power storage device

Abstract

Provided is an electric storage device capable of suppressing vibration of an electrical equipment component mounted on a substrate. In a battery case of a battery, an upper case and a lower case overlap each other in a vertical direction, and in the lower case, a reinforcing rib extending in a longitudinal direction to a vehicle width direction is joined to a bottom plate. An equipment support has a base portion mounted on an upper surface of the reinforcing rib, a column portion erected from the base portion, and an equipment base portion extending from the base portion to a front side of the vehicle. Thus, both sides of the equipment base portion in the vehicle width direction on which an ECU is mounted are respectively mounted to side walls, and a portion of the equipment base portion located on a rear side of the vehicle is mounted to the reinforcing rib via the base portion. Even if the battery case vibrates, resonance vibration of the equipment base portion can be suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an energy storage device. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an energy storage device in which multiple energy storage stacks are arranged along one direction and in an orthogonal direction, and the multiple energy storage stacks are housed in a casing. The casing is configured to include a bottom wall, a top wall, and a peripheral wall connecting the bottom wall and the top wall, surrounding the energy storage stacks. Furthermore, a protective structure is provided within the casing to protect the energy storage stacks from loads applied in the vertical direction. In the protective structure, a load transfer member is arranged on a crossbeam. The load transfer member is compressible and deformable in the orthogonal direction, and a contact portion is provided on the load transfer member that, in the compressed state, contacts the energy storage stacks adjacent in the orthogonal direction.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-046826 Summary of the Invention

[0004] Typically, in an energy storage device, electrical equipment components such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that control the operation of the battery pack storing electricity are housed together with the battery pack inside a battery casing. Furthermore, a base plate, such as a mounting base for the ECU, is disposed on the battery casing, with its two ends in one direction mounted to opposing side walls.

[0005] However, the battery casing vibrates as the vehicle moves because it is mounted on the vehicle body. Therefore, the base plate mounted on the battery casing inevitably vibrates as well. Furthermore, because the base plate is mounted on the opposite side wall, the amplitude of resonance is increased when the battery casing vibrates.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above facts, and its object is to provide an energy storage device capable of suppressing vibration of a substrate on which electrical equipment components are mounted.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the energy storage device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes: a housing body formed by overlapping and joining the openings of a box-shaped upper housing and a lower housing, each having an opening on one side, with their openings facing each other; the housing body internally accommodating a battery pack for storing electricity and electrical equipment components for controlling the operation of the battery pack; a reinforcing rib having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, joining the bottom plate of the lower housing with sidewalls extending from its periphery, and extending at both ends in the length direction toward the sidewalls; and a device bracket comprising: a base mounted on the upper surface of the reinforcing rib; a column protruding upward from the base; and a base plate extending from the base in a direction intersecting the length direction of the reinforcing rib, and mounted at both ends along the length direction of the reinforcing rib to the sidewalls, wherein the electrical equipment components can be mounted on the base plate.

[0008] In the energy storage device according to the first method, there is a housing body, the interior of which houses a battery pack for storing electricity and electrical equipment parts for controlling the operation of the battery pack. The housing body has an upper housing and a lower housing. The housing body is formed by stacking the upper and lower housings, each with an opening on one side, opposite each other, and joining the periphery of the opening of the upper housing with the periphery of the opening of the lower housing.

[0009] Furthermore, in the lower shell, a sidewall is erected from the periphery of the bottom plate and is equipped with reinforcing ribs. The reinforcing ribs have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, are joined to the bottom plate of the lower shell, and extend towards the sidewalls at both ends along their length.

[0010] Here, an equipment bracket for mounting electrical equipment parts is disposed on the reinforcing rib. The equipment bracket has a base plate, a base, and a column. The base is mounted on the upper surface of the reinforcing rib, and the column protrudes upward from the base. Furthermore, the base plate extends from the base in a direction intersecting the length direction of the reinforcing rib, and both ends of the base plate along the length direction of the reinforcing rib are respectively mounted on the side wall.

