Energy storage apparatus

This application claims the benefit of Japanese patent application No. 2015-205570, filed on Oct. 19, 2015, which is incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to an energy storage apparatus provided with energy storage devices.

In various appliances such as an electric vehicle, a power source having large capacitance is necessary and hence, an energy storage apparatus provided with a plurality of energy storage devices is used (see JP 2010-157450 A). As shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 , this type of energy storage apparatus includes energy storage devices 50 and spacers 51 which are disposed adjacently to the energy storage devices 50 . The energy storage devices 50 are disposed on both sides of the spacer 51 , and a ventilation passage 510 which allows cooling air to pass therethrough is formed between the neighboring energy storage devices 50 . Further, the spacer 51 has an opposedly facing portion 511 which opposedly faces the neighboring spacer 51 with the energy storage device 50 sandwiched therebetween at a position which faces the ventilation passage 510 and is disposed in front of the energy storage device 50 in a flow direction of cooling air in the ventilation passage 510 formed between the neighboring energy storage devices 50 .

In such an energy storage apparatus 5 , a gap 514 is formed between the opposedly facing portions 511 of the spacers 51 disposed on both sides of the energy storage device 50 such that the gap 514 extends from an end edge 512 of the opposedly facing portion 511 on a ventilation passage 510 side to an end edge 513 of the opposedly facing portion 511 on a side opposite to the ventilation passage 510 . Accordingly, when cooling air for cooling the energy storage device 50 is supplied to the ventilation passage 510 , a portion of cooling air is leaked to the outside of the energy storage apparatus 5 from the ventilation passage 514 through the gap thus reducing an effect of cooling the energy storage devices 50 in the energy storage apparatus 5 .

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention disclosed herein in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

An object of the present invention to provide an energy storage apparatus where cooling air supplied to a ventilation passage formed between energy storage devices minimally leaks to the outside.

An energy storage apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes:

at least one energy storage device; and

a spacer disposed adjacently to the energy storage device, the spacer being configured to form a ventilation passage which allows cooling air to pass therethrough between the spacer and the energy storage device, wherein

the spacer has an opposedly facing portion which opposedly faces a spacer disposed adjacently to the spacer with the energy storage device sandwiched therebetween at a position which faces the ventilation passage and is disposed adjacently to the energy storage device in a flow direction of the cooling air in the ventilation passage,

one opposedly facing portion of a pair of opposedly facing portions which opposedly faces each other of the spacers disposed on both sides of the energy storage device has an extending portion extending toward the other opposedly facing portion of the pair of opposedly facing portions, and

the extending portion is brought into contact with the other opposedly facing portion.

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings of an illustrative embodiment of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an energy storage apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an energy storage device in the energy storage apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the energy storage device in the energy storage apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the energy storage apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of inner spacers, outer spacers and the energy storage devices in the energy storage apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the energy storage devices and the spacers of the energy storage apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a region VII in FIG. 6 of the energy storage apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a region VIII in FIG. 6 of the energy storage apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a region IX in FIG. 6 of the energy storage apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an energy storage apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view for describing a state where a duct is mounted on the energy storage apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view for describing the flow of cooling air in a state where the duct is mounted on the energy storage apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a conventional energy storage apparatus.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the conventional energy storage apparatus in the vicinity of a portion where spacers opposedly face each other.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional energy storage apparatus.

An energy storage apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes:

at least one energy storage device; and

a spacer disposed adjacently to the energy storage device, the spacer being configured to form a ventilation passage which allows cooling air to pass therethrough between the spacer and the energy storage device, wherein

the spacer has an opposedly facing portion which opposedly faces a spacer disposed adjacently to the spacer with the energy storage device sandwiched therebetween at a position which faces the ventilation passage and is disposed adjacently to the energy storage device in a flow direction of the cooling air in the ventilation passage,

one opposedly facing portion of a pair of opposedly facing portions which opposedly faces each other of the spacers disposed on both sides of the energy storage device has an extending portion extending toward the other opposedly facing portion of the pair of opposedly facing portions, and

the extending portion is brought into contact with the other opposedly facing portion.

With such a configuration, due to the extending portion which extends from one opposedly facing portion to the other opposedly facing portion between the pair of opposedly facing portions, the flow of air toward the end edge on a side opposite to the ventilation passage from the end edge of the opposedly facing portion on a ventilation passage side between the opposedly facing portions is obstructed. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a leakage of cooling air to the outside of the energy storage apparatus through between the pair of opposedly facing portions.

In the energy storage apparatus, the other opposedly facing portion may have an inclined surface which is inclined with respect to a first direction along which the pair of opposedly facing portions opposedly faces each other and a second direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling air, and

the extending portion may be brought into contact with at least a portion of the inclined surface.

With such a configuration, the extending portion and the inclined surface are brought into contact with each other such that a contact portion between the extending portion and the inclined surface extends in a direction which intersects with the second direction. Accordingly, it is possible to more effectively obstruct the flow of air between the opposedly facing portions from an end edge of the opposedly facing portion on a ventilation passage side to an end edge of the opposedly facing portion on a side opposite to the ventilation passage.

In the energy storage apparatus, it is preferable that the extending portion be elastically deformable due to a contact between the extending portion and the inclined surface.

With such a configuration, the extending portion is elastically deformable along the inclined surface and hence, even when the distance between the opposedly facing portions is narrowed due to an error in manufacture or the like, a change in distance can be absorbed by the elastic deformation. That is, even when the distance between the opposedly facing portions is narrowed due to an error in manufacture or the like, the extending portion is elastically deformed along the contact surface and hence, a state where the extending portion is brought into contact with the inclined surface is maintained.

In the energy storage apparatus, it is preferable that the other opposedly facing portion have a pair of inclined surfaces which forms the inclined surface,

the pair of inclined surfaces be configured to opposedly face each other in a spaced-apart manner from each other in the second direction such that a distance between the pair of inclined surfaces is narrowed as the pair of inclined surfaces is away from one opposedly facing portion along a direction that the pair of opposedly facing portions opposedly faces each other,

one opposedly facing portion have a pair of extending portions at a position which opposedly faces the pair of inclined surfaces, and

the pair of extending portions be disposed in a spaced-apart manner from each other in the second direction such that a distance between distal ends of the pair of extending portions is smaller than the distance between the inclined surfaces at end portions of the pair of inclined surfaces on one opposedly facing portion side, and is larger than the distance between the inclined surfaces at end portions of the pair of inclined surfaces on a side opposite to one opposedly facing portion.

With such a configuration, the pair of extending portions is elastically deformed such that the narrower the distance between the opposedly facing portions, the narrower the distance between the distal ends becomes due to the pair of inclined portions. Accordingly, a force which intends to return the distance between the opposedly facing portions to an initial distance is increased. In this manner, it is possible to provide a state which is considered equal to a state where the neighboring spacers are connected to each other by an elastic body and hence, resistance against vibrations in the energy storage apparatus can be enhanced.

In the energy storage apparatus, one opposedly facing portion may have a plurality of extending portions which form the extending portion, and the other opposedly facing portion may have inclined surfaces which form the inclined surface such that the number of inclined surfaces corresponds to the number of the plurality of extending portions.

With such a configuration, due to the plurality of extending portions, it is possible to obstruct the flow of air between the pair of opposedly facing portions toward the end edge of the opposedly facing portion on a side opposite to the ventilation passage from the end edge of the opposedly facing portion on a ventilation passage side. Accordingly, it is possible to more effectively suppress a leakage of cooling air to the outside of the energy storage apparatus through between the pair of opposedly facing portions.

In the energy storage apparatus, the extending portion has an inclined surface inclined with respect to a first direction along which the pair of opposedly facing portions opposedly faces each other and with respect to a second direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling air, and

the other opposedly facing portion is brought into contact with at least a portion of the inclined surface of the extending portion.

With such a configuration, the extending portion and the inclined surface are brought into contact with each other such that the contact portion between the inclined surface of the extending portion and the opposedly facing portion extends in the direction which intersects with the second direction. Accordingly, it is possible to more effectively obstruct the flow of air between the opposedly facing portions toward the end edge of the opposedly facing portion on a side opposite to the ventilation passage from the end edge of the opposedly facing portion on a ventilation passage side.

