JP7633851B2 - Energy storage element unit, building and housing for the energy storage element unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a storage element unit, a building, and a housing for the storage element unit.

For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a storage element unit is known that has a housing and a plurality of storage element modules housed within the housing. The housing of the storage element unit has an opening through which the storage element modules are inserted and removed. The storage element unit may be installed in a narrow space within a building. For this reason, it is desirable to miniaturize the housing of the storage element module. However, if the opening of the housing becomes narrow, there is a risk that the efficiency of the work of inserting the storage element module into the housing and removing it from the housing will decrease.

JP 2019-9033 A

The present invention has been made with these points in mind, and aims to provide an energy storage element unit, a building, and a housing for an energy storage element unit that can improve the work efficiency of inserting an energy storage element module into a housing and removing it from the housing while preventing the housing from becoming too large.

The energy storage element unit according to the present invention includes a housing and a plurality of energy storage element modules housed in the housing, the plurality of energy storage element modules are housed stacked in a first direction in the housing, the energy storage element modules have a short side direction along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a long side direction along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, the housing has a bottom supporting the energy storage element module from one side in the first direction, a side wall rising from the bottom to the other side in the first direction, and an opening that opens to the other side in the first direction and through which the energy storage element module is inserted and removed, the dimension of the opening in the second direction is 1.1 to 2.2 times the dimension of the energy storage element module in the short side direction, and the dimension of the opening in the third direction is 1.1 to 1.3 times the dimension of the energy storage element module in the long side direction.

In the energy storage element unit of the present invention, the dimension of the opening in the second direction may be greater than or equal to 2 times and less than or equal to 2.2 times the dimension of the energy storage element module in the short side direction.

In the energy storage element unit of the present invention, the dimension of the opening in the second direction may be greater than or equal to 2 times and less than or equal to 2.1 times the dimension of the energy storage element module in the short side direction.

In the energy storage element unit according to the present invention, the dimension of the opening in the third direction may be 1.1 times or more and 1.2 times or less than the longitudinal dimension of the energy storage element module.

In the energy storage element unit according to the present invention, the multiple energy storage element modules may include a first energy storage element module group in which the energy storage element modules are stacked in the first direction, and a second energy storage element module group in which the energy storage element modules are stacked in the first direction at a position adjacent to the first energy storage element module group in the second direction.

In the energy storage element unit according to the present invention, the dimension of the opening in the second direction may be 1.1 times or more and 1.5 times or less than the dimension of the energy storage element module in the short side direction.

In the energy storage element unit according to the present invention, the energy storage element module may have a cable extending from one side surface in the third direction.

In the energy storage element unit according to the present invention, the housing may have a protrusion portion that protrudes from the side wall portion into the housing, extends along the first direction, and contacts the energy storage element module housed in the housing.

The energy storage element unit according to the present invention may further include a lid that covers the opening.

The building according to the present invention is equipped with the above-mentioned energy storage element unit.

The housing for the energy storage element unit according to the present invention is a housing for the energy storage element unit that houses a plurality of energy storage element modules, the plurality of energy storage element modules are stacked and housed in the housing in a first direction, the energy storage element modules have a short side direction along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a long side direction along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the housing for the energy storage element unit includes a bottom that supports the energy storage element module from one side in the first direction, a side wall portion that rises from the bottom to the other side in the first direction, and an opening that opens to the other side in the first direction and through which the energy storage element module is inserted and removed, the dimension of the opening in the second direction is 1.1 to 2.2 times the dimension of the energy storage element module in the short side direction, and the dimension of the opening in the third direction is 1.1 to 1.3 times the dimension of the energy storage element module in the long side direction.

The present invention makes it possible to improve the efficiency of inserting and removing an energy storage element module into and from a housing while preventing the housing from becoming too large.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an energy storage element module according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where an exterior panel is removed from FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the cover is removed from FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a plurality of energy storage element modules included in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one energy storage element module included in FIG. FIG. 6 is a top view of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a plurality of cells included in FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one cell included in FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the control module included in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the housing shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining the protrusion portion shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a top view of FIG. FIG. 13 is a top view showing a state in which a second energy storage element module group is arranged in the housing of FIG. FIG. 14 is a top view showing a state in which the first energy storage element module group and the second energy storage element module group are arranged in the housing of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings attached to this specification, the scale and aspect ratios have been appropriately altered and exaggerated from those of the actual objects for the convenience of illustration and ease of understanding.

Figures 1 to 14 are diagrams for explaining an energy storage element unit and a housing for the energy storage element unit according to an embodiment. The energy storage element unit 1 is used as a secondary battery unit that can be charged and discharged. The illustrated energy storage element unit 1 is installed in a building such as a house or facility, and is electrically connected to the wiring of the building to function as a power source for electrical devices installed within the building.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the energy storage element unit 1 has an exterior panel 10, a housing 20, a cover body 30, multiple energy storage element modules 40, and a control module 60.

