Stationary power storage device and control method thereof

Abstract

To prevent a stationary type power storage device from falling down while compactly constituting the stationary type power storage device.SOLUTION: The exterior cover 4 includes a movable portion 10 and a fixed portion 11 sandwiching the plurality of modules 6 in a plan view. The movable portion 10 is supported by the fixed portion 11 so as to be rotatable about a horizontally extending rotation axis C. The linear actuator 5 is configured to bring the lower end 10b of the movable portion 10 close to or away from the fixed portion 11 by being coupled to the movable portion 10 and the fixed portion 11. When it is determined that there is a sign of overturning of the stationary power storage device 1, the control circuit 7 controls the two linear actuators 5 so that the lower end 10b of the movable portion 10 moves away from the fixed portion 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stationary electricity storage device and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply device in which three battery stacks, each made up of multiple stacked batteries held together by a bracket, are arranged with the electrode lead-out direction aligned. This power supply device is configured to easily tip in the opposite direction to the electrode lead-out direction so that, even if it were to tip over, the electrodes would not collide with the surface on which the power supply device is installed. Patent Document 1 also discloses an auxiliary member that extends from the electrode lead-out side of the bracket to the installation surface. The provision of the auxiliary member makes it less likely for the power supply device to tip over in the electrode lead-out direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-032900 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for preventing a stationary power storage device from tipping over while configuring the device compactly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A stationary power storage device includes at least one module composed of a plurality of cells, a case that houses the at least one module, an inclination sensor that can detect the inclination angle of the at least one module, a linear actuator, and a control circuit that determines whether there is a sign of the stationary power storage device tipping over based on the detection result of the inclination sensor, wherein the case includes a movable part and a fixed part that sandwich the at least one module in a plan view, the movable part is supported by the fixed part so as to be rotatable about a horizontally extending rotation axis, the linear actuator is configured to connect to the movable part and the fixed part so as to move a lower end of the movable part toward or away from the fixed part, and when the control circuit determines there is a sign of the stationary power storage device tipping over, it is possible to prevent the stationary power storage device from tipping over while maintaining a compact configuration. Furthermore, since the fixed part receives the external force acting on the movable part via the linear actuator, damage to multiple modules can be suppressed.

[0006] Furthermore, the rotation shaft is provided at the upper end of the movable part. With the above-described configuration, the lower end of the movable part can be positioned farther away from the fixed part.

[0007] Furthermore, the linear actuator is coupled to the lower end of the movable part. With the above-described configuration, the linear actuator can efficiently receive an external force acting on the movable part.

[0008] The control circuit also determines whether there is a sign of the stationary energy storage device tipping over based on a comparison result between the tilt angle of the at least one module and a predetermined value. With the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether there is a sign of the stationary energy storage device tipping over by a simple comparison calculation.

[0009] Also provided is a control method for a stationary energy storage device including at least one module composed of a plurality of cells, a case that houses the at least one module, an inclination sensor that can detect the inclination angle of the at least one module, and a linear actuator, wherein the case includes a movable part and a fixed part that sandwich the at least one module in a plan view, the movable part is supported by the fixed part so as to be rotatable about a horizontally extending rotation axis, and the linear actuator is configured to move a lower end of the movable part toward or away from the fixed part by coupling the movable part to the fixed part, the control method comprising determining whether or not there is a sign that the stationary energy storage device is about to tip over, and controlling the linear actuator so that the lower end of the movable part moves away from the fixed part based on the determination result. According to the above method, it is possible to prevent the stationary energy storage device from tipping over while maintaining a compact configuration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the stationary energy storage device from tipping over while configuring the device compactly. In addition, since the fixed part receives an external force acting on the movable part via the linear actuator, damage to the at least one module can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stationary electricity storage device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the stationary electricity storage device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an open state of a movable part of the stationary electricity storage device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a stationary power storage device. [Figure 5] 1 is a control flow of a stationary power storage device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0013] In the following embodiments, when necessary for convenience, the description will be divided into multiple sections or embodiments, but unless otherwise specified, they are not unrelated to each other, and one is a partial or complete modification, application example, detailed explanation, or supplementary explanation of the other. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, when the number of elements, etc. (including the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc.) is mentioned, it is not limited to that specific number, and may be more or less than the specific number, unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle.