In the energy storage apparatus, the extending portion may have a first inclined surface inclined with respect to a first direction along which the pair of opposedly facing portions opposedly faces each other and with respect to a second direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling air, and

the other opposedly facing portion may have a second inclined surface inclined with respect to the first direction along which the pair of opposedly facing portions opposedly faces each other and with respect to the second direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling air, and

the first inclined surface may be brought into contact with at least a portion of the second inclined surface.

With such a configuration, the extending portion (first inclined surface) and the other opposedly facing portion (second inclined surface) are brought into contact with each other such that the contact portion between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface extends in the direction which intersects with the second direction. Accordingly, it is possible to more effectively obstruct the flow of air between the opposedly facing portions toward the end edge of the opposedly facing portion on a side opposite to the ventilation passage from the end edge of the opposedly facing portion on a ventilation passage side.

In forming the first inclining surface and the second inclined surface in the energy storage apparatus, it is preferable that an angle α of the second inclined surface with respect to the first inclined surface be set to a value which satisfies 0°<α.

When the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are parallel to each other, there may be a case where a gap is formed between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface due to an error in manufacture at the time of manufacturing the spacer. However, with the configuration described above, by setting the angle α larger than 0°, that is, by setting the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface not parallel to each other, it is possible to prevent the formation of the gap due to the above-mentioned error in manufacture.

In the energy storage apparatus, it is preferable that the extending portion be brought into contact with the other opposedly facing portion in a whole region of the other opposedly facing portion in the flow direction of the cooling air.

With such a configuration, in the whole region between the opposedly facing portions in the flow direction of cooling air, it is possible to obstruct the flow of air between the opposedly facing portions toward the end edge of the opposedly facing portion on a side opposite to the ventilation passage from the end edge of the opposedly facing portion on a ventilation passage side. Accordingly, it is possible to more effectively suppress a leakage of cooling air to the outside of the energy storage apparatus through between the pair of opposedly facing portions.

As described heretofore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an energy storage apparatus where cooling air supplied to a ventilation passage formed between energy storage devices minimally leaks to the outside of the energy storage apparatus.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of an energy storage apparatus of the present invention is described with reference to drawings. Names of respective constitutional members in this embodiment are used only for this embodiment, and may differ from names of respective constitutional members in BACKGROUND.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the energy storage apparatus includes: energy storage devices 1 ; spacers 2 which are disposed adjacently to the energy storage devices 1 ; and a holder 3 which collectively holds the energy storage devices 1 and the spacers 2 . The holder 3 is formed by molding using an electrically conductive material. Along with such configuration, the energy storage apparatus includes insulators 4 each of which is disposed between the energy storage devices 1 and the holder 3 .

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the energy storage device 1 includes: an electrode assembly which includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode; a case 10 which houses the electrode assembly; and a pair of external terminals 11 disposed on an outer surface of the case 10 .

The case 10 includes: a case body 100 having an opening; and a lid plate 101 which closes the opening of the case body 100 and has an outer surface on which the pair of external terminals 11 is disposed.

The case body 100 includes: a closing portion 100 a (see FIG. 3 ); and a cylindrical barrel portion 100 b which is connected to a periphery of the closing portion 100 a so as to surround the closing portion 100 a.

The barrel portion 100 b includes: a pair of first walls 100 c which opposedly faces each other with a distance therebetween; and a pair of second walls 100 d which opposedly faces each other with the pair of first walls 100 c sandwiched therebetween.

The first walls 100 c and the second walls 100 d are respectively formed into a rectangular shape. That is, surfaces of the first walls 100 c and surfaces of the second walls 100 d are flat surfaces and respectively have a quadrangular region. The first wall 100 c and the second wall 100 d are disposed adjacently to each other in a state where respective end edges of the first and second walls 100 c , 100 d abut each other. Along with such a configuration, the end edge of the first wall 100 c and the end edge of the second wall 100 d are connected to each other over the entire length. Accordingly, the barrel portion 100 b is formed into an angular cylindrical shape. One end of the barrel portion 100 b is closed by the closing portion 100 a . On the other hand, the other end of the barrel portion 100 b is opened. In the case 10 , this opening is closed by the lid plate 101 .

In this embodiment, a surface area of the first wall 100 c is set larger than a surface area of the second wall 100 d . Along with such a configuration, the barrel portion 100 b is formed into a flat angular cylindrical shape.

The energy storage apparatus according to this embodiment includes the plurality of energy storage devices 1 . The plurality of respective energy storage devices 1 are disposed in a row in one direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of respective energy storage devices 1 are disposed in a row in a state where the first walls 100 c of the cases 10 are directed in one direction. The energy storage apparatus includes bus bars which electrically connect the external terminals 11 of two energy storage devices 1 disposed adjacently to each other.

In the description made hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the direction (first direction) along which the energy storage devices 1 are disposed in a row is referred to as the X axis direction. Further, out of two axial directions which are orthogonal to the direction (X axis direction) along which the energy storage devices 1 are disposed in a row and are orthogonal to each other, one direction (second direction) is referred to as the Z axis direction, and the remaining one direction is referred to as the Y axis direction. In accordance with the above, in the respective drawings, three orthogonal axes (coordinate axes) which respectively correspond to the X axis direction, the Y axis direction and the Z axis direction are described complementarily.

The spacers 2 have insulating property. The spacer 2 includes: a base which is disposed adjacently to the case 10 (the first wall 100 c of the barrel portion 100 b ) of the energy storage device 1 ; and restricting portions which prevent the positional displacement of the energy storage device 1 disposed adjacently to the base.

The spacer 2 is described more specifically. As described previously, the energy storage apparatus includes the plurality of energy storage devices 1 . Along with such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 4 , the energy storage apparatus includes two kinds of spacers 2 ( 2 A, 2 B). That is, the energy storage apparatus includes, as the spacers 2 , spacers 2 A each of which is disposed between two energy storage devices 1 (hereinafter referred to as “inner spacers”); and spacers 2 B which are disposed adjacently to the energy storage devices 1 disposed at outermost ends out of the plurality of energy storage devices 1 (hereinafter referred to as “outer spacers”).

Firstly, the inner spacer 2 A is described. As shown in FIG. 5 , the inner spacer 2 A includes a base 20 A disposed adjacently to the energy storage device 1 (the first wall 100 c of the case body 100 ); and the restricting portions 21 A which prevent the positional displacement of two energy storage devices 1 disposed adjacently to the base 20 A.

The base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A is sandwiched between two energy storage devices 1 . Accordingly, the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A has: a first surface which opposedly faces one energy storage device 1 out of two energy storage devices 1 disposed adjacently to the base 20 A; and a second surface which is disposed on a side opposite to the first surface and opposedly faces the other energy storage device 1 out of two energy storage devices 1 .

The base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A has: a first end disposed at the position corresponding to the lid plate 101 of the energy storage device 1 ; and a second end disposed on a side opposite to the first end at the position corresponding to the closing portion 100 a of the energy storage device 1 . The base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A also has: a third end disposed at the position corresponding to one second wall 100 d of the energy storage device 1 ; and a fourth end disposed on a side opposite to the third end at the position corresponding to the other second wall 100 d of the energy storage device 1 .

The base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A has: a first corner portion where the first end and the third end of the base 20 A are connected to each other; and a second corner portion where the first end and the fourth end of the base 20 A are connected to each other. The base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A also has: a third corner portion where the second end and the third end of the base 20 A are connected to each other; and a fourth corner portion where the second end and the fourth end of the base 20 A are connected to each other.

The first end and the second end of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A extend in the Y axis direction. The third end and the fourth end of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A extend in the Z axis direction. Accordingly, the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A has an approximately rectangular shape. The base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A is formed with substantially the same size as the first wall 100 c of the energy storage device 1 .

In the energy storage apparatus according to this embodiment, ventilation passages which allow a fluid (cooling fluid) to pass therethrough are formed in at least one of between the first surface of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the energy storage device 1 and between the second surface of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the energy storage device 1 .

A more specific description follows. The base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A is formed into a rectangular corrugated shape. In the energy storage device 1 according to this embodiment, the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A includes: first contact portions 200 A which are brought into contact with only one energy storage device 1 out of two energy storage devices 1 disposed adjacently to the base 20 A; and second contact portions 201 A which are brought into contact with only the other energy storage device 1 out of two energy storage devices 1 disposed adjacently to the base 20 A. Along with such a configuration, the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A includes connecting portions 202 A each of which is connected to the first contact portion 200 A and the second contact portion 201 A.

