JP7476560B2 - Electricity storage device module and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Description

The technique disclosed herein relates to an electricity storage device module and a method for manufacturing an electricity storage device module.

The power storage device module has a holder for holding a plurality of power storage devices. The holder exposes electrode terminals of the plurality of power storage devices on the outer surface of the holder. The electrode terminals of the plurality of power storage devices are connected to a bus bar on the outer surface side of the holder, so that, for example, adjacent power storage devices are electrically connected via the bus bar. With regard to such a power storage device module, it is known that the bus bar is connected to the electrode terminals, for example, by welding or via a nut (for example, Patent Document 1). The electrode terminals connected by welding (hereinafter referred to as "welding terminals") and the electrode terminals connected via a nut (hereinafter referred to as "screw-fastening terminals") have different shapes.

JP 2015-187910 A

In order to stabilize the electrical characteristics of the electricity storage device, the electrode terminals are, for example, sufficiently fixed to the electricity storage element of the electricity storage device. In addition, the electrode terminals are, for example, installed in the sealing member of the electricity storage device, and are important members related to the sealing property of the electricity storage device. It is not easy to replace the electrode terminals after the completion of the electricity storage device while maintaining the electrical characteristics and sealing property of the electricity storage device. In addition, it is not easy to guarantee the performance of the electricity storage device in which the electrode terminals have been replaced after completion. Therefore, for example, when manufacturing an electricity storage device for an electricity storage device module, there is a problem that it is necessary to check the busbar connection means, such as welding or screw fixing, and to check whether the electrode terminals are suitable for the connection means. Alternatively, for example, there is a problem that both electricity storage devices for welding and electricity storage devices for screw fixing are manufactured and stocked, and when manufacturing an electricity storage device module, the connection means must be checked and an electricity storage device suitable for the connection means must be selected. In any case, there is a problem that the manufacturing of the electricity storage device becomes complicated.

There is no disclosure or suggestion of such a problem, and the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot solve such a problem.

Therefore, the present disclosure aims to eliminate the complexity of manufacturing electricity storage devices, for example.

Another object of the present disclosure is to reduce the complexity of manufacturing an electricity storage device module, for example.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an electricity storage device module includes a holder body and an electricity storage device installed in the holder body. The holder body is provided with a first mounting portion having a first step portion on which a first bus bar can be placed, and a second mounting portion having a second step portion on which a second bus bar having a shape different from that of the first bus bar can be placed, the second step portion having a different height from the first step portion, and an area occupied by the first bus bar when the first bus bar is placed and an area occupied by the second bus bar when the second bus bar is placed are arranged to face each other . The electricity storage device may include an electrode terminal having a screw portion, a side portion, and a terminal end face. The electrode terminal may penetrate the holder body, and the screw portion, the side portion, and the terminal end face may protrude from the holder body. The second step portion may be the same height as or approximately the same height as the terminal end face.
In order to achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an electricity storage device module includes a holder main body and an electricity storage device installed on the holder main body. The holder main body is provided with a first mounting portion consisting of a first step portion on which a first bus bar can be placed, and a second mounting portion consisting of a second step portion on which a second bus bar having a shape different from that of the first bus bar can be placed, and the electricity storage device includes an electrode terminal having a screw portion, a side portion, and a terminal end face. The electrode terminal penetrates the holder main body, and the screw portion, the side portion, and the terminal end face protrude from the holder main body. The second step portion has a different height from the first step portion and is the same or approximately the same height as the terminal end face. The electricity storage device module further includes the first bus bar placed on the first mounting portion. The first bus bar has a connection hole at a position corresponding to the electrode terminal, and the diameter of the connection hole is larger than the outer diameter of the side portion. The surface of the first bus bar is flush or nearly flush with the terminal end face.

In the above-mentioned energy storage device module, the second step portion may be disposed in a position adjacent to the outside of the mounting area of the first bus bar that is defined in a top view by the mounting area of the first bus bar that is placed on the first mounting portion.

In the above-mentioned energy storage device module, the holder body may further include a third step higher than the second step. The third step may be disposed in a position adjacent to the outside of the mounting area of the second bus bar that is defined in a top view as a mounting area of the second bus bar that is mounted on the second mounting portion.

