restraint device

Abstract

The present invention provides a restraint device that can suppress the risk of disassembly caused by a load applied to the restraint portion in the direction of detachment. [Solution] The restraining device 100 for restraining the laminated body 2 stacked in the stacking direction H comprises a first end plate 11, a second end plate 21, a first restraining member 30, a second restraining member 40, and a protective member 50. The protective member 50 is fixed to the outer surface 15 of the first end plate 11. In the width direction W, the direction in which the first plate retainer 32 detaches from the laminated body 2 is defined as the detachment direction W1, and the direction from the first plate retainer 32 toward the second plate retainer 42 is defined as the adjacent direction W2. The protective member 50 is positioned adjacent to the first plate retainer 32 in the adjacent direction W2. The protective member 50 prevents external members located outside the restraining device 100 from contacting the first plate retainer 32 in the detachment direction W1, thereby preventing external force from being applied to the first plate retainer 32 in the detachment direction W1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a restraint device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-091947 discloses a restraint device including a laminate and end plates. End plates are provided on both end faces in the stacking direction of the laminate. The end plates are fastened by bolts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The laminate of the restraint device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-091947 (Patent Document 1) is restrained in the stacking direction by a pair of end plates fixed with bolts. Here, the inventors of the present application have considered a restraint device that restrains a laminate in the stacking direction by a pair of end plates and a pair of restraint members. In the restraint device, the pair of end plates are restrained in the stacking direction by a pair of restraint members. Each of the pair of restraint members is formed from an upper plate retainer, a lower plate retainer, and a column member connecting the upper plate retainer and the lower plate retainer. The upper plate retainer is positioned on the outer surface of one end plate. The lower plate retainer is positioned on the outer surface of the other end plate. After the pair of end plates sandwiching the laminate in the stacking direction are compressed in the stacking direction, each of the pair of restraint members is inserted from the width direction of the laminate toward the center of the laminate and positioned to sandwich the pair of end plates from the stacking direction. The pair of end plates are subjected to a load in the stacking direction away from the center of the laminate due to the restoring force of the laminate in the stacking direction. The pair of restraint members act as a counterforce to the load applied to the pair of end plates. As a result, the pair of restraining members are fixed to the pair of end plates.

[0005] Here, if we define the direction in which the restraining member detaches from the laminate as the detachment direction, the restraining member is restrained by frictional force with the end plate in the detachment direction. Therefore, if a load in the detachment direction is applied to the restraining member, the restraining member may detach, and the restraining device may disassemble.

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a restraint device that can suppress the risk of disassembly due to a load applied to the restraint portion in the direction of detachment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A restraining device according to the first aspect of this disclosure restrains a laminate in which a plurality of energy storage modules are stacked in the stacking direction. The restraining device comprises a first end plate, a second end plate, a first restraining member, a second restraining member, and a protective member. The first end plate is positioned at one end of the laminate in the stacking direction and is formed to cover the laminate. The second end plate is positioned at the other end of the laminate in the stacking direction and is formed to cover the laminate. The first restraining member and the second restraining member are positioned with the laminate in between, and are spaced apart in the width direction of the laminate. The first restraining member comprises a first plate retainer, a second plate retainer, and a first column member. The first plate retainer and the second plate retainer are arranged with a space between them in the stacking direction. The first plate retainer is provided so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the first end plate. The second plate retainer is provided so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the second end plate. The first column member connects the first plate retainer and the second plate retainer. The second restraining member comprises a third plate retainer, a fourth plate retainer, and a second column member. The third and fourth plate retainers are arranged with a gap between them in the lamination direction. The third plate retainer is provided so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the first end plate. The fourth plate retainer is provided so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the second end plate. The second column member connects the third and fourth plate retainers. The protective member is formed to extend in a length direction intersecting the width direction and is fixed to the outer surface of the first end plate. In the width direction, if the direction in which the first plate retainer detaches from the laminate is defined as the detachment direction, and the direction from the first plate retainer toward the second plate retainer is defined as the adjacent direction, then the protective member is positioned adjacent to the first plate retainer in the adjacent direction. The protective member prevents external members located outside the restraining device from contacting the first plate retainer from the detachment direction, thereby preventing external force from being applied to the first plate retainer in the detachment direction.

