restraint device

Abstract

The present invention provides a restraining device that facilitates the detachment of an elastic member from a power storage module and enables electrical connection between the power storage module and a current collector plate. [Solution] The restraining device 100 comprises an elastic member 4, a current collector plate 3, a metal foil 80 covering the elastic member 4, and end plates 10, 20 (pressure parts). The elastic member 4 includes a surface 4a (first surface) and a surface 4b (second surface) arranged in the Z direction. Surface 4a is positioned in the laminate 1a facing the energy storage module 2 side. The metal foil 80 includes a portion 81 (first portion) that covers surface 4a and is electrically connected to the energy storage module 2, a portion 82 (second portion) that is electrically connected to the current collector plate 3, and a connecting portion 83 that connects portion 81 and portion 82.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-216073 (Patent Document 1) discloses a restraint portion that applies a restraint load in the stacking direction to a plurality of power storage modules constituting an electrode laminate. The restraint portion sandwiches a plurality of power storage modules in the stacking direction with a pair of restraint plates. A conductive plate is disposed between the power storage modules. The power storage modules arranged in the stacking direction are electrically connected through the conductive plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Although not described in the above Patent Document 1, in order to make the surface pressure on the power storage module uniform, there may be a case where an elastic member is used instead of the conductive plate to pressurize the power storage module in the stacking direction. In this case, an elastic member is disposed between the current collector plate and the power storage module. In this configuration, since the elastic member adheres to the power storage module due to the elasticity of the elastic member, it may be difficult to separate the elastic member from the power storage module. Further, in the above configuration in which an elastic member is disposed between the power storage module and the current collector plate, it is necessary to prevent the electrical connection between the power storage module and the current collector plate from being inhibited by the elastic member.

[0005] This disclosure was made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a restraining device that facilitates the separation of an elastic member from an energy storage module and enables the electrical connection between the energy storage module and a current collector plate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A restraining device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a restraining device for restraining an energy storage module, comprising an elastic member, a current collector plate laminated with the elastic member in the stacking direction, a metal foil covering the elastic member, and a pressurizing part. When the energy storage module, elastic member, and current collector plate are laminated in that order in the stacking direction, the pressurizing part pressurizes the laminate in the stacking direction. The elastic member includes a first surface and a second surface arranged in the stacking direction. The first surface is positioned in the laminate facing the energy storage module. The metal foil includes a first portion that covers the first surface and is electrically connected to the energy storage module, a second portion that is electrically connected to the current collector plate, and a connecting portion that connects the first portion and the second portion.

[0007] In a restraint device relating to one aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, the metal foil includes a first portion that covers the first surface and is electrically connected to the energy storage module, a second portion that is electrically connected to the current collector plate, and a connecting portion that connects the first portion and the second portion. As a result, the first portion of the metal foil is provided between the energy storage module and the first surface of the elastic member, so that the elastic member does not try to stick to the energy storage module (tackiness occurs) can be suppressed by the metal foil (first portion). Furthermore, since the first portion that is electrically connected to the energy storage module is connected to the second portion that is electrically connected to the current collector plate by the connecting portion, the energy storage module and the current collector plate can be electrically connected. These features make it easy to detach the elastic member from the energy storage module and allow the energy storage module and the current collector plate to be electrically connected.

[0008] The elastic member may include a connecting surface that connects the first surface and the second surface. The current collector plate may include a third surface that faces the second surface in the stacking direction. The connecting portion may extend along the connecting surface. The second portion may extend along the third surface. With this configuration, since the second portion extends along the third surface, the area of ​​the second portion can be easily increased compared to the case where the second portion extends along the side surface of the current collector plate (the surface extending in the stacking direction). As a result, the current value flowing between the current collector plate and the energy storage module can be increased. This makes it possible to increase the charging efficiency of the energy storage module. In addition, because the connecting portion extends along the connecting surface, the length of the connecting portion can be reduced compared to the case where the distance between the connecting portion and the connecting surface is relatively large.

