Apparatus for manufacturing power storage module and method for manufacturing power storage module

Abstract

A manufacturing device (41) is provided with: a fluid injection nozzle (43) that is pressed against the periphery of an opening (31A) of a communication hole (31) in a side surface (23s) of a closed body (3) and injects a fluid (F) into each of a plurality of internal spaces (S) via the communication hole (31); a first restraining member (44) that restrains a first region (F1) in the closed body (3), said first region (F1) being provided with a plurality of communication holes (31); and a second constraining member (45) which is provided separately from the first constraining member (44) and constrains a second region (F2) including the internal space (S) in the stacking direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for manufacturing a power storage module and a method for manufacturing a power storage module. Background Art

[0002] As a conventional power storage module, there is a bipolar battery described in Patent Document 1, for example. This conventional power storage module has a plurality of bipolar electrodes in which a positive electrode is formed on one surface of a current collector and a negative electrode is formed on the other surface of the current collector. The plurality of bipolar electrodes are stacked with a separator for holding an electrolyte layer therebetween. A sealing resin is formed and arranged on the outer periphery of the separator.

[0003] In the manufacturing process of the storage module as described above, there can be included a process of injecting electrolyte into the internal space formed between the electrodes, or a process of injecting gas into the internal space for airtightness inspection. For example, in Patent Document 2, an injection device for injecting electrolyte into the storage module is disclosed. In the injection device, electrolyte is injected into the internal space in a vacuum state through the connecting hole by pressing a plurality of supply nozzles against the connecting hole of the closed body provided in the storage module. When injecting the electrolyte, a restraining fixture is provided in the injection device to restrain the storage module in the stacking direction of the electrodes with a fixed pressure or a fixed size.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-151016

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-106850 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] The constraints of the storage module help to suppress the deformation of the storage module when injecting fluids such as electrolyte. On the other hand, in the storage module, sometimes the dimensional tolerance in the thickness direction (the stacking direction of the electrodes) is different between the electrode stack in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked and the sealing body that seals the plurality of internal spaces formed between the electrodes of the electrode stack. In this case, since the dimensions of the stacking direction of the electrode stack and the dimensions of the sealing body in the stacking direction vary for each storage module, the constraint pressure applied to the storage module changes, and the deformation of the storage module may not be properly suppressed.

[0010] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method of a storage battery module, which can appropriately suppress deformation when a fluid is injected for each storage battery module having dimensional variations due to dimensional tolerance.

[0011] Solutions for solving problems

[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a manufacturing device for a storage battery module for manufacturing the storage battery module, the storage battery module comprising: an electrode stack having a plurality of electrodes including a current collector stacked thereon; and a closing body disposed at the peripheral edge of each of the current collectors in a manner surrounding the electrode stack, closing a plurality of internal spaces between each of the current collectors adjacent to each other in the stacking direction, and having a plurality of connecting holes connected to each of the plurality of internal spaces, the storage battery module manufacturing device comprising: a fluid injection nozzle pressed against the periphery of the openings of the connecting holes in the side surface of the closing body, and injecting fluid into each of the plurality of internal spaces through the connecting holes; a first restraining member restraining a first region of the closing body in which the plurality of connecting holes are disposed; and a second restraining member disposed independently of the first restraining member, restraining a second region including the internal space in the stacking direction.

[0013] In the manufacturing device of the storage module, when the fluid is injected from the connecting hole into the internal space through the fluid injection nozzle, the first region in which the plurality of connecting holes are provided and the second region including the internal space in the enclosure can be independently constrained by the first constraining member and the second constraining member. Therefore, even when the dimensions of the electrode stack and the enclosure are different, the required constraining pressure can be applied to each of the first region and the second region. Thus, for each storage module having a dimensional deviation caused by a dimensional tolerance, the deformation of the storage module when the fluid is injected can be appropriately suppressed.

[0014] Alternatively, the first constraint pressure caused by the first constraint member is greater than the second constraint pressure caused by the second constraint member. In this case, the first region in the enclosure can be well protected against the pressure of the fluid injection nozzle, and on the other hand, the electrode stack can be prevented from being subjected to excessive constraint force. Therefore, damage to the electrode stack caused by the constraint force can be suppressed.

[0015] Alternatively, the sealing body includes: a plurality of seals that cover the peripheral edge of each collector; and a spacer that is interposed between seals adjacent to each other in the stacking direction, and the first restraining member restrains the region where the seal and the spacer overlap in the stacking direction as the first region. In this case, the first restraining pressure is applied to the region where the seal and the spacer overlap in the stacking direction in the first region. Therefore, the deformation of the internal space between the collector and the collector constituting the electrode can be suppressed by the first restraining pressure.

[0016] Alternatively, a decompression chamber for arranging the storage module may be provided, and the first restraining member and the second restraining member may be provided in the decompression chamber. In this case, the internal space of the storage module may be decompressed by using the decompression chamber, so that the fluid may be efficiently injected through the connecting hole. In addition, by providing the first restraining member and the second restraining member in the decompression chamber, it is not necessary to install or remove the restraining member relative to the storage module each time the fluid is injected, so that the operation process can be simplified.

[0017] Alternatively, a decompression chamber for arranging the storage module may be provided, a first restraining member may be provided in the decompression chamber, and a wall portion of the decompression chamber may constitute a second restraining member. In this case, by using the decompression chamber to decompress the internal space of the storage module, the injection of the fluid through the connecting hole may be efficiently implemented. In addition, by setting the wall portion of the decompression chamber as the second restraining member, it is not necessary to install or remove the restraining member relative to the storage module each time the fluid is injected, and the operation process may be simplified through a simpler structure.

[0018] Alternatively, the second restraining member may be provided with a convex portion corresponding to the portion of the electrode stack exposed from the enclosure. In this case, the convex portion can more reliably ensure the contact of the second restraining member with the electrode stack. Therefore, even when the dimensions of the electrode stack and the enclosure are greatly different, the restraining force of the second restraining member on the electrode stack can be appropriately added.

[0019] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a storage battery module, which is used for manufacturing the storage battery module. The storage battery module comprises: an electrode stack, which is stacked with a plurality of electrodes including collectors; and a closing body, which is arranged at the peripheral portion of each collector in a manner surrounding the electrode stack, closing a plurality of internal spaces between each collector adjacent to each other in the stacking direction, and is provided with a plurality of connecting holes connected to each of the plurality of internal spaces. The storage battery module manufacturing method comprises: an injection step, in which a fluid injection nozzle is pressed against the periphery of the opening of the connecting hole in the side surface of the closing body, and a fluid is injected into each of the plurality of internal spaces through the connecting holes. In the injection step, a first region in which the plurality of connecting holes are provided in the closing body is constrained by a first constraining member, and a second region including the internal space is constrained in the stacking direction by a second constraining member.

[0020] In the manufacturing method of the power storage module, when the fluid is injected from the connecting hole into the internal space through the fluid injection nozzle, the first region in which the plurality of connecting holes are provided and the second region including the internal space in the enclosure are independently constrained by the first constraining member and the second constraining member. Therefore, even when the dimensions of the electrode stack and the enclosure are different, the required constraining pressure can be applied to each of the first region and the second region. Thus, for each power storage module having a dimensional deviation caused by a dimensional tolerance, the deformation of the power storage module when the fluid is injected can be appropriately suppressed.

