TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present technology relates to a power storage
device, a power storage system, an electronic apparatus,
an electric vehicle, and an electric power system.
10
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
In recent years, use of secondary cells such as
lithium-ion batteries has rapidly spread to power storage
15 devices for storing electric power, storage batteries for
vehicles, and the like, which are combined with new
energy systems such as solar cells and wind power
generation. So as to generate high power, a battery
system to which one or more electric storage devices are
20 connected is used. A power storage device is formed by
housing one or more battery blocks in an outer casing,
for example. A battery block is formed by connecting
unit batteries (also referred to as electric cells or
cells; hereinafter referred to simply as battery cells as
25 appropriate) that are an example of power storage
elements.
[0003]
Patent Documents 1 through 4 shown below disclose
technologies relating to power storage devices.
30
CITATION LIST
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PATENT DOCUMENTS
[0004]
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2011-154811
5 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2011-154882
Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2011-154883
Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application
10 : Laid-Open No. 2011-175896
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0005]
15 In each power storage device, battery cells are
expected to be appropriately positioned and secured to
achieve a higher energy density.
[0006]
In view of this, the present technology aims to
20 provide a power storage device that can increase energy
density, and a power storage system, an electronic
apparatus, an electric vehicle, and an electric power
system that use the power storage device.
25 SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS
[0007]
To solve the above problem, the present technology
provides a power storage device that includes:
an outer casing; and
30 two or more battery units housed in the outer
casing,
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the battery units each including:
a battery casing formed with a top casing having
one or more first holes formed in a bottom surface
portion thereof and a bottom casing having one or more
5 second holes formed in a bottom surface portion thereof;
a battery block group housed in the battery casing,
battery lines formed with battery cells arranged in lines
are arranged in parallel in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the extending direction of the battery
10 lines, and are arranged like stacked straw bags; and
a partition plate housed together with the battery
block group in the battery casing, the partition plate
being inserted between adjacent ones of the battery lines
facing each other, one or more first protrusions being
15 formed on the upper surface of the partition plate, one
or more second protrusions being formed on the lower
surface of the partition plate, the one or more first
protrusions being, engaged with the one or more first
holes, the one or more second protrusions being engaged
20 with the one or more second holes.
[0008]
A power storage system, an electronic apparatus, an
electric vehicle, and an electric power system according
to the present technology each include the above
25 described power storage device.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0009]
According to the present technology, the energy
30 density of power storage devices can be effectively
increased.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a
5 power storage device.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the power storage
device minus its top panel and side panel on the front
side.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the
10 electrical structure of a power storage device according
to a first embodiment of the present technology.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example
electrical structure of the power storage device
according to the first embodiment of the present
15 technology.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the exterior of the
power storage device, with the short bar removed.
Fig. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing the
electrical structure of the power storage device
20 according to the first embodiment of the present
technology.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an example
structure of a side panel.
Fig. 8A is a perspective view of an example
25 structure prior to attaching of a battery unit to a side
panel. Fig. 8B is a perspective view of an example
structure in which the battery unit is secured to the
side panel.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an example
30 structure in which a battery unit and a fuse board are
secured to a side panel. Fig. 9B is a plan view of a
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battery unit having a battery casing to which a sub board
is secured.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an example
structure in which a battery unit and an output terminal
5 board are secured to a side panel.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an example
structure of an outer casing minus its front panel and
back panel,
Fig. 12 is a perspective view for explaining the
10 structures of resin plates.
Fig. 13A is a perspective view of an example
structure of an outer casing, with its front panel
removed. Fig. 13B is a perspective view of an example
structure of the front panel removed from the outer
15 casing.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an example
structure of a battery unit.
Fig. 15A is a perspective view of an example
structure of a top casing. Fig. 15B is a perspective
20 view of an example structure of a bottom casing.
Fig. 16A is an enlarged view of a region Ql shown
in Fig. 15A. Fig. 16B is an enlarged view of a region Q2
shown in Fig. 15B.
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the battery unit
25 shown in Fig. 14, minus the components other than the
battery block group.
Fig. 18A is a perspective view of the battery unit
shown in Fig. 14, minus its top casing. Fig. 18B is a
perspective view of the structure shown in Fig. 18A, with
30 the tabs.
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the structure
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shown in Fig. 18B, minis the tabs and the insulating
sheets.
Fig. 20A is a perspective view of an example
structure of a partition plate. Fig. 20B is a
5 perspective view of an example structure of a partition
plate.
Fig. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of a cutaway
portion of a partition plate.
Fig. 22A shows a structure formed by removing the
10. battery block group and the partition plates from the
structure shown in Fig. 19. Fig. 22B shows a structure
formed by removing the positive insulating sheets from
the structure shown in Fig. 22A.
Fig. 23A is a schematic plan view of a power
15 storage device. Fig. 23B is a schematic plan view of the
power storage device.
Fig. 2 4 is a perspective view of an example
structure in which heat releasing rubbers are provided on
the bottom casing.
20 Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a battery unit
minus its top casing, tabs, and positive insulating
sheets.
Fig. 26A is a perspective view of the battery unit
minus its top casing and tabs. Fig. 2 6B is a perspective
25 view of the battery unit minus its top casing.
Fig. 27 is a perspective view of a battery unit
minus its top casing, tabs, and positive insulating
sheets.
Fig. 28A is a perspective view of the battery unit
30 minus its top casing and tabs. Fig. 28B is a perspective
view of the battery unit minus its top casing.
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Fig. 29 is a block diagram for explaining an
application of a power storage device of the present
technology.
Fig. 30 is a block diagram for explaining an
5 application of a power storage device of the present
technology.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0011]
0 The following is a description of embodiments of
the present technology, with reference to the drawings.
Explanation will be made in the following order.
Throughout all drawings of the embodiments, like or
similar components are denoted by like reference numerals.
5 1. First embodiment (a first example of a power
storage device)
2. Second embodiment (a second example of a power
storage device)
3. Other embodiments (modifications)
0 4. Applications
It should be noted that the embodiments and the
like described below are preferred specific examples of
the present technology, and the contents of the present
technology are not limited to those embodiments and the
5 like.
Also, the effects disclosed in this specification
are merely examples and are not restrictive, and do not
negate the existence of different effects from those
examples of effects disclosed herein.
0 [0012]
1. First Embodiment
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(Example Structure of a Power Storage Device)
An example structure of a power storage device
according to a first embodiment of the present technology
is now described, with reference to drawings. Fig. 1 is
5 a perspective view of the exterior of the power storage
device. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the power
storage device minus its top panel and side panel on the
front side. Fig. 3 schematically shows the electrical
structure of the power storage device according to the
10 first embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 4
schematically shows the electrical structure of the power
storage device according to the first embodiment of the
present technology. Fig. 5 shows the exterior of the
power storage device, with the short bar removed. Fig. 6
15 schematically shows the electrical structure of the power
storage device according to the first embodiment of the
present technology.