The power storage device module may further include the second bus bar mounted on the second mounting portion. The second bus bar may have a connection hole at a position corresponding to the electrode terminal, and the diameter of the connection hole may be larger than the diameter of the threaded portion. The connection hole and the threaded portion may be arranged coaxially.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a manufacturing method for an electricity storage device module includes the steps of: preparing a holder main body; and a plurality of mounting portions that are installed on the holder main body and are capable of mounting any one of a plurality of busbars having different shapes, the plurality of mounting portions including a first mounting portion consisting of a first step on which a first busbar can be mounted as the any one of the busbars, and a second mounting portion consisting of a second step on which a second busbar can be mounted as the any one of the busbars, the second step having a different height from the first step; installing an electricity storage device having electrode terminals on the holder main body; mounting the first busbar or the second busbar on the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion provided on the holder main body; and connecting the electrode terminal to the first busbar or the second busbar after mounting the first busbar or the second busbar.

In the step of connecting the electrode terminal to the first bus bar or the second bus bar, the first bus bar and the electrode terminal may be welded to each other, or the second bus bar and the electrode terminal may be screwed to each other.

The technology disclosed herein provides one of the following effects:

(1) Since the holder has a first step and a second step with different heights, any busbar among a plurality of busbars with different shapes can be placed on the busbar placement portion of the holder. Since the first step and the second step have different heights, the placement height of the busbar can be varied depending on the busbar to be placed. Therefore, the busbar can be connected to the electrode terminal of the electricity storage device by a connection means that is compatible with the placed busbar.

(2) Any of the bus bars can be connected to an electrode terminal without changing the power storage device or the electrode terminal of the power storage device. Therefore, there is no need to select a power storage device or an electrode terminal depending on the bus bar to be connected. This reduces the complexity of manufacturing the power storage device and reduces the manufacturing load of the power storage device.

(3) There is no need to select an energy storage device or electrode terminal depending on the bus bar to be connected. This reduces the complexity of manufacturing the energy storage device module and reduces the manufacturing load of the energy storage device module.

(4) By observing the difference in the placement height of the bus bars, it is possible to distinguish which bus bar is placed by planar observation. This helps to prevent connection errors in the process of connecting the bus bars to the electrode terminals.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electricity storage device module according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an upper portion of the electricity storage device module. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a state in which some of the power storage devices have been removed from the holder, and an upper portion of the removed power storage devices. 4 is a partial enlarged view of the upper side surface of the electricity storage device module. FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a first holder, an electrode terminal, and a bus bar. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electricity storage device module including a bus bar.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment

Figure 1 shows an example of an electricity storage device module according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the upper part of the electricity storage device module. Figure 3 shows a state in which some electricity storage devices have been removed from a holder, and the upper part of the removed electricity storage device. The configurations shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 are merely examples, and the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to such configurations. In this embodiment, the electrode terminal side of the electricity storage device module is referred to as the upper side, and the opposite side is referred to as the lower side.

The energy storage device module 2 includes a plurality of energy storage devices 4, a first holder 6 (hereinafter referred to as "holder 6"), a second holder 8 (hereinafter referred to as "holder 8"), and two holder connection members 10.

The power storage device 4 has a power storage function and is, for example, an electrolytic capacitor or an electric double layer capacitor. The power storage device 4 includes an outer case 16, a power storage element, an electrolyte, a sealing member 18 (FIG. 3), and electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2.

The outer case 16 is, for example, a cylindrical case with a bottom, and contains a metal such as aluminum. The energy storage element and electrolyte are inserted inside the outer case 16. The sealing member 18 is placed at the opening of the outer case 16 and closes the inside of the outer case 16. The sealing member 18 is, for example, an insulating plate containing insulating resin.

The electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2 are, for example, conductive metal members. The electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2 are attached integrally to the sealing member 18, for example, by insert molding. The element side end of the electrode terminal 20-1 is connected, for example, to the anode foil of the energy storage element, and the element side end of the electrode terminal 20-2 is connected, for example, to the cathode foil of the energy storage element. The outer ends of the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2 protrude from the outer surface of the sealing member 18. The protruding outer ends of the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2 each have a threaded portion 22, a side portion 24, and a terminal end surface 26 (Figure 3). The threaded portion 22 is, for example, a female thread. The outer ends of the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2 have, for example, a cylindrical shape.

The multiple power storage devices 4 are arranged so that the multiple electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2 are arranged, for example, alternately in a straight line. The number of power storage devices 4 is, for example, three. The number of power storage devices 4 may be two, or may be four or more.

The holder 6 is a resin member containing, for example, a thermoplastic resin. A plurality of power storage devices 4 are mounted on the lower surface of the holder 6, i.e., the surface on the power storage device 4 side. The holder 6 includes a plate-shaped holder body 28, a wall portion 30, a plurality of terminal holes 32, and a bus bar mounting portion 34.

The wall portion 30 is formed on the lower surface of the holder body 28. The wall portion 30 has an inner surface shape that corresponds to the side shape of the installed multiple electricity storage devices 4, and surrounds the upper side surfaces of the multiple electricity storage devices 4, i.e., the side surfaces on the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2 side. This makes it possible to stably install the electricity storage devices 4 on the holder 6, and improves, for example, the vibration resistance of the electricity storage device module 2.

