JP7828545B2 - Energy storage device - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to an energy storage device comprising multiple energy storage elements.

Conventionally, energy storage devices comprising a battery assembly 510 and a busbar module 500 attached to the upper surface (cell surface) of the battery assembly 510 have been known (see Patent Document 1). Note that Figure 18 only shows the vicinity of the surface of the battery assembly 510 to which the busbar module 500 is attached.

The battery assembly 510 is constructed by arranging multiple rectangular parallelepiped-shaped batteries 511 and housing them in an insulating case. Each battery 511 has a positive electrode column 512 and a negative electrode column 513 protruding upward from one electrode surface. The electrode surface of each battery 511 forms part of the upper surface (cell surface) of the battery assembly.

The battery assembly 510 is constructed by arranging the positive and negative electrode posts 512 and 513 of multiple batteries 511 alternately, and directly connecting the positive and negative electrode posts 512 and 513 of adjacent batteries 511 with busbars 501. Each battery 511 has a screw groove formed in its positive and negative electrode post 512 and 513 for screwing on a nut.

The busbar module 500 is mounted on the upper surface of the cells of the battery assembly 510, with its longitudinal direction oriented in the direction of the battery arrangement. This busbar module 500 is constructed by holding multiple busbars 501, each on a resin plate 502.

The busbar 501 is provided with a pair of insertion holes through which the positive electrode column 512 and negative electrode column 513 of adjacent batteries 511 are inserted, respectively. The resin plate 502 has multiple housing sections 503, each housing a busbar 501. Each housing section 503 is formed by being surrounded by a substantially rectangular peripheral wall 504 that rises in a frame-like manner from the bottom wall of the resin plate 502.

The busbars 501 housed in the housing sections 503 are held within each housing section 503 by engaging with claws protruding from the peripheral walls of each housing section 503. The positive electrode column 512 and negative electrode column 513 of adjacent batteries are inserted through the insertion holes of the busbars 501 held in the housing sections 503, and nuts are tightened onto the positive electrode column 512 and negative electrode column 513 protruding from these insertion holes. In this way, the busbar module 500 is attached to and held on the cell top surface of the battery assembly 510 by tightening nuts onto each electrode column 512 and 513.

In the above-described energy storage device, as mentioned above, the busbar module 500 is attached to the upper surface of the cells of the battery assembly 510 by tightening nuts onto each electrode column 512, 513. Therefore, for example, if a force is applied to the busbar module 500 in a direction away from the battery assembly 510, force is applied (stress tends to concentrate) to the connection points between the busbars 501 held in the housing portion 503 of the busbar module 500 (resin plate 502) and each battery 511 constituting the battery assembly 510, making these connection points susceptible to damage.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-186973

Therefore, the objective of this embodiment is to provide an energy storage device that can suppress the generation of stress at the connection point between the busbar and the external terminal when force is applied to the busbar holding member.

The energy storage device of this embodiment is
A plurality of energy storage elements arranged in a first direction, each having a pair of external terminals at its end in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, with spacing between them in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.
Adjacent members are arranged between adjacent energy storage elements,
Multiple busbars are arranged in the third direction, connecting the external terminals that are aligned in the first direction and spaced apart from each other.
A busbar holding member arranged along the plurality of energy storage elements and holding the plurality of busbars,
It comprises a pair of locking parts for locking the busbar holding member with respect to the adjacent member,
The busbar holding member extends in the third direction from a position corresponding to one end of the energy storage element to a position corresponding to the other end, and also extends in the first direction.
The pair of locking parts are arranged with a gap between them in the third direction.

Based on the above, this embodiment provides a power storage device that can suppress the generation of stress at the connection point between the busbar and the external terminal when force is applied to the busbar holding member.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the energy storage device according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view of the energy storage device. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the plate portion of the energy storage device. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the busbar holding member of the plate portion. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the main body of the energy storage device and the plate portion separated. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the main body of the device, with some components omitted. Figure 7 is a plan view of the main body of the device. Figure 8 is a magnified view of the area shown in VIII of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the first adjacent member of the energy storage device. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of one end of the first adjacent member in the Z-axis direction. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the second adjacent member of the energy storage device. Figure 12 is an enlarged view of one end of the second adjacent member in the Z-axis direction. Figure 13 is a partially enlarged view of the cross-section at position XIII-XIII in Figure 2. Figure 14 is an enlarged plan view of the thermistor holding portion and its surrounding area at an intermediate position in the X-axis direction of the energy storage device, excluding the cover and harness. Figure 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the position XV-XV in Figure 14. Figure 16 is an enlarged plan view of the thermistor holding portion and its surrounding area at the X-axis end of the energy storage device, excluding the cover and harness. Figure 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the position XVII-XVII in Figure 16. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the busbar module in a conventional battery assembly.

The energy storage device of this embodiment is
A plurality of energy storage elements arranged in a first direction, each having a pair of external terminals at its end in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, with spacing between them in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.
Adjacent members are arranged between adjacent energy storage elements,
Multiple busbars are arranged in the third direction, connecting the external terminals that are aligned in the first direction and spaced apart from each other.
A busbar holding member arranged along the plurality of energy storage elements and holding the plurality of busbars,
It comprises a pair of locking parts for locking the busbar holding member with respect to the adjacent member,
The busbar holding member extends in the third direction from a position corresponding to one end of the energy storage element to a position corresponding to the other end, and also extends in the first direction.
The pair of locking parts are arranged with a gap between them in the third direction.

Because the pair of locking parts are positioned with a gap between them in a third direction, the busbar holding member locks to the adjacent member near the part that holds the busbar. This effectively suppresses movement of the busbar holding member relative to the adjacent member around the busbar (the adjacent member positioned between the energy storage elements), thereby reducing the stress generated at the connection point between the busbar and the external terminal when the busbar holding member attempts to move relative to multiple energy storage elements.

In the aforementioned energy storage device,
The pair of locking parts may be positioned between busbars that are spaced apart in the third direction.

With this configuration, warping such that the central part of the busbar holding member bulges in the third direction (moving away from the adjacent member in the second direction) is effectively suppressed, thereby suppressing the generation of stress at the connection point between the busbar and the external terminal caused by the aforementioned warping.

In the aforementioned energy storage device,
The busbar holding member is
A busbar holding portion is positioned at the end in the third direction and holds the busbar,
The device has a thermistor holding portion which is positioned closer to the center of the busbar holding member than the busbar holding portion in the third direction, and which holds the thermistor in a state where it is pressed against the energy storage element.
The locking portion may be positioned between the busbar holding portion and the thermistor holding portion.

