Charging / discharging unit

Abstract

To provide a charging / discharging unit which can cool electric components and the inside of the housing while suppressing the number of fans.SOLUTION: A charging / discharging unit comprises: a battery (20); electric components (32, 42) which operate during charging / discharging of the battery (20); boxes (31, 41) in which the electric components (32, 42) are housed; fans (34, 44) provided on the boxes (31, 41); and a housing (2). In the charging / discharging unit, the housing (2) is provided with an inlet port (12a) and outlet ports (12b, 12c). The boxes (31, 41) have pairs of openings (31a, 31b, 41a, and 41b) which communicate the inside with the outside. The boxes (31, 41) are disposed inside the housing (2) such that one of the pairs of the openings, namely openings (31b, 41b), may be used in common with either one of the inlet port (12a) or the outlet ports (12b, 12c).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charge / discharge unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a cooling structure for cooling electrical components and a battery in an electronic device equipped with a battery has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration including a cooling fan that blows cooling air to heat dissipation fins to which heat generated by an electronic circuit unit as an electrical component is transferred, and a blower fan that blows air inside a battery storage unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-83167 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a fan for cooling electrical components and a fan for blowing air inside the housing are provided separately, which is a configuration that makes it easy to blow air according to the purpose. However, there is a problem that the noise level of the electronic device is likely to be high due to the large number of fans. There is also a problem that the power consumption of the electronic device is likely to be high due to the large number of fans. Furthermore, there is also a problem that the fans are likely to be placed close to the outside due to restrictions on the layout of the fans due to the large number of fans, which increases the risk of rainwater and dust entering. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a charge / discharge unit that can cool electrical components and the inside of the housing while reducing the number of fans. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The charging / discharging unit includes a battery, electrical components that operate when the battery is charged or discharged, a box in which the electrical components are housed, a fan provided in the box to blow air to the electrical components, and a housing in which the battery, the box, and the fan are housed, wherein the housing is formed with an intake port for introducing air from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing, and an exhaust port for exhausting air from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing, the box is formed with a pair of openings that connect the inside and outside of the box, and the box is installed inside the housing so that one of the pair of openings is shared with either the intake port or the exhaust port. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a charge / discharge unit that can cool electrical components and the inside of a housing while reducing the number of fans. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a charge / discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the rear surface of the housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an intake port and an exhaust port of the housing. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the front surface of the housing. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a DC / DC converter unit and an inverter unit from above. [Figure 7] 4 is a perspective view seen from above, showing the positions of a DC / DC converter unit and an inverter unit. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, back, left, right, up and down will be described assuming that they correspond to the directions indicated by the symbols FR, RE, LH, RH, UP, and DO shown in each drawing. In other words, the symbols FR, RE, LH, RH, UP, and DO indicate the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower, respectively.

[0009] [Embodiment Mode] Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a charge / discharge unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. The charge / discharge unit 1 is a portable power supply device that discharges the charged power to operate an external device that is powered by an AC power source or a DC power source.

[0010] The charge / discharge unit 1 includes a housing 2. The housing 2 includes a framework 10 (see FIG. 2) and generally flat panels 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 supported by the frame 10. The panels 11 to 16 are supported by the frame 10 to form a closed box shape, thereby forming the housing 2 having an internal space. The housing 2 of this embodiment has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. Hereinafter, the panels 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 will be referred to as the front panel 11, the rear panel 12, the left panel 13, the right panel 14, the upper panel 15, and the lower panel 16, respectively.

[0011] In this embodiment, a pair of left and right wheels 3 are rotatably supported on the bottom panel 16 of the housing 2. A pair of left and right legs 4 are supported in front of the wheels 3. The wheels 3 and legs 4 are in contact with the ground to hold the housing 2 stationary. In addition, the wheels 3 and legs 4 are in contact with the ground to hold the bottom panel 16 at a predetermined height away from the ground. A movable handle portion 5 is provided in the front of the housing 2. By lifting the movable handle portion 5, the legs 4 can be moved away from the ground, allowing the charging / discharging unit 1 to be moved by hand.

