Housing device

Abstract

To provide a housing device that can accommodate a plurality of types of power storage devices in one housing device even if the power storage devices are different in power storage capacity and thus different in shape and size from each other.SOLUTION: A battery exchanger, which is a housing device, has slots 16 and filling members 170. The filling member 170 is arranged in the slot 16 so as to, when a second battery 12B is inserted into the slot 16, fill a gap formed between an inner face 56 of the slot 16 and an outer face of the second battery 12B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a holding device (accommodating device) capable of accommodating a battery (power storage device) having battery cells (power storage units). The holding device is provided with a plurality of slots (accommodating units). The plurality of slots have the same shape and size. Each of the plurality of slots accommodates a battery in a removable manner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 107069 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In response to the increasing demand for power storage devices, it is desirable to provide multiple types of power storage devices with different storage capacities according to the type of power device that uses the power of the power storage device. In this case, the multiple types of power storage devices may differ from one another in shape and size. In response to this, it is desirable to be able to accommodate multiple types of power storage devices in a single storage device having multiple storage sections.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An aspect of the present invention is a storage device capable of storing an electric storage device having a storage portion, the electric storage device including a first electric storage device having a first exterior shape and a second electric storage device having a second exterior shape smaller than the first exterior shape, the storage device including a storage portion having a tubular portion and a bottom, an opening formed at one end of the tubular portion and the bottom connected to the other end of the tubular portion to form a bottomed tubular shape, the storage portion storing the electric storage device so that it can be inserted and removed through the opening, and a filling member arranged in the storage portion so as to fill a gap formed between the inner surface of the storage portion and the outer surface of the second electric storage device when the second electric storage device is inserted into the storage portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even if a plurality of types of power storage devices differ from one another in shape and size due to differences in power storage capacity, they can be accommodated in a single accommodation device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first battery. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first battery. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the first battery. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second battery. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the second battery. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the second battery. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the third battery. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the slot. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the slot. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the slot in which the first battery is housed. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the slot of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view of the slot in which the first battery is housed. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the rear portion of the slot. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the rear of the slot. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the bottom cover. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the slot in which the second battery is housed. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of the slot of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a front view of the slot in which the second battery is housed. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a front view showing another example of the configuration of the slot that accommodates the second battery. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the slot in which the third battery is housed. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a modification of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [General configuration of battery exchange machine 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery exchanger 10 (storage device, power device) according to this embodiment. The battery exchanger 10 is a device that charges a mobile battery 12 (power storage device). A user deposits a mobile battery 12 with a low state of charge (SOC) in the battery exchanger 10. The user receives another mobile battery 12 from the battery exchanger 10 that has been fully charged. The mobile battery 12 has a cell pack 14 (power storage unit) therein that stores power (see FIG. 2).

[0010] The battery exchange machine 10 has 12 slots 16 and one operation panel 18. A user inserts a mobile battery 12 into a slot 16. When the mobile battery 12 is accommodated in the slot 16, the battery exchange machine 10 starts charging the mobile battery 12. The operation panel 18 is a device operated by a user. A user operates the operation panel 18 to, for example, pay a fee.

[0011] Each of the multiple slots 16 opens to a front surface 19 of the battery exchange machine 10. The front surface 19 of the battery exchange machine 10 is a surface parallel to the vertical direction (the direction of gravity). Each of the multiple slots 16 is inclined diagonally downward with respect to the front surface 19. A user inserts a mobile battery 12 into a slot 16 while standing facing the front surface 19. Also, the user removes a mobile battery 12 housed in a slot 16 while standing facing the front surface 19. Figure 1 illustrates a state in which mobile batteries 12 are housed in six of the twelve slots 16. Also, Figure 1 illustrates a state in which mobile batteries 12 have been removed from the remaining six slots 16.

[0012] In the following description, the direction in which the mobile battery 12 is inserted into or removed from the slot 16 is referred to as the Z-axis direction. In the Z-axis direction, the direction from the deepest part of the slot 16 toward the opening 54f (see Figures 10 and 11) is referred to as the +Z-axis direction. The +Z-axis direction is the direction in which the mobile battery 12 is removed from the slot 16. The -Z-axis direction is the opposite direction to the +Z-axis direction. The -Z-axis direction is the direction in which the mobile battery 12 is inserted into or removed from the slot 16. In other words, the Z-axis direction is the direction in which the mobile battery 12 is inserted into or removed from the slot 16.

[0013] The direction parallel to the width direction of the battery exchange machine 10 is the X-axis direction. When a user stands facing the front 19 of the battery exchange machine 10, the right-hand side in the X-axis direction is the +X-axis direction. The -X-axis direction is the opposite direction to the +X-axis direction and is the left-hand side in the X-axis direction. The direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and X-axis is the Y-axis direction. The upper side in the Y-axis direction is the +Y-axis direction. The lower side in the Y-axis direction is the -Y-axis direction.

[0014] Note that "removable" is essentially synonymous with "detachable." In other words, the mobile battery 12 can be attached (inserted) to the slot 16. The mobile battery 12 can be removed (pulled out) from the slot 16. Also, "detachable" means that the user can insert and remove the mobile battery 12 from the slot 16 without using tools or the like. Also, "removable" is synonymous with "inserting and removing." Therefore, "inserted and removed" or "detached" are synonymous with "inserted and removed."

[0015] [Outline of the Mobile Battery 12] The mobile battery 12 includes multiple types of mobile batteries. Three types of mobile batteries 12 are representatively shown in Figures 2 to 8. The mobile battery 12 shown in Figures 2 to 4 is referred to as a first battery 12A (first power storage device). The mobile battery 12 shown in Figures 5 to 7 is referred to as a second battery 12B (second power storage device). The mobile battery 12 shown in Figure 8 is referred to as a third battery 12C (second power storage device).

[0016] The first battery 12A will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first battery 12A. Figure 3 is a plan view of the first battery 12A. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the first battery 12A.

[0017] The first battery 12A has a structure similar to that of the mobile battery disclosed in International Publication No. 2023 / 100445. That is, as shown in Fig. 2, the first battery 12A has a bottom case 20, a main case 22, and a top case 24. The bottom case 20, the main case 22, and the top case 24 form the housing of the first battery 12A. The bottom case 20 forms the bottom surface of the first battery 12A.

[0018] 2 and 3, the top case 24 forms the upper surface of the first battery 12A. A handle 26 (grip) is provided on the upper surface. The handle 26 has a first grip 28 and a second grip 30. The user grips the handle 26 to insert or remove the first battery 12A into or from the slot 16 (see FIG. 1).

[0019] The main case 22 is a hollow rectangular tubular body with both open ends. Therefore, the first battery 12A has four side surfaces. The four side surfaces are side surface 34a, side surface 34b, side surface 34c, and side surface 34d. Side surface 34a is a curved surface that convexly faces outward. Side surface 34a is a surface that corresponds to the second gripping portion 30. Side surface 34b, side surface 34c, and side surface 34d are substantially flat. In the illustrated example, side surface 34a is entirely curved, but a portion of side surface 34a may also be locally curved.

[0020] The main case 22 houses a cell pack 14. The cell pack 14 is formed by electrically connecting a plurality of unit cells. The configuration of the cell pack 14 is publicly known, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-198229. Therefore, detailed illustrations and descriptions of the cell pack 14 are omitted.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, a female connector 32 (first electrical terminal) is exposed on the bottom surface. The connector 32 has a female electrical terminal and a female communication terminal. The female electrical terminal is an electrical terminal for transmitting and receiving power. The female communication terminal is an electrical terminal for transmitting and receiving communication signals. In other words, the connector 32 serves as both an electrical terminal and a communication terminal. The connector 32 is provided in a recessed space 38 on the bottom surface. In other words, the connector 32 is provided in a position slightly closer to the top case 24 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) from the bottom surface. The connector 32 is closer to the end where the second grip portion 30 is provided, from the center of the bottom surface. The female connector 32 is sometimes called a receptacle.

[0022] 2 to 4, the four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 and the four corners 36t of the top case 24 protrude slightly further than the four corners 36m of the main case 22. Therefore, as can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4, the outer edges of the main case 22 are positioned more inward than the outer edges of the four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 and the four corners 36t of the top case 24. As a result, the main case 22 is recessed relative to the four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 and the four corners 36t of the top case 24. In other words, recesses 40 are formed in the mobile battery 12 based on the dimensional differences between the main case 22 and the bottom case 20 and top case 24.

[0023] For example, a light metal is selected as the material for the bottom case 20, the main case 22, and the top case 24. Suitable examples of light metals include aluminum and aluminum alloys, as aluminum and aluminum alloys are lightweight and chemically stable.

[0024] The second battery 12B will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the second battery 12B. Figure 6 is a plan view of the second battery 12B. Figure 7 is a bottom view of the second battery 12B. Note that the same components of the second battery 12B as those of the first battery 12A (see Figures 2 to 4) are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0025] The external shape (second exterior shape) of the second battery 12B is smaller than the external shape (first exterior shape) of the first battery 12A. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in a plane perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction (a bottom surface parallel to the bottom surface of the mobile battery 12), the external shape of the second battery 12B is smaller than the external shape of the first battery 12A shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. More specifically, in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction (a direction from one side surface 34a to the other side surface 34c of the mobile battery 12), the thickness of the second battery 12B is smaller than the thickness of the first battery 12A. In other words, the second battery 12B is a mobile battery that is thinner than the first battery 12A. FIGS. 5 to 7 show, as an example, a case where the thickness of the second battery 12B is about two-thirds the thickness of the first battery 12A. In addition, in the insertion / removal direction (axial direction of the main case 22), the height (total length) of the second battery 12B is the same as the height (total length) of the first battery 12A.

