Electricity storage device

Abstract

The invention relates to a power storage device. The power storage device is provided with: a power storage module; the bonding piece is formed on the upper surface of the power storage module; a cooling plate disposed on the upper surface of the adhesive member; a case accommodating the power storage module, the adhesive member, and the cooling plate; and a housing exhaust valve provided in the housing. When the housing exhaust valve and the cooling plate are viewed in plan view, the housing exhaust valve is disposed at a position away from the cooling plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to energy storage devices. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-111520 discloses a battery pack (energy storage device) comprising multiple battery cells (energy storage cells), a battery pack case, a tray, and a cooler (cooling plate). In the battery pack disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-111520, a tray is arranged on top of multiple battery cells, and a cooler is arranged on the tray.

[0003] Generally, the casing is equipped with a casing exhaust valve to discharge gases generated inside the casing. It can be assumed that the exhaust of gases generated inside the casing to the outside, depending on the location of the casing exhaust valve, will be obstructed by the cooler. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One object of this disclosure is to provide an energy storage device that can easily discharge gas generated inside the housing to the outside of the housing.

[0005] An energy storage device according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: an energy storage module; an adhesive formed on the upper surface of the energy storage module; a cooling plate disposed on the upper surface of the adhesive; a housing housing the energy storage module, the adhesive, and the cooling plate; and a housing exhaust valve disposed on the housing. Viewed from above, the housing exhaust valve and the cooling plate are positioned away from the cooling plate.

[0006] The preferred energy storage device further includes a first junction box disposed at a distance from the energy storage module in a first direction. If the direction intersecting both the first and vertical directions is defined as the second direction, the energy storage device further includes a second junction box disposed at a distance from the energy storage module in the first direction and positioned adjacent to the first junction box in the second direction. The housing includes an upper cover and a lower housing. A space is formed in the energy storage device where the first and second junction boxes are disposed. A housing exhaust valve is disposed on the upper cover above this space.

[0007] Preferably, the space includes the inter-box area located between the first junction box and the second junction box. The housing exhaust valve is located above the inter-box area.

[0008] According to this disclosure, the gas generated inside the casing can be easily discharged to the outside of the casing. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same elements, wherein,

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of a vehicle equipped with an energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the energy storage device shown.

[0012] Figure 3 It is a brief representation Figure 2 The diagram shows a 3D view of a battery cell.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a brief representation Figure 2 A top view of the energy storage device shown.

[0014] Figure 5 It is a brief representation of from Figure 2 The diagram shows a top view of the energy storage device with its top cover removed.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A sectional view at line VI-VI.

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A sectional view along line VII-VII. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications according to this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same parts and components. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of these will not be repeated. Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications described below can be selectively combined as appropriate.

[0018] [Implementation Method]

[0019] Reference Figures 1 to 7 The energy storage device in one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of a vehicle equipped with an energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the energy storage device shown. Figure 3 It is a brief representation Figure 2 The diagram shows a 3D view of a battery cell. Figure 4 It is a brief representation Figure 2 A top view of the energy storage device shown. Figure 5 It is a brief representation of from Figure 2 The diagram shows a top view of the energy storage device with its top cover removed. Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A sectional view at line VI-VI. Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A sectional view along line VII-VII.

[0020] Reference Figure 1 The vehicle 10 includes an energy storage device 1, a vehicle frame 3, and a floor panel 4. The energy storage device 1 is located below the floor panel 4. Examples of vehicles 10 include hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and electric vehicles.

[0021] Reference Figure 2 The energy storage device 1 includes an energy storage module 20, a housing 30, a housing exhaust valve 40, a first junction box 51, a second junction box 52, an adhesive component 60, a cooling plate 70, a main busbar 81, and a sub-busbar 82 (see reference). Figure 5 ), and inter-cell busbar 217 (refer to Figure 5 ).

[0022] The energy storage module 20 includes a plurality of energy storage cells 211. The plurality of energy storage cells 211 are configured to be arranged along a first direction. In this embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the vehicle 10 (see reference). Figure 1 The first direction is the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. However, the first direction may not be the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. The first direction may also be the direction that intersects both the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 and the vertical direction of the energy storage device 1. For example, the first direction may also be the width direction of the vehicle 10.

[0023] In this embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 211 includes 16 battery cells 211. However, the number of battery cells 211 is not limited to 16. The number of battery cells 211 can be one or more. For example, a lithium-ion battery can be used as each battery cell 211. Each battery cell 211 can also be composed of an all-solid-state battery using a solid electrolyte.

