Stopper, energy storage element unit, building, and energy storage element unit installation method

Abstract

To fix a power storage element module to a housing easily during installation of a power storage element unit.SOLUTION: A stopper 40 fixes a power storage element module 30 to a housing 20. The stopper 40 includes: a first plate member 41; and a fixing tool 50 for fixing the first plate member 41 to the housing 20. The fixing tool 50 is held by the first plate member 41 in an unremovable manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stopper, an energy storage element unit, a building, and a method for installing an energy storage element unit. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, an energy storage element unit is known in which a plurality of energy storage element modules are housed in a housing. Each energy storage element module includes a plurality of stacked cells. To prevent damage to the cells, the energy storage element modules housed in the housing can be fixed to the housing.

[0003] The energy storage element module can be fixed in a housing when the energy storage element unit is installed. Recently, there has been a demand for smaller housings in order to install the energy storage element unit inside a building. When installing the energy storage element unit inside a building, it is not easy to fix the energy storage element module in a small housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-4959 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to facilitate the fixing of an energy storage element module to a housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The stopper according to the present invention is a stopper for fixing an energy storage element module to a housing, A first plate member; a fixing tool for fixing the first plate member to the housing, The fastener is non-removably held by the first plate member.

[0007] The stopper according to the present invention further comprises a second plate member overlapped with the first plate member, the second plate member is connected to the first plate member at a first side connection portion and a second side connection portion that are spaced apart in the width direction; A hollow portion may be formed by the second plate member being separated from the first plate member between the first side connection portion and the second side connection portion in the width direction.

[0008] In the stopper according to the present invention, the fastener may be held by the first plate member in a region in the width direction where the hollow portion is formed.

[0009] In the stopper according to the present invention, the fixing device may include a head portion positioned between the first plate member and the second plate member when the first plate member is fixed to the housing, and a shaft portion extending through the first plate member.

[0010] In the stopper according to the present invention, the second plate member may be provided with a hole or a notch facing the head portion.

[0011] In the stopper according to the present invention, the second plate member is connected to the first plate member at an intermediate connection portion between the first side connection portion and the second side connection portion in the width direction, a first hollow portion is formed between the first side connecting portion and the intermediate connecting portion in the width direction; A second hollow portion may be formed between the middle connecting portion and the second side connecting portion in the width direction.

[0012] In the stopper according to the present invention, a first screw is held in the first plate member in a region in the width direction where the first hollow portion is formed, A second screw may be held in the first plate member in a region in the width direction where the second hollow portion is formed.

[0013] In the stopper according to the present invention, at least one of the first plate member and the second plate member may be bent so as to protrude toward the other plate member in a region that serves as an intermediate connection portion in the width direction, thereby providing a recess.

[0014] The energy storage element unit according to the present invention comprises: a power storage element module; the stopper according to the present invention as described above; and a housing that houses the energy storage element module and the stopper.

[0015] A building according to the present invention includes any of the above-described energy storage element units according to the present invention.

[0016] The method for installing an energy storage element unit according to the present invention includes the steps of: a step of placing an energy storage element module in a housing; and attaching the stopper to the housing using the screw of the stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 8, thereby fixing the energy storage element module inside the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, the energy storage element module can be easily fixed to the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining one embodiment, and is an exploded perspective view showing an energy storage element unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the energy storage element unit of FIG. 1, with some of the configuration omitted. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the stopper as viewed from the first plate member side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4, and is a partial cross-sectional view showing the fastener in a state where the first plate member is not fastened to the housing. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 and is a partial cross-sectional view showing the fastener in a state in which the first plate member is fixed to the housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the stopper of FIG. 4 as viewed from the second plate member side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings attached to this specification, the scale and aspect ratios have been appropriately changed and exaggerated from their actual values ​​for the sake of convenience in illustration and understanding. Furthermore, configurations shown in some drawings may be omitted in other drawings.

[0020] In this specification, terms that specify shapes, geometric conditions, and their degrees, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," and "identical," as well as values ​​of lengths and angles, are not limited to their strict meanings, but are interpreted to include a range within which similar functions can be expected.

[0021] To clarify the directional relationships between drawings, the drawings depicting the components that make up the energy storage element unit show the first direction DA, second direction DB, and third direction DC as common directions between the drawings. Similarly, the drawings depicting the stopper show the thickness direction DX, longitudinal direction DY, and width direction DZ as common directions between the drawings. In each direction, the tip of the arrow is the first side. In each direction, the side opposite the first side is the second side. An arrow pointing away from the page in a direction perpendicular to the page is indicated by a symbol with an "x" in a circle, as shown in Figure 3, for example. An arrow pointing toward the front from the page in a direction perpendicular to the page is indicated by a symbol with a dot in a circle, as shown in Figure 4, for example.

[0022] 1 to 7 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an energy storage element unit 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the interior of the energy storage element unit 10. The energy storage element unit 10 is used as a secondary battery unit that can be charged and discharged. The illustrated energy storage element unit 10 is applied to buildings such as homes and public facilities, for example. The energy storage element unit 10 can be electrically connected to building wiring within the building. The energy storage element unit 10 can function as a power source for electrical devices installed within the building.

