JP6743545B2 - Battery pack installation structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a battery pack installation structure.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a forklift that uses a battery (battery pack) as a power source. In the forklift described in Patent Document 1, a battery is stored below the driver's cab, and a charging cable extending from an external power source is connected to a charging connector on the forklift side when the battery is charged.

JP, 2003-73099, A

As a structure for installing a battery pack in a forklift or the like, there is a structure provided with a battery pack including a housing having a charging connector and a frame arranged on the front side of the housing and having an opening exposing the charging connector. It may be adopted. According to this structure, it is possible to carry out the work of connecting the charging cable through the opening while accommodating the battery pack in the frame.

Further, a connector cover may be attached to the charging connector to protect the charging connector when not charging. This connector cover is attachable to and detachable from the charging connector, and may be connected to the housing by a wire to prevent loss or the like. In such a structure, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a hook for suspending the connector cover and the wire is provided on the frame so that the connector cover and the wire do not hinder the work when connecting the charging cable. However, when the connector cover is hung, the wire and frame may be worn out every time charging is repeatedly performed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack installation structure that can suppress wear of wires and frames.

A battery pack installation structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery pack including a housing having a charging connector to which a charging cable is connected, and an opening arranged on the front side of the housing to expose the charging connector. A battery pack installation structure including a frame, wherein a housing is provided with a connector cover that is detachably attached to a charging connector, and a wire that connects the connector cover and the housing. Has a length such that the wire is not in contact with the opening when the connector cover is suspended by the wire through the opening and is locked to the outer surface of the frame.

In this battery pack installation structure, the length of the wire does not come into contact with the opening when the connector cover is suspended by the wire through the opening and locked to the outer surface side of the frame. Has become a length. This prevents the wire from coming into contact with the opening when the connector cover is locked, so that rubbing between the wire and the opening is suppressed, and wear of the wire and the frame can be suppressed.

Further, a notch may be provided at the edge of the opening, and the length of the wire may be such that the wire is not in contact with the notch when the connector cover is locked. In this case, since the notch is provided at the edge of the opening and the wire can be passed through the notch when the connector cover is locked, the connector cover and the wire hinder the work when connecting the charging cable. Can be effectively suppressed. Further, since the wire does not come into contact with the cutout when the connector cover is locked, friction between the wire and the cutout is suppressed, and wear of the wire and the frame can be preferably suppressed.

上記式（１）において、ワイヤと筐体との連結点をＣ１、ワイヤとコネクタカバーとの連結点をＣ２とした場合に、Ｗ：筐体の正面側から見たときの連結点Ｃ１と連結点Ｃ２との間の水平方向の距離、Ｈ：連結点Ｃ１と、ワイヤの位置での開口部の下縁との間の鉛直方向の距離、Ｌｇ：連結点Ｃ２とコネクタカバーの重心ｇとの間の距離、Ｄ：筐体の側面側から見たときの連結点Ｃ１とフレームの外面との間の水平方向の距離、Ｄｇ：筐体の側面側から見たときのコネクタカバーの重心ｇとフレームの外面との間の水平方向の距離、Ｄｇｍｉｎ：ワイヤが開口部の下縁に接した状態でコネクタカバーをワイヤの軸周りに回転させた場合の距離Ｄｇの最小値。この場合、コネクタカバーの係止時に、ワイヤを開口部に対して非接触とすることができる。 Further, the length L of the wire may satisfy the following formula (1).

In the above formula (1), when the connection point between the wire and the housing is C1 and the connection point between the wire and the connector cover is C2, W: the connection point C1 when viewed from the front side of the housing A horizontal distance between the point C2, H: a vertical distance between the connecting point C1 and the lower edge of the opening at the wire position, Lg: a connecting point C2 and the center of gravity g of the connector cover Distance, D: horizontal distance between the connecting point C1 and the outer surface of the frame when viewed from the side of the housing, Dg: center of gravity g of the connector cover when viewed from the side of the housing The horizontal distance from the outer surface of the frame, Dgmin: the minimum value of the distance Dg when the connector cover is rotated around the wire axis with the wire in contact with the lower edge of the opening. In this case, the wire can be brought into non-contact with the opening when the connector cover is locked.

