Electricity storage device

Abstract

The invention relates to a power storage device. A power storage device (battery) includes a case. The housing includes a hinge portion that opens and closes the housing. The housing accommodates the single series body. The single-body series-connection body includes a plurality of power storage single bodies (a power storage single body in one single-body series-connection body and a power storage single body in another single-body series-connection body), and a connection portion (a connection portion between adjacent power storage single bodies in any one single-body series-connection body) that electrically connects the power storage single bodies to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power storage device including a plurality of power storage cells. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2023-502457 (JP 2023-502457 A) discloses a rectangular parallelepiped battery (electricity storage device) having a length L of 400 millimeters (mm) to 2500 mm and a ratio (L / H) of length L to width H of 4 to 21. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the power storage device described in JP 2023-502457 A, a plurality of electrode body groups (power storage cells) connected in series and arranged in a row are provided inside a casing (housing). Hereinafter, a series body of a plurality of power storage cells connected in a row will be referred to as a "cell series body."

[0004] Manufacturing the above-described power storage device requires placing the connected series of cells into a housing. For example, it is conceivable to place the connected series of cells into the housing through an opening provided in the housing body, then seal the opening with a cover member, and join the housing body and the cover member together. In such power storage devices, the housing body and the cover member are manufactured separately. This raises the possibility of manufacturing a cover member that does not fit the housing body, or of joining the housing body and the cover member together in a misaligned state.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to facilitate the manufacture of an electric storage device including a case accommodating a cell series body.

[0006] According to one form of the present disclosure, there is provided a power storage device shown below.

[0007] (Item 1) The power storage device includes a housing. The housing includes a hinge portion for opening and closing the housing. The housing houses a cell series assembly. The cell series assembly includes a plurality of power storage cells and a connection portion electrically connecting the power storage cells to each other.

[0008] In this configuration, the housing includes a hinge. Therefore, after the battery pack is placed in the housing, the housing can be opened via the hinge and then closed via the hinge. The ability to open and close the housing via the hinge facilitates manufacturing of the power storage device. The hinge should function at least during the manufacturing process, and the housing should remain securely closed in the finished product.

[0009] (Item 2) In the power storage device according to Item 1, the housing has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A plurality of power storage cells are connected to each other along a first direction. The housing has a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface extending along the first direction, and a fifth surface and a sixth surface located at both ends in the first direction. The first surface and the second surface are opposite to each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The third surface and the fourth surface are opposite to each other in a third direction orthogonal to each of the first and second directions. The second surface includes a hinge portion. The housing includes a first housing member and a second housing member connected to each other by a hinge portion. The first surface includes a coupling portion at which the first housing member and the second housing member are coupled to each other.

[0010] The rectangular housing extends in the same direction as the series of cells (storage cells), which helps properly accommodate the series. During the manufacturing process of the storage device, the housing can be opened and closed via a hinge. Furthermore, the first and second housing members are connected on the surface (first surface) opposite the hinge (second surface). This helps maintain the housing in the closed state. Furthermore, the rectangular housing has a simple shape, making it easy to manufacture. This configuration simplifies the manufacture of the storage device and helps reduce manufacturing costs.

[0011] (Item 3) In the power storage device according to Item 2, the hinge portion is a portion of the second surface where the plate thickness is reduced, and the hinge portion is provided along the first direction.

[0012] Therefore, by partially reducing the thickness of the second surface, a simple hinge can be formed. This configuration facilitates the formation of the hinge. Furthermore, since the hinge is formed along the first direction, a large opening can be formed when the housing is opened through the hinge. This facilitates the placement of the connected monomer assembly into the housing.

[0013] The thickness of the second surface can be made smaller than that of the first surface. Making the second surface thinner promotes deformation of the second surface including the hinge portion. Making the first surface thicker increases the strength of the first surface including the connection portion.

[0014] (Item 4) In the power storage device according to Item 2 or Item 3, the coupling portion has a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0015] In this power storage device, the case can be easily maintained in the closed state by the mechanical coupling based on the snap-fit ​​structure.

