Power storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device capable of sufficiently securing an exhaust path of a gas exhausted from a power storage module while improving a vibration proof of an upper case.SOLUTION: A power storage device 4 comprises: a plurality of power storage modules 20 arranged in a first direction; a housing case including an upper case 11; and a plurality of support members 40. On one side of the upper case 11 in the first direction, an exhaust valve is provided, and the upper case 11 includes: a one side top part 111 positioned to one side in a second direction DR2; the other side top part 112 positioned to the other side; and a center side top part 113 positioned at a center part. The center side top part 113 is projected to an upper side from the one side top part 111 and the other side top part 112. The plurality of support members 40 includes: a first support member 41 supporting the one side top part 111 and the other side top part 112; and a second support member 42 supporting the center side top part 113.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electricity storage device, and more particularly to an electricity storage device mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional electricity storage device, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-113528 (Patent Document 1) discloses a configuration including a support member that extends upward from a rigid body provided in a lower case and supports an upper case from the back surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-113528 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electricity storage device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the support member is provided to support the center of the upper case. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the support member to improve the vibration isolation of the upper case against vehicle vibrations. There is also room for improvement in the configuration to easily exhaust gases discharged from the electricity storage module housed in the housing case to the outside of the housing case.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an energy storage device that can improve the vibration-proofing properties of the upper case while sufficiently ensuring an exhaust path for gas emitted from the energy storage module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure provides an energy storage device comprising: a storage case including a plurality of energy storage modules arranged side by side in a first direction perpendicular to a vertical direction; an upper case; and a plurality of support members arranged in at least one of the gaps between adjacent energy storage modules in the first direction and supporting the upper case. An exhaust valve configured to exhaust gas from within the storage case is provided on one side of the upper case in the first direction. The upper case includes a one-side top plate portion located on one side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, an other-side top plate portion located on the other side in the second direction, and a central top plate portion located in a central portion in the second direction. The one-side top plate portion, the other-side top plate portion, and the central top plate portion extend along the first direction. The central top plate portion protrudes upward relative to the one-side top plate portion and the other-side top plate portion. The plurality of support members include a plurality of first support members that support the one-side top panel portion and the other-side top panel portion, and one or more second support members that support the central-side top panel portion.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the top panel portions on one side and the top panel portion on the other side of the upper case can be supported by multiple first support members, and the center top panel portion of the upper case can be supported by one or more second support members. This allows the upper case to be supported more firmly, improving the vibration-proofing properties of the upper case. Furthermore, because the center top panel portion protrudes higher than the top panel portions on one side and the top panel portion on the other side, the gap between the center top panel portion and the power storage module is wider than the gap between the top panel portions on one side and the top panel portion on the other side and the power storage module. This ensures a sufficient exhaust path through which the gas can travel, even when gas is exhausted from the power storage module. Additionally, since the multiple first support members and one or more second support members are spaced apart, gas can travel between them, thereby ensuring a sufficient exhaust path for the gas.

[0008] In the power storage device according to the present disclosure, each of the one-side top plate portion and the other-side top plate portion may have a first accommodating protrusion that is convex upward so that an upper end portion of the first support member fits in. The central top plate portion may have one or more second accommodating protrusions that are convex upward so that an upper end portion of the one or more second support members fits in.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the upper end of the first support member is accommodated in the first accommodating protrusion, and the upper end of one or more second support members is accommodated in the one or more second accommodating protrusions, thereby making it possible to prevent the first support members and the one or more second support members from moving, and further improving the vibration-proofing properties of the upper case. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electricity storage device that can improve the vibration-proofing properties of the upper case while ensuring a sufficient exhaust path for gas discharged from the electricity storage module. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a power storage device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an electricity storage device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the inside of the power storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating how gas moves within a storage case when the gas is discharged from a power storage module in the power storage device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0013] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0014] Vehicle 1 is a hybrid vehicle that can run using power from at least one of a motor and an engine, or an electric vehicle that runs on driving force obtained from electrical energy. Vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2, a drive device 3, an electricity storage device 4, front wheels 5, and rear wheels 6. Vehicle body 2 includes a floor panel 9. Floor panel 9 forms the bottom surface of vehicle body 2. Electricity storage device 4 is provided, for example, on the underside of floor panel 9. Note that electricity storage device 4 may also be disposed between floor panel 9 and a seat.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a power storage device according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the inside of the power storage device according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in Fig. 2. A power storage device 4 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, the electricity storage device 4 includes a storage case 10. The storage case 10 is a case body having a first direction DR1 as its length direction and a second direction DR2 perpendicular to the first direction DR1 as its width direction. The electricity storage device 4 is mounted on the vehicle 1, for example, so that the first direction DR1 is parallel to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 1 and the second direction DR2 is parallel to the width direction of the vehicle 1. The height direction of the storage case 10 is perpendicular to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 and is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0017] The housing case 10 includes an upper case 11 and a lower case 12. The lower case 12 has a box shape that opens upward. The lower case 12 is made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy. The lower case 12 is fixed to the floor panel 9 by a fixing member such as a bracket.

