Support structure

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of suppressing an expansion amount of a battery in a low cost.SOLUTION: A support structure comprises: a housing that houses a battery; and a support member that is arranged to between the battery and the housing in a state where the battery is housed in the housing, supports the battery, and is constructed by a plurality of thin plate members. Each thin plate member comprises a plurality of first spring parts that is arranged to a second direction orthogonal to a first direction where a whole-solid battery and the support member are arranged. The first spring part comprises: a first fulcrum part that is projected to the housing side or the whole-solid battery side; a pair of second fulcrum parts that is projected to a side opposite to the first fulcrum part at a position where is separated to the second direction from the first fulcrum part; and a first hollow part that is positioned to a position faced with the first fulcrum part between the pair of second fulcrum parts. Each thin plate member is laminated along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a support structure for a battery. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery module. The battery module in Patent Document 1 includes a battery and a restraining part that restrains the battery. The restraining part includes a pair of end plates disposed on both ends of the battery, and a tension band that connects the pair of end plates to restrain the battery in a pressurized state. The tension band has an elastically deformable uneven portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-114477 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the battery module of Patent Document 1, if an attempt is made to suppress the amount of battery expansion, the size becomes large and the cost increases. This specification provides a technique that can suppress the amount of battery expansion at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a support structure for supporting a battery as a first aspect. The support structure includes a housing for accommodating the battery, and a support member arranged between the battery and the housing to support the battery when the battery is accommodated in the housing, the support member being composed of a plurality of thin plate members. Each of the thin plate members includes a plurality of first spring portions arranged in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction in which the battery and the support member are arranged. The first spring portion includes a first fulcrum portion protruding toward the housing side or the battery side, a pair of second fulcrum portions protruding to the opposite side to the first fulcrum portion at a position spaced apart from the first fulcrum portion in the second direction, and a first hollow portion provided between the pair of second fulcrum portions and facing the first fulcrum portion. The thin plate members are stacked along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[0006] According to this configuration, even if the battery expands inside the housing, the amount of expansion of the battery can be suppressed by the multiple first spring parts of the support member supporting the battery in the direction in which the battery and the support member are aligned. Also, in the above support structure, the support member is composed of multiple laminated thin plate members. This improves the workability of each thin plate member, and the support member can be manufactured using, for example, inexpensive press work rather than a high-cost processing method such as cutting work.

[0007] In a second aspect, in the above first aspect, the second fulcrum portions of the adjacent thin plate members may be offset in the second direction.

[0008] In such a configuration, the second supporting points facing the battery are disposed in a dispersed manner, so that the stress applied to the support member due to the expansion of the battery can be dispersed.

[0009] In a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the thin plate member may include a first thin plate member and a second thin plate member. The support member may be configured by arranging the first thin plate member and the second thin plate member alternately. The first thin plate member and the second thin plate member may have different thicknesses in the third direction.

[0010] In such a configuration, the area of ​​the support member that receives pressure due to expansion of the battery can be adjusted by appropriately selecting the thicknesses of the first thin plate member and the second thin plate member.

[0011] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the thin plate member may include a first thin plate member and a second thin plate member. The support member may be configured by arranging the first thin plate member and the second thin plate member alternately. The first thin plate member and the second thin plate member may be made of different main materials.

[0012] In such a configuration, the spring constant of the support member can be adjusted by appropriately selecting the main materials of the first thin plate member and the second thin plate member.

[0013] In a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, adjacent thin plate members may be welded to each other, and adjacent welded points along the third direction may be offset in the second direction.

[0014] In such a configuration, distortion of the thin plate members caused by welding is dispersed, so that the thin plate members can be suitably stacked and connected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery support structure of the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion II in FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a bottom view of the support member according to the first embodiment as viewed along the Z direction. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion III in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the support member according to the second embodiment as viewed along the Z direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of another support member according to the second embodiment as viewed along the Z direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the support member according to the third embodiment as viewed along the Z direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the support member according to the fourth embodiment as viewed along the Z direction. [Figure 9] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a battery support structure according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion V in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion VI of FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10 of a battery support structure according to another modified example. [Figure 13] 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10 of a battery support structure according to another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] (First Example) A support structure 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the support structure 1 includes a housing 10 and a support member 30 housed in the housing 10. The support structure 1 can support a battery 20. In this embodiment, the battery 20 is a solid-state battery. However, the battery 20 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a semi-solid battery. The following description will be given with reference to the X, Y, and Z directions shown in the drawings.

