JP6819142B2 - External terminal structure of the battery pack - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an external terminal structure of a battery pack.

Conventionally, a battery pack used as a battery of a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a forklift has been known. In such a battery pack, a battery module including an array of battery cells is housed in the housing, and an output terminal for outputting power of the battery module is provided so as to be exposed from the housing.

A cable is attached to the output terminal of the battery pack, and the power of the battery module is transmitted to an external device via the cable.

International Publication No. 2016/017687 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-167911 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-14564

From the viewpoint of space efficiency and work efficiency of the battery pack, an output terminal may be provided on the upper surface of the battery pack. In that case, in an environment where water droplets such as rain drip on the battery pack, water may adhere to the output terminals, causing problems such as corrosion and short circuit.

An object of the present invention is to provide an external terminal structure of a battery pack with improved water resistance.

The external terminal structure of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an output terminal exposed from the outer surface of the housing of the battery pack and a cap covering the output terminal in order to output power of the battery module inside the battery pack. The external terminal structure of the battery pack comprising the above, wherein the cap covers the peripheral area of the outer surface of the battery pack housing in which the output terminal is exposed, and extends perpendicular to the outer surface to surround the output terminal. A base portion including an outer peripheral wall portion, a top surface portion covering the output terminal above the output terminal, an inner peripheral wall portion extending continuously from the top surface portion and surrounding the output terminal inside the outer peripheral wall portion, and the like. It has a covering portion including an eaves portion covering the gap above the gap between the inner peripheral wall portion and the outer peripheral wall portion of the base portion.

In such an external terminal structure of the battery pack, the output terminal itself is covered by the top surface portion of the covering portion, and the gap between the inner peripheral wall portion and the outer peripheral wall portion of the base portion is covered by the eaves portion of the covering portion. .. Therefore, even in an environment where water droplets are dropped on the battery pack, the water droplets are suppressed from directly adhering to the output terminals, and the inner peripheral wall portion of the covering portion and the outer peripheral wall portion of the base portion are suppressed. The situation where water droplets infiltrate through the gap between them is also effectively suppressed. Therefore, in the external terminal structure of the battery pack, defects such as corrosion and short circuit caused by water adhering to the output terminal are suppressed, and high water resistance is realized.

In the external terminal structure of the battery pack according to another form, the eaves portion of the covering portion has a hanging portion that hangs down on the outside of the outer peripheral wall portion.

In the external terminal structure of the battery pack according to the other form, one of the covering portion and the base portion is provided with a claw portion, and the other portion is provided with a hole portion through which the claw portion is engaged. The covering is attached to the base so that the hole is engaged with the hole.

The external terminal structure of the battery pack according to another form includes a pair of output terminals, and a cap integrally covers both of the pair of output terminals.

According to the present invention, there is provided an external terminal structure of a battery pack with improved water resistance.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a battery pack according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of the battery pack shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the battery pack shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of the cap shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cap shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the covering portion of the cap shown in FIG. 4 is removed. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a base portion of the cap shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing caps of different aspects. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing battery packs of different modes.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted if the description is duplicated.

The battery pack 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile or a forklift. The battery pack 1 includes a housing 10, a plurality of (seven in this embodiment) battery modules 20, a relay device 51, a relay terminal 80, and a connector 70.

The housing 10 has a box-shaped member 11 having an opening and a lid member 15 that covers the opening of the box-shaped member 11. The box-shaped member 11 includes a square plate-shaped bottom plate 11b, a top plate 11c provided facing the bottom plate 11b, an L-shaped right side plate 11d erected from the peripheral edge of the bottom plate 11b, and a rectangular left side plate 11e. And a rear side plate 11f. In addition, in FIG. 1, it is described so as to see through the rear side of the lid member 15.

When mounted on a vehicle, the housing 10 is arranged so that the bottom plate 11b is located downward in the vertical direction and the top plate 11c is located upward in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, in the housing 10, the direction in which the bottom plate 11b is provided is "down", the direction in which the top plate 11c is provided is "up", and the direction in which the lid member 15 of the housing 10 is provided is "front". The direction in which the side plate 11f is provided is defined as "rear", the direction in which the right side plate 11d is provided is defined as "right", and the direction in which the left side plate 11e is provided is defined as "left". It should be noted that these directions are for convenience of explanation and do not limit the present invention.

