Battery pack

Abstract

This battery pack is mounted on a vehicle, and is provided with: a plurality of battery cells stacked in the front-rear direction of the vehicle in a state in which the battery pack is mounted on the lower side of the vehicle compartment; a case that houses the plurality of battery cells; and a common panel that is disposed below the case. The battery cell includes a cell opening and a cell valve. The cell opening is provided on the bottom surface of the battery cell. The unit valve is provided at the unit opening. The housing includes a housing opening that communicates with the unit opening. The housing opening part is arranged on the bottom surface of the housing. A smoke discharge path is formed between the housing and the common panel. The common panel protrudes toward the unit valve side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] In the battery module disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-065217, a plurality of battery cells are stacked. In addition, a casing houses the plurality of battery cells in a manner arranged in a transverse direction. In addition, a fume hood is located between the plurality of battery cells and the upper plate of the casing. A pressure relief valve is provided on the upper surface of each of the plurality of battery cells. For example, a short circuit may sometimes occur inside the battery cell, generating high-pressure gas and debris (debris) that are released from the pressure relief valve. Hereinafter, the phenomenon of gas and debris being released from the pressure relief valve of the battery cell is sometimes simply expressed as "smoking". The fume hood can effectively guide the gas and debris ejected from the battery cell when smoking. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The inventors of the present application have found the following problems.

[0004] The inventors of this application have come up with a battery pack in which a cell valve is arranged on the bottom surface of each of a plurality of battery cells. The case has a case opening portion opposite to the cell valve. A shared panel is arranged on the lower side of the case. A smoke exhaust path is formed between the shared panel and the case. In such a battery pack, when smoke is generated, gas and debris are ejected from the cell valve of the battery cell, pass through the case opening portion, and are guided by the shared panel and the case. In other words, the debris is discharged through the smoke exhaust path. However, sometimes the debris is retained on the lower side of the cell valve in the shared panel, and there is a risk of clogging the smoke exhaust path.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a battery pack that can suppress the risk of debris clogging a smoke exhaust path.

[0006] The battery pack disclosed herein is a battery pack mounted on a vehicle.

[0007] The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells stacked in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, a case accommodating the plurality of battery cells, and a common panel arranged below the case, in a state where the battery pack is mounted on the lower side of the vehicle cabin.

[0008] The battery cell includes a cell opening and a cell valve.

[0009] The cell opening is provided on the bottom surface of the battery cell.

[0010] The unit valve is provided at the unit opening.

[0011] The housing includes a housing opening communicating with the unit opening.

[0012] The housing opening is provided on the bottom surface of the housing.

[0013] A smoke exhaust path is formed between the shell and the common panel.

[0014] The common panel protrudes toward the unit valve side.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above battery pack, the common panel may include a common panel body and a protrusion provided below the cell valve, and the protrusion may protrude toward the cell valve.

[0016] Furthermore, in the battery pack, the protrusion may be a cylindrical body having a triangular cross-sectional shape, and a corner formed by intersecting two outer side surfaces of the cylindrical body may protrude toward the cell valve.

[0017] Furthermore, in the battery pack described above, the protrusion may be a cylindrical body having a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, and the cylindrical body may protrude toward the cell valve.

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the smoke exhaust path is clogged by debris. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a plan view of a configuration example of the battery pack according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a configuration example of the battery pack according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a configuration example of the battery module according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 4 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one configuration example of the battery module according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 5 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a modified example of the battery module of the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 6 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another modified example of the battery module of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, the following description and drawings are appropriately simplified for clarity of description.

[0027] <Implementation Method 1>

[0028] Reference Figures 1 to 4 Implementation method 1 will be described. Figure 1 This is a plan view of a configuration example of the battery pack according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a battery pack configuration example is shown. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a configuration example of the battery module according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a configuration example of a battery module is shown.

[0029] In addition, of course, Figure 1 The right-handed X, Y, and Z coordinates shown in the other figures are for the purpose of explaining the positional relationships of the components. Generally speaking, the positive direction of the UPR axis is vertically upward relative to the vehicle (VE), the positive direction of the FR axis is forward relative to the vehicle (VE), and the positive direction of the RH axis is to the right of the vehicle (VE). The plane containing the FR and RH axes is a horizontal plane and is common to all figures.

