of the second exterior body 120 when viewed from the Z-axis direction (first direction). In the present embodiment, ten fourth connection portions 122 are arranged in a grid pattern in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction on the upper wall 120a located inside the second connection portion 121 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. are placed in Specifically, two fourth connection portions 122 arranged in the Y-axis direction are arranged at both end portions, the center portion, and between the both end portions and the center portion in the X-axis direction of the upper wall 120a. . Thus, the fourth connecting portion 122 is arranged at a position (between the energy storage elements 200 aligned in the X-axis direction) sandwiching the energy storage elements 200 aligned in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 7). In this way, the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 are arranged at positions corresponding (opposed) to each other inside the outer peripheral portions of the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120, and are connected (joined) to each other. ) is done.

Specifically, the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 are joined by a joining member 140 (see FIG. 7). In the present embodiment, the third connection portion 112 is formed with a circular through-hole in a top view (as seen from the Z-axis direction), and the fourth connection portion 122 is formed with a female screw portion. . The joint member 140 is a screw (bolt) with a male thread. With such a configuration, the male screw portion of the joint member 140 passes through the through hole of the third connection portion 112, is inserted into the cylindrical collar 150, and is screwed with the female screw portion of the fourth connection portion 122. . Thereby, the joining member 140 is fixed to the fourth connection portion 122, and the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 are joined. In the present embodiment, the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 are joined while being spaced apart from each other in the Z-axis direction while sandwiching the collar 150 (see FIG. 7). In this way, the inner side of the outer peripheral portion of the first exterior body 110 and the inner side of the outer peripheral portion of the second exterior body 120 are joined, and the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 are connected (fixed). ) is done. It should be noted that a configuration in which the collar 150 is not arranged in the joining by the joining member 140 is also possible.

At least one of the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122, the joining member 140 that joins the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 is arranged at a position not exposed to the outside (see FIG. 7). . In the present embodiment, since the female screw portion of the fourth connection portion 122 does not penetrate the fourth connection portion 122 in the Z-axis direction, the joint member 140 is not exposed to the outside in the fourth connection portion 122. placed in The joint member 140 is, for example, a bolt (sealing bolt) that can seal the through hole of the third connection portion 112 when joined to the fourth connection portion 122 . As a result, airtightness is ensured in the third connection portion 112 by the joining member 140 sealing the through hole, and airtightness is ensured in the fourth connection portion 122 because the joining member 140 is not exposed to the outside. .

The engaging portions 113 are circular through-holes in a top view (as seen from the Z-axis direction) arranged at both ends in the X-axis direction (both ends of the outer peripheral portion) of the first exterior body 110 . The engaging portions 123 are columnar protrusions arranged at both ends of the second exterior body 120 in the X-axis direction (both ends of the outer peripheral portion and the pair of short side walls 120c and 120d). The engaging portions 113 and 123 are arranged at positions corresponding to (opposing) each other, and the engaging portion 123 is inserted into the engaging portion 113 and engaged with each other, thereby forming the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 . and are positioned. The connection portions 124 are arranged at both ends in the X-axis direction (both ends inside the outer peripheral portion) of the upper wall 120a of the second exterior body 120, and are portions to which the connection portions 315 of the first spacer 310 described later are connected. be. In the present embodiment, a female threaded portion is formed in the connecting portion 124, and a male threaded portion of a joint member (not shown) passes through a through hole of the connecting portion 315 and contacts the female threaded portion of the connecting portion 124. By screwing together, the first spacer 310 is joined to the second exterior body 120 .

In addition to the above-described structure, the first exterior body 110 has a bulging rectangular convex shape projecting in the positive Z-axis direction toward the storage element 200 in order to improve strength and suppress swelling of the storage element 200. A portion (bulging portion) is formed over the entire surface of the first exterior body 110 . The position, shape and number of the protrusions (bulges) of the first exterior body 110 are not particularly limited, and a configuration in which the protrusions (bulges) are not formed may be employed.

