Storage battery container

A storage battery container is provided with an air supply part having an air supply port provided to the bottom surface, a variable heat dissipation device that balances accumulated heat inside the storage battery, and an air discharge part of a rear surface having an air discharge port correspondingly provided to a heat release part of the variable heat dissipation device. The air supply part puts the air supply port in an open state when power is being supplied, and puts the air supply port in a closed state when the power supply stops. The air discharge part puts the air discharge port in an open state when the variable heat dissipation device is actuated, and puts the air discharge port in a closed state when the actuation of the variable heat dissipation device stops.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to storage battery containers, and to a storage battery container that is suitably applied to storage batteries that are, for example, operated at high temperatures.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, frequency regulation of electric power systems and adjustment of power demand and power supply of electric power systems are achieved by using a plurality of power generators, storage batteries, and the like within the systems. Further, adjustment of difference between generated power and planned output power from natural energy power generators, and reduction of fluctuations in power generation from natural energy power generators, too, are often achieved by a plurality of power generators, storage batteries, and the like. Storage batteries are capable of changing output power at higher speeds as compared to common power generators, and are therefore effective to regulate frequencies of electric power systems, adjust the difference between generated power and planned output power from natural energy power generators, and to adjust power demand and power supply of electric power systems.

High-temperature operated storage batteries, e.g., sodium-sulfur batteries (hereinafter referred to as NaS batteries), are effective as storage batteries for such purposes. The NaS batteries are secondary batteries that have a configuration in which metallic sodium and sulfur as active materials are separated and encased in a solid electrolyte cylinder. Accordingly, when heated to high temperatures, NaS batteries generate certain energy through electrochemical reactions of the two active materials being melted. In general, NaS batteries are used in the form of storage batteries in which a plurality of unit cells are assembled in an erected position and connected to each other (International Publication No. WO 2013/111426).

In the use of NaS batteries, a plurality of thermally insulated containers are stacked (arranged in tiers) in a vertical direction to form one module row, and a plurality of module rows are arranged side by side and encased in a single package, and further a control device is provided to control the module batteries in the package (for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-226488 and International Publication No. WO 2015/029830).

However, as described in International Publication No. WO 2013/111426, excessively raised temperatures in the casings of the storage batteries are not desirable for high-temperature operated storage batteries such as NaS batteries etc. Then, using the heat-dissipation variable air-cooling device described in International Publication No. WO 2015/056739 is proposed. This air-cooling device includes a duct provided in a casing, and a fan that is driven to cause a flow of coolant through the duct, to thereby prevent excessive temperature rise in the casing.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

By the way, if a plurality of storage batteries are accommodated in a package as shown in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-226488, the air taken into the package by the operation of fans flows through the storage batteries and is discharged through an exhaust port formed in the ceiling.

In this case, the heat from the air-cooling device of each storage battery, for example, is discharged into the interior of the package, which will raise the temperature in the package and, in particular, produce temperature differences among well-ventilated portions and ill-ventilated portions. This leads to reduction in the operating efficiency of the storage batteries.

Further, the technique of International Publication No. WO 2015/029830 describes, as shown with the container device including two packages, a scheme to prevent the gas within the container device from being discharged to the outside by closing the air inlet and exhaust ports of the container device, but this technique necessitates separate units, for example to electrically open and close the air inlet and exhaust ports. This may lead to a complicated structure.

The present invention has been devised in order to solve the problems above, and an object of the invention is to provide a storage battery container that can reduce discharge of heat from the storage batteries into the interior of the container (including a package, container device, etc.), and can improve the operating efficiency of the storage batteries, while enabling a simplified structure.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a storage battery container has at least a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface and accommodates a plurality of storage batteries. The storage battery container incudes: an air supply portion including an air inlet port provided in the bottom surface; a variable heat dissipation device provided for each of the storage batteries and configured to, when being driven, introduce air from the air supply portion into the storage battery and discharge heat in the storage battery together with the air so as to achieve heat balance of heat accumulation in the storage battery; and an air exhaust portion provided on the side surface in correspondence with a heat discharge portion of the variable heat dissipation device and including an air exhaust port. The air supply portion places the air inlet port in an opened state when supplied with electric power, and places the air inlet port in a closed state when the supply of electric power is stopped, and the air exhaust portion places the air exhaust port in an opened state when the variable heat dissipation device is driven, and places the air exhaust port in a closed state when the variable heat dissipation device is stopped.

