Abstract: A power supply device includes: a battery stack body that includes a plurality of secondary battery cells that are stacked; a pair of end plates disposed on both end surfaces of the battery stack body, respectively; and binding bars that are disposed on both the end surfaces of the battery stack body, respectively, and bind the pair of end plates. Each of the binding bars includes engaging steps that are opposite the pair of end plates, respectively. Each of the engaging steps extends in a direction intersecting with a stack direction of the battery stack body. Each of the pair of end plates includes engaging protrusions that are opposite the binding bars, respectively. The engaging protrusions engage with engaging steps. Consequently, rigidity that binds the battery stack body together is increased without changing a material and a thickness of the binding bars.

Abstract: In order to provide a battery module and the like capable of maintaining a fastened state of a plurality of battery cells with high reliability, battery module includes a plurality of battery cells each having electrode terminals, a pair of end plates that cover both side end surfaces of battery stack including the plurality of stacked battery cells, and a plurality of fastening members that fastens end plates to each other. End plate forms overlapping portion that covers at least a portion of each fastening member covering each side surface of battery cells located on the both side end surfaces of battery stack, and overlapping portion and the fastening members are welded and fixed. According to the above configuration, by welding in a state in which a side surface of fastening member is further covered with overlapping portion, there is an advantage that firm fixation can be achieved while preventing disengagement of fastening member.

Abstract: A pair of end plates of a battery module are disposed respectively at end faces of a battery stack. Each of the end plates includes a first metal sheet, a second metal sheet, and a metal rod. The first metal sheet includes a plate part corresponding to a shape of each of the end faces of the battery stack, and a bent side piece provided at each of widthwise sides of the plate part. The second metal sheet includes a parallel plate part stacked on and fixed to the plate part of the first metal sheet, and a bending ridge that connects with each of sides of the parallel plate part and extends along widths of the end plates. A tubular reinforcement is defined on an inner side of the bending ridge. A metal rod is disposed in the tubular reinforcement and has ends connected to the bind bar.

Abstract: A battery module includes a battery stack that includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells stacked in a direction along their thicknesses, the pair of end plates disposed respectively at end faces of the battery stack that face in a stacked direction, bind bars that are disposed respectively on side faces of the battery stack and bind the pair of end plates together, and a plurality of securing pins fixing the bind bars over sides of each of the end plates. A pair of the plurality of securing pins are fixed respectively to the sides of each of the end plate to face each other and are coaxial with each other. Each of the end plate includes a horizontal rib extending coaxially with each of the plurality of securing pins.

Abstract: In order to achieve excellent flexural rigidity while employing a simple structure for end plate (3): a battery system includes: a battery stack (2) including a plurality of rectangular battery cells (1) that are stacked; end plate (3) placed at both ends of the battery stack; and a binding bar (4) that connects the end plates to fix the battery stack in a compressed state. End plate (3) includes plates (5) placed on both surfaces and plate-shaped block (6) laminated between plates (5); plates (5) include outer plate (5A) and inner plate (5B); plate-shaped block (6) includes dual-side blocks (7) placed on both sides so as to be separated from each other and intermediate block (8) placed in tapered groove (9) between dual-side blocks; the tapered groove (9) has a taper shape that gradually increases in width from an outside to an inside of the end plate (3).

Abstract: In order to provide a battery module and the like capable of maintaining a fastened state of a plurality of battery cells with high reliability, battery module includes a plurality of battery cells each having electrode terminals, a pair of end plates that cover both side end surfaces of battery stack including the plurality of stacked battery cells, and a plurality of fastening members that fastens end plates to each other. End plate forms overlapping portion that covers at least a portion of each fastening member covering each side surface of battery cells located on the both side end surfaces of battery stack, and overlapping portion and the fastening members are welded and fixed. According to the above configuration, by welding in a state in which a side surface of fastening member is further covered with overlapping portion, there is an advantage that firm fixation can be achieved while preventing disengagement of fastening member.

Abstract: A pair of end plates of a battery module are disposed respectively at end faces of a battery stack. Each of the end plates includes a first metal sheet, a second metal sheet, and a metal rod. The first metal sheet includes a plate part corresponding to a shape of each of the end faces of the battery stack, and a bent side piece provided at each of widthwise sides of the plate part. The second metal sheet includes a parallel plate part stacked on and fixed to the plate part of the first metal sheet, and a bending ridge that connects with each of sides of the parallel plate part and extends along widths of the end plates. A tubular reinforcement is defined on an inner side of the bending ridge. A metal rod is disposed in the tubular reinforcement and has ends connected to the bind bar.

Abstract: A battery module includes a battery stack that includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells stacked in a direction along their thicknesses, the pair of end plates disposed respectively at end faces of the battery stack that face in a stacked direction, bind bars that are disposed respectively on side faces of the battery stack and bind the pair of end plates together, and a plurality of securing pins fixing the bind bars over sides of each of the end plates. A pair of the plurality of securing pins are fixed respectively to the sides of each of the end plate to face each other and are coaxial with each other. Each of the end plate includes a horizontal rib extending coaxially with each of the plurality of securing pins.

Abstract: A power supply device includes: a battery stack body that includes a plurality of secondary battery cells that are stacked; a pair of end plates disposed on both end surfaces of the battery stack body, respectively; and binding bars that are disposed on both the end surfaces of the battery stack body, respectively, and bind the pair of end plates. Each of the binding bars includes engaging steps that are opposite the pair of end plates, respectively. Each of the engaging steps extends in a direction intersecting with a stack direction of the battery stack body. Each of the pair of end plates includes engaging protrusions that are opposite the binding bars, respectively. The engaging protrusions engage with engaging steps. Consequently, rigidity that binds the battery stack body together is increased without changing a material and a thickness of the binding bars.

