JP7795319B2 - Energy storage element unit and installation method of the energy storage element unit - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a storage element unit and a method for installing the storage element unit.

For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a power storage element unit having multiple power storage element modules is known. The power storage element unit has multiple power storage element modules and a housing that houses the power storage element modules.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-5027

The energy storage element unit is installed near the location where power is used. When installing an energy storage element unit such as that described in Patent Document 1, a fixture is used to secure the energy storage element unit to the installation location, as shown in FIG. 13, for example. The fixture is, for example, an L-shaped flange, and secures the exterior of the energy storage element unit near the location where the energy storage element unit is installed. In this way, when installing the energy storage element unit, space near the installation location is utilized. To install the energy storage element unit, it is necessary to ensure a space larger than the size of the energy storage element unit. The present disclosure aims to install an energy storage element unit in a space-saving manner.

A method for installing an energy storage element unit according to the present disclosure is a method for installing an energy storage element unit at an installation position, the method comprising:
an arrangement step of arranging a housing having a bottom portion provided with a plurality of through holes and an opening portion that opens to one side in a first direction so that the bottom portion is in contact with the installation position;
a screwing step of screwing a wood screw into the installation position through at least a part of the through hole from one side in the first direction;
an accommodating step of accommodating an energy storage element module and a control module for controlling the energy storage element module in the housing through the opening;
and a connecting step of connecting the wiring of the energy storage element module to the connection portion of the control module through the opening.

In the method for installing an energy storage element unit according to the present disclosure,
the first direction is a vertical direction,
The one side in the first direction may be an upper side in the vertical direction.

In the energy storage element unit installation method disclosed herein, the installation location may be the floor of a building.

In the energy storage element unit installation method disclosed herein, the energy storage element module may be housed in the housing so as to cover the wood screw from one side in the first direction.

In the energy storage element unit installation method of the present disclosure, in the screwing step, at least 12 wood screws may be screwed into the installation position from one side in the first direction through at least some of the through holes.

The energy storage element unit of the present disclosure comprises:
a housing having a bottom portion provided with a plurality of through holes and an opening portion that opens to one side in a first direction;
an energy storage element module and a control module housed in the housing;
a wood screw disposed in the through hole,
The inner dimensions of the housing in a second direction and a third direction non-parallel to the first direction are larger than the outer dimensions of the energy storage element module and the outer dimensions of the control module.

In the energy storage element unit of the present disclosure, the energy storage element module may cover the wood screw from one side in the first direction.

The energy storage element unit of the present disclosure may include at least 12 of the wood screws.

This disclosure allows for the installation of energy storage element units in a space-saving manner.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an energy storage element unit installed at an installation position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the energy storage element unit of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the energy storage element unit of FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross section of the bottom taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross section of the bottom portion and the wood screw. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the bottom and wood screws. 7 is a perspective view showing an energy storage element module assembly and an energy storage element module housed in the housing of the energy storage element unit of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an energy storage element module included in the energy storage element module assembly of FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a plurality of stacked cells included in the energy storage element module of FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one cell shown in FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a control module housed in the housing of the energy storage element unit of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method of installing the energy storage element unit of FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a conventional energy storage element unit installed at an installation position.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The scale and aspect ratios in the drawings accompanying this specification may be altered or exaggerated from their actual equivalents for ease of illustration and understanding.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the energy storage element unit of this embodiment. The energy storage element unit 10 is used as a secondary battery unit that can be charged and discharged. The illustrated energy storage element unit 10 is installed at installation position 5. Installation position 5 is, for example, the floor of a building such as a house or facility. In this case, the energy storage element unit 10 is electrically connected to the building's wiring and functions as a power source for electrical devices installed within the building.

Figure 2 shows the interior of the energy storage element unit 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the energy storage element unit 10 has a housing 20, and a plurality of energy storage element modules 40 and a control module 50 housed in the housing 20. The energy storage element unit 10 further has a plurality of wood screws 30, described below, for fixing the housing 20 to the installation position 5 when the energy storage element unit 10 is installed at the installation position 5.

The housing 20 will now be described. The housing 20 is the exterior body of the energy storage element unit 10. The housing 20 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 20 has a bottom 21, side walls 22, a lid 23, and an opening 23a. In the example shown in Figure 2, the housing 20 further has a frame 25 that connects adjacent bottoms 21, side walls 22, and lids 23.

Hereinafter, the height direction of the housing 20 will be referred to as the first direction d1, the short-side direction of the housing 20 in a plan view from the first direction d1 as the second direction d2, and the long-side direction as the third direction d3. Here, the first direction d1, second direction d2, and third direction d3 are perpendicular to one another. In this embodiment, the first direction d1 is the vertical direction. One side s1 of the first direction d1 is the upper side in the vertical direction, and the other side s2 of the first direction d1 is the lower side in the vertical direction.

