Power storage cell

Abstract

To provide a power storage cell which can inhibit relative displacement of a cell unit relative to a cell case.SOLUTION: A power storage cell includes: a pair of cell units 100 connected to each other; a cell case 300 that houses the pair of cell units; and a position defining portion 500 that is provided within the cell case and defines positions of the pair of cell units relative to the cell case. The position defining portion 500 includes an intermediate projection 510 projecting from the cell case 300 toward a position between the pair of cell units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an energy storage cell. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, JP 2023-509216 A discloses a battery including a plurality of electrode body sets and a case for housing the plurality of electrode body sets. The plurality of electrode body sets are connected in series to each other by a first connecting member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2023-509216 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the battery described in JP-A-2023-509216, the electrode body set may be displaced relative to the case due to vibration or the like.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an energy storage cell that can suppress relative displacement of a cell unit with respect to a cell casing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A storage cell according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a pair of cell units connected to each other, a cell case that houses the pair of cell units, and a position determining portion provided within the cell case that determines the position of the pair of cell units relative to the cell case, wherein the position determining portion includes an intermediate raised portion that protrudes from the cell case toward between the pair of cell units. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an energy storage cell that is capable of suppressing relative displacement of the cell unit with respect to the cell casing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a storage cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the storage cell shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the position defining portion. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the position defining portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a storage cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the storage cell shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. This storage cell 1 is mounted, for example, on the bottom of a vehicle.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the energy storage cell 1 includes a plurality of cell units 100, a covering sheet 200, a cell case 300, an external terminal 400, and a position determining portion 500 (see FIG. 3).

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2 , the plurality of cell units 100 includes a first cell unit 101, a second cell unit 102, a third cell unit 103, and a fourth cell unit 104. In this embodiment, the plurality of cell units 100 includes eight cell units 100. However, the number of cell units 100 is not limited to eight. Each cell unit 100 may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery. Each cell unit 100 may be configured as a so-called all-solid-state battery including a solid electrolyte.

[0013] The first cell unit 101 is connected to the second cell unit 102. The third cell unit 103 is connected to the fourth cell unit 104. In other words, the first cell unit 101 and the second cell unit 102 are an example of a "pair of cell units connected to each other" in the present disclosure. Similarly, the third cell unit 103 and the fourth cell unit 104 are an example of a "pair of cell units connected to each other" in the present disclosure.

[0014] The first cell unit 101 and the third cell unit 103 are adjacent to each other in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction in which the first cell unit 101 and the second cell unit 102 are aligned and the vertical direction. The second cell unit 102 and the fourth cell unit 104 are adjacent to each other in the second direction. Each cell unit 100 has a shape that is longer in the first direction than in the second direction and that extends longer in the first direction than in the vertical direction. Each cell unit 100 has a shape that extends longer in the vertical direction than in the second direction.

[0015] Each cell unit 100 has an electrode assembly (not shown), a current collecting terminal 140, and a laminate exterior body 160.

[0016] The electrode assembly is formed as a wound body in which a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet are wound with a separator interposed therebetween. However, the electrode assembly may also be formed as a laminate in which a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween. The electrode assembly is formed in a shape that is elongated in a direction perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the vertical direction.

[0017] The current collecting terminal 140 is connected to the electrode body. The current collecting terminal 140 protrudes from the electrode body in a first direction. The current collecting terminal 140 electrically connected to the positive electrode sheet in the electrode body is made of, for example, aluminum. The current collecting terminal 140 electrically connected to the negative electrode sheet in the electrode body is made of, for example, copper. The current collecting terminal 140 is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0018] 2, the current collecting terminal 140 of the first cell unit 101 is connected to the current collecting terminal 140 of the second cell unit 102. Similarly, the current collecting terminal 140 of the third cell unit 103 is connected to the current collecting terminal 140 of the fourth cell unit 104.

[0019] The laminated exterior body 160 houses the electrode assembly and part of the current collecting terminal 140. The laminated exterior body 160 is made of a laminated film. The current collecting terminal 140 protrudes outward in the first direction from the edge of the laminated exterior body 160.

[0020] The covering sheet 200 covers the multiple cell units 100. More specifically, the covering sheet 200 covers the multiple cell units 100 so as to surround the multiple cell units 100 collectively. The covering sheet 200 is made of an insulating material (synthetic resin, etc.). Note that the covering sheet 200 may be omitted.

[0021] The cell case 300 houses a plurality of cell units 100 and a covering sheet 200. The cell case 300 is made of, for example, aluminum. The cell case 300 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in a first direction. The cell case 300 has eight corners 302 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cell case 300 has a case body 310 and a lid 320.