The first contact portion 200 A is elongated in the Y axis direction. The second contact portion 201 A is elongated in the Y axis direction.

The base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A includes a plurality of first contact portions 200 A and a plurality of second contact portions 201 A. The respective first contact portions 200 A and the respective second contact portions 201 A are alternately disposed in the direction along which the first end and the second end of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A are juxtaposed with each other.

With such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 6 , in the energy storage apparatus, the ventilation passage 203 A is formed by a surface of the first contact portion 200 A on a side opposite to a surface which is brought into contact with the energy storage device 1 and the pair of connecting portions 202 A which is connected to the first contact portion 200 A. In the energy storage apparatus, the ventilation passage 203 A is formed by a surface of the second contact portion 201 A on a side opposite to a surface which is brought into contact with the energy storage device 1 and the pair of connecting portions 202 A which is connected to the second contact portion 201 A. Accordingly, in the energy storage apparatus, the ventilation passages 203 A which allow cooling air to pass therethrough are formed between the first surface of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the energy storage device 1 and between the second surface of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the energy storage device 1 .

As described previously, the inner spacer 2 A is disposed between two energy storage devices 1 which are disposed adjacently to each other. Accordingly, to restrict the relative movement between two energy storage devices 1 disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A, the inner spacer 2 A includes the restricting portions 21 A extending toward the energy storage device 1 disposed adjacently to the first surface of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the restricting portions 21 A extending toward the energy storage device 1 disposed adjacently to the second surface of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A.

A more specific description follows. As shown in FIG. 5 , the restricting portion 21 A is formed on respective corner portions of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A.

Each restricting portion 21 A includes: a first restricting member 210 A which is connected to an outer edge of the base 20 A extending in the Z axis direction and extends in the X axis direction from the base 20 ; and a second restricting member 211 A which is connected to an outer edge of the base 20 A extending in the Y axis direction and extends in the X axis direction from the base 20 A.

The first restricting member 210 A of the restricting portion 21 A which is formed on the first corner portion is connected to the third end of the base 20 A. The second restricting member 211 A of the restricting portion 21 A which is formed on the first corner portion is connected to the first end of the base 20 A.

The first restricting member 210 A of the restricting portion 21 A which is formed on the second corner portion is connected to the fourth end of the base 20 A. The second restricting member 211 A of the restricting portion 21 A which is formed on the second corner portion is connected to the first end of the base 20 A.

The first restricting member 210 A of the restricting portion 21 A which is formed on the third corner portion is connected to the third end of the base 20 A. The second restricting member 211 A of the restricting portion 21 A which is formed on the third corner portion is connected to the second end of the base 20 A.

The first restricting member 210 A of the restricting portion 21 A which is formed on the fourth corner portion is connected to the fourth end of the base 20 A. The second restricting member 211 A of the restricting portion 21 A which is formed on the fourth corner portion is connected to the second end of the base 20 A.

As described previously, the inner spacer 2 A includes the restricting portions 21 A which extend toward the energy storage device 1 disposed adjacently to the first surface of the base 20 A, and the restricting portions 21 A which extend toward the energy storage device 1 disposed adjacently to the second surface of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A. Accordingly, in each inner spacer 2 A, the first restricting members 210 A of the pair of restricting portions 21 A respectively form opposedly facing portions which opposedly face the spacers 2 on both sides of the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction.

The opposedly facing portion 210 A is disposed at a position facing the ventilation passage 203 A and being disposed adjacently to the energy storage device 1 in the flow direction of cooling air in the ventilation passage 203 A. Further, the opposedly facing portions 210 A are disposed in a row in the X axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 7 , in one inner spacer 2 A, each opposedly facing portion 210 A is brought into contact with the corresponding opposedly facing portion 210 A of another inner spacer 2 A which is disposed adjacently to one inner spacer 2 A on one side in the X axis direction with the energy storage device 1 sandwiched therebetween.

A more specific description follows. One opposedly facing portion 210 A has extending portions 212 A which extend from one opposedly facing portion 210 A toward one side in the X axis direction. Another opposedly facing portion 210 A has inclined surfaces 216 A which are formed on another opposedly facing portion 210 A and are brought into contact with the extending portions 212 A of one opposedly facing portion 210 A disposed adjacently to another opposedly facing portion 210 A on the other side in the X axis direction.

The extending portions 212 A of one opposedly facing portion 210 A are brought into contact with the inclined surfaces 216 A of another opposedly facing portion 210 A which is disposed adjacently to one opposedly facing portion 210 A on one side in the X axis direction. The extending portions 212 A of one opposedly facing portion 210 A have surfaces which are brought into contact with at least portions of the inclined surfaces 216 A of another opposedly facing portion 210 A which is disposed adjacently to one opposedly facing portion 210 A on one side in the X axis direction.

According to this embodiment, the extending portion 212 A of one opposedly facing portion 210 A has an inclined surface 213 A which opposedly faces, in the Z axis direction, the inclined surface 216 A of another opposedly facing portion 210 A which is disposed adjacently to one opposedly facing portion 210 A on one side in the X axis direction. Further, the extending portion 212 A has an extending surface 214 A which extends straightly in the X axis direction from the inclined surface 213 A.

The inclined surface 213 A is a surface which is inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction. The extending surface 214 A is a surface which extends in the X axis direction as well as in the Y axis direction.

Accordingly, in the extending portion 212 A of one opposedly facing portion 210 A, a surface which is brought into contact with at least a portion of the inclined surface 216 A of another opposedly facing portion 210 A which is disposed adjacently to one opposedly facing portion 210 A in the X axis direction is bent at an intermediate position thereof in the X axis direction. In this embodiment, there may be a case where the description is made by naming a surface including the inclined surface 213 A and the extending surface 214 A as a contact surface 215 A hereinafter.

Further, in the opposedly facing portion 210 A in this embodiment, the pair of extending portions 212 A is disposed in a spaced-apart manner in the Z axis direction. The pair of extending portions 212 A is disposed such that the respective contact surfaces 215 A are directed in opposite directions in the Z axis direction. The pair of extending portions 212 A has elasticity respectively.

The inclined surfaces 216 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A are inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction (with respect to the direction orthogonal to the direction that the pair of opposedly facing portions 210 A opposedly faces each other as well as with respect to the flow direction of cooling air). That is, the inclined surfaces 216 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A are formed so as to be inclined with respect to a plane extending in the X axis direction as well as in the Y axis direction and, at the same time, to extend straightly in the Y axis direction.

The inclined surfaces 216 A according to this embodiment are formed on another first restricting member 210 A and are formed of portions of the recessed portion 217 A opening toward another opposedly facing portion 210 A which is disposed adjacently to one opposedly facing portion 210 A in the X axis direction. Accordingly, the opposedly facing portion 210 A has the pair of inclined surfaces 216 A which opposedly faces each other in the Z axis direction with a distance therebetween.

The pair of inclined surfaces 216 A is disposed at a position where the pair of inclined surfaces 216 A is juxtaposed with the pair of extending portions 212 A in the X axis direction respectively.

The pair of inclined surfaces 216 A is formed such that a distance between the pair of inclined surfaces 216 A is gradually decreased as the pair of inclined surfaces 216 A extends away from the neighboring another opposedly facing portion 210 A in the X axis direction.

In the opposedly facing portion 210 A, portions of the respective inclined surfaces 216 A on an opening side of the recessed portion 217 A are disposed such that a distance between the portions of the respective inclined surfaces 216 A becomes larger than a distance between distal end portions of the pair of extending portions 212 A (a distance between the contact surfaces 215 A).

In the opposedly facing portion 210 A, portions of the pair of inclined surfaces 216 A on a side of a bottom surface of the recessed portion 217 A are disposed such that a distance between the portions of the pair of inclined surfaces 216 A becomes smaller than a distance between end portions of the pair of extending portions 212 A on a distal end side (a distance between the contact surfaces 215 A).

Next, the outer spacer 2 B is described. As shown in FIG. 5 , the outer spacer 2 B includes: a base 20 B having a first surface which opposedly faces the energy storage device 1 (the first wall 100 c of the case body 100 ) and a second surface which is disposed on a side opposite to the first surface (hereinafter referred to as “base 20 B”); and restricting portions 21 B which determine the position of the energy storage device 1 disposed adjacently to the base 20 B (hereinafter referred to as “restricting portions 21 B”).

