Electricity storage cell

Abstract

The invention relates to an electricity storage cell. The electricity storage cell includes: a pair of cell units connected to each other; a cell case accommodating the cell unit; and a position defining portion defining a position of the cell unit with respect to the cell case, the position defining portion being provided inside the cell case. The position defining portion includes an intermediate protrusion protruding from the cell case toward a position between the cell units.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (a translation of a PCT application) No. 2023-509216 (JP 2023-509216 A) discloses a battery including: a plurality of electrode element groups; and a case housing the electrode element groups. The electrode element groups are connected in series via a first connecting member. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the battery disclosed in JP 2023-509216 A, the electrode element group may be displaced relative to the case due to vibration or other reasons.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a power storage cell capable of suppressing displacement of a cell unit relative to a cell case.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a power storage cell includes: a pair of cell units; a cell housing; and a position defining portion. The cell units are connected to each other. The cell housing houses the cell units. The position defining portion is disposed within the cell housing and defines the position of the cell units relative to the cell housing. The position defining portion includes a central protrusion that protrudes from the cell housing toward a position between the cell units.

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

[0007] 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:

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a power storage cell in one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a storage cell shown in FIG.

[0010] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

[0011] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a variation of the position defining portion; and

[0012] Figure 5is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modification of the position defining portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the drawings mentioned below, the same or equivalent components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a power storage cell in one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded perspective view of the power storage cell shown in FIG. Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 The power storage cell 1 is mounted on the bottom of a vehicle, for example.

[0015] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in FIG, the power storage cell 1 includes: a plurality of monomer units 100; a cover sheet 200; a cell case 300; an external terminal 400; and a position defining portion 500 (refer to FIG. Figure 3 ).

[0016] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG, the monomer unit 100 includes a first monomer unit 101, a second monomer unit 102, a third monomer unit 103, and a fourth monomer unit 104. In this embodiment, the monomer unit 100 includes eight monomer units 100. However, the number of monomer units 100 is not limited to eight. Each monomer unit 100 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. Each monomer unit 100 can also be an all-solid-state battery containing a solid electrolyte.

[0017] The first monomer unit 101 is connected to the second monomer unit 102. The third monomer unit 103 is connected to the fourth monomer unit 104. That is, in the present disclosure, the first monomer unit 101 and the second monomer unit 102 are examples of "a pair of monomer units connected to each other." Similarly, in the present disclosure, the third monomer unit 103 and the fourth monomer unit 104 are examples of "a pair of monomer units connected to each other."

[0018] The first monomer unit 101 and the third monomer unit 103 are adjacent to each other in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to both the first direction and the up-down direction. In the first direction, the first monomer unit 101 and the second monomer unit 102 are arranged side by side. The second monomer unit 102 and the fourth monomer unit 104 are adjacent to each other in the second direction. Each monomer unit 100 has a shape that extends longer in the first direction than in the second direction and extends longer in the first direction than in the up-down direction. Each monomer unit 100 has a shape that extends longer in the up-down direction than in the second direction.

[0019] Each of the monomer units 100 includes an electrode element (not shown), a current collecting terminal 140 , and a laminated exterior body 160 .

[0020] The electrode element is a wound element comprising a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet, wherein the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet are wound with a separator interposed therebetween. However, the electrode element may be a stack comprising a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet, wherein the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween. The electrode element has a shape that is long in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the vertical direction.

[0021] A collector terminal 140 is connected to the electrode element. The collector terminal 140 protrudes from the electrode element in a first direction. The collector terminal 140, which is electrically connected to the positive electrode tab in the electrode element, is made of, for example, aluminum. The collector terminal 140, which is electrically connected to the negative electrode tab in the electrode element, is made of, for example, copper. The collector terminal 140 has a flat plate shape.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG, the collector terminal 140 in the first cell unit 101 is connected to the collector terminal 140 in the second cell unit 102. Similarly, the collector terminal 140 in the third cell unit 103 is connected to the collector terminal 140 in the fourth cell unit 104.

[0023] The laminated exterior body 160 houses: the electrode element; and a portion of the collector terminal 140. The laminated exterior body 160 is a laminated film. The collector terminal 140 protrudes outward in a first direction from an edge portion of the laminated exterior body 160.

[0024] The cover sheet 200 covers the monomer units 100. More specifically, the cover sheet 200 covers the plurality of monomer units 100 so that the cover sheet 200 collectively surrounds the plurality of monomer units 100. The cover sheet 200 is made of an insulating material (eg, synthetic resin). Note that the cover sheet 200 may be omitted.

[0025] The monomer case 300 houses the monomer unit 100 and the cover sheet 200. The monomer case 300 is made of, for example, aluminum. The monomer case 300 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the first direction. The monomer case 300 has eight apex portions 302 (refer to Figure 1 ).like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in , the single body case 300 has a case body 310 and a cover 320 .

[0026] The case body 310 has a rectangular tubular shape that is long in the first direction and surrounds the monomer unit 100 and the cover sheet 200 .