[0016] (Item 5) In the power storage device according to any one of Items 1 to 4, the case is a case made of resin.

[0017] The housing made of resin has insulating properties. Therefore, this configuration eliminates the need for components for electrically insulating the housing and the components inside the housing from each other. As a result, an increase in the number of components can be avoided.

[0018] As another form, there may be provided a vehicle including the power storage device according to any one of the first to fifth items.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, it is easy to manufacture an electric storage device including a case accommodating a series-connected cell body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like symbols represent like elements, and wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 2 is used to describe Figure 1 A diagram showing the function of the hinge portion during the manufacturing process of the power storage device;

[0023] Figure 3 is used to describe Figure 1 A view of the configuration of each monomer series shown;

[0024] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

[0025] Figure 5 is used to describe the Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the effects and advantages produced by the electrical storage device; and

[0026] Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 Views of first to third variants of the housing are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical or equivalent parts in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. In the drawings to be used below, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, which are orthogonal to each other, indicate a first in-plane direction (e.g., length direction) of the battery; the Y-axis indicates a second in-plane direction (e.g., width direction) of the battery; and the Z-axis indicates a height direction of the battery. Hereinafter, the directions indicated by the arrows of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis will be indicated by a prefix of "+," while the opposite directions will be indicated by a prefix of "-."

[0028] Figure 1: is a diagram for describing the configuration of the power storage device according to this embodiment. Figure 1 The "Z-side view of the internal structure of the shell" is a view of the contents of the shell as seen from the +Z side. Figure 1 The "Y-side view of the internal structure of the shell" is a view of the contents of the shell seen from the +Y side.

[0029] The power storage device according to this embodiment is Figure 1 Battery 100 is shown. Battery 100 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a sodium-ion battery. Examples of lithium-ion batteries include LFP batteries using lithium iron phosphate as the positive electrode active material and ternary batteries using nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) as the positive electrode active material. The secondary battery can be a liquid-type secondary battery or an all-solid-state secondary battery. As will be described in detail later, battery 100 includes a plurality of power storage cells, each of which functions as a secondary battery. Battery 100 can include only power storage cells of the same type (e.g., only LFP cells), or can include power storage cells of different types (e.g., LFP cells and ternary batteries).

[0030] The battery 100 includes a housing 300. Housing 300 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, with its longitudinal direction oriented along the X-direction. Housing 300 has a pair of faces F1 and F2 (first opposing faces) that oppose each other in the Z-direction, a pair of faces F3 and F4 (second opposing faces) that oppose each other in the Y-direction, and faces F5 and F6 located at both ends in the X-direction (two end faces in the X-direction). Each of faces F1 to F4 extends in the X-direction. The area of ​​each of faces F1 and F2 is smaller than the area of ​​each of faces F3 and F4. Each of faces F1 to F6 corresponds to a plate-like portion that constitutes part of housing 300. The thickness of face F1 is greater than that of the other faces (faces F2 to F6). The thickness of face F2 is less than that of the other faces (faces F1, F3 to F6). In this embodiment, the X-direction, Z-direction, and Y-direction correspond to examples of the "first direction," "second direction," and "third direction," respectively, according to the present disclosure. Surface F1, surface F2, surface F3, surface F4, surface F5, and surface F6 respectively correspond to examples of a “first surface,” a “second surface,” a “third surface,” a “fourth surface,” a “fifth surface,” and a “sixth surface” according to the present disclosure.

[0031] The length of the housing 300 (the dimension in the X direction) is greater than the width of the housing 300 (the dimension in the Y direction). The length of the housing 300 may be 250 mm or greater and 5000 mm or less, and is, for example, approximately 1000 mm. The width of the housing 300 may be 10 mm or greater and 1250 mm or less, and is, for example, approximately 50 mm. The ratio of the length of the housing 300 to the width of the housing 300 may be 4 or greater and 25 or less. The height of the housing 300 (the dimension in the Z direction) may be 10 mm or greater and 1250 mm or less, and is, for example, approximately 100 mm. However, the dimensions of the housing 300 (including the plate thickness) are not limited to the above dimensions.