[0008] The protective member of the restraint device according to the first aspect of this disclosure has a base portion formed to extend in the width direction and a wall portion formed on the base portion. The base portion has a first main surface and a second main surface arranged in the stacking direction, and a first side surface and a second side surface arranged in the width direction. The second main surface faces the outer surface of the first end plate. The first side surface is located closer to the first plate retainer compared to the second side surface. If the direction from the second main surface toward the first main surface is defined as the projection direction, the wall portion is formed on the first main surface and is formed to project from the first main surface in the projection direction. The wall portion is formed on the first side surface side.

[0009] The protective member of the restraint device relating to the first aspect of this disclosure is in contact with the first plate retainer in the width direction.

[0010] The wall portion of the protective member of the restraint device relating to the first aspect of this disclosure is formed to protrude in the protruding direction more than the first plate retainer.

[0011] The restraint device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is the restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the material forming the base is more rigid than the material forming the first end plate. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] A schematic perspective view of the laminated assembly according to this embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] This shows an exploded perspective view of the laminated assembly according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of section III-III. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0014] In this disclosure embodiment, a restraining device for forming a laminate assembly 1, which is one form of a laminate unit, will be described. Note that the laminate assembly 1 is one form during the manufacturing process of an energy storage device.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the laminated assembly according to this embodiment. The stacking direction H shown in Figure 1 indicates the stacking direction of the energy storage modules 7 that form the laminated body 2, which will be described later. The width direction W indicates the width direction of the laminated assembly 1. The length direction L indicates the length direction of the laminated assembly 1.

[0016] The laminated assembly 1 is used, for example, as a battery for a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), or an FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). The laminated assembly 1 comprises a laminate 2, elastic sheets 9 and 10, and a restraining device 100. The restraining device 100 restrains the laminate 2 and the elastic sheets 9 and 10 in the lamination direction. The restraining device 100 has end plates 11 and 21, restraining members 30 and 40, and a protective member 50.

[0017] Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the laminate assembly. The laminate 2 is formed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The laminate 2 has an upper surface 3 and a lower surface 4. The upper surface 3 and the lower surface 4 are the end faces of the laminate arranged in the stacking direction H. The upper surface 3 is located above the lower surface 4. When the laminate 2 is viewed from a position away from the laminate in the stacking direction H, the laminate 2 is formed in the shape of a rectangle consisting of a pair of long sides 5 and a pair of short sides 6. The long sides 5 are longer than the short sides 6.

[0018] The laminate 2 includes multiple energy storage modules 7 and multiple cooling devices 8. The energy storage modules 7 are stacked in the stacking direction H with the cooling devices 8 in between. The laminate 2 may also consist of one energy storage module 7 and one cooling device 8.

[0019] The power storage module 7 includes a plurality of unit cells (not shown) and a frame body. The unit cell is, for example, a bipolar cell. Each of the plurality of unit cells adjacent to each other in the stacking direction H is electrically connected. The unit cell has a first current collector plate, a negative electrode sheet, a separator, a positive electrode sheet, and a second current collector plate. The plurality of unit cells are stacked such that the second current collector plate and the first current collector plate are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction H. The frame body is formed in an annular shape and is formed to extend in the stacking direction. The frame body is formed to surround the plurality of stacked unit cells.

[0020] The cooling device 8 is disposed between the power storage modules 7 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction H. The cooling device 8 electrically connects the power storage modules 7 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction H. The cooling device 8 may be replaced by a conductive plate.

[0021] The elastic sheet 9 and the elastic sheet 10 are provided on the upper surface 3 and the lower surface 4, respectively. When the elastic sheet 9 and the elastic sheet 10 are viewed in a plan view from a position away from the elastic sheets 9, 10 in the stacking direction H, the elastic sheet 9 and the elastic sheet 10 are each formed in the same shape as the upper surface 3 and the lower surface 4 of the laminate 2.