[0021] Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress deformation of each power storage module having dimensional variations due to dimensional tolerance when a fluid is injected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a power storage module.

[0024] Figure 2 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the periphery of the communicating hole in the closed body.

[0025] Figure 3 (a) is a schematic side view showing the positional relationship between the single cell and the communication hole, and (b) is a schematic side view showing the positional relationship between the frame and the communication hole.

[0026] Figure 4 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a manufacturing apparatus for a power storage module according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 5 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of the periphery of the communicating hole during the injection step.

[0028] Figure 6 (a) and (b) are schematic side views showing the relationship between the dimension of the electrode stack in the stacking direction and the dimension of the closing body in the stacking direction between the workpieces.

[0029] Figure 7 It is a schematic plan view showing a first region constrained by a first constraining member and a second region constrained by a second constraining member.

[0030] Figure 8 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first region constrained by a first constraining member and a second region constrained by a second constraining member.

[0031] Fig. 9(a) and (b) are schematic partial cross-sectional views showing modified examples of the manufacturing apparatus for the power storage module.

[0032] Fig.10 It is a schematic plan view showing a first modification example of the first region and the second region.

[0033] Fig.11 It is a schematic plan view showing a second modification example of the first region and the second region. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a manufacturing device for a storage battery module and a manufacturing method for a storage battery module according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of description, in each of the accompanying drawings, an orthogonal coordinate system defined by a coordinate axis representing a first direction D1, a coordinate axis representing a second direction D2, and a coordinate axis representing a third direction D3 is shown.

[0035] First, the configuration of an electricity storage module to which an electricity storage module manufacturing apparatus and an electricity storage module manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure are applied will be described. Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a power storage module. Figure 1 As shown, the power storage module 1 is a module used in batteries of various vehicles such as forklifts, hybrid vehicles, and electric vehicles. The power storage module 1 is a secondary battery such as a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery and a lithium-ion secondary battery. The power storage module 1 may also be a double-layer capacitor or an all-solid-state battery. Here, the case where the power storage module 1 is a lithium-ion secondary battery is exemplified.

[0036] The power storage module 1 includes an electrode stack 2 and a sealing body 3. The electrode stack 2 includes a plurality of electrodes stacked along a first direction D1. The first direction D1 is a stacking direction of electrodes in the electrode stack 2, and corresponds to a thickness direction of the power storage module 1. The second direction D2 and the third direction D3 are in-plane directions of a collector 15 described later. The second direction D2 corresponds to a depth direction of the power storage module 1, and the third direction D3 corresponds to a width direction of the power storage module 1.

[0037] The plurality of electrodes are configured to include a plurality of bipolar electrodes 11, a positive terminal electrode 12, and a negative terminal electrode 13. The electrode stack 2 is formed by stacking a plurality of bipolar electrodes 11 between the positive terminal electrode 12 and the negative terminal electrode 13. A separator 14 is arranged between the electrodes adjacent to each other in the stacking direction. The bipolar electrode 11 includes a current collector 15, a positive electrode active material layer 16, and a negative electrode active material layer 17. The current collector 15 is, for example, in the form of a rectangular sheet. The current collector 15 includes a first surface 15a as one surface, and a second surface 15b as another surface on the opposite side to the first surface 15a. That is, the current collector 15 includes a first surface 15a and a second surface 15b that are opposite to each other in the first direction D1. The positive electrode active material layer 16 is provided on the first surface 15a of the current collector 15. The negative electrode active material layer 17 is provided on the second surface 15b of the current collector 15. The first surface 15 a of the current collector 15 is a surface facing one direction of the first direction D1 , and the second surface 15 b of the current collector 15 is a surface facing the other direction of the first direction D1 .

[0038] In the electrode stack 2, the plurality of bipolar electrodes 11 are stacked in such a manner that the positive electrode active material layer 16 of one bipolar electrode 11 and the negative electrode active material layer 17 of another bipolar electrode 11 adjacent to the one bipolar electrode 11 face each other. The positive electrode active material layer 16 and the negative electrode active material layer 17 are rectangular in shape when viewed from the first direction D1. In the present embodiment, the negative electrode active material layer 17 is one size larger than the positive electrode active material layer 16 when viewed from the first direction D1. That is, when viewed from above from the first direction D1, the entire formation region of the positive electrode active material layer 16 is located within the formation region of the negative electrode active material layer 17.

[0039] The positive terminal electrode 12 has a current collector 15 and a positive electrode active material layer 16 provided on a first surface 15a of the current collector 15. No active material layer is provided on the second surface 15b of the current collector 15 in the positive terminal electrode 12. The positive terminal electrode 12 is stacked on the bipolar electrode 11 at one end of the electrode stack 2 in the first direction D1. The positive electrode active material layer 16 of the positive terminal electrode 12 and the negative electrode active material layer 17 of the bipolar electrode 11 adjacent to the positive terminal electrode 12 are in a state of facing each other. The second surface 15b of the current collector 15 in the positive terminal electrode 12 has an exposed portion R1 exposed from the sealing body 3 as one stacking end of the electrode stack 2. That is, the second surface 15b of the current collector 15 in the positive terminal electrode 12 becomes the positive terminal surface of the power storage module 1.

[0040] The negative terminal electrode 13 has a current collector 15 and a negative active material layer 17 provided on the second surface 15b of the current collector 15. No active material layer is provided on the first surface 15a of the current collector 15 in the negative terminal electrode 13. The negative terminal electrode 13 is stacked on the bipolar electrode 11 at the other end of the electrode stack 2 in the first direction D1. The negative active material layer 17 of the negative terminal electrode 13 and the positive active material layer 16 of the bipolar electrode 11 adjacent to the negative terminal electrode 13 are in a state of facing each other. The first surface 15a of the current collector 15 in the negative terminal electrode 13 has an exposed portion R2 exposed from the sealing body 3 as the other stacking end of the electrode stack 2. That is, the first surface 15a of the current collector 15 in the negative terminal electrode 13 becomes the negative terminal surface of the power storage module 1.

[0041] The conductive member 18 is disposed at the exposed portion R1 exposed from the enclosure 3 in the first surface 15a of the collector 15 in the positive terminal electrode 12, and at the exposed portion R2 exposed from the enclosure 3 in the second surface 15b of the collector 15 in the negative terminal electrode 13. The conductive member 18 disposed at the exposed portion R1 and the exposed portion R2 is electrically connected to the electrode stack 2 via the exposed portion R1 and the exposed portion R2, respectively, and functions as a terminal for extracting current from the power storage module 1. The conductive member 18 also functions as a restraining member for adding a predetermined restraining load to the electrode stack 2. A cooling flow path may also be formed in the conductive member 18. By allowing the cooling medium to flow through the cooling flow path, the electrode stack 2 can be efficiently cooled.

[0042] The separator 14 is respectively arranged between the bipolar electrodes 11 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1, between the positive terminal electrode 12 and the bipolar electrode 11, and between the negative terminal electrode 13 and the bipolar electrode 11. The separator 14 is arranged between the positive electrode active material layer 16 and the negative electrode active material layer 17 between the electrodes. The separator 14 has the following functions: by isolating the positive electrode active material layer 16 from the negative electrode active material layer 17, a short circuit caused by contact between adjacent electrodes is prevented, and charge carriers such as lithium ions are allowed to pass.

