Energy storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device which hardly causes failure of a storage battery.SOLUTION: A power storage device comprises: a first storage battery; a first passage which flows a cooling medium to the first storage battery; a connector which connects the first storage battery to a power unit of an external apparatus having the power unit and a second passage for flowing a cooling medium, and which connects the first passage to the second passage such that the first passage and the second passage may form a circulation passage; a pump, provided in the first passage, which controls a flow rate and a flow direction of the cooling medium; and a control part which controls the operation of the pump. After the first passage and the second passage have been connected to each other via the connector, the control part switches the flow direction of the cooling medium multiple times.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Some vehicles have a storage battery, such as an electric vehicle. For example, a technique of circulating a cooling medium for cooling a storage battery between a power feeding device and an electric vehicle when the power feeding device charges the storage battery of the electric vehicle has been disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When two devices are connected to each other and a cooling medium is circulated in this way, the temperatures of the cooling media of both may be significantly different before connection. In such a case, it is desirable that no problem occurs in the storage battery.

[0005] It is desirable to provide a power storage device that can make it difficult for a problem to occur in the storage battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a first battery, a first flow path, a connector, a pump, and a control unit. The first flow path carries a cooling medium through the first battery. The connector connects the first battery to the power device of an external device having a power device and a second flow path for carrying the cooling medium, and also connects the first flow path to the second flow path so that the first and second flow paths constitute a circulating flow path. The pump 14 is provided in the first flow path and controls the flow rate and direction of the cooling medium. The control unit controls the operation of the pump. After the first and second flow paths are connected to each other via the connector, the control unit switches the direction of flow of the cooling medium multiple times. The control unit sets the flow rate of the cooling medium to a first flow rate during a first period after the first flow path and the second flow path are connected to each other via a connector, and sets the flow rate of the cooling medium to a second flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate during a second period after the first period. A second energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a first battery, a first flow path, a connector, a pump, and a control unit. The first flow path carries a cooling medium through the first battery. The connector connects the first battery to the power device of an external device having a power device and a second flow path for carrying the cooling medium, and also connects the first flow path to the second flow path so that the first and second flow paths constitute a circulating flow path. The pump 14 is provided in the first flow path and controls the flow rate and direction of the cooling medium. The control unit controls the operation of the pump. After the first and second flow paths are connected to each other via the connector, the control unit switches the direction of flow of the cooling medium multiple times. The control unit determines the operation pattern of the pump based on the temperature difference between the temperature of the cooling medium in the first flow path and the temperature of the cooling medium in the second flow path. A third energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a first battery, a first flow path, a connector, a pump, and a control unit. The first flow path carries a cooling medium through the first battery. The connector connects the first battery to the power device of an external device having a power device and a second flow path for carrying the cooling medium, and also connects the first flow path to the second flow path so that the first and second flow paths constitute a circulating flow path. The pump 14 is provided in the first flow path and controls the flow rate and direction of the cooling medium. The control unit controls the operation of the pump. After the first and second flow paths are connected to each other via the connector, the control unit switches the direction of flow of the cooling medium multiple times. The energy storage device is provided in the first vehicle, the external device is provided in the second vehicle, and the power device is the second battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] First energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure , the 2 energy storage devices , and a third energy storage device According to this, it is possible to make the battery less prone to malfunctions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example configuration of a vehicle equipped with an energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of connecting the vehicle shown in Figure 1 to another vehicle. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing one example configuration of the energy storage device. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the energy storage device shown. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a timing diagram showing the operating pattern of the pump. [Figure 6A] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of pump operation. [Figure 6B] Figure 3 is another explanatory diagram illustrating an example of pump operation. [Figure 7]This is a block diagram showing one example configuration of a modified energy storage device. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the energy storage device shown. [Figure 9] Figure 7 is a timing diagram showing the operating pattern of the pump. [Figure 10] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle connected to a power supply device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Embodiment> [Example Configuration] Figure 1 shows an example configuration of a vehicle 1 equipped with a power storage device according to one embodiment. Vehicle 1 is a plug-in vehicle such as a plug-in electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and is configured to charge its built-in battery based on power supplied, for example, from the battery or power supply device of another vehicle. Vehicle 1 has a power storage device 10.

