Patent Description:
Conventionally, there has been known an energy storage apparatus where a plurality of energy storage devices are accommodated in an outer case (see Patent Document <NUM>, for example). In such an energy storage apparatus, the plurality of energy storage devices (battery cells) are adhered to the outer case (battery module case) by an adhesive agent or the like.

Patent Document <NUM>: <CIT>
<CIT> discloses a rechargeable battery pack and a method for separating a core pack from a case make it possible to easily separate the core pack from the case without causing any damage to the surface of the core pack. A core pack may need to be separated from the case during a process for forming a battery pack if it is improperly or insecurely fastened initially. The rechargeable battery pack includes a core pack that has an electrode assembly composed of a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate. The core pack further comprises a sheath member for sealing the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte and a protective circuit module that is fastened on the exterior of the sheath member while being coupled to the electrode assembly. The rechargeable battery pack also includes a case that is adapted to seat and fix the core pack thereon that has at least one trench formed on the bottom surface on which the core pack is seated. In addition, the battery pack includes an adhesive for gluing the core pack to the bottom surface of the case and a cover for covering the case and protecting the core pack from its external surroundings. <CIT> Alrelates to a lithium secondary battery capable of preventing explosion or firing caused by the increase of inner pressure due to misusage. The lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having an anode plate, a cathode plate and a separator, a package having a receiving portion for receiving the electrode assembly and sealed and filled with electrolyte together with the electrode assembly, and an adhesive layer at least partially formed on an outer surface of the package. The lithium secondary battery functions as an explosion-proof safety device for preventing the package from exploding due to abrupt breakage of the package when the package is expanded due to the increase of inner pressure of the battery over a critical value. <CIT> discloses a secondary battery for electronic appliance to be accommodated in an electronic appliance, thereby feeding an electric power to the electronic appliance. The secondary battery includes a battery cell in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte are accommodated in a pack, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal from the positive electrode and the negative electrode, respectively are lead out from the same side face of the pack; a metallic battery can in which one opening from which the battery cell is inserted is formed and which accommodates the battery cell therein such that one side face from which the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are lead out is faced towards the opening side; and a lid made of a synthetic resin in which a positive electrode terminal part and a negative electrode terminal part to be connected to the electrodes of the electronic appliance upon being connected to the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal and being faced outwardly are provided and which plugs the opening of the battery can, the battery cell being accommodated in the battery can while the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal being curved between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal and the lid. <CIT> discloses a secondary battery including a battery cell; a protection circuit module electrically connected to the battery cell; a top case covering the protection circuit module; and a bottom case covering a bottom surface of the battery cell, and the bottom case includes one or more trenches formed in a direction away from the bottom surface of the battery cell. <CIT> relates to a polymer battery pack which includes a polymer battery, an outer case having a first outer panel and a second outer panel, the outer case enclosing the polymer battery, an electrode tap in electrical communication with the polymer battery and positioned outside the outer case, and a protecting circuit board in electrical communication with the electrode tap and positioned outside the outer case, for enhanced operation and durability. <CIT> relates to an electricity storage device which includes a battery module having side plates and cover members assembled to both the sides of a case member of the battery module, so that gas discharge spaces are defined into which gas is emitted from the terminals of battery cells that are stored within the case member. Projecting portions are provided to the side plates respectively, and have through-holes communicating with the gas discharge spaces. The lowermost surfaces of the through-holes of the projecting portions are positioned lower than an axe of any of the battery cells. The projecting portions are connected by a tubular rubber members.

However, in the conventional energy storage apparatus, there exists a drawback that a step of adhering the energy storage devices to the outer case becomes cumbersome in a manufacturing process.

The present invention has been made to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an energy storage apparatus and a method of manufacturing an energy storage apparatus where energy storage devices can be easily adhered to an outer case.

This object is achieved by the features of independent claims <NUM> and <NUM>. Enabling disclosure can be found, for instance, in <FIG> and in modifications <NUM> and <NUM> described below.

According to the energy storage apparatus of the present disclosure, the energy storage device can be easily adhered to the outer case.

In the following, several aspects and modifications are presented. Aspects and Modifications not covered by the claims are to be understood as examples useful for understanding the invention.

In the conventional energy storage apparatus, there exists a drawback that a step of adhering the energy storage devices to the outer case becomes cumbersome in a manufacturing process. That is, in the conventional energy storage apparatus, in general, the energy storage device is adhered to the outer case by applying an adhesive agent to an outer surface of the energy storage device or an inner surface of the outer case. However, there may be a case where an operation of applying the adhesive agent becomes difficult. For example, when an adhesive agent is applied to a surface to be applied of the energy storage device or the outer case using equipment for applying adhesive agent, it is necessary to accurately move the equipment toward the surface to be applied and, at the same time, it is necessary to accurately move the equipment along the surface to be applied. In this manner, in an operation of applying an adhesive agent, there is a case where a step of adhering the energy storage device to the outer case becomes cumbersome.

The present disclosure has been made to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an energy storage apparatus and a method of manufacturing an energy storage apparatus where energy storage devices can be easily adhered to an outer case.

To achieve the above-mentioned object, an energy storage apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an energy storage device, an outer case and an adhesive material which is injected between at least one surface out of a first surface and a second surface which are two surfaces of the energy storage device disposed adjacently to each other and an inner surface of the outer case thus making the at least one surface and the inner surface of the outer case adhere to each other by surface adhesion.

With such a configuration, the energy storage apparatus includes the adhesive material which is injected between at least one surface out of two surfaces disposed adjacently to each other of the energy storage device and the inner surface of the outer case. Assuming a case where an adhesive material is injected into the outer case, it is sufficient to inject the adhesive material by moving equipment for injecting an adhesive material toward the inside of the outer case and hence, an operation of adhering the energy storage device to the outer case can be performed easily compared to a case where an adhesive agent is applied to the energy storage device or the outer case. Since the energy storage apparatus is configured such that the energy storage apparatus includes the adhesive material injected into the outer case, the energy storage device can be easily adhered to the outer case.

A projecting portion which projects toward the energy storage device is formed on a portion of the inner surface of the outer case which is adhered to the energy storage device by surface adhesion by the adhesive material.

With such a configuration, the projecting portion is formed on an adhesive surface of the outer case with the energy storage device and hence, a thickness of the adhesive material can be defined by a height of the projecting portion. Accordingly, the thickness of the adhesive material can be set to an optimum thickness so that the energy storage device can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case.

A flow passage for the adhesive material which traverses the projecting portion may be formed on the inner surface of the outer case and on a side of the projecting portion.

With such a configuration, the flow passage for the adhesive material is formed on the side of the projecting portion. Accordingly, after injecting of the adhesive material, when an amount of the adhesive material is large, it is possible to make the adhesive material flow out through the flow passage. Further, when an amount of the adhesive material is small, it is possible to make the adhesive material flow in through the flow passage. Accordingly, an amount of the adhesive material can be adjusted by the flow passage and hence, the energy storage device can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case.

The projection portion may include two projections which extend along the inner surface of the outer case, and the flow passage may be sandwiched by two projecting portions. A distance between the two projecting portions may be narrowed as the projecting portions approach the flow passage.

With such a configuration, two projecting portions where the distance between the projecting portions is narrowed as the projecting portions approach the flow passage are arranged on both sides of the flow passage for the adhesive material. Accordingly, when an amount of the adhesive material is large, a surplus amount of adhesive material flows to the flow passage while being guided by the projecting portions and is made to flow out from the flow passage. As a result, a surplus amount of adhesive material can be easily made to flow out by the projecting portions and hence, an amount of adhesive material can be easily adjusted.

The energy storage apparatus may include a plurality of energy storage devices, and a plurality of projecting portions may be formed on the inner surface of the outer case corresponding to the respective energy storage devices.

With such a configuration, the plurality of projecting portions are formed for each energy storage device and hence, each energy storage device can be easily adhered to the outer case while being supported by the plurality of projecting portions.

The energy storage device may include an electrode terminal, and the projecting portion may be arranged at a position where at least a portion of the projecting portion overlaps with a region ranging from an electrode terminal to an end portion of the energy storage device as viewed in a projecting direction of the projecting portion.

With such a configuration, at least a portion of the projecting portion is arranged just below the region ranging from the electrode terminal to the end portion of the energy storage device. Accordingly, in fixing the energy storage device by pressing the electrode terminal or the end portion of the energy storage device, the energy storage device can be stably fixed to the outer case.