[0012] A battery 20, a DC / DC converter unit 30, an inverter unit 40, an electrical component case 50, etc. are arranged inside the housing 2. The battery 20, the DC / DC converter unit 30, the inverter unit 40, the electrical component case 50, etc. are cooled by air flowing inside the housing 2.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the rear surface of the housing 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the intake port 12a and the exhaust ports 12b and 12c of the housing 2. An intake port 12a is formed in the rear panel 12 of the housing 2, penetrating in the thickness direction. The intake port 12a is an opening that takes air from the outside into the inside of the housing 2. The intake port 12a is formed in the lower part of the rear panel 12. The intake port 12a is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction. A shielding plate 17 is provided below (rear of) the intake port 12a.

[0014] The shielding plate 17 has a flat body portion 17a extending along the lower edge of the air intake port 12a. The body portion 17a inclines backward as it advances upward. In other words, the body portion 17a moves away from the air intake port 12a as it advances upward. Triangular side wall portions 17b are formed on both the left and right sides of the body portion 17a. The side wall portions 17b are disposed on the left and right outer sides of the air intake port 12a. The front ends of the side wall portions 17b are formed with fixing portions 17c that are fixed to the rear panel 12.

[0015] An intake guide 18 is supported above the intake port 12a. The intake guide 18 extends downward so as to cover the intake port 12a and the shielding plate 17 from the rear. In detail, the intake guide 18 has a flat inclined portion 18a extending along the upper edge of the intake port 12a. The inclined portion 18a inclines downward as it advances rearward. A flat extending portion 18b extending downward is formed at the rear end of the inclined portion 18a. Side wall portions 18c are formed on both the left and right sides of the inclined portion 18a and the extending portion 18b. A fixing portion 18d that is fixed to the rear panel 12 is formed at the front ends of the inclined portion 18a, the extending portion 18b, and the side wall portion 18c.

[0016] By fixing the fixing portion 18d to the rear panel 12, the inclined portion 18a, the extending portion 18b, and the side wall portion 18c cover the intake port 12a and the shield plate 17 from the rear. The extending portion 18b and the lower end of the side wall portion 18c are surrounded by the rear panel 12 to form an upstream opening 18e that communicates with the intake port 12a. The air that flows in from the upstream opening 18e can flow into the housing 2 through the intake port 12a while bypassing the shield plate 17. The shield plate 17 prevents rainwater from entering the inside of the housing 2 through the intake port 12a even if it enters upward from the upstream opening 18e.

[0017] Exhaust ports 12b, 12c are provided above the intake guide 18, penetrating in the thickness direction. The exhaust ports 12b, 12c are openings for discharging air from the inside of the housing 2 to the outside. In this embodiment, the exhaust ports 12b, 12c are provided one on each of the left and right sides. The exhaust ports 12b, 12c open in a substantially rectangular shape.

[0018] An input port unit 70 is supported on the rear panel 12. The input port unit 70 protrudes rearward from the rear panel 12. The input port unit 70 has a DC input port 71 and an AC input port 72. For example, a high-speed charger is connected to the DC input port 71. For example, a commercial AC power source is connected to the AC input port 72. The battery 20 is charged via the DC input port 71 and the AC input port 72.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 3, the rear panel 12 is covered from the rear by a rear cover 19. Thus, the rear cover 19 covers the intake guide 18 and the exhaust ports 12b, 12c from the rear. The rear cover 19 has an upper portion 19a, a lower portion 19b, and an intermediate portion 19c connecting the upper portion 19a and the lower portion 19b. The upper portion 19a protrudes rearward more than the lower portion 19b in accordance with the input port unit 70. A port opening 19a1 that exposes the input port unit 70 rearward is formed in the upper portion 19a.