According to the storage battery container of the invention, it is possible to reduce discharge of heat from the storage batteries into the interior of the container (including a package, container device, etc.), and to improve the operating efficiency of the storage batteries, while enabling a simplified structure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment in which the storage battery container of the invention is applied to NaS batteries will be described referring toFIGS.1to9.

First, before describing the storage battery container of this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as container10), a storage battery12that is accommodated in the container10(seeFIG.5) will be described referring toFIGS.1to4.

As shown inFIG.1, the storage battery12includes a casing18accommodating a battery assembly16formed of a plurality of unit cells14(seeFIG.4), and a variable heat dissipation device22for maintaining the temperature in the casing18within a certain allowable range (operating temperature range) so as to achieve heat balance of heat accumulation within the casing18. A temperature sensor26for measuring the present temperature in the casing18is further provided. The variable heat dissipation device22includes a heat dissipation control unit28that drives a fan for feeding air into the casing18. This will be described later.

Now, a specific example of the storage battery12provided with the variable heat dissipation device22will be described referring toFIGS.2to4.

As shown inFIG.2, the storage battery12includes a base40made of, e.g., a steel material, a box42placed and fixed on the base40, the battery assembly16formed of a large number of unit cells14accommodated in the box42, and a lid44closing the opening of the box42. Each unit cell14is made in a cylindrical shape and accommodated within the box42in such a manner that its axial direction extends in a vertical direction. The box42and the lid44form the casing18of the storage battery12.

Further, heaters24, which are used to raise the temperature in the box42, are provided on the bottom surface and inner wall surfaces of the box42. Further, the space between the box42and the battery assembly16is filled with silica sand46for the purpose of transmitting heat from the heaters24to the unit cells14and absorbing heat generated from the unit cells14.

The box42has a substantially cuboid shape, for example, includes four side walls (a first side wall68a, a second side wall68b, a third side wall68c, and a fourth side wall68d: seeFIG.4) and a bottom wall, and has an opening at the top. The box42is formed of a plate material made of stainless steel, for example, and is shaped like a box having a hollow48in itself. The hollow48is an enclosed space that is airtightly sealed, and has a structure in which the hollow48and the outside space can communicate with each other through a vacuum valve not shown. The hollow48is filled with a porous, vacuum insulation board50that is made by solidifying glass fiber into a plate-like shape with adhesive, and so the box42has a vacuum heat insulation structure.

The lid44has a top wall52and an awning54, and is placed so as to close the opening at the top of the box42. Like the box42described above, the lid44is also formed of a plate material made of stainless steel, for example, and is shaped like a box having a hollow56in itself. The hollow56is an enclosed space that is airtightly sealed, and has a structure in which the hollow56and the outside space can communicate with each other through a vacuum valve not shown. The hollow56is filled with a porous, vacuum insulation board58that is made by solidifying glass fiber into a plate-like shape with adhesive, and so the lid44has a vacuum heat insulation structure.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG.4, the battery assembly16is formed of two or more blocks64that are connected in series from a positive outside terminal60to a negative outside terminal62. Each block64includes two or more circuits (strings66) connected in parallel, where each of the circuits is formed of two or more unit cells14connected in series. The positive outside terminal60protrudes outside through the first side wall68aof the box42, and the negative outside terminal62protrudes outside through the second side wall68bof the box42(the side wall opposite to the first side wall68a).

