Energy storage device

Abstract

To provide an energy storage device capable of suppressing vibrations of connecting members. [Solution] The energy storage device 10 includes a first energy storage stack 100 containing a plurality of energy storage cells, a second energy storage stack 100 containing a plurality of energy storage cells, a first connecting member 310 that electrically connects the first energy storage stack and the second energy storage stack, a second connecting member 320 that electrically connects the first energy storage stack and electrical equipment, and a connecting member 400 that connects the first connecting member and the second connecting member to each other. The connecting member 400 connects the first connecting member 310 and the second connecting member 320 such that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the first connecting member 310 in a plane perpendicular to the opposing direction and the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the second connecting member 320 in the same plane intersect each other.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-111787 discloses a vehicle-mounted battery pack including a plurality of battery modules and a battery tray on which the plurality of battery modules can be placed. Each battery module includes a plurality of batteries.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a vehicle-mounted battery pack as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-111787, adjacent battery modules are electrically connected by a first connection member, and a battery module and an electrical device may be connected by a second connection member. In this case, when the battery pack vibrates, at least one of the connection members vibrates.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a power storage device capable of suppressing vibration of a connection member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A power storage device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a first power storage stack including a plurality of power storage cells; a second power storage stack including a plurality of power storage cells and arranged to face the first power storage stack; a first connecting member for electrically connecting the first power storage stack and the second power storage stack; a second connecting member for electrically connecting the first power storage stack and an electrical device; and a connecting member for connecting the first connecting member and the second connecting member to each other, wherein the connecting member connects the first connecting member and the second connecting member such that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the first connecting member in a plane perpendicular to the opposing direction in which the first power storage stack and the second power storage stack face each other intersects with the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the second connecting member in the same plane. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an energy storage device that can suppress vibrations of connecting members. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view showing a part of an energy storage device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the energy storage device. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 1 and Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the connecting member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or equivalent components are given the same number.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing a part of an energy storage device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the energy storage device. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figures 1 and 2.

[0011] In this embodiment, the energy storage device 10 is preferably mounted on the underside of the vehicle. Examples of vehicles include hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the energy storage device 10 comprises a plurality of energy storage stacks 100 including a first energy storage stack and a second energy storage stack, electrical equipment 150, a housing 200, a first connecting member 310, a second connecting member 320, and a connecting member 400.

[0013] Each energy storage stack 100 includes a plurality of energy storage cells 110 (see Figure 3) arranged along a first direction DR1. Each energy storage cell 110 is formed in a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape. Examples of each energy storage cell 110 include lithium-ion batteries. Each energy storage cell 110 may consist of an all-solid-state battery using a solid electrolyte. As shown in Figure 3, each energy storage stack 100 may include a pair of end plates 120 positioned on either side of the plurality of energy storage cells 110 in the first direction DR1.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each energy storage stack 100 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, elongated in the first direction DR1. Multiple energy storage stacks 100 are arranged at intervals in the second direction DR2, which is perpendicular to both the first direction DR1 and the vertical direction. The second direction DR2 corresponds to the opposing direction in which the first energy storage stack 100 and the second energy storage stack 100 face each other.

[0015] The electrical equipment 150 is positioned, for example, opposite the second direction DR2 to the outermost energy storage stack 100 in the second direction DR2 among the multiple energy storage stacks 100. The electrical equipment 150 may consist of a junction box that houses relays, fuses, and the like.

[0016] The housing 200 (see FIG. 3) houses a plurality of power storage stacks 100 and electrical equipment 150. The housing 200 has a lower case 210 and an upper cover 220. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustration of the upper cover 220 is omitted.

[0017] The lower case 210 is open upward. The lower case 210 houses at least the lower portions of the plurality of power storage stacks 100. A bracket 230 may be connected to the lower case 210 by welding or the like. The bracket 230 is used to attach the power storage stack 100.

[0018] The upper cover 220, together with the lower case 210, houses the plurality of power storage stacks 100 and the electrical equipment 150. The upper cover 220 covers the plurality of power storage stacks 100 and the electrical equipment 150.