With this configuration, a locking portion is positioned between the busbar holder and the thermistor holder. That is, the busbar holder is locked to an adjacent member near both the busbar holder and thermistor holder. Therefore, in addition to the movement of the busbar holder relative to the adjacent member (the adjacent member positioned between the energy storage elements), the movement of the thermistor holder relative to the adjacent member is also effectively suppressed. As a result, when the busbar holder attempts to move relative to multiple energy storage elements, the generation of stress at the connection between the busbar and the external terminal is suppressed, while also maintaining a suitable pressure of the thermistor against the energy storage elements.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned energy storage device,
The busbar holding member has a wire arrangement portion positioned adjacent to the thermistor holding portion in the third direction and on which the wires are arranged, and a partition portion that separates the thermistor holding portion and the wire arrangement portion.
The adjacent member has a main body located between the energy storage elements and an engaging projection that protrudes from the main body toward the busbar holding member.
The partition portion has an engaged portion into which the engaging projection engages,
The locking portion may be composed of the engaging projection and the engaged portion.

In this way, by using a portion of the partition (engaged portion) separating the thermistor holding portion and the wire arrangement portion to lock the busbar holding portion to the adjacent member, the dimensions of the busbar holding member in the third direction can be reduced.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned energy storage device,
The locking portion may lock the busbar holding member to the adjacent member that is adjacent in the first direction to the energy storage element against which the thermistor is pressed among the plurality of energy storage elements.

With this configuration, since the busbar holding member is locked to the adjacent member near the thermistor holding portion, the movement of the thermistor holding portion relative to the energy storage element against which the thermistor is pressed is effectively suppressed. As a result, even if the busbar holding member attempts to move relative to multiple energy storage elements, the thermistor's pressure on the energy storage elements is suitably maintained.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned energy storage device,
The locking portion may be provided at each of the positions that sandwich the energy storage element against which the thermistor is pressed in the first direction.

In this way, by providing locking portions at each position that clamps the energy storage element against which the thermistor is pressed in the first direction, the movement of the thermistor holding portion relative to the energy storage element against which the thermistor is pressed is effectively suppressed. As a result, even if the busbar holding member attempts to move relative to multiple energy storage elements, the pressing of the thermistor against the energy storage element is suitably maintained.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned energy storage device,
Each of the plurality of energy storage elements has a gas discharge valve located at the end in the second direction,
The busbar holding member is
Between the pair of locking portions, an opening extends along the gas discharge valves aligned in the first direction and opens in the second direction,
It has a long member that extends along the opening and closes the opening,
The elongated member may be configured to be removable from the opening, or to guide the gas in the first direction when the gas is released from the gas discharge valve.

The following describes one embodiment of the present invention with reference to Figures 1 to 17. Note that the names of the components (parts) in this embodiment are specific to this embodiment and may differ from the names of the components (parts) in the background art.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of energy storage elements 10 arranged in a first direction, adjacent members 2 positioned between adjacent energy storage elements 10, a plurality of busbars 6 that provide electrical conductivity between the energy storage elements 10, a busbar holding member 7 that holds the plurality of busbars 6, and at least one pair of locking parts L (see Figure 13) that lock the busbar holding member 7 to the adjacent members 2. Specifically, it is as follows:

This energy storage device 1 comprises a device body A having a plurality of energy storage elements 10, each having an external terminal 14, and a plate portion B including a busbar holding member 7 and covering the surface of the device body A where the external terminals 14 are aligned.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the main body of the device A comprises a plurality of energy storage elements 10 arranged in the predetermined direction, a plurality of adjacent members 2 adjacent to the energy storage elements 10 in the predetermined direction, and a holding member 3 that holds these plurality of energy storage elements 10 and the plurality of adjacent members 2. The main body of the device A also comprises a first fastening member 4 that fixes at least one adjacent member 2 to the holding member 3, and an insulator 5 that insulates the plurality of energy storage elements 10 from the holding member 3.

Each of the multiple energy storage elements 10 is a primary battery, secondary battery, capacitor, etc. The energy storage element 10 in this embodiment is a rechargeable non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. More specifically, the energy storage element 10 is a lithium-ion secondary battery that utilizes electron transfer generated by the movement of lithium ions.

Specifically, each energy storage element 10 comprises an electrode body, a case 11 housing the electrode body together with an electrolyte, an external terminal 14 with at least a portion exposed to the outside of the case 11, and a current collector connecting the electrode body and the external terminal 14. The energy storage element 10 in this embodiment is equipped with a pair of external terminals 14, which are spaced apart at the end of the energy storage element 10 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions. In the following description, the first direction is defined as the X-axis direction of the Cartesian coordinate system, the third direction as the Y-axis direction of the Cartesian coordinate system, and the second direction as the Z-axis direction of the Cartesian coordinate system.

In the electrode assembly, positive and negative electrodes are alternately stacked with a separator in between. The energy storage element 10 charges and discharges as lithium ions move between the positive and negative electrodes in this electrode assembly.

Case 11 comprises a case body 12 having an opening at one end in the Z-axis direction (upper end in Figure 6), and a plate-shaped cover plate 13 that closes (seals) the opening of the case body 12. The case body 12 has a rectangular tube shape (i.e., a bottomed rectangular tube shape) with the other end in the Z-axis direction (lower end in Figure 6) closed, while case 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape (hexagonal shape).

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

The closure portion 121 is located at the lower end of the case body 12 when the case body 12 is positioned with the opening facing upwards (i.e., it becomes the bottom wall of the case body 12 when the opening is facing upwards). The closure portion 121 is rectangular in shape, elongated in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

The body portion 122 is rectangular in shape, more specifically, a flattened rectangular shape. The body portion 122 has a pair of long wall portions 123 extending from the long sides at the periphery of the closure portion 121, and a pair of short wall portions 124 extending from the short sides at the periphery of the closure portion 121. In this body portion 122, the short wall portions 124 connect the opposing ends of the pair of long wall portions 123 in the X-axis direction, thereby forming the rectangular tubular body portion 122.

The cover plate 13 is a plate-shaped member that closes the opening of the case body 12. This cover plate 13 has a rectangular plate-shaped cover plate body 131 that is elongated in the Y-axis direction, and a gas discharge valve 132 positioned on the cover plate body 131.