[0018] Upper case 11 closes the opening of lower case 12. Upper case 11 may be made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, or may be made of resin. If upper case 11 is made of resin, the weight of storage case 10 can be reduced.

[0019] An exhaust valve 15 is provided on one side of the upper case 11 in the first direction DR1. The exhaust valve 15 is configured to open when the pressure inside the housing case 10 exceeds a predetermined pressure, and to exhaust gas inside the housing case 10 to the outside of the housing case 10.

[0020] 3 and 4, the power storage device 4 includes a plurality of power storage modules 20, a plurality of cross members 30, a plurality of support members 40, and electronic devices 50. Note that Fig. 3 shows the power storage device 4 with the upper case 11 removed, and for convenience, the position of the exhaust valve 15 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0021] The plurality of power storage modules 20, the plurality of cross members 30, the plurality of support members 40, and the electronic device 50 are arranged in the housing case 10.

[0022] The lower case 12 includes a pair of side walls 121, 122 facing each other in the second direction DR2, and a first wall 123 and a second wall 124 facing each other in the first direction DR1.

[0023] The plurality of power storage modules 20 are arranged side by side at intervals in the first direction DR1. Each of the plurality of power storage modules 20 includes a plurality of power storage cells 21. The power storage module 20 is configured by arranging the plurality of power storage cells 21 in a column along the second direction DR2. Note that the power storage module 20 may be configured by arranging the plurality of power storage cells 21 in a matrix with the first direction DR1 as the row direction and the second direction DR2 as the column direction.

[0024] The power storage cell 21 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. The power storage cell 21 has, for example, a rectangular shape. The secondary battery may use a liquid electrolyte or a solid electrolyte.

[0025] A pressure release valve is provided on the top surface of the energy storage cell 21. The pressure release valve is configured to open when the pressure inside the housing of the energy storage cell 21 reaches or exceeds a predetermined level. When the pressure release valve opens, gas inside the housing is discharged to the outside of the housing.

[0026] The multiple cross members 30 are arranged at intervals in the first direction DR1. The multiple cross members 30 also function as partition members that separate the areas in which the above-mentioned energy storage modules 20 are arranged. The multiple cross members 30 include those arranged between adjacent energy storage modules 20 in the first direction DR1, those located on one side in the first direction DR1 of the energy storage module 20 located on the most one side in the first direction DR1, and those located on the other side in the first direction DR1 of the energy storage module 20 located on the most other side in the first direction DR1.

[0027] The cross member 30 is arranged in a substantially linear shape. The cross member 30 extends along the second direction DR2. The cross member 30 has one end and the other end in the second direction DR2. One end of the cross member 30 is connected to one side wall portion 121 of the pair of side wall portions 121, 122. The other end of the cross member 30 is connected to the other side wall portion 122 of 121, 122. By providing the cross member 30 in this manner, the rigidity of the storage case 10 can be increased.

