Power storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device that can change the position of an external terminal.SOLUTION: A power storage device 1 including a power storage element 400 includes: a first conductive member 920 arranged on a main current path of the power storage element 400 and connectable to a first external terminal 41; a second conductive member 930 that is electrically connectable to the first conductive member 920 and is connectable to a second external terminal 22 which is an external terminal having the same polarity as the first external terminal 41 and is arranged at one end in a longitudinal direction of the power storage device 1; and a connection member 40 that is arranged at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the power storage device 1, the connection member 40 having any one of a first external terminal 41 connected to the first conductive member 920 and not connected to the second conductive member 930 and a connection portion 43 electrically connecting the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy storage device including an energy storage element and an external terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a power storage device including a power storage element and an external terminal has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack (power storage device) including battery cells (power storage elements) and a load terminal or the like (external terminal). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-125251 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Since the layout of the power storage device is often restricted due to being placed in a small space, it is sometimes desirable to change the positions of the external terminals depending on the situation. However, in the conventional power storage device, the positions of the external terminals are fixed and cannot be changed.

[0005] The present invention was made by the inventors of the present application with a new focus on the above-mentioned problem, and has an object to provide a power storage device in which the positions of the external terminals can be changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a storage device including a storage element, the storage device including: a first conductive member that is arranged on a main current path of the storage element and that is connectable to a first external terminal; a second conductive member that is electrically connectable to the first conductive member and that is connectable to a second external terminal that is an external terminal of the same polarity as the first external terminal and that is arranged at one end of the storage device in the longitudinal direction; and a connecting member that is arranged at the other end of the storage device in the longitudinal direction, the connecting member having either the first external terminal that is connected to the first conductive member but not connected to the second conductive member, or a connecting portion that electrically connects the first conductive member and the second conductive member.

[0007] According to this, the energy storage device includes a first conductive member connectable to the first external terminal, a second conductive member connectable to the first conductive member and the second external terminal, and a connection member having either the first external terminal or a connection portion connecting the first conductive member and the second conductive member. The second external terminal is disposed at one longitudinal end of the energy storage device, and the connection member is disposed at the other longitudinal end of the energy storage device. As a result, when the connection member has the first external terminal, the first external terminal is connected to the first conductive member, and the first external terminal connected to the first conductive member becomes an external terminal of the energy storage device. When the connection member has a connection portion, the first conductive member and the second conductive member to which the second external terminal is connected are connected, and the second external terminal connected to the second conductive member becomes an external terminal of the energy storage device. In other words, when the connection member has the first external terminal, the first external terminal is disposed at the connection position with the first conductive member (the other longitudinal end of the energy storage device). When the connecting member has a connecting portion, a second external terminal is disposed as an external terminal at the connection position with the second conductive member (one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the power storage device). In this way, the external terminal can be changed to the first external terminal or the second external terminal, and therefore the position of the external terminal can be changed (switchable between one end portion and the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the power storage device).

[0008] The battery may further include an exterior housing that houses the energy storage device, and the connection member may be disposed so as to penetrate the exterior housing.

[0009] According to this, the connecting member is disposed in a state in which it penetrates the exterior body, and thus the connecting member can be attached and detached from the outside of the exterior body. As a result, by attaching and detaching the first external terminal as the connecting member or the connecting portion from the outside of the exterior body, the external terminal can be easily changed to the first external terminal or the second external terminal, and therefore the position of the external terminal can be easily changed.

[0010] In addition, the connection member may have the connection portion, and the storage device may include the second external terminal connected to the second conductive member at one end of the storage device in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] According to this, the connecting member has a connecting portion, and the second external terminal is connected to the second conductive member, so that the second external terminal is used as the external terminal instead of the first external terminal. In other words, the position of the external terminal is changed from the position where it is connected to the first conductive member (the position of the connecting member) to the position where it is connected to the second conductive member (one end in the longitudinal direction of the energy storage device). In this way, the position of the external terminal can be easily changed.

[0012] The second external terminal may be detachably connected to the second conductive member.

[0013] According to this, since the second external terminal is configured to be detachable from the second conductive member, the shape of the second external terminal can be easily changed, and maintenance or replacement of the second external terminal can be easily performed.

[0014] The present invention can be realized not only as an electricity storage device, but also as a combination of a first conductive member, a second conductive member, and a connecting member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the electricity storage device of the present invention, the positions of the external terminals can be changed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [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 components of the electricity storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the electricity storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the energy storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connection member and its surrounding configuration according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between a first exterior body, a conductive member, and an external terminal of a connection member according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between a mounting base, a conductive member, and external terminals (and connecting portions) of a first exterior body according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the power storage device according to the embodiment includes a connection member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] 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 merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, in each drawing, dimensions and the like are not strictly illustrated. Furthermore, in each drawing, the same or similar components are assigned the same reference numerals.

[0018] In the following description and drawings, the longitudinal direction of the energy storage device (exterior body thereof), the arrangement direction of multiple energy storage elements such as the first energy storage element and the second energy storage element, the alignment direction of the energy storage unit and the control unit, the opposing direction of the short side surfaces of the containers of the energy storage elements, or the alignment direction of a pair of electrode terminals of one energy storage element is defined as the X-axis direction. The alignment direction of the energy storage element and the bus bar, or the alignment direction of the main body and the lid of the container of the energy storage element is defined as the Y-axis direction. The alignment direction of the main body and the lid of the exterior body, the alignment direction of the energy storage element and the restraining body, the alignment direction of the energy storage element and the spacer, the opposing direction of the long side surfaces of the containers of the energy storage elements, the stacking direction of the electrode plates of the electrode body of the energy storage element, or the up-down direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions intersect each other (orthogonal in this embodiment). Note that depending on the usage mode, the Z-axis may not be the up-down direction; however, for convenience of explanation, the Z-axis will be described below as the up-down direction.

[0019] 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 opposite direction to the positive X-axis direction. The same applies to the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. In the following, the Z-axis direction may also be referred to as the first direction, the Y-axis direction as the second direction, and the X-axis direction as the third direction. Furthermore, expressions indicating relative directions or attitudes, such as parallel and perpendicular, may also include cases where the directions or attitudes are not strictly those of the same kind. For example, "two directions are perpendicular" does not only mean that the two directions are completely perpendicular, but also means that the two directions are substantially perpendicular, i.e., there may be a difference of, for example, a few percent.

