JP2013177106A - Battery module and saddle-type electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery module of which the capacity is increased and the heat radiating property is improved while suppressing height and width dimensions, and to provide a saddle-type electric vehicle to which the battery module is mounted.SOLUTION: A battery module includes: a cell unit 61 including a plurality of battery cells 62 which are arranged in parallel while aligning end face positions thereof; a circuit board 71 connected to the battery cell 62; and an output connector 72 which connects the battery cell 62 with a battery charger or a vehicle via the circuit board 71. When a first direction X is defined as a direction orthogonal with parallel surfaces of end faces of the battery cells 62, a dimension of the cell unit 61 in a second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction Y is larger than a dimension in a third direction Z orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, and the dimension of the cell unit 61 in the third direction Z is larger than a dimension in the first direction X. The circuit board 71 is disposed in parallel with the cell unit 61 in the third direction Z, and the output connector 72 is also disposed in parallel with the cell unit 61 in the third direction Z.

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module having a plurality of battery cells and a straddle-type electric vehicle equipped with the battery module.

A battery module described in Patent Document 1 is known as a battery module mounted on an electric motorcycle or an electric bicycle that supplements a driving force generated by human power with an electric motor.
Patent Document 1 discloses a compact electric bicycle having a small tire diameter and a low saddle height, and a battery mounted on the electric bicycle. Since this battery is disposed between the seat tube and the tire, the size of the battery is restricted by the saddle height, wheel base, and pedal width of the electric bicycle. On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, the battery module is made compact by packaging a plurality of battery cells integrally with a shrink film.

  In recent years, a battery module having a high capacity has been demanded in order to increase the travelable distance for one charge such as an electric motorcycle. Further, in order to obtain a high acceleration in an electric motorcycle or the like, a high output of the battery module is also required. In order to meet these demands, Patent Document 2 proposes a battery module equipped with a plurality of battery cells.

JP-A-9-95290 JP 2011-49151 A

  In recent years, it has been desired that a battery module used in a compact electric bicycle, such as Patent Document 1 described above, also has high capacity and high output. However, the dimensional constraints in the height direction and the width direction are particularly large, and it is difficult to increase the capacity and output while satisfying the dimensional constraints. In particular, a high output battery module generates a large amount of heat generated during charging and discharging. In addition, the battery module having a compact structure tends to accumulate heat. If the temperature rises due to the heat generated by the battery module, the battery life will be significantly impaired.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module with high capacity and high heat dissipation while suppressing the height and width dimensions, and a straddle-type electric vehicle equipped with the battery module.

In order to achieve the above object, the battery module of the present invention comprises:
A battery module that can be mounted on a straddle-type electric vehicle and is portable,
A cell unit having a plurality of battery cells arranged in parallel with end face positions aligned;
A circuit board connected to the battery cell;
A connector for connecting the battery cell to a charger or a vehicle via the circuit board,
When the first direction is a direction orthogonal to the parallel surface of the end face of the battery cell,
The dimension of the second direction orthogonal to the first direction of the cell unit is larger than the dimension of the third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction,
The dimension of the third direction of the cell unit is larger than the dimension of the first direction,
The circuit board is arranged side by side with the cell unit in the third direction, and the connector is also arranged side by side with the cell unit in the third direction.

  The battery module of this invention WHEREIN: The lead board which connects the said some battery cell mutually may be provided in the end surface position of the said battery cell.

  The battery module of this invention WHEREIN: The said circuit board and the said connector may be arrange | positioned inside the width | variety of the said 1st direction of the said cell unit.

  The battery module of this invention WHEREIN: The said circuit board and the said connector may be arrange | positioned inside the width | variety of the said 2nd direction of the said cell unit.

  In the saddle riding type electric vehicle of the present invention, any one of the battery modules described above is mounted with the first direction in the left-right direction, the second direction in the up-down direction, and the third direction in the front-rear direction.

  In the straddle-type electric vehicle of the present invention, the connector may be disposed in front of the cell unit and closer to the lower end of the cell unit than the upper end of the cell unit.

  In the straddle-type electric vehicle according to the present invention, the lower end of the connector may be located above the lower end of the cell unit.

