Power storage device

Abstract

A power storage device according to the present embodiment is characterized by comprising: at least one power storage element; a terminal member aligned with the at least one power storage element in a predetermined direction; a connecting body that connects to the at least one power storage element in an electrically conductive manner and that performs electrical input and output to and from the outside; and a plurality of coupling parts that fix the connecting body to the terminal member, the plurality of coupling parts including at least one resin coupling part.

Description

Power storage device

[0001] The present invention relates to an electricity storage device including an electricity storage element.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a battery pack device that includes a plurality of battery cells (single cells), spacer members that space the battery cells apart, a case that is a housing that houses all the battery cells together with the spacer members, and a plurality of bus bars that electrically connect the battery cells (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this battery pack device, the bus bars function as external output terminals and are connected to a terminal block 900. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 , this terminal block 900 is composed of a mounting base 901 and a pressing member 902.

[0004] A groove 901a is formed in approximately the center of the mounting base 901, and through holes 901b and 901c are provided at both ends of the top surface, with the groove 901a in between, and a screw hole 901d that becomes a female screw is formed in the bottom surface of the groove 901a.

[0005] The pressing member 902 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate, and has through holes 902a, 902b at both ends of the pressing member 902, with a through hole 902c also provided in the center between them. The pressing member 902 is placed on the mounting table 901 so as to intersect with the groove 901a, and in this state, the through hole 902a is positioned on the same line as the through hole 901b, the through hole 902b is positioned on the same line as the through hole 901c, and the through hole 902c is positioned on the same line as the screw hole 901d.

[0006] Here, a through hole H1 is formed at the end of bus bar 905A, and a through hole H2 is also formed at the end of external bus bar 905C. Bus bar 905A and external bus bar 905C are electrically connected via terminal block 900. First, through hole H1 of bus bar 905A is aligned with screw hole 901d in groove 901a of mounting base 901, the end of bus bar 905A is fitted into groove 901a of mounting base 901, and pressing member 902 is placed on top of it. Thereafter, two screws 906 and 907 are passed through through holes 902a and 902b of pressing member 902 and through holes 901b and 901c of mounting base 901, respectively, and threaded into female-threaded screw holes (not shown) formed on the surface of upper case 910, thereby fixing terminal block 900 to the surface of upper case 910.

[0007] Next, in the above-described state, the through hole H2 of the external bus bar 905C is aligned with the through hole 902c of the pressing member 902, and the end of the external bus bar 905C is placed on the pressing member 902. Next, the screw 908 is passed through the through hole 902c of the pressing member 902 and further through the through hole H1 of the bus bar 905A, and is threaded into the screw hole 901d of the mounting base 901. As a result, the bus bar 905A and the external bus bar 905C are fastened and fixed to the mounting base 901 by the screw 908 via the pressing member 902.

[0008] When removing the terminal block 900 from the case when disassembling the battery pack device configured as described above, it is cumbersome to remove each of the multiple small screws 906, 907, and 908. Even when removing the screws 906, 907, and 908 by breaking them, the work of breaking them is time-consuming because each of the multiple screws 906, 907, and 908 is made of metal.

[0009] JP 2012-134092 A

[0010] The present embodiment aims to provide an electricity storage device that is easy to disassemble.

[0011] The energy storage device of this embodiment comprises at least one energy storage element; a terminal member aligned in a predetermined direction with the at least one energy storage element; a connector electrically connected to the at least one energy storage element and performing electrical input / output with the outside; and a plurality of connecting parts that fix the connector to the terminal member, wherein the plurality of connecting parts include at least one connecting part made of resin.

[0012] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an electricity storage device that is easy to disassemble.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric storage device according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electric storage device, with some of the configuration omitted. FIG. 3 is a view of a termination member included in the electric storage device, as viewed from the X-axis direction. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the termination member. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the termination member. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a view of a connector as viewed from the X-axis direction. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connector when the cover member is in the closed position. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connector when the cover member is in the closed position. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the connector when the cover member is in the open position. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 7. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the connector and its surrounding area, as viewed from one side in the Z-axis direction. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a view illustrating the attachment direction of the connector to the termination member. FIG. 15 is a view illustrating the attachment direction of the connector to the termination member. Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the configuration of a conventional terminal block and the state in which bus bars are connected, and Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block with the bus bars connected.

[0014] (1) The energy storage device according to this embodiment comprises at least one energy storage element; a terminal member aligned in a predetermined direction with the at least one energy storage element; a connector electrically connected to the at least one energy storage element for electrical conductivity and for electrical input and output with the outside; and a plurality of connecting portions for fixing the connector to the terminal member, wherein the plurality of connecting portions include at least one connecting portion made of resin.

[0015] According to this configuration, at least one of the plurality of connecting portions is a connecting portion made of resin that can be easily broken or otherwise broken using a cutting tool such as nippers, making it easier to disassemble the electricity storage device.

[0016] (2) In the energy storage device described in (1) above, the connector may have a conductive terminal and a resin connector body that holds the terminal, the at least one resin connecting portion may be formed by a protrusion extending from the connector body, the termination member may have a through hole at a position corresponding to the protrusion, and the protrusion extending from the connector body may engage with the peripheral portion of the through hole when inserted into the through hole of the termination member.

[0017] According to this configuration, since the convex portion that constitutes the connecting portion is made of resin, the convex portion can be easily broken or the like.

[0018] (3) In the energy storage device described in (1) or (2) above, the energy storage device may include an extension member extending in the predetermined direction along the at least one energy storage element, and a connecting member connecting the end member and the extension member, wherein the end member is arranged between the at least one energy storage element and the connector in the predetermined direction, and is arranged in a position where part or all of the connector overlaps with the end member when viewed from the predetermined direction, and part or all of the connecting member is located between the end member and the connector and is arranged in a position where it overlaps with the connector when viewed from the predetermined direction, and one of the plurality of connecting parts has a through shaft part that penetrates the connector and the end member in the through direction and extends in the through direction, and connects the connector and the end member so that the connector can rotate relative to the end member around the through shaft part as a rotation center.