[0027] The cover 320 is connected to the housing body 310 by, for example, welding, to close the opening of the housing body 310. Note that the housing body 310 may have an upwardly open shape. In this case, for example, after the monomer unit 100 is inserted into the housing body 310 from above, the cover 320 is connected to the top of the housing body 310.

[0028] The external terminal 400 is provided on the cover 320. The external terminal 400 is connected to the collector terminals 140 of the first and third cell units 101 and 103, which are provided closest to the cover 320, in a one-to-one correspondence among the cell units 100.

[0029] The position defining portion 500 defines the position of the pair of monomer units relative to the monomer housing 300. In this embodiment, the position defining portion 500 defines the position of the first monomer unit 101 and the second monomer unit 102, and also defines the position of the third monomer unit 103 and the fourth monomer unit 104. The position defining portion 500 is provided inside the monomer housing 300. Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the position defining portion 500 has a middle protrusion 510 and corner protrusions 520.

[0030] The intermediate protrusion 510 protrudes from the cell housing 300 toward a position between the pair of cell units. More specifically, the intermediate protrusion 510 protrudes from the inner surface of the housing body 310 toward the current collector terminal 140 in the pair of cell units. In this embodiment, the intermediate protrusion 510 protrudes from the bottom surface of the cell housing 300. However, the intermediate protrusion 510 may protrude toward the current collector terminal 140 from a side surface of the housing body 310 (the surface of the housing body 310 facing the current collector terminal 140 in the second direction), or from the top surface of the housing body 310.

[0031] The middle protrusion 510 contacts the corner of each monomer unit 100. More specifically, the middle protrusion 510 contacts the corner of the laminated exterior body 160 through the cover sheet 200.

[0032] The middle protrusion 510 is made of the same material as the shell body 310 and is formed integrally with the shell body 310. However, the middle protrusion 510 may be configured as a body separate from the shell body 310 and connected to the inner surface of the shell body 310. Alternatively, the middle protrusion 510 may be formed by extruding a portion of the shell body 310.

[0033] The corner protrusion 520 is provided at the vertex portion 302 of the single body case 300. The corner protrusion 520 protrudes from the bottom surface of the case body 310. However, the corner protrusion 520 may be provided on the side surface of the case body 310, may be provided on the top surface of the case body 310, or may be provided on the inner surface of the cover 320.

[0034] The corner protrusion 520 contacts the corner of the monomer unit 100. More specifically, the corner protrusion 520 contacts the corner of the laminated exterior body 160 through the cover sheet 200.

[0035] The corner protrusion 520 is made of the same material as the case body 310 and is formed integrally with the case body 310. However, the corner protrusion 520 may be configured as a body separate from the case body 310 and connected to the inner surface of the case body 310, or may be configured as a body separate from the cover 320 and connected to the inner surface of the cover 320. Alternatively, the corner protrusion 520 may be formed by extruding a portion of the case body 310 or a portion of the cover 320.

[0036] As described above, in the power storage cell 1 in the present embodiment, since the cell case 300 is provided with the intermediate protrusion 510 , displacement of each cell unit 100 relative to the cell case 300 is effectively suppressed.

[0037] Furthermore, since the corner protrusions 520 are in contact with the cell units 100 , displacement of each cell unit 100 relative to the cell case 300 is more effectively suppressed.

[0038] Hereinafter, modifications of the above embodiment will be described.

[0039] First variant

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown in , the position defining portion 500 may further include an intermediate member 530 and an adhesive member 540 .

[0041] An intermediate member 530 is provided between the pair of monomer units. The intermediate member 530 is provided above the intermediate protrusion 510. In this variation, the intermediate member 530 is provided between the following two joints: the joint between the collector terminal 140 of the first monomer unit 101 and the collector terminal 140 of the second monomer unit 102; and the joint between the collector terminal 140 of the third monomer unit 103 and the collector terminal 140 of the fourth monomer unit 104.

[0042] The intermediate member 530 has a hollow shape. The intermediate member 530 may have a rectangular tubular shape. The intermediate member 530 has: an upper opening 532 formed in an upper portion of the intermediate member 530; and a lower opening 534 that opens downward. The lower opening 534 provides an outflow path F for the adhesive member 540 between the lower opening 534 and the intermediate protrusion 510. Figure 4 In the example shown in , the middle protrusion 510 is formed by extruding a portion of the case body 310 .

[0043] The adhesive member 540 is filled inside the intermediate member 530. The adhesive member 540 filled into the intermediate member 530 through the upper opening 532 flows out of the intermediate member 530 through the outflow path F. The adhesive member 540 bonds the laminated outer body 160 and the intermediate protrusion 510 of each monomer unit 100 to each other. Figure 4 In the example shown in , the adhesive member 540 bonds the laminated outer body 160 and the intermediate protrusion 510 of each monomer unit 100 to each other through the cover sheet 200 .

