Power supply device

Abstract

The present invention provides a power supply device in which cooling performance is made more uniform for a plurality of secondary battery cells. A power supply device 100 comprises battery blocks 50 and a power supply case 10 provided with a first lateral face 20 extending in a first direction and a second lateral face 30 disposed apart from the first lateral face 20 in an opposing orientation. The plurality of battery blocks 50 are housed between the first lateral face 20 and the second lateral face 30 and stacked in multiple tiers along the first direction, with cooling air conduits 16 formed between adjacent battery blocks 50. In the power supply case 10, an intake port 21 is formed in the first lateral surface 20 at an intermediate position in the first direction, and an exhaust port 31 is formed in the second lateral surface 30 at an intermediate position in the first direction. Inside the power supply case 10, the cooling air conduits 16 are provided in plural along the first direction. Each of the cooling air conduits 16 communicates with the intake port 21 at one end and the exhaust port 31 at the other end. A plurality of path lengths 40 from the intake port 21 to the exhaust port 31 via each of the cooling air conduits 16 are mismatched overall.

Description

power supply

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

[0002] Battery modules, which consist of multiple rechargeable secondary battery cells such as lithium-ion secondary batteries connected in series or parallel, are used in various fields as power supplies to drive target devices. For example, battery blocks, each consisting of multiple secondary battery cells connected in series or parallel, are stacked in multiple stages and inserted into a power supply case to be used as backup power supplies for homes, offices, and factories.

[0003] Such power supply devices use a large number of secondary battery cells, which generate heat during charging and discharging, and therefore require efficient cooling. Inconsistencies in heat dissipation among the secondary battery cells can accelerate the deterioration of certain secondary battery cells and shorten the lifespan of the power supply device. Therefore, it is desirable to dissipate heat as evenly as possible to minimize temperature differences among the secondary battery cells. A cooling method typically involves air-cooling, which involves drawing in outside air using a fan or other device and forcing it into the power supply case, where it is released after heat exchange. In a structure that uses air-cooling to cool multiple battery blocks, cooling air paths are provided between multiple battery blocks, and cooling air is passed through each cooling air path.

[0004] In this type of air-cooled system, it has been considered preferable to align the cooling air passages so that they have the same path length and cross-sectional area, as this would result in the flow rate and flow velocity of each cooling air passage approaching the same. However, tests conducted by the inventors of the present application have shown that aligning the path lengths of the cooling air passages is not necessarily appropriate for achieving uniform cooling of the secondary battery cells.

[0005] International Publication No. 2018 / 159009

[0006] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a power supply device that achieves nearly uniform cooling performance for multiple secondary battery cells. Another object is to provide a power supply device that can regulate the amount of cooling air to be constant without using components such as air guide plates. Note that the description of these objects and objects of the present disclosure does not preclude the existence of other objects and objects. Furthermore, it is not necessary for one embodiment of the present disclosure to solve all of these objects. Furthermore, other objects can be extracted from the description of the specification, drawings, and claims of the present disclosure.

[0007] A power supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a power supply device comprising: a plurality of battery blocks each including a plurality of secondary battery cells; and a power supply case having a first side extending in a first direction and a second side facing and spaced apart from the first side, the plurality of battery blocks being stacked in multiple stages along the first direction between the first side and the second side, and containing the battery blocks in a state in which a cooling air path is formed between adjacent battery blocks; the power supply case having an air intake port formed midway in the first direction on the first side and an exhaust port formed midway on the second side in the first direction; multiple cooling air paths provided inside the power supply case along the first direction, each cooling air path having one end connected to the air intake port and the other end connected to the exhaust port; and multiple path lengths from the air intake port through each cooling air path to the exhaust port being non-uniform overall.

[0008] In a power supply device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, multiple cooling air paths are formed so that the air branches off from an intake port opening in the middle of a first side surface into multiple cooling air paths, and then converges at an exhaust port opening in the middle of a second side surface, intentionally varying the path lengths of the cooling air paths. As a result, the flow rate of cooling air is increased for the internal battery blocks, which normally tend to trap heat and become hot, improving cooling performance, while the cooling air paths are lengthened for the battery blocks closer to the exterior, which tend to be cooled more easily, reducing cooling capacity relatively, resulting in a reduction in the temperature difference between the battery blocks within the power supply case.

