Protection structure for power storage device

Abstract

The invention provides a protection structure for a power storage device, wherein a non-waterproof device of the power storage device is not easily affected by water. In the protection structure of the electricity storage device, the electricity storage device is arranged above a concave part arranged in a vehicle and is separated from the concave part. A sheet member is disposed so as to cover between an end portion of the battery case on the side where the non-waterproof device protrudes from the battery case and an end portion of the recess on the side where the non-waterproof device protrudes from the battery case, and the sheet member hangs down from the battery case.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to protective structures for energy storage devices, such as protective structures for energy storage devices mounted in a vehicle and having non-waterproof components protruding forward or backward from the battery casing. Background Technology

[0002] The energy storage device is preferably configured to be less susceptible to adverse effects from water. For example, the energy storage device in Patent Document 1 is configured such that by forming an inclined portion in the lower casing of the battery casing, water that has entered the battery casing is stored at a position away from the battery module, thereby making the battery module less susceptible to adverse effects from water.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-128925 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The applicant has identified the following issue. Generally, when an energy storage device is mounted in a vehicle, non-waterproof components protrude due to considerations such as maintainability. Therefore, a preferred configuration is one in which the non-waterproof components of the energy storage device are less susceptible to adverse effects from water when mounted in a vehicle.

[0005] This disclosure provides a protective structure for the energy storage device that makes the non-waterproof components of the energy storage device less susceptible to adverse effects from water when the energy storage device is mounted in a vehicle.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a protective structure for an energy storage device that is mounted on a vehicle and whose non-waterproof components protrude forward or backward from the battery casing.

[0007] The energy storage device is disposed above a recess in the vehicle, spaced apart from the recess.

[0008] When viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, a sheet member is arranged such that it covers the end of the non-waterproof device protruding from the battery housing in the battery housing and the end of the non-waterproof device protruding from the battery housing in the recess.

[0009] The sheet member hangs down from the end of the non-waterproof device protruding from the battery housing on one side and at a position below the non-waterproof device.

[0010] In the above-described protective structure of the energy storage device, it is preferable that the lower end of the plate member hangs down from the side of the battery casing relative to the recess near the non-waterproof device.

[0011] In the aforementioned protective structure of the energy storage device, it is preferable that the recess is formed in the floor panel of the vehicle.

[0012] A crossbeam of the vehicle is positioned on the side of the battery casing that protrudes from the non-waterproof device relative to the recess.

[0013] The lower end of the sheet member hangs down relative to the crossbeam on the side protruding from the battery casing near the non-waterproof device.

[0014] In the protective structure of the above-described energy storage device, it is preferable to have a wall portion disposed on the side of the battery casing that protrudes from the non-waterproof device relative to the sheet member.

[0015] The lower end of the plate member is positioned between the wall and the crossbeam in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0016] In the aforementioned protective structure of the energy storage device, it is preferable that the energy storage device is disposed in the vertical direction of the vehicle between the vehicle's seat and the floor panel.

[0017] The wall portion is the seat trim of the vehicle.

[0018] When the plate member is rotated about its upper end, the lower end of the plate member comes into contact with the seat trim.

[0019] According to this disclosure, a protective structure for the energy storage device is provided so that the non-waterproof parts of the energy storage device are not easily affected by water when the energy storage device is mounted on a vehicle.

[0020] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings given below. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram illustrating the protection structure of an energy storage device according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a simplified diagram showing the state in which water accumulates in the recess of the floor panel in the protective structure of the energy storage device in the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a simplified diagram illustrating the situation where water flows out from the recess in the floor panel of the energy storage device in the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a simplified illustration of a protective structure for an energy storage device in an embodiment, in which a sheet member protects the non-waterproof components of the energy storage device from water. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which this disclosure is applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, for clarity, the following description and drawings have been appropriately simplified.

