Electricity storage device and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a power storage device and a vehicle. The power storage device includes: a power storage module including a plurality of power storage cells; a housing case that houses the power storage module; a bus bar module provided in the accommodating case and electrically connecting the plurality of power storage cells; and a biasing member that improves close contact between the plurality of power storage cells and the bus bar module. Since the biasing member improves close contact between the plurality of power storage cells and the bus bar module, a contact state between the power storage cells and the bus bar may be improved.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This non-provisional application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-195241, filed with the Japan Patent Office on November 7, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to an energy storage device and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0004] Traditionally, various energy storage devices have been proposed. For example, the energy storage device described in Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 116686151 includes a housing and a plurality of energy storage cells housed within the housing. Each energy storage cell includes a cell housing and positive electrode external terminals and negative electrode external terminals disposed on the lower surface of the cell housing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In the aforementioned energy storage device, a busbar for electrically connecting the energy storage cells is disposed on the lower surface of the energy storage cells.

[0006] Here, when the contact condition between the battery cell and the busbar deteriorates, the electrical connection of the battery cell will be broken.

[0007] This disclosure is made in response to the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an energy storage device and vehicle that can improve the contact state between the energy storage cell and the busbar.

[0008] An energy storage device includes: an energy storage module comprising a plurality of individual energy storage cells; a housing housing the energy storage module; a busbar module disposed in the housing housing and electrically connected to the plurality of individual energy storage cells; and a biasing member improving the tight contact between the plurality of individual energy storage cells and the busbar module.

[0009] In the energy storage device, the biasing member is disposed adjacent to the energy storage module, the busbar module is disposed on the opposite side of the biasing member relative to the energy storage module, and the biasing member biases the energy storage module toward the busbar module.

[0010] The biasing member includes: a first plate portion disposed adjacent to the energy storage module; a second plate portion disposed spaced apart from the first plate portion; and an intermediate member disposed between the first plate portion and the second plate portion and elastically deformable, and forming a coolant channel through which coolant can flow between the first plate portion and the second plate portion.

[0011] The energy storage device also includes an elastic member disposed between the energy storage module and the biasing member.

[0012] The busbar module is located below the energy storage module, and the biasing member is located on the upper surface of the energy storage module.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of a vehicle 2 having an energy storage device 1 mounted thereon.

[0015] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing the energy storage device 1.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the battery cell 30.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a plan view showing the cooling device 12, etc.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the cooling device 12.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the insulating plate 24, the busbar module 29, and a battery cell 30.

[0020] Figure 7 It is along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view taken from line VII-VII is shown.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing the energy storage device 1A.

[0022] Figure 9 This is an exploded perspective view showing the biasing member 14A.

[0023] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view showing the energy storage device 1B according to the second variant.

[0024] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view showing the energy storage device 1C.

[0025] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing the battery cell 30C. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding components will be indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of a vehicle 2 having an energy storage device 1 mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle 2 includes a vehicle body 3. The vehicle body 3 includes a floor panel 4, which is disposed at the bottom of the vehicle body 3. The floor panel 4 separates the exterior space and interior space of the vehicle. Furthermore, the energy storage device 1 is disposed on the lower surface of the floor panel 4. It should be noted that the vehicle body 3 includes a pair of side beams (not shown), which are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction and are formed to extend in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Additionally, the energy storage device 1 is fixed to the side beams.

[0028] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing the energy storage device 1. It should be noted that... Figure 2 In the diagram, the width direction W represents the width of the energy storage device 1, and also the width of the vehicle 2. The front-to-back direction L represents the front-to-back direction of the energy storage device 1, and also the front-to-back direction of the vehicle 2. The vertical direction H represents the vertical direction.

[0029] The energy storage device 1 includes a housing 10, an energy storage module 11, a cooling device 12, an electrical device 13, a biasing component 14, and a busbar module 29.

[0030] The housing 10 includes a lower housing 15, an upper housing 16, an insulating plate 17, and a shear plate 18.

[0031] The lower housing 15 is formed to open upwards. The upper housing 16 is fixed to the lower housing 15 to close the opening of the lower housing 15. The lower housing 15 includes a base plate 20, a peripheral wall 21, partition walls 22 and 23, and an insulating plate 24.

[0032] The base plate 20 is plate-shaped. The peripheral wall 21 is formed along the outer peripheral edge of the base plate 20 and extends upward from the outer peripheral edge of the base plate 20. The peripheral wall 21 is annular in shape.