The right side surface of the housing 10, that is, the right side surface of the box-shaped member 11, is formed with a connector arrangement region 14a, which is a region recessed on the rear side. In the connector arrangement area 14a, the connector 70 described in detail later is arranged. Specifically, the connector arrangement area 14a is offset downward from the first side surface 11g offset to the left from the right side plate 11d, the second side surface 11i offset forward from the rear side plate 11f, and the top plate 11c. It is formed by a third side surface 11h that inclines downward to the right. A connector 70 is inserted in the first side surface 11g. Specifically, a through hole 12c into which the connector 70 can be inserted is formed in the first side surface 11g, and the connector 70 is fixed to the housing 10 in a state of being inserted into the through hole 12c.

The top plate 11c is formed with a component placement area 14b that projects upward and in which a relay device 51, which will be described later, is arranged. Two work holes 12a and 12b are formed above the component placement area 14b. Further, a work hole 13b is formed on the top plate 11c on the right side of the component placement area 14b. The work hole 13b is formed in a housing portion corresponding to the relay terminal 80 described in detail later, and specifically, is formed above the relay terminal 80. The size of the opening of the work hole 13b is formed so that the operator can insert his / her hand to replace the relay terminal 80 and the connector 70. A lid 13a that covers the opening portion is arranged in the work hole 13b. The lid 13a is connected to the top plate 11c of the housing 10 on the periphery of the work hole 13b by the connecting member 14. In the present embodiment, the coupling member 14 has six screws, and the lid 13a is screwed to the top plate 11c. Output terminals 85a and 85b, which will be described later, are provided in the edge region of the work hole 13b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 10 houses seven battery modules 20, a relay device 51, a relay terminal 80, and a connector 70. Of the seven battery modules 20, four battery modules 20 are fixed to the lid member 15, and the three battery modules 20, the relay terminal 80, and the connector 70 are fixed to the box-shaped member 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the relay device 51 relays the connection between the battery module 20 and the connector 70. The relay device 51 is electrically connected to the connector 70 via, for example, a connecting member such as a harness and a bus bar, and a relay terminal 80. Similarly, the relay device 51 is electrically connected to each battery module 20 housed in the housing 10 via the electrical wiring 41. Further, the relay device 51 is equipped with a battery control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown) that monitors and controls the battery module 20. For example, the battery control ECU communicates with a control unit mounted on each battery module 20 to acquire information on the state (for example, charging state) of each battery module 20 or to operate each battery module 20 (for example, the operation of each battery module 20 (for example, charging state). For example, charging / discharging) is controlled. The battery control ECU is configured to control the battery pack 1 according to, for example, the type of connector mounted on the connector 70. With the above configuration, when the charging connector of the charger is attached to the connector 70, the battery module 20 is charged, and when the jumper connector is attached to the connector 70, power is supplied to the vehicle. Will be done.

The relay terminal 80 is electrically connected to the relay device 51 by, for example, a connecting member such as a harness and a bus bar. Further, the relay terminal 80 is electrically connected to the terminal portion of the connector 70. A work hole 13b of the top plate 11c is formed above the relay terminal 80. The connector 70 is fixed to the housing 10 in a state of being inserted into the through hole 12c.

The connector 70 is equipped with a charging connector (not shown) of the charger when charging the battery pack 1, and a jumper connector (not shown) when the power is output from the battery pack 1. The connector portion 73 is made of a material such as resin.

As shown in FIG. 3, one end of a cable 86 composed of a pair of cables 86a and 86b is attached to the output terminal 85 composed of a pair of output terminals 85a and 85b. The other end of the cable 86 is connected to the connector 86c connected to the vehicle (external device). A signal line 88 is crawled on the top plate 11c. The signal line 88 is connected to a signal terminal 87 connected to the battery control ECU, and exchanges signals between the battery control ECU and a control unit (not shown) on the vehicle side.

