Power storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device capable of efficiently cooling a plurality of power storage cells.SOLUTION: A power storage device 100 includes: a power storage module 10 including a plurality of power storage cells 11; a cooler 30 disposed above the power storage module 10 in a vertical direction; and a heat conduction layer 40 sandwiched between the power storage module 10 and the cooler 30. The cooler 30 includes: a plurality of flow path parts 31 arranged side by side in a X-direction (a predetermined direction); and a connection part 35 arranged between the flow path parts 31 arranged in the X-direction and connecting the flow path parts 31. The connecting part 35 has a bending rigidity smaller than that of each of the plurality of flow path parts 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] JP 2023-529400 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a battery pack including a plurality of cells, a tray, a temperature equalizer plate, and cooling ducts. The cells are housed in a storage space of the tray. The temperature equalizer plate covers an upper opening of the storage space of the tray. The cooling ducts are arranged on the outer surface of the temperature equalizer plate (the surface opposite the storage space). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2023-529400 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although not explicitly stated in Patent Document 1, a thermally conductive layer may be disposed between the temperature equalizer plate (cooler) and the plurality of unit cells (energy storage cells). Furthermore, there may be variations in the height of the plurality of unit cells. In such cases, a relatively thick thermally conductive layer must be disposed (laminated) on the unit cells with a relatively small height in order to fit the flat shape of the temperature equalizer plate. This results in a decrease in the cooling efficiency for the unit cells with a relatively small height.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electricity storage device capable of efficiently cooling a plurality of electricity storage cells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An energy storage device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an energy storage module, a cooler disposed vertically above the energy storage module, and a thermally conductive layer sandwiched between the energy storage module and the cooler. The energy storage module includes a plurality of energy storage cells stacked in a predetermined direction. The cooler includes a plurality of flow path portions arranged side by side in the predetermined direction and extending in the longitudinal direction of the energy storage cells, and at least one connection portion arranged between the plurality of flow path portions arranged side by side in the predetermined direction. The at least one connection portion has a bending rigidity lower than that of each of the plurality of flow path portions.

[0007] In the energy storage device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, the at least one connection portion has a lower bending rigidity than each of the plurality of flow path portions. This allows each of the plurality of flow path portions to be positioned while bending the at least one connection portion. As a result, when there is variation in the height of the plurality of energy storage cells, bending the at least one connection portion allows each of the plurality of flow path portions to be easily brought into close contact with the heat conduction layer without adjusting the thickness of the heat conduction layer according to the height of the energy storage cells. In other words, bending the at least one connection portion allows the height position of each of the plurality of flow path portions to match (follow) the height position of the heat conduction layer without disposing a relatively thick heat conduction layer on a relatively thin energy storage cell (disposing a relatively thin heat conduction layer on a relatively tall energy storage cell). As a result, the thickness of the heat conduction layer can be made uniform. This allows the plurality of energy storage cells to be cooled efficiently.

[0008] In the energy storage device according to the above aspect, the at least one connection portion preferably has a convex shape that protrudes vertically upward or vertically downward. This configuration allows the at least one connection portion to have a longer length (wire length) than when the at least one connection portion has a flat shape. As a result, the bending rigidity of the at least one connection portion can be easily reduced compared to when the at least one connection portion has a flat shape.

[0009] In the energy storage device according to the above aspect, the energy storage module preferably includes a heat insulating member disposed between at least some of the plurality of energy storage cells. The heat insulating member is disposed at a position where it overlaps the at least one connection portion in the vertical direction. Here, it is not necessary to laminate a thermally conductive layer on the heat insulating member. Therefore, by disposing the heat insulating member at a position where it overlaps the at least one connection portion in the vertical direction, the at least one connection portion can be bent at a position where no thermally conductive layer is disposed. This makes it possible to prevent the thermally conductive layer from interfering with the at least one connection portion, and therefore makes it easier to bend the at least one connection portion.

[0010] In the energy storage device according to the above aspect, the at least one connection portion preferably includes a plurality of connection portions. The plurality of connection portions are arranged in the predetermined direction at intervals corresponding to a predetermined number of the plurality of energy storage cells. With this configuration, a connection portion can be arranged for each predetermined number of energy storage cells. As a result, each of the plurality of flow path portions can more suitably follow variations in height of the energy storage cells.

