Exterior case unit, exterior case, and electrical facility

Abstract

Provided are technical features that make it possible to flexibly accommodate changes in the number of electrical devices. This exterior case unit, which is capable of accommodating a plurality of electrical devices, comprises a first exterior case and a second exterior case. The first exterior case has a first exterior part and a first surrounding part surrounding a first opening provided in the first exterior part. The second exterior case has a second exterior part and a second surrounding part surrounding a second opening provided in the second exterior part. The first surrounding part and the second surrounding part can be mated.

Description

Outer case unit, outer case and electrical equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to an outer case unit, an outer case, and electrical equipment.

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose storage battery devices that can accommodate increases in storage capacity.

[0003] JP 2019-164914 A JP 2019-164915 A

[0004] When combining multiple storage batteries to form a single storage battery unit, the housings of all the batteries must be airtight to prevent water droplets and dust, or a larger housing is required in advance to accommodate the addition of more batteries. Furthermore, when connecting multiple storage batteries, waterproof connectors are required to connect each battery. This results in higher product costs and larger product sizes.

[0005] The battery storage device described in Patent Document 1 requires a housing that can accommodate batteries with the maximum capacity that can be connected, even when batteries with the minimum capacity are installed, and therefore requires a large installation space. The battery storage device described in Patent Document 2 requires additional batteries to be installed in a constrained location, inside a cover, so it is not possible to add more than a predetermined number of batteries. The battery storage devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot flexibly accommodate changes in the number of batteries.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can flexibly accommodate changes in the number of electrical devices.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer case unit capable of accommodating multiple electrical devices, comprising a first outer case and a second outer case, wherein the first outer case has a first outer portion and a first surrounding portion that surrounds a first opening provided in the first outer portion, and the second outer case has a second outer portion and a second surrounding portion that surrounds a second opening provided in the second outer portion, and the first surrounding portion and the second surrounding portion are engageable with each other.

[0008] When the number of electrical devices housed in the external case unit is changed, it is possible to flexibly accommodate the change in the number of electrical devices by changing the number of external cases in the external case unit.

[0009] A first sealing portion is provided in the first enclosing portion or the second enclosing portion, and when the first enclosing portion and the second enclosing portion are engaged, the first sealing portion is disposed between the first enclosing portion and the second enclosing portion. This prevents water droplets, dust, etc. from entering the interior of the outer case unit through the gap between the first enclosing portion and the second enclosing portion. Therefore, even if the number of electrical devices is changed, the airtightness inside the outer case unit can be maintained. Because the airtightness inside the outer case unit is maintained, non-airtight electrical devices can be used.

[0010] The outer case unit further includes a third outer case, the third outer case having a third outer portion, a third surrounding portion surrounding a third opening provided in the third outer portion, and a fourth surrounding portion surrounding a fourth opening provided in the third outer portion, the opening surface of the third opening and the opening surface of the fourth opening facing each other, the first surrounding portion and the third surrounding portion being interlockable with each other, and the second surrounding portion and the fourth surrounding portion being interlockable with each other. When the number of electrical devices housed in the outer case unit increases, the number of third outer cases can be increased to flexibly accommodate changes in the number of electrical devices.

[0011] When the first enclosing portion or the third enclosing portion is provided with a second sealing portion, and when the first enclosing portion and the third enclosing portion are in a fitted state, the second sealing portion is disposed between the first enclosing portion and the third enclosing portion, and when the second enclosing portion or the fourth enclosing portion is provided with a third sealing portion, and when the second enclosing portion and the fourth enclosing portion are in a fitted state, the third sealing portion is disposed between the second enclosing portion and the fourth enclosing portion, thereby preventing water droplets, dust, etc. from entering the interior of the exterior case unit through a gap between the first enclosing portion and the third enclosing portion and also preventing water droplets, dust, etc. from entering the interior of the exterior case unit through a gap between the second enclosing portion and the fourth enclosing portion.

[0012] The outer case unit further includes a plurality of third outer cases, the plurality of third outer cases having a third outer portion, a third surrounding portion surrounding a third opening provided in the third outer portion, and a fourth surrounding portion surrounding a fourth opening provided in the third outer portion, an opening surface of the third opening and an opening surface of the fourth opening facing each other, the first surrounding portion and the third surrounding portion are interlocking, the second surrounding portion and the fourth surrounding portion are interlocking, and the third surrounding portion of one of two adjacent third outer cases among the plurality of third outer cases is interlocking with the fourth surrounding portion of the other of the two adjacent third outer cases. When the number of electrical devices to be accommodated in the outer case unit increases, it is possible to flexibly accommodate changes in the number of electrical devices by increasing the number of outer cases in the outer case unit.

[0013] The first outer case or the second outer case has a window that allows light to pass through. A user can view the inside of the outer case unit through the window. The first outer case or the second outer case has a vent valve. By providing the vent valve in the first outer case or the second outer case, it is not necessary to provide a vent valve for each electrical device, and gas can be safely released from the first outer case or the second outer case.

[0014] The stacking direction of the first outer case, the second outer case, and the third outer case is vertical. One of the plurality of electrical devices is fixed to a vibration-resistant and shock-resistant structure by the second outer case at the bottom in the stacking direction. The second outer case at the bottom in the stacking direction has a hole through which a wire for connecting to an external device is inserted. This fixes the position of the wire lead-out, so that even if the number of electrical devices increases or decreases after installation, there is no need to change the position of the wire lead-out, and the wiring installation is not affected. One of the plurality of electrical devices is a control unit, or one of the plurality of electrical devices has a control unit, or one of the plurality of electrical devices has a control unit and a storage battery. Another of the plurality of electrical devices is a storage battery, or another of the plurality of electrical devices has a storage battery. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical facility including an outer case unit and the plurality of electrical devices.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer case including an exterior portion capable of accommodating one or more electrical devices, and a first surrounding portion surrounding a first opening provided in the exterior portion, the first surrounding portion being engageable with a second surrounding portion surrounding a second opening provided in a first outer case capable of accommodating the one or more electrical devices. When the number of electrical devices accommodated in an outer case unit including outer cases is changed, it is possible to flexibly accommodate the change in the number of electrical devices by changing the number of outer cases in the outer case unit.

[0016] In the above-mentioned exterior case, a first sealing part is provided on the first enclosing part or the second enclosing part, and when the first enclosing part and the second enclosing part are fitted together, the first sealing part is disposed between the first enclosing part and the second enclosing part, thereby preventing water droplets, dust, etc. from entering the interior of the exterior case through a gap between the first enclosing part and the second enclosing part.