Then, as shown inFIGS.2to3B, the variable heat dissipation device22includes a metal duct72which is provided at least between the box42and the lid44and through which air70flows, a plate member74provided between the battery assembly16and the duct72and having at least an electric insulating property, and a fan76provided outside of the box42and feeding the air70into the duct72.

The duct72has an air introduction portion78made of metal into which the air70is introduced, a heat transport portion80made of metal and provided downstream of the air introduction portion78between the lid44and the box42so as to transport at least the heat generated in the box42together with the air70, and a heat discharge portion82made of metal and provided downstream of the heat transport portion80so as to discharge the heat outward together with the air70.

The air introduction portion78extends along the first side wall68aof the box42into the space between the awning54of the lid44and the first side wall68aof the box42. In particular, a cushioning member84(heat insulator) is interposed between the air introduction portion78and the first side wall68aof the box42, so that the air introduction portion78is spaced apart from the first side wall68aof the box42. Preferably, the cushioning member84has a heat insulating function, and a heat insulator is used in this embodiment.

The air introduction portion78includes an air feed portion86into which the air70is fed from the fan76provided outside, and an air guide portion88communicating with the air feed portion86, and guiding the air70fed into the air feed portion86to the heat transport portion80. The air feed portion86has an air chamber90. A duct in the air chamber90has a shape that gradually expands toward the air guide portion88.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG.3A, the heat transport portion80is provided between the top wall52of the lid44and the box42. A lower surface80aof the heat transport portion80is formed in a rectangular shape that is the same as the shape of the opening of the box42, and the size of the lower surface80ais substantially the same as the size of the opening of the box42. Further, the lower surface80aof the heat transport portion80(the surface facing the battery assembly16(or the plate member74)) is provided with a plurality of fins92extending toward the battery assembly16(or toward the plate member74)).

As shown inFIG.3B, a duct94in the heat transport portion80has formed therein a plurality of supports96for maintaining the shape of the duct94. The supports96can be of plate-like shape, corrugated shape, or piece-like shape.

As shown inFIGS.2and3A, the heat discharge portion82is provided to extend along the second side wall68bof the box42from the space between the second side wall68bof the box42and the awning54of the lid44, and is particularly in contact with the second side wall68bof the box42.

Then, the heat dissipation control unit28of the variable heat dissipation device22drives the fan76, whereby the cooled air70is supplied into the duct72as the fan76operates. As the air70is supplied into the duct72, the heat in the box42is transferred to the air70in the heat transport portion80and raises the temperature of the air70. The temperature-raised air70is discharged to the outside of the box42through the heat discharge portion82. That is, the heat in the interior of the casing18is dissipated. This forcibly cools the interior of the casing18, and the interior of the casing18is efficiently cooled even if the box42and the lid44both have a highly heat-insulated structure. As a result, the temperature in the casing18can be maintained within an allowable range even if the discharge output is high or lasts for a long time, which enables the battery assembly16inside the box42to operate in an optimum operating environment.

Next, the container10of the embodiment will be described referring toFIGS.5to9.

The container10includes a container body112having a top surface102, a bottom surface104, and four side surfaces (a front surface106, a rear surface108, a right side surface110a, and a left side surface110b), and the container10accommodates a plurality of storage batteries12.FIG.5shows an example in which three storage batteries12are arranged side by side on the upper stage and three storage batteries12are arranged side by side on the lower stage, with two of the storage batteries12being disposed in each vertical row.

The container10includes: air supply portions116each having an air inlet port114formed in the bottom surface104; the variable heat dissipation devices22described above; and air exhaust portions120provided at the rear surface108to respectively face the heat discharge portions82of the variable heat dissipation devices22. Three air supply portions116are provided in correspondence with the number of the vertical rows, and six air exhaust portions120are provided in correspondence with the number of the storage batteries12.

