JPH10334870A - Storage battery housing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance safety of work by adapting a structure such that work cannot be started until a battery voltage must necessarily be divided into safe voltages, when work needing touching of a storage battery assembly is conducted. SOLUTION: In this storage battery housing device, a battery cover 12 covers the entire storage battery assembly, and only connectors 13 are exposed to the exterior of the cover in a housed state of a storage battery assembly 4. When the battery cover is about to be removed for working on the battery assembly 4, the battery cover cannot be removed, unless the connectors 13 connecting terminals 4d+, 4d- of neighboring storage battery element bodies are removed first, whereby a series connection of storage battery element bodies is cut off at those parts to divide a direct current voltage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage battery accommodating apparatus for accommodating a storage battery assembly mounted on an electric vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electric vehicle, a large number of storage battery elements are juxtaposed in order to constitute a high-voltage, large-capacity DC power supply for driving a motor for driving a vehicle, and these are connected in series and in parallel as appropriate. It is necessary to mount a storage battery assembly.
Therefore, a storage battery housing 2 is generally formed below the vehicle floor 1 as shown in FIG. 8 and a storage battery assembly 4 is mounted on the storage battery floor 3 of the storage battery housing 2 as shown in FIG. It is housed.

The structure of the storage battery assembly 4 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a large number of storage battery elements 4a are juxtaposed, and the positive terminal of each storage element 4a is connected to the negative terminal of the adjacent storage element 4a by so-called eyeglass terminals 5 and fixed by nuts 6 to form a series connection. The storage battery assembly 4 is connected and assembled with a high voltage and a large current capacity.

However, the storage battery assembly having a high DC voltage and a large current capacity is also provided with a structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, a switch box 7 for voltage division is provided at an appropriate position in the series connection circuit, and cables 8 are connected to the negative and positive terminals of the adjacent storage battery elements 4a and 4a, respectively.
And fix them with nuts 9, and connect these cables 8 to the contact terminals in the switch box 7.
By opening the lid 10 and pulling the switch operating rod 101 to release the electrical connection between the storage battery elements 4a, 4a, the voltage is divided to a low voltage that is safe even if an operator receives an electric shock.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional storage battery accommodating device, a switch box 7 is provided to divide the DC voltage of the storage battery assembly 4,
Since the electrical connection is made between the adjacent storage battery elements 4a and 4a using the cable 8, components such as the switch box 7, the cable 8 to be drawn into the switch box, and the nut 9 are required. It is necessary to provide a space for accommodating the switch box 7 in the storage battery housing section 2, which increases the number of parts and increases the storage space for the storage battery assembly more than necessary.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem. Even when a switch box is not provided, the voltage is necessarily reduced to a low voltage when working on a storage battery assembly. It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage battery housing device that has a safe structure that cannot be touched by a storage battery assembly unless it has a small number of components, and that can reduce the number of parts and improve the storage space of the storage battery assembly.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage battery accommodating apparatus in which a storage battery assembly is accommodated in a predetermined battery accommodation portion of a vehicle body, the storage battery assembly is covered by a battery cover, and the battery cover is independent of the battery cover. The terminal of the adjacent storage battery element at a predetermined position of the storage battery assembly is passed through the terminal through hole formed so as to protrude to the outside of the cover, and the connector whose outer periphery is protected by an insulating member is connected to the connector. It has a structure that is detachably attached to the terminal and is attached so as to be electrically connected.

In the storage battery storage device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the storage battery assembly is properly stored, the battery cover covers the entire storage battery assembly, and only the connector is exposed outside the cover. When attempting to work on the battery assembly with the cover removed, first remove the connector connecting the terminals of the adjacent battery elements outside the battery cover to establish the series connection between the battery elements. The battery cover cannot be removed unless the DC voltage is divided by cutting at the part.

For this reason, when trying to work on the storage battery assembly, the DC voltage of the storage battery assembly is inevitably divided into a low voltage before touching the storage battery assembly, even if the worker is not aware of it. With a safe structure,
In addition, the number of parts can be reduced, and the space for accommodating the storage battery assembly can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the storage battery accommodating device of the first aspect, the mounting position of the connector is a position directly below a small hole for maintenance formed on the floor of the vehicle, and the operation of touching the storage battery assembly is performed. When it becomes necessary to start the operation of opening a small hole for maintenance provided on the vehicle floor and removing the connector immediately below, the safety of the operation for the storage battery assembly can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the storage battery accommodating device of the first aspect, the connector is mounted at a position immediately above a small hole for maintenance formed in a storage battery floor below a vehicle floor. When it is necessary to touch the assembly, it is necessary to first open the small holes for maintenance provided on the storage battery floor from below and remove the connector directly above, thus ensuring the safety of the work on the storage battery assembly. Can be increased.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the storage battery accommodating device of the first to third aspects, the connector has a structure in which caps having terminal insertion holes that open in one direction are attached to both ends of a bus bar. A terminal rod protruding from one side surface of the storage battery element, and a locking mechanism for elastically locking the cap body of the connector, and in a state where the cap body is attached to the terminal rod. And a locking member formed at a position surrounding the periphery thereof.