[0013]
As shown in Fig. 1, the power storage device 1
20 includes an outer casing 20. The outer casing 20 is a
housing that is substantially in the form of a
rectangular parallelepiped, and is formed with a front
panel 20a, a back panel 20b, a top panel 20c, a bottom
panel 20d, and two side panels 20e and 20f.
25 [0014]
As shown in Fig. 2, the outer casing 20 of the
power storage device 1 houses a battery unit 51 and a
battery unit 52, an insulating member 55 interposed
between the battery unit 51 and the battery unit 52, a
30 circuit board (not shown in Fig. 2) having a control
circuit block and the like mounted thereon, and the like.
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Each of the battery unit 51 and the battery unit 52 is
formed by housing a battery block group and members such
as tabs electrically connecting battery cells in a
battery casing 61 formed with a top casing 61a and a
bottom casing 61b joined to each other. The battery
block group is formed with battery blocks connected in
series, for example, and each one battery block is formed
with battery cells connected in parallel. The battery
cells are secondary cells such as cylindrical lithium-ion
secondary cells. However, the battery cells are not
limited to lithium-ion secondary cells.
[0015]
For example, the battery unit 51 and the battery
unit 52 are vertically housed in the outer casing 20 so
that the bottom surface portion and the top surface
portion of each top casing 61a face in the horizontal
direction, and the two battery units are stacked in the
horizontal direction.
[0016]
As shown in Fig. 3, the battery unit 51 and the
battery unit 52 are housed in such a manner that battery
blocks Bl through B16 each formed with 10 battery cells
connected in parallel are connected in series, for
example. A battery block group formed with the battery
blocks Bl through B8 is housed in the battery unit 51. A
battery block group formed with the battery blocks B9
through B16 is housed in the battery unit 52. However,
the number of battery cells constituting each battery
block is not limited to 10, and the number of battery
blocks constituting each battery block group is not
limited to the above, either.
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[0017]
In the battery unit 51 and the battery unit 52,
tabs that are members having electrical conductivity for
connection are used for connecting the battery cells or
5 battery blocks in series or parallel. For example, the
tabs are plate-like members made of a material such as a
metal having electrical conductivity.
[0018]
Each of the battery blocks Bl through B16 is
10 connected to the control circuit block (hereinafter
referred to as the control block), so that charging and
discharging thereof is controlled. The charging and
discharging are performed through an external positive
terminal 4 and an external negative terminal 5. A single
15 power storage device 1 outputs (16 x 3.2 V — 51.2 V), for
example.
[0019]
So as to monitor the voltages, currents, and
temperatures of the battery cells, the control block is
20 provided in the power storage device 1. Information from
the control block is transmitted to an external
controller through communication. The external
controller performs control such as charge control,
discharge control, and degradation restraint. For
25 example, the control block monitors the voltage of each
battery block, converts a detected voltage into a digital
signal, and transmits the digital signal to a control box
ICNT that is the external controller. A voltage may be
applied to each battery block to detect the temperature
30 thereof, the detected temperature may be converted into
digital data, and the digital data may be transmitted to
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the control box ICNT.
[0020]
Fig. 4 shows an example of the control block. As
shown in Fig. 4, the control block is designed to detect
5 the voltages of both ends of the 16 battery blocks Bl
through B16 connected in series, and detect the voltages
of the respective battery blocks. A multiplexer 8 (MUX
8) that sequentially outputs the voltages of both ends of
the battery blocks Bl through B16 and the voltages of the
10 respective battery blocks is provided.
[0021]
The MUX 8 switches channels in accordance with a
predetermined control signal, for example, and selects
one piece of analog voltage data from among n pieces of
15 analog voltage data. The one piece of analog voltage
data selected by the MUX 8 is supplied to an AD converter
(ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) 6).
[0022]
The ADC 6 converts the analog voltage data supplied
20 from the MUX 8 into digital voltage data. For example,
the analog voltage data is converted into 14- to 18-bit
digital voltage data. The digital voltage data from the
ADC 6 is supplied to a communication unit COMl. The
communication unit COMl is controlled by a control unit 7,
25 and conducts communication with an external device
connected thereto through a communication terminal. For
example, the communication unit COMl conducts
communication with another power storage device MO
through a communication terminal, and conducts
30 communication with the control box ICNT through a
communication terminal. The communication unit COMl
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further receives a control signal from the control box
ICNT through a communication terminal. In this manner,
the communication unit C0M1 conducts bidirectional
communication.
5 [0023]
Further, the control unit 7 controls equalizing of
the voltages of the battery blocks Bl through B16. This
control is called cell balance control. In a case where
one battery block among the battery blocks Bl through B16
10 . reaches the lower-limit discharge voltage for use, for
example, there are the other battery blocks with
remaining battery charge. When the next charging is
performed, the other battery blocks with the remaining
battery charge reach the upper-limit charging voltage in
15 a short time, and the charging cannot be continued until
full charge. To avoid such imbalance, a MOSFET (Metal
Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) is switched
on, to forcibly cause the battery blocks with remaining
battery charge to discharge. The cell balance control
20 method is not limited to the above described passive
method, and may be an active method or any of the other
various methods.
[0024]
A control pulse for a switch (MQSFET) SI on the
25 primary side of a flyback transformer Tl of a module
balance control circuit that controls the voltage balance
between the power storage device 1 and power storage
devices MO is supplied from a pulse generator 17. The
pulse generator 17 generates a control pulse in
30 accordance with a control signal from the control unit 7
of a module controller CTNl. For example, the pulse
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generator 17 generates a control pulse having a modulated
pulse width. A control pulse for a switch (MOSFET) SOI
on the secondary side of the flyback transformer Tl is
supplied from an MCU (Microcontroller Unit) in the
5 communication unit C0M1.
[0025]
The control box ICNT determines the sequence in the
balance among the power storage devices in accordance
with voltage information about the respective power
10 storage devices 1 and the power storage devices MO.
Information about the presence or absence of charge and
discharge of the balance among the power storage devices
is transmitted to the MCU of each power storage device.
The MCU supplies a control signal directly to the
15 secondary side of the flyback transformer, or transmits a
control signal to the primary side of the flyback
transformer Tl through insulated communication via an
insulating unit ISCl.
[0026]
20 A temperature detecting unit 15 is formed with a
temperature detecting element such as a thermistor.
Analog temperature data T indicating the respective
temperatures of the battery blocks Bl through B16
detected by the temperature detecting unit 15 are
25 supplied to a cell temperature multiplexer 16 (MUX 16).
For example, analog temperature data Tl indicating the
temperature of the battery block Bl is supplied to the
MUX 16. Analog temperature data T2 indicating the
temperature of the battery block B2 is supplied to the
30 MUX 16. Likewise, analog temperature data T3 through T16
indicating the respective temperatures of the battery
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blocks B3 through B16 are supplied to the MUX 16.
