JP5421836B2 - Power supply - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, and more particularly to a power supply device that suitably holds and fixes a plurality of cell modules stacked in the thickness direction.

  In an electric vehicle that uses an electric motor as a driving source, or a hybrid electric vehicle that combines an electric motor as a driving source and another driving source, a large-capacity power supply device (battery) for supplying electricity as energy to the electric motor is provided. It is installed. As this power supply device, for example, a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, or a fuel cell that directly extracts chemical energy generated by oxidation of fuel as electric energy is used.

  In both the secondary battery and the fuel cell, single cells, which are the smallest unit of the battery, are connected in series and housed in a flat resin container to form a module (referred to as a cell module in the present invention). It has a structure (called a cell stack in the present invention) laminated in the thickness direction. An exploded perspective view of the conventional power supply device described in Patent Document 1 is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the power supply device 90 includes a cell stack 92 formed by stacking and arranging a plurality of cell modules 91, and end plates 93 disposed at both ends in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 91. , Four restraining rods 94 disposed above and below the cell stack 92 and fastening the end plates 93 to each other, and a lower case 96 on which the cell stack 92 is mounted.

  A terminal (not shown) for charging / discharging the cell module 91 is provided on the side surface of each cell module 91. A bus bar (not shown) for connecting the terminals to each other is fixed with a nut (not shown), and the cell modules 91 are connected in series.

  By connecting both end plates 93 with a restraining rod 94, the stacked cell modules 91 are restrained in the arrangement direction. Threads are formed at both ends of the restraining rod 94, and tension is applied to the restraining rod 94 by tightening both ends of the restraining rod 94 with nuts. The restraint by the end plate 93 and the restraining rod 94 is performed for the purpose of maintaining the stacked state of the cell stack 92 by fixing the cell module 91 and the purpose of giving the cell stack 92 a predetermined strength. .

  The lower case 96 is formed with two protrusions having a U-shaped cross section that extends in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 91 and is convex upward. The upper surfaces of the two protrusions are mounting surfaces 96a on which the cell stack 92 is mounted, and both ends of the cell stack 92 in the width direction are mounted on two mounting surfaces 96a. The end plate 93 is fixed to the lower case 96 with bolts 96b. The individual cell modules 91 are also fixed to the lower case 96 with bolts 96b.

  The reason why each of the individual cell modules 91 is fixed to the lower case 96 with the bolts 96b is as follows. The stacked cell modules 91 are maintained in a stacked state by being sandwiched between two end plates 93. Therefore, when the assembly of the power supply device 90 is completed, the contact pressure between the adjacent cell modules 91 is high, and even if the cell module 91 is not fixed to the lower case 96, the vehicle is accelerated / decelerated / vibrated. On the other hand, the stacked state of the cell modules 91 is not disturbed.

  However, as described above, since the cell module 91 has an outer shell made of resin, the cell modules 91 adjacent to each other due to the creep phenomenon of the resin material as time elapses after the assembly of the power supply device 90 is completed. The contact pressure decreases. In such a state, when acceleration / deceleration / vibration of the vehicle is applied to the power supply device 90, if the cell module 91 is not fixed to the lower case 96, the cell module 91 is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. As a result, the laminated state is disturbed.

  When the stacked state of the cell module 91 is disturbed, the nut fixing the bus bar to the terminal of the cell module 91 is loosened, and the required surface pressure of the bus bar cannot be secured, resulting in an electrical system trouble. Become. In order to avoid such a trouble, each of the individual cell modules 91 is fixed to the lower case 96 with bolts 96b.

JP 2006-236826 A

  As shown in FIG. 8, the cell stack 92 is fixed to the lower case 96 using a plurality of bolts 96b, and the assembling work is very troublesome. Further, since the screwing direction of the bolt 96b is from the lower surface side of the lower case 96, it is necessary to work by turning the lower case 96 upside down with the cell stack 92 turned upside down. As described above, when assembling the power supply device 90, a very large number of bolt assembling steps are required, resulting in an increase in parts cost due to a large number of parts and an increase in assembly cost due to a decrease in assembly work efficiency. It was a factor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in assembling a power supply device in which cell modules are stacked in the thickness direction, the power supply device capable of improving assembly work efficiency by extremely reducing the assembly process using bolts and the like. Providing is a problem to be solved.

  Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above-described problems will be described with additional effects and the like as necessary.

(1) A power supply device of the present invention includes a cell stack formed by laminating a plurality of cell modules having a resin outer shell and having a flat plate shape in the thickness direction of the cell modules, and arranging them horizontally. An end plate disposed at each of both ends of the cell module in the arrangement direction; a plurality of restraining rods disposed above and below the cell stack and fastening the end plates; and at least one of the cell stack and the cell stack An elastic member interposed between the restraining rods of the book,
An upper receiving surface for receiving the restraining rod from above is formed on the upper surface of each cell module, and a lower receiving surface for receiving the restraining rod from below is formed on the lower surface of each cell module. And at least one of the upper receiving surface and the lower receiving surface is formed as a concave surface facing a part of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod, and the concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of the constraining rod The elastic member is disposed between,
Each cell module is sandwiched from above and below by the restraining rods above and below the cell stack, and the concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod are brought into close contact with each other via the compressed elastic member. The vertical and horizontal movements of the cell module are restricted.