[0043] The separator 14 is composed of, for example, a porous sheet or nonwoven fabric containing a polymer that absorbs and retains electrolytes. Examples of materials for the separator 14 include polypropylene, polyethylene, polyolefin, polyester, and the like. The separator 14 may be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. In the case of a multi-layer structure, the separator 14 may also have, for example, an adhesive layer or a ceramic layer as a heat-resistant layer.

[0044] The separator 14 may be impregnated with an electrolyte. Examples of the electrolyte impregnated in the separator 14 include a liquid electrolyte (electrolyte) containing a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent. Examples of the electrolyte salt contained in the electrolyte include LiClO 4 、LiAsF 6 、LiPF 6 , LiBF 4 、LiCF 3 SO 3 、LiN(FSO 2 ) 2 、LiN(CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 As the non-aqueous solvent, for example, cyclic carbonates, cyclic esters, chain carbonates, chain esters, ethers and the like can be used. Two or more of these solvents can also be used in combination.

[0045] The current collector 15 is a chemically inert electrical conductor used to continuously supply current to the positive electrode active material layer 16 and the negative electrode active material layer 17 during the discharge or charge of the lithium ion secondary battery. As the material of the current collector 15, for example, metal materials, conductive resin materials, conductive inorganic materials, etc. can be listed. As the conductive resin material, for example, conductive polymer materials, resins in which conductive fillers are added to non-conductive polymer materials as needed, etc. can be listed. The current collector 15 can also have a plurality of layers. In this case, each layer of the current collector 15 can also contain the above-mentioned metal materials, conductive resin materials, etc.

[0046] A coating layer may also be formed on the surface of the current collector 15. The coating layer is formed, for example, by plating, spraying, or the like. The current collector 15 may be in various shapes, for example, a plate, a foil (such as a metal foil), a film, a mesh, or the like. Examples of metal foils include aluminum foil, copper foil, nickel foil, titanium foil, and stainless steel foil. The current collector 15 may also be an alloy foil of the above-mentioned metals, or a foil formed by integrating a plurality of metal foils. When the current collector 15 is in the form of a foil, the thickness of the current collector 15 may be, for example, about 1 μm to 100 μm.

[0047] The positive electrode active material layer 16 is a layer containing a positive electrode active material that can absorb and release charge carriers such as lithium ions. Examples of the positive electrode active material include lithium composite metal oxides having a layered rock salt structure, metal oxides having a spinel structure, and polyanion compounds. The positive electrode active material layer 16 may also contain a variety of positive electrode active materials. In this embodiment, the positive electrode active material layer 16 contains olivine-type lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) as a composite oxide. 4 ).

[0048] The negative electrode active material layer 17 is a layer containing a negative electrode active material that can absorb and release charge carriers such as lithium ions. The negative electrode active material can be any of a simple substance, an alloy, and a compound. Examples of the negative electrode active material include lithium (Li), carbon, and metal compounds. The negative electrode active material can also be an element that can be alloyed with lithium, or a compound thereof. Examples of carbon include natural graphite, artificial graphite, hard carbon (difficult to graphitize carbon), and soft carbon (easy to graphitize carbon). Examples of artificial graphite include highly oriented graphite and mesophase carbon microbeads. Examples of elements that can be alloyed with lithium include silicon (silicon), tin, and the like. In the present embodiment, the negative electrode active material layer 17 includes graphite as a carbon-based material.

[0049] The positive electrode active material layer 16 and the negative electrode active material layer 17 may each contain a conductive aid for improving electrical conductivity, a binder, an electrolyte (polymer matrix, ion conductive polymer, electrolyte solution, etc.), an electrolyte supporting salt (lithium salt) for improving ion conductivity, etc. as needed. The conductive aid is added to improve the conductivity of each electrode (bipolar electrode 11, positive terminal electrode 12, negative terminal electrode 13). As the conductive aid, for example, acetylene black, carbon black, graphite, etc. are used.

[0050] As the binder, for example, fluorine-containing resins such as polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and fluororubber, thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, imide resins such as polyimide and polyamide-imide, resins containing alkoxysilyl groups, acrylic resins such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, alginate such as ammonium alginate, water-soluble cellulose ester crosslinked products, starch-acrylic acid graft polymers, etc. can be listed. These binders can be used alone or in combination. Solvents such as water, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), etc. are used.

[0051] The closing body 3 is formed in a frame shape at the peripheral portion of the electrode stack 2 in a manner surrounding the electrode stack 2. The closing body 3 is joined to each of the first surface 15a and the second surface 15b of the current collector 15 at the peripheral portion 15c of each current collector 15. The closing body 3 forms internal spaces S between the current collectors 15 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 and closes each of these internal spaces S. The above-mentioned electrolyte (electrolyte) is contained in each internal space S. The closing body 3, together with the current collectors 15 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1, defines the internal space S for containing the electrolyte and prevents leakage of the electrolyte from the internal space S to the outside.

[0052] The sealing body 3 suppresses the infiltration of moisture and the like from the outside of the electrode stack 2 into the internal space S. In the present embodiment, the peripheral edge of the separator 14 is joined to the sealing body 3 in a state of being buried in the sealing body 3. The sealing body 3 is formed of, for example, an insulating resin material. Examples of the resin material include polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, ABS resin, acid-modified polypropylene, acid-modified polyethylene, and acrylonitrile styrene resin.

[0053] The main body 20 of the sealing body 3 is constituted to include a plurality of seals 21, a plurality of spacers 22, and a welded end portion 23. The seal 21 is provided for each current collector 15. The seal 21 is frame-shaped and is provided at the peripheral portion 15c of the current collector 15. The seal 21 covers the first surface 15a, the second surface 15b, and the end surface at the peripheral portion 15c of the current collector 15. The seal 21 is welded to at least one of the first surface 15a and the second surface 15b of the current collector 15.

[0054] The spacer 22 is arranged between the seals 21 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1. The spacer 22 maintains the space between the adjacent seals 21, that is, the space between the adjacent current collectors 15. The spacer 22 is frame-shaped and arranged on the peripheral edge 15c of the current collector 15. The peripheral edge of the separator 14 is sandwiched between the seal 21 and the spacer 22. The peripheral edge of the separator 14 is fused to at least one of the seal 21 and the spacer 22.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the edge 22a of each spacer 22 on the inner space S side is located outside (on the side opposite to the inner space S) than the edge 21a on the inner space S side of each seal 21. When viewed from the first direction D1, in the region between the edge 21a and the edge 22a, a space is left between adjacent seals 21. On the other hand, in the region outside the edge 22a, the spacer 22 is interposed between adjacent seals 21, so that the seals 21 and the spacer 22 overlap each other.

[0056] The welded end portion 23 is frame-shaped in a manner surrounding the electrode stack 2 when viewed from the first direction D1. The welded end portion 23 is formed by integrating the edge portion of each seal 21 on the side opposite to the internal space S and the edge portion of each spacer 22 on the side opposite to the internal space S by welding. In the present embodiment, the welded end portion 23 is formed by mutually welding a portion located outside the outer periphery of the current collector 15 in each seal 21 and a portion located outside the outer periphery of the current collector 15 in each spacer 22. The side surface 23s located on the side opposite to the internal space S in the welded end portion 23 extends along the first direction D1 and constitutes a side surface of the main body 20, that is, a side surface of the sealing body 3.

