Current collection unit

Abstract

To provide a current collection unit that can reduce costs. [Solution] The current collection unit according to the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of sets of current collection cables connected to each of a plurality of energy storage devices; at least one set of power supply cables connected to a power converter; and a set of metal, plate-shaped busbars, the ends of each of the plurality of sets of current collection cables being electrically connected from one end to the central part of a region extending from one end through the central part to the other end, and the ends of at least one set of power supply cables being electrically connected to the region at the other end, wherein each of the busbars is formed such that its width gradually increases from one end through the central part to the other end.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present disclosure relates to a current collector unit. 【Background Art】 【0002】 There is a demand for cost reduction in a current collector unit that collects electricity stored by a plurality of power storage devices. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rack-type power supply device including a plurality of battery packs and a rack body to which these battery packs are detachably attached. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent No. 5976633 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 Continuing, there is a demand for cost reduction in a current collector unit that collects electricity stored by a plurality of power storage devices. 【0005】 The present disclosure has been made in view of the above background, and an object thereof is to provide a current collector unit capable of reducing costs. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0006】 The current collection unit according to this disclosure comprises: a plurality of sets of current collection cables connected to each of a plurality of energy storage devices; at least one set of power supply cables connected to a power converter; and a set of metal, plate-shaped busbars, the ends of each of the plurality of sets of current collection cables electrically connected from the region at one end through the central part to the region at the other end, and the ends of the at least one set of power supply cables electrically connected to the region at the other end, wherein each of the set of busbars is formed such that its width gradually increases from the one end through the central part to the other end. In the current collection unit according to this disclosure, the busbars are formed such that their width increases as the current flows (in other words, their width decreases as the current flows). As a result, the current collection unit according to this disclosure can reduce the amount of material used for the busbars, thereby achieving cost reduction. 【0007】 Each of the aforementioned pair of busbars may be formed such that its width gradually increases from one end through the central portion to the other end. 【0008】 Each of the aforementioned busbars may be formed by connecting multiple rectangular metal plates of different widths. 【0009】 The aforementioned pair of busbars may be formed by cutting a single rectangular metal plate diagonally to one side and passing through the center. 【0010】 The aforementioned pair of busbars may be made of copper, brass, or aluminum. [Effects of the Invention] 【0011】 This disclosure makes it possible to provide a current collection unit that can reduce costs. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0012】 [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of a power supply system equipped with the current collection unit described herein. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the current collection unit related to this disclosure, viewed from the front and side. [Figure 3] This is a schematic front view showing an example of a set of busbars housed in the current collection unit according to this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a schematic front view showing a first modified example of a set of busbars housed in the current collection unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a schematic front view showing a second modified example of a pair of busbars housed in the current collection unit according to the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0013】 The following describes specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied, with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, for clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been simplified as appropriate. 【0014】 Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a power supply system 1 equipped with a current collection unit 10 according to this disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the power supply system 1 comprises a current collection unit 10, a control unit 20, a plurality of energy storage devices 30, and a power converter 40. In this disclosure, the case in which the power supply system 1 is equipped with eight energy storage devices 30 will be described as an example. Hereinafter, the eight energy storage devices 30 will also be referred to as energy storage devices 30_1 to 30_8. 【0015】 Note that the right-handed XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in Figure 1 is for convenience in explaining the positional relationships of the constituent elements. In Figure 1 and other diagrams, for example, the Z direction is the vertical direction, the XY plane is the horizontal plane, and the X, Y, and Z directions are common across drawings. 【0016】 The current collection unit 10 collects electricity stored by each of the energy storage devices 30_1 to 30_8. The control unit 20 controls the supply of the electricity collected by the current collection unit 10 to the power converter 40. The power converter 40 converts the voltage of the electricity supplied from the current collection unit 10 to another voltage level, or converts DC voltage to AC voltage. 