[0017] The outer case further includes a third surrounding portion surrounding a third opening provided in the outer case, the opening surface of the first opening and the opening surface of the third opening being opposite each other, and the third surrounding portion is engageable with a fourth surrounding portion surrounding a fourth opening provided in a second outer case capable of accommodating one or more electrical devices. When the number of electrical devices accommodated in the outer case unit increases, the number of outer cases in the outer case unit can be increased to flexibly accommodate changes in the number of electrical devices. The outer case includes a light-transmitting window portion. A user can view the inside of the outer case through the window portion.

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that can flexibly accommodate changes in the number of electrical devices.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an external case unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrical equipment unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of assembling an expansion external case, an upper external case, and a lower external case. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an example of an expansion external case. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a first external case as seen from the direction of arrow X1 in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an example of an expansion external case. FIG. 7 is a plan view of an example of an expansion external case as seen from the direction of arrow X2 in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the upper external case. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the upper external case as seen from the direction of arrow X3 in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lower external case. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the lower external case as seen from the direction of arrow X4 in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the surrounding portion of the expansion external case and the surrounding portion of the upper external case. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the surrounding portion of the expansion outer case and the surrounding portion of the upper outer case. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the surrounding portions of two expansion outer cases. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the surrounding portions of two expansion outer cases. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of an outer case unit. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of assembling an expansion outer case, an upper outer case, and a lower outer case. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the configuration of an outer case unit. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of assembling an upper outer case and a lower outer case. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of an outer case unit. FIG. 21 is a flowchart explaining the flow of a method of installing the outer case unit and the electrical equipment unit. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lower outer case. FIG. 23 is a plan view showing the configuration of the lower outer case. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lower outer case. FIG. 25 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the electrical equipment unit. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the upper outer case and the control unit. FIG. 27 is a plan view showing a portion of the exterior portion of the upper outer case. Fig. 28 is a diagram showing the configuration of an exterior case unit, Fig. 29 is a diagram showing an example of assembling an extension exterior case, an upper exterior case, and a lower exterior case, and Fig. 30 is a diagram showing the configuration of an exterior case unit.FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of assembling the upper outer case and the lower outer case.

[0020] Application examples and embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The application examples and embodiments described below are aspects of the present application and do not limit the scope of the rights of the present application.

[0021] <Application Example> An example of a situation in which this embodiment is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an external case unit 1. The external case unit 1 can accommodate multiple electrical devices. The external case unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes multiple expansion external cases 2, one upper external case 3, and one lower external case 4. For example, the upper external case 3 may be used as the first external case, the lower external case 4 may be used as the second external case, and the expansion external case 2 may be used as the third external case. The external case unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes expansion external cases 2A and 2B, but the number of expansion external cases 2 is not limited to two and may be one, three, or more. The external case unit 1 is an assembly of external cases including one or more expansion external cases 2, the upper external case 3, and the lower external case 4. The expansion outer cases 2A, 2B and the upper outer case 3 are each hollow, and can house one or more electrical devices. By assembling the expansion outer cases 2A, 2B, the upper outer case 3, and the lower outer case 4, an electrical device unit including multiple electrical devices is housed within the expansion outer cases 2A, 2B and the upper outer case 3. As shown in Figure 1, when the outer case unit 1 is assembled, the interior of the outer case unit 1 is maintained airtight.

[0022] The lower outer case 4 can accommodate a portion of the wiring 5. The wiring 5 is external wiring connected to an external device 6 such as a power conditioner. The lower outer case 4 is also called a base unit. The wiring 5 is a wiring cable for transmitting and receiving power and signals between the electrical equipment unit housed in the outer case unit 1 and the external device 6. One end of the wiring 5 is connected to the electrical equipment unit housed in the outer case unit 1, and the other end of the wiring 5 is connected to the external device 6. The wiring 5 may be protected, for example, by a PF pipe. The expansion outer case 2B or the upper outer case 3 can be placed on the expansion outer case 2A. The expansion outer case 2A or the upper outer case 3 can be placed on the expansion outer case 2B. The expansion outer case 2A, 2B, or the upper outer case 3 can be placed on the lower outer case 4. The stacking direction of the expansion outer cases 2A and 2B, the upper outer case 3, and the lower outer case 4 is the up-down direction (vertical direction). The upper outer case 3 is arranged at the top of the outer case unit 1 in the stacking direction, and the lower outer case 4 is arranged at the bottom of the outer case unit 1 in the stacking direction.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electrical equipment unit 7. The electrical equipment unit 7 includes multiple storage batteries 8 and a control unit (control device) 9. The control unit 9 is a controller that controls charging and discharging of the multiple storage batteries 8. The storage batteries 8 and the control unit 9 are examples of electrical equipment. The storage batteries 8 and the control unit 9 may be integrated. One of the multiple electrical equipment may include the control unit 9, or one of the multiple electrical equipment may have the control unit 9, or one of the multiple electrical equipment may have the storage battery 8 and the control unit 9. Another of the multiple electrical equipment may be the storage battery 8, or another of the multiple electrical equipment may have the storage battery 8. The electrical equipment unit 7 shown in FIG. 2 includes storage batteries 8A to 8C, but the number of storage batteries 8 is not limited to three and may be one, two, or four or more.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of assembling the expansion outer cases 2A and 2B, the upper outer case 3, and the lower outer case 4. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 9 and the storage battery 8A are housed in the upper outer case 3, the storage battery 8B is housed in the expansion outer case 2A, and the storage battery 8C is housed in the expansion outer case 2B. An electrical device having the control unit 9 and the storage battery 8A may be housed in the upper outer case 3, an electrical device having the storage battery 8B may be housed in the expansion outer case 2A, or an electrical device having the storage battery 8C may be housed in the expansion outer case 2B. By changing the heights of the expansion outer case 2A and the upper outer case 3, only the control unit 9 or an electrical device having the control unit 9 may be housed in the upper outer case 3, or the storage batteries 8A and 8B may be housed in the expansion outer case 2A. By changing the height of the expansion outer case 2A, an electrical device having the storage battery 8A and an electrical device having the storage battery 8B may be housed in the expansion outer case 2A. By changing the heights of the expansion outer case 2B and the upper outer case 3, only the control unit 9 or an electrical device having the control unit 9 may be accommodated in the upper outer case 3, and the storage batteries 8B and 8C may be accommodated in the expansion outer case 2B. By changing the height of the expansion outer case 2B, an electrical device having the storage battery 8B and an electrical device having the storage battery 8C may be accommodated in the expansion outer case 2B. Part of the storage battery 8C or part of an electrical device having the storage battery 8C may be accommodated in the lower outer case 4.