[0011] Therefore, the base plate on which electrical components are mounted is also mounted to the reinforcing ribs via the base, in addition to the side walls. This suppresses resonant vibrations compared to cases where only the ends of the reinforcing ribs are mounted to the side walls along their length. Furthermore, the main body of the housing has reinforcing ribs and columns between the lower and upper housings, so its load-bearing capacity does not decrease when subjected to vertical loads.

[0012] In the first embodiment, the energy storage device involved in the second embodiment has the base, the column, and the substrate forming an integral part in the device bracket.

[0013] In the energy storage device according to the second method, the base, column, and base plate of the device bracket are formed as one piece. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced and it is easy to assemble it into the housing body.

[0014] Invention Effects

[0015] According to the present invention, a base, a column, and a substrate for mounting electrical equipment components are provided on the equipment support, with the base mounted on a reinforcing rib. Thus, in this invention, the base for mounting the electrical equipment components is mounted to the upper surface of the reinforcing rib via the base, in addition to the sidewalls. Therefore, compared to the case where only the two ends of the reinforcing rib are mounted on the sidewalls along its length, resonant vibrations can be suppressed. Furthermore, in this invention, by having a reinforcing rib and a column of the equipment support interposed between the lower and upper housings, the load-bearing capacity of the housing does not decrease when subjected to vertical loads. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing the general structure of the main parts of the battery according to this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a top view showing the general structure of the main parts of the battery involved in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] In this embodiment, the battery 10, which is an energy storage device mounted in a vehicle (not shown), will be used as an example for explanation.

[0020] As an example, battery 10 is configured as a rechargeable battery. Furthermore, battery 10 is installed in a vehicle equipped with an electric motor (electric motor) as a driving source, and outputs DC power to drive the electric motor. In the vehicle equipped with battery 10, an engine as a driving source can be installed.

[0021] Such vehicles can be used as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Furthermore, the battery 10 is not limited to vehicles used as driving devices; it can also be installed in various devices requiring high-voltage power.

[0022] exist Figure 1 The main body of the battery 10 is shown in the side sectional view of the vehicle. Figure 2 The diagram shows a schematic representation of the main components of the battery 10 in a top view. Additionally, in the diagram, the upper direction (vertical direction) is indicated by arrow UP, the side intersecting the vertical direction is indicated by arrow DA, and the side intersecting both the vertical and horizontal directions is indicated by arrow DB. In this embodiment, as an example, one direction is defined as the vehicle's front-rear direction, arrow DA is defined as the front of the vehicle, and the other direction is defined as the vehicle width direction, arrow DB is defined as the right side of the vehicle width direction. Therefore, Figure 1 A schematic side sectional view of the vehicle showing the main components of the battery 10. Figure 2 A top view showing the general outline of the main part of battery 10.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the battery 10 includes a battery casing 12 as the main body of the casing. The battery casing 12 can adopt a general structure with an overall rectangular box shape (not shown). A floor panel (not shown) is provided in the vehicle as the floor of the passenger compartment. In the battery 10, the battery casing 12 is disposed below the floor panel on the rear side of the vehicle and is mounted on the vehicle body (not shown).

[0024] The battery casing 12 has an upper casing 14 and a lower casing 16, which are made of metal (e.g., steel plate, die-cast aluminum, etc.).

[0025] The upper housing 14 includes a top plate 20, side walls 22, and a flange 24, which are formed integrally. In the upper housing 14, the side walls 22 protrude downwards from the periphery of the top plate 20, which is generally rectangular in plan view. The side walls 22 are formed to cover approximately the entire circumference of the periphery of the top plate 20, and are inclined outwards at least as the front of the vehicle moves away from the top plate 20. Furthermore, the flange 24 is formed by bending outwards from the front end (lower end) of the side walls 22, and extends outwards from the side walls 22 towards the outer side of the upper housing 14 (outer side in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and outer side in the vehicle's width direction). Thus, the upper housing 14 is configured as a generally box-shaped, bottomed structure with an opening in the downward direction, and the flange 24 functions as the periphery of the opening.

