WO2021215425A1

WO2021215425A1 - Straddled vehicle battery pack and straddled vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2021215425A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/015984
Authority: WO
Inventors: 日野　陽至
Original assignee: ヤマハ発動機株式会社
Priority date: 2020-04-22
Filing date: 2021-04-20
Publication date: 2021-10-28
Also published as: WO2021214903A1

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a straddled vehicle battery pack capable of being reduced in size by a simple configuration and capable of being charged in a short time. A straddled vehicle battery pack (1) is provided with: a plurality of lithium-ion batteries (11); a case (12) for housing the plurality of lithium-ion batteries; and an electrical connection connector (13) connected to a mating connector provided on the vehicle body of a straddled vehicle (100) and transferring current that is input to and output from the vehicle body. The straddled vehicle battery pack has a charge capacity of 2.5Ah or more, a maximum charge voltage of 12V to 60V, inclusive, and a non-parallel series connection structure of the plurality of lithium-ion batteries each having a continuous maximum charge rate of 10C or more so that electric power converted to motive power and used for increasing the drive force of the straddled vehicle is received and output, wherein said maximum charge voltage is a voltage corresponding to the voltage across both ends of the series connection.

Description

Straddle Vehicle Battery Pack and Straddle Vehicle

The present invention relates to a saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack and a saddle-mounted vehicle.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack used in a saddle-mounted vehicle. The saddle-mounted vehicle of Patent Document 1 is a vehicle that does not have an engine. Patent Document 1 describes an electric motorcycle as an example of a saddle-mounted vehicle. The battery pack of Patent Document 1 is provided in a saddle-mounted vehicle.
The battery pack of Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of cases for accommodating a battery unit. A heat dissipation space is formed between some of the plurality of cases. As a result, in the technique of Patent Document 1, heat dissipation is increased while increasing the energy capacity of the battery pack.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-232280

It is desired that the saddle-type vehicle battery pack used for the saddle-type vehicle be miniaturized with a simple configuration in order to improve the mountability on the vehicle. Further, it is desired that the saddle-type vehicle battery pack used for the saddle-type vehicle can be charged with electric power capable of increasing the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle in a short time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a saddle-type vehicle battery pack that can be miniaturized with a simple configuration and can be charged with electric power that can increase the driving force of a saddle-type vehicle in a short time.

The present inventors have investigated the characteristics of a saddle-type vehicle battery pack used in a saddle-type vehicle suitable for a saddle-type vehicle.
It is desired that the saddle-type vehicle battery pack can be charged in a short time in a situation different from the battery pack used for other devices.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-052968 discloses a battery pack for a mobile phone or the like.
A saddle-mounted vehicle can usually carry a driver and travel at the same speed as an automobile. The saddle-mounted vehicle is driven by a driving force output from a power source. The saddle-mounted vehicle is equipped with, for example, a motor. The motor converts the electric power charged in the saddle-type vehicle battery pack into power. The electric power for increasing the driving force of a saddle-type vehicle is completely different in scale from the electric power consumed by a mobile phone or the like. The charge capacity of a saddle-type vehicle battery pack is also completely different in scale from the charge capacity of a battery pack such as a mobile phone. It is desired that the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack has a large charging capacity and can be charged in a short time.

Further, the saddle-mounted vehicle is configured so that the posture of the vehicle is controlled by the weight shift of the driver during traveling.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-180185 discloses a battery module for an EV forklift. A forklift is a vehicle whose main purpose is to lift and transport heavy objects. The forklift is not configured so that the attitude of the vehicle is controlled by the weight shift of the driver. The weight of the forklift is distributed so that the weight balance is maintained while carrying heavy objects.
On the other hand, the saddle-mounted vehicle tends to be required to be small from the viewpoint of the above-mentioned operability and running performance. The weight ratio of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack to the entire saddle-type vehicle is larger than that of other mounted parts. The saddle-type vehicle battery pack used in the saddle-type vehicle is required to be small while receiving and outputting electric power for increasing the driving force.

As a result of examining a saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack having such characteristics, the present inventors have found the following.

In a battery pack, a plurality of batteries are usually used in combination in order to obtain a large energy capacity, that is, a charging capacity.
For example, the battery pack of Patent Document 1 has a plurality of batteries. For example, in Patent Document 1, for example, 168 batteries are connected in parallel and in series in order to increase the energy capacity. More specifically, 12 batteries connected in parallel form one set, and 14 sets are connected in series. Further, the battery pack of Patent Document 1 has a control unit. The control unit is a battery management controller (BMC) having a CPU and a memory. The control unit is connected to each battery of the battery pack by an electric wire. The control unit monitors the status of each battery. The control unit centrally controls each battery. That is, information indicating the state of each battery is collected from each battery in the control unit. The control unit controls each battery based on the collected information.
More specifically, the control unit connected to each battery and having a CPU and a memory centrally monitors the state of each battery by detecting the temperature, current, voltage, frequency of use, etc. in each battery, and also monitors each battery. Control the battery.

In the battery pack of

Patent Document

1, 12 batteries forming one set are connected in parallel. Each of the batteries connected in parallel has variations in characteristics such as internal resistance due to the state of the electrodes and the state of the electrolyte. When charging, batteries equal to each other are applied to the batteries connected in parallel. However, a current flows through the batteries connected in parallel according to the variation in characteristics. That is, strictly speaking, the charge amount of the batteries connected in parallel differs depending on the variation in the characteristics. The control unit controls the charge amount of batteries that tend to have different charge amounts due to the parallel connection by detecting the state of each battery.

The present inventor has studied various configurations of a saddle-type vehicle battery pack suitable for a saddle-type vehicle. The present inventor has studied setting the charging voltage of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack to 12 V or more and 60 V or less, and intentionally connecting a plurality of lithium ion batteries in series without connecting them in parallel with each other. Further, the present inventor has studied to configure a saddle-type vehicle battery pack having a charging capacity of 2.5 Ah or more with a lithium ion battery having a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more.
The present inventor has found that, with this configuration, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can be miniaturized with a simple configuration and can be charged in a short time. By setting the charging voltage of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack having a charging capacity of 2.5 Ah or more to 12 V or more, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack charges electric power suitable for increasing the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle. be able to.
When such a saddle-type vehicle battery pack is composed of lithium-ion batteries having a continuous maximum charge rate of 10 C or more, even if a plurality of lithium-ion batteries are connected in series without being parallel to each other, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack The continuous maximum charging rate of is 10C or more.

When a plurality of lithium-ion batteries are connected in series without being connected in parallel to each other, the current flowing through each lithium-ion battery during charging is substantially equal. That is, the currents flowing through each lithium-ion battery are substantially equal regardless of the internal resistance of each lithium-ion battery. Therefore, it is easy to maintain the balance of the charge amount in each lithium ion battery. Therefore, for example, the circuit for controlling the current, voltage, or temperature of each lithium ion battery can be simplified or deleted. For example, it is possible to keep the balance of the charge amount in each lithium ion battery without a control device for monitoring and controlling the state of the lithium ion batteries connected in parallel. Therefore, a small saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can be realized with a simple configuration.