The gas discharge valve 132 discharges gas to the outside when the pressure inside the case 11 exceeds a predetermined value due to gas generation within the case 11. In this embodiment, the gas discharge valve 132 is positioned in the center of the cover plate body 131 in the Y-axis direction.

The case 11 is formed when the cover plate 13, constructed in this manner, is joined to the case body 12 with its peripheral edge overlapping the opening peripheral edge of the case body 12.

Each of the pair of external terminals 14 is a part that is electrically connected to the external terminals 14 of another energy storage element 10 or to external equipment, etc. Each external terminal 14 is formed from a conductive material. For example, each external terminal 14 is formed from a highly weldable metal material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or a copper alloy.

These pair of external terminals 14 are positioned at both ends of the cover plate 13 in the Y-axis direction (longitudinal direction). That is, the pair of external terminals 14 are positioned on the cover plate 13 with the gas exhaust valve 132 in between.

The energy storage elements 10 described above are flattened rectangular parallelepipeds, and multiple energy storage elements 10 are arranged in the Z-axis direction with the wide surfaces (long walls 123) of the case 11 facing each other. At this time, the gas discharge valves 132 of each energy storage element 10 are arranged in a single line in the X-axis direction (see Figures 7 and 8). Furthermore, one external terminal 14 of each energy storage element 10 and the other external terminal 14 are aligned in the X-axis direction at each position with the gas discharge valve 132 in between.

Each of the multiple adjacent members 2 is insulating and is positioned between energy storage elements 10 aligned in the X-axis direction, or between an energy storage element 10 and a member aligned with respect to the energy storage element 10 in the X-axis direction (in this embodiment, a part of the holding member 3). The adjacent members 2 in this embodiment are made of resin. These adjacent members 2 form a flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid (a gas such as air in this embodiment) can flow between adjacent energy storage elements 10. These multiple adjacent members 2 include multiple types of adjacent members 2A, 2B, and 2C.

Specifically, the plurality of adjacent members 2 include a first adjacent member 2A positioned between two adjacent energy storage elements 10, a second adjacent member 2B positioned between adjacent energy storage elements 10 and fixed to the holding member 3, and a third adjacent member 2C adjacent to the energy storage element 10 between the holding member 3 and the energy storage element 10 at the outermost end in the X-axis direction. That is, the energy storage device 1 comprises a first adjacent member 2A, a second adjacent member 2B, and a third adjacent member 2C as adjacent members 2. The energy storage device 1 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of first adjacent members 2A, one second adjacent member 2B, and two (a pair) third adjacent members 2C. Each of these plurality of first adjacent members 2A is positioned between each energy storage element 10, excluding the spaces between the energy storage elements 10 where the second adjacent member 2B is positioned.

Each of the multiple first adjacent members 2A, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, has a first main body portion 21A that extends in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction between adjacent energy storage elements 10 in the X-axis direction, an engaging projection 22A that protrudes from the first main body portion 21A toward one direction in the Z-axis direction (i.e., toward the busbar holding member 7), and at least one first restricting portion 25A that restricts the movement of the energy storage element 10 adjacent to the first main body portion 21A relative to the first main body portion 21A. Each of the multiple first adjacent members 2A in this embodiment has a locking portion 23A that protrudes from the first main body portion 21A toward one direction in the Z-axis direction, and an extension portion 24A that extends in the X-axis direction from one end of the first main body portion 21A in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, each of these multiple first adjacent members 2A forms at least one flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between adjacent energy storage elements 10.

The first main body portion 21A is the part that faces the long wall portion 123 of the case 11 of the energy storage element 10, with a portion of it in contact with it. This first main body portion 21A, in cooperation with the adjacent energy storage element 10, forms a flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between it and the energy storage element 10. In this embodiment, the first main body portion 21A is a rectangular plate shape with a size corresponding to the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction, and its cross-sectional shape along the X-Z plane (the plane including the X-axis and Z-axis directions) is a rectangular wave shape.

The extension portion 24A extends from the central part in the Y-axis direction at one end of the first main body portion 21A in the Z-axis direction, specifically from a position corresponding to the gas discharge valve 132 of the energy storage element 10 adjacent to the first adjacent member 2A having the extension portion 24A, in both directions along the X-axis. That is, the first adjacent member 2A has a pair of extension portions 24A. Each extension portion 24A in this embodiment has a line-symmetric shape with respect to a virtual line extending in the X-axis direction from the central position in the Y-axis direction of the first main body portion 21A. Each of these pair of extension portions 24A is a portion that spreads along the X-Y plane (a plane including the X-axis and Y-axis directions), and has an arc-shaped notch 241 at its tip corresponding to the gas discharge valve 132.

The locking portion 23A is the part that locks the member 77 constituting the plate portion B (see Figure 13). In this embodiment, a pair of locking portions 23A are provided, positioned at the center in the Y-axis direction of one end of the first main body portion 21A in the Z-axis direction, specifically, at a position that sandwiches the extended portion 24A in the Y-axis direction. These pair of locking portions 23A clamp the member 77 constituting the plate portion B in the Y-axis direction.

The engaging projection 22A is the portion that engages with the busbar holding member 7. In this embodiment, a pair of engaging projections 22A are provided, positioned at the center of the Y-axis direction at one end of the first main body portion 21A in the Z-axis direction, specifically, at a position that sandwiches the pair of locking portions 23A in the Y-axis direction.

Each engaging projection 22A has a shaft portion 221 extending in the Z-axis direction from the first main body portion 21A, and an engaging portion 222 that engages with the busbar holding member 7. The shaft portion 221 is flexible and bends so that when a force is applied to the engaging portion 222 toward the center of the first adjacent member 2A in the Y-axis direction, the engaging portion 222 moves toward the center. Furthermore, the engaging portion 222 has a beveled surface 222a that is located outward in the Y-axis direction as it progresses from the tip toward the first main body portion 21A.

