Electric storage device

Abstract

In a power storage device that houses a power storage cell provided with a cell exhaust valve on a side surface of the power storage cell, the exhaust efficiency is improved. 【Solution means】The power storage device 1 includes a plurality of power storage cells 10 and a housing case 20. Each of the plurality of power storage cells 10 includes a cell exhaust valve provided on a side surface of the power storage cell 10 and exhausting gas in the power storage cell 10. The housing case 20 includes a lower case 22, an upper case 21, and a case exhaust valve 23. The case exhaust valve 23 is provided on the upper side or the lower side of the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction. When the case exhaust valve 23 is provided above the center of the housing case 20, the cell exhaust valve is provided above the center of the power storage cell 10 in the vertical direction. When the case exhaust valve 23 is provided below the center of the housing case 20, the cell exhaust valve is provided below the center of the power storage cell 10 in the vertical direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-17448 (Patent Document 1) discloses a battery pack in which a terminal is provided on the upper part of a battery cell and a smoke exhaust valve for exhausting gas in the battery cell is provided, and the gas discharged from the smoke exhaust valve is discharged from an exhaust duct provided on the upper part of the battery pack.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there are cases where a battery cell in which a smoke exhaust valve is provided on the side surface of the battery cell is housed in a battery pack. In such a case, if the exhaust duct is provided on the upper part of the battery pack, the distance between the smoke exhaust valve and the exhaust duct is increased, so there is a risk that the smoke exhaust efficiency will decrease. There is a demand for improving the smoke exhaust efficiency in a power storage device that houses a power storage cell in which a smoke exhaust valve is provided on the side surface of the power storage cell.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to improve the smoke exhaust efficiency in a power storage device that houses a power storage cell in which a cell smoke exhaust valve is provided on the side surface of the power storage cell.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A power storage device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of power storage cells and a housing case that houses the plurality of power storage cells. Each of the plurality of power storage cells includes a cell exhaust valve provided on a side surface of the power storage cell and exhausting gas inside the power storage cell. The housing case includes a lower case, an upper case, and a case exhaust valve that exhausts gas inside the housing case. The case exhaust valve is provided on an upper side or a lower side in the vertical direction rather than at the center of the housing case. When the case exhaust valve is provided above the center of the housing case, the cell exhaust valve is provided above the center of the power storage cell in the vertical direction. When the case exhaust valve is provided below the center of the housing case, the cell exhaust valve is provided below the center of the power storage cell in the vertical direction.

[0007] Preferably, the case exhaust valve is provided above the center of the lower case or in the upper case, and the cell exhaust valve is provided above the center of the power storage cell in the vertical direction.

[0008] Preferably, the case exhaust valve is provided below the center of the lower case, and the cell exhaust valve is provided below the center of the power storage cell in the vertical direction.

[0009] Preferably, the power storage device is mounted on a vehicle. Each of the plurality of power storage cells includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a pair of short side surfaces, and a pair of long side surfaces. The pair of long side surfaces are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction. Each of the pair of long side surfaces is formed to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. The pair of short side surfaces are provided at intervals in the vehicle front-rear direction. The cell exhaust valve is provided on one of the pair of short side surfaces.

[0010] Preferably, the power storage device is mounted on a vehicle. Each of the plurality of power storage cells includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a pair of short side surfaces, and a pair of long side surfaces. The pair of long side surfaces are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each of the pair of long side surfaces is formed to extend in the width direction of the vehicle. The pair of short side surfaces are provided at intervals in the width direction of the vehicle. The cell smoke exhaust valve is provided on one of the pair of short side surfaces.

[0011] Preferably, the lower surface and the lower case are fixed by an adhesive.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, in a power storage device that houses a power storage cell provided with a cell smoke exhaust valve on a side surface of the power storage cell, the smoke exhaust efficiency is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. Note that the embodiments and modifications described below may be selectively combined as appropriate.

[0015] [Embodiment 1] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a power storage device according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the power storage device according to Embodiment 1.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, the power storage device 1 according to Embodiment 1 is used, for example, when mounted on a vehicle. Examples of the vehicle include a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, and an electric vehicle. The power storage device 1 includes a plurality of power storage cells 10 and a housing case 20 that houses the plurality of power storage cells 10.

