JP6086314B2 - Power storage device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is a power storage element such as a battery cell (single cell) or a capacitor, and includes a plurality of power storage elements aligned in a first direction and a plurality of spacers arranged between adjacent power storage elements. Relates to the device.

  As this type of power storage device, a plurality of power storage elements aligned in the first direction, a plurality of spacers respectively disposed between adjacent power storage elements, and a frame that holds the plurality of power storage elements and the plurality of spacers are provided. Is known (Patent Document 1).

  The spacer described in Patent Literature 1 includes a spacer main body and a holding portion that extends from the spacer main body and holds an end of the electric storage element that faces the spacer main body in the extending direction (see FIGS. 5 and 7 of Patent Literature 1). (Holding member 30), "holding piece 32", "holder tongue piece 33", and "mounting frame 38"). Further, a part of the holding portion (“holding piece 32”, “holder tongue piece 33”, “mounting frame 38”) is a locking portion that locks the opposite surface in the extending direction of the end portion of the power storage element. It has.

  Here, depending on the design of the spacer, if there is a locking portion for holding the power storage element, this locking portion may hit the spacer body of the adjacent spacer. For this reason, it is necessary to provide a gap between the storage elements by adding the thickness of the locking portion to the thickness of the spacer body. Will occur.

JP 2012-64356 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a power storage device that can shorten the overall length while maintaining a power storage capacity by arranging a plurality of power storage elements as densely as possible.

The power storage device according to the present invention includes:
A plurality of power storage elements aligned in a first direction;
A plurality of spacers disposed between adjacent power storage elements,
Each of the plurality of spacers is
A spacer body;
A holding portion that extends from the spacer body and holds an end of the electricity storage element facing the spacer body in the extending direction;
The holding portion includes a locking portion that locks the opposite surface in the extending direction of the end portion of the power storage element,
The spacer body includes a receiving portion that receives the locking portion of the adjacent spacer at a position corresponding to the locking portion in the first direction.

  According to such a configuration, when the plurality of power storage elements are aligned with the spacers disposed therebetween, the locking portions of the holding portions of the spacers are arranged on the spacer main body of the adjacent spacer in the extending direction of the holding portions. Accepted by the receiving part. For this reason, the locking portion does not hit the spacer body of the adjacent spacer. Thus, the plurality of power storage elements can be aligned with the spacers in close contact therebetween.

Here, as one aspect of the power storage device according to the present invention,
It is possible to further include a cooling device that contacts at least a part of the plurality of power storage elements and that cools the plurality of power storage elements by conducting heat to a refrigerant.

  According to this configuration, it is more preferable to increase the arrangement density of the power storage elements with respect to the cooling device. If there is no receiving portion, there arises a problem that the locking portion hits the spacer main body of the adjacent spacer, which hinders improvement in arrangement density. The significance that the receiving portion is formed in the spacer body is very significant for the cooling system using the cooling device.

Further, as another aspect of the power storage device according to the present invention,
At least one surface of the spacer body can be a flat surface that abuts against the storage element.

  According to such a configuration, at least one surface of the spacer body may be a flat surface in order to reduce the cost of the spacer. In this case, if there is no receiving portion, the locking portion is likely to hit the spacer main body of the adjacent spacer. The significance of forming the receiving portion in the spacer body is very significant when the spacer body has a flat surface on at least one side.

Further, as another aspect of the power storage device according to the present invention,
The receiving part is an opening that penetrates the spacer body,
The locking part can block at least a part of the receiving part.

  According to such a configuration, even if the receiving portion is an opening, at least a part of the receiving portion is blocked by the locking portion, and foreign matter does not enter or is difficult to enter. Therefore, it is difficult for foreign matter to collect in the receiving portion. Thereby, the insulation between adjacent electrical storage elements is not impaired, and there is no possibility that a short circuit will occur between adjacent electrical storage elements.

As still another aspect of the power storage device according to the present invention,
The cross-sectional shape of the receiving portion along the surface orthogonal to the first direction can be the same as or slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the locking portion along the surface orthogonal to the first direction.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated in the receiving portion that has received the locking portion, or to prevent a gap from being generated as much as possible. If the gap is large, if the receiving portion is an opening that penetrates the spacer body, a non-insulating portion is formed between adjacent power storage elements insulated by the spacer. Or a non-insulating part will be formed between the adjacent termination | terminus member (described later) and the electrical storage element insulated by the spacer. However, such a non-insulating portion can be substantially eliminated by having no gap or a small gap.

As still another aspect of the power storage device according to the present invention,
A pair of termination members sandwiching the plurality of power storage elements in the first direction;
Spacers may be arranged between each of the two power storage elements located at both ends in the first direction and each of the pair of termination members.

  According to this structure, the latching | locking part of the holding part of the spacer arrange | positioned next to the receiving part of the spacer main body of the spacer arrange | positioned between adjacent termination | terminus members and an electrical storage element is received. Therefore, the adjacent termination member and the electricity storage element can also be arranged densely.

As still another aspect of the power storage device according to the present invention,
The holding unit can be configured to hold a portion between the corners of the power storage element among the ends of the power storage element.

As still another aspect of the power storage device according to the present invention,
The holding portion includes at least two holding portions that hold the end portions of the power storage elements at different locations,
A plurality of receiving parts may be provided according to the number of the holding parts.