According to the present invention, the circuit board is arranged side by side with the cell unit in the third direction, and the connector is also arranged side by side with the cell unit in the third direction. For this reason, the dimension of the 1st direction of a battery module and a 2nd direction can be comprised compactly. Therefore, when this battery module is mounted on a straddle-type electric vehicle with the first direction X in the left-right direction, the second direction Y in the up-down direction, and the third direction Z in the front-back direction, the circuit board and the connector are Since the cell unit does not protrude in the left-right direction or the up-down direction, the cell unit can be suitably mounted on a straddle-type electric vehicle having a mounting space limited in the left-right direction dimension and the height dimension.
Moreover, since the end surface of the battery cell faces the surfaces extending in the second direction and the third direction, the area of the cell unit becomes the largest. Since the circuit board is not disposed on the surfaces extending in the second direction and the third direction, it is possible to efficiently dissipate heat from the surface having the largest area, and to obtain a battery module having high heat dissipation. Can do.
That is, it is possible to provide a battery module with high capacity and high heat dissipation while suppressing the height and width.
And if this battery module is mounted on a saddle-ride type electric vehicle, it is mounted so that the surface having the largest area as a heat radiating surface faces sideways, so that it can be cooled very efficiently by traveling wind. .

1 is a left side view of an electric bicycle that is a straddle-type electric vehicle according to an embodiment. It is a perspective view of the battery module which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the battery module which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure explaining the battery module which concerns on embodiment, Comprising: (a) is a front view of a battery module, (b) is a side view of a battery module, (c) is a top view of a battery module. 10 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a battery module according to Modification 1. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a battery module according to Modification 2. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a battery module according to Modification 3. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a battery module according to Modification 4. FIG. It is a figure explaining the battery module which concerns on the modification 4, Comprising: (a) is a front view of a battery module, (b) is a side view of a battery module, (c) is a top view of a battery module. 10 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a battery module according to Modification Example 5. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a battery module according to Modification 5. FIG. It is a perspective view of the battery module which concerns on the modification 5 seen from the reverse side to FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a battery module and an electric straddle vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a left side view of an electric bicycle that is a straddle-type electric vehicle according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the battery module according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the battery module according to the embodiment. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the battery module according to the embodiment, in which FIG. 4A is a front view of the battery module, FIG. 4B is a side view of the battery module, and FIG. 4C is a plan view of the battery module. In this embodiment, left and right mean left and right when viewed in the riding state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an electric bicycle 1 that is a straddle-type electric vehicle includes a battery mounting space S in which a battery module 51 is mounted. The electric bicycle 1 may run with only the driving force of the electric motor, or may run with the resultant force of human power and the driving force of the electric motor. The battery module of the electric bicycle 1 can be removed from the vehicle and charged, or can be charged while attached to the vehicle. Thereby, the convenience of charge is improved.

  The electric bicycle 1 has a particularly low position of the saddle 8 and a small height dimension of the battery mounting space S. Further, the size in the left-right direction of the battery mounting space S is also set small so as not to interfere with the pedal 13 and the crank 14. As described above, the battery mounting space S is set to have a particularly small height dimension and horizontal dimension.

  The vehicle body 2 of the electric bicycle 1 includes a head pipe 2a that rotatably supports a front fork 4 on which a front wheel 3 is rotatably supported, a down tube 2b that extends rearward and obliquely downward from the head pipe 2a, and a down tube 2b. A seat tube 2c connected to the rear part via the center lug 5, a pair of left and right chain stays 2d connected to the rear part of the down tube 2b via the center lug 5, the upper part of the seat tube 2c and the rear of the chain stay 2d A pair of left and right seat stays 2e that connect the end portions so as to form a substantially triangular shape.

  The chain stay 2d and the seat stay 2e are integrally connected via a rear wheel bracket 2f. A rear wheel 6 is rotatably supported by the rear wheel bracket 2f. A handle 7 is attached to the upper end of the front fork 4. A seat pillar tube 9 fitted with a saddle 8 is inserted in an upper end of the seat tube 2c so as to be extendable and can be fixed at a desired height position by a lock handle (not shown).

  The saddle 8 is connected to the upper end of the seat pillar tube 9 and is mounted so as to be able to rotate up and down around the connecting point. By rotating the saddle 8 upward when the battery module is removed, the saddle 8 is prevented from interfering with the battery module.

  A power unit 12 is disposed below the center lug 5. The power unit 12 combines the pedal effort input from the pedal 13 via the crank 14 to the crankshaft 15 and the drive force from the auxiliary drive device 16 and transmits the resultant force to the rear wheel 6 via the chain 17.

  The auxiliary drive device 16 controls the electric motor 18 that outputs the driving force, the battery storage device 19 that stores the battery module that is the power source of the electric motor 18, and the driving force from the electric motor 18 to a value corresponding to the pedal depression force. And a controller 20 for doing so.

