Power storage panel

Abstract

The power storage panel 10 comprises a power storage device 200 equipped with a power storage element 220, a housing 100 housing the power storage device, and an inert liquid 300 arranged in a space S1 within the housing where the power storage device is housed and into which the power storage device is immersed. The power storage element comprises a terminal 222, a container 221 provided with a gas discharge valve 221f, and an electrolyte contained in the container. The terminal protrudes toward the bottom wall 150 of the housing or in the horizontal direction (X-axis and Y-axis direction), and the gas discharge valve is positioned near the bottom wall of the container. [Effect] By positioning the gas discharge valve near the bottom wall of the container housing, when the gas discharge valve is opened, the electrolyte can be discharged from the container via the gas discharge valve. This allows the electrolyte to be cooled by the inert liquid, thus suppressing the rise in temperature of the energy storage element caused by the electrolyte becoming hot inside the container. Therefore, safety can be improved by using this energy storage panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage battery tray.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack having a plurality of batteries each containing a power generation element and an electrolytic solution, and a storage case for housing the plurality of batteries. The storage case contains a nonflammable liquid that is lower in density than the electrolytic solution, is insulating, and is nonflammable, together with the plurality of batteries.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the battery pack disclosed in Patent Document 1, each battery includes an exterior body containing a power generation element and an electrolytic solution, and a gas discharge valve is disposed on the upper surface (lid) of the exterior body (see FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1, etc.). In this battery pack, even if the interior of the exterior body becomes hot and the gas discharge valve opens during an abnormality of the battery, the electrolytic solution may burn inside the exterior body, etc., causing the temperature to rise, and there is a risk that the temperature of the battery will increase. Therefore, a configuration that can suppress the increase in the temperature of the battery and improve safety is desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made by the inventors of the present application newly focusing on the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a storage battery tray that can improve safety.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A power storage panel according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a power storage device equipped with a power storage element, a housing for housing the power storage device, and an inert liquid disposed in the space within the housing in which the power storage device is housed, in which the power storage device is immersed, wherein the power storage element comprises a terminal, a container provided with a gas discharge valve, and an electrolyte contained in the container, wherein the terminal protrudes toward the bottom wall of the housing or in a horizontal direction, and the gas discharge valve is positioned in the container near the bottom wall. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The energy storage panel according to the present invention can improve safety. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a power storage panel according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the housing of the power storage panel according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage device included in the energy storage panel according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage elements in the energy storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the housing of a power storage panel according to a modified example 1 of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage elements in the energy storage device according to Modification 2 of the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage elements in the energy storage device according to the modified embodiment 3. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage elements in the energy storage device according to the modified embodiment 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (1) A power storage panel according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a power storage device equipped with a power storage element, a housing for housing the power storage device, and an inert liquid disposed in the space within the housing in which the power storage device is housed, in which the power storage device is immersed, wherein the power storage element comprises a terminal, a container provided with a gas discharge valve, and an electrolyte contained in the container, wherein the terminal protrudes toward the bottom wall of the housing or in a horizontal direction, and the gas discharge valve is disposed in the container at a position close to the bottom wall.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, an inert liquid is placed in the space within the enclosure where the energy storage device is housed, and the gas discharge valve of the energy storage device is positioned close to the bottom wall of the enclosure. In other words, the energy storage panel has an energy storage device and an inert liquid placed inside the enclosure, and the energy storage device is cooled by the inert liquid. In this configuration, by positioning the gas discharge valve of the energy storage device close to the bottom wall of the enclosure, when the gas discharge valve is opened, the electrolyte can be discharged from the container through the gas discharge valve. As a result, the electrolyte can be cooled by the inert liquid, which can suppress the rise in temperature of the energy storage device due to the electrolyte becoming hot inside the container. Therefore, safety can be improved with this energy storage panel.

[0011] (2) In the power storage panel described in (1) above, the gas discharge valve may be arranged on the surface of the container facing the bottom wall.

[0012] According to the power storage panel described in (2) above, the gas discharge valve of the power storage element is positioned on the surface of the container facing the bottom wall of the housing, so that when the gas discharge valve is opened, the electrolyte can be easily discharged from the container through the gas discharge valve.

[0013] (3) In the power storage panel described in (1) or (2) above, the power storage device, which includes the power storage element with terminals protruding toward the bottom wall, may be arranged inside the housing.

