Electricity storage device

Abstract

A power storage device (100) is provided with: a stack (10) formed by arranging a plurality of battery cells (11) in the X direction (arrangement direction); an exhaust duct (30) disposed in the stack (10) so as to extend in the X direction; a bus bar module (40) including a plurality of bus bars (41) connected to the stack (10); and a sponge (50) (elastic body) disposed in the smoke discharge duct (30). The bus bar module (40) is provided so as to cover at least a portion of the smoke discharge duct (30). The sponge (50) is disposed between the bus bar module (40) and the smoke discharge duct (30).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-022965 discloses a battery stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells. A smoke exhaust duct extending in the stacking direction is mounted on the battery stack. The smoke exhaust duct is fixed by being mounted on a smoke exhaust duct mounting rail provided on the battery stack. Summary of the invention

[0004] Here, the battery stack may deform to undulate in the vertical direction (the direction in which the stack and the exhaust duct overlap) due to the expansion of each of the plurality of battery cells. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress deformation of the stack in the vertical direction while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electric storage device capable of suppressing deformation of a stack in the vertical direction (the direction in which the stack and the exhaust duct overlap) while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. Technical means to solve problems

[0006] The power storage device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a stack formed by arranging a plurality of battery cells in an arrangement direction; a smoke exhaust duct arranged on the stack in a manner extending in the arrangement direction; a bus bar module including a plurality of bus bars connected to the stack; and an elastic body arranged on the smoke exhaust duct. The bus bar module is provided to cover at least a portion of the smoke exhaust duct. The elastic body is arranged between the bus bar module and the smoke exhaust duct.

[0007] In the power storage device involved in one aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, the elastomer is arranged between the bus bar module and the smoke exhaust duct. As a result, the smoke exhaust duct can be pressed by the bus bar module via the elastomer. As a result, the stack can be suppressed from deforming in the up and down directions (the direction in which the stack and the smoke exhaust duct overlap) by the smoke exhaust duct pressed by the bus bar module. In addition, compared with the case where a component for suppressing the deformation of the stack is separately provided, the bus bar module can be used to suppress the above-mentioned deformation. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the stack in the up and down directions while suppressing the increase in the number of parts.

[0008] In the power storage device according to the aspect, the elastic body preferably includes a central elastic body arranged at a position corresponding to the center of the stack in the arrangement direction. With this configuration, movement of the battery cell arranged in the center of the arrangement direction among the plurality of battery cells can be more reliably restricted.

[0009] In the power storage device according to the first aspect, the elastic body preferably includes an end elastic body disposed at an end of the exhaust duct in the arrangement direction. With this configuration, movement of the battery cell disposed at a position corresponding to the end of the exhaust duct can be more reliably restricted.

[0010] In the power storage device involved in the above-mentioned aspect, it is preferred that the bus bar module includes a frame member that supports a plurality of bus bars. The plurality of bus bars press the frame member toward the stack. At least a portion of the frame member is configured to pass through the elastic member on the side opposite to the stack, thereby being arranged to cover at least a portion of the exhaust duct. If configured in this way, the force of the bus bar pressing the frame member toward the stack can be used to press the exhaust duct through the above-mentioned at least a portion of the exhaust duct via the elastic body.

[0011] In this case, it is preferred that the plurality of bus bars include a first bus bar provided on one side of the smoke exhaust duct in a cross direction intersecting the arrangement direction, and a second bus bar provided on the other side of the smoke exhaust duct in the cross direction. The first bus bar and the second bus bar each press the frame member toward the stack. If configured in this way, the frame member can be pressed toward the stack from both sides of the smoke exhaust duct in the cross direction. Thus, the smoke exhaust duct can be fixed more stably.

[0012] 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 taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the structure of a power storage device according to one embodiment. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to one embodiment. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of the periphery of the sponge. Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts in the drawings, and their description will not be repeated.

