Energy storage devices and vehicles

Abstract

The present invention provides an energy storage device that can improve the contact condition between energy storage cells and busbars. [Solution] The energy storage device comprises an energy storage module 11 including a plurality of energy storage cells 30, a housing case for housing the energy storage module 11, a busbar module 29 provided inside the housing case and electrically connecting the plurality of energy storage cells 30, and a biasing member 14 that improves the contact between the plurality of energy storage cells 30 and the busbar module 29. The biasing member 14 improves the contact between the plurality of energy storage cells and the busbar module, thereby improving the contact state between the energy storage cells and the busbar.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various power storage devices have been proposed. For example, the power storage device described in Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 116686151 includes a housing case and a plurality of power storage cells housed in the housing case. Each power storage cell includes a cell case, a positive electrode external terminal and a negative electrode external terminal provided on the lower surface of the cell case.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above power storage device, a bus bar for electrically connecting each power storage cell is arranged on the lower surface side of each power storage cell.

[0005] Here, when the contact state between each power storage cell and the bus bar deteriorates, the electrical connection of each power storage cell will be disconnected.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide a power storage device and a vehicle capable of improving the contact state between a power storage cell and a bus bar.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The energy storage device comprises an energy storage module containing multiple energy storage cells, a housing case for housing the energy storage module, a busbar module provided inside the housing case and electrically connecting the multiple energy storage cells, and a biasing member that improves the contact between the multiple energy storage cells and the busbar module.

[0008] In the above-mentioned energy storage module, the biasing member is positioned adjacent to the energy storage module, and the busbar module is positioned on the opposite side of the energy storage module from the biasing member. The biasing member biases the energy storage module toward the busbar module.

[0009] The biasing member includes a first plate portion arranged adjacent to the energy storage module, a second plate portion arranged at a distance from the first plate portion, and an elastically deformable intermediate member arranged between the first and second plate portions, wherein the intermediate member forms a refrigerant passage through which refrigerant can flow between the first and second plate portions.

[0010] The above-described energy storage device further comprises an elastic member positioned between the energy storage module and the biasing member.

[0011] The busbar module described above is located below the energy storage module, and the biasing member is located on the top surface of the energy storage module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The energy storage device described herein can improve the contact condition between the energy storage cell and the busbar. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view showing a vehicle 2 equipped with an energy storage device 1. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view showing the energy storage device 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the energy storage cell 30. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing the cooling device 12, etc. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing the cooling device 12. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing the insulating plate 24, the bus bar module 29, and one storage battery cell 30. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view showing the power storage device 1A. [Figure 9] It is an exploded perspective view showing the biasing member 14A. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view showing the power storage device 1B according to Modification 2. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view showing the power storage device 1C. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view showing the storage battery cell 30C.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding members are given the same numbers.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a vehicle 2 on which a power storage device 1 is mounted. The vehicle 2 includes a vehicle body 3. The vehicle body 3 includes a floor panel 4, and the floor panel 4 is provided at the bottom of the vehicle body 3. The floor panel 4 partitions the external space of the vehicle and the internal space of the vehicle. And the power storage device 1 is arranged on the lower surface side of the floor panel 4. Note that the vehicle body 3 includes a pair of side members not shown, and each side member is arranged at an interval in the vehicle width direction and is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. And the power storage device 1 is fixed to the side member.

[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the power storage device 1. In FIG. 2 and the like, the width direction W is the width direction of the power storage device 1 and also the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 2. The front-rear direction L is the front-rear direction of the power storage device 1 and also the front-rear direction of the vehicle 2. The vertical direction H is the vertical direction in the vertical direction.

[0017] The power storage device 1 includes a housing case 10, a power storage module 11, a cooling device 12, an electrical device 13, a biasing member 14, and a bus bar module 29.

[0018] The housing case 10 includes a lower case 15, an upper case 16, an insulating plate 17, and a shared panel 18.

[0019] The lower case 15 is formed to open upward. The upper case 16 is fixed to the lower case 15 so as to close the opening of the lower case 15. The lower case 15 includes a bottom plate 20, a peripheral wall 21, partition walls 22 and 23, and an insulating board 24.

[0020] The bottom plate 20 is formed in a plate shape. The peripheral wall 21 is formed along the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 20 and is formed to extend upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 20. The peripheral wall 21 is formed in an annular shape.

[0021] The bottom plate 20 is formed in a plate shape. The peripheral wall 21 is formed along the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 20. The peripheral wall 21 includes side walls 25 and 26, end plates 27 and 28.

