Power storage facility

Abstract

To provide a power storage facility which can diffuse heat from a power storage device more quickly.SOLUTION: A power storage facility 900 includes: a power storage device 1 including power storage elements 100; and a rack 901 which houses the power storage device 1. The rack 901 includes two support members 940 which support the power storage device 100. The power storage device 100 includes a bottom wall part. The bottom wall part includes: a plate-like part disposed between the two support member 940; and two supported part supported by the two support members 940.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electricity storage facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a power unit in which a power storage module including power storage cells is arranged on a fixed plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-4606 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the power unit disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the fixing plate prevents the heat from the power storage module from diffusing downward, so there is a risk that the heat from the power storage module cannot be diffused quickly.

[0005] The present invention was made by the inventors of the present application by focusing on the above-mentioned problem, and has an object to provide an electricity storage facility capable of more quickly dissipating heat from an electricity storage device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An energy storage facility according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an energy storage device having an energy storage element, and a rack for housing the energy storage device, wherein the rack comprises two support members for supporting the energy storage device, and the energy storage device comprises a bottom wall portion, the bottom wall portion comprising a plate-shaped portion disposed between the two support members and two supported portions supported by the two support members. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the electricity storage facility of the present invention, heat from the electricity storage device can be diffused more quickly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an electricity storage facility according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the electricity storage device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating components of a power storage unit included in the power storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an energy storage element according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a second lower exterior body and a second upper exterior body provided in the second exterior body according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the electricity storage device according to the embodiment is supported by two support members as viewed from the front. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the electricity storage device according to the embodiment is supported by two support members as viewed from behind. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing the configuration of the front end portion in a state in which the power storage device according to the embodiment is supported by a support member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view showing the configuration of the rear end portion of the power storage device according to the embodiment when the power storage device is supported by a support member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a configuration in which a plurality of power storage devices according to the embodiment are supported by a support member. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a configuration in which a plurality of power storage devices according to the embodiment are supported by a support member. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front view showing a configuration in which a plurality of power storage devices are supported by two support members according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (1) An energy storage facility according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an energy storage device having an energy storage element, and a rack for housing the energy storage device, wherein the rack comprises two support members for supporting the energy storage device, and the energy storage device comprises a bottom wall portion comprising a plate-shaped portion disposed between the two support members and two supported portions supported by the two support members.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the power storage facility is configured such that the power storage device is housed in a rack, and the plate-shaped portion of the bottom wall of the power storage device is disposed between two support members of the rack, and the two supported portions are supported by the two support members. In this way, when the power storage device is supported in the rack, the two supported portions of the power storage device are supported by the two support members, rather than the plate-shaped portion of the bottom wall of the power storage device, so that heat from the power storage device can be dissipated by the plate-shaped portions. This allows the heat from the power storage device to be diffused more quickly.

[0011] (2) In the power storage facility described in (1) above, the rack may include two sets of the two support members aligned in a vertical direction.

[0012] According to the energy storage facility described in (2) above, the rack includes two sets of two support members arranged vertically, so that a plurality of energy storage devices can be arranged at different positions in the vertical direction. Since the plate-shaped portion of the bottom wall of the energy storage device is arranged between the two support members, the two vertically arranged energy storage devices can be arranged close to each other. This makes it possible to save space in the rack in the vertical direction.

[0013] (3) In the energy storage facility according to (1) or (2) above, the two supported portions may be disposed at both ends of the bottom wall portion.

[0014] According to the energy storage equipment described in (3) above, the two supported parts of the energy storage device are arranged at both ends of the bottom wall part, and each end part at both ends of the bottom wall part is supported by each of the two support members of the rack, so that the energy storage device can be stably supported within the rack.

[0015] (4) In the power storage facility according to any one of (1) to (3) above, the two supported portions may protrude upward from the plate-shaped portion and be disposed on the two supporting members.

[0016] According to the energy storage equipment described in (4) above, the bottom wall portion of the energy storage device is configured so that two supported parts protrude upward from the plate-shaped portion and are positioned on two support members, thereby making it easy to realize a configuration in which the energy storage device is supported within a rack.

[0017] (5) In the energy storage facility according to any one of (1) to (4) above, the energy storage device may include an upper wall portion, and a thickness of the plate-shaped portion may be greater than twice the thickness of the upper wall portion.

[0018] According to the energy storage facility described in (5) above, by increasing the thickness of the plate-shaped portion of the bottom wall of the energy storage device so that the thickness of the plate-shaped portion is more than twice the thickness of the upper wall, heat from the energy storage device can be effectively dissipated by the plate-shaped portion. By increasing the thickness of the plate-shaped portion, the energy storage device can be more stably supported within the rack.

[0019] (6) In the energy storage equipment described in any one of (1) to (5) above, the energy storage device may have an upper wall portion, and at least one of the two supported portions may be fixed to the upper wall portion.

[0020] According to the electricity storage facility described in (6) above, the supported portion of the bottom wall portion in the electricity storage device is fixed to the upper wall portion, and thus the portion of the bottom wall portion that is fixed to the upper wall portion can be used as the supported portion.

[0021] Hereinafter, a description will be given of an energy storage facility according to an embodiment (including modified examples) of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection forms of the components, manufacturing processes, the order of the manufacturing processes, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In each drawing, the dimensions, etc. are not strictly illustrated. In each drawing, the same or similar components are given the same reference numerals.

[0022] In the following description and drawings, the X-axis direction is defined as the arrangement direction of a plurality of energy storage devices supported by a set of support members of a rack, the arrangement direction of a pair of terminals (positive and negative) in one energy storage element, the opposing direction of the short side surfaces of the container of the energy storage element, or the short side direction of the energy storage device. The Y-axis direction is defined as the opposing direction of the front cover and rear cover of the rack, the arrangement direction of a plurality of energy storage elements included in the energy storage device, the opposing direction of the long side surfaces of the container of the energy storage element, or the longitudinal direction of the energy storage device. The Z-axis direction is defined as the arrangement direction of a plurality of sets of support members, the arrangement direction of the energy storage element and the bus bar included in the energy storage device, the arrangement direction of the main body and the lid of the container of the energy storage element, the arrangement direction of the main body and the lid of the exterior body (first exterior body, second exterior body) of the energy storage device, or the up-down direction. The X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction intersect with each other (orthogonal in this embodiment).

[0023] In the following description, the positive X-axis direction refers to the direction of the X-axis arrow, and the negative X-axis direction refers to the opposite direction to the positive X-axis direction. When simply referring to the X-axis direction, it refers to both or either of the positive and negative X-axis directions. The same applies to the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. Expressions indicating relative directions or attitudes, such as parallel and perpendicular, also include cases where the directions or attitudes are not strictly speaking the same. Two directions being parallel does not only mean that the two directions are completely parallel, but also means that the directions are substantially parallel, that is, that there is a difference of about a few percent. In the following description, when the word "insulation" is used, it means "electrical insulation". An insulating material has a volume resistivity of 1×10 10It is preferable that the material used is one having a resistance of Ωm or higher.

[0024] (Embodiment) [1 Explanation of the power storage facility 900] First, a general description will be given of a power storage facility 900 according to this embodiment. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a power storage facility 900 according to this embodiment.

[0025] The power storage facility 900 is a facility that charges and discharges electricity and supplies power to an external power load, and in this embodiment, has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A rectangular parallelepiped is a hexahedron with all faces formed of rectangles or squares. The power storage facility 900 is used for power storage purposes or power supply purposes. Specifically, the power storage facility 900 is used as a stationary battery for home or business use. In this embodiment, the power storage facility 900 is a stationary storage battery panel that stores power generated by wind power generation or solar power generation, and stably supplies power to external facilities. The power stored by the power storage facility 900 is not limited to power derived from these renewable energies, and may store power from a power system or regenerative power in a railway system. The power storage facility 900 can also be used as a battery for driving or starting an engine of a large moving object such as a ship or a railway car for an electric railway. Examples of the above-mentioned electric railway vehicles include electric trains, monorails, linear motor cars, and hybrid electric trains equipped with both a diesel engine and an electric motor.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, the power storage facility 900 includes a rack 901 and a plurality of power storage devices 1. The rack 901 is a rectangular parallelepiped container that houses the plurality of power storage devices 1, and is formed from metal members such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, and plated steel plate. The shape of the rack 901 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and may be a polygonal prism shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped, an elongated cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, a cylindrical shape, or the like. The rack 901 is not limited to being made of metal, and any of the members constituting the rack 901 may be made of resin or the like, but it is preferable that the rack 901 be formed from a member having high strength and heat resistance.

