Power supply device

Abstract

A power supply device is provided with: a plurality of battery blocks each having a plurality of secondary battery cells; an outer housing that accommodates the plurality of battery blocks in a state in which the plurality of battery blocks are arranged in the lateral direction; and a fixing member for fixing the plurality of battery blocks to the outer housing. The plurality of battery blocks arranged in the transverse direction form a battery assembly. The fixing member is provided with: a first fixing part which is disposed in the middle of the battery assembly so as to straddle adjacent battery blocks among the plurality of battery blocks, and a second fixing part which is disposed in the middle of the battery assembly so as to straddle adjacent battery blocks among the plurality of battery blocks; and a plurality of second fixing portions each having a portion fixed to the first fixing portion and another portion fixed to the outer case, the plurality of second fixing portions pressing and holding the plurality of battery blocks toward the outer case side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to power supply devices. Background Technology

[0002] A power supply device composed of multiple secondary battery cells connected in series and parallel is used for fixed-type energy storage applications such as home, commercial, and factory power supplies, as backup power for servers, or as a driving power source for vehicles such as hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, construction machinery, electric mini-motorcycles, and electric mobility scooters. In such a power supply device, multiple battery blocks are typically connected together and housed in a casing, and these battery blocks are composed of multiple secondary battery cells connected in series and parallel.

[0003] On the other hand, from the perspective of recent social demands such as reducing environmental impact and achieving a sustainable society, there is a need for products that consider resource recycling, reuse, and reduction. Based on these requirements, multi-purpose reuse is also required in power supply installations.

[0004] However, conventional power supply systems lacked structures suitable for such reuse. For example, when reusing backup power for servers as power for other energy storage applications, the specifications of server backup power and energy storage power differ, resulting in different structures for securing the battery packs. This necessitates preparing separate, specialized components for securing the battery packs. Furthermore, replacing only a portion of the battery packs presents challenges in terms of workability, such as the need to temporarily disassemble all battery packs.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-224627 Summary of the Invention

[0008] One aspect of the power supply device disclosed herein includes: a plurality of battery blocks, each having a plurality of secondary battery cells; a housing that houses the plurality of battery blocks in a laterally arranged configuration; and a fastener for securing the plurality of battery blocks to the housing. The laterally arranged plurality of battery blocks constitute a battery assembly. The fastener includes: a first fastening portion disposed at the center of the battery assembly across adjacent battery blocks; and a plurality of second fastening portions, each having a portion fixed to the first fastening portion and another portion fixed to the housing, the plurality of second fastening portions pressing and holding the plurality of battery blocks toward the housing.

[0009] According to one type of power supply device, the fastener for fixing the battery assembly to the outer casing is divided into a first fixing part across the battery blocks and a second fixing part for fixing by pressing around each battery block. Thus, by preparing the second fixing part corresponding to the shape of the battery blocks, battery blocks of various shapes can be fixed to a common outer casing. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1.

[0011] Figure 2 It means from Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the power supply unit with its upper casing removed.

[0012] Figure 3 It means from Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the power supply unit with the end panel removed.

[0013] Figure 4 It means from Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the power supply unit with the first fixing part removed.

[0014] Figure 5 It means from Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of the power supply unit with the second fixing part and battery block removed from the front side.

[0015] Figure 6 Viewed from below at an angle Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the power supply device.

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the power supply unit along line VII-VII, with an enlarged view of the main part.

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of the power supply unit along line VIII-VIII, with an enlarged view of the main part.

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 Enlarged longitudinal section view of the main part of the power supply unit at line IX-IX.

[0019] Figure 10 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the power supply device at line XX.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the first fixing part of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1.

[0021] Figure 12 Viewed from below at an angle Figure 11 A three-dimensional view of the first fixed part.

[0022] Figure 13A This is a perspective view of the second fixing part of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1.

[0023] Figure 13B yes Figure 13A A perspective view of the second fixed part when viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0024] Figure 13C yes Figure 13A A sectional view of the second fixing part.

[0025] Figure 14 It means from Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the power supply unit with its upper housing and an end panel removed.

[0026] Figure 15 It means from Figure 14 An exploded perspective view of the battery assembly of the power supply device, showing the state after removing the threaded parts that fasten the second fixing part and the first fixing part that fix a battery block, and after removing the wire harness-like components.

[0027] Figure 16 It means from Figure 14 An exploded perspective view of the power supply device in its state after the second fixing part has been removed.

[0028] Figure 17 It means from Figure 16 The state of the power supply device is shown in the exploded 3D diagram of the state of a battery pack removed.

[0029] Figure 18 This is an exploded perspective view of the power supply device according to Embodiment 2.

[0030] Figure 19A yes Figure 18 A perspective view of the second fixed part of the power supply device.