Further, while the plurality of lithium ion batteries are configured to be connected in series without being connected in parallel to each other, the maximum voltage that the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can charge is 20 V or more and 60 V or less. In this case, the maximum voltage applied to both ends of the plurality of lithium ion batteries connected in series is 60 V or less.
Therefore, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack is within the range belonging to the "extra low voltage" (ELV or safety extra low voltage: SELV) in the standard IEC60950 of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Operate. Since the voltage of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack is low, the insulation structure can be made simpler than that for high voltage.

Further, as described above, the voltage applied to both ends of a plurality of lithium ion batteries connected in series is a low voltage belonging to the "extra low voltage". Therefore, for example, a smaller number of lithium-ion batteries can be connected in series than in the case of belonging to a voltage range higher than the "extra-low voltage" voltage. Therefore, for example, it is possible to reduce variations in the charging capacity characteristics of each lithium-ion battery included in the saddle-type vehicle battery pack, as compared with the case where many lithium-ion batteries are used to cope with high voltage. be. From this, the circuit to be monitored and controlled can be simplified or deleted. Therefore, a small saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can be realized with a simple configuration.

Since each of the plurality of lithium-ion batteries connected in series has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10C or more, the continuous maximum charging of 10C or more as a saddle-type vehicle battery pack without connecting a plurality of lithium-ion batteries in parallel. The rate can be realized. When the saddle-type vehicle battery pack has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more, for example, 50% or more of the charge capacity of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack can be charged in a short time of 3 minutes or less. This makes it possible, for example, to charge an electric vehicle equipped with a saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack in a time close to the time required for replenishing liquid fuel in a conventional or current gas station. Therefore, it is not necessary to occupy the charging station for a long time.

By eliminating the parallel connection in this way, it is possible to maintain the balance of the charge amount in each lithium ion battery without a control device for monitoring and controlling the state of the lithium ion batteries connected in parallel. In addition, the insulating structure can be simplified. It is possible to realize a small saddle-type vehicle battery pack with a simple configuration. Further, since a maximum charging rate of 10 C or more can be realized as a saddle-type vehicle battery pack without connecting a plurality of lithium-ion batteries in parallel, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack can be charged in a short time.
As described above, it is possible to realize a saddle-type vehicle battery pack that has a simple configuration, is small in size, and can charge electric power that can increase the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle in a short time.

The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to each viewpoint of the present invention completed based on the above findings has the following configurations.

(1) A saddle-type vehicle battery pack used for a saddle-type vehicle.
The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack is
With multiple lithium-ion batteries
A case accommodating the plurality of lithium ion batteries and
An electrical connection connector that is connected to a mating connector provided on the vehicle body of the saddle-type vehicle and transmits a current input / output to the vehicle body.
With
The saddle-type vehicle battery pack has a charge capacity of 2.5 Ah or more and a maximum of 12 V or more and 60 V or less so as to receive and output electric power that is converted into power to increase the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle. It has a charging voltage and a series connection structure of the plurality of lithium ion batteries, each having a continuous maximum charging rate of 10C or more, without parallel connection, and the maximum charging voltage is a voltage corresponding to the voltage across the series connection. Is.

The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack in the above configuration includes a plurality of lithium-ion batteries. The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack has a charging capacity of 2.5 Ah or more, a maximum charging voltage of 12 V or more and 60 V or less, and a series connection structure of a plurality of lithium ion batteries without parallel connection. Each of the plurality of lithium-ion batteries has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more.
12V is the lower limit of the operating voltage widely used as the voltage of the power supply that contributes to the increase in the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle. The charging capacity of 2.5 Ah or more is a capacity of electric power that can increase the driving force of a saddle-type vehicle, unlike the capacity for operating a low-power device such as a mobile phone. The saddle-type vehicle battery pack has a charging capacity of 2.5 Ah or more and is charged with a maximum charging voltage of 12 V or more and 60 V or less to receive and output electric power adapted to the increase in driving force of the saddle-type vehicle. do.
Since each of the plurality of lithium-ion batteries connected in series has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10C or more, a continuous maximum charging rate of 10C or more can be realized as a saddle-type vehicle battery pack. Since the saddle-type vehicle battery pack has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more, for example, 50% or more of the charge capacity of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack can be charged within 3 minutes. Therefore, it is possible to charge the electric power for increasing the driving force of the saddle-mounted vehicle in a short time.

In addition, since each of the lithium-ion batteries has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10C or more, a saddle-type vehicle battery pack having a continuous maximum charging rate of 10C or more can be realized without connecting a plurality of lithium-ion batteries in parallel. can.
For example, when a plurality of lithium-ion batteries are connected in parallel, the current flowing through the lithium-ion batteries connected in parallel during charging differs depending on the internal resistance of each lithium-ion battery. That is, the charge amount of each lithium ion battery is different from each other.
On the other hand, in the structure of a plurality of lithium ion batteries connected in series without parallel, the current flowing through each lithium ion battery during charging is substantially equal. Therefore, it is easy to maintain the balance of the charge amount in each lithium ion battery. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the balance of the charge amount in each lithium ion battery without a control device for monitoring and controlling the state of the lithium ion batteries connected in parallel. Therefore, a small saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can be realized with a simple configuration.

Further, while the plurality of lithium ion batteries are configured to be connected in series without being connected in parallel to each other, the maximum voltage that the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can charge is 20 V or more and 60 V or less. In this case, the maximum voltage that can be applied to both ends of the plurality of lithium ion batteries connected in series is 60 V or less.
Therefore, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack is within the range belonging to the "extra low voltage" (ELV or safety extra low voltage: SELV) in the standard IEC60950 of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Operate. Since the voltage of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack is low, the insulation structure can be made simpler than that for high voltage. Therefore, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can be miniaturized.

Further, as described above, the voltage applied to both ends of a plurality of lithium ion batteries connected in series is a low voltage belonging to the "extra low voltage". Therefore, for example, a smaller number of lithium-ion batteries can be connected in series than in the case of belonging to a voltage range higher than the "extra-low voltage" voltage. Therefore, for example, it is possible to reduce variations in the charging capacity characteristics of each lithium-ion battery included in the saddle-type vehicle battery pack, as compared with the case where many lithium-ion batteries are used to cope with high voltage. be. From this as well, the circuits to be monitored and controlled can be further simplified or deleted. Therefore, a small saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can be realized with a simple configuration.

As described above, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack has a charging capacity of 2.5 Ah or more and a maximum charging voltage of 12 V or more and 60 V or less, so that it can charge electric power corresponding to the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle.
Since the saddle-type vehicle battery pack is constructed by connecting lithium-ion batteries having a continuous maximum charging rate of 10C or more in series, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack can generate electric power that can correspond to the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle in a short time. Can be charged.
Since each of the plurality of lithium-ion batteries has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more, a series connection structure without parallel can be adopted. By eliminating the parallel connection, it is possible to simplify or eliminate the circuit that monitors each lithium-ion battery. Further, the maximum charging voltage of 12 V or more and 60 V or less makes it possible to simplify the insulating structure.
Therefore, it is possible to realize a saddle-type vehicle battery pack that has a simple configuration, is small in size, and can charge electric power that can increase the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle in a short time.