  As described above, according to the present invention, by arranging a plurality of power storage elements as densely as possible, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect that the total length can be shortened while maintaining the power storage capacity.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module which is an embodiment of a power storage device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a front view of the battery module. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the battery module. FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the battery module. FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the battery module. 6A is a perspective view of the spacer in the battery module as viewed from one side, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the spacer as viewed from the opposite side. FIG. 7 shows a front view of the spacer. 8A is a perspective view of the battery cell held by the spacer when viewed from one side, and FIG. 8B is a front view of the battery cell held by the spacer. FIG. 9A is a plan view of a state in which two battery cells held by the spacer are arranged, and FIG. 9B is along the XZ plane in a state of two battery cells held by the spacer. The principal part expanded sectional view is shown. FIG. 10A is a rear view of a state in which two battery cells held by the spacer are arranged, and FIG. 10B is along an XY plane in a state in which two battery cells held by the spacer are arranged. The principal part expanded sectional view is shown. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the terminal member of the battery module as viewed from one side, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the terminal member as viewed from the opposite side. FIG. 12A is a perspective view seen from one side in a state where the spacer and one terminal member are combined, and FIG. 12B is along the YZ plane in a state where the spacer and one terminal member are combined. FIG. 13A is a perspective view seen from one side in a state where the spacer and the other terminal member are combined, and FIG. 13B is along the YZ plane in a state where the spacer and the other terminal member are combined. FIG. FIG. 14A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part along the XZ plane in a state where the spacer and one terminal member are combined, and FIG. 14B is an XY in the state where the spacer and one terminal member are combined. The principal part expanded sectional view along a plane is shown. FIG. 15A is an enlarged sectional view of a main part along the XZ plane in a state where the spacer and the other terminal member are combined, and FIG. 15B is an XY in a state where the spacer and the other terminal member are combined. The principal part expanded sectional view along a plane is shown.

  Hereinafter, a battery module which is an embodiment of a power storage device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the battery module 1 is arrange | positioned on the both sides of the some battery cell 3 arranged in the 1st direction, between the adjacent battery cells 3, and the some battery cell 3 in a 1st direction, respectively. A plurality of spacers 5, a plurality of battery cells 3, a frame 7 that holds and packages the plurality of spacers 5, and at least one of the voltage, current, or temperature of the plurality of battery cells 3 for each battery cell 3. A cell monitoring circuit (CMU: Cell Monitor Unit) module 9 to be monitored is provided.

  In the following, for the sake of convenience, the first direction is referred to as the X direction (X-axis direction among the orthogonal axes shown in each drawing), and the second direction orthogonal to the first direction is referred to as the Y-direction (shown in each drawing). The third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction is referred to as the Z direction (the Z axis direction among the orthogonal axes shown in each drawing). In each figure, the X, Y, and Z symbols are attached to one side in each of the X, Y, and Z directions. When the Z direction is placed in the vertical direction, the Z direction is the up / down direction, the Y direction is the left / right direction, and the X direction is the front / rear direction.

  The battery cell 3 includes a case 30 including a case main body 31 having an opening and a lid 32 that closes and seals the opening of the case main body 31. In case 30, an electrode body (not shown) including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate which are insulated from each other is accommodated. The battery cell 3 is a rectangular battery flat in the X direction.

  The battery cell 3 includes a pair of positive and negative electrode terminals 33. The adjacent battery cells 3 are arranged so that the polarities are opposite to each other, and the bus bar 34 is attached to the electrode terminal 33 of the adjacent battery cell 3. Then, a nut (not shown) is screwed to the electrode terminal 33. Thereby, the some battery cell 3 is electrically connected and comprises one battery. Of the plurality of battery cells 3, one of the two battery cells 3 positioned at both ends in the X direction (hereinafter referred to as “battery cell at one end”) is one electrode terminal (positive electrode). A positive external terminal 35 is attached to the electrode terminal (33), and a negative electrode terminal (negative electrode terminal) 33 of the other battery cell 3 (hereinafter referred to as “battery cell at the other end”) is connected to the negative electrode. The external terminal 35 is attached.

  The spacer 5 is made of synthetic resin and has an insulating property. The spacer 5 includes a spacer main body 50 and a holding portion 51 that extends from the spacer main body 50 in the X direction and holds the outer peripheral end of the battery cell 3 that faces the spacer main body 50 in the X direction. The spacer body 50 is formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the rectangular shape of the case 30 of the battery cell 3 when viewed from the X direction. The holding part 51 includes a corner holding part 52 formed at each of the four corners of the spacer body 50, and an inter-corner holding part 53 formed at the center of each of the three sides of the spacer body 50. Yes.

