Energy storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device capable of suppressing the occurrence of co-rotation between a nut and a wiring when the wiring is connected to a terminal bolt.SOLUTION: A power storage device includes a terminal cover that is attached to a terminal block, and the terminal cover includes a base portion that is attached to the terminal block, covers the terminal block, and has an opening that exposes the terminal bolt, and a cover portion attached to the base portion and covering at least the opening, and the base portion has a first wall and a second wall that protrude from the base portion in the second direction and face each other with the wiring interposed therebetween.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a power storage device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery module. This battery module includes a bipolar battery in which a plurality of bipolar electrodes are stacked, a pair of holding plates that sandwich and hold the bipolar battery in the stacking direction of the bipolar electrodes, a positive electrode terminal electrically connected to the positive electrode side of the bipolar battery through one of the holding plates, and a negative electrode terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode side of the bipolar battery through the other holding plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, when extracting power from a battery module, in order to protect power extraction terminals such as positive and negative terminals from contact with other objects, it is conceivable to cover the terminal bolts with terminal covers. In such a case, in a configuration where the wiring for power extraction connected to the terminal bolts is taken out from the terminal cover along the axial direction of the terminal bolts, when the wiring is connected to the terminal bolts using nuts, it is conceivable that the nuts and the wiring will rotate together.

[0005] This disclosure provides a power storage device that can suppress the occurrence of the co-rotation of nuts and wiring when the wiring is connected to the terminal bolts in a configuration where the wiring for power extraction connected to the terminal bolts is taken out from the terminal cover along the axial direction of the terminal bolts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The energy storage device of this disclosure comprises a laminate having an energy storage module in which electrodes including a plurality of bipolar electrodes are stacked along a first direction; a pair of current collector plates stacked at both ends of the laminate in the first direction; a restraining plate that restrains the laminate and the pair of current collector plates from the first direction; a terminal block provided on a terminal block mounting surface which is a side surface of the restraining plate extending in the first direction and a third direction that intersects both the first and second directions, to which terminal bolts electrically connected to the terminals of at least one current collector plate and projecting in a second direction intersecting the first direction are fixed; wiring for power extraction fixed to the terminal bolts; and a terminal cover mounted on the terminal block. The terminal cover includes a base portion attached to the terminal block and covering the terminal block, and having an opening that exposes the terminal bolts; and a cover portion attached to the base portion and covering at least the opening. The base portion has a holding portion provided adjacent to the opening and holding wiring taken out from the terminal block in a second direction, and the holding portion has a first wall and a second wall that project from the base portion in a second direction and face each other with the wiring in between.

[0007] With this energy storage device, the terminal cover is mounted on the terminal block so as to cover the terminal bolts, allowing the wiring connected to the terminal bolts to be guided to the outside through the opening while suppressing contact between the terminal bolts and other objects. Since the terminal cover is provided with a retaining part, the wiring guided to the outside will be pulled out in a second direction, i.e., in the direction in which the terminal bolts extend. In this case, the wiring passing through the opening is held in the space defined by the first and second walls that face each other, and therefore, by contacting the first or second wall, the rotation of the wiring is suppressed.

[0008] The holding portion further has a third wall that protrudes from the base portion in a second direction and connects the first wall and the second wall, and may have a substantially cylindrical shape with a slit formed on the side facing the opening. In this configuration, the wiring passing through the opening will be held within the substantially cylindrical holding portion through the slit.

[0009] The restraining plate has a pair of protrusions that extend in a second direction beyond the terminal block mounting surface when viewed from a first direction, and the terminal block may be positioned on the terminal block mounting surface between the pair of protrusions when viewed from the first direction. In this configuration, the protrusions can function as protective walls to protect the terminal block.

[0010] When the cover is attached to the base, the cover may have a wall that covers the slit, facing the third wall with the wiring in between. In this configuration, the insulation of the terminal bolt can be improved by covering the slit of the holding part with the wall.

[0011] The base and the cover may be engaged and fixed to each other. In this configuration, the cover can be easily fixed to the base.

[0012] The base and cover may be connected to each other by a hinge. In this configuration, because the base and cover are integrated, for example, the base can be easily covered by the cover.

[0013] The base portion includes a side wall surrounding the terminal block when viewed from a second direction and an end wall with an opening, and the cover portion includes a plate-like portion covering the end wall and a protruding piece projecting from the plate-like portion so as to cover a part of the side wall, and a first engaging portion may be formed on the side wall of the base portion, and a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion may be formed on the protruding piece of the cover portion. With this configuration, the cover portion can be engaged with the base portion with a simple configuration.

[0014] When the cover is engaged with the base, a gap may be formed between the outer surface of the base and the inner surface of the cover, communicating from the opening to the outside of the terminal cover. In this configuration, heat trapped inside the base can be guided to the outside through the gap.

[0015] The outer surface of the side wall of the base portion may have an outer rib adjacent to the first engaging portion. This configuration can increase the strength of the first engaging portion.

[0016] The inner surface of the end wall of the base portion may have an inner rib. This configuration can increase the strength of the base portion.

[0017] The electrode includes an electrode plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface in a first direction, and the laminate has an energy storage module including a plurality of electrodes stacked such that the first surfaces of the electrode plates face the same direction along the first direction, and a sealing portion that defines a space for housing an electrolyte together with adjacent electrodes in the first direction, and the electrodes included in the energy storage module may consist of a bipolar electrode having an electrode plate, a positive electrode active material layer provided on the first surface of the electrode plate, and a negative electrode active material layer provided on the second surface of the electrode plate, a positive electrode termination electrode having an electrode plate and a positive electrode active material layer provided on the first surface of the electrode plate, with the second surface of the electrode plate forming a current extraction surface exposed from the sealing portion, and a negative electrode termination electrode having an electrode plate and a negative electrode active material layer provided on the second surface of the electrode plate, with the first surface of the electrode plate forming a current extraction surface exposed from the sealing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to this disclosure, in a configuration in which the wiring for power extraction connected to the terminal bolt is routed out from the terminal cover along the axial direction of the terminal bolt, it is possible to provide an energy storage device that can suppress the occurrence of co-rotation between the nut and the wiring when the wiring is connected to the terminal bolt. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an example of an energy storage device. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration near one end in the Z-axis direction of an example of an energy storage device. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the terminal block in an example of an energy storage device. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the terminal block in an example of an energy storage device. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing an example of a terminal cover attached to an energy storage device. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing a terminal cover of one example. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing a terminal cover of one example. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view for explaining a restraining plate in a power storage device of another example.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In the drawings, an orthogonal coordinate system having an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis direction is shown. Hereinafter, the Z-axis direction may be described as the vertical direction. Also, one side and the other side in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction may be described as the positive side and the negative side according to the directions of the respective coordinate axes.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a power storage device of one example. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration near an upper end portion in the Z-axis direction in a power storage device of one example. The power storage device 1 is used as a battery for various vehicles such as a forklift, a hybrid vehicle, and an electric vehicle, for example. A power storage device 1 of one example includes a laminate 2 including a plurality of stacked bipolar electrodes, current collector plates 5A and 5B, insulating plates 20A and 20B, a restraining plate 8, a terminal block 70, and a terminal cover 100. In this specification, for the sake of convenience, the stacking direction of the electrodes including the bipolar electrodes is defined as the Z-axis direction, the direction substantially orthogonal to the stacking direction and being the longitudinal direction of the power storage module 3 when viewed from the stacking direction is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the direction substantially orthogonal to the stacking direction and being the short-side direction of the power storage module 3 is defined as the X-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the Z-axis direction coincides with the vertical direction, the positive side in the Z-axis direction coincides with the upper side in the vertical direction, and the negative side in the Z-axis direction coincides with the lower side in the vertical direction.