[0017] The power storage cell 10 is a secondary battery, typically a lithium-ion secondary battery. The lithium-ion secondary battery is a battery using lithium as a charge carrier, and may include a so-called all-solid-state battery using a solid electrolyte in addition to a general lithium-ion secondary battery with a liquid electrolyte. Note that the power storage cell 10 is not limited to a lithium-ion secondary battery, and may be configured by a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery or other secondary batteries.

[0018] The power storage cells 10 are arranged so as to extend in the longitudinal direction D1 of the vehicle. In addition, the plurality of power storage cells 10 are arranged along the width direction D2 of the vehicle.

[0019] The housing case 20 includes an upper case 21, a lower case 22, and a case smoke valve 23. The lower case 22 includes a bottom plate, a peripheral wall, and a plurality of partition walls 60, 61, 62, 63, 64. The plurality of partition walls 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 partition the space inside the housing case 20 into a plurality of parts.

[0020] The bottom plate is formed in a flat plate shape. The peripheral wall is formed so as to extend upward from the outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom plate, and the peripheral wall is formed in an annular shape. The partition walls 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 are provided on the bottom plate. The partition walls 60, 61, 62, 63 are formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction D1 of the vehicle, and the partition wall 64 is formed so as to extend in the width direction D2 of the vehicle. The partition wall 64 is disposed at the center in the longitudinal direction D1 of the vehicle. The partition wall 60 and the partition wall 63 are disposed at the center in the width direction D2 of the vehicle. The partition wall 60 is disposed on the front side of the partition wall 64, and the partition wall 63 is disposed on the rear side of the partition wall 64. The plurality of power storage cells 10 are housed in a space formed by assembling the upper case 21 to the lower case 22. FIG. 1 shows the power storage device 1 with the upper case 21 removed.

[0021] The case smoke exhaust valve 23 is configured to discharge the gas in the housing case 20. The case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided on the upper case 21.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the power storage cell 10. Referring to FIG. 2, the power storage cell 10 includes an upper surface 11, a lower surface 12, a pair of short side surfaces 13, 14, and a pair of long side surfaces 15, 16. The pair of short side surfaces 13, 14 are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction D1 of the vehicle. The pair of long side surfaces 15, 16 are arranged at intervals in the width direction D2 of the vehicle. Each of the pair of long side surfaces 15, 16 is formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction D1 of the vehicle. Note that the short side surfaces 13, 14 and the long side surfaces 15, 16 are the "side surfaces" in the present disclosure.

[0023] The power storage cell 10 further includes a positive electrode terminal 17 and a negative electrode terminal 18. The positive electrode terminal 17 is provided on one surface of the pair of short side surfaces 13, 14, and the negative electrode terminal 18 is provided on the other surface of the pair of short side surfaces 13, 14. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the positive electrode terminal 17 is provided on the short side surface 14, and the negative electrode terminal 18 is provided on the short side surface 13. Note that either the positive electrode terminal 17 or the negative electrode terminal 18 may be provided on one surface of the pair of short side surfaces 13, 14.

[0024] The storage battery cell 10 further includes a cell exhaust valve 19 for exhausting the gas inside the storage battery cell 10. The cell exhaust valve 19 is configured to discharge the gas inside the storage battery cell 10 to the outside of the storage battery cell 10 when the internal pressure of the storage battery cell 10 rises. The gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 is at a high temperature. The cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on the side surface of the storage battery cell 10. More specifically, the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one of the pair of short side surfaces 13 and 14. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on the short side surface 13 where the negative electrode terminal 18 is provided. The two-dot chain line 71 indicates the central position of the storage battery cell 10 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1 (see FIG. 1). The cell exhaust valve 19 is provided above the center of the storage battery cell 10 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the power storage device 1 when the power storage device 1 is cut along a plane parallel to the short side surface 13 of the storage battery cell 10 through the case exhaust valve 23. In FIG. 3, for the sake of clarity of the drawing, the hatching showing the cross section of the storage battery cell 10 is omitted.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, the two-dot chain line 72 indicates the central position of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the case exhaust valve 23 is provided above the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1.

