Energy storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device that can improve vibration resistance or impact resistance.SOLUTION: A power storage device 1 includes: a power storage element 100; a holder 200b that is aligned with the power storage element 100 in a first direction and holds the power storage element 100; and a case 300 that includes a case body 310 in which an opening 310a is formed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and which accommodates the power storage element 100 and the holder 200b. The case 300 has a case wall portion 312 or 313 that faces the holder 200b in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and the case wall portion 312 or 313 includes a movement restriction portion 312a or 313a that limits the movement of the holder 200b in the first direction by coming into contact with the holder 200b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power storage device including a power storage element, a holder, and a case.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a power storage device including a power storage element, a holder for holding the power storage element, and a case for housing the power storage element and the holder has been widely known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply device (power storage device) in which a rectangular battery cell (power storage element) and a separator (holder) are housed in an outer case (case).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a power storage device in which a power storage element and a holder are housed in a case, it is desired to restrict the movement of the power storage element and the holder in the case and improve the vibration resistance or shock resistance (resistance to vibration or shock from the outside). However, in a power storage device having the above conventional configuration, the power storage element and the holder may move in the case, and it may not be possible to improve the vibration resistance or shock resistance.

[0005] The present invention has been made by the inventors of the present application newly focusing on the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a power storage device capable of improving the vibration resistance or shock resistance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An energy storage device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an energy storage element, a holder positioned alongside the energy storage element in a first direction and holding the energy storage element, and a case having a case body with an opening formed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the case housing the energy storage element and the holder, the case having a case wall portion facing the holder in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, and the case wall portion having a movement limiting portion that contacts the holder to restrict the movement of the holder in the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The energy storage device according to the present invention can improve vibration resistance or shock resistance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view showing the energy storage element and spacer of the energy storage unit included in the energy storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage element according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the holder according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] These are perspective views and top views showing the configuration of the case body according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] These are a top view and a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the case body and the holder according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the case body and holder according to a modified example 1 of the embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the case body and holder according to a modified example 2 of the embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the case body and holder according to a modified example 3 of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An energy storage device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an energy storage element, a holder positioned alongside the energy storage element in a first direction and holding the energy storage element, and a case having a case body with an opening formed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the case housing the energy storage element and the holder, the case having a case wall portion facing the holder in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, and the case wall portion having a movement limiting portion that contacts the holder to restrict the movement of the holder in the first direction.

[0010] According to this, in the energy storage device, the energy storage element and the holder are housed in a case, the case has a case wall portion that faces the holder in a third direction, and the case wall portion has a movement restricting portion that restricts the movement of the holder in the first direction. In this way, the movement restricting portion provided on the case wall portion restricts the movement of the holder, thereby limiting the movement of the holder within the case. This prevents the energy storage element from moving together with the holder, thus improving the vibration resistance or shock resistance of the energy storage device.

[0011] The case body has a bottom wall positioned to face the second direction and a side wall positioned to face the third direction, and the movement limiting portion may be provided on the side wall.

[0012] According to this, by providing a movement-restricting section on the side wall of the case body, a movement-restricting section that limits the movement of the holder can be easily provided on the case. This makes it easy to realize a configuration that improves the vibration resistance or shock resistance of the energy storage device.

[0013] The movement-restricting portion may be a protrusion inserted into a recess or through-hole formed in the holder, or a recess or through-hole into which a protrusion formed in the holder is inserted.

[0014] According to this, the movement restricting portion provided on the case wall portion is formed as a convex portion inserted into the concave portion or through hole of the holder, or a concave portion or through hole into which the convex portion of the holder is inserted. By inserting the convex portion into the concave portion or through hole, the movement restricting portion can be disposed at a position where it contacts the holder. Therefore, with a simple structure, the movement of the holder within the case can be restricted. Consequently, with a simple structure, the movement of the power storage element held by the holder can be restricted, so that a configuration for improving the vibration resistance or shock resistance of the power storage device can be easily realized.

[0015] The movement restricting portion is the convex portion, and the holder may have the concave portion into which the convex portion fits.

[0016] When forming a concave portion in the case wall portion, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the case wall portion. For this reason, the movement restricting portion of the case wall portion is formed as a convex portion, and a concave portion into which the convex portion fits is formed in the holder. Thereby, the thickness of the case wall portion can be reduced, and thus the space saving of the power storage device can be achieved. Since the convex portion of the case wall portion fits into the concave portion of the holder, the holder can be fixed to the case wall portion, so that the movement of the holder within the case can be restricted not only in the first direction but also in the second and third directions. Thereby, the movement of the power storage element held by the holder can be further restricted, and thus the vibration resistance or shock resistance of the power storage device can be further improved.

[0017] The power storage device further includes another holder that sandwiches the power storage element together with the holder, and the other holder may be thinner than the holder in the thickness in the first direction.

[0018] When a plurality of holders are arranged, it is not necessary to restrict the movement of all the holders with respect to the case. For this reason, other holders other than the holder whose movement is restricted by the movement restricting portion do not need to form a portion that contacts the movement restricting portion, so that the thickness can be reduced. Thereby, the space saving of the power storage device can be achieved.

[0019] Further provided with another power storage element housed in the case and aligned with the power storage element in the third direction, the case wall portion may be a wall disposed between the power storage element and the other power storage element inside the case.

[0020] According to this, the wall between the power storage element aligned in the third direction and the other power storage element is made into the case wall portion having the movement restricting portion. Thereby, since this wall can be utilized to restrict the movement of the holder, there is no need to newly provide a case wall portion having a movement restricting portion, and the movement restricting portion can be easily arranged in the case. Therefore, the space saving of the power storage device can be achieved, and a configuration for improving the vibration resistance or impact resistance of the power storage device can be easily realized.

[0021] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a power storage device according to an embodiment (including a modified example thereof) of the present invention will be described. Each of the embodiments described below shows a comprehensive or specific example. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, manufacturing processes, order of manufacturing processes, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In each figure, dimensions and the like are not strictly illustrated. In each figure, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0022] In the following description and drawings, the direction in which the pair of electrode terminals of an energy storage element are aligned, the direction in which the pair of short sides of the energy storage element's container are opposed, or the direction in which the energy storage unit is aligned is defined as the X-axis direction. The direction in which the pair of long sides of the energy storage element's container are opposed, the thickness direction (flattening direction) of the energy storage element's container, the direction in which the multiple energy storage elements of an energy storage unit are aligned, or the direction in which the energy storage elements and spacers (holders) of an energy storage unit are aligned is defined as the Y-axis direction. The direction in which the electrode terminals of an energy storage element protrude, the direction in which the container body and the container lid of an energy storage element are aligned, the direction in which the case body and the lid of a case are aligned, the direction in which the opening and bottom wall of the case body are opposed, or the vertical direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. These X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions intersect each other (orthogonal in this embodiment). 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.

