Energy storage device

Abstract

To provide a technology that can reduce the cross-sectional area of ​​the components constituting the battery unit housing mechanism of an energy storage device. [Solution] The energy storage device comprises multiple support columns, a battery unit, and a fixing member. The battery unit is joined to the fixing member. The fixing member is joined to the multiple support columns.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power storage device including a mechanism for housing a battery unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery tray. The battery tray includes a storage tray having a notch portion and a battery module having a support protrusion. The battery module is fixed to the storage tray by fitting the indication protrusion and the notch portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Consider a power storage device including a mechanism for housing a battery unit. Since the battery unit is a heavy object, the mechanism for housing the battery unit is required to have appropriate structural performance for safely supporting the battery unit. As a result, the cross-section of the members constituting the battery unit housing mechanism has to be large, which may result in an uneconomical design.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of reducing the cross-section of the members constituting the battery unit housing mechanism of a power storage device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The perspective of the present disclosure relates to a power storage device. The power storage device includes a plurality of support columns, a battery unit, and a fixing member. The battery unit is joined to the fixing member. The fixing member is joined to the plurality of support columns.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] In the energy storage device described herein, the battery unit is joined to a fixing member. The fixing member is joined to multiple support columns. In other words, the battery unit is joined to multiple support columns via the fixing member. Generally, the outer shell of the battery unit itself has high strength and rigidity to resist external forces. Therefore, by joining the battery unit to multiple support columns via the fixing member, the structural performance of the energy storage device is enhanced by the strength and rigidity of the battery unit itself. In other words, the energy storage device utilizes the battery unit it houses as a structural mechanism. This reduces the cross-sectional area of ​​the components, resulting in weight reduction and cost reduction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the energy storage device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a two-view diagram showing specific examples of how energy storage devices can be used. [Figure 3] This is an XY plan view showing the i-th and j-th layers of the battery storage panel. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] 1. Overview of Energy Storage Devices Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of a power storage device 1 according to this embodiment. The power storage device 1 includes at least one battery unit 10 and a rack 20 that houses the battery unit 10. The battery unit 10 is replaceable. That is, the battery unit 10 can be inserted into the rack 20 from the outside, and the battery unit 10 can be removed from the rack 20.

[0011] First, let's explain the coordinate system. The XY plane is the plane on which the battery unit 10 is placed within the rack 20. The Z direction is perpendicular to the XY plane. Typically, the XY plane is a horizontal plane, and the Z direction is vertical. The X direction is the depth direction. The Y direction is the transverse direction perpendicular to the X direction. The battery unit 10 is inserted into or removed from the rack 20 along the X direction.

[0012] The rack 20 comprises a plurality of support columns 21 extending in the Z direction and a fixing member 22 parallel to the XY plane. The fixing member 22 is joined to the plurality of support columns 21. The fixing member 22 is joined to the battery unit 10. In other words, the battery unit 10 is joined to the plurality of support columns 21 via the fixing member 22. The joining at each point is mainly done by mechanical joining with fasteners such as bolts and nuts. The battery unit 10 may be joined to the fixing member 22 before being housed in the rack 20. Typically, the rack 20 is made of metal such as steel or aluminum alloy.

[0013] Typically, the energy storage device 1 includes a plurality of battery units 10. The plurality of battery units 10 are arranged in the Z direction, i.e., in layers. A plurality of fixing members 22 are provided to correspond to the plurality of battery units 10. The plurality of battery units 10 may be electrically connected to one another.

[0014] Furthermore, the energy storage device 1 may be equipped with a base 30. Multiple support columns 21 are fastened to the base 30. The base 30 may have a structure for transport and lifting. In the case of Figure 1, the base 30 is equipped with elongated holes along the Y direction. This allows the energy storage device 1 to be lifted and transported by a forklift or crane. Also, when the energy storage device 1 is fixed in place and the base 30 is fastened to the building's foundation, it is preferable for safety reasons that the fastening position be close to the fastening position between the base 30 and the multiple support columns 21.

[0015] The battery unit 10 includes at least a battery pack. The battery pack functions as a rechargeable battery. The battery unit 10 may also include a battery tray. The battery tray is a receptacle for the battery pack. In other words, the battery pack may be mounted on the battery tray.

[0016] The battery pack used in the energy storage device 1 according to this embodiment may be an in-vehicle battery pack. Here, an in-vehicle battery pack refers to a battery pack developed and produced as a power source for electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles. Such an in-vehicle battery pack is repurposed as the battery pack for the energy storage device 1.

[0017] For example, a vehicle-mounted battery pack that has been used in a vehicle can be reused as a battery pack in the energy storage device 1. Because vehicle-mounted battery packs originally have very high output and performance, even used vehicle-mounted battery packs can be used for purposes other than vehicles. The number of vehicle-mounted battery packs produced and used is expected to increase even more in the future. Reusing such a large number of vehicle-mounted battery packs as battery packs for the energy storage device 1 is not only environmentally friendly but also desirable from the standpoint of energy conservation.

[0018] As another example, a new automotive battery pack may be used from the outset as the battery pack for energy storage device 1. Because automotive battery packs are produced in very large quantities, their production costs are low. In other words, automotive battery packs are superior in terms of both quantity and cost. Repurposing such automotive battery packs is desirable from the standpoint of energy conservation.