The first restricting portion 25A extends in the X-axis direction from at least one corner of the rectangular first main body portion 21A and restricts the relative movement of the energy storage element 10 (specifically the case 11) adjacent to the first main body portion 21A in the Y-Z plane direction by contacting it from the outside in the Y-Z plane direction. In this embodiment, the first restricting portion 25A extends from the first main body portion 21A in one direction and the other in the X-axis direction.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the second adjacent member 2B includes a second main body portion 21B extending in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction (Y-Z plane direction (a plane including the Y-axis and Z-axis directions)) between two adjacent energy storage elements 10, an engaging projection 22B projecting from the second main body portion 21B toward one direction in the Z-axis direction, at least one second restricting portion 25B that restricts the movement of the energy storage element 10 adjacent to the second main body portion 21B relative to the second main body portion 21B, and a second fastening member 26B used for fixing the second adjacent member 2B to the holding member 3. In this embodiment, the second adjacent member 2B also has an extension portion 24B extending in the X-axis direction from one end of the second main body portion 21B in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, this second adjacent member 2B also forms at least one flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between it and the adjacent energy storage elements 10.

The second main body portion 21B is the part that faces the long wall portion 123 of the case 11 of the energy storage element 10, with a portion of it in contact with it. This second main body portion 21B, in cooperation with the adjacent energy storage element 10, forms a flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between it and the energy storage element 10. The dimension of this second main body portion 21B in the X-axis direction is larger than the dimension of the first main body portion 21A in the X-axis direction (i.e., it is thicker). In this embodiment, the second main body portion 21B is a rectangular plate shape with a size corresponding to the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction. This second main body portion 21B has a plurality of protrusions 211B, each extending in the Y-axis direction and spaced apart in the Z-axis direction. These plurality of protrusions 211B protrude from the surface 212B of the second main body portion 21B facing the energy storage element 10.

The extension portion 24B has the same configuration as the extension portion 24A of the first adjacent member 2A. That is, the extension portion 24B is a part that extends from the second main body portion 21B in one direction along the X-axis, and each portion has an arc-shaped notch 241 at its tip. The extension portion 24B in this embodiment has a line-symmetrical shape with respect to a virtual line extending in the X-axis direction from the central position in the Y-axis direction of the second main body portion 21B.

The engaging projection 22B has the same configuration as the engaging projection 22B of the first adjacent member 2A. That is, a pair of engaging projections 22B are arranged on the second main body 21B, and each engaging projection 22B has a shaft portion 221 and an engaging portion 222 having an engaging inclined surface 222a.

The second restricting portion 25B extends in the X-axis direction from at least one corner of the rectangular second main body portion 21B and restricts the relative movement of the energy storage element 10 (specifically the case 11) adjacent to the second main body portion 21B in the Y-Z plane direction by contacting it from the outside in the Y-Z plane direction. In this embodiment, the second restricting portion 25B extends from the second main body portion 21B in one direction and the other in the X-axis direction.

The second fastening members 26B are positioned at each end of the second main body 21B in the Y-axis direction. Each of these multiple second fastening members 26B engages with the first fastening member 4 to fasten the second adjacent member 2B to the retaining member 3. In this embodiment, each second fastening member 26B is an insert nut. Furthermore, each first fastening member 4 in this embodiment is a bolt, which fastens the second adjacent member 2B to the retaining member 3 by engaging (screwing) with the second fastening member 26B while the retaining member 3 is inserted through it.

Each of the two third adjacent members 2C has a third main body portion 21C that extends in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction between adjacent energy storage elements 10 and a part 31 of the holding member 3 in the X-axis direction, and at least one third restricting portion 25C that restricts the movement of the energy storage element 10 adjacent to the third main body portion 21C relative to the third main body portion 21C. Furthermore, each of the two third adjacent members 2C forms at least one flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between adjacent energy storage elements 10.

The third main body portion 21C is the part that faces the long wall portion 123 of the energy storage element 10, with a portion of it in contact with it. Similar to the first main body portion 21A of the first adjacent member 2A and the second main body portion 21B of the second adjacent member 2B, this third main body portion 21C, in cooperation with the adjacent energy storage element 10, forms a flow path R through which a temperature-regulating fluid can flow between it and the energy storage element 10. In this embodiment, the third main body portion 21C is a rectangular plate shape with a size corresponding to the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction. This third main body portion 21C has a plurality of protrusions 211C, each extending in the Y-axis direction and spaced apart in the Z-axis direction. These multiple protrusions 211C protrude from the surface 212C of the third main body portion 21C facing the energy storage element 10.

The third restricting portion 25C extends in the X-axis direction from at least one corner of the rectangular third main body portion 21C and restricts the relative movement of the energy storage element 10 (specifically the case 11) adjacent to the third main body portion 21C in the Y-Z plane direction by contacting it from the outside in the Y-Z plane direction. In this embodiment, the third restricting portion 25C extends from the third main body portion 21C toward one side in the X-axis direction (towards the energy storage element 10).

As shown in Figures 1, 5, and 6, the holding member 3 holds the laminate D, which is composed of energy storage elements 10 and adjacent members 2 arranged alternately in the X-axis direction, by surrounding the laminate D. That is, the holding member 3 holds the multiple energy storage elements 10 and multiple adjacent members 2 together by surrounding them. This holding member 3 is made of a conductive material such as metal.

Specifically, the holding member 3 comprises a pair of end members 31 positioned on both sides of the laminate D in the X-axis direction, an extension member 32 extending in the X-axis direction along the laminate D at a position adjacent to the laminate D in the Y-axis direction, and a connecting member 33 connecting the end members 31 and the extension member 32.

Each of the pair of end members 31 is positioned to sandwich a third adjacent member 2C between itself and the energy storage element 10 located at the end in the X-axis direction. Specifically, each of the pair of end members 31 has an end member body 311 extending along the Y-Z plane and a flange portion 313 extending from the end member body 311 away from the energy storage element 10 in the X-axis direction.

The terminal member body 311 is rectangular in shape, corresponding to the size of the energy storage element 10 when viewed from the X-axis direction. More specifically, the terminal member body 311 is a long rectangle in the Y-axis direction and has multiple through holes 312 at both ends in the Y-axis direction, spaced apart in the Z-axis direction. The flange portion 313 extends from one end of the terminal member body 311 in the Z-axis direction in both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

Each of the pair of extension members 32 has an extension member body 320 facing the short wall portion 124 of each energy storage element 10, a first piece portion 321 extending in the Y-axis direction and in the X-axis direction from one end of the extension member body 320 in the Z-axis direction along the cover plate 13 of each energy storage element 10, a second piece portion 322 extending in the Y-axis direction and in the X-axis direction from the other end of the extension member body 320 in the Z-axis direction along the closing portion 121 of each energy storage element 10, and a pair of third pieces portion 323 extending in the Y-axis direction and in the Z-axis direction from each end of the extension member body 320 in the X-axis direction along the end member 31.