[0014] According to the power storage panel described in (3) above, a power storage device including a power storage element with terminals protruding toward the bottom wall of the housing is disposed within the housing. That is, by arranging a power storage element with a relatively common configuration, where the terminals protrude upward and the gas discharge valve is disposed at the upper part of the container, upside down, a power storage device can be configured. Thereby, by disposing a power storage device with a relatively common configuration of the power storage element arranged upside down within the housing, or by arranging a power storage device including a power storage element with a relatively common configuration upside down within the housing, a power storage panel can be easily configured.

[0015] (4) In the power storage panel according to any one of (1) to (3) above, it may be such that the specific gravity of the inert liquid is smaller than the specific gravity of the electrolytic solution.

[0016] According to the power storage panel described in (4) above, since the specific gravity of the inert liquid is smaller than the specific gravity of the electrolytic solution, when the gas discharge valve is opened, the electrolytic solution with a specific gravity greater than that of the inert liquid can be easily discharged from the gas discharge valve into the inert liquid. When the electrolytic solution is discharged from the gas discharge valve, the inert liquid with a specific gravity smaller than that of the electrolytic solution can be made to flow into the container from the gas discharge valve. By these means, the electrolytic solution can be cooled by the inert liquid, and the inside of the container can be cooled by the inert liquid, so that the temperature rise of the power storage element can be further suppressed.

[0017] (5) In the power storage panel according to any one of (1) to (4) above, it may be such that the housing is disposed above the power storage device and includes a support member that supports the power storage device from above.

[0018] According to the power storage panel described in (5) above, since the housing includes a support member above the power storage device, when gas is discharged from the power storage element of the power storage device, the gas discharge path becomes longer due to the support member. Thereby, the gas with a lowered temperature is discharged from the inert liquid, so that safety can be improved.

[0019] The following description of a power storage panel according to an embodiment (including its modifications) of the present invention will be given with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are all general or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection configurations of components, manufacturing processes, and the order of manufacturing processes shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Dimensions and other specifications are not strictly illustrated in each figure. In each figure, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0020] In the following description and drawings, the width direction of the power storage panel enclosure, the direction in which the two side walls of the enclosure face each other, or the direction in which multiple power storage devices are arranged on the shelves of the enclosure is defined as the X-axis direction. The depth direction of the power storage panel enclosure, or the direction in which the front and rear walls of the enclosure face each other is defined as the Y-axis direction. The X-axis and Y-axis directions are horizontal. The height direction of the power storage panel enclosure, the direction in which the bottom wall of the enclosure faces, the direction in which the multiple shelves of the enclosure are arranged, the direction in which the first and second spaces within the enclosure are arranged, or the up and down direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. These X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions intersect (orthogonal in this embodiment) with each other.

[0021] In the following explanation, the X-axis positive direction refers to the direction of the X-axis arrow, and the X-axis negative direction refers to the direction opposite to the X-axis positive direction. When simply referred to as the X-axis direction, it refers to either the X-axis positive direction or the X-axis negative direction, or either direction. The same applies to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Unless otherwise specified, the upper and lower parts of a member are defined as the parts located at the upper and lower ends when the member is divided into two parts along the Z-axis. The upper and lower ends of a member are defined as the parts located at the upper and lower ends when the member is divided into three parts along the Z-axis. Expressions indicating relative directions or orientations, such as parallel and orthogonal, include cases where they are not strictly those directions or orientations. When two directions are parallel (or orthogonal), it means not only that the two directions are perfectly parallel (or orthogonal), but also that they are substantially parallel (or orthogonal), i.e., that they include a difference of, for example, a few percent. In the following explanation, when "insulation" is used, it means "electrical insulation". The volume resistivity of an insulating material is 1 × 10⁻⁶ 6 Preferably, it is Ωm or higher, 1 × 10 7 Ωm or greater is more preferable, 1 × 10 10 A value of Ωm or higher is even more preferable.

[0022] (Embodiment) [1. Explanation of the power storage panel 10] The configuration of the power storage panel 10 in this embodiment will now be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the power storage panel 10 according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, the internal configuration of the housing 100 of the power storage panel 10 is shown by dashed lines. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the housing 100 of the power storage panel 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the power storage panel 10 shown in Figure 1 when it is cut by a plane passing through line II-II and parallel to the XZ plane.