[0020] (Embodiment) [1 General Description of the Energy Storage Device 1] First, a schematic configuration of an energy storage device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the energy storage device 1 according to the present embodiment. Figs. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views showing components of an energy storage unit 10 according to the present embodiment in an exploded manner. Specifically, Fig. 2 shows a configuration in which the second exterior body 120 and the like are separated from the exterior body 100 in the energy storage unit 10, and the connection member 40 is separated from the second exterior body 120. Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of components fixed to the first exterior body 110 of the energy storage unit 10 shown in Fig. 2.

[0021] The power storage device 1 is a device that can charge with electricity from an external source and discharge electricity to the outside, and in this embodiment, has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, the power storage device 1 is a battery module (battery assembly) used for power storage or power supply purposes. Specifically, the power storage device 1 is used as a battery for driving or starting the engine of a moving 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 gasoline-powered automobile. 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 1 can also be used as a stationary battery for home use or a power generator.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the energy storage device 1 includes an energy storage unit 10 and a control unit 20. Hereinafter, a portion of the energy storage device 1 that has energy storage elements 400 will be referred to as the energy storage unit 10, and a portion that has control equipment for controlling the energy storage elements 400 will be referred to as the control unit 20. Since the energy storage device 1 has a shape that is long in the X-axis direction, hereinafter, an end of the energy storage device 1 in the positive direction of the X-axis will also be referred to as one longitudinal end of the energy storage device 1, and an end of the energy storage device 1 in the negative direction of the X-axis will also be referred to as the other longitudinal end of the energy storage device 1. The energy storage unit 10 includes an exterior body 100, a connection member 40, and a first reinforcing member 200. The exterior body 100 accommodates the energy storage elements 400, spacers 500, a restraining body 600, a bus bar frame 700, a bus bar 800, a conductive member 900, a control unit 20, and the like. The exterior body 100 is provided with a pair of external terminals 21 and 22 (positive and negative) and a connector 23. Each of the components will be described in detail below.

[0023] [1.1 Description of the exterior body 100] The exterior body 100 is a box-shaped (approximately rectangular parallelepiped) container (module case) that constitutes the exterior body of the energy storage device 1. In other words, the exterior body 100 is disposed outside the energy storage elements 400, etc., and fixes these energy storage elements 400, etc. in predetermined positions to protect them from impacts and the like. The exterior body 100 has a first exterior body 110, a second exterior body 120, a fixing member 130, and a second reinforcing member 300.

[0024] The first exterior housing 110 is a flat rectangular member that constitutes the main body of the exterior housing 100, and the energy storage device 400 and the like are placed and fixed on it. The second exterior housing 120 is a rectangular tubular member with a bottom that constitutes the lid of the exterior housing 100, and is disposed in the positive direction of the Z axis of the first exterior housing 110, and is connected to the first exterior housing 110 to cover the energy storage device 400 and the like. In other words, an opening is formed in the second exterior housing 120 on the negative direction of the Z axis, and the first exterior housing 110 is disposed so as to close the opening of the second exterior housing 120.

[0025] For example, from the viewpoint of ensuring safety (crush resistance), the first exterior housing 110 is formed of a highly rigid material such as a metal member such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, or steel plate, or such a metal member that has been subjected to an insulating treatment such as an insulating coating. For example, from the viewpoint of weight reduction, the second exterior housing 120 is formed of a resin member (insulating member) 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), ABS resin, or a composite material thereof. The first exterior housing 110 may be formed of a resin material similar to that of the second exterior housing 120, but is preferably formed of a material with high rigidity. The second exterior housing 120 may also be formed of a metal material similar to that of the first exterior housing 110.

[0026] First exterior body 110 has a first connection portion 111, mounting bases 113, 114, 115, and 117, and an exterior body protrusion 116. Second exterior body 120 has a second connection portion 121 and an opening 122.

[0027] The first connecting portion 111 is a part (flange portion) that is arranged on the outer periphery of the first exterior housing 110 and has a rectangular ring shape in top view (when viewed from the Z-axis direction), is arranged at a position facing the second connecting portion 121 of the second exterior housing 120, and is connected to the second connecting portion 121 by overlapping the second connecting portion 121. Similarly, the second connecting portion 121 is a part (flange portion) that is arranged on the outer periphery of the second exterior housing 120 and has a rectangular ring shape in top view (when viewed from the Z-axis direction), is arranged at a position facing the first connecting portion 111, and is connected to the first connecting portion 111 by overlapping the first connecting portion 111. In other words, the first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121 are connecting portions that are connected to each other by overlapping in the Z-axis direction (first direction), and are arranged to extend in the Y-axis direction (second direction intersecting the first direction) and the X-axis direction (third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction).

[0028] Mounting bases 113 and 114 are components to which restraint body 600 is attached. Specifically, mounting base 113 is disposed at the end of first exterior body 110 in the negative Y-axis direction, and a portion of restraint body 600 on the negative Y-axis side of first restraint body 610 (described later) is attached to mounting base 113. Mounting base 114 is disposed at the end of first exterior body 110 in the positive Y-axis direction, and a portion of first restraint body 610 on the positive Y-axis side is attached to mounting base 113. More specifically, mounting bases 113 and 114 have bolt portions, and restraint body 600 (first restraint body 610) is attached to mounting bases 113 and 114 by threading the bolt portions into nuts.

[0029] Mounting bases 115 and 117 are members to which conductive member 900 is attached. Specifically, mounting base 115 is disposed at the center of first exterior body 110 in the X-axis direction and at the end on the positive Y-axis direction, and mounting portions 913 and 933 (described later) of conductive member 900 are attached to mounting base 115 (see FIG. 6). Mounting base 117 is disposed at the end on the negative X-axis direction and the positive Y-axis direction of first exterior body 110, and connecting portions 921 and 932 (described later) of conductive member 900 are attached to mounting bases 115 and 117 (see FIG. 6). More specifically, mounting bases 115 and 117 have bolt portions, and conductive member 900 (mounting portions 913 and 933, and connecting portions 921 and 932) are attached to mounting bases 115 and 117 by screwing the bolt portions into nuts.

[0030] The exterior body protrusions 116 are protrusions that protrude toward the energy storage elements 400. Specifically, the exterior body protrusions 116 are arranged in the center of the first exterior body 110 in the Y-axis direction, and are protrusions (protrusions) that are rectangular in top view and protrude toward the positive direction of the Z-axis. Four exterior body protrusions 116 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, corresponding to the four energy storage elements 400 that are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction. Each exterior body protrusion 116 is arranged at a position facing a center of a long side surface 411a (described later) of the energy storage element 400, and presses against the center of the energy storage element 400.

