JP5691992B2 - Electric vehicle battery pack mounting structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle, and more particularly, to a battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle having a drainage structure that discharges condensed water generated by cooling in the battery pack.

  In an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle using an electric motor as a power source or a hybrid vehicle using a combination of an electric motor and another drive source, a vehicle battery for supplying electric power to the electric motor is mounted on the vehicle.

  Vehicle batteries generate heat due to Joule heat due to internal resistance during charging and discharging, and chemical reactions inside the battery during charging and discharging, but charging and discharging efficiency and battery life decrease at high temperatures. A cooling device is required.

  In Patent Document 1 below, as a cooling device for cooling the inside of the battery pack, an evaporator, a cooling fan, and a cooling duct are provided in the battery pack, and air cooled in the evaporator is sent to the cooling duct via the cooling fan. Thus, a configuration for supplying cooling air into the battery pack is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses a battery pack having a drainage structure for discharging condensed water generated on the surface of an evaporator or the like by providing a cooling device in the battery pack to the outside of the battery pack. Yes.

JP 2011-134615 A JP 2011-173447 A

  By the way, when a vehicle equipped with a battery pack having the drainage structure described above is submerged for some reason, water is poured into the battery pack by pouring water from the top of the battery pack after the vehicle is lifted to protect the battery. Need to be charged.

  However, in the conventional battery pack as described above, the water injected into the battery pack is discharged by the drainage structure. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to fill the battery pack with water when necessary.

  For this reason, the present invention can discharge condensed water generated by cooling inside the battery pack to the outside of the battery pack, while allowing the battery pack to be filled with water as needed. The purpose is to provide a pack.

  A battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to a first aspect of the present invention that solves the above problems includes a plurality of driving batteries, a battery tray on which the batteries are placed, a cooling unit that cools the batteries, A battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle that includes a battery pack that includes a condensed water discharge portion that discharges condensed water generated in the cooling unit and covers a lower portion of the battery pack with an under cover. In the meantime, a drainage path for discharging condensed water discharged from the condensed water discharge part to the outside of the electric vehicle, and a first part that closes the drainage path or the condensed water discharge part with deformation of the under cover. One seal member is provided.

  The battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to a second invention that solves the above-described problems is the battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the first invention, wherein the first seal member is at least the condensed water discharge. It is a plate-like member made of an elastic member disposed at a position corresponding to the portion, and closes the drainage path or the condensed water discharge portion by being pressed toward the battery tray side as the under cover is deformed. It is characterized by doing.

  The battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to a third aspect of the present invention that solves the above problem is the battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the second aspect, wherein the condensed water discharge portion is formed on the battery tray. A drain valve having a shaft body fitted into the fixed fixing hole and a second seal member provided on the under cover side of the shaft body and covering a drain hole provided in the battery tray, A member closes the condensed water discharge part by pressing the second seal member toward the battery tray.

  The battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to a fourth aspect of the present invention that solves the above problem is the battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the elastic member is at least centered on the shaft body. The condensed water discharge part is closed by pressing the outside of the discharge hole of the second seal member toward the battery tray.

  The battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to a fifth aspect of the present invention that solves the above problem is the battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the under cover includes: A position display means for indicating a position of the condensed water discharge portion from the outside of the battery pack is provided at a position corresponding to the condensed water discharge portion.

  The battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to a sixth aspect of the present invention that solves the above-described problems is the battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the position display means includes the condensation of the under cover. It is a step part which protrudes toward the said battery tray formed in the position corresponding to a water discharge part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the first aspect described above, a plurality of driving batteries, a battery tray on which the batteries are placed, a cooling unit that cools the batteries, and the cooling unit In the battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle that includes a battery pack that includes a condensed water discharge portion that discharges the condensed water that is generated in the battery pack and covers a lower portion of the battery pack with an under cover, the battery pack is mounted between the battery tray and the under cover. A drainage path for discharging condensed water discharged from the condensed water discharge part to the outside of the electric vehicle, and a first seal for closing the drainage path or the condensed water discharge part in accordance with deformation of the under cover In normal times, the condensed water in the battery pack can be discharged from the discharge path to the outside of the electric vehicle. On the other hand, when it is necessary to fill the battery pack with water, the undercover is deformed to close the discharge path or the condensed water discharge portion, and the water is discharged from the inside of the battery pack to the outside of the electric vehicle. This can be prevented.