[0027]
The MUX 16 switches channels in accordance with a
predetermined control signal, and selects one piece of
5 analog temperature data T from among the 16 pieces of
analog temperature data Tl through T16. The one piece of
analog temperature data T selected by the MUX 16 is then
supplied to the ADC 6.
[0028]
10 . A current detecting unit 9 detects the value of the
current flowing in the battery blocks Bl through B16.
The current detecting unit 9 is formed with a current
detecting resistor 9a and a current detecting amplifier
9b, for example. Analog current data indicating the
15 voltage values at both ends of the current detecting
resistor 9a is detected by the current detecting resistor
9a. Analog current data is constantly detected,
regardless of whether charging is being performed or
whether discharging is being performed. Analog current
20 data may be detected at predetermined intervals.
[0029]
The detected analog current data is supplied to the
current detecting amplifier 9b. The supplied analog
current data is amplified by the current detecting
25 amplifier 9b. The amplified analog current data is
supplied to the ADC 6.
[0030]
The ADC 6 converts the analog current data supplied
from the current detecting amplifier 9b into digital
30 current data. The ADC 6 converts the analog current data
into digital current data, and outputs the digital
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current data.
[0031]
For example, in a case where an excess current flow
is detected in the module controller CTN1 at a time of
5 discharging, the present state is determined to be a
discharging excess current state, and a switch (not
shown) is controlled to enter an opened state (a current
blocking state). In a case where an excess current flow
is detected at a time of charging, on the other hand, the
10 switch (not shown) is controlled to enter an opened state
(a current blocking state).
[0032]
The insulating unit ISCI has the function to
insulate the communication unit COMl and the module
15 controller CTN1 from each other. That is, the reference
potential of the power supply to the communication unit
COMl and the reference potential of the power supply to
the module controller CTN1 are separated from each other,
and become independent of each other. Further, in an
20 insulated state, the insulating unit ISCI has the
function to supply a power-supply voltage to the module
controller CTN1, and the function as a transmission
medium for bidirectional communication.
[0033]
25 The method of bidirectional communication to be
conducted through the insulating unit ISCl may be a
method compliant with the CAN standards. The method of
power transmission to be conducted through the insulating
unit ISCl may be an electromagnetic induction method, a
30 magnetic field resonance method, a radio wave reception
method, or the like.
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[0034]
In the first embodiment, a non-contact IC card
technique is used, for example. By the non-contact IC
card technique, the magnetic flux of the antenna coil of
a reader/writer is coupled to the magnetic flux of the
antenna coil of a card, and communication and power
transmission are conducted between the reader/writer and
the card. As the communication, the method of ASK
(Amplitude Shift Keying)-modulating the carrier waves at
the frequency of 13.56 kHz, and communication is
conducted at a rate of 212 or 424 kbps. The insulating
unit ISC1 is designed to be. compatible with the above
described non-contact IC card technique. Further, the
insulating unit ISC1 is designed to conduct communication
and power transmission between antennas (coils) formed in
different layers of a multilayer printed circuit board,
for example.
[0035]
(Front Surface of the Power Storage Device)
On the front surface of the power storage device 1,
the external positive terminal 4 and the external
negative terminal 5 for charging and discharging of the
power storage device 1 are provided. For example, the
external positive terminal 4 and the external negative
terminal 5 are preferably arranged so as not to overlap
each other in the vertical direction. This is because,
when connecting members for connecting to another power
storage device are connected to the external positive
terminal 4 and the external negative terminal 5, the
connecting members can be prevented from overlapping each
other.
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[0036]
As shown in Fig. 5, windows 25 and 2 6 positioned
close to each other are further formed in the front panel
20a of the power storage device 1. A connector 27 that
5 is a communication terminal for communicating with an
external controller is further provided on the front
surface of the power storage device 1. As described
above, the control block that monitors the voltages,
currents, and temperatures of the battery cells is
10 . provided in the power storage device 1. Information from
the control block is transmitted to the external
controller through communication. The external
controller performs control such as charge control,
discharge control, and degradation restraint.
15 [0037]
As the communication with the external controller
via the connector 27, a serial interface is used, for
example. Specifically, an SM bus (System Management bus)
or the like is used as the serial interface. For example,
20 it is possible to use an I2C bus. An I2C bus is
synchronous serial communication for conducting
communication with two signal lines of SCL (serial clock)
and bidirectional SDA (serial data).
[0038]
25 Connectors 3a and 3b are provided to stand inside
the window 25 formed in the front panel 20a.
[0039]
As shown in Fig. 6, the terminals on the positive
sides of the battery blocks Bl through B16 connected in
30 series are connected to the connector 3a via a fuse 2
that is a current breaking element. The other connector
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3b is provided near the connector 3a. The connector 3b
is connected to the external positive terminal 4. The
terminals on the negative sides of the battery blocks Bl
through B16 are connected to the external negative
5 terminal 5.
[0040]
A short bar 11 that can be inserted and detached as
a connecting unit into and from the connectors 3a and 3b.
The short bar 11 has a structure that is formed by
10- bending a conductive plate so as to have a pair of platelike
protrusions 12a and 12b, and attaching the base of
the conductive plate to one surface of a supporting plate
13. As one end of the supporting plate 13 is extended, a
cover 14 is formed. Further, a knob 15 is formed on the
15 other surface of the supporting plate 13. The supporting
plate 13 having the cover 14 and the knob 15 is a molded
item of synthetic resin, for example.
[0041]
The connectors 3a and 3b each have two spring
20 contact plates facing each other, so that the plate-like
protrusion 12a or 12b of the short bar 11 is inserted
into the space between the two spring contact plates
through the window 25. Further, the window 26 is blocked
by the cover 14 integral with the supporting plate 13 of
25 the short bar 11. Since each of the plate-like
protrusions 12a and 12b is interposed by the two spring
contact plates of each corresponding one of the
connectors 3a and 3b, the short bar 11 can be kept
inserted in the connectors 3a.and 3b.
30 [0042]
As the plate-like protrusions 12a and 12b of the
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short bar 11 are inserted into the spaces of the
respective connectors, the connector 3a and the connector
3b .are connected (are made conductive) by the short bar
11. When the piate-like protrusions 12a and 12b of the
5 short bar 11 are pulled out of the spaces of the
respective connectors, on the other hand, the connector
3a and the connector 3b are disconnected (are made nonconductive)
. In this manner, it is possible to switch
between a connected state where the short bar 11 is
10 inserted into the connectors 3a and 3b, and an
unconnected state where the short bar 11 is pulled out of
the connectors 3a and 3b.
