Power storage unit

Abstract

To provide a power storage unit capable of enhancing a function for holding a power storage element without increasing the number of components.SOLUTION: A power storage unit includes: a plurality of power storage elements; a holder holding the plurality of power storage elements so as to align them; a first cover covering the holder from an installation side of each power storage element; and a second cover that is integrated with the first cover, and houses the holder between the first cover. The holder includes: a plurality of holding parts that can be elastically deformed while nipping each power storage element; and a first seat part that is positioned to between the holding parts nipping each power storage element contacted to each power storage element. The first cover includes a second seat part that can be contacted to each power storage element or is contacted to the side opposite to the first seat part in a state of covering the holder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electricity storage unit. [Background technology]

[0002] An energy storage unit that houses a plurality of energy storage elements is known. The energy storage unit is mounted, for example, on an automobile and used as an auxiliary power source. The energy storage unit supplies power to electrical components when an abnormality occurs in the battery. Patent Document 1 discloses an energy storage unit having a holder that holds a plurality of energy storage elements (electric double layer capacitors). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-81795 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, the prior art energy storage unit has, as components for holding the energy storage elements, a lower holder on which the energy storage elements are placed and an upper holder connected to the lower holder (FIG. 11 of Patent Document 1). In this case, an upper cover and a lower cover are required to cover the holder unit made up of the lower holder and upper holder from above and below, which increases the size of the energy storage unit and the number of components.

[0005] In contrast to such conventional technology, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 (FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1) does not have an upper holder, and multiple energy storage elements are held only by a lower holder. This makes the energy storage unit more compact. The lower holder on which the energy storage elements are placed has multiple holding parts that sandwich the energy storage elements. However, for example, if the energy storage unit vibrates or if the energy storage unit is used in a position where the energy storage elements are lower than the lower holder, the energy storage elements may come off the holder against the clamping force of the holding parts.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an energy storage unit that can improve the function of holding energy storage elements without increasing the number of components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The energy storage unit of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of energy storage elements, a holder that holds the plurality of energy storage elements in a line, a first cover that covers the holder from the installation side of the energy storage elements, and a second cover that is integral with the first cover and accommodates the holder between the first cover and the first cover, the holder having a plurality of elastically deformable holding portions that sandwich the energy storage elements, and a first seat portion that is located between the holding portions that sandwich the energy storage elements and that contacts the energy storage elements, and the first cover has a second seat portion that is located on the opposite side of the first seat portion and is capable of contacting or is in contact with the energy storage elements when covering the holder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the electricity storage unit of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the function of holding electricity storage elements without increasing the number of components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an electricity storage unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electricity storage unit shown in FIG. 1 as seen from below. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an internal unit including a holder for holding an energy storage element and a substrate with a shielding member. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the energy storage element is removed from the holder. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing a cross section of the substrate. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a part of the holder. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a holder that holds an electricity storage element. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the electricity storage unit (second embodiment). [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a holder included in the electricity storage unit of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the A-type holding portion and the B-type holding portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Summary of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> The following provides an outline of embodiments of the present disclosure. (1) The energy storage unit of the present disclosure includes a plurality of energy storage elements, a holder that holds the plurality of energy storage elements in a line, a first cover that covers the holder from the side where the energy storage elements are installed, and a second cover that is integrated with the first cover and houses the holder between the first cover and the first cover, the holder having a plurality of elastically deformable holding portions that sandwich the energy storage elements, and a first seat portion that is located between the holding portions that sandwich the energy storage elements and that contacts the energy storage elements, and the first cover has a second seat portion that is located on the opposite side of the first seat portion and is capable of contacting or is in contact with the energy storage elements when covering the holder.

[0011] In the energy storage unit having the above configuration, the energy storage element is supported in three directions by the multiple holding portions and the first seat portion in the holder. If the energy storage element attempts to displace in a direction other than the three directions, i.e., toward the first cover, the displacement is limited by the second seat portion of the first cover, and the energy storage element does not come off the holder. This improves the ability to hold the energy storage element without increasing the number of parts.

[0012] (2) Preferably, when the first cover covers the holder, the second seat is in contact with or in close proximity to the energy storage device. In the above-described configuration, when the first cover covers the holder, the second seat is in a state where it is in contact with the electric storage element, and the second seat is able to contact the electric storage element. When the electric storage element held in the holder starts to be displaced toward the first cover, the electric storage element comes into contact with the second seat, and the displacement is limited by the second seat.

[0013] (3) Or, in the storage unit of (1), preferably, when the first cover covers the holder, the second seat portion contacts the storage element, and the second seat portion or the area surrounding the second seat portion elastically deforms. In the above-described configuration, when the first cover covers the holder, the second seat portion comes into contact with the electric storage element, and further, the second seat portion presses against the electric storage element.

[0014] (4) In any one of the energy storage units (1) to (3), preferably, the second seat has a contact surface that can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the energy storage element, and the exterior surface of the first cover opposite the surface on which the second seat is formed has a first surface located opposite the contact surface and a second surface located opposite the surface other than the contact surface, and the first surface and the second surface are arranged along the same plane. In the above-described configuration, even if the surface of the first cover on which the second seat portion is formed has an uneven shape, the exterior surface on the opposite side has a flat shape. The second seat portion has a thickness and is therefore highly rigid.

[0015] (5) Preferably, in the energy storage unit of any one of (1) to (4), the plurality of holding portions include an A-type holding portion and a B-type holding portion that exerts a greater force in the direction of clamping the energy storage element than the A-type holding portion. According to the above configuration, the force in the direction of clamping the energy storage element is greater in the B-type holding portion than in the A-type holding portion. For example, depending on the position of the holding portion in the holder, the force of a specific holding portion may be smaller than the force of other holding portions. In this case, the specific holding portion can be a B-type holding portion. This increases the force of the specific holding portion, making it possible to make it equal to the force of the other holding portions, for example.