The energy storage device is arranged in the outer case without being exposed from a wall surface of the outer case.

With such a configuration, the energy storage apparatus is configured such that the energy storage device is not exposed from the wall surface of the outer case. Accordingly, the energy storage device can be easily adhered to the outer case while suppressing protrusion of the injected adhesive material to the outside of the outer case.

The outer case may include a partition portion which partitions an inside of the outer case so as to form an accommodating portion for the energy storage device.

With such a configuration, the energy storage apparatus is configured such that the energy storage device is arranged in the accommodating portion partitioned by the partition portion in the outer case. Accordingly, it is possible to easily adhere the energy storage device to the outer case while easily positioning the energy storage device.

The outer case may include a recessed portion which forms a gap between an inner surface of the outer case and the first surface and the second surface of the energy storage device, and the adhesive material may be injected into the recessed portion and adhere the first surface and the second surface of the energy storage device and the inner surface of the outer case to each other by surface adhesion.

With such a configuration, the energy storage apparatus is configured such that two surfaces of the energy storage device disposed adjacently to each other and the outer case are adhered to each other by the adhesive material injected in the recessed portion of the outer case. Accordingly, the energy storage device can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case.

The first surface may be a bottom surface of the energy storage device and the second surface is a side surface of the energy storage device. The adhesive material may be injected between the first surface and the inner surface of the outer case and between the second surface ranging from a lower end of the side surface to a predetermined height from the lower end and the inner surface of the outer case.

With such a configuration, the energy storage apparatus is configured to include the adhesive material which is injected into the outer case such that the adhesive material reaches the predetermined height of the side surface of the energy storage device. Accordingly, the energy storage device can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case.

Further, to achieve the above-mentioned object, a method of manufacturing an energy storage apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure, is a method of manufacturing an energy storage apparatus which includes an energy storage device and an outer case, the method includes: an arrangement step of arranging the energy storage device in the outer case; an injecting step of injecting an adhesive material into the outer case; and an adhesion step of adhering at least one surface out of a first surface and a second surface which are two surfaces of the energy storage device disposed adjacently to each other to an inner surface of the outer case by surface adhesion by performing the arrangement step and the injecting step.

With such steps, in the method of manufacturing an energy storage apparatus, at least one surface out of two surfaces of the energy storage device disposed adjacently to each other can be adhered to the inner surface of the outer case by surface adhesion by injecting the adhesive material such as an adhesive agent into the outer case. In injecting the adhesive material into the outer case, it is sufficient to only inject the adhesive material by moving equipment for injecting the adhesive material toward the inside of the outer case. Accordingly, compared to a conventional case where an adhesive material is applied to an energy storage device or an outer case, the adhering operation can be usually performed easily. Accordingly, the energy storage device can be easily adhered to the outer case by injecting the adhesive material into the outer case.

The injecting step may include a post-arrangement injecting step where an adhesive material is injected between at least one surface out of the first surface and the second surface of the energy storage device and the inner surface of the outer case after the arrangement step.

With such a step, by injecting the adhesive material between at least one surface out of the first surface and the second surface of the energy storage device and the inner surface of the outer case after the energy storage device is disposed in the outer case. Accordingly, the energy storage device can be easily adhered to the outer case.

In the post-arrangement injecting step, an adhesive material may be injected between the first surface and the second surface of the energy storage device and the inner surface of the outer case, and in the adhesion step, the first surface and the second surface of the energy storage device may be adhered to the inner surface of the outer case by surface adhesion.

With such a step, by injecting an adhesive material between two surfaces of the energy storage device disposed adjacently to each other and the inner surface of the outer case, such two surfaces of the energy storage device can be adhered to the inner surface of the outer case. Accordingly, the energy storage device can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case.

Further, the injecting step may include an ante-arrangement injecting step where an adhesive material is injected on a surface of the outer case which oppositely faces the first surface of the energy storage device in the outer case before the arrangement step, and in the arrangement step, the energy storage device may be arranged in the outer case such that an adhesive material is arranged between the first surface and the second surface of the energy storage device and the inner surface of the outer case, and in the adhesion step, the first surface and the second surface of the energy storage device may be adhered to the inner surface of the outer case by surface adhesion.

With such a step, an adhesive material is injected onto a surface of the outer case which oppositely faces the first surface of the energy storage device before the energy storage device is arranged in the outer case, and the energy storage device is arranged such that the adhesive material is routed around between the first surface and the second surface and the inner surface of the outer case thus adhering the energy storage device to the outer case. Accordingly, the energy storage device can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case.

Hereinafter, an energy storage apparatus and a method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus are described with reference to drawings. The aspect described hereinafter is one preferred specific example of the present disclosure. In the aspect described hereinafter, numerical values, shapes, materials, constitutional elements, the arrangement positions and connection states of the constitutional elements, respective steps in the method of manufacturing an energy storage apparatus, the order of respective steps and the like are merely exemplified as one example, and these are not intended to be used for limiting the present disclosure. Further, out of the constitutional elements in the aspect described hereinafter, the constitutional elements which are not described in independent claims describing an uppermost concept are described as arbitrary constitutional elements. In the respective drawings, the respective constitutional elements are not described strictly accurately in size or the like.

First, the configuration of an energy storage apparatus <NUM> is described.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the energy storage apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing respective constitutional elements of the energy storage apparatus <NUM> in a disassembled state.

In these drawings, the Z axis direction is indicated as the vertical direction, and the description is made hereinafter using a Z axis direction as the vertical direction. However, there may be also a case where the Z axis direction is not the vertical direction depending on a mode of use and hence, the Z axis direction is not limited to the vertical direction. The same goes also for drawings which are referenced hereinafter.

The energy storage apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus which can charge electricity from the outside of the energy storage apparatus <NUM> therein or can discharge electricity to the outside of the energy storage apparatus <NUM>. For example, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> is a battery module used for power storage application, power source application or the like. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> includes an outer case <NUM>, a plurality of energy storage devices <NUM> are accommodated in the outer case <NUM>, bus bars <NUM> and the like.

The outer case <NUM> is a container (module case) having a rectangular shape (box shape) which forms an outer case of the energy storage apparatus <NUM>. That is, the outer case <NUM> is disposed outside the energy storage devices <NUM> and the bus bars <NUM>, and allows the energy storage devices <NUM> and the like to be disposed at predetermined positions thus protecting the energy storage devices <NUM> and the like from an impact or the like. For example, the outer case <NUM> is made of an electrically-insulating resin material such as polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), a polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin. Accordingly, the outer case <NUM> prevents the energy storage devices <NUM> and the like from coming into contact with a metal member or the like disposed outside the outer case <NUM>.

In this aspect, the outer case <NUM> includes an outer case body <NUM> and a lid body <NUM>.

The outer case body <NUM> is a member which constitutes a body portion of the outer case <NUM>. To be more specific, the outer case body <NUM> is a bottomed rectangular cylindrical housing having an opening on an upper portion thereof. The plurality of energy storage devices <NUM> are inserted and accommodated in the outer case body <NUM> through the opening. To be more specific, the outer case body <NUM> includes a plurality of partition portions <NUM> inside thereof. Each of the energy storage devices <NUM> is inserted and accommodated in a space defined between each two partition portions <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other out of the plurality of partition portions <NUM>. The detailed configuration of the outer case body <NUM> is described later.

The lid body <NUM> is a member which constitutes a lid portion of the outer case <NUM>, and is a flat rectangular cover member which closes the opening of the outer case body <NUM>. On the lid body <NUM>, a positive electrode external terminal <NUM> and a negative electrode external terminal <NUM> are mounted. The energy storage apparatus <NUM> charges electricity from the outside therein through the positive electrode external terminal <NUM> and discharges electricity to the outside through the negative electrode external terminal <NUM>.

The outer case body <NUM> and the lid body <NUM> may be made of the same material, or may be made of different materials. Further, electric equipment such as a printed circuit board and a relay may be disposed in the outer case <NUM>.

The energy storage device <NUM> is a secondary battery (battery cell) which can charge or discharge electricity. To be more specific, the energy storage device <NUM> is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. The energy storage device <NUM> has a flat rectangular shape and, in this aspect, eight energy storage devices <NUM> are arranged in a row in the X axis direction in the outer case <NUM>. The energy storage device <NUM> is not limited to a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and may be a secondary battery other than a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, or may be a capacitor. Also, the number of energy storage devices <NUM> accommodated in the outer case <NUM> is not limited. The detailed configuration of the energy storage device <NUM> is described later.