The extension member body 320 is plate-shaped, extending along the short wall portion 124 of each energy storage element 10. It has multiple first through-holes 3201 penetrating in the Y-axis direction to allow temperature-regulating fluid to flow into or out of each flow path R, and multiple second through-holes 3202 penetrating in the Y-axis direction at positions corresponding to each second fastening member 26B of the second adjacent member 2B. The first fastening member 4 is inserted through these second through-holes 3202.

The first piece 321 is a long, strip-shaped portion in the X-axis direction, and the second piece 322 is also a long, strip-shaped portion in the X-axis direction. The width of the portion of the second piece 322 excluding both ends in the X-axis direction (dimension in the Y-axis direction) is greater than the width of the first piece 321. Furthermore, each of the pair of third pieces 323 has a plurality of through holes 3231 spaced apart in the Z-axis direction. Each through hole 3231 is positioned corresponding to the through hole 312 of the end member 31.

Each of the multiple connecting members 33 fastens the end member 31 and the extension member 32 by inserting them through the through hole 312 of the end member 31 and the through hole 3231 of the extension member 32 (specifically, the third piece 323). In this embodiment, each connecting member 33 is composed of a bolt 331 and a nut 332.

The insulator 5 has insulating properties. This insulator 5 is placed between the stretched member 32 and the laminated body D. Specifically, the energy storage device 1 comprises a pair of insulators 5, each insulator 5 covering a region of the stretched member 32 facing at least a plurality of energy storage elements 10. Thus, each insulator 5 insulates the stretched member 32 from the plurality of energy storage elements 10. Each insulator 5 has a through-hole 51 at a position corresponding to each of the first through-holes 3201 of the stretched member body 320, with a size and shape corresponding to each of the first through-holes 3201 of the stretched member body 320.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the plate portion B comprises a plurality of busbars 6, at least one thermistor S for detecting the temperature of the energy storage element 10, a busbar holding member 7 for holding the plurality of busbars 6, and a harness 8 having a plurality of electric wires 80 connected to the busbars 6 and thermistor S. Note that in Figure 3, for the sake of explanation, all but one cover portion 73 are omitted. Also, in Figure 4, for the sake of explanation, in addition to the other cover portion 73, the harness 8 and the long member 77 (a component of the busbar holding member 7: see Figure 3) are omitted.

Each of the multiple busbars 6 is a conductive plate-shaped member, such as metal, and connects the external terminals 14 of different energy storage elements 10. Each of these multiple busbars 6 connects the external terminals 14 of adjacent energy storage elements 10, thereby creating electrical conductivity between them. In this embodiment, each busbar 6 is welded to the external terminal 14. Furthermore, these multiple busbars 6 are arranged in the X-axis direction on one side of the Y-axis and the other side, respectively, to form a row of busbars 6 (busbar rows). That is, the two busbar rows extend in the X-axis direction at positions spaced apart in the Y-axis direction (one side of the Y-axis and the other side).

The thermistor S, by contacting the surface (case 11) of the energy storage element 10, outputs a signal corresponding to the surface temperature of the energy storage element 10. The energy storage device 1 in this embodiment includes multiple thermistors S (a number less than or equal to the number of energy storage elements 10 in the device 1), and detects the temperature of a predetermined energy storage element 10 among the multiple energy storage elements 10.

The harness 8 comprises a cable section 81 having multiple wires 80, and a connector 82 positioned at the end of the cable section 81.

The cable section 81 is formed by bundling at least a portion of multiple electric wires 80, each with one end connected to a busbar 6 or thermistor S. The cable section 81 is positioned on the busbar holding member 7 with one end protruding from the busbar holding member 7 in the X-axis direction. A connector 82 is attached to the protruding end of the cable section 81. In this embodiment, the connector 82 is a multi-pin connector, and two of them are provided.

Each wire 80 included in this cable section 81 is electrically connected to each busbar 6 constituting one busbar row in the Y-axis direction and each busbar 6 constituting the other busbar row in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the cable section 81 is drawn out from one end of the busbar holding member 7 in the X-axis direction. More specifically, the multiple wires 80 constituting the cable section 81 are drawn out together from one end of the busbar holding member 7 in the X-axis direction.

The busbar retaining member 7 has a plate-shaped retaining member body 70 that covers the surface of the laminate D where the external terminals 14 are arranged. Furthermore, the busbar retaining member 7 in this embodiment has a long member 77 that is detachably attached to the retaining member body 70.

The holding member body 70 is a plate-shaped member whose dimensions in the Z-axis direction are smaller than those in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and is rectangular in size corresponding to the laminated body D when viewed from the Z-axis direction. This holding member body 70 has a plurality of busbar holding portions 71, each holding a busbar 6, a harness arrangement portion (wire arrangement portion) 72 where the harness 8 is placed, and a plurality of cover portions 73. The holding member body 70 also has a plurality of thermistor holding portions 74, each holding a thermistor S. In this embodiment, the holding member body 70 has an opening 75 that exposes a part of the laminated body D (in this example, the gas discharge valves 132 of each energy storage element 10) when viewed from the plate portion B toward the device body A (i.e., when viewed from one side in the Z-axis direction to the other) (see Figure 4).

Each of the multiple busbar holding portions 71, as shown in Figures 13, 14, and 16, has a bottom wall portion 711 with a pair of openings through which the corresponding external terminals 14 of adjacent energy storage elements 10 (specifically, the positive external terminal 14 of one energy storage element 10 and the negative external terminal 14 of the other energy storage element 10) are inserted, and a peripheral wall portion 712 extending from the bottom wall portion 711 in one direction in the Z-axis direction.

The peripheral wall portion 712 is cylindrical in shape, surrounding (i.e., encircling) the busbar 6 that connects the two external terminals 14 inserted through the opening in the bottom wall portion 711, along the periphery of the busbar 6. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 712 is rectangular. Furthermore, at least one retaining portion 7121 is provided within the peripheral wall portion 712, and the periphery of the busbar 6, which is placed on the bottom wall portion 711, is restricted from moving in one direction in the Z-axis direction (opposite the bottom wall portion 711) by at least one retaining portion 7121, thereby holding the busbar 6 in the busbar holding portion 71.