[0015] In this specification, one side and the other side of the X direction are respectively described as the X1 direction and the X2 direction. In addition, one side and the other side of the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction are respectively described as the Y1 direction and the Y2 direction. In addition, one side and the other side of the Z direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction are respectively described as the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction.

[0016] <Overall composition> Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the power storage device 100 involved in this embodiment. The power storage device 100 is used as a driving power source for vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), or electric vehicles (BEV). In addition, the power storage device 100 can also be used in electrical equipment other than vehicles (such as stationary batteries).

[0017] The power storage device 100 includes a stack 10, a die-cast case 20, a smoke exhaust duct 30, a bus bar module 40, and a sponge 50. The sponge 50 is an example of an "elastic member" in the present disclosure.

[0018] The stack 10 includes a plurality of battery cells 11. The plurality of battery cells 11 of the stack 10 are arranged (stacked) in the X direction. The power storage device 100 includes two stacks 10. The two stacks 10 are arranged side by side in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction. The X direction is an example of the "arrangement direction" of the present disclosure.

[0019] like Figure 2 As shown, an exhaust valve 11b, a positive terminal 11c, and a negative terminal 11d are provided on the upper surface 11a on the Z1 side of the plurality of battery cells 11. The exhaust valve 11b is provided at the center of the upper surface 11a in the Y direction. The positive terminal 11c is provided at the end of the upper surface 11a on the Y2 side. The negative terminal 11d is provided at the end of the upper surface 11a on the Y1 side.

[0020] Refer again Figure 1 The die-cast housing 20 is formed of, for example, aluminum. The die-cast housing 20 is configured to accommodate the stack 10. Specifically, two accommodating holes 21 are provided in the die-cast housing 20. The stack 10 is accommodated in each of the two accommodating holes 21. The accommodating holes 21 hold (fix) the stack 10 in a manner that restricts movement of the stack 10 in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0021] The exhaust duct 30 is arranged on the stack 10. Specifically, the exhaust duct 30 is arranged on the upper surface 10a on the Z1 side of the stack 10. The exhaust duct 30 is not fixed (fastened, bonded, or engaged) to the upper surface 10a of the stack 10 by a clamp or the like. That is, the exhaust duct 30 is simply placed on the upper surface 10a. In addition, the upper surface 10a is a surface formed by arranging the upper surfaces 11a on the Z1 side of each of the plurality of battery cells 11 in the X direction.

[0022] The exhaust duct 30 is arranged in the stack 10 so as to extend in the X direction. One exhaust duct 30 is arranged in the stack 10. The exhaust duct 30 is arranged so as to extend from the battery cell 11 at the end of the X1 side of the stack 10 to the battery cell 11 at the end of the X2 side of the stack 10. In addition, a plurality of exhaust ducts 30 arranged in parallel in the X direction may be arranged in the stack 10.

[0023] The smoke exhaust duct 30 has a U-shape when viewed along the X direction. Specifically, the smoke exhaust duct 30 has a pair of wall portions 31 extending in a manner perpendicular to the Y direction. In addition, the smoke exhaust duct 30 includes a top plate portion 32 connecting the pair of wall portions 31. The top plate portion 32 extends in a manner perpendicular to the Z direction. In other words, the top plate portion 32 extends along the upper surface 10a of the stack 10. In addition, the stack 10 side (Z2 side) of the smoke exhaust duct 30 is open.

[0024] As a result, the exhaust valve 11b (see FIG. 1 ) provided on the upper surface 11a of the battery cell 11 is Figure 2 ) is introduced into the smoke exhaust duct 30. And, the smoke exhaust duct 30 allows the introduced smoke to flow along the X direction. Thus, the smoke introduced into the smoke exhaust duct 30 is moved to a predetermined place.

[0025] The smoke exhaust duct 30 is formed of insulating resin such as polyphenol or polypropylene. The smoke exhaust duct 30 has a higher rigidity (Young's modulus) than the frame member 42 described later. In other words, the smoke exhaust duct 30 is less likely to deform than the frame member 42.

