BATTERY PACK

Abstract

Battery pack to be attached to a vehicle body (2) of a vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle body (2) comprises a base plate (3), wherein the battery pack comprises: a battery module (9) and a main housing (11) with a first and a second end separated in one direction of the vehicle width and a front and a rear end separated in one longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1), the main housing (11) comprising: a lower housing (12) having an outer circumference with a first connecting piece (12A) designed as a flange, and an upper housing (13) having an outer circumference with a second connecting piece (13A) designed as a flange, wherein the second connecting piece (13A) of the upper housing (13) is connected to the first connecting piece (12A) of the lower housing (12) to provide a receiving space in the main housing (11), wherein the battery module (9) is received in the receiving space, wherein the front end of the lower housing (12) and the front end of the upper housing (13) form a front end of the main housing (11), wherein the rear end of the lower housing (12) and the rear end of the upper housing (13) form a rear end of the main housing (11), wherein the first connecting piece (12A) has a front and a rear end in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1) which are separate, wherein the second connecting piece (13A) has a front and a rear end in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1) which are separate, wherein the first connecting piece (12A) has a first and a second end (12a, 12b) which are separated in the width direction of the vehicle (1) to define the first and second end of the main housing (11), wherein the first connecting piece (12A) has at its first end (12a) and its second end (12b) a fastening section (15A, 15B) for fastening the main housing (11) to the base plate (3), characterized by the fact that: the battery pack comprises a carrier (14) having a front end (14a) and a rear end (14b); the battery module (9) is arranged in the vertical direction of the vehicle (1) in the lower housing (12) below the support (14) and overlaps the support (14); the carrier (14) is attached to the main housing (11), its front end being inserted between and attached to the front end of the first connecting piece (12A) and the front end of the second connecting piece (13A), and its rear end being inserted between and attached to the rear end of the first connecting piece (12A) and the rear end of the second connecting piece (13A), and wherein the support (14) extends from the front end of the main housing (11) to the rear end of the main housing (11) and is separated inwards from both the first and second ends of the main housing (11) to reinforce the central section of the main housing (11), with the exception of the remaining end sections of the main housing (11), between the support (14) and one of the mounting sections (15A, 15B), in order to allow the remaining end sections to bear the load due to the deformation of the base plate (3) when the vehicle (1) travels through rough terrain, wherein the support (14) comprises a plurality of convex sections (14A) and a plurality of concave sections (14B), each of the convex sections (14A) and the concave sections (14B) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1), the convex sections (14A) and the concave sections (14B) being arranged alternately in the direction of the vehicle width, and the battery pack further includes: second supports (18A, 18B) which are attached to the support (14) which is a first support, each of the second supports (18A, 18B) having a length and a U-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction along the lateral direction, wherein the second supports (18A, 18B) are arranged on the convex sections (14A) of the first support (14) such that the second supports (18A, 18B) are opposite each other and the longitudinal directions of the second supports (18A, 18B) are perpendicular to the directions in which the convex and concave sections (14A, 14B) extend; and a high-voltage device (10) which is attached to the second supports (18A, 18B).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to battery packs and, more specifically, to battery packs which are to be attached, for example, to a base plate of a vehicle body, according to the preamble of claim 1. CURRENT STATE OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0002] Hybrid vehicles, which use an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as their main engines, or electric vehicles, which use an electric motor as their main engines, include a battery pack containing a battery module to power the electric motor.

[0003] An example of battery packs for a vehicle is disclosed in JP 2013- 129 391 A.

[0004] The battery pack to be attached to a vehicle, disclosed in JP 2013-129 391 A, includes a first housing section and a second housing section.

[0005] Each of the first and second housing sections has a first end with an opening and a second end with a closed base opposite this opening; the outer circumference of the first end has a flange projecting outwards. The flange of the first housing section and the flange of the second housing section are connected to each other, resulting in a receiving space for mounting a battery module. In particular, the battery module is received within this receiving space.

[0006] Furthermore, a middle plate is inserted between the first and second housing sections such that the outer circumference of the middle plate is positioned between the flange of the first housing section and the flange of the second housing section. The middle plate has an opening in which the battery module is mounted.

[0007] The protruding battery pack protects the battery module, while the rigidity of the first and second housing sections can be increased by the middle plate, which is an element separate from the first and second housing sections.

[0008] DE 10 2009 037 138 A1 discloses a battery box, in particular for a battery of a motor vehicle which is electrically or partially electrically powered. The battery box has an upper shell, a lower shell and a shell made of a metallic material, such as a sheet metal, which surrounds the lower shell at least partially or section by section.

[0009] DE 10 2011 000 696 A1 discloses an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle, in particular a high-voltage energy storage device for a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, comprising a housing and storage modules housed in the housing, wherein the housing has a support element with a ring-shaped support frame made of a fiber-reinforced plastic, via which the electrical energy storage device can be connected to a body structure of a motor vehicle.

[0010] DE 10 2013 207 872 A1 discloses a high-voltage storage device for a vehicle, comprising a housing with a single-shell lower shell made of metal and a plastic lid closing the lower shell, and several energy storage cells and / or energy storage modules arranged in the housing.

[0011] DE 10 2012 218 473 A1 discloses an energy storage arrangement for supplying power, in particular to a motor vehicle, and a mounting device for the energy storage arrangement.

