JP2013049467A - Transport container, transport vehicle and power transport method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transport container, transport vehicle and power transport method which enable the cost of power transport to be reduced to a low level.SOLUTION: The transport container 10 has walls 12 surrounding the periphery of an accommodating space 11. A lithium-ion secondary battery 15 in the form of a plate is provided in the walls 12. The lithium-ion secondary battery 15 does not decrease the capacity of the accommodating space 11 but can accommodate accordingly a defined amount of freight in the accommodating space 11. The transport container 10 is charged by its being connected to a power generation element, and is transported by its being loaded on a ship, a truck, or the like. While normal freight accommodated in the accommodating space 11 of the transport container 10 is transported, electric energy accumulated in the lithium-ion secondary battery 15 can also be transported. Therefore, the cost of power transport can be suppressed low.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport container for storing and transporting cargo, a transport vehicle equipped with the transport container, and an electric power transport method using the transport container.

  Conventionally, the electric power generated in a power plant was carried to a consumption place by a transmission line (electrical conductor). However, the electrical resistance of the power transmission line increases in proportion to its length, and the power transmission loss increases. For this reason, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for transporting electric power by accumulating electric energy in a power storage element and transporting the power storage element by a vehicle such as a ship. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the internal space of a container is filled with a large number of power storage elements, and these power storage elements are charged by a wind power generator that continuously generates electrical energy. Then, the container is transported by ship and discharged from the storage element at the destination.

JP 2005-533470 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a power storage element is fully loaded in the internal space of the container. Originally, the internal space of a container is a space for storing goods (cargo) to be transported, and when the container is filled with power storage elements, the cargo cannot be carried. That is, the container is used only for transporting electric power, which causes a problem that the power transmission cost increases.

  Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a connection station is connected to a power storage element of a container at a destination, and discharge is performed from the power storage element to a network where electric energy is consumed. In the case of, the same power transmission loss as before occurs.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, and it aims at providing the container for transport, the vehicle for transport, and the power transport method which can suppress the cost for power transport low.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a transportation container that surrounds a space around a housing space with a wall, and a secondary battery is provided on the wall, and charging and discharging are performed on the secondary battery. It is characterized by providing the connection terminal for this.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in the transport container according to the first aspect of the invention, the secondary battery is an all solid-state lithium ion secondary battery.

  The invention of claim 3 is the transport container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connection terminal is provided at an engaging portion with a transport device on which the transport container is mounted. Features.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the transport container according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, an air conditioner that operates by receiving power supply from the secondary battery is further provided in the housing space. It is characterized by providing.

  Further, the invention of claim 5 is a transportation vehicle, the transportation container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and an electric motor that operates upon receiving power supply from the secondary battery. It is characterized by providing.

  The invention of claim 6 is a charging step of charging the secondary battery of the shipping container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the shipping container in which the secondary battery is charged. A transporting process for transporting the battery by a transport device, wherein the transport device consumes the electrical energy stored in the secondary battery.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the power transportation method according to the invention according to claim 6, wherein the transportation device is a transportation vehicle including an electric motor that operates by receiving power supply from the secondary battery. Features.

  According to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, since the secondary battery is provided on the wall surrounding the housing space, a specified capacity can be secured in the housing space, and normal cargo can be stored in the housing space. Thus, the electric energy stored in the secondary battery can be transported. As a result, the cost for power transportation can be reduced.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 5, since the electric motor that operates upon receiving power supply from the secondary battery of the shipping container is provided, the electric energy stored in the secondary battery is consumed by the transport vehicle. In other words, it is possible to suppress power transmission loss due to long-distance power transmission.

  According to the invention of claim 6, since the transport container charged with the secondary battery is transported by the transport device, the electric energy stored in the secondary battery is consumed by the transport device. Transmission loss due to long-distance transmission can also be suppressed.

