Electricity storage unit

Abstract

A power storage unit is provided with at least one unit module and a unit case that accommodates the at least one unit module. The unit case has a case main body that opens upward, and a cover that is connected to the case main body so as to close the opening of the case main body. The housing body has a bottom wall below the at least one unit assembly. The cover includes a pressing portion that presses the at least one unit assembly toward the bottom wall.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-509216 discloses a battery including a plurality of electrode assembly groups and a case for housing the plurality of electrode assembly groups. The plurality of electrode assembly groups are connected in series with each other via a first connecting member. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the battery described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-509216, the electrode assembly may be displaced relative to the case due to vibration or the like.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric storage unit capable of suppressing relative displacement of a cell assembly with respect to a cell case.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a storage unit comprises: at least one unit assembly; and a unit shell for accommodating the at least one unit assembly, the unit shell having: a shell body opening upward; and a cover connected to the shell body in a manner to close the opening of the shell body, the shell body having a bottom wall located below the at least one unit assembly, the cover including a pressing portion for pressing the at least one unit assembly toward the bottom wall, the pressing portion having a shape recessed toward the at least one unit assembly.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a power storage unit capable of suppressing relative displacement of a cell assembly with respect to a cell case. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Features, advantages, technical and industrial significance of embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements.

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing an electric storage unit in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a front view of the power storage unit.

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view at line III-III in FIG.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an electrode body.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the cover.

[0013] Figure 6It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing an electric storage unit in one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a front view of the power storage unit. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view at line III-III in FIG. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an electrode assembly. The electricity storage unit 1 is mounted on the bottom of a vehicle, for example.

[0016] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the power storage cell 1 includes a plurality of cell assemblies 100 , a cover sheet 200 , a cell case 300 , external terminals 400 , and an adhesive member 500 .

[0017] like Figure 2 As shown, the plurality of unit assemblies 100 include a first unit assembly 101, a second unit assembly 102, a third unit assembly 103, and a fourth unit assembly 104. In this embodiment, the plurality of unit assemblies 100 include eight unit assemblies 100. However, the number of unit assemblies 100 is not limited to eight. Examples of each unit assembly 100 include lithium-ion batteries. Each unit assembly 100 may also be composed of a so-called all-solid-state battery containing a solid electrolyte.

[0018] The first unit assembly 101 is connected to the third unit assembly 103. The second unit assembly 102 is connected to the fourth unit assembly 104. The first unit assembly 101 and the second unit assembly 102 are connected in a second direction ( Figure 2 The third unit assembly 103 and the fourth unit assembly 104 are adjacent to each other in the second direction. Each unit assembly 100 has a shape that is longer in the first direction than in the second direction and longer in the first direction than in the vertical direction. Each unit assembly 100 has a shape that is longer in the vertical direction than in the second direction.

[0019] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, each unit assembly 100 includes at least one electrode body 110 , a current collector terminal 140 , and a laminated outer casing 160 .

[0020] like Figure 3As shown, at least one electrode body 110 includes two electrode bodies 110. However, the number of electrode bodies 110 is not limited to two. Figure 4 As shown, each electrode body 110 is composed of a wound body formed by winding a positive electrode sheet 112 and a negative electrode sheet 114 with a separator 116 interposed therebetween. However, each electrode body 110 may also be composed of a stacked body formed by stacking the positive electrode sheet 112 and the negative electrode sheet 114 with a separator 116 interposed therebetween. The two electrode bodies 110 are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction in which the positive electrode sheet 112 and the negative electrode sheet 114 are stacked. Each electrode body 110 is formed to be elongated in the orthogonal direction (the axial direction of the wound body) that is orthogonal to both the stacking direction and the vertical direction. The stacking direction (the thickness direction) corresponds to the second direction, and the orthogonal direction (the axial direction of the wound body) corresponds to the first direction.

[0021] The current collector terminal 140 is connected to the electrode body 110. The current collector terminal 140 protrudes from the electrode body 110 in the first direction. The current collector terminal 140 electrically connected to the positive electrode sheet 112 in the electrode body 110 is made of, for example, aluminum. The current collector terminal 140 electrically connected to the negative electrode sheet 114 in the electrode body 110 is made of, for example, copper. The current collector terminal 140 is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0022] The laminated outer casing 160 houses the electrode assembly 110. The laminated outer casing 160 is made of a laminate film. The current collector terminal 140 protrudes from the edge of the laminated outer casing 160 in the first direction.