[0022] The side walls 25 and 26 are arranged to be arrayed in the width direction W and are formed to extend in the front-rear direction L.

[0023] The end plates 27 and 28 are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction L and are formed to extend in the width direction W. The end plate 27 connects one end of the side wall 25 and one end of the side wall 26, and the end plate 28 connects one end of the side wall 25 and one end of the side wall 26.

[0024] Each side wall 25, side wall 26, end plate 27, and end plate 28 is provided with a fixing part, which will be described later, and each fixing part is fixed to the vehicle body 3.

[0025] Partition walls 22 and 23 are located within the area enclosed by the bottom plate 20 and the peripheral wall 21. Partition wall 22 is positioned adjacent to the end plate 27, and is formed to extend in the width direction W.

[0026] The partition wall 23 is positioned with a gap L in the front-to-back direction relative to the end plate 28. The end plate 28 is also formed to extend in the width direction W.

[0027] The end plate 28 is provided with breathable membranes 19A and 19B. Breathable membranes 19A and 19B are waterproof and breathable membranes, and for example, breathable membranes 19A and 19B are made of Gore-Tex® or the like.

[0028] The insulating plate 17 is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom plate 20, and multiple openings 17a are formed in the insulating plate 17.

[0029] Multiple openings 20a are also formed in the base plate 20. The openings 20a and 17a are arranged vertically relative to each other.

[0030] The shear panel 18 is positioned below the insulating plate 17, and its outer edge is fixed to the underside of the base plate 20. The shear panel 18 is formed to cover both the insulating plate 17 and the underside of the base plate 20.

[0031] The energy storage module 11 is located on the upper surface of the insulating plate 24. The electrical equipment 13 is located between the partition wall 23 and the end plate 28.

[0032] The energy storage module 11 includes multiple energy storage cells 30. The multiple energy storage cells 30 are arranged in the front-to-back direction L and also in the width direction W.

[0033] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a storage cell 30. The storage cell 30 includes a cell case 31, an electrode body 32, a first external terminal 33, and a second external terminal 34. The cell case 31 includes an upper plate 35, a bottom plate 36, and a peripheral wall 37. The peripheral wall 37 is formed to connect the upper plate 35 and the bottom plate 36.

[0034] The electrode body 32 is located inside the cell case 31. The first external terminal 33 and the second external terminal 34 are provided on the bottom plate 36 and are spaced apart from each other.

[0035] Furthermore, a smoke exhaust valve 38 is formed in the bottom plate 36, and the smoke exhaust valve 38 is positioned between the first external terminal 33 and the second external terminal 34.

[0036] The first external terminal 33 extends into the cell case 31 and is connected to the first electrode of the electrode body 32. The second external terminal 34 extends into the cell case 31 and is connected to the second electrode of the electrode body 32.

[0037] Figure 4 is a plan view showing the cooling device 12, and Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the cooling device 12.

[0038] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the cooling device 12 includes a heat exchanger 60 and a refrigerant pipe 61. The heat exchanger 60 includes a plurality of heat exchange plates 62 and a heat exchange plate 63.

[0039] Multiple heat exchange plates 62 are arranged with a gap between them in the front-to-back direction L. Each heat exchange plate 62 is arranged to extend in the width direction W.

[0040] Between adjacent heat exchange plates 62 in the front-to-back direction L, multiple energy storage cells 30 are arranged in the width direction W. Within the heat exchange plates 62, multiple refrigerant passages are formed at intervals in the vertical direction H.

[0041] The refrigerant pipe 61 is located inside the housing case 10 and includes a supply pipe 65 and a discharge pipe 66.

[0042] The supply pipe 65 is connected to the supply section 64A, which is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the end plate 27 and fixed to the end plate 27. The supply pipe 65 includes a main supply pipe 67A, a main supply pipe 67B, and branch pipes 67C, 67D, and 67E.

[0043] The main supply pipe 67A is positioned between the partition wall 22 and the end plate 27, and is positioned to extend in the width direction W. The main supply pipe 67A is formed to extend toward the side wall 25.

[0044] The main supply pipe 67B is connected to the end of the main supply pipe 67A and is formed to extend in the front-rear direction L along the side wall 25.

[0045] Multiple heat exchange plates 62, spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L, are connected to branch pipe 67C. Similarly, multiple heat exchange plates 62, spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L, are also connected to branch pipes 67D and 67E.