[0009] 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Example 1, FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Comparative Example 1, FIG. 10C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Comparative Example 1, FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Example 1, FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Comparative Example 1, FIG. 10C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Comparative Example 2, FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Comparative Example 2, FIG. 10C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Example 1, FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Comparative Example 2, FIG. 10C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Comparative Example 2, FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Example 1, FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Comparative Example 2, FIG. 10C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positions of the intake and exhaust ports of the power supply device according to Comparative Example 2 ...A is

[0010] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be specified by the following configurations and features.

[0011] In a power supply device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, in the above-described aspect, the intake port is open in a central region of the first side surface, and the exhaust port is open in a central region of the first side surface. With this configuration, the intake port and the exhaust port are spaced apart to a certain extent from the installation surface, making it difficult for foreign matter such as dust and water to enter, thereby realizing a power supply device with increased safety.

[0012] In a power supply device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, in any of the above aspects, the first direction is the vertical direction. With this configuration, in a power supply device in which battery blocks are stacked vertically, compared to a conventional configuration in which the intake port is located on the bottom and the exhaust port is located on the top, and the path lengths of the cooling air channels provided between the battery blocks are the same, the cooling air taken in through the intake port located in the central region is branched in the vertical direction, which prevents uneven flow rates and contributes to reducing temperature differences between the battery blocks.

[0013] In addition, in a power supply device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in any of the above embodiments, the first height at which the air intake is provided on the first side surface is equal to the second height at which the air exhaust is provided on the second side surface. This configuration, compared to the conventional configuration in which the air intake is located on the lower side and the air exhaust is located on the upper side, and the path lengths of the cooling air paths provided between the battery blocks are the same, intentionally creating a difference in path length can reduce and suppress temperature differences between the battery blocks. Furthermore, by keeping the air intake side away from the floor, the risk of dust and moisture entering the power supply case can be reduced.

[0014] In addition, in a power supply device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, in any of the above aspects, a first height at which the intake port is provided on the first side surface is lower than a second height at which the exhaust port is provided on the second side surface. With this configuration, cooling air can be forcibly blown against gravity, making it easier to spread to every corner and promoting heat exchange.

[0015] In still another aspect of the power supply device according to the present disclosure, in any of the above aspects, a first duct is formed within the power supply case, the first duct being interposed between the intake port and the inlet side of each cooling air path and extending in the first direction along the inner surface of the first side surface so as to communicate therewith, and a second duct being interposed between the exhaust port and the outlet side of each cooling air path and extending in the first direction along the inner surface of the second side surface so as to communicate therewith, the thickness of the first duct and the second duct being thinner than the thickness of the cooling air path. With the above configuration, it is possible to ensure the flow rate of cooling air supplied to each cooling air path while communicating cooling air from the intake port to each cooling air path and from each cooling air path to the exhaust port via the first duct and second duct, each of which has a limited area.

[0016] In a power supply device according to still another aspect of the present disclosure, in any of the above aspects, the intake or exhaust port is opened so as not to overlap with any of the cooling air paths when viewed from the front of the first side surface or the second side surface. This configuration makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the intake or exhaust port is connected in a straight line to any of the cooling air paths, causing cooling air to flow in a straight line, resulting in a reduction in the flow rate to other cooling air paths.

[0017] In addition, in a power supply device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, in any of the above aspects, the cooling air path is isolated from the battery block within the power supply case. With this configuration, even if foreign matter such as dust or water droplets enters the power supply case through the air intake or exhaust port, by physically isolating the cooling air path from the battery block, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from adhering to the battery block and causing an unintended short circuit or the like.

[0018] In addition, the power supply device according to another aspect of the present disclosure is any of the above-described aspects, further comprising a filter provided in either or both of the exhaust port and the exhaust port, which allows cooling air to pass through while preventing foreign matter from entering the power supply case. This configuration makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the power supply case through the exhaust port, the intake port, etc.

[0019] In addition, the power supply device according to another aspect of the present disclosure is any of the above-described aspects, further including a cooling fan provided at the exhaust port for forcibly blowing cooling air from the intake port into the cooling air path. With the above configuration, cooling air can be forcibly circulated through the cooling air path, thereby achieving air cooling.

[0020] Furthermore, the power supply device according to another aspect of the present disclosure is any of the above-described aspects, further including a spacer provided on the second side surface, and the cooling fan is provided on the spacer.