Each air supply portion116places the air inlet port114in an opened state when electric power is being supplied, and places the air inlet port114in a closed state when the supply of electric power is stopped. For example, as shown inFIG.8, each air supply potion116includes an opening/closing lid122and an electromagnetic chuck124that electromagnetically holds the opening/closing lid122when supplied with electric power, to thereby place the air inlet port114in the opened state. When the supply of electric power to the electromagnetic chuck124is stopped, the air inlet port114is closed due to the weight of the opening/closing lid122itself. It is preferred that the air inlet port114is provided with a first filter126A for preventing entry of dust. In this case, it is preferred that the first filter126A is a filter made of uninflammable nonwoven fabric, for example.

Each air exhaust portion120places the air exhaust port136(seeFIG.9) in substantially an opened state when the corresponding variable heat dissipation device22(seeFIG.1) is driven, and places the air exhaust port136in substantially a closed state when the variable heat dissipation device22is stopped. For example, as shown inFIG.9, the air exhaust portion120includes a tube130that has one opening128aand another opening128band that is arranged so that its center axis extends in substantially a horizontal direction, and a hood132for protecting the other opening128bside of the tube130.

The one opening128aof the tube130is disposed in the interior of the container body112on the inside of the rear surface108of the container body112, and the other opening128bof the tube130is positioned on the outside of the rear surface108of the container10.

The hood132has its opening end132afixed to the rear surface108among the side surfaces of the container body112, and its top132binclined downward toward the rear. The hood132functions also as a protection from rainwater. The hood132has an opening formed at the bottom, and this opening constitutes the air exhaust port136. The air exhaust port136discharges the air substantially downward. That is, the tube130is arranged so that its center axis extends in substantially the horizontal direction and the direction of exhaust from the air exhaust port136is substantially downward, so that the air is exhausted horizontally and then downward. It is preferred that the air exhaust port136is provided with a second filter126B for preventing entry of dust. In this case, too, the second filer126B is preferably a filter made of uninflammable nonwoven fabric, for example.

The tube130is further provided with a shutter138that opens and closes the other opening128b. The shutter138includes a rotary shaft140and a rotary plate142that are provided within the hood132at the upper part of the tube130in a position closer to this other opening128b. The rotary shaft140is rotatably supported by a pair of mounting plates143fixed on the tube130.

The rotary plate142is formed by bending a piece of metal plate and has a substantially L-shaped cross section. That is, the rotary plate142has a structure in which a first plate portion142awith a large area and a second plate portion142bwith a small area are integrally formed, and the first plate portion142aand the second plate portion142bform an angle from 85 to 95 degrees, for example.

The rotary plate142is rotatably attached to the rotary shaft140, whereby, in a natural state (when the fan76is not being driven), the plate surface of the first plate portion142ais positioned to close the other opening128bof the tube130, and the second plate portion142bis positioned so as to protrude toward the top132bof the hood132.

Consequently, the rotary plate142is turned in one direction around the rotary shaft140by the wind pressure that is produced by the discharge of heat from the variable heat dissipation device22when the fan76is driven. That is, the entirety of the rotary plate142turns in such a direction that the first plate portion142aseparates away from the other opening128bof the tube130. Then, the heat from the variable heat dissipation device22is discharged through the tube130, the hood132, and the second filter126B. That is, the air exhaust port136is placed in the opened state.

Further, the first plate portion142aand the second plate portion142bof the rotary plate142function also as a weight for adjusting the turning of the rotary plate142in that one direction. That is, the second plate portion142brestricts the rotary plate142so that it does not turn in the one direction with a wind pressure that is smaller than the wind pressure produced by the heat discharge from the variable heat dissipation device22. The mounting plates143may be provided with a stopper144so as to prevent the rotary plate142from turning excessively.

That is, in the natural state, the first plate portion142aof the rotary plate142is almost hanging down and thereby substantially closes the air exhaust port136. As the fan76is driven, the wind pressure produced by the heat discharge from the variable heat dissipation device22turns the rotary plate142in the one direction, allowing the heat from the variable heat dissipation device22to be discharged from the air exhaust port136.

Next, functions of the container10of the embodiment will be described.