[0032] On surface F5, external terminals 311 and 321, a connector 313, and a sealing hole 323 are provided. On surface F6, external terminals 312 and 322 are provided. External terminals 311 and 312 are respectively joined (e.g., by laser welding) to connection terminals T11 and T12 of the connected cell series 10. External terminals 321 and 322 are respectively joined (e.g., by laser welding) to connection terminals T21 and T22 of the connected cell series 20. Each of external terminals 311, 312, 321, and 322 can have an insulating sealing structure, such as one made of ceramic, surrounding an electrode. In one example, each of external terminals 311 and 322 serves as a negative electrode tab, and each of external terminals 312 and 321 serves as a positive electrode tab. A U-shaped connection can be formed by connecting external terminals 312 and 322 to each other via a conductive member (beam). However, this is not limiting, and the polarity can be set arbitrarily. For example, each external terminal 311 , 321 may be a negative electrode tab, and each external terminal 312 , 322 may be a positive electrode tab. The cell series 10 and the cell series 20 may be electrically connected to each other inside the case 300 .

[0033] Connector 313 includes, for example, output terminals and input terminals. Detection signals indicating the internal conditions of housing 300 (e.g., the temperature of each power storage cell) detected by one or more sensors within housing 300 are output to the exterior of the housing, and control signals are input from the exterior of the housing to one or more devices within housing 300 via the input terminals. For example, a temperature sensor may be provided for each power storage cell within housing 300. Seal hole 323 may be a pressure regulating hole for regulating the pressure within housing 300. Seal hole 323 may have a sealing structure composed, for example, of a metal cap (external to the housing) and a sealing member (inside the housing). This sealing structure ensures airtightness within housing 300 while allowing gas to escape through seal hole 323 to the exterior of housing 300 when the pressure within housing 300 exceeds a predetermined level. At least one of a pressure regulating hole and a gas discharge valve may also be provided in panel F6.

[0034] The housing 300 includes housing members 310 and 320 and a hinge 330. External terminals 311 and 312 and a connector 313 are provided in the housing member 310 (the first housing member). External terminals 321 and 322 and a sealing hole 323 are provided in the housing member 320 (the second housing member). The hinge 330 is provided in the plane F2. The housing members 310 and 320 are connected to each other via the hinge 330. In this embodiment, resin is used as the material for each of the housing members 310, 320, and the hinge 330. The housing 300 is made of resin. Compared to housings made of metal, housings made of resin are easier to deform and process. This facilitates manufacturing the housing 300 with the desired shape and size. The housing members 310 and 320 and the hinge 330 can be integrally molded. The materials used can be varied depending on the specific situation.

[0035] The hinge 330 is configured to open and close the housing 300. Specifically, the hinge 330 is a portion where the thickness of surface F2 is reduced. The thickness of surface F2 is smaller than that of the other surfaces (surfaces F1, F3, F6), and is particularly thin around the hinge 330. Therefore, by partially reducing the thickness of surface F2, a simple hinge 330 structure can be achieved. The hinge 330 is formed along the X-direction, extending linearly across the entire area of ​​the housing 300. The hinge 330 is located between the housing member 310 and the housing member 320 and is formed to join the two members together. The hinge 330 supports the housing members 310 and 320 while allowing them to open and close. Therefore, the housing members 310 and 320 can rotate about the hinge 330 (the X-direction axis) as the rotation axis. When one of the housing members 310 and 320 rotates relative to the other housing member, the housing 300 opens or closes. However, the hinge 330 should at least function during the manufacturing process of the battery 100, and the housing 300 can be fixed in the closed state after the battery 100 is completed. Figure 2 is a view for describing the function of the hinge portion 330 in the manufacturing process of the battery 100. Figure 2 One example of a method of manufacturing the battery 100 is described.