  Moreover, according to the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the second invention, in the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the first invention, the first seal member corresponds to at least the condensed water discharge portion. The battery pack is a plate-like member made of an elastic member disposed at a position, and closes the drainage path or the condensed water discharge portion by being pressed against the battery tray as the undercover is deformed. It is possible to reliably prevent water from being discharged from the inside of the battery pack to the outside of the electric vehicle when the inside needs to be filled with water.

  According to the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention, in the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention, the condensed water discharge portion is for fixing formed on the battery tray. A drain valve having a shaft body fitted into the hole and a second seal member provided on the under cover side of the shaft body and covering a drain hole provided in the battery tray, and the elastic member includes By pressing the second seal member toward the battery tray, the condensed water discharge portion is closed, so that water needs to be discharged from the battery pack when it is necessary to fill the battery pack with water. It can be surely prevented.

  According to a battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the third aspect of the present invention, the elastic member has the second seal at least about the shaft body. The condensed water discharge part is closed by pressing the outer side of the discharge hole of the member toward the battery tray, so that it is necessary to fill the battery pack with water while making the size of the elastic member more compact. In this case, it is possible to reliably prevent water from being discharged from the inside of the battery pack.

  According to a battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the under cover is configured to discharge the condensed water. Since the position display means for indicating the position of the condensed water discharge part from the outside of the battery pack is provided at a position corresponding to the part, a position where the under cover is deformed when it is necessary to fill the battery pack with water. Can be confirmed easily and reliably.

  Moreover, according to the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the sixth invention, in the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the fifth invention, the position display means is provided on the condensed water discharge portion of the under cover. Since it is a stepped portion that is formed at a corresponding position and protrudes toward the battery tray, when it is necessary to fill the battery pack with water, the position where the under cover is deformed can be easily and easily configured. It can be confirmed reliably.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the condensed water discharge | release of the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state at the time of water injection of the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of internal structure of the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state at the time of the water injection of the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, details of a battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A first embodiment of a battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment is mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle and supplies electric power to a traveling motor of the electric vehicle, and is fixed below the vehicle floor (not shown). Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery pack 1 includes a plurality (12 in this embodiment) of driving battery modules 11, a device box 12, and a cooling unit that supplies cooling air into the battery pack 1. 13.

  The battery module 11 supplies electric power to an electric motor provided outside the battery pack 1 and is arranged on the battery tray 17 at a predetermined interval, for example. The battery module 11 here is an example of a battery referred to in the present invention.

The equipment box 12 is a container that houses electrical component parts such as a PN line connection, a contactor, a precharge resistor, a current sensor, and a leakage sensor, and is disposed on the vehicle front side of the battery module 11.
The PN line is a high-voltage input / output wire of the battery pack 1 and is connected to a high-voltage system component such as a motor control unit (not shown), a DC-DC converter, a charger, and a quick charging port.

  The cooling unit 13 includes an evaporator 14, a cooling fan 15, and a cooling duct 16. The evaporator 14 cools the air in the battery pack 1, and includes a first refrigerant pipe 14b that supplies a refrigerant to the core 14a that constitutes the main body of the evaporator 14, and a second refrigerant pipe that sends out the refrigerant from the core 14a. 14c is connected (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the evaporator 14 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the equipment box 12. The upper portion of the evaporator 14 is connected to the cooling fan 15 by a fan duct 19.

The cooling fan 15 supplies cooling air from the evaporator 14 to the cooling duct 16 via the fan duct 19 and is disposed above the equipment box 12 and the evaporator 14 in this embodiment.
The cooling duct 16 is a passage for supplying the cooling air sent from the cooling fan 15 into the battery pack 1 and is disposed above the battery module 11.

