restraining member

Abstract

This invention provides a constraint member capable of suppressing uneven surface pressure on a stacked body constrained by a constraint member from a constraint plate. The constraint member is used to constrain a stacked body comprising multiple energy storage modules stacked along a stacking direction. The stacked body has a first end face and a second end face arranged along the stacking direction, and a peripheral surface connecting the first end face and the second end face. The peripheral surface has a first side face and a second side face arranged along the width direction. The constraint member includes a first constraint plate disposed on the first end face, a second constraint plate disposed on the second end face, a first trapezoidal component disposed on the first side face, a second trapezoidal component disposed on the second side face, and a connecting component connecting the first trapezoidal component and the second trapezoidal component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a constraint. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-091947 discloses a constraint member comprising a laminated body, a pair of constraint plates, and fastening bolts. The constraint plates are provided on both end faces of the laminated body in the lamination direction. The constraint plates are fastened by the fastening bolts.

[0003] In the constraint member described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-091947, the outer peripheries of a pair of constraint plates are fastened by fastening bolts. It is known that when each of the pair of constraint plates deflects due to out-of-plane loads, the surface pressure exerted on the laminate constrained by this type of constraint member becomes uneven. More specifically, the surface pressure from the constraint plate furthest from the bolt fastening point of the laminate is less than the surface pressure from the outer periphery of the constraint plate closer to the bolt fastening point. In particular, the surface pressure at the central portion is less than that at the outer periphery. Furthermore, the bolt fastening point refers to the location where the constraint plate is subjected to the constraint load from the fastening bolts. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention was developed to solve the aforementioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a constraint member that can suppress uneven surface pressure on the constrained laminate from the constraint plate.

[0005] The constraint member disclosed herein is used to constrain a stack comprising multiple energy storage modules stacked along a stacking direction. The stack has a first end face and a second end face arranged along the stacking direction, and a peripheral surface connecting the first end face and the second end face. The peripheral surface has a first side face and a second side face arranged along the width direction. The constraint member includes: a first constraint plate disposed on the first end face; a second constraint plate disposed on the second end face; a first trapezoidal component disposed on the first side face; a second trapezoidal component disposed on the second side face; and a connecting component connecting the first trapezoidal component and the second trapezoidal component.

[0006] Preferably, the constraint member further includes a central beam, the first side and the second side extend along a length direction intersecting the width direction, the connecting member includes at least one connecting beam for connecting the first trapezoidal member and the second trapezoidal member, the central beam passes through the center of the width direction and extends along the length direction, and the central beam is disposed on the first constraint plate.

[0007] Preferably, the first constraint plate of the constraint member includes a first main surface opposite to the first end face of the laminate and a second main surface located on the opposite side of the first main surface in the lamination direction. The at least one connecting beam includes a first connecting beam and a second connecting beam. The second connecting beam is spaced apart from the first connecting beam along the length direction. Both the first connecting beam and the second connecting beam are spaced apart from the second main surface. The central beam is disposed between the first connecting beam, the second connecting beam and the second main surface and presses against the second main surface.

[0008] Preferably, the second constraint plate of the constraint member includes a third main surface opposite to the second end face and a fourth main surface located on the opposite side of the third main surface in the stacking direction. The first trapezoidal member includes: a first frame disposed on the second main surface of the first constraint plate; a second frame disposed on the fourth main surface of the second constraint plate; and a first support member connecting the first frame and the second frame and disposed on a first side surface. The second trapezoidal member includes: a third frame disposed on the second main surface of the first constraint plate; a fourth frame disposed on the fourth main surface of the second constraint plate; and a second support member connecting the third frame and the fourth frame and disposed on a second side surface. The at least one connecting beam includes a third connecting beam connecting the center of the first frame and the center of the third frame along the length direction. The third connecting beam is spaced apart from the second main surface, and the central beam is disposed between the third connecting beam and the second main surface.

[0009] Preferably, the central beam of the constraint member is formed of an elastic material.