The bottom 21 is located on the other side s2 in the first direction d1. In the illustrated example, the side wall 22 consists of four side wall portions rising from the bottom 21 to one side s1 in the first direction d1. The bottom 21, side wall portions 22, and lid portion 23 are each a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member. In the example shown in FIG. 1, each of the four side wall portions 22 is connected at its edge to a portion of the edge of the bottom 21 and a portion of the edge of the lid portion 23. Adjacent side wall portions 22 are connected to each other at a portion of their edge. The bottom 21, side wall portions 22, and lid portion 23 are connected at their respective edges to the edges of adjacent bottom portions 21, side wall portions 22, and lid portions 23, either directly or via a frame portion 25. The bottom 21, side wall portions 22, and lid portion 23 form a storage space that houses the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 50. The four side walls 22 are perpendicular to the bottom 21 and the lid 23. The bottom 21 and the side walls 22 may be independent members, or may be integrated.

An opening 23a is formed by the four side wall portions 22. The opening 23a is located on one side s1 in the first direction d1. A worker handling the energy storage element unit 10 can work inside the housing 20 through the opening 23a.

The lid portion 23 is located on one side s1 in the first direction d1. The lid portion 23 faces the bottom portion 21 in the first direction d1. The lid portion 23 closes the opening 23a. In particular, the lid portion 23 is removable from the housing 20.

The bottom 21 supports the energy storage element module 40 from the other side s2 in the first direction d1. More specifically, the bottom 21 contacts the bottom surface of the energy storage element module 40 that is positioned furthest on the other side s2 in the first direction d1 among the multiple energy storage element modules 40, thereby supporting the energy storage element module 40.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bottom 21 as viewed from one side s1 in the first direction d1. In this embodiment, the bottom 21, side wall 22, and lid 23 each have a resin plate 26 and a metal plate 27, as in the bottom 21 shown in Figure 3. The metal plate 27 is layered further inward in the housing 20 than the resin plate 26. The resin plate 26 and the metal plate 27 each have a generally plate-like shape.

The resin plate 26 of the bottom 21 has a flat resin plate main body 26a and a resin plate edge portion 26b that is provided around the resin plate main body 26a and forms an angle with respect to the resin plate main body 26a. In the example shown in Figure 3, the resin plate main body 26a and the resin plate edge portion 26b are perpendicular to each other.

The metal plate 27 of the bottom 21 has a flat metal plate main body 27a and a metal plate edge portion 27b that is provided around the periphery of the metal plate main body 27a and forms an angle with respect to the metal plate main body 27a. In the example shown in Figure 3, the metal plate main body 27a and the metal plate edge portion 27b are perpendicular to each other.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the metal plate 27 of the bottom 21 has connecting portions 27d that include upstanding portions 27e that stand up from the metal plate main body portion 27a and that include a portion that connects to the resin plate 26. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the upstanding portions 27e extend in the second direction d2. The upstanding portions 27e of the multiple connecting portions 27d face each other in the third direction d3. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the metal plate 27 of the bottom 21 has four connecting portions 27d.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, connecting portion 27d is connected to the end of upright portion 27e opposite the side where metal plate main body portion 27a is located, and further includes flat connecting portion 27f parallel to resin plate main body portion 26a. Connecting portion 27f of connecting portion 27d is the portion of resin plate 26 that connects to resin plate main body portion 26a. As an example, resin plate main body portion 26a has a screw-fastening through-hole for screw fastening, and connecting portion 27f has a threaded hole. In this case, resin plate 26 and metal plate 27 can be fixed to each other by screwing a screw through the screw-fastening through-hole of resin plate main body portion 26a into the threaded hole of connecting portion 27f.

In the example shown in Figure 3, the metal plate main body portion 27a, metal plate edge portion 27b, and connecting portion 27d are formed as a single unit. More specifically, a single flat metal material is bent to form the metal plate 27, which has the metal plate main body portion 27a, metal plate edge portion 27b, and connecting portion 27d.

The bottom 21 has multiple through holes 21c. The through holes 21c are holes through which wood screws 30 (described below) pass to install the energy storage element unit 10 at the installation position 5.