[0036] First, the housing 300 is placed in an open state through the hinge portion 330. Subsequently, the cell series bodies 10, 20 are placed in the housing 300 in the open state. In addition, each cell series body is joined to a corresponding external terminal.

[0037] Specifically, the cell series 10 is disposed inside the housing member 310, and its connection terminals T11 and T12 are respectively connected to external terminals 311 and 312. The cell series 20 is disposed inside the housing member 320, and its connection terminals T21 and T22 are respectively connected to external terminals 321 and 322. Figure 2 The "view from the -Y side" in the figure is a view of the connected monomer bodies 10, 20 arranged inside the housing 300 in the open state, and each connected monomer body connected to a corresponding external terminal, as seen from the -Y side. The connected monomer bodies 10, 20 can be respectively bonded to the inner surfaces of the housing members 310, 320. As an adhesive for fixing each connected monomer body to the housing 300, an adhesive containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or nylon is preferred. The adhesive force of such an adhesive is reduced by strong acids, which allows for excellent recyclability. The connected monomer bodies 10, 20 will be described in detail later.

[0038] In the surface F1 of the housing member 310, a recessed portion 351 (hook receiving portion) is provided. In the surface F1 of the housing member 320, a protruding portion 352 (hook portion) is provided. The recessed portion 351 and the protruding portion 352 are configured to be coupled together.

[0039] After the monomer series bodies 10 and 20 are placed in the housing 300, the housing 300 is closed by the hinge portion 330. Specifically, the housing 300 is closed so that the recess 351 and the protrusion 352 are coupled to each other. The recess 351 and the protrusion 352 have, for example, a snap-fit ​​structure and are mechanically coupled to each other. The closed state of the housing 300 is Figure 2 When the protrusion 352 is fitted into the recess 351 and is stuck on the recess 351, a portion (coupling portion 350) is formed where the housing member 310 and the housing member 320 are coupled to each other (see Figure 2 For example, when the recess 351 and the protrusion 352 are engaged with each other at the coupling portion 350, the housing member 310 and the housing member 320 are coupled to each other. Figure 1Battery 100 is shown. In battery 100, face F1 of housing 300 includes coupling portion 350, and face F2 of housing 300 includes hinge portion 330. Housing member 310 constitutes a portion of each of faces F1, F2, F5, and F6 of housing 300 on the +Y side relative to hinge portion 330 (or coupling portion 350), and face F3. Housing member 320 constitutes a portion of each of faces F1, F2, F5, and F6 of housing 300 on the -Y side relative to hinge portion 330 (or coupling portion 350), and face F4. Housing members 310 and 320 can be joined (e.g., welded or bonded) to each other at the gap between them in face F1 to seal housing 300. Adhesive can be injected through the gap between these housing members to secure each serial battery to the inner face (face F1) of housing 300. However, sealing housing 300 is not essential, and housing 300 can remain open. For example, instead of the sealing hole 323, an opening (eg, a slit) may be formed in the housing 300. The heat dissipation hole may be formed at a portion of the housing 300 corresponding to the power storage cell.

[0040] As described above, during the manufacturing process of the battery 100, the housing can be opened and closed by the hinge portion 330, which facilitates the manufacturing of the battery 100. Hereinafter, the cell series bodies 10, 20 will be described.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cell series 10 includes four power storage cells 11 to 14 arranged in the X direction and three connection portions 2 electrically connecting these power storage cells to each other. Within the housing 300, the power storage cells 11 to 14 are connected in a row in the X direction. The cell series 20 includes four power storage cells 21 to 24 arranged in the X direction and three connection portions 2 electrically connecting these power storage cells to each other. The power storage cells 21 to 24 are connected in a row in the X direction within the housing 300. Therefore, the cell series 10 and the cell series 20 are arranged parallel to each other in the X direction. Each of the surfaces F1 to F4 of the housing 300 extends in the direction (X direction) in which the cell series 10 and 20 are connected. Each of the surfaces F5 and F6 of the housing 300 covers the ends of the cell series 10 and 20 in the X direction. Each power storage cell included in the cell series 10 and 20 is configured to store electricity.