[0027] The lower surface 12 of the storage battery cell 10 and the lower case 22 are fixed by an adhesive 30. The power storage device 1 further includes a cooler 40 for cooling the storage battery cell 10. The cooler 40 is provided on the storage battery cell 10. More specifically, the cooler 40 is provided along the upper surface 11 in the space between the upper surface 11 of the storage battery cell 10 and the upper case 21. Thereby, the cooler 40 is located near the cell exhaust valve 19 (see FIG. 2).

[0028] A space 50 where the cooler 40 is not provided is provided in the space between the upper surface 11 of the storage battery cell 10 and the upper case 21. The space 50 includes at least a part of the region facing the case smoke exhaust valve 23. The space 50 is formed above the partition wall 60.

[0029] Therefore, in the power storage device 1, the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 (see FIG. 2), the cooler 40, the space 50, and the case smoke exhaust valve 23 are provided above the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1. The gas discharged from the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 (see FIG. 2) moves in the housing case 20 along the short side surface 13 (see FIG. 2) and reaches the vicinity of the cooler 40. When the gas fills the housing case 20, the internal pressure in the housing case 20 rises. As a result, the upper case 21 deforms so as to bulge upward. On the other hand, since the lower case 22 and each storage battery cell 10 are fixed by the adhesive 30, the deformation of the lower case 22 is suppressed. Then, as the upper case 21 deforms so as to bulge upward, a gap is formed between the upper case 21 and the cooler 40, and the gas accumulates in this gap.

[0030] After that, when the internal pressure in the housing case 20 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 opens, and the gas in the housing case 20 is discharged to the outside. At this time, since the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided in the upper case 21 and the gas also accumulates between the upper case 21 and the cooler 40, the gas is discharged to the outside through the case smoke exhaust valve 23 favorably. Specifically, the gas discharged from the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 moves to the space 50 through the above gap, passes through the space 50, and is discharged from the case smoke exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1, the smoke exhaust efficiency for discharging the gas discharged from the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 to the outside of the housing case 20 from the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is improved.

[0031] Here, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 is at a high temperature, and as described above, the gas accumulates upward within the housing case 20. On the other hand, since the cooler 40 is disposed on the upper surface 11 of each power storage cell 10, it is possible to suppress degradation of the upper surface 11 of each power storage cell 10 and the like due to heat from the high-temperature gas. Further, a partition wall 60 is positioned below the space 50, and when the gas flows through the space 50, the power storage cell 10 is suppressed from being exposed to the high-temperature gas.

[0032] Further, in the power storage device 1, the cooler 40 is provided near the cell exhaust valve 19. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 is cooled relatively quickly. Further, in the power storage device 1, the cooler 40 is provided in the passage of the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19. Therefore, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 is gradually cooled until it reaches the case exhaust valve 23. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1, damage to the power storage cell 10 and the upper case 21 due to the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 is suppressed.

[0033] As described above, in the power storage device 1 according to the first embodiment, the case exhaust valve 23 is provided above the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1, and the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided above the center of the power storage cell 10 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1. According to such a configuration, the exhaust path through which the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 passes until it is discharged from the case exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20 can be shortened compared to the case where the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided below the center of the power storage cell 10 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1 according to the first embodiment, when the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on the side surface of the power storage cell 10, the exhaust efficiency of discharging the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 from the case exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20 is improved. Further, according to the power storage device 1 according to the first embodiment, since the exhaust path can be shortened, the area of contact between the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 and the power storage cell 10 can be reduced.

[0034] In addition, in the power storage device 1 according to Embodiment 1, the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface (for example, the short side surface 13) of the pair of short side surfaces 13 and 14 of the power storage cell 10. According to such a configuration, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 rises in the housing case 20 along the short side surface 13. If the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of the pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 of the power storage cell 10, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 rises in the housing case 20 along the long side surface 15 or the long side surface 16. Therefore, when the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of the pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 of the power storage cell 10, the area where the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 contacts the power storage cell 10 becomes large. However, in the power storage device 1 according to Embodiment 1, the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of the pair of short side surfaces 13 and 14 of the power storage cell 10. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1 according to Embodiment 1, the area where the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 contacts the power storage cell 10 can be reduced compared to the case where the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of the pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 of the power storage cell 10.

