Energy storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device capable of detecting a temperature of a power storage element with accuracy by a temperature detection part arranged on a bus bar holding member.SOLUTION: A power storage device comprises: at least one power storage element 10 that has a case main body for accommodating an electrode body, and an external terminal arranged on one outer surface of the case main body; a bus bar holding member 6 that holds a bus bar connected with the external terminal, being arranged along the one outer surface of the at least one power storage element 10; and a temperature sensor part 7 that has a temperature detection part 71, and a sensor holding part 72 holding the temperature detection part 71 so that the temperature detection part 71 is in contact with the one outer surface. The bus bar holding member 6 has a sensor arrangement part on which the temperature sensor part 7 is arranged. The sensor holding part 72 is pressed against the one outer surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power storage device including a power storage element.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a wiring module attached to a plurality of power storage elements has been known (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the wiring module 500 has a bus bar housing portion 502 that houses a bus bar 501 and a thermistor housing portion 504 that houses a thermistor 503, and is arranged along a plurality of power storage elements 510 arranged in a predetermined direction.

[0003] In a state where this wiring module 500 is arranged along a plurality of power storage elements 510, the thermistor 503 is arranged on the first surface 506a side of a side portion extension piece 506 which is a part of a flexible printed wiring board 505 with the side portion extension piece 506 sandwiched between the thermistor 503 and the power storage element 51). Thereby, the thermistor is pressed against a predetermined power storage element via the side portion extension piece 506, and the temperature of this power storage element can be detected.

[0004] However, if a manufacturing error or the like occurs in the interval between the power storage element 510 and the wiring module 500 (that is, the interval is larger than the set interval), the pressing force of the thermistor 503 against the power storage element cannot be sufficiently obtained, and the temperature of the power storage element 510 may not be accurately detected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the objective of this embodiment is to provide an energy storage device that can accurately detect the temperature of an energy storage element using a temperature sensing unit arranged on a busbar holding member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The energy storage device of this embodiment is A storage element comprising at least one case body for housing an electrode and an external terminal disposed on one of the outer surfaces of the case body, A busbar holding member that holds the busbar connected to the external terminal and is arranged along one of the outer surfaces of the at least one energy storage element, A temperature sensor unit comprising a temperature sensing unit and a sensor holding unit that holds the temperature sensing unit so that the temperature sensing unit contacts one of the outer surfaces, The busbar holding member has a sensor placement portion on which the temperature sensor portion is arranged. The sensor holder is pressed against one of the outer surfaces. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] Based on the above, this embodiment provides an energy storage device that can accurately detect the temperature of the energy storage element using a temperature detection unit arranged on the busbar holding member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the energy storage device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of the energy storage device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the main body and plate portion of the energy storage device separated. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main body of the device, with some components omitted. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by V in Figure 2, with the long member removed. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken at the VI-VI position of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken at the VI-VI position of FIG. 5, showing the cross-sectional view in a state where the sensor unit is removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view of the sensor unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of the sensor unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken at the X-X position of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the procedure of arranging the sensor unit in the housing unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a conventional wiring module.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] The power storage device of the present embodiment has at least one power storage element having a case body for housing an electrode body and an external terminal disposed on one outer surface of the case body, a bus bar holding member that holds a bus bar connected to the external terminal and is disposed along the one outer surface of the at least one power storage element, and a temperature sensor unit having a temperature detection unit and a sensor holding unit that holds the temperature detection unit so that the temperature detection unit contacts the one outer surface. The bus bar holding member has a sensor arrangement portion where the temperature sensor unit is disposed. The sensor holding unit is pressed toward the one outer surface.

[0011] According to such a configuration, even if a manufacturing error or the like occurs in the distance between the one outer surface of the power storage element and the bus bar holding member, the sensor holding unit is sufficiently pressed against the one outer surface in a state where the temperature detection unit contacts the one outer surface of the power storage element. Therefore, the temperature of the power storage element (the power storage element having the one outer surface) can be accurately detected.

[0012] In the power storage device, The temperature sensor unit has an elastic member that biases the sensor holding unit toward the one outer surface. The sensor holding unit may be pressed against the one outer surface by the biasing force of the elastic member.

[0013] In this way, by pressing the sensor holding unit against the one outer surface by the biasing force of the elastic member, even if the distance between the one outer surface of the power storage element and the bus bar holding member changes due to vibration or the like, the elastic member absorbs the change in this distance, and thereby, a state in which the sensor holding unit is sufficiently pressed against the one outer surface is maintained.

[0014] Also, in the power storage device, the sensor arrangement portion has a locking portion to which the elastic member of the temperature sensor unit arranged in the sensor arrangement portion is locked. The bus bar holding member has an opening formed at an end in a direction from the one outer surface toward the temperature detection portion, and a communication portion that communicates the opening and the sensor arrangement portion. The temperature sensor unit may be configured to be insertable from the opening through the communication portion into the sensor arrangement portion by at least one of the locking portion moving from the locking position where the elastic member is locked and the elastic member elastically deforming more than when the elastic member is locked to the locking portion.

[0015] According to such a configuration, by inserting the temperature sensor unit from the opening toward the sensor arrangement portion while performing at least one of moving the locking portion and elastically deforming the elastic member, the sensor holding unit can be arranged in the sensor arrangement portion, so that the assembly of the temperature sensor unit to the bus bar holding member becomes easy.

[0016] Also, in the power storage device, the elastic member is arranged at a position where at least a part thereof overlaps with the temperature detection portion in the sensor holding unit when viewed in a direction from the temperature detection portion toward the one outer surface. The communication portion extends along a direction from the one outer surface toward the temperature detection portion. The locking position is the position in which at least a part of the locking portion is located within the communication portion when the elastic member is locked. The sensor placement portion has a biasing portion that is elastically deformable and capable of biasing the locking portion toward the locking position. The biasing portion may undergo elastic deformation or increase the amount of elastic deformation as the locking portion moves from the locking position to a retracted position outside the communication portion due to the movement.

[0017] With this configuration, the locking portion can be returned to its locked position by utilizing the biasing force (elastic restoring force) generated or increased when the locking portion is retracted from the communication portion to insert the temperature sensor portion from the opening to the sensor placement portion, thus making it easier to assemble the temperature sensor portion to the busbar holding member. Moreover, when the temperature sensor portion is placed in the sensor placement portion and the elastic member is locked to the locking portion, at least a part of the locking portion is inside the communication portion, so it is possible to prevent the temperature sensor portion from moving from the sensor placement portion towards the opening (i.e., falling out of the sensor placement portion of the busbar holding member).

[0018] Furthermore, in the aforementioned energy storage device, The biasing portion extends axially from the locking portion and its tip is fixed to a predetermined part of the busbar holding member. The locking portion moves from the locking position to the retracted position by rotation with the biasing portion as the pivot point. The elastic deformation of the biasing portion may be caused by the twisting of the biasing portion due to the rotation of the locking portion.