The output terminal 85 is covered with a cap 100 shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 with the cable 86 attached.

The cap 100 has a base portion 102 fixed to the top plate 11c of the housing 10 and a covering portion 104 that covers the output terminal 85.

The base portion 102 is made of an insulating material such as an insulating resin, and covers the peripheral region on the upper surface of the top plate 11c where each output terminal 85 is exposed. The base portion 102 has a rectangular outer shape in a plan view, and is fixed (for example, bolted) to the top plate 11c at its four corners.

The base portion 102 has an opening 102a having a circular cross section for exposing each of the output terminals 85.

Further, the base portion 102 is provided with an outer peripheral wall portion 103 that extends perpendicularly to the top plate 11c and surrounds the periphery of each output terminal 85. As shown in FIG. 8, the outer peripheral wall portion 103 is provided so as to be concentric with respect to the opening 102a, that is, to be curved with the center O of the opening 102a as the center of curvature. The outer peripheral wall portion 103 does not completely surround the opening 102a, but partially surrounds the opening 102a. The outer peripheral wall portion 103 is provided with at least a notch for arranging the cable 86.

Further, an annular bank portion 102b is formed in the edge region of the opening 102a and inside the outer peripheral wall portion 103 (on the side of the opening 102a). The bank portion 102b is a partially raised portion, and is inclined so as to gradually decrease toward the outside as shown in FIG.

Like the base portion 102, the covering portion 104 is made of an insulating material such as an insulating resin, and covers each output terminal 85 exposed from the opening 102a of the base portion 102.

As shown in FIG. 4, the covering portion 104 is a portion that accommodates the dome-shaped portions 105a and 105b that accommodate the output terminals 85a and 85b, respectively, and the cables 86a and 86b attached to the output terminals 85a and 85b, and is a dome. It has an oriented portion 106a, 106b having an arch-shaped cross section extending from the shaped portions 105a and 105b, respectively, and a connecting portion 107 passed between the dome-shaped portions 105a and 105b and between the oriented portions 106a and 106b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cap 100 is provided so that the alignment portions 106a and 106b face the lid 13a side, and the orientation portions 106a and 106b cause the cables 86a and 86b to move from the output terminal 85 to the lid 13a. Extend towards.

The dome-shaped portions 105a and 105b have a top surface portion 108 that covers the output terminals 85a and 85b above the output terminals 85a and 85b, respectively, and an output terminal 85a that extends continuously from the top surface portion 108 and is inside the outer peripheral wall portion 103. , 85b has an inner peripheral wall portion 109 surrounding the periphery, and an eaves portion 110 covering the gap G above the gap G between the inner peripheral wall portion 109 and the outer peripheral wall portion 103.

The inner peripheral wall portion 109 is curved concentrically with the opening 102a and the outer peripheral wall portion 103 (that is, the center O of the opening 102a is the center of curvature) so that a gap G at a uniform interval is formed between the inner peripheral wall portion 109 and the outer peripheral wall portion 103. It is provided (to do). Like the outer peripheral wall portion 103, the inner peripheral wall portion 109 does not completely surround the opening 102a, but partially surrounds the opening 102a. Like the outer peripheral wall portion 103, the inner peripheral wall portion 109 is also provided with a notch portion for arranging at least the cable 86.

The eaves portion 110 is formed from the inner peripheral wall portion 109 toward the outside in parallel with the top plate 11c. As shown in FIG. 5, by providing the eaves portion 110 at a height position in contact with the upper end surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 103 of the base portion 102, the gap G between the inner peripheral wall portion 109 and the outer peripheral wall portion 103 is completely eliminated. It is blocked. However, the eaves portion 110 need only be located above the gap G between the inner peripheral wall portion 109 and the outer peripheral wall portion 103, and is located at a position higher than the upper end surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 103 of the base portion 102. It may be provided away from the upper end surface.