[0031] Figure 19B yes Figure 19A A perspective view of the second fixed part when viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0032] Figure 19C yes Figure 19A A sectional view of the second fixing part.

[0033] Figure 20 yes Figure 18 Further exploded perspective view of the power supply device.

[0034] Figure 21A This is a perspective view of the second fixing part of the power supply device in Modified Example 1.

[0035] Figure 21B yes Figure 21A A perspective view of the second fixed part when viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0036] Figure 21C yes Figure 21A A sectional view of the second fixing part.

[0037] Figure 22A This is a perspective view of the second fixing part of the power supply device in Modified Example 2.

[0038] Figure 22B yes Figure 22A A perspective view of the second fixed part when viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0039] Figure 22C yes Figure 22A A sectional view of the second fixing part.

[0040] Figure 23A This is a perspective view of the second fixing part of the power supply device in Modified Example 3.

[0041] Figure 23B yes Figure 23A A perspective view of the second fixed part when viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0042] Figure 23C yes Figure 23A A sectional view of the second fixing part. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The manner of this disclosure can be determined through the following structure and features.

[0044] According to other embodiments of the power supply device disclosed herein, in the above-described embodiment, the plurality of second fixing parts are each formed in the cross-sectional shape of the Japanese character "コ" having a first surface, a pair of second surfaces, and a pair of third surfaces. The pair of second surfaces are bent from both sides of the first surface, and the pair of third surfaces are bent from the sides of the pair of second surfaces opposite to the first surface. The power supply device is configured such that the first surface is fixed to the first fixing part, and the third surface is fixed to the outer casing while the first surface and the pair of second surfaces cover the area around each battery block. According to this structure, each battery block can be pressed and fixed to the outer casing while the second fixing parts cover the area around each battery block. Furthermore, when disassembling the battery block from the outer casing, only the corresponding second fixing part needs to be disassembled, allowing the other second fixing parts to remain intact while separating the specific battery block as a whole.

[0045] Furthermore, according to other embodiments of the power supply device disclosed herein, in any of the above embodiments, the housing comprises: a lower housing; an upper housing that seals the upper surface of the lower housing; and an end panel that seals at least one of a pair of end faces formed by the lower housing and the upper housing, wherein the first fixing part is fixed to the upper housing, and the plurality of second fixing parts are fixed to the lower housing. According to the above structure, when removing a specific battery pack from the housing, the specific battery pack can be easily pulled out of the housing by disassembling the upper housing and the end panel and disassembling the second fixing parts of the specific battery pack.

[0046] Furthermore, according to other embodiments of the power supply device disclosed herein, in any of the above embodiments, the third surface of the plurality of second fixing parts is provided with a third surface fixing hole, and the outer casing is provided with a casing fixing hole for fixing the third surface fixing hole. The third surface fixing holes on opposite sides of the second fixing parts of each battery block that fixes each battery block between adjacent battery blocks constituting the battery assembly overlap and are fixed to the casing fixing hole. According to the above structure, the casing fixing hole can be shared, and the third surfaces can be overlapped and fastened together, enabling the fixing operation between adjacent battery blocks to be shared and thus saving effort. In addition, reducing the number of parts can also help reduce costs.

[0047] Furthermore, in other embodiments of the power supply device disclosed herein, in any of the aforementioned embodiments, the plurality of second fixing portions have a stepped protrusion on the first surface, and a third-surface fixing hole is provided on the protrusion for screwing the first fixing portion. According to the above structure, by adjusting the height of the protrusion according to the height of the pressed battery block, even battery blocks of different heights can be fixed to the first fixing portion while adjusting for height differences using the protrusion, allowing for the use of a common outer casing and the first fixing portion to accommodate different battery blocks.

[0048] Furthermore, in other embodiments of the power supply device disclosed herein, in any of the above embodiments, the power supply device further includes a tray located between each of the plurality of battery blocks and the outer casing, and on the side opposite to the side where the first fixing part is provided. The tray has tray fixing holes 52 at at least at both ends in the length direction for fixing to the outer casing. According to the above structure, even without providing holes for fixing to the outer casing on the battery block side, the tray can still be used to fix the device to the outer casing.

[0049] Furthermore, in other embodiments of the power supply device disclosed herein, in any of the aforementioned embodiments, the first fixing part and the plurality of second fixing parts do not have a structure for directly fixing to the battery block. According to the above structure, by not providing a structure for directly fixing the battery block to the fixing member but instead configuring it to be fixed by pressing, even battery blocks of different shapes can be fixed, making it a structure that facilitates the reuse of battery blocks. In particular, it is effective in the reuse and recycling of battery blocks. However, it is not limited to power supply devices for reuse and recycling purposes.