[0019] In this way, by utilizing the biasing force (elastic restoring force) generated by the twisting (elastic deformation) of the axial part, the structure of the biasing part can be simplified.

[0020] Furthermore, in the aforementioned energy storage device, The locking portion has a contact portion that contacts the temperature sensor portion when it moves along the communication portion from the opening toward the sensor placement portion. The contact portion may have a shape such that when the temperature sensor portion moving toward the sensor placement portion moves toward the sensor placement portion from the position where it contacts the contact portion, the locking portion retracts toward the retracted position as the temperature sensor portion slides on the contact portion in conjunction with the movement.

[0021] With this configuration, when the temperature sensor is inserted from the opening toward the sensor placement area, after the temperature sensor comes into contact with the contact area, further pushing the temperature sensor toward the sensor placement area causes the contact area to be pushed by the temperature sensor sliding on the contact area, causing the locking part to retract to its retracted position, thus making it easier to assemble the temperature sensor to the busbar holding member.

[0022] In this case, for example, The contact portion may be an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction toward the sensor placement portion from the opening, and is located toward the sensor placement portion in the insertion direction as it advances along the direction opposite to the retraction direction of the locking portion.

[0023] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. Note that the names of each component (each element) in this embodiment are those of this embodiment and may differ from the names of each component (each element) in the background art.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment comprises at least one energy storage element 10 having an external terminal 14, a busbar 5 connected to the external terminal 14, a busbar holding member 6 that holds the busbar 5, and a temperature sensor unit 7 disposed on the busbar holding member 6 and detecting the temperature of the energy storage element 10. Specifically, it is as follows.

[0025] This energy storage device 1 comprises a device body A having a plurality of energy storage elements 10, each having an external terminal 14, and a plate portion B including a busbar holding member 6 and covering the surface of the device body A where the external terminals 14 are lined up.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the main body A of the device comprises a plurality of energy storage elements 10 arranged in a first direction, a plurality of adjacent members 2 adjacent to the energy storage elements 10 in the first direction, and a holding member 3 that holds these plurality of energy storage elements 10 and the plurality of adjacent members 2. The main body A of the device also comprises a first fastening member C that fixes at least one adjacent member 2 to the holding member 3, and an insulator 4 that insulates the plurality of energy storage elements 10 and the holding member 3.

[0027] Each of the multiple energy storage elements 10 is a primary battery, a secondary battery, a capacitor, etc. The energy storage element 10 in this embodiment is a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery that can be charged and discharged. More specifically, the energy storage element 10 is a lithium-ion secondary battery that utilizes electron transfer that occurs with the movement of lithium ions.

[0028] Specifically, each energy storage element 10 comprises an electrode body, a case 11 that houses the electrode body together with an electrolyte, an external terminal 14 in which at least a portion is exposed to the outside of the case 11, and a current collector that connects the electrode body and the external terminal 14. The energy storage element 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a pair of external terminals 14, and these pair of external terminals 14 are spaced apart at the end of the energy storage element 10 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions. In the following description, the first direction is the X-axis direction of the Cartesian coordinate system, the third direction is the Y-axis direction of the Cartesian coordinate system, and the second direction is the Z-axis direction of the Cartesian coordinate system.

[0029] In the electrode body, positive and negative electrodes are stacked alternately with a separator in between. In this electrode body, lithium ions move between the positive and negative electrodes, causing the energy storage element 10 to charge and discharge.

[0030] Case 11 comprises a case body 12 having an opening at one end in the Z-axis direction (upper end in Figure 4), and a plate-shaped cover plate 13 that closes the opening of the case body 12. The case body 12 has a rectangular tube shape (i.e., a bottomed rectangular tube shape) with the other end in the Z-axis direction (lower end in Figure 4) closed, and case 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape (hexagonal shape).

[0031] Specifically, the case body 12 comprises a plate-shaped closing portion 121 and a cylindrical body portion (peripheral wall) 122 connected to the periphery of the closing portion 121.

[0032] The closure portion 121 is located at the lower end of the case body 12 when the case body 12 is positioned with the opening facing upwards (i.e., it becomes the bottom wall of the case body 12 when the opening is facing upwards). The closure portion 121 is rectangular in shape, elongated in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0033] The body portion 122 is rectangular in shape, more specifically, a flattened rectangular shape. The body portion 122 has a pair of long wall portions 123 extending from the long side at the periphery of the closure portion 121, and a pair of short wall portions 124 extending from the short side at the periphery of the closure portion 121. In this body portion 122, the short wall portions 124 connect the ends of the pair of long wall portions 123 that are opposite each other in the X-axis direction, thereby forming the rectangular body portion 122.

[0034] The cover plate 13 is a plate-shaped member that closes the opening of the case body 12. This cover plate 13 has a rectangular plate-shaped cover plate body 131 that is elongated in the Y-axis direction, and a gas discharge valve 132 that is positioned on the cover plate body 131.

[0035] The gas discharge valve 132 discharges gas to the outside when the pressure inside the case 11 exceeds a predetermined value due to gas generation inside the case 11. In this embodiment, the gas discharge valve 132 is located in the center of the cover plate body 131 in the Y-axis direction.

[0036] The case 11 is formed when the cover plate 13, configured in this way, is joined to the case body 12 with its peripheral edge overlapping the opening peripheral edge of the case body 12.

[0037] Each of the pair of external terminals 14 is a part that is electrically connected to the external terminals 14 of another energy storage element 10 or to an external device, etc. Each external terminal 14 is formed of a conductive material. For example, each external terminal 14 is formed of a highly weldable metal material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or a copper alloy.

[0038] These pair of external terminals 14 are located at both ends of the cover plate 13 in the Y-axis direction (longitudinal direction). In other words, the pair of external terminals 14 are positioned on the cover plate 13 with the gas discharge valve 132 in between.

[0039] The energy storage elements 10 described above are flattened rectangular parallelepipeds, and multiple energy storage elements 10 are arranged in the X-axis direction with the wide surfaces (long walls 123) of the case 11 facing each other.

