Electricity storage device

Abstract

An electricity storage device according to the present disclosure comprises a plurality of battery modules and a frame that holds the battery modules. The frame has a plurality of support plates that support the battery modules. A bottom surface of each battery module and a main surface of each of the support plates are joined to one another. Each of the support plates is joined to another support plate by means of a clamp that is attached to the main surface of the support plate. With such a configuration, the electricity storage device according to the present disclosure provides sufficient fixation of the mounted battery modules, even if a storage battery vibrates due to earthquakes, transport, and the like. Consequently, the electricity storage device according to the present disclosure enables an improvement in earthquake safety.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electricity storage device. 2. Description of the related prior art

[0002] Unexamined Japanese patent application disclosure no. 2021-132006 (JP 2021-132006 A) describes an electricity storage device comprising battery modules, a control unit for the battery modules, a frame that accommodates the battery modules and the control unit, and a cover that covers the frame. In the electricity storage device described in JP 2021-132006 A, each battery module is attached from a side surface by means of a mounting bracket. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] As described above, in the electricity storage device described in JP 2021-132006 A, the battery module is attached only by the connector mounted on the side surface.

[0004] Therefore, with the electricity storage device described in JP 2021-132006 A, it was feared that the battery module would not be sufficiently secured if vibrations occurred due to earthquakes, transport, and the like. In other words, the electricity storage device according to the related prior art had the problem that its earthquake resistance was insufficient.

[0005] The present disclosure was made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and one of its aims is to provide an electricity storage device capable of improving earthquake safety.

[0006] An electricity storage device according to the present disclosure comprises a plurality of battery modules and a frame that holds the battery modules. The frame has a plurality of support plates that support the battery modules. A bottom surface of each battery module and a main surface of each of the support plates are joined to one another. Each of the support plates is joined to another support plate by means of a clamp that is attached to the main surface of the support plate. With such a configuration, the electricity storage device according to the present disclosure enables the held battery modules to be sufficiently fixed, even if a storage battery vibrates due to earthquakes, transport, and the like. Consequently, the electricity storage device according to the present disclosure enables an improvement in earthquake safety.

[0007] In the electricity storage device according to the present disclosure, the clamp can have a U-shaped section. With such a configuration, the electricity storage device according to the present disclosure allows the support plates to be joined more tightly. Consequently, the electricity storage device according to the present disclosure enables a further improvement in earthquake resistance.

[0008] The electricity storage device according to the present disclosure can further comprise a housing that accommodates the battery modules and the frame. The clamp can be attached to a side wall of the housing. With such a configuration, the electricity storage device according to the present disclosure allows for a more secure attachment of the battery modules, the support plates, and the clamps. Consequently, the seismic resistance of the electricity storage device according to the present disclosure can be further improved.

[0009] The electricity storage device according to the present disclosure may further comprise a housing that accommodates the battery modules and the frame. A sealing surface of the housing may be arranged such that it does not intersect with the frame.

[0010] With such a configuration, the electricity storage device according to the present disclosure allows the battery modules and the frame to be mounted on the inside of the housing with high strength. As a result, the electricity storage device according to the present disclosure enables a further improvement in earthquake resistance.

[0011] This disclosure makes it possible to provide an electricity storage device with excellent earthquake safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same symbols denote the same elements and in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electricity storage device according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal device of the electricity storage device according to the first embodiment; Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a battery module and a support plate according to the first embodiment; and Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bracket according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES First example of implementation Configuration of electricity storage devices

[0013] With reference to the drawings, a first embodiment according to the present disclosure is described in detail below. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view to describe the configuration of an electricity storage device according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Of course, the ones in Fig. The right-handed orthogonal xyz coordinates shown in Figure 1 and other drawings are suitable coordinates for describing the positional relationship between components. In the present embodiment, the positive direction of the z-axis and the xy-plane are in Fig. In 1 and the other drawings, the vertical upper direction or the horizontal plane, and the positive direction of the z-axis and the xy-plane are used together in the drawings.

[0015] An electricity storage device B is a permanently installed electricity storage device. The electricity storage device B is installed, for example, in a house or similar structure and serves to store household electricity, emergency backup power, electricity for sale, and similar amounts. The electricity storage device B comprises an inner device I, a housing 4, and an outer cover (not shown). The outer cover is designed to surround the perimeter of the housing 4 and serves to protect the housing 4 and the inner device I from flying objects, improve the design characteristics, and the like.

[0016] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, in the electricity storage device B according to the present embodiment, the internal device I is included in an interior space of the housing 4.

[0017] The housing 4 is a box-shaped body that protects the inner device I and is typically made of a metal main material. The housing 4 comprises a housing main body 41 and a housing cover part 42.