  Here, various rubbers and thermoplastic elastomers can be used as the elastic member, and it is preferable to use a rubber material having good sag resistance.

  According to such a configuration, a concave surface for receiving the restraining rod is formed on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of each cell module, and the concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod are compressed elastic members. Are in close contact with each other. Therefore, by fitting the concave shape of the concave surface and the convex shape of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod, the movement of each cell module in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the cell modules is fixed with respect to the restraining rod. ing.

  Thereby, disorder of the lamination | stacking state of a cell module can be prevented, without fixing each of each cell module with a volt | bolt etc. Moreover, it becomes possible to fix all the cell modules laminated | stacked with the restraint rod which is a conventional component collectively. Therefore, it greatly contributes to the reduction of the number of parts and the improvement of the assembly work efficiency.

  Further, since the stacked state of each cell module is maintained by the restraining rod and the end plate, it is possible to carry the cell stack and assemble it to the lower case or the like after the cell module is assembled as a cell stack. Therefore, the degree of freedom of assembly work is high.

  Since the outer shell of the cell module is made of resin, some dimensional errors occur in the position of the concave surface that receives the restraining rod and the surface shape of the concave surface. Therefore, in order to fit the constraining rod into all the concave surfaces of the cell modules in the stacked state, it is necessary to secure a gap (play) between the concave surface and the constraining rod. In the present invention, since an elastic member in a compressed state is interposed between the concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of the constraining rod, first, the gap between the concave surface and the constraining rod is filled, The outer peripheral surface can be brought into close contact with the elastic member without rattling.

  Second, by making the elastic member in a compressed state, a large reaction force is generated in the elastic member, and the reaction force of the elastic member resists inertial forces in various directions applied to the cell module. The cell module can be stably held.

  Third, when the reaction force of the elastic member is loaded on the resin concave surface for a long time, the concave surface is deformed by a creep phenomenon. Even in such a case, since the elastic member is deformed following the deformation of the concave surface, no gap is generated between the concave surface and the elastic member or between the restraining rod and the elastic member.

  Fourth, by sandwiching the elastic member between the resin and the metal, the resin and the metal are less likely to slip. Therefore, by interposing an elastic member between the resin concave surface and the constraining rod (generally made of metal), the cell module is less likely to slip with respect to the constraining rod.

(2) The power supply device of the present invention includes a cell stack formed by laminating a plurality of cell modules having a resin outer shell and having a flat plate shape in the thickness direction of the cell modules, and arranging them horizontally. An end plate disposed at each of both ends of the cell module in the arrangement direction; a plurality of restraining rods disposed above and below the cell stack and fastening the end plates; and at least one of the cell stack and the cell stack An elastic member interposed between the constraining rods of the book, and a lower case formed with a mounting surface on which the cell stack is mounted,
An upper receiving surface that receives the restraining rod from above is formed on the upper surface of each cell module, and a contact surface that contacts the mounting surface of the lower case is formed on the lower surface of each cell module. The upper receiving surface is formed as a concave surface facing a part of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod, and the elastic member is disposed between the concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of the constraining rod. And
Each cell module is sandwiched from above and below by the restraining rod above the cell stack and the mounting surface of the lower case, and the concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod are in close contact with each other via the compressed elastic member Thus, the vertical and horizontal movements of the cell modules are constrained.

  According to such a structure, the concave surface which receives a restraint rod is formed in the upper surface of each cell module, and this concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of a restraint rod are closely_contact | adhered via the elastic member of a compression state. Therefore, by fitting the concave shape of the concave surface and the convex shape of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod, the movement of each cell module in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the cell modules is fixed with respect to the restraining rod. ing.

  Thereby, disorder of the lamination | stacking state of a cell module can be prevented, without fixing each of each cell module with a volt | bolt etc. Moreover, it becomes possible to fix all the cell modules laminated | stacked with the restraint rod which is a conventional component collectively. Therefore, it greatly contributes to the reduction of the number of parts and the improvement of the assembly work efficiency.

  The effect obtained by interposing a compressed elastic member between the concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod is the same as the first to fourth effects described in (1) above.

(3) The power supply device of the present invention includes a cell stack formed by laminating a plurality of cell modules having a resin outer shell and having a flat plate shape in the thickness direction of the cell modules, and arranging them horizontally. End plates disposed at both ends of the cell module in the arrangement direction, a plurality of restraining rods disposed above and below the cell stack and fastening the end plates, and the cell stack are mounted. A lower case having a mounting surface formed thereon, and an elastic member interposed between the cell stack and the mounting surface of the lower case,
An upper receiving surface for receiving the restraining rod from above is formed on the upper surface of each cell module, and the lower surface of each cell module is abutted against the mounting surface of the lower case via the elastic member. A contact surface is formed, and one of the contact surface and the mounting surface is formed as a concave surface, and the other of the contact surface and the mounting surface is formed on the concave surface. It is formed as an opposing convex surface, and the elastic member is disposed between the concave surface and the convex surface,
By sandwiching each cell module from above and below by the restraining rod above the cell stack and the mounting surface of the lower case, and bringing the concave surface and the convex surface into close contact via the compressed elastic member, The movement of each cell module in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is restricted.

