Power supply device

Abstract

This power supply device is provided with: a battery pack in which a plurality of resin battery holders for secondary battery cells, each having a discharge valve that opens when the internal pressure exceeds a set pressure, are disposed at a fixed position; and an exterior case in which the battery pack is housed. The battery pack is provided with a metal horizontal structure that penetrates the center portion in the horizontal direction, and a gas discharge passage that connects the inside and the outside of the battery pack is provided by means of the horizontal structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a power supply device that houses multiple secondary battery cells in an outer casing, and more particularly to a power supply device that houses secondary battery cells having a discharge valve that opens when the internal pressure becomes higher than a set pressure in an outer casing. Background Technology

[0002] Power supply devices that house battery packs containing multiple individual cells within an external casing are used in power storage systems for factories and homes, as well as in vehicles such as hybrid and electric vehicles. These devices integrate multiple battery cells as a battery pack within the casing, but for safety, each battery cell is equipped with a vent valve. This vent valve opens when the internal pressure of a battery cell becomes higher than the set pressure in an abnormal situation, preventing the battery casing from rupturing. However, the vent valve opens under abnormal operating conditions of the battery cells, resulting in the release of gases and other ejected materials at high temperatures and pressures, which can cause various forms of thermal damage.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 166501 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the aforementioned power supply device, when any single battery cell experiences thermal runaway and releases high-temperature, high-pressure gases, it can cause cascading thermal damage to other battery cells, potentially leading to the entire battery pack burning out. For example... Figure 22 As shown, when the battery pack 90, which consists of many individual secondary battery cells 91, is heated, the plastic battery holder 92 may melt due to the high temperature. When the battery holder 92 melts, as... Figure 22 As shown, there exists a situation where it is no longer possible to support the multiple secondary battery cells 91 in a prescribed posture, and the multiple secondary battery cells 91 become randomly overlapped. When multiple secondary battery cells 91 overlap in this way, it is impossible to ensure that the vents used to discharge gas from the secondary battery cells 91 to the outside are filled with gas, and therefore this is not a preferred state. Especially in recent years, power supply devices have sought high capacity, and therefore sometimes many secondary battery cells are housed in a dense configuration. Therefore, in power supply devices equipped with such battery packs, there is an urgent need for a technology that can quickly discharge the gas generated inside the battery pack to the outside.

[0007] The power supply device according to a certain aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery pack formed by arranging a plurality of secondary battery cells having a discharge valve that opens when an internal pressure exceeds a set pressure in a resin-made battery holder at a fixed position, and an outer case that houses the battery pack inside. The battery pack includes a metal-made horizontal structural member that penetrates a central portion in a horizontal direction, and a gas discharge passage that communicates an inside of the battery pack with an outside thereof is provided by the horizontal structural member.

[0008] According to the power supply device of the present disclosure, since the gas discharge passage that communicates the inside of the battery pack with the outside thereof is provided by the metal-made horizontal structural member that penetrates the central portion of the battery pack in the horizontal direction, even if the secondary battery cells heat runaway and spread to burn other secondary battery cells to become a state in which the battery pack is on fire, the gas generated in the inside of the battery pack can be reliably discharged to the outside of the battery pack and safely discharged to the outside of the outer case. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 is a front view of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 1 is a II-II line vertical sectional view of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 3 is a III-III line vertical sectional view of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 1

[0012] Figure 4 is a IV-IV line horizontal sectional view of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 1

[0013] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 1

[0014] Figure 6 is a back surface exploded perspective view of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 5

[0015] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the inner case of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 5

[0016] Figure 8 is a back surface exploded perspective view of the inner case according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 7

[0017] Figure 9 is a IX-IX line vertical sectional view of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 1 ​​​​​​​

[0018] Figure 10 is a sectional view showing the exhaust passage of the power supply device. Figure 9

[0019] Figure 11 is a sectional view showing the exhaust passage of the power supply device. Figure 2

[0020] Figure 12 is a plan view showing the battery pack of the power supply device. Figure 4

[0021] Figure 13 is a sectional view showing a state in which many secondary battery cells are randomly overlapped due to a fire occurring inside the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 14 is a sectional view showing another example of the horizontal structural member of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1.

[0023] Figure 15 is a sectional view showing another example of the horizontal structural member.

[0024] Figure 16 is a sectional view showing another example of the horizontal structural member.

[0025] Figure 17 is a sectional view showing another example of the horizontal structural member.

[0026] Figure 18 is a sectional view showing another example of the horizontal structural member.

[0027] Figure 19 is a sectional view showing another example of the horizontal structural member.

[0028] Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of fixing the horizontal structural member to the outer peripheral wall of the inner case.

[0029] Figure 21 is a vertical sectional view of the power supply device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 22 is a sectional view showing a state in which many secondary battery cells are randomly overlapped due to a fire occurring inside the conventional power supply device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] ​​​The power supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a battery pack formed by arranging a plurality of resin battery holders for secondary battery cells, which have a discharge valve that opens when an internal pressure exceeds a set pressure, at fixed positions; and an outer case that houses the battery pack inside. The battery pack includes a metal horizontal structural member that penetrates a central portion in a horizontal direction, and a gas discharge passage that communicates an inside of the battery pack with an outside thereof is provided by the horizontal structural member.

[0032] According to the above structure, the battery pack formed by arranging a plurality of resin battery holders for secondary battery cells at fixed positions includes a metal horizontal structural member that penetrates a central portion in a horizontal direction. Therefore, even if other secondary battery cells spread and burn to become a state of a battery pack that spreads, and the resin battery holders melt, and the plurality of secondary battery cells become a state of overlapping in a random posture, due to the effect of high-temperature and high-pressure gas discharged from a secondary battery cell that has thermal runaway, a gas discharge passage that communicates an inside of the battery pack with an outside thereof is formed by the metal horizontal structural member, and thus gas generated in the inside of the battery pack can be efficiently discharged through the gas discharge passage.

[0033] In the power supply device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the horizontal structural member has a cross-sectional shape with a groove portion or a cylindrical portion, and has an air passage portion that extends in an axial direction. According to the above structure, since the horizontal structural member has a cross-sectional shape with a cylindrical portion or a groove portion, the cylindrical portion or the groove portion that extends in the axial direction can be used as the air passage portion, and thus gas in the inside of the battery pack can be efficiently discharged to the outside.

[0034] In the power supply device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the horizontal structural member is a shaped steel. According to the above structure, since the horizontal structural member is a shaped steel, it is easy to prepare a horizontal structural member that has excellent heat resistance. In addition, by making the horizontal structural member a shaped steel, it is possible to provide the air passage portion and improve the rigidity, and thus it is possible to reliably secure the gas discharge passage even if the horizontal structural member is subjected to a large external force.

[0035] In the power supply device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the shaped steel is any one of a channel steel, an angle steel, a C-shaped steel, an I-shaped steel, an H-shaped steel, a T-shaped steel, a steel pipe, and a square steel pipe. According to the above structure, by selectively using a commercially available shaped steel as the horizontal structural member, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0036] In the power supply device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the horizontal structure member is provided with a plurality of air holes in any of the side surface, the vertical surface, and the bottom surface. According to the above structure, by forming a plurality of air holes in any of the side surface, the vertical surface, and the bottom surface of the horizontal structure member, the gas generated inside the battery pack can be effectively introduced into the air passage of the horizontal structure member and exhausted via the air holes. In addition, by forming a plurality of air holes in the horizontal structure member made of metal, the horizontal structure member can also be light in weight.

[0037] In the power supply device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery holder can be provided with a division gap that divides the battery pack in the horizontal direction, and the horizontal structure member can be inserted into the division gap. According to the above structure, since the horizontal structure member is inserted into the division gap that divides the battery pack, the horizontal structure member can be easily and simply inserted through the battery pack. In addition, in the case where a fire occurs inside the battery pack, the gas generated from the regions on both sides of the division gap can be efficiently exhausted.