[0019] The first connection member 310 electrically connects a pair of adjacent power storage stacks 100 to each other. As shown in FIG. 3, the first connection member 310 has a first bus bar 312 and a first cover 314.

[0020] The first bus bar 312 electrically connects the external terminals of each of a pair of power storage stacks 100 adjacent to each other in the second direction DR2. The first bus bar 312 is formed in a flat plate shape. For example, the first bus bar 312 may be arranged parallel to a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0021] The first cover 314 covers the first bus bar 312. The first cover 314 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0022] The second connection member 320 electrically connects the power storage stack 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "outermost stack 101") disposed on the outermost side in the second direction DR2 among the plurality of power storage stacks 100 and the electrical device 150. The second connection member 320 is located below the first connection member 310. As shown in FIG. 3, the second connection member 320 includes a second bus bar 322 and a second cover 324.

[0023] The second bus bar 322 electrically connects the external terminal of the outermost stack 101 and the electrical device 150. The second bus bar 322 is formed in a flat plate shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the first connection member 310 in a plane orthogonal to the second direction DR2 and the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the second connection member 320 in the plane intersect with each other. The longitudinal direction of the cross section of the first connection member 310 and the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the second connection member 320 may be orthogonal to each other.

[0024] The second cover 324 covers the second bus bar 322. The second cover 324 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0025] The connecting member 400 connects the first connecting member 310 and the second connecting member 320 to each other. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connecting member 400 connects the portion of the first connecting member 310 located between the pair of energy storage stacks 100 in the second direction DR2, and the portion of the second connecting member 320 located between the pair of energy storage stacks 100 in the second direction DR2. As shown in Figure 3, the connecting member 400 connects the first connecting member 310 and the second connecting member 320 such that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the first connecting member 310 in a plane perpendicular to the second direction DR2 (left-right direction in Figure 3) and the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the second connecting member 320 in the same plane (up-down direction in Figure 3) intersect each other. In this embodiment, the connecting member 400 connects the first connecting member 310 and the second connecting member 320 such that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the first connecting member 310 and the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the second connecting member 320 are perpendicular to each other. The connecting member 400 connects the first connecting member 310 and the second connecting member 320 such that the first connecting member 310 is positioned higher than the second connecting member 320.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the connecting member 400 has a first holding portion 410, a second holding portion 420, and a connecting portion 430.

[0027] The first retaining portion 410 holds the first connecting member 310. The first retaining portion 410 has a first opening that allows the first connecting member 310 to be received from below. The first retaining portion 410 holds the first connecting member 310 in a position where the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the first connecting member 310 in the plane is horizontal. A buffer member 500 may be provided between the first retaining portion 410 and the upper cover 220.

[0028] The second holding portion 420 holds the second connecting member 320. The second holding portion 420 has a second opening that can receive the second connecting member 320 from below. The second holding portion 420 holds the second connecting member 320 in a position where the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the second connecting member 320 in the plane is vertical. A buffer member 500 may be provided between the second holding portion 420 and the upper cover 220.

[0029] The connecting portion 430 connects the first holding portion 410 and the second holding portion 420. The connecting portion 430 connects the first holding portion 410 and the second holding portion 420 such that the first holding portion 410 is positioned above the second holding portion 420.

[0030] In the energy storage device 10 described above, the connecting member 400 connects the first connecting member 310 and the second connecting member 320 to each other such that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the first connecting member 310 and the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the second connecting member 320 intersect with each other. Therefore, when an excitation force acting on the energy storage device 10 in a mode that causes one of the connecting members to vibrate, the other connecting member and the connecting member 400 contribute to suppressing the vibration of the one connecting member caused by that excitation force. For example, if the energy storage device 10 vibrates in the vertical direction, the second connecting member 320 and the connecting member 400 suppress the vertical vibration of the first connecting member 310. Thus, the vibration of each connecting member 310 and 320 is suppressed.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the first retaining portion 410 and the second retaining portion 420 may be composed of separate components.

[0032] The first retaining portion 410 covers the first connecting member 310 in an annular shape. The first retaining portion 410 has a receiving portion 412 that receives the upper part of the second retaining portion 420.

