power storage device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a power storage device that includes: a power storage module; a housing that includes an upper cover and a lower housing, which houses the power storage module; and a connector block that is disposed through a flat portion of the upper cover. A connector is disposed in the connector block, and the connector is connectable to a cable of a power receiving object that is connected to the outside of the housing. The connector block is fastened to a support member that is fixed to the inside of the housing and is composed of metal. With the utility model, the decrease in the sealing performance of the device and the housing that includes the connector connected to the external device can be suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an energy storage device. Background Technology

[0002] For example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-087913, an end assembly including various connectors is installed in an opening on the front side of the top cover of the battery pack, thereby enabling the battery assembly inside the battery pack to be connected to external electrical equipment.

[0003] In this configuration, the top cover and end components prevent foreign objects from entering the battery pack through sealing components, but sometimes the installation position of the end components is deviated, resulting in reduced sealing performance. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and its purpose is to provide an energy storage device that suppresses the reduction of the sealing performance of the device and housing containing connectors for connection with external devices.

[0005] The energy storage device according to one technical solution of this utility model comprises: an energy storage module; a housing including an upper cover and a lower housing for housing the energy storage module; and a connector block disposed through a flat portion above the upper cover. A connector is disposed in the connector block, the connector being capable of connecting to a cable of a power transmitting or receiving object connected to the outside of the housing. The connector block is fastened to a support member, the support member being fixed inside the housing and being made of metal.

[0006] This allows for the grounding of the cable connected to the power receiving object to be installed inside the casing of the energy storage device. Therefore, shielding performance, such as rust resistance, can be improved.

[0007] In the energy storage device of this utility model, a sealing component is provided between the connector block and the flat part of the upper cover.

[0008] In this way, by providing a sealing component between the connector block and the flat portion of the top cover, it is possible to prevent debris or foreign objects from entering between the connector block and the flat portion of the top cover.

[0009] In the energy storage device of this utility model, the sealing surface for setting the sealing component in the flat part is configured to be parallel to the sealing surface set between the upper cover and the lower housing.

[0010] In this way, the height tolerance (deviation) of the sealing surface in the flat section can be absorbed by the expansion and contraction of the sealing component, thus suppressing the reduction of sealing performance.

[0011] In the energy storage device of this invention, the energy storage device is configured to supply power to the drive unit mounted on a vehicle. The connector is disposed on the connector block at a position slightly above the upper end of the drive unit.

[0012] In this way, even if the drive unit moves in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle during a collision, the interference of the connector block's connectors or cables with the drive unit can be suppressed.

[0013] According to this invention, an energy storage device can be provided to suppress the reduction of the seal between the device and the housing, which includes a connector for connecting to external devices. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the vehicle in this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is an external view showing an example of the configuration of the energy storage device in this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the energy storage device according to this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the front part of the vehicle of the energy storage device according to this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the same or equivalent parts in the drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the vehicle configuration in this embodiment. (Refer to...) Figure 1 An example of the configuration of vehicle 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0020] In this embodiment, vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, that is driven by an electric motor. Figure 1 As shown, vehicle 1 has a front seat 2, a rear seat 3, a floor 4, a drive unit 5, a front wheel 6, a rear wheel 7, and an electric storage device 10.

[0021] Floor 4 is located at the bottom of the central compartment of vehicle 1. Front seats 2 and rear seats 3 are located above floor 4. On the other hand, an electrical storage device 10 is located below floor 4.

[0022] The energy storage device 10 supplies power to the drive unit 5 or receives regenerative power from the drive unit 5 and is charged. The energy storage device 10 is disposed between the front wheel 6 and the rear wheel 7, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1.

[0023] The drive unit 5 includes, for example, an electric motor. Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the driving device 5 is mounted only on the front side of the vehicle 1, so that the driving force is applied to the axle of the front wheel 6. However, the driving device 5 may also be mounted only on the rear side of the vehicle 1, so that the driving force is applied to the axle of the rear wheel 7. Alternatively, the driving device 5 may be mounted on both the front and rear sides of the vehicle 1, so that the driving force is applied to the axles of both the front wheel 6 and the rear wheel 7.

