JP2003308888A - Battery box - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery box capable of storing a plurality of batteries, suppressing the occurrence of non-uniform temperature distribution in each battery. <P>SOLUTION: Two first and second straightening members 32, 33 extending sideways are provided on backsides 11B, 12B of a box upper part 11 and a box lower part 12 forming the inner face of the battery box 10 at positions shifted to the side of a box rear part 14 of the battery box 10 in such a manner as to be protruded from the backsides 11B, 12B. The first and second straightening members 32, 33 have curved inclined faces 32A, 33A formed along an outer periphery face 18A at the rear side of a battery 18 at a given space. Three first - third shielding members 43, 44, 45 extending sideways are provided on a reverse face 13B of a box front part 13 forming the inner face of the battery box 10 in such a manner as to be bridged to a front opening and arranged to cover the outer periphery face 18A at the front side of the battery 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a battery box capable of accommodating a plurality of batteries.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as in the battery structure of an electric vehicle disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-86188, a plurality of cylindrical battery cells are provided in a substantially box-shaped battery case. Equipped with a plurality of rib walls that embrace in a state where the central axis is arranged so as to penetrate each lattice point of the predetermined lattice, and the cooling air is circulated between the upper and lower walls of the battery case facing each other in the direction orthogonal to the central axis of each battery cell. There is known a battery structure in which a plurality of battery cells held by a rib wall are cooled by forming a ventilation hole for allowing cooling air to flow in a vertical direction in a battery case.

[0003]

By the way, in the battery structure according to one example of the above-mentioned conventional technique, the battery structure is arranged near the ventilation holes on the cooling air introduction side with respect to the ventilation holes provided on the upper and lower walls of the battery case. There is a problem that a difference in cooling state occurs between the battery cell and the battery cell arranged in the vicinity of the vent hole on the cooling air discharge side, and the temperature difference increases.

[0006] For example, in the vicinity of the vent on the cooling air discharge side, the flowability of the cooling air around each battery cell is lower than that in the vicinity of the vent on the cooling air introduction side. There is a problem that the amount of cooling with respect to is reduced. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a battery box capable of suppressing a non-uniform state in the temperature distribution of each battery in a battery box capable of accommodating a plurality of batteries. With the goal.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the above object, the battery box according to the present invention (for example, the battery box 10 in the embodiment described later) is provided with An upper part (for example, a box upper part 11 in the embodiment described later) and a lower part (for example, a box lower part 12 in the embodiment described later) and a front part (for example, a box front part in the embodiment described later) that can be connected and disconnected. Part 13) and the rear part (for example, the box rear part 1 in the embodiments described later).
4) and two side parts (for example, the box right side part 15 and the box left side part 16 in the embodiment described later) (for example, the internal space 21 in the embodiment described below), and the storage. They can be connected to and separated from each other in a unit, and in a connected state, a plurality of batteries (for example, battery 1 in the embodiment described later).
The direction of the central axis of 8) is parallel to the direction in which the two side portions face each other, and a plurality of holding members (for example, a battery holding member 17 in the embodiment described later) that hold these batteries in a staggered arrangement. , A refrigerant inlet provided in the front portion (for example, the front opening 2 in the embodiment described later).
2) and the cooling medium discharge port provided in the rear part (for example, the rear part opening 23 in the embodiment described later) and the cooling medium arranged in the vicinity of the cooling medium introduction port and introduced into the storage part from the cooling medium introduction port. A shield member (for example, first to third shield members 43, 44, 45 in the embodiments described later) that changes the flow direction to prevent the cooling medium from being directly blown to the battery; A rectifying member that is arranged in the vicinity of the outlet, narrows the flow passage of the cooling medium around the battery, increases the circulation speed of the cooling medium, and changes the circulation direction of the cooling medium (for example, in the embodiment described later. The first and second rectifying members 32, 33) are provided.

According to the battery box having the above structure,
Batteries can be arranged in a staggered manner by a plurality of holding members, the efficiency of arranging the batteries in the storage portion can be improved, and the battery box can be downsized. At this time, even if the space in which the cooling medium flows relatively decreases due to the relative increase in the arrangement density of the batteries in the storage portion, the shielding member arranged near the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant discharge By the rectifying member arranged near the outlet, it is possible to prevent the temperature distribution of the plurality of batteries from becoming non-uniform and improve the cooling efficiency.

For example, in order to prevent the cooling medium introduced from the refrigerant introduction port into the housing from being directly blown onto the battery, the cooling medium flowing toward the surface of the battery facing the refrigerant introduction port is blocked so as to be blocked. By disposing the member, it is possible to prevent the battery in the vicinity of the refrigerant introduction port from being excessively cooled and the temperature of the cooling medium from becoming excessively high in the vicinity of the refrigerant introduction port.

