U.S. patent application number 14/585430 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-23 for battery apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEC CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Kuniatsu HACHIYA, Youjirou NOMURA, Toru SUZUKI. Invention is credited to Kuniatsu HACHIYA, Youjirou NOMURA, Toru SUZUKI.
Application Number | 20150111080 14/585430 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47557965 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150111080 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NOMURA; Youjirou ; et
al. |
April 23, 2015 |
BATTERY APPARATUS
Abstract
In order to solve at least one of the drawbacks that result from
a state in which a plurality of secondary batteries are integrated,
a battery apparatus having a plurality of flat secondary batteries
70 includes housing 1 with opening 30, and lid 31 capable of
opening and closing opening 30 of housing 1, wherein the plurality
of secondary batteries 70 are disposed in a vertical orientation in
parallel with each other in housing 1 and are capable of being
singly inserted into and taken out of housing 1 through opening
30.
Inventors: |
NOMURA; Youjirou; (Tokyo,
JP) ; HACHIYA; Kuniatsu; (Tokyo, JP) ; SUZUKI;
Toru; (Kanagawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NOMURA; Youjirou
HACHIYA; Kuniatsu
SUZUKI; Toru |
Tokyo
Tokyo
Kanagawa |
|
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
NEC CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
NEC ENERGY DEVICES, LTD.
Sagamihara-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
47557965 |
Appl. No.: |
14/585430 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13818031 |
Feb 20, 2013 |
8951657 |
|
|
PCT/JP2012/065487 |
Jun 18, 2012 |
|
|
|
14585430 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
429/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 10/6551 20150401;
H01M 2010/4271 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 2/1094 20130101;
H01M 10/627 20150401; H01M 10/63 20150401; H01M 2/1077 20130101;
H01M 10/6563 20150401; H01M 2220/10 20130101; H01M 2/1016 20130101;
H01M 10/425 20130101; H01M 10/6565 20150401; H01M 10/613
20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
429/99 |
International
Class: |
H01M 2/10 20060101
H01M002/10; H01M 10/42 20060101 H01M010/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 15, 2011 |
JP |
2011-156889 |
Claims
1. A battery apparatus comprising: a secondary battery; a housing
whose internal space is partitioned, said secondary battery being
housed in said internal space; and a first receiving member which
mounts an electronic device which has at least a function for
converting direct current voltage into alternating current voltage
and converting alternating current voltage into direct current
voltage, wherein said first receiving member is slid into said
internal space and thereby said electronic device can be housed in
said housing.
2. The battery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
internal space is partitioned into upper side and lower side by a
rack member, and wherein said first receiving member is slid along
said rack member and thereby said first receiving member can be
housed in said housing.
3. The battery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an opening
is formed in a side surface of said housing, and wherein said first
receiving member can be housed in said housing via said
opening.
4. The battery apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a pair of
second receiving members is provided in an upper surface of said
rack member, and wherein said first receiving member is slid on
said pair of second receiving members and thereby said first
receiving member can be housed in said housing.
5. The battery apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an
opening--side end portion of said pair of second receiving members
and a end portion of said first receiving member are fixed by a
fixture and thereby said first receiving member is fixed in said
housing.
6. The battery apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second
receiving members are brackets.
7. The battery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
electronic device converts alternating current voltage supplied
from an external power source into direct current voltage and
outputs direct current voltage to said secondary battery, or said
electronic device converts direct current voltage supplied from
said secondary battery into alternating current voltage and outputs
alternating current voltage to outside.
8. The battery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
secondary battery is housed in a lower section of said partitioned
internal space.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/818,031, filed Feb. 20, 2013, which is a National Stage of
International Application No. PCT/JP2012/065487, filed on Jun. 18,
2012, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.
2011-156889, filed on Jul. 15, 2011, the contents of all of which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a battery apparatus having
a plurality of secondary batteries.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] A battery apparatus includes a plurality of secondary
batteries and when necessary discharges electricity charged in the
secondary batteries. For example, the battery apparatus discharges,
in the daytime, electricity charged during nighttime when the power
rates are low, or discharges, in the nighttime, electricity charged
by solar power generation during the daytime. Also, the battery
apparatus discharges, at the time of power stoppage, electricity
charged before the power stoppage.
[0004] Conventionally, in ordinary cases, a battery apparatus such
as described above is installed in a factory, a business company's
office or the like. In recent years, such a battery apparatus has
come to be installed in ordinary houses.
