Power storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device capable of saving spaces.SOLUTION: A power storage device 10 comprises a power storage element 100, a side plate 500 arranged on the lateral side of the power storage element 100 in a first direction, and an insulation member 600 arranged between the power storage element 100 and the side plate 500. The side plate 500 comprises a plate body part 510 facing the power storage element 100 in the first direction and a plate protrusion 530 protruding from the plate body part 510 in the first direction and facing the power storage element 100 in a second direction. The insulation member 600 comprises an insulation body part 610 arranged between the power storage element 100 and the plate body part 510 and an insulation protrusion 630 protruding from the insulation body part 610 in the first direction and arranged between the power storage element 100 and the plate protrusion 530 in the second direction. The power storage device 10 further comprises a securing member 700 for securing the insulation protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electricity storage device including an electricity storage element. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an electric storage device that includes an electric storage element, a side plate disposed on each side of the electric storage element, and an insulating member disposed between the electric storage element and the side plate. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery module (electric storage device) in which a side separator (insulating member) is disposed between a battery (electric storage element) and a restraining member (side plate). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 166182 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional energy storage device, the side plate may have a protrusion (hereinafter referred to as a plate protrusion) that protrudes toward the energy storage element and faces the energy storage element in the vertical direction. In this case, the insulating member has a protrusion (hereinafter referred to as an insulating protrusion) that protrudes between the energy storage element and the plate protrusion to provide insulation between the energy storage element and the plate protrusion. In Patent Document 1, the restraining member (side plate) has an arm (plate protrusion) that protrudes toward the battery (energy storage element) and faces the battery in the vertical direction, and the side separator (insulating member) has a second portion and a third portion (insulating protrusion) between the battery and the arm. In such a configuration, the conventional energy storage device may have a long protrusion of the insulating protrusion to ensure insulation between the energy storage element and the plate protrusion. However, if the protrusion of the insulating protrusion is long, it may be difficult to secure space for arranging cooling equipment or components for installing the energy storage device (such as vehicle components), which may hinder space saving.

[0005] The present invention was made by the inventors of the present application by focusing on the above-mentioned problem, and has an object to provide a space-saving electricity storage device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to an energy storage device comprising: an energy storage element; a side plate arranged to the side of the energy storage element in a first direction; and an insulating member arranged between the energy storage element and the side plate, wherein the side plate has a plate main body portion facing the energy storage element in the first direction; and a plate protrusion portion protruding from the plate main body portion in the first direction and facing the energy storage element in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the insulating member has an insulating main body portion arranged between the energy storage element and the plate main body portion; and an insulating protrusion protruding from the insulating main body portion in the first direction and arranged between the energy storage element and the plate protrusion in the second direction, and the energy storage device comprises a fixing member fixing the insulating protrusion to the plate protrusion.

[0007] An energy storage device according to one aspect of the present invention is an energy storage device including an energy storage element, a side plate arranged on a side of the energy storage element in a first direction, and an insulating member arranged between the energy storage element and the side plate, wherein the side plate has a plate main body portion facing the energy storage element in the first direction, and a pair of plate protrusions protruding from the plate main body portion in the first direction and facing the energy storage element on both sides in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the insulating member has an insulating main body portion arranged between the energy storage element and the plate main body portion, and a pair of insulating protrusions that protrude from the insulating main body portion in the first direction and are positioned between the storage element and the pair of plate protrusions in the second direction, one of the pair of insulating protrusions being attached to one of the pair of plate protrusions, and the other of the pair of insulating protrusions having a first portion that protrudes from the insulating main body portion in the first direction, a second portion that bends from the first portion in the second direction, and a tip portion connected to the second portion, and the tip portion is positioned at a position that does not protrude further away from the storage element in the second direction than the plate protrusions.

[0008] The present invention can be realized not only as such an energy storage device, but also as a combination of a side plate, an insulating member, and a fixing member, a combination of an insulating member and a fixing member, a combination of a fixing member, a side plate, and an insulating member, or an insulating member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the electricity storage device of the present invention, space can be saved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a power storage device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing each component of the electricity storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an energy storage element according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an insulating member and a fixing member according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which an insulating member according to an embodiment is fixed to a side plate by a fixing member. FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which an insulating member according to a first modified example of the embodiment is fixed to a side plate by a fixing member. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which an insulating member according to a first modified example of the embodiment is fixed to a side plate by a fixing member. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which an insulating member according to a second modification of the embodiment is arranged on a side plate. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which an insulating member according to a second modification of the embodiment is arranged on a side plate. [Figure 8A] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which an insulating member according to a third modification of the embodiment is fixed to a side plate by a fixing member. [Figure 8B] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which an insulating member according to a third modification of the embodiment is fixed to a side plate by a fixing member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] One aspect of the present invention relates to an energy storage device comprising: an energy storage element; a side plate arranged to the side of the energy storage element in a first direction; and an insulating member arranged between the energy storage element and the side plate, wherein the side plate has a plate main body portion facing the energy storage element in the first direction; and a plate protrusion portion protruding from the plate main body portion in the first direction and facing the energy storage element in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the insulating member has an insulating main body portion arranged between the energy storage element and the plate main body portion; and an insulating protrusion protruding from the insulating main body portion in the first direction and arranged between the energy storage element and the plate protrusion in the second direction, and the energy storage device comprises a fixing member fixing the insulating protrusion to the plate protrusion.

[0012] According to this, in the energy storage device, the insulating member has an insulating protrusion that protrudes from the insulating main body in a first direction and is positioned between the energy storage element and the plate protrusion of the side plate in a second direction, and a fixing member is provided to fix the insulating protrusion to the plate protrusion. By fixing the insulating protrusion to the plate protrusion with the fixing member, the insulating protrusion can be fixed in a predetermined position relative to the plate protrusion. Therefore, in order to ensure insulation between the energy storage element and the plate protrusion, it is not necessary to form the insulating protrusion with a long protrusion length in consideration of the possibility that the insulating protrusion may be misaligned with respect to the plate protrusion and be positioned incorrectly. This prevents the protrusion length from becoming too long, thereby enabling space-saving (miniaturization) of the energy storage device.

[0013] The fixing member may fix the insulating protrusion to the plate protrusion by sandwiching the insulating protrusion and the plate protrusion in the second direction.

[0014] According to this, by configuring the fixing member to sandwich the insulating protrusion of the insulating member and the plate protrusion of the side plate, the insulating protrusion can be easily fixed to the plate protrusion, which makes it easy to prevent the protrusion length of the insulating protrusion from becoming too long, and therefore makes it easy to save space (reducing the size) of the energy storage device.

[0015] The insulating protrusion may have a first portion protruding from the insulating body in the first direction and a second portion bent from the first portion in the second direction.

[0016] According to this, by providing the insulating protrusion of the insulating member with a first portion that protrudes from the insulating main body in a first direction and a second portion that bends in a second direction, it is possible to prevent the protrusion of the insulating protrusion in the first direction from becoming too long, thereby achieving space saving (miniaturization) of the energy storage device.

[0017] The second portion may bend from the first portion toward the energy storage element in the second direction.

[0018] According to this, by bending the second portion of the insulating protrusion of the insulating member toward the energy storage device, the insulating protrusion can be prevented from protruding in a direction away from the energy storage device in the second direction, thereby achieving space saving (downsizing) of the energy storage device in the second direction as well.

