WO2012114748A1

WO2012114748A1 - Capacitor module, and capacitor unit using same

Info

Publication number: WO2012114748A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/001226
Authority: WO
Inventors: 川崎　周作; 向志秋政; 村上　孝晴; 秀樹島本; 三浦　照久; 井上　健彦
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2011-02-24
Filing date: 2012-02-23
Publication date: 2012-08-30

Abstract

　A capacitor module has: a first and a second capacitor; a holder; and a first through to a third conductive connection member. One end of each of the first and second connection members is respectively connected to one electrode of the first and second capacitor, and the other end is exposed outside of the holder. The holder has: coupling portions provided on both side surfaces thereof; and protrusions protruding from the coupling portions. Each coupling portion has a concave portion which opens on the upper surface and/or lower surface thereof. The aforementioned other end of each of the connection members has a contact portion and a terminal strip. The contact portion is in contact with the upper surface of the coupling portion. The terminal strip is joined to the contact portion, and extends from the coupling portion to the outside of the holder. This capacitor module enables the connection of capacitor module groups.

Description

Power storage module and power storage unit using the same

The present invention relates to a power storage module mainly used as an auxiliary power source for a vehicle and a power storage unit using the same.

In recent years, development of automobiles (hereinafter referred to as vehicles) equipped with a hybrid system and an idling stop system has been promoted rapidly from the viewpoint of protecting the global environment. Accordingly, various proposals have been made on a system for regenerating the braking energy of the vehicle as electric energy and a system for assisting the motor drive of the hybrid vehicle at the time of sudden acceleration or the like.

In the case of a regenerative system, it is necessary to store the suddenly changing braking energy as electrical energy in the electric storage element as much as possible, and in the case of a motor drive assist system, it is necessary to supply a large current when the vehicle is accelerated rapidly. Therefore, a system using a power storage device that is more excellent in quick charge / discharge characteristics than a battery as a power storage element has attracted particular attention.

However, in order to store electric power that can accelerate the vehicle rapidly, a power storage device that can be charged and discharged is required. An example of this power storage device is a large-capacity capacitor such as an electric double layer capacitor. In such a power storage device, in order to exchange more power with other electronic devices, it is necessary to increase the voltage applied during charge / discharge. Therefore, it is necessary to electrically connect a large number of power storage devices.

For example, a configuration described in Patent Document 1 is known for a power storage unit in which a large number of power storage devices are connected to each other.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional power storage unit 100.

As shown in FIG. 14, the conventional power storage unit 100 is configured by arranging a plurality of power storage modules 102 containing a plurality of capacitors 101 in two upper and lower stages and electrically connecting them. Adjacent power storage modules 102 are mechanically coupled by a clip 103 and electrically connected by a connector. In this way, the power storage unit 100 that is an aggregate of a large number of capacitors 101 is configured.

That is, in the conventional power storage unit 100, the power storage modules 102 can be connected to each other only by mechanical connection by the clip 103 and electrical connection by the connector.

Generally, when changing the specifications of a power storage unit, it is necessary to newly design the shape, size, etc. of the power storage unit according to the changed specifications. In that case, in the conventional power storage unit 100, it is possible to cope with a specification change to some extent by reconnecting the power storage modules 102 and increasing or decreasing the number of power storage modules 102, and the connection can be easily performed.

Thus, the conventional power storage unit 100 can reduce the complexity of work associated with the specification change.

However, in the conventional power storage unit 100, the mechanical connection between the power storage modules 102 is performed by the clip 103, so that the number of parts increases. In addition, since the mechanical connection between the power storage modules 102 depends only on the clip 103, it is difficult to say that the structure has sufficient mechanical strength against vibrations or the like received from the outside when the vehicle is used.

Furthermore, in order to connect the power storage modules 102 to each other, it is necessary to separately perform mechanical connection and electrical connection work, and the work becomes complicated.

JP 2006-324350 A

The power storage module of the present invention has a first power storage device, a second power storage device, a holder, a first connection member having conductivity, a second connection member having conductivity, and conductivity. A third connecting member. One end of the first connection member is connected to one electrode of the first power storage device, and the other end is exposed to the outside of the holder. One end of the second connection member is connected to one electrode of the second power storage device, and the other end is exposed to the outside of the holder. The third connection member electrically connects the plurality of power storage devices. The holder has a connecting portion provided on both side surfaces of the holder and a protrusion protruding from the connecting portion. The connecting portion has an upper surface, a lower surface, a side surface that surrounds the upper surface and the lower surface, and a recess that opens to at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface. The other end of the connection member has a contact portion and a terminal piece. The abutting portion abuts on the upper surface of the connecting portion. The terminal piece is connected to the contact portion and extends from the connection portion to the outside. The terminal piece extends in parallel with the protruding direction of the protrusion of the connecting portion.

This power storage module can be easily connected to other power storage modules.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the capacitor of the power storage module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holder of the power storage module in the first embodiment. 3A is a perspective view of a connection member of the power storage module according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the connection member of the power storage module according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before the connection member, the second connection member, and the third connection member of the power storage module according to Embodiment 1 are arranged on the holder. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state after the connection member, the second connection member, and the third connection member of the power storage module according to Embodiment 1 are arranged on the holder. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the power storage module shown in FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the power storage unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the power storage module of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a connection member of the power storage module according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of another connecting member of the power storage unit according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of still another connection member of the power storage unit according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a configuration of still another connection member of the power storage unit according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a configuration of still another connection member of the power storage unit according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a conventional power storage unit.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the structure of the electrical storage module and electrical storage unit of Embodiment 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a capacitor 1 which is an example of a power storage device used in the power storage module according to the first embodiment. In each of the following embodiments, the power storage device is not limited to a capacitor, and may be a storage battery such as a lead storage battery or a lithium ion secondary battery.

In FIG. 1, the capacitor 1 includes an element 2, a case 4, a joint 5 a provided so as to protrude from the inner bottom surface of the case 4, a protrusion 5 b provided outside the case 4, and a current collector plate 7. And a sealing rubber 10. The element 2 is accommodated in the case 4 with a hollow portion 3 provided at the center thereof. The element 2 is configured by arranging an anode electrode 2a (positive electrode) and a cathode electrode 2b (negative electrode) in opposite directions. Each of the anode electrode 2a and the cathode electrode 2b includes a current collector made of, for example, an aluminum foil, and a polarizable electrode layer except for a polarizable electrode layer-unformed portion at one end on the surface of the current collector. The anode electrode 2a and the cathode electrode 2b are wound in a state where respective polarizable electrode layer-unformed portions are arranged at both ends of the element 2, are superposed at different positions, and a separator is interposed therebetween. . In other words, each polarizable electrode layer unformed portion of the anode electrode 2a and the cathode electrode 2b is configured to be exposed at the opposing end surfaces. With this configuration, the anode electrode 2a and the cathode electrode 2b are respectively taken out from both end faces of the element 2, that is, the vertical direction in FIG. In the capacitor 1, the anode electrode 2a is taken out from the upper direction in FIG. 1, and the cathode electrode 2b is taken out from the lower direction.

Case 4 is made of aluminum and has a bottomed cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. The case 4 accommodates the element 2 together with the electrolytic solution therein. The cathode electrode 2 b exposed at the lower end surface of the element 2 is crushed by a joint portion 5 a provided so as to protrude from the inner bottom surface of the case 4. The case 4 and the cathode electrode 2b are mechanically and electrically joined by irradiating laser light from the outside of the case 4 and performing laser welding. With this configuration, the cathode electrode 2 b of the element 2 can be taken out from the protruding portion 5 b provided outside the case 4.

