Energy storage device

Abstract

This power storage device comprises: a power storage element that has a container; a housing in which the power storage element is accommodated; and a first plate-shaped member that has a plate shape and is disposed, in a first direction, aligned with the power storage element and along the housing. The container has a container body and a container lid that are joined together. The container body and the container lid are disposed aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first plate-shaped member has a plate-shaped member protrusion that protrudes in the first direction and extends toward the edges of the plate-shaped member in the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power storage device including a power storage element and an exterior body.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a power storage device including a power storage element and an exterior body that houses the power storage element has been known. Patent Document 1 discloses an assembled battery (power storage device) including a battery (power storage element) and a housing (exterior body) that houses the battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above conventional power storage device, the pressure resistance in the arrangement direction of the container body and the container lid of the power storage element is relatively weak, and there is a possibility that the power storage element cannot be effectively protected against an external impact or the like.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a power storage device capable of improving the protection of a power storage element against an external impact or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A power storage device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a power storage element having a container, an exterior body that houses the power storage element, and a plate-like member that is arranged in parallel with the power storage element in a first direction and is arranged along the exterior body. The container has a container body and a container lid that are joined to each other, the container body and the container lid are arranged side by side in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and the plate-like member has a plate-like member convex portion that protrudes in the first direction and extends toward an edge of the plate-like member in the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The energy storage device according to the present invention can improve the protection of the energy storage element against external shocks and the like. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an energy storage device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the various components of the energy storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the individual components of the energy storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the individual components of the energy storage element according to the embodiment. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first plate-shaped member according to the embodiment. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first plate-like member according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the exterior body (first exterior body, second exterior body, fixing member, and second plate-shaped member) according to the embodiment and the first plate-shaped member. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the first exterior body, energy storage element, spacer, and restraint body and the first plate-shaped member according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the energy storage element, spacer, and restraint body according to the embodiment and the first plate-shaped member. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the energy storage element, spacer, and restraint body according to the embodiment and the first plate-shaped member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In conventional energy storage devices with the above-described configuration, the energy storage elements may not be effectively protected from external impacts. Specifically, in energy storage devices, the container for the energy storage elements generally consists of a container body and a container lid, and electrode terminals or gas discharge valves are located on the container lid, resulting in weak resistance to crushing from the container lid side (crush resistance in the direction of alignment between the container body and the container lid). Therefore, in the above-described conventional energy storage devices, the outer casing that houses the energy storage elements plays a role in protecting the energy storage elements from impacts in the direction of alignment between the container body and the container lid, but the outer casing alone may not be able to effectively protect against impacts in this direction. In the above-described conventional energy storage devices, a restraining plate is located above the energy storage elements (battery), but this restraining plate is configured to reinforce the outer casing (housing) against impacts from the short side of the container rather than from the container lid side of the energy storage elements. Thus, in the conventional energy storage devices described above, the resistance to crushing in the direction in which the energy storage element is aligned with the container body and the container lid is relatively weak, and there is a risk that the energy storage element may not be effectively protected from external impacts.

[0010] This invention was made by the present inventors in response to the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an energy storage device that can improve the protection of energy storage elements against external shocks and the like.

[0011] An energy storage device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an energy storage element having a container, an outer casing housing the energy storage element, and a plate-shaped member arranged alongside the energy storage element in a first direction and along the outer casing, wherein the container has a container body and a container lid that are joined together, the container body and the container lid are arranged side by side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the plate-shaped member has a plate-shaped member projection that protrudes in the first direction and extends toward the edge of the plate-shaped member in the second direction.

[0012] According to this, the power storage device includes a plate-shaped member along the exterior body and arranged in parallel with the power storage element in the first direction. The container of the power storage element has a container body and a container lid arranged in the second direction. The plate-shaped member protrudes in the first direction and has a plate-shaped member convex portion extending toward the edge of the plate-shaped member in the second direction. In this way, by arranging the plate-shaped member at a position along the exterior body and forming a plate-shaped member convex portion extending in the second direction (the direction in which the container body and the container lid of the power storage element are arranged), the strength of the exterior body in the second direction can be reinforced by the plate-shaped member. Thereby, the pressure-resistant breaking performance of the power storage device in the second direction (the direction in which the container body and the container lid of the power storage element are arranged) can be improved, and thus the protection of the power storage element against external impacts and the like can be improved.

[0013] The plate-shaped member may have a plate-shaped member convex portion extending from one edge to the other edge of the plate-shaped member in the second direction.

[0014] According to this, the power storage device has a plate-shaped member convex portion protruding in the first direction and extending across both edges in the second direction. Thereby, the pressure-resistant breaking performance of the power storage device in the second direction at both edges of the plate-shaped member can be improved, and thus the protection of the power storage element against external impacts and the like can be more reliably improved.

[0015] The power storage device includes a plurality of the power storage elements arranged in the third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container lid. The plate-shaped member may have a plurality of plate-shaped member convex portions arranged in the third direction.

[0016] According to this, the power storage device includes a plurality of power storage elements arranged in the third direction, and the plate-shaped member has a plurality of plate-shaped member convex portions arranged in the third direction. In this way, in a configuration where a plurality of power storage elements are arranged in the third direction, since the plate-shaped member has a plurality of plate-shaped member convex portions arranged in the third direction, the pressure-resistant breaking performance of the plurality of power storage elements in the second direction can be improved. Thereby, the protection of the plurality of power storage elements against external impacts and the like can be improved.

[0017] The plate-like member may be attached to the outer surface of the exterior body.

[0018] According to this, since the plate-like member is attached to the outer surface of the exterior body of the power storage device, the plate-like member can effectively protect the exterior body against external impacts. Thereby, the protection of the power storage element against external impacts and the like can be more reliably improved.

[0019] The plate-like member may be disposed in contact with the exterior body, and a space may be formed between the convex portion of the plate-like member and the exterior body.

[0020] According to this, since the plate-like member is disposed in contact with the exterior body, the plate-like member can reinforce the exterior body more, so that the protection of the power storage element against external impacts and the like can be more reliably improved. In addition, by forming a space between the convex portion of the plate-like member and the exterior body, weight reduction can be achieved, members such as bolts can be accommodated in the space, or heat insulation can be performed in the space.

[0021] The exterior body has an exterior body convex portion protruding toward the power storage element, and the convex portion of the plate-like member convex portion protruding toward the power storage element may be disposed in contact with the periphery of the exterior body convex portion of the exterior body.

[0022] According to this, since the exterior body has an exterior body convex portion, the exterior body can be reinforced, so that the protection of the power storage element against external impacts and the like can be more reliably improved. Since the exterior body convex portion protrudes toward the power storage element, the exterior body convex portion can suppress the power storage element from being pressed and bulging. In particular, when the convex portion of the plate-like member convex portion protruding toward the power storage element abuts on the periphery of the exterior body convex portion, even if the power storage element tries to bulge, the plate-like member convex portion restricts the movement of the exterior body convex portion, and the power storage element can be more effectively suppressed from bulging.