[0023] 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. When simply referring to the X-axis direction, it refers to either the X-axis positive direction or the X-axis negative direction, or one of them. When referring to one side and the other side of the X-axis direction, it refers to one and the other of the X-axis positive direction and the X-axis negative direction. The same applies to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. In the following, the Y-axis direction will also be called the first direction, the Z-axis direction the second direction, and the X-axis direction the third direction. Expressions indicating relative directions or orientations, such as parallel and orthogonal, include cases where they are not strictly those directions or orientations. For example, two directions being parallel means not only that the two directions are perfectly parallel, but also that they are substantially parallel, i.e., that they include a difference of, for example, a few percent. In the following explanation, when the term "insulation" is used, it means "electrical insulation".

[0024] (Embodiment) [1. Description of Energy Storage Device 1] First, the general configuration of the energy storage device 1 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage device 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, the lid 320 has been removed from the case body 310 of the case 300 in the energy storage device 1. As a result, Figure 1 shows two energy storage units 10 arranged inside the case 300. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the energy storage elements 100 and spacers 200 of the energy storage unit 10 in the energy storage device 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 shows the components of the energy storage unit 10 disassembled, illustrating the two energy storage elements 100 and three spacers 200 (two holders 200a and one holder 200b) located in the center of the energy storage unit 10 in the Y-axis direction.

[0025] The energy storage device 1 is a device that can charge electricity from an external source and discharge electricity to an external source. The energy storage device 1 is used for power storage or power supply purposes. 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, etc.) vehicles. Examples of railway vehicles for electric railways include electric trains, monorails, maglev trains, 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.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the energy storage device 1 comprises an energy storage unit 10 and a case 300 that houses the energy storage unit 10. The energy storage device 1 also includes external terminals (positive external terminal and negative external terminal) for electrically connecting to external devices, but their illustration and description are omitted. In addition to the above components, the energy storage device 1 may also include a circuit board and electrical equipment such as relays for monitoring or controlling the charging and discharging states of the energy storage unit 10.

[0027] The energy storage unit 10 is a battery module (battery pack) having a plurality of energy storage elements 100. The energy storage unit 10 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the Y-axis direction, as the plurality of energy storage elements 100 are arranged alternately with spacers 200 in the Y-axis direction (first direction). In this embodiment, two energy storage units 10 arranged in the X-axis direction are housed inside the case 300. The energy storage unit 10 has a plurality of energy storage elements 100 and a plurality of spacers 200 (holders 200a, 200b, and 200c). The energy storage unit 10 also includes busbars for connecting the energy storage elements 100 in series or parallel, a busbar frame for holding the busbars, and busbars for connecting the energy storage elements 100 to external terminals, but these are not shown in the illustration. The busbars may connect all the energy storage elements 100 in series, or any of the energy storage elements 100 may be connected in parallel and then connected in series, or all the energy storage elements 100 may be connected in parallel.

[0028] The energy storage element 100 is a secondary battery (single cell) capable of charging and discharging electricity, and more specifically, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The energy storage element 100 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape (square, prism) in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, multiple energy storage elements 100 are arranged in line in the Y-axis direction, but the number of energy storage elements 100 arranged is not particularly limited; it may be one, several dozen, or more. The size and shape of the energy storage element 100 are also not particularly limited; it may be an elongated cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, a cylindrical shape, a polygonal prism shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped, etc. The energy storage element 100 is not limited to a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery; it may be a secondary battery other than a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, or it may be a capacitor. The energy storage element 100 may not be a secondary battery, but a primary battery that allows the user to use the stored electricity without charging. The energy storage element 100 may be a battery using a solid electrolyte. The energy storage element 100 may be a pouch-type energy storage element.

[0029] The spacer 200 is a flattened member in the Y-axis direction, positioned alongside the energy storage element 100 in the Y-axis direction, and insulating and / or heat-insulating the energy storage element 100 from other members. The spacer 200 is an insulating or heat-insulating plate positioned in the positive or negative Y-axis direction of the energy storage element 100, and insulating and / or heat-insulating the energy storage elements 100 from each other or from the energy storage element 100 to the case 300. Spacer 200 is formed from insulating materials 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), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), tetrafluoroethylene perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethersulfone (PES), polyamide (PA), ABS resin, or composite materials thereof, or from insulating materials such as mica.

[0030] The spacer 200 has walls on both sides of the energy storage element 100 in the X-axis direction and on both sides of the Z-axis direction, thereby holding the energy storage element 100 and functioning as a holder for positioning the energy storage element 100. For this reason, the spacer 200 positioned at the center position in the Y-axis direction of the energy storage unit 10 (between the two energy storage elements 100 at the center position) is referred to as holder 200b. The spacers 200 positioned at both ends in the Y-axis direction of the energy storage unit 10 (between the end energy storage elements 100 and the case 300) are referred to as holder 200c. The spacer 200 positioned between holder 200b and holder 200c (between the two energy storage elements 100 other than the center position) is referred to as holder 200a. Holders 200a, 200b, and 200c are arranged alternately with the energy storage elements 100. Figure 2 shows a configuration in which two energy storage elements 100, two holders 200a, and one holder 200b are arranged alternately around the holder 200b.

[0031] Specifically, holder 200a is an intermediate holder (intermediate spacer) that holds two energy storage elements 100 arranged on both sides of the holder 200a in the Y-axis direction, with walls on both sides of the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction of the two energy storage elements 100. Similarly, holder 200b is a center plate (center holder or center spacer) that holds two energy storage elements 100 arranged on both sides of the holder 200b in the Y-axis direction, with walls on both sides of the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction of the two energy storage elements 100 (see Figure 2). Holder 200b has the function of increasing the rigidity of the energy storage unit 10 which is long in the Y-axis direction. Holder 200c is an end holder (end spacer) that holds one energy storage element 100 arranged on one side of holder 200c in the Y-axis direction, with walls on both sides of the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction of the one energy storage element 100.

[0032] In other words, the energy storage element 100 located in the center of the energy storage unit 10 in the Y-axis direction is held by holders 200a and 200b (see Figure 2). The energy storage element 100 located at the ends of the energy storage unit 10 in the Y-axis direction is held by holders 200a and 200c. The remaining energy storage elements 100 are held by the two holders 200a. All spacers 200 (holders 200a, 200b, and 200c) may be made of the same material, or any of the spacers 200 may be made of a different material.

[0033] The case 300 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped (box-shaped) container that constitutes the outer casing (shell) of the energy storage device 1. The case 300 is positioned outside the energy storage unit 10, fixing the energy storage unit 10 in a predetermined position and protecting it from impacts, etc. The case 300 is a metal case formed from a metal component such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, iron, or plated steel sheet. In this embodiment, the case 300 is formed from die-cast aluminum (aluminum die-cast). The case 300 may also be formed from an insulating component such as any resin material that can be used for the spacer 200 of the energy storage unit 10.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the case 300 comprises a case body 310 that constitutes the main body of the case 300 and a cover 320 that constitutes the cover of the case 300. The case body 310 is a housing with an opening 310a formed in the Z-axis positive direction (one side of the second direction perpendicular to the first direction) and houses the energy storage unit 10 (energy storage element 100 and spacers 200 (holders 200a, 200b, and 200c)). The cover 320 is a flat rectangular member that closes the opening 310a of the case body 310. The case body 310 has two rectangular openings 310a arranged in the X-axis direction, and after the energy storage unit 10 is inserted through each opening 310a, the case body 310 and the cover 320 are joined by bolts, welding, adhesive, etc. This results in a sealed structure inside the case 300. The case body 310 or the lid 320 may have a terminal block for external terminals (positive external terminal and negative external terminal) attached to it, and the external terminals may be arranged on the terminal block.