1 is an external perspective view of a shipping container according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the cross-section of the container for transportation of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the procedure of the electric power transport method which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example which transports the container for transportation with an electric locomotive. It is a figure which shows the example which provided the air conditioner inside the container for transportation. It is a figure which shows the example which established the electrical connection via the engaging part of the container for transport.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<1. Structure of shipping container>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a shipping container 10 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the shipping container 10. The shipping container 10 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. The hollow portion of the shipping container 10 is a storage space 11 for storing cargo. The rectangular parallelepiped shipping container 10 includes six wall bodies 12 surrounding the housing space 11. The six wall bodies 12 include one top plate, one bottom plate, two side walls at both ends in the width direction, and two side walls at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The wall body 12 is formed of a metal plate (a steel plate in the present embodiment). The size of the shipping container 10 may be in accordance with a predetermined standard (for example, ISO standard).

  A plate-like lithium ion secondary battery 15 is provided on the wall 12 of the shipping container 10. The lithium ion secondary battery 15 is preferably an all-solid type battery that employs a solid electrolyte as the electrolyte. Note that the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the lithium ion secondary battery 15 are solid. The all-solid-type lithium ion secondary battery 15 is suitable for being incorporated in the shipping container 10 because there is no risk of liquid leakage and the safety and reliability are high.

  The lithium ion secondary battery 15 may be provided so as to be embedded inside the wall body 12. When the wall body 12 has a two-layer structure in which two steel plates are overlapped, the lithium ion secondary battery 15 may be sandwiched between the two steel plates. Further, the lithium ion secondary battery 15 may be provided on all six wall bodies 12 surrounding the six surfaces around the accommodation space 11 or only on a part of the wall bodies 12. Also good.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a connection terminal 18 for charging and discharging a lithium ion secondary battery 15 is attached to a part of the wall 12 of the shipping container 10. The connection terminal 18 is electrically connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the lithium ion secondary battery 15 provided on the wall body 12 by the cable 19. Therefore, the lithium ion secondary battery 15 can be charged by supplying power from the connection terminal 18, and the lithium ion secondary battery 15 can be discharged by taking out power from the connection terminal 18.

  In the transport container 10 of the present embodiment, a lithium ion secondary battery 15 is provided on a wall body 12 surrounding the accommodation space 11. Therefore, the lithium ion secondary battery 15 does not reduce the volume of the storage space 11, and a specified amount of cargo can be stored in the storage space 11.

<2. Electricity transportation method using transportation container>
Next, an electric power transportation method using the transportation container 10 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the procedure of the power transportation method according to the present invention. First, as shown in the upper part of the figure, the connection terminal 18 of the shipping container 10 is connected to a predetermined power generation element, and the lithium ion secondary battery 15 of the shipping container 10 is supplied and charged. In this embodiment, the solar cell panel 20 is used as a power generation element. The solar cell panel 20 includes a plurality of solar cells 21 arranged in a matrix and interconnected, and receives sunlight to generate electric energy. The solar cell panel 20 supplies the generated electrical energy to the transport container 10, and the lithium ion secondary battery 15 accumulates the electrical energy.

  As a power generation element that supplies power to the shipping container 10, another power generation device may be used instead of the solar cell. For example, electric energy generated by known wind power generation, hydroelectric power generation, thermal power generation, nuclear power generation, or the like may be supplied to the lithium ion secondary battery 15 of the transport container 10. When a solar cell is used as a power generation element as in the present embodiment, it is preferable to charge the shipping container 10 in an area where the amount of light is abundant (for example, a desert area). Moreover, when performing to the container 10 for transportation by wind power generation, it is preferable to carry out in the area where air volume is abundant.

  Next, the transport container 10 that has been charged is transported by the ship 30 to a port near the destination. At this time, since a specified amount of capacity is secured in the storage space 11 of each shipping container 10, together with the electrical energy stored in the lithium ion secondary battery 15 by storing normal cargo in the storage space 11. It can be transported by ship 30. Instead of the ship 30, the transport container 10 may be transported to an airport near the destination by an aircraft.

  At the port near the destination, the shipping container 10 is transferred from the ship 30 to the truck 40. The truck 40 transports the cargo stored in the transport container 10 to the destination. The truck 40 is an electric vehicle including an electric motor 41 as a power source. The truck 40 may be a so-called hybrid car including an internal combustion engine in addition to the electric motor 41 as a power source.