[0040] Each of the multiple adjacent members 2 is insulating and is positioned between energy storage elements 10 aligned in the X-axis direction, or between an energy storage element 10 and a member aligned with respect to the energy storage element 10 in the X-axis direction (in this embodiment, a part of the holding member 3). The adjacent members 2 in this embodiment are made of resin. These adjacent members 2 form a flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid (a gas such as air in this embodiment) can flow between adjacent energy storage elements 10. These multiple adjacent members 2 include multiple types of adjacent members 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0041] Specifically, the plurality of adjacent members 2 include a first adjacent member 2A positioned between two adjacent energy storage elements 10, a second adjacent member 2B positioned between adjacent energy storage elements 10 and fixed to the holding member 3, and a third adjacent member 2C positioned between the holding member 3 and the energy storage element 10 at the outermost end in the X-axis direction, adjacent to the energy storage element 10. That is, the energy storage device 1 comprises a first adjacent member 2A, a second adjacent member 2B, and a third adjacent member 2C as adjacent members 2. The energy storage device 1 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of first adjacent members 2A, one second adjacent member 2B, and two (a pair) third adjacent members 2C. Each of these plurality of first adjacent members 2A is positioned between each energy storage element 10, excluding the positions between the energy storage elements 10 where the second adjacent member 2B is positioned.

[0042] Each of the multiple first adjacent members 2A has a first main body portion 21A that extends in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction between adjacent energy storage elements 10 in the X-axis direction, an engaging projection 22A that protrudes from the first main body portion 21A toward one direction in the Z-axis direction (i.e., toward the busbar holding member 6), and at least one first restricting portion 25A that restricts the movement of the energy storage element 10 adjacent to the first main body portion 21A relative to the first main body portion 21A. Furthermore, each of these multiple first adjacent members 2A forms at least one flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between adjacent energy storage elements 10.

[0043] The first main body portion 21A is a part that faces the long wall portion 123 of the case 11 of the energy storage element 10, with a portion of it in contact with it. This first main body portion 21A, together with the adjacent energy storage element 10, forms a flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between it and the energy storage element 10. In this embodiment, the first main body portion 21A is a rectangular plate shape with a size corresponding to the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction, and its cross-sectional shape along the XZ plane (the plane including the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction) is a rectangular wave shape.

[0044] The engaging projection 22A is the portion that engages with the busbar holding member 6. In this embodiment, a pair of engaging projections 22A are provided and are located at the center in the Y-axis direction of one end of the first main body portion 21A in the Z-axis direction. Each of these pair of engaging projections 22A is spaced apart from the others in the Y-axis direction.

[0045] The first restricting portion 25A extends in the X-axis direction from at least one corner of the rectangular first main body portion 21A and restricts the relative movement of the energy storage element 10 (specifically the case 11) adjacent to the first main body portion 21A in the YZ plane direction (a plane including the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction) by contacting the energy storage element 10 from the outside in the YZ plane direction. In this embodiment, the first restricting portion 25A extends from the first main body portion 21A toward one side and the other side in the X-axis direction.

[0046] The second adjacent member 2B includes a second main body portion 21B extending in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction (YZ plane direction) between two adjacent energy storage elements 10, an engaging projection portion 22B projecting from the second main body portion 21B toward one direction in the Z-axis direction, at least one second restricting portion 25B that restricts the movement of the energy storage element 10 adjacent to the second main body portion 21B relative to the second main body portion 21B, and a second fastening member 26B used to fix the second adjacent member 2B to the holding member 3. This second adjacent member 2B also forms at least one flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between it and the adjacent energy storage elements 10. In this embodiment, the second adjacent member 2B is positioned approximately in the center of the energy storage device 1 in the X-axis direction.

[0047] The second main body portion 21B is a part that faces the long wall portion 123 of the case 11 of the energy storage element 10, with a portion of it in contact with it. This second main body portion 21B, together with the adjacent energy storage element 10, forms a flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between it and the energy storage element 10. The dimension of this second main body portion 21B in the X-axis direction is larger than the dimension of the first main body portion 21A in the X-axis direction (i.e., it is thicker). In this embodiment, the second main body portion 21B is a rectangular plate shape with a size corresponding to the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction. This second main body portion 21B has a plurality of protrusions 211B, each extending in the Y-axis direction and spaced apart in the Z-axis direction. These plurality of protrusions 211B protrude from the surface 212B of the second main body portion 21B that faces the energy storage element 10.

[0048] The engaging projection 22B is the part that engages with the busbar holding member 6, and has the same configuration as the engaging projection 22A of the first adjacent member 2A. That is, a pair of engaging projections 22B are arranged at one end of the second main body 21B in the Z-axis direction.

[0049] The second restricting portion 25B extends in the X-axis direction from at least one corner of the rectangular second main body portion 21B and restricts the relative movement of the energy storage element 10 (specifically the case 11) adjacent to the second main body portion 21B in the YZ-axis direction by contacting it from the outside in the YZ-axis direction. In this embodiment, the second restricting portion 25B extends from the second main body portion 21B in one direction and the other in the X-axis direction.

[0050] The second fastening members 26B are positioned at each end of the second main body 21B in the Y-axis direction. Each of these multiple second fastening members 26B fastens the second adjacent member 2B and the retaining member 3 by engaging with the first fastening member C. In this embodiment, each second fastening member 26B is an insert nut. In this embodiment, each first fastening member C is a bolt, which fastens the second adjacent member 2B and the retaining member 3 by engaging (screwing) with the second fastening member 26B with the retaining member 3 inserted through it.

[0051] Each of the two third adjacent members 2C has a third main body portion 21C that extends in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction between adjacent energy storage elements 10 and a part 31 of the holding member 3 in the X-axis direction, and at least one third restricting portion 25C that restricts the movement of the energy storage element 10 adjacent to the third main body portion 21C relative to the third main body portion 21C. In addition, each of the two third adjacent members 2C forms at least one flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between adjacent energy storage elements 10.

[0052] The third main body portion 21C is a part that faces the long wall portion 123 of the energy storage element 10, with a portion of it in contact with it. Similar to the first main body portion 21A of the first adjacent member 2A and the second main body portion 21B of the second adjacent member 2B, this third main body portion 21C works together with the adjacent energy storage element 10 to form a flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between it and the energy storage element 10. In this embodiment, the third main body portion 21C is a rectangular plate shape with a size corresponding to the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction. This third main body portion 21C has a plurality of protrusions 211C, each extending in the Y-axis direction and spaced apart in the Z-axis direction. These plurality of protrusions 211C protrude from the surface 212C of the third main body portion 21C that faces the energy storage element 10.

[0053] The third restricting portion 25C extends in the X-axis direction from at least one corner of the rectangular third main body portion 21C and restricts the relative movement of the energy storage element 10 (specifically the case 11) adjacent to the third main body portion 21C in the YZ-axis direction by contacting it from the outside in the YZ-axis direction. In this embodiment, the third restricting portion 25C extends from the third main body portion 21C toward one side in the X-axis direction (towards the energy storage element 10).