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of the cross section of the bottom portion 21 taken along line A-A in Figure 3. The wood screw 30 passing through the through hole 21c is omitted in Figure 4. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the resin plate main body portion 26a and the metal plate main body portion 27a are separated in the first direction d1 due to the presence of the upstanding portion 27e between them. The resin plate main body portion 26a has a resin plate through hole 26c that passes through the resin plate main body portion 26a. The metal plate through hole 27c that passes through the metal plate main body portion 27a is provided in a portion of the metal plate main body portion 27a that overlaps with the resin plate through hole 26c in the first direction d1. The resin plate through hole 26c and the metal plate through hole 27c form a through hole 21c that passes through the bottom portion 21 in the first direction d1 of the bottom portion 21. Both the resin plate through hole 26c and the metal plate through hole 27c have a circular outline when observed from the first direction d1 of the bottom 21. The width w2 of the metal plate through hole 27c is larger than the width w1 of the resin plate through hole 26c.

The number of through holes 21c provided in the bottom 21 is preferably selected appropriately depending on the number of wood screws 30 expected to be used when installing the energy storage element unit 10. The number of through holes 21c is preferably 12 or more. In the example shown in Figure 3, 16 through holes 21c are provided in the bottom 21.

The multiple through holes 21c are aligned along the sides of the bottom 21. In the example shown in Figure 3, the multiple through holes 21c are provided along the periphery of the bottom 21. As an example, each of the multiple through holes 21c is spaced 1 cm or more from the side wall 22.

The frame portion 25 connects adjacent bottom portions 21, side wall portions 22, or lid portions 23. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the frame portion 25 forms the sides of the housing 20, which has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The frame portion 25 has an L-shaped cross section in the longitudinal direction. The frame portion 25 is made of, for example, the same material as the metal plate 27.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frame portion 25 connects the lid portion 23 to each of the four side wall portions 22, and also connects adjacent ones of the four side wall portions 22 to each other. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the frame portion 25 has a rectangular frame-shaped first frame portion 25a extending between the lid portion 23 and the four side wall portions 22, and four rod-shaped second frame portions 25b extending between adjacent ones of the four side wall portions 22. The first frame portion 25a and each of the four second frame portions 25b are fixed to each other at the corner positions of the lid portion 23.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, no frame portion 25 is provided between the bottom portion 21 and each of the four side wall portions 22. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the metal plate 27 of the bottom portion 21 has a metal plate edge portion 27b, and the bottom portion 21 and the four side wall portions 22 are fixed to each other using the metal plate edge portion 27b of the metal plate 27 of the bottom portion 21. In other words, each of the four side wall portions 22 is fixed to the metal plate edge portion 27b of the metal plate 27 of the bottom portion 21.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the housing 20 further includes a decorative panel 29 that covers one of the side walls 22. The decorative panel 29 is a member that protects the one of the side walls 22 and the components provided on the one of the side walls 22. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the decorative panel 29 has a generally plate-like shape. The decorative panel 29 is made of, for example, a resin material similar to the material of the resin plate 26.

Now, let's talk about wood screws 30. A "wood screw" is a screw that can be screwed into a material, such as wood, by contacting the tip with the material and rotating it, even if the material to be screwed into does not have a female thread.

Figure 5 shows a portion of the cross section of the bottom 21 taken along line A-A in Figure 3, along with a cross section of the wood screw 30. In the example shown in Figure 5, the energy storage element unit 10 is installed at the installation position 5 using the wood screw 30.

As shown in Figure 5, the wood screw 30 has a head 31 and a shank 32 extending from the head 31. Although not shown, the head 31 has a cross-shaped or straight recess that can engage with a screwdriver, and at least a portion of the shank 32 has a helical thread.

As shown in FIG. 5, the wood screw 30 passes through the through hole 21c provided in the bottom portion 21 and is screwed into the floor of a building, which is the installation position 5. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the width w3 of the shank 32 in the radial direction DD of the wood screw 30, which is perpendicular to the direction in which the axis L1 of the wood screw 30 extends, is less than the width w2 of the metal plate through hole 27c. Furthermore, the width w4 of the head 31 in the radial direction DD of the wood screw 30 is greater than the width w2 of the metal plate through hole 27c and less than the width w1 of the plastic plate through hole 26c. As a result, the shank 32 passes through the plastic plate through hole 26c and is screwed into the floor, and the head 31 is housed between the plastic plate main body portion 26a and the metal plate main body portion 27a in the first direction d1.

The number of wood screws 30 that the energy storage element unit 10 has can be selected appropriately depending on factors such as the expected vibration of the energy storage element unit 10. The expected vibration of the energy storage element unit 10 is, for example, the maximum vibration of the energy storage element unit 10 that is expected depending on the characteristics of the building having the floor on which the energy storage element unit 10 is installed, the location of the floor within the building on which the energy storage element unit 10 is installed, and other factors. The expected vibration of the energy storage element unit 10 is, for example, the maximum vibration of the energy storage element unit 10 that is expected to be caused by shaking due to an earthquake when an earthquake occurs. As an example, even when installed in the same building, the energy storage element unit 10 installed on a floor on a higher floor can be expected to vibrate more greatly due to an earthquake than when installed on a floor on a lower floor.