[0005] As secondary batteries, film-sheathed batteries are
ordinarily provided in a battery apparatus. A film-sheathed battery
includes battery elements: positive electrode plates and negative
electrode plates alternately stacked via separators. These battery
elements are enclosed together with an electrolyte in a sheath film
such as a laminated film.
[0006] In Patent Literature 1, a battery apparatus including a
lithium-ion battery as a film-sheathed battery is described. The
battery apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 includes a
casing in rectangular block form made of metal plates. The internal
space of the casing is partitioned into left and right spaces by a
wall. In the right space, a lithium-ion battery having a plurality
of cells integrally packed in a box and a lithium-ion battery
filling unit are disposed. In the left space, an alternate current
power supply controller for supplying alternating current power
from the lithium-ion battery is disposed.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0007] Patent Literature 1: JP2010-182541A (paragraphs 0013 and
0014)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0008] In the battery apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, a
lithium-ion battery integrally constructed by packing a plurality
of cells in a box is housed in a casing. In other words, a battery
unit integrally constructed by packing a plurality of film-sheathed
batteries in a box is housed in a casing. Therefore, it is not
possible to insert or remove each individual film-sheathed battery
into or from the casing. For this reason, it is necessary to insert
the entire battery unit into the casing or to remove the entire
battery unit from the casing when an installation operation or a
maintenance/inspection operation after the installation operation
is performed. Also, even in the case where some of the
film-sheathed batteries are suspected of malfunctioning, it is
necessary to take the entire battery unit out of the casing in
order to check whether or not a malfunction has occurred. As
clearly described in Patent Literature 1, however, the battery unit
has a large weight, and inserting the battery unit into the casing
or removing the battery unit from the casing requires a heavy
effort. In some cases a plurality of workers are needed to perform
this kind of insertion/removal operation. Furthermore, even if the
malfunctioning film-sheathed battery is identified after taking the
battery unit out of the casing, the film-sheathed battery alone
cannot be replaced; the entire battery unit needs to be
replaced.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one
of the above-described problems.
Solution to Problem
[0010] According to the present invention, a battery apparatus
including a plurality of flat secondary batteries is provided, the
apparatus including a housing with an opening, and a lid capable of
opening and closing the opening of the housing, wherein the
plurality of secondary batteries are disposed in a vertical
orientation in parallel with each other in the housing and are
capable of being singly inserted into and removed from the housing
through the opening.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0011] According to the present invention, at least one of the
above-described problems can be solved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1A is a front-side perspective view of a housing.
[0013] FIG. 1B is a back-side perspective view of the housing.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the housing.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a lid.
[0016] FIG. 4A is a front-side perspective view of an inner
housing.
[0017] FIG. 4B is a back-side perspective view of the inner
housing.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the interior of the
housing.
[0019] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a state before an
operation to insert a PCS unit is performed.
[0020] FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing a state when the
operation to insert the PCS unit is temporarily stopped.
[0021] FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a state after housing
a BMU.
[0022] FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing a state before housing
the BMU.
[0023] FIG. 8A is an upper-side perspective view of an upper
plate.
[0024] FIG. 8B is a lower-side perspective view of the upper
plate.
[0025] FIG. 8C is an exploded perspective view of the upper
plate.
[0026] FIG. 9A is an upper-side perspective view of a lower
plate.
[0027] FIG. 9B is a lower-side perspective view of the lower
plate.
[0028] FIG. 9C is an exploded perspective view of the lower
plate.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state before battery
packs are housed.
[0030] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the battery
pack.
[0031] FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing a state after housing
the battery packs.
[0032] FIG. 12B is a perspective view showing a state after housing
the battery packs.
[0033] FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged front view showing a state in
which the battery packs are housed.
[0034] FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing a state in which a
box is mounted.
[0035] FIG. 14B is an exploded perspective view showing the state
in which the box is mounted.
[0036] FIG. 15 is a transparent view schematically showing the flow
of air in the housing.
[0037] FIG. 16 is a transparent view schematically showing the flow
of air in the housing.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0038] 1 Housing [0039] 2 Inner housing [0040] 27 Space [0041] 28
Space [0042] 30 Opening [0043] 50 PCS unit [0044] 60 BMU [0045] 70
Battery pack [0046] 72 Film-sheathed battery [0047] 80 Upper plate
[0048] 84 Rail member [0049] 85 Guide slot [0050] 90 Lower plate
[0051] 94 Rail member [0052] 95 Guide slot
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
[0053] Hereinafter, an example of a battery apparatus of the
present invention in an exemplary embodiment will be described with
reference to the drawings. The battery apparatus according to the
exemplary embodiment comprises a metal housing, a plurality of
secondary batteries, a battery management unit (BMU), a power
conditioner system (PCS) unit and a control system.