[0054] The holding member 3 holds the laminate D, which is composed of energy storage elements 10 and adjacent members 2 arranged alternately in the X-axis direction, by surrounding the laminate D. That is, the holding member 3 holds the multiple energy storage elements 10 and multiple adjacent members 2 together by surrounding them. This holding member 3 is made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0055] Specifically, the holding member 3 includes a pair of end members 31 positioned on both sides of the laminate D in the X-axis direction, an extension member 32 extending in the X-axis direction along the laminate D at a position adjacent to the laminate D in the Y-axis direction, and a connecting member 33 connecting the end members 31 and the extension member 32.

[0056] Each of the pair of terminal members 31 is positioned to sandwich a third adjacent member 2C between it and the energy storage element 10 located at its end in the X-axis direction. Each terminal member 31 is rectangular in shape, corresponding to the size of the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction. More specifically, the terminal member 31 is rectangular in shape with an elongated length in the Y-axis direction and has a plurality of through holes 311 at both ends in the Y-axis direction, spaced apart in the Z-axis direction.

[0057] Each of the pair of extension members 32 includes an extension member body 320 facing the short wall portion 124 of each energy storage element 10, a first piece portion 321 extending in the Y-axis direction along the cover plate 13 of each energy storage element 10 and in the X-axis direction from one end of the extension member body 320 in the Z-axis direction, a second piece portion 322 extending in the Y-axis direction along the closing portion 121 of each energy storage element 10 and in the X-axis direction from the other end of the extension member body 320 in the Z-axis direction, and a pair of third pieces portion 323 extending in the Y-axis direction along the end member 31 and in the Z-axis direction from each end of the extension member body 320 in the X-axis direction.

[0058] The extension member body 320 is plate-shaped and extends along the short wall portion 124 of each energy storage element 10, and has a plurality of through holes 3201 that penetrate in the Y-axis direction so that the temperature control fluid can flow into or out of each flow path R.

[0059] The first piece 321 is a long, strip-shaped portion in the X-axis direction, and the second piece 322 is also a long, strip-shaped portion in the X-axis direction. The width of the second piece 322 (dimension in the Y-axis direction) is greater than the width of the first piece 321. Each of the pair of third pieces 323 has a plurality of through holes 3231 spaced apart in the Z-axis direction. Each through hole 3231 is positioned to correspond to the through hole 311 of the end member 31.

[0060] Each of the multiple connecting members 33 fastens the end member 31 and the extension member 32 by inserting them through the through hole 311 of the end member 31 and the through hole 3231 of the extension member 32 (specifically, the third piece 323). In this embodiment, each connecting member 33 is composed of a bolt 331 and a nut 332.

[0061] The insulator 4 is insulating. This insulator 4 is placed between the stretched member 32 and the laminate D. Specifically, the energy storage device 1 comprises a pair of insulators 4, each insulator 4 covering a region of the stretched member 32 that faces at least a plurality of energy storage elements 10. In this way, each insulator 4 insulates the stretched member 32 from the plurality of energy storage elements 10. Each insulator 4 has a through-hole 41 at a position corresponding to each through-hole 3201 of the stretched member body 320, with a size and shape corresponding to each through-hole 3201 of the stretched member body 320.

[0062] The plate section B comprises a plurality of busbars 5, at least one temperature sensor section 7 for detecting the temperature of the energy storage elements 10, a busbar holding member 6 for holding the plurality of busbars 5, and a harness 8 having a plurality of electric wires 80 connected to the busbars 5 and the temperature sensor section 7. In this embodiment, the plate section B comprises a plurality of temperature sensor sections 7 (a number less than or equal to the number of energy storage elements 10 included in the laminate D).

[0063] Each of the multiple busbars 5 is a conductive plate-shaped member such as metal, and connects the external terminals 14 of different energy storage elements 10. Each of these multiple busbars 5 makes electrical contact with each other by connecting the external terminals 14 of adjacent energy storage elements 10. In this embodiment, each busbar 5 is welded to the external terminal 14 while being held by a busbar holding member 6.

[0064] Each of the multiple temperature sensor units 7 contacts the surface (case 11) of the energy storage element 10 and outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature of the surface of the energy storage element 10. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 to 10, the temperature sensor unit 7 includes a temperature detection unit (sensor) 71 and a sensor holding unit 72 that holds the temperature detection unit 71. The temperature sensor unit 7 also has a first biasing unit 73 for biasing the sensor holding unit 72 toward the main body A of the device (more specifically, the energy storage element 10). The temperature sensor unit 7 of this embodiment also includes a wire support unit 74 that supports the wire 80 connected to the temperature detection unit 71.

[0065] The temperature sensing unit 71 is a part that can detect the temperature or temperature change of an object (in this embodiment, the energy storage element 10, more specifically, the lid plate 13 of the case 11) by contacting the object. Specifically, the temperature sensing unit 71 includes a heat transfer unit 711 having a contact surface 711a that makes surface contact with the object, and a temperature sensing element 712 that detects the temperature or temperature change of the object via the heat transfer unit 711 and outputs a signal corresponding to this temperature or temperature change (see Figure 10).

[0066] The heat transfer section 711 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as metal, and transfers the heat of an object to the temperature sensing element 712 by contacting the object. In this embodiment, the heat transfer section 711 is a rectangular plate. In this embodiment, the temperature sensing element 712 is a thermistor.

[0067] The sensor holding portion 72 has a first portion 721 that holds the temperature sensing portion 71 such that the contact surface 711a is exposed facing the other direction in the Z-axis direction, and a second portion 722 that extends from the first portion 721 in one direction in the Z-axis direction and to which the first biasing portion 73 is fixed. The first portion 721 has a biased surface 721a that faces one direction in the Z-axis direction and to which a part of the first biasing portion 73 fixed to the second portion 722 abuts. In this embodiment, the first portion 721 is rectangular parallelepiped, and the second portion 722 is rectangular plate-shaped when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0068] The first biasing portion 73 biases (presses) the sensor holding portion 72 (specifically, the biased surface 721a) toward the other side in the Z-axis direction when the temperature sensor portion 7 is positioned on the busbar holding member 6 and the first biasing portion 73 engages with a part of the busbar holding member 6. In this embodiment, the first biasing portion 73 is made of an elastic member. This first biasing portion (elastic member) 73 is positioned so that, when viewed from the temperature detection portion 71 toward the outer surface (one outer surface) of the cover plate 13 of the energy storage element 10, at least a part of the sensor holding portion 72 overlaps with the temperature detection portion 71.

[0069] The wire support portion 74 supports the wire 80 extending from the temperature sensing element 712 so as to be inclined with respect to the X-axis when viewed from the Y-axis direction. This wire support portion 74 extends from the sensor holding portion 72 in the direction of the inclination and is formed integrally with the sensor holding portion 72. In this embodiment, the sensor holding portion 72 and the wire support portion 74 are integrally molded from resin, and the Y-axis dimension of the wire support portion 74 is smaller than the Y-axis dimension of the sensor holding portion 72.

