JP2006136097A - High-voltage device accommodating box and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-voltage device accommodating box for ensuring a high safety of a worker for checking and maintaining a high-voltage device internally accommodated. <P>SOLUTION: An inverter unit 14 operates, is supplied with a high voltage from a battery pack 12, and includes an interlock apparatus 79 for locking a case cover 74 in a closed state. When a safety plug 62 is extracted from a safety switch 58 in the battery pack 12 and fitted to a fitting section 84 of a body 82 in the interlock apparatus 79, a lock of a hook 86 is released, and the case cover 74 can be opened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a high-voltage device storage box and a vehicle, and in particular, a high-power device that ensures high work safety when an operator inspects and maintains a high-voltage device that is stored inside and operates by receiving power from a DC power source. The present invention relates to a voltage equipment storage box and a vehicle equipped with the same.

  Hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles have attracted a great deal of attention against the background of increasing energy saving and environmental problems in recent years, and hybrid vehicles have already been put into practical use.

  A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses a DC power source, an inverter, and a motor driven by the inverter as a power source in addition to a conventional engine. That is, power is obtained by driving the engine, and DC voltage from a DC power source is converted into AC voltage by an inverter, and power is obtained by rotating the motor by the converted AC voltage. An electric vehicle is a vehicle that uses a DC power source, an inverter, and a motor driven by the inverter as a power source.

  In such a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle, a high voltage of, for example, several hundred volts is generated in a DC power source, an inverter, a motor, a power cable, and the like in order to drive a motor with high output. Therefore, in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles equipped with such a high voltage system, workers such as automobile users and maintenance personnel (hereinafter simply referred to as “workers”) inspect and maintain high voltage devices. In order to prevent electric shock accidents, particularly high work safety is required.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-175791 (Patent Document 1) discloses an interlock device for a secondary battery that ensures higher worker safety and ensures the relocking operation by the worker. This interlock device for a secondary battery uses a safety plug of the secondary battery to perform a release operation and a lock operation of a lock mechanism that locks a lid of a case in which the secondary battery is stored. According to this interlock device, the safety plug must be attached to the secondary battery lock mechanism after the safety plug is removed from the predetermined position of the secondary battery and the power supply of the secondary battery is cut off. When the secondary battery is inspected and maintained, high worker safety is ensured (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-175791 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-133799 JP 2004-171988 A

  As described above, in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, high voltage is generated not only in secondary batteries but also in inverters that operate by receiving power from secondary batteries, for example. Similarly, high work safety must be ensured when workers perform inspections and maintenance.

  In particular, when an operator opens a cover of a case in which a high-voltage device that operates by receiving power supply from the power supply device is opened, the power supply from the power supply device must be surely cut off.

  The above-described interlock device for a secondary battery disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-175791 is useful as a device that can ensure high work safety when an operator inspects and maintains the secondary battery. The state of the power supply device at the time of inspection and maintenance work of a high-voltage device that operates by receiving a high voltage from the secondary battery as the power supply device is not considered. That is, even when the power supply device's safety plug is not removed and the power supply device can supply power, it is possible to work by opening the cover of the case housing the high-voltage device.

  Of course, when the case cover of the high-voltage device is opened, safety measures such as cutting off the power supply from the power supply device are taken, but the case cover of the high-voltage device can be opened when the power supply device can supply power. It is desirable to avoid this situation in order to ensure the safety of workers who check and maintain high-voltage equipment.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the purpose thereof is a high-voltage device that ensures high work safety when an operator inspects and maintains the high-voltage device housed therein. It is to provide a storage box.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle equipped with a high-voltage device storage box that ensures high work safety when an operator inspects and maintains high-voltage devices stored inside.

  According to the present invention, the high-voltage device storage box is a high-voltage device storage box that stores therein a high-voltage device that operates by receiving power from the power supply device, and a case for storing the high-voltage device therein, and a case An opening / closing means for opening and closing the door and an interlocking means for locking the opening / closing means in a closed state. The interlock means is opened and closed using a safety plug that cuts off the power supply from the power supply device when pulled out from the power supply device. Release the closed lock of the means.