  The electric motor 18 and the controller 20 are disposed along the down tube 2b below the down tube 2b. The periphery of the electric motor 18, the controller 20, the down tube 2b, and the center lug 5 is covered with an upper cover 21a and a lower cover 21b that are divided into upper and lower parts. The seat tube 2c is covered with a seat cover 21c.

  The battery storage device 19 has a storage box 31, and a battery module 51 can be stored in the storage box 31. The battery module 51 can be freely inserted and removed at the top of the storage box 31. Thereby, the battery module 51 that can be mounted on the electric bicycle 1 can be removed from the electric bicycle 1 and carried.

Next, the battery module 51 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the battery module 51 has a housing case 52. The housing case 52 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin such as plastic, and is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A handle 53 is integrally formed on the upper portion of the housing case 52. By grasping the handle 53, the battery module 51 can be transported and the electric bicycle 1 can be taken in and out of the storage box 31.

  In the battery module 51, a cell unit 61, a circuit board 71, an output connector 72, and a charging connector 73 are accommodated in a housing case 52. On the inner surface of the housing case 52, recesses (not shown) are formed in which the cell unit 61, the circuit board 71, the output connector 72, and the charging connector 73 can be respectively engaged. The cell unit 61, the circuit board 71, the output connector 72, and the charging connector 73 are positioned and fixed in the housing case 52 without rattling by being engaged with the recesses of the housing case 52.

  The housing case 52 is formed with holes 54a and 54b. The output connector 72 is fitted into the hole 54a, and a part of the output connector 72 is exposed from the hole 54a. The charging connector 73 is fitted into the hole 54b, and a part of the charging connector 73 is exposed from the hole 54b. An opening / closing lid 55 is connected to the edge of the hole 54b, and the opening 54b is opened / closed by the opening / closing lid 55.

  A cell unit 61 is housed in the housing case 52 of the battery module 51. The cell unit 61 is composed of a plurality of battery cells 62. Each battery cell 62 constituting the cell unit 61 has electrodes at both end faces. The cell unit 61 is configured by aligning the end surface positions of the plurality of battery cells 62 in parallel. The battery cell 62 is covered with a cell holder (not shown) formed of a synthetic resin such as plastic. The cell holder is formed with holes at the positions where the battery cells 62 are arranged, and the battery cells 62 are held in parallel by inserting the battery cells 62 into the holes.

  As the battery cell 62 constituting the cell unit 61, a general-purpose and inexpensive cylindrical 18650 type lithium (Li) cell is preferably used. The battery cell 62 is not limited to this lithium cell, and a rectangular parallelepiped lithium cell, a nickel hydrogen cell, or the like may be used.

  A lead plate 65 is provided at the end surface position of the battery cell 62 constituting the cell unit 61. These lead plates 65 are formed from conductive metal plates, and end faces of a predetermined number of battery cells 62 are connected to each other by the lead plates 65. Note that the end surfaces of the battery cells 62 are also connected to each other by the lead plate 65 on the back surface side in FIG.

  In this example, the cell unit 61 is constituted by 65 battery cells 62. Five battery cells 62 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, and the five battery cells 62 arranged in parallel are arranged in 13 stages in the vertical direction. By arranging the battery cells 62 in this way, a cell unit 61 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. Further, every five battery cells 62 stacked in 13 stages in the vertical direction are alternately shifted by a half pitch in the horizontal direction. Thereby, each battery cell 62 is arrange | positioned in zigzag form, and it is set as what is called piling, and the height dimension of the cell unit 61 is made small as much as possible.

  The battery cells 62 are serially connected in 13 stages in the vertical direction by a lead plate 65, and the 13 stages of battery cells 62 connected in series are connected in parallel in 5 rows in the horizontal direction. The battery module 51 drives the electric bicycle 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cell unit 61 has a first direction X that is orthogonal to the parallel surface of the end surfaces of the battery cells 62. In the cell unit 61, the direction perpendicular to the first direction X is the second direction Y. Furthermore, a direction orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y is defined as a third direction Z. And in this battery module 51, the dimension of the 2nd direction Y is made larger than the dimension of the 1st direction X and the 3rd direction Z by arranging the battery cell 62 as mentioned above. Further, the dimension in the third direction Z is larger than the dimension in the first direction X.

  When the battery module 51 is stored in the storage box 31 of the battery storage device 19 and mounted on the electric bicycle 1, the first direction X is the left-right direction of the electric bicycle 1, and the second direction Y is the electric bicycle 1. The third direction Z is directed in the front-rear direction of the electric bicycle 1.