[0019] The insulating protrusion may further have a tip portion connected to the second portion, and the tip portion may be positioned at a position that does not protrude further away from the storage element in the second direction than the plate protrusion.

[0020] According to this, by positioning the tip of the insulating protrusion of the insulating member at a position where it does not protrude further from the plate protrusion in a direction away from the energy storage element, it is possible to prevent the insulating protrusion from protruding further from the plate protrusion in the second direction. This makes it possible to reduce the space required for the energy storage device (downsizing) in the second direction as well. By positioning the tip of the insulating protrusion at a position where it does not protrude further from the plate protrusion, it is possible to prevent the insulating protrusion from interfering with other components and causing damage such as breakage. If damage to the insulating protrusion can be prevented, there is no need to form the insulating protrusion thick enough to avoid damage, so the thickness of the insulating protrusion can be made thinner. This also makes it possible to reduce the space required for the energy storage device (downsizing).

[0021] The insulating protrusions may be arranged to sandwich the plate protrusion in the second direction.

[0022] According to this, by arranging the insulating protrusions of the insulating member so as to sandwich the plate protrusion, the insulating protrusions can effectively insulate the energy storage element and the plate protrusion, thereby enabling space saving (miniaturization) of the energy storage device while effectively insulating the energy storage element and the plate protrusion.

[0023] An energy storage device according to one aspect of the present invention is an energy storage device including an energy storage element, a side plate arranged on a side of the energy storage element in a first direction, and an insulating member arranged between the energy storage element and the side plate, wherein the side plate has a plate main body portion facing the energy storage element in the first direction, and a pair of plate protrusions protruding from the plate main body portion in the first direction and facing the energy storage element on both sides in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the insulating member has an insulating main body portion arranged between the energy storage element and the plate main body portion, and a pair of insulating protrusions that protrude from the insulating main body portion in the first direction and are positioned between the storage element and the pair of plate protrusions in the second direction, one of the pair of insulating protrusions being attached to one of the pair of plate protrusions, and the other of the pair of insulating protrusions having a first portion that protrudes from the insulating main body portion in the first direction, a second portion that bends from the first portion in the second direction, and a tip portion connected to the second portion, and the tip portion is positioned at a position that does not protrude further away from the storage element in the second direction than the plate protrusions.

[0024] In an energy storage device, when one of a pair of insulating protrusions of an insulating member is attached to one of a pair of plate protrusions of a side plate, the other of the pair of insulating protrusions may need to be elongated to ensure clearance. A long protrusion of the insulating protrusion may hinder space-saving (miniaturization). Therefore, the other of the pair of insulating protrusions has a first portion that protrudes from the insulating body in a first direction and a second portion that bends in a second direction. Furthermore, the tip end connected to the second portion is positioned so as not to protrude further from the plate protrusion in the second direction away from the energy storage device. This prevents the protrusion of the insulating protrusion in the first direction from becoming too long and also prevents the insulating protrusion from protruding further from the energy storage device in the second direction, thereby enabling space-saving (miniaturization) of the energy storage device. Positioning the tip end of the insulating protrusion so as not to protrude further from the plate protrusion also prevents the insulating protrusion from interfering with other components and causing damage, such as breakage. If damage to the insulating protrusion can be prevented, the insulating protrusion does not need to be formed thick enough to avoid damage, and the insulating protrusion can be made thinner. This also contributes to space saving (downsizing) of the power storage device.

[0025] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a description will be given of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention (including its modified examples). Note that the embodiments described below all show comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, manufacturing processes, and the order of manufacturing processes shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. In each drawing, dimensions and the like are not strictly illustrated. In each drawing, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0026] In the following description and drawings, the X-axis direction is defined as the arrangement direction of a pair of electrode terminals in one energy storage element, the opposing direction of a pair of short side surfaces in a container for one energy storage element, the arrangement direction of a pair of side plates, or the arrangement direction of a pair of insulating members. The Y-axis direction is defined as the arrangement direction of multiple energy storage elements, the arrangement direction of multiple spacers, the arrangement direction of a pair of end plates, the arrangement direction of an energy storage element, a spacer, and an end plate, the opposing direction of a pair of long side surfaces in a container for one energy storage element, or the thickness direction of the energy storage element, spacer, or end plate. The Z-axis direction is defined as the arrangement direction of the container body and lid of the container for the energy storage element, or the up-down direction. The X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction intersect each other (orthogonal in this embodiment). Note that depending on the usage mode, the Z-axis direction may not be the up-down direction; however, for convenience of explanation, the Z-axis direction will be described below as the up-down direction.

[0027] In the following description, for example, the positive X-axis direction refers to the direction of the X-axis arrow, and the negative X-axis direction refers to the direction opposite to the positive X-axis direction. Simply referring to the X-axis direction refers to both or either of the positive X-axis direction and the negative X-axis direction. The same applies to the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. Hereinafter, the X-axis direction may also be referred to as the first direction, and the Z-axis direction may also be referred to as the second direction. Expressions indicating relative directions or orientations, such as parallel and perpendicular, may also include cases where the directions or orientations are not strictly those of the same kind. For example, two directions being parallel not only means that the two directions are completely parallel, but also means that the directions are substantially parallel, i.e., there is a difference of, for example, a few percent. Furthermore, in the following description, the term "insulation" refers to "electrical insulation."

[0028] (Embodiment) [1 General Description of the Power Storage Device 10] First, a general description will be given of a power storage device 10 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the power storage device 10 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing each component of the power storage device 10 according to the present embodiment when disassembled.

[0029] The power storage device 10 is a device capable of charging with electricity from an external source and discharging electricity to the external source, and in this embodiment, has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, the power storage device 10 is a battery module (battery assembly) used for power storage or power supply purposes. Specifically, the power storage device 10 is used as a battery for driving or starting the engine of a mobile object such as an automobile, motorcycle, personal watercraft, ship, snowmobile, agricultural machinery, construction machinery, or electric railway vehicle. Examples of the automobile include an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and a fossil fuel (gasoline, diesel, liquefied natural gas, etc.) vehicle. Examples of the electric railway vehicle include a train, a monorail, a linear motor car, and a hybrid train equipped with both a diesel engine and an electric motor. The power storage device 10 can also be used as a stationary battery for home or business use.

[0030] 1 and 2, the energy storage device 10 includes a plurality of energy storage elements 100, a plurality of spacers 200, a pair of end plates 400, a pair of side plates 500, a pair of insulating members 600, and a pair of fixing members 700. The energy storage device 10 also includes bus bars that connect the energy storage elements 100 in series or parallel, but these are not shown or described here. In addition to the above components, the energy storage device 10 may also include a bus bar frame that positions the bus bars, an exterior body that houses the above components, external terminals that are connected to external bus bars, and electrical devices such as circuit boards, fuses, relays, and connectors that monitor or control the charge and discharge states of the energy storage elements 100.

[0031] The energy storage element 100 is a secondary battery (single cell) that can charge and discharge electricity, and more specifically, is a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The energy storage element 100 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped (rectangular) shape, and in this embodiment, eight energy storage elements 100 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction. The size, shape, and number of the energy storage elements 100 to be arranged are not limited, and for example, only one energy storage element 100 may be arranged. The energy storage element 100 is not limited to a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and may be a secondary battery other than a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery or a capacitor. The energy storage element 100 may not be a secondary battery, but may be a primary battery that allows stored electricity to be used without the user having to charge it. The energy storage element 100 may be a battery using a solid electrolyte. The energy storage element 100 may be a pouch-type energy storage element. A detailed description of the configuration of the energy storage element 100 will be given later.