  The battery module 11, the equipment box 12, and the cooling unit 13 are disposed on the battery tray 17 and covered with a battery cover 18. In this embodiment, the lower portion of the battery tray 17 is covered with a resin under cover 20. The under cover 20 is disposed so as to have a gap between the under cover 20 and the battery tray 17.

  In addition, the battery cover 18 is provided with a maintenance plug cover 21 that allows communication between the vehicle interior and the inside of the battery pack 1, while a convex portion 18 a is formed at a portion corresponding to the cooling fan 15 and the cooling duct 16. Yes.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, in the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment, a drainage hole for discharging condensed water to the bottom surface of the cover 14d of the evaporator 14 (hereinafter referred to as an evaporator-side drainage hole). 14e is formed. And the cover 14d bottom face of the evaporator 14 inclines so that it may become low as it goes to the evaporator side drain hole 14e.

Further, a drain valve fixing through hole 17a for fixing the drain valve 22 is formed in the battery tray 17 at a position facing the evaporator side drain hole 14e, and around the drain valve fixing through hole 17a. A plurality of drain holes (hereinafter referred to as battery tray side drain holes) 17b for discharging condensed water are formed.
The battery tray 17 is formed with a circular step portion (hereinafter referred to as a first step portion) 17c that protrudes toward the evaporator 14 at a position facing the evaporator-side drain hole 14e. 17a and the battery tray side drain hole 17b are provided in the first step portion 17c.

  The drain valve 22 includes a shaft portion 22a and a circular second seal member 22b having elasticity provided at the lower end of the shaft portion 22a. The shaft portion 22a is fitted into the drain valve fixing through hole 17a, and the second seal member 22b covers the battery tray side drain hole 17b from below. The second seal member 22b has a minute space between the outer edge side of the second seal member 22b and the lower surface of the battery tray 17 while the outer side is in contact with the lower surface of the battery tray 17.

  An annular third seal member 23 made of an elastic member is provided between the cover 14d of the evaporator 14 and the first step portion 17c at a position surrounding the evaporator side drain hole 14e and the battery tray side drain hole 17b. Yes. More specifically, the first step portion 17c has a shape in which a peripheral edge 17d protrudes toward the evaporator, and the third seal member 23 is disposed inside the peripheral edge 17d.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the under cover 20 is formed with a circular step portion (hereinafter referred to as a second step portion) 20a as a position display means protruding toward the battery tray 17 at a position facing the first step portion 17c. The disk-shaped first seal member 24 made of an elastic member is fixed to the upper surface of the second step portion 20a. Note that a desired (for example, several millimeters) gap 25 is provided as a drainage path between the first seal member 24 and the battery tray 17 in a normal state. Further, the second step portion 20a and the first seal member 24 are formed to have a larger diameter than the first step portion 17c.

  Hereinafter, the effect by the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated using FIG.5 and FIG.6.

  In the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment, the condensed water generated in the evaporator 14 at the normal time moves along an inclination provided on the bottom surface of the cover 14d of the evaporator 14 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. The water is discharged from the evaporator-side drain hole 14e. The condensed water discharged from the evaporator-side drain hole 14e is temporarily accumulated in the space closed by the third seal member 23, and when it exceeds a certain weight, the second seal of the drain valve 22 as shown in FIG. When the member 22b is deformed and opened, it passes between the battery tray 17 and the under cover 20 and is discharged to the outside of the battery pack 1.

  On the other hand, when it is desired to fill the battery pack 1 with water in order to protect the battery pack 1 due to the vehicle being submerged or the like, for example, a plate or the like on the second step portion 20a from the bottom as shown by a dashed line in FIG. The second tray 20a is pressed from below with a jack or the like, the undercover 20 is deformed, and the first seal member 24 is brought into close contact with the battery tray 17, whereby the battery tray 17 and the first seal member are After closing the gap 25 provided between the maintenance plug cover 24 and the maintenance plug cover 21, water is poured. Thereby, it is possible to prevent water from being discharged from the battery pack 1 and to fill the battery pack 1 with water.