  Preferably, the interlock means includes a lock portion having an insertion port for a safety plug, and the lock portion releases the lock when the safety plug is inserted into the insertion port.

  Preferably, the interlock means makes it impossible to remove the safety plug inserted into the insertion port when the lock is released.

  Further, according to the present invention, a vehicle includes a power supply device, a safety plug that cuts off power supply from the power supply device when pulled out from the power supply device, a high-voltage device that operates by receiving power from the power supply device, and a high voltage A high-voltage device storage box for storing the device therein. The high-voltage device storage box includes a case for storing the high-voltage device therein, an opening / closing means for opening / closing the case, and an interface for locking the opening / closing means in a closed state. The interlock means includes a safety plug, and unlocks the closed state of the opening / closing means using a safety plug.

  Preferably, the high voltage device includes an inverter.

  Preferably, the vehicle further includes an electric motor driven by the inverter and drive wheels driven by the electric motor.

  In the high-voltage equipment storage box according to the present invention, the interlock means for locking the opening / closing means for opening / closing the case to the closed state is opened / closed using a safety plug that cuts off power supply from the power supply apparatus when pulled out from the power supply apparatus. Since the lock in the closed state of the means is released, the lock by the interlock means cannot be released unless the safety plug is pulled out from the power supply device. That is, the opening / closing means of the high-voltage device storage box can be opened only when the safety plug is pulled out from the power supply device and the power supply from the power supply device is interrupted.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, high work safety is ensured for an operator who performs inspection and maintenance work on the high-voltage equipment stored in the high-voltage equipment storage box.

  In the vehicle according to the present invention, the interlock means of the high-voltage device storage box that stores therein the high-voltage device that operates by receiving power from the power supply device supplies power from the power supply device when pulled out from the power supply device. Since the lock is released using the safety plug to be cut off, the opening / closing means of the high voltage device storage box can be opened only when the safety plug is pulled out from the power supply device and the power supply from the power supply device is cut off. .

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to ensure high work safety for workers who perform inspection and maintenance work on high-voltage devices such as inverters. In addition, since the interlock is configured by a mechanical structure using a safety plug, a detection device that electrically detects opening / closing of the opening / closing means is not required. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce a signal harness for transmitting an electric signal for notifying the open state of the opening means from the high voltage device to the power supply device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a hybrid vehicle shown as an example of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, this hybrid vehicle 10 includes a battery pack 12, an inverter unit 14, a power output device 16, a drive shaft 18, front wheels 20R, 20L, and rear wheels 22R, 22L.

  The battery pack 12 is disposed, for example, behind the vehicle, generates a DC voltage of several hundred volts, and supplies it to the inverter unit 14. Further, the battery pack 12 is charged by a DC voltage from the inverter unit 14.

  For example, the inverter unit 14 is disposed in front of the vehicle, converts a DC voltage received from the battery pack 12 into an AC voltage, and the converted AC voltage is a motor (not shown, the same applies hereinafter) included in the power output device 16. )). Further, the inverter unit 14 converts an AC voltage generated by a generator (not shown, the same applies hereinafter) included in the power output device 16 into a DC voltage, and outputs the converted DC voltage to the battery pack 12 to provide a battery. Charge the pack 12.

  The power output device 16 is disposed in front of the vehicle and includes an engine (not shown, the same applies hereinafter), a motor, and a generator. The power output device 16 outputs power generated by the engine and / or motor to the drive shaft 18 via a differential gear (not shown). Further, the power output device 16 generates electric power with a generator using the rotational force of the front wheels 20 </ b> R and 20 </ b> L, and supplies the generated electric power to the inverter unit 14.

  The drive shaft 18 transmits the power from the power output device 16 to the front wheels 20R and 20L, and transmits the rotational force from the front wheels 20R and 20L to the power output device 16. The front wheels 20R and 20L are driving wheels of the hybrid vehicle 10, and the rear wheels 22R and 22L are subordinate wheels.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power train in hybrid vehicle 10 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, hybrid vehicle 10 includes a battery pack 12, an inverter unit 14, a power output device 16, and power cables 42, 44, 46. The battery pack 12 includes a battery 32 and a system main relay (hereinafter also referred to as “SMR”) 34. The power output device 16 includes a motor 38 and a generator 40. The SMR 34 is connected between the battery 32 and the inverter unit 14. Inverter unit 14 is connected to SMR 34 by power cable 42, and is also connected to motor 38 and generator 40 by power cables 44 and 46, respectively.