[0057] The sealing body 3 has a thickened portion 25 and a frame portion 26. The thickened portion 25 is arranged on the outer surface of the seal 21 provided on the collector 15 of the positive terminal electrode 12 and the negative terminal electrode 13 in the first direction D1. The thickened portion 25 is arranged in the same area as the seal 21 as viewed in the first direction D1, and is bonded to the seal 21. The edge portion of the thickened portion 25 on the side opposite to the internal space S is welded to the edge portion of each seal 21 on the side opposite to the internal space S, constituting a part of the welded end portion 23.

[0058] The frame portion 26 is joined to the side surface of the sealing body 3, that is, the side surface 23s of the welded end portion 23. The frame portion 26 extends from the thickened portion 25 on the positive terminal electrode 12 side to the thickened portion 25 on the negative terminal electrode 13 side. Here, the outer edge of the frame portion 26 in the first direction D1 is consistent with the outer surface of the thickened portion 25 in the first direction D1. The frame portion 26 can be joined to the thickened portion 25, or can be formed integrally with the thickened portion 25. The frame portion 26 and the thickened portion 25 can be formed integrally, for example, by injection molding. The frame portion 26 is blocked by the sealing film 30. Thereby, the plurality of cells of the storage battery module 1 are sealed. The sealing film 30 is, for example, a resin film or a laminated film.

[0059] Hereinafter, the structure of the sealing body 3 will be described in further detail.

[0060] Figure 2 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the periphery of the communicating hole in the closed body. Figure 3 (a) is a schematic side view showing the positional relationship between the single cell and the communication hole, Figure 3 (b) is a schematic side view showing the positional relationship between the frame and the connecting hole. Figure 3 In (a), the frame 26 and the sealing film 30 are omitted. Figure 3 In (b), the sealing film 30 is omitted.

[0061] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 (a) and Figure 3 As shown in (b), a plurality of communication holes 31 are formed in the main body 20 of the enclosure 3, each of which communicates with a plurality of internal spaces S. Here, the plurality of communication holes 31 are provided in the wall portion 3A (refer to FIG. 1 ) located on one side of the second direction D2 in the frame-shaped enclosure 3. Figure 7 The communicating hole 31 is formed, for example, by cutting off a portion of the spacer 22 and penetrating the spacer 22 and the welded end portion 23. One opening 31A of the communicating hole 31 faces the side surface 23s of the welded end portion 23, and the other opening 31B faces the internal space S.

[0062] In the power storage module 1, a pair of current collectors 15 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 form a single cell C including a single internal space S. Here, one communication hole 31 is provided for each single cell C. Figure 3 As shown in (a), when viewed from the second direction D2 intersecting (orthogonal to) the side surface 23s, the position of the connecting hole 31 in the first direction D1 is different for each single cell C. In addition, the positions of the connecting holes 31 in the third direction D3 of the adjacent single cells C in the first direction D1 are different from each other. Figure 3 (a) and Figure 3 In the example (b), the positions of the communicating holes 31 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are offset from each other in the third direction D3.

[0063] That is, in Figure 3 (a) and Figure 3 In the example (b), the plurality of communication holes 31 at the same position in the third direction D3 are provided corresponding to every other single battery C. When the sealing body 3 is viewed from the second direction D2, a group of openings 31A arranged along the first direction D1 and another group of openings 31A arranged along the first direction D1 are arranged at different positions in the third direction D3 on the side surface 23s.

[0064] like Figure 3 As shown in (b) of FIG. 1 , the frame portion 26 is provided to protrude from the side surface 23s in a manner to surround the openings 31A of each of the plurality of communication holes 31. Figure 3 In the example (b), a plurality of frame portions 26 are provided for the plurality of communication holes 31. The plurality of frame portions 26 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the third direction D3. Here, one frame portion 26 surrounds each of a group of openings 31A arranged along the first direction D1, and another frame portion 26 surrounds each of another group of openings 31A arranged along the first direction D1.

[0065] The plurality of frame portions 26 may be configured to form a plurality of enclosing regions having equal lengths in the first direction D1, or may be configured to form a plurality of enclosing regions 33 having different lengths in the first direction D1. Figure 3 In the example of (b), the frame portion 26 forms three enclosing regions 33. The length of one (enclosing region 33A) of the three enclosing regions 33 in the first direction D1 is greater than the lengths of the other two in the first direction D1.

[0066] When a plurality of frame portions 26 are arranged in a row in the third direction D3, two of the frame portions 26 may be frame portions in which the arrangement patterns of the surrounding regions 33 are reversed with respect to the first direction. Figure 3In the example (b), the positions of the enclosed areas 33A in the first direction D1 are different in the frame portions 26 adjacent to each other in the third direction D3. By configuring the plurality of frame portions 26 in this manner, the openings 31A of the plurality of communication holes 31 at different positions in the first direction D1 can be enclosed by fewer types of frame portions 26.

[0067] Next, a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned power storage module 1 will be described.

[0068] The method for manufacturing the power storage module 1 includes: an injection step of injecting a fluid into a nozzle 43 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) is pressed against the periphery of the opening 31A of the communicating hole 31, and the fluid F is injected into each of the plurality of internal spaces S through the communicating hole 31. Specific examples of the injection process include a process of injecting an electrolyte into the internal space S and a process of performing an airtightness inspection of the power storage module 1. In the process of injecting the electrolyte, the electrolyte as the fluid F is injected into the internal space S of each single cell C through the communicating hole 31.

[0069] The process of performing an airtight inspection is performed before the process of injecting the electrolyte. As an airtight inspection, for example, in order to check the airtightness of each single cell relative to the outside, an airtight inspection between the single cell and the outside is performed. In this case, the fluid F is the inspection gas. In the airtight inspection between the single cell and the outside, an inspection gas such as helium is injected into the internal space S of all the single cells C from the connecting hole 31, and the leakage of the inspection gas is detected by the detection sensor arranged outside the storage module 1. When the inspection gas is not detected by the detection sensor, it is judged that there is no problem with the airtightness between the single cell and the outside.

[0070] Figure 4 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a manufacturing apparatus for a power storage module according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the injection process is performed using a storage module manufacturing device 41. The manufacturing device 41 includes a decompression chamber 42, a fluid injection nozzle 43, a first restraining member 44, and a second restraining member 45. In the storage module 1 that is a workpiece in the injection process, no Figure 1 The conductive member 18 and the sealing film 30 are shown in the state of the components. The conductive member 18 and the sealing film 30 are assembled to the workpiece in the subsequent process of the injection process to obtain Figure 1 The power storage module 1 is shown.

[0071] The decompression chamber 42 includes a stage 46 and a chamber 47. The stage 46 includes a mounting surface 46a on which the power storage module 1 is mounted. The power storage module 1 is mounted on the mounting surface 46a, for example, in a state of being mounted on a flat plate-shaped pallet 48. The chamber 47 is formed into a box shape by four side walls 49 erected on the stage 46 and a ceiling 50 that blocks a space formed by the stage 46 and the side walls 49.

[0072] In the chamber 47, one of the four side wall portions 49 is configured to be openable and closable. By opening the side wall portion 49, the storage module 1 placed on the flat tray 48 can be taken out and placed in the chamber 47. Alternatively, a pair of side wall portions 49, 49 intersecting the side wall portion 49 provided with the fluid injection nozzle 43 among the four side wall portions 49 can be configured to be openable and closable. In this case, the storage module 1 placed on the flat tray 48 can be introduced into the chamber 47 from one side of the pair of side wall portions 49, 49, and can be taken out from the other side of the pair of side wall portions 49, 49 after the injection process is performed. Therefore, the injection process can be performed while a plurality of storage modules 1 are transported in one direction, so that the efficiency of the injection process can be achieved.