[0023] The power storage panel 10 is equipment that charges and discharges electricity and supplies power to an external power load. The power storage panel 10 is a stationary battery used for commercial or household purposes, and is used for power storage or power supply purposes. The power storage panel 10 is a stationary electrical panel (power storage device panel, power storage element panel, battery panel) that stores various types of power, such as power from the commercial power grid, power generated by generators, wind power generation or solar power generation, and regenerative power from railway systems, and supplies power stably to external equipment. The power storage panel 10 can also be installed on large mobile vehicles such as ships or railway vehicles for electric railways, and can be used as a battery for driving or starting the engine of such large mobile vehicles. Examples of railway vehicles for electric railways include electric trains, monorails, linear motor cars, and hybrid trains equipped with both diesel engines and electric motors.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the power storage panel 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The power storage panel 10 comprises a housing 100, power storage devices 200, and an inert liquid 300. In this embodiment, within the housing 100, a plurality (six) of power storage devices 200 are arranged in the X-axis direction and in multiple rows in the Z-axis direction. The number of power storage devices 200 arranged in the X-axis direction and the number of rows in the Z-axis direction are not particularly limited. In addition to these components, the power storage panel 10 also includes wires or busbars for connecting the plurality of power storage devices 200, but these are not shown in the illustration and detailed explanation is omitted. The plurality of power storage devices 200 may all be connected in series, or a combination of series and parallel connections, or all may be connected in parallel. The power storage panel 10 may also include a power converter, copper bars, circuit breakers, and other electrical equipment (electrical components).

[0025] [1.1 Description of the enclosure 100 and the inert liquid 300] First, the configuration of the housing 100 and the inert liquid 300 housed within the housing 100 will be described in detail. The housing 100 is a rectangular parallelepiped (box-shaped) housing (shelf, rack). The housing 100 houses the energy storage device 200 and the inert liquid 300 inside. The housing 100 is made of metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, or plated steel sheet. The housing 100 may be made of materials other than metal (such as resin), but it is preferable that it be made of a material with high strength, heat resistance, and flame retardancy. The housing 100 comprises side walls 110 and 120, a front wall 130, a rear wall 140, a bottom wall 150, and a shelf 160.

[0026] The side walls 110 and 120, the front wall 130, the rear wall 140, and the bottom wall 150 are flat, rectangular wall sections that cover five surfaces of the housing 100 other than the top surface. Specifically, the side wall 110 is the wall of the housing 100 in the positive X-axis direction, the side wall 120 is the wall of the housing 100 in the negative X-axis direction, the front wall 130 is the wall of the housing 100 in the negative Y-axis direction, the rear wall 140 is the wall of the housing 100 in the positive Y-axis direction, and the bottom wall 150 is the wall of the housing 100 in the negative Z-axis direction.

[0027] In this configuration, the housing 100 has an internal space formed by the side walls 110 and 120, the front wall 130, the rear wall 140, and the bottom wall 150, which is divided into a first space S1 and a second space S2. The first space S1 and the second space S2 are two spaces aligned in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0028] The first space S1 is located below the second space S2 within the housing 100 (in the negative Z-axis direction) and occupies most of the internal space of the housing 100. The first space S1 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space within the internal space of the housing 100 other than the second space S2. The first space S1 is the space within the housing 100 that houses the energy storage device 200 and the inert liquid 300. In other words, the inert liquid 300 is housed in the first space S1, and multiple energy storage devices 200 are housed within the inert liquid 300. To put it another way, the space within the internal space of the housing 100 where the inert liquid 300 is located is the first space S1, and the energy storage device 200 is housed within the first space S1 where the inert liquid 300 is located. In this embodiment, the entire energy storage device 200 has a liquid immersion cooling configuration in which it is immersed in the inert liquid 300.

[0029] The inert liquid 300 is placed in the first space S1, which is the space within the housing 100 in which the energy storage device 200 is housed, and is a cooling medium (cooling liquid) that cools the energy storage device 200 (the energy storage element 220 described later) by immersing it. In this embodiment, the specific gravity of the inert liquid 300 is smaller than the specific gravity of the electrolyte housed in the container 221 of the energy storage element 220, described later. The inert liquid 300 is a chemically inert, insulating liquid. As the inert liquid 300, any known oil (insulating oil) such as mineral oil or chemically synthesized oil (fluorine-based or silicone-based) can be used as appropriate. It is preferable to use a liquid as the inert liquid 300 that has a flash point of 250°C or higher and does not fall under the category of hazardous materials under the Fire Service Act. For cooling the inert liquid 300 itself, a single-phase cooling method can be adopted in which the inert liquid 300 is removed and heat is exchanged elsewhere, but a two-phase cooling method that utilizes the endothermic reaction in the phase change from liquid to gas may also be adopted.