Because the wood screws 30 are placed in the through holes 21c, the number of wood screws 30 is equal to or less than the number of through holes 21c. The number of through holes 21c is equal to or greater than the number of wood screws 30 that should be installed, taking into account anticipated vibrations of the energy storage element unit 10, etc.

As an example, if the expected vibration of the energy storage element unit 10 is 1530 Gal or less, it is preferable that the energy storage element unit 10 have 12 or more wood screws 30. If the expected vibration of the energy storage element unit 10 is more than 1530 Gal and less than or equal to 2600 Gal, it is preferable that the energy storage element unit 10 have 16 or more wood screws 30. If the expected vibration of the energy storage element unit 10 is more than 2600 Gal and less than or equal to 3931 Gal, it is preferable that the energy storage element unit 10 have 21 or more wood screws 30. By having the above number of wood screws 30 in the energy storage element unit 10 according to the expected vibration of the energy storage element unit 10, the energy storage element unit 10 can be installed in a way that has sufficient resistance to the expected vibration.

Here, the expression "resistant" to vibration of the energy storage element unit 10 means, for example, that the energy storage element unit 10 will not tip over even when it vibrates. "Resistant" may also mean that the energy storage element unit 10 will not tip over even when it vibrates, and that normal operation as the energy storage element unit 10 is possible. "Resistant" may also mean that the energy storage element unit 10 will not tip over even when it vibrates, that normal operation as the energy storage element unit 10 is possible, and that the appearance of the energy storage element unit 10 is not damaged. "Resistant" may also mean that internal components will not be damaged when the energy storage element unit 10 vibrates. "Gal" is a unit of acceleration, and for example, a vibration of 1 Gal means a vibration with a vibration acceleration of 1 cm/ ^s2 .

An example will be described in which the energy storage element unit 10 has 16 wood screws 30. Figure 6 is a plan view showing the bottom 21 of the housing 20 and the wood screws 30 as viewed from one side s1 in the first direction d1. As described above, the bottom 21 has 16 through holes 21c. The number of wood screws 30 is the same as the number of through holes 21c. The wood screws 30 pass through all of the through holes 21c from above and are screwed into the floor.

The energy storage element unit 10 can be firmly fixed to the floor by passing multiple wood screws 30 from above through multiple through holes 21c provided in the bottom 21 and screwing them into the floor. This allows the energy storage element unit 10 to be installed in a way that provides sufficient resistance to vibrations. In particular, the energy storage element unit 10 can be installed in a way that provides sufficient resistance to vibrations caused by earthquakes.

The energy storage element module 40 will now be described. Figure 7 is a diagram showing multiple energy storage element modules 40 housed in the housing 20. As shown in Figure 7, the energy storage element unit 10 has multiple energy storage element module assemblies 41. In the example shown, the energy storage element unit 10 has two energy storage element module assemblies 41. Each energy storage element module assemblies 41 has multiple energy storage element modules 40 stacked in a first direction d1. The two energy storage element module assemblies 41 are arranged side by side in a second direction d2 that is non-parallel to the first direction d1.

In the illustrated example, the first storage element module assembly 41A has four storage element modules 40 stacked in the first direction d1. The second storage element module assembly 41B has three storage element modules 40 stacked in the first direction d1. The second storage element module assembly 41B is adjacent to the first storage element module assembly 41A in the second direction d2. As shown in FIG. 2, the first storage element module assembly 41A supports the control module 50 from the other side s1 in the first direction d1.

Figure 8 shows one energy storage element module 40 included in the energy storage element module assembly 41. The multiple energy storage element modules 40 included in the energy storage element unit 10 may have different configurations or the same configuration. From the perspective of improving versatility, it is preferable that the multiple energy storage element modules 40 have the same configuration, and preferably include at least the same components. In the example shown, the multiple energy storage element modules 40 have the same configuration.