[0043]
Electronic components for setting or connection are
15 provided inside the window 26 formed in the front panel
20a. The electronic components are formed with a sliding
switch 28, a rotary switch 29, and a JTAG connector 30,
for example. An address is set for the power storage
device 1 with the rotary switch 29. Specifically, in a
20 case where power storage devices 1 can be connected for
use, and power storage devices 1 are actually connected,
identification addresses are set for the respective power
storage devices. The external controller performs
control processing based on these addresses. The sliding
25 switch. 28 is used for increasing the addresses that can
be designated with the rotary switch 29.
[0044]
The JTAG connector 30 is a standard connector
suggested by JTAG (Joint European Test Action). Test
30 data for testing an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an IC
(Integrated Circuit), and the like in the casing is input
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through the JTAG connector 30, and the firmware of the
internal MPU is rewritten through the JTAG connector 30.
Components other than the above described elements, such
as a switching component and a connector, may be used as
5 the electronic components.
[0045]
In a connected state where the short bar 11 is
inserted in the connectors 3a and 3b, the cover 14 blocks
• i ••
the windows 25 and 2 6 in front of the operating surfaces
10: of the electronic components. That is, in a connected
state, access to the electronic components is prohibited.
When the short bar 11 is pulled out of the connectors 3a
and 3b, on the other hand, the windows in front of the
operating surfaces of the setting units are opened, and
15 the operating surfaces are operated through the windows
2 5 and 2 6 so that an address of the power storage device
1 can be set, for example.
[0046]
Only when the short bar 11 is removed, and the
20 windows 25 and 26 in front of the operating surfaces are
opened, is access to the operating surfaces allowed, and
can the setting operation be performed with the
electronic components. As the setting operation is
performed from outside the outer casing 20, higher
25 workability than that in a case where the electronic
components are operated inside the casing can be achieved,
and security can be increased.
[0047]
(Material of the Outer Casing)
30 A material having a high heat conductivity and a
high radiation factor is preferably used as the material
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of the outer casing 20. That is, a material having a
high heat conductivity and a high radiation factor is
used for the front panel 20a, the back panel 2 0b, the top
panel 20c, the bottom panel 20d, and the two side panels
5 20e and 20f. With this, excellent housing heat release
properties can be achieved, and increases in the
temperature in the outer casing 20 can be restrained.
For example, the plate-like member forming the outer
casing 20 is a metal plate made of aluminum or an
10 aluminum alloy, copper or a copper alloy, or the like.
[0048]
(Side Panels of the Outer Casing)
The side surface on the front side of the outer
casing 20 is formed with the side panel 20e, and the side
15 surface on the back side is formed with the side panel
20f. The side panel 20e and the side panel 20f are
rectangular plate-like members, for example. As
described above, the rectangular plate-like members are
preferably metal plates or the like made of a metal
20 material such as aluminum.
[0049]
As shown in Fig. 7, the side panel 2Of is divided
by the dotted line into a circuit board region Rl in
which the circuit board is placed, and a battery unit
25 region R2 in which the battery unit 51 is placed.
Protrusions 31a for positioning and securing the circuit
board, and protrusions 31b for positioning and securing
the battery unit 51 are provided on the principal surface
on the inner side of the side panel 2Of. The protrusions
30 31a are provided in a line in the vertical direction in
the circuit board region Rl, for example. The
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protrusions 31b are provided at peripheral portions of
the battery unit region R2. The protrusions 31b are also
provided in a line in the vertical direction almost at
the center of the battery unit region R2.
5 [0050]
Although not shown in the drawings, protrusions 31a
for positioning and securing the circuit board, and
protrusions 31b for positioning and securing the battery
unit 52 are also provided at predetermined positions on
10 the principal surface on the inner side of the side panel
20e. On the side panel 20e, the protrusions 31a are also
provided in a line in the vertical direction in the
circuit board region Rl, for example. The protrusions
31b are provided at peripheral portions of the battery
15 unit region R2, for example. The protrusions 31b are
also provided in a line in the vertical direction almost
at the center of the battery unit region R2.
[0051]
As shown in Figs. 8A and 8B, the battery unit 51 is
20 placed in the battery unit region R2 of the side panel
20f. At this point, the protrusions 31b are engaged with
holes 41b in the corresponding positions in the bottom
casing 61b, so that the battery unit 51 is secured in a
predetermined position on the side panel 20f. Although
25 not shown in the drawings, after the protrusions 31b are
engaged with the holes 41b, clamping may be performed
with screws as necessary.
[0052]
Specifically, the eight protrusions 31b provided at
30 peripheral portions of the battery unit region R2 are
engaged with eight holes 41b provided at peripheral
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portions of the bottom surface portion of the bottom
casing 61b (though some of the holes 41b are not shown in
the drawings). The four protrusions 31b arranged almost
at the center of the battery unit region R2 are engaged
5 with the holes (not shown) formed in the bottom surfaces
of hollow structural portions arranged in a line in the
bottom casing 61b, and clamping is performed with screws
as necessary, so that the battery unit 51 is secured in a
predetermined position on the side panel 2Of.
10 [0053]
Further, a fuse board 43 on which a circuit
including the fuse 2 and the connectors 3a and 3b is
mounted is positioned and secured to the side panel 2Of
on which the battery unit 51 shown in Fig. 8B has already
15 been positioned and secured. The protrusions 31a of the
side panel 20f are engaged with holes 41a formed in the
corresponding positions on the fuse board 43, so that the
fuse board 43 is secured in a predetermined position on
the side panel 20f as shown in Fig. 9A.
20 [0054]
It should be noted that a sub board 42 is secured
to the battery unit 51. For example, as shown in Fig. 9B,
the sub board 42 is positioned and secured so that a
principal surface of the sub board 42 faces the wall
25 surface perpendicular to the extending direction of the
battery lines among the four wall surfaces of the battery
casing 61, and part of the principal surface is in close
contact with the wall surface- Accordingly, the
unnecessary space for positioning the sub board 42 can be
30 reduced.
[0055]
24
SP350454WO00
Screw terminal portions 42al are provided at both
ends of the sub board 42. End portions of connecting
bars 98 that have a plate-like form and are partially
bent at right angle, and are joined to tabs 91a, are
5 joined to the screw terminal portions 42al of the sub
board 42.
[0056]
As shown in Fig. 9A, openings 48 through which
'protruding end portions 91bl of tabs are guided are
10 provided in a wall surface of the battery casing. The
rectangular protruding end portions 91bl of three tabs
91b pass through the openings 48 in one wall surface, and
are stuck directly into and thus connected to the upper
portion of the sub board 42. Although not shown in the
15 drawings, the protruding end portions 91bl of tabs 91b
provided on the lower surface side of the battery block
group 10 also pass through the openings 48 on one wall
surface, and are stuck directly into and thus connected
to the lower end portion of the sub board 42.
20 [0057]
With this structure being employed, the members
(such as lead wires) for connecting the respective
battery blocks Bl through B8 to the sub board 42 do not
need to be provided.