[0019] With this configuration, the connection between the termination member and the extension member can be released without releasing all of the connections made by the multiple connection portions, making it easier to disassemble the energy storage device. That is, in the energy storage device, the connection member is hidden by the connector body, but if the connection portion having the through shaft portion is left and the connections made by the other connection portions are released, the connector can be rotated around the through shaft portion relative to the termination member to expose the connection member. This makes it easier for workers to access the connection member, making it easier to release the connection between the termination member and the extension member.

[0020] (4) In the power storage device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, the plurality of connecting portions may include at least one connecting portion made of metal.

[0021] In this way, by including a plurality of connecting portions made of resin and a plurality of connecting portions made of metal, it becomes easier to strike a balance between ease of disassembly and ensuring connecting strength.

[0022] (5) In the energy storage device described in (4) above, the at least one metal connecting portion may be a rivet, and the at least one resin connecting portion may connect the connector and the terminal member, thereby positioning the portions of the connector and the terminal member that are connected by the rivet.

[0023] This configuration facilitates assembly of the energy storage device. That is, when assembling the energy storage device, by connecting the connector and the terminal member with at least one resin connecting part, the portions of the connector and the terminal member that are to be connected by the rivet are positioned relative to each other, making it easier to connect them by the rivet.

[0024] (6) In the energy storage device described in any one of (1) to (5) above, three or more of the connecting portions may be arranged, and the three or more connecting portions may include three or more types of connecting portions having different configurations.

[0025] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 15. Note that the names of the components in this embodiment are those used in this embodiment and may differ from the names of the components in the background art.

[0026] 1 and 2 , the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment includes at least one energy storage element 10, a termination member 41 aligned with the at least one energy storage element 10, at least one connector 5 electrically conductively connected to the at least one energy storage element 10 and performing electrical input / output with the outside, and a plurality of coupling portions 6 that fix the connector 5 to the termination member 41. Specifically, the energy storage device 1 includes a plurality of energy storage elements 10 aligned in a predetermined direction, a plurality of adjacent members 2 adjacent to the energy storage element 10 in the predetermined direction, a holding member 4 having the termination member 41 and holding the plurality of energy storage elements 10 and the plurality of adjacent members 2, at least one connector 5, and a plurality of coupling portions 6. The energy storage device 1 also includes a first fastening member B that fixes the at least one adjacent member 2 to the holding member 4, at least one insulator 7 that insulates between the plurality of energy storage elements 10 and the holding member 4, and a plurality of bus bars 8 that electrically conductively connect different energy storage elements 10 to each other or between the connector 5 and the energy storage element 10.

[0027] Each of the plurality of energy storage elements 10 is a primary battery, a secondary battery, a capacitor, or the like. The energy storage element 10 of this embodiment is a chargeable and dischargeable non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. More specifically, the energy storage element 10 is a lithium ion secondary battery that utilizes electron transfer that occurs with the transfer of lithium ions.

[0028] Specifically, each energy storage element 10 comprises an electrode body, a case 11 that houses the electrode body together with an electrolyte, an external terminal 14 that is partially or entirely exposed to the outside of the case 11, and a current collector that connects the electrode body and the external terminal 14.

[0029] In the electrode assembly, positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween. Lithium ions move between the positive electrodes and negative electrodes in this electrode assembly, thereby charging and discharging the energy storage element 10.

[0030] The case 11 has a case body 12 having an opening, and a plate-like cover plate 13 that closes the opening of the case body 12. The case body 12 has a rectangular tubular shape with one end in the opening direction closed (i.e., a rectangular tubular shape with a bottom), and the case 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape (six-sided shape).

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

[0032] The closing portion 121 is a portion located at the lower end of the case body 12 when the case body 12 is placed with the opening facing upward (i.e., it forms the bottom wall of the case body 12 when the opening faces upward). The closing portion 121 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the normal direction of the closing portion 121.

[0033] The body 122 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, more specifically, a flattened rectangular cylindrical shape. The body 122 has a pair of long wall portions 123 extending from the long sides of the periphery of the closing portion 121, and a pair of short wall portions 124 extending from the short sides of the periphery of the closing portion 121. In the body 122, the short wall portions 124 connect corresponding ends of the pair of long wall portions 123 to each other, thereby forming the rectangular cylindrical body 122.

[0034] The cover plate 13 is a plate-shaped member that closes the opening of the case body 12. In this embodiment, the cover plate 13 is rectangular. The case 11 is formed by joining the cover plate 13 to the case body 12 with the peripheral edge of the cover plate 13 overlapping the peripheral edge of the opening of the case body 12.

[0035] The case 11 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the energy storage elements 10 are arranged in the predetermined direction with the wide surfaces (long wall portions 123) of the case 11 facing each other.

[0036] The external terminals 14 are portions that are electrically connected to external terminals of other energy storage elements or external devices, etc. The external terminals 14 are formed of a conductive material. For example, the external terminals 14 are formed of a metal material with high weldability, such as an aluminum-based metal material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or a copper-based metal material such as copper or a copper alloy. The energy storage element 10 of this embodiment has two external terminals 14, which are arranged at both longitudinal ends of the cover plate 13.

[0037] In the following description, the direction in which multiple storage elements 10 are arranged (predetermined direction) is the X-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system, the direction in which the short wall portions 124 of the case 11 face each other is the Y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system, and the direction in which the cover plate 13 and the blocking portion 121 face each other is the Z-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system.

