Energy storage device

Abstract

This device will be designed to efficiently dissipate the heat trapped inside the enclosure. [Solution] An energy storage device (1) according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an energy storage device comprising: an electrical device (14) having a first electrical unit (10) and a second electrical unit (12); a housing (3) housing the electrical device (14); and a temperature control device (4) for cooling the electrical device (14). The housing (3) has a first ventilation opening located in the part of the housing (3) where the electrical unit on the lower temperature side is located, and a second ventilation opening located in the part of the housing (3) where the electrical unit on the higher temperature side is located, and positioned above the first ventilation opening, thereby generating a temperature difference ventilation force that causes air flowing in from the first ventilation opening to flow out from the second ventilation opening due to the temperature difference of the electrical units.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power storage device.

Background Art

[0002] Power storage devices are installed, for example, in houses and factories. As disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, a power storage device has a configuration in which electrical equipment such as a storage battery and a control device is housed in a housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A general power storage device has a problem that heat accumulates inside the housing. The present disclosure realizes a power storage device capable of efficiently discharging the heat trapped inside the housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A power storage device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an electrical device having a first electrical unit including a storage battery and a second electrical unit including a control device that controls the storage battery, a housing that houses the electrical device, and a temperature control device that cools the electrical device, wherein the housing is disposed at a portion where the first electrical unit or the second electrical unit on the lower temperature side cooled by the temperature control device in the housing is disposed, and has a first ventilation port that communicates with the inside of the housing, and is disposed at a portion where the first electrical unit or the second electrical unit on the higher temperature side cooled by the temperature control device in the housing is disposed, communicates with the inside of the housing, and is disposed above the first ventilation port, and has a second ventilation port. The temperature difference between the first electrical unit and the second electrical unit generates a temperature difference ventilation force that causes the air flowing in from the first ventilation opening to flow out from the second ventilation opening.

[0006] In the above-described energy storage device, the temperature control device circulates a refrigerant to the first electrical unit and the second electrical unit to cool the first electrical unit and the second electrical unit, The first electrical unit is preferably positioned upstream of the refrigerant flow relative to the second electrical unit and is at a lower temperature.

[0007] In the above-described energy storage device, it is preferable that the first ventilation opening and the second ventilation opening are located diagonally opposite each other in the housing, excluding the front side of the housing.

[0008] In the energy storage device described above, it is preferable that the second ventilation opening and the temperature control device are located at the same height in the vertical direction of the energy storage device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to realize an energy storage device that can efficiently dissipate heat trapped inside the enclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the energy storage device of the embodiment, viewed from the X-axis + side. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the energy storage device of the embodiment, viewed from the X-axis side. [Figure 3] This is a view of the internal structure of the energy storage device according to the embodiment, seen from the Y-axis + side. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the airflow in the first space of the energy storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the second and third spaces in the energy storage device of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following describes specific embodiments applying this disclosure with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, for clarity, the following description and drawings have been simplified as appropriate.

[0012] First, the configuration of the energy storage device of this embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, in order to clarify the explanation, a three-dimensional (XYZ) coordinate system will be used.In this case, for example, the X-axis+ side is the front side of the energy storage device, the X-axis- side is the rear side of the energy storage device, the Y-axis+ side is the left side of the energy storage device, the Y-axis- side is the right side of the energy storage device, the Z-axis+ side is the top side of the energy storage device, and the Z-axis- side is the bottom side of the energy storage device.

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the energy storage device of this embodiment, viewed from the X-axis + side. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the energy storage device of this embodiment, viewed from the X-axis - side. Figure 3 is a view of the internal structure of the energy storage device of this embodiment, viewed from the Y-axis + side.

[0014] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the airflow in the first space of the energy storage device according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the second and third spaces of the energy storage device according to this embodiment.

[0015] The energy storage device 1 includes, for example, a battery pack 2, a housing 3, and a temperature control device 4, as shown in Figures 1 to 5. The battery pack 2 is a storage battery and has a configuration that is substantially the same as, for example, a typical in-vehicle battery pack.