[0054] The BMU intermediates between each secondary battery, the
PCS unit and the control system, collects information about the
condition of each secondary battery and determines the condition of
each secondary battery based on the collected information.
Furthermore, the BMU outputs information indicating the condition
of each secondary battery to the PCS unit and the control system
based on the results of the determination. The PCS unit converts an
alternating current voltage supplied from an external power source
(a commercial power source or a solar battery) into a direct
current voltage and outputs the direct current voltage to each
secondary battery. The PCS unit also converts a direct current
voltage supplied from each secondary battery into an alternating
current voltage and outputs the alternating current voltage to the
outside (load). The control system mainly consists of an arithmetic
processing unit, a memory and a program stored in the memory, and
performs overall control of the battery apparatus. For example, the
control system manages and controls transmission of information
between the BMU and the PCS unit in accordance with the
above-described program, manages and controls the amount of charge
in and the amount of discharge from the secondary batteries, and
changes the operation mode (charge mode, discharge mode) of the
battery apparatus. In the battery apparatus according to the
exemplary embodiment, the control system consists of a
notebook-type personal computer (PC), a memory incorporated in the
PC, a program stored in the memory, and so on. The main functions
of the BMU, the PCS unit and the control system have been
described. The BMU, the PCS unit and the control system also have
functions other than the functions described above.
[0055] FIG. 1A is a front-side perspective view of housing 1. FIG.
1B is a back-side perspective view of housing 1. FIG. 2 is an
exploded perspective view of housing 1. As shown in these figures,
housing 1 is a box that mainly consists of inner housing 2 and
outer panels covering inner housing 2 and has an appearance
generally in rectangular block form as a whole. Inner housing 2 and
the outer panels are made of metal, which is stainless steel in the
exemplary embodiment. Although the size of housing 1 is not
particularly specified, housing 1 in the exemplary embodiment has
the following dimensions: a width (W) of 450 mm, a depth (D) of 760
mm and a height (H) of 880 mm (see FIG. 1A).
[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, inner housing 2 comprises base (bottom
portion) 10 generally in rectangular form as viewed in plan, right
side 11 and left side 12 rising upright from the two longer sides
of base 10, back side 13 (FIG. 4B) rising upright from one of the
shorter sides of base 10, and ceiling side 14 opposite to base 10,
with the side (front side) opposite to back side 13 open.
Reinforcing members are attached to the external sides of inner
housing 2 as required.
[0057] Left and right sides 11, 12 of inner housing 2 are covered
with side panels 21, 22, respectively. Also, back side 13 of inner
housing 2 is covered with back panel 23, and ceiling side 14 is
covered with ceiling panel 24. Furthermore, front panel 25 is
provided at the front side of inner housing 2. The panels are fixed
to each other or fixed on inner housing 2 by riveting or welding as
required. However, only front panel 25 is rotatably attached to the
front side of inner housing 2. That is, front panel 25 forms a lid
31 which opens or closes opening 30 of housing 1. Heat radiating
members described below are disposed between back side 13 (FIG. 4B)
of inner housing 2 and back panel 23. A plurality of slits 23a for
making the heat radiating members communicate with the outside air
are formed in back panel 23.
