Power storage module

Abstract

The invention provides a power storage module. The power storage module includes a plurality of power storage cells, a module case, and a connection member. Each of the plurality of power storage cells has an electrode body, a cell case, and an external terminal. The external terminal is electrically connected to the electrode body, is disposed outside the unit case, and is aligned with the unit case in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The module case has a bottom surface portion and a peripheral side surface portion. The connection member is connected to the external terminal of each of the power storage cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of power storage cells. At least a portion of the connecting member is buried in the peripheral side surface portion.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the specification of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0372793, a conventional rechargeable battery module is disclosed. The rechargeable battery module comprises a plurality of rechargeable batteries and a connecting component that electrically connects one of the plurality of rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable battery comprises an electrode assembly, a shell, a cover plate, a first sub-terminal and a second sub-terminal. The cover plate seals the opening of the shell. The first sub-terminal comprises a first part and a second part that is integrally formed with the first part. The first part is disposed at one end of the cover plate. The second part is disposed on the outer surface of the shell. The connecting component comprises a first connecting component. The first connecting component is joined to the outer surface of the second part of the first sub-terminal of an adjacent rechargeable battery among the plurality of rechargeable batteries. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the storage module disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0372793, the connection component is located on the side of the storage unit. Therefore, it is difficult to connect the connection component to the external terminal compared to the case where the connection component is located above the storage unit. Therefore, it becomes difficult to assemble the storage module.

[0004] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a power storage module that is easily assembled.

[0005] The storage module based on the present disclosure comprises a plurality of storage cells, a module housing and a connecting component. The storage cells are arranged in a first direction. The module housing houses a plurality of storage cells. The connecting component electrically connects the plurality of storage cells to each other. Each of the plurality of storage cells has an electrode body, a cell housing and an external terminal. The cell housing houses the electrode body. The external terminal is electrically connected to the electrode body, is arranged on the outside of the cell housing, and is arranged side by side with the cell housing in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The module housing has a bottom portion and a peripheral side portion. The bottom portion is arranged side by side with the plurality of storage cells in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction. The peripheral side portion rises from the bottom portion toward the third direction and surrounds the plurality of storage cells. The connecting component is connected to the external terminals of the adjacent storage cells in the plurality of storage cells. At least a portion of the connecting component is buried in the peripheral side portion.

[0006] According to the above configuration, at least a portion of the connection member is buried in the peripheral side surface portion, thereby facilitating the positioning of the connection member relative to the external terminal of the power storage unit. As a result, it is possible to provide a power storage module that is easy to assemble.

[0007] 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 in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically showing a power storage module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a plan view schematically showing a power storage module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a perspective view schematically showing a power storage unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 4 Observe from the direction of the arrow on line IV-IV Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a power storage module.

[0012] Figure 5 Observe from the direction of the arrow on the VV line Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an electrode body.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a perspective view schematically showing a process of housing a plurality of power storage cells in a module case. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0015] Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically showing a power storage module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 1 is a top view schematically showing a power storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the power storage module 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of power storage cells 10 , a module case 20 , one or more connection members 30 , and one or more spacers 40 .

[0016] The plurality of electric storage cells 10 are arranged in the first direction D1. Specifically, two or more electric storage cells 10 are arranged in the first direction D1 of the electric storage cells 10. A spacer 40 is arranged between a pair of adjacent electric storage cells 10.

[0017] First, the structure of each power storage cell 10 will be described in detail. Figure 3 It is a perspective view schematically showing a power storage unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 Observe from the direction of the arrow on line IV-IV Figure 2A cross-sectional view of a power storage module.

[0018] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the power storage cell 10 includes an electrode body 100 , a cell case 200 , a pair of external terminals 300 , a pair of connecting members 400 , and an insulating member 500 .

[0019] Figure 5 Observe from the direction of the arrow on the VV line Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an electrode body. Figure 5 As shown, the electrode body 100 includes a plurality of electrodes 110 and 120 and a separator 130 .

[0020] like Figure 5 As shown, the plurality of electrodes 110 and 120 are arranged in a manner of being aligned along the first direction D1. The plurality of electrodes 110 and 120 include a plurality of positive electrodes 110 and a plurality of negative electrodes 120.