[0031] Opening 122 is a through-hole formed at a corner of second exterior housing 120 in the negative X-axis direction and positive Y-axis direction, passing through the corner of second exterior housing 120 in the Z-axis direction, and is closed by connecting member 40. In other words, with connecting member 40 inserted into opening 122, opening 122 is closed by attaching connecting member 40 to second exterior housing 120.

[0032] Within second exterior body 120, control wires (also referred to as communication wires, control lines, communication cables, or control cables) that transmit information such as the voltage or temperature of energy storage element 400 are connected to control unit 20, thereby transmitting information such as the voltage or temperature of energy storage element 400 to and from control unit 20. Control unit 20 is also electrically connected to connector 23, thereby transmitting the information to and from the outside.

[0033] The second reinforcing member 300 is a member that is arranged at a position where the second exterior body 120 is sandwiched between the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120, and that extends along the outer peripheries of the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120. That is, the second reinforcing member 300 is arranged at a position where the second connection portion 121 is sandwiched between the first exterior body 110 and the first connecting portion 111, and that extends in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction (the third direction or the second direction). In the present embodiment, four second reinforcing members 300 are arranged along almost the entire outer peripheries of the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120. In other words, the second reinforcing members 300 are arranged to extend across the multiple fixing members 130. The second reinforcing member 300 is formed of a highly rigid member such as a metal member such as stainless steel, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, iron, or a steel plate, or such a metal member that has been subjected to an insulating treatment such as an insulating coating. Therefore, second exterior body 120 (second connecting portion 121) has lower rigidity than at least one of first exterior body 110 (first connecting portion 111) and second reinforcing member 300 (both in this embodiment).

[0034] The fixing member 130 is a member that connects (joins) the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120. Specifically, a plurality of fixing members 130 are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121, and the first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121 are connected (joined) together with the second reinforcing member 300. In the present embodiment, the fixing member 130 is formed with a bolt and a nut that screws onto the bolt. A through hole 111a is formed in the first connecting portion 111, and through holes (not shown) are also formed in the second connecting portion 121 and the second reinforcing member 300. The bolt of the fixing member 130 is inserted into these through holes and screwed onto the nut. As a result, the fixing member 130 presses the second reinforcing member 300 toward the second connecting portion 121 with the second connecting portion 121 sandwiched between the first connecting portion 111 and the second reinforcing member 300, thereby connecting (fixing) the first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121. It should be noted that the method for connecting (joining) the first outer casing 110 and the second outer casing 120 may be other methods, such as joining with rivets, crimping, clamping with clips, adhesive bonding, welding, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, etc.

[0035] [1.2 Description of the connecting member 40 and the first reinforcing member 200] The connection member 40 is a member that is disposed in a state in which it penetrates the exterior housing 100. Specifically, the connection member 40 is detachably attached to the second exterior housing 120 in a state in which it penetrates an opening 122 of the second exterior housing 120, and closes the opening 122. The connection member 40 is a member that is disposed at the other end (end in the negative X-axis direction) of the energy storage device 1 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). Here, the connection member 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is also referred to as a connection member 40a. The connection member 40 (40a) has an external terminal 41 and a cover member 42.

[0036] The external terminals 41 are components that can serve as module terminals (general terminals) of the energy storage device 1. The external terminals 41 are formed of a conductive metal material such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or a copper alloy. The cover member 42 is formed in a shape corresponding to the opening 122 and closes the opening 122. The cover member 42 is formed of an insulating material such as any resin material that can be used for the second exterior body 120. The external terminals 41 are attached to the cover member 42 by insert molding or the like, with the external terminals 41 penetrating in the Z-axis direction. That is, when the cover member 42 closes the opening 122, the ends of the external terminals 41 in the positive Z-axis direction protrude outward from the second exterior body 120 (in the positive Z-axis direction), and the ends of the external terminals 41 in the negative Z-axis direction are disposed inside the second exterior body 120 (in the negative Z-axis direction). A detailed description of the configuration of the connection member 40 will be given later.

[0037] The first reinforcing member 200 is a plate-like member that is aligned with the energy storage device 400 in the Z-axis direction (first direction) and is disposed along the exterior housing 100. The first reinforcing member 200 is attached to the outer surface of the exterior housing 100. Specifically, the first reinforcing member 200 is a rectangular, corrugated member that is disposed in the negative Z-axis direction of the energy storage device 400 and the first exterior housing 110 and extends in the X-axis direction along the first exterior housing 110. The first reinforcing member 200 abuts on the outer surface of the first exterior housing 110 on the negative Z-axis direction side and is attached to this outer surface. The first reinforcing member 200 may be formed by bending a plate-like member into a corrugated shape, or may be formed by casting (die casting), or the like. In the present embodiment, the first reinforcing member 200 is attached to the first connecting portion 111 together with the second connecting portion 121 and the second reinforcing member 300 at both ends in the X-axis direction by fixing members 130.

[0038] [1.3 Description of Components in Exterior Body 100] The energy storage elements 400 are secondary batteries (single cells) that can charge and discharge electricity, and more specifically, are nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries such as lithium-ion secondary batteries. The energy storage elements 400 have a flat rectangular parallelepiped (rectangular) shape, and in this embodiment, eight energy storage elements 400 are placed horizontally (laying on their sides) (with long side surfaces 411a, described later, of the energy storage elements 400 facing the Z-axis direction) and arranged in the Z-axis and X-axis directions. Specifically, two first energy storage elements 401 are stacked (flat) in the Z-axis direction, two second energy storage elements 402 are stacked (flat) in the Z-axis direction, two third energy storage elements 403 are stacked (flat) in the Z-axis direction, and two fourth energy storage elements 404 are stacked (flat) in the Z-axis direction. Two first storage elements 401, two second storage elements 402, two third storage elements 403, and two fourth storage elements 404 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction from the negative X-axis direction toward the positive X-axis direction.

[0039] The number of energy storage elements 400 is not particularly limited, and any number of energy storage elements 400 may be arranged (stacked) in the Z-axis direction, or any number of energy storage elements 400 may be arranged (arranged) in the X-axis direction. The shape of the energy storage element 400 is not limited to the above-mentioned rectangular shape, and may be other shapes such as a polygonal prism, a cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, or an oblong cylindrical shape. The energy storage element 400 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 may be a capacitor. The energy storage element 400 may not be a secondary battery, but may be a primary battery that can use stored electricity without the user having to charge it. The energy storage element 400 may be a battery using a solid electrolyte. The energy storage element 400 may be a pouch-type energy storage element. A detailed description of the configuration of the energy storage element 400 will be given later.