[0022] One example of a laminate 2 includes a plurality (seven in this embodiment) of energy storage modules 3 and a plurality (six in this embodiment) of conductive plates 5C. Each energy storage module 3 is constructed by stacking multiple electrodes, including bipolar electrodes. The laminate 2 is formed by alternately stacking the energy storage modules 3 and conductive plates 5C. The laminate 2 may have only one energy storage module 3, in which case it does not have conductive plates 5C. The energy storage module 3 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery or a lithium-ion secondary battery. However, the energy storage device 1 is not limited to the above secondary batteries and may be, for example, an electric double-layer capacitor. In this embodiment, the energy storage device 1 is a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery.

[0023] The bipolar electrodes of the energy storage module 3 have a positive electrode (positive electrode active material layer) formed on one side of the electrode plate, the first surface (e.g., the bottom surface), and a negative electrode (negative electrode active material layer) formed on the other side, the second surface (e.g., the top surface). The energy storage module 3 includes an electrode stack 13 formed by stacking multiple bipolar electrodes and separators alternately (see Figure 2). In addition, a frame-shaped sealing member 14 (sealing part) made of insulating resin is provided on the side surface of the electrode stack 13. That is, the side surface of the electrode stack 13 is sealed by the sealing member 14. Inside the electrode stack 13, an electrolyte solution is sealed in the space defined by adjacent electrodes in the Z-axis direction and the sealing member 14. The energy storage module 3 is equipped with a positive electrode termination electrode and a negative electrode termination electrode, each having a positive electrode side current extraction surface 13a at both ends in the Z-axis direction. The current extraction surface 13a is the surface from which current is extracted from the energy storage module 3, and is formed when the electrodes of the electrode stack 13 are exposed from the sealing member 14. Specifically, the positive terminal electrode has an electrode plate and a positive electrode provided on the first surface of the electrode plate, and the current extraction surface 13a is formed when the second surface of the electrode plate is exposed from the sealing member 14. Similarly, the negative terminal electrode has an electrode plate and a negative electrode provided on the second surface of the electrode plate, and the current extraction surface 13a is formed when the first surface of the electrode plate is exposed from the sealing member 14.

[0024] Multiple energy storage modules 3 are stacked in the Z-axis direction via conductive plates 5C. Energy storage modules 3 adjacent to each other in the Z-axis direction are electrically connected via the conductive plates 5C. In other words, the laminate 2 is constructed by alternately stacking energy storage modules 3 and conductive plates 5C. Between energy storage modules 3 adjacent to each other in the Z-axis direction, the conductive plates 5C are formed in a rectangular plate shape and are positioned in contact with each other between the current extraction surfaces 13a of the opposing electrode laminate 13.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the current collector plates 5A and 5B are stacked at one end and the other end of the laminate 2 in the Z-axis direction (first direction), which is also the stacking direction of the laminate 2. That is, the pair of current collector plates 5A and 5B are positioned to sandwich the laminate 2 in the Z-axis direction, which is the stacking direction. One example of a current collector plate 5A has a rectangular plate-shaped main body portion 15 that contacts the current extraction surface 13a on the negative electrode side of the electrode laminate 13 of the energy storage module 3 located at one end of the laminate 2, and a negative electrode terminal 7 (terminal) that protrudes in the Y-axis direction with the outer edge portion 15a of the main body portion 15 as the base end. For example, the negative electrode terminal 7 is plate-shaped and is integrally formed with respect to the main body portion 15.

[0026] The current collector plate 5A has the same shape as the current collector plate 5B. That is, the current collector plate 5B has a rectangular plate-shaped main body that contacts the current extraction surface 13a on the positive electrode side of the electrode laminate 13 of the energy storage module 3 located at the other end of the laminate 2, and a positive electrode terminal 6 (terminal) that protrudes in the Y-axis direction with the outer edge of the main body as the base end. Charging and discharging of the energy storage device 1 is performed via the negative electrode terminal 7 and the positive electrode terminal 6. In one example, the negative electrode terminal 7 is located closer to the positive side in the X-axis direction, and the positive electrode terminal 6 is located closer to the negative side in the X-axis direction. In the following description, current collector plates 5A and 5B may be referred to as current collector plate 5.

[0027] The restraint plate 8 restrains the laminate 2 and the current collector plates 5A and 5B in the Z-axis direction. The restraint plate 8 is a rectangular metal plate having an area slightly larger than the area of ​​the energy storage module 3 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The restraint plate 8 has a main body portion 11 that overlaps the laminate 2 when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and an edge portion 10 that extends from the main body portion 11 in the X-axis direction and does not overlap the laminate 2 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, the pair of edge portions 10 are provided on both sides of the main body portion 11 in the X-axis direction. That is, the main body portion 11 is sandwiched between the pair of edge portions 10. The edge portion 10 has an inner surface 10b that faces inward in the Z-axis direction and an outer surface 10a that faces outward in the Z-axis direction. The main body 11 has an inner surface 11b facing inward in the Z-axis direction (towards the energy storage module 3 in the Z-axis direction), and an outer surface 11a, which is the opposite surface to the inner surface 11b and faces outward in the Z-axis direction (opposite to the energy storage module 3 in the Z-axis direction). The outer surface 10a extends from the edge of the outer surface 11a so as to slope outward in the X-axis direction and inward in the Z-axis direction. The inner surface 10b is located inward in the Z-axis direction than the inner surface 11b.

[0028] The pair of edges 10 are outer edge portions that extend in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the restraint plate 8. The pair of edges 10 are arranged so as not to overlap with the laminate 2 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. Each edge 10 is provided with a plurality of through holes 10c through which bolts 9a are inserted. As shown in Figure 2, in one example, the through holes 10c are provided in a notched portion formed so that the outer surface 10a follows the XY plane. In each edge 10, the plurality of through holes 10c are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the restraint plate 8. In this embodiment, the plurality of through holes 10c are arranged at equal intervals from one end to the other of the edge 10 in the longitudinal direction of the restraint plate 8. In the illustrated example, a projection 10d is formed on the outer edge of the edge 10 in the X-axis direction, projecting inward in the Z-axis direction. The plurality of through holes 10c pass through the projection 10d.

[0029] The head of the bolt 9a is positioned on the outer surface 10a of the restraint plate 8A. The tip of the shaft of the bolt 9a (threaded end) protrudes from the outer surface 10a of the restraint plate 8B. A nut 9b is screwed onto the tip of the bolt 9a. The nut 9b is positioned on the outer surface 10a of the restraint plate 8B. As a result, multiple energy storage modules 3, multiple conductive plates 5C, and current collector plates 5A, 5B are sandwiched between the restraint plates 8A, 8B. In addition, a restraint load in the Z-axis direction is applied to the laminate 2.

