JP7104754B2 - Power storage module - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power storage module.

In recent years, vehicles that travel by at least the driving force of a motor, such as an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), and a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), have been put into practical use. Such a vehicle is equipped with a power storage module having a power storage cell.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure including a storage battery group in which a plurality of storage batteries are stacked, end plates provided at both ends of the storage battery group in the stacking direction, and connecting bands for connecting the end plates to each other. ing.
For example, Patent Document 2 describes a cell laminate configured by stacking a plurality of cells, end plates arranged on the front and rear surfaces of the cell laminate, and sides arranged on the left and right surfaces of the cell laminate. A structure comprising a plate is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 6254904 Japanese Patent No. 6310989

By the way, the power storage cell expands due to charge / discharge and deterioration. Therefore, in a power storage module provided with a storage body for storing the storage cell, it is required to suppress deformation of the storage body due to expansion of the storage cell.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to suppress deformation of the storage body due to expansion of the storage cell.

(1) The power storage module according to one aspect of the present invention (for example, the power storage module 1 in the embodiment) includes a pair of rectangular first plates (for example, the first plate 10 in the embodiment) arranged to face each other and the above-mentioned. A pair of rectangular second plates (for example, the second plate 20 in the embodiment) arranged adjacent to the pair of first plates and opposed to each other, the pair of first plates and the pair of second plates are included. A storage body having an internal space (for example, an internal space 2a in the embodiment) surrounded by (for example, a storage body 2 in the embodiment) and a storage cell arranged in the internal space (for example, a storage cell 3 in the embodiment). ), And a connecting member (for example, the connecting member 4 in the embodiment) that rotatably connects each of the pair of first plates and the pair of second plates, and the connecting member is the second plate. A power storage module having a rotation center (for example, a rotation center Cp in the embodiment) arranged within the plate thickness of the above, and the rotation center satisfies any of the following (1) to (3). ..
(1) In the rotation center, the plate thickness center of the first plate (for example, the plate thickness center 10c in the embodiment) and the plate thickness center of the second plate (for example, the plate thickness center 20c in the embodiment) are mutually aligned. It is placed in an overlapping position.
(2) The center of rotation is the center of thickness of the second plate and the second plate when viewed from the first direction (for example, the first direction V1 in the embodiment) along the direction in which the pair of first plates face each other. The plate of the first plate as viewed from the second direction (for example, the second direction V2 in the embodiment) arranged between the inner surface of the first plate (for example, the inner surface 20a in the embodiment) and orthogonal to the first direction. It is arranged between the thick center and the outer surface of the first plate (for example, the outer surface 10b in the embodiment).
(3) The center of rotation is arranged between the center of thickness of the second plate and the outer surface of the second plate (for example, the outer surface 20b in the embodiment) when viewed from the first direction, and the first It is arranged between the center of the thickness of the first plate and the inner surface of the first plate (for example, the inner surface 10a in the embodiment) when viewed from two directions.

(2) In one aspect of the present invention, when the center of rotation satisfies the above (3), the center of rotation is the center of thickness of the second plate and the outer surface of the second plate when viewed from the first direction. It may be arranged between the above and inside the center of the thickness of the first plate when viewed from the second direction.

(3) In one aspect of the present invention, when the center of rotation satisfies the above (2), the center of rotation is arranged at a position overlapping the center of thickness of the second plate when viewed from the first direction. Moreover, it may be arranged outside the thickness center of the first plate when viewed from the second direction.

(4) In one aspect of the present invention, the connecting member may be a connecting shaft centered on the center of rotation.

(5) In one aspect of the present invention, the connecting member may be made of metal.

(6) In one aspect of the present invention, an erection member (for example, the erection member 6 in the embodiment) that connects the pair of second plates and separates the internal space may be further provided.

(7) In one aspect of the present invention, a plate-shaped flange (for example, the flange 5 in the embodiment) provided so as to project outward from at least one outer surface of the pair of second plates may be further provided.

(8) In one aspect of the present invention, an erection member that connects the pair of second plates and separates the internal space is further provided, and the flange is closer to the erection member than the first plate in the first direction. It may be arranged in.

(9) In one aspect of the present invention, at least one of the pair of first plates may have a lightening portion (for example, a lightening portion 13 in the embodiment) within the plate thickness of the first plate. ..

(10) In one aspect of the present invention, the lightening portion may also serve as a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant flows (for example, the refrigerant flow path 14 in the embodiment).

(11) In one aspect of the present invention, the storage cells may be arranged in a plurality of layers between the pair of first plates.

According to the aspect (1) above, the connecting member has a rotation center arranged within the plate thickness of the second plate, and the rotation center satisfies any of the following (1) to (3).
(1) The center of rotation is arranged at a position where the center of thickness of the first plate and the center of thickness of the second plate overlap each other.
(2) The center of rotation is arranged between the center of thickness of the second plate and the inner surface of the second plate when viewed from the first direction along the direction in which the pair of first plates face each other, and is in the first direction. It is arranged between the center of the thickness of the first plate and the outer surface of the first plate when viewed from the second orthogonal direction.
(3) The center of rotation is arranged between the center of thickness of the second plate and the outer surface of the second plate when viewed from the first direction, and the center of thickness of the first plate and the second plate when viewed from the second direction. It is arranged between the inner surface of one plate.
According to this aspect, even if the storage body is deformed due to the expansion of the storage cell outward in the first direction, the rotation center is set at the portion where the deformation of the storage body in the second direction is suppressed. Therefore, even if the first plate is greatly bent outward in the first direction, the connecting member absorbs the force. As a result, the force is not easily transmitted to the second plate, so that the second plate is less likely to bend. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the storage body due to the expansion of the storage cell.