上記式（２）において、ワイヤと筐体との連結点をＣ１、ワイヤとコネクタカバーとの連結点をＣ２とした場合に、Ｗ：筐体の正面側から見たときの連結点Ｃ１と連結点Ｃ２との間の水平方向の距離、Ｈ：連結点Ｃ１と、ワイヤの位置での開口部の下縁との間の鉛直方向の距離、Ｌｇ：連結点Ｃ２とコネクタカバーの重心ｇとの間の距離、Ｄ：筐体の側面側から見たときの連結点Ｃ１とフレームの外面との間の水平方向の距離、Ｄｇ：筐体の側面側から見たときのコネクタカバーの重心ｇとフレームの外面との間の水平方向の距離、Ｄｇｍａｘ：コネクタカバーのフレームに対する接触点及びコネクタカバーの重心ｇを通る直線と、ワイヤの軸とが直交した状態でコネクタカバーをワイヤの軸周りに回転させた場合の距離Ｄｇの最大値。この場合、コネクタカバーをフレームの外面側に係止させることが可能となる。 In addition, the length L of the wire may satisfy the following formula (2).

In the above formula (2), when the connection point between the wire and the housing is C1 and the connection point between the wire and the connector cover is C2, W: the connection point C1 when viewed from the front side of the housing A horizontal distance between the point C2, H: a vertical distance between the connecting point C1 and the lower edge of the opening at the wire position, Lg: a connecting point C2 and the center of gravity g of the connector cover Distance, D: horizontal distance between the connecting point C1 and the outer surface of the frame when viewed from the side of the housing, Dg: center of gravity g of the connector cover when viewed from the side of the housing The horizontal distance from the outer surface of the frame, Dgmax: The connector cover is rotated around the wire axis with the straight line passing through the contact point of the connector cover with respect to the frame and the center of gravity g of the connector cover being orthogonal to the wire axis. The maximum value of the distance Dg when it is made to. In this case, the connector cover can be locked to the outer surface side of the frame.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the battery pack installation structure which can suppress abrasion of a wire and a frame can be provided.

1 is a perspective view of a battery pack installation structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic front view at the time of locking a connector cover. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the setting method of the length of a wire. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the setting method of the length of a wire.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.

The battery pack installation structure 1 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged in a space below a cab in a vehicle such as a forklift truck, for example. The battery pack installation structure 1 includes a battery pack 10 and a frame 20. The battery pack 10 is used as a power source of a vehicle, for example.

The battery pack 10 is configured by housing a plurality of battery modules in a housing 11. The housing 11 is formed of a metal such as iron into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. When the battery pack installation structure 1 is mounted on a forklift, the housing 11 also functions as a counterweight for balancing the weight of the load supported by the fork. The battery module is configured to include a plurality of battery cells such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example.

A charging connector 12 to which a charging cable (not shown) extending from an external power source is connected is provided on the side surface 11a on the front side of the housing 11. Further, the housing 11 is further provided with a connector cover 13 detachably attached to the charging connector 12, and a wire 14 connecting the connector cover 13 and the housing 11.

The connector cover 13 has a cover portion 15 and a handle portion 16. The cover portion 15 is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the charging connector 12. The handle portion 16 is formed in a shape that allows the handle portion 16 to be easily gripped and rotated by one hand. In the present embodiment, the handle portion 16 has a shape in which a plurality of (three in this example) gripping portions radially protrude from the shaft portion.

The connector cover 13 is attached to the charging connector 12 so that the charging connector 12 is covered by the cover portion 15 during non-charging such as when the vehicle is running. The connector cover 13 is detachable from the charging connector 12, and is detached from the charging connector 12 during charging. The wire 14 is made of metal, for example, and connects the side surface 11 a of the housing 11 and the shaft portion of the handle portion 16. The connector cover 13 may have a function as a jumper connector that short-circuits the terminals of the charging connector 12 when not charging.

