Containment device

Abstract

To provide a housing device that can cool a power device to be housed.SOLUTION: A housing device 1 includes a housing portion that removably accommodates a power device provided with a first electrical terminal. The housing portion includes an opening for putting in and taking out the power device, a bottom portion located at a position facing the opening, and a cylindrical portion surrounding the outer periphery of the power device housed in the housing portion. The bottom portion is provided with an insertion hole that causes the inside and outside of the housing portion to communicate with each other and into which the first electrical terminal or a second electrical terminal connected to the first electrical terminal is inserted, the cylindrical portion is provided with a communication hole that causes the inside and outside of the housing portion to communicate with each other, and on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion, an air blowing portion is provided that is fixed at a position corresponding to the communication hole and promotes the flow of air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a battery replacement machine that holds a mobile battery, which is an electrical device, is known. This battery replacement machine includes a slot sleeve that holds the mobile battery, and a fan for cooling the mobile battery is provided at the bottom of this slot sleeve (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a housing device is known as a device that holds a mobile battery like a battery replacement machine. This housing device includes a housing, and holds the mobile battery by housing it in the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional configuration, depending on the arrangement position of the members inside the housing, a device for cooling the mobile battery, such as a fan, may not be able to be arranged in the housing device. The present invention provides a housing device that can cool the housed electrical equipment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A housing and provided inside the housing, A housing portion that can receive and remove an electrical device provided with a first electrical terminal and,The housing device is characterized in that the housing portion has an opening for inserting and removing the power equipment, a bottom portion positioned opposite the opening, and a cylindrical portion surrounding the outer circumference of the power equipment housed in the housing portion, the bottom portion is provided with an insertion hole that connects the inside and outside of the housing portion and through which the first electrical terminal or a second electrical terminal connected to the first electrical terminal is inserted, the cylindrical portion is provided with a communication hole that connects the inside and outside of the housing portion, and the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion is provided with a fan-generating portion fixed at a position corresponding to the communication hole and promoting airflow. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, the power equipment housed within can be cooled. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a housing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a disassembled perspective view of the containment device. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the containment mechanism. [Figure 4] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in Plane IV of Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view in plane V shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] This is a disassembled perspective view of the battery case. [Figure 7] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in Plane VII of Figure 3. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of the containment mechanism viewed from the right side of the containment device. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of the containment mechanism viewed from the right side of the containment device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [1. Embodiments] [1.1. Structure] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the symbol FR indicates the front when the housing device 1 is installed with its bottom surface in contact with the mounting surface, the symbol UP indicates the area above the housing device 1, and the symbol LH indicates the area to the left of the housing device 1. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, each direction refers to the direction of the housing device 1. Hereinafter, the state in which the housing device 1 is installed with its bottom surface in contact with the mounting surface will be referred to as the first position.

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a housing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The housing device 1 houses a battery 100, which is a detachable power device, and converts the power stored in the battery 100 according to the user's operation to supply power to other electric devices, etc. (Figure 2). As shown in Figure 1, the housing device 1 comprises a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing 10. The housing 10 has a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and a pair of left and right sides, all of which are flat surfaces. In the first orientation of the housing device 1, the bottom surface of the housing 10 becomes the bottom surface that contacts the installation surface. Furthermore, the housing 10 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape; it may have any shape as long as it is a roughly polyhedron, such as a roughly cubic shape, or has six roughly square faces facing in different directions.

[0010] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the housing device 1. As shown in Figure 2, the housing 10 comprises, in the first orientation of the housing device 1, an upper panel 12 forming the top surface, a lower panel 14 forming the bottom surface, a front panel 16 forming the front surface, a rear panel 18 forming the rear surface, and a pair of side panels 19 forming the left and right sides, respectively. In this embodiment, each panel is formed of a resin material, but it is not limited to this, and at least one may be formed of another material such as a metal material.

[0011] The upper panel 12 is formed to have a predetermined thickness dimension along the housing device 1. The upper panel 12 is provided with an upper concave portion 11 that is recessed in a rectangular shape in plan view with the substantially center thereof recessed from the upper surface side toward the lower surface side. At substantially the center of the bottom surface of the upper concave portion 11, an upper opening 13, which is a substantially rectangular through-hole in plan view, is provided. On the bottom surface of the upper concave portion 11, at positions each approaching a corner of the upper opening 13, screw holes 15, which are through-holes, are provided.

[0012] The upper panel 12 is provided with a lid 20 that is rectangular in plan view. The lid 20 is rotatably fixed to the edge of the upper concave portion 11 located on the rear side of the upper panel 12. By being rotated by a user, the lid 20 covers the entirety of the upper concave portion 11 and the upper opening 13 and can be opened. In the upper panel 12, the upper surface of this lid 20 forms most of the upper surface of the housing 10. In the lid 20, on the lower surface facing the upper opening 13, a bulging portion 21 is provided that is formed by the substantially entire surface of the lower surface bulging toward the upper opening 13 (FIG. 9).