Further, in order to improve the cooling efficiency of the cooling medium in the vicinity of the refrigerant discharge port, the flow path of the cooling medium around the battery is narrowed, and a rectifying member for increasing the circulation speed of the cooling medium is arranged, whereby the cooling medium is arranged. A desired cooling performance for the battery near the discharge port can be ensured, and the temperature of the battery can be prevented from becoming relatively high near the coolant discharge port.

Further, in the battery box of the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the front portion and the rear portion are supporting means capable of supporting the holding member (for example, front and rear concave portions 47 and front and rear portions in an embodiment described later). It is characterized by having a convex portion 48).

According to the battery box having the above structure,
The plurality of holding members are fixed so as to be sandwiched from both sides by the front portion and the rear portion in the storage portion.

Further, in the battery box of the present invention as set forth in claim 3, the holding member has at least a pair of convex portions (for example, a convex portion 51 in an embodiment described later) and a concave portion (for example, described later) on the outer surface. The holding member is provided with the recessed portion 52), and the plurality of holding members are connectable and separable by detachably fitting the protruding portions into the recessed portions of each other.

According to the battery box having the above structure,
In the connected state of the plurality of holding members, the convex portion of the other holding member is fitted into the concave portion of the one holding member, and the convex portion of the one holding member is fitted into the concave portion of the other holding member, The holding members are fixed to each other. Here, since the concave portion and the convex portion can be attached to and detached from each other, the plurality of holding members can be easily connected and separated, and the arrangement in the storage portion can be easily changed. Further, by providing the pair of protrusions and recesses as the support members on the front and rear portions forming the storage portion, the front and rear portions and the holding member can be easily connected and separated.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A battery box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a perspective view of a battery box 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery box 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the battery box 10 shown in FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the battery holding member 17 shown in FIG.

Battery box 1 according to the present embodiment
Reference numeral 0 denotes an electricity storage device mounted on a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle, and is a disassembled box-shaped box upper portion 11
The box lower part 12, the box front part 13, the box rear part 14, the box right side part 15, the box left side part 16, and the battery holding member 17 are configured.

The battery box 10 includes, for example, a plurality of cylindrical batteries 18, ..., 18 (for example, a diameter of 32.4 mm) in a lateral direction in which the central axis of each battery 18 is orthogonal to the front-back direction of the battery box 10. , 18 are arranged in parallel to each other, and the central axes of a plurality of (eg, 20) batteries 18, ..., 18 are arranged in a staggered manner (eg, between adjacent batteries 18, 18) in the cross section in the lateral direction. The distance between them is 7 mm).

The battery box 10 is made of, for example, a material having high rigidity (for example, a material in which 20% (weight) of glass fiber is mixed with PA (polyacetal)), and as described later, the inside of the battery box 10 is formed. The space 21 has a front opening 22 provided in the front part 13 of the box.
Is a passage through which the cooling air introduced from the rear side of the box and discharged from the rear opening 23 is provided. That is, the internal space 21 of the battery box 10
The cooling air introduced into the inside is the plurality of batteries 18,
..., each battery 18, ..., when passing between 18
18 is exchanged with heat to cool each battery 18 ,.

Box upper part 11 and box lower part 12
Is formed in the same shape as a rectangular plate, for example, and is the box upper part 1 forming the upper surface and the lower surface of the battery box 10.
Lattice-shaped reinforcing ribs 31 projecting from the respective surfaces 11A and 12A are provided on the respective surfaces 11A and 12A of the 1 and the box lower portion 12.

Further, each back surface 1 of the box upper part 11 and the box lower part 12 which form the inner surface of the battery box 10.
A plurality of laterally extending first and second rectifying members 32 and 33, for example, two first and second rectifying members 32 and 33, which extend in the lateral direction, project from the back surfaces 11B and 12B, respectively, at positions displaced toward the box rear portion 14 side of the battery box 10. Is provided in this way.

As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the first and second rectifying members 32 and 33 tend to descend from the rear side to the front side of the battery box 10 so as to decrease the height in the protruding direction. Each of the inclined surfaces 32A and 33A is provided so that each of the inclined surfaces 32A and 33A can be attached to the battery 18
The outer peripheral surface 18A on the rear side is formed into a curved surface having a predetermined distance.