[0020] The lower portion 19b is adjacent to and extends downward along the extending portion 18b of the intake guide 18. A downstream opening 19c1 that penetrates in the vertical direction is formed in the middle portion 19c. Air discharged from the exhaust ports 12b, 12c is discharged to the outside of the rear cover 19 through the downstream opening 19c1. Both the exhaust ports 12b, 12c and the downstream opening 19c1 of the rear cover 19 are located above the intake port 12a and the upstream opening 18e.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, a battery 20 is disposed inside the housing 2 in front of the air intake 12a. The battery 20 has a case 21 having a rectangular parallelepiped appearance and a battery main body 22 housed inside the case 21 and charged and discharged. A plurality of batteries 20 are disposed under the housing 2. In this embodiment, a plurality of batteries 20 are also disposed in the front-rear direction. The batteries 20 are disposed with a predetermined gap between them. A cylindrical spacer 23 is disposed between the lower battery 20 and the lower panel 16. A cylindrical spacer 24 is disposed between the upper battery 20 and the lower battery 20. The spacers 23 and 24 form a space around the battery 20 through which air can move.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the front surface of the housing 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, various electrical components 60, 61 are disposed in front of the battery 20. The height of the electrical components 60, 61 is formed to be approximately the same as the upper end surface of the battery 20. Thus, a space extending in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is formed above the battery 20 and the electrical components 60, 61. An output port unit 80 is disposed above the electrical components 60, 61. The output port unit 80 is provided with AC output ports 81, 82 and a DC output port 83. An external device is connected to the AC output ports 81, 82 and the DC output port 83 via wiring (not shown). As a result, power is supplied from the battery 20 to the external device.

[0023] Fig. 6 is a perspective view from above showing the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter unit 40. Fig. 7 is a perspective view from above showing the arrangement positions of the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter unit 40. A DC / DC converter unit 30 and an inverter unit 40 are arranged in the width direction (left-right direction) above the battery 20 and the electrical components 61, 62. The DC / DC converter unit 30 is arranged on the left side (one side in the left-right direction) within the housing 2. The inverter unit 40 is arranged on the right side (the other side in the left-right direction) within the housing 2.

[0024] The DC / DC converter unit 30 has a box 31 that has a rectangular parallelepiped appearance and extends in the front-rear direction. The box 31 has a length equal to or greater than half the length of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction. Inside the box 31, a DC / DC converter circuit board (electrical component) 32 that converts the voltage of DC power when the battery 20 is charged or discharged, heat dissipation fins 33 attached to elements of the DC / DC converter circuit board 32, and the like are arranged.

[0025] The fins of the heat dissipation fins 33 extend in the front-rear direction (the longitudinal direction of the box 31) and are spaced apart in the vertical direction (see FIG. 2). A pair of openings 31a, 31b (see FIG. 7) are formed at both ends of the longitudinal direction of the box 31. Thus, air entering the box 31 from one of the openings 31a, 31b can pass through the inside of the box 31 and flow out from the other openings 31b, 31a. Note that the box 31 may have gaps. In other words, the box 31 does not need to have a sealed structure, and it is sufficient that most of the air entering from one of the openings 31a, 31b can pass through the inside of the box 31 and flow out from the other openings 31b, 31a.

[0026] A cooling fan (fan) 34 for blowing air into the box 31 is provided at the opening 31a of the box 31. In this embodiment, the cooling fan 34 is fixed to a duct 35. The duct 35 is fixed to the box 31 so as to communicate with the opening 31a. As a result, the cooling fan 34 is disposed at the opening 31a of the box 31 via the duct 35. The cooling fan 34 blows air into the box 31 via the duct 35. Thus, in the box 31 of the DC / DC converter unit 30, the opening 31a functions as an intake port of the box 31, and the opening 31b functions as an exhaust port of the box 31. The opening 31b is formed at least in the upper part of the box 31. In this embodiment, the opening 31b is formed from the upper part of the box 31 toward the lower part.

[0027] A fixing portion 31c is formed on the left surface (one side surface in the left-right direction) of the box 31. The fixing portion 31c protrudes leftward beyond the left surface of the box 31. The fixing portion 31c abuts against the left surface panel 13 and is fixed thereto. Therefore, in the DC / DC converter unit 30, a space is easily formed between the left surface panel 13 and the left surface of the box 31. The box 31 has an electrical unit fixing portion 31d formed in a protruding, strip-like shape on the right surface (the other side surface in the left-right direction) of the box 31. The box 31, the DC / DC converter circuit board 32, the heat dissipation fins 33, the cooling fan 34, the duct 35, and the like constitute a DC / DC converter unit 30 of this embodiment.

