Power storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device which can detect an impact even when the impact is applied only for a moment to a bottom part of a vehicle provided with power storage cells due to interference with a road surface and so forth.SOLUTION: A power storage device comprises: a power storage stack including a plurality of power storage cells; a housing case which houses the power storage stack by disposing the power storage stack on a bottom wall part; a cooler which is provided on the opposite side, of the bottom wall part, to the power storage stack and cools the power storage stack; a protection panel which is located below the cooler in top view of the power storage device and protects the cooler from interference with a road surface and so forth; a sensor which is disposed between the protection panel and the bottom wall part, and which has a switch that is turned on when pressure is applied in a vertically upward direction; and a deformation part which is provided between the protection panel and the sensor, and which is plastically deformed by being pressed by the protection panel when the protection panel is deformed to the bottom wall part side. When plastically deformed, the deformation part applies, to the switch, pressure in the vertically upward direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electricity storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional vehicle collision detection device, JP 2019-006239 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a vehicle collision detection device that uses a piezoelectric film divided into a grid pattern to separately detect non-contact events such as road surface interference where the bumper comes into contact with an obstacle on the road, and contact events such as a collision with a bicycle, etc. In detail, the piezoelectric film is provided on the back side of the bumper cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-006239 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When detecting an impact using a piezoelectric film as in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the impact may not be detected if the impact is momentary.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an objective to provide an energy storage device that can detect an impact even when an impact is applied momentarily to the bottom of a vehicle equipped with an energy storage cell due to interference with the road surface or an obstacle on the road surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The energy storage device according to the present disclosure includes an energy storage stack including a plurality of energy storage cells, a housing case having a bottom wall portion and housing the energy storage stack by installing the energy storage stack on the bottom wall portion, a cooler provided on the opposite side of the bottom wall portion from the energy storage stack and cooling the energy storage stack, a protective panel located below the cooler in a top view of the energy storage device and protecting the cooler from interference with the road surface or obstacles on the road surface, a sensor provided between the protective panel and the bottom wall portion and having a switch that is turned on when pressure is applied in a vertically upward direction, and a pressurized portion provided between the protective panel and the sensor and plastically deformed by being pressed by the protective panel based on deformation of the protective panel toward the bottom wall portion. When plastically deformed, the pressurized portion applies pressure in a vertically upward direction to the switch.

[0007] According to this configuration, when the pressure-receiving portion is plastically deformed, it applies pressure to the switch in a vertically upward direction, turning the switch on. Once the switch is on, the pressure-receiving portion does not return to its original shape, so the switch continues to be on. In this way, in the power storage device, even if only a momentary impact is applied to the protective panel, the pressure-receiving portion is plastically deformed, so that the switch can continue to be on. In other words, even if the impact is applied only for an instant, the sensor can detect the impact.

[0008] Preferably, the power storage device further includes a cooler between the pressurized portion and the protective panel. The cooler includes first and second flange portions each extending in a predetermined direction and facing each other. The sensor is located between the first flange portion and the second flange portion in a top view of the power storage device. The power storage device has the pressurized portion and further includes a cover that covers the sensor from the protective panel side.

[0009] According to this configuration, the switch can be turned on by the protection panel colliding with the cover.

[0010] Preferably, the power storage device further includes a cooler between the bottom wall portion and the protection panel. The cooler has a flange portion extending in a predetermined direction as a pressurized portion. The sensor is disposed between the flange portion and the bottom wall portion in a top view of the power storage device.

[0011] According to this configuration, the flange portion undergoes plastic deformation, so that the sensor switch can be kept in the on state. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, even if an impact is applied only momentarily to the bottom of a vehicle equipped with a power storage cell, the impact can be detected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. [Diagram 3] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a share panel is deformed due to a vehicle equipped with an electricity storage device interfering with a road surface or an obstacle on the road surface. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a power storage device according to another embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a share panel is deformed due to interference between a vehicle equipped with an electricity storage device and a road surface or an obstacle on the road surface. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0015] [Embodiment 1] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electricity storage device according to the present embodiment. With reference to Fig. 1, an electricity storage device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0016] The power storage device 100 is mounted on a hybrid vehicle capable of running using at least one of the power of a motor and an engine, or on an electrically powered vehicle that runs using driving force obtained from electric energy.