[0025] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the expansion outer case 2A. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the expansion outer case 2A when viewed from the direction of arrow X1 in Fig. 4. The expansion outer case 2A is a hollow case with openings formed in the top and bottom surfaces. The expansion outer case 2A has an exterior part (exterior cover) 11, an enclosing part 13 that surrounds an opening 12 provided in the exterior part 11, and an enclosing part 15 that surrounds an opening 14 provided in the exterior part 11. The opening surface of the opening 12 in the exterior part 11 faces the opening surface of the opening 14 in the exterior part 11.

[0026] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the expansion outer case 2B. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the expansion outer case 2B when viewed from the direction of arrow X2 in Fig. 6. The expansion outer case 2B is a hollow case with openings formed in the top and bottom surfaces. The expansion outer case 2B has an exterior part (exterior cover) 21, an enclosing part 23 that surrounds an opening 22 provided in the exterior part 21, and an enclosing part 25 that surrounds an opening 24 provided in the exterior part 21. The opening 22 of the exterior part 21 and the opening 24 of the exterior part 21 face each other.

[0027] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the upper outer case 3. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the upper outer case 3 when viewed from the direction of arrow X3 in Fig. 8. The upper outer case 3 is a hollow case having a top surface and an opening formed in the bottom surface. The upper outer case 3 has an exterior portion (exterior cover) 31 and an enclosing portion 33 that surrounds an opening 32 provided in the exterior portion 31.

[0028] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lower part exterior case 4. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the lower part exterior case 4 when viewed from the direction of arrow X4 in Fig. 10. The lower part exterior case 4 is a hollow case having a bottom surface and an opening formed in the top surface. The lower part exterior case 4 has an exterior portion (exterior cover) 41 and an enclosing portion 43 that surrounds an opening 42 provided in the exterior portion 41.

[0029] The surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 can fit together. Figures 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 at a location where the expansion outer case 2A and the upper outer case 3 are fixed with bolts 51. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 at a location other than the location where the expansion outer case 2A and the upper outer case 3 are fixed with bolts 51.

[0030] The surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A has a convex portion, and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 has a concave portion. The convex portion of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A is inserted into the concave portion of the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3, thereby fitting the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 together. The fitting of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 allows the upper outer case 3 to be placed stably on the expansion outer case 2A. By fixing the expansion outer case 2A and the upper outer case 3 with bolts 51, the fit between the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 is reliably maintained.

[0031] A sealing portion 52 is provided on the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A or the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3. The sealing portion 52 is, for example, a packing. The sealing portion 52 may be disposed at the tip of the convex portion of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A, or may be disposed within the concave portion of the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3. When the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 are fitted together, the sealing portion 52 is disposed between the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3. This prevents water droplets, dust, and the like from entering the interior of the expansion outer case 2A and the interior of the upper outer case 3 through the gap between the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3.

[0032] The configuration is not limited to that shown in Figures 12 and 13. As an alternative to the configurations shown in Figures 12 and 13, the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A may have a recess, and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 may have a protrusion. The protrusion of the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 is inserted into the recess of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A, thereby fitting the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 together. The fitting of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 allows the upper outer case 3 to be stably placed on the expansion outer case 2A. The sealing portion 52 may be disposed in the recess of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A, or the sealing portion 52 may be disposed at the tip of the protrusion of the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3.

[0033] The surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B can fit together. Figures 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views of the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B at a location where the expansion outer case 2A and the expansion outer case 2B are fixed with bolts 51. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B at a location other than the location where the expansion outer case 2A and the expansion outer case 2B are fixed with bolts 51.

[0034] The surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A has a recess, and the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B has a protrusion. The protrusion of the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B is inserted into the recess of the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A, thereby fitting the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B together. The fitting of the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B allows the expansion outer case 2A to be placed stably on top of the expansion outer case 2B. By fixing the expansion outer case 2A and the expansion outer case 2B with bolts 51, the fit between the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B is reliably maintained.

[0035] A sealing portion 52 is provided in the enclosing portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A or the enclosing portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B. The sealing portion 52 may be disposed within a recess in the enclosing portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A, or may be disposed at the tip of a protrusion in the enclosing portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B. When the enclosing portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the enclosing portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B are fitted together, the sealing portion 52 is disposed between the enclosing portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the enclosing portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B. This prevents water droplets, dust, and the like from entering the interior of the expansion outer case 2A or the interior of the expansion outer case 2B through the gap between the enclosing portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the enclosing portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B.

[0036] The configuration is not limited to that shown in Figures 14 and 15. Instead of the configuration shown in Figures 14 and 15, the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A may have a protrusion, and the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B may have a recess. The surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B are fitted together by inserting the protrusion of the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A into the recess of the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B. The fitting of the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B allows the expansion outer case 2A to be placed stably on top of the expansion outer case 2B. A sealing portion 52 may be disposed at the tip of the protrusion of the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A, or the sealing portion 52 may be disposed in the recess of the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B.

[0037] The surrounding portion 25 of the expansion outer case 2B can be fitted into the surrounding portion 43 of the lower outer case 4. The configuration of the surrounding portion 25 of the expansion outer case 2B is similar to the configuration of the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A. The configuration of the surrounding portion 43 of the lower outer case 4 is similar to the configuration of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A. The fitting of the surrounding portion 25 of the expansion outer case 2B into the surrounding portion 43 of the lower outer case 4 is similar to the fitting of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A into the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3. By fitting the surrounding portion 25 of the expansion outer case 2B into the surrounding portion 43 of the lower outer case 4, the expansion outer case 2B can be placed stably on the lower outer case 4.

[0038] The surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B can be fitted into the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3. The fitting between the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 is similar to the fitting between the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3. By fitting the surrounding portion 23 of the expansion outer case 2B and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3, it is possible to place the upper outer case 3 stably on the expansion outer case 2B.

[0039] The surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A can be fitted into the surrounding portion 43 of the lower outer case 4. The fitting between the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 43 of the lower outer case 4 is similar to the fitting between the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3. By fitting the surrounding portion 15 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 43 of the lower outer case 4, the expansion outer case 2A can be placed stably on the lower outer case 4.