The multiple terminal holes 32 are holes formed in the holder body 28, and are formed at positions corresponding to the multiple arranged electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2. When the multiple power storage devices 4 are installed, the outer ends of the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2 pass through the terminal holes 32, and part of the outer ends protrude from the upper surface of the holder 6, that is, the busbar mounting surface on the side where the busbar is placed. This busbar mounting surface of the holder 6 is also, for example, the outer surface of the holder 6.

The busbar mounting portion 34 is disposed on the upper surface of the holder body 28, i.e., the busbar mounting surface. The busbar mounting portion 34 is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the holder 6, and is disposed in the central portion of the holder 6 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as the "width direction"). The busbar mounting portion 34 is disposed along the arrayed electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2. The busbar mounting portion 34 includes, for example, a first mounting portion consisting of a plurality of first step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, 36-4 (hereinafter referred to as "step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, 36-4") and a second mounting portion consisting of a plurality of second step portions 38-1, 38-2, 38-3 (hereinafter referred to as "step portions 38-1, 38-2, 38-3"). The step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, 36-4 and the step portions 38-1, 38-2, 38-3 are disposed on the busbar mounting surface of the holder main body 28 and have flat mounting surfaces on their upper parts. The step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, 36-4 and the step portions 38-1, 38-2, 38-3 have different heights from each other with respect to the busbar mounting surface of the holder main body 28. Therefore, the busbar mounting portion 34 has the function of mounting any busbar among a plurality of busbars having different shapes on either the step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, 36-4 (i.e., first mounting portions) or the step portions 38-1, 38-2, 38-3 (i.e., second mounting portions). The multiple bus bars are, for example, a first bus bar 42 (A in FIG. 5, hereinafter referred to as "bus bar 42") and a second bus bar 44 (B in FIG. 5, hereinafter referred to as "bus bar 44"), and any bus bar is, for example, bus bar 42 or bus bar 44. Bus bar 42 is, for example, a welding bus bar, and bus bar 44 is, for example, a screw-fastening bus bar.

The holder 8 is a resin member containing, for example, a thermoplastic resin. A plurality of electricity storage devices 4 are installed on the upper side of the holder 8, i.e., on the side of the electricity storage device 4. The holder 8 includes a wall portion 40 on the upper side. The wall portion 40 has an inner surface shape that corresponds to the shape of the lower side of the installed electricity storage devices 4, i.e., the side of the electricity storage device 4 on the non-electrode terminal side, and surrounds the lower side of the plurality of electricity storage devices 4. This provides stable installation of the electricity storage devices 4 on the holder 8, and improves, for example, the vibration resistance of the electricity storage device module 2.

The holder connection member 10 is a resin member containing, for example, a thermoplastic resin. The holder connection member 10 has a length approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the power storage device 4. One end of the holder connection member 10 is connected to an end of the holder 6 and fixed to the end of the holder 6 by a fixing member such as a screw 15. The other end of the holder connection member 10 is connected to an end of the holder 8 and fixed to the end of the holder 8 by a fixing member (not shown). The holder 6, the holder 8, and the two holder connection members 10 form a frame, and the formation of this frame increases the vibration resistance or strength of the power storage device module 2. The multiple power storage devices 4 are placed in this frame. The holder connection member 10 keeps the distance between the holder 6 and the holder 8 constant, thereby preventing the multiple power storage devices 4 from coming off the holder 6 or the holder 8.

The power storage device module 2 may include terminal members 12-1 and 12-2. The terminal members 12-1 and 12-2 are resin members containing, for example, thermoplastic resin, like the holder 6 and the holder 8. The terminal member 12-1 is detachably installed at an end of the holder 6 in the longitudinal direction. The terminal member 12-2 is detachably installed at an end of the holder 8 in the longitudinal direction. Note that both ends of the holder 6 have, for example, the same shape and are connectable to each other. Also, both ends of the holder 8 have, for example, the same shape and are connectable to each other. Therefore, each end of the holder 6 can be connected to an end of another holder 6, and each end of the holder 8 can be connected to an end of another holder 8. In other words, multiple power storage device modules 2 can be connected in the longitudinal direction. The power storage device modules 2 connected in the longitudinal direction can be electrically connected by, for example, a connecting bus bar.