[0023] The present invention can be realized not only as a power storage device but also as a combination of an exterior body and a plate-like member or as a plate-like member.

[0024] The following description of an energy storage device according to an embodiment (including its modifications) of the present invention will be given with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are all general or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection configurations of components, manufacturing processes, and the order of manufacturing processes shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, dimensions and other specifications are not strictly illustrated in each figure. In each figure, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0025] In the following description and drawings, the X-axis direction is defined as the longitudinal direction of the casing of the energy storage device, the arrangement direction of multiple energy storage elements such as the first and second energy storage elements, the arrangement direction of the energy storage unit and the control unit, the direction in which the short sides of the energy storage element containers face each other, or the arrangement direction of a pair of electrode terminals in one energy storage element. The Y-axis direction is defined as the arrangement direction of the energy storage elements and the busbars, or the arrangement direction of the body and lid of the energy storage element container. The Z-axis direction is defined as the arrangement direction of the body and lid of the casing, the arrangement direction of the energy storage elements and the restraints, the arrangement direction of the energy storage elements and the spacers, the direction in which the long sides of the energy storage element containers face each other, the stacking direction of the electrode plates of the energy storage element electrode body, or the vertical direction. These X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions intersect (orthogonal in this embodiment) with each other. Depending on the usage, the Z-axis direction may not be the vertical direction, but for the sake of explanation below, the Z-axis direction will be described as the vertical direction.

[0026] In the following explanation, the X-axis positive direction refers to the direction of the X-axis arrow, and the X-axis negative direction refers to the opposite direction. The same applies to the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. In addition, the Z-axis direction may be referred to as the first direction, the Y-axis direction as the second direction, and the X-axis direction as the third direction. Furthermore, expressions indicating relative directions or orientations, such as parallel and orthogonal, may include cases where they are not strictly those directions or orientations. Two directions being orthogonal does not only mean that the two directions are perfectly orthogonal, but also that they are substantially orthogonal, that is, they may include a difference of, for example, a few percent. In the following explanation, when the term "insulation" is used, it means "electrical insulation".

[0027] (Embodiment) [1. General description of energy storage device 1] The schematic configuration of the energy storage device 1 in this embodiment will now be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the energy storage device 1 according to this embodiment. Figures 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views showing the individual components of the energy storage unit 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 shows the individual components fixed to the first outer casing 110 of the energy storage unit 10 shown in Figure 2, in an exploded view.

[0028] The energy storage device 1 is a device that can charge electricity from an external source and discharge electricity to the outside, and in this embodiment, it has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The energy storage device 1 is a battery module (battery pack) used for power storage or power supply purposes. Specifically, the energy storage device 1 is used as a battery for driving or starting the engine of mobile vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, watercraft, ships, snowmobiles, agricultural machinery, construction machinery, or railway vehicles for electric railways. Examples of automobiles include electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and fossil fuel (gasoline, diesel, liquefied natural gas) vehicles. Examples of railway vehicles for electric railways include electric trains, monorails, linear motor cars, and hybrid trains equipped with both diesel engines and electric motors. The energy storage device 1 can also be used as a stationary battery for household or commercial use.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the energy storage device 1 comprises an energy storage unit 10 and a control unit 20. Hereinafter, the portion of the energy storage device 1 containing the energy storage element 400 will be referred to as the energy storage unit 10, and the portion containing the control equipment for controlling the energy storage element 400 will be referred to as the control unit 20. The energy storage unit 10 has an outer casing 100 and a first plate-shaped member 200. Inside the outer casing 100 are the energy storage element 400, spacers 500, restraint members 600, busbar frame 700, busbars 800, conductive members 900, and the control unit 20, etc. The outer casing 100 has a pair of external terminals 21 and 22 (positive and negative) and a connector 23. Each component will be described in detail below.

[0030] [1.1 Description of the outer casing 100] The outer casing 100 is a box-shaped (approximately rectangular parallelepiped) container (module case) that constitutes the outer casing of the energy storage device 1. The outer casing 100 is positioned outside the energy storage elements 400, etc., and fixes these energy storage elements 400, etc. in a predetermined position, protecting them from impacts, etc. The outer casing 100 includes a first outer casing 110, a second outer casing 120, a fixing member 130, a gasket 140, and a second plate-shaped member 300.

[0031] The first outer casing 110 is a flat rectangular member that constitutes the main body of the outer casing 100, on which the energy storage element 400 and the like are mounted and fixed. The second outer casing 120 is a bottomed rectangular cylindrical member that constitutes the lid of the outer casing 100, positioned in the positive Z-axis direction of the first outer casing 110, and connected to the first outer casing 110 to cover the energy storage element 400 and the like. The second outer casing 120 has an opening formed on the negative Z-axis side, and the first outer casing 110 is positioned to close this opening in the second outer casing 120.

[0032] The first outer casing 110 is made of a highly rigid material such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, steel plate, or a metal material treated with insulating coating or other insulating treatment, from the viewpoint of ensuring safety (resistance to crushing). The second outer casing 120 is made of a resin material (insulating material) such as polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyphenylene ether (PPE (including modified PPE)), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyetherether ketone (PEEK), tetrafluoroethylene perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethersulfone (PES), polyamide (PA), ABS resin, or composite materials thereof, from the viewpoint of reducing weight. The first exterior body 110 may be formed from a resin material similar to that of the second exterior body 120, but it is preferable that it be formed from a material with high rigidity. The second exterior body 120 may also be formed from a metal material similar to that of the first exterior body 110.

[0033] The first exterior body 110 has a first connecting portion 111, mounting bases 113, 114 and 115, and an exterior body protrusion 116. The second exterior body 120 has a second connecting portion 121.

[0034] The first connecting portion 111 is an annular portion (flange portion) in a top view (viewed from the Z-axis direction) located on the outer circumference of the first outer casing 110, positioned opposite the second connecting portion 121 of the second outer casing 120, and is superimposed on the second connecting portion 121 and connected to the second connecting portion 121. Similarly, the second connecting portion 121 is an annular portion (flange portion) in a top view located on the outer circumference of the second outer casing 120, positioned opposite the first connecting portion 111, and is superimposed on the first connecting portion 111 and connected to the first connecting portion 111. The first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121 are connecting portions that are superimposed on each other in the Z-axis direction (first direction), and are arranged along the Y-axis direction (second direction intersecting the first direction) and the X-axis direction (third direction intersecting the first and second directions).

[0035] Mounting bases 113 and 114 are components to which the restraint body 600 is attached. Specifically, mounting base 113 is positioned at the Y-axis negative end of the first outer casing 110, and the Y-axis negative side portion of the first restraint body 610 (described later) of the restraint body 600 is attached to it. Mounting base 114 is positioned at the Y-axis positive end of the first outer casing 110, and the Y-axis positive side portion of the first restraint body 610 is attached to it. More specifically, mounting bases 113 and 114 have bolt portions, and the restraint body 600 (first restraint body 610) is attached to mounting bases 113 and 114 by connecting these bolt portions with nuts.