The energy storage element module 40 has multiple cells 42 and a case 44 that houses the multiple cells 42. The cell 42 is the smallest unit used as an energy storage element. Various types of cells 42 can be used, and they can be lithium-ion secondary batteries, for example. Figure 9 shows multiple cells 42 included in one energy storage element module 40, and Figure 10 shows one cell 42. The multiple cells 42 included in one energy storage element module 40 may have the same configuration as each other, or may have different configurations from each other.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the cell 42 has a flattened shape. When observed from the first direction d1, the cell 42 has a substantially rectangular shape. The cell 42 has a short side in the second direction d2 and a long side in the third direction d3. Multiple cells 42 are stacked in the first direction d1. The cell 42 has a central portion 42C located in the center and a peripheral portion 42E surrounding the central portion 42C. The thickness of the central portion 42C is greater than the thickness of the peripheral portion 42E. In the illustrated example, the cell 42 bulges out at the central portion 42C toward either side in the first direction d1. The multiple cells 42 are stacked so that the central portions 42C at least partially face each other in the first direction d1. The cell 42 shown in FIG. 10 has multiple electrode plates 42a, including positive and negative electrode plates, an outer casing 42b that houses the multiple electrode plates 42a, and tabs 42t that are electrically connected to the electrode plates 42a and extend to the outside of the outer casing 42b. The cell 42 has a pair of tabs 42t. One of the pair of tabs 42t functions as a positive terminal, and the other functions as a negative terminal.

Cell 42 has a generally symmetrical configuration with respect to a reference plane that is a plane along the first direction d1 and the third direction d3 that passes through the center in the second direction d2. Cell 42 also has a generally symmetrical configuration with respect to a reference plane that is a plane along the first direction d1 and the second direction d2 that passes through the center in the third direction d3.

The multiple cells 42 included in one energy storage element module 40 are electrically connected to each other by electrically connecting their tabs 42t. The multiple cells 42 may be connected in series or in parallel. As an example, the tabs 42t of the multiple cells 42 are electrically connected to each other using electrode members (not shown). By appropriately setting the number of cells 42 and the serial and parallel connections, the output from one cell 42 can be set to the desired voltage and capacity. In the illustrated example, one energy storage element module 40 includes 16 cells 42. In particular, in the example shown in Figure 9, eight pairs of parallel-connected cells 42 are connected in series.

As shown in FIG. 8, the case 44 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The case 44 houses a plurality of cells 42. As shown in FIG. 8, the case 44 has a plurality of protruding portions 44a that protrude from its peripheral edge toward one side s1 in the first direction d1. The protruding portions 44a are arranged at predetermined intervals in the second direction d2. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the case 44 has a plurality of engaging portions 44b that are recessed toward one side s1 in the first direction d1 in its peripheral edge. The engaging portions 44b are arranged at predetermined intervals in the second direction d2. In a plan view, each engaging portion 44b is located at the same position as the corresponding protruding portion 44a.

As shown in FIG. 7 , when multiple energy storage element modules 40 are stacked in the first direction d1, each protrusion 44a of a certain energy storage element module 40 fits into the corresponding engagement portion 44b of another energy storage element module 40 that is arranged adjacent to the certain energy storage element module 40 in the first direction d1 on one side s1 of the first direction d1. This restricts relative movement of adjacent energy storage element modules 40 in the second direction d2 and the third direction d3. This allows each energy storage element module 40 to be stacked stably in the first direction d1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the energy storage element module 40 further includes wiring 49. As shown, the wiring 49 may be cable wiring. One end of the wiring 49 is electrically connected to the tab 42t of each cell 42, and the other end of the wiring 49 is electrically connected to a connection portion 59 of the control module 50, which will be described later. The energy storage element module 40 and the control module 50 are electrically connected via the wiring 49.

Inside the housing 20, the energy storage element module 40 is arranged on one side s1 of the wood screw 30 in the first direction d1. Therefore, the energy storage element module 40 covers the wood screw 30 from one side s1 in the first direction d1.

The control module 50 will now be described. The control module 50 controls each of the energy storage element modules 40. The control module 50 has various functions for controlling the energy storage element modules 40. For example, the control module 50 has a function for controlling the charging and discharging of each energy storage element module 40. The control module 50 may have a function for converting AC power to DC power and a function for converting DC power to AC power. The control module 50 may have a function for monitoring the charge state, such as the charge amount, of each energy storage element module 40, and a function for monitoring the presence or absence of abnormalities in each energy storage element module 40. The control module 50 may have a function for transmitting information, such as the charge state and monitoring results of the presence or absence of abnormalities, of the energy storage element modules 40 to a control device installed outside the energy storage element unit 10. The control module 50 may have a function for switching between electrical connection and disconnection between wiring external to the energy storage element unit 10 and the energy storage element modules 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control module 50 is housed in the housing 20. The control module 50 is arranged on one side s1 in the first direction d1 relative to the energy storage element module 40. The control module 50 is arranged on one side s1 in the first direction d1 relative to the first energy storage element module assembly 41A.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the control module 50. As shown in Figure 11, the control module 50 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. Inside the control module 50 is a control circuit that processes and outputs input control signals and power. As shown in Figure 11, the control module 50 has multiple connection sections 59 to which each wiring 49 of the energy storage element modules 40 is connected, and an input/output section 55 to which external wiring of the energy storage element unit 10 is connected.