[0027] The rack 901 includes a rack body 910, a pair of front covers 920, a pair of rear covers 930, a plurality of sets of two support members 940, and a shelf board 950. A pair of front covers 920 arranged in the X-axis direction are arranged on the front of the rack body 910, but in FIG. 1, the front cover 920 in the positive direction of the X-axis is omitted. A plurality of power storage devices 1 are arranged (placed) on one set of two support members 940 in the X-axis direction, but in FIG. 1, only three power storage devices 1 are illustrated for simplicity. The number of power storage devices 1 arranged on one set of two support members 940 is not particularly limited, and a large number of power storage devices 1 may be arranged, only one power storage device 1 may be arranged, or there may be a support member 940 on which no power storage device 1 is arranged.

[0028] The rack body 910 is a rectangular box body having a flat, rectangular rack bottom wall 911 in the negative Z-axis direction, a flat, rectangular rack top wall 912 in the positive Z-axis direction, and a pair of flat, rectangular rack side walls 913 on both sides in the X-axis direction. Openings are provided on the front (surface in the negative Y-axis direction) and back (surface in the positive Y-axis direction) of the rack body 910. The front opening of the rack body 910 is covered (closed) by a pair of front covers 920. The pair of front covers 920 are flat, rectangular members aligned in the X-axis direction, and are attached to the front of the rack body 910 in an openable (openable / closable) manner so as to open and close the front opening of the rack body 910. The back opening of the rack body 910 is covered (closed) by a pair of back covers 930. The pair of rear covers 930 are flat, rectangular members aligned in the X-axis direction, and are attached to the rear of the rack body 910 in an openable / closable manner (openable / closable manner) so as to open and close the opening on the rear side of the rack body 910.

[0029] The front cover 920 is provided with a plurality of openings 925 for ventilation. The openings 925 are slits that are long in the Z-axis direction and are arranged in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction in the front cover 920. Similarly, openings (not shown) are provided in the rear cover 930. This allows heat released from the power storage device 1 to be smoothly discharged to the outside of the rack 901 through these openings. In this embodiment, the openings in the rear cover 930 are used as exhaust ports that exhaust gas to the outside of the rack 901 when the gas is discharged from the power storage device 1.

[0030] The support member 940 is a member that supports the power storage device 1. In this embodiment, one of the two support members 940 is disposed at each end of both ends of the power storage device 1 in the Y-axis direction, and a total of two support members 940 support the power storage device 1 (see FIG. 6, etc.). If the two support members 940 are considered as one set of support members 940, inside the rack body 910, a plurality of sets of support members 940 are arranged in the Z-axis direction at a predetermined interval. That is, the rack 901 includes at least two sets of support members 940 (two sets of two support members 940) arranged in the vertical direction. The support members 940 are long rod-shaped members like beams extending in the X-axis direction. One set of support members 940 can support a plurality of power storage devices 1 arranged in the X-axis direction. A detailed description of the configuration in which the power storage device 1 is supported by the two support members 940 will be described later.

[0031] The shelf board 950 is a flat rectangular member parallel to the XY plane, and is disposed in the Z-axis positive direction of the support member 940 (the topmost stage of the rack body 910). An electric circuit unit (not shown) connected to the multiple power storage devices 1 and the like are disposed on the shelf board 950. The electric circuit unit houses a circuit breaker, a control circuit, and the like. The circuit breaker is disposed on a main circuit through which a main current flows for charging and discharging each power storage device 1, and the control circuit is connected to the board unit 20 (see FIG. 2) of each power storage device 1 by a signal line (not shown). The shelf board 950 may be disposed on the middle stage or the bottom stage of the rack body 910, or the shelf board 950 may not be provided, for example, by disposing a set of two support members 940 instead of the shelf board 950.

[0032] The power storage device 1 is a device capable of charging with electricity from an external source and discharging electricity to the outside, and is used for power storage or power supply purposes. In this embodiment, the power storage device 1 is a battery module (battery assembly) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the Y-axis direction. The shape of the power storage device 1 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be a polygonal prism shape, an elongated cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, a cylindrical shape, or the like other than a rectangular parallelepiped. The configuration of the power storage device 1 will be described in detail below.

[0033] [2. Description of the storage device 1] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the energy storage device 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing each component of the energy storage unit 10 included in the energy storage device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the energy storage device 1 includes an energy storage unit 10 and a board unit 20 attached to the energy storage unit 10. The energy storage unit 10 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the Y-axis direction. The board unit 20 is a device that can monitor the state of the energy storage elements 100 included in the energy storage unit 10 and control the energy storage elements 100, and includes a circuit board and the like inside. In this embodiment, the board unit 20 is a flat rectangular member that is attached to the end of the energy storage unit 10 in the longitudinal direction, that is, the side surface of the energy storage unit 10 in the negative Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the energy storage unit 10 includes a plurality of energy storage elements 100, a plurality of spacers 200, an exterior body 600 including a first exterior body 300 and a second exterior body 500, a plurality of bus bars 400, and cables 410 and 420. The energy storage unit 10 may include a restraining member (end plate, side plate, etc.) that restrains the plurality of energy storage elements 100.

[0035] The energy storage element 100 is a secondary battery (single cell) capable of charging and discharging electricity, and more specifically, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. The energy storage element 100 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape (rectangular shape), and in this embodiment, a plurality (14 pieces) of the energy storage elements 100 are arranged in the Y-axis direction. The size, shape, number of the arranged energy storage elements 100, arrangement direction, and the like of the energy storage elements 100 are not limited, and only one energy storage element 100 may be arranged. The energy storage element 100 is not limited to a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and may be a secondary battery other than a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, or may be a capacitor. The energy storage element 100 may be a primary battery. The energy storage element 100 may be a battery using a solid electrolyte. The energy storage element 100 may be a pouch-type energy storage element. A detailed description of the configuration of the energy storage element 100 will be described later.

[0036] The spacers 200 (210, 220) are disposed adjacent to the energy storage elements 100 in the Y-axis direction and are flat, rectangular members (insulating or insulating plates) that insulate and / or insulate the energy storage elements 100 from other members. The spacer 210 of the spacers 200 is a flat, rectangular spacer (middle spacer) parallel to the XZ plane that is disposed between two adjacent energy storage elements 100 and provides thermal insulation and / or insulation between the two energy storage elements 100. The spacer 210 is not limited to being disposed between all the energy storage elements 100, and may be configured such that the spacer 210 is not disposed between any of the energy storage elements 100. The spacer 220 of the spacers 200 is a flat, rectangular spacer (end spacer) parallel to the XZ plane that is disposed between the end energy storage elements 100 and the side wall of the second exterior body 500 and provides thermal insulation and / or insulation between them. The spacers 200 (210, 220) are formed of a material having thermal insulation properties, such as glass wool or mica, or a material having insulating properties, such as any resin material that can be used for the first exterior body 300 described below. The spacers 200 (210, 220) may all be formed of materials made of the same material, or any of them may be formed of materials made of different materials.

[0037] The exterior body 600 is disposed outside the multiple energy storage elements 100 and the multiple spacers 200, and is a member (case) that constitutes a housing (outer shell of the energy storage unit 10) that covers the multiple energy storage elements 100, etc. As described above, the exterior body 600 includes a first exterior body 300 and a second exterior body 500. The first exterior body 300 is a member (inner case) that constitutes the inner housing (outer shell) of the exterior body 600, and the second exterior body 500 is a member (outer case) that constitutes the outer housing (outer shell) of the exterior body 600. The exterior body 600 accommodates the multiple energy storage elements 100 and the multiple spacers 200 by the first exterior body 300 and the second exterior body 500.