[0038] The adjacent members 2 are insulating and are arranged between the energy storage elements 10 lined up in the X-axis direction, or between the energy storage elements 10 and a member (in this embodiment, a part of the holding member 4) lined up in the X-axis direction relative to the energy storage elements 10. The adjacent members 2 in this embodiment are made of resin. The adjacent members 2 form flow paths R between adjacent energy storage elements 10 through which a temperature-regulating fluid (in this embodiment, a gas such as air) can flow. The energy storage device 1 in this embodiment includes a plurality of adjacent members 2, and these plurality of adjacent members 2 include a plurality of types of adjacent members 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0039] Specifically, the multiple adjacent members 2 include a first adjacent member 2A arranged between two adjacent energy storage elements 10, a second adjacent member 2B arranged between the adjacent energy storage elements 10 and fixed to the holding member 4, and a third adjacent member 2C adjacent to the energy storage element 10 between the holding member 4 and the energy storage element 10 at the end in the X-axis direction. That is, the energy storage device 1 includes the first adjacent member 2A, the second adjacent member 2B, and the third adjacent member 2C as adjacent members 2. The energy storage device 1 of this embodiment includes multiple first adjacent members 2A, one second adjacent member 2B, and two (a pair) third adjacent members 2C. Each of these multiple first adjacent members 2A is arranged between each energy storage element 10 except for between the energy storage elements 10 where the second adjacent member 2B is arranged.

[0040] The holding member 4 surrounds the plurality of energy storage elements 10 and the plurality of adjacent members 2, thereby holding the plurality of energy storage elements 10 and the plurality of adjacent members 2 together. The holding member 4 is made of a conductive material such as a metal.

[0041] Specifically, the holding member 4 has a pair of end members 41 arranged on both sides of the multiple energy storage elements 10 (a stack of energy storage elements 10) in the X-axis direction, extension members 42 extending in the X-axis direction along the multiple energy storage elements 10, and connecting members 43 connecting the end members 41 and the extension members 42. More specifically, the holding member 4 of this embodiment has a pair of extension members 42, which are arranged on both sides of the multiple energy storage elements 10 in the Y-axis direction and connect the pair of end members 41. The holding member 4 of this embodiment has a plurality of connecting members 43.

[0042] Each of the pair of end members 41 is arranged so as to sandwich the third adjacent member 2C between itself and the energy storage device 10 arranged at the end (outermost) in the X-axis direction. As also shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 , each of the pair of end members 41 is a rectangular plate of a size corresponding to the energy storage device 10, and has connecting through holes 41a at its four corners that penetrate in the X-axis direction. That is, the end member 41 has four connecting through holes 41a. These four connecting through holes 41a are used to connect the end member 41 and the extension member 42.

[0043] Specifically, each end member 41 has a first member 410 and a second member 415 aligned in a direction approaching the energy storage device 10 in the X-axis direction, and has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the Y-axis direction as viewed from the X-axis direction. Each end member 41 of this embodiment has a plurality of fixing portions 419 extending from the first member 410 along the X-axis direction.

[0044] The first member 410 has a plate-shaped first member body 411 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and a flange portion 412 that extends from the first member body 411 in a direction away from the energy storage device 10 in the X-axis direction.

[0045] The first member main body 411 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the energy storage device 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction, specifically a rectangular shape that is elongated in the Y-axis direction. This first member main body 411 has first connection through holes 4111 that penetrate in the X-axis direction at its four corners (i.e., each corner of the rectangle) (see FIGS. 4 and 6 ). That is, the first member main body 411 has four first connection through holes 4111. The first member main body 411 has two fixing portion through holes 4112 that penetrate in the X-axis direction, located closer to the center C (inner) than the first connection through holes 4111 at both ends of the first member main body 411 in the Y-axis direction. These two fixing portion through holes 4112 are arranged diagonally apart from each other in the first member main body 411.

[0046] The flange portion 412 is a plate-shaped portion that extends from one end (upper in FIG. 3 ) of the first member body 411 in the Z-axis direction away from the energy storage device 10 in the X-axis direction and also extends in the Y-axis direction. The flange portion 412 has a first through hole 4121, a second through hole 4122, and a third through hole 4123 arranged in this order from one end (the end where the connector 5 is arranged: the left end in the example shown in FIG. 4 ) in the Y-axis direction to the other end. The flange portion 412 of this embodiment has a fourth through hole 4124 at a position closer to the other end than the third through hole 4123. Each of the through holes 4121, 4122, 4123, and 4124 penetrates in the Z-axis direction.

[0047] The flange 412 has a first notch 4125 between the first through hole 4121 and the second through hole 4122 in the Y-axis direction, which is cut out so as to be recessed in a direction approaching the energy storage element 10 in the X-axis direction, and a second notch 4126 cut out from the fourth through hole 4124 to the other end in the Y-axis direction. In this first notch 4125, the depth in the recess direction (dimension in the X-axis direction) decreases as it approaches the second through hole 4122 from the first through hole 4121.

[0048] The first through hole 4121 is a circular hole (so-called racetrack-shaped) that is long in the Y-axis direction, and a portion 61 of the connector 5 (see FIG. 13 ) is press-fitted into the first through hole 4121. The second through hole 4122 is a circular hole, and a member 63 that connects the connector 5 to the termination member 41 is inserted into the first through hole 4121. The third through hole 4123 is a square-shaped hole, and the peripheral edge of the third through hole 4123 in the flange 412 (the peripheral edge of the through hole) engages with the portion 62 of the connector 5. The fourth through hole 4124 is a square-shaped hole that is larger than the third through hole 4123.