[0033] The peripheral wall 21 includes side wall 25, side wall 26, end plate 27 and end plate 28.

[0034] Sidewalls 25 and 26 are arranged in the width direction W, and sidewalls 25 and 26 are formed to extend in the front-rear direction L.

[0035] End plates 27 and 28 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction L, and are formed to extend in the width direction W. End plate 27 connects one end of side wall 25 and one end of side wall 26, and end plate 28 connects one end of side wall 25 and one end of side wall 26.

[0036] It should be noted that each of the side wall 25, side wall 26, end plate 27 and end plate 28 is provided with a fixing member described later, and each fixing member is fixed to the vehicle body 3.

[0037] Partition walls 22 and 23 are disposed in the area surrounded by the base plate 20 and the peripheral wall 21. Partition wall 22 is disposed adjacent to the end plate 27 and is formed to extend in the width direction W.

[0038] The partition wall 23 is configured to be spaced apart from the end plate 28 in the front-to-back direction L. The partition wall 23 is also configured to extend in the width direction W.

[0039] End plate 28 is provided with breathable membranes 19A and 19B. Breathable membranes 19A and 19B are waterproof and breathable membranes, for example, breathable membranes 19A and 19B are made of Gore-Tex (registered trademark) technical fabric, etc.

[0040] The insulating plate 17 is fixed to the lower surface of the base plate 20, and a plurality of openings 17a are formed in the insulating plate 17.

[0041] Multiple openings 20a are also formed in the base plate 20. In addition, openings 20a and openings 17a are arranged together in the vertical direction.

[0042] A shear panel 18 is disposed below the insulating plate 17, and the outer peripheral edge of the shear panel 18 is fixed to the lower surface of the base plate 20. Furthermore, the shear panel 18 is formed to cover the lower surface of the insulating plate 17 and the base plate 20.

[0043] The energy storage module 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the insulating plate 24. The electrical device 13 is disposed between the partition wall 23 and the end plate 28.

[0044] The energy storage module 11 includes a plurality of energy storage cells 30. The plurality of energy storage cells 30 are arranged in the front-to-back direction L and also in the width direction W.

[0045] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the battery cell 30. The battery cell 30 includes a cell housing 31, an electrode body 32, a first external terminal 33, and a second external terminal 34. The cell housing 31 includes a top plate 35, a bottom plate 36, and a peripheral wall 37. The peripheral wall 37 is formed to connect the top plate 35 and the bottom plate 36.

[0046] The electrode body 32 is disposed in the single-unit housing 31. The first external terminal 33 and the second external terminal 34 are disposed on the base plate 36 and are spaced apart from each other.

[0047] Additionally, a smoke exhaust valve 38 is formed on the base plate 36, and the smoke exhaust valve 38 is disposed between the first external terminal 33 and the second external terminal 34.

[0048] The first external terminal 33 also enters the monomer housing 31 and is connected to the first electrode of the electrode body 32. The second external terminal 34 enters the monomer housing 31 and is connected to the second electrode of the electrode body 32.

[0049] Figure 4 It is a plan view showing the cooling device 12, etc., and Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the cooling device 12.

[0050] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The cooling device 12 includes a heat exchanger 60 and a coolant pipe 61. The heat exchanger 60 includes a plurality of heat exchange plates 62 and heat exchange plates 63.

[0051] The plurality of heat exchange plates 62 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the front-to-back direction L. Each heat exchange plate 62 is arranged to extend in the width direction W.

[0052] Multiple energy storage cells 30 are arranged in the width direction W between heat exchange plates 62 that are adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction L. In the heat exchange plates 62, multiple coolant channels are formed to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction H.

[0053] The coolant pipe 61 is disposed in the housing 10, and the coolant pipe 61 includes a supply pipe 65 and a discharge pipe 66.

[0054] The supply pipe 65 is connected to the supply section 64A, and the supply section 64A is inserted into the insertion hole formed in the end plate 27 and fixed to the end plate 27. The supply pipe 65 includes a main supply pipe 67A, a main supply pipe 67B, and branch pipes 67C, 67D, and 67E.

[0055] The main supply pipe 67A is disposed between the partition wall 22 and the end plate 27, and is configured to extend in the width direction W. The main supply pipe 67A is formed to extend toward the side wall 25.

[0056] The main supply pipe 67B is connected to the end of the main supply pipe 67A and is formed to extend along the sidewall 25 in the front-rear direction L.

[0057] Multiple heat exchange plates 62, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction L, are connected to branch pipe 67C. Similarly, multiple heat exchange plates 62, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction L, are also connected to each of branch pipes 67D and 67E.