[0038] In the power supply device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery holder can be provided with a plurality of secondary battery cells arranged and housed in the horizontal direction in a posture in which the secondary battery cells are arranged in parallel to each other in an up-down posture. According to the above structure, even if the plurality of secondary battery cells arranged in the battery holder in a standing posture fall down due to a fire and become a state in which the secondary battery cells are randomly overlapped, the gas generated inside the battery pack can be efficiently exhausted to the outside.

[0039] In the power supply device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the horizontal structure member can be fixed to the outer case. According to the above structure, by fixing the horizontal structure member to the outer case, the outer case can be reinforced by the horizontal structure member. In addition, the horizontal structure member can be reliably arranged in a correct posture at a predetermined position with respect to the battery block.

[0040] In other embodiments of the power supply device disclosed herein, the outer casing may include an inner casing for housing a battery pack and an outer casing covering the inner casing. The inner casing is formed into a box shape by connecting a lower surface plate and an upper surface plate with an outer peripheral wall, and a fixing part for fixing a horizontal structural member is provided on the lower surface plate. The horizontal structural member is fixed to the fixing part using a fixing tool. According to the above structure, by fixing the horizontal structural member to the lower surface plate of the inner casing, the rigidity of the inner casing can be improved by means of the horizontal structural member. Therefore, it has the following characteristics: even in the event of an abnormal situation where gas is generated inside the inner casing and the inner casing is subjected to a large load, the deformation and damage of the inner casing can be suppressed by the reinforcement of the horizontal structural member, thereby improving safety. In addition, by fixing the horizontal structural member to the fixing part provided on the lower surface plate of the inner casing using a fixing tool, it also has the characteristic of being able to fix the horizontal structural member simply and firmly.

[0041] In other embodiments of the power supply device disclosed herein, the outer casing may include an inner casing for housing the battery pack and an outer casing covering the inner casing. The inner casing is formed as a box shape by connecting a lower surface plate and an upper surface plate with an outer peripheral wall, and the two ends of the horizontal structural member are fixed to the outer peripheral wall by means of fixing members. According to the above structure, fixing the two ends of the horizontal structural member to the outer peripheral wall of the inner casing provides the advantage of structural reinforcement of the central portion of the inner casing. In particular, by applying tension to the horizontal structural member by means of the fixing members fixed to the outer peripheral wall, the rigidity of the inner casing can be improved.

[0042] In other embodiments of the power supply device disclosed herein, the outer casing includes an inner casing for housing a battery pack and an outer casing covering the inner casing. The inner casing includes a stacked portion having an inner side plate and an outer side plate that are stacked on top of each other with a portion of the outer peripheral wall as a stacked structure. The stacked portion has a recess of a predetermined depth that extends in the surface direction on the opposing surfaces of either or both of the inner side plate and the outer side plate, and a closed exhaust channel is formed between the inner side plate and the outer side plate through the recess. The exhaust channel communicates with the interior of the inner casing through an inner opening in the inner side plate and with the exterior of the inner casing through an outer opening in the outer side plate. The inner opening and the outer opening are configured to be located at both ends of the exhaust channel.

[0043] According to the above structure, the gas that is discharged to the outside of the battery pack via the gas discharge passage is discharged to the outside through the exhaust channel provided in the inner casing, which has the feature of being able to suppress the burning inside the inner casing and safely exhaust the gas.

[0044] In other embodiments of the power supply device disclosed herein, a horizontal structural member may be connected to the exhaust channel of the inner casing, and a gas exhaust passage may be connected to the interior of the exhaust channel. According to the above structure, since the horizontal structural member is connected to the exhaust channel and the gas exhaust passage is connected to the interior of the exhaust channel, gas discharged from the interior of the battery pack through the gas exhaust passage can flow efficiently into the inner casing and be exhausted to the outside of the inner casing.

[0045] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described based on the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments shown below are merely illustrative examples to concretize the technical concept of the present invention, and the present invention is not specifically limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, this specification does not specifically designate the components shown in the technical solutions as components of the embodiments. In particular, unless specifically described, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the structural components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are simply illustrative examples. It should be noted that the size and positional relationships of the components shown in the accompanying drawings are sometimes exaggerated for clarity. Moreover, in the following description, detailed descriptions of components with the same name or reference numerals that are the same or of the same nature are appropriately omitted. Furthermore, the elements constituting the present invention can also be arranged such that multiple elements are constituted by the same component, with one component serving as multiple elements; conversely, the function of one component can be shared by multiple components.

[0046] The power supply device disclosed herein is suitable for use as a power source for energy storage systems in homes, businesses, factories, etc., for fixed-installation energy storage applications, as a backup power source for servers, or for use in vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles, and in heavy equipment. Hereinafter, as an embodiment of this disclosure, the power supply device used as a power source for an energy storage system will be described.

[0047] [Implementation Method 1]

[0048] The power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure is shown in Figures 1-11 In these figures, Figure 1 A perspective view showing the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 is shown. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Sectional view of the power supply unit along line II-II. Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 Sectional view of the power supply unit along line III-III. Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A horizontal sectional view of the power supply unit along line IV-IV. Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the power supply unit. Figure 6 Shown from below Figure 5a back surface exploded perspective view of the power supply device, Figure 7 an exploded perspective view of the inner case is shown, Figure 8 a back surface exploded perspective view of the inner case is shown, Figure 7 a back surface exploded perspective view of the inner case is shown, Figure 9 a back surface exploded perspective view of the inner case is shown, Figure 1 an IX-IX line sectional view of the power supply device is shown, Figure 10 an IX-IX line sectional view of the power supply device is shown, Figure 11 an enlarged sectional view showing the exhaust passage of the inner case is shown.

[0049] The power supply device 100 shown in these drawings is provided with a battery pack 10 that is formed by disposing a plurality of secondary battery cells 1 with a battery holder 20 in a fixed position, the plurality of secondary battery cells 1 having an exhaust valve that opens when the internal pressure exceeds a set pressure, and an outer case 2 that houses the battery pack 10 inside. The battery pack 10 is provided with a metal horizontal structural member 7 that penetrates the center portion of the battery holder 20 in the horizontal direction, and a gas exhaust passage 8 that communicates the inside of the battery pack 10 with the outside is provided by means of this horizontal structural member 7. The power supply device of the present disclosure adopts a configuration in which the battery pack 10 that is formed by gathering a plurality of secondary battery cells 1 is housed in the outer case 2, and in particular, is characterized in that the battery pack 10 is provided with a gas exhaust passage 8 that communicates the inside of the battery pack 10 with the outside by means of a metal horizontal structural member 7 that penetrates the center portion of the battery holder 20. Therefore, as for the configuration other than the battery pack, all other configurations that have been adopted in the past or that will be developed in the future can be adopted. Hereinafter, as one example, the outer case 2 that houses the battery pack 10 is described in detail, and the outer case 2 is provided with an inner case 3 and an outer case 5.

[0050] (Secondary battery cell 1)

[0051] Figure 2 Figure 4 Figures 7-9 The power supply device 100 shown in these drawings is provided with a battery pack 10 that is formed by disposing a plurality of secondary battery cells 1 with a battery holder 20 in a fixed position, the plurality of secondary battery cells 1 having an exhaust valve that opens when the internal pressure exceeds a set pressure, and an outer case 2 that houses the battery pack 10 inside. The battery pack 10 is provided with a metal horizontal structural member 7 that penetrates the center portion of the battery holder 20 in the horizontal direction, and a gas exhaust passage 8 that communicates the inside of the battery pack 10 with the outside is provided by means of this horizontal structural member 7. The power supply device of the present disclosure adopts a configuration in which the battery pack 10 that is formed by gathering a plurality of secondary battery cells 1 is housed in the outer case 2, and in particular, is characterized in that the battery pack 10 is provided with a gas exhaust passage 8 that communicates the inside of the battery pack 10 with the outside by means of a metal horizontal structural member 7 that penetrates the center portion of the battery holder 20. Therefore, as for the configuration other than the battery pack, all other configurations that have been adopted in the past or that will be developed in the future can be adopted. Hereinafter, as one example, the outer case 2 that houses the battery pack 10 is described in detail, and the outer case 2 is provided with an inner case 3 and an outer case 5.

