Restraint jig for bipolar energy storage devices
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
Smart Images
Figure 0007859418000001 
Figure 0007859418000002 
Figure 0007859418000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a restraint jig for a bipolar power storage device.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a method for manufacturing a power storage device. This power storage device is a power storage module used for a vehicle battery, and is, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery or a lithium-ion secondary battery. This power storage device includes an electrode laminate, an electrolytic solution, and a sealing portion that prevents permeation of the electrolytic solution to the outside. The electrode laminate has a plurality of bipolar electrodes, a negative terminal electrode, a positive terminal electrode, and a plurality of separators. The sealing portion is formed at the peripheral edge of the electrode laminate so as to surround the electrode laminate.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] By the way, conventionally, like the bipolar power storage device described in Patent Document 1 above, a battery including a laminate is included in a pack together with a cooler, a case, and a restraint jig. The restraint jig applies pressure to the battery in the stacking direction. At this time, if the restraint jig restrains the battery at a certain compression distance, a surface pressure difference will occur due to the difference in the initial thickness of the battery. Therefore, conventionally, it has been necessary to add an adjustment shim according to the initial thickness of the battery or select a restraint jig, but these methods increase the man-hours, so there is room for improvement.
[0005] In consideration of the above facts, the present invention aims to provide a restraining jig for bipolar energy storage devices that can restrain bipolar energy storage devices of various thicknesses with a constant surface pressure. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The restraining jig for a bipolar energy storage device according to claim 1 comprises a pair of restraining parts attached to a support column extending in the stacking direction, which are configured to clamp the bipolar energy storage device including a module stack in the stacking direction of the module stack, and a ratchet mechanism that fixes at least one of the pair of restraining parts to the support column when the distance between the pair of restraining parts is narrowed. The support columns are provided in multiple locations, the pair of restraining parts are connected vertically by the multiple support columns, the lower restraining part of the pair of restraining parts is fixed to the multiple support columns, the upper restraining part of the pair of restraining parts has multiple through holes that penetrate vertically, the support columns are inserted through the through holes, and the ratchet mechanism is configured to include a claw portion provided on at least one of the multiple support columns, and a plurality of grooves arranged vertically on the inner circumferential surface of the through holes and formed so as to be able to engage each of the claw portions. .
[0007] According to the present invention as described in claim 1, the bipolar energy storage device is held in the stacking direction of the module stack by a pair of restraining parts. When the distance between the pair of restraining parts is narrowed, the bipolar energy storage device is pressed in the stacking direction. At this time, at least one of the pair of restraining parts is fixed to the support column by a ratchet mechanism.
[0009] Also, Claim 1 According to the present invention as described above, each support column is inserted through each through-hole that penetrates vertically in the upper restraint portion. In other words, the upper restraint portion is configured to be movable vertically. When the upper restraint portion is pushed downward, the bipolar energy storage device held between the pair of restraint portions is compressed. At this time, a ratchet mechanism causes a claw provided on the support column to engage with one of the grooves formed in the through-hole of the upper restraint portion. As a result, the upper restraint portion is fixed at a predetermined height.
[0010] Furthermore, once the claw portion is released from its engagement with the groove, the upper restraining portion becomes movable again relative to the support column. Therefore, when the upper restraining portion moves upward, the bipolar energy storage device is released from the restraining jig.
[0011] Claim 2The restraining jig for the bipolar energy storage device relating to the claim 1 In the invention described above, a biasing portion is provided between the upper restraining portion and the lower restraining portion, which biases the upper restraining portion in a direction away from the lower restraining portion.
[0012] Claim 2 According to the present invention as described above, the upper restraint portion is biased by the biasing portion toward the lower restraint portion, i.e., toward upward. Therefore, when the locking of the claw portion with respect to the groove portion is released, the upper restraint portion is moved toward the upward side by the biasing force received from the biasing portion and returns to its initial position.