As shown in FIG. 1, the exterior panel 10 is a part exposed to the outside as an exterior body of the energy storage element unit 1. The exterior panel 10 is configured in a plate shape. The exterior panel 10 includes a front panel 11, a right side panel 12, a left side panel 13, a rear panel 14, and a top panel 15. The front panel 11, the right side panel 12, the left side panel 13, and the rear panel 14 are each attached to a side frame 24s of the housing 20 described later. The front panel 11, the right side panel 12, the left side panel 13, and the rear panel 14 may be attached by fitting a claw provided on the inner surface of each panel 11, 12, 13, and 14 into a hole provided in the side frame 24s. The top panel 15 is attached to a lid body 30 described later. The top panel 15 may be attached to the lid body 30 by bolt fastening. The exterior panel 10 is made of, for example, a resin material. The exterior panel 10 may display the product name, serial number, manufacturer name, etc.

2 and 3, the housing 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Hereinafter, the height direction of the housing 20 is referred to as the Z direction (first direction), the longitudinal direction of the housing 20 in a plan view (when viewed in the Z direction) is referred to as the X direction (second direction), and the lateral direction of the housing 20 in a plan view is referred to as the Y direction (third direction). Here, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are mutually orthogonal. The housing 20 is configured to accommodate a plurality of storage element modules 40 and a control module 60. The housing 20 has an opening 23, through which the storage element modules 40 and the control module 60 are inserted and removed. The housing 20 is made of, for example, a metal material. A detailed description of the housing 20 will be given later.

2, the lid body 30 is configured to cover the opening 23 of the housing 20. The lid body 30 is formed in a plate shape. The lid body 30 has a rectangular shape in a plan view (when viewed in the Z direction). The lid body 30 is attached to an upper frame 24t of the housing 20 described later. The lid body 30 may be attached to the upper frame 24t by bolt fastening. The lid body 30 is attached after the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 60 are inserted into the housing 20 and removed from the housing 20. After the lid body 30 is attached to the upper frame 24t of the housing 20, the top panel 15 is attached to the lid body 30. The lid body 30 is made of, for example, a metal material.

As shown in FIG. 3, the multiple energy storage element modules 40 are housed in the housing 20. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the multiple energy storage element modules 40 are housed stacked in the Z direction in the housing 20. The multiple energy storage element modules 40 form an energy storage element module group 41, which includes a first energy storage element module group 41a and a second energy storage element module group 41b in which multiple energy storage element modules 40 are stacked in the Z direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first energy storage element module group 41a and the second energy storage element module group 41b are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The second energy storage element module group 41b is arranged in a position adjacent to the first energy storage element module group 41a on one side in the Y direction (the far right side in FIG. 4). That is, the first energy storage element module group 41a and the second energy storage element module group 41b are arranged adjacent to each other in the Y direction, and the first energy storage element module group 41a is arranged on the other side in the Y direction within the housing 20 (the front left side in FIG. 4), and the second energy storage element module group 41b is arranged on one side in the Y direction within the housing 20 (the far right side in FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 4, the number of storage element modules 40 constituting the first storage element module group 41a and the number of storage element modules 40 constituting the second storage element module group 41b may be different from each other. For example, the number of storage element modules 40 constituting the second storage element module group 41b may be greater than the number of storage element modules 40 constituting the first storage element module group 41a. In the illustrated example, the first storage element module group 41a is composed of three storage element modules 40, and the second storage element module group 41b is composed of four storage element modules 40. The storage element modules 40 may have the same configuration as each other. Note that in FIG. 4, the cable 49 described later is omitted.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the energy storage element module 40 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The energy storage element module 40 has a longitudinal direction along the X direction, a lateral direction along the Y direction, and a height direction along the Z direction. The energy storage element module 40 also includes a housing 42 and a plurality of cells 50 housed within the housing 42.

The container 42 is configured to accommodate a plurality of cells 50 (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 5, the container 42 has a bottom surface 44 provided on one side in the Z direction (lower side in FIG. 5), four side surfaces 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d rising from the bottom surface 44 to the other side in the Z direction (upper side in FIG. 5), and a top surface 46 provided on the other side in the Z direction. The bottom surface 44 supports the cell 50 from one side in the Z direction. The side surface 45a is provided on one side in the X direction (right front side in FIG. 5). The side surface 45b is provided on the other side in the X direction (left rear side in FIG. 5). The side surface 45c is provided on one side in the Y direction (right rear side in FIG. 5). The side surface 45d is provided on the other side in the X direction (left front side in FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 5, the side surfaces 45c and 45d may have a plurality of ribs formed thereon. The bottom surface 44, side surfaces 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d, and top surface 46 surround a plurality of cells 50.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, side surfaces 45c and 45d have multiple protrusions 47 provided on the upper surface 46 side. The protrusions 47 protrude further in the Z direction than the upper surface 46 (upward in Fig. 5). Each protrusion 47 may be disposed at a predetermined interval in the X direction. In the illustrated example, four protrusions 47 are provided on each of side surfaces 45c and 45d.