[0021] Each positive electrode 110 is formed in the second direction D2 (in Figure 5 The second direction D2 is a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1. Each positive electrode 110 has a positive electrode collector foil 112 and a positive electrode active material layer 114 provided on both sides of the positive electrode collector foil 112. The positive electrode collector foil 112 has a positive electrode tab 112p (see Figure 4 ). The positive electrode tab 112p protrudes toward one side in the second direction D2.

[0022] Each negative electrode 120 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the second direction D2. Each negative electrode 120 includes a negative electrode current collector foil 122 and a negative electrode active material layer 124 disposed on both sides of the negative electrode current collector foil 122. Figure 4 As shown, the negative electrode current collector foil 122 has a negative electrode tab 122n without a negative electrode active material layer 124 (see Figure 4 ). The negative electrode tab 122n protrudes toward the other side in the second direction D2.

[0023] The separator 130 insulates the positive electrode 110 from the negative electrode 120. The separator 130 is made of an insulating material and has tiny gaps that allow ions to pass through. Figure 5 As shown, the partition 130 is formed in a zigzag shape.

[0024] The separator 130 has a rectangular shape before being formed into a zigzag shape. The separator 130 is formed into a zigzag shape and arranged between the electrodes 110 and 120. The separator 130 has a plurality of intervening portions 132a, a plurality of upper folded portions 132b, a plurality of lower folded portions 132c, and an outermost covering portion 132d.

[0025] Each intervening portion 132a is interposed between a pair of electrodes 110 and 120 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1. That is, each intervening portion 132a has a function of insulating the positive electrode 110 from the negative electrode 120. Each intervening portion 132a is composed of a rectangular region.

[0026] Each upper folded portion 132b connects the upper end of one of the plurality of clamping portions 132a and the upper end of a clamping portion 132a adjacent to the one clamping portion 132a on one side in the first direction D1. In the present embodiment, the upper folded portion 132b is disposed above the positive electrode 110.

[0027] Each lower folded portion 132c connects the lower end of one of the plurality of clamping portions 132a and the lower end of the clamping portion 132a adjacent to the one of the plurality of clamping portions 132a on the other side in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the lower folded portion 132c is disposed below the negative electrode 120. In other words, the negative electrode 120 is disposed on the lower folded portion 132c.

[0028] The outermost covering portion 132d covers all the upper folded portions 132b and all the lower folded portions 132c. In more detail, the outermost covering portion 132d winds all the electrodes 110, 120, all the clamping portions 132a, all the upper folded portions 132b and all the lower folded portions 132c around a central axis parallel to the second direction D2 and covers them together. The terminal 132e of the outermost covering portion 132d is set in a range that does not overlap with the positive electrode active material layer 114 and the negative electrode active material layer 124 in the first direction D1. In the present embodiment, the terminal 132e of the outermost covering portion 132d is arranged below each electrode 110, 120. In addition, an insulating film (not shown) is coated on the peripheral surface and bottom surface of the plurality of electrodes 110, 120 and the separator 130.

[0029] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the cell case 200 houses the electrode body 100. An electrolyte solution (not shown) is housed in the cell case 200. The cell case 200 is sealed. The cell case 200 includes a case body 210 and a cover 220.

[0030] The shell body 210 has an opening portion that opens upward. The shell body 210 is made of metal such as aluminum. The shell body 210 has a bottom wall 212 and a peripheral wall 214. The bottom wall 212 is formed in a rectangular and flat plate shape. The peripheral wall 214 stands up from the bottom wall 212. The peripheral wall 214 is formed in a square tube shape. The length of the peripheral wall 214 in the second direction D2 is longer than the length of the peripheral wall 214 in the first direction D1. The length of the peripheral wall 214 in the third direction D3 is longer than the length of the peripheral wall 214 in the first direction D1. The third direction D3 is a direction orthogonal to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0031] The cover 220 closes the opening of the housing body 210. The cover 220 is connected to the opening by welding or the like. The cover 220 is formed in a flat plate shape. The cover 220 is made of a metal such as aluminum. The cover 220 has a pressure release valve 222 and a sealing member 224.