[0016] (6) Preferably, in the energy storage unit of (5), the holder has a base portion having the first seat portion and on which the plurality of energy storage elements are placed in a line, and a plurality of holding portions extending from the base portion toward the first cover, the holding portions having contact portions that contact the energy storage elements from the first cover side, the A-type holding portion having a first dimension as the dimension from the contact portion to the base portion, and the B-type holding portion having a second dimension from the contact portion to the base portion that is smaller than the first dimension. According to this configuration, the force in the direction in which the B-type holding portion sandwiches the energy storage element becomes large.

[0017] (7) Preferably, the storage unit of any one of (1) to (6) further includes a substrate located on the second cover side of the holder and a shielding member covering electronic components mounted on the second cover side of the substrate, the substrate being a multilayer substrate having a shielding layer, and the shielding member covering the electronic components from the second cover side. According to the above configuration, the shielding member shields the electronic components mounted on the circuit board from the second cover side. The shielding layer of the circuit board shields the electronic components from the first cover side. A separate shielding member is not required on the first cover side. In other words, a separate shielding member is not required between the first cover and the multiple energy storage elements held in the holder. As a result, an energy storage unit is obtained in which the second seat portion of the first cover faces the energy storage elements, and even if the energy storage elements attempt to displace in a direction toward the first cover, the second seat portion restricts such displacement.

[0018] (8) Preferably, the storage unit of any one of (1) to (6) further includes a substrate located on the second cover side of the holder and a shielding member covering electronic components mounted on the surface of the substrate on the first cover side, the substrate being a multilayer substrate having a shielding layer, and the shielding member covering the electronic components from the first cover side. According to the above configuration, the shielding member shields the electronic components mounted on the board from the first cover side. The shielding layer of the board shields the electronic components from the second cover side. No separate shielding member is required between the first cover and the multiple energy storage elements held in the holder. As a result, an energy storage unit is obtained in which the second seat portion of the first cover faces the energy storage elements, and even if the energy storage elements attempt to displace toward the first cover, the second seat portion restricts the displacement.

[0019] (9) Preferably, in the energy storage unit of any one of (1) to (8), the energy storage element has a cylindrical shape, and the second seat portion has a contact surface with a cross-sectional arc shape that follows the cylindrical shape. According to this configuration, when the electricity storage unit attempts to be displaced against the holding portion, the second seat portion can suppress the displacement.

[0020] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any manner.

[0021] [About the energy storage unit] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a power storage unit. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the power storage unit shown in Fig. 1 as seen from below. The power storage unit 10 is mounted on, for example, an automobile and used as an auxiliary power source. The power storage unit 10 supplies power to electrical components when an abnormality occurs in the automobile battery. The energy storage unit 10 includes a first cover 11, a second cover 12, a plurality of energy storage elements 13, a holder 14, a substrate 15, and a shield member 16.

[0022] The energy storage element 13 is, for example, a capacitor such as an electric double layer capacitor. The energy storage element 13 may also be a battery such as a lithium ion battery. The shape of the energy storage element 13 is not particularly limited, but the energy storage element 13 has a cylindrical element body 132 and terminals 133 extending from the element body 132. The terminals 133 are electrically connected to the substrate 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , six energy storage elements 13 are aligned in one direction and held by the holder 14, but the number of energy storage elements 13 is not limited.

[0023] The orientation of the electricity storage unit 10 will be described. The direction in which the plurality of energy storage elements 13 are arranged in holder 14 (the one direction) is defined as the "arrangement direction." The axial direction of cylindrical energy storage elements 13 held in holder 14 is defined as the "width direction." The direction perpendicular to both the arrangement direction and the width direction is defined as the "up-down direction." In each figure, the arrangement direction is indicated by an arrow X, the width direction is indicated by an arrow Y, and the up-down direction is indicated by an arrow Z. With regard to the arrangement direction (arrow X), width direction (arrow Y), and up-down direction (arrow Z), the side indicated by the arrow is defined as the "first side," and the opposite side is defined as the "second side."

[0024] In the following description, particularly with respect to the up-down direction (arrow Z), the side indicated by the arrow is defined as the "upper side," and the opposite side is defined as the "lower side." Therefore, in the case of the energy storage unit 10 of the present disclosure, the first cover 11 is the upper cover, and the second cover 12 is the lower cover. The holder 14 holds the plurality of energy storage elements 13 on its upper side. The "upper and lower directions" are defined for the sake of convenience in order to explain the configuration of the energy storage unit 10, and do not necessarily coincide with the vertical direction when the energy storage unit 10 is installed in an apparatus. Contrary to the cases in FIGS. 1 and 2, the energy storage unit 10 may be used in a position where the energy storage elements 13 are lower than the holder 14.

[0025] First cover 11 covers holder 14 from above, which is the side where energy storage elements 13 are installed. First cover 11 is made of insulating resin, and is integrally molded by injection molding. Second cover 12 is integrated with first cover 11, and accommodates holder 14 for holding energy storage elements 13 and substrate 15 with shielding member 16 between second cover 12 and first cover 11. Second cover 12 is made of insulating resin and is integrally molded by injection molding. Second cover 12, together with first cover 11, constitutes an exterior component of energy storage unit 10.

[0026] The second cover 12 has one bottom wall 51 and four second side walls 52. The bottom wall 51 faces the substrate 15. The first cover 11 has a plurality of first engagement portions 115. The second cover 12 has a plurality of second engagement portions 125. The first engagement portions 115 and the second engagement portions 125 engage with each other, thereby connecting the first cover 11 and the second cover 12 and preventing misalignment between them.

[0027] Holder 14 holds a plurality of energy storage elements 13 arranged in the arrangement direction. Holder 14 is made of insulating resin and is integrally molded by injection molding. Holder 14 holds energy storage elements 13 with their upper sides exposed (see FIG. 3). FIG. 3 is a perspective view of holder 14 that holds energy storage elements 13, and internal unit 17 that includes substrate 15 with shielding member 16. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which energy storage elements 13 have been removed from holder 14.