First, in a normal state, electric power is being supplied to the container10, so that the electromagnetic chucks124operate in the respective air supply portions116to hold the opening/closing lids122in the opened state. That is, the air inlet ports114are normally opened.

In this normal state, if the variable heat dissipation device22of one storage battery12drives the fan76, then, as the fan76starts, the air70introduced from the air inlet ports114is supplied into the duct72of this storage battery12. As the air70is supplied into the duct72, the heat in the box42is transferred to the air70in the heat transport portion80and raises the temperature of the air70. The temperature-raised air70is discharged to the outside of the box42through the heat discharge portion82. That is, the heat in the interior of the casing18is dissipated. This forcibly cools the interior of the casing18, and the interior of the casing18is thus efficiently cooled even if the box42and the lid44both have a highly heat-insulated structure. As a result, the temperature in the casing18can be maintained within an allowable range even if the discharge output is high or lasts for a long time, which enables the battery assembly16inside the box42to operate in an optimum operating environment.

Then, the air70discharged from the heat discharge portion82(temperature-raised air) is sent toward the rear surface108side of the container body112by the wind pressure from the fan76. In particular, in this embodiment, since the air exhaust portion120is disposed opposite to the heat discharge portion82, the wind pressure of the air70discharged from the heat discharge portion82causes the rotary plate142of the air exhaust portion120to turn in the one direction. As a result, the discharged air70is introduced into the tube130through the one opening128aof the tube130, further passes through the tube130, and is exhausted from the other opening (air exhaust port136).

In the air exhaust portion120that corresponds to the storage battery12whose variable heat dissipation device22is not operating, the air70is not discharged from the heat discharge portion82and therefore the rotary plate142of the air exhaust portion120is maintained in the natural state. Then, the air entering from the opened air inlet ports114presses the rotary plate142, but this is not forced introduction of air by the fan76, and so the wind pressure against the first plate portion142aof the rotary plate142of the air exhaust portion120is small. Accordingly, the weight of the second plate portion142bprevents the rotary plate142from turning. That is, the first plate portion142ais kept in the hanging down state. The air exhaust port136is thus kept in substantially the closed state. In this case, it is possible to maintain the closed state of the air exhaust port136without using electric power.

In this way, waste heat in each storage battery12can be exhausted directly through the air exhaust port136of the air exhaust portion120using the air70that is introduced from the air inlet ports114formed in the bottom surface104of the container body112, and therefore the waste heat is not exhausted into the interior of the container body112from the storage batteries12. That is, the amount of heat discharged into the interior of the container body112is unchanged irrespective of whether the variable heat dissipation devices22are being driven or stopped. As a result, in normal operation, a control to adjust the heat balance of the storage batteries12by the variable heat dissipation devices22can be made easy. Furthermore, the installation of the first filters126A in the air inlet ports114makes it possible to avoid entry of dust, sand, etc. into the container body112.

Next, if the supply of electric power to the container10is stopped due to maintenance work or emergency stop, the operation of the electromagnetic chucks124to hold the opening/closing lids122stops in the air supply portions116. Accordingly, the opening/closing lids122close the corresponding air inlet ports114due to their own weights and keep them normally closed.

In each air exhaust portion120, since the supply of electric power to the variable heat dissipation device22stops, the rotary plate142keeps the substantially hanging down state as explained above, thereby substantially keeping the air exhaust port136normally closed.

As a result, it is possible to confine the gas that contains active materials, for example, within the container10without supplying electric power from a battery, for example. This reduces the electric power that is required for the next operation and improves the operating efficiency. Furthermore, for example, there is no need to provide units for electrically opening and closing the air inlet ports114and the air exhaust ports136, leading to simplification of the structure and reduced power consumption.

Further, because the flow passage of the exhaust is directed from a horizontal direction to a downward direction, it is possible to prevent dust, sand, etc. from directly entering the tube130. Moreover, the installation of the second filters126B in the air exhaust ports136further avoids entry of dust, sand, etc.

The embodiments described above can be summarized as follows.