[0052] ​​Such a secondary battery cell 1 can be suitably used for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, such as a lithium ion secondary battery, which has high energy efficiency. However, the power supply device of the present disclosure does not specify the secondary battery cell as a lithium ion secondary battery. The secondary battery cell can also be used for all batteries that can be charged, such as a nickel-hydrogen battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, and the like.

[0053] (Battery holder 20)

[0054] The plurality of secondary battery cells 1 are arranged in a prescribed posture at a fixed position by means of the battery holder 20. The plurality of secondary battery cells 1 are arranged in an up-and-down posture with the first end surface 1A, on which the exhaust valve is provided, facing upward, and in a posture in which they are parallel to each other, in the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the up-and-down direction is at right angles to the horizontal direction. The battery holder 20 is provided with a plurality of holding portions 21 that respectively house the plurality of secondary battery cells 1 inside and cover and hold the outer peripheral surfaces of the secondary battery cells 1, and holds each of the secondary battery cells 1 at a fixed position by means of the holding portions 21. Figure 2 Figure 7 Figure 8 The battery holder 20 of the present embodiment divides the secondary battery cells 1 in the middle in the long direction into a first holder 20A and a second holder 20B, and holds the secondary battery cells 1 at a fixed position from both end sides. Figure 2 The battery holder 20 of the present embodiment holds the plurality of secondary battery cells 1 in a posture in which the first end surfaces 1A are arranged on the same plane.

[0055] Figure 7 Figure 8 The battery holder 20 of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of holding portions 21 that house the plurality of secondary battery cells 1 in a manner in which they are arranged in a stack in plan view. In this way, the configuration in which the plurality of secondary battery cells 1 are arranged in a stacked posture is positioned between the valleys of the secondary battery cells 1 that are arranged in a linear shape, and the secondary battery cells 1 of adjacent rows can be housed efficiently by being arranged. Therefore, the above battery holder 20 can efficiently house many secondary battery cells 1 and achieve high capacity. The battery holder 20 that houses the plurality of secondary battery cells 1 in a plurality of levels and a plurality of rows is formed by resin into a shape in which the plurality of holding portions 21 are connected in a plurality of levels and a plurality of rows. The battery holder 20 is preferably composed of a material that has excellent insulation and heat resistance, such as a resin, for example, polycarbonate, ABS, or the like.

[0056] (Battery pack 10)

[0057] The plurality of secondary battery cells 1 are arranged at fixed positions by means of the battery holder 20 to configure a battery block 11, and are housed in the outer casing 2 as a battery pack 10 in which a plurality of battery blocks 11 are connected. Figure 4 ​​​The battery pack 10 has four groups of battery blocks 11 arranged in four stages in the front and rear direction in the figure. Each battery block 11 is composed of two battery cells 12 divided left and right, and 35 secondary battery cells 1 are arranged in each battery cell 12, so that 70 secondary battery cells 1 are arranged in the entire battery block 11. Therefore, 280 secondary battery cells 1 are arranged in the entire battery pack 10. Each battery block 11 is divided into two battery cells 12 by a division gap 24. In each battery cell 12, 35 secondary battery cells 1 are arranged in one column of seven in the left and right direction and five columns in the front and rear direction. The two battery cells 12 divided left and right are arranged in the extension direction of each battery column and are located on the same straight line of 2 x 7 secondary battery cells 1. The secondary battery cells 1 on the same straight line are connected to each other by a lead plate 13. Figure 4

[0058] (Lead plate 13)

[0059] The plurality of secondary battery cells 1 housed in the battery holder 20 are connected to each other by the lead plate 13 on the upper surface side of the battery holder 20 as shown in FIG. 1. Figure 4 The lead plate 13 connects the positive and negative electrodes at the first end surface 1A of the secondary battery cell 1 and connects the plurality of secondary battery cells 1 in parallel and in series. In the secondary battery cell 1 shown in FIG. 2, one electrode is composed of a center electrode la arranged in the central portion of the sealing body, and the other electrode is a rivet protrusion lb of the outer can. Figure 12 The battery block 11 shown in FIG. 3 has a plurality of lead plates 13 arranged on the upper surface of the battery holder 20 between the left and right adjacent battery cells 12 arranged in a straight line. The lead plates 13 arranged between adjacent battery columns are configured to connect the secondary battery cells 1 of one battery column arranged in a straight line in parallel to each other, and to connect the secondary battery cells 1 of the other battery column in parallel to each other and in series between adjacent battery columns. Figure 4

[0060] Figure 12 The lead plate 13 shown in FIG. 4 has a main body portion 13A extending in the extension direction of the battery column, and has a first connecting tab 13a provided protruding from the main body portion 13A and connected to the center electrode la of each secondary battery cell 1 of the opposite battery column, and a second connecting tab 13b provided protruding from the main body portion 13A and connected to the rivet protrusion lb of each secondary battery cell 1 of the adjacent battery column. An insulating wall 22 for insulating adjacent lead plates 13 is provided between the plurality of lead plates 13, and the insulating wall 22 is arranged offset from the center electrode la above the first end surface 1A of each secondary battery cell constituting the battery column, thereby preventing short circuiting of the series-connected secondary battery cells 1 from each other. An electrode window 23 is formed open on both sides of the insulating wall 22, and the electrode window 23 exposes the center electrode la and the rivet protrusion lb of the secondary battery cell 1.​​

[0061] As above, each of the lead plates 13 arranged between adjacent battery columns connects the 14 secondary battery cells 1 constituting the battery column arranged in a straight line in parallel with each other, and connects the battery columns arranged adjacent to each other in series, thereby connecting the 70 secondary battery cells 1 in 14 parallel 5 series in the entire battery block 11. Further, the adjacent battery blocks 11 are connected in series with each other by the link bus bar 14, thereby connecting the 280 secondary battery cells 1 in 14 parallel 20 series in the entire battery pack 10. The lead plates 13 and the link bus bar 14 are constituted of metal plates of nickel, aluminum or the like having excellent electrical conductivity. However, the present disclosure does not limit the connection state of the plurality of secondary battery cells to the above connection state. The battery pack can be variously changed in the number of secondary battery cells constituting each battery block, the arrangement, and can be variously changed in the arrangement of the plurality of battery blocks.

[0062] (Horizontal structure 7, gas discharge passage 8)

[0063] Further, in the battery pack 10 shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal structure 7 is arranged so as to pass through the four battery blocks 11 arranged in four stages in front and back. In the battery pack 10, the horizontal structure 7 is arranged so as to pass through the central portion of the battery holder 20 in the horizontal direction. Figures 2-4 The battery pack 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with the horizontal structure 7 passing through the four battery blocks 11 arranged in four stages in front and back. In the battery pack 10, the horizontal structure 7 is arranged so as to pass through the central portion of the battery holder 20 in the horizontal direction. Figure 3 The battery pack 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with the horizontal structure 7 passing through the four battery blocks 11 arranged in four stages in front and back. In the battery pack 10, the horizontal structure 7 is arranged so as to pass through the central portion of the battery holder 20 in the horizontal direction. Figure 4 The battery pack 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with the horizontal structure 7 passing through the four battery blocks 11 arranged in four stages in front and back. In the battery pack 10, the horizontal structure 7 is arranged so as to pass through the central portion of the battery holder 20 in the horizontal direction.