[0032] The spacers 200 are plate-shaped members disposed adjacent to the energy storage elements 100 and insulating the energy storage elements 100 from other members. The spacers 200 are disposed in the positive or negative Y-axis direction of the energy storage elements 100 to provide insulation between two adjacent energy storage elements 100 and between the end storage elements 100 and the end plates 400. The spacers 200 are disposed so as to cover the short side surfaces (short side surfaces 112 described below), both ends of the bottom surface (bottom surface 113 described below) in the X-axis direction of the energy storage elements 100, and both ends of the top surface (lid body 130 described below) in the X-axis direction of the energy storage elements 100. In this embodiment, nine spacers 200 are disposed corresponding to eight energy storage elements 100, but the arrangement positions and number of the spacers 200 are not particularly limited. The spacer 200 is formed from an insulating material such as polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyphenylene ether (PPE (including modified PPE)), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethersulfone (PES), polyamide (PA), ABS resin, or a composite material thereof, a metal with an insulating coating, or a heat-insulating material such as a damper material.

[0033] The end plates 400 and the side plates 500 are restraining members that compress (restrain) the energy storage elements 100 from the outside in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the multiple energy storage elements 100. In other words, the end plates 400 and the side plates 500 sandwich the multiple energy storage elements 100 from both sides in the arrangement direction, thereby compressing (restraining) each of the energy storage elements 100 included in the multiple energy storage elements 100 from both sides in the arrangement direction. The end plates 400 and the side plates 500 are formed from metal members such as steel or stainless steel from the perspective of ensuring strength, but the material is not particularly limited, and for example, they may be formed from a high-strength insulating member, or the metal members may be subjected to an insulating treatment.

[0034] The end plates 400 are plate-shaped (flat block-shaped) restraining members that are arranged on both sides of the energy storage elements 100 and the spacers 200 in the Y-axis direction and that sandwich and hold the energy storage elements 100, etc. from both sides in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction). The pair of end plates 400 are arranged at positions that sandwich the energy storage elements 100 and the spacers 200 in the Y-axis direction (the stacking direction of the electrode plates of the electrode body of the energy storage elements 100), and restrain them.

[0035] The side plate 500 is a plate-like, elongated restraining member disposed on a side of the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200 in the X-axis direction (first direction). Specifically, the side plate 500 is disposed on a side of the insulating member 600 in the X-axis direction so that the insulating member 600 is sandwiched between the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200. Both ends of the side plate 500 are attached to a pair of end plates 400, and by connecting the pair of end plates 400, the side plate 500 restrains the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200. The side plate 500 is disposed extending in the Y-axis direction so as to straddle the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200, and applies a restraining force to the plurality of energy storage elements 100, etc. in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction).

[0036] In this embodiment, a pair of side plates 500 are arranged on both sides of the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200 in the X-axis direction. Each of the pair of side plates 500 is attached to the X-axis end of the pair of end plates 400 at both ends in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the pair of side plates 500, together with the pair of end plates 400, sandwich and restrain the plurality of energy storage elements 100, etc., from both sides in the X-axis direction and both sides in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the side plates 500 are connected (joined) to the end plates 400 by a plurality of (three in this embodiment) connecting members 500a arranged in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, the connecting members 500a are bolts (screws) and are fastened by screwing into female threads formed in the end plates 400. The connection (joining) of the side plates 500 to the end plates 400 is not limited to fixation using bolts (screws) and may be joined by welding, adhesive, or the like.

[0037] The side plate 500 has a plate main body portion 510 and a pair of plate protrusions 520 and 530 (see FIGS. 2 and 5, etc.). The plate main body portion 510 is a portion disposed opposite the energy storage elements 100 in the X-axis direction (first direction). Specifically, the plate main body portion 510 is disposed opposite an insulating main body portion 610 of an insulating member 600 (described later) in the X-axis direction, and is a flat, rectangular portion parallel to a YZ plane extending in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the plate main body portion 510 is disposed in a position in the X-axis direction where the insulating main body portion 610 is sandwiched between the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200. The plate main body portion 510 is disposed in contact with the insulating main body portion 610 in the X-axis direction.

[0038] The pair of plate protrusions 520 and 530 protrude from the plate main body 510 in the X-axis direction (first direction) and face the energy storage elements 100 on both sides in the Z-axis direction (second direction intersecting the first direction). Specifically, the plate protrusion 520 is a long, flat portion that protrudes in the X-axis direction from an end of the plate main body 510 in the positive Z-axis direction toward the energy storage elements 100 and extends in the Y-axis direction, and is disposed in the positive Z-axis direction of the energy storage elements 100. In this embodiment, the plate protrusion 520 is disposed in a position in the Z-axis direction where it sandwiches an insulating protrusion 620 of an insulating member 600 (described later) between the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200. Specifically, the plate protrusion 520 is disposed in a state where it is inserted into the insulating protrusion 620 from the X-axis direction and fitted and attached (see FIG. 5 , etc.).

[0039] The plate protrusion 530 is a long, flat portion that protrudes in the X-axis direction from the end of the plate main body 510 in the negative Z-axis direction toward the energy storage elements 100 and extends in the Y-axis direction, and is disposed in the negative Z-axis direction of the energy storage elements 100. In this embodiment, the plate protrusion 530 is disposed at a position where the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200 sandwich an insulating protrusion 630 of an insulating member 600, which will be described later. Specifically, the plate protrusion 530 is disposed in a state where it is inserted into the insulating protrusion 630 from the X-axis direction and fitted and attached (see FIG. 5, etc.). The plate protrusion 530 is longer in the X-axis direction than the plate protrusion 520.

[0040] The insulating member 600 is a plate-like, elongated insulating member (insulator) arranged on both sides of the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200 in the X-axis direction and extending in the Y-axis direction. The insulating member 600 is arranged between the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200 and the side plate 500 so as to straddle the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200. In this manner, the insulating member 600 insulates the plurality of energy storage elements 100 from the side plate 500. The insulating member 600 may be made of any material as long as it has insulating properties, and may be made of any insulating material that can be used for the spacers 200, for example. In this embodiment, the insulating member 600 is a thin member (thin film) having a thickness of about a few tenths of a millimeter.

[0041] The insulating member 600 has an insulating main body portion 610 and a pair of insulating protrusions 620 and 630 (see FIGS. 2 and 4, etc.). The insulating main body portion 610 is disposed between the energy storage elements 100 and the plate main body portion 510 and is a flat, rectangular portion parallel to the YZ plane extending in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the insulating main body portion 610 is disposed between the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200 and the plate main body portion 510 in the X-axis direction. The insulating main body portion 610 is disposed at a position facing in the X-axis direction to a central portion (a central portion (a portion including the center) of the short side surface 112) of the energy storage element 100 in the Z-axis direction (second direction). Specifically, the insulating main body portion 610 is disposed at a position facing in the X-axis direction across from one end to the other end of the short side surface 112 of the energy storage element 100 in the Z-axis direction. The insulating main body portion 610 is arranged in contact with the side walls of the multiple spacers 200 in the X-axis direction, but depending on the shape of the spacers 200, the insulating main body portion 610 may also be arranged in contact with the short side surface 112 of the energy storage element 100.