[0040] The spacer 500 is a rectangular, flat spacer arranged adjacent to the energy storage element 400. The spacer 500 faces the long side surface 411a of the energy storage element 400 and is arranged in the positive Z-axis direction or the negative Z-axis direction of the energy storage element 400. The spacer 500 is formed from an insulating material such as any resin material that can be used for the second exterior body 120, or a material with high thermal insulation properties such as a damping material.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the spacers 500 include an intermediate spacer 510 and a pair of end spacers 520. The intermediate spacer 510 is a spacer 500 arranged between two energy storage elements 400, and the end spacer 520 is a spacer 500 arranged between the energy storage element 400 and the first external housing 110 or the constraint 600. In other words, the intermediate spacer 510 and the pair of end spacers 520 are arranged to sandwich the energy storage element 400 in the Z-axis direction, thereby providing electrical insulation between the energy storage elements 400 and between the energy storage element 400 and the first external housing 110 and the constraint 600. In the present embodiment, the first to fourth energy storage elements 401 to 404 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, and therefore the intermediate spacer 510 and the pair of end spacers 520 are arranged for each of the first to fourth energy storage elements 401 to 404. Instead of or in addition to the spacers 500, insulating sheets may be arranged on the side surfaces of the energy storage elements 400.

[0042] Each of the end spacers 520 arranged on the positive side of the Z axis has two protrusions 521 aligned in the X axis direction at its end facing the negative Y axis. The protrusions 521 are cylindrical protrusions protruding in the positive direction of the Z axis and inserted into circular through-holes 611 formed in a first restraining body 610 and a second restraining body 620 of the restraining body 600 described below. This allows the restraining body 600 to be positioned relative to the spacer 500 (and the energy storage device 400).

[0043] The restraining body 600 is a member that, together with the first exterior housing 110, sandwiches the multiple energy storage elements 400, such as the first energy storage element 401 and the second energy storage element 402, in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the first exterior housing 110 and the restraining body 600 are joined to each other and sandwich the multiple energy storage elements 400. As a result, the first exterior housing 110 and the restraining body 600 restrain the multiple energy storage elements 400 in the Z-axis direction (applying a restraining force in the Z-axis direction to the multiple energy storage elements 400). In other words, the first exterior housing 110 is disposed extending in the X-axis direction so as to straddle the first energy storage element 401 to the fourth energy storage element 404, and the restraining body 600 individually restrains each of the first energy storage element 401 to the fourth energy storage element 404 together with the first exterior housing 110. The restraining body 600 is formed of a metal member or the like that can be used for the first exterior housing 110.

[0044] The constraint body 600 includes a first constraint body 610 and a second constraint body 620. The first constraint body 610 is disposed in the positive Z-axis direction of the second constraint body 620 and is joined to the first exterior housing 110. The first constraint body 610 is a plate-like member that has an inverted U-shape when viewed from the X-axis direction. The second constraint body 620 is a plate-like member that is disposed so as to cover almost the entire surface of the side surfaces of the energy storage elements 400 and the spacer 500 (end spacer 520) facing in the positive Z-axis direction. The first constraint body 610 and the second constraint body 620 have protrusions (bulges) extending in the Y-axis direction for the purpose of improving strength, etc. However, the position, shape, and number of the protrusions (bulges) are not particularly limited, and the constraint body 600 may not have any protrusions (bulges). Furthermore, the first constraint body 610 and the second constraint body 620 may be integrally formed, or the constraint body 600 may not have the second constraint body 620.

[0045] First power storage element 401 to fourth power storage element 404 are disposed at a distance from one another, and constraint bodies 600 aligned in the X-axis direction are also disposed at a distance from one another. This makes it possible to suppress heat transfer between first power storage element 401 and second power storage element 402, for example, and thus suppress the first power storage element 401 and second power storage element 402 from affecting each other thermally. A heat insulating material may be disposed in the gap between first power storage element 401 and second power storage element 402, which makes it possible to further suppress the first power storage element 401 and second power storage element 402 from affecting each other thermally.

[0046] Bus bar frame 700 is a flat, rectangular insulating member that can electrically insulate bus bar 800 from other members and can regulate the position of bus bar 800. Bus bar frame 700 is formed, for example, from any resin material that can be used for second exterior body 120. Bus bar frame 700 is arranged in the negative Y-axis direction of the multiple energy storage elements 400, and is positioned relative to the multiple energy storage elements 400, so that bus bar 800 is positioned relative to the multiple energy storage elements 400 and joined to electrode terminals of the multiple energy storage elements 400.

[0047] The bus bar 800 is a flat plate-shaped member that is arranged in the negative Y-axis direction of the multiple energy storage elements 400 and is connected (joined) to the multiple energy storage elements 400 and the conductive member 900. The bus bar 800 has bus bars 810, 820, and 830. The bus bar 810 connects electrode terminals 420 (described later) of adjacent energy storage elements 400 to each other. The bus bars 820 and 830 connect the electrode terminals 420 of the energy storage elements 400 to connection portions 912 and 922 (described later) of the conductive member 900, thereby electrically connecting the energy storage elements 400 to the positive and negative external terminals 21 and 41 or 22.

[0048] In the present embodiment, bus bar 800 and electrode terminals 420 of energy storage elements 400 are connected (joined) by welding, but may be connected (joined) by bolting or the like. Bus bar 800 and connection portions 912 and 922 of conductive member 900 are connected (joined) by bolting or may be connected (joined) by welding or the like. Bus bar 800 is formed of, for example, a conductive member made of a metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy, or nickel, or a combination thereof, or a conductive member other than a metal. In the present embodiment, bus bar 800 connects two energy storage elements 400 in parallel to form four sets of energy storage element groups, and these four sets of energy storage element groups are connected in series. However, bus bar 800 may connect all eight energy storage elements 400 in series, or may have another configuration.

[0049] The conductive member 900 is a conductive member connected to the bus bar 800, the connection member 40, and the control unit 20, and electrically connects the energy storage element 400 to the external terminal 21 and the external terminal 41 or 22. In other words, the conductive member 900 is a conductive member (also referred to as a power line, electric power line, main circuit cable, power cable, or power cable) arranged on a main current path of the energy storage element 400. The main current path of the energy storage element 400 is a path of the main current of the energy storage element 400, that is, a current (charge / discharge current) flowing through an electrode body 460 (described below) of the energy storage element 400. In other words, the conductive member 900 is arranged on a path between the energy storage element 400 and the external terminals 40 (41 and 42), and is a member through which a charge / discharge current flows when the energy storage device 1 is charged or discharged. The conductive member 900 is formed of, for example, a conductive member made of a metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy, or nickel, or a combination thereof, or a conductive member other than a metal.