11 , the connection portion 59 may include a first connection portion 59a and a second connection portion 59b. Both the first connection portion 59a and the second connection portion 59b are connected to the wiring 49 of the energy storage element module 40. The first connection portion 59a is connected, for example, to a portion of the wiring 49 of the energy storage element module 40 that is related to the transmission and reception of power, and the second connection portion 59b is connected, for example, to a portion of the wiring 49 of the energy storage element module 40 that is related to the transmission and reception of information such as voltage information and temperature information. A plurality of connection portions 59 may be provided to correspond to the number of energy storage element modules 40. In the illustrated example, seven connection portions 59 are provided on the control module 50 corresponding to the seven energy storage element modules 40 included in the energy storage element unit 10. The wiring 49 of each of the seven energy storage element modules 40 is connected to the corresponding connection portion 59 of the control module 50. As a result, the control module 50 is electrically connected to each of the energy storage element modules 40. The control module 50 can control each of the energy storage element modules 40.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the input/output unit 55 may include a first input/output unit 55a and a second input/output unit 55b. Both the first input/output unit 55a and the second input/output unit 55b are connected to external wiring of the energy storage element unit 10. The first input/output unit 55a is connected, for example, to a portion of the external wiring related to the transmission and reception of control signals, and the second input/output unit 55b is connected, for example, to a portion of the external wiring related to the transmission and reception of power. This allows the control module 50 to transmit control signals and power to the outside, and receive control signals and power from the outside.

The energy storage element module 40 and control module 50 can be housed in the housing 20 via the opening 23a. Therefore, when viewed from above in the first direction d1, in other words, in the second direction d2 and third direction d3 non-parallel to the first direction d1, the internal dimensions of the housing, particularly the dimensions of the opening 23a, are larger than the external dimensions of the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 50.

Next, an example of a method for installing the energy storage element unit 10 at the installation location 5 will be described. In particular, an example in which the installation location 5 is the floor of a building will be described. Even if the installation location 5 is other than the floor of a building, the energy storage element unit 10 can be installed in a similar manner.

First, as shown in FIG. 12, the housing 20 with the lid 23 removed is placed so that the bottom 21 is in contact with the floor of the building. The housing 20 is located on one side s1 of the floor of the building in the first direction d1, in other words, on the upper side in the vertical direction. With the lid 23 removed, an opening 23a is exposed on one side s1 of the housing 20 in the first direction d1.

Next, wood screws 30 are placed into the through holes 21c through the openings 23a, i.e., from one side s1 in the first direction d1. Wood screws 30 are placed in at least some, preferably 12 or more, more preferably 16 or more, and most preferably all, of the multiple through holes 21c. By rotating the heads 31 of the wood screws 30, the threads of the shanks 32 of the wood screws 30 penetrate from the floor surface into the floorboard. The threads of the shanks 32 thread into the floorboard, fastening the wood screws 30 to the floor through the through holes 21c. The heads 31 of the wood screws 30 can be rotated through the openings 23a, i.e., from one side s1 in the first direction d1. For example, an operator can insert a hand holding a screwdriver into the housing 20 through the openings 23a, insert the screwdriver into the heads 31 of the wood screws 30, and rotate the screwdriver to rotate the heads 31 of the wood screws 30. Through the above process, 12 or more, and more preferably 16 or more, wood screws 30 are screwed into the floor through the through holes 21c from one side s1 in the first direction d1.

It is preferable that each of the multiple through holes 21c is at least 1 cm away from the side wall portion 22. In this case, when inserting a wood screw 30 into the through hole 21c and turning the wood screw 30 with a screwdriver or the like, the side wall portion 22 is less likely to interfere with the operation of turning the wood screw 30.

Next, the multiple energy storage element modules 40 and control modules 50 are housed in the housing 20 from one side s1 in the first direction d1 through the opening 23a. The multiple energy storage element modules 40 and control modules 50 may be housed simultaneously, or may be housed separately. The multiple energy storage element modules 40 may all be housed at the same time, or the multiple energy storage element modules 40 may be housed in multiple batches. The energy storage element modules 40 are housed in the housing 20 so as to cover the wood screws 30 from one side s1 in the first direction d1. The energy storage element modules 40 and control modules 50 housed in the housing 20 are fixed to the housing 20.