[0058] The heat exchange plate 63 is connected to the end of the main supply pipe 67B on the end plate 28 side. The heat exchange plate 63 is disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 20, between the partition wall 23 and the end plate 28. It should be noted that an insulating plate is disposed between the heat exchange plate 63 and the base plate 20. An electrical device 13 is disposed on the upper surface of the heat exchange plate 63. The electrical device 13 includes, for example, a battery ECU, a junction box, etc.

[0059] The discharge pipe 66 includes a main discharge pipe 68A, a main discharge pipe 68B, and branch pipes 68C, 68D, and 68E.

[0060] The discharge pipe 66 is connected to the discharge section 64B, and the discharge section 64B is inserted into the insertion hole formed in the end plate 27 and fixed to the end plate 27. The insertion holes are spaced apart from each other in the width direction W.

[0061] The main discharge pipe 68A is disposed between the partition wall 22 and the end plate 27, and is configured to extend in the width direction W. The main discharge pipe 68A is formed to extend toward the side wall 26.

[0062] The main discharge pipe 68B is connected to the end of the main discharge pipe 68A and is formed to extend along the side wall 26.

[0063] Branch pipes 68C, 68D, and 68E are located below the main discharge pipe 68B and are connected to the main supply pipe 67B. Branch pipes 68C, 68D, and 68E are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction L.

[0064] A plurality of heat exchange plates 62, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction L, are connected to branch pipe 68C. Similarly, a plurality of heat exchange plates 62, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction L, are also connected to each of branch pipes 68D and 68E. Heat exchange plate 63 is connected to the end of main discharge pipe 68B on the end plate 28 side.

[0065] It should be noted that, such as Figure 4 As shown, fixing members 77A and 77B protruding in the longitudinal direction L are provided on the outer surface of the end plate 27. Fixing members 78A and 78B are also provided on the outer surface of the end plate 28. Similarly, fixing member 73 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 25, and fixing member 74 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 26. In addition, each fixing member is fixed to the vehicle body 3 by fastening member (not shown).

[0066] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the insulating plate 24, the busbar module 29, and a battery cell 30.

[0067] The insulating plate 24 includes a plate body 40 and a plurality of closed strips 41. The plate body 40 is formed in a plate shape. The plate body 40 includes an upper surface 42 and a lower surface 43, and a plurality of openings 24a are formed in the plate body 40. It should be noted that the openings 24a penetrate the plate body 40 to reach the upper surface 42 and the lower surface 43. The plurality of openings 24a are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction L and the width direction W.

[0068] Multiple grooves 44 are formed in the upper surface 42 of the plate body 40. The multiple grooves 44 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction L and in the width direction W. It should be noted that in the width direction W, each groove 44 is formed to pass between the other two grooves 44.

[0069] The closing band 41 includes a band portion 45 extending in the front-rear direction L and a plurality of closing portions 46 formed on the lower surface of the band portion 45. The closing band 41 is provided on the upper surface 42 of the plate body 40 and is configured to close a plurality of openings 24a arranged in the front-rear direction L. In addition, each closing portion 46 is provided in an opening 24a.

[0070] Busbar module 29 includes multiple busbars 50. Each busbar 50 is disposed in each recess 44 and each busbar 50 is fixed to the board body 40. It should be noted that each busbar 50 is made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0071] A battery cell 30 is disposed on the upper surface of the busbar module 29. The first external terminal 33 of the battery cell 30 is disposed on the upper surface of one busbar 50, and its second external terminal 34 is disposed on the upper surface of another busbar 50. Furthermore, by disposing of the plurality of battery cells 30 on the upper surface of the busbar module 29, battery cells 30 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction L are connected in series.

[0072] Here, the exhaust valve 38 in the battery cell 30, the opening 24a in the main body 40, the opening 20a in the lower housing 15, and the opening 17a in the insulating plate 17 are arranged along the vertical direction H. Therefore, the high-temperature gas discharged from the exhaust valve 38 passes through these openings and is discharged to the outside of the housing 10.

[0073] Figure 7 It is along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view taken from line VII-VII is shown. (Refer to...) Figure 7 and Figure 6 A fixing member 77 is formed at the end plate 27. Furthermore, the fixing member 77 is secured to the vehicle body 3 by a plurality of fastening members 79. It should be noted that the fixing member 77, the end plate 27, and the partition wall 22 include hollow portions formed therein.