[0017] First, the battery 20 will be described. The battery 20 is housed in the housing 10 of the support structure 1. The battery 20 includes a plurality of battery cells 21. The plurality of battery cells 21 are stacked in the Z direction within the housing 10. The volume of each battery cell 21 may expand when it is charged.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, each battery cell 21 includes a positive electrode current collector 22, a positive electrode active material layer 102, a solid electrolyte layer 100, a negative electrode active material layer 104, and a negative electrode current collector 24. The positive electrode current collector 22, the positive electrode active material layer 102, the solid electrolyte layer 100, the negative electrode active material layer 104, and the negative electrode current collector 24 are stacked in the Z direction. The battery cells 21 adjacent to each other in the Z direction (stacking direction) share the positive electrode current collector 22 or the negative electrode current collector 24. The positive electrode current collector 22 and the negative electrode current collector 24 collect the power generated by the battery cell 21. The positive electrode current collector 22 is electrically connected to a positive electrode terminal (not shown). The negative electrode current collector 24 is electrically connected to a negative electrode terminal (not shown).

[0019] The solid electrolyte layer 100 is disposed between the positive electrode active material layer 102 and the negative electrode active material layer 104. Each battery cell 21 is a battery in which the electrolyte is solid, not liquid. The positive electrode active material layer 102, the solid electrolyte layer 100, and the negative electrode active material layer 104 are all solid. The positive electrode active material layer 102 of the battery cell 21 is electrically connected to the positive electrode current collector 22. The positive electrode active material layer 102 is made of a material containing, for example, an oxide of lithium (for example, lithium cobalt oxide or lithium manganese oxide). The negative electrode active material layer 104 of the battery cell 21 is electrically connected to the negative electrode current collector 24. The negative electrode active material layer 104 is made of a material containing, for example, silicon (SiC) or carbon (C). The solid electrolyte layer 100 is made of a material containing, for example, lithium, etc.

[0020] Next, the housing 10 (see FIG. 1) will be described. The housing 10 is made of a metal such as iron or aluminum. The housing 10 includes a bottom plate portion 12, a top plate portion 14, a left plate portion 16a, and a right plate portion 16b. The bottom plate portion 12, the top plate portion 14, the left plate portion 16a, and the right plate portion 16b are integrally formed. The bottom plate portion 12 and the top plate portion 14 are arranged at an interval in the Z direction. The bottom plate portion 12 and the top plate portion 14 are each formed in a substantially flat plate shape. A battery 20 and a support member 30 are disposed between the bottom plate portion 12 and the top plate portion 14. The battery 20 and the support member 30 are arranged in the Z direction inside the housing 10.

[0021] A first insulating film 52 is disposed between the battery 20 and the bottom plate portion 12 of the housing 10. The first insulating film 52 is disposed between the bottommost battery cell 21 of the multiple battery cells 21 and the bottom plate portion 12. The first insulating film 52 insulates the bottommost battery cell 21 of the battery 20 from the bottom plate portion 12.

[0022] The left side plate portion 16a and the right side plate portion 16b are arranged at an interval in the X direction (an example of a first direction). The left side plate portion 16a and the right side plate portion 16b are each configured in a substantially flat plate shape. A battery 20 and a support member 30 are disposed between the left side plate portion 16a and the right side plate portion 16b. Although not shown, the housing 10 may include a front side plate portion disposed on the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 (Y direction) and a rear side plate portion disposed on the rear side. The front side plate portion and the rear side plate portion have the same configuration as the left side plate portion 16a and the right side plate portion 16b, respectively.

[0023] Next, a description will be given of the support member 30. As shown in Fig. 1, the support member 30 is disposed between the top panel portion 14 of the housing 10 and the battery 20. An intermediate plate 50 is disposed between the support member 30 and the battery 20.