According to the aspect (2) above, when the center of rotation satisfies the above (3), the center of rotation is arranged between the center of thickness of the second plate and the outer surface of the second plate when viewed from the first direction. And, when viewed from the second direction, it is arranged inside the center of the thickness of the first plate, so that the following effects are obtained.
Compared with the case where the center of rotation is arranged outside the center of thickness of the second plate when viewed from the first direction and overlaps with the center of thickness of the first plate when viewed from the second direction. , Since the force is not easily transmitted to the second plate, the second plate is hard to bend. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively suppress the deformation of the storage body due to the expansion of the storage cell.

According to the aspect (3) above, when the center of rotation satisfies the above (2), the center of rotation is arranged at a position overlapping the center of thickness of the second plate when viewed from the first direction, and the second By arranging it outside the center of the thickness of the first plate when viewed from the direction, the following effects are obtained.
Compared with the case where the center of rotation is arranged inside the center of thickness of the second plate when viewed from the first direction, the force is less likely to be transmitted to the second plate, so that the second plate is less likely to bend. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively suppress the deformation of the storage body due to the expansion of the storage cell.

According to the aspect (4) above, the connecting member has the following effects when it is a connecting shaft centered on the center of rotation.
Since the first plate and the second plate can be rotated around the axis of the connecting shaft and the connecting shaft itself can be rotated, the connecting portion of the first plate and the second plate including the connecting shaft is broken when the storage cell expands. Can be suppressed.

According to the aspect (5) above, the connecting member is made of metal and thus has the following effects.
It is easy to process the connecting member.

According to the aspect (6) above, the following effects can be obtained by connecting the pair of second plates and further providing an erection member that separates the internal space.
The storage cell can be held more stably by the erection member.

According to the aspect (7) above, the following effects can be obtained by further providing a plate-shaped flange provided so as to project outward from at least one outer surface of the pair of second plates.
Since the periphery of the portion of the second plate provided with the flange has high rigidity due to the flange, deformation of the second plate due to expansion of the power storage cell can be suppressed more effectively.

According to the aspect (8) above, a erection member that connects the pair of second plates and separates the internal space is further provided, and the flange is arranged closer to the erection member than the first plate in the first direction. Then, the following effects are achieved.
Since the synergistic effect of suppressing the deformation of the second plate can be obtained by the erection member and the flange plate, the deformation of the second plate can be suppressed even more effectively.

According to the aspect (9) above, at least one of the pair of first plates has the following effect by having a lightening portion within the plate thickness of the first plate.
The weight of the power storage module can be reduced by the lightening portion. In addition, since the synergistic effect of absorbing the force generated by the expansion of the storage cell is obtained by the arrangement of the rotation center of the connecting member and the lightening portion, it is possible to more effectively suppress the deformation of the storage body due to the expansion of the storage cell. can.

According to the aspect (10) above, the lightening portion also serves as a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant flows, thereby achieving the following effects.
The storage cell can be efficiently cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the lightening portion. As a result, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the storage cell due to the temperature rise of the storage cell.

According to the aspect (11) above, the storage cells are arranged in a plurality of layers between the pair of first plates to obtain the following effects.
Even if the storage body is deformed due to the expansion of the storage cell in the stacking direction, the rotation center is set at the portion where the deformation of the storage body in the second direction is suppressed. Deformation can be suppressed.

The perspective view of the power storage module of an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the refrigerant flow path in the 1st plate of embodiment. The figure which shows an example which arranged the power storage module of an embodiment inside an IPU. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part V in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the deformation of the storage body when the power storage cell of an embodiment expands. The perspective view of the power storage module of an Example. The explanatory view of the analysis method of the amount of movement of a fixed point in the second direction by the expansion of a storage cell. The figure which shows the analysis result of the amount of movement of a fixed point in a second direction by expansion of a storage cell.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a power storage module mounted on an electric vehicle (vehicle) will be described. Hereinafter, in the drawings, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals in principle, and duplicate description will be omitted.

<Power storage module>
As shown in FIG. 1, the power storage module 1 has a rectangular cuboid shape. For example, the power storage module 1 is arranged along the height direction along the gravity direction. The power storage module 1 includes a storage body 2, a power storage cell 3, a connecting member 4, a flange 5, and an erection member 6 (see FIG. 2).

<Storage body>
The storage body 2 has a square cylinder shape. The storage body 2 includes a pair of rectangular first plates 10 arranged to face each other, and a pair of rectangular second plates 20 arranged to face each other adjacent to the pair of first plates 10. The storage body 2 has an internal space 2a (see FIG. 2) surrounded by a pair of first plates 10 and a pair of second plates 20.

Hereinafter, the direction in which the pair of first plates 10 face each other is "first direction V1", the direction orthogonal to the first direction V1 and the pair of second plates 20 face each other is "second direction V2", and the first direction V1. The direction orthogonal to each of the second direction V2 is referred to as the "third direction V3". The first direction V1 corresponds to the direction along the height direction (gravity direction) of the power storage module 1. The second direction V2 corresponds to the direction along the width direction of the power storage module 1. The third direction V3 corresponds to the direction along the length direction of the power storage module 1.

<First plate>
For example, the first plate 10 is made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy. The first plate 10 has a rectangular plate-shaped first main body 11 having a length in the third direction V3 and a thickness in the first direction V1, and a second main body 11 protruding from the outer end of the second direction V2 of the first main body 11. It includes one engaging portion 12. The first main body 11 and the first engaging portion 12 are integrally formed of the same member.

The first main body 11 has a lightening portion 13 within the plate thickness of the first main body 11. The lightening portion 13 is provided in each of the plate thicknesses of the pair of first plates 10. The lightening portion 13 also serves as a refrigerant flow path 14 through which the refrigerant flows. For example, the refrigerant may be a liquid such as water or a gas such as air, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. For example, when the refrigerant is water, the power storage cell 3 can be efficiently cooled by water cooling.