[0016] The battery pack 2 consists of a battery module housed inside a casing, which may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or an all-solid-state battery. The battery pack 2 is, for example, a flat plate shape that is substantially rectangular when viewed from the Z-axis direction and substantially parallel to the XY plane, as shown in Figure 3. The battery packs 2 are stacked in the Z-axis direction.

[0017] The housing 3 is, for example, box-shaped as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and includes a frame 5, a partitioning member 6, a roof portion 7, a floor portion 8, and side wall portions 9. The frame 5 is formed by combining, for example, hollow square pipes, and includes column units 5a and beam members 5b.

[0018] The column units 5a are arranged substantially parallel to the XZ plane and spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, for example, as shown in FIG. 4. In the present embodiment, for example, three column units 5a are arranged spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. The beam members 5b extend in the Y-axis direction and connect the column units 5a adjacent in the Y-axis direction.

[0019] The partitioning member 6 is, for example, a plate member bent into a substantially L shape as seen from the Y-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 3. The partitioning member 6 includes a support portion 6a and a wall portion 6b. The support portion 6a supports the temperature control device 4. The support portion 6a is arranged substantially parallel to the XY plane. The wall portion 6b projects from the end portion on the +X axis side of the support portion 6a toward the +Z axis side and is arranged substantially parallel to the YZ plane.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the partitioning member 6 is arranged so as to span the column unit 5a on the +Y axis side and the central column unit 5a in the frame 5, and further to span the column unit 5a on the -Y axis side and the central column unit 5a in the frame 5.

[0021] Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the partitioning member 6 is arranged at the portion on the +Z axis side of the frame 5 and at the portion on the -X axis side of the frame 5. That is, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the partitioning member 6 is arranged so as to cover the corner portion on the +Z axis side and on the -X axis side of the frame 5.

[0022] The partitioning member 6 is fixed to the frame 5. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable that the end portion on the -X axis side of the support portion 6a of the partitioning member 6 reaches the end portion on the -X axis side of the frame 5, and the end portion on the +Z axis side of the wall portion 6b of the partitioning member 6 reaches the end portion on the +Z axis side of the frame 5.

[0023] As a result, the interior of the housing 3 comprises a first space S1, a second space S2, and a third space S3, as shown in Figures 3 to 5. The first space S1 is a space within the housing 3 surrounded by partition members 6. The temperature control device 4 is located in the first space S1.

[0024] The second space S2 is, for example, the space inside the housing 3 between the Y-axis-side column unit 5a and the central column unit 5a, excluding the first space S1, as shown in Figures 3 to 5. The battery packs 2 are housed in the second space S2 in a stacked state. The first electrical unit 10, including the battery packs 2, is fixed to the frame 5.

[0025] The third space S3 is, for example, the space inside the housing 3 between the Y-axis + side column unit 5a and the central column unit 5a, excluding the first space S1, as shown in Figures 3 to 5. The third space S3 houses control devices 11, such as power control units that control each battery pack 2. The second electrical unit 12, including the control devices 11, is fixed to the frame 5.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the roof section 7 covers the open section on the Z-axis+ side of the frame 5. The floor section 8 covers the open section on the Z-axis- side of the frame 5. The side wall section 9 covers the open section on the X-axis+ side, the X-axis- side, the Y-axis+ side, and the Y-axis- side of the frame 5.

[0027] The side wall portion 9 on the X-axis+ side may be configured as an openable and closable door, for example, as shown in Figure 1. The side wall portion 9 on the X-axis- side has a first communication opening 9a and a second communication opening (first ventilation opening) 9b, as shown in Figure 2. The first communication opening 9a connects the X-axis-side portion of the first space S1 to the outside.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the first communication opening 9a is located between the Y-axis-side column unit 5a and the central column unit 5a of the X-axis-side side wall portion 9, and is positioned on the Z-axis+ side relative to the support portion 6a of the partition member 6.

