Power storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device capable of adjusting the size of an exterior cover according to conditions such as an installation space and an installation place.SOLUTION: A power storage device includes a battery module, a housing that hermetically houses the battery module, and an exterior cover that covers the outside of the housing, and is installed outdoors along a wall of a building. The exterior cover includes a back cover that faces the wall of the building and covers a back side of the housing, and a front cover that is disposed to face the back cover via the housing and covers a front side of the housing. Each of the back cover and the front cover includes a top plate covering an upper surface of the housing and a pair of side plates covering both side surfaces of the housing, and the top plate and the pair of side plates of the front cover are superimposed on the top plate and the pair of side plates of the back cover so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electricity storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a power storage device is known that can be installed outdoors along the wall of a building such as a house. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-086693 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An outdoor power storage device includes a housing that houses a battery module in a sealed, waterproof manner and an exterior cover that covers the exterior of the housing. The exterior cover not only has a design feature, but also functions to protect the housing that houses the battery module from flying objects. From the perspective of protection from flying objects, a large gap between the exterior cover and the housing is preferable, but this increases the size of the exterior cover and requires a large installation space. Here, the type and amount of flying objects that may be present varies depending on the installation location.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides an electricity storage device in which the size of an exterior cover can be adjusted according to conditions such as the installation space and installation location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A power storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A battery module; a housing that hermetically houses the battery module; an exterior cover that covers the outside of the housing, and the power storage device is installed outdoors along a wall of a building, The exterior cover is a rear cover that faces a wall of the building and covers a rear side of the housing; a front cover disposed opposite the rear cover across the housing and covering a front side of the housing, each of the rear cover and the front cover includes a top plate that covers a top surface of the housing and a pair of side plates that cover both side surfaces of the housing; The top plate and the pair of side plates of the front cover are overlapped with the top plate and the pair of side plates of the rear cover so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

[0007] In the energy storage device according to the present disclosure, the exterior cover includes a rear cover and a front cover, each of which includes a top plate covering the top surface of the housing and a pair of side plates covering both sides of the housing, and the top plate and the pair of side plates of the front cover are overlapped with the top plate and the pair of side plates of the rear cover so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, the size of the exterior cover can be adjusted according to conditions such as the installation space and installation location.

[0008] The pair of side panels of the front cover may be arranged to cover the outside of the pair of side panels of the rear cover, and the rear cover may have a pair of first rails extending in the front-to-rear direction on the inner surfaces of each of the pair of side panels, and the front cover may have a pair of second rails extending in the front-to-rear direction so as to face the pair of first rails from the inside, and each of the pair of first rails may be configured to be fastenable to each of the pair of second rails. With this configuration, the front cover and the rear cover can be fastened from the inside, and the fastening points cannot be seen from the outside, improving the design of the exterior cover.

[0009] The housing may include a storage section that stores the battery module and a lid section that covers the storage section, and flange sections that protrude outward from the peripheries of the storage section and the lid section are fastened to each other, the housing is installed within the exterior cover so that the flange sections are perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, and when the front cover is slid rearward, the tip of the second rail abuts against the flange sections, and the flange sections function as a stopper for the front cover. With this configuration, when the front cover slides backward due to a collision with a flying object or the like, the tip of the second rail abuts against the flange portion of the housing, absorbing the impact from the flying object and reducing the impact on the battery module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide an electricity storage device in which the size of the exterior cover can be adjusted according to conditions such as the installation space and installation location. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view showing an electricity storage device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the rear cover 21. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of the front cover 22. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIGS. 4 and 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, the following description and drawings have been simplified appropriately for clarity of explanation.

[0013] (First embodiment) <Configuration of the power storage device> First, the configuration of the electricity storage device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 1 is a schematic front view showing the electricity storage device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1.

[0014] Naturally, the right-handed XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in Figures 1 to 3 is for the sake of convenience in explaining the positional relationships of the components. In Figures 1 and 2, the positive direction of the Z axis is normally the vertically upward direction, and the XY plane is the horizontal plane, which is common between the figures.