  According to such a configuration, one of the contact surface formed on the lower surface of each cell module and the mounting surface formed on the lower case is formed as a concave surface, and the other is formed on the concave surface. It is formed as an opposing convex surface, and the concave surface and the convex surface are in close contact via an elastic member in a compressed state. Therefore, by fitting the concave shape of the concave surface and the convex shape of the convex surface, the movement of each cell module in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the cell modules is fixed with respect to the lower case.

  Thereby, disorder of the lamination | stacking state of a cell module can be prevented, without fixing each of each cell module with a volt | bolt etc. Moreover, it becomes possible to fix all the cell modules laminated | stacked by the lower case which is a conventional component collectively. Therefore, it greatly contributes to the reduction of the number of parts and the improvement of the assembly work efficiency.

  The effect obtained by interposing the compressed elastic member between the concave surface and the convex surface is the same as the first to fourth effects described in (1) above.

  According to the power supply device of the present invention, in assembling the power supply device in which the cell modules are stacked in the thickness direction, it is possible to improve the assembly work efficiency by extremely reducing the assembly process using bolts or the like.

It is a perspective view of the power supply device in a 1st embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the power supply device in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the AA line in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a main part B in FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing of the power supply device in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the power supply device in 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the power supply device in 4th Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the conventional power supply device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a power supply device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
(1) Configuration of Power Supply Device 10 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power supply device according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an enlarged main part B in FIG. The power supply device 10 is, for example, a large-capacity secondary battery mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle, and is placed under the rear seat so that its longitudinal direction is the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle. It is arranged in a storage room provided in the trunk or under the floor. The front / rear, left / right, and upper / lower directions shown in FIG.

  The power supply device 10 includes a cell stack 12 formed by stacking and arranging a plurality of cell modules 11, and end plates 13 disposed at both ends in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 11 (left and right direction in the drawing). The four restraining rods 14 that are arranged above and below the cell stack 12 and fasten the end plates 13 together, and a rubber member that is an elastic member interposed between the cell stack 12 and the upper restraining rod 14 15 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and a lower case 16 on which the cell stack 12 is mounted.

  The cell module 11 is a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery, for example, and is formed by connecting single cells (not shown) in series and placing them in a flat, substantially rectangular box made of resin. On the upper surface of the cell module 11, two upper receiving surfaces 11a for receiving the restraining rods 14 from above are formed. Moreover, the lower receiving surface 11b which receives a restraining rod from the downward direction is formed in the lower surface of the cell module 11 in two places.

  The upper receiving surface 11a is a surface that is concave from the top to the bottom, and is a concave surface that fits a part of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14, for example, a shape that is similar to a part of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14 It is formed as a concave surface. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper receiving surface 11 a has a uniform 1/3 arc shape in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 11. The upper receiving surface 11a corresponds to a concave surface of the present invention, and the rubber member 15 is disposed on the surface of the upper receiving surface 11a. The diameter of the upper receiving surface 11 a is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the restricting rod 14 so that the rubber member 15 can be disposed between the upper receiving surface 11 a and the restricting rod 14.

  The lower receiving surface 11b is a surface that has a concave shape from the bottom to the top, and is similar to a concave surface that fits part of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14, for example, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14. It is formed as a concave surface. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower receiving surface 11 b has a uniform 1/3 arc shape in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 11. The lower receiving surface 11b does not correspond to the concave surface of the present invention, and the rubber member 15 is not disposed on the surface of the lower receiving surface 11b. Since the rubber member 15 is not disposed on the surface of the lower receiving surface 11b, the diameter of the lower receiving surface 11b is slightly smaller than the diameter of the upper receiving surface 11a.

  Below the both side surfaces of the cell module 11 (the front surface and the rear surface in FIG. 1), the lower surface of the cell module 11 is in the width direction of the cell module 11 (direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, front-rear direction in FIG. 1). An overhang portion 11c is formed so as to overhang. The lower surfaces of the two overhanging portions 11c are surfaces that come into contact with two mounting surfaces 16a described later of the lower case 16.

  In the upper part of both side surfaces of the cell module 11, a positive terminal 11d is provided on one side surface and a negative terminal 11d is provided on the other side surface. In a state where the cell modules 11 are stacked in the thickness direction to form the cell stack 12, the terminals 11d of the cell modules 11 are arranged so that positive and negative are alternately arranged in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 11. . Each terminal 11d is threaded, and a bus bar is fixed to each terminal 11d with a nut so that the adjacent positive and negative terminals 11d are electrically connected to each other. They are connected in series.

  The end plate 13 is a highly rigid metal plate member. The end plate 13 has a planar shape substantially equal to that of the cell modules 11 when viewed from the arrangement direction of the cell modules 11. Similar to the overhanging portion 11c of the cell module 11, an overhanging portion 13c is also formed at the lower part of both side surfaces of the end plate 13, and the lower surface of the overhanging portion 13c is the 2 described later of the lower case 16. The surface is in contact with the mounting surface 16a.