[0026] The second battery 12B is thinner than the first battery 12A, and therefore the overall length of the first grip portion 28 is relatively short. As with the first battery 12A, the second grip portion 30 of the second battery 12B is located closer to the side surface 34a of the top case 24. Even in this case, the user can grip the handle 26 of the second battery 12B. That is, the area where the handle 26 of the second battery 12B is located is the same as the area where the handle 26 of the first battery 12A is located.

[0027] In the second battery 12B, the connector 32 is located closer to the side surface 34a of the bottom case 20, similar to the first battery 12A.

[0028] The third battery 12C will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the third battery 12C.

[0029] The external shape (second exterior shape) of the third battery 12C is smaller than the external shape (exterior shape) of the first battery 12A shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, in another plane parallel to the insertion / removal direction (a plane parallel to the side surfaces 34a to 34d of the mobile battery 12), the external shape of the third battery 12C is smaller than the external shape of the first battery 12A. More specifically, in the insertion / removal direction, the height (total length) of the third battery 12C is smaller than the height (total length) of the first battery 12A. In other words, the overall length of the third battery 12C is shorter than that of the first battery 12A. FIG. 8 illustrates, as an example, a case where the overall length of the third battery 12C is approximately two-thirds the overall length of the first battery 12A. Note that the thickness of the third battery 12C is the same as the thickness of the first battery 12A in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction.

[0030] As described above, the third battery 12C is a mobile battery with a shorter overall length than the first battery 12A. Therefore, the handle 26 of the third battery 12C has the same external shape as the handle 26 of the first battery 12A. That is, the area where the handle 26 of the third battery 12C is located is the same as the area where the handle 26 of the first battery 12A is located. Therefore, a user can easily grip the handle 26 of the third battery 12C. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in the third battery 12C, the second gripping portion 30 is located closer to the side surface 34a of the top case 24, similar to the first battery 12A (see FIGS. 2 to 4) and the second battery 12B (see FIGS. 5 to 7).

[0031] In the third battery 12C, the connector 32 is located closer to the side surface 34a of the bottom case 20, similar to the first battery 12A and the second battery 12B.

[0032] [Slot 16 Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1 , each of the multiple slots 16 is provided in the battery exchange machine 10 in an inclined position such that the opening 42 for inserting and removing the mobile battery 12 is higher than the bottom. As described above, the mobile battery 12 includes a first battery 12A to a third battery 12C. Therefore, of the 12 slots 16 of the battery exchange machine 10, the four slots 16 in the left column are slots for accommodating the first battery 12A. The four slots 16 in the center column are slots for accommodating the second battery 12B. The four slots 16 in the right column are slots for accommodating the third battery 12C. In the following description, a slot 16 capable of accommodating the first battery 12A will be referred to as a first slot 16A. A slot 16 capable of accommodating the second battery 12B will be referred to as a second slot 16B. A slot 16 capable of accommodating the third battery 12C will be referred to as a third slot 16C.

[0033] Next, the configuration of each of the first slot 16A to third slot 16C will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 21. The second slot 16B and third slot 16C are slots in which the configuration of the first slot 16A has been partially modified. Therefore, in the following explanation, the first slot 16A will be described first. Next, the second slot 16B and third slot 16C will be described with respect to their configurations that differ from that of the first slot 16A. Therefore, the same components in the first slot 16A to third slot 16C will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0034] [Configuration of first slot 16A] The configuration of the first slot 16A will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 16. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first slot 16A. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the first battery 12A (see FIGS. 2 to 4) is not inserted into the first slot 16A. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the opening 42 of the first slot 16A. FIG. 10 is a perspective view in which a door 44 (see FIGS. 9 and 11), which will be described later, is retracted from the opening 54f. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the first slot 16A. FIG. 11 shows a state in which the first battery 12A is inserted into the first slot 16A.

[0035] The first slot 16A has a structure similar to the slots disclosed in WO 2023 / 058752 and WO 2023 / 100445. That is, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 15, the first slot 16A has a slotted sleeve 50 and a battery lock mechanism 52. The slotted sleeve 50 holds the first battery 12A. The inside of the slotted sleeve 50 forms an inner surface 56 for holding the first battery 12A. The inner surface 56 of the slotted sleeve 50 is the inner surface of the first slot 16A. The slotted sleeve 50 has a slot body 54, a slot flange 78, a slot guide 80, and a bottom cover 60 (bottom).

[0036] The slot body 54 is a cylindrical member (tubular portion) having a lower plate 54a, a left plate 54b, a right plate 54c, and an upper plate 54d. The slot body 54 extends along the Z-axis direction, which is the insertion / removal direction of the first battery 12A. The slot body 54 is a hollow body having a substantially rectangular prism shape. Therefore, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the slot body 54 has a substantially rectangular outer shape (see Figures 9, 10, and 13). The inner surface of the slot body 54 forms a part of the inner surface 56 of the slot sleeve 50. The slot body 54 has an opening 54f at its end in the +Z-axis direction. The slot body 54 has an opening 54g at its end in the -Z-axis direction.

[0037] The slot body 54 may be a hollow body (cylinder) having a substantially cylindrical shape. In this case, when the slot body 54 is viewed from the Z-axis direction, the outer shape of the slot body 54 is substantially circular. When the slot body 54 is cylindrical, it is desirable that the first battery 12A be a cylindrical mobile battery.

[0038] In the slot body 54, outer ribs 61 extending along the Z-axis direction are provided on the outer surfaces of the lower plate 54a, left plate 54b, right plate 54c, and upper plate 54d. The outer ribs 61 improve the rigidity of the slot body 54.

[0039] 10 and 11, the slot body 54 has a holding space 54e (accommodating space) therein. When the first battery 12A is held in the first slot 16A, most of the first battery 12A is held in the holding space 54e.

[0040] In this embodiment, the slot body 54 and the bottom cover 60 are separate members, but it is also possible to configure the slot body 54 and the bottom cover 60 as a single member.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, an in-slot protrusion 62 is provided on the upper surface (inner surface) of the lower plate 54a. The in-slot protrusion 62 has two first cylindrical rails 64. The first cylindrical rails 64 protrude vertically upward (in the +Y-axis direction) from the upper surface of the lower plate 54a. The two first cylindrical rails 64 extend along the Z-axis direction to near the bottom cover 60 while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is constant. Therefore, the two first cylindrical rails 64 are parallel to each other. In other words, the two first cylindrical rails 64 protrude in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction of the first battery 12A and extend along the insertion / removal direction of the first battery 12A. The two first cylindrical rails 64 are provided on the lower plate 54a so as to be detachable from the lower plate 54a.

[0042] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which there are two first internal rails 64. In this embodiment, the number of first internal rails 64 may be one. Alternatively, the number of first internal rails 64 may be three or more.

[0043] An internal space (not shown) is formed in the first cylindrical rail 64. That is, the first cylindrical rail 64 is hollow. This makes it possible to prevent the weight of the slot body 54 from increasing due to the provision of the first cylindrical rail 64.

[0044] 10, the first cylindrical rail 64 has a rail main body 66 that is positioned in the slot main body 54. A guide rail portion 68 extends in the +Y-axis direction from the upper surface of the rail main body 66 that faces the +Y-axis direction. The rail main body 66 and the guide rail portion 68 extend along the Z-axis direction.

[0045] A gently sloping inclined portion 70 is formed at the end (front end) of the guide rail portion 68 in the +Z-axis direction. The top surface of the inclined portion 70 faces the -Y-axis direction as it moves from the -Z-axis direction to the +Z-axis direction. When the door 44 (described later) opens or closes, one end of the door 44 passes near the inclined portion 70. This prevents the door 44 from interfering with the guide rail portion 68 during rotation. In other words, the inclined portion 70 is a relief portion that prevents the door 44 from interfering with the guide rail portion 68. The length of the inclined portion 70 along the Z-axis direction is set so that the inclined portion 70 is outside the movement trajectory of the door 44.

[0046] A suitable material for the first internal rail 64 is a resin such as polyoxymethylene, also known as polyacetal or POM. Another example of a resin that can be used for the first internal rail 64 is polyamide 66.

[0047] As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 13, a second cylindrical rail 72 and a third cylindrical rail 74 are provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right plates 54b, 54c of the slot body 54. The second cylindrical rail 72 and the third cylindrical rail 74 protrude horizontally (in the X-axis direction) from the inner surfaces of the left and right plates 54b, 54c. The second cylindrical rail 72 and the third cylindrical rail 74 are aligned vertically along the Y-axis direction on the inner surfaces of the left and right plates 54b, 54c. The second cylindrical rail 72 and the third cylindrical rail 74 are provided on the left and right plates 54b, 54c so as to be detachable from the left and right plates 54b, 54c, respectively.

[0048] The second and third cylindrical rails 72 and 74 extend along the Z-axis direction to the vicinity of the bottom cover 60. In other words, the second and third cylindrical rails 72 and 74 protrude in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction of the first battery 12A and extend along the insertion / removal direction of the first battery 12A.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 11, the side surface 34c of the first battery 12A abuts against the guide rail portions 68 of the two first cylindrical rails 64. As shown in FIG. 13, the side surface 34b of the first battery 12A abuts against the second cylindrical rail 72 and the third cylindrical rail 74 provided on the left side plate 54b. The side surface 34d of the first battery 12A abuts against the second cylindrical rail 72 and the third cylindrical rail 74 provided on the right side plate 54c. This abutment positions the first battery 12A within the slot body 54. When there are two or more first cylindrical rails 64, the posture of the first battery 12A is further stabilized.