[0013] On the lower surface of the lower panel 14, a plurality of legs 17 that protrude outward are provided. In the first posture, the housing device 1 is supported by these legs 17. In the first posture, in the vertical direction of the housing 10, the lower panel 14 is disposed vertically downward.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, in the front panel 16, a display unit 22 is provided at a position that is located on the front surface of the housing 10 and is closer to the upper surface side than the lower surface side. The display unit 22 is provided with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like, and includes a display area that displays the operating state of the housing device 1, the remaining amount of energy of the battery 100, etc., and a switch area that is provided with a switch that is an operator that receives operations such as an instruction to switch the operating state of the housing device 1 from a user.

[0015] On the front panel 16, a terminal unit 24 is provided below the display unit 22. The terminal unit 24 includes an AC power output terminal and a DC power output terminal. The AC power output terminal and the DC power output terminal supply AC power and DC power to other electric devices or the like via external terminals connected thereto respectively. The terminal unit 24 includes an AC power input terminal and a DC power input terminal. AC power and DC power are supplied to the AC power input terminal and the DC power input terminal respectively from other power generation devices such as solar panels and generators via external terminals connected thereto. The terminal unit 24 includes an operator that receives a predetermined operation on the housing device 1, a connection terminal connected to another housing device 1, and the like.

[0016] The terminal unit 24 is provided with each of the various terminals described above and a cover member 26 that covers the operator. The cover member 26 is provided detachably from the terminal unit 24. Note that the cover member 26 may be provided integrally with the terminal unit 24 and formed to be openable and closable.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, on the front panel 16, a front air intake 23, which is a through hole, is provided at a position located on the front surface of the housing 10 and closer to the lower surface side than the upper surface side. The front air intake 23 is formed in a long hole shape extending along the left-right direction of the housing 10, and a plurality of louvers are provided.

[0018] A rear exhaust port 25, which is a through hole, is provided in the rear panel 18. In the present embodiment, the rear exhaust port 25 is formed in a rectangle in a plan view of the rear panel 18 and provided at a position closer to the upper surface side than the lower surface side of the housing 10. A plurality of louvers are provided in the rear exhaust port 25. Note that at least one of the front panel 16 and the rear panel 18 is not limited to one member and may be formed from two or more members.

[0019] On both the front panel 16 and the rear panel 18, rod-shaped handles 28 extending along the left-right direction of the housing 10 are provided at positions closer to the top surface than the bottom surface of the housing 10. The handle 28 on the front panel 16 is formed by cutting out the front panel 16 from the front side to the top side of the housing 10, and the handle 28 on the rear panel 18 is formed by cutting out the front panel 16 from the rear side to the top side of the housing 10. As a result, each of the handles 28 is provided without protruding from any surface of the housing 10. Therefore, it is possible to improve the design and operability of the housing device 1.

[0020] Each of the handles 28 is hollow, and the side facing outward from the housing device 1 is formed by a handle cover 27, which is separate from the front panel 16 and the rear panel 18. The user can transport and install the storage device 1 by grasping these handles 28. Furthermore, the handle 28 is not limited to the shape described above, which allows the user to grip the entire circumference; it may also be a grooved shape, for example, that allows the user to hold the storage device 1 by placing their fingers or hand on it.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upper end of the front panel 16 is connected to the front end of the top panel 12, and the upper end of the rear panel 18 is connected to the rear end of the top panel 12. The lower end of the front panel 16 is connected to the front end of the bottom panel 14, and the lower end of the rear panel 18 is connected to the rear end of the bottom panel 14. In this way, the top panel 12, the bottom panel 14, the front panel 16, and the rear panel 18 are connected to each other in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the left and right directions of the housing 10.

[0022] As a result, each panel reinforces the others, thereby improving the strength of the housing device 1. In addition, since the front panel 16 on which the handle 28 is provided and the rear panel 18 are fixed to the top panel 12 and the bottom panel 14, the strength of the storage device 1 is ensured when a user grasps the handle 28 and carries the storage device 1. In this embodiment, each panel is connected to the others by fastening members such as screws.

[0023] Each of the side panels 19 is a rectangular plate-like member in plan view. Each side of the side panel 19 is provided with an engaging piece that protrudes to one of the planar sides. Each of the side panels 19 is fixed to the top panel 12, the bottom panel 14, the front panel 16, and the rear panel 18 by engaging each of these engaging pieces from the left and right sides with the engaging grooves provided in each of these panels. Furthermore, the arrangement is not limited to this, and each of the side panels 19 may be fixed to the other panel using fastening members. Also, for example, at least one of each of the side panels 19 may be formed from two or more members, not just one.

[0024] The storage device 1 can be installed in a second orientation, with each of the side panels 19, i.e., the left and right sides, serving as the base. This allows the storage device 1 to change its installation orientation according to the user's needs.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, a housing mechanism 30 for accommodating the battery 100 is provided inside the housing 10. This housing mechanism 30 is positioned approximately in the center in the front-to-back direction of the housing 10 and is located directly below the top opening 13.

[0026] In the front-to-rear direction of the housing 10, an inverter unit 80 is provided behind the housing mechanism 30. The inverter unit 80 comprises an inverter 82 and a shroud 90. The inverter 82 converts the power supplied from the battery 100 according to the user's operation and outputs AC power and DC power. The inverter 82 comprises a rectangular circuit board 84 on which predetermined electrical components 86 are mounted on both sides. The circuit board 84 is arranged so that each of its planes faces the front-to-back direction of the housing 10. The electrical components 86 form predetermined electrical circuits such as inverter circuits and converter circuits. Furthermore, other electrically operated components, such as a DC-DC converter, may be mounted on the circuit board 84.

