power storage device

Abstract

In an electrical storage device, a plurality of electrical storage modules are arranged in a left-right direction of a vehicle. A plurality of battery cells are arranged in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. A connection portion connects the plurality of battery cells on both sides. A module case houses the plurality of battery cells and the connection portion. The connection portions of the plurality of electrical storage modules are arranged along the left-right direction. A side wall portion is located on one side in the left-right direction of the plurality of electrical storage modules. A reinforcing portion protrudes from the side wall portion toward the plurality of electrical storage modules along the left-right direction. The reinforcing portion is further arranged in the left-right direction with the connection portions of the plurality of electrical storage modules on both sides arranged in the left-right direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-142589 discloses a battery pack located on the lower side of the floor panel. Utility Model Content

[0003] As an energy storage device (battery pack) installed in a vehicle, a larger energy capacity is required. Therefore, an energy storage device with multiple modular housings, each containing multiple battery cells, has been studied. For example, multiple modular housings can be arranged to fill the space in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

[0004] However, in the event of a side collision, the battery cells inside a battery storage device with the above-described configuration are more likely to bend due to deformation of the module housing. Consequently, the battery cells may be damaged.

[0005] This disclosure is made in view of the aforementioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an energy storage device that can suppress damage to battery cells inside the module housing during a side collision of a vehicle.

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the energy storage device is an energy storage device mounted on a vehicle. The energy storage device includes multiple energy storage modules and a housing. The multiple energy storage modules are arranged in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The housing houses the multiple energy storage modules. Each of the multiple energy storage modules includes multiple battery cells, at least one connecting portion, and a module housing. The multiple battery cells are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The connecting portion is disposed between the multiple adjacent battery cells. The connecting portion connects the multiple battery cells on both sides. The module housing houses the multiple battery cells and the connecting portion. The connecting portions of each of the multiple energy storage modules are arranged in the left-right direction. The housing includes a side wall portion and a reinforcing portion. The side wall portion is located on one side in the left-right direction of the multiple energy storage modules. The reinforcing portion protrudes from the side wall portion toward the multiple energy storage modules in the left-right direction. The reinforcing portion is further arranged in the left-right direction with the connecting portions of each of the multiple energy storage modules arranged in the left-right direction.

[0007] In an energy storage device according to one aspect of this disclosure, it is preferred that each of the plurality of battery cells includes an electrode body. The reinforcing portion is arranged in a manner that does not align with the individual electrode bodies in the left-right direction.

[0008] In an energy storage device according to one aspect of this disclosure, preferably, in each of the plurality of energy storage modules, the plurality of battery cells includes N battery cells, where N is 3 or more. In each of the plurality of energy storage modules, at least one connecting portion includes a first connecting portion connecting a first battery cell to a second battery cell and a second connecting portion connecting an (N-1)th battery cell to an Nth battery cell. The first connecting portions of each of the plurality of energy storage modules are arranged in a left-right direction. The second connecting portions of each of the plurality of energy storage modules are arranged in a left-right direction. The reinforcing portion includes a first end portion as one end portion in a front-rear direction and a second end portion as the other end portion in the front-rear direction. The first end portion and the first connecting portions of each of the plurality of energy storage modules are arranged in a left-right direction. The second end portion and the second connecting portions of each of the plurality of energy storage modules are arranged in a left-right direction.

[0009] In an energy storage device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is preferred that, in the case where there are four or more battery cells in each of the plurality of energy storage modules, at least one connection portion in each of the plurality of energy storage modules further includes a third connection portion for connecting at least one battery cell among the battery cells connected to the first connection portion to different battery cells.

[0010] According to this disclosure, damage to the battery cells inside the module housing can be suppressed when a vehicle is involved in a side collision. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and in the drawings:

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a vehicle equipped with the energy storage device according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0013] Figure 2 Observe in the direction of the arrow on line II-II Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a part of the vehicle and its energy storage device.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a partial plan view of the energy storage device of Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a plan view schematically showing the state of the energy storage device in Implementation 1 when a vehicle is involved in a side collision.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a partial plan view of the energy storage device of Embodiment 2.