[0013] Claim 3 The restraining jig for the bipolar energy storage device relating to the claim 2 In the invention described above, a pair of claws are provided, and the pair of claws are biased to move away from each other and each has an inclined surface that slopes downward as it moves outward, and the ratchet mechanism comprises an upper stopper fixed to the upper peripheral edge of the through hole, a lower stopper formed in a cylindrical shape and fixed to the lower peripheral edge of the through hole, and a covering ring formed in a cylindrical shape and inserted into the through hole, wherein the covering ring is configured to be able to press downward the inclined surfaces of the pair of claws that are locked in the groove and to be able to lock the pair of claws that are away from the groove and approaching each other to its inner circumferential surface, and the lower stopper has an inner circumferential surface with an inner diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the covering ring and smaller than the outer diameter of the covering ring.
[0014] Claim 3 According to the present invention as described above, a pair of claws biased to move away from each other are locked into one of the grooves formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole when the upper restraining portion is pushed downward. This fixes the upper restraining portion at a predetermined height.
[0015] Then, as the upper restraint is pushed further downward, the upper stopper pushes the covering downward. At this time, the pair of claws are pushed by the covering from above. Since each inclined surface slopes downward as it moves outward, when the pair of claws receive a downward load from the covering, they move toward each other. The pair of claws, now closer together, are locked into the inner circumferential surface of the covering. In other words, the covering covers the pair of claws from the outside, and the locking of the pair of claws against the grooves is released.
[0016] In this state, when the pressure on the bipolar energy storage device by the upper restraint is released, the upper restraint moves upward due to the biasing force it receives from the biasing part. At this time, since the pair of claws are locked to the inner circumferential surface of the covering, they do not get caught on any of the grooves. Therefore, the upper restraint can move smoothly upward.
[0017] Then, when the upper restraint part moves to the upper end of the support column, the lower surface of the covering comes into contact with the lower stopper. At this time, the biasing force of the biasing part pushes the covering upward from the lower stopper. As a result, the covering moves above the pair of claws and disengages from the pair of claws. At this time, since the pair of claws are biased to move away from each other, they are locked into the inner surface of the lower stopper, which has a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the covering. As a result, the restraint jig returns to its initial state, and the bipolar energy storage device can be removed from the restraint jig.
[0018] Claim 4 The restraining jig for the bipolar energy storage device relating to the claim 1 In the invention described above, the vertical spacing between the plurality of grooves is approximately 1 mm.
[0019] Claim 4According to the present invention described above, the height at which the upper restraint portion is fixed is engraved at 1 mm intervals. Therefore, it can be easily adjusted for the variation in the initial height of the bipolar power storage device of about plus or minus 1 mm to 2 mm. However, the interval referred to here shall mean the distance from the vertical center of the groove portion to the vertical center of the adjacent groove portion.
Effect of the Invention
[0020] As described above, the restraint jig for the bipolar power storage device according to the present invention described in claim 1 has an excellent effect that it can restrain bipolar power storage devices of various thicknesses with a constant surface pressure.
[0021] The restraint jig for the bipolar power storage device according to the present invention described in claim 2 has an excellent effect that it can compress the bipolar power storage device with a simple configuration and release the bipolar power storage device from the restraint jig after compression.
[0022] The restraint jig for the bipolar power storage device according to the present invention described in claim 3 has an excellent effect that it can return the upper restraint portion to the initial position with a simple configuration.
[0023] The restraint jig for the bipolar power storage device according to the present invention described in claim 4 has an excellent effect that it can return the upper restraint portion to the initial position by pushing the upper restraint portion to the end.
[0024] The restraint jig for the bipolar power storage device according to the present invention described in claim 5 has an excellent effect that it can easily adjust the pressing distance with respect to the target pressing distance according to the initial height of the bipolar power storage device.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0025] [Figure 1] It is a front view showing a state in which a bipolar power storage device and a press machine are set in the restraint jig according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2]Figure 1 is a plan view of the restraint jig into which the bipolar energy storage device shown is set. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the ratchet mechanism, taken from the front, along the line 3-3. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a front view showing a bipolar energy storage device being compressed using the press machine and restraining jig shown. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the ratchet mechanism, seen from the front. [Figure 6] This is a front view showing the restraint jig pushed in even further than in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the ratchet mechanism, seen from the front. [Figure 8] This is a front view showing the process by which the restraint jig returns to its initial position as shown in Figure 1 due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the ratchet mechanism, seen from the front. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0026] The restraint jig 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "restraint jig 10") of a bipolar energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 9. The arrow UP shown in each figure as appropriate indicates the upper side of the restraint jig 10. Furthermore, in the following description, when the up and down directions are used unless otherwise specified, they refer to the top and bottom of the restraint jig 10. In addition, the arrows FR and RH shown in each figure as appropriate indicate the front and right sides of the restraint jig 10, respectively. The directions front, back, left, and right in this specification are defined for the convenience of explanation.