[0015] The power storage device according to this embodiment is a power storage device that can be installed outdoors, for example, in a house, etc. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the power storage device includes a housing 10, cell stacks CS1 to CS4, a control unit CU, and an exterior cover 20. For example, the power storage device shown in Figure 1 is installed along the wall of a building.

[0016] The cell stacks CS1 to CS4 and control unit CU shown in Figures 1 and 2 constitute a battery module. As shown in Figure 2, a housing 10 has a housing portion 11, a lid portion 12, and a sealing member 13, and houses the battery module. An exterior cover 20 has a rear cover 21 and a front cover 22. The exterior cover 20 covers the outside of the housing 10, protecting the housing 10 and adding design features. The power storage device according to this embodiment is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery. In addition, front cover 22 is indicated by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 1. That is, Fig. 1 is a front view of the electricity storage device with front cover 22 removed.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the storage section 11 stores the battery modules (cell stacks CS1 to CS4 and control unit CU). From the viewpoint of durability, the storage section 11 is made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy. The storage section 11 is a box-shaped member without a lid that stores the battery modules (cell stacks CS1 to CS4 and control unit CU). A flange portion 11a is provided on the storage section 11 so as to protrude outward along the entire periphery.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cell stacks CS1 to CS4 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole and are arranged side by side in order in the negative direction of the Z axis. Each of the cell stacks CS1 to CS4 has a configuration in which a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped prismatic cells are stacked (not shown). Although not particularly limited, in the cell stacks CS1 to CS4 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the prismatic cells are stacked in their thickness direction (the Y axis direction). Naturally, the number of cell stacks housed in the housing 10 is not limited to four, but may be determined as appropriate.

[0019] The control unit CU is electrically connected to each of the cell stacks CS1 to CS4 and controls the cell stacks CS1 to CS4. For example, the control unit CU controls the charge and discharge current while monitoring the charge voltage of the cell stacks CS1 to CS4. 1 and 2 is disposed adjacent to the cell stack CS1 on the positive side of the Z axis in the housing 10, but there is no particular limitation on the location of the control unit CU in the housing 10. The control unit CU may also include a junction box, other electronic devices, etc.

[0020] 2 and 3, the lid portion 12 covers the accommodation portion 11 that accommodates the cell stacks CS1 to CS4 and the control unit CU. From the viewpoint of durability, the lid portion 12 is also made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy. The lid portion 12 is also provided with a flange portion 12a that protrudes outward along the entire periphery. The flange portion 11a of the accommodation portion 11 and the flange portion 12a of the lid portion 12 are disposed opposite each other with a seal member 13 interposed therebetween and are fastened together by a fastening member (not shown). In FIG. 3, the battery modules (cell stacks CS1 to CS4 and control unit CU) are omitted.

[0021] 2 and 3, the sealing member 13 is sandwiched between the flange portion 11a of the housing portion 11 and the flange portion 12a of the lid portion 12. This configuration ensures that the interior of the housing 10, which is made up of the housing portion 11 and the lid portion 12, is waterproof. In other words, the battery module is hermetically housed inside the housing 10. The sealing member 13 is an annular member provided along the entire flange portions of the housing portion 11 and the lid portion 12 shown in FIG. 2. The sealing member 13 is made of a resin material, such as an elastomer containing synthetic rubber.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rear cover 21 faces a wall of a building (not shown) and covers the rear side of the housing 10. 1 to 3, the rear cover 21 includes a rear plate 21a facing the wall of the building, a top plate 21b covering the top surface of the housing 10, and a pair of side plates 21c covering both side surfaces of the housing 10. The front surface of the rear cover 21 is open. Although not particularly limited, the bottom surface of the illustrated rear cover 21 is also open.