[0035] Next, the configuration of the energy storage element 100, the spacer 200 (especially the holder 200b), and the case 300 (especially the case body 310) will be described in detail.

[0036] [1.1 Description of the energy storage element 100] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage element 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the energy storage element 100 shown in Figure 2. Since all of the multiple energy storage elements 100 in the energy storage unit 10 have the same configuration, Figure 3 shows one energy storage element 100, and the configuration of this one energy storage element 100 will be described in detail below.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the energy storage element 100 has a container 110 and a pair of electrode terminals 140 (positive and negative). Inside the container 110 are the electrode body, the pair of current collectors (positive and negative), and the electrolyte (non-aqueous electrolyte). A gasket is placed between the electrode terminals 140 and the current collectors and the container 110, but these are not shown in the illustration. There are no particular restrictions on the type of electrolyte as long as it does not impair the performance of the energy storage element 100, and various types can be selected. The gasket may be made of any material as long as it has insulating properties. In addition to the above components, the energy storage element 100 may also have a spacer placed to the side of the electrode body, an insulating film that encloses the electrode body, etc., and an insulating film (shrink tubing, etc.) that covers the outer surface of the container 110.

[0038] The container 110 is a rectangular parallelepiped (square or box-shaped) case having a container body 120 with an opening and a container lid 130 that closes the opening of the container body 120. The container body 120 is a rectangular cylindrical member with a bottom that constitutes the main body of the container 110, and has an opening on the Z-axis positive side. The container lid 130 is a rectangular plate-shaped member that is long in the X-axis direction and constitutes the lid of the container 110, and is positioned in the Z-axis positive direction of the container body 120. The container lid 130 is provided with a gas discharge valve 131 that releases pressure when the pressure inside the container 110 rises excessively, and an injection part (not shown) for injecting electrolyte into the container 110. The material of the container 110 (container body 120 and container lid 130) is not particularly limited and can be made of weldable (joinable) metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, plated steel sheet, etc., but resin can also be used.

[0039] The container 110 is sealed inside by welding or other means to the container body 120 after the electrode body and other components are housed inside the container body 120. The container 110 has a pair of long sides 111 on both sides in the Y-axis direction, a pair of short sides 112 on both sides in the X-axis direction, and a bottom surface 113 on the Z-axis negative side. The long sides 111 are rectangular planar portions that form the long sides of the container 110 and are positioned opposite adjacent spacers 200 in the Y-axis direction. The long sides 111 are adjacent to the short sides 112 and the bottom surface 113 and have a larger area than the short sides 112. The short sides 112 are rectangular planar portions that form the short sides of the container 110 and are positioned opposite the walls of the spacers 200 and the case 300 in the X-axis direction. The short sides 112 are adjacent to the long sides 111 and the bottom surface 113 and have a smaller area than the long sides 111. The bottom surface 113 is a rectangular flat surface that forms the bottom of the container 110, and is positioned opposite the wall of the spacer 200 and the bottom wall of the case 300 in the Z-axis direction. The bottom surface 113 is positioned adjacent to the long side surface 111 and the short side surface 112.

[0040] The electrode terminals 140 are terminal members (positive and negative electrode terminals) of the energy storage element 100, positioned on the container lid 130. Specifically, the electrode terminals 140 are positioned so as to protrude in the positive Z-axis direction from the upper surface (terminal placement surface) of the container lid 130. The electrode terminals 140 are electrically connected to the positive and negative electrode plates of the electrode body via a current collector. In other words, the electrode terminals 140 are metal members that lead the electricity stored in the electrode body to the external space of the energy storage element 100 and introduce electricity into the internal space of the energy storage element 100 to store electricity in the electrode body. The electrode terminals 140 are made of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, copper alloy, etc.

[0041] The electrode body 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. The separator can be a microporous sheet or nonwoven fabric made of resin. In this embodiment, the electrode body is formed by laminating electrode plates (positive electrode plate and negative electrode plate) in the Y-axis direction. The electrode body may be of any form, such as a wound electrode body formed by winding electrode plates (positive electrode plate and negative electrode plate), a laminated (stacked) electrode body formed by laminating a plurality of flat electrode plates, or a bellows-type electrode body in which the electrode plates are folded in a bellows shape.

[0042] The current collector is a conductive current collector (positive electrode current collector and negative electrode current collector) that is electrically and mechanically connected to the electrode terminals 140 and the electrode body. The positive electrode current collector is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, similar to the positive electrode base layer of the positive electrode plate of the electrode body, and the negative electrode current collector is made of copper or a copper alloy, similar to the negative electrode base layer of the negative electrode plate of the electrode body.

[0043] [1.2 Description of Holder 200b] Next, the configuration of the holder 200b within the spacer 200 will be described in detail. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the holder 200b according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the holder 200b shown in Figure 2.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the holder 200b has similar shapes at both ends in the X-axis direction. In other words, the holder 200b has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a plane passing through the center position and parallel to the YZ plane. The holder 200b includes a holder body 210, a holder wall portion 220, and a protrusion portion 230.

[0045] The holder body 210 is a flat, rectangular portion that constitutes the main body of the holder 200b and is arranged parallel to the XZ plane. The holder body 210 is positioned between the two energy storage elements 100 located in the center of the energy storage unit 10 in the Y-axis direction. The holder body 210 is positioned so as to cover the entire surface of the long side surface 111 of the container 110 of the two energy storage elements 100 that faces the holder body 210, facing the long side surface 111 in the Y-axis direction and in contact with the long side surface 111.

[0046] The holder wall portion 220 is a wall positioned on both sides of the energy storage element 100 in the Z-axis direction and on both sides of the X-axis direction. Specifically, the holder wall portion 220 has a pair of first holder wall portions 221 and 222 positioned on both sides of the energy storage element 100 in the Z-axis direction (second direction), and a pair of second holder wall portions 223 and a pair of second holder wall portions 224 positioned on both sides of the energy storage element 100 in the X-axis direction (third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions).