[0023] The covering sheet 200 covers the plurality of unit assemblies 100. More specifically, the covering sheet 200 covers the plurality of unit assemblies 100 so as to collectively surround the unit assemblies 100. The covering sheet 200 is made of an insulating material (such as a synthetic resin). The covering sheet 200 may also be omitted.

[0024] The unit housing 300 houses a plurality of unit assemblies 100. The unit housing 300 is made of aluminum, for example. The unit housing 300 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Each unit assembly 100 is housed in the unit housing 300 with the central axis of the electrode body 110 parallel to the first direction. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the unit housing 300 has a housing body 310 and a cover 320 .

[0025] The housing body 310 has an upwardly open shape and includes a bottom wall 312 and a peripheral wall 314 .

[0026] The bottom wall 312 is located below the plurality of unit assemblies 100. The bottom wall 312 supports the plurality of unit assemblies 100. The bottom wall 312 may also be formed in a flat plate shape.

[0027] The peripheral wall 314 rises from the outer edge of the bottom wall 312. The peripheral wall 314 surrounds the plurality of unit assemblies 100. The peripheral wall 314 is formed in a square cylindrical shape. A pair of external terminals 400 are provided on the side of the peripheral wall 314 in the first direction.

[0028] The cover 320 is connected to the case body 310 by welding or the like so as to close the opening of the case body 310 . The cover 320 includes a pair of base portions 322 and a pressing portion 324 .

[0029] The pair of bases 322 are separated from each other in the second direction. Each base 322 is connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall 314. Each base 322 is formed flat. Each base 322 extends in the first direction.

[0030] The pressing portion 324 is provided between the pair of bases 322. The pressing portion 324 connects the pair of bases 322 to each other. The pressing portion 324 presses the unit assembly 100 toward the bottom wall 312. The pressing portion 324 presses both of a pair of unit assemblies (e.g., the first unit assembly 101 and the second unit assembly 102) adjacent in the second direction toward the bottom wall 312. The pressing portion 324 has a shape that is recessed from the pair of bases 322 toward the unit assembly 100. The pressing portion 324 extends along the first direction. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the pressing portion 324 includes a pair of inclined portions 324 a and a pressing portion 324 b .

[0031] Each inclined portion 324a is connected to the inner end of the base portion 322 in the second direction. Each inclined portion 324a is inclined gradually toward the unit assembly 100 as it moves from the inner end of the base portion 322 in the second direction toward the inner side in the second direction.

[0032] The pressing portion 324b connects the pair of inclined portions 324a. The pressing portion 324b spans a pair of unit assemblies 100 adjacent in the second direction. The pressing portion 324b presses both of the pair of unit assemblies 100 adjacent in the second direction downward. The pressing portion 324b is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0033] The pressing portion 324 may be formed on the cover 320 by punching or the like before the cover 320 is connected to the housing body 310 , or may be formed on the cover 320 after the cover 320 is connected to the housing body 310 .

[0034] In addition, the bottom wall 312 of the housing body 310 may also be formed in the same structure as that of the cover 320 .

[0035] The adhesive member 500 fixes each unit assembly 100 to the unit case 300. In this embodiment, the adhesive member 500 fixes each unit assembly 100 to the unit case 300 via the cover sheet 200. The adhesive member 500 may also be made of a thermally conductive adhesive. Figure 3 As shown, the adhesive member 500 is disposed between the pressing portion 324b and both sides of a pair of unit assemblies 100 adjacent in the second direction. The adhesive member 500 has an intermediate adhesive portion 510 that extends between the pair of unit assemblies 100 adjacent in the second direction. Alternatively, the adhesive member 500 may be disposed between both sides of the pair of unit assemblies 100 adjacent in the second direction and the bottom wall 312.

[0036] As described above, in the electricity storage cell 1 of the present embodiment, the cell assembly 100 is pressed toward the bottom wall 312 by the pressing portion 324 , thereby suppressing relative displacement of the cell assembly 100 with respect to the cell case 300 .

