JP7184721B2 - power storage device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to power storage devices.

The power storage device is a power storage module disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-109914, which includes a plurality of power storage cells and a plurality of bus bars electrically connecting the power storage cells in series.

JP 2013-109914 A

The power storage device includes the power storage module configured as described above and a connection cable connected to the power storage module. The power storage module includes end plates and a plurality of power storage cells. The end plates are provided at both ends of the power storage module, and the end plates are formed with fixed pedestals to which connection cables are fixed. Each storage cell is provided with an external terminal.

The connection cable includes a fixing member fixed to the fixing seat of the end plate, and a connecting terminal connected to the external terminal of the storage connection adjacent to the end plate.

In the power storage device configured as described above, the power storage module expands and contracts due to charging and discharging of the power storage device. When the length of the power storage module varies, the distance between the position of the external terminal to which the connection cable is connected and the fixed pedestal of the end plate varies.

On the other hand, since the distance between the connection terminal of the connection cable and the fixing member does not change, a large load is generated between the connection terminal and the external terminal when the length of the power storage module fluctuates. If a large load is applied to the connection terminal, the storage cell may be damaged.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to solve the problem that, in a power storage device in which a connection cable is connected to a power storage module, a power storage cell or the like to which the connection cable is connected may be damaged. It is to provide a suppressed power storage device.

A power storage device according to the present disclosure includes a power storage module and a connection cable connected to the power storage module. The power storage module includes a plurality of power storage cells arranged in the arrangement direction, and end plates provided at the ends of the power storage module in the arrangement direction. The end plate includes a plate body and a first fixing member provided on the plate body. Among the plurality, the storage cell adjacent to the end plate includes an external terminal. The connection cable includes a case, a second fixing member formed in the case and connected to the first fixing member, a cable body having one end connected to an external device, and being inserted into the case and electrically connected to the cable body. It includes a connecting terminal that is connected and provided movably with respect to the cable body and the case.

Suppose that in the power storage device described above, the length of the power storage module changes due to charge/discharge, etc., and the external terminals move relative to the first fixing member. At this time, even when the second fixing member is fixed to the first fixing member, the connecting terminal can follow the movement of the external terminal by moving with respect to the cable body and the case. As a result, application of a large load to the external terminal can be suppressed.

According to the power storage device according to the present disclosure, in the power storage device in which the connection cable is connected to the power storage module, if the length of the power storage module changes and the distance between the first fixing member and the external terminal changes, Also, it is possible to suppress the application of a large load to the external terminal and the storage cell.

1 is a plan view showing a power storage device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a connector 16 and its surroundings in the power storage device 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which the connector 16 is attached to the end plate 5 and the electric storage cell 4A. FIG. 4 is a plan view in which a portion of the connector 16 is visualized; FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing an engaging portion 42, a protrusion 43, and the like. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal portion 50 and a connection terminal 32; FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a state in which the storage cell 4A is deformed so as to swell. 8 is a plan view showing connection terminals 32 and the like in the state shown in FIG. 7; FIG.

A power storage device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. Among the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the same or substantially the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted. In addition, in the configurations described in the embodiments, configurations corresponding to configurations described in claims may be written together with the configurations in the claims in parentheses.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a power storage device according to this embodiment. Power storage device 1 includes a power storage module 2 and a connection cable 3 . The power storage module 2 includes a plurality of power storage cells 4 , end plates 5 and 6 , and busbar modules 7 .

A plurality of storage cells 4 are provided at intervals in the arrangement direction D, and insulating members are arranged between the storage cells 4 . The storage cell 4 includes a housing case 10 and external terminals 11 and 12 .

The containing case 10 is made of a metal material such as aluminum, and contains an electrode assembly and an electrolytic solution. The storage cell 4 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery.

The external terminals 11 and 12 are provided on the upper surface of the housing case 10, and are spaced apart in the width direction W. As shown in FIG. The external terminal 11 and the external terminal 12 are electrically connected to an electrode body housed in the housing case 10 . At least one of the external terminal 11 and the external terminal 12 is connected to the CCID housed in the housing case 10 .

Further, an exhaust valve or the like is provided on the top surface of the storage case 10 for discharging gas or the like inside the storage case 10 to the outside when the internal pressure inside the storage case 10 increases.

Busbar module 7 includes a plurality of busbars 8 . Each bus bar 8 electrically connects the external terminals 11 and 12 of adjacent storage cells 4 so that the storage cells 4 are electrically connected in series.