[0010] According to the constraint element of this disclosure, it is possible to suppress uneven surface pressure on the laminate constrained by the constraint element from the constraint plate. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view illustrating a laminated assembly according to one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing a laminated assembly according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are given the same reference numerals and their descriptions are not repeated.

[0014] In embodiments of this disclosure, the constraint member 100 for forming a laminated assembly 1, one form of the laminated unit, will be described. Furthermore, the laminated assembly 1 is one form used in the manufacturing process of an energy storage device.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view showing the laminated assembly of this embodiment. Additionally, Figure 1 The stacking direction H indicates the stacking direction of the laminate 2. The width direction W indicates the width direction of the laminate assembly 1. The length direction L indicates the length direction of the laminate assembly 1.

[0016] The laminate assembly 1 includes a constraint member 100 and a laminate 2. The constraint member 100 constrains the laminate 2 in the lamination direction H.

[0017] exist Figure 2 The figure shows an exploded perspective view of the laminated body assembly. The laminated body 2 is formed, for example, in a cuboid shape. The laminated body 2 has a first end face 3, a second end face 4, and a peripheral face 5.

[0018] The first end face 3 and the second end face 4 are the two end faces of the laminate 2, which are spaced apart in the lamination direction H. Furthermore, the first end face 3 is located near the first constraint plate 10 relative to the second end face 4.

[0019] The peripheral surface 5 is the surface that connects the outer peripheral edge of the first end surface 3 to the outer peripheral edge of the second end surface 4. The peripheral surface 5 has a first side surface 5a and a second side surface 5b. The first side surface 5a and the second side surface 5b are arranged at intervals in the width direction W. The first side surface 5a and the second side surface 5b are formed in a manner that extends in the length direction L.

[0020] The laminate 2 includes multiple energy storage modules 6 and multiple interposers 7. The interposers 7 and energy storage modules 6 are alternately stacked in the stacking direction H. Each interposer 7 consists of a conductive plate and two elastomers. The two elastomers sandwich the conductive plate in the middle and are arranged in the stacking direction H. Each of the two elastomers may be surrounded by a conductive material. Thus, the energy storage modules 6, which are adjacent to each other through the interposers 7, are electrically connected to each other.

[0021] The constraint member 100 includes a first constraint plate 10, a second constraint plate 30, a first trapezoidal component 50, a second trapezoidal component 60, a first connecting component 70, a first central beam 74, a second connecting component 80, and a second central beam 84.

[0022] The first constraint plate 10 and the second constraint plate 30 sandwich the laminate 2 in the middle and are arranged at intervals in the lamination direction H. The first constraint plate 10 is positioned in the lamination direction H opposite to the first end face 3. The second constraint plate 30 is positioned in the lamination direction H opposite to the second end face 4. Since the structure of the second constraint plate 30 is substantially the same as that of the first constraint plate 10, the structure of the first constraint plate 10 will be mainly described.

[0023] The first constraint plate 10 is a plate-shaped component. If viewed from above from a position away from the first constraint plate 10 in the stacking direction H, the first constraint plate 10 is formed in a manner that covers the stacked body 2.

[0024] The first constraint plate 10 has a first main surface 13, a second main surface 14, and a first peripheral surface 15. The first main surface 13 and the second main surface 14 are spaced apart in the stacking direction H. The first main surface 13 is located opposite to the first end face 3. The second main surface 14 is located on the opposite side of the first main surface in the stacking direction H. The first peripheral surface 15 connects the second main surface 14 and the first main surface 13. The first peripheral surface 15 has a first end 15a and a second end 15b, which are spaced apart in the width direction W. A first cutout 11 is formed at the first end 15a, and a second cutout 12 is formed at the second end 15b. The first cutout 11 and the second cutout 12 are spaced apart in the width direction W.