  In the upper part of the end plate 13, upper rod mounting holes 13a penetrating in the thickness direction of the end plate 13 are formed at positions corresponding to the two upper receiving surfaces 11a of the cell module 11 described above. The upper rod mounting hole 13a is an elongated hole that has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of a bolt 14a to be described later for assembling the restraining rod 14, and extends vertically. In the state where the end plates 13 are arranged at both ends in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 11, the upper rod mounting holes 13a and the upper receiving surfaces 11a are aligned in a straight line.

  A lower rod mounting hole 13b penetrating in the thickness direction of the end plate 13 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the two lower receiving surfaces 11b of the cell module 11 described above at the lower portion of the end plate 13. . The lower rod mounting hole 13b is a circular hole whose inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of a bolt 14a to be described later for assembling the restraining rod 14. In a state where the end plates 13 are disposed at both ends of the cell modules 11 in the arrangement direction, the lower rod mounting holes 13b and the lower receiving surfaces 11b are aligned.

  A rib 13d extending outward in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 11 is formed at the lowermost portion of the overhanging portion 13c of the end plate 13, and a bolt hole 13e penetrating vertically is formed in the rib 13d. . A bolt 16b described later of the lower case 16 is inserted into the bolt hole 13e.

  The restraining rod 14 is a pipe made of metal and having a circular outer peripheral surface. The length of the restraining rod 14 is slightly shorter than the distance between the inner surfaces in the arrangement direction of both end plates 13. The restraining rod 14 needs to be a member that is difficult to bend. More specifically, when all the upper receiving surfaces 11a arranged in a straight line are held together from above by holding both ends of the constraining rod 14, a predetermined pressing load is applied to the upper receiving surface 11a even in the center of the constraining rod 14. It is necessary to have a bending rigidity so that it can be loaded on. On the inner peripheral surface of both ends of the restraining rod 14, a screw thread into which the assembly bolt 14a is screwed is formed.

  A rubber member 15 is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14 facing the upper receiving surface 11a, that is, a lower 1/3 arc portion of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14. The rubber member 15 is a rubber plate having a thickness of about 2 to 5 mm and a length slightly shorter than the restraining rod 14.

  Each cell module 11 is sandwiched from above and below by the restraining rods 14 above and below the cell stack 12, and as shown in FIG. 4, a rubber member 15 is compressed between the upper receiving surface 11 a and the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14. Through close contact.

  The lower case 16 is made of metal, and is formed by bending a metal plate. The lower case 16 is formed with two protrusions having a U-shaped cross section that extends in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 11 and is convex upward. Each upper surface of the two protrusions is a mounting surface 16a on which the cell stack 12 and the end plate 13 are mounted. The lower surface of the two protruding portions 11c of the cell module 11 and the lower surface of the two protruding portions 13c of the end plate 13 so that the cell stack 12 and the end plate 13 straddle the two mounting surfaces 16a, It contacts the mounting surface 16a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the cell module 11 is mounted on the mounting surface 16 a of the lower case 16, a space is formed between the upper surface of the lower case 16 and the lower surface of the cell module 11. . The cold cell is sent into this space, and the cell module 11 in operation is cooled by passing the cold air between the adjacent cell modules 11 and above the cell module 11.

  Bolt holes (not shown) penetrating vertically are formed at both ends of the mounting surface 16a. With the bolts 16b inserted from below the bolt holes, the heads of the bolts 16b are connected to the lower case 16. Welded. After the screw portion of the bolt 16b is inserted into the bolt hole 13e formed in the rib 13d of the end plate 13, the assembly nut 16c is tightened into the screw portion of the bolt 16b, so that the end plate 13 is moved to the lower case. 16 is fixed. The lower case 16 is formed with a large number of mounting holes 16d penetrating in the vertical direction so as to be arranged in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 11, and the lower case 16 is placed in the housing of the automobile by using the mounting holes 16d. Assembled.

(2) Assembly of power supply device 10 The power supply device 10 is assembled as follows. After all the cell modules 11 are stacked and arranged, end plates 13 are arranged at both ends in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 11 so that the arrangement of all the cell modules 11 and both end plates 13 is not disturbed. A machine (not shown) temporarily presses the outer surfaces of both end plates 13 in the arrangement direction.

  Next, the two restraining rods 14 to which the rubber member 15 is not attached are applied from below to each of the two lower receiving surfaces 11b of each cell module 11 that is temporarily pressed. Then, the four bolts 14a inserted into the two lower rod mounting holes 13b of the two end plates 13 are screwed into the end portions of the two restricting rods 14, and the two restricting rods 14 are used to The lower part of the end plate 13 is temporarily fastened.