[0038] The first exterior body 300 is disposed on both sides of the energy storage elements 100 in the Z-axis direction so as to sandwich the energy storage elements 100 and the spacers 200 in the Z-axis direction, and covers both ends of the energy storage elements 100, etc. in the Z-axis direction. In this way, the first exterior body 300 fixes the energy storage elements 100 and the spacers 200 at predetermined positions. The first exterior body 300 is formed of an insulating member such as polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyphenylene ether (PPE (including modified PPE)), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyether sulfone (PES), polyamide (PA), ABS resin, or a composite material thereof, or a metal with an insulating coating. The first exterior body 300 thereby prevents the energy storage elements 100 and the like from coming into contact with external metal members, etc. The first exterior body 300 may be formed of a conductive member such as a metal as long as the insulating properties of the energy storage elements 100 and the like are maintained.

[0039] The first exterior body 300 includes a first lower exterior body 310 and a first upper exterior body 320. The first lower exterior body 310 is a lower member of the first exterior body 300, and constitutes the main body of the first exterior body 300. The first upper exterior body 320 is an upper member of the first exterior body 300, and constitutes a lid body of the first exterior body 300. The materials of the first lower exterior body 310 and the first upper exterior body 320 may be the same or different.

[0040] Specifically, the first lower exterior body 310 is a rectangular tray (box) whose entire surface in the positive Z-axis direction is open and whose surface in the negative Z-axis direction is closed. The first lower exterior body 310 is disposed in the negative Z-axis direction of the multiple energy storage elements 100 and the multiple spacers 200, and is a box-shaped (flattened, approximately rectangular parallelepiped) tray that is long in the Y-axis direction and shallow in depth, supporting the multiple energy storage elements 100 and the multiple spacers 200. The first lower exterior body 310 is placed on a second lower exterior body 510 of the second exterior body 500, which will be described later.

[0041] The first lower exterior body 310 includes a first bottom wall 311, a pair of first lower side walls 312, and a pair of first lower side walls 313. The first bottom wall 311 is a flat, rectangular portion parallel to the XY plane and extending in the Y-axis direction, and constitutes the bottom wall of the first exterior body 300. The first bottom wall 311 is disposed between the multiple energy storage elements 100 and the multiple spacers 200, and a second bottom wall 511 of the second lower exterior body 510 described later, and supports the multiple energy storage elements 100 and the multiple spacers 200 from below.

[0042] The pair of first lower side walls 312 are flat, rectangular portions that protrude from both ends of the first bottom wall 311 in the positive direction of the Z axis and extend in the X axis direction parallel to the XZ plane, constituting the short side walls of the first lower exterior body 310. The pair of first lower side walls 312 are disposed in positions that sandwich the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200 in the Y axis direction. The pair of first lower side walls 313 are long, flat portions that protrude from both ends of the first bottom wall 311 in the positive direction of the Z axis and extend in the Y axis direction parallel to the YZ plane, constituting the long side walls of the first lower exterior body 310. The pair of first lower side walls 313 are disposed in positions that sandwich the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and the plurality of spacers 200 in the X axis direction. Engagement portions 313a are provided at the respective ends of both ends of each of the pair of first lower side walls 313 in the Y axis direction. The engagement portion 313a is a projection that projects in the X-axis direction toward a second lower side wall 514 of the second lower exterior body 510 (described later), and engages with the second lower side wall 514 in the Z-axis direction (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0043] The first upper exterior body 320 is disposed in the Z-axis positive direction of the energy storage elements 100 and the spacers 200, and is a box-shaped (flattened, approximately rectangular parallelepiped) member that is elongated in the Y-axis direction and supported by the energy storage elements 100. The first upper exterior body 320 is disposed between the energy storage elements 100 and a second upper exterior body 520 of the second exterior body 500 described later, and therefore can also be said to be an inner lid of the energy storage unit 10. In this embodiment, the first upper exterior body 320 is a bus bar frame (also referred to as a bus bar holder or a bus bar plate), and insulates the bus bar 400 from other members, and regulates the position of the bus bar 400. Specifically, the first upper exterior body 320 is disposed on the energy storage elements 100 and positioned relative to the energy storage elements 100, and the bus bars 400 are positioned relative to the first upper exterior body 320. As a result, each bus bar 400 is positioned relative to the multiple energy storage elements 100 and joined to the terminals 140 provided on the multiple energy storage elements 100.

[0044] The second exterior body 500 is a member that supports and protects (reinforces) the first exterior body 300. The second exterior body 500 is formed of a metal member such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, or plated steel sheet. The second exterior body 500 includes a second lower exterior body 510 and a second upper exterior body 520. The second lower exterior body 510 is a lower member of the second exterior body 500 and constitutes the main body of the second exterior body 500. The second upper exterior body 520 is an upper member of the second exterior body 500 and constitutes a lid of the second exterior body 500. The second lower exterior body 510 and the second upper exterior body 520 may be made of the same material or different materials. In particular, it is preferable that the second lower exterior body 510 is made of a material with high heat dissipation. For this reason, the second lower exterior body 510 may be made of a material with higher heat dissipation than the second upper exterior body 520.

[0045] Specifically, the second lower exterior body 510 is a member on which the first lower exterior body 310 is disposed and which supports the first lower exterior body 310 from below. The second lower exterior body 510 includes a second bottom wall 511, connection parts 512 and 513, and a pair of second lower side walls 514. The second bottom wall 511 is a flat, rectangular part parallel to the XY plane and extending in the Y-axis direction, and constitutes the bottom wall of the second exterior body 500. The second bottom wall 511 is disposed in the Z-axis negative direction from the first bottom wall 311 of the first lower exterior body 310, and supports the first lower exterior body 310 from below. The connection part 512 is a plate-shaped part that rises in the Z-axis positive direction from the Y-axis negative end of the second bottom wall 511 and protrudes in the Y-axis negative direction, and is connected to the second upper exterior body 520. The connecting portion 513 is a plate-like portion that rises in the Z-axis positive direction from the Y-axis positive direction end of the second bottom wall 511 and protrudes in the Y-axis positive direction, and is connected to the second upper exterior body 520. The pair of second lower side walls 514 are long, flat plate-like portions that protrude in the Z-axis positive direction from both ends of the second bottom wall 511 in the X-axis direction and extend in the Y-axis direction parallel to the YZ plane. The pair of second lower side walls 514 are disposed at positions sandwiching the pair of first lower side walls 313 in the X-axis direction.

[0046] Each of the pair of second lower walls 514 is provided with an engagement portion 514a that engages with the engagement portion 313a of the first lower wall 313 of the first lower exterior body 310 in the Z-axis direction (see Figs. 5 to 7). The engagement portion 514a is an inverted U-shaped portion as viewed from the X-axis direction, in which an opening into which the engagement portion 313a is inserted is formed. The engagement portion 514a is provided at each end of both ends in the Y-axis direction of the second lower wall 514 at a position overlapping with the engagement portion 313a as viewed from the X-axis direction. The engagement portion 313a and the engagement portion 514a may have any shape as long as they are shapes that engage with each other in the Z-axis direction, and the arrangement positions and the number of the engagement portions 313a and the engagement portions 514a are not particularly limited.

[0047] The second upper exterior body 520 is a member that presses the first upper exterior body 320 from above the first upper exterior body 320 to support the first upper exterior body 320. The second upper exterior body 520 includes a top surface portion 521, connection portions 522 and 523, and a pair of second upper side walls 524. The top surface portion 521 is a flat rectangular portion that is parallel to the XY plane and extends in the Y-axis direction. The top surface portion 521 is disposed in the Z-axis positive direction of the first upper exterior body 320, and constitutes the upper wall (upper surface portion (outer lid) of the power storage unit 10) of the second exterior body 500 (exterior body 600). An opening 521a is formed at the end of the top surface portion 521 in the Y-axis positive direction. Furthermore, a path forming member 521b extending in the Y-axis direction is provided on the top surface 521 to form an exhaust path for gas discharged from the energy storage element 100, and the path forming member 521b is arranged protruding in the positive Y-axis direction from the opening 521a.