The holder 6 and the holder 8 may include engagement portions 13-1, 13-2. The engagement portions 13-1, 13-2 are installed on the side surfaces of the holder 6 and the holder 8 in the width direction of the holder 6, 8. By engaging the engagement portions 13-1, 13-2, multiple holders 6 can be connected in the width direction, and multiple holders 8 can be connected in the width direction. In other words, multiple energy storage device modules 2 can be connected in the width direction. The energy storage device modules 2 connected in the width direction can be electrically connected by a connecting bus bar arranged in the connection passage 14 on the holder 6.

The power storage device module 2 may include a buffer member 41 (Fig. 3) on the underside of the power storage device 4. The buffer member 41 has elasticity and is disposed between the power storage device 4 and the holder 8, and can absorb vibrations. In other words, the buffer member 41 can increase the vibration resistance of the power storage device module 2. The buffer member 41 can also push up the power storage device 4 that it is in contact with, pressing the power storage device 4 against the holder 6, thereby suppressing vertical movement of the power storage device 4.

The power storage device module 2 may include additional circuits such as a balancing circuit, a temperature detection circuit, and a voltage detection circuit (not shown). The additional circuits may be installed, for example, in the peripheral area of the bus bar mounting portion 34. The additional circuits may be connected, for example, to the mounted bus bar 42 or bus bar 44. For example, the balancing circuit may suppress voltage fluctuations caused by the series connection of the power storage devices 4.

4A and 4B are partial enlarged views of the upper side of the power storage device module. In FIG. 4A, the area surrounded by a dashed line indicates the mounting area 43 of the first busbar 42, and in FIG. 4B, the area surrounded by a dashed line indicates the mounting area 45 of the second busbar 44. Each mounting area is a busbar mounting area defined in a top view, and specifically, a projection of each busbar 42, 44 drawn by parallel projection with the busbar mounting surface of the holder 6 as the projection surface. Each mounting area is an area set on the busbar mounting surface of the holder 6 assuming the mounting of each busbar 42, 44. Note that the size of the busbar 44 is slightly larger than that of the busbar 42, and therefore the mounting area 45 of the busbar 44 includes the mounting area 43 of the busbar 42.

The mounting area 43 of the busbar 42 and the mounting area 45 of the busbar 44 have a short side, a long side, and two side sides. The short side is parallel or nearly parallel to the long side and is shorter than the long side. The side side includes a curved side that is connected to the long side and curved along the terminal hole 32, and an inclined side that is connected to the curved side and the short side. The shape of the mounting areas 43, 45 is an isosceles trapezoid or a nearly isosceles trapezoid (i.e., an isosceles trapezoid with curved ends of each side). The mounting area 43 matches the outer shape of the busbar 42, and the mounting area 45 matches the outer shape of the busbar 44.

As shown in A of FIG. 4, the step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4 are disposed within the mounting area 43 of the busbar 42. The step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4 have the same height H1 (A of FIG. 5) with respect to the reference plane Rs (A of FIG. 5, B of FIG. 5) of the busbar mounting surface of the holder body 28. The step portion 36-1 is disposed near the long side of the mounting area 43 and the terminal hole 32. The step portion 36-2 is disposed near the curved side of the busbar 42 and the terminal hole 32, for example, between the curved side and the terminal hole 32. The step portion 36-3 is disposed near the inclined side of the mounting area 43. The step portion 36-4 is disposed near the terminal hole 32. The number of steps 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4 is, for example, two each, and the steps 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of symmetry of the mounting area 43, which is an isosceles trapezoid or a nearly isosceles trapezoid. The center of gravity of the busbar 42 is within the area surrounded by the steps 36-1, 36-2, and 36-3. Therefore, the steps 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4 can stably support the busbar 42. Furthermore, the steps 36-1, 36-2, and 36-4 are arranged evenly or nearly evenly around the terminal hole 32. Therefore, the steps 36-1, 36-2, and 36-4 can stably support the busbar 42 around the terminal hole 32. The reference surface Rs is set on the surface of the holder body 28 around the steps 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4, as shown in FIG. 5A. This reference surface Rs may be set on any surface for comparing the heights of the steps 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4, etc.

As shown in A of FIG. 4, the step portions 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 are adjacent to the mounting area 43 and are arranged so as to intermittently surround the mounting area 43. The step portions 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 have the same height H2 (B of FIG. 5) with respect to the reference plane Rs of the busbar mounting surface of the holder body 28, and are higher than the step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4. Therefore, the step portions 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 can restrict the horizontal movement of the busbar 42 placed on the step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4. As another method of restricting the horizontal movement of the busbar 42, a step portion (not shown) other than the step portions 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 may be provided.