Each busbar retaining portion 71, as described above, is aligned in the X-axis direction at both the Y-axis end and the other end of the retaining member body 70. In other words, on the retaining member body 70, two rows of busbar retaining portions 71 (hereinafter also referred to as "retaining portion row 71A") are arranged with a gap in the Y-axis direction. This retaining portion row 71A extends from one end to the other end of the busbar retaining member 7 in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, adjacent busbar retaining portions 71 in this retaining portion row 71A share a common portion of the peripheral wall 712. That is, in two busbar retaining portions 71 adjacent in the X-axis direction within the retaining portion row 71A, a portion of the peripheral wall 712 is composed of a common part (wall).

The harness placement section 72 is a groove-shaped portion in the retaining member body 70, with the cable portion 81 of the harness 8 positioned inside. This harness placement section 72 has two first portions 721 extending in the X-axis direction along each retaining portion row 71A at adjacent positions on the inside of each retaining portion row 71A in the Y-axis direction (towards the center C of the retaining member body 70: see Figure 4), and a second portion 722 extending in the Y-axis direction and connecting one end of each first portion 721 in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the harness placement section 72 has cable portions 81 positioned in each of the first portions 721 and the second portion 722, and the harness 8 is positioned such that the end of the harness 8 on the connector 82 side protrudes in the X-axis direction from the center of the second portion 722 in the Y-axis direction.

Each side wall portion 7211 of the first portion 721 in the Y-axis direction extends continuously or intermittently in the X-axis direction. The bottom wall portion 7212 of the first portion 721 also extends continuously or intermittently in the X-axis direction. In each of the first portions 721 in this embodiment, both the side wall portion 7211 and the bottom wall portion 7212 extend intermittently in the X-axis direction.

The first portion 721 has a notch 7213 (or hole) extending in the Z-axis direction at positions corresponding to the engaging projections 22A and 22B of adjacent members 2A and 2B in the bottom wall portion 7212 and the inner side wall portion 7211 in the Y-axis direction. The engaging portions 222 of the engaging projections 22A and 22B, when positioned within the notch 7213 (or inserted through the hole), engage with the peripheral edge of the notch 7213 (or hole) (in this embodiment, the peripheral edge of the notch 7213; hereinafter also referred to as the "engaged portion") 7213a (see Figure 13).

Each of the multiple cover portions 73 is a plate-like portion that releasably covers one end in the Z-axis direction of the peripheral wall portion 712 of the busbar holding portion 71 and one end in the Z-axis direction of the first portion 721 of the harness arrangement portion 72. Each cover portion 73 is rectangular in shape, with a portion of its periphery connected to a portion of the aforementioned end in the Z-axis direction of the peripheral wall portion 712 (see Figures 3 and 4). This connection portion between the peripheral wall portion 712 and the cover portion 73 is flexible. In this embodiment, the cover portion 73 is rectangular in shape, large enough to cover two adjacent busbar holding portions 71 in the X-axis direction and a portion of the first portion 721 adjacent to the two busbar holding portions 71 in the Y-axis direction, or rectangular in shape, large enough to cover one busbar holding portion 71 and a portion of the first portion 721 adjacent to the one busbar holding portion 71 in the Y-axis direction.

The multiple thermistor holding portions 74 are arranged on the inside of the first portion 721 in the Y-axis direction, spaced apart in the X-axis direction. As shown in Figures 15 and 17, each thermistor holding portion 74 holds the thermistor S in a state where it is pressed against the energy storage element 10 (in this embodiment, the cover plate 13). In the holding member body 70 of this embodiment, the multiple thermistor holding portions 74 are arranged in the Y-axis direction, spaced apart in the X-axis direction at positions adjacent to each other on the inside of the first portion 721 on one side of the center C, and at positions adjacent to each other on the inside of the first portion 721 on the other side.

The thermistor holding portion 74 in this embodiment is a part that holds the thermistor S so as to surround the thermistor S. The specific configuration is not limited as long as it can hold the thermistor S while pressing it toward the energy storage element 10.

In the energy storage device 1, which includes the holding member body 70 configured as described above, the engaging protrusions 22A and 22B of the adjacent members 2A and 2B that are engaged with each other, and the engaged portion (periphery of the notch 7213) 7213a of the holding member body 70, constitute a locking portion L that locks the busbar holding member 7 to the adjacent members 2A and 2B (see Figure 13).

In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, each adjacent member 2A, 2B has a pair of engaging protrusions 22A, 22B. Therefore, at positions corresponding to each adjacent member 2A, 2B in the energy storage device 1, a pair of locking portions L (hereinafter also simply referred to as "locking portion pair Lp") are formed, spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. That is, the energy storage device 1 has a plurality of locking portion pairs Lp arranged in the X-axis direction.

Each of these locking portion pairs Lp is positioned (formed) between busbars 6 (i.e., between busbar holding portions 71) that are spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, at the X-axis end of the energy storage device 1, the locking portion L locks the busbar holding member 7 to an adjacent member (first adjacent member 2A) adjacent to the energy storage element 10 against which the thermistor S is pressed in the X-axis direction (see Figures 16 and 17). Also, at the portion corresponding to the thermistor holding portion 74 at an intermediate position in the X-axis direction of the energy storage device 1, the locking portion L is formed at positions that sandwich the energy storage element 10 against which the thermistor S is pressed in the X-axis direction (see Figures 14 and 15). Specifically, the busbar holding member 7 is locked by two locking portions L to the adjacent members 2A and 2B adjacent to the energy storage element 10 (to which the thermistor S is pressed) from one side in the X-axis direction, and to the adjacent members 2A and 2B adjacent to the energy storage element 10 from the other side in the X-axis direction.

The opening 75 extends along the gas discharge valve 132, which is aligned in the X-axis direction between the pair of locking parts L that constitute each pair of locking parts Lp, and opens in the Z-axis direction (see Figure 4). In this embodiment, the opening 75 extends from one end to the other in the X-axis direction of the holding member body 70, at the center of the holding member body 70 in the Y-axis direction (specifically, between the thermistor holding part 74 located on one side of the center C in the Y-axis direction of the holding member body 70 and the thermistor holding part 74 located on the other side).

The elongated member 77 is a member that extends in the X-axis direction and is detachably attached to the opening 75 of the holding member body 70 to close the opening 75. In this embodiment, the elongated member is formed from an insulating material such as resin.