[0024] The energy storage device 10 includes a plurality of energy storage modules, described later. These modules are connected in series, for example. Thus, the energy storage device 10 is configured to supply high-power electricity to the electric motor.

[0025] Figure 2 This is an external view showing an example of the configuration of the energy storage device 10 according to this embodiment. (Refer to...) Figure 2 The composition of the energy storage device 10 is explained in detail.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, the energy storage device 10 includes a lower housing 12 and an upper cover 14. A housing 11 is formed by mounting the upper cover 14 onto the lower housing 12. Multiple energy storage modules are housed within the housing 11. The multiple energy storage modules are fixed to the lower housing 12.

[0027] A flat portion (hereinafter referred to as flat portion 21) is formed on the upper part of the front end of the cover 14 on the vehicle 1 in the horizontal direction. The flat portion 21 is provided with an opening that opens in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1. The opening is set to be at least large enough to allow the connector block 16 to pass through. The connector block 16 is installed by passing through the opening of the flat portion 21.

[0028] A high-voltage connector 20 is provided in connector block 16 to connect to multiple energy storage modules within housing 11. The high-voltage connector 20 is connected to a connector located at one end of a high-voltage cable (not shown). The other end of the high-voltage cable is connected, for example, to an electrical device such as drive unit 5 that is the object of power transfer. By connecting drive unit 5 and energy storage device 10 with a high-voltage cable, power transfer between energy storage device 10 and drive unit 5 is achieved.

[0029] In the energy storage device 10 with the above configuration, for example, the top cover 14 and the connector block 16 are sealed by a sealing component to prevent foreign matter from entering the energy storage device 10. However, sometimes the sealing performance is reduced due to the deviation in the installation position of the connector block 16.

[0030] Therefore, in this embodiment, the connector block 16 is fastened to an intermediate support member made of metal fixed inside the housing 11. A sealing member is provided between the connector block 16 and the flat portion 21 of the upper cover 14. The sealing surface of the sealing member in the flat portion 21 is configured to be parallel to the sealing surface provided between the upper cover 14 and the lower housing 12.

[0031] In this way, the height tolerance (deviation) of the sealing surface in the flat portion 21 can be absorbed by the expansion and contraction of the sealing component, thus suppressing the reduction of sealing performance.

[0032] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates an example of the internal structure of the energy storage device 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, the energy storage device 10 includes multiple energy storage modules 30, 40, 50 and electronic devices 34.

[0033] Multiple energy storage modules 30, 40, and 50 are configured, for example, by arranging multiple battery cells in a predetermined direction. Each of the energy storage modules 30, 40, and 50 is composed of a different number of battery cells than the others.

[0034] The battery cell is, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. The battery cell can have a liquid electrolyte or a solid electrolyte. In this embodiment, a square-shaped battery cell will be described, but a cylindrical shape is also possible. The energy storage device 10 may also be constructed using one or more capacitors capable of charging and discharging, instead of the battery cell.

[0035] The energy storage module 30 is positioned closer to the front of the vehicle 1 than the electronic device 34 and the energy storage modules 40 and 50. The energy storage module 30 is composed of two battery cell packs stacked in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1, which consist of multiple battery cells arranged in the width direction of the vehicle 1.

[0036] An electronic device 34 is disposed at the rear of the vehicle 1, relative to the energy storage module 30. The electronic device 34 includes, for example, a junction box, a battery ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a BMS (Battery Management System), and other control devices. In this embodiment, the example of the electronic device 34 being disposed in one location within the energy storage device 10 is described; however, the electronic device 34 may also be functionally distributed and disposed in multiple locations within the energy storage device 10. Furthermore, the location of the electronic device 34 is not limited to the front of the vehicle 1; it may also be disposed near the center or at the rear of the vehicle 1.

