JP2011198713A - In-vehicle battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-vehicle battery pack capable of suitably discharging condensed water produced when the batterry is cooled to the outside while preventing permeation of moisture into a battery case.SOLUTION: A storage section 100 for storing condensed water produced in the vicinity of a heat exchanger 51 is arranged at a lower part of the heat exchanger 51, and a discharge section 101 that can be opened/closed is arranged on a bottom surface section of the storage section 100. The condensed water stored in the storage section 100 is discharged from the discharge section 101 at designated timing.

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle battery pack mounted on an electric vehicle.

  For example, an in-vehicle battery pack mounted on an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle is configured such that a battery including a plurality of battery cells and other components are accommodated in a battery case. In such a battery pack, for example, when electric power is consumed due to traveling of an electric vehicle or when the battery is charged, the temperature of the battery is increased. For this reason, it is necessary to cool the battery in a battery case suitably.

  As a configuration for cooling the battery, for example, an evaporator (heat exchanger) is provided in the case body (battery case), and the battery module (battery) is cooled by circulating cooling air. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  With such a configuration, the battery can be sufficiently cooled. However, when the battery is cooled by the cooling air, condensed water is generated around the heat exchanger, and there is a possibility that the battery pack may malfunction due to the condensed water. Specifically, for example, there is a possibility that the battery may be short-circuited (short-circuited) due to condensed water, or the functional parts may be rusted and damaged.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a drain portion is provided in a case body (battery case). The drain part is a mechanism for discharging condensed water generated when cooling air passes through the evaporator (heat exchanger). Specifically, the drain part is provided with a recess, and a hole is formed in the recess. It is formed by providing and installing a filter in this recessed part. By providing such a drain part, the dew condensation water generated around the heat exchanger can be discharged from the battery case to the outside.

JP 2006-179190 A

  However, in the configuration in which the dew condensation water is discharged to the outside through the filter of the drain part in this way, there is a possibility that moisture enters the battery case from the drain part. For example, when the battery pack is mounted on the bottom of the electric vehicle (below the floor) and the drain part is exposed to the outside at the bottom of the electric vehicle, when the electric vehicle is run in rainy weather, There is a risk that moisture may enter the battery case from the drain.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to satisfactorily discharge condensed water generated when cooling a battery while preventing moisture from entering the battery case. An object is to provide a battery pack.

A first aspect of the present invention that solves the above problems is an in-vehicle battery pack that is mounted on the bottom of an electric vehicle, and includes a plurality of batteries, a battery case in which these batteries are accommodated, and cooling the batteries. A cooling unit that circulates the cooling air to be circulated in the battery case, and a cooling unit that cools the cooling air by a heat exchanger disposed in the battery case, and the cooling unit includes the heat exchanger. A condensing part that is provided on the lower side of the heat exchanger and stores the condensed water generated in the vicinity of the heat exchanger, and is provided on the bottom surface of the storing part so as to be openable and closable. An in-vehicle battery pack, comprising:
In the first aspect, the dew condensation water generated when the battery is cooled can be discharged well while suppressing the intrusion of moisture into the battery case. Specifically, the discharge part is normally closed, and dew condensation water generated when the battery is cooled is stored in the storage part. That is, the dew condensation water is prevented from flowing into the battery case. Moreover, it can suppress that water | moisture content, such as rain water, penetrate | invades into a battery case from the exterior because the discharge part is in the closed state. And by opening this discharge part at a predetermined timing, the condensed water accumulated in the storage part can be discharged well outside the battery case.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the cooling unit includes a case member that is disposed in the battery case and accommodates the heat exchanger, and the storage unit is provided in the case member. It is in the vehicle-mounted battery pack of the 1st aspect.
In the second aspect, it is possible to more reliably suppress the dew condensation collected in the storage part from flowing into the battery case.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the in-vehicle battery pack according to the first or second aspect, wherein the bottom surface of the storage portion is formed by an inclined surface inclined toward the discharge portion.
In the third aspect, the dew condensation water can be discharged to the outside from the discharge unit more satisfactorily.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the cooling unit includes a lid that is provided so as to substantially cover the reservoir, and includes a regulating member that regulates the flow of condensed water accumulated in the reservoir. It is in the vehicle-mounted battery pack of any one of the aspects 1-3.
In this 4th aspect, the flow of the dew condensation water collected in the storage part is controlled (suppressed), and the flow of the dew condensation water from the storage part into the battery case can be suppressed more reliably.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the in-vehicle battery pack according to the fourth aspect, wherein the regulating member includes a protruding portion provided to protrude from the lower surface of the lid portion into the storage portion.
In the fifth aspect, since the flow of condensed water is further suppressed, the flow of condensed water from the storage portion into the battery case can be more reliably suppressed.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the in-vehicle battery pack according to the fifth aspect, wherein the projecting portion is provided with a through portion for suppressing the flow noise of the condensed water. .
In the sixth aspect, since the flow noise is suppressed, the driver's discomfort can be reduced.

