Electric storage device

Abstract

A power storage device is provided with a plurality of power storage modules (100), a housing (200), a monitoring unit (300), and a mounting bracket (400). Each power storage module (100) includes a plurality of power storage cells (110). The plurality of power storage modules (100) are arranged side by side in the orthogonal directions. The monitoring unit (300) is disposed between the plurality of power storage modules (100) and the housing (200). The monitoring unit (300) has a housing made of resin. The housing (200) has a partition wall (240) made of metal and an outer covering portion made of metal. The partition wall (240) has a side covering portion. The mounting bracket (400) has an upper covering portion (410) that covers the upper side of the monitoring unit (300).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electricity storage device. Background Art

[0002] In the past, battery modules mounted on vehicles and the like have been known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-143584 discloses a battery monitoring module including a battery aggregate formed by arranging a plurality of battery cells, and a bus bar module that electrically connects the battery aggregates in series and monitors the voltage of each battery cell. The bus bar module has a monitoring unit, and the monitoring unit has a printed circuit board and a monitoring unit housing. The printed circuit board is provided with a monitoring IC for monitoring the states such as the voltage and temperature of the battery cells, and the monitoring unit housing houses the printed circuit board. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the battery monitoring module described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-143584, it is desired that the noise resistance performance of the monitoring unit is high. Therefore, consideration is given to adding a dedicated shielding member made of iron or the like, or forming the monitoring unit housing with metal. However, in this case, the cost and weight increase.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electricity storage device that can avoid an increase in the weight of the monitoring unit and can improve the noise resistance performance of the monitoring unit.

[0005] An electricity storage device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of electricity storage modules; a housing that houses the plurality of electricity storage modules; a monitoring unit that is disposed in the housing and monitors the plurality of electricity storage modules; and a mounting bracket made of metal for mounting the plurality of electricity storage modules to the housing. Each of the plurality of electricity storage modules includes a plurality of electricity storage cells arranged side by side in one direction, and the plurality of electricity storage modules are arranged side by side in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the one direction and the up-and-down direction. The monitoring unit is disposed between the plurality of electricity storage modules and the housing in the one direction. The monitoring unit has a frame made of resin. The housing has: a partition wall made of metal that separates between a pair of electricity storage modules adjacent to each other in the orthogonal direction; and an outer covering portion made of metal that covers the outside of the monitoring unit in the one direction. The partition wall has a side covering portion that covers the side of the monitoring unit in the orthogonal direction. The mounting bracket has an upper covering portion that covers the upper side of the monitoring unit.

[0006] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention as understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of an electricity storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an enlarged view of the range indicated by the solid line II in

[0009] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in

[0010] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of an electricity storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electricity storage device 1 is mounted in a vehicle, for example.

[0013] As Figures 1 to 4 shown, the electricity storage device 1 is provided with a plurality of electricity storage modules 100, a housing 200, a monitoring unit 300, and a mounting bracket 400.

[0014] As Figure 2 shown, each electricity storage module 100 has a plurality of electricity storage cells 110 and a pair of end plates 120.

[0015] The plurality of electricity storage cells 110 are arranged in parallel in one direction. As the electricity storage cells 110, for example, lithium ion batteries can be cited. Each electricity storage cell 110 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. As Figure 1 shown, the plurality of electricity storage modules 100 are arranged in parallel in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the one direction and the vertical direction.

[0016] The pair of end plates 120 are arranged on both sides of the plurality of electricity storage cells 110 in one direction. Each end plate 120 is made of a metal (such as aluminum).

[0017] The housing 200 houses the plurality of electricity storage modules 100. The housing 200 has a lower housing 201 and an upper housing 202 (see Figure 3 ). In addition, in Figure 1 andFigure 2 In [description], the illustration of the upper housing 202 is omitted.

[0018] The lower housing 201 has a shape that is open at the top. The lower housing 201 is made of metal. The lower housing 201 has a bottom wall 210, a peripheral wall 220, a flange 230, a partition wall 240, and a reinforcing bracket 250.

[0019] The bottom wall 210 is disposed below the plurality of power storage modules 100. As Figure 3 shown, a heat conduction layer 150 is provided between the bottom wall 210 and the power storage module 100. A cooler 160 is provided below the bottom wall 210.

[0020] The peripheral wall 220 rises from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 210 and surrounds the plurality of power storage modules 100.

[0021] The flange 230 has a shape that extends outward from the upper end of the peripheral wall 220.

[0022] As Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the partition wall 240 separates between a pair of power storage modules 100 that are adjacent to each other in the orthogonal direction. Both ends of the partition wall 240 in one direction are connected to the peripheral wall 220. That is, the partition wall 240 has a function of strengthening the peripheral wall 220.

[0023] The reinforcing bracket 250 is disposed between the peripheral wall 220 and the power storage module 100 in one direction. The reinforcing bracket 250 strengthens the installation of the power storage module 100 relative to the bottom wall 210 or the peripheral wall 220. In the present embodiment, the reinforcing bracket 250 strengthens the installation of the power storage module 100 relative to the bottom wall 210. The reinforcing bracket 250 has a lower fixing portion 252, an upper fixing portion 254, and an intermediate portion 256.