[0023] The energy storage element unit 10 includes a housing 20, an energy storage element module 30, and a stopper 40. The energy storage element unit 10 may further include a control module 60. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the energy storage element module 30, the stopper 40, and the control module 60 are housed in the housing 20. The stopper 40 fixes the energy storage element module 30. As shown in Fig. 2, the control module 60 is stacked on the energy storage element module 30 via the stopper 40.

[0024] The housing 20 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with one side open. The housing 20 forms a rectangular parallelepiped storage space 20S for storing the energy storage element module 30 and the like. The housing 20 has a bottom wall 21 and a side wall 22 extending from the bottom wall 21 on a first side in a first direction DA that is a normal direction of the bottom wall 21. The bottom wall 21 defines the storage space 20S from a second side in the first direction DA. The side wall 22 includes a first side wall 22a, a second side wall 22b, a third side wall 22c, and a fourth side wall 22d. The first side wall 22a and the second side wall 22b face a second direction DB that is perpendicular to the first direction DA. The first side wall 22a defines the storage space 20S from a first side in the second direction DB. The second side wall 22b defines the storage space 20S from the second side in the second direction DB. The third side wall 22c and the fourth side wall 22d face a third direction DC that is perpendicular to both the first direction DA and the second direction DB. The third side wall 22c defines the storage space 20S from the second side in the third direction DC. The fourth side wall 22d defines the storage space 20S from the first side in the third direction DC. FIG. 2 shows the housing 20 without the first side wall 22a and the third side wall 22c. However, the first support 23a and the second support 23b attached to the first side wall 22a are not removed in FIG. 2. The first support 23a and the second support 23b will be described later.

[0025] 1, the energy storage element unit 10 further includes a cover 15 that closes the opening of the housing 20. The cover 15 is removably attached to the housing 20. The cover 15 defines an accommodation space 20S from a first side in the first direction DA.

[0026] The cover 15 and the housing 20 each include, for example, a frame and a panel material fixed to the frame. The frame may be made of, for example, metal. The panel may be made of, for example, metal or resin.

[0027] The storage element module 30, the stopper 40, and the control module 60 can be placed in the accommodation space 20S from a first side in the first direction DA. The storage element module 30, the stopper 40, and the control module 60 accommodated in the accommodation space 20S can be removed from the first side in the first direction DA.

[0028] 2, the stopper 40 is placed on the energy storage element module 30 from the first side in the first direction DA in the accommodation space 20S. The control module 60 may be further placed on the stopper 40 from the first side in the first direction DA.

[0029] The control module 60 is electrically connected to each energy storage element module 30 accommodated in the accommodation space 20S. The control module 60 may be electrically connected to a control device provided outside the energy storage element unit 10. The control module 60 has one or more functions of controlling the charging and discharging of the multiple energy storage element modules 30, monitoring the charging states (e.g., charge amounts) of the energy storage element modules 30, and monitoring the presence or absence of abnormalities in the energy storage element modules 30. The control module 60 can transmit information regarding the charging states and the presence or absence of abnormalities of the energy storage element modules 30 to the control device provided outside the energy storage element unit 10. The control module 60 may have a switch capable of changing the electrical connection state with the energy storage element unit 10 and the electrical connection state with the control device.

[0030] The energy storage element module 30 contains cells (not shown). A cell is the smallest unit that can be used as an energy storage element. Various types of cells can be used. The cells may be, for example, lithium-ion secondary batteries. The temperature of each cell may rise during charging and discharging. The temperature of the energy storage element module 30 may rise as the temperature of the cells rises.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of energy storage element modules 30 are accommodated in the accommodation space 20S. In the accommodation space 20S, a first energy storage element module assembly 30a in which three energy storage element modules 30 are stacked in the first direction DA and a second energy storage element module assembly 30b in which four energy storage element modules 30 are stacked in the first direction DA are arranged adjacent to each other in the third direction DC. The energy storage element modules 30 are rectangular parallelepiped members. The energy storage element modules 30 arranged in the accommodation space 20S have a longitudinal direction in the second direction DB. The energy storage element modules 30 arranged in the accommodation space 20S have a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the third direction DC. The energy storage element modules 30 arranged in the accommodation space 20S have a thickness direction in the third direction DC.

[0032] The energy storage element module 30 has a plurality of protrusions 35 that protrude toward the first side in the first direction DA at the edge on the first side and the edge on the second side in the third direction DC. The plurality of protrusions 35 are regularly arranged in the second direction DB. The energy storage element module 30 has a plurality of engagement portions 36 that can accommodate the protrusions 35 at the edge on the first side and the edge on the second side in the third direction DC. The plurality of engagement portions 36 are regularly arranged in the second direction DB. The arrangement of the engagement portions 36 in the second direction DB corresponds to the arrangement of the protrusions 35 in the second direction DB. In an energy storage element module 30 in which another energy storage element module 30 is overlapped from the first side in the first direction DA, the protrusions 35 are in contact with the engagement portions 36 of the energy storage element module 30 that overlaps from the first side in the first direction DA. The contact between the protrusions 35 and the engagement portions 36 allows the plurality of energy storage element modules 30 to be stacked in the first direction DA while preventing displacement in the second direction DB or the third direction DC.