[0040] The surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 and the surrounding portion 43 of the lower outer case 4 can be fitted together. The configuration of the surrounding portion 43 of the lower outer case 4 is similar to the configuration of the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A. The fitting between the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 and the surrounding portion 43 of the lower outer case 4 is similar to the fitting between the surrounding portion 13 of the expansion outer case 2A and the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3. By fitting the surrounding portion 33 of the upper outer case 3 and the surrounding portion 43 of the lower outer case 4 together, the upper outer case 3 can be placed stably on the lower outer case 4.

[0041] For example, when separating the storage battery 8C from the electrical equipment unit 7 to reduce the number of storage batteries 8 in the electrical equipment unit 7, the expansion outer case 2B is separated from the outer case unit 1, and the expansion outer case 2A, upper outer case 3, and lower outer case 4 are assembled, as shown in FIG. 16 . FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of the outer case unit 1. When the outer case unit 1 is assembled as shown in FIG. 16 , airtightness is maintained inside the outer case unit 1. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of assembling the expansion outer case 2A, upper outer case 3, and lower outer case 4. In the example shown in FIG. 17 , the control unit 9 and storage battery 8A are housed in the upper outer case 3, and the storage battery 8B is housed in the expansion outer case 2A. An electrical device having the control unit 9 and storage battery 8A may be housed in the upper outer case 3, or an electrical device having a storage battery 8B may be housed in the expansion outer case 2A. By changing the heights of the expansion outer case 2A and the upper outer case 3, the control unit 9 or an electrical device having the control unit 9 may be accommodated in the upper outer case 3, and the storage batteries 8A and 8B may be accommodated in the expansion outer case 2A. By changing the height of the expansion outer case 2A, an electrical device having the storage battery 8A and an electrical device having the storage battery 8B may be accommodated in the expansion outer case 2A. Part of the storage battery 8B or part of the electrical device having the storage battery 8C may be accommodated in the lower outer case 4.

[0042] For example, when separating the storage batteries 8B and 8C from the electrical equipment unit 7 to reduce the number of storage batteries 8 in the electrical equipment unit 7, the expansion outer cases 2A and 2B are separated from the outer case unit 1, and an upper outer case 3 and a lower outer case 4 are assembled, as shown in FIG. 18 . FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the configuration of the outer case unit 1. The upper outer case 3 can be placed on the lower outer case 4. When the outer case unit 1 is assembled as shown in FIG. 18 , airtightness is maintained inside the outer case unit 1. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of assembling the upper outer case 3 and the lower outer case 4. In the example shown in FIG. 19 , a control unit 9 and a storage battery 8A are housed in the upper outer case 3. An electrical device having the control unit 9 and the storage battery 8A may be housed in the upper outer case 3. A part of the storage battery 8A or a part of an electrical device having the storage battery 8A may be housed in the lower outer case 4. The outer case unit 1 is an assembly of outer cases including an upper outer case 3 and a lower outer case 4 .

[0043] For example, when increasing the number of storage batteries 8 in the electrical equipment unit 7, as shown in FIG. 20 , an expansion outer case 2C is added to the outer case unit 1, and the expansion outer cases 2A, 2B, and 2C, the upper outer case 3, and the lower outer case 4 are assembled. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of the outer case unit 1. The expansion outer case 2B can be placed on the expansion outer case 2C. The expansion outer case 2C can be placed on the lower outer case 4. When the outer case unit 1 is assembled as shown in FIG. 20 , the airtightness inside the outer case unit 1 is maintained. By stacking the electrical equipment units 7 vertically, the installation area remains unchanged even when the storage battery capacity is increased. Therefore, there is no need to secure a large installation space in anticipation of the addition of the storage batteries 8. Furthermore, there is no need to perform new foundation construction to add the storage batteries 8.

[0044] When the number of storage batteries 8 in the electrical equipment unit 7 is changed, the change in the number of storage batteries 8 can be flexibly accommodated by changing the number of expansion outer cases 2 in the outer case unit 1. For example, when the number of storage batteries 8 in the electrical equipment unit 7 is reduced, the change in the number of storage batteries 8 can be flexibly accommodated by reducing the number of expansion outer cases 2 in the outer case unit 1. For example, when the number of storage batteries 8 in the electrical equipment unit 7 is increased, the change in the number of expansion outer cases 2 in the outer case unit 1 can be flexibly accommodated. Even when the number of storage batteries 8 is changed, the airtightness inside the outer case unit 1 can be maintained. Because the airtightness inside the outer case unit 1 is maintained, non-airtight storage batteries 8 and control unit 9 can be used. The lower outer case 4, which is the lowest in the stacking direction of the outer case units 1, has wiring outlets 65 and 66, and the positions at which the wiring 5 is drawn are fixed. Therefore, even if the number of storage batteries 8 increases or decreases after construction, there is no need to change the position where the wiring 5 is drawn out, and there is no impact on the installation of the wiring 5 or PF pipes.

[0045] Because the electrical equipment unit 7 is housed within the airtight exterior case unit 1, there is no need to ensure airtightness for each of the storage battery 8 and the control unit 9. This eliminates the need for a housing to ensure airtightness for the storage battery 8 and the control unit 9. Furthermore, there is no need to carry in, secure, or connect the wiring for the storage battery 8 and the control unit 9 in a narrow space required for ensuring airtightness. Therefore, the installation of the storage battery 8 and the control unit 9 is not affected by the size of the housing required for ensuring airtightness, improving workability. The housings for the storage battery 8 and the control unit 9 can be minimized and simplified, reducing product costs. Because the exterior case unit 1 is not affected by the housing structure of the storage battery 8 and the control unit 9, it is possible to improve design.

[0046] Referring to Figures 21, 22, 23, and 24, an example of a method for accommodating the electrical equipment unit 7 in the outer case unit 1 and installing the outer case unit 1 and the electrical equipment unit 7 will be described. Figure 21 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for installing the outer case unit 1 and the electrical equipment unit 7. First, the lower outer case 4 is fixed to a concrete foundation 62 using bolts 61 (step S1). The concrete foundation 62 is a vibration-resistant and impact-resistant structure. Figure 22 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lower outer case 4. Figure 23 is a plan view showing the configuration of the lower outer case 4. Figure 24 is an enlarged view of a portion of the lower outer case 4. Fixing plates 63 and 64 for fixing the storage battery 8 are arranged inside the lower outer case 4. The fixing plates 63 and 64 are provided on the bottom surface of the exterior part 41. The lower outer case 4 is fixed to the concrete foundation 62 using bolts 61 inside the lower outer case 4, which improves workability and also prevents the bolts 61 from being exposed from the lower outer case 4. This improves the appearance of the outer case unit 1.