[0027] Figure 1 shows a front view of the restraint jig 10. As shown in Figure 1, the restraint jig 10 is configured to compress the bipolar energy storage device 14 in the vertical direction when pressed by the press machine 12.
[0028] (Bipolar energy storage device 14) The bipolar energy storage device 14 (hereinafter simply referred to as "energy storage device 14") is a device used in the batteries of various vehicles, such as forklifts, hybrid vehicles, and electric vehicles. The energy storage device 14 is a secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion secondary battery or a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery. In this embodiment, the case in which the energy storage device 14 is a lithium-ion secondary battery is illustrated.
[0029] The energy storage device 14 comprises a module stack 16 and a pair of end plates 18 that apply a restraining load to the module stack 16 in the stacking direction of the module stack 16. In this specification, the vertical direction coincides with the stacking direction of the module stack 16. The energy storage device 14 is held between the pair of end plates 18 and then compressed by a press machine 12 while being held between a restraining jig 10. Although not shown in the illustration, bolts are inserted through through holes formed in each of the pair of end plates 18 and screwed with nuts, thereby maintaining the compressed state of the energy storage device 14.
[0030] Although not shown in the diagram, the module stack 16 comprises a plurality of energy storage modules (bipolar batteries) and a plurality of conductive plates stacked on the energy storage modules. The energy storage modules are formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the stacking direction. The energy storage modules and conductive plates are held together by end plates to form the module stack 16 as a unit.
[0031] [Overall structure of restraint jig 10] The restraint jig 10 is composed of a pair of left and right ladders 20. Each ladder 20 is composed of a pair of upper and lower restraint parts 22 configured to clamp the energy storage device 14 in the vertical direction, and a plurality of support parts 24 connecting the pair of restraint parts 22 in the vertical direction. The pair of ladders 20 have the same configuration and are arranged opposite each other in the left and right direction. The energy storage device 14 is placed between the pair of ladders 20.
[0032] The pair of restraint parts 22 are composed of an upper restraint part 26 (hereinafter referred to as "upper restraint part 26") and a lower restraint part 28 (hereinafter referred to as "lower restraint part 28"). The upper restraint part 26 and the lower restraint part 28 are each formed in the shape of an elongated rectangular prism and extend in the front-rear direction.
[0033] The lower ends of each of the multiple support columns 24 are fixed to the lower restraint portion 28. The upper restraint portion 26 also has through holes 30 (see Figure 2) corresponding to each support column 24. The upper restraint portion 26 is movable vertically because each support column 24 is inserted through each through hole 30.
[0034] Each support column 24 is provided with a compression coil spring 32, which acts as a biasing element that biases the upper restraint portion 26 upward. More specifically, each support column 24 is inserted through each compression coil spring 32. The upper end of the compression coil spring 32 is fixed to the lower surface 26A of the upper restraint portion 26. On the other hand, the lower end of the compression coil spring 32 is fixed to the upper surface 28B of the lower restraint portion 28. In this way, the upper restraint portion 26 is biased away from the lower restraint portion 28 by the multiple compression coil springs 32. Note that the compression coil springs 32 do not have to be provided on all support columns 24. For example, the compression coil springs 32 may be provided only on the support column 24 to which the ratchet mechanism 40, described later, is provided. Also, the compression coil springs 32 do not have to be provided on the support columns 24. For example, they may be provided between a pair of restraint portions 22 between adjacent support columns 24.
[0035] Here, the press machine 12 is composed of a press body 34 and a pair of left and right protrusions 36 that protrude in the left and right directions, respectively. The press body 34 is equipped with a main press surface 34A, and the main press surface 34A is configured to press the upper surface of the upper end plate 18 of the energy storage device 14. As an example, the main press surface 34A is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view.