As shown in FIG. 5, the side surfaces 45c and 45d have a plurality of engagement portions 48 provided on the bottom surface 44 side. The engagement portions 48 are recessed toward the other side in the Z direction (the upper side in FIG. 5). The engagement portions 48 may be arranged at a predetermined interval in the X direction. In a plan view, the engagement portions 48 may be provided at the same position as the corresponding protrusions 47. In the illustrated example, four engagement portions 48 are provided on the side surfaces 45c and 45d, respectively, to correspond to the four protrusions 47.

When multiple energy storage element modules 40 are stacked in the Z direction, each protrusion 47 of one energy storage element module 40 fits into the corresponding engagement portion 48 of another energy storage element module 40 adjacent to that one energy storage element module 40 in the Z direction. This makes it possible to restrict relative movement of adjacent energy storage element modules 40 in the X and Y directions. Therefore, each energy storage element module 40 can be stacked stably in the Z direction.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the energy storage element module 40 has a cable 49 extending from one side surface 45a in the X direction. One end of the cable 49 is electrically connected to a tab 53 of each cell 50, which will be described later, and the other end of the cable 49 is electrically connected to a connection portion 64 of the control module 60, which will be described later. This electrically connects the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 60 via the cable 49.

The longitudinal dimension Dx of the energy storage element module 40 shown in FIG. 6 may be 400 mm or more and 800 mm or less. Here, the longitudinal dimension Dx of the energy storage element module 40 means the dimension between the side surface 45a and the side surface 45b of the housing 42 in the X direction. The lateral dimension Dy of the energy storage element module 40 shown in FIG. 6 may be 150 mm or more and 350 mm or less. Here, the lateral dimension Dy of the energy storage element module 40 means the dimension between the side surface 45c and the side surface 45d of the housing 42 in the Y direction. In addition, the height dimension of the energy storage element module 40 may be 50 mm or more and 150 mm or less. Here, the height dimension of the energy storage element module 40 means the dimension between the bottom surface 44 and the top surface 46 of the housing 42 in the Z direction.

The multiple cells 50 are housed in the housing 42. The cell 50 is the smallest unit that can be used as a storage element. The cells 50 can be of various types, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery.

As shown in FIG. 7, the multiple cells 50 are stacked in the stacking direction. In the illustrated example, the stacking direction of the cells 50 is the Z direction. The cells 50 may have the same configuration as each other. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the cell 50 has a flat shape. The cell 50 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The cell 50 has a longitudinal direction along the X direction and a lateral direction along the Y direction.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the cell 50 has a plurality of electrode plates 51, an exterior body 52 that houses the plurality of electrode plates 51, and a pair of tabs 53 provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction. Here, the plurality of electrode plates 51 include a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate. The plurality of electrode plates 51 may also include a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates stacked alternately in the stacking direction.

As shown in FIG. 8, the exterior body 52 has a first exterior material 52A and a second exterior material 52B facing the first exterior material 52A. The second exterior material 52B is formed in a flat plate shape. On the other hand, the first exterior material 52A is formed in a convex shape. That is, the first exterior material 52A has a peripheral portion 52AE and a bulging portion 52AP that bulges out from the peripheral portion 52AE to one side in the Z direction. The bulging portion 52AP may be formed by drawing. That is, the bulging portion 52AP may be formed by pressing a desired area of the plate-shaped first exterior material 52A. In this case, the peripheral portion 52AE and the bulging portion 52AP are formed integrally. Such a bulging portion 52AP forms a space between the first exterior material 52A and the second exterior material 52B to accommodate multiple electrode plates 51. The first exterior material 52A and the second exterior material 52B may be heat-welded to each other at the peripheral portion 52AE.

The first exterior material 52A and the second exterior material 52B may have a metal layer and an inner layer laminated on the inside of the metal layer. The inner layer may have thermoplastic properties in addition to insulation. This allows the first exterior material 52A and the second exterior material 52B to be thermally welded to each other at the peripheral portion 52AE by placing the inner layer of the first exterior material 52A and the inner layer of the second exterior material 52B opposite each other and heating and pressurizing the first exterior material 52A and the second exterior material 52B. Furthermore, the first exterior material 52A and the second exterior material 52B having a metal layer can impart rigidity to the exterior body 52.

