Power storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device capable of suppressing occurrence of a short circuit even when debris is ejected from a power storage module when an abnormality occurs in a power storage cell.SOLUTION: A power storage device disclosed herein includes: a plurality of power storage modules having a plurality of stacked power storage cells and disposed along a first direction orthogonal to an up-and-down direction; at least one plate disposed above the plurality of power storage modules; a plurality of metal supporting members disposed between adjacent power storage modules among the plurality of power storage modules to support the at least one plate; a lower case that houses the plurality of power storage modules and to which the plurality of metal supporting members is fixed; and a plurality of electric insulation members, each filling at least a portion of a gap between the metal supporting member and the power storage module facing the metal supporting member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electricity storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an energy storage device mounted on a vehicle or the like. The energy storage device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of energy storage modules, a housing case, a plate, a plurality of support members, and a plurality of load transmission units. The plurality of energy storage modules are arranged side by side at intervals along a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. Each energy storage module includes a plurality of electric cells (hereinafter also referred to as "energy storage cells"). The housing case includes an upper case and a lower case and houses the plurality of energy storage modules. The plate is arranged above the plurality of energy storage modules and extends along the first direction. The plurality of support members are fixed to the lower case and support the plate. The plurality of load transmission units transmit a load applied to the upper case to the plate. The entire opposing surfaces of adjacent energy storage modules, where adjacent energy storage modules face each other, are exposed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-155367 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If an abnormality (for example, fire or smoke) occurs in a storage cell, ejected material (hereinafter also referred to as "debris") may be ejected from the storage module including the abnormal storage cell (hereinafter also referred to as "abnormal cell"). The debris includes dust and the like derived from the components of the storage module. If the debris is conductive and scatters onto a metal support member, there is a risk of a short circuit occurring between the storage cell and the support member via the debris. If a short circuit occurs between the storage cell and the support member, sparks are more likely to occur.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances. An object of one embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide an energy storage device that can suppress the occurrence of a short circuit even if debris is ejected from an energy storage module when an abnormality occurs in an energy storage cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The means for solving the above problems include the following embodiments.

[0007] <1> A first aspect of the energy storage device of the present disclosure includes a plurality of energy storage modules having a plurality of stacked energy storage cells and arranged along a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, at least one plate arranged above the plurality of energy storage modules, a plurality of metal support members arranged between adjacent energy storage modules of the plurality of energy storage modules and supporting the at least one plate, a lower case that houses the plurality of energy storage modules and to which the plurality of metal support members are fixed, and a plurality of electrical insulating members that fill at least a portion of the gap between the metal support member and the energy storage module facing the metal support member.

[0008] In this disclosure, the term "metal support member" refers to a support member made of metal. The term "electrically insulating member" refers to a member having electrical insulation properties. "Having electrical insulation" refers to a material having an electrical resistance of 10 10 The phrase "filling at least a part of the gap between the metal support member and the energy storage module facing the metal support member" means that the electrically insulating member is in physical contact with both the metal support member and the energy storage module facing the metal support member.

[0009] In the first aspect, the electrical insulating member fills at least a portion of the gap (hereinafter simply referred to as "gap") between the metal support member and the power storage module facing the metal support member. Therefore, when debris is ejected from the power storage module when an abnormality occurs in the power storage cell, the debris is less likely to scatter onto the metal support member than when the gap is not filled with the electrical insulating member. In other words, debris is less likely to become interposed between the metal support member and the power storage module facing the metal support member. As a result, the power storage device of the first aspect can prevent short circuits between the power storage cell and the support member even when debris is ejected from the power storage module when an abnormality occurs in the power storage cell. Therefore, the power storage device of the first aspect can prevent sparks from occurring.

[0010] <2> In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electric storage device, wherein the plurality of electrical insulating members fill all of the gaps. <1> The power storage device is described in the above.

[0011] In the second aspect, debris is less likely to become interposed between the metal support member and the energy storage module facing the metal support member. As a result, the energy storage device of the second aspect can more reliably prevent the occurrence of a short circuit even if debris is ejected from the energy storage module when an abnormality occurs in an energy storage cell.