[0027] The shroud 90 is a covering member that covers the inverter 82 from the rear in the front-to-rear direction of the housing 10. The shroud 90 is equipped with multiple blowers 92 for cooling the battery 100 and the inverter 82.

[0028] The inverter unit 80 is fixed inside the housing 10 by the upper edge of the circuit board 84 being supported by the upper edge support member 87 and the lower edge of the circuit board 84 being supported by the lower edge support member 88. The upper edge support member 87 is a linear member that curves in a U-shape toward the rear in the front-rear direction of the housing 10. The upper edge support member 87 is fixed at both ends to the housing mechanism 30, and its approximate center in the longitudinal direction abuts against the substrate 84, thereby supporting the substrate 84 and the inverter unit 80.

[0029] The lower edge support member 88 is provided on the lower panel 14 and is a linear member that extends along the left-right direction of the housing 10. When viewed from the front side of the housing 10, the lower edge support member 88 is formed in a roughly M-shape, and its two tops that protrude upward from the housing 10 abut against the substrate 84, thereby supporting the substrate 84 and the inverter unit 80. In this way, the inverter unit 80 is fixed to the housing 10.

[0030] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the housing mechanism 30. Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in plane IV of Figure 3. Plane IV is a virtual plane passing approximately through the center of the housing mechanism 30 in the left-right direction. Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view in plane V of Figure 3. Plane V is a virtual plane perpendicular to the battery 100 and passing through the blower 140. Plane V corresponds to the “plane” in this disclosure. As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the battery 100 is a roughly rectangular energy storage device that houses energy storage devices such as battery cells inside. Each of the pair of end faces 101 and 103 located in the longitudinal direction of the battery 100 is rectangular in plan view. As shown in Figure 3, the housing mechanism 30 houses the battery 100. The battery 100 is provided with a battery handle 102 on one end face 101 in the longitudinal direction, which can be gripped by the user.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, a battery terminal 108 is provided on the other end face 103. The battery terminal 108 is a female-type terminal located close to one side of the end face 103 and extending along that side. The battery terminal 108 corresponds to the “first electrical terminal” in this disclosure.

[0032] The battery 100 has four battery sides 107 that extend along the longitudinal direction of the battery 100, with both ends in the longitudinal direction continuous with end faces 101 and 103. As shown in Figure 5, one of these battery sides 107 is formed as a curved surface, curving in a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction of the battery 100 when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the battery 100. In contrast, the other battery sides 107 are formed as substantially flat surfaces. That is, the battery 100 is formed asymmetrically in rotation with respect to a virtual line I that passes through the center of the battery 100 in a plan view and extends along the longitudinal direction of the battery 100 as the axis of rotation (Figure 8). Hereinafter, the battery side 107 that is formed as a curved surface will be referred to as the curved surface 109. The curved surface 109 is continuous with the edge of the end face 103 where the battery terminals 108 are located in close proximity.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the battery 100 includes a processor 130 that controls the housing device 1. The processor 130 switches between the powered state and the powered-off state of the battery 100. The startup state is a state in which power from battery 100 can be output to an external source, or power from an external source can be input to battery 100. The non-started state is a state in which the battery 100 cannot output power to the outside of the battery 100, or in which power from the outside of the battery 100 cannot be input to the battery 100. The processor 130 corresponds to the "switching control unit" in this disclosure.

[0034] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the battery case 32. The housing mechanism 30 houses the battery 100 and is electrically connected to the battery terminals 108 of the battery 100. The housing mechanism 30 includes a battery case 32. The battery case 32 is a container, for example, made of resin, that houses and holds the battery 100. The battery case 32 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, with its longitudinal direction extending along the vertical direction of the housing 10. As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the battery case 32 is formed by connecting two case components 32a and 32b. The battery case 32 corresponds to the “housing section” in this disclosure.

[0035] The battery case 32 comprises a rear section 40 that forms the bottom surface inside the battery case 32, and side walls 48 that rise from each side of the rear section 40. The rear section 40 is located on the lower side of the housing 10 and corresponds to the lower end of the battery case 32. The rear section 40 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view.

[0036] The rear portion 40 is provided with a plurality of rear bosses 45 that protrude outward from the battery case 32 along the vertical direction of the battery case 32. Each of the rear bosses 45 is located approximately in the center of the battery case 32 in the front-to-back direction when viewed from above. Each of the rear bosses 45 is provided at predetermined intervals along the left-to-right direction of the battery case 32. A screw hole is provided at the top of each of the rear bosses 45. The inner part 40 corresponds to the "bottom" in this disclosure.

