Power storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device capable of suppressing the outflow of gas-containing substances discharged from power storage elements to the downstream side of a duct section.SOLUTION: A power storage device includes: a plurality of power storage elements 10 which are aligned in a first direction X and each have a gas discharge valve on an end on one side in a second direction Z orthogonal to the first direction; and a duct section 6 that overlaps the plurality of power storage elements from the one side in the second direction. The duct section includes: a first flow path part 60 having a first flow path space R1 that extends along the first direction at positions overlapping the gas discharge valves 132; a second flow path part 66 having a second flow path space R2 that extends from a position spaced apart from the first flow path space, and disposed at the end of the duct section; and a connection section 65 having a communication space R3 between the first flow path space and the second flow path space, and connecting the first flow path part and the second flow path part. The first and second flow path spaces at communication positions P1, P2 deviate from each other, and the size in the plane direction orthogonal to the first direction of the communication space is greater than the size in the plane direction of the first flow path space at the communication position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy storage device including a plurality of energy storage elements. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a battery pack that includes a plurality of battery cells and a flow path space that guides gas when the gas is discharged from the battery cells (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Specifically, the battery pack 500 is assembled by assembling a battery module group and an auxiliary module group, and then assembling the battery module group and the auxiliary module group, and fixing the upper case.

[0004] As shown in Figs. 23 and 24, the battery module group includes a battery cell 501 and a lower case that houses the battery cell 501. The battery cell 501 has a positive terminal and a negative terminal on one cap surface 502 that is substantially rectangular. The cap surface 502 is rectangular with long and short sides, and a safety valve 503 is provided in the center of the cap surface 502 to open to discharge the internal gas to the outside when gas is generated inside the battery cell 501 due to aging deterioration, thermal runaway, or the like and the pressure inside the battery cell 501 reaches a predetermined level or higher. The battery cell 501 is housed in the lower case with the cap surface 502 facing upward, and a cell holder 504 is attached to the cap surface side of the battery cell 501, i.e., the opening side of the lower case.

[0005] The cell holder 504 has a raised portion 505 integral with the cell holder 504. The raised portion 505 is raised on the upper surface side of the cell holder 504, and a lower surface 505a of the raised portion 505 forms a recess with respect to a lower surface 504a of the cell holder 504.

[0006] The cell holder 504 also has an exhaust pipe 506 integral with the cell holder 504. This exhaust pipe 506 is provided on the side surface and exhausts gas to the outside of a vehicle or the like in which the battery pack 500 is mounted so that gas does not accumulate in the space s formed by the raised portion 505.

[0007] With the battery cell 501 inserted on the underside 504a side of this cell holder 504, the raised portion 505 forms a space opposite the safety valve 503 as an exhaust flow path for gas discharged from the safety valve 503. The spaces opposite each safety valve 503 as gas exhaust flow paths communicate with each other, so that the gas discharged from each safety valve 503 is discharged to the outside of the cell holder 504 through the space and the exhaust pipe 506. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-6274 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In the battery pack 500 described above, when gas is discharged from the safety valve 503 of any of the battery cells 501, contents (debris) such as active materials are also discharged from the battery cell 501 together with the gas.

[0010] When the active material and other substances contained in this gas are discharged to the outside (downstream) of the cell holder 504 through the exhaust pipe 506, they may accumulate in valves, etc. on the downstream side (the exhaust flow path that guides the gas to the outside of the vehicle, etc.), causing blockages.

[0011] Therefore, an object of this embodiment is to provide an energy storage device that can prevent substances contained in the gas from flowing downstream of the duct portion when the gas is discharged from the energy storage element. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The power storage device of this embodiment is A plurality of electric storage elements arranged in a first direction, each of the electric storage elements having a gas exhaust valve at an end on one side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a duct portion that is overlapped with the plurality of energy storage elements from one side in the second direction, The duct portion is a first flow path portion having a first flow path space extending along the first direction at a position overlapping with the gas exhaust valve; a second flow path portion having a second flow path space extending from a position spaced apart from the first flow path space in the first direction and disposed at one end of the duct portion in the first direction; a connecting portion that has a communication space between the first flow path space and the second flow path space and connects the first flow path portion and the second flow path portion, The first flow path space and the second flow path space at the communication position with the communicating space are misaligned so that they do not overlap or partially overlap when viewed from the first direction, and the size of the communication space in a planar direction perpendicular to the first direction is larger than the size of the first flow path space at the communication position with the communicating space.

[0013] In the electricity storage device, the connection portion has an opposing surface that faces the first flow path space in the first direction at a communication position between the second flow path space and the communication space in the first direction, The opposing surface may be perpendicular to the first direction, or may be located on one side of the first direction as the opposing surface becomes more distant from the second flow path space in the second direction.

[0014] In addition, in the power storage device, The connection portion may have a recess that is recessed toward one side in the first direction from a communication position between the second flow path space and the communication space in the first direction and faces the first flow path space in the first direction.

[0015] In addition, in the power storage device, the first flow path portion has a guide surface disposed at an end portion of the first flow path space on the communication space side, The guide surface may be positioned away from the second flow path space in a positional shift direction between the first flow path space and the second flow path space at a communication position with the communication space as the guide surface approaches the communication space in the first direction.

[0016] Moreover, the storage element is The communication space may include a filter portion that allows gas to pass through but prevents substances contained in the gas from passing through. Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an energy storage device that can prevent substances contained in the gas from flowing downstream of the duct portion when the gas is discharged from the energy storage element. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electricity storage device according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electricity storage device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device body with the duct portion attached. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of the device body with the duct portion attached, viewed from one side in the Z-axis direction. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the device main body. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first adjacent member included in the device body. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second adjacent member included in the device body. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third adjacent member included in the device body. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view of the duct portion as viewed from the Y-axis direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view of the duct portion as viewed from the other side in the Z-axis direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of one end of the duct portion and its periphery in a vertical central cross-sectional view of the device body. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of one end of a duct portion and its periphery according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of one end portion of a duct portion and its periphery according to another embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another member disposed at the connection portion of the duct portion to extend the second flow path space. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of one end of a duct portion and its periphery in another embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another member that is disposed by inserting the duct portion into the joint portion and extends the second flow path space. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sponge-like filter portion disposed in a duct portion. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a filter portion configured by a plate-shaped mesh member disposed in a duct portion. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a filter portion constituted by a cylindrical mesh member disposed in a duct portion. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the filter portion formed by the cylindrical mesh member. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a filter portion constituted by brush-like protrusions disposed in a duct portion. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a guide surface arranged in the duct portion. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a gas discharge flow path and its surroundings in a conventional battery pack. [Figure 24]FIG. 24 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an end portion of a gas discharge flow path and its periphery in the battery pack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] (1) An electric storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: A plurality of electric storage elements arranged in a first direction, each of the electric storage elements having a gas exhaust valve at an end on one side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a duct portion that is overlapped with the plurality of energy storage elements from one side in the second direction, The duct portion is a first flow path portion having a first flow path space extending along the first direction at a position overlapping with the gas exhaust valve; a second flow path portion having a second flow path space extending from a position spaced apart from the first flow path space in the first direction and disposed at one end of the duct portion in the first direction; a connecting portion that has a communication space between the first flow path space and the second flow path space and connects the first flow path portion and the second flow path portion, The first flow path space and the second flow path space at the communication position with the communicating space are misaligned so that they do not overlap or partially overlap when viewed from the first direction, and the size of the communication space in a planar direction perpendicular to the first direction is larger than the size of the first flow path space at the communication position with the communicating space.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the electric storage device of the present invention, by misaligning the first flow path space and the second flow path space at the communication position with the communication space, and by providing a communication space between the first flow path space and the second flow path space, the size of which in a planar direction perpendicular to the first direction is larger than that of the first flow path space, when the gas discharged from the gas exhaust valve flows from the first flow path portion to the second flow path portion through the communication space, the contents contained in the gas are deposited in the communication space, and this suppresses the inflow of the contents into the second flow path space in the duct portion, and as a result, it is possible to suppress the outflow of the contents contained in the gas to the downstream side of the duct portion.