[0022] The restraint device 100 has end plates 11, 21, restraint members 30, 40, and a protection member 50.

[0023] The end plate 11 is provided on the elastic sheet 9. The end plate 11 is a plate-like member. When the end plate 11 is viewed in a plan view from a position away from the end plate 11 in the stacking direction H, the end plate 11 is formed in a shape with a notch 14 formed in a rectangular shape formed by a pair of long sides 12 and a pair of short sides 13. The long side 12 has the same length as the long side 5. The short side 13 is longer than the short side 6. The notch 14 penetrates the end plate 11 in the stacking direction H. The notch 14 is formed so as to be arranged at intervals in the length direction L along the long side 12 of the outer peripheral edge portion of the end plate 11. The end plate 11 has an outer surface 15 and an inner surface 16 arranged in the stacking direction H. The inner surface 16 is the surface located on the laminated body 2 side.

[0024] The end plate 11 has thin plates 17, 18 and ribs 19. The ribs 19 are formed so as to extend in the width direction W. The thin plates 17, 18 are respectively formed so as to cover the ribs 19. The thin plates 17, 18 sandwich the ribs 19 and are arranged at intervals in the stacking direction H. The thin plate 18 is arranged on the laminated body 2 side in the stacking direction H as compared with the thin plate 17. The ribs 19 are arranged at intervals in the length direction L so as to sandwich the notch 14. Note that the end plate 11 is an example of the "first end plate" in the present disclosure.

[0025] The end plate 21 is provided on the elastic sheet 10. The end plate 21 is a plate-shaped member. When the end plate 21 is viewed from a position away from it in the stacking direction H, it is formed in a rectangular shape with a pair of long sides 22 and a pair of short sides 23, and a notch 24 is formed therein. The long sides 22 are the same length as the long side 5. The short sides 23 are longer than the short side 6. The notch 24 penetrates the end plate 21 in the stacking direction H. The notches 24 are formed to be spaced apart in the length direction L along the long side 22 on the outer edge of the end plate 21. Here, the notch 14 and the notch 24 are arranged coaxially in the stacking direction H. The end plate 21 has an outer surface 25 and an inner surface 26 arranged in the stacking direction H. The inner surface 26 is the surface located on the laminate side 2.

[0026] The end plate 21 similarly has thin plates 27, 28 and ribs 29. The ribs 29 are formed to extend in the width direction W. The ribs 29 are arranged at intervals in the length direction L, with the notches 24 in between. The thin plates 27, 28 are each formed to cover the ribs 29. The thin plates 27, 28 are arranged at intervals in the lamination direction H, with the ribs 29 in between. Compared to the thin plate 27, the thin plate 28 is positioned on the laminate side 2 in the lamination direction H. Note that the end plate 21 is an example of the "second end plate" in this disclosure.

[0027] The restraining members 30 and 40 are arranged in the width direction W with the laminate 2 in between, and with gaps between them. The restraining members 30 and 40 are examples of the "first restraining member" and "second restraining member" as described in this disclosure.

[0028] The restraining member 30 has a frame 31 and a column member 38. The frame 31 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction L. The frame 31 has an upper frame 32 and a lower frame 35. The upper frame 32 and the lower frame 35 are arranged with a gap between them in the stacking direction H.

[0029] The upper frame 32 is formed to extend to the same length as the long side 12 in the longitudinal direction L. The upper frame 32 has an outer surface 33 and an inner surface 34. The outer surface 33 and the inner surface 34 are end faces aligned in the stacking direction H. The inner surface 34 is located on the side of the lower frame 35. When the upper frame 32 is viewed from a position away from the rib 19 in the stacking direction H, the upper frame 32 is positioned to traverse the rib 19 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0030] The lower frame 35 is formed to extend to the same length as the long side 22 in the longitudinal direction L. The lower frame 35 has an outer surface 36 and an inner surface 37. The outer surface 36 and the inner surface 37 are end faces aligned in the stacking direction H. The inner surface 37 is located on the side of the upper frame 32. When the lower frame 35 is viewed from a position away from the rib 29 in the stacking direction H, the lower frame 35 is positioned to traverse the rib 29 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0031] The column member 38 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends in the stacking direction H. The column member 38 passes through the notches 14 and 24 of the end plates 11 and 21, connecting the upper frame 32 and the lower frame 35.