[0014] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the components (including operational steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly essential in principle. Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shape or positional relationship of components, etc., it is intended to include those that are substantially similar or approximate to the shape, etc., unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly not essential in principle. The same applies to the above numbers, etc. (including numbers, numerical values, amounts, and ranges).

[0015] Hereinafter, a stationary energy storage device 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. The stationary energy storage device 1 is typically an energy storage device that is installed alongside a house. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the stationary energy storage device 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the stationary energy storage device 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the stationary energy storage device 1 includes a foundation block 2, a pack 3, an exterior cover 4, and two linear actuators 5.

[0016] The pack 3 is integrally configured to include a plurality of modules 6, a control circuit 7, and a tilt sensor 8.

[0017] In this embodiment, the plurality of modules 6 includes two modules 6. The two modules 6 are stacked vertically. However, instead, the two modules 6 may be arranged horizontally. Each module 6 is composed of a plurality of cells. Each cell is typically a lithium-ion cell, and is formed in a cylindrical, rectangular, or pouch shape. The plurality of modules 6 are mechanically coupled to each other by a frame (not shown) and electrically coupled to each other by a bus bar (not shown).

[0018] The tilt sensor 8 detects the tilt angle of the multiple modules 6. The tilt sensor 8 is typically a three-axis acceleration sensor.

[0019] The control circuit 7 determines whether there are signs of the stationary energy storage device 1 tipping over, based on the detection result of the tilt sensor 8. When the control circuit 7 determines that there are signs of the stationary energy storage device 1 tipping over, it controls the two linear actuators 5 to prevent the stationary energy storage device 1 from tipping over.

[0020] As described above, the pack 3 includes a plurality of modules 6, a control circuit 7, and a tilt sensor 8. In this case, the plurality of modules 6, the control circuit 7, and the tilt sensor 8 may be housed in a container (not shown).

[0021] The exterior cover 4 houses the pack 3. The exterior cover 4 is a specific example of a case. The exterior cover 4 is composed of a movable part 10 and a fixed part 11.

[0022] The fixing part 11 includes a rear cover 20 that covers the rear surface of the pack 3, two side covers 21 that cover both side surfaces of the pack 3, and a top cover 22 that covers the top surface of the pack 3.

[0023] The movable part 10 includes a front cover 23 that covers the front surface of the pack 3, and two connecting parts 24 that partially overlap the two side covers 21 of the fixed part 11, respectively.

[0024] The movable part 10 is supported by the fixed part 11 so as to be rotatable around a rotational axis C that extends horizontally. Specifically, the rotational axis C is provided at the upper end 10a of the movable part 10. The rotational axis C is provided in a region where one of the two side covers 21 and the corresponding connecting part 24 overlap. Therefore, the rotational axis C is provided at the upper end 24a of the connecting part 24. With this configuration, when the movable part 10 rotates around the rotational axis C, the lower end 10b of the movable part 10 moves toward or away from the fixed part 11. Typically, a cylindrical rotational shaft is provided that protrudes outward from the fixed part 11 along the rotational axis C, and the rotational shaft is inserted into a shaft through-hole provided in the movable part 10.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, two linear actuators 5 are disposed within the exterior cover 4. Each linear actuator 5 comprises an actuator body 5a and a rod 5b that slides relative to the actuator body 5a. The actuator body 5a moves the rod 5b forward and backward relative to the actuator body 5a using air, hydraulic, or electrical power based on a control signal from the control circuit 7. Each linear actuator 5 is coupled to a movable part 10 and a fixed part 11. For example, the actuator body 5a is rotatably coupled to the front cover 23 of the movable part 10, and the rod 5b is rotatably coupled to the corresponding side cover 21 of the fixed part 11. With this configuration, when the rod 5b advances from the actuator body 5a based on a control signal from the control circuit 7, the movable part 10 rotates relative to the fixed part 11 so that the lower end 10b of the movable part 10 moves away from the fixed part 11, as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the movable part 10 changes from the closed state shown in FIG. 2 to the open state shown in FIG. 3.

[0026] Therefore, when the control circuit 7 determines that there is a sign of the stationary energy storage device 1 tipping over based on the detection result of the tilt sensor 8, it controls the two linear actuators 5 so that the lower end 10b of the movable part 10 moves away from the fixed part 11. As a result, the lower end 10b of the movable part 10 comes into contact with the ground G on which the stationary energy storage device 1 is installed before the stationary energy storage device 1 tips over, thereby preventing the stationary energy storage device 1 from tipping over. Furthermore, at this time, a large space S is formed between the pack 3 and the movable part 10, so even if the movable part 10 is deformed so as to be slightly recessed, the pack 3 will not be damaged.