[0028] The inverter unit 40 is configured similarly to the DC / DC converter unit 30, except that the inverter unit 40 has an inverter circuit board (electrical components) 42 instead of the DC / DC converter circuit board 32. In detail, the inverter unit 40 has a box 41 having a rectangular parallelepiped appearance extending in the front-rear direction. The box 41 has a length equal to or more than half the length of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction. The box 41 has a length in the front-rear direction similar to that of the box 31 of the DC / DC converter unit 30. Inside the box 41, an inverter circuit board 42 that converts DC power into AC power when the battery 20 is charged or discharged, heat dissipation fins 43 attached to elements of the inverter circuit board 42, etc. are arranged.

[0029] Each fin of the heat dissipation fins 43 extends in the front-rear direction and is spaced apart in the up-down direction (see FIG. 2). A pair of openings 41a, 41b (see FIG. 7) is formed at both ends of the box 41 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, air entering the box 41 from one of the openings 41a, 41b can pass through the inside of the box 41 and flow out from the other openings 41b, 41a. Note that the box 41 may have a gap. In other words, the box 41 does not need to have a sealed structure, and it is sufficient that most of the air entering from one of the openings 41a, 41b can pass through the inside of the box 41 and flow out from the other openings 41b, 41a.

[0030] A cooling fan (fan) 44 for blowing air into the box 41 is provided in the opening 41a of the box 41. In this embodiment, the cooling fan 44 is fixed to a duct 45. The duct 45 is fixed to the box 41 so as to communicate with the opening 41a. As a result, the cooling fan 44 is disposed in the opening 41a of the box 41 via the duct 45. The cooling fan 44 blows air into the box 41 via the duct 45. Thus, in the box 41 of the inverter unit 40, the opening 41a functions as an intake port of the box 41, and the opening 41b functions as an exhaust port of the box 41. The opening 41b is formed at least in the upper part of the box 41. In this embodiment, the opening 41b is formed from the upper part of the box 41 toward the lower part.

[0031] Box fixing part 41c is formed on the right side (the other side in the left-right direction) of the front and rear faces of box 41. Box 41 is fixed to the housing 2 by box fixing part 41c. An electrical unit fixing part (not shown) formed in a protruding piece shape is formed on the left face (one side face in the left-right direction) of box 41. The box 41, the inverter circuit board 42, the heat dissipation fins 43, the cooling fan 44, the duct 45, and the like constitute the inverter unit 40 of the present embodiment.

[0032] The DC / DC converter unit 30 is disposed so that the opening 31b is shared with the exhaust port 12b of the housing 2. That is, the opening 31b functioning as the exhaust port of the box 31 is disposed so as to function as the exhaust port 12b of the housing 2. In this embodiment, a duct 36 (see FIG. 7) is connected between the opening 31b and the exhaust port 12b of the housing 2. The duct 36 in this embodiment extends in the horizontal direction. The duct 36 connects the opening 31b and the exhaust port 12b of the housing 2. As a result, in this embodiment, the opening 31b of the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the exhaust port 12b of the housing 2 are shared.

[0033] The inverter unit 40 is arranged so that the opening 41b is shared with the exhaust port 12c of the housing 2. That is, the opening 41b that functions as the exhaust port of the box 41 is arranged so as to function as the exhaust port 12c of the housing 2. In this embodiment, a duct 46 (see FIG. 7) is connected between the opening 41b and the exhaust port 12c of the housing 2. The duct 46 in this embodiment extends in the horizontal direction. The duct 46 connects the opening 41b and the exhaust port 12c of the housing 2. As a result, in this embodiment, the opening 41b of the inverter unit 40 and the exhaust port 12c of the housing 2 are shared.