[0012] <3> In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electric storage device, wherein the lower case is made of metal. <1> or <2> The power storage device is described in the above.

[0013] Heat generated during operation of the energy storage cells is easily conducted to the metal support member. In the third aspect, heat from the metal support member is more easily conducted to the lower case than when the lower case is made of resin. In other words, the metal support member functions as a heat dissipation member. As a result, the energy storage device of the third aspect can suppress deterioration of the battery performance of the energy storage cells due to heat.

[0014] <4> In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electric storage device, wherein each of the plurality of electrical insulating members is fixed to each of the plurality of metal support members, but is not fixed to each of the plurality of electric storage modules. <1> ~ <3> The power storage device is described in any one of the above.

[0015] In the fourth aspect, the energy storage module can be more easily removed from the energy storage device than when the electrical insulating member is fixed to the energy storage module. For example, if an abnormality occurs in one of the multiple energy storage modules, the abnormal energy storage module can be easily replaced with a normal energy storage module. As a result, the energy storage device of the fourth aspect has excellent workability.

[0016] <5> A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides an electric storage device further including an upper case disposed above the lower case and attached to the lower case, and at least one electronic device supported by the at least one plate and electrically connected to the plurality of electric storage cells. <1> ~ <4> The power storage device is described in any one of the above.

[0017] When an electric storage device is mounted on a vehicle, vibrations of the vehicle are transmitted to the electric storage device. At this time, there is a risk of a resonance phenomenon occurring in the electric storage device. In the fifth aspect, the plate is supported by a plurality of metal support members and functions as a base for the electronic device. Therefore, in the fifth aspect, resonance of the plate caused by vibrations transmitted from the outside to the electric storage device is suppressed. In other words, resonance of the electronic device supported by the plate is suppressed. As a result, the electric storage device of the fifth aspect can protect the electronic device from external vibrations. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present disclosure, an energy storage device is provided that can suppress the occurrence of a short circuit even if debris is ejected from an energy storage module when an abnormality occurs in an energy storage cell. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective schematic view of an electricity storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the power storage device shown in FIG. 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the Y axis. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electric four-wheel vehicle equipped with a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In the present disclosure, a numerical range indicated using "to" means a range that includes the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the minimum and maximum values, respectively. In the present disclosure, a combination of two or more preferred embodiments is a more preferred embodiment.

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the power storage device of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0022] (1) Implementation form As shown in Fig. 1, the energy storage device 1 of the embodiment includes a plurality of energy storage modules 10, one plate 20, a plurality of metal support members 30, a lower case 40, a plurality of electrical insulating members 50, one 60, and a plurality of electronic devices 70. The energy storage module 10 has a plurality of energy storage cells 11 (see Fig. 2). The energy storage device 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped object.

[0023] In the embodiment, one side of the longitudinal direction of the main surface of the energy storage device 1 is defined as the positive X-axis direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "front"), and the opposite side is defined as the negative X-axis direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "rear"). One side of the lateral direction of the main surface of the energy storage device 1 is defined as the positive Y-axis direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "right"), and the opposite side is defined as the negative Y-axis direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "left"). One side of the thickness direction of the energy storage device 1 is defined as the positive Z-axis direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "upper"), and the opposite side is defined as the negative Z-axis direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "lower"). The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are each perpendicular to one another. The negative Z-axis direction and the direction of gravity are parallel. Note that these orientations do not limit the orientation of the energy storage device 1 of the present disclosure during use.

[0024] The multiple energy storage modules 10 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the front-rear direction (X-axis) perpendicular to the up-down direction (Z-axis). The plate 20 is arranged above the multiple energy storage modules 10. The multiple metal support members 30 are arranged between adjacent ones of the multiple energy storage modules 10 and support the plate 20. The lower case 40 houses the multiple energy storage modules 10 and has the multiple metal support members 30 fixed thereto. As shown in FIG. 2 , the multiple electrical insulating members 50 fill gaps R between the metal support members 30 and the energy storage modules 10 facing the metal support members 30. The electrical insulating members 50 are in physical contact with the energy storage modules 10 and the metal support members 30. The upper case 60 is arranged above the lower case 40 and attached to the lower case 40. The multiple electronic devices 70 are supported by the plate 20 and are electrically connected to the multiple energy storage cells 11.