[0030] The second space S2 is a space located above the first space S1 (in the positive Z-axis direction) within the housing 100. The second space S2 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space that is flattened in the Z-axis direction and located at the end of the internal space of the housing 100 in the positive Z-axis direction. Since the inert liquid 300 is located in the first space S1, the second space S2 is a space located above the inert liquid 300 within the housing 100. In other words, the second space S2 is the space within the internal space of the housing 100 where the inert liquid 300 is not located.

[0031] The shelf plate 160 is a flat, rectangular wall that partitions the internal space (first space S1) of the housing 100. Multiple shelf plates 160 are arranged in the Z-axis direction within the first space S1, partitioning the first space S1 in the Z-axis direction. The shelf plate 160 has an opening (not shown) through which the inert liquid 300 can pass. The shape of the shelf plate 160 is not particularly limited and may be a narrow plate-shaped or rod-shaped member such as a beam. Each energy storage device 200 is placed inside the housing 100 within the space partitioned by the multiple shelf plates 160, supported by each shelf plate 160, etc. On each shelf plate 160, multiple energy storage devices 200 are arranged in the X-axis direction. In this way, the multiple energy storage devices 200 are arranged adjacent to each other in the X-axis and Z-axis directions. Although Figures 1 and 2 do not show the shelf 160 and the energy storage device 200 in the space below the housing 100, the shelf 160 and the energy storage device 200 may be placed in the space below the housing 100, or the energy storage device 200 may be placed on the bottom wall 150.

[0032] Electrical equipment such as circuit boards for controlling each energy storage device 200 may be placed inside the housing 100 (first space S1 or second space S2). The electrical equipment may be placed in the upper part of the housing 100 (upper part of the first space S1 or second space S2), and the wiring connected to the electrical equipment may be routed out through an opening in the upper part of the housing 100.

[0033] [1.2 Description of the Energy Storage Device 200] Next, the configuration of the energy storage device 200 will be described in detail. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage device 200 provided in the energy storage panel 10 according to this embodiment. In Figure 3, the internal configuration of the outer casing 210 of the energy storage device 200 is shown by dashed lines, with a transparent view of the outer casing 210. Since all of the multiple energy storage devices 200 provided in the energy storage panel 10 have the same configuration, Figure 3 shows one energy storage device 200. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage element 220 provided in the energy storage device 200 according to this embodiment. Since all of the multiple energy storage elements 220 provided in the energy storage device 200 have the same configuration, Figure 4 shows one energy storage element 220.

[0034] The energy storage device 200 is a battery module (battery pack) that is elongated in the Y-axis direction and has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in Figure 3, the energy storage device 200 comprises an outer casing 210 and a plurality of energy storage elements 220. In this embodiment, the plurality of energy storage elements 220 are arranged in line in the Y-axis direction, but the direction of arrangement and the number of energy storage elements 220 are not particularly limited, and only one energy storage element 220 may be arranged. In addition to these components, the energy storage device 200 also comprises busbars for connecting the terminals of the plurality of energy storage elements 220, a gas exhaust path and exhaust port (exhaust pipe) for exhausting gas discharged from the energy storage elements 220, and a pair of external terminals (positive and negative electrodes) (or cables equivalent to external terminals) for connecting to the outside, but these are not shown in the illustration and their detailed explanation is omitted. The energy storage device 200 may also include spacers placed between the energy storage elements 220, restraining members (end plates, side plates, etc.) that constrain the energy storage elements 220, a busbar frame for positioning the busbars, and electrical equipment such as a circuit board for monitoring and controlling the charging and discharging states of the energy storage elements 220, but these are not shown or described.

[0035] The outer casing 210 is a box-shaped (rectangular parallelepiped) container (module case) that is elongated in the Y-axis direction and forms the outer shell of the energy storage device 200. The outer casing 210 houses a plurality of energy storage elements 220 and fixes the plurality of energy storage elements 220 in predetermined positions, protecting them from impacts and the like. The outer casing 210 is made of an insulating material such as resin to prevent the energy storage elements 220 from coming into contact with external metal members, etc. The outer casing 210 may be made of a conductive material such as metal, as long as the insulating properties of the energy storage elements 220 are maintained.