[0021] In addition, in the power supply device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, in any of the above aspects, the intake port and the exhaust port each have a plurality of openings. With this configuration, more cooling air can be supplied into the power supply case, thereby increasing the cooling capacity.

[0022] In addition, in a power supply device according to another aspect of the present disclosure, in any of the above aspects, the number of intake ports and the number of exhaust ports are the same. With this configuration, the flow rate of cooling air taken into the power supply case can be matched with the flow rate of cooling air discharged, thereby promoting effective heat exchange.

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples for embodying the technical concepts of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the following. Furthermore, this specification does not in any way specify the components set forth in the claims to be those of the embodiments. The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, and are merely illustrative examples, unless otherwise specified. The size and positional relationships of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity. Furthermore, in the following description, the same names and symbols indicate components that are identical or of the same quality, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements constituting the present disclosure may be configured with the same components, such that multiple elements are served by a single component, or conversely, the functions of a single component may be shared by multiple components.

[0024] The power supply device of the present disclosure can be used as a stationary power supply device, for example, a backup power supply for a data center, a power storage device for storing power obtained from solar power generation or the like for home, business, or factory use, or a power supply for daytime peak cutting, etc. Hereinafter, as one embodiment of the present disclosure, a power supply device used as a power supply capable of storing power in a home will be described. [Embodiment 1]

[0025] A power supply device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1 to 8. In these figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the power supply device 100 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply device 100 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a further exploded perspective view of the power supply device 100 of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a front view of the power supply device 100 of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing how cooling air flows through the power supply device 100 of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a battery block 50. The power supply device 100 shown in these figures includes a power supply case 10, a plurality of battery blocks 50 housed within the power supply case 10, and a cooling fan 90. (Power Supply Case 10)

[0026] The power supply case 10 is a member for housing multiple battery blocks 50 and constitutes the exterior of the power supply device 100. This power supply case 10 is composed of a case body 13 with a box-like exterior. The case body 13 is formed in the shape of a shelf for housing the battery blocks 50 therein, and is open on both the left and right sides. A first open surface 11 of the case body 13 is closed by a first side surface 20. Furthermore, a second open surface 12 opposite the first open surface 11 is closed by a second side surface 30. (First side surface 20, second side surface 30)

[0027] In the examples of Figures 1 to 4, etc., the left side of the case body 13 is the first side surface 20, and the right side is the second side surface 30. These first side surface 20 and second side surface 30 each extend in a first direction, which is the vertical direction in the example of Figure 1, etc. The first side surface 20 and the second side surface 30 are opposed to each other and spaced apart in parallel. A plurality of battery blocks 50 are stacked in multiple stages along the first direction between the pair of opposed surfaces, the first side surface 20 and the second side surface 30.

[0028] The case body 13 also has a front plate 14 on the front side and a back plate 15 on the back side. These components are fixed by screwing or the like. Such a power supply case 10 is preferably made of metal such as sheet metal, which has excellent heat dissipation properties and strength. In the example of Figure 3, the first side surface 20 and second side surface 30 of the case body 13 are separate components, but they may also be integrated with the case body. (Air intake vent 21, exhaust vent 31)

[0029] The power supply case 10 also has an intake port 21 formed at the middle of the first side surface 20 in the first direction. The power supply case 10 also has an exhaust port 31 formed at the middle of the second side surface 30 in the first direction. (First duct 22, second duct 32)

[0030] A first duct 22 extending in the first direction is provided on the inner surface of the first side surface 20. The air intake port 21 opens in the middle of the first duct 22. The first duct 22 is provided in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 5 , and is connected to the inlet side of each cooling air passage 16.

[0031] Additionally, a second duct 32 extending in the first direction is provided on the inner surface of the second side surface 30. An exhaust port 31 opens in the middle of the second duct 32. The second duct 32 is provided in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 5 and communicates with the outlet side of each cooling air passage 16. (Battery block 50)

[0032] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, each battery block 50 includes a plurality of secondary battery cells 1. When the plurality of battery blocks 50 are stacked vertically, a cooling air passage 16 is formed between adjacent battery blocks 50 in the vertical direction. (Cooling fan 90)

[0033] The cooling fan 90 takes in cooling air through the intake port 21, forcibly blows it into each cooling air path 16, and discharges it through the exhaust port 31. In the example of FIG. 5, the cooling fan 90 is provided on the exhaust port 31 side. However, the cooling fan may also be provided on the intake port side. Also, multiple cooling fans may be provided. (Cooling air path 16)