[0025] (1.1) Energy storage module The energy storage module 10 is a power source. The energy storage module 10 is a rectangular parallelepiped with its longitudinal direction in the left-right direction (Y-axis). As shown in FIG. 2, the energy storage module 10 has a plurality of energy storage cells 11. The plurality of energy storage cells 11 are stacked along the left-right direction (Y-axis). The energy storage cells 11 are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include secondary batteries (e.g., lithium ion batteries, all-solid-state batteries, lead batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, etc.), primary batteries (e.g., manganese dry batteries, graphite fluoride lithium primary batteries, manganese dioxide lithium primary batteries, etc.), and fuel cells. The shape of the energy storage cells 11 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include pouch-type (laminate-type), square-type, and cylindrical-type. The energy storage module 10 may further include a metal case that houses the plurality of energy storage cells 11, bus bars for electrically connecting the plurality of energy storage cells 11 in series or parallel, and the like.

[0026] (1.2) Plate In this embodiment, the plate 20 functions as a base for the electronic device 70. The plate 20 is a long plate-like object. The plate 20 covers the entirety of the multiple power storage modules 10. The plate 20 may have a non-planar shape depending on the shapes of the upper case 60, the lower case 40, and the electronic device 70, etc.

[0027] The plate 20 may or may not be fixed to at least one of the upper case 60 and the lower case 40. The method for fixing the plate 20 is appropriately selected depending on the material of the upper case 60, etc., and examples include methods using fastening parts, welding, hooking, and fusion bonding. Fastening parts include bolts, nuts, screws, rivets, and pins. Welding includes metal welding and brazing.

[0028] The material of the plate 20 may be resin or metal. Examples of resin include thermoplastic resin (e.g., polyolefin resin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, etc.), thermosetting resin (e.g., phenolic resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, etc.), etc. Examples of metal include single metal (e.g., iron, copper, aluminum, etc.), alloy (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, etc.), etc.

[0029] (1.3) Metal support member The metal support member 30 supports the plate 20. In this embodiment, the metal support member 30 dissipates heat from the energy storage module 10 and suppresses resonance of the plate 20 in response to external vibrations of the energy storage module 10. The metal support member 30 is not in contact with the energy storage module 10. The metal support member 30 is a long plate. The metal support member 30 has a first main surface S30A facing the front energy storage module 10 and a second main surface S30B facing the rear energy storage module 10. When viewed from the front-rear direction (X-axis), the first main surface S30A and the second main surface S30B cover the opposing surfaces S10 (FIG. 2) where adjacent energy storage modules 10 face each other. The metal support member 30 is fixed to the lower case 40 and the plate 20. The method for fixing the metal support member 30 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the same methods as those exemplified as the method for fixing the plate 20. The material of the metal support member 30 is a metal, and examples thereof include the same metals as those exemplified as the metal of the plate 20 .

[0030] (1.4) Lower case The lower case 40 houses a plurality of energy storage modules 10. The shape of the lower case 40 is not particularly limited as long as it can house a plurality of energy storage modules 10, and may be any known shape. In this embodiment, the material of the lower case 40 is a metal, and examples of the material of the lower case 40 include the same metals as those exemplified as the metal of the plate 20.

[0031] (1.5) Electrical insulating materials The electrical insulating member 50 fills the gap R. The electrical insulating member 50 is fixed to the metal support member 30, but is not fixed to the energy storage module 10. Specifically, in this embodiment, the electrical insulating member 50 is fixed to the entire first main surface S30A and the entire second main surface S30B of the metal support member 30. The method for fixing the electrical insulating member 50 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the same methods as those exemplified as the methods for fixing the plate 20. The material of the electrical insulating member 50 is not particularly limited as long as the electrical insulating member 50 has electrical insulation properties, and examples thereof include the same resins as those exemplified as the resin for the plate 20.

