Power storage system

Abstract

The present application relates to an electric power storage system including: a plurality of electric power storage units each including a plurality of battery packs; and a power collection unit connected to each of the plurality of electric power storage units and collecting electric power, each of the plurality of electric power storage units having a first circuit breaker via which the power collection unit is connected. The power collection unit is built into a first electric power storage unit among the plurality of electric power storage units, has a second circuit breaker for connection to each of second electric power storage units among the plurality of electric power storage units other than the first electric power storage unit, and is connected to each of the second electric power storage units via the first circuit breaker and the second circuit breaker. The power collection unit is connected to the first electric power storage unit via only the first circuit breaker.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to energy storage systems. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-015090 discloses a fixed-installation energy storage device in which multiple battery packs are stacked vertically and housed in a box-shaped casing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The inventors developed an energy storage system comprising multiple energy storage units (energy storage devices) and a current collector unit connected to and collecting power from each of the multiple energy storage units, and studied the miniaturization of the current collector unit.

[0004] This disclosure was made in view of the following circumstances, providing an energy storage system capable of miniaturizing the current collector unit.

[0005] The energy storage system involved in one aspect of this disclosure has the following features:

[0006] Multiple energy storage units, each equipped with multiple battery packs; and

[0007] A current collector unit is connected to and collects electricity from each of the plurality of energy storage units.

[0008] Each of the plurality of energy storage units has a first circuit breaker, via which it is connected to the current collector unit.

[0009] in,

[0010] The current collector is built into the first energy storage unit among the plurality of energy storage units, and has a second circuit breaker for connecting to each of the second energy storage units other than the first energy storage unit among the plurality of energy storage units.

[0011] Each of the current collection unit and the second energy storage unit is connected via the first circuit breaker and the second circuit breaker.

[0012] The current collector unit and the first energy storage unit are connected only through the first circuit breaker.

[0013] In the energy storage system disclosed herein, a current collector is built into a first energy storage unit among a plurality of energy storage units. A second circuit breaker is provided for connection to each of the second energy storage units other than the first energy storage unit. The current collector is connected to each of the second energy storage units via the first and second circuit breakers, and the current collector is connected to the first energy storage unit only via the first circuit breaker. Because the current collector is built into the first energy storage unit, the overall energy storage system can be miniaturized, and the current collector does not need to have a second circuit breaker for the first energy storage unit. The current collector built into the first energy storage unit can also be miniaturized.

[0014] Alternatively, in each of the multiple energy storage units, each of the multiple battery packs has a generally cuboid battery module and a protrusion protruding upward at one end of the battery module, and the multiple battery packs are stacked vertically and housed in a housing with the protrusions arranged alternately.

[0015] According to this disclosure, an energy storage system capable of miniaturizing the current collection unit can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, technical and industrial importance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same constituent elements, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the energy storage unit constituting the energy storage system according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a 3D view of battery pack 20.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the energy storage system involved in the comparative example.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of the energy storage system involved in the comparative example. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, for the sake of clarity, the following description and drawings have been appropriately simplified.

[0024] First Implementation Method

[0025] Composition of energy storage unit

[0026] First, refer to Figure 1 The configuration of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the energy storage system involved in this embodiment has multiple energy storage units. As an example, Figure 1The energy storage system shown includes one energy storage unit 100a and three energy storage units 100. Here, the energy storage unit (first energy storage unit) 100a has a built-in current collector 40, while the energy storage unit (second energy storage unit) 100 does not have a current collector 40.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the energy storage unit 100a and the energy storage unit 100 each have a circuit breaker (first circuit breaker) BR1, which is connected to the collector unit 40 built into the energy storage unit 100a via the circuit breaker BR1.

[0029] In addition, the collector unit 40 built into the energy storage unit 100a has three circuit breakers (second circuit breakers) BR2 for connecting to each energy storage unit 100.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the current collector 40 built into the energy storage unit 100a is connected to each energy storage unit 100 via circuit breakers BR1 and BR2. On the other hand, the current collector 40 built into the energy storage unit 100a is connected to the energy storage unit 100a only via circuit breaker BR1.