According to one viewpoint of the present invention, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can adopt the following configuration.

(2) The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack of (1).
Each of the plurality of lithium ion batteries has an independent negative electrode, and the independent negative electrode contains at least one selected from the group consisting of spinnel-type lithium titanate, niobium titanium-containing composite oxide, and graphite. Moreover, the series connection structure of the plurality of lithium ion batteries without parallel is realized by connecting to the positive electrode or the negative electrode without being electrically connected to each other with other independent negative electrodes.

According to the above configuration, each of the plurality of lithium ion batteries has an independent negative electrode. Due to the non-parallel structure, each of the negative electrodes is electrically independent of the other negative electrodes. Each of the negative electrodes is not electrically connected to the other independent negative electrode. Each of these negative electrodes contains at least one selected from the group consisting of spinel-type lithium titanate, niobium-titanium-containing composite oxides, and graphite.
A negative electrode containing at least one selected from the group consisting of spinel-type lithium titanate, niobium-titanium-containing composite oxide, and graphite is such that lithium precipitation occurs in the negative electrode as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-153719. Therefore, the possibility of an internal short circuit can be reduced. A circuit that monitors each lithium-ion battery even in a configuration in which a plurality of lithium-ion batteries having such a negative electrode are connected so as to avoid electrical connection between the negative electrodes so as to be charged at a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more. Can be further simplified or deleted. Therefore, a small saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can be realized with a simpler configuration.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can adopt the following configuration.
(3) The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to (1) or (2).
A current circuit breaker that is connected in series with the plurality of lithium ion batteries and cuts off the current flowing through the plurality of lithium ion batteries is provided.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the currents of a plurality of lithium ion batteries inadvertently flow from the electrical connection connector to the outside. For this reason, for example, when the saddle-type vehicle battery pack is removed from the vehicle body or during the work of being attached to the vehicle body, the electrical connector inadvertently comes into contact with some conductor outside the saddle-type vehicle battery pack. It is possible to suppress the situation where the conductor is welded to the electrical connector due to a large current due to a short circuit. Therefore, it is possible to simplify or delete the control device and suppress the situation where, for example, an external conductor is welded to the electrical connector with a simple configuration.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can adopt the following configuration.
(4) A saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to any one of (1) to (3).
The saddle-type vehicle battery pack acquires at least one parameter of the current, voltage, or temperature detected from each of the plurality of lithium-ion batteries, and is based on the acquired at least one parameter. It does not include a control device configured to change the voltage and / or current of at least one of the plurality of lithium ion batteries.

In the above configuration, each of the plurality of lithium-ion batteries has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more and is connected in series without being connected in parallel to each other, and is a saddle-type vehicle battery pack corresponding to the voltage across the series connection. The maximum charging voltage of is 60 V or less. Since each of the plurality of lithium-ion batteries is not connected in parallel, the above configuration can maintain the balance of the charge amount in each lithium-ion battery while omitting the above-mentioned control device. Therefore, it is possible to realize a saddle-type vehicle battery pack that has a simple configuration, is compact, and can be charged in a short time.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack can adopt the following configuration.
(5) It is a saddle-mounted vehicle.
The saddle-mounted vehicle is
The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack of any one of (1) to (4) and
A mating connector configured to be connected to the electrical connector of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack,
With the drive wheels
It is configured to control the power supply from the saddle-type vehicle battery pack to the motor via the mating connector and the power supply from the motor to the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack via the mating connector. Motor controller and
The motor is provided with the motor configured to drive the drive wheels with electric power supplied from the motor control device, while generating electric power by driving the drive wheels.
Of the plurality of lithium ion batteries, at least one parameter of the current, voltage or temperature detected from each of the plurality of lithium ion batteries is acquired, and based on the acquired at least one parameter, among the plurality of lithium ion batteries. It does not include a control device configured to change the voltage and / or current of at least one of the lithium-ion batteries.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a saddle-mounted vehicle that has a simple configuration, is compact, and can charge the battery pack in a short time.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the saddle-mounted vehicle can adopt the following configuration.
(6) The saddle-mounted vehicle of (5).
The saddle-mounted vehicle is
A steering bar handle provided so as to extend in the left-right direction of the saddle-mounted vehicle, and
Equipped with a saddle configured for the driver to sit across
As a lean vehicle, the driver who grips the bar handle at the time of turning is configured to turn by shifting the weight so as to lean inward of the curve.

For a saddle-type vehicle as a lean vehicle, responsiveness and agility to the driver's operation are important, and there is a high demand for miniaturization. On the other hand, the saddle-mounted vehicle is equipped with a saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack. Therefore, it has been desired to realize a high level of responsiveness and agility in a saddle-mounted vehicle as a lean vehicle. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a saddle-type vehicle as a lean vehicle, which is excellent in responsiveness and lightness, can be miniaturized with a simple configuration, and can charge a battery pack in a short time.

The saddle-type vehicle can increase the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle by the electric power stored in the saddle-type vehicle battery pack. The electric power referred to here includes, for example, at least the chemical energy stored in the secondary battery pack. For example, a saddle-mounted vehicle may be provided with a capacitor and may be configured to run on the electrophysical energy stored in the capacitor in addition to the chemical energy. A saddle-mounted vehicle is, for example, a vehicle that does not have an engine. The saddle-mounted vehicle is, for example, a pure electric saddle-mounted vehicle. However, the saddle-mounted vehicle is not limited to this, and a vehicle equipped with an engine as an internal combustion engine may be used. For example, a plug-in hybrid vehicle having a function of charging with electric power supplied from the outside of the vehicle and capable of running on an engine mounted on the vehicle is included in a saddle-mounted vehicle.

The saddle-type vehicle battery pack is charged by the electric power generated by the motor driven by the drive wheels when the saddle-type vehicle runs. Further, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack is connected to a charging device provided outside the saddle-mounted vehicle and charged. Further, when the saddle-type vehicle battery pack is used for a saddle-type vehicle equipped with an engine, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack is charged by the electric power of a generator driven by the engine.

A saddle-riding vehicle is a vehicle that rides in a riding style. The driver sits across the saddle of a saddle-mounted vehicle. The saddle-mounted vehicle is, for example, a lean vehicle. Examples of the saddle-type vehicle include a scooter type, a moped type, an off-road type, and an on-road type motorcycle. Further, the saddle-mounted vehicle is not limited to a motorcycle, and may be, for example, an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) or the like, or may be a motorcycle. A tricycle may have two front wheels and one rear wheel, or may have one front wheel and two rear wheels.

The saddle-type vehicle battery pack is a battery pack used for a saddle-type vehicle. The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack is a pack in which a plurality of lithium-ion batteries are integrally combined. The saddle-type vehicle battery pack is mounted on the body of the saddle-type vehicle.
The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack is, for example, mounted on the vehicle body in a non-replaceable manner.

However, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack is not particularly limited, and may be replaceably mounted on the vehicle body, for example. The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack may be removable from the vehicle body without a tool other than a key, such as a spanner, or may be replaceable with respect to the vehicle body by using a tool such as a spanner.