[0018] The main housing body 41 is essentially a cuboid, box-shaped structural body with an opening section parallel to the zx-plane. The opening section of the main housing body 41 is closed by the housing cover section 42, which is a plate-shaped structural body. The inner surface of the main housing body 41 accommodates the internal device I.

[0019] The main body of the housing 41 is attached to the inner device I on its inner wall surface.

[0020] Although details will be described later, according to the present embodiment, the main body of the housing 41 is attached to the indoor unit I on an inner wall surface parallel to the zx plane, i.e. on a side wall.

[0021] The main housing body 41 according to the present embodiment is attached to the inner device I on a surface which is located on the negative side of the z-axis outside the planes parallel to the xy-plane, i.e. on a bottom surface thereof.

[0022] The housing 4 is attached to a mounting surface on which the electricity storage device B is arranged. Therefore, the internal device I is also attached to the mounting surface via the housing 4.

[0023] The electricity storage device B according to the present embodiment makes it possible to attach the housing 4 and the internal apparatus I in a suitable manner. This makes it possible to improve earthquake resistance.

[0024] The main housing body 41 is, according to the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1 shown, designed such that the opening section parallel to the zx plane is arranged on the side negative in the y-direction relative to the inner apparatus I.

[0025] In other words, in the housing 4 according to the present embodiment, a sealing surface is arranged such that it does not intersect with a frame 3 of the indoor unit I.

[0026] In such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide connection lines in the housing 4 with respect to the housing cover section 42 on a top surface and a bottom surface parallel to the xy-plane and side surfaces parallel to the yz-plane. This makes it possible to improve the strength of the housing 4.

[0027] With such a configuration it is possible to design the housing cover part 42 as a simple plate-shaped structural body and thus reduce manufacturing costs.

[0028] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the main body of the housing 41 according to the present embodiment has an opening section which runs parallel to a main surface of the indoor unit I and is essentially cuboid in shape.

[0029] With this configuration, the indoor unit I can easily be integrated into the housing 4 at the time of manufacture. This makes it possible to improve manufacturing efficiency.

[0030] The housing 4 is sealed by mechanically fastening the main housing body 41 and the housing cover part 42 to each other along the outer edges of the opening area of ​​the main housing body 41. The method for mechanically fastening the main housing body 41 and the housing cover part 42 to each other is not particularly restricted, but it is preferable to carry out the fastening using a demountable method in order to perform regular maintenance of the indoor unit I.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the internal device of the electricity storage device according to the first embodiment.

[0032] The internal device I is a device that is included inside the housing 4 and has the functions of operational control of the electricity storage device B, input and output of electricity, storage of electricity and the like.

[0033] The internal device I comprises the battery modules 1, the control unit 2 and the frame 3.

[0034] Battery module 1 is a secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-hydride battery. Battery module 1 operates based on control by control unit 2.

[0035] Specifically, battery module 1 receives power from an external source and stores this power based on the control of control unit 2. Subsequently, battery module 1 releases the stored power to the outside world, also based on the control of control unit 2. In other words, battery module 1 exchanges power with the outside world based on the control of control unit 2.

[0036] Battery module 1 exchanges power via a cable (in Fig. 2 (not shown) current with the outside world.

[0037] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the electricity storage device B according to the present embodiment comprises a plurality of battery modules 1, and the battery modules 1 are arranged in the direction of the z-axis, i.e. in the vertical direction, and are received in the frame 3.

[0038] In battery module 1, a negative side of surfaces parallel to the xy-plane, i.e., a base surface, lying on the z-axis, is supported by a support plate 31. The base surface of battery module 1 and a main surface of the support plate 31 are attached to each other; details will be described later.

[0039] In battery module 1, a surface on the positive side of the z-axis outside the surfaces parallel to the xy-plane, i.e., an upper surface, is covered by the support plate 31, which differs from the support plate 31 described above. In battery module 1, two side surfaces parallel to the yz-plane are covered by brackets 32 described later.

[0040] In other words, the battery module 1 is accommodated in a space formed by two support plates 31 and two clamps 32.

[0041] Control unit 2 controls the operation of the electricity storage device B.

[0042] The control unit 2 can, for example, control the amount of current supplied to the battery module 1 from the outside, or the amount of current delivered from the battery module 1 to the outside.

[0043] The control unit 2 can, for example, monitor the temperature of a battery, the voltage and the like, calculate a limit value in relation to the voltage and current to the battery and communicate with an external device.

[0044] The control unit 2 comprises, for example, a processing unit such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a storage unit such as random-access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM) in which a program and data for controlling the electricity storage device B are stored (not shown). In other words, the control unit 2 functions as a computer and controls the operation of the electricity storage device B based on the program.