In the storage battery accommodating device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the caps on both sides of the connector are resiliently inserted into the locking members of the terminals of the adjacent storage battery elements to lock the caps. It can be fixed and electrically connected between the terminals of the storage battery element, and the connector can be easily removed from the terminals to release the electrical connection between the terminals by removing the locking mechanism for the cap body. In addition, the operation of removing the battery cover and exposing the storage battery assembly can be performed easily, and the safety of the operation that requires touching the storage battery assembly can be improved.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when working on the storage battery assembly, first, the connector connecting the terminals of the adjacent storage battery elements outside the battery cover is removed. The battery cover cannot be removed unless the DC connection is divided by cutting the series connection between the storage battery elements at that part, so that when working on the storage battery assembly, Inevitably, the DC voltage of the storage battery assembly is inevitably divided into low voltages before touching the storage battery assembly, making it a safe structure and reducing the number of parts.
In addition, the storage space of the storage battery assembly can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the connector is mounted at a position immediately below the maintenance small hole formed on the floor of the vehicle. Therefore, when it is necessary to touch the storage battery assembly, the connector is first mounted on the vehicle floor. The operation is started by opening the provided maintenance small hole and removing the connector immediately below, so that the safety of the operation for the storage battery assembly can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the connector is mounted at a position just above the maintenance small hole formed in the storage battery floor below the vehicle floor, so that when the operation of touching the storage battery assembly becomes necessary, First, the operation starts by opening the maintenance small hole provided on the storage battery floor from below and detaching the connector immediately above, thereby improving the safety of the operation for the storage battery assembly.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the caps are locked by the locking mechanism by elastically inserting the caps on both sides of the connector into the locking members of the terminals of the adjacent storage battery elements. The battery cover can be fixed and electrically connected between the terminals, and the connector can be easily removed from the terminals to release the electrical connection between the terminals by releasing the locking mechanism with respect to the cap body. Can be performed quickly until the storage battery assembly is exposed, and the safety of work that requires touching the storage battery assembly can be improved.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and show a vehicle floor 1 of the automobile shown in FIG.
In the storage battery housing portion 2 formed below the storage battery assembly 4, a storage battery assembly 4 including a large number of storage battery elements 4a, 4a,. The arrangement of the respective battery elements 4a in the battery assembly 4 is such that the positive and negative terminals are adjacent to each other between the adjacent battery elements 4a, 4a.
The arrangement of the + terminals is reversed. And before covering the storage battery assembly 4 with the upper cover 12,
In the illustrated embodiment, except between the terminals 4b + and 4b- of the adjacent storage battery elements 4a and 4a at the intermediate positions on both sides, and between the end terminals 4c + and 4c- opposite to the output terminals OT + and OT-. The terminals + and-of the adjacent storage battery elements 4a, 4a are connected by a connector 13 described later.

The upper cover 12 has a shape that covers the upper part of the storage battery assembly 4, and has a concave portion 14 that is recessed toward the storage battery body at an intermediate position on both sides and a position of an end terminal. In each of the concave portions 14, a terminal through hole 15 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the terminals 4b +, 4b- and the end terminals 4c +, 4c- thereunder.

FIG. 1A, FIG. 2 and FIG.
As shown in (a), terminals 4b +, 4b + at predetermined positions in storage battery element bodies 4a, 4a,.
The connector 13 is elastically attached to the remaining terminals + and-excluding 4b-, 4c + and 4c- to be electrically connected,
After that, the upper cover 12 is put on the storage battery assembly 4. In this state, the terminal through holes 15 are connected to the terminals 4b +, 4b.
Each of b−, 4c + and 4c− penetrates and is exposed in the concave portion 14 of the upper cover 12. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B, the terminal 4 exposed outside from the terminal through hole 15 is formed.
The connectors 13 are elastically attached to the b +, 4b- and the end terminals 4c +, 4c-, and the adjacent storage battery elements 4a, 4a are connected in series at these positions. Thus, the storage battery assemblies 4 are connected in series, and a storage battery assembly 4 is provided between the output terminals OT + and OT− that can output a high voltage and a large current capacity.