[0011] In this case, the predetermined number is preferably 3. With this configuration, a connection portion can be disposed for every three power storage cells.

[0012] In the energy storage device according to the above aspect, preferably, each of the plurality of flow path portions is provided across a portion of the plurality of energy storage cells. Each of the plurality of flow path portions has a first flow path through which the coolant flows from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side in the longitudinal direction, and a second flow path through which the coolant flows from the other side in the longitudinal direction to the one side in the longitudinal direction. With this configuration, the first flow path can cool the portion of the energy storage cell on the one side in the longitudinal direction (the upstream portion) more effectively than the portion of the energy storage cell on the other side in the longitudinal direction (the downstream portion). Furthermore, the second flow path can cool the portion of the energy storage cell on the other side in the longitudinal direction (the upstream portion) more effectively than the portion of the energy storage cell on the one side in the longitudinal direction (the downstream portion). As a result, the coolant flowing through each of the first flow path and the second flow path can uniformize the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of energy storage cells.

[0013] In this case, the first flow path is preferably disposed at a center of each of the plurality of flow path portions in the predetermined direction. The second flow path includes a one-side flow path connected to a first branch flow path branched from the first flow path to one side in the predetermined direction, and an other-side flow path connected to a second branch flow path branched from the first flow path to the other side in the predetermined direction. With this configuration, the first flow path is located upstream of the second flow paths (one-side flow path, other-side flow path), so the temperature of the coolant flowing through the first flow path can be made lower than the temperature of the coolant flowing through the second flow path. Here, the temperature of the energy storage cells disposed at the center in the predetermined direction among the plurality of energy storage cells is likely to be higher than the temperature of the energy storage cells disposed at the end sides in the predetermined direction. Therefore, with the above configuration, the energy storage cells that tend to become relatively high in temperature can be cooled by the relatively low-temperature coolant flowing through the first flow path, and the energy storage cells that tend to become relatively low in temperature can be cooled by the relatively high-temperature coolant flowing through the second flow path. As a result, variations in the temperatures of the plurality of energy storage cells can be suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently cool a plurality of energy storage cells included in an energy storage module. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of an electricity storage device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a storage cell according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a cross-sectional view of an energy storage module in which there is variation in the height of the energy storage cells. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a plan view of a cooler and a power storage module according to an embodiment, as viewed from the Z1 side. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an electricity storage module according to a first modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an electricity storage module according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of a flow path portion according to a third modified example of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0017] In this specification, the vertical direction is referred to as the Z direction. Specifically, the upper side of the extension direction is referred to as the Z1 direction, and the lower side is referred to as the Z2 direction. The X direction and the Y direction are each perpendicular to the Z direction (i.e., horizontal directions). The X direction is perpendicular to the Y direction. The X direction and the "Y direction" are examples of the "predetermined direction" and the "longitudinal direction" in the present disclosure, respectively. The Z direction is an example of the "vertical direction" in the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a power storage device 100 according to this embodiment. The power storage device 100 is a device for storing electric power for driving, for example, an electric vehicle (not shown). The X direction shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, the front-to-rear direction of the electric vehicle. The Y direction is the left-to-right direction of the electric vehicle. The power storage device 100 may also be provided in an electrical device other than an electric vehicle (for example, a stationary power storage device).

[0019] The energy storage device 100 includes a plurality of energy storage modules 10 (two in this embodiment), a case 20, and a cooler 30. The number of energy storage modules 10 is not limited to the above example. One energy storage module 10, or three or more energy storage modules 10 may be provided.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of one of the plurality of storage cells 11 included in the energy storage module 10. The plurality of storage cells 11 have the same structure and orientation. Each of the plurality of storage cells 11 is formed to extend in the Y direction. Specifically, the storage cell 11 has a prismatic shape formed to extend in the Y direction. The plurality of storage cells 11 are stacked (arranged) in the X direction (see FIG. 3).