[3.2 Description of first spacer 310 and second spacer 320]
As shown in FIG. 6 , the first spacer 310 has a first spacer main body 311 , a first spacer wall portion 312 , a first projecting portion 313 , and connecting portions 314 and 315 . The second spacer 320 has a second spacer body 321 , a second spacer wall portion 322 and a second projecting portion 323 .

The first spacer main body 311 is a flat plate-like rectangular part parallel to the XY plane that constitutes the main body of the first spacer 310 and is arranged to extend in the X-axis direction. The first spacer main body 311 is arranged at a position facing the long side surfaces 211a of the containers 210 of the four energy storage elements 200 aligned in the X-axis direction, and contacts the long side surfaces 211a of the four energy storage elements 200 . The first spacer wall portion 312 has a flat plate shape and protrudes from both sides of the first spacer body 311 in the X-axis direction and both sides in the Y-axis direction in the Z-axis direction so as to surround the first spacer body 311 . It is a rectangular side wall. The first spacer wall portion 312 is arranged so as to cover the short side surface 211 b and the bottom surface 211 c of the container 210 of the storage element 200 facing each other and part of the container lid 212 .

The first protrusions 313 protrude from the first spacer main body 311 toward the pair of second spacers 320 on both sides in the Z-axis direction and extend in the Y-axis direction (the third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction). It is a long and protruding part that is Specifically, the first projecting portion 313 projects between the plurality of power storage elements 200 and is arranged between the plurality of power storage elements 200 . That is, the first projecting portion 313 projects between two adjacent energy storage elements 200 among the multiple energy storage elements 200 arranged in the X-axis direction, and is arranged between the two energy storage elements 200 . In the present embodiment, three first protrusions 313 are arranged for four power storage elements 200 arranged in the X-axis direction. The first projecting portion 313 is arranged to extend from one end to the other end of the first spacer main body 311 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the first protrusion 313 extends from one end to the other end of the plurality of power storage elements 200 (two power storage elements 200 sandwiching the first protrusion 313) in the Y-axis direction (third direction). placed.

The first projecting portion 313 has a first through hole 313a and a positioning portion 313b. The first through-hole 313a is a circular through-hole seen from the Z-axis direction that penetrates the first projecting portion 313 in the Z-axis direction, and the joining member 140 (and the collar 150) is inserted therein (see FIG. 7). . Two first through holes 313a are formed in each of the first protruding portions 313 at positions corresponding to the two joint members 140 (and the third connecting portion 112 and the fourth connecting portion 122). Thereby, the joint member 140 is arranged between the plurality of power storage elements 200 , and the circumference of the joint member 140 is covered with the inner wall of the first through hole 313 a in the first projecting portion 313 . The positioning portions 313b are arranged at both ends of the first projecting portion 313 in the Y-axis direction, and have through-holes that penetrate the first projecting portion 313 in the Z-axis direction and have a rectangular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The positioning portion 313b is a portion that engages (fits) with a positioning portion 323b of the second projecting portion 323, which will be described later.

The connecting portion 314 is a portion that connects (fixes) the first spacer 310 to the exterior body 100 (the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120) at both ends of the first spacer 310 in the X-axis direction. The connecting portion 314 has a circular through-hole as seen from the Z-axis direction, and the joining member 140 (and the collar 150) is inserted into the through-hole (see FIG. 7). Two connection portions 314 are arranged at positions corresponding to the two joint members 140 (and the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122) on each of both ends of the first spacer 310 in the X-axis direction. . As described above, the connecting portions 315 are portions that connect (fix) the first spacer 310 to the second exterior body 120 and are arranged at both ends of the first spacer 310 in the X-axis direction.

