Welding device and method of manufacturing power storage device

Abstract

The present application relates to a welding device and a method for manufacturing an electricity storage device. A welding device and a welding method suitable for suppressing accumulation of smoke generated at the time of laser welding by a welding device in the vicinity of a laser welding site in the device are provided. The welding device includes a workpiece arrangement portion, a laser irradiation device, and a non-active gas supply unit. The workpiece arrangement portion arranges an assembly of a housing main body and a closure plate in a state in which an opening to which the closure plate is attached faces upward. The laser irradiation device is arranged above the workpiece arrangement portion. The non-active gas supply unit includes a nozzle at a position lower than an upper end of the housing main body of the assembly arranged in the workpiece arrangement portion. The nozzle has a nozzle outlet that blows non-active gas toward an interface of the housing main body and the closure plate from a position lower than the upper end of the housing main body with respect to the assembly on the workpiece arrangement portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a welding apparatus and a method for manufacturing an energy storage device. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-197034 discloses a welding apparatus for laser welding a casing body and a cover plate of a secondary battery. This welding apparatus includes an inactive gas supply mechanism for supplying an inactive gas towards the interface (predetermined welding area) between the casing body and the cover plate during laser welding. The inactive gas supply mechanism has an inactive gas supply port located above the predetermined welding area. During laser welding using such a welding apparatus, an inactive gas is supplied towards the predetermined welding area from a position above it, and laser irradiation is performed on the interface between the casing body and the cover plate in an inactive gas environment. Laser welding in an inactive gas environment suppresses welding defects.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-197034 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In addition, the inventors of this application intend to provide a welding apparatus and a method for manufacturing an energy storage device, which is suitable for suppressing the cumulative accumulation of fumes generated during laser welding of the welding apparatus for welding the housing body of the energy storage device to the sealing plate near the laser welding area inside the apparatus.

[0008] Solution for solving the problem

[0009] The welding apparatus disclosed herein includes a housing body having an opening and a sealing plate mounted on the opening for welding the housing body and the sealing plate of an energy storage device. The welding apparatus comprises: a workpiece placement section, which arranges the assembly of the housing body and the sealing plate with the opening, on which the sealing plate is mounted, facing upwards; a laser irradiation device, disposed above the workpiece placement section; and an inert gas supply device, which has a nozzle at a position lower than the upper end of the housing body of the assembly disposed in the workpiece placement section. The nozzle has an outlet, and the outlet blows inert gas toward the junction of the housing body and the sealing plate from a position lower than the upper end of the housing body in the assembly relative to the assembly disposed in the workpiece placement section. Such a welding apparatus is suitable for suppressing the cumulative accumulation of fumes generated during laser welding near the laser welding area within the apparatus. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 It is a schematic three-dimensional diagram representing an energy storage device.

[0011] Figure 2 It is an exploded 3D view of the energy storage device.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a welding apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the welding apparatus shown.

[0014] Figure 5 It means Figure 3 A top view of the clamping unit of the welding apparatus shown.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional view of the short-side clamping component (holding member).

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The top view of the short-side clamping component shown.

[0017] Figure 8 It's about the second clamping element along... Figure 7 The longitudinal section view of line VIII-VIII.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing an energy storage device as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 10 It is an enlarged sectional view showing the welding process. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the technology disclosed herein will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described herein are not intended to specifically limit the invention. The drawings are schematic and do not necessarily reflect the actual object. Furthermore, components and parts that perform the same function are appropriately labeled with the same reference numerals, and repetitive descriptions are omitted where appropriate. Additionally, in this specification, expressions such as "X~Y" indicating numerical ranges refer to "X and above and Y and below" unless otherwise specified.

[0021] In this specification, "energy storage device" refers to a device capable of being charged and discharged. Energy storage devices include batteries commonly referred to as lithium-ion batteries or lithium secondary batteries, as well as lithium polymer batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries. A secondary battery is a general-purpose battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged due to the movement of charge carriers between the positive and negative electrodes. Energy storage devices can use liquid electrolytes or solid electrolytes. For example, a secondary battery can be a so-called liquid electrolyte secondary battery or a so-called all-solid-state battery using a solid electrolyte. Additionally, energy storage devices also include capacitors such as double-layer capacitors and lithium-ion capacitors.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an energy storage device 100 manufactured by the energy storage device manufacturing method described later as an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the energy storage device 100. In the attached drawing, reference numerals F, Rr, L, R, U, and D represent front, back, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. In the following description, the thickness direction of the energy storage device 100 is designated as the X direction, the width direction orthogonal to the thickness direction is designated as the Y direction, and the up-down direction orthogonal to both the width and thickness directions is designated as the Z direction.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the energy storage device 100 includes a housing body 10, a sealing plate 20, and an electrode body 30. Figure 2 (As shown), positive terminal 40, negative terminal 50, and electrolyte (not shown). In this embodiment, the energy storage device 100 is a lithium-ion secondary battery.

[0024] The housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20 form the housing C of the energy storage device 100. The housing C is the frame of the energy storage device 100. In this embodiment, the housing C has a flat and rectangular (e.g., square) shape. The housing C houses the electrode body 30 and the electrolyte. In this embodiment, the thickness (external dimension in the X direction) of the housing C is, for example, 3 cm or more and, for example, 6 cm or less; the width (external dimension in the Y direction) of the housing C is, for example, 30 cm or more and, for example, 50 cm or less; and the height (external dimension in the Z direction) of the housing C is, for example, 6 cm or more and, for example, 20 cm or less. Such a relatively large housing C can accommodate a relatively large electrode body 30 within the housing C, and is therefore preferred in terms of achieving high capacity in the energy storage device 100.

[0025] like Figure 2As shown, the housing body 10 is configured as a generally rectangular parallelepiped, and in this embodiment, it is a cylindrical housing with an opening 10A. Specifically, one end of the housing body 10 in the Z direction (the upper end in the figure) has an edge end portion 10E that defines the opening 10A. The edge end portion 10E surrounds the opening 10A. In addition, the housing body 10 has a shape that extends along the Y direction.