[0034] Multiple cooling air paths 16 are provided inside the power supply case 10 along a first direction. One end of each cooling air path 16 is connected to an intake port 21 and the other end is connected to an exhaust port 31 via a first duct 22 and a second duct 32, respectively. As shown in FIG. 6 , multiple path lengths 40 from the intake port 21 to the exhaust port 31 via each cooling air path 16 are not consistent. By intentionally varying the path lengths 40 of the multiple cooling air paths 16 in this way, it is possible to reduce temperature differences among the battery blocks 50 inside the power supply case 10. (Comparative Example 1)

[0035] In a battery case in which multiple battery blocks containing multiple secondary battery cells are stacked, heat tends to build up, particularly in the middle battery blocks, making them difficult to cool. Therefore, cooling air paths are provided between the battery blocks, and cooling is achieved by flowing cooling air through these paths through heat exchange. In this case, it has traditionally been thought that equalizing the lengths of multiple paths from the intake port through each cooling air path to the exhaust port would equalize the pressure loss and resistance of the cooling air, thereby homogenizing the flow rate and speed of the cooling air. Typically, as in the power supply device 900 according to Comparative Example 1 shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 9 , the intake port 921 is located on the lower side and the exhaust port 931 is located on the upper side, and multiple path lengths 941, 942, 943, and 944 from the intake port 921 through each cooling air path 916 to the exhaust port 931 are designed to be equal.

[0036] However, tests conducted by the inventors of the present application have revealed that variations in the flow rate and flow velocity flowing into each cooling air path 916 can occur depending on the shape of the branching point of the cooling air path 916. This is thought to be because, in a configuration in which cooling air taken in through the intake port 921 is first bent vertically in the first duct 922 and then branched horizontally midway through its vertical path and supplied to the cooling air paths 916 as shown in Figure 9, the cooling air moving vertically is difficult to bend midway due to inertia, and as a result, the cooling air concentrates in the terminal cooling air path 916, i.e., the uppermost cooling air path 916 in Figure 9, resulting in a relatively higher flow rate than the intermediate cooling air paths 916 and causing uneven flow. For this reason, in order to reduce the difference in flow velocity, it was necessary to adjust the flow rate to be uniform by, for example, providing an air guide plate at the branching point to the cooling air path 916 or adjusting the cross-sectional area or cross-sectional shape of each cooling air path 916. This method requires adding an air guide plate or modifying the cooling air passage 916, which is time-consuming and results in a complicated configuration.

[0037] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 , the intake port 21 is located at the middle of the first side surface 20, and the exhaust port 31 is located at the middle of the second side surface 30. By adopting this arrangement, as shown in FIG. 6 , the path lengths 40 of the multiple cooling air channels 16 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the battery block 50 (the horizontal direction in the figure) are intentionally misaligned. In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 , the path lengths 40 of the multiple cooling air channels 16 arranged along the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction in the figure) of the battery block 50 are, from top to bottom, the first path length 41, the second path length 42, the third path length 43, and the fourth path length 44. The second path length 42 and the third path length 43 are shorter than the first path length 41 and the fourth path length 44. Despite these differences in path lengths 40, this embodiment can suppress unevenness in flow rate and flow velocity compared to Comparative Example 1. The second path length 42 and the third path length 43 are close to the intake port 21, which is located at the middle of the first side surface 20, and therefore the inflow volume increases. As a result, the dispersion of the cooling air that had been concentrated in the cooling air paths 16 at the ends (top and bottom in the figure) is suppressed, and the cooling air is made uniform, thereby contributing to improving the quality of the entire power supply unit by making the cooling performance uniform. In particular, without taking the time and effort of adding air guide plates or adjusting the cross-sectional area and cross-sectional shape of each cooling air path 16, simply adjusting the positions of the intake port 21 and exhaust port 31 while maintaining the structure of the cooling air path 16 provides the excellent effect of making the distribution of cooling air uniform and achieving uniform cooling performance while reducing costs by standardizing components and reducing the number of parts.