[0026] The lower housing 16 includes a base plate 30, side walls 32, and a flange 34, which are formed integrally. In the upper housing 14, the side walls 32 protrude upward from the periphery of the base plate 30, which is generally rectangular in plan view. The side walls 32 are formed to cover approximately the entire circumference of the periphery of the base plate 30, and the side walls 32 are inclined in such a way that they extend outward at least as the front side of the vehicle moves away from the base plate 30. Furthermore, the flange 34 is formed by bending outward from the front end (upper end) of the side wall 32, and the flange 34 extends from the side wall 32 to the outside of the lower housing 16 (outside in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and outside in the vehicle's width direction). Thus, the lower housing 16 is provided as a generally box-shaped structure with a bottom that opens upward, and the flange 34 functions as the periphery of the opening.

[0027] In the battery housing 12, the upper housing 14 and the lower housing 16 are positioned vertically opposite each other, with the flange 34 of the lower housing 16 overlapping the lower side of the flange 24 of the upper housing 14. In the battery housing 12, nuts (not shown) threaded through bolts disposed in the flanges 24 and 34 secure the flanges 24 and 34, thereby connecting the upper housing 14 and the lower housing 16. Furthermore, in the battery housing 12, a sealing member (not shown) is provided between the flanges 24 and 34, and the battery housing 12 is tightly sealed (airtight and watertight) throughout its entire circumference by the sealing member.

[0028] In battery 10, a battery pack (not shown) is used, which is housed within the internal space of battery casing 12. Within the battery pack, multiple (or even one) battery modules (not shown) are arranged longitudinally and laterally (in the vehicle's front-to-rear and width directions), with each battery module having multiple battery cells stacked on top of it (not shown). Within the battery pack, the multiple battery modules are connected in parallel or series to receive / output DC power at the required voltage for charging and discharging.

[0029] On the other hand, one or more reinforcing ribs 40 are provided in the battery casing 12 as reinforcing members, and the reinforcing ribs 40 are disposed in the lower casing 16.

[0030] The reinforcing rib 40 is elongated and has a roughly rectangular or hat-shaped cross-section. The length direction of the reinforcing rib 40 is in the vehicle width direction, and it is disposed on the base plate 30 of the lower housing 16 and joined to the base plate 30 by welding or other joining methods. Furthermore, both ends of the reinforcing rib 40 in the length direction are close to the side walls 32 on both sides in the vehicle width direction (both ends can be joined to the side walls 32).

[0031] Thus, in the battery casing 12, the load-bearing capacity of the lower casing 16 is improved, and the load-bearing capacity of the lower casing 16 and the upper casing 14 connected to the lower casing 16 is improved, which is also improved in terms of the load-bearing capacity of the reinforcing rib 40 on both sides in the longitudinal direction.

[0032] Furthermore, a resin tower section (not shown) can be provided on the reinforcing rib 40. The tower section can be joined to the upper surface of the reinforcing rib 40 (the surface on the side of the upper housing 14) and protrude upward from the reinforcing rib 40, and is configured such that its upper end reaches near the inner surface of the top plate 20 of the upper housing 14. As a result, the load-bearing capacity of the battery housing 12 when subjected to the upper load (the load on the top plate 20 of the upper housing 14) is improved.

[0033] In battery 10, reinforcing ribs 40 are arranged between adjacent battery modules along one direction. Thus, in battery 10, the battery modules are protected within battery housing 12 and can withstand loads applied in the vertical and other directions.

[0034] On the other hand, in the battery case 12, a device receiving part 42 is provided between the side wall 32 on one side and the reinforcing rib 40 adjacent to the side wall 32, which serves as a receiving part, and the electrical equipment parts of the battery 10 are received in the device receiving part 42.

[0035] In the vehicle, the battery pack of battery 10 is connected to an inverter (not shown). The battery pack outputs power to the electric motor via the inverter (during discharge) and is charged via the power input from the inverter (during charging). Furthermore, various sensors (not shown) are installed on the battery pack in battery 10. The charging and discharging states of the battery pack (multiple battery modules) are controlled in battery 10 based on information detected by the sensors.