25 [0058]
Referring back to Fig. 9A, one end of a connecting
member 47al is joined to a screw terminal portion 42al of
the sub board 42, and the other end is joined to a screw
terminal portion 42bl of the fuse board 43, so that the
30 sub board 42 and the fuse board 43 are electrically
connected via the connecting member 47al. The connecting
25
SP350454WO00
member 47al is a plate-like member or the like made of a
metal material having electrical conductivity, for
example. (It should be noted that the connecting members
47a2 and 47a3 described below are the same as the
5 connecting member 47al.)
[0059]
The battery unit 52 and an output terminal board 44
on which a circuit including output terminals is mounted
are positioned and secured in predetermined positions on
10 .the side panel 20e in the same manner as with the side
panel 20f. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the battery
unit 52 and the output terminal board 44 positioned and
secured in predetermined positions on the side panel 20e.
[0060]
15 As shown in Fig. 10, the protrusions 31b (not
shown) provided on the side panel 20e are engaged with
the respective holes 41b formed in the corresponding
positions in the bottom casing 61b (some of the holes are
not shown in the drawing), so that the battery unit 52 is
20 secured in a predetermined position on the side panel 20e.
The protrusions 31a formed on the side panel 20e are
engaged with the respective holes (not shown) formed in
the corresponding positions in the output terminal board
44, so that the output terminal board 44 is secured in a
25 predetermined position on the side panel 20e.
[0061]
It should be noted that the sub board 42 is secured
to the battery unit 52 in the same manner as with the
battery unit 51. Also, one end of the connecting member
30 47a2 is joined to a screw terminal portion 42al of the
sub board 42, and the other end is joined to output
26
SP350454WO00
terminal board 44, so that the sub board 42 and the
output terminal board 44 are electrically connected via
the connecting member 47a2. The connecting member 47a3
having one end joined to the output terminal board 44 has
5 the other end joined to a screw terminal portion 42b2
(shown in Fig. 9A) of the fuse board 43,' so that the
output terminal board 44 and the fuse board 43 are
electrically connected via the connecting member 47a3.
(The connected state is shown in Fig. 11, which will be
10 described later).
[0062]
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the power storage
device minus its front panel, back panel, top panel, and
bottom panel. As shown in Fig. 11, an assembled unit Ul
15 and an assembled unit U2 face each other via the
insulating member 55. The assembled unit Ul is formed by
securing the battery unit 51 having the sub board 42
secured thereto and the fuse board 43 to the side panel
20f. The assembled unit U2 is formed by securing the
20 battery unit 52 having the sub board 42 (not shown)
secured thereto and the output terminal board 44 to the
side panel 20e.
[0063]
(Insulating Member)
25 The insulating member 55 is provided to maintain
insulation properties between the two battery units 51
and 52 facing each other, or to further improve the
insulation properties. The insulating member 55 is
interposed between the two battery units 51 and 52 facing
30 each other. The insulating member 55 is formed with two
rectangular resin plates 53 and 54 that are in close
27
SP350454WO00
contact with each other, for example. The resin plate 53
is'placed on the bottom surface portion of the top casing
61a of the battery unit 51, for example. The resin plate
54 is placed on the bottom surface portion of the top
5 casing 61a of the battery unit 52.
[0064]
The insulating member 55 may be formed with a
single resin plate. The insulating member 55 may be a
stack structure formed with three or more resin plates.
10.. Alternatively, the insulating member 55 may be a stack
structure formed with resin plates and a metal plate,
with the metal plate being interposed between two resin
plates, for example. In this case, high insulation
properties can be maintained, and heat release properties
15 can be further improved.
[0065]
In a case where the openings through which tabs are
exposed in the battery unit 51 are covered with another
insulating member, high insulation properties between the
20 battery unit 51 and the battery unit 52 are maintained,
and therefore, a member with high heat release properties
(a metal plate such as an Al plate), instead of the
insulating member 55, may be provided. In this case, the
heat release properties of the power storage device 1 can
25 be further improved.
[0066]
(Resin Plates)
As shown in Fig. 12, protrusions 56a, recesses 56b,
grooves 57, and holes 59 for leading out cords 58 of
30 thermistors are formed in the resin plate 53, for example.
Although not shown in the drawing, protrusions 56a,
28
SP350454WO00
recesses 56b, grooves 57, and holes 59 for leading out
cords 58 of thermistors are also formed in the resin
plate 54 facing the resin plate 53.
[0067]
5 The two protrusions 5 6a and the two recesses 56b
are provided for positioning at the time when the
assembled units Ul and U2 are put together via the resin
plate 53 and the resin plate 54. With the resin plates
53 and 54 being put together, the protrusions 56a of the
10. resin plate 53 are engaged with the recesses 56b of the
resin plate 54, and the recesses 56b of the resin plate
53 are engaged with the protrusions 56a of the resin
plate 54. The cords 58 of the thermistors can be
accommodated by any of the grooves 57 formed in the resin
15 plate 53 and the resin plate 54, and the resin plate 53
and the resin plate 54 excel in accommodating cords.
[0068]
(Structures of the Boards)
Fig. 13A is a perspective view of the outer casing
20 20, with the front panel removed. Fig. 13B is a
perspective view of the front panel removed from the
outer casing 20. A space for accommodating a board is
kept on the inner side of the front panel 20a, and a
monitor board 45 is provided in this space, as shown•in
25 Fig. 13B.
[0069]
The control block including the monitor and control
circuits shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is mounted on the monitor
board 4 5 and the above described sub board 42. Typically,
30 the communication unit COM1 is mounted on. the monitor
board 45, and the module controller CTNl, the MUX 16, the
29
SP350454WO00
current detecting unit 9, the flyback transformer Tl, and
the insulating unit ISC1 are mounted on the sub board 42.
According to the present technology, the circuit
including the fuse 2 in which large current flows and the
5 connectors 3a and 3b, and the circuit including output
terminals are mounted on circuit boards (the fuse board
43 and the output terminal board 44) independent of the
monitor board 45 and the sub board 46 on which the
control block including the monitor and control circuits
10 is mounted. With this structure, data communication of
the monitor and control circuits is not damaged or
affected by noise caused by current or power, and is not
affected by heat generation of large current or the like.
Accordingly, reliability can be increased. Furthermore,
15 as the group of independent circuit boards (the sub board
42, the fuse board 43, the output terminal board 44, and
the monitor board 45) are placed in the space between the
inside surface of the front panel 20a and a wall surface
of the battery casing 61, and are connected to one
20 another by a plate-like connecting member, the circuit
boards can be readily connected to one another.
[0070]
(Battery Units)
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the exterior of a
25 battery unit. The battery unit 51 is formed with the
battery casing 61 housing the battery block group 10,
partition plates 93a, partition plates 93b, tabs 91a and
91b, and positive insulating sheets 92, which will be
described later. The battery unit 52 has the same
30 structure as the battery unit 51. Therefore, in the
description below, the structure of the battery unit 51
30
SP350454WO00
will be explained, but the structure of the battery unit
52 will not be specifically explained.