[0038] Furthermore, by increasing the flow rate of cooling air to improve the cooling performance of the inner battery blocks 50, which are normally prone to trapping heat and becoming hotter than the outer battery blocks 50, and by lengthening the cooling air paths 16 to relatively reduce the cooling capacity of the battery blocks 50 that are closer to the outer surface and are more likely to be cooled, it is possible to reduce the temperature difference between the battery blocks 50 within the power supply case 10, suppress variations in deterioration depending on the position of the battery blocks 50, and achieve uniformity (simulation test).

[0039] To verify the effectiveness of this embodiment, the results of a simulation test are shown. As shown in FIGS. 10A-10C, power supplies were constructed with four battery blocks 50 stacked in a battery case, forming four cooling air channels 16. The power supply units were configured with different positions for the intake and exhaust ports 21 and 31. Figure 11 shows the simulation results of measuring the cooling air flow velocity for each cooling air channel 16 position in each of the examples: Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2. In this figure, the horizontal axis indicates the position of the cooling air channels 16, numbered (1) through (4) from top to bottom, corresponding to FIG. 10A. As shown in this figure, the power supply units of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 exhibited significant differences in cooling air flow velocity for each cooling air channel 16, whereas the power supply unit of Example 1 demonstrated minimal flow velocity differences. This resulted in uniform cooling performance, improved charge / discharge performance, and a longer battery life.

[0040] 5 and 6, no cooling air path is provided between the bottom battery block 50 and the power supply case 10. However, it goes without saying that a cooling air path may be provided in this area.

[0041] Furthermore, "not matching the multiple path lengths 40" does not mean that all of the multiple path lengths 40 are different values, but rather that not all of the path lengths 40 are a common length, and does not exclude some of the path lengths 40 being the same. For example, in the examples of Figures 5 and 6, the second path length 42 and the third path length 43 are made approximately equal, and the first path length 41 and the fourth path length 44 are also made approximately equal. In this way, it is preferable to design the path lengths 40 to be approximately symmetrical with respect to a line intersecting the stacking direction of the battery blocks 50.

[0042] It is preferable that the intake port 21 opens in the central region of the first side surface 20. It is also preferable that the exhaust port 31 opens in the central region of the second side surface 30. By arranging them in this way, the intake port 21 and the exhaust port 31 are spaced apart to a certain extent from the installation surface, making it difficult for foreign matter such as dust and water to enter, and ensuring the safety of the power supply device. In particular, because the intake port 21 side is configured to draw in cooling air from the outside using the cooling fan 90, it is easy for foreign matter and water to be sucked into the intake port 21, but this arrangement avoids such problems.

[0043] Furthermore, in a power supply device in which battery blocks 50 are stacked vertically, compared to the conventional configuration in which the intake port 921 is located on the bottom and the exhaust port 931 is located on the top, as shown in Figure 9, and the path lengths 40 of each cooling air path 916 located between battery blocks 50 are made the same, by branching the cooling air taken in from the intake port 21 located in the central region in the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent uneven flow rates and contribute to reducing temperature differences between battery blocks 50.

[0044] Here, the central region does not have to be the center of the first side surface 20 or the second side surface 30; it is sufficient if it is near the center. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first height h1 at which the intake port 21 is provided on the first side surface 20 is equal to the second height h2 at which the exhaust port 31 is provided on the second side surface 30. However, it is not necessarily necessary for the first height h1 and the second height h2 to be equal. The positions of the intake port 21 and the exhaust port 31 can be adjusted depending on the number of stages of the battery block 50, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling air path 16, etc.

[0045] It is also preferable that the thickness of the first duct 22 and the second duct 32 be thinner than the thickness of the cooling air passage 16. This makes it possible to ensure the flow rate of cooling air supplied to each cooling air passage 16 while communicating the cooling air from the intake port 21 to each cooling air passage 16 and from each cooling air passage 16 to the exhaust port 31 via the first duct 22 and the second duct 32, which have limited areas.

[0046] It is also preferable to isolate the cooling air path 16 from the battery blocks 50 within the power supply case 10. This prevents foreign matter such as dust or water droplets from entering the power supply case 10 through the intake port 21 or exhaust port 31 by physically isolating the cooling air path 16 from the battery blocks 50, thereby preventing the foreign matter from adhering to the battery blocks 50 and causing an unintended short circuit or the like (first partition plate 61).

[0047] 3 and 7 , a first partition plate 61 is interposed on the back side of the first side surface 20, i.e., between the first side surface 20 and the battery block 50. The first partition plate 61 has first slits 61a opened at positions that communicate with each cooling air path 16. This allows air to properly branch from the vertically extending first duct 22 to the horizontally extending cooling air paths 16 on the back side of the first side surface 20, supplying cooling air to the required locations.

