JP3861358B2 - Battery holding device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a battery holding device suitable for holding a battery mounted on an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle, and in particular, a battery holding device having a function of appropriately processing the gas when the gas is generated in the battery. About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A battery for supplying electric power for vehicle propulsion to a motor or the like is mounted on an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle. Usually, the battery is held at a predetermined position inside the vehicle body by a battery holding device. The battery holding device has a configuration for realizing a function of protecting the battery from impact, a function of suppressing vibration transmitted to the battery, a function of preventing the battery from being exposed to water droplets, and the like as appropriate.
[0003]
Some batteries mounted on electric vehicles generate gas inside. For example, when an NiMH battery reaches an overcharged state or an overdischarged state, hydrogen gas may be generated therein. A battery in which gas can be generated is usually provided with means for releasing the generated gas outside the battery, for example, an explosion-proof valve. The gas generated from the battery may cause adverse effects such as worsening the comfort of the passenger compartment when it leaks into the passenger compartment. Therefore, the electric vehicle is provided with a control device that manages the state of charge (SOC) of the battery, and the generation of gas is prevented by preventing the battery from reaching an overcharged state or an overdischarged state. However, in addition to the above control device, it also has a function to assist in the management of the SOC of the battery, and even if there is some failure in the management and a gas is generated from the battery, a function to appropriately process this gas is provided. Is preferred.
[0004]
For example, in FIG. 1 of JP 63-14 3 897 publication is that the sealed housing for holding a plurality of batteries in a housing is disclosed. The apparatus is provided with a discharge pipe made of metal or synthetic resin that communicates the gas outlet of each battery with the outside of the housing. As a result, the gas generated from the battery is discharged from the discharge pipe to the outside of the casing, and an increase in the gas concentration in the casing is prevented.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the device of the above publication needs to have a function of discharging gas separately from the function of holding the battery. That is, a dedicated pipe for gas that communicates each battery with the outside of the apparatus is necessary. There is a problem that the cost of the parts for the dedicated piping is increased and the number of parts is increased, so that the apparatus becomes complicated and expensive, and the space for the dedicated piping is required, so that the apparatus becomes large.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object thereof is to appropriately process the gas generated in the battery by modifying the holding structure for holding the battery, and to reduce the size at a low cost. The object is to provide a battery holding device.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The battery holding device of the present invention is a device for holding a cylindrical battery having a gas discharge part for discharging the gas generated in the battery, and includes a pair of wall members facing each other at a predetermined distance, Gas discharge that has a battery support wall provided with a battery support hole shaped to be in close contact with the outer shape of the cylindrical portion of the battery in at least one of the both wall members, and is separated from other parts in the apparatus using the pair of wall members A space is formed. The battery support wall supports the battery in the battery support hole so that the gas discharge part is located between the wall members and is located in the gas discharge space, and the gas generated in the battery is the gas discharge space. To be released.
[0008]
In the present invention, a space for releasing the gas generated in the battery is formed by the member that supports the battery. The released gas may be appropriately processed using an appropriate processing method. For example, a discharge path that communicates the gas discharge space with the outside may be provided and discharged from this discharge path as needed. Further, gas may be accumulated in the gas discharge space and discharged to the outside as appropriate. Further, a valve or the like for controlling the retention and discharge of gas may be provided, and the gas may be discharged as necessary. Furthermore, the gas may be changed by performing some processing in the gas discharge space.
[0009]
According to the present invention, the configuration for processing the gas is integrated with the configuration for holding the battery. Therefore, a dedicated pipe for gas treatment or a similar part is not necessary, and the cost of the battery holding device can be reduced. In addition, a space for providing a dedicated pipe for gas processing or the like is unnecessary, and the battery holding device can be downsized.
[0010]
Several examples are conceivable as specific configurations of the battery support wall of the present invention. In one example, a battery support hole is provided in one of the pair of wall members, and the battery is fitted into the battery support hole. A gas discharge port is provided on the end face of the battery or in the vicinity thereof. Thereby, a gas exhaust port is located between a pair of wall members.
[0011]
In another example, battery support holes are provided in positions facing each other in both of the pair of wall members of the battery support wall. A gas discharge port is provided in the cylindrical portion of the battery. The battery is supported by the support wall so as to penetrate the battery support wall, that is, as a pair of wall members are skewered. The battery is positioned so that the gas discharge port is located between the pair of wall members.