[0036] The mounting base 115 is a component to which the conductive member 900 is attached. Specifically, the mounting base 115 is located at the center of the first outer casing 110 in the X-axis direction and at the end in the positive Y-axis direction, and the mounting portions 913 and 923 of the conductive member 900, described later, are attached to it. More specifically, the mounting base 115 has a bolt portion, and the conductive member 900 (mounting portions 913 and 923) is attached to the mounting base 115 by connecting the bolt portion with a nut.

[0037] The outer casing protrusion 116 is a protrusion that projects toward the energy storage element 400. Specifically, the outer casing protrusion 116 is located in the center of the first outer casing 110 in the Y-axis direction, and is rectangular in shape when viewed from above, projecting toward the positive Z-axis direction. Four outer casing protrusions 116 are arranged in a line along the X-axis direction, corresponding to the four energy storage elements 400 arranged in the X-axis direction. Each outer casing protrusion 116 is positioned opposite the center of the long side surface 411a of the energy storage element 400 (described later), and presses against the center of the energy storage element 400 (see Figure 9).

[0038] Within the second outer casing 120, control wires (also called communication lines, control lines, communication cables, or control cables) that transmit information such as the voltage or temperature of the energy storage element 400 are connected to the control unit 20, thereby transmitting information such as the voltage or temperature of the energy storage element 400 between the control unit 20 and the control unit 20. Furthermore, the control unit 20 is electrically connected to the connector 23, thereby transmitting this information to the outside.

[0039] The gasket 140 is a gasket positioned between the first outer casing 110 and the second outer casing 120. Specifically, the gasket 140 is a rectangular annular O-ring in top view, positioned between the first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121. More specifically, the gasket 140 is positioned between the first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121, compressed between them. The gasket 140 is made of any resin material suitable for the second outer casing 120, such as rubber (natural rubber, synthetic rubber), PC, PP, PE, etc.

[0040] The second plate-shaped member 300 is positioned to sandwich the second exterior body 120 between the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120, and is positioned along the outer periphery of the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120. The second plate-shaped member 300 is positioned to sandwich the second connecting portion 121 between the first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121, and extends in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction (third direction or second direction). In this embodiment, two second plate-shaped members 301 extending in the X-axis direction (third direction) are positioned relative to the first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121 on both sides in the Y-axis direction. Two second plate-shaped members 302 extending in the Y-axis direction (second direction) are positioned relative to the first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121 on both sides in the X-axis direction. As a result, four second plate-shaped members 300 (two second plate-shaped members 301 and two second plate-shaped members 302) are positioned over almost the entire outer periphery of the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120. In other words, the second plate-shaped member 300 extends and is arranged across multiple fixing members 130.

[0041] The second plate-shaped member 300 is made of a highly rigid material such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, steel plate, or a metal material that has been subjected to insulating treatment such as insulating coating. The first connecting portion 111 is a metal (high rigidity) flange portion, and the second connecting portion 121 is a resin (low rigidity) flange portion. Therefore, the second connecting portion 121 has lower rigidity than at least one of the first connecting portion 111 and the second plate-shaped member 300. In this embodiment, the second connecting portion 121 has lower rigidity than both the first connecting portion 111 and the second plate-shaped member 300. At least one of the first connecting portion 111 and the second plate-shaped member 300 (in this embodiment, both the first connecting portion 111 and the second plate-shaped member 300) has higher rigidity than the second connecting portion 121.

[0042] High (or low) rigidity means being strong (or weak) against external forces, and can be defined as a state in which dimensional changes are small (or large) in response to bending or torsional forces. The second connection part 121 is said to have lower rigidity than the first connection part 111 if, when the same force is applied to the central part of an area of ​​the same size for both the first connection part 111 and the second connection part 121, the dimensional change (amount of deflection) is greater for the second connection part 121. It can also be said that the force required to produce the same dimensional change is smaller for the second connection part 121 than for the first connection part 111. The definition of rigidity is not limited to the above, and any definition that can be interpreted by a person skilled in the art is sufficient.

[0043] The second connecting portion 121 only needs to have lower overall rigidity than at least one of the first connecting portion 111 and the second plate-shaped member 300. The second connecting portion 121 may have lower material rigidity than at least one of the first connecting portion 111 and the second plate-shaped member 300 (it may be made of a material with low rigidity), or it may have lower structural rigidity (it may be composed of a shape with low rigidity).

[0044] The fixing member 130 comprises a first fixing member 131 and a second fixing member 132. The first fixing member 131 and the second fixing member 132 are connected (joined) to each other and are members that connect (join) the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120. Specifically, a plurality of second fixing members 132 are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the first connection part 111, and a plurality of first fixing members 131 are arranged in a row at positions corresponding to the second fixing members 132 in the second connection part 121. In this way, the first fixing member 131 and the second fixing member 132 connect (join) the first connection part 111 and the second connection part 121 together with the second plate-shaped member 300.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first fixing member 131 is a bolt, and the second fixing member 132 is a nut to which the bolt is connected. A through hole 111a is formed in the first connecting portion 111, a through hole 121a is formed in the second connecting portion 121, and a through hole 311 is formed in the second plate-shaped member 300. The male threaded portion of the first fixing member 131 is inserted into these through holes 311, 121a, and 111a, and the male threaded portion is connected to the female threaded portion of the second fixing member 132. As a result, the first fixing member 131 and the second fixing member 132 sandwich the second connecting portion 121 between the first connecting portion 111 and the second plate-shaped member 300, and press the second plate-shaped member 300 toward the second connecting portion 121, thereby connecting (fixing) the first connecting portion 111 and the second connecting portion 121.

[0046] The second fixing member 132 may be a bolt, and the first fixing member 131 may be a nut to which the bolt is connected. The method for connecting (joining) the first exterior body 110 and the second exterior body 120 may be other methods, such as joining by riveting, crimping, clamping with clips, bonding, welding, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, etc.

[0047] [1.2 Description of the first plate-shaped member 200] The first plate-shaped member 200 is a plate-shaped member that is aligned with the energy storage element 400 in the Z-axis direction (first direction) and positioned along the outer casing 100. The first plate-shaped member 200 is attached to the outer surface of the outer casing 100. Specifically, the first plate-shaped member 200 is a rectangular and corrugated member that extends in the X-axis direction along the first outer casing 110 in the Z-axis negative direction of the energy storage element 400 and the first outer casing 110. The first plate-shaped member 200 abuts against and is attached to the outer surface of the first outer casing 110 on the Z-axis negative side. The first plate-shaped member 200 may be formed by bending a plate-shaped member into a corrugated shape, or by casting (die casting), etc.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first plate-shaped member 200 is attached to the first connecting portion 111 together with the second connecting portion 121 and the second plate-shaped member 300 by fixing members 130 (first fixing member 131 and second fixing member 132) at both ends in the X-axis direction (see Figure 6). The first plate-shaped member 200 has plate-shaped member connecting portions 210 with through holes 211 formed at both ends in the X-axis direction. The male threaded portion of the first fixing member 131 is inserted into the through hole 311 of the second plate-shaped member 300, the through hole 121a of the second connecting portion 121, the through hole 111a of the first connecting portion 111, and the through hole 211 of the plate-shaped member connecting portion 210, and the male threaded portion is connected to the female threaded portion of the second fixing member 132. As a result, the first plate-shaped member 200 is attached to the first outer casing 110 together with the second outer casing 120 and the second plate-shaped member 300.

