Energy storage device

Abstract

The present invention provides an energy storage device that can suppress the input of external force to the cooler when an external force is applied from below to above. [Solution] The energy storage device comprises a lower case having a bottom wall portion 23, a cooler 30 positioned below the bottom wall portion 23, and a cover member 50 that covers the cooler 30 from below. The bottom wall portion 23 includes a first projection portion 26C that protrudes downward. The cover member 50 includes a second projection portion 52C that faces the first projection portion 26C in the vertical direction and protrudes upward. The first projection portion 26C protrudes below the lower surface of the cooler 30.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power storage device.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional power storage device, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-046671 (Patent Document 1), a structure is disclosed in which a power storage stack disposed in a lower case is cooled by using a cooler disposed below the lower case. The lower case is provided with a plurality of protrusions that protrude downward and are spaced apart in the front-rear direction, and a protection panel for protecting the cooler is fixed to the plurality of protrusions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, for example, when an impact is input from below upward due to road surface interference or the like to a portion located between adjacent protrusions of the protection panel, the portion may be deformed so as to bend upward. In such a case, there is a concern that the deformed protection panel (cover member) contacts the cooler and an external force is input to the cooler.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a power storage device capable of suppressing input of an external force to a cooler when an external force directed from the lower side upward is applied.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The energy storage device according to this disclosure comprises a lower case having a bottom wall, a cooler disposed below the bottom wall, and a cover member covering the cooler from below. The bottom wall includes a first projection that protrudes downward. The cover member includes a second projection that faces the first projection in the vertical direction and protrudes upward. The first projection protrudes below the lower surface of the cooler.

[0007] According to the above configuration, when an upward external force is applied to the cover member due to road surface interference or the like, the second protrusion abuts against the first protrusion, thereby suppressing deformation of the cover member. In this case, since the first protrusion protrudes below the lower surface of the cooler, the cover member is prevented from hitting the cooler, and thus the input of external force to the cooler is suppressed.

[0008] In the energy storage device according to the above disclosure, the cooler may have a hole that penetrates in the vertical direction. The first projection may be located inside the hole.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the first protrusion can be efficiently installed in a limited space.

[0010] The energy storage device according to the above disclosure further comprises an electrical device and a bracket for fixing the electrical device to the bottom wall. The electrical device may be fixed to the bracket at a first fixed position and a second fixed position spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Between the first fixed position and the second fixed position, the electrical device may have a portion spaced apart from the bracket.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the electrical equipment is spaced apart from the bracket between the first fixed position and the second fixed position, which prevents the deformed bottom of the bracket from hitting the electrical equipment due to road surface interference, and thus prevents shocks from being transmitted to the electrical equipment.

[0012] In the energy storage device based on the above disclosure, a heat conductive member may be placed between at least a portion of the bottom surface of the electrical equipment and the bottom wall portion.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the electrical equipment and the cooler come into thermal contact via the bottom and heat conductive members, thereby cooling the electrical equipment.

[0014] The energy storage device according to the above disclosure may include a first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member, which are spaced apart in a front-to-back direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and fixed to the lower surface of the bottom wall. The cover member may be fixed to the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member. In the front-to-back direction, the first protrusion and the second protrusion may be positioned between the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member.

[0015] With the above configuration, the cover member can be deformed so that the central portion of the cover member faces upward, using the fixing point of the cover member fixed to the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member as a fulcrum. By arranging the first and second protrusions between the first and second reinforcing members in the front-rear direction, the deformation of the cover member 50 that bends upward can be effectively suppressed.

[0016] The energy storage device according to the above disclosure may include an electrical device and a first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member that are spaced apart in a front-to-back direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and fixed to the lower surface of the bottom wall. The cover member may include a first fixing part fixed to the first reinforcing member and a second fixing part fixed to the second reinforcing member. The first fixing part may be located below the front end of the electrical device, and the second fixing part may be located below or behind the rear end of the electrical device.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the cover member can be deformed such that the portion located at the center thereof faces upward with the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion of the cover member fixed to the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member as fulcrums. Further, the bottom wall portion can be deformed following the deformation of the cover member even between the front end portion and the rear end portion of the electric device.

Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a power storage device capable of suppressing the input of an external force to a cooler when an external force directed upward from below is applied.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is an exploded perspective view of the power storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the lower case to which the cooler according to the embodiment is fixed, viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 3] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the power storage device at a position along line III-III shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a schematic cross-sectional view along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing the positional relationship among a bracket for fixing an electric device, a cooler, and a first protruding portion in the power storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the deformation behavior when an external force is applied upward below the electric device in the power storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the power storage device at a position along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] It is a view showing an enlarged area surrounded by line VIII in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the deformation behavior when an external force is applied upward below the power storage module in the power storage device according to the embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments shown below, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0021] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a power storage device according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the power storage device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0022] The power storage device 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV), for example. The power storage device 1 is mounted, for example, below the floor panel of the vehicle. Note that the ceiling portion of the upper member 21 described later of the power storage device 1 may function as a floor panel.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the power storage device 1 includes a power storage unit 10, a housing case 20, a plurality of reinforcing members 25, a plurality of cross members 29, a cooler 30, a heat conduction member 40, a cover member 50, an inner heat conduction layer 60, and an electrical device 80.

[0024] The power storage unit 10 includes a plurality of power storage modules 11. The plurality of power storage modules 11 are arranged in a first direction (DR1 direction) orthogonal to the vertical direction. The first direction is parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle, for example, when the power storage device 1 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0025] Each of the plurality of power storage modules 11 includes a plurality of power storage cells 12 arranged in a second direction (DR2 direction) orthogonal to the vertical direction and the first direction. The second direction is parallel to the width direction of the vehicle in the above mounting state.

[0026] The energy storage cell 12 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. The energy storage cell 12 has, for example, a prismatic shape. The energy storage cell 12 may use a liquid electrolyte or a solid electrolyte. Alternatively, the energy storage cell 12 may be a unit capacitor configured to store energy.

[0027] The housing case 20 houses the energy storage unit 10 and the electrical equipment 80. The housing case 20 includes an upper member 21 and a lower case 22.

[0028] The upper member 21 has a substantially box-like shape that is open downwards. The upper member 21 may be made of a metal material. Alternatively, for weight reduction, the upper member 21 may be made of a resin material. Furthermore, if the height of the peripheral wall portion of the lower case 22 is higher than that of the energy storage unit 10, the upper member 21 may have a plate-like shape.

[0029] The lower case 22 has a substantially box-like shape that is open upwards. The lower case 22 is made of a metal material. Preferably, the lower case 22 has good thermal conductivity.

[0030] The lower case 22 has a bottom wall 23. Multiple energy storage modules 11 are arranged in the bottom wall 23 with an inner heat conduction layer 60 interposed between them. The bottom wall 23 has an inner surface 23a and an outer surface 23b that are aligned vertically. The inner surface 23a faces upward and towards the multiple energy storage modules 11. The outer surface 23b faces downward and away from the side where the multiple energy storage modules 11 are located.

[0031] Multiple cross members 29 are arranged within the lower case 22 at intervals in the first direction (front-to-back direction). The multiple cross members 29 are positioned on the inner surface 23a side. The multiple cross members 29 extend along the second direction. The multiple cross members 29 demarcate the area where the electrical equipment 80 and the energy storage module 11 are arranged. For example, two energy storage modules 11 are arranged between two adjacent cross members 29 in the front-to-back direction.

[0032] The two energy storage modules 11, positioned between two adjacent cross members 29, are fixed to the cross members 29 or the bottom wall 23 by fixing members (not shown) located at both ends in the arrangement direction of the energy storage cells 12.

[0033] The inner thermal conductive layer 60 is positioned between each energy storage module 11 and the inner surface 23a. The inner thermal conductive layer 60 also functions as an adhesive layer, bonding and fixing each energy storage module 11 to the bottom wall 23. Each energy storage module 11 is in thermal contact with the inner surface 23a by the inner thermal conductive layer 60.

[0034] The inner heat conductive layer 60 is made of a resin material having thermal conductivity. For example, the inner heat conductive layer 60 can be an adhesive containing a silicone resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, or epoxy resin.