[0028] The substrate 15 is located below the holder 14. Terminals 133 of the energy storage elements 13 are electrically connected to printed wiring on the substrate 15. The substrate 15 has a control circuit that controls charging and discharging of the multiple energy storage elements 13. The substrate 15 has a connector portion 156 that electrically connects the control circuit to external wiring (not shown) (see FIG. 2). Power output from the multiple energy storage elements 13 is supplied to the external wiring via the connector portion 156. Electronic components 153 are mounted on the substrate 15. The electronic components 153 include components that transmit electrical noise to the outside or components that are susceptible to electrical noise from the outside. Such electronic components 153 that require noise countermeasures are mounted on a surface 152 on the second cover 12 side, which is the underside of the substrate 15.

[0029] 5 is an image diagram showing a cross section of substrate 15. Substrate 15 is a multilayer substrate and has shielding layer 154 as an intermediate layer. Shielding layer 154 has metal film 155. Metal film 155 is provided in an area that at least covers the area where electronic component 153 that requires noise countermeasures is provided. The shielding member 16 is made of metal. The shielding member 16 functions as a shield to protect against noise. The shielding member 16 has a box shape that opens on the substrate 15 side. The shielding member 16 is attached to the substrate 15 by, for example, soldering. The shielding member 16 shown in FIG. 5 covers the electronic components 153 from below.

[0030] 2, the substrate 15 is attached to the holder 14 by, for example, a screw 61. The holder 14 is attached to the first cover 11 by, for example, a screw 62. When the first cover 11 and the second cover 12 are joined together, the first cover 11 and the second cover 12 house the internal unit 17 therein. In the energy storage unit 10, the first cover 11 and the second cover 12 are the members located outermost.

[0031] [About holder 14] The holder 14 (see Figures 3 and 4) has one base portion 20 and multiple holding portions 21. The base portion 20 is a portion on which multiple storage elements 13 are placed in a line. The holding portions 21 extend upward from each portion of the base portion 20. The holding portions 21 are located on a first side in the arrangement direction (the right side in Figure 3) and a second side in the arrangement direction (the left side in Figure 3), sandwiching the storage elements 13 between them. The holding portions 21 are elastically deformable claw-shaped portions that sandwich the storage elements 13 from both the first and second sides in the arrangement direction.

[0032] The base portion 20 (see FIG. 4) has first seat portions 31 in the same number as the energy storage elements 13, frame portions 26 in the number one more than the energy storage elements 13, and two outer frame portions 27. The two outer frame portions 27 are located on both sides in the width direction of the holder 14 and are side walls that are long in the arrangement direction. Between the two outer frame portions 27, the frame portions 26 and the first seat portions 31 are alternately located along the arrangement direction.

[0033] 6 is an enlarged view showing a portion of holder 14. Two frame portions 26 adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction and one first seat portion 31 located between these two frame portions 26 form a recess 25 that is recessed downward and elongated in the width direction. The lower half of energy storage element 13 is accommodated in recess 25. Since energy storage element 13 has a cylindrical shape, recess 25 has a cross-sectional arc shape that follows the cylindrical shape.

[0034] The first seat portion 31 has a shape that is long in the width direction and is connected to each of the two outer frame portions 27, and serves as a lower wall of the recess 25. The first seat portion 31 has a cross section that is arc-shaped. The frame portion 26 has a frame main body portion 261 that is long in the width direction and connected to each of the two outer frame portions 27, and a plurality of frame side portions 262 that are spaced apart in the width direction. The frame side portions 262 have an arc-shaped cross section and form side walls of the recess 25. The frame side portions 262 are continuous with the first seat portion 31. The frame side portions 262 come into contact with the energy storage elements 13 in the arrangement direction.

[0035] The frame main body 261 (frame 26) has cutouts 29 spaced apart in the width direction. The retaining portions 21 are located in the cutouts 29. The retaining portions 21 extend upward from the frame main body 261, which is part of the frame 26.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the holder 14 holding the energy storage element 13. FIG. 7 shows the state in which the first cover 11 and the second cover 12 (not shown) are joined together. The first seat portion 31 contacts the energy storage element 13 from below. The first seat portion 31 is located between the holding portion 21 on the first side in the arrangement direction and the holding portion 21 on the second side in the arrangement direction, sandwiching one energy storage element 13 between them. The first seat portion 31 has a first contact surface 311 with an arc-shaped cross section that follows the cylindrical shape of the energy storage element 13.

[0037] The storage elements 13 are held by the holder 14 while placed on the first seat portion 31. The holding portion 21 on the first side in the arrangement direction contacts one storage element 13 placed on the first seat portion 31, and the holding portion 21 on the second side in the arrangement direction contacts one storage element 13 placed on the first seat portion 31. The holding portions 21 on both sides in the arrangement direction sandwich one storage element 13 placed on the first seat portion 31. However, as will be explained later regarding the arrangement of the holding portions 21, the holding portion 21 on the first side in the arrangement direction and the holding portion 21 on the second side in the arrangement direction that sandwich one storage element 13 are at different positions in the width direction (see FIG. 3).

[0038] The holding portion 21 that contacts the energy storage element 13 from the first side in the arrangement direction (the right side in FIGS. 3 and 7) is referred to as the "first holding portion 211." The holding portion 21 that contacts the energy storage element 13 from the second side in the arrangement direction (the left side in FIGS. 3 and 7) is referred to as the "second holding portion 212." 3, one energy storage element 13 is sandwiched from both sides in the arrangement direction by one first holding portion 211 and two second holding portions 212. One energy storage element 13 is held by the holder 14 at three points. Note that the number of holding portions 21 that sandwich one energy storage element 13 from both sides is not limited to three and can be changed.