The seventh aspect of the present invention is the in-vehicle battery pack according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the cooling unit further includes an opening / closing control means for opening / closing the discharge portion at a predetermined timing. It is in.
In the seventh aspect, when a certain amount of condensed water has accumulated in the reservoir, the condensed water is discharged to the outside.

  As described above, in the present invention, the dew condensation water generated when the battery is cooled can be discharged well while suppressing the intrusion of moisture into the battery case.

It is the schematic which shows the mounting state with respect to the electric vehicle of the battery pack which concerns on this invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the longitudinal direction of the battery pack which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the transversal direction of the battery pack which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the cooling unit which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the cooling unit which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the cooling unit which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the control member which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of the cooling unit which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline of the attachment / detachment drive unit which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the cooling unit which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments based on the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, an in-vehicle battery pack 10 according to the present invention is mounted on, for example, the bottom (under the floor) of an electric vehicle 1 such as an electric vehicle, and supplies electric power to a traveling motor or the like of the electric vehicle 1. . 2 to 4, the battery pack 10 circulates a plurality of batteries 20, a battery case 30 in which the batteries 20 are accommodated, and cooling air for cooling the batteries 20 in the battery case 30. A fan device 40 that is a blowing unit and a cooling unit 50 that cools cooling air heated by cooling the battery 20 are provided.

  Each battery 20 includes a plurality of battery cells 21 arranged in parallel. For example, in the present embodiment, two types of batteries 20, a first battery 20 </ b> A configured by eight battery cells 21 and a second battery 20 </ b> B configured by four battery cells 21, are battery cases. 30. Although not shown, the plurality of battery cells 21 are integrated by a battery holder to constitute the battery 20. Of course, these battery cells 21 do not necessarily have to be integrated by the battery holder.

  The battery case 30 is a container that houses a plurality of batteries 20, and includes a battery tray 31 and a battery cover 32. The battery tray 31 constitutes the lower part of the battery case 30, and the battery cover 32 constitutes the upper part of the battery case 30. That is, the plurality of batteries 20 are held in a space formed by the battery tray 31 and the battery cover 32.

  In the present embodiment, the first battery 20 </ b> A and the second battery 20 </ b> B are arranged side by side in the short direction of the battery case 30 (see FIG. 4). The seven batteries 20A and the second batteries 20B are arranged in parallel (see FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the five batteries 20 on the front side of the battery case 30 are placed on the battery tray 31 so that the terminal portions 22 are on the upper side, and the two batteries 20 on the rear side of the battery case 30 are The battery 22 is placed so as to face the front or rear of the battery tray 31. For this reason, the height (depth) of the part corresponding to the two batteries 20 on the rear side of the battery case 30 of the battery cover 32 is higher (deeper) than the other parts.

  In the battery tray 31, ribs 33 are erected at portions corresponding to the spaces between the batteries 20. The ribs 33 serve to increase the rigidity of the battery tray 31 while partitioning the area where each battery 20 is accommodated. Although not shown, a seal member is provided between the battery tray 31 and the battery cover 32, and the seal member is configured so that water or the like does not enter the battery case 30 from the gap between the two.

  The fan device 40 is connected to the cooling unit 50 by a fan duct 41 and sends the cooling air cooled by the cooling unit 50 into the battery case 30 for circulation. In the present embodiment, the fan device 40 is provided on the battery cover 32. The battery cover 32 is provided with an air passage 34 extending along the longitudinal direction thereof, and the fan device 40 is connected to the air passage 34.