[0035] The cooler 30 is a device for cooling multiple energy storage modules 11. Inside the cooler 30, there is a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant flows. This refrigerant flow path is connected to a refrigerant inlet 61 and a refrigerant outlet 62. The refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant flow path from the refrigerant inlet 61 cools the multiple energy storage modules 11 and is then discharged from the refrigerant outlet 62.

[0036] The cooler 30 is located below the bottom wall 23 of the lower case 22. The cooler 30 is made of a metal material such as aluminum. The detailed structure of the cooler 30 will be described later with reference to Figure 2.

[0037] The heat conduction member 40 is positioned between the outer surface 23b of the bottom wall portion 23 and the cooler 30. Multiple energy storage modules 11 are cooled by the cooler 30 via the heat conduction member 40, the bottom wall portion 23, and the inner heat conduction layer 60. The heat conduction member 40 also functions as an adhesive layer that bonds the bottom wall portion 23 and the cooler 30. As the heat conduction member 40, an adhesive containing, for example, a silicone resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, or epoxy resin can be used.

[0038] Multiple reinforcing members 25 are fixed to the outer surface 23b of the bottom wall portion 23. The multiple reinforcing members 25 are arranged in a first direction. The multiple reinforcing members 25 are positioned so as not to interfere with the cooler 30.

[0039] The cover member 50 covers the bottom wall portion 23 from below, with a gap formed between it and the bottom wall portion 23. Specifically, the cover member 50 covers the cooler 30, which is located below the bottom wall portion 23, from below. The cover member 50 protects the cooler 30. The cover member 50 is fixed to a plurality of reinforcing members 25. The cover member 50 is made of a metal material.

[0040] The electrical equipment 80 is arranged in the first direction alongside the energy storage unit 10. The electrical equipment 80 is located on one side of the energy storage unit 10 in the first direction. The electrical equipment 80 includes, for example, a junction box. The electrical equipment 80 may also include an electronic control unit. As will be described later, the electrical equipment 80 is fixed to the bottom wall 23 using a bracket 90 (see Figure 3).

[0041] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lower case to which the cooler according to the embodiment is fixed, viewed from the bottom side. The detailed structure of the cooler 30 and the shape of the bottom wall portion 23 will be described with reference to Figure 2.

[0042] The cooler 30 includes a pair of holding parts 31, a plurality of cooling parts 32, and a front part 33. The refrigerant flow path is routed inside the pair of holding parts 31, the plurality of cooling parts 32, and the front part 33.

[0043] The pair of retaining parts 31 extend along a first direction. The pair of retaining parts 31 are arranged apart from each other in a second direction. The pair of retaining parts 31 hold a plurality of cooling parts 32.

[0044] Multiple cooling units 32 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with multiple energy storage modules 11. The number of cooling units 32 is provided according to the number of energy storage modules 11. Each of the multiple cooling units 32 is provided to connect a pair of holding units 31 in a second direction. The multiple cooling units 32 are arranged side by side with spacing between them in a first direction.

[0045] The multiple cooling units 32 include multiple cooling units 32A, multiple cooling units 32B, and cooling unit 32C. Cooling unit 32C is located on one side in the first direction of the multiple cooling units 32A and 32B. Cooling unit 32C is positioned between the cooling unit 32A located on the furthest side in the first direction of the multiple cooling units 32A and the front unit 33.

[0046] Multiple cooling units 32A and 32B are arranged alternately in the first direction. In this embodiment, when viewed from above, one pair of cooling units 32A and 32B are arranged between adjacent cross members 29 in the first direction.

[0047] In the pair of cooling units 32A and 32B, cooling unit 32A cools the energy storage module 11 located on one side in the first direction of the two energy storage modules 11 located between adjacent cross members 29 in the first direction. Cooling unit 32B cools the energy storage module 11 located on the other side in the first direction of the two energy storage modules 11 located between adjacent cross members 29 in the first direction.

[0048] The cooler 30 is provided with a plurality of openings 37h. The plurality of openings 37h are provided between two adjacent cooling sections 32A and 32B, between the cooling section 32A and cooling section 32C located on the far side in the first direction, and between the front section 33 and cooling section 32C. The openings 37h extend in a second direction.