[0050] 9 to 11 and 13, a bezel 76 is attached to the opening 54f of the slot body 54 in the +Z-axis direction. The bezel 76 is a separate member from the slot body 54. The bezel 76 is adjacent to the slot body 54 and connected to the slot body 54. The dividing point between the bezel 76 and the slot body 54 is not particularly limited to the position shown in FIG. 11. For example, the dividing point between the bezel 76 and the slot body 54 may be located further in the -Z-axis direction than the door 44.

[0051] The bezel 76 is disposed at a position that is the exterior side of the first slot 16A. The slot body 54 is disposed at a position that is the interior side of the slot 16. Here, the exterior side refers to the exterior side in the direction in which the first battery 12A is inserted and removed from the opening 42 of the first slot 16A, which serves as an entrance and exit. The interior side is the opposite side to the exterior side. In the illustrated example, the exterior side is the +Z-axis direction, and the interior side is the -Z-axis direction.

[0052] The bezel 76 has a slot flange 78 and a slot guide 80. The slot flange 78 and the slot guide 80 are separate members. A packing (not shown) is interposed between the slot flange 78 and the slot guide 80.

[0053] The slot guide 80 has an outer member 82 and an inner member (not shown). The outer member 82 has a frame portion 84 and a flange portion 86. The frame portion 84 has an annular shape (rectangular shape). The frame portion 84 is a hollow portion with an annular internal space (not shown). In other words, the outer member 82 that constitutes the bezel 76 is a hollow body with an annular internal space that follows the frame portion 84. By making the frame portion 84 a hollow portion, the weight of the outer member 82 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the amount of material used for the outer member 82 is reduced, the manufacturing cost of the outer member 82 is reduced. The annular internal space is a space that houses the inner member.

[0054] An opening 42 of the first slot 16A is formed in the frame portion 84. The first battery 12A is inserted into or removed from the opening 42.

[0055] The frame 84 has a lower inner surface 88a, a left inner surface 88b, a right inner surface 88c, and an upper inner surface 88d. When the slot 16 is oriented such that the longitudinal direction of the slot 16 is aligned horizontally, the lower inner surface 88a and the upper inner surface 88d extend substantially horizontally. Meanwhile, the left inner surface 88b and the right inner surface 88c extend in a direction intersecting the horizontal and vertical directions at a predetermined angle.

[0056] An inner-bezel protrusion 90 is provided on the lower inner surface 88a. The inner-bezel protrusion 90 has two inner-bezel rails 92. The inner-bezel rails 92 protrude vertically upward (in the +Y-axis direction) from the lower inner surface 88a. The two inner-bezel rails 92 extend along the Z-axis direction toward the bottom cover 60 while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is constant. Therefore, the two inner-bezel rails 92 are parallel to each other. The two inner-bezel rails 92 are provided on the lower inner surface 88a so as to be detachable from the lower inner surface 88a.

[0057] Although the present embodiment illustrates an example in which there are two bezel inner rails 92, the number of bezel inner rails 92 may be one. Alternatively, the number of bezel inner rails 92 may be three or more. In a typical example, the number of bezel inner rails 92 is the same as the number of first-cylinder inner rails 64. The bezel inner rails 92 are continuous with the first-cylinder inner rails 64 in the +Z-axis direction. However, it is not essential that the number of bezel inner rails 92 and the number of first-cylinder inner rails 64 are the same.

[0058] The bezel inner rail 92 and the guide rail portion 68 of the first-cylinder inner rail 64 do not necessarily need to be connected to each other along the Z-axis direction. For example, the bezel inner rail 92 may be shifted in the −X-axis direction or the +X-axis direction relative to the first-cylinder inner rail 64.

[0059] Similar to the first cylinder rail 64, the two bezel inner rails 92 protrude in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction of the first battery 12A. The two bezel inner rails 92 extend along the insertion / removal direction of the first battery 12A. The bezel inner rails 92 are rounded, and their width along the X-axis direction decreases toward the +Z-axis direction.

[0060] An internal space (not shown) is formed in the bezel inner rail 92. In other words, the bezel inner rail 92 is hollow. Therefore, by providing the bezel inner rail 92, an increase in the weight of the slot body 54 is avoided.

[0061] While the first battery 12A is being inserted into the holding space 54e, the side surface 34c of the first battery 12A comes into sliding contact with the bezel inner rails 92. When there are two or more bezel inner rails 92, the posture of the first battery 12A is stable.

[0062] Protrusions 94 are formed on the left inner surface 88b and the right inner surface 88c of the frame portion 84, respectively. The protrusion 94 formed on the left inner surface 88b has a convex shape that protrudes toward the right inner surface 88c. The protrusion 94 formed on the right inner surface 88c has a convex shape that protrudes toward the left inner surface 88b. The protrusion 94 extends from the lower inner surface 88a to the upper inner surface 88d. However, the length of the protrusion 94 in the extending direction (the length along the Y-axis direction) is shorter than the distance from the lower inner surface 88a to the upper inner surface 88d. The four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 (see FIG. 2) and the four corners 36t of the top case 24 pass through a clearance 96a between the protrusion 94 and the lower inner surface 88a and a clearance 96b between the protrusion 94 and the upper inner surface 88d. In this way, the clearances 96a and 96b are relief portions.

[0063] The protruding length (length along the X-axis direction) of the protruding portion 94 is a length that allows it to abut against the side surfaces 34b and 34d of the main case 22. Alternatively, the protruding length (length along the X-axis direction) of the protruding portion 94 is a length that allows it to be slightly spaced apart from the side surfaces 34b and 34d of the main case 22. As can be seen from this, the shape of the protruding portion 94 corresponds to the shape of the recess 40 (see FIG. 2) of the first battery 12A.

[0064] The flange portion 86 is an extending portion that extends outward in an annular (rectangular) shape from the outer edge of the frame portion 84. The flange portion 86 is formed to be thin-walled.

[0065] The material of the outer member 82 is preferably a material that is lower in hardness than the materials of the bottom case 20, main case 22, and top case 24 of the first battery 12A. As described above, when the bottom case 20, main case 22, and top case 24 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a suitable example of the material of the outer member 82 is a resin such as polycarbonate. In this case, the material of the bezel inner rail 92 and the protrusion 94 is also a resin such as polycarbonate.

[0066] As described above, the material of the first cylindrical rail 64 is, for example, a resin such as POM or polyamide 66. In this case, when the bottom case 20, main case 22, and top case 24 of the first battery 12A are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the material of the first cylindrical rail 64 has a lower hardness than the materials of the bottom case 20, main case 22, and top case 24.

[0067] Resin may be selected as the material for the bottom case 20 and top case 24 of the first battery 12A. In this case, a resin with a lower hardness than the resin material for the bottom case 20 and top case 24 may be selected as the material for the outer member 82, bezel inner rail 92, protrusion 94, slot flange 78, and first cylindrical inner rail 64. Conversely, if avoiding wear of the battery exchange device 10 is a priority, a resin with a higher hardness than the resin material for the bottom case 20 and top case 24 may be selected as the material for the outer member 82, bezel inner rail 92, protrusion 94, slot flange 78, and first cylindrical inner rail 64.

[0068] In this embodiment, the outer member 82 is translucent. Here, "translucent" means the property of transmitting visible light. In other words, the outer member 82 has the property of transmitting visible light. The outer member 82 may be transparent. The outer member 82 may be opaque. Because the outer member 82 is translucent, the user can see the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 98 from outside the outer member 82. The light-emitting unit 98 will be described later.

[0069] The entire outer member 82 may be translucent, or only the portion of the outer member 82 corresponding to the light emitting portion 98 may be translucent.

[0070] The inner member has an annular (rectangular) shape. A light-emitting unit 98 (see FIG. 10) is provided on a side of the inner member in the +X-axis direction. Another light-emitting unit 98 is provided on a side of the inner member in the -X-axis direction. The two light-emitting units 98 are arranged facing each other on the inner member and extend vertically. The light-emitting unit 98 indicates the availability of the first slot 16A, the charging state of the first battery 12A accommodated in the first slot 16A, etc., by indicating whether the light is on, flashing, or off, the color of the light, etc.

[0071] The slot flange 78 is a ring-shaped body having a substantially rectangular shape. The slot flange 78 is connected to the slot guide 80 in the −Z-axis direction. The outer member 82 of the slot guide 80 and the slot flange 78 are connected to each other in the Z-axis direction. The first battery 12A inserted through the opening 42 passes through the slot flange 78.

[0072] The remainder of the bezel inner rail 92 is provided on the lower inner surface of the slot flange 78. As can be seen from this, the bezel inner protrusion 90 is provided from the slot guide 80 to the slot flange 78. The bezel inner rail 92 provided on the slot guide 80 and the bezel inner rail 92 provided on the slot flange 78 are continuous along the Z-axis direction. The bezel inner rail 92 provided on the slot guide 80 is located in the +Z-axis direction. The bezel inner rail 92 provided on the slot flange 78 is located in the -Z-axis direction. The remainder of the bezel inner rail 92 is provided on the lower inner surface of the slot flange 78 so as to be detachable from the lower inner surface of the slot flange 78.