The refrigerant flow path 14 extends in the third direction V3. The refrigerant flow path 14 has an elongated hole shape extending in the second direction V2 when viewed from the third direction V3. A plurality of refrigerant flow paths 14 (for example, six in the present embodiment) are provided side by side in the second direction V2.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 14 merges at the first end portion (the portion on the left side of the paper surface in FIG. 3) in the third direction V3. Of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 14, the refrigerant flow paths 14 having the same flow direction of the refrigerant (the first flow paths 14A and the second flow paths 14B in FIG. 3) are the second end portions of the third direction V3 (FIG. 3). (The part on the right side of the page) merges.

For example, the hole serving as the refrigerant flow path 14 can be formed by impact molding, extrusion molding, or the like. For example, first, a hole serving as a refrigerant flow path 14 is provided over the entire third direction V3 of the first main body 11. After that, at the first end portion of the first main body 11 in the third direction V3, the wall partitioning the adjacent holes is removed so that each of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 14 merges. On the other hand, at the second end of the third direction V3 of the first main body 11, the refrigerant flows in the same direction among the walls partitioning the adjacent holes so that the refrigerant flow paths 14 having the same flow direction of the refrigerant merge with each other. The wall serving as the refrigerant flow path 14 (the wall partitioning the hole serving as the first flow path 14A and the wall partitioning the hole serving as the second flow path 14B in FIG. 3) is removed. After that, the sealing plate 15 is installed at the first end of the third direction V3 of the refrigerant flow path 14. On the other hand, at the second end of the third direction V3 of the refrigerant flow path 14, the inlet member having the inlet pipe 16 and the outlet member having the outlet pipe 17 are respectively closed so as to block the refrigerant flow paths 14 having the same flow direction of the refrigerant. Install.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first engaging portion 12 has a cylindrical shape having a size that allows it to be rotatably engaged with the connecting member 4 (connecting shaft) when viewed from the third direction V3. The first engaging portions 12 are provided at both ends of the first main body 11 in the second direction V2. A plurality of first engaging portions 12 are arranged at intervals in the third direction V3.

In the present embodiment, two first engaging portions 12 are arranged at each end of the first main body 11 in the second direction V2, and a total of four first engaging portions 12 are arranged at both ends of the first main body 11 in the second direction V2. .. The two first engaging portions 12 arranged in the third direction V3 extend in the third direction V3 with the same length as each other.

<Second board>
For example, the second plate 20 is made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy. For example, the first plate 10 and the second plate 20 are made of the same metal. The second plate 20 has a rectangular plate-shaped second main body 21 having a length in the third direction V3 and a thickness in the second direction V2, and a second main body 21 protruding from the outer end of the first direction V1 of the second main body 21. The two engaging portions 22 are provided. The second main body 21 and the second engaging portion 22 are integrally formed of the same member.

The plate thickness of the second main body 21 is smaller than that of the first main body 11. The second main body 21 does not have a lightening portion 13 (refrigerant flow path 14) within the plate thickness of the second main body 21.

The second engaging portion 22 has a cylindrical shape having a size that allows it to be rotatably engaged with the connecting member 4 (connecting shaft) when viewed from the third direction V3. The second engaging portion 22 is provided at both ends of the second main body 21 in the first direction V1. A plurality of second engaging portions 22 are arranged at intervals in the third direction V3.

In the present embodiment, three second engaging portions 22 are arranged at the ends of the first direction V1 of the second main body 21, and a total of six are arranged at both ends of the first direction V1 of the second main body 21. .. One of the middle ones of the three second engaging portions 22 arranged in the third direction V3 extends longer in the third direction V3 than the two outside the third direction V3. The first engaging portion 12 of the first plate 10 and the second engaging portion 22 of the second plate 20 are alternately arranged along the third direction V3.

<Storage cell>
The power storage cell 3 is arranged in the internal space 2a (see FIG. 2) of the storage body 2. A plurality of power storage cells 3 are stacked and arranged between the pair of first plates 10. The stacking direction of the plurality of storage cells 3 corresponds to the direction along the first direction V1 (gravity direction). In this embodiment, 12 power storage cells 3 are stacked in the first direction V1.

A battery element (not shown) having a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate is housed inside the power storage cell 3. For example, the power storage cell 3 preferably has a laminated pack shape in which a battery element is enclosed in an outer body made of a laminated film. For example, the laminated film is preferably a metal foil composite laminated film in which a metal foil and a resin film are adhered to each other. The metal foil composite laminated film may include a known one. For example, the metal foil can include those made of metals such as aluminum, aluminum alloys, stainless steels, and nickel alloys. The resin film can include those made of a resin such as polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, and polyethylene terephthalate.

For example, the power storage cell 3 may include a battery element such as a lithium ion secondary battery in which an electrolytic solution is housed in the exterior body. Alternatively, the storage cell 3 may include a battery element composed of an all-solid-state battery having no electrolytic solution, which is housed in the exterior body.

The storage cell 3 has a flat shape that is larger than the length of the internal space 2a in the third direction V3 and smaller than the width of the internal space 2a in the second direction V2. A positive electrode terminal 3a and a negative electrode terminal 3b are provided at one end of the third direction V3 of the power storage cell 3. The positive electrode terminal 3a and the negative electrode terminal 3b project from the internal space 2a of the housing body 2 to the outside in the third direction V3. The positive electrode terminal 3a and the negative electrode terminal 3b are arranged at intervals in the second direction V2 from each other. The positive electrode terminal 3a is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate of the battery element. The negative electrode terminal 3b is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the battery element.