[0037] Each of the side walls 48 forms each of the sides of the battery case 32. Each of the side walls 48 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, with its longitudinal direction extending along the vertical direction of the housing 10. In this embodiment, the longitudinal length of the side wall 48 is formed to be approximately the same as the longitudinal length of the battery side surface 107. Each of the side walls 48 corresponds to the “tube portion” in this disclosure.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, one of the side walls 48 is formed in a curved shape, curving along a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction of the battery case 32 when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the battery case 32. In contrast, the other side wall 48 is formed in a substantially flat shape, forming a straight line along a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction of the battery case 32 when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the battery case 32. In the battery case 32, the one side wall 48 that is formed in a curved shape is located on the rear side of the housing 10. Hereafter, the curved side wall 48 will be referred to as the side wall 47.

[0039] Thus, the inner circumferential surfaces of the battery case 32 formed on each of the side walls 48 are formed to be substantially the same shape, or similar in shape, as the outer circumferential surfaces of the battery 100 formed on each of the battery side surfaces 107 when viewed from above.

[0040] In this embodiment, when the battery 100 is housed in the battery case 32, the gap between the side wall 47 and the curved surface 109 is wider than the gap between each of the side walls 48 and each of the battery side surfaces 107.

[0041] Of the side walls 48, the side wall 48 facing the side wall 47 is provided with a plurality of battery bosses 42 that protrude outward from the battery case 32. Each of the battery bosses 42 is positioned closer to the upper end than the rear end 40 in the vertical direction of the battery case 32. Each of the battery bosses 42 is provided at a predetermined interval along the vertical direction of the battery case 32. A screw hole is provided at the top of each of the battery bosses 42.

[0042] In the side wall 48, which is positioned opposite the side wall 47, a communication hole 43 is provided below each of the battery bosses 42. The communication hole 43 is formed in the side wall 48, which is positioned opposite the side wall 47, by providing a mesh shape to a through hole that connects the inside and outside of the battery case 32. Multiple blower bosses 44 are provided around the communication hole 43, protruding outward from the battery case 32. A screw hole is provided at the top of each blower boss 44. The communication hole 43 corresponds to the "communication hole" in this disclosure.

[0043] Each of the side walls 48 located in the left-right direction of the battery case 32 is provided with a metal boss 46 that protrudes outward from the battery case 32. Each of the metal bosses 46 is positioned closer to the upper end than the rear part 40 in the vertical direction of the battery case 32. A screw hole is provided at the top of each metal boss 46.

[0044] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the battery case 32 is provided with a rectangular opening 31 that opens across its entire upper surface. The opening 31 is positioned to overlap with the top opening 13 in a plan view of the housing 10. The loading / unloading opening 31 corresponds to the “opening” in this disclosure.

[0045] The battery 100 is inserted into and removed from the battery case 32 through the opening 31. The direction in which the battery 100 is inserted or removed is along the longitudinal direction of the battery 100 and the battery case 32. In other words, the direction in which the battery 100 is inserted or removed is along the vertical direction of the housing 10.

[0046] In the battery case 32, a frame-shaped extension 34 extending outward with a predetermined width is provided around the periphery of the opening 31. The frame-shaped extension 34 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from above. Screw holes 33 are provided at each corner of the frame-shaped extension 34. In the frame-shaped extension 34, through holes, or metal fitting insertion holes 37, are provided at locations on either side of the entrance / exit 31, in the left-right direction of the housing 10.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the battery case 32 has a rectangular rear section 40 in plan view on the opposite side of the loading / unloading opening 31 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the battery case 32 has a shape in which one end of each of the rectangular cylindrical side walls 48 is closed off by the rear section 40.

[0048] A terminal hole 41, which is a through-hole connecting the inside and outside of the battery case 32, is provided in the rear section 40. The terminal hole 41 is an elongated hole in the rear section 40 that extends along one side of the housing 10 located on the rear side. The terminal hole 41 corresponds to the "insertion hole" in this disclosure.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3, each of the side walls 48 located on the left and right sides of the battery case 32 is provided with a cylindrical metal fitting holder 49 with an internal space. The metal fitting holder 49 extends along the vertical direction of the battery case 32. The upper end of the metal fitting holder 49 is located below the metal fitting insertion hole 37, and the lower end of the metal fitting holder 49 extends to the side of the inner part 40.

[0050] Each of the metal fitting holders 49 houses a mounting bracket 60 via a metal fitting insertion hole 37. The mounting bracket 60 is a plate-shaped member that extends along the vertical direction of the housing 10. The lower side of each mounting bracket 60 is housed inside the metal fitting holder 49 and is fixed to the battery case 32 by fastening together with the metal fitting boss 46 using a fastening member 150 inserted from the outside of the metal fitting holder 49. Each upper end of the mounting bracket 60 is positioned above the opening 31.

[0051] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in Plane VII of Figure 3. Plane VII is a virtual plane that passes through approximately the center of the housing mechanism 30 in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figure 7, each of the mounting brackets 60 supports a retaining handle 62 so as to be rotatable along the front-rear direction of the housing 10. The retaining handle 62 is a linear member that extends along the left-right direction of the housing 10. The retaining handle 62 is formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed from the front of the housing 10, and both ends in the longitudinal direction are rotatably attached to each of the mounting brackets 60 via a fitting shaft 64. A linear locking plate 63 is positioned above the insertion / removal opening 31, approximately in the center of the retaining handle 62. The locking plate 63 is formed so as to be gripped by the user. Link connecting ends 61 are provided at both ends of the retaining handle 62, extending from the metal fitting shaft 64 toward the rear side of the housing 10.

