JP2008287939A - Gas discharge structure, and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas discharge structure capable of easily avoiding interference with interior components, and to provide a vehicle equipped with the gas discharge structure. <P>SOLUTION: The gas discharge structure of a power storage device has a first gas exhaust pipe 41 to discharge gas generated from a power storage device 1 and a vehicle frame 51 having an internal space, and the first gas exhaust pipe 41 is connected to the vehicle frame 51 and the gas is discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the internal space. Here, a second gas exhaust pipe 46 for discharging the gas discharged into the internal space through the first gas exhaust pipe 41 to the outside of the vehicle may be further installed preferably. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a gas discharge structure for discharging gas generated from a power supply device to the outside of a passenger compartment.

  In recent years, electric vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles have been actively developed. As a drive or auxiliary power source for this electric vehicle, there is an increasing demand for a power storage device that is excellent in performance, reliability, and safety.

  Since the power storage device may increase in internal pressure due to gas generated during battery abnormality such as overcharge, it is necessary to quickly discharge the generated gas to the outside of the power storage device. As this kind of gas discharge means, the power storage device and a position outside the vehicle compartment (for example, a quarter trim of the vehicle) are connected by a gas discharge tube, and the gas generated from the power storage device is discharged outside the vehicle compartment through this gas discharge tube. A method has been proposed (hereinafter referred to as Prior Art A).

  In Patent Document 1, cooling air introduction ports for introducing cooling air into hollow portions of the rear side frame are formed on the front and rear walls of the joint frame that connects the front side frame and the rear side frame of the battery frame. There is disclosed a battery frame structure of an electric vehicle in which a cooling air outlet port through which cooling air is blown inward of the battery frame is formed on an inner wall.

  According to the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is possible to improve the ventilation of the cooling air and further improve the exhaustability of the gas generated from the battery.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a battery frame structure of an electric vehicle that uses a side member as an exhaust duct that discharges cooling air of the battery frame.

According to the configuration of Patent Document 2, the cooling air in the battery frame can be discharged without using a dedicated exhaust duct.
JP 07-228153 A JP 09-267645 A

  However, in the configuration of the related art A, the installation position of the secondary battery is limited from the viewpoint of avoiding interference with interior parts, ensuring merchandise such as seat arrangement and foot space, and ensuring collision safety. Moreover, the place where the vehicle is treated as a position outside the passenger compartment is also restricted.

  Furthermore, various interior parts (for example, seat parts, battery parts such as a battery ECU) are installed between the installation position of the secondary battery and the position outside the passenger compartment.

  For this reason, it is necessary to route the gas discharge tube so as to avoid interference with the interior parts arranged between the installation position of the secondary battery and the position outside the passenger compartment. Becomes complicated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a gas discharge structure for a power storage device and a vehicle equipped with the gas discharge structure that can easily avoid interference with interior parts of the vehicle.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a gas discharge structure for a power storage device according to the present invention has, as a first configuration, a first gas discharge pipe for discharging gas generated from the power storage device and a vehicle frame having an internal space. The first gas discharge pipe is connected to the vehicle frame, and the gas is discharged outside the vehicle through the internal space.

Here, it is preferable to provide a second gas exhaust pipe for exhausting the gas exhausted to the internal space through the first gas exhaust pipe to the outside of the vehicle.

  Further, the second gas discharge pipe may be connected to a quarter trim of the vehicle to discharge the gas outside the vehicle.

  The vehicle frame can be constituted by a side member of the vehicle, and gas can be discharged outside the vehicle through the internal space of the side member.

  The vehicle frame includes a vehicle cross member and a side member that communicate with each other in internal space, and the first and second gas exhaust pipes are connected to the cross member and the side member, respectively. The gas can be discharged out of the vehicle through the gas discharge pipe, the cross member, the side member, and the second gas discharge pipe.

  The internal space may be a sealed space that is sealed with respect to a vehicle interior space formed outside the vehicle frame, and gas may be prevented from flowing into the vehicle interior.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the second configuration of the gas discharge structure of the power storage device according to the present invention is a vehicle having a third gas discharge pipe for discharging the gas generated from the power storage device to the outside of the vehicle and an internal space. And a part of the third gas discharge pipe is disposed in the internal space.

  The third gas discharge pipe may be connected to a quarter trim of the vehicle to discharge gas outside the vehicle.

  The gas discharge structure of the power storage device can be applied to a vehicle.