[0021] (2) In the power storage device according to (1), the connection portion has an opposing surface that faces the first flow path space in the first direction at a communication position between the second flow path space and the communication space in the first direction, The opposing surface may be perpendicular to the first direction, or may be located on one side of the first direction as the opposing surface becomes more distant from the second flow path space in the second direction.

[0022] In the energy storage device described in (2) above, in the gas flow flowing from the first flow path space to the communicating space, inclusions contained in the gas attempt to travel in a straight line due to inertia, and collide with the opposing surface, thereby being deposited at that location, thereby suitably suppressing the inflow of the inclusions into the second flow path space.

[0023] (3) In the power storage device according to (1), The connection portion may have a recess that is recessed toward one side in the first direction from a communication position between the second flow path space and the communication space in the first direction and faces the first flow path space in the first direction.

[0024] According to the energy storage device described in (3) above, in the gas flow flowing from the first flow path space to the communicating space, inclusions contained in the gas attempt to travel in a straight line due to inertia, and collide with the recess, thereby being deposited in the recess, thereby suitably suppressing the inflow of the inclusions into the second flow path space.

[0025] (4) In the power storage device according to any one of (1) to (3), the first flow path portion has a guide surface disposed at an end portion of the first flow path space on the communication space side, The guide surface may be positioned away from the second flow path space in a positional shift direction between the first flow path space and the second flow path space at a communication position with the communication space as the guide surface approaches the communication space in the first direction.

[0026] According to the energy storage device described in (4) above, the guide surface guides the components contained in the gas away from the inlet of the second flow path space (the boundary between the second flow path space and the communicating space), thereby preventing the components from flowing into the second flow path space.

[0027] (5) The power storage device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, The communication space may include a filter portion that allows gas to pass through but prevents substances contained in the gas from passing through.

[0028] According to the electricity storage device described above in (5), the filter portion prevents the contents from flowing into the second flow path space.

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 11. Note that the names of the components (elementary components) in this embodiment are those in this embodiment and may differ from the names of the components (elementary components) in the background art.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the energy storage device 1 includes a plurality of energy storage elements 10 each having a gas release valve 132, and a duct portion 6 that is stacked over the plurality of energy storage elements.

[0031] In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the multiple energy storage elements 10 are arranged in a predetermined direction (first direction). Furthermore, the gas exhaust valves 132 of the multiple energy storage elements 10 are disposed at ends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The duct portion 6 is disposed so as to overlap with the gas exhaust valves 132 of the energy storage elements 10 from one side in the second direction (the upper side in FIG. 2).

[0032] Specifically, the energy storage device 1 includes an apparatus main body A including a plurality of energy storage elements 10, a duct portion 6 attached to the apparatus main body A, and a plate portion C overlapped on a portion of the apparatus main body A where the duct portion 6 is attached. The energy storage device 1 of this embodiment also includes a seal portion 7 disposed between the apparatus main body A and the duct portion 6 (see FIG. 2). In the following, the predetermined direction (first direction) in which the energy storage elements 10 are arranged is defined as the X-axis direction of a Cartesian coordinate system, the direction (second direction) in which the apparatus main body A and the plate portion C are arranged is defined as the Z-axis direction of the Cartesian coordinate system, and the direction perpendicular to each of the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis direction of the Cartesian coordinate system.

[0033] The device body A includes a stack D having a plurality of energy storage elements 10 and a plurality of adjacent members 2, with the energy storage elements 10 and the adjacent members 2 arranged alternately in the X-axis direction, and a holding part 3 that holds the stack D. The device body A also includes a first fixing part 4 that fixes at least one adjacent member 2 to the holding part 3, and an insulator 5 that provides insulation between the stack D and the holding part 3.

[0034] The multiple energy storage elements 10 are primary batteries, secondary batteries, capacitors, etc. The energy storage elements 10 of this embodiment are chargeable and dischargeable nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries. More specifically, the energy storage elements 10 are lithium ion secondary batteries that utilize electron transfer that occurs with the transfer of lithium ions.

[0035] Specifically, each energy storage element 10 comprises an electrode body, a case 11 that houses the electrode body together with an electrolyte, a terminal 14 at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside of the case 11, and a current collector that connects the electrode body and the terminal 14 (see FIG. 5). The energy storage element 10 of this embodiment comprises a pair of terminals 14, which are arranged at a distance in the Y-axis direction at an end of the energy storage element 10 on one side in the Z-axis direction (the upper side in FIG. 5).

[0036] In the electrode assembly, positive and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators between them. In this electrode assembly, lithium ions move between the positive and negative electrode plates, thereby charging and discharging the energy storage element 10.

[0037] Case 11 has a case body 12 having an opening at one end in the Z-axis direction, and a plate-like cover plate 13 that covers (closes) the opening of case body 12. This case body 12 has a square cylindrical shape (i.e., a square cylindrical shape with a bottom) with a closed end at the other end in the Z-axis direction (the lower side in FIG. 5), and case 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape (six-sided shape).

[0038] Specifically, the case body 12 includes a plate-shaped closing portion 121 and a cylindrical body portion (peripheral wall) 122 extending from the periphery of the closing portion 121 in the Z-axis direction.