[0070] The harness 8 includes a cable section 81 having a plurality of electric wires 80, and a connector 82 positioned at the end of the cable section 81.

[0071] The cable section 81 is formed by bundling together at least a portion of a plurality of electric wires 80, each having one end connected to a busbar 5 or a temperature sensor section 7 (specifically, a temperature sensing element 712). The cable section 81 is positioned on the busbar holding member 6 with one end protruding from the busbar holding member 6 in the X-axis direction. A connector 82 is attached to the protruding end of the cable section 81. The connector in this embodiment is a multi-pin connector, and two of them are provided.

[0072] The busbar retaining member 6 has a plate-shaped retaining member body 60 that covers the surface of the laminate D where the external terminals 14 are lined up. The busbar retaining member 6 in this embodiment has a long member 69 that is detachably attached to the retaining member body 60. This busbar retaining member 6 is fixed to the device body A by engaging with a pair of engaging protrusions 22A and 22B of each adjacent member 2A and 2B, respectively.

[0073] The holding member body 60 is a plate-shaped member whose dimensions in the Z-axis direction are smaller than those in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and is rectangular in shape with a size corresponding to the laminated body D when viewed from the Z-axis direction. This holding member body 60 has a plurality of busbar holding parts 61, each of which holds a busbar 5, and a harness 8 is arranged It has a harness placement section 62 and a plurality of cover sections 63 (see Figure 2). The holding member body 60 also has at least one housing section 64 including a placement section 66 in which the temperature sensor section 7 is placed (see Figure 7). The holding member body 60 of this embodiment has a plurality of housing sections 64.

[0074] Furthermore, the holding member body 60 also has a plate opening 68 in which a part of the laminate D (in this embodiment, the gas discharge valves 132 of each energy storage element 10) is exposed when viewed from the plate portion B toward the device body A (i.e., when viewed from one side in the Z-axis direction to the other side). This plate opening 68 penetrates the holding member body 60 in the Z-axis direction and extends in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the plate opening 68 extends from one end in the X-axis direction of the holding member body 60 to the other end at the center of the holding member body 60 in the Y-axis direction.

[0075] Each of the multiple busbar holding portions 61 is a portion that holds (houses) the busbar 5 so as to surround the periphery of the busbar 5 when the external terminals 14 of adjacent energy storage elements 10 are connected, and one end in the Z-axis direction is open. These multiple busbar holding portions 61 form a row of holding portions aligned in the X-axis direction at one end in the Y-axis direction and the other end of the holding member body 60.

[0076] The harness arrangement portion 62 is a groove-shaped portion in the holding member body 60, and the cable portion 81 (multiple electric wires 80) of the harness 8 is arranged inside it. This harness arrangement portion 62 is a groove-shaped portion with one end in the Z-axis direction open, and extends in the X-axis direction along the row of busbar holding portions 61 at a position adjacent to the inner side in the Y-axis direction of the row of busbar holding portions 61 that are arranged in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the harness arrangement portion 62 has two first portions adjacent to the inner side (center side) of each row of holding portions in the Y-axis direction and extending in the X-axis direction along the row of holding portions, and a second portion that extends in the Y-axis direction and connects one end of each first portion in the X-axis direction. In each of the two first portions, each side wall in the Y-axis direction extends continuously or intermittently in the X-axis direction, and the bottom wall extends continuously or intermittently in the X-axis direction.

[0077] In the holding member body 60, one end (each opening) in the Z-axis direction of the multiple busbar holding parts 61 and harness placement part 62, which are arranged on one side and the other side in the Y-axis direction with the plate opening 68 in between, is covered by multiple cover parts 63.

[0078] Each of the multiple (three in this embodiment) housing sections 64 houses a temperature sensor section 7. When the temperature sensor section 7 is housed in these multiple housing sections 64, each sensor holding section 72, more specifically the temperature sensing section 71 held by the sensor holding section 72 (more specifically, the contact surface 711a of the heat transfer section 711), is pressed against one of the outer surfaces of the energy storage element 10 (in this embodiment, the outer surface of the cover plate 13) (see Figure 6).

[0079] In the holding member body 60 of this embodiment, the multiple housing sections 64 are arranged at one end in the X-axis direction, the central part in the X-axis direction, and the other end in the X-axis direction. That is, the holding member body 60 of this embodiment has three housing sections 64. As a result, the temperature of the energy storage elements 10 arranged in the X-axis direction in the energy storage device 1, specifically the positions corresponding to each housing section 64, can be measured by the temperature sensor section 7 located in the housing section 64, i.e., the energy storage elements 10 located at one end in the X-axis direction in the energy storage device 1, the energy storage elements 10 located in the central part, and the energy storage elements 10 located at the other end.

[0080] Furthermore, the energy storage elements 10 located at one end of the energy storage device 1 in the X-axis direction and the energy storage elements 10 located at the other end are the energy storage elements 10 located near the terminal member 31 of the energy storage device 1. Also, the energy storage element 10 located in the central part of the energy storage device 1 in the X-axis direction is the energy storage element 10 located near the second adjacent member 2B.

[0081] Furthermore, in the holding member body 60 of this embodiment, in the area where the housing portion 64 is located in the X-axis direction, the housing portion 64, the harness arrangement portion 62 (specifically, the first portion), and the busbar holding portion 61 are arranged in order from the plate opening 68 (long member 69) located in the center in the Y-axis direction toward one outward direction in the Y-axis direction, and the harness arrangement portion 62 (specifically, the first portion) and the busbar holding portion 61 are arranged in order from the plate opening 68 (long member 69) toward the other outward direction in the Y-axis direction.

[0082] Specifically, each of the multiple housing sections 64 has a housing opening (opening) 65 that opens at one end in the Z-axis direction, a placement section (sensor placement section) 66 in which the temperature sensor section 7 housed in the housing section 64 is arranged, and a communication section 67 that connects the housing opening 65 and the placement section 66 (see Figure 7). These multiple housing sections 64 are spaced apart in the X-axis direction at positions adjacent to the harness placement section 62 extending in the X-axis direction and on the inside in the Y-axis direction. More specifically, the multiple housing sections 64 are spaced apart in the X-axis direction between the harness placement section 62 and the plate opening 68. Each of these multiple housing sections 64 is positioned in the X-axis direction so as to overlap with the energy storage element 10 (specifically, the cover plate 13) when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0083] The housing opening 65 is open (or released) at one end of the housing section 64 in the Z-axis direction, allowing the temperature sensor section 7 to be inserted into the housing section 64 toward the other end in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, the housing opening 65 has a shape that corresponds to the temperature sensor section 7 (specifically, the sensor holding section 72) when viewed from the Z-axis direction (see Figure 5).