[0033] The stoppers 40 fix the energy storage element module 30 to the housing 20. The stoppers 40 restrict relative movement of the energy storage element module 30 with respect to the housing 20 in the first direction DA. In the example shown in FIG. 2, two stoppers 40 are provided in the accommodation space 20S side by side in the third direction DC. Of the two stoppers 40, a first stopper 40a is placed on a first side in the third direction DC and overlaps the first energy storage element module assembly 30a from its first side in the first direction DA. Of the two stoppers 40, a second stopper 40b is placed on a second side in the third direction DC and overlaps the second energy storage element module assembly 30b from its first side in the first direction DA.

[0034] The control module 60 is placed on the second stopper 40b from the first side in the first direction DA, i.e., the side opposite to the second energy storage element module assembly 30b. The control module 60 may be fixed to the second stopper 40b with, for example, a plurality of screws. By fixing the control module 60 to the stopper 40, the stopper 40 can restrict relative movement of the control module 60 with respect to the housing 20.

[0035] The housing 20 further includes a support portion 23 that supports the stopper 40 on the first side wall portion 22a and the second side wall portion 22b facing the second direction DB. The housing 20 further includes a first support portion 23a between the first energy storage element module assembly 30a and the first side wall portion 22a in the second direction DB. The housing 20 further includes a second support portion 23b between the second energy storage element module assembly 30b and the first side wall portion 22a in the second direction DB. The first support portion 23a and the second support portion 23b are attached to the first side wall portion 22a (not shown in FIG. 2) from a second side in the second direction DB. The housing 20 further includes a third support portion 23c between the second side wall portion 22b and the first energy storage element module assembly 30a in the second direction DB. The housing 20 further includes a fourth support portion 23d between the second side wall portion 22b and the second energy storage element module assembly 30b in the second direction DB. The third support portion 23c and the fourth support portion 23d are attached to the second side wall portion 22b.

[0036] The support portion 23 has mounting holes 24 that face the fasteners 50 of the stopper 40. The diameter and number of the mounting holes 24 correspond to the diameter and number of the facing fasteners 50. When each support portion 23 has multiple mounting holes 24, the pitch between adjacent mounting holes 24 corresponds to the pitch between adjacent fasteners 50 in the facing fasteners 50. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , each support portion 23 has a mounting hole 24 that faces the fasteners 50 of the stopper 40 in the first direction DA. In the example shown, each mounting hole 24 is provided with a threaded hole.

[0037] 2, a first stopper 40a is attached to the first support portion 23a and the third support portion 23c from a first side in the first direction DA. A second stopper 40b is attached to the second support portion 23b and the fourth support portion 23d from a first side in the first direction DA. Attaching the first stopper 40a to the first support portion 23a and the third support portion 23c fixes the first stopper 40a to the housing 20. Attaching the second stopper 40b to the second support portion 23b and the fourth support portion 23d fixes the second stopper 40b to the housing 20. As will be described in detail later, the stopper 40 may be attached to the support portion 23 by, for example, a screw.

[0038] The stopper 40 includes a first plate member 41 and a fixture 50 held by the first plate member 41. The first plate member 41 is a plate-shaped member having a certain degree of thickness along its normal direction. Hereinafter, in this specification, the "thickness direction DX" used for the stopper 40 and the members constituting the stopper 40 means the normal direction of the first plate member 41. In the stopper 40 fixed to the housing 20, the thickness direction DX is the direction in which the stopper 40 overlaps the energy storage element module 30, i.e., parallel to the first direction DA. The stopper 40 has a certain degree of thickness in the thickness direction DX.

[0039] The first plate member 41 extends in a longitudinal direction DY and a width direction DZ perpendicular to the thickness direction DX. As shown in Fig. 3, the stopper 40 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view (observed from the first side in the thickness direction DX). The stopper 40 fixed to the housing 20 has a longitudinal direction DY parallel to the second direction DB. The stopper 40 fixed to the housing 20 has a width direction DZ parallel to the third direction DC.

[0040] 4, the first plate member 41 may be provided with an extension portion 41S at an edge portion in the width direction DZ. The first plate member 41 may be attached to a second plate member 42 (described later) at the extension portion 41S. The extension portion 41S may be formed by bending the first plate member 41. In the illustrated example, the first plate member 41 is bent at the extension portion 41S, but this is not limiting and the first plate member 41 may also be curved.

[0041] The stopper 40 may further include a second plate member 42 overlapping the first plate member 41 from the first side in the thickness direction DX. In the stopper 40 fixed to the housing 20, the second plate member 42 extends in the longitudinal direction DY and the width direction DZ when observed from the first side in the first direction DA.

[0042] The second plate member 42 includes a first side connection portion 42a and a second side connection portion 42b extending in the longitudinal direction DY. The first side connection portion 42a and the second side connection portion 42b are spaced apart in the width direction DZ. As shown in Fig. 3, two edge portions 42S in the width direction DZ of the second plate member 42, which include the first side connection portion 42a and the second side connection portion 42b, respectively, are bent along the longitudinal direction DY toward a second side in the first direction DA, i.e., toward the first plate member 41.