[0073] Like the outer member 82, the material of the slot flange 78 is preferably a material that is lower in hardness than the materials of the bottom case 20, main case 22, and top case 24 of the first battery 12A. A specific example of a suitable material for the slot flange 78 is polycarbonate. In this case, the material of the bezel inner rail 92 is also polycarbonate. Note that, like the bezel inner rail 92 provided on the outer member 82, the bezel inner rail 92 provided on the slot flange 78 is also a hollow portion having an internal space.

[0074] 9 and 11, a door 44 is attached to the slot body 54. The door 44 is made of resin. The door 44 is not limited to being made of resin, and may be made of metal. When the door 44 is made of resin, the door 44 can be manufactured more cheaply than when the door 44 is made of metal.

[0075] The door 44 is rotatable about the shaft 100. A spring force acting on the door 44 by a torsion spring (not shown) causes the door 44 to return in a direction that closes the opening 54f of the slot body 54. The shaft 100 is attached to the +Y-axis direction side of the slot body 54. The shaft 100 is attached to the inner surface of the upper plate 54d of the slot body 54. When the first battery 12A is not inserted into the slot 16, the door 44 closes the opening 54f on the +Z-axis direction side of the slot body 54 due to the spring force of the torsion spring. When the first battery 12A is inserted into the slot 16, the door 44 is pushed in the -Z-axis direction by the first battery 12A. This causes the door 44 to rotate about the shaft 100 and open against the spring force of the torsion spring. At this time, the door 44 opens the opening 54f on the +Z-axis direction side of the slot body 54.

[0076] The battery lock mechanism 52 is attached to the +Y axis direction side of the slot flange 78. The battery lock mechanism 52 is switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0077] When the first battery 12A is housed in the slot 16A and the battery lock mechanism 52 is in the locked state, the battery lock mechanism 52 restricts movement of the first battery 12A in the +Z axis direction, thereby preventing the user from pulling out the first battery 12A from the first slot 16A.

[0078] When the battery lock mechanism 52 is in the unlocked state, the battery lock mechanism 52 allows the first battery 12A to move in the Z-axis direction. This allows the user to remove the first battery 12A from the first slot 16A when the first battery 12A is housed in the first slot 16A. Also, the user can insert the first battery 12A into the first slot 16A.

[0079] 9, 11, 12, 14, and 15, a bottom cover 60 is attached to an opening 54g in the −Z-axis direction of the slot body 54. A connector unit 120, a fan 122 (air-generating portion), an electronic circuit board 124, and a detection switch 126 (accommodation detection portion) are attached to the bottom cover 60. This configuration constitutes a bottom cover assembly 130. The bottom cover assembly 130 will be described later.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 16 , the bottom cover 60 is formed with a through-hole 132, an insertion hole 134, and a vent hole 136. The detection unit 138 of the detection switch 126 (see FIGS. 11 and 12 ) is inserted into the insertion hole 134. The vent hole 136 is a hole for sending cooling air generated by the fan 122 into the first slot 16A. A connector 140 (second electrical terminal), which will be described later, passes through the through-hole 132. As shown in FIG. 11 , when the first battery 12A is inserted into the slot body 54, the connector 140 passes through the through-hole 132 from the −Z-axis direction to the +Z-axis direction. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 12 , when the first battery 12A is removed from the slot body 54, the connector 140 passes through the through-hole 132 from the +Z-axis direction to the −Z-axis direction.

[0081] The bottom cover assembly 130 will now be described with reference to Figures 11, 12, 14 and 15.

[0082] The fan 122 promotes air flow within the slotted sleeve 50 .

[0083] The connector unit 120 has a connector 140 (second electrical terminal) and a motor 142. The connector 140 is a male connector. The connector 140 has a male electrical terminal for receiving and transmitting power, and a male communication terminal for receiving and transmitting communication signals. In other words, the connector 140 serves as both an electrical terminal and a communication terminal. The male connector 140 is sometimes called a plug.

[0084] The connector 140 is fitted into the connector 32 of the first battery 12A. At this time, power is supplied from the connector 140 to the first battery 12A, and the first battery 12A is charged. Alternatively, power is extracted from the first battery 12A via the connector 140, and the first battery 12A is discharged. Furthermore, the first battery 12A and a control unit (not shown) of the battery exchange machine 10 are communicatively connected via the connector 32 and the connector 140. That is, communication signals are exchanged between the first battery 12A and the control unit of the battery exchange machine 10.

[0085] The connector 140 is moved forward or backward along the Z-axis direction by a motor 142. Specifically, the motor 142 has a rotating shaft (not shown). The rotating shaft extends from the motor 142 in the +Y-axis direction. A pinion 144 is attached to the tip of the rotating shaft. The pinion 144 meshes with a rack 146. The motor 142 is mechanically connected to the connector 140 via the pinion 144, rack 146, and base 148. The connector 140 and motor 142 are attached to the bottom cover 60 via the base 148. In this way, the motor 142 is supported on the bottom cover 60. The rack 146 and base 148 form a connector holder 150 for fixing the connector 140.

[0086] The electronic circuit board 124, for example, controls charging of the first battery 12A accommodated in the first slot 16A. A detection switch 126 is mounted on the electronic circuit board 124. When the first battery 12A is accommodated in the first slot 16A, the detection unit 138 of the detection switch 126 is pressed down by the first battery 12A. This switches the detection switch 126 from off to on.

[0087] The relationship between the on / off of detection switch 126 and the movement of connector 140 will be described in detail. Fig. 11 shows a state in which connector holder 150 has moved in the +Z-axis direction. Fig. 12 shows a state in which connector holder 150 has moved in the -Z-axis direction.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 11 , when the first battery 12A is inserted into the first slot 16A and the bottom case 20 of the first battery 12A presses down the detector 138 of the detection switch 126 in the −Z-axis direction, the detection switch 126 switches from OFF to ON. In response to the detection switch 126 switching from OFF to ON, the motor 142 moves the connector holder 150 in the +Z-axis direction. At this time, the connector 140 moves in the +Z-axis direction and enters the slot sleeve 50 through the through-hole 132 of the bottom cover 60. As a result, the connector 140 is connected to the connector 32 of the first battery 12A.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 12 , when the first battery 12A moves in the +Z-axis direction and the bottom case 20 of the first battery 12A moves away from the detector 138 of the detection switch 126, the detector 138 passes through the insertion hole 134 and protrudes into the first slot 16A. This switches the detection switch 126 from ON to OFF. In response to the detection switch 126 switching from ON to OFF, the motor 142 moves the connector holder 150 in the −Z-axis direction. At this time, the connector 140 moves in the −Z-axis direction and retracts from the through-hole 132 of the bottom cover 60 to the outside of the slot sleeve 50. This disconnects the connector 140 from the connector 32 of the first battery 12A.

[0090] As described above, the connector 140 moves in the Z-axis direction. The direction of movement of the connector 140 is the same as the direction of movement of the first battery 12A (see FIGS. 2 to 4) when the first battery 12A is inserted into the first slot 16A. That is, the direction of movement of the connector 140 and the direction of movement of the first battery 12A are the same. Therefore, even if the connector unit 120 breaks down while the connector 140 is connected to the connector 32 of the first battery 12A, the user can disconnect the two connectors 32, 140 by pulling out the first battery 12A from the first slot 16A.

[0091] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 to 15, the battery lock mechanism 52 includes a link bar 160, a cam 162, a stopper 164, and a camshaft 166. As shown in FIGS.

[0092] The −Z-axis direction side of the link bar 160 is fixed to the connector holder 150. This allows the link bar 160 to move in the Z-axis direction together with the connector 140. Note that the link bar 160 may also be fixed directly to the connector 140.

[0093] The +Z-axis direction side of the link bar 160 is fixed to the cam 162. This allows the cam 162 to move together with the link bar 160 in the Z-axis direction.

[0094] The cam 162 has a cam slit 168. The cam slit 168 penetrates the cam 162 in the X-axis direction. The cam slit 168 is formed in an S-shape. Both end portions of the cam slit 168 extend in the Z-axis direction. One end portion of the cam slit 168 in the +Z-axis direction is located closer to the +Y-axis direction than the other end portion of the cam slit 168 in the -Z-axis direction. The portion between one end portion and the other end portion of the cam slit 168 is an inclined portion that extends more in the +Y-axis direction as it approaches the +Z-axis direction.

[0095] The stopper 164 has a stopper body 164a and two connecting portions 164b. The stopper body 164a is plate-shaped. Each of the two connecting portions 164b extends in the -Z-axis direction from the end of the stopper body 164a in the +Y-axis direction. The two connecting portions 164b are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction.

[0096] The camshaft 166 passes through the cam slit 168 and the stopper 164. As shown in Fig. 11, when the first battery 12A is held in the first slot 16A, the stopper body 164a of the stopper 164 is located further in the +Z axis direction than the main case 22 of the first battery 12A.

[0097] The stopper 164 is mechanically connected to the connector 140 via the battery lock mechanism 52 and the connector holder 150. More specifically, the stopper 164 is mechanically connected to the connector 140 by the link bar 160, the cam 162, and the connector holder 150. The link bar 160 transmits the movement of the connector holder 150 in the Z-axis direction, which moves together with the connector 140, to the cam 162. The cam 162 converts the movement of the link bar 160 in the Z-axis direction into the movement of the stopper 164 in the Y-axis direction.