[0024] 3, the support member 30 is made up of a plurality of thin plate members 80. The thin plate members 80 are arranged side by side along the Y direction. The support member 30 is made up of a plurality of thin plate members 80 stacked one on top of another. Each thin plate member 80 is made up of a metal such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, etc. In this embodiment, each thin plate member 80 is made up of the same material.

[0025] 4, each thin plate member 80 includes a plurality of first spring portions 32. The plurality of first spring portions 32 are arranged in the X direction (a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the batteries 20 and the support member 30 are arranged (Z direction)). The thin plate member 80 is configured by the plurality of first spring portions 32 being connected in the X direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, each first spring portion 32 includes a first main body portion 38, a first fulcrum portion 34 fixed to the first main body portion 38, and a pair of second fulcrum portions 36 fixed to the first main body portion 38. The first main body portion 38 extends in the X direction. The first fulcrum portion 34 and the pair of second fulcrum portions 36 are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The first fulcrum portion 34 protrudes from the first main body portion 38 toward the housing 10. The first fulcrum portion 34 protrudes toward the top plate portion 14 of the housing 10. The base end portion of the first fulcrum portion 34 is fixed to the center portion of the first main body portion 38 in the X direction. The tip portion of the first fulcrum portion 34 abuts against the top plate portion 14 of the housing 10.

[0027] The pair of second fulcrums 36, 36 are disposed with a gap therebetween. The pair of second fulcrums 36, 36 protrude from the first main body 38 toward the battery 20. The pair of second fulcrums 36, 36 protrude toward the intermediate plate 50. The base end of the second fulcrum 36 is fixed to the end of the first main body 38 in the X direction. The tip end of the second fulcrum 36 abuts against the intermediate plate 50. A first hollow portion 40 is provided between the pair of second fulcrums 36, 36. The first hollow portion 40 is provided at a position facing the first fulcrum 34 across the first main body 38.

[0028] The first spring portions 32, 32 adjacent to each other in the X direction (left-right direction in the figure) share a second fulcrum portion 36. Of the first spring portions 32, 32 adjacent to each other in the X direction (left-right direction), the right-side second fulcrum portion 36 of the left-side first spring portion 32 and the left-side second fulcrum portion 36 of the right-side first spring portion 32 are integrally configured. In addition, the first main body portion 38 of the left-side first spring portion 32 and the first main body portion 38 of the right-side first spring portion 32 are integrally configured.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, in the support member 30, the thin plate members 80 are stacked so that the positions of the second fulcrum portions 36 of the thin plate members 80 in the X direction are approximately equal. Adjacent thin plate members 80 are connected to each other by welding. Adjacent thin plate members 80 are spot-welded to each other on the lower surface (the surface on the second fulcrum portion 36 side) of the support member 30 in a range where the second fulcrum portion 36 is not present (i.e., the range where the first hollow portion 40 is located). Welded points 90 adjacent to each other along the Y direction are offset in the X direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the welded points 90 are positioned so as to be gradually shifted in the X-axis positive direction as they move toward the Y-axis positive direction.

[0030] Moreover, as indicated by dashed lines, adjacent thin plate members 80 are also spot-welded on the upper surface of the support member 30 (the surface on the first fulcrum portion 34 side) in an area where the first fulcrum portion 34 is not present (i.e., an area where there is no contact with the top plate portion 14). On the upper surface side of the support member 30, welded points 92 adjacent to each other in the Y direction are offset in the X direction. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the welded points 92 are positioned so that they gradually shift in the positive X direction as they move in the positive Y direction.

[0031] In each thin plate member 80 (support member 30), when the first fulcrum portion 34 and the pair of second fulcrum portions 36, 36 are compressed in the Z direction, the first main body portion 38 of each first spring portion 32 is bent. Since the first hollow portion 40 is provided between the pair of second fulcrum portions 36, 36, when the first fulcrum portion 34 and the pair of second fulcrum portions 36, 36 are compressed in the Z direction, the first spring portion 32 is deformed and contracted in the Z direction. In the support structure 1 for the battery 20, when the battery 20 expands during charging, the multiple first spring portions 32 are compressed in the Z direction. The support member 30 presses the battery 20 in the Z direction by the restoring force generated when the multiple first spring portions 32 are compressed. The support member 30 presses the battery 20 via the intermediate plate 50.