[0039] The blocking portion 121 is a portion located at the lower end of the case body 12 when the case body 12 is placed with the opening facing upward (i.e., it becomes the bottom wall of the case body 12 when the opening faces upward). The blocking portion 121 is rectangular when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0040] The body 122 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, more specifically, a flattened rectangular cylindrical shape. The body 122 has a pair of long wall portions 123 extending from a long side at the periphery of the closing portion 121, and a pair of short wall portions 124 extending from a short side at the periphery of the closing portion 121. In the body 122, the short wall portions 124 connect the ends of the pair of long wall portions 123 facing each other in the X-axis direction, thereby forming the rectangular cylindrical body 122.

[0041] The cover plate 13 is a plate-like member that closes the opening of the case body 12. The cover plate 13 has a cover plate main body 131 that is a rectangular plate that is elongated in the Y-axis direction, and a gas exhaust valve 132 that is arranged on the cover plate main body 131.

[0042] The gas exhaust valve 132 exhausts gas to the outside when the pressure inside the case 11 exceeds a predetermined value due to gas generation inside the case 11. The gas exhaust valve 132 in this embodiment is disposed in the center in the Y-axis direction of the cover plate main body 131. The gas exhaust valve 132 in this embodiment is circular when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0043] The cover plate 13 thus constructed is joined to the case body 12 with the peripheral edge of the cover plate 13 overlapping the peripheral edge of the opening of the case body 12, thereby forming the case 11.

[0044] The pair of terminals 14 are portions that are electrically connected to terminals 14 of other energy storage elements 10 or to external devices, etc. Each terminal 14 is formed of a member having electrical conductivity. For example, each terminal 14 is formed of a metal material with high weldability, such as an aluminum-based metal material, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or a copper-based metal material, such as copper or a copper alloy.

[0045] The pair of terminals 14 are disposed at both ends in the Y-axis direction of the cover plate 13. That is, the pair of terminals 14 are disposed at positions on the cover plate 13 with the gas exhaust valve 132 sandwiched therebetween.

[0046] The above energy storage elements 10 have a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the multiple energy storage elements 10 are lined up in the X-axis direction with the wide faces (long wall portions 123) of the cases 11 facing each other with adjacent members 2 interposed between them. At this time, the gas release valves 132 of each energy storage element 10 are lined up in a row in the X-axis direction. Also, one terminal 14 and the other terminal 14 of each energy storage element 10 are lined up in the X-axis direction at positions sandwiching the gas release valve 132 therebetween.

[0047] The multiple adjacent members 2 are insulating and are disposed between the energy storage elements 10 lined up in the X-axis direction, or between the energy storage elements 10 and a member (in this embodiment, the terminal portion 31 that is part of the holding portion 3) lined up in the X-axis direction relative to the energy storage elements 10. The adjacent members 2 in this embodiment are formed from an insulating resin. The adjacent members 2 form a flow path R between adjacent energy storage elements 10 through which a temperature adjustment fluid (in this embodiment, a gas such as air) can flow. The multiple adjacent members 2 include multiple types of adjacent members 2A, 2B, 2C.

[0048] Specifically, the multiple adjacent members 2 include a first adjacent member 2A arranged between two adjacent energy storage elements 10, a second adjacent member 2B arranged between the two adjacent energy storage elements 10 and fixed to the holding portion 3, and a third adjacent member 2C adjacent to the energy storage element 10 between the holding portion 3 and the energy storage element 10 located at the end furthest in the X-axis direction. That is, the energy storage device 1 includes, as the adjacent members 2, the first adjacent member 2A, the second adjacent member 2B, and the third adjacent member 2C.

[0049] The energy storage device 1 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of first adjacent members 2A, one second adjacent member 2B, and two (a pair) third adjacent members 2C, and the plurality of first adjacent members 2A are arranged between each of the energy storage elements 10 except between the energy storage elements 10 between which the second adjacent members 2B are arranged.

[0050] 6, the first adjacent members 2A each have a first main body portion 21A located between the energy storage elements 10, and at least one first locking piece 22A that locks the duct portion 6 to the first main body portion 21A. Note that in this embodiment, locking refers to engaging and fastening by, for example, hooking or the like.

[0051] Specifically, the first adjacent member 2A has a first main body portion 21A that extends in a planar direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction between adjacent energy storage elements 10 in the X-axis direction, and two first locking pieces 22A that extend (protrude) from the first main body portion 21A toward one side in the Z-axis direction and lock the duct portion 6 to the first main body portion 21A. The first adjacent member 2A also has at least one first restricting portion 23A that restricts movement of the energy storage element 10 adjacent to the first main body portion 21A relative to the first main body portion 21A.

[0052] The first body portion 21A is a portion that faces the long wall portion 123 of the case 11 of the energy storage element 10 while partially abutting against the long wall portion 123. This first body portion 21A cooperates with an adjacent energy storage element 10 to form a flow path R through which a temperature adjusting fluid can flow between the energy storage element 10 and the first body portion 21A. The first body portion 21A in this embodiment is a rectangular plate having a size corresponding to the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction, and has a rectangular waveform in cross section perpendicular to the Y-axis direction.

[0053] The two first locking pieces 22A each extend from an end portion on one side in the Z-axis direction of the first main body portion 21A at a position spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. The distance in the Y-axis direction between these two first locking pieces 22A corresponds to the dimension in the Y-axis direction of the duct portion 6 and the dimension in the Y-axis direction of the seal portion 7. The two first locking pieces 22A are each plate-shaped with the Y-axis direction as the thickness direction (in other words, plate-shaped along a surface direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction).

[0054] Specifically, the two first locking pieces 22A have a locking piece main body 221A extending in the Z-axis direction from the first main body portion 21A along the duct portion 6, and a locking portion 222A that engages with the duct portion 6 (more specifically, the duct portion main body 60 described later).

[0055] The locking piece main body 221A is a strip-shaped part extending straight in the Z-axis direction from the first main body portion 21A.

[0056] The locking portion 222A is a portion of the locking piece main body 221A that extends in the X-axis direction (the direction in which the duct portion 6 extends) from a position spaced apart on one side in the Z-axis direction from the first main body portion 21A. The locking portion 222A in this embodiment extends from the locking piece main body 221A to one side and the other side in the X-axis direction.

[0057] First restricting portions 23A extend in the X-axis direction from at least the corners of rectangular first main body portion 21A and come into contact with energy storage elements 10 (more specifically, case 11) adjacent to first main body portion 21A from the outside in a plane direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, thereby restricting relative movement of the energy storage elements 10 in the plane direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction with respect to first main body portion 21A. First restricting portions 23A in this embodiment extend from first main body portion 21A toward one side and the other side in the X-axis direction.

[0058] As also shown in FIG. 7, the second adjacent member 2B has a second main body portion 21B located between the energy storage elements 10, and at least one second locking piece 22B that locks the duct portion 6 to the second main body portion 21B.