[0012] The energy storage device 10 includes a battery unit 11, an inlet 12, a flow path 13, a pump 14, and a tank 15. The positions of the battery unit 11, inlet 12, pump 14, and tank 15 in the vehicle 1 are examples only and are not limited thereto.

[0013] The battery unit 11 has a battery 18 (described later), stores DC power, and is configured to supply the stored power to an inverter (not shown) of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is configured to generate a driving force for running the vehicle 1 by driving a motor with this inverter. The battery 18 of the battery unit 11 is cooled by air cooling, for example, during the period when the vehicle 1 is running. Further, the battery 18 of the battery unit 11 is cooled by a cooling medium 9 flowing through the flow path 13, for example, when power is exchanged with another vehicle.

[0014] The inlet 12 is configured to connect to a plug of a cable 90 led to another vehicle, for example. The inlet 12 is connected to the battery unit 11 and is also connected to one end and the other end of the flow path 13 through which the cooling medium 9 flows.

[0015] The flow path 13 is configured to allow the cooling medium 9 to flow. The cooling medium 9 is water in this example. The battery unit 11, the pump 14, and the tank 15 are provided in the flow path 13. The arrangement of the battery unit 11, the pump 14, and the tank 15 in the flow path 13 is not limited to the example in FIG. 1, and any arrangement may be used. In addition, for example, an inverter or a motor may be provided in the flow path 13. One end and the other end of the flow path 13 are connected to the inlet 12.

[0016] The pump 14 is provided in the flow path 13 of the cooling medium 9 and is configured to control the direction and flow rate of the cooling medium 9 flowing through the flow path 13. The pump 14 controls the direction and flow rate of the cooling medium 9 flowing through the flow path 13 by rotating a rotating body having blades, for example.

[0017] The tank 15 is provided in the flow path 13 of the cooling medium 9 and is configured to adjust the amount of the cooling medium 9 in the flow path 13.

[0018] Figure 2 shows an example of a configuration where two vehicles 1 (vehicles 1A and 1B) are connected. The two vehicles 1 are connected to each other via a cable 90. The cable 90 has two plugs 91 (plugs 91A and 91B), a charging cable 92, and cooling cables 93 and 94.

[0019] Plug 91 is configured to connect to inlet 12. Plug 91A connects to inlet 12 of vehicle 1A, and plug 91B connects to inlet 12 of vehicle 1B.

[0020] The charging cable 92 is an electrical cable that transmits power. One end is connected to the battery unit 11 of vehicle 1A via plug 91A and inlet 12 of vehicle 1A, and the other end is connected to the battery unit 11 of vehicle 1B via plug 91B and inlet 12 of vehicle 1B.

[0021] Cooling cables 93 and 94 are configured to carry the cooling medium 9. One end of cooling cable 93 is connected to one end of the flow path 13 of vehicle 1A via plug 91A and inlet 12 of vehicle 1A, and the other end is connected to one end of the flow path 13 of vehicle 1B via plug 91B and inlet 12 of vehicle 1B. One end of cooling cable 94 is connected to the other end of the flow path 13 of vehicle 1A via plug 91A and inlet 12 of vehicle 1A, and the other end is connected to the other end of the flow path 13 of vehicle 1B via plug 91B and inlet 12 of vehicle 1B.

[0022] In this way, the two vehicles 1A and 1B are connected to each other via cable 90. As a result, the battery unit 11 of vehicle 1A and the battery unit 11 of vehicle 1B are connected to each other via charging cable 92. In addition, the flow path 13 of vehicle 1A and the flow path 13 of vehicle 1B are connected to each other via cooling cables 93 and 94. The flow path 13 of vehicle 1A, the flow path 13 of vehicle 1B, and the cooling cables 93 and 94 constitute a circulation path for the cooling medium 9.

[0023] Figure 3 shows an example of the control system for the energy storage device 10 in vehicle 1A. The configuration of vehicle 1B is similar. The energy storage device 10 includes a battery unit 11, an inter-vehicle communication unit 21, and a control unit 22.

[0024] The battery unit 11 includes a battery 18 and a power storage control unit 19. The battery 18 is configured to store DC power. The power storage control unit 19 is configured to control the charging and discharging operation of the battery 18 when vehicle 1A is connected to vehicle 1B, as shown in Figure 2.

