JP3772549B2

JP3772549B2 - Battery cooling structure for electric vehicles

Info

Publication number: JP3772549B2
Application number: JP25875298A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 勝治西川
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 1998-09-11
Filing date: 1998-09-11
Publication date: 2006-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-11
Also published as: JP2000092624A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は電気自動車のバッテリ冷却構造に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
電気自動車にあってはモータ駆動用のバッテリが可成りの重量および搭載スペースを占めるため、従来では専用の剛体構造のバッテリフレームに密閉収容し、該バッテリフレームを車体フロア下面のフロア骨格部材に締結固定して、バッテリを車体フロア下側に搭載するようにしている。
【０００３】
このように、複数個のバッテリを車体フロア下側のバッテリフレームに密閉収容した場合、バッテリが発熱してバッテリ機能が低下してしまうため、例えば特開平８−２４４４７３号公報に示されているように、バッテリフレームの前端部に吸気口を設けて該吸気口に吸気ダクトを接続し、該吸気ダクトを車体フロア下側からダッシュパネルに沿って上方に向けて配設して上端部をカウルボックスに連通接続し、該カウルボックスから冷却風を取り入れて吸気ダクトを介して吸気口へ導入し、バッテリフレーム後端部に設けた排気口から排出するようにしてバッテリフレーム内のバッテリを冷却する構造が採られている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
吸気ダクトをフロア下側からダッシュパネルに沿って立上らせてカウルボックスに亘って配設してあるため、該吸気ダクトが大型化してダクトレイアウトが難しく、また、吸気ダクトの大型化によってモータールームや車室のスペースが狭められてしまう。
【０００５】
そこで、本発明は吸気ダクトの小型化を図ることができてダクトレイアウトを容易に行えると共に、モータールーム，車室のスペースに影響を与えることのない電気自動車のバッテリ冷却構造を提供するものである。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１の発明にあっては、内部に複数個のバッテリを密閉収容して車体フロア下面のフロア骨格部材に締結固定されるバッテリフレームの前端部に吸気口を設けると共に、該バッテリフレームの後端部に排気口を設けてバッテリフレーム内にバッテリ冷却用の空気を導入するようにした構造において、前記バッテリフレーム配置部の前方の車体前部に設けた左右一対の中空の前後方向骨格部材と中空の車幅方向骨格部材との各接続部分に、中空の脚部を有するサスペンションマウントブラケットを配設して、該脚部を前後方向骨格部材の底壁部分で連通し、車幅方向骨格部材をこれら脚部に連通接続し、該車幅方向骨格部材とバッテリフレームの吸気口とを吸気ダクトで連通接続して、これら前後方向骨格部材と車幅方向骨格部材，および吸気ダクトとで冷却風導入通路を構成したことを特徴としている。
【０００８】
請求項２の発明にあっては、請求項１に記載のサスペンションマウントブラケットの脚部が前後２つに分離独立して構成され、車幅方向骨格部材を後側の脚部を介して前後方向骨格部材に連通接続してある一方、前側の脚部は前後方向骨格部材の底壁部分で連通してあると共に、該前側の脚部の下端部には排水口を設けたことを特徴としている。
【０００９】
請求項３の発明にあっては、請求項２に記載のサスペンションマウントブラケットの脚部が連通接続した前後方向骨格部材の底壁の開口部の後縁には、上方へ突出するフランジを配置したことを特徴としている。
【００１０】
請求項４の発明にあっては、請求項１〜３に記載の車幅方向骨格部材を左右の前後方向骨格部材に跨って連通接続したクロスメンバとしたことを特徴としている。
【００１１】
請求項５の発明にあっては、請求項１〜３に記載の車幅方向骨格部材が左右の前後方向骨格部材とダッシュロアパネルの下面とを結合する左右一対のアウトリガーであって、これらアウトリガーの各車両センター側の端部を吸気ダクトに連通接続したことを特徴としている。
【００１２】
請求項６の発明にあっては、請求項１〜５に記載のバッテリフレーム内に冷却風を強制的に導風するブロワユニットを、吸気口前方の冷却風導入通路に設けたことを特徴としている。
【００１３】
請求項７の発明にあっては、請求項１〜６に記載のバッテリフレーム内に冷却風を強制的に導風するブロワユニットを車幅方向骨格部材に接続固定し、吸気ダクトを該ブロワユニットを介して車幅方向骨格部材に連通接続したことを特徴としている。
【００１４】
請求項８の発明にあっては、請求項７に記載のブロワユニットと吸気ダクトとをフレキシブルダクトで連通接続したことを特徴としている。
【００１５】
請求項９の発明にあっては、請求項１〜８に記載の吸気口をバッテリフレームの下側部に形成する一方、排気口をバッテリフレームの上側部に形成し、冷却風をバッテリの下側から上方に向けて通過させて排出させるようにしたことを特徴としている。
【００１６】
【発明の効果】
請求項１に記載の発明によれば、車体前部に設けた左右一対の中空の前後方向骨格部材と、これら前後方向骨格部材に接続した中空の車幅方向骨格部材を有効利用して、これら前後方向骨格部材と車幅方向骨格部材を連通すると共に、車幅方向骨格部材とバッテリフレーム前端部の吸気口とを吸気ダクトで連通接続して冷却風導入通路を構成しているため、前後方向骨格部材の前端部から取り入れた冷却風を該冷却風導入通路によりバッテリフレーム内にスムーズに導入できると共に、車両走行時には車体前部のラム圧を利用して冷却風を取り入れることができるため、冷却風のバッテリフレーム内への導風性能を向上できてバッテリ冷却効果を高めることができる。