[0050] The conductive member 900 has conductive members 910, 920, and 930. The conductive member 910 has connecting portions 911 and 912 and an attachment portion 913. The conductive member 920 has connecting portions 921 and 922. The conductive member 930 has connecting portions 931 and 932 and an attachment portion 933.

[0051] As described above, connection portion 912 is a portion connected to bus bar 820, and connection portion 922 is a portion connected to bus bar 830. As described above, attachment portions 913 and 933 are portions attached to mounting base 115 of first exterior body 110. Connection portion 921 is a portion connectable to external terminal 41 or connection portion 43, which will be described later, and connection portion 932 is a portion connectable to connection portion 43 (see FIG. 7 ).

[0052] In the present embodiment, conductive member 910 has a configuration in which a plate-like member extends from connecting portion 911 to mounting portion 913, and an electric wire extends from mounting portion 913 to connecting portion 912. Conductive member 920 has a configuration in which an electric wire extends from connecting portion 921 to connecting portion 922. Conductive member 930 has a configuration in which a plate-like member extends from connecting portion 931 to mounting portion 933, and an electric wire extends from mounting portion 933 to connecting portion 932.

[0053] [1.4 Explanation of other components] The control unit 20 is a device having a control device (not shown) that controls the energy storage element 400 in the energy storage unit 10, and specifically, is a BMS (Battery Management System) that controls the energy storage element 400. The control device disposed in the control unit 20 is connected to a main current path of the energy storage element 400 to control the energy storage element 400, and is, for example, a circuit board that controls charging and discharging of the energy storage element 400, a fuse, a relay, a semiconductor switch such as a FET (Field Effect Transistor), a shunt resistor, etc. The control unit 20 is housed in an exterior body 100.

[0054] The exterior housing 100 has external terminals 21 arranged at its ends in the positive X-axis direction and the negative Y-axis direction, and external terminals 22 arranged at its ends in the positive X-axis direction and the positive Y-axis direction. That is, the external terminal 22 is arranged at one end (the end in the positive X-axis direction) in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the energy storage device 1. The external terminal 21 is one of the positive and negative module terminals (general terminals) electrically connected to the energy storage elements 400 of the energy storage unit 10. The external terminal 22 is a member configured to be electrically connectable to the energy storage elements 400 and capable of becoming the other of the positive and negative module terminals (general terminals). The external terminals 21 and 22 are electrically connected to the connection portions 911 and 931.

[0055] The energy storage device 1 is charged with electricity from the outside and discharges electricity to the outside via the external terminals 21 and 41 or the external terminals 21 and 22. For example, the external terminal 21 is a positive electrode external terminal that is an external terminal on the positive electrode side, and the external terminal 41 or 22 is a negative electrode external terminal that is an external terminal on the negative electrode side. The external terminals 21 and 22 are formed of a conductive member made of metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or a copper alloy.

[0056] [2. Description of the Configuration of Energy Storage Element 400] Next, a more detailed description will be given of the configuration of the energy storage elements 400. Note that the eight energy storage elements 400 (two first energy storage elements 401, two second energy storage elements 402, two third energy storage elements 403, and two fourth energy storage elements 404) included in the energy storage unit 10 all have the same configuration, and therefore the configuration of one energy storage element 400 will be described below.

[0057] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing each component of energy storage device 400 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of each part of energy storage device 400 shown in Fig. 3 in a vertically placed (standing) state.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 4, the energy storage element 400 includes a container 410, a pair of electrode terminals 420 (positive and negative), and a pair of gaskets 430 (positive and negative). The container 410 also contains a pair of gaskets 440 (positive and negative), a pair of current collectors 450 (positive and negative), and an electrode assembly 460. An electrolyte (non-aqueous electrolyte) is enclosed within the container 410, but this is not shown. The electrolyte may be of any type, and various types may be selected, as long as it does not impair the performance of the energy storage element 400. In addition to the above components, a spacer disposed on the side or below the electrode assembly 460, an insulating film enclosing the electrode assembly 460, or an insulating sheet covering the outer surface of the container 410 may also be disposed.

[0059] Container 410 is a rectangular parallelepiped (square or box-shaped) case having container body 411 with an opening formed therein and container lid 412 that closes the opening of container body 411. With this configuration, container 410 has a structure in which the interior can be sealed by, for example, welding container body 411 and container lid 412 together after electrode assembly 460 and the like are housed inside container body 411. The materials of container body 411 and container lid 412 are not particularly limited, but are preferably weldable metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, and plated steel sheet.

[0060] The container body 411 is a rectangular cylindrical member having a bottom and constituting the main body of the container 410, and has an opening on the negative Y-axis side. That is, the container body 411 has a pair of rectangular, planar (flat) long side surfaces 411a on both sides in the Z-axis direction, a pair of rectangular, planar (flat) short side surfaces 411b on both sides in the X-axis direction, and a rectangular, planar (flat) bottom surface 411c on the positive Y-axis side. The container lid 412 is a rectangular plate-like member constituting the lid of the container 410, and is disposed on the negative Y-axis side of the container body 411, extending in the X-axis direction. The container lid 412 is provided with a gas exhaust valve 412a that releases pressure inside the container 410 when the pressure inside the container 410 increases, a liquid injection part (not shown) for injecting the electrolyte into the container 410, and the like. In this way, the container 410 has the container body 411 and the container lid 412 that are disposed side by side in the Y-axis direction (second direction) and joined to each other. As described above, first to fourth power storage elements 401 to 404 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction (third direction), which is the longitudinal direction of container lid 412.

[0061] The electrode assembly 460 is an electricity storage element (power generating element) formed by laminating 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 can be used as appropriate, as long as it is capable of absorbing and releasing lithium ions. In this embodiment, the electrode assembly 460 is a wound type (so-called vertically wound type) electrode assembly formed by winding the electrode plates (positive electrode plate and negative electrode plate) around a winding axis (a virtual axis parallel to the X-axis direction) extending in the X-axis direction.