[0071]
(Battery Casing)
5 The battery casing 61 is formed with the top casing
61a and the bottom casing 61b. Fig. 15A is a perspective
view of an example structure of the top casing. Fig. 15B
is a perspective view of an example structure of the
bottom casing. The battery casing 61 is a resin molded
10 .. item made of a resin having electrical insulation
properties, for example.
[0072]
(Top Casing)
As shown in Fig. 15A, the top casing 61a includes
15 an upper surface portion and a wall portion standing
around the upper surface portion. At the center of the
upper surface portion, three hollow structural portions
7 0 are provided in a line. The hollow structural
portions 70 are hollow structures that are hollow
20 cylindrical portions each having an open upper surface
and an open lower surface.
[0073]
Fig. 16A is an enlarged view of a region Ql shown
in Fig. 15A. As shown in Fig. 16A, the upper surface
25 portion has openings 71 through which the tabs 91a or the
tabs 91b described later are exposed. Holes 72 with
which protrusions 94 of a partition plate 93 described
later are to be engaged are formed in the upper surface
portion. Holes 7 3 for thermistor insertion are also
30 formed in the upper surface portion. For example, as
shown in Fig. 15A, one hole 7 3 for thermistor insertion
31
SP350454WO00
is provided at each of the four corners of the upper
surface portion, and four holes 7 3 are formed near the
center of the upper surface portion.
[0074]
5 (Bottom Casing)
As shown in Fig. 15B, the bottom casing 61b
includes a bottom surface portion and a wall portion
standing around the bottom surface portion. At the
'center of the bottom surface portion, four hollow
10 structural portions 8 0 are provided, in a line. The
hollow structural portions 70 have hollow structures that
are hollow cylindrical portions each having an open upper
surface and a hole 41b at the center of its lower surface.
As described above, the holes 41b are engaged with the
15 protrusions 31b formed on the side panel 20f, and
clamping is performed with screws as necessary, so that
the battery unit 51 is secured to the side panel 20f.
[0075]
Fig. 16B is an enlarged view of a region Q2 shown
20 in Fig. 15B. As shown in Fig. 16B, the bottom surface
portion has openings 81 through which the tabs 91b
described later are exposed. Holes 82 with which the
protrusions 94 of a partition plate 93 described later
are to be engaged are also formed in the bottom surface
25 portion.
[0076]
(Internal Structure of a Battery Unit)
(Battery Block Group)
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the battery unit
30 shown in Fig. 14, minus the components other than the
battery block group. As shown in Fig. 17, the battery
32
SP350454WO00
block group 10 housed in the battery casing 61 is formed
with battery cells 10a. The battery block group 10 has a
structure in which battery lines LI through L8 each
including linearly-arranged battery cells 10a are
5 arranged in parallel in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the extending direction of the battery
lines, for example. Each of the battery lines LI through
L8 is formed with 10 batteries, for example.
[0077]
10: The battery cells 10a forming the battery block
group 10 are electrically connected by the tabs 91a and
91b described later. For example, the respective battery
lines LI through L8 form the battery blocks Bl through B8
in which battery cells 10a are connected in parallel.
15 Further, the battery blocks Bl through B8 are connected
in series, to form the battery block group 10.
[0078]
Although not shown in the drawings, the battery
block group 10 housed in the battery casing 61 of the
20 battery unit 52 has the same structure as above. For
example, the respective battery lines LI through L8 form
the battery blocks B9 through B16 in which battery cells
10a are connected in parallel. Further, the battery
blocks B9 through B16 are connected in series, to form
25 the battery block group 10.
[0079]
In the battery block group 10, the battery lines
(the battery lines Ll through L8) in which battery cells
10a are connected in parallel are arranged in parallel in
30 a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending
direction of the lines, and are connected in series.
33
SP350454WO00
Accordingly, the current pass can be rectified in one
direction {a direction substantially perpendicular to the
extending direction of the battery lines, for example),
and the total length of the current path can be shortened.
5 As a result, increases in resistance value can be
restrained.
[0080]
(Tabs on the Top Casing Side)
Fig. 18A is a perspective view of the battery unit
10 shown in Fig. 14, minus its top casing. As shown in Fig.
18A, the tabs 91a and the tabs 91b that are joining
members electrically connecting battery cells 10a are
provided on the terminal surfaces of the battery cells
10a. For example, two tabs 91a and three tabs 91b are
15 arranged in parallel in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the extending direction of the battery
lines. The tabs 91b each have holes 96 through which
protrusions 94 of a partition plate 93 are inserted.
[0081]
20 A tab 91a is electrically joined to the terminal
surfaces of the battery cells 10a constituting one
battery line. A tab 91b is electrically joined to the
terminal surfaces of the battery cells 10a constituting
two adj acent battery lines.
25 [0082]
Specifically, a tab 91a is electrically joined to
the positive terminals of the battery cells 10a
constituting the battery line LI. Another tab 91a is
electrically joined to the positive terminals of the
30 battery cells 10a constituting the battery line L8.
[0083]
34
SP350454WO00
A tab 91b is electrically joined to the negative
terminals of the battery cells 10a constituting the
battery line L2 and the positive terminals of the battery
cells 10a constituting the battery line L3. Another tab
5 91b is electrically joined to the negative terminals of
the battery cells 10a constituting the battery line L4
and the positive terminals of the battery cells 10a
constituting the battery line L5. Yet another tab 91b is
electrically joined to the negative terminals of the
10 battery cells 10a constituting the battery line 1.6 and
the positive terminals of the battery cells 10a
constituting the battery line L7.
[0084]
The joining method may be electric resistance
15 welding or laser heat welding, for example. However, the
joining method is not particularly limited to these
methods, and any conventional welding method may be used
as appropriate.
[0085]
20 According to the present technology, at least one
battery line is connected by one tab 91a or one tab 91b,
so that the resistance value can be lowered, and terminal
heat generation can be reduced. The tabs can also be
joined to one another by a simple joining method. The
25 battery cells 10a can share a measuring terminal. The
battery cells 10a constituting a battery line are joined
together by one tab. Accordingly, the assembling work
can be simplified, and the work efficiency in the
assembling can be increased. Furthermore, the number of
30 joined portions can be reduced, and accordingly, the
temperature increase in the battery cells 10a at the time
35
SP350454WO00
of assembling and joining can be reduced. The heat
generated by the battery cells 10a during charging and
discharging can be transferred to the tabs 91a and the
tabs 91b, and be released.