[0042] The pair of insulating protrusions 620 and 630 are portions that protrude from the insulating main body portion 610 in the X-axis direction (first direction) and are disposed between the energy storage device 100 and the pair of plate protrusions 520 and 530 in the Z-axis direction (second direction). Specifically, the insulating protrusion 620 is an elongated, plate-like portion that protrudes in the X-axis direction from the end of the insulating main body portion 610 in the positive Z-axis direction toward the energy storage device 100 and extends in the Y-axis direction. The insulating protrusion 620 is disposed in the positive Z-axis direction of the plurality of energy storage devices 100 and the plurality of spacers 200, abutting against upper walls of the X-axis end portions of the plurality of spacers 200 in the positive Z-axis direction. The insulating protrusion 630 is an elongated, plate-like portion that protrudes in the X-axis direction from the end of the insulating main body portion 610 in the negative Z-axis direction toward the energy storage device 100 and extends in the Y-axis direction. The insulating protrusion 630 is arranged in the negative Z-axis direction of the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200. The insulating protrusion 630 is longer in the X-axis direction than the insulating protrusion 620. A more detailed description of the configuration of the insulating member 600 (insulating protrusions 620 and 630) will be given later.

[0043] The fixing member 700 is a member that fixes the insulating member 600 to the side plate 500. A pair of fixing members 700 is arranged corresponding to the pair of insulating members 600 and the pair of side plates 500. Specifically, the fixing member 700 is a flat, elongated member parallel to the XY plane that extends in the Y-axis direction along the insulating protrusion 630 and the plate protrusion 530, and fixes the insulating protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530. The fixing member 700 is arranged in the negative Z-axis direction of the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200, abutting against the bottom walls of the X-axis end portions of the plurality of spacers 200 in the negative Z-axis direction. The fixing member 700 may be made of any material, and may be made of, for example, any insulating material that can be used for the spacers 200. A detailed description of the configuration of the fixing member 700 will be given later.

[0044] [2. Description of the Energy Storage Element 100] Next, the configuration of the energy storage element 100 will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage element 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of the appearance of one of the energy storage elements 100 shown in Fig. 2. Since the plurality of energy storage elements 100 all have the same configuration, the configuration of one of the energy storage elements 100 will be described in detail below.

[0045] 3, the energy storage element 100 includes a container 110, a pair of electrode terminals 140 (positive and negative), and an upper gasket 150. The container 110 contains a lower gasket, an electrode assembly, a pair of current collectors (positive and negative), an electrolyte (nonaqueous electrolyte), and the like, but these are not shown in the figure. There are no particular restrictions on the type of electrolyte as long as it does not impair the performance of the energy storage element 100, and various types can be selected.

[0046] In addition to the above components, the energy storage element 100 may also have spacers arranged on the sides or below the electrode assembly, an insulating film that encases the electrode assembly, etc. Furthermore, an insulating film (such as a shrink tube) that covers the outer surface of the container 110 may be arranged around the container 110. The material of the insulating film is not particularly limited as long as it can ensure the insulation required for the energy storage element 100, and examples of the material include insulating resins such as PC, PP, PE, PPS, PET, PBT, and ABS resin, epoxy resin, Kapton (registered trademark), Teflon (registered trademark), silicone, polyisoprene, and polyvinyl chloride.

[0047] The container 110 is a rectangular parallelepiped (square or box-shaped) case having a container body 120 with an opening formed therein and a lid 130 that closes the opening of the container body 120. The container body 120 is a rectangular cylindrical member with a bottom that constitutes the main body of the container 110, and has an opening formed on the positive side of the Z axis. The lid 130 is a rectangular plate-like member that constitutes the lid of the container 110, and is disposed so as to extend in the X axis direction in the positive direction of the Z axis of the container body 120. The container 110 (lid 130) may be provided with a gas exhaust valve that releases pressure inside the container 110 if the pressure inside the container 110 increases excessively, a liquid injection part for injecting electrolyte into the container 110, and the like. The material of the container 110 (container body 120 and lid 130) is not particularly limited and can be, for example, a weldable (joinable) metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, or plated steel sheet, but resin can also be used.

[0048] The container 110 has a structure in which the electrode assembly and the like are housed inside the container body 120, and then the container body 120 and the lid 130 are joined by welding or the like, thereby sealing the interior. The container 110 has a pair of long sides 111 on both sides in the Y-axis direction, a pair of short sides 112 on both sides in the X-axis direction, and a bottom surface 113 on the negative Z-axis side. The long sides 111 are rectangular flat portions that form the long sides of the container 110 and are arranged opposite adjacent spacers 200 in the Y-axis direction. The long sides 111 are adjacent to the short sides 112 and the bottom surface 113 and have a larger area than the short sides 112. The short sides 112 are rectangular flat portions that form the short sides of the container 110 and are arranged opposite the side plate 500 and the insulating member 600 in the X-axis direction. The short sides 112 are adjacent to the long sides 111 and the bottom surface 113 and have a smaller area than the long sides 111. The bottom surface 113 is a rectangular flat portion that forms the bottom surface of the container 110 and is disposed adjacent to the long side surface 111 and the short side surface 112 .

[0049] The electrode terminals 140 are terminal members (positive and negative terminals) of the energy storage element 100 that are placed on the lid 130, and are electrically connected to the positive and negative electrode plates of the electrode body via current collectors. In other words, the electrode terminals 140 are metal members that draw out electricity stored in the electrode body to the external space of the energy storage element 100 and introduce electricity into the internal space of the energy storage element 100 to store electricity in the electrode body. The electrode terminals 140 are made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy, or the like.

[0050] The electrode assembly is an electricity storage element (power generating element) formed by stacking a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The positive electrode plate is formed by forming a positive electrode active material layer on a positive electrode substrate layer, which is a current collecting foil made of a metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The negative electrode plate is formed by forming a negative electrode active material layer on a negative electrode substrate layer, which is a current collecting foil made of a metal such as copper or a copper alloy. As the active material used in the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer, any known material capable of absorbing and releasing lithium ions can be used. The separator can be a microporous resin sheet or nonwoven fabric. In this embodiment, the electrode assembly is formed by stacking electrode plates (positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates) in the Y-axis direction. The electrode assembly may be of any shape, such as a wound electrode assembly formed by winding electrode plates (positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates), a stacked electrode assembly formed by stacking multiple flat electrode plates, or a bellows-shaped electrode assembly in which electrode plates are folded in a bellows shape.

[0051] The current collectors are conductive members (positive electrode current collector and negative electrode current collector) electrically connected to the electrode terminal 140 and the electrode body. The positive electrode current collector is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, etc., like the positive electrode substrate layer of the positive electrode plate, and the negative electrode current collector is made of copper or a copper alloy, etc., like the negative electrode substrate layer of the negative electrode plate.

[0052] The upper gasket 150 is a gasket that is disposed between the lid body 130 and the electrode terminal 140 and that insulates and seals between the lid body 130 and the electrode terminal 140. The lower gasket is a gasket that is disposed between the lid body 130 and the current collector and that insulates and seals between the lid body 130 and the current collector. The upper gasket 150 and the lower gasket may be formed from any material that has insulating properties.