In the outer spacer 2 B in this embodiment, the base 20 B and an end plate 30 described later of the holder 3 opposedly face each other. That is, the outer spacer 2 B is disposed between the energy storage device 1 and the end plate 30 (see FIG. 4 ).

With such a configuration, the outer spacer 2 B includes fitting portions 22 B which are fitted on the end plate 30 at a position where the base 20 B opposedly faces the end plate 30 . That is, the outer spacer 2 B includes the fitting portions 22 B which determine the position of the end plate 30 with respect to the base 20 B, and are formed on the second surface of the base 20 B. Further, the outer spacer 2 B includes a shaft portion 23 B which determines the position of the end plate 30 with respect to the base 20 B and projects from the second surface of the base 20 B.

The base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B extends in the Y axis direction as well as in the Z axis direction. That is, the base 20 B is formed into a plate shape. The base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B has: a first end disposed at the position corresponding to the lid plate 101 of the energy storage device 1 ; and a second end disposed on a side opposite to the first end at the position corresponding to the closing portion 100 a of the energy storage device 1 . The base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B also has a third end disposed at the position corresponding to the second wall 100 d on one side of the energy storage device 1 ; and a fourth end disposed on a side opposite to the third end at the position corresponding to the second wall 100 d on the other side of the energy storage device 1 .

The base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B has: a first corner portion where the first end and the third end are connected to each other; and a second corner portion where the first end and the fourth end are connected to each other. The base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B also has: a third corner portion where the second end and the third end are connected to each other; and a fourth corner portion where the second end and the fourth end are connected to each other.

The first end and the second end of the base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B extend in the Y axis direction. The third end and the fourth end of the base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B extend in the direction orthogonal to the Z axis direction. Accordingly, the base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B has an approximately rectangular shape. The base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B has a size substantially equal to a size of the first wall 100 c of the energy storage device 1 .

Ventilation passages which allow a fluid to pass through between a first surface of the base 20 B and the energy storage device 1 are formed on the first surface of the base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B.

A more specific description follows. The outer spacer 2 B includes projecting portions 200 B which project toward the energy storage device 1 from the first surface of the base 20 B and are brought into contact with the energy storage device 1 (hereinafter, referred to as inner contact portions 200 B). The inner contact portions 200 B extend toward the case 10 of the energy storage device 1 (the first wall 100 c of the case body 100 ) from the first surface of the base 20 B.

The inner contact portions 200 B are elongated in the Y axis direction. As shown in FIG. 6 , the base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B in this embodiment includes the plurality of inner contact portions 200 B. The plurality of respective inner contact portions 200 B are disposed at intervals in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the inner contact portions 200 B. Along with such a configuration, the base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B includes connecting portions 201 B each of which is connected to the projecting portion 200 B disposed adjacently to each other in the Z axis direction. With such a configuration, a plurality of ventilation passages 202 B which allow cooling air to pass therethrough are formed between the base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B and the energy storage device 1 .

As described previously, the first surface of the outer spacer 2 B is disposed adjacently to the energy storage device 1 . Accordingly, to restrict the relative movement between the outer spacer 2 B and the energy storage device 1 disposed adjacently to the first surface of the outer spacer 2 B, the outer spacer 2 B includes the restricting portions 21 B which extend toward the energy storage device 1 disposed adjacently to the first surface of the base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B.

A more specific description follows. As shown in FIG. 5 , the restricting portion 21 B is formed on respective corner portions of the base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B.

Each restricting portion 21 B includes: a first restricting member 210 B which is connected to an outer edge of the base 20 B extending in the Z axis direction and extends in the X axis direction from the base 20 ; and a second restricting member 211 B which is connected to the base 20 B in the Y axis direction and extends in the X axis direction from the base 20 B.

The first restricting member 210 B of the restricting portion 21 B which is formed on the first corner portion is connected to the third end of the base 20 B. The second restricting member 211 B of the restricting portion 21 B which is formed on the first corner portion is connected to the first end of the base 20 B.

The first restricting member 210 B of the restricting portion 21 B which is formed on the second corner portion is connected to the fourth end of the base 20 B. The second restricting member 211 B of the restricting portion 21 B which is formed on the second corner portion is connected to the first end of the base 20 B.

The first restricting member 210 B of the restricting portion 21 B which is formed on the third corner portion is connected to the third end of the base 20 B. The second restricting member 211 B of the restricting portion 21 B which is formed on the third corner portion is connected to the second end of the base 20 B.

The first restricting member 210 B of the restricting portion 21 B which is formed on the fourth corner portion is connected to the fourth end of the base 20 B. The second restricting member 211 B of the restricting portion 21 B which is formed on the fourth corner portion is connected to the second end of the base 20 B.

As described previously, the outer spacer 2 B includes the restricting portions 21 B which extend toward the energy storage device 1 disposed adjacently to the first surface of the base 20 B. Accordingly, in the outer spacer 2 B, each first restricting member 210 B of the restricting portion 21 B forms an opposedly facing portion 210 B which opposedly faces the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A which is disposed adjacently to the outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction.

The opposedly facing portions 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B are disposed at positions facing the ventilation passages 202 B and are disposed adjacently to the energy storage device 1 in the flow direction of cooling air in the ventilation passage 202 B. Further, the opposedly facing portions 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B are disposed in a row with the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the respective inner spacers 2 A in the X axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 6 , with respect to the outer spacer 2 B, the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B is brought into contact with the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A disposed adjacently to the opposedly facing portion 210 B with the energy storage device 1 sandwiched therebetween in the X direction.

As described previously, the outer spacer 2 B in this embodiment is disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A with the energy storage device 1 sandwiched therebetween. That is, the energy storage apparatus includes the pair of outer spacers 2 B.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8 , the opposedly facing portion 210 B of one of the outer spacers 2 B has extending portions 212 B which extend toward one side in the X axis direction from the first restricting member 210 B.

The extending portions 212 B are brought into contact with the inclined surfaces 216 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A disposed adjacently to the outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction respectively. Accordingly, the extending portion 212 B has surfaces which are brought into contact with at least portions of the inclined surfaces 216 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A which is disposed adjacently to the outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction.

The extending portion 212 B according to this embodiment has an inclined surface 213 B which opposedly faces, in the Z axis direction, the inclined surface 216 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A disposed adjacently to the outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction. Further, the extending portion 212 B has an extending surface 214 B which extends straightly in the X axis direction from the inclined surface 213 B.

The inclined surface 213 B is a surface inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction. The extending surface 214 B is a surface which extends in the X axis direction as well as in the Y axis direction.

Accordingly, in the extending portion 212 B of the opposedly facing portion 210 B, a surface which is brought into contact with at least a portion of the inclined surface 216 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A which is disposed adjacently to the outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction is bent at an intermediate position thereof in the X axis direction. In this embodiment, there may be a case where the description is made by naming a surface including the inclined surface 213 B and the extending surface 214 B as a contact surface 215 B hereinafter.

Further, in this embodiment, in the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B, the pair of extending portions 212 B is disposed in a spaced-apart manner in the Z axis direction. The pair of extending portions 212 B is disposed such that the respective contact surfaces 215 B are directed in opposite directions in the Z axis direction. The pair of extending portions 212 B has elasticity respectively.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the other outer spacer 2 B has inclined surfaces 216 B which are brought into contact with the extending portions 212 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A disposed adjacently to the other outer spacer 2 B on the other side in the X axis direction and are inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction (with respect to a direction orthogonal to the direction that the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the other outer spacer 2 B and the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A opposedly face each other and to the flow direction of cooling air).

The inclined surfaces 216 B of the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the other outer spacer 2 B are inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction as described previously. That is, the inclined surfaces 216 B of the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the other outer spacer 2 B are formed so as to be inclined with respect to a plane extending in the X axis direction as well as in the Y axis direction and, at the same time, to extend straightly in the Y axis direction.

The inclined surfaces 216 B according to this embodiment are formed on the first restricting member 210 B and are formed of portions of the recessed portion 217 B opening toward the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A which is disposed adjacently to the other outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction. Accordingly, the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the other outer spacer 2 B has the pair of inclined surfaces 216 B which opposedly faces each other in the Z axis direction with a distance therebetween.