Here, for example, the first and second straightening members 3
The outer peripheral surfaces 1 of the battery 18 located at the rearmost side in the vicinity of the box upper portion 11 or the box lower portion 12 and the battery 2 second from the rear side 1 are sequentially arranged.
The inclined surfaces 32A and 33A are arranged along the 8A and 18A at predetermined intervals. The rearward flow regulating member (that is, the first flow regulating member 32 compared to the second flow regulating member 33) is formed to have a higher height in the protruding direction (for example, the maximum height of the first flow regulating member 32). The height is 7.5 mm, and the maximum height of the second rectifying member 33 is 3.0 mm.
Etc.), the interval between the outer peripheral surface 18A on the rear side of the battery 18 and the inclined surfaces 32A, 33A is set to be narrower. (In addition, the back surfaces 11B and 12B of the box upper portion 11 and the box lower portion 12 and the battery 18
The minimum distance from the outer peripheral surface 18A is, for example, 3.5 mm, and the distance between the back surfaces 11B and 12B of the box upper portion 11 and the box lower portion 12 is, for example, 108 mm. )

In the second rectifying member 33, the flow direction of the cooling air flowing near the box upper part 11 or the box lower part 12 is determined from the direction along the inner surface 11B of the box upper part 11 or the inner surface 12B of the box lower part 12, It can be changed to a direction toward the central portion in the vertical direction, and in particular, the batteries 18, ..., 18 arranged in the central portion near the rear opening 23 can be cooled.

It should be noted that, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the first rectifying member 32 located at the rearmost side has a predetermined lateral direction in order to prevent interference with the arrangement position of the battery holding member 17, which will be described later. A cutout portion 32a cut out at the position is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the battery holding member 1 to be described later is provided on each of the back surfaces 11B and 12B of the box upper portion 11 and the box lower portion 12.
, 51 and recesses 52, ..., 52, and upper and lower recesses 35, ..., 35 and upper and lower projections 36 ,.

Box front 13 and box rear 14
Is formed in, for example, a rectangular plate shape, and a plurality of bolt through holes 41, ..., 35 facing the plurality of bolt holes 35 ,.
41 is provided near the end. Then, the box upper portion 11 and the box lower portion 12, and the box front portion 13 and the box rear portion 14 can be attached and detached by the fastening bolts 36 inserted into the respective bolt through holes 41 and screwed into the bolt holes 35.

The box front portion 13 is provided with a plurality of, for example, three front openings 22, 22, 22 arranged in the lateral direction of the battery box 10. In addition, the back surface 1 of the box front portion 13 that forms the inner surface of the battery box 10
3B includes a plurality of laterally extending first to third shielding members 43, 44, 45, for example, three front opening 22, 22, 2.
It is provided so that it can be hung over 2. here,
The first shielding member 43 is, for example, the back surface 1 of the box front portion 13.
The protruding end portions 46a of the plurality of protruding portions 46, ..., 46 protruding from 3B toward the inside of the battery box 10,
46a is formed so as to be connected.

Each of the first to third shielding members 43, 44, 45
Is a battery box 10 as shown in FIG.
Is formed in a plate shape that extends in the lateral direction of the battery box 10 and bends toward the front side of the battery box 10.
It is formed to have a letter shape.

Here, for example, the first shielding member 43 includes the batteries 18, ..., 1 near the front openings 22, 22, 22.
8 is arranged so as to cover the outer peripheral surface 18A on the front side of the battery 18 which is arranged near the center position in the vertical direction, and the second and third shielding members 44, 45 are arranged in the front opening 22,
Out of the batteries 18, ..., 18 in the vicinity of 22, 22, the outer peripheral surfaces 18A, 18A on the front sides of the batteries 18, 18 which are arranged at positions vertically displaced from the battery 18 in the vicinity of the center position in the vertical direction It is arranged so as to cover it.

Then, in the vertical direction, the shield member closer to the center position (ie, the second and third shield members 44, 4)
The width of the first shielding member 43 is larger than that of the first shielding member 43) (for example, the width of the first shielding member 43 is 22 mm, and the width of the second and third shielding members 44 and 45 is 1).
6 mm, etc., from the front opening 22, 22, 22 to the internal space 2
It is set so as to prevent the cooling air introduced into the No. 1 from being blown directly onto the outer peripheral surface 18A of the battery 18.

The box rear portion 14 has a box front portion 13
A plurality of so as to face each front opening 22, 22, 22,
For example, three rear openings 23, 23, 23 are provided. A plurality of projecting portions 46, ..., 46 that project toward the inside of the battery box 10 from the back surface 14B of the box rear portion 14 that forms the inner surface of the battery box 10 are provided between the adjacent rear openings 23, 23.

Further, among the plurality of projecting portions 46, ..., 46 projecting from the rear surface 13B of the box front portion 13 toward the inside of the battery box 10, the adjacent front opening 22,
, 46, and the rear surface 14B of the box rear portion 14 from the battery box 1
A plurality of projecting portions 46, ..., 46 projecting toward the inside of 0
, 51 and recesses 52, ..., 52 of the battery holding member 17, which will be described later, are detachably fitted to the front and rear recesses 47 ,. Portions 48, ..., 48 are formed.