[0042] Cell series connections 10 and 20 are arranged so that each storage cell and its corresponding connection are aligned. Storage cells 11, 12, 13, and 14 in cell series connection 10 face storage cells 21, 22, 23, and 24 in cell series connection 20 in the Y direction. Connection terminals T11 and T12 are provided at the +X end (storage cell 11) and the -X end (storage cell 14) of cell series connection 10, respectively. Connection terminals T21 and T22 are provided at the +X end (storage cell 21) and the -X end (storage cell 24) of cell series connection 20, respectively.

[0043] In this embodiment, the cell series 10 and the cell series 20 have substantially the same configuration. Therefore, hereinafter, when no distinction is made between the storage cells 11 to 14 and the storage cells 21 to 24 , these storage cells will be referred to as “storage cells 1 ”.

[0044] Figure 3 10 and 20 are views for describing the configuration of each of the monomer series bodies. Figure 3 As shown, each monomer series body includes four storage cells 1. The connecting portion 2 is provided between adjacent storage cells 1, and the connecting portion 2 electrically connects these storage cells 1 to each other. Each monomer series body is formed when the storage cells 1 and the connecting portion 2 are arranged alternately. In each of the monomer series bodies 10, 20, the storage cells 1 are connected to each other by the connecting portion 2. The stiffness of the connecting portion 2 is lower than the stiffness of the storage cell 1. The storage cells 11 to 14 and the storage cells 21 to 24 are formed by the same storage cell 1. Using a common storage cell 1 to form the monomer series bodies 10 and 20 simplifies the manufacture of the battery 100 and can reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0045] In this embodiment, the battery cell 1 is a laminated cell having one or more jellyrolls. In a laminated cell, the one or more jellyrolls serving as electrode bodies are covered with a laminated outer member. The jellyrolls have a structure in which, for example, a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet are wound with a separator interposed between them. Each of the positive and negative electrode sheets includes an electrode foil and an active material layer.

[0046] In the following, we will use Figure 3 The structures of the power storage cell 1 and the connection portion 2 are described using a cross-sectional view (XY cross-sectional view around the connection portion 2). The power storage cell 1 includes two rolls 110A, 110B, spacers 120A, 120B, terminal members 130A, 130B, and covers 150A, 150B.

[0047] Jelly jelly rolls 110A and 110B each have coating portions 111A and 111B, electrode tabs 112A and 112B, and electrode tabs 113A and 113B. Each coating portion 111A and 111B is the region of the electrode foil of the positive or negative electrode sheet where the active material layer is provided. Each electrode tab 112A, 112B, 113A, and 113B is the exposed region of the electrode foil of the positive or negative electrode sheet (the uncoated region where the active material layer is not provided). Electrode tabs 112A and 112B are located at the ends of the jelly jelly rolls 110A and 110B on the +X side, respectively. Electrode tabs 113A and 113B are located at the ends of the jelly jelly rolls 110A and 110B on the -X side, respectively.

[0048] The electrode tab 112A and the electrode tab 112B are arranged to overlap in the Y direction, and the spacer 120A and the terminal member 130A are arranged between the electrode tab 112A and the electrode tab 112B. The electrode tab 113A and the electrode tab 113B are arranged to overlap in the Y direction, and the spacer 120B and the terminal member 130B are arranged between the electrode tab 113A and the electrode tab 113B.

[0049] Each of the spacers 120A and 120B is made of an insulating material (e.g., a synthetic resin) and has insulating properties. Each of the spacers 120A and 120B has a shape whose size in the Y direction increases as the distance from the coating portion 111A and 111B increases. The terminal member 130A is connected to the end surface on the +X side of the spacer 120A. The terminal member 130B is connected to the end surface on the -X side of the spacer 120B. Each of the terminal members 130A and 130B is made of a conductive material (e.g., a metal such as aluminum or copper) and has electrical conductivity. The roll 110A and the roll 110B are joined together by the terminal members 130A and 130B (e.g., by laser welding).