[0049] The second member 415 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the first member main body 411 of the first member 410 when viewed in the X-axis direction, specifically, a rectangular outline elongated in the Y-axis direction, and is overlapped on the first member 410. The second member 415 extends along the first member main body 411. This second member 415 has second connecting through holes 4161 penetrating in the X-axis direction at its four corners (i.e., at each corner of the rectangle) (see FIGS. 4 and 6 ). That is, the second member 415 has four second connecting through holes 4161. Each of these four second connecting through holes 4161 overlaps with a corresponding first connecting through hole 4111 located at the four corners of the first member main body 411 when viewed in the X-axis direction. As a result, the first connecting through holes 4111 of the first member main body 411 and the second connecting through holes 4161 of the second member 415 are connected in the X-axis direction to form the connecting through holes 41a of the end member 41.

[0050] The second member 415 has a plurality of (two in this embodiment) protrusions 4162 that protrude in the X-axis direction toward the energy storage device 10. Each of these protrusions 4162 extends in the Y-axis direction and is spaced apart in the Z-axis direction. The protrusions 4162 in this embodiment are formed by drawing.

[0051] The multiple fixing portions 419 have shaft portions 4191 that extend (in other words, protrude) from the first member main body 411 through fixing portion through holes 4112 in a direction away from the energy storage device 10 in the X-axis direction, and head portions 4192 that extend from the shaft portions 4191 in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction between the first member 410 and the second member 415 in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 6 ). The head portions 4192 are larger than the fixing portion through holes 4112. The shaft portions 4191 have male threads on their circumferential surfaces. The fixing portions 419 are used to secure the energy storage device 1 when the energy storage device 1 is mounted on a vehicle, device, or the like.

[0052] Returning to Figures 1 and 2, each of the pair of extension members 42 has an extension member main body 420 facing the short wall portion 124 of each storage element 10, a first piece portion 421 extending from one end of the extension member main body 420 in the Z-axis direction along the Y-axis direction along the cover plate 13 of each storage element 10 and also extending in the X-axis direction, a second piece portion 422 extending from the other end of the extension member main body 420 in the Z-axis direction along the blocking portion 121 of each storage element 10 and also extending in the X-axis direction, and a pair of third pieces 423 extending from each end of the extension member main body 420 in the X-axis direction along the terminal member 41 in the Y-axis direction and also extending in the Z-axis direction.

[0053] The extension member main body 420 is in the form of a plate that extends along the short wall portion 124 of each storage element 10, and has a plurality of through holes 4201 that penetrate in the Y-axis direction to allow the temperature adjustment fluid to flow into or out of each flow path R.

[0054] The first piece 421 is strip-shaped and elongated in the X-axis direction, and its dimension (width) in the Y-axis direction is constant at every position excluding both ends in the X-axis direction. The second piece 422 is strip-shaped and elongated in the X-axis direction, and its dimension (width) in the Y-axis direction is constant at every position excluding both ends in the X-axis direction. In the Y-axis direction, the width of the second piece 422 is greater than the width of the first piece 421. Each of the pair of third pieces 423 has two through holes 4231 spaced apart in the Z-axis direction. Each through hole 4231 is located at a position corresponding to the connecting through hole 41a of the end member 41 (a through hole connecting the first connecting through hole 4111 of the first member main body 411 and the second connecting through hole 4161 of the second member 415).

[0055] Each of the plurality of connecting members 43 fastens the end member 41 and the extension member 42 together by being inserted through the connecting through-hole 41 a of the end member 41 and the through-hole 4231 of the extension member 42 (more specifically, the third piece 423). Each connecting member 43 in this embodiment is constituted by a bolt 431 and a nut 432.

[0056] At least one connector 5 is electrically conductively connected to the energy storage element 10 (more specifically, the external terminal 14 of the energy storage element 10) and performs electrical input / output with the outside. The energy storage device 1 of this embodiment includes two connectors: a connector 5 that receives input from the outside, and a connector 5 that outputs to the outside. These two connectors 5 have the same configuration, so the configuration of one connector 5 will be described below.

[0057] 7 to 11 , the connector 5 has a conductor portion 51 that is electrically connected to the energy storage element 10 (more specifically, the external terminal 14), a connector main body 52 that holds the conductor portion 51, and a first coupling portion (coupling portion) 61 (see FIG. 13 ) and a second coupling portion (coupling portion) 62 that couple the connector main body 52 to the termination member 41. The connector 5 of this embodiment has a cover member 56 that prevents the conductor portion 51 from coming into contact with people during storage, transportation, installation, etc. of the energy storage device 1.

[0058] The conductor portion 51 has a terminal portion 511 for connection to an external device, etc., and a connection portion 512 for directly or indirectly connecting the terminal portion 511 to the external terminal 14 of the storage element so as to be electrically conductive, and is made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0059] The connecting portion 512 has a first plate-like portion 5121 extending in a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, a second plate-like portion 5122 extending in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and a bent portion 5123 connecting an end portion of the first plate-like portion 5121 on the side opposite (outside of) the energy storage element 10 in the X-axis direction to one end portion in the Z-axis direction of the second plate-like portion 5122. The connecting portion 512 of this embodiment is formed by bending the longitudinal center portion of a plate-like member having a predetermined shape.

[0060] The first plate-shaped portion 5121 is a portion to which the bus bar 8 is connected and is a rectangular portion that is elongated in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the first plate-shaped portion 5121 is connected to a bus bar 8 that is electrically connected to the external terminal 14 of the energy storage element 10 that is located at the end in the X-axis direction among the multiple energy storage elements 10 lined up in the X-axis direction. The second plate-shaped portion 5122 is a portion to which the terminal portion 511 is disposed and has a through-hole that penetrates through the center in the X-axis direction. In the second plate-shaped portion 5122, an inner peripheral surface 5122a (see FIG. 11 ) that defines this through-hole is tapered so that the diameter decreases with increasing distance from the energy storage element 10 in the X-axis direction.

[0061] The terminal portion 511 has a shaft portion 5111 extending in the X-axis direction, and a fixing portion 5112 extending from one end of the shaft portion 5111 in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis.

