# US 12,218,375 B2 · Energy storage apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,218,375 B2 - Document ID: US12218375B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/418,915 - Filed: 2019-06-20 - Published: 2022-04-21 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-12-28 - Assignees: GS Yuasa International Ltd. - Applicants: GS Yuasa International Ltd. - Inventors: Masamitsu Tononishi; Makoto Yoda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12218375B2 ## CPC - H01G 11/78: Cases; Housings; Encapsulations; Mountings - H01M 50/293: characterised by the material - H01M 10/0481: {Compression means other than compression means for stacks of electrodes and separators} - H01M 50/242: adapted for protecting batteries against vibrations, collision impact or swelling - H01M 50/244: Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method - H01M 50/289: characterised by spacing elements or positioning means within frames, racks or packs (spacing elements inside cells other than separators, membranes or diaphragms H01M50/471) - H01M 50/209: adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells (H01M50/216 takes precedence) - H01M 50/227: Organic material - H01M 50/276: Inorganic material - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01G: CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE (selection of specified materials as dielectric H01B3/00; capacitors having potential barriers H10D1/62, H10K10/10) - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract An energy storage apparatus includes: an energy storage device including a case in which a joining portion is formed; and a support member which is arranged so as to extend in an elongated shape along the joining portion at a position outside the case and along the joining portion in a side surface portion of the case, and supports the side surface portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An energy storage apparatus comprising: an energy storage device including a case in which a joining portion is formed; and a support member which is arranged so as to extend in an elongated shape along the joining portion at a position outside the case and along the joining portion in a side surface portion of the case, and supports the side surface portion; and a holding member which holds the support member, wherein the side surface portion includes a long side surface, and a short side surface extending in a direction intersecting the long side surface, wherein the support member faces the long side surface, wherein the energy storage device includes an electrode assembly which is arranged inside the case and includes a flat portion formed at a position facing the long side surface, wherein an end edge of the support member in a direction from the joining portion toward the flat portion is arranged between the joining portion and the flat portion when viewed from a normal direction of the long side surface, wherein the support member has higher rigidity than the holding member, wherein the support member is a metal member, and wherein the holding member is a resin member formed integrally with the support member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member is arranged so as to extend in the elongated shape along the joining portion in a state of mounting over the joining portion when viewed from a normal direction of the side surface portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member includes: an extending portion facing the side surface portion and extending along the joining portion; and a protruding portion protruding from the extending portion in a direction intersecting the side surface portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the protruding portion is arranged so as to extend along the joining portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage apparatus includes a plurality of the energy storage devices, and wherein the energy storage apparatus includes a first connecting member which extends along the plurality of energy storage devices in an arrangement direction of the plurality of energy storage devices and is connected to the support member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the energy storage apparatus includes a plurality of two of the support members which sandwich the plurality of energy storage devices in the arrangement direction, and wherein each of two of the support members is connected to the first connecting member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 6, wherein one end of each of the two of the support members is connected to the first connecting member, and wherein the energy storage apparatus further includes a second connecting member to which another end of each of the two of the support members is connected. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly has an elliptical shape as viewed from a winding-axis direction, one of a pair of straight line portions of the elliptical shape which face each other comprises the flat portion, and one of a pair of curved line portions which face each other comprise a curved portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flat portion is formed from winding a positive electrode portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the electrode assembly is viewed from a winding-axis direction, one of a pair of straight line portions which face each other comprises the flat portion. ### Claim 11 An energy storage apparatus comprising: an energy storage device including a case in which a joining portion is formed; a support member which is arranged so as to extend in an elongated shape along the joining portion at a position outside the case and along the joining portion in a side surface portion of the case, and supports the side surface portion; and a holding member which holds the support member, wherein the side surface portion includes a long side surface, and a short side surface extending in a direction intersecting the long side surface, wherein the support member faces the long side surface, wherein the support member has higher rigidity than the holding member, wherein the support member is a metal member, and wherein the holding member is a resin member formed integrally with the support member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the support member is arranged so as to extend in the elongated shape along the joining portion in a state of mounting over the joining portion when viewed from a normal direction of the side surface portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the energy storage device includes an electrode assembly which is arranged inside the case and includes a flat portion formed at a position facing the side surface portion, and wherein an end edge of the support member in a direction from the joining portion toward the flat portion is arranged between the joining portion and the flat portion when viewed from a normal direction of the side surface portion. ### Claim 14 An energy storage apparatus comprising: an energy storage device including a case in which a joining portion is formed; a support member which is arranged so as to extend in an elongated shape along the joining portion at a position outside the case and along the joining portion in a side surface portion of the case, and supports the side surface portion; and a holding member which holds the support member, wherein the energy storage device includes an electrode assembly which is arranged inside the case, wherein the side surface portion is arranged between the support member and the electrode assembly, wherein the support member has higher rigidity than the holding member, wherein the support member is a metal member, and wherein the holding member is a resin member formed integrally with the support member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The energy storage apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the support member is arranged so as to extend in the elongated shape along the joining portion in a state of mounting over the joining portion when viewed from a normal direction of the side surface portion.