【００１７】
また、吸気ダクトはバッテリフレーム前端部の吸気口と、該バッテリフレーム前端部の前方に近接する車幅方向骨格部材とを接続する長さで済むため、該吸気ダクトを可及的に小型化できてコスト的に有利に得られることは勿論、吸気ダクトをダッシュパネルに沿って配設したものと異なりモータールームや車室のスペースに影響を与えることが全くないため、ダクトレイアウトを容易に行えて特に小型車に用いた場合に設計の自由度を高められると共に、モータールーム，車室の拡大化を図ることができる。
【００１８】
更に、前後方向骨格部材には中空の車幅方向骨格部材を接続してあるため、車体前部の剛性を高めることができると共に、バッテリフレームの前側部に該車幅方向骨格部材が存在するため、車両の前面衝突時にこの車幅方向骨格部材がプロテクタとして機能してバッテリ保護を行うこともできる。
【００１９】
また、前後方向骨格部材と車幅方向骨格部材との接続部分にはサスペンションマウントブラケットが結合され、しかも、該サスペンションマウントブラケットの中空の脚部を介してこれら前後方向骨格部材と車幅方向骨格部材とが結合されて該結合部分を閉断面構造で固めることができるため、車体前部の強度剛性を一段と高めることができると共に、サスペンション支持剛性を高められることもできる。
【００２０】
請求項２に記載の発明によれば、請求項１の発明の効果に加えて、サスペンションマウントブラケットの前後に分離独立した中空の脚部のうち、後側の脚部で前後方向骨格部材と車幅方向骨格部材とを連通接続して、前側の脚部はドレーン通路として機能させるようにしてあるため、前後方向骨格部材の前端部から冷却風と共に水が侵入した場合、車幅方向骨格部材との連通部分の前側で排水させることができて、バッテリフレーム内への水侵入防止効果を得ることができる。
【００２１】
請求項３に記載の発明によれば、請求項２の発明の効果に加えて、サスペンションマウントブラケットの脚部が連通接続した前後方向骨格部材の底壁の開口部の後縁に、上方へ突出するフランジを配置してあるため、前後方向骨格部材の前端部から後方へ向けて流通する冷却風を、このフランジで受けて脚部から車幅方向骨格部材へ導入できて、冷却風の導入性能を向上することができる。
【００２２】
また、脚部が前後に分離独立したものにあっては、前側の脚部が連通した部分では、前後方向骨格部材の前端部から冷却風と共に水滴が侵入した場合、この水滴をフランジで受け止めて該前側の脚部へ流下させる気水分離機能が得られるから、バッテリフレーム内への水侵入防止効果を更に高めることができる。
【００２３】
請求項４に記載の発明によれば、請求項１〜３の発明の効果に加えて、中空の車幅方向骨格部材が、左右の前後方向骨格部材に跨って連通接続したクロスメンバとしてあるため、車体前部の強度剛性を更に高められると共に、左右の前後方向骨格部材から冷却風を導入できるため、冷却風の導入量を増大することができる。
【００２４】
請求項５に記載の発明によれば、請求項１〜３の発明の効果に加えて、中空の車幅方向骨格部材が左右の前後方向骨格部材とダッシュロアパネルの下面とを結合する左右一対のアウトリガーとしてあるため、車室前部の剛性を高められると共に、これら左右のアウトリガーの各車両センター側の端部を吸気ダクトに連通接続してあるため、左右の前後方向骨格部材から冷却風を導入できて冷却風の導入量を増大することができる。
【００２５】
請求項６に記載の発明によれば、請求項１〜５の発明の効果に加えて、ブロワユニットを吸気口前方の冷却風導入通路に設けてあるため、冷却風をバッテリフレーム内へ押し込み風として供給できてバッテリフレーム内のバッテリによる通気抵抗の影響を少なくさせることができ、冷却風の導入性能をより一層高めることができる。
【００２６】
請求項７に記載の発明によれば、請求項１〜６の発明の効果に加えて、ブロワユニットを車幅方向骨格部材に接続固定してあるため、該ブロワユニットの配設レイアウトを容易にすることができる。
【００２７】
請求項８に記載の発明によれば、請求項７の発明の効果に加えて、車幅方向骨格部材に接続固定したブロワユニットと、バッテリフレーム前端部の吸気口に接続固定した吸気ダクトとを、フレキシブルダクトで連通接続してあるため、ブロワユニットと吸気ダクトとの位相差を該フレキシブルダクトで吸収できて接続作業を容易に行えると共に、車両走行時の車体捩れによる車幅方向骨格部材側とバッテリフレーム側との相対変位をフレキシブルダクトで吸収できて、ダクト接続部に応力集中が発生するのを回避することができる。
【００２８】
請求項９に記載の発明によれば、請求項１〜８の発明の効果に加えて、吸気口をバッテリフレームの下側部に形成する一方、排気口をバッテリフレームの上側部に形成し、冷却風をバッテリの下側から上方に向けて通過させて排出させるようにしてあるため、バッテリを下側から通過する冷却風によって満遍なく冷却できると共に、バッテリの発熱によりバッテリフレーム内を上昇指向する熱気をスムーズに排気口から放出させることができて、バッテリの冷却性能を向上することができる。
【００２９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を図面と共に詳述する。
【００３０】
図１，２において、１は底壁２と前後左右の周側壁３とを備えて方形に形成され、複数個のバッテリＢを収容して車体のフロア下側に搭載されるバッテリフレームを示し、本実施形態では図５，６に示すように小型の車体１０のフロア下側に搭載する小型のバッテリフレームとして４個の方形のバッテリＢを前後左右方向に２個ずつ接して収容し得る大きさに形成してあると共に、後側部にはジャンクションボックスＪ・Ｂの収容部分を後方へ張り出して形成して、該ジャンクションボックスＪ・Ｂも一緒に収容し得るようにしてある。
【００３１】
このバッテリフレーム１は例えばアルミ材等の軽量金属材料をもって、鋳造により前記底壁２と周側壁３とを一体成形してあり、上部開口周縁部に合成樹脂材からなるバッテリカバー４を締結固定してバッテリＢおよびジャンクションボックスＪ・Ｂを密閉収容している。
【００３２】
このバッテリフレーム１は車体フロア１１の下面に設けたフロア骨格部材１２の下面に図外のボルト等の締結部材によってしっかりと締結固定してある。
【００３３】