Then, by working through the opening 23a from one side s1 in the first direction d1, the wiring 49 of each energy storage element module 40 is connected to the connection portion 59 of the control module 50 inside the housing 20. Also, by working through the opening 23a from one side s1 in the first direction d1, the wiring outside the energy storage element unit 10 is connected to the input/output portion 55 of the control module 50 inside the housing 20.

Finally, the lid 23 is attached to the housing 20. The lid 23 closes the opening 23a of the housing 20. The storage element module 40 and control module 50 are housed in the storage space formed by the bottom 21, side wall 22, and lid 23.

Through the above steps, the energy storage element unit 10 is installed on the floor of the building at the installation location 5.

As shown in FIG. 13, a conventional energy storage element unit 110 has a fixing device 130, such as an L-shaped flange, attached to the outside of the housing 120. By fixing the fixing device 130 near the installation position 5, the energy storage element unit 110 is fixed to the installation position 5. In this way, when installing a conventional energy storage element unit 110, space near the installation position is used. To install the energy storage element unit, it is necessary to secure a space larger than the size of the energy storage element unit.

In the installation method for the energy storage element unit 10 of this embodiment, wood screws 30 can be screwed into the installation position 5 through the through holes 21c from one side s1 in the first direction d1, in other words, through the opening 23a, allowing the energy storage element module 40 and control module 50 to be housed in the housing 20, and the wiring 49 of the energy storage element module 40 to be connected to the connection portion 59 of the control module 50. The energy storage element unit 10 can be assembled at the installation position 5 and installed at the installation position 5 simply by working from one side s1 in the first direction d1 through the opening 23a. When installing a particularly large energy storage element unit 10 at the installation position 5, it is difficult to transport the energy storage element unit 10 directly to the installation position 5. The energy storage element unit 10 is disassembled, and the housing 20 is placed at the installation position 5, after which the energy storage element module 40 and control module 50 are housed within the housing 20. According to the installation method for the energy storage element unit 10 of this embodiment, there is no need to perform work from any direction other than the first direction d1, so there is no need to secure a space larger than the size of the energy storage element unit 10 in order to assemble and install the energy storage element unit 10. In other words, the energy storage element unit 10 can be installed even in a small space. The energy storage element unit 10 can be installed in a space-saving manner.

The first direction d1 is the vertical direction, and one side s1 of the first direction d1 is the upper side in the vertical direction. Work can be easily performed from one side s1 of the first direction d1 through the opening 23a. This makes it easy to install the energy storage element unit 10. Furthermore, in a direction non-parallel to the first direction d1, which is the vertical direction, i.e., in the horizontal direction, the energy storage element unit 10 can be installed without requiring a space for installing the energy storage element unit 10 that is larger than the space for the energy storage element unit 10 itself. In other words, the energy storage element unit 10 can be installed in a space-saving manner on a horizontal surface such as a floor.

The installation position 5 is the floor of a building. It is difficult to transport the large energy storage element unit 10 as is to the installation position 5 inside the building. The energy storage element unit 10 must be disassembled, and the housing 20 must be placed at the installation position 5, after which the energy storage element module 40 and control module 50 must be housed inside the housing 20. Furthermore, it is difficult to secure a large space in a building for installing the energy storage element unit 10. According to the installation method for the energy storage element unit 10 of this embodiment, the energy storage element unit 10 can be installed in a space-saving manner. When the installation position 5 is the floor of a building, the installation method for the energy storage element unit 10 of this embodiment is particularly effective.

The energy storage element module 40 housed in the housing 20 covers the wood screw 30 from one side s1 in the first direction d1. This prevents the wood screw 30 from being observed through the opening 23a.

The energy storage element unit 10 has at least 12 wood screws 30. At least 12 wood screws 30 are screwed into the installation position 5 through the through holes 21c. The energy storage element unit 10 is firmly fixed to the installation position 5. The energy storage element unit 10 can be installed so that it has sufficient resistance to vibrations caused by earthquakes, etc.

The internal dimensions of the housing 20 in the second direction d2 and third direction d3, which are non-parallel to the first direction d1, are larger than the external dimensions of the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 50. The energy storage element module 40 and the control module 50 can be accommodated in the housing 20 from the first direction d1, in other words, through the opening 23a, without being obstructed by protrusions inside the housing 20 or protrusions on the exterior of the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 50. In particular, the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 50 can be accommodated in the housing 20 even after the housing 20 has been fixed to the installation position 5 with wood screws 30. The energy storage element unit 10 can be installed at the installation position 5 simply by working from the first direction d1.

