Energy storage device
The energy storage device addresses the challenges of gas discharge and thermal runaway by using ventilation structures with thermal fuses and dampers to manage opening states, ensuring safe gas discharge and thermal management.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
Smart Images
Figure 2026112835000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power storage device.
Background Art
[0002] In recent years, stationary power storage devices have attracted attention. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-004959 (Patent Document 1) discloses a stationary power storage device including an ejection device that ejects an aerosol into a storage container when a power storage module housed in the storage container generates abnormal heat.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] As states during an abnormality due to heat of the power storage module, there are a state where only gas is discharged and a state where thermal runaway occurs. In the state where only gas is discharged, it may be resolved over time, and there may be a case where it is desired to change the countermeasure method between the state where only gas is discharged and the state where thermal runaway occurs.
[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a power storage device capable of controlling the open / closed state of an opening according to the state of a power storage unit housed therein.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The energy storage device according to this disclosure comprises a housing for housing an energy storage unit and one or more ventilation structures provided in the housing. Each of the one or more ventilation structures is provided through the housing and includes an opening having an outer opening surface located outside the housing, a louver disposed on the outer opening surface side, and a closing portion provided to close the opening. The closing portion includes a thermal fuse and a damper provided to be switchable from a state in which the opening is not closed to a state in which the opening is closed. The damper closes the opening when the thermal fuse blows when it reaches a predetermined temperature or higher.
[0007] In the energy storage device based on the above disclosure, the one or more ventilation structures may include a first ventilation structure and a second ventilation structure. In this case, at least one of the first ventilation structure and the second ventilation structure may be provided on the upper part of the housing in the vertical direction. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an energy storage device that can control the opening state of an opening according to the state of an energy storage unit housed inside. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the energy storage device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the energy storage device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the ventilation structure of the energy storage device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the gas flow within the energy storage device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the ventilation structure of the energy storage device according to Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their descriptions will not be repeated.
[0011] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a perspective view of the energy storage device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a side view of the energy storage device according to Embodiment 1. For convenience, the energy storage unit located inside the casing is omitted in Figure 1. The energy storage device 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the energy storage device 1 is a stationary energy storage device. The energy storage device 1 is used as a stationary power source in places such as shops, factories, and homes.
[0013] The energy storage device 1 comprises a housing 10, an energy storage unit 5, two ventilation structures 50, and an air conditioning device 60.
[0014] The enclosure 10 has a first chamber 15 and a second chamber 16. The first chamber 15 and the second chamber 16 are arranged side by side in the width direction W. The first chamber 15 and the second chamber 16 may or may not be separated by a partition.
[0015] A power storage unit 5 is located in the first chamber 15. The power storage unit 5 includes multiple power storage modules. The multiple power storage modules are arranged in a row. The multiple power storage modules may be placed on a mounting shelf provided within the first chamber 15.
[0016] Each power storage module may be composed of a power storage stack in which a plurality of power storage cells are arranged, or may be composed of a single power storage cell. The power storage cell is a secondary battery such as a nickel-hydrogen battery or a lithium-ion battery. The power storage cell may have, for example, a rectangular shape or may be of a laminate type. The power storage cell may use a liquid electrolyte or may use a solid electrolyte. Also, the power storage cell may be a unit capacitor configured to be able to store electricity.
[0017] In the second chamber 16, electrical equipment (not shown) is arranged. Examples of the electrical equipment include a DC / DC converter or a PCS (Power Conditioning System). The DC / DC converter boosts the DC voltage from the power storage unit 5. The PCS converts the DC voltage from the DC / DC converter into an AC voltage and supplies it to a power system (not shown).
[0018] Note that the electrical equipment is not limited to the above, and may be other control devices or the like. Examples of the other control devices may include those that perform charge control and discharge control of the power storage unit.
[0019] The housing 10 includes a plurality of pedestal members 11, 12, 13, a plurality of skeleton members 20, a plurality of side panels 41, an upper panel 42, an upper cover 45, a plurality of ventilation structures 50, a first door 31, and a second door 32.
[0020] The plurality of skeleton members 20 include a plurality of first frames 21, a plurality of second frames 22, and a plurality of third frames 23.