  As described above, according to the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment, the condensed water can be discharged from the gap 25 provided between the battery tray 17 and the under cover 20 at the normal time. When it is desired to fill the battery pack 1 with water, the under cover 20 is deformed to close the gap 25 between the battery tray 17 and the under cover 20 with the first seal member 24, so that the electric vehicle is driven from within the battery pack 1. It is possible to prevent water from being discharged to the outside.

  Furthermore, by providing the second step portion 20a, even when the battery pack 1 is to be filled with water, “which part of the under cover 20 should be pressed” from the outside of the battery pack 1 Since it is possible to clearly notify the worker, the work can be performed more smoothly. Moreover, the thickness of the 1st seal member 24 is made constant by making the area | region of the undercover 20 corresponding to the 1st seal member 24 enclosed by the 2nd step part 20a into a plane parallel to the lower surface of the battery tray 17. FIG. In addition, the operator can easily work when pressing the second step portion 20a from below with a jack or the like.

  A second embodiment of the battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment is replaced with the first seal member 24 described in the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the first embodiment. A portion 20b, a fourth step portion 20c, and a first seal member 26 are provided. Other configurations are the same as the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 described above, and members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described. .

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment, the under cover 20 has a circular shape protruding toward the battery tray 17 at a position facing the first step portion 17c. A step portion (hereinafter referred to as a third step portion) 20b and an annular step portion (hereinafter referred to as a fourth step portion) 20c formed on the third step portion 20b and projecting toward the battery tray 17 are provided. ing.

  The third step portion 20b is smaller in diameter than the first step portion 17c and larger in diameter than the outer diameter of the second seal member 22b.

  The fourth step portion 20c is formed to have a diameter larger than the circumscribed circle of the battery tray side drain hole 17b and smaller than the outer diameter of the second seal member 22b. That is, the fourth step portion 20c is disposed so as to correspond to a position between the battery tray side drain hole 17b and the outer diameter of the second seal member 22b.

  Further, an annular first seal member 26 made of an elastic member is fixed to the upper surface of the fourth step portion 20c. In normal times, a desired (for example, several millimeters) gap 27 is provided as a drainage path between the second seal member 22b and the first seal member 26.

Hereinafter, the effect by the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated.
According to the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment, in the normal time, the condensed water generated in the evaporator 14 moves along the slope provided on the bottom surface of the cover 14d of the evaporator 14, and the evaporator side It is discharged from the drain hole 14e. Condensed water discharged from the evaporator-side drain hole 14e is temporarily accumulated in a space sealed by the third seal member 23, and if it exceeds a certain weight, the drain valve 22 of the drain valve 22 is shown in FIG. When the second seal member 22b is deformed and opened, the second seal member 22b is discharged to the outside of the electric vehicle through the gap 27.

  On the other hand, when it is desired to fill the battery pack 1 with water in order to protect the battery pack 1 due to the vehicle being submerged or the like, the second step portion 20a is pressed from below with a jack or the like as shown in FIG. Then, after deforming the under cover 20 and pressing the first seal member 26 toward the battery tray 17 to push up the second seal member 22b, water is poured from the maintenance plug cover 21. Thereby, the second seal member 22b is prevented from being deformed and opened by the weight of the water, the water is prevented from being discharged from the battery pack 1, and the battery pack 1 can be filled with water.

  As explained above, according to the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment, the condensed water can be discharged from the gap 27 provided between the battery tray 17 and the under cover 20 at the normal time. When it is desired to fill the battery pack 1 with water, the under cover 20 is deformed to push the first seal member 26 toward the battery tray 17 to push up the second seal member 22b. By preventing the weight from opening, it is possible to prevent water from being discharged from the battery pack 1 to the outside of the electric vehicle.

  Furthermore, by providing the third step portion 20b, it is possible to indicate “which part of the under cover 20 should be pressed” from the outside of the battery pack 1 when it is desired to fill the battery pack 1 with water. Since it is possible to clearly notify the worker, the work can be performed more smoothly.

