Electric storage apparatus including battery modules, first cooling passage, and second cooling passage used to cool battery module after replacement
An electrical storage apparatus 1 includes a plurality of battery modules 10 and cooling passages A, B for cooling each of the battery modules 10 . The cooling passage A is configured so as to cool all battery modules 10 mounted in the electrical storage apparatus 1 at all times during charging. The cooling passage B is configured so as to cool only a new battery module 10 a as a replacement during charging. This enables the battery module 10 a having a temperature during charging higher than that of a battery module 10 yet to be replaced to be subject to forced cooling, thereby preventing performance of the battery module 10 a from being degraded.
1. An electrical storage apparatus comprising:
a plurality of battery structures, each including a plurality of secondary battery elements;
a first cooling passage for cooling all of the plurality of battery structures; and
a second cooling passage, separate from the first cooling passage, for cooling one of the plurality of battery structures that has been replaced;
wherein the electrical storage apparatus is configured to supply coolant to all of the plurality of battery structures via the first cooling passage and, within a first period of time after replacement of one of the plurality of battery structures with a replacement battery structure, the coolant is supplied, only via the second cooling passage, to only the replacement battery structure.
2. The electrical storage apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a housing in which all of the battery structures are disposed, wherein
the battery structure to which the coolant is supplied via the second cooling passage is disposed at a position of the housing.
3. The electrical storage apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary battery element comprises a lithium-ion secondary battery cell.
4. The electrical storage apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of each of the plurality of battery structures; and
a controller programmed to determine whether one of the plurality of battery structures is the replacement battery structure based on a change in temperature of each of the plurality of battery structures, the temperature being detected at time intervals.
5. The electrical storage apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising:
a storage unit for storing a temperature change characteristic of the replacement battery structure;
wherein the controller is further programmed to
calculate a temperature change characteristic of each battery structure; and
determine the replacement battery structure by comparing the temperature change characteristic stored in the storage unit with a calculated temperature change characteristic.
6. The electrical storage apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising:
an open/close valve for opening or closing at least a flow passage of the second cooling passage;
wherein the controller is programmed to control opening and closing of the open/close valve.
7. The electrical storage apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein
the open/close valve closes the flow passage of the second cooling passage after the battery structure has been supplied with the coolant via the second cooling passage for a second period of time.