バッテリフレーム１の前端部の下縁部には左右２つの吸気口５を設けてある一方、バッテリカバー４の後端部には排気口６を設けてあって、吸気口５から導入した冷却風を図２に矢印で示すようにバッテリＢ，ジャンクションボックスＪ・Ｂの下側から上方に向けて通過させ、排気口６から外部へ放出させてこれらバッテリＢ，ジャンクションボックスＪ・Ｂを冷却できるようにしてある。
【００３４】
バッテリフレーム１の前端部には前記吸気口５を覆って、合成樹脂材からなる吸気ダクト７を取付けてある。
【００３５】
本実施形態ではこの吸気ダクト７の前側部には、同質材によって中間部分を蛇腹状に形成したフレキシブルダクト８を付設してある。
【００３６】
１３は車体前部のモータールームの左右両側部に前後方向に配設した前後方向骨格部材としてのフロントサイドメンバで、該フロントサイドメンバ１３は例えばアルミ材等の軽量金属材料をもって断面方形の中空に押出し成形してある。
【００３７】
図３に拡大して示すように、フロントサイドメンバ１３の外側上縁部と後端部には接合フランジ１３ａ，１３ｂを設けてあって、接合フランジ１３ａを図外のフードリッジパネルに接合すると共に、接合フランジ１３ｂをダッシュロアパネル１４の下面に接合してある。
【００３８】
１５はバッテリフレーム１の前方で前記フロントサイドメンバ１３に接続した車幅方向骨格部材で、本実施形態ではフロントサイドメンバ１３と同様に軽量金属材料で断面方形の中空に押出し成形して、左右のフロントサイドメンバ１３，１３に跨るクロスメンバとして構成してあって、該クロスメンバ１５の両端部を左右一対のサスペンションマウントブラケット２１，２１を介して後述するように前記フロントサイドメンバ１３，１３に連通接続してある。
【００３９】
このクロスメンバ１５の後壁の中央部分には接続口１６を開設してあり、該接続口１６にブロワユニット１７のインレット１８を挿入嵌合して該ブロワユニット１７を取付けてあると共に、該ブロワユニット１７のアウトレット１９に前記フレキシブルダクト８の端部を接続し、これらフロントサイドメンバ１３，サスペンションマウントブラケット２１，クロスメンバ１５，ブロワユニット１７，フレキシブルダクト８、および吸気ダクト７によって、フロントサイドメンバ１３の前端部から冷却風を取り入れてバッテリフレーム１内に導入する冷却風導入通路２０を構成している。
【００４０】
サスペンションマウントブラケット２１は、図外のフロントサスペンションを連結支持するブラケット部２２と、該ブラケット部２２に立設した断面方形の中空の脚部２３とを備えている。
【００４１】
本実施形態では脚部２３を前側脚部２３Ｆと後側脚部２３Ｒとに分離独立して構成してあり、それぞれ上端部の左右側縁に延設した接合フランジ２３ａをフロントサイドメンバ１３の左右側壁に接合して、該フロントサイドメンバ１３の底壁に設けた開口部２４を介して該フロントサイドメンバ１３に連通してある。
【００４２】
脚部２３Ｆ，２３Ｒの上端部の後縁にはフランジ２３ｂを延設してあって、該フランジ２３ｂを前記開口部２４の後縁に当接させてフロントサイドメンバ１３内に突出配置してある。
【００４３】
前記クロスメンバ１５はその両側端部を接合フランジ１５ａを介して後側の脚部２３Ｒの内側の側壁に突き当てて接合し、該側壁に設けた開口部２５を介して後側の脚部２３Ｒに連通させている。
【００４４】
また、前側の脚部２３Ｆの下端部には例えばブラケット部２２の下方に貫通する排水口２６を設けて、該前側の脚部２３Ｆをドレーン通路としてある。
【００４５】
以上の実施形態の構造によれば、ブロワユニット１７を駆動することにより、フロントサイドメンバ１３の前端部から冷却風が取り入れられ、冷却風は該フロントサイドメンバ１３内を後方へ流通してサスペンションマウントブラケット２１の後側の脚部２３Ｒ内を通過すると共に、該脚部２３Ｒからクロスメンバ１５内を通過し、そして、該ブロワユニット１７からフレキシブルダクト８および吸気ダクト７を経由してバッテリフレーム１の吸気口５より該バッテリフレーム１内に導入される。
【００４６】
このバッテリフレーム１内に導入された冷却風はバッテリＢおよびジャンクションボックスＪ・Ｂの下側から上方に向けて通過して、バッテリカバー４の後端部の排気口６から外部へ放出されるから、この下側から流通する冷却風によってバッテリＢおよびジャンクションボックスＪ・Ｂを満遍なく冷却できると共に、バッテリＢの発熱によりバッテリフレーム１内を上昇指向する熱気をスムーズに排気口６から放出させることができて、バッテリＢおよびジャンクションボックスＪ・Ｂの冷却性能を向上することができる。
【００４７】
特に、本実施形態では車幅方向骨格部材として、左右一対のフロントサイドメンバ１３，１３に跨って連通接続したクロスメンバとして構成してあるため、これら左右のフロントサイドメンバ１３，１３から冷却風を導入できることと併せて、車両走行時には車体前部のラム圧を利用して冷却風を導入できるため、冷却風の導入量を増大することができる。
【００４８】
前記後側の脚部２３Ｒが連通したフロントサイドメンバ１３の底壁の後部側の開口部２４の後縁にはフランジ２３ｂを突出配置してあるため、前述のようにフロントサイドメンバ１３の前端部から後方へ向けて流通する冷却風を、このフランジ２３ｂで受けて該脚部２３Ｒからクロスメンバ１５へ導入でき、従って、冷却風の導入性能を向上することができる。
【００４９】
雨天走行時等には、前記フロントサイドメンバ１３の前端部から冷却風と共に水滴が侵入する可能性があるが、クロスメンバ１５に連通した後側の脚部２３Ｒの前部には前側の脚部２３Ｆがドレーン通路として存在しているから、万一、水が侵入した場合でもクロスメンバ１５の直前で該前側の脚部２３Ｆにより外部へ排水できて、バッテリフレーム１内への水侵入防止効果を得ることができる。
【００５０】
しかも、この前側の脚部２３Ｆが連通したフロントサイドメンバ１３の底壁の前部側の開口部２４の後縁にもフランジ２３ｂを突出配置してあるから、冷却風に水滴が混入していてもこのフランジ２３ｂで水滴を受け止めて脚部２３Ｆに流下させることができて気水分離作用が得られるから、前記水侵入防止効果を更に高めることができる。
【００５１】
ここで、前述のように吸気ダクト７はバッテリフレーム１の前端部の吸気口５と、該バッテリフレーム１の前端部の前方に近接するクロスメンバ１５とを接続する長さで済むため、該吸気ダクト７を可及的に小型化できてコスト的に有利に得られることは勿論、従来の吸気ダクトをダッシュパネルに沿って配設した構造と異なりモータールームや車室のスペースに影響を与えることが全くないため、ダクトレイアウトを容易に行うことができ、特に本実施形態のように小型車に用いた場合に設計の自由度を高められると共に、モータールーム，車室の拡大化を図ることができる。