[0024] As Figure 3 shown, the lower fixing portion 252 is fixed to the inner surface of the bottom wall 210 by welding or the like. The lower fixing portion 252 is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0025] As Figure 2 shown, the upper fixing portion 254 is fixed to the flange 230 by welding or the like. The upper fixing portion 254 is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0026] The intermediate portion 256 connects the lower fixing portion 252 and the upper fixing portion 254. The intermediate portion 256 is formed in a flat plate shape. The intermediate portion 256 is disposed between the peripheral wall 220 and the power storage module 100 in one direction.

[0027] As Figure 3As shown, the upper housing 202 has a shape that is open at the bottom. The upper housing 202 and the lower housing 201 together house a plurality of power storage modules 100. The upper housing 202 is made of metal.

[0028] The monitoring unit 300 monitors the plurality of power storage modules 100. The monitoring unit 300 is disposed within the housing 200. As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the monitoring unit 300 is disposed between the power storage module 100 and the peripheral wall 220 in one direction, and more specifically, is disposed between the end plate 120 and the reinforcing bracket 250 in one direction. The monitoring unit 300 includes a main body 310, a holding body 320, and a housing 330.

[0029] The main body 310 has a substrate on which elements for monitoring the voltage, temperature, etc. of each power storage cell 110 are mounted. As Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, a connector 312 is provided at the upper part of the main body 310.

[0030] The holding body 320 holds the main body 310. The holding body 320 is made of metal (such as iron). The holding body 320 is fixed to the end plate 120.

[0031] The housing 330 houses the main body 310 together with the holding body 320. As Figure 2 shown, an exposure port for exposing the connector 312 is provided at the upper part of the housing 330. The housing 330 is made of resin.

[0032] The mounting bracket 400 is a bracket for mounting the plurality of power storage modules 100 to the housing 200. The mounting bracket 400 is made of metal (such as iron). As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the mounting bracket 400 is fixed to the power storage module 100 and the upper fixing portion 254 by fastening members (such as bolts) 10.

[0033] The mounting bracket 400 has an upper covering portion 410 that covers the upper side of the monitoring unit 300. As Figure 4 shown, the length of the upper covering portion 410 in the orthogonal direction is larger than the length of the monitoring unit 300 in the orthogonal direction. As Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, an opening 410a of a size that can contact the connector 312 is provided at a portion of the upper covering portion 410 that is located above the connector 312.

[0034] Here, a portion of the lower housing 201 near the monitoring unit 300 will be described. As Figure 3As shown, the peripheral wall 220 has a relative portion 222 opposite to the reinforcing bracket 250 in one direction. The relative portion 222 is located outside the monitoring unit 300 in one direction. The intermediate portion 256 is interposed between the monitoring unit 300 and the relative portion 222. That is, the intermediate portion 256 is also located outside the monitoring unit 300 in one direction. The relative portion 222 and the intermediate portion 256 of the reinforcing bracket 250 are both made of metal and form an outer covering portion that covers the outside of the monitoring unit 300 in one direction.

[0035] As Figure 4 shown, the partition wall 240 has a side covering portion 242 that covers the side of the monitoring unit 300 in the orthogonal direction.

[0036] As described above, in the power storage device 1 of the present embodiment, since the periphery of the monitoring unit 300 is covered by the side covering portion 242, the outer covering portion (relative portion 222 and intermediate portion 256), and the upper covering portion 410, all of which are made of metal respectively, the monitoring unit 300 is effectively shielded. Here, since the side covering portion 242 and the outer covering portion are formed by a part of the housing 200, and the upper covering portion 410 is formed by a part of the mounting bracket 400, compared with the case where a dedicated shielding member for shielding the monitoring unit 300 is used or the housing 330 of the monitoring unit 300 is formed of metal such as iron, by forming the housing 330 of resin, it is possible to achieve weight reduction and cost reduction of the monitoring unit 300, and improve the noise resistance performance of the monitoring unit 300.

[0037] In addition, noise from the side where the power storage cell 110 is located with respect to the main body 310 of the monitoring unit 300 towards the main body 310 is effectively blocked by the end plate 120 and the holding body 320.

[0038] In the above embodiment, only one of the relative portion 222 and the intermediate portion 256 may form the outer covering portion. In other words, either the relative portion 222 or the intermediate portion 256 may not be made of metal and may be formed of resin or the like.

[0039] In addition, the reinforcing bracket 250 may be omitted. In this case, only the relative portion 222 made of metal forms the outer covering portion, and the mounting bracket 400 is fixed to the flange 230 of the lower housing 201 or the like.

[0040] Those skilled in the art can understand the above-exemplified embodiments as specific examples of the following manner.