【0017】 Specifically, the current collection unit 10 is connected to eight energy storage devices 30_1 to 30_8 via eight current collection cables C1 to C8. The current collection unit 10 is also connected to a power converter 40 via one or more power supply cables. In this disclosure, the case in which the current collection unit 10 is connected to the power converter 40 via two power supply cables W1 and W2 will be explained as an example. In other words, in this disclosure, the case in which the current collection unit 10 distributes the electricity supplied from the energy storage devices 30_1 to 30_8 to the power converter 40 via two power supply cables W1 and W2 will be explained as an example. 【0018】 The current collecting cable C1 is composed of a positive-side current collecting cable C1a and a negative-side current collecting cable C1b. The current collecting cable C2 is composed of a positive-side current collecting cable C2a and a negative-side current collecting cable C2b. The current collecting cable C3 is composed of a positive-side current collecting cable C3a and a negative-side current collecting cable C3b. The current collecting cable C4 is composed of a positive-side current collecting cable C4a and a negative-side current collecting cable C4b. The current collecting cable C5 is composed of a positive-side current collecting cable C5a and a negative-side current collecting cable C5b. The current collecting cable C6 is composed of a positive-side current collecting cable C6a and a negative-side current collecting cable C6b. The current collecting cable C7 is composed of a positive-side current collecting cable C7a and a negative-side current collecting cable C7b. The current collecting cable C8 is composed of a positive-side current collecting cable C8a and a negative-side current collecting cable C8b. The power supply cable W1 is composed of a positive-side power supply cable W1a and a negative-side power supply cable W1b. The power supply cable W2 is composed of a positive-side power supply cable W2a and a negative-side power supply cable W2b. 【0019】 Figure 2 is a view of the contents of the current collecting unit 10 according to the present disclosure as seen from the front and side. Figure 3 is a schematic front view showing an example of a set of bus bars housed in the current collecting unit 10 according to the present disclosure. 【0020】 At least switches S1 to S8, a set of bus bars 103a, 103b, and a set of support bases 104a, 104b are provided inside the housing 101 of the current collecting unit 10. Also, the eight current collecting cables C1 to C8 and the two power supply cables W1 to W2 are wired not only outside the current collecting unit 10 but also inside the current collecting unit 10. 【0021】 The bus bars 103a and 103b are metal plate-like members. In the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the bus bars 103a and 103b is arranged such that, when viewed from the front (in the X direction), the longitudinal direction is the horizontal direction (Y direction) and the short side direction (width direction) is the vertical direction (Z direction). For example, the bus bars 103a and 103b are formed of copper, brass (copper alloy), aluminum, or the like. 【0022】 The positive electrode side current collecting cables C1a to C8a are each connected to the bus bar 103a via switches S1 to S8. Here, each end of the positive electrode side current collecting cables C1a to C8a is electrically connected at intervals from one end region to the central region in the region from one end (the negative side of Y) to the other end (the positive side of Y) of the plate-like bus bar 103a. In the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3, each end of the positive electrode side current collecting cables C1a to C8a is arranged at equal intervals from one end region to the central region of the plate-like bus bar 103a. Also, the end of the positive electrode side power supply cable W1a is electrically connected to the other end region in the region from one end to the other end of the plate-like bus bar 103a. Similarly, the end of the positive electrode side power supply cable W2a is electrically connected to the other end region in the region from one end to the other end of the plate-like bus bar 103a. 【0023】 The negative-side current collection cables C1b to C8b are connected to the busbar 103b via switches S1 to S8. Here, the ends of the negative-side current collection cables C1b to C8b are electrically connected at intervals from one end (negative side of Y) through the center to the other end (positive side of Y) of the plate-shaped busbar 103b. In the examples in Figures 2 and 3, the ends of the negative-side current collection cables C1b to C8b are arranged at equal intervals from one end to the center of the plate-shaped busbar 103b. Also, the end of the negative-side power supply cable W1b is electrically connected to the other end of the plate-shaped busbar 103b. Similarly, the end of the negative-side power supply cable W2b is electrically connected to the other end of the plate-shaped busbar 103b. 【0024】 Switches S1 to S8 are turned on when collecting electricity stored by the energy storage devices 30_1 to 30_8, and turned off when not collecting electricity. In this disclosure, the case where all switches S1 to S8 are turned on is used as an example. In other words, in this disclosure, the case where the current collection unit 10 collects all of the electricity stored by the energy storage devices 30_1 to 30_8 is used as an example. 【0025】 For example, the electric charge (positive charge) of electricity stored by energy storage devices 30_1 to 30_8 The charge propagates through the positive-side current collection cables C1a to C8a and is supplied to the busbar 103a. The charge collected by the busbar 103a propagates through the positive-side power supply cables W1a and W2a and is supplied to the power converter 40. The charge that has flowed through the power converter 40 propagates through the negative-side power supply cables W1b and W2b and is supplied to the busbar 103b. The charge supplied to the busbar 103b propagates through the negative-side current collection cables C1b to C8b and is distributed and supplied to the energy storage devices 30_1 to 30_8. 