【００５２】
また、ブロワユニット１７はクロスメンバ１５に接続固定してあるため、その配設レイアウトを容易に行えることは勿論、冷却風をバッテリフレーム１の吸気口５の前方から押し込み風として供給できるから、バッテリフレーム１内のバッテリＢ，ジャンクションボックスＪ・Ｂ等による通気抵抗の影響を少くさせることができて、冷却風の導入性能をより一層高めることができる。
【００５３】
一方、このようなバッテリフレーム１内への導風上の効果とは別に、左右のフロントサイドメンバ１３，１３に連通接続した車幅方向骨格部材として、これらフロントサイドメンバ１３，１３に跨って結合したクロスメンバ１５として構成してあることに加えて、該クロスメンバ１５は、フロントサイドメンバ１３に結合したサスペンションマウントブラケット２１の中空の脚部２３Ｒを介して該フロントサイドメンバ１３に連通接続して、フロントサイドメンバ１３とクロスメンバ１５との結合部分を閉断面構造で固めることができるため、車体前部の強度剛性を一段と高めることができると共に、サスペンション支持剛性を高めることができる。
【００５４】
また、この中空のクロスメンバ１５がバッテリフレーム１の前側部に車幅方向に存在しているため、車両の前面衝突時に該クロスメンバ１５がプロテクタとして機能してバッテリ保護を行うこともできる利点がある。
【００５５】
更に、バッテリフレーム１の車体フロア１１下側への搭載時には、バッテリフレーム１の前端部に取付けた吸気ダクト７と、クロスメンバ１５に取付けたブロワユニット１７とを、該吸気ダクト７に付設したフレキシブルダクト８で接続できるため、これらブロワユニット１７と吸気ダクト７との位相差をこのフレキシブルダクト８で吸収できて接続作業を容易に行うことができる。
【００５６】
また、このフレキシブルダクト８の存在によって、車両走行時の車体の捩れによるクロスメンバ１５側と、バッテリフレーム１側との相対変位を該フレキシブルダクト８で吸収できて、ダクト接続部に応力集中が発生するのを回避することもできる。
【００５７】
図４は本発明の第２実施形態を示すもので、この実施形態にあっては前記第１実施形態で車幅方向骨格部材としてクロスメンバ１５を用いていたのに対して、ダッシュロアパネル１４を補強する左右一対のアウトリガー２７を用いて、該アウトリガー２７を冷却風導入通路２０の一部に有効利用している。
【００５８】
このアウトリガー２７は断面逆ハット状に形成してあり、その上縁の接合フランジ２７ａをダッシュロアパネル１４の下面に接合して車幅方向に延在する方形中空の閉断面を構成しており、各車体サイド側の端部をサスペンションマウントブラケット２１の後側の脚部２３Ｒに連通接続して、該後側の脚部２３Ｒを介してフロントサイドメンバ１３に連通してある。
【００５９】
そして、各アウトリガー２７の車両センター側の閉塞端部をバッテリフレーム１側の吸気ダクト７に連通接続するのであるが、本実施形態ではこれらアウトリガー２７の車両センター側の端部間に、両側にインレット１８，１８を設けたブロワユニット１７を配置し、これらインレット１８，１８を対応するアウトリガー２７の閉塞端部を貫通して接続してあり、このブロワユニット１７に吸気ダクト７を接続することによって冷却風導入通路２０を構成している。
【００６０】
図４では吸気ダクト７およびブロワユニット２７のアウトレット１９は図示していないが、この吸気ダクト７をフレキシブルダクト８を介してブロワユニット２７のアウトレット１９に接続することは前記第１実施形態と同様である。
【００６１】
従って、この第２実施形態の構造によればフロントサイドメンバ１３に接合したサスペンションマウントブラケット２１の後側の脚部２３Ｒと、ダッシュロアパネル１４の下面に亘って左右一対のアウトリガー２７を接合配置して閉断面を構成してあるため、該ダッシュロアパネル１４の強度を高めて車室前部の剛性を高められる他、前記第１実施形態とほぼ同様の車体前部の強度剛性上の効果、およびバッテリフレーム１への導風性能上の効果を得ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態を示す分解斜視図。
【図２】本発明の第１実施形態の断面説明図。
【図３】本発明の第１実施形態における前後方向骨格部材と車幅方向骨格部材との接続部分の分解斜視図。
【図４】本発明の第２実施形態を示す斜視図。
【図５】本発明の構造を採用した車両の側面概略図。
【図６】図５のＡ矢視図。
【符号の説明】
１バッテリフレーム
Ｂバッテリ
５吸気口
６排気口
７吸気ダクト
８フレキシブルダクト
１０車体
１１車体フロア
１２フロア骨格部材
１３前後方向骨格部材
１４ダッシュロアパネル
１５車幅方向骨格部材（クロスメンバ）
１７ブロワユニット
２０冷却風導入通路
２１サスペンションマウントブラケット
２３脚部
２３Ｆ前側の脚部
２３Ｒ後側の脚部
２３ｂフランジ
２４前後方向骨格部材底壁の開口部
２６排水口
２７アウトリガー[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a battery cooling structure for an electric vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an electric vehicle, a battery for driving a motor occupies a considerable weight and mounting space, so conventionally it is hermetically housed in a dedicated rigid structure battery frame, and the battery frame is fastened to a floor frame member on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor. It is fixed and the battery is mounted on the lower side of the vehicle body floor.