[0059] Specifically, the second adjacent member 2B has a second main body portion 21B that extends in a planar direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction between adjacent energy storage elements 10 in the X-axis direction, and at least one (two in this embodiment) second locking piece 22B that extends (protrudes) from the second main body portion 21B toward one side in the Z-axis direction and locks the duct portion 6 to the second main body portion 21B. The second adjacent member 2B also has at least one second restricting portion 23B that restricts movement of the energy storage element 10 adjacent to the second main body portion 21B relative to the second main body portion 21B, and a second fixing portion 24B used to fix the second adjacent member 2B to the holding portion 3.

[0060] The second body portion 21B is a portion that faces the long wall portion 123 of the case 11 of the energy storage element 10 in a state where a part of the second body portion 21B is in contact with the long wall portion 123. The second body portion 21B cooperates with the adjacent energy storage element 10 to form a flow path R through which a temperature-adjusting fluid can flow between the energy storage element 10 and the second body portion 21B. The dimension of the second body portion 21B in the X-axis direction of the present embodiment is larger than the dimension of the first body portion 21A in the X-axis direction (i.e., it is thick). The second body portion 21B is a rectangular plate having a size corresponding to the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction. The second body portion 21B has a plurality of ridges 211B that extend in the Y-axis direction and are arranged at intervals in the Z-axis direction. The plurality of ridges 211B protrude from a second opposing surface 212B of the second body portion 21B that faces the energy storage element 10.

[0061] The two second locking pieces 22B extend from positions spaced apart in the Y-axis direction at one end of the second main body portion 21B in the Z-axis direction. The distance between the two second locking pieces 22B in the Y-axis direction corresponds to the dimension of the duct portion 6 in the Y-axis direction and the dimension of the seal portion 7 in the Y-axis direction, similar to the two first locking pieces 22A of the first adjacent member 2A. The configuration of each of the two second locking pieces 22B is the same as the configuration of the first locking piece 22A. That is, the second locking piece 22B has a locking piece main body 221B and a locking portion 222B.

[0062] The second restricting portions 23B extend in the X-axis direction from at least the corners of the rectangular second main body portion 21B and come into contact with the energy storage element 10 (more specifically, case 11) adjacent to the second main body portion 21B from the outside in a plane direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, thereby restricting relative movement of the energy storage element 10 in the plane direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction with respect to the second main body portion 21B. The second restricting portions 23B of the present embodiment extend from the second main body portion 21B toward one side and the other in the X-axis direction.

[0063] The second fixing portions 24B are disposed at each end of the second main body portion 21B in the Y-axis direction. These second fixing portions 24B engage with the first fixing portions 4 to fix the second adjacent member 2B and the holding portion 3. Each of the second fixing portions 24B in this embodiment is an insert nut. Also, each of the first fixing portions 4 in this embodiment is a bolt, which engages with (for example, screws into) the second fixing portion 24B while being inserted through the holding portion 3, thereby fastening the second adjacent member 2B and the holding portion 3.

[0064] As also shown in Figure 8, the two third adjacent members 2C have a third main body portion 21C that overlaps with the storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction, at least one third regulating portion 23C that regulates movement of the storage element 10 adjacent to the third main body portion 21C relative to the third main body portion 21C, and a pair of guide portions 25C extending from the third main body portion 21C in the Z-axis direction.

[0065] The third body portion 21C is a portion that faces the long wall portion 123 of the energy storage element 10 in a state of partial contact with the long wall portion 123. Like the first body portion 21A of the first adjacent member 2A and the second body portion 21B of the second adjacent member 2B, the third body portion 21C also forms a flow path R between the energy storage element 10 and the adjacent energy storage element 10, through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow. The third body portion 21C of this embodiment is a rectangular plate having a size corresponding to the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction. The third body portion 21C has a plurality of ridges 211C that extend in the Y-axis direction and are arranged at intervals in the Z-axis direction. The plurality of ridges 211C protrude from a third opposing surface 212C of the third body portion 21C with the energy storage element 10.

[0066] The third restricting portion 23C extends in the X-axis direction from at least the corners of the rectangular third main body portion 21C and abuts against the energy storage element 10 (more specifically, case 11) adjacent to the third main body portion 21C from the outside in a plane direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, thereby restricting relative movement of the energy storage element 10 in the plane direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction with respect to the third main body portion 21C. The third restricting portion 23C of this embodiment extends from the third main body portion 21C in a direction toward the energy storage element 10 in the X-axis direction.

[0067] The pair of guide portions 25C guide the duct portion 6 to an attachment position when the duct portion 6 is attached to the apparatus main body A. Specifically, the pair of guide portions 25C extend along the duct portion 6 on both sides of the duct portion 6 in the Y-axis direction. The pair of guide portions 25C are disposed at a distance corresponding to the dimension of the duct portion 6 in the Y-axis direction, and each guide portion 25C extends from the third main body portion 21C along the duct portion 6 to one side in the Z-axis direction.

[0068] 1 to 5, the holding portion 3 holds the stack D by surrounding the stack D. That is, the holding portion 3 holds the plurality of energy storage elements 10 and the plurality of adjacent members 2 together by surrounding the plurality of energy storage elements 10 and the plurality of adjacent members 2. The holding portion 3 is made of metal, resin, or the like.

[0069] Specifically, the retaining unit 3 has a pair of terminal ends 31 arranged on both sides of the laminate D in the X-axis direction, an extension portion 32 extending in the X-axis direction along the laminate D at a position aligned with the laminate D in the Y-axis direction, and a connecting portion 33 connecting the terminal end portion 31 and the extension portion 32. The retaining unit 3 of this embodiment has a pair of extension portions 32 arranged at an interval in the Y-axis direction so that the laminate D is located between them.

[0070] The pair of end portions 31 are arranged so as to sandwich the third adjacent member 2C between the energy storage elements 10 arranged at their ends in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the pair of end portions 31 have an end portion main body 311 that spreads along a plane direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and a flange portion 313 that extends from the end portion main body 311 in a direction away from the energy storage elements 10 in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 5).

[0071] The end portion body 311 has a rectangular shape with a size corresponding to that of the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction. More specifically, the end portion body 311 has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the Y-axis direction, and has a plurality of through holes 312 arranged at intervals in the Z-axis direction at both ends in the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, the flange portion 313 extends in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction from one end of the end portion of the end portion 311 in the Z-axis direction.

[0072] The pair of extension portions 32 include an extension portion main body 320 that faces the short wall portion 124 of each storage element 10 via an insulator 5, a first piece 321 that extends from one end of the extension portion main body 320 in the Z axis direction along the Y axis direction along the cover plate 13 of each storage element 10 and also extends in the X axis direction, a second piece 322 that extends from the other end of the extension portion main body 320 in the Z axis direction along the blocking portion 121 of each storage element 10 and also extends in the X axis direction, and a pair of third pieces 323 that extend from each end of the extension portion main body 320 in the X axis direction along the terminal portion 31 in the Y axis direction and also extend in the Z axis direction (see Figure 5).