[0009] The restraining device is positioned between the current collector plate and the elastic member and may include an adhesive for bonding the current collector plate and the elastic member. The second surface may have a contact surface that contacts the adhesive and a non-contact surface that does not contact the adhesive. A gap corresponding to the thickness of the adhesive in the lamination direction may be formed between the current collector plate and the non-contact surface. The second part may be positioned in the gap. With this configuration, the current collector plate and the elastic member can be fixed with the adhesive, and a space for positioning the second part can be created.

[0010] The non-contact surface may be provided in an annular shape along the outer edge of the second surface. The second portion may also be provided in an annular shape along the annular non-contact surface. With such a configuration, the area of ​​the second portion can be made larger compared to, for example, the case where the second portion extends along only one side of the second surface. As a result, the current value flowing between the current collector plate and the energy storage module can be increased. This makes it possible to increase the charging efficiency of the energy storage module.

[0011] The thickness of the metal foil may be between 10 μm and 1 mm. This configuration allows for higher mechanical strength of the metal foil compared to when the metal foil thickness is less than 10 μm. Compared to when the metal foil thickness is greater than 1 mm, the flexibility of the elastic member can be maintained, and the wobbling of the energy storage module can be effectively absorbed. As a result, variations in surface pressure caused by the elastic member can be suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this disclosure, it is possible to easily detach the elastic member from the energy storage module and to electrically connect the energy storage module and the current collector plate. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of a restraint device and a laminate according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded view. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a laminate according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of an elastic member according to one embodiment, as seen from the Z2 side. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a restraint device and a laminate according to a modified embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] 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.

[0015] A restraining device 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The restraining device 100 is a jig for restraining an energy storage module during the manufacturing process of an energy storage device. The energy storage module may be a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the laminate 1 is constrained by the constraining device 100. In this specification, the Z direction is the laminating direction of the laminate 1. Also, each of the X direction and the Y direction is a direction orthogonal to the Z direction. The X direction and the Y direction are orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to the Z direction. The Z direction is an example of the "laminating direction" of the present disclosure.

[0017] The constraining device 100 includes end plates 10 and 20 and constraining members 30 and 40. The constraining device 100 applies a constraining load to the laminate 1 in the Z direction. By applying an appropriate constraining load to the laminate 1, the electrode distance in the power storage module is appropriately maintained. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deposition of a metal (for example, lithium) on the electrode (negative electrode) of the power storage module.

[0018] The laminate 1 is sandwiched in the Z direction between the end plate 10 and the end plate 20. The end plate 10 is disposed on the Z1 side with respect to the laminate 1. The end plate 20 is disposed on the Z2 side with respect to the laminate 1. Each of the end plate 10 and the end plate 20 is an example of the "pressing portion" of the present disclosure.

[0019] The constraining member 30 constrains the end portion of the laminate 1 on the X1 side in the Z direction. The constraining member 40 constrains the end portion of the laminate 1 on the X2 side in the Z direction.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the laminate 1 and the constraining device 100. The laminate 1 is formed, for example, in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The laminate 1 includes at least one power storage module 2, at least one current collector plate 3, and at least one elastic member 4. In the present embodiment, the laminate 1 includes a plurality of power storage modules 2, a plurality of current collector plates 3, and a plurality of elastic members 4. The elastic member 4 is formed of, for example, urethane. The elastic member 4 has insulating properties.

[0021] The power storage module 2 includes a plurality of unit cells (not shown) and a frame body. The unit cell is, for example, a bipolar battery. Each of the plurality of unit cells adjacent in the Z direction 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 in the Z direction such that the second current collector plate and the first current collector plate are adjacent to each other. The frame body is formed in an annular shape and is formed so as to extend in the stacking direction. The frame body is formed so as to surround the plurality of stacked unit cells.