[0030] Insulating plates 20A and 20B insulate the restraining plate 8 from the current collector plates 5A and 5B. Insulating plate 20A is provided between the current collector plate 5A and the restraining plate 8A. Insulating plate 20A is a component that ensures insulation between the current collector plate 5A and the restraining plate 8A, and is formed of, for example, an insulating resin. In addition, insulating plate 20B is provided between the current collector plate 5B and the restraining plate 8B. Insulating plate 20B is a component that ensures insulation between the current collector plate 5B and the restraining plate 8B, and is formed of, for example, an insulating resin.

[0031] The terminal block 70 is fixed to a terminal block mounting surface 8a provided on the restraint plate 8. The terminal block mounting surface 8a may be a side surface of the main body portion 11 of the restraint plate 8 that extends along the X-axis direction (third direction) and the Z-axis direction. In one example of the energy storage device 1, terminal blocks 70 may be similarly provided on each of the restraint plates 8A and 8B. The negative terminal 7 of the current collector plate 5A is fixed to the terminal block 70 provided on the restraint plate 8A. In one example of the terminal block 70, there is a base portion 71 that is substantially rectangular in shape with its longitudinal direction in the X-axis direction. The base portion 71 is formed of, for example, an insulating resin. In the base portion 71 of the illustrated example, the size along the Y-axis direction at both ends in the X-axis direction is smaller than the size along the Y-axis direction at the central portion in the X-axis direction. In other words, the base portion 71 includes a central portion 72 that protrudes in the Y-axis direction from the center in the X-axis direction, and a pair of ends 73, 75 that are recessed in the Y-axis direction from the central portion 72 at both ends in the X-axis direction. A terminal bolt 32 that protrudes in the Z-axis direction is provided on the central portion 72 of the base portion 71.

[0032] Figure 3 is a perspective view from below of the vicinity of the negative terminal block in the energy storage device. Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the vicinity of the negative terminal block in the energy storage device. Figures 3 and 4 show the energy storage device 1 with the terminal block cover removed. In this example of energy storage device 1, the vicinity of the positive terminal may have a similar configuration.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the negative terminal 7 is configured in a roughly L-shape when viewed from the X-axis direction, having a first piece 41, a second piece 42, and a bent portion 47. The first piece 41 is a plate-like portion that extends in the Y-axis direction from the outer edge 15a, which is the edge of the main body 15, when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The second piece 42 is a plate-like portion that bends from the tip of the first piece 41 toward the terminal block 70 side (the positive side in the Z-axis direction) along the stacking direction and is attached to the terminal block 70. A through hole 43 is formed in the approximate center of the second piece 42, penetrating in the Y-axis direction. A terminal bolt 32 is inserted through this through hole 43. Both the first piece 41 and the second piece 42 extend parallel to the X-axis direction, and their dimensions in the X-axis direction are the same. The bent portion 47 is the part that connects the first piece 41 and the second piece 42, and is formed by bending the plate material that constitutes the negative electrode terminal 7.

[0034] A spring portion 50 is formed on the negative electrode terminal 7 to relieve the stress acting on the negative electrode terminal 7. This spring portion 50 can relieve the stress acting on the negative electrode terminal 7 after the negative electrode terminal 7 is attached to the terminal block 70 in a state where it is pressed against the terminal bolt 32 and nut 38. One example of the spring portion 50 includes a bent portion 51, an extended portion 53, and a bent portion 52. The bent portion 51 is formed on the connection portion 46 at the positive end of the negative electrode terminal 7 in the Y-axis direction, where the outer edge portion 15a and the negative electrode terminal 7 are connected, and is the portion that curves the first piece portion 41 toward the terminal block 70 in the Z-axis direction. The extended portion 53 is the portion that extends from the bent portion 51 along the Y-axis direction. The bent portion 52 is the portion that curves from the negative end of the extended portion 53 in the Y-axis direction toward the first piece portion 41 on the opposite side from the bent portion 51.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the base portion 71 of the terminal block 70 is fixed to the terminal block mounting surface 8a of the restraint plate 8A with fixing bolts 19. In one example, through holes are formed in a pair of ends 73 and 75 that constitute the base portion 71, respectively, which penetrate the terminal block 70 in the Y-axis direction. The base portion 71 is fixed to the terminal block mounting surface 8a by fastening the fixing bolts 19, which are inserted through the through holes, to the terminal block mounting surface 8a of the restraint plate 8A. The base portion 71 protrudes at least to the negative side in the Y-axis direction from the energy storage module 3.

[0036] The terminal bolt 32 protrudes in the Y-axis direction from the end face of the central portion 72 of the base portion 71. The terminal bolt 32 extends parallel to the Y-axis direction toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The second portion 42 of the negative terminal 7 and the connecting terminal 37 connected to the wiring 36 are attached to this terminal bolt 32 by being pressed against by a nut 38 fastened to the terminal bolt 32.

[0037] An example of a connection terminal 37 includes a washer-shaped portion 37a through which a terminal bolt 32 is inserted, and a connection portion 37b through which wiring 36 is connected. The wiring 36 may be crimped to the connection portion 37b. The washer-shaped portion 37a is plate-shaped and includes a through hole through which the terminal bolt 32 is inserted. The connection portion 37b extends in a bent direction relative to the washer-shaped portion 37a. That is, the extending direction of the washer-shaped portion 37a and the extending direction of the connection portion 37b intersect each other. In the illustrated example of the connection terminal 37, with the washer-shaped portion 37a extending along the XZ plane, the connection portion 37b extends toward the negative side in the Y direction, intersecting the XZ plane, so that the wiring 36 can easily follow the Y axis direction. For example, when viewed from the Z axis direction, the connection portion 37b may intersect the X axis at an angle of about 45 degrees.

[0038] An example of an insulating plate 20A is a component formed from an insulating material such as resin, and is provided between the current collector plate 5A and the restraining plate 8A. The insulating plate 20A is positioned so as to overlap the entire main body portion 15 of the current collector plate 5A when viewed from the Z-axis direction. As a result, the insulating plate 20A is interposed where the current collector plate 5A and the restraining plate 8A face each other, thereby ensuring electrical insulation between the current collector plate 5A and the restraining plate 8A.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the insulating plate 20A has a main body portion 21 and a wall portion 24. The main body portion 21 of the insulating plate 20A is a flat plate-shaped portion positioned between the main body portion 15 of the current collector plate 5A and the main body portion 11 of the restraining plate 8. The main body portion 21 has a rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction in the Y-axis direction. The wall portion 24 extends upward from the outer edge portion 21a of the main body portion 21 along the X-axis direction. The wall portion 24 extends in the X-axis direction along the outer edge portion 21a.

[0040] In one example, a terminal block protection portion 16 (covering portion) is formed on the wall portion 24, covering the base portion 71 and the fixing bolt 19. The terminal block protection portion 16 is provided so as to protrude from the wall portion 24 toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The terminal block protection portion 16 has a box-like shape that accommodates the base portion 71 of the terminal block 70 inside.