[0041] The power storage device in the above-described embodiment includes: a plurality of power storage modules; a housing that houses the plurality of power storage modules; a monitoring unit that is disposed inside the housing and monitors the plurality of power storage modules; a mounting bracket made of metal for mounting the plurality of power storage modules to the housing. Each of the plurality of power storage modules includes a plurality of power storage cells arranged in parallel in one direction. The plurality of power storage modules are arranged in parallel in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to both the one direction and the vertical direction. The monitoring unit is disposed between the plurality of power storage modules and the housing in the one direction. The monitoring unit has a frame made of resin. The housing has: a partition wall made of metal that separates a pair of adjacent power storage modules in the orthogonal direction; and an outer covering portion made of metal that covers the outside of the monitoring unit in the one direction. The partition wall has a side covering portion that covers the side of the monitoring unit in the orthogonal direction. The mounting bracket has an upper covering portion that covers the upper side of the monitoring unit.

[0042] In this power storage device, since the periphery of the monitoring unit is covered by a side covering portion, an outer covering portion, and an upper covering portion, each made of metal, the monitoring unit is effectively shielded. Here, since the side covering portion and the outer covering portion are formed as part of the housing, and the upper covering portion is formed as part of the mounting bracket, compared with the case of using a dedicated shielding member for shielding the monitoring unit or forming the frame of the monitoring unit from metal such as iron, by forming the frame from resin, it is possible to avoid an increase in the weight of the monitoring unit and improve the noise resistance performance of the monitoring unit.

[0043] Further, preferably, the length of the upper covering portion in the orthogonal direction is greater than the length of the monitoring unit in the orthogonal direction.

[0044] In this way, noise directed from above the monitoring unit towards the monitoring unit is effectively blocked by the upper covering portion.

[0045] Further, preferably, the housing has: a bottom wall disposed below the plurality of power storage modules; a peripheral wall that rises from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall and surrounds the periphery of the plurality of power storage modules; and a reinforcing bracket disposed between the peripheral wall and the monitoring unit to reinforce the mounting of the power storage module to the bottom wall or the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has a facing portion that faces the reinforcing bracket in the one direction, and at least one of the facing portion and the reinforcing bracket constitutes the outer covering portion.

[0046] In this case, preferably, the peripheral wall and the reinforcing bracket are made of metal, and the opposing portion and the reinforcing bracket together constitute the outer covering portion.

[0047] In this way, noise directed toward the monitoring unit from the outside in one direction is more reliably shielded.

[0048] Further, preferably, the housing further has a flange extending outward from an upper end portion of the peripheral wall, and the reinforcing bracket has: a lower fixing portion fixed to the bottom wall; an upper fixing portion fixed to the flange; and an intermediate portion connecting the lower fixing portion and the upper fixing portion, interposed between the monitoring unit and the opposing portion, and the mounting bracket is fixed to the power storage module and the upper fixing portion.

[0049] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

Claims

1. A power storage device, comprising: a plurality of power storage modules; a housing that houses the plurality of power storage modules; a monitoring unit that is disposed within the housing and monitors the plurality of power storage modules; and a mounting bracket made of metal for mounting the plurality of power storage modules to the housing, each of the plurality of power storage modules includes a plurality of power storage cells arranged side by side in one direction, the plurality of power storage modules are arranged side by side in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to both the one direction and the vertical direction, the monitoring unit is disposed between the plurality of power storage modules and the housing in the one direction, the monitoring unit has a frame made of resin, the housing has: a partition wall made of metal that separates between a pair of power storage modules adjacent to each other in the orthogonal direction; and an outer covering portion (222, 256) made of metal that covers the outside of the monitoring unit in the one direction, the partition wall has a side covering portion that covers the side of the monitoring unit in the orthogonal direction, the mounting bracket has an upper covering portion that covers the upper side of the monitoring unit.

2. The electricity storage device according to claim 1, wherein, The length of the upper covering portion in the orthogonal direction is larger than the length of the monitoring unit in the orthogonal direction.

3. The electricity storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The housing has: a bottom wall disposed below the plurality of power storage modules; a peripheral wall that rises from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall and surrounds the periphery of the plurality of power storage modules; and a reinforcing bracket disposed between the peripheral wall and the monitoring unit to reinforce the mounting of the power storage module to the bottom wall or the peripheral wall, the peripheral wall has a relative portion that faces the reinforcing bracket in the one direction, at least one of the relative portion and the reinforcing bracket constitutes the outer covering portion.

4. The electricity storage device according to claim 3, wherein, The peripheral wall and the reinforcing bracket are made of metal, the relative portion and the reinforcing bracket together constitute the outer covering portion.

5. The electricity storage device according to claim 3, wherein, The housing further has a flange that extends outward from the upper end portion of the peripheral wall, the reinforcing bracket has: a lower fixing portion fixed to the bottom wall; an upper fixing portion fixed to the flange; and an intermediate portion that connects the lower fixing portion and the upper fixing portion and is interposed between the monitoring unit and the relative portion, the mounting bracket is fixed to the power storage module and the upper fixing portion.

6. The electricity storage device according to claim 4, wherein, The housing further has a flange that extends outward from the upper end portion of the peripheral wall, the reinforcing bracket has: a lower fixing portion fixed to the bottom wall; an upper fixing portion fixed to the flange; and an intermediate portion that connects the lower fixing portion and the upper fixing portion and is interposed between the monitoring unit and the relative portion, the mounting bracket is fixed to the power storage module and the upper fixing portion.

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