[0050] Furthermore, in other power supply devices according to this disclosure, in any of the above embodiments, the battery pack is a recyclable battery pack.

[0051] One aspect of this disclosure addresses the need for a power supply device that allows for easy fixing and disassembly of battery blocks during reuse. Other aspects address the need for a new power supply device, battery block, fixing structure, or method of manufacturing thereof. Furthermore, the description of these aspects does not preclude the existence of other aspects. Moreover, one aspect of this disclosure is not required to solve all of these aspects. Furthermore, other aspects can be extracted from the description, drawings, claims, etc.

[0052] The embodiments of this disclosure are described below based on the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments shown below are illustrative examples used to concretize the technical concept of this disclosure, and this disclosure is not limited to the following content. Furthermore, this specification does not limit the components shown in the claims to the components of the embodiments. In particular, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the constituent components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure unless specifically stated otherwise, and are merely illustrative examples. In addition, the size and positional relationships of the components shown in the drawings are sometimes exaggerated for clarity. Moreover, in the following description, the same name and reference numerals denote the same or homogeneous components, and detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted. Furthermore, the elements constituting this disclosure can be configured such that multiple elements are constituted using the same component and one component serves as multiple elements, or conversely, multiple components can be used to share and implement the function of one component.

[0053] The power supply device disclosed herein can be used as a backup power source for servers, a power supply device for home, business premises, and factories for fixed-type energy storage purposes; or as a power source for driving mobile devices such as electric mobility scooters, electric mini-motorcycles, and electric bicycles; or as a power source for portable electrical devices such as wireless phones, electric cleaners, and power tools; and further as a power source for driving vehicles such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. Hereinafter, as one embodiment of this disclosure, the power supply device used for energy storage will be described.

[0054] [Implementation Method 1]

[0055] Figures 1-10 The figures show the power supply device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the power supply device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 It means from Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the state after removing the upper casing 11. Figure 3 It means from Figure 2 An exploded 3D view showing the state after the end panel has been removed. Figure 4 It means from Figure 3 An exploded perspective view showing the state after the first fixing part 30 has been removed. Figure 5 It means from Figure 4 An exploded perspective view showing the state of the second fixing part 40 and battery block 20 near the front side removed. Figure 6 Viewed from below at an angle Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the power supply unit at 100°. Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line VII-VII with an enlarged view of the main part. Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view with enlarged views of the main parts at line VIII-VIII. Figure 9 yes Figure 1 Enlarged longitudinal section view of the main part at line IX-IX. Figure 10 yes Figure 1 The figures show a cross-sectional view at line XX. The power supply unit 100 shown in these figures includes a housing 10 and a battery assembly 2.

[0056] (Outer shell 10)

[0057] The outer casing 10 houses the battery assembly 2. The outer casing 10 can be any shape that allows for internal storage space. Figure 1 In the example shown, the outer shell 10 is formed as a thin box shape with an appearance that extends in one direction and has a height smaller than its width.

[0058] The outer casing 10 comprises an upper casing 11, a lower casing 12, and end panels. The end panels seal at least one of a pair of end faces formed by the lower casing 12 and the upper casing 11. Figures 2-3 , Figure 10 In the example shown, front covers 13 and 14 are used as end panels. The outer casing 10 is made of a metal component such as aluminum or its alloy, which has excellent strength and heat dissipation. Alternatively, it can be made of a resin component with excellent insulation properties, such as polycarbonate or PC-ABS alloy. Terminals for external connections are provided on the front cover 13. In addition, ventilation openings for introducing cooling air for cooling the interior of the outer casing 10 can be provided on both the front cover 13 and the rear cover 14.

[0059] Furthermore, the parts constituting the outer casing 10 are not limited to the examples shown in the figure, and may be divided into three or fewer parts or more than five parts. For example, the front cover 13 and the rear cover 14 may be integrally formed with the upper casing 11 and the lower casing 12. In addition, the shape and size of the outer casing 10 are not limited to the examples shown in the figure, and can be any shape such as a cube or an elongated prism.

[0060] like Figures 2-3 , Figure 10 As shown, an internal space for storing the battery assembly 2 is provided inside the outer casing 10. The battery assembly 2 is composed of multiple battery blocks 20. The multiple battery blocks 20 are arranged horizontally in a row. Figures 4-6 , Figure 10 In the example shown, the battery assembly 2 consists of four battery blocks 20. However, the number and arrangement of the battery blocks are not limited to the example shown; for example, any arrangement can be used, such as arranging multiple battery blocks along their length. Additionally, other battery blocks can be overlapped in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction in which the battery blocks 20 are arranged laterally, i.e., in a row.