[0032] The intermediate plate 50, which is disposed between the support member 30 and the battery 20, is made of a metal such as iron or aluminum. A second insulating film 54 is disposed between the intermediate plate 50 and the battery 20. The second insulating film 54 is disposed between the uppermost battery cell 21 of the multiple battery cells 21 and the intermediate plate 50. The second insulating film 54 insulates the uppermost battery cell 21 of the battery 20 from the intermediate plate 50.

[0033] The support structure 1 according to the first embodiment has been described above. As is clear from the above description, the support structure 1 includes a support member 30 that is disposed between the battery 20 and the housing 10 to support the battery 20 when the battery 20 is housed in the housing 10, and is configured of a plurality of thin plate members 80. Each thin plate member 80 includes a plurality of first spring portions 32 aligned in the X direction. The first spring portion 32 includes a first fulcrum portion 34 that protrudes toward the housing 10, a pair of second fulcrum portions 36 that protrude to the opposite side to the first fulcrum portion 34 at a position spaced apart from the first fulcrum portion 34 in the X direction, and a first hollow portion 40 that is provided between the pair of second fulcrum portions 36 and facing the first fulcrum portion 34. Each thin plate member 80 is stacked along the Y direction.

[0034] According to this configuration, even if the battery 20 arranged in the housing 10 expands, the battery 20 can be pressed by the restoring force when the multiple first spring parts 32 of the support member 30 contract in the Z direction. The battery 20 can be supported in the Z direction (the direction in which the battery 20 and the support member 30 are aligned) by the support member 30. In addition, the support member 30 is formed by stacking multiple thin plate members 80. Therefore, the workability of each thin plate member 80 is improved, and the support member 30 can be manufactured using low-cost press processing rather than a high-cost processing method such as cutting processing. In this way, the support structure 1 of this embodiment can suppress the amount of expansion of the battery 20 at low cost.

[0035] In addition, the surface pressure can be ensured by pressing the battery 20 with the restoring forces of the multiple first spring parts 32. In the battery 20, if the positive electrode active material layer 102 and / or the negative electrode active material layer 104 separate from the solid electrolyte layer 100, the power generation capacity may decrease, but by pressing the battery 20 with the restoring forces of the multiple first spring parts 32, it is possible to prevent the positive electrode active material layer 102 and / or the negative electrode active material layer 104 from separating from the solid electrolyte layer 100. The decrease in the power generation capacity of the battery 20 can be prevented.

[0036] In the support structure 1 of this embodiment, adjacent thin plate members 80 are welded to each other, and welded points 90, 92 adjacent in the Y direction are offset in the X direction. With this configuration, distortion of the thin plate members 80 due to welding is dispersed, so that the thin plate members 80 can be suitably stacked and connected.

[0037] Although one embodiment has been described above, the specific aspect is not limited to the above embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components as those described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] (Second Example) In the second embodiment, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the second fulcrums 36 of adjacent thin plate members 80 are offset in the X direction. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the thin plate members 80 are stacked so that the second fulcrums 36 of adjacent thin plate members 80 do not completely overlap in the X direction. The second fulcrums 36 of every other thin plate member 80 are substantially equal in position in the X direction. In addition, adjacent thin plate members 80 are spot-welded to each other on the underside of the support member 30 in an area where the second fulcrums 36 are not present. As in the first embodiment, the welded points 90 adjacent along the Y direction are offset in the X direction.

[0039] 6, the thin plate members 80 are stacked such that the second fulcrum portions 36 of adjacent thin plate members 80 partially overlap in the X direction. The thin plate members 80 are stacked such that they are gradually shifted in the positive X direction as they move in the positive Y direction. Additionally, adjacent thin plate members 80 are spot-welded to each other on the underside of the support member 30 in an area where no second fulcrum portions 36 are present. As in the first embodiment, welded points 90 adjacent in the Y direction are offset in the X direction.