  Then, the cooling air sent out from the fan device 40 is sent to the rear of the battery case 30 through the air passage 34 and then flows to the front of the battery case 30 through the gaps of the batteries 20. Cool down. The cooling air heated by the cooling of the battery 20 flows into the cooling unit 50 provided in front of the battery case 30, is cooled by the cooling unit 50, and is sent out from the fan device 40 again. Thus, in the vehicle battery pack 10 according to the present invention, the battery 20 is cooled by circulating the cooling air cooled by the cooling unit 50 in the battery case 30.

  The cooling unit 50 includes an evaporator 51 that is a heat exchanger, and a case member 52 that houses the evaporator 51. The cooling unit 50 is provided in the battery case 30. In the present embodiment, a space S in which the battery 20 is not provided is provided on one end side (front side) in the longitudinal direction of the battery tray 31, and the cooling unit 50 is disposed in this space S.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the case member 52 of the cooling unit 50 includes a case lower member 53 disposed on the battery tray 31 side and a case upper member 54 disposed on the battery cover 32 side. Yes. The case member 52 is provided with an opening 55 on a side surface facing the evaporator 51 and an exhaust port 56 at an upper portion thereof. The above-described fan device 40 is connected to the exhaust port 56 via the fan duct 41.

  The evaporator 51 in the case member 52 is connected to an introduction passage portion 57 for supplying a cooling refrigerant before evaporation and a discharge passage portion 58 for discharging the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 51 (see FIG. 3). Although not shown, the introduction passage portion 57 and the discharge passage portion 58 are connected to an external compressor, a radiator, or the like.

  Here, the case lower member 53 is provided with a storage unit 100 that is a space in which condensed water generated when the cooling air is cooled by the evaporator 51 is stored. The storage unit 100 is formed below the evaporator 51 fixed in the case lower member 53. That is, the evaporator 51 is secured to the case lower member 53 while ensuring a predetermined gap between the bottom surface of the case lower member 53, so that the storage unit 100 is formed on the lower side of the evaporator 51.

  A discharge hole 101 serving as a discharge portion communicating with the outside is provided on the bottom surface portion of the storage portion 100. A communication hole 35 is formed in the battery tray 31 so as to face the discharge hole 101, and the discharge hole 101 communicates with the outside through the communication hole 35. For example, in the present embodiment, the discharge hole 101 is provided at a substantially central portion of the bottom surface (the bottom surface of the case lower member 53) 102 of the storage unit 100. The bottom surface 102 of the storage unit 100 is an inclined surface inclined toward the discharge hole 101. That is, the storage part 100 is formed in a cone shape. Thereby, the storage part 100 which is a space in which condensed water is stored between the evaporator 51 and the bottom surface of the case lower member 53 (below the evaporator 51) is formed.

  The discharge hole 101 is for discharging the condensed water accumulated in the storage unit 100 to the outside, but is normally closed by the plug member 110. Therefore, the condensed water generated when the cooling air is cooled by the evaporator 51 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 100 without being discharged to the outside of the battery case 30 (in the present embodiment, outside of the case member 52). The For example, the plug member 110 is removed from the outside of the vehicle when a certain amount of condensed water has accumulated in the storage unit 100, or at a predetermined timing such as during charging or refueling during periodic inspection. The condensed water in 100 is discharged from the discharge hole 101 to the outside of the battery case 30.

  As described above, the condensed water is stored in the storage unit 100 provided in the case member 52 in which the evaporator 51 is accommodated, so that the condensed water flows into the battery case 30 and the battery 20 is short-circuited. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of rust on functional parts. It is also possible to prevent the battery 20 from being short-circuited due to rainwater or the like entering the battery case 30. The in-vehicle battery pack 10 according to the present invention is of a type that is mounted on the bottom of an electric vehicle, and the discharge hole 101 portion is exposed at the bottom of the electric vehicle. For this reason, if the discharge hole 101 is always open, rainwater or the like may enter the battery case 30 from the discharge hole 101 during rainy weather or the like. However, normally, since the drain hole 101 is closed with the plug member 110 so that the dew condensation water is stored in the storage unit 100, the intrusion of rainwater or the like into the battery case 30 can be reliably prevented. .

  Further, for example, by removing the plug member 110 that closes the discharge hole 101 at a predetermined timing such as during charging or during refueling, the condensed water in the storage unit 100 can be relatively easily discharged from the discharge hole 101 to the outside. And it can discharge favorably.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling unit according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a regulating member.