[1] A storage battery container (10) has at least a top surface (102), a bottom surface (104), and a side surface (106,108,110a,110b) and accommodates a plurality of storage batteries (12). The storage battery container (10) includes: air supply portions (116) each including an air inlet port (114) provided in the bottom surface (104); variable heat dissipation devices (22) provided respectively for the storage batteries (12), each of the variable heat dissipation devices (22) being configured to, when being driven, introduce air from the air supply portions (116) into the storage battery (12) and discharge heat in the storage battery (12) together with the air so as to achieve heat balance of heat accumulation in the storage battery (12); and air exhaust portions (120) provided on the side surface respectively in correspondence with heat discharge portions (82) of the variable heat dissipation devices (22) and each including an air exhaust port (136). Each of the air supply portions (116) places the air inlet port (114) in an opened state when supplied with electric power, and places the air inlet port (114) in a closed state when the supply of electric power is stopped, and each of the air exhaust portions (120) places the air exhaust port (136) in an opened state when the corresponding variable heat dissipation device (22) is driven, and places the air exhaust port (136) in a closed state when the variable heat dissipation device (22) is stopped.

First, in a normal state, the container (10) is supplied with electric power and therefore the air inlet ports (114) of the air supply portions (116) are opened. In this normal state, when the variable heat dissipation device (22) of one storage battery (12) is driven, then the air exhaust port (136) of the air exhaust portion (120) that faces the variable heat dissipation device (22) of this storage battery (12) is opened. That is, the heat in this storage battery (12) is dissipated.

In this way, waste heat in each storage battery (12) can be exhausted directly through the air exhaust port (136) of the air exhaust portion (120) using the air that is introduced from the air inlet ports (114), and therefore the waste heat is not discharged into the interior of the container (10) from the storage batteries (12). That is, the amount of heat discharged into the interior of the container (10) is unchanged irrespective of whether the variable heat dissipation devices (22) are being driven or stopped. As a result, in normal operation, a control to adjust the heat balance of the storage batteries (12) by the variable heat dissipation devices (22) can be made easy.

On the other hand, when the supply of electric power to the container (10) is stopped, the air inlet ports (114) of the air supply portions (116) are closed. Further, since the variable heat dissipation devices (22) are stopped, the air exhaust ports (136) of the air exhaust portions (120) provided to face the variable heat dissipation devices (22) are also closed. That is, it is possible to confine the gas that contains active materials, for example, within the container (10) without supplying electric power from a battery, for example. This reduces the electric power that is required for the next operation and improves the operating efficiency. Furthermore, for example, there is no need to provide units for electrically opening and closing the air exhaust ports (136), leading to simplification of the structure and reduced power consumption.

[2] In the embodiment, the air supply portions (116) may each include an opening/closing lid (122) that closes the air inlet port (114) by its own weight when the supply of electric power is stopped.

[3] In the embodiment, the air supply portions (116) may each hold the opening/closing lid (122) when supplied with electric power, to thereby place the air inlet port (114) in the opened state. In this case, the opening/closing lid (122) may be held electromagnetically. The opening/closing lid (122) is held to place the air inlet port (114) in the opened state when the container (10) is supplied with electric power. Air outside of the container (10) can thus be introduced into the interior of the container (10) through the air inlet ports (114).

[4] In the embodiment, the air inlet ports (114) may each be provided with a filter (126A) for preventing entry of dust. It is then possible to avoid entry of dust, sand, etc. into the container (10) through the air inlet ports (114).

[5] In the embodiment, the air exhaust portions (120) each include a tube (130) having one opening (128a) disposed corresponding to the heat discharge portion (82) of the corresponding variable heat dissipation device (22) and the other opening (128b) disposed outside of the side surface, and the direction of exhaust through the tube (130) is horizontal and the direction of exhaust through the air exhaust port (136) is downward.