The steps 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 are arranged in the mounting area 45 of the busbar 44, as shown in FIG. 4B. The step 38-1 is arranged near the long side of the mounting area 45. The step 38-2 is arranged near the short side and one side of the mounting area 45, and along this short side and one side. The step 38-3 is arranged near the other side of the mounting area 45, and along this other side. The step 38-3 is separated from the step 38-2 to ensure the connection passage 14. The center of gravity of the busbar 44 is within the area surrounded by the steps 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3. Therefore, the steps 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 can stably support the busbar 44.

The busbar mounting portion 34 includes a plurality of third step portions 46-1, 46-2 (hereinafter referred to as "step portions 46-1, 46-2"). As shown in FIG. 4B, the step portions 46-1, 46-2 are disposed adjacent to the mounting area 45 and so as to intermittently surround the mounting area 45. The step portions 46-1, 46-2 have a height greater than the step portions 38-1, 38-2, 38-3. Therefore, the step portions 46-1, 46-2 can restrict the horizontal movement of the busbar 44 mounted on the step portions 38-1, 38-2, 38-3.

The step portion 46-1 is disposed between adjacent mounting areas 45, and has a curved shape that follows the two curved sides of the adjacent mounting areas 45. Therefore, the curved sides of the busbar 44 disposed between the two step portions 46-1 are restricted by the step portion 46-1. In addition, because the step portion 46-1 is disposed between the mounting areas 45, the step portion 46-1 can prevent short circuits between adjacent busbars due to the intrusion of foreign matter, etc.

The step portion 46-2 has a curved shape that follows a part of the short side and the inclined side of the mounting area 45. The step portion 46-2 reinforces the restriction of the bus bar 44 by the step portion 46-1.

A in FIG. 5 shows an example of the placement state of bus bar 42, and B in FIG. 5 shows an example of the placement state of bus bar 44. FIGS. 5A and 5B are partial cross-sectional views of the first holder 6, electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2, and bus bars 42, 44, showing vertical cross sections that cross the steps 36-2, 38-2, 38-3, 46-1, and electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2.

Figure 6A shows an example of a welded electricity storage device module, and Figure 6B shows an example of a screwed electricity storage device module. The welded electricity storage device module 2 includes a bus bar 42, and the screwed electricity storage device module 2 includes a bus bar 44. In Figure 6A, weld marks formed by welding are omitted. In Figure 6B, some bolts are omitted.

The busbar 42 has two connection holes 48 at positions corresponding to the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2. The diameter of the connection holes 48 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the side portions 24 of the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2. Therefore, when the busbar 42 is placed, a portion of the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2 is disposed inside the connection holes 48, and the terminal end faces 26 are exposed. The height H1 of the step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, 36-4 is adjusted so that the outer surface of the busbar 42 coincides or nearly coincides with the terminal end faces 26 in the vertical direction. The upper edge of the connection holes 48 surrounds the terminal end faces 26, creating an excellent environment for welding the busbar 42 to the terminal end faces 26.

The lower surface of the busbar 42, i.e., the holder side surface, is separated from the reference plane Rs by the steps 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4. Therefore, the contact area of the busbar 42 with the holder 6 is reduced by the steps 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4, and a gap is formed between the busbar 42 and the holder body 28. This gap makes it difficult for the heat of the busbar 42, which is in a high temperature state during welding, to be transferred to the holder body 28, and can suppress damage to the holder body 28 due to heat.

The busbar 44 has two connection holes 50 at positions corresponding to the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2. The diameter of the connection holes 50 is smaller than the outer diameter of the side portions 24 of the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2 and slightly larger than the diameter of the threaded portions 22. Therefore, when the busbar 44 is placed, the lower surface of the busbar 44 is placed on the terminal end faces 26 of the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2. The height H2 of the step portions 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 is adjusted so that the lower surface of the busbar 44 contacts the terminal end faces 26. In other words, the step portions 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 have the same height as the terminal end faces 26. The connection holes 50 and the threaded portions 22 are arranged coaxially. When a male screw such as a bolt 52 (FIG. 6) is attached to the threaded portion 22, the edge of the connection hole 50 is sandwiched between the male screw and the terminal end face 26 and fixed to the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2. This creates a good environment for screw fastening.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the busbar 42 has a recessed portion 54. The recessed portion 54 is formed, for example, on the long side of the busbar 42, and the step portion 38-1 is located within the recessed portion 54 when the busbar 42 is placed. If the position of the recessed portion 54 is asymmetric in the isosceles trapezoidal or nearly isosceles trapezoidal busbar 42, the two main surfaces of the busbar 42 can be distinguished as the outer surface or the lower surface. If the busbar 42 is placed so that the lower surface is on the outer side, the step portion 38-1 will not be located within the recessed portion 54 and will abut against the surface of the busbar 42. This makes it possible to recognize the inversion of the surface.