[0032] The frame 31 of the restraining member 30 is in contact with the end plates 11 and 21. More specifically, the inner surface 34 of the upper frame 32 is in contact with the outer surface 15 of the end plate 11. Similarly, the inner surface 37 of the lower frame 35 is in contact with the outer surface 25 of the end plate 21.

[0033] The restraining member 30, the upper frame 32, the lower frame 35, and the column member 38 are examples of the "first restraining member," "first plate retainer," "second plate retainer," and "first column member" in this disclosure, respectively.

[0034] The restraining member 40 has a frame 41 and a column member 48. The frame 41 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction L. The frame 41 has an upper frame 42 and a lower frame 45. The upper frame 42 and the lower frame 45 are spaced apart in the stacking direction H.

[0035] The upper frame 42 is formed to extend to the same length as the long side 12 in the length direction L. The upper frame 42 has an outer surface 43 and an inner surface 44. The outer surface 43 and the inner surface 44 are end faces aligned in the stacking direction H. The inner surface 44 is located on the side of the lower frame 45. When the upper frame 42 is viewed from a position away from the rib 19 in the stacking direction H, the upper frame 42 is positioned to traverse the rib 19 in the length direction L.

[0036] The lower frame 45 is formed to extend to the same length as the long side 22 in the longitudinal direction L. The lower frame 45 has an outer surface 46 and an inner surface 47. The outer surface 46 and the inner surface 47 are end faces aligned in the stacking direction H. The inner surface 47 is located on the side of the upper frame 42. When the lower frame 45 is viewed from a position away from the rib 29 in the stacking direction H, the lower frame 45 is positioned to traverse the rib 29 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0037] The column member 48 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends in the stacking direction H. The column member 48 passes through the notches 14 and 24 of the end plates 11 and 21, connecting the upper frame 42 and the lower frame 45.

[0038] The frame 41 of the restraining member 40 is in contact with the end plates 11 and 21. More specifically, the inner surface 44 of the upper frame 42 is in contact with the outer surface 15 of the end plate 11. Similarly, the inner surface 47 of the lower frame 45 is in contact with the outer surface 25 of the end plate 21.

[0039] The restraining member 40, the upper frame 42, the lower frame 45, and the column member 48 are examples of the "second restraining member," "third plate retainer," "fourth plate retainer," and "second column member" in this disclosure, respectively.

[0040] The protective member 50 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction L. The protective member 50 is positioned between the restraining member 30 and the restraining member 40. The protective member 50 includes a first protective member 51, a second protective member 56, a third protective member 61, and a fourth protective member 66.

[0041] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of section III-III in Figure 1. Each protective member 50 is positioned adjacent to at least one of the restraining members 30 or 40. In Figure 3, the direction outward from the center of the laminated body 2 in the stacking direction H is defined as the protrusion direction H1. In the width direction W, the direction outward from the center of the laminated body 2 is defined as the detachment direction W1, and the direction from the outside of the laminated body 2 towards the center of the laminated body 2 is defined as the adjacency direction W2. More specifically, the direction in which the upper frame 32 detaches from the laminated body 2 is defined as the detachment direction, and the direction from the upper frame 32 towards the upper frame 42 is defined as the adjacency direction. The same applies to the lower frame 35. Alternatively, the direction in which the upper frame 42 detaches from the laminated body 2 is defined as the detachment direction, and the direction from the upper frame 42 towards the upper frame 32 is defined as the adjacency direction. The same applies to the lower frame 45.

[0042] The first protective member 51 and the second protective member 56 are positioned between the upper frame 32 and the upper frame 42 and are fixed to the outer surface 15 of the end plate 11. The first protective member 51 is positioned adjacent to the upper frame 32 in the adjacent direction W2. The second protective member 56 is positioned adjacent to the upper frame 42 in the adjacent direction W2.