[0041] The terminal block protection section 16 has a lower wall section 22 extending from the main body section 21 toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction, a pair of side wall sections 23, 23 extending from the wall section 24 toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction, and end wall sections 26 extending parallel to the wall section 24 at the negative ends of the lower wall section 22 and the side wall sections 23, 23 toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The lower wall section 22 is positioned to cover the end of the base section 71. The lower wall section 22 has a recess 27 that is recessed upwards compared to other areas. When viewed from the Z-axis direction, the recess 27 overlaps with the spring section 50 of the negative terminal 7 and is designed to accommodate the spring section 50.

[0042] The side walls 23, 23 are positioned to cover the ends of the base portion 71 from both sides in the X-axis direction. The end wall 26 is positioned to cover the ends of the base portion 71 in the Y-axis direction. The end wall 26 has an opening at the position of the central portion 72 of the base portion 71, exposing the central portion 72. In addition, a sleeve wall 26a is formed at the position where the opening of the end wall 26 is formed, facing the side wall 23 (see Figures 2 and 4). The fixing bolts 19 for fixing the base portion 71 to the terminal block mounting surface 8a can be housed in the space formed by the side walls 23, the bottom wall 22, the end wall 26, and the sleeve wall 26a.

[0043] Furthermore, the terminal block protection section 16 includes an engagement wall 26b. The engagement wall 26b is a wall body that protrudes toward the negative side in the Z-axis direction along the positive side wall 23 and end wall 26 in the X-axis direction. In one example, the engagement wall 26b has an L-shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. In the illustrated example, the engagement wall 26b is formed along the portion of the end wall 26 that is on the positive side in the X-axis direction from the opening, and along the portion of the side wall 23 that is on the end wall 26 side from the center.

[0044] Next, the terminal cover will be described. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a terminal cover attached to a power storage device. Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views showing an example of a terminal cover. An example of a terminal cover 100 comprises a base portion 110 and a cover portion 130. Figure 5 shows the state in which the cover portion 130 is closed relative to the base portion 110. Figure 6 shows the state in which the cover portion 130 is open relative to the base portion 110. Figure 7 shows the inside of the base portion 110.

[0045] The terminal cover 100 is mounted on the terminal block 70 of the energy storage device 1 and covers the negative terminal 7 and the terminal bolt 32. In one example, the terminal cover 100 covers almost the entire negative terminal 7, the terminal bolt 32, the terminal block 70, and the terminal block protection part 16. The wiring 36 connected to the terminal bolt 32 is held by the terminal cover 100 so as to be aligned with the Y-axis direction, which is the axial direction of the terminal bolt 32. The terminal cover 100 includes an opening 128 for guiding the wiring 36 connected to the terminal bolt 32 to the outside, and a holding part 127 for holding the wiring 36 guided to the outside from the opening 128 along the Y-axis direction. Note that holding the wiring 36 along the Y-axis direction means that the wiring 36 is held in a state where it intersects the XZ plane, and it is not necessary for the direction of extension of the wiring 36 to perfectly coincide with the Y-axis direction.

[0046] An example terminal cover 100 is formed of resin. For example, the resin constituting the terminal cover 100 may have resistance to the electrolyte of the energy storage module 3. For example, if the energy storage module 3 is a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery, the resin material may be polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.

[0047] As described above, one example of a terminal cover 100 comprises a base portion 110 and a cover portion 130. The base portion 110 and the cover portion 130 are connected to each other by a hinge portion 150. The base portion 110 and the cover portion 130 are integrally formed, for example, by injection molding. The hinge portion 150 in this example is a thin, plate-like portion that connects the base portion 110 and the cover portion 130. By being formed thin, the hinge portion 150 has appropriate flexibility.

[0048] The base portion 110 is the part that is attached to the terminal block 70 and covers the terminal block 70. One example of the base portion 110 includes a side wall 110a that surrounds the terminal block 70 when viewed from the Y-axis direction (second direction), and an end wall 115 formed at the negative end of the side wall 110a in the Y-axis direction. The side wall 110a has a frame shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction and has a first side wall 111 and a second side wall 112 that face each other in the Z-axis direction, and a third side wall 113 and a fourth side wall 114 that face each other in the X-axis direction. In one example, the first side wall 111 is located on the positive side in the Z-axis direction, and the second side wall 112 is located on the negative side in the Z-axis direction. Also, the third side wall 113 is located on the positive side in the X-axis direction, and the fourth side wall 114 is located on the negative side in the X-axis direction.

[0049] The first side wall 111 is substantially rectangular in shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The first side wall 111 includes an engaging portion 121, a claw-shaped engaging portion (first engaging portion) 122, and an outer rib 123. The engaging portion 121 is formed on the negative side in the X-axis direction and overlaps with the end wall portion 26. The engaging portion 121 includes a plate-like portion 121a extending along the Y-axis direction and a claw-like portion 121b protruding from the inner surface of the plate-like portion 121a. The plate-like portion 121a also serves as a part of the first side wall 111. In the illustrated example, the plate-like portion 121a is defined by a pair of notches formed on the first side wall 111 extending from the positive edge in the Y-axis direction toward the negative side. The claw-like portion 121b engages with the upper edge of the end wall portion 26 formed on the terminal block protection portion 16.

[0050] The engaging portion 122 is formed on the outer surface of the first side wall 111, for example, approximately in the center in the X-axis direction. The engaging portion 122 protrudes from the outer surface of the first side wall 111 along the Z-axis direction. The outer rib 123 is formed on the outer surface of the first side wall 111. One example of the outer rib 123 includes a first portion 123a formed along the X-axis direction and a second portion 123b formed along the Y-axis direction. The first portion 123a is formed, for example, approximately in the center in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. In the illustrated example, the first portion 123a and the engaging portion 122 are adjacent to each other. In one example, a pair of second portions 123b are formed. For example, the second portions 123b are formed at the positive and negative ends of the first portion 123a in the X-axis direction, respectively. The second portions 123b are formed on the first side wall 111 from the negative end to the positive end in the Y-axis direction.

[0051] In the illustrated example, the outer rib 123 overlaps with the position where the central portion 72 is formed in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the distance between the pair of second portions 123b is approximately the same as the width of the central portion 72 in the X-axis direction. In addition, in the illustrated example, a notch-shaped portion 111a is formed in the region between the pair of second portions 123b. The notch-shaped portion 111a is formed at the negative end of the first side wall 111 in the Y-axis direction. For example, the notch-shaped portion 111a may be formed to a position in the Y-axis direction that is approximately the same as the position where the second piece 42 is formed.

[0052] The second side wall 112 is substantially rectangular in shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The second side wall 112 includes an engaging portion 125. The engaging portion 125 is formed in a portion that overlaps with the end wall portion 26 formed on the positive side in the X-axis direction. The engaging portion 125 includes a plate-like portion 125a extending along the Y-axis direction and a claw portion 125b protruding from the inner surface of the plate-like portion. The plate-like portion 125a also serves as a part of the second side wall 112. In the illustrated example, the plate-like portion 125a is defined by a pair of notches formed on the second side wall 112 extending from the positive edge in the Y-axis direction toward the negative side. The claw portion 125b engages with the engaging wall 26b formed on the terminal block protection portion 16.