[0048] The connection portion 522 is a portion that extends in the negative Z-axis direction from the negative Y-axis end of the top surface portion 521 and protrudes in the negative Y-axis direction, and is connected to the connection portion 512 of the second lower exterior body 510. The connection portion 523 is a portion that extends in the negative Z-axis direction from the positive Y-axis end of the top surface portion 521 and protrudes in the positive Y-axis direction, and is connected to the connection portion 513 of the second lower exterior body 510. The pair of second upper side walls 524 are elongated flat plate-shaped portions that protrude in the negative Z-axis direction from both ends of the top surface portion 521 in the X-axis direction, and extend in the Y-axis direction parallel to the YZ plane. The pair of second upper side walls 524 are disposed at positions sandwiching the first upper exterior body 320 in the X-axis direction.

[0049] In this manner, the second lower exterior body 510 and the second upper exterior body 520 are configured to be fixed by connecting (joining) the connection parts 512 and 513 and the connection parts 522 and 523 with screws or the like in a state in which the first lower exterior body 310 and the first upper exterior body 320 are sandwiched in the Z-axis direction. In this way, the second exterior body 500 supports (holds) the first exterior body 300. A detailed description of the configurations of the second lower exterior body 510 and the second upper exterior body 520 will be given later.

[0050] The bus bar 400 is a rectangular plate-like member disposed on the plurality of energy storage elements 100 and electrically connects the terminals 140 of the plurality of energy storage elements 100 to each other. In the present embodiment, the bus bar 400 and the terminals 140 are connected (joined) with bolts, but may be connected (joined) by welding or the like. The bus bar 400 is formed of a conductive member made of metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy, nickel, or a combination thereof, or a conductive member other than a metal. In the present embodiment, the bus bar 400 connects the terminals 140 of the adjacent energy storage elements 100 to each other, thereby connecting the 14 energy storage elements 100 in series, but the connection mode of the energy storage elements 100 is not limited to the above, and any combination of series connection and parallel connection may be used.

[0051] The terminals 140 of the energy storage elements 100 located at both ends in the Y-axis direction among the multiple energy storage elements 100 are connected to the cables 410 and 420, so that the energy storage device 1 can charge with electricity from the outside and discharge electricity to the outside. The cables 410 and 420 are positive and negative electric wires (power cables) through which current flows for charging and discharging the energy storage device 1 (energy storage elements 100).

[0052] [3. Description of the Energy Storage Element 100] Next, the configuration of the energy storage element 100 will be described in detail. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage element 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 shows an enlarged external view of one of the energy storage elements 100 shown in Fig. 3. Since the multiple energy storage elements 100 all have the same configuration, the configuration of one energy storage element 100 will be described in detail below.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, the energy storage element 100 includes a container 110 and a pair of terminals 140 (positive and negative electrodes). The container 110 contains an electrode body, a pair of current collectors (positive and negative electrodes), and an electrolyte (non-aqueous electrolyte), but these are not shown in the figure. The electrolyte is not particularly limited in type as long as it does not impair the performance of the energy storage element 100, and various electrolytes can be selected. The energy storage element 100 includes an insulating gasket that insulates and seals between the container 110 and the terminals 140 and the current collectors, but this is also not shown in the figure. In addition to the above-mentioned components, the energy storage element 100 may include a spacer disposed on the side or below the electrode body, an insulating film that wraps the electrode body, and the like. An insulating film (shrink tube, etc.) that covers the outer surface of the container 110 may be disposed around the container 110.

[0054] The container 110 is a rectangular parallelepiped (angular or box-shaped) case including a container body 120 with an opening formed therein and a container lid 130 that closes the opening of the container body 120. The container body 120 is a rectangular cylindrical member with a bottom that constitutes the main body of the container 110, and an opening is formed on the surface in the positive direction of the Z axis. The container lid 130 is a rectangular plate-shaped member that is long in the X-axis direction and constitutes the lid of the container 110, and is arranged in the positive direction of the Z axis of the container body 120. The container lid 130 is provided with a gas exhaust valve 131 for releasing pressure when the pressure inside the container 110 rises excessively, and a liquid injection part (not shown) for injecting an electrolyte into the container 110, and the like. The container 110 is structured such that the inside is sealed by accommodating an electrode body and the like inside the container body 120 and then joining the container body 120 and the container lid 130 by welding or the like. The container 110 has a pair of long sides 111 on both sides in the Y-axis direction, a pair of short sides 112 on both sides in the X-axis direction, and a bottom surface 113 in the negative Z-axis direction. The material of the container 110 (container body 120 and container lid 130) is not particularly limited, and can be a weldable (joinable) metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, or plated steel sheet, but resin can also be used.

[0055] The terminals 140 are electrode terminals (positive and negative terminals) of the energy storage element 100 arranged on the container lid 130, and are electrically connected to the positive and negative plates of the electrode body via current collectors. A pair of terminals 140 are arranged to protrude upward from the container lid 130. The terminals 140 are metallic (conductive) members for conducting electricity stored in the electrode body to the external space of the energy storage element 100 and for introducing electricity into the internal space of the energy storage element 100 to store electricity in the electrode body. The terminals 140 are formed of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy, or the like.

[0056] The electrode body is an electric storage element (power generating element) formed by laminating a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The positive electrode plate is a positive electrode active material layer formed on a current collector foil made of a metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The negative electrode plate is a negative electrode active material layer formed on a current collector foil made of a metal such as copper or a copper alloy. As the active material used in the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer, any known material can be used as long as it can absorb and release charge transport ions. The separator can be a microporous sheet or nonwoven fabric made of a resin. In this embodiment, the electrode body is formed by laminating plates including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate in the Y-axis direction. The electrode body may be any type of electrode body, such as a wound type electrode body formed by winding plates including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, a flat laminated type (stack type) electrode body in which a plurality of flat plate-shaped electrodes are laminated, or a bellows-type electrode body in which the electrodes are folded in a bellows shape.

[0057] The current collectors are conductive members (positive and negative current collectors) electrically connected to the terminal 140 and the electrode body. The positive current collector is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, etc., like the current collector foil of the positive electrode plate, and the negative current collector is made of copper or a copper alloy, etc., like the current collector foil of the negative electrode plate.

[0058] [4. Description of the second lower exterior body 510 and the second upper exterior body 520] Next, the configuration of the second lower exterior body 510 and the second upper exterior body 520 included in the second exterior body 500 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second lower exterior body 510 and the second upper exterior body 520 included in the second exterior body 500 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage device 1 (energy storage unit 10) according to the present embodiment supported by two support members 940 when viewed from the front (Y-axis negative direction). FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage device 1 (energy storage unit 10) according to the present embodiment supported by two support members 940 when viewed from the rear (Y-axis positive direction). FIG. 8 is a side view showing the configuration of the end of the front (Y-axis negative direction) in a state in which the energy storage device 1 (energy storage unit 10) according to the present embodiment is supported by the support members 940. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the configuration of the end of the rear (Y-axis positive direction) in a state in which the energy storage device 1 (energy storage unit 10) according to the present embodiment is supported by the support members 940. 6 to 8, the electricity storage device 1 includes a board unit 20, but the illustration of the board unit 20 is omitted and only the electricity storage unit 10 is illustrated. The board unit 20 has a shape that does not interfere with the support member 940. In Figs. 8 and 9, the illustration of the spacer 200 (220) is omitted.

[0059] First, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of the second lower exterior body 510. The configurations of the second bottom wall 511 and the pair of second lower side walls 514 included in the second lower exterior body 510 are as described above, and therefore detailed description will be omitted. Below, a detailed description will be given of the configurations of the connection parts 512 and 513.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, the connection portion 512 includes a third lower wall 512a, a first lower protrusion 512b, a fourth lower wall 512c, and a second lower protrusion 512d. The third lower wall 512a is a flat plate-like portion parallel to the XZ plane that protrudes in the Z-axis positive direction from the Y-axis negative end of the second bottom wall 511. The first lower protrusion 512b is a flat plate-like rectangular portion parallel to the XY plane that protrudes in the Y-axis negative direction from the Z-axis positive end of the third lower wall 512a. In this embodiment, two portions protruding in the Z-axis positive direction are provided side by side in the X-axis direction at the Z-axis positive end of the third lower wall 512a, and the first lower protrusion 512b protrudes from each of these two portions. The first lower protrusion 512b is disposed in a position in the Z-axis direction that is more positive in the Z-axis direction than the center of the second exterior body 500 (the center of the energy storage device 1, the energy storage unit 10, or the energy storage element 100). Specifically, the first lower protrusion 512b is disposed in an upper part of the second exterior body 500 (an upper part of the energy storage device 1 or the energy storage unit 10). The first lower protrusion 512b is disposed in the Z-axis direction that is more negative in the Z-axis direction than the top surface part 521 of the second upper exterior body 520.