[0027] 2, the movable part 10 and the fixed part 11 are connected by two linear actuators 5. Therefore, when an external force acts on the movable part 10, the external force is received by the fixed part 11 via the two linear actuators 5, and is absorbed by the deformation of the movable part 10 and the fixed part 11. As a result, the pack 3 is not damaged.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the stationary power storage device 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit 7 has a processor 7a and a memory 7b. The processor 7a can access the memory 7b. The processor 7a reads and executes programs stored in the memory 7b. As a result, the processor 7a causes hardware such as the processor 7a and the memory 7b to function as an inclination angle acquisition unit 30, a fall sign determination unit 31, and an actuator control unit 32. The processor 7a may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD).

[0029] The tilt angle acquisition unit 30 acquires an angle signal indicating the tilt angle of the pack 3 from the tilt sensor 8 .

[0030] The tipping sign determination unit 31 determines whether or not there is a sign of tipping of the stationary power storage device 1, based on the angle signal acquired by the tilt angle acquisition unit 30. Specifically, the tipping sign determination unit 31 compares the tilt angle of the packs 3 with a predetermined value, and determines whether or not there is a sign of tipping of the stationary power storage device 1, based on the comparison result. More specifically, the tipping sign determination unit 31 compares the tilt angle of the packs 3 with a predetermined value, and determines that there is a sign of tipping of the stationary power storage device 1, when the tilt angle of the packs 3 exceeds the predetermined value. The predetermined value is typically, but not limited to, 10 degrees to 25 degrees.

[0031] When the tipping sign determination unit 31 determines that there is a sign that the stationary energy storage device 1 is about to tip over, the actuator control unit 32 controls the two linear actuators 5 to move the lower end 10b of the movable part 10 away from the fixed part 11. Specifically, when the tipping sign determination unit 31 determines that there is a sign that the stationary energy storage device 1 is about to tip over, the actuator control unit 32 outputs an extension control signal to the two linear actuators 5 to cause the rod 5b to extend from the actuator main body 5a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3 , the movable part 10 protrudes before the stationary energy storage device 1 tips over, preventing the stationary energy storage device 1 from tipping over.

[0032] Next, the operation of the stationary power storage device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. First, the tilt angle acquisition unit 30 acquires an angle signal indicating the tilt angle of the pack 3 from the tilt sensor 8 (S100). Next, the tipping sign determination unit 31 determines whether or not there is a sign of tipping of the stationary power storage device 1 by comparing the tilt angle of the pack 3 with a predetermined value (S110). Specifically, the tipping sign determination unit 31 determines whether or not the tilt angle of the pack 3 exceeds the predetermined value (S110). If the tilt angle of the pack 3 does not exceed the predetermined value (NO in S110), the tipping sign determination unit 31 determines that there is no sign of tipping of the stationary power storage device 1, and the process returns to step S100. On the other hand, if the tilt angle of the pack 3 exceeds the predetermined value (YES in S110), the tipping sign determination unit 31 determines that there is a sign of tipping of the stationary power storage device 1, and the process proceeds to step S120. In step S120, the actuator control unit 32 controls the two linear actuators 5 so as to move the lower end 10b of the movable unit 10 away from the fixed unit 11 (S120).

[0033] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. The above embodiments have the following features.

[0034] The stationary energy storage device 1 includes a plurality of modules 6 each composed of a plurality of cells, an exterior cover 4 (case) that houses the plurality of modules 6, an inclination sensor 8 that can detect the inclination angle of the plurality of modules 6, two linear actuators 5, and a control circuit 7 that determines whether or not there are signs of the stationary energy storage device 1 tipping over based on the detection result of the inclination sensor 8. The exterior cover 4 includes a movable part 10 and a fixed part 11 that sandwich the plurality of modules 6 in a plan view. The movable part 10 is supported by the fixed part 11 so as to be rotatable about a horizontally extending rotation axis C. The linear actuator 5 is configured to be coupled to the movable part 10 and the fixed part 11, thereby moving the lower end 10b of the movable part 10 toward or away from the fixed part 11. If the control circuit 7 determines that there are signs of the stationary energy storage device 1 tipping over, it controls the two linear actuators 5 to move the lower end 10b of the movable part 10 away from the fixed part 11. According to the above configuration, the stationary energy storage device 1 can be configured compactly and can be prevented from tipping over. Furthermore, since the fixed part 11 receives an external force acting on the movable part 10 via the two linear actuators 5, damage to the multiple modules 6 can be suppressed.