  In the battery module according to the present embodiment, as a cooling method for the battery cell 3, a cooling plate (heat sink) in which a cooling medium such as water flows (through a pipe) (for example, via a thermally conductive gel) is used. The so-called water-cooling method is adopted in which the battery cell 3 is cooled by contact with the battery cell 3. It is not a so-called air cooling type in which a gap is formed between the battery cells 3 and the battery cell 3 is cooled by air flowing through the gap. In the case of an air-cooled spacer, for example, a spacer main body having a rectangular wave cross-sectional shape is used in order to secure an air flow path. However, a water-cooled spacer does not need this, and a plurality of batteries are used. In order to place more battery cells 3 on the cooling plate by arranging the cells 3 as densely as possible, in this embodiment, a flat plate-like spacer body 50 is used. Thereby, the spacer 5 is such that the surface in the X direction of the case 30 of one battery cell 3 of the adjacent battery cell 3 is in contact with one surface of the spacer body 50, and the other battery cell of the adjacent battery cell 3. 3 is arranged between adjacent battery cells 3 so that the surface of the case 30 in the X direction is in contact with the other surface of the spacer body 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the corner holding portion 52 is an extending piece extending from the orthogonal end edge in the Y direction and the Z direction at the corner of the spacer body 50 to both sides on the one side and the other side in the X direction. 520. The extending piece 520 extends so that the length in the X direction is shorter than the thickness dimension of the battery cell 3 in the X direction. Two orthogonal inner surfaces of the extension piece 520 are in contact with corner portions of the outer peripheral end portion of the battery cell 3.

  Of the extended piece 520, one portion in the X direction has an outer step 521 by being thinned from the outer surface side in a predetermined width region from the distal end to the proximal end. The portion on the other side in the X direction of the extending piece 520 has an inner stepped portion 522 by being thinned from the inner surface side in a predetermined width region from the distal end to the proximal end side. Therefore, when the battery cells 3 held by the spacers 5 are aligned in the X direction, each of the other spacers 5 is placed in the inner step portion 522 of each corner holding portion 52 of one spacer 5 of the adjacent spacers 5. The outer stepped portion 521 of the corner holding portion 52 enters. Thereby, the adjacent spacers 5 are not displaced from each other in the Y direction or the Z direction.

  The inter-corner holding portion 53 includes a top holding portion 53A provided at the central portion of the top portion (top side) of the spacer main body 50 and a first portion provided at the central portion of the left and right side portions (side sides) of the spacer main body 50. One side portion holding portion 53B and a second side portion holding portion 53C are provided. Each of the top portion holding portion 53A, the first side portion holding portion 53B, and the second side portion holding portion 53C is configured by an extending piece 530 that extends to the other side in the X direction. The extending piece 530 of the first side portion holding portion 53B extends so that the length in the X direction is slightly longer than the thickness dimension of the battery cell 3 in the X direction. The extending piece 530 of the second side portion holding portion 53C extends so that the length in the X direction is shorter than the thickness dimension of the battery cell 3 in the X direction.

  Each of the top portion holding portion 53A and the first side portion holding portion 53B includes a protruding piece 531 that protrudes inward at the tip portion. The protruding piece 531 of the top holding portion 53A protrudes toward the bottom of the spacer body 50, and the protruding piece 531 of the first side holding portion 53B protrudes toward the second side holding portion 53C. The protruding piece 531 of the top holding portion 53A is formed with a certain width in the Y direction. Two protruding pieces 531 of the first side holding portion 53B are formed with an interval in the Z direction. These protruding pieces 531 have the same thickness as the spacer main body 50 or a thickness thinner than the spacer main body 50.

  The second side portion holding portion 53C includes a protrusion 532 that protrudes inward at the tip portion. The protrusion 532 protrudes toward the first side portion holding portion 53B. The protrusion 532 is located closer to the spacer body 50 than the protrusion 531. Two sets of the protrusions 532 are formed so as to be close to each other in the Z direction with a gap in the Z direction.

  Here, in contrast to the protrusions 531 and the protrusions 532 being formed, openings 500 are formed in the spacer main body 50 at locations corresponding to the protrusions 531 and the protrusions 532 in the X direction. The spacer main body 50 includes an opening 500 formed corresponding to the protruding piece 531 of the top holding portion 53A, two openings 500 formed corresponding to the two protruding pieces 531 of the first side holding portion 53B, And two openings 500 formed corresponding to the two sets of protrusions 532 of the second side portion holding portion 53C. Each opening 500 is formed in a size that includes the corresponding protrusions 531 and 532 in consideration of the ease of molding of the spacer 5 during molding and the releasability during mold release. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of each opening 500 along the YZ plane is the same as or slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape along the YZ plane of the portion of the corresponding protrusion 531 that is received by the opening 500. Note that “slightly large” means a size that does not affect the insulating property, and there is substantially no gap between the opening 500 and a portion of the protruding piece 531 that can be received by the opening 500. That's what it means. For example, (the cross-sectional area of the portion of the protruding piece 531 that is received in the opening 500) / (the cross-sectional area of the opening 500) is 50% or more. Note that the required insulation depends on the voltage of the battery module used. Therefore, the size of the gap can be changed as appropriate.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the spacer 5 holds the battery cell 3. Of the outer peripheral ends (of the case 30) of the battery cell 3, each of the four corners is held by the corner holding part 52, the top is held by the top holding part 53A, and the left and right side parts are It is held by the one side holding part 53B and the second side holding part 53C. Of the top of the battery cell 3, the surface in the direction in which the top holding portion 53A extends (the surface opposite to the surface facing the spacer main body 50 of the case 30 of the battery cell 3) protrudes from the top holding portion 53A. The piece 531 is locked. Of the one side portion of the battery cell 3, the protruding piece 531 of the first side portion holding portion 53 </ b> B is locked to the surface in the direction in which the first side portion holding portion 53 </ b> B extends. A protrusion 532 of the second side portion holding portion 53C is in contact with the other side portion of the battery cell 3. Thus, the battery cell 3 is held by the spacer 5 and integrated with the spacer 5.