The second spacer main body 321 is a plate-like and rectangular part parallel to the XY plane that constitutes the main body of the second spacer 320, and is arranged to extend in the X-axis direction. The second spacer main body 321 is arranged at a position facing the long side surfaces 211a of the containers 210 of the four energy storage elements 200 aligned in the X-axis direction, and contacts the long side surfaces 211a of the four energy storage elements 200 . The second spacer wall portion 322 is a flat plate that protrudes toward the first spacer 310 from both ends in the X-axis direction and both sides in the Y-axis direction of the second spacer body 321 so as to surround the second spacer body 321 . and rectangular side walls. The second spacer wall portion 322 and the first spacer wall portion 312 are arranged so as to cover substantially the entire short side surface 211b and the bottom surface 211c of the container 210 of the storage element 200 facing each other and part of the container lid 212. be done.

The second protruding portion 323 protrudes in the Z-axis direction from the second spacer body 321 toward the first protruding portion 313 of the first spacer 310, and is elongated and protruding in the Y-axis direction (third direction). It is a shaped part. Specifically, the second protruding portion 323 protrudes toward between the plurality of power storage elements 200 and is arranged between the plurality of power storage elements 200 . In other words, the second projecting portion 323 projects between two adjacent energy storage elements 200 among the multiple energy storage elements 200 arranged in the X-axis direction, and is arranged between the two energy storage elements 200 . In the present embodiment, three second protrusions 323 are arranged for three first protrusions 313 arranged in the X-axis direction. The second projecting portion 323 is arranged to extend from one end to the other end of the second spacer main body 321 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the second protrusion 323 extends from one end to the other end of the plurality of power storage elements 200 (two power storage elements 200 sandwiching the second protrusion 323) in the Y-axis direction (third direction). placed.

The second projecting portion 323 has a second through hole 323a and a positioning portion 323b. The second through-hole 323a is a circular through-hole viewed from the Z-axis direction that penetrates the second projecting portion 323 in the Z-axis direction, and the joining member 140 (and the collar 150 or the fourth connecting portion 122) is inserted therein. (See FIG. 7). Each second projection 323 has a position corresponding to the first through hole 313a of the first projection 313, that is, two joint members 140 (and the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122). Two second through holes 323a are formed at the positions where the two second through holes 323a are formed. As a result, the joint member 140 is arranged between the plurality of power storage elements 200 , and the circumference of the joint member 140 is covered with the inner wall of the second through hole 323 a in the second projecting portion 323 .

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the first projecting portion 313 and the second projecting portion 323 are connected to the third connection portion 112 of the first exterior body 110 and the fourth connection portion 122 of the second exterior body 120. is placed between The joining member 140 connects the third connecting portion 112 and the fourth connecting portion 122 while passing through the first through hole 313a of the first projecting portion 313 and the second through hole 323a of the second projecting portion 323. Join. As described above, since the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 can be said to be a pair of end plates, the joining member 140 is arranged in a state of penetrating the first projecting portion 313 and the second projecting portion 323. It can also be said that it joins a pair of end plates. Thus, a part of the spacer 300 is arranged between the third connection part 112 and the fourth connection part 122, and a through hole is formed in the part. The third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 are joined while penetrating the hole.

In the present embodiment, the fourth connecting portion 122 is inserted into the second through hole 323a of the second projecting portion 323 of the second spacer 320 in the positive Z-axis direction, but is not inserted into the second through hole 323a. may be configured. The third connecting portion 112 may be inserted into the second through hole 323a of the second projecting portion 323 of the second spacer 320 in the negative Z-axis direction.

The positioning portions 323b are arranged at both ends of the second projecting portion 323 in the Y-axis direction, and project from the second projecting portion 323 toward the positioning portion 313b of the first projecting portion 313, and have a rectangular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. It is convex. The positioning portion 323b is inserted into the through hole of the positioning portion 313b and engages (fits) with the positioning portion 313b, thereby positioning the positions of the first projecting portion 313 and the second projecting portion 323 with respect to each other. That is, the positioning portions 313b and 323b position the first projecting portion 313 and the second projecting portion 323 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 323b is formed with a through-hole penetrating in the Z-axis direction. As a result, for example, by looking into the positioning portions 313b and 323b from the Z-axis positive direction, the state of the portions of the positioning portions 313b and 323b in the Z-axis negative direction can be grasped.