  The present embodiment is an example in which the cooling unit includes a regulating member, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cooling unit 50 </ b> A according to the second embodiment includes condensed water accumulated in the storage unit 100 inside a case member 52 including a case lower member 53 and a case upper member 54. A regulating member 120 that regulates the flow is further provided. The regulating member 120 is provided on the lower side of the evaporator 51 in the case member 52 so as to substantially close the reservoir 100.

  Specifically, the regulating member 120 includes a lid 121 that covers the storage unit 100. The lid portion 121 is formed with an inflow hole 122 for allowing the condensed water generated in the vicinity of the evaporator 51 to flow into the storage portion 100, but the storage portion 100 is substantially blocked by the lid portion 121. Yes.

  Thereby, the flow of the dew condensation water collected in the storage unit 100 can be further reliably suppressed. That is, it is possible to more reliably suppress the dew condensation water from flowing into the battery case 30. Therefore, the occurrence of a problem such as a short circuit of the battery 20 due to condensed water can be prevented more reliably.

  The regulating member 120 further includes a protruding portion 123 that protrudes from the lid portion 121 into the storage portion 100. Further, the protruding portion 123 is provided with a through portion 124 for preventing the flow noise of condensed water. For example, in the present embodiment, the projecting portion 123 is formed of a plate-like member disposed along the short direction of the case member 52, and two projecting portions 123 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the case member 52. Each protrusion 123 is provided with a plurality of slit-shaped through portions 124.

  By providing the restricting member 120 with the protruding portion 123, it is possible to suppress the flow (swing) of the dew condensation water accumulated in the storage unit 100, and more reliably prevent the dew condensation water from flowing into the battery case 30. Can do. Further, since the protruding portion 123 is provided with the penetrating portion 124, even if the condensed water flows (sway) during traveling of the vehicle or the like, abnormal noise (flow abnormal noise) is generated by the protruding portion 123. Can be suppressed, and driver discomfort can be reduced.

  In addition, the shape, position, number, and the like of the projecting portion 123 and the through portion 124 are not particularly limited, and may be determined as appropriate in consideration of the shaking of dew condensation water during vehicle travel.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an outline of a cooling unit according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an outline of a detachable drive unit.

  The present embodiment is an example in which the cooling unit further includes an opening / closing control means for opening / closing the discharge hole at a predetermined timing. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the cooling unit 50 </ b> B includes an attachment / detachment drive unit 200 for attaching / detaching the plug member 110 to / from the discharge hole 101, and a control unit 210 that controls the operation of the attachment / detachment drive unit 200. Are provided as the open / close control means.

  In the cooling unit 50 </ b> B of the present embodiment, the plug member 110 </ b> A is detachably provided on the upper side of the discharge hole 101. An attachment / detachment drive unit 200 for attaching / detaching the plug member 110 </ b> A to the discharge hole 101 is disposed in the case member 52 together with the evaporator 51. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the detachable drive unit 200 includes a shaft member 202 in which a plug member 110 </ b> A is fixed to one end portion and a rack gear 201 is provided, a pinion gear 203 that engages with the rack gear 201, and a speed reducer. A gear 204 and a drive motor 205 that rotates the pinion gear 203 are provided. These configurations are sealed in the drive unit case 206. The shaft member 202 extends to the outside of the drive unit case 206, but the gap between the shaft member 202 and the drive unit case 206 is closed by a bush 207.

  In such a configuration of the present embodiment, the controller 210 causes the plug member 110 </ b> A to be attached to and detached from the discharge hole 101 according to the amount of condensed water generated in the vicinity of the evaporator 51. That is, the control unit 210 opens the discharge hole 101 by detaching the plug member 110A from the discharge hole 101 by the detachable drive unit 200 when the amount of condensed water generated increases rapidly. When the drive motor 205 rotates to one side based on a signal from the control unit 210, the rack gear 201 rotates via the reduction gear 204 and the pinion gear 203, and the plug member 110A moves upward together with the shaft member 202. Thereby, the plug member 110A is detached from the discharge hole 101, and the discharge hole 101 is opened. And the dew condensation water which stored in the storage part 100 is discharged | emitted outside from the discharge hole 101 suitably.