The pair of tabs 53 are electrically connected to the electrode plate 51 and extend outside the exterior body 52. The pair of tabs 53 function as positive or negative terminals. As shown in FIG. 8, the tip of the tab 53 may be bent in the stacking direction. The tabs 53 of each cell 50 are electrically connected to each other by series connection or parallel connection. By appropriately setting the number of cells 50 to be connected in series or parallel, the output from one storage element module 40 can be made to the desired voltage and capacity. In the example shown in FIG. 7, one storage element module 40 contains 16 cells 50. Here, one cell 50 and another cell 50 adjacent to the one cell 50 are stacked so that the second exterior materials 52B of each cell 50 face each other, and the two cells 50 are connected in parallel. Then, eight sets of two parallel-connected cells 50 are connected in series. The tabs 53 of each cell 50 are electrically connected to the above-mentioned cable 49, and are electrically connected to the connection portion 64 of the control module 60 via the cable 49. This electrically connects the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 60 via the cable 49.

The control module 60 is configured to control each of the storage element modules 40. More specifically, the control module 60 has a function of controlling the charging and discharging of each storage element module 40. The control module 60 also has a function of converting AC power to DC power and a function of converting DC power to AC power. The control module 60 also has a function of monitoring the charging state (e.g., the charge amount) of each storage element module 40 and a function of monitoring whether or not there is an abnormality in each storage element module 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control module 60 is housed in the housing 20. The control module 60 is disposed on the other side in the Z direction (upper side in FIG. 3) of the energy storage element module 40 within the housing 20. The control module 60 may be disposed on the other side in the Z direction of the second energy storage element module group 41b (see FIG. 4). The control module 60 may also be disposed on the fixing plate 26 described below. The control module 60 may be fixed to the fixing plate 26 by bolt fastening.

As shown in FIG. 9, the control module 60 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The control module 60 has a longitudinal direction along the X direction, a lateral direction along the Y direction, and a height direction along the Z direction. The control module 60 may be smaller overall than the energy storage element module 40. That is, the longitudinal dimension of the control module 60 may be smaller than the longitudinal dimension Dx of the energy storage element module 40. The lateral dimension of the control module 60 may be smaller than the lateral dimension Dy of the energy storage element module 40. Furthermore, the height dimension of the control module 60 may be smaller than the height dimension of the energy storage element module 40.

The control module 60 has a control circuit that processes and outputs the input control signal and power. As shown in FIG. 9, the control module 60 has a bottom surface 61 provided on one side in the Z direction (the lower side in FIG. 9), four side surfaces 62a, 62b, 62c, and 62d that rise from the bottom surface 61 to the other side in the Z direction (the upper side in FIG. 9), and a top surface 63 provided on the other side in the Z direction. The side surface 62a is provided on one side in the X direction (the front right side in FIG. 9). The side surface 62b is provided on the other side in the X direction (the rear left side in FIG. 9). The side surface 62c is provided on one side in the Y direction (the rear right side in FIG. 9). The side surface 62d is provided on the other side in the X direction (the front left side in FIG. 9). The above-mentioned control circuit is surrounded by the bottom surface 61, the side surfaces 62a, 62b, 62c, and 62d, and the top surface 63.

The control module 60 has a connection section 64 to which each wiring of the energy storage element module 40 is connected, and an input/output section 65 to which external wiring of the energy storage element unit 1 is connected. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the connection section 64 and the input/output section 65 are provided on the other side surface 62d of the control module 60 in the Y direction. The connection section 64 can be connected to the cable 49 extending from the side surface 45a of each energy storage element module 40. As a result, the control module 60 is electrically connected to each energy storage element module 40 and can control each energy storage element module 40. In addition, the input/output section 65 can be connected to external wiring of the energy storage element unit 1. As a result, the control module 60 is electrically connected to external wiring and can transmit control signals and power to the outside and receive control signals and power from the outside. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, a power switch 66 capable of switching ON/OFF the power supply of the control module 60 may be provided on the upper surface 63 of the control module 60.

Next, the configuration of the housing 20 for the energy storage element unit 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

The housing 20 is configured to house the above-mentioned multiple energy storage element modules 40 and the above-mentioned control module 60. As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 10, the housing 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape.

As shown in FIG. 10, the housing 20 has a bottom 21 provided on one side in the Z direction (the lower side in the figure), side wall portions 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d rising from the bottom 21 to the other side in the Z direction (the upper side in the figure), and an opening 23 that opens to the other side in the Z direction.

The bottom 21 is formed in a plate shape. In a plan view, the bottom 21 has a rectangular shape. The bottom 21 supports the energy storage element module 40 from one side in the Z direction (the lower side in the figure).

The side walls 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are each formed in a plate shape. The side wall 22a is provided on one side in the X direction (the front right side in the figure). The side wall 22b is provided on the other side in the X direction (the rear left side in the figure). The side wall 22c is provided on one side in the Y direction (the rear right side in the figure). The side wall 22d is provided on the other side in the Y direction (the front left side in the figure). The side walls 22a and 22b have a rectangular shape when viewed in the X direction. The side walls 22c and 22d have a rectangular shape when viewed in the Y direction. The side walls 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are connected to each other. More specifically, the housing 20 has four side frames 24s that rise from the four corners of the bottom 21 to the other side in the Z direction, and each of the side walls 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d is attached to these side frames 24s and connected to each other. Each of the side walls 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d may be attached to the side frames 24s by bolting.