The pair of inclined surfaces 216 B is disposed at a position where the pair of inclined surfaces 216 B is juxtaposed with the pair of extending portions 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction respectively.

The pair of inclined surfaces 216 B is formed such that a distance between the pair of inclined surfaces 216 B is gradually decreased as the pair of inclined surfaces 216 B extends away from the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A disposed adjacently to the other outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction.

In the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the other outer spacer 2 B, portions of the respective inclined surfaces 216 B on an opening side of the recessed portion 217 B are disposed such that a distance between the portions of the respective inclined surfaces 216 B becomes larger than a distance between distal end portions of the pair of extending portions 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A (a distance between the contact surfaces 215 A).

In the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the other outer spacer 2 B, portions of the pair of inclined surfaces 216 B on a side of a bottom surface of the recessed portion 217 B are disposed such that a distance between the portions of the pair of inclined surfaces 216 B becomes smaller than a distance between end portions of the pair of extending portions 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A on a distal end side (a distance between the contact surfaces 215 A).

In this embodiment, the holder 3 is made of metal. As shown in FIG. 4 , the holder 3 includes: a pair of end plates 30 which is disposed at positions where the end plates 30 are disposed adjacently to the respective outer spacers 2 B; and a frame 31 which connects the pair of end plates 30 to each other.

Each of the pair of end plates 30 has a first surface which opposedly faces the outer spacer 2 B and a second surface which is disposed on a side opposite to the first surface. Each of the pair of end plates 30 has a pressure contact portion 300 which is brought into contact with the base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B.

Each end plate 30 has: a first end disposed at a position corresponding to the lid plate 101 of the energy storage device 1 ; and a second end disposed on a side opposite to the first end (the second end disposed at a position corresponding to the closing portion 100 a of the energy storage device 1 ). The end plate 30 also has: a third end disposed at a position corresponding to the second wall 100 d on one side of the energy storage device 1 ; and a fourth end disposed on a side opposite to the third end (the fourth end disposed at a position corresponding to the second wall 100 d on the other side of the energy storage device 1 ).

Along with such a configuration, each end plate 30 has a first corner portion where the first end and the third end are connected to each other; and a second corner portion where the first end and the fourth end are connected to each other. The end plate 30 also has: a third corner portion where the second end and the third end are connected to each other; and a fourth corner portion where the second end and the fourth end are connected to each other.

The pressure contact portion 300 has insertion holes 300 a which are formed at positions corresponding to the shaft portions 23 B of the outer spacer 2 B. Further, the pressure contact portion 300 also has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) through holes 300 b which are formed in the respective corner portions.

The frame 31 has: a first connecting portion 310 which extends between the pair of end plates 30 and is disposed at the position corresponding to the lid plate 101 of the energy storage device 1 ; and a second connecting portion 311 which extends between the pair of end plates 30 and is disposed at the position corresponding to the closing portion 100 a of the energy storage device 1 .

The frame 31 also has support portions 312 which are connected to the first connecting portion 310 and the second connecting portion 311 .

In this embodiment, the frame 31 having a frame body shape is formed by connecting the first connecting portion 310 and the second connecting portion 311 to each other by the support portions 312 . Along with such a configuration, hereinafter, the energy storage apparatus according to this embodiment may be also described by naming a member which includes the first connecting portion 310 , the second connecting portion 311 and the support portions 312 which are disposed on one side of the energy storage devices in the direction orthogonal to the X axis direction (hereinafter referred to as “Y axis direction”) as a first frame 31 A, and by naming a member which includes the first connecting portion 310 , the second connecting portion 311 and the support portions 312 which are disposed on the other side of the energy storage devices in the Y axis direction as a second frame 31 B.

The frame 31 has fixing portions 313 connected to the end plates 30 .

The first connecting portion 310 has a first end and a second end disposed on a side opposite to the first end in the longitudinal direction.

The first connecting portion 310 is bent in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. A portion of the first connecting portion 310 disposed on one side of a bent portion which forms a boundary is disposed at a position corresponding to the lid plates 101 of the energy storage devices 1 . A portion of the first connecting portion 310 disposed on the other side of the bent portion which forms the boundary is disposed at a position corresponding to the second walls 100 d of the energy storage devices 1 .

The second connecting portion 311 has a first end and a second end disposed on a side opposite to the first end in the longitudinal direction.

The second connecting portion 311 is bent in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. A portion of the second connecting portion 311 disposed on one side of a bent portion which forms a boundary is disposed at a position corresponding to the closing portions 100 a of the energy storage devices 1 , and a portion of the second connecting portion 311 disposed on the other side of the bent portion which forms the boundary is disposed at a position corresponding to the second walls 100 d of the energy storage devices 1 .

The support portion 312 includes: a first support portion 312 a which is connected to the first end of the first connecting portion 310 and the first end of the second connecting portion 311 ; and a second support portion 312 b which is connected to the second end of the first connecting portion 310 and the second end of the second connecting portion 311 .

The fixing portion 313 includes: a pair of first fixing portions 313 a which is formed at the first end and the second end of the first connecting portion 310 respectively; and a pair of second fixing portions 313 b which is formed at the first end and the second end of the second connecting portion 311 respectively.

One first fixing portion 313 a opposedly faces the through hole 300 b formed in one end plate 30 and a portion around the through hole 300 b . The other first fixing portion 313 a opposedly faces the through hole 300 b formed in the other end plate 30 and a portion around the through hole 300 b . A first hole portion 313 c is formed in the pair of first fixing portions 313 a respectively at positions corresponding to the through holes 300 b.

With such a configuration, the first connecting portion 310 is connected to the end plates 30 by threadedly engaging nuts with bolts which are inserted into the through holes 300 b formed in the end plates 30 and the first hole portions 313 c formed in the first fixing portions 313 a.

One second fixing portion 313 b opposedly faces the through hole 300 b formed in one end plate 30 and a portion around the through hole 300 b . The other second fixing portion 313 b opposedly faces the through hole 300 b formed in the other end plate 30 and a portion around the through hole 300 b . A second hole portion 313 d is formed in the pair of second fixing portions 313 b respectively at positions corresponding to the through holes 300 b.

Accordingly, the second connecting portion 311 is connected to the end plates 30 by threadedly engaging nuts with bolts which are inserted into the through holes 300 b formed in the end plates 30 and the second hole portions 313 d formed in the second fixing portions 313 b.

The insulator 4 is made of a material having insulation property. The insulator 4 includes: a pair of first insulating portions 40 which is disposed between the pair of first connecting portions 310 and the spacers 2 (the inner spacers 2 A and the outer spacers 2 B) respectively; and a pair of second insulating portions 41 which is disposed between the pair of second connecting portions 311 and the spacers 2 (the inner spacers 2 A and the outer spacers 2 B) respectively.

The first insulating portion 40 is elongated in the X axis direction. The first insulating portion 40 is disposed between the energy storage devices 1 and the first connecting portion 310 of the frame 31 . That is, the first insulating portion 40 is bent in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof. A portion of the first insulating portion 40 disposed on one side of the bent portion of the first insulating portion 40 which forms the boundary is brought into contact with the portion of the first connecting portion 310 disposed on one side of the bent portion of the first connecting portion 310 which forms the boundary. A portion of the first insulating portion 40 disposed on the other side of the bent portion of the first insulating portion 40 which forms the boundary is brought into contact with the portion of the first connecting portion 310 disposed on the other side of the bent portion of the first connecting portion 310 which forms the boundary.

The second insulating portion 41 is elongated in the X axis direction. The second insulating portion 41 is disposed between the energy storage devices 1 and the second connecting portion 311 of the frame 31 . That is, the second insulating portion 41 is bent in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof. A portion of the second insulating portion 41 disposed on one side of the bent portion of the second insulating portion 41 which forms the boundary is brought into contact with the portion of the second connecting portion 311 disposed on one side of the bent portion of the second connecting portion 311 which forms the boundary. A portion of the second insulating portion 41 disposed on the other side of the bent portion of the second insulating portion 41 which forms the boundary is brought into contact with the portion of the second connecting portion 311 disposed on the other side of the bent portion of the second connecting portion 311 which forms the boundary.