  The battery 32 is a direct current power source, and is composed of, for example, a secondary battery such as nickel metal hydride or lithium ion. The battery 32 generates a DC voltage of several hundred volts and outputs the generated DC voltage to the SMR 34. Further, as will be described in detail later, when the safety plug is pulled out from a predetermined position of the battery pack 12, the battery 32 is disconnected from the DC voltage supplied to the SMR 34.

  The SMR 34 electrically connects or disconnects the battery 32 with the inverter unit 14 in accordance with a control signal from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown).

  The inverter unit 14 receives a high DC voltage of several hundred volts from the battery pack 12, converts the DC voltage into an AC voltage, and drives and controls the motor 38 and the generator 40. Inverter unit 14 receives the AC voltage regenerated by motor 38 and generator 40, converts the received AC voltage into a DC voltage, and outputs the DC voltage to battery pack 12.

  Here, the inverter unit 14 operates by receiving a high voltage of several hundred volts from the battery pack 12, and this inverter unit 14 is provided with a case cover in order to ensure worker safety during inspection and maintenance. And an interlock mechanism that releases the lock only when the above-described safety plug of the battery pack 12 is fitted in a predetermined position of the inverter unit 14. This interlock mechanism will be described in detail later.

  The motor 38 is, for example, a three-phase AC synchronous motor, and generates a driving force of the hybrid vehicle 10 by a three-phase AC voltage received from the inverter unit 14 via the power cable 44. The motor 38 generates regenerative power during regenerative braking of the hybrid vehicle 10, and outputs the generated regenerative power to the inverter unit 14 via the power cable 44.

  The generator 40 is, for example, a three-phase AC synchronous motor similar to the motor 38, and generates power by the driving force of the engine included in the power output device 16, and the generated AC power is supplied to the inverter unit 14 via the power cable 46. Output. The generator 40 also functions as a starter that generates driving force by the three-phase AC voltage received from the inverter unit 14 and starts the engine by the driving force.

  3 is an external view of the battery pack 12 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 3, battery pack 12 includes a case 52, a case cover 54, a bolt 56, a safety switch 58, and a safety plug 62. Case 52 stores battery 32 and SMR 34 shown in FIG. 2 inside. The case cover 54 is normally attached to the case 52 with a plurality of bolts 56, and is removed from the case 52 by removing the bolts 56 during inspection and maintenance in the battery pack 12.

  The safety switch 58 is provided to ensure the safety of the operator when the operator inspects and maintains the inside of the battery pack 12. The safety switch 58 is disposed on the side surface of the case 52 and has a fitting portion 60. When the safety plug 62 is fitted to the fitting portion 60 of the safety switch 58, the battery 32 included in the battery pack 12 is in a power supply enabled state, and the safety plug 62 is pulled from the fitting portion 60 of the safety switch 58. When it is removed, the power supply from the battery 32 is cut off.

  That is, by pulling out the safety plug 62 from the safety switch 58, safety against electric shock when the inside of the battery pack 12 is inspected and maintained is secured, and after the operator pulls out the safety plug 62 from the safety switch 58, the bolt 56 By removing the cover and removing the case cover 54, the inspection and maintenance of the battery pack 12 can be performed safely.

  FIG. 4 is an external view of the inverter unit 14 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, inverter unit 14 includes a case 72, a case cover 74, a bolt 76, a hinge 78, and an interlock device 79. The interlock device 79 includes a main body portion 82 and a hook portion 86.

  The case 72 stores therein an inverter, an inverter control device, a power terminal block, a capacitor, and the like. The case cover 74 is normally attached to the case 72 by a plurality of bolts 76 and is locked by an interlock device 79. On the other hand, at the time of inspection and maintenance in the inverter unit 14, the case cover 74 can be opened upward with the hinge 78 as a fulcrum by removing all the bolts 76 and releasing the lock by the interlock device 79. .