[0036] Each of the pair of protrusions 36 is formed in a triangular prism shape with a triangular cross-section when viewed from the front or back. The upper surface 26B of the upper restraint portion 26 of the restraint jig 10 is pressed by the lower sub-press surface 36A of the protrusion 36. The vertical dimension between the main press surface 34A of the press machine 12 and the sub-press surface 36A of the protrusion 36 is approximately the same as the height of the upper restraint portion 26. As a result, as the main press surface 34A of the press machine 12 presses the energy storage device 14, the sub-press surface 36A of the protrusion 36 pushes the upper restraint portion 26 downward. In other words, as the energy storage device 14 is compressed by the press machine 12, the upper restraint portion 26 follows the upper end plate 18 of the energy storage device 14.
[0037] Figure 2 shows a plan view of the restraint jig 10 with the energy storage device 14 set between a pair of ladders 20. The press machine 12 is not shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, each upper restraint portion 26 has six through holes 30 that penetrate vertically. Each support column 24 is inserted through these through holes 30. The number of through holes 30 is not limited to the above.
[0038] In each upper restraint portion 26, of the six support columns 24 inserted through it, two support columns 24 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the upper restraint portion 26 and two support columns 24 located in the center in the longitudinal direction are provided with a ratchet mechanism 40, which will be described later. Note that the position and number of ratchet mechanisms 40 are not limited to those described above.
[0039] [Ratchet mechanism 40] Figure 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main parts around the ratchet mechanism, taken from the front and showing a cross-section cut along line 3-3 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the ratchet mechanism 40 is composed of a pair of left and right claws 42 provided on the support column 24 side, and three grooves 44 formed in the through hole 30 of the upper restraint portion 26. The ratchet mechanism 40 also includes an upper stopper 46 fixed to the upper end peripheral edge of the through hole 30 and a lower stopper 48 fixed to the lower end peripheral edge of the through hole 30. Furthermore, the ratchet mechanism 40 includes a cylindrically formed covering ring 50. The support column 24 is inserted through the through hole 30 of the upper restraint portion 26, the upper stopper 46, the lower stopper 48, and the covering ring 50, respectively.
[0040] (Groove 44) Each groove 44 is formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the through hole 30, for example. Each groove 44 is formed in a triangular shape when viewed in cross-section from the front or back direction. Each groove 44 is formed to become shallower towards the top. The three grooves 44 are formed side by side in the vertical direction at 1 mm intervals. The number and spacing of the grooves 44 are not limited to the above. Also, the shape of the grooves 44 is not limited to an annular shape. For example, multiple grooves may be formed in pairs on the left and right sides.
[0041] (Claw portion 42) A through-hole 24A is formed in the support column 24, extending in the left-right direction. A pair of claw portions 42 are inserted through the through-hole 24A of the support column 24, connected by a compression coil spring 52. The compression coil spring 52 is positioned along the through-hole 24A, and the left and right pair of claw portions 42 are biased by the compression coil spring 52 to move away from each other. Each pair of claw portions 42 is formed in a roughly triangular prism shape when viewed in cross-section from the front-rear direction, and each has an inclined surface 42A that slopes downward as it extends outward. Note that the shape of the pair of claw portions is not limited to a triangular prism shape. For example, the inclined surfaces of the pair of claw portions may be formed in an arc shape when viewed from the front.
[0042] Figure 4 shows how the pair of restraining parts 22 are narrowed by the press machine 12. As shown in Figure 4, when the pair of restraining parts 22 are narrowed and the energy storage device 14 is compressed, as shown in Figure 5, the pair of claws 42 in the ratchet mechanism 40 catch on one of the grooves 44 (the uppermost groove 44 in Figure 5) and lock in place, and the upper restraining part 26 is fixed to the support column 24.
[0043] (Upper stopper 46) As shown in Figure 3, the upper stopper 46 is composed of a large-diameter portion 46A and a small-diameter portion 46B. The outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 46A is larger than the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 46B. The inner diameters of the large-diameter portion 46A and the small-diameter portion 46B are the same. The small-diameter portion 46B is inserted from above into the through-hole 30 of the upper restraint portion 26. The large-diameter portion 46A is provided along the upper surface 26B of the upper restraint portion 26 at the upper end peripheral edge of the through-hole 30.