[0073] The extension portion main body 320 is a plate-like portion extending along the short wall portion 124 of each energy storage element 10, and has a plurality of ventilation holes 3201 penetrating in the Y-axis direction to allow a temperature adjusting fluid to flow in or out of each flow path R, and a plurality of first fixing holes 3202 penetrating in the Y-axis direction at positions corresponding to each second fixing portion 24B of the second adjacent member 2B. The first fixing portion 4 is inserted into the first fixing holes 3202.

[0074] The first arm 321 is a strip-shaped portion that is long in the X-axis direction, and the second arm 322 is also strip-shaped that is long in the X-axis direction. The width of the portion of the second arm 322 excluding both ends in the X-axis direction (the dimension in the Y-axis direction) is greater than the width of the first arm 321. In addition, the pair of third arms 323 have a plurality of second fixing holes 3231 that are spaced apart in the Z-axis direction. Each second fixing hole 3231 is disposed at a position corresponding to a through hole 312 of the terminal end portion 31.

[0075] The multiple connecting portions 33 fasten the terminal end portion 31 and the extension portion 32 in a state where they are inserted through the through hole 312 of the terminal end portion 31 and the second fixing hole 3231 of the extension portion 32 (more specifically, the third arm portion 323). Each connecting portion 33 in this embodiment is constituted by a bolt 331 and a nut 332.

[0076] The insulator 5 has insulating properties. The insulator 5 is disposed between the extension portion 32 and the laminate D. Specifically, the energy storage device 1 includes a pair of insulators 5, and each insulator 5 covers at least an area of ​​the extension portion 32 facing the plurality of energy storage elements 10. In this way, each insulator 5 provides insulation between the extension portion 32 and the plurality of energy storage elements 10. Each insulator 5 has a ventilation region 51 at a position corresponding to each ventilation hole 3201 of the extension portion main body 320, the ventilation region 51 having a size and shape corresponding to each ventilation hole 3201 of the extension portion main body 320 (see FIG. 5).

[0077] The seal portion 7 is a portion or member disposed between the apparatus main body A and the duct portion 6 to suppress gas leakage from between the apparatus main body A and the duct portion 6, and has at least one communication hole 71 that communicates between the gas exhaust valve 132 and the first flow path space R1 in the duct portion 6 (see FIG. 2). The seal portion 7 extends in the X-axis direction at a position corresponding to the gas exhaust valve 132 in the Y-axis direction at one end of the apparatus main body A in the Z-axis direction. The seal portion 7 in this embodiment is formed of a foam such as a fluorine-based, silicone-based, or urethane-based resin, and provides a seal between the apparatus main body A and the duct portion 6.

[0078] Specifically, the seal portion 7 is a band-shaped member whose width direction is the Y-axis direction and whose length direction is the X-axis direction, and has communication holes 71 at positions corresponding to the gas exhaust valves 132 of each energy storage element 10 (more specifically, positions overlapping with each gas exhaust valve 132 when viewed from the Z-axis direction). That is, the seal portion 7 has a plurality of communication holes 71, and these multiple communication holes 71 are lined up in a row in the seal portion 7 at intervals in the X-axis direction.

[0079] The width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of the seal portion 7 in this embodiment corresponds to the size of the duct portion 6. Moreover, each communication hole 71 has a shape and size corresponding to the gas exhaust valve 132, and the communication hole 71 in this embodiment is a circular hole having the same or approximately the same diameter as the gas exhaust valve 132.

[0080] The duct portion 6 is disposed along the X-axis direction while facing the gas exhaust valve 132 in the Z-axis direction. The duct portion 6 of this embodiment extends along each energy storage element 10 from the energy storage element 10 at one end in the X-axis direction to the energy storage element 10 at the other end.

[0081] Specifically, as also shown in Figures 9 to 11, the duct portion 6 has a duct portion main body (first flow path portion) 60 having a first flow path space R1 extending in the X-axis direction at a position overlapping with the gas exhaust valve 132, a second flow path space R2 extending from a position spaced apart from the first flow path space R1 in the X-axis direction, and a joint portion (second flow path portion) 66 arranged at an end portion 6a on one side (the right side in Figure 9) of the duct portion 6 in the X-axis direction, and a connection portion 65 having a communicating space R3 between the first flow path space R1 and the second flow path space R2 and connecting the duct portion main body 60 and the joint portion 66.

[0082] In this duct portion 6, the first flow path space R1 and the second flow path space R2 at the communication positions P1, P2 with the communication space R3 are misaligned so as not to overlap or to partially overlap when viewed from the X-axis direction (see FIG. 11). In the duct portion 6 of this embodiment, the first flow path space R1 and the second flow path space R2 at the communication positions P1, P2 with the communication space R3 are misaligned in the Z-axis direction so as not to overlap when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0083] The duct portion 6 also has a plurality of locked portions 64 (see FIG. 3) that engage with the locking pieces 22A, 22B of the adjacent member 2, more specifically, the locking portions 222A, 222B (see FIGS. 6 and 7) of the locking pieces 22A, 22B. The duct portion 6 of this embodiment is made of resin such as polybutylene terephthalate or glass fiber blended resin (polybutylene terephthalate-glass fiber).

[0084] The duct body 60 is a hollow cylindrical part extending in the X-axis direction and having a first flow path space R1 inside. The duct body 60 of this embodiment extends from one end of the device body A in the X-axis direction (specifically, a position overlapping with the energy storage element 10 arranged third from the end on one side in the X-axis direction) to the other end (specifically, a position overlapping with the energy storage element 10 arranged at the end on the other side in the X-axis direction), and the end 6b on the other side (left side in FIG. 9) (i.e., the other end of the duct part 6) is closed. This duct body 60 is arranged at a position overlapping with the gas exhaust valve 132 of the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0085] Specifically, the duct main body 60 has a bottom wall portion 61 facing the device main body A (multiple storage elements 10), a pair of side wall portions 62 extending from both ends of the bottom wall portion 61 in the Y-axis direction to one side in the Z-axis direction, and a top wall portion 63 connecting the ends of the pair of side wall portions 62 on one side in the Z-axis direction, and the space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 61, the pair of side wall portions 62, and the top wall portion 63 forms a first flow path space R1 capable of guiding gas discharged from the gas discharge valve 132 to the connection portion 65.

[0086] The bottom wall portion 61 is a band-shaped portion whose width direction is the Y-axis direction and whose length direction is the X-axis direction, and is a portion that sandwiches the seal portion 7 between the device main body A and the duct portion main body 60. The bottom wall portion 61 has communication holes 611 at positions corresponding to each communication hole 71 of the seal portion 7 (in other words, at positions corresponding to the gas exhaust valves 132 of each energy storage element 10) that communicate the communication holes 71 with the first flow path space R1.