[0047] The first holder wall portion 221 is a flat plate-shaped portion that protrudes in the Y-axis direction from the Z-axis positive end of the holder body 210 and is arranged parallel to the XY plane. Specifically, a pair of first holder wall portions 221 are arranged at both ends of the holder 200b in the X-axis direction, protruding in both directions in the Y-axis direction from both ends of the Z-axis positive end of the holder body 210. The first holder wall portion 221 is arranged along the container lid portion 130 of the container 110 of the energy storage element 100 in the Z-axis positive direction of the energy storage element 100. More specifically, the first holder wall portion 221 is arranged opposite the container lid portion 130 in the Z-axis direction at both ends of the energy storage element 100 in the X-axis direction, so as to cover approximately half of the container lid portion 130 on the Y-axis positive side or the Y-axis negative side.

[0048] The first holder wall portion 222 is a flat plate-shaped portion that protrudes in the Y-axis direction from the Z-axis negative end of the holder body 210 and extends in the X-axis direction, and is arranged parallel to the XY plane. Specifically, the first holder wall portion 222 is arranged extending in the X-axis direction, protruding on both sides in the Y-axis direction, from one end to the other in the X-axis direction at the Z-axis negative end of the holder body 210. The first holder wall portion 222 is arranged along the bottom surface 113 of the container 110 of the energy storage element 100 in the Z-axis negative direction. More specifically, the first holder wall portion 222 is arranged facing the bottom surface 113 in the Z-axis direction, so as to cover approximately half of the bottom surface 113 on the Y-axis positive side or the Y-axis negative side, from one end to the other in the X-axis direction of the bottom surface 113.

[0049] The second holder wall portion 223 is a flat plate-shaped portion that protrudes in the Y-axis direction from the X-axis end and Z-axis positive end of the holder body 210, and is arranged parallel to the YZ plane. Specifically, a pair of second holder wall portions 223 are arranged at both ends of the holder 200b in the X-axis direction, protruding on both sides in the Y-axis direction from the Z-axis positive ends of both ends of the holder body 210 in the X-axis direction. The second holder wall portion 223 is arranged along the short side 112 of the container 110 of the energy storage element 100. More specifically, the second holder wall portion 223 is arranged opposite the short side 112 in the X-axis direction at the Z-axis positive ends on both sides of the energy storage element 100 in the X-axis direction, so as to cover approximately half of the Y-axis positive side or the Y-axis negative side of the short side 112.

[0050] The second holder wall portion 224 is a flat plate-shaped portion that protrudes in the Y-axis direction from the X-axis end and Z-axis negative end of the holder body 210, and is arranged parallel to the YZ plane. Specifically, a pair of second holder wall portions 224 are arranged at both ends of the holder 200b in the X-axis direction, protruding on both sides in the Y-axis direction from the Z-axis negative ends of both ends of the holder body 210 in the X-axis direction. The second holder wall portion 224 is arranged along the short side 112 of the container 110 of the energy storage element 100. More specifically, the second holder wall portion 224 is arranged opposite the short side 112 in the X-axis direction at the Z-axis negative ends on both sides of the energy storage element 100 in the X-axis direction, so as to cover approximately half of the Y-axis positive side or the Y-axis negative side of the short side 112.

[0051] In this way, the holder wall portion 220 is positioned to cover the four corners of the energy storage element 100 located at both ends in the Z-axis direction and both ends in the X-axis direction. As a result, the holder 200b holds the energy storage element 100.

[0052] The protrusions 230 are parts that restrict the movement of the holder 200b in the Y-axis direction (first direction) by contacting the case 300. A pair of protrusions 230 are provided on both sides of the holder 200b in the X-axis direction. The protrusion 230 in the X-axis positive direction is a flat plate-shaped projection that protrudes in the X-axis positive direction from the X-axis positive end of the holder body 210 and extends in the Z-axis direction. The protrusion 230 in the X-axis negative direction is a flat plate-shaped projection that protrudes in the X-axis negative direction from the X-axis negative end of the holder body 210 and extends in the Z-axis direction. Each protrusion 230 has a plane (flat surface) parallel to the XZ plane that faces the case 300 in a Y-axis orientation and contacts the case 300 in the Y-axis direction on both sides in the Y-axis direction. In Figure 4, the convex portion 230 has multiple recesses arranged in the Z-axis direction, but these recesses do not need to be formed, or instead of these recesses, through holes may be formed that penetrate the convex portion 230 in the Y-axis direction and used for purposes such as passing cooling gas (air) through them.

[0053] [1.3 Description of Case Body 310] Next, the configuration of the case body 310 of the case 300 will be described in detail. Figure 5 is a perspective view and a top view showing the configuration of the case body 310 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 5(a) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the case body 310, and Figure 5(b) is a top view showing the configuration when the central part of the case body 310 in the Y-axis direction shown in Figure 5(a) is viewed from the Z-axis positive direction. Figure 6 is a top view and a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the case body 310 and the holders 200a and 200b according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 6(a) is a top view showing the state in which the energy storage element 100 and the holders 200a and 200b are arranged in the case body 310. Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration when the protrusion 230 of the holder 200b shown in Figure 6(a) and the movement limiting portion 312a of the case body 310 are cut by a plane parallel to the XY plane. Since the case body 310 has the same configuration in the positive X-axis direction and the negative X-axis direction, Figure 6 illustrates the positive X-axis direction, and the following explanation of Figure 6 will be given with respect to that positive X-axis direction.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, the case body 310 has a bottom wall 311 and case wall portions 312, 313, and 314. In other words, the case body 310 has a bottom wall 311 on the bottom surface in the negative Z-axis direction (the other side of the second direction), a pair of case wall portions 312 on the side surfaces on both sides in the X-axis direction, a case wall portion 313 in the center in the X-axis direction, and a pair of case wall portions 314 on the side surfaces on both sides in the Y-axis direction. The case body 310 is a single component in which the bottom wall 311, the two case wall portions 312, the case wall portion 313, and the two case wall portions 314 are integrated. That is, the case body 310 is integrally formed as a single component (single part) by integral molding using aluminum die casting or the like.

[0055] The bottom wall 311 is a flat, rectangular wall portion parallel to the XY plane and elongated in the Y-axis direction, positioned with its main surface facing the Z-axis direction (second direction), forming the bottom surface of the case body 310. The bottom wall 311 is positioned opposite the energy storage unit 10 (energy storage element 100 and spacers 200 (holders 200a, 200b, and 200c)) in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the bottom wall 311 is positioned in the Z-axis direction of the energy storage unit 10 so as to cover the entire surface of the Z-axis negative direction of the energy storage unit 10, and supports the energy storage unit 10 from the Z-axis negative direction. The bottom wall 311 is positioned adjacent to the case wall portions 312, 313, and 314.

[0056] The case wall portion 312 is a flat, rectangular wall portion (side wall) that is parallel to the YZ plane and elongated in the Y-axis direction, with its main surface facing the X-axis direction (third direction), forming the X-axis side surface (long side surface) of the case body 310. The case wall portion 312 is a wall portion that rises in the Z-axis positive direction from the X-axis end of the bottom wall 311, and is positioned opposite the energy storage unit 10 (energy storage element 100 and spacers 200 (holders 200a, 200b, and 200c)) in the X-axis direction (third direction). The case wall portion 312 is adjacent to the bottom wall 311 and the case wall portion 314. In this embodiment, two case wall portions 312 are positioned opposite each other at both ends of the case body 310 in the X-axis direction. The case wall portion 312 in the X-axis positive direction is positioned in the X-axis positive direction of the energy storage unit 10 so as to cover the entire surface of the X-axis positive direction of the energy storage unit 10 in the X-axis positive direction. The case wall portion 312 in the negative X-axis direction is positioned in the negative X-axis direction of the energy storage unit 10 so as to cover the entire surface of the energy storage unit 10 in the negative X-axis direction.

