JP2010069990A - Battery device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily vaporize an electrolyte leaked from a battery even when a vehicle is left to stand in a battery device for a vehicle provided with the battery mounted behind a rear seat of the vehicle and capable of being charged/discharged. <P>SOLUTION: The battery device 30 for the vehicle includes a vehicle leaving detection part for detecting leaving of the vehicle 10; a flow passage 60 formed such that air flows from the battery to a cabin above a rear part of the rear seat 42; and a valve 62 for opening/closing the flow passage 60. When the vehicle leaving detection part detects leaving of the vehicle 10, the valve 62 is opened. Thereby, since air warmed by the battery 50 is raised and flows to an upper back 44 through the flow passage 60, the electrolyte leaked from the battery 50 is easily vaporized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a vehicle battery device that is mounted behind a rear seat of a vehicle and includes a chargeable / dischargeable battery.

  Vehicles that run at the output of a motor, such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, are equipped with a vehicle battery device having a chargeable / dischargeable battery as a power source for the motor.

  The battery has a plurality of modules configured by connecting a plurality of cells (single cells) enclosing an electrolyte in series, and is configured by further connecting these modules in series. With this configuration, the battery secures a high voltage required by the motor and supplies power to the motor.

  In Patent Document 1 below, in order to prevent the odor generated by the evaporation of the electrolyte leaked from the battery from entering the vehicle interior, a communication portion that communicates the housing housing the battery and the vehicle interior is provided. A deodorizing system provided with a deodorizing means for collecting odor components in the air is described.

  The following Patent Document 2 describes a battery cooling device that cools a battery by connecting a battery disposed behind a rear seat in the vehicle interior to the vehicle interior via a duct, sending air in the vehicle interior to the battery by a cooling fan. Has been.

JP 2007-223575 A JP 2006-188182 A

  As described in Patent Document 1, the electrolyte may leak from the battery. For example, the sealing part that seals the joint between the battery and the terminal thereof may be broken due to vibration during traveling of the vehicle and the electrolyte may ooze out of the battery. If air is forcibly sent to the battery by the cooling device as in Patent Document 2, the electrolyte that has oozed out of the battery is easily vaporized. However, when the cooling device stops, for example, when the vehicle is left unattended, air is not sent to the battery, and the electrolyte that has oozed out of the battery is less likely to vaporize and accumulate there. If it does so, there existed a problem that a short circuit (liquid junction) will generate | occur | produce between a positive electrode and a negative electrode through electrolyte solution.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle battery device that can easily vaporize an electrolyte that has oozed out of the battery even when the vehicle is left unattended.

  The present invention relates to a vehicle battery device that is mounted behind a rear seat of a vehicle and includes a chargeable / dischargeable battery, a vehicle leaving detection unit that detects whether the vehicle is left, and air from the battery to a vehicle compartment above the rear portion of the rear seat. And a valve that opens and closes the flow path. When the vehicle leaving detection unit detects that the vehicle is left, the valve is opened.

  In addition, the vehicle has a fan that sends air in the passenger compartment from the lower part of the rear seat to the battery, and a leakage detector that detects leakage from the battery to the case that accommodates the battery, and the vehicle leaving detection unit detects whether the vehicle is left. At the same time, the fan can be operated on condition that the leakage detection unit has detected the leakage.

  In addition, a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the passenger compartment and a temperature determination unit that determines whether or not the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The detection temperature is further predetermined as a condition for operating the fan. It may include that the temperature determination unit determines that the value is equal to or greater than the value.

  In addition, a humidity detection unit that detects the humidity of the passenger compartment and a humidity determination unit that determines whether the detected humidity is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. The detection humidity is predetermined as a condition for operating the fan. It may include that the humidity determination unit determines that the value is equal to or less than the value.

  Furthermore, the battery can be a lithium ion secondary battery.

  According to the vehicle battery device of the present invention, the electrolyte that has oozed out of the cell can be easily vaporized even when the vehicle is left unattended.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle battery device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment according to the present invention, a hybrid vehicle is taken as an example of a vehicle that travels by the output of a motor, and a vehicle battery device mounted on the hybrid vehicle will be described.