The opening 23 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. An upper frame 24t is provided around the opening 23. More specifically, the housing 20 has a rectangular upper frame 24t supported by four side frames 24s on the other side in the Z direction (the upper side in the figure), and the opening 23 is defined by the inner contour of this upper frame 24t. The energy storage element module 40 and the control module 60 are inserted into and removed from the housing 20 through this opening 23.

As shown in FIG. 10, the side walls 22a and 22b are provided with support members 25 that support the fixed plate 26. The support members 25 protrude from the side walls 22a and 22b into the housing 20. The support members 25 may be attached to the inner surfaces of the side walls 22a and 22b by bolt fastening. The support members 25 support the fixed plate 26 (see FIG. 3) from one side in the Z direction (the lower side in the figure).

The fixing plate 26 is configured to fix the energy storage element module 40 to the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing plate 26 is arranged on the other side in the Z direction (upper side in the figure) of the energy storage element module 40. More specifically, the fixing plate 26 is arranged on the other side in the Z direction of the first energy storage element module group 41a. The fixing plate 26 is also arranged on the other side in the Z direction of the second energy storage element module group 41b. Both ends of the fixing plate 26 in the X direction are fixed to the support member 25 of the housing 20 by bolt fastening. The fixing plate 26 is arranged so that it contacts the upper surface 46 of the energy storage element module 40 that is arranged on the other side in the Z direction among the energy storage element modules 40 included in the first energy storage element module group 41a or the second energy storage element module group 41b, and the recessed portion provided in the fixing plate 26 engages with the protruding portion 47 of the energy storage element module 40. As a result, the fixing plate 26 restricts the relative movement of the energy storage element module 40 with respect to the housing 20, and fixes the energy storage element module 40 to the housing 20.

10, the side wall portions 22c and 22d are provided with rail members 27 (protrusions) extending along the Z direction. The rail members 27 protrude from the side wall portions 22c and 22d into the housing 20. The rail members 27 may be attached to the inner surfaces of the side wall portions 22c and 22d by bolt fastening. In the illustrated example, two rail members 27 are provided on the side wall portion 22c, and two rail members 27 are also provided on the side wall portion 22d. The rail members 27 on the side wall portion 22c and the rail members 27 on the side wall portion 22d are provided in positions facing each other. The rail members 27 are configured to come into contact with the energy storage element module 40 housed in the housing 20. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the rail members 27 provided on the side wall portion 22c come into contact with the side surfaces 45c of the energy storage element modules 40 constituting the second energy storage element module group 41b. In addition, the rail member 27 provided on the side wall portion 22d contacts the side surface 45d of each energy storage element module 40 constituting the first energy storage element module group 41a. This prevents each energy storage element module 40 from directly contacting the side wall portions 22c, 22d of the housing 20.

The opening 23 has a relatively large opening dimension in order to insert the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 60 into the housing 20 and to remove them from the housing 20. The dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction shown in FIG. 12 may be 440 mm or more and 1040 mm or less. In particular, the dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction may be 440 mm or more and 960 mm or less. The dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction shown in FIG. 12 may be 300 mm or more and 770 mm or less. In particular, the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction may be 300 mm or more and 735 mm or less. Here, the dimensions Lx and Ly of the opening 23 mean the vertical and horizontal dimensions in a region in which no other members are interposed between the opening 23 and the bottom 21 of the housing 20 in a plan view (when viewed in the Z direction). For example, when viewed from above, if the support members 25 provided on the side walls 22a and 22b each protrude inward from the upper frame 24t, the dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction corresponds to the dimension between the support members 25.

In this embodiment, the dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction is 1.1 to 1.3 times the longitudinal dimension Dx of the energy storage element module 40. In particular, the dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction is 1.1 to 1.2 times the longitudinal dimension Dx of the energy storage element module 40. Furthermore, the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction is 2 to 2.2 times the transverse dimension Dy of the energy storage element module 40. In particular, the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction is 2 to 2.1 times the transverse dimension Dy of the energy storage element module 40.

13, when the second energy storage element module group 41b is arranged in the housing 20, that is, when the energy storage element module 40 is arranged on one side in the Y direction in the housing 20 (upper side in FIG. 13), a gap space 70 can be provided on one side in the X direction of the energy storage element module 40 (right side in FIG. 13) in the housing 20. The cable 49 extending from the side surface 45a of the energy storage element module 40 can be accommodated in this gap space 70. The dimension Gx of the gap space 70 in the X direction may be 20 mm or more and 250 mm or less. In addition, a gap space 71 can be provided on the other side in the Y direction of the energy storage element module 40 (lower side in FIG. 13) in the housing 20. The dimension Gy of the gap space 71 in the Y direction may be larger than the dimension Dy of the energy storage element module 40 in the short side direction. This allows another energy storage element module 40 to be accommodated in this gap space 71. Therefore, the energy storage element modules 40 can be arranged side by side in the Y direction inside the housing 20. The dimension Gy of the gap space 71 in the Y direction may be 150 mm or more and 360 mm or less.

