JP7173190B2 - vehicle battery pack - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle battery pack.

Patent Literature 1 describes a vehicle power supply device having a busbar.

JP 2010-73403 A

When an impact load is applied to the vehicle battery pack, the impact load may damage the battery modules in the vehicle battery pack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce the possibility of damage to battery modules in a vehicle battery pack when an impact load is applied to the vehicle battery pack. do.

In order to achieve the above object, a battery pack for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a first battery module, a bus bar connected to an electrode portion of the first battery module, and a first horizontal direction between the first battery module and the first battery module. and a plate covering at least one end surface of the first battery module . The busbar is disposed between the first battery module and the second battery module or the component, and the longitudinal direction of the busbar is substantially parallel to a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. wherein the bus bar is formed with a ridge protruding toward the first battery module, the second battery module, or the component, and the bus bar is connected to the plate, the second battery module, or the component . is placed between .

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility of damage to the battery modules in the vehicle battery pack when an impact load is applied to the vehicle battery pack.

1 is a perspective view of a vehicle provided with a vehicle battery pack; FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle battery pack; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery module to which busbars are connected; (a) It is a perspective view of a bus-bar. (b) It is a top view of a bus-bar. (c) It is a front view of a bus-bar. (d) It is a side view of a bus-bar. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a deformation process of a busbar due to an impact load; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a deformation process of a busbar due to an impact load; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a deformation process of a busbar due to an impact load; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another form of the busbar;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments described below. In the drawings, arrow F indicates the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction, arrow B indicates the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, arrow L indicates the left in the vehicle width direction, and arrow R indicates the right in the vehicle width direction. .

As shown in FIG. 1 , an electric vehicle 1 includes a drive motor 2 provided in front of the vehicle, and a vehicle battery pack 4 that supplies power to the drive motor 2 through high-voltage wiring 3 . The vehicle battery pack 4 is arranged in the lower rear portion of the electric vehicle 1 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle battery pack 4 includes a first battery module 42, a second battery module 44, and a controller 46 that controls both battery modules. Both the battery modules 42 and 44 and the controller 46 are each in the shape of an elongated prism or cylinder, and are arranged such that their longitudinal directions are substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction. A second battery module 44 is arranged in front of the first battery module 42 , and a controller 46 is arranged in front of the second battery module 44 .

A strip-shaped first bus bar 43 is connected to the first battery module 42 . First bus bar 43 is arranged between first battery module 42 and second battery module 44 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first bus bar 43 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction and its width direction is substantially parallel to the vehicle vertical direction.

The first bus bar 43 is formed with a first protruding line portion 43a and a second protruding line portion 43b spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar. The first protruding line portion 43 a is arranged on the left side of the second protruding line portion 43 b in the vehicle width direction and spaced apart from the left end portion of the first bus bar 43 in the vehicle width direction. The second ridge portion 43b is spaced apart from the right end portion of the first bus bar 43 in the vehicle width direction.

The first ridge portion 43a protrudes toward the second battery module 44 and
It is recessed when viewed from the battery module 42 side. In addition, the first protruding portion 43a spreads in the busbar longitudinal direction and the busbar width direction, and has an arc shape when viewed from above the vehicle. That is, in the _first protruding streak portion 43a, from _each of the busbar longitudinal direction edge portions 43a1 and 43a2 to the top portion 43
A slope is formed over _a3 when the vehicle is viewed from above.

The second protruding line portion 43b also has the same shape as the first protruding line portion 43a.

A connection portion 43 c that extends from the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction toward the first battery module 42 side and is electrically connected to the electrode portion 42 a of the first battery module 42 is provided at the right end portion of the first bus bar 43 in the vehicle width direction. formed. A left end portion of the first bus bar 43 in the vehicle width direction is electrically connected to a junction box (not shown) provided inside the vehicle battery pack 4 . This junction box, the drive motor 2 and an inverter (not shown) are connected via high voltage wiring 3 .

In the first bus bar 43, the flat portion on the left side in the vehicle width direction of the first protruding streak portion 43a is the first
The flat portion between the first protruding streak portion 43a and the second protruding streak portion 43b is called the second base portion 43e, and the flat portion on the right side of the second protruding streak portion 43b in the vehicle width direction is called the base portion 43d. It is called the third base portion 43f.

A second bus bar 45 is connected to the second battery module 44 . This second bus bar 45 has the same shape as the first bus bar 43 .

In FIG. 5(a), the first battery module 42, the first bus bar 43, and the second battery module 44 are shown.
and First bus bar 43 is not in physical contact with first battery module 42 except for connecting portion 43c. Also, the first bus bar 43 does not physically contact the second battery module 44 .