[0058] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing lid 31 of housing 1 that
mainly consists of front panel 25. Lid 31 consists of front panel
25 and frame panel 26 fitted inside front panel 25. Hooks 32 are
each provided at both sides of the lower end of lid 31. Lock
mechanisms 33 are each provided at both sides of the upper end of
lid 31. Lid 31 is attached to housing 1 by making respective hooks
32 engage with a shaft (not shown) provided at the lower edge of
housing opening 30 so as to be rotatable on the shaft in the
direction of the arrow in FIG. 2. Lock mechanisms 33 in the
exemplary embodiment are the so-called snap locks, and receiving
portions 33a of the snap locks are provided at both sides of the
upper end of lid 31. On the other hand, arms and levers (not shown)
of the snap locks are provided at the upper edge of housing opening
30. The snap locks are locked by turning the levers in a
predetermined direction in a state where the arms are hitched to
receiving portions 33a, and are unlocked by turning the levers in
the reverse direction. Lock mechanisms 33 are not limited to the
snap locks, and any lock mechanism can be adopted.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, openings (upper opening 13a,
lower opening 13b) are provided at upper and lower sides on back
side 13 of inner housing 2. Flange 13c having a height of about 40
mm is provided on the edges of back side 13. Heat radiating member
40 is housed inside flange 13c and is covered with back panel 23
(FIG. 2). In other words, heat radiating member 40 is disposed in
space 27 provided between back side 13 of inner housing 2 and back
panel 23. In further other words, the internal space of housing 1
is partitioned into an inner space and space 27 in inner housing 2
by a partition wall (back side 13 of inner housing 2), and the
inner space and space 27 in inner housing 2 are connected to each
other via two openings 13a, 13b.
[0060] Heat radiating member 40 includes heat absorbing side 41 and
heat radiating side 42 on which a multiplicity of fins are formed,
and is disposed in such an orientation that heat absorbing side 41
is opposite to back side 13. Also, the outer peripheral surface of
heat radiating member 40 is in close contact with the inner
peripheral surface of flange 13c. Furthermore, rubber packing 41 is
provided between the end surface of flange 13c and back panel 23 to
secure predetermined airtightness and watertightness.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a front view of housing 1 in a state where lid 31
is removed. The internal space of housing 1, or more strictly the
inner space in inner housing 2, is partitioned into three spaces
along the top-bottom direction. PCS unit 50 is housed on the upper
stage, BMU 60 and a plurality (thirteen in the exemplary
embodiment) of battery packs 70 are housed on the intermediate
stage, and a terminal base (not shown) is housed on the lower
stage. The internal structure of housing 1, i.e., the internal
structure of the battery apparatus according to the exemplary
embodiment, will be concretely described below with reference to
FIGS. 6A to 13.
[0062] The internal space of housing 1 is partitioned into three
spaces by a pair of members in plate form (upper plate 80, lower
plate 90), as shown in FIG. 6A. More specifically, the internal
space is partitioned into a space between upper plate 80 and
ceiling side 14 of inner housing 2 (first space), a space between
upper plate 80 and lower plate 90 (second space) and a space
between lower plate 90 and base 10 (third space).
[0063] PCS unit 50 is housed in the first space in a state of being
fixed on chassis 51. When PCS unit 50 is housed in the first space,
chassis 51 on which PCS unit 50 is fixed is inserted into the first
space by being slid along the upper surface of upper plate 80, as
shown in FIG. 6A. This inserting operation is temporarily stopped
before PSC unit 50 is completely inserted in the first space, and
necessary cables are connected to PCS unit 50, as shown in FIG. 6B.
Thereafter, PSC unit 50 is completely inserted in the first space
and chassis 51 is fixed to upper plate 80 with screws.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 7A, BMU 60 is housed in the second space.
Description of the structures of upper plate 80 and lower plate 90
will be preliminarily made with reference to FIGS. 8A to 9C. FIG.
8A is an upper-side perspective view of upper plate 80; FIG. 8B is
a lower-side perspective view of upper plate 80; and FIG. 8C is an
exploded perspective view of upper plate 80. Also, FIG. 9A is an
upper-side perspective view of lower plate 90; FIG. 9B is a
lower-side perspective view of lower plate 90; and FIG. 9C is an
exploded perspective view of lower plate 90. As most clearly shown
in FIG. 8C, upper plate 80 consists of base plate 81, a pair of
brackets 82 provided on the upper surface of base plate 81, a
plurality of supporting members 83 provided on the lower surface of
base plate 81 and a plurality of rail members 84 spanned on
supporting members 83. Each bracket 82 has its one
longitudinal-direction end bent upward, and a screw hole (not
shown) is formed in the bent end portion. A screw for fixing
chassis 51 (FIGS. 6A and 6B) to upper plate 80 on which PCS unit 50
is mounted is screwed into the screw hole. On the other hand, on
the lower surface of base plate 81, a plurality of supporting
members 83 are arranged at a predetermined interval in parallel
with each other. Furthermore, on supporting members 83, a plurality
of rail members 84 are arranged at a predetermined interval along
the longitudinal direction of supporting members 83 in parallel
with each other. Each rail member 84 has a generally U-shaped
sectional shape, and guide slots 85 are formed between side walls
of adjacent rail members 84. That is, thirteen guide slots 85 are
provided in parallel with each other on the lower surface of upper
plate 80 opposite to the upper surface of lower plate 90.