[0061] Each battery block 20 is composed of multiple secondary battery cells 1. These multiple secondary battery cells 1 are connected in series and in parallel via lead plates. The number of series connections and the number of parallel connections can be arbitrarily set according to the required specifications. Each battery block 20 has multiple secondary battery cells 1. For example, the battery block 20 has a battery holder 21 for housing the secondary battery cells 1. Each battery holder 21 is provided with multiple independent storage tubes for housing the secondary battery cells 1. For example, each battery holder 21 can be divided into upper and lower parts, and the secondary battery cells 1 can be stored by using the storage tubes divided into two parts to clamp them from above and below. Such battery holders 21 can be made of resins such as polycarbonate with excellent insulation properties. Additionally, a circuit board 22 can be provided in each battery block as needed. The circuit board 22 is equipped with a charge / discharge circuit for charging and discharging the secondary battery cells 1, a protection circuit for monitoring the voltage and temperature of the secondary battery cells 1 and cutting off the current in case of abnormalities, etc. The circuit board 22 is made of glass epoxy board or the like. Additionally, a substrate holder can be provided to hold such a circuit board 22.

[0062] (Secondary battery unit 1)

[0063] Each secondary battery unit 1 can utilize secondary battery units with a cylindrical or square shape. Figure 7 , Figure 8In the example shown, the cylindrical secondary battery cells 1 are arranged in a staggered, vertical orientation. However, the number and configuration of the secondary battery cells 1 are not limited to this example; any number and configuration can be used appropriately. For example, the cylindrical secondary battery cells can also be arranged in a matrix.

[0064] Each secondary battery unit 1 has positive and negative electrodes. The positive and negative electrodes are preferably located on one end face of the secondary battery unit 1. The secondary battery unit 1 can appropriately utilize known secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-cadmium batteries.

[0065] (Fastening component 3)

[0066] Multiple battery blocks 20 are fixed to the housing 10 by means of fasteners 3. The fasteners 3 consist of a first fastening part 30 and a second fastening part 40. The first fastening part 30 is positioned across adjacent battery blocks 20 in the middle of the battery assembly 2, which is formed by arranging the multiple battery blocks 20 laterally. This first fastening part 30 is a common component for fixing multiple second fastening parts 40. On the other hand, the second fastening parts 40 are fastening fittings for fixing each battery block 20. Specifically, a portion of the second fastening part 40 is fixed to the first fastening part 30, and another portion of the second fastening part 40 is fixed to the housing 10. Each second fastening part 40 presses the periphery of each battery block 20 towards the housing 10 for retention. Based on this structure, as... Figure 5 As shown, the fastener 3 used to fix the battery assembly 2 to the outer casing 10 is divided into a first fixing part 30 spanning the battery blocks 20 and a second fixing part 40 for fixing by pressing around each battery block 20. Thus, by preparing the second fixing part 40 corresponding to the shape of the battery blocks 20, it is possible to fix battery blocks 20 of various shapes to the common outer casing 10.

[0067] Typically, battery packs have different shapes depending on their application and model. In such cases, the fasteners used to fix the battery packs to the housing also need to be specially designed according to the shape of the battery packs. In contrast, in the power supply device 100 of Embodiment 1, by dividing the fastener 3 into a first fastening part 30 and a second fastening part 40, and designing only the second fastening part 40 to correspond to the shape of the battery pack 20 to be fixed, the battery pack 20 can be fixed to the housing 10 using the common first fastening part 30.

[0068] (First fixed part 30)

[0069] Figure 11 and Figure 12The perspective view shows the first fixing part 30. As shown in these figures, the first fixing part 30 is a sheet metal extending in one direction, and the second fixing hole 33 for fixing the second fixing part 40 is separately provided in the first fixing part 30. Preferably, the sheet metal of the first fixing part 30 is bent into a downwardly convex shape to increase strength. The first fixing part 30, which is formed as a concave section, has a second fixing hole 33 in the central recess 31. On the other hand, a pair of first fixing part side fixing holes 34 for fixing to the upper housing 11 are respectively provided at a pair of ends 32 formed on both sides of the recess 31. Such a first fixing part 30 is made of a material with excellent strength, such as metals like SUS or SGCC, or resins like polycarbonate.

[0070] (Second fixed part 40)

[0071] like Figures 13A-13C As shown, the second fixing part 40 is formed in the shape of a Japanese "コ" (ko) with a first surface 41, a pair of second surfaces 42, and a pair of third surfaces 43. The first surface 41 has a first fixing hole 47 for fixing to the first fixing part 30. Furthermore, the pair of second surfaces 42 are bent from both sides of the first surface 41. The height of the second surfaces 42, i.e., the height ha of the second fixing part 40, is designed to be approximately equal to the height of the battery block 20 to which it is fixed. Moreover, the pair of third surfaces 43 are bent from the side of the pair of second surfaces 42 opposite to the first surface 41. Each third surface 43 has a third surface fixing hole 44 for fixing the second fixing part 40 to the outer casing 10. On the other hand, the lower casing 12 of the outer casing 10 has a casing fixing hole 15 for fixing to the third surface fixing hole 44. Figure 7 In the example of [example], the housing fixing hole 15 is a boss hole.