[0037] The energy storage module 40 is located near the center of the vehicle 1, behind the electronic device 34. The energy storage module 40 is composed of two battery cell groups arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1, with two identical battery cell groups stacked on top of each other.

[0038] The energy storage module 50 is positioned further rearward than the energy storage module 40 of the vehicle 1. The energy storage module 50 is constructed by arranging three battery cell groups (multiple battery cells arranged in the width direction of the vehicle 1) side-by-side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1, with three identical battery cell groups stacked on top of each other. Furthermore, the energy storage module 50 is constructed by stacking two adjacent battery cell groups in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 in three layers on top of the aforementioned six battery cell groups.

[0039] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates an example of the configuration of the front portion of the energy storage device 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 As shown, a high-voltage connector 20 is provided on the upper part of the front side of the connector block 16 of the vehicle 1. The position of the high-voltage connector 20 is set above the upper end of the drive unit 5. An opening is formed above the connector block 16, and a connector block cover 18 is provided on the upper end of the connector block 16 to block the opening.

[0040] A power storage module 30 and an electronic device 34 are fixed to the lower housing 12, and an intermediate support member 22 is fixed to the lower housing 12 either via other support members (not shown) or directly. The intermediate support member 22 has, for example, a horizontal planar portion. This planar portion is formed, for example, parallel to the flat portion 21 of the upper cover 14. Multiple fastening points for the connector block 16 are formed on the planar portion of the intermediate support member 22. The planar portion of the intermediate support member 22 is located within the housing 11 below the flat portion 21 of the upper cover 14. The intermediate support member 22 is made of, for example, metal (aluminum, etc.). The connector block 16 is fastened to the intermediate support member 22, for example, using fastening members 24 such as bolts. With the connector block 16 fixed to the intermediate support member 22, the connector block 16 is disposed through the opening of the flat portion 21 of the upper cover 14. A sealing surface 27 is formed around the opening formed in the flat portion 21 of the upper cover 14, and a sealing member 26 is disposed along the sealing surface 27. The sealing component 26 is used to prevent dust and other foreign objects from entering between the top cover 14 and the connector block 16. A power storage module 30 is arranged below the intermediate support component 22.

[0041] The lower housing 12 is composed of a plate-shaped member. A sealing surface 13 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the plate-shaped member where it meets the upper cover 14. At this time, the sealing surface 13 of the lower housing 12 is positioned parallel to the sealing surface 27 of the upper cover 14. The lower housing 12 and the upper cover 14 are fixed together by fastening members 17 such as bolts, separated by sealing members 15 provided along the sealing surface 13, thereby forming the housing 11.

[0042] The function of the energy storage device 10 with the above configuration will be explained. The connector block 16 is fastened to the intermediate support member 22 using the fastening member 24. Therefore, grounding of the high-voltage cable when connected to the high-voltage connector 20 can be provided within the energy storage device 10. This improves shielding performance, such as resistance to rust, etc., of components associated with grounding. Furthermore, since the connector block 16 is fastened to the intermediate support member 22 instead of the upper cover 14, there is no need to consider fixing the connector block 16 to the upper cover 14 to ensure the rigidity of the upper cover 14, thus enabling a lighter upper cover.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the above structure, the fastening of the connector block 16 to the intermediate support member 22 and the fastening of the upper cover 14 to the lower housing 12 are in the same direction (i.e., their fastening surfaces are parallel). Furthermore, the sealing surface 27 of the sealing member 26 between the connector block 16 and the upper cover 14 is parallel to the sealing surface 13 between the lower housing 12 and the upper cover 14. Therefore, the height tolerance of the sealing surface 27 of the flat portion 21 of the upper cover 14 is absorbed by the expansion and contraction of the sealing member 15 or the sealing member 26. As a result, even if the position of the sealing surface 27 of the flat portion 21 of the upper cover 14 deviates in the height direction, the sealing state between the connector block 16 and the upper cover 14 can be maintained.