The insulator 4 according to this embodiment has two third insulating portions 42 . A more specific description follows. In the insulator 4 , a first end of the first insulating portion 40 and a first end of the second insulating portion 41 are connected to each other by the third insulating portion 42 , and a second end of the first insulating portion 40 and a second end of the second insulating portion 41 are connected to each other by the third insulating portion 42 .

As has been described heretofore, in the energy storage apparatus according to this embodiment, the extending portions 212 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A extend to the opposedly facing portion 210 A of another inner spacer 2 A which is disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction or to the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B which is disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction. Accordingly, the extending portions 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A are brought into contact with the opposedly facing portion 210 A of another inner spacer 2 A which is disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction or with the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B which is disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction.

The extending portions 212 B of the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B extend to the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A which is disposed adjacently to the outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction. Accordingly, the extending portions 212 B of the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B are brought into contact with the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A which is disposed adjacently to the outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction.

With such a configuration, in the energy storage apparatus, cooling air which intends to flow through between the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the inner spacers 2 A which are disposed adjacently to each other in the X axis direction and between the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B which are disposed adjacently to each other in the X axis direction is blocked by the extending portions 212 A of the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the inner spacers 2 A and the extending portions 212 B of the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B.

Accordingly, in the energy storage apparatus, it is possible to obstruct the flow of air from the end edges of the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the respective spacers 2 on a ventilation passage 203 A, 202 B side toward the end edges of the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the respective spacers 2 on a side opposite to the ventilation passages 203 A, 202 B side. With such a configuration, in the energy storage apparatus, it is possible to make cooling air which is supplied to the ventilation passages 203 A, 202 B formed between the respective energy storage devices 1 minimally leaked to the outside.

In the energy storage apparatus according to this embodiment, a portion where the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the inclined surface 216 A of another inner spacer 2 A are brought into contact with each other and a portion where the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B are brought into contact with each other are respectively inclined with respect to the Z axis direction.

Accordingly, in the energy storage apparatus, it is possible to more effectively obstruct the flow of air from the end edges of the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the respective spacers 2 on a ventilation passage 203 A, 202 B side toward the end edges of the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the respective spacers 2 on a side opposite to the ventilation passage 203 A, 202 B side.

The extending portions 212 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the extending portions 212 B of the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B respectively have elasticity. Accordingly, in the energy storage apparatus, even when the distance between the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the inner spacers 2 A is narrowed or the distance between the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B is narrowed due to an error in manufacture or the like, since the extending portions 212 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A or the extending portions 212 B of the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B is elastically deformed, such a change in distance can be absorbed.

In this manner, in the energy storage apparatus, even when the distance between the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the inner spacers 2 A is narrowed or the distance between the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B is narrowed due to an error in manufacture or the like, a state where the extending portions 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A are brought into contact with the opposedly facing portion 210 A of another inner spacer 2 A or the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B and a state where the extending portions 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B are brought into contact with the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A can be maintained.

In the opposedly facing portion 210 A of each inner spacer 2 A, the pair of inclined surfaces 216 A is formed such that the distance between the pair of inclined surfaces 216 A is gradually narrowed as the inclined surfaces 216 A extend toward a bottom surface side of the recessed portion 217 A. Accordingly, the pair of extending portions 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A or the pair of extending portions 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B is elastically deformed such that the narrower the distance between the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the opposedly facing portion 210 A of another inner spacer 2 A which is disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A on the other side in the X axis direction or the narrower the distance between the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B, the narrower the distance between the distal ends of the pair of extending portions 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A becomes or the narrower the distance between the distal ends of the pair of extending portions 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B becomes.

In the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the other outer spacer 2 B, the pair of inclined surfaces 216 B is formed such that the distance between the pair of inclined surfaces 216 B is narrowed as the inclined surfaces 216 B extend toward a bottom surface side of the recessed portion 217 B. Accordingly, the pair of extending portions 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A is elastically deformed such that the narrower the distance between the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the other outer spacer 2 B and the opposedly facing portion 210 A of another inner spacer 2 A which is disposed adjacently to the other outer spacer 2 B on the other side in the X axis direction, the narrower the distance between the distal ends of the pair of extending portions 212 A becomes.

Therefore, in the energy storage apparatus, as the distance between the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B is narrowed, a force of the extending portions 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A and a force of the extending portions 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B which intend to return the distance between the opposedly facing portions 210 A and 210 B to an initial distance are increased. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a state which is considered equal to a state where the spacers 2 disposed adjacently to each other in the X axis direction are connected to each other by an elastic body and hence, resistance against vibrations in the energy storage apparatus can be enhanced.

The opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) extending portions 212 A.

With such a configuration, with the provision of two extending portions 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A, it is possible to obstruct the flow of air between the pair of opposedly facing portions 210 A toward the end edge of the opposedly facing portion 210 A on a side opposite to the ventilation passage 203 A from the end edge of the opposedly facing portion 210 A on a ventilation passage 203 A side. Accordingly, it is possible to more effectively suppress a leakage of cooling air to the outside of the energy storage apparatus through between the pair of opposedly facing portions 210 A.

The opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B includes the plurality of (two in this embodiment) extending portions 212 B.

With such a configuration, in the energy storage apparatus, with the provision of the plurality of extending portions 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B, it is possible to obstruct the flow of air toward the end edge of the opposedly facing portion 210 B on a side opposite to the ventilation passage 202 B from the end edge of the opposedly facing portion 210 B on a ventilation passage 202 B side between the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B and the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A. Accordingly, it is possible to more effectively suppress a leakage of cooling air to the outside of the energy storage apparatus through between the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B and the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A.

In each inner spacer 2 A, the pair of opposedly facing portions 210 A disposed adjacently to each other defines a gap extending in the Z axis direction.

With such a configuration, the relative positions of the pair of opposedly facing portions 210 A in the X axis direction can be changed following the expansion and shrinkage of the energy storage device 1 .

The holder 3 which collectively holds the energy storage devices 1 and the inner spacers 2 A includes the frame 31 which extends in the X axis direction along which the pair of opposedly facing portions 210 A opposedly faces each other and is disposed on one side of the energy storage device 1 in a direction orthogonal to the X axis direction (Y axis direction or Z axis direction). The pair of opposedly facing portions 210 A is sandwiched between the energy storage device 1 and the frame 31 in a direction (Y axis direction or Z axis direction) orthogonal to the X axis direction. Further, the extending portions 212 A and the inclined surfaces 216 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A are sandwiched between the energy storage devices 1 and the frame 31 in the direction (Y axis direction or Z axis direction) orthogonal to the X axis direction.

With such a configuration, the pair of opposedly facing portions 210 A, the extending portions 212 A and the inclined surfaces 216 A are protected from physical contact from the outside of the energy storage apparatus. As a result, it is possible to suppress the release of a contact state between the extending portions 212 A and the inclined surfaces 216 A due to a physical contact.

The energy storage apparatus includes the insulator 4 disposed between the energy storage devices 1 and the frame 31 , and the pair of opposedly facing portions 210 A is sandwiched between the energy storage devices 1 and the insulator 4 in the direction (Y axis direction or Z axis direction) orthogonal to the X axis direction. Further, the extending portions 212 A and the inclined surfaces 216 A of the opposedly facing portion 210 A are sandwiched between the energy storage devices 1 and the insulator 4 in the direction (Y axis direction or Z axis direction) orthogonal to the X axis direction.

With such a configuration, even when a stress is applied to the pair of opposedly facing portions 210 A, the extending portions 212 A and the inclined surfaces 216 A from the outside of the energy storage apparatus, such a stress is alleviated by the insulator. As a result, it is possible to suppress the release of a contact state between the extending portions 212 A and the inclined surfaces 216 A.

The energy storage apparatus in the above-mentioned embodiment includes:

at least one energy storage device 1 formed into an angular cylindrical shape having the pair of first walls 100 c which opposedly faces each other in the X axis direction and the pair of second walls 100 d which opposedly faces each other with the pair of first walls 100 c sandwiched therebetween;

the first spacer (the inner spacer 2 A or the outer spacer 2 B) which is disposed adjacently to the energy storage device 1 in the X axis direction and forms the ventilation passage which allows cooling air to pass therethrough in the Y axis direction orthogonal to the X axis direction between the first spacer (the inner spacer 2 A or the outer spacer 2 B) and the energy storage device 1 ; and

the second spacer (the inner spacer 2 A or the outer spacer 2 B) disposed adjacently to the first spacer with the energy storage device 1 sandwiched between the first spacer and the second spacer, wherein

the first spacer has the first opposedly facing portion 210 A which opposedly faces the second spacer in the X axis direction, the second spacer has a second opposedly facing portion (the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A or the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B) which opposedly faces the first opposedly facing portion of the first spacer (the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A or the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B) in the X axis direction,

the first opposedly facing portion has the extending portion (the extending portions 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A or the extending portions 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B) extending toward the second opposedly facing portion, and

the extending portion is brought into contact with the second opposedly facing portion.