[0028] The multiple support members 40 are arranged in at least one of the gaps G1 between adjacent power storage modules 20 in the first direction DR1. The multiple support members 40 support the upper case 11. The upper ends of the multiple support members 40 abut against the upper case 11. The lower ends of the multiple support members 40 are fixed to the cross member 30. Note that the cross member 30 can be omitted, in which case the lower ends of the multiple support members 40 may be fixed to the bottom wall portion 125 of the lower case 12.

[0029] The plurality of support members 40 may be made of a metal member or a resin member.

[0030] The multiple support members 40 include a one-side support member group 45 and an other-side support member group 46. The one-side support member group 45 is located on one side of the other-side support member group 46 in the first direction DR1. In a plan view, the one-side support member group 45 and the other-side support member group 46 are located on the other side of the exhaust valve 15 in the first direction DR1. In a plan view, the one-side support member group 45 is located between the exhaust valve 15 and the other-side support member group 46 in the first direction DR1.

[0031] Each of the one-side support member group 45 and the other-side support member group 46 includes a plurality of first support members 41 and a plurality of second support members 42. In each of the one-side support member group 45 and the other-side support member group 46, the plurality of first support members 41 and the plurality of second support members 42 are arranged side by side at intervals in the second direction DR2. The height of the plurality of second support members 42 is greater than the height of the plurality of first support members 41.

[0032] The second support members 42 are arranged at intervals in the second direction DR2 at the center of the second direction DR2. The first support members 41 are arranged in the second direction DR2 such that the second support members 42 are located between them.

[0033] In the embodiment, a case where the number of first support members 41 is two and the number of second support members 42 is two is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as gas discharged from the energy storage cells 21 can move in the first direction toward the exhaust valve 15, as will be described later, the numbers of first support members 41 and second support members 42 can be set appropriately. The number of first support members 41 may be two or more, and the number of second support members 42 may be one or more.

[0034] The electronic device 50 is disposed on the first wall portion 123 side. The electronic device 50 is electrically connected to each of the plurality of power storage modules 20 by a wire harness (not shown). The electronic device 50 is electrically connected to an inverter unit provided in the vehicle 1 by a cable or the like drawn out from the housing case 10 to the outside. The electronic device 50 is, for example, a junction box. In a plan view, the electronic device 50 is located on one side of the exhaust valve 15 in the first direction DR1.

[0035] 4, the upper case 11 has a generally box-like shape that opens downward. The upper case 11 has a top panel portion 115, a peripheral wall portion 116, and a flange portion 117. The top panel portion 115 includes a one-side portion (one-side top panel portion) 111 located on one side in the second direction DR2, an other-side portion (other-side top panel portion) 112 located on the other side in the second direction DR2, and a central portion (central top panel portion) 113 located in the center of the second direction DR2.

[0036] The one side portion 111, the other side portion 112, and the central portion 113 extend along the first direction DR1. The central portion 113 protrudes upward further than the one side portion 111 and the other side portion 112. The above-mentioned exhaust valve 15 is provided on one side of the central portion 113 in the first direction DR1. The peripheral wall portion 116 is provided so as to extend downward from the periphery of the top plate portion 115. The flange portion 117 is provided so as to be bent outward from the lower end side of the peripheral wall portion 116.

[0037] The lower case 12 has a bottom wall portion 125, a peripheral wall portion 126, and a flange portion 127. The bottom wall portion 125 faces the top plate portion 115 in the up-down direction (height direction). The peripheral wall portion 126 is provided so as to extend upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 125. The peripheral wall portion 126 is composed of the pair of side wall portions 121, 122, the first wall portion 123, and the second wall portion 124 described above. The flange portion 127 is provided so as to be bent outward from the upper end side of the peripheral wall portion 126.

[0038] With the lower surface of flange portion 117 and the upper surface of flange portion 127 aligned, flange portion 117 and flange portion 127 are fastened together by a plurality of fastening members, thereby fixing upper case 11 and lower case 12 together.

[0039] Here, the multiple first support members 41 support one side portion 111 and the other side portion 112 of the top panel portion 115. The multiple second support members 42 support a central portion 113 of the top panel portion 115. Therefore, the upper case 11 can be supported more firmly, and the vibration-proofing properties of the upper case 11 can be improved.