[0022] The case body 310 is formed in the shape of a rectangular tube that is long in the first direction. The case body 310 surrounds the multiple cell units 100 and the cover sheet 200.

[0023] The lid 320 is connected to the case body 310 by welding or the like so as to close the opening of the case body 310. The case body 310 may be formed in a shape that opens upward. In this case, for example, after a plurality of cell units 100 are inserted into the case body 310 from above, the lid 320 is connected to the top of the case body 310.

[0024] The external terminal 400 is provided on the lid 320. The external terminal 400 is connected to the current collecting terminals 140 of the first cell unit 101 and the third cell unit 103, which are arranged closest to the lid 320 among the multiple cell units 100.

[0025] The position determining portion 500 determines the position of a pair of cell units relative to the cell case 300. In this embodiment, the position determining portion 500 determines the positions of the first cell unit 101 and the second cell unit 102, and also determines the positions of the third cell unit 103 and the fourth cell unit 104. The position determining portion 500 is provided within the cell case 300. As shown in FIG. 3 , the position determining portion 500 has a middle raised portion 510 and corner raised portions 520.

[0026] The intermediate raised portion 510 protrudes from the cell case 300 toward the space between the pair of cell units. More specifically, the intermediate raised portion 510 protrudes from the inner surface of the case body 310 toward the current collecting terminal 140 of the pair of cell units. In this embodiment, the intermediate raised portion 510 protrudes from the bottom surface of the cell case 300. However, the intermediate raised portion 510 may protrude from the side surface of the case body 310 (the surface of the case body 310 facing the current collecting terminal 140 in the second direction) toward the current collecting terminal 140, or may protrude from the top surface of the case body 310 toward the current collecting terminal 140.

[0027] The intermediate protrusions 510 abut against the corners of each cell unit 100. More specifically, the intermediate protrusions 510 abut against the corners of the laminate exterior body 160 via the cover sheet 200.

[0028] The intermediate raised portion 510 is formed integrally with the case body 310 using the same material as the case body 310. However, the intermediate raised portion 510 may be formed separately from the case body 310 and connected to the inner surface of the case body 310. Alternatively, the intermediate raised portion 510 may be formed by pressing a portion of the case body 310.

[0029] Corner protrusions 520 are provided at corners 302 of cell casing 300. Corner protrusions 520 protrude from the bottom surface of case body 310. However, corner protrusions 520 may also be provided on the side surface of case body 310, the top surface of case body 310, or the inner surface of lid 320.

[0030] The corner protrusions 520 abut against the corners of the cell unit 100. More specifically, the corner protrusions 520 abut against the corners of the laminate exterior body 160 via the cover sheet 200.

[0031] Corner protrusions 520 are formed integrally with case body 310 using the same material as case body 310. However, corner protrusions 520 may be formed separately from case body 310 and connected to the inner surface of case body 310, or may be formed separately from lid 320 and connected to the inner surface of lid 320. Alternatively, corner protrusions 520 may be formed by pressing a portion of case body 310 or a portion of lid 320.

[0032] As described above, in the energy storage cell 1 of this embodiment, the intermediate raised portion 510 is provided on the cell case 300, so that relative displacement of each cell unit 100 with respect to the cell case 300 is effectively suppressed.

[0033] Furthermore, since the corner protrusions 520 abut against the cell units 100, the relative displacement of each cell unit 100 with respect to the cell case 300 is more effectively suppressed.

[0034] Modifications of the above embodiment will now be described.

[0035] <First Modification> As shown in FIG. 4, the position defining portion 500 may further include an intermediate member 530 and an adhesive member 540.

[0036] The intermediate member 530 is disposed between a pair of cell units. The intermediate member 530 is disposed above the intermediate raised portion 510. In this embodiment, the intermediate member 530 is disposed between the connection portion between the current collector terminal 140 of the first cell unit 101 and the current collector terminal 140 of the second cell unit 102, and the connection portion between the current collector terminal 140 of the third cell unit 103 and the current collector terminal 140 of the fourth cell unit 104.

[0037] The intermediate member 530 is formed to have a hollow shape. The intermediate member 530 may be formed to have a rectangular cylindrical shape. The intermediate member 530 has an upper opening 532 formed at the top of the intermediate member 530 and a lower opening 534 that opens downward. The lower opening 534 forms an outflow path F for the adhesive member 540 between the lower opening 534 and the intermediate protrusion 510. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the intermediate protrusion 510 is formed by pressing a portion of the case main body 310.

[0038] The adhesive member 540 is filled inside the intermediate member 530. The adhesive member 540 is filled through the upper opening 532 of the intermediate member 530 and flows out of the intermediate member 530 through the outflow path F. The adhesive member 540 bonds the laminate exterior body 160 and the intermediate protrusion 510 in each cell unit 100. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the adhesive member 540 bonds the laminate exterior body 160 and the intermediate protrusion 510 in each cell unit 100 via the cover sheet 200.