  Next, the two restraining rods 14 on which the rubber members 15 are bonded are applied from above to the two upper receiving surfaces 11a of each of the temporarily held all cell modules 11. Then, using a dedicated pressing machine (not shown), these two restraining rods 14 are pressed from above, and the rubber member 15 sandwiched between the upper receiving surface 11a and the restraining rods 14 is compressed. To do. Then, the four bolts 14a inserted into the two upper rod mounting holes 13a of the two end plates 13 are screwed into the end portions of the two restricting rods 14, and the two restricting rods 14 are used for both ends. The upper part of the plate 13 is temporarily fastened.

  Next, using a dedicated pressing machine (not shown), both end plates 13 are pressed toward the inner side in the arrangement direction to increase the contact pressure between adjacent cell modules 11. In this state, eight bolts 14 a screwed into the respective end portions of the four restraining rods 14 are finally tightened, and both end plates 13 are finally fastened by the four restraining rods 14.

  Next, all the cell modules 11 and both end plates 13 which are laminated and integrated are removed from a dedicated pressing machine (not shown). After the bolt holes 13e of the end plate 13 are externally fitted to the bolts 16b at both ends of the mounting surface 16a of the lower case 16, the assembly nut 16c is tightened into the threaded portion of the bolt 16b, and the end plate 13 is moved to the lower case. 16 is fixed.

  In this state, the compressed state of the rubber member 15 is as shown in FIG. By pressing the restraining rod 14 with the load P from above, the rubber member 15 is compressed entirely, and a reaction force p is generated in the direction in which the rubber member 15 is compressed. This reaction force p acts perpendicularly to the surface of the upper receiving surface 11a. That is, the vertical load P acting on the restraining rod 14 is dispersed as loads (reaction forces p) in various directions orthogonal to the axial direction of the restraining rod 14.

  This reaction force p makes it possible to stably hold the cell module 11 against the inertial force applied to the cell module 11 in various directions. For example, in calculating the inertial force applied to the cell module 11 by acceleration / deceleration / vibration of an automobile, it is preferable to allow about 10 times (about 10 G) of gravitational acceleration in the horizontal and vertical directions. When the cell module 11 tries to move in various directions, no gap is generated between the upper receiving surface 11a and the rubber member 15 or between the restraining rod 14 and the rubber member 15. By generating the reaction force p, the cell module 11 can be stably held.

  Note that, due to the deterioration of the rubber member 15, the reaction force p gradually decreases with the passage of time. Therefore, in consideration of the deterioration of the rubber member 15, the restraint rod 14 is attached from above at the time of assembly so that the cell module 11 can be stably held even when the useful life of the power supply device 10 has elapsed. It is necessary to hold down.

  As described above, the bolts 14a and the nuts 16c are finally tightened while the end plate 13 and the restraining rod 14 are kept pressed by a pressing machine (not shown), and the power supply device 10 is assembled. To complete.

(3) Effects of the power supply device 10 In the present embodiment, the upper receiving surface 11a (concave surface) is concave on the upper surface of each cell module 11 from above to receive the restraining rod 14 from above. The upper receiving surface 11a and the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14 are in close contact with each other through the rubber member 15 in a compressed state. Therefore, each cell module 11 is orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the cell modules 11 with respect to the restraining rod 14 by fitting the concave shape of the upper receiving surface 11 a and the convex shape of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14. Movement in the direction is fixed.

  Thereby, disorder of the lamination | stacking state of the cell module 11 can be prevented, without fixing each of each cell module 11 with a volt | bolt etc. Moreover, it becomes possible to fix all of the cell modules 11 stacked by the restraining rod 14 which is a conventional part. Therefore, it greatly contributes to the reduction of the number of parts and the improvement of the assembly work efficiency.

  In addition, the cell module 11 is held in the stacked state by the restraining rod 14 and the end plate 13, and after the cell module 11 is assembled as the cell stack 12, the cell stack 12 is carried and assembled to the lower case 16. High degree of freedom of work.

  Further, by interposing the compressed rubber member 15 between the upper receiving surface 11a and the restraining rod 14, as a first effect, the gap between the upper receiving surface 11a and the restraining rod 14 is filled, and the upper side The receiving surface 11a and the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14 can be brought into close contact with each other through the rubber member 15.

  As a second effect, the rubber member 15 is compressed to generate a large reaction force p in the rubber member 15, and the reaction force p of the rubber member 15 is applied in various directions applied to the cell module 11. The cell module 11 can be stably held by resisting the inertial force.

  As a third effect, when the reaction force p of the rubber member 15 is loaded on the resin upper receiving surface 11a for a long time, the upper receiving surface 11a is deformed by a creep phenomenon. Even in such a case, since the rubber member 15 is deformed following the deformation of the upper receiving surface 11a, it is between the upper receiving surface 11a and the rubber member 15 or between the restraining rod 14 and the rubber member 15. There will be no gaps.

As a fourth effect, by interposing the rubber member 15 between the resin upper receiving surface 11 a and the metal restraining rod 14, the cell module 11 is less likely to slip relative to the restraining rod 14.
Second Embodiment
The present embodiment is an embodiment in which the structure of the cell module 11 in the first embodiment is changed to a cell module 21. Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the power supply device 20 in the present embodiment. In the first embodiment, the movement of each cell module 11 is constrained by sandwiching each cell module 11 from above and below by the four constraining rods 14. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the movement of each cell module 21 is restrained by sandwiching each cell module 21 from above and below by the two restraining rods 14 and the lower case 16.