[0062] The shaft portion 5111 extends in the X-axis direction from the second plate-shaped portion 5122 while being inserted into a through-hole (a through-hole defined by an inner peripheral surface 5122a) of the second plate-shaped portion 5122. The shaft portion 5111 in this embodiment is cylindrical, and has a male thread formed on its peripheral surface.

[0063] The fixing portion 5112 has a shape corresponding to the inner circumferential surface 5122a of the second plate-shaped portion 5122, and is fixed to the second plate-shaped portion 5122 (more specifically, the inner circumferential surface 5122a). The fixing portion 5112 in this embodiment has a tapered shape corresponding to the inner circumferential surface 5122a (i.e., a shape whose diameter increases as it approaches the energy storage element 10 in the X-axis direction).

[0064] 12 and 13 , the connector main body 52 is attached to the termination member 41 while holding the conductor portion 51. The connector main body 52 is made of an insulating material such as resin, and provides insulation between the conductor portion 51 and the termination member 41. Specifically, the connector main body 52 has a first portion 53 that is partially or entirely located between the first plate-like portion 5121 and the flange portion 412 in the Z-axis direction, and a second portion 54 that is partially or entirely located between the second plate-like portion 5122 and the first member main body 411 in the X-axis direction. The connector main body 52 is attached to one end of the flange portion 412 in the Y-axis direction (the end on the side of the first through-hole 4121).

[0065] The first portion 53 has a first portion main body 531 that extends along the first plate-shaped portion 5121 and holds the first plate-shaped portion 5121, and an engaging portion 532 that extends from the first portion main body 531 and engages with the end of the flange portion 412 in the Y-axis direction.

[0066] The first section main body 531 has an abutment surface 5311 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and abuts against the flange 412. When viewed from the Z-axis direction, this first section main body 531 is disposed in a position that overlaps with the region from one end of the flange 412 in the Y-axis direction (the end on the side of the first through hole 4121) to the third through hole 4123. The first section main body 531 has a connecting through portion 5312 that penetrates in the Z-axis direction at one end in the Y-axis direction (the side closer to the center C in the Y-axis direction of the terminal member 41). When viewed from the Z-axis direction, this connecting through portion 5312 is disposed in a position that overlaps with the second through hole 4122 of the flange 412.

[0067] The engaging portion 532 is a hook-shaped portion extending from the first portion main body 531 when viewed in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the engaging portion 532 has a first extending portion 5321 extending from the first portion main body 531 toward the other side of the Z-axis direction, passing through a position adjacent to the edge of the flange 412 in the Y-axis direction, and a second extending portion 5322 extending from the first extending portion 5321 in the Y-axis direction along a surface of the flange 412 facing the other side of the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 532 has a plurality of ridges 5323 that protrude from the outer surfaces (surfaces opposite the flange 412) of the first extending portion 5321 and the second extending portion 5322, extend from one end of the first extending portion 5321 in the Z-axis direction to the tip of the second extending portion 5322, and are spaced apart in the X-axis direction. These multiple ridges 5323 ensure the strength of the engaging portion 532.

[0068] The second portion 54 has a second portion main body 541 that extends along the second plate-shaped portion 5122 and holds the second plate-shaped portion 5122, and a holding portion 542 that rotatably holds the cover member 56.

[0069] The second portion main body 541 has a base 5411 extending in the Z-axis direction from the first portion main body 531 along the second plate-shaped portion 5122, and a pair of wall portions 5412 extending in the X-axis direction from the base 5411 on both sides of the second plate-shaped portion 5122 in the Y-axis direction.

[0070] The base 5411 extends from one end of the abutment surface 5311 of the first portion main body 531 in the X-axis direction toward the other end in the Z-axis direction and also extends in the Y-axis direction. Each of the pair of wall portions 5412 extends in the X-axis direction from a position on the base 5411 spaced apart from the second plate-shaped portion 5122 in the Y-axis direction and also extends in the Z-axis direction. The dimension of the pair of wall portions 5412 in the X-axis direction is greater than the dimension from the second plate-shaped portion 5122 to the tip of the terminal portion 511 (more specifically, the shaft portion 5111). A retaining portion 542 is disposed at the tip of one of the pair of wall portions 5412 (the left wall portion in FIG. 10 ) in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the retaining portion 542 has a cylindrical inner circumferential surface 542a (see FIG. 12 ) that extends in the Z-axis direction and is partially open in the circumferential direction.

[0071] The cover member 56 is attached to the connection body main body 52 so as to be rotatable between an open position (position shown in Figure 10) in which the terminal portion 511 is open and accessible from the outside, and a closed position (position shown in Figure 8) in which the terminal portion 511 is hidden.

[0072] When in the closed position, this cover member 56 has a plate-shaped first cover portion 561 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, a second cover portion 562 that extends from one end of the first cover portion 561 in the Z-axis direction in a direction approaching the storage element 10, a third cover portion 563 that extends from the other end of the first cover portion 561 in the Z-axis direction so as to be positioned at the other end in the Z-axis direction as it approaches the storage element 10, and a held portion 564 that is arranged at the end of the first cover portion 561 in the Y-axis direction and is held by the holding portion 542 of the connector main body 52.

[0073] This held portion 564 is a cylindrical portion corresponding to the inner surface 542a of the holding portion 542 of the connector main body 52, i.e., a cylindrical portion extending in the Z-axis direction, and is held by the holding portion 542 so as to be rotatable around the held portion 564.

[0074] The first connecting portion 61 is configured by a convex portion that protrudes toward the other side in the Z-axis direction from the abutment surface 5311 of the connector main body 52 (more specifically, the first section main body 531). Specifically, the first connecting portion 61 is a cylindrical portion that protrudes (extends) from a position on the abutment surface 5311 that faces the first through hole 4121 of the flange portion 412, and is inserted into the first through hole 4121. The diameter of the first connecting portion 61 in this embodiment is slightly larger than the minor axis of the first through hole 4121, and the first connecting portion 61 is press-fitted (engaged) into the first through hole 4121.