[0022] The current collector plates 3 are stacked in the Z direction with the power storage module 2 interposed therebetween. The current collector plates 3 are electrically connected to a power source (not shown), and current is supplied from the power source. For example, the current collector plate 3 on the most Z1 side among the plurality of current collector plates 3 may be electrically connected to one of the positive and negative electrodes of the power source, and the current collector plate 3 on the most Z2 side among the plurality of current collector plates 3 may be electrically connected to the other of the positive and negative electrodes of the power source. Thereby, each power storage module 2 of the laminate 1 may be charged. Note that the charging method of the power storage module 2 is not limited to the above example. Also, in FIG. 2, for simplicity, the power storage module 2, the current collector plate 3, and the elastic member 4 are illustrated as having the same size as each other.

[0023] The restraint device 100 includes elastic sheets 50 and 60. The elastic sheet 50 is disposed between the end plate 10 and the laminate 1. The elastic sheet 50 is sandwiched in the Z direction by the end plate 10 and the laminate 1. The elastic sheet 60 is disposed between the end plate 20 and the laminate 1. The elastic sheet 60 is sandwiched in the Z direction by the end plate 20 and the laminate 1. The elastic sheets 50 and 60 make it possible to apply a uniform restraint load to the laminate 1. Note that the elastic sheets 50 and 60 have insulating properties.

[0024] The end plates 10 and 20 apply pressure to the laminate 1 (laminated structures 1a and 1b, described later) in the Z direction. Specifically, the end plate 10 applies pressure to the laminate 1 towards Z2, and the end plate 20 applies pressure to the laminate 1 towards Z1. Each of the end plates 10 and 20 is a plate-shaped member. When viewed from above from a position away from the end plate 10 towards Z1, the end plate 10 has a rectangular shape that covers the laminate 1. When viewed from above from a position away from the end plate 20 towards Z2, the end plate 20 has a rectangular shape that covers the laminate 1.

[0025] The end plate 10 includes a first plate 11, a second plate 12, and a plurality of ribs 13. The first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are arranged in the Z direction. The first plate 11 and the second plate 12 face each other in the Z direction. The first plate 11 has the same shape and size as the second plate 12.

[0026] Each of the multiple ribs 13 is provided between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12. The multiple ribs 13 connect the first plate 11 and the second plate 12. Each of the multiple ribs 13 extends in the X direction. The multiple ribs 13 are arranged at intervals in the Y direction.

[0027] The first plate 11 has a plurality of notches 11a (five in this embodiment) and a plurality of notches 11b (five in this embodiment). The plurality of notches 11a are arranged along the X1 side of the first plate 11. The plurality of notches 11b are arranged along the X2 side of the first plate 11.

[0028] The second plate 12 has a plurality of notches 12b formed below the notch 11b of the first plate 11. That is, the plurality of notches 12b overlap with the plurality of notches 11b in the Z direction.

[0029] Although not shown in Figure 2, the second plate 12 has multiple notches formed below the notch 11a of the first plate 11. These multiple notches overlap with the multiple notches 11a in the Z direction.

[0030] The end plate 20 has the same configuration as the end plate 10. That is, the end plate 20 includes a first plate 21, a second plate 22, and a plurality of ribs 23. The first plate 21 has a plurality of notches 21a and a plurality of notches 21b formed therein. The second plate 22 has a plurality of notches 22b and a plurality of notches (not shown) that overlap the notches 21a in the Z direction.

[0031] The restraining members 30 and 40 are arranged in the X direction with a gap between them, sandwiching the laminate 1. The laminate 1 is compressed in the Z direction by being sandwiched between the restraining members 30 and 40. Restricting member 30 is located on the X1 side of the laminate 1. Restricting member 40 is located on the X2 side of the laminate 1. Restricting member 30 has the same shape as restraining member 40. Therefore, only the configuration of restraining member 40 will be described in detail below.

[0032] The restraining member 40 includes a frame 41 and a plurality of column members 42. The frame 41 has an upper frame 41a and a lower frame 41b. The upper frame 41a and the lower frame 41b are spaced apart in the Z direction. Each of the upper frame 41a and the lower frame 41b extends in the Y direction.