[0053] Furthermore, the second side wall 112, like the first side wall 111, has an engaging portion 122 and an outer rib 123. The configuration of the engaging portion 122 and outer rib 123 of the second side wall 112 is the same as that of the engaging portion 122 and outer rib 123 of the first side wall 111, so a description is omitted.

[0054] The third side wall 113 is substantially rectangular in shape when viewed from the X-axis direction. The third side wall 113 includes a notch 126. The notch 126 is formed from the positive edge in the Y-axis direction toward the negative edge. In the illustrated example, the notch 126 is formed biased toward the negative side in the Z-axis direction. For example, the length of the notch 126 in the Y-axis direction is greater than the length of the side wall 23 in the Y-axis direction. That is, the negative end of the notch 126 in the Y-axis direction communicates with the space between the positive end wall 26 in the X-axis direction and the end wall 115 of the base 110. In one example, a voltage detection wire 39 connected to the terminal bolt 32 may be brought out to the outside of the terminal cover 100 via the notch 126. The fourth side wall 114 is rectangular in shape when viewed from the X-axis direction. Although not shown, the fourth side wall 114 may have a notched portion, similar to the third side wall 113.

[0055] The end wall 115 is substantially rectangular when viewed from the Y-axis direction and includes an opening 128 facing the Y-axis direction, formed in the center in the X-axis direction. As described above, the opening 128 is a portion for bringing the wiring 36 connected to the terminal bolt 32 to the outside. For example, the opening 128 is formed in a region of the terminal block 70 that overlaps with the central part 72 where the terminal bolt 32 is provided, that is, at the center in the X-axis direction. In the X-axis direction, the width of the opening 128 is greater than the width of the negative terminal 7. Also, in the Z-direction, the width of the opening 128 is formed to be about the same as the width of the second piece 42. With this configuration, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the second piece 42 and the terminal bolt 32 are exposed to the outside through the opening 128.

[0056] The retaining portion 127 is provided on the edge of the opening 128. In the illustrated example, the retaining portion 127 is positioned on the positive side of the opening 128 in the X-axis direction. The retaining portion 127 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a slit 127s formed on the side facing the opening 128. One example of the retaining portion 127 includes a first wall 127a, a second wall 127b, and a third wall 127c that project in the Y-axis direction from the outer surface of the end wall 115. The first wall 127a and the second wall 127b are formed at positions facing each other with the wiring 36 in between, in the Z-axis direction which intersects the X-axis direction, which is the direction in which the opening 128 and the retaining portion 127 are aligned. As shown in Figure 6, the first wall 127a and the second wall 127b in one example may each have a flat plate shape along the XY plane. When viewed from the Y-axis direction, the first wall 127a may be curved in an arc shape so as to be convex on the positive side in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the second wall 127b may be curved in an arc shape so as to be convex towards the negative side in the X-axis direction.

[0057] The third wall 127c connects the first wall 127a and the second wall 127b on the side furthest from the opening 128 in the X-axis direction. As shown in Figure 6, in one example, the third wall 127c may be curved in an arc shape so as to be convex towards the positive X-axis direction when viewed from the Y-axis direction. Alternatively, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the third wall 127c may connect the first wall 127a and the second wall 127b in a straight line. For example, the third wall 127c may extend in a straight line along the Z-axis direction when viewed from the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the holding portion 127 does not necessarily have a third wall 127c. In this case, the wiring 36 is held by the first wall 127a and the second wall 127b.

[0058] Inside the holding portion 127, the end wall 115 may include a slope 127d. The slope 127d is a surface that inclins towards the positive side in the Y-axis direction from the inner portion of the holding portion 127 toward the edge of the opening 128. In addition, an internal wall 127e is formed inside the holding portion 127, projecting toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The internal wall 127e connects the first wall 127a and the second wall 127b. Furthermore, in the Y-axis direction, the height of the internal wall 127e is lower than the heights of the first wall 127a and the second wall 127b. For example, the internal wall 127e and the slope 127d are spaced apart from each other, and the internal wall 127e is formed on the positive side in the X-axis direction relative to the slope 127d.

[0059] Furthermore, an opening 115a is formed in the end wall 115 at a position that overlaps with the engaging portion 121 when viewed from the Y-axis direction. In the X-axis direction, the size of the opening 115a is greater than or equal to the size of the plate-like portion 131121a of the engaging portion 121. Also, in the Z-axis direction, the size of the opening 115a is greater than or equal to the size of the claw portion 121b. An opening 115b is formed in the end wall 115 at a position that overlaps with the engaging portion 125 when viewed from the Y-axis direction. In the X-axis direction, the size of the opening 115b is greater than or equal to the size of the plate-like portion 131125a of the engaging portion 125. Also, in the Z-axis direction, the size of the opening 115b is greater than or equal to the size of the claw portion 125b. In the illustrated example, the end wall 115 has a stepped portion 115c at a position that overlaps with the third wall 127c in the X-axis direction. As a result, in the X-axis direction, the portion 115d of the end wall 115 that is on the positive side of the stepped portion 115c protrudes more in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction than the portion 115e that is on the negative side of the stepped portion 115c.

[0060] Furthermore, an inner rib 115f is provided on the inner surface of the end wall 115 (see Figure 7). The inner rib 115f protrudes from the inner surface of the end wall 115 toward the positive side in the Y-axis direction. In the illustrated example, the inner rib 115f is formed on the negative side in the X-axis direction relative to the opening 128. For example, the inner rib 115f extends from the positive end to the negative end in the Z-axis direction on the end wall 115.

[0061] The cover portion 130 is a part of the base portion 110 that covers at least the opening 128 and can be attached to the base portion 110. In the illustrated example, the cover portion 130 and the base portion 110 can be engaged and fixed to each other. One example of the cover portion 130 includes a plate-like portion 131 that covers the end wall 115 and a pair of protruding pieces 132, 133 that project from the plate-like portion 131 to cover a part of the side wall 110a. The plate-like portion 131 in the illustrated example is substantially rectangular when viewed from the Y-axis direction. The plate-like portion 131 also has a housing portion 101d formed at a position corresponding to the terminal bolt 32 for housing the tip of the terminal bolt 32. The housing portion 101d has a dome shape that projects to the negative side in the Y-axis direction.

[0062] The plate-like portion 131 has a notched portion 141 at a position corresponding to the holding portion 127. The plate-like portion 131 also has a peripheral wall 142 (wall body) formed along the periphery of the notched portion 141. When the cover portion 130 is closed, the peripheral wall 142 covers the slit 127s of the holding portion 127 from the side (i.e., in the X-axis direction) (see Figure 5). One example of the peripheral wall 142 includes a fourth wall 142a, a fifth wall 142b, and a sixth wall 142c (wall body) that project from the outer surface of the plate-like portion 131 in the Y-axis direction. The fourth wall 142a and the fifth wall 142b are formed at positions opposite to each other in the Z-axis direction. In the Z-axis direction, the distance between the fourth wall 142a and the fifth wall 142b is greater than the distance between the first wall 127a and the second wall 127b of the holding portion 127; that is, the first wall 127a and the second wall 127b can be accommodated in the space between the fourth wall 142a and the fifth wall 142b.