[0098] The stopper 164 is mechanically connected to the motor 142, the pinion 144, and the rack 146 by the link bar 160, the cam 162, and the connector holder 150. This allows the common motor 142 to be used as the drive source for moving the connector 140 in the Z-axis direction and the drive source for moving the stopper 164 in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the number of drive sources is reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the first slot 16A can be suppressed. Note that being mechanically connected does not only refer to a state in which the connector 140 is connected by a rigid body, such as the link bar 160, but also includes a state in which the connector 164 is connected by the meshing of multiple gears, etc.

[0099] Furthermore, if the drive source that moves connector 140 in the Z-axis direction and the drive source that moves stopper 164 in the Y-axis direction were separate, there is a possibility that the timing at which connector 140 moves and the timing at which stopper 164 moves may not match. As described above, connector 140 and stopper 164 are mechanically connected to each other so that stopper 164 moves in conjunction with connector 140. This makes it possible to match the timing at which connector 140 moves and the timing at which stopper 164 moves.

[0100] When the cam 162 moves in the -Z-axis direction, the camshaft 166 moves to one end of the cam slit 168. This causes the stopper 164 to move in the +Y-axis direction. As a result, the stopper body 164a does not protrude into the slot sleeve 50. At this time, the battery lock mechanism 52 is in an unlocked state. This means that the battery lock mechanism 52 does not hinder the movement of the first battery 12A being inserted into the first slot 16A. Furthermore, the battery lock mechanism 52 does not hinder the movement of the first battery 12A being removed from the first slot 16A.

[0101] When the cam 162 moves in the +Z-axis direction, the camshaft 166 moves to the other end of the cam slit 168. This causes the stopper 164 to move in the -Y-axis direction. As a result, the stopper body 164a protrudes into the slot sleeve 50. At this time, the battery lock mechanism 52 is in a locked state. When the first battery 12A held in the first slot 16A moves in the +Z-axis direction, the stopper 164 abuts against the top case 24 of the first battery 12A. This causes the battery lock mechanism 52 to restrict the movement of the first battery 12A being pulled out of the first slot 16A.

[0102] The battery lock mechanism 52, including the link bar 160, is longer than the first battery 12A held in the slot sleeve 50. Therefore, the stopper 164 can be positioned further in the +Z-axis direction than the first battery 12A. As a result, when the battery lock mechanism 52 is in the locked state and the first battery 12A is pulled out in the +Z-axis direction, the stopper 164 comes into contact with the top case 24 of the first battery 12A. Therefore, there is no need to provide grooves or the like for engaging with the stopper 164 on the four side surfaces (side surface 34a, side surface 34b, side surface 34c, and side surface 34d) of the first battery 12A.

[0103] When the battery lock mechanism 52 is in the locked state, the camshaft 166 is located at the other end of the cam slit 168 of the cam 162. At this time, even if a force acts on the stopper 164 in the +Y-axis direction, movement of the stopper 164 in the +Y-axis direction is restricted. This prevents the battery lock mechanism 52 from entering the unlocked state.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 1 , the +Z-axis direction end of the bezel 76 of the first slot 16A is exposed in the +Z-axis direction from the front surface 19 of the battery exchange machine 10. The first slot 16A is inclined relative to the vertical direction (the direction of gravity). When a user stands upright facing the front surface 19 of the battery exchange machine 10, the upper part of the first slot 16A is located farther from the user than the lower part of the first slot 16A. This causes the user to assume a forward-leaning posture when inserting or removing the first battery 12A from the first slot 16A. This makes it easy for the user to insert or remove the first battery 12A from the first slot 16A.

[0105] [Insertion and removal of first battery 12A from first slot 16A] Next, the operation of inserting and removing the first battery 12A into and from the first slot 16A will be described.

[0106] When the SOC of the first battery 12A drops, the user inserts the first battery 12A into the empty first slot 16A of the battery exchange machine 10. At this time, the user grasps the handle 26 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and lifts the first battery 12A. The user points the bottom case 20 toward the slot 16 and tilts the first battery 12A. The user also points the convex side surface 34a vertically upward. As a result, with the side surface 34a facing vertically upward, the bottom case 20 is in a low position and the top case 24 is in a high position.

[0107] Next, the user inserts the bottom case 20 into the opening 42 of the first slot 16A (see Figures 9 and 10). At this time, the side surface 34c of the mobile battery 12 faces vertically downward, and the side surface 34a faces vertically upward. This causes the bottom case 20 to move to the back side of the slot guide 80. Here, two inner bezel rails 92 are provided on the lower inner surface 88a of the slot guide 80 and the lower inner surface of the slot flange 78. Therefore, the side surface 34c of the bottom case 20 abuts against the upper surfaces of the two inner bezel rails 92.

[0108] In this state, the user pushes the first battery 12A toward the holding space 54e. This pushing causes the first battery 12A to move toward the holding space 54e. At this time, the first battery 12A pushes the end face of the door 44 on the +Z-axis direction side in the -Z-axis direction. This causes the door 44 to rotate about the shaft 100. The door 44 retreats to a location on the +Y-axis direction side within the holding space 54e.

[0109] When the first battery 12A moves toward the retention space 54e, the side surface 34c of the first battery 12A slides against the bezel inner rail 92. This prevents wear on the lower inner surface 88a. Furthermore, because the bezel inner rail 92 supports the weight of the first battery 12A, wear on the left inner surface 88b, the right inner surface 88c, and the upper inner surface 88d is also prevented. This maintains the aesthetic appearance of the slot guide 80 and the slot flange 78.

[0110] The bezel inner rail 92 is provided across from the slot guide 80 to the slot flange 78. Therefore, the bezel inner rail 92 extends from the opening 42 to the opening 54f of the slot body 54. This makes it easy to move the first battery 12A to the holding space 54e.

[0111] The bottom case 20 reaches the opening 54f of the slot body 54. A first cylindrical rail 64 is provided on the inner surface of the lower plate 54a of the slot body 54. Therefore, the bottom case 20 transfers from the bezel inner rail 92 to the first cylindrical rail 64. When the user further pushes the first battery 12A toward the holding space 54e, the bottom case 20 comes into sliding contact with the upper surface of the guide rail portion 68 of the first cylindrical rail 64. At the same time, the main case 22 comes into sliding contact with the upper surface of the bezel inner rail 92. When the user further pushes the first battery 12A toward the holding space 54e, the main case 22 comes into sliding contact with the upper surface of the first cylindrical rail 64. At the same time, the top case 24 comes into sliding contact with the upper surface of the bezel inner rail 92.

[0112] When the first battery 12A is being inserted into the holding space 54e, the four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 and the four corners 36t of the top case 24 pass through the clearance 96a between the protrusion 94 and the lower inner surface 88a and the clearance 96b between the protrusion 94 and the upper inner surface 88d. In other words, the four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 and the four corners 36t of the top case 24 do not interfere with the protrusion 94.

[0113] The second and third cylindrical rails 72 and 74 abut against the side surfaces 34b and 34d of the first battery 12A accommodated in the retention space 54e, respectively. The protruding tips of the protrusions 94 also abut against or are close to the side surfaces 34b and 34d. Therefore, the first battery 12A is positioned by the two second cylindrical rails 72, the two third cylindrical rails 74, and the two protrusions 94. This positioning also aligns the connector 32 with the connector 140. In this way, by providing the second cylindrical rails 72, the third cylindrical rails 74, and the protrusions 94 in the first slot 16A, it is easy to align the position of the connector 32 with the position of the connector 140.

[0114] When the first battery 12A is inserted into the holding space 54e and the bottom case 20 of the first battery 12A moves up to the bottom cover 60 (see FIG. 11), the first battery 12A presses down the detection portion 138 of the detection switch 126. This switches the detection switch 126 from off to on.

[0115] When the detection switch 126 is switched on, the motor 142 is driven to move the connector holder 150 in the +Z-axis direction. This causes the connector 140 to move in the +Z-axis direction. The connector 140 passes through the through-hole 132 and engages with the connector 32 of the first battery 12A.

[0116] Additionally, in conjunction with the movement of the connector holder 150, the link bar 160 of the battery lock mechanism 52 moves in the +Z-axis direction. This causes the stopper 164 of the battery lock mechanism 52 to protrude into the slot sleeve 50. As a result, the first battery 12A housed in the first slot 16A is positioned and fixed.

[0117] With the two connectors 32, 140 connected, power is supplied to the first battery 12A. The supplied power is stored in the cell pack 14 inside the main case 22.

[0118] When the first battery 12A is accommodated in the first slot 16A in this manner, for example, a light-emitting structure is illuminated in another first slot 16A. Specifically, the light-emitting unit 98 of the other first slot 16A accommodating the first battery 12A is illuminated. The other first slot 16A is the slot accommodating the first battery 12A whose SOC has become sufficiently high. The user removes the first battery 12A from the first slot 16A whose light-emitting unit 98 is illuminated. In this case, the user can easily identify the opening 42, which is the removal start position for the first battery 12A, based on the illuminated position of the light-emitting unit 98.

[0119] When the user pulls out the first battery 12A, the bottom case 20 of the first battery 12A moves away from the bottom cover 60 in the +Z-axis direction (see FIG. 12). This switches the detection switch 126 from on to off. The motor 142 starts in response to the detection switch 126 switching off, and moves the connector holder 150 in the -Z-axis direction. This moves the connector 140 in the -Z-axis direction, and the connection between the connector 140 and the connector 32 of the first battery 12A is released. The connector 140 passes through the through-hole 132 and retreats from the bottom cover 60 in the -Z-axis direction.