[0065] As most clearly shown in FIG. 9C, lower plate 90 consists of
base plate 91, a pair of brackets 92 provided on the lower surface
of base plate 91, a plurality of supporting members 93 spanned
between the pair of brackets 92 and a plurality of rail members 94
provided on the upper surface of base plate 81. Between brackets 92
that are opposite to each other, a plurality of supporting members
93 are arranged at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal
direction of these brackets 92 in parallel with each other. On the
other hand, on the upper surface of base plate 91, a plurality of
rail members 94 are arranged at a predetermined interval along the
longitudinal direction of supporting members 93 in parallel with
each other. Each rail member 94 has a generally U-shaped sectional
shape. Guide slots 95 are formed between side walls of adjacent
rail members 94. That is, thirteen guide slots 95 are provided in
parallel with each other on the upper surface of lower plate 90
that is opposite to the lower surface of upper plate 80. Guide
slots 85 provided in upper plate 80 and guide slots 95 provided in
lower plate 90 correspond to each other in a one-to-one
relationship. Each of rail members 84, 94 has its side wall end
portions bent inwardly, such that the width of the end portion
(entry/exit portion) of each of guide slots 85, 95 is slightly
larger than the width of the other portion.
[0066] Reference is again made to FIGS. 7A and 7B. BMU 60 is
inserted into the second space along left side 12 of inner housing
2, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. As shown in FIG. 7A, BMU 60
inserted in the second space is fixed to the end surfaces of upper
plate 80 and lower plate 90 with screws not shown in the
figure.
[0067] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, a plurality of secondary
batteries (a plurality of battery packs 70 in the exemplary
embodiment) are housed adjacent to BMU 60 in the second space. In
other words, a plurality of battery packs 70 are housed between BMU
60 and right side 11 of inner housing 2. As shown in FIG. 11, each
battery pack 70 includes module case 71 generally in plate form,
and film-sheathed batteries (lithium-ion batteries) 72 are disposed
in recesses formed on two major sides (side A, side B) of module
case 71. More specifically, two of the above-described recesses are
formed on each of the major sides of module case 71, and one
film-sheathed battery 72 is disposed in each recess. While only two
film-sheathed batteries 72 disposed on one major side (side A) of
module case 71 are illustrated in FIG. 11, two film-sheathed
batteries are also disposed in the same way on the other major side
(side B) of module case 71. In short, each battery pack 70 includes
four film-sheathed batteries 72, which are connected in series by
connection members (bus bars) provided in case 71. The secondary
battery used in the battery apparatus of the present invention is
not limited to the above-described battery pack.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 11, two film-sheathed batteries 72 disposed
on each of the major sides of module case 71 are covered with
insulating sheet 73 large enough to collectively cover these
film-sheathed batteries 72, and insulating sheet 73 is covered with
cover 74. Also, handle 75 is integrally formed on an end surface of
module case 71.
[0069] Reference is again made to FIG. 10. In the battery apparatus
according to the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of battery packs
70 are disposed in parallel with each other in a vertical
orientation. In other words, a plurality of battery packs 70 are
disposed in parallel with each other in the second space so that
side A and side B of adjacent battery packs 70 (module case 71) are
opposite to each other. In further other words, battery packs 70
are disposed in parallel with each other in inner housing 2 in such
an orientation that their major sides are parallel to sides 11, 12
(FIG. 2) of inner housing 2. Also, end surfaces on which handles 75
are provided of battery packs 70 disposed in parallel with each
other as described above are opposite to the opening face of
housing opening 30. That is, handles 75 are exposed in housing
opening 30. By disposing a plurality of battery packs 70 in a
vertical orientation in parallel with each other as described
above, the effect of the weight of the other battery packs 70 on
each battery pack 70 can be avoided. On the other hand, in the case
where a plurality of film-sheathed batteries are stacked one on
another by being horizontally laid, there is a risk of a warp or
the like of each film-sheathed battery as a result of the action
thereon of the weights of the batteries on the higher stages.
[0070] The upper ends (upper edges) of battery packs 70 disposed in
parallel with each other as described above are inserted in guide
slots 85 through their entire length, while the lower ends (lower
edges) are inserted in guide slots 95 through their entire length.
