Power storage device

Abstract

A power storage device (1) is provided with: a first power storage module (101); a second power storage module (102); a housing (200); a first mounting member (400) for connecting one end (101a) of the first power storage module and one end (102a) of the second power storage module, and mounting the first end (101a) and the one end (102a) on the housing; and a second mounting member (500) for connecting the other end (101b) of the first power storage module and the other end (102b) of the second power storage module, and mounting the other end (101b) and the other end (102b) on the housing. The second mounting member (500) has a lower bending rigidity than the first mounting member (400).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power storage device. Background Art

[0002] In the past, electric storage devices mounted on vehicles have been known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-133866 discloses a battery module mounting structure for a vehicle. The battery module mounting structure includes multiple battery modules and multiple mounting members for mounting the modules to side frames. The multiple battery modules are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the battery modules. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the storage module mounting structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-133866, to improve vehicle mounting efficiency, it is envisioned to increase the number of cells within each module or to integrate two adjacent modules into the vehicle using a dedicated component that connects them. However, this approach raises concerns about damage to the dedicated component due to thickness tolerances within the cells or due to expansion and contraction.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electricity storage device that can improve the efficiency of mounting an electricity storage module on a vehicle and suppress damage to a member connecting two electricity storage modules to each other.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a power storage device includes: a first power storage module having a shape elongated in one direction; a second power storage module having a shape elongated in the one direction and arranged adjacent to the first power storage module in a direction orthogonal to both the one direction and a vertical direction; a case that accommodates the first and second power storage modules; a first mounting member for connecting one end of the first power storage module and one end of the second power storage module in the one direction to each other, and for mounting the one and second ends of the first and second power storage modules to the case; and a second mounting member for connecting the other end of the first power storage module and the other end of the second power storage module in the one direction to each other, and for mounting the other ends of the first and second power storage modules to the case, the first and second power storage modules including a plurality of power storage cells arranged in parallel in the one direction, and the second mounting member having a flexural rigidity lower than that of the first mounting member.

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

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

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

[0009] Figure 3 It is an enlarged perspective view of the second mounting member.

[0010] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the second mounting member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

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

[0013] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the power storage device 1 includes a plurality of power storage modules 100 , a housing 200 , a monitoring unit 300 , a first mounting member 400 , and a second mounting member 500 .

[0014] The plurality of power storage modules 100 include a first power storage module 101 and a second power storage module 102 adjacent to each other. Figure 2 As shown, each power storage module 100 includes a plurality of power storage cells 110 and a pair of end plates 120 .

[0015] A plurality of storage cells 110 are arranged in parallel in one direction. As the storage cells 110, for example, lithium-ion batteries can be used. Each storage cell 110 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped. Figure 1 As shown, a plurality of power storage modules 100 including a first power storage module 101 and a second power storage module 102 are arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to both one direction and the up-down direction.

[0016] The pair of end plates 120 are disposed on both sides in one direction of the plurality of power storage cells 110. Each end plate 120 is made of metal (aluminum, etc.).

[0017] The housing 200 houses a plurality of power storage modules 100. The housing 200 includes a lower housing 201 and an upper housing (not shown).

[0018] The lower case 201 has an upper opening shape and is made of metal. The lower case 201 includes a bottom wall 210 , a peripheral wall 220 , a flange 230 , a partition wall 240 , and a reinforcement bracket 250 .

[0019] Bottom wall 210 is disposed below multiple power storage modules 100. A cooler (not shown) is provided below bottom wall 210, and heat conduction layers (not shown) may be provided between bottom wall 210 and the cooler and between bottom wall 210 and power storage modules 100.

[0020] The peripheral wall 220 stands upright 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 extending outward from the upper end portion of the peripheral wall 220 .

[0022] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the partition wall 240 partitions a pair of adjacent power storage modules 100 in the orthogonal direction. Both ends of the partition wall 240 in one direction are connected to the peripheral wall 220. In other words, the partition wall 240 has the function of reinforcing the peripheral wall 220.

[0023] Reinforcement bracket 250 is disposed in one direction between peripheral wall 220 and power storage module 100. Reinforcement bracket 250 reinforces the attachment of power storage module 110 to bottom wall 210. The lower end of reinforcement bracket 250 is fixed to bottom wall 210 by welding, etc., and the upper end of reinforcement bracket 250 is fixed to flange 230 by welding, etc.

[0024] The upper case has an open shape at the bottom and houses the plurality of power storage modules 100 together with the lower case 201. The upper case is made of metal.

[0025] The monitoring unit 300 monitors the plurality of power storage modules 100. The monitoring unit 300 is disposed in the housing 200. Figure 2 As shown, the monitoring unit 300 is arranged between the power storage module 100 and the peripheral wall 220 in one direction. The monitoring unit 300 has a substrate on which components for monitoring the voltage, temperature, etc. of each power storage cell 110 are mounted. Figure 2 As shown, a connector 312 is provided on the upper portion of the substrate.