[0063] The sixth wall 142c connects the fourth wall 142a and the fifth wall 142b. The sixth wall 142c is formed in a position opposite the third wall 127c of the holding portion 127, with the wiring 36 in between, when the cover portion 130 is closed. That is, the sixth wall 142c is positioned to cover the slit 127s of the holding portion 127 when the cover portion 130 is closed. When viewed from the Y-axis direction, the sixth wall 142c may be curved in an arc shape so as to be convex to the negative side in the X-axis direction. Also, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the sixth wall 142c may be inclined so as to be parallel to the slope of the slope 127d.

[0064] The plate-like portion 131 has a stepped portion 131a (see Figure 6). The position of the stepped portion 131a corresponds to the negative end of the opening 128 in the X-axis direction when the cover portion 130 is closed. As shown in Figure 6, the portion 131d of the plate-like portion 131 that is on the negative side of the X-axis direction relative to the stepped portion 131a protrudes in the positive side of the Y-axis direction compared to the portion 131e that is on the positive side of the stepped portion 131a. That is, when the cover portion 130 is closed, the portion 131d that is on the positive side of the X-axis direction relative to the stepped portion 131a protrudes in the negative side of the Y-axis direction compared to the portion 131e that is on the negative side of the stepped portion 131a. In the Y-axis direction, the height of the stepped portion 115c formed on the end wall 115 of the base portion 110 and the height of the stepped portion 131a of the plate-like portion 131 may be approximately the same.

[0065] The pair of protruding pieces 132 and 133 are formed on the edge of the plate-like portion 131 that extends in the X-axis direction. That is, the pair of protruding pieces 132 and 133 face each other in the Z-axis direction. In the Z-axis direction, the distance between the pair of protruding pieces 132 and 133 may be approximately the same as the distance between the outer rib 123 of the first side wall 111 and the outer rib 123 of the second side wall 112 in the base portion 110. The pair of protruding pieces 132 and 133 each have an engaging piece (second engaging portion) 145 formed thereon that engages with the engaging portion 122 formed on the first side wall 111 and the second side wall 112.

[0066] When the hinge portion 150 is bent, the inner surface of the plate-shaped portion 131 of the cover portion 130 and the outer surface of the end wall 115 of the base portion 110 are brought together, and the base portion 110 is fitted between the pair of protruding pieces 132 and 133. Then, the engaging pieces 145 provided on the pair of protruding pieces 132 and 133 engage with the engaging portions 122 formed on the first side wall 111 and the second side wall 112, thereby closing the cover portion 130 relative to the base portion 110. One example of an engaging piece 145 may be made up of an opening of a size corresponding to the engaging portion 122.

[0067] When the cover portion 130 is closed to the base portion 110, a gap is formed between the inner surface of the plate-like portion 131 and the outer surface of the end wall 115 of the base portion 110. Additionally, a gap equal to the thickness of the outer rib 123 is formed between the outer surfaces of the first side wall 111 and the second side wall 112 and the inner surfaces of the protruding pieces 132 and 133. In other words, when the cover portion 130 is engaged with the base portion 110, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the base portion 110 and the inner surface of the cover portion 130, which communicates from the opening 128 to the outside of the terminal cover 100.

[0068] As described above, the energy storage device 1 comprises a laminate 2 stacked along the Z-axis direction, a pair of current collector plates 5 stacked at both ends of the laminate in the Z-axis direction, a restraining plate 8 that restrains the laminate 2 and the pair of current collector plates 5 from the Z-axis direction, a terminal bolt 32 electrically connected to the negative terminal 7 of the current collector plate 5 and protruding in the Y-axis direction intersecting the Z-axis direction, a terminal block 70 provided on a terminal block mounting surface 8a of the restraining plate 8 extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, to which the terminal bolt 32 is fixed, power extraction wiring 36 fixed to the terminal bolt 32, and a terminal cover 100 attached to the terminal block 70. The terminal cover 100 includes a base portion 110 that is attached to the terminal block 70 and covers the terminal block 70, and has an opening 128 that exposes the terminal bolts 32, and a cover portion 130 that is attached to the base portion 110 and covers at least the opening 128, wherein the base portion 110 has a holding portion 127 that is provided adjacent to the opening 128 and holds the wiring 36 that is taken out from the terminal block 70 in the Y-axis direction, and the holding portion 127 has a first wall 127a and a second wall 127b that protrude from the base portion 110 in the Y-axis direction and face each other with the wiring 36 in between.

[0069] When attaching the terminal cover 100 to the energy storage device 1, the worker first attaches the base portion 110 to the energy storage device 1 with the terminal cover 100 in the open position. That is, the worker engages the engaging portions 121 and 125 of the base portion 110 with the end wall portion 26 and the engaging wall 26b, respectively. Next, the worker inserts the terminal bolt 32 through the through hole in the washer-shaped portion 37a of the connection terminal 37 to which the wiring 36 is connected, within the opening 128. Then, the worker fastens the nut 38 to the terminal bolt 32 to fix the connection terminal 37 to the terminal bolt 32. When fastening the nut 38, the wiring 36 or the connection portion 37b may be held by the holding portion 127. The wiring 36 or the connection portion 37b may also be in contact with the slope 127d and the inner wall 127e. By having the wiring 36 etc. come into contact with the slope 127d and the inner wall 127e, the orientation of the wiring 36 etc. can be reliably aligned with the Y-axis direction.

[0070] Next, the cover portion 130 is closed. That is, the hinge portion 150 is bent so that the base portion 110 is fitted between the protruding pieces 132 and 133 of the cover portion 130, and the engaging piece 145 of the cover portion 130 engages with the engaging portion 122 of the base portion 110. With the cover portion 130 closed, the wiring 36 is brought out from the inside of the retaining portion 127 and the peripheral wall 142 along the Y-axis to the outside of the terminal cover 100.

[0071] Thus, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the terminal cover 100 attached to the terminal block 70 such that it covers the negative terminal 7 and the terminal bolt 32, the wiring 36 connected to the terminal bolt 32 can be guided to the outside of the terminal cover 100 through the opening 128 while suppressing contact between the terminal bolt 32 and other objects. Since the terminal cover 100 is provided with a holding portion 127, the wiring 36 that is brought out to the outside is brought out in the Y-axis direction, that is, along the direction in which the terminal bolt 32 extends. For example, if the wiring is brought out to the outside along the X-axis direction, it may be difficult to place components adjacent to the terminal cover 100 because there is a risk of interference with the wiring. In the above energy storage device, since the wiring 36 is brought out along the Y-axis direction, other components such as a pressure monitoring sensor can be placed adjacent to the terminal cover 100 on the terminal block mounting surface 8a.