[0084] The communication portion 67 extends along the Z-axis direction (i.e., the direction from one outer surface of the energy storage element 10 (in this embodiment, the outer surface of the cover plate 13) toward the temperature detection portion 71). This communication portion 67 guides the temperature sensor portion 7 from the housing opening 65 to the placement portion 66 when the temperature sensor portion 7 is inserted into the housing portion 64. Specifically, the communication portion 67 is a region enclosed by a pair of opposing wall portions 671 spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, and two short wall portions 672 extending from one end of each wall portion 671 in the X-axis direction toward the opposing wall portion 671, and its shape corresponds to the sensor holding portion 72 when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0085] The distance between the tips of each short wall portion 672 in the protruding direction (the direction extending toward the opposing wall portion 671) corresponds to the Y-axis dimension of the wire support portion 74 of the temperature sensor portion 7. In the housing portion 64 of this embodiment, the distance between the tips of the two short wall portions 672 is slightly larger than the Y-axis dimension of the wire support portion 74. Also, the distance between the tips of the two short wall portions 672 is smaller than the Y-axis dimension of the sensor holding portion 72.

[0086] The arrangement section 66 is the part of the housing section 64 in which the temperature sensor section 7 is arranged such that the temperature sensing section 71 (specifically, the contact surface 711a) contacts one of the outer surfaces of the energy storage element 10. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor section 7 arranged in the arrangement section 66 has its contact surface 711a in surface contact with the outer surface of the cover plate 13. Specifically, the arrangement section 66 has a locking section 660 into which the first biasing section (an elastic member in this embodiment) 73 of the temperature sensor section 7 arranged in the arrangement section 66 is locked. The arrangement section 66 also has a second biasing section (biasing section) 665 that is elastically deformable and can bias the locking section 660.

[0087] The second biasing portion 665 extends axially from the locking portion 660, and its tip is fixed to a predetermined part of the busbar holding member 6. In this embodiment, the second biasing portion 665 is an axial portion that extends from the locking portion 660 in one direction and the other in the Y-axis direction, and both ends (each tip) are fixed to a pair of wall portions 671 of the housing portion 64. These two second biasing portions 665 are made of resin and extend in the same straight line. As the locking portion 660 moves (rotates), twisting occurs (see Figure 11).

[0088] The locking portion 660 is the part to which the first biasing portion 73 of the temperature sensor portion 7, which is arranged in the arrangement portion 66, is locked. The locking portion 660 is movable between a locking position P1 (a position shown by a solid line in Figure 7) in which at least a part of the locking portion 660 is inside the communication portion 67, and a retracted position P2 (a position shown by a dashed line in Figure 7) in which at least a part of the locking portion 660 has moved outside the communication portion 67. In this embodiment, the retracted position P2 is a position in which the entire or substantially entire locking portion 660 has moved outside the communication portion 67.

[0089] In this embodiment, the locking portion 660 is movable between a locking position P1 and a retracted position P2 by rotation around the axial second biasing portion 665 as the pivot point. As the locking portion 660 rotates from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2, twisting (elastic deformation) occurs in the resin second biasing portion 665, and this twisting causes a force (elastic force generated by the twisting) to be applied from the second biasing portion 665 to the locking portion 660, attempting to return it from the retracted position P2 to the locking position P1.

[0090] The locking portion 660 has a locking surface 661 against which the first biasing portion 73 of the temperature sensor portion 7, when it is positioned in the placement portion 66, a contact portion 662 against which the temperature sensor portion 7 comes into contact when the temperature sensor portion 7 moves along the communication portion 67 from the housing opening 65 toward the placement portion 66.

[0091] The locking surface 661 is a surface facing the other direction in the Z-axis direction, and in this embodiment, the locking surface 661 is a surface that extends in a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction.

[0092] The contact portion 662 has a shape such that when the temperature sensor portion 7, which is facing the placement portion 66 in the communication portion 67, moves further toward the placement portion 66 from the position where it is in contact with the contact portion 662, the locking portion 660 retracts (rotates) toward the retracted position P2 as the temperature sensor portion 7 slides on the contact portion 662 in conjunction with the movement.

[0093] In this embodiment, the contact portion 662 is positioned closer to the housing opening 65 than the locking surface 661 and is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the locking surface 661. Specifically, the contact portion 662 is inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction (the insertion direction from the housing opening 65 toward the placement portion 66) and is an inclined surface that is located toward the placement portion 66 in the Z-axis direction as it advances along the direction opposite to the retraction direction of the locking portion 660. That is, the contact portion 662 is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the direction opposite to the retraction direction.

[0094] As described above, the housing section 64 can accommodate (place) the temperature sensor section 7 after the plate section B has been attached to the main body A of the device. Specifically, it is as follows.

[0095] First, the temperature sensor unit 7 is inserted into the housing unit 64 from the housing opening 65 with its contact surface 711a facing the insertion direction (in this embodiment, the other direction in the Z-axis direction) (see Figure 11(a)). The temperature sensor unit 7 inserted from the housing opening 65 moves its communication portion 67 toward the placement portion 66 until it contacts the contact portion 662 of the locking portion 660. Then, when the temperature sensor unit 7 contacts the contact portion 662 (see Figure 11(b)), the temperature sensor unit 7 is further pushed toward the placement portion 66 from this state (see arrow F in Figure 11(c)), causing the contact portion 662 to rotate from the locked position P1 toward the retracted position P2 as it is pushed by the temperature sensor unit 7 (see arrow α in Figure 11(c)). At this time, the second biasing portion 665 twists (elastically deforms), and a force (a biasing force corresponding to the amount of twist) is applied from the second biasing portion 665 to the locking portion 660 in the direction from the retracted position P2 to the locking position P1.

[0096] Next, as the temperature sensor unit 7 passes the position of the locking portion 660 and reaches the placement portion 66, the first biasing portion 73 is pressed by the worker's finger or the like and elastically deforms in a direction to avoid the locking portion 660, causing the locking portion 660 to rotate from the retracted position P2 to the locked position P1 by the biasing force generated in the second biasing portion 665. When the locking portion 660 reaches the locked position P1, the force applied to the first biasing portion 73 is released and the first biasing portion 73 comes into contact with the locking surface 661 of the locking portion 660 (see Figure 11(d)). This completes the placement of the temperature sensor unit 7 in the placement portion 66. In this state where placement in the placement portion 66 is complete, the biasing force from the first biasing portion 73 presses the sensor holding portion 72 (contact surface 711a) against the cover plate 13 of the energy storage element 10.

[0097] The elongated member 69 is a member that extends in the X-axis direction and is detachably attached to the plate opening 68 of the holding member body 60 to close the plate opening 68. The elongated member 69 in this embodiment is made of an insulating material such as resin.