[0057] The case wall 313 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped wall that is elongated in the Y-axis direction and is positioned with its main surface facing the X-axis direction (third direction), partitioning the space inside the case body 310. The case wall 313 is a wall that rises from the center of the bottom wall 311 in the X-axis direction in the Z-axis direction, and is positioned opposite the energy storage unit 10 (energy storage element 100 and spacers 200 (holders 200a, 200b, and 200c)) in the X-axis direction (third direction). Specifically, the case wall 313 is positioned between two energy storage units 10 that are aligned in the X-axis direction. In other words, the energy storage device 1 comprises an energy storage element 100 and other energy storage elements 100 housed in the case 300 and aligned with the energy storage element 100 in the X-axis direction (third direction). The case wall 313 is a wall positioned inside the case 300 between the energy storage element 100 and the other energy storage elements 100. As a result, the case wall portion 313 is positioned in the negative X-axis direction of the energy storage unit 10 so as to cover the entire surface of the energy storage unit 10 in the negative X-axis direction, which is in the positive X-axis direction. The case wall portion 313 is positioned in the positive X-axis direction of the energy storage unit 10 so as to cover the entire surface of the energy storage unit 10 in the positive X-axis direction, which is in the negative X-axis direction. The case wall portion 313 is adjacent to the bottom wall 311 and the case wall portion 314.

[0058] The case wall portion 314 is a flat, rectangular wall portion (side wall) that is parallel to the XZ plane and elongated in the X-axis direction, with its main surface facing the Y-axis direction (first direction), forming the Y-axis side (short side) of the case body 310. The case wall portion 314 is a wall portion that rises in the Z-axis positive direction from the Y-axis end of the bottom wall 311, and is positioned opposite the energy storage unit 10 (holder 200c of the spacer 200) in the Y-axis direction (first direction). The case wall portion 314 is adjacent to the bottom wall 311, and the case wall portions 312 and 313. In this embodiment, two case wall portions 314 are positioned opposite each other at both ends of the case body 310 in the Y-axis direction. The case wall portion 314 in the Y-axis positive direction is positioned in the Y-axis positive direction of the energy storage unit 10 (holder 200c) so as to cover almost the entire surface of the Y-axis positive direction of the energy storage unit 10 (holder 200c). The case wall portion 314 in the negative Y-axis direction is positioned in the negative Y-axis direction of the energy storage unit 10 (holder 200c) so as to cover almost the entire surface of the energy storage unit 10 (holder 200c in the negative Y-axis direction).

[0059] With the above configuration, the case body 310 has an opening 310a that opens toward the Z-axis positive direction (one side of the second direction). In other words, the two case wall sections 312, case wall section 313, and two case wall sections 314 form two openings 310a aligned in the X-axis direction. The opening 310a is a rectangular opening that is elongated in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and is positioned opposite the bottom wall 311 of the case body 310. The opening 310a is positioned opposite the energy storage unit 10 in the Z-axis direction and is formed to a size that allows the energy storage unit 10 to pass through in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the opening 310a is an opening on the Z-axis positive side of the case body 310.

[0060] The case wall portion 312 has a movement-restricting portion 312a that contacts the holder 200b and restricts the movement of the holder 200b in the Y-axis direction (first direction). In this embodiment, the movement-restricting portion 312a is a recess formed on the surface of the case wall portion 312 facing the energy storage unit 10, and is recessed in the X-axis direction. That is, in the case wall portion 312 in the X-axis positive direction, the movement-restricting portion 312a, which is a recess recessed in the X-axis positive direction, is formed on the surface in the X-axis negative direction. In the case wall portion 312 in the X-axis negative direction, the movement-restricting portion 312a, which is a recess recess recessed in the X-axis negative direction, is formed on the surface in the X-axis positive direction. The movement-restricting portion 312a is a rectangular recess (groove) when viewed from the Z-axis direction, extending in the Z-axis direction from one end to the other of the case wall portion 312 in the Z-axis direction, in the Y-axis central part of the case wall portion 312. The movement limiting portion 312a has planes (flat surfaces) parallel to the XZ plane on both inner surfaces in the Y-axis direction, and these surfaces face the protrusion 230 of the holder 200b when oriented in the Y-axis direction, and contact the protrusion 230 in the Y-axis direction (see Figure 6).

[0061] Similarly, the case wall portion 313 has a movement-restricting portion 313a that contacts the holder 200b to restrict the movement of the holder 200b in the Y-axis direction (first direction). In this embodiment, the movement-restricting portion 313a is a recess formed on the surface of the case wall portion 313 facing the energy storage unit 10, and is recessed in the X-axis direction. That is, a movement-restricting portion 313a, which is a recess recessed in the X-axis direction, is formed on the surface of the case wall portion 313 in the X-axis positive direction, and a movement-restricting portion 313a, which is a recess recess recessed in the X-axis positive direction, is formed on the surface in the X-axis negative direction. The movement-restricting portion 313a is a rectangular recess (groove) when viewed from the Z-axis direction, extending in the Z-axis direction from one end to the other of the case wall portion 313 in the Z-axis direction, in the Y-axis central part of the case wall portion 313. The movement-restricting portion 313a has planes (flat surfaces) parallel to the XZ plane on both inner surfaces in the Y-axis direction, and these surfaces face the protrusion 230 of the holder 200b when oriented in the Y-axis direction, and contact the protrusion 230 in the Y-axis direction (see Figure 6).

[0062] As described above, the movement-restricting portions 312a and 313a are provided on the side walls (case wall portions 312 and 313) located on the sides of the power storage unit 10 in the case body 310, and restrict the movement of the holder 200b in the Y-axis direction by contacting the protrusions 230 of the holder 200b in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, a pair of protrusions 230 of the holder 200b are inserted into the movement-restricting portions 312a and 313a. In this embodiment, the pair of protrusions 230 are press-fitted into the movement-restricting portions 312a and 313a, so that the movement-restricting portions 312a and 313a and the pair of protrusions 230 fit together.