[0072] like Figure 7 As shown, the second fixing part 40 is fixed to the outer casing 10 by screwing the third fixing hole 44 of the third surface 43 into the casing fixing hole 15 while the first surface 41 and a pair of second surfaces 42 cover the periphery of each battery block 20. At this time, it is fixed by pressing the upper surface of the battery block 20 with the first surface 41. In other words, the second fixing part 40 is not screwed to the battery block 20, but is fixed by the friction caused by pressing. In this state, by fixing the first surface 41 to the first fixing part 30, the second fixing part 40 is fixed in a fixed position in a way that does not shift along the length direction of the battery block 20. With this structure, each battery block 20 can be pressed and fixed to the outer casing 10 while the second fixing part 40 covers the periphery of each battery block 20. In addition, when disassembling the battery block 20 from the outer casing 10, only the corresponding second fixing part 40 needs to be disassembled, and the other second fixing parts 40 can be kept as is without disassembling the battery assembly 2 as a whole to separate specific battery blocks 20.

[0073] This structure allows for easy replacement and maintenance of specific battery cells 20. For example, if only a portion of the battery cells deteriorate due to prolonged use of the power supply and require replacement, the desired battery cell can be replaced by simply inserting and removing it without disassembling the entire battery cell system. As an example, Figures 14-17 This describes the steps for replacing only the 20A battery pack near the front. First, as follows... Figure 14 As shown, remove the upper housing 11 and rear cover 14 of the outer casing 10. Next, as... Figure 15 As shown, the wiring harness of the battery block 20A near the front is disassembled, thereby releasing the screw connection between the second fixing part 40 and the first fixing part 30 that secures the battery block 20A near the front. Then, as... Figure 16 As shown, the second fixing part 40 is slid towards the rear cover 14 to pull it out, and then... Figure 17 As shown, the battery block 20A is slid towards the rear cover 14 to be pulled out. Alternatively, depending on the connection state, the second fixing part 40 and the battery block 20A can be slid towards the rear cover 14 simultaneously to be pulled out.

[0074] In the past, the fasteners that secured the battery pack to the housing were a single unit. Therefore, even when only a portion of the battery pack needed to be disassembled, the entire fastener had to be removed. However, in this embodiment, by dividing the fastener 3 into a first fastening portion 30 and a second fastening portion 40, the desired battery pack 20A can be separated by disassembling only the specific second fastening portion 40 while the first fastening portion 30 remains fixed to the other battery packs 20. As a result, the workability for tasks such as replacing or maintaining a portion of the battery pack is significantly improved.

[0075] Furthermore, the first fixing part 30 and the second fixing part 40 constituting the fixing member 3 do not have a structure for directly fixing to the battery block 20. By using the fixing member 3 to press the battery block 20 for fixing, without a structure for directly fixing the fixing member 3 to the battery block 20, even battery blocks of different shapes can be fixed, making it a structure that facilitates the reuse of battery blocks. In addition, the work of releasing the fixing state between the battery block 20 and the fixing member 3 when disassembling the battery block 20 is also simplified. On the other hand, in Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 In the example shown, the first fixing part 30 is fixed to the upper housing 11, and the second fixing part 40 is fixed to the lower housing 12, thereby preventing the fixing part 3 from shifting position.

[0076] In the above example, an example is described in which the front cover 13 side is fixed and the rear cover 14 side is removed so that the second fixing part 40 and the battery block 20 can be pulled out to the rear cover 14 side. However, it is not limited to this structure. For example, the front cover 13 side can also be removed so that the second fixing part 40 and the battery block 20 can be pulled out to the front cover 13 side.

[0077] Furthermore, the electrical connection of each battery block 20 is preferably made on each battery block 20, so that... Figure 15 When disconnecting wiring harnesses from battery block 20, it is possible to disconnect only the wiring of the corresponding battery block 20 while minimizing impact on the wiring of other battery blocks. Figure 10 In the example shown, the power lines of each battery cell 20 are connected to the busbars independently along the length of the battery cell 20. This structure allows for the removal of wiring harnesses and connectors on a per-battery cell basis, enabling replacements with minimal impact on other battery cells.