[0024] Reference Figure 3 The battery cell 211 is formed into a long rectangular parallelepiped shape in a direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the vertical direction of the battery storage device 1. In the following description, the direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the vertical direction of the battery storage device 1 will also be referred to as the "orthogonal direction".

[0025] The battery cell 211 includes an upper surface 21, a lower surface 22, a pair of short sides 23 and 24, and a pair of long sides 25 and 26. The pair of short sides 23 and 24 are arranged at intervals in an orthogonal direction. The pair of long sides 25 and 26 are arranged at intervals in a first direction. The pair of long sides 25 and 26 are respectively formed to extend along an orthogonal direction.

[0026] The battery cell 211 includes a positive terminal 213 and a negative terminal 212. The positive terminal 213 is disposed on one of a pair of short sides 23, 24, and the negative terminal 212 is disposed on the other side of the pair of short sides 23, 24. Figure 3 In the example shown, the positive terminal 213 is located on the short side 24, and the negative terminal 212 is located on the short side 23.

[0027] The battery cell 211 also includes a cell exhaust valve 218 for venting gas inside the battery cell 211. When the internal pressure of the battery cell 211 increases, the cell exhaust valve 218 vents the gas inside the battery cell 211 to the outside of the battery cell 211. The cell exhaust valve 218 is located on the short side 23 where the negative terminal 212 is provided.

[0028] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 For multiple battery cells 211 in the casing 30 (refer to) Figure 2 The configuration within () will be explained. In Figure 5 In the image, the top cover 31 is shown in dashed lines (see reference). Figure 2 In the case of the removed energy storage device 1, the constituent components cannot be visually identified due to the cooling plate 70. Additionally, in... Figure 5 The illustration of adhesive component 60 is omitted. Figure 6 In the middle, the following was omitted. Figure 5 The diagram shows the main busbar 81 and the sub-busbar 82. (See diagram for reference.) Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, multiple battery cells 211 are arranged in the housing 30 with positive terminals 213 and negative terminals 212 alternating along a first direction. The inter-cell busbar 217 is a conductor rod capable of carrying a large current. The material of the inter-cell busbar 217 is, for example, copper. Adjacent positive terminals 213 and negative terminals 212 are electrically connected through the inter-cell busbar 217. Thus, the housing 30 (refer to…) Figure 2 Multiple battery cells 211 within the battery are connected in series.

[0029] Reference Figure 2 The housing 30 houses the energy storage module 20, the first junction box 51, the second junction box 52, the adhesive component 60, the cooling plate 70, the main busbar 81, and the sub-busbar 82 (see reference). Figure 5 ), and inter-cell busbar 217 (refer to Figure 5 The housing 30 has a lower housing 32 and an upper cover 31. A housing exhaust valve 40 is provided in the housing 30.

[0030] The lower housing 32 opens upwards. The lower housing 32 has a bottom wall 321 and a peripheral wall 322. The peripheral wall 322 rises from the periphery of the bottom wall 321. The peripheral wall 322 is formed in a generally square cylindrical shape. The peripheral wall 322 includes side walls 323, 324, 325, and 326. Side walls 325 and 326 are spaced apart in a first direction. Side walls 323 and 324 are spaced apart in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the vertical direction of the energy storage device 1. Side walls 325 and 326 are connected by side walls 323 and 324.

[0031] The upper cover 31 and the lower housing 32 together house the energy storage module 20, the first junction box 51, the second junction box 52, the adhesive 60, the cooling plate 70, the main busbar 81, and the sub-busbar 82 (see reference). Figure 5 ), and inter-cell busbar 217 (refer to Figure 5 The periphery of the cover 31 is fixed to the upper end of the peripheral wall 322 by bolts or the like.

[0032] Reference Figure 5 In the energy storage device 1, a space S1 is formed between the energy storage module 20 and the side wall 325. Additionally, in the energy storage device 1, a space S2 is formed between the energy storage module 20 and the side wall 323. Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1, a space S3 is formed between the energy storage module 20 and the side wall 324.

[0033] First junction box 51 and second junction box 52 are disposed in space S1. More specifically, first junction box 51 is disposed with a gap relative to energy storage module 20 in a first direction. First junction box 51 houses a relay with the positive terminal. First junction box 51 is provided with a positive busbar connection terminal 91 and a positive external terminal 93 (see reference). Figure 2 The positive busbar connection terminal 91 and the positive external terminal 93 are connected via a positive relay inside the first junction box 51. Furthermore, the first junction box 51 may also house a fuse.