5 [0086]
(Positive Insulating Sheets on the Top Casing Side)
Fig. 18B is a perspective view of the structure
shown in Fig. 18A, with the tabs. As shown in Fig. 18B,
the positive insulating sheets 92 are placed on the
10 .. positive terminal surfaces of battery cells 10a
constituting the battery block group 10. Specifically,
the positive insulating sheets 92 are placed on the
positive terminal surfaces of the battery cells 10a whose
upper surfaces are the positive terminal surfaces. In
15 the example shown in Fig. 18B, the positive insulating
sheets 92 are placed on the positive terminal surfaces of
the respective battery cells 10a constituting the battery
line LI, the battery line L3, the battery line L5, and
the battery line L7.
20 [0087]
The positive insulating sheets 92 are made of a
material having electrical insulation properties, such as
a resin material having electrical insulation properties.
The positive insulating sheets 92 each have openings 97
25 into which the protruding positive terminals are to be
inserted.
[0088]
The positive terminals are inserted into the
respective openings 97 of the positive insulating sheets
30 92, and the respective positive terminals are exposed
through the openings 97 of the positive insulating sheets
36
SP350454WO00
92. The positive terminals and the tabs 91a or the tabs
91b exposed through the openings 97 of the positive
insulating sheets 92 are electrically joined. Meanwhile,
the surfaces around the positive terminals are covered
5 with the positive insulating sheets 92, so that the
surfaces around the respective positive terminals are
insulated from the tabs 91a or the tabs 91b.
[0089]
(Structures of a Battery Block Group and Partition
10 . Plates)
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the structure
shown in Fig. 18B, minus the tabs and the insulating
sheets. The battery lines Ll through L8 are arranged in
parallel in a direction substantially perpendicular to
15 the extending direction of the battery lines, to form the
battery block group 10.
[0090]
In the battery block group 10, the battery line Ll
and the battery line L2 are positioned to face each other,
20 the battery line L2 and the battery line L3 are
positioned to face each other, the battery line L3 and
the battery line L4 are positioned to face each other,
the battery line L4 and the battery line L5 are
positioned to face each other, the battery line L5 and
25 the battery line L6 are positioned to face each other,
and the battery line L7 and the battery line L8 are
positioned to face each other. In the battery lines Ll,
L3, L5, and L7, the battery cells 10a constituting these
battery lines each have a positive terminal surface as
30 the upper surface and a negative terminal surface as the
lower surface. In the battery lines L2, L4, L6, and L8,
37
SP350454WO00
the battery cells 10a constituting these battery lines
each have a negative terminal surface as the upper
surface and a positive terminal surface as the lower
surface.
5 [0091]
In the odd-numbered battery lines Ll, L3, L5, and
L7, the battery cells 10a constituting each of the
battery lines are linearly arranged in parallel in a
close contact state. In the odd-numbered battery lines
10 - Ll, L3, L5, and L7 in the example shown in Fig. 19, the
10 battery cells 10a constituting each of the battery
lines are linearly arranged in parallel in a close
contact state.
[0092]
15 In the even-numbered battery lines L2, L4, L6, and
L8, on the other hand, the battery cells 10a constituting
each of the battery lines are positioned so that a space
of the size of one battery cell 10a is formed between two
sets of battery cells 10a that are linearly arranged in
20 parallel in a close contact state. The space of the size
of one battery is preferably formed in a position facing
the center of the adjacent and facing battery line Ll, L3,
L5, or L7, for example.
[0093]
25 • In the even-numbered battery lines L2, L4, L6, and
L8 in the example shown in Fig. 19, the 10 battery cells
10a constituting each of the battery lines are positioned
so that a space of the size of one battery cell 10a is
formed between two sets of five battery cells 10a that
30 are linearly arranged in parallel in a close contact
state. The space of the size of one battery is formed in
38
SP350454WO00
a position facing the center of the adjacent and facing
battery line LI, L3, L5, or L7, for example.
[0094]
In each space of the size of one battery cell 10a,
5 a hollow structural portion 80 of the bottom casing 61b
and a hollow structural portion 70 (not shown in Fig. 19)
of the top casing 61a facing the hollow structural
portion 8 0 are inserted. As described above, the holes
41b are formed in the bottom surfaces of the hollow
10.. structural portions 80 of the bottom casing 61b, the
protrusions 31b of the side panel 2Of are engaged with
the holes 41b, and clamping is performed with screws as
necessary, so that the battery unit 51 is secured to the
side panel 20f. As portions secured to the side panel
15 20f are formed near the center of the battery unit 51,
the portions near the center of the battery unit 51 are
prevented from swelling due to shifting of the battery
cells 10a constituting the battery block group 10.
[0095]
20 In the battery block group 10 formed with the
battery lines Ll through L8, each two adjacent battery
lines are deviated from each other in the extending
direction by the length substantially equal to the outer
radius of each battery cell 10a, so that the battery
25 cells 10a are arranged like stacked straw bags. As
indicated by a dotted line P, in the arrangement like a
straw bag stack, the centers of end surfaces of two
adjacent battery cells 10a of one line and the center of
the battery cell 10a that is located between the two
30 adjacent battery cells 10a of the one line and belong to
another line adjacent to the one line may form an
39
SP350454WO00
equilateral triangle.
[0096]
In the arrangement like a straw bag stack, a larger
number of battery cells 10a can be housed in the battery
5 casing 61 with a limited space. Accordingly, the number
of battery cells per unit area can be increased, and the
energy density of the power storage device 1 can be
increased.
' [0097]
10 (Partition Plates)
The partition plates 93a and the partition plates
93b (also referred to as the partition plates 93 when the
two types are not discriminated from each other) are
inserted between the adj acent battery lines of the
15 battery block group 10. Each partition plate 93 is a
resin molded item made of a resin having electrical
insulation properties, for example.
[0098]
The partition plates 93 can be attached to and
20 detached from the battery casing 61. Each partition
plate 93a has protrusions 93a on the upper surface and
the lower surface, and the protrusions 93a are engaged
with the holes 72 and the holes 82 of the battery casing
61, so that the partition plate 93a is attached to the
25 battery casing 61. The protrusions 93a are disengaged
from the protrusions 93a, so that the partition plate 93a
is detached from the battery casing 61.
[0099]
In the example shown in Fig. 19, the partition
30 plate 93a shown in Fig. 20A or the partition plate 93b
shown in Fig. 20B is inserted between each two battery
40
SP350454WO00
lines facing each other. For example, a partition plate
93a is inserted between the battery line LI and the
battery line L2, which are adjacent to and face each
other. A partition plate 93b is inserted between the
5 battery line L2 and the battery line L3, which are
adjacent to and face each other. A partition plate;l 93a
is inserted between the battery line L3 and the battery
line L4, which are adj acent to and face each other. A
'partition plate 93b is inserted between the battery line
10. L4 and the battery line L5, which are adjacent to and
face each other. A partition plate 93a is inserted
between the battery line L5 and the battery line L6,
which are adjacent to and face each other. A partition
plate 93b is inserted between the battery line L6 and the
15 battery line L7, which are adjacent to and face each
other. A partition plate 93a is inserted between the
battery line L7 and the battery line L8, which are
adjacent to and face each other.