  The interlock device 79 is provided to ensure the safety of the operator when the operator inspects and maintains the inside of the inverter unit 14. The main body portion 82 of the interlock device 79 is provided on the side surface of the case 72 and has a fitting portion 84 into which the safety plug 62 of the battery pack 12 described above can be fitted. A hook portion 86 is provided on the upper portion of the main body portion 82, and the hook portion 86 is movable in the vertical direction when the safety plug 62 is fitted in the fitting portion 84, and in the vertical movable direction. It can be rotated around the axis along. The case 72 and the case cover 74 are provided with a protrusion 80 to which the tip of the hook 86 is fitted, and in a state where the tip of the hook 86 is fitted from above the protrusion 80. The case cover 74 cannot be opened.

  In the inverter unit 14, when the safety plug 62 of the battery pack 12 is not fitted to the fitting part 84 of the main body part 82 in the interlock device 79, the hook part 86 is fitted to the protrusion 80. The hook portion 86 is locked. Therefore, the operator cannot open the case cover 74 even if all the bolts 76 are removed, and cannot touch each device in the inverter unit 14.

  On the other hand, when the safety plug 62 of the battery pack 12 is fitted into the fitting portion 84 of the main body portion 82, the hook portion 86 is unlocked. Then, when the operator removes all the bolts 76 by moving the hook portion 86 upward to remove the hook portion 86 from the projection portion 80 and rotating the hook portion 86 to a position where it does not interfere with the projection portion 80. The cover 74 can be opened.

  In the state where the hook portion 86 is unlocked, the safety plug 62 is prevented from being detached from the fitting portion 84. That is, the safety plug 62 cannot be pulled out from the main body portion 82 unless the hook portion 86 is fitted to the projection portion 80. As a result, the safety plug 62 is fitted into the safety switch 58 of the battery pack 12 when the interlock in the inverter unit 14 is released, and a situation in which high voltage is supplied from the battery pack 12 to the inverter unit 14 occurs. I can't.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state where inspection and maintenance work of the inverter unit 14 is prohibited. Referring to FIG. 5, in a state where safety plug 62 is fitted to safety switch 58 of battery pack 12, power supply to battery 32 in battery pack 12 is not interrupted, and battery pack 12 is connected to an inverter. This is a state where power can be supplied to the unit 14. Therefore, a high voltage from the battery pack 12 can be supplied to the power cable 42 that connects the battery pack 12 to the inverter unit 14.

  However, since the safety plug 62 is not fitted to the main body portion 82 of the interlock device 79 in the inverter unit 14, the hook portion 86 is locked. Therefore, the operator cannot open the case cover 74 of the inverter unit 14 and perform inspection and maintenance work on the inverter unit 14.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where inspection and maintenance work of the inverter unit 14 is permitted. Referring to FIG. 6, in a state where safety plug 62 is pulled out from safety switch 58 of battery pack 12, power supply from battery 32 in battery pack 12 is cut off. Therefore, a high voltage from the battery pack 12 is not applied to the power cable 42 that connects the battery pack 12 to the inverter unit 14.

  The safety plug 62 pulled out from the safety switch 58 of the battery pack 12 is fitted into the main body portion 82 of the interlock device 79 in the inverter unit 14, and the hook portion 86 is unlocked. Accordingly, the operator can open the case cover 74 by moving the hook portion 86 upward and rotating the hook portion 86 to a position where the hook portion 86 does not interfere with the case cover 74, and the inverter unit 14 is inspected and maintained. be able to.

  In other words, in this hybrid vehicle 10, if the safety plug 62 of the battery pack 12 is pulled out from the safety switch 58 and the pulled-out safety plug 62 is not mechanically fitted to the interlock device 79, the interlock in the inverter unit 14 is locked. It cannot be released. Therefore, the operator cannot open the case cover 74 and inspect and maintain the inverter unit 14 until the power supply from the battery 32 is completely cut off.