[0034] The second junction box 52 is positioned at a distance from the energy storage module 20 in the first direction. Furthermore, the second junction box 52 is positioned adjacent to the first junction box 51 in the second direction. The second direction intersects both the first direction and the vertical direction of the energy storage device 1. In this embodiment, the second direction is orthogonal to both the first direction and the vertical direction of the energy storage device 1. That is, in this embodiment, the second direction is aligned with the orthogonal direction. However, the second direction is not limited to an orthogonal direction. The second direction only needs to intersect both the first direction and the vertical direction of the energy storage device 1. The second junction box 52 accommodates a relay with a negative terminal. The second junction box 52 is provided with a negative busbar connection terminal 92 and a negative external terminal 94 (see reference). Figure 2The negative busbar connection terminal 92 is connected to the negative external terminal 94 via a negative relay inside the second junction box 52. Furthermore, the second junction box 52 may also house a fuse.

[0035] The main busbar 81 and the sub-busbar 82 are conductor bars capable of carrying large currents. The main busbar 81 and the sub-busbar 82 are made of materials such as copper. A connector 83 at one end of the main busbar 81 is connected to a busbar connection terminal 91. The other end of the main busbar 81 is connected to the positive terminal 213 of the battery cell 211a. The battery cell 211a is the outermost battery cell among the plurality of battery cells 211 located in the first direction. That is, the battery cell 211a is the battery cell among the plurality of battery cells 211 located furthest from the first junction box 51 and the second junction box 52.

[0036] One end of the sub-busbar 82 is connected to the connector 84 of the busbar connection terminal 92. The other end of the sub-busbar 82 is connected to the negative terminal 212 of the battery cell 211b. The battery cell 211b is the innermost battery cell among the plurality of battery cells 211 located in the first direction. That is, the battery cell 211b is the battery cell among the plurality of battery cells 211 located closest to the first junction box 51 and the second junction box 52. Except for the connection portion, the main busbar 81 and the sub-busbar 82 are covered with an insulator such as resin.

[0037] Reference Figure 6 The adhesive 60 secures the battery storage module 20 to the cooling plate 70. The adhesive 60 is formed on the upper surface 251 of the battery storage module 20. The adhesive 60 is thermally conductive.

[0038] The cooling plate 70 is a device for adjusting the temperature of the battery cell 211 by cooling it. The cooling plate 70 is disposed on the upper surface 65 of the adhesive member 60. Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the cooling plate 70 is formed in a generally flat shape. The cooling plate 70 is fixed to the energy storage module 20 by adhesive 60.

[0039] Reference Figure 2 When the internal pressure of the housing 30 exceeds a specified pressure, the housing exhaust valve 40 discharges the gas inside the housing 30 to the outside of the housing 30. The housing exhaust valve 40 is located on the upper cover 31.

[0040] Reference Figures 4-7 The location of the exhaust valve 40 on the housing will be described in more detail. Figure 4 In the diagram, dashed lines show the constituent elements that can be visually identified when the top cover 31 has been removed from the energy storage device 1. For example... Figure 4As shown, if viewed from above, the exhaust valve 40 and the cooling plate 70 are positioned away from the cooling plate 70. (Refer to...) Figure 5 A space S1 is formed in the energy storage device 1, in which the first junction box 51 and the second junction box 52 are disposed. (Refer to...) Figure 7 The housing exhaust valve 40 is located on the upper cover 31 above the space S1.

[0041] Reference Figure 5 Space S1 includes the inter-box area R1 located between the first junction box 51 and the second junction box 52. (Refer to...) Figure 7 The housing exhaust valve 40 is located on the upper cover 31 above the box area R1.

[0042] Reference Figure 5 Gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 218 facing space S2 is discharged into space S1 through space S2. Conversely, gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 218 facing space S3 is discharged into space S1 through space S3. (See reference...) Figure 7 The gas discharged into space S1 is discharged from the housing exhaust valve 40 of the upper cover 31 located above space S1 to the outside of housing 30.