The frame 20 is, for example, a wall body that constitutes one surface along the vertical direction in a machine frame that houses the battery pack 10. The frame 20 is formed of, for example, a metal into a rectangular plate shape, and is arranged on the front side of the housing 11.

The frame 20 has an opening 21 for exposing the charging connector 12. The opening 21 has, for example, a rectangular cross section. A notch 22 having a rectangular cross section is provided at one side edge 21a of the opening 21. The cutout 22 constitutes a part of the opening 21. The notch 22 is provided below the intermediate portion in the vertical direction at the side edge portion 21a. The lower edge 22 a of the cutout 22 is located above the lower edge of the opening 21. The lower edge 22a of the cutout 22 is provided with a protruding portion 23 protruding upward at a boundary portion with the side edge portion 21a. The protrusion 23 constitutes a hook 24 together with the lower edge 22 a of the cutout 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the battery pack installation structure 1, it is possible to suspend the connector cover 13 on the outer surface 20 a side of the frame 20 by suspending the wire 14 through the opening 21. .. For example, when locking the connector cover 13, the connector cover 13 removed from the charging connector 12 is pulled out from the opening 21 to the outer surface 20 a side of the frame 20, and the connector cover 13 is removed by the wire 14 passing through the opening 21. Be suspended. Then, by bringing the cover portion 15 or the handle portion 16 of the connector cover 13 into contact with the outer surface 20a of the frame 20, the connector cover 13 is locked on the outer surface 20a side of the frame 20 and stands still.

In this example, when the connector cover 13 is locked, the wire 14 passes through the notch 22 of the opening 21 and extends linearly in a state of being inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Further, the connector cover 13 is locked on the outer surface 20 a side of the frame 20 below the notch 22.

Here, in the battery pack installation structure 1, the length L of the wire 14 is such that the wire 14 is not in contact with the opening 21 when the connector cover 13 is locked. Hereinafter, a method for setting the length L of the wire 14 for realizing such a dimensional relationship will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. When the connection point between the wire 14 and the housing 11 is C1 and the connection point between the wire 14 and the connector cover 13 is C2, the length L of the wire 14 is between the connection point C1 and the connection point C2. Means length.

Since the shape of the connector cover 13 may be any shape as described later, the shape of the connector cover 13 is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4 as appropriate. 3 and 4, the frame 20 is shown by the end face at the position of the wire 14. 3 and 4 show a state in which the wire 14 is connected to the housing 11 at a position inside the side surface 11a of the housing 11. For example, when a concave portion is provided on the side surface 11a and the charging connector 12 is arranged on the bottom surface of the concave portion, such a configuration is obtained.

First, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, conditions under which the wire 14 is not in contact with the opening 21 when the connector cover 13 is locked will be described. Since the wire 14 is not in contact with the opening 21 when the connector cover 13 is locked, the length L of the wire 14 satisfies the following expression (3).

In the above formula (3), the distance W is the horizontal distance between the connection point C1 and the connection point C2 when viewed from the front side of the housing 11. The distance H is between the connecting point C1 and the lower edge of the opening 21 (the lower edge 22a of the notch 22 in this example) at the position of the wire 14 (the position where the wire 14 overlaps with the wire 14 when viewed from the vertical direction). Is the vertical distance of. The distance Lg is a distance between the connection point C2 and the center of gravity g of the connector cover 13.

The distance D is a horizontal distance between the connection point C1 and the outer surface 20a of the frame 20 when viewed from the side surface side of the housing 11. The distance Dg is a horizontal distance between the center of gravity g of the connector cover 13 and the outer surface 20 a of the frame 20 when viewed from the side surface side of the housing 11. The minimum value Dgmin is the minimum value of the distance Dg when the connector cover 13 is rotated 360 degrees around the axis of the wire 14 while the wire 14 is in contact with the lower edge 22a of the cutout 22.