[0025] The vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21 is configured to perform vehicle-to-vehicle communication with vehicle 1B using wireless communication. In this example, the energy storage devices 10 of vehicle 1A and vehicle 1B are configured to perform vehicle-to-vehicle communication using wireless communication, but this is not the only option. Alternatively, for example, the energy storage devices 10 of vehicle 1A and vehicle 1B may perform wired communication via cable 90.

[0026] The control unit 22 is configured, for example, using one or more processors and one or more memories, and is configured to control the operation of the energy storage device 10. The control unit 22 controls the operation of the energy storage control unit 19 and the pump 14 based on information received by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21.

[0027] Here, for example, in vehicle 1A, the energy storage device 10 corresponds to one specific example of the "energy storage device" in this disclosure. The battery 18 corresponds to one specific example of the "first battery" in this disclosure. The flow path 13 corresponds to one specific example of the "first flow path" in this disclosure. The inlet 12 corresponds to one specific example of the "connector" in this disclosure. The pump 14 corresponds to one specific example of the "pump" in this disclosure. The control unit 22 corresponds to one specific example of the "control unit" in this disclosure. Vehicle 1A corresponds to one specific example of the "first vehicle" in this disclosure.

[0028] For example, in vehicle 1B, the energy storage device 10 corresponds to one specific example of the “external device” in this disclosure. The battery 18 corresponds to one specific example of the “second battery” in this disclosure. The flow path 13 corresponds to one specific example of the “second flow path” in this disclosure. Vehicle 1B corresponds to one specific example of the “second vehicle” in this disclosure.

[0029] [Action and function] Next, the operation and function of the energy storage device 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0030] (Overview of overall operation) First, the operation of the energy storage device 10 of vehicle 1A will be explained with reference to Figures 1-3. The battery 18 of the battery unit 11 stores DC power. The energy storage control unit 19 controls the charging and discharging operation of the battery 18 when vehicle 1A is connected to vehicle 1B, as shown in Figure 2. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21 performs vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The pump 14 controls the direction and flow rate of the cooling medium 9 flowing through the flow path 13. The control unit 22 controls the operation of the energy storage control unit 19 and the pump 14 based on the information received by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21. The tank 15 is provided in the flow path 13 of the cooling medium 9 and adjusts the amount of cooling medium 9 in the flow path 13.

[0031] (Detailed operation) Figure 4 shows an example of the operation of the energy storage device 10 of vehicle 1A when vehicle 1A and vehicle 1B are connected.

[0032] First, the energy storage device 10 detects that vehicle 1A is connected to vehicle 1B via cable 90 (step S101). Specifically, for example, the energy storage device 10 detects that vehicle 1A is connected to vehicle 1B via cable 90 by detecting that the battery unit 11 is electrically connected to the battery unit 11 of vehicle 1B.

[0033] Next, the energy storage device 10 determines which pump 14 of vehicle 1A or 1B to operate by communicating (step S102). Specifically, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21 of vehicle 1A communicates with the vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21 of vehicle 1B, and the control unit 22 determines which pump 14 of vehicle 1A or 1B to operate based on the information received by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21 of vehicle 1A. For example, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21 of vehicle 1A transmits information on the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 18 of vehicle 1A to vehicle 1B, and receives information on the SOC of the battery 18 of vehicle 1B from vehicle 1B. Based on the SOC of the battery 18 of vehicle 1A and the SOC of the battery 18 of vehicle 1B, the control unit 22 determines which pump 14 to operate. For example, if the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 18 of vehicle 1A is higher than the SOC of the battery 18 of vehicle 1B, the control unit 22 can decide to operate the pump 14 of vehicle 1A. Also, for example, if the SOC of the battery 18 of vehicle 1B is higher than the SOC of the battery 18 of vehicle 1A, the control unit 22 can decide to operate the pump 14 of vehicle 1B. If the pump 14 of vehicle 1B is to be operated ("N" in step S103), this flow ends.

[0034] In step S103, if the pump 14 of vehicle 1A is to be operated ("Y" in step S103), the control unit 22 starts the operation of the pump 14 (step S104). The control unit 22 controls the operation of the pump 14 so that it operates in a predetermined operating pattern.

[0035] Figure 5 shows an example of the operating pattern of pump 14. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the rotational speed of the rotating body of pump 14. Figures 6A and 6B show an example of the flow of the cooling medium 9.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, in this example, the rotational speed of the rotating body of the pump 14 is 0 (zero) until timing t1. During this period, the cooling medium 9 does not flow through the flow path 13.