[0087] The multiple locked portions 64 are portions where the locking pieces 22A, 22B of the adjacent members 2A, 2B engage with each other (hook onto each other in this embodiment) in order to fix the duct portion 6 to the adjacent members 2A, 2B (i.e., the device main body A) (see FIG. 3), and each locked portion 64 protrudes outward in the Y-axis direction from the side wall portion 62. The multiple locked portions 64 are disposed at intervals in the X-axis direction on the side wall portion 62.

[0088] As described above, the connection portion 65 has a communicating space R3, and the size of this communicating space R3 in a planar direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is larger than the size of the first flow path space R1 in a planar direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction at the communication position P1 with the communicating space R3.

[0089] Here, the size in a plane perpendicular to the X-axis direction refers to the size in at least one direction included in the plane perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and in the example shown in Fig. 11, it is at least the size in the Z-axis direction. In addition, in the duct portion 6 of this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​a cross section perpendicular to the X-axis direction in the communication space R3 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​a cross section perpendicular to the X-axis direction in the first flow path space R1 at the communication position P1.

[0090] This connection portion 65 has a first wall portion 651 facing the device main body A, a pair of second wall portions 652 extending from both ends of the first wall portion 651 in the Y-axis direction to one side in the Z-axis direction, and a third wall portion 653 connecting the ends of the pair of second wall portions 652 on one side in the Z-axis direction, and the distance α of the third wall portion 653 from the first wall portion 651 in the Z-axis direction gradually increases as it approaches communication position P2 from communication position P1 (see Figure 11).

[0091] The first wall portion 651 is a band-shaped portion extending continuously in the X-axis direction from the bottom wall portion 61 of the duct portion main body 60, and like the bottom wall portion 61, has a connection portion communication hole 651a at a position corresponding to the communication hole 71 of the seal portion 7 (a position corresponding to the gas exhaust valve 132 of the energy storage element 10) that communicates the communication hole 71 with the communication space R3. The connection portion communication hole 651a has the same shape and size as the communication hole 611 of the bottom wall portion 61 of the duct portion main body 60.

[0092] The connection portion 65 has an opposing surface 655 that faces the first flow path space R1 in the X-axis direction at a communication position P2 between the second flow path space R2 and the communication space R3 in the X-axis direction. The opposing surface 655 is a surface included in an inner surface 650 that defines the communication space R3 in the connection portion 65, and is inclined as viewed from the Y-axis direction so as to be located on one side in the X-axis direction as it moves away from the second flow path space R2 in the Z-axis direction (i.e., as it approaches the first wall portion 651 in the Z-axis direction). The opposing surface 655 may be perpendicular to the X-axis direction.

[0093] In this embodiment, connection portion 65 (communication space R3) overlaps energy storage element 10 at one end in the X-axis direction and energy storage element 10 second from that end (see FIG. 11).

[0094] The joint portion 66 is a portion to which another member is connected so that gas within the duct main body 60 and the connecting portion 65 can be released to the other member, and extends from the connecting portion 65 to one side in the X-axis direction. The joint portion 66 in this embodiment is cylindrical and communicates between the communication space R3 and the external space through the second flow path space R2.

[0095] In the duct section 6 configured as above, when the duct section 6 is attached to the device main body A with the seal section 7 sandwiched between the duct section 6 and the device main body A, as shown in Fig. 3, the locking piece bodies 221A, 221B of the corresponding adjacent members 2A, 2B are positioned between the adjacent locked parts 64 spaced apart in the X-axis direction, and the locking parts 222A, 222B extending from the locking piece bodies 221A, 221B abut (engage) with the locked parts 64 adjacent to the locking piece bodies 221A, 221B in the X-axis direction from one side in the Z-axis direction. This causes the duct section 6 to be locked to the device main body A (the adjacent members 2A, 2B).

[0096] 1 and 2, the plate portion C includes a plurality of bus bars B, a plate portion main body 8 that houses the plurality of bus bars B, and a harness 9 having a plurality of electric wires connected to the bus bars B. In addition, in FIG. 2, in order to explain the configuration, some of the plurality of bus bars B arranged in the plate portion C are shown outside the plate portion C.

[0097] The multiple bus bars B are plate-shaped members having electrical conductivity such as metal, and connect the terminals 14 of different energy storage elements 10. The multiple bus bars B are electrically connected to each other by connecting the terminals 14 of adjacent energy storage elements 10. In this embodiment, each bus bar B is welded to the terminal 14.

[0098] The harness 9 includes a cable portion 91 having a plurality of electric wires, and a connector 92 disposed at an end of the cable portion 91. One end of each electric wire included in the cable portion 91 is connected to a bus bar B or the like, and the other end of each electric wire is connected to the connector 92.

[0099] The cable portion 91 is formed by bundling at least a portion of a plurality of electric wires, one end of which is connected to a bus bar B or the like. The cable portion 91 is disposed on the plate portion main body 8 with the end protruding from the plate portion main body 8 to the other side in the X-axis direction. A connector 92 is attached to the tip of the cable portion 91 in the protruding direction. The connector 92 in this embodiment is a multi-core connector, and two connectors are disposed.

[0100] The plate body 8 is made of an insulating material such as resin, and is a plate-shaped portion or member that covers the surface of the device body A on which the terminals 14 are arranged. The plate body 8 is a plate-shaped member whose dimension in the Z-axis direction is smaller than the dimensions in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and is rectangular in shape with a size corresponding to the device body A when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The plate body 8 has a bus bar accommodating portion 81 that accommodates each bus bar B in a state in which it is connected to the terminals 14 of the energy storage elements 10, an electric wire arrangement portion 82 in which the harness 9 is arranged, and a plurality of lid portions 83. The plate body 8 also has a duct arrangement portion 85 in which a part of the laminate D (in the example of this embodiment, the gas exhaust valve 132 of each energy storage element 10) is exposed when viewed from the plate part C toward the device body A (i.e., when viewed from one side in the Z-axis direction to the other side) without the duct portion 6 (see FIG. 2).

[0101] The plate portion main body 8 of this embodiment has two bus bar accommodating portions 81 arranged on either side of the duct arrangement portion 85 in the Y-axis direction, and a plurality of connecting portions 84 extending in the Y-axis direction and connecting the two bus bar accommodating portions 81, and the multiple connecting portions 84 are arranged at intervals in the X-axis direction.

[0102] The two bus bar accommodating portions 81 accommodate a plurality of bus bars B with at least one bus bar B (two in this embodiment) surrounded by a wall.

[0103] The electric wire placement portion 82 is a groove-shaped portion in the plate body 8, and a cable portion 91 of the harness 9 is placed inside the electric wire placement portion 82.