According to the first configuration of the present invention, it is possible to easily avoid the interference between the interior product of the vehicle and the first discharge tube.
According to the second configuration of the present invention, it is possible to easily avoid the interference between the interior product of the vehicle and the third discharge tube.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a gas discharge structure for discharging gas generated from a power storage device, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the gas discharge structure. In these figures, the X-axis indicates the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the Y-axis indicates the vehicle width direction of the vehicle, and the Z-axis indicates the height direction of the vehicle.

  The gas discharge structure of the power storage device according to this embodiment includes a first gas discharge tube (first gas discharge pipe) 41 connected to the power storage device 1 and a left side connected to the first gas discharge tube 41. A member (vehicle frame) 51 and a second gas discharge tube (second gas discharge pipe) for discharging the gas discharged into the inner space of the left side member 51 through the first gas discharge tube 41 to the outside of the vehicle. 46).

  In this way, by forming a part of the discharge path for discharging the gas of the power storage device 1 in the inner space of the left side member 51, interior products (for example, legs of the seat seat, Interference between the gas exhaust tube and the electronic components such as the console and the battery ECU can be easily avoided. Thereby, while shortening the full length of a gas exhaust tube, the arrangement work of a gas exhaust tube can be made easy.

  Next, the configuration of the power storage device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. Here, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the power storage device 1.

  The power storage device 1 includes an assembled battery 12, a battery housing case 13 that houses the assembled battery 12, and a coolant 23, and a case cover 14 that serves as an upper lid of the battery housing case 13. Used as an auxiliary power source.

  A gas exhaust port 14a is formed at the center of the case cover 14, and a gas exhaust port 14a is used to discharge gas generated from the power storage device 1 to the outside of the power storage device 1 when a battery abnormality occurs. 1 gas discharge tube 41 is connected.

  Here, “battery abnormality” means a phenomenon in which gas is generated from the cylindrical battery 122 due to electrolysis of the electrolyte during overcharge or the like.

  Since the gas generated in the case of battery abnormality moves upward in the battery housing case 13, the gas discharge can be accelerated by connecting the first gas discharge tube 41 to the case cover 14.

  A gas relief valve 21 is provided at a connection portion between the first gas discharge tube 41 and the gas discharge port 14a. The gas relief valve 21 opens in the opening direction when the internal pressure of the battery housing case 13 becomes a predetermined value or more. Operates and allows the discharge of gas from the first gas discharge tube 41.

  A large number of heat radiation fins 31 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the battery housing case 13. Thereby, a contact area with external air can be increased and heat dissipation of the assembled battery 12 can be promoted.

  Examples of the material applied to the battery housing case 13 include metal materials such as stainless steel having high thermal conductivity.

  The power storage device 1 is installed on the floor panel 2 below the rear seat, and is fixed by fastening a flange portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the battery housing case 13 to the floor panel 2.

  The assembled battery 12 is a battery assembly in which a plurality of cylindrical batteries 122 are arranged side by side, and is supported between a pair of battery folders 123. The electrode screw shaft portions 131 and 132 of each cylindrical battery 122 protrude from the pair of battery folders 123 and are electrically connected via the bus bar 124. A fastening nut 125 for fastening the bus bar 124 is fastened to the electrode screw shaft portions 131 and 132.

  In this way, when a battery assembly in which a plurality of cylindrical batteries 122 are arranged side by side is used for driving a vehicle or as an auxiliary power source, the heat generation temperature associated with charging / discharging increases, so only gas cooling using cooling air is performed. Then, there is a risk of insufficient cooling. Therefore, in this embodiment, the assembled battery 12 is cooled by immersing the assembled battery 12 in the coolant 23 having a higher thermal conductivity than that of the gas.

  Here, as the coolant 23, a material having high specific heat, thermal conductivity and high boiling point, which does not corrode the battery housing case 13 and the assembled battery 12 and is not easily subjected to thermal decomposition, air oxidation, electrolysis, or the like is suitable. Furthermore, an electrically insulating liquid is desirable in order to prevent a short circuit between the electrode terminals.

  For example, a fluorinated inert liquid can be used. As the fluorine-based inert liquid, Fluorinert, Novec HFE (hydrofluorether), and Novec 1230 manufactured by 3M can be used. In addition, a liquid other than the fluorine-based inert liquid (for example, silicon oil) can be used.