The end plate 5 is provided at one end of the storage module 2 in the arrangement direction D, and the end plate 6 is provided at the other end of the storage module 2 . End plate 5 and end plate 6 are connected by a restraining band (not shown). A plurality of electric storage cells 4 arranged between end plates 5 and 6 are fixed by binding forces applied from end plates 5 and 6 .

Here, among the plurality of storage cells 4, the storage cell adjacent to the end plate 5 is referred to as storage cell 4A. The storage cell 4A includes a storage case 10A and external terminals 11A and 12A.

The connection cable 3 is connected to the end plate 5 and the storage cell 4A. The connection cable 3 includes a cable body 15 and a connector 16 provided at the tip of the cable body 15 . The cable body 15 is connected to electrical equipment such as a converter through an SMR (system main relay), for example.

2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of connector 16 and its surroundings in power storage device 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view showing connector 16 attached to end plate 5 and power storage cell 4A.

Note that the busbar module 7 is not shown in FIG. The end plate 5 includes a plate body 17 and a fixing member (first fixing member) 18 .

The plate body 17 is formed in a plate shape, and the plate body 17 is made of an insulating material. Plate body 17 includes main surface 19 and main surface 20, main surface 19 is positioned on the outer surface side of power storage device 1, and main surface 20 is positioned on the power storage cell 4A side.

The fixing member 18 is formed on the main surface 19 side, and the fixing member 18 includes a pedestal 21 formed on the main surface 19 and a screw portion 22 projecting upward from the pedestal 21 .

The connector 16 of the connection cable 3 includes a case 30 , a fixing member (second fixing member) 31 and connection terminals 32 . Case 30 is made of, for example, an insulating material such as resin, and is hollow.

The fixing member 31 is formed to protrude from the outer surface of the case 30, the fixing member 31 is formed in an annular shape, and a through hole 33 is formed in the fixing member 31. As shown in FIG. The fixing member 31 is fixed to the fixing member 18 by attaching the nut 34 to the screw portion 22 while the screw portion 22 is inserted into the through hole 33 of the fixing member 31 .

The connection terminal 32 is formed to protrude from the case 30, and the connection terminal 32 is made of a conductive material. A through hole 35 is formed at one end of the connection terminal 32 .

Then, with the external terminal 12A inserted into the through hole 35, the connection terminal 32 is fixed to the external terminal 12A by attaching the nut 36 to the external terminal 12A.

FIG. 4 is a plan view in which a portion of the connector 16 is visualized. Note that a part of the connection terminal 32 is not shown in FIG.

Locking portions 42 are formed in the connector 16 , and projections 43 are formed in the connection terminals 32 . The connection terminal 32 is provided so as to be movable in the displacement direction D<b>1 by the inner surface of the case 30 and the locking portion 42 . Specifically, the connection terminal 32 is formed to be relatively movable with respect to the case 30 and the fixing member 31 in the displacement direction D1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing the locking portion 42, the protrusion 43, and the like. The locking portion 42 includes a guide piece 45 , an end piece 46 and an end piece 47 . The guide piece 45 is formed to extend in the displacement direction D1. The end piece 46 is formed at one end of the guide piece 45 and the end piece 47 is formed at the other end of the guide piece 45 . The end piece 46 and the end piece 47 are formed so as to extend from the end of the guide piece 45 toward the connection terminal 32, and the guide piece 45 is formed in a concave shape.

The projecting portion 43 is positioned within a locking portion 42 formed in a concave shape. Displacement of the protrusion 43 in the displacement direction D<b>1 is restricted by the end piece 46 and the end piece 47 . That is, the projecting portion 43 is movable in the displacement direction D1 between the end piece 46 and the end piece 47 .

The connection terminal 32 is formed in an elongated shape, and a through hole 35 is formed on one end side of the connection terminal 32 . A terminal portion 50 is connected to the other end side of the connection terminal 32 . Terminal portion 50 includes a body portion 51 and a terminal piece 52 .

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the terminal portion 50 and the connection terminal 32. As shown in FIG. A concave portion 53 is formed in the terminal portion 50 , and the other end side of the connection terminal 32 is inserted into the concave portion 53 .

The connection terminal 32 is provided movably in the displacement direction D<b>1 while being in contact with the inner surface of the recess 53 .

The terminal piece 52 is connected to the body portion 51 , and the cable body 15 is connected to the terminal piece 52 . In the example shown in FIG. 6, the cable body 15 is fixed to the terminal piece 52 with bolts 54. As shown in FIG.