[0046] A heat exchange plate 63 is connected to the end of the main supply pipe 67B on the end plate 28 side. The heat exchange plate 63 is located on the upper surface of the bottom plate 20, in the portion between the partition wall 23 and the end plate 28. An insulating plate is placed between the heat exchange plate 63 and the bottom plate 20. Electrical equipment 13 is placed on the upper surface of the heat exchange plate 63. The electrical equipment 13 includes, for example, a battery ECU and a junction box.

[0047] The discharge pipe 66 includes a main discharge pipe 68A, a main discharge pipe 68B, and branch pipes 68C, 68D, and 68E.

[0048] The discharge pipe 66 is connected to the discharge section 64B, which is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the end plate 27 and fixed to the end plate 27. The insertion holes 39A and 39B are formed with a gap between them in the width direction W.

[0049] The main discharge pipe 68A is positioned between the partition wall 22 and the end plate 27, is positioned to extend in the width direction W, and is formed to extend toward the side wall 26.

[0050] The main discharge pipe 68B is connected to the end of the main discharge pipe 68B and is formed to extend along the side wall 26.

[0051] Each of the branch pipes 68C, 68D, and 68E is located below the main discharge pipe 68B and is connected to the main supply pipe 67B. The branch pipes 68C, 68D, and 68E are spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L.

[0052] Multiple heat exchange plates 62, spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L, are connected to the branch pipe 68C. Similarly, multiple heat exchange plates 62, spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L, are also connected to the branch pipes 68D and 68E. A heat exchange plate 63 is connected to the end of the main discharge pipe 68B on the end plate 28 side.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, fixing members 77A and 77B are provided on the outer surface of the end plate 27, extending in the front-rear direction L. Fixing members 78A and 78B are also provided on the outer surface of the end plate 28. Similarly, fixing member 73 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 25, and fixing member 74 is provided on the side wall 26. Each fixing member is then secured to the vehicle body 3 by fastening members (not shown).

[0054] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the insulating plate 24, the busbar module 29, and one energy storage cell 30.

[0055] The insulating plate 24 includes a plate body 40 and a plurality of closing bands 41. The plate body 40 is formed in a plate shape. The plate body 40 includes an upper surface 42 and a lower surface 43, and a plurality of openings 24a are formed in the plate body 40. The openings 24a penetrate the plate body 40 so as to reach the upper surface 42 and the lower surface 43. Multiple openings 24a are formed with spacing in the front-to-back direction L and the width direction W.

[0056] Multiple grooves 44 are formed on the upper surface 42 of the plate body 40. The grooves 44 are formed at intervals in the front-to-back direction L and at intervals in the width direction W. In the width direction W, each groove 44 is formed so as to pass through the spaces between the grooves 44.

[0057] The closure band 41 includes a band portion 45 extending in the front-rear direction L, and a plurality of closure portions 46 formed on the lower surface of the band portion 45. The closure band 41 is provided on the upper surface 42 of the plate body 40 and is provided to close a plurality of openings 24a arranged in the front-rear direction L. Each closure portion 46 is positioned within the openings 24a.

[0058] The busbar module 29 includes a plurality of busbars 50. Each busbar 50 is positioned in each groove 44, and each busbar 50 is fixed to the plate body 40. The busbars 50 are formed from a conductive material such as a metal material.

[0059] A storage cell 30 is positioned on the top surface of the busbar module 29. The first external terminal 33 of the storage cell 30 is positioned on the top surface of the busbar 50, and the second external terminal 34 is positioned on the top surface of another busbar 50. By positioning multiple storage cells 30 on the top surface of the busbar module 29, adjacent storage cells 30 in the front-to-back direction L are connected in series.

[0060] Here, the smoke exhaust valve 38 of the energy storage cell 30, the opening 24a of the plate body 40, the opening 20a of the lower case 15, and the opening 17a of the insulating plate 17 are arranged in a vertical direction H. Therefore, the high-temperature gas discharged from the smoke exhaust valve 38 passes through each opening and is exhausted to the outside of the housing case 10.

[0061] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII shown in Figure 4. Referring to Figures 7 and 6, a fixing member 77 is formed on the end plate 27. The fixing member 77 is fixed to the vehicle body 3 by a plurality of fastening members 79. Note that the fixing member 77, the end plate 27, and the bulkhead 22 all have hollow sections formed inside.

[0062] The biasing member 14 is positioned on the side of the energy storage module 11 opposite to the busbar module 29. The biasing member 14 is positioned between the energy storage module 11 and the upper case 16.