The bus bars <NUM> are plate-like members made of an electricallyconductive material such as metal which are disposed above the plurality of energy storage devices <NUM> and electrically connect the plurality of energy storage devices <NUM> to each other. To be more specific, with respect to the energy storage devices <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other, the bus bar <NUM> connects a positive electrode terminal or a negative electrode terminal of one energy storage device <NUM> with a negative electrode terminal or a positive electrode terminal of another energy storage device <NUM>. In this aspect, four sets of energy storage device groups are provided where each set of energy storage device group is formed by connecting two energy storage devices <NUM> in parallel by the bus bars <NUM>, and four sets of energy storage device groups are connected to each other in series by the bus bars <NUM>. The bus bars <NUM> may be configured to connect all eight energy storage devices <NUM> in series or may have other configurations.

Next, the configuration of the energy storage device <NUM> is described in detail. <FIG> is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the energy storage device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the energy storage device <NUM> includes a container <NUM>, a positive electrode terminal <NUM> and a negative electrode terminal <NUM>. An electrode assembly (power generating element), a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode current collector and the like are disposed in the container <NUM>, and a liquid such as an electrolyte solution (nonaqueous electrolyte) is sealed in the container <NUM>. However, the illustrations of these elements are omitted, and the detailed descriptions with respect to these elements are also omitted.

The container <NUM> is a rectangular parallelepiped (angular-shaped) container having a bottom surface portion <NUM> disposed on a minus side in the Z axis direction in the drawing, long side surface portions <NUM> disposed on side surfaces of the container <NUM> on both sides in the X axis direction, short side surface portions <NUM> disposed on side surfaces of the container <NUM> on both sides in the Y axis direction, and a container lid portion <NUM> disposed on a plus side in the Z axis direction. The bottom surface portion <NUM> is a portion having a rectangular shape which forms a bottom surface of the container <NUM>, the long side surface portions <NUM> are portions having a rectangular shape which form long side surfaces of the container <NUM>, the short side surface portions <NUM> are portions having a rectangular shape which form short side surfaces of the container <NUM>. Further, the container lid portion <NUM> is a member having a rectangular shape which forms a lid of the container <NUM>.

That is, the container <NUM> is configured such that a rectangular cylindrical bottomed container body is formed of the bottom surface portion <NUM>, two long side surface portions <NUM>, and two short side surface portions <NUM>, and the opening of the container body is closed by the container lid portion <NUM>. To be more specific, the container <NUM> is configured such that the inside of the container <NUM> can be hermetically sealed by joining the container body and the container lid portion <NUM> to each other by welding or the like after the electrode assembly and the like are accommodated in the container body.

Although a material for forming the container <NUM> (the container body and the container lid portion <NUM>) is not particularly limited, it is preferable that the container <NUM> be made of weldable metal such as stainless steel, aluminum or an aluminum alloy, for example. To the container lid portion <NUM>, a gas release valve for releasing a pressure in the container <NUM> is provided. However, the detailed description of the gas release valve is omitted.

The electrode assembly accommodated in the container <NUM> may be a winding-type electrode assembly formed by winding a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator or may be an electrode assembly formed by stacking flat-plate-like plates. Further, as a positive active material or a negative active material used for forming the electrode assembly, known materials can be suitably used provided that performance of the energy storage device <NUM> is not impaired. Also, with respect to an electrolyte solution sealed in the container <NUM>, a kind of the electrolyte solution is not particularly limited and various kinds of electrolyte solution can be selected provided that performance of the energy storage device <NUM> is not impaired.

The positive electrode terminal <NUM> is an electrode terminal which is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the electrode assembly through a positive electrode current collector, the negative electrode terminal <NUM> is an electrode terminal which is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the electrode assembly through a negative electrode current collector, and both the positive electrode terminal <NUM> and the negative electrode terminal <NUM> are mounted on the container lid portion <NUM>. That is, the positive electrode terminal <NUM> and the negative electrode terminal <NUM> are metal-made electrode terminals through which electricity stored in the electrode assembly is discharged to a space outside the energy storage device <NUM>, and through which electricity is introduced into a space inside the energy storage device <NUM> for storing electricity in the electrode assembly. In this aspect, the energy storage devices <NUM> are disposed in a state where the positive electrode terminals <NUM> and the negative electrode terminals <NUM> are directed upward.

To be more specific, with respect to the plurality of energy storage devices <NUM> which the energy storage apparatus <NUM> includes, the positive electrode terminal <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed on a positive electrode external terminal <NUM> side (a plus side in the X axis direction in <FIG>) is connected to the positive electrode external terminal <NUM> through the bus bar <NUM>. In the same manner, the negative electrode terminal <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> which is disposed on a negative electrode external terminal <NUM> side (a minus side in the X axis direction in <FIG>) is connected to the negative electrode external terminal <NUM> through the bus bar <NUM>. With respect to other energy storage devices <NUM>, the positive electrode terminal <NUM> or the negative electrode terminal <NUM> of another energy storage device <NUM> is connected to the positive electrode terminal <NUM> or the negative electrode terminal <NUM> of still another energy storage device <NUM> through the bus bar <NUM>.

Next, the configuration of the outer case body <NUM> of the outer case <NUM> is described in detail. <FIG> is a perspective view showing the configuration of the outer case body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the outer case body <NUM> includes a casing <NUM>, and the partition portions <NUM>. The casing <NUM> has a bottom wall portion <NUM> disposed on a minus side in the Z axis direction, two side wall portions <NUM> disposed on both sides in the Y axis direction, and two side wall portions <NUM> disposed on both sides in the X axis direction.

The bottom wall portion <NUM> is a rectangular-shaped flat-plate-like portion which forms a bottom wall of the outer case body <NUM>. The side wall portions <NUM> are rectangular-shaped flat-plate-like portions which are erected from long side end edges of the bottom wall portion <NUM> and form long side walls of the outer case body <NUM> respectively. Further, the side wall portions <NUM> are rectangular-shaped flat-plate-like portions which are erected from short side end edges of the bottom wall portion <NUM> and form short side walls of the outer case body <NUM>.

That is, the casing <NUM> is a bottomed rectangular cylindrical member which is formed of the bottom wall portion <NUM>, and the side wall portions <NUM>, <NUM> surrounding four sides of the bottom wall portion <NUM>. The casing <NUM> has an opening on an upper portion thereof. In the casing <NUM>, no openings are formed other than the opening formed on the upper portion of the casing <NUM>. That is, no opening is formed in the bottom wall portion <NUM>, and the side wall portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

The partition portions <NUM> are rectangular-shaped flat-plate-like partition plates which are disposed in the casing <NUM> and partition the plurality energy storage devices <NUM>. The partition portion <NUM> is disposed between each two neighboring energy storage devices <NUM> among the plurality of energy storage devices <NUM>, and sides of the energy storage devices <NUM> disposed at end portions of the plurality of energy storage devices <NUM>. That is, the partition portions <NUM> are disposed at positions where each energy storage device <NUM> is sandwiched by the partition portions <NUM> from both sides of the energy storage device <NUM>. To be more specific, the partition portions <NUM> are disposed between two side wall portions <NUM> in an extending manner, and are connected to the bottom wall portion <NUM> and two side wall portions <NUM> respectively. In this aspect, nine partition portions <NUM> are disposed for eight energy storage devices <NUM>.

Due to the provision of the partition portions <NUM>, accommodating portions <NUM> for accommodating the energy storage devices <NUM> are formed in the outer case body <NUM>. The accommodating portion <NUM> is a rectangular parallelepiped space surrounded by two partition portions <NUM> and the bottom wall portion <NUM> and two side wall portions <NUM> of the casing <NUM>, and the energy storage device <NUM> is accommodated in each accommodating portion <NUM>. That is, the accommodating portions <NUM> are portions for accommodating the energy storage devices <NUM> which are formed by partitioning an internal space of the casing <NUM> by the partition portions <NUM>. The energy storage device <NUM> is accommodated in each accommodating portion <NUM> formed in the outer case body <NUM> in such a manner that the energy storage device <NUM> is inserted between two partition portions <NUM> through the opening formed on an upper portion of the casing <NUM>. In other words, the outer case body <NUM> includes the partition portions <NUM> which partition the inside of the outer case body <NUM> into the accommodating portions <NUM> for accommodating the energy storage devices <NUM>. In this aspect, eight accommodating portions <NUM> are disposed for eight energy storage devices <NUM>.