Cylindrical battery 122 is a secondary battery, as Seikatsu substance constituting the secondary battery, lithium - LiCoO ₂ is a transition element composite _{oxides, LiNiO 2, LiFeO 2, LiCuO} 2,
Examples thereof include LiMnO ₂ and LiMO ₂ (M is at least two transition elements selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, Cu and Mn) and LiMn ₂ O ₄ .

The negative active material is not particularly limited as long as it can electrochemically occlude and discharge lithium ions. Specific examples include natural graphite, artificial graphite, coke, an organic fired body, and metal chalcogenide.

Lithium salts used as the electrolyte solute include LiClO ₄ , LiCF ₃ SO ₃ ,
LiPF ₆ , LiN (CF ₃ SO ₂ ) ₂ , LiN (C ₂ F ₅ SO ₂ ) ₂ , LiBF ₄ , L
ISbF ₆ and can be exemplified a LiAsF _6, as the organic solvent used to dissolve the lithium salt, ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, vinylene carbonate, a cyclic carbonate such as butylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, methyl ethyl carbonate Examples of the mixed solvent with the chain carbonate ester.

  A current collector plate (not shown) of the cylindrical battery 122 is provided with a not-shown break valve. The break valve has an internal pressure of the cylindrical battery 122 that is a limit pressure value due to gas generated when the battery is abnormal. When the pressure is increased to (for example, 2 atmospheres) or more, it is destroyed and gas is discharged into the coolant 23 from there.

The case cover 14 is fixed to the cover mounting surface 13e of the battery housing case 13 by fastening bolts (not shown).

  Next, the pair of side members 51 and 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The pair of side members 51 and 52 are disposed at positions on both sides in the vehicle width direction across the power storage device 1 and extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

  The left side member 51 is formed with a tube connection port 51b for connecting the first gas discharge tube 41, and the gas discharged from the power storage device 1 to the first gas discharge tube 41 is the tube connection port. It flows into the internal space of the left side member 51 through 51b.

  A cross section (ZY cross section) in the vehicle width direction of the left side member 51 is formed in a hat shape, and a flange portion 51a of the left side member 51 is fixed to the floor panel 2 so that the left side member 51 has a vehicle longitudinal direction ( The end in the (X-axis direction) is closed.

  Accordingly, the internal space of the left side member 51 can be a sealed space that is sealed (isolated) with respect to the vehicle interior space formed outside the left side member 51.

  In this way, by making the internal space of the left side member 51 a sealed space, the gas discharged into the internal space of the left side member 51 via the first gas discharge tube 41 is prevented from flowing into the vehicle interior. it can.

  A quarter trim serving as a position outside the passenger compartment is adjacently disposed in the vehicle width direction of the left side member 51, and a second gas exhaust communicating with the quarter trim is provided in a gas exhaust port 51 c formed in the left side member 51. A tube 46 is connected.

  In the above-described configuration, the gas discharged to the inner space of the left side member 51 via the first gas discharge tube 41 is discharged to the quarter trim via the second gas discharge tube 46.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the gas discharge path of the power storage device 1 can be configured by the first gas discharge tube 41, the left side member 51, and the second gas discharge tube 46. Thereby, since interference with the vehicle interior goods and the gas exhaust tube can be easily avoided, the length of the gas exhaust tube can be shortened to reduce the cost.

  Furthermore, since it is possible to reduce the routing work such as bending the gas discharge tube in order to avoid interference between the interior parts of the vehicle and the gas discharge tube, the work can be made more efficient.

  Similarly to the left side member 51, the right side member 52 has a hat-shaped cross section (ZY cross section) and is fixed to the floor panel 2. However, the end of the right side member 52 in the vehicle front-rear direction is open. This is because the internal space of the right side member 52 is not used as a gas discharge path for discharging the gas generated from the power storage device 1 and therefore does not need to be a sealed space.

  Next, the gas discharge operation of the power storage device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, the arrow of FIG.1 and FIG.2 has shown the direction through which gas flows.

When the assembled battery 12 is overcharged, the electrolyte of the cylindrical battery 122 is electrolyzed to generate gas,
The internal pressure of the cylindrical battery 122 increases. The internal pressure of the cylindrical battery 122 is a predetermined value (for example, 2 atmospheres)
The battery destruction valve is destroyed, gas is discharged into the coolant 23 from there, and the internal pressure of the battery housing case 13 immediately rises to 2 atmospheres.