[0019] <Effects> As described above, in the energy storage device 1, the battery unit 10 is fixed to a plurality of support columns 21 via a fixing member 22. This allows the battery unit 10 itself to function as a resistance element against external forces. This leads to a reduction in the cross-sectional area of ​​the components of the rack 20 (e.g., the plurality of support columns 21), resulting in weight reduction and cost reduction. In particular, when the plurality of support columns 21 are joined to the base 30, the strength of the energy storage device 1 is further improved.

[0020] Consider the case where an in-vehicle battery pack is used as the battery pack of the power storage device 1. Since the in-vehicle battery pack has high strength and rigidity to withstand external impacts, it is particularly suitable for achieving the purpose of the power storage device 1.

[0021] 2. Specific utilization examples of the power storage device FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a specific utilization example of the power storage device 1. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the power storage device 1 is used as a battery tray 1A. That is, it can be said that the battery tray 1A is an aspect of the power storage device 1. The battery tray 1A includes a plurality of battery units 10, a rack 20, and a base 30. The battery tray 1A is typically covered with side walls, a top plate, etc. As shown in the figure, the battery tray 1A may include a door. Through the door, replacement and maintenance of the battery unit 10 can be easily performed.

[0022] The battery tray 1A includes control equipment for controlling the battery unit 10. Such control equipment may be housed in a space separate from the space for housing the battery unit 10. In the example of FIG. 2, the battery tray 1A includes a battery space 50 for housing the battery unit 10 and a control equipment space 60 for housing the control equipment. Further, the battery tray 1A may include a cooling device for cooling the battery unit 10. Such a cooling device is installed, for example, near the ceiling of the battery tray 1A.

[0023] Multiple battery units 10 are arranged in layers in the Z direction. Multiple fixing members 22 fastened to the battery units 10 are each fastened to three support columns 21. Of the multiple layers formed by the multiple battery units 10, we will focus on the i-th and j-th layers and describe their detailed configuration. Figure 3 is an XY plan view showing the i-th and j-th layers of the battery storage panel 1A. In Figure 3, the multiple support columns 21 are distinguished as individual support columns 21A to 21J. The battery unit 10 installed in the i-th layer is distinguished as battery unit 10-i. The two fixing members 22 fastened to battery unit 10-i are distinguished as fixing member 22i-1 and fixing member 22i-2. This method of distinction is the same for the j-th layer.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, in the i-th layer, the fixing member 22i-1 is fastened to the support columns 21A-21C. Also, the fixing member 22i-2 is fastened to the support columns 21E-21G. That is, the battery unit 10-i is positioned in the area enclosed by the support columns 21A-C and 21E-G. However, if the battery units 10 are positioned in the other layers in the same way as in the i-th layer, the center of gravity of the entire battery panel 1A will be off-center. When a forklift or crane lifts a heavy object like the battery panel 1A, an off-center center of gravity makes it easy to lose balance, so this is not an optimal condition. Therefore, it is not desirable for the arrangement of multiple battery units 10 (positions defined in the X and Y directions) to be the same in all layers.

[0025] The battery storage panel 1A allows for the arrangement of the battery units 10 in each layer to be adjusted. For example, in the j-th layer, fixing member 22j-1 is fastened to support columns 21B-21D. Also, fixing member 22j-2 is fastened to support columns 21F-21H. That is, the battery units 10-j are arranged in an area roughly enclosed by support columns 21B-D and support columns 21F-H. By adjusting the fastening positions of the fixing members 22 in the i-th and j-th layers in this way, the center of gravity of the battery storage panel 1A can be brought closer to the center.

[0026] It is possible that the dimensions of the multiple battery units 10 used in the battery storage panel 1A may differ. Even in such cases, as shown in Figure 3, it is possible to accommodate multiple battery units 10 of different dimensions by adjusting their arrangement. However, in order to ensure the strength and rigidity of the rack 20, it is desirable that the multiple support columns 21 to which the fixing members 22 are fastened are somewhat similar. In the example shown in Figure 3, support columns 21B-C and support columns 21F-G are fastened to the fixing members 22 in both the i-th and j-th layers.

[0027] It is preferable that the weight (load) of the battery unit 10 be distributed evenly across multiple support columns 21. Therefore, it is preferable that the support columns 21 supporting the battery unit 10 be positioned opposite each other on both sides of the battery unit 10. In the example shown in Figure 3, support columns 21A to D are opposite each other to support columns 21E to H. If the number and arrangement of support columns 21 differ on both sides of the battery unit 10, the load of the battery unit 10 will be concentrated on some of the support columns 21, which is undesirable from a structural design perspective. On the other hand, the arrangement of the support columns 21 supporting the control equipment (support columns 21I and 21J in Figure 3) does not have to be in a relationship opposite to support columns 21A to H. This is because the control equipment does not weigh as much as the battery unit 10, and the effect of load unevenness is relatively small. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1: Energy storage device, 1A: Battery panel, 10: Battery unit, 20: Rack, 21: Support column, 22: Fixing member, 30: Base

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple support posts, Battery unit and Fixing member and Equipped with, The battery unit is joined to the fixing member, The fixing member is joined to the plurality of support columns. Energy storage device.

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