[0026] The shell body 10 has a bottom surface 11, a pair of narrow side surfaces 12 and 13, and a pair of wide side surfaces 14 and 15 as shell walls. In the shell body 10, the bottom surface 11 is located at the lower end in the Z direction (the end opposite to the opening 10A). The bottom surface 11 is a generally rectangular shape having a short side extending in the X direction and a long side extending in the Y direction, and extending in both directions. The narrow side surfaces 12 and 13 are each a generally rectangular shape having a short side extending in the X direction and a long side extending in the Z direction, and extending in both directions. The pair of narrow side surfaces 12 and 13 face each other in the Y direction. The wide side surfaces 14 and 15 are each a generally rectangular shape having a long side extending in the Y direction and a short side extending in the Z direction, and extending in both directions. The pair of wide side surfaces 14 and 15 face each other in the X direction. The short side of one wide side surface 14 is connected to the long side of one narrow side surface 12, and the short side of the other wide side surface 14 is connected to the long side of one narrow side surface 13. One short side of the wide side 15 is connected to the long side of the other narrow side 12, and the other short side of the wide side 15 is connected to the long side of the other narrow side 13. The lower ends of the narrow sides 12 and 13 and the wide sides 14 and 15 in the Z direction are connected to the bottom surface 11. The upper ends of the narrow sides 12 and 13 and the wide sides 14 and 15 in the Z direction constitute the edge end 10E of the shell body 10. Such a shell body 10 is made of metal. Examples of materials that can be used to construct the shell body 10 include aluminum, aluminum alloys, iron, and iron alloys. From the viewpoint of balancing the lightweight of the shell body 10 with the required rigidity, the preferred material for the shell body 10 is aluminum or an aluminum alloy with aluminum as the main component.

[0027] The sealing plate 20 is a component that blocks the opening 10A of the housing body 10. The sealing plate 20 blocks the opening 10A by welding it to the edge end 10E of the housing body 10 along its entire circumference. The sealing plate 20 is configured as a generally rectangular plate (i.e., a flat plate component that is generally rectangular when viewed from above), having a shape and size capable of closing the opening 10A. Examples of materials that can be used to construct the sealing plate 20 include aluminum, aluminum alloys, iron, and iron alloys. From the viewpoint of reducing the weight of the housing C, the preferred material for the sealing plate 20 is aluminum or an aluminum alloy with aluminum as the main component.

[0028] In this embodiment, the sealing plate 20 has a gas discharge valve 21. The gas discharge valve 21 is a thin-walled portion configured to break when the pressure inside the housing C rises above a predetermined value. By breaking the gas discharge valve 21, gas inside the housing C is discharged to the outside of the housing C, preventing or suppressing further pressure rise inside the housing C. The gas discharge valve 21 is disposed in the central portion of the sealing plate 20 in the Y direction.

[0029] Electrode 30 ( Figure 2 (As shown) It is housed in the housing C or the housing body 10. The electrode body 30 has a positive electrode and a negative electrode. In this embodiment, the electrode body 30 is a so-called wound electrode body. The electrode body 30 is formed by winding a laminate of strip-shaped positive electrodes and strip-shaped negative electrodes separated by a strip-shaped diaphragm (not shown) along the length direction with a winding axis as the center. Instead of such a structure, the electrode body 30 may also be a laminated electrode body of square positive electrodes and square negative electrodes stacked in a mutually insulated state.

[0030] In this embodiment, the electrode body 30 has a flat shape. The electrode body 30 has a pair of curved portions and a pair of flat surfaces connecting the curved portions. This electrode body 30 (wound electrode body) is housed within the housing C with its winding axis oriented along the Y direction. The pair of curved portions of the electrode body 30 face the bottom surface 11 and the sealing plate 20 in the housing C, respectively. Alternatively, the electrode body 30 can also be housed within the housing C with its winding axis oriented along the Z direction.

[0031] The positive electrode of the electrode body 30 has, for example, a stacked structure of a positive current collector and a positive active material layer. The positive current collector is preferably a strip-shaped conductive metal foil. Examples of materials used to construct the positive current collector include aluminum, aluminum alloys, nickel, and stainless steel, with aluminum being preferred. The positive active material layer is, for example, formed in a strip shape along the length direction on at least one surface of the strip-shaped positive current collector. The positive active material layer comprises a positive active material capable of reversibly attracting and releasing charge carriers and a binder. The positive active material is preferably a lithium transition metal composite oxide. Specific examples of this oxide include lithium cobalt composite oxide, lithium manganese composite oxide, lithium nickel composite oxide, lithium nickel manganese composite oxide, lithium nickel cobalt composite oxide, and lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide. Examples of binders include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Furthermore, the strip-shaped positive current collector has an exposed portion at one end in its width direction (short side direction) where the positive active material layer is not stacked. At the exposed portion, multiple positive electrode tabs (part of the positive electrode current collector) are formed at predetermined intervals along the length direction of the positive electrode current collector. In the electrode body 30, which serves as a wound electrode body, these multiple positive electrode tabs overlap to form a positive electrode tab group (not shown in the figure). The positive electrode tab group is located at one end of the electrode body 30 in the Y direction (in... Figure 2(The middle part is on the left side), which is connected to the positive electrode current collector 31. Examples of materials used to construct the positive electrode current collector 31 include aluminum and aluminum alloys.

[0032] The negative electrode of the electrode body 30 has, for example, a laminated structure of a negative current collector and a negative active material layer. The negative current collector is preferably a strip-shaped conductive metal foil. Examples of materials used to construct the negative current collector include copper, copper alloys, nickel, and stainless steel, with copper foil being preferred. The negative active material layer is, for example, formed in a strip shape along the length direction on at least one surface of the strip-shaped negative current collector. The negative active material layer comprises a negative active material capable of reversibly attracting and releasing charge carriers and a binder. Examples of negative active materials include carbon materials such as graphite and carbon. Examples of binders used for the negative active material include styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Furthermore, one end of the strip-shaped negative current collector in its width direction (short side direction) has a portion where the negative active material layer is not laminated. In this exposed portion, a plurality of negative electrode tabs (parts of the negative current collector) are formed at predetermined intervals along the length direction of the negative current collector. In the electrode body 30, which serves as a wound electrode body, multiple negative electrode tabs overlap to form a negative electrode tab group (not shown in the figure). The negative electrode tab group is located on the other end side of the electrode body 30 in the Y direction (in Figure 2 The middle section (right end) is connected to the negative electrode current collector 32. Examples of materials used to construct the negative electrode current collector 32 include copper and copper alloys.