[0053] [3. Description of the insulating member 600 and the fixing member 700] Next, the configuration of the insulating member 600 and the fixing member 700 will be described in detail. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the insulating member 600 and the fixing member 700 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 4(a) is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the insulating member 600 and the fixing member 700 in the positive direction of the X-axis, out of the pair of insulating members 600 and the pair of fixing members 700 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4(b) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the insulating member 600 and the fixing member 700 shown in Fig. 4(a) rotated 180° around the Z-axis.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which an insulating member 600 according to this embodiment is fixed to a side plate 500 by a fixing member 700. Specifically, FIG. 5(a) shows a cross section of the insulating member 600 fixed to the side plate 500, taken along a plane parallel to the XZ plane, with components other than the side plate 500, insulating member 600, and fixing member 700 omitted. FIG. 5(a) shows a state in which, of the pair of insulating members 600 and pair of side plates 500 shown in FIG. 2, the insulating members 600 and side plates 500 in the positive direction of the X axis are assembled. FIG. 5(b) shows an enlarged view of the end portion of the configuration shown in FIG. 5(a) in the positive direction of the Z axis, and FIG. 5(c) shows an enlarged view of the end portion of the configuration shown in FIG. 5(a) in the negative direction of the Z axis.

[0055] 2, the configurations in the positive X-axis direction and the negative X-axis direction have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the YZ plane. For this reason, the following description will focus on the configurations in the positive X-axis direction as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the description of the configurations in the negative X-axis direction will be simplified or omitted.

[0056] As described above, the insulating member 600 has an insulating main body 610 and a pair of insulating protrusions 620 and 630. The following describes in detail the pair of insulating protrusions 620 and 630. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the insulating protrusion 620 has a first portion 621, a second portion 622, and a tip portion 623.

[0057] The first portion 621 is a portion that protrudes from the insulating main body portion 610 in the X-axis direction (first direction). Specifically, the first portion 621 is a long, flat portion that protrudes from an end portion of the insulating main body portion 610 in the positive Z-axis direction in the negative X-axis direction (toward the energy storage devices 100) and extends in the Y-axis direction. The first portion 621 is arranged in the negative Z-axis direction of the plate protruding portion 520 of the side plate 500 and in the positive Z-axis direction of the multiple energy storage devices 100 and the multiple spacers 200. The first portion 621 is arranged in a state of abutting in the Z-axis direction against a surface of the plate protruding portion 520 in the negative Z-axis direction and against upper walls of the ends of the multiple spacers 200 in the positive X-axis direction. Depending on the shape of the spacer 200, the first portion 621 may be arranged in a state of abutting against an end portion of the lid 130 of the container 110 of the energy storage devices 100 in the positive X-axis direction.

[0058] The second portion 622 is a portion that bends in the Z-axis direction (second direction) from the first portion 621. Specifically, the second portion 622 is an elongated, flat portion that bends in the Z-axis positive direction from the end portion of the first portion 621 facing the negative X-axis direction (the end portion on the energy storage device 100 side) and extends in the Z-axis positive direction, and also extends in the Y-axis direction. The second portion 622 is disposed in the X-axis negative direction of the plate protruding portion 520 of the side plate 500. In this embodiment, the second portion 622 is disposed in contact with the end face of the plate protruding portion 520 facing the X-axis negative direction, but does not have to be in contact.

[0059] The tip portion 623 is a tip portion of the insulating protrusion 620 connected to the second portion 622. Specifically, the tip portion 623 is an elongated, plate-like portion that bends from the end of the second portion 622 in the positive Z-axis direction in the positive X-axis direction (a direction away from the energy storage device 100 in the X-axis direction) and extends in the positive X-axis direction, and also extends in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the tip portion 623 has a shape in which the tip in the positive X-axis direction is curved in the positive Z-axis direction. Furthermore, the tip portion 623 has a protrusion 623a that protrudes in the negative Z-axis direction. The protrusion 623a is a bulge portion in which the surface of the tip portion 623 facing the negative Z-axis protrudes in the negative Z-axis direction and the surface of the tip portion 623 facing the positive Z-axis is recessed in the negative Z-axis direction. The tip portion 623 has a plurality of (five in this embodiment) protrusions 623a arranged in the Y-axis direction. The tip portion 623 is disposed in the positive Z-axis direction of the plate protrusion 520 of the side plate 500, and the protrusion 623a is disposed in contact with the surface of the plate protrusion 520 in the positive Z-axis direction.

[0060] In this way, the insulating protrusion 620 is disposed so as to sandwich the plate protrusion 520 in the Z-axis direction (second direction). That is, the insulating protrusion 620 protrudes in the negative X-axis direction from the end of the insulating main body 610 in the positive Z-axis direction, bends in the positive Z-axis direction, and bends again in the positive X-axis direction, forming a substantially C-shape when viewed from the negative Y-axis direction. As a result, a recess recessed in the negative X-axis direction is formed in the insulating protrusion 620, and the plate protrusion 520 is inserted and fitted into this recess, thereby attaching the insulating protrusion 620 to the plate protrusion 520. The tip of the tip portion 623 of the insulating protrusion 620 in the positive X-axis direction is curved in the positive Z-axis direction, so that the insulating protrusion 620 has a shape that makes it easy to insert the plate protrusion 520.

[0061] The insulating protrusion 630 has the same configuration as the insulating protrusion 620. That is, the insulating protrusion 630 has a first portion 631, a second portion 632, and a tip portion 633.

[0062] The first part 631 is a part that protrudes in the X-axis direction (first direction) from the insulating main body part 610. Specifically, the first part 631 is a long, flat part that protrudes in the X-axis negative direction (direction toward the energy storage devices 100) from an end of the insulating main body part 610 in the Z-axis negative direction and extends in the Y-axis direction. The first part 631 is arranged in the Z-axis positive direction of the plate protruding part 530 of the side plate 500 and in the Z-axis negative direction of the plurality of energy storage devices 100 and the plurality of spacers 200. The first part 631 is arranged in contact with the surface of the plate protruding part 530 in the Z-axis positive direction in the Z-axis direction.

[0063] The second portion 632 is a portion that bends in the Z-axis direction (second direction) from the first portion 631. Specifically, the second portion 632 is an elongated, flat portion that bends in the Z-axis negative direction from the end portion of the first portion 631 facing the negative X-axis (the end portion on the energy storage device 100 side) and extends in the Z-axis negative direction, and also extends in the Y-axis direction. The second portion 632 is disposed in the X-axis negative direction of the plate protruding portion 530 of the side plate 500. In the present embodiment, the second portion 632 is disposed in contact with the end face of the plate protruding portion 530 facing the X-axis negative direction, but does not have to be in contact.

[0064] The tip portion 633 is a tip portion of the insulating protrusion 630 that is connected to the second portion 632. Specifically, the tip portion 633 is an elongated, flat portion that bends from the end of the second portion 632 in the negative Z-axis direction in the positive X-axis direction (a direction away from the energy storage device 100 in the X-axis direction) and extends in the positive X-axis direction, and also extends in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the tip portion 633 has a protrusion 633a that protrudes in the positive Z-axis direction. The protrusion 633a is a bulging portion in which the surface of the tip portion 633 facing the positive Z-axis protrudes in the positive Z-axis direction, and the surface of the tip portion 633 facing the negative Z-axis is recessed in the positive Z-axis direction. The tip portion 633 has a plurality of (five in this embodiment) protrusions 633a arranged in the Y-axis direction. The tip portion 633 is disposed in the negative Z-axis direction of the plate protruding portion 530 of the side plate 500, and the convex portion 633a is disposed in contact with the surface of the plate protruding portion 530 in the negative Z-axis direction.