[0043] The first protective member 51 has a base portion 52 and a wall portion 54 formed on the base portion 52. When the base 52 is viewed from above from a position away from it in the length direction L, it is formed to extend in the width direction W and has a rectangular shape. The base 52 has a first main surface 53a, a second main surface 53b, a first side surface 53c, and a second side surface 53d. The first main surface 53a and the second main surface 53b are spaced apart in the stacking direction H. The second main surface 53b faces the outer surface 15 of the end plate 11. The first side surface 53c and the second side surface 53d are spaced apart in the width direction W. The first side surface 53c is located closer to the upper frame 32 than the second side surface 53d. The first side surface 53c may be in contact with the upper frame 32 or it may be separated from it.

[0044] The wall portion 54 is formed to protrude in a projection direction H1 from the first main surface 53a of the base portion 52, and is formed close to the first side surface 53c in comparison to the second side surface 53d. Specifically, the projection direction H1 is the direction from the second main surface 53b toward the first main surface 53a in the stacking direction H.

[0045] The wall portion 54 has an end face 55. The end face 55 is a surface parallel to a plane formed by the width direction W and the length direction L. The end face 55 is located on the same plane as the outer surface 33 of the upper frame 32.

[0046] The second protective member 56 has a base portion 57 and a wall portion 59 formed on the base portion 57. When the base portion 57 is viewed from above from a position away from it in the length direction L, it is formed to extend in the width direction W and has a rectangular shape. The base portion 57 has a first main surface 58a, a second main surface 58b, a first side surface 58c, and a second side surface 58d. The first main surface 58a and the second main surface 58b are spaced apart in the stacking direction H. The second main surface 58b faces the outer surface 15 of the end plate 11. The first side surface 58c and the second side surface 58d are spaced apart in the width direction W. The first side surface 58c is located closer to the upper frame 32 than the second side surface 58d. The first side surface 58c may be in contact with the upper frame 32 or it may be separated from it.

[0047] The wall portion 59 is formed to protrude in a projection direction H1 from the first main surface 58a of the base portion 57, and is formed close to the first side surface 58c in comparison to the second side surface 58d. Specifically, the projection direction H1 is the direction from the second main surface 58b toward the first main surface 58a in the stacking direction H.

[0048] The wall portion 59 has an end face 60. The end face 60 is a surface parallel to a plane formed by the width direction W and the length direction L. The end face 60 is located on the same plane as the outer surface 33 of the upper frame 32.

[0049] The third protective member 61 and the fourth protective member 66 are positioned between the lower frame 35 and the lower frame 45 and are fixed to the outer surface 25 of the end plate 21. The third protective member 61 is positioned adjacent to the lower frame 35 in the adjacent direction W2. The fourth protective member 66 is positioned adjacent to the lower frame 45 in the adjacent direction W2.

[0050] The third protective member 61 has a base portion 62 and a wall portion 64 formed on the base portion 62. When the base portion 62 is viewed from above from a position away from it in the length direction L, it is formed to extend in the width direction W and has a rectangular shape. The base portion 62 has a first main surface 63a, a second main surface 63b, a first side surface 63c, and a second side surface 63d. The first main surface 63a and the second main surface 63b are spaced apart in the stacking direction H. The second main surface 63b faces the outer surface 25 of the second end plate 21. The first side surface 63c and the second side surface 63d are spaced apart in the width direction W. The first side surface 63c is located closer to the lower frame 35 than the second side surface 63d. The first side surface 63c may be in contact with the lower frame 35 or it may be separated from it.

[0051] The wall portion 64 is formed to protrude in a projection direction H1 from the first main surface 63a of the base portion 62, and is formed close to the first side surface 63c in comparison to the second side surface 63d. Specifically, the projection direction H1 is the direction from the second main surface 63b toward the first main surface 63a in the stacking direction H.

[0052] The wall portion 64 has an end face 65. The end face 65 is a surface parallel to a plane formed by the width direction W and the length direction L. The end face 65 is located on the same plane as the outer surface 36 of the lower frame 35.