[0035] In addition, in the power storage device 1 according to Embodiment 1, the lower surface 12 of the power storage cell 10 and the lower case 22 are fixed by an adhesive 30. In the power storage device 1 according to Embodiment 1, with the above configuration, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 rises in the housing case 20 along the short side surface 13, passes through the space 50, and is discharged from the case exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1 according to Embodiment 1, it is possible to suppress the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 from contacting the adhesive 30.

[0036] [Embodiment 2] With reference to FIG. 4, a power storage device according to Embodiment 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the power storage device according to Embodiment 2.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, the difference between the power storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2 and the power storage device 1 (see FIG. 1) according to Embodiment 1 is the position of the case smoke exhaust valve 23. In the power storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided in the lower case 22. Regarding other points, since the power storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2 is the same as the power storage device 1 (see FIG. 1) according to Embodiment 1, the description will not be repeated.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows the power storage device 1A with the upper case 21 removed. The two-dot chain line 73 indicates the central position of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1A. In the power storage device 1A, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided above the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1A. That is, in the power storage device 1A, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided above the center of the lower case 22 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1A. The gas discharged from the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 (see FIG. 2) moves along the short side surface 13 (see FIG. 2) and is discharged from the case smoke exhaust valve 23 (see FIG. 4) to the outside of the housing case 20.

[0039] As described above, in the power storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided above the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1A, and the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided above the center of the power storage cell 10 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1A. According to such a configuration, compared with the case where the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided below the center of the power storage cell 10 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1A, the smoke exhaust path through which the gas discharged from the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 passes until it is discharged from the case smoke exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20 can be shortened. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2, when the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided on the side surface of the power storage cell 10, the smoke exhaust efficiency of discharging the gas discharged from the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 from the case smoke exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20 is improved. Further, according to the power storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2, since the smoke exhaust path can be shortened, the area where the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 contacts the power storage cell 10 can be reduced. Thus, in the power storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided above the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1A, and the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided above the center of the power storage cell 10 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1A. With such a configuration, compared to the case where the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided below the center of the power storage cell 10 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1A, the smoke exhaust path through which the gas discharged from the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 passes until it is discharged from the case smoke exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20 can be shortened. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2, when the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided on the side surface of the power storage cell 10, the smoke exhaust efficiency of discharging the gas discharged from the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 from the case smoke exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20 is improved. Also, according to the power storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2, since the smoke exhaust path can be shortened, the area where the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 contacts the power storage cell 10 can be reduced.

[0040] Further, in the power storage device 1A according to the second embodiment, the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface (for example, the short side surface 13) of the pair of short side surfaces 13 and 14 of the power storage cell 10. According to such a configuration, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 moves along the short side surface 13 and is discharged from the case exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20. If the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of the pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 of the power storage cell 10, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 moves inside the housing case 20 along the long side surface 15 or the long side surface 16. Therefore, when the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of the pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 of the power storage cell 10, the area where the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 contacts the power storage cell 10 becomes larger. However, in the power storage device 1A according to the second embodiment, the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of the pair of short side surfaces 13 and 14 of the power storage cell 10. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1A according to the second embodiment, the area where the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 contacts the power storage cell 10 can be reduced compared to the case where the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of the pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 of the power storage cell 10.

[0041] Further, in the power storage device 1A according to the second embodiment, the lower surface 12 of the power storage cell 10 and the lower case 22 are fixed by an adhesive 30. In the power storage device 1A according to the second embodiment, with the above configuration, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 moves along the short side surface 13 and is discharged from the case exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1A according to the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 from contacting the adhesive 30.