[0098] In the energy storage device 1 configured as described above, even if there are manufacturing errors or other issues in the gap between one outer surface of the energy storage element 10 (in this embodiment, the outer surface of the cover plate 13) and the busbar holding member 6, the temperature sensing unit 71 is in contact with one outer surface of the energy storage element 10 and the sensor holding unit 72 is sufficiently pressed against that outer surface, so the temperature of the energy storage element 10 (an energy storage element having one outer surface) can be detected with high accuracy.

[0099] In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the temperature sensor unit 7 has an elastic member (first biasing member) 73 that biases the sensor holding unit 72 toward one outer surface of the energy storage element 10, and the sensor holding unit 72 is pressed against the one outer surface by the biasing force of the elastic member 73. In this way, the sensor holding unit 72 is pressed against one outer surface of the energy storage element 10 by the biasing force of the elastic member 73, so that even if the distance between the one outer surface of the energy storage element 10 and the busbar holding member 6 changes due to vibration or the like, the elastic member 73 absorbs this change in distance, thereby suitably maintaining the state in which the sensor holding unit 72 is sufficiently pressed against the one outer surface.

[0100] Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the arrangement section (sensor arrangement section) 66 has a locking section 660 into which the elastic member 73 of the temperature sensor section 7 arranged in the arrangement section 66 is locked, and the busbar holding member 6 has a housing opening (opening) 65 formed at the end of the energy storage element 10 in the direction toward the temperature detection section 71 from one outer surface (in this example, the outer surface of the cover plate 13), and a communication section 67 that connects the housing opening 65 and the arrangement section 66.The busbar holding member 6 is configured such that the temperature sensor section 7 can be inserted into the arrangement section 66 through the communication section 67 from the housing opening 65 by at least one of the following: the locking section 660 moves from a locking position P1 that locks the elastic member 73, and the elastic member 73 undergoes greater elastic deformation than when it was locked with the locking section 660. Therefore, by inserting the temperature sensor unit 7 from the housing opening 65 toward the placement unit 66 while moving the locking portion 660 and elastically deforming the elastic member 73, the sensor holding portion 72 can be placed in the placement unit 66. This makes it easier to assemble the temperature sensor unit 7 to the busbar holding member 6 in the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment.

[0101] Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the elastic member 73 is positioned so as to overlap at least a portion with the temperature detection unit 71 in the sensor holding unit 72 when viewed from one side in the Z-axis direction to the other (i.e., in the direction from the temperature detection unit 71 toward one outer surface of the energy storage element 10), the communication unit 67 extends along the direction toward one side in the Z-axis direction (i.e., in the direction from one outer surface of the energy storage element 10 toward the temperature detection unit 71), and the locking position P1 is the position where at least a portion of the locking unit 660 is inside the communication unit 67 when the elastic member 73 is locked. The placement section 66 has a second biasing section 665 that is elastically deformable and can bias the locking section 660 toward the locking position P1. The second biasing section 665 elastically deforms or increases the amount of elastic deformation when the locking section 660 is moved away from the locking position P1 to a retracted position P2 outside the communication section 67 (more specifically, a position where at least a part of the locking section 660 is outside the communication section 67) by the aforementioned movement. With this configuration, the biasing force (elastic restoring force) generated or increased when the locking section 660 is retracted from the communication section 67 in order to insert the temperature sensor section 7 from the housing opening 65 to the placement section 66 can be used to return the locking section 660 to the locking position P1, making it easier to assemble the temperature sensor section 7 to the busbar holding member 6. Furthermore, when the temperature sensor unit 7 is placed in the placement section 66 and the elastic member 73 is locked to the locking section 660, at least a part of the locking section 660 is located within the communication section 67, which prevents the temperature sensor unit 7 from moving from the placement section 66 towards the housing opening 65 (i.e., from falling out of the housing section 64 (specifically, the placement section 66) of the busbar holding member 6).

[0102] Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the second biasing portion 665 extends axially from the locking portion 660 and its tip is fixed to a predetermined part of the busbar holding member 6 (in this example, a pair of wall portions 671 that define the communication portion 67). The locking portion 660 moves from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2 by rotation with the second biasing portion 665 as the pivot point, and the elastic deformation of the second biasing portion 665 is caused by the twisting of the second biasing portion 665 accompanying the rotation of the locking portion 660. In this way, by using a configuration that utilizes the biasing force (elastic restoring force) generated by the twisting (elastic deformation) of the axial portion (second biasing portion) 665, the configuration of the second biasing portion 665 can be simplified.

[0103] Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the locking portion 660 has a contact portion 662 that it contacts when the temperature sensor portion 7 moves along the communication portion 67 from the housing opening 65 toward the placement portion 66. The contact portion 662 is shaped such that when the temperature sensor portion 7 moving toward the placement portion 66 moves toward the placement portion 66 from the position where it contacts the contact portion 662, the locking portion 660 retracts toward the retracted position P2 as the temperature sensor portion 7 slides along the contact portion 662 in conjunction with the movement. Therefore, when the temperature sensor unit 7 is inserted into the housing unit 64 from the housing opening 65 toward the placement unit 66, the temperature sensor unit 7 comes into contact with the contact unit 662. Further pushing the temperature sensor unit 7 toward the placement unit 66 causes the temperature sensor unit 7 to slide on the contact unit 662, pushing the contact unit 662 and causing the locking unit 660 to retract to the retracted position P2. This makes it easier to assemble the temperature sensor unit 7 to the busbar holding member 6.

[0104] In this embodiment, the contact portion 662 is inclined with respect to the insertion direction (Z-axis direction) from the housing opening 65 toward the placement portion 66, and is an inclined surface that is located toward the placement portion 66 in the insertion direction as it advances along the direction opposite to the retraction direction of the locking portion 660.

[0105] It should be noted that the energy storage device 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, and a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0106] In the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the holding member body 60 has three housing sections 64, but it is not limited to this configuration. The holding member body 60 may have one, two, or three or more housing sections 64. That is, the holding member body 60 only needs to have at least one housing section 64 as described above.

[0107] Furthermore, the specific placement of the housing section 64 is not limited. In the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, each housing section 64 is located at both ends and the center of the holding member body 60 in the X-axis direction, but it is sufficient if it is in a position corresponding to the energy storage element 10 whose temperature is to be measured (i.e., a position where the temperature of this energy storage element 10 can be measured by the temperature sensor section 7).

[0108] Furthermore, in the housing section 64 of the energy storage device 1 in the above embodiment, the locking section 660 moves between the locking position P1 and the retracted position P2 by rotation, but the configuration is not limited to this. The locking section 660 may also be configured to move between the locking position P1 and the retracted position P2 by reciprocating motion along a straight line.