In the energy storage device 1 configured as described above, the pair of locking parts L constituting the locking part pair Lp are arranged with a gap between them in the Y-axis direction. This allows the busbar holding member 7 to lock with adjacent members 2A and 2B near the part that holds the busbar 6 (busbar holding part 71). Therefore, movement of the busbar holding member 7 relative to the adjacent members (adjacent members arranged between the energy storage elements 10) 2A and 2B around the busbar 6 is effectively suppressed. As a result, the generation of stress at the connection point between the busbar 6 and the external terminal 14 (in this embodiment, the welded area between the external terminal 14 and the busbar 6) when the busbar holding member 7 attempts to move relative to the multiple energy storage elements 10 is suppressed.

In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, each locking portion pair Lp is positioned between busbars 6 that are spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, warping of the busbar holding member 7 (specifically, the holding member body 70) in the Y-axis direction (moving away from the adjacent member 2 in the Z-axis direction) is effectively suppressed. This suppresses the generation of stress at the connection point between the busbar 6 and the external terminal 14 caused by the aforementioned warping. Furthermore, with this configuration, the busbar holding member 7 (specifically, the holding member body 70) can be locked to the adjacent members 2A and 2B without being affected by the warping of the busbar holding member 7.

Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the busbar holding member 7 has a busbar holding portion 71 positioned at the end in the Y-axis direction and holding the busbar 6, and a thermistor holding portion 74 positioned closer to the center C (see Figure 4) of the busbar holding member 7 than the busbar holding portion 71 in the Y-axis direction and holding the thermistor S in a state pressed against the energy storage element 10, and a locking portion L is positioned between the busbar holding portion 71 and the thermistor holding portion 74 (see Figure 13). In this way, the locking portion L is positioned between the busbar holding portion 71 and the thermistor holding portion 74, that is, the busbar holding member 7 is locked to adjacent members 2A and 2B near the busbar holding portion 71 and thermistor holding portion 74 respectively, so that in addition to the movement of the busbar holding member 7 relative to the adjacent members (adjacent members positioned between the energy storage elements 10) 2A and 2B, the movement of the thermistor holding portion 74 relative to the adjacent members 2A and 2B is also effectively suppressed. As a result, in the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, when the busbar holding member 7 attempts to move relative to the multiple energy storage elements 10, the generation of stress at the connection between the busbar 6 and the external terminal 14 is suppressed, while the pressing of the thermistor S against the energy storage elements 10 is also suitably maintained.

Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the busbar holding member 7 has a first portion 721 of a harness arrangement portion (wire arrangement portion) 72 which is positioned adjacent to the thermistor holding portion 74 in the Y-axis direction and on which the harness 8 (more specifically, a plurality of electric wires 80 included in the cable portion 81) is arranged, and a portion (side wall portion 7211: partition portion) which separates the thermistor holding portion 74 and the first portion 721. In addition, the adjacent members 2A and 2B have main body portions 21A and 21B located between the energy storage elements 10, and engaging projections 22A and 22B which protrude from the main body portions 21A and 21B toward the busbar holding member 7, and the side wall portion (partition portion) 7211 has an engaged portion (peripheral edge portion of the notch 7213) 7213a into which the engaging projections 22A and 22B engage. The locking portion L is composed of engaging protrusions 22A and 22B and an engaged portion. By using a portion of the side wall portion 7211 (the engaged portion 7213a) separating the thermistor holding portion 74 and the first portion 721 to lock the busbar holding member 7 to the adjacent members 2A and 2B, the Y-axis dimension of the busbar holding member 7 can be reduced compared to a case where the engaged portion is formed between the first portion 721 and the thermistor holding portion 74 using portions not included in the first portion 721 and the thermistor holding portion 74.

Furthermore, at the X-axis end of the energy storage device 1 in this embodiment, the locking portion L locks the busbar holding member 7 to adjacent members 2A adjacent to the energy storage element 10 against which the thermistor S is pressed, in the X-axis direction (see Figures 15 and 17). In this way, because the busbar holding member 7 is locked to adjacent members 2A and 2B near the thermistor holding portion 74, the movement of the thermistor holding portion 74 relative to the energy storage element 10 against which the thermistor S is pressed is effectively suppressed. As a result, even if the busbar holding member 7 attempts to move relative to multiple energy storage elements 10, the pressing of the thermistor S against the energy storage elements 10 is suitably maintained.

Furthermore, in the vicinity of the thermistor holding portion 74 at an intermediate position in the X-axis direction of the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment (a position excluding both ends of the energy storage device 1), locking portions L are provided at positions that clamp the energy storage element 10 against which the thermistor S is pressed in the X-axis direction (see Figures 14 and 15). By providing locking portions L at each position that clamps the energy storage element 10 against which the thermistor S is pressed in the X-axis direction, the movement of the thermistor holding portion 74 relative to the energy storage element 10 against which the thermistor S is pressed is effectively suppressed. As a result, even if the busbar holding member 7 attempts to move relative to the multiple energy storage elements 10, the pressing of the thermistor S against the energy storage elements 10 is suitably maintained.

Furthermore, the energy storage device of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, and a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Moreover, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

The specific configuration of the elongated member 77 of the busbar holding member 7 is not limited. While the elongated member 77 in the above embodiment does not have the function of guiding the gas in a predetermined direction when it is discharged from the gas discharge valve 132 of the energy storage element 10, for example, the elongated member 77 may be configured to guide the gas in the X-axis direction when it is discharged from the gas discharge valve 132 of the energy storage element 10, and to discharge it to the outside from the X-axis end of the energy storage device 1.

Furthermore, the opening 75 of the busbar holding member 7 (more specifically, the holding member body 70) in the above embodiment extends in the X-axis direction at the center C position in the Y-axis direction of the holding member body 70, that is, at the position where the gas discharge valves 132 of each energy storage element 10 of the device body A are aligned in the X-axis direction. However, it is not limited to this position. It may be positioned at a location offset from the row of gas discharge valves 132. Also, multiple openings 75 may be provided.

Furthermore, although the busbar holding member 7 in the above embodiment has an elongated member 77, it does not necessarily have to have an elongated member 77.

Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, the locking portion pair Lp is located inside the busbar 6 (on the center C side of the holding member body 70), which is spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. However, the configuration is not limited to this. Each locking portion L constituting the locking portion pair Lp may be located outside the busbar 6, which is spaced apart in the Y-axis direction.

Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, each adjacent member 2A, 2B has an engaging projection 22A, 22B, and the holding member body 70 has an engaged portion 7213a at the corresponding location to the engaging projection 22A, 22B. However, the configuration is not limited to this. It is also possible to have a configuration where some of the multiple adjacent members 2A, 2B have engaging projections 22A, 22B, and the holding member body 70 has an engaged portion 7213a at the corresponding location to the engaging projection 22A, 22B.