[0073] The fluid injection nozzle 43 is provided on a side wall portion 49 of the chamber 47 so as to be able to move forward and backward relative to the mounting surface 46a. Figure 5 As shown, the fluid injection nozzle 43 has a nozzle head 51 for discharging the fluid F. Figure 5 As shown, the nozzle head 51 includes a head body 52 and a gasket 53, and is disposed in the chamber 47. The head body 52 is provided with a flow path 54 through which the fluid F flows. The gasket 53 is provided on the front end surface of the head body 52. ​​The gasket 53 is provided with a discharge hole 55 communicating with the flow path 54.

[0074] When the fluid F is injected into the internal space S from the fluid injection nozzle 43, the fluid injection nozzle 43 enters the mounting surface 46a side, and the gasket 53 of the nozzle head 51 is pressed against the frame 26, so that the surrounding area 33 of the frame 26 is closed from the outside. In this state, the fluid F is released from the discharge hole 55 of the nozzle head 51, and the fluid F is injected into the internal space S of each single cell C in the power storage module 1 through the communication hole 31.

[0075] When injecting the fluid F, before the nozzle head 51 is pressed against the frame 26, the chamber 47 is evacuated with the storage module 1 placed thereon, and the internal space S of each battery C in the storage module 1 is depressurized. When injecting the electrolyte, the internal space S of the storage module 1 is depressurized using the decompression chamber 42, so that the electrolyte can be efficiently injected through the communication hole 31.

[0076] If the internal space S of the power storage module 1 is depressurized under atmospheric pressure, the following may occur: the power storage module 1 is crushed by the atmospheric pressure, the collector 15 constituting each internal space S is deformed, and the entrance of the internal space S (the portion connected to the connecting hole 31) is blocked. As a result, it is conceivable that there will be a situation where the injection efficiency of the fluid F such as the electrolyte or the inspection gas is not improved. In contrast, by placing the power storage module 1 in the decompression chamber 42, the outside of the power storage module 1 and the internal space S of the power storage module 1 are depressurized together, and the pressure difference between the inside and outside of each single cell C is eliminated, which can fully improve the injection efficiency of the fluid F such as the electrolyte or the inspection gas.

[0077] The same is true for the case of injecting the inspection gas. By using the decompression chamber 42 to decompress the internal space S of the power storage module 1, the inspection gas can be efficiently injected through the connecting hole 31. In addition, by placing the power storage module 1 in the decompression chamber 42, the influence of the inspection gas contained in the atmosphere is suppressed, and the accuracy of the airtight inspection can be improved.

[0078] The first restraining member 44 and the second restraining member 45 are members for restraining the power storage module 1 at a fixed voltage or a fixed size for the purpose of protecting the electrode stack 2 and the sealing body 3 from the load when the fluid F is injected. Examples of the load when the fluid F is injected include a pressing force applied to the main body 20 of the sealing body 3 when the fluid injection nozzle 43 is pressed against the periphery of the opening 31A of the communication hole 31, an expansion force of the internal space S caused by the injection of the fluid F, and an expansion force of the internal space S caused by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the single cell C when placed in the decompression chamber 42.

[0079] It is desirable to apply appropriate restraining pressure to each of the portion pressed by the fluid injection nozzle 43 in the enclosure 3 and the electrode stack 2 where the internal space S is located. However, in the power storage module 1, the dimensional tolerance in the thickness direction (first direction D1 / stacking direction of the electrodes) may be different between the electrode stack 2 stacked with a plurality of electrodes and the enclosure 3 that seals the internal space S formed between the electrodes of the electrode stack 2. Sometimes, due to the difference in dimensional tolerance in the stacking direction between the electrode stack 2 and the enclosure 3 during manufacturing, the dimensions of the electrode stack 2 and the enclosure 3 in the stacking direction may be different for each power storage module 1 (workpiece).

[0080] For example, it is conceivable that the dimension tolerance in the stacking direction of the electrode stack 2 having a plurality of electrodes stacked thereon may be greater than the dimension tolerance in the stacking direction of the sealing body 3. Figure 6As shown in (a), the dimension of the electrode stack 2 in the stacking direction is sometimes smaller than the dimension of the sealing body 3 in the stacking direction. In this workpiece, the end surface of the electrode stack 2 in the stacking direction (here, the first surface 15a of the collector 15 in the positive terminal electrode 12 and the second surface 15b of the collector 15 in the negative terminal electrode 13) is recessed relative to the end surface of the sealing body 3 in the stacking direction (here, the outer surface of the seal 21 in the first direction D1 provided on the collector 15 of the positive terminal electrode 12 and the negative terminal electrode 13).

[0081] In addition, in other artifacts, such as Figure 6 As shown in (b), the dimension of the electrode stack 2 in the stacking direction is sometimes larger than the dimension of the sealing body 3 in the stacking direction. In this workpiece, the end surface of the electrode stack 2 in the stacking direction (here, the first surface 15a of the collector 15 in the positive terminal electrode 12 and the second surface 15b of the collector 15 in the negative terminal electrode 13) is raised relative to the end surface of the sealing body 3 in the stacking direction (here, the outer surface of the seal 21 in the first direction D1 provided on the collector 15 of the positive terminal electrode 12 and the negative terminal electrode 13).

[0082] In the case of Figure 6 (a) and Figure 6 In the case where the electrode stack 2 and the closing body 3 of the workpiece shown in (b) are constrained by a single constraining member with the same constraining force, it is conceivable that the constraining pressure on either the portion pressed by the fluid injection nozzle 43 in the closing body 3 or the electrode stack 2 where the internal space S is located may be insufficient. In contrast, in the manufacturing device 41, by having the first constraining member 44 and the second constraining member 45 independently provided, even if the dimensions of the electrode stack 2 in the stacking direction and the dimensions of the closing body 3 in the stacking direction deviate for each storage battery module 1, appropriate constraining pressure can be applied to both the portion pressed by the fluid injection nozzle 43 in the closing body 3 and the electrode stack 2 where the internal space S is located.

[0083] like Figure 4As shown, the first restraint member 44 has a cylinder 61 that is retractable in the first direction D1 and a restraint plate 62 mounted on the front end of the cylinder 61. In the present embodiment, a pair of first restraint members 44A and 44B are used. The first restraint member 44A is disposed on the carrier 46 of the decompression chamber 42 so as to be able to move forward and backward freely along the first direction D1. The first restraint member 44B is disposed on the ceiling portion 50 of the chamber 47 so as to be able to move forward and backward freely along the first direction D1 in a manner opposite to the first restraint member 44A. The restraint plate 62 is composed of, for example, metal, or a laminate of metal and hard resin. Examples of metals include aluminum or stainless steel (SUS). Examples of hard resins include hard urethane or acrylic resin.

[0084] The restraining plate 62A and the restraining plate 62B are both disposed in the chamber 47. The restraining plate 62A and the restraining plate 62B have, for example, the same planar shape as each other. The restraining plate 62A and the restraining plate 62B clamp the power storage module 1 as a workpiece by the cooperation of the cylinder 61A of the first restraining member 44 and the cylinder 61B of the second restraining member 45, thereby applying restraining pressure to a predetermined area of ​​the power storage module 1.