[0109] Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the sensor holding portion 72 is pressed against one outer surface of the energy storage element 10 by the biasing force (elastic force) of the first biasing portion (elastic member) 73, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the sensor holding portion 72 may be pressed against one outer surface of the energy storage element 10 by being pushed from one side in the Z-axis direction to the other by a screw member or the like. Alternatively, the sensor holding portion 72 may be housed in the housing portion 64 so as to protrude from the busbar holding member 6 toward the device body A, and the busbar holding member 6 and the device body A may be restrained by a restraining band or the like so that the sensor holding portion 72 is pressed against one outer surface of the energy storage element 10. In other words, as long as the sensor holding portion 72 (more specifically, the temperature sensing portion 71 held by the sensor holding portion 72) is pressed against one outer surface of the energy storage element 10 with sufficient force, it may be held down by a configuration other than an elastic member.

[0110] Furthermore, in the energy storage element 10 of the above embodiment, the contact portion 662 of the locking portion 660 is a locking slope, but the configuration is not limited to this. The contact portion 662 of the locking portion 660 may be a curved surface, or it may be a convex ridge extending in the same direction as the locking slope. In other words, the contact portion 662 of the locking portion 660 should be configured such that when it is in contact with the sensor holding portion 72 and pressed by the sensor holding portion 72, a force acts on it that causes the locking portion 660 to move toward the retracted position P2.

[0111] Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the communication portion 67 extends in the Z-axis direction (a direction perpendicular to one of the outer surfaces of the energy storage element 10), but the configuration is not limited to this. The communication portion 67 may extend in an inclined direction with respect to one of the outer surfaces of the energy storage element 10.

[0112] Furthermore, while the above embodiments described a case where the energy storage element is used as a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery (e.g., a lithium-ion secondary battery) capable of charging and discharging, the type and size (capacity) of the energy storage element are arbitrary. Also, while the above embodiments described a lithium-ion secondary battery as an example of an energy storage element, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to various secondary batteries, as well as primary batteries and capacitors such as electric double-layer capacitors. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 1...Energy storage device, 2...Adjacent member, 2A...First adjacent member, 21A...First main body, 22A...Engaging projection, 25A...First restricting part, 2B...Second adjacent member, 21B...Second main body, 211B...Protrusion, 212B...Opposite surface, 22B...Engaging projection, 25B...Second restricting part, 26B...Second fastening member, 2C...Third adjacent member, 21C...Third main body, 211C...Protrusion, 212C...Opposite surface, 25C...Third restricting part, 3...Holding member, 31...End member, 311...Through hole, 32...Extending member, 320...Extending member body, 3201...Through hole, 321...First piece, 322...Second piece, 323...Third piece, 3231...Through hole, 33...Connecting member, 331...Bolt, 332...Nut, 4...Insulator, 41...Through hole, 5...Busbar, 6...Busbar holding member, 60...Holding member body, 61...Busbar holding part, 62...Harness placement part, 63...Lid part, 64...Housing part, 65...Housing opening (opening), 66...Placement part (sensor placement part), 660...Locking part, 661...Locking surface, 662...Contact part (inclined surface), 665...Second biasing force Part (biasing part), 67...Communicating part, 671...Wall part, 672...Short wall part, 68...Plate opening, 69...Long member, 7...Temperature sensor part, 71...Temperature detection part, 711...Heat transfer part, 711a...Contact surface, 712...Temperature detection element, 72...Sensor holding part, 721...First part, 721a...Banded surface, 722...Second part, 73...First biasing part (elastic member), 74...Wire support part, 8...Harness, 80...Wire, 81...Cable part, 82...Connector, 10...Energy storage element, 11...Case, 12...Case body, 12 1...Blocking section, 122...Body section, 123...Long wall section, 124...Short wall section, 13...Cover plate, 131...Cover plate body, 132...Gas discharge valve, 14...External terminal, 500...Wiring module, 501...Busbar, 502...Busbar housing section, 503...Thermistor, 504...Thermistor housing section, 505...Flexible printed circuit board, 506...Side extension piece, 506a...First surface, 510...Energy storage element, A...Device body, B...Plate section, C...First fastening member, D...Laminate, P1...Locking position, P2...Retracted position, R...Flow path

Claims

1. A storage element comprising at least one case body for housing an electrode and an external terminal disposed on one of the outer surfaces of the case body, A busbar holding member that holds the busbar connected to the external terminal and is arranged along one of the outer surfaces of the at least one energy storage element, A temperature sensor unit comprising a temperature sensing unit and a sensor holding unit that holds the temperature sensing unit so that the temperature sensing unit contacts one of the outer surfaces, The busbar holding member has a sensor placement portion on which the temperature sensor portion is arranged. The temperature sensor portion has an elastic member that biases the sensor holding portion toward one of the outer surfaces, The sensor holding portion is pressed toward one of the outer surfaces by the biasing force of the elastic member, The sensor placement section has a locking section into which the elastic member of the temperature sensor section placed in the sensor placement section is locked. The busbar holding member has an opening formed at an end in the direction toward the temperature sensing portion from one of the outer surfaces, and a communication portion that connects the opening to the sensor placement portion, and the temperature sensor portion is made insertable into the sensor placement portion through the opening and the communication portion by at least one of the following: the locking portion moves from a locking position that locks the elastic member, and the elastic member undergoes greater elastic deformation than when it is locked with the locking portion.

2. The elastic member is positioned such that, when viewed from the temperature sensing portion toward one of the outer surfaces, at least a portion of it overlaps with the temperature sensing portion in the sensor holding portion. The aforementioned communication portion extends along the direction toward the temperature sensing portion from one of the outer surfaces, The locking position is the position in which at least a part of the locking portion is located within the communication portion when the elastic member is locked. The sensor placement portion has a biasing portion that is elastically deformable and capable of biasing the locking portion toward the locking position. The biasing portion undergoes elastic deformation or increases the amount of elastic deformation as the locking portion moves from the locking position to a retracted position outside the communication portion due to the movement, as described in claim 1.

3. The biasing portion extends axially from the locking portion and its tip is fixed to a predetermined part of the busbar holding member. The locking portion moves from the locking position to the retracted position by rotation with the biasing portion as the pivot point. The energy storage device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic deformation of the biasing portion is caused by the twisting of the biasing portion accompanying the rotation of the locking portion.

4. The locking portion has a contact portion that contacts the temperature sensor portion when it moves along the communication portion from the opening toward the sensor placement portion. The energy storage device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the contact portion has a shape such that when the temperature sensor portion facing the sensor placement portion moves toward the sensor placement portion from the position where it contacts the contact portion, the locking portion retracts toward the retracted position as the temperature sensor portion slides on the contact portion in conjunction with the movement.

5. The energy storage device according to claim 4, wherein the contact portion is inclined with respect to the insertion direction toward the sensor placement portion from the opening, and as it advances along the direction opposite to the retraction direction of the locking portion, it is located on the sensor placement portion side in the insertion direction.

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