[0064] The horizontal structure 7 passing through the battery pack 10 is constituted of a cross-sectional shape having a groove portion or a cylindrical portion, and is constituted so as to have the air passage portion 70 extending in the axial direction, thereby being able to provide the gas discharge passage 8 communicating the inside of the battery pack 10 with the outside. Figure 3 The horizontal structure shown in FIG. 2 is constituted of a shape having a groove portion having a "コ" shape in the lateral cross section, and the inside of the groove portion is constituted as the air passage portion 70. The horizontal structure 7 of this constitution is able to constitute the air passage portion 70 as the gas discharge passage 8, and is able to efficiently discharge the gas in the inside of the battery pack 10 to the outside. The horizontal structure 7 is able to be constituted so as to have a shape having a groove portion having a "コ" shape in the lateral cross section, and the inside of the groove portion is constituted as the air passage portion 70. Figure 13When a fire occurs inside the power supply device 100 as illustrated, and many secondary battery cells 1 are randomly aligned in a state where the battery holder 20 melts due to the combustion of the battery pack 10, or the like, the gas discharge passage 8 can be formed between the aligned secondary battery cells 1 to communicate the inside of the battery pack 10 with the outside, thereby guiding and discharging the gas generated from the secondary battery cells 1 inside to the outside of the battery pack 10. Therefore, the horizontal structural member 7 preferably has a shape that ensures a ventilation path even in a state where many secondary battery cells 1 are stacked and fallen over, and communicates the inside of the battery pack 10 with the outside. Figure 3 The horizontal structural member 7 illustrated has a cross-sectional "コ" shape, and the opening of the groove portion is provided in a posture where it faces horizontally. This horizontal structural member 7 can cause the gas to flow in from the horizontally facing opening and flow in the gas discharge passage 8 to be discharged to the outside.

[0065] The horizontal structural member 7 having a cross-sectional "コ" shape can also be configured as illustrated Figure 14 As illustrated, the plurality of ventilation holes 73 are formed open on the vertical surface 74 that is the side surface 71. The horizontal structural member 7 of this configuration has the feature that the gas can also flow in from the vertical surface 74 side that is the bottom surface of the groove portion through the ventilation holes 73 to the inside. Further, by forming the ventilation holes 73 open, the feature of being able to achieve a light weight is also achieved. Figure 14 The horizontal structural member 7A does not provide ventilation holes in the horizontal surfaces 72 above and below, but only forms ventilation holes 73 open on the vertical surface 74 that is the side surface 71. This configuration prevents the intrusion of foreign matter into the inside by providing the horizontal surface 72 on the upper side as a plate shape where no ventilation holes are present, and forms the ventilation portion 70 inside the groove portion. Further, the horizontal structural member 7 having a cross-sectional "コ" shape can also be configured in a posture where the opening of the groove portion faces downward. This configuration can effectively prevent the intrusion of foreign matter into the ventilation portion formed by the groove portion, and thus can ensure the ventilation portion even in a state where the battery holder melts and a plurality of secondary battery cells fall over to be aligned, and form the gas discharge passage 8.

[0066] As such a horizontal structural member 7, a channel steel that is a shaped steel can be used. The horizontal structural member 7 composed of a shaped steel has the feature of being able to achieve excellent heat resistance and improve rigidity. Further, as a shaped steel having a groove portion or a cylindrical portion that has a cross-sectional shape, in addition to the channel steel illustrated, an angle steel, a C-shaped steel, an I-shaped steel, an H-shaped steel, a T-shaped steel, a steel pipe, a square steel pipe, or the like can be used. In this way, by selectively using a shaped steel that is commercially available, the feature of being able to make the horizontal structural member 7 inexpensive and reduce manufacturing costs is achieved. However, the horizontal structural member 7 is not limited to a steel material, and can also be made of another metal. For example, the horizontal structural member can also be made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or the like. The horizontal structural member made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy has the feature of being able to achieve an optimal cross-sectional shape by extrusion molding and achieve a light weight.

[0067] Another example of the horizontal structural member 7 made of structural steel is shown below. Figures 15-18 . Figure 15 The horizontal structural member 7B shown is an angle steel. This horizontal structural member 7B can be arranged in an inverted L-shape as shown, forming a vent 70 between the vertical surface 74 (the side surface 71) and the horizontal surface 72 (the upper surface). The horizontal structural member 7B can also have multiple vent holes 73 formed in the vertical surface 74. Furthermore, the horizontal structural member 7B made of angle steel can also be arranged as shown... Figure 16 As shown, the angle steel is arranged in a mountain-shaped configuration when viewed from the front, thus setting the two L-shaped sides as inclined surfaces 75. By arranging the horizontal structural member 7C in this way so that the vents 70 formed on the inner sides of both sides face downwards, it has the characteristic of being able to efficiently form a gas exhaust passage 8.

[0068] Figure 17 The horizontal structural member 7D shown is an I-shaped steel. This horizontal structural member 7D forms a vent 70 between horizontal planes 72 that are vertically connected relative to the vertical plane 74 located at the center. This horizontal structural member 7D can also form multiple vent holes 73 by opening into the vertical plane 74.

[0069] and, Figure 18 The horizontal structural member 7E shown is a square steel tube with a cross-sectional shape of a square tube. This cylindrical cross-section of the horizontal structural member 7E allows the internal space to function as a vent 70, forming a gas exhaust passage 8. Preferably, the horizontal structural member has vent holes 73 formed on surfaces other than the top surface, such as the two side surfaces 71 and the bottom surface 76, thereby allowing gas to flow in efficiently from the outside. Thus, the cylindrical cross-sectional horizontal structural member 7E has the following characteristics: regardless of the installation angle, in other words, even if the installation angle changes due to heating, a stable gas exhaust passage 8 can be formed internally to reliably exhaust air from the inside of the battery pack 10 to the outside.

[0070] As described above, the horizontal structural member 7 adopts a cross-sectional shape with a groove or cylinder, thereby effectively forming a vent 70 and a gas discharge passage 8. However, the horizontal structural member does not necessarily need to adopt a cross-sectional shape with a groove or cylinder. This is because, although a horizontal structural member with a cross-sectional shape other than grooved or cylindrical will not utilize its cross-sectional shape to form a vent, a venting channel can at least be ensured at the bottom of the horizontal structural member. For example, Figure 19The illustrated horizontal structural member 7F employs a metal rod having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. In this case, although a vent portion is not formed in the horizontal structural member 7F itself, as illustrated, even in a state in which a plurality of secondary battery cells 1 are laid down in a stacked manner, a space that becomes a vent passage 77 can be ensured below the horizontal structural member 7F. This is because the plurality of secondary battery cells 1 do not lay down in a manner in which the entire surface of the lower surface of the horizontal structural member 7F is in close contact. Therefore, as illustrated, even the horizontal structural member 7F, which does not have a vent portion, can ensure a vent passage 77 below, which functions as a gas discharge passage 8 to discharge gas from the inside of the battery pack 10 toward the outside. Therefore, in the present specification, the gas discharge passage 8 is used in a broad sense that includes not only a passage formed by the vent portion 70 of the horizontal structural member 7, but also a passage formed by the vent passage 77 ensured below and around the horizontal structural member 7. Figure 19

[0071] The above horizontal structural member 7 has a prescribed length that penetrates the battery pack 10, and is fixed to the exterior case 2 and held in a fixed position by a fixing tool 78. The illustrated fixing tool 78 employs a bolt. The fixing tool 78 that is a bolt is fixed in a fixed position, for example, by being screwed into a fixing portion 79 provided in the exterior case 2. The illustrated exterior case 2 has an inner case 3 that houses the battery pack 10, and the fixing portion 79 is fixedly provided in a lower surface panel 31 of the inner case 3. The illustrated fixing portion 79 employs a nut member provided with an internal thread with which a bolt that is the fixing tool 78 can be screwed, and the horizontal structural member 7 is fixed by being threadedly fastened to the fixing portion 79 by the bolt. As above, the configuration in which the horizontal structural member 7 is fixed to the inner case 3 has the feature that the rigidity of the inner case 3 can be increased by the horizontal structural member 7, and the inner case 3 can be reinforced. In particular, the feature can be achieved that, in the event of an abnormality, even in a state in which a large load is applied to the inner case 3 due to gas generation in the inside of the inner case 3, deformation and breakage of the inner case 3 can be suppressed. In addition, since the horizontal structural member 7 is fixed by being threadedly fastened to the fixing portion 79 provided in the lower surface panel 31 of the inner case 3, the horizontal structural member 7 can be simply and securely fixed, and thus the horizontal structural member 7 can be disposed in a fixed position of the battery pack 10. Figure 2 The illustrated horizontal structural member 7 is fixed to the inner case 3 at three portions of both end portions and a central portion by the fixing portion 79. The illustrated horizontal structural member 7 is fixed to the inner case 3 by screwing a bolt that penetrates the upper and lower surfaces of the slot-shaped opening portion that is horizontally oriented into the fixing portion 79. However, the fixing tool that fixes the horizontal structural member is not limited to the above configuration. The horizontal structural member can be fixed by various methods. Moreover, in an exterior case that does not have an inner case, by providing a fixing portion in a bottom panel of the exterior case, the horizontal structural member can be fixed to a fixed position of the exterior case by the fixing portion. ​