[0053] The fourth protective member 66 has a base portion 67 and a wall portion 69 formed on the base portion 67. When the base portion 67 is viewed from above from a position away from it in the length direction L, it is formed to extend in the width direction W and has a rectangular shape. The base portion 67 has a first main surface 68a, a second main surface 68b, a first side surface 68c, and a second side surface 68d. The first main surface 68a and the second main surface 68b are spaced apart in the stacking direction H. The second main surface 68b faces the outer surface 25 of the second end plate 21. The first side surface 68c and the second side surface 68d are spaced apart in the width direction W. The first side surface 68c is located closer to the lower frame 45 than the second side surface 68d. The first side surface 68c may be in contact with the lower frame 45 or it may be separated from it.

[0054] The wall portion 69 is formed to protrude in a projection direction H1 from the first main surface 68a of the base portion 67, and is formed close to the first side surface 68c in comparison to the second side surface 68d. Specifically, the projection direction H1 is the direction from the second main surface 68b toward the first main surface 68a in the stacking direction H.

[0055] The wall portion 69 has an end face 70. The end face 70 is a surface parallel to a plane formed by the width direction W and the length direction L. The end face 70 is located on the same plane as the outer surface 36 of the lower frame 35.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the laminate 2 is constrained in the lamination direction H by end plates 11 and 21 and restraining members 30 and 40 arranged in the lamination direction. Due to the restoring force in the lamination direction H of the laminate 2 and the elastic sheets 9 and 10, end plates 11 and 21 are subjected to a load in the protruding direction H1. The restraining members 30 and 40 act as a counterforce to the load applied to end plates 11 and 21. As a result, the restraining members 30 and 40 are fixed to end plates 11 and 21. A protective member 50 is placed on end plate 21.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the first side surface 53c of the first protective member 51 is located near the upper frame 32 relative to the second side surface 53d. That is, the first protective member 51 is positioned adjacent to the upper frame 32 of the restraining member 30 in the width direction W. Furthermore, the first protective member 51 in the above embodiment has a base portion 52 and a wall portion 54. The wall portion 54 is formed to protrude in the protrusion direction H1. In such an embodiment, the first protective member 51 prevents external members located outside the restraining device 100 from contacting the upper frame 32 in the detachment direction W1. Consequently, the first protective member 51 can prevent external force from being applied to the upper frame 32 in the detachment direction W1.

[0058] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the first side surface 53c of the first protective member 51 is in contact with the upper frame 32, but the first side surface 53c of the first protective member 51 may be separated from the upper frame 32. This makes it possible to suppress the propagation of impact applied to the first protective member 51 to the upper frame 32. It is preferable that the gap between the first side surface 53c and the upper frame 32 is, for example, less than or equal to the thickness of the wall portion 54 in the width direction W.

[0059] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the wall portion 54 is formed near the first side surface 53c in comparison to the second side surface 53d. This includes cases where the wall portion 54 is located in the vicinity of the second side surface 53d and cases where the wall portion 54 is connected to the second side surface 53d.

[0060] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the end face 55 is located on the same plane as the outer surface 33 of the upper frame 32 in the stacking direction H, but the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the end face 55 does not have to be located on the same plane as the outer surface 33 of the upper frame 32 in the stacking direction H. That is, the end face 55 may be positioned to protrude in the protrusion direction H1 compared to the outer surface 33 of the upper frame 32.

[0061] The material forming the base 52 in this embodiment may have higher rigidity or be harder than the material forming the thin plate 17 of the end plate 11 on which the base 52 is provided. The material forming the base 52 is, for example, a metal material. Hardness means, for example, that when the Vickers hardness [HV] of the material forming the base 52 and the material forming the thin plate 17 is measured, the measured value of the base 52 is greater than that of the thin plate 17. The Vickers hardness [HV] of the material is a measured value obtained by the measurement method based on JIS Z 2244. By adopting this configuration, a material with lower rigidity than the base 52 can be used as the material forming the thin plate 17.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the second protective member 56, the third protective member 61, and the fourth protective member 66 each have substantially the same configuration as the first protective member 51, so their individual descriptions are omitted.