[0030] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the battery pack 100 includes a battery module 10, a case 2, and a common panel 3. The battery pack 100 is mounted on a vehicle VE and is disposed on the lower side of a vehicle interior VR of the vehicle VE.

[0031] The housing 2 houses the battery module 10. The battery module 10 extends in the FR axis direction. The housing 2 includes a lower housing 22 and an upper housing 21. The common panel 3 is disposed below the housing 2. The common panel 3 is capable of receiving input from the road surface while the vehicle VE is traveling. The common panel 3 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the housing 2. The common panel 3 is preferably sized to cover the housing 2. The housing 2 and the common panel 3 are preferably formed of a metal material. Examples of such metal materials include steel and aluminum alloys.

[0032] A smoke exhaust path RR is formed between the common panel 3 and the housing 2. When smoke is generated, it is preferable that the gas is ejected from the battery module 10 and exhausted to the outside of the vehicle VE through the smoke exhaust path RR.

[0033] A cell space SP2 is formed between the lower case 22 and the upper case 21. The battery module 10 is housed in the cell space SP2.

[0034] It is preferable to form an equipment space SP3 inside the upper housing 21. It is preferable to arrange equipment constituting the vehicle VE in the equipment space SP3.

[0035] The battery module 10 includes a plurality of battery cells 1 and two end plates 4. The plurality of battery cells 1 are preferably stacked in the FR axis direction via a heat insulator or the like. The two end plates 4 preferably sandwich the plurality of battery cells 1 via a heat insulator or the like. Figure 3 As shown, the battery modules 10 are arranged in parallel in the housing 2. Figure 3 In the example shown, four battery modules 10 are arranged side by side in the RH axis direction in the casing 2 .

[0036] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the cooler 5 is preferably disposed on the bottom surface 22a of the lower housing 22. The cooler 5 may be in contact with the bottom surface 22a of the lower housing 22 via a thermally conductive adhesive. The cooler 5 is preferably made of a material having good thermal conductivity. Such materials include aluminum, copper, or alloys thereof.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the battery cell 1 includes a cell opening 1b and a cell valve 1a. The cell opening 1b is provided on the bottom surface 1aa of the battery cell 1. The cell valve 1a is provided on the cell opening 1b. Figure 4 The example shown is a cell valve 1a located near the center of the bottom surface 1aa of the battery cell 1. A positive terminal and a negative terminal are preferably provided on each side of the battery cell 1. The housing 2 includes a housing opening 2a that communicates with the cell opening 1b. The housing opening 2a is located on the bottom surface 22a of the lower housing 22. A housing valve may be provided on the housing opening 2a. The cooler 5 is preferably located around the housing opening 2a.

[0038] The common panel 3 protrudes toward the unit valve 1a side. Specifically, the common panel 3 includes a common panel main body 3a and a convex portion 3b. The common panel main body 3a is opposite to the bottom surface 22a of the lower shell 22. The convex portion 3b is provided below the unit valve 1a (in the negative direction of the UPR axis here). The common panel main body 3a is continuous with the convex portion 3b. The convex portion 3b protrudes toward the unit valve 1a side (in the positive direction of the UPR axis here). In addition, the convex portion 3b can be protected by covering the convex portion 3b with a protective member 6. Protecting the convex portion 3b by the protective member 6 can suppress the occurrence of corrosion, and is therefore preferred. The heat resistance of the protective member 6 is preferably higher than that of the common panel 3. The protective member 6 is preferably made of a heat-resistant material, such as mica.

[0039] Here, the battery cell 1 emits smoke, generating gas FF and high-pressure debris inside the battery cell 1. The debris reaches the cell valve 1a. The cell valve 1a then opens (releases). The debris passes through the housing opening 2a and reaches the common panel 3. As described above, the common panel 3 protrudes toward the cell valve 1a. Therefore, the common panel 3 branches the debris to both sides in the longitudinal direction (RH axis) of the battery cell 1. This disperses the debris across the common panel 3.