[0021] The plurality of first frames 21 extend along the height direction H. The height direction H is a direction parallel to the vertical direction. The height direction H is a direction orthogonal to the width direction W. The plurality of first frames 21 are fixed to the plurality of pedestal members 11, 12, 13.
[0022] The base members 11, 12, and 13 extend along the depth direction D. The depth direction D is perpendicular to the width direction W and the height direction H. The base members 11, 12, and 13 are spaced apart in the width direction W. In the width direction W, the distance between base member 11 and base member 12 is greater than the distance between base member 12 and base member 13.
[0023] Multiple first frames 21 are arranged on each base member 11, 12, and 13 at intervals in the depth direction D. Multiple first frames 21 fixed to base member 11, multiple first frames 21 fixed to base member 12, and multiple first frames 21 fixed to base member 13 are arranged side by side in the width direction W.
[0024] Multiple second frames 22 extend along the depth direction D. Multiple second frames 22 are spaced apart in the width direction W. Multiple second frames 22 are positioned corresponding to the base members 11, 12, and 13. That is, multiple second frames 22 are positioned opposite the base members 11, 12, and 13 in the height direction H. Multiple second frames 22 are held by multiple first frames 21.
[0025] Multiple third frames 23 extend along the width direction W. Multiple third frames 23 connect adjacent second frames 22 in the width direction W. When viewed from the vertical direction, multiple third frames 23 are arranged between adjacent first frames 21 in the width direction W. Alternatively, multiple third frames 23 may be arranged with spacing in the height direction H to connect adjacent first frames 21 in the width direction W.
[0026] The multiple side panels 41 constitute the side portion of the housing on both sides in the width direction W. The multiple side panels 41 are fixed to the multiple first frames 21 on both sides in the width direction W.
[0027] On one side in the width direction W, two side panels 41 are fixed to four first frames 21 arranged in the depth direction D. Specifically, this includes a side panel 41 that spans from the first frame 21 located on the far right side in the depth direction D to the second first frame 21 counting from that far right first frame 21, and a side panel 41 that spans from the second to the fourth first frame 21 counting from that far right first frame.
[0028] On the other side in the width direction W, similar to the other side in the width direction W, two side panels 41 are fixed to four first frames 21 aligned in the depth direction D.
[0029] The upper panel 42 and upper cover 45 constitute the ceiling of the enclosure 10. The upper panel 42 is located on one side in the depth direction D, and the upper cover 45 is located on the other side in the depth direction D. The upper cover 45 covers the air conditioning unit 60 located on the upper part of the other side in the depth direction D. The air conditioning unit 60 regulates the temperature inside the enclosure 10.
[0030] The first door 31 and the second door 32 are located on both sides in the depth direction D, forming the ends of the housing 10 in the depth direction D. On each side in the depth direction D, the first door 31 and the second door 32 are arranged side by side in the width direction W.
[0031] The first door 31 is located on the side of the first room 15, and the second door 32 is located on the side of the second room 16. The first door 31 and the second door 32 are provided to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism 35 such as a hinge. Opening the first door 31 provides access to the inside of the first room 15. Opening the second door 32 provides access to the inside of the second room 16.
[0032] Multiple ventilation structures 50 are provided in the housing 10. The multiple ventilation structures 50 include a first ventilation structure 51 and a second ventilation structure 52. In this embodiment, the case where there are two ventilation structures 50 is illustrated, but the number of ventilation structures 50 is not limited to two. The number of ventilation structures 50 may be one or three or more.
[0033] The first ventilation structure 51 is provided on the upper part of the housing 10 on one side in the depth direction D. Specifically, the first ventilation structure 51 is provided on the upper part of the first door 31 located on one side in the depth direction D. The first ventilation structure 51 may be provided at a position higher in the height direction H than the energy storage unit 5.
[0034] The second ventilation structure 52 is provided at the bottom of the housing 10 on the other side in the depth direction D, and the second ventilation structure 52 is provided at the bottom of the first door 31 located on the other side in the depth direction D. The second ventilation structure 52 may, for example, be facing in the depth direction D from the lowest energy storage module among the multiple energy storage modules included in the energy storage unit 5.
[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the ventilation structure of the energy storage device according to Embodiment 1. The details of the ventilation structure 50 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The structure of the ventilation structure 50 is applied to the first ventilation structure 51 and the second ventilation structure 52, respectively.