[0063] When the protrusion 230 is inserted (fitted) into the movement-restricting portion 312a or 313a, the opposing surfaces of the movement-restricting portion 312a or 313a and the protrusion 230 in the Y-axis direction come into contact, thereby restricting the movement of the holder 200b in the Y-axis direction (first direction). In this embodiment, the movement-restricting portion 312a or 313a is in contact with the protrusion 230 on both sides in the Y-axis direction, restricting the movement of the holder 200b in both sides in the Y-axis direction. The movement-restricting portion 312a or 313a does not necessarily have to be in contact with the protrusion 230 in the Y-axis direction; it is sufficient that it is positioned near the protrusion 230 in the Y-axis direction (there may be a small gap between it and the protrusion 230). Even in this case, the movement-restricting portion 312a or 313a can restrict the movement of the holder 200b in the Y-axis direction if the holder 200b moves slightly in the Y-axis direction and comes into contact with the protrusion 230 (when contact occurs). Thus, the movement limiting portion 312a or 313a only needs to be configured to restrict the movement of the holder 200b (perform positioning) when it comes into contact with the protrusion 230. The movement limiting portion 312a or 313a can also be described as a positioning portion that positions the holder 200b in the Y-axis direction.

[0064] In this embodiment, the energy storage device 1 includes a holder 200a, which is another holder that sandwiches the energy storage element 100 between holder 200b. Holder 200a is thinner in the Y-axis direction (first direction) than holder 200b (see Figures 2 and 6, etc.). In other words, holder 200b has a protrusion 230, but holder 200a does not have a protrusion 230, so holder 200a can be formed to be thinner in the Y-axis direction than holder 200b. Specifically, the holder body of holder 200a is thinner in the Y-axis direction than the holder body 210 of holder 200b. As a result, the distance between the two energy storage elements 100 sandwiching holder 200a is smaller than the distance between the two energy storage elements 100 sandwiching holder 200b (see Figure 6).

[0065] Furthermore, holder 200b has its protrusion 230 inserted into the case wall 312 or 313 and is positioned overlapping with the case wall 312 or 313 in the X-axis direction, whereas holder 200a is positioned spaced apart from the case wall 312 or 313 in the X-axis direction. In other words, holder 200a does not contact the case wall 312 and 313, and a gap is formed between it and the case wall 312 and 313. Similarly, holder 200c is positioned spaced apart from the case wall 312 or 313 in the X-axis direction.

[0066] The energy storage unit 10 having a holder 200b and the like as described above is housed in a case 300 in the following manner to manufacture the energy storage device 1. First, the energy storage unit 10 is constructed by stacking multiple energy storage elements 100 and multiple spacers 200 (holders 200a, 200b, and 200c) with the holder 200b as the base. Next, the energy storage unit 10 is compressed in the Y-axis direction using a jig with the holder 200b as the base. Here, the long side 111 of the energy storage element 100 may bulge in the Y-axis direction depending on the amount and composition of the electrode body and electrolyte housed inside. The spacers 200 are made of resin and may have elastic deformable shapes, such as the corrugated tin shape of holder 200a, or ribs formed on the holder body 210 of other holders 200c that face the Y-axis direction. At this time, the bulge of the multiple energy storage elements 100 or the elastically deformable portion of the spacer 200 is compressed. Next, while maintaining the compressed state of the energy storage unit 10, the protrusion 230 of the holder 200b and the movement-restricting portions 312a and 313a of the case wall portions 312 and 313 of the case body 310 are aligned, and the energy storage unit 10 is inserted into the case body 310. After the energy storage unit 10 has been inserted into the case body 310, the compressed state of the energy storage unit 10 is released and the jig is removed. As a result, the bulge of the compressed multiple energy storage elements 100 or the elastically deformable portion of the spacer 200 returns to its original state, and the energy storage unit 10 extends in the Y-axis direction and is housed inside the case body 310. Before or after the energy storage unit 10 is inserted into the case body 310, busbars and busbar frames are arranged around the multiple energy storage elements 100. Then, the case body 310 and the lid 320 are joined together, the energy storage unit 10 is housed in the case 300, and the energy storage device 1 is manufactured.

[0067] [2. Explanation of Effects] As described above, according to the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the energy storage element 100 and the holder 200b are housed in a case 300, and the case 300 has case wall portions 312 and 313 that face the holder 200b in a third direction (X-axis direction). The case wall portions 312 and 313 have movement restricting portions 312a and 313a that restrict the movement of the holder 200b in a first direction (Y-axis direction). In this way, the movement restricting portions 312a and 313a provided on the case wall portions 312 and 313 restrict the movement of the holder 200b, thereby restricting the movement of the holder 200b within the case 300. This prevents the energy storage element 100 from moving together with the holder 200b, and thus improves the vibration resistance or shock resistance of the energy storage device 1.

[0068] The movement-restricting sections 312a and 313a allow the holder 200b to be positioned relative to the case 300, thereby improving the positioning of the energy storage element 100 and the holder 200b when inserting them into the case 300. In particular, the energy storage unit 10 has a long length in the Y-axis direction and is difficult to position relative to the case 300, so the improvement in positioning is highly effective. Since the movement of the holder 200b within the case 300 can be restricted without providing joining members such as bolts and nuts, there is no need for space to place joining members, nor is there space to place tools for joining the joining members, thus saving space in the energy storage device 1. The same applies to the following sections.

[0069] By providing movement-restricting sections 312a and 313a on the side walls (case wall sections 312 and 313) of the case body 310, movement-restricting sections 312a and 313a that restrict the movement of the holder 200b can be easily provided on the case 300. This makes it easy to realize a configuration that improves the vibration resistance or shock resistance of the energy storage device 1.

[0070] The movement-restricting portions 312a and 313a provided on the case walls 312 and 313 are recesses into which the protrusions 230 of the holder 200b are inserted. By inserting the protrusions 230 into the recesses that serve as the movement-restricting portions 312a and 313a, the movement-restricting portions 312a and 313a can be positioned to contact the holder 200b, thus restricting the movement of the holder 200b within the case 300 with a simple configuration. Therefore, since the movement of the energy storage element 100 held in the holder 200b can be restricted with a simple configuration, a configuration that improves the vibration resistance or shock resistance of the energy storage device 1 can be easily realized.

[0071] The protrusions 230 of the holder 200b are press-fitted (fitted) into the movement-restricting portions 312a and 313a of the case walls 312 and 313, thereby fixing the holder 200b to the case walls 312 and 313. As a result, the movement of the holder 200b within the case 300 can be restricted not only in the first direction (Y-axis direction), but also in the second direction (Z-axis direction) and the third direction (X-axis direction). This restricts the movement of the energy storage element 100 held in the holder 200b, thereby improving the vibration resistance or shock resistance of the energy storage device 1.

[0072] When multiple holders 200a, 200b, and 200c are arranged, it is not necessary to restrict the movement of all holders 200a, 200b, and 200c relative to the case 300. Therefore, holders 200a other than holder 200b whose movement is restricted by the movement restriction parts 312a and 313a do not need to have a part (protrusion 230) that comes into contact with the movement restriction parts 312a and 313a, and thus their thickness can be reduced. This makes it possible to save space in the energy storage device 1. Similarly, holder 200c may also be made thinner than holder 200b.