A current collector plate 7 formed by processing an aluminum material is a terminal member for taking out the anode electrode 2a of the element 2 to the outside, and is disposed on the opening end side of the case 4 and connected to the anode electrode 2a. The current collector plate 7 has a terminal portion 8 and a joint portion 9. One end of the terminal portion 8 is exposed to the outside of the case 4 for external connection. The terminal portion 8 may have a configuration in which different parts are joined and integrated. The joint portion 9 is a convex portion formed by partially denting a part of the flat portion of the current collector plate 7, and partially protrudes from the surface opposite to the surface on which the terminal portion 8 is provided. The anode electrode 2 a of the element 2 is crushed by the joint portion 9 and is mechanically and electrically joined to the joint portion 9 by irradiating laser light from the outside of the current collector plate 7 and performing laser welding. With this configuration, the anode electrode 2a of the element 2 can be taken out from the terminal portion 8 to the outside.

A sealing rubber 10 is disposed on the upper surface side of the current collecting plate 7, and the current collecting plate 7 and the case 4 are insulated by the sealing rubber 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the sealing rubber 10 has an annular wall portion 11 on the lower surface. In Embodiment 1, the wall part 11 is provided in the outer peripheral end of the lower surface. By arranging the wall portion 11 on the outer periphery of the current collector plate 7, the current collector plate 7 and the case 4 are insulated. A through hole 12 is provided in the center of the sealing rubber 10. The terminal portion 8 of the current collector plate 7 is inserted into the through hole 12, and the tip of the terminal portion 8 is exposed to the outside of the sealing rubber 10.

After the sealing rubber 10 is disposed at a predetermined position as described above, the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the opening of the case 4 is subjected to horizontal drawing processing (lateral drawing processing portion 4a) and the case 4 as shown in FIG. The open end of the sheet is compressed by curling (curling part 4b). With this configuration, the case 4 is sealed.

In Embodiment 1, isobutylene isoprene rubber (IIR) is used as the material of the sealing rubber 10. Although IIR does not permeate the electrolyte, the gas generated inside the capacitor 1 can escape to the outside. The material of the sealing rubber 10 may be other than IIR as long as it has the same characteristics. For example, ethylene propylene terpolymer (EPT), or a mixture of isobutylene isoprene rubber (IIR) and ethylene propylene terpolymer (EPT). Goods are preferred.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the sealing rubber 10 made of IIR is used, and the gas generated inside the capacitor 1 is released to the outside by the sealing rubber 10, so that it is not necessary to use a pressure regulating valve. As a result, the capacitor 1 can be placed horizontally or upside down.

Therefore, a power storage module using a plurality of capacitors 1 according to the first embodiment and a power storage unit formed by connecting power storage modules can correspond to various arrangements and have a high degree of mounting freedom.

In addition, the anode 1 2 a exposed on one end face of the element 2 is joined to the current collector plate 7, and the cathode electrode 2 b exposed on the other end face of the element 2 is connected to the inner bottom surface of the case 4. However, a configuration in which the polarity is reversed may be used. That is, the anode electrode 2 a of the element 2 may be taken out from the case 4 and the cathode electrode 2 b of the element 2 may be taken out from the terminal portion 8 provided on the current collector plate 7. In this way, a capacitor 13 (see FIG. 6) in the first embodiment is obtained by reversing the method of taking out the electrodes with respect to the capacitor 1.

In addition, although Embodiment 1 demonstrates using the

capacitors

1 and 13 with the extraction directions of an anode and a cathode which were the above reverse directions, the structure of a capacitor is not limited to this. For example, a capacitor having a configuration in which both the anode and the cathode can be drawn from one side may be used.

The power storage module of Embodiment 1 is configured using the capacitor 1 and the capacitor 13.

Next, the holder 14 for accommodating the

capacitors

1 and 13 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holder 14 according to the first embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the upper part in FIG. 2 is explained as the upper part of the holder 14, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it is possible to use the holder 14 by turning it upside down from the state shown in FIG. 2 or putting the holder 14 in a horizontal state. The same applies to the description of the power storage units of the other embodiments.

The holder 14 of Embodiment 1 is formed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS resin) having excellent heat resistance and impact resistance. As shown in FIG. 2, the holder 14 has a box shape and is hollow inside to accommodate the capacitor. The holder 14 can be divided into two in the thickness direction, that is, the direction intersecting with the capacitor arrangement direction in FIG. When the capacitor is accommodated in the holder 14, the holder 14 is divided, the capacitor is arranged at a predetermined position inside the holder 14, and then the divided holder 14 is accommodated by engaging and sealing. In addition to the ABS resin, a material for forming the holder 14 may be a polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT resin), a polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS resin), or a material obtained by adding glass fibers to these.

As described above, the holder 14 accommodates the capacitor 1 and the capacitor 13 therein. The manner in which the

capacitors

1 and 13 are accommodated and the electrical connection between the

capacitors

1 and 13 will be described later with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the holder 14 accommodates a total of four capacitors. When the capacitor is accommodated in the holder 14, a part of the upper end surface of the capacitor including the terminal portion 8 is exposed from the circular opening 16 provided in the upper part of the holder 14. The diameter of the opening 16 is designed to be smaller than the diameter of the upper end surface of the capacitor. For this reason, when the capacitor is accommodated in the holder 14, the capacitor does not come out from the opening 16, and the capacitor is firmly fixed in the holder 14. In FIG. 2, an opening 16 is also provided on the bottom surface of the holder 14. When the capacitor is accommodated in the holder 14, a part of the lower end surface of the capacitor including the protruding portion 5 b is exposed downward from the holder 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, four heat dissipation holes 17 are provided on the side surface of the holder 14. The heat radiating hole 17 is provided so as to face the capacitor accommodated therein, and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the capacitor is exposed from the heat radiating hole 17. During actual use, heat generated from the capacitor is released to the outside of the holder 14 through the heat radiating hole 17. At this time, since the capacitor according to the first embodiment has the case 4 made of metal, the metal portion is exposed from the heat radiation hole 17. Therefore, heat dissipation improves. In the first embodiment, the heat radiating holes 17 are provided apart from each other, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As long as the required strength is satisfied, for example, one heat dissipation hole 17 may be provided over substantially the entire side surface of the holder 14. In this case, heat dissipation can be further improved. It is also possible to reduce the weight while simultaneously reducing the amount of ABS resin used as the material of the holder 14 by providing a groove between the heat radiating holes 17.

Two connecting portions 15 are integrally formed with the holder 14 on the side surface of the holder 14. These two connecting portions 15 are provided so as to protrude outward from the side surfaces of the holder 14 facing each other. That is, the two connecting portions 15 are provided on both side surfaces of the holder 14 positioned at both ends of the four capacitors in the juxtaposed direction.

The connecting portion 15 has an upper surface, a lower surface, a side surface surrounding the upper surface and the lower surface, and a recess opening in at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface. On the side surface of the connecting portion 15, a protrusion 18 having a trapezoidal shape when viewed from above is provided integrally with the connecting portion 15. The protrusion 18 of the first embodiment is provided so as to protrude from the side surface in a direction parallel to the upper surface or the lower surface of the connecting portion 15. Furthermore, the protrusion 18 may be provided so as to be parallel to the side surface of the holder 14. The protrusion 18 is not provided from the upper surface to the lower surface of the connecting portion 15, but is provided from the upper surface to slightly above the lower surface as shown in FIG. The shape of the protrusion 18 in a top view is a trapezoid. Of the upper base and the lower base constituting the trapezoidal shape, the side provided with the long side is located on the outermost side from the connecting portion 15, and the side provided with the short side is connected to the connecting portion 15. The protrusion 18 is provided on either of the two connecting portions 15 of the holder 14, and the protruding direction is the same direction.

The groove part 19 which is a recessed part is carved in the side surface on the opposite side to the side surface in which the protrusion 18 is provided of the connection part 15. As shown in FIG. The groove portion 19 opens to the upper surface of the connecting portion 15, and the shape of the groove portion 19 in the top view is the same trapezoid as the upper surface of the protrusion 18. In accordance with the trapezoidal protrusion 18, the groove 19 has an upper wall and a lower floor that form a trapezoidal shape, the side provided with the long side forms the inner wall of the groove 19, and the side having the short side is the connecting part 15. Configure the opening on the side. The groove portion 19 is a portion to be fitted with the protrusion 18 when connecting a plurality of power storage modules, and the storage modules are fixed by the protrusion 18 and the groove portion 19. Similar to the protrusion 18, the groove 19 is not provided from the upper end to the lower end of the connecting portion 15, but is provided from the upper end to slightly above the lower end.