[0043] The second plate member 42 is connected to the first plate member 41 at a first side connection portion 42a and a second side connection portion 42b. The second plate member 42 connected to the first plate member 41 is spaced from the first plate member 41 to a first side in the thickness direction DX between the first side connection portion 42a and the second side connection portion 42b in the width direction DZ. The second plate member 42 is held in a state spaced from the first plate member 41 to the first side in the thickness direction DX. A hollow portion 43 is formed between the first plate member 41 and the second plate member 42, which are spaced from each other in the thickness direction DX. By forming the hollow portion 43, an air layer can be provided in the stopper 40 fixed to the housing 20. As a result, when the temperature of at least one of the energy storage element module 30 and the control module 60 stacked on the stopper 40 in the accommodation space 20S rises, heat dissipation from the module is stably promoted while heat transfer between the energy storage element module 30 and the control module 60 is suppressed. Therefore, deterioration in the performance of the energy storage element module 30 and the control module 60 due to temperature rise can be effectively suppressed. The extension portion 41S of the first plate member 41 and the edge portion 42S of the second plate member 42 may be connected to each other by, for example, a rivet.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4 , the second plate member 42 is connected to the first plate member 41 not only at the edge portion 42S in the width direction DZ but also at an intermediate connection portion 42c in the width direction DZ. The intermediate connection portion 42c is located between the first side connection portion 42a and the second side connection portion 42b in the width direction DZ. A first hollow portion 43a is formed in the stopper 40 between the first side connection portion 42a and the intermediate connection portion 42c in the width direction DZ. A second hollow portion 43b is formed in the stopper 40 between the second side connection portion 42b and the intermediate connection portion 42c in the width direction DZ. According to this specific example, the rigidity of the stopper 40 is improved by increasing the number of connection points between the first plate member 41 and the second plate member 42. Therefore, the rigidity of the stopper can be ensured while effectively suppressing performance degradation of the energy storage element module 30 and the control module 60 due to temperature rise.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4 , in a region that will become the intermediate connection portion 42c in the width direction DZ, the second plate member 42 is bent along the longitudinal direction DY so as to protrude toward the first plate member 41. The second plate member 42 has a recess 44 formed in the region that will become the intermediate connection portion 42c in the width direction DZ. The recess 44 is formed by a first curved portion 44a of the second plate member 42 that forms the first hollow portion 43a and a second curved portion 44b of the second plate member 42 that forms the second hollow portion 43b. The first plate member 41 and the second plate member 42 may be connected to each other at the recess 44. According to this specific example, the multiple curved portions 44a and 44b improve the rigidity of the stopper 40 against external forces in the thickness direction DX. Therefore, the rigidity of the stopper can be ensured while effectively suppressing performance degradation of the energy storage element module 30 and the control module 60 due to temperature rise.

[0046] 4 shows an example in which the second plate member 42 is bent about an axis along the longitudinal direction DY so as to protrude toward the first plate member 41 in the region that will become the intermediate connection portion 42c in the width direction DZ, but is not limited to this. The first plate member 41 may be bent about an axis along the longitudinal direction DY so as to protrude toward the second plate member 42 in the region that will become the intermediate connection portion 42c in the width direction DZ.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the stopper 40 may be provided with a housing portion 45 capable of housing the protrusion 35 of the energy storage element module 30. In the region where the housing portion 45 is provided, the first plate member 41 is open in the thickness direction DX. The opening of the first plate member 41 corresponds to the shape of the protrusion 35 of the energy storage element module 30. The multiple housing portions 45 are regularly arranged in the longitudinal direction DY. The arrangement of the housing portions 45 corresponds to the arrangement of the protrusions 35 of the energy storage element module 30. According to this specific example, the housing portion 45 restricts the movement of the protrusion 35 of the energy storage element module 30, on which the stopper 40 is placed, in the second direction DB and the third direction DC. This effectively restricts the relative movement of the energy storage element module 30 with respect to the housing 20.

[0048] The stopper 40 may be provided with a plurality of holes 47 that penetrate the first plate member 41 and the second plate member 42 in the thickness direction DX. The plurality of holes 47 are regularly arranged along the longitudinal direction DY in the first hollow portion 43a, the second hollow portion 43b, and the recess 44. According to this specific example, the weight of the stopper 40 can be reduced.

[0049] Next, the fixing device 50 will be described. The fixing device 50 fixes the first plate member 41 to the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 4 , the fixing device 50 is held by the first plate member 41 in a region where the hollow portion 43 is formed in the width direction DZ. By holding the fixing device 50a in the region where the hollow portion 43 is formed, the fixing device 50 can fix the first plate member 41 to the housing 20. This allows the stopper 40 to be stably fixed to the housing 20 while effectively suppressing performance degradation of the energy storage element module 30 and the control module 60 due to temperature rise. As will be described in detail later, the fixing device 50 is held by the first plate member 41 so as to be unremovable. However, the fixing device 50 is held by the first plate member 41 so as to allow operation for attaching the fixing device. For example, if the fixing device is a screw, the fixing device is held by the first plate member 41 so as to be rotatable and unremovable.

[0050] The fastener 50 may include a first fastener 50a held in a region in the width direction DZ where the first hollow portion 43a is formed, and a second fastener 50b held in a region in the width direction DZ where the second hollow portion 43b is formed. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the first hollow portion 43a of the stopper 40 is provided with two first fasteners 50a spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction DY. The second hollow portion 43b of the stopper 40 is provided with two second fasteners 50b spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction DY. The multiple fasteners 50a, 50b spaced apart from each other in the width direction DZ enable the stopper 40 to be stably fixed to the housing 20.