[0039] The holding portion 21 comes into contact with the energy storage element 13 placed on the first seat portion 31, thereby holding the energy storage element 13 in the recess 25. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, one holding portion 21 is provided on the frame portion 26 located on the first side in the arrangement direction (right side in Figures 3 and 4). Two holding portions 21 are provided on the frame portion 26 located on the second side in the arrangement direction (left side in Figures 3 and 4). Three holding portions 21 are provided on each of the other frame portions 26. The number of holding portions 21 provided on one frame portion 26 is not limited.

[0040] The shape of the holding portion 21 will be described (see FIG. 7). Each holding portion 21 has a pillar portion 23, a guide portion 24, and a contact portion 22. The pillar portion 23 is a portion that extends upward from the frame main body portion 261. The pillar portion 23 (holding portion 21) has a cantilever shape with the frame main body portion 261 side as the fixed end.

[0041] The guide portion 24 is provided at the tip of the holding portion 21. The guide portion 24 guides the energy storage element 13 when the energy storage element 13 is placed on the first seat portion 31. To this end, the guide portion 24 has an inclined surface 241. The inclined surface 241 of the guide portion 24 of the first holding portion 211 inclines toward a first side in the arrangement direction as it extends upward. The inclined surface 241 of the guide portion 24 of the second holding portion 212 inclines toward a second side in the arrangement direction as it extends upward. In other words, the inclined surface 241 inclines in a direction away from the center of the energy storage element 13 guided by the guide portion 24 as it extends upward.

[0042] The contact portion 22 comes into contact with the energy storage element 13 placed on the first seat portion 31. The contact portion 22 is located below the guide portion 24. The contact portion 22 comes into contact with the energy storage element 13 from the side of the first cover 11, which is the upper side. When the contact portion 22 is in contact with the energy storage element 13, the holding portion 21 is slightly elastically deformed toward the side opposite the energy storage element 13. In other words, the first holding portion 211 is slightly elastically deformed toward the first side in the arrangement direction, and the second holding portion 212 is slightly elastically deformed toward the second side in the arrangement direction. Due to the reaction force (elastic restoring force) of the elastically deforming holding portion 21, the energy storage element 13 is sandwiched between the holding portions 21 on the first and second sides in the arrangement direction.

[0043] Each energy storage element 13 placed on one first seat 31 is sandwiched between the first holding portion 211 and the second holding portion 212 on both sides in the arrangement direction, and is in contact with the first seat 31. The energy storage element 13 is supported from three directions by the holding portions 21 on both sides in the arrangement direction and the first seat 31 on the lower side.

[0044] The holding portion 21 used when attaching the energy storage element 13 to the holder 14 will now be described. The energy storage element 13 is brought relatively close to the first seat 31 in the vertical direction and comes into contact with the guide portion 24. When the energy storage element 13 comes into contact with the inclined surface 241, it slides downward along the inclined surface 241, pushing the guide portion 24 outward in the arrangement direction. As a result, the holding portions 21 on both sides elastically deform in the arrangement direction. When the vertex P2 of the energy storage element 13, which is the widest in the arrangement direction, passes below the guide portion 24 and the contact portion 22, the holding portion 21 reduces the amount of deformation due to its elastic restoring force. In this state, the contact portion 22 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 131 of the energy storage element 13 from above, pressing the energy storage element 13 against the first seat 31. In this manner, the energy storage element 13 is attached to the holder 14.

[0045] [Regarding First Cover 11] 2, first cover 11 has one top wall 41 and four first side walls 42, and has a shape that opens downward. Top wall 41 is a portion that faces the plurality of energy storage elements 13 held in holder 14. First side walls 42 are portions that cover holder 14, which holds the plurality of energy storage elements 13, from both sides in the arrangement direction and both sides in the width direction.

[0046] The upper wall 41 has second seats 32 in the same number as the energy storage elements 13. The multiple second seats 32 are arranged side by side in the arrangement direction. Each second seat 32 has a groove that is long in the width direction. Each second seat 32 has an upwardly concave shape. In this embodiment, the energy storage elements 13 have a cylindrical shape. Each second seat 32 has a second contact surface 321 that has an arc-shaped cross section that follows the cylindrical shape.

[0047] When the first cover 11 is integrated with the second cover 12, the first cover 11 covers the holder 14 that holds the multiple energy storage elements 13 (hereinafter, this state will be referred to as the "assembled state", see Figure 7). In the assembled state, the second seat portion 32 is located on the upper side, opposite the first seat portion 31 located below. When the first cover 11 and the second cover 12 are joined together, one second seat portion 32 covers one energy storage element 13.

[0048] 7, in the assembled state, the second contact surface 321 can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface 131 of the energy storage element 13. In other words, in the assembled state, the second seat portion 32 is in contact with or close to the energy storage element 13. In other words, in the assembled state, the second seat portion 32 is in a state where it is either in contact with or not in contact with the energy storage element 13. When the energy storage element 13 held by the holder 14 begins to displace upward toward the first cover 11, it comes into contact with the second seat portion 32, and the displacement is limited by the second seat portion 32. In this way, in the assembled state, the second seat portion 32 is able to come into contact with the energy storage element 13.

[0049] In this configuration, in the assembled state, the second seat portion 32 of the first cover 11 and its surrounding portion 33 do not elastically deform. It is easy to set the positional relationship between the second seat portion 32 and the energy storage element 13 without increasing the dimensional accuracy in manufacturing the first cover 11 and the holder 14. In other words, in a configuration in which the second seat portion 32 is in contact with or close to the energy storage element 13 in the assembled state, even if a dimensional error occurs in the first cover 11 and the holder 14, the dimensional error is unlikely to affect the state in which the energy storage element 13 is sandwiched between the first seat portion 31 and the second seat portion 32 from above and below.