The box right side portion 15 and the box left side portion 16 are formed, for example, in a rectangular plate shape, and are detachably tightened and fixed to the box upper portion 11 and the box lower portion 12 by bolts (not shown). The box right side part 15 and the box left side part 16 sandwich these batteries 18, ..., 18 from both sides in the direction of the central axis of the plurality of batteries 18 ,. In addition to holding and electrically connecting in series, the box right side portion 15 and the box left side portion 16 are brought into contact with the terminal electrodes of adjacent batteries 18 and 18 of different combinations,
A plurality of bus bars 49, ..., 49 made of a conductive material for connecting the batteries 18, 18 in series are provided. Further, the box right side portion 15 and the box left side portion 16 are provided with recesses into which the terminal portions projecting from the ends of the battery 18 in the central axis direction can be fitted. The battery 18 is formed so as not to rotate around the central axis when the part is fitted in the recess.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery holding member 17 has a cross-sectional outer periphery of a regular dodecagon,
A plurality of annular grommets 61 whose inner circumference is formed into a circle,
, 61 (for example, the thickness in the radial direction is 1.5 to 3 mm, for example, 2 mm, and the width in the central axis direction is, for example, 12.4 mm), and the adjacent grommets 61, 6
, 62 for connecting one to the other, and, for example, grommets 61, 61 adjacent to each other in the front-back direction of the battery box 10 are connected by the connecting member 62.

The grommet 61 has an outer peripheral surface 61A having a multifaceted (for example, twelve sides) shape, and forms a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces 61A, which are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction so as to intersect each other at the same angle. For example, twelve contact surfaces 61
A pair of convex portions 51 and concave portions 52 (for example, a depth of 1.5 to 2 mm, an inner diameter of 2 to 4 mm, etc.) are provided on a, ..., 61a.

The convex portion 51 projecting from the surface of each contact surface 61a is arranged at a position deviated from the center position of the contact surface 61a toward one direction in the circumferential direction, and the convex portion 51 is detachable. The recessed portion 52 formed to have a fitting size is arranged at a position displaced from the center position of the contact surface 61a toward the other circumferential direction.

Then, the adjacent grommets 61, 61
Is the contact surface 61 of either of the outer peripheral surfaces 61A, 61A.
a, 61a are brought into contact with each other, and the convex portions 51, 51 provided on the one and the other contact surfaces 61a, 61a
Are removably fitted in the respective recesses 52, 52 provided in the other and one contact surfaces 61a, 61a.

For example, when a plurality of grommets 61, ..., 61 are arranged so as to surround the periphery of an appropriate grommet 61 having a dodecahedral outer peripheral surface 61A, the appropriate outer peripheral surface 61A of the grommet 61 is Of the twelve contact surfaces 61a, ..., 61a, the contact surfaces 61a of the different grommets 61 are different for each of the six contact surfaces 61a ,. It comes into contact. Further, in the six grommets 61, ..., 61 surrounding the appropriate grommets 61, the adjacent grommets 61, 61 contact each other with their contact surfaces 61a, 61a. As a result, the battery box 10
A plurality of grommets 61,
, 61 are arranged such that the central axes thereof are in a staggered arrangement in the cross section of the battery box 10 in the lateral direction.

Further, on the inner peripheral surface 61B of the grommet 61, for example, a plurality of (for example, six, etc.) projecting portions 53 which are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and extend in the lateral direction of the battery box 10. , ..., 53 (for example, a height of 0.65 mm in the protruding direction) is provided so that the outer peripheral surface 18A of the battery 18 mounted on the grommet 61 contacts the protruding portions 53 ,. It is set.

The connecting member 62 includes, for example, abutting surfaces 61a, 61a, 61a, 61a, 61b of the adjacent grommets 61, 61 that abut each other.
61a, each extending portion 64 extending in the circumferential tangential direction,
The end portions of 64 are connected to each other, and the angle formed by the extending portions 64, 64 with the end portion as the center of rotation can be appropriately changed.

In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the internal space 2 of the battery box 10 is
18 are provided in the lateral direction of the battery box 10 for the plurality of batteries 18, ..., 18 housed in the battery holder 10. In addition, a plurality of battery holding members 17,
, 17 may be arranged at predetermined equal intervals in the lateral direction of the battery box 10 or may be arranged at appropriate positions.

The plurality of batteries 18, ..., 18
When storing the batteries in the internal space 21 of the battery box 10, first, the batteries 18 are inserted into the grommets 61, and then the plurality of adjacent grommets 61 ,.
, 1 are arranged so that their contact surfaces 61a, ..., 61a are in contact with each other. As a result, the pair of convex portions 51 and concave portions 52 provided on the one abutting surface 61a that abuts,
The plurality of adjacent grommets 61, ..., 61 are fixed by being detachably fitted to the pair of concave portions 52 and convex portions 51 provided on the other contact surface 61a.