[0061] The fourth lower wall 512c is a flat, rectangular portion that protrudes in the Z-axis positive direction from the end of the second bottom wall 511 in the Y-axis negative direction and extends parallel to the XZ plane and in the X-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the fourth lower wall 512c is disposed in a rectangular opening extending in the X-axis direction formed at the end of the third lower wall 512a in the Z-axis negative direction. The second lower protrusion 512d is a flat, rectangular portion that protrudes in the Y-axis negative direction from the end of the fourth lower wall 512c in the Z-axis positive direction and extends parallel to the XY plane and in the X-axis direction. The second lower protrusion 512d is disposed in the Z-axis negative direction from the top surface 521 of the second upper exterior body 520 in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the second lower protrusion 512d is disposed in the Z-axis negative direction from the center of the second exterior body 500 (the center of the energy storage device 1, the energy storage unit 10, or the energy storage element 100) in the Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the second lower protrusion 512d is disposed at the lower part of the second exterior body 500 (the lower part of the power storage device 1 or the power storage unit 10).

[0062] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the second lower protrusion 512d is disposed in the Z-axis positive direction of the support member 941 of the two support members 940. The support member 941 is the support member 940 in the Y-axis negative direction of the pair of two support members 940 included in the rack 901. The second lower protrusion 512d is disposed (placed) on the support member 941 in a state of contact with the support member 941 in the Z-axis direction, and is supported by the support member 941. In this embodiment, the support member 941 is a hollow member (a rectangular cylindrical member) having a space formed therein. The height of the support member 941 in the Z-axis direction is smaller than the width of the support member 941 in the Y-axis direction. The surface of the support member 941 in the Z-axis negative direction is disposed at the same position in the Z-axis direction as the surface of the second bottom wall 511 in the Z-axis negative direction. The support member 941 may have a shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction, may have a polygonal tube shape other than a rectangular tube shape, a cylindrical shape, an elliptical tube shape, an oblong tube shape, or the like, or may be a solid member with no internal space.

[0063] In this embodiment, the fourth lower wall 512c and the second lower protrusion 512d are separate members from the third lower wall 512a. The fourth lower wall 512c and the second lower protrusion 512d can be formed by cutting out a rectangular portion of the end of the third lower wall 512a in the negative Z-axis direction, bending the cut-out portion, and attaching it to the third lower wall 512a. The fourth lower wall 512c and the second lower protrusion 512d may be formed integrally with the third lower wall 512a (by bending a portion of the third lower wall 512a).

[0064] As shown in FIG. 5, the connection portion 513 includes a fifth lower wall 513a and a third lower protrusion 513b. The fifth lower wall 513a is a flat, rectangular portion that protrudes in the Z-axis positive direction from the end of the second bottom wall 511 in the Y-axis positive direction and is parallel to the XZ plane and extends in the X-axis direction. The third lower protrusion 513b is a flat, rectangular portion that protrudes in the Y-axis positive direction from the end of the fifth lower wall 513a in the Z-axis positive direction and is parallel to the XY plane and extends in the X-axis direction. The third lower protrusion 513b is disposed in the Z-axis negative direction from the top surface 521 of the second upper exterior body 520 in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the third lower protrusion 513b is disposed in the Z-axis negative direction from the center of the second exterior body 500 (the center of the energy storage device 1, the energy storage unit 10, or the energy storage element 100) in the Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, third lower protrusion 513b is disposed at a lower part of second exterior body 500 (a lower part of power storage device 1 or power storage unit 10), specifically, at the same position as second lower protrusion 512d in the Z-axis direction.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, the third lower protrusion 513b is disposed in the Z-axis positive direction of the support member 942 of the two support members 940. The support member 942 is the support member 940 in the Y-axis positive direction of the pair of two support members 940 included in the rack 901. The third lower protrusion 513b is disposed (placed) on the support member 942 in a state of contact with the support member 942 in the Z-axis direction, and is supported by the support member 942. In this embodiment, the support member 942 is a hollow member (a rectangular cylindrical member) having a space formed therein. The height of the support member 942 in the Z-axis direction is smaller than the width of the support member 942 in the Y-axis direction. The width of the support member 942 in the Y-axis direction is smaller than the width of the support member 941 in the Y-axis direction. The surface of the support member 942 in the Z-axis negative direction is disposed at the same position in the Z-axis direction as the surface of the second bottom wall 511 in the Z-axis negative direction. Support member 942 may have a shape that is longer in the Z-axis direction than in the Y-axis direction, and may have a polygonal cylinder shape other than a rectangular cylinder, a cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylinder shape, an oblong cylinder shape, or the like, or may be a solid member with no internal space. The width of support member 942 in the Y-axis direction may be the same as or larger than the width of support member 941 in the Y-axis direction. Third lower protrusion 513b may be fixed to support member 942.

[0066] As described above, the connection portion 512 and the connection portion 513 are disposed at both ends of the second lower exterior body 510 in the Y-axis direction, and therefore the fourth lower wall 512c and the second lower protrusion 512d, and the fifth lower wall 513a and the third lower protrusion 513b are disposed at both ends of the second lower exterior body 510 in the Y-axis direction. That is, the connection portion 512 (the fourth lower wall 512c and the second lower protrusion 512d) is disposed at an end of the second lower exterior body 510 on one side in the Y-axis direction, and the connection portion 513 (the fifth lower wall 513a and the third lower protrusion 513b) is disposed at an end of the second lower exterior body 510 on the other side in the Y-axis direction. The end of the second lower exterior body 510 on one side in the Y-axis direction is the portion located furthest to one side in the Y-axis direction when the second lower exterior body 510 is divided into three equal parts in the Y-axis direction. The same applies to the end of the second lower exterior body 510 on the other side in the Y-axis direction. In the present embodiment, connecting portion 512 (fourth lower wall 512c and second lower protrusion 512d) is located at the edge in the negative Y-axis direction of second lower exterior body 510, and therefore can also be said to be the portion located furthest in the negative Y-axis direction when second lower exterior body 510 is divided into 5 or 10 equal parts in the Y-axis direction. The same is true for connecting portion 513 (fifth lower wall 513a and third lower protrusion 513b). In other words, both ends in the Y-axis direction of second lower exterior body 510 are the portions located at both ends in the Y-axis direction when second lower exterior body 510 is divided into 3 or more equal parts, such as 3, 5, or 10, in the Y-axis direction.