[0050] Alternatively, the vertical positional relationship between the second seat portion 32 and the energy storage element 13 may be other. That is, in the assembled state, the second seat portion 32 may be in contact with the energy storage element 13, and the second seat portion 32 or a portion 33 surrounding the second seat portion 32 may be elastically deformed. In this case, in the assembled state, the second seat portion 32 is in contact with the energy storage element 13, and further, the second seat portion 32 presses the energy storage element 13.

[0051] As described above, it is only necessary that second seat portion 32 of first cover 11 is capable of or comes into contact with energy storage device 13 in the assembled state.

[0052] The upper wall 41 of the first cover 11 (see FIG. 2) has a forming surface 112 for the second seat portion 32. The upper wall 41 has an exterior surface 111 (see FIG. 1) opposite the forming surface 112. The forming surface 112, which is the lower surface, has an uneven shape because the second seat portion 32 is formed thereon. In contrast, the exterior surface 111, which is the upper surface, has a flat shape.

[0053] The shape of the upper wall 41 will be further explained with reference to FIG. The forming surface 112 has a second contact surface 321 and a surface 322 other than the second contact surface 321 . The exterior surface 111 has a first surface 113 located on the opposite side (upper side) of the second contact surface 321 and a second surface 114 located on the opposite side (upper side) of the surface 322 other than the second contact surface 321. The first surface 113 and the second surface 114 are provided along the same plane.

[0054] In this way, even though the forming surface 112 has an uneven shape, the exterior surface 111 on the opposite side has a flat shape. In this case, as shown in Fig. 7, the second seat portion 32 has a thickness in the vertical direction and is more rigid than the portion other than the second seat portion 32. Even if the energy storage element 13 is displaced due to vibration or the like and presses the second seat portion 32, the second seat portion 32 and its surrounding portion 33 do not easily elastically deform, and it is possible to press the energy storage element 13.

[0055] The exterior surface 111 is not necessarily flat, and although not shown, may be an uneven surface similar to the forming surface 112. For example, the thickness of the second seat portion 32 may be the same as the thickness of the portion other than the second seat portion 32, and as a result, the first surface 113 may be a surface that is more recessed than the second surface 114.

[0056] [Electricity storage unit 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2] In the energy storage unit 10 having the above-described configuration, the energy storage element 13 is supported in three directions in the holder 14 by the plurality of holding portions 21 and the first seat portion 31 (see FIG. 7 ). If the energy storage element 13 attempts to displace in a direction other than the three directions, that is, in the upward direction toward the first cover 11, the displacement is limited by the second seat portion 32 of the first cover 11, and the energy storage element 13 does not come off the holder 14.

[0057] [Modification of the Power Storage Unit 10] Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the energy storage unit 10. The energy storage unit 10 shown in Fig. 8 has a first cover 11, a second cover 12, a plurality of energy storage elements 13, a holder 14, a substrate 15, and a shield member 16. In this respect, it is the same as the energy storage unit 10 (first embodiment) shown in Fig. 2. Below, differences will be mainly described.

[0058] 8 (second embodiment) has the same functions as the first embodiment in the first cover 11, the second cover 12, the holder 14, the substrate 15, and the shield member 16, but the forms of these components are different from those of the first embodiment, and the number of energy storage elements 13 is different. Note that the number of energy storage elements 13 can be changed. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, the components denoted by the same reference numerals can be the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0059] The second cover 12 in the second embodiment is plate-shaped. In the second embodiment, the holder 14 has a plurality of legs 141 extending from the base 20 toward the board 15. The board 15 is located on the second cover 12 side, which is the lower side of the holder 14. An electronic component 153 that requires noise suppression is mounted on a surface 151 on the first cover 11 side, which is the upper side of the board 15. The shielding member 16 covers the electronic component 153 from the first cover 11 side, which is the upper side.

[0060] Similar to the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), the substrate 15 is a multilayer substrate and has a shielding layer 154. However, in the second embodiment, the top-bottom arrangement of the substrate 15 and the shielding member 16 is reversed compared to the first embodiment (FIG. 5). In the second embodiment (see FIG. 8), the shielding member 16 is located between the substrate 15 and the base 20 of the holder 14. For this purpose, the holder 14 has legs 141, and a space for installing the shielding member 16 is provided between the base 20 and the substrate 15.

[0061] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a holder 14 included in an electricity storage unit 10 of the second embodiment. The holder 14 has one base portion 20 and multiple holding portions 21. The base portion 20 is a portion on which multiple energy storage elements 13 are placed in a line. The holding portions 21 extend upward from each portion of the base portion 20. The holding portions 21 are elastically deformable claw-shaped portions that hold the energy storage elements 13 from both the first and second sides in the arrangement direction. The base portion 20 has the same number of first seat portions 31 as the number of energy storage elements 13 , one more frame portion 26 than the number of energy storage elements 13 , and two outer frame portions 27 .

[0062] Two frame portions 26 adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction and one first seat portion 31 located between these two frame portions 26 form a recess 25 that is recessed downward and long in the width direction. The lower half of energy storage element 13 is housed in recess 25. The first seat portion 31 has a shape that is long in the width direction and is connected to each of the two outer frame portions 27 , and forms the lower wall of the recessed portion 25 . Frame portion has a shape that is long in the width direction and is connected to each of the two outer frame portions 27. Holding portion 21 is provided by extending upward from a part of frame portion . The number of holding portions 21 provided on one frame portion 26 differs from that of the first embodiment.

[0063] In the second configuration, as in the first configuration (see FIG. 7 ), the first seat portion 31 is located between the holding portion 21 on the first side in the arrangement direction and the holding portion 21 on the second side in the arrangement direction, with one storage element 13 sandwiched between them. The first seat portion 31 contacts the storage element 13 from below. The first seat portion 31 has a first contact surface 311 with an arc-shaped cross section that follows the cylindrical shape of the storage element 13. In the second configuration (see FIG. 9), one energy storage element 13 is sandwiched from both sides in the arrangement direction by three first holding portions 211 and three second holding portions 212. One energy storage element 13 is held by holder 14 at six points. Note that the number of holding portions 21 sandwiching one energy storage element 13 from both sides is not limited to six and can be changed.