[0017] Figure 6This is a plan view schematically showing the state of the energy storage device in Embodiment 2 when a vehicle is involved in a side collision. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Hereinafter, the energy storage devices of various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or equivalent parts in the drawings will be labeled with the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0019] Additionally, in the following explanation, the arrows F, B, U, D, L, and R used in the diagrams indicate directions relative to the vehicle: arrow F means "forward," arrow B means "rear," arrow U means "above," arrow D means "below," arrow L means "left," and arrow R means "right."

[0020] (Implementation Method 1)

[0021] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a vehicle equipped with the energy storage device of Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 2 Observe in the direction of the arrow on line II-II Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a part of a vehicle and its energy storage device. (e.g.) Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the energy storage device 100 of Embodiment 1 of this disclosure is an energy storage device 100 mounted on the vehicle 1.

[0022] The vehicle 1, which can be equipped with the energy storage device 100, will be described. The vehicle 1 is, for example, an electric vehicle such as an electric car or a hybrid vehicle that can be driven by a motor. The vehicle 1 has a cabin 2 above the energy storage device 100.

[0023] Vehicle 1 may also include a floor carpet 3 and a cushioning component 4. The floor carpet 3 defines the vehicle compartment 2. The cushioning component 4 is disposed under the floor carpet 3. The cushioning component 4 may be made of a component that is lighter and softer than metal. For example, the cushioning component 4 may be made of a component containing foamed resin.

[0024] Vehicle 1 has a vehicle frame 10. An energy storage device 100 can be mounted below the vehicle frame 10. The vehicle frame 10 includes a pair of longitudinal beams 11, a front beam 12, and a rear beam 13. The vehicle frame 10 may not include the floor panel defining the passenger compartment 2.

[0025] A pair of longitudinal beams 11 extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The pair of longitudinal beams 11 are located on either side of the center of the vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction. The pair of longitudinal beams 11 includes a left longitudinal beam 11L and a right longitudinal beam 11R. The left longitudinal beam 11L is located to the left of the center of the vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction. The right longitudinal beam 11R is located to the right of the center of the vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction.

[0026] Next, the energy storage device 100 will be described. Figure 3 This is a partial plan view of the energy storage device of Embodiment 1.

[0027] The energy storage device 100 includes multiple energy storage modules 110 and a housing 120. The multiple energy storage modules 110 are arranged in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1. The housing 120 houses the multiple energy storage modules 110.

[0028] In this embodiment, two module groups, each consisting of a plurality of energy storage modules 110 arranged in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1, are housed within the housing 120. The two module groups are arranged in the front-back direction.

[0029] Each of the multiple energy storage modules 110 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The length direction of each of the multiple energy storage modules 110 is along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. Each of the multiple energy storage modules 110 includes multiple battery cells 111, at least one connection portion 112, and a module housing 113.

[0030] Battery cell 111 can be exemplified by, for example, a lithium-ion battery. Battery cell 111 can be constructed from a so-called all-solid-state battery containing a solid electrolyte.

[0031] Within the module housing 113, multiple battery cells 111 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The number of battery cells 111 within the module housing 113 is not particularly limited. Within the module housing 113, the multiple battery cells 111 may be further arranged in the lateral direction of the vehicle 1, or further arranged in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1.

[0032] Each battery cell 111 may include, for example, an electrode body 111A, a current collector terminal 111B, and a laminated outer casing 111C.

[0033] Electrode body 111A is a wound body formed by winding positive electrode and negative electrode with a separator in between. However, each electrode body 111A may also be a laminated body formed by stacking positive electrode and negative electrode with a separator in between.

[0034] The collector terminal 111B is connected to the electrode body 111A. The collector terminal 111B protrudes from the electrode body 111A in the front-back direction. The collector terminal 111B, which is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate in the electrode body 111A, is made of aluminum, for example. The collector terminal 111B, which is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate in the electrode body 111A, is made of copper, for example.