[0065] In this way, the insulating protrusion 630 is arranged so as to sandwich the plate protrusion 530 in the Z-axis direction (second direction). In other words, the insulating protrusion 630 protrudes in the negative X-axis direction from the negative Z-axis end of the insulating main body 610, bends in the negative Z-axis direction, and bends again in the positive X-axis direction, forming a substantially C-shape when viewed from the negative Y-axis direction. As a result, a recess that is recessed in the negative X-axis direction is formed in the insulating protrusion 630, and the plate protrusion 530 is inserted and fitted into this recess, thereby attaching the insulating protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530.

[0066] The fixing member 700 has a first wall portion 710, a connecting portion 720, and a second wall portion 730. The first wall portion 710 is disposed opposite the second wall portion 730 in the Z-axis positive direction, and is an elongated, flat portion that is parallel to the XY plane and extends in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the first wall portion 710 has a shape in which the tip end in the X-axis positive direction is bent in the Z-axis positive direction. The first wall portion 710 is disposed in the Z-axis direction at a position where the first portion 631 of the insulating protrusion 630 is sandwiched between the first wall portion 710 and the plate protrusion 530, and is in contact with the first portion 631. In other words, the first wall portion 710 is disposed in the Z-axis positive direction of the first portion 631 and in the Z-axis negative direction of the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200. The first wall portion 710 is arranged in a state of abutting in the Z-axis direction against the surface of the first portion 631 facing in the positive Z-axis direction and the bottom walls of the ends of the spacers 200 facing in the negative Z-axis direction at the ends of the spacers 200 facing in the positive X-axis direction. Depending on the shape of the spacers 200, the first wall portion 710 may be arranged in a state of abutting against the ends of the bottom surface 113 of the container 110 of the energy storage element 100 facing in the positive X-axis direction.

[0067] The second wall portion 730 is disposed opposite the first wall portion 710 in the Z-axis direction, in the negative Z-axis direction, and is an elongated, flat portion that is approximately parallel to the XY plane and extends in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the second wall portion 730 has a chamfered corner in the Z-axis positive direction of its tip end in the X-axis positive direction to form an inclined surface. The second wall portion 730 is disposed in a position in the Z-axis direction where the tip end 633 of the insulating protrusion 630 is sandwiched between the second wall portion 730 and the plate protrusion 530, and is in contact with the tip end 633. In this embodiment, the length of the second wall portion 730 in the X-axis direction is longer than that of the first wall portion 710 and shorter than that of the tip end 633. This reduces the size of the second wall portion 730 within a range that can restrict movement of the tip end 633 in the Z-axis negative direction, thereby saving space.

[0068] The connecting portion 720 is disposed in the negative X-axis direction of the first wall portion 710 and the second wall portion 730, and is a portion that connects the end of the first wall portion 710 in the negative X-axis direction with the end of the second wall portion 730 in the negative X-axis direction. The connecting portion 720 is curved in an arc shape (semicircular shape) when viewed in the Y-axis direction, and is an elongated, curved plate-like portion that extends in the Y-axis direction. The connecting portion 720 is disposed at a position where the second portion 632 of the insulating protrusion 630 is sandwiched between the connecting portion 720 and the plate protrusion 530 in the X-axis direction, and is spaced apart from the second portion 632, but may also be disposed in contact with the second portion 632.

[0069] The connecting portion 720 applies a biasing force that biases the first wall portion 710 and the second wall portion 730 toward the plate protrusion 530 and the insulating protrusion 630. In other words, when the plate protrusion 530 and the insulating protrusion 630 are inserted between the first wall portion 710 and the second wall portion 730, the distance between the first wall portion 710 and the second wall portion 730 increases, and the connecting portion 720 is deformed. This force of the connecting portion 720 trying to return to its original shape biases the first wall portion 710 and the second wall portion 730 toward the plate protrusion 530 and the insulating protrusion 630, and the fixing member 700 fixes the insulating protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530.

[0070] As described above, the fixing member 700 is a clip-shaped member that is substantially C-shaped when viewed from the Y-axis direction and that fixes the insulating protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530 by clamping the insulating protrusion 630 and the plate protrusion 530 in the Z-axis direction (second direction). The fixing member 700 has a shape that makes it easy to insert the insulating protrusion 630 and the plate protrusion 530, since the tip of the first wall portion 710 in the positive direction of the X-axis is bent in the positive direction of the Z-axis and the corner of the tip of the second wall portion 730 in the positive direction of the X-axis is chamfered in the positive direction of the Z-axis. In this embodiment, the fixing member 700 fixes the insulating protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530 continuously in the Y-axis direction, from one end to the other end of the insulating protrusion 630. Note that a configuration in which multiple fixing members 700 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction and the multiple fixing members 700 intermittently fix the insulating protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530 may also be used.

[0071] [4. Explanation of effects] As described above, in the energy storage device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the insulating member 600 has the insulating protrusion 630 that protrudes from the insulating main body 610 in the X-axis direction (first direction) and is disposed between the energy storage device 100 and the plate protrusion 530 of the side plate 500 in the Z-axis direction (second direction). In this configuration, a fixing member 700 is disposed to fix the insulating protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530. By fixing the insulating protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530 with the fixing member 700 in this manner, the insulating protrusion 630 can be fixed at a predetermined position relative to the plate protrusion 530. Therefore, in order to ensure insulation between the energy storage device 100 and the plate protrusion 530, it is not necessary to form the insulating protrusion 630 to protrude too long in consideration of the possibility that the insulating protrusion 630 may be misaligned with respect to the plate protrusion 530 and not be positioned accurately. This makes it possible to prevent the protrusion amount (length in the X-axis direction) of the insulating protrusion 630 from becoming too long, thereby enabling space saving (downsizing) of the power storage device 10.

[0072] By configuring the fixing member 700 to sandwich the insulating protrusion 630 of the insulating member 600 and the plate protrusion 530 of the side plate 500, the insulating protrusion 630 can be easily fixed to the plate protrusion 530. This makes it easy to prevent the protrusion amount of the insulating protrusion 630 from becoming too long, and therefore makes it easy to achieve space saving (downsizing) of the energy storage device 10.

[0073] Insulating protrusion 630 of insulating member 600, by providing first portion 631 protruding from insulating main body 610 in the X-axis direction (first direction) and second portion 632 bending in the Z-axis direction (second direction), it is possible to prevent insulating protrusion 630 from protruding too long in the X-axis direction (first direction), thereby enabling space saving (downsizing) of power storage device 10.

[0074] By arranging the insulating protrusions 630 of the insulating member 600 so as to sandwich the plate protrusions 530, the energy storage elements 100 and the plate protrusions 530 can be effectively insulated by the insulating protrusions 630. This allows the energy storage device 10 to be made more compact (reduced in size) while effectively insulating the energy storage elements 100 and the plate protrusions 530.