  The amount of condensed water generated may be directly detected by a sensor or the like, or may be estimated from the operating status of the cooling unit 50B, the charging status of the battery 20, or the like. For example, after the charging of the battery 20 is completed, particularly after the quick charging is completed, it is estimated that the amount of condensed water generated is rapidly increasing. For this reason, when charging of the battery 20 is completed (when the charging plug is removed from the power source), the control unit 210 drives the plug member 110A by the detachable drive unit 200, and the condensed water in the storage unit 100 is discharged. It may be discharged from the hole 101 to the outside.

  As described above, the condensed water accumulated in the storage unit 100 is appropriately discharged to the outside from the discharge hole 101, so that the condensed water can be prevented from overflowing from the storage unit 100 and flowing into the battery case 30. .

  After the condensed water is discharged, the control unit 210 attaches the plug member 110A to the discharge hole 101 by the detachable drive unit 200 and closes the discharge hole 101. When the drive motor 205 rotates to the other side (reverse direction) based on the signal from the control unit 210, the rack gear 201 rotates through the reduction gear 204 and the pinion gear 203, and the plug member 110A moves downward along with the shaft member 202. Move to. As a result, the plug member 110A is attached to the discharge hole 101, and the discharge hole 101 is closed.

  Of course, the condensed water accumulated in the storage unit 100 is discharged not only at the predetermined timing as described above but also when there is a request from the user of the electric vehicle by operating a switch or the like. It may be.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, of course, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the discharge hole 101 communicating with the storage unit 100 is exposed to the outside through the through hole 35 formed in the battery case 30. The plug member 110 is attached to the discharge hole 101 in the through hole 35 of the battery case 30. However, the sealing structure of the discharge hole 101 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the discharge hole 101 is closed by plugging the through hole 35 formed in the battery case 30 with a plug member 110A. The hole 101 may be sealed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the storage unit 100 is provided in the case member 52 disposed in the battery case 30, but the storage unit 100 is, of course, formed in the battery case 30 (battery tray 31) itself. You may make it do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cooling air is sent to the rear side of the battery case 30 via the air passage 34 and then supplied to the periphery of each battery 20. Of course, the cooling air is in the reverse direction. Thus, the battery case 30 may be circulated. That is, the cooling air may be supplied to the periphery of each battery 20 from the opening 55 of the cooling unit 50, and the cooling air may be sent to the front of the battery case via the air passage 34 and returned to the cooling unit 50.

As described above, the present invention can be variously modified within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Battery pack 20 Battery 30 Battery case 31 Battery tray 32 Battery cover 40 Fan apparatus 41 Fan duct 50 Cooling unit 51 Evaporator 52 Case member 53 Case lower member 54 Case upper member 55 Opening part 56 Exhaust port 57 Introduction path part 58 Exhaust path part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Storage part 101 Discharge hole 110 Plug member 120 Restriction member 121 Cover part 122 Inflow hole 123 Projection part 124 Through part 200 Detachable drive unit 201 Rack gear 202 Shaft member 203 Pinion gear 204 Reduction gear 205 Drive motor 206 Drive unit case 207 Bush

Claims (7)

An in-vehicle battery pack mounted on the bottom of an electric vehicle,
Multiple batteries,
A battery case that houses these batteries;
A blowing means for circulating cooling air for cooling the battery in the battery case;
A cooling unit that cools the cooling air by a heat exchanger disposed in the battery case, and
The cooling unit is provided on the lower side of the heat exchanger and stores dew condensation water generated in the vicinity of the heat exchanger, and is provided on the bottom surface of the storage unit so as to be openable and closable. An on-vehicle battery pack, comprising: a discharge unit that discharges the condensed water accumulated in the outside.   The on-vehicle unit according to claim 1, wherein the cooling unit includes a case member disposed in the battery case and in which the heat exchanger is accommodated, and the storage unit is provided in the case member. Battery pack.   The in-vehicle battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the storage unit is configured by an inclined surface that is inclined toward the discharge unit.   The said cooling unit is provided with the control part which is provided with the cover part provided substantially covering the said storage part, and controls the flow of the dew condensation water collected in the said storage part. The vehicle-mounted battery pack according to claim 1.   The in-vehicle battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the restricting member includes a protruding portion that protrudes from the lower surface of the lid portion into the storage portion.   The in-vehicle battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the protruding portion is provided with a through portion for suppressing an abnormal flow noise of the condensed water.   The in-vehicle battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cooling unit further includes an open / close control unit that opens and closes the discharge unit at a predetermined timing.

Images