Furthermore, although the holding member body 70 in the above embodiment has a thermistor holding portion 74, it does not necessarily have to have a thermistor holding portion 74.

Furthermore, although the locking portion L in the above embodiment is located on the outside (including the outer edge) of the thermistor holding portion 74 in the Y-axis direction, the configuration is not limited to this. The locking portion L may also be located on the inside (including the inner edge) of the thermistor holding portion 74 in the Y-axis direction.

Furthermore, in the locking portion L of the above embodiment, the engaging projections 22A and 22B of adjacent members 2A and 2B engage with the engaged portion 7213a of the holding member body 70, but the configuration is not limited to this. The engaging projections extending from the holding member body 70 toward the device body A may engage with the engaged portion of the device body A, or the engaging projections extending from the holding member body 70 toward the device body A and the engaging projections extending from the device body A toward the holding member body 70 may engage with each other.

Furthermore, in the energy storage device 1 of the above embodiment, a locking portion L is formed at the position of the adjacent member 2 adjacent to the energy storage element 10 against which the thermistor S is pressed (i.e., the adjacent members 2A and 2B have engaging protrusions 22A and 22B), but the configuration is not limited to this. The locking portion L may be positioned at a distance in the X-axis direction from the adjacent members 2A and 2B adjacent to the energy storage element 10 against which the thermistor S is pressed.

Furthermore, in the holding member body 70 of the above embodiment, the engaged portion 7213a is provided on the wall 7211 that separates the first portion 721 and the thermistor holding portion 74 (the portion shared by the first portion 721 and the thermistor holding portion 74), but it may be provided at other locations.

Furthermore, while the above embodiments described a case where the energy storage element is used as a rechargeable non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery (e.g., a lithium-ion secondary battery), the type and size (capacity) of the energy storage element are arbitrary. Also, while the above embodiments described a lithium-ion secondary battery as an example of an energy storage element, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applicable to various secondary batteries, primary batteries, and other capacitors such as electric double-layer capacitors.

1...Energy storage device, 2...Adjacent member, 2A...First adjacent member, 21A...First main body (main body), 22A...Engaging projection, 221...Shaft, 222...Engaging part, 222a...Engaging slope, 23A...Locking part, 24A...Extended part, 25A...First restricting part, 2B...Second adjacent member, 21B...Second main body (main body), 211B...Protrusion, 212B...Opposite surface, 22B...Engaging projection, 24B...Extended part, 25B...Second restricting part, 26B...Second fastening member, 2C...Third adjacent member, 21C...Third main body, 211C...Protrusion, 212C...Opposite surface, 25C...Third restricting part, 3...Holding member, 31...Ending member, 311...Ending member body, 312...Through hole, 313...Flange part, 32...Extending member, 320...Extending member body, 3201...First through hole, 3202...Second through hole, 321...First piece, 322...Second piece, 323...Third piece, 3231...Through hole, 33...Connecting member, 331...Bolt, 332...Nut, 4...First fastening member, 5...Insulator, 51...Through hole, 6...Busbar, 7...Busbar holding member, 70...Holding part Material body, 71...bus bar holding part, 71A...holding part row, 711...bottom wall part, 712...peripheral wall part, 7121...pressing part, 72...harness arrangement part, 721...first part, 7211...side wall part (partition part), 7212...bottom wall part, 7213...notch, 7213a...engaged part, 722...second part, 73...lid part, 74...thermistor holding part, 75...opening, 77...long member, 8...harness, 80...electric wire, 81...cable part, 82...connector, 10...energy storage element, 11...case, 12...case body, 121...Blocking section, 122...Body section, 123...Long wall section, 124...Short wall section, 13...Cover plate, 131...Cover plate body, 132...Gas discharge valve, 14...External terminal, 500...Busbar module, 501...Busbar, 502...Resin plate, 503...Housing section, 504...Peripheral wall, 510...Battery assembly, 511...Battery, 512...Positive electrode column, 513...Negative electrode column, A...Device body, B...Plate section, C...Center of the holding member body in the Y-axis direction, D...Laminate, L...Locking section, Lp...Pair of locking sections, R...Flow path, S...Thermistor

Claims (6)

A plurality of energy storage elements arranged in a first direction, each having a pair of external terminals at its end in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, with spacing between them in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.
Adjacent members are arranged between adjacent energy storage elements,
Multiple busbars are arranged in the third direction, connecting the external terminals that are aligned in the first direction and spaced apart from each other.
A busbar holding member arranged along the plurality of energy storage elements and holding the plurality of busbars,
It comprises a pair of locking parts for locking the busbar holding member with respect to the adjacent member,
The busbar holding member extends in the third direction from a position corresponding to one end of the energy storage element to a position corresponding to the other end, and also extends in the first direction.
The pair of locking parts are arranged with a gap between them in the third direction.
The busbar holding member is
A busbar holding portion is positioned at the end in the third direction and holds the busbar,
The device has a thermistor holding portion which is positioned closer to the center of the busbar holding member than the busbar holding portion in the third direction, and which holds the thermistor in a state where it is pressed against the energy storage element.
The locking portion is located between the busbar holding portion and the thermistor holding portion of the energy storage device. The pair of locking portions are arranged between busbars that are spaced apart in the third direction, as described in claim 1. The busbar holding member has a wire arrangement portion positioned adjacent to the thermistor holding portion in the third direction and on which the wires are arranged, and a partition portion that separates the thermistor holding portion and the wire arrangement portion.
The adjacent member has a main body located between the energy storage elements and an engaging projection that protrudes from the main body toward the busbar holding member.
The partition portion has an engaged portion into which the engaging projection engages,
The energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the locking portion is composed of the engaging projection and the engaged portion. The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking portion locks the busbar holding member to the adjacent member that is adjacent in the first direction to the energy storage element against which the thermistor is pressed among the plurality of energy storage elements. The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the locking portion is provided at each of the positions that sandwich the energy storage element against which the thermistor is pressed in the first direction among the plurality of energy storage elements. Each of the plurality of energy storage elements has a gas discharge valve located at the end in the second direction,
The busbar holding member is
Between the pair of locking portions, an opening extends along the gas discharge valves aligned in the first direction and opens in the second direction,
It has a long member that extends along the opening and closes the opening,
The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the elongated member is configured to be removable from the opening, or to guide the gas in the first direction when the gas is discharged from the gas discharge valve.