[0104] The plurality of lid portions 83 are plate-shaped portions that openably and closably cover end openings on one side in the Z-axis direction of the walls surrounding the bus bar B in the bus bar accommodating portion 81. Each lid portion 83 is in the shape of a rectangular plate, and a part of the periphery is connected to a part of the wall surrounding the bus bar B.

[0105] The energy storage device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above includes a plurality of energy storage elements 10 arranged in the X-axis direction (first direction), each having a gas exhaust valve 132 at an end on one side in the Z-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and a duct portion 6 overlapping the plurality of energy storage elements 10 from one side in the Z-axis direction. The duct portion 6 includes a duct portion main body (first flow path portion) 60 having a first flow path space R1 extending along the X-axis direction at a position overlapping with the gas exhaust valve 132, a joint portion (second flow path portion) 66 having a second flow path space R2 extending from a position spaced apart from the first flow path space R1 in the X-axis direction and disposed at an end 6a on one side of the duct portion 6 in the X-axis direction, and a connection portion 65 having a communication space R3 between the first flow path space R1 and the second flow path space R2 and connecting the duct portion main body 60 and the joint portion 66. The first flow path space R1 and the second flow path space R2 are misaligned at the communication positions P1, P2 with the communication space R3 so as not to overlap when viewed from the X-axis direction, and the size of the communication space R3 in a planar direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is larger than the size of the first flow path space R1 in a planar direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction at the communication position P1 with the communication space R3.

[0106] In this way, by misaligning the first flow path space R1 and the second flow path space R2 at the communication positions P1, P2 with the communication space R3 and providing a communication space R3 between the first flow path space R1 and the second flow path space R2, the size of which in a plane direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is larger than the first flow path space R1, the contents (active material, etc.) contained in the gas discharged from the gas exhaust valve 132 are deposited in the communication space R3 when the gas flows from the duct main body 60 to the joint part 66 through the communication space R3. This prevents the inflow of the contents into the second flow path space R2 in the duct part 6, and as a result, the outflow of the contents contained in the gas to the downstream side of the duct part 6 can be prevented.

[0107] Furthermore, since the first flow path space R1 and the second flow path space R2 extend on the same side in the same X-axis direction (first direction) (in the above embodiment, one side in the X-axis direction), the duct section 6 can be configured in such a way that the gas discharged from the gas exhaust valve 132 can be easily discharged to the outside.

[0108] Specifically, in the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the connection portion 65 has an opposing surface 655 that faces the first flow path space R1 in the X-axis direction (first direction) at a communication position P2 between the second flow path space R2 and the communication space R3 in the X-axis direction (first direction), and the opposing surface 655 is located on one side in the X-axis direction as it moves away from the second flow path space R2 in the Z-axis direction (second direction).

[0109] In the gas flow from the first flow path space R1 to the communication space R3, inclusions contained in the gas collide with the opposing surface 655 due to inertia in a straight line and are deposited at the site (see the region indicated by the two-dot chain line indicated by the symbol β in FIG. 11). This effectively prevents the inclusions from flowing into the second flow path space R2. Moreover, since the opposing surface 655 is not a surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction, but is inclined to one side in the X-axis direction as it moves away from the second flow path space R2 in the Z-axis direction, the inclusions that collide with the opposing surface 655 and are deposited are less likely to move toward the second flow path space R2.

[0110] The power storage device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, and part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0111] In the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, when gas is discharged from the energy storage element 10, the components contained in the gas are deposited by the opposing surface 655 of the connection portion 65 that faces the first flow path space R1, but this is not limited to the configuration. For example, as shown in Figures 12, 13, and 15, the connection portion 65 may have a recess 656 that is recessed to one side in the X-axis direction from the communication position P2 in the X-axis direction (first direction) between the second flow path space R2 and the communication space R3 and faces the first flow path space R1 in the X-axis direction.

[0112] In this configuration, in the flow of gas flowing from the first flow path space R1 to the communication space R3, inclusions contained in the gas collide with the recessed portion 656 due to inertia in a straight line and are deposited in the recessed portion 656, thereby suitably suppressing the inflow of the inclusions contained in the gas into the second flow path space R2. Moreover, by making the recessed portion 656 recessed to one side in the X-axis direction the site where the gas collides and the inclusions contained in the gas are deposited, the inclusions that collide and deposit in the recessed portion 656 are less likely to move toward the second flow path space R2.

[0113] In a configuration in which a recess 656 is arranged in this connection portion 65, the recess 656 may be formed by recessing a portion corresponding to the opposing surface 655 in the duct portion 6 of the above embodiment to one side in the X-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 12, or the recess 656 may be formed by arranging other members 67A, 67B, etc. to extend the second flow path space R2 in the X-axis direction, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16.

[0114] 13 and 14, the other member 67A may have a cylindrical portion 671 and at least one support portion 672 extending from the cylindrical portion 671 to the other side in the Z-axis direction, and may extend the second flow path space R2 by making one end of the cylindrical portion 671 adjacent to the inner end portion (the end portion on the other side in the X-axis direction) of the joint portion 66. Also, the other member 67B may be cylindrical, and may be press-fitted into the joint portion 66 to extend the second flow path space R2, as shown in FIGS.

[0115] In the duct portion 6 of the above embodiment, the joint portion 66 constitutes the second flow path portion having the second flow path space R2, but in the configuration shown in Figures 13 to 16, the second flow path portion having the second flow path space R2 is constituted by the joint portion 66 and other members 67A (more specifically, the cylindrical portion 671) and 67B, and the remaining portion excluding the duct portion main body (first flow path portion) 60 constitutes the connection portion (the portion that defines the communication space R3 that communicates the first flow path space R1 and the second flow path space R2). Note that in the configuration shown in Figures 13 to 16, the other members 67A and 67B and the duct portion 6 may be integrally molded.

[0116] 17 to 21, the duct portion 6 may include a filter portion F (F1 to F4) that allows the gas to pass through the communication space R3 and prevents the passage of substances contained in the gas. The filter portion F also prevents substances contained in the gas from flowing into the second flow path space R2.

[0117] Specifically, for example, the first filter part F1 may be formed of a sponge-like filter member filled in an area around the communication position P2 in the communication space R3 with the second flow path space R2 as shown in FIG. 17. The second filter part F2 may be formed of a plate-like mesh member that spreads across the gas flow in the communication space R3 as shown in FIG. 18. The third filter part F3 may be formed of a cylindrical mesh member and arranged by press-fitting or the like in the joint part 66 as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20. At this time, the end opening on the inside (the other side in the X-axis direction) of the third filter part F3 is blocked by the third wall part 653 of the connection part 65 or the like, and the gas flows into the second flow path space R2 side through the circumferential surface (circumferential wall) of the third filter part F3. The fourth filter part F4 may be formed by arranging a number of protrusions F41 arranged in a brush shape on the inner surface 650 of the connection part 65 around the communication position P2 in the communication space R3 with the second flow path space R2 as shown in FIG. 21. Incidentally, the fourth filter portion F4 is constituted by at least one protrusion F41, but is preferably constituted by a number of protrusions F41 as shown in FIG.