[0049] Reinforcement members 25 and first protrusions 26 are positioned inside the multiple openings 37h. Specifically, a reinforcement member 25 is positioned inside each opening 37h located below the multiple cross members 29. A first protrusion 26 is positioned inside each opening 37h that does not overlap with the multiple cross members 29.

[0050] The bottom wall portion 23 of the lower case 22 has a plurality of first protrusions 26, 26C that project downward. The first protrusions 26, 26C are formed by recesses provided in the bottom wall portion 23. The amount of protrusion of the first protrusions 26, 26C is less than the height of the reinforcing member 25 in the vertical direction, but they protrude downward more than the cooling portions 32A, 32B, 32C.

[0051] The cooling section 32C is provided with, for example, two holes 38h. The two holes 38h are arranged side by side in a second direction. The first protrusion 26C is located inside the two holes 38h.

[0052] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the energy storage device along the line III-III shown in Figure 1. For convenience, the upper member 21 is omitted in Figure 3. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the bracket for fixing the electrical equipment, the cooler, and the first protrusion in the energy storage device according to the embodiment. The configuration around the electrical equipment 80 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

[0053] As shown in Figure 3, the cooling unit 32C is positioned below the electrical equipment 80. The first protrusion 26C is positioned so as to overlap with the electrical equipment 80 in the vertical direction. The first protrusion 26C is inserted into the hole 38h of the cooling unit 32C and protrudes downward from the cooling unit 32C.

[0054] The cover member 50 has a second projection 52C that faces the first projection 26C in the vertical direction and protrudes upward. The second projection 52C is spaced apart from the first projection 26C. The cover member 50 is fastened and fixed to a plurality of reinforcing members 25, for example, by fastening members 70.

[0055] The multiple reinforcing members 25 include a first reinforcing member 25A1 and a second reinforcing member 25A2. The first reinforcing member 25A1 and the second reinforcing member 25A2 are arranged side by side in a first direction. The first reinforcing member 25A1 is located on the furthest side of the multiple reinforcing members 25 in the first direction. The second reinforcing member 25A2 is adjacent to the first reinforcing member 25A1 in the first direction. In the first direction, the first protrusion 26C and the second protrusion 52C described above are arranged between the first reinforcing member 25A1 and the second reinforcing member 25A2.

[0056] The cover member 50 includes a first fixing portion P11 fixed to the first reinforcing member 25A1 and a second fixing portion P12 fixed to the second reinforcing member 25A2. The first fixing portion P11 is located below the front end portion 81 (the end portion located on one side in the first direction) of the electrical equipment 80. The second fixing portion P12 is located below the rear end portion 82 (the end portion located on the other side in the first direction) of the electrical equipment 80, or behind and below the said rear end portion 82.

[0057] The front end portion 81 is fixed to the bracket 90 at a first fixed position P1, and the rear end portion 82 is fixed to the bracket 90 at a second fixed position P2. The first fixed portion P11 is located below the first fixed position P1. The second fixed portion P12 is located below the second fixed position P2, or behind and below the second fixed position P2.

[0058] Each reinforcing member 25 has a bottom plate portion 251, a pair of side wall portions 252, and a pair of flange portions 253. A cover member 50 is fastened and fixed to the bottom plate portion 251.

[0059] A pair of side walls 252 are connected to both ends of the base plate 251 in a first direction. The pair of side walls 252 are positioned opposite each other in the first direction. The pair of side walls 252 are inclined to move away from each other in the first direction as they extend upward. The pair of side walls 252 extend along a second direction.

[0060] The pair of flange portions 253 are connected to the upper ends of the pair of side wall portions 252. The pair of flange portions 253 are substantially parallel to the first direction.

[0061] The cross member 29 has an upper wall portion 291, a pair of side wall portions 292, and a pair of flange portions 293. The pair of side wall portions 292 are connected to both ends of the upper wall portion 291 in a first direction. The pair of side wall portions 292 are arranged facing each other in the first direction. The pair of side wall portions 292 extend along a second direction.

[0062] The pair of flange portions 293 are connected to the lower ends of the pair of side wall portions 292. The pair of flange portions 293 are substantially parallel to the first direction.