The positive electrode terminal 3a and the negative electrode terminal 3b of the storage cell 3 adjacent to the first direction V1 are arranged opposite to each other in the second direction V2. The positive electrode terminals 3a and the negative electrode terminals 3b of the storage cell 3 adjacent to the first direction V1 are alternately arranged along the first direction V1. All the storage cells 3 in the storage body 2 may be connected in series or in parallel.

<Connecting member>
The connecting member 4 rotatably connects each of the pair of first plates 10 and the pair of second plates 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting member 4 has a rotation center Cp arranged within the plate thickness of the second main body 21 of the second plate 20. The connecting member 4 is a connecting shaft centered on the rotation center Cp. For example, the connecting member 4 is made of a metal such as steel.

For example, the connecting member 4 is composed of bolts and nuts (not shown). The bolt includes a shaft portion that serves as a connecting shaft, and a head portion that is connected to one end of the shaft portion. For example, the connecting shaft is positioned by a bolt head and a nut via a collar (not shown) so as not to shift in the third direction V3.

For example, first, the first engaging portion 12 of the first plate 10 and the second engaging portion 22 of the second plate 20 are alternately arranged along the third direction V3. At this time, the engaging holes of the first engaging portion 12 and the second engaging portion 22 are arranged coaxially. Next, the shaft portion of the bolt is inserted from one side of the third direction V3 through the first collar into the engaging holes of the first engaging portion 12 and the second engaging portion 22 and protrudes to the other side. .. Next, a nut is screwed into the protruding portion of the shaft portion of the bolt from the other side of the third direction V3 via the second collar.

The rotation center Cp of the connecting member 4 satisfies any of the following (1) to (3). In the example of FIG. 5, the rotation center Cp is arranged at a position satisfying the following (1).
(1) The rotation center Cp is arranged at a position where the plate thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 and the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 overlap each other.
(2) The rotation center Cp is arranged between the thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 and the inner surface 20a of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1 along the direction in which the pair of first plates 10 face each other. Moreover, it is arranged between the thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 and the outer surface 10b of the first plate 10 when viewed from the second direction V2 orthogonal to the first direction V1.
(3) The rotation center Cp is arranged between the thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 and the outer surface 20b of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1, and is the first when viewed from the second direction V2. It is arranged between the plate thickness center 10c of the plate 10 and the inner surface 10a of the first plate 10.

Here, the plate thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 means the plate thickness center of the first main body 11 of the first plate 10.
The plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 means the plate thickness center of the second main body 21 of the second plate 20.
The position where the plate thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 and the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 overlap each other is an extension of the plate thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 and an extension of the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20. It means the position where the line intersects.
The inner surface 20a of the second plate 20 means the inner surface of the second main body 21 of the second plate 20 in the second direction V2 (the surface on the side of the internal space 2a).
The position between the thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 and the inner surface 20a of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1 overlaps with the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1. It includes each of the positions overlapping the inner surface 20a of the second plate 20, and means between the extension line of the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 and the extension line of the inner surface 20a of the second plate 20.
The outer surface 10b of the first plate 10 means the outer surface of the first main body 11 of the first plate 10 in the first direction V1 (the surface opposite to the internal space 2a).
The position between the thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 and the outer surface 10b of the first plate 10 when viewed from the second direction V2 overlaps with the plate thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 when viewed from the second direction V2, and the first It includes each of the positions overlapping the outer surface 10b of the one plate 10, and means between the extension line of the plate thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 and the extension line of the outer surface 10b of the first plate 10.

For example, when the rotation center Cp satisfies the above (3), the rotation center Cp is arranged between the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 and the outer surface 20b of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1. Moreover, it is preferable that the first plate 10 is arranged inside the plate thickness center 10c when viewed from the second direction V2.

Here, the outer surface 20b of the second plate 20 means the outer surface of the second main body 21 of the second plate 20 in the second direction V2 (the surface opposite to the internal space 2a).
The position between the thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 and the outer surface 20b of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1 overlaps with the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1. It includes each of the positions overlapping the outer surface 20b of the second plate 20, and means between the extension line of the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 and the extension line of the outer surface 20b of the second plate 20.
The inside of the first plate 10 from the plate thickness center 10c when viewed from the second direction V2 is inside the first direction V1 (the side of the internal space 2a) from the plate thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 when viewed from the second direction V2. ) Means.

For example, when the rotation center Cp satisfies the above (2), the rotation center Cp is arranged at a position overlapping the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1 and from the second direction V2. As seen, it is preferable that the first plate 10 is arranged outside the plate thickness center 10c.

Here, the position overlapping the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1 means a position on an extension line of the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20.
The outside of the thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 when viewed from the second direction V2 is outside the first direction V1 (what is the internal space 2a) of the plate thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 when viewed from the second direction V2. On the other side).

<Flange>
The flange 5 is a portion fixed to an installation portion (not shown) of the power storage module 1. Reference numeral 5a in the figure indicates a mounting portion for fixing the flange 5 to the installation portion of the power storage module 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the flange 5 is provided so as to project outward from the outer surface of the second main body 21 of the second plate 20. The flanges 5 are provided on each of the pair of second plates 20. The flange 5 has a plate shape extending outward from V2 in the second direction from the outer surface of the second main body 21 of the second plate 20. The flange 5 extends over the entire third direction V3 of the second body 21. A total of two flanges 5 are provided on each of the pair of second plates 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the two flanges 5 are set to have the same height position in the first direction V1. The flange 5 is arranged near one of the pair of first plates 10 (top plate arranged on the upper side of the paper surface in FIG. 2) in the first direction V1. The flange 5 is preferably arranged closer to the erection member 6 than the first plate 10 in the first direction V1.