Lithium-ion batteries are batteries that can be charged and discharged. A lithium ion battery is a secondary battery that charges and discharges by a chemical reaction of electrodes. Lithium-ion batteries are charged and discharged by oxidation and reduction reactions of electrodes. Lithium-ion batteries convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. The terminal voltage of a lithium-ion battery is not proportional to the amount of power stored in the battery. For example, lithium ion capacitors are not included in lithium ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries contain a lithium oxide in the positive electrode. Lithium batteries that use lithium metal for the positive electrode are not included in lithium ion batteries. The lithium ion battery is a non-aqueous lithium ion battery that uses a non-aqueous electrolyte such as an organic solvent.
A lithium-ion battery is a battery that can store electric power for driving a motor of a saddle-type vehicle. The lithium-ion battery can store electric power supplied from the outside of the saddle-type vehicle. Further, the lithium ion battery can store the electric power supplied from the motor when the motor of the saddle-type vehicle generates electric power. That is, the regenerative current of the motor can be stored.

The maximum charge rate is the maximum charge rate allowed by a lithium-ion battery or a saddle-type vehicle battery pack. The maximum charging rate represents the speed of charging. The unit is C. The continuous maximum charge rate is the maximum maximum charge rate allowed when charging continuously rather than instantaneously. In the case of continuous charging, that is, in the case of constant current charging measurement, the magnitude of the current that fully charges the capacity of the battery in one hour is defined as 1C. For example, when the capacity of the battery is 2.5Ah, 1C is 2.5A.

The capacity or charge capacity of a battery is the amount of power that can be charged to the battery. The unit is Ah. The charge capacity is equal to the discharge capacity. The discharge capacity is, for example, the time cumulative amount of the output current from the time when the fully charged battery starts to output the current together with the output of the initial voltage to the time when the output voltage reaches the final voltage. The discharge condition is, for example, the discharge of a current that reaches the final voltage after 10 hours of discharge (10-hour rate). The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack consists of a series connection of lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, the discharge voltage, which is a condition of the discharge capacity, differs depending on the number of lithium ion batteries contained in the saddle-type vehicle battery pack. However, the discharge capacity is determined regardless of the number of lithium-ion batteries.
When the saddle-type vehicle battery pack has a charging capacity of 2.5 Ah or more, it is possible to charge or discharge electric power suitable for increasing the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle. For example, when the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 has an output voltage of 12 V and a charging capacity of 2.5 Ah, outputting a current of 50 A for 20 seconds corresponds to about 10% power consumption. This consumption enables driving force assist of about 600 W, that is, simply about 0.8 ps, for 20 seconds. The charging capacity of 2.5 Ah or more is such that 50% of the charging capacity can be used to continuously increase the driving force for 20 seconds at least five times without charging.
For example, a saddle-type vehicle battery pack having a charging capacity of 2.5 Ah or more is smaller than a device for charging electrophysical energy such as a capacitor.

The electrical connector transmits the current input and output to the vehicle body. For example, the electrical connector transmits the current output to the motor of the saddle-type vehicle. Further, for example, the electric connector transmits the current supplied from the motor when the motor of the saddle-type vehicle generates electricity.
The electrical connector may be used as a connector for transmitting a current supplied from the outside of the saddle-type vehicle. However, the electrical connection connector may be provided as a connector different from the connector that transmits the current supplied from the outside of the saddle-type vehicle.

Further, the electrical connector is attached to, for example, a case. The electrical connector is supported, for example, in a case. The electrical connector is fixed to the case, for example.
However, the electrical connection connector is not limited to this, and may be swingably supported by the case so that it can be easily connected to the mating connector, for example. Further, the electrical connector may be connected to, for example, a cable extending through the case and extending to the outside of the case. That is, the electrical connector may be physically connected to the case via a cable without being supported by the case. That is, the electrical connector does not have to be attached to the case, for example.

The connection includes a state in which an electrical component is inserted in the middle. Examples of such electrical components include switches, current circuit breakers, resistors, connection terminals, and fuses. The connection is, for example, by wiring a lead wire. However, the wiring is not limited to one composed of one lead wire, and may be a plurality of connected lead wires. Further, the wiring may be, for example, a metal plate or a rod. The wiring may be, for example, a metal plate or rod having a bent portion or a curved portion.

When the saddle-type vehicle battery pack is converted into power to receive and output the electric power for increasing the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle, the electric power output by the saddle-type vehicle battery pack at the time of discharge is converted into power. It means that it contributes to the increase of the driving force of the saddle-mounted vehicle. Electric power is converted into power by, for example, a motor. The converted power is finally transmitted to the wheels.
For example, a saddle-type vehicle is a pure electric vehicle that mainly runs on electric power charged in a saddle-type vehicle battery pack. The increase in driving force of a saddle-type vehicle depends on the electric power charged in the saddle-type vehicle battery pack. However, the saddle-mounted vehicle is not particularly limited and may have an engine as an internal combustion engine. For example, the electric power may be converted into power by a motor and used to drive the engine, resulting in an increase in the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle. Further, for example, a generator may be provided in the engine, and the electric power charged in the saddle-type vehicle battery pack and the electric power of the generator may be supplied to the motor.

A current circuit breaker is an electrical component that can switch between a state in which a current is transmitted and a state in which a current is cut off. A current circuit breaker is, for example, an electric component that switches from a state in which a current is transmitted to a state in which a current is cut off according to a state of the current. Examples of such a current breaker include fuses and breakers. The current circuit breaker is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an electric component that switches from a state in which a current is transmitted to a state in which a current is cut off according to an operation. Such current breakers include, for example, relays, switches, and service plugs.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of defining only specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention.
As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any or all combinations of one or more related listed components.
As used herein, the use of the terms "including, including,""comprising," or "having," and variations thereof, is a feature, process, operation, described. It identifies the presence of elements, components and / or their equivalents, but can include one or more of steps, actions, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.
As used herein, the terms "attached", "combined" and / or their equivalents are widely used and are both direct and indirect attachments and bindings unless otherwise specified. Including.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.
Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be construed to have meaning consistent with the relevant technology and in the context of the present disclosure and are expressly defined herein. Unless it is, it will not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense.
It is understood that a number of techniques and processes are disclosed in the description of the present invention.
Each of these has its own interests, and each may be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques.
Therefore, for clarity, this description refrains from unnecessarily repeating all possible combinations of individual steps.
Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that all such combinations are within the scope of the present invention and claims.
A new saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack is described herein.
In the following description, for purposes of illustration, a number of specific details are given to provide a complete understanding of the invention.
However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without these particular details.
The present disclosure should be considered as an example of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments set forth in the drawings or description below.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a saddle-type vehicle battery pack that can be miniaturized with a simple configuration and can be charged in a short time.