[0062] Here, the electrode plates (positive and negative electrode plates) of the electrode assembly 460 are stacked in the Z-axis direction, and therefore the Z-axis direction is also referred to as the stacking direction. That is, the electrode assembly 460 is formed by stacking the electrode plates in the stacking direction. Note that the electrode plates are wound in the electrode assembly 460, and thus the electrode assembly 460 has a pair of flat portions 461 aligned in the Z-axis direction and a pair of curved portions 462 aligned in the Y-axis direction. The stacking direction is the stacking direction of the electrode plates in the flat portions 461. The flat portions 461 are flat portions connecting the ends of the pair of curved portions 462, and the curved portions 462 are curved portions, such as semicircular, that protrude in the Y-axis direction. The stacking direction can also be defined as the direction in which the flat surface of the flat portions 461 faces or the direction in which the pair of flat portions 461 face each other. Therefore, it can be said that the plurality of first energy storage elements 401 are aligned in the stacking direction. The same applies to the other energy storage elements 400. The X-axis direction in which first to fourth power storage elements 401 to 404 are arranged is also referred to as the arrangement direction. In other words, first to fourth power storage elements 401 to 404 are arranged in an arrangement direction that intersects with the stacking direction.

[0063] Furthermore, in the electrode body 460, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are wound with a mutual offset in the X-axis direction, and therefore the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate have portions (active material layer non-formed portions) at the ends in the offset direction where the active material is not formed (coated) and the base material layer is exposed. In other words, the electrode body 460 has end portions 463 at both ends in the X-axis direction that protrude on both sides in the X-axis direction from the flat portion 461 and the curved portion 462, and are connected to the current collector 450 by stacking the active material layer non-formed portions of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate.

[0064] The electrode body 460 may be of any type, such as a horizontally wound electrode body formed by winding an electrode plate around a winding axis extending in the Y-axis direction, a laminated (stacked) electrode body formed by stacking a plurality of flat electrode plates, or a bellows-shaped electrode body in which the electrode plates are folded like bellows. In the case of a horizontally wound electrode body, the flat portion is the flat part other than the curved part and the connection part (tab) with the current collector, and in the case of a laminated (stacked) and bellows-shaped electrode body, the flat part is the flat part other than the connection part (tab) with the current collector.

[0065] The electrode terminals 420 are terminals (positive and negative terminals) of the energy storage element 400, and are arranged on the container lid 412 so as to protrude in the negative Y-axis direction. The electrode terminals 420 are electrically connected to the positive and negative electrode plates of the electrode body 460 via the current collectors 450. The electrode terminals 420 are formed of a conductive material such as a metal, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or a copper alloy.

[0066] The current collectors 450 are conductive members (positive electrode current collector and negative electrode current collector) electrically connected to the electrode terminal 420 and the end 463 of the electrode body 460. The current collectors 450 are made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy, or the like. The gaskets 430 and 440 are flat, electrically insulating sealing members arranged between the container lid 412 and the electrode terminal 420 and the current collectors 450. The gaskets 430 and 440 are made of, for example, any electrically insulating resin material that can be used for the second exterior body 120.

[0067] [3. Description of the connection member 40 and its surrounding structure] Next, the connection member 40 and its surrounding configuration will be described in more detail. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the connection member 40 and its surrounding configuration according to this embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 5(a) shows an enlarged view of the connection member 40a shown in Fig. 2 and the configuration around the opening 122 of the second exterior body 120, and Fig. 5(b) shows the configuration of the external terminal 41 of the connection member 40a in Fig. 5(a). Figs. 5(c) and 5(d) show the configuration when Figs. 5(a) and 5(b) are rotated 180° around the Z axis (as viewed from the opposite side).

[0068] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the first exterior housing 110, the conductive members 900, and the external terminal 41 of the connection member 40a according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the first exterior housing 110 and the conductive members 910 to 930 shown in FIG. 3 are separated and rotated 180° about the Z axis, and the external terminal 41 shown in FIG. 5(d) is added. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the mounting base 117 of the first exterior housing 110 according to the present embodiment, the conductive members 920 and 930, and the external terminal 41 (and the connecting portion 43). Specifically, FIG. 7(a) shows an enlarged view of the mounting base 117, the conductive members 920 and 930, and the external terminal 41 shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 7(b) shows the configuration of the connecting portion 43 of the connection member 40b shown in FIG. 8.

[0069] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage device 1 according to the present embodiment when it includes a connection member 40b. Specifically, Fig. 8(a) shows the configuration when the connection member 40a in the energy storage device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is changed to the connection member 40b, and Fig. 8(b) shows the configuration of the connection member 40b.

[0070] In the following, the external terminal 41 of the connection member 40a will also be referred to as the first external terminal 41, and the cover member 42 will also be referred to as the first cover member 42. The external terminal 22 will also be referred to as the second external terminal 22. The conductive member 920 will also be referred to as the first conductive member 920, and the conductive member 930 will also be referred to as the second conductive member 930. The connection portion 921 will also be referred to as the first conductive member connection portion 921, and the connection portion 932 will also be referred to as the second conductive member connection portion 932.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 5, the first external terminal 41 of the connection member 40a has a first external terminal body 41a and a first external terminal connection portion 41b. The first external terminal body 41a is a portion that constitutes the body of the first external terminal 41 and is connected to an external conductive member (not shown). The first external terminal body 41a has a shape in which a cylindrical portion protrudes in the positive Z-axis direction from the center of a flat plate-like portion parallel to the XY plane. The first external terminal connection portion 41b is a flat plate-like portion parallel to the XZ plane that extends in the negative Z-axis direction from the end (edge) of the first external terminal body 41a in the negative Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 6 and other figures, the first external terminal connection portion 41b is attached to a mounting base 117, whereby it is electrically connected to the first conductive member 920.

[0072] The first cover member 42 of the connecting member 40a has corners in the negative X-axis direction and the positive Y-axis direction that are recessed in the negative Z-axis direction, and a first external terminal body 41a of the first external terminal 41 is disposed in these recessed portions. The first cover member 42 also has two first cover member attachment portions 42a that protrude in the negative Z-axis direction at the end in the negative X-axis direction and the end in the positive Y-axis direction. The first cover member attachment portions 42a are attached to second exterior body attachment portions 122a that are provided inside the opening 122 of the second exterior body 120.

[0073] By attaching the first cover member attachment portion 42a to the second exterior body attachment portion 122a, the first cover member 42 is attached to the second exterior body 120 and closes the opening 122 of the second exterior body 120. In this way, it can be said that the first cover member 42 constitutes a part of the second exterior body 120 (a part of the exterior body 100). Furthermore, when the first cover member 42 is attached to the second exterior body 120, the first external terminal connection portion 41b of the first external terminal 41 is attached to the mounting base 117 and electrically connected to the first conductive member 920.