As described above, no opening is formed in the wall surfaces of the casing <NUM> (the bottom wall portion <NUM> and the side wall portions <NUM>, <NUM>). Accordingly, no opening is formed in the wall surfaces of the outer case body <NUM> which forms the accommodating portions <NUM>. With such a configuration, the energy storage devices <NUM> are disposed in the accommodating portions <NUM> formed in the outer case body <NUM> without being exposed from the wall surfaces of the outer case body <NUM>. Provided that the energy storage devices <NUM> are not exposed from the wall surfaces of the outer case body <NUM>, it may be possible to form some openings such as a screw hole or an exhaust port in the wall surfaces of the outer case body <NUM>.

Next, a state where the plurality of energy storage devices <NUM> are accommodated in the outer case body <NUM> is described. <FIG> is a plan view showing the configuration where the energy storage devices <NUM> are accommodated in the outer case body <NUM>. To be more specific, <FIG> is a plan view of the configuration as viewed from a plus side in the Z axis direction where the lid body <NUM> and the bus bars <NUM> are removed from the energy storage apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration where the energy storage devices <NUM> are accommodated in the outer case body <NUM>. To be more specific, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in <FIG> taken along line VB-VB.

As shown in these drawings, the plurality of respective energy storage devices <NUM> are disposed in a state where the respective energy storage devices <NUM> are accommodated in the plurality of respective accommodating portions <NUM> formed by partitioning the inside of the outer case body <NUM> by the partition portions <NUM>. To be more specific, each energy storage device <NUM> is accommodated at a center portion of each accommodating portion <NUM> such that the bottom surface portion <NUM> oppositely faces the bottom wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>, two long side surface portions <NUM> are respectively brought into contact with two partition portions <NUM>, and the container lid portion <NUM> is directed upward.

An adhesive material <NUM> is disposed between the bottom surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> and the bottom wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>. That is, the adhesive material <NUM> is an adhesive agent which is injected (filled) between an outer surface (first surface) of the bottom surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> and an inner surface of the bottom wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM> and makes the outer surface (the first surface) of the bottom surface portion <NUM> and the inner surface of the bottom wall portion <NUM> adhere to each other by surface adhesion.

The surface adhesion means a state where the outer surface and the inner surface are adhered to each other over a face-shaped region, and is a concept which excludes a state where the surfaces are adhered to each other over a line-shaped region and a state where the surfaces are adhered to each other in a point-shaped region. In this aspect, the adhesive material <NUM> is disposed over the entire outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> and makes the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> and the inner surface of the bottom wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM> adhere to each other by surface adhesion. Further, as the adhesive agent, it is possible to use an adhesive agent which is in a liquid form before being injected (filled) and is solidified after being injected (filled) so as to make the surfaces adhere to each other by surface adhesion, an adhesive agent which is in the form of gel before injected, a solid-form adhesive agent such as a hot-melt adhesive agent or the like.

Further, gaps <NUM> are formed between the short side surface portions <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> and the side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>. That is, the gap <NUM> is a space surrounded by the short side surface portion <NUM>, the side wall portion <NUM>, the bottom wall portion <NUM> and the partition portions <NUM> in the accommodating portion <NUM>. In this aspect, two gaps <NUM> are formed on both short side surface sides (both sides in the Y axis direction) of the energy storage device <NUM> between the short side surface portions <NUM> and the side wall portions <NUM> respectively.

An adhesive material <NUM> is disposed in the gap <NUM> formed between the short side surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> and the side wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>. That is, the adhesive material <NUM> is an adhesive agent which is injected into the gap <NUM> formed between the outer surface (the second surface) of the short side surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM> and makes the outer surface (the second surface) of the short side surface portion <NUM> and the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM> adhere to each other by surface adhesion. In this aspect, the adhesive material <NUM> is injected into the gap <NUM> such that an injecting height of the adhesive material <NUM> becomes approximately one fifth to one fourth of a height of the short side surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM>. However, the injecting height of the adhesive material <NUM> is not particularly limited.

As has been described above, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> includes an adhesive material which is injected between at least one surface out of the first surface (the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM>) and the second surface (the outer surface of the short side surface portion <NUM>) which are two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other and the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> and makes the above-mentioned at least one surface and the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> adhere to each other by surface adhesion. In this aspect, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> includes the adhesive materials <NUM>, <NUM> which are injected between two surfaces, that is, the first surface (the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM>) and the second surface (the outer surface of the short side surface portion <NUM>) and the inner surfaces of the outer case body <NUM> respectively and make these two surfaces adhere to the inner surfaces of the outer case body <NUM> by surface adhesion.

Next, a method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus <NUM> is described. Hereinafter, in the method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus <NUM>, the description is made in detail with respect to a step of adhering the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case <NUM> and the description of other steps are omitted.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing steps of adhering the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case <NUM> in the method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> is a view for describing the steps of adhering the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case <NUM> in the method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus <NUM>.

Firstly, as shown in <FIG>, as an injecting step (ante-arrangement injecting step), an adhesive agent is injected into the outer case <NUM> (S102). That is, before an arrangement step described later is performed, the adhesive agent is injected onto a surface of the outer case <NUM> in the outer case <NUM> which oppositely faces the first surface of the energy storage device <NUM>. To be more specific, as shown in (a) of <FIG>, the adhesive material <NUM> is injected onto the surface of the outer case <NUM> in the outer case <NUM> (the inner surface of the bottom wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>) which oppositely faces the first surface (the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, next, as an arrangement step, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case <NUM> (S104). That is, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case <NUM> such that the adhesive material is disposed between the first surface of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surface of the outer case <NUM>. To be more specific, as shown in (b) of <FIG>, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case body <NUM> such that the adhesive material <NUM> is disposed between the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> and the inner surface of the bottom wall portion <NUM>.

No opening is formed in the wall surfaces of the outer case body <NUM> and hence, in the arrangement step, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the accommodating portion <NUM> for the energy storage device <NUM> which is formed by partitioning the inside of the outer case <NUM> by the partition portions <NUM> without exposing the energy storage device <NUM> from the wall surfaces of the outer case <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, the injecting step (a post-arrangement injecting step) is performed as a next step. In the injecting step, an adhesive material is injected in the outer case <NUM> (S106). That is, after the arrangement step, an adhesive material is injected between at least one surface out of the first surface and the second surface of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surface of the outer case <NUM>. In this aspect, in the post-arrangement injecting step, an adhesive material is injected between the second surface of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surface of the outer case <NUM>. To be more specific, as shown in (c) of <FIG>, the adhesive material <NUM> is injected in the gaps <NUM> between the second surfaces (the outer surfaces of the short side surface portions <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surfaces (the inner surfaces of the side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>) of the outer case <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, next, as an adhering step, by performing the arrangement step and the injecting steps (the ante-arrangement injecting step and the post-arrangement injecting step), at least one surface out of the first surface and the second surface which are two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other is adhered to the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> by surface adhesion (S108). In this aspect, in the adhering step, the first surface and the second surface of the energy storage device <NUM> are adhered to the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> by surface adhesion. That is, since the adhesive materials <NUM>, <NUM> are solidified due to drying or the like after the arrangement step and the injecting steps, the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> and the outer surfaces of the short side surface portions <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> are adhered to the inner surface of the bottom wall portion <NUM> and the inner surfaces of the side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM> by surface adhesion.

As has been described above, in the method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus <NUM>, by injecting an adhesive material such as an adhesive agent into the outer case <NUM>, at least one surface out of two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other is adhered to the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> by surface adhesion. In this aspect, by injecting an adhesive material between two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other and the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> respectively, two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> can be adhered to the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> by surface adhesion respectively.

In this aspect, in injecting an adhesive material into the outer case <NUM>, it is sufficient to inject the adhesive material by moving equipment for injecting an adhesive material toward the inside of the outer case <NUM>. Accordingly, an operation of adhering the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case <NUM> can be usually performed easily compared to a conventional case where an adhesive material is applied to the energy storage device <NUM> or the outer case <NUM>. As a result, the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily adhered to the outer case <NUM> by injecting an adhesive material into the outer case <NUM>. Further, by adhering two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other to the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> respectively, the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case <NUM>.

Further, by injecting an adhesive material between at least one surface (the second surface) of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> after arranging the energy storage device <NUM> in the outer case <NUM>, the second surface of the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily adhered to the inner surface of the outer case <NUM>.