It is a figure which shows typically the saddle-type vehicle battery pack which concerns on 1st Embodiment, the saddle-type vehicle which mounted the saddle-type vehicle battery pack, and the comparative example. It is a figure which shows the saddle type vehicle battery pack which concerns on 1st Embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in a more enlarged view. It is a figure which shows the saddle-riding type vehicle shown in FIG. 1 in more detail. It is a figure which shows typically the saddle type vehicle battery pack which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack, a saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack equipped with a saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack, and a comparative example according to the first embodiment. Part (a-1) of FIG. 1 schematically shows a saddle-type vehicle equipped with a saddle-type vehicle battery pack according to the first embodiment. Part (b-1) of FIG. 1 schematically shows a saddle-type vehicle battery pack according to the first embodiment.
Part (a-2) of FIG. 1 schematically shows a saddle-type vehicle equipped with a saddle-type vehicle battery pack of a comparative example. Part (b-2) of FIG. 1 schematically shows a saddle-type vehicle battery pack of a comparative example.
FIG. 2 is a magnified view of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 shown in part (b-1) of FIG. 1 is a battery pack used for the saddle-mounted vehicle 100. The saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 receives and outputs electric power that is converted into power to increase the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle 100. The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is a battery pack that can be charged and discharged. The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is charged at a voltage equal to or lower than the maximum charging voltage. The maximum charging voltage of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is 12 V or more and 60 V or less. The maximum charging voltage of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is, for example, 48V. However, the maximum charging voltage may be set to, for example, 14V, or may be set to, for example, 36V.
The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 has a charging capacity of 2.5 Ah or more. Therefore, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 receives and outputs electric power for increasing the driving force of the saddle-mounted vehicle 100.

The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 includes a lithium-ion battery 11, a case 12, and an electrical connector 13.

In the example shown in part (b-1) of FIG. 1, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 includes five lithium-ion batteries 11. The lithium ion batteries 11 are connected in series without being connected in parallel with each other. The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 has a series connection structure in which the lithium ion batteries 11 are not connected in parallel.
The number of lithium ion batteries 11 is set so that the maximum voltage across the series is equal to or greater than the maximum voltage of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1.
The lithium ion battery 11 is a battery that can be charged and discharged. The lithium ion battery 11 is a secondary battery that charges and discharges by a chemical reaction of electrodes. The lithium ion battery 11 contains a lithium oxide in the positive electrode. The lithium ion battery 11 is a non-aqueous lithium ion battery that uses a non-aqueous electrolyte. The lithium ion battery 11 contains, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of spinel-type lithium titanate, niobium titanium-containing composite oxide, and graphite in the negative electrode. However, the negative electrode of the lithium ion battery 11 is not particularly limited, and a negative electrode containing a substance other than the above can also be adopted.
The lithium ion battery 11 has a larger maximum charging current than a battery using another positive electrode material such as a lead battery or a nickel hydrogen battery. The lithium ion battery 11 has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more.

The case 12 houses the lithium-ion battery 11. Case 12 has, for example, a closed structure.
More specifically, the case 12 has a structure in which the lithium ion battery 11 cannot be seen from the outside. As a result, the situation in which a foreign substance is inserted from the outside of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 and comes into contact with the lithium ion battery 11 is suppressed.
More specifically, the case 12 has, for example, a waterproof structure. For example, when the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is provided in the saddle-mounted vehicle 100, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 may be exposed to a liquid such as water or oil. The case 12 suppresses the ingress of liquid. Therefore, the contact between the lithium ion battery 11 and the liquid is suppressed.

The electrical connection connector 13 is connected to a mating connector (not shown) provided on the vehicle body 102 (see FIG. 3) of the saddle-mounted vehicle 100, and transmits an input / output current to the vehicle body 102. The electric power stored in the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 is supplied to the vehicle body 102 of the saddle-type vehicle 100 through the electric connector 13.
Further, at the time of regeneration, the regenerative power is supplied from the vehicle body 102 of the saddle-mounted vehicle 100 to the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 through the electric connector 13.
The electrical connection connector 13 of the present embodiment can also be connected to a charging device provided outside the saddle-type vehicle 100, such as a charging station. While the saddle-mounted vehicle 100 is stopped, a mating connector provided on an external charging device is connected instead of the mating connector provided on the vehicle body 102 (see FIG. 3). As a result, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is charged.

The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is also equipped with a bus bar 14. The bus bar 14 is a conductor that connects the lithium ion battery 11 and the electrical connector 13. The bus bar 14 connects the lithium ion batteries 11 to each other. The bus bar 14 connects the lithium ion battery 11 and the electrical connector 13 in series.

The lithium ion batteries 11 included in the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 of the present embodiment are connected in series without being connected in parallel with each other. Each lithium-ion battery 11 has a variation in internal resistance. However, the currents flowing through the lithium-ion batteries 11 connected in series are substantially equal regardless of the difference in internal resistance. Therefore, it is easy to maintain the balance of the charge amount in each lithium ion battery 11.
For example, when charging is started from a state where the charge amount of each lithium ion battery 11 is 0, the current integrated amount of each lithium ion battery 11 at an arbitrary time is substantially equal. That is, the charge amount of each lithium ion battery 11 is substantially equal. Further, even when each lithium ion battery 11 is discharged, the current flowing through each lithium ion battery 11 is substantially equal. Therefore, the charge amount of each lithium ion battery 11 at an arbitrary time is substantially equal. Therefore, the timing at which each lithium ion battery 11 is fully charged during charging is substantially the same.
Therefore, it is possible to maintain the balance of the charge amount in each lithium ion battery 11 without a control device for monitoring and controlling the state of the lithium ion batteries connected in parallel. Therefore, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 can be miniaturized with a simple configuration.
The standard working voltage of each lithium ion battery 11 is, for example, 2.3V. However, each lithium ion battery 11 can be charged with a voltage exceeding the standard working voltage. Each lithium ion battery 11 is charged with a voltage of, for example, 3 V or more.

Further, the lithium ion battery 11 is configured to be connected in series without being connected in parallel to each other, and the maximum voltage that the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 can charge is 12 V or more and 60 V or less. In this case, the maximum voltage applied to both ends of the set of lithium ion batteries 11 connected in series is 12 V or more and 60 V or less.

Since the maximum voltage that can be charged by the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 is 12 V or more, it is possible to design a direct electrical connection with general electric parts mounted on the saddle-type vehicle 100. Further, since the maximum voltage that can be charged by the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 is 12 V or more, a general motor 105 mounted on the saddle-type vehicle 100 is used as the motor 105 that receives the supplied electric power. Design is possible. Further, since the maximum voltage that can be charged by the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 is 12 V or more, the motor 105 that receives the supplied electric power tends to increase the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle 100.

The saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 operates in a range belonging to the "extra low voltage" (ELV or safety extra low voltage: SELV) in the standard IEC60950 of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). .. The potential difference of any node inside the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 does not exceed 60 V.
Therefore, the degree of insulation of each node used in the battery pack is sufficient within the range of "operational insulation". Since the voltage of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is low, the insulation structure can be simplified as compared with the case of high voltage.