[0034] By connecting the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter unit 40 to the exhaust ports 12b, 12c via the ducts 36, 46, even if the positions or sizes of the openings 31b, 41b of the boxes 31, 41 and the exhaust ports 12b, 12c are different, the openings 31b, 41b can easily be made common to the exhaust ports 12b, 12c. In this embodiment, the ducts 36, 46 are smaller than the left-right width of the boxes 31, 41. This allows air to move vertically on both sides of the ducts 36, 46. Therefore, air immediately after flowing in from the lower air intake port 12a can move upward from around the ducts 36, 46. In other words, air that is relatively low in temperature immediately after flowing in can easily flow throughout the entire housing 2.

[0035] An electrical case 50 is disposed between the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter unit 40. The electrical case 50 is fixed to the electrical unit fixing portion 31d between the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter unit 40. Various electrical components 51, 52, 53, etc. are disposed in the electrical case 50. The electrical components 51 to 53 generate less heat than the DC / DC converter circuit board 32 of the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter circuit board 42 of the inverter unit 40. The bottom surface of the electrical case 50 is recessed upward in a stepped shape at the front. The front of the electrical case 50 is smaller in the vertical direction than the rear. A heat dissipating fin 54 is disposed between the front of the electrical case 50 and the battery 20. The heat dissipating fin 54 is supported by the case 21 of the battery 20 via a stay 55. The fins of the heat dissipating fin 54 extend in the left-right direction and are formed at intervals in the front-rear direction.

[0036] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of this embodiment corresponding to Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of this embodiment corresponding to Fig. 7. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the power supply of the charge / discharge unit 1 is turned on and the cooling fans 34, 44 are driven, the inside of the boxes 31, 41 becomes positive pressure due to the blowing action of the cooling fans 34, 44, and the outside of the boxes 31, 41 in the housing 2 becomes negative pressure. Air is exhausted from the exhaust ports 12b, 12c communicating with the boxes 31, 41, which are under positive pressure. Also, air is sucked in from the intake port 12a communicating with the inside of the housing 2, which is under negative pressure.

[0037] That is, in the charge / discharge unit 1, air moves from the intake port 12a toward the cooling fans 34, 44, as indicated by the thick solid arrows. Also, in the charge / discharge unit 1, air moves from the cooling fans 34, 44 toward the exhaust ports 12b, 12c, as indicated by the thick dashed arrows. Note that in Fig. 8, the positions of the thick arrows do not necessarily match in the left-right direction. Also, in Fig. 9, the positions of the thick arrows do not necessarily match in the up-down direction.

[0038] In this manner, in the charge / discharge unit 1, cooling air is generated that flows through the cooling fans 34 and 44 from the intake port 12a to the exhaust ports 12b and 12c.

[0039] In detail, air is drawn into intake port 12a from below bottom panel 16 through upstream opening 18e. At this time, the air moving upward from upstream opening 18e moves upward while bypassing shielding plate 17 as shown by arrow A11 in Fig. 8. Then, as shown by arrow A12, the air is drawn into the inside of housing 2 through intake port 12a which is long in the left-right direction.

[0040] The sucked air moves up and down and left and right inside the housing 2 as it hits components inside the housing 2, such as the case 21 of the battery 20, and moves toward the cooling fans 34, 44 in the front.

[0041] The air that has moved to the bottom of the housing 2 moves forward through the space around the battery 20, as shown by arrow A21. The air that has passed through the battery 20 moves from bottom to top, as shown by arrow A22, toward the cooling fans 34, 44. The air flowing in the directions of arrows A21, A22 moves while cooling the battery 20 and electrical components 61, 62.

[0042] As shown by arrow A31, the air that has moved to the upper part of housing 2 moves forward above battery 20 as shown by arrow A32, and moves further upward as shown by arrow A41. The air moving as shown by the arrow A32 passes around the electrical component case 50 and moves toward the cooling fans 34, 44. The air moving as shown by the arrow A32 cools the electrical component case 50 and the heat dissipation fins 54.

[0043] Moreover, the air that has moved to the upper part of the housing 2 passes above the electrical component case 50, the DC / DC converter unit 30, the inverter unit 40, etc., and moves toward the cooling fans 34, 44 in the front, as indicated by arrow A42. Therefore, the air sucked in from the intake port 12a can move throughout the inside of the housing 2 outside the boxes 31, 41, and is sucked into the cooling fans 34, 44 while cooling the entire inside of the housing 2 outside the boxes 31, 41.