[0037] At timing t1, the control unit 22 sets the rotational speed of the pump 14's rotating body to value A1. Value A1 is a positive value. In this case, as shown in Figure 6A, the rotating body of the pump 14 of the vehicle 1A rotates clockwise in this example. As a result, the cooling medium 9 flows counterclockwise through the circulation path.

[0038] Next, at timing t2, the control unit 22 sets the rotational speed of the pump 14's rotating body to value A2. Value A2 is a negative value, and the absolute value of value A2 is greater than the absolute value of value A1. In this case, as shown in Figure 6B, the rotating body of the pump 14 of the vehicle 1A rotates counterclockwise in this example. As a result, the cooling medium 9 flows clockwise through the circulation path. For example, the flow rate of the cooling medium 9 during the period from timing t2 to t3 is greater than the flow rate of the cooling medium 9 during the period from timing t1 to t2.

[0039] Next, at timing t3, the control unit 22 sets the rotational speed of the pump 14's rotating body to value A3. Value A3 is a positive value, and the absolute value of value A3 is greater than the absolute value of value A2. In this case, as shown in Figure 6A, the rotating body of the pump 14 of the vehicle 1A rotates clockwise in this example. As a result, the cooling medium 9 flows counterclockwise through the circulation path. For example, the flow rate of the cooling medium 9 during the period from timing t3 to t4 is greater than the flow rate of the cooling medium 9 during the period from timing t2 to t3.

[0040] Next, at timing t4, the control unit 22 sets the rotational speed of the pump 14's rotating body to value A4. Value A4 is a negative value, and the absolute value of value A4 is greater than the absolute value of value A3. In this case, as shown in Figure 6B, the rotating body of the pump 14 of the vehicle 1A rotates counterclockwise in this example. As a result, the cooling medium 9 flows clockwise through the circulation path. For example, the flow rate of the cooling medium 9 during the period from timing t4 to t5 is greater than the flow rate of the cooling medium 9 during the period from timing t3 to t4.

[0041] In this manner, the control unit 22 switches the rotation direction of the pump 14's rotating body between clockwise and counterclockwise multiple times, and gradually increases the rotation speed of the pump 14's rotating body. As a result, the cooling medium 9 in the flow path 13 of vehicle 1A and the cooling medium 9 in the flow path 13 of vehicle 1B gradually mix together, and the temperature of the battery 18 in vehicle 1A and the battery 18 in vehicle 1B become approximately the same.

[0042] The control unit 22 starts the operation of the pump 14 so that the pump 14 operates in this manner.

[0043] This concludes this flow. After this, one of the vehicles, 1A or 1B, will begin supplying power to the other. Once power supply is complete, the control unit 22 of vehicle 1A will stop the operation of the pump 14.

[0044] Thus, for example, the energy storage device 10 of vehicle 1A includes a battery 18, a flow path 13 for flowing a cooling medium 9 through the battery 18, an inlet 12 that connects the battery 18 to the battery 18 of vehicle 1B and also connects the flow path 13 of vehicle 1A to the flow path 13 of vehicle 1B so that the flow paths 13 of vehicle 1A and vehicle 1B form a circulating flow path, a pump 14 provided in the flow path 13 for controlling the flow rate and direction of the cooling medium 9, and a control unit 22 for controlling the operation of the pump 14. The control unit 22 switches the direction of flow of the cooling medium 9 multiple times after the flow path 13 of vehicle 1A and the flow path 13 of vehicle 1B are connected via the inlet 12. As a result, the energy storage device 10 can reduce the possibility of malfunctions occurring in the battery 18 of the battery unit 11.