[0074] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A , the first conductive member connection portion 921 of the first conductive member 920 is attached to the first mounting portion 117a of the mounting base 117 by a bolt and a nut provided on the first mounting portion 117a. The first external terminal connection portion 41b is attached to the second mounting portion 117b by being inserted into a gap provided in the second mounting portion 117b of the mounting base 117. In this embodiment, the first mounting portion 117a and the second mounting portion 117b are formed of a conductive member made of metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or a copper alloy, and are integrally formed. This electrically connects the first external terminal connection portion 41b to the first conductive member connection portion 921. The first conductive member connection portion 921 may be attached to the first mounting portion 117a by welding or the like, and the method for attaching the first external terminal connection portion 41b to the second mounting portion 117b is not particularly limited.

[0075] Furthermore, the second conductive member connecting portion 932 of the second conductive member 930 is attached to the third mounting portion 117c of the mounting base 117 by a bolt and a nut provided on the third mounting portion 117c. The second conductive member connecting portion 932 may be attached to the third mounting portion 117c by welding or the like. Furthermore, the mounting base 117 is provided with a fourth mounting portion 117d that has a shape obtained by rotating the second mounting portion 117b by 90 degrees around the Z axis. The third mounting portion 117c and the fourth mounting portion 117d, like the first mounting portion 117a and the second mounting portion 117b, are formed integrally with each other using a conductive metal member such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or a copper alloy.

[0076] Note that the mounting base 117 is formed of an insulating material such as resin, except for the first mounting portion 117a, the second mounting portion 117b, the third mounting portion 117c, and the fourth mounting portion 117d. Therefore, the first mounting portion 117a and the second mounting portion 117b are insulated from the third mounting portion 117c and the fourth mounting portion 117d. Therefore, when the first external terminal connecting portion 41b is attached to the second mounting portion 117b (when the first cover member 42 is attached to the second exterior body 120), the first external terminal connecting portion 41b is not electrically connected to the second conductive member connecting portion 932. In other words, when the external terminal 41 is attached to the mounting base 117, there is no electrical conduction between the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930.

[0077] 7(b), when the connecting portion 43 is attached to the mounting base 117 instead of the external terminal 41, the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930 are electrically conductive. Like the external terminal 41, the connecting portion 43 is formed of a conductive member made of metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or a copper alloy, and has a shape similar to that of a folded plate-like member.

[0078] Specifically, the connection portion 43 has a first conductive side connection portion 43a and a second conductive side connection portion 43b. Similar to the first external terminal connection portion 41b, the first conductive side connection portion 43a is a flat plate-like portion extending in the Z-axis direction and parallel to the XZ plane, and is attached to the second attachment portion 117b of the mounting base 117 by being inserted into a gap provided in the second attachment portion 117b. The second conductive side connection portion 43b is a flat plate-like portion that protrudes in the Y-axis positive direction from the end (edge) of the first conductive side connection portion 43a in the X-axis positive direction and extends in the Z-axis direction and parallel to the YZ plane. The second conductive side connection portion 43b is attached to the fourth attachment portion 117d of the mounting base 117 by being inserted into a gap provided in the fourth attachment portion 117d.

[0079] As a result, the connecting portion 43 electrically connects the second mounting portion 117b and the fourth mounting portion 117d, and establishes conduction between the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930. In other words, the connecting portion 43 is an adapter that electrically connects the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930. Note that the method of attaching the first conductive side connecting portion 43a to the second mounting portion 117b and the method of attaching the second conductive side connecting portion 43b to the fourth mounting portion 117d are not particularly limited.

[0080] Here, as shown in FIG. 8 , the connecting portion 43 is a member provided on the connecting member 40b. That is, the connecting member 40b has the connecting portion 43 and a second cover member 44. Like the first cover member 42 of the connecting member 40a, the second cover member 44 is a member formed in a shape corresponding to the opening 122 of the second exterior body 120 to close the opening 122, and is formed of the same insulating material as the first cover member 42. Like the first cover member 42, the second cover member 44 is provided with an attachment portion (not shown) that is attached to the second exterior body attachment portion 122a. The connecting portion 43 is attached to the second cover member 44 by insert molding or the like, and when the second cover member 44 closes the opening 122, the connecting portion 43 is disposed inside the second exterior body 120. That is, when the second cover member 44 is attached to the second exterior body 120, the connecting portion 43 electrically connects the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930.

[0081] As described above, when the connection member 40a is attached to the second exterior body 120, the first external terminal 41 is connected to the first conductive member 920 without being connected to the second conductive member 930. When the connection member 40b is attached to the second exterior body 120, the connection portion 43 electrically connects the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930.

[0082] In other words, the connection member 40 has either a first external terminal 41 that is connected to the first conductive member 920 but not connected to the second conductive member 930, or a connection portion 43 that electrically connects the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930. In other words, the first conductive member 920 is configured to be connectable to the first external terminal 41, and the second conductive member 930 is configured to be electrically connectable to the first conductive member 920 and connectable to a second external terminal 22 that has the same polarity as the first external terminal 41.

[0083] [4. Explanation of effects] As described above, the energy storage device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the first conductive member 920 connectable to the first external terminal 41, and the second conductive member 930 connectable to the first conductive member 920 and the second external terminal 22. The energy storage device 1 further includes a connection member 40 having either the first external terminal 41 or a connection portion 43 that connects the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930. The second external terminal 22 is disposed at one end of the energy storage device 1 in the longitudinal direction (the end in the positive direction of the X-axis), and the connection member 40 is disposed at the other end of the energy storage device 1 in the longitudinal direction (the end in the negative direction of the X-axis). As a result, when the connection member 40 has the first external terminal 41 (the energy storage device 1 includes the connection member 40a), the first external terminal 41 is connected to the first conductive member 920, and therefore the first external terminal 41 connected to the first conductive member 920 becomes an external terminal of the energy storage device 1. When the connection member 40 has the connection portion 43 (when the energy storage device 1 has the connection member 40b), the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930 to which the second external terminal 22 is connected are connected, and therefore the second external terminal 22 connected to the second conductive member 930 becomes the external terminal of the energy storage device 1. In other words, when the connection member 40 has the first external terminal 41, the first external terminal 41 is disposed as an external terminal at the connection position with the first conductive member 920 (the other end in the longitudinal direction of the energy storage device 1). When the connection member 40 has the connection portion 43, the second external terminal 22 is disposed as an external terminal at the connection position with the second conductive member 930 (one end in the longitudinal direction of the energy storage device 1). In this way, the external terminal can be changed to the first external terminal 41 or the second external terminal 22, and therefore the position of the external terminal can be changed (switchable between one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the energy storage device 1).