[0042] [Embodiment 3] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a power storage device according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the power storage device according to the third embodiment.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, the power storage device 1B according to Embodiment 3 differs from the power storage device 1 (see FIG. 1) according to Embodiment 1 in two points. The first point is that the power storage device 1B according to Embodiment 3 includes a plurality of power storage cells 10B instead of a plurality of power storage cells 10 (see FIG. 1). The second point is the position of the case smoke exhaust valve 23. In the power storage device 1B according to Embodiment 3, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided in the lower case 22. Regarding other points, since the power storage device 1B according to Embodiment 3 is the same as the power storage device 1 (see FIG. 1) according to Embodiment 1, the description will not be repeated.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows the power storage device 1B with the upper case 21 removed. The plurality of power storage cells 10B are housed in the housing case 20. The power storage cells 10B are arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction D1 of the vehicle. Also, the plurality of power storage cells 10B are arranged along the width direction D2 of the vehicle.

[0045] The two-dot chain line 74 indicates the central position of the lower case 22 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1B. In the power storage device 1B, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided below the center of the lower case 22 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1B. That is, in the power storage device 1B, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided below the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1B.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the power storage cell 10B. The points where the power storage cell 10B differs from the above-described power storage cell 10 (see FIG. 2) are the positions of the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 and the negative electrode terminal 18. Regarding other points, since the power storage cell 10B is the same as the above-described power storage cell 10 (see FIG. 2), the description will not be repeated.

[0047] The cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on the side surface of the power storage cell 10B. More specifically, the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one of the pair of short side surfaces 13, 14. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on the short side surface 13 where the negative electrode terminal 18 is provided. The two-dot chain line 75 indicates the central position of the power storage cell 10B in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1B (see FIG. 5). The cell exhaust valve 19 is provided below the center of the power storage cell 10B in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1B. The negative electrode terminal 18 is provided at a position that does not overlap with the cell exhaust valve 19 within the short side surface 13.

[0048] Note that either the positive electrode terminal 17 or the negative electrode terminal 18 may be provided on one of the pair of short side surfaces 13, 14.

[0049] Thus, in the power storage device 1B according to the third embodiment, the case exhaust valve 23 is provided below the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1B, and the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided below the center of the power storage cell 10B in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1B. According to such a configuration, the exhaust gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 can pass through a shorter exhaust path until it is discharged from the case exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20 than when the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided above the center of the power storage cell 10B in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1B. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1B according to the third embodiment, when the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on the side surface of the power storage cell 10B, the exhaust efficiency of discharging the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 from the case exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20 is improved. Further, according to the power storage device 1B according to the third embodiment, since the exhaust path can be shortened, the area where the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 contacts the power storage cell 10B can be reduced.

[0050] In addition, in the power storage device 1B according to Embodiment 3, the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface (for example, the short side surface 13) of a pair of short side surfaces 13 and 14 of the power storage cell 10B. According to such a configuration, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 moves along the short side surface 13 and is discharged from the case exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the storage case 20. If the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of a pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 of the power storage cell 10B, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 moves in the storage case 20 along the long side surface 15 or the long side surface 16. Therefore, when the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of a pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 of the power storage cell 10B, the area where the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 contacts the power storage cell 10B becomes larger. However, in the power storage device 1B according to Embodiment 3, the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of a pair of short side surfaces 13 and 14 of the power storage cell 10B. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1B according to Embodiment 3, the area where the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 contacts the power storage cell 10B can be reduced compared to the case where the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided on one surface of a pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 of the power storage cell 10B.

[0051] In addition, in the power storage device 1B according to Embodiment 3, the lower surface 12 of the power storage cell 10B and the lower case 22 are fixed by an adhesive 30. In the power storage device 1B according to Embodiment 3, with the above configuration, the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 moves along the short side surface 13 and is discharged from the case exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the storage case 20. Therefore, according to the power storage device 1B according to Embodiment 3, it is possible to suppress the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 from contacting the adhesive 30.