[0120] In conjunction with the movement of the connector holder 150, the link bar 160 of the battery lock mechanism 52 moves in the -Z-axis direction. This causes the stopper 164 of the battery lock mechanism 52 to retract in the +Y-axis direction. As a result, the first battery 12A is released from the locked state by the stopper 164. Therefore, the user can easily remove the first battery 12A from the first slot 16A. When the first battery 12A is removed from the first slot 16A, the door 44 closes the opening 54f of the slot body 54.

[0121] [Configuration of second slot 16B] Next, the second slot 16B will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0122] The second slot 16B has a filler member 170. The filler member 170 is disposed inside the second slot 16B. The filler member 170 is disposed in the second slot 16B so as to fill a gap between the inner surface 56 of the second slot 16B and the outer surface of the second battery 12B when the second battery 12B is inserted into the second slot 16B. In other words, the filler member 170 is a filler for filling the gap. The filler member 170 is disposed in the second slot 16B so as to be removable from the second slot 16B.

[0123] Specifically, the second slot 16B does not have the in-slot protrusion 62 (first in-cylinder rail 64), the in-bezel protrusion 90 (in-bezel rail 92), the second in-cylinder rail 72, or the door 44. That is, in the second slot 16B, the first in-cylinder rail 64, the bezel in-cylinder rail 92, the second in-cylinder rail 72, and the door 44 have been removed.

[0124] The filler member 170 is disposed on the inner surface 56 of the second slot 16B facing the −Y-axis direction. That is, the filler member 170 is disposed across the lower inner surface of the slot guide 80, the lower inner surface of the slot flange 78, and the inner surface of the lower plate 54a of the slot body 54.

[0125] Specifically, the side surface (bottom surface) of the filler member 170 in the -Y-axis direction is in surface contact with the lower inner surface of the slot guide 80, the lower inner surface of the slot flange 78, and the lower plate 54a of the slot main body 54. The left side surface of the filler member 170 is in surface contact with the left inner surface of the slot guide 80, the left inner surface of the slot flange 78, and the inner surface of the left plate 54b of the slot main body 54. The right side surface of the filler member 170 is in surface contact with the right inner surface of the slot guide 80, the right inner surface of the slot flange 78, and the inner surface of the right plate 54c of the slot main body 54. The side surface of the filler member 170 in the -Z-axis direction is in surface contact with the bottom cover 60. This allows the filler member 170 to be appropriately positioned on the inner surface 56 of the second slot 16B.

[0126] The side surface (top surface 170u) of the filling member 170 in the +Y-axis direction faces the upper inner surface of the slot guide 80, the upper inner surface of the slot flange 78, and the inner surface of the upper plate 54d of the slot main body 54. A space capable of accommodating the second battery 12B is formed between the upper surface 170u of the filling member 170 and the upper inner surfaces of the slot guide 80, the upper inner surface of the slot flange 78, and the inner surface of the upper plate 54d of the slot main body 54. A holding space 172 (accommodating space) for the second battery 12B is formed by the inner surfaces of the upper plate 54d of the slot main body 54, the inner surfaces of the left side plate 54b, and the right side plate 54c, the top surface 170u of the filling member 170, and the bottom cover 60. In this case, the through-hole 132 and the third cylindrical rail 74 are located in the holding space 172 for the second battery 12B. Therefore, the connector 140 and the third cylindrical rail 74 are not covered by the filling member 170. In other words, the filler member 170 is disposed in the second slot 16B so as to avoid the connector 140 and the third internal rail 74.

[0127] The upper surface 170u of the filler member 170 has a shape (parallel shape) that follows the lower inner surface of the slot guide 80, the lower inner surface of the slot flange 78, and the inner surface of the lower plate 54a of the slot body 54. Two intra-cylindrical rails 174 extending in the Z-axis direction are provided on the upper surface 170u of the filler member 170. The two intra-cylindrical rails 174 extend along the Z-axis direction to the vicinity of the bottom cover 60 while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is constant. Therefore, the two intra-cylindrical rails 174 are parallel to each other. In other words, the two intra-cylindrical rails 174 protrude in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction of the second battery 12B and extend along the insertion / removal direction of the second battery 12B. In other words, the two intra-cylindrical rails 174 are provided in place of the first intra-cylindrical rail 64 and the bezel intra-cylindrical rail 92.

[0128] Therefore, the upper portion of the opening 42 that is not covered by the filler member 170 serves as the opening 42b for inserting the second battery 12B into the second slot 16B. The user inserts or removes the second battery 12B into or from the second slot 16B through the opening 42b. The upper surface 170u of the filler member 170 has a shape that corresponds to the lower inner surface of the slot guide 80, the lower inner surface of the slot flange 78, and the inner surface of the lower plate 54a of the slot body 54. Therefore, when inserting the second battery 12B into the second slot 16B, there is no interference between the second battery 12B and the second slot 16B including the filler member 170. Furthermore, the provision of two inner rails 174 prevents wear on the filler member 170 when inserting or removing the second battery 12B into or from the second slot 16B.

[0129] In this way, the external shape (outer shape) of the filling member 170 corresponds to the difference between the external shapes of the first battery 12A and the second battery 12B. Furthermore, when the second battery 12B is inserted into the second slot 16B, the filling member 170 is positioned lower than the second battery 12B in the Y-axis direction. When the second battery 12B is inserted into the second slot 16B, the connector 140 and the connector 32 of the second battery 12B face each other in the Z-axis direction. This allows the two connectors 32, 140 to be connected appropriately. In other words, the area where the connector 32 of the second battery 12B is located is the same as the area where the connector 32 of the first battery 12A is located.

[0130] The filler member 170 is disposed on the −Y-axis direction side within the second slot 16B. Therefore, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the filler member 170 overlaps with the detection switch 126 and the fan 122. If the side surface of the filler member 170 in the −Z-axis direction comes into surface contact with the bottom cover 60, the filler member 170 may cover the detection switch 126 and the ventilation hole 136.

[0131] Therefore, the filler member 170 is disposed inside the second slot 16B at a position that avoids the detection switch 126 and the ventilation hole 136. Specifically, a stepped notch 178 is formed on the −Y-axis direction side of the filler member 170 in a portion that faces the detection switch 126 and the ventilation hole 136. As a result, a gap 180 that communicates with the holding space 172 is formed between the notch 178 and the bottom cover 60. Even when the filler member 170 is disposed inside the second slot 16B, providing the gap 180 allows the cooling air generated by the fan 122 to be sent to the holding space 172.

[0132] A pressed member 182 and a spring member 184 (elastic member) are provided inside the second slot 16B. The pressed member 182 is a member with a T-shaped cross section. The pressed member 182 has a vertical portion 186 and a parallel portion 188.

[0133] The vertical portion 186 extends in the Y-axis direction. The parallel portion 188 extends in the +Z-axis direction from a central portion of the vertical portion 186 in the Y-axis direction. The parallel portion 188 extends in the +Z-axis direction so as to be parallel to the side surface 34c when the second battery 12B is inserted into the second slot 16B. As a result, when the second battery 12B is inserted into the second slot 16B, the parallel portion 188 and the side surface 34c come into surface contact, and the portion of the bottom case 20 near the side surface 34c abuts against the parallel portion 188 and the vertical portion 186. The vertical portion 186 has a pressed portion 190 and a contact portion 192.

[0134] The pressed portion 190 is a portion of the vertical portion 186 that extends from the parallel portion 188 in the +Y-axis direction. The pressed portion 190 is located in the holding space 172. When the second battery 12B is inserted into the second slot 16B, the pressed portion 190 abuts against the bottom case 20 of the second battery 12B. The pressed portion 190 is located further in the -Y-axis direction than the connector 140.

[0135] The contact portion 192 is a portion of the vertical portion 186 that extends in the −Y-axis direction from the parallel portion 188. The contact portion 192 is located in the gap 180. The contact portion 192 faces the detection portion 138 of the detection switch 126.

[0136] The spring member 184 is interposed between the filling member 170 and the contact portion 192. The spring member 184 has a resilient force in the +Z-axis direction. Note that instead of the spring member 184, an elastic member having a resilient force in the +Z-axis direction may be used.

[0137] When the second battery 12B is not inserted in the second slot 16B, the pressed member 182 is spaced apart from the bottom cover 60 in the +Z-axis direction by the elastic force of the spring member 184 (see FIG. 18).

[0138] When the second battery 12B is inserted into the second slot 16B, the side surface 34c of the second battery 12B comes into surface contact with the parallel portion 188. When the user pushes the second battery 12B in the -Z axis direction, the second battery 12B moves in the -Z axis direction while sliding against the parallel portion 188. This causes the bottom case 20 to abut against the pressed portion 190. The pressed portion 190 receives a pressing force from the bottom case 20 in the -Z axis direction.

[0139] When the user further presses the second battery 12B in the −Z-axis direction, the pressing force received by the pressed portion 190 causes the pressed member 182 to move in the −Z-axis direction against the elastic force of the spring member 184. As a result, when the vertical portion 186 moves in the −Z-axis direction, the contact portion 192 comes into contact with the detection portion 138 of the detection switch 126 and presses down the detection portion 138. This switches the detection switch 126 from OFF to ON. When the bottom case 20 is pressed close to the bottom cover 60, the vertical portion 186 of the pressed member 182 is pressed against the bottom cover 60. Then, the connector 32 of the second battery 12B and the connector 140 are connected.

[0140] Furthermore, when the second battery 12B held in the second slot 16B moves in the +Z-axis direction, the pressed member 182 is released from the pressing force in the -Z-axis direction by the second battery 12B. As a result, the pressed member 182 is displaced in the +Z-axis direction by the elastic force of the spring member 184. As a result, the contact portion 192 moves away from the detection portion 138 of the detection switch 126. As a result, the detection switch 126 switches from on to off.