[0044] (Lower stopper 48) Similarly, the lower stopper 48 is composed of a large-diameter portion 48A and a small-diameter portion 48B. The outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 48A is larger than the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 48B. The inner diameters of the large-diameter portion 48A and the small-diameter portion 48B are the same. The small-diameter portion 48B is inserted from below into the through-hole 30 of the upper restraint portion 26. The large-diameter portion 48A is provided along the lower surface 26A of the upper restraint portion 26 at the lower end peripheral edge of the through-hole 30. The inner circumferential surface 48C of the lower stopper 48 is capable of locking a pair of claw portions 42 when the compression coil spring 52 is compressed. In this embodiment, as an example, the upper stopper 46 and the lower stopper 48 are assumed to have a vertically symmetrical shape.
[0045] (Covering 50) The covering ring 50 is formed such that the inner diameter of its inner circumferential surface 50A is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 46C of the upper stopper 46 and the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 48C of the lower stopper 48. As a result, when the covering ring 50 is pushed upward, it moves upward while disengaging from the pair of claw portions 42, causing the pair of claw portions 42 to engage with the inner circumferential surface 48C of the lower stopper 48.
[0046] Furthermore, the covering 50 is formed such that its outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 46C of the upper stopper 46 and the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 48C of the lower stopper 48. This allows the upper stopper 46 to press the covering 50 downward and the lower stopper 48 to press the covering 50 upward.
[0047] (Operation of this embodiment) Next, the manner in which the restraint jig 10 is used will be described, and through that description, the operation of the restraint jig 10 according to this embodiment will be explained.
[0048] <Standby state> First, although not shown in the diagram, the energy storage device 14 (see Figure 1) is set between a pair of ladders 20 (see Figure 1). At this time, the distance between the lower surface 26A of the upper restraint portion 26 and the upper surface 28B of the lower restraint portion 28 is greater than the initial height of the energy storage device 14. As a result, the energy storage device 14 is smoothly set between the pair of ladders 20. This state is called the standby state.
[0049] <Initial state of restraint> As described above, after the power storage device 14 is set between the pair of ladders 20, the press machine 12 descends. As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the main press surface 34A of the press machine 12 comes into contact with the upper end plate 18 of the power storage device 14, and the sub-press surface 36A of the press machine 12 comes into contact with the upper surface 26B of the upper restraint portion 26. This state is called the initial restraint state. As shown in Figure 3, in the initial restraint state, the pair of claw portions 42 come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 48C of the lower stopper 48. <Compression complete status> As shown in Figure 4, as the press machine 12 descends further, the energy storage device 14 is compressed. Here, the amount of descent of the press machine 12 is calculated based on the initial height of the energy storage device 14 so that after the compression of the energy storage device 14 is complete, the energy storage device 14 is restrained with a predetermined surface pressure. When the press machine 12 descends by the said amount, as shown in Figure 5, the upper restraining part 26 is pushed downward and descends together with the press machine 12.
[0050] At this time, the pair of claw portions 42 are inserted through the through hole 24A of the support column portion 24 and are therefore positioned at a certain height. Thus, when the upper restraining portion 26 moves downward from the initial restraining state shown in Figures 1 and 3, the locking of the pair of claw portions 42 against the inner circumferential surface of the lower stopper 48 is released. As a result, the covering 50 rests on the pair of claw portions 42.
[0051] As the upper restraint portion 26 descends further, the pair of claw portions 42 are locked into the lowest groove portion 44 formed in the through hole 30 (not shown). Here, the groove portion 44 is formed to become shallower as it moves upward. The pair of claw portions 42 are connected by a compression coil spring 52 inside the through hole 24A which penetrates in the left-right direction. Therefore, as the upper restraint portion 26 descends further, the compression coil spring 52 compresses in the left-right direction, and the pair of claw portions 42 are locked into the middle groove portion 44. As the upper restraint portion 26 descends further, the pair of claw portions 42 are locked into the uppermost groove portion 44, as shown in Figure 5. In this way, the press machine 12 has descended by the calculated amount, and the state in which the pair of claw portions 42 are locked into any of the groove portions 44 is called the compression completion state. In this state, the energy storage device 14 is kept compressed by inserting bolts through through holes formed in each of the pair of end plates 18 and screwing them with nuts.