14, when the first energy storage element module group 41a and the second energy storage element module group 41b are arranged in the housing 20, that is, when the energy storage element module 40 is arranged on one side in the Y direction in the housing 20 (upper side in FIG. 14) and the energy storage element module 40 is arranged on the other side in the Y direction in the housing 20 (lower side in FIG. 14), a gap space 70 can be provided on one side in the X direction of the energy storage element module 40 in the housing 20 (right side in FIG. 14). Also, a minute gap space 72 can be provided on one side in the Y direction of the energy storage element module 40 of the first energy storage element module group 41a (upper side in FIG. 14) or the other side in the Y direction of the energy storage element module 40 of the second energy storage element module group 41b (lower side in FIG. 14). The provision of this minute gap space 72 makes it easier to arrange the energy storage element modules 40 in the Y direction inside the housing 20. The dimension gy of the gap space 71 in the Y direction may be 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

Next, we will explain the effects of this embodiment configured as described above. Here, we will explain the method of installing the energy storage element unit 1 according to this embodiment.

The method for installing the energy storage element unit includes an installation process for installing the housing 20, a housing process for housing a plurality of energy storage element modules 40 and a control module 60 in the housing 20, and an attachment process for attaching the lid 30 to the housing 20.

First, an installation process is performed. In the installation process, the above-mentioned housing 20 is installed at a predetermined position within the building. The housing 20 is installed so that the outer surface of the bottom 21 faces the floor of the building and the opening 23 faces upward in the direction of gravity. Here, the bottom 21 of the housing 20 may be fixed to the floor of the building. The housing 20 may have an exterior panel 10 (front panel 11, right side panel 12, left side panel 13, and back panel 14) attached thereto. The exterior panel 10 may be attached to the housing 20 by bolting.

After the installation process, a storage process is performed. In the storage process, a plurality of energy storage element modules 40 and a control module 60 are stored in the housing 20. The storage process includes a process of storing a plurality of energy storage element modules 40 and a process of storing a control module 60.

In the process of storing a plurality of energy storage element modules 40, first, one energy storage element module 40 is inserted from the opening 23 of the housing 20. Next, the one energy storage element module 40 is placed on the bottom 21 of the housing 20 on one side in the Y direction inside the housing 20. Next, another energy storage element module 40 is inserted from the opening 23 of the housing 20, and the other energy storage element module 40 is placed on the one energy storage element module 40. Here, the other energy storage element module 40 is placed on the one energy storage element module 40 so that the multiple protrusions 47 provided on the upper surface 46 side of the one energy storage element module 40 and the corresponding engagement parts 48 provided on the bottom surface 44 side of the other energy storage element module 40 engage with each other. In this way, four energy storage element modules 40 are stacked in the Z direction on one side in the Y direction inside the housing 20. Then, a fixing plate 26 is placed on these four energy storage element modules 40. The fixing plate 26 is positioned so that it comes into contact with the uppermost storage element module 40 and the recessed portion provided in the fixing plate 26 engages with the protruding portion 47 of the storage element module 40. The fixing plate 26 is then fixed to the support member 25 of the housing 20 by bolting. This causes each storage element module 40 to be fixed to the housing 20.

Also, another storage element module 40 is inserted from the opening 23 of the housing 20. Then, the one storage element module 40 is placed on the bottom 21 of the housing 20 on the other side in the Y direction inside the housing 20. Then, another storage element module 40 is inserted from the opening 23 of the housing 20, and the other storage element module 40 is placed on the one storage element module 40. Here, the other storage element module 40 is placed on the one storage element module 40 so that the multiple protrusions 47 provided on the upper surface 46 side of the one storage element module 40 and the corresponding engagement parts 48 provided on the bottom surface 44 side of the other storage element module 40 engage with each other. In this way, three storage element modules 40 are stacked in the Z direction on the other side in the Y direction inside the housing 20. Next, a fixing plate 26 is placed on these three storage element modules 40. The fixing plate 26 is positioned so that it comes into contact with the uppermost storage element module 40 and the recessed portion provided in the fixing plate 26 engages with the protruding portion 47 of the storage element module 40. The fixing plate 26 is then fixed to the support member 25 of the housing 20 by bolting. This causes each storage element module 40 to be fixed to the housing 20.