[4 Explanation of effects]
According to the power storage device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first power storage device arranged over the plurality of power storage elements 200 is positioned to sandwich the plurality of power storage elements 200 arranged in the second direction (X-axis direction). A spacer 310 and a second spacer 320 are provided. The first spacer 310 extends in the third direction (Y-axis direction) and has a first projecting portion 313 projecting between the plurality of power storage elements 200. The second spacer 320 extends in the third direction. It has a second projecting portion 323 that extends and projects toward the first projecting portion 313 . By arranging the first spacers 310 and the second spacers 320 on both sides of the plurality of power storage elements 200 in this way, it is possible to improve the insulation on both sides of the plurality of power storage elements 200 . The first projecting portion 313 of the first spacer 310 and the second projecting portion 323 of the second spacer 320 are arranged to extend between the plurality of power storage elements 200 , thereby providing insulation between the plurality of power storage elements 200 . can improve sexuality. As a result, it is possible to improve the insulating properties of the storage element 200 .

Since the energy storage elements 200 arranged in the X-axis direction are arranged apart from each other, it is possible to suppress heat transfer between the energy storage elements 200 and to suppress the energy storage elements 200 from exerting a thermal influence on each other. Since the first spacers 310 and the second spacers 320 are arranged over the plurality of power storage elements 200 aligned in the X-axis direction, compared to the configuration in which the first spacers 310 and the second spacers 320 are arranged for each power storage element 200, It is possible to reduce the number of parts.

By extending the first projecting portion 313 of the first spacer 310 and the second projecting portion 323 of the second spacer 320 from one end to the other end in the third direction of the plurality of storage elements 200, the plurality of storage elements The insulation between 200 can be further improved. Thereby, the insulation of the storage element 200 can be improved.

The first protruding portion 313 of the first spacer 310 and the second protruding portion 323 of the second spacer 320 have the positioning portions 313b and 323b, so that the first spacer 310 and the second spacer 320 can be positioned relative to each other. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the first spacer 310 or the second spacer 320 from moving with respect to the power storage element 200 . Thereby, the insulation of the storage element 200 can be improved. Since the first spacers 310 and the second spacers 320 are arranged over the plurality of power storage elements 200 aligned in the X-axis direction, compared to the configuration in which the first spacers 310 and the second spacers 320 are arranged for each power storage element 200, The number of positioning portions 313b and 323b to be arranged can be reduced.

A first exterior body 110 and a second exterior body serving as a pair of end plates extend over the plurality of energy storage elements 200 arranged in the X-axis direction at positions sandwiching the multiple energy storage elements 200, the first spacers 310, and the second spacers 320. 120 is placed. As a result, even when the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 are made of a conductive material such as metal, the first spacers 310 and the second spacers 320 allow the plurality of power storage elements 200 and the first exterior body 110 to be separated from each other. and insulation from the second exterior body 120 can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to improve the insulating property of the storage element 200 . Since a plurality of power storage elements 200 can be collectively sandwiched between the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 as a pair of end plates, rather than a configuration in which a pair of end plates is arranged for each power storage element 200, The number of parts can be reduced.

A joining member 140 that joins the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 as a pair of end plates is arranged so as to pass through the first projecting portion 313 and the second projecting portion 323 . Thereby, even when the joint member 140 is made of a conductive member such as a metal, it is possible to suppress electrical conduction between the electric storage element 200 and the joint member 140 . Therefore, it is possible to suppress electrical conduction between the storage element 200 and the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 via the joining member 140, so that the insulation of the storage element 200 can be improved. By arranging the joining member 140 to penetrate the first projecting portion 313 and the second projecting portion 323 , the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 can be joined between the plurality of power storage elements 200 . The exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 can be firmly joined. This reduces the need to increase the thickness of the first exterior body 110 or the second exterior body 120 as the end plate or to form it with a high-strength member, thereby reducing the size, weight, and cost of the power storage device 1. etc. can be achieved. Since the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 as a pair of end plates are arranged over a plurality of power storage elements 200 arranged in the X-axis direction, a pair of end plates is arranged for each power storage element 200. The number of joint members 140 to be arranged can be reduced more than in this case.