[0026] Refer again Figure 1 The bus bar module 40 includes a plurality of bus bars 41 , a frame member 42 , an FPC (Flexible printed Circuit) substrate 43 , and a connector 44 . The frame member 42 supports the plurality of bus bars 41 .

[0027] The bus bar module 40 is provided to cover at least a portion (for example, the entire surface) of the smoke exhaust duct 30 from the Z1 side. Each of the plurality of bus bars 41 is connected to the stack 10 (the positive electrode terminal 11c or the negative electrode terminal 11d of the battery cell 11).

[0028] The bus bar modules 40 are respectively arranged in two stacks 10. Figure 1In the figure, for convenience, the bus bar module 40 is shown as being arranged only in the stack 10 on the Y1 side, but is actually also arranged in the stack 10 on the Y2 side.

[0029] In addition, Figure 1 In FIG. 4 , a bus bar configuration region 41 a where a plurality of bus bars 41 are arranged side by side in the X direction is shown by a dotted line. Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , for simplicity, only two bus bars 41 in the bus bar arrangement region 41 a are shown.

[0030] The plurality of bus bars 41 (bus bar configuration area 41a) are respectively provided on one side (Y1 side) and the other side (Y2 side) of the exhaust duct 30 in the Y direction. In addition, the plurality of bus bars 41 provided on the Y1 side of the exhaust duct 30 are respectively examples of the "first bus bars" of the present disclosure. In addition, the plurality of bus bars 41 provided on the Y2 side of the exhaust duct 30 are respectively examples of the "second bus bars" of the present disclosure.

[0031] The FPC substrate 43 is supported by a frame member 42 (a frame center portion 42a described later) between the multiple bus bars 41 on the Y1 side and the multiple bus bars 41 on the Y2 side. The FPC substrate 43 is electrically connected to the multiple bus bars 41 on the Y1 side and the multiple bus bars 41 on the Y2 side, respectively. Thus, the multiple bus bars 41 on the Y1 side and the multiple bus bars 41 on the Y2 side are connected in series. The connector 44 transmits information related to the voltage values ​​of the multiple battery cells 11 from the FPC substrate 43 to the ECU (Electric Control Unit) (not shown) of the vehicle, etc.

[0032] The sponge 50 is disposed in the smoke exhaust duct 30 . Specifically, the sponge 50 is disposed on the outer surface 32 a of the top plate portion 32 of the smoke exhaust duct 30 .

[0033] The sponge 50 includes sponges 51 disposed at both ends of the smoke exhaust duct 30 in the X direction. The sponge 51 on the X1 side is provided at a position corresponding to the end on the X1 side of the stack 10. The sponge 51 on the X2 side is provided at a position corresponding to the end on the X2 side of the stack 10. In addition, the sponge 51 is an example of an "end elastic body" disclosed in the present invention.

[0034] In addition, the sponge 50 includes a sponge 52 arranged at a position corresponding to the center of the stack 10 in the X direction (the center of the exhaust duct 30 in the X direction). Two sponges 52 are provided in the exhaust duct 30. In addition, there may be only one sponge 52. In addition, the sponge 52 is an example of the "central elastic body" disclosed in the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of the periphery of the sponge 50. Figure 3As shown, the sponge 50 has a flat plate shape. The sponge 50 has a thickness T in the Z direction. In addition, the sponge 50 has a width W1 in the X direction. In addition, the sponge 50 has a width W2 in the Y direction. The thickness T is smaller than the width W1 and the width W2. In addition, the width W1 is substantially equal to the width W2.

[0036] Here, the stack 10 is fitted through the receiving hole 21 of the die-cast housing 20, so it is compressed with a certain pressure in the X direction and the Y direction. In addition, each of the plurality of battery cells 11 is sometimes deformed in an expansion manner due to heat or the like. For these reasons, sometimes a force that wants to move to the Z1 side acts on each of the plurality of battery cells 11 of the stack 10. In this case, the stack 10 wants to deform in an undulating manner in the Z direction. In this regard, it is desired to suppress the deformation of the stack 10 in the Z direction while suppressing the increase in the number of parts.