[0032] (1.6) Upper case The upper case 60 covers the plate 20, the plurality of metal support members 30, the plurality of electrical insulating members 50, and the plurality of electronic devices 70. The shape of the upper case 60 is not particularly limited as long as it covers the plate 20, the plurality of metal support members 30, the plurality of electrical insulating members 50, and the plurality of electronic devices 70, and may be any known shape. The upper case 60 is fixed to the lower case 40. The method for fixing the upper case 60 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the same methods as those exemplified as the methods for fixing the plate 20. Examples of materials for the upper case 60 include the same materials as those exemplified as the materials for the plate 20. In particular, from the viewpoint of reducing the weight of the energy storage device 1, it is preferable that the material for the upper case 60 be resin.

[0033] (1.7)Electronic equipment In this embodiment, the electronic device 70 monitors the plurality of energy storage modules 10 and controls the charging and discharging of the energy storage cells 11. The electronic device 70 is electrically connected to the plurality of energy storage cells 11. The electronic device 70 may be any known electronic device, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or a BMS (Battery Management System). The electronic device 70 is fixed to the plate 20. There are no particular limitations on the method for fixing the electronic device 70, and examples thereof include the same methods as those exemplified as the method for fixing the plate 20.

[0034] (1.8) Cooling device The energy storage device 1 may include a cooling device for cooling the plurality of energy storage cells 11. The cooling device may be thermally connected to the metal support member 30 and the lower case 40. The cooling device may be a known cooling device. The cooling method of the cooling device may be air-cooled or water-cooled.

[0035] (1.9)Applications The power storage device 1 can be mounted on and used in an electric four-wheel vehicle 100, as shown in Fig. 3. The electric four-wheel vehicle 100 includes the power storage device 1, a front seat 110, a rear seat 120, a floor panel 130, and an electric motor (not shown) for driving force. The power storage device 1 is disposed between the rear seat 120 and the front panel 130. The power storage device 1 supplies power to the electric motor. Examples of the electric four-wheel vehicle 100 include an electric vehicle (EV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and a hybrid vehicle (HV).

[0036] (1.10) Action and effect 1 to 3, the energy storage device 1 includes a plurality of energy storage modules 10, a plate 20, a metal support member 30, a lower case 40, and a plurality of electrical insulating members 50. The electrical insulating members 50 fill at least a portion of the gap R between the metal support member 30 and the energy storage module 10 facing the metal support member 30. As a result, when debris is ejected from the power storage module 10 when an abnormality occurs in the power storage cell 11, the debris is less likely to scatter onto the metal support member 30 than when the gap R is not filled with the electrical insulating member 50. In other words, debris is less likely to become interposed between the metal support member 30 and the power storage module 10 facing the metal support member 30. As a result, even if debris is ejected from the power storage module 10 when an abnormality occurs in the power storage cell 11, the power storage device 1 can prevent a short circuit from occurring between the power storage module 10 and the metal support member 30. Therefore, the power storage device 1 can prevent the occurrence of sparks. In other words, the power storage device 1 can reduce the anxiety of the occupants of the electric four-wheeled vehicle 100 when an abnormality occurs in the power storage cell 11.

[0037] As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, in the electricity storage device 1, the plurality of electrical insulating members 50 fill the entire gap R. This makes it more difficult for debris to become interposed between the metal support member 30 and the energy storage module 10 facing the metal support member 30. As a result, the energy storage device 1 can more reliably prevent the occurrence of a short circuit even if debris is ejected from the energy storage module 10 when an abnormality occurs in the energy storage cell 11.

[0038] As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, in the power storage device 1, the lower case 40 is made of metal. Heat generated during operation of the energy storage cells 11 is easily conducted to the metal support member 30. In the energy storage device 1, heat from the metal support member 30 is more easily conducted to the lower case 40 than when the lower case 40 is made of resin. In other words, the metal support member 30 functions as a heat dissipation member. As a result, the energy storage device 1 can suppress deterioration of the battery performance of the energy storage cells 11 caused by heat.