  The circuit boards 71 accommodated in the accommodation case 52 are arranged side by side with the cell unit 61 in the third direction Z, and the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73 are also aligned with the cell unit 61 in the third direction Z. Are arranged side by side. Thereby, when the battery module 51 is mounted on the electric bicycle 1, the circuit board 71, the output connector 72, and the charging connector 73 are arranged in front of the cell unit 61, respectively.

  The circuit board 71 is a printed wiring board formed in a rectangular shape, and a control circuit including a CPU is formed. In the control circuit of the circuit board 71, charging control of the battery cell 62 is performed such as switching ON / OFF of charging to the battery cell 62 in accordance with information such as the temperature and current of the battery cell 62.

  The circuit board 71 is disposed in the proximity of the cell unit 61 along the surface of the cell unit 61 on the third direction Z side. A lead wire 70 extending from the battery cell 62 is connected to the circuit board 71. As described above, when the battery cell 62 and the circuit board 71 are electrically connected by the lead wire 70, the circuit board 71 is disposed at a position close to the cell unit 61, so that the lead wire 70 is shortened as much as possible. Can do. Thereby, the calorific value resulting from the current flowing through the lead wire 70 can be reduced. Instead of using the lead wire 70, a part of the lead plate 65 fixed to the battery cell 62 may be extended, and an end portion of the extended lead plate 65 may be bent and connected to the circuit board 71.

  In addition, a display unit such as an LED that displays the state of charge of the battery cell 62 may be mounted on the circuit board 71. In this case, the visibility of the display unit can be enhanced by arranging the display unit on the side of the housing case 52 in the same direction as the connection port 73a of the charging connector 73.

  Both the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73 are connected to the circuit board 71 by a cable 74. It is preferable that the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73 and the cable 74 for connecting the circuit board 71 have a sufficient length. In this way, external force acting on the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73 is applied to the circuit board 71 via the cable 74 when the connector of the connection partner is inserted and removed from the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73. Difficult to communicate. For this reason, the circuit board 71 can be protected from damage due to external force.

  The output connector 72 is connected to the male connector 81 of the battery storage device 19 when the battery module 51 is mounted on the electric bicycle 1 (see FIG. 2). Thereby, the electric power of the battery cell 62 of the battery module 51 is supplied to the electric motor 18 and the controller 20 of the electric bicycle 1 through the circuit board 71.

  The output connector 72 is provided on one side in the second direction Y on the third direction Z side of the cell unit 61. Thus, when the battery module 51 is mounted on the electric bicycle 1, the output connector 72 is disposed in front of the cell unit 61 and at a position closer to the lower end than the upper end of the cell unit 61.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73 are arranged so that the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73 have a width in the left-right direction of the cell unit 61 (width in the first direction X). It is arranged inside. Thereby, the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73 do not protrude in the left-right direction of the cell unit 61, and the battery module 51 that is compact in the left-right direction can be provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the charging connector 73 is disposed between the height directions of the cell unit 61 (inside the width in the second direction). . Thereby, the charging connector 73 does not protrude in the height direction of the cell unit 61, and the battery module 51 that is compact in the height direction can be provided. Further, most of the output connector 72 is also arranged at a position overlapping the height direction of the cell unit 61, and the height direction of the battery module 51 is reduced.

  Since the battery module 51 is inserted into and removed from the battery storage device 19 while being slightly inclined rearward, dust and water are unlikely to collect on the front side of the battery module 51. Therefore, if the output connector 72 is disposed in front of the cell unit 61, the influence of dust and water on the output connector 72 can be suppressed. The second direction Y coincides with the insertion / removal direction of the battery module 51.

  The charging connector 73 is provided with a connection port 73a, and a charger plug 82 is connected to the connection port 73a (see FIG. 2). Thereby, the battery cell 62 of the battery module 51 can be charged by the charger via the circuit board 71.

  The charging connector 73 is provided on the other side of the second direction Y on the third direction Z side of the cell unit 61. Thus, when the battery module 51 is mounted on the electric bicycle 1, the charging connector 73 is disposed in front of the cell unit 61 and at a position closer to the upper end than the lower end of the cell unit 61. Thus, even when the battery module 51 is mounted on the electric bicycle 1, the charger plug 82 can be smoothly inserted and removed without being obstructed by the frame of the vehicle body 2 or the like. In particular, since the connection port 73a of the charging connector 73 is directed to the side, it is easy to insert and remove the plug 82 of the charger.

  The circuit board 71 is disposed between the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73 disposed above and below. Thereby, the dimension of the battery module 51 in the front-rear direction and the dimension in the height direction are suppressed.