According to the power storage device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the exterior body 100 that houses the energy storage element 200 has the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 that sandwich and restrain the energy storage element 200 . . The first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 are connected to the first connection portion 111 and the second connection portion 121 while being in contact with each other at the outer peripheral portion, and the joining member 140 is separated from the outer peripheral portion inside the outer peripheral portion. It has a third connection portion 112 and a fourth connection portion 122 that are joined by. In this way, by constraining the power storage element 200 with the exterior body 100 (the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120) housing the power storage element 200, the power storage element 200 can be restrained without arranging the end plates. can. Further, when the power storage element 200 is restrained by the exterior body 100, there is a possibility that the power storage element 200 cannot be firmly restrained. It can also be joined at a spaced position (inside the outer periphery). As a result, the power storage element 200 can be firmly sandwiched and restrained by the exterior body 100 (the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120). Therefore, the power storage element 200 can be firmly sandwiched and restrained by the exterior body 100 (the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120) without arranging the end plates, thereby reducing the number of parts. can be done. By reducing the number of parts, weight reduction, size reduction, cost reduction, and productivity improvement can be achieved.

Since part of the spacer 300 (the first projecting portion 313 and the second projecting portion 323) is arranged between the third connecting portion 112 and the fourth connecting portion 122, the third connecting portion 112 and the fourth connecting portion 122 are For joining, through holes (first through hole 313a and second through hole 323a) are formed in the part. Then, the joining member 140 is passed through the through hole to join the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 . Thereby, even if a part of the spacer 300 is arranged between the third connecting portion 112 and the fourth connecting portion 122, the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 can be firmly joined. Therefore, the power storage element 200 can be firmly sandwiched and restrained by the exterior body 100 (the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120) without arranging the end plates, thereby reducing the number of parts. can be done.

Since the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 are arranged in the central portion of the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120, the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 are joined in the center portion. be. Thereby, the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 can be firmly joined. Therefore, the power storage element 200 can be firmly sandwiched and restrained by the exterior body 100 (the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120) without arranging the end plates, thereby reducing the number of parts. can be done.

In at least one of the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 (the fourth connection portion 122 in the present embodiment), the joining member 140 is not exposed to the outside, thereby improving the airtightness of the exterior body 100. and space saving.

The first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 sandwich the plurality of power storage elements 200 arranged in the direction (X-axis direction) intersecting the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the electrode plates in the stacking direction of the electrode plates. constrain with In this way, even when a plurality of power storage elements 200 are arranged in a direction that intersects the stacking direction of the electrode plates (arranged side by side), the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 allow the plurality of power storage elements 200 can be constrained together. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts compared to individually restraining the plurality of power storage elements 200 .

[5 Description of Modified Example]
Although the power storage device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and range of equivalents to the claims. .

For example, in the above-described embodiment, in the exterior body 100, the second exterior body 120 is a bottomed rectangular cylindrical member with an opening formed in the negative direction of the Z axis, and the first exterior body 110 is a second It is a flat rectangular member that closes the opening of the exterior body 120 . However, the first exterior body 110 is a bottomed rectangular cylindrical member with an opening formed in the positive direction of the Z axis, and the second exterior body 120 is a flat rectangular shape that closes the opening of the first exterior body 110 . It may be a shaped lid or any other shape.

In the above-described embodiment, the first connection portion 111 of the first exterior body 110 is provided with a through hole, and the second connection portion 121 of the second exterior body 120 is provided with a female connector screwed to the male screw portion of the joining member 130 . It was decided that a threaded portion would be formed. However, a through hole may be formed in the second connecting portion 121 and a female threaded portion to be screwed with the male threaded portion of the joining member 130 may be formed in the first connecting portion 111 . The method of connecting (joining) the first connection portion 111 and the second connection portion 121 may be other methods, such as joining with rivets, caulking, sandwiching with clips, adhesion, welding, heat sealing, and ultrasonic welding. etc. The same applies to the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 .