For example, as the lithium ion battery 11, a lithium ion battery 11 having a charging capacity of 5 Ah or more and 40 Ah or less can be adopted. When the maximum charging voltage of such a lithium ion battery 11 is 3V, the maximum charging voltage of a saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 having five lithium ion batteries 11 connected in series is 15V.
For example, when the lithium ion battery 11 has a charge capacity of 5 Ah and a continuous maximum charge rate of 10 C, the continuous maximum charge flow of the lithium ion battery 11 is 50 A. Further, for example, when the lithium ion battery 11 has a charge capacity of 20 Ah and a continuous maximum charge rate of 10 C, the continuous maximum charge flow of the lithium ion battery 11 is 200 A. As described above, the ability to fully charge the battery is difficult to grasp only from the charging current. This is because the ability of a battery to be fully charged depends not only on the charging current but also on the charging capacity. Therefore, in the present specification, as a capacity for the battery to be fully charged, a display based on a charging rate in consideration of a difference in charging capacity is adopted.

Further, as described above, the voltage applied to both ends of the plurality of lithium ion batteries 11 connected in series is a low voltage belonging to the “extra low voltage”. Therefore, for example, a smaller number of lithium-ion batteries 11 can be connected in series as compared with the case where a voltage higher than the "extra-low voltage" is applied. For example, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 of the present embodiment has five lithium-ion batteries 11 connected in series.
Therefore, for example, as compared with the case where more batteries are used to cope with a high voltage higher than the “extra low voltage”, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 of the present embodiment charges each lithium ion battery 11. It is possible to reduce variations in capacity characteristics.
For this reason, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 of the present embodiment can more easily maintain the balance of the charge amount in each lithium ion battery 11 without providing a control device such as a battery management system (BMS).

Each lithium ion battery 11 included in the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 of the present embodiment has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more. Therefore, a continuous maximum charge rate of 10 C or more can be realized as the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 without connecting a plurality of lithium ion batteries 11 in parallel.
For example, when the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more, it is possible to charge 50% or more of the charge capacity of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 within 3 minutes. As a result, for example, the electric vehicle equipped with the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 of the present embodiment can be charged in a time close to the time required for replenishing the liquid fuel in the conventional or current gas station. Therefore, the time to occupy the charging station is short.
Here, assuming that the amount of electric power to be charged is, for example, 50% of the charging capacity of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack, the saddle-type vehicle 100 that does not have an auxiliary power source such as an engine generator is usually 0%. This is because it is often charged with a sufficient margin for the amount of charge. For example, the saddle-type vehicle 100 is charged at a high frequency, for example, when the driver is at home, even when the charge amount of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 is more than 50%.
For example, if 50% or more of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 can be charged within 3 minutes, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 will be charged more frequently. Specifically, when there is a charging station on the traveling path, even if the charge amount of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is 70% or more, it is conceivable to stop by the charging station for several minutes to charge the battery.
Further, for example, when the charging station is equipped with a plurality of charging devices, it is possible to distinguish between a charging device dedicated to a vehicle (first lane) that completes charging within a few minutes and a charging device for a vehicle that does not. .. In this case, a specific vehicle that can be fully charged within a few minutes has a short waiting time and can be charged after a short stay.

The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 of the present embodiment has a lithium ion battery 11 connected in series without being connected in parallel. Therefore, the continuous maximum charging rate and the maximum charging current of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 cannot exceed the continuous maximum charging rate and the maximum charging current of the lithium ion battery 11. In other words, the continuous maximum charging rate and the maximum charging current of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 are mainly limited by the continuous maximum charging rate and the maximum charging current of the lithium ion battery 11.
As an example of the lithium ion battery 11 having a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more, for example,
A lithium-ion battery with a charging capacity of 40 Ah or less and a maximum charging current of 400 A,
A lithium-ion battery with a charging capacity of 20 Ah or less and a maximum charging current of 200 A,
A lithium-ion battery having a charging capacity of 10 Ah or less and a maximum charging current of 100 A, or
Lithium-ion batteries having a charging capacity of 5 Ah or less and a maximum charging current of 50 A can be mentioned.

By selecting a lithium-ion battery having a charging capacity of 5 Ah or less, it is possible to provide a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more even if the charging current that can be supplied from the charging device is about 50 A.

On the other hand, the maximum distance that the saddle-type vehicle 100 (see FIG. 3) can travel with the charged electric power depends on the total charge amount of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1. The total charge amount of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is proportional to the number of built-in lithium-ion batteries 11. Since the lithium ion batteries 11 are connected in series without being connected in parallel, the number of lithium ion batteries 11 can be set independently of the maximum charging current and the maximum continuous charging rate. The number of lithium-ion batteries 11 included in the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is equal to the number of series-connected lithium-ion batteries 11.
In the design of the saddle-type vehicle 100, the maximum travelable distance of the saddle-type vehicle 100 can be set by the number of lithium-ion batteries 11 included in the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1.
The charging voltage of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is proportional to the number of lithium-ion batteries 11. That is, the product of the charging voltage of one lithium-ion battery 11 and the number of lithium-ion batteries 11 is substantially the charging voltage of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1.
The maximum charging voltage of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is 20 V or more and 60 V or less. Therefore, the number of lithium ion batteries 11 is set so that the above product is 60 V or less.

For example, when each lithium ion battery 11 has a continuous maximum charging rate of 20C or more, a continuous maximum charging rate of 20C or more can be realized as the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1. In this case, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 can be charged in a shorter period of time.
For example, when the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 has a continuous maximum charging rate of 20 C or more, it is possible to charge 50% or more of the charge capacity of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 within 1.5 minutes. ..
As an example of the lithium ion battery 11 having a continuous maximum charging rate of 20 C or more, for example,
A lithium-ion battery with a charging capacity of 20 Ah or less and a maximum charging current of 400 A,
A lithium-ion battery with a charging capacity of 10 Ah or less and a maximum charging current of 200 A,
A lithium-ion battery having a charging capacity of 5 Ah or less and a maximum charging current of 100 A, or
Lithium-ion batteries having a charging capacity of 2.5 Ah and a maximum charging current of 50 A.

For example, when each lithium-ion battery 11 has a continuous maximum charging rate of 40C or more, a continuous maximum charging rate of 40C or more can be realized as the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1. In this case, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 can be charged in a shorter period of time.
For example, when the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 has a continuous maximum charging rate of 40 C or more, it is possible to charge 50% or more of the charge capacity of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 in less than one minute.
As an example of the lithium ion battery 11 having a continuous maximum charging rate of 40 C or more, for example,
A lithium-ion battery with a charging capacity of 10 Ah or less and a maximum charging current of 400 A,
A lithium-ion battery with a charging capacity of 5 Ah or less and a maximum charging current of 200 A,
Lithium-ion batteries having a charging capacity of 2.5 Ah and a maximum charging current of 100 A.