[0012]
In still another example, battery support holes are provided in positions facing each other in both of the pair of wall members of the battery support wall. A gas discharge port is provided on the end face of the battery or in the vicinity thereof. The positive electrode side of one battery is fitted into the battery support hole of one wall member, and the negative electrode side of another battery is fitted into the battery support hole of the other wall member. The two batteries are connected inside the support wall. Thus, the two batteries are supported on the battery support wall in a state of being connected in series, and the gas discharge port of the battery is located between the pair of wall members.
[0013]
The battery holding device of the present invention can be provided with a plurality of battery support walls. Which of the above examples and other configurations within the scope of the present invention is adopted is determined for each battery support wall. For example, in the following embodiment, two battery support walls have the configuration of the first example, and the other two battery support walls have the configuration of the third example. In the battery holding device of the present invention, one battery support wall can support a plurality of batteries in an appropriate arrangement. In the same manner as described above, what configuration is adopted within the scope of the present invention is determined for each battery support hole.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows a battery to be held. The battery 10 has a cylindrical shape with a length L and a diameter D, and is provided with a positive electrode on one end face and a negative electrode on the other end face. The battery holding device of the present embodiment holds the three batteries 10 in a state of being connected in a column, that is, in the state of the battery module 11. And this apparatus hold | maintains 27 batteries in total by hold | maintaining nine battery modules 11. FIG. A small-diameter gas discharge port 12 is provided in the vicinity of the positive electrode terminal on the end surface on the positive electrode side of each battery 10. There is an explosion-proof valve (not shown) inside the battery where the discharge port is provided. When gas is generated in the battery and the internal pressure reaches a predetermined level, the explosion-proof valve is activated to release the generated gas to the outside of the battery.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the battery holding device in a state where the battery is held. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 cut longitudinally along line XX. The configuration of the holding device will be described with reference to both drawings. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery holding device 2 is provided with four bulkheads serving as battery support walls in parallel with each other. The four bulkheads are side bulkheads 4 and 6 provided on both sides, and two intermediate bulkheads 8 provided between both side bulkheads. Each bulkhead has a flat rectangular parallelepiped appearance. And the space | interval of an adjacent bulkhead is set according to the length L of the battery 10 so that the battery 10 may straddle the bulkhead of both sides in the holding | maintenance state. Each bulkhead is fixed in a table or case (not shown) using an appropriate fixing tool or the like. The base or case is accommodated under the floor of the vehicle or in the luggage.
[0017]
The inside of the side bulkhead 4 is hollow. The head includes an outer plate 14 and a support plate 16 that intersect the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the battery 10 and face each other in parallel. As shown in the figure, the support plate 16 is provided with nine battery support holes 18 in a 3 × 3 array. In the battery support hole 18, a rubber seal ring 20 is attached to the circular opening of the support plate 16. The seal ring 20 has a ring shape and is provided with a groove along the outer periphery. The support plate 16 is fitted in the outer circumferential groove. The inner diameter of the seal ring 20, that is, the inner diameter of the battery support hole 18 is substantially equal to the outer diameter D of the battery 10. However, the inner diameter of the support hole is set smaller than the outer diameter D of the battery in consideration of an appropriate amount of rubber compression when supporting the battery. The battery 10 is fitted in the battery support hole 18. Thereby, the battery 10 is supported by the support plate 16 in the vicinity of the end of the cylindrical surface. The seal ring 20 is compressed, and the cylindrical surface of the battery 10 and the seal ring 20 are in close contact. Further, the seal ring 20 has a function of suppressing the vibration of the vehicle body transmitted to the battery 10.
[0018]
The support plate 16, the outer plate 14, and the other upper and lower surfaces and side plates 4a to 4c are used to form a sealed space (gas discharge space) separated from other parts in the apparatus. More specifically, a sealed space is formed by the hollow side bulkhead 4 including the support plate 16 and the outer plate 14 and the battery 10 itself closing the battery support hole 18 of the support plate 16. The gas discharge port 12 on the positive electrode side end face of the battery 10 is located in this sealed space.
[0019]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer plate 14 of the side bulkhead 4 is detachable. The outer plate 14 is attached to the side bulkhead 4 using a fixing tool such as a bolt (not shown). A rubber outer plate seal 14a is interposed between the edge portion of the outer plate 14 and the ends of the upper and lower surfaces of the head and the side plates 4a to 4c. The outer plate seal 14 a has an elongated shape extending along the edge of the outer plate 14. The outer plate seal 14a is provided to ensure sealing in the bulkhead.