[0052] Each end of the link connecting end 61 is rotatably connected to one end of the link plate 70 in the longitudinal direction via a link shaft 68. The link plate 70 is a plate-shaped member that extends along the vertical direction of the housing 10, outside each of the left and right side walls 48. Each of the link plates 70 is positioned below the frame-shaped extension 34 and extends along the left and right side walls 48 of the battery case 32.

[0053] Each of the link plates 70 has another end to which the terminal holding plate 72 is rotatably connected via a plate shaft 74, with each of the longitudinal ends connected to the other end. The terminal retaining plate 72 is a plate-shaped member having a predetermined length. One end of the terminal retaining plate 72 in the longitudinal direction is positioned below one side wall 48 located in the left-right direction. The terminal retaining plate 72 passes from below one side wall 48 through the back portion 40 and below the terminal hole 41, and the other end is positioned below the other side wall 48 located in the left-right direction. For this reason, the terminal retaining plate 72 is formed by bending into a roughly U-shape when viewed from the front of the housing 10.

[0054] In the terminal retaining plate 72, a case-side connection terminal 54 is provided at a position opposite to the terminal hole 41. The case-side connection terminal 54 is a male terminal formed to be connectable to the battery terminal 108. The case-side connection terminal 54 can be inserted into the terminal hole 41. The case-side connection terminal 54 is electrically connected to the inverter 82 via predetermined wiring. Therefore, when the case-side connection terminal 54 is connected to the battery terminal 108, the power stored in the battery 100 is supplied to the inverter 82. The case-side connection terminal 54 corresponds to the "second terminal" in this disclosure.

[0055] Figures 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams of the housing mechanism 30 viewed from the right of the housing device 1. In Figures 8 and 9, for the sake of explanation, the battery 100 and the locking mechanism 76 are shown by dashed lines, and a dashed line I is shown as a virtual line passing through the center of the battery 100 in a plan view and extending along the longitudinal direction of the battery 100. As shown in Figure 8, when the lock plate 63 of the retaining handle 62 is moved to the rear side of the housing 10 relative to the opening 31, each of the link connecting ends 61 moves to the lower side of the housing 10, and each of the link plates 70 and the terminal retaining plate 72 moves downward. As a result, the case-side connection terminal 54 moves to the outside and downward of the battery case 32.

[0056] As shown in Figure 9, when the lock plate 63 of the retaining handle 62 is moved to the upper side of the housing 10 relative to the opening 31, each of the link connecting ends 61 moves to the upper side of the housing 10, and each of the link plates 70 and the terminal retaining plate 72 moves upward. As a result, the case-side connection terminal 54 moves into the inside of the battery case 32 through the terminal hole 41.

[0057] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a locking mechanism 76 is provided at the upper end of each mounting bracket 60. Each locking mechanism 76 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the mounting bracket 60 along the left-right direction of the housing 10.

[0058] The locking mechanism 76 is located on the side of the opening 31 that is greater than both ends of the retaining handle 62. When the locking plate 63 of the retaining handle 62 is moved upward relative to the opening 31 of the housing 10, each of the locking mechanisms 76 is restricted from rotating so that it is located inside the opening 31 by each of the ends of the retaining handle 62.

[0059] As shown in Figure 7, in the vertical direction of the battery case 32, a lower frame 110 is provided below the rear portion 40. The lower frame 110 is a plate-shaped member having a predetermined length. One end of the lower frame 110 in the longitudinal direction is positioned below one side wall 48 located in the left-right direction. The lower frame 110 is positioned below one side wall 48, passing through the rear section 40 and below the terminal hole 41, with the other end positioned below the other side wall 48 located in the left-right direction. For this reason, the lower frame 110 is formed by bending into a roughly U-shape when viewed from the front of the housing 10. Below the rear section 40, the lower frame 110 passes on the front side of the housing 10, beyond the terminal holding plate 72.

[0060] Multiple screw holes 111 are provided in the straight section of the lower frame 110, opening toward the inner section 40. Each of the screw holes 111 is fastened together with the inner boss 45 by a fastening member 150. In this way, the lower frame 110 is fixed to the battery case 32.

[0061] Both ends of the straight section of the lower frame 110 are provided with screw holes 113 that open outward. The lower frame 110 can be fixed to the lower panel 14 by fastening bolts or other fastening members so that each of the screw holes 113 is fastened together with the lower panel 14. In addition, each of the screw holes 113 in the lower frame 110 may be omitted.

[0062] Both ends of the lower frame 110 are connected to the respective lower ends of the metal fitting holders 49 by fastening members 150. As shown in Figure 7, the battery case 32 is completely surrounded by the retaining handle 62, each of the mounting brackets 60, each of the bracket holders 49, and the lower frame 110 when viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the housing 10. The retaining handle 62, each of the mounting brackets 60, each of the bracket holders 49, and the lower frame 110 are connected to each other and fixed to the battery case 32. As a result, the battery case 32 is reinforced by the retaining handle 62, each of the mounting brackets 60, each of the bracket holders 49, and the lower frame 110. In addition, the housing mechanism 30 is able to hold the battery 100 more securely in the battery case 32.