[0036] The ventilation structure 50 includes an opening 90 that penetrates the housing 10, a louver 500, and a closing section 503.
[0037] The opening 90 is provided through the first door 31. The opening 90 connects the inside of the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10. The opening 90 has an outer opening surface 90a located on the outside of the housing 10.
[0038] The louver 500 is positioned on the outer opening surface 90a side. The louver 500 includes a plurality of louver plates 501 and a frame 502 that holds the plurality of louver plates 501. The plurality of louver plates 501 are spaced apart in the height direction H. The plurality of louver plates 501 are inclined downward as they move toward the outside of the housing 10. The frame 502 may be fitted into the opening 90 or may be attached to the outer surface of the housing 10 located around the opening 90.
[0039] The closing section 503 is provided so as to be able to close the opening 90. The closing section 503 is located inside the louver 500. The closing section 503 includes, for example, a plurality of dampers 504, a biasing member 505, and a thermal fuse 506.
[0040] The multiple dampers 504 include, for example, two dampers 504. The two dampers 504 have a plate-like shape. The two dampers 504 are configured to be switchable from a state in which the opening 90 is not closed to a state in which the opening 90 is closed.
[0041] Specifically, each of the two dampers 504 is rotatable around an axis with respect to the height direction H. The two dampers 504 are kept close together in the width direction W against the biasing force of the biasing member 505, for example, by a thermal fuse 506. When the two dampers 504 are close together, the main surfaces of each damper 504 are substantially parallel to the axial direction. As a result, the opening 90 is not closed.
[0042] As the biasing member 505 described above, an elastic member such as a hinge spring can be used. The biasing member 505 exerts a biasing force in the direction that causes the two dampers 504 to move away from each other. The biasing member 505 is positioned between the two dampers 504.
[0043] The thermal fuse 506 is configured to break when the temperature exceeds a predetermined level. For example, the thermal fuse 506 can be made of a material that melts when the temperature exceeds 200°C. When the thermal fuse 506 is broken, the biasing force of the biasing member 505 causes the two dampers 504 to rotate apart from each other. As a result, the main surfaces of each damper 504 become perpendicular to the axial direction of the opening 90. Consequently, the opening 90 becomes closed.
[0044] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the gas flow within the energy storage device according to Embodiment 1. Even when there is no abnormality in the energy storage module of the energy storage unit 5, heat is generated inside the housing 10 due to the operation of the energy storage unit 5 and the aforementioned electrical equipment. In this case, heated air tends to accumulate in the upper space inside the housing 10. In this embodiment, the first ventilation structure 51 is provided at the top of the housing 10, and the second ventilation structure 52 is provided at the bottom of the housing 10. Therefore, outside air located outside the housing 10 moves from the bottom to the top inside the housing 10 through the second ventilation structure 52, as shown by arrow AR1, and is exhausted from the first ventilation structure 51. As a result, the warm air accumulated in the upper space inside the housing 10 can be exhausted from the first ventilation structure 51, and the inside of the housing 10, and consequently the energy storage unit 5 and the aforementioned electrical equipment, can be effectively cooled by the outside air.
[0045] When any of the energy storage modules in the energy storage unit 5 overheat, and only gas is discharged from the energy storage module (more specifically, from any of the energy storage cells contained in the energy storage module), the internal pressure inside the housing 10 increases due to the discharged gas. As a result, as shown by arrows AR2 and AR3, the gas can be exhausted to the outside of the housing 10 from both the first ventilation structure 51 and the second ventilation structure 52. If the gas contains hydrogen, exhausting the gas to the outside of the housing 10 can prevent the hydrogen from accumulating inside the housing 10. Furthermore, because the gas inside the housing 10 can be exhausted due to the increase in internal pressure, it is possible to secure an exhaust area more than twice that of natural ventilation.
[0046] On the other hand, if a storage cell in any of the storage modules included in the storage unit 5 experiences thermal runaway, the temperature of the gas passing through the first ventilation structure 51 and the second ventilation structure 52 will rise. In this case, the thermal fuses 506 of the first ventilation structure 51 and the second ventilation structure 52 will blow, and the dampers 504 of the first ventilation structure 51 and the second ventilation structure 52 will close each opening 90. This prevents outside air from entering the housing 10 through the first ventilation structure 51 and the second ventilation structure 52.