The right side of the above equation (3) represents the length of the wire 14 when the distance Dg has the minimum value Dgmin. The second term in the square root on the right side represents the length of the wire 14 when viewed from the side surface side of the housing 11 when the distance Dg has the minimum value Dgmin. The first term in the second term represents the distance between the connection point C1 and the outer surface 20a of the frame 20 when viewed from the side surface side of the housing 11. The second term of the second term represents the distance between the outer surface 20a of the frame 20 and the center of gravity g of the connector cover 13 when viewed from the side surface side of the housing 11. The third term of the second term represents the distance between the connection point C2 and the center of gravity g of the connector cover 13 when viewed from the side surface side of the housing 11. Each of these terms is calculated based on a geometrical relationship.

As represented by the above formula (3), when the wire length L is equal to or less than the length of the wire 14 when the distance Dg has the minimum value Dgmin, the wire 14 is locked when the connector cover 13 is locked. Is not in contact with the lower edge 22a of the cutout 22.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, conditions under which the connector cover 13 can be locked to the outer surface 20a side of the frame 20 will be described. Since the connector cover 13 can be locked to the outer surface 20a side of the frame 20, the length L of the wire 14 satisfies the following expression (4).

In the above formula (4), the distance W, the distance H, the distance Lg, the distance D and the distance Dg are the same as in the case of the above formula (3). The maximum value Dgmax is obtained by rotating the connector cover 13 about the axis of the wire 14 by 360 degrees in a state where the straight line A passing through the center of gravity g of the connector cover 13 and the contact point of the connector cover 13 with the frame 20 and the axis of the wire 14 are orthogonal to each other. It is the maximum value of the distance Dg when it is made to.

The right side of the equation (4) represents the length of the wire 14 when the distance Dg has the maximum value Dgmax. The second term in the square root on the right side represents the length of the wire 14 when viewed from the side surface side of the housing 11 when the distance Dg has the maximum value Dgmax. The first term in the second term represents the distance between the connection point C1 and the center of gravity g of the connector cover 13 when viewed from the side surface side of the housing 11. The second term in the second term represents the distance between the connection point C2 and the center of gravity g of the connector cover 13 when viewed from the side surface side of the housing 11. Each of these terms is calculated based on a geometrical relationship.

As represented by the above formula (4), when the length L of the wire is equal to or greater than the length of the wire 14 when the distance Dg has the maximum value Dgmax, the connector cover 13 is attached to the outer surface 20a of the frame 20. It can be locked to the side.

In the battery pack installation structure 1 described above, in the state where the length L of the wire 14 is such that the connector cover 13 is suspended by the wire 14 through the opening 21 and is locked to the outer surface 20a side of the frame 20, The wire 14 has such a length that it is not in contact with the opening 21. As a result, the wire 14 does not contact the opening 21 when the connector cover 13 is locked, so that the friction between the wire 14 and the opening 21 is suppressed, and the wear of the wire 14 and the frame 20 can be suppressed.

Further, in the battery pack installation structure 1, the notch 22 is provided at the side edge 21 a of the opening 21, and the length L of the wire 14 is such that when the connector cover 13 is locked, the notch 22 of the wire 14 is provided. It has a length that makes it non-contact with. Accordingly, the notch 22 is provided in the side edge portion 21a of the opening 21, and the wire 14 can be passed through the notch 22 when the connector cover 13 is locked. Therefore, when connecting the charging cable, etc. The cover 13 and the wire 14 can be effectively suppressed from hindering the work. Moreover, since the wire 14 does not contact the notch 22 when the connector cover 13 is locked, abrasion of the wire 14 and the frame 20 can be suppressed appropriately.

In addition, in the battery pack installation structure 1, the length L of the wire 14 satisfies the above expression (3). Accordingly, the wire 14 can be brought out of contact with the opening 21 when the connector cover 13 is locked.