[0045] Therefore, every function performed by the exemplary control unit 2 can be configured in hardware by the CPU, the memory unit, other circuits, and the like, and implemented in software by the program stored in the memory unit for controlling the electricity storage device B and the like. In other words, the control unit 2 can be realized in various forms through hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0046] The program contains a set of instructions (or software code) to cause a computer to perform one or more of the functions described in the embodiment when the instruction set (or software code) is read into the computer. The program may be stored on a non-transferable, computer-readable medium or a physical storage medium. By way of example, and not as a limitation, computer-readable or physical storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD) or other storage technologies, a CD-ROM, a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Blu-ray® disc or other optical disk storage, and a magnetic cartridge, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic devices. The program may be transferred on a transitory, computer-readable medium or a communication medium.The transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium may, for example, contain electrical, optical or acoustic propagation signals or propagation signals in other formats and does not represent a limitation.

[0047] The rack 3 is a shelf-like structure that houses the battery modules 1 and the control unit 2. The rack 3 has cuboid-shaped compartments arranged vertically, each containing one or more battery modules 1. The control unit 2 is mounted on an upper surface of the rack 3.

[0048] The frame 3 is attached to the mounting surface of the electricity storage device B via the housing 4. More precisely, the frame 3 is attached to the side wall and the bottom surface of the housing 4, which is attached to the mounting surface. Thus, the frame 3 is attached to the mounting surface of the electricity storage device B.

[0049] The frame 3 consists of the support plates 31 and the clamps 32.

[0050] The support plate 31 is a plate-shaped element that supports either the battery module 1 or the control unit 2. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the frame 3 comprises a plurality of support plates 31. The support plate 31 on the top stage supports the control unit 2, and the other support plates 31 support the battery modules 1.

[0051] The support plates 31 are joined to the other support plates 31 via the clamps 32 attached to the main surfaces.

[0052] Of the support plates 31 contained in the frame 3, the support plate 31 closest to the negative side of the z-axis, i.e., the lowest side in the vertical direction, is attached to the base surface of the housing 4. The support plate 31 can be attached directly to the base surface of the housing 4 or via a connecting tool or similar device. As described above, the support plates 31 are joined together by the clamps 32, and thus all support plates 31 are attached to the housing 4 by the configuration described above.

[0053] Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the battery module and the support plate according to the first embodiment.

[0054] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the base surface of the battery module 1, according to the present embodiment, rests against the main surface of the support plate 31 and is supported vertically from below. As described above, the base surface of the battery module 1, according to the present embodiment, and the main surface of the support plate 31 are attached to each other.

[0055] A method for attaching the base surface of the battery module 1 and the main surface of the support plate 31 to one another is not particularly restricted; any method can be used as long as it can attach the battery module 1 and the support plate 31 to one another in a suitable manner. For example, according to the present embodiment, the battery module 1 and the support plate 31 can be mechanically attached to one another at four corners of the base surface of the battery module 1.

[0056] In such a configuration, the battery module 1 according to the present embodiment is appropriately supported by the main surface of the support plate 31 against vibrations in the direction of the z-axis, i.e. in the vertical direction, and appropriately fastened to the support plate 31 by mechanical fastening against vibrations in a direction parallel to the xy-plane, i.e. to the horizontal plane.

[0057] Therefore, the electricity storage device B according to the present embodiment is able to adequately secure the integrated battery modules 1. Consequently, the electricity storage device B according to the present embodiment enables an improvement in earthquake resistance.

[0058] Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bracket according to the first embodiment.

[0059] The clamp 32 is a structural body with a U-shaped section in at least one part of it and joins the support plates 31 together.

[0060] The clamp 32 according to the present embodiment comprises fastening sections for the support plate on the top 321, a fastening section for the support plate on the bottom 322, a connecting section 323, a fastening section for the side wall 324 and a hole section 325.

[0061] The fastening sections 321 of the support plate on the upper side are plate-shaped parts that extend parallel to the xy-plane, one of which is provided on the positive and one on the negative side in the direction of the y-axis via a portion corresponding to the hole section 325 in the bracket 32 ​​according to the present embodiment. The upper support plate fastening sections 321 are attached to the main surface of the support plate 31, which is located on the positive side of the z-axis, i.e., on the upper side in the vertical direction.

[0062] The method for attaching the upper support plate fastening sections 321 and the support plate 31 to each other is not particularly limited and can be fastened, for example, mechanically or by welding.

[0063] The lower mounting section 322 of the support plate is a plate-shaped part that runs parallel to the xy-plane and extends in the direction of the y-axis. The lower support plate mounting section 322 is attached to the main surface of the support plate 31, which is located on the negative side of the z-axis, i.e., on the lower side in the vertical direction.