In short, slots in which battery packs 70 can be inserted and from
which battery packs 70 can be removed are provided in housing 1.
Each of the end portions (entry/exit portions) of guide slots 85
and 95 is slightly larger in width than the other portion.
Therefore the end portions of battery packs 70 can be easily
inserted into guide slots 85 and 95 through the end portions of
guide slots 85 and 95. While a plurality of battery packs 70 are
shown integrally with each other in FIG. 10, battery packs 70 are
independent of each other and each battery pack 70 alone can be
inserted into and taken out of housing 1.
[0071] As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a plurality of battery packs
70 housed in housing 1 are integrally fixed in housing 1 by a pair
of fixing members 101, 102. More specifically, upper fixing member
101 straddling upper portions of the end surfaces of battery packs
70 and the end surface of upper plate 80 adjacent to the upper
portions of the end surfaces of battery packs 70 is screw fastened
to the end surface of upper plate 80. Also, lower fixing member 102
straddling lower portions of the end surfaces of battery packs 70
and the end surface of lower plate 90 adjacent to the lower
portions of the end surfaces of battery packs 70 is screw fastened
to the end surface of lower plate 90. By these two fixing members
101, 102, battery packs 70 are fixed in the front-rear direction
(housing 1 insertion/removal direction). It is obvious that battery
packs 70 are fixed in the left-right direction by the side walls of
rail members 84 and 94 forming guide slots 85, 95.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of battery packs 70 housed
in housing 1 are connected in series by power cable 111 that
connects connectors 110 provided on the end surfaces of battery
packs 70 to each other and are connected to BMU 60 by this power
cable. Four film-sheathed batteries 72 connected in series are
housed in each battery pack 70, as already described. Thus, the
battery apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment includes
fifty-two (4.times.13) film-sheathed batteries 72 connected in
series and has a maximum capacity of 6 kwh.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 13, connectors 112 other than connectors
110 are provided on the end surfaces of battery packs 70.
Connectors 112 on six of battery packs 70 are each connected to
connector 114 of BMU 60 via signal cables 113, while connectors 112
on the other seven battery packs 70 are each connected to connector
115 of BMU 60 via signal cables 113. These connectors and cables
are for sensing the conditions of battery packs 70, and information
indicating the conditions of battery packs 70 is input to BMU 60
through these connectors and cables.
[0074] As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, box 120 is mounted outside
back panel 23, and a notebook-type PC constituting the control
system is housed in this box 120. More specifically, a pair of
brackets 121 are screw fastened to the outer surface of back panel
23, and box 120 is screw fastened to these brackets 121. Brackets
121 have a function to form a gap between back panel 23 and box 120
such that slits 23a that are formed on back panel 23 are not closed
by box 120 as well as the function to fix box 120 on back panel
23.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 14A, a lead-in hole for leading in a cable
and a lead-out hole for leading out a cable are provided in the
back side of base 10. The cable led in through the lead-in hole is
connected to a predetermined terminal provided on the
above-mentioned terminal base. Also, a cable connected to a
predetermined terminal provided on the above-mentioned terminal
base is lead out to the outside through the lead-out hole.
[0076] A cooling structure for the battery apparatus according to
the exemplary embodiment will next be described. The performance of
each film-sheathed battery housed in housing 1 changes depending on
the ambient temperature. It is, therefore, desirable to maintain
the temperature in housing 1 within a predetermined temperature
range. In consideration of this, making the internal space of
housing 1 communicate with the outside air can limit the increase
in temperature in the internal space. However, if an opening or a
through hole for communication between the internal space of
housing 1 and the outside air is provided, there is concern that
rain water or dust may penetrate to the inside via the opening or
through hole. Therefore, housing 1 constituting the battery
apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment is provided in such
a structure so as to be hermetically closed when opening 30 is
closed by lid 31, thereby securing predetermined airtightness and
watertightness. In other words, no opening or through hole for
communication between the internal space of housing 1 and the
outside air is provided. Slits 23a (FIG. 1B, FIG. 2) provided in
back panel 23 communicate with space 27 in which heat radiating
member 40 is disposed. Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, openings 13a and
13b are provided on back side 13 of inner housing 2 in which space
27 is formed. However, heat radiating member 40 is disposed by
being superposed on back side 13 and the outer peripheral surface
of heat radiating member 40 is in close contact with the inner
peripheral surface of flange 13c. Also, packing 41 is disposed
between the end surface of flange 13c and back panel 23. That is,
the internal space of housing 1 communicates with heat radiating
member 40 but does not communicate with the outside air. More
specifically, heat absorbing side 41 (FIG. 4A) of heat radiating
member 40 communicates with the internal space of housing 1 through
openings 13a and 13b, while heat radiating side 42 (FIG. 4B)
communicates with outside air through slits 23a. This structure
enables dissipating heat in housing 1 to the outside without
communication between the internal space of housing 1 and the
outside air.