[0067] Next, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of the second upper exterior body 520. The configurations of the top surface portion 521 and the pair of second upper side walls 524 included in the second upper exterior body 520 are as described above, so detailed description will be omitted, and the configurations of the connection portions 522 and 523 will be described in detail below.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 5, the connection portion 522 includes a third upper side wall 522a, a first upper protrusion 522b, and a fixing member 522c. The third upper side wall 522a is a flat rectangular portion parallel to the XZ plane that protrudes in the negative Z-axis direction from the negative Y-axis end of the top surface portion 521. In this embodiment, two third upper side walls 522a arranged in the X-axis direction are disposed at the negative Y-axis end of the top surface portion 521. The first upper protrusion 522b is a flat rectangular portion parallel to the XY plane that protrudes in the negative Y-axis direction from the negative Z-axis end of the third upper side wall 522a. Two first upper protrusions 522b are disposed for the two third upper side walls 522a. First upper protrusion 522b is disposed in a position in the Z-axis direction that is more positive on the Z-axis than the center of second exterior body 500 (the center of the power storage device 1, the power storage unit 10, or the power storage element 100). Specifically, first upper protrusion 522b is disposed in an upper part of second exterior body 500 (an upper part of the power storage device 1 or the power storage unit 10). First upper protrusion 522b is disposed in the Z-axis direction that is more negative on the Z-axis than top surface portion 521.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, each of the first upper protrusions 522b of the two first upper protrusions 522b is disposed in the positive direction of the Z axis with respect to each of the first lower protrusions 512b of the two first lower protrusions 512b of the connecting portion 512. The first upper protrusions 522b are fixed to the first lower protrusions 512b by a fixing member 522c. In this embodiment, the fixing member 522c is a screw having a male thread. The first lower protrusions 512b include a fixing portion 512b1 (see FIG. 8) to which the fixing member 522c is fixed. The fixing portion 512b1 is thicker in the Z axis direction than a portion of the first lower protrusions 512b other than the fixing portion 512b1, and a female thread is formed in this thick portion. The fixing member 522c passes through a through hole formed in the first upper protrusion 522b and is screwed into the fixing portion 512b1 of the first lower protrusion 512b to fix the first upper protrusion 522b and the first lower protrusion 512b. In Fig. 8, the first upper protrusion 522b and the first lower protrusion 512b are fixed in a state separated from each other in the Z-axis direction, but they may be fixed in a state of contact in the Z-axis direction.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 5, the connection portion 523 includes a fourth upper side wall 523a, a second upper protrusion 523b, and a fixing member 523c. The fourth upper side wall 523a is a flat, rectangular portion parallel to the XZ plane, protruding in the Z-axis negative direction from the Y-axis positive end of the top surface portion 521. The second upper protrusion 523b is a flat, rectangular portion parallel to the XY plane and extending in the X-axis direction, protruding in the Y-axis positive direction from the Z-axis negative end of the fourth upper side wall 523a. The second upper protrusion 523b is disposed in the Z-axis negative direction from the top surface portion 521 in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the second upper protrusion 523b is disposed in the Z-axis negative direction from the center of the second exterior body 500 (the center of the energy storage device 1, the energy storage unit 10, or the energy storage element 100) in the Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, second upper protrusion 523b is disposed at the lower part of second exterior body 500 (the lower part of power storage device 1 or power storage unit 10).

[0071] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, the second upper protrusion 523b is disposed in the Z-axis positive direction of the third lower protrusion 513b of the connecting portion 513. The second upper protrusion 523b and the third lower protrusion 513b are fixed by a fixing member 523c. A fixing member 523c is disposed at each end of both ends in the X-axis direction of the second upper protrusion 523b and the third lower protrusion 513b. The two fixing members 523c at both ends fix both ends in the X-axis direction of the second upper protrusion 523b and the third lower protrusion 513b. In this embodiment, the fixing member 523c is a screw having a male thread. The third lower protrusion 513b is provided with a fixing portion 513b1 (see FIG. 9) for fixing the fixing member 523c at each end of both ends in the X-axis direction. The fixing portion 513b1 is thicker in the Z-axis direction than the portion of the third lower protrusion 513b that is not the fixing portion 513b1, and a female screw is formed in this thick portion. The two fixing members 523c pass through through holes formed at both ends of the second upper protrusion 523b in the X-axis direction and are screwed into the two fixing portions 513b1 of the third lower protrusion 513b to fix the second upper protrusion 523b and the third lower protrusion 513b. In FIG. 9, the second upper protrusion 523b and the third lower protrusion 513b are fixed in a state separated from each other in the Z-axis direction, but they may be fixed in a state of contact in the Z-axis direction.

[0072] The support member 942 is disposed at a position where it does not contact the fixing member 523c and the fixing portion 513b1. In this embodiment, the support member 942 is disposed in the Y-axis plus direction from the fixing member 523c and the fixing portion 513b1. As long as the strength of the support member 942 is ensured, a through hole may be formed in the support member 942, and the fixing member 523c and the fixing portion 513b1 may be inserted into the through hole. A female screw portion may be formed in the support member 942, and the fixing member 523c may be fixed to the support member 942. In this case, the female screw portion of the support member 942 serves as the fixing portion 513b1, and the fixing member 523c is screwed into the female screw portion, thereby fixing the second upper protrusion 523b and the third lower protrusion 513b.

[0073] In a state in which the power storage device 1 is supported by two support members 940, the second bottom wall 511 is disposed between the two support members 940. That is, the power storage device 1 is supported by two support members 940, not by a conventional shelf board. For this reason, in the second exterior body 500, it is preferable to increase the thickness of the second bottom wall 511 to increase its strength more than that of a conventional second bottom wall. The thickness of the second bottom wall 511 may be any thickness as long as it is greater than that of the conventional second bottom wall, and as an example, it can be calculated by adding the thickness of the conventional shelf board to the thickness of the conventional second bottom wall.

[0074] From the above, the thickness of the second bottom wall 511 is greater than the thickness of the top surface portion 521. In this embodiment, the thickness of the second bottom wall 511 is preferably greater than twice the thickness of the top surface portion 521, more preferably three times or more the thickness of the top surface portion 521, and even more preferably five times or more the thickness of the top surface portion 521. In this embodiment, the second lower exterior body 510 is a member of uniform thickness, and the second upper exterior body 520 is a member of uniform thickness. For this reason, the thickness of the second lower exterior body 510 is preferably greater than twice the thickness of the second upper exterior body 520, more preferably three times or more the thickness of the second upper exterior body 520, and even more preferably five times or more the thickness of the second upper exterior body 520. Furthermore, the thickness of the second bottom wall 511 (the thickness of the second lower exterior body 510) is preferably larger than the thickness of the first bottom wall 311 of the first lower exterior body 310, more preferably 1.2 times or more the thickness of the first bottom wall 311, and even more preferably 1.5 times or more the thickness of the first bottom wall 311. The thickness of the second bottom wall 511 (second lower exterior body 510) is approximately 1.5 mm to 6 mm. The thickness of the top surface portion 521 (second upper exterior body 520) is approximately 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm. The thickness of the first bottom wall 311 is approximately 1 mm to 4 mm.

[0075] In the above-described configuration, the second lower exterior body 510 is an example of a bottom wall portion, and the second upper exterior body 520 is an example of an upper wall portion. In the second lower exterior body 510 (bottom wall portion), the second bottom wall 511 is an example of a plate-shaped portion. The fourth lower wall 512c and the second lower protrusion 512d of the connection portion 512 and the fifth lower wall 513a and the third lower protrusion 513b of the connection portion 513 are an example of two supported portions. In other words, the fourth lower wall 512c and the second lower protrusion 512d of the connection portion 512 are an example of one of the two supported portions, and the fifth lower wall 513a and the third lower protrusion 513b of the connection portion 513 are an example of the other of the two supported portions.

[0076] The plate-shaped portion is disposed between two support members 940. The two supported portions are supported by the two support members 940. Specifically, the two supported portions are disposed at both ends of the bottom wall portion. The two supported portions protrude upward from the plate-shaped portion and are disposed on the two support members 940. In this embodiment, the two supported portions protrude in the positive direction of the Z axis. The "upward" direction in which the two supported portions protrude may be in the positive direction of the Z axis rather than horizontal with respect to the plate-shaped portion (it may also be in a direction inclined from the Z axis direction). At least one of the two supported portions is fixed to the upper wall portion. The thickness of the plate-shaped portion is greater than twice the thickness of the upper wall portion.

[0077] [5. Description of the Configuration in Which Multiple Energy Storage Devices 1 are Supported by the Support Member 940] Next, a configuration in which a plurality of power storage devices 1 are supported by the support member 940 will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a configuration in which a plurality of power storage devices 1 (power storage units 10) according to this embodiment are supported by the support member 940. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a configuration in which a plurality of power storage devices 1 (power storage units 10) according to this embodiment are supported by the support member 940. FIGS. 10 and 11 are a side view and a front view showing a configuration in which a plurality of power storage devices 1 (power storage units 10) are supported by a plurality of sets of two support members 940 arranged in the Z-axis direction. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the power storage device 1 includes a board unit 20 (the board unit 20 has a shape that does not interfere with the support member 941), but the illustration of the board unit 20 is omitted and the power storage unit 10 is shown.