[0017] The electricity storage device 100 includes a plurality of electricity storage stacks 10, a storage case 20, a cooler 30, an adhesive layer 40 (see FIG. 2), a shear panel (protective panel) 50, and a plurality of restraining members 70. The storage case 20 includes an upper case 21 and a lower case 22.

[0018] Each of the plurality of power storage stacks 10 includes a plurality of power storage cells 11 arranged side by side in an arrangement direction DR1. When the power storage device 100 is mounted on a vehicle, the arrangement direction DR1 is, for example, substantially parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle. Spacers (not shown) are arranged between the power storage cells 11 adjacent to each other.

[0019] The power storage stacks 10 are arranged side by side in a cross direction DR2 (more specifically, a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction DR1) that crosses the arrangement direction DR1. In the mounted state, the cross direction DR2 is, for example, substantially parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0020] Each of the power storage stacks 10 is fixed to the storage case 20 (more specifically, a bottom wall portion 23 described below) by an adhesive layer 40 (see FIG. 2). Each power storage stack 10 may be fixed to the storage case 20 by a bracket.

[0021] The storage cell 11 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. The single cell has, for example, a rectangular shape. The secondary battery may use a liquid electrolyte or a solid electrolyte. The storage cell may also be a unit capacitor configured to be capable of storing electricity.

[0022] Each of the multiple restraining members 70 presses a different one of the power storage stacks 10 in the arrangement direction DR1 to restrain the power storage stacks 10. Each of the restraining members 70 extends in the arrangement direction DR1 between the power storage stack 10 and the lower case 22 (more specifically, a bottom wall portion 23 described later).

[0023] The storage case 20 accommodates a plurality of power storage stacks 10 therein. The upper case 21 has a generally box-like shape that opens downward. The lower case 22 includes a bottom wall portion 23 and has a generally box-like shape that opens upward. The storage case 20 accommodates the power storage stack 10 restrained by the restraining members 70 by placing the restrained power storage stack 10 on the bottom wall portion 23.

[0024] The bottom wall portion 23 includes, for example, a mounting portion 24, a pair of bottom wall portions 25, and a pair of connection portions 26. The mounting portion 24 has a mounting surface 24a on which the electricity storage stack 10 is placed. The bottom wall portion 23 is provided such that the mounting portion 24 is located at a position higher than the bottom wall portions 25 as a whole.

[0025] The mounting surface 24a is divided into a plurality of partitioned regions R1 in the intersecting direction by the partitioning member 27. The power storage stack 10 is placed in each of the plurality of partitioned regions R1 divided by the partitioning member 27. More specifically, in each partitioned region R1, the mounting surface 24a has a first portion 241, a second portion 242, and a recess 243.

[0026] One side of the power storage stack 10 in the intersecting direction DR2 is placed on the first portion 241. The other side of the power storage stack 10 in the intersecting direction DR2 is placed on the second portion 242. The recess 243 is provided between the first portion 241 and the second portion 242. The recess 243 is provided so as to continue from one end to the other end of the mounting surface 24a in the arrangement direction DR1. Also, in each partition region R1, a low wall portion 25 is provided so as to surround the mounting surface 24a when viewed from above.

[0027] A pair of bottom wall portions 25 are provided at both ends of the bottom wall portion 23 in the arrangement direction DR1. The bottom wall portions 25 extend along the direction in which the plurality of power storage stacks 10 are arranged (cross direction DR2). The bottom wall portions 25 are located at a position lower in height than the mounting surface 24a. The height direction is a direction parallel to the direction in which the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 are arranged, and corresponds to the up-down direction.

[0028] The pair of connecting portions 26 connect the pair of bottom wall portions 25 and the mounting portion 24. The pair of connecting portions 26 are curved so that their height positions become lower toward the outside in the arrangement direction DR1.

[0029] The cooler 30 is a device for cooling the multiple power storage stacks 10. The cooler 30 is disposed outside the accommodation case 20. Specifically, the cooler 30 is disposed below the bottom wall portion 23 of the lower case 22. More specifically, the cooler 30 is provided on the opposite side of the bottom wall portion 23 to the restrained power storage stacks 10, and cools the power storage stacks 10. The cooler 30 is located between the bottom wall portion 23 and the share panel 50.