[0044] The air drawn into the cooling fans 34, 44 is blown toward the heat dissipation fins 33, 43 in each box 31, 41 as shown by arrows A51, A52, A61, A62. Thus, the heat dissipation fins 33, 43 are air-cooled, and the elements of the circuit boards 32, 42 are cooled via the heat dissipation fins 33, 43. The air that has cooled the heat dissipation fins 33, 43 and has been heated is discharged from the exhaust ports 12b, 12c as shown by arrows A53, A63, and then discharged to the outside of the housing 2 from the downstream opening 19c1. The air discharged from the downstream opening 19c1 is discharged to the center of the housing 2 in the vertical direction, and is easily discharged to a position away from the upstream opening 18e.

[0045] Here, the elements of the circuit boards 32, 42 are electrical components that generate a higher temperature than the battery 20 and the other electrical components 51-53, 60, 61. Therefore, even the air that has been heated after cooling the other electrical components 51-53, 60, 61 can cool the elements of the circuit boards 32, 42.

[0046] Therefore, in this embodiment, air can be introduced from the intake port 12a and exhausted from the exhaust ports 12b, 12c by driving the cooling fans 34, 44 provided in the boxes 31, 41. Since there is no need to provide intake fans or exhaust fans at the intake port 12a and the exhaust ports 12b, 12c, the number of fans can be reduced.

[0047] In particular, in this embodiment, the elements of the circuit boards 32, 42 that generate the most heat are arranged downstream of the air flow path in the housing 2, and are stored in a dedicated flow path called the boxes 31, 41. Therefore, even if the cooling fans 34, 44 are stopped, the property of high-temperature air rising can be used to exhaust high-temperature air to the outside of the boxes 31, 41 and the housing 2 from the openings 31b, 41b that open at the tops of the boxes 31, 41. At this time, when the air is exhausted to the outside of the housing 2, the air is sucked into the housing 2 from the intake port 12a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structure is such that heat is unlikely to build up in the housing 2 or the boxes 31, 41 even after the cooling fans 34, 44 are stopped.

[0048] As described above, according to this embodiment to which the present invention is applied, in a charge / discharge unit 1 including a battery 20, circuit boards 32, 42 that operate when charging / discharging the battery 20, boxes 31, 41 in which the circuit boards 32, 42 are housed, cooling fans 34, 44 that are provided in the boxes 31, 41 and send air to the circuit boards 32, 42, and a housing 2 in which the battery 20, the boxes 31, 41 and the cooling fans 34, 44 are housed, the housing 2 includes a cooling fan 34, 44 that blows air from the outside of the housing 2 to the inside of the housing 2. The boxes 31 and 41 are provided with an intake port 12a for introducing air and exhaust ports 12b and 12c for discharging air from the inside of the housing 2 to the outside of the housing 2, and the boxes 31 and 41 are provided with a pair of openings 31a, 31b, 41a and 41b that connect the inside of the boxes 31 and 41 to the outside, and the boxes 31 and 41 are installed inside the housing 2 such that one opening 31b and 41b of the pair of openings 31a, 31b, 41a and 41b is shared with either the intake port 12a or the exhaust port 12b and 12c. According to this configuration, the cooling of the circuit boards 32, 42 in the boxes 31, 41 and the cooling of the entire inside of the housing 2 can be realized by the same cooling fans 34, 44. Therefore, it is possible to cool the elements of the circuit boards 32, 42 and the inside of the housing 2 while suppressing the number of cooling fans 34, 44. Therefore, since the number of cooling fans 34, 44 can be suppressed, it is easy to suppress the noise value of the charge / discharge unit 1. In addition, since the number of cooling fans 34, 44 can be suppressed, it is easy to suppress the power consumption of the charge / discharge unit 1. Furthermore, since the number of cooling fans 34, 44 can be suppressed, it is easy to arrange all the cooling fans 34, 44 outside the housing 2, that is, away from the intake port 12a and the exhaust port 12b, 12c, and it is easy to suppress the risk of rainwater and dust entering the housing 2.