[0036] The energy storage element 220 is a secondary battery (single cell) capable of charging and discharging electricity, and more specifically, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. In this embodiment, the energy storage element 220 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape (square), but the shape of the energy storage element 220 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be a polygonal prism shape, cylindrical shape, oblong cylindrical shape, elliptical prism shape, etc. The energy storage element 220 may be a secondary battery other than a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, or it may be a capacitor. The energy storage element 220 may be a primary battery. The energy storage element 220 may be a battery using a solid electrolyte. The energy storage element 220 may be a pouch-type energy storage element.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the energy storage element 220 comprises a container 221 and a pair of terminals 222 (positive and negative electrodes). Inside the container 221 are electrodes, a pair of current collectors (positive and negative electrodes), and an electrolyte (non-aqueous electrolyte), but these are not shown in the illustration. There are no particular restrictions on the type of electrolyte as long as it does not impair the performance of the energy storage element 220, and various types can be selected. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the specific gravity of the electrolyte is greater than the specific gravity of the inert liquid 300. Gaskets and the like are placed between the container 221 and the terminals 222 and current collectors to improve insulation and airtightness, but these are also not shown in the illustration.

[0038] The container 221 is a rectangular parallelepiped (square) shaped container comprising a container body 221a with an opening formed therein and a container lid 221b that closes the opening of the container body 221a. The container body 221a is a rectangular cylindrical member with an upper surface that constitutes the main body of the container 221. The container body 221a has a pair of flat, rectangular long side walls 221c on both sides (long sides) in the Y-axis direction, a pair of flat, rectangular short side walls 221d on both sides (short sides) in the X-axis direction, and a flat, rectangular wall 221e on the upper surface in the positive Z-axis direction. The container lid 221b is a flat, rectangular member that extends in the X-axis direction and constitutes the lid of the container 221, and is positioned in the negative Z-axis direction of the container body 221a. In other words, the container 221 has a configuration in which the container lid 221b closes the opening of the container body 221a in the negative Z-axis direction.

[0039] The container 221 is equipped with a gas discharge valve 221f. The gas discharge valve 221f is a safety valve that discharges gas from inside the container 221 to release pressure when the pressure inside the container 221 rises excessively. If the energy storage element 220 is a non-aqueous electrolyte energy storage element, the energy storage element 220 generates flammable gas. In other words, if an abnormality such as an internal short circuit occurs in the energy storage element 220 due to factors such as the application of external stress to the energy storage element 220 or the inclusion of foreign matter inside the energy storage element 220, the energy storage element 220 may generate flammable gas. For this reason, the gas (vent gas) discharged from the gas discharge valve 221f of the energy storage element 220 contains flammable gas.

[0040] In this embodiment, the gas discharge valve 221f is positioned between a pair of terminals 222 on the container lid portion 221b. The gas discharge valve 221f is positioned on the surface (bottom surface) of the container 221 facing the negative Z-axis direction. That is, as shown in Figure 2, the gas discharge valve 221f is positioned in the container 221, close to the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100. Positioning close to the bottom wall 150 of the container 221 means being positioned in the lower part of the container 221 (a part in the negative Z-axis direction from the center position of the container 221 in the Z-axis direction). Specifically, the gas discharge valve 221f is positioned on the surface of the container 221 facing the bottom wall 150. In this embodiment, the gas discharge valve 221f is positioned in contact with the inert liquid 300.

[0041] The container 221 (container lid 221b) may also be provided with an injection port for pouring electrolyte into the container 221. The material of the container 221 (container body 221a and container lid 221b) is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a weldable metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, or plated steel sheet.

[0042] Terminal 222 is an electrode terminal (positive terminal and negative terminal) that is electrically connected to the positive and negative plates of the electrode body via a current collector. Terminal 222 is made of a metal (conductive) material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, or copper alloy. Terminal 222 is positioned to protrude downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from the container lid portion 221b. Terminal 222 is positioned to protrude in a direction toward the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100 or in a horizontal direction. As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, terminal 222 is positioned to protrude in a direction toward the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100.

[0043] The electrode body is an energy storage element (power generation element) formed by laminating a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The positive electrode plate has a positive electrode active material layer formed on a current collector foil made of a metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The negative electrode plate has a negative electrode active material layer formed on a current collector foil made of a metal such as copper or a copper alloy. As for the active material used in the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer, any known material can be used as long as it is capable of intercalating and releasing charge transport ions. The current collector is a conductive member (positive electrode current collector and negative electrode current collector) that is electrically connected to the terminal 222 and the electrode body. The positive electrode current collector is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, similar to the current collector foil of the positive electrode plate, and the negative electrode current collector is made of copper or a copper alloy, similar to the current collector foil of the negative electrode plate.