[0033] A separator is a component used to insulate the positive electrode active material layer from the negative electrode active material layer while maintaining ionic conductivity between the two layers. Preferably, the separator is a porous resin sheet made of a polyolefin resin. Examples of polyolefin resins include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). A heat resistance layer (HRL) containing inorganic fillers may also be provided on the surface of the separator. Examples of materials constituting the inorganic fillers include alumina, boehmite, aluminum hydroxide, and titanium dioxide.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the positive terminal 40 is mounted on the sealing plate 20. For example, the sealing plate 20 has a terminal opening that extends through it in the thickness direction, and the positive terminal 40 is mounted in this opening with an insulating gasket sandwiched between it and the sealing plate 20. Riveting is one possible method for mounting the positive terminal 40 relative to the sealing plate 20. In this embodiment, the positive terminal 40 is located in the Y direction between the narrow side 12 of the housing body 10 and the gas discharge valve 21. Furthermore, the positive terminal 40 is exposed both outside and inside the housing C. Inside the housing C, the positive terminal 40 is connected to the positive current collector 31. The positive terminal 40 is electrically connected to the electrode body 30 via the positive current collector 31. Such a positive terminal 40 is preferably made of metal, more preferably of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0035] The negative terminal 50 is also mounted on the sealing plate 20 (the mounting method is the same as that described above for the positive terminal 40). In this embodiment, the negative terminal 50 is located in the Y direction between the narrow side 13 of the housing body 10 and the gas discharge valve 21. Furthermore, the negative terminal 50 is exposed both outside and inside the housing C. Inside the housing C, the negative terminal 50 is connected to the negative current collector 32. The negative terminal 50 is electrically connected to the electrode body 30 via the negative current collector 32. This negative terminal 50 is preferably made of metal, more preferably of copper or a copper alloy.

[0036] The electrolyte and electrode body 30 are housed together inside the casing C. The electrolyte is immersed in the electrode body 30. The electrolyte is typically a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte (non-aqueous electrolyte) containing a non-aqueous solvent and a supporting salt. The non-aqueous solvent may contain carbonates such as ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC). The supporting salt may be, for example, a fluorinated lithium salt. Examples of fluorinated lithium salts include lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (F2LiNO4S2). The remaining electrolyte not immersed in the electrode body 30 may also accumulate inside the casing C. Alternatively, a solid electrolyte (solid electrolyte) integrated with the electrode body 30 may be used instead.

[0037] In the energy storage device 100, as described above, the sealing plate 20 is welded to the edge end 10E of the housing body 10 around its entire circumference. Figure 3 and Figure 4 This indicates the welding apparatus 200 capable of performing the welding. Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the welding device 200. Figure 4This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the welding apparatus 200 (illustrations of the internal structure of the housing body 10 are omitted). The welding apparatus 200 is a laser welding apparatus comprising a workpiece placement unit U1, a laser irradiation device U2, a clamping unit U3, an inactive gas supply unit U4 (inactive gas supply device), and a dust collection unit (not shown). It is used to weld the housing body 10 of the energy storage device 100 to the sealing plate 20. This welding apparatus 200 is a welding apparatus (laser welding apparatus) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] The workpiece placement unit U1 is the part where the assembly 100A, which holds the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20, is placed. The assembly 100A is placed in the workpiece placement unit U1 with the opening 10A of the housing body 10, on which the sealing plate 20 is mounted, facing upwards. The workpiece placement unit U1 may have a liftable platform for holding the assembly 100A, which serves as the workpiece, or it may be located midway along the conveying path of the conveyor that transports the assembly 100A.

[0039] The laser irradiation device U2 includes a laser unit (not shown) capable of emitting laser light for welding the housing body 10 to the sealing plate 20, and a frame 61 for housing the laser unit, and is disposed above the workpiece placement section U1. The frame 61 has a laser emission port (not shown). The laser unit includes, for example, a laser source, a galvanometer scanner, and a predetermined optical system forming the optical path between them. The galvanometer scanner includes, for example, a first galvanometer reflector capable of being oscillated and a second galvanometer reflector capable of being oscillated and driven. After passing through the aforementioned optical system, the laser emitted from the laser source is directed to exit through the laser emission port by the galvanometer scanner. With this laser irradiation device U2, the scanning of the laser irradiation spot disposed on the component 100A of the workpiece placement section U1 is controlled.

[0040] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the clamping unit U3 has a pair of long-side clamping members C1 and C2 and a pair of short-side clamping members C3 and C4.

[0041] A pair of long-side clamping members C1 and C2 are clamping fixtures used to press the edge ends 10E and their vicinity of a pair of wide sides 14 and 15 of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A disposed in the workpiece placement section U1 in a direction orthogonal to the wide sides 14 and 15. That is, the long-side clamping members C1 and C2 are respectively holding members used to abut against the area forming the long side or a side containing the long side of the workpiece (assembly 100A) to hold the workpiece. Figures 3 to 5As shown, the long-side clamping members C1 and C2 are separately arranged in the thickness direction (X direction) of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A of the workpiece mounting section U1. The long-side clamping members C1 and C2 face the wide sides 14 and 15 of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A. The long-side clamping members C1 and C2 are controlled by a predetermined actuator to reciprocate in the X direction. The long-side clamping members C1 and C2 may also have water pipes (not shown) inside for cooling water to pass through. By allowing cooling water to flow through the water pipes formed inside the long-side clamping members C1 and C2, the long-side clamping members C1 and C2 can also serve as cooling mechanisms relative to the welding area. The fact that the welding apparatus 200 has a cooling mechanism relative to the welding area is suitable for suppressing the temperature rise caused by the heat generated during laser welding in the welding apparatus 200.