[0063] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a starting battery 94 is provided on the side wall 48 located on the front side of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction, on the outer surface (outer circumference) of the battery case 32. The starting battery 94 is an energy storage device that supplies power to the processor 130 that controls the battery 100, the control device that controls the housing device 1, and various electrical components. When the operator for starting the housing device 1 is operated, the starting battery 94 supplies power to the processor 130, and the housing device 1 is driven when the processor 130 starts controlling the housing device 1. The starting battery 94 supplies power at a lower voltage than the battery 100. The starting battery 94 is attached to the battery case 32 by fastening it together with the battery boss 42 using a fastening member 150. The starting battery 94 corresponds to the “other power storage device” in this disclosure.

[0064] A blower 140 is provided on the side wall 48 located on the front side of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction, on the outer surface (outer circumference) of the battery case 32. The blower 140 is a device that blows air into or out of the battery case 32 by rotating an impeller housed in the housing 142. The blower 140 has two air outlets 141 and 143 through which the air blown out by the impeller can enter and exit. In this embodiment, the blower 140 is equipped with a sirocco fan, but it is not limited to this and may be equipped with other impellers such as an axial flow fan.

[0065] The blower 140 is attached to the battery case 32 by fastening it together with the blower boss 44 using the fastening member 150. In this case, the blower 140 is installed so that the air outlet 141 overlaps the communication hole 43. As described above, the blower 140 is positioned on the lower side in the vertical direction of the battery case 32. This makes it difficult for the user to see the blower 140 when inserting or removing the battery 100 in the housing device 1. In addition, the air outlet 141 is covered by the mesh shape of the communication hole 43 when viewed from the inside of the battery case 32. Therefore, contact between the user and the blower 140 is suppressed. The blower 140 corresponds to the "air-generating unit" in this disclosure.

[0066] In the housing device 1, the starting battery 94 and the blower 140 are arranged between the battery case 32, the display unit 22, and the terminal unit 24.

[0067] Here, we will describe the fixing structure between the housing 10 and the battery case 32. The top panel 12 and the battery case 32 are positioned such that each of the screw holes 15 and each of the screw holes 33 overlap in a plan view of the housing 10. In this state, the top panel 12 and the battery case 32 are fixed together by screwing the fastening members 150 into each of the screw holes 15 and each of the screw holes 33.

[0068] The battery case 32 is attached by fastening members 150, which fasten both ends of the upper edge support member 87 together to each of the screw holes 33 located on the rear side of the housing 10. In this way, the housing device 1 connects the top panel 12, the battery case 32, and the upper edge support member 87 while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

[0069] [1.2. Operation] The operation of the containment device 1, configured as described above, will now be explained. When a user places the battery 100 into the storage device 1, the user opens the lid 20 and rotates the holding handle 62 so that the lock plate 63 is positioned at a predetermined location on the rear side of the housing 10 relative to the loading / unloading opening 31. As a result, each of the locking mechanisms 76 rotates along the left-right direction of the housing 10 and moves outward from the loading / unloading opening 31 in a plan view.

[0070] Next, the user grasps the battery handle 102 and inserts it into the top opening 13 and the loading / unloading port 31 from the other end face 103 side, along the dashed line I. At this time, the user inserts the battery 100 in a position where the curved surface 109 faces the rear side of the housing 10. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the battery 100 is attached to or detached from the housing mechanism 30, the direction of movement, which is the attachment / detachment direction, is along a virtual line I that passes through the center of the battery 100 in a plan view and extends along the longitudinal direction of the battery 100. In other words, this attachment / detachment direction is along the longitudinal direction of the battery 100 and the longitudinal direction of the battery case 32.

[0071] As described above, only the side wall 47 is formed to curve in an arc shape. Therefore, the battery 100 can only be inserted into the battery case 32 when the user inserts the battery 100 with the curved surface 109 facing the rear side of the housing 10. In contrast, if the user inserts the battery 100 in a posture different from the one described above, the battery 100 cannot be accommodated in the battery case 32.

[0072] As a result, the housing device 1 prevents the battery 100 from being housed in a position where the battery terminals 108 and the case-side connection terminals 54 cannot be connected, i.e., the battery 100 cannot be electrically connected to the housing device 1. Therefore, the housing device 1 prevents connection failures between the housing device 1 and the battery 100.

[0073] When the battery 100 is housed in the battery case 32, only its end face 101 is positioned above the loading / unloading opening 31. In other words, when the battery 100 is housed in the battery case 32, both its end face 101 and the battery handle 102 are exposed from the battery case 32.

[0074] Once the battery 100 is placed in the battery case 32, the user rotates the retaining handle 62 until the lock plate 63 is positioned above the loading / unloading opening 31, as shown in Figure 9. As the retaining handle 62 rotates, each of the locking mechanisms 76 rotates along the left-right direction of the housing 10, moving inward into the loading / unloading opening 31 in a plan view, and contacts the end face 101 of the battery 100. Furthermore, the rotation of the holding handle 62 causes the case-side connection terminal 54 to move through the terminal hole 41 into the interior of the battery case 32 and connect to the battery terminal 108. This electrically connects the housing device 1 and the battery 100.