[0064] The first cover 11 (see FIG. 8) has one upper wall 41 and four first side walls 42, and has a shape that opens downward. The upper wall 41 is a portion that faces the plurality of energy storage elements 13 held in the holder 14. As in the first embodiment (FIG. 7), the upper wall 41 has second seat portions 32 in the same number as the energy storage elements 13. In an assembled state in which the first cover 11 and the second cover 12 are integrated, the second seat portions 32 are located on the upper side, opposite the first seat portions 31 located below.

[0065] The configuration of the upper wall 41 of the first cover 11 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. In the assembled state, the vertical positional relationship between the second seat portion 32 and the energy storage element 13 is the same as in the first embodiment (FIG. 7), and the second seat portion 32 of the first cover 11 is contactable with or contacts the energy storage element 13.

[0066] [Regarding the holding portion 21 of the holder 14 in each of the above-described embodiments] The following describes the holder 14 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the holding portion 21 of the holder 14. As described above, the holding portion 21 is provided by extending upward from a part of the frame portion 26 of the holder 14 (the frame main body portion 261 in the case of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6).

[0067] In each embodiment of holder 14 (see FIGS. 4 and 9), holding portions 21 (hereinafter referred to as "end holding portions 21") provided on frame portion 26 at the end on the first side in the arrangement direction and frame portion 26 at the end on the second side in the arrangement direction may have a smaller force (elastic force) in the direction of sandwiching energy storage elements 13 than holding portion 21 (hereinafter referred to as "center holding portion 21") provided on the other central frame portion 26. This is because, in holder 14, end frame portion 26 in the arrangement direction is a single plate-like member and has lower rigidity than central frame portion 26, which in turn results in lower rigidity of holding portions 21.

[0068] Therefore, the force exerted by holding portions 21 at the ends (force in the direction of sandwiching energy storage element 13) is made greater than the force exerted by holding portion 21 in the center (force in the direction of sandwiching energy storage element 13). For this reason, in each of the above embodiments, the holder 14 has a plurality of holding portions 21, and these plurality of holding portions 21 include a plurality of types of holding portions 21. In other words, the plurality of holding portions 21 have A-type holding portions 21 and B-type holding portions 21, and the force (elastic force) in the direction of sandwiching the energy storage element 13 is greater for the B-type holding portions 21 than for the A-type holding portions 21. The end holding portions 21 are B-type holding portions 21, and the central holding portion 21 is A-type holding portion 21.

[0069] The A-type holding section 21 and the B-type holding section 21 each have the following configuration: Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the A-type holding section 21 and the B-type holding section 21, with the A-type holding section 21 shown on the left side of Fig. 10 and the B-type holding section 21 shown on the right side. Each of the A-type holding portion 21 and the B-type holding portion 21 has a contact portion 22 that contacts the energy storage element 13 from above. The vertical positions of the contact portion 22 are the same for the A-type holding portion 21 and the B-type holding portion 21 so that the contact portion 22 contacts the energy storage element 13 at the same position in the vertical direction.

[0070] A-type holding portion 21 has first dimension L1 as the dimension from contact portion 22 (contact position P1 of contact portion 22 with energy storage element 13) to base portion 20 (central frame portion 26). The B-type holding part 21 has a second dimension L2 (L2 < L1) that is smaller than the first dimension L1 as the dimension from the contact part 22 (contact position P2 with the storage element 13 of the contact part 22) to the base part 20 (frame part 26 at the end).

[0071] In the A-type holding part 21 and the B-type holding part 21, the positions of the reference contact part 22 (contact position P1 and contact position P2) are the same. In order to make the first dimension L1 and the second dimension L2 different, the vertical positions of the base parts 20 (frame parts 26) that are the fixed ends of the A-type holding part 21 and the B-type holding part 21 are made different. That is, the frame part 26 that is the base end part of the B-type holding part 21 is located above the frame part 26 that is the base end part of the A-type holding part 21.

[0072] According to this configuration, the force in the direction of sandwiching the storage element 13 is greater in the B-type holding part 21 than in the A-type holding part 21. In the case where all the holding parts 21 in one holder 14 have the same structure, as described above, the force of the holding part 21 at the end is smaller than the force of the holding part 21 in the center. Therefore, in each of the above forms, the holding part 21 at the end is the B-type holding part 21, and the holding part 21 in the center is the A-type holding part 212. As a result, the B-type holding part 21, which is the holding part 21 at the end, has a greater force in the direction of sandwiching the storage element 13 than the A-type holding part 21, which is the holding part 21 in the center. By making the rigidity, including the frame part 26, the same degree in the holding part 21 at the end and the holding part 21 in the center, the force for holding the storage element 13 by the holding part 21 becomes uniform as the entire holder 14.

[0073] As another means for the B-type holding part 21 to have a greater force (rigidity) in the direction of sandwiching the storage element 13 than the A-type holding part 21, although not shown in the figure, the dimensions of the holding part 21 (dimensions in the width direction, dimensions in the arrangement direction) may be increased, or the holding part 21 may have ribs (protrusions).

[0074] 〔The power storage unit 10 of each of the above forms〕 As described above, the energy storage unit 10 in each of the first form (see FIG. 2) and the second form (see FIG. 8) includes a plurality of energy storage elements 13, a holder 14 that holds the plurality of energy storage elements 13 in a line, a first cover 11, and a second cover 12. The first cover 11 covers the holder 14 from the side where the energy storage elements 13 are installed. The second cover 12 is integrated with the first cover 11, and houses the holder 14 between the first cover 11 and the second cover 12.