For example, the mounting portion 5a is a through hole to which a fixing member such as a bolt is mounted. As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting portion 5a is provided near the end portion of the flange 5 in the third direction V3.
By the way, since the power storage cell 3 expands more toward the center, the deformation of the second plate 20 due to the expansion of the power storage cell 3 tends to increase toward the center. Therefore, when the mounting portion 5a is provided near the end of the flange 5 in the third direction V3, the second mounting portion 5a is compared with the case where the mounting portion 5a is provided in the center of the flange 5 in the third direction V3. The misalignment between the installation site of the power storage module 1 and the mounting portion 5a due to the deformation of the plate 20 becomes small. Therefore, it is preferable that the mounting portion 5a is provided near the end portion of the flange 5 in the third direction V3 because inconvenience caused by the misalignment between the mounting portion of the power storage module 1 and the mounting portion 5a is unlikely to occur.

<Installation member>
As shown in FIG. 2, the erection member 6 connects a pair of second plates 20 and separates an internal space 2a. The erection member 6 is formed in the shape of a rectangular sheet. The erection member 6 is slightly larger than the length of the internal space 2a in the third direction V3 and slightly larger than the width of the internal space 2a in the second direction V2. Both ends of the erection member 6 in the second direction V2 are in contact with the inner surfaces 20a of the pair of second plates 20.

A plurality of erection members 6 are arranged together with a plurality of storage cells 3 in the internal space 2a. In this embodiment, three erection members 6 are provided. In the internal space 2a, there are three power storage cells 3, one erection member 6, three power storage cells 3, one erection member 6, three power storage cells 3, one erection member 6, and three. The storage cells 3 are arranged in a stacked state in this order from one side (upper side of the paper surface of FIG. 2) to the other side (lower side of the paper surface of FIG. 2) in the first direction V1.

For example, the erection member 6 is an elastic member including an elastic body that can be elastically deformed. For example, the elastic body includes a foam made of rubber, resin, or the like. When the erection member 6 contains a foam, the degree of absorption of the pressing force against the power storage cell 3 and the expansion force of the power storage cell 3 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the foaming ratio of the foam. In addition, it contributes to further weight reduction and cost reduction of the power storage module 1.

When the power storage cell 3 arranged in the internal space 2a expands due to charging / discharging, the erection member 6 is compressed by the expansion force of the power storage cell 3. As a result, the erection member 6 reduces the load on the inner surface 10a of the pair of first plates 10 when the power storage cell 3 expands, and reduces the load on the storage body 2 due to the expansion of the power storage cell 3. Since the erection member 6 is compressed in this way and the pressing load on the storage body 2 due to the expansion of the power storage cell 3 is canceled, the strength of the inner surfaces 10a of the pair of first plates 10 can be set small, and the power storage module 1 Contributes to weight reduction and cost reduction.

<Example of arrangement of power storage module inside IPU>
For example, the power storage module 1 is arranged inside an IPU (Intelligent Power Unit) which is a kind of power supply circuit control device. In the example of FIG. 4, four power storage modules 1A to 1D (first power storage module 1A, second power storage module 1B, third power storage module 1C, and fourth power storage module 1D) are arranged in the case 30 of the IPU. In each of the power storage modules 1A to 1D, the terminal side (positive electrode terminal 3a and negative electrode terminal 3b of the power storage cell) is directed to the upper side of the paper surface of FIG. 4 (for example, the upper side along the vertical direction), and the piping side (inlet pipe 16 and outlet pipe 17). ) Is arranged toward the lower side of the paper surface of FIG. 4 (for example, the lower side along the vertical direction).

In the example of FIG. 4, the flow of the refrigerant is indicated by an arrow W1. For example, the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow path 14 through the inlet pipe 16 of the first power storage module 1A and flows out from the outlet pipe 17. After that, the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow path 14 through the inlet pipe 16 of the second power storage module 1B adjacent to the first power storage module 1A, and flows out from the outlet pipe 17. After that, the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow path 14 through the inlet pipe 16 of the third power storage module 1C adjacent to the second power storage module 1B, and flows out from the outlet pipe 17. After that, the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow path 14 through the inlet pipe 16 of the fourth power storage module 1D adjacent to the third power storage module 1C, and flows out from the outlet pipe 17. In this way, the refrigerant sequentially flows through the refrigerant flow paths 14 of the four power storage modules 1A to 1D, and contributes to the cooling of the power storage cells of the power storage modules 1A to 1D.

<Deformation of the storage body when the storage cell expands>
As shown in FIG. 6, when the power storage cell (not shown) arranged in the storage body 2 expands due to charging / discharging, the inner surface 10a of the first plate 10 is pushed toward the outside (upper side of the paper surface in FIG. 6). The first plate 10 is deformed in a convex shape. If the first plate 10 and the second plate 20 are non-rotatably connected (rotationally restrained), the first plate 10 and the second plate 20 are connected to the second plate 20 due to the convex deformation of the first plate 10. A couple acts to deform the second plate 20 inward, centering on the vicinity of the connecting portion of the 20. The reference numeral Fp in the figure indicates a fixed point of the flange 5.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the first plate 10 and the second plate 20 are rotatably connected by the connecting member 4. The connecting member 4 has a rotation center Cp arranged within the plate thickness of the second plate 20. Therefore, even if the first plate 10 is deformed in a convex shape, the couple is canceled by the rotation. Therefore, the above couple is not input to the second plate 20. Therefore, in the power storage module of the present embodiment, the storage body 2 is unlikely to be deformed even if the power storage cell expands.