  In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, two restraining rods 14 are arranged above and below the cell module 21, respectively. The end plates are fastened together. Here, the two restraining rods 14 disposed below the cell module 21 are not in contact with the cell module 21 and are used only for fastening the end plates.

  The internal structure of the cell module 21 is the same as that of the cell module 11 in the first embodiment. On the upper surface of the cell module 21, two upper receiving surfaces 21a for receiving the restraining rod 14 from above are formed at two locations. The structure of the upper receiving surface 21a is the same as the structure of the upper receiving surface 11a in the first embodiment. The lower surface of the cell module 21 is a smooth surface.

  Below the both side surfaces of the cell module 21 (front surface and rear surface in FIG. 5), the lower surface of the cell module 21 is in the width direction of the cell module 21 (direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, front-rear direction in FIG. 5). An overhang portion 21c is formed so as to overhang. The lower surfaces of the two overhang portions 21 c are contact surfaces 21 b that contact the two mounting surfaces 16 a of the lower case 16.

  A rubber member 15 is affixed to the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14 facing the upper receiving surface 21 a, that is, the lower 1/3 arc portion of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14.

  After placing the two contact surfaces 21b of the cell module 21 on the two mounting surfaces 16a of the lower case 16 and arranging the cell modules 21, the two restraining rods 14 above the cell module 21 are attached. By pressing from above, the upper receiving surface 21a and the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14 are brought into close contact with each other through the rubber member 15 in a compressed state.

  The assembly procedure of the power supply device 20 is that all the cell modules 21 stacked and integrated by temporary fastening are mounted on the lower case 16, and then the two restraining rods 14 above the cell modules 21 are pressed from above. Since it is substantially the same as the assembly procedure of the power supply device 10 in 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the present embodiment, an upper receiving surface 21a (concave surface) is formed on the upper surface of each cell module 21. The upper receiving surface 21a (concave surface) is formed in a concave shape from above to receive the restraining rod 14 from above. The receiving surface 21a and the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14 are in close contact with each other through the rubber member 15 in a compressed state. Accordingly, the concave shape of the upper receiving surface 21a and the convex shape of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14 are fitted to each other so that each cell module 21 is orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the cell modules 21 with respect to the restraining rod 14. Movement in the direction is fixed.

Thereby, disorder of the lamination | stacking state of the cell module 21 can be prevented, without fixing each of each cell module 21 with a volt | bolt etc. Moreover, it becomes possible to fix all of the cell modules 21 stacked by the restraining rod 14 which is a conventional part at once. Therefore, it greatly contributes to the reduction of the number of parts and the improvement of the assembly work efficiency.
<Third Embodiment>
The present embodiment is an embodiment in which the structure of the cell module 11 in the first embodiment is changed to a cell module 31 and the structure of the lower case 16 is changed to a lower case 36. Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the power supply device 30 in the present embodiment. In the second embodiment, the compressed rubber member 15 is interposed between the cell module 21 and the restraining rod 14, but in the present embodiment, the compressed state is provided between the cell module 31 and the lower case 36. The rubber member 15 is interposed.

  The internal structure of the cell module 31 is the same as that of the cell module 11 in the first embodiment. On the upper surface of the cell module 31, two upper receiving surfaces 31a for receiving the restraining rods 14 from above are formed. The shape of the upper receiving surface 31a is a shape obtained by vertically inverting the lower receiving surface 11b in the first embodiment. Since the rubber member 15 is not disposed on the surface of the upper receiving surface 31a, the diameter of the upper receiving surface 31a is slightly smaller than the diameter of the upper receiving surface 11a in the first embodiment. The lower surface of the cell module 31 is a smooth surface.

  Below the both side surfaces of the cell module 31 (front surface and rear surface in FIG. 6), the lower surface of the cell module 31 is in the width direction of the cell module 31 (direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, front-rear direction in FIG. 6). An overhang portion 31c is formed so as to overhang. Abutting surfaces 31b are formed on the lower surfaces of the both overhang portions 31c so as to abut on two mounting surfaces 36a, which will be described later, of the lower case 36 via the rubber member 15.

  The contact surface 31b is a surface that is concave from the bottom to the top, and the shape of the contact surface 31b is a shape obtained by vertically inverting the upper receiving surface 11a in the first embodiment. The contact surface 31b corresponds to a concave surface of the present invention, and the rubber member 15 is disposed on the surface of the contact surface 31b.

  The lower case 36 is made of metal and is formed by bending a metal plate. The lower case 36 is formed with two protrusions having a U-shaped cross section that extends in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 31 and is convex upward. A mounting surface 36a on which the cell module 31 is mounted is formed on each upper surface of the two protrusions.

  The mounting surface 36 a is a surface that is convex from the bottom to the top, and is formed as a convex surface having the same shape as a part of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14. As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting surface 36 a has a uniform 1/3 arc shape in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 31. The mounting surface 36a corresponds to the convex surface of the present invention, and the rubber member 15 is attached to the surface of the mounting surface 36a.