[0050] Each of the current collector terminals 140A and 140B is a component that forms part of the connection portion 2. The current collector terminals 140A and 140B have support portions 142A and 142B, respectively, and protrusions 144A and 144B. One of the current collector terminals 140A and 140B serves as a positive electrode current collector terminal, while the other serves as a negative electrode current collector terminal. In one example, the positive electrode current collector terminal is made of aluminum, and the negative electrode current collector terminal is made of copper.

[0051] Each of the current collecting terminals 140A and 140B is formed into an L-shape and can be formed by joining two separately molded plate members together, or can be molded in an integral state through bending. The support portion 142A is joined (e.g., by laser welding) to the end surface on the +X side of the terminal member 130A. The support portion 142B is joined (e.g., by laser welding) to the end surface on the -X side of the terminal member 130B.

[0052] Cover 150A covers the end portion of the power cell 1 on the +X side (including electrode tabs 112A and 112B). Cover 150A has a through-hole h1 for protrusion 144A. Protrusion 144A passes through through-hole h1 and protrudes toward the +X side of power cell 1. Cover 150B covers the end portion of the power cell 1 on the -X side (including electrode tabs 113A and 113B). Cover 150B has a through-hole h2 for protrusion 144B. Protrusion 144B passes through through-hole h2 and protrudes toward the -X side of power cell 1.

[0053] At the connection portion 2, a protrusion 144A protruding from one of two adjacent power storage cells 1 is joined (e.g., by laser welding) to a protrusion 144B protruding from the other power storage cell 1. This welded portion can be protected with tape or the like. Laminated exterior members 160 are provided on the surfaces of the two wound bodies 110A and 110B. Laminated exterior member 160 is, for example, a laminate film and is applied to the surfaces of the power storage cells 1.

[0054] The above configuration is merely one example of the configuration of the power storage cell 1 and can be modified depending on the specific circumstances. For example, the number of jelly rolls included in the power storage cell 1 is not limited to two and can be one, three, or more. Instead of a jelly roll, a stacked body (e.g., one in which positive and negative electrode sheets are stacked with a separator interposed between them) can be used as the electrode body.

[0055] Figure 3 The bottom of FIG. 1 shows a first modification example and a second modification example of the connecting portion 2 .

[0056] Connecting portion 2A according to the first modified example further includes a metal plate 180 disposed between protrusions 144A and 144B to be connected. At connecting portion 2A, protrusions 144A and 144B do not contact each other but are electrically connected via metal plate 180. Each of protrusions 144A and 144B is bonded to metal plate 180 (e.g., by ultrasonic bonding). Providing highly rigid metal plate 180 between protrusions 144A and 144B to be connected facilitates ultrasonic bonding. Ultrasonic bonding is less likely to result in the formation of a brittle alloy layer.

[0057] The connecting portion 2B according to the second modified example further includes a composite member 190 disposed between the protrusions 144A and 144B to be connected. At the connecting portion 2B, protrusions 144A and 144B do not contact each other and are electrically connected via composite member 190. Composite member 190 is a dissimilar metal bonding material and includes a first metal portion 191 and a second metal portion 192. First and second metal portions 191, 192 are respectively bonded (e.g., by laser welding) to protrusions 144A and 144B. First and second metal portions 191, 192 can be made of the same material as protrusions 144A and 144B, respectively. In one example, protrusion 144A on the positive electrode side, made of aluminum, is bonded to first metal portion 191, made of aluminum, and protrusion 144B on the negative electrode side, made of copper, is bonded to second metal portion 192, made of copper.

[0058] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the line IV-IV in FIG. Figure 4 Only a pair of power storage cells 13 and 23 is shown as a representative, but other pairs of power storage cells facing each other in the Y direction (a pair of power storage cells 11 and 21 , a pair of power storage cells 12 and 22 , and a pair of power storage cells 14 and 24 ) have the same structure.