  Thus, according to the embodiment, the circuit board 71 is arranged side by side with the cell unit 61 in the third direction Z, and the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73 are also arranged with the cell unit 61 in the third direction Z. Since they are arranged side by side, the dimensions of the battery module 51 in the first direction X and the second direction Y can be configured compactly. Therefore, when the battery module 51 is mounted on the electric bicycle 1 with the first direction X in the left-right direction, the second direction Y in the up-down direction, and the third direction Z in the front-rear direction, the circuit board 71, for output Since the connector 72 and the charging connector 73 do not protrude in the left-right direction or the up-down direction of the cell unit 61, the connector 72 and the charging connector 73 can be suitably mounted on the electric bicycle 1 having the battery mounting space S that is limited in the left-right direction dimension and height dimension. .

  Moreover, since the end surface of the battery cell 62 faces the surface extending in the second direction Y and the third direction Z, the area of the cell unit 61 is the largest. Since the circuit board 71 is not arranged on the surfaces extending in the second direction Y and the third direction Z, the battery module can efficiently dissipate heat from the surface having the largest area and has high heat dissipation. 51. Further, since the lead plate 65 is provided on the surface extending in the second direction Y and the third direction Z, heat can be efficiently radiated using the lead plate 65.

  In other words, the battery module 51 according to the present embodiment has a high capacity, high heat dissipation, and is compact, and is particularly suitable for use in the electric bicycle 1 having the battery mounting space S that is limited in the horizontal dimension and the height dimension. It is.

  And if this battery module 51 is mounted in the electric bicycle 1, it will be mounted so that the surface which has the largest area which becomes a heat radiating surface may face to the side, and it can cool very efficiently by driving wind.

  Further, the circuit board 71, the output connector 72, and the charging connector 73 are disposed on the inner side of the width of the cell unit 61 in the first direction X. For this reason, since the circuit board 71, the output connector 72, and the charging connector 73 do not protrude in the first direction X, the circuit board 71, the output connector 72, and the charging connector 73 are particularly suitable for the electric bicycle 1 having the battery space S that is limited in the left-right dimension.

  Further, the circuit board 71, the output connector 72, and the charging connector 73 are disposed on the inner side of the width of the cell unit 61 in the second direction Y. For this reason, since the circuit board 71, the output connector 72, and the charging connector 73 do not protrude in the second direction Y, the circuit board 71, the output connector 72, and the charging connector 73 are particularly suitable for the electric bicycle 1 having the battery space S with a limited vertical dimension.

  Furthermore, since the output connector 72 is disposed in front of the cell unit 61 and at a position closer to the lower end than the upper end of the cell unit 61, even when the large output connector 72 is used, the output connector 72 The downward protrusion amount can be reduced. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the lower end of the output connector 72 is located above the lower end of the cell unit 61. The output connector 72 does not protrude downward, and the battery module 51 can be formed in a compact manner.

Next, a battery module according to a modification will be described.
(Modification 1)
As shown in FIG. 5, the battery module 51 </ b> A according to the first modification also includes five battery cells 62 arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, and the five battery cells 62 arranged in parallel are arranged in 13 stages in the vertical direction. Further, in this battery module 51A, every five battery cells 62 stacked in 13 stages in the vertical direction are arranged without being shifted in the horizontal direction, and are so-called flat stacked. Thereby, in this battery module 51A, the dimension of the front-back direction which is the 3rd direction Z of the cell unit 61 can be made as small as possible.

(Modification 2)
As shown in FIG. 6, in the battery module 51 </ b> B according to the second modification, the battery cells 62 are arranged in a staggered manner, and are connected in parallel by the lead plate 65 every five in the vertical direction. Moreover, in this battery module 51B, the block of the battery cell 62 connected in parallel for every five pieces is arrange | positioned at 2 steps | paragraphs. In the upper stage, seven rows of blocks of five battery cells 62 are arranged, and in the lower stage, six rows of blocks of five battery cells 62 are arranged. In the battery module 51B in which the battery cells 62 are arranged in this manner, the height dimension that is the second direction Y of the cell unit 61 can be reduced.

(Modification 3)
As shown in FIG. 7, also in the battery module 51 </ b> C according to the third modification, as in the second modification, the battery cells 62 are arranged in a staggered manner, and are connected in parallel by the lead plate 65 every five in the vertical direction. ing. Also in this battery module 51C, the blocks of the battery cells 62 connected in parallel for every five are arranged in two upper and lower stages. In the upper stage, six rows of blocks of five battery cells 62 are arranged, and in the lower stage, seven rows of blocks of five battery cells 62 are arranged.