[0047] The lower outer case 4 includes wiring outlets 65, 66 and a vent valve 67. The wiring outlet 65 is provided on the exterior portion 41 of the lower outer case 4 on the first side or the second side. The wiring outlets 65, 66 are holes through which the wiring 5 is inserted. The wiring outlet 66 and the vent valve 67 are provided on the exterior portion 41 of the lower outer case 4 on the rear side. The pressure inside the outer case unit 1 is adjusted by opening and closing the vent valve 67. By providing the vent valve 67 on the exterior portion 41 of the lower outer case 4, it is not necessary to provide a vent valve 67 for each storage battery 8 and control unit 9, and gas can be safely released from the lower outer case 4 located at the bottom of the outer case unit 1. The vent valve 67 can be provided at any position on the lower outer case 4. By providing the vent valve 67 at any position on the lower outer case 4, gas can be released from the lower outer case 4 in the intended direction without being affected by the structures of the storage battery 8 and control unit 9. Alternatively, the vent valve 67 of the lower outer case 4 may be eliminated, and the vent valve 67 may be provided in one of the multiple extension outer cases 2 or the upper outer case 3 .

[0048] The internal space of the lower outer case 4 is divided by a partition plate 68. The partition plate 68 has an insertion hole 69 for inserting the wire 5. When the wire 5 is inserted through the insertion hole 69 of the partition plate 68, a cable gland 70 is provided between the wire 5 and the insertion hole 69 of the partition plate 68, thereby preventing water droplets, dust, and the like from entering the interior of the lower outer case 4 through the insertion hole 69 of the partition plate 68. The cable gland 70 is, for example, a sealing part such as a packing.

[0049] When the wires 5 are drawn out from the lower outer case 4 to the first side surface, the wires 5 are drawn out from the wire draw-out port 65, and a connecting connector 71 is disposed at the wire draw-out port 65. When the wires 5 are drawn out from the lower outer case 4 to the rear surface side, the wires 5 are drawn out from the wire draw-out port 66, and a connecting connector 71 is disposed at the wire draw-out port 66.

[0050] The internal space of the lower outer case 4 is divided into a first internal space and a second internal space by a partition plate 68. Fixing plates 63 and 64 are arranged in the first internal space of the lower outer case 4. The fixing plates may be on the storage battery 8 side. A lid 72 is arranged above the second internal space of the lower outer case 4, and a cable gland 70 is provided between the wiring 5 and an insertion hole 69 of the partition plate 68, thereby maintaining airtightness inside the lower outer case 4. The lid 72 is fixed to the exterior part 41 with bolts 73.

[0051] Next, the storage battery 8C is placed on the lower outer case 4 (step S2). The lower outer case 4 and the storage battery 8C are then fixed to each other from the side using metal plates and screws (step S3). The storage battery 8C is then fixed to the concrete foundation 62 by the lower outer case 4. After placing the storage battery 8B on the storage battery 8C, the storage batteries 8B and 8C are fixed to each other from the side using metal plates and screws, and the wiring for the storage battery 8B is connected to the wiring for the storage battery 8C (step S4). After placing the storage battery 8A on the storage battery 8B, the storage batteries 8A and 8B are fixed to each other from the side using metal plates and screws, and the wiring for the storage battery 8A is connected to the wiring for the storage battery 8B (step S5). When adding more storage batteries 8, steps similar to steps S4 or S5 are repeated depending on the number of additional storage batteries 8.

[0052] Next, the control unit 9 is placed on the storage battery 8A, and the storage battery 8A and the control unit 9 are fixed to each other from the side using metal plates and screws, and the wiring of the storage battery 8A is connected to the wiring of the control unit 9 (step S6). Next, the wiring 5 is connected to the control unit 9 via the lower outer case 4 (step S7). For example, the wiring 5 may be connected to the control unit 9 by drawing the wiring 5 into the lower outer case 4 and passing it through the interior of the storage batteries 8A to 8C. After placing the expansion outer cases 2A, 2B and the upper outer case 3 so as to cover the electrical equipment unit 7, the outer cases are fixed to each other (step S8).

[0053] A method for aligning and fixing the storage batteries 8A to 8C and the control unit 9 will be described with reference to Figure 25. Figure 25 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the electrical equipment unit 7. A protrusion 82 is provided on the upper surface of a housing 81 of the storage battery 8A, and a recess 83 is provided on the lower surface of the housing 81 of the storage battery 8A. A protrusion 85 is provided on the upper surface of a housing 84 of the storage battery 8B, and a recess 86 is provided on the lower surface of the housing 84 of the storage battery 8B. A protrusion 88 is provided on the upper surface of a housing 87 of the storage battery 8C. A recess 92 is provided on the lower surface of a housing 91 of the control unit 9.

[0054] The storage batteries 8B and 8C are aligned by fitting the protrusion 88 of the housing 87 of the storage battery 8C into the recess 86 of the housing 84 of the storage battery 8B. A connection plate 93 is attached to the housing 84 of the storage battery 8B and the housing 87 of the storage battery 8C, and the four corners of the connection plate 93 are screwed in place. This secures the storage batteries 8B and 8C to each other. A harness 94 is attached to the housing 84 of the storage battery 8B and the housing 87 of the storage battery 8C, and the wiring of the storage battery 8B and the wiring of the storage battery 8C are connected via the harness 94. The harness 94 is a cable with a connector.

[0055] The wiring for battery 8B and the wiring for battery 8C can be connected after battery 8B and battery 8C are secured together. Therefore, there is no risk of battery 8B's housing 84 falling during the connection process, improving the safety of the installation process. Furthermore, the wiring for battery 8B and the wiring for battery 8C can be connected from the side. There is no need to use a waterproof connector to connect battery 8B and the wiring for battery 8C, reducing costs. Since there is nothing obstructing the view when installing the harness 94, the locked state of the harness 94 connector can be confirmed, making it easy to check whether the harness 94 connector is securely connected to batteries 8B and 8C. A standard connector can be used for the harness 94, expanding the selection of harnesses.