In the conventional energy storage apparatus, in adhering an energy storage device to an outer case, there exists a possibility that the energy storage device is positionally displaced or an adhesive material protrudes from an opening formed in the outer case. When the energy storage device is positionally displaced, it is necessary to correct the positional displacement of the energy storage device and, when an adhesive material protrudes from the opening of the outer case, it is necessary to process the protruded adhesive material and hence, a step of adhering the energy storage device to the outer case becomes cumbersome.

To the contrary, in the method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus <NUM>, by arranging the energy storage device <NUM> in the accommodating portion <NUM> for the energy storage device <NUM> in the outer case <NUM>, the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily positioned. Further, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case <NUM> without being exposed from the wall surfaces of the outer case <NUM> and hence, it is possible to prevent the injected adhesive material from protruding to the outside of the outer case <NUM>.

The energy storage apparatus <NUM> includes an adhesive material which is injected between at least one surface out of two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other and the inner surface of the outer case <NUM>. In this aspect, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> includes the adhesive materials <NUM>, <NUM> which are injected between the first surface and the second surface which are two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other and the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> respectively. Accordingly, as described above, in the energy storage apparatus <NUM>, the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily adhered to the outer case <NUM>.

The energy storage apparatus <NUM> is configured such that the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the accommodating portion <NUM> formed by partitioning the inside of the outer case <NUM> by the partition portions <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to easily adhere the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case <NUM> while easily positioning the energy storage device <NUM>.

The energy storage apparatus <NUM> is configured such that the energy storage device <NUM> is not exposed from the wall surfaces of the outer case <NUM>. Accordingly, the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily adhered to the outer case <NUM> while suppressing protrusion of an injected adhesive material to the outside of the outer case <NUM>.

By fixing the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case <NUM>, the movement of the energy storage device <NUM> in the outer case <NUM> is restricted. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a phenomenon that the energy storage device <NUM> is moved so that a load is applied to the bus bar <NUM>. It is also possible to suppress the occurrence of a phenomenon that the energy storage device <NUM> impinges on other members in the outer case <NUM> thus generating sound, and such an advantageous effect leads to the improvement of the quality. Further, it is unnecessary to provide a binding member for binding the energy storage devices <NUM> and hence, the number of parts can be reduced thus realizing the reduction of cost.

Next, a modification <NUM> of the above-mentioned aspect is described. In the above-mentioned aspect, after the arrangement step (S104 in <FIG>), the post-arrangement injecting step (S106 in <FIG>) is performed. However, in this modification, the post-arrangement injecting step is not performed.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing steps of adhering an energy storage device <NUM> to an outer case <NUM> in a method of manufacturing an energy storage apparatus <NUM> according to the modification <NUM>. <FIG> is a view for describing the steps of adhering the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case <NUM> in the method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus <NUM> according to the modification <NUM>.

First, as shown in <FIG>, as an injecting step (an ante-arrangement injecting step), an adhesive material is injected into the outer case <NUM> (S202). That is, before an arrangement step described later is performed, an adhesive material is, in the outer case <NUM>, injected onto a surface of the outer case <NUM> which oppositely faces a first surface of the energy storage device <NUM>. To be more specific, as shown in (a) of <FIG>, in the outer case <NUM>, an adhesive material <NUM> is injected onto a surface of the outer case <NUM> (an inner surface of a bottom wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>) which oppositely faces a first surface (an outer surface of a bottom surface portion <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM>. In this modification, a larger amount of adhesive material <NUM> (for example, a sum of an amount of the adhesive material <NUM> and an amount of the adhesive material <NUM>) than an amount of the adhesive material <NUM> which is injected in the ante-arrangement injecting step (S102 in <FIG>) in the above-mentioned aspect is injected.

Returning to <FIG>, next, as an arrangement step, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case <NUM> (S204). That is, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case <NUM> such that an adhesive material is disposed between the first surface and a second surface of the energy storage device <NUM> and inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> respectively. To be more specific, as shown in (b) of <FIG>, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case body <NUM> such that an adhesive material <NUM> is disposed between the first surface (the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surface of the bottom wall portion <NUM>, and an adhesive material <NUM> is disposed in gaps <NUM> formed between the second surfaces (outer surfaces of short side surface portions <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM> and inner surfaces of side wall portions <NUM>.

That is, by inserting the energy storage device <NUM> into the outer case body <NUM>, a portion of the adhesive material <NUM> moves from a bottom surface portion <NUM> side to a short side surface portion <NUM> side of the energy storage device <NUM>. In this manner, the adhesive material <NUM> which remains on the bottom surface portion <NUM> side forms the adhesive material <NUM>, and the adhesive material <NUM> which moves to the short side surface portion <NUM> forms the adhesive material <NUM>.

In the same manner as the above-mentioned aspect, no opening is formed in wall surfaces of the outer case body <NUM>. Accordingly, in the arrangement step, the energy storage device <NUM> can be disposed in an accommodating portion <NUM> for the energy storage device <NUM> which is formed by partitioning the inside of the outer case <NUM> by partition portions <NUM> without being exposed from the wall surfaces of the outer case <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, next, as an adhering step, by performing the arrangement step and the injecting step (ante-arrangement injecting step), the first surface and the second surface which are two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other are adhered to the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> by surface adhesion (S208). That is, since the adhesive materials <NUM>, <NUM> are solidified due to drying or the like after the arrangement step and the injecting step, the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> and the outer surfaces of the short side surface portions <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> are adhered to the inner surface of the bottom wall portion <NUM> and the inner surfaces of the side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM> respectively by surface adhesion.

As has been described above, the method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus <NUM> according to the modification <NUM> can acquire substantially the same advantageous effects as the above-mentioned aspect. Particularly, in this modification, an adhesive material is injected onto the surface of the outer case <NUM> which oppositely faces the first surface of the energy storage device <NUM> before the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case <NUM>, and the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed such that the adhesive material is routed around between the first surface and the second surfaces and the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> thus adhering the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case <NUM>. With such a configuration, the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case <NUM>.

Next, a modification <NUM> of the above-mentioned aspect is described. In the above-mentioned aspect, the ante-arrangement injecting step (S102 in <FIG>) is performed before the arrangement step (S104 in <FIG>). However, in this modification, an applying step is performed before an arrangement step.

First, as shown in <FIG>, as the applying step, an adhesive material is applied to a first surface of the energy storage device <NUM> (S302). To be more specific, as shown in (a) of <FIG>, an adhesive material <NUM> is applied to the first surface (an outer surface of a bottom surface portion <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, next, as the arrangement step, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case <NUM> (S304). To be more specific, as shown in (b) of <FIG>, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in an outer case body <NUM> such that the adhesive material <NUM> is disposed between the first surface (the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM> and an inner surface of a bottom wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>. The arrangement step is substantially equal to the arrangement step (S104 in <FIG>) in the above-mentioned aspect and hence, the detailed description of the arrangement step is omitted.

Returning to <FIG>, next, as an injecting step (post-arrangement injecting step), an adhesive material is injected into the outer case <NUM> (S306). To be more specific, as shown in (c) of <FIG>, an adhesive material <NUM> is injected into gaps <NUM> formed between second surfaces (outer surfaces of short side surface portions <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM> and inner surfaces (inner surfaces of side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>) of the outer case <NUM>. The post-arrangement injecting step is substantially equal to the post-arrangement injecting step (S106 in <FIG>) in the above-mentioned aspect and hence, the detailed description of the post-arrangement injecting step is omitted.

Returning to <FIG>, next, as an adhesion step, by performing the applying step, the arrangement step, and the injecting step (post-arrangement injecting step), the first surface and the second surfaces which are two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other are adhered to the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> respectively by surface adhesion (S308). That is, since the adhesive materials <NUM>, <NUM> are solidified by drying or the like after the arrangement step and the injecting step, the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> and the outer surfaces of the short side surface portions <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> are adhered to the inner surface of the bottom wall portion <NUM> and the inner surfaces of the side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM> respectively by surface adhesion.

As has been described above, the method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus <NUM> according to the modification <NUM> can acquire substantially the same advantageous effects as the above-mentioned aspect. Particularly, in this modification, by applying an adhesive material to the first surface of the energy storage device <NUM> before the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case <NUM>, the first surface of the energy storage device <NUM> can be fixed to the outer case <NUM>.

