Electricity storage module and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model aims at improving the exhaust efficiency of the opening part formed in the module shell of the storage power storage unit. A power storage module and a vehicle, the power storage module has power storage unit and the module shell of storage power storage unit, the module shell includes the upper wall of the upper surface of module shell, the opening part is formed in the upper wall, and the upper wall includes the wall part which extends upwards from the opening part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an energy storage module and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0231269 discloses a technique for providing vents (openings) on the upper surface of a battery module housing to release gases generated by the high temperature of the battery cells (energy storage cells).

[0003] Currently, there is an urgent need to improve the venting efficiency of the openings on the module housing that house the energy storage unit. Utility Model Content

[0004] One object of this disclosure is to improve the venting efficiency of the openings formed in the module housing that houses the energy storage unit.

[0005] The first aspect of the energy storage module disclosed herein includes an energy storage unit and a module housing for housing the energy storage unit. The module housing includes an upper wall defining an upper surface of the module housing, an opening being formed in the upper wall, and a wall portion extending upward from the opening.

[0006] The second embodiment of the energy storage module disclosed herein is based on the first embodiment, wherein the wall portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, the upper wall further includes a top plate portion having the opening portion formed thereon, the wall portion includes a root portion connected to the top plate portion, and the opening area formed by the root portion decreases as it moves away from the top plate portion, and the root portion is formed in a curved shape.

[0007] The third-party energy storage module disclosed herein is based on the first or second method, wherein the module housing includes a peripheral wall portion extending downward from the outer periphery of the upper wall, and the peripheral wall portion includes a first side wall and a second side wall for clamping the energy storage unit.

[0008] The vehicle of the fourth type disclosed herein is equipped with the energy storage module of the first type.

[0009] According to this disclosure, the venting efficiency of the opening formed in the module housing that houses the energy storage unit can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with an energy storage device that includes an energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the energy storage device shown.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2The diagram shows a 3D view of the energy storage module.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of line IV–IV. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The embodiments and variations thereof of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that identical or equivalent parts in the drawings are represented by the same symbols, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0015] Figure 1 This diagram schematically illustrates a vehicle equipped with an energy storage device including an energy storage module according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The vehicle 500 is, for example, a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Alternatively, the vehicle 500 may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The vehicle 500 includes an energy storage device 100. The energy storage device 100 stores the electricity required for the vehicle 500 to operate. The vehicle 500 operates by utilizing the electricity stored in the energy storage device 100. Furthermore, the application of the energy storage device 100 is not limited to vehicle applications. The energy storage device 100 may also be installed in a device outside the vehicle to store the driving power of that device.

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows an exploded perspective view of the energy storage device 100. The energy storage device 100 includes multiple energy storage modules 10 and a housing 90. In this embodiment, the energy storage device 100 includes nine energy storage modules 10. The nine energy storage modules 10 form three module rows R arranged along a first direction. Each module row R includes three energy storage modules 10 arranged along a second direction. In this embodiment, the first direction, the second direction, and the vertical direction are orthogonal to each other. The first direction corresponds to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 500, and the second direction corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle 500. Furthermore, the first direction is not limited to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 500, and the second direction is not limited to the width direction of the vehicle 500. Strict orthogonality is not required as long as the first and second directions intersect each other. Additionally, the number of energy storage modules 10 included in the energy storage device 100 may be only one.

[0017] The housing 90 includes a lower housing 91 and an upper housing 92. The lower housing 91 is formed to open upwards. The upper housing 92 is formed to cover the opening of the lower housing 91. A plurality of energy storage modules 10 are housed in the space formed by the lower housing 91 and the upper housing 92.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the energy storage module 10. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along line IV–IV. (Refer to...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The energy storage module 10 includes multiple energy storage units 15 and a module housing 20. In this embodiment, the multiple energy storage units 15 are arranged along a first direction. The energy storage units 15 can be lithium-ion secondary batteries or other types of secondary batteries (e.g., nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries). Furthermore, the energy storage units 15 can also be solid-state batteries. Additionally, the energy storage module 10 may contain only one energy storage unit 15. The multiple energy storage units 15 may also be arranged along a second direction.

[0019] The module housing 20 is used to house multiple energy storage units 15. The module housing 20 is made of metal (such as aluminum or iron). The module housing 20 includes a base plate 21, a peripheral wall 22, and a top wall 23.

[0020] The base plate 21 is plate-shaped. The peripheral wall portion 22 has a shape that surrounds a plurality of energy storage units 15. Specifically, the peripheral wall portion 22 is formed vertically from the outer peripheral edge of the base plate 21. The upper end of the peripheral wall portion 22 is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall 23. That is, the peripheral wall portion 22 extends downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall 23. The peripheral wall portion 22 includes sidewalls 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d.

[0021] Sidewall 22a corresponds to the "first sidewall" in this disclosure, and sidewall 22b corresponds to the "second sidewall" in this disclosure. Sidewalls 22a and 22b are spaced apart in a second direction, and sidewalls 22a and 22b are formed to extend along a first direction. Sidewalls 22a and 22b hold a plurality of energy storage units 15. That is, sidewalls 22a and 22b have the function of constraining a plurality of energy storage units 15 from both sides in the second direction.

[0022] Sidewalls 22c and 22d are spaced apart in a first direction, and are formed to extend along a second direction. Sidewall 22c connects one end of sidewall 22a to one end of sidewall 22b. Sidewall 22d connects the other end of sidewall 22a to the other end of sidewall 22b.

[0023] The upper wall 23 defines the upper surface of the module housing 20. Two openings 32 are formed on the upper wall 23. More specifically, the upper wall 23 includes a top plate portion 31. Two openings 32 are formed on the top plate portion 31. The openings 32 are generally elliptical in shape. The two openings 32 are located at the center of the top plate portion 31 in a first direction and are spaced apart from each other in a second direction.