  By the way, the spacer 5 holding the battery cell 3 is inserted into the inner stepped portion 522 of the adjacent stepped portion 521 of the adjacent spacer 5 holding the battery cell 3 so that the adjacent battery cell 3 is held. It is integrated with the spacer 5. At this time, as described above, in the spacer 5, the surface in the X direction of the case 30 of one battery cell 3 of the adjacent battery cells 3 is in contact with one surface of the spacer main body 50, and The other battery cell 3 is disposed between adjacent battery cells 3 such that the surface of the case 30 in the X direction is in contact with the other surface of the spacer body 50. In this case, if there is a protruding piece 531 of the top holding portion 53A or a protruding piece 531 of the first side holding portion 53B, these protruding pieces 531 hit the spacer main body 50 of the adjacent spacer 5, and the X of the case 30 of the battery cell 3 The surface in the direction cannot be brought into contact with one surface of the spacer body 50. However, an opening 500 is formed at a corresponding portion of the spacer body 50 of the adjacent spacer 5. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the protruding piece 531 of the top holding portion 53A enters the opening 500 formed at the top of the spacer body 50 of the adjacent spacer 5, and the protruding piece 531 of the first side holding portion 53B is As shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 531 does not hit the spacer main body 50 of the adjacent spacer 5 because it enters the opening 500 formed on the side of the spacer main body 50 of the adjacent spacer 5. Therefore, the plurality of battery cells 3 can be aligned with the spacers 5 being in close contact therebetween.

  1 to 5, the frame 7 is disposed on both sides of the plurality of battery cells 3 in the X direction and a pair of termination members 70 (so-called end plates) that sandwich the plurality of battery cells 3 and the plurality of spacers 5 in the X direction. ) And a connecting member 75 that connects the pair of terminal members 70 together and tightens the plurality of battery cells 3 and the plurality of spacers 5 together.

  The termination member 70 is made of metal such as aluminum formed by casting, for example. The termination member 70 includes a termination member main body 71 and leg portions 72 projecting outward in the X direction from the lower portion of the termination member main body 71. Similarly to the spacer main body 50, the end member main body 71 is formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the case 30 of the battery cell 3 being rectangular when viewed from the X direction. The end member 71 is composed of a rectangular frame portion and lattice-shaped ribs formed in the frame portion, and has a certain amount of thickness in the X direction but is lightweight and rigid. .

  A female screw 710 into which a screw portion of a bolt (fastening member) 85 to be described later is screwed is formed on the side portion of the termination member main body 71 along the Y direction. The female screws 710 are spaced apart from each other in the Z direction on one side and the other side (hereinafter simply referred to as “one side” and “other side”) in the Y direction of the termination member main body 71. A pair is provided.

  The pair of female screws 710 on one side are formed at asymmetric positions with respect to the center line of the termination member main body 71 in the Z direction. That is, in one side portion, one female screw 710 is formed on one end side in the Z direction on one side portion, and the other female screw 710 approaches the Z direction center side from the other end in the Z direction on one side portion. It is formed in the position. More specifically, on one side, one female screw 710 is disposed on one end side in the Z direction on one side, and the other female screw 710 is between the one female screw 710 and the head of the bolt 85. A gap larger than the width dimension in the Z direction of the part is formed, and a gap larger than the width dimension in the Z direction of the head of the bolt 85 is formed between the other end in the Z direction of one side part. It is arranged to be.

  The pair of female screws 710 on the other side are formed at positions that are asymmetric with respect to the center line of the termination member body 71 in the Z direction. That is, in the other side portion, one female screw 710 is formed on the other end side in the Z direction of the other side portion, and the other female screw 710 is shifted from one end in the Z direction of the other side portion to the center side in the Z direction. It is formed in the position. More specifically, in the other side portion, one female screw 710 is disposed on the other end side in the Z direction of the other side portion, and the other female screw 710 is interposed between one female screw 710 and the bolt 85. A distance larger than the width dimension in the Z direction of the head is formed, and a distance larger than the width dimension in the Z direction of the head of the bolt 85 is formed between one end in the Z direction of the other side part. It is arranged to be.

  Further, the pair of female screws 710 on one side and the pair of female screws 710 on the other side are formed at point-symmetrical positions with respect to the center point of the termination member main body 71 in the Y direction and the Z direction. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a protrusion 712 is formed on the top 711 of the termination member main body 71. The ridge 712 has a predetermined width in the X direction, and is formed from one end to the other end in the Y direction of the termination member main body 71 along the Y direction. The ridge 712 is formed flush with the outer surface of the terminal member main body 71 in the X direction.

  A seat 713 is formed on the top 711 of the end member main body 71 so as to protrude in the Z direction. The seat 713 is formed slightly inside the ends of the top portion 711 of the termination member main body 71. The seat 713 is a seat on which the cell monitoring circuit module 9 is placed.