[0052] <Restraint Release State> Next, the manner in which the restraint jig 10 is released from the energy storage device 14 will be described. As shown in Figure 6, when the upper restraint portion 26 descends to its lowest position, the upper restraint portion 26 is returned to its initial position by the restoring force of the compression coil spring 32, as shown in Figure 8.
[0053] More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, when the upper restraint portion 26 descends from the compressed state, the locking of the pair of claw portions 42 to the uppermost groove portion 44 shown in Figure 5 is released. If the upper restraint portion 26 descends further in this state, as shown in Figure 7, the upper surface of the covering 50 comes into contact with the lower surface of the upper stopper 46, and the covering 50 is pushed downward by the upper stopper 46. This position becomes the lowest position of the upper restraint portion 26. At this time, the pair of claw portions 42 are pushed by the covering 50 from above. The pair of claw portions 42 have inclined surfaces 42A and are connected by a compression coil spring 52, so when they receive a downward load from the covering 50 they move toward each other. As a result, the pair of claw portions 42 are locked to the inner circumferential surface of the covering 50. In other words, the covering 50 covers the pair of claw portions 42 from the outside. This state is called the release state.
[0054] <Recovery status> When the pressure on the upper restraint portion 26 by the press machine 12 is released from the release state shown in Figure 7, the upper restraint portion 26 moves upward due to the restoring force of the compression coil spring 32, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. At this time, as shown in Figure 9, the pair of claw portions 42 are locked to the inner circumferential surface 50A of the covering 50 (covered by the covering 50), so they do not get caught in any of the groove portions 44. Therefore, the upper restraint portion 26 can move smoothly upward. This state is called the return state.
[0055] Then, when the upper restraint portion 26 moves to the upper end of the support portion 24, the lower surface of the covering 50 comes into contact with the lower stopper 48, as in Figure 3. At this time, the restoring force of the compression coil spring 32 pushes the covering 50 upward from the lower stopper. As a result, the covering 50 moves above the pair of claw portions 42, and the pushed-up covering 50 disengages from the pair of claw portions 42. At this time, the pair of claw portions 42 are biased away from each other by the compression coil spring 52, and are locked into the inner surface of the lower stopper 48, which has a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the covering 50. As a result, the restraint jig 10 returns to its initial state, and the energy storage device 14 can be removed from the restraint jig 10. Note that the energy storage device 14 shown in Figure 3 is shown in its state before compression.
[0056] Furthermore, according to the restraint jig 10 of this embodiment, the height to which the upper restraint portion 26 is fixed is marked at 1 mm intervals. Therefore, it is possible to easily adjust for initial height variations of approximately plus or minus 1 mm in the energy storage device 14.
[0057] [Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment] In the above embodiment, the restraint jig 10 was described as being composed of a pair of ladders 20, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be composed of four L-shaped ladders in plan view that restrain each of the four corners of the energy storage device 14. Alternatively, for example, the restraint jig 10 may be composed of a single ladder.
[0058] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described as having a pair of restraint parts 22 facing each other in the vertical direction, the pair of restraint parts may also be arranged facing each other in the horizontal direction.
[0059] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described as having a pair of pawl portions 42 of the ratchet mechanism 40 on four of the six support columns 24 provided on each ladder 20, it is not limited to this. For example, the ratchet mechanism 40 may be provided on all six support columns 24. Also, although the through holes 24A were described as being provided on all support columns 24, it is not limited to this, and may be formed only on the support columns 24 on which the pair of pawl portions 42 are provided.
[0060] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described as having three grooves 44 formed in each through hole 30, it is not limited to this, and for example, five grooves 44 may be formed. In this case, it is possible to easily adjust for initial height variations of approximately plus or minus 2 mm in the energy storage device.
[0061] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described as having multiple through holes 30 and each support portion 24 being inserted through each through hole 30, it is not limited to this. For example, each upper restraint portion 26 may have one elongated hole along its longitudinal direction, and a pair of grooves may be formed on both sides of the elongated hole in the short direction.
[0062] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the embodiments described above.