  When the internal pressure of the battery housing case 13 rises to 2 atmospheres, the gas relief valve 21 is opened, and gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 14a to the first gas discharge tube 41. The gas discharged to the first gas discharge tube 41 flows into the left side member 51 through the tube connection port 51b, and moves in the inner space of the left side member 51 toward the rear of the vehicle.

  The gas that has reached the gas discharge port 51 c of the left side member 51 is discharged to the quarter trim via the second gas discharge tube 46. Thereby, the internal pressure of the electrical storage apparatus 1 falls and the pressure rise by gas can be suppressed.

  Next, Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the gas discharge structure of the power storage device of the second embodiment. Parts having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The arrow indicates the direction of movement of the discharged gas.

  The power storage device 1 according to the present embodiment is disposed in a direction in which the power storage device according to the first embodiment is rotated 90 ° in a horizontal plane, and the first gas discharge tube 41 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

  A cross section of the cross member 53 in the vehicle front-rear direction (XZ cross section) is formed in a hat shape and is fixed to the floor panel 2.

  The cross member 53 is disposed between the pair of side members 51 and 52 and extends in the vehicle width direction. The left end of the cross member 53 is open, and the internal space between the left side member 51 and the cross member 53 is in communication.

  At the center of the cross member 53 in the vehicle width direction, a tube connection port 53a for connecting the first gas discharge tube 41 is formed.

  According to the configuration described above, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, when the cross member 53 is disposed at a position closer to the gas exhaust port 14 a of the case cover 14 than the left side member 51, the cross member 53 is more than connecting the first gas exhaust tube 41 to the left side member 51. The length of the first gas discharge tube 41 can be shortened.

  In the configuration described above, the gas discharged from the power storage device 1 to the first gas discharge tube 41 flows into the cross member 53, moves in the interior space of the cross member 53 in the vehicle width direction, and the left side member 51. Flow into.

  The gas flowing into the left side member 51 moves in the inner space of the left side member 51 toward the rear of the vehicle.

  The gas that has reached the gas discharge port 51 c of the left side member 51 is discharged to the quarter trim via the second gas discharge tube 46. Thereby, the internal pressure of the electrical storage apparatus 1 falls and the pressure rise by gas can be suppressed.

  Next, Example 3 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a gas discharge structure for discharging the gas of the power storage device. However, portions having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The arrow indicates the direction of movement of the discharged gas.

  The left side member 51 is attached to the back side of the floor panel 2 that is located outside the passenger compartment, and a plurality of gas discharge ports 51f are provided in a wall portion of the left side member 51 that extends in the vehicle height direction (Z-axis direction). Is formed. The end of the left side member 51 in the vehicle front-rear direction is closed.

  The floor panel 2 is formed with a panel opening 2 a for communicating the first gas discharge tube 41 and the internal space of the left side member 51.

  In the above-described configuration, the gas discharged from the power storage device 1 to the first gas discharge tube 41 flows into the left side member 51 through the panel opening 2a and is discharged from the gas discharge port 51f.

  Thereby, the internal pressure of the electrical storage apparatus 1 falls and the pressure rise by gas can be suppressed.

  Further, in the event of a battery abnormality, the coolant 23 may flow into the first gas discharge tube 41 together with the gas, and the discharged coolant 23 passes through the first gas discharge tube 41 and the left side member 51. It is stored at the bottom. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the coolant 23 from leaking outside the left side member 51.

  Example 4 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the gas discharge structure of the fourth embodiment. Parts having the same functions as those in the configuration of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The arrow indicates the direction of movement of the discharged gas.

  A third gas discharge tube (third gas discharge tube) 49 is connected to the gas discharge port 14 a of the case cover 14, and the third gas discharge tube 49 includes a cross member 53 and a left side member 51. Connected to the quarter trim through the interior space.

  In the center of the cross member 53 in the vehicle width direction, a tube insertion port 53b for allowing the third gas discharge tube 49 to conduct in the internal space of the cross member 53 is formed.

  A quarter trim is adjacently disposed in the vehicle width direction of the left side member 51, and a tube outlet 51 d is formed in the left side member 51.

  The third gas discharge tube 49 is inserted into the internal space of the cross member 53 through the tube insertion port 53b, is pulled out of the tube extraction port 51d through the internal space of the left side member 51, and is connected to the quarter trim. ing.