[0073] The wall (case wall portion 313) between the energy storage elements 100 aligned in the third direction (X-axis direction) and other energy storage elements 100 is made into a case wall portion having a movement-restricting portion 313a. As a result, this wall (case wall portion 313) can be used to restrict the movement of the holder 200b, eliminating the need to newly provide a case wall portion with a movement-restricting portion 313a, and allowing the movement-restricting portion 313a to be easily arranged in the case 300. Therefore, the space of the energy storage device 1 can be reduced, and a configuration that improves the vibration resistance or shock resistance of the energy storage device 1 can be easily realized.

[0074] [3 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 the above embodiment. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the scope of the present invention includes all modifications in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the movement-restricting portions 312a and 313a of the case 300 are recesses into which the protrusions 230 of the holder 200b are inserted, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The movement-restricting portions 312a or 313a may be protrusions inserted into recesses or through holes formed in the holder 200b, or recesses or through holes into which the protrusions formed in the holder 200b are inserted. Specific examples of modifications 1 to 3 will be described below.

[0076] (Variation 1) Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the case body 310A and holder 201 according to Modification 1 of this embodiment. Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 6(b). In Figure 7, the part corresponding to the movement limiting part 312a in the above embodiment is shown, and the same applies to the part corresponding to the movement limiting part 313a.

[0077] As shown in Figure 7, in this modified example, the case body 310A has a movement limiting portion 312b instead of the movement limiting portion 312a of the case body 310 in the above embodiment. In this modified example, the holder 201 has a protrusion 231 instead of the protrusion 230 of the holder 200b in the above embodiment. The other configurations of this modified example are the same as in the above embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0078] The movement limiting portion 312b is a through hole that penetrates the case wall portion 312A in the X-axis direction. The protrusion 231 is a projection that protrudes from the holder body 210 in the positive X-axis direction and passes through the through hole that constitutes the movement limiting portion 312b. The protrusion 231 has a male thread formed at its end in the positive X-axis direction and is connected to a nut 231a. The protrusion 231 may also be configured without a nut 231a, simply passing through the through hole that constitutes the movement limiting portion 312b. The length of the movement limiting portion 312b and the protrusion 231 in the Z-axis direction is not particularly limited.

[0079] (Modification 2) Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the case body 310B and holder 202 according to a modified example 2 of this embodiment. Figure 8 corresponds to Figure 6(b). In Figure 8, the part corresponding to the movement limiting part 312a in the above embodiment is shown, and the same applies to the part corresponding to the movement limiting part 313a.

[0080] As shown in Figure 8, in this modified example, the case body 310B has a movement limiting portion 312c instead of the movement limiting portion 312a of the case body 310 in the above embodiment. In this modified example, the holder 202 has a recess 232 instead of the protrusion 230 of the holder 200b in the above embodiment. The other configurations of this modified example are the same as in the above embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0081] The movement-restricting portion 312c is a protrusion that extends from the case wall portion 312B in the negative X-axis direction. The recess 232 is a recess formed by the positive X-axis end of the holder body 210 being recessed in the negative X-axis direction, into which the protrusion serving as the movement-restricting portion 312c is inserted. In this modified example, the movement-restricting portion 312c is press-fitted into the recess 232, causing the recess 232 and the movement-restricting portion 312c to fit together. The lengths of the movement-restricting portion 312c and the recess 232 in the Z-axis direction are not particularly limited.

[0082] (Variation 3) Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the case body 310C and holder 203 according to modification 3 of this embodiment. Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 6(b). In Figure 9, the part corresponding to the movement limiting part 312a in the above embodiment is shown, and the same applies to the part corresponding to the movement limiting part 313a.

[0083] As shown in Figure 9, in this modified example, the case body 310C has a movement limiting portion 312d instead of the movement limiting portion 312a of the case body 310 in the above embodiment. In this modified example, the holder 203 has a recess 233 instead of the protrusion 230 of the holder 200b in the above embodiment. The other configurations of this modified example are the same as in the above embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0084] The movement-restricting portion 312d is a protrusion that extends through the through-hole 312e formed in the case wall portion 312C and protrudes from the case wall portion 312C in the negative X-axis direction, with a male screw formed at its end in the negative X-axis direction. The recess 233 is a recess formed at the X-axis-positive end of the holder body 210 in the negative X-axis direction, with a female screw formed inside, to which the male screw of the movement-restricting portion 312d is connected.

[0085] As described above, the energy storage device 1 according to this modified example can achieve the same effects as the embodiment described above. In particular, in Modified Example 1, the movement limiting portion 312b provided in the case wall portion 312A is a through hole into which the protrusion 231 of the holder 201 is inserted. As a result, by inserting the protrusion 231 into the through hole that serves as the movement limiting portion 312b, the movement limiting portion 312b can be positioned in contact with the holder 201. In Modified Examples 2 and 3, the movement limiting portions 312c and 312d provided in the case wall portions 312B and 312C are protrusions that are inserted into the recesses 232 and 233 of the holders 202 and 203. As a result, by inserting the protrusions that serve as the movement limiting portions 312c and 312d into the recesses 232 and 233, the movement limiting portions 312c and 312d can be positioned in contact with the holders 202 and 203. Therefore, the movement of holders 202 and 203 within the case 300 can be restricted with a simple configuration. Consequently, the movement of the energy storage elements 100 held by holders 202 and 203 can be restricted with a simple configuration, making it easy to realize a configuration that improves the vibration resistance or shock resistance of the energy storage device 1. In modified examples 2 and 3, the recesses 232 and 233 may be through holes.

[0086] As in the above embodiment, when recesses (movement-restricting portions 312a, 313a) are formed in the case wall portions 312, 313, the thickness of the case wall portions 312, 313 needs to be increased. In contrast, in Modification 1, a through hole is formed in the case wall portion 312A, and in Modification 2, the movement-restricting portion 312c of the case wall portion 312B is made into a protrusion, and a recess 232 is formed in the holder 202 into which the protrusion fits. As a result, the thickness of the case wall portions 312A, 312B can be reduced, thereby saving space in the energy storage device 1. Since the protrusion of the case wall portion 312B fits into the recess 232 of the holder 202, the holder 202 can be fixed to the case wall portion 312B, so that the movement of the holder 202 within the case 300 can be restricted not only in the first direction (Y-axis direction) but also in the second direction (Z-axis direction) and the third direction (X-axis direction). This further restricts the movement of the energy storage element 100 held in the holder 202, thereby further improving the vibration resistance or shock resistance of the energy storage device 1. In Modification 1, the same applies as in Modification 2 when the holder 201 is fixed to the case wall 312A. The same applies to Modification 3 as in Modification 2.

[0087] In the above modified example, the movement-restricting portion of the case 300 and the holder only need to have a shape that can restrict the movement of the holder in the Y-axis direction relative to the case 300 by contacting each other, and can take various shapes other than those described above. The movement-restricting portion may be a protrusion that contacts a protrusion of the holder, two protrusions that sandwich the holder in the Y-axis direction, or a stepped portion that contacts the holder. These can also achieve the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0088] (Other variations) In the above embodiment, the movement-restricting portion 312a or 313a of the case 300 is formed on the case wall portion 312 or 313 of the case body 310, but it is sufficient for it to be formed on the side wall (case wall portion) of the case 300. In other words, the movement-restricting portion 312a or 313a may be formed on the side wall (case wall portion) provided on the lid 320. Multiple movement-restricting portions 312a (or multiple movement-restricting portions 313a) may be formed on the case wall portion of the case 300 for one holder 200b to restrict the movement of the holder 200b.