[0021] The energy storage cell 11 has a length L1 in the Y direction. The energy storage cell 11 has a length L2 in the X direction. The length L1 is greater than the length L2. That is, the energy storage cell 11 has a longitudinal direction in the Y direction. The energy storage cell 11 also has a height H1 in the Z direction. The height H1 is smaller than the length L1. The height H1 is greater than the length L2. Note that each of the multiple energy storage cells 11 may be arranged to extend in the X direction.

[0022] Referring again to FIG. 1 , the case 20 houses a plurality of energy storage modules 10. The case 20 includes an upper case 21 and a lower case 22. The plurality of energy storage modules 10 are housed in a space formed by assembling the upper case 21 to the lower case 22. The cooler 30 is also housed in the space. The configuration of the case 20 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1 . For example, the case 20 does not need to include the upper case 21. The cooler 30 is an example of a "cooler" in the present disclosure.

[0023] The cooler 30 is disposed above (on the Z1 side of) the power storage modules 10. The cooler 30 is provided so as to cover the multiple power storage modules 10 from the Z1 side. The cooler 30 has a plate shape formed so as to extend along the XY plane. The cooler 30 cools the power storage modules 10 by a coolant flowing through a flow path 31, which will be described later.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the energy storage device 100 includes a thermally conductive layer 40. The thermally conductive layer 40 is applied to the upper end surface 11a (see Fig. 2) of each of the plurality of energy storage cells 11. The thermally conductive layer 40 is sandwiched between the cooler 30 and the energy storage module 10 (the plurality of energy storage cells 11). That is, the thermally conductive layer 40 is laminated on the energy storage module 10. The cooler 30 is laminated on the thermally conductive layer 40. The thermally conductive layer 40 is formed, for example, from a thermally conductive adhesive material.

[0025] The energy storage module 10 (see FIG. 1) also includes a heat insulating member 12. The heat insulating member 12 is arranged between at least some of the energy storage cells 11. A plurality of heat insulating members 12 are arranged. Specifically, one heat insulating member 12 is arranged for every three energy storage cells 11 (a storage cell unit 11U described below) stacked (arranged) in the X direction. Note that no thermally conductive layer 40 is arranged (stacked) on the heat insulating member 12. Although not shown, the heat insulating member 12 is also formed to extend in the Y direction (the Y direction is the longitudinal direction) like the energy storage cells 11.

[0026] The power storage device 100 includes an adhesive layer 50. The adhesive layer 50 is sandwiched between the lower case 22 and the power storage module 10. The adhesive layer 50 fixes the power storage module 10 to the lower case 22.

[0027] The cooler 30 includes a plurality of flow path sections 31 arranged side by side in the X direction. Each of the plurality of flow path sections 31 is formed to extend along the Y direction. Specifically, each of the plurality of flow path sections 31 has a flow path 32, a flow path 33, and a flow path 34. Each of the flow path 32, the flow path 33, and the flow path 34 is formed to extend along the Y direction. The flow path 32, the flow path 33, and the flow path 34 are in communication with each other. The flow path 32 is an example of a "first flow path" in the present disclosure. The flow path 33 is an example of a "second flow path" and a "one-side flow path" in the present disclosure. The flow path 34 is an example of a "second flow path" and a "one-side flow path" in the present disclosure.

[0028] The flow path 32 is disposed in the center of each of the plurality of flow path sections 31. That is, the flow path 32 is disposed between the flow path 33 and the flow path 34. The flow path 33 is disposed on the X1 side of the flow path 32. The flow path 33 is provided near the X1-side end of each of the plurality of flow path sections 31. The flow path 34 is disposed on the X2 side of the flow path 32. The flow path 34 is provided near the X2-side end of each of the plurality of flow path sections 31. The X1 side and the X2 side are examples of "one side in a predetermined direction" and "the other side in a predetermined direction" in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0029] The cooler 30 includes a connection portion 35 disposed between the flow path portions 31 arranged (adjacent) in the X direction. The connection portion 35 connects the flow path portions 31 to each other. The cooler 30 includes a plurality of connection portions 35. The plurality of connection portions 35 are formed integrally with the plurality of flow path portions 31. In other words, the cooler 30 is formed by processing a single plate member. Note that the manufacturing method of the cooler 30 is not limited to the above example. For example, separately provided flow path portions 31 may be welded to each other by the connection portion 35. Furthermore, the flow path portion 31 may be formed by overlapping two plates in the Z direction.