[0085] The first restraining member 44 restrains the first region F1 in the sealing body 3 where the plurality of connecting holes 31 are provided with a first restraining pressure P1. In the present embodiment, the first restraining pressure P1 brought by the first restraining member 44 is applied to the first region F1 in the stacking direction (the first direction D1). The first region F1 is a region where the sealing member 21 and the spacer 22 overlap in the stacking direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, when the power storage module 1 is viewed from the stacking direction, the first region F1 is a rectangular (here, a long rectangle) region corresponding to the wall portion 3A in the sealing body 3 where the plurality of communication holes 31 are provided.

[0086] In more detail, Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the first restraining member 44 restrains the area of ​​the spacer 22 of the wall portion 3A on the outer side of the edge 22a on the inner space S side as the first area F1 when viewed from the first direction D1. That is, the first area F1 extends across the edge 22a on the inner space S side of the spacer 22 and the side surface 23s of the welded end portion 23 of the wall portion 3A in the second direction D2.

[0087] In the present embodiment, as described above, the thickened portion 25 is provided on the outer surface of the seal 21 in the first direction D1 of the current collector 15 provided at the positive terminal electrode 12 and the negative terminal electrode 13. Figure 7In the example, the entire formation area of ​​the thickened portion 25 is included in the first region F1. In addition, the length of the restraining plates 62A and 62B sandwiching the first region F1 in the third direction D3 may be greater than the length of the first region F1 in the third direction D3.

[0088] like Figure 4 As shown, the second restraining member 45 has a plurality of cylinders 63 that are retractable in the first direction D1 and a restraining plate 64 mounted on the front ends of the plurality of cylinders 63. The second restraining member 45 is disposed on the ceiling portion 50 of the chamber 47 so as to be able to move forward and backward in the first direction D1 in a manner opposite to the mounting surface 46a of the stage 46. The restraining plate 64 and the restraining plate 62B are arranged side by side in the chamber 47. By driving the cylinder 63, the restraining plate 64, the stage 46, and the tray 48 clamp the storage module 1 as a workpiece, thereby applying restraining pressure to a specified area of ​​the storage module 1. The restraining plate 64 is made of, for example, metal. Examples of the metal include aluminum or stainless steel (SUS).

[0089] The second restraining member 45 restrains the second region F2 including the internal space S with the second restraining pressure P2. In the present embodiment, the second restraining pressure P2 brought by the second restraining member 45 is applied to the second region F2 in the first direction D1. Figure 7 As shown, when the power storage module 1 is viewed from the stacking direction, the second region F2 is a rectangular region (here, a long rectangle) corresponding to the exposed portions R1 and R2 and three walls 3B, 3C, and 3D of the sealing body 3 excluding the wall 3A.

[0090] In more detail, Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the second restraining member 45 restrains the area on the side opposite to the first area F1 as the second area F2, with the edge 22a of the wall portion 3A on the side of the internal space S of the spacer 22 as the boundary. That is, the second area F2 extends across the edge 22a on the side of the internal space S of the spacer 22 and the side surface 23s of the welded end portion 23 of the wall portion 3B in the second direction D2. In addition, the length of the restraining plate 64 that clamps the second area F2 may be greater than the length of the second area F2 in the third direction D3.

[0091] In this embodiment, if Figure 4As shown, the second restraining member 45 is provided with a convex portion 65 corresponding to the exposed portion R1 of the electrode stack 2 from the sealing body 3. The planar shape of the convex portion 65 is, for example, the same as the planar shape of the exposed portion R1. The convex portion 65 is formed, for example, by making a part of the restraining plate 64 of the second restraining member 45 thick-walled. Thus, when the second restraining member 45 restrains the storage module 1, the thick-walled convex portion 65 faces the exposed portion R1 of the electrode stack 2, and the peripheral portion, which is thinner than the convex portion 65, faces each of the wall portions 3B, 3C, and 3D of the sealing body 3.

[0092] In the present embodiment, the first constraint pressure P1 caused by the first constraint member 44 is greater than the second constraint pressure P2 caused by the second constraint member 45. Thus, a strong constraint pressure that can withstand the load caused by the pressure of the fluid injection nozzle 43 can be applied to the first region F1. On the other hand, the second constraint pressure P2 only needs to suppress the deformation of the electrode stack 2 caused by the expansion of the internal space S, and there are also cases where a constraint pressure weaker than the first constraint pressure P1 is sufficient. By not making the second constraint pressure P2 too large, it is possible to suppress damage to the electrode stack 2 caused by the constraint (breakage, deformation, etc. of the collector 15).

[0093] When the injection process is performed using the manufacturing apparatus 41, the storage battery module 1 as a workpiece is first placed in the chamber 47 of the decompression chamber 42. Next, the cylinder 61 of the first restraining member 44 is driven toward the storage battery module 1 in the chamber 47, so that the first region F1 of the storage battery module 1 is clamped by the restraining plates 62A and 62B. Thus, the first region F1 in which the plurality of communication holes 31 are provided in the sealing body 3 is restrained in the stacking direction by the first restraining member 44 at the first restraining pressure P1.

[0094] In addition, by driving the cylinder 63 of the second restraining member 45 with respect to the power storage module 1 in the chamber 47, the second region F2 of the power storage module 1 is clamped by the restraining plate 64, the stage 46, and the tray 48. Thus, the second region F2 including the exposed portions R1 and R2 of the electrode stack 2 is restrained by the second restraining member 45 with the second restraining pressure P2. The restraint by the first restraining member 44 and the restraint by the second restraining member 45 may be performed either first or simultaneously.

[0095] After the first restraint member 44 and the second restraint member 45 are restrained, the chamber 47 is evacuated. As a result, the pressure in the chamber 47 is reduced and the internal spaces S of the cells C are exhausted through the plurality of connecting holes 31, thereby reducing the pressure of the internal spaces S. After the internal spaces S are reduced in pressure, the fluid injection nozzle 43 is pressed against the frame 26 around the opening 31A of the connecting hole 31, and the fluid F released from the nozzle head 51 is injected into the internal space S of the cells C through the connecting hole 31. After the injection process is performed, the conductive member 18 and the sealing film 30 are assembled to the storage battery module 1 as a workpiece, thereby obtaining Figure 1 The power storage module 1 is shown.

[0096] As described above, in the manufacturing device 41 and the manufacturing method, when the fluid F is injected from the connecting hole 31 into the internal space S through the fluid injection nozzle 43, the first region F1 in which the plurality of connecting holes 31 are provided and the second region F2 including the internal space S in the closing body 3 can be constrained by the first constraining member 44 and the second constraining member 45 with mutually independent constraining pressures. Therefore, even in the case where the electrode stack 2 and the closing body 3 are different in size, the required constraining pressure can be added to each of the first region F1 and the second region F2. Thus, for each power storage module 1 in which the size deviation caused by the dimensional tolerance occurs, the deformation of the power storage module 1 when the fluid F is injected can be appropriately suppressed. By adding the required constraining pressure to each of the first region F1 and the second region F2, for example, the electrode stack 2 and the closing body 3 can be appropriately protected from expansion deformation of the electrode stack 2 caused by the injection of the fluid F, damage to the closing body 3 caused by the pressure of the fluid injection nozzle 43, and the like.