[0020]
The configuration of the side bulkhead 6 is symmetric with the side bulkhead 4. The symmetrical reference plane is a plane orthogonal to the cylindrical axis of the battery 10.
[0021]
The intermediate bulkhead 8 has the same external dimensions as the side bulkhead 4. However, the thickness of the head (that is, the width of the upper and lower surfaces and the side plates) is different from that of the side bulkhead 4. The intermediate bulkhead 8 also has a hollow shape. The intermediate bulkhead 8 is a support plate 16 on both of two surfaces intersecting the axial direction of the battery 10. The structure of the support plate 16 is the same as that of the side bulkhead 4, has nine battery support holes 18, and a seal ring 20 is attached to each battery support hole 18. The positions of the nine battery support holes 18 on the support plate are also the same as the side bulkhead 4. Separate batteries 10 are fitted on the two support plates 16 of the intermediate bulkhead 8. Referring to FIG. 3, one support plate 16 of the intermediate bulkhead 8 supports the vicinity of the end face on the negative electrode side of a battery 10. The other support plate 16 supports the vicinity of the end face on the positive electrode side of another battery 10. The two batteries 10 are connected in series inside the intermediate bulkhead 8. In the case of the intermediate bulkhead 8, a sealed space including the end face portions of the two batteries 10 in the space is formed by using the two support plates 16.
[0022]
A cylindrical exhaust boss 22 protrudes from the center of the upper surface of each bulkhead. The exhaust boss 22 is provided with an exhaust port 24 that allows communication between the head internal space and the outside of the head. The exhaust port 24 is a circular hole that penetrates the exhaust boss 22 and the upper portion of the head. One end of a flexible exhaust tube 26 is fitted in the exhaust boss 22. The inner surface of the exhaust tube 26 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust boss 22. The four exhaust tubes 26 are bundled and extend toward the outside of the vehicle. The other end of the exhaust tube 26 (not shown) is fixed in a vicinity of the bottom surface of the vehicle body so that the gas passing through the exhaust tube 26 can be discharged out of the vehicle.
[0023]
Next, a procedure for causing the battery holding device 2 to hold the battery 10 will be described. First, the battery module 11 of FIG. 1 in which three batteries 10 are arranged in a column is prepared. The batteries 10 arranged in the front-rear direction are mechanically coupled and electrically connected in series. In the present embodiment, a conductive coupling member 28 shown in FIG. 4 is used in order to ensure mechanical and electrical connection. The connecting member 28 is made of, for example, a thin metal plate and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The connecting member 28 is in contact with the positive terminal of the battery 10a from one side and the negative terminal of the battery 10a from the other side. First, the battery 10a and the connecting member 28 are spot-welded at a position marked with an X on the battery end face. Then, the battery 10b is fitted into the connecting member 28 and spot-welded at a position marked with a cross on the cylindrical surface. The connecting member 28 is provided with a hole 28a so as not to block the gas discharge port 12 and make gas discharge impossible. In FIG. 4, a gas path from the gas outlet 12 to the outside of the battery module 11 is indicated by an arrow. In FIG. 4, the members are shown apart from each other, but actually, the members are in contact as described above. Further, the connecting member 28 is not shown in FIGS. In addition, the outer periphery of the entire battery module 11 may be covered with a cover such as a halon tube in order to enhance the insulation of the battery or protect it from moisture. In this case, the diameter of the outer cylindrical surface of the halon tube corresponds to the outer diameter of the battery.
[0024]
In holding the battery module 11, the outer plates 14 of the side bulkheads 4 and 6 are removed. Then, nine battery modules 11 are inserted into the battery support holes 18 from the side bulkhead 4 side toward the side bulkhead 6. Both end portions of each battery module 11 are positioned at predetermined positions in the side bulkheads 4 and 6, respectively. As a result, nine battery modules 11 skewer four bulkheads. The connection part between the batteries in the module is located between the two support plates 16 in the intermediate bulkhead 8. With such positioning, the gas discharge ports 12 near the positive terminals of all the batteries 10 are positioned in the internal space of any of the bulkheads. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the vicinity of one end and the vicinity of the other end of the cylindrical surface of each battery 10 are supported by the support plate 16, respectively.