  First, the configuration of a hybrid vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as a vehicle) 10 in which a vehicle battery device is mounted in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicle 10 includes an internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to as an engine) 12, a first motor (hereinafter referred to as a first MG) 14, and a second motor (hereinafter referred to as a second MG) 16 as a prime mover. Have. A power distribution and integration mechanism 18 that distributes and integrates these powers is connected to the prime movers 12, 14, and 16. Drive wheels 22 are connected to the power distribution and integration mechanism 18 via a speed reduction mechanism 20. The powers of the prime movers 12, 14, and 16 are integrated by the power distribution and integration mechanism 18, and then transmitted to the drive wheels 22 through the speed reduction mechanism 20 so that the vehicle 10 travels.

  The vehicle 10 can travel in various modes by controlling the output of the engine 12 and the first and second MGs 14 and 16. For example, various modes such as traveling with either the engine 12 or the second MG 16, traveling in cooperation with the engine 12 and the second MG 16, and generating power with the first MG 14 using a part of the output of the engine 12. Can be run. Further, at the time of deceleration, regenerative power generation can be performed by the second MG 16 by the kinetic energy of the vehicle 10 input from the drive wheels 22.

  The first and second MGs 14 and 16 are synchronous motors that function as electric generators and function as electric motors. The first and second MGs 14 and 16 are connected to a vehicle battery device (hereinafter simply referred to as a battery device) 30 via first and second inverters 24 and 26. The battery device 30 includes a chargeable / dischargeable battery, and the battery is configured by, for example, a nickel hydride secondary battery or a lithium ion secondary battery. The electric power stored in the battery device 30 is converted from a direct current into a three-phase alternating current by the first and second inverters 24 and 26 and then supplied to the first and second MGs 14 and 16. Drive. Further, the electric power generated by the first and second MGs 14 and 16 during regeneration is converted from a three-phase alternating current to a direct current by the first and second inverters 24 and 26 and then sent to the battery device 30 for storage. It is done. Thus, the first and second MGs 14 and 16 can function as an electric motor and a generator.

  The vehicle 10 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 40 that performs control based on the state of the vehicle and a driver's request. The electronic control unit 40 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU. In addition to the CPU, a ROM (not shown) that stores a processing program, and a RAM (not shown) that temporarily stores data. Is provided.

  The electronic control device 40 is connected to the engine 12, the first and second MGs 14 and 16, the first and second inverters 24 and 26, and the battery device 30. The engine 12 is provided with a sensor for detecting the operating state of the engine 12, for example, a rotation speed sensor (not shown), and a signal is input to the electronic control unit 40 from this sensor. The first and second MGs 14 and 16 are provided with sensors for detecting the operating state of these MGs 14 and 16, for example, rotation speed sensors (not shown), and signals are input from these sensors to the electronic control unit 40. Is done. The battery device 30 is provided with various sensors that detect the state of the device 30. Signals are input to the electronic control unit 40 from various sensors.

  The electronic control unit 40 determines the state of the vehicle 10 based on the signal described above. The electronic control unit 40 determines the driving force of the prime mover by combining the state of the vehicle 10 and the driver's request, and outputs a control signal to the engine 12 and the first and second inverters 24 and 26. . Thereby, the output distribution of the engine 12 and the first and second MGs 14 and 16 is optimally controlled. The driver's request is determined based on signals sent from input means operated by the driver, such as an ignition switch, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and a shift lever.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the battery device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear side view showing the vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The vehicle 10 includes a rear seat 42 in the passenger compartment, an upper back 44 above the rear portion of the rear seat 42, and a trunk room 46 at the rear portion of the vehicle 10. The battery device 30 is mounted between the rear seat 42 and the trunk room 46 and below the upper back 44.

  The battery device 30 includes a battery 50 and a metal case 52 that houses the battery 50.