[0049] The second plate-shaped member 300 is not positioned at the locations corresponding to the fixing members 130 located at both ends in the X-axis direction and both ends in the Y-axis direction (corners in the X-axis and Y-axis directions). Therefore, at these corners, the first plate-shaped member 200 is attached to the first connecting part 111 together with the second connecting part 121. At these corners, the first plate-shaped member 200 is attached to the first outer casing 110 together with the second outer casing 120. A detailed explanation of the configuration of the first plate-shaped member 200 will be given later.

[0050] [1.3 Description of each component within the outer casing 100] The energy storage element 400 is a secondary battery (single cell) that can charge and discharge electricity, and more specifically, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The energy storage element 400 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape (square), and in this embodiment, eight energy storage elements 400 are arranged in the Z-axis and X-axis directions in a horizontal position (with the long side 411a of the energy storage element 400, described later, facing in the Z-axis direction). Specifically, two first energy storage elements 401 are stacked (flat) in the Z-axis direction, two second energy storage elements 402 are stacked (flat) in the Z-axis direction, two third energy storage elements 403 are stacked (flat) in the Z-axis direction, and two fourth energy storage elements 404 are stacked (flat) in the Z-axis direction. Then, two first energy storage elements 401, two second energy storage elements 402, two third energy storage elements 403, and two fourth energy storage elements 404 are arranged in the X-axis direction, from the negative X-axis direction to the positive X-axis direction.

[0051] The number of energy storage elements 400 is not particularly limited; any number of energy storage elements 400 may be arranged (stacked) in the Z-axis direction, or any number of energy storage elements 400 may be arranged (arranged) in the X-axis direction. The shape of the energy storage elements 400 is not limited to the above-mentioned prism shape; other shapes such as polygonal prisms, cylindrical shapes, elliptical prisms, and oblong cylindrical shapes are also acceptable. The energy storage elements 400 are not limited to non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries; they may be secondary batteries other than non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, or capacitors. The energy storage elements 400 may not be secondary batteries, but primary batteries that allow users to use the stored electricity without charging. The energy storage elements 400 may be batteries using solid electrolytes. The energy storage elements 400 may be pouch-type energy storage elements. A detailed explanation of the configuration of the energy storage elements 400 will be given later.

[0052] The spacer 500 is a rectangular, flat spacer positioned adjacent to the energy storage element 400. The spacer 500 is positioned opposite the long side surface 411a of the energy storage element 400, in the Z-axis positive or Z-axis negative direction of the energy storage element 400. The spacer 500 is made of an insulating material such as any resin material usable for the second outer casing 120, or a material with high thermal insulation properties such as damper material.

[0053] In this embodiment, the spacer 500 consists of an intermediate spacer 510 and a pair of end spacers 520. The intermediate spacer 510 is a spacer 500 placed between two energy storage elements 400, and the end spacers 520 are spacers 500 placed between the energy storage elements 400 and the first outer casing 110 or the restraining body 600. The intermediate spacer 510 and the pair of end spacers 520 are arranged so as to sandwich the energy storage elements 400 in the Z-axis direction, electrically insulating the energy storage elements 400 from each other and from the energy storage elements 400 to the first outer casing 110 and the restraining body 600. In this embodiment, since the first to fourth energy storage elements 401 to 404 are arranged in line in the X-axis direction, the intermediate spacer 510 and the pair of end spacers 520 are placed for each of the first to fourth energy storage elements 401 to 404. An insulating sheet may be placed on the side of the energy storage element 400 instead of, or in addition to, the spacer 500.

[0054] Each of the end spacers 520 positioned on the Z-axis positive side has two protrusions 521 formed at its Y-axis negative end, aligned in the X-axis direction. The protrusions 521 are cylindrical projections that protrude in the Z-axis positive direction and are inserted into circular through holes 611 formed in the first restraint body 610 and circular through holes 621 formed in the second restraint body 620 of the restraint body 600, which will be described later. This allows the restraint body 600 to be positioned relative to the spacers 500 (and the energy storage element 400).

[0055] The restraining body 600 is a member that, together with the first outer casing 110, sandwiches multiple energy storage elements 400, such as the first energy storage element 401 and the second energy storage element 402, in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the first outer casing 110 and the restraining body 600 are joined to each other, sandwiching the multiple energy storage elements 400. In this way, the first outer casing 110 and the restraining body 600 restrain the multiple energy storage elements 400 in the Z-axis direction (applying a restraining force to the multiple energy storage elements 400 in the Z-axis direction). The first outer casing 110 extends in the X-axis direction so as to straddle the first energy storage elements 401 to the fourth energy storage elements 404, and the restraining body 600 individually restrains each of the first energy storage elements 401 to the fourth energy storage elements 404 together with the first outer casing 110. The restraining body 600 is formed from a metal member or the like that can be used for the first outer casing 110.

[0056] The restraint body 600 comprises a first restraint body 610 and a second restraint body 620. The first restraint body 610 is a plate-shaped member with an inverted U-shape when viewed from the X-axis direction, positioned in the Z-axis positive direction of the second restraint body 620 and joined to the first outer casing 110. The second restraint body 620 is a plate-shaped member positioned to cover almost the entire surface of the Z-axis positive side of the energy storage element 400 and the spacer 500 (end spacer 520) in the Z-axis positive direction. The first restraint body 610 and the second restraint body 620 have protrusions extending in the Y-axis direction for the purpose of improving strength, etc., but the position, shape, and number of protrusions are not particularly limited, and the configuration may also be one in which no protrusions are formed. The first restraint body 610 and the second restraint body 620 may be formed integrally, and the restraint body 600 may not have the second restraint body 620.

[0057] The first to fourth energy storage elements 401 to 404 are spaced apart from each other, and the restraining bodies 600, which are aligned in the X-axis direction, are also spaced apart from each other. Therefore, heat transfer between the first energy storage element 401 and the second energy storage element 402 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing the thermal influence between the first and second energy storage elements 401 and 402. An insulating material may be placed in the gap between the first and second energy storage elements 401 and 402 to further suppress the thermal influence between the first and second energy storage elements 401 and 402.