[0031] Here, the configuration of the energy storage unit 100a constituting the energy storage system will be explained. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the energy storage unit constituting the energy storage system according to the first embodiment.

[0032] In addition, of course, Figure 2 The right-handed XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown is for illustrating the positional relationships of the constituent elements. Figure 2 In this context, the positive Z-axis is usually the vertical direction, and the XY plane is the horizontal plane; these are common to all the attached diagrams.

[0033] The energy storage unit 100a constituting the energy storage system according to this embodiment is, for example, an energy storage unit that can be installed outdoors. Figure 2 As shown, the energy storage unit 100a has multiple battery packs 20 inside the housing 10. Additionally, as... Figure 2 As shown by the double-dotted line, each battery pack 20 has a controller 30 on the negative X-axis side. Furthermore, on the negative X-axis side of the battery pack 20, the energy storage unit 100a has a current collection unit 40 within the housing 10 between the controllers 30 arranged along the Y-axis.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, nine battery packs 20 are housed within the housing 10, but the number of battery packs 20 is not limited as long as there are multiple packs.

[0035] In addition, the structure of the energy storage unit 100 is the same as that of the energy storage unit 100a, except that it does not have the current collecting unit 40.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 10 is rectangular or box-shaped, and consists of an upper surface 11, a bottom surface 12, a front surface 13, a back surface 14, and a pair of side surfaces (not shown) located at both ends in the X-axis direction. The housing 10 is made of a metal plate, such as a steel plate.

[0037] Battery pack 20, for example, is a lithium-ion battery, which is a battery pack used in vehicles.

[0038] Here, Figure 3 This is a 3D view of battery pack 20. (See image below.) Figure 3 As shown, the battery pack 20 includes a battery module 21 and a protrusion 22.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, the battery module 21 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The battery module 21 is the main body of the battery pack 20, and is composed of, for example, multiple battery cells arranged side by side in the X-axis or Y-axis direction.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the protrusion 22 is configured to protrude upward at one end in the Y-axis direction of the battery module 21. Electrical devices such as relay circuits, fuses, and current sensors are housed in the protrusion 22.

[0041] Here, as Figure 2 As shown, multiple battery packs 20 are arranged in a staggered manner with protrusions 22 in the Y-axis direction, overlapping in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and housed in the housing 10. In other words, multiple battery packs 20 are overlapped in the vertical direction with protrusions 22 protruding outwards in a staggered manner. Therefore, the height and center of gravity of the energy storage unit are lowered, and the shock resistance of the energy storage unit is improved.

[0042] Circuit configuration of the energy storage unit

[0043] Next, refer to Figure 4 The circuit configuration of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment.

[0044] like Figure 4 As shown, in the energy storage unit 100a and each of the energy storage units 100, the positive and negative terminals of the multiple battery packs 20 connected in series are each connected to the circuit breaker BR1.

[0045] Furthermore, each of the positive and negative terminals of each energy storage unit 100 is connected via circuit breaker BR1 to circuit breaker BR2 of the current collector unit 40 built into the energy storage unit 100a. Here, as... Figure 4As shown, in addition to having three circuit breakers BR2, the current collector 40 also has a positive terminal connection 41 and a negative terminal connection 42.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, the positive terminal of each energy storage unit 100 is connected to the positive terminal connection part 41 of the current collector unit 40 via circuit breakers BR1 and BR2. The negative terminal of each energy storage unit 100 is connected to the negative terminal connection part 42 of the current collector unit 40 via circuit breakers BR1 and BR2.

[0047] On the other hand, the positive terminal of the energy storage unit 100a with the built-in current collector 40 is connected to the positive terminal connection portion 41 of the current collector 40 only via the circuit breaker BR1. On the other hand, the negative terminal of the energy storage unit 100a is connected to the negative terminal connection portion 42 of the current collector 40 only via the circuit breaker BR1.

[0048] Moreover, such as Figure 4 As shown, the positive terminal connection 41 and the negative terminal connection 42 of the current collector 40 are connected to the power control unit (PCU), for example.