[0049] In this embodiment, the boxes 31 and 41 are installed inside the housing 2 so that one opening 31b, 41b of a pair of openings 31a, 31b, 41a, 41b is shared with the exhaust ports 12b, 12c. According to this configuration, the temperature of the circuit boards 32, 42 in the boxes 31, 41 is higher than the temperature of the electrical components 51-53, 60, 61 outside the boxes 31, 41, so that even the air that has been heated by cooling the electrical components 51-53, 60, 61 outside the boxes 31, 41 can effectively cool the circuit boards 32, 42 in the boxes 31, 41.

[0050] In this embodiment, the cooling fans 34 and 44 are installed in the other opening 31a and 41a of the pair of openings 31a, 31b, 41a and 41b. According to this configuration, the other opening 31a, 41a of the pair of openings 31a, 31b, 41a, 41b serves as an intake port for the boxes 31, 41, so the cooling fans 34, 44 are likely to be located farther away than the exhaust ports 12b, 12c. Therefore, the cooling fans 34, 44 are likely to be disposed in a recessed position in the housing 2, which makes it easier to prevent the cooling fans 34, 44 from becoming wet, and makes it easier to reduce noise caused by the cooling fans 34, 44.

[0051] In this embodiment, the intake port 12a and the exhaust ports 12b and 12c are formed on the rear panel 12, which is the same surface of the housing 2. According to this configuration, the air flow path from intake port 12a to exhaust ports 12b and 12c has a folded shape, which makes it easier for air to flow throughout housing 2, making it easier to efficiently cool the inside of housing 2.

[0052] In this embodiment, the intake port 12a is formed below the exhaust ports 12b and 12c. According to this configuration, by utilizing the property that high-temperature air rises, it is possible to generate an air flow in the housing 2 from the intake port 12a toward the exhaust ports 12b and 12c.

[0053] In addition, in this embodiment, the cooling fans 34, 44 are positioned closer to the front panel 11, which is the surface opposite the rear panel 12 on which the exhaust ports 12b, 12c are formed, than to the rear panel 12, which is the surface on which the exhaust ports 12b, 12c are formed. According to this configuration, the folded air flow path can be made long, so that air can easily flow throughout the entire interior of the housing 2, and the interior of the housing 2 can be easily cooled favorably.

[0054] In this embodiment, two or more boxes 31, 41 are provided, and at least one box 31, 41 is provided in each width direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce bias in the air flow in the width direction inside the housing 2, compared to a case in which the boxes 31, 41 are arranged with a bias in the width direction.

[0055] [Other embodiments] The above-described embodiment merely shows one aspect of the present invention, and any modification and application can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0056] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which four batteries 20 of a predetermined shape are arranged has been described, but the number of batteries is not limited to four, and any number of batteries may be arranged. However, it is preferable to have a plurality of batteries so that air can easily pass between the batteries 20. Also, a configuration in which the batteries 20 are arranged in two tiers, one above the other, has been described, but they may be arranged in three or more tiers.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the openings 31b, 41b of the boxes 31, 41 are shared with the exhaust ports 12b, 12c. However, the openings 31a, 41a of the boxes 31, 41 may be shared with the intake port 12a.

[0058] In the above embodiment, it is preferable to provide the cooling fans 34, 44 at the openings 31a, 41a separated from the exhaust ports 12b, 12c in order to suppress water damage, noise, etc., but this is not limiting. For example, the fans may be provided at the openings 31b, 41b to create a negative pressure inside the boxes 31, 41.

[0059] In the above embodiment, it is preferable that intake port 12a and exhaust ports 12b, 12c are provided on the same surface in order to easily lengthen the flow path shape, but they may be provided on different surfaces. For example, if intake port 12a is provided on rear panel 12, exhaust ports may be provided on any of panels 11, 13 to 16.