[0029] The second communication opening 9b connects the Z-axis side portion of the second space S2 to the outside. As shown in Figure 2, the second communication opening 9b is located between the Y-axis side column unit 5a and the central column unit 5a of the X-axis side wall portion 9, and is positioned in the Z-axis side portion of the X-axis side wall portion 9.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, a third communication opening 9c and a fourth communication opening (second ventilation opening) 9d are formed in the side wall 9 on the Y-axis+ side. As shown in Figure 4, the third communication opening 9c connects the Y-axis+ side portion of the first space S1 to the outside. The third communication opening 9c is, for example, located in the X-axis- side portion of the Y-axis+ side wall 9, and is positioned at a distance in the X-axis direction from the Z-axis+ side portion of the Y-axis+ side wall 9.

[0031] The fourth communication port 9d connects the Z-axis+ side portion of the third space S3 to the outside. As shown in Figure 1, the fourth communication port 9d is located in the Z-axis+ side portion of the Y-axis+ side wall portion 9, and also in the X-axis+ side portion of the Y-axis+ side wall portion 9. Therefore, the second communication port 9b and the fourth communication port 9d are located near diagonal positions of the housing 3.

[0032] In this case, the fourth communication port 9d is preferably located in the surplus space on the X-axis+ side relative to the partition member 6 when viewed from the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the fourth communication port 9d is preferably located at approximately the same height as the temperature control device 4 in the Z-axis direction.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, a fifth communication opening 9e is formed in the Y-axis side wall portion 9. The fifth communication opening 9e connects the Y-axis side portion of the first space S1 to the outside. The fifth communication opening 9e is, for example, located in the X-axis side portion of the Y-axis side wall portion 9, and is positioned at a distance in the X-axis direction from the Z-axis side portion of the Y-axis side wall portion 9.

[0034] It is preferable that louvers 13 be fitted into the first communication opening 9a, the second communication opening 9b, the third communication opening 9c, the fourth communication opening 9d, and the fifth communication opening 9e, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0035] The temperature control device 4 cools the refrigerant circulating through the electrical equipment 14 in order to cool the electrical equipment 14, which includes the first electrical unit 10 and the second electrical unit 12. The temperature control device 4 can cool the refrigerant by, for example, bringing air (i.e., outside air) taken in by the fan 4a into contact with the refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant circulates. Therefore, the first space S1 of the housing 3 functions as a temperature-controlled space.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the temperature control device 4 is fixed to the X-axis side portion of the support portion 6a of the partition member 6. In this case, it is preferable that the temperature control device 4 is positioned so as to overlap with the first communication opening 9a of the housing 3 when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0037] In Figure 4, the arrows indicate the flow of air entering the first space S1. In this configuration, for example, as shown in Figure 4, the air that enters the first space S1 of the housing 3 through the first communication port 9a of the housing 3 by the fan 4a of the temperature control device 4 is drawn to the X-axis + side, comes into contact with the refrigerant circuit in the temperature control device 4 to cool the refrigerant, and then comes into contact with the wall portion 6b of the partition member 6.

[0038] As a result, the air that comes into contact with the wall portion 6b of the partition member 6 is divided into a Y-axis+ side and a Y-axis- side, as shown in Figure 4. The air guided to the Y-axis+ side is discharged from the third communication port 9c of the housing 3, while the air guided to the Y-axis- side is discharged from the fifth communication port 9e of the housing 3.

[0039] Next, the ventilation structure of the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment will be described. In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, the refrigerant flows, for example, from the first electrical unit 10 to the second electrical unit 12 in the electrical equipment 14. Therefore, the first electrical unit 10 is located upstream of the refrigerant, and the second electrical unit 12 is located downstream of the refrigerant. The cooled refrigerant first cools the first electrical unit 10, and then the heated refrigerant cools the second electrical unit 12.

[0040] As a result, the temperature of the first electrical unit 10 is kept lower than that of the second electrical unit 12, and inside the housing 3, the temperature of the second space S2 is lower than that of the third space S3.

[0041] As a result, the ventilation structure of the energy storage device 1 in this embodiment generates a temperature difference ventilation force due to the temperature difference between the first electrical unit 10 and the second electrical unit 12, causing air flowing in from the second communication port 9b to flow out from the fourth communication port 9d. Therefore, air flowing in from the second communication port 9b can be efficiently discharged from the fourth communication port 9d, and heat trapped inside the housing 3 can be efficiently discharged.