[0051] The fastener 50 may include a head 501 and a shank 502. The head 501 is connected to one end of the shank 502. The shank 502 is narrower (has a smaller diameter) than the head 501. The fastener 50 may pass through the first plate member 41 at the shank 502. At least a portion of the head 501 may be located in the hollow portion 43 between the first plate member 41 and the second plate member 42. Examples of the fastener 50 include a screw, a bolt, a rivet, and a push rivet. A specific example in which the fastener 50 is a screw 51 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 .

[0052] The screw 51 includes a head 51a and a threaded portion 51c. The screw 51 may further include an intermediate portion 51b between the head 51a and the threaded portion 51c. In this example, the threaded portion 51c and the intermediate portion 51b form the shank of the fastener 50. The head 51a, the intermediate portion 51b, and the threaded portion 51c are arranged in this order along the central axis CA of the screw 51. The screw 51 is inserted into the mounting hole 24, which has a threaded hole, from the threaded portion 51c. The tip side of the screw 51 is the side on which the threaded portion 51c is provided. The central axis CA of the screw 51 is parallel to the direction in which the screw 51 moves relative to the first plate member 41 and the housing 20 when tightened by rotation. In other words, the central axis CA of the screw 51 is parallel to both the thickness direction DX and the first direction DA.

[0053] The screw 51 is held in the first plate member 41. As shown in Fig. 5, the screw 51 is held in a cylindrical screw receiving portion 52 provided in the first plate member 41. The screw receiving portion 52 is a cylindrical member extending in the thickness direction DX from the first plate member 41 toward the second plate member 42. The screw receiving portion 52 may be attached to the first plate member 41 by press-fitting one end portion into the first plate member 41.

[0054] The screw receiving portion 52 has a reduced width portion 53 that protrudes from the wall of the through hole 52a toward the inside in the radial direction of the through hole 52a. As shown in Fig. 5, the width of the through hole 52a is reduced in the region where the reduced width portion 53 is provided.

[0055] In the screw 51 held in the first plate member 41, the maximum width of the head 51a in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA is greater than the width of the intermediate portion 51b in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA and the width of the threaded portion 51c in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA. In other words, the head 51a cannot pass through the through hole 52a. This restricts the movement of the screw 51 toward the second side in the thickness direction DX. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the head 51a is located between the first plate member 41 and the second plate member 42 in the thickness direction DX.

[0056] The threaded portion 51c has a male screw that engages with a threaded hole provided in the mounting hole 24 of the support portion 23. The threaded portion 51c engages with the threaded hole of the mounting hole 24, thereby fixing the first plate member 41 to the housing 20. In a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA, the maximum width of the threaded portion 51c is smaller than the width of the through-hole 52a in the region where the reduced width portion 53 is provided. This allows the threaded portion 51c to penetrate the first plate member 41. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a portion of the threaded portion 51c penetrates the first plate member 41 and extends toward the second side in the thickness direction DX.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5 , an enlarged portion 54 is attached to the threaded portion 51c from the tip side of the screw 51. The enlarged portion 54 has a threaded hole that engages with the male thread of the threaded portion 51c. The enlarged portion 54 is attached to the screw 51 by engaging the male thread of the threaded portion 51c with the threaded hole of the enlarged portion 54. In a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA, the maximum width of the enlarged portion 54 is larger than the width of the through hole 52a in the region where the reduced width portion 53 is provided. On the other hand, the maximum width of the enlarged portion 54 is smaller than the width of the through hole 52a in regions other than the region where the reduced width portion 53 is provided. The threaded portion 51c provided with the enlarged portion 54 can pass through the through hole 52a in regions other than the region where the reduced width portion 53 is provided. The threaded portion 51c provided with the enlarged portion 54 cannot pass through the through hole 52a in the region where the reduced width portion 53 is provided. This restricts the screw 51 from moving toward the first side in the thickness direction DX. Various members can be used as the widening portion. The widening portion 54 may be, for example, a nut.

[0058] The screw 51 held in the screw receiving portion 52 is held non-removably in the first plate member 41. The screw 51 held in the screw receiving portion 52 is restricted from moving relative to the first plate member 41 in directions perpendicular to the thickness direction DX, including the longitudinal direction DY and the width direction DZ. The screw 51 held in the screw receiving portion 52 is restricted by the widening portion 54 from moving relative to the first plate member 41 toward a first side in the thickness direction DX. The screw 51 held in the screw receiving portion 52 is restricted by the head portion 51a from moving relative to the first plate member 41 toward a second side in the thickness direction DX.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, the screw 51 may further include a spring 55. The spring 55 is provided around the middle portion 51b. The screw 51 is movable relative to the spring 55. The maximum width of the spring 55 is larger than the width of the through hole 52a in the region where the reduced width portion 53 is provided. On the other hand, the maximum width of the spring 55 is smaller than the width of the through hole 52a in regions other than the region where the reduced width portion 53 is provided. The spring 55 can pass through the through hole 52a in regions other than the region where the reduced width portion 53 is provided. The spring 55 cannot pass through the through hole 52a in the region where the reduced width portion 53 is provided.