  In the configuration described above, the gas generated from the power storage device 1 is discharged to the quarter trim through the third gas discharge tube 49. Thereby, the internal pressure of the electrical storage apparatus 1 falls and the pressure rise by gas can be suppressed.

  Thus, by arranging a part of the third gas discharge tube 49 extending toward the quarter trim in the internal space of the cross member 53 and the left side member 51, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. it can.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, gas is discharged using only the third gas discharge tube 49, so that it is not necessary to seal the internal space of the left side member 51 with respect to the space in the vehicle interior. Thereby, cost reduction and simplification of a manufacturing process can be achieved. Furthermore, the other effects described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Other examples)
In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the so-called monocoque structure in which the floor panel 2 and the members (51, 52, 53) are connected and integrated has been described as an example. However, in the present invention, the vehicle body structure is a so-called frame structure. It can also be applied to certain vehicles. In this case, gas can be discharged by connecting the power storage device 1 and the frame with a gas discharge tube.

  In the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the third gas discharge tube 49 may be directly connected to the left side member 51 without passing through the internal space of the cross member 53.

  A capturing unit (for example, a filter) for capturing the coolant discharged together with the gas from the power storage device 1 may be disposed in the tubes of the first gas exhaust tube 41 and the third gas exhaust tube 49. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the coolant from being discharged outside the vehicle.

  In the above-described embodiment, an assembled battery in which a plurality of cylindrical batteries are arranged side by side is used. However, the present invention can also be applied to a square battery (power storage device) and an electric double layer capacitor (power storage device). Here, the electric double layer capacitor is obtained by alternately stacking a plurality of positive electrodes and negative electrodes with a separator interposed therebetween.

  In this electric double layer capacitor, for example, an aluminum foil as a current collector, activated carbon as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, and a porous film made of polyethylene as a separator can be used.

  The present invention can also be applied to a power storage device that includes cooling means for cooling the assembled battery 12 with cold air.

  A plurality of assembled batteries 12 may be arranged and used as an assembled battery assembly.

  Furthermore, the installation position of the assembled battery 12 can also be in the trunk room behind the rear seat, the lower part of the passenger seat, and between the passenger seat and the driver seat. Also in this case, gas can be discharged using a vehicle frame (side member, cross member) arranged in the vicinity of the power storage device 1.

It is sectional drawing of the gas discharge structure for discharging | emitting the gas generated from the electrical storage apparatus. It is a top view of a gas discharge structure. It is a disassembled perspective view of an electrical storage apparatus. 6 is a plan view of a gas discharge structure of a power storage device of Example 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the gas discharge structure of Example 3. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a gas discharge structure of a power storage device of Example 4. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power storage device 2 Floor panel 12 Battery assembly 13 Battery accommodating case 13a Gas exhaust port 13e Cover mounting surface 14 Case cover 41 First gas exhaust tube 46 Second gas exhaust tube 49 Third gas exhaust tube 51 Left side member 52 Right side member 53 Cross member 122 Cylindrical battery

Claims (9)

A first gas discharge pipe for discharging the gas generated from the power storage device;
A vehicle frame having an internal space,
A gas discharge structure for a power storage device, wherein the first gas discharge pipe is connected to the vehicle frame, and the gas is discharged outside the vehicle through the internal space.   The gas discharge of the power storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a second gas discharge pipe for discharging the gas discharged to the internal space through the first gas discharge pipe to the outside of the vehicle. Construction.   3. The gas discharge structure for a power storage device according to claim 2, wherein the second gas discharge pipe is connected to a quarter trim of a vehicle.   The gas exhaust structure for a power storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vehicle frame is a side member of a vehicle. The vehicle frame is composed of a cross member and a side member of a vehicle whose internal spaces communicate with each other,
4. The gas discharge structure for a power storage device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second gas discharge pipes are connected to the cross member and the side member, respectively. 5.   6. The gas for a power storage device according to claim 1, wherein the internal space is a sealed space sealed with respect to a vehicle interior space formed outside the vehicle frame. Discharge structure. A third gas discharge pipe for discharging the gas generated from the power storage device to the outside of the vehicle;
A vehicle frame having an internal space,
A gas discharge structure for a power storage device, wherein a part of the third gas discharge pipe is disposed in the internal space.   The gas discharge structure for a power storage device according to claim 7, wherein the third gas discharge pipe is connected to a quarter trim of a vehicle.   A vehicle comprising the gas discharge structure for a power storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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