[0033] Multiple column members 42 are arranged between the upper frame 41a and the lower frame 41b, spaced apart in the Y direction. Each of the multiple column members 42 extends in the Z direction and connects the upper frame 41a and the lower frame 41b.

[0034] With the restraining member 40 restraining the laminate 1, each of the multiple column members 42 passes through the notches 11b, 12b, 21b, and 22b which are arranged to overlap in the Z direction. In this state, the lower surface of the upper frame 41a is in contact with the upper surface 11c of the first plate 11. The upper surface of the lower frame 41b is in contact with the lower surface 22c of the second plate 22. As a result, the laminate 1, the end plate 10, and the end plate 20 are sandwiched between the upper frame 41a and the lower frame 41b.

[0035] The restraining member 30 includes a frame 31 and a plurality of column members 32. The frame 31 has an upper frame 31a and a lower frame 31b.

[0036] With the restraining member 30 restraining the laminate 1, each of the multiple column members 32 penetrates notches 11a, 21a arranged in the Z direction, and notches (not shown) formed in each of the second plate 12 and the second plate 22. In this state, the lower surface of the upper frame 31a is in contact with the upper surface 11c of the first plate 11. The upper surface of the lower frame 31b is in contact with the lower surface 22c of the second plate 22. As a result, the laminate 1, the end plate 10, and the end plate 20 are sandwiched between the upper frame 31a and the lower frame 31b.

[0037] The restraint device 100 comprises a protective member 70, a protective member 71, a protective member 72, and a protective member 73.

[0038] Each of the protective members 70 and 71 is positioned between the restraining member 30 and the restraining member 40 and fixed to the upper surface 11c of the first plate 11. The protective member 70 extends in the Y direction along the upper frame 31a. The protective member 71 extends in the Y direction along the upper frame 41a.

[0039] Each of the protective members 72 and 73 is positioned between the restraining member 30 and the restraining member 40 and is fixed to the lower surface 22c of the second plate 22. Protective member 72 extends in the Y direction along the lower frame 31b. Protective member 73 extends in the Y direction along the lower frame 41b.

[0040] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the laminate 1. Multiple energy storage modules 2 are arranged in the Z direction. Between the energy storage modules 2 aligned in the Z direction, a current collector plate 3 is sandwiched in the Z direction by two elastic members 4.

[0041] An elastic member 4 and a current collector plate 3 are laminated between the elastic sheet 50 and the energy storage module 2. Between the elastic sheet 50 and the energy storage module 2, the elastic member 4 is adjacent to the energy storage module 2, and the current collector plate 3 is adjacent to the elastic sheet 50.

[0042] An elastic member 4 and a current collector plate 3 are laminated between the elastic sheet 60 and the energy storage module 2. Between the elastic sheet 60 and the energy storage module 2, the elastic member 4 is adjacent to the energy storage module 2, and the current collector plate 3 is adjacent to the elastic sheet 60.

[0043] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 3. Figure 4 shows energy storage modules 2 arranged in the Z direction, and elastic members 4 and current collector plates 3 provided between the energy storage modules 2. Figure 4 shows a laminate 1a in which the energy storage modules 2, elastic members 4, and current collector plates 3 are stacked in that order from the Z1 side. Figure 4 also shows a laminate 1b in which the energy storage modules 2, elastic members 4, and current collector plates 3 are stacked in that order from the Z2 side. The current collector plates 3 of laminate 1a are the same as those of laminate 1b. Laminate 1b is simply laminate 1a inverted in the Z direction, and therefore has the same configuration as laminate 1a. Accordingly, the configuration of laminate 1a will be mainly described below as a representative example.

[0044] The restraint device 100 further comprises a metal foil 80 and adhesives 91 and 92. The metal foil 80 covers the elastic member 4. The metal foil 80 is, for example, aluminum foil. However, the metal foil 80 may be made of a metal other than aluminum (for example, copper).