[0072] It should be noted that the fixing structure of the horizontal structural member 7 is exemplified by fixing the lower surface plate 31 by means of the fixing part 79, but other fixing structures may also be used. Figure 20 An example of a structure in which the end of a horizontal structural member 7 is fixed to the outer peripheral wall 33 of the inner housing 3 is shown. In the illustrated fixing structure, the horizontal structural member 7 is shown fixed to the inner side plate 35 constituting the outer peripheral wall 33 of the inner housing 3 by means of a fixing member 46. The illustrated fixing member 46 consists of a bracket 47 fixed to the inner side plate 35 and a fixing tool 48 for fixing the end of the horizontal structural member 7 to the bracket 47. The bracket 47 is an L-shaped fitting with a connecting piece 47A and a fixing piece 47B, wherein the fixing piece 47B is fixed to a predetermined position on the inner side plate 35 such that the connecting piece 47A is arranged vertically along the opening edge of the insertion opening 44. The fixing piece 47B is fixed to the inner side plate 35, for example, by welding or by threaded fastening. An insertion hole 47a is provided on the connecting piece 47A for the bolt 48A of the fixing tool 48 to pass through. The insertion hole 47a in the figure is an elongated hole extending in the horizontal direction, thereby allowing adjustment of the connection position with the horizontal structural member 7. Furthermore, the horizontal structural member 7 has a through hole 7a penetrating the side 71 positioned opposite the insertion hole 47a provided in the bracket 47. A bolt 48A inserted into this through hole 7a is inserted into the insertion hole 47a of the bracket 47, and a nut 48B is screwed onto the front end of the bolt 48A to fix the horizontal structural member 7 to the bracket 47. The horizontal structural member 7, fixed to the bracket 47, is fixed to the fixed position on the outer peripheral wall 33 in a predetermined configuration relative to the insertion opening 44 of the inner side plate 35.

[0073] In the above-described fixing structure, the horizontal structural member 7 is fixed to the bracket 47 fixed to the inner side plate 35 by means of a fixing tool 48, thereby fixing both ends of the horizontal structural member 7 to the outer peripheral wall 33 of the inner housing 3. Here, the illustrated inner housing 3 has a double-wall structure for the outer peripheral wall 33, thus showing a structure in which the horizontal structural member 7 is fixed to the inner side plate 35 of the outer peripheral wall 33. However, in an inner housing with an outer peripheral wall that does not employ a layered structure, both ends of the horizontal structural member can also be directly fixed to the outer peripheral wall by means of a fixing tool that penetrates the outer peripheral wall. For example, a bent piece can be provided on the end face of the horizontal structural member, and a nut can be screwed into a bolt that penetrates the bent piece and the outer peripheral wall to fix the horizontal structural member to the outer peripheral wall.

[0074] Alternatively, the following structure can be used: A round bar with threads cut at both ends is provided as a horizontal structural member, and brackets and nuts are provided at both ends of the round bar as fixing members. In this structure, the brackets are installed on the outer peripheral wall of the inner housing, and the nuts are screwed onto the front end of the round bar, thereby fixing the round bar.

[0075] As above, the configuration in which both end portions of the horizontal structural member 7 arranged in the central portion of the inner case 3 are fixed to the outer peripheral wall 33 of the inner case 3 can realize the structural reinforcement of the central portion of the inner case 3. In particular, in the case of this configuration, since the horizontal structural member 7 is subjected to the tension by the fixing member 46 such as the fixing tool 48 and the bracket 47, it has the feature that the rigidity of the inner case 3 can be improved. Also, in the outer packaging case not provided with the inner case, both end portions of the horizontal structural member can be fixed to the outer peripheral wall of the outer packaging case by the fixing member and arranged at the fixed position. In this case, the central portion of the outer packaging case can also be reinforced by fixing both end portions of the horizontal structural member arranged in the central portion of the outer packaging case to the outer peripheral wall.

[0076] (Outer packaging case 2)

[0077] The outer packaging case 2 is a frame made of metal and has an accommodation space in which the battery pack 10 is accommodated. The outer packaging case 2 preferably has a function of suppressing the amount of exhaust gas discharged from a plurality of secondary battery cells 1 that constitute the battery pack 10 and discharging the exhaust gas to the outside. As such an outer packaging case 2, the outer packaging case 2 composed of the inner case 3 and the outer case 5 can be adopted. The outer packaging case 2 of the drawing is provided with the inner case 3 that accommodates the battery pack 10 and the outer case 5 that covers the inner case 3.

[0078] (Inner case 3)

[0079] Figures 5-10 The inner case 3 illustrated is made of metal and formed in a box shape in which the lower surface plate 31 and the upper surface plate 32 are connected by the outer peripheral wall 33, and in the inside thereof, the battery pack 10 in which a plurality of secondary battery cells 1 are arranged at fixed positions is accommodated. The inner case 3 formed of a metal plate has a portion of the outer peripheral wall 33 as a laminated structure. The inner case 3 illustrated is formed of a laminated portion 34 in which the inner side plate 35 and the outer side plate 36 in which the opposing side walls 33X of the outer peripheral wall 33 are laminated to each other as a laminated structure.

[0080] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The laminated portion 34 of the inner case 3 illustrated is partially provided with a recess 40 having a prescribed depth and extending in the surface direction on the opposing surface of the outer side of the inner side plate 35 and opposing the outer side plate 36, and is partially provided with a recess 40 having a prescribed depth and extending in the surface direction on the opposing surface of the inner side of the outer side plate 36 and opposing the inner side plate 35. The inner side plate 35 and the outer side plate 36 are provided with the recess 40 at positions opposing each other as illustrated in Figure 9 and Figure 10 The inner side plate 35 and the outer side plate 36 are provided with the recess 40 at positions opposing each other, and the inner side plate 35 and the outer side plate 36 are laminated in a state in which the opposing recesses 40 oppose each other, and the exhaust passage 4 in which the structure is closed is formed between the inner side plate 35 and the outer side plate 36.

[0081] The inner side plate 35 and the outer side plate 36, which are metal plates, are formed with recesses 40 by drawing processing. Figure 10 The inner side plate 35 shown is provided with a recess 40 on an opposing surface opposite the outer side plate 36 by drawing processing to a prescribed depth. The outer side plate 36 is also provided with a recess 40 on an opposing surface opposite the inner side plate 35 by drawing processing to a prescribed depth. The depth (d) of the recess 40 can be, for example, 3 to 5 mm. Thus, the inner width (D) of the exhaust passage 4 formed by opposing the recesses 40 opposite each other can be set to 6 to 10 mm. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The recess 40 shown is shaped in a rectangular shape in a front view, elongated in the up-down direction of the inner side plate 35 and the outer side plate 36 to a prescribed up-down width (L), and shaped to have a lateral width (W) elongated in the left-right direction. The recess 40 forming the exhaust passage 4 adjusts the volume of the exhaust passage 4 by adjusting the up-down width (L), the lateral width (W), and the depth (d).

