CONNECTION STRUCTURE

• US 20120308866A1
• Filed: 12/22/2010
• Published: 12/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Inventors: Nishida, Ryuhei, Shiomoto, Tadahide
• Application Number:
  US13/516,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20120308866A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/100
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/289 characterised by spacing elements or positioning means within frames, racks or packs spacing elements inside cells other than separators, membranes or diaphragms H01M50/471
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The invention is a structure for connecting modules housing electrical storage cells to construct an electrical storage system. The structure has a pair of clips having a first coupling part for coupling with the other clip of the pair and a second coupling part for coupling with a case of a module. From a state in which the first coupling parts couple the pair of clips, adjacent modules are connected by coupling the second coupling parts of the pair of clips to the respectively corresponding cases, and the coupling of the first coupling parts is released when the connected modules are subjected to a separation operation with a prescribed force.

Claims

1. A connection structure for connecting modules housing electrical storage cells adapted to construct an electrical storage system, comprising:

a pair of clips having a first coupling part for coupling one clip of the pair of clips with the other clip of the pair of clips and a second coupling part for coupling with a case of the module;

wherein from a state in which the pair of clips is coupled with the first coupling parts, the second coupling parts of the pair of clips are coupled to the respective corresponding cases for connecting the modules adjacent to each other; and

coupling of the first coupling parts is released when the connected modules are subjected to a releasing operation with a predetermined force.

2. A connection structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the second coupling parts of the pair of clips is formed on a leg part adapted to be inserted in an installation hole on the case;

and

each of the pair of clips is rotated in a releasing direction of the coupling of the first coupling parts around said leg part when the connected modules are subjected to the releasing operation with the predetermined force.

3. A connection structure according to claim 2, wherein the pair of clips is coupled by overlapping the first coupling part of one clip and the first coupling part of the other clip in a direction of an axis of rotation of the clips;

and

each of the pair of clips has an urging device capable of urging the other clip in a direction of maintaining the overlapping.

4. A connection structure according to claim 3, wherein each of the first coupling parts of the pair of clips has an inclined surface facing a side of the second coupling part, and the inclined surfaces are contacting with each other in a coupled state.

5. A connection structure according to claim 3, wherein four regions are formed by dividing the connection structure into four by a virtual first line passing through a center of rotation and a virtual second line intersecting with said first line at the center of rotation, and extending parts extending from the center of rotation of the clip are formed in two regions facing each other of the four regions;

the first coupling parts are formed respectively on edge parts along said first line of the two extending parts;

an elastic piece as the urging device protrudes from an edge part along said second line on one of the two extending parts; and

the edge part along said second line on the other of the two extending parts is a contacted part to contact the elastic piece of the other clip of the pair.

6. A connection structure according to any of claim 1, wherein the pair of clips sandwiches a spacer interposed between the adjacent modules and couples the first coupling parts.

7. A connection structure according to any of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of clips has a holding part disposed on an outer side than a position of formation of the first coupling parts coupled together in a through-hole on the spacer.