[0060] The following describes the function of the illustrated stopper 40. Specifically, the following describes a method for installing the energy storage element unit 10 including the stopper 40.

[0061] Recently, due to demands for increased capacity in energy storage element units, energy storage element modules that house cells have become larger and heavier. Energy storage element units, in which these energy storage element modules are housed in housings, have also become heavy. If these energy storage element units are assembled at a location other than the installation site, the construction imposes a heavy burden on workers. Therefore, as an alternative construction method for energy storage element units, components included in the energy storage element unit may be brought separately to the installation site and assembled at the installation site of the energy storage element unit. This method is expected to reduce the burden on workers that occurs when constructing the energy storage element unit.

[0062] In this construction method, first, the components included in the energy storage element unit 10 are brought into the building where the energy storage element unit 10 is to be installed. The housing 20 is assembled at the installation location of the energy storage element unit 10. The assembled housing 20 has an opening in a first direction DA, which is the normal direction of the bottom wall portion 21. The opening of the housing 20 is formed by the side wall portion 22.

[0063] Next, the energy storage element module 30 is placed in the housing 20. The energy storage element module 30 is placed in the storage space 20S of the housing 20 from the first side in the first direction DA. A plurality of energy storage element modules 30 may be stacked in the storage space 20S in the first direction DA. The energy storage element module 30 is placed in the second direction DB between the supports 23a and 23b attached to the first side wall 22a and the supports 23c and 23d attached to the second side wall 22b. The energy storage element module 30 is placed in the third direction DC between the third side wall 22c and the fourth side wall 22d. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal direction of the energy storage element module 30 placed in the storage space 20S is parallel to the second direction DB. The lateral direction of the energy storage element module 30 placed in the storage space 20S, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, is parallel to the third direction DC.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 2, two storage element modules 30 are arranged in the accommodation space 20S along the third direction DC. Three more storage element modules 30 are stacked on the storage element module 30 on the first side in the third direction DC from the first side in the first direction DA. Two more storage element modules 30 are stacked on the storage element module 30 on the second side in the third direction DC from the first side in the first direction DA. In the illustrated example, a first storage element module assembly 30a is formed by stacking three storage element modules 30 in the first direction DA. A second storage element module assembly 30b is formed by stacking four storage element modules 30 in the first direction DA.

[0065] Next, the stopper 40 is attached to the housing 20 to fix the energy storage element module 30 inside the housing 20. The stopper 40 may be placed on the plurality of energy storage element modules 30 stacked in the first direction DA from the first side in the first direction DA. The stopper 40 is attached to the housing 20 using a fixture 50 that is unremovably held by the first plate member 41. More specifically, the male threads of the plurality of screws 51 held by the first plate member 41 engage with threaded holes provided in the mounting holes 24 of the support portion 23, thereby attaching the stopper 40 to the housing 20.

[0066] 2, the first stopper 40a is placed on the first energy storage element module assembly 30a from the first side in the first direction DA, and the second stopper 40b is placed on the second energy storage element module assembly 30b from the first side in the first direction DA.

[0067] To attach the stopper 40 to the housing 20, the stopper 40 is aligned with the support portion 23. In the first support portion 23a, the screw 51 held on a first side of the first stopper 40a in the longitudinal direction DY is aligned with the mounting hole 24. In the second support portion 23b, the screw 51 held on a first side of the second stopper 40b in the longitudinal direction DY is aligned with the mounting hole 24. In the third support portion 23c, the screw 51 held on a second side of the first stopper 40a in the longitudinal direction DY is aligned with the mounting hole 24. In the fourth support portion 23d, the screw 51 held on a second side of the second stopper 40b in the longitudinal direction DY is aligned with the mounting hole 24.

[0068] Recently, from the viewpoint of installing an energy storage element unit inside a building, there has been a demand for miniaturizing the housing of the energy storage element unit. In an energy storage element unit, the energy storage element module is becoming larger and heavier, while the housing is becoming smaller, which increases the proportion of the housing's storage element module's occupancy. In other words, the working space for workers in the housing 20 that houses the energy storage element module is reduced.

[0069] When fixing the stopper 40 to the housing 20 during installation of the energy storage element unit 10, if the fastener 50 is not held by the first plate member 41, the worker must separately hold the first plate member 41 and the fastener 50. The fastener 50, which is significantly smaller than the first plate member 41, is likely to fall through a gap between the housing 20 and the energy storage element module 30 and onto the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20. If the energy storage element modules 30 are already stacked in the storage space 20S, it is difficult for the worker to reach the bottom wall 21 in the downsized housing 20. Therefore, in order to remove the fastener 50 that has fallen onto the bottom wall 21 from the housing 20, it may be necessary to remove the energy storage element module 30 housed in the storage space 20S again. This operation may result in a delay in the work of fixing the energy storage element module 30 to the housing 20, which may cause a delay in the installation work of the energy storage element unit 10 at the installation site.