[0072] Furthermore, if the wiring is routed to the outside along the X-axis, it is conceivable to suppress the co-rotation of the wiring 36 by providing a projection on the terminal block to hold the wiring 36. However, if the wiring 36 is routed along the Y-axis as described above, the wiring 36 extends in a direction away from the terminal block 70, so even if a projection is provided on the terminal block, it may not be possible to hold the wiring 36. According to the energy storage device 1 described above, the wiring 36 that has passed through the opening 128 is held in the space defined by the first wall 127a and the second wall 127b which are opposite to each other. Therefore, when fastening the wiring 36 with a nut 38, the wiring 36 comes into contact with the first wall 127a or the second wall 127b, thereby suppressing the co-rotation of the wiring 36.

[0073] The holding portion 127 further has a third wall 127c that protrudes from the base portion 110 in the Y-axis direction and connects the first wall 127a and the second wall 127b, and has a substantially cylindrical shape with a slit 127s formed on the side facing the opening 128. In this configuration, the wiring 36 that passes through the opening 128 is held inside the substantially cylindrical holding portion 127 via the slit 127s. Because the slit 127s is formed, the wiring 36 can be easily connected after the base portion 110 is fixed to the energy storage device 1.

[0074] When the cover portion 130 is attached to the base portion 110, the cover portion 130 may have a wall body (circumferential wall 142, particularly the sixth wall 142c) that covers the slit 127s, facing the third wall 127c with the wiring 36 in between. In this configuration, the insulation of the terminal bolt 32 can be improved by covering the slit 127s of the holding portion 127 with the wall body.

[0075] The base portion 110 and the cover portion 130 may be engaged with each other and fixed in place. In this configuration, the cover portion 130 can be easily fixed to the base portion 110.

[0076] The base portion 110 and the cover portion 130 are connected to each other by a hinge portion 150. In this configuration, because the base portion 110 and the cover portion 130 are integrated, for example, the base portion 110 can be easily covered by the cover portion 130.

[0077] The base portion 110 includes a side wall 110a surrounding the terminal block 70 when viewed from the Y-axis direction, and an end wall 115 with an opening 128. The cover portion 130 includes a plate-like portion 131 covering the end wall 115, and protruding pieces 132 and 133 projecting from the plate-like portion 131 to cover a part of the side wall 110a. An engaging portion 122 may be formed on the side wall 110a of the base portion 110, and engaging pieces 145 that engage with the engaging portion 122 may be formed on the protruding pieces 132 and 133 of the cover portion 130. In this configuration, the cover portion 130 can be engaged with the base portion 110 using a simple configuration.

[0078] When the cover portion 130 is engaged with the base portion 110, a gap may be formed between the outer surface of the base portion 110 and the inner surface of the cover portion 130, communicating from the opening 128 to the outside of the terminal cover 100. For example, if a terminal such as the negative terminal 7 is covered by the terminal cover, the terminal may generate heat when current is applied, causing heat to accumulate around the terminal covered by the terminal cover. In the above configuration, the heat accumulated inside the base portion 110 can be guided to the outside through the gap.

[0079] The outer surface of the side wall 110a of the base portion 110 has an outer rib 123 adjacent to the engaging portion 122. This configuration allows for increased strength of both the side wall 110a and the engaging portion 122.

[0080] The inner surface of the end wall 115 of the base portion 110 has an inner rib 115f. This configuration can increase the strength of the base portion 110.

[0081] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments.

[0082] For example, the example shown is one in which the terminal block mounting surface 8a of the restraint plate 8, which intersects the Y-axis direction, is formed flat along the X-axis direction, but the shape of the terminal block mounting surface 8a is not limited to being flat. Figure 8 shows a restraint plate according to another example. The energy storage device 1 may be equipped with a restraint plate 208 as shown in Figure 8 instead of the restraint plate 8. The restraint plate 208 has a main body portion 211 which is substantially rectangular in shape, and an overhang portion 218 which extends further in the Y-axis direction than the main body portion 211. In the illustrated example, the main body portion 211 has a terminal block mounting surface 208a which is a side surface that extends along the X-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The main body portion 211 also has stepped portions 210 formed along the Y-axis direction at both ends in the X-axis direction. The stepped portion 210 is a portion that is lower in the Z-axis direction than the main body portion 211. The stepped portion 210 is provided with an insertion hole 10c.

[0083] The protruding portion 218 protrudes in the Y-axis direction at both ends in the X-axis direction of the terminal block mounting surface 208a of the main body portion 211. In the illustrated example, the protruding portion 218 is formed at both ends in the X-axis direction of the terminal block mounting surface 208a of the main body portion 211, and is located in a position that includes the stepped portion 210. The shape of the protruding portion 218 is not particularly limited, but in one example it may be a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the illustrated example, the protruding portion 218 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape such that its size in the Z-axis direction is substantially the same as the size of the terminal block mounting surface 208a, its size in the X-axis direction is substantially the same as the terminal cover 100, and its size in the Y-axis direction is larger than the terminal cover 100.

[0084] The terminal cover 100 is attached to a terminal block (not shown in Figure 8) located on the terminal block mounting surface 208a, between a pair of protruding portions 218 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. In the illustrated example, the pair of protruding portions 218 protrude further than the terminal cover 100 on the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The terminal cover 100 and the terminal block (not shown in Figure 8) may be positioned biased toward one of the protruding portions 218 between the pair of protruding portions 218. For example, the terminal cover 100 and the terminal block (not shown in Figure 8) in the illustrated example are positioned close to the protruding portion 218 provided on the positive side in the X-axis direction. For example, the distance between the terminal cover 100 and the protruding portion 218 may be smaller than the diameter of the wiring 36. Also, the terminal cover 100 and the protruding portion 218 may be in contact with each other.

[0085] Thus, the restraint plate 8 has a pair of overhangs 218 that extend in the Y-axis direction from the terminal block mounting surface 8a that extends along the X-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and the terminal block 70 may be positioned between the pair of overhangs 218 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. If the wiring 36 is routed to the outside along the X-axis direction, it may be difficult to position the terminal cover 100 close to the overhangs 218 because there is a risk of interference with the wiring. In this disclosure, since the wiring 36 is routed from the terminal cover 100 along the Y-axis direction, the wiring 36 does not interfere with the overhangs 218 even if the overhangs 218 and the terminal block 70 are close to each other. If the terminal block 70 is positioned between the overhangs 218, the overhangs 218 can function as protective walls to protect the terminal block 70.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a terminal cover covering the negative terminal located on the upper side in the Z-axis direction was illustrated, but a terminal cover with a similar configuration may also be provided for the positive terminal located on the lower side in the Z-axis direction. In addition, a terminal cover with a different configuration from the above-described terminal cover may be provided for the positive terminal.

[0087] Furthermore, although an example has been shown in which the base, cover, and hinge are formed by integral molding, the base and cover may be formed as separate parts. In this case, the base and cover may be connected by the hinge. The hinge may be formed integrally with the base or cover.