[0026] First, the protection structure of the energy storage device in this embodiment will be explained. Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram illustrating the protection structure of the energy storage device according to this embodiment. Furthermore, in the following description, a three-dimensional (XYZ) coordinate system will be used for clarity. Here, for example, the X-axis + side represents the right side of the vehicle, the X-axis - side represents the left side of the vehicle, the Y-axis + side represents the front side of the vehicle, the Y-axis - side represents the rear side of the vehicle, the Z-axis + side represents the upper side of the vehicle, and the Z-axis - side represents the lower side of the vehicle.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the protective structure of the energy storage device 1 is implemented using the vehicle 2. The energy storage device 1 extends, for example, along the X-axis direction. The energy storage device 1 includes a battery module 3, a battery casing 4, and non-waterproof equipment 5.

[0028] Battery module 3 should preferably be equipped with lithium-ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, or all-solid-state batteries. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the battery housing 4 houses the battery module 3. Non-waterproof devices 5, such as connectors for connecting cables, protrude from the battery housing 4 toward the Y-axis+ side.

[0029] Vehicle 2 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, such as Figure 1 As shown, the energy storage device 1 is disposed between the seat 6 and the floor panel 7. The seat 6 is fixed to the floor panel 7, for example, the rear seat.

[0030] Floor panel 7, for example, forms part of the body of vehicle 2. Figure 1 As shown, a crossbeam 8 is fixed to the end of the floor panel 7 on the Z-axis side to reinforce the floor panel 7 and even the vehicle body. The crossbeam 8 extends along the Y-axis direction and is preferably a rectangular tube.

[0031] In the floor panel 7, to ensure interior space in vehicle 2, a recess 7a is formed at a location avoiding the crossbeam 8. Figure 1 In the example diagram, recesses 7a are provided on the Y-axis+ and Y-axis- sides, separated from the portion 7b in the floor panel 7 where the crossbeam 8 is fixed.

[0032] Therefore, as Figure 1 As shown, the portion 7b of the floor panel 7 to which the crossbeam 8 is fixed protrudes towards the Z-axis+ side relative to the bottom of the Z-axis side of the recess 7a on the Y-axis-side and the bottom of the Z-axis side of the recess 7a on the Y-axis+ side. An energy storage device 1 is disposed on the Z-axis+ side of the recess 7a on the Y-axis-side relative to this recess 7a.

[0033] And, as Figure 1 As shown, the seat trim 9 hangs down from the end of the seat 6 on the Y-axis+ side toward the Z-axis- side. The seat trim 9 is, for example, a plate that convexly faces the Y-axis+ side when viewed from the Y-axis direction, separating the space on the Z-axis-side of the seat 6 from the interior space. For example, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the seat trim 9 preferably has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the X-axis direction.

[0034] The Z-axis side end of the seat trim piece 9, for example, like... Figure 1 As shown, the portion 7b on which the crossbeam 8 is fixed in the floor panel 7 is positioned with a gap between the bottom of the recess 7a on the Z-axis side and the Y-axis side on the Y-axis+ side. However, the shape of the seat trim 9 is not limited to the shape described above, as long as it is a panel that can separate the space on the Z-axis side of the seat 6 from the interior space.

[0035] In such a configuration, for example, condensation generated when the energy storage device 1 is cooled is discharged from the energy storage device 1, or water seeps into the interior of the vehicle 2 from the outside, thereby sometimes accumulating water in the recess 7a on the Y-axis side of the floor panel 7.

[0036] At this time, when the vehicle 2 brakes, water moves towards the Y-axis+ side and bounces up (splashes up) on the Y-axis+ side side wall of the recess 7a on the Y-axis-side of the floor panel 7 (in other words, the Y-axis-side side wall of the part 7b on the floor panel 7 where the crossbeam 8 is fixed), or water flowing out from the recess 7a on the Y-axis-side bounces up on the seat trim 9.

[0037] The water that bounces up in this way comes into contact with the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1, and the non-waterproof device 5 may be adversely affected by the water. Therefore, in the protection structure of the energy storage device 1 in this embodiment, as... Figure 1 As shown, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, a sheet member 10 is arranged between the Y-axis+ side end of the battery housing 4 of the energy storage device 1 and the Y-axis+ side end of the recess 7a on the Y-axis-side of the floor panel 7.