[0042] A pair of short-side clamping parts C3 and C4 (for details on each short-side clamping part, please refer to...) Figures 6-8 This is a clamping fixture used to press the edge ends 10E and their vicinity of a pair of narrow sides 12, 13 of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A disposed in the workpiece placement section U1 in a direction orthogonal to the narrow sides 12, 13. That is, the short-side clamping members C3 and C4 are retaining members used to hold the workpiece by abutting against the area forming the short side or a side containing the short side in the workpiece (assembly 100A). Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the short-side clamping members C3 and C4 are separately arranged in the width direction (Y direction) of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A of the workpiece placement section U1. The short-side clamping members C3 and C4 face the narrow sides 12 and 13 of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A. The short-side clamping members C3 and C4 are each controlled by a predetermined actuator to reciprocate in the Y direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the short-side clamping members C3 and C4 each have internal water pipes Wa for cooling water to pass through. In addition, the short-side clamping members C3 and C4 are located below (lower in position) the upper end of the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20 of the assembly 100A disposed in the workpiece placement section U1.

[0043] The inactive gas supply unit U4 is a device (inactive gas supply device) for supplying inactive gas to the laser irradiation part in the assembly 100A disposed in the workpiece placement unit U1, and includes a first supply unit 70 (see reference 70). Figure 3 and Figure 4 ), Second Supply Department 80 (refer to) Figures 6-8 ) and multiple gas supply lines (illustrated but not shown).

[0044] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the first supply unit 70 includes two gas supply blocks 70B. One gas supply block 70B is disposed on the long side clamping member C1, and the other gas supply block 70B is disposed on the long side clamping member C2. Each gas supply block 70B has an inlet 71, an outlet 72, and a flow path 73 from the inlet 71 to the outlet 72.

[0045] The inlet 71 is an opening that directs inert gas toward the outlet 72 into the flow path 73. A gas supply line (not shown) equipped with a gas flow control valve is connected to the inlet 71. Inert gas is supplied to the gas supply block 70B via this line. Examples of inert gases supplied to the inert gas supply unit U4 include nitrogen, argon, and helium.

[0046] The nozzle 72 is an opening for expelling inactive gas and opens towards the assembly 100A. The nozzle 72 of one gas supply block 70B opens along the junction (one side's predetermined long-side welding line) between the wide side 14 of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A disposed in the workpiece placement section U1 and the sealing plate 20. The nozzle 72 of the other gas supply block 70B opens along the junction (the other side's predetermined long-side welding line) between the wide side 15 of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A and the sealing plate 20. In this embodiment, the nozzle 72 opens such that each predetermined long-side welding line is located within the corresponding nozzle 72 in the height direction. That is, each predetermined long-side welding line is located above the lower end and below the upper end of the corresponding nozzle 72 in the height direction.

[0047] The second supply unit 80 is equipped with two nozzles 80N for supplying inactive gas (for details on each nozzle 80N, refer to...). Figures 6-8 One nozzle 80N is formed within a short-side clamping member C3, and the other nozzle 80N is formed within a short-side clamping member C4. That is, in this embodiment, the two nozzles 80N of the second supply unit 80 are formed within a pair of opposing short-side clamping members C3 and C4, arranged to face each other across the assembly 100A disposed in the workpiece placement unit U1. Each nozzle 80N has an inlet 81, an outlet 82, and a flow path 83 from the inlet 81 to the outlet 82.

[0048] The inlet 81 is an opening that directs inactive gas toward the outlet 82 into the flow path 83. A gas supply line (not shown) equipped with a gas flow control valve is connected to the inlet 81. Inactive gas is supplied to the nozzle 80N via this line.

[0049] The nozzle 82 is an opening for blowing out inactive gas and opens toward the assembly 100A. The nozzle 82 of one nozzle 80N opens along the junction (pre-determined short side welding line) of the narrow side 12 of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A disposed in the workpiece placement section U1 and the sealing plate 20. The nozzle 82 opens on the upper surface Sa of the short side clamping member C3 and is formed in a slit shape. The slit-shaped nozzle 82 opening on the upper surface Sa of the short side clamping member C3 extends along the narrow side 12 (one side) of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A. In addition, the nozzle 80N has an upper wall 83a and a lower wall 83b that face each other and define a flow path 83 (gas flow path). The upper wall 83a and the lower wall 83b rise and slope toward the narrow side 12 (one side) of the housing body 10. From the viewpoint of ease of forming the nozzle 80N (i.e., ease of manufacturing the short-side clamping members C3 and C4), its tilt angle is preferably 40° or less, more preferably 30° or less, and even more preferably 25° or less. This tilt angle is, for example, greater than 0°, preferably 3° or more, more preferably 7° or more, and even more preferably 10° or more. In this embodiment, such a nozzle 80N is formed by cutting a slit relative to the short-side clamping member C3. The tilting method and forming method of the nozzle 80N are the same for the other nozzle 80N.

[0050] The nozzle 80N of the other party opens at the junction of the narrow side 13 of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A of the workpiece arrangement section U1 and the sealing plate 20 (the predetermined welding line of the other party's short side). The nozzle 82 opens on the upper surface Sa of the short side clamping member C4 and is formed as a slit. The slit-shaped nozzle 82, which opens on the upper surface Sa of the short side clamping member C4, extends along the narrow side 13 (one side) of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A.

[0051] As described above, the short-side clamping members C3 and C4 are located below (lower) the upper ends of the housing body 10 and sealing plate 20 of the assembly 100A disposed in the workpiece placement section U1. The nozzles 80N formed within these short-side clamping members C3 and C4 are also located below (lower) the upper ends of the housing body 10 and sealing plate 20 of the assembly 100A disposed in the workpiece placement section U1. The nozzle outlet 82 of these nozzles 80N is located below the corresponding short-side predetermined welding line in the height direction. The height position of the outlet 82 or the upper surface Sa is preferably 1-2 mm downward from the upper ends of the housing body 10 and sealing plate 20 in the assembly 100A. The outlet 72 of the gas supply block 70B may also be located below the corresponding long-side predetermined welding line in the height direction. In this case, the height position of the upper end of the outlet 72 is preferably 1-2 mm downward from the upper ends of the housing body 10 and sealing plate 20 in the assembly 100A.