Busbar 42 may have a screw hole 56 as shown in FIG. 6A, and busbar 44 may have a screw hole 56 as shown in FIG. 6B. Screw hole 56 is used, for example, to connect busbars 42, 44 to an additional circuit. Screw hole 56 is arranged, for example, on the axis of symmetry of busbars 42, 44. Busbars 42 and 44 are isosceles trapezoidal or nearly isosceles trapezoidal in shape, and the width of the central portion is wide, facilitating connection to an additional circuit. In addition, the cross section of the busbar perpendicular to the direction of current flow is wide, which can suppress the electrical resistance of the busbar.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the busbar 42 is arranged so that the outer surface of the busbar 42 coincides or nearly coincides with the terminal end surface 26 in the vertical direction. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 5B, the busbar 44 is arranged so that the lower surface of the busbar 44 is placed on the terminal end surface 26 of the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2. In other words, the area occupied by the busbar 42 when placed (i.e., the location where the busbar 42 is shown in FIG. 5A) and the area occupied by the busbar 44 when placed (i.e., the location where the busbar 44 is shown in FIG. 5B) are arranged to face each other, and the areas occupied by the busbars 42 and 44 are different in the height H1 and H2 directions.

When the power storage device module 2 includes a terminal member 12-1, the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2 arranged at both ends of the holder 6 are each connected to the adjacent terminal member 12-1 by a terminal bus bar 58 or a terminal bus bar 60. The terminal bus bar 58 is, for example, a welding bus bar, similar to the bus bar 42, and the terminal bus bar 60 is, for example, a screw-fastening bus bar, similar to the bus bar 44.

A busbar mounting portion similar to busbar mounting portion 34 is formed in the mounting area on which terminal busbars 58, 60 are mounted, and the busbar mounting portion on the terminal member 12-1 side includes, for example, a first step similar to steps 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, 36-4 and a second step similar to steps 38-1, 38-2, 38-3. Therefore, the busbar mounting portion can mount terminal busbar 58 using the first step, and can mount terminal busbar 60 using the second step.

The energy storage device module 2 can be manufactured, for example, by the following manufacturing procedure. The manufacturing procedure shown below is an example of a method for manufacturing an energy storage device module, and the technology disclosed herein is not limited to such a manufacturing procedure.

The power storage device 4, holders 6, 8, and holder connection member 10 are manufactured. In addition, depending on the specifications of the power storage device module 2, the bus bar 42 is manufactured, or the bus bar 44 and bolts 52 are manufactured. These components may be manufactured independently, or these manufactured components may be procured from an external source.

To produce the electricity storage device 4, the outer case 16, the electricity storage element, and the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2 are produced. Resin is then injected into a mold to which the produced electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2 are attached, to produce a sealing member 18 to which the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2 are attached. The electricity storage element and electrolyte are inserted into the interior of the outer case 16, the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2 are connected to the electricity storage element, and the sealing member 18 is attached to the opening of the outer case 16, to obtain the electricity storage device 4.

The holders 6, 8 and the holder connection member 10 are produced, for example, by resin molding or using a 3D printer. The bus bars 42, 44 are produced, for example, using sheet metal processing technology.

The power storage device 4 and holder connection member 10 are attached to the holders 6 and 8. The holder connection member 10 is fixed to the holders 6 and 8 to integrate these members.

Depending on the specifications of the power storage device module 2, the bus bar 42 or bus bar 44 is placed on the bus bar placement portion 34 of the holder 6, and the bus bar 42 or bus bar 44 is connected to the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2. When connecting the bus bar 42, the bus bar 42 is placed on the step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4, and for example, the upper edge of the connection hole 48 of the bus bar 42 is welded to the terminal end surface 26. When connecting the bus bar 44, the bus bar 44 is placed on the step portions 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3, and for example, the edge of the connection hole 50 of the bus bar 44 is sandwiched between the bolt 52 and the terminal end surface 26.

According to the embodiment, the following actions or effects can be obtained:

(1) Any of the busbars 42 and 44 can be placed on the busbar placement portion 34. The heights of the steps 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4 and the steps 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 are different, so that the placement heights of the busbars 42 and 44 can be different. When the busbar 42 is placed, the position of the outer surface of the busbar 42 coincides or nearly coincides with the position of the terminal end faces 26 of the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2. In addition, the upper edge of the connection hole 48 of the busbar 42 surrounds the terminal end faces 26, creating a good environment for welding the upper edge of the connection hole 48 to the terminal end faces 26. When the busbar 44 is placed, the lower surface of the busbar 44 comes into contact with the terminal end faces 26. The connection hole 50 of the busbar 44 and the threaded portions 22 of the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2 are coaxially arranged, creating a good environment for screwing and fixing.