  After placing the two contact surfaces 31b of the cell module 31 on the two mounting surfaces 36a of the lower case 36 and arranging the cell modules 31, the two restraining rods 14 above the cell module 31 are attached. By pressing from above, the contact surface 31b and the mounting surface 36a are brought into close contact with each other via the rubber member 15 in a compressed state.

  The assembly procedure of the power supply device 30 is that all the cell modules 31 stacked and integrated by temporary fastening are mounted on the lower case 36, and then the two restraining rods 14 above the cell modules 31 are pressed from above. Since it is substantially the same as the assembly procedure of the power supply device 10 in 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the present embodiment, a contact surface 31b (concave surface) having a concave shape from the bottom to the top is formed on the lower surface of the overhanging portion 31c of each cell module 31, and the lower case 36 has A mounting surface 36a (convex surface) having a convex shape from the bottom to the top is formed. And the contact surface 31b and the mounting surface 36a are closely_contact | adhered via the rubber member 15 of a compression state. Therefore, by fitting the concave shape of the contact surface 31b and the convex shape of the mounting surface 36a, each cell module 31 is directed to the lower case 36 in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the cell modules 31. The movement is fixed.

Thereby, disorder of the lamination | stacking state of the cell module 31 can be prevented, without fixing each of each cell module 31 with a volt | bolt etc. In addition, all of the cell modules 31 stacked by the lower case 36 which is a conventional part can be fixed together. Therefore, it greatly contributes to the reduction of the number of parts and the improvement of the assembly work efficiency.
<Fourth embodiment>
The present embodiment is an embodiment in which the structure of the cell module 31 in the third embodiment is changed to a cell module 41 and the structure of the lower case 36 is changed to a lower case 46. Since other components are the same as those in the third embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the power supply device 40 in the present embodiment. In the third embodiment, the rubber member 15 in the compressed state is interposed between the contact surface 31b having a concave shape and the mounting surface 36a having a convex shape. A rubber member 15 in a compressed state is interposed between the contact surface 41b having a convex shape and the mounting surface 46a having a concave shape.

  The internal structure of the cell module 41 is the same as that of the cell module 11 in the first embodiment. On the upper surface of the cell module 41, two upper receiving surfaces 41a having the same shape as the upper receiving surface 31a in the third embodiment are formed. The lower surface of the cell module 41 is a smooth surface.

  Below the both side surfaces of the cell module 41 (front surface and rear surface in FIG. 7), the lower surface of the cell module 41 is in the width direction of the cell module 41 (direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, front-rear direction in FIG. 7). An overhang 41c is formed so as to overhang. Abutting surfaces 41b are formed on the lower surfaces of the both overhang portions 41c so as to abut on the two mounting surfaces 46a of the lower case 46 via the rubber member 15.

  The contact surface 41 b is a surface that is convex from the top to the bottom, and is formed as a convex surface having the same shape as a part of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod 14. As shown in FIG. 7, the contact surface 41 b has a uniform 1/3 arc shape in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 41. The contact surface 41b corresponds to the convex surface of the present invention, and the rubber member 15 is disposed on the surface of the contact surface 41b.

  The lower case 46 is made of metal, and is formed by bending a metal plate. The lower case 46 is formed with two protrusions having a U-shaped cross section that extends in the arrangement direction of the cell modules 41 and is convex upward. A mounting surface 46a on which the cell module 41 is mounted is formed on each upper surface of the two protrusions.

  The mounting surface 46a is a surface that is concave from the top to the bottom, and is formed as a concave surface having the same shape as the upper receiving surface 11a in the first embodiment. The mounting surface 46a corresponds to a concave surface of the present invention, and the rubber member 15 is attached to the surface of the mounting surface 46a.

  After placing the two contact surfaces 41b of the cell module 41 on the two mounting surfaces 46a of the lower case 46 and arranging the cell modules 41, the two restraining rods 14 above the cell module 41 are attached. By pressing from above, the contact surface 41b and the mounting surface 46a are brought into close contact with each other through the rubber member 15 in a compressed state.

The assembly procedure of the power supply device 40 is that all the cell modules 41 stacked and integrated by temporary fastening are mounted on the lower case 46, and then the two restraining rods 14 above the cell modules 41 are pressed from above. Since it is substantially the same as the assembly procedure of the power supply device 10 in 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted. The effect of this embodiment is substantially the same as the effect of the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
<Other embodiments>
The power supply device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described first to fourth embodiments, and various modifications and improvements that can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It goes without saying that it can be carried out at.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the upper receiving surface 11a is the concave surface of the present invention in which the rubber member 15 is disposed, but the rubber member 15 is disposed on the lower receiving surface and the lower receiving surface is the concave surface of the present invention. It can also be. Moreover, the rubber member 15 can be arrange | positioned to both an upper side receiving surface and a lower side receiving surface, and both an upper side receiving surface and a lower side receiving surface can also be made into the concave surface of this invention.

  In the first embodiment, the end plate 13 is made of metal, but a rigid end plate made of resin can also be used.