[0052] In the inactive gas supply unit U4 as described above, the gas supply blocks 70B of the first supply unit 70 and the nozzles 80N of the second supply unit 80 are configured to allow for individual control of the supply of inactive gas.

[0053] In this embodiment, the welding apparatus 200 includes two sets of detection sensors (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of displacement (lifting) of the component 100A in the height direction from a desired position on the workpiece mounting section U1. Each detection sensor includes, for example, a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section. The light-emitting section and the light-receiving section are separately arranged on the component 100A on the workpiece mounting section U1 in the Y direction. For example, in the Y direction, the light-emitting section is located on the side opposite to the component 100A relative to the short-side clamping member C3, and the light-receiving section is located on the side opposite to the component 100A relative to the short-side clamping member C4. The light-emitting section and the light-receiving section are configured such that the detection light emitting surface of the light-emitting section faces each other and the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving section can be received by the light-receiving surface of the light-emitting section. In the height direction (Z direction of component 100A), the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part are configured to allow the detection light to pass above the housing body 10 and sealing plate 20 (excluding the positive terminal 40 and the negative terminal 50) of component 100A on the workpiece mounting part U1. The distance between the upper end of the housing body 10 and sealing plate 20 (excluding the positive terminal 40 and the negative terminal 50) of component 100A on the workpiece mounting part U1 and the passage of the detection light is, for example, 3 to 10 mm. In one detection sensor, the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part are configured to allow the detection light to pass at a position closer to the long side clamping member C1 than the positive terminal 40 and the negative terminal 50 of component 100A on the workpiece mounting part U1. In the other detection sensor, the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part are configured to allow the detection light to pass at a position closer to the long side clamping member C2 than the positive terminal 40 and the negative terminal 50 of component 100A on the workpiece mounting part U1. In the welding apparatus 200, a detection sensor is used to detect whether there is any displacement (lifting) of the component 100A in the height direction from the desired position for the workpiece placement section U1. In laser welding, the laser irradiation area (the position of the irradiation spot) sometimes shifts due to the positional displacement of the workpiece (component 100A in this embodiment) in the height direction. In the case of laser welding based on a galvanometer scanner type laser unit, it is particularly easy for the laser irradiation spot to shift due to a slight positional displacement of the workpiece in the height direction. Therefore, it is important to detect whether there is any displacement (lifting) of the workpiece in the height direction from the desired position.

[0054] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing an energy storage device 100. The method for manufacturing the energy storage device 100, as an embodiment of the present invention, includes a component fabrication step S1, an assembly step S2, a clamping step S3, and a welding step S4.

[0055] In component manufacturing process S1, various components such as the housing body 10, sealing plate 20, electrode body 30, positive terminal 40, and negative terminal 50 are manufactured and prepared. The housing body 10 can be manufactured, for example, by deep drawing a metal sheet. The sealing plate 20 is prepared with the aforementioned positive terminal 40 and negative terminal 50 installed on it. Specifically, the sealing plate 20 can be prepared by machining a rectangular flat plate, such as by making a hole, and then installing the electrode terminals (positive terminal 40, negative terminal 50). The electrode body 30 can be manufactured, for example, by sequentially stacking the aforementioned diaphragm (first diaphragm), positive electrode, diaphragm (second diaphragm), and negative electrode, and then winding the stacked body.

[0056] In assembly step S2, firstly, the positive terminal 40 and negative terminal 50 mounted on the sealing plate 20 are electrically connected to the electrode body 30. Specifically, firstly, the positive electrode tab group (multiple overlapping positive electrode tabs) in the electrode body 30 is connected to the positive current collector 31, and the negative electrode tab group (multiple overlapping negative electrode tabs) is connected to the negative current collector 32. For example, ultrasonic bonding can be used as a method of connection. Then, the positive terminal 40 and negative terminal 50 mounted on the sealing plate 20 are respectively connected to the positive current collector 31 and the negative current collector 32. Thus, an assembly consisting of the sealing plate 20, the electrode body 30, the positive terminal 40, and the negative terminal 50 is obtained. For example, laser welding and riveting can be used as methods of connection between the terminals and the current collectors.

[0057] In assembly step S2, the electrode body 30 of the assembled assembly is then inserted into the interior of the housing body 10 through the opening 10A, and the sealing plate 20 is installed on the edge end 10E of the housing body 10 in such a way that the opening 10A is blocked. For positioning the sealing plate 20 in the Z direction, a step (not shown) may be provided on the inner surface of the housing body 10 at the edge end 10E. With such a step provided at the edge end 10E, the sealing plate 20 can be installed on the edge end 10E such that the peripheral end of the sealing plate 20 rests on the step.

[0058] The assembly 100A of the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20 obtained in the assembly process S2 is arranged in the workpiece arrangement section U1. Specifically, the assembly 100A is arranged in the workpiece arrangement section U1 with the opening 10A of the housing body 10 on which the sealing plate 20 is mounted facing upward.

[0059] Next, in the clamping process S3, the clamping unit U3 presses the edge end 10E and its vicinity of the housing body 10 in the assembly 100A on the workpiece placement section U1 against the sealing plate 20. Specifically, the actuator moves the long-side clamping members C1 and C2 of the clamping unit U3 closer together and abuts against the wide sides 14 and 15 of the housing body 10, pressing the edge end 10E and its vicinity towards the thickness direction (X direction) of the housing body 10. At the same time, the actuator moves the short-side clamping members C3 and C4 closer together and abuts against the narrow sides 12 and 13 of the housing body 10, pressing the edge end 10E and its vicinity towards the width direction (Y direction) of the housing body 10.