[0075] [5. Explanation of Variations] Although the energy storage device 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The embodiment disclosed herein is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0076] (Variation 1) A first modification of the above embodiment will now be described. Figures 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing a configuration in which an insulating member 600 according to the first modification of the present embodiment is fixed to a side plate 500 by a fixing member 700. Figures 6A and 6B correspond to (c) of Figure 5.

[0077] In this modification, insulating member 600 has insulating protrusion 630a as shown in Fig. 6A, or insulating protrusion 630b as shown in Fig. 6B, instead of insulating protrusion 630 in the above embodiment. The other configuration of this modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, so detailed description will be omitted.

[0078] 6A, insulating protrusion 630a has first portion 631, second portion 632a, and tip portion 633b. First portion 631 has a configuration similar to that of first portion 631 in the above-described embodiment. Second portion 632a is a portion that bends from first portion 631 in the Z-axis direction (second direction) toward energy storage devices 100. Specifically, second portion 632a is an elongated, curved portion that bends in the Z-axis positive direction from the end of first portion 631 in the negative X-axis direction (the end on the energy storage devices 100 side) and then bends in the X-axis positive direction, extending in the Y-axis direction.

[0079] The tip portion 633b is a long, flat portion that extends in the positive X-axis direction from the end of the second portion 632a in the positive Z-axis direction and also in the Y-axis direction. The tip portion 633b is sandwiched between the first portion 631 and the first wall portion 710 in the positive Z-axis direction of the first portion 631 and the negative Z-axis direction of the first wall portion 710 of the fixing member 700. In other words, the insulating protrusion 630a is sandwiched between the first wall portion 710 and the plate protrusion 530 in a state in which the tip portion 633b and the first portion 631 are overlapped (folded). The tip portion 633b may have a protrusion that protrudes in the positive Z-axis direction or the negative Z-axis direction, similar to the protrusion 633a in the above embodiment.

[0080] 6B, insulating protrusion 630b has first portion 631, second portion 632b, and tip portion 633c. First portion 631 has a configuration similar to that of first portion 631 in the above-described embodiment. Second portion 632b is an elongated, curved portion that extends in the Y-axis direction, bending in the negative Z-axis direction from the end of first portion 631 in the negative X-axis direction, and then bending in the positive X-axis direction.

[0081] The tip portion 633c is an elongated, flat portion that extends in the positive X-axis direction from the end of the second portion 632b in the negative Z-axis direction and also in the Y-axis direction. The tip portion 633c is disposed in a state where it is sandwiched between the first portion 631 and the plate protruding portion 530 in the negative Z-axis direction of the first portion 631 and the positive Z-axis direction of the plate protruding portion 530. In other words, the insulating protruding portion 630b is disposed in a state where the tip portion 633c and the first portion 631 are overlapped (folded) and it is sandwiched between the first wall portion 710 and the plate protruding portion 530. The tip portion 633c may have a protrusion that protrudes in the positive Z-axis direction or the negative Z-axis direction, similar to the protrusion 633a in the above embodiment.

[0082] In this way, the tip portions 633b and 633c are arranged at positions that do not protrude further in the direction (negative Z-axis direction) away from the energy storage device 100 in the Z-axis direction (second direction) than the plate protruding portion 530. Specifically, the tip portions 633b and 633c are arranged further in the positive Z-axis direction than the plate protruding portion 530. As a result, the insulating protruding portions 630a and 630b are arranged further in the positive Z-axis direction than the plate protruding portion 530.

[0083] As described above, the energy storage device 10 according to this modification can achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiment. In the energy storage device 10, when the insulating protrusion 620 of the insulating member 600 is attached to the plate protrusion 520 of the side plate 500, the other insulating protrusion may need to be elongated to ensure clearance. If the other insulating protrusion is too long, space saving (miniaturization) may not be achieved. Therefore, the insulating protrusions 630a and 630b are provided with second portions 632a and 632b that bend in the Z-axis direction (second direction) from a first portion 631 that protrudes from the insulating main body 610 in the X-axis direction (first direction). Furthermore, the tip portions 633b and 633c connected to the second portions 632a and 632b are positioned so as not to protrude further than the plate protrusion 530 in the Z-axis direction (second direction) away from the energy storage device 100 (negative Z-axis direction). This can prevent the insulating protrusions 630a and 630b from protruding too long in the X-axis direction (first direction), and can also prevent the insulating protrusions 630a and 630b from protruding in the Z-axis direction (second direction) in a direction away from the energy storage element 100. This allows for space saving (downsizing) of the energy storage device 10.

[0084] By positioning the tip ends 633b and 633c of the insulating protrusions 630a and 630b at positions that do not protrude beyond the plate protrusion 530, it is possible to prevent the insulating protrusions 630a and 630b from interfering with other components and being damaged, such as broken. If damage to the insulating protrusions 630a and 630b can be prevented, there is no need to form the insulating protrusions 630a and 630b thick to prevent damage, and therefore the thickness of the insulating protrusions 630a and 630b can be made thinner. This also allows for space saving (miniaturization) of the energy storage device 10.

[0085] In the insulating protrusion 630a of the insulating member 600, by bending the second portion 632a in a direction facing the energy storage elements 100 (positive direction on the Z axis), it is possible to prevent the insulating protrusion 630a from protruding in a direction away from the energy storage elements 100 in the Z axis direction (second direction). This makes it possible to reduce the space (size) of the energy storage device 10. By bending the second portion 632a in a direction facing the energy storage elements 100 (positive direction on the Z axis), it becomes easier to insert the insulating protrusion 630a into the fixing member 700 than when the second portion 632b is bent in a direction away from the energy storage elements 100 (negative direction on the Z axis).

[0086] In the above-described modified example, the tip 633b or 633c may be disposed in the same position as the plate protruding portion 530 in the Z-axis direction, for example, by being disposed in the negative X-axis direction of the plate protruding portion 530. This also allows the tip 633b or 633c to be disposed in a position that does not protrude further in the negative Z-axis direction than the plate protruding portion 530, thereby achieving the same effect as above.

[0087] (Variation 2) Modification 2 of the above embodiment will be described. Figures 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views showing a configuration in which insulating member 600 according to Modification 2 of the present embodiment is arranged on side plate 500. Figures 7A and 7B correspond to Figures 6A and 6B.

[0088] 7A and 7B, in this modification, the fixing member 700 in the above-described modification 1 is not provided. The other configurations of this modification are the same as those of the above-described modification 1, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. That is, in this modification, similar to the above-described modification 1, the insulating protrusions 630a and 630b are provided with second portions 632a and 632b that bend in the Z-axis direction from the first portion 631, and the tip portions 633b and 633c are positioned so as not to protrude further in the negative Z-axis direction than the plate protrusion 530.

[0089] As described above, the power storage device 10 according to this modification can achieve the same effects as those of the first modification.

[0090] (Variation 3) A third modification of the above embodiment will now be described. Figures 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views showing a configuration in which an insulating member 600 according to the third modification of the present embodiment is fixed to a side plate 500 by a fixing member 701. Figure 8A corresponds to (c) of Figure 5, and Figure 8B corresponds to Figure 6A.