  The connection terminal 18 of the transport container 10 loaded on the truck 40 is connected to the electric motor 41 of the truck 40. As a result, the electric motor 41 of the truck 40 operates by receiving power supply from the lithium ion secondary battery 15 of the transport container 10. That is, the truck 40 travels while consuming the electrical energy accumulated in the lithium ion secondary battery 15 as an energy source. The truck 40 may drive the electric motor 41 using only the electric energy stored in the lithium ion secondary battery 15 of the shipping container 10, or may be another main electric energy source (for example, the truck 40). The battery may be one that uses the electrical energy stored in the lithium ion secondary battery 15 as an auxiliary to the battery.

  In the present embodiment, since the lithium ion secondary battery 15 is provided on the wall 12 of the shipping container 10, a specified capacity can be secured in the accommodation space 11. For this reason, the transportation energy such as the ship 30 or the truck 40 transports the electric energy stored in the lithium ion secondary battery 15 while accommodating and transporting the cargo as usual in the accommodation space 11 of the transport container 10. can do. Since electric power transportation can also be performed without hindering normal cargo transportation, the cost for electric power transportation can be suppressed low.

  In addition, the electrical energy stored in the lithium ion secondary battery 15 of the shipping container 10 is consumed by the truck 40 that transports the shipping container 10. That is, the electrical energy accumulated in the lithium ion secondary battery 15 is not transmitted over a long distance but is consumed in the process of transporting the transport container 10. For this reason, the power transmission loss accompanying long-distance power transmission can be suppressed.

<3. Modification>
While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be modified in various ways other than those described above without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the transport container 10 that has been charged is transported to the vicinity of the destination by the ship 30 or the aircraft. However, if the charging place and the destination are on land, transportation after charging is performed. The container 10 may be directly loaded on the truck 40 and transported by land.

  Further, instead of the truck 40, the transportation container 10 may be loaded on an electric locomotive for transportation. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the shipping container 10 is transported by the electric locomotive 50. The electric locomotive 50 includes an electric motor 51 as a power source. A plurality of freight cars 55 are connected to the electric locomotive 50. At least a part of the plurality of wagons 55 is loaded with a transport container 10 after charging. The lithium ion secondary batteries 15 of the transport container 10 loaded on the plurality of freight cars 55 are connected to each other, and the transport container 10 of the freight car 55 connected immediately after the electric locomotive 50 is connected to the electric motor 51. . As a result, the electric motor 51 of the electric locomotive 50 operates by receiving power supply from the lithium ion secondary battery 15 of the transport container 10. That is, the electric locomotive 50 travels while consuming electric energy stored in the lithium ion secondary battery 15 as an energy source.

  Each of the truck 40 and the electric locomotive 50 is a transportation vehicle that carries the transportation container 10 and performs land transportation, and operates by receiving power supply from the lithium ion secondary battery 15 of the loaded transportation container 10. An electric motor is provided as a power source. Such transportation vehicles are not limited to the truck 40 and the electric locomotive 50, but include all freight vehicles that can travel with the transportation container 10 loaded thereon.

  Moreover, you may make it consume the electrical energy accumulate | stored in the lithium ion secondary battery 15 of the container 10 for transport by the ship 30 or an aircraft. At this time, the lithium ion secondary battery 15 may be used as a power source for electric equipment mounted on the ship 30 or the aircraft. When collected, the transport container 10 charged with the lithium ion secondary battery 15 provided on the wall body 12 is transported by transport equipment such as the ship 30 and the truck 40, and the electricity stored in the lithium ion secondary battery 15 is stored. Any form may be used as long as energy is consumed by the transport equipment. Such a transport device is not limited to a ship, a transport vehicle, and an aircraft, but may be any vehicle that can be transported with a transport container 10 loaded thereon, and a rocket for transporting materials to the space station. Etc. are also included.