[0141] The filling member 170 is made of, for example, the same material as the first cylindrical inner rail 64, the bezel inner rail 92, and the second cylindrical inner rail 72.

[0142] In the second slot 16B, the filling member 170 only needs to be disposed on at least the inner surface of the lower plate 54a of the slot body 54. This allows the second battery 12B to be held in the second slot 16B.

[0143] 20, in the second slot 16B, the filler member 170 may be disposed on the inner surface of the left side plate 54b (see FIGS. 9 and 10), the left inner surface of the slot flange 78, and the left inner surface of the frame portion 84. In this case, the second battery 12B is inserted into the space between the inner surface of the right side plate 54c, the right inner surface of the slot flange 78, and the right inner surface of the frame portion, and the filler member 170. In the example of FIG. 20, the positions of the connector 140 and the like must be changed depending on the orientation of the second battery 12B with respect to the second slot 16B.

[0144] [Configuration of the third slot 16C] Next, the third slot 16C will be described with reference to FIG.

[0145] The third slot 16C does not have a door 44. As described above, the third battery 12C has a shorter overall length than the first battery 12A. Therefore, the position of the stopper 164 in the third slot 16C is located further in the -Z-axis direction than the position of the stopper 164 in the first slot 16A. Correspondingly, the length of the slot flange 78 in the Z-axis direction is relatively long. In addition, in the third slot 16C, the in-slot protrusion portion 62 is formed by the filler member 170. In this case, two in-cylinder rails 174 form two first in-cylinder rails 64. The length of the filler member 170 in the Z-axis direction is relatively short.

[0146] [Variations] FIG. 22 shows a modification of this embodiment. In the modification of FIG. 22, one battery exchanger 10 is composed of a first battery exchanger 10A, a second battery exchanger 10B, and a third battery exchanger 10C. The first battery exchanger 10A, the second battery exchanger 10B, and the third battery exchanger 10C are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The first battery exchanger 10A on the left is a charging device dedicated to the first battery 12A. The first battery exchanger 10A has twelve first slots 16A. The second battery exchanger 10B in the center is a charging device dedicated to the second battery 12B. The second battery exchanger 10B has twelve second slots 16B. The third battery exchanger 10C on the right is a charging device dedicated to the third battery 12C. The third battery exchanger 10C has twelve third slots 16C.

[0147] This embodiment can also be applied to devices other than the battery exchange machine 10. For example, the first slot 16A to the third slot 16C may be used as slots for a mobile object such as a vehicle. Also, the first slot 16A to the third slot 16C may be used as slots for a power supply device other than a mobile object.

[0148] The first slot 16A to the third slot 16C may be cylindrical slots, in which case the first battery 12A to the third battery 12C become cylindrical mobile batteries.

[0149] Furthermore, the mobile battery 12 may be a battery that is relatively smaller in thickness in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction and has a relatively smaller overall length in the insertion / removal direction compared to the first battery 12A. In this case, a filler member 170 with an L-shaped cross section is disposed in the slot 16 into which the mobile battery 12 is inserted so as to fill the gap between the mobile battery 12 and the slot 16.

[0150] The effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0151] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 to 8, it is possible to accommodate multiple types of mobile batteries 12 (first battery 12A to third battery 12C) that differ in shape and size due to differences in storage capacity in the battery exchange machine 10.

[0152] 17 to 20, the outer shape of the filling member 170 corresponds to the difference between the outer shape of the first battery 12A and the outer shape of the second battery 12B. This allows a holding space 172 for the second battery 12B to be suitably formed in the slot 16.

[0153] The external shape of the second battery 12B is set so that the shape in a plane intersecting the insertion / removal direction (Z-axis direction) of the second battery 12B is smaller than the shape in the plane of the external shape of the first battery 12A. This allows the second battery 12B, which has an external shape smaller than that of the first battery 12A, to be suitably accommodated in the second slot 16B.

[0154] When the second battery 12B is inserted into the second slot 16B, the filling member 170 is positioned lower than the second battery 12B in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). This makes it possible to easily arrange the filling member 170 inside the battery exchange machine 10.

[0155] When the second battery 12B and the third battery 12C are accommodated in the battery exchange machine 10, the connectors 32 of the second battery 12B and the third battery 12C face the connector 140. As a result, the first slot 16A can be converted into the second slot 16B and the third slot 16C by making only minimal changes to the first slot 16A. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the battery exchange machine 10 that charges multiple types of mobile batteries 12 (first battery 12A to third battery 12C).

[0156] The filling member 170 is positioned to avoid the connector 140, so that when the second battery 12B and the third battery 12C are accommodated in the battery exchange machine 10, the connector 32 and the connector 140 can be easily connected.

[0157] The connector 140 is positioned vertically higher than the center of the bottom cover 60, and the filling member 170 is positioned on the lower surface of the inner surface 56 of the slot 16 that faces upward in the vertical direction. This allows the connector 140 and the filling member 170 to be separated from each other. As a result, when the second battery 12B is inserted into the battery exchange machine 10, the two connectors 32, 140 can be effectively connected.

[0158] The filling member 170 is disposed at a position that avoids the detection switch 126. This allows the detection switch 126 to effectively detect that the second battery 12B has been inserted into the battery exchange machine 10.

[0159] When the second battery 12B is inserted into the second slot 16B, the pressed member 182 is displaced in the insertion direction by the pressing force of the second battery 12B in the insertion direction. The detection switch 126 is provided on the bottom cover 60, and when the pressed member 182 comes into contact with the detection switch 126, it detects that the second battery 12B has been accommodated in the second slot 16B. This makes it possible to effectively detect that the second battery 12B has been accommodated when the second battery 12B is inserted into the battery exchange machine 10.

[0160] The pressed member 182 has a pressed portion 190 and a contact portion 192. This makes it possible to more effectively detect that the second battery 12B has been inserted into the battery exchange machine 10.

[0161] The spring member 184 connects the pressed member 182 and the filling member 170 in the insertion / removal direction. This allows the contact portion 192 of the pressed member 182 to efficiently contact the detection switch 126 when the second battery 12B is inserted into the battery exchange machine 10. Furthermore, the contact portion 192 of the pressed member 182 can be separated from the detection switch 126 when the second battery 12B is removed from the battery exchange machine 10.

[0162] The fan 122 promotes the flow of air between the inside and outside of the second slot 16B through the gap 180. This makes it possible to prevent the filler member 170 from interfering with the flow of air.

[0163] The external shape of the third battery 12C is set so that the shape in another plane parallel to the insertion / removal direction of the third battery 12C is smaller than the shape in the other plane of the external shape of the first battery 12A. This allows the third battery 12C, which has an external shape smaller than that of the first battery 12A, to be suitably accommodated in the third slot 16C.

[0164] Even if the external shapes of the second battery 12B and the third battery 12C are made smaller than the first battery 12A, the handle 26 can be provided. This allows the user to easily insert and remove the second battery 12B and the third battery 12C into and from the second slot 16B and the third slot 16C while holding the handle 26.

[0165] The filling member 170 is provided so as to be attachable to the slot 16. This allows the storage space for the first battery 12A in the battery exchange machine 10 to be easily changed to a storage space for the second battery 12B.

[0166] In addition to the above disclosure, the following additional notes are disclosed.

[0167] (Appendix 1) an accommodation device (10) capable of accommodating an electricity storage device (12, 12A to 12C) having an electricity storage section (14); the electricity storage device including a first electricity storage device (12A) having a first exterior shape and a second electricity storage device (12B, 12C) having a second exterior shape smaller than the first exterior shape; and an accommodation section (16, 16A to 16C) having a tubular section (54) and a bottom section (60), the tubular section having an opening (42) formed on one end side and the bottom section continuing to the other end side, the accommodation section accommodating the electricity storage device so that the electricity storage device can be inserted and removed through the opening; and a filling member (170) arranged in the accommodation section so as to fill a gap formed between an inner surface (56) of the accommodation section and an outer surface of the second electricity storage device when the second electricity storage device is inserted into the accommodation section.

[0168] According to the present invention, even if a plurality of types of power storage devices differ from one another in shape and size due to differences in power storage capacity, they can be accommodated in a single accommodation device.

[0169] (Appendix 2) In the container device described in Supplementary Note 1, the outer shape of the filling member may correspond to the difference between the first exterior shape and the second exterior shape.

[0170] This makes it possible to appropriately form a space for accommodating the second power storage device in the accommodating portion.

[0171] (Appendix 3) In the storage device described in Appendix 1 or 2, the second exterior shape may be configured so that its shape in a plane intersecting the insertion / removal direction of the second storage device into the storage section is smaller than the shape of the first exterior shape in the plane.

[0172] This allows the second power storage device, which has an exterior shape smaller than that of the first power storage device, to be suitably housed in the housing portion.

[0173] (Appendix 4) In the accommodating device described in Supplementary Note 3, when the second power storage device is inserted into the accommodating portion, the filling member may be located lower than the second power storage device in the vertical direction.

[0174] This allows the filling device to be easily placed inside the storage device.

[0175] (Appendix 5) In the storage device described in Supplementary Note 3 or 4, the power storage device has a first electrical terminal (32), and the first electrical terminal is detachably attached to a second electrical terminal (140) of a power device (10) connected to the power storage device, and the first electrical terminal of the first power storage device is arranged on an outer surface of a bottom of the first power storage device at a position offset from the center of the outer surface, and a region of the second exterior shape where the first electrical terminal is located and a region of the first exterior shape where the first electrical terminal is located may be common to each other.