[0035] The laminated outer casing 111C houses a portion of the current collector terminal 111B and the electrode body 111A. The laminated outer casing 111C is made of a laminated film. The current collector terminal 111B protrudes outward in a forward-backward direction from the edge of the laminated outer casing 111C.

[0036] A connecting portion 112 is disposed between a plurality of adjacent battery cells 111. The connecting portion 112 connects the battery cells 111 on both sides. Specifically, the connecting portion 112 is the part where the current collector terminals 111B of the battery cells 111 on both sides are connected to each other on the outside of the laminated outer casing 111C.

[0037] The module housing 113 houses multiple battery cells 111 and connecting parts 112. The module housing 113 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The module housing 113 is made of stainless steel, aluminum, or aluminum alloy.

[0038] Multiple energy storage modules 110 are configured such that their respective connecting portions 112 are arranged in a left-right direction.

[0039] The housing 120 includes a side wall portion 121 (first side wall portion), a second side wall portion 122, a front wall portion 123, a rear wall portion 124, a reinforcing portion 125, a first inner wall portion 126, and a second inner wall portion 127. All of the above-mentioned portions of the housing 120 are formed of a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the above-mentioned portions of the housing 120 may be integrally formed with each other.

[0040] The side wall portion 121 is located on one side of the plurality of energy storage modules 110 in the left-right direction. The second side wall portion 122 is located on the other side of the plurality of energy storage modules 110 in the left-right direction. The side wall portion 121 and the second side wall portion 122 extend along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. The side wall portion 121 and the second side wall portion 122 are respectively fixed to the longitudinal beams 11 on both sides.

[0041] The front wall portion 123 is located forward of the plurality of energy storage modules 110. More specifically, the front wall portion 123 is located further forward than the front module group. The front wall portion 123 extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1. The front wall portion 123 is connected to the front ends of the side wall portion 121 and the second side wall portion 122.

[0042] The rear wall portion 124 is located further rearward than the plurality of energy storage modules 110. More specifically, the rear wall portion 124 is located further rearward than the rearward module group. The rear wall portion 124 extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1. The rear wall portion 124 is connected to the rear ends of the side wall portion 121 and the second side wall portion 122.

[0043] The reinforcing part 125 protrudes from the side wall part 121 toward the plurality of energy storage modules 110 in the left-right direction. The reinforcing part 125 is further arranged in the left-right direction with the connecting parts 112 of each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110 arranged in the left-right direction. The reinforcing part 125 is provided in a manner that does not interact with the arrangement of the plurality of battery cells 111 in the plurality of energy storage modules 110 in the left-right direction.

[0044] In this embodiment, the housing 120 may include a plurality of reinforcing portions 125. For example, other reinforcing portions 125 that are different from the aforementioned reinforcing portions 125 may protrude from the second sidewall portion 122 toward the plurality of energy storage modules 110 in the left-right direction.

[0045] The first inner wall portion 126 is located between the plurality of energy storage modules 110 and the side wall portion 121. The first inner wall portion 126 is separate from the side wall portion 121. The first inner wall portion 126 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The two ends of the first inner wall portion 126 in the longitudinal direction are connected to the front wall portion 123 and the rear wall portion 124, respectively. The first inner wall portion 126 is separate from the reinforcing portion 125 extending from the side wall portion 121, but they can also be connected.

[0046] The second inner wall portion 127 is separate from the second side wall portion 122. The second inner wall portion 127 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The two ends of the second inner wall portion 127 in the longitudinal direction are connected to the front wall portion 123 and the rear wall portion 124, respectively. The second inner wall portion 127 is separate from the reinforcing portion 125 extending from the second side wall portion 122, but they can also be connected.

[0047] The housing 120 may also include an upper wall 128 and a lower wall 129. The upper wall 128 covers the top of the plurality of energy storage modules 110. The upper wall 128 may be, for example, carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The upper wall 128 may be connected to the buffer member 4. The lower wall 129 covers the bottom of the plurality of energy storage modules 110. The lower wall 129 may, for example, have a cooling function for cooling the plurality of energy storage modules 110.