[0025]
When inserting into the battery support hole 18, the battery modules 11 adjacent in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction are inserted with the positive and negative electrodes in the reverse direction. FIG. 5 is a view as seen from the side bulkhead 4 side, and shows the arrangement of positive and negative electrodes of the battery module 11. The battery module 11 on the upper right is inserted with the positive electrode at the top, and the negative electrode at the rear end can be seen in the figure. The battery module 11 at the upper center and the right side of the upper stage has the positive and negative directions reversed, and the positive electrode is visible in the figure. The nine battery modules 11 are electrically connected within the side bulkheads 4 and 6. The solid line in FIG. 5 indicates the connection within the side bulkhead 4. Also, the dotted line in FIG. 5 shows the connection within the side bulkhead 6. With such connection, nine battery modules 11, that is, 27 batteries 10 are connected in series.
[0026]
In addition, the structure regarding the connection between the battery modules 11 is shown by FIG. Conductive connection members 30 are attached to both end faces of the battery module 11. The connecting member 30 is made of metal and has a disk shape. The connecting member 30 is preferably attached before the battery module 11 is inserted into the battery support hole 18 of the bulkhead. A cylindrical connection boss 32 protrudes from the connection member 30, and the connection boss 32 is provided with a through hole in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the battery module 11. A bus bar 34 is inserted through the through hole of the connection boss 32 of the adjacent battery module 11. In other words, the bus bar 34 skews two connection members 30. The bus bar 34 is made of metal and has electrical conductivity. Therefore, the adjacent battery modules 11 are electrically connected by the bus bar 34. The connecting member 30 is provided with a groove or a hole through which gas passes so as not to block the gas discharge port 12 on the battery end face.
[0027]
After the bus bar 34 is attached, the outer plate 14 of the side bulkheads 4 and 6 is attached to make the inside of the head separated from the outside of the head. A rubber outer plate seal 14 a is interposed between the outer plate 14 and the upper and lower surfaces and side plates of the side bulkheads 4 and 6. As described above, the battery device 2 is in a state of holding the battery 10. In addition, the battery of both ends among 27 batteries connected in series is suitably connected with the electric equipment in a vehicle. For example, a motor for vehicle propulsion, a generator for generating electricity for charging the battery 10, and an inverter are connected. The space between adjacent bulkheads is used to flow a cooling / warming medium (air) of the battery 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the cooling air is flowed from the lower side to the upper side. Thereby, heat exchange is performed between the medium and the battery 10. The battery 10 is then cooled / warmed to a suitable management target temperature.
[0028]
Next, an operation related to gas discharge according to this embodiment will be described. Normally, even when the battery 10 is used to drive a motor or the like, no gas is generated inside the battery 10. This is because the control device of the drive system manages the state of charge (SOC) of the battery, and the battery 10 does not reach an overcharge state or an overdischarge state. However, for some reason, for example, gas may be generated in the battery 10 due to the above-described SOC management failure. At this time, the function of assisting the SOC management of the control device according to the present embodiment, that is, the function of appropriately processing the generated gas is exhibited.
[0029]
When the gas pressure in the battery 10 reaches a predetermined level, the explosion-proof valve is activated and gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 12 on the battery end surface on the positive electrode side. In the present embodiment, the battery 10 is a NiMH battery, and hydrogen gas is generated. The gas discharged from the gas discharge port 12 rises inside the bulkhead. Here, the interior of each bulkhead is a space separated from other parts of the apparatus. That is, in the side bulkheads 4 and 6, a sealed space is formed using the support plate 16 and the outer plate 14, and in the intermediate bulkhead 8, a sealed space is formed using two support plates 16. Accordingly, the gas does not leak out from the bulkhead, reaches the exhaust port 24 at the top of the head, and is discharged out of the vehicle through the exhaust tube 26.
[0030]
The battery holding device of this embodiment has been described above. This battery holding device has a flat and hollow bulkhead as a main component, and has a light and simple structure. However, this structure can reliably support each battery 10 near both ends thereof, and has high reliability. Since the structure is simple and the number of parts is small, assembly is easy and inexpensive. In addition, a battery (e.g., air) can flow between adjacent bulkheads to easily cool / warm the battery. Since the contact surface between the battery and the medium can be increased and the medium flow rate can be increased, the temperature control of the battery is easy. The battery life can be extended by suitably controlling the temperature.