[0023] Here, Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the rear cover 21. Also, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the VI-VI line in Figs. 4 and 5. As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, in the rear cover 21, a pair of rails (first rails) R11, R12 are provided on the inner surfaces of each of the pair of side plates 21c, extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). Here, a pair of rails means that the rails R11, R12 are provided on the inner surfaces of each of the pair of side plates 21c. Only one of the rails R11, R12 may be provided.

[0024] 6, the rail R11 is provided with a rear installation fastening hole H11a and a front installation fastening hole H11b. Similarly, the rail R12 is provided with a rear installation fastening hole H12a and a front installation fastening hole H12b. Although two rear installation fastening holes H11a, H12a and two front installation fastening holes H11b, H12b are provided as shown in FIG. 6, the number may be one or three or more.

[0025] The rails R11 of the rear cover 21 are fastened to rails R21 of the front cover 22 (described later) through rear installation fastening holes H11a or front installation fastening holes H11b. Similarly, the rails R12 of the rear cover 21 are fastened to rails R22 of the front cover 22 (described later) through rear installation fastening holes H12a or front installation fastening holes H12b.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the front cover 22 is disposed opposite the rear cover 21 with the housing 10 interposed therebetween, and covers the front side of the housing 10. 1 to 3, the front cover 22 includes a front plate 22a that covers the front surface of the housing 10, a top plate 22b that covers the top surface of the housing 10, and a pair of side plates 22c that cover both side surfaces of the housing 10. The rear surface of the front cover 22 is open. Although not particularly limited, the bottom surface of the illustrated front cover 22 is also open.

[0027] Here, Fig. 5 is a schematic rear view of the front cover 22. As mentioned above, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figs. 4 and 5. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, in the front cover 22, a pair of rails (second rails) R21, R22 extend in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) so as to face the rails R11, R12 of the rear cover 21 from the inside. That is, the rails R21, R22 are provided spaced apart from the pair of side plates 22c. Here, a pair of rails means that a pair of rails R21, R22 are provided. Only one of the rails R21, R22 may be provided.

[0028] 3, the ends of the pair of rails R22 on the negative X-axis side are fixed to the front panel 22a. The ends of the pair of rails R22 on the negative X-axis side shown in the figure are connected to each other by a connecting portion extending in the Y-axis direction. That is, the rail R22 as a whole is formed in a U-shape when viewed in the XY plane. The same is true for the rail R21.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 6, a fastening hole H21 is formed in the rail R21. Similarly, a fastening hole H22 is formed in the rail R22. Here, as shown in Fig. 3, the rails R21, R22 of the front cover 22 face the rails R11, R12 of the rear cover 21 from the inside and are fastened from the inside with fastening members such as screws. In other words, the front cover 22 and the rear cover 21 can be fastened from the inside, and the fastening points cannot be seen from the outside, improving the design of the exterior cover 20. Although two fastening holes H21 and two fastening holes H22 are provided as shown in FIG. 6, the number may be one, or three or more.

[0030] 2 and 3, the top plate 22b and the pair of side plates 22c of the front cover 22 are overlapped with the top plate 21b and the pair of side plates 21c of the rear cover 21 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) relative to the top plate 21b and the pair of side plates 21c of the rear cover 21. More specifically, the top plate 22b and the pair of side plates 22c of the front cover 22 are provided so as to cover the outside of the top plate 21b and the pair of side plates 21c of the rear cover 21.

[0031] With this configuration, the exterior cover 20 can be configured with the front cover 22 advanced or retreated relative to the rear cover 21. That is, in the energy storage device according to this embodiment, the size of the exterior cover 20 can be adjusted according to conditions such as the installation space and installation location. Here, the left side of Figure 2 and the upper side of Figure 3 show a state in which the front cover 22 has been moved backward (closer) and fixed relative to the rear cover 21, and the right side of Figure 2 and the lower side of Figure 3 show a state in which the front cover 22 has been moved forward (away) and fixed relative to the rear cover 21.