[0058] The busbar frame 700 is a flat, rectangular insulating member that provides electrical insulation between the busbar 800 and other components, and also restricts the position of the busbar 800. The busbar frame 700 is formed from any resin material or the like that can be used for the second outer casing 120. The busbar frame 700 is positioned in the negative Y-axis direction of the multiple energy storage elements 400 and is positioned relative to the multiple energy storage elements 400, thereby positioning the busbar 800 relative to the multiple energy storage elements 400 and connecting it to the electrode terminals of the multiple energy storage elements 400.

[0059] The busbar 800 is a flat plate-shaped member arranged in the negative Y-axis direction of the multiple energy storage elements 400 and connected (joined) to the multiple energy storage elements 400 and the conductive member 900. The busbar 800 has busbars 810, 820 and 830. The busbar 810 connects the electrode terminals 420 of adjacent energy storage elements 400, which will be described later. The busbars 820 and 830 connect the electrode terminals 420 of the energy storage elements 400 to the connection parts 912 and 922 of the conductive member 900, which will be described later, thereby electrically connecting the energy storage elements 400 to the positive and negative external terminals 21 and 22.

[0060] In this embodiment, the busbar 800 and the electrode terminals 420 of the energy storage element 400 are connected (joined) by welding, but they may also be connected (joined) by bolting or the like. The connection parts 912 and 922 of the busbar 800 and the conductive member 900 are connected (joined) by bolting, but they may also be connected (joined) by welding or the like. The busbar 800 is made of a conductive member made of metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, copper alloy, nickel, or a combination thereof, or a conductive member other than metal. In this embodiment, the busbar 800 is configured to hold four sets of energy storage elements by connecting two energy storage elements 400 in parallel, and these four sets of energy storage elements are connected in series, but the busbar 800 may also be configured to hold all eight energy storage elements 400 in series, or in other configurations.

[0061] The conductive member 900 is a conductive member connected to the busbar 800 and the control unit 20, electrically connecting the energy storage element 400 with the external terminals 21 and 22. In other words, the conductive member 900 is a conductive member (also called a power line, power line, main circuit cable, power cable, or power cable) placed on the main current (charge / discharge current) path of the energy storage element 400. The conductive member 900 is made of a conductive member of metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, copper alloy, or nickel, or a combination thereof, or a conductive member other than metal. The conductive member 900 has a conductive member 910 and a conductive member 920. The conductive member 910 has connection parts 911 and 912 and a mounting part 913. The conductive member 920 has connection parts 921 and 922 and a mounting part 923.

[0062] The connection portion 912 is the part that is connected to the bus bar 820, and the connection portion 922 is the part that is connected to the bus bar 830. The mounting portions 913 and 923 are the parts that are attached to the mounting base 115 of the first exterior body 110. In this embodiment, the conductive member 910 has a plate-shaped member extending from the connection portion 911 to the mounting portion 913, and a wire extending from the mounting portion 913 to the connection portion 912. The conductive member 920 has a plate-shaped member extending from the connection portion 921 to the mounting portion 923, and a wire extending from the mounting portion 923 to the connection portion 922.

[0063] [1.4 Description of Other Components] The control unit 20 is a device having control equipment (not shown) that controls the energy storage element 400 within the energy storage unit 10, and specifically, it is a BMS (Battery Management System) that controls the energy storage element 400. The control equipment located within the control unit 20 is connected to the main current path of the energy storage element 400 and controls the energy storage element 400, and includes a circuit board that controls the charging and discharging of the energy storage element 400, fuses, relays, semiconductor switches such as FETs (Field Effect Transistors), shunt resistors, etc. The control unit 20 is housed in the outer casing 100.

[0064] The outer casing 100 has external terminals 21 and 22, which are a pair of module terminals (total terminals) for the positive and negative electrodes, located at its end in the positive X-axis direction. The external terminals 21 and 22 are electrically connected to the energy storage element 400 of the energy storage unit 10 via connection parts 911 and 921. The energy storage device 1 charges with electricity from the outside and discharges electricity to the outside via these external terminals 21 and 22. External terminal 21 is a positive electrode external terminal, and external terminal 22 is a negative electrode external terminal. The external terminals 21 and 22 are made of conductive metal material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, or copper alloy.

[0065] [2. Description of the configuration of the energy storage element 400] The configuration of the energy storage element 400 will be explained in detail. Since all eight energy storage elements 400 (two first energy storage elements 401, two second energy storage elements 402, two third energy storage elements 403, and two fourth energy storage elements 404) in the energy storage unit 10 have the same configuration, the following explanation will focus on the configuration of one energy storage element 400.

[0066] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the energy storage element 400 according to this embodiment, disassembled. Specifically, Figure 4 shows the energy storage element 400 shown in Figure 3 in a vertical (upright) position, with each part disassembled.

[0067] As shown in Figure 4, the energy storage element 400 comprises a container 410, a pair of electrode terminals 420 (positive and negative), and a pair of gaskets 430 (positive and negative). Inside the container 410 are a pair of gaskets 440 (positive and negative), a pair of current collectors 450 (positive and negative), and an electrode body 460. An electrolyte (non-aqueous electrolyte) is sealed inside the container 410, but it is not shown in the figure. There are no particular restrictions on the type of electrolyte as long as it does not impair the performance of the energy storage element 400, and various types can be selected. In addition to the above components, spacers placed on the sides or bottom of the electrode body 460, an insulating film enclosing the electrode body 460, an insulating sheet covering the outer surface of the container 410, etc., may also be arranged.

[0068] The container 410 is a rectangular parallelepiped (square or box-shaped) case having a container body 411 with an opening and a container lid 412 that closes the opening of the container body 411. With this configuration, the container 410 can be sealed inside by welding the container body 411 and the container lid 412 together after the electrode body 460 and the like are placed inside the container body 411. The material of the container body 411 and the container lid 412 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that they be weldable metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, or plated steel sheet.

[0069] The container body 411 is a rectangular cylindrical member with a bottom that constitutes the body of the container 410, and has an opening formed on the Y-axis minus side. The container body 411 has a pair of rectangular and planar (flat) long sides 411a on both sides in the Z-axis direction, a pair of rectangular and planar (flat) short sides 411b on both sides in the X-axis direction, and a rectangular and planar (flat) bottom surface 411c on the Y-axis plus side. The container lid 412 is a rectangular plate-like member that constitutes the lid of the container 410, and is arranged extending in the X-axis direction on the Y-axis minus side of the container body 411. The container lid 412 is provided with a gas discharge valve 412a that releases pressure when the pressure inside the container 410 rises, and an injection part (not shown) for injecting electrolyte into the container 410. Thus, the container 410 has a container body 411 and a container lid 412 that are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction (second direction) and joined to each other. The first to fourth energy storage elements 401 to 404 are arranged in the X-axis direction (third direction), which is the longitudinal direction of the container lid 412.