  A general battery has a property that its life is shortened at a high temperature. Therefore, the battery device 30 has a structure that can cool the battery 50 in order to prevent the battery 50 from becoming high temperature. That is, the battery device 30 communicates from the lower part of the rear seat 42 on the vehicle compartment side to the battery 30, communicates with the introduction path 54 for introducing the air in the vehicle compartment to the battery 30, and communicates from the battery 30 to the outside of the vehicle 10. And a discharge path 56 for producing the air warmed at 30 to the outside of the vehicle 10. A fan 58 is provided in the discharge path 56. Due to the operation of the fan 58, the air in the passenger compartment is forcibly sent to the battery 50 via the introduction path 54 and the air warmed by the battery 50 is forced via the discharge path 56 by the operation of the fan 58. Thus, the fuel is discharged outside the vehicle 10.

  As described in the related art, the electrolytic solution may leak from the battery 50. If the fan 58 is operating, the leaked electrolyte is easily vaporized by the air forcibly sent to the battery 50, and a short circuit occurring via the electrolyte can be suppressed. However, when the vehicle 10 is left unattended, the fan 58 stops. If it does so, there existed a problem that a short circuit will occur via the electrolyte solution which leaked from the battery 50. In order to solve this problem, the battery device 30 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration.

  The battery device 30 according to the present embodiment has a flow path 60 formed so that air flows from the battery 50 to the upper back 44. Two flow paths 60 are formed. One flow path 60 has one end connected to the introduction path 54 and the other end opened to the upper back 44. The other flow path 60 has one end connected to the discharge path 56 and the other end opened to the upper back 44. On the other end side of these flow paths 60, valves 62 for opening and closing the flow paths 60 are respectively provided. The opening / closing operation of the valve 62 is performed based on whether the vehicle 10 is in operation or left. That is, the battery device 30 includes a vehicle leaving detection unit (not shown) that detects whether the vehicle 10 is left. When the vehicle left detection unit detects that the vehicle 10 is left, the valve 62 is opened. On the other hand, when the vehicle leaving detection unit does not detect that the vehicle 10 is left, that is, when driving, the valve 62 is closed. The vehicle leaving detection unit detects that the vehicle 10 is left when the ignition switch is turned off.

  According to this configuration, when the vehicle 10 is left unattended, the valve 62 is opened and the other end of the flow path 60 is opened to the upper back 44. Immediately after the vehicle 10 is left unattended, the temperature of the battery 50 is still high. Then, the air warmed by the battery 50 rises and flows to the upper back 44 through the flow path 60 as indicated by the broken arrow in the figure. Then, as described in the prior art, even if the electrolyte solution oozes out of the battery 50, air flows on the surface of the battery 50, so that the electrolyte solution is easily vaporized. Therefore, the amount of the electrolyte solution that leaks and accumulates outside the battery 50 is reduced, so that the cause of a short circuit that occurs through the electrolyte solution can be reduced.

  Next, another embodiment of the battery device 30 focused on reliably preventing a short circuit will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a rear side view showing the vehicle 10 according to another aspect. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the battery 50. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to the said embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In this embodiment, a fan 58 is provided in the introduction path 54. The discharge path 56 is provided with a switching valve 64 that opens and closes the discharge path 56. The opening / closing operation of the switching valve 64 is performed based on whether the vehicle 10 is in operation or left.

  That is, when the vehicle leaving detection unit does not detect that the vehicle 10 is left, in other words, when the vehicle is in operation, the valve 62 is open. Since the fan 58 operates when the vehicle 10 is in operation, the air introduced into the battery 50 from the passenger compartment via the introduction path 54 is released to the outside of the vehicle 10 via the discharge path 56. Thereby, the battery 50 is cooled.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle leaving detection unit detects that the vehicle 10 is left, the valve 62 is closed and the battery 50 is disconnected from the outside of the vehicle 10. The operation of the fan 58 when the vehicle 10 is left will be described later.

