Energy storage module

Abstract

This improves the exhaust efficiency of the openings formed in the module case that houses the energy storage cells. [Solution] The energy storage module 10 comprises an energy storage cell 15 and a module case 20 that houses the energy storage cell 15. The module case 20 includes an upper wall 23 that defines the upper surface of the module case 20. An opening 32 is formed in the upper wall 23. The upper wall 23 includes a wall portion 33 that is formed to extend upward from the opening 32.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0231269 discloses providing a vent hole (opening) on the upper surface of the case of a battery module to discharge gas generated by the temperature rise of battery cells (power storage cells).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a demand for improving the exhaust efficiency of an opening formed in a module case that houses power storage cells.

[0005] [[ID=:38]] One object of the present disclosure is to improve the exhaust efficiency of an opening formed in a module case that houses power storage cells. ]>

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A power storage module according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a power storage cell and a module case that houses the power storage cell. The module case includes an upper wall that defines the upper surface of the module case. An opening is formed in the upper wall. The upper wall includes a wall portion formed to extend upward from the opening.

[0007] (2) In the energy storage module described in (1) above, the wall portion is formed in a cylindrical shape. The upper wall further includes a top plate portion in which an opening is formed. The wall portion includes a base portion connected to the top plate portion. The base portion is formed to be curved such that the opening area formed by the base portion decreases as it moves away from the top plate portion.

[0008] (3) In the energy storage module described in (1) or (2) above, the module case includes a peripheral wall portion extending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall. The peripheral wall portion includes a first side wall and a second side wall that sandwich the energy storage cell.

[0009] (4) A vehicle that conforms to a certain aspect of this disclosure is equipped with the energy storage module described in (1) above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, the exhaust efficiency of openings formed in a module case housing energy storage cells can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure schematically shows a vehicle equipped with an energy storage device including an energy storage module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the energy storage device 100 shown. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the energy storage module 10 shown. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure will be described in detail 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.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a battery storage device including a battery storage module in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle 500 is, for example, an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle). The vehicle 500 may also be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The vehicle 500 is equipped with a battery storage device 100. The battery storage device 100 stores electricity for the vehicle 500 to run. The vehicle 500 runs using the electricity stored in the battery storage device 100. The use of the battery storage device 100 is not limited to vehicle use. The battery storage device 100 may also be mounted on a device other than a vehicle and store electricity for the operation of that device.

[0014] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the energy storage device 100 shown in Figure 1. The energy storage device 100 comprises a plurality of energy storage modules 10 and a housing case 90. In this embodiment, the energy storage device 100 comprises nine energy storage modules 10. The nine energy storage modules 10 constitute three module rows R arranged in a first direction. Each module row R includes three energy storage modules 10 arranged in a second direction. In this embodiment, the first direction, the second direction, and the up-down direction (vertical direction) are orthogonal to each other. In this embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 500, and the second direction corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle 500. Note that the first direction is not limited to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 500, and the second direction is not limited to the width direction of the vehicle 500. Also, the first direction and the second direction do not need to be orthogonal to each other, but they do need to intersect. Also, the number of energy storage modules 10 included in the energy storage device 100 may be one.

[0015] The housing case 90 includes a lower case 91 and an upper case 92. The lower case 91 is formed to open upward. The upper case 92 is formed to cover the opening of the lower case 91. Multiple energy storage modules 10 are housed in the space formed by the lower case 91 and the upper case 92.

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the energy storage module 10 shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the energy storage module 10 comprises a plurality of energy storage cells 15 and a module case 20. In this embodiment, the plurality of energy storage cells 15 are arranged in a first direction. The energy storage cells 15 may be lithium-ion secondary batteries or other secondary batteries (for example, nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries). The energy storage cells 15 may also be solid-state batteries. The number of energy storage cells 15 included in the energy storage module 10 may be one. The plurality of energy storage cells 15 may also be arranged in a second direction.

[0017] The module case 20 houses multiple energy storage cells 15. The module case 20 is made of metal (for example, aluminum or iron). The module case 20 includes a bottom plate 21, a peripheral wall 22, and an upper wall 23.

[0018] The base plate 21 is formed in a plate shape. The peripheral wall portion 22 has a shape that surrounds the multiple energy storage cells 15. Specifically, the peripheral wall portion 22 rises from the outer peripheral edge of the base plate 21. The upper end of the peripheral wall portion 22 is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall 23. That is, the peripheral wall portion 22 extends downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall 23. The peripheral wall portion 22 includes side walls 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d.

[0019] Side wall 22a corresponds to the “first side wall” in this disclosure, and side wall 22b corresponds to the “second side wall” in this disclosure. Side walls 22a and 22b are spaced apart in the second direction. Side walls 22a and 22b are formed to extend in the first direction. Side walls 22a and 22b sandwich a plurality of energy storage cells 15. That is, side walls 22a and 22b have the function of restraining a plurality of energy storage cells 15 from both sides in the second direction.

[0020] The side walls 22c and 22d are arranged at intervals in the first direction. The side walls 22c and 22d are formed to extend in the second direction. The side wall 22c connects one end of the side wall 22a and one end of the side wall 22b. The side wall 22d connects the other end of the side wall 22a and the other end of the side wall 22b.

[0021] The upper wall 23 defines the upper surface of the module case 20. Two openings 32 are formed in the upper wall 23. More specifically, the upper wall 23 includes a top plate portion 31. Two openings 32 are formed in the top plate portion 31. The shape of the openings 32 is substantially elliptical. The two openings 32 are formed at intervals in the second direction at the central position of the top plate portion 31 in the first direction.