Next, a modification <NUM> of the above-mentioned aspect is described. In the above-mentioned aspect, the ante-arrangement injecting step (S102 in <FIG>) is performed before the arrangement step (S104 in <FIG>). However, in this modification, the ante-arrangement injecting step is not performed.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an outer case body <NUM> according to the modification <NUM>. To be more specific, <FIG> is a view which corresponds to <FIG> showing the outer case body <NUM>. <FIG> is a flowchart showing steps of adhering an energy storage device <NUM> to an outer case <NUM> in a method of manufacturing an energy storage apparatus <NUM> according to the modification <NUM>. <FIG> is a view for describing the steps of adhering the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case <NUM> in the method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus <NUM> according to the modification <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the outer case <NUM> according to this modification includes an outer case body <NUM> having bottom wall portions 111a, 111b in place of the outer case body <NUM> having the bottom wall portion <NUM> in the above-mentioned aspect. The bottom wall portion 111a is a portion disposed at a center portion of the bottom wall portion of the outer case body <NUM>. The bottom wall portions 111b are portions disposed on both sides of the bottom wall portion 111a so as to sandwich the bottom wall portion 111a from both sides in the Y axis direction, and are connected to the side wall portions <NUM> respectively.

The bottom wall portion 111a is disposed at a position projecting upward from the bottom wall portions 111b. That is, on the outer case body <NUM>, a projecting portion which projects upward is formed at a position (center portion) of the bottom wall portion 111a.

Further, it is safe to say that the bottom wall portions 111b are disposed at positions recessed downward from the bottom wall portion 111a. That is, in the outer case body <NUM>, recessed portions each having a space <NUM> are formed at positions of the respective bottom wall portions 111b (both sides in the Y axis direction). The spaces <NUM> are spaces disposed on a lower side of an accommodating portion <NUM> for the energy storage device <NUM>. Due to the formation of the spaces <NUM>, when the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case body <NUM>, gaps are formed between an inner surface of the outer case body <NUM> and an outer surface of a bottom surface portion <NUM> and outer surfaces of short side surface portions <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM>. That is, the outer case <NUM> has the recessed portions which form gaps between the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> and a first surface and second surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> respectively.

A shape of a partition portion <NUM> may be a rectangular shape in the same manner as the partition portion <NUM> in the above-mentioned aspect. Alternatively, the partition portion <NUM> may have a shape where a bottom portion of the partition portion <NUM> projects along the bottom wall portion 111b for forming the accommodating portion <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other and the spaces <NUM> by partitioning.

Steps of adhering the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case <NUM> in the outer case body <NUM> having the above-mentioned configuration is described in detail hereinafter.

First, as shown in <FIG>, as an arrangement step, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case <NUM> (S404). That is, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case <NUM> such that an adhesive material can be disposed between the first surface and the second surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> respectively. To be more specific, as shown in (a) and (b) of <FIG>, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed in the outer case body <NUM> such that an adhesive material can be disposed between the first surface (the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM>) and the second surfaces (the outer surfaces of the short side surface portions <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 111b and the inner surfaces of the side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>.

That is, the energy storage device <NUM> is placed on the bottom wall portion 111a of the outer case body <NUM>, and the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 111a and the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> are brought into contact with each other. In such a state, the recessed portions are formed at positions of the bottom wall portions 111b of the outer case body <NUM> and hence, the spaces <NUM> and the gaps <NUM> are formed between the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> and the outer surfaces of the short side surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 111b and the inner surfaces of the side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM> respectively. Further, an adhesive material can be disposed in the spaces <NUM> and the gaps <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, next, as an injecting step (post-arrangement injecting step), an adhesive material is injected into the outer case <NUM> (S406). That is, an adhesive material is injected between the first surface and the second surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM>. To be more specific, as shown in (c) of <FIG>, an adhesive material <NUM> is injected into the spaces <NUM> and the gaps <NUM> formed between the first surface (the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM>) and the second surfaces (the outer surfaces of the short side surface portions <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surface (the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 111b and the inner surfaces of the side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>) of the outer case <NUM> respectively.

Returning to <FIG>, next, as an adhesion step, by performing the arrangement step and the injecting step (post-arrangement injecting step), the first surface and the second surface which are two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other are adhered to the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> respectively (S408). That is, since the adhesive material <NUM> is solidified by drying or the like after the arrangement step and the injecting step, the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> and the outer surfaces of the short side surface portions <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> are adhered to the inner surfaces of the bottom wall portions 111b and the inner surfaces of the side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM> respectively by surface adhesion. In this manner, the adhesive material <NUM> is injected into the recessed portions of the outer case body <NUM> thus making the first surface and the second surface of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> adhere to each other.

As has been described above, the method of manufacturing the energy storage apparatus <NUM> according to the modification <NUM> can acquire substantially the same advantageous effects as the above-mentioned aspect. Particularly, in this modification, by injecting an adhesive material between two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other and the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM>, such two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> are adhered to the outer case <NUM>. Accordingly, the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case <NUM>.

The energy storage apparatus <NUM> according to this modification is configured such that two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> disposed adjacently to each other are adhered to the outer case <NUM> by the adhesive agent injected into the recessed portions of the outer case <NUM>. Accordingly, the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case <NUM>.

Next, a modification <NUM> of the above-mentioned aspect is described. In the above-mentioned aspect, the outer case body <NUM> has the planar plate-shaped bottom wall portion <NUM>. However, in this modification, an outer case body has a bottomed wall portion on which projecting portions are formed.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration where an energy storage device <NUM> according to the modification <NUM> is accommodated in the outer case body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, an outer case <NUM> according to this modification includes the outer case body <NUM> having a bottom wall portion 111c in place of the outer case body <NUM> having the bottom wall portion <NUM> in the above-mentioned aspect. Projecting portions <NUM> which project toward the energy storage device <NUM> are formed on the bottom wall portion 111c. In <FIG>, also shown are enlarged views of cases where the projecting portions <NUM> of the bottom wall portion 111c in a state that an adhesive material <NUM> is not arranged is viewed from an oblique upper side.

The projecting portions <NUM> are projecting portions which are formed on portions of an inner surface of the outer case <NUM> which are adhered to the energy storage device <NUM> by surface adhesion using the adhesive material <NUM>, and extend along the inner surface of the outer case <NUM>. In this modification, on the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 111c, projecting portions 114a to 114d having a triangular cross-sectional shape are formed in an extending manner along the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 111c. The projecting portions 114a, 114b are the projecting portions arranged on a positive electrode side of the energy storage device <NUM>, and the projecting portions 114c, 114d are the projecting portions arranged on a negative electrode side of the energy storage device <NUM>. A projection height of the projecting portions <NUM> (projecting portions 114a to 114d) is approximately less than <NUM>, for example.

On the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> (on the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 111c) and on sides of the projecting portions <NUM>, a flow passage <NUM> for the adhesive material <NUM> which traverses the projecting portions <NUM> is formed. To be more specific, the flow passage <NUM> is arranged in a sandwiched manner between two projecting portions <NUM> with a distance therebetween narrowed as the projecting portions <NUM> approach the flow passage <NUM>. That is, the projecting portions 114a, 114b are arranged such that the distance between the projecting portions 114a, 114b is narrowed as the projecting portions 114a, 114b extend toward a plus side in the Y axis direction. A space is formed between distal end portions of the projecting portions 114a, 114b on the plus side in the Y axis direction, and this space forms the flow passage <NUM> on a positive electrode side. In the same manner as the projecting portions 114a, 114b, in the projecting portions 114c, 114d, a distance between the projecting portions 114c, 114d is narrowed as the projecting portions 114c, 114d extend toward a minus side in the Y axis direction, a space is formed between distal end portions of the projecting portions 114c, 114d on the minus side in the Y axis direction, and this space forms the flow passage <NUM> on a negative electrode side.

In this modification, as viewed from the projecting direction (Z axis direction) of the projecting portion <NUM>, the projecting portion <NUM> is arranged at a position where at least a portion of the projecting portion <NUM> overlaps with an area ranging from the electrode terminal which the energy storage device <NUM> has to an end portion of the energy storage device <NUM> (a region R shown in <FIG>). To be more specific, in this modification, the projecting portions 114a, 114b are arranged just below a positive electrode terminal <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM>, and the projecting portions 114c, 114d are arranged just below a negative electrode terminal <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM>. With such a configuration, the flow passages <NUM> are also arranged just below the positive electrode terminal <NUM> and the negative electrode terminal <NUM>. In this manner, the plurality of projecting portions <NUM> are formed on the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> with respect to the respective energy storage devices <NUM>.