[0070] The electrode body 460 is an energy storage element (power generation element) formed by laminating a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The positive electrode plate has a positive electrode active material layer formed on a positive electrode base layer which is a current collector foil made of a metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The negative electrode plate has a negative electrode active material layer formed on a negative electrode base layer which is a current collector foil made of a metal such as copper or a copper alloy. As for the active material used in the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer, any known material can be used as long as it is capable of intercalating and releasing lithium ions. In this embodiment, the electrode body 460 is a wound type (so-called vertical winding type) electrode body formed by winding the electrode plates (positive electrode plate and negative electrode plate) around a winding axis (a virtual axis parallel to the X-axis direction) extending in the X-axis direction.

[0071] The electrode plates (positive and negative plates) of the electrode body 460 are stacked in the Z-axis direction, and therefore the Z-axis direction is also called the stacking direction. The electrode body 460 is formed by stacking the electrode plates in the stacking direction. The electrode body 460 has a pair of flat sections 461 aligned in the Z-axis direction and a pair of curved sections 462 aligned in the Y-axis direction, formed by winding the electrode plates, but the stacking direction mentioned above is the stacking direction of the electrode plates in the flat section 461. The flat section 461 is a flat part that connects the ends of the pair of curved sections 462, and the curved section 462 is a part that is curved in a semi-circular shape or the like so as to protrude in the Y-axis direction. The direction in which the flat surface of the flat section 461 faces, or the opposing direction of the pair of flat sections 461, can also be defined as the stacking direction. For this reason, it can be said that multiple first energy storage elements 401 are aligned in this stacking direction. The same applies to the other energy storage elements 400. The X-axis direction in which the first to fourth energy storage elements 401 to 404 are arranged is also called the arrangement direction. The first to fourth energy storage elements 401 to 404 are arranged in the arrangement direction intersecting the said stacking direction.

[0072] In the electrode body 460, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are wound offset from each other in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate have portions at their respective offset ends where the active material is not formed (coated) and the base material layer is exposed (non-active material layer portion). The electrode body 460 has ends 463 at both ends in the X-axis direction that protrude from the flat portion 461 and the curved portion 462 on both sides in the X-axis direction, and where the non-active material layer portions of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are stacked and connected to the current collector 450.

[0073] The electrode body 460 can be any form of electrode body, such as a so-called horizontally wound electrode body formed by winding electrode plates around a winding axis extending in the Y-axis direction, a stacked electrode body formed by stacking multiple flat electrode plates, or a bellows-type electrode body in which electrode plates are folded in a bellows-like manner. In the case of a horizontally wound electrode body, the flat parts are those other than the curved portion and the connection portion (tab) with the current collector. In the case of stacked and bellows-type electrode bodies, the flat parts are those other than the connection portion (tab) with the current collector.

[0074] The electrode terminals 420 are the terminals (positive and negative electrode terminals) of the energy storage element 400 and are positioned on the container lid 412 so as to protrude in the negative direction of the Y-axis. The electrode terminals 420 are electrically connected to the positive and negative electrode plates of the electrode body 460 via the current collector 450. The electrode terminals 420 are made of a conductive material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, or copper alloy.

[0075] The current collector 450 is a conductive member (positive electrode current collector and negative electrode current collector) electrically connected to the electrode terminal 420 and the end 463 of the electrode body 460. The current collector 450 is made of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, or copper alloy, etc. The gaskets 430 and 440 are flat, electrically insulating sealing members placed between the container lid 412 and the electrode terminal 420 and the current collector 450. The gaskets 430 and 440 are made of any electrically insulating resin material, etc., that can be used for the second outer casing 120.

[0076] [3. Description of the structure of the first plate-shaped member 200] The configuration of the first plate-shaped member 200 will now be described in detail. Figures 5A and 5B are perspective views showing the configuration of the first plate-shaped member 200 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 5A is an enlarged perspective view showing the first plate-shaped member 200 shown in Figure 2, and Figure 5B is a perspective view showing the configuration when the first plate-shaped member 200 of Figure 5A is rotated 180° around the X-axis.

[0077] Figure 6 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the exterior body 100 (first exterior body 110, second exterior body 120, fixing member 130, and second plate-shaped member 300) and the first plate-shaped member 200 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 6(a) shows the configuration of the energy storage device 1 shown in Figure 1 when viewed from the negative Y-axis direction, and Figure 6(b) shows an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 6(a).

[0078] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the first outer casing 110, energy storage element 400, spacer 500, and restraining body 600 and the first plate-shaped member 200 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 7 shows a configuration in which the restraining body 600 is attached to the mounting bases 113 and 114 of the first outer casing 110 together with the energy storage element 400 and spacer 500, and the first plate-shaped member 200 is positioned relative to the first outer casing 110. Figure 8 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the energy storage element 400, spacer 500, and restraining body 600 and the first plate-shaped member 200 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 8 shows the configuration of Figure 7 viewed from the X-axis plus direction. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the energy storage element 400, spacer 500, and restraining body 600 and the first plate-shaped member 200 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 9(a) shows a cross-section of the configuration in Figure 7 when it is cut by a plane passing through the line IXa-IXa and parallel to the XZ plane, and Figure 9(b) shows an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 9(a).

[0079] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the first plate-shaped member 200 has plate-shaped member connecting portions 210 as well as plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230. The plate-shaped member connecting portions 210 are rectangular and flat portions extending in the Y-axis direction, located at both ends of the first plate-shaped member 200 in the X-axis direction, and have multiple (four in this embodiment) through holes 211 arranged in the Y-axis direction. The plate-shaped member connecting portions 210 are connected to the first connecting portion 111 together with the second connecting portion 121 (and the second plate-shaped member 300) by a fixing member 130 via these through holes 211, thereby attaching the first plate-shaped member 200 to the exterior body 100 (first exterior body 110) (see Figure 6).

[0080] The plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 are positioned between the two plate-shaped member connecting portions 210, protruding in the Z-axis direction (first direction), and are elongated protrusions (ridges) that extend from one end edge to the other edge of the first plate-shaped member 200 in the Y-axis direction (second direction). Specifically, the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 protrudes in the Z-axis positive direction and extends linearly in the Y-axis direction across both ends of the first plate-shaped member 200 in the Y-axis direction. The plate-shaped member protrusion 230 protrudes in the Z-axis negative direction and extends linearly in the Y-axis direction across both ends of the first plate-shaped member 200 in the Y-axis direction.

[0081] Specifically, the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 is a protrusion on the Z-axis positive side of the first plate-shaped member 200 where the Z-axis negative side surface is recessed in the Z-axis positive direction, and the Z-axis positive side surface of the first plate-shaped member 200 protrudes in the Z-axis positive direction. The plate-shaped member protrusion 230 is a protrusion on the Z-axis negative side of the first plate-shaped member 200 where the Z-axis positive side surface is recessed in the Z-axis negative direction, and the Z-axis negative side surface of the first plate-shaped member 200 protrudes in the Z-axis negative direction.