[0039] As described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, in the energy storage device 1, each of the multiple electrical insulating members 50 is fixed to each of the multiple metal support members 30, but is not fixed to each of the multiple energy storage modules 10. This makes it easier to remove the energy storage module 10 from the energy storage device 1 than when the electrical insulating member 50 is fixed to the energy storage module 10. For example, if an abnormality occurs in one of the multiple energy storage modules 10, the abnormal energy storage module 10 can be easily replaced with a normal energy storage module 10. As a result, the energy storage device 1 is easy to work with.

[0040] As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the power storage device 1 further includes an upper case 60 and a plurality of electronic devices 70. Vibrations of the electric four-wheel vehicle 100 are transmitted to the power storage device 1. At this time, there is a risk that a resonance phenomenon will occur in the power storage device 1. In the power storage device 1, the plate 20 is supported by a plurality of metal support members 30 and functions as a base for the electronic device 70. Therefore, resonance of the plate 20 caused by vibrations transmitted from the outside to the power storage device 1 is suppressed. In other words, resonance of the electronic device 70 supported by the plate 20 is suppressed. As a result, the power storage device 1 can protect the electronic device 70 from external vibrations.

[0041] (2) Variations In the energy storage device 1, the electrical insulating member 50 fills the entire gap R, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The electrical insulating member 50 may fill only a portion of the gap R.

[0042] In the energy storage device 1, the lower case 40 is made of metal, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The lower case 40 may also be made of resin.

[0043] In the energy storage device 1, each of the multiple electrical insulating members 50 is fixed to each of the multiple metal support members 30, but is not fixed to each of the multiple energy storage modules 10, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Each of the multiple electrical insulating members 50 may be fixed to the energy storage module 10, or may not be fixed to the energy storage module 10 or the metal support member 30.

[0044] The power storage device 1 further includes an upper case 60 and a plurality of electronic devices 70, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The power storage device 1 does not necessarily have to include at least one of the upper case 60 and the plurality of electronic devices 70. When the power storage device 1 does not include the upper case 60, the plate 20 may function as the upper case.

[0045] In the electricity storage device 1, the number of plates 20 is one, but may be two or more. The electricity storage device 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped object, but may also be a cube, a cylinder, an irregular shape, or the like.

[0046] The power storage device 1 is mounted on and used in an electric four-wheeled vehicle 100, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The power storage device 1 may also be used in electric two-wheeled vehicles, portable devices, power storage systems, etc. Electric two-wheeled vehicles include electric motorcycles and electrically assisted bicycles. Examples of portable devices include smartphones, tablet computers, notebook computers, power tools, and video cameras. Examples of power storage systems include household power storage systems, industrial power storage systems, and energy storage systems (ESS: Energy Storage Systems). [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1: Energy storage device, 10: Energy storage module, 11: Energy storage cell, 20: Plate, 30: Metal support member, 40: Lower case, 50: Electrical insulating member, 60: Upper case, 70: Electronic device, 100: Electric four-wheel vehicle, 110: Front seat, 120: Rear seat, 130: Floor panel, R: Gap

Claims

1. a plurality of energy storage modules each having a plurality of stacked energy storage cells and arranged along a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; at least one plate disposed above the plurality of power storage modules; a plurality of metal support members disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of power storage modules and supporting the at least one plate; a lower case that houses the plurality of power storage modules and to which the plurality of metal support members are fixed; a plurality of electrical insulating members filling all of the gaps between the metal support member and the electricity storage module facing the metal support member; an upper case disposed above the lower case and attached to the lower case; at least one electronic device supported by the at least one plate and electrically connected to the plurality of power storage cells; Equipped with the lower case is made of metal, The electric storage device, wherein the electrical insulating member is not interposed between the electric storage module and the lower case.

2. The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of electrical insulating members is fixed to each of the plurality of metal support members, but is not fixed to each of the plurality of power storage modules.

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