When the variable heat dissipation device (22) is driven, air is supplied into the storage battery (12) and the heat in the storage battery (12) is transferred to the air and raises the temperature of the air. The temperature-raised air is discharged out of the storage battery (12) through the heat discharge portion (82). That is, the heat in the storage battery (12) is dissipated. The air discharged from the heat discharge portion (82) enters the air exhaust portion (120) through one opening (128a) facing the heat discharge portion (82) and is discharged through the air exhaust port (136) provided on the outside of the side surface of the container (10).

Further, since the exhaust through the air exhaust port (136) is directed downward, it is possible to prevent entry of dust, sand, etc. into the container (10) directly through the tube (130).

[6] In the embodiment, the air exhaust portions (120) may each include a rotary shaft (140) and a rotary plate (142) that are attached to the tube (130) in a position closer to the other opening (128b), and the rotary plate (142) may be turned in one direction around the rotary shaft (140) by a wind pressure that is produced as the corresponding variable heat dissipation device (22) discharges the heat when the variable heat dissipation device (22) is driven, to thereby place the air exhaust port (136) in the opened state.

The air discharged from the heat discharge portion (82) (air with a raised temperature) is sent toward the side surface of the container (10) by the variable heat dissipation device (22) being driven. In particular, since the air exhaust portion (120) is provided in correspondence with the heat discharge portion (82), the rotary plate (142) of the air exhaust portion (120) is turned in one direction by the wind pressure of the air discharged from the heat discharge portion (82). As a result, the discharged air is introduced into the tube (130) and further passes through the flow passage in the tube (130) and is discharged from the air exhaust port (136).

On the other hand, in the air exhaust portion (120) corresponding to the storage battery (12) whose variable heat dissipation device (22) is not being driven, air is not discharged from the heat discharge portion (82) and therefore the rotary plate (142) of the air exhaust portion (120) maintains its natural state and the air exhaust port (136) maintains the closed state.

[7] In the embodiment, preferably, the air exhaust portions (120) each include a weight provided for the rotary plate (142) to adjust at least the turning of the rotary plate (142) in the one direction.

In the air exhaust portion (120) corresponding to the storage battery (12) whose variable heat dissipation device (22) is not being driven, air is not discharged from the heat discharge portion (82) and therefore the rotary plate (142) of the air exhaust portion (120) maintains the natural state. Then, air entering from the opened air exhaust port (136) presses the rotary plate (142), but this is not forced introduction of air by the variable heat dissipation device (22), and so the wind pressure against the rotary plate (142) of the air exhaust portion (120) is small. Accordingly, the weight prevents the rotary plate (142) from turning. That is, the air exhaust port (136) is closed by the rotary plate (142). It is therefore possible to maintain the closed state of the air exhaust port (136) without using electric power. In this case, the rotary plate (142) itself may constitute the weight, or a separate weight may be attached to the rotary plate (142).

[8] In the embodiment, the air exhaust ports (136) may each be provided with a filter (126B) for preventing entry of dust. It is thus possible to further effectively avoid entry of dust, sand, etc.

[9] In the embodiment, at least a portion of the tube (130) where the rotary shaft (140) and the rotary plate (142) are provided may be covered by a hood (132), and the air exhaust port (136) may be provided in a lower part of the hood (132). When electric power is not supplied to the container (10), for example, dust, sand, etc. may enter the tube (130) together with air from the outside of the container (10). However, the hood (132) protects the rotary plate (142) of the air exhaust portion (120), thereby preventing dust, sand, raindrops, etc. from directly entering the container (10).

In the examples described above, three air supply portions116are provided in correspondence with the number of the vertical rows of the storage batteries12, but one air supply portion or four or more air supply portions may be provided independently of the number of the vertical rows.

The storage battery container of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but can of course adopt various configurations without departing from the essence and gist of the invention. For instance, in the examples above, both the box42and the lid44have a vacuum heat insulation structure, but the box42and the lid44may both be an air heat insulation structure. Needless to say, the lid44may be an air heat insulation structure and the box42may be a vacuum heat insulation structure, or the lid44may be a vacuum heat insulation structure and the box42may be an air heat insulation structure.