[0045] The elastic member 4 includes surfaces 4a and 4b arranged in the Z direction. Surface 4a is positioned facing the energy storage module 2 side (Z1 side in the laminate 1a). Surface 4b is positioned facing the current collector plate 3 side (Z2 side in the laminate 1a). Surfaces 4a and 4b are examples of the "first surface" and "second surface" of this disclosure, respectively.

[0046] The elastic member 4 includes a connecting surface 4c that connects surface 4a and surface 4b. The connecting surface 4c extends from the outer peripheral edge of surface 4a toward surface 4b. The connecting surface 4c is provided circumferentially.

[0047] The current collector plate 3 includes a surface 3a. Surface 3a is a surface positioned facing the Z1 direction. In the Z direction, surface 3a faces surface 4b of the elastic member 4. Surface 3a corresponds to the "third surface" of this disclosure in the laminate 1a. Surface 3b, which is positioned on the opposite side of surface 3a in the current collector plate 3, corresponds to the "third surface" of this disclosure in the laminate 1b.

[0048] In conventional restraint devices, the elastic member adheres to the energy storage module due to its elasticity, making it difficult to detach the elastic member from the energy storage module. Furthermore, in the above configuration where the elastic member is placed between the energy storage module and the current collector plate, it is necessary to prevent the electrical connection between the energy storage module and the current collector plate from being obstructed by the elastic member.

[0049] Therefore, in this embodiment, the metal foil 80 includes a portion 81, a portion 82, and a connecting portion 83. Portion 81 covers the surface 4a of the elastic member 4. Portion 81 is electrically connected to the energy storage module 2. Portion 82 is electrically connected to the current collector plate 3. The connecting portion 83 connects portion 81 and portion 82. Portion 81 and portion 82 are examples of the "first portion" and "second portion" of this disclosure, respectively.

[0050] As a result, a portion 81 of the metal foil 80 is provided between the energy storage module 2 and the elastic member 4, which prevents the elastic member 4 from sticking to the energy storage module 2. In addition, since the portion 82 electrically connected to the current collector plate 3 and the portion 81 electrically connected to the energy storage module 2 are connected by the connecting portion 83, the energy storage module 2 and the current collector plate 3 can be electrically connected.

[0051] Specifically, the connecting portion 83 extends along the connecting surface 4c of the elastic member 4. That is, the connecting portion 83 extends along the Z direction. The portion 82 extends along the surface 3a of the current collector plate 3. The portion 82 extends in the Y direction (Y1 side in Figure 4) from the end of the connecting portion 83 opposite to the portion 81 (the Z2 side end in the laminate 1a). The portion 82 may be bonded to the surface 3a with a conductive adhesive (not shown). Note that the method of fixing the portion 82 to the surface 3a is not limited to the above example.

[0052] The metal foil 80 is bent at a right angle, for example, at the connection point 84 between portion 81 and connecting portion 83, and at the connection point 85 between connecting portion 83 and portion 82. As a result, the metal foil 80 is formed so that portion 82 is folded back. In Figure 4, the end of portion 82 on the adhesive side is shown to be separated from the adhesive 92, but the end and the adhesive 92 may be in contact.

[0053] The adhesive 91 adheres portion 81 of the metal foil 80 to the surface 4a of the elastic member 4. The adhesive 91 may be applied to the entire surface 4a. Portion 81 may cover the entire surface 4a from the Z1 side.

[0054] The adhesive 92 bonds the surface 4b of the elastic member 4 to the surface 3a of the current collector plate 3. The adhesive 92 is applied to a portion of each of the surfaces 4b and 3a. Further details will be described later.

[0055] The surface 4b of the elastic member 4 has a contact surface 4d and a non-contact surface 4e. The contact surface 4d is the portion of the surface 4b that is in contact with the adhesive 92. The non-contact surface 4e is the portion of the surface 4b that is not in contact with the adhesive 92.

[0056] A gap C is formed between the current collector plate 3 and the non-contact surface 4e, corresponding to the thickness t1 of the adhesive 92 in the Z direction. In other words, the current collector plate 3 and the non-contact surface 4e are separated by a distance equal to the thickness t1.