[0075] The second connecting portion 62 is configured by a convex portion that protrudes from the abutment surface 5311 of the connector main body 52 toward the other side in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the second connecting portion 62 is a locking piece that protrudes (extends) from the abutment surface 5311 at a position facing the third through hole 4123 of the flange portion 412, and has a claw-like shape whose tip portion engages with the peripheral portion of the third through hole 4123. When the connector 5 is attached to the flange portion 412, the second connecting portion 62 is inserted (pushed) into the third through hole 4123 from one side in the Z-axis direction to the other side until the tip portion passes through the third through hole 4123, so that the tip portion engages with the peripheral portion of the third through hole 4123.

[0076] The first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62 configured as described above are made of resin and are integrally molded with the connector main body 52. ​​In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62 are included in the plurality of connecting portions 6.

[0077] Three or more connecting portions 6 are arranged, and these three or more connecting portions 6 include three or more types of connecting portions 61, 62, 63 with different configurations. The multiple connecting portions 6 include at least one connecting portion 61, 62 made of resin. In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the multiple connecting portions 6 include two connecting portions made of resin (first connecting portion 61, second connecting portion 62). The multiple connecting portions 6 include at least one connecting portion 63 made of metal. In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the multiple connecting portions 6 include one connecting portion (third connecting portion) 63 made of metal.

[0078] The third connecting portion 63 has a through-shaft portion 631 that penetrates the connecting body 5 and the end plate 41 and extends in the penetration direction (see FIG. 13 ). The third connecting portion 63 connects the connecting body 5 and the end plate 41 so that the connecting body 5 can rotate relative to the end plate 41 around the through-shaft portion 631 as the center of rotation. Specifically, the through-shaft portion 631 of the third connecting portion 63 is a shaft portion that extends in the Z-axis direction and is engaged by being inserted through the connecting through-hole 5312 of the connecting body main body 52 (more specifically, the first section main body 531) and the second through-hole 4122 of the flange portion 412. The third connecting portion 63 of this embodiment is a so-called rivet.

[0079] The insulator 7 has insulating properties. The insulator 7 is disposed between the extension member 42 and the plurality of energy storage elements 10. Specifically, the energy storage device 1 includes a pair of insulators 7, and each insulator 7 covers at least an area of ​​the extension member 42 that faces the plurality of energy storage elements 10. As a result, each insulator 7 provides insulation between the extension member 42 and the plurality of energy storage elements 10. Each insulator 7 has through holes 71 of a size and shape corresponding to each through hole 4201 in the extension member main body 420, at positions corresponding to each through hole 4201 in the extension member main body 420.

[0080] Each of the bus bars 8 is a plate-shaped member having electrical conductivity, such as metal. Each bus bar 8 electrically connects the external terminals 14 of the energy storage elements 10 to each other, or connects the external terminals 14 of the energy storage elements 10 to the conductor portion 51 of the connector 5 (more specifically, the first plate-shaped portion 5121 of the connector 512). The bus bars 8 of this embodiment connect (connect) the energy storage elements 10 included in the energy storage device 1 in series. Each bus bar 8 is welded to the external terminal 14 or the conductor portion 51 of the connector (more specifically, the first plate-shaped portion 5121).

[0081] In the energy storage device 1 configured as above, during assembly, the connector 5 is attached to the end member 41 in the following manner.

[0082] With the hook-shaped engaging portion 532 of the connecting body 52 hooked onto the Y-axis end of the flange 412 (see FIG. 14 ), the connecting body 52 is rotated around this hooked position (see arrow α in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 ). At this time, the first connecting portion 61 is press-fitted into the first through-hole 4121, and the second connecting portion 62 is engaged with the periphery of the third through-hole 4123. In this manner, the resin connecting portions 6 (first connecting portion 61, second connecting portion 62) connect (i.e., temporarily fasten) the connecting body 52 and the flange 412 of the end member 41, thereby positioning the portions of the connecting body 52 and the flange 412 of the end member 41 connected by the third connecting portion (rivet) 63. That is, the connecting through-hole 5312 of the connecting body 52 and the second through-hole 4122 of the flange 412 overlap when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0083] Next, the through-shank 631 of the third connecting portion (rivet) 63 is inserted through the connecting through-hole 5312 of the connecting body main body 52 and the second through-hole 4122 of the flange 412, and then riveted. This attaches the connecting body 5 to the flange 412 of the termination member 41.

[0084] Next, the external terminal 14 of the energy storage element 10 adjacent to the termination member 41 to which the connector 5 is attached and the third adjacent member 2C are interposed therebetween is connected to the connection portion 512 (more specifically, the first plate-like portion 5121) of the connector 5 by the bus bar 8. This completes the attachment of the connector 5.

[0085] When the connector 5 is attached to the end plate 41 in this manner, the connector 5 is positioned in a position where the end plate 41 is sandwiched between the connector 5 and the energy storage device 10 in the X-axis direction, and where a part or all of the connector 5 overlaps with the end plate 41 as viewed from the X-axis direction. Further, a part or all of the connecting member 43 (more specifically, the bolt 431) that connects the end plate 41 and the extension member 42 is located between the end plate 41 and the connector 5, and where the part or all of the connecting member 43 overlaps with the connector 5 as viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0086] On the other hand, when the energy storage device 1 is disassembled, first, the bus bar 8 connected to the connection portion 512 of the connector 5 is removed, and the engaging portion 532 of the connector 5 and the second coupling portion 62 are cut using a cutting tool such as nippers. Next, the end of the connector main body 52 on the first coupling portion 61 side is lifted relative to the flange portion 412, thereby pulling the first coupling portion 61 out of the first through-hole 4121. In this state, the connector main body 52 is rotated around the through-shaft portion 631 of the third coupling portion 63 as the rotation center. As a result, the coupling member 43 (more specifically, the head of the bolt 431), which was covered by the connector 5 when viewed from the X-axis direction, is exposed, and the coupling member 43 can be removed, allowing the holding member 4 to be disassembled.