  In addition, although the example which provides the 2nd step part 20a or the 3rd step part 20b and the 4th step part 20c in the under cover 20 was shown in the Example mentioned above, this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above. Absent.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the second step portion 20 a of the under cover 20 described in the first embodiment is eliminated, and the first seal member 24 is thicker than the first seal member 24 instead of the first seal member 24. When the sealing member 28 is provided and the condensed water discharged from the battery tray side discharge hole 17b is normally discharged to the outside of the electric vehicle as shown in FIG. 9A, the battery pack 1 is filled with water. 9 (b), the first cover member 28 is brought into close contact with the battery tray 17 by deforming the under cover 20 to close the gap 29, and the water is transferred from the inside of the battery pack 1 to the outside of the electric vehicle. May be prevented from being discharged.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the under cover 20 is deformed instead of the first seal member 28 shown in FIG. 9, the second seal member 22 b of the drain valve 22 can be contacted from below. A first seal member 30 is provided, and condensed water discharged from the battery tray side discharge hole 17b during normal operation is discharged from the gap 31 to the outside of the electric vehicle as shown in FIG. 10 (b), by deforming the under cover 20, the first seal member 30 is pressed toward the battery tray 17 to push up the second seal member 22b, and the second seal member 22b may not be opened by the weight of water, and water may be prevented from being discharged from the inside of the battery pack 1 to the outside of the electric vehicle.

  In short, in a normal state, condensed water is discharged from the inside of the battery pack 1 to the outside of the electric vehicle, and when the battery pack 1 is to be filled with water, the under cover 20 is deformed and the first seal member is attached to the battery tray 17. It is only necessary to be able to prevent water from being discharged from the battery pack 1 to the outside of the electric vehicle by being in close contact, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Yes.

  The present invention is suitable for application to a battery pack mounting structure of an electric vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery case 11 Battery module 12 Equipment box 13 Cooling unit 14 Evaporator 14a Core 14b 1st refrigerant | coolant piping 14c 2nd refrigerant | coolant piping 14d Cover 14e Evaporator side drainage hole 15 Cooling fan 16 Cooling duct 17 Battery tray 17a Drain valve fixing through-hole 17b Battery tray side drain hole 17c First step portion 17d First step portion peripheral edge 18 Battery cover 19 Fan duct 20 Under cover 20a Second step portion 20b Third step portion 20c Fourth step portion 21 Maintenance plug cover 22 Drain valve 22a Shaft portion 22b Second seal member 23 Third seal member 24, 26, 28, 30 First seal member 25, 27, 29, 31 Clearance

Claims (6)

A battery comprising: a driving battery; a battery tray on which the battery is placed; a cooling unit that cools the battery; and a condensed water discharge unit that is provided on the battery tray and discharges condensed water generated in the cooling unit. In the battery pack mounting structure of the electric vehicle, in which the pack is mounted and the lower part of the battery pack is covered with the under cover,
A drainage path for discharging condensed water discharged from the condensed water discharge part to the outside of the electric vehicle between the battery tray and the under cover, and the drainage path or A battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle, comprising: a first seal member that closes the condensed water discharge portion. The first seal member is a plate-like member made of an elastic member disposed at a position corresponding to at least the condensed water discharge portion, and is pressed toward the battery tray side with deformation of the under cover. 2. The battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the drainage path or the condensed water discharge part is closed. The condensed water discharge part is a second member that covers a shaft body fitted in a fixing hole formed in the battery tray, and a drain hole provided in the battery tray provided on the under cover side of the shaft body. A drain valve having a seal member;
The battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member closes the condensed water discharge portion by pressing the second seal member toward the battery tray. The said elastic member closes the said condensed water discharge part by pressing the outer side from the said discharge hole of a said 2nd sealing member centering on the said shaft body at the said battery tray side. The battery pack mounting structure of the described electric vehicle. The position of the said undercover is provided with the position display means which shows the position of the said condensed water discharge part from the outer side of the said battery pack in the position corresponding to the said condensed water discharge part. 2. A battery pack mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1. 6. The battery for an electric vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the position display means is a step portion that is formed at a position corresponding to the condensed water discharge portion of the under cover and projects toward the battery tray. Pack mounting structure.

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