[0037] Therefore, in this embodiment, the sponge 50 is disposed between the bus bar module 40 and the exhaust duct 30. The sponge 50 is supported by the exhaust duct 30 from the Z2 side and is pressed from the Z1 side by the bus bar module 40. Thus, the sponge 50 is compressed by the exhaust duct 30 and the bus bar module 40.

[0038] By configuring as described above, the smoke exhaust duct 30 can be pressed by the bus bar module 40 via the sponge 50. As a result, the stack 10 can be suppressed from deforming in an undulating manner in the up and down direction (Z direction) by the smoke exhaust duct 30 pressed by the bus bar module 40. In addition, compared with the case where a component for suppressing the deformation of the stack 10 is separately provided, the bus bar module 40 can be used to suppress the above-mentioned deformation. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the stack 10 in the up and down direction while suppressing the increase in the number of parts. In addition, since the stack 10 is pressed by the smoke exhaust duct 30 with relatively high rigidity, it is possible to more effectively suppress the deformation of the stack 10 in the Z direction.

[0039] Specifically, if Figure 4 As shown, the sponge 50 is pressed by the frame member 42 of the bus bar module 40. The frame member 42 has a frame center portion 42a and a frame edge portion 42b. The sponge 50 is pressed by the frame center portion 42a.

[0040] The frame center portion 42a is provided at the center of the frame member 42 in the Y direction. The frame edge portion 42b is provided at the outer peripheral edge of the frame member 42. In addition, the frame center portion 42a and the frame edge portion 42b are formed integrally.

[0041] The frame center portion 42a has a shape along the exhaust duct 30. Specifically, in a cross-sectional view along the Y direction, the frame center portion 42a has the same U-shape as the exhaust duct 30. A portion of the frame center portion 42a is arranged to pass through the sponge 50 on the side opposite to the stack 10 (Z1 side). Thus, the frame center portion 42a is provided to cover at least a portion of the exhaust duct 30.

[0042] The frame edge 42b is provided at the end of the frame member 42 on the Y1 side and the end of the frame member 42 on the Y2 side. The frame edge 42b is provided with an engaging portion 42c that engages with the bus bar 41. The engaging portion 42c of the frame edge 42b provided on the Y1 side engages with the end 41b on the Y1 side of the bus bar 41 on the Y1 side. In addition, the engaging portion 42c of the frame edge 42b provided on the Y2 side engages with the end 41c on the Y2 side of the bus bar 41 on the Y2 side. The engaging portion 42c is provided to support the end 41b (41c) of the bus bar 41 from the stack 10 side (Z2 side).

[0043] In addition, the frame center portion 42a is provided with an engaging portion 42d that engages with the plurality of bus bars 41. Figure 4 In the example shown, the engagement portion 42d engages with the end 41d on the Y2 side of the bus bar 41 on the Y1 side. The engagement portion 42d is provided to support the end 41d of the bus bar 41 from the stack 10 side (Z2 side). Figure 4 Not shown in the figure, the central portion 42a of the frame is in contact with Figure 4 An engaging portion 42d that engages with the bus bar 41 on the Y2 side is provided at a different position in the X direction.

[0044] In addition, the bus bar module 40 includes a bus bar 45 provided to connect the FPC board 43 and the bus bar 41. Figure 4 In the example shown, the bus bar 45 is connected to the FPC board 43 and the bus bar 41 on the Y2 side. Thus, the FPC board 43 and the bus bar 41 are electrically connected via the bus bar 45.

[0045] In addition, each of the plurality of bus bars 41 is joined to the battery cell 11 (positive terminal 11c or negative terminal 11d) by solder 60. By utilizing the joining force between the bus bar 41 and the battery cell 11 by solder 60, each of the engaging portions 42c (and the engaging portion 42d) on the Y1 side and the Y2 side is pressed (forced) by the bus bar 41 toward the stack 10 side (Z1 side).