[0047] Thus, in the energy storage device 1 according to this embodiment 1, the opening and closing state of the opening can be controlled according to the state of the energy storage unit 5 housed inside.
[0048] In Embodiment 1, the first ventilation structure 51 of the two ventilation structures 52 is described as being located at the top. However, by having at least one of the ventilation structures 51 and 52 located at the top of the housing 10, high-temperature gases that have accumulated in the upper space inside the housing 10 can be exhausted from the ventilation structure located at the top.
[0049] (Embodiment 2) Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the ventilation structure of the energy storage device according to Embodiment 2. The energy storage device according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figure 5.
[0050] The energy storage device according to Embodiment 2 differs from the energy storage device 1 according to Embodiment 1 in the configuration of the ventilation structure 50A. The other configurations are almost the same.
[0051] The ventilation structure 50A differs from the ventilation structure 50 according to Embodiment 1 in the configuration of the occluding portion 503A. The other configurations are substantially the same.
[0052] The closing section 503A includes a plurality of dampers 504, a biasing member 505, a thermal fuse 506, a support section 507, and a push-in member 508.
[0053] Multiple dampers 504 are arranged in a line in the height direction H. Multiple dampers 504 are rotatably supported by support members 507. Multiple dampers 504 are provided so as to be switchable from a state in which the opening 90 is not closed to a state in which the opening 90 is closed.
[0054] Multiple dampers 504 are rotatable around an axis parallel to the width direction W. Before being pressed by the pressing member 508, the multiple dampers 504 are positioned approximately parallel to the axial direction of the opening 90. As a result, the opening 90 is not closed.
[0055] The push member 508 is movably supported by a support member (not shown). The push member 508 has multiple arm portions 509 corresponding to multiple dampers 504. In the state before push-in, the push member 508 is maintained by a thermal fuse 506 in a state where the arm portions 509 do not impart rotational force to the dampers 504 against the biasing force of the biasing member 505.
[0056] An elastic member such as a spring can be used as the biasing member 505. When the thermal fuse 506 blows, the biasing force of the biasing member 505 moves the push member 508, and each damper 504 is pushed in by each arm portion 509. As a result, a rotational force is applied to each damper 504, and each damper 504 rotates as shown by the arrows in the figure. At this time, each damper 504 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the opening 90, and as a result the opening 90 is closed.
[0057] In the energy storage device according to Embodiment 2, which is equipped with a ventilation structure 50A having the above-described configuration, substantially the same effects as the energy storage device 1 according to Embodiment 1 can be obtained.
[0058] In the embodiments 1 and 2 described above, examples were given of a stationary energy storage device, but the explanation is not limited to this, and the ventilation structures 50 and 50A in the energy storage device may also be applied to energy storage devices mounted on vehicles such as hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles.
[0059] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and all modifications are made in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0060] 1 Energy storage device, 5 Energy storage unit, 10 Housing, 11, 12, 13 Base members, 15 First chamber, 16 Second chamber, 20 Skeleton members, 21 First frame, 22 Second frame, 23 Third frame, 31 First door, 32 Second door, 35 Hinge mechanism, 41 Side panel, 42 Top panel, 45 Top cover, 50, 50A Ventilation structure, 51 First ventilation structure, 52 Second ventilation structure, 60 Air conditioning device, 90 Opening, 90a Outer opening surface, 500 Louver, 501 Louver plate, 502 Frame, 503, 503A Closure section, 504 Damper, 505 Biasing member, 506 Thermal fuse, 507 Support section, 508 Push-in member, 509 Arm section, D Depth direction, H Height direction, W Width direction.
Claims
1. A housing for the energy storage unit, The housing comprises one or more ventilation structures, Each of the one or more ventilation structures includes an opening that penetrates the housing and has an outer opening surface located outside the housing, a louver disposed on the outer opening surface side, and a closing portion provided to be able to close the opening, The aforementioned closing portion includes a thermal fuse and a damper that is switchable from a state in which the opening is not closed to a state in which the opening is closed. The damper is a power storage device that closes the opening when the thermal fuse breaks when it reaches a predetermined temperature or higher.
2. The one or more ventilation structures include a first ventilation structure and a second ventilation structure. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first ventilation structure and the second ventilation structure is provided on the upper part of the housing in the vertical direction.