[0075] After this, the user rotates the lid 20 to close the top opening 13. At this time, as shown in Figure 9, the bulging portion 21 contacts the retaining handle 62 from the rear side of the housing 10, restricting the rotation of the retaining handle 62. As a result, in the housing device 1, the rotation of the holding handle 62 is restricted regardless of the orientation in which the housing device 1 is installed after the housing device 1 and the battery 100 are electrically connected.

[0076] On the other hand, if the lock plate 63 is not in the predetermined position above the loading / unloading opening 31, that is, if the storage mechanism 30 has not completed storing the battery 100, when the lid 20 is rotated to close the top opening 13, the lower surface of the bulging portion 21 comes into contact with the lock plate 63. This prevents the lid 20 from closing the top opening 13. Therefore, in the storage device 1, use is prevented if the storage of the battery 100 is not completed.

[0077] As described above, the retaining handle 62 extends along the left-right direction of the housing 10 and is provided to rotate along the front-rear direction of the housing 10.

[0078] When the retaining handle 62 is rotated until the lock plate 63 moves to the upper side of the housing 10 relative to the opening 31, each of the locking mechanisms 76 is restricted from rotating by the retaining handle 62 and presses against the end face 101 of the battery 100.

[0079] As a result, the movement of the battery 100 along the vertical and horizontal directions of the housing 10 at its upper end is restricted. Therefore, in the housing device 1, vibration and displacement of the battery 100 are suppressed on the end face 101 side of the battery 100.

[0080] When the battery 100 is housed in the housing device 1 and the housing device 1 starts to operate from the battery 100, each of the blowers 92 and blower 140 are activated. As a result, air is drawn in from outside to inside the housing 10 through the front air intake 23. The drawn-in air passes above, below, and to the left and right sides of the battery case 32.

[0081] After this, some of the air flows from the inlet / outlet 31 through the gap between the battery 100 and the battery case 32. The air that has flowed through the gap between the battery 100 and the battery case 32 is then taken in by the blower 140 through the communication hole 43 and exhausted to the outside of the battery case 32. The exhausted air is then exhausted to the outside of the housing 10 through the rear exhaust port 25.

[0082] As described above, the gap between the side wall 47 and the curved surface 109 has a width dimension that is larger than the gap between each of the side walls 48 and each of the battery side surfaces 107. In other words, in the airflow path of the battery case 32, the areas where the gap between the battery 100 and the battery case 32 is large and the pressure loss is small are located further away from the blower 140. On the other hand, in the airflow path of the battery case 32, the areas where the gap between the battery 100 and the battery case 32 is small and the pressure loss is large are located closer to the blower 140.

[0083] As described above, the blower 140 is located below the side wall 48 that faces the side wall 47. In other words, in the airflow path of the battery case 32, air flows from the top of the battery 100 downwards to the top of the battery case 32. This allows the housing device 1 to cool the battery 100 with greater efficiency.

[0084] The embodiments described above illustrate one aspect of the present invention and can be arbitrarily modified and applied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0085] In the embodiment described above, the case-side connection terminal 54 moves up and down by a link mechanism operated by the holding handle 62, but it is not limited to this, and may also move up and down by an actuator such as a motor. Alternatively, the case-side connection terminal 54 may be provided in a state where it is not driven and always protrudes from the rear part 40.

[0086] In the embodiment described above, the battery terminal 108 is a female terminal, but it is not limited to this and may be a male terminal. In this case, the battery terminal 108 passes through the terminal hole 41.

[0087] In the embodiment described above, the blower 140 blows air from the inside to the outside of the battery case 32, but it is not limited to this, and may also blow air from the outside to the inside of the battery case 32.

[0088] In the embodiment described above, the power device was a battery 100, which is a so-called power storage device that stores electricity. However, it is not limited to this, and may also be a fuel used for power generation, such as a hydrogen container for storing hydrogen used in a fuel cell, or a so-called portable hydrogen tank. In other words, the storage device 1 is not limited to power devices, but may also be a device that detachably houses an energy source storage device. In this case, the storage device 1 is equipped with a mechanism for generating electricity from hydrogen.

[0089] In the embodiment described above, the housing device 1 may include a sealing structure that seals the gap between the housing mechanism 30 and the battery 100 housed in the housing mechanism 30 to make it liquid-tight. In this case, the lid 20 of the housing device 1 may be omitted.

[0090] In the embodiments described above, the horizontal and vertical directions and various shapes, unless otherwise specified, include a range of equality that produces the same effects as those directions and shapes.

[0091] [Configurations supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configuration.

[0092] (Configuration 1) A housing device comprising a housing section for housing a power device to which a first electrical terminal is provided so that it can be inserted and removed, wherein the housing section has an opening for inserting and removing the power device, a bottom section positioned opposite the opening, and a cylindrical section surrounding the outer circumference of the power device to be housed in the housing section, wherein the bottom section is provided with an insertion hole that connects the inside and outside of the housing section and through which the first electrical terminal or a second electrical terminal connected to the first electrical terminal is inserted, the cylindrical section is provided with a communication hole that connects the inside and outside of the housing section, and the outer circumference of the cylindrical section is provided with a fan that is fixed at a position corresponding to the communication hole and promotes airflow. This configuration allows for cooling of power equipment. Therefore, the housing can cool the power equipment while allowing it to be easily moved in and out.