[0063] The biasing member 14 includes a plate portion 51, a plate portion 52, and an intermediate member 53. The plate portion 51 is positioned on the upper surface of the energy storage module 11. The plate portion 52 is positioned above the plate portion 51 at a distance from it. Multiple intermediate members 53 are provided at intervals between the plate portions 51 and 52.

[0064] Multiple intermediate members 53 are arranged in an array with spacing in the front-to-back direction L and the width direction W. Each intermediate member 53 is welded to, for example, the plate portion 52. The intermediate members 53 are, for example, disc springs. Therefore, the intermediate members 53 are formed to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction.

[0065] According to the energy storage device 1 configured as described above, the biasing force of the intermediate member 53 is applied to the energy storage module 11 through the plate portion 51.

[0066] When a biasing force is applied to the energy storage module 11, each energy storage cell 30 is pressed against the busbar module 29. This improves the contact between each energy storage cell 30 and the busbar module 29, thereby improving the electrical connection between each energy storage cell 30 and the busbar module 29.

[0067] When assembling the above-described energy storage device 1, an insulating plate 24 is placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 20 in Figure 2. This positions the busbar module 29 inside the lower case 15. Next, the energy storage module 11 is placed on the upper surface of the busbar module 29. This electrically connects each energy storage cell 30. Then, the biasing member 14 is placed on the upper surface of the energy storage module 11, and the upper case 16 is fixed to the lower case 15. This allows the biasing member 14 to tightly secure the energy storage module 11 to the busbar module 29.

[0068] Another assembly method involves, for example, attaching the busbar module 29 to the energy storage module 11. For example, the first external terminals 33 and second external terminals 34 of each energy storage cell 30 and each busbar 50 may be welded together or fastened together with fasteners such as bolts and nuts.

[0069] Subsequently, the busbar module 29, to which the energy storage module 11 is fastened, is placed on the insulating plate 17. At this time, each busbar 50 is placed in the groove 44 of the insulating plate 17.

[0070] Next, the biasing member 14 is placed on the upper surface of the energy storage module 11. Then, the upper case 16 is fixed to the lower case 15. This improves the contact between the busbar module 29 and the energy storage module 11. (Variation 1) Using Figures 8 and 9, the energy storage device 1A according to Modification 1 will be described. The energy storage device 1A is configured as described above. The configuration of the energy storage device 1A is the same as that of the energy storage device 1, except for the configuration of the biasing member.

[0071] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the energy storage device 1A. The energy storage device 1A includes a biasing member 14A. The biasing member 14A includes a plate portion 51A, a plate portion 52A, and an intermediate member 53A.

[0072] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the biasing member 14A. The intermediate member 53A has a plurality of protrusions and indentations extending in the width direction W. Each recess and protrusion is formed by an inclined portion 55, an inclined portion 56, and base portions 57A and 57B. An air supply pipe 58 and an exhaust pipe 59 are connected to the biasing member 14A. A fan or the like is connected to the air supply pipe 58, and a refrigerant, such as air, is supplied from the air supply pipe 58 into the biasing member 14A. The refrigerant that has flowed through the biasing member 14A is then discharged to the outside of the energy storage device 1 through the exhaust pipe 59.

[0073] As shown in Figure 8, the intermediate member 53A is sandwiched between plate portions 51A and 52A, forming multiple refrigerant passages 54. Refrigerant supplied from the air supply pipe 58 flows through the refrigerant passages 54.

[0074] In the energy storage device 1A configured as described above, the biasing member 14A is formed to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction H. Therefore, even in the energy storage device 1A, the biasing member 14A can bring the energy storage module 11 into close contact with the busbar module 29. Furthermore, the energy storage module 11 can be cooled by the flow of refrigerant through the refrigerant passage 54.

[0075] In addition, a liquid refrigerant may be used as the refrigerant flowing through the biasing member 14A. In this case, the plate portion 51A includes a bottom plate and an annular side wall formed to rise upward from the outer edge of the bottom plate, and the plate portion 52A is welded to the annular side wall. Even in this case, the bottom plate of the plate portion 51A and the plate portion 52A deform to bend, and the intermediate member 53A also undergoes elastic deformation, thereby applying a biasing force to the energy storage module 11.

[0076] Furthermore, by cooling the top surface of the energy storage module 11 and the sides of each energy storage cell 30, the cooling performance of the energy storage module 11 can be improved.