[0048] It also achieves a configuration that isolates the cooling air path 16 from the battery block 50. That is, while there is a possibility that foreign matter may enter the power supply case 10 as a result of communication with the outside through the air intake 21, by guiding the foreign matter only to the cooling air path 16 and preventing it from entering other areas using the first partition plate 61, it is possible to avoid the risk of foreign matter coming into contact with the electrodes of the secondary battery cells 1 or electronic components and causing an unintended short circuit (second partition plate 62).

[0049] Similarly, a second partition plate 62 is interposed on the back side of the second side surface 30, i.e., between the second side surface 30 and the battery block 50. The second partition plate 62 also has second slits 62a opened at positions that allow communication with each cooling air path 16. This allows each horizontally extending cooling air path 16 to communicate with the second duct 32 that extends vertically on the back side of the second side surface 30, allowing cooling air to be discharged through the exhaust port 31. Similarly, the possibility of foreign matter entering the power supply case 10 through the exhaust port 31 is reduced by defining it with the second partition plate 62, thereby achieving a configuration that isolates the cooling air path 16 from the battery block 50.

[0050] Furthermore, it is preferable that the intake port 21 and the exhaust port 31 are opened so as not to overlap with any of the cooling air paths 16 when viewed from the front of the first side surface 20 or the second side surface 30. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the intake port 21 or the exhaust port 31 is connected in a straight line to any of the cooling air paths 16, causing the cooling air to flow in a straight line, resulting in a reduction in the flow rate to other cooling air paths 16.

[0051] In the example shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 7, each first slit 61a is positioned so as not to overlap with the intake port 21, i.e., at least partially offset. This allows the cooling air taken in from the intake port 21 to be temporarily guided to the first duct 22, thereby preventing the cooling air from flowing directly into the cooling air path 16 and avoiding concentration of the cooling air (spacer 70).

[0052] The power supply device 100 may also be provided with spacers 70 on the first side surface 20 and the second side surface 30. Adding the spacers 70 makes it easier to add components such as a cooling fan 90. In the example shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the spacers 70 are provided on both the first side surface 20 and the second side surface 30. The cooling fan 90 is also provided on the spacer 70 on the second side surface 30 side. This configuration is not limiting, and the spacer 70 on the first side surface 20 side may be omitted. (Filter 80)

[0053] Furthermore, the power supply unit 100 may be provided with a filter 80 at the exhaust port 31 or the intake port 21. The filter 80 is a component that allows cooling air to pass through while preventing the intrusion of foreign matter. This prevents foreign matter from entering the power supply case 10 through the exhaust port 31 or the intake port 21. A configuration in which the filter 80 is provided at the exhaust port 31 is particularly effective, and preferably, filters 80 may be provided at both the exhaust port 31 and the intake port 21. This configuration prevents dust from accumulating in the isolated flow paths.

[0054] The filter 80 can be provided on the spacer 70. This makes it easy to attach and detach the filter 80 outside the power supply case 10, making it easy to replace the filter 80.

[0055] 5, a filter 80 is placed over the cooling fan 90 on the exhaust port 31 side. This protects the cooling fan 90 and prevents contact with the rotating cooling fan 90, improving safety. (Details of the battery block 50)

[0056] As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 8 , each battery block 50 includes a block plate 51 , a battery holder 54 , rechargeable battery cells 1 , lead plates 55 , and a circuit board 56 .

[0057] This battery block 50 may have a waterproof or dustproof structure. This allows for the provision of openings for external cooling air intake while protecting the rechargeable battery cells 1 and electronic components from unintended intrusion of foreign objects or liquids. The exterior of this battery block 50 is covered with a block plate 51 with excellent thermal conductivity, providing waterproofing and dustproofing, while thermally coupling heat-generating components such as the rechargeable battery cells 1 to the block plate 51. Cooling air is then passed over the surface of the block plate 51, allowing the heat-generating components to be cooled through heat exchange. The block plate 51 in FIG. 8 is divided into a top plate 52 and a bottom plate 53. However, the block plate is not limited to this configuration and may be formed, for example, in a box shape. (Rechargeable Battery Cell 1)

[0058] Each secondary battery cell 1 can be a cylindrical or rectangular secondary battery cell. In the example shown in Fig. 8, cylindrical secondary battery cells 1 are arranged vertically. By arranging the secondary battery cells 1 vertically, the cell end faces of each secondary battery cell 1 can be easily thermally coupled to the block plate 51, enabling the multiple secondary battery cells 1 to exhibit uniform cooling capacity.