Provided that a portion of the projecting portion <NUM> is arranged within a range of the region R shown in <FIG>, the projecting portion <NUM> may be arranged at any position. However, it is preferable that the projecting portion <NUM> be arranged just below the position where the energy storage device <NUM> is pressed when the energy storage device <NUM> is adhered to the outer case <NUM>. For example, it is preferable that the projecting portions 114a, 114b be arranged just below the center position of the positive electrode terminal <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> in the Y axis direction or just below an end portion of a container lid portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> on a positive electrode side (the plus side in the Y axis direction). Further, it is preferable that the projecting portions 114c, 114d be arranged just below the center position of the negative electrode terminal <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> in the Y axis direction or just below an end portion of the container lid portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> on a negative electrode side (the minus side in the Y axis direction). Further, from a viewpoint of making the adhesive material <NUM> flow out uniformly, it is preferable that the flow passage <NUM> be arranged just below the center position of the container lid portion <NUM> in the X axis direction.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the adhesive material <NUM> is injected between the projecting portions 114a, 114b and the projecting portions 114c, 114d on the bottom wall portion 111c, in a space formed on a right side of the projecting portions 114a, 114b, and in a space formed on a left side of the projecting portions 114c, 114d. Then, the energy storage device <NUM> is placed on the bottom wall portion 111c, and is pressed from above so that the energy storage device <NUM> is adhered to the outer case <NUM>. In this case, when a slightly larger amount of adhesive material <NUM> is injected between the projecting portions 114a, 114b and the projecting portions 114c, 114d, a surplus amount of adhesive material <NUM> flows out from the flow passage <NUM> while being guided by the projecting portions <NUM>. Further, the adhesive material <NUM> is pushed out also to a gap <NUM> formed between an outer surface of a short side surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> and an inner surface of a side wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM> (adhesive material <NUM> in <FIG>).

When the adhesive material <NUM> flows out from the flow passage <NUM>, a state is brought about where the adhesive material <NUM> is arranged in the flow passage <NUM>. On the other hand, when the adhesive material <NUM> does not flow out from the flow passage <NUM>, the adhesive material <NUM> is not arranged in the flow passage <NUM> so that the flow passage forms a space. The adhesive material <NUM> may be arranged or may not be arranged between the projecting portion <NUM> and a bottom surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM>. Further, the adhesive material <NUM> may not be pushed out into the gap <NUM>, and the adhesive material <NUM> may be injected into the gap <NUM> after the energy storage device <NUM> is arranged in the outer case body <NUM>.

As has been described above, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> according to the modification <NUM> can acquire substantially the same advantageous effects as the above-mentioned aspect. Particularly, in this modification, the projecting portions <NUM> are formed on an adhesive surface of the outer case <NUM> with the energy storage device <NUM> and hence, a thickness of the adhesive material <NUM> can be defined by a height of the projecting portions <NUM>. Accordingly, the thickness of the adhesive material <NUM> can be set to an optimum thickness so that the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case <NUM>.

The flow passage <NUM> for the adhesive material <NUM> is formed on the side of the projecting portion <NUM>. Accordingly, after injecting of the adhesive material <NUM>, when an amount of adhesive material <NUM> is large, it is possible to make the adhesive material <NUM> flow out through the flow passage <NUM>. Further, when an amount of adhesive material <NUM> is small, it is possible to make the adhesive material <NUM> flow in through the flow passage <NUM>. Accordingly, an amount of the adhesive material <NUM> can be adjusted by the flow passage <NUM> and hence, the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case <NUM>.

Two projecting portions <NUM> where the distance between the projecting portions <NUM> is narrowed as the projecting portions <NUM> approach the flow passage <NUM> are arranged on both sides of the flow passage <NUM> for the adhesive material <NUM>. Accordingly, when an amount of the adhesive material <NUM> is large, a surplus amount of adhesive material <NUM> flows to the flow passage <NUM> while being guided by the projecting portions <NUM> and is made to flow out from the flow passage <NUM>. As a result, a surplus amount of adhesive material <NUM> can be easily made to flow out by the projecting portions <NUM> and hence, an amount of adhesive material <NUM> can be easily adjusted.

The plurality of projecting portions <NUM> are formed for each energy storage device <NUM> and hence, each energy storage device <NUM> can be easily adhered to the outer case <NUM> while being supported by the plurality of projecting portions <NUM>.

At least a portion of the projecting portion <NUM> is arranged just below the region ranging from the electrode terminal to the end portion of the energy storage device <NUM>. Accordingly, in fixing the energy storage device <NUM> by pressing the electrode terminal or the end portion of the energy storage device <NUM>, the energy storage device <NUM> can be stably fixed to the outer case <NUM>.

The numbers and the shapes of the projecting portions <NUM> and the flow passages <NUM> formed on the bottom wall portion 111c of the outer case body <NUM> are not limited to the above-mentioned numbers and shapes. As other examples of the projecting portions <NUM> and the flow passages <NUM>, the following configurations are considered, for example.

The cross section of the projecting portion <NUM> is not limited to a triangular shape, and may be a polygonal shape (a quadrangular shape or the like) besides a triangular shape, a curved shape such as a semicircular shape, a semi-oblong shape or a semielliptical shape. However, with respect to a cross section of the projecting portion <NUM>, a cross section having a shape where a width is narrowed toward an upper end makes an adhesive material difficult to remain on a distal end of the projecting portion <NUM> and hence, such a shape is preferable. Further, when a cross section of the projecting portion <NUM> has a shape formed of a curve, a force which the projecting portion <NUM> receives from above can be dispersed.

Further, as the projecting portions <NUM>, three or more projecting portions may be formed along the bottom surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM>. In this case, by changing heights of the projecting portions <NUM> in conformity with a shape of the bottom surface portion <NUM>, the energy storage device <NUM> can be firmly fixed to the outer case <NUM>. For example, when the bottom surface portion <NUM> is warped upward, a height of the projecting portion <NUM> is set higher as the projecting <NUM> extends toward a center portion.

The projecting portions <NUM> may not be extended in a straight line shape along the inner surface of the bottom wall portion 111c, and may be extended in a curved shape. For example, the projecting portions <NUM> may be formed in a curved or bent shape such as an S shape, a V shape, a U shape or a W shape. Further, the projecting portions <NUM> may be formed in a non-extending shape such as a polygonal columnar shape, a circular columnar shape or a semispherical shape. For example, the projecting portions <NUM> can be formed by emboss processing. In this case, a contact area between the energy storage device <NUM> and the bottom wall portion 111c can be increased and hence, a strength of the outer case <NUM> can be enhanced.

The projecting portions <NUM> may be formed in a shape where the projecting portion <NUM> extends in the Y axis direction. Alternatively, the projecting portions <NUM> may be formed in a shape where the projecting portions <NUM> extend in a plurality of directions among the X axis direction, the Y axis direction and oblique directions and intersect with each other (for example, a meshed shape).

The projecting portions <NUM> may not be formed by working, and the projecting portion <NUM> may be formed by making use of a shape where roughness after working remains.

The flow passage <NUM> may not be arranged between two projecting portions <NUM>, and a space arranged on a side of the projecting portion <NUM> may be used as the flow passage <NUM>. Further, the flow passage <NUM> may be a space formed by indenting an upper surface of one projecting portion <NUM>, and a cross-sectional shape of such an indented portion may be any shape such as a rectangular shape, a V shape or a U shape. The flow passage <NUM> may be a through hole formed in the projecting portion <NUM>, and a cross-sectional shape of the through hole may be any shape such as a polygonal shape, a circular shape or a semicircular shape. That is, it is sufficient that the flow passage <NUM> be a flow passage (space) which traverses the projecting portion <NUM>, and the shape of the flow passage <NUM> is not limited.

Next, a modification <NUM> of the above-mentioned aspect is described. In the above-mentioned aspect, as shown in <FIG>, the adhesive material <NUM> is injected only up to a relatively low position of the short side surface portions <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM>. However, in this modification, an adhesive material is injected up to a relatively high position of short side surface portions <NUM> of an energy storage device <NUM>.

<FIG> are cross-sectional views showing the configuration where the energy storage device <NUM> according to the modification <NUM> is accommodated in an outer case body <NUM>. To be more specific, <FIG> are views which correspond to <FIG>.