[0082] Figures 5-10 The inner housing 3 shown is provided with a plurality of exhaust passages 4 on opposing side walls 33X. The plurality of exhaust passages 4 can be set to the same shape and size, for example, by making the up-down width (L) and the lateral width (W) of each recess 40 equal, and in addition, the plurality of exhaust passages 4 can be arranged in equal intervals. In this way, by arranging the plurality of exhaust passages 4 in equal intervals, the gas filled in the inner housing 3 can be discharged to the outside in good balance and smoothly. The inner housing 3 shown is provided with an exhaust passage 4 having a large lateral width (W) in the central portion of the side wall 33X, and on both sides thereof is provided with three exhaust passages 4 having a smaller lateral width (W) than the exhaust passage 4 of the central portion, arranged in equal intervals. Here, the size of the exhaust passage 4 is determined by the recess 40 forming the exhaust passage 4, and the up-down width (L) of the recess 40 can be 50% to 80% of the height (Z) of the outer peripheral wall 33, and can be set to 8 to 20 cm, for example. The lateral width (W) of the recess 40 is also changed according to the number and intervals of the exhaust passages 4 provided in the side wall 33X, and can be set to 5 to 25 cm, for example. In the inner housing 3 provided with a plurality of exhaust passages 4 in the side wall 33X, the total of the lateral widths (W) of these exhaust passages 4 is set to 40% to 60% of the total length (X) of the side wall 33X, for example.

[0083] However, the size, shape, and number of the exhaust passages 4 formed in the side wall 33X can be variously changed. For example, the plurality of exhaust passages 4 provided in the side wall 33X can be arranged in equal intervals, as shown in the drawing, or can be arranged in a staggered manner, for example, as shown in FIG. 6. In the case of the staggered arrangement, the exhaust passages 4 can be arranged in a manner that the lateral width (W) of the exhaust passage 4 on one side of the side wall 33X is larger than the lateral width (W) of the exhaust passage 4 on the other side of the side wall 33X. Figure 5By widening the lateral width of the exhaust channel 4 located in the central part and narrowing the lateral width of the exhaust channels 4 located at both ends, as shown, the lateral width of all exhaust channels 4 can be made equal. Furthermore, the arrangement and number of exhaust channels 4 located on the outer peripheral wall 33 of the inner housing 3 can also be changed. Exhaust channels can also be provided on the end face walls of the inner housing.

[0084] and, Figures 7-11 The inner side plate 35 shown has an inner opening 41 formed on the bottom surface of the recess 40. The exhaust passage 4 communicates with the interior of the inner housing 3 through the inner opening 41 in the inner side plate 35. Figures 7-11 The outer side plate 36 shown also has an outer side opening 42 formed on the bottom surface of the recess 40. The exhaust passage 4 communicates with the outside of the inner shell 3 via the outer side opening 42 in the outer side plate 36. Figure 9 and Figure 10 The inner housing 3 shown has its inner opening 41 and outer opening 42 positioned at both ends of the exhaust passage 4, thus lengthening the exhaust path of the gas passing through the exhaust passage 4. The exhaust passage 4 shown is arranged to extend vertically, with the inner opening 41 and outer opening 42 positioned at both ends. This exhaust passage 4's exhaust path is lengthened by increasing the vertical width (L) of the recess 40.

[0085] Here, in Figure 9 and Figure 10 In the power supply device 100 shown, multiple secondary battery cells 1 housed in the inner casing 3 are arranged with their first end face 1A, which is equipped with a discharge valve, facing upwards. The exhaust channel 4 of the stacked portion 34 formed on the side wall 33X is arranged to extend vertically, with the inner opening 41 opening below the exhaust channel 4 and the outer opening 42 opening above the exhaust channel 4. If the secondary battery cells 1 are arranged with the discharge valve facing upwards, when any secondary battery cell 1 malfunctions and is in a state where gas or other ejected substances are discharged, the ejected substances discharged from the upper surface of the battery pack 10, such as… Figure 9 and Figure 10gas, etc. flowing toward the side wall 33X from the upper gap 15 is guided to the exhaust passage 4 after the pressure and temperature of the gas are sufficiently reduced inside the inner case 3, and is exhausted to the outside. Thus, the flow path of the gas, etc. exhausted from the secondary battery cell 1 until it is guided to the exhaust passage 4 can be lengthened, and the pressure and temperature of the gas can be sufficiently reduced inside the inner case 3 before it is exhausted to the outside.

[0086] Further, Figures 5-10 The inner case 3 shown in the drawing provides the inner opening 41 and the outer opening 42 in a slit shape extending in the lateral width direction. By providing the openings in this shape, the amount of the gas, etc. flowing into the exhaust passage 4 can be increased, and the pressure and temperature of the gas can be efficiently reduced. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The inner opening 41 and the outer opening 42 shown in the drawing provide a slit length (s) of 50% to 90% of the lateral width (W) of the recess 40, and a slit width (t) of 1 to 5 times the depth (d) of the recess 40. The inner case 3 can adjust the flow rate of the gas, etc. flowing into the exhaust passage 4 by adjusting the opening area of the inner opening 41 and the outer opening 42.

[0087] Further, the exhaust passage 4 on the central portion of the side wall 33X is connected to the front end of the aforementioned horizontal structural member 7 as shown in the drawing. Figure 11 The opening end of the horizontal structural member 7 shown in the drawing is disposed inside the exhaust passage 4, and is open inside the exhaust passage 4, and the gas exhaust passage 8 communicates with the inside of the exhaust passage 4. This configuration has the feature that the gas generated inside the battery pack 10 can be efficiently exhausted to the outside of the battery pack 10, and is guided to the exhaust passage 4 provided in the inner case 3. The inner case 3 has an insertion opening 44 provided in the inner side plate 35 in order to connect the horizontal structural member 7 to the exhaust passage 4. The insertion opening 44 is opened in a shape and size that allows the horizontal structural member 7 to be inserted, and allows the gas exhaust passage 8 to communicate with the exhaust passage 4.

[0088] The inner case 3 in which the side wall 33X is provided as a laminated structure and the exhaust passage 4 is formed in the laminated portion 34 as described above is connected to the horizontal structural member 7 as shown in the drawing. Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the lower case 30A is formed by joining inner side plates 35 in a vertical posture to both sides of a lower surface plate 31, and the upper case 30B is formed by joining outer side plates 36 in a vertical posture to both sides of an upper surface plate 32.

[0089] The lower case 30A joins the inner side plates 35 in a vertical posture to both sides of the lower surface plate 31 on which the battery pack 10 is placed, and a fixing piece 38 for joining an end plate 37 of the upper case 30B, for forming the closed plate 27 of the discharge path 25, is joined to both ends of the lower surface plate 31. The fixing piece 38 is provided with a fixing portion 38A that bends the front end portion in a manner that becomes horizontal toward the inside for fixing the battery holder 20 of the battery pack 10. The battery pack 10 is fixed to the fixing portion 38A of the fixing piece 38 by means of a stop screw 19 that penetrates a boss portion 20a provided to the battery holder 20. An insulating sheet 18 is laid on the lower surface of the battery pack 10 fixed to the lower case 30A, thereby insulating the plurality of secondary battery cells 1 from the lower surface plate 31. The above lower case 30A is formed by cutting a metal plate into a prescribed shape, and forming a recess 40 in the inner side plate 35 by draw processing, opening an inner side opening portion 41 by punch processing, and bending processing in a manner that the inner side plate 35 and the fixing piece 38 become a prescribed posture with respect to the lower surface plate 31.