[0044] exist Figure 4 In the example shown in FIG, the housing body 310 has an upwardly open shape. The cover 320 is connected to the top of the housing body 310. In this example, the cell unit 100 is inserted into the housing body 310 from above the housing body 310.

[0045] Second variant

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown in , the storage cell 1 may further include a pair of dams 600. The dams 600 are provided on the bottom surface of the shell body 310. The dams 600 limit the expansion of the adhesive member 540 in the first direction. The dams 600 are provided with the intermediate protrusions 510 interposed between the dams 600 in the first direction. One of the dams 600 is provided below one of the monomer units 100 adjacent to each other in the first direction, and the other of the dams 600 is provided below another of the monomer units 100 adjacent to each other in the first direction. Each monomer unit 100 is in contact with the upper surface of the corresponding dam 600.

[0047] Each dam portion 600 is made of the same material as the shell body 310 and is formed integrally with the shell body 310. However, each dam portion 600 may be configured as a body separate from the shell body 310 and connected to the bottom surface of the shell body 310. Alternatively, each dam portion 600 may be formed by extruding a portion of the bottom surface of the shell body 310.

[0048] exist Figure 5 In the example shown in , the intermediate protrusion 510 and the intermediate member 530 are made of the same material as each other (for example, synthetic resin) and are formed integrally with each other.

[0049] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above exemplary embodiments and modifications are specific examples in the following aspects.

[0050] First aspect

[0051] A power storage unit, comprising:

[0052] A pair of monomer units connected to each other;

[0053] a monomer housing that houses the monomer unit; and

[0054] A position defining portion defining a position of the monomer unit relative to the monomer housing, the position defining portion being disposed inside the monomer housing, wherein

[0055] The position defining portion includes a middle protrusion that protrudes from the monomer case toward a position between the monomer units.

[0056] In this power storage cell, since the cell case is provided with the intermediate protrusion, displacement of each cell unit relative to the cell case is effectively suppressed.

[0057] Second aspect

[0058] The power storage cell according to the first aspect, wherein:

[0059] The monocoque has a rectangular parallelepiped shape; and

[0060] The middle protrusion protrudes from the bottom surface of the monocoque.

[0061] The third aspect

[0062] The power storage cell according to the first or second aspect, wherein the intermediate protrusion is in contact with a corner portion of each of the cell units.

[0063] In the third aspect, displacement of each monomer unit relative to the monomer case is more reliably suppressed.

[0064] The fourth aspect

[0065] The power storage cell according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein:

[0066] The monocoque has a rectangular parallelepiped shape; and

[0067] The position defining portion includes a corner protrusion provided at a vertex portion of the cell case, the position defining portion being in contact with a corner portion of a corresponding one of the cell units.

[0068] In the fourth aspect, displacement of each monomer unit relative to the monomer case is further more reliably suppressed.

[0069] The fifth aspect

[0070] The power storage cell according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein:

[0071] The position defining unit further comprises:

[0072] an intermediate member having a hollow shape, the intermediate member being provided between the monomer units; and

[0073] a bonding member filling an interior of the intermediate member;

[0074] The intermediate member has:

[0075] an upper opening provided in an upper portion of the intermediate member; and

[0076] a downwardly opening lower opening; and

[0077] The lower opening provides an outflow path for the adhesive member between the lower opening and the intermediate protrusion.

[0078] In the fifth aspect, since the adhesive member filled into the intermediate member through the upper opening flows out of the intermediate member through the outflow path provided between the lower opening and the intermediate protrusion and comes into contact with the monomer unit, the intermediate member has both the function of positioning the monomer unit and the function of forming a channel for the adhesive member.

[0079] Note that the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all aspects as illustrative rather than restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims rather than the foregoing description of the embodiments, and includes all changes that fall within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A power storage monomer, comprising: A pair of monomer units connected to each other; a monomer housing, the monomer housing housing the monomer unit; as well as A position defining portion defining a position of the monomer unit relative to the monomer housing, the position defining portion being disposed inside the monomer housing, wherein The position defining portion includes a middle protrusion that protrudes from the monomer case toward a position between the monomer units.

2. The power storage cell according to claim 1, wherein: The monocoque has a rectangular parallelepiped shape; and The middle protrusion protrudes from the bottom surface of the monocoque.

3. The power storage cell according to claim 1, wherein The intermediate protrusion contacts a corner portion of each of the unitary units.

4. The power storage cell according to claim 1, wherein: The monocoque has a rectangular parallelepiped shape; and The position defining portion includes a corner protrusion provided at a vertex portion of the cell case, the position defining portion being in contact with a corner portion of a corresponding one of the cell units.

5. The power storage cell according to claim 1, wherein: The position defining unit further comprises: an intermediate member having a hollow shape, the intermediate member being provided between the monomer units; and a bonding member filling an interior of the intermediate member; The intermediate member has: an upper opening provided in an upper portion of the intermediate member; and a downwardly opening lower opening; and The lower opening provides an outflow path for the adhesive member between the lower opening and the intermediate protrusion.

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