Abstract: A vehicle body rear part structure in which a spare tire is stored underneath a rear floor via a spare tire carrier. The vehicle body rear part structure includes a frame part and a tire cover. An embedding groove is formed in an external surface of the tire cover. The frame part is embedded in the embedding groove. Left and right front connecting parts of the frame part are rotatably connected to left and right front support parts. A rear connecting part of the frame part is vertically movably connected to rear support part. Vertical movements of the rear connecting part via the rear support part causes a spare tire to be disposed in a tire storage position and a tire accessing position.

Abstract: A vehicular reinforcing bar structure includes: a reinforcing bar fixedly fastened at its opposite end portions to a pair of opposed vehicle body frame members, the reinforcing bar having a uniform closed sectional shape from one of the end portions to the other; collars fitted in the respective opposite end portions of the reinforcing bar for imparting fastening force to the end portions; and mounting brackets provided in corresponding relation to the opposite end portions, each of the mounting brackets being formed in a closed section and fixedly fastening the corresponding end portion by sandwiching the end portion with the corresponding vehicle body frame member.

Abstract: A vehicle body rear part structure in which a spare tire is stored underneath a rear floor via a spare tire carrier. The vehicle body rear part structure includes a frame part and a tire cover. An embedding groove is formed in an external surface of the tire cover. The frame part is embedded in the embedding groove. Left and right front connecting parts of the frame part are rotatably connected to left and right front support parts. A rear connecting part of the frame part is vertically movably connected to rear support part. Vertical movements of the rear connecting part via the rear support part causes a spare tire to be disposed in a tire storage position and a tire accessing position.

Abstract: A vehicular reinforcing bar structure includes: a reinforcing bar fixedly fastened at its opposite end portions to a pair of opposed vehicle body frame members, the reinforcing bar having a uniform closed sectional shape from one of the end portions to the other; collars fitted in the respective opposite end portions of the reinforcing bar for imparting fastening force to the end portions; and mounting brackets provided in corresponding relation to the opposite end portions, each of the mounting brackets being formed in a closed section and fixedly fastening the corresponding end portion by sandwiching the end portion with the corresponding vehicle body frame member.

Abstract: A frame and support assembly for a vehicle lacking a conventional, separate B-pillar includes first and second frame members and a plurality of support assemblies. Each support assembly includes a plurality of bulkheads, a pair of outriggers, and a cross member. The bulkheads are incorporated into first and second side sill assemblies. The outriggers extend between the side sill assemblies and the first and second frame members. The cross members extend between the first and second first frame members.

Abstract: A frame and support assembly for a vehicle lacking a conventional, separate B-pillar includes first and second frame members and a plurality of support assemblies. Each support assembly includes a plurality of bulkheads, a pair of outriggers, and a cross member. The bulkheads are incorporated into first and second side sill assemblies. The outriggers extend between the side sill assemblies and the first and second frame members. The cross members extend between the first and second first frame members. The strength of the bulkheads, outriggers, and cross members is selected such that the cross member is stiffer than the outriggers, and the outriggers are stiffer than the bulkheads so that the support assemblies progressively crush during a side impact.

Abstract: A frame and support assembly for a vehicle lacking a conventional, separate B-pillar includes first and second frame members and a plurality of support assemblies. Each support assembly includes a plurality of bulkheads, a pair of outriggers, and a cross member. The bulkheads are incorporated into first and second side sill assemblies. The outriggers extend between the side sill assemblies and the first and second frame members. The cross members extend between the first and second first frame members.

Abstract: A frame and support assembly for a vehicle lacking a conventional, separate B-pillar includes first and second frame members and a plurality of support assemblies. Each support assembly includes a plurality of bulkheads, a pair of outriggers, and a cross member. The bulkheads are incorporated into first and second side sill assemblies. The outriggers extend between the side sill assemblies and the first and second frame members. The cross members extend between the first and second first frame members. The strength of the bulkheads, outriggers, and cross members is selected such that the cross member is stiffer than the outriggers, and the outriggers are stiffer than the bulkheads so that the support assemblies progressively crush during a side impact.

Abstract: A structure for a front part of an automotive vehicle body having front side frames 2 extending longitudinal directions above a front axle 1, intermediate frames 5 connecting rear ends of the side frames 2 to front ends of floor frames 4 extending longitudinal directions underneath a floor of a passenger compartment and a dash panel 7 separating an engine compartment 6 from the passenger compartment, wherein the dash panel extends upwardly from longitudinally intermediate portions of the intermediate frames. With this construction, since the connecting points between the front side frames and the intermediate frames, i.e., the part that is to be bent by virtue of a crash load, are located forward of he dash panel, the effect on the deformation of the passenger compartment by the deformation of the frames can be alleviated.

Abstract: In a safety-deposit box system including a safety-deposit box, a system controller, and a safety-deposit box controller, a multi-function key is used. The safety-deposit box has a lock and the multi-function key has a metal portion and an electronic memory. Information electronically stored on the electronic memory is read by a reception device and sent to a determination device in the system controller. The determination device compares the sent information with information prerecorded in an electronic memory in the system controller. When the two sets of information agree, the system controller outputs a signal to the safety-deposit box controller. After receiving the signal, the safety-deposit box controller checks mechanical appropriateness of the metal key portion and, if mechanically appropriate, unlocks the lock.