  Convex portions 714 projecting in the Z direction are formed on the top portion 711 of the termination member main body 71 outward in the Y direction from the seat 713, that is, at both ends of the top portion 711 of the termination member main body 71. The convex portion 714 has a semicircular arc end by rounding the corner in the X direction in plan view. An outer surface 714 a in the Y direction of the convex portion 714 is flush with or substantially flush with the side portion 715 of the termination member main body 71. The distance between the outer surfaces 714 a of the pair of left and right convex portions 714 and the distance between the left and right side portions 715 of the termination member main body 71 are the same or substantially the same as the width dimension in the Y direction of the case 30 of the battery cell 3. Further, the height from the bottom of the termination member main body 71 to the top surface 714 b of the convex portion 714 is the same as or substantially the same as the height dimension of the case 30 of the battery cell 3 in the Z direction. Therefore, each of the one end member 70 shown in FIG. 12 and the other end member 70 shown in FIG. Each of the two corner portions at both ends of the spacer is held by the corner portion holding portion 52 of the spacer 5, so that it is integrated with the spacer 5.

  Returning to FIG. 11, in each of the top portion 711, the left and right side portions 715, and the bottom portion 716 of the termination member main body 71, the corners on the spacer 5 side are rounded to form relief portions 717. The relief portion 717 of the top portion 711 is formed in a region including the opening 500 (through portion) at the top portion of the spacer body 50. More specifically, the relief portion 717 of the top portion 711 is formed in the central region of about one third of the corner portion of the top portion 711 on the spacer 5 side. The relief portion 717 of the side portion 715 is formed in a region including the opening 500 (through portion) on each of the left and right side portions of the spacer body 50. More specifically, the relief portion 717 of the side portion 715 is formed in a wide range except for the convex portion 714 and the corner portion on the bottom portion 716 side. The relief portion 717 of the bottom portion 716 has a recess portion 501 (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) as the portion excluding both ends of the bottom portion of the spacer body 50 is displaced to the center side to form the recess portion 501. Part). More specifically, the relief portion 717 of the bottom portion 716 is formed in a wide range except for the left and right corners.

  By forming relief portions 717 at the top portion 711 and the bottom portion 716 of the termination member main body 71, insulation between one termination member 70 and the battery cell 3 in the opening 500 at the top portion of the spacer 5 as shown in FIG. The insulation distance between the one end member 70 and the battery cell 3 in the recess 501 at the bottom of the spacer 5 is longer. Further, the relief portion 717 is formed on the side portion 715 of the termination member main body 71, so that the termination member 70 and the battery cell 3 between the one end member 70 in the side opening 500 of the spacer 5 are formed as shown in FIG. The insulation distance is also long.

  Further, by forming relief portions 717 on the top portion 711 and the bottom portion 716 of the termination member main body 71, as shown in FIG. 15A, the other termination member 70 and the battery cell 3 in the opening 500 at the top portion of the spacer 5 The insulation distance between the other end member 70 and the battery cell 3 in the recess 501 at the bottom of the spacer 5 is longer. Further, the relief portion 717 is formed on the side portion 715 of the termination member main body 71, so that the other termination member 70 and the battery cell 3 in the opening 500 on the side portion of the spacer 5 are formed as shown in FIG. The insulation distance is also long.

  Returning to FIGS. 1 to 5, the leg portion 72 has a sufficient strength against falling in the X direction and the Y direction in a state where the leg portion 72 is attached to a base plate A described later by a bolt (fastening member) 87 described later. The terminal member main body 71 is integrally formed with a certain thickness. The leg portion 72 is formed with a through-hole 720 for passing the screw portion of the bolt 87 along the Z direction. The distal end portion of the leg portion 72 is formed in a semicircular arc shape. A pair of leg portions 72 are provided at intervals in the Y direction.

  The pair of leg portions 72 are formed at asymmetric positions with respect to the center line of the termination member main body 71 in the Y direction. That is, one leg portion 72 is formed on one end side in the Y direction of the lower portion of the termination member main body 71, and the other leg portion 72 extends from the other end in the Y direction of the lower portion of the termination member main body 71 to the Y direction center side. It is formed at a close position. More specifically, one leg 72 is disposed on one end side in the Y direction at the bottom of the termination member main body 71, and the other leg 72 is located between the one leg 72 and the Y direction of the leg 72. And a gap larger than the width dimension in the Y direction of the leg portion 72 is formed between the lower end of the terminal member main body 71 and the other end in the Y direction. Have been placed.

  In the present embodiment, the same two termination members 70 are used for the pair of termination members 70. In other words, in the present embodiment, one end member 70 of the same two end members 70 arranged in the same direction is turned over 180 degrees (rotated about the Z axis), and the same two end members 70 face each other. A termination member 70 is used.

  In addition, the spacer 5 arrange | positioned between the termination | terminus member 70 and the battery cell 3 is the same as the spacer 5 arrange | positioned between the adjacent battery cells 3. FIG. Therefore, the spacer 5 disposed between the termination member 70 and the battery cell 3 has the surface in the X direction of the case 30 of the battery cell 3 in contact with one surface of the spacer body 50 and the X of the termination member 70. It arrange | positions so that the inner surface in a direction may contact | abut the other surface of the spacer main body 50.

  A pair of connecting members 75 are provided on both sides of the plurality of battery cells 3 in the Y direction. That is, the connecting member 75 includes a connecting member 75 that is arranged to face the plurality of battery cells 3 from one side in the Y direction, and a connecting member 75 that is arranged to face the plurality of battery cells 3 from the other side in the Y direction. ing.