[0118] In addition, the surface (inner surface) 63a that defines the first flow path space R1 in the top wall portion 63 of the duct portion main body (first flow path portion) 60 in the above embodiment (see Figure 11) is a flat surface extending in the X-axis direction, but is not limited to this configuration.

[0119] For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the duct portion main body (first flow path portion) 60 has a guide surface 631 arranged at the end of the first flow path space R1 on the communicating space R3 side, and this guide surface 631 may be configured to be positioned (inclined) away from the second flow path space R2 in the positional deviation direction (Z-axis direction in the example shown in FIG. 22) between the first flow path space R1 and the second flow path space R2 at the communicating position P1 with the communicating space R3 as it approaches the communicating space R3 in the X-axis direction (first direction).

[0120] According to this configuration, the guide surface 631 guides the inclusions contained in the gas away from the inlet of the second flow path space R2 (the boundary between the second flow path space R2 and the communicating space R3) (see the arrow in Figure 22), thereby effectively suppressing the inclusions from flowing into the second flow path space R2.

[0121] In the duct portion 6 of the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the shift direction of the second flow path space R2 relative to the first flow path space R1 at the communication positions P1 and P2 is one side in the Z-axis direction, but is not limited to this configuration. The shift direction is not limited and may be, for example, the Y-axis direction or the other side in the Z-axis direction.

[0122] In the duct portion 6 of the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the second flow path space R2 extends in the X-axis direction, but is not limited to this configuration. The second flow path space R2 may extend in a direction inclined with respect to the X-axis direction, or may extend in the Z-axis direction, Y-axis direction, or the like.

[0123] Further, the duct portion 6 (more specifically, the duct portion main body 60) of the electricity storage device 1 in the above embodiment is a rectangular tube, but is not limited to this configuration. The duct portion 6 may be a tube of another shape, such as a cylindrical shape.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the case where the storage element is used as a chargeable and dischargeable non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery (for example, a lithium ion secondary battery) has been described, but the type and size (capacity) of the storage element are arbitrary. In the above embodiment, the lithium ion secondary battery has been described as an example of the storage element, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention is also applicable to storage elements of various secondary batteries, primary batteries, and capacitors such as electric double layer capacitors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1...electricity storage device, 2...adjacent member, 2A...first adjacent member, 21A...first main body portion, 22A...first locking piece, 221A...locking piece main body, 222A...locking portion, 23A...first regulating portion, 2B...second adjacent member, 21B...second main body portion, 211B...protruding strip, 212B...second opposing surface, 22B...second locking piece, 221B...locking piece main body, 222B...locking portion, 23B...second regulating portion, 24B...second fixing portion, 2C...third adjacent member, 21C...third main body portion, 211C...protruding strip, 212C...third opposing surface, 23C...third regulating portion, 25C...guide portion, 3...holding portion, 31...terminal portion, 311...terminal portion main body, 3 12...through hole, 313...flange portion, 32...extension portion, 320...extension portion main body, 3201...ventilation hole, 3202...first fixing hole, 321...first piece portion, 322...second piece portion, 323...third piece portion, 3231...second fixing hole, 33...connection portion, 331...bolt, 332...nut, 4...first fixing portion, 5...insulator, 51...ventilation area, 6...duct portion, 6a...one side end, 6b...other side end, 60...duct portion main body, 61...bottom wall portion, 611...communication hole, 62...side wall portion, 63...top wall portion, 63a...inner surface, 631...guide surface, 64...retained portion, 65...connection portion, 650...inner surface, 65 1...first wall portion, 651a...connection portion communication hole, 652...second wall portion, 653...third wall portion, 655...opposing surface, 656...recess, 66...joint portion, 67A, 67B...other members, 671...tubular portion, 672...support portion, 7...seal portion, 71...communication hole, 8...plate portion main body, 81...busbar accommodating portion, 82...electric wire arrangement portion, 83...lid portion, 84...connection portion, 85...duct arrangement portion, 9...harness, 91...cable portion, 92...connector, 10...energy storage element, 11...case, 12...case main body, 121...blocking portion, 122...body portion, 123...long wall portion, 124...short wall portion, 13...lid plate, 131... Cover plate main body, 132...gas exhaust valve, 14...terminal, F...filter section, F1...first filter section, F2...second filter section, F3...third filter section, F4...fourth filter section, F41...projection, 500...battery assembly, 501...battery cell, 502...cap surface, 503...safety valve, 504...cell holder, 504a...underside of cell holder, 505...raised section, 505a...underside of raised section, 506...exhaust pipe, A...device main body, C...plate section, D...laminated body, P1, P2...communication position, R...flow path, R1...first flow path space, R2...second flow path space, R3...communication space, s...space, β...deposition area

Claims

1. A plurality of electric storage elements arranged in a first direction, each of the electric storage elements having a gas exhaust valve at an end on one side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a duct portion that is overlapped with the plurality of energy storage elements from one side in the second direction, The duct portion is a first flow path portion having a first flow path space extending along the first direction at a position overlapping with the gas exhaust valve; a second flow path portion having a second flow path space extending from a position spaced apart from the first flow path space in the first direction and disposed at one end of the duct portion in the first direction; a connecting portion that has a communication space between the first flow path space and the second flow path space and connects the first flow path portion and the second flow path portion, an energy storage device, in which the first flow path space and the second flow path space at the communication position with the communication space are misaligned so that they do not overlap or partially overlap when viewed from the first direction, and the size of the communication space in a planar direction perpendicular to the first direction is larger than the size of the first flow path space at the communication position with the communication space.

2. the connection portion has an opposing surface that faces the first flow path space in the first direction at a communication position between the second flow path space and the communication space in the first direction, The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the opposing surface is perpendicular to the first direction, or is positioned on one side of the first direction as the opposing surface becomes more distant from the second flow path space in the second direction.

3. 2 . The energy storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection portion has a recess that is recessed toward one side in the first direction from a communication position between the second flow path space and the communication space in the first direction and faces the first flow path space in the first direction.

4. the first flow path portion has a guide surface disposed at an end portion of the first flow path space on the communication space side, The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide surface is positioned on a side away from the second flow path space in a positional deviation direction between the first flow path space and the second flow path space at a communication position with the communication space as the guide surface approaches the communication space in the first direction.

5. 4. The power storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a filter portion that allows gas to pass through the communication space and prevents substances contained in the gas from passing through the communication space.

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