[0030] The cooler 30 is made of a metal material such as aluminum. The cooler 30 includes a plurality of cooling parts 32 and a holding frame part 34. The plurality of cooling parts 32 are provided in each partitioned region R1 so as to correspond to the first part 241 and the second part 242. The plurality of cooling parts 32 are in thermal contact with the back surface 24b of the part located on the opposite side to the first part 241 and the second part 242 via a heat conduction layer 60 (see FIG. 2).

[0031] The cooling sections 32 are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the intersecting direction DR2. Each of the cooling sections 32 is arranged at a position facing the electricity storage stack 10 with the bottom wall section 23 in between. The cooling sections 32 are arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the back surface 24b (see FIG. 2) of the mounting section 24 located on the opposite side to the side on which the mounting surface 24a is located. This allows the cooling sections 32 to efficiently cool the mounting section 24, and therefore the electricity storage stack 10 placed on the mounting surface 24a.

[0032] The cooling section 32 is formed with a cooling flow passage 32a (see FIG. 2) through which a cooling medium (such as water) for cooling the electricity storage stack 10 flows.

[0033] The holding frame 34 holds each cooling section 32. The holding frame 34 is formed in a ring shape surrounding the cooling sections 32. In this embodiment, the holding frame 34 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. Each cooling section 32 is connected to the holding frame 34 at both ends in the arrangement direction DR1.

[0034] The share panel 50 is disposed so as to cover the cooler 30 from below. The share panel 50 protects the cooler 30. More specifically, the share panel 50 is located below the cooler 30 when viewed from above the energy storage device 100, and protects the cooler 30 from interference with the road surface or obstacles on the road surface. The share panel 50 is made of a metal material.

[0035] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the bottom wall portion 23 (more specifically, the mounting portion 24) includes a bottom wall portion 2410 having a first portion 241, a bottom wall portion 2420 having a second portion 242, and a bottom wall portion 2430 that is continuous with the two bottom wall portions 2410, 2420 and protrudes from the bottom wall portions 2410, 2420 toward the share panel 50. The bottom wall portion 2430 has a recess 243.

[0036] The restraining member 70 extends in the arrangement direction DR1 (see FIG. 1 ) between the power storage stack 10 and the bottom wall portion 23. The restraining member 70 is located between the power storage stack 10 and the bottom wall portion 2430. In this example, the restraining member 70 is located on the recess 243 of the mounting portion 24.

[0037] The energy storage device 100 further includes a sensor 80 and a cover 90. The sensor 80 is installed between the share panel 50 and the bottom wall portion 23. The sensor 80 is located below the restraining member 70 in a top view of the energy storage device 100. The sensor 80 has a switch 81. The switch 81 is turned on when pressure is applied in a vertically upward direction.

[0038] In this example, the switch 81 is a movable element such as a push button. When the switch 81 receives an external force, it moves vertically upward. As a result, the sensor 80 detects the force applied in the vertically upward direction. The detection result by the sensor 80 is sent to a controller (not shown) of the vehicle.

[0039] The cover 90 covers the sensor 80 from the side of the share panel 50. The cover 90 has side walls 91 and 92 and a bottom wall (pressurized portion) 93. The side wall 91 and the side wall 92 face each other with the sensor 80 therebetween.

[0040] The bottom wall portion 93 is provided between the share panel 50 and the sensor 80. The bottom wall portion 93 faces the switch 81. As described in detail below, when the share panel 50 is deformed toward the bottom wall portion 23, the bottom wall portion 93 is pressed by the share panel 50 and plastically deforms.

[0041] In this example, the bottom wall portion 93 is spaced apart from the switch 81. The bottom wall portion 93 is close to the switch 81. However, this is not limited thereto, and the bottom wall portion 93 may be in contact with the switch 81 as long as the switch 81 is in the off state.