  In the first embodiment, the cell module 11 is held in the stacked state by the restraining rod 14 and the end plate 13, and the cell module 11 is assembled as the cell stack 12, and then the cell stack 12 is carried to the lower case 16. However, the cell module 11 and the end plate 13 can be stacked on the lower case 16.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the upper receiving surface receives the restraining rod 14 at two locations on the upper surface of the cell module. However, the upper receiving surface may receive the restraining rod 14 at one location. And it is good also as a structure received in three or more places.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the rubber member 15 is attached to the mounting surface of the restraining rod 14 or the lower case. However, the rubber member may be attached to the upper receiving surface and the contact surface of each cell module. .

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the shape of the concave surface and the convex surface on which the rubber member 15 is disposed is a 1/3 arc shape, but various arc shapes from 1/6 arc to 1/2 arc are used. be able to. In addition, if the reaction force p of the rubber member 15 is a concave surface and a convex surface shape that are dispersed in various directions orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the cell modules, the concave surface and the convex surface shape are not limited to the arc shape, but various shapes. It can be a shape. For example, the concave and convex shapes can be V-shaped or trapezoidal.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the arrangement direction of the cell modules is the left-right direction of the automobile. However, the arrangement direction of the cell modules can be the front-rear direction of the automobile.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the cell module is a secondary battery, but the cell module may be a fuel cell.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Power supply device 11 ... Cell module 11a ... Upper side receiving surface (concave surface) 11b ... Lower side receiving surface 12 ... Cell stack 13 ... End plate 14 ... Restraint rod 15 ... Rubber member (elastic member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Lower case 16a ... Mounting surface 20 ... Power supply device 21 ... Cell module 21a ... Upper receiving surface (concave surface) 21b ... Contact surface 30 ... Power supply device 31 ... Cell module 31a ... Upper receiving surface 31b ... Contact surface (concave surface)
36 ... Lower case 36a ... Mounting surface (convex surface)
40 ... Power supply device 41 ... Cell module 41a ... Upper receiving surface 41b ... Contact surface (convex surface)
46 ... Lower case 46a ... Mounting surface (concave surface)

Claims (3)

A plurality of cell modules having a resin outer shell and having a flat plate shape are stacked in the thickness direction of the cell modules and horizontally arranged, and each of both ends of the cell modules in the arrangement direction. An end plate to be disposed; a plurality of constraining rods disposed above and below the cell stack and fastening the end plates; and interposed between the cell stack and at least one constraining rod An elastic member that
An upper receiving surface for receiving the restraining rod from above is formed on the upper surface of each cell module, and a lower receiving surface for receiving the restraining rod from below is formed on the lower surface of each cell module. And
At least one of the upper receiving surface and the lower receiving surface is formed as a concave surface facing a part of the outer peripheral surface of the constraining rod, and between the concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of the constraining rod. The elastic member is disposed;
Each cell module is sandwiched from above and below by the restraining rods above and below the cell stack, and the concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod are brought into close contact with each other via the compressed elastic member. A power supply apparatus characterized in that movement of a cell module in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction is restricted. A plurality of cell modules having a resin outer shell and having a flat plate shape are stacked in the thickness direction of the cell modules and horizontally arranged, and each of both ends of the cell modules in the arrangement direction. An end plate to be disposed; a plurality of constraining rods disposed above and below the cell stack and fastening the end plates; and interposed between the cell stack and at least one constraining rod An elastic member, and a lower case having a mounting surface on which the cell stack is mounted,
An upper receiving surface that receives the restraining rod from above is formed on the upper surface of each cell module, and a contact surface that contacts the mounting surface of the lower case is formed on the lower surface of each cell module. Has been
The upper receiving surface is formed as a concave surface facing a part of the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod, and the elastic member is disposed between the concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of the constraining rod,
Each cell module is sandwiched from above and below by the restraining rod above the cell stack and the mounting surface of the lower case, and the concave surface and the outer peripheral surface of the restraining rod are in close contact with each other via the compressed elastic member Thus, the movement of each cell module in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is constrained. A plurality of cell modules having a resin outer shell and having a flat plate shape are stacked in the thickness direction of the cell modules and horizontally arranged, and each of both ends of the cell modules in the arrangement direction. An end plate to be disposed; a plurality of restraining rods that are respectively disposed above and below the cell stack and fasten the end plates; and a lower case on which a mounting surface on which the cell stack is mounted is formed. An elastic member interposed between the cell stack and the mounting surface of the lower case,
An upper receiving surface for receiving the restraining rod from above is formed on the upper surface of each cell module, and the lower surface of each cell module is abutted against the mounting surface of the lower case via the elastic member. A contact surface is formed,
One of the contact surface and the mounting surface is formed as a concave surface, and the other of the corresponding contact surface and the mounting surface is formed as a convex surface facing the concave surface, The elastic member is disposed between the concave surface and the convex surface,
By sandwiching each cell module from above and below by the restraining rod above the cell stack and the mounting surface of the lower case, and bringing the concave surface and the convex surface into close contact via the compressed elastic member, A power supply apparatus characterized in that the vertical and horizontal movements of each cell module are restricted.

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