[0078] Furthermore, in the example above, a fixing member 3 is provided at the middle of the battery block 20 along its length, but multiple fixing members can also be provided along the length of the battery block. In particular, in the case of a long strip battery block, stability is achieved by fixing it at multiple separate locations. Additionally, the battery block can also be constructed by connecting multiple sub-blocks along its length. In this case, it is not necessary to use a fixing member to fix the middle of the sub-block along its length. Depending on the length and number of sub-blocks, it is also possible to use a fixing member to fix the ends of the sub-blocks. Thus, the middle of the battery block, which indicates the position where the battery block is fixed by a fixing member, is not necessarily limited to the center along the length of the battery block, but varies depending on the way the battery block is constructed; it refers to a position that can be stably fixed according to the configuration of the battery block.

[0079] The second fixing part 40 may also be provided with ribs 45 at the interface between the first surface 41 and the second surface 42, or at the interface between the second surface 42 and the third surface 43, as needed. By providing ribs 45, an additional surface for pressing the battery block 20 is added. Furthermore, the interface is reinforced by the ribs 45. This allows for limiting the setting direction and can also be used for positioning, etc. Figures 13A-13C In the example shown, at the interface between the first surface 41 and the second surface 42, a portion of the second surface 42 is partially bent to form a rib 45.

[0080] In addition, the shape of the ribs is not limited to Figures 13A-13C Examples such as those mentioned above can also be used to appropriately utilize other shapes that can strengthen the second fixing part. Furthermore, the rib is not limited to one location and can be provided in multiple locations. For example, in the above-mentioned... Figures 13A-13CIn the example shown, a second rib 48A is also provided on the third surface 43. Besides reinforcing the third surface 43, the second rib 48A can also be used to specify the orientation, positioning, etc. Furthermore, in this example, the second rib 48A is provided only on the third surface 43 on the left side of the diagram in a pair of third surfaces 43, but this structure is not limited to this.

[0081] For example, Figures 21A to 21C Examples of the second fixing part of the power supply device in Modification 1 are shown. In these figures, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those in the embodiments described above, and detailed descriptions are omitted where appropriate. The second fixing part 40C shown in these figures has a second rib 48C provided on the third surface 43C on the right side of the figure. Alternatively, second ribs may be provided on the third surfaces on both sides.

[0082] As yet another example, Figures 22A to 22C This figure shows an example of the second fixing part of the power supply device in Modification 2. In these figures, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the above-described embodiments and modifications, and detailed descriptions are omitted where appropriate. For the second fixing part 40C shown in these figures, the rib 45D provided at the interface between the first surface 41D and the second surface 42D is bent in the opposite direction to the engagement direction of the first surface 41D and the second surface 42D to form a step. This structure also improves the strength of the interface between the first surface 41D and the second surface 42D.

[0083] Furthermore, when each of the second fixing parts 40 is fixed to the lower housing 12, adjacent battery blocks 20 can share threaded holes for screwing. Figure 7 In the example above, the third-side fixing holes 44 on opposite sides of each second fixing part 40 of the battery block 20 constituting the battery assembly 2 are overlapped and fixed to the housing fixing holes 15. With this structure, the housing fixing holes 15 can be shared, and the third surfaces 43 can be overlapped and fastened together, so that the fixing work between adjacent battery blocks 20 can be shared, thereby saving effort.

[0084] The first fixing part 30 is preferably fixed to the upper housing 11. Figure 6 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 In the example, the first fixing part 30 has a first fixing part side fixing hole 34 for fixing to the upper housing 11. The first fixing part side fixing hole 34 is respectively formed at a pair of end 32 along the length direction of the first fixing part 30. On the other hand, an upper housing side fixing hole 16 is formed on the upper housing 11 side for fixing to the first fixing part side fixing hole 34. Figure 6 , Figure 8As shown, the upper housing side fixing hole 16 of the upper housing 11 is aligned with the first fixing part side fixing hole 34 of the first fixing part 30, and fixed by screwing.

[0085] [Implementation Method 2]

[0086] As described above, the second fixing part constituting the fixing member can be configured in different ways depending on the specifications of the battery pack. For example, Figure 18 , Figures 19A-19C The figure shows the fixing member 3B of the power supply device 200 in embodiment 2. In these figures, Figure 18 This is an exploded perspective view showing the power supply device 200 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 19A yes Figure 18 A perspective view of the second fixing part 40B. Figure 19B This is a 3D view taken from a slightly lower angle. Figure 19C These are sectional views. Furthermore, in these figures, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in Embodiment 1 above, and detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted. In particular, the outer casing 10 and the first fixing part 30 are the same as in Embodiment 1. However, Figure 18 Battery block 20B and Figure 3 Compared to the battery block 20 of the power supply device 100 in Embodiment 1 shown, its height is slightly lower. Therefore, utilizing Figures 13A-13C The second fixing part 40B shown cannot properly fix the battery block. Therefore, as a dedicated second fixing part, a... Figures 19A-19C The second fixing part 40B shown is used to replace Figures 13A-13C The second fixing part is shown.