[0082] In this embodiment, multiple plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 are arranged in the X-axis direction (third direction). That is, the multiple plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 are arranged alternately in the X-axis direction across multiple energy storage elements 400 (first energy storage element 401 to fourth energy storage element 404) (see Figures 7 and 9, etc.). Thus, the first plate-shaped member 200 has a corrugated shape.

[0083] As shown in Figures 6 to 9, the first plate-shaped member 200 has the same length as the outer casing 100 (first outer casing 110) in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 have the same length as the outer casing 100 (first outer casing 110) in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the first plate-shaped member 200 is formed to be longer than the energy storage elements 400 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and the plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 are formed to be longer than the energy storage elements 400 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the first plate-shaped member 200 is positioned to protrude beyond all the energy storage elements 400 on both sides in the X-axis direction and on both sides in the Y-axis direction, and the plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 are positioned to protrude beyond all the energy storage elements 400 in the Y-axis direction.

[0084] The first plate-shaped member 200 may have the same length as the energy storage element 400 in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. The first plate-shaped member 200 only needs to be formed to extend at least to the edge of the energy storage element 400 in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, and the plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 only need to be formed to extend at least to the edge of the energy storage element 400 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, at least a portion of the first plate-shaped member 200 should overlap with the edge of the energy storage element 400 in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and at least a portion of the plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 should overlap with the edge of the energy storage element 400 in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0085] In this embodiment, the plate-like member protrusions 220 and 230 have a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction, but they may have any shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction, such as a polygonal shape like a rectangle or triangle, a semicircle, a semiellipse, or a semi-long oval. The plate-like member protrusions 220 and 230 can also be called recesses because one surface of the first plate-like member 200 is recessed to form them.

[0086] The first plate-shaped member 200 is positioned in contact with the exterior body 100, and a space is formed between the plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 and the exterior body 100. As shown in Figures 6 and 9, the first plate-shaped member 200 is positioned in contact with the first exterior body 110, and a space S is formed between the plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 and the first exterior body 110. Within space S are the portions of the fixing member 130 that protrude from the first exterior body 110 (the male screw portion of the first fixing member 131 and the second fixing member 132), and the exterior body protrusions 117 formed on the first exterior body 110.

[0087] The exterior body projection 117 is a projection formed on the first exterior body 110 that protrudes in the negative Z-axis direction. The exterior body projection 117 is a projection that protrudes from the negative Z-axis side of the first exterior body 110 by recessing the Z-axis positive side of the first exterior body 110 in order to position the mounting bases 113 and 114 on the first exterior body 110.

[0088] As shown in Figure 9, the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 that protrudes toward the energy storage element 400 (plate-shaped member protrusion 220) is positioned in contact with the periphery of the outer casing protrusion 116 of the outer casing 100. The plate-shaped member protrusion 220 is positioned offset from the outer casing protrusion 116 in the X-axis direction, so that the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 contacts the portion of the first outer casing 110 adjacent to the outer casing protrusion 116 in the X-axis direction.

[0089] Specifically, the plate-shaped member projection 220 has a contact portion 221 that is positioned in contact with the periphery of the exterior projection 116. The contact portion 221 is a flat plate-shaped portion that is positioned on both sides of the exterior projection 116 in the X-axis direction and extends in the Y-axis direction. With this configuration, the first plate-shaped member 200 presses the exterior projection 116 of the first exterior 110 in the positive Z-axis direction with the contact portion 221 of the plate-shaped member projection 220. The exterior projection 116 presses the central part of the long side surface 411a of the container 410 of the energy storage element 400 in the positive Z-axis direction via the end spacer 520.

[0090] [4. Explanation of Effects] As described above, the energy storage device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plate-shaped first plate-like member 200 that runs parallel to the exterior body 100 in the first direction (Z-axis direction) alongside the energy storage element 400, and the container 410 of the energy storage element 400 has a container body 411 and a container lid 412 that run parallel to the second direction (Y-axis direction). The first plate-like member 200 has plate-like member protrusions 220 and 230 that project in the first direction and extend across both edges in the second direction. By positioning the plate-shaped first plate-like member 200 along the exterior body 100 in this way, and by forming the plate-like member protrusions 220 and 230 that extend in the second direction on the first plate-like member 200, the strength of the exterior body 100 in the second direction can be reinforced by the first plate-like member 200. This improves the crush resistance of the energy storage device 1 in the second direction (the direction in which the container body 411 and the container lid 412 are aligned), thereby improving the protection of the energy storage element 400 against external impacts and the like.

[0091] The energy storage device 1 is equipped with a plurality of energy storage elements 400 arranged in a third direction (X-axis direction), and the first plate-shaped member 200 has a plurality of plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 arranged in the third direction. In this configuration in which the plurality of energy storage elements 400 are arranged in the third direction, the presence of the first plate-shaped member 200 with a plurality of plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 arranged in the third direction improves the crush resistance performance of the plurality of energy storage elements 400 in the second direction. This improves the protection of the plurality of energy storage elements 400 against external impacts, etc.

[0092] Since the first plate-shaped member 200 is attached to the outer surface of the outer casing 100 of the energy storage device 1, the first plate-shaped member 200 can effectively protect the outer casing 100 from external impacts. This improves the protection of the energy storage element 400 from external impacts. Since the first plate-shaped member 200 is attached to the outer surface of the outer casing 100, the first plate-shaped member 200 can dissipate heat from the energy storage element 400 through the outer casing 100.

[0093] By positioning the first plate-shaped member 200 in contact with the outer casing 100, the first plate-shaped member 200 can further reinforce the outer casing 100, thereby improving the protection of the energy storage element 400 against external impacts, etc. By forming a space S between the plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 and the outer casing 100, weight reduction can be achieved, components such as bolts (fixing members 130 and outer casing protrusions 117, etc.) can be accommodated in the space S, and the space S can be used for heat insulation. By the first plate-shaped member 200 in contact with the outer casing 100, the first plate-shaped member 200 can dissipate heat from the energy storage element 400 through the outer casing 100.

[0094] Because the outer casing 100 has the outer casing protrusion 116, the outer casing 100 can be reinforced, thereby improving the protection of the energy storage element 400 against external impacts, etc. Since the outer casing protrusion 116 protrudes toward the energy storage element 400, it can prevent the energy storage element 400 from bulging by being pressed against by the outer casing protrusion 116. In particular, since the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 that protrudes toward the energy storage element 400 abuts against the periphery of the outer casing protrusion 116, even if the energy storage element 400 tries to bulge, the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 restricts the movement of the outer casing protrusion 116, thereby further suppressing the bulging of the energy storage element 400.