[0045] In other words, the temperature of the cooling medium 9 in vehicle 1A and the temperature of the cooling medium 9 in vehicle 1B may differ significantly. Specifically, if vehicle 1A has not been driven for some time, the temperature of the cooling medium 9 in vehicle 1A may be, for example, 0°C. Also, if vehicle 1B has been driven, the temperature of the cooling medium 9 in vehicle 1B may be, for example, 60°C. In such a case, if vehicle 1A and vehicle 1B are connected as shown in Figure 2 and the cooling medium 9 flows in one direction in the circulation path, the high-temperature cooling medium 9 may flow rapidly from vehicle 1B to vehicle 1A, and the low-temperature cooling medium 9 may flow rapidly from vehicle 1A to vehicle 1B. In this case, the temperature of the battery 18 in vehicle 1A may change rapidly from low to high, and the temperature of the battery 18 in vehicle 1B may change rapidly from high to low. When such a rapid temperature change occurs in the battery 18, there is a possibility that the characteristics of the battery 18 may deteriorate, or the battery 18 may fail, resulting in a malfunction of the battery 18. Furthermore, if a cooling water circulation system or the like is installed to prevent rapid temperature changes in the battery 18, the cost will increase.

[0046] On the other hand, in the energy storage device 10, the control unit 22 switches the direction of flow of the cooling medium 9 multiple times after the flow path 13 of vehicle 1A and the flow path 13 of vehicle 1B are connected via the inlet 12. This prevents, for example, high-temperature cooling medium 9 from flowing all at once from vehicle 1B to vehicle 1A, and also prevents low-temperature cooling medium 9 from flowing all at once from vehicle 1A to vehicle 1B. The cooling medium 9 in the flow path 13 of vehicle 1A and the cooling medium 9 in the flow path 13 of vehicle 1B can be gradually mixed. As a result, the possibility of a sudden temperature change occurring in the battery 18 can be reduced. In particular, in vehicle 1, the battery 18 may actually be located at various positions in the flow path 13, so by switching the direction of flow of the cooling medium 9 multiple times in this way, the possibility of a sudden temperature change occurring in the battery 18 can be reduced. In this way, the energy storage device 10 can reduce the possibility of a sudden temperature change occurring in the battery 18, and thus the possibility of a malfunction occurring in the battery 18 can be reduced. Furthermore, since there is no need to install a separate cooling water circulation system, costs can be reduced.

[0047] Furthermore, in the energy storage device 10, the control unit 22 sets the flow rate of the cooling medium 9 to a first flow rate during a first period after the flow path 13 of vehicle 1A and the flow path 13 of vehicle 1B are connected via the inlet 12, and sets the flow rate of the cooling medium 9 to a second flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate during a second period following this first period. As a result, the energy storage device 10 can increase the flow rate of the cooling medium 9 as time passes, thereby effectively leveling the temperature of the cooling medium 9 in the circulating flow path in a short amount of time.

[0048] [effect] As described above, this embodiment includes a storage battery, a flow path for flowing a cooling medium through the storage battery, an inlet that connects the storage battery to the storage battery of vehicle 1B and connects the flow path of vehicle 1A to the flow path of vehicle 1B so that the flow paths of vehicle 1A and vehicle 1B form a circulating flow path, a pump provided in the flow path that controls the flow rate and direction of the cooling medium, and a control unit that controls the operation of the pump. The control unit switches the direction of flow of the cooling medium multiple times after the flow paths of vehicle 1A and vehicle 1B are connected to each other via the inlet. This reduces the possibility of malfunctions occurring in the storage battery.

[0049] In this embodiment, the control unit sets the flow rate of the cooling medium to a first flow rate during a first period after the flow paths of vehicle 1A and vehicle 1B are connected to each other via the inlet, and then sets the flow rate of the cooling medium to a second flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate during a second period following this first period. As a result, the temperature of the cooling medium in the circulation path can be effectively leveled in a short amount of time.

[0050] [Example 1] In the above embodiment, the control unit 22 controlled the operation of the pump 14 so that it operated in a predetermined operating pattern (Figure 5), but it is not limited to this. This modified example will be described in detail below.

[0051] Figure 7 shows an example configuration of the energy storage device 30 in vehicle 1A. The configuration of vehicle 1B is similar. The energy storage device 30 includes a temperature sensor 31 and a control unit 32. The temperature sensor 31 is installed in the flow path 13 of vehicle 1A and is configured to detect the temperature of the cooling medium 9. The control unit 32 controls the operation of the energy storage control unit 19 and the operation of the pump 14 based on the information received by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21 and the detection result of the temperature sensor 31.

[0052] Figure 8 shows an example of the operation of the energy storage device 30 of vehicle 1A when vehicle 1A and vehicle 1B are connected.