[0063] The pair of flange portions 253 and 293 described above are arranged vertically with the bottom wall portion 23 in between them. These pair of flange portions 253 and 293 and the bottom wall portion 23 are fixed to each other by welding or the like.

[0064] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the electrical equipment 80 is fixed to the inner surface 23a of the bottom wall portion 23 by a bracket 90. In this embodiment, the electrical equipment 80 is fixed to the bottom wall portion 23 by two brackets 90.

[0065] The two brackets 90 are spaced apart in a second direction. Each bracket 90 extends along a first direction. Each bracket 90 has a ceiling portion 91, a pair of side wall portions 92, and a pair of flange portions 93.

[0066] The pair of side wall sections 92 are connected to both ends of the ceiling section 91 in the second direction. The pair of side wall sections 92 are arranged facing each other in the second direction. The pair of side wall sections 92 extend along the first direction.

[0067] The pair of flange portions 93 are connected to the lower ends of the pair of side wall portions 92. The pair of flange portions 93 are substantially parallel to the first direction.

[0068] One end of the pair of flange portions 93, located on one side in the first direction, is fixed to the other by welding or the like, sandwiching the flange portion 253 and bottom wall portion 23 of the reinforcing member 25 located on the far right side in the first direction.

[0069] The other end of the pair of flange portions 93, located on the other side in the first direction, is fixed by welding or the like to the flange portion 293 of the cross member 29 located on the far right side in the first direction.

[0070] The electrical equipment 80 is fixed to each bracket 90 at a first fixed position P1 and a second fixed position P2 that are spaced apart in the first direction. Between the first fixed position P1 and the second fixed position P2, the electrical equipment 80 has a portion that is spaced apart from the bracket 90.

[0071] Specifically, the electrical equipment 80 has a recess 80b that is recessed upward, and a gap is formed between the recess 80b and the ceiling portion 91 of the bracket 90. That is, the recess 80b is spaced upward from the ceiling portion 91. The recess 80b extends in a planar manner and, when viewed from a first direction, is formed across the two brackets 90. The recess 80b is located between the front end portion 81 and the rear end portion 82 of the electrical equipment 80.

[0072] A heat conductive member 65 is positioned between at least a portion of the bottom surface of the electrical equipment 80 and the inner surface 23a of the bottom wall portion 23 of the lower case 22. This allows the electrical equipment 80 and the cooler 30 to come into thermal contact via the bottom wall portion 23 and the heat conductive member 65, thereby cooling the electrical equipment 80.

[0073] In the second direction, both ends of the electrical equipment 80 are located outside the bracket 90 described above, and the heat conductive member 65 is positioned between these ends and the bottom wall 23. As the heat conductive member 65, for example, an adhesive containing silicone resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, or epoxy resin can be used.

[0074] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the deformation behavior of an energy storage device according to an embodiment when an external force is applied upward on the lower side of the electrical equipment.

[0075] As shown in Figure 6, when an upward external force is applied to the cover member 50 due to road surface interference or the like, the second protrusion 52C abuts against the first protrusion 26C, thereby suppressing deformation of the cover member 50. At this time, since the first protrusion 26C protrudes below the lower surface of the cooler 30, the cover member 50 is prevented from hitting the cooler 30, and thus the external force applied to the cooler 30 is suppressed.

[0076] Specifically, because the cover member 50 is fixed to the first reinforcing member 25A1 and the second reinforcing member 25A2 by the first fixing part P11 and the second fixing part P12, when an upward external force is applied to the cover member 50, the cover member 50 deforms such that the intermediate part between the first fixing part P11 and the second fixing part P12 in the first direction bends upward, as shown by the dashed line DL1.

[0077] In this case, the first protrusion 26C and the second protrusion 52C are positioned between the first fixing portion P11 and the second fixing portion P12 in the first direction, thereby effectively suppressing the deformation of the cover member 50 that bends upward as described above.

[0078] Furthermore, since the first fixing part P11 is located below the front end portion 81 of the electrical equipment 80, and the second fixing part P12 is located below or behind and below the rear end portion 82 of the electrical equipment 80, the upward bending deformation described above can be induced between the first fixing part P11 and the second fixing part P12 as described above.