[0038] The sheet component 10 is, for example, made of resin, such as Figure 1 As shown, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, it is preferable to have a roughly rectangular shape that is longer in the X-axis direction. The Z-axis+ side end of the sheet member 10 is, for example, fixed to the Y-axis+ side end and the Z-axis-side end of the battery casing 4 of the energy storage device 1.

[0039] That is, such as Figure 1 As shown, the Z-axis + side end of the sheet member 10 is fixed to the battery casing 4 of the energy storage device 1 at a position relative to the non-waterproof device 5 on the Z-axis - side. Furthermore, the Z-axis - side end of the sheet member 10 is positioned relative to the portion 7b in the floor panel 7 where the crossbeam 8 is fixed, on the Y-axis + side.

[0040] Therefore, the sheet member 10 hangs down from the battery casing 4 of the energy storage device 1 at a position relative to the non-waterproof device 5 on the Z-axis side, and covers the Y-axis side side wall portion 7d of the recess 7a on the Y-axis side of the floor panel 7 (in other words, the Y-axis side side wall portion of the portion 7b of the floor panel 7 to which the crossbeam 8 is fixed).

[0041] That is, the sheet member 10 hangs down on the Y-axis+ side of the portion 7b relative to the section 7b where the crossbeam 8 is fixed in the floor panel 7. At this time, it is preferable that the sheet member 10 has the following length: when the sheet member 10 rotates about the X-axis with the Z-axis+ side end of the sheet member 10 as the center, the Z-axis-side end of the sheet member 10 can contact the seat trim 9.

[0042] Next, the process of protecting the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1 from water through the protective structure of the energy storage device 1 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 This is a simplified diagram showing the state in which water accumulates in the recess of the floor panel in the protective structure of the energy storage device of this embodiment.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a simplified diagram illustrating the situation where water flows out from the recess in the floor panel during the protective structure of the energy storage device in this embodiment. Figure 4 This diagram is a simplified representation of the protective structure of the energy storage device in this embodiment, in which a sheet member protects the non-waterproof components of the energy storage device from water.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, when water 11 accumulates in the recess 7a on the Y-axis side of the floor panel 7, when the vehicle 2 brakes, as... Figure 3 As shown, water 11 moves toward the Y-axis+ side and flows out from the recess 7a on the Y-axis-side of the floor panel 7.

[0045] At this time, as Figure 4 As shown, water 11 flowing out from the recess 7a on the Y-axis side of the floor panel 7 presses the sheet member 10 toward the Y-axis side along the Z-axis+ side surface 7e of the portion 7b in the floor panel 7 where the crossbeam 8 is fixed, causing the sheet member 10 to rotate around the X-axis with the Z-axis+ side end of the sheet member 10 as the center.

[0046] As a result, the energy of water 11 moving toward the Y-axis+ side is reduced. Furthermore, water 11, which has lost its path of movement toward the Z-axis+ side due to the plate member 10, is guided toward the Z-axis- side along the plate member 10 while passing over the portion 7b in the floor panel 7 where the crossbeam 8 is fixed, toward the Y-axis+ side.

[0047] As a result, even when the vehicle 2 brakes, the water 11 moves toward the Y-axis+ side and the sidewall portion 7c of the recess 7a on the Y-axis-side of the floor panel 7 bounces up, the sheet member 10 can prevent the water 11 from contacting the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1.

[0048] In addition, by reducing the energy of water 11 moving toward the Y-axis+ side by means of the sheet member 10, even if water 11 comes into contact with the seat trim 9, it is difficult for it to bounce to the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1, thus preventing water 11 from coming into contact with the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1.

[0049] Therefore, the protective structure of the energy storage device 1 in this embodiment makes the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1 less susceptible to adverse effects from water 11. In addition, it is preferable that the water 11 flowing out from the recess 7a on the Y-axis side of the floor panel 7 is discharged from the drain portion formed in the floor panel 7.

[0050] At this time, as Figure 4 As shown, it is preferable that the end of the sheet member 10 on the Z-axis side comes into contact with the seat trim 9 when water 11 is pressed into it on the Y-axis+ side. This can suppress the bounce of water 11 at the seat trim 9 and further suppress water 11 from contacting the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1.