[0057] The portion 82 of the metal foil 80 is positioned in the gap C. That is, the thickness t2 of the metal foil 80 is less than or equal to the thickness t1 of the adhesive 92. In this embodiment, the thickness t2 is smaller than the thickness t1. For example, the thickness t2 may be less than or equal to half the thickness t1. Therefore, the portion 82 and the surface 4b (non-contact surface 4e) of the elastic member 4 are spaced apart. Note that the thickness t2 of the metal foil 80 is the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the plane on which the metal foil 80 extends.

[0058] The thickness t2 of the metal foil 80 is 10 μm or more and 1 mm or less. Preferably, the thickness t2 is 20 μm or more and 500 μm or less. More preferably, the thickness t2 is 50 μm or more and 200 μm or less. For example, the thickness t2 is 100 μm.

[0059] Figure 5 is a plan view of the elastic member 4 as seen from the Z2 side. The non-contact surface 4e is provided in an annular shape along the outer edge of the surface 4b. That is, the non-contact surface 4e surrounds the contact surface 4d when viewed from the Z2 side. The non-contact surface 4e extends from the end of the circumferentially provided connecting surface 4c toward the center of the surface 4b. In Figure 5, the outer edge of the non-contact surface 4e is represented by a dashed line.

[0060] The portion 82 is provided in an annular shape along the annular non-contact surface 4e. The portion 82 includes portions 82a and 82b extending in the Y direction and portions 82c and 82d extending in the X direction. Portion 82a is positioned on the X1 side relative to portion 82b. Portion 82c is positioned on the Y1 side relative to portion 82d.

[0061] Sections 82a to 82d are formed integrally. That is, the Y1 end of section 82a is connected to the X1 end of section 82c. The Y2 end of section 82a is connected to the X1 end of section 82d. The Y1 end of section 82b is connected to the X2 end of section 82c. The Y2 end of section 82b is connected to the X2 end of section 82d. Note that sections 82a to 82d may be separated from each other (provided separately).

[0062] As described above, in this embodiment, the metal foil 80 includes a portion 81 that covers the surface 4a of the elastic member 4 and is electrically connected to the energy storage module 2, a portion 82 that is electrically connected to the current collector plate 3, and a connecting portion 83 that connects portion 81 and portion 82. This allows the elastic member 4 to apply uniform surface pressure to the energy storage module 2 while the metal foil 80 electrically connects the energy storage module 2 and the current collector plate 3. Furthermore, portion 81 can suppress adhesion between the elastic member 4 and the surface 4a of the energy storage module 2.

[0063] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which portion 82 of the metal foil 80 is placed in the gap C between the elastic member 4 and the current collector plate 3, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a portion of the metal foil (the portion corresponding to the "second portion") may be placed on the side surface of the current collector plate 3 (the surface extending along the Z direction) instead of being placed in the gap C.

[0064] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the non-contact surface 4e is provided in an annular shape along the outer peripheral edge of the surface 4b of the elastic member 4, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the non-contact surface may be provided along one to three of the four sides that constitute the outer peripheral edge.

[0065] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the thickness t2 of the metal foil 80 is 10 μm or more and 1 mm or less, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The thickness t2 of the metal foil 80 may be less than 10 μm or greater than 1 mm.

[0066] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the restraining device 100 is used during the manufacturing process of the energy storage module, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an energy storage unit (energy storage device) in which the energy storage module is restrained by the restraining device may be mounted on electronic equipment such as an electric vehicle.

[0067] For example, the restraint device 200 shown in Figure 6 includes end plates 210 and 220, insulating films 230 and 240, a bolt 250, and a nut 260. The insulating film 230 is positioned on the lower surface of the end plate 210. The insulating film 240 is positioned on the upper surface of the end plate 220. In Figure 6, for simplification, the end plates 210 and 220 are represented by white blocks. Furthermore, the end plates 210 and 220 are examples of the "pressure section" of this disclosure.