In addition, although the screw hole 20 is drilled in the upper surface of the connection part 15, this screw hole 20 is demonstrated later using FIG.

Next, the connecting member 21 and the connecting member 22 used in Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. 3A is a perspective view of the connection member 21 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the connection member 22 according to the first embodiment.

First, the connection member 21 for electrically connecting the capacitor accommodated in the holder 14 and the outside will be described. In addition, the connection aspect of the capacitor accommodated in the connection member 21 and the holder 14 is demonstrated later using FIG. 4, FIG.

The connecting member 21 has conductivity, one end of the capacitor is connected to one end, and the other end is exposed to the outside of the holder 14. As shown in FIG. 3A, the connecting member 21 includes a straight portion 23, a bent portion 24, a contact portion 25, and a terminal piece 26, all of which are integrally formed of a conductive material such as aluminum. Has been.

A linear portion 23 is provided at one end of the connecting member 21. The straight line portion 23 contacts the terminal portion 8 of the capacitor exposed from the opening 16 when the connection member 21 is disposed on the holder 14. Thus, the connecting member 21 can take out the anode electrode 2a or the cathode electrode 2b of the element 2 of the capacitor to the outside by the linear portion 23 coming into contact with the terminal portion 8. As shown in FIG. 3A, a welding mark 27 is provided on the linear portion 23. The welding mark 27 indicates a position where the linear portion 23 contacts the terminal portion 8 when the connection member 21 is disposed on the holder 14. That is, by performing laser welding using the welding mark 27 as a mark, the straight line portion 23 and the terminal portion 8 of the capacitor are joined and electrically connected.

On the other hand, a contact portion 25 and a terminal piece 26 are provided at the other end of the connection member 21.

The abutting portion 25 is a portion that abuts on the upper surface of the connecting portion 15 of the connecting member 21 when the connecting member 21 is disposed on the holder 14. Since the straight portion 23 and the contact portion 25 are connected via a bent portion 24 that is bent in a crank shape, the contact portion 25 is positioned below the straight portion 23. The contact portion 25 is provided with through holes 28 in the opposing direction of the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting portion 15.

The terminal piece 26 is electrically connected to the contact portion 25 and extends from the connecting portion 15 to the outside. The connecting member 21 has a bent portion 24 a that bends in a crank shape from the contact portion 25 to the terminal piece 26. In the vertical direction of the drawing, the position of the bottom surface of the terminal piece 26 and the height of the top surface of the contact portion 25 are designed to coincide. That is, the bottom surface of the terminal piece 26 is higher than the lower surface of the contact portion 25 by the thickness of the contact portion 25. A through hole 29 having the same diameter as the above-described through hole 28 is provided in the center of the terminal piece 26.

Next, the connection member 22 for electrically connecting the capacitor 1 and the capacitor 13 accommodated in the holder 14 will be described. In addition, the connection aspect of the connection member 22 and the capacitor 1 and the capacitor 13 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The connection member 22 is formed of a conductive material such as aluminum and has a linear shape as shown in FIG. 3B. Weld marks 30 are provided in the vicinity of both ends of the connection member 22. When the connection member 22 is disposed on the holder 14, the terminals of the

capacitors

1 and 13, or The protruding portions 5b of the capacitor 1 and the capacitor 13 are positioned above the welding mark 30. That is, by performing laser welding using the welding mark 30 as a mark, the connecting member 22 and the terminal portion 8 or the connecting member 22 and the protruding portion 5b are joined and electrically connected.

Next, the arrangement of the connection member 21 and the connection member 22 in the holder 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before the connection member 21 and the connection member 22 of the first embodiment are arranged on the holder 14, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the connection member 21 and the connection member 22 of the first embodiment to the holder 14. It is the perspective view which showed the state after arrange | positioning.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connection member 21 is placed on the upper surface of the holder 14 and the upper surface of the connecting portion 15. The connection member 21 is electrically joined to the capacitor terminal portions 8 arranged at both ends of the capacitors accommodated in the holder 14 and draws out the electrode of the capacitor to the outside. A groove 31 is provided from the opening 16 at both ends to the connecting portion 15, and the width of the groove 31 is the same as the width of the straight portion 23 and the bent portion 24 of the connecting member 21. It should be noted that “same” in this embodiment includes substantially the same, and the same applies to each of the following embodiments. When the connecting member 21 is disposed, the connecting member 21 is fitted into the groove 31, and the connecting member 21 is easily fixed to the holder 14. The connecting portion 15 has a screw hole 20 formed in the upper surface and having an opening surface parallel to the opening surface of the groove portion 19. Thus, when the connecting member 21 is disposed at an appropriate position using the groove 31, the screw hole 20 is formed on the upper surface of the connecting portion 15 so as to be positioned just below the through hole 28 of the contact portion 25. ing. As a result, the through hole 28 and the screw hole 20 are in a through state. Furthermore, the welding marks 27 of the connection member 21 are also located just above the capacitor terminal portions 8 located at both ends.

The two connecting members 21 shown in FIG. 4 are mirror images of each other, and strictly speaking, the shapes are different. However, since the role of pulling out the electrode of the capacitor is the same, the description will be given with the same number.

In the first embodiment, three connection members 22 are used. Two connecting members 22 shown below in FIG. 4 electrically connect the protruding portions 5 b of the cases 4 of the

adjacent capacitors

1 and 13. On the other hand, the connection member 22 shown at the top in FIG. 4 electrically connects the terminal portions 8 of the current collector plates 7 of the

adjacent capacitors

1 and 13. In the following, the arrangement of the connection member 22 on the holder 14 will be described by taking the connection member 22 shown above as an example.

As shown in FIG. 4, a groove 32 is provided between two openings 16 provided near the center of the upper surface of the holder 14. The width of the groove 32 is the same as the width of the connection member 22. Therefore, when the connection member 22 is disposed, the connection member 22 fits into the groove 32, and the connection member 22 can be easily fixed to the holder 14. The length of the connecting member 22 is designed to be the same as the length from the left end of the left opening 16 to the right end of the right opening 16 in FIG. 4 among the two openings 16 provided near the center. Has been. Therefore, the connecting member 22 can be appropriately disposed at a predetermined position by combining both ends of the connecting member 22 and the above-described ends of the two openings 16 as shown in FIG. Thus, when the connection member 22 is appropriately disposed on the holder 14, the welding marks 30 provided near both ends of the connection member 22 are positioned just above the terminal portions 8 of the capacitor 1 and the capacitor 13. Is provided.

The two connecting members 22 shown in the lower part of FIG. 4 are also fitted in the grooves 32 provided between the openings 16 on the bottom surface of the holder 14 as described above, and both ends of the connecting member 22 are adjacent to each other. It arrange | positions according to each edge part of the two opening parts 16. FIG. When the connecting member 22 is properly disposed on the holder 14, the welding mark 30 is designed to be positioned just below the protruding portion 5 b of the case 4.

Thus, when the connection member 21 and the connection member 22 are arranged in the holder 14, the state shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. Since the thickness of the connection member 21 and the connection member 22 is smaller than the depth of the groove 31 and the groove 32, the connection member 21 or the connection member 22 does not protrude upward from the upper surface of the holder 14.

The terminal piece 26 of the connection member 21 is located above the protrusion 18 when the connection member 21 is disposed on the holder 14, and extends from the upper surface of the connecting portion 15 to the outside in parallel to the protrusion 18. It has become. That is, the terminal piece 26 and the protrusion 18 protrude in the same direction. In the first embodiment, the terminal piece 26 is provided on the protruding portion 18 side. However, the terminal piece 26 may be provided on the groove portion 19 side. That is, the terminal piece 26 and the protrusion 18 may protrude in the opposite direction. At this time, the positions in the opposing direction of the upper and lower surfaces of the protrusion 18 and the groove portion 19 are arranged in opposite directions. That is, when the terminal piece 26 and the protrusion 18 protrude in opposite directions, the groove 19 opens on the lower surface of the connecting portion 15. In this case, although the connection part 15 had the location where the protrusion 18 was not formed in the lower surface side of a side surface, the structure where the location where the protrusion 18 is not formed is located in the upper surface side is preferable. That is, instead of providing the protrusion 18 from the upper surface of the connecting portion 15 slightly above the lower surface, the protrusion 18 may be provided from the lower surface of the connecting portion 15 slightly below the upper surface.