  The connecting member 75 extends along the X direction and is parallel to each other with a gap therebetween, and a pair of cross beam portions 76 that connect one end portion and the other end portion of the pair of cross beam portions 76 in the X direction. It has a vertical beam portion 77 and has a rectangular frame shape as a whole. One horizontal beam portion 76 of the pair of horizontal beam portions 76 includes a bent portion 760 that goes around the bottom of the plurality of battery cells 3. Each of the pair of vertical beam portions 77 includes a bent portion 770 that wraps around the surface in the X direction of the battery cell 3 at one end and the other end. Accordingly, the pair of connecting members 75 is enhanced in rigidity by the bent portions 760 and 770, and the Z direction of the plurality of battery cells 3 and the plurality of spacers 5 is restrained by the bent portion 760, and the X direction is bent in the pair. Constrained by the portion 770, the Y direction is constrained by the pair of horizontal beam portions 76 and the pair of vertical beam portions 77. In addition, since the connecting member 75 is formed in a frame shape by the pair of horizontal beam portions 76 and the pair of vertical beam portions 77, particularly the cross-sectional moment in the X direction is improved, the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 3 is increased. The rigidity at is very strong.

  A pair of vertical beam portions 77 of the connecting member 75 is formed with a through hole 771 for passing the screw portion of the bolt 85 along the Y direction. A pair of through-holes 771 are provided at one end and the other end in the X direction of the connecting member 75 (hereinafter simply referred to as “one end” and “the other end”) with a gap therebetween in the Z direction. ing.

  The pair of through holes 771 at the one end are formed at asymmetric positions with respect to the center line of the connecting member 75 in the Z direction. That is, at one end, one through hole 771 is formed on one end side in the Z direction of the one end, and the other through hole 771 is at a position closer to the Z direction center side from the other end in the Z direction of the one end. Is formed. More specifically, at one end, one through hole 771 is disposed on one end side in the Z direction of the one end, and the other through hole 771 is between the one through hole 771 and the head of the bolt 85. An interval larger than the width dimension in the Z direction is formed, and an interval larger than the width dimension in the Z direction of the head of the bolt 85 is formed between the other end in the Z direction of one end portion. Have been placed.

  The pair of through holes 771 at the other end are formed at positions that are asymmetric with respect to the center line of the connecting member 75 in the Z direction. That is, in the other end portion, one through hole 771 is formed on the other end side in the Z direction of the other end portion, and the other through hole 771 approaches the Z direction center side from one end in the Z direction of the other end portion. It is formed in the position. More specifically, in the other end portion, one through hole 771 is disposed on the other end side in the Z direction of the other end portion, and the other through hole 771 is between the one through hole 771 and the bolt 85. A distance larger than the width dimension in the Z direction of the head is formed, and a distance larger than the width dimension in the Z direction of the head of the bolt 85 is formed between the other end of the head in the Z direction. It is arranged to be.

  Furthermore, the pair of through-holes 771 at one end and the pair of through-holes 771 at the other end are formed at point-symmetric positions with respect to the center point of the connecting member 75 in the Y direction and the Z direction.

  In the present embodiment, the same two connecting members 75 are used for the pair of connecting members 75. That is, in this embodiment, one of the two connecting members 75 arranged in the same direction is turned over 180 degrees (rotated about the Z axis), and the same two members A connecting member 75 is used.

  The cell monitoring circuit module 9 is obtained by housing a cell monitoring circuit (not shown) in a circuit case 90. The circuit case 90 includes a case main body 91 having an opening and a lid 92 that closes and seals the opening of the case main body 91.

  In the battery module 1 having the above configuration, a plurality of battery cells 3 are stacked while the spacers 5 are disposed therebetween, and the spacers 5 are also disposed outside the battery cells 3 at one end and the other end, and further on both sides thereof. The pair of connecting members 75 are disposed in the plurality of battery cells 3 from the Y direction in a state where the pair of terminating members 70 are arranged and a compressive force in the X direction is applied between the pair of terminating members 70. After the threaded portions of the bolts 85 inserted into the 75 through holes 771 are screwed into the female threads 710 of the termination member 70, the plurality of battery cells 3 and the plurality of spacers 5 are integrated together with the frame 7. The monitoring circuit module 9 is completed by being arranged and attached to the plurality of battery cells 3 from the Z direction.

  A plurality of battery modules 1 are placed on a base plate (not shown), for example, a cooling plate (heat sink) in which a cooling medium such as water circulates (via a pipe), with the bottom facing the X direction and The battery module unit is manufactured by being placed and fixed in the Y direction, the X direction only, or the Y direction only.

  In the battery module 1 having the above configuration, the spacer main body 50 of the spacer 5 includes the protruding piece 531 of the top holding portion 53A of the adjacent spacer 5 and the protruding piece of the first side holding portion 53B of the adjacent spacer 5. 531 (all functioning as a locking portion that locks the opposite surface side of the outer peripheral end portion of the battery cell 3) are provided with a plurality of openings 500 into which the respective 531 enter. Each opening 500 functions as a receiving portion that receives the locking portion. Therefore, the protruding piece 531 hits the spacer main body 50, so that the thickness of the protruding piece 531 must be added to the thickness of the spacer main body 50 to provide a separation between the battery cells 3. The plurality of battery cells 3 can be aligned with the spacer 5 in close contact therebetween. Such a structure is also applied between the adjacent termination member 70 and the battery cell 3. Thereby, the total length of the battery module 1 can be shortened while maintaining the storage capacity, and thereby the storage capacity per unit volume can be increased.