[0048] As described above, the energy storage device 100 of Embodiment 1 of this disclosure is an energy storage device 100 mounted on a vehicle 1. The energy storage device 100 includes a plurality of energy storage modules 110 and a housing 120. The plurality of energy storage modules 110 are arranged in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1. The housing 120 houses the plurality of energy storage modules 110. Each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110 includes a plurality of battery cells 111, at least one connecting portion 112, and a module housing 113. The plurality of battery cells 111 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. The connecting portion 112 is disposed between the plurality of adjacent battery cells 111. The connecting portion 112 connects the plurality of battery cells 111 on both sides. The module housing 113 houses the plurality of battery cells 111 and the connecting portion 112. The connecting portions 112 of each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110 are arranged in the left-right direction. The housing 120 includes a side wall portion 121 and a reinforcing portion 125. The side wall portion 121 is located on one side in the left-right direction of the plurality of energy storage modules 110. The reinforcing part 125 protrudes from the side wall part 121 toward the plurality of energy storage modules 110 in the left-right direction. The reinforcing part 125 is further arranged in the left-right direction with the connecting parts 112 of the plurality of energy storage modules 110 arranged in the left-right direction.

[0049] Figure 4 This is a plan view schematically showing the state of the energy storage device in Embodiment 1 when a vehicle undergoes a side collision. (Example) Figure 4 As shown, in the event of a side collision involving vehicle 1, the sidewall portion 121 is pressed inward from the outer side in the left-right direction. At this time, the sidewall portion 121 bends around the portion where the reinforcing portion 125 is provided. This reinforcing portion 125 is pressed towards the energy storage module 110. Furthermore, among the multiple energy storage modules 110 pressed in by the reinforcing portion 125, the module housing 113, through the above configuration, bends around the connecting portion 112. As a result, bending of the multiple battery cells 111 inside the module housing 113 can be suppressed. Therefore, in the event of a side collision involving vehicle 1, damage to the multiple battery cells 111 inside the module housing 113 can be suppressed.

[0050] In addition, each of the multiple battery cells 111 includes an electrode body 111A. The reinforcing part 125 is arranged in a manner that does not align with each electrode body 111A in the left-right direction.

[0051] According to the above configuration, when the vehicle 1 is involved in a side collision, the bending of the module housing 113 in the area housing the electrode body 111A can be suppressed by pressing in the reinforcing part 125. Furthermore, damage to the multiple battery cells 111 inside the module housing 113 can be further suppressed.

[0052] (Implementation Method 2)

[0053] Next, the energy storage device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure will be described. The energy storage device of Embodiment 2 differs from the energy storage device 100 of Embodiment 1 mainly in its configuration of the energy storage module and the reinforcing part. Therefore, the configuration that is the same as that of the energy storage device 100 of Embodiment 1 will not be described again.

[0054] Figure 5 This is a partial plan view of the energy storage device according to Embodiment 2. (For example...) Figure 5 As shown, in the energy storage device 200 of Embodiment 2 of this disclosure, in each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110, the plurality of battery cells 111 include three or more battery cells 111.

[0055] In each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110, at least one connection portion 112 includes a first connection portion 212A, a second connection portion 212B, and a third connection portion 212C.

[0056] The third connecting portion 212C connects at least one of the battery cells 111 connected to the first connecting portion 212A to different battery cells 111. The first connecting portions 212A of each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110 are arranged in a left-right direction. The second connecting portions 212B of each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110 are arranged in a left-right direction. The reinforcing portion 225 includes a first end portion 225A as one end portion in the front-rear direction and a second end portion 225B as the other end portion in the front-rear direction.

[0057] Furthermore, the first end 225A and the first connection portion 212A of each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110 are arranged in the left-right direction. The second end 225B and the second connection portion 212B of each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110 are arranged in the left-right direction.