[0003]
In this way, when a plurality of batteries are hermetically housed in the battery frame below the vehicle body floor, the batteries generate heat and the battery function deteriorates. For example, as disclosed in JP-A-8-244473. In addition, an air inlet is provided at the front end of the battery frame, an air intake duct is connected to the air inlet, the air intake duct is disposed upward from the lower side of the vehicle body floor along the dash panel, and the upper end portion thereof is a cowl box. To cool the battery in the battery frame so that the cooling air is taken in from the cowl box, introduced into the intake port via the intake duct, and discharged from the exhaust port provided at the rear end of the battery frame. Has been adopted.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the intake duct rises from the bottom of the floor along the dash panel and is placed across the cowl box, the intake duct becomes larger and the duct layout becomes difficult. Space in the room and vehicle compartment will be narrowed.
[0005]
Accordingly, the present invention provides a battery cooling structure for an electric vehicle that can reduce the size of the intake duct, facilitate the duct layout, and does not affect the space in the motor room and the passenger compartment. .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of batteries are hermetically accommodated inside and an air inlet is provided at the front end of the battery frame that is fastened and fixed to the floor frame member on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor. In a structure in which an exhaust port is provided at an end to introduce air for cooling the battery into the battery frame, a pair of left and right hollow front and rear skeleton members provided at the front of the vehicle body in front of the battery frame arrangement portion ; A suspension mount bracket having a hollow leg portion is disposed at each connecting portion with the hollow vehicle width direction skeleton member, and the leg portion is communicated with the bottom wall portion of the front and rear direction skeleton member. the communicatively connected to these legs, and a該車transverse direction frame member and the inlet port of the battery frame communicatively connected with the intake duct, these longitudinal direction frame member in the vehicle width direction frame member, and It is characterized by being configured the cooling air introduction passage and the gas duct.
[0008]
In the invention of claim 2 , the leg portion of the suspension mount bracket according to claim 1 is configured to be separated into two front and rear parts, and the vehicle width direction skeleton member is arranged in the front-rear direction via the rear leg part. While being connected to the skeleton member, the front leg is in communication with the bottom wall portion of the front / rear skeleton member, and a drain port is provided at the lower end of the front leg. .
[0009]
In the invention of claim 3 , a flange projecting upward is arranged at the rear edge of the opening of the bottom wall of the front-rear frame member to which the legs of the suspension mount bracket of claim 2 communicated. It is characterized by that.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the vehicle width direction skeleton member according to claims 1 to 3 is a cross member that is connected in communication across the left and right front and rear direction skeleton members.
[0011]
In the invention of claim 5 , the vehicle width direction skeleton member according to claims 1 to 3 is a pair of left and right outriggers connecting the left and right front and rear direction skeleton members and the lower surface of the dash lower panel. It is characterized in that the end of each vehicle center is connected to the intake duct.
[0012]
The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that the blower unit for forcibly guiding the cooling air into the battery frame according to any of claims 1 to 5 is provided in the cooling air introduction passage in front of the intake port. Yes.
[0013]
In the invention of claim 7 , the blower unit that forcibly guides the cooling air into the battery frame according to claims 1 to 6 is connected and fixed to the vehicle width direction skeleton member, and the intake duct is connected to the blower unit. It is characterized in that it is connected in communication with the skeleton member in the vehicle width direction.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the blower unit according to claim 7 and the intake duct are connected in communication by a flexible duct.
[0015]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the intake port according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is formed on the lower side portion of the battery frame, while the exhaust port is formed on the upper side portion of the battery frame, and the cooling air is supplied to the It is characterized in that it is discharged from the side upward.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the invention, a pair of left and right hollow front and rear skeleton members provided at the front of the vehicle body and a hollow vehicle width direction skeleton member connected to the front and rear skeleton members are effectively utilized. Since the front-rear direction frame member and the vehicle width direction frame member communicate with each other, and the vehicle width direction frame member and the intake port at the front end of the battery frame communicate with each other via the intake duct to form the cooling air introduction passage. Cooling air taken from the front end of the skeletal member can be smoothly introduced into the battery frame through the cooling air introduction passage, and cooling air can be taken in using the ram pressure at the front of the vehicle body when the vehicle is running. The wind guiding performance of the wind into the battery frame can be improved and the battery cooling effect can be enhanced.
[0017]
In addition, since the intake duct only needs to be long enough to connect the air inlet at the front end of the battery frame and the vehicle width direction skeleton member adjacent to the front of the front end of the battery frame, the intake duct can be made as small as possible. Unlike the case where the intake duct is arranged along the dash panel, it does not affect the space in the motor room or the passenger compartment at all. In particular, when used in a small car, the degree of freedom in design can be increased, and the motor room and the passenger compartment can be expanded.
[0018]
In addition, since a hollow vehicle width direction skeleton member is connected to the front-rear direction skeleton member, the rigidity of the front portion of the vehicle body can be increased, and the vehicle width direction skeleton member exists at the front side portion of the battery frame. In the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the vehicle width direction skeleton member can function as a protector to protect the battery.