[0091] 8A and 8B, in this modification, insulating member 600 is fixed to side plate 500 by fixing member 701 instead of fixing member 700 in the above embodiment and modification 1. The other configurations of this modification are the same as those of the above embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] 8A , the fixing member 701 is a fastener that fixes the insulating protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530. Specifically, the fixing member 701 has a shaft portion 702 that protrudes and extends in the negative Z-axis direction, and the shaft portion 702 penetrates the first portion 631 and the tip portion 633 of the insulating protrusion 630 and the plate protrusion 530, thereby fixing the insulating protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530. The fixing members 701 are arranged at both ends of the insulating protrusion 630 and the plate protrusion 530 in the Y-axis direction to fix the insulating protrusion 630 to the plate protrusion 530, but the arrangement positions and number of the fixing members 701 are not particularly limited.

[0093] 8B , the fixing member 701 has a shaft portion 702 that penetrates through the first portion 631 and tip portion 633b of the insulating protrusion 630a and the plate protrusion 530, thereby fixing the insulating protrusion 630a to the plate protrusion 530. The fixing member 701 may have a shaft portion 702 that penetrates through the first portion 631 and tip portion 633c of the insulating protrusion 630b shown in FIG. 6B and the plate protrusion 530, thereby fixing the insulating protrusion 630b to the plate protrusion 530.

[0094] As described above, the energy storage device 10 according to this modification can achieve the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment or modification 1. The shape of the fixing member 701 can take various shapes other than those shown in this modification.

[0095] (Other variations) In the above embodiment, the insulating protrusion 630 of the insulating member 600 may not have the tip portion 633, or the second portion 632 and the tip portion 633. This prevents the insulating protrusion 630 from protruding in the negative Z-axis direction beyond the plate protrusion 530, thereby achieving the same effect as in the above modification 1. Similarly, the insulating protrusion 620 may not have the tip portion 623, or the second portion 622 and the tip portion 623.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the insulating member 600 has a pair of insulating protrusions 620 and 630, but it does not have to have the insulating protrusion 620. Similarly, the side plate 500 does not have to have the plate protrusion 520.

[0097] In the above embodiment, tip 623 of insulating protrusion 620 of insulating member 600 has protrusion 623a, but it does not have to have protrusion 623a. Similarly, tip 633 of insulating protrusion 630 does not have to have protrusion 633a.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the fixing member 700 fixes the insulating protrusion 630 of the insulating member 600 to the plate protrusion 530 of the side plate 500, but the insulating protrusion 620 may also be fixed to the plate protrusion 520.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the side plate 500 is a member that connects the pair of end plates 400, but the configuration thereof is not particularly limited as long as it is a member that is arranged on the side of the energy storage device 100.

[0100] In the above embodiment, both the configuration in the positive X-axis direction and the configuration in the negative X-axis direction of the energy storage device 10 have the above-described configuration, but either one may have a configuration different from the above.

[0101] The scope of the present invention also includes embodiments constructed by arbitrarily combining the components included in the above-described embodiment and its variations. In other words, among the various variations that can be applied to the above-described embodiment, those that can also be applied to the above-described variations 1 to 3 may also be applied to the above-described variations 1 to 3. Among the variations 1 to 3, those that can also be applied to other variations may also be applied to the other variations.

[0102] The present invention can be realized not only as such a storage battery device 10, but also as a combination of a side plate 500, an insulating member 600 and a fixing member, a combination of an insulating member 600 and a fixing member, a fixing member, a combination of a side plate 500 and an insulating member 600, or an insulating member 600. [Industrial Applicability]

[0103] The present invention can be applied to an electricity storage device or the like that includes an electricity storage element such as a lithium ion secondary battery. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 10. Energy storage device 100 Energy storage element 110 Container 140 Electrode terminal 200 spacer 400 End Plate 500 side plate 510 Plate body 520, 530 Plate protrusion 600 Insulating material 610 Insulation body 620, 630, 630a, 630b Insulating protrusions 621, 631 Part 1 622, 632, 632a, 632b Part 2 623, 633, 633b, 633c tip 623a, 633a convex part 700, 701 Fixing member 702 Shaft 710 First wall 720 Joint 730 Second wall section

Claims

1. An energy storage device including: an energy storage element; a side plate disposed on a side of the energy storage element in a first direction; and an insulating member disposed between the energy storage element and the side plate, The side plate is a plate main body portion facing the energy storage element in the first direction; a plate protruding portion protruding from the plate main body portion in the first direction and facing the energy storage element in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The insulating member is an insulating body portion disposed between the energy storage element and the plate body portion; an insulating protrusion protruding from the insulating body in the first direction and disposed between the energy storage element and the plate protrusion in the second direction; the power storage device includes a fixing member that fixes the insulating protrusion to the plate protrusion, the fixing member includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion that sandwich the insulating protrusion portion and the plate protrusion portion in the second direction, The distance between the inner surfaces of the first wall portion and the second wall portion at the tips on the plate body side increases toward the plate body. Energy storage device.

2. The insulating protrusions are disposed to sandwich the plate protrusion in the second direction. The power storage device according to claim 1 .

3. An energy storage device including: an energy storage element; a side plate disposed on a side of the energy storage element in a first direction; and an insulating member disposed between the energy storage element and the side plate, The side plate is a plate main body portion facing the energy storage element in the first direction; a plate protruding portion protruding from the plate main body portion in the first direction and facing the energy storage element in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The insulating member is an insulating body portion disposed between the energy storage element and the plate body portion; an insulating protrusion protruding from the insulating body in the first direction and disposed between the energy storage element and the plate protrusion in the second direction; the power storage device includes a fixing member that fixes the insulating protrusion to the plate protrusion, the insulating protrusion has a first portion protruding from the insulating body in the first direction and a second portion bent from the first portion in the second direction, The second portion bends from the first portion toward the energy storage element in the second direction. Energy storage device.

4. An energy storage device including: an energy storage element; a side plate disposed on a side of the energy storage element in a first direction; and an insulating member disposed between the energy storage element and the side plate, The side plate is a plate main body portion facing the energy storage element in the first direction; a plate protruding portion protruding from the plate main body portion in the first direction and facing the energy storage element in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The insulating member is an insulating body portion disposed between the energy storage element and the plate body portion; an insulating protrusion protruding from the insulating body in the first direction and disposed between the energy storage element and the plate protrusion in the second direction; the power storage device includes a fixing member that fixes the insulating protrusion to the plate protrusion, the insulating protrusion has a first portion protruding from the insulating body in the first direction, a second portion bent from the first portion in the second direction, and a tip portion connected to the second portion, The tip portion is disposed at a position that does not protrude further in a direction away from the energy storage device than the plate protruding portion in the second direction. Energy storage device.

5. An energy storage device including: an energy storage element; a side plate disposed on a side of the energy storage element in a first direction; and an insulating member disposed between the energy storage element and the side plate, The side plate is a plate main body portion facing the energy storage element in the first direction; a pair of plate protrusions protruding from the plate main body in the first direction and facing the energy storage elements on both sides in a second direction intersecting the first direction; The insulating member is an insulating body portion disposed between the energy storage element and the plate body portion; a pair of insulating protrusions protruding from the insulating body in the first direction and disposed between the energy storage element and the pair of plate protrusions in the second direction; one of the pair of insulating protrusions is attached to one of the pair of plate protrusions; the other of the pair of insulating protrusions has a first portion protruding from the insulating body in the first direction, a second portion bent from the first portion in the second direction, and a tip portion connected to the second portion, The tip portion is disposed at a position that does not protrude further in a direction away from the energy storage device than the plate protruding portion in the second direction. Energy storage device.

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