[0058] Figure 6 This is a plan view schematically showing the state of the energy storage device in Embodiment 2 when a vehicle undergoes a side collision. Based on the above configuration, as... Figure 6 As shown, when vehicle 1 experiences a side collision, the module housing 113 bends at two locations: the first connecting portion 212A and the second connecting portion 212B, corresponding to the first end portion 225A and the second end portion 225B, respectively. By bending the module housing 113 at these two locations, displacement of the multiple energy storage modules 110 in the lateral direction can be suppressed. Furthermore, by bending the module housing 113 at the two locations of the first connecting portion 212A and the second connecting portion 212B, damage to the battery cells 111 can be further suppressed.

[0059] More specifically, in the energy storage device 200 of Embodiment 2 of this disclosure, in each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110, the plurality of battery units 111 include a first battery unit 211A, a second battery unit 211B, a third battery unit 211C, and a fourth battery unit 211D. In each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110, a first connecting portion 212A connects the first battery unit 211A and the second battery unit 211B to each other. In each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110, a second connecting portion 212B connects the third battery unit 211C and the fourth battery unit 211D to each other.

[0060] Based on the above composition, such as Figure 6 As shown, when the reinforcing part 225 is pressed toward the energy storage module 110, the multiple battery cells 111 can collectively withstand the pressing into the multiple energy storage modules 110 by the reinforcing part 225. Specifically, the pressing can be collectively borne by the first battery cell 211A or the second battery cell 211B and the third battery cell 211C or the fourth battery cell 211D. As a result, damage caused by bending of the multiple battery cells 111 can be further suppressed.

[0061] More specifically, in Embodiment 2, the end face of the reinforcing portion 225 on the energy storage module 110 side extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, in each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110, the third connecting portion 212C connects the second battery unit 211B and the third battery unit 211C. The third connecting portions 212C of each of the plurality of energy storage modules 110 are also arranged along the left-right direction. The pressing of the reinforcing portion 225 into the plurality of energy storage modules 110 is received by the second battery unit 211B and the third battery unit 211C.

[0062] In the above description of the embodiments, the components that can be combined can also be combined with each other.

[0063] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of this utility model is not shown by the foregoing description but by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. An energy storage device, said energy storage device being mounted on a vehicle, characterized in that, The energy storage device includes: Multiple energy storage modules are arranged in the left-right direction of the vehicle; as well as A housing that houses the plurality of energy storage modules. Each of the plurality of energy storage modules includes: Multiple battery cells arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; At least one connecting portion, the at least one connecting portion being disposed between adjacent battery cells, connecting the plurality of battery cells on both sides; and The module housing houses the plurality of battery cells and the connecting portion. The connection portions of each of the plurality of energy storage modules are arranged along the left-right direction. The housing includes: a sidewall portion located on one side of the plurality of energy storage modules in the left-right direction; and a reinforcing portion protruding from the sidewall portion toward the plurality of energy storage modules in the left-right direction. The reinforcing portion is further arranged in the left-right direction with the connecting portions of each of the plurality of energy storage modules arranged therein.

2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of battery cells includes an electrode body. The reinforcing portion is arranged in a manner that does not align with the respective electrode bodies in the left-right direction.

3. The energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, In each of the plurality of energy storage modules, the plurality of battery cells includes N battery cells, where N is 3 or more. In each of the plurality of energy storage modules, at least one of the connecting portions includes a first connecting portion connecting the first battery unit to the second battery unit and a second connecting portion connecting the (N-1)th battery unit to the Nth battery unit. The first connection portion of each of the plurality of energy storage modules is arranged along the left-right direction. The second connection portion of each of the plurality of energy storage modules is arranged along the left-right direction. The reinforcing portion includes a first end portion that is one end portion in the front-rear direction and a second end portion that is the other end portion in the front-rear direction. The first end and the first connection portion of each of the plurality of energy storage modules are arranged in the left-right direction. The second end and the second connection portion of each of the plurality of energy storage modules are arranged in the left-right direction.

4. The energy storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that, When each of the plurality of energy storage modules contains four or more battery cells, In each of the plurality of energy storage modules, at least one of the connection portions further includes a third connection portion that connects at least one of the battery cells connected to the first connection portion to different battery cells.

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