[0070] Furthermore, even if the fixing device 50 is held by the first plate member 41, if it is removable from the first plate member 41, the fixing device 50 may unintentionally come off the first plate member 41 when attaching the stopper 40. For the reasons described above, if the fixing device 50 comes off the first plate member 41, it may become necessary to remove the energy storage element module 30 housed in the housing space 20S again. Therefore, even if the fixing device 50 is held in a removable manner from the first plate member 41, a delay may occur in the installation work of the energy storage element unit 10 at the installation site.

[0071] On the other hand, in the stopper 40 according to the present embodiment, the fixing device 50 is held by the first plate member 41 and cannot be removed from the first plate member 41. According to this specific example, when attaching the stopper 40 to the housing 20, the fixing device 50 is brought into the accommodation space 20S by a worker together with the first plate member 41, which has dimensions larger than the fixing device 50. The stopper 40 including the first plate member 41 and the fixing device 50 is less likely to fall down to the bottom wall 21 of the housing 20 than the fixing device 50. That is, according to this specific example, the risk of the fixing device 50 falling through the gap between the housing 20 and the energy storage element module 30 can be significantly reduced. This allows the stopper 40 to be smoothly fixed to the housing 20, and the energy storage element module 30 to be easily fixed to the housing 20. As a result, even when installing the energy storage element unit 10 at the installation site, the installation work for the energy storage element unit 10 can be smoothly carried out.

[0072] Furthermore, because the fixing device 50 is held non-removably by the first plate member 41, an operator can grasp the stopper 40 and align the fixing device 50 held within the stopper 40 with the screw hole of the support portion 23. When fixing the stopper 40 to the housing 20, the operator does not need to grasp only the fixing device 50. This makes it easy to align the fixing device 50 to the fixing position.

[0073] The aligned stopper 40 is fixed to the housing 20 by tightening the screw 51 into the mounting hole 24. The screw is tightened into the mounting hole 24 by rotating the screw about the central axis CA relative to the stopper 40 and the housing 20 using an installation tool such as a screwdriver (not shown). As the screw 51 rotates relative to the stopper 40 and the housing 20, the screw 51 moves relative to the stopper 40 and the housing 20 toward the second side in the thickness direction DX (the second side in the first direction DA). In this way, as shown in FIG. 6 , the screw 51 is installed in the mounting hole 24 from the first side in the first direction DA, and the first plate member 41 is fixed to the support portion 23, i.e., the housing 20.

[0074] The mounting tool is attached to the head 51a of the screw 51 from a first side in the first direction DA, in other words, a first side in the thickness direction DX. As clearly shown in FIG. 7 , the second plate member 42 of the stopper 40 has a notch 48 facing the head 51a. According to this specific example, even if the second plate member 42 is located closer to the first side in the first direction DA than the head 51a, the fastener can easily pass through the second plate member 42 when attached to the head 51a of the screw 51. This allows the worker to easily attach the fastener to the head 51a of the screw 51. Therefore, according to this specific example, the worker can easily fix the stopper 40 to the housing 20 from the first side in the first direction DA by tightening the screw 51 into the mounting hole 24 with the easily attached fastener.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5 , the screw 51 is held in the first plate member 41 so as not to be removable. The screw 51 is housed in the screw receiving portion 52, and thus relative movement of the screw 51 with respect to the first plate member 41 in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction DX is restricted. According to this specific example, even if the screw 51 is unintentionally removed from the installation tool, the screw 51 does not fall onto the first plate member 41. The head 51 a of the screw 51 is held in the first plate member 41 while facing the first side in the thickness direction DX. This allows the worker to easily attach the installation tool by pointing the head 51 a of the screw 51 toward the first side. Therefore, even if the screw 51 is unintentionally removed from the installation tool, the worker can easily start tightening the screw 51.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 6 , by tightening the screw 51 into the mounting hole 24, the spring 55 provided at the middle portion 51b of the screw 51 contracts between the screw receiving portion 52 and the screw 51, which moves relatively toward the second side in the thickness direction DX. The contracted spring 55 exerts a repulsive force toward the first side in the thickness direction DX. If the screw 51 is not sufficiently tightened into the mounting hole 24, the spring 55 pushes the screw 51 toward the first side in the thickness direction DX due to the repulsive force generated by the contraction. This movement of the screw 51 allows the operator to easily recognize that the screw 51 is not sufficiently tightened into the mounting hole 24. This effectively prevents the stopper 40 from unintentionally falling off due to insufficient tightening force of the screw 51.

[0077] In this manner, the stopper 40 is fixed to the housing 20. By fixing the stopper 40 to the housing 20, the relative movement of the energy storage element module 30, which is located on the second side in the first direction DA relative to the stopper 40, in the third direction DC with respect to the housing 20 is restricted. In other words, the energy storage element module 30 is fixed within the housing 20.

[0078] When the first plate member 41 is fixed to the housing 20, the head 501 of the fixing device 50 is positioned between the first plate member 41 and the second plate member 42. When the first plate member 41 is fixed to the housing 20, the shaft 502 of the fixing device 50 extends through the first plate member 41. According to this specific example, when the first plate member 41 is fixed to the housing 20, the head 501 is prevented from protruding from the second plate member 42 toward the first side in the first direction DA. This makes it possible to prevent unintended contact between the head 501 and the hands, clothing, or the like of a worker in the accommodation space 20S during installation work of the energy storage element unit 10.