As shown in detail in FIG. 3, on the vehicle floor 1 above the storage battery accommodating section 2, an opening is formed in a portion of the upper cover 12 facing the concave portion 14, and the opening is formed in the opening. On the other hand, a lid 16 is detachably attached. Thus, in an emergency, the connector 13 can be seen just below the opening by removing the lid 16 of the vehicle floor 1, and the upper cover 12 can be operated without operating the emergency switch as in the related art.
The high voltage of the battery assembly 4 can be divided by pulling out the connector 13 which is exposed from the connector 13.

As described above, in the storage battery accommodating device of this embodiment, the upper cover 12 is attached,
Between the terminals 4b + and 4b- exposed to the
Since the storage battery assembly 4 is completed only after the connection between the terminals c + and 4c- by the connector 13 and a rated high voltage appears between the output terminals OT + and OT-, the storage battery before the upper cover 12 is mounted is provided. In this state, the series connection is interrupted by 4 between the terminals 4b +, 4b- at the middle position on both sides of the assembly 4 and between the end terminals 4c +, 4c-, so that the worker may touch the terminals of the storage battery assembly 4 by any chance. Even if there is, a current of only about one-fourth of the rated output voltage V of the storage battery assembly flows, thereby ensuring safety.

When it is necessary to touch the storage battery assembly 4 for maintenance of the storage battery assembly 4 or for emergencies, the terminals 4b +, 4b +,
The upper cover 12 cannot be removed and the storage battery assembly 4 cannot be touched unless the connector 13 connecting between the terminals 4b- and 4c- and between the end terminals 4c + and 4c- is removed. As before the mounting, the series connection is cut off by 4 between the terminals 4b + and 4b− and the end terminals 4c + and 4c− at the intermediate position on both sides of the storage battery assembly 4, and the upper cover 12
Even if the worker touches the terminal of the storage battery assembly 4 after removing the battery, only a quarter of the rated output voltage V of the storage battery assembly flows, thereby ensuring safety. .

Further, if it becomes necessary to disconnect the high voltage of the storage battery assembly 4 in an emergency,
By directly removing the connector 6, the connector 13 exposed outside the upper cover 12 can be safely pulled out by hand to divide the voltage of the storage battery assembly 4.

The structure of the + terminal and the-terminal provided on the upper surface of the connector 13 and the storage battery element 4a is such that caps at both ends of the connector 13 which cover these terminals have, for example, metal springs inside. The structure is not particularly limited as long as the structure is such that it does not come off easily due to elastic contact with the terminals and can be removed with one touch by hand or by using a simple jig. However, FIG.
The terminal connection structure shown in FIG. 5 enables one-touch attachment / detachment by hand while maintaining the reliability of electrical contact.

In this terminal connection structure, as the male terminal 20 on the storage battery element body 4a side, the + and-terminal rods 21 are locked so as to surround the periphery thereof in a semicircular shape and on the inner periphery of the upper edge. This is a structure in which a locking ring 23 having a projection 22 is provided.

On the other hand, the connector 13 is provided with a terminal insertion hole 31 for inserting the terminal rod 21 therein at each of both ends of the bus bar W, and has a caulking portion 32 having an end portion of the bus bar W caulked and connected. 33 is provided.

A pair of flexible arm pieces 34 extend on both sides of the cap portion 33 of the connector 13, and the cap portion 33 of the connector 13 is pushed into the locking ring 23 of the male terminal 20 by pushing it. , Flexible arm piece 3
The locking part 35 formed near the tip of the locking ring 2
The cap portion 33 is elastically engaged with the locking projection 22 formed on the inner peripheral portion of the lock ring 3, and the cap portion 33 is fixed to the center of the locking ring 23 by one-touch operation, and provided in the terminal rod 21 and the terminal insertion hole 31. The spring 36 elastically contacts, so that the terminal bar 21 and the bus bar W are electrically connected.

Conversely, to remove the connector 13 from the male terminal 20, the flexible arm is pressed by pushing the finger hooking step portions 37 provided on both upper sides of the cap portion 33 so as to pinch them with fingers from both sides. Since the piece 34 bends inward and the locking portion 35 is disengaged from the locking projection 22 of the locking ring 23, the finger hooked step portion 37 is lifted as it is. As a result, the cap portion 33 can be taken out from the locking ring 23 and the contact between the terminal bar 21 and the bus bar W can be released.