(2) Any of the bus bars 42, 44 can be connected to the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2 without changing the power storage device 4 or the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2 of the power storage device 4. Therefore, it is not necessary to select the power storage device 4 or the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2 depending on the bus bar to be connected. This reduces the complexity of manufacturing the power storage device 4 and reduces the manufacturing load of the power storage device.

(3) There is no need to select the power storage device 4 or the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2 depending on the bus bar to be connected. This reduces the complexity of manufacturing the power storage device module 2, and reduces the manufacturing load of the power storage device module 2.

(4) Welding equipment is required for welding. Since the cost of welding equipment is a fixed cost, a welded energy storage device module 2 is unsuitable for small-scale production and is advantageous for mass production. Since a connection by welding is stronger than a screw-fastened energy storage device module 2, a welded energy storage device module 2 is advantageous in terms of vibration resistance and low power loss at the connection parts compared to a screw-fastened energy storage device module 2. On the other hand, in a screw-fastened energy storage device module 2, the busbar 44 can be easily removed from the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2 by removing the bolt 52. The energy storage device module 2 before the busbar connection can be used for either welding or screw-fastening, and can be used for a variety of production methods from small-scale production to mass production.

(5) It is possible to determine which of bus bars 42 and 44 is placed by observing the surface. This makes it possible to prevent connection errors during the process of connecting the bus bars to the electrode terminals 20-1 and 20-2.

Features and variations of the embodiment are listed below.

(1) In the above embodiment, welding and screw fastening are exemplified as multiple connection means of the bus bars 42, 44 to the electrode terminals 20-1, 20-2. However, the connection means may be other connection means such as simple contact, connection with conductive resin, connection with conductive metal such as solder, engagement connection with engagement pins and engagement holes, etc.

(2) Busbar mounting portion 34 may have the function of mounting busbars other than busbar 42 and busbar 44. For example, busbar mounting portion 34 may include steps other than the first, second, and third steps, and other busbars may be mounted on these steps. The height and position of the other steps may be set so as not to interfere with the mounting of busbar 42 and busbar 44, and the height of the other steps may be set according to the connection means of the other busbars.

(3) The step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4 may be configured to stably support the bus bar 42, and are not limited to the configurations already described in the embodiments. The step portions 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 may be configured to stably support the bus bar 44, and are not limited to the configurations already described in the embodiments. The step portions 46-1 and 46-2 may be configured to suppress the movement of the bus bar 44, and are not limited to the configurations already described in the embodiments. The step portions 36-1 and 36-4 may be elongated step portions, the step portion 36-2 may be separated from the step portion 38-3, and the step portion 36-2 may be an independent step portion. Also, some or all of the step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, and 36-4 may be connected. Step 38-1 may be an independent step or an elongated step, and steps 38-2 and 38-3 may be independent steps or point-like steps. Also, some or all of steps 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 may be connected together. That is, the first step and the second step may be a single connected step.

(4) In the above embodiment, the step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, 36-4, 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 have flat mounting surfaces. However, the step portions 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, 36-4, 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3 are not limited to a flat shape as long as they can support the bus bars 42 and 44. For example, some or all of the step portions may have a sharp or curved tip shape.

(5) In the above embodiment, the threaded portion 22 has a female thread, and a male thread such as a bolt 52 is attached to it. However, the threaded portion 22 may be a circular rod having a thread on the side, i.e., a male thread, and a female thread such as a nut may be attached to the threaded portion 22 of this rod.

(6) In the above embodiment, the busbars 42, 44 and the mounting areas 43, 45 have an isosceles trapezoid or a nearly isosceles trapezoid. However, the shapes of the busbars 42, 44 and the mounting areas 43, 45 are not limited to the shapes described above. If the busbars 42, 44 have a symmetrical shape, the busbars 42, 44 can be mounted on the busbar mounting portion 34 regardless of the front or back. If the busbars 42, 44 have an asymmetrical shape, the front or back can be set.

(7) In the above embodiment, the recessed portion 54 is formed on the long side of the busbar 42, and the step 38-1 is disposed within the recessed portion 54. However, the recessed portion 54 may be formed on a side other than the long side, and a step other than the step 38-1 may be disposed within the recessed portion 54. Also, a hole may be formed instead of the recessed portion 54, and a step other than the step 38-1 may be inserted into this hole. Even with this configuration, if the position of the recessed portion 54 or the hole is asymmetrical in the busbar 42, an outer surface and a lower surface can be set in the busbar 42.

(8) In the above embodiment, the recessed portion 54 is formed on the long side of the busbar 42. However, the recessed portion 54 may be omitted. In this case, the step portion 38-1 is disposed outside the long side of the mounting area 43 that does not include the recessed portion 54.