  The case where the vehicle 10 is left will be described in detail. When the vehicle 10 is left unattended, the valve 62 is opened and the switching valve 64 is closed. Then, as described in the above embodiment, since the air warmed by the battery 50 flows to the upper back 44 via the flow path 60, the electrolyte leaked from the battery 50 is easily vaporized.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the battery device 30 according to the present embodiment electrically connects the electric circuit of the battery 50, the case 52, and the vehicle 10, and detects leakage from the battery 50 to the case 52. Part 70. When the leakage detector 70 detects a leakage, it is presumed that leakage has occurred due to the electrolyte leaking from the battery 50. Therefore, the vehicle leaving detection unit detects that the vehicle 10 has been left, and the fan 58 is operated on condition that the leakage detection unit 70 has detected leakage. As a result, air is forcibly sent to the battery 50 as indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 3, and the air flows to the upper back 44. Then, since air flows on the surface of the battery 50, the electrolyte solution leaking from the battery 50 can be surely vaporized.

  Note that, when the electric leakage detection unit 70 no longer detects electric leakage, the fan 58 stops. This is because it can be estimated that the electrolyte solution leaking from the battery 50 is vaporized and the surface of the battery 50 is dry. In addition, consumption of electric power that is a power source of the fan 58 can be suppressed.

  Further, the battery device 30 includes a temperature detection unit (not shown) that detects the temperature of the passenger compartment, and a temperature determination unit (not shown) that determines whether the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. When the temperature of the passenger compartment is higher, the electrolyte leaked from the battery 50 is more likely to vaporize. Therefore, the condition that the fan 58 operates when the vehicle 10 is left can include that the temperature determination unit determines that the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Thereby, an electrolyte solution can be vaporized efficiently with little electric power.

  Further, the battery device 30 includes a humidity detection unit (not shown) that detects the humidity of the passenger compartment, and a humidity determination unit (not shown) that determines whether or not the detected humidity is a predetermined value or less. When the humidity in the passenger compartment is lower, the electrolyte leaked from the battery 50 is more likely to vaporize. Therefore, the condition that the fan 58 operates when the vehicle 10 is left can include that the humidity determination unit determines that the detected humidity is a predetermined value or less. Thereby, an electrolyte solution can be vaporized efficiently with little electric power.

It is a figure showing the composition of the hybrid vehicle concerning this embodiment. It is a rear part side view showing the vehicles concerning this embodiment. It is a rear part side view showing vehicles of another mode. It is a circuit diagram of a battery.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Hybrid vehicle, 30 Battery apparatus for vehicles, 42 Rear seat, 44 Upper back, 50 Battery, 52 Case, 54 Introductory path, 56 Exhaust path, 58 Fan, 60 flow path, 62 Valve, 70 Earth leakage detection part.

Claims (5)

In a vehicle battery device equipped with a chargeable / dischargeable battery mounted behind a vehicle rear seat,
A vehicle abandonment detection unit for detecting vehicle abandonment;
A flow path formed to allow air to flow from the battery to the passenger compartment above the rear of the rear seat;
A valve for opening and closing the flow path;
Have
When the vehicle leaving detection unit detects that the vehicle is left, the valve opens.
A vehicle battery device characterized by the above. The vehicle battery device according to claim 1,
A fan that sends vehicle compartment air to the battery from the bottom of the rear seat;
A leakage detection unit for detecting leakage from the battery to the case housing the battery,
Have
The vehicle operates on the condition that the vehicle leaving detection unit detects that the vehicle is left and the leakage detection unit detects leakage.
A vehicle battery device characterized by the above. The vehicle battery device according to claim 2,
A temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the passenger compartment;
A temperature determination unit that determines whether or not the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value;
Have
The condition for the fan to operate further includes that the temperature determination unit determines that the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
A vehicle battery device characterized by the above. The vehicle battery device according to claim 2 or 3,
A humidity detector that detects the humidity of the passenger compartment;
A humidity determination unit that determines whether the detected humidity is equal to or lower than a predetermined value;
Have
As a condition for the fan to operate, the humidity determination unit further determines that the detected humidity is equal to or lower than a predetermined value.
A vehicle battery device characterized by the above. The vehicle battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The battery is a lithium ion secondary battery,
A vehicle battery device characterized by the above.

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