[0039] 4, the case body 310 is formed in a shape that opens upward. The lid 320 is connected to the top of the case body 310. In this example, multiple cell units 100 are inserted into the case body 310 from above.

[0040] <Second Modification> As shown in FIG. 5, the energy storage cell 1 may further include a pair of damming portions 600. The pair of damming portions 600 are provided on the bottom surface of the case body 310. The pair of damming portions 600 restrict the adhesive member 540 from spreading in the first direction. The pair of damming portions 600 are provided at positions sandwiching the intermediate protrusion portion 510 in the first direction. One of the pair of damming portions 600 is provided below one of a pair of cell units 100 adjacent to each other in the first direction, and the other of the pair of damming portions 600 is provided below the other of the pair of cell units 100 adjacent to each other in the first direction. The cell units 100 contact the upper surface of each damming portion 600.

[0041] Each damming portion 600 is formed integrally with the case body 310 using the same material as the case body 310. However, each damming portion 600 may be formed separately from the case body 310 and connected to the bottom surface of the case body 310. Alternatively, each damming portion 600 may be formed by pressing a portion of the bottom surface of the case body 310.

[0042] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate protruding portion 510 and the intermediate member 530 are integrally formed from the same material (for example, synthetic resin).

[0043] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0044] [Aspect 1] a pair of cell units connected to each other; a cell case that houses the pair of cell units; a position determining portion provided in the cell case and determining the position of the pair of cell units relative to the cell case; The position determining portion includes an intermediate protruding portion that protrudes from the cell case toward between the pair of cell units.

[0045] In this energy storage cell, the cell case is provided with an intermediate raised portion, which effectively suppresses relative displacement of each cell unit with respect to the cell case.

[0046] [Aspect 2] The cell case is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, 2. The energy storage cell of claim 1, wherein the intermediate raised portion protrudes from a bottom surface of the cell casing.

[0047] [Aspect 3] 3. The energy storage cell according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the intermediate protrusions abut on corners of the respective cell units.

[0048] In this embodiment, the relative displacement of each cell unit with respect to the cell case is more reliably suppressed.

[0049] [Aspect 4] The cell case is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, The energy storage cell according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the position determining portion includes a corner protrusion provided at a corner of the cell case and abutting against a corner of the cell unit.

[0050] In this embodiment, the relative displacement of each cell unit with respect to the cell case is further suppressed.

[0051] [Aspect 5] The position determining portion is an intermediate member disposed between the pair of cell units and formed in a hollow shape; an adhesive member filled in the intermediate member, The intermediate member is an upper opening formed in an upper portion of the intermediate member; a lower opening that opens downward, 5. The energy storage cell according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the lower opening forms an outflow path for the adhesive material between the lower opening and the intermediate protrusion.

[0052] In this embodiment, the adhesive material filled from the upper opening flows out of the intermediate member through an outflow path formed between the lower opening and the intermediate raised portion and comes into contact with the cell unit, so that the intermediate member serves both as a positioning function for the cell unit and as a flow path forming function for the adhesive material.

[0053] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 storage cell, 100 cell unit, 101 first cell unit, 102 second cell unit, 103 third cell unit, 104 fourth cell unit, 140 current collecting terminal, 160 laminated exterior body, 200 covering sheet, 300 cell case, 302 corner portion, 310 case body, 320 lid, 400 external terminal, 500 position determining portion, 510 intermediate raised portion, 520 corner raised portion, 530 intermediate member, 532 upper opening, 534 lower opening, 540 adhesive member, F outflow path, 600 damming portion.

Claims

1. a pair of cell units connected to each other; a cell case that houses the pair of cell units; a position determining portion provided in the cell case and determining the position of the pair of cell units relative to the cell case; The position determining portion includes an intermediate protruding portion that protrudes from the cell case toward between the pair of cell units.

2. The cell case is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, The energy storage cell according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate raised portion is raised from a bottom surface of the cell case.

3. The energy storage cell according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate protrusions abut on corners of the respective cell units.

4. The cell case is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, The energy storage cell according to claim 1 , wherein the position determining portion includes a corner protrusion provided at a corner of the cell case and abutting against a corner of the cell unit.

5. The position determining portion is an intermediate member disposed between the pair of cell units and formed in a hollow shape; an adhesive member filled in the intermediate member, The intermediate member is an upper opening formed in an upper portion of the intermediate member; a lower opening that opens downward, The energy storage cell according to claim 1 , wherein the lower opening forms an outflow path for the adhesive material between the lower opening and the intermediate protrusion.

Images