[0032] The pressure relief valve 222 is formed in the center of the cover 220. The pressure relief valve 222 is formed to rupture when the internal pressure of the unit case 200 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. When the pressure relief valve 222 ruptures, the gas in the unit case 200 is released to the outside of the unit case 200 through the pressure relief valve 222, so that the internal pressure of the unit case 200 is reduced.

[0033] The sealing member 224 seals the injection port h formed in the cover 220. The injection port h is a through hole for injecting electrolyte into the cell case 200 during the manufacturing process of the power storage cell 10. After the electrolyte is injected into the case body 210 through the injection port h, the injection port h is sealed by the sealing member 224.

[0034] The pair of external terminals 300 are electrically connected to the electrode body 100 (details will be described later). The pair of external terminals 300 are respectively arranged outside the unit case 200. The pair of external terminals 300 are respectively arranged side by side with the unit case 200 on both sides in the second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1 (see Figure 4 Thus, by joining the external terminal 300 to the connection member 30 described later in the second direction D2, the height of the power storage module 1 in the third direction D3 can be reduced.

[0035] A pair of external terminals 300 is fixed to the unit case 200. One of the pair of external terminals 300 is a positive external terminal, and the other is a negative external terminal. Each external terminal 300 is fixed to the upper surface of the cover 220 via an upper insulating portion 510 described later. Each external terminal 300 is made of metal such as aluminum.

[0036] The pair of external terminals 300 respectively include a first terminal portion 310 and a second terminal portion 320. The first terminal portion 310 is located above the unit case 200. The first terminal portion 310 is fixed to the upper surface of the cover 220 via the upper insulating portion 510. The first terminal portion 310 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example.

[0037] The second terminal portion 320 extends from the first terminal portion 310 along the side surface of the unit housing 200. More specifically, the second terminal portion 320 extends along portions on both sides of the peripheral wall 214 of the housing body 210 in the second direction D2.

[0038] A pair of connecting members 400 connects the plurality of electrode tabs 112p and 122n to the external terminal 300. One connecting member 400 connects the plurality of positive electrode tabs 112p to the positive external terminal 300, and the other connecting member 400 connects the plurality of negative electrode tabs 122n to the negative external terminal 300. The pair of connecting members 400 have substantially the same structure, so one connecting member 400 will be described below.

[0039] The connecting member 400 includes a current collector tab 410 , a secondary tab 420 , and a connecting pin 430 .

[0040] The collector tab 410 has a side portion 412 and an upper portion 414. The side portion 412 is located on the side of the electrode body 100 in the second direction D2. The upper portion 414 is located above the electrode body 100. The upper portion 414 extends from the upper end of the side portion 412 toward the inside in the second direction D2.

[0041] The auxiliary tab 420 connects the plurality of positive tabs 112p to the collector tab 410. One end 422 of the auxiliary tab 420 is connected to the plurality of positive tabs 112p by welding or the like, and the other end 424 of the auxiliary tab 420 is connected to the side portion 412 of the collector tab 410 by welding or the like.

[0042] The connecting pin 430 connects the collector tab 410 to the first terminal portion 310 of the external terminal 300. The connecting pin 430 connects the upper portion 414 to the first terminal portion 310 of the external terminal 300. Specifically, the lower end of the connecting pin 430 is connected to the upper portion 414 by welding or the like while being inserted into a through hole provided in the upper portion 414, and the upper end of the connecting pin 430 is connected to the external terminal 300 by welding, riveting or the like while being inserted into a through hole provided in the first terminal portion 310 of the external terminal 300.

[0043] The insulating member 500 insulates the unit case 200 from the connecting member 400. The insulating member 500 includes an upper insulating portion 510, a lateral insulating portion 515, a lower insulating portion 520, an insulating tube 530, and an insulating plate 540.

[0044] The upper insulating portion 510 is fixed to the upper surface of the cover 220. The upper insulating portion 510 is disposed between the cover 220 and the first terminal portion 310 of the external terminal 300. The upper insulating portion 510 is provided with an insertion hole through which the coupling pin 430 is inserted.