  Further, the opening 500 formed corresponding to the protruding piece 531 of the top holding portion 53 </ b> A of the spacer 5 is blocked by the insertion of the protruding piece 531 of the top holding portion 53 </ b> A of the adjacent spacer 5. Therefore, it is difficult for foreign matter to enter the opening 500. The battery module 1 having the above-described configuration is formed so as to correspond to the protruding piece 531 of the top holding portion 53A of the spacer 5 because the pair of positive and negative electrode terminals 33 of the battery cell 3 are disposed above. The opening 500 is disposed on the upper side. Therefore, if dust or dust enters the battery module 1, it can drop into the opening 500. However, as described above, the opening 500 is blocked by the protruding piece 531. More specifically, the width of the protruding piece 531 is substantially the same as the width of the opening 500, and the protruding piece 531 closes the opening end of the opening 500 that is open when viewed from above. Therefore, no foreign matter enters the opening 500 and accumulates. Thereby, the insulation between the adjacent battery cells 3 is not impaired, and there is no possibility that a short circuit occurs between the adjacent battery cells 3.

  Further, in the battery module 1 having the above configuration, the spacer 5 used between the adjacent battery cells 3 is also used between the adjacent termination member 70 and the battery cell 3 from the viewpoint of sharing parts. Since the opening 5 is formed in the spacer 5, a non-insulating portion is formed between the adjacent termination member 70 and the battery cell 3 that are insulated by the spacer 5 as it is. However, in the battery module 1 having the above configuration, a relief portion 717 is formed at a location corresponding to the opening 500 of the termination member 70. Therefore, the insulation distance between the termination member 70 and the battery cell 3 in the opening 500 can be increased.

  Further, in the battery module 1 having the above configuration, a total of four positions including two points of a pair of left and right convex portions 714 formed on the top portion 711 of the termination member main body 71 and two points of left and right corner portions of the bottom portion 716. Are coincident with the four corners of the case 30 of the battery cell 3. Therefore, the pair of left and right convex portions 714 of the top portion 711 and the left and right corner portions of the bottom portion are held by the corner portion holding portions 52 of the spacer 5. Thereby, the termination | terminus member 70 and the spacer 5 can be integrated, without producing the backlash on a YZ plane. And the top part 711 of the termination | terminus member main body 71 exists in the position offset by the bottom part 716 side rather than the top surface 714b of the convex part 714, The form of the termination | terminus member main body 71 was shaved between the convex parts 714 on either side It has become. Thereby, the termination member 70 can be reduced in weight. In addition, since the convex part 714 is hold | maintained at the corner | angular part holding | maintenance part 52, it functions as a to-be-held part.

  In addition, the electrical storage apparatus which concerns on this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the opening 500 is formed at a corresponding portion of the spacer body 50 as a receiving portion that receives the locking portion of the holding portion 51 of the spacer 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The receiving part may be non-penetrating instead of penetrating.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, since it is a water cooling type, as mentioned above, the significance that the opening 500 is formed in the spacer main body 50 is very large. That is, unlike the air-cooled type, the water-cooled type does not require air to flow between adjacent battery cells. Therefore, by adopting a spacer in which the spacer body is a flat plate, a plurality of battery cells can be arranged as densely as possible to shorten the overall length of the battery module. Nevertheless, when the latching portion for holding the battery cell is provided, if the spacer body has no opening for receiving the latching portion, the latching portion hits the spacer body of the adjacent spacer. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a space between the battery cells by adding the thickness of the locking portion to the thickness of the spacer body. In terms of solving this problem, it is very significant that the opening 500 is formed in the spacer body 50 in the water cooling method. However, even if it is air-cooled, that is, when a structure having, for example, a rectangular wave-shaped cross section is adopted as the spacer body 50, the spacer body 50 is locked to the spacer body 50 depending on the arrangement of the locking portions. Forming a receiving part for receiving the part may be effective in shortening the length of the battery cells 3 in the stacking direction. Therefore, the present invention does not exclude the air cooling type. The same applies to battery modules that do not require cooling of battery cells, and the present invention does not exclude them.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the spacer whose spacer main body is a flat plate shape is employ | adopted. However, as described above, for example, a spacer body having a rectangular wave-shaped cross-section, as well as a spacer body in which only one surface is a flat surface, can be employed. Specifically, one surface of the spacer body is a flat surface that comes into contact with the surface in the X direction of the case 30 of the battery cell 3, but the other surface is a surface in the X direction of the case 30 of the battery cell 3. Alternatively, the spacer main body may be a non-flat surface (for example, an uneven surface in which a concave portion and a convex portion are repeated) that the entire surface does not contact. Even in this case, since the engaging portion does not interfere with the spacer body, the battery cells 3 can be arranged densely, and in the case of the water cooling type, the arrangement density of the battery cells 3 with respect to the cooling plate (heat sink) is increased. be able to. In particular, if the spacer body has a flat surface opposite to the surface on which the locking portion is provided, the effect is greatly expected.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the top holding portion 53A and the first side portion holding portion 53B are provided as the holding portions having the locking portions, and the opening 500 is formed at a location corresponding to the protruding pieces 531 of the spacer body 50. Is formed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The projecting piece 531 is provided on the second side holding portion 53C (in this case, the projection 532 may be eliminated or may be left), and is opened at a location corresponding to the projecting piece 531 of the spacer body 50. 500 may be formed. In addition, a locking portion may be provided in the corner portion holding portion 52 instead of the inter-corner portion holding portion 53, and the opening 500 may be formed at a location corresponding to the locking portion of the spacer body 50. In short, in order to hold the battery cell 3 reliably, a holding portion having a locking portion is provided at a preferable location, and a receiving portion may be formed in the spacer main body 50 corresponding to this.