[0019]
In addition, a suspension mount bracket is coupled to a connecting portion between the front-rear direction frame member and the vehicle width direction frame member, and the front-rear direction frame member and the vehicle width direction frame member are connected via the hollow legs of the suspension mount bracket. And the joint portion can be solidified with a closed cross-sectional structure, so that the strength rigidity of the front portion of the vehicle body can be further increased and the suspension support rigidity can be increased.
[0020]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, the front-rear frame member and the vehicle are arranged at the rear leg portion of the hollow leg portions separated and independent of the suspension mount bracket. Since the front leg portion functions as a drain passage by communicating with the width direction skeleton member, when water enters with cooling air from the front end of the front and rear direction skeleton member, It is possible to drain the water at the front side of the communicating portion, and to obtain an effect of preventing water from entering the battery frame.
[0021]
According to the invention of claim 3 , in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 2 , the suspension mount bracket protrudes upward at the rear edge of the opening portion of the bottom wall of the front-rear frame member to which the legs of the suspension mount bracket are connected. since you have a flange which is arranged, cooling air flowing toward the front end of the longitudinal frame member rearward, it can be introduced from the legs to the vehicle transverse direction frame member is received by the flange, the introduction of the cooling air performance Can be improved.
[0022]
In the case where the legs are separated from each other at the front and rear, if water droplets enter along with the cooling air from the front end of the front-rear frame member at the part where the front legs communicate, the water drops are received by the flange. Since the air / water separation function of flowing down to the front leg is obtained, the effect of preventing water from entering the battery frame can be further enhanced.
[0023]
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects, the hollow vehicle width direction skeleton member is a cross member that is connected in communication across the left and right anteroposterior skeleton members. Further, the strength and rigidity of the front part of the vehicle body can be further increased, and the cooling air can be introduced from the left and right anteroposterior frame members, so that the amount of cooling air introduced can be increased.
[0024]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects, the pair of left and right skeleton members that connect the left and right front and rear skeleton members and the lower surface of the dash lower panel are combined. Because it is an outrigger, the rigidity of the front part of the passenger compartment can be improved, and the end of each left and right outrigger on the vehicle center side is connected to the intake duct, so cooling air is introduced from the left and right anteroposterior frame members The amount of cooling air introduced can be increased.
[0025]
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, the blower unit is provided in the cooling air introduction passage in front of the air inlet, so that the cooling air is pushed into the battery frame. As a result, it is possible to reduce the influence of the airflow resistance caused by the battery in the battery frame, and it is possible to further improve the cooling air introduction performance.
[0026]
According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first to sixth aspects, since the blower unit is connected and fixed to the vehicle width direction skeleton member, the layout of the blower unit can be easily arranged. can do.
[0027]
According to the eighth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the seventh aspect , the blower unit connected and fixed to the vehicle width direction skeleton member, and the intake duct connected and fixed to the inlet of the battery frame front end portion are provided. Since the flexible duct communicates with each other, the phase difference between the blower unit and the intake duct can be absorbed by the flexible duct so that the connection work can be easily performed. Relative displacement with respect to the battery frame side can be absorbed by the flexible duct, and stress concentration at the duct connecting portion can be avoided.
[0028]
According to the ninth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first to eighth aspects of the invention, the intake port is formed on the lower side of the battery frame, while the exhaust port is formed on the upper side of the battery frame, Since the cooling air is discharged from the lower side of the battery upward, it can be cooled evenly by the cooling air that passes from the lower side, and hot air that is directed upward in the battery frame due to the heat generated by the battery. Can be smoothly discharged from the exhaust port, and the cooling performance of the battery can be improved.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0030]
1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a battery frame which is formed in a square shape with a bottom wall 2 and front and rear, left and right peripheral side walls 3 and which accommodates a plurality of batteries B and is mounted on the lower side of the floor of the vehicle body. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, as a small battery frame mounted on the lower side of the small vehicle body 10, a size that can accommodate four rectangular batteries B in contact with each other in the front-rear and left-right directions. In addition, a receiving portion of the junction box J / B is formed on the rear side so as to protrude rearward so that the junction box J / B can be received together.
[0031]
The battery frame 1 is made of a lightweight metal material such as an aluminum material, and the bottom wall 2 and the peripheral side wall 3 are integrally formed by casting, and a battery cover 4 made of a synthetic resin material is fastened and fixed to the peripheral edge of the upper opening. The battery B and the junction box J · B are hermetically housed.
[0032]
The battery frame 1 is firmly fastened and fixed to the lower surface of a floor skeleton member 12 provided on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor 11 by a fastening member such as a bolt (not shown).
[0033]
The left and right intake ports 5 are provided at the lower edge of the front end portion of the battery frame 1, while the exhaust port 6 is provided at the rear end portion of the battery cover 4, and cooling air introduced from the intake port 5 is provided. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 2, the battery B and the junction box J / B are allowed to pass upward from the lower side and discharged from the exhaust port 6 to the outside, so that the battery B and the junction box J / B can be cooled. It is like that.
[0034]
An intake duct 7 made of a synthetic resin material is attached to the front end of the battery frame 1 so as to cover the intake port 5.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, a flexible duct 8 having an intermediate portion formed of a homogeneous material in a bellows shape is attached to the front side portion of the intake duct 7.
[0036]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a front side member as a longitudinal frame member disposed in the left and right sides of the motor room at the front of the vehicle body. The front side member 13 is made of a lightweight metal material such as an aluminum material and has a rectangular cross section. Extruded.
[0037]
As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3, joint flanges 13a and 13b are provided on the outer upper edge and rear end of the front side member 13, and the joint flange 13a is joined to a hood ridge panel not shown. The joining flange 13 b is joined to the lower surface of the dash lower panel 14.