[0024] The upper wall 23 includes a wall portion 33 extending upward from the opening 32. The wall portion 33 is cylindrical. The wall portion 33 includes a root portion 33a connected to the top plate portion 31, and an upper end portion 33b disposed above the root portion 33a. The opening area formed by the root portion 33a decreases with distance from the top plate portion 31, thus the root portion 33a is curved. More specifically, the top plate portion 31 includes a surface 31a facing the inside of the module housing 20 and a surface 31b facing the outside of the module housing 20. The inner peripheral surface of the root portion 33a has a curved surface 34 connected to the surface 31a of the top plate portion 31. The opening area formed by the root portion 33a decreases with distance from the top plate portion 31. With this structure, an upward gas flow is generated along the curved surface 34. Figure 4 The dashed arrows indicate the flow of gas. The gas discharged from the energy storage unit 15 rises along the curved surface 34 and is discharged to the outside of the energy storage module 10. Due to the upward gas flow along the curved surface 34, the gas velocity is increased, thereby improving the exhaust efficiency.

[0025] Furthermore, the number of openings 32 formed on the upper wall 23 is not limited to two. One or more openings 32 are sufficient. Additionally, the location of the openings 32 on the top plate portion 31 is not limited to the location shown in this embodiment. The openings 32 can be formed at any location on the top plate portion 31. The shape of the openings 32 is also not limited to the shape shown in this embodiment. The openings 32 can be in the shape of having an arcuate portion (e.g., a circle) or in a rectangular shape.

[0026] As described above, in the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the opening 32 is formed on the upper wall 23, and the upper wall 23 includes a wall portion 33 extending upward from the opening 32. When the opening is formed only on the upper wall of the module housing of the energy storage module, and the upper wall does not include the wall portion extending upward from the opening, the gas discharged from the energy storage unit 15 may pass through the opening and remain near the upper surface of the energy storage unit 15. In contrast, when the upper wall 23 includes the wall portion 33, the gas discharged from the energy storage unit 15 is more easily guided to the area above the opening 32. Therefore, according to the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the exhaust efficiency of the opening 32 formed in the module housing 20 housing the energy storage unit 15 can be improved.

[0027] Furthermore, when an opening is formed only on the upper wall of the module housing of the energy storage module, and the upper wall does not include a wall portion extending upward from the opening, stress concentration is likely to occur at the opening, resulting in a decrease in the rigidity of the upper wall. However, in the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the upper wall 23 includes a wall portion 33 extending upward from the opening 32, thus suppressing stress concentration at the opening. Therefore, according to the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the rigidity of the upper wall 23 is improved.

[0028] Furthermore, when an opening is formed only on the upper wall of the module housing of the energy storage module, and the upper wall does not include a wall portion extending upward from the opening, stress concentration easily occurs at the opening, reducing the strength of the upper wall. However, in the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the upper wall 23 includes a wall portion 33 extending upward from the opening 32, thus suppressing stress concentration at the opening. Therefore, according to the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the strength of the upper wall 23 is improved.

[0029] Therefore, the energy storage module 10 according to this embodiment can balance the exhaust efficiency of the opening 32 with the rigidity and strength of the upper wall 23.

[0030] Furthermore, in the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the opening area formed by the root 33a decreases as it moves away from the top plate portion 31, thus the root 33a is formed in a curved shape. This structure allows for the Coanda Effect, meaning that an upward gas flow occurs along the curved surface 34 of the wall portion 33. Therefore, the energy storage module 10 according to this embodiment can further improve the exhaust efficiency of the opening 32 formed in the module housing 20 housing the energy storage unit 15.

[0031] Furthermore, in the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, a plurality of energy storage units 15 are held by side walls 22a and 22b of a peripheral wall portion 22 extending downward from the outer periphery of the upper wall 23. As described above, since the upper wall 23 includes a wall portion 33, the rigidity of the upper wall 23 is improved. Therefore, the energy storage module 10 according to this embodiment can ensure the constraint force of the plurality of energy storage units 15 held by the side walls 22a and 22b of the peripheral wall portion 22 extending downward from the outer periphery of the upper wall 23.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the exhaust efficiency of the opening 32 is improved. Therefore, the vehicle 500 equipped with the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment can effectively exhaust the high-temperature gas ejected by the energy storage unit 15 to the outside.

[0033] In addition, although the energy storage module 10 is disposed in the energy storage device 100 with the upper wall 23 facing upward in this embodiment, the energy storage module 10 can also be disposed in the energy storage device 100 with the upper wall 23 facing downward.

[0034] It should be understood that the embodiments and variations thereof disclosed herein are exemplary in all respects and not limiting. The scope of protection of this disclosure is defined by the claims, and not by the foregoing description, and is intended to cover all modifications within the equivalent meaning and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A power storage module, characterized in that, have: Energy storage unit; and The module housing that houses the energy storage unit, The module housing includes an upper wall defining the upper surface of the module housing. An opening is formed in the upper wall. The upper wall includes a wall portion extending upward from the opening.

2. The energy storage module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wall portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the upper wall further includes a top plate portion having the opening portion formed thereon. The wall portion includes a root portion connected to the top plate portion, and the opening area formed by the root portion decreases as it moves away from the top plate portion. The root portion is formed in a curved shape.

3. The energy storage module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The module housing includes a peripheral wall portion extending downward from the outer periphery of the upper wall, the peripheral wall portion including a first side wall and a second side wall that clamp the energy storage unit.

4. A vehicle, characterized in that, It has the energy storage module as described in claim 1.

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