[0089] In the above embodiment, two energy storage units 10 arranged in the X-axis direction are housed inside the case 300. However, three or more energy storage units 10 arranged in the X-axis direction may be housed, or only one energy storage unit 10 may be housed. If only one energy storage unit 10 is housed inside the case 300, the case 300 will have a pair of case wall portions 312 on which movement-restricting portions 312a are formed, without having a case wall portion 313. Multiple energy storage units 10 arranged in the Y-axis direction may be housed inside the case 300. If multiple energy storage units 10 are housed in the case 300, movement-restricting portions 312a, etc. may be arranged corresponding to each of the multiple energy storage units 10, or movement-restricting portions 312a, etc. may not be arranged for any of the energy storage units 10.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the case body 310 has sufficient height in the Z-axis direction to house the energy storage unit 10, and is configured so that the energy storage unit 10 is not exposed when viewed from the XY plane, but this is not essential. The case body 310 may have a height of about two-thirds or half of the energy storage unit 10 in the Z-axis direction to house the portion of the energy storage unit 10 in the negative Z-axis direction, and leave the portion of the energy storage unit 10 in the positive Z-axis direction exposed. In this case, the lid 320 may have a height of about one-third or half of the energy storage unit 10 in the Z-axis direction to house the portion of the energy storage unit 10 in the positive Z-axis direction.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the holder 200b is provided with a pair of first holder wall portions 221 and 222 and a pair of second holder wall portions 223 and a pair of second holder wall portions 224, but it is not limited to having all of these wall portions. The holder 200b can hold the energy storage element 100 by having at least one of these wall portions.

[0092] In the above embodiments and modifications, the Y-axis oriented surfaces of the movement-restricting portions 312a, 312b, etc., the protrusions 230, 231, and the recesses 232, 233 were described as flat surfaces parallel to the XZ plane perpendicular to the Y-axis, but this is not essential. The movement-restricting portions 312a, 312b, etc., the protrusions 230, 231, and the recesses 232, 233 may be flat surfaces inclined from a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis. Furthermore, the movement-restricting portions 312a, 312b, etc., the protrusions 230, 231, and the recesses 232, 233 may have shapes such as wavy, uneven, or zigzag when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0093] In the above embodiment, holder 200a is thinner than holder 200b, but it may be thicker than holder 200b, or it may be the same thickness as holder 200b.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the holder 200b of all energy storage units 10 is assumed to have the above configuration, but it is not necessary for the holder 200b of any of the energy storage units 10 to have the above configuration. In the holder 200b, it is assumed that both sides in the X-axis direction have the above configuration, but it is not necessary for one side in the X-axis direction to have the above configuration.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the holder 200b has the above configuration in which its movement is restricted by the case 300, but the holder 200a or holder 200c may have the same above configuration as the holder 200b. In this case, the case 300 is provided with a movement restricting part 312a or the like corresponding to the holder 200a or holder 200c.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the spacers 200 (holders 200a, 200b, and 200c) are arranged alternately in the Y-axis direction with respect to the energy storage element 100, but a configuration in which none of the spacers 200 are arranged is also possible. A configuration in which only one spacer 200 (holder 200a, 200b, or 200c) is arranged is also possible.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the case 300 is assumed to have a case body 310 and a lid 320, but it is not necessary to have a lid 320.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the energy storage unit 10 may include restraining members (end plates, side plates, etc.) that restrain a plurality of energy storage elements 100 and spacers 200.

[0099] The present invention also includes forms constructed by arbitrarily combining the components of the above embodiments and their variations. [Industrial applicability]

[0100] This invention can be applied to energy storage devices equipped with energy storage elements such as lithium-ion secondary batteries. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0101] 1. Energy storage device 10 Energy storage units 100 energy storage elements 110 Container 111 Long side 112 short side 113 Bottom 140 Electrode terminal 200 Spacer 200a, 200b, 200c, 201, 202, 203 holders 210 Holder body 220 Holder wall 221, 222 First holder wall 223, 224 Second holder wall 230, 231 Convex part 231a Nut 232, 233 recesses 300 cases 310, 310A, 310B, 310C Case Body 310a aperture 311 Bottom wall 312, 312A, 312B, 312C, 313, 314 Case wall section 312a, 312b, 312c, 312d, 313a Movement restriction section 312e through hole 320 Lid

Claims

1. Energy storage element, A holder that is aligned with the energy storage element in the first direction and holds the energy storage element, The case comprises a case body having an opening formed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a case for housing the energy storage element and the holder, The case has a case wall portion that faces the holder in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, The case wall portion has a movement limiting portion that contacts the holder to restrict the movement of the holder in the first direction, The aforementioned holder is, The energy storage element has at least one of a first holder wall portion arranged in the second direction and a second holder wall portion arranged in the third direction. Energy storage device.

2. A storage element and A holder that is aligned with the energy storage element in the first direction and holds the energy storage element, The case comprises a case body having an opening formed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a case for housing the energy storage element and the holder, The case has a case wall portion that faces the holder in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, The case wall portion has a movement limiting portion that contacts the holder to restrict the movement of the holder in the first direction, The movement-restricting portion is a protrusion that is inserted into a recess or through hole formed in the holder, or a recess or through hole into which the protrusion formed in the holder is inserted. Energy storage device.

3. The movement-restricting portion is the convex portion, The holder has the recess into which the protrusion fits. The energy storage device according to claim 2.

4. A power storage element, A holder that is aligned with the energy storage element in the first direction and holds the energy storage element, The case comprises a case body having an opening formed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a case for housing the energy storage element and the holder, The case has a case wall portion that faces the holder in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, The case wall portion has a movement limiting portion that contacts the holder to restrict the movement of the holder in the first direction, The system further comprises another holder that sandwiches the energy storage element between the aforementioned holders, The other holder is thinner in the first direction than the holder. Energy storage device.

5. A storage element and A holder that is aligned with the energy storage element in the first direction and holds the energy storage element, The case comprises a case body having an opening formed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a case for housing the energy storage element and the holder, The case has a case wall portion that faces the holder in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, The case wall portion has a movement limiting portion that contacts the holder to restrict the movement of the holder in the first direction, The case further comprises other energy storage elements housed in the aforementioned case and arranged in the third direction alongside the energy storage element, The case wall is a wall positioned inside the case between the energy storage element and the other energy storage elements. Energy storage device.

6. The case body has a bottom wall positioned facing the second direction and a case wall portion which is a side wall positioned facing the third direction, The movement-restricting portion is provided on the case wall portion, which is the side wall. The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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