[0097] In this embodiment, the first restraining pressure P1 caused by the first restraining member 44 is greater than the second restraining pressure P2 caused by the second restraining member 45. In this case, the first region F1 in the enclosure 3 can be well protected from the pressure of the fluid injection nozzle 43, and on the other hand, it is possible to avoid excessive restraining force being applied to the electrode stack 2. Therefore, damage to the electrode stack 2 caused by the restraining force can be suppressed.

[0098] In the present embodiment, the sealing body 3 includes: a plurality of seals 21, which cover the peripheral edge 15c of each collector 15; and a spacer 22, which is interposed between the seals 21 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction. In addition, the first restraining member 44 restrains the region where the seal 21 and the spacer 22 overlap in the stacking direction as the first region F1. Thus, the region where the seal 21 and the spacer 22 overlap in the stacking direction in the first region F1 is added with the first restraining pressure P1. Therefore, the deformation of the internal space S between the collector 15 and the collector 15 constituting the electrode can be suppressed by the first restraining pressure P1.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the manufacturing device 41 further includes a decompression chamber 42 in which the power storage module 1 is arranged, and a first restraining member 44 and a second restraining member 45 are respectively provided in the decompression chamber 42. According to such a configuration, the internal space S of the power storage module 1 is decompressed by using the decompression chamber 42, so that the fluid F can be efficiently injected through the connecting hole 31. In addition, by respectively providing the first restraining member 44 and the second restraining member 45 in the decompression chamber 42, it is not necessary to detach the restraining member from the power storage module 1 each time the fluid F is injected, so that the operation process can be simplified.

[0100] In this embodiment, the second restraining member 45 is provided with a protrusion 65 corresponding to the exposed portion R1 of the electrode stack 2 from the sealing body 3. Such a protrusion 65 can more reliably ensure the contact between the second restraining member 45 and the electrode stack 2. Therefore, even when the dimensions of the electrode stack 2 and the sealing body 3 are greatly different, the restraining force of the second restraining member 45 on the electrode stack 2 can be appropriately added.

[0101] For example, in the above embodiment, the first restraining member 44 and the second restraining member 45 are respectively provided in the decompression chamber 42, but it can also be as follows Fig. 9 (a) and Fig. 9 As in the manufacturing device 71 shown in (b) of FIG. 1 , the first restraining member 44 is provided in the decompression chamber 42, and the wall portion of the decompression chamber 42 constitutes the second restraining member 45. In the manufacturing device 71, the convex portion 65 corresponding to the second region F2 of the power storage module 1 in the ceiling portion 50 is provided in a manner opposite to the carrier 46, and the ceiling portion 50 having the convex portion 65 constitutes the second restraining member 45.

[0102] The "second restraining member" of the present disclosure is not limited to the second restraining member that restrains the second region F2 in the stacking direction before the injection of the fluid F as in the above-mentioned embodiment, but may also include the second restraining member that restrains the second region F2 in the stacking direction after the injection of the fluid F begins. Fig. 9 As shown in (a), the distance between the protrusion 65 and the stage 46 is set to be slightly larger than the dimension of the stacking direction of the storage battery module 1 before the fluid is injected. Fig. 9 As shown in (b) of FIG. 8 , in the injection step, the internal space S expands due to the injection of the fluid F, so that the power storage module 1 as the workpiece abuts against the convex portion 65 , and the amount of expansion is limited by the convex portion 65 .

[0103] In such a configuration, the internal space S of the power storage module 1 is depressurized by using the decompression chamber 42, so that the fluid F can be efficiently injected through the communication hole 31. In addition, by providing the wall portion (here, the ceiling portion 50) of the decompression chamber 42 as the second restraining member 45, it is not necessary to attach or detach the restraining member to the power storage module 1 each time the fluid F is injected, and the operation process can be simplified with a simpler configuration.

[0104] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first constraint pressure P1 brought by the first constraint member 44 is added to the first region F1 in the stacking direction (the first direction D1), but the first constraint pressure P1 can also be added to the first region F1 in a direction intersecting the stacking direction (for example, the third direction D3). That is, the first constraint pressure P1 can be added in any direction as long as it is a direction intersecting with the extension direction of the connecting hole 31 (the second direction D2 in the above-mentioned embodiment). Even in the case where the first constraint pressure P1 is added in these directions, the required constraint pressure can be added to the first region F1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress damage to the closed body 3 caused by the pressure of the fluid injection nozzle 43.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the first constraint pressure P1 is greater than the second constraint pressure P2, but the magnitude relationship between the first constraint pressure P1 and the second constraint pressure P2 is not limited thereto. The first constraint pressure P1 and the second constraint pressure P2 may be set independently of each other as long as the load caused by the pressure of the fluid injection nozzle 43 and the expansion force of the internal space S are considered. As a result, the first constraint pressure P1 may be smaller than the second constraint pressure P2, or the first constraint pressure P1 and the second constraint pressure P2 may be equal.

[0106] In the above embodiment, when the storage battery module 1 is placed in the decompression chamber 42, the storage battery module 1 is placed on the flat tray 48, but a convex portion equivalent to the convex portion 65 of the second restraining member 45 may be provided on the tray 48. In this case, since the electrode stack 2 is clamped by a pair of convex portions, the contact between the second restraining member 45 and the electrode stack 2 can be more reliably ensured. Therefore, even when the dimensions of the electrode stack 2 and the sealing body 3 are greatly different, the restraining force of the second restraining member 45 on the electrode stack 2 can be more appropriately added.

[0107] The sealing body 3 may be formed by omitting the spacer 22 and only the sealing member 21. In this case, the communicating hole 31 is formed by opening a cutout or a hole in a part of the sealing member 21, and the welded end portion 23 is formed by welding the outer edges of the sealing members 21 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction.

[0108] The first restraining member 44 and the second restraining member 45 do not necessarily have to be disposed in the decompression chamber 42. For example, the first restraining member 44 and the second restraining member 45 may be disposed on the tray 48, and the first restraining member 44 and the second restraining member 45 may be used to restrain the storage battery module 1 as a workpiece before the storage battery module 1 is introduced into the decompression chamber 42.

[0109] The second restraining member 45 does not necessarily have to have the convex portion 65. Even in this case, the first region F1 in which the plurality of communication holes 31 are provided and the second region F2 including the internal space S in the closing body 3 can be restrained by the first restraining member 44 and the second restraining member 45 with restraining pressures independent of each other. Therefore, even when the electrode stack 2 and the closing body 3 are different in size, the required restraining pressure can be applied to each of the first region F1 and the second region F2.

[0110] In the above-mentioned embodiment, a method of exhausting the internal space S of the power storage module 1 together with the decompression of the chamber 47 is shown, but a method of exhausting the internal space S separately from the decompression of the chamber 47 via a nozzle can also be used. In addition, a method of implementing the injection process without arranging the power storage module 1 in the decompression chamber 42 can also be adopted. In this case, for example, it is sufficient to pre-assemble a restraining fixture having a first restraining member 44 and a second restraining member 45 to the power storage module 1 as a workpiece, and then implement the injection process. The decompression of the internal space S can be implemented via a nozzle, or it is not necessary to implement the decompression. The nozzle that exhausts the internal space S separately can also serve as the fluid injection nozzle 43. In this case, for example, it is sufficient to set a switching unit that switches the connection destination between the tank of the fluid F and the vacuum pump on the base end side of the fluid injection nozzle 43, and switch the connection destination of the fluid injection nozzle 43 when the internal space S is decompressed and when the fluid F is injected.