[0044] Since the high-voltage connector 20 located on the connector block 16 is positioned higher than the upper end of the drive unit 5, even if the drive unit 5 moves backward during a collision with the vehicle 1, the drive unit 5 can be prevented from contacting the high-voltage connector 20 and the high-voltage cable.

[0045] As described above, the energy storage device 10 according to this embodiment allows for the grounding of a cable connected to an object receiving or transmitting power within the housing 11 of the energy storage device 10. This improves shielding performance, such as rust resistance. Furthermore, since the connector block 16 is fastened to the intermediate support member 22 instead of the upper cover 14, it is unnecessary to consider fixing the connector block 16 to the upper cover 14 to ensure the rigidity of the upper cover 14, thus enabling a lighter upper cover 14. Furthermore, by providing a sealing member 26 between the connector block 16 and the flat portion 21 of the upper cover 14, the intrusion of dust or foreign matter between the connector block 16 and the flat portion 21 of the upper cover 14 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the height tolerance (deviation) of the sealing surface 27 in the flat portion 21 can be absorbed by the expansion and contraction of the sealing member 15 or the sealing member 26, thus suppressing a decrease in sealing performance. Therefore, an energy storage device can be provided that suppresses a decrease in the sealing performance between the device and the housing, including a connector connected to an external device.

[0046] Furthermore, by using the intermediate support member 22 and the fastening member 24 to fasten the connector block 16, which is fixed with the high-voltage connector 20, at a fastening point that is inside the outer shape of the connector block 16, the expansion of the space required for mounting the energy storage device 10 can be suppressed. Therefore, the number of battery cells that can be mounted at the position where the energy storage device 10 is mounted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 can be increased, and a high-energy-density energy storage device 10 can be realized.

[0047] The following are examples of variations.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the configuration of the energy storage device 10 with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 as the length direction has been described as an example, but it is not particularly limited to the use of Figures 1-4 The shape of the energy storage device 10 is described. The housing 11 of the energy storage device 10 may, for example, have a cuboid shape with the width direction of the vehicle 1 as the length direction.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the high-voltage connector 20 is located at the front of the connector block 16 of the vehicle 1 has been described as an example, but it is not particularly limited to such a position. For example, at least one high-voltage connector 20 may be provided at any position in the front, rear, left, or right of the connector block 16. For example, it is possible to configure two connectors in the connector block 16, with one connector connecting a portion of the multiple energy storage modules inside the housing 11, and the other connector connecting the remaining energy storage modules. Therefore, a high-voltage branch function can be integrated into the energy storage device 10.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case in which the fastening surfaces of the lower housing 12 and the upper cover 14, the fastening surfaces of the connector block 16 and the intermediate support member 22, and the sealing surfaces 13 and 27 are all configured to be parallel to the horizontal plane is described as an example. However, as long as each fastening surface and each sealing surface is in a parallel positional relationship, for example, they can also be inclined relative to the horizontal plane and parallel to the plane.

[0051] Furthermore, the above-described modifications can be implemented by combining all or part of them as appropriate. It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. The scope of this utility model is defined not by the description but by the technical solutions, and is intended to include all modifications of the same meaning and scope.

Claims

1. An energy storage device, characterized in that, have: Energy storage module, The housing includes an upper cover and a lower housing, which house the energy storage module, and A connector block is provided, which extends through the flat portion above the top cover; A connector is provided in the connector block, which can be connected to a cable of a power transmitting or receiving object connected to the outside of the housing. The connector block is fastened to the support member, which is fixed inside the housing and is made of metal.

2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealing component is provided between the connector block and the flat portion of the upper cover.

3. The energy storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sealing surface of the flat portion for setting the sealing member is configured to be parallel to the sealing surface set between the upper cover and the lower housing.

4. The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The energy storage device is configured to supply power to the drive unit mounted on the vehicle; The connector is positioned above the upper end of the drive device in the connector block.

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