[0037] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, the cover 320 may also have an intermediate portion 326 formed between the base portion 322 and the pressing portion 324. The intermediate portion 326 protrudes upward from the base portion 322 and the pressing portion 324b. In other words, the intermediate portion 326 protrudes in a direction away from the unit assembly 100.

[0038] In addition, if Figure 6 As shown, the base portion 322 may be formed into a flat plate that closes the opening of the housing body 310, and the pressing portion 324 may include a plurality of protrusions 324c disposed at positions spaced apart from each other in an orthogonal direction. The plurality of protrusions 324c are arranged in an orthogonal direction above each electrode body 110. Each protrusion 324c has a shape that protrudes from the base portion 322 toward the electrode body 110. Each protrusion 324c may also be formed by stamping the base portion 322.

[0039] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above exemplary embodiments are specific examples in the following aspects.

[0040] [Form 1]

[0041] A storage cell comprises: at least one cell assembly; and a cell housing for accommodating the at least one cell assembly, the cell housing having: a shell body opening upward; and a cover connected to the shell body in a manner closing the opening of the shell body, the shell body having a bottom wall located below the at least one cell assembly, the cover including a pressing portion for pressing the at least one cell assembly toward the bottom wall, the pressing portion having a shape recessed toward the at least one cell assembly.

[0042] In this electricity storage cell, the pressing portion presses the cell assembly toward the bottom wall, thereby suppressing relative displacement of the cell assembly with respect to the cell case.

[0043] [Form 2]

[0044] According to the storage unit according to Option 1, the at least one unit assembly includes a first unit assembly and a second unit assembly arranged adjacent to the first unit assembly, the first unit assembly and the second unit assembly respectively include at least one electrode body and a laminated outer body covering the at least one electrode body, the first unit assembly and the second unit assembly are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the electrode bodies, and the pressing portion presses both the first unit assembly and the second unit assembly toward the bottom wall.

[0045] In this aspect, relative displacement of both the first unit assembly and the second unit assembly with respect to the unit case is suppressed.

[0046] [Form 3]

[0047] According to the storage battery unit described in Option 2, the storage battery unit also has an adhesive component that fixes the first cell assembly and the second cell assembly to the cell case, the electrode body is composed of a wound body, and the first cell assembly and the second cell assembly are housed in the cell case with the central axis of the electrode body being orthogonal to the direction connecting the bottom wall and the cover, and the adhesive component is arranged between the first cell assembly and the second cell assembly and the pressing portion.

[0048] In this embodiment, relative displacement of each unit assembly with respect to the unit case is more reliably suppressed.

[0049] [Form 4]

[0050] The power storage unit according to claim 3, wherein the adhesive member has an intermediate adhesive portion that penetrates between the first cell assembly and the second cell assembly.

[0051] In this embodiment, the volume efficiency of the electric storage cell can be maintained while suppressing the relative displacement of each cell assembly with respect to the cell case.

[0052] The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the above-described embodiments, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are also encompassed.

Claims

1. A power storage unit comprising: at least one unit component; and a unit housing, accommodating the at least one unit assembly, The unit housing has: The housing body is open upward; and a cover connected to the housing body in a manner of closing the opening of the housing body, The housing body has a bottom wall located below the at least one unit assembly, The cover includes a pressing portion for pressing the at least one unit assembly toward the bottom wall, The pressing portion has a shape recessed toward the at least one unit assembly.

2. The power storage unit according to claim 1, wherein The at least one unit assembly comprises: first unit component; and A second unit assembly is arranged adjacent to the first unit assembly, The first unit component and the second unit component respectively include: at least one electrode body; and a laminated outer package covering the at least one electrode body, The first unit assembly and the second unit assembly are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the electrode body, The pressing portion presses both the first unit assembly and the second unit assembly toward the bottom wall.

3. The power storage unit according to claim 2, wherein The power storage unit further includes an adhesive member for fixing the first cell assembly and the second cell assembly to the cell case. The electrode body is composed of a wound body, The first cell assembly and the second cell assembly are housed in the cell case in a posture in which the central axis of the electrode body is perpendicular to the direction connecting the bottom wall and the cover. The adhesive member is provided between the first unit assembly, the second unit assembly, and the pressing portion.

4. The power storage unit according to claim 3, wherein The adhesive member has an intermediate adhesive portion that enters between the first unit assembly and the second unit assembly.

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