First, as shown in <FIG>, an adhesive material <NUM> is injected up to upper end portions of the short side surface portions <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM>. That is, an adhesive material <NUM> is injected between a first surface (an outer surface of a bottom surface portion <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM> and an inner surface (an inner surface of a bottom wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>) of the outer case <NUM>, and an adhesive material <NUM> is injected between second surfaces (outer surfaces of the short side surface portions <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM> and inner surfaces (inner surfaces of side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM>) of the outer case <NUM>.

Although an injecting height of the adhesive material <NUM> is not particularly limited, in this modification, the injecting height of the adhesive material <NUM> is set equal to or more than an injecting height in the above-mentioned aspect (for example, one fourth or more of a height of the short side surface portions <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM>). In this manner, the adhesive material <NUM> is injected between a bottom surface of the energy storage device <NUM> which forms the first surface and the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> and is also injected between surfaces of side surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> which form the second surfaces ranging from lower ends of the side surfaces to a predetermined height from the lower ends and the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> includes a bus bar frame <NUM> for positioning bus bars <NUM> with respect to the energy storage devices <NUM> above the energy storage devices <NUM>, and the adhesive material <NUM> may be injected up to a height of the bus bar frame <NUM>.

As has been described above, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> according to the modification <NUM> can acquire substantially the same advantageous effects as the above-mentioned aspect. Particularly, in this modification, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> is configured such that the energy storage apparatus <NUM> includes an adhesive material injected up to a predetermined height of the side surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> and hence, the energy storage device <NUM> can be easily and firmly adhered to the outer case <NUM>. In <FIG>, the bus bar frame <NUM> also has a function of fixing the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case body <NUM> by pressing the energy storage device <NUM> from above and hence, the bus bar frame <NUM> can further firmly fix the energy storage device <NUM> to the outer case body <NUM> by the adhesive material <NUM>.

Next, a modification <NUM> of the above-mentioned aspect is described. In the above-mentioned aspect, the outer case body <NUM> has the partition portions <NUM> which are disposed between two side wall portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM> in an extending manner. However, in this modification, an outer case body has rib-shaped partition portions.

<FIG> is a plan view showing a configuration where an energy storage device <NUM> according to the modification <NUM> is accommodated in an outer case body <NUM>. To be more specific, <FIG> is a view corresponding to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, an outer case body <NUM> has partition portions <NUM> in place of the partition portions <NUM> of the outer case body <NUM> of the above-mentioned aspect. The partition portions <NUM> are rectangular-shaped flat-plate-like ribs which project from the side wall portions <NUM>. That is, the partition portion <NUM> is configured such that a center portion of the partition portion <NUM> in the above-mentioned aspect is cut away.

An adhesive material <NUM> is injected into gaps <NUM> each of which is formed between the partition portions <NUM>. Provided that a gap <NUM> which allows injecting of an adhesive material <NUM> into the gap <NUM> can be formed in this manner, a shape of the partition portion <NUM> is not limited to the shape in the above-mentioned aspect.

As has been described above, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> according to the modification <NUM> can acquire substantially the same advantageous effects as the above-mentioned aspect. Particularly, in this modification, the partition portion <NUM> can be formed small in size and hence, an amount of a material used for forming the outer case body <NUM> can be reduced.

It is unnecessary to replace all partition portions <NUM> of the above-mentioned embodiment with the partition portions <NUM> of this modification <NUM>. That is, there is no problem in providing the partition portions <NUM> of the above-mentioned aspect at some places. For example, in <FIG>, one set of energy storage device group is formed by connecting two energy storage devices <NUM> in parallel, and four sets of energy storage device groups are connected to each other in series. In such a configuration, it is preferable that the partition portion <NUM> of the above-mentioned aspect be disposed between the energy storage devices <NUM> connected to each other in series. Accordingly, the partition portion <NUM> of the above-mentioned aspect may be disposed between the energy storage device groups, and the partition portion <NUM> of this modification may be disposed between the energy storage devices <NUM> in each energy storage device group.

For example, in the above-mentioned aspect and the modifications of the aspect, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> includes the plurality of energy storage devices <NUM>. However, the energy storage apparatus <NUM> may include only one energy storage device <NUM>.

In the above-mentioned aspect and the modifications of the aspect, the adhesive material is an adhesive agent. However, the adhesive material is not limited to the adhesive agent, and may be a double-applied adhesive tape, or an adhesive material having the surface fastener structure which allows the adhesion in a detachable manner and is referred to as Magic Tape (registered trademark) or Velcro (registered trademark) tape.

In the above-mentioned aspect and the modifications of the aspect, an adhesive material is disposed on both short side surface sides of all energy storage devices <NUM>. However, with respect to some energy storage devices <NUM>, an adhesive material may not be disposed on either one of both short side surface sides. For example, in the above-mentioned modification <NUM>, the outer case body <NUM> may be configured such that the outer case body <NUM> has only one bottom wall portion 111b on one side wall portion <NUM> side (only one recessed portion is formed).

In the above-mentioned aspect and the modifications of the aspect, an adhesive material is injected between two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM>, that is, the first surface (the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM>) and the second surface (the outer surfaces of the short side surface portions <NUM>) of the energy storage device <NUM> and inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> thus making the two surfaces of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surfaces of the outer case <NUM> adhere to each other respectively by surface adhesion. However, the adhesive material may not be injected with respect to either one of between the first surface of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> or between the second surface of the energy storage device <NUM> and the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> so that either one of the first surface or the second surface of the energy storage device <NUM> may not be adhered to the inner surface of the outer case <NUM> by surface adhesion.

In the above-mentioned aspect and the modifications of the aspect (excluding the modification <NUM>), the entire outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> is adhered to the inner surface of the bottom wall portion <NUM> of the outer case body by surface adhesion. However, a region where the surface adhesion is applied is not limited to the entire outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> and may be a partial region of the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM>.

In the above-mentioned aspect and the modifications of the aspect, the energy storage device <NUM> is disposed such that the container lid portion <NUM> is directed upward. That is, the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> forms the first surface, and the outer surfaces of the short side surface portions <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> form the second surfaces. However, the energy storage device <NUM> may be disposed such that the container lid portion <NUM> is directed sideward. That is, for example, the outer surface of the short side surface portion <NUM> of the energy storage device <NUM> forms the first surface, and the outer surface of the bottom surface portion <NUM> and the outer surface of the container lid portion <NUM> form the second surfaces. Further, the energy storage device <NUM> may be disposed such that the container lid portion <NUM> is directed downward, and the outer surface of the container lid portion <NUM> may form the first surface. Still further, the outer surface of the long side surface portion <NUM> may form the first surface or the second surface.

Further, the configurations which are formed by arbitrarily combining the respective constitutional elements which the above-mentioned aspect and the modifications of the aspect include are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the configuration of the modification <NUM> may be applied to other modifications, the configuration of the modification <NUM> may be applied to other modifications, the configuration of the modification <NUM> may be applied to other modifications, and the configuration of the modification <NUM> may be applied to other modifications.

Claim 1:
An energy storage apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
an energy storage device (<NUM>);
an outer case (<NUM>), which is formed of a rectangular-shaped bottom wall portion (<NUM>, 111c) and rectangular-shaped side wall portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) surrounding four sides of the bottom wall portion (<NUM>, 111c); and
an adhesive material (<NUM>), which is injected between a first surface (<NUM>) of the energy storage device (<NUM>) and an inner surface of the bottom wall portion (<NUM>, 111c) of the outer case (<NUM>), thus making the first surface and an inner surface of the outer case adhere to each other by surface adhesion,
characterized in that
a projecting portion (111a, <NUM>) which projects toward the energy storage device (<NUM>) is formed on the bottom wall portion (<NUM>, 111c), which is adhered to the energy storage device (<NUM>) by surface adhesion by the adhesive material;
the energy storage device (<NUM>) is not exposed from the bottom wall portion (<NUM>, 111c) and the side wall portions (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the projecting portion (111a, <NUM>) and the energy storage device (<NUM>) are brought into contact with each other;
a gap (<NUM>) is formed between a second surface (<NUM>) of the energy storage device (<NUM>), which is a surface of the energy storage device (<NUM>) disposed adjacently to the first surface (<NUM>), and one of the side wall portions (<NUM>) of the outer case (<NUM>); and
the adhesive material (<NUM>) is injected into the gap (<NUM>) between the second surface (<NUM>) of the energy storage device (<NUM>) and an inner surface of the one of the side wall portions (<NUM>) of the outer case (<NUM>), thus making the second surface and the inner surface of the outer case adhere to each other by surface adhesion.