[0079] A control module 60 may be further attached to the stopper 40 fixed to the housing 20 from the first side in the first direction DA. The control module 60 may be attached to the stopper 40 before the stopper 40 is fixed to the housing 20.

[0080] 2 and 3, the stopper 40 may have a wire passing portion 49 formed at one edge in the longitudinal direction DY. The wire passing portion 49 has a generally U-shape in plan view (when viewed from either side in the thickness direction DX). According to this specific example, even when the stopper 40 is fixed to the housing 20, a cable extending from the energy storage element module 30 to another device can pass through the stopper 40.

[0081] After the storage in the storage space 20S is completed, the opening of the housing 20 is closed from the first side in the first direction DA by the cover 15. In this manner, the installation of the energy storage element unit 10 is completed. The worker can remove the control module 60, the stopper 40, and the energy storage element module 30 from the housing 20 by reversing the above-described steps. This removal of the energy storage element module 30 can be performed when inspecting, maintaining, repairing, etc. the energy storage element unit.

[0082] In the embodiment described above, the stopper 40 fixes the energy storage element module 30 to the housing 20. The stopper 40 includes a first plate member 41 and a fastener 50 for fixing the first plate member 41 to the housing 20. The fastener 50 is non-removably held by the first plate member 41. According to this embodiment, the risk of the fastener 50 falling through the gap between the housing 20 and the energy storage element module 30 can be significantly reduced. By grasping the stopper 40, a worker can align the fastener 50 held in the stopper 40 with the screw hole of the support portion 23. This allows the stopper 40 to be smoothly fixed to the housing 20, and the energy storage element module 30 to be easily fixed to the housing 20. As a result, even when installing the energy storage element unit 10 at the installation site, the installation work for the energy storage element unit 10 can be smoothly carried out.

[0083] Although the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be embodied in various other forms. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10: energy storage element unit, 15: cover, 20: housing, 20S: storage space, 21: bottom wall portion, 21S: extension portion, 22: side wall portion, 22a: first side wall portion, 22b: second side wall portion, 22c: third side wall portion, 22d: fourth side wall portion, 23: support portion, 23a: first support portion, 23b: second support portion, 23c: third support portion, 23d: fourth support portion, 24: mounting hole, 30: energy storage element module, 30a: first energy storage element module combination, 30b: second energy storage element module combination, 35: protrusion portion, 36: engagement portion, 40: stopper, 40a: first stopper, 40b: second stopper, 41: first plate member, 41S: extension portion, 42: second plate member, 42a: first side connection portion, 42 b: second side connection portion, 42c: intermediate connection portion, 42S: edge portion, 43: hollow portion, 43a: first hollow portion, 43b: second hollow portion, 44: recess, 44a: first bent portion, 44b: second bent portion, 45: accommodating portion, 46: contact portion, 47: hole, 48: notch, 49: wiring passage portion, 50: fixture, 50a: first fixture, 50b: second fixture, 50 1: head, 502: shaft, 51: screw, 51a: head, 51b: middle, 51c: threaded portion, 52: screw receiving portion, 52a: through hole, 53: narrowed portion, 54: widened portion, 55: spring, 60: control module, DA: first direction, DB: second direction, DC: third direction, DX: thickness direction, DY: longitudinal direction, DZ: width direction, WM: width direction center line

Claims

1. A stopper for fixing the energy storage element module to a housing, A first plate member; a second plate member overlapped with the first plate member; a fastener for fastening the first plate member to the housing, the fastener is non-removably held by the first plate member; the second plate member is connected to the first plate member at a first side connection portion and a second side connection portion that are spaced apart in the width direction; A stopper in which a hollow portion is formed between the first side connection portion and the second side connection portion in the width direction by separating the second plate member from the first plate member.

2. The stopper according to claim 1 , wherein the fastener is held by the first plate member in a region in the width direction where the hollow portion is formed.

3. 3. The stopper according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device includes a head portion positioned between the first plate member and the second plate member when the first plate member is fixed to the housing, and a shaft portion extending through the first plate member.

4. The stopper according to claim 3 , wherein the second plate member is provided with a hole or a notch facing the head portion.

5. the second plate member is connected to the first plate member at an intermediate connection portion between the first side connection portion and the second side connection portion in the width direction, a first hollow portion is formed between the first side connecting portion and the intermediate connecting portion in the width direction; The stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a second hollow portion is formed between the intermediate connecting portion and the second side connecting portion in the width direction.

6. a first fastener is held by the first plate member in a region in the width direction where the first hollow portion is formed, The stopper according to claim 5 , wherein a second fastener is held by the first plate member in a region in the width direction where the second hollow portion is formed.

7. The stopper according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one of the first plate member and the second plate member is bent so as to protrude toward the other plate member in a region that forms an intermediate connection portion in the width direction, thereby forming a recess.

8. a power storage element module; A stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a housing that houses the energy storage element module and the stopper.

9. A building comprising the energy storage element unit according to claim 8.

10. a step of placing an energy storage element module in a housing; A method for installing an energy storage element unit, comprising the steps of: attaching the stopper to the housing using the fixing device of the stopper described in any one of claims 1 to 7, and fixing the energy storage element module within the housing.

Images