The terminal portion 50 is made of a conductive metal material. Thereby, the connection terminal 32 is electrically connected to the cable main body 15 .

In the power storage device 1 configured as described above, for example, when the power storage device 1 is charged and discharged, the length in the longitudinal direction D of the power storage device 1 may change.

For example, when power storage device 1 is charged, power storage cell 4 may be deformed to expand. At this time, in FIG. 3, in a state where the fixing member 31 of the connection cable 3 is fixed to the fixing member 18 of the end plate 5, when the storage cell 4A is deformed so as to swell, the external terminal 12A and the fixing member 18 are deformed. Relative position fluctuates. Specifically, when the storage cell 4A expands and deforms, the distance between the external terminal 12A and the fixing member 18 increases.

Therefore, a tensile force is applied to the connection terminal 32 fixed to the external terminal 12A.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the storage cell 4A is expanded and deformed, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the connection terminals 32 and the like in the state shown in FIG.

When the storage cell 4</b>A expands and deforms, the connection terminal 32 moves relative to the case 30 . Specifically, the connection terminal 32 moves so as to be pulled out from the case 30 .

Since the connection terminals 32 are pulled out from the case 30 in this manner, the tensile force applied to the connection terminals 32 does not increase, and a large load is applied to the connection terminals 32 and the external terminals 12A to which the connection terminals 32 are fixed. can be suppressed.

Here, if a large load is applied to external terminal 12A, for example, an exhaust valve or the like formed on the upper surface of housing case 10A may open. Malfunction of the valve can be suppressed.

Further, when the CCID is connected to the external terminal 12A, the CCID may malfunction when a large load is applied to the external terminal 12A. Malfunction of CCID can be suppressed.

Even if the connection terminal 32 moves so as to be pulled out from the case 30, the other end of the connection terminal 32 is positioned in the recess 53 in FIG. 15 is maintained.

In addition, when the temperature of the power storage device 1 is low, the length of the power storage device 1 in the longitudinal direction D may be shortened.

In this case, the length between the external terminal 12A and the fixing member 18 is shortened. In such a case, the connection terminal 32 moves so as to be pulled into the case 30 .

By moving the connection terminal 32 so as to be drawn into the case 30, even if the distance between the external terminal 12A and the fixing member 18 is shortened, a large load is applied to the connection terminal 32 and the external terminal 12A. can be suppressed.

Note that even if the connection terminal 32 moves so as to be pulled into the case 30 , the other end of the connection terminal 32 is positioned in the recess 53 , and the connection terminal 32 , the terminal portion 50 , and the cable body 15 are all positioned in the concave portion 53 . electrical connections are maintained.

As described above, according to the power storage device 1 according to the present embodiment, even if the power storage device 1 is deformed in the longitudinal direction D due to charge/discharge, temperature, or the like, the external terminal of the power storage device 1 to which the connection terminal 32 is connected 12A can be suppressed from being damaged.

When power storage device 1 is mounted on a vehicle, connection cable 3 may vibrate due to vibration of the vehicle. Even in such a case, the connection terminal 32 moves relative to the case 30 and the fixing member 31, thereby suppressing excessive load from being applied to the external terminal 12A.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all changes within the meaning and range of equivalents to the claims.

1 power storage device, 2 power storage module, 3 connection cable, 4, 4A power storage cell, 5, 6 end plate, 7 busbar module, 10, 10A housing case, 11, 11A, 12, 12A external terminal, 15 cable body, 16 connector , 17 plate body, 18, 31 fixing member, 19, 20 main surface, 21 pedestal, 22 screw portion, 30 case, 32 connection terminal, 33, 35 through hole, 34, 36 nut, 42 locking portion, 43 projection portion , 45 guide piece, D arrangement direction, D1 displacement direction, W width direction.

Claims (1)

a storage module;
a connection cable connected to the power storage module;
with
The power storage module includes a plurality of power storage cells arranged in an arrangement direction, and an end plate provided at an end of the power storage module in the arrangement direction,
The end plate includes a plate body and a first fixing member provided on the plate body,
a storage cell adjacent to the end plate among the plurality of storage cells includes an external terminal;
The connection cable is
a case;
a second fixing member formed on the case and connected to the first fixing member;
a cable body one end of which is connected to an external device;
a connecting terminal inserted into the case, electrically connected to the cable body, and provided movably with respect to the cable body and the case;
including
The power storage device , wherein the connecting terminal is fixed to the external terminal .

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