[0056] The storage batteries 8A and 8B are aligned by fitting the protrusion 85 of the housing 84 of the storage battery 8B into the recess 83 of the housing 81 of the storage battery 8A. A connection plate 93 is attached to the housing 81 of the storage battery 8A and the housing 84 of the storage battery 8B, and the four corners of the connection plate 93 are screwed in place. This secures the storage batteries 8A and 8B to each other. A harness 94 is attached to the housing 81 of the storage battery 8A and the housing 84 of the storage battery 8B, and the wiring of the storage battery 8A and the wiring of the storage battery 8B are connected via the harness 94.

[0057] The wiring of the storage battery 8A and the wiring of the storage battery 8B can be connected after the storage battery 8A and the storage battery 8B are fixed to each other. Therefore, there is no risk of the housing 81 of the storage battery 8A falling during the connection work, improving the safety of the installation work. In addition, the wiring of the storage battery 8A and the wiring of the storage battery 8B can be connected from the side. There is no need to use a waterproof connector to connect the wiring of the storage battery 8A and the wiring of the storage battery 8B, which reduces costs. There is nothing obstructing the view when installing the harness 94, and the locked state of the connector of the harness 94 can be confirmed, so it is easy to check whether the connector of the harness 94 is securely connected to the storage batteries 8A and 8B.

[0058] The storage battery 8A and the control unit 9 are aligned by fitting the protrusion 82 of the housing 81 of the storage battery 8A into the recess 92 of the housing 91 of the control unit 9. A connection plate 93 is attached to the housing 81 of the storage battery 8A and the housing 91 of the control unit 9, and the four corners of the connection plate 93 are screwed in place. This secures the storage battery 8A and the control unit 9 to each other. A harness 94 is attached to the housing 81 of the storage battery 8A and the housing 91 of the control unit 9, and the wiring of the storage battery 8A and the wiring of the control unit 9 are connected via the harness 94.

[0059] After the storage battery 8A and the control unit 9 are fixed to each other, the wiring of the storage battery 8A and the wiring of the control unit 9 can be connected. Therefore, there is no risk of the housing 91 of the control unit 9 falling during the connection work, improving the safety of the installation work. In addition, the connection work of the storage battery 8A and the wiring of the control unit 9 can be performed from the side. There is no need to use a waterproof connector to connect the wiring of the storage battery 8A and the wiring of the control unit 9, which reduces costs. There is nothing obstructing the view when installing the harness 94, and the locked state of the connector of the harness 94 can be confirmed, so it is easy to check whether the connector of the harness 94 is securely connected to the storage battery 8A and the control unit 9.

[0060] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the upper outer case 3 and the control unit 9. FIG. 26 shows a portion of the upper outer case 3 and a portion of the control unit 9. FIG. 27 is a plan view showing a portion of the exterior part 31 of the upper outer case 3. The upper outer case 3 has a window part 101 that allows light to pass through. The window part 101 is a light guide plate (transparent resin part) made of transparent resin. The window part 101 is inserted into a hole provided in the exterior part 31 of the upper outer case 3, and a portion of the window part 101 protrudes inside the upper outer case 3. The portion of the window part 101 protruding inside the upper outer case 3 is inserted into a nut 102, and the window part 101 is fixed to the exterior part 31 of the upper outer case 3 by the nut 102.

[0061] The control unit 9 includes an LED 110. The LED 110 is provided on the surface of the housing 91 of the control unit 9. The LED 110 may be configured to turn on, turn off, flash, or the like to indicate whether the power to the control unit 9 is on or off, or to indicate an abnormality in the control unit 9. Light emitted from the LED 110 passes through a window 101 and is emitted to the outside of the upper outer case 3. The window 101 is disposed in the upper outer case 3 so that the center line of the window 101 is aligned with the optical axis of the LED 110. A user can view the inside of the outer case unit 1 through the window 101. The user can visually check whether the power to the control unit 9 is on or off or detect an abnormality in the control unit 9 through the window 101 by visually checking whether the LED 110 is on, turned off, flashing, or the like.

[0062] A sealing portion 103 is disposed between the exterior portion 31 and the window portion 101 of the upper exterior case 3. By disposing the sealing portion 103 between the exterior portion 31 and the window portion 101 of the upper exterior case 3, water droplets, dust, etc. are prevented from entering the interior of the upper exterior case 3 through the gap between the exterior portion 31 and the window portion 101 of the upper exterior case 3. A diffusion portion 104 is formed on the surface of the window portion 101 on the outside of the upper exterior case 3. The surface of the window portion 101 may be processed to have a frosted glass-like shape to form the diffusion portion 104 on the surface of the window portion 101. Alternatively, the surface of the window portion 101 may be processed to have a minute uneven shape to form the diffusion portion 104 on the surface of the window portion 101. Light emitted from the LED 110 and passing through the window portion 101 is diffused by the diffusion portion 104 of the window portion 101. A masking portion 105 is formed on the surface of the window portion 101 on the outside of the upper exterior case 3. The masking portion 105 may be formed by, for example, mask printing. The masking portion 105 may be black or another color. The masking portion 105 prevents the sealing portion 103 from being reflected in the window portion 101.

[0063] Although the electrical equipment unit 7 described above has a configuration in which the control unit 9 is located at the top, this is not limiting. The electrical equipment unit 7 may also have a configuration in which the control unit 9 is located at the bottom. In this case, the expansion outer case 2 may have a window 101. For example, in the case of the outer case unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 , the expansion outer case 2B may have the window 101. The user can see inside the outer case unit 1 through the window 101. The user can see through the window 101 whether the LED 110 is on, off, flashing, etc., to check whether the power to the control unit 9 is on or off or to detect any abnormalities in the control unit 9.

[0064] The configuration of the outer case unit 1 may be modified as shown in FIGS. 28 to 31 . FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the outer case unit 1. The outer case unit 1 illustrated in FIG. 28 includes an expansion outer case 2A, an upper outer case 3, and a lower outer case 4. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of assembling the expansion outer case 2A, the upper outer case 3, and the lower outer case 4. In the outer case unit 1 illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29 , the height of the lower outer case 4 is modified compared to the outer case unit 1 illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 . In the example illustrated in FIG. 29 , the control unit 9 and the storage battery 8A are housed in the upper outer case 3, the storage battery 8B is housed in the expansion outer case 2A, and the storage battery 8C is housed in the lower outer case 4. An electrical device having the control unit 9 and the storage battery 8A may be housed in the upper outer case 3, an electrical device having the storage battery 8B may be housed in the expansion outer case 2A, and an electrical device having the storage battery 8C may be housed in the lower outer case 4. By changing the heights of the expansion outer case 2A and the upper outer case 3, only the control unit 9 or an electrical device having the control unit 9 may be accommodated in the upper outer case 3, or storage batteries 8A and 8B may be accommodated in the expansion outer case 2A. By changing the height of the expansion outer case 2A, an electrical device having a storage battery 8A and an electrical device having a storage battery 8B may be accommodated in the expansion outer case 2A. By changing the heights of the upper outer case 3 and the lower outer case 4, only the control unit 9 or an electrical device having the control unit 9 may be accommodated in the upper outer case 3, or storage battery 8A may be accommodated in the expansion outer case 2A, or storage batteries 8B and 8C may be accommodated in the lower outer case 4. An electrical device having storage battery 8A may be accommodated in the expansion outer case 2A. By changing the height of the lower outer case 4, an electrical device having storage battery 8B and an electrical device having storage battery 8C may be accommodated in the lower outer case 4.