<Effect>
As described above, the power storage module 1 of the above embodiment has a pair of rectangular first plates 10 arranged to face each other and a pair of rectangular first plates arranged to face each other adjacent to the pair of first plates 10. A storage body 2 including two plates 20 and having an internal space 2a surrounded by a pair of first plates 10 and a pair of second plates 20, a storage cell 3 arranged in the internal space 2a, and a pair of first plates. A connecting member 4 for rotatably connecting each of the one plate 10 and the pair of second plates 20 is provided, and the connecting member 4 has a rotation center Cp arranged within the plate thickness of the second plate 20. The rotation center Cp satisfies any of the following (1) to (3).
(1) The rotation center Cp is arranged at a position where the plate thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 and the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 overlap each other.
(2) The rotation center Cp is arranged between the thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 and the inner surface 20a of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1 along the direction in which the pair of first plates 10 face each other. Moreover, it is arranged between the thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 and the outer surface 10b of the first plate 10 when viewed from the second direction V2 orthogonal to the first direction V1.
(3) The rotation center Cp is arranged between the thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 and the outer surface 20b of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1, and is the first when viewed from the second direction V2. It is arranged between the plate thickness center 10c of the plate 10 and the inner surface 10a of the first plate 10.
According to this aspect, even if the storage body 2 is deformed due to the expansion of the storage cell 3 to the outside in the first direction V1, the rotation center Cp is set at the portion where the deformation of the storage body 2 in the second direction V2 is suppressed. Has been done. Therefore, even if the first plate 10 is greatly bent outward in the first direction V1, the connecting member 4 absorbs the force. As a result, the force is not easily transmitted to the second plate 20, so that the second plate 20 is less likely to bend. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the storage body 2 due to the expansion of the storage cell 3.

In the above embodiment, when the rotation center Cp satisfies the above (3), the rotation center Cp is between the thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 and the outer surface 20b of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1. It is preferable that the first plate 10 is arranged inside the center 10c of the thickness of the first plate 10 when viewed from the second direction V2.
In this case, the rotation center Cp is arranged outside the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1, and overlaps with the plate thickness center 10c of the first plate 10 when viewed from the second direction V2. Since the force is less likely to be transmitted to the second plate 20 as compared with the case where the second plate 20 is arranged at the position, the second plate 20 is less likely to bend. Therefore, the deformation of the storage body 2 due to the expansion of the storage cell 3 can be suppressed more effectively.

In the above embodiment, when the rotation center Cp satisfies the above (2), the rotation center Cp is arranged at a position overlapping the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1 and is second. It is preferable that the first plate 10 is arranged outside the plate thickness center 10c when viewed from the direction V2.
In this case, since the force is less likely to be transmitted to the second plate 20 as compared with the case where the rotation center Cp is arranged inside the plate thickness center 20c of the second plate 20 when viewed from the first direction V1, the second plate 20 20 is hard to bend. Therefore, the deformation of the storage body 2 due to the expansion of the storage cell 3 can be suppressed more effectively.

In the above embodiment, the connecting member 4 has the following effects because it is a connecting shaft centered on the rotation center Cp.
Since the first plate 10 and the second plate 20 can be rotated around the axis of the connecting shaft and the connecting shaft itself can be rotated, the first plate 10 and the second plate 20 including the connecting shaft can be rotated when the storage cell 3 is expanded. It is possible to prevent the connecting portion from breaking.

In the above embodiment, the connecting member 4 is made of metal and thus has the following effects.
The connecting member 4 can be easily processed.

In the above embodiment, the following effects are obtained by connecting the pair of second plates 20 and further providing the erection member 6 that separates the internal space 2a.
The erection member 6 can hold the power storage cell 3 more stably.

In the above embodiment, the following effects are obtained by further providing a plate-shaped flange 5 provided so as to project outward from the outer surface of each of the pair of second plates 20.
Since the periphery of the portion of the second plate 20 where the flange 5 is provided has high rigidity due to the flange 5, the deformation of the second plate 20 due to the expansion of the power storage cell 3 can be suppressed more effectively.

In the above embodiment, the flange 5 is preferably arranged closer to the erection member 6 than the first plate 10 in the first direction V1.
In this case, since the synergistic effect of suppressing the deformation of the second plate 20 is obtained by the erection member 6 and the flange 5 plate, the deformation of the second plate 20 can be suppressed even more effectively.

In the above embodiment, each of the pair of first plates 10 has the following effects by having the lightening portion 13 within the plate thickness of the first plate 10.
The lightening portion 13 can reduce the weight of the power storage module 1. In addition, since the synergistic effect of absorbing the force generated by the expansion of the power storage cell 3 is obtained by the arrangement of the rotation center Cp of the connecting member 4 and the lightening portion 13, the deformation of the storage body 2 due to the expansion of the power storage cell 3 is more effective. Can be suppressed.

In the above embodiment, the lightening portion 13 also serves as the refrigerant flow path 14 through which the refrigerant flows, thereby achieving the following effects.
The power storage cell 3 can be efficiently cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the lightening portion 13. As a result, the expansion of the storage cell 3 due to the temperature rise of the storage cell 3 can be suppressed.

In the above embodiment, the storage cells 3 are arranged in a plurality of layers between the pair of first plates 10 to obtain the following effects.
Even if the storage body 2 is deformed due to the expansion of the storage cell 3 in the stacking direction, the rotation center Cp is set at the portion where the deformation of the storage body 2 in the second direction V2 is suppressed, so that the storage cell 3 Deformation of the storage body 2 due to the expansion of the housing body 2 can be suppressed.

<Modification example>
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the vehicle is an electric vehicle has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle may be a hybrid vehicle having an engine. For example, the power storage module 1 may be applied to a device or system other than a vehicle.