[0040] Furthermore, first accommodating protrusions 111P, 112P are provided on each of the one side portion 111 and the other side portion 112, protruding upward so that the upper end portion 41a of the first support member 41 fits within them. The multiple first accommodating protrusions 111P, 112P are provided at positions corresponding to the multiple first support members 41. The central portion 113 is provided with multiple second accommodating protrusions 113P protruding upward so that the upper end portions 42a of the multiple second support members 42 fit within them. The second accommodating protrusions 113P are provided at positions corresponding to the second support member 42. As described above, when there is one second support member 42, one second accommodating protrusion 113 is provided.

[0041] By accommodating the upper end portion 41a in the first accommodating protrusions 111P and 112P and the upper end portion 42a in the second accommodating protrusion 113P, the movement of the first support members and the one or more second support members can be suppressed, thereby further improving the vibration-proofing properties of the upper case 11.

[0042] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing how gas moves within the housing case when gas is discharged from the electricity storage module in the electricity storage device according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the electricity storage device 4 without the upper case 11, and for convenience, the exhaust valve 15 provided in the upper case 11 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5 , when gas is discharged from the power storage module 20, the gas moves toward one side of the first direction in which the exhaust valve 15 is provided, as indicated by the white arrow in the figure. At this time, as described above, the upper case 11 has a central portion 113 that protrudes upward beyond the one side portion 111 and the other side portion 112. As a result, the gap between the central portion 113 and the power storage module 20 is wider than the gap between the one side portion 111 and the other side portion 112 and the power storage module 20. Therefore, even when gas is discharged from the power storage module 20, an exhaust path through which the gas can move can be sufficiently secured. In addition, since the multiple first support members 41 and the one or more second support members 42 are spaced apart, gas can move between them, which also ensures a sufficient exhaust path for the gas.

[0044] The first support member 41 and the second support member 42 may have a lattice shape with openings in which a plurality of through holes penetrating in the first direction are arranged in a matrix in the vertical direction and the second direction DR2. In this case, the gas moves through the openings, thereby preventing the first support member 41 and the second support member 42 from interfering with the movement of the gas. This further ensures an exhaust path.

[0045] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle, 2 vehicle body, 3 drive mechanism, 4 power storage device, 5 front wheels, 6 rear wheels, 9 floor panel, 10 storage case, 11 upper case, 12 lower case, 15 exhaust valve, 20 power storage module, 21 power storage cell, 30 cross member, 40 support member, 41 first support member, 41a upper end portion, 42a upper end portion, 42 second support member, 45 one-side support member group, 46 other-side support member group, 50 electronic device, 111 one-side portion, 111P first accommodating protrusion, 112 other-side portion, 112P first accommodating protrusion, 113 central portion, 113P second accommodating protrusion, 115 top plate portion, 116 peripheral wall portion, 117 flange portion, 121, 122 side wall portion, 123 first wall portion, 124 second wall portion, 125 Bottom wall, 126 peripheral wall, 127 flange, G1 gap.

Claims

1. a plurality of power storage modules arranged side by side in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; a housing case including an upper case and housing the plurality of power storage modules; a plurality of support members that are disposed in at least one of the gaps between the power storage modules adjacent to each other in the first direction and that support the upper case; an exhaust valve configured to be able to exhaust gas from inside the storage case is provided on one side of the upper case in the first direction, the upper case includes a one-side top panel portion located on one side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, an other-side top panel portion located on the other side in the second direction, and a central-side top panel portion located in a central portion in the second direction, the one-side top plate portion, the other-side top plate portion, and the central-side top plate portion extend along the first direction, the central top panel portion protrudes upward relative to the one-side top panel portion and the other-side top panel portion, The plurality of support members include a plurality of first support members that support the one-side top panel portion and the other-side top panel portion, and one or more second support members that support the central top panel portion.

2. each of the one-side top plate portion and the other-side top plate portion has a first accommodation protrusion that protrudes upward so that an upper end of the first support member can fit therein; The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the central top panel portion has one or more second accommodating protrusions that protrude upward so as to receive upper ends of the one or more second support members.

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