[0078] As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the rack 901 includes at least two sets (three sets in Figs. 10 and 11) of two support members 940 (941 and 942) arranged in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction). Figs. 10 and 11 do not show the entire rack 901, but show a portion of the rack 901 including a plurality of sets of support members 940, but the overall configuration is the same as that of the rack 901 shown in Fig. 1. A plurality of power storage devices 1 (power storage units 10) are supported by each of the at least two (three) sets of support members 940 (the two support members 941 and 942 constitute one set of support members). Figs. 10 and 11 show a state in which three power storage devices 1 (power storage units 10) are supported by each of the support members 940 of the three sets of support members 940. In each of the multiple energy storage devices 1, the second bottom wall 511 of the second lower exterior body 510 is arranged between the support members 941 and 942, and the connection portion 512 (second lower protrusion portion 512d) and the connection portion 513 are supported by the support members 941 and 942.

[0079] When the power storage device 1 is accommodated in the rack 901, the power storage device 1 can be inserted into the rack 901 as follows. First, the rack side wall 913 (see FIG. 1) of the rack 901 is removed, the power storage device 1 is inserted into the rack 901 from the X-axis direction, and the power storage device 1 is slid in the X-axis direction on the two support members 940. When all the power storage devices 1 are accommodated in the rack 901, the rack side wall 913 is reattached. In addition to the above method, the power storage device 1 may be inserted in the Y-axis direction from between the support members 940 lined up in the Z-axis direction on the front or back of the rack 901 (or between the support members 940 and the shelf board 950).

[0080] [6 Explanation of Effects] As described above, according to the energy storage facility 900 of the present embodiment, the energy storage device 1 is accommodated in the rack 901, and a plate-shaped portion in the bottom wall of the energy storage device 1 is disposed between two support members 940 of the rack 901. In the present embodiment, the second lower exterior body 510 is an example of the bottom wall of the energy storage device 1, and the second bottom wall 511 is an example of the plate-shaped portion in the bottom wall. The two supported portions are a supported portion constituted by the fourth lower wall 512c and the second lower protruding portion 512d of the connection portion 512, and a supported portion constituted by the fifth lower wall 513a and the third lower protruding portion 513b of the connection portion 513, and these two supported portions are supported by the two support members 940. In this way, when the power storage device 1 is supported within the rack 901, the two supported parts of the power storage device 1 are supported by the two support members 940, rather than by the plate-like part at the bottom wall of the power storage device 1, so that heat from the power storage device 1 can be dissipated by the plate-like parts. This allows heat from the power storage device 1 to be diffused more quickly. Since it is not necessary to arrange a flat shelf board on which the power storage device 1 is placed within the power storage equipment 900, the refrigerant (air) within the power storage equipment 900 can circulate more easily, and the heat dissipation performance of the power storage device 1 can be improved. Since it is not necessary to arrange such a shelf board within the power storage equipment 900, costs can also be reduced.

[0081] Rack 901 includes two sets of support members (two sets of two support members 940) aligned in the vertical direction, so that multiple energy storage devices 1 can be arranged at different positions in the vertical direction. Since the plate-shaped portion of the bottom wall of energy storage device 1 is arranged between two support members 940, two energy storage devices 1 aligned in the vertical direction can be arranged close to each other. In the present embodiment, second lower exterior body 510 is an example of a bottom wall portion, and second bottom wall 511 is an example of a plate-shaped portion of the bottom wall portion. This makes it possible to save space in rack 901 in the vertical direction.

[0082] The two supported parts of the energy storage device 1 are disposed at both ends of the bottom wall part. In the present embodiment, the second lower exterior body 510 is an example of the bottom wall part. A supported part constituted by the fifth lower wall 513a and the third lower protruding part 513b of the connecting part 513 is disposed at the end in the positive direction of the Y axis of the second lower exterior body 510, and a supported part constituted by the fourth lower wall 512c and the second lower protruding part 512d of the connecting part 512 is disposed at the end in the negative direction of the Y axis. As a result, each end at both ends of the bottom wall part is supported by each of the two supporting members 940 of the rack 901, so that the energy storage device 1 can be stably supported within the rack 901.

[0083] The bottom wall of the energy storage device 1 has a configuration in which the two supported parts protrude upward from the plate-like part and are arranged on the two support members 940. In the present embodiment, the second lower exterior body 510 is an example of the bottom wall, and the second bottom wall 511 is an example of the plate-like part. In the case of a supported part constituted by the fourth lower wall 512c of the connection part 512 and the second lower protruding part 512d, the supported part protrudes upward from the second bottom wall 511 and is arranged on the support member 941. In the case of a supported part constituted by the fifth lower wall 513a of the connection part 513 and the third lower protruding part 513b, the supported part is also arranged on the support member 942 in the same configuration as above. This makes it possible to easily realize a configuration in which the energy storage device 1 is supported in the rack 901.

[0084] In the energy storage device 1, the thickness of the plate-shaped part of the bottom wall is greater than twice the thickness of the upper wall. In this embodiment, the second lower exterior body 510 is an example of the bottom wall, the second bottom wall 511 is an example of the plate-shaped part, and the second upper exterior body 520 is an example of the upper wall. With the above configuration, the heat from the energy storage device 1 can be effectively dissipated by the plate-shaped part. The inventors of the present application have obtained experimental results that show that the heat dissipation effect is enhanced by increasing the thickness of the plate-shaped part of the bottom wall. There is a risk of increasing costs if the thickness of the plate-shaped part of the bottom wall is increased, but since the bottom wall has the function of a shelf board supporting the energy storage device 1, it is not necessary to provide the shelf board, and therefore it is possible to realize the energy storage facility 900 that improves heat dissipation while reducing costs. By increasing the thickness of the plate-shaped part, the energy storage device 1 can be supported more stably in the rack 901.

[0085] In the energy storage device 1, a supported portion of the bottom wall portion is fixed to the upper wall portion. In the present embodiment, second lower exterior body 510 is an example of the bottom wall portion, connection portion 513 is an example of the supported portion, and second upper exterior body 520 is an example of the upper wall portion. This allows the portion of the bottom wall portion that is fixed to the upper wall portion to be used as the supported portion.

[0086] When the two supported parts are disposed in a position in the negative Z-axis direction from the top surface of the upper wall part in the Z-axis direction, the width and height of the energy storage device 1 in the Z-axis direction can be prevented from increasing. In the present embodiment, the top surface part 521 of the second upper exterior body 520 is an example of the top surface of the upper wall part. This can prevent the gap between the support members 940 from increasing when the energy storage device 1 is inserted between the support members 940 arranged in the Z-axis direction to be installed. When the energy storage device 1 is inserted between the support members 940 and the shelf board 950 to be installed, the gap between the support members 940 and the shelf board 950 can be prevented from increasing. In particular, since the two supported parts are disposed in the lower part of the energy storage device 1, it is easy to insert the energy storage device 1 between the support members 940 arranged in the Z-axis direction or between the support member 940 and the shelf board 950.

[0087] Since the support member 940 has a small width and height in the Z-axis direction, when the power storage device 1 is inserted between the support members 940 arranged in the Z-axis direction or between the support member 940 and the shelf board 950, the height of the rack 901 in the Z-axis direction can be prevented from increasing. When the height of the support member 940, which is a member supporting the power storage device 1, is set relatively low with respect to the height of the power storage device 1, the operation of inserting the power storage device 1 into the rack 901 becomes easy. Specifically, it is assumed that the height of the support member 940 is set to about half or less of the height of the power storage device 1. In this case, the height to which the power storage device 1 is raised to be supported by the support member 940 can be low, and therefore, the power storage device 1 can be easily arranged in the rack 901.