[0044] Thus, a power storage device 200 is arranged inside the housing 100, comprising a power storage element 220 with terminals 222 protruding toward the bottom wall 150. In other words, the power storage device 200 is constructed by placing the power storage element 220, with terminals 222 protruding upward, upside down inside the outer casing 210, and the power storage device 200 is placed on a shelf 160 inside the housing 100. In this case, the power storage device 200 may be equipped with external terminals (or cables equivalent to external terminals) protruding upward or sideways from the upper part (upper end) of the outer casing 210. Alternatively, the power storage device 200 is constructed by placing the power storage element 220, with terminals 222 protruding upward, inside the outer casing 210, and the power storage device 200 is placed upside down on a shelf 160 inside the housing 100. In this case, the power storage device 200 may be equipped with external terminals (or cables equivalent to external terminals) protruding downward or sideways from the lower part (lower end) of the outer casing 210. As a result, a power storage device 200, which includes a power storage element 220 with terminals 222 protruding downwards, is placed inside the housing 100.

[0045] [2. Explanation of Effects] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, inert liquid 300 is arranged in the space (first space S1) within the housing 100 in which the energy storage device 200 is housed. In the energy storage element 220 of the energy storage device 200, the gas discharge valve 221f is positioned close to the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100 within the container 221. In other words, in the energy storage panel 10, the energy storage device 200 and the inert liquid 300 are arranged within the housing 100, and the energy storage device 200 is cooled by liquid immersion cooling using the inert liquid 300. In this configuration, by positioning the gas discharge valve 221f of the energy storage element 220 close to the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100 within the container 221 (lower part of the container 221), when the gas discharge valve 221f is opened, the electrolyte can be discharged from the container 221 via the gas discharge valve 221f. As a result, the electrolyte can be cooled by the inert liquid 300, which suppresses the rise in temperature of the energy storage element 220 caused by the electrolyte becoming hot in the container 221. Therefore, safety can be improved with the energy storage panel 10.

[0046] The terminals 222 of the energy storage element 220 protrude in a direction toward the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100 or horizontally (in this embodiment, toward the bottom wall 150). In other words, instead of arranging an energy storage element 220 with an unusual configuration in which the terminals 222 protrude upward and the gas discharge valve 221f is located at the bottom of the container 221, the energy storage device 200 can be easily constructed by arranging an energy storage element 220 with a relatively common configuration in a different orientation.

[0047] The gas discharge valve 221f of the energy storage element 220 is positioned on the surface of the container 221 facing the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100, so that when the gas discharge valve 221f is opened, the electrolyte can be easily discharged from the container 221 via the gas discharge valve 221f. In this embodiment, the energy storage device 200 can be easily constructed by inverting a typical energy storage element 220, in which the terminals 222 and the gas discharge valve 221f are positioned on the upper surface (container lid portion 221b) of the container 221.

[0048] A power storage device 200, which includes a power storage element 220 with terminals 222 protruding toward the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100, is placed inside the housing 100. In other words, the power storage device 200 can be constructed by placing a power storage element 220 with a relatively common configuration, inverted, where terminals 222 protrude upward and a gas discharge valve 221f is located on the top of the container 221. Thus, the power storage panel 10 can be easily constructed by placing a power storage device 200 with a relatively common configuration of a power storage element 220 inverted inside the housing 100, or by placing a power storage device 200 with a relatively common configuration of a power storage element 220 inverted inside the housing 100. In this embodiment, the energy storage panel 10 can be easily constructed by placing an energy storage device 200, which has a typical configuration in which the energy storage element 220, with terminals 222 and a gas discharge valve 221f, is placed upside down, inside the housing 100, or by placing an energy storage device 200 equipped with the energy storage element 220 of the typical configuration upside down inside the housing 100.

[0049] Since the specific gravity of the inert liquid 300 is lower than that of the electrolyte, when the gas discharge valve 221f is opened, the electrolyte, which has a higher specific gravity than the inert liquid 300, can be easily discharged from the gas discharge valve 221f into the inert liquid 300. When the electrolyte is discharged from the gas discharge valve 221f, the inert liquid 300, which has a lower specific gravity than the electrolyte, can be allowed to flow into the container 221 from the gas discharge valve 221f. In particular, since the gas discharge valve 221f is positioned in contact with the inert liquid 300, when the gas discharge valve 221f is opened, the inert liquid 300 can be easily allowed to flow into the container 221 from the gas discharge valve 221f. As a result, the electrolyte is cooled by the inert liquid 300, and the inside of the container 221 is also cooled by the inert liquid 300, so the temperature rise of the energy storage element 220 can be further suppressed.

[0050] The above effects can be applied to all energy storage devices 200 provided by the power storage panel 10, and also to all energy storage elements 220 provided by the energy storage devices 200.