With such a configuration, in the energy storage apparatus, cooling air which intends to flow through between the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the inner spacers 2 A which are disposed adjacently to each other in the X axis direction and between the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B which are disposed adjacently to each other in the X axis direction is blocked by the extending portions 212 A of the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the inner spacers 2 A or the extending portions 212 B of the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show a state where a duct 6 is mounted on the energy storage apparatus. In the energy storage apparatus in this embodiment, an exhaust fan (not shown in the drawing) is mounted on the duct 6 and hence, cooling air flows through between energy storage devices 1 disposed adjacently to each other through a path indicated by an arrow in FIG. 11 . In this case, when the extending portion is not brought into contact with the second opposedly facing portion, cooling air flows through between the pair of opposedly facing portions through a path indicated by an arrow in FIG. 12 . To be more specific, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a sealing member 5 is disposed between the frame 31 and the duct 6 and hence, there is almost no cooling air which passes between the frame 31 and the duct 6 . On the other hand, when the extending portions are not brought into contact with the second opposedly facing portion, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 12 , cooling air flows through between the pair of opposedly facing portions which is sandwiched between the energy storage device 1 and the frame 31 . Accordingly, there is a concern that a portion of a fluid sucked by the exhaust fan does not flow through between the energy storage devices 1 . In the above-mentioned embodiment, the extending portions are brought into contact with the second opposedly facing portion and hence, it is possible to block cooling air which may flow through between the pair of opposedly facing portions when the extending portions are not brought into contact with the second opposedly facing portion.

It is preferable that the second opposedly facing portion have a recessed portion and the extending portion be brought into contact with the inner surface of the recessed portion. The energy storage apparatus in this embodiment includes the recessed portions 217 A formed on the respective inner spacers 2 A, and the recessed portion 217 B which is formed on one outer spacer 2 B. As shown in FIG. 7 , the recessed portion 217 A of the inner spacer 2 A is defined by the pair of inclined surfaces 216 A and the bottom portion which connects the pair of inclined surfaces 216 A to each other. As shown in FIG. 9 , the recessed portion 217 B of the outer spacer 2 B is defined by the pair of inclined surfaces 216 B and the bottom portion which connects the pair of inclined surfaces 216 B to each other.

With such a configuration, a portion of the extending portion which is brought into contact with the inner surface of the recessed portion is accommodated in the recessed portion and hence, it is possible to suppress the release of a contact state between the extending portion and the inner surface of the recessed portion which may be caused by a physical contact from the outside of the energy storage apparatus.

In this case, it is preferable that the extending portion be brought into contact with the inner surfaces of the recessed portion in the Z axis direction.

With such a configuration, even when the pair of opposedly facing portions is displaced in the X axis direction due to the expansion or the shrinkage of the energy storage device 1 , it is possible to suppress a change in a contact state between the extending portion and the inner surfaces of the recessed portion.

It is preferable that the first opposedly facing portion have a plurality of extending portions and the plurality of extending portions respectively be brought into contact with the inner surfaces of the recessed portion.

With such a configuration, it is possible to effectively block cooling air which may flow through between the pair of opposedly facing portions when the respective extending portions are not brought into contact with the inner surfaces of the recessed portion.

The plurality of extending portions are disposed in a spaced-apart manner in the Z axis direction, and a gap or gaps extending in the X axis direction is/are defined by the plurality of extending portions.

In the energy storage apparatus in this embodiment, each inner spacer 2 A includes the pair of extending portions 212 A, and one outer spacer 2 B includes the pair of extending portions 212 B. The pair of extending portions 212 A is disposed in a spaced-apart manner in the Z axis direction and defines a gap extending in the X axis direction therebetween. Out of the pair of extending portions 212 A, the extending portion 212 A disposed on an upper side in the Z axis direction is brought into contact with the inner surface of the recessed portion on an upper side of the extending portion 212 A, and out of the pair of extending portions 212 A, the extending portion 212 A disposed on a lower side in the Z axis direction is brought into contact with the inner surface of the recessed portion on a lower side of the extending portion 212 A. Since the pair of extending portions 212 A defines the gap extending in the X axis direction, the pair of extending portions 212 A can be displaced in conformity with the defined gap when the pair of extending portions 212 A is brought into contact with the inner surfaces of the recessed portion in the Z axis direction. As a result, a stress generated on the pair of extending portions 212 A can be alleviated by the gap. The pair of extending portions 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B can acquire substantially the same advantageous effect.

It is preferable that a gap be defined between the distal end portion of the extending portion and the inner surface of the recessed portion in the X axis direction.

With such a configuration, it is possible to change relative positions of the extending portion or the recessed portion in the X axis direction following the expansion or the shrinkage of the energy storage device 1 .

Further, it is preferable that a gap extending in the Z axis direction be defined between the first opposedly facing portion and the second opposedly facing portion.

With such a configuration, it is possible to change relative positions of the first opposedly facing portion and the second opposedly facing portion in the X axis direction following the expansion or the shrinkage of the energy storage device 1 .

It is preferable that the holder which collectively holds the energy storage devices, the first spacers and the second spacers have a frame extending in the X axis direction and being disposed on one side of the energy storage devices in a direction orthogonal to the X axis direction (Y axis direction or Z axis direction), and

the first opposedly facing portions and the second opposedly facing portions be sandwiched between the energy storage devices and the frame in the direction orthogonal to the X axis direction (Y axis direction or Z axis direction).

With such a configuration, the first opposedly facing portions and the second opposedly facing portions are protected from a physical contact from the outside of the energy storage apparatus. As a result, it is possible to suppress the release of a contact state between the extending portion and the second opposedly facing portion which may be caused by the physical contact.

It is preferable that the energy storage apparatus further include the insulator disposed between the energy storage devices and the frame, and the first opposedly facing portions and the second opposedly facing portions be sandwiched between the energy storage devices and the insulator in a direction orthogonal to the X axis direction (Y axis direction or Z axis direction).

With such a configuration, even when a stress is applied to the first opposedly facing portions and the second opposedly facing portions from the outside of the energy storage apparatus, such a stress is alleviated by the insulator. As a result, it is possible to suppress the release of a contact state between the extending portion and the second opposedly facing portion.

It is needless to say that the energy storage apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are conceivable without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A has an approximately rectangular shape, and has a size substantially equal to a size of the first wall 100 c of the energy storage device 1 . However, provided that the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A can make the respective postures of two energy storage devices 1 disposed adjacently to each other correspond to each other, the shape of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A is not limited to an approximately rectangular shape, and the size of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A is also not limited to a size substantially equal to the size of the first wall 100 c of the energy storage device 1 .

In the above-mentioned embodiment, by forming the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A into a rectangular corrugated shape, the ventilation passages 203 A are formed between the base 20 A and the energy storage device 1 . However, provided that a fluid can be made to pass through between the first surface of the inner spacer 2 A and the energy storage device 1 (between the second surface and the energy storage device 1 ), the shape of the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A is not limited to a rectangular corrugated shape. Further, when it is unnecessary to form the ventilation passages 203 A between the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A and the energy storage device 1 , the base 20 A of the inner spacer 2 A may be formed into a flat plate shape.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the respective restricting portions 21 A of the inner spacer 2 A are formed on the respective corner portions of the base 20 A. However, provided that the restricting portions 21 A of the inner spacer 2 A can determine the position of the energy storage device 1 with respect to the base 20 A, the positions on the base 20 A where the restricting portions 21 A are formed are not limited.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the base 20 B of the outer spacer 2 B has an approximately rectangular shape, and has a size substantially equal to a size of the first wall 100 c of the energy storage device 1 . However, provided that the base 20 B can make the posture of the energy storage device 1 disposed adjacently to the outer spacer 2 B and the posture of the end plate 30 correspond to each other, the shape of the base 20 B is not limited to an approximately rectangular shape, and the size of the base 20 B is also not limited to a size substantially equal to the size of the first wall 100 c of the energy storage device 1 .