[0176] As a result, when the second power storage device is accommodated in the accommodation device, the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal of the second power storage device face each other. As a result, the accommodation space for the first power storage device can be converted into the accommodation space for the second power storage device with only minimal changes. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of an accommodation device that charges multiple types of power storage devices can be reduced.

[0177] (Appendix 6) In the accommodation device described in Appendix 5, the accommodation device is the power device having the second electrical terminal arranged on the inner surface of the accommodation portion, and the filling member may be arranged in a position that avoids the second electrical terminal.

[0178] This makes it possible to easily connect the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal when the second power device is accommodated in the accommodating device.

[0179] (Appendix 7) In the storage device described in Appendix 6, the second electrical terminal may be positioned on the bottom of the storage section at a position higher than the center of the bottom in the vertical direction, and the filling member may be positioned on the inner surface of the storage section that faces upward in the vertical direction.

[0180] This allows the second electrical terminal and the filler member to be spaced apart, which results in an effective connection between the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal when the second power device is accommodated in the accommodation device.

[0181] (Appendix 8) In the storage device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 7, the storage device may further include a storage detection unit (126) that detects that the power storage device has been stored in the storage unit, and the filling member may be positioned to avoid the storage detection unit.

[0182] This allows the accommodation detection unit to effectively detect that the second power device has been accommodated in the accommodation device.

[0183] (Appendix 9) In the storage device described in Appendix 8, the storage device further includes a pressable member (182) that is arranged to be movable in the insertion / removal direction within the storage section, and when the storage device is inserted into the storage section, the pressable member is displaced in the insertion direction by the pressing force of the storage device in the insertion direction of the storage device, and the storage detection section is arranged at the bottom of the storage section, and detects that the storage device has been stored in the storage section when the pressable member pressed by the storage device comes into contact with the storage detection section.

[0184] This makes it possible to effectively detect that the second power storage device has been accommodated when the second power device is inserted into the accommodation device.

[0185] (Appendix 10) In the storage device described in Appendix 9, the storage detection portion overlaps the filling member when viewed from the insertion / removal direction, and a gap (180) communicating with the storage space (172) of the second storage device within the storage portion is formed between the filling member and the storage detection portion, and the pressed member may be connected to the filling member so as to be movable relative to the filling member in the insertion / removal direction, and may have a pressed portion (190) that is pressed in the insertion direction by the second storage device when the second storage device is inserted into the storage space, and a contact portion (192) that is inserted into the gap and displaces in the insertion direction in conjunction with the pressed portion to contact the storage detection portion.

[0186] This makes it possible to more effectively detect that the second power storage device has been accommodated when the second power device is inserted into the accommodation device.

[0187] (Appendix 11) In the storage device described in Appendix 10, the storage device may further include an elastic member (184) that has an elastic force in the removal direction of the second storage device, which is the opposite direction to the insertion direction, and connects the pressed member and the filling member in the insertion / removal direction.

[0188] This allows the contact portion of the pressed member to be efficiently brought into contact with the accommodation detection portion when the second power device is inserted into the accommodation device, and allows the contact portion of the pressed member to be separated from the accommodation detection portion when the second power device is removed from the accommodation device.

[0189] (Appendix 12) In the storage device described in Appendix 10 or 11, the storage device may further include a wind-generating section (122) that promotes air flow between the inside and outside of the storage section, and the wind-generating section may be attached to the surface of the bottom of the storage section opposite the inside of the storage section, and may promote the air flow between the inside and outside of the storage section through the gap.

[0190] This makes it possible to prevent the filling member from interfering with the flow of air.

[0191] (Appendix 13) In the storage device described in Appendix 1 or 2, the second exterior shape may be configured so that the shape in another plane parallel to the insertion / removal direction of the second storage device into the storage section is smaller than the shape of the first exterior shape in the other plane.

[0192] This allows the second power storage device, which has an exterior shape smaller than that of the first power storage device, to be suitably housed in the housing portion.

[0193] (Appendix 14) In the storage device described in Appendix 13, the storage device has a grip portion (26) that is gripped by a user of the storage device, and the area of ​​the second exterior shape in which the grip portion is located may be common to the area of ​​the first exterior shape in which the grip portion is located.

[0194] This allows the grip portion to be provided even if the external shape of the power storage device is small. As a result, a user can easily insert or remove the second power storage device into or from the housing while holding the grip portion of the second power storage device.

[0195] (Appendix 15) In the container device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 14, the filling member may be provided so as to be attachable to the container portion.

[0196] This makes it possible to easily change the accommodation space of the first power storage device in the accommodation device into an accommodation space for the second power storage device.

[0197] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0198] 10...Battery exchange machine (accommodation device) 12...Mobile battery (energy storage device) 12A...First battery (first power storage device) 12B...second battery (second power storage device) 12C...Third battery (second power storage device) 14...Cell pack (electric storage unit) 16...Slot (receptacle) 16A...First slot (accommodation section) 16B...Second slot (accommodation section) 16C...Third slot (receptacle) 42...Aperture 54...Slot body (cylinder) 56...Inner self 60...Bottom cover (bottom) 170...Filling member

Claims

1. A storage device capable of storing a power storage device having a power storage unit, the power storage device includes a first power storage device having a first exterior shape and a second power storage device having a second exterior shape smaller than the first exterior shape; The storage device is an accommodation portion having a cylindrical portion and a bottom portion, an opening formed at one end of the cylindrical portion and the bottom portion connected to the other end of the cylindrical portion, so as to form a bottomed cylindrical shape, and accommodating the power storage device so that the power storage device can be inserted and removed through the opening; a filler member that is disposed in the accommodation portion so as to fill a gap that is formed between an inner surface of the accommodation portion and an outer surface of the second power storage device when the second power storage device is inserted into the accommodation portion; and A storage device comprising:

2. 2. The storage device according to claim 1, The outer shape of the filling member corresponds to the difference between the first exterior shape and the second exterior shape.

3. 3. The storage device according to claim 1, The second exterior shape is configured so that a shape in a plane intersecting a direction in which the second power storage device is inserted into or removed from the housing portion is smaller than a shape in the plane of the first exterior shape.

4. 4. The storage device according to claim 3, When the second power storage device is inserted into the storage portion, the filling member is positioned lower than the second power storage device in the vertical direction.

5. 5. The storage device according to claim 3 or 4, the power storage device has a first electrical terminal; the first electrical terminal is provided detachably with respect to a second electrical terminal of an electric power device connected to the power storage device, the first electrical terminal of the first storage device is disposed on an outer surface of a bottom of the first storage device at a position offset from the center of the outer surface; A storage device in which a region of the second exterior shape in which the first electrical terminal is present and a region of the first exterior shape in which the first electrical terminal is present are common to each other.

6. 6. The storage device according to claim 5, the receiving device is the power device having the second electrical terminal disposed on the inner surface of the receiving portion; The filling member is positioned at a position that avoids the second electrical terminal.

7. 7. The storage device according to claim 6, the second electrical terminal is disposed at a position on the bottom of the housing portion that is higher than a center of the bottom in a vertical direction; The filling member is disposed on a surface of the inner surface of the storage portion that faces upward in the vertical direction.

8. The storage device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, a housing detection unit that detects that the power storage device is housed in the housing unit, The filling member is disposed at a position that avoids the storage detection unit.

9. 9. The storage device according to claim 8, a pressing member provided in the receiving portion so as to be movable in the insertion / removal direction, When the power storage device is inserted into the accommodation portion, the pressed member is displaced in the insertion direction by a pressing force of the power storage device in the insertion direction of the power storage device, The storage detection unit is provided at the bottom of the storage unit, and detects that the storage device is stored in the storage unit when the pressed member pressed by the storage device comes into contact with the storage detection unit.

10. 10. The storage device according to claim 9, the housing detection portion overlaps with the filling member when viewed from the insertion / removal direction, a gap is formed between the filling member and the storage detection portion, the gap communicating with a storage space of the second power storage device within the storage portion; The pressed member is the filling member is connected to the filling member so as to be movable relative to the filling member in the insertion / removal direction, a pressed portion that is pressed in the insertion direction by the second power storage device when the second power storage device is inserted into the accommodation space; a contact portion that is inserted into the gap and displaces in the insertion direction in conjunction with the pressed portion to come into contact with the accommodation detection portion; A containment device comprising:

11. 11. The storage device according to claim 10, The accommodating device further includes an elastic member that has elastic force in a removal direction of the second storage battery device, which is a direction opposite to the insertion direction, and that connects the pressed member and the filling member in the insertion / removal direction.

12. 12. The storage device according to claim 10 or 11, Further provided is a wind generating section that promotes air flow between the inside and outside of the storage section, The air-creating section is attached to the surface of the bottom of the storage section opposite the interior of the storage section, and promotes the flow of air between the inside and outside of the storage section through the gap.

13. 3. The storage device according to claim 1, An accommodation device in which the second exterior shape is configured so that the shape in another plane parallel to the insertion / removal direction of the second storage device into the accommodation section is smaller than the shape of the first exterior shape in the other plane.

14. 14. The storage device according to claim 13, the power storage device has a grip portion that is gripped by a user of the power storage device, A storage device in which the region in which the grip portion is present in the second exterior shape and the region in which the grip portion is present in the first exterior shape are common to each other.

15. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The filling member is provided so as to be attachable to the storage portion.

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