[0038]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a vehicle width direction skeleton member connected to the front side member 13 in front of the battery frame 1. In this embodiment, like the front side member 13, a lightweight metal material is extruded into a hollow with a square cross section, and each other constitute a cross member spanning the front side members 13 and 13, the front side members 13 and 13 as will be described later via the suspension mount brackets 21, 21 of the pair of both ends of the cross member 15 Communication connection.
[0039]
A connection port 16 is formed in the central portion of the rear wall of the cross member 15, and the blower unit 17 is attached by inserting and fitting the inlet 18 of the blower unit 17 into the connection port 16. The end of the flexible duct 8 is connected to the outlet 19 of the unit 17, and the front side member 13 is connected by the front side member 13, the suspension mount bracket 21, the cross member 15, the blower unit 17, the flexible duct 8, and the intake duct 7. The cooling air introduction passage 20 is configured to take in the cooling air from the front end portion thereof and introduce it into the battery frame 1.
[0040]
The suspension mount bracket 21 includes a bracket portion 22 for connecting and supporting a front suspension (not shown), and a hollow leg portion 23 having a square cross section standing on the bracket portion 22.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, the leg portion 23 is configured to be separated into the front leg portion 23F and the rear leg portion 23R independently, and the joining flanges 23a extending to the left and right edges of the upper end portion are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the front side member 13. It is joined to the side wall and communicates with the front side member 13 through an opening 24 provided in the bottom wall of the front side member 13.
[0042]
A flange 23b is extended at the rear edge of the upper end of the legs 23F and 23R, and the flange 23b is in contact with the rear edge of the opening 24 so as to protrude into the front side member 13. .
[0043]
The cross member 15 is joined to both side end portions thereof by abutting against the inner side wall of the rear leg portion 23R via the joining flange 15a, and the rear leg portion 23R via the opening 25 provided on the side wall. Communicating with
[0044]
Further, for example, a drain outlet 26 penetrating below the bracket portion 22 is provided at the lower end portion of the front leg portion 23F, and the front leg portion 23F serves as a drain passage.
[0045]
According to the structure of the above embodiment, the cooling air is taken in from the front end portion of the front side member 13 by driving the blower unit 17, and the cooling air circulates backward in the front side member 13 and is mounted on the suspension mount. The battery 21 passes through the rear leg portion 23R of the bracket 21 and also passes through the cross member 15 from the leg portion 23R and passes through the flexible duct 8 and the intake duct 7 from the blower unit 17. It is introduced into the battery frame 1 from the air inlet 5.
[0046]
The cooling air introduced into the battery frame 1 passes upward from the lower side of the battery B and the junction box J · B and is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 6 at the rear end of the battery cover 4. The battery B and the junction boxes J and B can be uniformly cooled by the cooling air flowing from the lower side, and the hot air directed upward in the battery frame 1 can be smoothly discharged from the exhaust port 6 by the heat generated by the battery B. Thus, the cooling performance of the battery B and the junction box J · B can be improved.
[0047]
In particular, in the present embodiment, the skeleton member in the vehicle width direction is configured as a cross member that is connected in communication across the pair of left and right front side members 13 and 13, so that cooling air is supplied from the left and right front side members 13 and 13. In addition to being able to be introduced, since the cooling air can be introduced using the ram pressure at the front of the vehicle body when the vehicle is traveling, the amount of cooling air introduced can be increased.
[0048]
Since the flange 23b protrudes from the rear edge of the opening 24 on the rear side of the bottom wall of the front side member 13 with which the rear leg 23R communicates, the front end of the front side member 13 as described above. The cooling air flowing from the rear to the rear can be received by the flange 23b and introduced into the cross member 15 from the leg portion 23R. Therefore, the introduction performance of the cooling air can be improved.
[0049]
During rainy weather, water droplets may enter from the front end of the front side member 13 together with the cooling air, but the front leg portion is connected to the front portion of the rear leg portion 23R communicating with the cross member 15. Since 23F exists as a drain passage, even if water enters, it can be drained to the outside by the front leg portion 23F just before the cross member 15 to prevent water from entering the battery frame 1. Obtainable.
[0050]
In addition, since the flange 23b protrudes from the rear edge of the opening 24 on the front side of the bottom wall of the front side member 13 with which the front leg 23F communicates, water droplets are mixed in the cooling air. In addition, since the water droplets can be received by the flange 23b and allowed to flow down to the leg portion 23F and an air-water separation action can be obtained, the water intrusion preventing effect can be further enhanced.
[0051]
Here, as described above, the intake duct 7 has a length that connects the intake port 5 at the front end of the battery frame 1 and the cross member 15 adjacent to the front of the front end of the battery frame 1. The duct 7 can be made as small as possible and can be obtained in a cost-effective manner. In addition, unlike the conventional structure in which the air intake duct is arranged along the dash panel, it affects the space in the motor room and the passenger compartment. Therefore, the duct layout can be easily performed. In particular, when used in a small car as in this embodiment, the degree of freedom in design can be increased, and the motor room and the passenger compartment can be expanded. .
[0052]
In addition, since the blower unit 17 is connected and fixed to the cross member 15, not only can the layout of the blower unit 17 be facilitated, but also the cooling air can be supplied from the front of the intake port 5 of the battery frame 1 as a forced air. The influence of the ventilation resistance due to the battery B, the junction box J, and the like in the frame 1 can be reduced, and the introduction performance of the cooling air can be further enhanced.
[0053]
On the other hand, apart from the effect on the wind guide into the battery frame 1, as a vehicle width direction skeleton member connected to the left and right front side members 13, 13, it is coupled across the front side members 13, 13. In addition to being configured as a cross member 15, the cross member 15 is connected to the front side member 13 via a hollow leg 23 </ b> R of a suspension mount bracket 21 coupled to the front side member 13. Since the joint portion between the front side member 13 and the cross member 15 can be hardened with a closed cross-sectional structure, the strength rigidity of the front portion of the vehicle body can be further increased and the suspension support rigidity can be increased.