[0060] By pressing as described above in the clamping process S3, the edge end 10E of the housing body 10 is positioned relative to the sealing plate 20. In the formed housing body 10, in its natural state, it is particularly easy for an outward bulge to form at the center of the wide sides 13, 14 in the width direction Y. With the sealing plate 20 installed at the opening 10A or edge end 10E of such the housing body 10, a gap is easily generated between the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20. In contrast, after the sealing plate 20 is installed at the edge end 10E of the housing body 10, the edge end 10E and its vicinity are pressed against the sealing plate 20 by the clamping unit U3, thereby correcting the aforementioned bulge. As a result, a gap between the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20 is less likely to occur. The narrower this gap, the more it suppresses the tendency for welding spatter during laser welding to enter the interior of the housing body 10 or the housing C.

[0061] Next, in welding process S42, as Figure 10 As shown, a laser LS from the laser irradiation device U2 is irradiated onto the junction of the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20, thereby laser welding the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20 in assembly 100A (in... Figure 10 (The diagram of the internal structure of the housing body 10 is omitted). For the irradiation area (irradiation spot) of the laser LS relative to the component 100A, the laser irradiation device U2 scans the junction (predetermined welding line) between the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20.

[0062] Examples of laser lasers (LS) include ring-mode lasers, Gaussian lasers, and flat-top lasers. Among ring-mode lasers, examples include single-ring ring-mode lasers and ring-mode lasers with a central portion and an annular portion surrounding the central portion in the laser beam cross-section. From the viewpoint of suppressing weld spatter generation during welding, ring-mode lasers with a central portion and an annular portion surrounding the central portion in the laser beam cross-section are preferred. The latter type of ring-mode laser is suitable for forming a small hole of desired depth at the center of the irradiated spot in the workpiece and its vicinity, while simultaneously forming a molten pool with a relatively gentle temperature distribution around the small hole. The formation of the small hole of desired depth contributes to the formation of a weld with sufficient depth. The gentle temperature distribution of the molten pool contributes to its stabilization (suppression of fluctuations), thus helping to suppress weld spatter generation. In the welding process S4, the diameter of the laser LS irradiation spot is set to, for example, 250-950 μm, the output of the laser LS is set to, for example, 5000-6000 W, and the moving speed of the laser LS is set to, for example, 150-200 mm / s.

[0063] When using a ring-shaped laser with a central portion and an annular portion as the laser LS, from the viewpoint of forming a sufficient molten portion and a sufficient aperture by laser irradiation, the output of the central portion is preferably 500 to 2500 W. When using a ring-shaped laser with a central portion and an annular portion as the laser LS, from the viewpoint of ensuring an appropriate weld depth at the welded portion, the output of the annular portion is preferably 2800 to 6000 W.

[0064] When using a ring-shaped laser with a central portion and an annular portion as a laser LS, from the viewpoint of suppressing or preventing the formation of pores by forming a small hole of an appropriate size at the laser irradiation site, the diameter of the central portion (the diameter at the laser irradiation site or the diameter of the laser spot) is preferably 250 μm or more, more preferably 270 μm or more. From the viewpoint of suppressing or preventing the formation of through-holes at the laser irradiation site, the diameter of the central portion is preferably 450 μm or less, more preferably 350 μm or less. When using a ring-shaped laser with a central portion and an annular portion as a laser LS, from the viewpoint of ensuring heat input to the housing body 10 near the laser irradiation site to form a suitable molten portion, the diameter of the annular portion (the outer diameter at the laser irradiation site) is preferably 800 μm or more. From the viewpoint of ensuring energy density at the laser irradiation site to form a suitable molten portion, the diameter of the annular portion is preferably 1000 μm or less.

[0065] In welding process S4, an inactive gas (e.g., nitrogen) is supplied to the welding area via the inactive gas supply unit U4. Specifically, the inactive gas is supplied from the nozzle 72 of the gas supply block 70B on the long side clamping member C1 to the junction of the wide side 14 and the sealing plate 20 in the assembly 100A (the predetermined welding line of one side's long side). The inactive gas is supplied from the nozzle 72 of the gas supply block 70B on the long side clamping member C2 to the junction of the wide side 15 and the sealing plate 20 in the assembly 100A (the predetermined welding line of the other side's long side). The inactive gas is supplied from the nozzle 82 of the nozzle 80N formed in the short side clamping member C3 to the junction of the narrow side 12 and the sealing plate 20 in the assembly 100A (the predetermined welding line of one side's short side). Inactive gas is supplied from the nozzle 80N formed in the short side clamping member C4 to the junction of the narrow side 13 and the sealing plate 20 in the assembly 100A (the other side of the predetermined short side welding line).

[0066] In the supply of inactive gas, the air velocity (blowing speed) of the inactive gas (nitrogen, etc.) is, for example, 3 to 5 m / s. The distance from each nozzle to the welding area is, for example, 12 mm or less, preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 7 mm or less, and even more preferably 5 mm or less.

[0067] As described above, the nozzle 72 of each gas supply block 70B in the inactive gas supply unit U4 is opened such that the corresponding long-side predetermined welding line is located within the nozzle 72 in the height direction. Inactive gas is blown out from such nozzle 72 toward the long-side predetermined welding line in a generally horizontal direction. That is, the angle between the gas blowing direction of the nozzle 72 and the horizontal direction is approximately 0°.

[0068] As described above, the nozzle outlet 82 of each nozzle 80N in the inactive gas supply unit U4 is located below the corresponding short-side predetermined welding line in the height direction. The nozzle outlet 82 blows inactive gas from a position lower than the upper end of the housing body 10 and sealing plate 20 in the assembly 100A disposed in the workpiece arrangement section U1 toward the junction of the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20. For the gas supply block 70B described above, the outlet 72 may also be located at a position where inactive gas is blown from below the long-side predetermined welding line.

[0069] Through the welding process S4 described above, the edge end 10E of the housing body 10 is joined to the sealing plate 20 over the entire area, thereby forming an airtight sealed housing C.

[0070] In this embodiment, a temporary welding process may be performed after the clamping process S3 and before the welding process S4. In the temporary welding process, laser LS is irradiated onto multiple locations at the junction (predetermined welding line) between the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20 in the assembly 100A, and these locations are spot-welded. After the temporary welding process is performed, the welding process S4 as described above is then performed.