[0040] Furthermore, the common panel 3 of this embodiment includes a common panel body 3a and a protrusion 3b provided below the cell valve 1a. The protrusion 3b protrudes toward the cell valve 1a. This configuration allows the protrusion 3b to branch the gas FF and debris toward both sides in the longitudinal direction (RH axis) of the battery cell 1. This prevents heat transfer from the exhaust gas to the common panel 3 while dispersing the debris.

[0041] <Modification of the common panel>

[0042] Next, various modifications of the common panel 3 will be described.

[0043] Figure 5 The common panel 13 shown is Figure 4 A modified example of the common panel 3 is shown. Figure 5 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a modified example of the battery module of embodiment 1. The common panel 13 includes a common panel main body 13a and a protrusion 13b. The common panel main body 13a is opposite to the bottom surface 22a of the lower shell 22. The protrusion 13b is provided below the cell valve 1a (in the negative direction of the UPR axis). The protrusion 13b is arranged on the common panel main body 13a. The protrusion 13b is a cylindrical body with a triangular cross-sectional shape. The cylindrical body preferably extends in the FR axis direction. The cylindrical body has outer side surfaces 13ba and 13bb. The outer side surfaces 13ba and 13bb intersect with each other to form a corner 13bc. The corner 13bc protrudes toward the cell valve 1a side (in the positive direction of the UPR axis). According to this structure, the corner 13bc branches the gas FF and debris to both sides in the longitudinal direction (RH axis direction) of the battery cell 1. In addition, since the protrusion 13b is a cylindrical body, heat conduction between the gas FF, debris and the common panel main body 13a is suppressed. Therefore, the heat insulation effect can be improved and the dispersion of debris can be further achieved.

[0044] in addition, Figure 6 The common panel 23 shown is Figure 4 Another modified example of the common panel 3 is shown. Figure 6This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another modified example of the battery module of embodiment 1. The common panel 23 includes a common panel main body 13a and a protrusion 23b. The protrusion 23b is provided below the cell valve 1a (in the negative direction of the UPR axis). The protrusion 23b is arranged on the common panel main body 13a. The protrusion 23b is a cylindrical body having a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The cylindrical body preferably extends in the FR axis direction. The trapezoid has a first base 23ba located on the cell valve 1a side and a second base 23bb located on the common panel main body 13a side. The first base 23ba is located on the cell valve 1a side, and the second base 23bb is located on the common panel main body 13a side. The first base 23ba is preferably shorter than the second base 23bb. According to this structure, the protrusion 23b branches the gas FF and debris to both sides in the longitudinal direction (RH axis direction) of the battery cell 1. In addition, since the protrusion 23b is a cylindrical body, heat conduction between the gas FF, debris and the common panel main body 13a is suppressed. Therefore, the heat insulation effect can be improved and the dispersion of debris can be further achieved.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the gist. In addition, the present invention can be implemented by appropriately combining the above-described embodiment and one example thereof.

Claims

1. A battery pack, mounted on a vehicle, The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells stacked in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, a case accommodating the plurality of battery cells, and a common panel arranged below the case, in a state where the battery pack is mounted on the lower side of the vehicle cabin. The battery cell includes a cell opening and a cell valve. The cell opening is provided on the bottom surface of the battery cell. The unit valve is provided at the unit opening. The housing includes a housing opening communicating with the unit opening. The housing opening is provided on the bottom surface of the housing. A smoke exhaust path is formed between the shell and the common panel. The common panel protrudes toward the unit valve side.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, The common panel includes a common panel body and a protrusion provided below the unit valve. The convex portion protrudes toward the unit valve side.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, The convex portion is a cylindrical body with a triangular cross-section. A corner formed by the intersection of two outer side surfaces of the cylindrical body protrudes toward the unit valve side.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2, The convex portion is a cylindrical body with a trapezoidal cross-section. The cylindrical body protrudes toward the unit valve side.

Images