Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Gs Yuasa International Ltd.

Masahiko Natsuume

Masao Kawata

Kosuke Oguri

Masakazu Tsutsumi

Jun Nakamura

Shinsuke Yoshitake

Masaru Odajima

Hideo Nakamura

Tsukasa Ohkawa

Tokiyuki Wakayama

Noriaki Ishii

Tutomu Asaina

A battery module includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of holders. The plurality of cells are parallelly arranged in a row at intervals. The plurality of cells have explosion-proof valves which are provided therein and which are capable of opening upon an increase in an inner pressure in the plurality of cells. The plurality of holders are arranged among the cells so as to hold the cells. The holders have holder pieces which are integrally formed therein and which cover at least part of the explosion-valves so as to prevent emissions from the explosion-proof valves from being released in all directions.

Battery module

Storage battery

A body member and flange members are butted together at a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion. The first and second abutment portions are held by first and second backing jigs, respectively. The first backing jig has a circumscribing recessed section corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of the first abutment portion. Further, the first backing jig has a circumscribing opening communicated with the bottom of the recessed section. On the other hand, the second backing jig has a circumscribing recessed section corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of the second abutment portion. Further, the second backing jig has a circumscribing opening communicated with the bottom of the recessed section. First and second buffer members are attached to the recessed sections, respectively.

Method of and apparatus for friction stir welding

Growing community of inventors

Wako, Japan

Masahiko Natsuume