  In the hybrid vehicle 10, the safety plug 62 cannot be pulled out from the main body 82 of the interlock device 79 in a state where the interlock in the inverter unit 14 is released as shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, the operator cannot supply power from the battery pack 12 to the inverter unit 14 by fitting the safety plug 62 to the safety switch 58 of the battery pack 12 when the interlock of the inverter unit 14 is released.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the interlock device 79 of the inverter unit 14 uses the safety plug 62 pulled out from the safety switch 58 of the battery pack 12 to release the lock. The case cover 74 of the inverter unit 14 can be opened only in a state where the power supply is interrupted. Therefore, it is possible to ensure high work safety for the worker who performs inspection and maintenance of the inverter and the like housed in the inverter unit 14.

  In addition, when the interlock of the interlock device 79 is released, the safety plug 62 cannot be pulled out from the interlock device 79, so that power is supplied from the battery pack 12 during inspection and maintenance work in the inverter unit 14. It cannot happen.

  Further, since the work safety is ensured by mechanically fitting the safety plug 62 to the interlock device 79, a detection device that electrically detects the opening and closing of the case cover 74 of the inverter unit 14 is provided. It can be unnecessary.

  Further, since there is no need to notify the battery pack 12 of a signal for cutting off the power supply from the battery pack 12 when the case cover 74 of the inverter unit 14 is opened, the inverter unit 14 and the battery The signal harness between the pack 12 can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the inverter unit 14 constitutes a “high voltage device storage box”, and the inverter, power terminal block, capacitor, etc. housed in the inverter unit 14 constitute a “high voltage device”. To do. Further, the case cover 74 in the inverter unit 14 constitutes “opening / closing means”, and the interlock device 79 of the inverter unit 14 constitutes “interlock means”. The motor 38 constitutes an “electric motor”, and the front wheels 20R and 20L constitute “drive wheels”.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is provided to the inverter unit has been described. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the inverter unit, but a converter that operates by receiving power from the power supply device. It extends to units.

  In the above description, the case where the present invention is applied to a hybrid vehicle has been described as a representative example. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to a hybrid vehicle, and an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, and the like. It extends to.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

1 is an overall block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a hybrid vehicle shown as an example of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power train in the hybrid vehicle shown in FIG. 1. It is an external view of the battery pack shown in FIG. It is an external view of the inverter unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state in which the inspection maintenance work of an inverter unit is prohibited. It is a figure which shows the state in which the inspection maintenance work of an inverter unit is permitted.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Hybrid vehicle, 12 Battery pack, 14 Inverter unit, 16 Power output device, 18 Drive shaft, 20R, 20L Front wheel, 22R, 22L Rear wheel, 32 Battery, 34 SMR, 38 Motor, 40 Generator, 42, 44, 46 Power Cable, 52, 72 case, 54, 74 case cover, 56, 76 bolt, 58 safety switch, 60, 84 fitting part, 62 safety plug, 78 hinge, 80 protrusion, 82 body part, 86 hook part.

Claims (6)

A high-voltage equipment storage box that houses high-voltage equipment that operates by receiving power from a power supply device,
A case for storing the high-voltage device inside;
Opening and closing means for opening and closing the case;
Interlock means for locking the opening and closing means in a closed state,
The high-voltage device storage box, wherein the interlock means releases a closed lock of the opening / closing means using a safety plug that cuts off power supply from the power supply apparatus when pulled out from the power supply apparatus. The interlock means includes a lock portion having an insertion port for the safety plug,
The high-voltage device storage box according to claim 1, wherein the lock portion releases the lock when the safety plug is inserted into the insertion port.   The high-voltage device storage box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interlock means makes it impossible to remove the safety plug inserted into the insertion port when the lock is released. . A power supply;
A safety plug that cuts off power supply from the power supply when pulled out from the power supply; and
A high-voltage device that operates by receiving power from the power supply device;
A high voltage device storage box for storing the high voltage device therein;
The high-voltage equipment storage box is
A case for storing the high-voltage device inside;
Opening and closing means for opening and closing the case;
Interlock means for locking the opening and closing means in a closed state,
The interlock means uses the safety plug to release the closed lock of the opening / closing means.   The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the high-voltage device includes an inverter. An electric motor driven by the inverter;
The vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising drive wheels driven by the electric motor.

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