[0042] The cooler 30 has an opening 39 extending in the arrangement direction DR1. The opening 39 is located below the restraining member 70 in a top view of the electricity storage device 100. A cover 90 is installed within the opening 39. The cooler 30 has flange portions 321 and 322 facing each other. The flange portions 321 and 322 extend parallel to the bottom wall portion 23. The sensor 80 and the cover 90 are installed between the flange portions 321 and 322.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the shared panel 50 is deformed due to interference between the vehicle equipped with the power storage device 100 and the road surface or an obstacle on the road surface. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as Fig. 2.

[0044] When an instantaneous impact is applied to the share panel 50, in this example, as shown in Fig. 3, the share panel 50 deforms in the direction of arrow A (upward) due to road surface interference, etc., and the share panel 50 collides with the bottom wall 93 of the cover 90. As the share panel 50 deforms toward the bottom wall 23, the bottom wall 93 is pressed by the share panel 50 and plastically deforms. When the bottom wall 93 plastically deforms, it applies pressure in a vertically upward direction to the switch 81. Note that in this example, when the bottom wall 93 plastically deforms, the side walls 91, 92 also plastically deform.

[0045] Once the bottom wall portion 93 is plastically deformed and the switch 81 is turned on, the bottom wall portion 93 does not return to its original shape, and therefore the switch 81 continues to maintain the on state. In this way, in the energy storage device 100, even if only a momentary impact is applied to the share panel 50, the bottom wall portion 93 is plastically deformed, so that the switch 81 can continue to be in the on state. In other words, even if the impact is applied only for a moment, the sensor 80 can detect the impact.

[0046] As described above, the energy storage device 100 includes the restraining member 70 that presses the energy storage stack 10 in the arrangement direction DR1 to restrain the energy storage stack 10. The restraining member 70 extends in the arrangement direction DR1 between the energy storage stack 10 and the bottom wall portion 23. The sensor 80 is located below the restraining member 70 in a top view of the energy storage device 100.

[0047] Therefore, an impact force applied to the bottom wall portion 23 (more specifically, the bottom wall portion 2430) is transmitted to the power storage stack 10 via the restraining member 70. Therefore, the impact force applied to the power storage stack 10 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the impact force applied to the bottom wall portion 2430 is transmitted to the power storage stack 10 without passing through the restraining member 70. Therefore, according to the power storage device 100, even if an impact is applied to the share panel 50 due to road surface interference or the like, damage to the power storage stack 10 can be reduced.

[0048] Furthermore, as described above, the cover 90 has the bottom wall portion 93, and covers the sensor 80 from the side of the share panel 50. With this configuration, when the share panel 50 collides with the cover 90, the switch 81 can be turned on.

[0049] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which power storage device 100 includes cover 90 that covers sensor 80, and sensor 80 is installed between flange portion 321 and flange portion 322. More specifically, in the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which at least bottom wall portion 93 of cover 90 is plastically deformed to maintain switch 81 in the on state.

[0050] In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the switch 81 is turned on by plastic deformation of the flange portions 321, 322 of the cooler 30. That is, a configuration will be described in which the flange portions 321, 322 are used as pressure-receiving portions that undergo plastic deformation.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the power storage device 100A. Note that Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as Fig. 2 of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the power storage device 100A includes two sensors 80A and 80B instead of the sensor 80. Unlike the power storage device 100 of the first embodiment, the power storage device 100A does not include a cover 90.

[0052] The sensors 80A and 80B have a switch 81, similar to the sensor 80. The sensors 80A and 80B have the same functions as the sensor 80. The sensors 80A and 80B detect a force applied in a vertically upward direction.

[0053] The sensors 80A and 80B are installed between the share panel 50 and the bottom wall portion 23, similar to the sensor 80. The sensors 80A and 80B are installed on the rear surface 24b side of the bottom wall portion 23. In this example, the sensors 80A and 80B are installed below the bottom wall portion 2430.

[0054] In detail, sensor 80A is disposed between flange portion (pressurized portion) 321 of cooler 30 and bottom wall portion 23 in top view of power storage device 100A. Switch 81 of sensor 80A faces flange portion 321. Sensor 80B is located between flange portion (pressurized portion) 322 of cooler 30 and bottom wall portion 23 in top view of power storage device 100A. Switch 81 of sensor 80B faces flange portion 322.