[0053] First, as in the above embodiment, the energy storage device 30 detects that vehicle 1A is connected to vehicle 1B via cable 90 (step S101), and communicates to determine which pump 14 of vehicle 1A or 1B to operate (step S102). If the pump 14 of vehicle 1B is to be operated ("N" in step S103), this flow ends.

[0054] In step S103, when the pump 14 of vehicle 1A is operated (in step S103, "Y"), the energy storage device 30 calculates the temperature difference ΔT between the temperature of the cooling medium 9 of vehicle 1A and the temperature of the cooling medium 9 of vehicle 1B by communicating (step S113). Specifically, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21 of vehicle 1A communicates with the vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21 of vehicle 1B to receive information about the temperature of the cooling medium 9 of vehicle 1B detected by the temperature sensor 31 of vehicle 1B. The control unit 32 then calculates the absolute value of the temperature difference between the temperature of the cooling medium 9 of vehicle 1A detected by the temperature sensor 31 of vehicle 1A and the temperature of the cooling medium 9 of vehicle 1B included in the information received by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 21, and uses this difference as the temperature difference ΔT.

[0055] Next, the control unit 32 determines the operating pattern of the pump 14 based on this temperature difference ΔT (step S114). Specifically, the control unit 32 determines one of several operating patterns to be used based on the temperature difference ΔT.

[0056] Figure 9 shows an example of multiple operating patterns. In this example, the control unit 32 has three operating patterns PA to PC. In this example, operating pattern PA is used when the temperature difference ΔT is 30°C or less, operating pattern PB is used when the temperature difference ΔT is higher than 30°C and 60°C or less, and operating pattern PC is used when the temperature difference ΔT is higher than 60°C.

[0057] In operation pattern PA, the frequency of changes in the rotation direction of the rotating body of pump 14 is lower than in operation pattern PB, and the frequency of changes in operation pattern PB is lower than in operation pattern PC. In other words, in operation pattern PA, the frequency of changes in the direction in which the cooling medium 9 flows is lower than in operation pattern PB, and the frequency of changes in operation pattern PB is lower than in operation pattern PC.

[0058] Furthermore, in operation pattern PA, the rotational speed of the rotating body of pump 14 increases faster than in operation pattern PB, and the rotational speed in operation pattern PB increases faster than in operation pattern PC. In other words, in operation pattern PA, the flow rate of the cooling medium 9 increases faster than in operation pattern PB, and the flow rate in operation pattern PB increases faster than in operation pattern PC.

[0059] Based on the temperature difference ΔT, the control unit 32 determines which of the three operation patterns PA to PC corresponds to this temperature difference ΔT as the operation pattern to be used.

[0060] Then, the control unit 32 starts the operation of the pump 14 according to the operation pattern determined in step S114 (step S104).

[0061] This concludes this flow. After this, one of the vehicles, 1A or 1B, will begin supplying power to the other. Once power supply is complete, the control unit 22 of vehicle 1A will stop the operation of the pump 14.

[0062] Thus, in the energy storage device 30, the control unit 32 controls the operation of the pump 14 based on the temperature difference between the temperature of the cooling medium 9 in the flow path 13 of vehicle 1A and the temperature of the cooling medium 9 in the flow path of vehicle 1B. For example, when the temperature difference ΔT is small, the temperature of the cooling medium 9 in the circulating flow path can be leveled in a short time by reducing the frequency of changes in the direction of flow of the cooling medium 9 and rapidly increasing the flow rate of the cooling medium 9, as in operation pattern PA. Also, for example, when the temperature difference ΔT is large, the frequency of changes in the direction of flow of the cooling medium 9 and slowly increasing the flow rate of the cooling medium 9, as in operation pattern PC, can prevent malfunctions in the storage battery 18.