[0054]
Further, since this hollow cross member 15 is present in the vehicle width direction at the front side portion of the battery frame 1, there is an advantage that the cross member 15 functions as a protector to protect the battery at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle. is there.
[0055]
Further, when the battery frame 1 is mounted on the lower side of the vehicle body floor 11, the air intake duct 7 attached to the front end portion of the battery frame 1 and the blower unit 17 attached to the cross member 15 are attached to the air intake duct 7. Since the duct 8 can be connected, the phase difference between the blower unit 17 and the intake duct 7 can be absorbed by the flexible duct 8 and the connection work can be easily performed.
[0056]
Further, the presence of the flexible duct 8 allows the flexible duct 8 to absorb the relative displacement between the cross member 15 side and the battery frame 1 side due to the torsion of the vehicle body when the vehicle travels, and stress concentration occurs in the duct connecting portion. It can also be avoided.
[0057]
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the cross member 15 is used as the vehicle width direction skeleton member in the first embodiment, but the dash lower panel 14 is used. By using a pair of left and right outriggers 27 to be reinforced, the outriggers 27 are effectively used as a part of the cooling air introduction passage 20.
[0058]
The outrigger 27 is formed in a hat shape with an inverted cross section, and has a rectangular hollow closed cross section that extends in the vehicle width direction by joining the joint flange 27a at the upper edge to the lower surface of the dash lower panel 14, The end of the vehicle body side is connected to the rear leg 23R of the suspension mount bracket 21 and is connected to the front side member 13 via the rear leg 23R.
[0059]
Then, the closed end of each outrigger 27 on the vehicle center side is connected to the intake duct 7 on the battery frame 1 side. In this embodiment, between the end portions of these outriggers 27 on the vehicle center side, inlets are provided on both sides. The blower unit 17 provided with 18, 18 is arranged, and these inlets 18, 18 are connected through the closed end portions of the corresponding outriggers 27, and cooling is performed by connecting the intake duct 7 to the blower unit 17. A wind introduction passage 20 is configured.
[0060]
Although the inlet duct 7 and the outlet 19 of the blower unit 27 are not shown in FIG. 4, the intake duct 7 is connected to the outlet 19 of the blower unit 27 via the flexible duct 8 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. is there.
[0061]
Therefore, the side of the leg 23R after the suspension mount bracket 21 joined to the front side member 13, a pair of right and left outriggers 27 over the lower surface of the dash lower panel 14 joined arranged according to the structure of the second embodiment Since the closed cross section is configured, the strength of the dash lower panel 14 can be increased to increase the rigidity of the front portion of the passenger compartment, and the effect on the strength and rigidity of the front portion of the vehicle body that is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and The effect on the wind guide performance to the battery frame 1 can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a connecting portion between a front-rear direction frame member and a vehicle width direction frame member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a vehicle adopting the structure of the present invention.
6 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery frame B Battery 5 Intake port 6 Exhaust port 7 Intake duct 8 Flexible duct 10 Car body 11 Car body floor 12 Floor frame member 13 Front-rear frame member 14 Dash lower panel 15 Vehicle width direction frame member (cross member)
17 Blower unit 20 Cooling air introduction passage 21 Suspension mount bracket 23 Leg 23F Front leg 23R Rear leg 23b Flange 24 Opening 26 on bottom wall of front and rear direction frame member Drain outlet 27 Outrigger

Claims

The battery frame is provided with an air inlet at the front end portion of the battery frame that is hermetically accommodated in a plurality of batteries and fastened and fixed to the floor frame member on the lower surface of the vehicle body floor, and an exhaust port is provided at the rear end portion of the battery frame. in the structure as to introduce air for cooling the battery within, each of the front and rear direction frame member and the hollow in the vehicle width direction frame member of the pair of left and right hollow provided in the front part of the vehicle body in front of the battery frame arrangement unit A suspension mount bracket having a hollow leg portion is disposed in the connection portion, the leg portion is communicated with the bottom wall portion of the front-rear direction skeleton member, and the vehicle width direction skeleton member is communicated and connected to the leg portion, The skeleton member in the vehicle width direction and the intake port of the battery frame are connected in communication by an intake duct, and the cooling air introduction passage is connected between the skeleton member in the longitudinal direction, the skeleton member in the vehicle width direction, and the intake duct. Battery cooling structure for an electric vehicle, characterized in that to constitute a.

The suspension mount bracket legs are separated into two front and rear parts, and the vehicle width direction skeleton member is connected to the front and rear direction skeleton members via the rear leg parts, while the front leg parts are front and rear. 2. The battery cooling structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the directional skeleton member communicates with a bottom wall portion, and a drain outlet is provided at a lower end portion of the front leg portion.

3. A battery for an electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein a flange projecting upward is disposed at the rear edge of the opening of the bottom wall of the front-rear frame member to which the legs of the suspension mount bracket communicated. Cooling structure.

Battery cooling structure for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the cross member connected communicating vehicle transverse direction frame member across the longitudinal direction frame member of the left and right.

The vehicle width direction skeleton member is a pair of left and right outriggers that connect the left and right front and rear direction skeleton members and the lower surface of the dash lower panel, and the end of each outrigger on the vehicle center side is connected to the intake duct. battery cooling structure for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for.

The blower unit for forcibly air-guiding cooling air in the battery frame, the battery of an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that provided in the cooling air introduction passage of the intake port forward Cooling structure.

A blower unit that forcibly guides cooling air into the battery frame is connected and fixed to the vehicle width direction skeleton member, and an intake duct is connected to the vehicle width direction skeleton member through the blower unit. battery cooling structure for an electric vehicle according to any one of claim 1-6.

8. The battery cooling structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein the blower unit and the intake duct are connected in communication by a flexible duct.

The intake port is formed in the lower part of the battery frame, while the exhaust port is formed in the upper part of the battery frame so that the cooling air passes from the lower side to the upper side and is discharged. battery cooling structure for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1-8 for.