[0051] [3 Explanation of variations] Although an embodiment of the present invention, the power storage panel 10, has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the scope of the present invention includes all modifications in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0052] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the energy storage device 200 is placed on the shelf 160, but it may also be suspended from the shelf. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the housing 100 of the energy storage panel 11 according to Modification 1 of this embodiment. Figure 5 corresponds to Figure 2.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, the power storage panel 11 in this modified example is equipped with a support member 170 instead of the shelf plate 160 of the housing 100 that the power storage panel 10 in the above embodiment is equipped with. The other configurations of this modified example are the same as in the above embodiment, so a description will be omitted.

[0054] The support member 170 is positioned above the energy storage device 200 and supports the energy storage device 200 from above. The support member 170 has a similar configuration to the shelf plate 160 provided in the housing 100 in the above embodiment, but unlike the shelf plate 160, it has a configuration that suspends the energy storage device 200 from above. The support member 170 only needs to be able to support the energy storage device 200 from above, and its shape, size, etc., are not particularly limited.

[0055] Even with this configuration, in this modified example, similar to the above embodiment, the gas discharge valve 221f of the energy storage element 220 is positioned in the container 221, close to the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100. Specifically, the gas discharge valve 221f is positioned on the surface of the container 221 facing the bottom wall 150. The terminals 222 of the energy storage element 220 are positioned to protrude toward the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100. An energy storage device 200 is arranged inside the housing 100, comprising an energy storage element 220 with terminals 222 protruding toward the bottom wall 150.

[0056] In this modified example, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be achieved. In particular, in this modified example, the housing 100 is equipped with a support member 170 above the energy storage device 200, so when gas is discharged from the energy storage element 220 of the energy storage device 200, the support member 170 lengthens the gas discharge path. As a result, the gas, whose temperature has decreased, is discharged from the inert liquid 300, thereby improving safety. In this modified example, the energy storage panel 11 can be easily constructed by attaching the energy storage device 200, which has a typical configuration in which the energy storage element 220 has terminals 222 and a gas discharge valve 221f arranged on the upper surface of the container 221 (container lid portion 221b), to the support member 170 upside down.

[0057] In this modified example, the energy storage device 200 may consist of only one energy storage element 220. In other words, the energy storage element 220 may be referred to as the energy storage device 200, and the support member 170 may be positioned above the energy storage element 220 to support (suspend) the energy storage element 220 from above.

[0058] (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the gas discharge valve 221f of the energy storage element 220 is positioned on the bottom surface (container lid portion 221b) of the container 221, but it may also be positioned on the side surface of the container 221. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage element 220A provided in the energy storage device 200 according to Modification 2 of this embodiment. Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 4.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6, the energy storage element 220A in this modified example is equipped with a gas discharge valve 221g instead of the gas discharge valve 221f provided in the energy storage element 220 in the above embodiment. The other configurations of this modified example are the same as in the above embodiment, so their description is omitted.

[0060] The gas discharge valve 221g is located at the lower part (lower end) of the long side wall portion 221c of the container 221 of the energy storage element 220A. In this modified example, as in the above embodiment, the gas discharge valve 221g of the energy storage element 220A is located in the container 221, close to the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100. The terminals 222 of the energy storage element 220A are arranged to protrude toward the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100. An energy storage device 200 is arranged inside the housing 100, comprising energy storage elements 220A with terminals 222 protruding toward the bottom wall 150. The energy storage device 200 may have any number of energy storage elements 220A in any arrangement.

[0061] In this modified example, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be achieved. In particular, it can also be applied to configurations in which the gas discharge valve 221g is located on the side surface of the container 221, as in this modified example. In this modified example, the gas discharge valve 221g may be located at the lower part (lower end) of the short side wall portion 221d of the container 221.

[0062] (Modifications 3 and 4) In the above embodiment, the terminal 222 of the energy storage element 220 protrudes toward the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100 (downward), but it may also protrude in the horizontal direction. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage element 220B provided in the energy storage device 200 according to Modification 3 of this embodiment. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage element 220C provided in the energy storage device 200 according to Modification 4 of this embodiment. Figures 7 and 8 correspond to Figure 4.

[0063] As shown in Figure 7, the energy storage element 220B in Modification 3 is the same as the energy storage element 220A in Modification 2, but rotated so that the terminal 222 faces horizontally and the gas discharge valve 221g faces downward. In other words, the energy storage element 220B is arranged so that the terminal 222 faces horizontally and the long side wall portion 221c faces downward, with the gas discharge valve 221g formed on the long side wall portion 221c. The terminal 222 of the energy storage element 220B is positioned to protrude horizontally. An energy storage device 200 is arranged inside the housing 100, and the energy storage device 200 is equipped with any number of energy storage elements 220B in any arrangement. The other configurations of this modification are the same as in the above embodiment, so their description is omitted.