[0063] [Differentiation 2] In the above embodiment, two vehicles 1 were connected, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 10, a vehicle 1 may be connected to a power supply device 2. The power supply device 2 has a power storage device 40. The power storage device 40 has a battery unit 41, an inlet 42, a flow path 43, a pump 44, and a tank 45. The battery unit 41 has a battery and is configured to store DC power supplied from, for example, a power conditioner connected to the grid power supply. The inlet 42 is configured to be connected to, for example, a plug 91B of a cable 90 led to the vehicle 1. The flow path 43 is configured to carry a cooling medium 9. The pump 44 is provided in the flow path 43 of the cooling medium 9 and is configured to control the direction and flow rate of the cooling medium 9 flowing through the flow path 43. The tank 45 is provided in the flow path 43 of the cooling medium 9 and is configured to adjust the amount of cooling medium 9 in the flow path 43. In this configuration, for example, the pump 14 of vehicle 1 or the pump 44 of power supply device 2 switches the direction of flow of the cooling medium 9 multiple times in the circulation path. The battery unit 41 of power supply device 2 then supplies the stored power to vehicle 1 via cable 90. Here, for example, in power supply device 2, the energy storage device 40 corresponds to one specific example of the "external device" in this disclosure. The battery unit 41 corresponds to one specific example of the "second battery" in this disclosure. The flow path 43 corresponds to one specific example of the "second flow path" in this disclosure.

[0064] In this example, a battery unit 41 is provided in the power supply device 2, but this is not the only option, and the battery unit 41 does not need to be provided. In this case, the power supply device 2 can supply DC power supplied from, for example, a power conditioner connected to the grid power supply to the vehicle 1 via the cable 90.

[0065] [Other variations] Furthermore, two or more of these variations may be combined.

[0066] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments and modifications, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and various modifications are possible.

[0067] For example, in the above embodiment, the battery of the battery unit 11 is cooled by air cooling while the vehicle 1 is running, but it is not limited to this, and may be cooled by a cooling medium 9 flowing through the flow path 13. In this case, the flow path 13 can constitute a circulating flow path in the vehicle 1. In this vehicle 1, for example, a radiator capable of cooling the cooling medium 9 is provided in the flow path 13. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 1, 1A, 1B... Vehicle, 10, 30, 40... Energy storage device, 11... Battery unit, 12... Inlet, 13... Flow path, 14... Pump, 15... Tank, 18... Battery, 19... Energy storage control unit, 21... Vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit, 22, 32... Control unit, 31... Temperature sensor, 41... Battery unit, 42... Inlet, 43... Flow path, 44... Pump, 45... Tank, 91... Plug, 91A, 91B... Plug, 92... Charging cable, 93, 94... Cooling cable.

Claims

1. The first storage battery, A first flow path for flowing a cooling medium through the first storage battery, The first storage battery is connected to the power device of an external device having a power device and a second flow path for flowing the cooling medium, and a connector is provided to connect the first flow path to the second flow path so that the first flow path and the second flow path constitute a circulating flow path. A pump provided in the first flow path controls the flow rate and direction of the cooling medium, A control unit that controls the operation of the pump and Equipped with, The control unit, After the first flow path and the second flow path are connected to each other via the connector, the direction in which the cooling medium flows is switched multiple times. During a first period after the first and second flow paths are connected to each other via the connector, the flow rate of the cooling medium is set to a first flow rate, and during a second period after the first period, the flow rate of the cooling medium is set to a second flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate. Energy storage device.

2. The first storage battery, A first flow path for flowing a cooling medium through the first storage battery, The first storage battery is connected to the power device of an external device having a power device and a second flow path for flowing the cooling medium, and a connector is provided to connect the first flow path to the second flow path so that the first flow path and the second flow path constitute a circulating flow path. A pump provided in the first flow path controls the flow rate and direction of the cooling medium, A control unit that controls the operation of the pump and Equipped with, The control unit, After the first flow path and the second flow path are connected to each other via the connector, the direction in which the cooling medium flows is switched multiple times. The operating pattern of the pump is determined based on the temperature difference between the temperature of the cooling medium in the first flow path and the temperature of the cooling medium in the second flow path. Energy storage device.

3. The first storage battery, A first flow path for flowing a cooling medium through the first storage battery, The first storage battery is connected to the power device of an external device having a power device and a second flow path for flowing the cooling medium, and a connector is provided to connect the first flow path to the second flow path so that the first flow path and the second flow path constitute a circulating flow path. A pump provided in the first flow path controls the flow rate and direction of the cooling medium, A control unit that controls the operation of the pump and Equipped with, The control unit, A power storage device that, after the first flow path and the second flow path are connected to each other via the connector, switches the direction in which the cooling medium flows multiple times, The aforementioned energy storage device is installed in the first vehicle. The aforementioned external device is installed on the second vehicle. The power device is a second storage battery. Energy storage device.

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