[0026] like Figure 2As shown, the first mounting member 400 is used to connect one end 101a of the first storage module 101 and one end 102a of the second storage module 102 in one direction, and to mount the one end 101a of the first storage module 101 and the one end 102a of the second storage module 102 to the housing 200. In this embodiment, the one end 101a of the first storage module 101 and the one end 102a of the second storage module 102 are formed by the end plate 120. The first mounting member 400 is made of metal and covers the upper portion of the monitoring unit 300.

[0027] The first mounting member 400 has a first mounting portion 410 , a second mounting portion 420 , a connecting portion 430 , and a plurality of first fastening members 440 .

[0028] The first mounting portion 410 is used to mount one end portion 101a of the first power storage module 101 on the housing 200. The first mounting portion 410 is secured to the one end portion 101a and the housing 200 by a first fastening member 440. Specifically, the inner end portion of the first mounting portion 410 in one direction is secured to the one end portion 101a, while the outer end portion of the first mounting portion 410 in one direction is secured to the upper end portion of the reinforcing bracket 250.

[0029] The second mounting portion 420 is used to mount one end portion 102a of the second power storage module 102 on the housing 200. The second mounting portion 420 is secured to the one end portion 102a and the housing 200 by a first fastening member 440. Specifically, the inner end portion of the second mounting portion 420 in one direction is secured to the one end portion 102a, while the outer end portion of the second mounting portion 420 in one direction is secured to the upper end portion of the reinforcing bracket 250.

[0030] The connection portion 430 connects the first mounting portion 410 and the second mounting portion 420. The connection portion 430 is formed between the first power storage module 101 and the second power storage module 102 in the orthogonal direction. The connection portion 430 has an opening 430a through which the connector 312 is exposed.

[0031] like Figure 3As shown, the second mounting member 500 is a member used to connect the other end 101b of the first storage module 101 in one direction to the other end 102b of the second storage module 102 in one direction, and to mount the other end 101b of the first storage module 101 and the other end 102b of the second storage module 102 to the housing 200. In this embodiment, the other end 101b of the first storage module 101 and the other end 102b of the second storage module 102 are formed by the end plate 120. The second mounting member 500 has a lower flexural rigidity than the first mounting member 400.

[0032] Furthermore, "flexural rigidity" refers to the rigidity of each mounting member 400, 500 when bent within a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. For example, the flexural rigidity of the second mounting member 500 refers to the rigidity when the other end 102b of the second power storage module 102 moves relative to the other end 101b of the first power storage module 101 in one direction, or when the one end 102a of the second power storage module 102 moves relative to the one end 101a of the first power storage module 101 in an orthogonal direction.

[0033] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the second mounting member 500 has a first bracket 510 , a second bracket 520 , a connecting bracket 530 , and a second fastening member 540 .

[0034] The first bracket 510 is used to attach the other end 101b of the first power storage module 101 to the housing 200. The first bracket 510 is secured to the other end 101b and the housing 200 by a second fastening member 540. Specifically, the inner end of the first bracket 510 in one direction is secured to the other end 101b, while the outer end of the first bracket 510 in one direction is secured to the upper end of the reinforcing bracket 250. The first bracket 510 is made of metal.

[0035] The second bracket 520 is used to attach the other end 102b of the second power storage module 102 to the housing 200. The second bracket 520 is secured to the other end 102b and the housing 200 by a second fastening member 540. Specifically, the inner end of the second bracket 520 in one direction is secured to the other end 102b, while the outer end of the second bracket 520 in one direction is secured to the upper end of the reinforcing bracket 250. The second bracket 520 is made of metal.

[0036] The connection bracket 530 connects the other end 101 b of the first power storage module 101 and the other end 102 b of the second power storage module 102. The connection bracket 530 has a lower bending rigidity than the first mounting member 400.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the connecting bracket 530 has a first connecting portion 531 , a second connecting portion 532 and a low-rigidity portion 533 .

[0038] The first connection portion 531 is connected to the other end portion 101b of the first power storage module 101. The first connection portion 531 is secured to the other end portion 101b (end plate 120) of the first power storage module 101 by a second fastening member 540. In this embodiment, the first bracket 510 and the first connection portion 531 are secured to the other end portion 101b by a common second fastening member 540.

[0039] The second connection portion 532 is connected to the other end portion 102b of the second power storage module 102. The second connection portion 532 is fixed to the other end portion 102b (end plate 120) of the second power storage module 102 by a second fastening member 540. In this embodiment, the second bracket 520 and the second connection portion 532 are fixed to the other end portion 102b by a common second fastening member 540.

[0040] The low rigidity portion 533 is formed between the first connection portion 531 and the second connection portion 532. The low rigidity portion 533 has a bending rigidity lower than that of the first mounting member 400. The thickness of the low rigidity portion 533 is smaller than that of the first mounting member 400. The thickness of the low rigidity portion 533 is smaller than that of the first bracket 510 and the second bracket 520. Figure 4 As shown, the low-rigidity portion 533 has a shape that protrudes outward in one direction from the first connection portion 531 and the second connection portion 532 .