[0045] The lateral insulating portion 515 is disposed on the peripheral wall 214 of the housing body 210. The lateral insulating portion 515 extends downward from the upper insulating portion 510. The lateral insulating portion 515 is disposed between the peripheral wall 214 of the housing body 210 and the second terminal portion 320 of the external terminal 300.

[0046] The lower insulating portion 520 is fixed to the lower surface of the cover 220. The lower insulating portion 520 is disposed between the cover 220, the upper portion 414, and the lower portion of the connecting pin 430. The lower insulating portion 520 is provided with an insertion hole through which the connecting pin 430 is inserted.

[0047] The insulating tube 530 is disposed between the connecting pin 430 and the cover 220. The insulating tube 530 is formed in a cylindrical shape and surrounds the connecting pin 430.

[0048] The insulating plate 540 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper portion 414. The insulating plate 540 is disposed above the electrode body 100. Through holes are provided in the insulating plate 540 at a portion below the pressure release valve 222 and a portion below the liquid injection port h.

[0049] In addition, the insulating member 500 that insulates one of the pair of connecting members 400 (for example, the connecting member 400 electrically connected to the positive electrode tab 112p) from the unit case 200 may not have the upper insulating portion 510 and the horizontal insulating portion 515. In this case, the external terminal 300 may be in direct contact with the unit case 200, or other conductive members may be arranged between the external terminal and the unit case 200 instead of the upper insulating portion 510 and the horizontal insulating portion 515.

[0050] Next, the module case 20 and the connecting member 30 of the power storage module 1 will be described. Figure 6 This is a perspective view schematically showing a process of housing a plurality of power storage cells in a module case.

[0051] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the module case 20 accommodates a plurality of power storage cells 10 . The module case 20 has a bottom surface portion 21 and a peripheral side surface portion 22 .

[0052] The bottom surface portion 21 is arranged in parallel with the plurality of power storage cells 10 in the third direction D3. The bottom surface portion 21 is in contact with the plurality of power storage cells 10. The bottom surface portion 21 has a substantially rectangular outer shape when viewed from the third direction D3.

[0053] The peripheral side surface portion 22 is formed integrally with the bottom surface portion 21 . The peripheral side surface portion 22 stands from the bottom surface portion 21 in the third direction D3 and surrounds the plurality of power storage cells 10 .

[0054] The module case 20 is made of an insulating member. The entire module case 20 is made of a resin composition.

[0055] Connecting member 30 contacts external terminal 300 of each adjacent storage battery cell 10 among the plurality of storage battery cells 10. Specifically, connecting member 30 contacts second terminal portion 320 of external terminal 300 of each adjacent storage battery cell 10 among the plurality of storage battery cells 10.

[0056] More specifically, first connection member 30A is disposed on external terminal 300 (second terminal portion 320) of first storage cell 10A, which is one of the plurality of storage cells 10, and is disposed on external terminal 300 (second terminal portion 320) of second storage cell 10B, which is another storage cell adjacent to first storage cell 10A, of the two or more storage cells 10. In the present embodiment, external terminal 300 on the negative electrode 120 side of first storage cell 10A and external terminal 300 on the positive electrode 110 side of second storage cell 10B are connected by first connection member 30A.

[0057] The connection member 30 has conductivity. Therefore, the connection member 30 electrically connects the external terminal 300 of the first power storage unit 10A and the external terminal 300 of the second power storage unit 10B. Furthermore, the connection member 30 electrically connects the plurality of power storage units 10 to each other.

[0058] At least a portion of the connection member 30 is buried in the peripheral side surface portion 22. This can improve the rigidity of the module case 20. The connection member 30 can be buried in the peripheral side surface portion 22 by molding the module case 20 by injection molding a resin to cover a portion of the connection member 30, for example.

[0059] The connection member 30 includes a connection surface 31 in contact with the external terminal 300 and a buried surface 32 located on the opposite side of the connection surface 31 (see Figure 4 The connection surface 31 and a portion 22 b of the inner surface 22 a of the peripheral side portion 22 that contacts the external terminal 300 are located on the same virtual plane.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the entire buried surface 32 is in contact with the module case 20 and is not exposed to the outside. However, a portion of the buried surface 32 may be exposed to the outside of the module case 20 through a hole formed in the module case 20 .