[0040] The second embodiment has been described above. As is clear from the above description, in the support structure 1 according to the second embodiment, the second fulcrum parts 36 of adjacent thin plate members 80 are offset in the X direction. With this configuration, the second fulcrum parts 36 facing the batteries 20 are disposed in a dispersed manner, so that the stress applied to the support members 30 due to the expansion of the batteries 20 can be dispersed.

[0041] Similarly to the first embodiment, adjacent thin plate members 80 may be connected to each other on the upper surface of the support member 30 by welding.

[0042] (Third Example) 7, the support member 30 is composed of a first thin plate member 82 and a second thin plate member 84. The first thin plate members 82 and the second thin plate members 84 are alternately arranged along the Y direction. The thickness of the first thin plate member 82 in the Y direction is greater than the thickness of the second thin plate member 84 in the Y direction. In addition, the width in the X direction of the second fulcrum portion 136a of the first thin plate member 82 is greater than the width in the X direction of the second fulcrum portion 136b of the second thin plate member 84.

[0043] The above describes the third embodiment. According to the support structure 1 of the third embodiment, the pressure-receiving area of ​​the support member 30 against the expansion of the battery 20 can be adjusted by appropriately selecting the thicknesses of the first thin plate member 82 and the second thin plate member 84 and the widths of the second fulcrum portions 136a, 136b.

[0044] As in the first and second embodiments, adjacent thin plate members 82, 84 may be connected to each other on the upper and / or lower surface of the support member 30 by welding.

[0045] (Fourth Example) In the fourth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the support member 30 is composed of a first thin plate member 182 and a second thin plate member 184. The first thin plate members 182 and the second thin plate members 184 are alternately arranged along the Y direction. The first thin plate members 182 and the second thin plate members 184 are made of different main materials. For example, the first thin plate member 182 is made of iron, and the second thin plate member 184 is made of aluminum. In addition, the width in the X direction of the second fulcrum portion 236a of the first thin plate member 182 is wider than the width in the X direction of the second fulcrum portion 236b of the second thin plate member 184.

[0046] The above describes the fourth embodiment. According to the support structure 1 of the fourth embodiment, the spring constant of the support member 30 can be adjusted by appropriately selecting the main materials of the first thin plate member 182 and the second thin plate member 184 and the widths of the second fulcrum portions 236a, 236b.

[0047] As in the first and second embodiments, adjacent thin plate members 182, 184 may be connected to each other on the upper and / or lower surface of the support member 30 by welding.

[0048] (Modification) (1) In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, each thin plate member 80 may include a plurality of second spring portions 62. The plurality of second spring portions 62 face the plurality of first spring portions 32 in the Z direction (the direction in which the battery 20 and the support member 30 are aligned). The plurality of second spring portions 62 and the plurality of first spring portions 32 are integrally configured. Each second spring portion 62 is configured by inverting each first spring portion 32 in the Z direction. The plurality of second spring portions 62 are arranged in the X direction (a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the battery 20 and the support member 30 are aligned (Z direction)). The plurality of second spring portions 62 are connected in the X direction, and each second spring portion 62 and each first spring portion 32 are connected in the Z direction to form the thin plate member 80. The first spring portion 32 has the same configuration as each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0049] Each second spring portion 62 includes a second main body portion 68, a third fulcrum portion 64 fixed to the second main body portion 68, and a pair of fourth fulcrum portions 66 fixed to the second main body portion 68. The second main body portion 68 extends in the X direction. The third fulcrum portion 64 and the pair of fourth fulcrum portions 66 are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The third fulcrum portion 64 protrudes from the second main body portion 68 toward the battery 20. The third fulcrum portion 64 protrudes toward the intermediate plate 50. The base end portion of the third fulcrum portion 64 is fixed to the center portion of the second main body portion 68 in the X direction. The tip portion of the third fulcrum portion 64 abuts against the intermediate plate 50. The third fulcrum portion 64 protrudes on the opposite side to the first fulcrum portion 34 of the first spring portion 32.