[0030] Here, there may be cases where the heights H1 of the plurality of energy storage cells 11 vary. In this case, in order to fit the energy storage cells 11 into a conventional cooler having a flat shape, it is necessary to arrange (laminate) a relatively thick heat conduction layer 40 on the energy storage cells 11 having a relatively small height H1. This results in a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the energy storage cells 11 having a relatively small height H1.

[0031] Therefore, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of connection portions 35 has lower bending rigidity than each of the plurality of flow path portions 31. In other words, each of the plurality of connection portions 35 is more easily deformed (bending) than each of the plurality of flow path portions 31. Specifically, the above-mentioned bending rigidity refers to rigidity against bending around the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the energy storage cell 11.

[0032] As a result, as shown in Fig. 4, even if there is variation in the height H1 (see Fig. 3) of the energy storage cells 11, it is possible to absorb the variation in height H1 by bending the connection parts 35, which have a relatively small bending rigidity. Specifically, it is possible to arrange the cooler 30 (each flow path part 31) on the heat conduction layer 40 while bending the connection parts 35. As a result, by bending the connection parts 35, it is easy to make the height positions of the flow path parts 31 on both sides of the connection part 35 different from each other. As a result, it is possible to easily apply a pressing force from the Z1 side by the flow path parts 31 to the heat conduction layer 40 arranged on the energy storage cells 11 having a relatively small height H1.

[0033] 3 again, in this embodiment, the connection portion 35 has a convex shape that protrudes upward in the vertical direction (toward the Z1 side). Specifically, the connection portion 35 includes a pair of side portions 35a that extend toward the Z1 side from the ends of the adjacent flow path portion 31. The connection portion 35 also includes a flat portion 35b that connects the Z1-side ends of the pair of side portions 35a. The flat portion 35b extends along the XY plane so as to intersect with the Z direction. The multiple connection portions 35 have the same shape. Furthermore, a bent portion 36 is formed between each of the pair of side portions 35a and the flow path portion 31.

[0034] The multiple connection portions 35 are arranged in the X direction at intervals D corresponding to the three stacked energy storage cells 11. The three energy storage cells 11 constitute an energy storage cell unit 11U. The interval D is approximately equal to the interval between the heat insulating members 12.

[0035] Each of the plurality of flow path sections 31 is provided across the three energy storage cells 11. That is, each of the plurality of flow path sections 31 is provided so as to cover the energy storage cell unit 11U from the Z1 side. A heat conduction layer 40 is provided in each of the energy storage cell units 11U. That is, the energy storage module 10 has a plurality of heat conduction layers 40 arranged in separate sections for each energy storage cell unit 11U.

[0036] The flow path 32 is arranged on the Z1 side of the central power storage cell 11 in the X direction of the power storage cell unit 11U. The flow path 33 is arranged on the Z1 side of the power storage cell 11 on the X1 side of the power storage cell unit 11U. The flow path 34 is arranged on the Z1 side of the power storage cell 11 on the X2 side of the power storage cell unit 11U.

[0037] As a result, each of the three storage cells 11 is cooled by a different flow path (32, 33, or 34). That is, it is possible to individually cool the three storage cells 11. This makes it possible to prevent the cooling of each storage cell 11 from being interfered with by other storage cells 11, and therefore it is possible to efficiently cool each storage cell 11.

[0038] The heat insulating member 12 is disposed at a position overlapping with each of the plurality of connection portions 35 in the Z direction. A space S1 is formed between the heat insulating member 12 disposed at a position overlapping with each of the connection portions 35 in the Z direction and the connection portions 35. No thermally conductive layer 40 is disposed in the space S1.