【0026】 Here, the current flowing through busbar 103a increases the closer it is to the other end where power supply cables W1a and W2a are connected, within the region from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of busbar 103a. For example, only the current supplied from current collection cable C1a flows through one end of busbar 103a, while the current supplied from current collection cables C1a to C8a flows through the other end of busbar 103a. Similarly, the current flowing through busbar 103b increases the closer it is to the other end where power supply cables W1b and W2b are connected, within the region from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of busbar 103b. For example, only the current supplied to current collection cable C1b flows through one end of busbar 103b, while the current supplied to current collection cables C1b to C8b flows through the other end of busbar 103b. 【0027】 Therefore, bus bar 103a is formed such that its width (length in the Z direction) gradually increases from one end through the center to the other end. Similarly, bus bar 103b is formed such that its width (length in the Z direction) gradually increases from one end through the center to the other end. In other words, bus bars 103a and 103b are formed such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the current path (area in the ZX plane) increases as the current flowing through them increases, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the current path decreases as the current flowing through them decreases. 【0028】 Thus, in the current collection unit 10 according to this disclosure, each bus bar 103a, 103b is formed such that its width increases as the current flowing through it increases (in other words, its width decreases as the current flowing through it decreases). As a result, the current collection unit 10 according to this disclosure can reduce the amount of material used for each bus bar 103a, 103b, thereby achieving cost reduction. 【0029】 Furthermore, the busbars 103a and 103b may be formed such that their width (length in the Z direction) gradually increases from one end through the central portion to the other end. 【0030】 (First modified example of busbars 103a and 103b) Figure 4 is a schematic front view showing a first modified example of a pair of busbars 103a and 103b housed in the current collection unit 10 according to this disclosure. 【0031】 As shown in Figure 4, each busbar 103a, 103b is formed by cutting a single rectangular metal plate 103 diagonally to one of its sides and through the center. This prevents the generation of scraps when cutting the busbars 103a, 103b from the rectangular plate 103. The plate 103 is made of, for example, copper, brass, or aluminum. 【0032】 The current collection unit 10 according to this disclosure can achieve the same effect as when using the bus bars 103a and 103b, even when using the first modified bus bars 103a and 103b. 【0033】 (Second variation of busbars 103a and 103b) Figure 5 is a schematic front view showing a second modified example of a pair of busbars 103a and 103b housed in the current collection unit 10 according to this disclosure. 【0034】 As shown in Figure 5, each busbar 103a, 103b is formed by connecting multiple rectangular metal plates of different widths (lengths in the Z direction). 【0035】 Specifically, busbar 103a is formed by connecting nine rectangular metal plates 1031a to 1039a of different widths. In other words, busbar 103a is formed so that its width (length in the Z direction) gradually increases from one end through the center to the other end. Similarly, busbar 103b is formed by connecting nine rectangular metal plates 1031b to 1039b of different widths. In other words, busbar 103b is formed so that its width (length in the Z direction) gradually increases from one end through the center to the other end. Each plate 1031a to 1039a and 1031b to 1039b is made of, for example, copper, brass, or aluminum. 【0036】 The current collection unit 10 according to this disclosure can achieve the same effect as when using busbars 103a and 103b, even when using a second modified example of busbars 103a and 103b. 【0037】 Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present disclosure can be made as can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0038】 1. Power supply system 10 Current collection unit 20 Control Units 30 Energy storage devices 40 Power converter 30_1~30_8 Energy Storage Devices 101 cabinets 103 Board material 103a Busbar 103b Busbar 104a Support stand 104b Support stand C1~C8 Current collection cables W1~W2 Power Supply Cable S1~S8 Switch

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple sets of current collection cables connected to each of the multiple energy storage devices, At least one set of power supply cables connected to the power converter, Each end of the plurality of sets of current collection cables is electrically connected to a region from one end through the central part to the other end, and the end of at least one set of power supply cables is electrically connected to the region of the other end, a set of metal, plate-shaped busbars, A current collection unit comprising, Each of the aforementioned pair of busbars is formed such that its width gradually increases from one end through the central portion to the other end. Current collection unit. [Claim 2] Each of the aforementioned pair of busbars is formed such that its width gradually increases from one end through the central portion to the other end. The current collection unit according to claim 1. [Claim 3] Each of the aforementioned busbars is formed by connecting multiple rectangular metal plates of different widths. The current collection unit according to claim 2. [Claim 4] The aforementioned pair of busbars is formed by cutting a single rectangular metal plate diagonally to one side and through the center. The current collection unit according to claim 1. [Claim 5] The aforementioned pair of busbars is formed from either copper, brass, or aluminum. The current collection unit according to claim 1.

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