[0087] (Prominent part 46)

[0088] Figures 19A-19C The second fixing part 40B shown is also formed in the shape of a Japanese character "コ" (ko) with a first surface 41B, a second surface 42B, and a third surface 43B. The height of the second surface 42B is designed to be the same as... Figure 18 The battery blocks 20B shown are approximately the same height as the objects to be fixed. Therefore, the third fixing hole 44 of the third surface 43B can be screwed into the housing fixing hole 15 of the lower housing 12, and the battery blocks 20B can be fixed by pressing down with the first surface 41B.

[0089] On the other hand, the second fixing part 40B has a stepped protrusion 46 on its first surface 41B. A third-surface fixing hole 44 is provided in this protrusion 46 as a threaded hole for screwing the first fixing part 30 into place. Additionally, as... Figure 19C As shown, the height hb from the protrusion 46 to the third surface 43B, i.e., the height hb of the second fixing part 40B, is... Figure 13CIn the power supply device 100 of Embodiment 1, the height ha of the second fixing part 40 is the same. According to this structure, battery blocks 20B of different sizes can be appropriately fixed to the outer casing 10 while using the outer casing 10 and the first fixing part 30 of the power supply device 100 of Embodiment 1. That is, by varying the height of the protrusion 46 according to the height of the battery block to be fixed, differences in battery block height can be absorbed, and the battery blocks can be fixed using a common outer casing and the first fixing part.

[0090] Furthermore, needless to say, the shape of the ribs can also be appropriately modified in the second fixing part 40B. For example, Figures 23A-23C This illustrates an example of the second fixing part of the power supply device in Modification 3. In these figures, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the aforementioned embodiments and modifications, and detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted. For the second fixing part 40E shown in these figures, the rib 45E is bent in the opposite direction to the engagement direction of the first surface 41E and the second surface 42E, as in Modification 2, to form a step. This structure improves the strength of the interface between the first surface 41E and the second surface 42E. Furthermore, the height of the second fixing part 40E can be changed by adjusting the height of the step portion formed by the rib 45. In this case, the rib 45 can also be used to perform the height adjustment function of the second fixing part based on the protrusion, for example, as... Figures 22A to 22C As shown, the protrusion can also be omitted.

[0091] In this way, even for battery blocks of different specifications, it is not necessary to prepare dedicated fasteners separately; the problem can be solved by simply changing a second fastener that is smaller than the original fastener. According to this structure, battery blocks of different specifications can be used inexpensively through the sharing of components. In particular, it is effective for the reuse of battery blocks. From the perspective of addressing the SDGs in recent years, the effective use of reusable components has been emphasized, and the amount of battery material is a particularly high-demand area due to limited resources. For example, scenarios can be considered where secondary battery cells that have reached the end of their lifespan after being used for one purpose can be used for other purposes. As an example, for server backup power supplies, the specified service life ends when they are hardly used. Such power supplies can often still be used for other purposes. When such usable batteries are to be used for other purposes, it is possible to replace the outer casing 10 with one of a different shape than the original outer casing 10, depending on the shape required for each purpose. In this case, it is usually necessary to design dedicated fasteners for each one, but according to this embodiment, it is possible to solve the problem by dividing the fastener into multiple components and replacing only one of the divided components, thus gaining the advantage of being able to inexpensively repurpose them for reuse specifications. In addition, as mentioned above, the replacement of some battery cells has become easier, which is also beneficial in terms of improving maintainability.

[0092] (Panel 50)

[0093] In addition to the structure of fixing each battery block 20 to the outer casing 10 using the fastener 3, a structure can also be added to directly fix each battery block 20 to the outer casing 10 using screws or the like. For example, each battery block 20 can also be fixed to the tray 50 and fixed to the lower casing using the threaded holes provided at both ends of the tray 50 by screws or the like.

[0094] For example, in Figure 20 In the power supply device 200 shown, a tray 50 is positioned between each of the plurality of battery blocks 20 and the lower housing 12. Each tray 50 has tray fixing holes 52 for fixing to the housing 10 at least at both ends in the longitudinal direction. With this structure, even if the holes for fixing to the housing 10 are not provided on the side of the battery block 20, it is possible to fix it to the housing 10 by means of the tray. In addition, by independently placing the battery blocks 20 on the tray, the following advantages can be obtained: the interface between the tray and the housing 10 can be flat, making it easy to slide when pulling out of the housing 10. Moreover, the housing can be shared, and it also helps to provide freedom in the arrangement of the battery blocks. When deciding which side of the battery block faces the axis of rotation such as the top and bottom surfaces of the housing, even if the battery block is provided with holes for fixing to the housing, it is sometimes impossible to set it in that orientation depending on the position of the substrate, wiring harness, etc. Even in such cases, by using the tray, the tray can be fixed to the housing regardless of the rotational position and orientation of the battery block.