[0059] The number and arrangement of the secondary battery cells 1 are not limited to this example, and any number and arrangement can be adopted as appropriate. Each secondary battery cell 1 has a positive and negative electrode. The positive and negative electrodes are preferably provided on one cell end face of the secondary battery cell 1. The secondary battery cells 1 are lithium-ion secondary batteries. A battery block 50 in which the secondary battery cells 1 are lithium-ion secondary batteries can increase the output per volume and weight. However, instead of lithium-ion batteries, known secondary batteries such as lithium polymer batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-cadmium batteries can also be used as the secondary battery cells. (Battery holder 54)

[0060] The battery holder 54 is a component for holding multiple rechargeable battery cells 1. This battery holder 54 is divided into multiple sub-holders 54a and 54b, which sandwich the rechargeable battery cells 1. In the example shown in FIG. 8 , the battery holder 54 holds multiple cylindrical rechargeable battery cells 1 in a vertical orientation. The multiple rechargeable battery cells 1 are connected in series or parallel via lead plates 55 or the like. The number of series or parallel connections can be set as desired according to the required specifications. The battery block 50 may also be composed of multiple sub-blocks, with each sub-block housing multiple rechargeable battery cells 1. The battery holder 54 may also include a mechanism for holding or positioning the lead plates 55. Such a battery holder 54 is made of a material with excellent insulating and heat-resistant properties, such as a resin such as polycarbonate or ABS. (Circuit Board 56)

[0061] As shown in Figure 8 and other figures, the battery block 50 is connected to a circuit board 56 via lead plates 55. The circuit board 56 is equipped with a charge / discharge circuit that charges and discharges the secondary battery cells 1, and a protection circuit that monitors the voltage and temperature of the secondary battery cells 1 and cuts off the current in the event of an abnormality. The circuit board 56 is made of a glass epoxy board or the like. A board holder for holding such a circuit board 56 may also be provided. [Embodiments 2 to 7]

[0062] In the above example, an example in which the battery blocks 50 are stacked in four layers has been described. However, in the present disclosure, the number of battery blocks 50 is not limited to four, and any number of layers can be used. As examples in which the number of battery blocks 50 is different, the cross-sectional views of power supply devices 200 to 700 according to embodiments 2 to 7 are shown in FIGS. 12 to 17. In these figures, FIG. 12 shows an example in which the battery blocks 50 are stacked in five layers, FIG. 13 shows an example in which the battery blocks 50 are stacked in six layers, FIG. 14 shows an example in which the battery blocks 50 are stacked in seven layers, FIG. 15 shows an example in which the battery blocks 50 are stacked in eight layers, FIG. 16 shows an example in which the battery blocks 50 are stacked in nine layers, and FIG. 17 shows an example in which the battery blocks 50 are stacked in ten layers.

[0063] As described above, the first height h1 at which the air intake ports 21 are provided on the first side surface 20 and the second height h2 at which the air exhaust ports 31 are provided on the second side surface 30 do not necessarily need to be equal, and may be different depending on the number of battery block 50 stages, the height of the cooling air passage 16, the widths of the first duct 22 and the second duct 32, etc. Preferably, as shown in Figure 12, the first height h1 on the air intake port 21 side is lower than the second height h2 on the air exhaust port 31 side. This makes it easier for cooling air to be forcibly blown against gravity and to reach every corner, promoting heat exchange.

[0064] It is also possible to provide multiple intake ports 21 and exhaust ports 31. In the examples of Figures 13 to 15 and 17, two intake ports 21 and two exhaust layers are provided. In the example of Figure 16, three intake ports 21 and three exhaust layers are provided. In this way, when the number of battery blocks 50 is large, opening multiple intake ports 21 and exhaust ports 31 allows more cooling air to be supplied into the power supply case 10, increasing cooling capacity and enabling it to handle higher heat generation.