[0090] The upper case 30B joins the outer side plates 36 in a vertical posture to both sides of the upper surface plate 32, and the end plate 37 in a vertical posture to one end of the upper surface plate 32. The illustrated upper case 30B is reinforced by providing a plurality of stepped concave-convex portions 39 to the upper surface plate 32. The stepped concave-convex portions 39 are convex portions that protrude upward with respect to the main body of the planar upper surface plate 32, and are provided in a lengthwise direction that crosses the width direction of the side wall 33X in plan view. A plurality of stepped concave-convex portions 39 are provided at equal intervals in a posture that is parallel to each other. The upper case 30B is formed by cutting a metal plate into a prescribed shape, and forming a recess 40 in the outer side plate 36 by draw processing, forming the stepped concave-convex portions 39 in the upper surface plate 32, and opening an outer side opening portion 42 by punch processing, and bending processing in a manner that the outer side plate 36 and the end plate 37 become a prescribed posture with respect to the upper surface plate 32.

[0091] The inner case 3 is formed by, for example, Figure 9 and Figure 10The outer side plate 36 of the upper case 30B is stacked on the outer side of the inner side plate 35 provided in the lower case 30A as shown, and the lower case 30A and the upper case 30B are joined to each other to form. This configuration enables the side wall 33X to be in a stacked configuration simply and easily by joining the lower case 30A provided with the inner side plate 35 on both sides and the upper case 30B provided with the outer side plate 36 on both sides to each other, and forms the exhaust passage 4 at the stacked portion 34. The inner side plate 35 and the outer side plate 36 stacked on each other are fixed firmly in a close contact state by, for example, screwing and the like. Also, the illustrated upper case 30B is provided with an end face plate 37 joined in a vertical posture at one end of the upper surface plate 32, and the end face plate 37 is fixed to a fixing piece 38 joined to one end of the lower surface plate 31 by screwing.

[0092] The inner case can also be configured of a lower case in which an outer side plate is joined in a vertical posture at both sides of a lower surface plate, and an upper case in which an upper side plate is joined in a vertical posture at both sides of an upper surface plate. This inner case is provided with a stacked portion by stacking the outer side plate and the inner side plate in a state in which the inner side plate provided in the upper case is inserted into the outer side plate provided in the lower case, and joins the lower case and the upper case to each other.

[0093] Also, the inner case 3 closes one of the opposing end face walls 33Y of the outer peripheral wall 33 as an end face plate 37, and is provided with a collision-structured discharge path 25 that communicates with the inside of the inner case 3 at the other. Figure 4 The collision-structured discharge path 25 as shown is provided with a pair of collision plates 26 provided at both side portions of the end face of the inner case 3, and a closing plate 27 disposed at a position closer to the battery pack 10 than the collision plates 26, with a gap 28 provided between the two side walls 33X in a state in which it is fixed to a fixing piece 38. The pair of collision plates 26 is provided with a bent portion 26A by bending the front end portion on the center side inward, and the closing plate 27 is provided with a bent piece 27A by bending both end portions toward the collision plates 26. This configuration of the discharge path 25 adopts a configuration in which gas that has passed through the gap 28 provided between the bent piece 27A of the closing plate 27 and the side wall 33X collides with the collision plate 26 as shown by the arrow, and gas whose flow direction has changed under the action of the collision plate 26 directionally changes to the closing plate 27 side at the bent portion 26A of the collision plate 26 and collides with the closing plate 27 after which it is discharged to the outside from the wiring opening 29 that is open at the end face. This discharge path 25 causes the lead line and the output line that are led out from the battery pack 10 to proceed in a non-linear meandering manner to be led out to the outside of the inner case 3, thereby preventing the spew of gas and the like discharged from the secondary battery cells 1 from becoming a straight flame and spewing from the inner case 3 to the outside. Figure 4

[0094] (Outer case 5)

[0095] The outer case 5 is configured of a lower case 50 in which an outer side plate 56 is joined in a vertical posture at both sides of a lower surface plate 51, and an upper case 60 in which an upper side plate 66 is joined in a vertical posture at both sides of an upper surface plate 62. Figures 1-6 ​As shown in FIG. 1, the outer case 5 is configured in a box shape with its inside hollow to house the inner case 3 that houses the battery pack 10. The outer case 5 of the illustrated example is configured by combining a plurality of metal plates. In the outer case 5, the bottom panel 51 and the top panel 52 disposed opposite to each other are connected by the side panels 53 at both sides and the end panels 54 at both ends, so that the entire outer shape is configured in a box shape. Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the example shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 2, the outer case 5 connects the bottom panel 51 and the top panel 52 disposed opposite to each other by the side panels 53 at both sides and the end panels 54 at both ends, so that the entire outer shape is configured in a box shape.

[0096] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The outer case 5 shown in FIG. 3 is configured by a first case 50A, a second case 50B, and a third case 50C. The first case 50A is configured by connecting the side panels 53 at both sides of the top panel 52 and the end panels 54 at both ends of the top panel 52. The second case 50B is configured by providing the fixing pieces 55 for fixing the side panels 53 and the end panels 54 of the first case 50A at both sides and one end of the bottom panel 51, respectively. The third case 50C is provided with the closing plate 56 disposed on the end surface opposite to the end panel 54 provided in the first case 50A. The outer case 5 connects these cases to each other, so that the entire outer shape is configured in a box shape.

[0097] Further, Figure 5 and Figure 6 The outer case 5 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a plurality of stepped concave-convex portions 58 on the bottom panel 51. The stepped concave-convex portions 58 are convex portions protruding upward from the main body of the planar bottom panel 51 and are provided elongated along the short side direction of the outer case 5. The plurality of stepped concave-convex portions 58 are provided in a posture parallel to each other, so as to reinforce the bottom panel 51 of the inner case 3.

[0098] In addition, Figure 5 and Figure 6 The outer case 5 shown in FIG. 5 is also provided with a plurality of stepped concave-convex portions 59 on the top panel 52. The stepped concave-convex portions 59 of the top panel 52 are convex portions protruding downward from the main body of the planar top panel 52 and are provided elongated along the short side direction of the outer case 5. The plurality of stepped concave-convex portions 59 are provided in a posture parallel to each other, and in particular, the stepped concave-convex portions 59 protruding downward from the top panel 52 are provided so as to be disposed opposite to the stepped concave-convex portions 39 protruding upward from the upper surface panel 32 of the inner case 3, in a staggered manner. According to this configuration, the stepped concave-convex portions 59 protruding downward from the top panel 52 of the outer case 5 are disposed in the recess formed by the stepped concave-convex portions 39 protruding upward from the upper surface panel 32 of the inner case 3, so that the outer case 5 can be reinforced and the outer shape of the outer case 5 can be suppressed from becoming large.

[0099] (Hole portions 57)

[0100] Further, the outer case 5 is provided with a plurality of hole portions 57 through which gas passes, at a portion of the outer surface, in order to discharge the gas and the like, which is discharged from the secondary battery cell 1 housed in the inner case 3 and is discharged to the outside of the inner case 3, to the outside of the outer case 5 without becoming a flame. The illustrated outer case 5 is configured with the plurality of hole portions 57 by arranging a metal mesh 57A at the end face panel 54 provided at the end face. However, a punched metal plate can also be arranged as the plurality of hole portions. The above outer case can effectively prevent the flame from being emitted to the outside of the outer case 5 by the gas, which is discharged from the inner case at high temperature and high pressure, passing through the plurality of hole portions 57 to the outside of the outer case 5.

[0101] (circuit board 61)

[0102] Further, Figures 3-6 The power supply device 100 illustrated is provided with the circuit board 61 in the substrate chamber 60 provided at the third case 50C at the end face side of the other of the outer cases 5. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The third case 50C illustrated is formed with the substrate chamber 60, which is partitioned from the inside space of the outer case 5 by the shielding plate 62 arranged at the inside of the closing plate 56, and protects the circuit board 61 from the gas and the like, which is discharged from the inner case 3 at high temperature and high pressure. The circuit board 61 is mounted with a charge-discharge circuit which charges and discharges the secondary battery cell 1, a protection circuit which monitors the voltage and the temperature of the secondary battery cell 1 and cuts off the current at the time of abnormality, and the like. Further, the illustrated outer case 5 is arranged with the positive and negative output terminals 63 and the signal terminal 64 connected to the circuit board 61 in a state of being exposed from the closing plate 56 of the third case 50C.