  In the above embodiment, the holding portion having the locking portion protrudes to one side of the spacer body 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The holding part which has a latching | locking part may be mixed with what protrudes in the one side and what protrudes in the other side from the same location or different location of the spacer main body 50. FIG.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, in order to prevent the insulation distance between the battery cell 3 and the termination member 70 in the opening 500 from being shortened, the termination member 70 includes at least a portion having the opening 500 in the region facing the spacer body 50. In addition, a relief portion 717 is formed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Extremely speaking, in order not to create a gap as much as possible in the receiving part that received the locking part, the section that is received by the receiving part of the locking part and the cross-sectional shape of the receiving part are the same, and the locking part becomes the receiving part If the gap is not formed at all by fitting, the escape portion 717 is not necessarily required.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the relief portion 717 is formed obliquely by rounding the corner portion on the spacer 5 side of the termination member main body 71. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the relief portion may have a stepped shape that is recessed in the X direction.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the escape portion 717 of the top portion 711 of the termination member main body 71 and the relief portion 717 of the left and right side portions 715 are respectively the opening 500 of the top portion of the spacer body 50 and the opening 500 of the left and right side portions. It is formed over a much wider area than the size. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The escape portion 717 may be formed at least according to the size of the opening 500.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the top part 711 of the termination | terminus member main body 71 is offset by the bottom part 716 side, and weight reduction is achieved. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a held portion may be formed at both ends of the bottom portion 716, and the bottom portion 716 side may be offset to the top portion 711 side. In addition to or in addition to this, one side 715 may be offset to the other side 715 to reduce the weight. In this case, the held portions are provided at both ends of the side portion 715 in the Z direction.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the lithium ion secondary battery was demonstrated. However, the type and size (capacity) of the battery are arbitrary.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the lithium ion secondary battery. The present invention is also applicable to various secondary batteries, other primary batteries, and capacitors such as electric double layer capacitors.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery module, 3 ... Battery cell, 30 ... Case, 31 ... Case main body, 32 ... Cover body, 33 ... Electrode terminal, 34 ... Bus bar, 35 ... External terminal, 5 ... Spacer, 50 ... Spacer main body, 500 ... Opening (Receiving part), 501 ... hollow part, 51 ... holding part, 52 ... corner holding part, 520 ... extending piece, 521 ... outer step part, 522 ... inner step part, 53 ... inter-corner holding part, 53A ... Top part holding part, 53B ... 1st side part holding part, 53C ... 2nd side part holding part, 530 ... Extension piece, 531 ... Projection piece (locking part), 532 ... Projection, 7 ... Frame, 70 ... Termination member , 71: Termination member main body, 710 ... Female screw, 711 ... Top, 712 ... Projection, 713 ... Seat, 714 ... Projection, 714a ... Outer surface, 714b ... Top surface, 715 ... Side, 716 ... Bottom, 717 ... Relief part 72 ... Leg part 720 ... Through hole 75 ... Connection Material 76, transverse beam portion, 760, bent portion, 77, longitudinal beam portion, 770, bent portion, 771 through hole, 85 bolt, 9 cell monitoring circuit (CMU) module, 90 circuit case, 91 case Body

Claims (8)

A plurality of power storage elements aligned in a first direction;
A plurality of spacers disposed between adjacent power storage elements,
Each of the plurality of spacers is
A spacer body;
A holding portion that extends from the spacer body and holds an end of the electricity storage element facing the spacer body in the extending direction;
The holding portion includes a locking portion that locks the opposite surface in the extending direction of the end portion of the power storage element,
The said spacer main body is provided with the receiving part which receives the said latching | locking part of an adjacent spacer in the location corresponding to the said latching | locking part in said 1st direction. The power storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: a cooling device that contacts at least a part of the plurality of power storage elements, wherein the cooling device cools the plurality of power storage elements by conducting heat to a refrigerant. The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the spacer main body is a flat surface in contact with the power storage element. The receiving portion is an opening penetrating the spacer body,
The power storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking portion blocks at least a part of the receiving portion. 5. The cross-sectional shape of the receiving portion along a surface orthogonal to the first direction is the same as or slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the locking portion along a surface orthogonal to the first direction. The power storage device according to any one of the above. A pair of termination members sandwiching the plurality of power storage elements in the first direction;
The said spacer is arrange | positioned also between each of the two electrical storage elements located in both ends in said 1st direction, and each of a pair of said termination | terminus member of Claim 1 thru | or 5. Power storage device. The power storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the holding unit is configured to hold a portion between a corner portion of the power storage element among the end portions of the power storage element. . The holding portion includes at least two holding portions that hold the end portions of the power storage element at different locations;
The power storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of the receiving portions are provided according to the number of the holding portions.

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