Further, the connection member 21 according to the first embodiment is connected to the connecting portion 15 by connecting one end of the upper surface of the holder 14 to the capacitor and the other end including the contact portion 25 to the upper surface of the connecting portion 15. However, it is not limited to this. The connection member 21 may be configured such that one end of the connection member 21 is positioned on the upper surface of the holder 14 and the other end including the contact portion 25 is in contact with the lower surface of the coupling portion 15.

Using the welding mark 27 and the welding mark 30, the connecting member 21, the connecting member 22, and the capacitor accommodated in the holder are joined by laser welding. As a result, the power storage module of Embodiment 1 is completed.

Next, details of the structure of the power storage module shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of the power storage module shown in FIG.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the

capacitors

1 and 13 are alternately arranged in the holder 14 in order from the left side. In FIG. 6, the capacitors accommodated in these holders 14 are referred to as a capacitor 1a, a capacitor 13a, a capacitor 1b, and a capacitor 13b in order from the left side. Thus, four capacitors are arranged in a row in the holder 14. The two connecting portions 15 are formed so as to protrude outward from both side surfaces of the holder 14 positioned in the direction in which these capacitors are juxtaposed.

The terminal portions 8 of the capacitor 1a arranged at the left end and the capacitor 13b arranged at the right end are joined to one end of the connection member 21, respectively. Thus, the anode electrode 2a of the capacitor 1a and the cathode electrode 2b of the capacitor 13b are drawn out. The connecting member 21 is placed along the upper surface and side surfaces (grooves 31) of the holder 14 and the upper surface of the connecting portion 15, and the straight portion 23 of the connecting member 21 and the upper surface of the holder 14 are in contact with each other. The side surface of the holder 14 is in contact, and the contact portion 25 and the upper surface of the connecting portion 15 are in contact. As described above, since the connection member 21 is disposed in close contact with the holder 14 and the coupling portion 15, for example, the power storage module according to the first embodiment is resistant to vibration received from the outside when used for in-vehicle use. Are better.

The protruding portion 5b of the capacitor 1a and the protruding portion 5b of the capacitor 13a, the terminal portion 8 of the capacitor 13a and the terminal portion 8 of the capacitor 1b, and the protruding portion 5b of the capacitor 1b and the protruding portion 5b of the capacitor 13b are connected by the connecting member 22, respectively. Yes. By connecting the adjacent protruding portions 5b and the terminal portions 8 with the connecting member 22 in this way, the capacitor 1a, the capacitor 13a, the capacitor 1b, and the capacitor 13b are electrically connected in series.

In addition, since the partition 33 is provided between adjacent capacitors and between connecting members, these capacitors and connecting members do not come into contact with each other and are not short-circuited. In particular, in the capacitor according to the first embodiment, since the case 4 has polarity, the present configuration in which the capacitors 33 are separated from each other by the partition wall 33 is important.

With the above configuration, the power storage module according to the first embodiment is electrically connected in series from the leftmost connecting member 21 to the rightmost connecting member 21.

In the first embodiment, the number of capacitors accommodated in the holder 14 is four. However, the present invention is not limited to this. However, in order to pull out the anode electrode 2a and the cathode electrode 2b from the terminal portions 8 of the capacitors at both ends by the connecting member 21, in the case where the capacitor is configured to pull out the anode and the cathode from the reverse direction, the capacitor accommodated in the holder 14 The number of is always an even number. This is because if the number of capacitors accommodated in the holder 14 is an odd number, either one of the connecting members 21 must be connected to the case 4 in order to pull out the electrodes to the outside. When the number of capacitors to be accommodated is two, the connection member 22 is configured to connect only the protrusions 5 b of the capacitor 1 and the capacitor 13, and the connection member 22 is disposed only on the bottom surface of the holder 14.

However, in order to draw the anode electrode 2a and the cathode electrode 2b from the terminal portions 8 of the capacitors at both ends as described above, the number of capacitors to be accommodated is an even number. However, the number of capacitors is not limited to this, and the number of capacitors is an odd number. It is also possible to do. That is, when the number of capacitors is an odd number, one of the connection members 21 may be connected to the case 4 as described above. That is, the end of the connecting member 21 on the side connected to the capacitor is extended to the lower end of the capacitor, and the protruding portion 5b of the capacitor and the end of the connecting member 21 are connected. Alternatively, the capacitor 1 and the capacitor 13 used in the first embodiment have a configuration in which the polarity is also given to the case 4, so that the end of the connection member 21 on the side connected to the capacitor is the side surface of the case 4. Or you may make it contact with the curling process part 4b.

The power storage unit of the first embodiment has a plurality of power storage modules connected to each other, and the pair of protrusions 18 of one power storage module among the plurality of power storage modules is another power storage adjacent to this one power storage module. The pair of grooves 19 of the module are respectively fitted. In addition, a pair of terminal pieces 26 of one power storage module is in contact with a pair of contact portions 25 of another power storage module. Thereby, the plurality of power storage modules are electrically connected. Hereinafter, the effect of the power storage module of Embodiment 1 and the power storage unit using this power storage module will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a power storage unit manufactured by connecting the power storage modules of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the projections 18 of the connection part 15 of one storage module of the first embodiment are engaged with the groove 19 of the other adjacent storage module to connect the storage modules. When the protrusion 18 and the terminal piece 26 are provided in the same direction as shown in FIG. 7, the protrusion 18 of one power storage module to be connected is connected to the other power storage module from above the other power storage module. Is fitted in the groove portion 19. In the connected state, it is arranged so that the upper surface of the contact portion 25 of the other power storage module is in contact with the lower surface of the terminal piece 26 of one power storage module.

The protrusion 18 and the groove 19 are provided with the same length from the upper end of the connecting portion 15 to slightly above the lower end. Therefore, when the protrusion 18 is inserted to the lower end of the groove 19, the upper surfaces of the connecting portions 15 of the adjacent energy storage modules and the upper surfaces of the holders 14 are flush with each other. Further, the upper surface of the protrusion 18 and the upper surface of the connecting portion 15 are the same surface. The configuration in which the protrusion 18 and the groove portion 19 are not provided to the lower end but is provided slightly above the lower end also acts as a retaining when the power storage modules are connected to each other.

Furthermore, since the protrusion 18 and the groove 19 are trapezoidal, they do not come off in the left-right direction. Note that the shape of the protrusion 18 is not limited to a trapezoidal shape, and it is possible to prevent the protrusion 18 from coming off in the horizontal direction even if it has a shape whose diameter increases toward the tip.

As described above, the power storage module of Embodiment 1 can be connected by fitting the protrusion 18 and the groove 19 without using other members, and can be firmly connected to each other.

In the above description, the projecting portion 18 and the terminal piece 26 protrude in the same direction, and the groove portion 19 that is a recess located on the opposite side of the projecting portion 18 is opened on the upper surface of the connecting portion 15. Not limited to. For example, the protrusion 18 and the terminal piece 26 may protrude in opposite directions, and the groove portion 19 that is a recess may be open to the lower surface of the connecting portion 15. In this case, the protrusion 18 and the groove 19 are provided with the same length from the lower end of the connecting portion 15 to a position slightly below the upper end. Also in this case, the protrusions 18 of the two connecting portions 15 located on both side surfaces of the power storage module protrude in the same direction, and the terminal pieces 26 of the two connection members 21 protrude in the same direction. preferable. Thus, when the protrusion 18 and the terminal piece 26 are provided in the opposite directions, the protrusion 18 of one connected energy storage module is connected to the groove of the other energy storage module from below the other energy storage module. 19 is fitted.