[0052] [Embodiment 4] With reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 2, the power storage device according to Embodiment 4 will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the power storage device according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the power storage device according to Embodiment 4.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 7, the difference between the power storage device 1C according to Embodiment 4 and the power storage device 1 (see FIG. 1) according to Embodiment 1 lies in the arrangement of the power storage cells 10. In the power storage device 1C according to Embodiment 4, the power storage cells 10 are arranged so as to extend in the vehicle width direction D2, and a plurality of power storage cells 10 are arranged along the vehicle longitudinal direction D1. In other respects, the power storage device 1C according to Embodiment 4 is the same as the power storage device 1 (see FIG. 1) according to Embodiment 1.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 schematically shows a cross section of the power storage device 1C when cut along a plane parallel to the long side surface 16 of the power storage cell 10 through the case smoke exhaust valve 23. In FIG. 8, for the sake of clarity of the drawing, the hatching showing the cross sections of the power storage cell 10, the cell smoke exhaust valve 19, the positive electrode terminal 17, and the negative electrode terminal 18 is omitted.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, in the power storage device 1C according to Embodiment 4, a pair of short side surfaces 13, 14 of the power storage cell 10 are provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction D2, and a pair of long side surfaces 15, 16 are arranged at intervals in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1. Also, in the power storage device 1C according to Embodiment 4, each of the pair of long side surfaces 15, 16 is formed so as to extend in the vehicle width direction D2. Further, also in the power storage device 1C according to Embodiment 4, the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided on one of the pair of short side surfaces 13, 14. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided on the short side surface 13.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 8, the two-dot chain line 76 indicates the central position of the housing case 20 of the power storage device 1C in the vertical direction D3. The case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided above the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1C. That is, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided above the center of the lower case 22 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1C. Also, the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided above the center of the power storage cell 10 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1C.

[0057] Further, like the power storage device 1 (see FIG. 1), the power storage device 1C includes a cooler 40 that cools the power storage cells 10. The cooler 40 is provided above the power storage cells 10. More specifically, the cooler 40 is provided along the upper surface 11 in the space between the upper surface 11 of the power storage cells 10 and the upper case 21. Thereby, the cooler 40 is positioned near the cell exhaust valve 19.

[0058] In the space between the upper surface 11 of the power storage cells 10 and the upper case 21, a space 50 where the cooler 40 is not provided is provided. The space 50 includes at least a part of the region facing the case exhaust valve 23. The lower surface 12 of the power storage cells 10 and the lower case 22 are fixed by an adhesive 30.

[0059] Thus, in the power storage device 1C, the cell exhaust valve 19, the cooler 40, the space 50, and the case exhaust valve 23 are provided above the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1C. Therefore, also in the power storage device 1C, similar to the above-described power storage device 1, gas can be exhausted to the outside well through the case exhaust valve 23.

[0060] Also, in the power storage device 1C, since the cooler 40 is disposed on the upper surface 11 of each power storage cell 10, degradation of the upper surface 11 of each power storage cell 10 and the like due to heat from the high-temperature gas can be suppressed. This can be suppressed.

[0061] Also, in the power storage device 1C, the case exhaust valve 23 is provided above the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1C, and the cell exhaust valve 19 is provided above the center of the power storage cell 10 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1C. Therefore, the exhaust path through which the gas discharged from the cell exhaust valve 19 passes until it is discharged from the case exhaust valve 23 to the outside of the housing case 20 can be shortened.

[0062] [Modification Example 1] Referring to FIG. 8, in the power storage device 1C, the cell smoke exhaust valve 19, the cooler 40, the space 50, and the case smoke exhaust valve 23 may be provided below the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device 1C. The specific configuration of the power storage device in such a case is as follows.

[0063] The case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided below the center of the housing case 20 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device. That is, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided below the center of the lower case 22 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device. As an example, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided in the lower case 22. The cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided below the center of the power storage cell 10 in the vertical direction D3 of the power storage device. The cooler 40 is provided along the lower surface 12 in the space between the lower surface 12 of the power storage cell 10 and the lower case 22. Thereby, the cooler 40 is located near the cell smoke exhaust valve 19. In the space between the lower surface 12 of the power storage cell 10 and the lower case 22, a space 50 where the cooler 40 is not provided is provided. The space 50 includes at least a part of the region facing the case smoke exhaust valve 23. The upper surface 11 of the power storage cell 10 and the upper case 21 are fixed by an adhesive 30.