In the above embodiment, a temperature control device such as a water jacket may be provided on the surface including the outer surface 10b of the first plate 10 and the outer surface 20b of the second plate 20 (outer surface of the storage body 2). As a result, the storage cell 3 can be cooled more efficiently. For example, the water jacket may include a hollow member formed of a metal such as aluminum in which a passage through which a refrigerant such as water or cooling air flows is formed. For example, it is preferable that a heat transfer sheet is provided between the water jacket and the outer surface of the storage body 2.

In the above embodiment, an example in which 12 power storage cells 3 are arranged in the internal space 2a of the storage body 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of storage cells 3 may be 1 to 11, or 13 or more. For example, the number of storage cells 3 can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the three erection members 6 are arranged in the internal space 2a of the storage body 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of erection members 6 may be one or two, or four or more. For example, the number of erection members 6 can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the connecting member 4 is a connecting shaft centered on the rotation center Cp has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the connecting member 4 may be a sphere centered on the rotation center Cp. For example, the shape of the connecting member 4 is not limited to a rod shape and may be spherical. For example, the mode of the connecting member 4 can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the connecting member 4 is made of metal has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the connecting member 4 may be formed of a composite material such as fiber reinforced plastic. For example, the forming material of the connecting member 4 can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the pair of second plates 20 are connected and the erection member 6 for separating the internal space 2a is provided has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the power storage module 1 does not have to include the erection member 6.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the erection member 6 is an elastic member has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the erection member 6 may be a partition plate integrally provided so as to connect a pair of second plates 20. For example, the partition plate may be integrally formed of the same member as the storage body 2. For example, the aspect of the erection member 6 can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the above embodiment, an example including a plate-shaped flange 5 provided so as to project outward from the outer surface of each of the pair of second plates 20 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the power storage module 1 does not have to include the flange 5. For example, the flange 5 may project outward from the outer surface of only one of the pair of second plates 20. For example, the flange 5 may project outward from at least one outer surface of the pair of second plates 20. For example, the aspect of the flange 5 can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the above embodiment, each of the pair of first plates 10 has been described with reference to an example in which the lightening portion 13 is provided within the plate thickness of the first plate 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first plate 10 does not have to have the lightening portion 13. For example, the lightening portion 13 may be provided on only one of the pair of first plates 10. For example, the lightening portion 13 may be provided on at least one of the pair of first plates 10. For example, the aspect of the first plate 10 can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the above embodiment, the lightening portion 13 has been described with reference to an example in which the lightening portion 13 also serves as the refrigerant flow path 14 through which the refrigerant flows, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the lightening portion 13 does not have to also serve as the refrigerant flow path 14. For example, the mode of the lightening portion 13 can be changed according to the required specifications.

In the above embodiment, a plurality of storage cells 3 are stacked and arranged between the pair of first plates 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of storage cells 3 may be stacked and arranged between the pair of second plates 20. For example, the plurality of storage cells 3 are not limited to being stacked in the first direction V1, but may be stacked in the second direction V2. For example, the arrangement mode of the storage cell 3 can be changed according to the required specifications.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and configurations can be added, omitted, replaced, and other changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Yes, it is also possible to appropriately combine the above-mentioned modification examples.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples.

[Example]
In the embodiment, a housing body 2, a connecting member 4, and a flange 5 are provided (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 7, the accommodating body 2 includes a pair of rectangular first plates 10 arranged to face each other and a pair of rectangular second plates 20 arranged to face each other adjacent to the pair of first plates 10. And, and it is assumed that it has an internal space 2a surrounded by a pair of first plates 10 and a pair of second plates 20. The dimension of the third direction V3 of the housing body 2 was set to 300 mm. As shown in FIG. 8, the connecting member 4 rotatably connects each of the pair of first plates 10 and the pair of second plates 20, and is arranged within the thickness of the second plate 20. A connecting shaft having a rotation center Cp and having a rotation center Cp as an axis was used. The flange 5 has a plate shape provided so as to project outward from the outer surface of each of the pair of second plates 20. The first plate 10 was made of an aluminum alloy and had a plate thickness of 3.0 mm. The second plate 20 was made of an aluminum alloy and had a plate thickness of 1.5 mm. The connecting member 4 is a steel shaft having an outer diameter of 4.0 mm.

[Comparison example]
In the comparative example, the one having no connecting member 4 as compared with the embodiment, and the pair of the first plate 10 and the pair of the second plates 20 were non-rotatably connected (rotationally restrained) was used (rotational restraint). Not shown).

[Experimental example]
In each of the examples and the comparative examples, the amount of movement of the fixed point in the second direction due to the expansion of the storage cell was analyzed by FEM (Finite Element Method). The analysis area (hatched area in FIG. 7) was a 1/8 division model of the example. As shown in FIG. 8, the dimension L1 of the first direction V1 of the analysis region is 125 mm. The dimension L2 of the second direction V2 in the analysis region was 125 mm. Assuming the expansion of the storage cell, the load was input in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8 toward the outside with respect to the inner surface of the first plate 10 in the analysis region. The input load on the inner surface of the first plate 10 in the analysis region was set to 600 N. The fixed point Fp was set to the center position of the flange 5 in the analysis region in the second direction V2. The amount of movement of the fixed point Fp in the second direction V2 was set to the maximum swing width in the second direction V2 when the second plate 20 in the analysis region was bent from the no-load state.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an analysis result of the amount of movement of the fixed point in the second direction due to the expansion of the storage cell. In FIG. 9, the amount of movement of the fixed point in the second direction and the position of the center of rotation in the second direction are based on the thickness center of the second plate of the analysis region, and are inside the reference (side of the internal space). Was negative, and the outside of the standard (opposite the internal space) was positive. The amount of movement of the fixed point in the second direction was compared by an absolute value.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the center of rotation is arranged within the plate thickness of the second plate in the embodiment (positions A1 to A9 in FIG. 9), the second fixed point is higher than any position in the comparative example. It was confirmed that the amount of movement (absolute value) in the direction can be reduced.