[0059] The housing 300 is made of resin and has insulating properties. Therefore, the housing 300 and the components inside the housing 300 are electrically insulated from each other. Unnecessary laminated films (for example, laminated external components at the portions where the storage cells overlap) can be omitted to enhance heat dissipation. In the housing 300, there is a gap between the surface on the +Z side of each storage cell and the inner surface (top surface) of the housing. Figure 1 and Figure 4 Region R is shown. In region R, at least one of a thermal management system (e.g., a heater and / or a temperature sensor), a gas exhaust system (e.g., a gas flow channel and / or a pressure sensor), a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), and wires leading to connector 313 may be provided. Devices and / or sensors provided in region R may be connected to connector 313.

[0060] Figure 5 is a diagram for describing the effects and advantages produced by the battery 100. Figure 5In the form in which the monomer series bodies 10 and 20 electrically connected to each other are accommodated in a housing 400 (the housing 400 has a tubular shape that is closed on one side and provided with an opening in the end face on the +X side), as in the reference example in , there may be a problem that the monomer series bodies 10 and 20 are difficult to insert into the housing 400. In such a reference example, placing the interior of the housing 400 in a sealed state requires a cover member for closing the opening of the housing 400. In contrast, in Figures 1 to 4 In the illustrated battery 100, a hinge 330 for opening and closing the housing 300 is provided in the housing 300. Therefore, after the serially connected battery cells 10 and 20 are placed in the housing 300, the housing 300 can be closed by the hinge 330 while the housing 300 is opened by the hinge 330. This battery 100 does not require a separate cover member. Furthermore, since the hinge 330 is formed along the X-direction, a large opening can be formed when the housing 300 is opened by the hinge 330. The wide entrance (opening) of the housing 300 makes it easier to place the serially connected battery cells 10 and 20 into the housing 300.

[0061] Figure 6 3 are views showing the housing 300 and first to third modified examples of the housing 300 .

[0062] The housing 300A according to the first modified example includes a hinge portion 330A in place of hinge portion 330. This hinge portion 330A has a strip shape and is wider than hinge portion 330. Similar to hinge portion 330, hinge portion 330A is also formed to extend in the X-direction (the direction in which the serially connected units to be accommodated are connected). However, hinge portion 330A is flexible. When housing 300A is closed, hinge portion 330A flexibly bends so as to protrude toward the outside of housing 300A.

[0063] The housing 300B according to the second modified example includes housing members 310B and 320B, and a hinge 330B, instead of housing members 310 and 320 and hinge 330. Housing member 310B has a prismatic shape (e.g., a hexagonal prism). Housing member 310B (the first housing member) has a housing (a space for accommodating the serially connected monomers) and a recess 351B. Housing member 320B (the second housing member) does not have a housing and serves as a cover member to close the opening of housing member 310B. Housing member 320B has a protrusion 352B. Each of housing members 310B, 320B, and hinge 330B is formed to extend in the X-direction (the direction in which the serially connected monomers to be accommodated are connected). Recess 351B and protrusion 352B are formed at the ends of housing members 310B and 320B, respectively, on the side opposite to hinge 330B. The recessed portion 351B and the raised portion 352B are configured to mate with each other. When the housing 300B is closed by the hinge portion 330B so that the recessed portion 351B fits over the raised portion 352B, a coupling portion (the portion where the housing member 310B and the housing member 320B couple to each other) is formed on the surface on the side opposite to the hinge portion 330B. The structure for fastening the housing member 320B to the housing member 310B at the coupling portion may be a snap-fit ​​structure, or may be a structure where the housing member 320B is fastened to the housing member 310B solely by friction.