[0032] For example, when houses are adjacent to each other, the installation space for the power storage device is narrow, but flying objects are difficult to reach because they are blocked by the neighboring house. Therefore, as shown on the left side of Fig. 2 and the upper side of Fig. 3, the front cover 22 is set back relative to the rear cover 21 and fixed, thereby reducing the size of the exterior cover 20.

[0033] On the other hand, if the houses are not adjacent, the installation space for the power storage device is large, but it is easy for flying objects to reach it. Therefore, as shown on the right side of Fig. 2 and the bottom of Fig. 3, the front cover 22 is advanced relative to the rear cover 21 and fixed. This configuration increases the gap between the housing 10 and the exterior cover 20, improving the protection performance of the battery module when flying objects reach it.

[0034] 3, when the front cover 22 is slid rearward without being fastened to the rear cover 21, the tips of the rails R21 and R22 come into contact with the flanges 11a and 12b of the housing 10. That is, the housing 10 is installed inside the exterior cover 20 so that the flanges 11a and 12b are perpendicular to the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), and the flanges 11a and 12b of the housing 10 function as stoppers for the front cover 22.

[0035] Therefore, even if the fastening members are damaged by a collision with a flying object or the like and the front cover 22 slides rearward, the tips of the rails R21 and R22 will abut against the flanges 11a and 12b of the housing 10. With this configuration, the impact of the flying object can be absorbed and the impact on the battery module can be suppressed.

[0036] As described above, in the energy storage device according to this embodiment, the exterior cover 20 includes the rear cover 21 and the front cover 22. The rear cover 21 and the front cover 22 each include a top plate 21b, 22b that covers the top surface of the housing 10, and a pair of side plates 21c, 22c that cover both side surfaces of the housing 10. The top plate 22b and the pair of side plates 22c of the front cover 22 are overlapped with the top plate 21b and the pair of side plates 21c of the rear cover 21 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, the size of the exterior cover 20 can be adjusted according to conditions such as the installation space and installation location.

[0037] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10. Cabinet 11 Storage section 11a Flange 12 Lid 12a Flange 13 Sealing material 20 Exterior cover 21 Rear cover 21a Back plate 21b Top plate 21c side plate 22 Front cover 22a Front plate 22b Top plate 22c side plate CS1~CS4 Cell Stack CU Control Unit H11a, H12a Fastening hole for rear installation H11b, H12b Fastening hole for front installation H21, H22 fastening holes R11, R12 rails R21, R22 rails

Claims

1. A battery module; a housing that hermetically houses the battery module; an exterior cover that covers the outside of the housing, and the power storage device is installed outdoors along a wall of a building, The exterior cover is a rear cover that faces a wall of the building and covers a rear side of the housing; a front cover disposed opposite the rear cover across the housing and covering a front side of the housing, each of the rear cover and the front cover includes a top plate that covers a top surface of the housing and a pair of side plates that cover both side surfaces of the housing; the top plate and the pair of side plates of the front cover are overlapped with the top plate and the pair of side plates of the rear cover so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction; Energy storage device.

2. the pair of side plates of the front cover are provided to cover the outsides of the pair of side plates of the rear cover, In the rear cover, a pair of first rails are provided on inner surfaces of the pair of side plates, respectively, extending in the front-rear direction, A pair of second rails are provided on the front cover so as to extend in the front-rear direction and to face the pair of first rails from the inside, Each of the pair of first rails is configured to be fastenable to each of the pair of second rails. The power storage device according to claim 1 .

3. the housing includes a housing portion that houses the battery module and a lid portion that covers the housing portion; Flange portions that protrude outward from the peripheries of the storage portion and the lid portion are fastened to each other, the housing is installed in the exterior cover so that the flange portion is perpendicular to the front-rear direction, When the front cover is slid rearward, the tip of the second rail abuts against the flange portion, and the flange portion functions as a stopper for the front cover. The power storage device according to claim 2 .

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