[0068] A laminate 101, which includes multiple energy storage modules 2, multiple conductive plates 103, and multiple elastic members 4, is positioned between an insulating film 230 and an insulating film 240. The conductive plates 103 and the elastic members 4 that sandwich the conductive plates 103 in the Z direction are positioned between the energy storage modules 2. Laminate 101a, in which energy storage modules 2, elastic members 4, and conductive plates 103 are stacked in that order from the Z1 side, and laminate 101b, in which energy storage modules 2, elastic members 4, and conductive plates 103 are stacked in that order from the Z2 side, are pressed in the Z direction by end plates 210 and 220. Note that the conductive plate 103 is an example of a "current collector plate" in this disclosure.

[0069] The conductive plate 103 is made of a conductive metal material. Multiple cooling passages 103a are formed in the conductive plate 103. A coolant such as air flows through the cooling passages 103a.

[0070] The conductive plate 103 is also located on the lower surface of the insulating film 230 and on the upper surface of the insulating film 240. The positive terminal 300 is connected to the conductive plate 103 located on the upper surface of the insulating film 240. The negative terminal 400 is connected to the conductive plate 103 located on the lower surface of the insulating film 230.

[0071] The bolt 250 and nut 260 connect the end plate 210 and the end plate 220. The bolt 250 includes a shaft portion 251 and a head 252. The head 252 is provided at the upper end of the shaft portion 251. The head 252 is positioned on the upper surface of the end plate 210. A groove corresponding to the nut 260 is formed in the shaft portion 251.

[0072] The shaft portion 251 of the bolt 250 passes through a through hole 211 formed in the end plate 210 and a through hole 221 formed in the end plate 220. The nut 260 is attached to the lower end of the shaft portion 251 and is positioned on the lower surface of the end plate 220. As a result, the bolt 250 and nut 260 apply a restraining load in the Z direction to the laminate 101.

[0073] 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]

[0074] 1a, 1b, 101a, 101b Laminate, 2 Energy storage module, 3 Current collector plate, 3a Surface (third surface), 4 Elastic member, 4a Surface (first surface), 4b Surface (second surface), 4c Connection surface, 4d Contact surface, 4e Non-contact surface, 10, 20, 210, 220 End plate (pressure part), 80 Metal foil, 81 Part (first part), 82 Part (second part), 83 Connection part, 92 Adhesive, 100, 200 Restraining device, 103 Conductive plate (current collector plate), C Gap, t1 Thickness (thickness of adhesive), t2 Thickness (thickness of metal foil).

Claims

1. A restraining device for restraining an energy storage module, Elastic member and The elastic member and the current collector plate stacked in the stacking direction, A metal foil covering the elastic member, It includes a pressurizing section, If the energy storage module, the elastic member, and the current collector plate are stacked in that order in the stacking direction to form a laminate, the pressurizing unit pressurizes the laminate in the stacking direction, The elastic member includes a first surface and a second surface arranged in the stacking direction, The first surface is arranged in the laminate facing the energy storage module side, The aforementioned metal foil is A first portion that covers the first surface and is electrically connected to the energy storage module, A second part electrically connected to the current collector plate, A restraint device including a connecting portion that connects the first portion and the second portion.

2. The elastic member includes a connecting surface that connects the first surface and the second surface. The current collector plate includes the second surface and a third surface facing the stacking direction, The aforementioned connecting portion extends along the connecting surface, The restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the second portion extends along the third surface.

3. The system further comprises an adhesive material disposed between the current collector plate and the elastic member, which adheres the current collector plate and the elastic member together. The second surface is The contact surface that comes into contact with the adhesive, It has a non-contact surface that is not in contact with the adhesive, A gap corresponding to the thickness of the adhesive in the lamination direction is formed between the current collector plate and the non-contact surface. The restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the second part is positioned in the gap.

4. The non-contact surface is provided in an annular shape along the outer edge of the second surface, The restraint device according to claim 3, wherein the second portion is provided in an annular manner along the annular non-contact surface.

5. The restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickness of the metal foil is 10 μm or more and 1 mm or less.

Images