In addition, in the battery pack installation structure 1, the length L of the wire 14 satisfies the above formula (4). As a result, the connector cover 13 can be locked to the outer surface 20a side of the frame 20.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The material and shape of each component are not limited to the materials and shapes described above, and various materials and shapes can be adopted. For example, the connector cover 13 and the opening 21 may have any shape, and are not limited to the shapes described above. The charging connector 12 may be provided on a side surface other than the side surface 11 a of the housing 11, and the wire 14 may be connected to a side surface of the housing 11 other than the side surface 11 a.

In the formulas (3) and (4), the diameter of the wire 14 is not taken into consideration, but in consideration of the diameter of the wire 14, the wire 14 does not come into contact with the opening 21 when the connector cover 13 is locked. And the condition under which the connector cover 13 can be locked to the outer surface 20a side of the frame 20 may be determined.

In the above embodiment, the notch 22 does not necessarily have to be provided. When the cutout 22 is not provided, when the connector cover 13 is locked, the wire 14 passes through the opening 21 and the connector cover 13 is locked below the opening 21 on the outer surface 20a side of the frame 20. Even in this case, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the wire 14 does not contact the opening 21 when the connector cover 13 is locked, so that the rubbing between the wire 14 and the opening 21 is suppressed, and the wire 14 and the frame 20 are prevented. Wear can be suppressed. Further, the cutout 22 may be provided at any position on the edge of the opening 21.

また、式（４）において距離Ｗが値０の場合、上記式（４）は下記式（６）で表される。

The wire 14 may extend along the vertical direction when the connector cover 13 is locked. When the wire 14 extends along the vertical direction when the connector cover 13 is locked, that is, when the distance W has a value of 0 in the equation (3), the equation (3) is represented by the following equation (5).

When the distance W is 0 in the equation (4), the above equation (4) is represented by the following equation (6).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Battery pack installation structure, 10... Battery pack, 11... Housing, 12... Charging connector, 13... Connector cover, 14... Wire, 20... Frame, 20a... Outer surface, 21... Opening part, 21a... Side edge part, 22... Notch, 22a... Lower edge, C1... Connection point, C2... Connection point.

Claims (2)

A battery pack including a housing having a charging connector to which a charging cable is connected,
A battery pack installation structure comprising: a frame disposed on the front side of the housing, the frame having an opening exposing the charging connector;
In the case,
A connector cover detachably attached to the charging connector,
A wire connecting the connector cover and the housing is provided,
The length of the wire is such that the wire is not in contact with the opening when the connector cover is suspended by the wire through the opening and is locked to the outer surface side of the frame. It has a length which is,
The battery pack installation structure in which the length L of the wire satisfies the following formulas (1) and (2) .

In the above formulas (1) and (2),
When the connection point between the wire and the housing is C1 and the connection point between the wire and the connector cover is C2,
W: horizontal distance between the connection point C1 and the connection point C2 when viewed from the front side of the housing
H: vertical distance between the connecting point C1 and the lower edge of the opening at the position of the wire
Lg: Distance between the connection point C2 and the center of gravity g of the connector cover
D: Horizontal distance between the connecting point C1 and the outer surface of the frame when viewed from the side surface side of the housing
Dg: horizontal distance between the center of gravity g of the connector cover and the outer surface of the frame when viewed from the side of the housing
Dgmin: the minimum value of the distance Dg when the connector cover is rotated around the axis of the wire with the wire being in contact with the lower edge of the opening.
Dgmax: the distance when the connector cover is rotated around the axis of the wire in a state where a straight line passing through the contact point of the connector cover with respect to the frame and the center of gravity g of the connector cover is orthogonal to the axis of the wire Maximum value of Dg. A notch is provided at the edge of the opening,
The battery pack installation structure according to claim 1, wherein the length of the wire is such that the wire is not in contact with the notch when the connector cover is locked.

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