[0095] [5 Explanation of variations] Although an embodiment of the present invention, the energy storage device 1, has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects, and the scope of the present invention includes all modifications in the sense and scope of equivalence to the claims.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the outer casing 100 is such that the second outer casing 120 is a bottomed rectangular cylindrical member with an opening formed on the Z-axis minus side, and the first outer casing 110 is a flat rectangular member that closes the opening of the second outer casing 120. However, the first outer casing 110 may be a bottomed rectangular cylindrical member with an opening formed on the Z-axis plus side, and the second outer casing 120 may be a flat rectangular lid that closes the opening of the first outer casing 110, or it may be any other shape.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the first outer casing 110 is positioned in the negative Z-axis direction of the energy storage element 400, and the restraining body 600 is positioned in the positive Z-axis direction of the energy storage element 400, and they are joined together. However, the first outer casing 110 may be positioned in the positive Z-axis direction of the energy storage element 400, and the restraining body 600 may be positioned in the negative Z-axis direction of the energy storage element 400, and they are joined together. The energy storage device 1 may also have a configuration inverted. In this case, the first plate-shaped member 200 is attached to the upper surface (the surface on the positive Z-axis side) of the first outer casing 110.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the first outer casing 110 is fitted with a restraining body 600 to restrain the energy storage element 400. However, the first outer casing 110 may not have a restraining body 600 attached to it, and the restraining body 600 may be attached to another member to restrain the energy storage element 400.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the first plate-shaped member 200 is attached to the outer surface (bottom surface, Z-axis negative direction side) of the first outer casing 110 as the outer surface of the outer casing 100. However, the first plate-shaped member 200 may also be attached to the outer surface (top surface, Z-axis positive direction side) of the second outer casing 120. The first plate-shaped member 200 may also be attached to the side surface (X-axis direction side or Y-axis direction side) of the outer casing 100. The first plate-shaped member 200 is positioned alongside the energy storage element 400 in the Z-axis direction, but it may also be positioned alongside the energy storage element 400 in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction (the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction may be considered as an example of the first direction). The first plate-shaped member 200 may also be attached to the inner surface of the outer casing 100 instead of its outer surface. The first plate-shaped member 200 may be positioned in contact with the exterior body 100 without being attached to (fixed to) the exterior body 100, or it may be positioned along the exterior body 100 without contacting the exterior body 100.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the first plate-shaped member 200 is positioned to protrude beyond all of the energy storage elements 400 on both the X-axis and Y-axis sides. However, it is also possible that one of the energy storage elements 400 may protrude slightly from the first plate-shaped member 200 in either the X-axis or Y-axis direction. The first plate-shaped member 200 is formed such that at least one energy storage element 400 does not protrude from the first plate-shaped member 200 in either the X-axis or Y-axis direction. Even in this case, the protection of the energy storage elements 400 that do not protrude from the first plate-shaped member 200 can be improved compared to the case where the first plate-shaped member 200 is not provided.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 of the first plate-shaped member 200 are assumed to be protrusions that extend linearly in the Y-axis direction. However, the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 or 230 may be a protrusion in which one surface of the first plate-shaped member 200 is not concave, but the other surface protrudes. Furthermore, the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 or 230 may be a protrusion that extends while curving in the Y-axis direction, rather than extending linearly in the Y-axis direction. Moreover, the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 or 230 may be a protrusion that extends in a direction inclined from the Y-axis direction toward the X-axis direction.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the plate-like member protrusions 220 and 230 of the first plate-like member 200 are long protrusions that extend from one end edge to the other end edge of the first plate-like member 200 in the Y-axis direction. However, the plate-like member protrusions 220 or 230 do not have to extend from one end edge to the other end edge of the first plate-like member 200 in the Y-axis direction, and may be protrusions that extend toward the edge in the Y-axis direction and may only partially extend in the Y-axis direction.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 is positioned offset from the exterior body protrusion 116 in the X-axis direction and is positioned in contact with the periphery of the exterior body protrusion 116. However, the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 may be positioned overlapping with the exterior body protrusion 116 in the X-axis direction. In this case, the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 may be positioned in contact with the Z-axis negative side of the exterior body protrusion 116, or the Z-axis positive side of the plate-shaped member protrusion 230 may be positioned in contact with the periphery of the exterior body protrusion 116. Even in this case, the effect of the plate-shaped member protrusion 220 or 230 pressing the exterior body protrusion 116 in the Z-axis positive direction can be obtained. In this case, the exterior body protrusion 116 has the same shape as the plate-shaped member protrusion 220, and there does not need to be a space between the plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230 and the exterior body 100 (first exterior body 110).

[0104] In the above embodiment, the first plate-shaped member 200 is provided with a plurality of plate-shaped member protrusions 220 and 230. However, the first plate-shaped member 200 may have only one plate-shaped member protrusion 220 or only one plate-shaped member protrusion 230.

[0105] The energy storage device 1 does not need to have all of the above-mentioned components. The energy storage device 1 does not need to have the control unit 20, gasket 140, second plate-shaped member 300, spacer 500, restraint body 600, etc.

[0106] The present invention also includes forms constructed by arbitrarily combining the components included in the above embodiments and their modified examples.

[0107] The present invention can be realized not only as an energy storage device 1, but also as a combination of the outer casing 100 and the first plate-shaped member 200, or as the first plate-shaped member 200 alone. [Industrial applicability]

[0108] This invention can be applied to energy storage devices equipped with energy storage elements such as lithium-ion secondary batteries. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0109] 1. Energy storage device 10 Energy storage units 20 Control Units 21, 22 External terminals 800, 810, 820, 830 busbar 100 Exterior 110 First exterior body 111 First connection section 111a, 121a, 211, 311, 611, 621 through hole 116, 117 Outer body protrusions 120 Second exterior body 121 Second connection section 130 Fixing member 131 First fixing member 132 Second fixing member 200 First plate-shaped member 210 Plate-shaped member connection part 220, 230 Plate-shaped member protrusion 221 Contact part 300, 301, 302 Second plate-shaped member 400 energy storage elements 410 Container 411 Container body 412 Container lid 420 Electrode terminal 500 Spacer 600 Restraint body 900, 910, 920 Conductive components

Claims

1. A storage element having a container, The outer casing in which the energy storage element is housed, The device comprises a plate-shaped member that is arranged in parallel with the energy storage element in a first direction and along the outer surface of the outer casing, The container has a container body and a container lid that are joined together, The container body and the container lid are arranged side by side in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The plate-like member has a plate-like member projection that protrudes in the first direction and extends toward the edge of the plate-like member in the second direction. Energy storage device.

2. The plate-shaped member projection extends from one end edge to the other end edge of the plate-shaped member in the second direction. The energy storage device according to claim 1.

3. The energy storage device comprises a plurality of energy storage elements arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container lid, in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, The plate-like member has a plurality of plate-like member protrusions arranged in the third direction. The energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The plate-shaped member is attached to the outer surface of the exterior body. The energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The plate-shaped member is positioned in contact with the exterior body, A space is formed between the plate-shaped member protrusion and the exterior body. The energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The exterior body has an exterior body protrusion that protrudes toward the energy storage element, The protrusions of the plate-shaped member that project toward the energy storage element are arranged in contact with the surrounding protrusions of the outer casing. The energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

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