[0039] The heat insulating member 12 has a height H2 in the Z direction. The height H2 is greater than the height H1 of the power storage cell 11.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cooler 30 as viewed from the Z1 side. The dashed line and the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 5 indicate the energy storage cells 11 and the flow path portion 31, respectively. The arrows in FIG. 5 indicate the flow direction of the coolant. In the flow path 32, the coolant flows from the Y1 side to the Y2 side. In each of the flow paths 33 and 34, the coolant flows from the Y2 side to the Y1 side. That is, the coolant flowing through the flow path 32 and the coolant flowing through the flow paths 33 and 34 flow in opposite directions. The flow directions of the coolant in each of the flow paths (32 to 34) are the same for the multiple flow path portions 31. The Y1 side and the Y2 side are examples of "one side in the longitudinal direction" and "the other side in the longitudinal direction," respectively, in the present disclosure.

[0041] Each of the multiple flow path sections 31 includes a connection flow path 31a branching from the flow path 32 to the X1 side, and a connection flow path 31b branching from the flow path 32 to the X2 side. The connection flow path 31a connects an end 32a on the Y2 side of the flow path 32 to an end 33a on the Y2 side of the flow path 33. The connection flow path 31b connects the end 32a to an end 34a on the Y2 side of the flow path 34. The connection flow path 31a and the connection flow path 31b are examples of a "first branch flow path" and a "second branch flow path" in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0042] As a result, a U-shaped flow path is formed by flow path 32 and flow path 33. Also, a U-shaped flow path is formed by flow path 32 and flow path 34. Also, a W-shaped flow path is formed by flow path 32, flow path 33, and flow path 34.

[0043] As can be seen from the fact that the coolant is branched as described above, the flow rate of the coolant flowing through flow path 32 is greater than the flow rate of the coolant flowing through each of flow paths 33 and 34. For example, the flow rate of the coolant flowing through flow path 32 may be twice the flow rate of the coolant flowing through each of flow paths 33 and 34. Furthermore, the flow rate of the coolant flowing through flow path 33 and the flow rate of the coolant flowing through flow path 34 may be equal. Although not shown in the drawings, the flow path area of flow path 32 may be greater than (for example, twice as large as) the flow path area of each of flow paths 33 and 34.

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of connection portions 35 has a bending rigidity lower than that of each of the plurality of flow path portions 31. This allows each of the plurality of connection portions 35 to be bent without bending each of the plurality of flow path portions 31. As a result, by bending the connection portions 35, the height positions of the flow path portions 31 connected by the bent connection portions 35 can be made different from each other. As a result, even if there is variation in the height H1 of the energy storage cells 11, each flow path portion 31 can be easily disposed on the energy storage cells 11 (thermal conduction layer 40) by bending the connection portions 35. This eliminates the need to adjust the thickness of the thermal conduction layer 40 for each energy storage cell 11 to accommodate variation in the height H1 of the energy storage cells 11. As a result, the thickness of the thermal conduction layer 40 can be made uniform, thereby improving (uniforming) the cooling efficiency of the cooler 30.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the multiple connection portions 35 has a convex shape that protrudes vertically upward. This allows the length (line length) of each of the multiple connection portions 35 to be longer than when each of the multiple connection portions 35 has a flat shape. As a result, the bending rigidity of each of the multiple connection portions 35 can be easily reduced. Furthermore, the bending amount (deformation amount) of each of the multiple connection portions 35 can be easily ensured.

[0046] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the connection portion 35 has a convex shape that protrudes vertically upward, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. As shown in Fig. 6, a connection portion 135 that protrudes vertically downward may connect the flow path portions 31 to each other.

[0047] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which three storage cells 11 are arranged in the region corresponding to the interval D between the connecting portions 35, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. A number of storage cells 11 other than three may be arranged in the region. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, four storage cells 11 are arranged in the region. Note that in this case, the flow path portion 131 may include a flow path 33, a flow path 34, and two flow paths 32 arranged between the flow path 33 and the flow path 34. Note that only one storage cell 11 may be provided in the region.

[0048] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the flow paths (32 to 34) in the flow path section 31 extend in the Y direction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Each flow path may extend in the X direction.

[0049] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a plurality of connection parts 35 were provided on the cooler 30, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Only one connection part 35 may be provided on the cooler.

[0050] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the power storage module 10 includes the heat insulating member 12, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The power storage module 10 does not have to include the heat insulating member 12.