[0079] In addition, two brackets 90 are positioned in the upper part of the bottom wall 23, from the first reinforcing member 25A1 to the second reinforcing member 25A2. As a result, the rigidity of this part is increased, and even when the first protrusion 26C is pressed upward, it is possible to suppress the upward bending deformation of this part of the bottom wall 23, as shown by the dashed line DL2. Furthermore, even if this part does bend, as described above, the recess 80b of the electrical equipment 80 is spaced apart from the bracket 90 between the first fixed position P1 and the second fixed position P2, which prevents the deformed bottom wall 23 from hitting the electrical equipment 80 and prevents impact from being input to the electrical equipment 80.

[0080] In addition, since the first protrusion 26C is inserted through the hole 38h provided in the cooling section 32C, the first protrusion 26C can be installed efficiently.

[0081] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the energy storage device at a position along the line VII-VII shown in Figure 2. For convenience, the upper member 21 is omitted in Figure 7. The structure surrounding the energy storage module 11 will now be described with reference to Figure 7.

[0082] As shown in Figure 7, the multiple energy storage modules 11 include multiple sets of first energy storage modules 11A and second energy storage modules 11B on the rear side (the other side in the first direction) of the electrical equipment 80. Note that there only needs to be one or more sets of first energy storage modules 11A and second energy storage modules 11B. The first energy storage modules 11A and second energy storage modules 11B are adjacent to each other in the first direction. The first energy storage modules 11A and second energy storage modules 11B are spaced apart in the first direction.

[0083] The first energy storage module 11A is located on one side in the first direction relative to the second energy storage module 11B. The second energy storage module 11B is located on the other side in the first direction relative to the first energy storage module 11A.

[0084] The multiple cross members 29 include a first cross member 29A1 and a second cross member 29A2, which are spaced apart in the first direction. The first cross member 29A1 and the second cross member 29A2 are positioned on the inner surface 23a side of the bottom wall portion 23. The structure of the first cross member 29A1 and the second cross member 29A2 is the same as the structure of the cross member 29 described above. A first energy storage module 11A and a second energy storage module 11B are positioned between the first cross member 29A1 and the second cross member 29A2.

[0085] The first protrusion 26 described above is positioned between the first energy storage module 11A and the second energy storage module 11B when viewed from above. The first protrusion 26 is inserted into the opening 37h of the cooler 30.

[0086] The cover member 50 has a second projection 52 that faces the first projection 26 in the vertical direction and projects upward. The second projection 52 is spaced apart from the first projection 26. The cover member 50 is fixed to a plurality of reinforcing members 25, including a first bottom reinforcing member 25B1 and a second bottom reinforcing member 25B2, as will be described later.

[0087] Multiple reinforcing members 25 reinforce the bottom wall portion 23. The first bottom reinforcing member 25B1 and the second bottom reinforcing member 25B2 are arranged on the outer surface 23b of the bottom wall portion 23 at intervals in the first direction. The structure of the first bottom reinforcing member 25B1 and the second bottom reinforcing member 25B2 is the same as that of the first reinforcing member 25A1 and the second reinforcing member 25A2 described above.

[0088] The first cross member 29A1 and the first bottom reinforcing member 25B1 described above are arranged vertically with the bottom wall portion 23 in between. That is, the first bottom reinforcing member 25B1 is positioned below the first cross member 29A1.

[0089] The second cross member 29A2 and the second bottom reinforcing member 25B2 described above are arranged vertically, sandwiching the bottom wall portion 23. That is, the second bottom reinforcing member 25B2 is positioned below the second cross member 29A2.

[0090] The cooler 30 is positioned between the bottom wall 23 of the lower case 22 and the cover member 50. The cooling unit 32A described above cools the first energy storage module 11A, and the cooling unit 32B cools the second energy storage module 11B.

[0091] Figure 8 is a magnified view of the region enclosed by line VIII in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 8, the first energy storage module 11A has a rear corner portion 11b located at the bottom of the rear end (the end located on the other side in the first direction). The second energy storage module 11B has a front corner portion 11a located at the bottom of the front end (the end located on one side in the first direction).