[0075] The holder 14 has a plurality of elastically deformable holding portions 21 that sandwich the electric storage element 13, and a first seat portion 31 that is positioned between the holding portions 21 that sandwich the electric storage element 13 and that comes into contact with the electric storage element 13. The first cover 11 has a second seat portion 32. The second seat portion 32 is located on the opposite side to the first seat portion 31 when the first cover 11 covers the holder 14, and is capable of contacting or is in contact with the energy storage element 13.

[0076] In the energy storage unit 10 having the above-described configuration, the energy storage element 13 is supported from three directions by the plurality of holding portions 21 and the first seat portion 31. If the energy storage element 13 attempts to displace in a direction other than the three directions, i.e., in a direction toward the first cover 11, the displacement is limited by the second seat portion 32 of the first cover 11, and the energy storage element 13 does not come off the holder 14.

[0077] When the energy storage element 13 is displaced upward and in contact with the second seat portion 32, the contact portion 22 of the holding portion 21 is maintained in contact with the outer peripheral surface 131 of the energy storage element 13 from above. Therefore, the energy storage element 13 is pushed back toward the first seat portion 31 by the holding portion 21. Therefore, even if the energy storage unit 10 vibrates or the energy storage unit 10 is used in an orientation in which the energy storage element 13 is lower than the holder 14, the energy storage element 13 will not come off the holder 14. First cover 11 has the function of preventing energy storage element 13 from coming off holder 14. Therefore, the function of holding energy storage element 13 is improved without increasing the number of parts.

[0078] The first seat portion 31 (see FIG. 7) has a first contact surface 311 having an arc-shaped cross section that follows the cylindrical shape of the energy storage element 13. The second seat portion 32 has a second contact surface 321 having an arc-shaped cross section that follows the cylindrical shape of the energy storage element 13. When the energy storage unit 10 tries to displace in the arrangement direction against the holding portion 21, each of the first seat portion 31 and the second seat portion 32 can suppress the displacement.

[0079] In the first embodiment (see FIG. 2), the substrate 15 is located on the second cover 12 side (lower side) of the holder 14. The shielding member 16 covers the electronic components 153 mounted on a surface 152 of the substrate 15 on the second cover 12 side (lower side), from the second cover 12 side (lower side). The substrate 15 is a multilayer substrate having a shielding layer 154.

[0080] Shielding member 16 shields electronic components 153 mounted on substrate 15 from the second cover 12 side (bottom side). Shielding layer 154 of substrate 15 shields electronic components 153 from the first cover 11 side (top side). A separate shielding member is not required on the first cover 11 side. In other words, a separate shielding member is not required between first cover 11 and multiple energy storage elements 13 held in holder 14. As a result, the second seat portion 32 of the first cover 11 faces the storage element 13, and even if the storage element 13 attempts to displace in a direction toward the first cover 11, the second seat portion 32 limits the displacement, resulting in a storage unit 10.

[0081] In the second configuration (see FIG. 8), the substrate 15 is located on the second cover 12 side (lower side) of the holder 14. The shielding member 16 covers the electronic components 153 mounted on the surface 151 of the substrate 15 on the first cover 11 side (upper side), from the first cover 11 side (upper side). The substrate 15 is a multilayer substrate having a shielding layer 154.

[0082] Shielding member 16 shields electronic components 153 mounted on substrate 15 from first cover 11 side (upper side). Shielding layer 154 of substrate 15 shields electronic components 153 from second cover 12 side (lower side). No separate shielding member is required between first cover 11 and multiple energy storage elements 13 held in holder 14. As a result, the second seat portion 32 of the first cover 11 faces the storage element 13, and even if the storage element 13 attempts to displace in a direction toward the first cover 11, the second seat portion 32 limits the displacement, resulting in a storage unit 10.

[0083] [Arrangement of holding portion 21] The arrangement of the holding portion 21 in each of the first and second embodiments will be described. In the case of Patent Document 1, two holding portions are positioned opposite each other with a recess interposed between them in one frame portion (paragraph 0038, FIGS. 7 and 9 of Patent Document 1). In contrast, in the above-described embodiments (see FIGS. 6 and 9), the first retaining portion 211 and the second retaining portion 212 provided on one frame portion 26 do not overlap when viewed along the arrangement direction. That is, in one frame portion 26, the second retaining portion 212 is not formed in the portion where the first retaining portion 211 is formed, and the first retaining portion 211 is not formed in the portion where the second retaining portion 212 is formed. With this configuration, the frame portion 26 can be made smaller in the arrangement direction, and the holder 14 can be made smaller. As a result, the electricity storage unit 10 can be made smaller.

[0084] 7, when viewed along the width direction, at least a portion (a portion indicated by area A1) of the first holding portion 211 and the second holding portion 212 provided on one frame portion 26 overlaps with each other. By configuring in this manner, the frame portion 26 can be made smaller in the arrangement direction, and the holder 14 can be made even more compact.

[0085] In each of the above embodiments (here, FIG. 6 will be used as a representative example for explanation), one frame portion 26 will be referred to as a "first frame portion 26," and the adjacent frame portion 26 will be referred to as a "second frame portion 26." When viewed along the arrangement direction, the first retaining portion 211 provided on the first frame portion 26 is positioned so as to overlap with the first retaining portion 211 provided on the second frame portion 26. Furthermore, when viewed along the arrangement direction, the second retaining portion 212 provided on the first frame portion 26 is positioned so as to overlap with the second retaining portion 212 provided on the second frame portion 26.

[0086] This configuration allows the first holding portions 211 and the second holding portions 212 to be repeatedly arranged more compactly. The width of each of the plurality of frame portions 26 in the arrangement direction can be narrowed, and the holder 14 can be made even more compact.

[0087] In each of the above embodiments (here, FIG. 6 will be used as a representative example for explanation), a plurality of second holding portions 212 (two in the example of FIG. 6 and three in the example of FIG. 9) are provided in one frame portion 26 at intervals in the width direction. In one frame portion 26, the first holding portion 211 is located between two second holding portions 212. That is, one of the two second holding portions 212 is located on a first side of the first holding portion 211 in the width direction, and the other of the two second holding portions 212 is located on a second side of the first holding portion 211 in the width direction.