Then, a plurality of connected grommets 6
1, ..., 61 are arranged so as to cover the box upper part 11, the box lower part 12, the box front part 13, the box rear part 14, the box right part 15, and the box left part 16. At this time, the upper part of the box 11
And upper and lower concave portions 35, ..., 35 and upper and lower convex portions 3 provided on the respective back surfaces 11B and 12B of the box lower portion 12.
, ..., 36, and the front and rear recesses 47, ..., 47 and front and rear projections 48, ..., 48 provided in the box front part 13 and the box rear part 14, respectively.
, ..., 61 and the convex portions 51, ..., 51 and the concave portion 52,
..., 52 is detachably fitted to the battery box 10.
A plurality of grommets 61, ...
61 is fixed.

Battery box 1 according to the present embodiment
0 has the above configuration, and next, an operation of cooling the plurality of batteries 18, ..., 18 accommodated in the internal space 21 of the battery box 10 will be described.

Air inside the vehicle, as cooling air, flows into the internal space 21 through the front opening 22 of the battery box 20 and flows rearward through the spaces between the batteries 18, ..., 18 in the internal space 21. At this time, the cooling air flowing through the internal space 21 exchanges heat with the batteries 18, ..., 18, and as a result, the batteries 18, ..., 18 are cooled,
The cooling air is heated and its temperature rises slightly. Then, the cooling air will be discharged to the outside through the rear opening 23 of the battery box 20.

Here, the first to third shielding members 43, 44, 45 are arranged so as to cover the outer peripheral surfaces on the front side of the batteries 18, ..., 18 near the front openings 22, 22, 22. Therefore, the cooling air introduced into the internal space 21 through the front openings 22, 22, 22 is suppressed from being blown directly onto the outer peripheral surface 18A of the battery 18. As a result, the battery 1 near the front openings 22, 22, 22
8, ..., 18 are overcooled and front openings 22, 22 ,,
The temperature of the cooling air becomes excessively high in the vicinity of 22,
It is possible to prevent the cooling capacity of the cooling air from decreasing on the rear side of the internal space 21.

Further, in the box upper portion 11 and the box lower portion 12 near the rear opening 23, curved inclined surfaces 32A and 33A are formed so as to follow the outer peripheral surface 18A on the rear side of the battery 18 at a predetermined interval. Since the first and second rectifying members 32 and 33 are provided, compared to the case where the first and second rectifying members 32 and 33 are omitted, the fluid flows along the outer peripheral surface 18A of the battery 18. As a result, the flow rate of the cooling air is increased, and the cooling performance for the battery 18 can be improved.

This prevents the cooling capacity of the batteries 18, ..., 18 near the rear opening 23 from being lowered by the cooling air, and the battery box 10
It is possible to prevent the temperature distribution of the plurality of batteries 18, ...

As described above, according to the battery box 10 of the present embodiment, the battery holding member 17
Thus, the batteries 18, ..., 18 can be arranged in a staggered arrangement, the efficiency of arrangement of the batteries 18, ..., 18 in the internal space 21 can be improved, and the battery box 10 can be downsized. At this time, since the arrangement density of the batteries 18, ..., 18 in the internal space 21 relatively increases, even if the space through which the cooling air flows relatively decreases, the front openings 22, 22 ,. First to third shielding members 43, 44, 45 arranged in the vicinity of 22 and the rear opening 2
First and second straightening members 3 arranged near 3,23,23
2, 33, the plurality of batteries 18, ..., 18
It is possible to suppress the occurrence of non-uniformity in the temperature distribution of, and improve the cooling efficiency.

In this embodiment, the first to the third
The shielding members 43, 44, 45 are used for the battery box 10.
Is formed in a plate shape that is bent toward the front side of the battery box 10 and is formed in a substantially V shape in a sectional view in which two straight lines intersect with each other in a cross section in the lateral direction of the battery box 10, but is not limited thereto. The cross-sectional shape may be another shape such as an appropriate curved shape or an uneven shape. In short, the flow direction of the cooling air introduced into the internal space 21 from the front openings 22, 22, 22 and blown toward the outer peripheral surface 18A of the battery 18 is determined by the battery box 10.
The shape may be changed in an appropriate direction toward the rear side of