In the process of accommodating the control module 60, first, the control module 60 is inserted through the opening 23 of the housing 20. Next, the control module 60 is placed above the four energy storage element modules 40 arranged on one side in the Y direction inside the housing 20. Here, the control module 60 is placed on the fixing plate 26 arranged on the four energy storage element modules 40. The control module 60 is fixed to the fixing plate 26 by bolt fastening. Next, the cables 49 extending from the side surfaces 45a of the energy storage element modules 40 are connected to the connection parts 64 of the control module 60. In addition, external wiring is connected to the input/output part 65 of the control module 60. As a result, each of the energy storage element modules 40 and the control module 60 are electrically connected, and the control module 60 is also electrically connected to the outside. After that, the power switch 66 is used to turn on the power of the control module 60.

After the accommodation process, the installation process is carried out. In the installation process, the lid body 30 is attached to the housing 20. The lid body 30 is attached so as to cover the opening 23 of the housing 20. The lid body 30 is attached to the upper frame 24t of the housing 20 by bolting. After the lid body 30 is attached to the housing 20, the top panel 15 is attached to the lid body 30 by bolting.

In this way, the energy storage element unit 1 can be installed inside the building.

After the energy storage element unit 1 is installed, it is possible to remove the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 60 from the housing 20 for the purpose of maintenance, changing the output power, etc. In this case, the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 60 can be removed from the housing 20 by performing the above-mentioned accommodation process and mounting process in the reverse order. That is, first, the cover body 30 (and the upper panel 15) is removed from the housing 20. Next, the power supply of the control module 60 is turned off by the power switch 66. Next, the connection between the control module 60 and each energy storage element module 40 is released, and the connection between the control module 60 and the outside is released. Then, the control module 60 is removed from the opening 23 of the housing 20. Next, the fixing plate 26 is removed from the support member 25 of the housing 20. Then, each energy storage element module 40 is removed from the opening 23 of the housing 20. In this manner, the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 60 can be removed from the housing 20.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction is 2 to 2.2 times the dimension Dy of the energy storage element module 40 in the short direction, and the dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction is 1.1 to 1.3 times the dimension Dx of the energy storage element module 40 in the long direction. Since the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction is 2 or more times the dimension Dy of the energy storage element module 40 in the short direction, a gap space 71 can be provided on one or the other side of the energy storage element module 40 in the Y direction within the housing 20. Furthermore, since the dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction is 1.1 or more times the dimension Dx of the energy storage element module 40 in the long direction, a gap space 70 can be provided on one side of the energy storage element module 40 in the X direction within the housing 20. This makes it possible to facilitate the insertion and removal of the energy storage element module 40 into and from the housing 20, thereby improving work efficiency. Furthermore, the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction is 2.2 times or less than the dimension Dy of the energy storage element module 40 in the short direction, and the dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction is 1.3 times or less than the dimension Dx of the energy storage element module 40 in the long direction, thereby preventing the housing 20 from becoming large. In this way, according to this embodiment, the efficiency of the insertion and removal of the energy storage element module 40 into and from the housing 20 can be improved while preventing the housing 20 from becoming large.

In particular, according to this embodiment, the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction is 2 to 2.1 times the dimension Dy of the energy storage element module 40 in the short direction. Even if the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction is within this range, a gap space 71 can be secured on one or the other side of the energy storage element module 40 in the Y direction, which is expected to improve work efficiency sufficiently. This improves the work efficiency of inserting the energy storage element module 40 into the housing 20 and removing it from the housing 20. Furthermore, by setting the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction within this range, the size of the housing 20 can be further suppressed.

In particular, according to this embodiment, the dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction is 1.1 to 1.2 times the longitudinal dimension Dx of the energy storage element module 40. Even if the dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction is within this range, a gap space 70 can be secured on one side of the energy storage element module 40 in the X direction, which is expected to improve work efficiency sufficiently. This improves the work efficiency of inserting the energy storage element module 40 into the housing 20 and removing it from the housing 20. Furthermore, by setting the dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction within this range, the size of the housing 20 can be further suppressed.