As explained above, the most preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, however, the present disclosure is not limited to the above description, and it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the specification, and such modifications and changes are naturally included in the scope of the present disclosure.

The technology of the present disclosure is useful, for example, as a power source or power storage device for mobile objects such as passenger cars and industrial vehicles.

2 Electricity storage device module 4 Electricity storage device 6 First holder 8 Second holder 10 Holder connection member 12-1, 12-2 Terminal member 13-1, 13-2 Engagement portion 14 Connection passage 15 Screw 16 Outer case 18 Sealing member 20-1, 20-2 Electrode terminal 22 Screw portion 24 Side portion 26 Terminal end surface 28 Holder body 30, 40 Wall portion 32 Terminal hole 34 Bus bar mounting portion 36-1, 36-2, 36-3, 36-4 First step portion (first mounting portion)
38-1, 38-2, 38-3 Second step portion (second placement portion)
Reference Signs List 41: Cushioning member 42: First bus bar 44: Second bus bar 43, 45: Placement area 46-1, 46-2: Third step portion 48, 50: Connection hole 52: Bolt 54: Setback portion 56: Screw hole 58, 60: Terminal bus bar

Claims (8)

A power storage device module including a holder body and a power storage device installed in the holder body,
the holder body is provided with a first mounting portion having a first step portion on which a first bus bar can be placed, and a second mounting portion having a second step portion on which a second bus bar having a shape different from that of the first bus bar can be placed,
The second step portion has a different height than the first step portion,
an area occupied by the first bus bar when the first bus bar is placed on the module and an area occupied by the second bus bar when the second bus bar is placed on the module are arranged to face each other. the electricity storage device includes an electrode terminal having a screw portion, a side portion, and a terminal end surface;
the electrode terminal penetrates the holder body, and the screw portion, the side surface portion and the terminal end surface protrude from the holder body,
2 . The power storage device module according to claim 1 , wherein the second step portion has the same or approximately the same height as the terminal end surface. A power storage device module including a holder body and a power storage device installed in the holder body,
the holder body is provided with a first mounting portion having a first step portion on which a first bus bar can be placed, and a second mounting portion having a second step portion on which a second bus bar having a shape different from that of the first bus bar can be placed,
the electricity storage device includes an electrode terminal having a screw portion, a side portion, and a terminal end surface;
the electrode terminal penetrates the holder body, and the screw portion, the side surface portion and the terminal end surface protrude from the holder body,
the second step portion has a different height from the first step portion and is the same or approximately the same height as the terminal end surface;
the power storage device module further includes the first bus bar placed on the first mounting portion,
the first bus bar has a connection hole at a position corresponding to the electrode terminal, and a diameter of the connection hole is larger than an outer diameter of the side surface portion;
A power storage device module, wherein a surface of the first bus bar coincides or nearly coincides with an end face of the terminal. The energy storage device module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second step portion is arranged at a position adjacent to the outside of the mounting area of the first bus bar defined in a top view of the mounting area of the first bus bar placed on the first mounting portion. The holder body further includes a third step portion higher than the second step portion,
5. The energy storage device module according to claim 1, wherein the third step portion is arranged at a position adjacent to the outside of a mounting area for the second bus bar that is defined in a top view by the mounting area for the second bus bar placed on the second mounting portion. the second bus bar is placed on the second placement portion,
the second bus bar has a connection hole at a position corresponding to the electrode terminal, the diameter of the connection hole being larger than the diameter of the screw portion;
3. The electric storage device module according to claim 2 , wherein the connection hole and the screw portion are arranged coaxially. a step of fabricating a holder body and a plurality of mounting portions that are installed on the holder body and that are capable of mounting an arbitrary bus bar among a plurality of bus bars having different shapes , the plurality of mounting portions including a first mounting portion having a first step portion that is capable of mounting a first bus bar as the arbitrary bus bar, and a second mounting portion having a second step portion that is capable of mounting a second bus bar as the arbitrary bus bar, the second step portion having a different height from the first step portion ;
a step of placing an electricity storage device having electrode terminals on the holder body;
placing the first bus bar or the second bus bar on the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion of the holder body;
a step of connecting the electrode terminal and the first bus bar or the second bus bar after placing the first bus bar or the second bus bar;
A method for manufacturing an electricity storage device module , comprising : 8. The method for manufacturing an electric storage device module according to claim 7, characterized in that in the step of connecting the electrode terminal to the first bus bar or the second bus bar, the first bus bar and the electrode terminal are welded together, or the second bus bar and the electrode terminal are screwed together.

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