[0050] The pair of fourth fulcrums 66, 66 are disposed with a gap therebetween. The pair of fourth fulcrums 66, 66 protrude from the second main body 68 toward the housing 10. The pair of fourth fulcrums 66, 66 protrude toward the pair of second fulcrums 36 of the first spring portion 32. The pair of fourth fulcrums 66 face the pair of second fulcrums 36 of the first spring portion 32. The base end of the fourth fulcrum 66 is fixed to the end of the second main body 68 in the X direction. The tip end of the fourth fulcrum 66 is fixed to the second fulcrum 36 of the first spring portion 32. The fourth fulcrum 66 of the second spring portion 62 and the second fulcrum 36 of the first spring portion 32 are integrally configured.

[0051] A second hollow portion 42 is provided between the pair of fourth fulcrum portions 66, 66. The second hollow portion 42 is provided at a position facing the third fulcrum portion 64 with the second main body portion 68 in between. The second hollow portion 42 is configured integrally with the first hollow portion 40 of the first spring portion 32. The first hollow portion 40 and the second hollow portion 42 configure one hollow portion.

[0052] 11, a second corner portion 173 is provided between a surface 171 of the second main body portion 68 of the second spring portion 62 facing the second hollow portion 42 and a side surface 172 of the fourth fulcrum portion 66. The inner surface of the second corner portion 173 is configured to have a curved surface. In other words, a corner portion (second corner portion 173) of the inner surface of the second hollow portion 42 is configured to have a curved surface.

[0053] Similarly, a first corner portion 73 is provided between a surface 71 of the first main body portion 38 of the first spring portion 32 facing the first hollow portion 40 and a side surface 72 of the second fulcrum portion 36. The inner surface of the first corner portion 73 is configured to have a curved surface. In other words, a corner portion (first corner portion 73) of the inner surface of the first hollow portion 40 is configured to have a curved surface.

[0054] 10, the second spring portions 62, 62 adjacent to each other in the X direction (left-right direction) share a fourth fulcrum portion 66. Of the second spring portions 62, 62 adjacent to each other in the X direction (left-right direction), the right-side fourth fulcrum portion 66 of the left-side second spring portion 62 and the left-side fourth fulcrum portion 66 of the right-side second spring portion 62 are integrally configured.

[0055] In each second spring portion 62, when the third fulcrum portion 64 and the pair of fourth fulcrum portions 66, 66 are compressed in the Z direction, the second main body portion 68 is bent. Since the second hollow portion 42 is provided between the pair of fourth fulcrum portions 66, 66, when the third fulcrum portion 64 and the pair of fourth fulcrum portions 66, 66 are compressed in the Z direction, the second spring portion 62 is deformed and contracted in the Z direction. In the support structure 1 for the battery 20, when the battery 20 expands during charging, the multiple second spring portions 62 are compressed in the Z direction. Similarly, the multiple first spring portions 32 are also compressed in the Z direction (see the first embodiment). The support member 30 presses the battery 20 in the Z direction by the restoring force when the multiple first spring portions 32 and the multiple second spring portions 62 are compressed. The support member 30 presses the battery 20 via the intermediate plate 50.

[0056] In the above modification, the expansion amount of the battery 20 can be further suppressed by the plurality of first spring portions 32 and the plurality of second spring portions 62 supporting the battery 20. Since the pair of second fulcrum portions 36 and the pair of fourth fulcrum portions 66 are fixed in an opposing state, the force generated when the battery 20 expands can be supported in a well-balanced manner.

[0057] In the above modification, a first corner portion 73 is provided between a surface 71 of the first main body portion 38 of the first spring portion 32 facing the first hollow portion 40 and a side surface 72 of the second fulcrum portion 36. The inner surface of the first corner portion 73 is configured to have a curved surface shape. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress stress concentration at the first corner portion 73 when the support member 30 is compressed in the Z direction. The same applies to the second corner portion 173.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above modification, the spring constant can be adjusted more precisely.