[0088] The form of this disclosure may be shown as follows: [Form 1] A laminate having an energy storage module in which electrodes including multiple bipolar electrodes are stacked along a first direction, A pair of current collector plates are stacked on both ends of the laminate in the first direction, A restraining plate that restrains the laminate and the pair of current collector plates from the first direction, A terminal bolt is fixed to at least one terminal of the current collector plate, projecting in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a terminal block is provided on the terminal block mounting surface of the restraint plate, which is a side surface of the restraint plate extending in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions and in the first direction. Wiring for power extraction fixed to the terminal bolt, The terminal block is fitted with a terminal cover, The terminal cover is A base portion that is attached to the terminal block and covers the terminal block, and has an opening that exposes the terminal bolts, It includes a cover portion attached to the base portion and covering at least the opening, The base portion is provided adjacent to the opening and has a holding portion for holding the wiring that is taken out from the terminal block in the second direction, The holding portion has a first wall and a second wall that protrude from the base portion in the second direction and face each other with the wiring in between, in an energy storage device. [Form 2] The energy storage device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the holding portion further has a third wall that protrudes from the base portion in the second direction and connects the first wall and the second wall, and has a substantially cylindrical shape with a slit formed on the side facing the opening. [Form 3] With the cover portion attached to the base portion, The energy storage device according to Embodiment 2, wherein the cover portion has a wall that covers the slit, facing the third wall with the wiring in between. [Form 4] The energy storage device according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the base portion and the cover portion are engaged with and fixed to each other. [Form 5] The energy storage device according to any one of the forms 1 to 3, wherein the base portion and the cover portion are connected to each other by a hinge portion. [Form 6] The base portion includes a side wall surrounding the terminal block when viewed from the second direction, and an end wall in which the opening is provided. The cover portion includes a plate-like portion that covers the end wall and a protruding piece that extends from the plate-like portion so as to cover a part of the side wall. The energy storage device according to Embodiment 5, wherein a first engaging portion is formed on the side wall of the base portion, and a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion is formed on the protruding piece of the cover portion. [Form 7] The energy storage device according to Embodiment 6, wherein, when the cover portion is engaged with the base portion, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the base portion and the inner surface of the cover portion, communicating from the opening to the outside of the terminal cover. [Form 8] The energy storage device according to embodiment 6 or 7, wherein the outer surface of the side wall of the base portion has an outer rib adjacent to the first engaging portion. [Form 9] The energy storage device according to any one of embodiments 6 to 8, wherein the inner surface of the end wall of the base portion has an inner rib. [Form 10] The restraint plate has a pair of protruding portions that extend in the second direction beyond the terminal block mounting surface when viewed from the first direction, The energy storage device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the terminal block is positioned on the terminal block mounting surface between the pair of protruding portions when viewed from the first direction. [Form 11] The electrode includes an electrode plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface in the first direction. The laminate has an energy storage module comprising a plurality of electrodes stacked such that the first surfaces of the electrode plates face the same direction along the first direction, and a sealing portion that defines a space for housing an electrolyte together with adjacent electrodes in the first direction. The electrodes included in the energy storage module are The bipolar electrode comprises an electrode plate, a positive electrode active material layer provided on the first surface of the electrode plate, and a negative electrode active material layer provided on the second surface of the electrode plate. A positive electrode termination electrode having the electrode plate and the positive electrode active material layer provided on the first surface of the electrode plate, wherein the second surface of the electrode plate forms a current extraction surface exposed from the sealing portion, An energy storage device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, comprising: an electrode plate and a negative electrode terminal electrode having a negative electrode active material layer provided on the second surface of the electrode plate, wherein the first surface of the electrode plate forms a current extraction surface exposed from the sealing portion. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 1...Energy storage device, 2...Laminate, 5A...Current collector plate, 7...Negative terminal (terminal), 8A...Restraining plate, 32...Terminal bolt, 36...Wiring, 70...Terminal block, 100...Terminal cover, 128...Opening, 110...Base part, 130...Cover part, 127...Holding part, 127a...First wall, 127b...Second wall.

Claims

1. A laminate having an energy storage module in which electrodes including multiple bipolar electrodes are stacked along a first direction, A pair of current collector plates are stacked on both ends of the laminate in the first direction, A restraining plate that restrains the laminate and the pair of current collector plates from the first direction, A terminal bolt is electrically connected to the terminal of at least one of the current collector plates and protrudes in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a terminal block is provided on the terminal block mounting surface of the restraint plate, which is a side surface of the restraint plate that extends in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions and in the first direction, Wiring for power extraction fixed to the terminal bolt, The terminal block is fitted with a terminal cover, The terminal cover is A base portion that is attached to the terminal block and covers the terminal block, and has an opening that exposes the terminal bolts, It includes a cover portion attached to the base portion and covering at least the opening, The base portion is provided adjacent to the opening and has a holding portion for holding the wiring that is taken out from the terminal block in the second direction, The holding portion has a first wall and a second wall that protrude from the base portion in the second direction and face each other with the wiring in between, The holding portion further has a third wall that protrudes from the base portion in the second direction and connects the first wall and the second wall. The restraint plate has a pair of protruding portions that extend in the second direction beyond the terminal block mounting surface when viewed from the first direction, The terminal block is positioned on the terminal block mounting surface between the pair of protruding portions when viewed from the first direction, in an energy storage device.

2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion has a substantially cylindrical shape with a slit formed on the side facing the opening.

3. With the cover portion attached to the base portion, The energy storage device according to claim 2, wherein the cover portion has a wall that covers the slit, facing the third wall with the wiring in between.

4. The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base portion and the cover portion are engaged with and fixed to each other.

5. The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base portion and the cover portion are connected to each other by a hinge portion.

6. The base portion includes a side wall surrounding the terminal block when viewed from the second direction, and an end wall in which the opening is provided. The cover portion includes a plate-like portion that covers the end wall and a protruding piece that extends from the plate-like portion so as to cover a part of the side wall. The energy storage device according to claim 5, wherein a first engaging portion is formed on the side wall of the base portion, and a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion is formed on the protruding piece of the cover portion.

7. The energy storage device according to claim 6, wherein, when the cover portion is engaged with the base portion, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the base portion and the inner surface of the cover portion, communicating from the opening to the outside of the terminal cover.

8. The energy storage device according to claim 6, wherein the outer surface of the side wall of the base portion has an outer rib adjacent to the first engaging portion.

9. The energy storage device according to claim 6, wherein the inner surface of the end wall of the base portion has an inner rib.

10. The electrode includes an electrode plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface in the first direction. The laminate has an energy storage module comprising a plurality of electrodes stacked such that the first surfaces of the electrode plates face the same direction along the first direction, and a sealing portion that defines a space for housing an electrolyte together with adjacent electrodes in the first direction. The electrodes included in the energy storage module are The bipolar electrode comprises the electrode plate, a positive electrode active material layer provided on the first surface of the electrode plate, and a negative electrode active material layer provided on the second surface of the electrode plate. A positive electrode termination electrode having the electrode plate and the positive electrode active material layer provided on the first surface of the electrode plate, wherein the second surface of the electrode plate forms a current extraction surface exposed from the sealing portion, The energy storage device according to claim 1, comprising: an electrode plate and a negative electrode terminal electrode having a negative electrode plate and a negative electrode active material layer provided on the second surface of the electrode plate, wherein the first surface of the electrode plate forms a current extraction surface exposed from the sealing portion.

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