The results of the cooling test for the batteries 18, ..., 18 accommodated in the battery box 10 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 5 is a graph showing changes over time in temperature and temperature difference during heat generation of a plurality of batteries housed in the battery boxes according to the first example and the comparative example of the present embodiment, and FIG. It is a graph which shows the change of the attainment temperature according to the heat passage coefficient at the time of heat_generation of the some battery accommodated in the battery box which concerns on a 1st Example and a comparative example, FIG. 7: 1st Example of this embodiment. 9 is a graph showing changes over time in temperature and temperature difference when a plurality of batteries housed in the battery box according to the comparative example stop heating, and FIG. 8 is housed in the battery box according to the comparative example of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing respective temperatures reached when a plurality of batteries generate heat, and FIG. Of the battery 18, ..., 1
10 is a diagram showing respective temperatures reached when heat is generated in FIG.
Is a battery box 1 according to a second example of the present embodiment.
, 18 is a diagram showing respective temperatures reached when heat is generated in the plurality of batteries 18, ..., 18; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the plurality of batteries 18 housed in the battery box 10 according to the third example of the present embodiment. , ..., 18 are diagrams showing respective temperatures reached when the heat is generated, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing respective temperatures when the plurality of batteries 18, ..., 18 housed in the battery box 10 according to the fourth example of the present embodiment are generated. It is a figure which shows the ultimate temperature.

Here, in the battery box according to the comparative example of this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG.
The central axes of the individual batteries 18, ..., 18 are arranged so as to pass through predetermined grid points. And the front opening 2
Between the batteries 18, ..., 18 arranged in the vicinity of 2,
, 71 are arranged so as to partition the periphery of each battery 18, and between the batteries 18, 18 arranged in the vicinity of the rear opening 23, between the adjacent batteries 18, 18. , 72 are arranged so as to narrow the flow passage of the cooling air.

In the battery box 10 according to the first example of this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG.
The central axes of the zero batteries 18, ..., 18 are arranged in a staggered arrangement, and the outer peripheral surfaces 18A, ..., 18 on the front side of the batteries 18 ,.
First to third shielding members 43, 44, 45 covering A are arranged, and the batteries 18, ..., 18 are provided near the rear opening 23.
, 18A on the rear side of the first and second rectifying members 32, 33 are disposed along the outer peripheral surface 18A ,.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, in the battery box 10 according to the first embodiment, the second and third battery boxes are provided.
The battery box 10 according to the second example of the present embodiment is configured such that the shielding members 44 and 45 are omitted and the height of the first rectifying member 32 in the protruding direction is higher. , For example, as shown in FIG.
In the battery box 10 according to the example, the first and second rectifying members 32 and 33 are omitted to form the battery box 10 according to the third example of the present embodiment, and further, for example, as shown in FIG. In the battery box 10 according to the third embodiment, the first shielding member 43 is omitted, and the battery box 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present embodiment is provided.

First, as a first test, the result of a simulation in which the batteries 18, ..., 18 in a heat generating state are cooled by cooling air when the vehicle equipped with the battery box according to the present embodiment is running. explain. Here, the average heat generation amount of the plurality of batteries 18, ..., 18 is 100 W, the driving voltage of a fan (not shown) for supplying cooling air to the battery box is 12 V, and the cooling air volume is 60 m ³ / hour. The pressure loss of the cooling air in the battery box was 43 Pa. Then, with respect to the battery boxes of the first embodiment and the comparative example, the temperature change of each battery 18 with a predetermined maximum heat transfer coefficient and minimum heat transfer coefficient, and the battery 18 with the maximum heat transfer coefficient and the minimum change. The time change of the temperature difference between the battery 18 and the heat transfer coefficient was calculated.

As shown in FIG. 5, from the result of this simulation, in the comparative example, the temperature of the battery 18 at the minimum heat transfer coefficient is about 50.0 ° C., and the temperature of the battery 18 at the maximum heat transfer coefficient is about 42. The temperature of the battery 18 at the minimum heat transfer coefficient is about 45.0 ° C., and the temperature of the battery 18 at the maximum heat transfer coefficient is 1.0.degree.
The temperature is about 40.0 ° C., and it can be determined that the first example is cooled more than the comparative example.
Moreover, the temperature difference in the comparative example is 8.0 (= 50.0-4
The temperature difference in the first example is 5.0 (= 45.0-40.0) ° C., while the temperature in the first example is higher than that in the comparative example. It can be judged that the distribution is uniform, and it can be concluded that the cooling performance is improved.

Next, as a second test, the result of a simulation in which the batteries 18, ..., 18 which are in a heat generating state are cooled by cooling air when the vehicle equipped with the battery box according to the present embodiment is running. Will be described. Here, the average heat generation amount of the plurality of batteries 18, ..., 18 is 100 W, the driving voltage of a fan (not shown) for supplying cooling air to the battery box is 12 V, and the cooling air volume is 60 m ³ / hour. With respect to the battery boxes of the first example and the comparative example, changes in the heat transfer coefficient and the reached temperature of the battery 18 were calculated.