[0036] The battery 10 includes an ECU 44 and a junction box (JB) 46 as electrical equipment components. The ECU 44 and junction box 46 are disposed within the equipment housing 42 of the battery casing 12. The ECU 44 is responsible for the charging and discharging control of the battery pack within the battery 10. Furthermore, the junction box 46 is used for connecting the battery pack-side wiring and the inverter-side wiring, and internally for connecting the battery pack-side wiring and the inverter-side wiring.

[0037] Furthermore, within the battery housing 12, an equipment bracket 50 serving as a mounting portion is disposed within the equipment receiving portion 42. In the battery housing 12, the equipment bracket 50 is mounted on the reinforcing rib 40 adjacent to the equipment receiving portion 42 without a tower portion.

[0038] The device bracket 50 includes a device base 52, a base 54, and a pillar 56, which serve as a substrate. Furthermore, the device base 52, the base 54, and the pillar 56 are integrally formed by resin molding in the device bracket 50.

[0039] The base 54 is a generally rectangular plate (or a strip plate), and its length direction is the same as that of the reinforcing rib 40. It is fixed to the upper surface of the reinforcing rib 40 by a plurality of fastening parts 58. Multiple fastening parts 58 are provided along the length direction of the base 54, and bolts 58A and nuts 58B are used in the fastening parts 58. In the fastening parts 58, nuts 58B are screwed onto bolts 58A that are erected on the upper surface of the reinforcing rib 40 and pass through the base 54.

[0040] In the equipment bracket 50, the equipment base 52 extends from the base 54, which is fixed to the reinforcing rib 40, toward the equipment receiving portion 42, and the column portion 56 is erected upward from the base 54. Furthermore, in the equipment bracket 50, a generally plate-shaped head 56A is formed at the upper end of the column portion 56. Thus, the equipment bracket 50 is generally L-shaped in the vehicle width direction. Additionally, multiple column portions 56 can be erected from the base 54, and the head 56A can be formed to span the upper ends of multiple column portions 56.

[0041] The device base 52 is generally flat, and the ECU 44 is mounted on its upper surface. Furthermore, within the battery housing 12 (lower housing 16), a junction box 46 is disposed below the device base 52. The junction box 46 is located within the device receiving portion 42 and mounted on the base plate 30 of the lower housing 16. Additionally, the junction box 46 is mounted on the base plate 30 via a bracket (not shown).

[0042] The base 54 side (rear side of the vehicle) of the equipment base 52 is secured to the reinforcing rib 40 at multiple locations by fasteners 58 (bolts 58A and nuts 58B). Furthermore, both sides of the equipment base 52 in the vehicle width direction are secured to the side wall 32 by fasteners 60. The fasteners 60 are, for example, generally L-shaped brackets (not shown) mounted on the side wall 32, with nuts 60B screwed into bolts 60A that pass through the bracket to secure the equipment base 52 to the side wall 32.

[0043] Therefore, in the equipment bracket 50, the equipment base 52 on which the ECU44 is installed is fastened to the side wall 32 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and fastened to the reinforcing rib 40 on the rear side of the vehicle.

[0044] In this battery 10 configuration, an ECU 44 and a junction box 46 are housed within the battery casing 12 along with the battery pack. The battery pack is connected to the inverter, and the power output from the battery pack is controlled by the ECU 44. Furthermore, the battery pack is charged within the battery 10 by the ECU 44 under the control of DC power input from the inverter at the required voltage.

[0045] In battery 10, upper housing 14 and lower housing 16 are joined to form battery casing 12. In battery casing 12, reinforcing ribs 40 are provided on lower housing 16, which are joined to base plate 30 and extend along the vehicle width direction in the longitudinal direction, with their front ends near side wall 32 (they may also be joined). Thus, in battery casing 12, the load-bearing capacity is improved by the reinforcing ribs 40, enabling it to withstand loads applied from the vehicle width direction.

[0046] Furthermore, a base 54 of an equipment bracket 50 is mounted on the upper surface of the reinforcing rib 40, and a column 56 is adjacent to the base 54 upwards. Therefore, in the battery housing 12, the reinforcing rib 40 and the column 56 are interposed between the top plate 20 of the upper housing 14 and the bottom plate 30 of the lower housing 16. Thus, in the battery housing 12, the load-bearing capacity is improved by the reinforcing rib 40 and the column 56, enabling it to withstand loads applied from the top and bottom directions.