[0031]
As a feature of the present embodiment, a space in the bulkhead, that is, a space formed by using the support plate 16 and the outer plate 14 or the two support plates 16 is released from the gas generated in the battery. Used as a place. Therefore, the support plate 16 which is a structure for supporting the battery also forms a discharge area for the generated gas. In the present embodiment, there is no need to provide a dedicated exhaust pipe that communicates the gas discharge port of each battery with the outside of the apparatus as in the prior art. In particular, the structure is simple because the gas discharged from the gas discharge ports of nine batteries is collected into one by using the internal space of the bulkhead and discharged outside the vehicle with a single tube. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the configuration for the battery support function and the configuration for the gas processing function are integrated with a simple structure, so that the battery holding device is inexpensive. In addition, since a dedicated pipe as in the prior art is unnecessary, the holding device can be downsized. When viewed as a whole, this device has a structure that is simple, reliable and easy to assemble, has a structure that is easy to cool / warm up, and is inexpensive due to the adoption of the gas discharge structure described above. Miniaturization is possible.
[0032]
In the present invention, the number and arrangement of the batteries are arbitrary, and are not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment. The shape of the battery is arbitrary, and may be a polygonal shape or the like instead of a cylindrical shape. However, it is necessary to provide the bulkhead with battery support holes that match the shape of the battery. In the present embodiment, a battery module is formed by arranging three batteries. This is mainly for ease of assembly. However, it goes without saying that the battery may be held in the device one by one without forming the battery module. In the present embodiment, the battery is arranged and supported in the horizontal direction. However, in a modified example, the battery may be arranged and supported in the vertical direction or the oblique direction. In addition, a plurality of battery holding devices of this embodiment may be mounted on the vehicle. In addition, the present invention can be similarly applied to other than the electric vehicle.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery to be held.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a battery holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention holds a battery.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 cut longitudinally along line XX.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion between batteries in the battery module.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement and connection relationship of positive and negative electrodes of a battery when the battery holding device is viewed from the side.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Battery holding device, 4, 6 Side bulk head, 8 Intermediate bulk head, 10 Battery, 12 Gas exhaust port, 14 Outer plate, 16 Support plate, 18 Battery support hole, 20 Seal ring, 22 Exhaust boss, 24 Exhaust port, 26 Exhaust tube.

Claims (9)

A battery holding device for holding a cylindrical battery having a gas discharge part for discharging gas generated in the battery,
A battery support wall including a pair of wall members facing each other at a predetermined distance, wherein at least one of the wall members is provided with a battery support hole having a shape in close contact with the cylindrical surface of the battery, the pair of walls A member is used to form a gas discharge space that is separated from other parts in the apparatus, and the battery support wall is positioned so that the gas discharge portion is located between the wall members and in the gas discharge space. A battery holding device, wherein a part of a battery is inserted into the battery support hole to support an outer peripheral surface of the battery, and gas generated in the battery is discharged into the gas discharge space. The battery holding device according to claim 1,
The battery holding device, wherein the battery is cylindrical and the battery support hole is circular. The battery holding device according to claim 1 or 2,
A battery holding device, wherein a seal ring is interposed between the battery support hole and the cylindrical outer shape of the battery. The battery holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The cylindrical battery is provided with a positive electrode terminal on one end face and a negative electrode on the other end face terminal. In the battery holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A battery support hole is provided at a position where both of the pair of wall members of the battery support wall face each other, the positive electrode side of one battery is fitted into the battery support hole of one wall member, and the battery support hole of the other wall member is inserted. A battery holding device, wherein the negative electrode side of another battery is fitted into the hole, and the two batteries are connected in series inside the support wall. The battery holding device according to claim 5,
Between the that have cell from the outside of the pair of wall members of the pair of wall members in sandwiched outgassing space protrudes empty, battery holding apparatus characterized by flowing the medium for cooling or warming up of the battery . In the battery holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A battery holding device, wherein the battery support wall is provided with a plurality of battery support holes. The battery holding device according to claim 7,
The plurality of battery support holes are formed apart from each other, and the batteries supported by the plurality of battery support holes are also located apart from each other. A battery holding device for holding a battery having a gas discharge part at an end for discharging gas generated in the battery,
A pair of wall members facing each other at a predetermined distance;
A battery hole having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the battery is provided in at least one wall member of both wall members,
A gas discharge space separated from other parts in the apparatus is formed by using the pair of wall members, and the battery is inserted by inserting an end portion side having the gas discharge portion of the battery into the battery hole. By closing a hole to make the gas discharge space a sealed space and positioning the gas discharge portion in the gas discharge space, the gas generated in the battery is discharged from the gas discharge portion to the gas discharge space. A battery holding device.

Images