In the embodiment, when the center of rotation is arranged within the thickness of the second plate and the center of rotation satisfies any of the following (1) to (3) (positions A1, A2, A4 to A6 in FIG. 9). , A8 and A9), the amount of movement (absolute value) of the fixed point in the second direction can be made smaller than when none of the following (1) to (3) is satisfied (positions A3 and A7 in FIG. 9). I was able to confirm.
(1) The center of rotation is arranged at a position where the center of thickness of the first plate and the center of thickness of the second plate overlap each other (position A5 in FIG. 9).
(2) The center of rotation is arranged between the center of thickness of the second plate and the inner surface of the second plate when viewed from the first direction along the direction in which the pair of first plates face each other, and is in the first direction. It is arranged between the center of the thickness of the first plate and the outer surface of the first plate when viewed from the second orthogonal direction (positions A1, A2, A4 and A5 in FIG. 9).
(3) The center of rotation is arranged between the center of thickness of the second plate and the outer surface of the second plate when viewed from the first direction, and the center of thickness of the first plate and the second plate when viewed from the second direction. It is arranged between the inner surface of one plate (positions A5, A6, A8 and A9 in FIG. 9).

In the embodiment, when the center of rotation satisfies the above (3), the center of rotation is arranged between the center of thickness of the second plate and the outer surface of the second plate when viewed from the first direction, and When the center of rotation is located inside the center of thickness of the first plate when viewed from the second direction (positions A8 and A9 in FIG. 9), the center of rotation is larger than the center of thickness of the second plate when viewed from the first direction. The amount of movement of the fixed point in the second direction as compared with the case where it is arranged on the outside and overlaps with the thickness center of the first plate when viewed from the second direction (position A6 in FIG. 9). It was confirmed that (absolute value) can be reduced.

In the embodiment, when the center of rotation satisfies the above (2), the center of rotation is arranged at a position overlapping the center of thickness of the second plate when viewed from the first direction, and is viewed from the second direction. When it is arranged outside the plate thickness center of the first plate (position A2 in FIG. 9), when the rotation center is arranged inside the plate thickness center of the second plate when viewed from the first direction (FIG. 9). It was confirmed that the amount of movement (absolute value) of the fixed point in the second direction can be reduced as compared with the positions A1 and A4) of 9.

In the example, when the center of rotation satisfies the above (1) (position A5 in FIG. 9), it was confirmed that the amount of movement (absolute value) of the fixed point in the second direction can be minimized.
From the above, it was found that in the examples, the deformation of the storage body due to the expansion of the storage cell can be suppressed.

1 ... Power storage module 1A ... First power storage module (power storage module)
1B ... Second power storage module (power storage module)
1C ... Third power storage module (power storage module)
1D ... Fourth power storage module (power storage module)
2 ... Storage body 2a ... Internal space 3 ... Storage cell 4 ... Connecting member 5 ... Flange 6 ... Erecting member 10 ... First plate 10a ... Inner surface of first plate 10b ... Outer surface of first plate 10c ... Plate thickness of first plate Center 13 ... Lightening part 14 ... Refrigerant flow path 20 ... Second plate 20a ... Inner surface of second plate 20b ... Outer surface of second plate 20c ... Plate thickness center of second plate Cp ... Rotation center V1 ... First direction V2 ... Second direction

Claims (11)

A pair of rectangular first plates arranged to face each other and a pair of rectangular second plates arranged to face each other adjacent to the pair of first plates are included, and the pair of first plates and the pair A storage body with an internal space surrounded by the second plate of
The storage cell arranged in the internal space and
A connecting member for rotatably connecting each of the pair of first plates and the pair of second plates is provided.
The connecting member has a rotation center arranged within the plate thickness of the second plate, and has a rotation center.
The center of rotation is a power storage module characterized in that it satisfies any of the following (1) to (3).
(1) The center of rotation is arranged at a position where the center of thickness of the first plate and the center of thickness of the second plate overlap each other.
(2) The center of rotation is arranged between the center of thickness of the second plate and the inner surface of the second plate when viewed from the first direction along the direction in which the pair of first plates face each other. It is arranged between the center of the thickness of the first plate and the outer surface of the first plate when viewed from the second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
(3) The rotation center is arranged between the thickness center of the second plate and the outer surface of the second plate when viewed from the first direction, and the first plate is viewed from the second direction. It is arranged between the center of the plate thickness and the inner surface of the first plate. When the center of rotation satisfies the above (3),
The center of rotation is arranged between the center of thickness of the second plate and the outer surface of the second plate when viewed from the first direction, and the thickness of the first plate when viewed from the second direction. The power storage module according to claim 1, wherein the power storage module is arranged inside the center. When the center of rotation satisfies the above (2),
The center of rotation is arranged at a position overlapping the center of thickness of the second plate when viewed from the first direction, and is arranged outside the center of thickness of the first plate when viewed from the second direction. The power storage module according to claim 1, wherein the power storage module is characterized by the above. The power storage module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting member is a connecting shaft having the center of rotation as an axis. The power storage module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting member is made of metal. The power storage module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an erection member that connects the pair of second plates and separates the internal space. The power storage module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a plate-shaped flange provided so as to project outward from at least one outer surface of the pair of second plates. A erection member that connects the pair of second plates and separates the internal space is further provided.
The power storage module according to claim 7, wherein the flange is arranged closer to the erection member than the first plate in the first direction. The power storage module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the pair of first plates has a lightening portion within the thickness of the first plate. The power storage module according to claim 9, wherein the lightening portion also serves as a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant flows. The power storage module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a plurality of the power storage cells are stacked and arranged between the pair of first plates.

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