[0111] like Fig.10 As shown, the first restraining member 44 may also be a member constraining only the thickened portion 25 in the closed body 3 with the first restraining pressure P1. In this case, when viewed from the first direction D1, the outer edge of the first region F1 constrained by the first restraining member 44 coincides with the outer edge of the thickened portion 25. In other words, the first region F1 may also be a rectangular (here, a rectangular) region in the wall portion 3A corresponding to the thickened portion 25. Since the plurality of connecting holes 31 are included in the thickened portion 25 when viewed from the first direction D1, Fig.10 In the example, the first region F1 is also a region including a plurality of communicating holes 31. When the first region F1 is a region corresponding to the thickened portion 25, the restraining plate 62 of the first restraining member 44 may be in a rectangular shape corresponding to the thickened portion 25.

[0112] In the case where the first region F1 is a region corresponding to the thickened portion 25, the second restraining member 45 may restrain the region other than the thickened portion 25 in the enclosure 3 as the second region F2. In this case, the second region F2 includes the region other than the thickened portion 25 in the seal 21 of the current collector 15 provided in the positive terminal electrode 12 and the negative terminal electrode 13. In addition, the second region F2 includes a rectangular (here, a rectangular) region corresponding to the exposed portions R1, R2, and the three wall portions 3B, 3C, and 3D other than the wall portion 3A in the enclosure 3. That is, when viewed from the first direction D1, the second region F2 is in a shape obtained by cutting out the region corresponding to the thickened portion 25 from the rectangle corresponding to the exposed portions R1, R2 and the wall portions 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. In this case, the shape of the restraint plate 62 of the second restraint member 45 can also be consistent with the shape of the second area F2, and is a shape obtained by cutting off the area corresponding to the thickened portion 25 from the rectangle corresponding to the exposed portions R1, R2 and the wall portions 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D.

[0113] For the first region F1 and the second region F2 as described above, in the manufacturing device 41, the first region F1 and the second region F2 can be constrained by the first constraining member 44 and the second constraining member 45 with independent constraining pressures. Therefore, even when the electrode stack 2 and the sealing body 3 are different in size, the required constraining pressure can be applied to each of the first region F1 and the second region F2.

[0114] like Fig.11 As shown, the first region F1 may also include multiple regions. Fig.11 In the example of , the first area F1 includes the first divided area F1a, the second divided area F1b, and the third divided area F1c. The first divided area F1a may be an area corresponding to the thickened portion 25. The second divided area F1b may be an area on one side of the opposite long sides of the closed body 3 (an area on the wall 3C side) in the area after the thickened portion 25 is excluded from the wall 3A. The third divided area F1c may be an area on the other side of the opposite long sides of the closed body 3 (an area on the wall 3D side) in the area after the thickened portion 25 is excluded from the wall 3A.

[0115] When the first region F1 includes a plurality of regions, the first restraining member 44 may include a plurality of cylinders and a plurality of restraining plates corresponding to the plurality of regions. Furthermore, the first restraining member 44 may independently control the restraining pressure for each of the plurality of regions. Fig.11In the first region F1 shown in the figure, the first restraining member 44 may also have a restraining plate and a cylinder for restraining the first divided region F1a, a restraining plate and a cylinder for restraining the second divided region F1b, and a restraining plate and a cylinder for restraining the third divided region F1c. In this case, the first restraining member 44 may also independently control the restraining pressure for restraining the first divided region F1a, the restraining pressure for restraining the second divided region F1b, and the restraining pressure for restraining the third divided region F1c. Thus, even if the electrode stack 2 and the sealing body 3 are different in size, the required restraining pressure can be added to each of the first divided region F1a, the second divided region F1b, and the third divided region F1c.

[0116] Description of Reference Numerals

[0117] 1…power storage module, 2…electrode stack, 3…sealing body, 11…bipolar electrode (electrode), 12…positive terminal electrode (electrode), 13…negative terminal electrode (electrode), 15…current collector, 15c…peripheral portion, 21…seal, 22…spacer, 22a…edge, 23s…side, 31…communication hole, 31A…opening, 41, 71…manufacturing device, 42…decompression chamber, 43…fluid injection nozzle, 44 (44A, 44B)…first restraining member, 45…second restraining member, 65…convex portion, F…fluid, F1…first region, F2…second region, P1…first restraining pressure, P2…second restraining pressure, R1, R2…exposed portion, S…internal space.

Claims

1. A manufacturing device for a power storage module, used for manufacturing a power storage module, the power storage module comprising: an electrode stack including a plurality of stacked electrodes including a current collector; and a sealing body, which is arranged at the peripheral edge of each of the current collectors in a manner surrounding the electrode stack, seals a plurality of internal spaces between the respective current collectors adjacent to each other in the stacking direction, and is provided with a plurality of communication holes communicating with each of the plurality of internal spaces, The manufacturing device of the power storage module is characterized by comprising: a fluid injection nozzle pressed against the periphery of the opening of the communication hole in the side surface of the closed body to inject fluid into each of the plurality of internal spaces through the communication hole; a first restraining member that restrains a first region of the closed body where the plurality of communicating holes are provided; and A second restraining member is provided independently of the first restraining member and restrains a second region including the internal space in the stacking direction.

2. The manufacturing device for the power storage module according to claim 1, in, A first restraint pressure by the first restraint member is greater than a second restraint pressure by the second restraint member.

3. The manufacturing device for the power storage module according to claim 1 or 2, in, The sealing body includes: a plurality of sealing members covering the peripheral edge of each of the current collectors; and a spacer interposed between the sealing members adjacent to each other in the stacking direction. The first restraining member restrains a region where the sealing material and the spacer overlap in the stacking direction as the first region.

4. The manufacturing device for a power storage module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, It also includes a decompression chamber in which the power storage module is arranged. The first restraining member and the second restraining member are respectively provided in the decompression chamber.

5. The manufacturing device for a power storage module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, It also includes a decompression chamber in which the power storage module is arranged. The first restraining member is provided in the decompression chamber. The wall portion of the decompression chamber constitutes the second restraining member.

6. The manufacturing device for a power storage module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in, The second restraining member is provided with a protrusion corresponding to a portion of the electrode stack exposed from the sealing body.

7. A method for manufacturing a power storage module, for manufacturing a power storage module, the power storage module comprising: an electrode stack including a plurality of stacked electrodes including a current collector; and a sealing body, which is arranged at the peripheral edge of each of the current collectors in a manner surrounding the electrode stack, seals a plurality of internal spaces between the respective current collectors adjacent to each other in the stacking direction, and is provided with a plurality of communication holes communicating with each of the plurality of internal spaces, The method for manufacturing the power storage module is characterized in that: The method comprises: an injection step of pressing a fluid injection nozzle against the periphery of the opening of the communicating hole in the side surface of the sealing body to inject the fluid into each of the plurality of internal spaces through the communicating hole; In the injection process, The first region in the closed body where the plurality of communicating holes are provided is constrained by a first constraining member, The second region including the internal space is constrained in the stacking direction by a second constraining member provided independently of the first constraining member.

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