[0063] (Note 1) A bipolar energy storage device including a module stack is configured to be clamped in the stacking direction of the module stack, and a pair of restraints attached to a support column extending in the stacking direction, A ratchet mechanism that fixes at least one of the pair of restraining parts to the support column when the distance between the pair of restraining parts is narrowed, A restraining jig for a bipolar energy storage device. (Note 2) Multiple support columns are provided, The pair of restraining parts are connected vertically by the plurality of support parts, Of the pair of restraining parts, the lower restraining part is fixed to the plurality of support columns. Of the pair of restraining parts, the upper restraining part is provided with a plurality of through holes that penetrate in the vertical direction. The support column is inserted through the through hole, The ratchet mechanism comprises a claw portion provided on at least one of the plurality of support portions, and a plurality of groove portions arranged vertically on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole and formed so as to be able to engage each of the claw portions. A restraining jig for the bipolar energy storage device described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) A biasing portion is provided between the upper restraining portion and the lower restraining portion, which biases the upper restraining portion away from the lower restraining portion. A restraining jig for a bipolar energy storage device according to claim 2. (Note 4) The aforementioned claw portion is provided in a pair, and the pair of claw portions is biased to move away from each other and has an inclined surface that slopes downward as it extends outward. The ratchet mechanism is, An upper stopper fixed to the upper peripheral edge of the through hole, A lower stopper, formed in a cylindrical shape and fixed to the lower end peripheral edge of the through hole, It comprises a cylindrical covering ring that is inserted into the through hole, The covering is configured such that, when pushed in from above by the upper stopper, it can press downward the inclined surfaces of the pair of claws that are locked in the groove and can lock the pair of claws that are separated from the groove and closer to each other to the inner circumferential surface. The lower stopper has an inner circumferential surface with an inner diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the covering and smaller than the outer diameter of the covering. A restraining jig for the bipolar energy storage device described in Appendix 3. (Note 5) The vertical spacing between the aforementioned multiple grooves is approximately 1 mm. Restraint fixture for the bipolar energy storage device described in Appendix 2 to Appendix 4. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0064] 10. Restraint jig for bipolar energy storage devices 14. Bipolar Energy Storage Devices 16-module stack 22 Pair of restraint parts 24 Pillar section 26 Upper restraint part 28 Lower restraint part 30 Through holes 32 Compression coil spring (biasing part) 40 Ratchet Mechanism 42 Pair of claws 42A Slope 44 grooves 46 Upper stopper 48 Lower stopper 48C Inner surface 50 Covering 50A inner surface
Claims
1. A bipolar energy storage device including a module stack is configured to be clamped in the stacking direction of the module stack, and a pair of restraints attached to a support column extending in the stacking direction, A ratchet mechanism that fixes at least one of the pair of restraining parts to the support column when the distance between the pair of restraining parts is narrowed, It has, Multiple support columns are provided, The pair of restraining parts are connected vertically by the plurality of support parts, Of the pair of restraining parts, the lower restraining part is fixed to the plurality of support columns. Of the pair of restraining parts, the upper restraining part is provided with a plurality of through holes that penetrate in the vertical direction. The support column is inserted through the through hole, The ratchet mechanism comprises a claw portion provided on at least one of the plurality of support portions, and a plurality of groove portions arranged vertically on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole and formed so as to be able to engage each of the claw portions. A restraining jig for a bipolar energy storage device.
2. A biasing portion is provided between the upper restraining portion and the lower restraining portion, which biases the upper restraining portion away from the lower restraining portion. A restraining jig for a bipolar energy storage device according to claim 1.
3. The aforementioned claw portion is provided in a pair, and the pair of claw portions is biased to move away from each other and has an inclined surface that slopes downward as it moves outward. The ratchet mechanism is, An upper stopper fixed to the upper peripheral edge of the through hole, A lower stopper, formed in a cylindrical shape and fixed to the lower end peripheral edge of the through hole, It comprises a cylindrical covering ring that is inserted into the through hole, The covering is configured such that, when pushed in from above by the upper stopper, it can press downward the inclined surfaces of the pair of claws that are locked in the groove and can lock the pair of claws that are separated from the groove and approaching each other to the inner circumferential surface. The lower stopper has an inner circumferential surface with an inner diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the covering and smaller than the outer diameter of the covering. A restraining jig for a bipolar energy storage device according to claim 2.
4. The vertical spacing between the aforementioned multiple grooves is approximately 1 mm. A restraining jig for a bipolar energy storage device according to claim 1.