[0100]
20 As shown in Fig. 20A, each partition plate 93a has
an upper surface, a lower surface, and two side surfaces
connecting the upper surface and the lower surface.
[0101]
Each partition plate 93a has such a shape as to be
25 inserted between battery lines that are adjacent to and
face each other. Specifically, each partition plate 93a
has such a shape as to be inserted between battery lines
that are adjacent to and face each other among battery
lines that are arranged like stacked straw bags, for
30 example.

1. A power storage device comprising:
an outer casing; and
two or more battery units housed in the outer
5 casing,
the battery units each including:
a battery casing formed with a top casing having
one or more first holes formed in a bottom surface
portion thereof and a bottom casing having one or more
10 '•• second holes formed in a bottom surface portion thereof;
a battery block group housed in the battery casing,
a plurality of battery lines each formed with a plurality
of battery cells arranged in a line are arranged in
parallel in a direction substantially perpendicular to an
15 extending direction of the battery lines, and are
arranged like stacked straw bags; and
a partition plate housed together with the battery
block group in the battery casing, the partition plate
being inserted between adjacent ones of the battery lines
20 facing each other, one or more first protrusions being
formed on an upper surface of the partition plate, one or
more second protrusions being formed on a lower surface
of the partition plate, the one or more first protrusions
being engaged with the one or more first holes, the one
25 or more second protrusions being engaged with the one or
more second holes.
2. The power storage device according to claim 1,
wherein the two or more battery units are vertically
housed in the outer casing and are stacked in two or more
30 stages in a horizontal direction, the bottom surface
portions facing in the horizontal direction.
79
SP350454WO00
3. The power storage device according to claim 2,
further comprising
a joining member housed in the battery casing and
joined to all terminal surfaces of the battery cells
5 constituting at least one of the battery lines.
4. The power storage device according to claim 3,
further comprising
a first board housed in the outer casing and
'secured to one wall surface of the battery casing, a
10, protruding end portion of the joining member being joined
to the first board, the protruding end portion protruding
in the battery line extending direction, a circuit
including at least a voltage control circuit being
mounted on the first board.
15 5. The power storage device according to claim 4,
further comprising
a second board and a third board housed in the
outer casing, the second board and the third board being
formed as structures independent of the first board, a
20 circuit including at least a current breaking element.
being mounted on the second board, a circuit including at
least an output terminal being mounted on the third board.
6. The power storage device according to claim 5,
wherein
25 one or more third protrusions are formed on a first
surface of the outer casing,
one or more fourth protrusions are formed on a
second surface of the outer casing,
one or more third holes are further formed in the
30 bottom surface portion of the bottom casing of one or
more of the battery units facing the first surface,
80
SP350454WO00
one or more third holes are further formed in the
bottom surface portion of the bottom casing of one or
more of the battery units facing the second surface,
the one or more third protrusions are engaged with
5 the one or more third holes, to secure the one or more of
the battery units to the first surface, and
the one or more fourth protrusions are engaged with
the one or more fourth holes, to secure the one or more
of the battery units to the second surface.
10 7-'-. The power storage device according to claim 6,
wherein
one or more fifth protrusions are further formed on
the first surface,
one or more sixth protrusions are further formed on
15 the second surface,
one or more fifth holes are formed in the second
board,
one or more sixth holes are formed in the third
board,
20 the one or more fifth protrusions are engaged with
the one or more fifth holes, to further secure the second
board to the first surface of the outer casing, and
the one or more sixth protrusions are engaged with
the one or more sixth holes, to further secure the third
25 board to the second surface.
8 . The power storage device according to claim 7,
wherein
a board group including the first board, the second
board, and the third board is housed in a space between
30 one wall surface of the battery casing and a third
surface of the outer casing, the third surface facing the
81
SP350454WO00
one wall surface, and
the boards in the board group are electrically
connected by a plate-like connecting member.
9. The power storage device according to claim 1,
wherein
the battery lines are formed with first battery
lines and second battery lines alternately arranged in
parallel in a direction substantially perpendicular to
the extending direction of the battery lines, each of the
first battery lines being formed with the battery cells
linearly arranged in a close contact state, each of the
second battery lines having a space of the size of one
battery cell, the space being located between two sets of
battery cells linearly arranged in a close contact state,
the top casing further includes a structural member
inserted into the space of the size of one battery cell,
and
the bottom casing further includes another
structural member inserted into the space of the size of
one battery cell.
10. The power storage device according to claim 9,
wherein
one or more seventh protrusions are formed on one
surface of the outer casing,
one or more seventh holes are formed in a surface
of the another structural member, the surface of the
another structural member facing the one surface of the
outer casing, and
the one or more seventh protrusions are engaged
with the one or more seventh holes in the another
structural member.
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11. The power storage device according to claim 2,
further comprising
an insulating member interposed between one bottom
surface portion of the top casing of one of the two or
5 more battery units and another bottom surface portion of
the top casing of another one of the two or more battery
units, the one of the two or more battery units facing
the another one of the two or more battery units.
12. The power storage device according to claim 11,
10. wherein
the insulating member includes a first resin plate
placed on the one bottom surface portion and a second
resin plate placed on the another bottom surface portion,
the first resin plate and the second resin plate being in
15 close contact with each other,
the first resin plate has a protrusion and/or a
recess in a surface in close contact with the second
resin plate,
the second resin plate has a protrusion and/or a
20 recess in a surface in close contact with the first resin
plate,
the protrusion and/or the recess of the first resin
plate is engaged with the protrusion and/or the recess of
the second resin plate.
25 13. The power storage device according to claim 1,
wherein the top casing further has a hole for inserting a
temperature detecting element into the battery casing.
14. The power storage device according to claim 13,
wherein the partition plate has a cut-away portion for
30 maintaining a space accommodating the temperature
detecting element, the hole being located below the hole
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in a vertical direction.
15. A power storage system in which the power storage
device of claim 1 is charged by a power generating unit
configured to generate electric power from renewable
5 energy.
16. A power storage system, comprising
the power storage device of claim 1,
the power storage system supplying electric power
to an electronic apparatus connected to the power storage
10 device.
17. An electronic apparatus receiving an electric power
supply from the power storage device of claim 1.
18. An electric vehicle comprising:
a converter configured to receive an electric power
15 supply from the power storage device of claim 1, and
convert the electric power into vehicle drive power; and
a control device configured to perform information
processing related to vehicle control based on
information about the power storage device.
20 19. An electric power system comprising
a power information transmitting/receiving unit
configured to transmit and receive a signal to and from
another device via a network, ,., . . , •"
the electric power system performing
25 charge/discharge control on the power storage device of
claim 1 based on information received by the
transmitting/receiving unit.
20. An electric power system receiving an electric
power supply from the power storage device of claim 1, or
30 supplying electric power from .a power generating unit or
a power network to the power storage device.