[0046] Here, the frame center portion 42a and the frame edge portion 42b are formed integrally. Therefore, the frame center portion 42a is pulled toward the stack 10 side (Z2 side) by the engagement portion 42c of the frame edge portion 42b being pressed by the bus bar 41. Furthermore, the engagement portion 42d of the frame center portion 42a is pressed toward the stack 10 side by the bus bar 41. Through these, the sponge 50 is pressed toward the stack 10 side by the frame center portion 42a.

[0047] In addition, although Figure 4 Although not shown in the figure, the bus bar 45 is connected to the bus bar 41 and the FPC substrate 43 by solder (not shown). As a result, the frame center portion 42a is pressed (forced) toward the stack 10 side (Z1 side) by the bonding force of the solder (not shown). As a result, the sponge 50 is pressed toward the stack 10 side by the frame center portion 42a.

[0048] As described above, in the present embodiment, the sponge 50 is disposed between the bus bar module 40 and the smoke exhaust duct 30. Thus, the pressing force from the bus bar module 40 to the smoke exhaust duct 30 can be borne by the sponge 50. As a result, the smoke exhaust duct 30 can be fixed by the pressing force based on the bus bar module 40. In addition, the direct contact between the bus bar module 40 and the smoke exhaust duct 30 can be suppressed by the sponge 50. As a result, the collision between the bus bar module 40 and the smoke exhaust duct 30 can be buffered by the sponge 50.

[0049] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the sponge 50 is arranged at the end and the center of the smoke exhaust duct 30 in the X direction, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the sponge 50 may be arranged only at one of the end and the center of the smoke exhaust duct 30 in the X direction. That is, the sponge 50 may be arranged only at a position corresponding to the center of the stack 10 in the X direction, or only at a position corresponding to the end of the stack 10 in the X direction.

[0050] In addition, the sponge 50 may be arranged at locations other than the end portions and the center portion of the smoke exhaust duct 30 in the X direction.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the sponge 50 is pressed toward the stack 10 by the frame member 42 of the bus bar module 40 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the sponge 50 may be pressed toward the stack 10 by the FPC board 43 or the bus bar 41 .

[0052] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the width W1 of the sponge 50 in the X direction is substantially equal to the width W2 of the sponge 50 in the Y direction, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the width W1 may be larger than the width W2. The width W1 may also be substantially equal to the length of the smoke exhaust duct 30 in the X direction, for example.

[0053] Furthermore, the configurations (processing) of the above-described embodiment and each of the above-described modifications may be combined with each other.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A power storage device comprising: A stack formed by arranging a plurality of battery cells in an arrangement direction; a smoke exhaust duct arranged on the stack in a manner extending in the arrangement direction; a bus bar module comprising a plurality of bus bars connected to the stack; and an elastic body, which is arranged in the smoke exhaust duct, The bus bar module is configured to cover at least a portion of the smoke exhaust duct, The elastic body is disposed between the bus bar module and the smoke exhaust duct.

2. The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein The elastic body includes a central elastic body arranged at a position corresponding to a central portion of the stack in the arrangement direction.

3. The power storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The elastic body includes an end elastic body disposed at an end of the smoke exhaust duct in the arrangement direction.

4. The power storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The bus bar module includes a frame member supporting the plurality of bus bars. The plurality of bus bars press the frame member toward the stack, At least a portion of the frame member is configured to pass through the elastic body on a side opposite to the stack, thereby being arranged to cover at least a portion of the smoke exhaust duct.

5. The power storage device according to claim 4, wherein: The plurality of bus bars include a first bus bar provided on one side of the smoke exhaust duct in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction, and a second bus bar provided on the other side of the smoke exhaust duct in the direction intersecting the arrangement direction. The first bus bar and the second bus bar each press the frame member toward the stack.

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