According to the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 of the present embodiment, by eliminating the parallel connection of the lithium ion batteries 11, charging of each lithium ion battery 11 is omitted while omitting a control device for centrally controlling each lithium ion battery 11. It is possible to keep the balance of quantity. In addition, the insulating structure can be simplified. Therefore, a small saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 can be realized with a simple configuration. Then, since a continuous maximum charging rate of, for example, 10 C or more can be realized as the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 without connecting a plurality of lithium-ion batteries 11 in parallel, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack can be charged in a short time. be.
As described above, it is possible to realize a saddle-type vehicle battery pack that has a simple configuration, is compact, and can be charged in a short time.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the saddle-mounted vehicle 100 shown in the part (a-1) of FIG. 1 in more detail.
The saddle-mounted vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 3 has a saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1. The saddle-mounted vehicle 100 includes a vehicle body 102 and

wheels

103a and 103b. The vehicle body 102 is provided with a motor control device 104 and a motor 105. The vehicle body 102 includes a saddle 107 and a bar handle 108 for steering. The saddle 107 is configured so that the driver sits across it. The steering bar handle 108 is provided so as to extend in the left-right direction of the saddle-mounted vehicle 100. The saddle-mounted vehicle 100 is configured to turn as a lean vehicle by shifting the weight so as to lean inward of the curve by a driver who holds the bar handle 108 at the time of turning. The saddle-mounted vehicle 100 does not have an engine as an internal combustion engine. The saddle-mounted vehicle 100 is not provided with a control device. The control device referred to here acquires at least one parameter of the current, voltage, or temperature detected from each of the plurality of lithium ion batteries 11 in the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1. Further, the control device is configured to change the voltage and / or current of at least one lithium ion battery 11 based on the acquired at least one parameter. Such a control device is not provided in the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1.
The rear wheel 103b is a driving wheel. The motor 105 drives the wheels 103b by the electric power supplied from the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1. The saddle-mounted vehicle 100 travels by driving the wheels 103b.
The electric power of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is supplied to the motor 105 via the motor control device 104. The motor control device 104 controls the power supply. The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is connected to the motor control device 104 via the electrical connector 13. The motor control device 104 controls the power supply from the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 to the motor 105 via the mating connector and the power supply from the motor 105 to the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 via the mating connector. .. That is, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 is connected to the vehicle body 102 of the saddle-type vehicle 100 via the electric connection connector 13. The current is transmitted from the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 to the motor control device 104 via the electrical connector 13.
For example, when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is braked by the regenerative braking of the motor 105, the electric power generated by the motor 105 is supplied to the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 via the motor control device 104. At this time, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 is charged.

The saddle-mounted vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 3 has a function of being charged by electric power supplied from the outside of the saddle-mounted vehicle 100. More specifically, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 has a function of being charged by electric power supplied from the outside of the saddle-mounted vehicle 100.
For example, the mating connector provided in the motor control device 104 is removed from the electric connection connector 13, and the connector of the charging device provided outside the saddle-mounted vehicle 100 is connected to the electric connection connector 13. The connector of the charging device provided externally is, for example, a connector provided in the charging device of the charging station. As the connector of the charging device, for example, a connector of a charging device provided in a general household and using a commercial power source can also be adopted.

Since the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 has a continuous maximum charging rate of 10 C or more, for example, 50% or more of the charge capacity of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 can be charged within 3 minutes. Therefore, the saddle-mounted vehicle 100 does not need to occupy the charging station for a long time for charging.

For example, when each lithium-ion battery has a continuous maximum charging rate of 40C or more, a continuous maximum charging rate of 40C or more can be realized as a saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1. In this case, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 can be charged in a shorter period of time. Therefore, the time to occupy the charging station is short.

As a comparative example with respect to the present embodiment, for example, a case where the continuous maximum charging rate of the lithium ion battery is less than 10C will be described.

As a first method of charging a saddle-type vehicle battery pack with a lithium-ion battery having a continuous maximum charging rate of less than 10C and charging the same amount of energy (charge) as in the embodiment in the same charging time, the batteries are connected in series. May increase the number of lithium-ion batteries. This is because the amount of energy (charge) is proportional to the product of the pack's current and voltage. Even if the charge amount of each lithium-ion battery is smaller than the charge amount in the fully charged state, energy (charge) can be supplemented by increasing the number of lithium-ion batteries connected in series. However, increasing the number of lithium-ion batteries connected in series to increase energy also accompanies an increase in charging voltage. Therefore, the maximum charging voltage may exceed the range of 12 V or more and 60 V or less. Also, increasing the number of lithium-ion batteries connected in series to increase energy is accompanied by an increase in the output voltage of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack. It is required to increase the maximum voltage of the motor control device and the motor. In addition, as the number of lithium-ion batteries increases, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack becomes larger.

As a second method of charging the same amount of energy (electric charge) as in the embodiment while forming a saddle-type vehicle battery pack with a lithium-ion battery having a continuous maximum charging rate of less than 10C, they are connected in parallel. There is a method of increasing the number of lithium-ion batteries to more than one. In the case of parallel connection, there are fewer voltage problems than in the case of series voltage. Therefore, increasing the charging rate by parallel connection is simple in principle. However, in the case of parallel connection, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack becomes large.
First, when increasing the number of lithium-ion batteries connected in parallel, the number of lithium-ion batteries becomes twice, three times, ... Therefore, the volume of the lithium ion battery itself increases. In addition, the life of a lithium-ion battery is easily affected by temperature. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the interval between each lithium battery so that the amount of heat dissipated increases as the number of lithium ion batteries increases. The volume of the entire lithium-ion battery including the interval increases.
Next, wiring becomes complicated due to the mixture of series connection and parallel connection. Therefore, a space for accommodating complicated wiring is required.
Finally, when lithium-ion batteries are connected in parallel, the amount of charge varies depending on the variation in the internal resistance of each lithium-ion battery. In order to suppress the variation in the amount of charge, a control device for monitoring and controlling the state of the lithium ion batteries connected in parallel is required.

The lithium-ion battery 911 shown in part (b-2) of FIG. 1 has a continuous maximum charge rate of less than 10C.
The lithium ion batteries 911 are connected in parallel. The configuration is 2 parallel and 5 series. As a whole of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 91 of the comparative example, a continuous maximum charging rate equivalent to that of the embodiment shown in the part (b-1) of FIG. 1 is realized.
The wiring 914 connecting the lithium ion battery 911 has a complicated shape because parallel connection and series connection are mixed. Further, control circuits 916 and 917 are provided in order to suppress variations in the charge amount of each lithium ion battery 911. The control circuits 916 and 917 include an individual control unit 917 and a central control unit 916. The individual control unit 917 has a circuit that detects the current of each lithium ion battery 911 and limits the current. The individual control unit 917 supplies the detection result as current data to the control device. The central control unit 916 calculates the charge amount of each lithium ion battery 911 from the current data of each lithium ion battery 911. The central control unit 916 causes the individual control unit 917 to limit the current of the lithium ion battery 911 according to the calculation result. As a result, the central control unit 916 controls a part of the plurality of lithium ion batteries 911 so as not to be overcharged.

The saddle-type vehicle battery pack 91 shown in the part (b-2) of FIG. 1 is larger than, for example, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 of the embodiment shown in the part (b-1) of FIG. Therefore, the saddle-type vehicle 910 of the part (a-2) of FIG. 1 on which the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 91 is mounted is the saddle-type vehicle 100 of the embodiment shown in the part (a-1) of FIG. Greater than.

On the other hand, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 of the present embodiment shown in the part (b-1) of FIG. 1 is, for example, the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 of the comparative example shown in the part (b-2) of FIG. Smaller than Therefore, the saddle-type vehicle 100 of the part (a-1) of FIG. 1 on which the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 1 of the present embodiment is mounted is the saddle of the comparative example shown in the part (a-2) of FIG. It is smaller than the riding vehicle 910.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to the second embodiment.