  Further, blocks other than the blocks of the five battery cells 62 arranged on the rear side of the lower stage are gradually shifted downward from the front side toward the rear side. Thus, a space is formed in the housing case 52 on the lower side of the front portion thereof, and the output connector 72 is disposed in this space.

  Also, by arranging seven rows of five battery cells 62 in the lower stage and six rows in the upper stage, there is also a space above the blocks of the five battery cells 62 arranged on the rear side of the lower stage. Is formed. In this space, a charging connector 73 is arranged.

  As described above, in the battery module 51C, the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73 are arranged in the space formed in the housing case 52. Thereby, the whole battery module 51C can be comprised compactly.

(Modification 4)
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a battery module 51D according to Modification 4 of the present invention. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating the battery module 51D, in which FIG. 9A is a front view of the battery module 51D, FIG. 9B is a side view, and FIG. 9C is a plan view.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this modification, the battery cells 62 are arranged in the same manner as in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. That is, the circuit board 71 is arranged side by side with the cell unit 61 in the third direction Z, and the output connector 72 is also arranged side by side with the cell unit 61 in the third direction Z. For this reason, the dimension of the first direction X and the second direction Y of the battery module 51D can be made compact.

  In addition, the surface of the cell unit 61 extending in the second direction Y and the third direction Z is formed to be the largest, and the battery cell 62 is disposed with the end surface facing this surface. Therefore, heat can be radiated from the end face of the battery cell 62 efficiently. Moreover, since this surface is not covered with the circuit board 71, heat dissipation can be further improved.

  As described above, also according to this modification, it is possible to provide a compact battery module 51D having high heat dissipation.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A to 9C, the charging connector 73 is disposed inside the handle 53 in this modification. More specifically, the handle 53 includes a grip portion 53 a that is gripped by the user, and a pair of leg portions 53 b and 53 c that support the grip portion 53 a at a position separated from the upper surface of the housing case 52. Among these, the charging connector 73 is disposed inside one leg 53b. Thereby, battery module 51D is comprised more compactly.

  Here, if the charging connector 73 is disposed outside the substantially rectangular parallelepiped cell unit 61, the housing case 52 needs to be formed larger than the cell unit 61 in order to accommodate the charging connector 73. . The charging connector 73 occupies only a part of the space between the housing case 52 and the cell unit 61. For this reason, the other space between the housing case 52 and the cell unit 61 where the charging connector 73 is not disposed may be wasted.

  Therefore, in this modification, a charging connector 73 is arranged inside a handle 53 formed so as to protrude from the substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing case 52. According to this arrangement, even if the charging connector 73 is arranged outside the cell unit 61, the handle 53 is located in the space where the charging connector 73 is not arranged, so that the inside of the battery module 51D is effectively used. be able to. Therefore, the battery module 51D can be configured in a compact manner.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the charging connector 73 is provided so as to be adjacent to the circuit board 71, and one leg portion 53 b covering the charging connector 73 is necessary for covering the charging connector 73. It is formed to the minimum size. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, the leg 53c on the other side of the handle 53 is formed larger than the leg 53b on the one side. The grip portion 53a that couples the pair of leg portions 53b and 53c is inclined so as to be separated from the upper surface of the housing case 52 toward the other leg portion 53c. Thus, a large space is formed between the holding portion 53a and the housing case 52, and the user's fingers can easily enter the space.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide the battery module 51D that is easy for the user to hold while configuring the battery module 51D in a compact manner. In particular, when the battery module 51D is mounted on the vehicle so that the saddle 8 is positioned above the one leg 53b, the grip 53a can be easily gripped while the position of the saddle 8 is positioned as low as possible. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the seat tube 2 c is inclined toward the rear, and the battery mounting space S having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is also inclined rearward. Therefore, when the battery module 51D is mounted in the battery mounting space S so that the charging connector 73 is positioned in the front, the inclined gripping portion 53a faces substantially in the horizontal direction, so that the battery module 51D can be easily taken out.

  Further, the battery module 51D according to the present modification includes a switch panel 90. The switch panel 90 is mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 71. The switch panel 90 includes a switch 91 and a plurality of LED lamps 92.

  For example, the switch panel 90 can be configured such that when the switch 91 is pressed, the remaining charge amount of the battery module 51D is displayed. In this case, before the switch 91 is pressed, all the LED lamps 92 are turned off. When the switch 91 is pressed, all the LED lamps 92 are turned on when fully charged, and when the remaining charge is zero. A plurality of LED lamps 92 can be lit in stages according to the charging rate without lighting all the LED lamps 92. Alternatively, the switch panel 90 can be operated so as to increase the number of lighting of the LED lamps 92 as the charging rate increases during charging.