In addition, in Embodiment 1, when the opening direction of the groove part 19 is two directions, the side surface of the connection part 15, and an upper surface or a lower surface, the shape of the protrusion 18 and the groove part 19 is not limited to the said trapezoid shape. As for the protrusion 18, the width | variety in a top view should just be smaller than the other location far from the connection part 15 in one location near the connection part 15 in at least two places in the position where a protrusion direction differs. For example, the protrusion 18 and the groove 19 may be T-shaped or cross-shaped. By doing in this way, when the protrusion part 18 of one electrical storage module and the groove part 19 of another electrical storage module are mutually fitted and connected, it does not remove | deviate in the left-right direction.

In Embodiment 1, the groove portion 19 is an example of a recess, but the shape of the recess is not limited to the groove shape. For example, the concave portion may have a hole shape that opens to only one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the connecting portion 15. Further, the recesses may or may not penetrate from the upper surface to the lower surface of the connecting portion 15, and the number of the recesses in the opening direction is not limited. In accordance with the opening direction of the concave portion, the protruding direction of the protruding portion 18 only needs to protrude in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the terminal piece 26 at least. That is, the protrusion 18 may be configured to protrude in a direction other than the extending direction of the terminal piece 26. For example, when the concave portion opens only on one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the connecting portion 15, or when it does not open on the side surface of the connecting portion 15, the end of the protrusion 18 protrudes in the vertical direction of the connecting portion 15. It will be necessary. However, a portion protruding in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the terminal piece 26 is required on the way to the portion protruding in the vertical direction. That is, the protrusion 18 has a portion protruding in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the terminal piece 26 on the way to the end protruding in the vertical direction. The portion protruding in the parallel direction corresponds to the protrusion 18 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, at the same time that the protrusion 18 is fitted in the groove 19, the connection member 21 overlaps and contacts the connection member 21 of the adjacent power storage module. As a result, adjacent power storage modules are electrically connected to form a power storage unit.

That is, the power storage module of Embodiment 1 can perform electrical connection simultaneously with the mechanical connection by the protrusion 18 and the groove 19 of the connecting portion 15. As a result, for example, it is possible to reduce the complexity of work when changing the specification by changing the required performance of the power storage unit, and it is possible to easily cope with the specification change. As described above, the power storage module according to Embodiment 1 can appropriately cope with the required specifications such as voltage and capacity only by adjusting the number of power storage modules to be connected.

In addition, the connecting member 21 has a bent portion 24a bent in a crank shape from the contact portion 25 to the terminal piece 26, and the bent portion 24a causes the bottom surface of the terminal piece 26 to be in contact with the upper surface of the contact portion 25 of the adjacent power storage module. It becomes the same height. Therefore, the connection member 21 can be connected without applying unnecessary stress to the connection member 21 when the connection member 21 is overlapped with the connection member 21 of the adjacent power storage module. If it is formed in a straight line from the contact portion 25 to the terminal piece 26, when the connection member 21 is stacked on the connection member 21 of the adjacent power storage module, the connection portion between the contact portion 25 and the terminal piece 26 is It can be bent and damaged. Thus, the connection member 21 of Embodiment 1 has a reduced possibility of breakage and is highly reliable.

Furthermore, the terminal piece 26 of the connecting member 21 is designed to be shorter than the length from the protruding portion 18 to the groove portion 19 of the connecting portion 15. For this reason, when the connection member 21 is overlapped with the connection member 21 of the adjacent power storage module, the terminal piece 26 does not overlap with the terminal piece 26 of the adjacent power storage module. If the terminal piece 26 of the electrical storage module adjacent to the terminal piece 26 overlaps, the connecting member 21 will bend. In order to prevent the terminal pieces 26 from overlapping in this way, the terminal piece 26 is designed to be shorter than the length from the protrusion 18 to the groove 19, but is not limited to this configuration. It is only necessary that the tip of the terminal piece 26 does not protrude to the outside of the contact portion 25 when the storage modules are connected to each other.

Moreover, each protrusion 18 of the pair of connecting portions 15 provided in the power storage module according to Embodiment 1 protrudes in the same direction. The power storage module according to Embodiment 1 is difficult to discriminate only by looking at which of the left end and the right end is the positive electrode. However, by projecting the protrusions 18 in the same direction and arranging the protrusions 18 so that they are not symmetrical with respect to each other in a top view, either the left end or the right end of the power storage module is positive. It can be determined whether there is. For example, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, both protrusions 18 are arranged so as to protrude forward in the drawing. In this case, the order of the

capacitors

1 and 13 accommodated in the holder 14 is set so that the left connecting member 21 has a positive polarity and the right connecting member 21 has a negative polarity. Thus, by determining in advance whether the left and right connecting members 21 have positive or negative polarity with the direction of the protrusion 18 as a mark, it is possible to easily determine whether each connecting member 21 is positive or negative. Can do.

Note that the power storage unit of the first embodiment is finally screwed with a screw 34 in a state where the power storage modules are connected to each other as shown in FIG. When the power storage modules are connected to each other, the through hole 29 of the terminal piece 26 of one power storage module and the through hole 28 of the contact portion 25 of the other power storage module adjacent to each other overlap each other. Further, these through hole 29 and through hole 28 overlap with screw hole 20 of connecting portion 15 of the other power storage module. Therefore, the through hole 29 of one power storage module, the through hole 28 of the other power storage module, and the screw hole 20 are in a through state. Then, the screw 34 is inserted into the through hole 28 and the through hole 29 and further screwed into the screw hole 20. Thus, the terminal piece 26 of one electrical storage module and the contact part 25 of the other electrical storage module can be firmly fixed to the connection part 15 of the other electrical storage module. At this time, since the terminal piece 26 and the contact portion 25 are also firmly connected to each other, the electrical connection between the connected power storage modules is also highly reliable.

The vertical position of the connecting portion 15 and the connecting member 21 is preferably located between the upper and lower surfaces of the capacitor or between the upper and lower surfaces of the portion of the holder 14 that supports the capacitor. In particular, it is preferable that the upper and lower positions of the upper surface of the connecting portion 15 and the upper surfaces of the contact portion 25 and the terminal piece 26 are located between the upper and lower surfaces of the capacitor. Moreover, it is preferable that the terminal pieces 26 of the connecting member 21 provided on both side surfaces of the holder 14 are provided so as to extend in the same direction. By doing in this way, as shown in FIG. 5, an outer side surface is formed between the location where the connection part 15 was connected to the holder 14, and the upper surface of the holder 14. When connecting a plurality of power storage modules, the terminal pieces 26 extending in the same direction of one of the power storage modules are connected to each other while surrounding the outer surface along the outer surface of the adjacent power storage module. The protrusion 18 of the part 15 and the groove part 19 can be fitted. Therefore, before the plurality of power storage modules to be connected are fitted, the respective power storage modules can be easily positioned. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the bent portion 24 a of the connecting member 21 is desirably located outward from the connecting portion 15 in the protruding direction of the protruding portion 18. By doing in this way, the lower surface of the edge part of the contact part 25 which is the vicinity of the bending part 24a, and the opening part of the groove part 19 after a fitting can be made to oppose. That is, the opening portion of the groove portion 19 is partially or entirely blocked by the end portion of the facing contact portion 25. For this reason, the opposed end portions of the projecting portions 18 and the groove portions 19 function as restraining means, and workability can be stabilized when the connection member 21 is fixed with screws.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, the structure of the electrical storage module and the electrical storage unit in Embodiment 2 is demonstrated using FIG.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the power storage module of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

The power storage module of the second embodiment is different from the power storage module of the first embodiment in the arrangement of capacitors accommodated in the holder 14. That is, in the first embodiment, the capacitor 1 and the power storage unit configured using two types of capacitors, that is, the capacitor 13 in which the lead-out directions of the anode electrode 2a and the cathode electrode 2b of the element 2 are opposite to each other, are described. did. In the second embodiment, a power storage unit configured using one type of capacitor 35 will be described. Here, the capacitor 35 has substantially the same configuration as the capacitor 1 of the first embodiment, and has a configuration in which the anode electrode 2a of the element 2 is drawn from the terminal portion 8 and the cathode electrode 2b is drawn from the protruding portion 5b. . That is, the capacitor arrangement method is different from that of the first embodiment.