[0051] Here, it is preferable that the sheet member 10 has the elasticity to return to its original state (i.e., non-rotating state) after contacting the seat trim 9. In addition, it is preferable that the sheet member 10 does not contact the bottom of the Z-axis side of the recess 7a on the Y-axis+ side of the floor panel 7 when it is not rotating.

[0052] Thus, in this embodiment, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the protective structure of the energy storage device 1 has the sheet member 10 hanging down from the position of the battery housing 4 relative to the non-waterproof device 5 on the Z-axis side, in a manner that covers the end of the battery housing 4 on the Y-axis + side of the energy storage device 1 and the end of the recess 7a on the Y-axis - side of the floor panel 7.

[0053] Therefore, even when the vehicle 2 brakes, the water 11 moves toward the Y-axis+ side and the side wall portion 7c of the recess 7a on the Y-axis-side of the floor panel 7 bounces up, the sheet member 10 can prevent the water 11 from contacting the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1.

[0054] Furthermore, the water 11 moving towards the Y-axis+ side comes into contact with the plate member 10, and the plate member 10 reduces the energy of the water 11 moving towards the Y-axis+ side. Therefore, even if the water 11 comes into contact with the seat trim 9, it is difficult for it to bounce to the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1, thus preventing the water 11 from contacting the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1. Therefore, the protective structure of the energy storage device 1 in this embodiment makes the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1 less susceptible to adverse effects from the water 11.

[0055] Furthermore, when the sheet member 10 rotates around the X-axis with its Z-axis+ side end as the center, and the Z-axis- side end of the sheet member 10 contacts the seat trim 9, the sheet member 10 can suppress the splashing of water 11 at the seat trim 9, and can further suppress the contact of water 11 with the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the non-waterproof device 5 protrudes from the battery casing 4 toward the Y-axis + side, but it can also protrude from the battery casing 4 toward the Y-axis - side. In this case, it is preferable that the sheet member 10, etc., be positioned relative to the energy storage device 1 on the Y-axis - side.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a configuration was shown that protects the non-waterproof device 5 of the energy storage device 1 from water accumulating in the recess 7a of the floor panel 7. However, the water accumulation portion only needs to be formed in the recess of the vehicle 2. In addition, in this embodiment, the water is designed to be bounced off by the seat trim 9. However, the component that bounces off the water only needs to be disposed on the wall portion relative to the recess, on the side where the non-waterproof device 5 protrudes from the battery casing 4 of the energy storage device 1.

[0058] Based on the foregoing disclosure, it is evident that the embodiments of this disclosure can be modified in various ways. These modifications should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, and all such modifications, which are obvious to those skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A protective structure for an energy storage device, wherein the energy storage device is mounted on a vehicle and is a non-waterproof device protruding forward or backward from the battery casing, wherein, The energy storage device is disposed above a recess in the vehicle, spaced apart from the recess. When viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, a sheet member is arranged such that it covers the end of the non-waterproof device protruding from the battery housing in the battery housing and the end of the non-waterproof device protruding from the battery housing in the recess. The sheet member hangs down from the end of the non-waterproof device protruding from the battery housing on one side and at a position below the non-waterproof device.

2. The protection structure of the energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein, The lower end of the sheet member hangs down relative to the recess on the side that protrudes from the battery casing near the non-waterproof device.

3. The protection structure of the energy storage device according to claim 2, wherein, The recess is formed in the floor panel of the vehicle. A crossbeam of the vehicle is positioned on the side of the battery casing that protrudes from the non-waterproof device relative to the recess. The lower end of the sheet member hangs down relative to the crossbeam on the side protruding from the battery casing near the non-waterproof device.

4. The protection structure of the energy storage device according to claim 3, wherein, A wall portion is provided on the side of the battery casing that protrudes from the non-waterproof device relative to the sheet member. The lower end of the plate member is positioned between the wall and the crossbeam in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

5. The protection structure of the energy storage device according to claim 4, wherein, The energy storage device is positioned vertically between the vehicle's seats and floor panel. The wall portion is the seat trim of the vehicle. When the plate member is rotated about its upper end, the lower end of the plate member comes into contact with the seat trim.

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