[0063] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than by the description of the embodiments above, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1 Laminate assembly, 2 Laminate, 3 Top surface, 4 Bottom surface, 5 Long side, 6 Short side, 7 Energy storage module, 9, 10 Elastic sheet, 11 End plate, 12 Long side, 13 Short side, 14 Notch, 15 Outer surface, 16 Inner surface, 17 Thin plate, 18 Thin plate, 19 Rib, 21 End plate, 22 Long side, 23 Short side, 24 Notch, 25 Outer surface, 26 Inner surface, 27 Thin plate, 28 Thin plate, 29 Rib, 30 First restraining member, 31 Frame, 32 Upper frame, 33 Outer surface, 34 Inner surface, 35 Lower frame, 36 Outer surface, 37 Inner surface, 38 Column member, 40 Second restraining member, 41 Frame, 42 Upper frame, 43 Outer surface, 44 Inner surface, 45 Lower frame, 46 Outer surface, 47 Inner surface, 48 Column member, 50 Protective member, 51 First protective member, 52 Foundation, 53a First main surface, 53b Second main surface, 53c First side surface, 53d Second side surface, 54 Wall section, 55 End surface, 56 Second protective member, 57 Foundation, 58a First main surface, 58b Second main surface, 58c First side surface, 58d Second side surface, 59 Wall section, 60 End surface, 61 Third protective member, 62 Foundation, 63a First main surface, 63b Second main surface, 63c First side surface, 63d Second side surface, 64 Wall section, 65 End surface, 66 Fourth protective member, 67 Foundation, 68a First main surface, 68b Second main surface, 68c First side surface, 68d Second side surface, 69 Wall section, 70 End surface, 100 restraint device.

Claims

1. A restraining device for restraining a stack in which multiple energy storage modules are stacked in the stacking direction, The restraint device comprises a first end plate, a second end plate, a first restraint member, a second restraint member, and a protective member. The first end plate is positioned at one end of the laminate in the stacking direction and is formed to cover the laminate. The second end plate is positioned at the other end of the laminate in the stacking direction and is formed to cover the laminate. The first restraining member and the second restraining member are arranged with the laminate sandwiched between them, and are spaced apart in the width direction of the laminate. The first restraining member comprises a first plate retainer, a second plate retainer, and a first column member. The first plate retainer and the second plate retainer are arranged with a gap between them in the stacking direction, The first plate retainer is provided so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the first end plate, The second plate retainer is provided so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the second end plate. The first column member connects the first plate retainer and the second plate retainer, The second restraining member comprises a third plate retainer, a fourth plate retainer, and a second column member. The third plate retainer and the fourth plate retainer are arranged with a gap between them in the stacking direction, The third plate retainer is provided so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the first end plate, The fourth plate retainer is provided so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the second end plate, The second column member connects the third plate retainer and the fourth plate retainer, The protective member is formed to extend in a longitudinal direction intersecting the width direction and is fixed to the outer surface of the first end plate. In the width direction, if the direction in which the first plate retainer detaches from the laminate is defined as the detachment direction, and the direction from the first plate retainer toward the second plate retainer is defined as the adjacent direction, The protective member is positioned adjacent to the first plate retainer in the adjacent direction, The restraint device includes a protective member which prevents an external member located outside the restraint device from contacting the first plate retainer in the direction of detachment, and which prevents an external force from being applied to the first plate retainer in the direction of detachment.

2. The protective member has a base portion formed to extend in the width direction and a wall portion formed on the base portion. The base portion has a first main surface and a second main surface arranged in the stacking direction, and a first side surface and a second side surface arranged in the width direction. The second main surface faces the outer surface of the first end plate, The first side surface is located closer to the first plate retainer compared to the second side surface. If the direction from the second main surface toward the first main surface is defined as the projection direction, then the wall portion is formed on the first main surface and is formed to project from the first main surface in the projection direction. The restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the wall portion is formed on the first side surface.

3. The restraint device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protective member is in contact with the first plate retainer in the width direction.

4. The restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the wall portion is formed to protrude in the protruding direction more than the first plate retainer.

5. The restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the material forming the base portion has higher rigidity than the material forming the first end plate.

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