[0064] As shown in Figure 8, in the modified example 4, the energy storage element 220C is arranged such that the terminal 222 faces horizontally and the short side wall portion 221d faces downward, with a gas discharge valve 221h formed on the short side wall portion 221d. In other words, the terminal 222 of the energy storage element 220C is positioned to protrude horizontally. An energy storage device 200, which includes an energy storage element 220C with terminal 222 protruding horizontally, is arranged inside the housing 100. The energy storage device 200 may include any number of energy storage elements 220C in any arrangement. The other configurations of this modified example are the same as those of the above embodiment, so their description is omitted.

[0065] Even with this configuration, in modified examples 3 and 4, similar to the embodiment described above, the gas discharge valves 221g and 221h of the energy storage elements 220B and 220C are positioned in the container 221, close to the bottom wall 150 of the housing 100. Specifically, the gas discharge valves 221g and 221h are positioned on the surface of the container 221 facing the bottom wall 150.

[0066] In modified examples 3 and 4, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be achieved. In particular, the configuration can also be applied to configurations in which the terminal 222 protrudes horizontally, as in modified examples 3 and 4. In modified example 3, the gas discharge valve 221g may be located at the lower part (lower end) of the container lid portion 221b, the short side wall portion 221d, or the wall portion 221e of the container 221. In modified example 4, the gas discharge valve 221h may be located at the lower part (lower end) of the container lid portion 221b, the long side wall portion 221c, or the wall portion 221e of the container 221.

[0067] (Other variations) In the above embodiment, the specific gravity of the inert liquid 300 was set to be less than the specific gravity of the electrolyte contained in the container 221 of the energy storage element 220. However, the specific gravity of the inert liquid 300 may be the same as the specific gravity of the electrolyte, or it may be greater than the specific gravity of the electrolyte.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the housing 100 of the power storage panel 10 is provided with multiple shelves 160, but it is not limited to this. The housing 100 may have only one shelf 160, or it may not have any shelves 160 at all, with the power storage device 200 placed on the bottom wall 150. In this case, the bottom wall 150 on which the power storage device 200 is placed can be said to be a shelf of the housing 100. In other words, the housing 100 is provided with at least a shelf on which the power storage device 200 is placed.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the inert liquid 300 may be a liquid with a flash point lower than 250°C.

[0070] In the above embodiment, it is assumed that all energy storage devices 200 provided in the energy storage panel 10 have the above configuration, but it is not necessary for any of the energy storage devices 200 to have the above configuration. In the above embodiment, it is assumed that all energy storage elements 220 provided in the energy storage device 200 have the above configuration, but it is not necessary for any of the energy storage elements 220 to have the above configuration.

[0071] Embodiments constructed by arbitrarily combining the above embodiments and modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0072] This invention can be applied to a power storage panel or the like equipped with a power storage device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10, 11 Storage panel 100 cabinets 110, 120 side wall 130 Front wall 140 Back wall 150 Bottom wall 160 shelf board 170 Support member 200 Energy storage devices 210 Exterior 220, 220A, 220B, 220C energy storage elements 221 Container 221a Container body 221b Container lid 221c Long side wall 221d Short side wall 221e Wall section 221f, 221g, 221h gas exhaust valve 222 terminals 300 Inert liquid S1 first space S2 Second space

Claims

1. A power storage device equipped with a power storage element, A housing for the aforementioned energy storage device, The enclosure comprises an inert liquid disposed within the space in which the energy storage device is housed, in which the energy storage device is immersed, The energy storage element comprises terminals, a container provided with a gas discharge valve, and an electrolyte solution contained in the container. The terminals protrude toward the bottom wall of the housing or in a horizontal direction. The gas discharge valve is positioned near the bottom wall of the container. Power storage panel.

2. The gas discharge valve is positioned on the side of the container facing the bottom wall. The power storage panel according to claim 1.

3. The energy storage device is arranged within the housing, and the energy storage element has terminals that protrude toward the bottom wall. The power storage panel according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The specific gravity of the inert liquid is less than the specific gravity of the electrolyte. The power storage panel according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The housing is positioned above the energy storage device and includes a support member that supports the energy storage device from above. The power storage panel according to claim 1 or 2.

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