[0022] The upper wall 23 includes a wall portion 33 formed to extend upward from the opening 32. The wall portion 33 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The wall portion 33 includes a root portion 33a connected to the top plate portion 31 and an upper end portion 33b provided above the root portion 33a. The root portion 33a is formed to curve so that the opening area formed by the root portion 33a becomes smaller as it moves away from the top plate portion 31. More specifically, the top plate portion 31 includes a surface 31a facing the inside of the module case 20 and a surface 31b facing the outside of the module case 20. The inner peripheral surface of the root portion 33a has a curved surface 34 connected to the surface 31a of the top plate portion 31, and the opening area formed by the root portion 33a becomes smaller as it moves away from the top plate portion 31. With such a configuration, an upward gas flow along the curved surface 34 occurs. The dotted arrow shown in FIG. 4 indicates the gas flow. The gas discharged from the power storage cell 15 advances along the curved surface 34 and is discharged outside the power storage module 10. Since an upward gas flow along the curved surface 34 occurs, the gas flow velocity is improved, and thus the exhaust efficiency is improved.

[0023] The number of openings 32 formed in the upper wall 23 is not limited to 2. The number of openings 32 formed in the upper wall 23 can be 1 or more. Also, the position in which the openings 32 are formed on the top plate portion 31 is not limited to the position shown in this embodiment. The openings 32 can be formed at any position on the top plate portion 31. Furthermore, the shape of the openings 32 is not limited to the shape shown in this embodiment. The shape of the openings 32 may be a shape with an arc portion (for example, a circle) or a rectangular shape.

[0024] As described above, in the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the opening 32 is formed in the upper wall 23, and the upper wall 23 includes a wall portion 33 formed to extend upward from the opening 32. If the upper wall of the module case of the energy storage module only has an opening formed in the upper wall and does not include a wall portion formed to extend upward from the opening, the gas discharged from the energy storage cell 15 may pass through the opening and float on the upper surface of the energy storage cell 15. In contrast, if the upper wall 23 includes a wall portion 33, the gas discharged from the energy storage cell 15 is more easily guided upward from the opening 32. Therefore, according to the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the exhaust efficiency of the opening 32 formed in the module case 20 that houses the energy storage cell 15 is improved.

[0025] Furthermore, if the upper wall of the energy storage module's module case only has an opening, and does not include a wall portion that extends upward from the opening, stress tends to concentrate at the opening, which can easily reduce the rigidity of the upper wall. However, in the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the upper wall 23 includes a wall portion 33 that extends upward from the opening 32, thus suppressing stress concentration at the opening. Therefore, the rigidity of the upper wall 23 is improved according to the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment.

[0026] Furthermore, if the upper wall of the energy storage module's module case only has an opening, and does not include a wall portion that extends upward from the opening, stress tends to concentrate at the opening, thus reducing the strength of the upper wall. However, in the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the upper wall 23 includes a wall portion 33 that extends upward from the opening 32, so stress concentration at the opening is suppressed. Therefore, the strength of the upper wall 23 is improved according to the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment.

[0027] Therefore, the energy storage module 10 in this embodiment makes it possible to achieve both the exhaust efficiency of the opening 32 and the rigidity and strength of the upper wall 23.

[0028] Furthermore, in the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the base portion 33a is curved such that the opening area formed by the base portion 33a decreases as it moves away from the top plate portion 31. With this configuration, the Coanda effect can be enjoyed. That is, an upward gas flow is generated along the curved surface 34 of the wall portion 33. Therefore, with the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the exhaust efficiency of the opening 32 formed in the module case 20 that houses the energy storage cell 15 is further improved.

[0029] Furthermore, in the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, multiple energy storage cells 15 are sandwiched between the side walls 22a and 22b of the peripheral wall portion 22 that extends downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall 23. As described above, the rigidity of the upper wall 23 is improved by including the wall portion 33 in the upper wall 23. Therefore, in the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment, the restraining force of the multiple energy storage cells 15 sandwiched between the side walls 22a and 22b of the peripheral wall portion 22 that extends downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall 23 is ensured.

[0030] Furthermore, the energy storage module 10 in this embodiment improves the exhaust efficiency of the opening 32. Therefore, the vehicle 500 equipped with the energy storage module 10 in this embodiment can effectively exhaust the high-temperature gas ejected from the energy storage cell 15 to the outside.

[0031] In this embodiment, the energy storage module 10 is positioned inside the energy storage device 100 with its upper wall 23 facing upwards, but the energy storage module 10 may also be positioned inside the energy storage device 100 with its upper wall 23 facing downwards.

[0032] The embodiments and variations 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 the foregoing description, and all modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10 Energy storage module, 15 Energy storage cell, 20 Module case, 21 Bottom plate, 22 Peripheral wall section, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d Side walls, 23 Top wall, 31 Top plate section, 31a, 31b Surface, 32 Opening, 33 Wall section, 33a Base section, 33b Upper end section, 34 Curved surface, 90 Housing case, 91 Lower case, 92 Upper case, 100 Energy storage device, 500 Vehicle, R Module row.

Claims

1. Energy storage cells and The module case comprises the aforementioned energy storage cell, The module case includes an upper wall that defines the upper surface of the module case, An opening is formed in the upper wall. The upper wall includes a wall portion formed to extend upward from the opening, comprising an energy storage module.

2. The aforementioned wall portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, The upper wall further includes the top plate portion in which the opening is formed, The wall portion includes a base portion connected to the top plate portion, The energy storage module according to claim 1, wherein the base portion is formed to be curved such that the opening area formed by the base portion decreases as it moves away from the top plate portion.

3. The module case includes a peripheral wall portion extending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall, The energy storage module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the peripheral wall portion includes a first side wall and a second side wall that sandwich the energy storage cell.

4. A vehicle equipped with the energy storage module described in claim 1.

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