[0088] [7 Explanation of Variations] Although the power storage facility 900 according to the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The embodiment disclosed herein is illustrative and not restrictive in all respects, and the scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the second lower exterior body 510 has a supported portion at each end of both ends in the Y-axis direction, but may have a supported portion at each end of both ends in the X-axis direction. Fig. 12 is a front view showing a configuration in which a plurality of power storage devices 2 according to a modified example of the present embodiment are supported by two support members 943. Fig. 12 is a view corresponding to Fig. 11, and similarly to Fig. 11, the illustration of the board unit 20 is omitted and the power storage unit 11 is shown. In the following description of the modified example, the second lower exterior body 510 corresponds to the bottom wall portion, the second bottom wall 511 corresponds to the plate-shaped portion, and the second upper exterior body 520 corresponds to the upper wall portion.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 12, in this modification, the rack 902 includes a plurality of support members 943 arranged in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The support members 943 are long rod-like members extending in the Y-axis direction. The shape of the support members 943 can be exemplified as a beam-like shape. The second lower exterior body 510 of the power storage device 2 (power storage unit 11) includes supported parts 515 at both ends in the X-axis direction. That is, one supported part 515 is provided at the end in the positive direction of the X-axis, and one supported part 515 is provided at the end in the negative direction of the X-axis. Each supported part 515 of the two supported parts 515 is a long plate-like part that protrudes upward from the second bottom wall 511 and extends in the Y-axis direction, and is disposed on one of the two support members 943 arranged in the X-axis direction. As a result, for each of the multiple power storage devices 2, the two supported portions 515 are supported by the two support members 943, and the power storage device 2 is supported by the two support members 943. The second bottom wall 511 is disposed between the two support members 943. The thickness of the second bottom wall 511 is greater than twice the thickness of the second upper exterior body 520. At least one of the two supported portions 515 may be fixed to the second upper exterior body 520. The other configurations of this modification are the same as those of the above embodiment, and therefore detailed description will be omitted. According to this modification, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the above embodiment. In particular, in this modification, the power storage device 2 can be inserted from the front or back of the rack 902, making it easy to insert the power storage device 2 into the rack 902. By supporting the power storage device 2 with the two support members 943 extending in the Y-axis direction, the power storage device 2 can be supported more stably.

[0091] In the following, other possible configurations in addition to the above-described embodiment will be described. In the following other possible configurations, second lower exterior body 510 is an example of a bottom wall portion, second bottom wall 511 is an example of a plate-shaped portion, second upper exterior body 520 is an example of an upper wall portion, and connection portion 513 is an example of one of two supported portions.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the support member 940 is a beam of the rack 901, but is not limited to this. The support member 940 may be a rod-shaped member or a plate-shaped member other than the beam of the rack 901, and the shape, size, material, etc. of the support member 940 are not particularly limited as long as the support member 940 is a member that can support the power storage device 1. The shape, size, material, etc. of the shelf board 950 are also not particularly limited.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the rack 901 is provided with multiple sets of two support members 940 aligned in the Z-axis direction, but may be provided with only one set of two support members 940. The rack 901 may be provided with multiple sets of two support members 940 aligned in the Y-axis direction or the X-axis direction. The rack 901 may be provided with multiple sets of two support members 940, but may be configured such that the power storage device 1 is supported by only one set of two support members 940.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the shape of the second lower exterior body 510 is not particularly limited. The second lower exterior body 510 may not have any of the portions other than the second bottom wall 511 and the two supported portions (the third lower side wall 512a, the first lower protruding portion 512b, and the pair of second lower side walls 514). Depending on the shape of the second lower exterior body 510, the supported portions may be disposed in the center of the second lower exterior body 510, instead of at the end of the second lower exterior body 510, or the like.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the two supported parts protrude upward from the second bottom wall 511 and are disposed on the two support members 940, but the shape of the supported parts is not particularly limited. The supported parts may be configured to protrude downward from the second bottom wall 511 and then protrude upward and be disposed on the support members 940, or the like.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the thickness of the second bottom wall 511 is greater than twice the thickness of the second upper exterior body 520, but may be less than twice the thickness of the second upper exterior body 520, or may be less than the thickness of the second upper exterior body 520. When the second lower exterior body 510 is not a member having a uniform thickness, the thickness of the second bottom wall 511 is preferably greater than the thickness of the other portions (connecting portions 512, 513, second lower side wall 514), but may be less than the thickness of any of the other portions. When the second upper exterior body 520 is not a member having a uniform thickness, the thickness of the second bottom wall 511 is preferably greater than the thickness of the top surface portion 521, and may be less than the thickness of any of the connecting portions 522, 523, and second upper side wall 524.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the connection portion 513 is fixed (screwed) to the second upper exterior body 520 by the fixing member 523c which is a screw, but this is not limited thereto. The connection portion 513 may be fixed to the second upper exterior body 520 by engaging with each other, by fitting, by joining with a bolt and a nut, or by welding, adhesion, or the like. Both of the two supported portions may be fixed to the second upper exterior body 520. Neither of the two supported portions may be fixed to the second upper exterior body 520. In this case, the energy storage device 1 may not include the second upper exterior body 520.

[0098] In the above embodiment, all the power storage devices 1 and all the support members 940 have the above configuration, but any of the power storage devices 1 or any of the support members 940 may not have the above configuration. The power storage device 1 may not include the substrate unit 20.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the first exterior body 300 (the first lower exterior body 310 and the first upper exterior body 320) is a tray and a bus bar frame that sandwiches the multiple energy storage elements 100 and the multiple spacers 200 in the Z-axis direction, but is not limited thereto. The first upper exterior body 320 may be an insulating member or the like for arranging electrical equipment (electrical components) such as a board, a relay, a fuse, a thermistor, or a harness, instead of a bus bar frame. The first exterior body 300 may not be configured to sandwich the multiple energy storage elements 100, etc., but may be a box-shaped container including the first lower exterior body 310 as a housing that accommodates the multiple energy storage elements 100, etc., and the first upper exterior body 320 as a lid that closes an opening of the housing. Similarly, the second exterior body 500 may be a box-shaped container including the second lower exterior body 510 as a housing, and the second upper exterior body 520 as a lid that closes an opening of the housing. One or both of the first lower exterior body 310 and the first upper exterior body 320 may not be provided.

[0100] Any combination of the components included in the above-described embodiment and its modified examples is also included within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0101] The present invention can be applied to an energy storage facility in which an energy storage device including an energy storage element such as a lithium ion secondary battery is housed in a rack. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1, 2 Energy storage device 10, 11 Energy storage unit 20 Circuit Board Unit 100 Energy storage element 110 Container 111 Long side 112 short side 113 Bottom 120 Container body 130 Container lid 131 Gas exhaust valve 140 Terminals 200, 210, 220 Spacer 300 First exterior body 310 First lower exterior body 311 First bottom wall 312, 313 First lower wall 313a, 514a engaging part 320 First upper exterior body 400 Busbar 410, 420 Cable 500 Second exterior body 510 Second lower exterior body 511 Second bottom wall 512, 513, 522, 523 Connections 512a Third lower wall 512b First lower protrusion 512b1, 513b1 Fixed part 512c Fourth lower wall 512d Second lower protrusion 513a Fifth lower wall 513b Third lower protrusion 514 Second lower wall 515 Supported part 520 Second upper exterior body 521 Top section 521a opening 521b Path forming member 522a Third upper wall 522b First upper protrusion 522c, 523c Fixing member 523a Fourth upper wall 523b Second upper protrusion 524 Second upper wall 600 Exterior 900 Energy Storage Equipment 901, 902 racks 910 Rack body 911 Rack bottom wall 912 Rack top wall 913 Rack side wall 920 Front cover 925 Opening 930 Back cover 940, 941, 942, 943 Support members 950 Shelf

Claims

1. A power storage device including a power storage element; a rack that houses the power storage device; The rack includes two support members that support the power storage device, The power storage device includes a bottom wall portion, The bottom wall portion is A plate-shaped portion disposed between the two support members; and two supported portions supported by the two support members. Energy storage equipment.

2. The rack includes two sets of two support members arranged vertically. The power storage facility according to claim 1.

3. The two supported portions are disposed at both ends of the bottom wall portion. The power storage facility according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The two supported portions protrude upward from the plate-like portion and are disposed on the two supporting members. The power storage facility according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The power storage device includes an upper wall portion, The thickness of the plate-shaped portion is greater than twice the thickness of the upper wall portion. The power storage facility according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The power storage device includes an upper wall portion, At least one of the two supported portions is fixed to the upper wall portion. The power storage facility according to claim 1 or 2.

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