As shown in FIG. 6, from the result of this simulation, in the comparative example, the maximum value of the heat transfer coefficient is 0.7.
25 W / K, the minimum value is 0.337 W / K, and the difference in heat transfer coefficient is 0.39 (≈0.725-0.337) W /
K, the temperature difference between the temperatures reached is 8.1 ° C., whereas in the first embodiment, the maximum value of the heat transfer coefficient is 1.147 W /
K, the minimum value is 0.520 W / K, the difference in heat transfer coefficient is 0.63 (≈1.147−0.520) W / K, and the difference in ultimate temperature is 5.0 ° C. It can be determined that the temperature distribution of the example is more uniform than that of the comparative example, and it can be concluded that the cooling performance is improved.

Next, as a third test, the battery 18 in a high temperature state (for example, 50 ° C.) in which heat generation is stopped, ...
The result of the simulation of cooling 18 with cooling air will be described. Here, the driving voltage of the fan (not shown) for supplying the cooling air to the battery box is set to 12 V, the air volume of the cooling air is set to 60 m ³ / hour, and the first
For the battery boxes of the example and the comparative example, the temperature of each battery 18 changes with time at a predetermined maximum heat transfer coefficient and minimum heat transfer coefficient, and with the battery 18 and minimum heat transfer coefficient at the maximum heat transfer coefficient. The time change of the temperature difference with the battery 18 was calculated.

As shown in FIG. 7, from the result of this simulation, it can be judged that the first embodiment is cooled more rapidly than the comparative example, and it is concluded that the cooling efficiency is improved. can do. Further, it can be determined that the temperature distribution of the first example is more uniform than that of the comparative example after a predetermined time has elapsed, and it can be concluded that the cooling performance is improved.

Next, as a fourth test, the result of a simulation of cooling the batteries 18, ... here,
The average calorific value of the plurality of batteries 18, ..., 18 is 100
W, the drive voltage of a fan (not shown) that supplies cooling air to the battery box is 12 V, the air volume of the cooling air is 60 m ³ / hour, and the temperature of the supplied cooling air is 35
The temperature distribution of the plurality of batteries 18, ..., 18 was calculated for the comparative example and the battery boxes of the first to fourth examples.

First, as shown in FIG. 8, in the comparative example, the battery 18, which is arranged near the front opening 22,
, 18, the plate-shaped shield members 71, ..., 71 for suppressing the blowing of the cooling air are arranged, so that the temperatures of these batteries 18 ,. The temperature is high (for example, 52.0 ° C.). Further, since the rectifying members 72, ..., 72 for increasing the circulation speed of the cooling air are arranged for the batteries 18, ..., 18 arranged in the vicinity of the rear opening 23, these batteries 18 ,. The temperature of 18 is relatively excessively low (for example, 47.0 ° C.). The temperature difference is 5.0 (= 52.0-47.
0) ° C., and the pressure loss of the cooling air is 53.1 Pa.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, in the battery box of the first example of the present embodiment, the batteries 18, ..., 18 arranged near the front opening 22.
Is 42.0 to 43.0 ° C., and the temperatures of the batteries 18, ..., 18 arranged near the rear opening 23 are 4
The temperature was 6.0 ° C., and it can be determined that the cooling was performed more efficiently than in the comparative example. That is, in the vicinity of the front opening 22, the batteries 18, ..., 18 are shielded so as to have an excessively high temperature, and the rear opening 23
It is possible to prevent excessive cooling in the vicinity. Moreover, in the battery box of the first embodiment, the temperature difference is 4.0 (= 46.0−42.
It is about 0) ° C., and it can be determined that the temperature distribution is more uniform than in the comparative example, and it can be concluded that the cooling performance is improved. Furthermore, in the battery box of the first embodiment, the pressure loss of the cooling air is 50.1 Pa, and it can be seen that cooling can be performed more efficiently than in the comparative example.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, in the battery box of the second example of the present embodiment, the pressure loss of the cooling air is 53.7 Pa, which is almost the same value as the comparative example, The temperature of the batteries 18, ..., 18 arranged near the front opening 22 is 43.0 ° C., and the temperature of the batteries 18, ..., 18 arranged near the rear opening 23 is 46.0-47.0 ° C. , Compared to the comparative example,
It can be determined that the cooling is performed more efficiently. Moreover, the temperature difference is 4.0 (= 47.0-43.0).
The temperature becomes about 0 ° C., and it can be determined that the temperature distribution is more uniform than in the comparative example, and it can be concluded that the cooling performance is improved.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the battery box of the third example of the present embodiment, the battery 18 arranged near the front opening 22 is provided by the provision of the first shielding member 43. , ..., 18 temperature is 4
The temperature becomes 2.0 to 43.0 ° C., and the cooling air is prevented from being directly blown to the battery 18 and is also prevented from being shielded so as to be in an excessively high temperature state. , Can be properly cooled.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, in the battery box of the fourth example of the present embodiment, in particular, the central axes of the plurality of batteries 18, ... The cooling performance can be improved as compared with the example.