[0087] According to the above-described energy storage device 1, at least one of the multiple connecting portions 6 (in the example of this embodiment, the second connecting portion 62) is a connecting portion made of resin that can be easily broken using a cutting tool such as pliers, making it easy to disassemble the energy storage device 1.

[0088] In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the connector 5 has a conductor portion 51 including a conductive terminal portion (terminal) 511 and a resin connector main body 52 that holds the conductor portion 51, a resin first coupling portion 61 is configured as a protrusion extending from the connector main body 52, and the end member 41 has a first through hole 4121 at a position corresponding to the first coupling portion (protrusion) 61. The first coupling portion 61 extending from the connector main body 52 is press-fitted into the first through hole 4121 of the end member 41. For this reason, the first coupling portion 61 configured as a protrusion can be easily removed from the end member 41 (more specifically, the flange portion 412) by pulling it out of the first through hole 4121 of the end member 41 (i.e., the coupling by the first coupling portion 61 can be released). Furthermore, since the first connecting portion (convex portion) 61 extends from the connector main body 52, the first connecting portion (convex portion) 61 is less likely to fall off or be lost after being pulled out from the terminal member 41.

[0089] The second coupling portion (protrusion) 62 extending from the connector main body 52 is inserted into the third through hole 4123 of the end member 41 and engages with the peripheral edge of the third through hole 4123. With this configuration, the protrusion (locking piece) constituting the second coupling portion 62 is made of resin, so that the second coupling portion (locking piece) 62 can be easily broken, etc. This makes it easy to disassemble the energy storage device 1.

[0090] The energy storage device 1 of this embodiment includes an extension member 42 extending in the X-axis direction along at least one energy storage element 10, and a coupling member 43 coupling an end member 41 and the extension member 42. In this energy storage device 1, the connector 5 is arranged in a position where the end member 41 is sandwiched between the connector 5 and the energy storage element 10 in the X-axis direction and where a part or all of the coupling member 43 overlaps with the end member 41 as viewed from the X-axis direction, and a part or all of the coupling member 43 at a position corresponding to the connector 5 is located between the end member 41 and the connector 5 and where the coupling member 43 overlaps with the connector 5 as viewed from the X-axis direction. One coupling portion (third coupling portion) 63 of the multiple coupling portions 6 has a through shaft portion 631 that penetrates the connector 5 and the end member 41 and extends in the through direction, coupling the connector 5 to the end member 41 so that the connector 5 can rotate relative to the end member 41 around the through shaft portion 631 as a rotation center.

[0091] According to this configuration, the connection between the terminal member 41 and the extension member 42 can be released without releasing all of the connections made by the multiple connecting portions 6, making it easier to disassemble the energy storage device 1. That is, in the energy storage device 1, the connecting member 43 (the connecting member at a position corresponding to the connector 5) is hidden by the connector main body 52, but by releasing the connections made by the other connecting portions 61, 62 except for the third connecting portion 63 having the through shaft portion 631, the connector 5 can be rotated about the through shaft portion 631 relative to the terminal member 41 to expose the connecting member 43. This makes it easier for workers and the like to access the connecting member 43, making it easier to release the connection between the terminal member 41 and the extension member 42.

[0092] In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the multiple connecting parts 6 include at least one metal connecting part 63. In this way, the multiple connecting parts 6 include resin connecting parts 61, 62 and the metal connecting part 63, which makes it easier to balance ease of disassembly with ensuring connection strength.

[0093] In this embodiment, the metal third connecting portion 63 is a rivet, and the resin connecting portions (first connecting portion 61, second connecting portion 62) connect the connector 5 and the end plate 41, thereby positioning the portions of the connector 5 and the end plate 41 connected by the rivet 63 (i.e., the connecting through-hole 5312 of the connector 5 overlaps with the second through-hole 4122 of the flange portion 412). This facilitates assembly of the energy storage device 1. In other words, when assembling the energy storage device 1, connecting the connector 5 and the end plate 41 by at least one resin connecting portion (in this embodiment, the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62) positions the portions 5312, 4122 of the connector 5 and the end plate 41 connected by the rivet 63, thereby facilitating connection by the rivet 63.

[0094] The power storage device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, and part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0095] In the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the multiple connecting portions 6 include resin connecting portions 61 and 62 and a metal connecting portion 63, but this configuration is not limited thereto. All of the multiple connecting portions 6 may be made of resin. In the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the first connecting portion 61 is press-fitted into the first through hole 4121 of the end member 41, the tip of the second connecting portion 62 has a claw shape that engages with the peripheral portion of the third through hole 4123, and the through shaft portion 631 of the third connecting portion 63 is inserted through the connecting through portion 5312 and the second through hole 4122, but this configuration is not limited thereto. The connecting portions (first connecting portion 61, second connecting portion 62, third connecting portion 63) can be engaged by simply abutting the peripheral portions of the through holes (first through hole 4121, third through hole 4123, second through hole 4122).

[0096] In the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the multiple connecting portions 6 include three types of connecting portions 61, 62, and 63 with different configurations, but are not limited to this configuration. The multiple connecting portions 6 may include two, four, or more connecting portions. The multiple connecting portions 6 may include connecting portions with the same configuration. The multiple connecting portions 6 may include four or more types of connecting portions with different configurations. The multiple connecting portions 6 may include two or more metal connecting portions as long as they include at least one resin connecting portion.