[0065] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the configuration of the outer case unit 1. The outer case unit 1 shown in FIG. 30 includes an upper outer case 3 and a lower outer case 4. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of assembling the upper outer case 3 and the lower outer case 4. The outer case unit 1 shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 has a modified lower outer case 4 height compared to the outer case unit 1 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 . In the example shown in FIG. 31 , a control unit 9 and a storage battery 8A are housed in the upper outer case 3, and a storage battery 8B is housed in the lower outer case 4. An electrical device having a control unit 9 and a storage battery 8A may be housed in the upper outer case 3, or an electrical device having a storage battery 8B may be housed in the lower outer case 4. By changing the height of the upper outer case 3, only the control unit 9 or an electrical device having the control unit 9 may be housed in the upper outer case 3, or by changing the height of the lower outer case 4, the storage batteries 8A and 8B may be housed in the lower outer case 4. By changing the height of the lower outer case 4, an electric device having a storage battery 8A and an electric device having a storage battery 8B may be accommodated in the lower outer case 4.

[0066] The present invention may be understood as electrical equipment including an outer case unit 1, one or more storage batteries 8, and a control unit 9. This provides electrical equipment including an outer case unit 1, one or more storage batteries 8, and a control unit 9. The present invention may also be understood as electrical equipment including an outer case unit 1 and an electrical equipment unit 7. This provides electrical equipment including an outer case unit 1 and an electrical equipment unit 7. Furthermore, the processes and means described above may also be understood as methods for installing an outer case unit, methods for installing multiple outer cases, etc. Note that the present invention can be constructed by combining the above configurations, means, and processes with each other as much as possible.

[0067] <Supplementary Note 1> An outer case unit (1) capable of accommodating a plurality of electrical devices (8, 9) comprises: a first outer case (3); and a second outer case (4), wherein the first outer case (3) has a first outer portion (31) and a first surrounding portion (33) surrounding a first opening (32) provided in the first outer portion (31), and the second outer case (4) has a second outer portion (41) and a second surrounding portion (43) surrounding a second opening (42) provided in the second outer portion (41), and the first surrounding portion (33) and the second surrounding portion (43) are fittable to each other. <Supplementary Note 2> The outer case unit (1) described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein a first sealing portion (52) is provided in the first enclosing portion (33) or the second enclosing portion (43), and when the first enclosing portion (33) and the second enclosing portion (43) are fitted together, the first sealing portion (52) is disposed between the first enclosing portion (33) and the second enclosing portion (43). <Supplementary Note 3> The outer case unit (1) according to Supplementary Note 1 further includes a third outer case (2A), wherein the third outer case (2A) has a third exterior portion (11), a third surrounding portion (13) surrounding a third opening (12) provided in the third exterior portion (11), and a fourth surrounding portion (15) surrounding a fourth opening (14) provided in the third exterior portion (11), wherein an opening surface of the third opening (12) and an opening surface of the fourth opening (14) face each other, wherein the first surrounding portion (33) and the third surrounding portion (13) are engageable with each other, and wherein the second surrounding portion (43) and the fourth surrounding portion (15) are engageable with each other. <Supplementary Note 4> The outer case unit (1) according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the first enclosing portion (33) has a second sealing portion (52) provided on the third enclosing portion (13), and when the first enclosing portion (33) and the third enclosing portion (13) are in a fitted state, the second sealing portion (52) is disposed between the first enclosing portion (33) and the third enclosing portion (13); and the second enclosing portion (43) or the fourth enclosing portion (15) has a third sealing portion (52), and when the second enclosing portion (43) and the fourth enclosing portion (15) are in a fitted state, the third sealing portion (52) is disposed between the second enclosing portion (43) and the fourth enclosing portion (15).<Supplementary Note 5> The device further includes a plurality of third exterior cases (2A, 2B), wherein the plurality of third exterior cases (2A, 2B) have a third exterior portion (11, 21), a third surrounding portion (13, 23) surrounding a third opening (12, 22) provided in the third exterior portion (11, 21), and a fourth surrounding portion (15, 25) surrounding a fourth opening (14, 24) provided in the third exterior portion (11, 21), wherein an opening surface of the third opening (12, 22) faces an opening surface of the fourth opening (14, 24), wherein the first surrounding portion (13) and the third surrounding portion (13, 23) are engageable with each other, and the second surrounding portion (43) and the fourth surrounding portion (15, 25) are engageable with each other, The outer case unit according to claim 1, wherein the third surrounding portion (22) of one (2B) of two adjacent third outer cases among the plurality of third outer cases (2A, 2B) is interlockable with the fourth surrounding portion (15) of the other (2A) of the two adjacent third outer cases. <Supplementary Note 6> The outer case unit (1) according to any one of Supplements 1 to 5, wherein the first outer case (3) or the second outer case (4) has a window portion (101) through which light passes. <Supplementary Note 7> The outer case unit (1) according to any one of Supplements 1 to 6, wherein the first outer case (3) or the second outer case (4) has a vent valve (67). <Supplementary Note 8> The outer case unit (1) according to any one of Supplements 1 to 7, wherein the stacking direction of the first outer case (3) and the second outer case (4) is vertical. <Supplementary Note 9> The outer case unit (1) according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein one of the plurality of electrical devices (8, 9) is fixed to a vibration-resistant and shock-resistant structure by the second outer case (4) at the bottom in the stacking direction. <Supplementary Note 10> The outer case unit (1) according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the second outer case (4) at the bottom in the stacking direction has a hole (65) through which a wire (5) for connecting to an external device (6) is inserted.<Supplementary Note 11> The outer case unit (1) according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 10, wherein one of the plurality of electrical devices is a control unit (9), or one of the plurality of electrical devices has a control unit (9), or one of the plurality of electrical devices has a control unit (9) and a storage battery (8), and the other of the plurality of electrical devices is a storage battery (8), or the other of the plurality of electrical devices has a storage battery (8). <Supplementary Note 12> An electrical facility comprising: the outer case unit (1) according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11; and the plurality of electrical devices (8, 9). <Supplementary Note 13> An outer case (2, 4) comprising: an exterior part (11, 41) capable of accommodating one or more electric devices (8, 9); and a first surrounding part (13, 43) surrounding a first opening (12, 42) provided in the exterior part (11, 41), wherein the first surrounding part (13, 43) is fitable into a second surrounding part (33) surrounding a second opening (32) provided in a first outer case (3) capable of accommodating the one or more electric devices (8, 9). <Supplementary Note 14> The outer case (2, 4) according to Supplementary Note 13, wherein a first sealing portion (52) is provided in the first enclosing portion (13, 43) or the second enclosing portion (33), and when the first enclosing portion (13, 43) and the second enclosing portion (33) are fitted together, the first sealing portion (52) is disposed between the first enclosing portion (13, 43) and the second enclosing portion (33). <Supplementary Note 15> The outer case (2) according to Supplementary Note 13 or 14, further comprising a third surrounding portion (15) surrounding a third opening (14) provided in the exterior portion (11), wherein an opening surface of the first opening (12) and an opening surface of the third opening (14) face each other, and the third surrounding portion (15) is fittable into a fourth surrounding portion (43) surrounding a fourth opening (42) provided in a second outer case (4) capable of accommodating the one or more electrical devices (8, 9). <Supplementary Note 16> The outer case (2) according to any one of Supplementary Notes 13 to 15, further comprising a window portion (101) through which light passes.