[0047] On the other hand, in battery 10, battery casing 12 is mounted on the vehicle body, and vibrations are generated in battery casing 12 as the vehicle moves. An equipment base 52 is disposed inside the battery casing 12, and an ECU 44 is mounted on the equipment base 52.

[0048] The device base 52 is typically mounted on the side wall 32 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and vibrations are transmitted from the battery casing 12 to the device base 52. Therefore, if the device base 52 resonates with the battery casing 12, the amplitude of the device base 52 will increase, and the ECU 44 mounted on the device base 52 will also vibrate with a large amplitude. Consequently, if the device base 52 resonates with the battery casing 12, the ECU 44 will be subjected to large acceleration and changes in acceleration, thus increasing the likelihood of malfunction.

[0049] Here, the equipment base 52 extends from the base 54 of the equipment bracket 50, which is mounted to the reinforcing rib 40 via a plurality of fasteners 58. Therefore, the equipment base 52 is mounted to the side wall 32 of the lower housing 16 at various points on both sides in the vehicle width direction via a plurality of fasteners 60, and on one side (rear side) in the vehicle longitudinal direction via the base 54 to the reinforcing rib 40. That is, the equipment base 52 is mounted to the lower housing 16 at three points (three directions).

[0050] Therefore, compared to the case where the device base 52 is fixed at only two points (two sides) in the vehicle width direction, the resonant frequency of the device base 52 is higher, suppressing resonant vibration caused by the vibration of the battery case 12. Therefore, even if the battery case 12 vibrates in the battery 10, it is possible to suppress large acceleration and acceleration changes of the ECU 44 and other devices disposed within the battery case 12, and even if the battery case 12 vibrates, it is possible to suppress malfunctions of the ECU 44 and other devices.

[0051] On the other hand, in the equipment bracket 50, the equipment base 52, the base 54, and the column 56 are formed as one piece. Therefore, in the battery case 12, by mounting the equipment bracket 50 (base 54) on the upper surface of the reinforcing rib 40, not only can the load resistance in the vertical direction be improved, but the equipment base 52, which is used to suppress resonant vibration, can also be mounted on the reinforcing rib 40.

[0052] Therefore, by using the device bracket 50 in the battery case 12, it is possible to reduce the number of assembled parts while suppressing the decrease in load-bearing capacity in the vertical direction and suppressing malfunction of the ECU 44.

[0053] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, an example of an equipment bracket 50, which is integrally formed from an equipment base 52, a base portion 54, and a column portion 56 using resin, has been used for explanation. However, the equipment bracket may also have a column portion mounted on a base portion that is integrally formed with a substrate.

[0054] Symbol Explanation

[0055] 10-Battery (energy storage device), 12-Battery casing (casing body), 14-Upper casing, 16-Lower casing, 24, 34-Flange (peripheral part of opening), 30-Base plate, 32-Side wall, 40-Reinforcing rib, 42-Equipment housing, 44-ECU (Electrical Equipment Part), 46-Junction box, 50-Equipment bracket, 52-Equipment base (base plate), 54-Base, 56-Column, 58, 60-Fastening parts.

Claims

1. An energy storage device, characterized in that, include: The housing body is formed by overlapping and joining the openings of a box-shaped upper housing and a lower housing, each with an opening on one side. The interior of the housing body houses a battery pack for storing electricity and electrical equipment parts for controlling the operation of the battery pack. The reinforcing rib has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and is joined to the bottom plate of the lower shell, which has side walls erected from the periphery. Both ends of the rib extend toward the side walls in the length direction. and The equipment support includes: a base mounted on the upper surface of the reinforcing rib; A column portion that protrudes upward from the base; The substrate extends from the base in a direction intersecting the length direction of the reinforcing rib, and is mounted on the sidewall at both ends along the length direction of the reinforcing rib. The electrical equipment parts can be mounted on the substrate.

2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the device bracket, the base, the column, and the substrate are formed as a single unit.

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