[0025] The first constraint plate 10 has a thin plate 21, a thin plate 22, and a beam portion 23. The thin plates 21 and 22 are formed to cover the beam portion 23. The thin plates 21 and 22 sandwich the beam portion 23 in the middle and are arranged at intervals in the lamination direction H. Compared with the thin plate 21, the thin plate 22 is located on the side of the laminate 2 in the lamination direction H.

[0026] The beam portion 23 is formed to extend in the width direction W. The beam portions 23 are spaced apart in the standing direction V to sandwich the first cut portion 11 and the second cut portion 12 in the middle.

[0027] The second constraint plate 30 has a substantially identical structure to the first constraint plate 10. The second constraint plate 30 also has a third main surface 33, a fourth main surface 34, and a third peripheral surface 35. The third main surface 33 is opposite to the second end surface 4. The fourth main surface 34 is located on the opposite side of the third main surface 33 in the stacking direction H. The third peripheral surface 35 has a third end portion 35a and a fourth end portion 35b. A first cutout portion 31 is formed on the third end portion 35a, and a second cutout portion 32 is formed on the fourth end portion 35b. If the second constraint plate 30 and the first constraint plate 10 are viewed from above from a position away from the second constraint plate 30 in the stacking direction H, the first cutout portion 31 is positioned overlapping with the first cutout portion 11, and the second cutout portion 32 is positioned overlapping with the second cutout portion 12.

[0028] The second constraint plate 30, like the first constraint plate 10, has thin plates 41 and 42 and a beam portion 43. The thin plates 41 and 42 are formed to cover the beam portion 43. The thin plates 41 and 42 sandwich the beam portion 43 in the middle and are spaced apart in the lamination direction H. Compared to the thin plate 41, the thin plate 42 is located on the 2nd side of the laminate in the lamination direction H. The beam portion 43 is formed to extend in the width direction W.

[0029] With the laminate 2 positioned between the first constraint plate 10 and the second constraint plate 30, the first trapezoidal component 50 and the second trapezoidal component 60 connect the first constraint plate 10 and the second constraint plate 30. The first trapezoidal component 50 and the second trapezoidal component 60 sandwich the laminate 2 in the middle and are spaced apart in the width direction W. The first trapezoidal component 50 is positioned opposite the first side surface 5a, and the second trapezoidal component 60 is positioned opposite the second side surface 5b.

[0030] The first trapezoidal member 50 has a frame 51 and a plurality of first pillar members 54. The frame 51 is formed to extend in the length direction L. The frame 51 has a first frame 52 and a second frame 53. The first frame 52 and the second frame 53 are spaced apart in the stacking direction H. The first frame 52 is disposed on the second main surface 14 of the first constraint plate 10. The second frame 53 is disposed on the fourth main surface 34 of the second constraint plate 30. The first frame 52 has an outer surface 52a and an inner surface 52b spaced apart in the stacking direction H, with the inner surface 52b facing the second main surface 14. The second frame 53 has an outer surface 53a and an inner surface 53b spaced apart in the stacking direction H, with the inner surface 53b facing the fourth main surface 34. The first pillar members 54 are formed to extend in the stacking direction H. The plurality of first pillar members 54 are spaced apart in the stacking direction H. The first pillar members 54 are disposed such that they pass through the first cutout portion 11 and the first cutout portion 31, and connect the first frame 52 and the second frame 53. Multiple first pillar components 54 are disposed on the first side surface 5a of the laminate 2.

[0031] The second trapezoidal member 60 has substantially the same configuration as the first trapezoidal member 50. Specifically, the second trapezoidal member 60 has a frame 61 and a plurality of second column members 64. The frame 61 has a third frame 62 and a fourth frame 63. The third frame 62 and the fourth frame 63 are arranged at intervals in the stacking direction H. The third frame 62 is disposed on the second main surface 14. The fourth frame 63 is disposed on the fourth main surface 34. The third frame 62 has an outer surface 62a and an inner surface 62b. The fourth frame 63 has an outer surface 63a and an inner surface 63b. The second column members 64 are disposed through the second cutout 12 and the second cutout 32, and connect the third frame 62 and the fourth frame 63. The plurality of second column members 64 are disposed on the second side surface 5b side of the laminate 2.