[0071] After welding step S4, an electrolyte injection step is performed, followed by an aging step where the energy storage device 100 is charged and left to stand for a specified time, and an inspection step to check for internal short circuits in the energy storage device 100. Specifically, in the electrolyte injection step, electrolyte is injected into the interior of the housing body 10 through a predetermined injection hole provided in the housing C (after which the injection hole is closed). In this manner, the aforementioned energy storage device 100 can be manufactured.

[0072] The energy storage device 100 can be used for various purposes. For example, the energy storage device 100 can be preferably used as a power source (drive power source) for an electric motor in a vehicle such as a passenger car or a truck. There is no particular limitation on the type of vehicle, but examples include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

[0073] In addition to a first supply unit 70 that supplies inert gas to the predetermined welding line along the long side of the assembly 100A during laser welding, the welding apparatus 200 also includes a second supply unit 80 or nozzle 80N that supplies inert gas to the predetermined welding line along the short side. With this configuration, inert gas can be blown out from near the laser irradiation spot towards the spot along the entire length of the predetermined welding line. This is suitable for achieving laser welding in a stable inert gas environment, ensuring good weld quality that prevents or suppresses the formation of surface oxide films.

[0074] In the welding apparatus 200, as described above, the short-side clamping members C3 and C4 of the clamping unit U3 are located below (lower in position) the upper ends of the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20 of the assembly 100A disposed in the workpiece placement section U1. This structure is suitable for avoiding interference between the short-side clamping members C3 and C4 and the detection light of the detection sensor, thus ensuring the detection function of the detection sensor.

[0075] In the welding apparatus 200, as described above, the nozzle 80N of the second supply section 80 in the inert gas supply unit U4 is located below (lower) the upper ends of the housing body 10 and sealing plate 20 of the component 100A disposed in the workpiece arrangement section U1. The nozzle outlet 82 blows inert gas from a position lower than the upper ends of the housing body 10 and sealing plate 20 of the component 100A in the workpiece arrangement section U1 toward the junction of the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20. This structure is suitable for suppressing the cumulative accumulation of fumes generated during laser welding near the laser welding area within the apparatus. When inert gas is supplied or blown from above the laser welding area, fumes generated during laser welding tend to accumulate near the laser welding area along with the inert gas flow, and the accumulation tends to increase with the number of times the welding apparatus is operated (the number of laser welding operations). The welding apparatus 200 is adapted to avoid this problem. Suppressing the accumulation of fumes helps reduce the maintenance of the welding apparatus 200. Furthermore, the structure in which the nozzle 80N is located below (lower) the upper end of the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20 of the component 100A disposed in the workpiece placement section U1 is suitable for avoiding interference between the nozzle 80N and the detection light of the aforementioned detection sensor, thus ensuring the detection function of the detection sensor.

[0076] In the welding apparatus 200, as described above, nozzles 80N from the inactive gas supply unit U4 are respectively provided in the short-side clamping members C3 and C4 (holding members). This structure contributes to the space saving and miniaturization of the welding apparatus 200.

[0077] In the welding apparatus 200, as described above, the nozzle 80N in the inactive gas supply unit U4 has an outlet 82 on the upper surface Sa of the short-side clamping members (short-side clamping members C3, C4) in the clamping unit U3, and is formed as a slit extending along the narrow side (narrow side 12, 13) of the housing body 10. This structure is suitable for positioning the outlet 82 close to the laser irradiation area (welding area) during laser welding. In addition, the slit-shaped nozzle 80N is suitable for blowing inactive gas without omission into one side (a short side in the above embodiment) of the welding portion at the periphery of the generally rectangular sealing plate 20.

[0078] In the welding apparatus 200, as described above, the nozzle 80N in the inactive gas supply unit U4 has an upper wall 83a and a lower wall 83b that face each other and define a flow path 83 (gas flow path). The upper wall 83a and the lower wall 83b are inclined upwards toward one side of the housing body 10 (the narrow side in the above embodiment). By adjusting the inclination angle of the upper wall 83a and the lower wall 83b, the inclination angle of the flow path can be appropriately adjusted. This helps to adjust the blowing angle from the nozzle 82.

[0079] In the welding apparatus 200, as described above, the nozzle 80N in the inactive gas supply unit U4 is formed by cutting a slit in the holding member (in the above embodiment, the short-side clamping member C3, C4). Such a structure is suitable for efficiently forming the nozzle 80N without adding additional components.

[0080] In the welding apparatus 200, as described above, the distance between the nozzle 82 in the inactive gas supply unit U4 and the junction between the housing body 10 and the sealing plate 20 is preferably 10 mm or less. This structure facilitates the proper delivery of inactive gases such as nitrogen to the laser welding area.

[0081] The above provides various descriptions of the technology disclosed herein. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments listed herein do not limit the invention. Furthermore, the technology disclosed herein is capable of various modifications; various components and processes mentioned herein can be appropriately omitted or combined without causing particular problems. Additionally, this specification includes the disclosures described below.

[0082] Item 1:

[0083] A welding apparatus for welding the housing body of an energy storage device, which includes a housing body having an opening and a sealing plate mounted on the opening, to the sealing plate, wherein the welding apparatus comprises:

[0084] A workpiece configuration section, wherein the workpiece configuration section configures the housing body and the sealing plate assembly with the opening on which the sealing plate is mounted facing upward;

[0085] A laser irradiation device, wherein the laser irradiation device is disposed above the workpiece placement section; and

[0086] Inactive gas supply device,

[0087] The inactive gas supply device has a nozzle at a position lower than the upper end of the housing body of the component disposed in the workpiece mounting section.

[0088] The nozzle has an outlet that blows inactive gas toward the junction of the housing body and the sealing plate from a position lower than the upper end of the housing body in the assembly disposed in the workpiece configuration.

[0089] Item 2:

[0090] In the welding apparatus described in item 1,

[0091] It also includes a retaining member for holding the main body of the housing.