[0068] 1: Outer case unit 2, 2A, 2B, 2C: Expansion outer case 3: Upper outer case 4: Lower outer case 5: Wiring 6: External device 7: Electrical device unit 8, 8A, 8B, 8C: Storage battery 9: Control unit 11, 21, 31, 41: Exterior part 12, 14, 22, 24, 32, 42: Opening 13, 15, 23, 25, 33, 43: Enclosure part 52: Sealing part 67: Vent valve 101: Window part

Claims

1. An exterior case unit capable of accommodating a plurality of electrical devices, comprising: a first exterior case; and a second exterior case, wherein the first exterior case has a first exterior portion and a first surrounding portion surrounding a first opening provided in the first exterior portion, and the second exterior case has a second exterior portion and a second surrounding portion surrounding a second opening provided in the second exterior portion, and the first surrounding portion and the second surrounding portion are capable of being fitted together. An exterior case unit.

2. A first sealing portion is provided in the first surrounding portion or the second surrounding portion. When the first surrounding portion and the second surrounding portion are in a fitted state, the first sealing portion is disposed between the first surrounding portion and the second surrounding portion. The exterior case unit according to claim 1.

3. Further comprising a third exterior case, wherein the third exterior case has a third exterior portion, a third surrounding portion surrounding a third opening provided in the third exterior portion, and a fourth surrounding portion surrounding a fourth opening provided in the third exterior portion, the opening surface of the third opening and the opening surface of the fourth opening face each other, the first surrounding portion and the third surrounding portion are capable of being fitted together, and the second surrounding portion and the fourth surrounding portion are capable of being fitted together. The exterior case unit according to claim 1.

4. A second sealing portion is provided in the first surrounding portion or the third surrounding portion. When the first surrounding portion and the third surrounding portion are in a fitted state, the second sealing portion is disposed between the first surrounding portion and the third surrounding portion. A third sealing portion is provided in the second surrounding portion or the fourth surrounding portion. When the second surrounding portion and the fourth surrounding portion are in a fitted state, the third sealing portion is disposed between the second surrounding portion and the fourth surrounding portion. The exterior case unit according to claim 3.

5. Further comprising a plurality of third exterior cases, wherein the plurality of third exterior cases each have a third exterior portion, a third surrounding portion surrounding a third opening provided in the third exterior portion, and a fourth surrounding portion surrounding a fourth opening provided in the third exterior portion, the opening surfaces of the third opening and the fourth opening face each other, the first surrounding portion and the third surrounding portion are engageable, the second surrounding portion and the fourth surrounding portion are engageable, and one of the third surrounding portions of two adjacent third exterior cases among the plurality of third exterior cases and the fourth surrounding portion of the other of the two adjacent third exterior cases are engageable; the exterior case unit according to claim 1.

6. The first exterior case or the second exterior case includes a window portion that allows light to pass through; the exterior case unit according to claim 1.

7. The first exterior case or the second exterior case includes a vent valve; the exterior case unit according to claim 1.

8. The stacking direction of the first exterior case and the second exterior case is the vertical direction; the exterior case unit according to claim 1.

9. One of the plurality of electrical devices is fixed to a structure having vibration resistance and shock resistance by the lowermost second exterior case in the stacking direction; the exterior case unit according to claim 8.

10. The lowermost second exterior case in the stacking direction has a hole through which wiring for connecting to an external device is inserted; the exterior case unit according to claim 8.

11. One of the plurality of electrical devices is a control unit, or one of the plurality of electrical devices has a control unit, or one of the plurality of electrical devices has a control unit and a storage battery, and the others of the plurality of electrical devices are storage batteries or have storage batteries; the exterior case unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. An electrical equipment comprising the exterior case unit according to claim 1 and the plurality of electrical devices.

13. An exterior case comprising an exterior portion capable of accommodating one or more electrical devices, and a first surrounding portion surrounding a first opening provided in the exterior portion, wherein the first surrounding portion is engageable with a second surrounding portion surrounding a second opening provided in a first exterior case capable of accommodating the one or more electrical devices.

14. A first sealing portion is provided in the first surrounding portion or the second surrounding portion, and when the first surrounding portion and the second surrounding portion are in a fitted state, the first sealing portion is disposed between the first surrounding portion and the second surrounding portion. The exterior case according to claim 13.

15. The exterior case further includes a third surrounding portion that surrounds a third opening provided in the exterior portion, the opening surface of the first opening and the opening surface of the third opening face each other, and the third surrounding portion can be fitted into a fourth surrounding portion that surrounds a fourth opening provided in a second exterior case capable of accommodating the one or more electrical devices. The exterior case according to claim 13.

16. The exterior case according to any one of claims 13 to 15, comprising a window portion that allows light to pass through.

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