Therefore, in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electrical connection of the intermediate terminals 4b +, 4b- in the recess 14 of the upper cover 12, and the end terminals 4c +,
By applying the above-described terminal connection structure to the electrical connection of 4c-, the series connection between the adjacent storage battery elements 4a, 4a can be made with one touch from the outside of the upper cover 12, and the connection can be released. Therefore, before the upper cover 12 is attached, between the terminals 4b + and 4b− at the intermediate position on both sides of the storage battery assembly 4, and between the end terminals 4c + and 4c.
And the series connection is disconnected for 4 minutes, and even if an operator touches a terminal of the storage battery assembly 4, the rated output voltage V of the storage battery assembly 4
The safety can be ensured by flowing only a current having a voltage of about one-fourth of the above, and when the storage battery assembly 4 needs to be touched at the time of maintenance or emergency operation, In the recess 14, between the terminals 4b + and 4b-, the end terminals 4c + and 4c-
The upper cover 12 cannot be removed and the storage battery assembly 4 cannot be touched without removing the connector 13 that connects the storage battery assembly 4 to the storage battery assembly 4. The series connection between the terminals 4b +, 4b- and the end terminals 4c +, 4c- at the middle position on both sides of the battery is cut off by four, so that even if an operator touches the terminals of the storage battery assembly 4, Only a quarter of the current of the rated output voltage V of the assembly flows, and safety can be ensured.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this second embodiment,
+ And-terminals are provided on the lower surface side of each storage battery element 40a, and a concave portion 41 is formed at a position of an intermediate portion and an end portion on both sides of the battery floor 3 of the battery housing portion 2. The structure is characterized in that the + and-terminals of each of the storage battery elements 40a to be exposed are exposed downward from the terminal through holes 42, and the connector 13 similar to that of the first embodiment is attached thereto with one touch. Further, a lid 43 for closing the recess 41 from below is prepared. The lid 43 is usually attached to the recess 41 in a normal state, and the lid 43 is removed in an emergency or for maintenance work. , And the operation of pulling out the connector 13 can be performed.

Also in the case of the second embodiment, it is necessary to insert the hand from the underside of the vehicle and pull out the connector 13 exposed in the concave portion 41 to divide the storage battery assembly into four parts. If the battery assembly cannot be touched and the operator touches the terminals of the battery assembly, only a quarter of the rated output voltage V of the battery assembly will flow. Safety can be ensured.

In the second embodiment as well, the structure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be adopted as the structure of the connector 13 and the terminal of the battery element 40a.

In both of the above-described embodiments, the upper cover or the outside of the battery floor is provided between the terminals of the adjacent storage battery bodies at an intermediate position on both sides of the storage battery assembly and between the terminals of the storage battery bodies back to back at the end positions. Although the structure is such that the connector is electrically connected in the above, the position at which the storage battery assembly is to be divided is not particularly limited. As long as the voltage can be divided as low as possible without the risk of electric shock, the structure can be divided into two or more divisions at arbitrary positions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a state before and after mounting an upper cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary sectional view showing a procedure for mounting the upper cover and the connector according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing details of a connector used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a mounted state of a storage battery assembly of the electric vehicle.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a connection method between terminals of a conventional storage battery element.

FIG. 10 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of an emergency switch box used in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 storage battery assembly 4a storage battery element body 4b +, 4b- intermediate terminal 4c +, 4c- end terminal 11 frame 12 upper cover 13 connector 14 recess 15 terminal through hole 16 hole 17 lid 20 male terminal 21 terminal rod 22 locking projection 23 locking Ring 31 Terminal insertion hole 32 Caulking part 33 Cap part 34 Flexible arm piece 35 Locking part 36 Spring 37 Finger step part 40a Battery element 41 Depression 42 Terminal through hole 43 Lid

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage battery assembly is housed in a predetermined battery housing portion of a vehicle body, the storage battery assembly is covered with a battery cover, and a predetermined portion of the storage battery assembly is inserted into a terminal through hole formed independently of the battery cover. The terminal of each adjacent storage battery element is penetrated and protruded to the outside of the cover so that a connector whose outer periphery is protected by an insulating member can be detachably attached to these terminals and electrically connected thereto. Storage battery storage device mounted. 2. The storage battery accommodating device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting position of the connector is a position immediately below a maintenance small hole formed in a floor of the vehicle. 3. The storage battery accommodating device according to claim 1, wherein the connector is mounted at a position immediately above a small maintenance hole formed in the storage battery floor below the vehicle floor. 4. The connector has a structure in which caps having terminal insertion holes that open in one direction are attached to both ends of a bus bar, and the terminal includes a terminal rod protruding from one side surface of the storage battery element. A structure having a locking mechanism for elastically locking the cap body of the connector, and a locking member formed at a position surrounding the periphery of the terminal rod with the cap body mounted. Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.
4. The storage battery accommodating device according to any one of 3.