[0103] The above outer case 5 is fixed with the inner case 3 at the bottom panel 51 of the second case 50B, and the lead line and the output line led from the inner case 3 are connected to the circuit board 61 of the third case 50C fixed to the second case 50B, and then the first case 50A is joined to the second case 50B and the third case 50C. The side panel 53 and the end face panel 54 of the first case 50A are fixed to the fixing piece 55 of the second case 50B by means of the fixing screw 69, and the third case 50C is fixed at the other end of the first case 50A by means of the fixing screw 69, and thus the outer case 5 is formed in a box shape.

[0104] [Embodiment 2]

[0105] In the above power supply device 100, one horizontal structural member 7 is provided which penetrates the central portion of the battery pack 10, but the horizontal structural member 7 arranged which penetrates the battery pack 10 can also be provided as a plurality of members. In the above power supply device 100, the outer case 5 is formed in a box shape by the first case 50A, the second case 50B, and the third case 50C, but the outer case 5 can also be formed in a box shape by a single case. Figure 21In the power supply device 200 shown, two horizontal members 7 are provided in the battery pack 10. The battery pack 10 can be designed to accommodate a different number of secondary battery cells 1, arranged in different ways, according to the use and purpose of the battery pack. Therefore, the power supply device can be changed to accommodate a different number of horizontal members in the battery pack, according to the number of secondary battery cells accommodated in the battery pack. The power supply device 200 shown is able to efficiently discharge gas generated inside the battery pack 10 to the outside by providing two horizontal members 7.

[0106] Industrial Applicability

[0107] The power supply device according to the present disclosure can be suitably used as a power source for a power storage system for household, business, factory, and the like, a backup power source for a server, or a power source for a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

[0108] Explanation of Reference Signs:

[0109] 100, 200 Power supply device

[0110] 1 Secondary battery cell

[0111] 1A First end surface

[0112] 1a Center electrode

[0113] 1b Rivet protrusion

[0114] 2 Outer housing

[0115] 3 Inner housing

[0116] 4 Gas discharge passage

[0117] 5 Outer housing

[0118] 7 Horizontal member

[0119] 7a Through hole

[0120] 8 Gas discharge passage

[0121] 10 Battery pack

[0122] 11 Battery block

[0123] 12 Battery cell

[0124] 13 Lead plate

[0125] 13A Main body portion

[0126] 13a First connecting tab

[0127] 13b Second connecting tab

[0128] 14 Connecting busbars

[0129] 15 Upper gap

[0130] 16 Side gaps

[0131] 18 Insulating sheets

[0132] 19. Locking screws

[0133] 20 Battery holders

[0134] 20A First Cage

[0135] 20B Second Cage

[0136] 20a Bossed section

[0137] 21. Maintenance Section

[0138] 22 Insulating wall

[0139] 23 Electrode Window

[0140] 24. Dividing gaps

[0141] 25 Drainage route

[0142] 26 Collision Plates

[0143] 26A Bending section

[0144] 27. Enclosed panel

[0145] 27A Bending Sheet

[0146] 28 gaps

[0147] 29 Wiring opening

[0148] 30A Lower Housing

[0149] 30B Upper Housing

[0150] 31 Lower Surface Plate

[0151] 32. Top surface panel

[0152] 33. Peripheral wall

[0153] 33X sidewall

[0154] 33Y end face wall

[0155] 34-layer stacked part

[0156] 35 Inner side panel

[0157] 36. Outer side plate

[0158] 37-inch end panel

[0159] 38 fixing piece

[0160] 38A fixing portion

[0161] 39 stepped concavo-convex portion

[0162] 40 recessed portion

[0163] 41 inner side opening portion

[0164] 42 outer side opening portion

[0165] 44 insertion opening portion

[0166] 46 fixing member

[0167] 47 bracket

[0168] 47A connecting piece

[0169] 47a insertion hole

[0170] 47B fixing piece

[0171] 48 fixing tool

[0172] 48A bolt

[0173] 48B nut

[0174] 50A first housing

[0175] 50B second housing

[0176] 50C third housing

[0177] 51 bottom panel

[0178] 52 top panel

[0179] 53 side panel

[0180] 54 end panel

[0181] 55 fixing piece

[0182] 56 closing panel

[0183] 57 hole portion

[0184] 57A metal mesh

[0185] 58 stepped concavo-convex portion

[0186] 59 stepped concavo-convex portion

[0187] 60 substrate chamber

[0188] 61 circuit substrate

[0189] 62 shielding panel

[0190] 63 output terminal

[0191] 64 signal terminal

[0192] 69 fixing screw

[0193] 70 vent

[0194] 71 side surface

[0195] 72 horizontal surface

[0196] 73 vent hole

[0197] 74 vertical surface

[0198] 75 inclined surface

[0199] 76 bottom surface

[0200] 77 vent passage

[0201] 78 fixing tool

[0202] 79 fixing portion

[0203] 90 battery pack

[0204] 91 secondary battery cell

[0205] 92 battery holder

Claims

1. A power supply device, wherein the power supply device is provided with: a battery pack formed by disposing a plurality of resin-made battery holders for secondary battery cells, each of which has a discharge valve that opens when internal pressure exceeds a set pressure, at fixed positions; and an outer case that houses the battery pack inside, the battery pack is provided with a metal-made horizontal structural member that penetrates a central portion in a horizontal direction, a gas discharge passage that communicates the inside of the battery pack with the outside is provided by means of the horizontal structural member.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal structural member has a cross-sectional shape with a groove portion or a cylindrical portion, and has a gas passage portion that extends in an axial direction.

3. The power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the horizontal structural member is a shaped steel.

4. The power supply device according to claim 3, wherein the shaped steel is any one of a channel steel, an angle steel, a C-shaped steel, an I-shaped steel, an H-shaped steel, a T-shaped steel, a steel pipe, or a square steel pipe.

5. The power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the horizontal structural member is provided with a plurality of gas passage holes in any one of a side surface, a vertical surface, or a bottom surface.

6. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the battery holder is provided with a division gap that divides the battery pack, which is elongated in a horizontal direction, the horizontal structural member is inserted through the division gap.

7. The battery package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the battery holder arranges and houses the plurality of secondary battery cells in a posture in which the plurality of secondary battery cells are in an upright posture and parallel to each other in a horizontal direction.

8. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the horizontal structural member is fixed to the outer case.

9. The power supply device according to claim 8, wherein the outer case is provided with: an inner case that houses the battery pack; and an outer case that covers the inner case, the inner case is formed in a box shape in which a lower surface panel and an upper surface panel are connected by a peripheral wall, and is provided with a fixing portion for fixing the horizontal structural member at the lower surface panel, the horizontal structural member is fixed to the fixing portion by a fixing tool.

10. The power supply device according to claim 8, wherein the outer case is provided with: an inner case that houses the battery pack; and an outer case that covers the inner case, the inner case is formed in a box shape in which a lower surface panel and an upper surface panel are connected by a peripheral wall, both end portions of the horizontal structural member are fixed to the peripheral wall by a fixing member.

11. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer case is provided with: an inner case that houses the battery pack; and an outer case that covers the inner case, the inner case is provided with a lamination portion that has an inner side panel and an outer side panel laminated to each other as a lamination structure with a portion of the peripheral wall. The laminated portion is partially provided with a recess having a prescribed depth and extending in a surface direction on an opposing surface of either one or both of the inner side plate and the outer side plate, and a closed exhaust passage is formed between the inner side plate and the outer side plate by the recess, The exhaust passage communicates with the inside of the inner case via an inner side opening portion that is open in the inner side plate, and communicates with the outside of the inner case via an outer side opening portion that is open in the outer side plate, The inner side opening portion and the outer side opening portion are disposed at both end portions of the exhaust passage.

12. The power supply device according to claim 11, wherein The horizontal structure member is linked to the exhaust passage of the inner case, and the gas discharge passage communicates with the inside of the exhaust passage.

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