The outer end of the eaves 110 is a hanging portion 111 that hangs outside the outer peripheral wall portion 103. A predetermined clearance is provided between the hanging portion 111 and the outer peripheral wall portion 103, and the hanging portion 111 and the outer peripheral wall portion 103 do not come into contact with each other.

The base portion 102 and the covering portion 104 of the cap 100 are assembled by a claw portion and a hole portion engaged with the claw portion so that the cap portion 100 can be easily attached and detached. In the present embodiment, the covering portion 104 is provided with the claw portion 112 and the base portion 102 is provided with the hole portion 113, but the covering portion 104 is provided with the hole portion and the base portion 102 is provided with the claw portion. It may be provided. The claw portion 112 and the hole portion 113 are provided at positions corresponding to each other, and the covering portion 104 is attached to the base portion 102 by engaging the claw portion 112 and the hole portion 113 with each other.

As described above, the cap 100 covers the peripheral region of the outer surface (upper surface of the top plate 11c) of the housing 10 of the battery pack 1 in which the output terminal 85 is exposed, and extends perpendicularly to the outer surface of the output terminal. A base portion 102 including an outer peripheral wall portion 103 surrounding the periphery of the 85, a top surface portion 108 covering the output terminal 85 above the output terminal 85, and a top surface portion 108 extending continuously from the top surface portion 108 and inside the outer peripheral wall portion 103. It has an inner peripheral wall portion 109 that surrounds the periphery of the output terminal 85, and a covering portion 104 that includes an eaves portion 110 that covers the gap G above the gap G between the inner peripheral wall portion 109 and the outer peripheral wall portion 103. There is.

In this way, since the output terminal 85 itself is covered by the top surface portion 108 of the covering portion 104, water droplets are dropped from the upper side of the battery pack 1 (that is, the top plate 11c side of the housing 10). Even in an environment, it is possible to prevent the water droplets from directly adhering to the output terminal 85. In addition, since the gap G between the inner peripheral wall portion 109 and the outer peripheral wall portion 103 is covered by the eaves portion 110 of the covering portion 104, an environment in which water droplets are dropped from the upper side of the battery pack 1 In the above, the situation where water droplets infiltrate through the gap G is also effectively suppressed.

Therefore, in the external terminal structure of the battery pack 1 described above, problems such as corrosion and short circuit caused by water adhering to the output terminal 85 are suppressed, and high water resistance is realized.

In particular, as in the above embodiment, the output terminal 85 that outputs the electric power of the battery module 20 inside the battery pack 1 often has a protective cover such as a cap 100 for replacement or maintenance of the consumable cable 86. Need to remove. Therefore, it cannot be insulated from the output terminal 85 in a manner that cannot be removed, and cannot be completely and permanently covered with, for example, an insulating resin. Therefore, it is preferable to cover the output terminal 85 with a plurality of separable members such as the base portion 102 and the covering portion 104, such as the cap 100 described above.

Since the base portion 102 and the covering portion 104 are made of a resin material, a certain degree of elasticity is provided. Therefore, the covering portion 104 can be attached to the base portion 102 by engaging the claw portion 112 and the hole portion 113 described above. ..

Further, there is a case where water droplets reach the inside of the dome-shaped portions 105a and 105b through the gap G by the annular bank portion 102b formed in the edge region of the opening 102a of the base portion 102 where the output terminal 85 is exposed. However, it is possible to prevent water droplets from approaching the output terminal 85 located inside the bank portion 102b. That is, since the bank portion 102b is raised, the structure is such that water droplets can easily flow in the direction away from the bank portion 102b.

In the above-described embodiment, the cap 100 integrally covers both the pair of output terminals 85a and 85b, but as shown in FIG. 9, the pair of output terminals 85a and 85 are separately covered. It may be covered with a cap 100. Even in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, since the output terminal 85 itself is covered by the top surface portion 108 of the covering portion 104, even in an environment where water droplets are dropped from the upper side of the battery pack 1. It is possible to prevent the water droplets from directly adhering to the output terminal 85. In addition, since the gap G between the inner peripheral wall portion 109 and the outer peripheral wall portion 103 is covered by the eaves portion 110 of the covering portion 104, an environment in which water droplets are dropped from the upper side of the battery pack 1 In the above, the situation where water droplets infiltrate through the gap G is also effectively suppressed.

Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, the shape of the base portion and the covering portion of the cap does not necessarily have to be circular, and may be quadrangular or other polygonal as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the dome-shaped portions 105a and 105b have a quadrangular shape, and the inner peripheral wall portion and the outer peripheral wall portion are also arranged in a quadrangular shape. Even in such an embodiment, the eaves 110 of the covering portion 104 covers the gap between the inner peripheral wall portion and the outer peripheral wall portion, so that water droplets are dropped from the upper side of the battery pack 1. In such an environment, the situation where water droplets infiltrate through the gap is effectively suppressed.

1 ... Battery pack, 10 ... Housing, 11c ... Top plate, 20 ... Battery module, 85, 85a, 85b ... Output terminal, 86, 86a, 86b ... Cable, 100 ... Cap, 102 ... Base part, 102b ... Bank part , 103 ... outer peripheral wall part, 104 ... covering part, 108 ... top surface part, 109 ... inner peripheral wall part, 110 ... eaves part, 111 ... hanging part, 112 ... claw part, 113 ... hole part, G ... gap.

Claims (4)

In order to output the power of the battery module inside the battery pack, a pair of output terminals composed of a first output terminal and a second output terminal exposed from the outer surface of the housing of the battery pack, and
An external terminal structure of a battery pack including a cap that integrally covers both of the pair of output terminals.
The cap
Covering the peripheral region of the outer surface of the housing of the battery pack and the output terminals are exposed, and a first outer peripheral wall extending perpendicular to the outer surface to surround the periphery of said first output terminal section and the second The base including the second outer wall that surrounds the output terminal of
A first top surface portion above the said first output terminal covers the first output terminal, the first of said first inside than the first outer peripheral wall portion extending continuously from the top surface portion between the first inner circumferential wall surrounding the output terminal, and the first outer peripheral wall portion inner circumferential wall in contact with the upper end face of the first of the base portion and the first outer peripheral wall portion of the A first dome-shaped portion including a first eaves portion that closes the gap , a second top surface portion that covers the second output terminal above the second output terminal, and the second top surface portion. On the second inner peripheral wall portion that continuously extends from the second outer peripheral wall portion and surrounds the periphery of the second output terminal inside the second outer peripheral wall portion, and on the upper end surface of the second outer peripheral wall portion of the base portion. A second dome-shaped portion including a second eaves portion that is in contact with the second inner peripheral wall portion and closes a gap between the second outer peripheral wall portion, and the first dome-shaped portion and the first Passed between the two dome-shaped portions, the first inner peripheral wall portion and the first outer peripheral wall portion are formed above the upper end surfaces of the first outer peripheral wall portion and the second outer peripheral wall portion. An external terminal structure of a battery pack having a gap between the two and a covering portion including a connecting portion that covers the gap between the second inner peripheral wall portion and the second outer peripheral wall portion . The first overhanging portion of the covering portion, have a hanging portion for hanging on the outside of the first outer peripheral wall portion, the second overhanging portion of the covering portion, the second outer peripheral wall portion to have a hanging portion for hanging on the outside, the external terminal structure of a battery pack according to claim 1. One of the covering portion and the base portion is provided with a claw portion, and the other is provided with a hole portion to which the claw portion is engaged.
The external terminal structure of a battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the covering portion is attached to the base portion so that the claw portion and the hole portion engage with each other. The covering portion is a portion attached to the first output terminal and accommodating a first cable extending in a direction orthogonal to the alignment direction of the first output terminal and the second output terminal. A direction that is attached to the second output terminal and is orthogonal to the alignment direction of the first output terminal and the second output terminal with the first orientation portion extending from the first dome-shaped portion. Further includes a portion for accommodating the second cable extending to and a second oriented portion extending from the second dome-shaped portion.
The external terminal structure of the battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein one of the claw portion and the hole portion is provided in the first alignment portion and the second alignment portion of the coating portion .

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