[0064] The housing 300C according to the third modified example includes housing components 310C and 320C, and a hinge 330C, instead of housing components 310 and 320 and hinge 330. Housing component 310C (the first housing component) has a cylindrical shape with its longitudinal direction oriented along the X-direction (the direction in which the series of cells to be housed is connected). Housing component 310C has a housing (a space for accommodating the series of cells) and a recess 351C. Housing component 310C has a tubular shape, closed on one side and open at one end in the X-direction. Housing component 320C (the second housing component) does not have a housing and serves as a cover member to close the opening of housing component 310C. Housing component 320C has a protrusion 352C. Hinge 330C is formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the X-direction. Housing components 310C and 320C are rotatable about hinge 330C, which serves as the axis of rotation. Each of the recess 351C and the protrusion 352C has an annular shape, extending from one end of the hinge 330C and returning to the other end of the hinge 330C. The recess 351C and the protrusion 352C are configured to mate with each other. When the housing 300C is closed via the hinge 330C, so that the recess 351C fits over the protrusion 352C, an annular coupling portion (the portion where the housing member 310C and the housing member 320C are coupled to each other) is formed. The accommodation portion (the space for accommodating the serially connected monomers) can be formed not only in the housing member 310C but also in the housing member 320C.

[0065] The housing (housings 300, 300A, 300B, 300C) may be made of materials other than resin. For example, the housing may be made of metal (e.g., aluminum). The first housing member, the second housing member, and the hinge portion may be made of the same material, or different materials. The hinge portion may be a hinge-like portion (e.g., a flat hinge, a shackle hinge, a parent-child hinge, a pivot hinge, an angle hinge, a sliding hinge, a flap hinge, a sewing machine hinge, or a continuous hinge) formed as a body separate from the housing member.

[0066] The number of monomer series bodies accommodated in each housing is not limited to two, but is arbitrary. The number of monomer series bodies accommodated in the housing may be three or more, or may be one. The configuration of each monomer series body is not limited to Figure 3 The configuration shown. Each cell series may include cells of different sizes or shapes. The number of cells included in each cell series is not limited to four and may be varied as appropriate. The number of cells included in each cell series may be less than four, or may be 5 or more and 19 or less, or may be 20 or more.

[0067] The battery 100 and its variations can also be used independently as a power storage device. However, multiple such batteries can be combined into a module. The battery 100 and its variations can be installed in, for example, a mobile object. Examples of mobile objects include automobiles (battery electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, etc.), vehicles other than automobiles (ships, aircraft, etc.), mobile machinery (agricultural machinery, construction machinery, etc.), and unmanned mobile objects (unmanned transport vehicles, robots, etc.). However, the use of the power storage device is arbitrary and can be a stationary use.

[0068] The various characteristics related to the above-mentioned power storage device (characteristics described in the embodiment and the modified example) can be realized in any combination. The power storage device can be applied to devices other than vehicles.

[0069] The embodiments disclosed this time should be interpreted as illustrative in every respect and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the description of the embodiments given above but by the claims, and the scope of the present invention is intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electric storage device, comprising a housing, wherein: The housing includes a hinge portion for opening and closing the housing; The housing accommodates a series of monomers; and The cell series body includes a plurality of power storage cells and a connection portion that electrically connects the power storage cells to each other.

2. The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein: The housing has a rectangular parallelepiped shape; The power storage cells are connected to each other in a first direction; The housing has a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface extending in the first direction, and a fifth surface and a sixth surface located at both ends in the first direction; The first surface and the second surface are opposite to each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; the third surface and the fourth surface are opposite to each other in a third direction orthogonal to each of the first direction and the second direction; The second surface includes the hinge portion; The housing includes a first housing member and a second housing member connected to each other by the hinge; and The first face includes a coupling portion where the first housing member and the second housing member are coupled to each other.

3. The power storage device according to claim 2, wherein The hinge portion is a portion of the second surface where the plate thickness is reduced, and the hinge portion is provided along the first direction.

4. The power storage device according to claim 2, wherein The coupling portion has a snap-fit ​​structure.

5. The power storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The housing is a housing made of resin.

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