FIG. 5B shows a state in which an impact load S is applied to the vehicle battery pack 4 from the rear of the vehicle.
This impact load narrows the distance D1 between the first battery module 42 and the second battery module 44 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The first base portion 43d, the second base portion 43e, and the third base portion 43f are in contact with the first battery module . Further, the top portion 43 a ₃ of the first ridge portion 43 a and the top portion of the second ridge portion 43 b are in contact with the second battery module 44 .

When the distance D1 is further narrowed, the first protruding line portion 43a and the second protruding line portion 43b are crushed and deformed as shown in FIG. 6(a). This deformation is elastic deformation for relatively weak impact loads and plastic deformation for relatively strong impact loads. The impact load is absorbed by such deformation of the both protruding streaks.

In the case of a stronger impact load, as shown in FIG.
The distance D2 between 3a1 and 43a2 in the longitudinal direction of the busbar widens, and the distance from the _first protruding streak portion 43a to the _first protruding streak portion 43a increases.
The impact load is transmitted to the base portion 43d and the second base portion 43e. The transmission of this impact load is indicated by an arrow Y1. In addition, the interval D3 in the busbar longitudinal direction between both edges of the second protruding streak portion 43b also widens, and the impact load is transmitted from the second protruding streak portion 43b to the second base portion 43e and the third base portion 43f. The transmission of this impact load is indicated by an arrow Y2.

Due to the transmission of such an impact load, as shown in FIG. 7A, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the second base portion 43e is elastically or plastically deformed so as to protrude toward the second battery module 44. As shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 7(b), a connecting ridge portion 43g is formed that connects the first ridge portion 43a and the second ridge portion 43b. The connecting ridge portion 43g is connected to the first ridge portion 43a and the second ridge portion 43a.
It has a shape that protrudes toward the second battery module 44, similar to the protruding streak portion 43b. moreover,
The first base portion 43 d and the third base portion 43 f are also elastically or plastically deformed so as to protrude toward the second battery module 44 . In this manner, the first busbar 43 deforms in a wavy shape along the longitudinal direction of the busbar.

As described above, a relatively weak impact load is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the double protruding portions, and a relatively strong impact load is absorbed by the plastic deformation of the double protruding portions. If a stronger impact load is applied,
A connecting protruding section that connects both protruding sections is newly formed, and the busbar deforms in a wavy shape along the longitudinal direction, thereby absorbing the impact load. By deforming the bus bar and absorbing the impact load in this manner, the possibility of collision between the first battery module 42 and the second battery module 44 and the possibility of damage to both battery modules due to the collision are reduced. can be reduced.

As described above, an inclination is formed from each of the busbar longitudinal direction edge portions of the protruding portion to the top portion of the protruding portion when viewed from above the vehicle. Therefore, the distance between both edges of the busbar in the longitudinal direction tends to widen due to the impact load. As a result, wavy deformation as described above is likely to occur.

When a new impact load is applied to vehicle battery pack 4 after first bus bar 43 undergoes plastic deformation in a wavy shape along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar due to the impact load, plastically deformed first bus bar 43 is deformed by the new impact load. It functions as a leaf spring that absorbs a large impact load. Therefore, both battery modules can be protected from the new impact load.

Since the busbar deforms as described above, the possibility of breakage is low. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of sparks (arc discharge) due to contact between fractured surfaces during energization.

The use of the bus bar in the above embodiment eliminates the need for a cable wiring route and a space for wiring work when connecting the electrode portion of the battery module and the junction box with a cable. In addition, the space between the battery module to which the busbar is connected and another adjacent battery module with the busbar interposed therebetween can be effectively utilized. Furthermore, the degree of freedom in layout of the battery modules and controllers in the battery pack is improved.

Since the first bus bar is arranged between the first battery module and the second battery module that are adjacent to each other in the vehicle front-rear direction, compared to the case where the bus bar is arranged above the first battery module,
A space above the first battery module can be secured.

In addition, a fixing bracket (a clip or a bracket for fixing the clip) for fixing the cable is also unnecessary in the above embodiment. That is, the number of parts can be reduced.

Also, the busbar in the above embodiment can be easily manufactured by a conventional busbar manufacturing method (pressing or bending).

Although the effect of the first bus bar arranged between the first battery module and the second battery module has been described, the same effect can be obtained with the second bus bar arranged between the second battery module and the controller. .

The convex streak portion is not limited to an arc shape when viewed from above the vehicle. For example, the convex streak portion 43h shown in FIG.
can also be formed. Specifically, linear inclined portions _43h4 and _43h5 are formed from each of both edges to the top so that when viewed from above the vehicle, the edges _43h1 and _43h2 and the top _43h3 form a triangle. can be provided, and the top portion can be curved.