  Further, the switch 91 and the LED lamp 92 are exposed in the first direction X. When the battery module 51D is mounted on the vehicle so that the first direction X faces sideways, the switch 91 can be easily operated from the side of the vehicle, and the LED lamp 92 can be easily viewed. Since the switch 91 and the LED lamp 92 can be directly arranged on the circuit board 71, it is also possible to arrange them so as to face the third direction Z or the second direction Y.

(Modification 5)
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a battery module 51E according to Modification 5 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the battery module 51E. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the battery module 51E viewed from the opposite side to FIG.
The battery module 51E according to the present modification is advantageous particularly when it is desired to configure the dimensions in the first direction X and the third direction Z in a compact manner.

  Also in this modification, the battery cells 62 are arranged along the first direction X in the longitudinal direction. Further, the battery cells 62 are arranged with the end surfaces facing the surfaces formed by the second direction Y and the third direction Z. Further, the circuit board 71 is not provided on the surface formed by the second direction Y and the third direction Z, and the heat dissipation of the cell unit 61 is enhanced.

  The circuit board 71 and the cell unit 61 are arranged in the second direction Y, and the cell unit 61 and the output connector 72 (and the charging connector 73) are also arranged in the second direction Y. Thereby, the dimension of the 1st direction X of the battery module 51E and the 3rd direction Z is made compact.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the battery module 51 </ b> E according to the modification 5 has 70 battery cells 62 mounted thereon. Each battery cell 62 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction thereof faces the first direction X. The 70 battery cells 62 are formed by a first block 61A formed by 60 battery cells 62, a second block 61B formed by five battery cells 62, and five battery cells 62. It is divided into a third block 61C. The second block 61B is disposed above the first block 61A, and the third block 61C is disposed below the first block 61A.

The battery cells 62 forming the first block 61A are further divided into 12 sets of 5 each. The pair of battery cells 62 are arranged in parallel so as to form a predetermined angle with respect to the surface formed by the first direction X and the third direction Z. Twelve sets of the five battery cells 62 are stacked in the second direction Z without being shifted from each other to form a first block 61A.
When the first block 61 </ b> A is viewed from the first direction X, a substantially parallelogram is formed by the end faces of the 60 battery cells 62. In this modification, the predetermined angle is set to 45 degrees, and the battery cells 62 adjacent to each other in the third direction Z are shifted by a half pitch in the second direction Y.

The five battery cells 62 forming the second block 61B have a substantially triangular prism shape between the first block 61A having a substantially parallelogram shape when viewed from the first direction X and the rectangular parallelepiped housing case 52. It is arranged in the gap.
In the present modification, first, the three battery cells 62 are arranged in parallel so as to form a predetermined angle with respect to the surface formed by the first direction X and the third direction Z. Similarly, the remaining two battery cells 62 are arranged in parallel so as to form a predetermined angle with respect to the surface formed by the first direction X and the third direction Z. The two battery cells 62 are stacked above the three battery cells 62 without shifting their positions in the third direction Z from each other. The two battery cells 62 are arranged so as not to be stacked on the battery cell 62 arranged at the highest position among the three battery cells 62. Thus, the five battery cells 62 are stacked to form the second block 61B.

  Similarly to the second block 61B, the five battery cells 62 forming the third block 61C and the first block 61A having a substantially parallelogram shape when viewed from the first direction X and a rectangular parallelepiped storage case It is arranged in a substantially triangular prism-shaped gap between the first and second members 52.

  Thus, the second block 61B and the third block are formed in the upper and lower gaps formed between the first block 61A having a substantially parallelogram shape when viewed from the first direction X and the rectangular parallelepiped housing case 52. 61C is arranged. Thereby, especially in the second direction Y of the battery module 51E, the space in the rectangular parallelepiped housing case 52 can be used efficiently. Therefore, the cell unit 61 can be configured compactly, and the battery module 51E with high heat dissipation can be configured compactly.

When the battery cells 62 are arranged as described above, the upper surface of the cell unit 61 (the surface on one side in the second direction Y) is not arranged in a planar shape, and some of the battery cells 62 protrude. In the present modification, the second battery cell 62a from the right in the uppermost stage in FIG. 10 protrudes.
Therefore, the circuit board 71 is disposed at a position avoiding the protruding battery cell 62a. As a result, the circuit board 71 can be disposed by effectively using the space between the substantially rectangular parallelepiped cell unit 61 and the rectangular parallelepiped housing case 52 that are partially protruded. Therefore, the battery module 51E can be configured more compactly.