[0084] Furthermore, by arranging the connection member 40 in a state in which it penetrates the exterior body 100, the connection member 40 can be attached and detached from the outside of the exterior body 100. This allows the external terminal to be easily changed to the first external terminal 41 or the second external terminal 22 by attaching and detaching the first external terminal 41 or the connecting portion 43 from the outside of the exterior body 100, and therefore the position of the external terminal can be easily changed.

[0085] Furthermore, when the energy storage device 1 includes the connection member 40b, the connection member 40b has a connection portion 43, and the second external terminal 22 is connected to the second conductive member 930, so that the second external terminal 22 is used as the external terminal instead of the first external terminal 41. In other words, the position of the external terminal is changed from the position where it is connected to the first conductive member 920 (the position of the connection member 40) to the position where it is connected to the second conductive member 930 (one end in the longitudinal direction of the energy storage device 1). In this way, the position of the external terminal can be easily changed.

[0086] Furthermore, since the second external terminal 22 is configured to be detachable from the second conductive member 930, the shape of the second external terminal 22 can be easily changed, and maintenance or replacement of the second external terminal 22 can be easily performed.

[0087] [5. Explanation of Variations] Although the energy storage device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In other words, 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.

[0088] For example, in the above embodiment, in exterior housing 100, second exterior housing 120 is a bottomed rectangular tubular member having an opening formed on the negative Z-axis direction side, and first exterior housing 110 is a flat rectangular member that closes the opening of second exterior housing 120. However, first exterior housing 110 may be a bottomed rectangular tubular member having an opening formed on the positive Z-axis direction side, and second exterior housing 120 may be a flat rectangular lid that closes the opening of first exterior housing 110, or may have any other shape.

[0089] In the above embodiment, first external housing 110 is arranged in the negative Z-axis direction of energy storage elements 400, and constraint body 600 is arranged in the positive Z-axis direction of energy storage elements 400, and they are joined together. However, first external housing 110 may be arranged in the positive Z-axis direction of energy storage elements 400, and constraint body 600 may be arranged in the negative Z-axis direction of energy storage elements 400, and they may be joined together. In other words, energy storage device 1 may have a configuration in which the top and bottom are upside down.

[0090] In the above embodiment, first external housing 110 has constraint body 600 attached thereto to constrain energy storage elements 400. However, constraint body 600 may not be attached to first external housing 110, and constraint body 600 may be attached to another member to constrain energy storage elements 400.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the connection member 40 is detachably attached to the exterior body 100. However, the connection member 40 may be fixed to the exterior body 100 in an undetachable (unremovable) manner.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the connection member 40 is arranged so as to penetrate the second exterior housing 120 of the exterior housing 100. However, the connection member 40 may be arranged so as to penetrate the first exterior housing 110, or may be arranged inside the exterior housing 100 without penetrating the exterior housing 100. Alternatively, the energy storage device 1 may be provided with the connection member 40 without being provided with the exterior housing 100.

[0093] In the above embodiment, instead of providing the external terminal 21 or 22 on the energy storage unit 10, the potential (e.g., negative electrode potential) of the external terminal 21 or 22 may be dropped to the exterior housing 100 (e.g., first exterior housing 110). When the potential is dropped to the exterior housing 100 (e.g., first exterior housing 110) without providing the external terminal 22 (second external terminal 22), the exterior housing 100 (e.g., first exterior housing 110) can be defined as the second external terminal.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the connection portion 43 of the connection member 40b is a conductive member (adapter) that electrically connects the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930. However, the connection portion 43 may be a member that has a configuration that allows the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930 to come into direct contact with each other, and that presses the second conductive member 930 against the first conductive member 920, for example, to bring the first conductive member 920 and the second conductive member 930 into direct contact with each other.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the position of the external terminal of one polarity provided on the energy storage device 1 is configured to be changeable, but the positions of the external terminals of both polarities provided on the energy storage device 1 may also be configured to be changeable.

[0096] The energy storage device 1 does not need to include all of the above-described components. For example, the energy storage device 1 does not need to include the first reinforcing member 200, the second reinforcing member 300, the spacer 500, the restraining body 600, or the like.

[0097] Any combination of the components included in the above-described embodiments and their modifications is also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0098] The present invention can be realized not only as the power storage device 1, but also as a combination of the first conductive member 920, the second conductive member 930, and the connection member 40. [Industrial Applicability]

[0099] The present invention can be applied to an electricity storage device including an electricity storage element such as a lithium ion secondary battery. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1. Energy storage device 10 Energy storage unit 20 Control Unit 21 External terminal 22 External terminal (second external terminal) 43, 911, 912, 922, 931 Connections 800, 810, 820, 830 busbars 40, 40a, 40b Connection members 41 External terminal (first external terminal) 41a First external terminal body 41b First external terminal connection part 42 Cover member (first cover member) 42a First cover member mounting portion 43a First conductive side connection part 43b Second conductive side connection part 44 Second cover member 100 exterior body 110 First exterior body 113, 114, 115, 117 Mounting base 117a First mounting part 117b Second mounting part 117c Third mounting part 117d Fourth mounting part 120 Second exterior body 122 Opening 122a Second exterior body mounting portion 130 Fixing member 200 First reinforcing member 300 Second reinforcing member 400 Energy Storage Element 410 Container 420 Electrode terminal 500 spacer 600 Restraint body 900, 910 Conductive member 913, 933 mounting part 920 Conductive member (first conductive member) 921 Connection part (first conductive member connection part) 930 Conductive member (second conductive member) 932 Connection part (second conductive member connection part)

Claims

1. An electricity storage device including an electricity storage element, a first conductive member that is arranged on a main current path of the energy storage element and that is connectable to a first external terminal; a second conductive member electrically connectable to the first conductive member, the second conductive member being connectable to a second external terminal disposed at one end of the power storage device in a longitudinal direction; a connection member disposed at the other end of the power storage device in the longitudinal direction, the connection member having either the first external terminal connected to the first conductive member and not connected to the second conductive member, or a connection portion that electrically connects the first conductive member and the second conductive member; The second external terminal has the same polarity as the first external terminal. Energy storage device.

2. Further, an exterior body is provided in which the energy storage element is housed, The connection member is disposed in a state of penetrating the exterior body. The power storage device according to claim 1 .

3. the connecting member has the connecting portion, The power storage device includes the second external terminal connected to the second conductive member at one end of the power storage device in the longitudinal direction. The electricity storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The second external terminal is detachably connected to the second conductive member. The power storage device according to claim 3 .

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