[0074] The biasing member 14 is disposed on the side opposite to the busbar module 29 relative to the energy storage module 11. In addition, the biasing member 14 is disposed between the energy storage module 11 and the upper housing 16.

[0075] The biasing member 14 includes a plate portion 51, a plate portion 52, and a plurality of intermediate members 53. The plate portion 51 is disposed on the upper surface of the energy storage module 11. The plate portion 52 is disposed upwardly spaced from the plate portion 51. The plurality of intermediate members 53 are disposed spaced apart from each other between the plate portions 51 and 52.

[0076] The plurality of intermediate members 53 are arranged in an array, spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction L and the width direction W. It should be noted that, for example, each intermediate member 53 is welded to the plate portion 52. It should also be noted that each intermediate member 53 is, for example, a coil spring. Therefore, the intermediate members 53 are configured to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction.

[0077] According to the energy storage device 1 configured as described above, the bias force of a plurality of intermediate components 53 is applied to the energy storage module 11 through the plate portion 51.

[0078] When a bias force is applied to the energy storage module 11, the energy storage cell 30 presses against the busbar module 29. This improves the tight contact between the energy storage cell 30 and the busbar module 29, and also improves the electrical connection between them.

[0079] It should be noted that when assembling the above-mentioned energy storage device 1, the insulating plate 24 is set in Figure 2 The upper surface of the base plate 20 is then provided. The busbar module 29 is thus disposed within the lower housing 15. Next, the energy storage module 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the busbar module 29. Thus, the energy storage cells 30 are electrically connected to each other. Then, a biasing member 14 is disposed on the upper surface of the energy storage module 11, and the upper housing 16 is fixed to the lower housing 15. Thus, the biasing member 14 ensures close contact between the energy storage module 11 and the busbar module 29.

[0080] As another assembly method, for example, the busbar module 29 is attached to the energy storage module 11. For example, the first external terminal 33 and the second external terminal 34 of each energy storage cell 30 and the busbar 50 can be welded or fastened by fastening members such as bolts and nuts.

[0081] Subsequently, a busbar module 29 having a power storage module 11 fastened to the busbar module is mounted on the insulating plate 17. At this time, each busbar 50 is mounted in a groove 44 of the insulating plate 17.

[0082] Subsequently, the biasing member 14 is disposed on the upper surface of the energy storage module 11. Then, the upper housing 16 is fixed to the lower housing 15. This improves the tight contact between the busbar module 29 and the energy storage module 11.

[0083] (First variant)

[0084] Will use Figure 8 and Figure 9 The energy storage device 1A according to the first variant is described. The energy storage device 1A is configured as described above. Except for the configuration of the biasing member, the configuration of the energy storage device 1A is the same as that of the energy storage device 1.

[0085] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing the energy storage device 1A. The energy storage device 1A includes a biasing member 14A. The biasing member 14A includes a plate portion 51A, a plate portion 52A, and an intermediate member 53A.

[0086] Figure 9 This is an exploded perspective view showing the biasing member 14A. In the intermediate member 53A, a plurality of recesses and protrusions extending in the width direction W are formed. It should be noted that each of the recesses and protrusions is formed by an inclined portion 55, an inclined portion 56, and a base 57A or 57B. An air supply pipe 58 and an exhaust pipe 59 are connected to the biasing member 14A. It should be noted that a fan or the like is connected to the air supply pipe 58, and a coolant, such as air, is supplied to the biasing member 14A, for example, from the air supply pipe 58. The coolant flowing through the biasing member 14A is then discharged from the exhaust pipe 59 to the outside of the energy storage device 1.

[0087] like Figure 8 As shown, a plurality of coolant channels 54 are formed by sandwiching the intermediate member 53A between the plate portion 51A and the plate portion 52A. Coolant supplied from the air supply pipe 58 flows through the coolant channels 54.

[0088] Similarly, in the energy storage device 1A configured as described above, the biasing member 14A is formed to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction H. Therefore, also in the energy storage device 1A, the biasing member 14A allows the energy storage module 11 to be in close contact with the busbar module 29. Furthermore, the energy storage module 11 can be cooled by the coolant flowing through the coolant channel 54.

[0089] It should be noted that a liquid coolant can be used as the coolant flowing through the bias member 14A. In this case, plate portion 51A includes a base plate and an annular sidewall, the annular sidewall being formed in an annular shape and rising upward from the outer peripheral edge of the base plate, and plate portion 52A is welded to the annular sidewall. Also in this case, the base plate of plate portion 51A and plate portion 52A are deformed into a warped shape, and the intermediate member 53A is also elastically deformed, thereby allowing a bias force to be applied to the energy storage module 11.