[0032] In addition, the plurality of first pillar members 54 of the first trapezoidal member 50 and the plurality of second pillar members 64 of the second trapezoidal member 60 are formed to the same height in the stacking direction H.

[0033] The first connecting component 70 includes a first connecting beam 71, a second connecting beam 72, and a third connecting beam 73.

[0034] The first connecting beam 71, the second connecting beam 72, and the third connecting beam 73 are arranged at intervals along the length direction L. The first connecting beam 71, the second connecting beam 72, and the third connecting beam 73 are formed to extend along the width direction W. The first connecting beam 71, the second connecting beam 72, and the third connecting beam 73 connect the first trapezoidal member 50 and the second trapezoidal member 60, respectively, and are spaced apart from the second main surface 14. More specifically, one end of the first connecting beam 71 in the width direction W engages with the outer surface 52a of the first frame 52, and the other end of the first connecting beam 71 engages with the outer surface 62a of the third frame 62. The same applies to the second connecting beam 72 and the third connecting beam 73. Furthermore, the third connecting beam 73 connects the center of the first frame 52 to the center of the third frame 62 in the length direction L.

[0035] The first central beam 74 extends in the length direction L. The first central beam 74 is disposed on the first constraint plate 10. That is, the first central beam 74 is disposed between the second main surface 14 and the first connecting members 70 (first connecting beam 71, second connecting beam 72, and third connecting beam 73). The first central beam 74 is disposed between the first frame 52 and the third frame 62 and passes through the center in the width direction W. The first central beam 74 has an outer surface 74a and an inner surface 74b arranged at intervals in the stacking direction H. The outer surface 74a of the first central beam 74 is in contact with the first connecting beam 71, the second connecting beam 72, and the third connecting beam 73, respectively. The inner surface 74b is opposite to the second main surface 14 of the first constraint plate 10. The first central beam 74 presses against the second main surface 14 through its inner surface 74b. The inner surface 74b of the first central beam 74, the inner surface 52b of the first frame 52, and the inner surface 62b of the third frame 62 are disposed at the same height in the stacking direction H.

[0036] The second connecting member 80 includes a first connecting beam 81, a second connecting beam 82, and a third connecting beam 83. The second central beam 84 has an outer surface 84a and an inner surface 84b. Since the structures of the second connecting member 80 and the second central beam 84 are substantially the same as those of the first connecting member 70 and the first central beam 74, detailed descriptions of the second connecting member 80 and the second central beam 84 are omitted.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the plurality of first column members 54 of the first trapezoidal member 50 and the plurality of second column members 64 of the second trapezoidal member 60 are formed to the same height in the stacking direction H. The first frame 52 and the third frame 62 are connected by a first connecting beam 71, a second connecting beam 72, and a third connecting beam 73. As a result, the reaction force received by the first frame 52 from the first constraint plate 10 is transmitted to the third frame 62. Similarly, the reaction force received by the third frame 62 from the first constraint plate 10 is transmitted to the first frame 52. As a result, the uneven load borne by the second main surface 14 of the first constraint plate 10 from the first frame 52 and the third frame 62 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the problem of uneven surface pressure received by the first end face 3 of the laminate 2 from the first constraint plate 10 can be suppressed. The same situation applies to the second constraint plate 30.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the inner surfaces 74b of the first central beam 74, 52b of the first frame 52, and 62b of the third frame 62 are all at the same height in the lamination direction H. The first central beam 74 is connected to the first connecting beam 71, the second connecting beam 72, and the third connecting beam 73. Thus, the first central beam 74 applies a load in the lamination direction H to the first constraint plate 10. As a result, the problem of reduced surface pressure on the central portion of the first end face 3 of the laminate 2 relative to the outer periphery of the first end face 3 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the problem of uneven surface pressure on the first end face 3 of the laminate 2 from the first constraint plate 10 can be suppressed. The same applies to the second constraint plate 30.