[0043] Reference Figure 6 In the energy storage device 1, a space S4 is formed between the cooling plate 70 and the upper cover 31. Although not in Figure 6 The diagram in the middle shows, but Figure 5 The main busbar 81 shown passes through space S4. The height of the first junction box 51 is lower than the height of the battery cell 211. Additionally, the second junction box 52 (see reference...) Figure 7 The height of the storage device 1 is lower than the height of the battery cell 211. The height is the same as the height of the storage device 1 (refer to...). Figure 2 The length in the vertical direction of the battery module 20 is [not specified]. Additionally, the cooling plate 70 is disposed on the upper surface 65 of the adhesive 60 formed on the upper surface 251 of the battery module 20, which includes multiple battery cells 211. Therefore, the distance between the upper cover 31 and the first junction box 51 is longer than the distance between the upper cover 31 and the cooling plate 70. Furthermore, the distance between the upper cover 31 and the second junction box 52 is longer than the distance between the upper cover 31 and the cooling plate 70. That is, a considerable space is formed below the housing exhaust valve 40. Therefore, below the housing exhaust valve 40, gas discharged from each battery cell 211 easily accumulates. Therefore, in this embodiment, gas generated inside the housing 30 can be easily discharged outside the housing 30.

[0044] The housing exhaust valve 40 only needs to be installed on the upper cover 31 above the space S1, and the housing exhaust valve 40 may not be located in the compartment area R1 (see reference). Figure 7 Above )

[0045] Thus, in this embodiment, when viewed from above, the housing exhaust valve 40 and the cooling plate 70 are positioned away from the cooling plate 70. If the housing exhaust valve 40 were located on the top cover 31 above the cooling plate 70, the gas discharged from each battery cell 211 would be difficult to accumulate below the housing exhaust valve 40 due to the proximity of the top cover 31 to the cooling plate 70. That is, when the housing exhaust valve 40 is located on the top cover 31 above the cooling plate 70, the gas generated inside the housing 30 is obstructed from being discharged outside the housing 30. However, in this embodiment, when viewed from above, the housing exhaust valve 40 and the cooling plate 70 are positioned away from the cooling plate 70. Therefore, according to the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the gas generated inside the housing 30 can be easily discharged outside the housing 30.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing exhaust valve 40 is located on the upper cover 31 above the space S1 where the first junction box 51 and the second junction box 52 are disposed. This creates a considerably large space below the housing exhaust valve 40. Consequently, gas discharged from each battery cell 211 tends to accumulate below the housing exhaust valve 40. Therefore, according to the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, gas generated inside the housing 30 can be easily discharged outside the housing 30.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing exhaust valve 40 is disposed on the upper cover 31 above the inter-box area R1 between the first junction box 51 and the second junction box 52. This creates a considerably large space below the housing exhaust valve 40. Consequently, gas discharged from each battery cell 211 easily accumulates below the housing exhaust valve 40. Therefore, according to the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, gas generated inside the housing 30 can be easily discharged outside the housing 30.

[0048] [Variation Example]

[0049] In the above embodiment, the energy storage device 1 includes a first junction box 51 and a second junction box 52. However, the energy storage device 1 may also have a single junction box that includes the functions of both the first junction box 51 and the second junction box 52. In this case, if viewed from above, the housing exhaust valve 40 and the cooling plate 70 are positioned away from the cooling plate 70. More specifically, this single junction box is disposed in space S1, and the housing exhaust valve 40 is disposed on the upper cover 31 above space S1.

[0050] All points in the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited by the foregoing description, but is defined by the technical solutions and is intended to include all equivalents and modifications within the scope thereof.

Claims

1. An energy storage device, characterized in that, The energy storage device includes: Battery storage module; An adhesive element is formed on the upper surface of the energy storage module; A cooling plate is disposed on the upper surface of the adhesive; The housing accommodates the energy storage module, the adhesive component, and the cooling plate. as well as A smoke exhaust valve is disposed within the housing. If viewed from above, the housing exhaust valve and the cooling plate are positioned away from the cooling plate.

2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy storage device also includes a first junction box disposed at a distance from the energy storage module in a first direction. If the direction intersecting both the first direction and the up / down direction is defined as the second direction... The energy storage device further includes a second junction box disposed at a distance from the energy storage module in the first direction and disposed in the second direction adjacent to the first junction box. The housing includes an upper cover and a lower housing. The energy storage device has a space for configuring the first junction box and the second junction box. The housing exhaust valve is located on the upper cover above the space.

3. The energy storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The space includes the inter-box area located between the first junction box and the second junction box. The housing exhaust valve is located above the compartment area.

Images