[0077] Furthermore, an airflow that is created in housing 1, as
schematically shown by using arrows in FIGS. 15 and 16, so that
heat can be radiated through heat radiating member 40, is promoted.
A concrete description of this will be given below.
[0078] FIG. 15 is a right-side transparent view of the battery
apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 16 is a
front-side transparent view of the battery apparatus. As shown in
FIG. 15, an air inlet (not shown) and air outlet 52 are provided on
the case of PCS unit 50, and a cooling fan (not shown) is
incorporated in the case. Accordingly, when this fan is rotated,
air is introduced through the air inlet and the introduced air is
discharged through air outlet 52. As shown in FIG. 15, the first
space in housing 1 in which PCS unit 50 is housed communicates with
space 27 in which heat radiating member 40 is housed through upper
opening 13a. Also, the third space in housing 1 in which the
terminal base is housed communicates with space 27 through lower
opening 13b. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, two fans 130 are
provided in the vicinity of lower opening 13b in the third space in
housing 1. That is, each of the upper and lower sections of the
internal space of housing 1 communicates with space 27 and fans are
provided in each of the upper and lower sections. Therefore, when
the two fans (the fan incorporated in PCS unit 50 and fans 130) are
rotated, airflows such as indicated by arrows in FIGS. 15 and 16
are generated in housing 1 according to the push-pull principle.
More specifically, air blown out from air outlet 52 of PCS unit 50
flows into space 27 via upper opening 13a. The air having flowed
into space 27 passes through space 27 and is drawn into fans 130
via lower opening 13b. Also, air blown out from fans 130 passes
below electric packs 70 and flows out into space 28 between the end
surfaces of electric packs 70 and front panel 25 (lid 31).
Furthermore, the air having flowed into space 28 passes through
space 28 to be drawn into the air inlet of PCS unit 50. That is, an
airflow that circulates around battery packs 70 is formed in the
internal space of housing 1.
[0079] When an airflow (air) circulating as described above passes
(descends) through space 27, it is cooled by heat exchange with the
outside air through heat radiating member 40. The cooled air cools
battery packs 70 by heat exchange with the battery packs 70 mainly
in the process of passing (ascending) through space 28. That is,
spaces 27, 28 form passages for circulating air (cooling wind) in
housing 1. In other words, back side 13 of inner housing 2 and heat
absorbing side 41 of heat radiating member 40 that is opposite to
back side 13 form a first passage therebetween. Also, the end
surfaces of battery packs 70 and the inner surface of housing 1
(the inner surface of lid 31) that is opposite to the end surfaces
form a second passage therebetween.
[0080] By forming an airflow as described above in housing 1, the
plurality of battery packs 70 can be cooled more uniformly in
comparison with the case of locally cooling by directly supplying
cooling wind to battery packs 70.
[0081] In the exemplary embodiment, the fan incorporated in PCS
unit 50 is used to form the above-described airflow. In the case
where an electronic device incorporating a fan is housed as well as
PCS unit 50, however, the fan incorporated in the electronic device
may also be used. Furthermore, a fan different from that
incorporated in the electronic device may be provided to be used.
Air outlet 52 of PCS unit 50 and upper opening 13a may be connected
by a duct. A temperature sensor may be provided and one or both of
the above-described two fans may be controlled based on the
detection result from this sensor. For example, a temperature
sensor may be provided in the housing and the operations of the
above-described two fans may be controlled based on the internal
temperature in housing 1 that is detected by this sensor. Also, a
temperature sensor may be provided outside the housing and the
operations of the above-described two sensors may be controlled
based on the environmental temperature that is detected by this
sensor.
[0082] The present invention has been described with reference to
the exemplary embodiment. However, the invention of the present
application is not limited to the above-described exemplary
embodiment. Various changes understandable by those skilled in the
art within the scope of the invention of the present application
can be made in the constitution and details of the invention of the
present application.
[0083] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Application No. 2011-156889, filed
on Jul. 15, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
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