[0090] Furthermore, the cooling performance of the energy storage module 11 can be improved by cooling the upper surface of the energy storage module 11 and the side surface of the energy storage cell 30.

[0091] It should be noted that the intermediate component 53A can be configured such that the coolant channel 54 extends in the longitudinal direction L. In this case, the direction in which the coolant flows through the heat exchange plate 62 of the cooling device 12 intersects with the direction in which the coolant flows through the coolant channel 54, and the energy storage module 11 can be cooled uniformly.

[0092] (Second variant)

[0093] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view showing the energy storage device 1B according to the second variant. In the energy storage device 1B, the components, except for the elastic member 75, are the same as those in the energy storage device 1.

[0094] In the energy storage device 1B, an elastic member 75 is disposed between the bias member 14 and the energy storage module 11. It should be noted that the elastic member 75 is, for example, elastic rubber.

[0095] Because the elastic member 75 is disposed between the energy storage module 11 and the bias member 14, the bias force from the bias member 14 can be easily and evenly distributed to the energy storage module 11. As a result, it is possible to suppress the situation where there are energy storage cells 30 that do not receive bias force from the bias member 14.

[0096] (Third variant)

[0097] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view showing the energy storage device 1C. The energy storage device 1C includes an energy storage module 11, a biasing member 14C, and a busbar module 29C. The energy storage module 11 includes multiple energy storage cells 30C.

[0098] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing the battery cell 30C. The battery cell 30C includes a cell housing 31C, an electrode body 32C, a first external terminal 33C, and a second external terminal 34C.

[0099] The smoke exhaust valve 38C is formed on the base plate 36C of the single housing 31C, and the first external terminal 33C and the second external terminal 34C are disposed on the top plate 35C.

[0100] exist Figure 11 In this configuration, the busbar module 29C includes multiple busbars 50C disposed on the insulating plate 70C. Furthermore, a biasing member 14C is disposed between the energy storage module 11 and the insulating plate 24.

[0101] The biasing member 14C includes a plate portion 51C, a plate portion 52C, and an intermediate member 53C. An opening 71 is formed in the plate portion 51C of the biasing member 14C, and an opening 72 is formed in its plate portion 52C. Furthermore, a smoke exhaust valve 38C is provided above the opening 71. Additionally, an opening 20a is provided below the opening 72.

[0102] Similarly, in the aforementioned energy storage device 1C, the biasing member 14C presses the energy storage module 11 against the busbar module 29C, and can improve the tight contact between the energy storage module 11 and the busbar module 29C.

[0103] Furthermore, the high-temperature gas discharged from the exhaust valve 38C in the battery cell 30C passes through openings 71, 72, and 20a, and is discharged into the space between the shear panel 18 and the insulating plate 17. It should be noted that a portion communicating with the outside of the battery storage device 1C is formed in the space between the shear panel 18 and the insulating plate 17, and the high-temperature gas is discharged to the outside of the battery storage device 1C from this portion.

[0104] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in every respect and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the scope of the claims and is intended to include any variations within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An energy storage device, comprising: The energy storage module includes multiple energy storage cells; A housing that houses the energy storage module; A busbar module is disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; as well as A biasing member that improves the tight contact between the plurality of battery cells and the busbar module.

2. An energy storage device, comprising: The energy storage module includes multiple energy storage cells; A housing that houses the energy storage module; A busbar module is disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; as well as A biasing member is disposed on the side opposite to the busbar module relative to the energy storage module, wherein... The biasing component biases the energy storage module toward the busbar module.

3. The energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The biasing component is disposed adjacent to the energy storage module. The busbar module is positioned on the opposite side of the bias member relative to the energy storage module, and The biasing component biases the energy storage module toward the busbar module.

4. The energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The biasing component includes: The first plate is disposed adjacent to the energy storage module. A second plate portion, the second plate portion being configured to be spaced apart from the first plate portion; and An intermediate member, disposed between the first plate portion and the second plate portion, and elastically deformable, and The intermediate member forms a coolant channel between the first plate and the second plate, through which coolant can flow.

5. The energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2 further includes an elastic member disposed between the energy storage module and the biasing member.

6. The energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The busbar module is located below the energy storage module, and The biasing member is disposed on the upper surface of the energy storage module.

7. A vehicle comprising an energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The vehicle includes a vehicle body, the vehicle body including a floor panel, and The energy storage device is disposed on the lower surface of the floor panel.

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