The configuration of the capacitor 35 is substantially the same as that of the capacitor 1 and has the sealing rubber 10 made of IIR as described above. Since the gas generated inside the capacitor 1 can be discharged to the outside by the sealing rubber 10, it is not necessary to use a pressure regulating valve. Therefore, the capacitor 35 can be placed horizontally or upside down.

As shown in FIG. 8, the capacitors 35 arranged in the holder 14 are referred to as a capacitor 35a, a capacitor 35b, a capacitor 35c, and a capacitor 35d in order from the left side. It is possible to dispose the capacitor 35b and the capacitor 35d in a direction opposite to the capacitor 35a and the capacitor 35c (the direction reversed up and down in FIG. 8). In the power storage module of the second embodiment, the power storage module is constituted by four capacitors 35 electrically connected in series.

As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal portion 8 of the capacitor 35a is connected to the straight portion 23 of the connecting member 21, and the anode electrode 2a is drawn out. Similarly, the protruding portion 5b of the capacitor 35d disposed in the direction opposite to the capacitor 35a is connected to the straight portion 23 of the connecting member 21, whereby the cathode electrode 2b is drawn out.

The protruding portion 5b of the capacitor 35a and the terminal portion 8 of the capacitor 35b, the protruding portion 5b of the capacitor 35b and the terminal portion 8 of the capacitor 35c, and the protruding portion 5b of the capacitor 35c and the terminal portion 8 of the capacitor 35d are connected by the connecting member 22, respectively. Yes. By connecting the adjacent protruding portions 5b and the terminal portions 8 in this way, the capacitor 35a, the capacitor 35b, the capacitor 35c, and the capacitor 35d are electrically connected in series.

As described above, the power storage module according to the first embodiment is configured by using one type of capacitor 35 and alternately inverting the direction of adjacent capacitors. The present invention can achieve a special effect even in a power storage module using only one type of capacitor 35. That is, a plurality of power storage modules can be connected using the connecting portion 15, and mechanical connection and electrical connection are simultaneously performed at the time of connection, and workability is excellent.

The capacitor 35 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the capacitor 1 of the first embodiment, but may have the same configuration as the capacitor 13.

In the second embodiment, the number of capacitors 35 accommodated in the holder 14 is four. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the number of capacitors 35 to be accommodated is an odd number, the end of one connecting member 21 on the side connected to the capacitor 35 is the lower end of the capacitor 35, the side surface of the case 4, or the curling portion 4b, as in the first embodiment. The plurality of capacitors 35 can be connected in series by extending to and contacting with each other.

(Embodiment 3)
Below, the structure of the electrical storage unit of Embodiment 3 is demonstrated using FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a plurality of connecting members 21a used in the power storage module of Embodiment 3, which are connected when configuring the power storage unit. The power storage unit of the third embodiment has a connection member having a configuration different from that of the connection member 21 in the other embodiments described above. Since the same configuration as in the first embodiment can be used for the configuration other than the connection member 21a of the power storage unit, only the connection member 21a is shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 7 is used for other configurations. This will be described below.

In the power storage module of Embodiment 3, the connection member 21a is formed of a conductive material having a two-layer structure formed by an aluminum layer 40 made of an aluminum plate and a copper layer 41 made of a copper material. The connection member 21a has a contact portion 25a and a terminal piece 26a. The contact portion 25a and the terminal piece 26a are also formed of a conductive material having a two-layer structure formed by the aluminum layer 40 and the copper layer 41, respectively. A copper layer 41 is formed on the upper surface of the aluminum layer 40. By electrically connecting copper having a resistance lower than that of aluminum, the resistance of the connection member 21a in the power storage unit can be reduced. As shown in FIG. 7, when the power storage units are configured, particularly when the power storage units are connected in parallel, the current flowing through the connection member 21a is larger than the current flowing through the connection member 22 connecting the capacitors. Become. That is, when the power storage unit includes a plurality of power storage modules connected in parallel, a current flows equally to each power storage module. At this time, the total amount of current flowing through each power storage module flows through the contact portion 25a and the terminal piece 26a. Therefore, the heat generation of the connecting member 21a can be reduced by reducing the resistance of the connecting member 21a.

Further, it is preferable that the two layers are formed by cold welding, electrolytic plating, or the like.

In the third embodiment, the connection member 21a is formed of two layers formed of aluminum and copper. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a two-layer structure made of other different conductive materials may be used.

(Embodiment 4)
In the power storage module of the fourth embodiment, the other end of the connection member has a connection member whose resistance is lower than that of one end of the connection member. Below, the structure of the electrical storage unit of Embodiment 4 is demonstrated using FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration when the connection member 21b used in the power storage module of Embodiment 4 forms a power storage unit. The power storage unit of the fourth embodiment has a connection member 21b having a configuration different from that of the connection member 21 in the other embodiments described above. Since the same configuration as in the first embodiment can be used for the configuration other than the connection member 21b of the power storage unit, only the connection member 21b is shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 7 is used for other configurations. This will be described below. In the power storage module of the fourth embodiment, the connection member 21b includes a straight portion 23b, a bent portion 24b, a contact portion 25b, and a terminal piece 26b. The straight portion 23b and the bent portion 24b are made of aluminum. The terminal piece 26b and the contact portion 25b are formed by a two-layer structure of an aluminum layer 40 and a copper layer 41. In the connection member 21b of the fourth embodiment, a copper material is not used for the straight portion 23b that is electrically connected to the capacitor. Since the copper material has a high reflectance, when the copper material is welded with a laser or the like, the laser is reflected and heat energy is hardly transmitted. Therefore, by not using a copper material for the straight portion 23b that is electrically connected to the capacitor by laser welding, productivity in welding and reliability in terms of strength are improved.

On the other hand, in the connection member 21b, the reliability of the electrical connection with the capacitor and the like is not lowered by arranging the copper material only on the contact portion 25b where the current concentrates and the terminal piece 26b.

As described above, the connection member 21b according to the fourth embodiment is a connection member that improves the productivity and reliability during welding and does not decrease the reliability of electrical connection with the capacitor.

In the fourth embodiment, the straight portion 23b and the bent portion 24b are formed of aluminum, and the terminal piece 26b and the contact portion 25b are formed of a two-layer structure of an aluminum layer 40 and a copper layer 41. Not limited to. That is, the same effect can be obtained even if the terminal piece 26b and the contact portion 25b through which a larger current flows are formed of a conductive material having a smaller resistance than the straight portion 23b and the bent portion 24b.

(Embodiment 5)
In the plurality of power storage modules constituting the power storage unit of Embodiment 5, among the plurality of connected power storage modules, a connection member included in a power storage module whose terminal piece is not connected to another power storage module is another power storage module. The resistance is lower than that of the connecting member. Below, the structure of the electrical storage unit of Embodiment 5 is demonstrated using FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration when connection members 21c, 121c, and 221c used in the power storage module of the fifth embodiment form a power storage unit. The power storage unit of the fifth embodiment includes connection members 21c, 121c, and 221c having a configuration different from that of the connection member 21 in the first to fourth embodiments. Since the same configuration as that of the first embodiment can be used for the configuration other than the connection members 21c, 121c, and 221c of the power storage unit, the connection members 21c, 121c, and 221c are shown in FIG. Is described below with reference to FIG. In the fifth embodiment, the connection member 21c includes a contact portion 25c and a terminal piece 26c. The connecting member 121c has an abutting portion 125c and a terminal piece 126c. The connection member 221c has a contact portion 225c and a terminal piece 226c. The connection members 21c, 121c, and 221c used for the power storage unit are arranged in this order in the power storage unit. The terminal piece 226c of the connection member 221c is located at the end and is not connected to the connection member of another power storage module. The connecting members 21c, 121c, and 221c have different contact portion and terminal piece thicknesses depending on their positions. That is, in the fifth embodiment, the thickness of the contact portion 125c and the terminal piece 126c is larger than the thickness of the contact portion 25c and the terminal piece 26c, and the contact portion is larger than the thickness of the contact portion 125c and the terminal piece 126c. 225c and terminal piece 226c are configured to be thicker. In the fifth embodiment, “thickness” represents the thickness in the vertical direction in the drawing. The same applies to the following embodiments.