[0095] In the above examples, a power supply device is installed on the electrical equipment being driven to supply power to the equipment. When the remaining capacity of the power supply device decreases or deteriorates over time, the power supply device can be replaced and the electrical equipment can continue to be used. However, this disclosure does not limit the power supply device to a replaceable type that primarily houses a secondary battery unit; it can also be applied to a type where the secondary battery unit is housed within the housing of the electrical equipment. In this disclosure, the power supply device only needs to house the secondary battery unit within the housing; a structure where the secondary battery unit for driving is built into the housing of the electrical equipment itself is also included in the power supply device. That is, this disclosure is not limited to replaceable power supply devices, but can also be applied to electrical equipment with a built-in secondary battery unit.

[0096] Industrial availability

[0097] The power supply device disclosed herein can be appropriately used as a backup power supply for servers, a power supply device for home use, business premises use, or factory use for fixed-type energy storage purposes, or as a power supply for driving mobile devices such as electric mobility scooters, electric mini-motorcycles, and electric bicycles, or as a power supply for portable electrical devices such as wireless phones, electric cleaners, and power tools, and further as a power supply for driving vehicles such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles.

[0098] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0099] 100, 200, Power supply unit; 1, Secondary battery unit; 2, Battery assembly; 3, 3B, Fixing member; 10, Outer shell; 11, Upper shell; 12, Lower shell; 13, Front cover; 14, Rear cover; 15, Shell fixing hole; 16, Upper shell side fixing hole; 20, 20A, 20B, Battery block; 21, Battery holder; 22, Circuit board; 30, First fixing part; 31, Recess; 32, End; 33, Second fixing hole; 34, First fixing Side fixing holes; 40, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, second fixing part; 41, 41B, 41D, 41E, first surface; 42, 42B, 42D, 42E, second surface; 43, 43B, 43C, third surface; 44, third surface fixing hole; 45, 45D, rib; 46, protrusion; 47, first fixing hole; 48A, 48C, second rib; 50, tray; 52, tray fixing hole; ha, hb, height of the second fixing part.

Claims

1. A power supply device comprising: Multiple battery blocks, each containing multiple secondary battery cells; A housing that houses the plurality of battery cells arranged in a horizontal manner; and A fastener is used to secure the plurality of battery blocks to the housing. in, The horizontally arranged battery blocks constitute a battery assembly. The fastener includes: A first fixing part is disposed in the middle of the battery assembly, spanning adjacent battery blocks among the plurality of battery blocks; and A plurality of second fixing parts, each having a portion fixed to the first fixing part and another portion fixed to the outer casing, the plurality of second fixing parts pressing and holding the plurality of battery blocks toward the outer casing side respectively.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of second fixed parts are respectively formed in the cross-sectional shape of the Japanese character "コ" having a first surface, a pair of second surfaces, and a pair of third surfaces. The pair of second surfaces are bent from both sides of the first surface. The pair of third faces are each bent from the side of the pair of second faces opposite to the first face. The power supply device is configured such that the first surface of each of the plurality of second fixing parts is fixed to the first fixing part, and the third surface of each of the plurality of second fixing parts is fixed to the outer casing while the first surface of each of the plurality of second fixing parts and the pair of second surfaces cover the area around each battery block.

3. The power supply device according to claim 2, wherein, The outer shell includes: Lower housing; An upper housing that seals the upper surface of the lower housing; and An end panel that blocks at least one of a pair of end faces formed by the lower and upper housings. The first fixing part is fixed to the upper housing. The plurality of second fixing parts are fixed to the lower housing.

4. The power supply device according to claim 2, wherein, Each of the plurality of second fixing parts has a third fixing hole on its third surface. The outer shell is provided with a shell fixing hole for fixing the third surface. The third-side fixing holes of the second fixing parts of each battery block that are fixed between adjacent battery blocks in the plurality of battery blocks constituting the battery assembly overlap and are fixed to the housing fixing holes.

5. The power supply device according to claim 2, wherein, The plurality of second fixing parts each have a stepped protrusion on the first surface. A third fixing hole is provided on the protrusion for the first fixing part to be screwed in.

6. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein, The power supply device also includes a tray, which is located between each of the plurality of battery cells and the outer casing, and is on the side opposite to the side where the first fixing part is provided. The tray is provided with tray fixing holes at at least at both ends in the length direction for fixing to the outer shell.

7. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The first fixing part and the plurality of second fixing parts do not have a structure for direct fixing to the plurality of battery blocks.

8. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The plurality of battery blocks are recyclable battery blocks.

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