[0033] The second retaining portion 420 covers the second connecting member 320 in an annular manner. The second retaining portion 420 has a projection 422 that protrudes downward.

[0034] The bracket 230 has a rising portion 232. The rising portion 232 is provided with an insertion hole through which the protruding portion 422 is inserted. Note that the rising portion 232 and the protruding portion 422 may be provided in the above embodiment.

[0035] Those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments described above are specific examples of the following embodiments.

[0036] [Aspect 1] A first energy storage stack including multiple energy storage cells, A second energy storage stack comprising multiple energy storage cells and positioned opposite the first energy storage stack, A first connecting member electrically connects the first energy storage stack and the second energy storage stack, A second connecting member electrically connects the first energy storage stack and the electrical equipment, The device comprises a connecting member that connects the first connecting member and the second connecting member to each other, An energy storage device in which the connecting member connects the first connecting member and the second connecting member such that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the first connecting member and the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the second connecting member in a plane perpendicular to the opposing direction in which the first energy storage stack and the second energy storage stack face each other intersect with each other.

[0037] In this energy storage device, the connecting members connect the first connecting member and the second connecting member such that their longitudinal directions intersect. Therefore, when an excitation force acting on the energy storage device causes one of the connecting members to vibrate, the other connecting member contributes to suppressing the vibration of the first connecting member caused by that excitation force. Thus, the vibration of the connecting members is suppressed.

[0038] [Aspect 2] The energy storage device according to embodiment 1, wherein the connecting member connects the first connecting member and the second connecting member such that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the first connecting member and the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the second connecting member are perpendicular to each other.

[0039] [Aspect 3] The energy storage device according to embodiment 2, wherein the connecting member connects the first connecting member and the second connecting member to each other such that the first connecting member is positioned higher than the second connecting member.

[0040] [Aspect 4] The aforementioned connecting member is It has a first opening that can receive the first connecting member from below, and a first holding portion that holds the first connecting member, A power storage device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: a second opening capable of receiving the second connecting member from below, and a second holding portion for holding the second connecting member.

[0041] In this embodiment, even if moisture drips onto the connecting members due to condensation or the like, each connecting member is effectively protected by its respective holding part.

[0042] [Aspect 5] The aforementioned connecting member is A first retaining portion that holds the first connecting member, It includes a second holding part which is made of a separate material from the first holding part and holds the second connecting member, The energy storage device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the first holding portion includes a receiving portion that receives the upper part of the second holding portion.

[0043] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 Energy storage device, 100 Energy storage stack, 110 Energy storage cell, 120 End plate, 150 Electrical equipment, 200 Housing, 210 Lower case, 220 Upper cover, 230 Bracket, 310 First connecting member, 312 First bus bar, 314 First cover, 320 Second connecting member, 322 Second bus bar, 324 Second cover, 400 Connecting member, 410 First retaining part, 420 Second retaining part, 430 Connecting part, 500 Cushioning member.

Claims

1. A first energy storage stack including multiple energy storage cells, A second energy storage stack, which includes multiple energy storage cells and is positioned opposite the first energy storage stack, A first connecting member electrically connects the first energy storage stack and the second energy storage stack, A second connecting member electrically connects the first energy storage stack and the electrical equipment, The first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to each other, An energy storage device in which the connecting member connects the first connecting member and the second connecting member such that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the first connecting member and the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the second connecting member in a plane perpendicular to the opposing direction in which the first energy storage stack and the second energy storage stack face each other intersect each other.

2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member connects the first connecting member and the second connecting member such that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the first connecting member and the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the second connecting member are perpendicular to each other.

3. The energy storage device according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member connects the first connecting member and the second connecting member to each other such that the first connecting member is positioned higher than the second connecting member.

4. The aforementioned connecting member is It has a first opening that can receive the first connecting member from below, and a first holding part that holds the first connecting member, The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: a second opening capable of receiving the second connecting member from below, and a second holding portion for holding the second connecting member.

5. The aforementioned connecting member is A first holding portion that holds the first connecting member, It includes a second holding portion which is made of a separate material from the first holding portion and holds the second connecting portion, The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first holding portion includes a receiving portion that receives the upper part of the second holding portion.

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