[0064] The way in which the lower support plate fastening section 322 and the support plate 31 are fastened to each other is not particularly limited and can be fastened, for example, mechanically or by welding.

[0065] The connecting section 323 is a plate-shaped part parallel to the yz-plane and connects the upper mounting sections of the support plate 321 and the lower mounting section of the support plate 322. The hole section 325 is provided in a central part of the connecting section 323 on the vertically upper side of the connecting section 323. The connecting section 323 lies substantially parallel to a side face of the battery module 1 and protects the side face of the battery module 1.

[0066] In the present embodiment, a U-shaped section is obtained when a part obtained by combining the fastening sections of the upper support plate 321, the fastening section of the lower support plate 322 and the connecting section 323 is cut off at a cutting surface parallel to the zx plane.

[0067] With such a configuration, the clamp 32, according to the present embodiment, is able to firmly fasten the support plates 31 together. This improves the earthquake resistance of the frame 3 according to the present embodiment.

[0068] Naturally, the cross-sectional shape of the part obtained by combining the fastening sections of the upper support plate 321, the fastening section of the lower support plate 322 and the connecting section 323 is not limited to a U-shape and can, for example, be an H-shape or an I-shape.

[0069] In other words, the clamp 32 according to the present disclosure can have any cross-sectional shape, as long as the clamps 32 have a shape with which the support plates 31 can be attached and joined together in a suitable manner.

[0070] The side wall mounting section 324 is attached to the side wall of the housing 4. In other words, the side wall mounting section 324 is attached to the inner wall surface parallel to the vertical direction of the inner wall surfaces contained in the housing 4. More precisely, according to the present embodiment, the side wall mounting section 324 is attached to the wall surface parallel to the zx plane, i.e., to the inner wall surface corresponding to the main surface of the housing body 41, of the inner wall surfaces contained in the housing 4.

[0071] In such a configuration, the frame 3 is more firmly connected to the housing 4, thus further improving the earthquake resistance of the electricity storage device B.

[0072] According to the present embodiment, the side wall fastening section 324 is arranged such that it is perpendicular to the fastening sections of the upper support plate 321, the fastening section of the lower support plate 322 and the connecting section 323.

[0073] In such a configuration, the frame 3 is even more firmly connected to the housing 4, which further improves the earthquake resistance of the electricity storage device B.

[0074] The hole section 325 acts as a passage designed to allow a cable extending from the battery module 1 to pass through it. The above configuration enables the electricity storage device B, according to the present embodiment, to secure the passage of the cable (not shown) extending from the battery module.

[0075] As described above, the electricity storage device B, according to the present embodiment, is an electricity storage device comprising battery modules 1 and a frame 3 that holds the battery modules. The frame 3 has support plates 31 that support the battery modules, and the bottom surfaces of the battery modules 1 and the main surfaces of the support plates 31 are attached to one another. The configuration described above enables the electricity storage device B to improve its earthquake resistance.

[0076] The electricity storage device B according to the present embodiment comprises a plurality of battery modules 1 and support plates 31, and the support plate 31 is joined to another support plate 31 via the clamps 32, which have a U-shaped cross-sectional form. The configuration described above enables the electricity storage device B to improve earthquake resistance.

[0077] The electricity storage device B according to the present embodiment further comprises the housing 4, which is arranged such that the sealing surface does not intersect with the frame 3. The above configuration enables the electricity storage device B according to the present embodiment to offer improved durability.

[0078] The housing 4 according to the present embodiment is attached to the side wall of the housing 4 by the clamps contained in the frame 3. The configuration described above enables the electricity storage device B according to the present disclosure to further improve earthquake resistance.

[0079] The present invention has been described above in accordance with the embodiment described above, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, and it is understood that various modifications, changes and combinations that can be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the invention are included in the claims of the present application. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2021-132006 A [0002, 0003, 0004]

Claims

[1] Electricity storage device, with: a large number of battery modules; and a frame that holds the battery modules, wherein the frame has a multitude of support plates that support the battery modules; a base surface of each of the battery modules and a main surface of each of the support plates are attached to one another; and Each of the support plates is joined to another of the support plates via a clamp attached to the main surface of the support plate. [2] Electricity storage device according to claim 1, wherein the clamp has a U-shaped section. [3] Electricity storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing that accommodates the battery modules and the frame, wherein the clamp is attached to a side wall of the housing. [4] Electricity storage device according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a housing that accommodates the battery modules and the frame, wherein a sealing surface of the housing is arranged so that it does not intersect with the frame.

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