[0092] The first projection 26 has a base plate portion 261 and a pair of side wall portions 262. The pair of side wall portions 262 are connected to both ends of the base plate portion 261 in a first direction. The pair of side wall portions 262 are arranged facing each other in the first direction. The pair of side wall portions 262 are inclined to move away from each other in the first direction as they extend upward. The pair of side wall portions 262 extend along a second direction.

[0093] The upper ends of each of the pair of side wall portions 262 form the base portions of the first projection 26. The first projection 26 has a front base portion 26a (a one-side base portion located on one side in the first direction) and a rear base portion 26b (a other-side base portion located on the other side in the first direction).

[0094] The front root portion 26a is positioned to overlap with the rear corner portion 11b in the vertical direction. The rear root portion 26b is positioned to overlap with the front corner portion 11a in the vertical direction.

[0095] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the deformation behavior of the energy storage device according to the embodiment when an external force is applied upward to the lower side of the energy storage module.

[0096] As shown in Figure 9, when an upward external force is applied to the cover member 50 due to road surface interference or the like, the cover member 50 abuts against the first protrusion 26, thereby suppressing deformation of the cover member 50.

[0097] The first protrusion 26 is pressed upward by the cover member 50, but because the rigidity is high at the front root portion 26a and the rear root portion 26b, the bottom wall portion 23 deforms with the front root portion 26a and the rear root portion 26b as fulcrums. At this time, as described above, the front root portion 26a is located in a position that overlaps the rear corner portion 11b in the vertical direction, and the rear root portion 26b is located in a position that overlaps the front corner portion 11a in the vertical direction. Therefore, the front root portion 26a contacts the rear corner portion 11b of the first energy storage module 11A, and the rear root portion 26b contacts the front corner portion 11a of the second energy storage module 11B.

[0098] Here, the load transmitted to the rear corner 11b of the first energy storage module 11A is transmitted to the vertical wall surface (more specifically the rear surface) of the first energy storage module 11A, as shown by arrow AR5. Similarly, the load transmitted to the front corner 11a of the second energy storage module 11B is transmitted to the vertical wall surface (more specifically the front surface) of the second energy storage module 11B, as shown by arrow AR6. This prevents the bottom surfaces of the first and second energy storage modules 11A and 11B from deforming significantly. Furthermore, because the vertical wall surface has high strength, it can absorb high loads.

[0099] The cover member 50 is provided with a second projection 52 that protrudes toward the first projection 26, which makes it easier for the cover member 50 to abut against the first projection 26. This effectively induces the deformation behavior described above.

[0100] Furthermore, because the first protrusion 26 protrudes below the cooler 30, the cover member 50 can be prevented from hitting the cooler 30. This prevents damage to the cooler 30.

[0101] In addition, the first cross member 29A1 and the first bottom reinforcing member 25B1 are arranged vertically on either side of the bottom wall 23, and the second cross member 29A2 and the second bottom reinforcing member 25B2 are also arranged vertically on either side of the bottom wall 23, thereby increasing the rigidity of the lower case 22. Furthermore, because the cover member 50 is fixed to the first bottom reinforcing member 25B1 and the second bottom reinforcing member 25B2, the cover member 50 can be deformed to bend upward between the first bottom reinforcing member 25B1 and the second bottom reinforcing member 25B2, with the first bottom reinforcing member 25B1 and the second bottom reinforcing member 25B2 acting as fulcrums. In this case, the first protrusion 26 and the second protrusion 52 are positioned between the first bottom reinforcing member 25B1 and the second bottom reinforcing member 25B2 in the first direction, thereby effectively suppressing the deformation of the cover member 50 as it bends upward as described above.

[0102] Furthermore, the first cross member 29A1 and the second cross member 29A2 have a convex shape that protrudes upward, and the first protrusion 26 located between the first cross member 29A1 and the second cross member 29A2 has a convex shape that protrudes downward. Therefore, by utilizing the second moment of area of ​​the first cross member 29A1, the second cross member 29A2, and the first protrusion 26, deformation due to reaction forces of the inner heat conduction layer 60 located between the first cross member 29A1 and the first protrusion 26, and the inner heat conduction layer 60 located between the second cross member 29A2 and the first protrusion 26, can be suppressed in the first direction.