[0065] Furthermore, when multiple intake ports 21 and exhaust ports 31 are opened in this manner, it is preferable to match the number of intake ports 21 and exhaust ports 31. This allows the flow rate of cooling air taken into the power supply case 10 to match the flow rate of cooling air discharged, promoting effective heat exchange. It is also preferable to space the multiple intake ports 21 and exhaust ports 31 at approximately equal intervals. This allows the first side surface 20 and the second side surface 30 to exhibit a balanced intake capacity and exhaust capacity.

[0066] Furthermore, even when multiple intake ports 21 and exhaust ports 31 are opened, it is preferable that the heights of the corresponding intake ports 21 and exhaust ports 31 be such that the first height h1 on the intake port 21 side is lower than the second height h2 on the exhaust port 31 side.

[0067] The power supply device according to the present disclosure can be suitably used as a stationary power storage device, for example, a power supply device for home use, business use, or factory use, or as a backup power supply for a data center.

[0068] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700... Power supply device 1... Secondary battery cell 10... Power supply case 11... First open surface 12... Second open surface 13... Case body 14... Front plate 15... Back plate 16... Cooling air path 20... First side surface 21... Air intake port 22... First duct 30... Second side surface 31... Air exhaust port 32... Second duct 40... Path length 41... First path length 42... Second path length 43... Third path length 44... Fourth path length 50... Battery block 51... Block plate 52... Top plate 53... Bottom plate 54... Battery holder; 54a, 54b... Sub-holder 55... Lead plate 56... Circuit board 61... First partition plate; 61a... First slit 62... Second partition plate; 62a... Second slit 70: Spacer 80: Filter 90: Cooling fan 900: Power supply unit 916: Cooling air path 921: Air intake port 922: First duct 931: Exhaust port 941: Path length 942: Path length 943: Path length 944: Path length h1: First height h2: Second height

Claims

a plurality of battery blocks each including a plurality of secondary battery cells; a power supply case including a first side surface extending in a first direction and a second side surface facing and spaced apart from the first side surface, the power supply case stacking the plurality of battery blocks in multiple stages along the first direction between the first side surface and the second side surface and storing the battery blocks in a state in which a cooling air path is formed between adjacent battery blocks; A power supply device comprising: The power supply case includes: an air intake port is formed at a middle of the first side surface in the first direction; an exhaust port is formed at a middle of the second side surface in the first direction, a plurality of cooling air passages are provided inside the power supply case along the first direction, one end of each cooling air passage being connected to the intake port and the other end being connected to the exhaust port; A power supply device having a plurality of path lengths that are generally non-uniform from the intake port through each cooling air path to the exhaust port.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1, The air intake port is opened in a central region of the first side surface, The power supply device has the exhaust port opening in a central region of the first side surface.

3. The power supply device according to claim 2, The power supply device, wherein the first direction is a vertical direction.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1, a first height at which the air intake port is provided on the first side surface; a second height at which the exhaust port is provided on the second side surface, the second height being equal to the second height at which the exhaust port is provided on the second side surface.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1, a first height at which the air intake port is provided on the first side surface, The power supply device is lower than a second height at which the exhaust port is provided on the second side surface. 　 The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Within the power supply case, a first duct interposed between the intake port and an inlet side of each cooling air passage and extending in the first direction along an inner surface of the first side surface so as to communicate with the intake port and an inlet side of each cooling air passage; a second duct is interposed between the exhaust port and an outlet side of each cooling air passage and extends in the first direction along the inner surface of the second side surface so as to communicate with the exhaust port and the outlet side of each cooling air passage, a power supply device in which the thickness of the first duct and the second duct are each thinner than the thickness of the cooling air passage; 　 The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The power supply device wherein the intake or exhaust port is opened so as not to overlap with any of the cooling air paths when viewed from the front of the first side surface or the second side surface. 　 The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A power supply device in which the cooling air path is isolated from the battery block within the power supply case. 　 The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: The power supply device further comprises a filter provided in either or both of the exhaust port and the exhaust port, the filter allowing cooling air to pass through while preventing foreign matter from entering. 　 The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a cooling fan provided at the exhaust port for forcibly blowing cooling air from the intake port to the cooling air path; 　 11. The power supply device according to claim 10, further comprising: a spacer provided on the second side surface, The power supply device has the cooling fan mounted on the spacer. 　 The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The power supply device has a plurality of intake ports and a plurality of exhaust ports.

13. The power supply device of claim 12, The power supply device has the same number of intake ports and exhaust ports.

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