[0042] In this embodiment, the energy storage device 1 generates a temperature difference ventilation force due to the temperature difference between the first electrical unit 10 and the second electrical unit 12, causing air flowing in from the second communication port 9b to flow out from the fourth communication port 9d, thereby enabling efficient discharge of air from the second communication port 9b through the fourth communication port 9d. As a result, the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment can efficiently discharge heat trapped inside the housing 3.

[0043] In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, if the third communication port 9c, the fourth communication port 9d, and the fifth communication port 9e of the housing 3 are not formed in the side wall portion 9 on the X-axis+ side of the housing 3, air will not be discharged from the side wall portion 9 on the X-axis+ side of the housing 3. For example, if the X-axis+ side of the energy storage device 1 is facing forward, the generation of noise in front of the energy storage device 1 can be suppressed.

[0044] In the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment, if the fourth communication port 9d is located in the surplus space on the X-axis+ side relative to the partition member 6 at approximately the same height as the first space S1 in the Z-axis direction, the internal space of the housing 3 can be effectively utilized, contributing to the miniaturization of the energy storage device 1.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first electrical unit 10 is placed upstream of the refrigerant and the second electrical unit 12 is placed downstream of the refrigerant. However, the second electrical unit 12 may be placed upstream of the refrigerant and the first electrical unit 10 may be placed downstream of the refrigerant.

[0046] In this case, the fourth communication port 9d is positioned lower in the Z-axis direction relative to the second communication port 9b, and the second communication port 9b and the fourth communication port 9d are positioned approximately diagonally opposite each other inside the housing 3. Furthermore, the configuration of the temperature control device 4 is illustrative, and any configuration that can cool the first electrical unit 10 and the second electrical unit 12 integrally or individually is acceptable.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the communication port formed in the space housing the electrical unit located upstream of the refrigerant is positioned lower than the communication port formed in the space housing the electrical unit located downstream of the refrigerant. However, in short, it is sufficient to position the communication port formed in the space housing the electrical unit on the lower temperature side lower than the communication port formed in the space housing the electrical unit on the higher temperature side, and it may be formed in either side wall 9.

[0048] The energy storage device 1 in this embodiment is configured with battery packs 2 stacked in the Z-axis direction, but it is sufficient to have one or more storage batteries.

[0049] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1. Energy storage device 2 Battery Packs 3 cabinets 4. Temperature control device, 4a. Fan 5 Frame, 5a Column unit, 5b Beam member 6 partition members, 6a support part, 6b wall part 7. Roof section 8 Floor 9 Side wall section, 9a First communication opening, 9b Second communication opening, 9c Third communication opening, 9d Fourth communication opening, 9e Fifth communication opening 10. First Electrical Unit 11 Control device 12. Second Electrical Unit 13 Galari 14 Electrical equipment S1 First Space S2 The Second Space S3 The Third Space

Claims

1. An energy storage device comprising: an electrical device having a first electrical unit including a storage battery and a second electrical unit including a control device for controlling the storage battery; a housing for housing the electrical device; and a temperature control device for cooling the electrical device, The housing has a first ventilation opening located in the part of the housing where the first or second electrical unit is located on the side of the housing where the temperature is lower due to cooling by the temperature control device, and which communicates with the interior of the housing, and a second ventilation opening located in the part of the housing where the first or second electrical unit is located on the side of the housing where the temperature is higher due to cooling by the temperature control device, which communicates with the interior of the housing and is located above the first ventilation opening. A power storage device that generates a temperature difference ventilation force by using the temperature difference between the first electrical unit and the second electrical unit to cause air flowing in from the first ventilation opening to flow out from the second ventilation opening.

2. The temperature control device circulates a refrigerant through the first electrical unit and the second electrical unit to cool the first electrical unit and the second electrical unit. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical unit is positioned upstream of the flow of the refrigerant relative to the second electrical unit and is at a lower temperature.

3. The energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first ventilation opening and the second ventilation opening are located at diagonal positions of the housing, excluding the front side of the housing.

4. The energy storage device according to claim 3, wherein the second ventilation opening and the temperature control device are located at the same height in the vertical direction of the energy storage device.

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