In the above-described embodiment, the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 are arranged in the central portion of the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120. good too. For example, by increasing the plate thickness of the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120, the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 can be connected without placing the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 in the central portion. A configuration in which the power storage element 200 is firmly sandwiched between the two exterior bodies 120 can be realized.

In the above-described embodiment, the joint member 140 is arranged at a position not exposed to the outside in the fourth connection portion 122 , and the joint member 140 is exposed to the outside in the third connection portion 112 . However, instead of or in addition to the fourth connection portion 122 , the third connection portion 112 may be configured such that the joining member 140 is not exposed to the outside. Both the third connection portion 112 and the fourth connection portion 122 may have a configuration in which the joining member 140 is exposed to the outside.

In the above embodiment, the first projecting portion 313 of the first spacer 310 and the second projecting portion 323 of the second spacer 320 extend from one end to the other end in the third direction of the storage element 200. did. However, at least one of the first projecting portion 313 and the second projecting portion 323 may be shorter than the length from one end to the other end of the power storage element 200 in the third direction.

In the above embodiment, the first projecting portion 313 and the second projecting portion 323 may not have the positioning portions 313b and 323b.

In the above embodiment, all the first connection portions 111 and the third connection portions 112 of the first exterior body 110 and all the second connection portions 121 and the fourth connection portions 122 of the second exterior body 120 are , has the above configuration, but any part may not have the above configuration.

In the above embodiment, all the first protrusions 313 of the first spacer 310 and all the second protrusions 323 of the second spacer 320 have the above configuration. Any portion may not have the above configuration.

The power storage device 1 does not have to include all the components described above. For example, the power storage device 1 may not include the control unit 20, the terminal unit 30, the busbar plate 400, the busbar cover 600, or the like.

Forms constructed by arbitrarily combining the constituent elements included in the above embodiments and modifications thereof are also included within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be realized not only as the power storage device 1, but also as a combination of the first spacer 310 and the second spacer 320, or a combination of the first spacer 310, the second spacer 320, and a pair of end plates (the first exterior body 110 and the second spacer 320). It can also be realized as a combination with the two outer bodies 120).

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

1 power storage device 21, 31a external terminal 31, 500, 510, 520, 530 bus bar 100 exterior body 110 first exterior body 111 first connection portion (connection portion)
112 Third connection part (connection part)
120 Second armor 121 Second connection part (connection part)
122 fourth connection (connection)
124, 314, 315 connecting part 130, 140 joining member 150 collar 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208 storage element 210 container 220 electrode terminal 230, 240 gasket 250 current collector 260 electrode body 300 Spacer 310 First spacer 311 First spacer main body 312 First spacer wall 313 First protrusion 313a First through holes 313b, 323b Positioning part 320 Second spacer 321 Second spacer main body 322 Second spacer wall 323 Second protrusion Part 323a Second through hole 400 Busbar plate 600 Busbar cover

Claims (5)

a plurality of power storage elements each having an electrode body in which electrode plates are stacked in a first direction and arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
a first spacer arranged across the plurality of power storage elements at a position adjacent to the plurality of power storage elements in the first direction;
a second spacer arranged over the plurality of power storage elements at a position sandwiching the plurality of power storage elements with the first spacer in the first direction;
The first spacer extends in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, protrudes between the plurality of power storage elements, and is disposed between the plurality of power storage elements. having a first protrusion that
The second spacer has a second protrusion extending in the third direction and protruding toward the first protrusion. Power storage device. The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged to extend from one end to the other end of the plurality of power storage elements in the third direction. 3 . The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion have positioning portions that position each other by being engaged with each other. moreover,
4. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a pair of end plates arranged over the plurality of storage elements at positions sandwiching the plurality of storage elements, the first spacer and the second spacer in the first direction. 2. The power storage device according to item 1. moreover,
The power storage device according to claim 4, further comprising a joining member arranged to penetrate the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion and joining the pair of end plates.

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