[0092] The nozzle is disposed on the retaining member.

[0093] Item 3:

[0094] In the welding apparatus described in item 2

[0095] The main body of the shell is generally rectangular.

[0096] The sealing plate is configured as a roughly rectangular plate.

[0097] The retaining member is located below the upper end of the housing body and abuts against one side of the housing body.

[0098] The nozzle has the outlet on the upper surface of the retaining member and is formed as a slit extending along one side of the housing body.

[0099] Item 4:

[0100] In the welding apparatus described in item 3

[0101] The side is the surface of the main body of the housing that includes the short side.

[0102] Item 5:

[0103] In the welding apparatus described in item 3 or 4

[0104] The nozzle has upper and lower walls that face each other and define a gas flow path.

[0105] The upper wall and the lower wall rise and slope toward one side of the housing body.

[0106] Item 6:

[0107] In any one of items 3 to 5, the welding apparatus,

[0108] The nozzle is formed by cutting a slit in the retaining member.

[0109] Item 7:

[0110] In any of the welding apparatuses described in items 1 to 6,

[0111] The distance between the nozzle and the junction is less than 10 mm.

[0112] Item 8:

[0113] A method for manufacturing an energy storage device, the energy storage device comprising a housing body having an opening and a sealing plate installed on the opening, wherein the method for manufacturing the energy storage device includes:

[0114] The process of maintaining the assembly of the housing body and the sealing plate with the opening where the sealing plate is installed facing upwards; and

[0115] A welding process in which an inactive gas is supplied to the interface between the housing body and the sealing plate in the assembly while the housing body and the sealing plate are laser welded together.

[0116] In the welding process, an inactive gas is blown from the nozzle, which is located below the upper end of the housing body in the assembly, toward the junction of the housing body and the sealing plate.

[0117] Item 9:

[0118] In the method for manufacturing the energy storage device described in item 8

[0119] In the holding process, the housing body is held in place by a holding member that abuts against the housing body.

[0120] The nozzle is provided on the retaining member.

[0121] Item 10:

[0122] In the method for manufacturing the energy storage device described in item 9

[0123] The main body of the shell is generally rectangular.

[0124] The sealing plate is configured as a roughly rectangular plate.

[0125] The retaining member is located below the upper end of the housing body and abuts against one side of the housing body.

[0126] The nozzle has the outlet on the upper surface of the retaining member and is formed as a slit extending along one side of the housing body.

[0127] Item 11:

[0128] In the method for manufacturing the energy storage device described in item 10

[0129] The side is the surface of the main body of the housing that includes the short side.

[0130] Item 12:

[0131] In the method of manufacturing the energy storage device described in item 10 or item 11

[0132] The nozzle has upper and lower walls that face each other and define a gas flow path.

[0133] The upper wall and the lower wall rise and slope toward one side of the housing body.

[0134] Item 13:

[0135] In any one of items 10 to 12, the method for manufacturing the energy storage device

[0136] The nozzle is formed by cutting a slit in the retaining member.

[0137] Item 14:

[0138] In any one of items 8 to 13, the method for manufacturing the energy storage device

[0139] The distance between the nozzle and the junction is less than 10 mm.

Claims

1. A welding apparatus for welding the housing body of an energy storage device, which comprises a housing body having an opening and a sealing plate mounted on the opening, to the sealing plate, wherein, The welding apparatus includes: A workpiece configuration section, wherein the workpiece configuration section configures the housing body and the sealing plate assembly with the opening on which the sealing plate is mounted facing upward; A laser irradiation device, wherein the laser irradiation device is disposed above the workpiece placement section; and Inactive gas supply device, The inactive gas supply device has a nozzle at a position lower than the upper end of the housing body of the component disposed in the workpiece mounting section. The nozzle has an outlet that blows inactive gas toward the junction of the housing body and the sealing plate from a position lower than the upper end of the housing body in the assembly disposed in the workpiece configuration.

2. The welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The welding device also includes a retaining member for holding the main body of the housing. The nozzle is disposed on the retaining member.

3. The welding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The main body of the shell is generally rectangular. The sealing plate is configured as a roughly rectangular plate. The retaining member is located below the upper end of the housing body and abuts against one side of the housing body. The nozzle has the outlet on the upper surface of the retaining member and is formed as a slit extending along one side of the housing body.

4. The welding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The side is the surface of the main body of the housing that includes the short side.

5. The welding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The nozzle has upper and lower walls that face each other and define a gas flow path. The upper wall and the lower wall rise and slope toward one side of the housing body.

6. The welding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The nozzle is formed by cutting a slit in the retaining member.

7. The welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The distance between the nozzle and the junction is less than 10 mm.

8. A method for manufacturing an energy storage device, the energy storage device comprising a housing body having an opening and a sealing plate installed in the opening, wherein, The manufacturing method of the energy storage device includes: The process of maintaining the assembly of the housing body and the sealing plate with the opening where the sealing plate is installed facing upwards; and A welding process in which an inactive gas is supplied to the interface between the housing body and the sealing plate in the assembly while the housing body and the sealing plate are laser welded together. In the welding process, an inactive gas is blown from the nozzle, which is located below the upper end of the housing body in the assembly, toward the junction of the housing body and the sealing plate.

9. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 8, wherein, In the holding process, the housing body is held in place by a holding member that abuts against the housing body. The nozzle is provided on the retaining member.

10. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 9, wherein, The main body of the shell is generally rectangular. The sealing plate is configured as a roughly rectangular plate. The retaining member is located below the upper end of the housing body and abuts against one side of the housing body. The nozzle has the outlet on the upper surface of the retaining member and is formed as a slit extending along one side of the housing body.

11. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 9, wherein, The side is the surface of the main body of the housing that includes the short side.

12. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 10, wherein, The nozzle has upper and lower walls that face each other and define a gas flow path. The upper wall and the lower wall rise and slope toward one side of the housing body.

13. The method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to claim 10, wherein, The nozzle is formed by cutting a slit in the retaining member.

14. The method for manufacturing the energy storage device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein, The distance between the nozzle and the junction is less than 10 mm.

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