The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 21 according to the present embodiment is different from the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 according to the first embodiment in that it further includes a charging-dedicated connector 15 and a current circuit breaker 18. Other configurations are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 1 shown in Part (1-b) of FIG. 1, and some description thereof will be omitted.

The charging connector 15 of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 21 shown in FIG. 4 is connected to the connector of the charging device provided outside the saddle-mounted vehicle 100. The charging-dedicated connector 15 is connected to the set of lithium-ion batteries 11 in parallel with the electrical connection connector 13. The charging-only connector 15 is used only when the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 21 is charged by the electric power supplied from the outside of the saddle-mounted vehicle 100.
The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 21 has an electrical connection connector 13 and a charging-only connector 15. Therefore, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 21 can be charged while maintaining the connection state of the vehicle body 102 of the saddle-type vehicle 100 with respect to the electric connection connector 13. Therefore, the charging operation can be facilitated, and the degree of freedom in the installation position of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 21 can be increased.

Each lithium ion battery 11 has a negative electrode containing at least one selected from the group consisting of spinel-type lithium titanate, niobium titanium-containing composite oxide, and graphite. Therefore, each lithium ion battery 11 has a wide allowable range of charge voltage and discharge voltage. Each lithium-ion battery 11 is connected in series without a parallel connection involving electrical connection between the negative electrodes. Therefore, it is easy to maintain the balance of the charge amount in each lithium ion battery 11 without providing a control device such as a battery management system (BMS) for centrally controlling each lithium ion battery 11.

The current circuit breaker 18 of the saddle-type vehicle battery pack 21 conducts or cuts off the current flowing through the lithium ion battery 11.
The current circuit breaker 18 of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 21 is configured to be turned on when, for example, the mating connector is connected to the electrical connection connector 13 or the charging-only connector 15. The current circuit breaker 18 is configured to be turned on by, for example, a current energizing the mating connector. As a means for turning on the state, for example, a device for detecting a physical connection or a signal received from the other party at the time of connection may be provided.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the current of the lithium ion battery 11 carelessly flows to the outside from the electric connection connector 13 or the charging dedicated connector 15. For example, when the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack 21 is removed from the vehicle body 102 (see FIG. 3), the electrical connection connector 13 or the charging-only connector 15 inadvertently contacts some conductor, and the conductor becomes a connector with a large current. It is possible to suppress the situation of welding.
Without providing a control device such as a battery management system (BMS), it is possible to suppress a situation in which, for example, an external conductor is welded to the electrical connection connector 13 or the charging-only connector 15 with a simple configuration.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and for example, the following configurations (7) to (11) can be adopted. Examples of the following embodiments (7) to (11) include the above-described embodiments.

(7) A saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to any one of (1) to (4).
The case has a liquidtight structure.

According to the above configuration, even if the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack may be exposed to a liquid such as water or oil, the ingress of the liquid is suppressed depending on the case. Therefore, the contact between the lithium ion battery and the liquid is suppressed.

(8) A saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to any one of (1) to (4).
Each of the plurality of lithium-ion batteries has a continuous maximum charging rate of 40 C or more.

According to the above configuration, a maximum charge rate of 40 C or more can be realized as a saddle-type vehicle battery pack, so that the saddle-type vehicle battery pack can be charged in a shorter time.

(9) A saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to any one of (1) to (4).
Each of the plurality of lithium ion batteries has a capacity of 5 Ah or more.

According to the above configuration, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack can be charged to the extent that the saddle-type vehicle can run for normal purposes even when charging with a voltage of 60 V or less.

(10) A saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to any one of (1) to (4).
Each of the plurality of lithium ion batteries has a capacity of 20 Ah or less.

According to the above configuration, the saddle-type vehicle battery pack can be charged to the extent that the saddle-type vehicle can be driven for long-distance travel even when charging with a voltage of 60 V or less.

1,21 Saddle-type vehicle battery pack 11 Lithium-ion battery 12 Case 13 Electric connection connector 18 Current breaker 100 Saddle-type vehicle 102 Body 104 Motor control device 105 Motor 107 Saddle 108 Bar handle

Claims

A saddle-type vehicle battery pack used for saddle-type vehicles.
The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack is
With multiple lithium-ion batteries
A case accommodating the plurality of lithium ion batteries and
An electrical connection connector that is connected to a mating connector provided on the vehicle body of the saddle-type vehicle and transmits a current input / output to the vehicle body.
With
The saddle-type vehicle battery pack has a charge capacity of 2.5 Ah or more and a maximum of 12 V or more and 60 V or less so as to receive and output electric power that is converted into power to increase the driving force of the saddle-type vehicle. It has a charging voltage and a series connection structure of the plurality of lithium ion batteries, each having a continuous maximum charging rate of 10C or more, without parallel connection, and the maximum charging voltage is a voltage corresponding to the voltage across the series connection. Is,
Saddle-type vehicle battery pack.
The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to claim 1.
Each of the plurality of lithium ion batteries has an independent negative electrode, and the independent negative electrode contains at least one selected from the group consisting of spinnel-type lithium titanate, niobium titanium-containing composite oxide, and graphite. In addition, by connecting to the positive electrode or the negative electrode without being electrically connected to each other with other independent negative electrodes, a series connection structure without parallel connection of the plurality of lithium ion batteries is realized.
Saddle-type vehicle battery pack.
The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to claim 1 or 2.
A current circuit breaker that is connected in series with the plurality of lithium ion batteries and cuts off the current flowing through the plurality of lithium ion batteries is provided.
Saddle-type vehicle battery pack.
The saddle-type vehicle battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The saddle-type vehicle battery pack acquires at least one parameter of the current, voltage, or temperature detected from each of the plurality of lithium-ion batteries, and is based on the acquired at least one parameter. It does not include a control device configured to change the voltage and / or current of at least one of the plurality of lithium ion batteries.
Saddle-type vehicle battery pack.
It ’s a saddle-type vehicle,
The saddle-mounted vehicle is
The saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
A mating connector configured to be connected to the electrical connector of the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack,
With the drive wheels
It is configured to control the power supply from the saddle-type vehicle battery pack to the motor via the mating connector and the power supply from the motor to the saddle-mounted vehicle battery pack via the mating connector. Motor controller and
The motor is provided with the motor configured to drive the drive wheels with electric power supplied from the motor control device, while generating electric power by driving the drive wheels.
Of the plurality of lithium ion batteries, at least one parameter of the current, voltage or temperature detected from each of the plurality of lithium ion batteries is acquired, and based on the acquired at least one parameter, among the plurality of lithium ion batteries. A saddle-type vehicle without a control device configured to change the voltage and / or current of at least one of the lithium-ion batteries.
The saddle-mounted vehicle according to claim 5.
The saddle-mounted vehicle is
A steering bar handle provided so as to extend in the left-right direction of the saddle-mounted vehicle, and
Equipped with a saddle configured for the driver to sit across
As a lean vehicle, a saddle-type vehicle configured to turn by weight transfer so as to lean inward of a curve by a driver who grips the bar handle when turning.