  In the present modification, the handle 53 is provided on the upper surface of the housing case 52 at a position biased to one side in the first direction X. On the other side of the upper surface of the housing case 52 where the handle 53 is not provided, the switch panel 90 similar to that of the above-described modification 4 is exposed. In FIG. 11, the handle 53 is provided on the back side, and the switch panel 90 is provided on the front side.

  When the battery module 51E is attached to the vehicle, the upper surface of the housing case 52 is exposed from the vehicle, and at least a part of the other surface of the housing case 52 is blocked by the vehicle, or access from the outside is more than the upper surface. It becomes difficult. Therefore, in the present modification, the upper surface of the housing case 52, which is a limited surface exposed from the vehicle, can be used effectively.

  Further, the switch 91 and the LED lamp 92 are exposed at a position where they are not blocked by the handle 53. Thereby, it is easy to push the switch 91 and the display of the LED lamp 92 is easy to see. Therefore, it is possible to provide the battery module 51E that is easy for the user to use.

  In the present modification, as shown in FIG. 12, the connection port 73a of the charging connector 73 is opened on the opposite side to the switch panel 90 and covered with the opening / closing lid 55. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Not limited to. The connection port 73a may be opened to the switch panel 90 side.

  In this modification, the switch panel 90 is directly mounted on the circuit board 71. Thereby, the switch panel 90 and the circuit board 71 can be integrated, and the switch panel 90 and the circuit board 71 can be comprised compactly.

  In this modification, the switch panel 90 is mounted on the circuit board 71 so that the switch 91 and the LED lamp 92 face upward (one in the second direction Y). Not limited. For example, the switch panel 90 may be mounted on the circuit board 71 so that the switch 91 and the LED lamp 92 face the side (one in the first direction X).

  In the above-described embodiment and the modification, the case where the two connectors of the output connector 72 and the charging connector 73 are provided is illustrated, but the output connector and the charging connector may be provided with one connector. good. In this case, the battery module 51 can be configured more compactly by reducing the connector storage space.

  In the above-described embodiment, the output connector 72, the circuit board 71, and the charging connector 73 are arranged in a line in order from the lower side to the upper side on the front side of the cell unit 61. The present invention is not limited to this example. For example, as shown in the second modification of FIG. 6, the circuit board 71 may be disposed between the charging connector 73 and the cell unit 61 arranged in the third direction Z.

  In addition to charging the battery cell 62 by connecting a charger plug 82 to the charging connector 73, a charging connector is provided on the vehicle body 2 side of the electric bicycle 1, and the charging connector is charged. It is also possible to charge the battery cell 62 by connecting a plug 82 of the battery.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, the battery modules 51 to 51E are described as examples mounted on the electric bicycle 1, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the battery modules 51 to 51E can be mounted on an electric motorcycle such as an electric scooter or a saddle-type electric vehicle such as an electric tricycle.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and modification, the example in which 65 or 70 battery cells 62 are mounted has been described, but the number of these is not particularly limited.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electric bicycle (saddle-type electric vehicle) 51, 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D, 51E ... Battery module, 61 ... Cell unit, 62 ... Battery cell, 65 ... Lead plate, 71 ... Circuit board, 72 ... Output Connector (connector), X ... first direction, Y ... second direction, Z ... third direction

Claims (7)

A battery module that can be mounted on a straddle-type electric vehicle and is portable,
A cell unit having a plurality of battery cells arranged in parallel with end face positions aligned;
A circuit board connected to the battery cell;
A connector for connecting the battery cell to a charger or a vehicle via the circuit board,
When the first direction is a direction orthogonal to the parallel surface of the end face of the battery cell,
The dimension of the second direction orthogonal to the first direction of the cell unit is larger than the dimension of the third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction,
The dimension of the third direction of the cell unit is larger than the dimension of the first direction,
The battery module, wherein the circuit board is arranged side by side with the cell unit in the third direction, and the connector is also arranged side by side with the cell unit in the third direction.   The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a lead plate for connecting the plurality of battery cells to each other is provided at an end surface position of the battery cell.   The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board and the connector are disposed inside a width of the cell unit in the first direction.   4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board and the connector are disposed inside a width of the cell unit in the second direction. 5.   The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the battery module is mounted with the first direction in the left-right direction, the second direction in the up-down direction, and the third direction in the front-rear direction. Electric vehicle.   The straddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the connector is disposed in front of the cell unit and at a position closer to a lower end of the cell unit than an upper end of the cell unit.   The straddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 6, wherein a lower end of the connector is located above a lower end of the cell unit.

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