When the connection members 21c, 121c, and 221c are arranged as described above, the current flowing through the connection member 121c is larger than the current flowing through the connection member 21c, and the current flowing through the connection member 221c is larger than the current flowing through the connection member 121c. More specifically, the current flowing through the contact portion 125c and the terminal piece 126c is greater than the current flowing through the contact portion 25c and the terminal piece 26c, and the current flowing through the contact portion 225c and the terminal piece 226c is greater than the current flowing through the contact portion 25c and the terminal piece 226c. More than the current flowing through 125c and terminal piece 126c. Therefore, the heat generation in the connection member can be suppressed by increasing the cross-sectional area of the contact portion and the terminal piece of the connection member through which more current flows.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, the connection member 21 that is the power storage module located at the end in the direction in which the power storage modules are juxtaposed and that is not connected to the other power storage modules and the terminal pieces is connected to the external circuit. It becomes a connection point. Therefore, it has a function of an entrance / exit for input / output of the current of the entire power storage unit. In FIG. 11, the connection member 221 c is a power storage module located at the end in the direction in which the power storage modules are arranged, and is a connection member in which other power storage modules and their terminal pieces are not connected. Therefore, since the current supplied to all the power storage modules of the power storage unit flows through the connection member 221c, the thickness of the contact portion 225c and the terminal piece 226c is the thickest among the other connection members. Yes. By increasing the thickness of the contact portion 225c and the terminal piece 226c in this way, the cross-sectional area thereof increases, so that the resistance of the connection member 221c when current flows through the connection member 221c can be reduced. . Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the heat which arises in the connection member 221c by resistance and an electric current can be suppressed. In the fifth embodiment, the thickness is increased in order from the connecting member 21c to the connecting member 221c serving as the entire current entrance / exit, but the configuration of the plurality of connecting members in the fifth embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, it is sufficient that at least the terminal piece of the connecting member connected to the external circuit as the power storage unit and the cross-sectional area of the contact portion in the traveling direction of the current are thicker than the other connecting members. .

Note that the connection member connected to the external circuit of the power storage unit of the fifth embodiment is not limited to the connection member positioned at the end of the power storage unit, and may be another connection member. Even in this case, it is preferable that the contact portions of the other connecting members connected to the external circuit and the terminal pieces are configured to have the largest thickness.

(Embodiment 6)
The plurality of power storage modules constituting the power storage unit of the sixth embodiment has a terminal piece connected to another power storage module among the plurality of connected power storage modules in the cross-sectional area of the connection auxiliary member in the parallel arrangement direction of the power storage modules. The cross-sectional area of the portion that is in contact with the connection member of the non-power storage module is larger than the cross-sectional area of the portion that is in contact with the connection member of another power storage module. Below, the structure of the electrical storage unit of Embodiment 6 is demonstrated using FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a configuration when the connecting member 21 used in the power storage module of the sixth embodiment forms a power storage unit. The power storage unit according to the sixth embodiment includes the connection member 21 and the connection auxiliary member 21d according to the first embodiment described above. About the other structure of an electrical storage unit, since the same thing as Embodiment 1 can be used, in FIG. 12, only the connection member 21 and the connection auxiliary member 21d are shown, and FIG. This will be described below.

In the power storage unit of the sixth embodiment, the plurality of connection members 21 are provided with connection auxiliary members 21d that are electrically connected to the other ends. Below, the characteristic of the connection auxiliary member 21d will be described.

The connection auxiliary member 21d is made of a conductive material such as a copper material. The thicknesses of the portions 21d1, 21d2, and 21d3 connected to the plurality of contact portions 25 of the connection assisting member 21d are formed so as to increase in accordance with the magnitude of the current flowing through the contact portions 25 to be connected. Yes. Since the largest current flows through the contact portion 25 of the connection member 21 that is located at the end of the power storage unit and connected to the external circuit, the thickness of the portion 21d3 where the connection auxiliary member 21d and the contact portion 25 are connected Is formed to be the thickest. As a result, in the connection member 21 through which a larger current flows, the cross-sectional area including the connection auxiliary member 21d becomes large, so that the resistance of the connection member 21 and the connection auxiliary member 21d can be reduced as a whole, and heat generated by energization. Can be reduced. That is, in the fifth embodiment, the thickness of the contact portions 25c, 125c, and 225c is increased in this order, but in the sixth embodiment, the thickness of each contact portion 25 is made equal, and the thicknesses are different. By providing the connection assisting member 21d having the same effect as that of the fifth embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of connection members 21c, 121c, and 221c having different shapes as compared with the connection member of the fifth embodiment, so that productivity is improved. Similarly to the fifth embodiment, in the cross-sectional area with respect to the current traveling direction, the connection auxiliary member 21d is formed so that the thickness of the portion 21d3 connected to the other connection member connected to the external circuit is the largest. Has been. That is, the portion 21d3 where the connection assisting member 21d is connected to the external circuit is formed to have the lowest resistance.

Further, by using the connection assisting member 21d, the terminal pieces of the other embodiments are not essential. That is, the connection auxiliary member 21d can function as the terminal piece 26 of the connection member 21, and the power storage modules can be electrically connected to each other by the connection auxiliary member 21d. Note that the connection member connected to the external circuit of the power storage unit of Embodiment 6 is not limited to the connection member positioned at the end of the power storage unit, and may be another connection member. Even in this case, the connection assisting member 21d is preferably configured such that the thickness of the portion 21d3 connected to another connection member connected to the external circuit is the largest.

(Embodiment 7)
Below, the structure of the electrical storage unit of Embodiment 7 is demonstrated using FIG.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a configuration when the connecting member 21 used in the power storage module of this embodiment forms a power storage unit. The power storage unit according to the seventh embodiment includes the connection member 21 and the connection auxiliary member 21e according to the first embodiment described above. About the other structure of an electrical storage unit, since the same thing as Embodiment 1 can be used, in FIG. 13, only the connection member 21 and the connection auxiliary member 21e are shown, and about another structure using FIG. This will be described below.

In the power storage unit of the seventh embodiment, the plurality of connection members 21 used are provided with connection assisting members 21e electrically connected to the respective contact portions 25. Below, the characteristic of the connection auxiliary member 21e is demonstrated.

The connection auxiliary member 21e is made of a conductive material such as a copper material. The widths of the portions 21e1, 21e2, 21e3 connected to the plurality of contact portions 25 of the connection assisting member 21e are formed so as to increase according to the magnitude of the current flowing through the contact portions 25 to be connected. Yes. In the seventh embodiment, “width” represents the width in the left-right direction on the drawing. Since the largest current flows through the contact portion 25 of the connection member 21 that is located at the end of the power storage unit and connected to the external circuit, the width of the portion 21e3 where the connection auxiliary member 21e and the contact portion 25 are connected Is formed to be the largest. As a result, in the connection member 21 through which a larger current flows, the cross-sectional area including the connection auxiliary member 21e is increased, so that the resistance of the connection member 21 and the connection auxiliary member 21e can be reduced as a whole, and heat generated by energization. Can be reduced. That is, in the sixth embodiment, the cross-sectional area is increased by forming the connection auxiliary member 21d thick in the vertical direction of the drawing, but in the seventh embodiment, the connection auxiliary member 21e in the horizontal direction of the drawing is increased. The cross-sectional area is increased by increasing the width. As a result, the same effect as in the sixth embodiment can be obtained. Similarly to the sixth embodiment, in the cross-sectional area with respect to the traveling direction of the current, the connection auxiliary member 21e has the largest width of the portion 21e3 connected to the other connection member connected to the external circuit. Is formed. That is, the portion 21e3 where the connection assisting member 21e is connected to the external circuit is formed to have the lowest resistance. Further, in the seventh embodiment, the connection assisting member 21e has a plate shape, so that the processing is easy.