  Further, an electric device may be provided inside the shipping container 10 and the electric device may be operated by the lithium ion secondary battery 15. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which an air conditioner 60 is provided inside the shipping container 10. The accommodation space 11 of the transport container 10 is surrounded by a wall body 12. The wall body 12 is provided with a lithium ion secondary battery 15. The accommodation space 11 is provided with an air conditioner 60, which is attached to a part of the wall 12 (the top plate in the example of FIG. 5). The air conditioner 60 operates by receiving power supply from the charged lithium ion secondary battery 15. Thereby, the inside of the shipping container 10 can be air-conditioned to a constant temperature (and humidity), which is suitable for transporting fresh food as cargo. The electric device provided in the accommodation space 11 of the transport container 10 is not limited to the air conditioner 60, and may be other electric devices such as lighting.

  In the above embodiment, the connection terminal 18 is connected to the lithium ion secondary battery 15 by the cable 19, but the connection terminal 18 may be provided at the engaging portion of the shipping container 10. Specifically, the shipping container 10 may be provided with an engaging portion for mounting on a transport device on which the shipping container 10 is mounted, and a connection terminal is provided in the engaging portion. . FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an electrical connection is established through the engaging portion of the shipping container 10.

  An engaging portion 71 for mounting on the truck 70 is formed on a part of the wall 12 of the transport container 10 (the bottom plate in the example of FIG. 6). The engaging portion 71 is provided with a connection terminal that is electrically connected to the lithium ion secondary battery 15. A terminal that contacts the connection terminal is also provided at a portion of the track 70 that engages with the engaging portion 71 of the transport container 10. The remaining configuration of the shipping container 10 is the same as that of the above embodiment except that the connection terminal is provided in the engaging portion 71, and the lithium ion secondary battery 15 is provided on the wall body 12 surrounding the accommodation space 11. .

  The truck 70 is an electric vehicle including an electric motor 72 as a power source. When the shipping container 10 is loaded on the truck 70, the engaging portion 71 is engaged with a predetermined part of the truck 70. Thereby, the connection terminal of the transport container 10 comes into contact with the terminal of the truck 70, and the electrical connection between the electric motor 72 of the truck 70 and the lithium ion secondary battery 15 of the transport container 10 is established. The electric motor 72 of the truck 70 operates by receiving power supply from the lithium ion secondary battery 15 of the transport container 10. That is, as in the above embodiment, the truck 70 travels while consuming the electrical energy stored in the lithium ion secondary battery 15 as an energy source.

  The shape of the transport container 10 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be another shape used as a cargo transport container, for example, a cylindrical tank shape. Regardless of the shape of the transport container 10, there always exists a wall surrounding the housing space, and the lithium ion secondary battery 15 may be provided on the wall.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the lithium ion secondary battery 15 was provided in the wall 12 of the container 10 for transport, you may make it provide another kind of secondary battery, for example, a nickel metal hydride battery.

  The present invention can be suitably applied to a transport container including a wall body that encloses an accommodation space. In particular, the transport container is loaded on a transport vehicle that travels using an electric motor as a power source, and the lithium ion secondary battery provided in the transport container is suitable for the power source.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Transport container 11 Housing space 12 Wall 15 Lithium ion secondary battery 18 Connection terminal 20 Solar cell panel 30 Ship 40,70 Truck 41,51,72 Electric motor 50 Electric locomotive 60 Air conditioner 71 Engagement part

Claims (7)

A transport container that surrounds the housing space with a wall,
A secondary battery is provided on the wall,
A shipping container comprising a connection terminal for charging and discharging the secondary battery. The shipping container according to claim 1,
The transport container, wherein the secondary battery is an all solid-state lithium ion secondary battery. In the shipping container according to claim 1 or 2,
The transport container, wherein the connection terminal is provided at an engaging portion with a transport device on which the transport container is mounted. In the shipping container according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The transport container further comprising an air conditioner that operates in response to power supply from the secondary battery in the housing space. A shipping container according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An electric motor that operates by receiving power from the secondary battery;
A vehicle for transportation, comprising: A charging step of charging the secondary battery of the shipping container according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A transporting process for transporting the transport container charged with the secondary battery by transport equipment;
With
A method for transporting electric power, comprising: consuming electrical energy stored in the secondary battery in the transport device. In the electric power transportation method according to claim 6,
The method of transporting electric power, wherein the transport device is a transport vehicle including an electric motor that operates by receiving power supply from the secondary battery.

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