[0060] [Configuration supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

[0061] (Configuration 1) A charging / discharging unit comprising a battery, electrical components that operate when the battery is charged or discharged, a box in which the electrical components are housed, a fan provided in the box to blow air to the electrical components, and a housing in which the battery, the box, and the fan are housed, wherein the housing is formed with an intake port for introducing air from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing, and an exhaust port for exhausting air from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing, the box is formed with a pair of openings that connect the inside and outside of the box, and the box is installed inside the housing so that one of the pair of openings is shared with either the intake port or the exhaust port. With this configuration, the same fan can be used to cool the electrical components in the box and the entire interior of the housing, making it possible to provide a charge / discharge unit that can cool the electrical components and the interior of the housing while minimizing the number of fans.

[0062] (Configuration 2) The charging / discharging unit according to configuration 1, wherein the box is installed inside the housing so that one of the pair of openings is shared with the exhaust port. With this configuration, the temperature of the electrical components inside the box is higher than the temperature of the electrical components outside the box, so that even air that has been heated by cooling the electrical components outside the box can effectively cool the electrical components inside the box.

[0063] (Configuration 3) The charge / discharge unit according to configuration 2, wherein the fan is installed in the other of the pair of openings. With this configuration, the other of the pair of openings serves as the air intake for the box, so the fan is likely to be located farther away than the air exhaust, which makes it easier to position the fan in a recessed position in the housing, making it easier to prevent the fan from getting wet and to reduce noise caused by the fan.

[0064] (Configuration 4) The charge / discharge unit according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the intake port and the exhaust port are formed on the same surface of the housing. According to this configuration, the air flow path from the intake port to the exhaust port has a folded shape, which makes it easier for air to flow throughout the entire interior of the housing, facilitating good cooling of the inside of the housing.

[0065] (Configuration 5) The charge / discharge unit according to configuration 4, wherein the intake port is formed below the exhaust port. According to this configuration, by utilizing the property that high-temperature air rises, it is possible to generate an air flow from the intake port to the exhaust port inside the housing.

[0066] (Configuration 6) The charging / discharging unit according to configuration 4 or 5, wherein the fan is positioned closer to the surface opposite the surface on which the exhaust port is formed than to the surface on which the exhaust port is formed. According to this configuration, the folded air flow path can be made long, making it easier for air to flow throughout the entire interior of the housing, and making it easier to improve cooling of the inside of the housing.

[0067] (Configuration 7) The charge / discharge unit according to any one of configurations 4 to 6, comprising two or more of the boxes, at least one of the boxes being provided in each of the width directions. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce bias in the air flow in the width direction within the housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 Charging / discharging unit 2. Chassis 11 Front panel (opposite side) 12 Rear panel (same side) 12a Air intake 12b Exhaust port 12c Exhaust port 20 Battery 31 Box 31b One opening (opening) 31a The other opening (opening) 32 DC / DC converter circuit board (electrical components) 34 Cooling fan (fan) Box 41 41b One opening (opening) 41a The other opening (opening) 42 Inverter circuit board (electrical components) 44 Cooling fan (fan)

Claims

1. A charge / discharge unit including a battery, electrical components that operate when the battery is charged or discharged, a box that houses the electrical components, a fan that is provided in the box and blows air to the electrical components, and a housing that houses the battery, the box, and the fan, The housing has an intake port for introducing air from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing, and an exhaust port for discharging air from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing, A pair of openings are formed in the box to communicate between the inside and the outside of the box, The box is installed inside the housing such that one of the pair of openings is shared with either the intake port or the exhaust port. A charging and discharging unit characterized by the above.

2. The box is installed inside the housing so that one of the pair of openings is used in common as the exhaust port.

2. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 1 .

3. The fan is installed in the other of the pair of openings.

3. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 2.

4. The intake port and the exhaust port are formed on the same surface of the housing.

4. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 1, wherein the charge / discharge unit is a charge / discharge unit for charging / discharging a battery.

5. The intake port is formed below the exhaust port. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 4 .

6. The fan is disposed at a position closer to a surface opposite to the surface on which the exhaust port is formed than to a surface on which the exhaust port is formed.

5. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 4.

7. The box includes two or more boxes, The box is provided at least one in each width direction.

5. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 4.

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