According to this embodiment, the multiple storage element modules 40 include a first storage element module group 41a in which multiple storage element modules 40 are stacked in the Z direction, and a second storage element module group 41b in which multiple storage element modules 40 are stacked in the Z direction at a position adjacent to the first storage element module group 41a in the Y direction. As described above, since the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction is at least twice the dimension Dy of the short side of the storage element module 40, the first storage element module group 41a and the second storage element module group 41b can be arranged side by side in the Y direction. This allows more storage element modules 40 to be accommodated in the housing 20, and the energy density of the storage element unit 1 can be increased.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the energy storage element module 40 has a cable 49 extending from one side surface 45a in the X direction. As described above, the dimension Lx of the opening 23 in the X direction is 1.1 times or more the longitudinal dimension Dx of the energy storage element module 40. This allows the cable 49 to be accommodated in the gap space 70 provided on one side of the energy storage element module 40 in the X direction. In this way, the gap space 70 can also be used to accommodate the cable 49, and the space within the housing 20 can be utilized efficiently.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the housing 20 has a rail member 27 that protrudes into the housing 20 from the side wall portions 22c, 22d and extends along the Z direction, and that contacts the energy storage element module 40 housed in the housing 20. This makes it possible to prevent the energy storage element module 40 housed in the housing 20 from directly contacting the side wall portions 22c, 22d of the housing 20, and to reduce the contact area between the energy storage element module 40 and the housing 20. Therefore, even if vibrations or impacts are applied to the housing 20 from the outside, the transmission of these to the energy storage element module 40 can be suppressed. As a result, the safety of the energy storage element unit 1 can be improved.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the energy storage element unit 1 is provided with a lid 30 that covers the opening 23. As a result, after the energy storage element module 40 has been inserted into the housing 20 or removed from the housing 20, the opening 23 can be blocked by the lid 30. This makes it possible to prevent access to the inside of the housing 20 when the energy storage element unit 1 is in operation. As a result, the safety of the energy storage element unit 1 can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the first storage element module group 41a and the second storage element module group 41b are arranged side by side in the Y direction within the housing 20. However, this is not limited to the above, and the second storage element module group 41b does not have to be arranged in a position adjacent to the first storage element module group 41a. In other words, the multiple storage element modules 40 may be composed of the first storage element module group 41a.

In this case, the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction may be less than twice the dimension Dy of the storage element module 40 in the short side direction, and may be 1.1 times or more the dimension Dy of the storage element module 40 in the short side direction. By making the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction 1.1 times or more the dimension Dy of the storage element module 40 in the short side direction, a gap space can be provided on one or the other side of the storage element module 40 in the Y direction within the housing 20. This makes it possible to facilitate the insertion of the storage element module 40 into the housing 20 and the removal of the storage element module 40 from the housing 20, thereby improving the work efficiency. In addition, the dimension Ly of the opening 23 in the Y direction may be 1.5 times or less the dimension Dy of the storage element module 40 in the short side direction. This further suppresses the increase in size of the housing 20.

Although one embodiment has been described above with reference to specific examples, the above-mentioned specific examples are not intended to limit the embodiment. The above-mentioned embodiment can be implemented with various other specific examples, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and additions can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiment.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Energy storage element unit 20 Housing 21 Bottom 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d Side wall 23 Opening 27 Rail member 30 Lid 40 Energy storage element module 41a First energy storage element module group 41b Second energy storage element module group 49 Cable

Claims (11)

A housing and
a plurality of energy storage element modules housed in the housing;
The plurality of energy storage element modules are housed in the housing and stacked in a first direction,
the energy storage element module has a short side direction along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a long side direction along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction,
the housing has a bottom portion supporting the energy storage element module from one side in the first direction, a side wall portion rising from the bottom toward the other side in the first direction, and an opening portion that opens to the other side in the first direction and through which the energy storage element module is inserted and removed,
A storage element unit, wherein the dimension of the opening in the second direction is 1.1 to 2.2 times the dimension of the short side of the storage element module, and the dimension of the opening in the third direction is 1.1 to 1.3 times the dimension of the long side of the storage element module. The energy storage element unit according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the opening in the second direction is between 2 and 2.2 times the dimension of the energy storage element module in the short side direction. The energy storage element unit according to claim 2, wherein the dimension of the opening in the second direction is between 2 and 2.1 times the dimension of the energy storage element module in the short side direction. The energy storage element unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dimension of the opening in the third direction is 1.1 times or more and 1.2 times or less than the longitudinal dimension of the energy storage element module. The energy storage element unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of energy storage element modules include a first energy storage element module group in which the energy storage element modules are stacked in the first direction, and a second energy storage element module group in which the energy storage element modules are stacked in the first direction at a position adjacent to the first energy storage element module group in the second direction. The energy storage element unit according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the opening in the second direction is 1.1 times or more and 1.5 times or less than the dimension of the energy storage element module in the short side direction. The energy storage element unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the energy storage element module has a cable extending from one side surface in the third direction. The energy storage element unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing has a protrusion portion that protrudes from the side wall portion into the housing and extends along the first direction, and that contacts the energy storage element module housed in the housing. The energy storage element unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a lid that covers the opening. A building equipped with the energy storage element unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A housing for an energy storage element unit in which a plurality of energy storage element modules are housed, the plurality of energy storage element modules being housed in a stacked manner in a first direction within the housing, the energy storage element modules having a short side direction along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a long side direction along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction,
a bottom portion supporting the energy storage element module from one side in the first direction;
a side wall portion rising from the bottom to the other side in the first direction;
an opening portion that is open to the other side in the first direction and through which the energy storage element module is inserted and removed,
A housing for a storage element unit, wherein the dimension of the opening in the second direction is 1.1 to 2.2 times the short side dimension of the storage element module, and the dimension of the opening in the third direction is 1.1 to 1.3 times the long side dimension of the storage element module.