[0097] In the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the metal coupling portion (third coupling portion) 63 couples the connector 5 and the end member 41 to be rotatable around the through shaft portion 631, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The metal coupling portion 63 may couple the connector 5 and the end member 41 in a state in which the connector 5 cannot rotate relative to the end member 41.

[0098] The energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment includes two connectors 5, a positive connector 5 and a negative connector 5, but is not limited to this configuration. The energy storage device 1 may also include a single connector 5.

[0099] In the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the end member 41 is configured by two members (the first member 410 and the second member 415), but is not limited to this configuration. The end member 41 may be configured by one member, or by three or more members.

[0100] In the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the connector 5 is attached to the flange 412 of the end member 41, but this configuration is not limited thereto. The connector 5 may be attached to the end member 41 at any position without limitation.

[0101] In the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the first coupling portion 61 and the second coupling portion 62 of the connector 5 are formed integrally with the connector main body 52, but this configuration is not limited thereto. All of the multiple coupling portions 6 may be separate from the connector main body 52. ​​All of the multiple coupling portions 6 may be formed integrally with the connector main body 52.

[0102] In the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the terminal portion 511 of the connector 5, which is connected to an external device or a different energy storage device 1, is configured by a member separate from the member (bus bar 8) directly connected to the external terminal 14 of the energy storage element 10, but this configuration is not limited to this. The member (bus bar 8) connected to the external terminal 14 of the energy storage element 10 may configure the terminal portion 511 of the connector 5. In this case, the connector main body 52 holds the member. That is, the connector main body 52 is a conductor (terminal) arranged at the end of the electric circuit (plurality of energy storage elements 10 connected in series) configured in the energy storage device 1, and holds a conductor to which an external device or the like is connected.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the case where the energy storage element is used as a chargeable and dischargeable non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery (e.g., a lithium ion secondary battery) has been described, but the type and size (capacity) of the energy storage element are arbitrary. In the above embodiment, a lithium ion secondary battery has been described as an example of the energy storage element, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to energy storage elements of various secondary batteries, as well as primary batteries and capacitors such as electric double layer capacitors.

[0104] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...electricity storage device, 2...adjacent member, 2A...first adjacent member, 2B...second adjacent member, 2C...third adjacent member, 4...holding member, 41...termination member, 41a...connecting through hole, 410...first member, 411...first member main body, 4111...first connecting through hole, 4112...fixing portion through hole, 412...flange portion, 4121...first through hole, 4122...second through hole, 4123...third through hole, 4124...fourth through hole, 415...second member, 4161...second connecting through hole, 4162...projection portion, 419...fixing portion, 4191...shaft portion, 419 2...head portion, 42...extension member, 420...extension member main body, 4201...through hole, 421...first arm portion, 422...second arm portion, 423...third arm portion, 4231...through hole, 43...connecting member, 431...bolt, 432...nut, 5...connector, 51...conductor portion, 511...terminal portion, 5111...shaft portion, 5112...fixing portion, 512...connecting portion, 5121...first plate-shaped portion, 5122...second plate-shaped portion, 5122a...inner peripheral surface, 5123...bent portion, 52...connector main body, 53...first portion, 531...first portion main body, 5311...abutment surface, 531 2...Connecting through portion, 532...Engaging portion, 5321...First extension portion, 5322...Second extension portion, 5323...Convex strip, 54...Second portion, 541...Second portion main body, 5411...Base portion, 5412...Wall portion, 542...Retaining portion, 542a...Inner peripheral surface, 56...Cover member, 561...First cover portion, 562...Second cover portion, 563...Third cover portion, 564...Retained portion, 6...Connecting portion, 61...First connecting portion, 62...Second connecting portion, 63...Third connecting portion (rivet), 631...Through shaft portion, 7...Insulator, 71...Through hole, 8...Bus bus bar, 10...electricity storage element, 11...case, 12...case body, 121...blocking portion, 122...body portion, 123...long wall portion, 124...short wall portion, 13...cover plate, 14...external terminal, 900...terminal block, 901...mounting base, 901a...groove portion, 901b, 901c...through hole, 901d...screw hole, 902...member, 902a, 902b, 902c...through hole, 905A...bus bar, 905C...external bus bar, 906, 908...screw, 910...upper case, B...first fastening member, C...center of terminal member in Y-axis direction, H1, H2...through hole, R...flow path

Claims

1. At least one storage element; an end member arranged in a predetermined direction with the at least one energy storage element; a connector electrically connected to the at least one power storage element and for electrical input / output with an external device; a plurality of coupling portions that fix the connector to the terminal member, The plurality of connecting portions include at least one connecting portion made of resin.

2. The connector has a conductive terminal and a resin connector body that holds the terminal, the at least one resin coupling portion is configured by a protrusion extending from the connector body, the end member has a through hole at a position corresponding to the protrusion, The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion extending from the connector body engages with a peripheral edge of the through hole when inserted into the through hole of the termination member.

3. an extension member extending in the predetermined direction along the at least one energy storage element; a connecting member that connects the end member and the extension member, the terminal member is disposed between the at least one energy storage element and the connector in the predetermined direction, The connector is disposed at a position where a part or all of the connector overlaps with the terminal member when viewed from the predetermined direction, a part or all of the connecting member is located between the end member and the connecting body and is arranged at a position overlapping the connecting body when viewed from the predetermined direction; 3. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of connecting portions has a through shaft portion that penetrates the connecting body and the termination member in a through direction and extends in the through direction, and connects the connecting body to the termination member so that the connecting body can rotate relative to the termination member around the through shaft portion as a rotation center.

4. The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of connecting portions include at least one connecting portion made of metal.

5. the at least one metallic connection is a rivet; The power storage device according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one resin connecting portion connects the connector and the end member, thereby positioning portions of the connector and the end member that are connected by the rivet.

6. Three or more of the connecting portions are arranged, The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the three or more connecting portions include three or more types of connecting portions having different configurations.