[0077] Alternatively, the intermediate member 53A may be positioned so that the refrigerant passage 54 extends in the front-to-back direction L. In this case, the direction of refrigerant flow within the heat exchange plate 62 of each cooling device 12 and the direction of refrigerant flow in the refrigerant passage 54 intersect, allowing the energy storage module 11 to be cooled uniformly. (Modification 2) Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example 2 of the energy storage device 1B. In the energy storage device 1B, the components other than the elastic member 75 are configured in the same way as in the energy storage device 1.

[0078] The energy storage device 1B has an elastic member 75 provided between the biasing member 14 and the energy storage module 11. The elastic member 75 is, for example, elastic rubber.

[0079] Since the elastic member 75 is provided between the energy storage module 11 and the biasing member 14, the biasing force from the biasing member 14 is easily distributed evenly to the energy storage module 11. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of energy storage cells 30 that do not receive biasing force from the biasing member 14. (Variation 3) Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the energy storage device 1C. The energy storage device 1C includes an energy storage module 11C, a biasing member 14C, and a busbar module 29C. The energy storage module 11C includes a plurality of energy storage cells 30C.

[0080] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the energy storage cell 30C. The energy storage cell 30C includes a cell case 31C, an electrode body 32C, a first external terminal 33C, and a second external terminal 34C.

[0081] The smoke exhaust valve 38C is formed on the bottom plate 36C of the cell case 31C, and the first external terminal 33C and the second external terminal 34C are provided on the top plate 35C.

[0082] In Figure 11, the busbar module 29C includes a plurality of busbars 50C provided on the insulating plate 70C. The biasing member 14C is positioned between the energy storage module 11C and the insulating plate 24.

[0083] The biasing member 14C includes a plate portion 51C, a plate portion 52C, and an intermediate member 53C. An opening 71 is formed in the plate portion 51C of the biasing member 14C, and an opening 72 is formed in the plate portion 52C. A smoke exhaust valve 38C is positioned above the opening 71C. An opening 20a is positioned below the opening 72.

[0084] In the above-described energy storage device 1C, the biasing member 14C can press the energy storage module 11C against the busbar module 29C, thereby improving the contact between the energy storage module 11C and the busbar module 29C.

[0085] Furthermore, the high-temperature gas discharged from 68C of the energy storage cell 30C is discharged through openings 71, 72, and 20a into the space between the shear panel 18 and the insulating plate 17. The space between the shear panel 18 and the insulating plate 17 has a section that communicates with the outside of the energy storage device 1C, and the gas is exhausted to the outside of the energy storage device 1C from this section.

[0086] 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 and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1,1A,1B,1C Energy storage device, 2 Vehicle, 3 Vehicle body, 10 Housing case, 11,11C Energy storage module, 12 Cooling device, 13 Electrical equipment, 14,14A,14C Biasing member, 15 Lower case, 16 Upper case, 17 Insulating plate, 17a,20a,71,71C,72 Opening, 18 Shear panel, 29,29C Busbar module, 30,30C Energy storage cell, 50,50C Busbar, 62,63 Heat exchange plate, H Vertical direction, L Front-rear direction, W Width direction.

Claims

1. A storage module containing multiple energy storage cells, A housing case for housing the aforementioned energy storage module, A busbar module is provided within the housing case and electrically connects the plurality of energy storage cells, A biasing member that improves the contact between the plurality of energy storage cells and the busbar module, A power storage device equipped with this.

2. A storage module containing multiple energy storage cells, A housing case for housing the aforementioned energy storage module, A busbar module is provided within the housing case and electrically connects the plurality of energy storage cells, A biasing member is positioned on the side of the power storage module opposite to the busbar module, The biasing member is a power storage device that biases the power storage module toward the busbar module.

3. The aforementioned energy storage module is The biasing member is arranged adjacent to the energy storage module, The busbar module is positioned on the opposite side of the biasing member from the energy storage module. The energy storage device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the biasing member biases the energy storage module toward the busbar module.

4. The biasing member comprises a first plate portion arranged adjacent to the energy storage module, A second plate portion is arranged at a distance from the first plate portion, An intermediate member that is disposed between the first plate portion and the second plate portion and is elastically deformable, is included, The energy storage device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the intermediate member forms a refrigerant passage between the first plate portion and the second plate portion through which the refrigerant can flow.

5. The energy storage device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising an elastic member disposed between the energy storage module and the biasing member.

6. The busbar module is located below the energy storage module. The biasing member is disposed on the upper surface of the energy storage module, as described in claim 1 or claim 2.

7. A vehicle equipped with an energy storage device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned vehicle includes a vehicle body including a floor panel, The aforementioned power storage device is located on the underside of the floor panel of the vehicle.

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