[0064] In the power storage device having such a configuration, when the gas discharged from the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 fills the inside of the housing case 20, the lower case 22 deforms, and a gap is formed between the lower case 22 and the cooler 40, and the gas accumulates in this gap. Then, when the internal pressure in the housing case 20 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the case smoke exhaust valve 23 opens, and the gas in the housing case 20 is discharged to the outside. At this time, since the case smoke exhaust valve 23 is provided in the lower case 22 and the gas also accumulates between the lower case 22 and the cooler 40, the gas is exhausted to the outside through the case smoke exhaust valve 23 well. Therefore, also in the power storage device having such a configuration, the same effect as that of the power storage device 1C is achieved.

[0065] Further, such a configuration may be applied to the power storage device 1 (see FIG. 3). Also in that case, the same effect as that of the power storage device 1 is achieved.

[0066] [Modification Example 2] Also in the power storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2, the power storage cells 10 may be arranged so as to extend in the vehicle width direction D2, and a plurality of power storage cells 10 may be arranged along the vehicle longitudinal direction D1. Referring to FIG. 2, in that case, a pair of short side surfaces 13 and 14 of the power storage cell 10 are provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction D2, and a pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 are arranged at intervals in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1. Further, each of the pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 is formed so as to extend in the vehicle width direction D2. Further, the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided on one of the pair of short side surfaces 13 and 14. Even in such a case, the same effects as those described in Embodiment 2 above are achieved.

[0067] Also in the power storage device 1B according to Embodiment 3, the power storage cells 10B may be arranged so as to extend in the vehicle width direction D2, and a plurality of power storage cells 10B may be arranged along the vehicle longitudinal direction D1. Referring to FIG. 6, in that case, a pair of short side surfaces 13 and 14 of the power storage cell 10B are provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction D2, and a pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 are arranged at intervals in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1. Further, each of the pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 is formed so as to extend in the vehicle width direction D2. Further, the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 is provided on one of the pair of short side surfaces 13 and 14. Even in such a case, the same effects as those described in Embodiment 3 above are achieved.

[0068] [Modification Example 3] Referring to FIG. 2, the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 may be provided on one of the pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 of the power storage cell 10. Also referring to FIG. 6, the cell smoke exhaust valve 19 may be provided on one of the pair of long side surfaces 15 and 16 of the power storage cell 10B.

[0069] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims be included.

Explanation of Signs

[0070] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Power storage device, 10, 10B Power storage cell, 11 Upper surface, 12 Lower surface, 13, 14 Short side surfaces, 15, 16 Long side surfaces, 17 Positive electrode terminal, 18 Negative electrode terminal, 19 Cell exhaust valve, 20 Housing case, 21 Upper case, 22 Lower case, 23 Case exhaust valve, 30 Adhesive, 40 Cooler, 50 Space, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 Partition wall, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 Two-dot chain line, D1 Front-rear direction, D2 Width direction, D3 Up-down direction.

Claims

[Claim 1] A plurality of storage cells; a storage case that stores the plurality of storage cells, and the storage device is mounted on a vehicle, Each of the plurality of storage cells includes an upper surface and a lower surface opposed to each other in a vehicle up-down direction, a pair of long side surfaces opposed to each other in a vehicle width direction, and a pair of short side surfaces opposed to each other in a vehicle front-rear direction, A cell smoke exhaust valve and a negative electrode terminal are provided on one of the pair of short sides, The housing case includes a lower case, an upper case, and a case smoke exhaust valve, The lower case is A bottom wall disposed below the storage cell; a front wall connected to the bottom wall, the front wall faces the cell smoke exhaust valve provided in at least one of the plurality of storage cells, In the vehicle vertical direction, a center of the case smoke exhaust valve is provided above a center of the lower case, The cell smoke exhaust valve is provided above a center of the power storage cell in the vehicle up-down direction, a side of the front wall that constitutes a surface fixed to the upper case and that is disposed on a rear side of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction is straight.

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