As described above, the power storage module and the power storage unit described in each embodiment have excellent workability and high reliability in terms of strength of electrical and mechanical connection.

In the above embodiments, terms indicating directions such as “upper surface”, “lower surface”, and “vertical direction” depend only on the relative positional relationship of the constituent members of the power storage module such as the holder and the connection member. It represents a relative direction and does not represent an absolute direction such as a vertical direction.

The power storage module of the present invention and a power storage unit using the same can be mechanically connected and electrically connected simultaneously, thereby reducing the complexity of work associated with specification changes. Furthermore, the reliability in terms of strength of electrical and mechanical connection is also excellent. Therefore, the power storage module of the present invention and the power storage unit using the power storage module can be used for various electronic devices, electrical devices, and industrial devices, and are particularly useful in the automobile field.

1, 1a, 1b Capacitor (first power storage device)
2 Element 2a Anode electrode 2b Cathode electrode 3 Hollow part 4 Case 4a Horizontal drawing part

4b Curling part

5a, 9 Joint part 5b Projection part 7 Current collector plate 8 Terminal part 10 Sealing rubber 11 Wall part 12 Through hole (first hole (Through hole, second through hole)
13, 13a, 13b Capacitor (second power storage device)
14 Holder 15 connection part (1st connection part, 2nd connection part)
16 Opening 17 Radiation hole 18 Projection (first projection, second projection)
19 Groove (first recess, second recess)
20 Screw holes (first screw hole, second screw hole)
21a, 21b, 21c, 121c, 221c connecting member (first connecting member, second connecting member)
21d, 21e Connection auxiliary member (first connection auxiliary member, second connection auxiliary member)
22 connecting member (third connecting member)
23

straight portions

24, 24b bent portions 24a bent portions (first bent portion, second bent portion)
25a, 25b, 25c, 125c, 225c contact part (first contact part, second contact part)
26a, 26b, 26c, 126c, 226c Terminal piece (first terminal piece, second terminal piece)
27 Welding mark 28 Through hole (first through hole, third through hole)
29 Through hole (second through hole, fourth through hole)
30

Welding mark

31, 32 Groove 33 Partition 34 Screw 35 Capacitor (power storage device)

Claims

A plurality of power storage devices arranged in parallel with each other and having at least a first power storage device and a second power storage device;
A holder that supports the plurality of power storage devices;
One electrode and one end of the first power storage device are electrically connected, and the other end is exposed to the outside of the holder;
One electrode and one end of the second power storage device are electrically connected, and the other end is exposed to the outside of the holder;
At least one third connection member electrically connecting the plurality of power storage devices;
With
The holder is
A first connecting portion provided on one surface of two opposing surfaces of the holder;
A second connecting portion provided on the other surface of the two surfaces of the holder;
A first protrusion protruding from the first connecting portion;
A second protrusion protruding from the second connecting portion;
Have
The first connecting portion is
A first top surface;
A first lower surface;
A first side surface surrounding the first upper surface and the first lower surface;
A first recess opening in at least one of the first upper surface and the first lower surface;
Have
The second connecting portion is
A second top surface;
A second lower surface;
A second side surface surrounding the second upper surface and the second lower surface;
A second recess opening in at least one of the second upper surface and the second lower surface;
Have
The other end of the first connecting member is
A first abutting portion that abuts on the first connecting portion;
A first terminal piece electrically connected to the first contact portion and extending outward from the first coupling portion;
Have
The other end of the second connecting member is
A second abutting portion that abuts on the second connecting portion;
A second terminal piece electrically connected to the second contact portion and extending outward from the second coupling portion;
Have
The first terminal piece extends in parallel with the protruding direction of the first protrusion of the first connecting part, and the second terminal piece is the second terminal part of the second connecting part. Extended parallel to the protruding direction of the protrusion,
Power storage module.
The first recess opens in the first upper surface;
The second recess opens in the second upper surface;
The extending direction of the first and second terminal pieces and the protruding direction of the first and second protrusions are the same direction.
The power storage module according to claim 1.
The first recess opens in the first lower surface;
The second recess opens in the second lower surface;
The extending direction of the first and second terminal pieces and the protruding direction of the first and second protrusions are opposite directions,
The power storage module according to claim 1.
The vertical positions of the upper surfaces of the first and second upper surfaces and the first and second contact portions and the upper surfaces of the first and second terminal pieces are the first and second power storage devices. Located between the upper and lower surfaces of
The first terminal piece and the second terminal piece extend in the same direction,
The power storage module according to claim 1.
The other end of the first connecting member has a lower resistance than the one end of the first connecting member,
The other end of the second connection member has a lower resistance than the one end of the second connection member.
The power storage module according to claim 1.
The first recess opens to one of the first upper surface or the first lower surface and the first side surface,
The second recess has an opening on one of the second upper surface or the second lower surface and the second side surface.
The power storage module according to claim 1.
The length of the first terminal piece is shorter than the length from the first protrusion to the first recess,
The length of the second terminal piece is shorter than the length from the second protrusion to the second recess,
The power storage module according to claim 6.
The first connection member has a first bent portion bent in a crank shape from the first contact portion to the first terminal piece,
The second connecting member has a second bent portion bent in a crank shape from the second contact portion to the second terminal piece;
The power storage module according to claim 1.
The first bent portion of the first connecting member is located outward from the first connecting portion in the protruding direction of the first protrusion.
The second bent portion of the second connection member is located outward from the second coupling portion in the protruding direction of the second protrusion,
The power storage module according to claim 8.
The first protrusion and the second protrusion protrude in the same direction;
The power storage module according to claim 1.
A plurality of power storage modules connected to each other,
Each of the plurality of power storage modules is the power storage module according to claim 1,
The first and second protrusions of one power storage module of the plurality of power storage modules respectively fit with the first and second recesses of another power storage module adjacent to the one power storage module. ,
The first and second terminal pieces of the one power storage module come into contact with the first and second contact portions of the other power storage module, respectively, so that the plurality of power storage modules are electrically connected. Being
Power storage unit.
In the one power storage module and the other power storage module,
The first contact portion has a first through hole,
The first terminal piece has a second through hole;
The first connecting portion has a first screw hole that is formed in the first upper surface and has an opening surface parallel to the opening surface of the first recess,
The second contact portion has a third through hole;
The second terminal piece has a fourth through hole;
The second connecting portion has a second screw hole that is formed in the second upper surface and has an opening surface parallel to the opening surface of the second recess,
The first terminal piece and the second abutting portion are formed by inserting a screw into the second through hole and the third through hole, and screwing the screw into the second screw hole. Is fixed to the second connecting portion,
The power storage unit according to claim 11.
Among the plurality of power storage modules, the first connection member included in the power storage module in which the first terminal piece is not connected to another power storage module is more resistant than the first connection member of the other power storage module. Is low,
Among the plurality of power storage modules, the second connection member included in the power storage module in which the second terminal piece is not connected to another power storage module is more resistant than the second connection member of the other power storage module. Is low,
The power storage unit according to claim 11.
A first connection auxiliary member for electrically connecting the other ends of the first connection members of the plurality of power storage modules to each other;
A second connection auxiliary member for electrically connecting the other ends of the second connection members of the plurality of power storage modules to each other;
Further equipped with,
The power storage unit according to claim 11.
Of the plurality of connected power storage modules among the cross-sectional areas of the first and second connection auxiliary members in the direction in which the power storage modules are arranged, the first and second terminal pieces are connected to other power storage modules. The cross-sectional area of the portion that is in contact with the first and second connection members of the non-power storage module is greater than the cross-sectional area of the portion that is in contact with the first and second connection members of the other power storage module. large,
The power storage unit according to claim 11.