A protruding streak portion 43i shown in FIG. 8(b) can also be formed. Specifically, when viewed from above the vehicle,
Both edge portions _43i1 and 43i2 and _both longitudinal ends of the top portion _43i3 extending along the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the busbar form a trapezoidal shape. Shaped ramps _43i4 and _43i5 may be provided. Vehicle top view
The angle formed by each of the linear inclined portions and the base connected to the linear inclined portion is an obtuse angle. The length D11 of the top portion in the busbar longitudinal direction is shorter than the interval D12 in the busbar longitudinal direction of the both edge portions.

A protruding streak portion 43j shown in FIG. 8(c) can also be formed. Specifically, when viewed from above the vehicle,
Both edges _43j1 and 43j2 and _both longitudinal ends of the top _43j3 extending along the longitudinal and width directions of the busbar form a trapezoid, so that a straight line extends from each of the edges to the top. Shaped ramps _43j4 and _43j5 may be provided. Vehicle top view
The angle formed between each of the linear inclined portions and the base connected to the linear inclined portion is an acute angle. The length D21 of the top portion in the busbar longitudinal direction is longer than the distance D22 in the busbar longitudinal direction of the both edge portions.

A protruding streak portion 43k shown in FIG. 8(d) can also be formed. Specifically, when viewed from above the vehicle,
Extending portion 4 extending forward of the vehicle from each of both edge portions _43k1 and _43k2 to top portion _43k3
3k ₄ and 43k ₅ may be provided, and the top portion may have a shape that spreads along the longitudinal direction and width direction of the busbar. When viewed from above the vehicle, each of the extensions forms a right angle with the base connected to the extension. The distance D31 in the longitudinal direction of the busbar at the top is equal to the distance D32 in the longitudinal direction of the busbar at both edges. In other words, both longitudinal direction end portions and both edge portions of the top portion form a rectangle or square when viewed from above the vehicle.

The first battery module and the second battery module can be arranged side by side not only in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle but also in the horizontal direction. This horizontal direction can be referred to as the first horizontal direction.
Then, the bus bar connected to the first battery module can be arranged so that its longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. When the first horizontal direction is the vehicle width direction and the second horizontal direction is the vehicle front-rear direction, the impact load from the vehicle lateral direction is absorbed by bus bar deformation.

The bus bar is not limited to a strip shape, and may be elongated such as a rod. Also, the number of protruding streaks provided on the busbar can be one or three or more.

Moreover, the battery module to which the busbar is connected and the component adjacent to each other across the busbar are not limited to another battery module or controller, and may be other components in the vehicle battery pack. In this case, it is possible to reduce the possibility of damage to both the battery module to which the busbar is connected and other components adjacent to the battery module.

The bus bar may be formed with a protruding portion that is recessed when viewed from the side of another component adjacent to the battery module to which the bus bar is connected and protrudes toward the battery module. When forming a plurality of ridges on the busbar, all of the ridges may be formed so as to protrude toward one side of the battery module and the component and be recessed when viewed from the other side. can.

Also, it is possible to form a connecting protruding portion that connects two protruding portions that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the busbar during the busbar manufacturing process.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical idea of the present invention.

1 electric vehicle

2 Drive motor

3 High voltage wiring

4 Vehicle battery pack 42 First battery module 42a Electrode part 43 First bus bar 43a First ridge 43a ₁ edge 43a ₂ edges 43a ₃ top 43b Second ridge 43c Connection part 43d First base 43e Second Base portion 43f Third base portion 43g Connecting ridge portion

44 second battery module 45 second bus bar 46 controller

S Impact load

Claims (6)

a first battery module, a bus bar connected to the electrode portion of the first battery module, a second battery module or another component adjacent to the first battery module in a first horizontal direction, and the first battery module. a plate covering at least one end surface of
The bus bar is arranged between the first battery module and the second battery module or the part,
the longitudinal direction of the bus bar is substantially parallel to a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction,
The bus bar is formed with a protruding portion projecting toward the first battery module or the second battery module or the component,
The vehicle battery pack, wherein the bus bar is arranged between the plate and the second battery module or the part. a plurality of the ridges are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the busbar;
2. The battery pack for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an inclination is formed from each of the busbar longitudinal direction edge portions of the protruding portion to the top portion of the protruding portion when viewed from above the vehicle. 3. The battery pack for a vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a connecting protruding portion that connects two adjacent protruding portions. 4. The battery pack for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said connecting ridges are formed in a state of being subjected to an impact load. The battery pack for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4, wherein the protruding portion has an arc shape when viewed from above the vehicle. The vehicle battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protruding portion is configured to be deformable by an impact load applied to the protruding portion.

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