[0059] (2) In the above-mentioned modified example (1), as shown in FIG. 12, the second spring portion 62 may not have the third fulcrum portion 64. Specifically, each second spring portion 62 may have a second main body portion 68 and a pair of fourth fulcrum portions 66 protruding toward the pair of second fulcrum portions 36 of the first spring portion 32, and the lower surface of each thin plate member 80 constituting the support member 30 (i.e., the lower surface of the second spring portion 62) may be formed substantially flat. Also in this modified example, when the second spring portion 62 is compressed in the Z direction, the second spring portion 62 is deformed and contracts in the Z direction due to the provision of the second hollow portion 42. As a result, since the lower surface of the second spring portion 62 is substantially flat, substantially the entire area of ​​the upper surface of the member (second insulating film 54) present below the support member 30 is pressed by the lower surface of each thin plate member 80. That is, in this modified example, the support member 30 can ensure uniform surface pressure on the battery 20.

[0060] (3) In the above modification (2), as shown in Fig. 13, the intermediate plate 50 does not have to be provided. That is, the upper surface of the second insulating film 54 may be in contact with the lower surfaces of the second spring portions 62 over substantially the entire area. As described above, in modification (2), the support member 30 can ensure uniform surface pressure on the batteries 20. That is, the batteries 20 can be appropriately pressed without providing a separate intermediate plate 50, and therefore the structure can be simplified.

[0061] (4) In each of the above embodiments, there is no particular limitation on the number of laminated thin plate members 80. The number may be appropriately selected in consideration of workability and the like.

[0062] (5) In each of the above embodiments, adjacent thin plate members 80 do not have to be welded to each other. Even if the thin plate members 80 are not connected to each other, they can function as one support member 30 by being housed in the housing 10.

[0063] (6) In each of the above embodiments, the first spring portion 32 of each thin plate member 80 is disposed on the housing 10 side, and the second spring portion 62 is disposed on the battery 20 side, but the first spring portion 32 may be disposed on the battery 20 side, and the second spring portion 62 may be disposed on the housing 10 side. The first fulcrum portion 34 of the first spring portion 32 may protrude toward the battery 20 side. The third fulcrum portion 64 of the second spring portion 62 may protrude toward the housing 10 side.

[0064] (7) In the above embodiment, the intermediate plate 50 is made of metal, but the intermediate plate 50 may be made of an insulating material. In this case, the second insulating film 54 disposed between the intermediate plate 50 and the battery 20 may be omitted.

[0065] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1: support structure, 10: housing, 20: battery, 21: battery cell, 30: support member, 32: first spring portion, 34: first fulcrum portion, 36: second fulcrum portion, 38: first main body portion, 40: first hollow portion, 50: intermediate plate, 80: thin plate member, 90, 92: welding point, 100: solid electrolyte layer, 102: positive electrode active material layer, 104: negative electrode active material layer

Claims

1. A support structure for supporting a battery, comprising: A housing that houses the battery; a support member that is disposed between the battery and the housing and supports the battery when the battery is housed in the housing, the support member being made of a plurality of thin plate members; Each of the thin plate members includes a plurality of first spring portions aligned in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction in which the battery and the support member are aligned, the first spring portion includes a first fulcrum portion that protrudes toward the housing side or the battery side, a pair of second fulcrum portions that protrude to an opposite side to the first fulcrum portion at a position spaced apart from the first fulcrum portion in the second direction, and a first hollow portion that is provided between the pair of second fulcrum portions and at a position facing the first fulcrum portion, A support structure, wherein the thin plate members are stacked along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

2. 2. The support structure of claim 1, A support structure in which the second fulcrum portions of adjacent thin plate members are offset in the second direction.

3. 2. The support structure of claim 1, the thin plate member includes a first thin plate member and a second thin plate member, the support member is configured by alternately arranging the first thin plate members and the second thin plate members, A support structure, wherein the first thin plate member and the second thin plate member have different thicknesses in the third direction.

4. 2. The support structure of claim 1, the thin plate member includes a first thin plate member and a second thin plate member, the support member is configured by alternately arranging the first thin plate members and the second thin plate members, A support structure, wherein the first thin plate member and the second thin plate member are made of different main materials.

5. 2. The support structure of claim 1, Adjacent thin plate members are welded to each other, A support structure, wherein adjacent weld locations along the third direction are offset in the second direction.

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