[0041] The length of the low-rigidity portion 533 in the vertical direction is the same as the length of the first connecting portion 531 and the length of the second connecting portion 532 in the same direction. However, the length of the low-rigidity portion 533 in the vertical direction may be different from the length of the first connecting portion 531 and the length of the second connecting portion 532 in the same direction.

[0042] like Figure 3As shown, the length of the low-rigidity portion 533 in the orthogonal direction is greater than the distance between the first bracket 510 and the second bracket 520 in the same direction. Specifically, the boundary between the first connecting portion 531 and the low-rigidity portion 533 contacts the end plate 120 of the first power storage module 101, while the boundary between the second connecting portion 532 and the low-rigidity portion 533 contacts the end plate 120 of the second power storage module 102. The portion of the low-rigidity portion 533 that faces the gap between the first and second power storage modules 101, 102 in one direction is formed into a flat plate.

[0043] As described above, in the power storage device 1 of this embodiment, the flexural rigidity of the second mounting member 500 is lower than that of the first mounting member 400. Therefore, the thickness tolerance of each power storage cell 110 and the expansion and contraction of each power storage cell 110 are absorbed by the deformation of the second mounting member 500. This improves the efficiency of mounting the power storage module on the vehicle while preventing damage to the mounting members 400 and 500 that connect the two power storage modules 101 and 102 to each other.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the first bracket 510 , the second bracket 520 , and the connecting bracket 530 may also be formed as an integrated member.

[0045] Those skilled in the art may understand the above-described exemplary embodiments as specific examples of the following aspects.

[0046] The power storage device in the above embodiment includes: a first power storage module having a shape elongated in one direction; a second power storage module having a shape elongated in the one direction and arranged adjacent to the first power storage module in a direction orthogonal to both the one direction and the up-down direction; a case accommodating the first and second power storage modules; a first mounting member for connecting one end of the first power storage module and one end of the second power storage module in the one direction to each other, and for mounting the one and second ends of the first and second power storage modules to the case; and a second mounting member for connecting the other end of the first power storage module and the other end of the second power storage module in the one direction to each other, and for mounting the other ends of the first and second power storage modules to the case, the first and second power storage modules including a plurality of power storage cells arranged in parallel in the one direction, and the second mounting member having a flexural rigidity lower than that of the first mounting member.

[0047] In this power storage device, the second mounting member has a lower flexural rigidity than the first mounting member. Therefore, the second mounting member's deformation absorbs thickness tolerances and expansion and contraction of the individual power storage cells. This improves the efficiency of mounting the power storage module on the vehicle while minimizing damage to the mounting members connecting the two power storage modules.

[0048] In addition, preferably, the second mounting member has: a first bracket, which is used to mount the other end of the first storage module on the shell; a second bracket, which is used to mount the other end of the second storage module on the shell; and a connecting bracket, which connects the other end of the first storage module and the other end of the second storage module to each other, and the connecting bracket has a bending rigidity lower than the bending rigidity of the first mounting member.

[0049] In this embodiment, by adjusting the bending rigidity of the connection bracket, it is possible to cope with changes in the number of power storage cells included in each power storage module.

[0050] In addition, preferably, the connecting bracket has: a first connecting portion, which is connected to the other end of the first storage module; a second connecting portion, which is connected to the other end of the second storage module; and a low-rigidity portion, which is formed between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion and has a bending rigidity lower than the bending rigidity of the first mounting member.

[0051] In this case, preferably, the low-rigidity portion has a shape that protrudes outward in the one direction from the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

[0052] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects as illustrative rather than restrictive. The scope of the present invention is given by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. An electric storage device comprising: a first electricity storage module having a shape long in one direction; a second electricity storage module having a shape elongated in the one direction and arranged adjacent to the first electricity storage module in a direction orthogonal to both the one direction and the up-down direction; a housing, the housing housing the first power storage module and the second power storage module; a first mounting member, the first mounting member being used to connect one end portion of the first power storage module in the one direction and one end portion of the second power storage module in the one direction to each other, and to mount the one end portion of the first power storage module and the one end portion of the second power storage module to the housing; as well as a second mounting member, the second mounting member being used to connect the other end of the first storage module in the one direction and the other end of the second storage module in the one direction to each other, and to mount the other end of the first storage module and the other end of the second storage module to the housing, The first power storage module and the second power storage module include a plurality of power storage cells arranged in parallel in the one direction. the second mounting member has a lower bending rigidity than the first mounting member, The second mounting member has: a first bracket, the first bracket being used to mount the other end portion of the first power storage module on the housing; a second bracket, the second bracket being used to mount the other end portion of the second power storage module on the housing; as well as a connecting bracket connecting the other end of the first power storage module and the other end of the second power storage module, The connecting bracket has a bending rigidity lower than that of the first mounting member.

2. The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein The connecting bracket has: a first connecting portion connected to the other end portion of the first power storage module; a second connecting portion connected to the other end portion of the second power storage module; and A low-rigidity portion is formed between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion and has a bending rigidity lower than that of the first mounting member.

3. The power storage device according to claim 2, wherein The low-rigidity portion has a shape that protrudes outward in the one direction from the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

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