As described above, the installation method for the energy storage element unit 10 of this embodiment includes an arrangement step of arranging a housing 20 having a bottom 21 with a plurality of through holes 21c and an opening 23a opening to one side s1 in the first direction d1 so that the bottom 21 is in contact with the installation position 5; a screwing step of screwing wood screws 30 from one side s1 in the first direction d1 through at least a portion of the through holes 21c into the installation position 5; an accommodation step of accommodating the energy storage element module 40 and the control module 50 that controls the energy storage element module 40 in the housing 20 through the opening 23a; and a connection step of connecting the wiring 49 of the energy storage element module 40 to the connection portion 59 of the control module 50 through the opening 23a. According to this installation method for the energy storage element unit 10, the energy storage element unit 10 can be assembled at the installation position 5 and installed at the installation position 5 simply by working from one side s1 in the first direction d1 through the opening 23a. This allows the energy storage element unit 10 to be installed in the desired installation position 5 while saving space.

The aspects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, but include various modifications that may be conceived by those skilled in the art, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to the details of the above-described embodiments. In other words, various additions, modifications, and partial deletions are possible within the scope of the conceptual idea and spirit of the present invention, which can be derived from the details defined in the claims and their equivalents.

5 Installation position 10 Energy storage element unit 20 Housing 21 Bottom 21c Through hole 22 Side wall 23 Lid 23a Opening 25 Frame 26 Resin plate 27 Metal plate 30 Wood screw 31 Head 32 Shank 40 Energy storage element module 41 Energy storage element module assembly 42 Cell 44 Case 49 Wiring 50 Control module 59 Connection section

Claims (8)

A method for installing an energy storage element unit at an installation position, comprising:
an arrangement step of arranging a housing having a bottom portion provided with a plurality of through holes and an opening portion that opens to one side in a first direction so that the bottom portion is in contact with the installation position;
a screwing step of screwing a wood screw into the installation position through at least a part of the through hole from one side in the first direction;
an accommodating step of accommodating an energy storage element module and a control module for controlling the energy storage element module in the housing through the opening;
a connecting step of connecting wiring of the energy storage element module to a connecting portion of the control module by working through the opening ,
the bottom portion includes a resin plate and a metal plate located on one side of the resin plate in the first direction,
the resin plate has a flat resin plate main body portion,
the metal plate includes a flat metal plate main body portion and a connecting portion including an upstanding portion that stands up from the metal plate main body portion and is connected to the resin plate main body portion,
the resin plate main body portion and the metal plate main body portion are spaced apart in the first direction with the upstanding portion interposed therebetween,
the through hole includes a resin plate through hole that penetrates the resin plate main body portion and a metal plate through hole that is provided in the metal plate main body portion so as to face the resin plate through hole in the first direction,
A method for installing an energy storage element unit, wherein the wood screw screwed into the installation position has a head portion that is housed between the resin plate main body portion and the metal plate main body portion, and a shaft portion that passes through the resin plate through hole and is screwed into the installation position . the first direction is a vertical direction,
The method for installing an energy storage element unit according to claim 1 , wherein the one side in the first direction is an upper side in a vertical direction. The energy storage element unit installation method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the installation location is the floor of a building. The method for installing an energy storage element unit described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the energy storage element module is housed in the housing so as to cover the wood screw from one side in the first direction. The energy storage element unit installation method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the screwing step, at least 12 wood screws are screwed into the installation position from one side in the first direction through at least some of the through holes. An energy storage element unit installed at an installation position,
a housing having a bottom portion in which a plurality of through holes are provided and which is disposed so as to be in contact with the installation position , and an opening portion which opens to one side in the first direction;
an energy storage element module and a control module housed in the housing;
a wood screw that is disposed in the through hole and screwed into the installation position ;
inner dimensions of the housing in a second direction and a third direction non-parallel to the first direction are larger than outer dimensions of the energy storage element module and outer dimensions of the control module;
the bottom portion includes a resin plate and a metal plate located on one side of the resin plate in the first direction,
the resin plate has a flat resin plate main body portion,
the metal plate includes a flat metal plate main body portion and a connecting portion including an upstanding portion that stands up from the metal plate main body portion and is connected to the resin plate main body portion,
the resin plate main body portion and the metal plate main body portion are spaced apart in the first direction with the upstanding portion interposed therebetween,
the through hole includes a resin plate through hole that penetrates the resin plate main body portion and a metal plate through hole that is provided in the metal plate main body portion so as to face the resin plate through hole in the first direction,
The wood screw has a head portion that is accommodated between the resin plate main body portion and the metal plate main body portion, and a shaft portion that passes through the resin plate through hole and is screwed into the installation position, forming an energy storage element unit. The energy storage element unit described in claim 6, wherein the energy storage element module covers the wood screw from one side in the first direction. The energy storage element unit described in claim 6 or 7, comprising at least 12 wood screws.