[0061] The connection member 30 is made of metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The connection member 30 may be joined to the external terminal 300 (second terminal portion 320 ) by welding or the like, or may not be joined.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the plurality of power storage cells 10 further include a third power storage cell 10C. In addition, the one or more connection members 30 further include a second connection member 30B that is different from the first connection member 30A.

[0063] The third power storage cell 10C is located on the side opposite to the second power storage cell 10B side when viewed from the first power storage cell 10A. The third power storage cell 10C is adjacent to the first power storage cell 10A. The second connection member 30B is arranged on the other external terminal 300 (second terminal portion 320) of the first power storage cell 10A and on the external terminal 300 (second terminal portion 320) of the third power storage cell 10C.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the first connection member 30A and the second connection member 30B are both provided on the inner surface 22a side of the peripheral side portion 22. In the present embodiment, all the connection members 30 are provided on the inner surface 22a side of the peripheral side portion 22.

[0065] As described above, the power storage module 1 of one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of power storage cells 10, a module case 20, and a connection member 30. The power storage cells 10 are arranged in the first direction D1. The module case 20 accommodates the plurality of power storage cells 10. The connection member 30 electrically connects the plurality of power storage cells 10 to each other. The plurality of power storage cells 10 each include an electrode body 100, a cell case 200, and an external terminal 300. The cell case 200 accommodates the electrode body 100. The external terminal 300 is electrically connected to the electrode body 100, is arranged outside the cell case 200, and is arranged side by side with the cell case 200 in the second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1. The module case 20 includes a bottom surface portion 21 and a peripheral side surface portion 22. The bottom surface portion 21 is arranged side by side with the plurality of power storage cells 10 in the third direction D3 orthogonal to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The peripheral side surface portion 22 rises from the bottom surface portion 21 toward the third direction D3, and surrounds the plurality of power storage cells 10. Connecting member 30 is in contact with external terminals 300 of adjacent electric storage cells 10 among the plurality of electric storage cells 10 . At least a portion of connecting member 30 is buried in peripheral side surface portion 22 .

[0066] According to the above configuration, at least a portion of the connection member 30 is buried in the peripheral side surface portion 22, thereby facilitating the connection member 30 to be positioned relative to the external terminal 300 of the power storage cell 10. As a result, it is possible to provide the power storage module 1 which is easy to assemble.

[0067] In addition, the external terminal 300 is also in contact with the peripheral side surface portion 22. According to this structure, the power storage cell 10 can be fixed to the module case 20 more firmly.

[0068] The connection member 30 has a connection surface 31 in contact with the external terminal 300 and a buried surface 32 located opposite to the connection surface 31. The connection surface 31 and a portion 22b of the inner surface 22a of the peripheral side portion 22 in contact with the external terminal 300 are located on the same virtual plane.

[0069] According to the above structure, it is easier to accommodate a plurality of power storage units 10 in the module case 20. Figure 6 As shown, when the power storage unit 10 is housed in the module case 20 from the side opposite to the bottom surface portion 21 side, the chance of the connection member 30 making unintended contact with the power storage unit 10 in the third direction D3 can be reduced.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, and it is intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

Claims

1. A power storage module comprising: A plurality of power storage units are arranged in a first direction; a module housing for housing the plurality of power storage units; and a connecting member for electrically connecting the plurality of power storage units to each other, Each of the plurality of storage cells comprises: an electrode body; a cell case accommodating the electrode body; and an external terminal electrically connected to the electrode body, arranged outside the cell case and arranged side by side with the cell case in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The module housing has: a bottom portion arranged in parallel with the plurality of power storage units in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction; and The peripheral side surface portion is erected from the bottom surface portion toward the third direction and surrounds the plurality of power storage units. The connection member is connected to the external terminals of the adjacent storage cells among the plurality of storage cells. At least a portion of the connection member is buried in the peripheral side surface portion.

2. The power storage module according to claim 1, wherein: The external terminal is also connected to the peripheral side surface.

3. The power storage module according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting member has a connecting surface connected to the external terminal and a buried surface located opposite to the connecting surface. The connection surface and a portion of the inner surface of the peripheral side portion connected to the external terminal are located on the same imaginary plane.

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