[0051] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the connection portion 35 is provided above the heat insulating member 12, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The connection portion 35 may be provided at a position other than above the heat insulating member 12. For example, the connection portion 35 may be provided above the space S2 (see FIG. 1 ) between the two energy storage modules 10.

[0052] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which no flow path was provided in the connection part 35, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The connection part 35 may be provided with a flow path.

[0053] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the flow path section 31 is provided with the flow paths 33 and 34 branched from the flow path 32, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The flow path section does not necessarily have to have a location where the coolant branches. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the Y1-side end 32b of the flow path 32 and the Y1-side end 34b of the flow path 34 are connected by a connecting flow path 31c. Furthermore, the end 32a of the flow path 32 and the end 33a of the flow path 33 are connected by a connecting flow path 31d.

[0054] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the number of flow paths (32 to 34) provided in the flow path portion 31 is equal to the number of energy storage cells 11 corresponding to the flow path portion 31, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The number of flow paths provided in the flow path portion may be different from the number of energy storage cells corresponding to the flow path portion.

[0055] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which each of the plurality of flow path portions 31 is provided across three energy storage cells 11, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The number of energy storage cells 11 that the plurality of flow path portions 31 span across may be different from one another.

[0056] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the connection portion 35 has a convex shape, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The connection portion may be formed in a flat plate shape. For example, the thickness of the connection portion may be smaller than the thickness of the flow path portion, thereby making the bending rigidity of the connection portion lower than the bending rigidity of the flow path portion. Furthermore, the bending rigidity of the connection portion may be lower than the bending rigidity of the flow path portion by making the bending rigidity of the material of the connection portion lower than the bending rigidity of the material of the flow path portion.

[0057] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the flow paths 32, 33, and 34 are in communication with each other, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The flow paths 32, 33, and 34 do not necessarily have to be in communication with each other.

[0058] The configurations (processing) of the above-described embodiment and the above-described modifications may be combined with each other.

[0059] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10 Energy storage module, 11 Energy storage cell, 12 Heat insulating member, 30 Cooler, 31, 131 Flow path portion, 31a Connection flow path (first branch flow path), 31b Connection flow path (second branch flow path), 32 Flow path (first flow path), 33 Flow path (second flow path) (one side flow path), 34 Flow path (second flow path) (other side flow path), 35, 135 Connection portion, 40 Heat conduction layer, X direction (predetermined direction), Y direction (longitudinal direction), Z direction (vertical direction).

Claims

1. A storage module; a cooler disposed vertically above the power storage module; a thermally conductive layer sandwiched between the power storage module and the cooler, the energy storage module includes a plurality of energy storage cells stacked in a predetermined direction, The cooler is a plurality of flow path portions arranged side by side in the predetermined direction and extending in a longitudinal direction of the energy storage cell; at least one connection portion disposed between the plurality of flow path portions aligned in the predetermined direction, The at least one connection portion has a bending rigidity lower than that of each of the plurality of flow path portions.

2. The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection portion has a convex shape that protrudes upward in the vertical direction or downward in the vertical direction.

3. the energy storage module includes a heat insulating member disposed between at least some of the energy storage cells, The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the heat insulating member is disposed at a position overlapping the at least one connection portion in the vertical direction.

4. the at least one connection portion includes a plurality of connection portions; The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of connection portions are arranged in the predetermined direction at intervals corresponding to a predetermined number of the plurality of power storage cells.

5. The power storage device according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined number is three.

6. Each of the plurality of flow path portions is the capacitor is provided across a portion of the plurality of storage cells, 3. The power storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first flow path through which the coolant flows from one side in the longitudinal direction to the other side in the longitudinal direction; and a second flow path through which the coolant flows from the other side in the longitudinal direction to the one side in the longitudinal direction.

7. the first flow path is disposed at a center portion of each of the plurality of flow path portions in the predetermined direction, 7. The energy storage device according to claim 6, wherein the second flow path has a one-side flow path connected to a first branch flow path that branches off from the first flow path to one side in the predetermined direction, and a second-side flow path connected to a second branch flow path that branches off from the first flow path to the other side in the predetermined direction.

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