[0039] The above embodiment shows an example where the inner surface 74b of the first central beam 74, the inner surface 52b of the first frame 52, and the inner surface 62b of the third frame 62 are at the same height in the stacking direction H, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the stacking direction H, the inner surface 74b of the first central beam 74 is closer to the center of the laminate 2 than the inner surface 52b of the first frame 52 or the inner surface 62b of the third frame 62. As a result, the surface pressure applied to the central portion of the first end face 3 of the laminate 2 can be greater than the surface pressure applied to the outer periphery of the first end face 3 of the laminate 2.

[0040] The first central beam 74 can be formed of, for example, an elastic material. Therefore, when the inner surface 74b of the first central beam 74 protrudes in the center direction of the laminate 2 in the lamination direction H compared to the inner surface 52b of the first frame 52 or the inner surface 62b of the third frame 62, the problem of increased surface pressure at the center of the first end face 3 of the laminate 2 can be suppressed compared to when the material of the first central beam 74 is metal.

[0041] In the above embodiment, an example is shown where the constraint member 100 forms a laminate assembly 1 as a laminate unit, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the constraint member 100 may also form an energy storage device as a laminate unit. As an energy storage device, it can be used, for example, as a battery for a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), or FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). The intervening element 7 used to form the laminate 2 in the energy storage device is a cooling device or a conductive plate.

[0042] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. The scope of this disclosure is set forth not by the description of the above embodiments but by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications of the same meaning and scope as the claims.

Claims

1. A constraint member for constraining a stack comprising a plurality of energy storage modules stacked along a stacking direction, characterized in that, The laminate has a first end face and a second end face arranged along the lamination direction, and a peripheral surface connecting the first end face and the second end face. The circumferential surface has a first side surface and a second side surface arranged along the width direction. The constraint includes: A first constraint plate is disposed on the first end face; A second constraint plate is disposed on the second end face; The first trapezoidal component is disposed on the first side; The second trapezoidal component disposed on the second side; and A connecting component that connects the first trapezoidal component and the second trapezoidal component.

2. The constraint member according to claim 1, characterized in that, The constraint also includes a central beam. The first side and the second side extend along a length direction that intersects the width direction. The connecting component includes at least one connecting beam for connecting the first trapezoidal component and the second trapezoidal component. The central beam passes through the center of the width direction and extends along the length direction. The central beam is mounted on the first constraint plate.

3. The constraint member according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first constraint plate includes a first main surface opposite to the first end face of the laminate, and a second main surface located on the opposite side of the first main surface in the lamination direction. The at least one connecting beam includes a first connecting beam and a second connecting beam. The second connecting beam is spaced apart from the first connecting beam along the length direction. Both the first connecting beam and the second connecting beam are spaced apart from the second main surface. The central beam is positioned between the first connecting beam, the second connecting beam, and the second main surface, and presses against the second main surface.

4. The constraint member according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second constraint plate includes a third main surface opposite to the second end face, and a fourth main surface located on the opposite side of the third main surface in the stacking direction. The first trapezoidal component includes: The first frame is disposed on the second main surface of the first constraint plate; The second frame is disposed on the fourth main surface of the second constraint plate; and A first support member connecting the first frame and the second frame and disposed on the first side. The second trapezoidal component includes: A third frame disposed on the second main surface of the first constraint plate; The fourth frame disposed on the fourth main surface of the second constraint plate; and The second pillar component connects the third frame and the fourth frame and is disposed on the second side. The at least one connecting beam includes a third connecting beam that connects the center of the first frame and the center of the third frame along the length direction. The third connecting beam is spaced apart from the second main surface. The central beam is positioned between the third connecting beam and the second main surface.

5. The constraint member according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The central beam is made of an elastic material.

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