[0088] In this way, the multiple second holding portions 212 are positioned apart in the width direction with the first holding portion 211 sandwiched between them. Therefore, the energy storage element 13 is supported at two or more points apart in the width direction. This makes it possible to hold the energy storage element 13 more stably.

[0089] 〔others〕 The power storage unit 10 from another perspective will be described below. The power storage unit 10 is shown in Figs. <Another Energy Storage Unit 10> The electricity storage unit 10 includes: The device has a plurality of storage elements (13) and a holder (14) that holds the plurality of storage elements (13) in a line, the holder 14 has a plurality of elastically deformable holding portions 21 that sandwich the energy storage element 13, and a first seat portion 31 that is located between the holding portions 21 that sandwich the energy storage element 13 and that comes into contact with the energy storage element 13; The plurality of holding portions 21 include an A-type holding portion 31 and a B-type holding portion 21 that exerts a greater force in the direction of sandwiching the energy storage element 13 than the A-type holding portion 21 .

[0090] In the energy storage unit 10 having the above configuration, the force acting in the direction of sandwiching the energy storage element 13 is greater in the B-type holding portion 21 than in the A-type holding portion 21. For example, depending on the position of the holding portion 21 in the holder 14, the force of a specific holding portion 21 may be smaller than the force of other holding portions 21. In this case, the specific holding portion 21 may be the B-type holding portion 21. This allows the force of the specific holding portion 21 acting in the direction of sandwiching the energy storage element 13 to be increased.

[0091] In the other power storage unit 10, The holder 14 includes a base portion 20 having the first seat portion 31 and on which the plurality of energy storage elements 13 are arranged and placed, and a plurality of the holding portions 21 extending from the base portion 20 in a direction toward the first cover 11, The holding portion (21) has a contact portion (22) that comes into contact with the energy storage element (13) from the first cover (11) side, The A-type holding portion 21 has a first dimension L1 as a dimension from the contact portion 22 to the base portion 20, The B-type holding portion 21 has a second dimension L2, which is a dimension from the contact portion 22 to the base portion 20, and is smaller than the first dimension L1. According to this configuration, the force in the direction in which B-type holding portion 21 sandwiches energy storage element 13 becomes large.

[0092] The respective components of the other power storage unit 10 are the same as the respective components of the power storage unit 10 of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. The respective components of the power storage unit 10 of each embodiment can be applied to the other power storage unit 10.

[0093] The above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above-described embodiments, and includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the configurations described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10 Energy storage unit 11 First Cover 111 Exterior 112 Formation surface 113 Front page 114 Second side 115 First engaging part 12 Second cover 125 Second engaging part 13 Energy storage element 131 Outer surface 132 Element body 133 terminals 14 Holder 141 Legs 15 PCB 151 sides 152 sides 153 Electronic Components 154 Shielding Layer 155 Metal Film 156 Connector part 16 Shielding material 17 Internal unit 20 Base 21 Holding part 211 First holding part 212 Second holding part 22 Contact part 23 Pillar section 24 Information Department 241 Slope 25 recess 26 Frame 261 Frame body 262 Frame side 27 Outer frame 29 Missing part 31 First seat 311 First contact surface 32 Second seat 321 Second contact surface 322 sides 33 Surrounding area 41 Upper Wall 42 First side wall 51 Lower wall 52 Second side wall A1 area L1 dimension L2 dimension P2 Vertex

Claims

1. A plurality of storage elements; A holder that holds the plurality of energy storage elements in an aligned manner; a first cover that covers the holder from a side on which the energy storage element is installed; a second cover that is integrated with the first cover and accommodates the holder between the first cover and the second cover; having The holder includes: A plurality of elastically deformable holding portions that sandwich the energy storage element; a first seat portion located between the holding portions sandwiching the electric storage element and contacting the electric storage element; having The first cover is and a second seat portion that is located on the opposite side of the first seat portion and is capable of contacting or contacts the storage element when the holder is covered. Energy storage unit.

2. When the first cover covers the holder, the second seat is in contact with or in close proximity to the energy storage element. The power storage unit according to claim 1 .

3. When the first cover covers the holder, the second seat portion contacts the energy storage element, and the second seat portion or a portion around the second seat portion elastically deforms. The power storage unit according to claim 1 .

4. the second seat portion has a contact surface capable of coming into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the energy storage element, The exterior surface of the first cover opposite to the surface on which the second seat portion is formed is a first surface opposite the contact surface; a second surface located opposite the surface other than the contact surface, The first surface and the second surface are provided along the same plane. The power storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The plurality of holding portions include An A-type holding portion; a B-type holding portion that exerts a force in a direction in which the storage element is sandwiched therebetween that is greater than that of the A-type holding portion; having The power storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The holder includes: a base portion having the first seat portion and on which the plurality of energy storage elements are arranged; A plurality of the holding portions are provided extending in a direction from the base portion toward the first cover; having the holding portion has a contact portion that contacts the energy storage element from the first cover side, the A-type holding portion has a first dimension as a dimension from the contact portion to the base portion, The B-type holding portion has a second dimension from the contact portion to the base portion that is smaller than the first dimension. The power storage unit according to claim 5 .

7. a substrate located on the second cover side of the holder; a shielding member for covering electronic components mounted on a surface of the board facing the second cover; having the substrate is a multi-layer substrate having a shielding layer, The shielding member covers the electronic components from the second cover side. The power storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. a substrate located on the second cover side of the holder; a shielding member for covering electronic components mounted on a surface of the board facing the first cover; having the substrate is a multi-layer substrate having a shielding layer, The shielding member covers the electronic components from the first cover side. The power storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The energy storage element has a cylindrical shape, The second seat portion has a contact surface having a cross-sectional arc shape along the cylindrical shape. The power storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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