[0035] That is, the stationary electricity storage device 1 does not have any members corresponding to the auxiliary members of Patent Document 1, and therefore can be said to have a compact configuration.

[0036] Note that, instead of including a plurality of modules 6, the stationary energy storage device 1 may include only one module 6. Instead of including two linear actuators 5, the stationary energy storage device 1 may include only one linear actuator 5.

[0037] 1, the rotation axis C is provided at the upper end 10a of the movable part 10. According to the above configuration, the lower end 10b of the movable part 10 can be moved far away from the fixed part 11 when the movable part 10 is in the open state, as shown in FIG.

[0038] 3, the two linear actuators 5 are coupled to the lower end 10b of the movable part 10. According to the above configuration, the two linear actuators 5 can efficiently receive the external force acting on the movable part 10.

[0039] Furthermore, the control circuit 7 determines whether or not there is a sign of the stationary energy storage device 1 tipping over based on the comparison result between the tilt angles of the multiple modules 6 and a predetermined value. According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a sign of the stationary energy storage device 1 tipping over by a simple comparison calculation.

[0040] The control method for the stationary energy storage device 1 includes determining whether there is a sign of the stationary energy storage device 1 tipping over (S110), and controlling the two linear actuators 5 so that the lower end 10b of the movable part 10 moves away from the fixed part 11 based on the determination result (S120). With the above configuration, the stationary energy storage device 1 can be configured compactly and can be prevented from tipping over.

[0041] The invention made by the inventor has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments already described, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0042] In the above examples, the program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives) and magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks). Further examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R / W, and semiconductor memory (e.g., mask ROM). Further examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, and RAM (Random Access Memory). The program may also be supplied to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Stationary energy storage device 2 foundation blocks 3-pack 4. Exterior cover 5 Linear Actuators 5a Actuator body 5b Rod 6 Modules 7 Control Circuit 7a processor 7b Memory 8 Tilt Sensor 10 Moving parts 10a top end 10b Bottom end 11 Fixed part 20 Rear cover 21 Side cover 22 Top cover 23 Front cover 24 Connecting part 24a top end 30 Tilt angle acquisition section 31 Fall Prediction Detector 32 Actuator control unit C rotation axis G Installation ground S space

Claims

1. At least one module consisting of a plurality of cells; a case that houses the at least one module; a tilt sensor capable of detecting a tilt angle of the at least one module; A linear actuator, a control circuit that determines whether or not there is a sign of tipping over of the stationary electricity storage device based on a detection result of the tilt sensor; and A stationary electricity storage device comprising: the case includes, in a plan view, a movable portion and a fixed portion that sandwich the at least one module; the movable part is supported by the fixed part so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending horizontally, the linear actuator is configured to move a lower end of the movable part toward or away from the fixed part by coupling the movable part and the fixed part; when it is determined that there is a sign of the stationary power storage device tipping over, the control circuit controls the linear actuator so that a lower end of the movable part moves away from the fixed part. Stationary energy storage device.

2. The rotation shaft is provided at the upper end of the movable part. The stationary electricity storage device according to claim 1 .

3. The linear actuator is coupled to a lower end of the movable part. The stationary electricity storage device according to claim 1 .

4. the control circuit determines whether there is a sign of tipping over of the stationary energy storage device based on a comparison result between the tilt angle of the at least one module and a predetermined value. The stationary electricity storage device according to claim 1 .

5. At least one module consisting of a plurality of cells; a case that houses the at least one module; a tilt sensor capable of detecting a tilt angle of the at least one module; A linear actuator, Including, the case includes, in a plan view, a movable portion and a fixed portion that sandwich the at least one module; the movable part is supported by the fixed part so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending horizontally, The linear actuator is configured to move a lower end of the movable part toward or away from the fixed part by coupling the movable part and the fixed part. A method for controlling a stationary power storage device, comprising: determining whether there is a sign of the stationary electricity storage device tipping over; Based on the determination result, the linear actuator is controlled so that the lower end of the movable part moves away from the fixed part. Control method.

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