In the above-mentioned embodiment, in the outer spacer 2 B, the restricting portion 21 B is formed on the respective corner portions of the base 20 B. However, provided that the restricting portions 21 B can determine the position where the energy storage device 1 is disposed with respect to the base 20 B, the positions where the restricting portions 21 B are formed on the base 20 B are not limited.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A includes the pair of extending portions 212 A. However, the configuration of the opposedly facing portion 210 A is not limited to the above. For example, the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A may include one extending portion 212 A or three or more extending portions 212 A. Further, the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A may include plural pairs of extending portions 212 A.

The opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B includes the pair of extending portions 212 B. However, the configuration of the opposedly facing portion 210 B is not limited to the above. For example, the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B may include one extending portion 212 B or three or more extending portions 212 B. Further, the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B may include plural pairs of extending portions 212 B.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A is inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction. However, the configuration of the inclined surface 216 A is not limited to the above. Provided that the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A or the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B can be brought into contact with the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A, the inclination direction of the inclined surface 216 A is not particularly limited.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B is inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction. However, the configuration of the inclined surface 216 B is not limited to the above. Provided that the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A can be brought into contact with the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B, the inclination direction of the inclined surface 216 B is not particularly limited.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A is configured to be brought into contact with the inclined surfaces 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A. However, the configuration of the extending portion 212 A is not limited to the above. For example, the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A may be configured such that the distal end portion of the extending portion 212 A is made to abut against opposedly facing portion 210 A (the bottom surface of the recessed portion 217 A) of the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction.

Also with such a configuration, the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A is brought into contact with the opposedly facing portion 210 A and hence, cooling air is minimally leaked through between the opposedly facing portions 210 A of the inner spacers 2 A disposed adjacently to each other in the X axis direction.

The extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B is also configured to be brought into contact with the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A. However, the configuration of the extending portion 212 B is not limited to the above. For example, the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B may be configured such that the distal end portion of the extending portion 212 B is made to abut against opposedly facing portion 210 A (the bottom surface of the recessed portion 217 A) of the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction.

Also with such a configuration, the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B is brought into contact with the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A and hence, cooling air is minimally leaked through between the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B and the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A is inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction. However, the configuration of the inclined surface 216 A is not limited to the above. For example, the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A may be configured such that a portion of the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A with which the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A or the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B is brought into contact is formed of a flat surface extending in the X axis direction as well as in the Y axis direction.

That is, provided that the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A or the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B can be brought into contact with the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A, the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A may be formed orthogonal to the Z axis direction.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B is inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction. However, the configuration of the inclined surface 216 B is not limited to the above. For example, the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B may be configured such that a portion of the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B with which the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A is brought into contact is formed of a flat surface extending in the X axis direction as well as in the Y axis direction.

That is, provided that the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A can be brought into contact with the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B, the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B may not be inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A has elasticity. However, the configuration of the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A is not limited to the above. For example, the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A may not have elasticity.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A is configured such that the contact surface 215 A is bent at an intermediate position thereof in the X direction. However, the configuration of the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A is not limited to the above. For example, the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A may be inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction over the whole region thereof. That is, the contact surface 215 A of the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A may be formed of only the inclined surface 216 A.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B is configured such that the contact surface 215 B is bent at an intermediate position thereof in the X axis direction. However, the configuration of the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B is not limited to the above. For example, the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B may be inclined with respect to the X axis direction as well as with respect to the Z axis direction over the whole region thereof. That is, the contact surface 215 B of the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B may be formed of only the inclined surface 216 B.

Although not particularly described in the above-mentioned embodiment, the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A may be configured to be brought into contact with the inclined surface 213 A of the extending portion 212 A. Further, it is preferable that the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A be configured such that the inclined surface 213 A of the extending portion 212 A and the inclined surface 216 A of the other inner spacer 2 A disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction (or the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction) are brought into contact with each other.

The opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B may be also configured to be brought into contact with the inclined surface 213 B of the extending portion 212 B. Further, it is preferable that the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B be configured such that the inclined surface 213 B of the extending portion 212 B and the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A disposed adjacently to the outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction are brought into contact with each other.

With such a configuration, the extending portion 212 B and the inclined surface 216 A are brought into contact with each other such that the contact portion between the inclined surface 213 B of the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B and the opposedly facing portion 210 A of the inner spacer 2 A extends in a direction intersecting with the Z axis direction. Accordingly, it is possible to more effectively obstruct the flow of air between the opposedly facing portions 212 B, 210 A toward the end edge of the opposedly facing portion 210 A on a side opposite to the ventilation passage 203 A from the end edge of the opposedly facing portion 210 A on a ventilation passage 203 A side.

When the inclined surface 213 A of the extending portion 212 A and the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction (the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction) are brought into contact with each other, and when, in the opposedly facing portion 210 B of the outer spacer 2 B, the inclined surface 216 B of the extending portion 212 B and the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A disposed adjacently to the outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction are brought into contact with each other, the extending portion (first inclined surface) and the other opposedly facing portion 210 A (second inclined surface) are brought into contact with each other such that the contact portions between the inclined surfaces 213 A, 216 B and the inclined surface 216 A extend in a direction intersecting with the second direction. With such a configuration, it is possible to more effectively obstruct the flow of air between the opposedly facing portions 210 A toward the end edge of the opposedly facing portion 210 A on a side opposite to the ventilation passage 203 A from the end edge of the opposedly facing portion 210 A on a ventilation passage 203 A side.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 , it is preferable that the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A be configured such that an angle α made by the inclined surface 213 A and the inclined surface 216 A of the neighboring inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction (the inclined surface 216 B of the neighboring outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction) is set to a value which satisfies 0°<α.

It is preferable that the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B be configured such that an angle α made by the inclined surface 213 B and the inclined surface 216 A of the neighboring inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction is set to a value which satisfies 0°<α.

When the inclined surface 213 A, 213 B and the inclined surface 216 A are parallel to each other, there may be a case where a gap is formed between the inclined surfaces 213 A, 213 B and the inclined surface 216 A due to an error in manufacture at the time of manufacturing the spacer. However, with the configuration described above, by setting the angle α larger than 0°, that is, by setting the first inclined surfaces 213 A, 213 B and the inclined surface 216 A not parallel to each other, it is possible to prevent the formation of the above-mentioned gap due to an error in manufacture.

It is more preferable that the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A be configured such that the angle α made by the inclined surface 213 A and the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A disposed adjacently to the inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction (the inclined surface 216 B of the neighboring outer spacer 2 B in the X axis direction) is set to a value which satisfies 0°<α≤15°.

It is more preferable that the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B be configured such that the angle α made by the inclined surface 213 B and the inclined surface 216 A of the neighboring inner spacer 2 A in the X axis direction is set to a value which satisfies 0°<α≤15°.

Although not particularly mentioned in the above-described embodiment, it is preferable that the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A be brought into contact with the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A or the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B over a range from one end to the other end on a side opposite to one end in the Y axis direction.

It is preferable that the extending portion 212 B of the outer spacer 2 B be brought into contact with the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A over a range from one end to the other end on a side opposite to one end in the Y axis direction.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A is configured to be brought into contact with a portion of the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A or with a portion of the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B. However, the configuration of the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A is not limited to the above. For example, the extending portion 212 A of the inner spacer 2 A may be brought into contact with the whole region of the inclined surface 216 A of the inner spacer 2 A or the whole region of the inclined surface 216 B of the outer spacer 2 B.

With such a configuration, in the whole region between the opposedly facing portions 210 A in the flow direction of cooling air, it is possible to obstruct the flow of air between the opposedly facing portions 210 A toward the end edge of the opposedly facing portion 210 A on a side opposite to the ventilation passage 203 A from the end edge of the opposedly facing portion 210 A on a ventilation passage 203 A side. Accordingly, it is possible to more effectively suppress a leakage of cooling air to the outside of the energy storage apparatus through between the pair of opposedly facing portions 210 A.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the exhaust fan which generates the flow of a fluid by lowering a pressure in the duct 6 is mounted on the energy storage apparatus. However, an intake fan which generates the flow of a fluid by increasing a pressure in the duct 6 may be mounted on the energy storage apparatus.