[0055] In this example, the flange portion 321 is provided between the share panel 50 and the sensor 80A. The flange portion 322 is provided between the share panel 50 and the sensor 80B. As described in detail below, the flange portions 321, 322 are pressed by the share panel 50 and plastically deformed based on the deformation of the share panel 50 toward the bottom wall portion 23.

[0056] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the main part of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the shared panel 50 is deformed due to interference between the vehicle equipped with the power storage device 100A and the road surface or an obstacle on the road surface. Fig. 6 is also an enlarged view of the main part showing the same main part as Fig. 5.

[0057] 5 and 6, it is assumed that the flange portion 321 transitions from the state shown in Fig. 5 to the state shown in Fig. 6 due to the deformation of the shear panel 50. In more detail, since the cooler 30 is made of a metal material as described above, the cooler 30 undergoes plastic deformation at the flange portion 321.

[0058] In this case, flange portion 321 applies pressure in a vertically upward direction to switch 81 of sensor 80A. As a result, switch 81 of sensor 80A turns on. Once flange portion 321 is plastically deformed and switch 81 turns on, flange portion 321 does not return to its original shape, and switch 81 continues to maintain the on state. In this way, in the energy storage device 100, even if only a momentary impact is applied to share panel 50, flange portion 321 plastically deforms, and therefore switch 81 of sensor 80A can continue to be in the on state.

[0059] When the flange portion 322 is plastically deformed due to the deformation of the shear panel 50, the flange portion 322 applies pressure in a vertically upward direction to the switch 81 of the sensor 80B. As a result, the switch 81 of the sensor 80B is turned on. Therefore, the plastic deformation of the flange portion 322 allows the switch 81 of the sensor 80B to be kept in the on state.

[0060] In this manner, in the present embodiment as well, similarly to the first embodiment, even if an impact is applied only for an instant, the impact can be detected by the sensors 80A and 80B.

[0061] It is also possible to combine the configuration of embodiment 1 with the configuration of embodiment 2. That is, the power storage device may be configured to include sensor 80 and sensors 80A and 80B.

[0062] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the scope of the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 storage stack, 11 storage cell, 20 storage case, 21 upper case, 22 lower case, 23, 93, 2410, 2420, 2430 bottom wall portion, 24 mounting portion, 24a mounting surface, 24b back surface, 25 bottom wall portion, 26 connection portion, 27 partition member, 30 cooler, 32 cooling portion, 32a cooling flow path, 34 holding frame portion, 39 opening, 40 adhesive layer, 50 shear panel, 60 thermal conduction layer, 70 restraining member, 80, 80A, 80B sensor, 81 switch, 90 cover, 91, 92 side wall portion, 100, 100A storage device, 241 first portion, 242 second portion, 243 recess, 321, 322 flange portion, DR1 arrangement direction, DR2 cross direction, R1 Partition area.

Claims

1. A power storage device, A storage stack including a plurality of storage cells; a housing case having a bottom wall portion and housing the power storage stack by placing the power storage stack on the bottom wall portion; a cooler that is provided on an opposite side of the bottom wall portion from the power storage stack and that cools the power storage stack; a protective panel that is located below the cooler when viewed from above the power storage device and protects the cooler from interference with a road surface or an obstacle on the road surface; a sensor that is installed between the protection panel and the bottom wall portion and has a switch that is turned on when pressure is applied in a vertically upward direction; a pressure-receiving portion that is provided between the protection panel and the sensor and that is pressed by the protection panel and plastically deformed based on the protection panel being deformed toward the bottom wall portion, When the pressure-receiving portion undergoes the plastic deformation, the pressure is applied to the switch in the vertically upward direction.

2. A cooler is further provided between the bottom wall portion and the protective panel, the cooler includes first and second flange portions each extending in the predetermined direction and facing each other; the sensor is located between the first flange portion and the second flange portion in a top view of the power storage device, The power storage device according to claim 1 , further comprising a cover having the pressure-receiving portion and covering the sensor from a side of the protection panel.

3. A cooler is further provided between the bottom wall portion and the protective panel, The cooler has a flange portion extending in the predetermined direction as the pressurized portion, The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed between the flange portion and the bottom wall portion in a top view of the power storage device.

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