[0103] In the above description, the example given is that the front base portion 26a and the rear base portion 26b overlap the rear corner portion 11b of the first energy storage module 11A and the front corner portion 11a of the second energy storage module 11B in the vertical direction, but the example is not limited to this.

[0104] Even if the first protrusion 26 is pressed upward and the front base portion 26a and the rear base portion 26b come into contact with the lower surface of the energy storage module, the front base portion 26a and the rear base portion 26b may be positioned offset in the first direction from the rear corner portion 11b of the first energy storage module 11A and the front corner portion 11a of the second energy storage module 11B, as long as the lower surface of the energy storage module is not damaged and the force transmitted to the vertical wall surface of the energy storage module is greater than the force transmitted to the lower surface of the energy storage module.

[0105] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and all modifications are within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0106] 1 Energy storage device, 10 Energy storage unit, 11 Energy storage module, 11A First energy storage module, 11B Second energy storage module, 11a Front side corner, 11b Rear side corner, 12 Energy storage cell, 20 Housing case, 21 Upper member, 22 Lower case, 23 Bottom wall, 23a Inner surface, 23b Outer surface, 25 Reinforcement member, 25A1 First reinforcement member, 25A2 Second reinforcement member, 25B1 First bottom reinforcement member, 25B2 Second bottom reinforcement member, 26, 26C First protrusion, 26a Front base, 26b Rear base, 29 Cross member, 29A1 First cross member, 29A2 Second cross member, 30 Cooler, 31 Holding part, 32, 32A, 32B, 32C Cooling part, 33 Front part, 37h Opening, 38h Hole, 40 Heat conduction member, 50 Cover member, 52, 52C Second protrusion, 60 Inner heat conduction layer, 61 Refrigerant introduction section, 62 Refrigerant discharge section, 65 Heat conduction member, 70 Fastening member, 80 Electrical equipment, 80b Recess, 81 Front end, 82 Rear end, 90 Bracket, 91 Ceiling section, 92 Side wall section, 93 Flange section, 251 Bottom plate section, 252 Side wall section, 253 Flange section, 261 Bottom plate section, 262 Side wall section, 291 Top wall section, 292 Side wall section, 293 Flange section, P1 First fixing position, P2 Second fixing position, P11 First fixing section, P12 Second fixing section.

Claims

1. A lower case having a bottom wall, A cooler positioned below the bottom wall portion, The cooler comprises a cover member that covers the cooler from below, The bottom wall portion includes a case-side projection that protrudes downward, A gap is formed between the case-side protrusion and the cover member. The case-side protrusion protrudes below the lower surface of the cooler. It comprises a first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member, which are arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and fixed to the lower surface of the bottom wall portion, The cover member is fixed to the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member. An energy storage device in which a part of the cooler and the case-side protrusion are arranged between the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member in the front-rear direction.

2. The cooler has a hole that penetrates in the vertical direction, The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein the case-side protrusion is located inside the hole.

3. Electrical equipment and, The bottom wall portion is provided with a bracket for fixing the electrical equipment, The electrical equipment is fixed to the bracket at a first fixed position and a second fixed position that are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein, between the first fixed position and the second fixed position, the electrical equipment has a portion that is spaced apart from the bracket.

4. The energy storage device according to claim 3, wherein a heat conductive member is disposed between at least a portion of the bottom surface of the electrical equipment and the bottom wall portion.

5. Equipped with electrical equipment, The cover member includes a first fixing portion fixed to the first reinforcing member and a second fixing portion fixed to the second reinforcing member. The first fixing part is located below the front end of the electrical equipment, The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second fixing portion is located below the rear end of the electrical equipment or behind and below the rear end.

6. A lower case having a bottom wall, A cooler positioned below the bottom wall portion, The cooler comprises a cover member that covers the cooler from below, The bottom wall portion includes a case-side projection that protrudes downward, A gap is formed between the case-side protrusion and the cover member. The aforementioned case-side protrusion protrudes below the lower surface of the cooler, in the energy storage device.

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