[0093] (Configuration 2) The power equipment is a power storage device that stores power, and the power storage device has a switching control unit that switches between an activated state in which the power of the power storage device can be output to the outside of the power storage device, or power from outside the power storage device can be input to the power storage device, and a deactivated state in which the power of the power storage device cannot be output to the outside of the power storage device, or power from outside the power storage device cannot be input to the power storage device, and the housing device comprises the switching control unit of the power storage device housed in the housing section and other power storage devices that are electrically transmitted to each other. This configuration allows for the inclusion of additional power storage devices to start up the power equipment. As a result, the housing device can start up the power equipment more efficiently.

[0094] (Configuration 3) The housing device according to Configuration 2, characterized in that the other power storage devices are fixed to the outer circumference. This configuration allows other power storage devices used to power the power equipment to be located close to the power equipment itself. As a result, the housing can save space inside the enclosure and allow for efficient wiring.

[0095] (Configuration 4) The housing device according to Configuration 3, characterized in that the cylindrical portion is provided with a substantially rectangular cross-section having four sides in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the power equipment is inserted and removed, and the fanning portion and the other power storage devices are arranged on one side of the cylindrical portion corresponding to one of the four sides. This configuration allows other power storage units and the blower to be located close to the power equipment. As a result, the housing unit can save space inside the casing and allow for efficient wiring.

[0096] (Configuration 5) The housing device according to Configuration 4, characterized in that the air-generating unit is positioned closer to the bottom than the other power storage units. This configuration allows the ventilation unit to be positioned away from the opening through which power equipment is inserted and removed. Therefore, in the housing device, contact between the user and the ventilation unit can be minimized.

[0097] (Configuration 6) The housing device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the power equipment is provided in a substantially rectangular shape with four sides in a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion and removal from the housing, at least one of the four sides is formed in a straight line and at least one in a curved line, the cylindrical portion is provided in a shape similar to the shape of the power equipment, and the fan is provided on the outer circumference of the side surface of the cylindrical portion at a position corresponding to the straight line side, or at a position avoiding the position corresponding to the curved side. This configuration allows for the placement of a fan in areas where the space between the power equipment and the housing is large and pressure loss is low, while simultaneously positioning the fan in areas where the space between the power equipment and the housing is small and pressure loss is high. As a result, the housing device can cool the power equipment more efficiently. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 1. Containment device 10 cabinets 24 Terminal Unit 30 Containment Mechanism 32 Battery case (storage compartment) 40 Deep part (bottom part) 41 Terminal holes (insertion holes) 43 Communication hole (communication hole) 47, 48 side wall 54 Case-side connection terminals 92, 140 Blower (air blower) 94. Starting battery (other power storage device) 100 Batteries (Power Equipment) 107 Battery side 108 Battery terminal (first electrical terminal) 109 Curved surface 130 Processor (Switching Control Unit)

Claims

1. Housing and A housing section is provided inside the aforementioned housing and is used to house a power device having a first electrical terminal so that it can be inserted and removed, Equipped with, The housing portion has an opening for inserting and removing the power equipment, a bottom portion positioned opposite the opening, and a cylindrical portion surrounding the outer circumference of the power equipment housed in the housing portion. The bottom portion is provided with an insertion hole that connects the inside and outside of the housing portion, through which the first electrical terminal or a second electrical terminal connected to the first electrical terminal is inserted. The cylindrical portion is provided with a communication hole that connects the inside and outside of the housing portion. The outer circumference of the cylindrical portion is provided with a fan-generating section fixed at a position corresponding to the communication hole, which promotes airflow. A storage device characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned power equipment is a power storage device that stores power, The power storage device has an operating state in which it can output power from the power storage device to the outside of the power storage device, or can input power from the outside of the power storage device into the power storage device. The power storage device has a switching control unit that switches between a non-start state in which it is unable to output power to the outside of the power storage device, or in which it is unable to input power from outside the power storage device. The housing device comprises the switching control unit of the power storage device housed in the housing section and other power storage devices that are electrically transmittable. The storage device according to feature 1.

3. The other power storage device is fixed to the outer circumference. The storage device according to feature 2.

4. The cylindrical portion is provided with a substantially rectangular cross-section having four sides in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the power equipment is inserted and removed. The aforementioned wind-generating unit and the other power storage unit are arranged on one side of the cylindrical portion corresponding to one of the four sides of the cylindrical portion. The storage device according to feature 3.

5. The aforementioned fan-generating unit is positioned closer to the bottom than the other power storage units. The storage device according to feature 4.

6. The power equipment is provided with a roughly rectangular cross-section having four sides in a plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion and removal from the housing, At least one of the four aforementioned sides is formed in a straight line, and at least one is formed in a curved line. The cylindrical portion is provided in a shape similar to that of the power equipment. The air-generating portion is provided on the outer circumference of the side surface of the cylindrical portion at a position corresponding to the straight edge, or at a position avoiding the position corresponding to the curved edge. The storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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