[0063]

As described above, according to the battery box of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the batteries can be arranged in a staggered manner by the plurality of holding members, and the efficiency of the arrangement of the batteries in the storage portion is improved. The battery box can be downsized. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the temperature distribution of the plurality of batteries from becoming non-uniform due to the action of the shielding member arranged near the refrigerant inlet port and the action of the rectifying member arranged near the refrigerant outlet port. Can be improved. Further, according to the battery box of the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the plurality of holding members are fixed so as to be sandwiched by the front portion and the rear portion from both sides in the storage portion, for example, a special member for sandwiching the holding member. The holding member can be easily fixed by simply providing the supporting members at the front and rear portions forming the storage portion without the need to provide the member.

Further, according to the battery box of the present invention as defined in claim 3, since the concave portions and the convex portions of the holding members to be connected can be attached to and detached from each other, a plurality of holding members can be easily formed. It is possible to connect and disconnect to each other, and the arrangement in the storage section can be easily changed. Further, by providing the pair of protrusions and recesses as the support members on the front and rear portions forming the storage portion, the front and rear portions and the holding member can be easily connected and separated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery box shown in FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the battery box shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the battery holding member shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing changes over time in temperature and temperature difference when a plurality of batteries housed in the battery boxes according to the first example and the comparative example of the present embodiment generate heat.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a change in ultimate temperature according to a heat passage coefficient when a plurality of batteries housed in the battery boxes according to the first example and the comparative example of the present embodiment generate heat.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing changes over time in temperature and temperature difference when the heat generation of a plurality of batteries housed in the battery boxes according to the first example and the comparative example of the present embodiment is stopped.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing respective temperatures reached when a plurality of batteries housed in a battery box according to a comparative example of the present embodiment generate heat.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing respective temperatures reached when the plurality of batteries housed in the battery box according to the first example of the present embodiment generate heat.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing respective ultimate temperatures when the plurality of batteries housed in the battery box according to the second example of the present embodiment generate heat.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing respective ultimate temperatures when the plurality of batteries housed in the battery box according to the third example of the present embodiment generate heat.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing respective ultimate temperatures when a plurality of batteries housed in a battery box according to a fourth example of the present embodiment generate heat.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 battery box 11 box top (top) 12 Box bottom (bottom) 13 Box front (front) 14 Box rear (rear) 15 Box right side (side) 16 Box left side (side) 18 Battery 18A Battery outer peripheral surface (battery outer peripheral surface) 17 Battery holding member (Battery holding member) 21 Internal space (storage section) 22 Front opening (refrigerant inlet) 23 Rear opening (refrigerant outlet) 32 First rectifying member (rectifying member) 33 Second rectifying member (rectifying member) 43 First Shielding Member (Shielding Member) 44 Second Shielding Member (Shielding Member) 45 Third shielding member (shielding member) 47 front and rear recesses (supporting means) 48 Front and rear projections (supporting means) 51 convex 52 recess

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takasaka Keiji             1-4-1 Chuo Stock Market, Wako City, Saitama Prefecture             Inside Honda Research Laboratory F-term (reference) 5H031 KK01 KK08                 5H040 AA28 AS07 AT06 AY05 CC20

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An accommodating portion formed by upper and lower portions, a front portion, a rear portion, and two side portions that are connectable and separable from each other, and connectable and separable from each other in the accommodating portion,
In the connected state, the direction of the central axis of the plurality of batteries is parallel to the direction in which the two side parts face each other, and a plurality of holding members that hold these batteries in a staggered arrangement, and a refrigerant introduction provided in the front part. A refrigerant outlet provided in the mouth and the rear portion, and arranged in the vicinity of the refrigerant inlet, change the flow direction of the cooling medium introduced into the storage portion from the refrigerant inlet,
A shielding member that suppresses the cooling medium from being directly blown to the battery, and is arranged in the vicinity of the refrigerant discharge port, narrows the flow passage of the cooling medium around the battery, and increases the circulation speed of the cooling medium. And a flow control member that changes the flow direction of the cooling medium. 2. The battery box according to claim 1, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are provided with supporting means capable of supporting the holding member. 3. The holding member includes at least a pair of protrusions and recesses on the outer surface, and the plurality of holding members are connected to each other by the detachable fitting of the protrusions into the recesses. The battery box according to claim 1, wherein the battery box is separable.