[0049] The configuration of the energy storage unit involved in the comparative example

[0050] Next, refer to Figure 5 The configuration of the energy storage system involved in the comparative example will be explained. Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the energy storage system involved in the comparative example.

[0051] like Figure 5 As shown, the comparative example involves a storage system with 4 units. Figure 1 The energy storage system shown includes an energy storage unit 100, and a collector unit 40a separate from the energy storage unit 100.

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown, each energy storage unit 100 is equipped with a circuit breaker BR1, which is connected to the collector unit 40a via the circuit breaker BR1.

[0053] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the current collector unit 40a has four circuit breakers BR2 for connecting to each energy storage unit 100. Moreover, the current collector unit 40a is connected to each energy storage unit 100 via circuit breakers BR1 and BR2.

[0054] Furthermore, each energy storage unit 100 can be used as an individual energy storage device. When the energy storage unit 100 is used as an individual device, the current collector unit 40a is not required. On the other hand, in an energy storage system having multiple energy storage units 100, the current collector unit 40a is required.

[0055] Circuit configuration of the energy storage unit involved in the comparative example

[0056] Next, refer to Figure 6 The circuit configuration of the energy storage system involved in the comparative example will be explained. Figure 6 This is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of the energy storage system involved in the comparative example.

[0057] like Figure 6 As shown, in each energy storage unit 100, the positive and negative terminals of each of the multiple battery packs 20 connected in series are connected to the circuit breaker BR1.

[0058] Furthermore, each of the positive and negative terminals of each energy storage unit 100 is connected to the circuit breaker BR2 of the current collector unit 40a via circuit breaker BR1. Here, as... Figure 6 As shown, in addition to having four circuit breakers BR2, the current collector 40a also has a positive connection part 41 and a negative connection part 42.

[0059] like Figure 6 As shown, the positive terminal of each energy storage unit 100 is connected to the positive terminal connection part 41 of the current collector unit 40a via circuit breakers BR1 and BR2. The negative terminal of each energy storage unit 100 is connected to the negative terminal connection part 42 of the current collector unit 40a via circuit breakers BR1 and BR2.

[0060] Moreover, such as Figure 6 As shown, the positive terminal connection 41 and the negative terminal connection 42 of the current collector 40a are connected to, for example, a power control unit (PCU).

[0061] Effects of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment

[0062] Next, the effects of the energy storage system according to this embodiment will be explained. Figure 1 and Figure 4 In the energy storage system described in this embodiment, and Figure 5 and Figure 6 Compared to the energy storage system involved in the comparative example shown, the current collector 40 is built into the energy storage unit 100a, so the overall energy storage system can be miniaturized.

[0063] Furthermore, since the current collector 40 is integrated into the energy storage unit 100a, there is no need for a circuit breaker BR2 for the energy storage unit 100a, and the current collector 40 can also be miniaturized. Specifically, in Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the energy storage system involved in the comparative example shown, the collector unit 40a has four circuit breakers BR2. In contrast, in... Figure 1 and Figure 4In the energy storage system of this embodiment shown, the current collector unit 40 includes three circuit breakers BR2. That is, in the energy storage system of this embodiment, one circuit breaker BR2 of the current collector unit 40 can be reduced, and the current collector unit 40 can be miniaturized.

[0064] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the subject.

Claims

1. An energy storage system, comprising: Multiple energy storage units, each equipped with multiple battery packs; and A current collector unit is connected to and collects electricity from each of the plurality of energy storage units. Each of the plurality of energy storage units has a first circuit breaker, via which it is connected to the current collector unit. in, The current collector is built into the first energy storage unit among the plurality of energy storage units, and has a second circuit breaker for connecting to each of the second energy storage units other than the first energy storage unit among the plurality of energy storage units. Each of the current collection unit and the second energy storage unit is connected via the first circuit breaker and the second circuit breaker. The current collector unit and the first energy storage unit are connected only through the first circuit breaker.

2. The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein, In each of the multiple energy storage units, Each of the plurality of battery packs has a generally rectangular parallelepiped battery module and a protrusion extending upward at one end of the battery module. The multiple battery packs are arranged in an alternating manner in the vertical direction and housed in the housing.

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