[0012] EP 2 214 225 B1 relates to a vehicle power supply system comprising a waterproof housing containing at least one battery or high-voltage electrical component, a lid element covering an upper opening of the waterproof housing, and a suspension frame with a longitudinal intermediate section held between an upper opening of the waterproof housing and an outer circumferential part of the lid element to hold the waterproof housing suspended. Brief description

[0013] The conventional battery pack, as disclosed in JP 2013-129 391 A, is configured such that the outer circumference of the center plate is fully connected to the flange of the first housing section and the flange of the second housing section. Therefore, when the first housing section or the second housing section is mounted on the vehicle's base plate, deformation of the base plate can cause deformation of the first housing section or the second housing section. This can make it likely that a load will be transferred from the first housing section or the second housing section, via the center plate, to the battery module. This can lead to deformation of the battery module.

[0014] The present invention focuses on the aforementioned problem. The object of the present invention is to provide battery packs that include a battery module and are each designed to limit the transmission of a load caused by external factors to the battery module in order to limit deformation of the battery module. Solution to the problem

[0015] This problem is solved by a battery pack with the features of claim 1. A battery pack to be attached to a vehicle body, which includes a floor panel, according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a battery module and a main housing with a first and a second end separated in a direction of the vehicle width, and a front and a rear end separated in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The main housing comprises: a lower housing having an outer circumference with a first connecting piece configured as a flange, and an upper housing having an outer circumference with a second connecting piece configured as a flange.The second connecting piece of the upper housing is connected to the first connecting piece of the lower housing to provide a receiving space within the main housing, in which the battery module is received. The front end of the lower housing and the front end of the upper housing form a front end of the main housing, with the rear end of the lower housing and the rear end of the upper housing forming a rear end of the main housing. The first connecting piece has a front and a rear end that are separate in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The second connecting piece also has a front and a rear end that are separate in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The first connecting piece has a first and a second end that are separate in the transverse direction of the vehicle to define the first and second ends of the main housing.The first connecting piece has a fastening section at both its first and second ends for attaching the main housing to the base plate. The battery pack according to the invention comprises a carrier having a front end and a rear end. Furthermore, the battery module is arranged vertically in the lower housing below the carrier and overlaps the carrier. The carrier is attached to the main housing, with its front end being inserted between and attached to the front end of the first connecting piece and the front end of the second connecting piece, and with its rear end being inserted between and attached to the rear end of the first connecting piece and the rear end of the second connecting piece.The support extends from the front end of the main housing to the rear end of the main housing and is separated inwards from both the first and second ends of the main housing to reinforce the central section of the main housing, excluding the remaining end sections, between the support and one of the mounting sections. This allows the remaining end sections to absorb the load due to deformation of the floor plate when the vehicle travels over rough terrain. The support comprises a plurality of convex sections and a plurality of concave sections, each extending longitudinally along the vehicle, with the convex and concave sections alternating in the direction of the vehicle's width.The battery pack according to the invention further comprises: second supports mounted on the support, which is a first support, each of the second supports having a length and a U-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction along the lateral direction, the second supports being arranged on the convex sections of the first support such that the second supports are opposite each other and the longitudinal directions of the second supports are perpendicular to the directions in which the convex and concave sections extend; and a high-voltage device attached to the second supports. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0016] The present invention makes it possible to increase the stiffness of the central section of the main housing in the direction of the vehicle width, which includes the mounting sections, more than the stiffness of either the first or second end of the main housing in the direction of the vehicle width.

[0017] Even if the left and right sections of the vehicle vibrate strongly in the vertical direction (across the vehicle's width), for example when driving on a rough road, causing deformation of the vehicle body, the battery pack configuration can allow the first and second ends of the main housing, which are attached to the vehicle body, to vibrate strongly in the same direction. This can enable the first and second end sections of the main housing to absorb the load resulting from the deformation of the vehicle body.

[0018] Furthermore, the battery pack configuration restricts deformation of the section of the main housing to which the battery module is attached; this section is located below the support. This makes it difficult to transfer a load to the battery module due to deformation of the vehicle body, thus limiting deformation of the battery module itself.

[0019] Even if the vehicle body is subjected to an external force from the rear of the vehicle, the support can limit deformation of the main housing in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This can prevent the battery module located below the support from impacting a rear wall of the lower housing in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, thus preventing deformation of the battery module. This effectively protects the battery module 9. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a top view of the rear of a vehicle, showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along a line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 3 is a rear view of the rear of a vehicle, showing the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of a base plate and a battery pack of the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along a line VV of Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 6 is a top view of a lower housing of the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 7 is a top view of the lower casing of the battery pack, from which a support has been removed, according to the embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective exploded view of the lower housing and a battery module of the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention. Description of embodiments

[0020] In the following, a battery pack 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The Fig. Figures 1 to 8 illustrate the battery pack 8 for a vehicle 1 according to the embodiment.

[0022] From the perspective of a driver sitting in the driver's seat of vehicle 1, the longitudinal direction, i.e. the direction from front to back, the direction from right to left, i.e. the direction of the vehicle width, and the vertical direction, i.e. the direction from top to bottom, are represented in the drawings by corresponding arrows.

[0023] First, the structure of battery pack 8 will be described below.

[0024] Referring to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 includes the vehicle 1, such as a motor vehicle, a body 2, i.e., a vehicle body 2. The vehicle body 2 includes a floor panel 3 and a rear wall 4. The rear wall 4 is attached to the rear end of the floor panel 3 and extends in the direction of the vehicle's width. The forward direction, the rear direction, or the rear direction corresponds to the forward direction, the rear direction, or the rear direction of the vehicle 1.

[0025] A rear seat 5 is arranged in front of the rear wall 4 with a gap in relation to the rear wall 4; the gap is located above the floor panel 3. The gap serves as a luggage compartment 6. The floor panel 3 has a concave section 7 which is concave downwards with respect to a predetermined height position in which a lower end of the rear seat 5 is mounted; the concave section 7, for example, has essentially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0026] The Fig. Figures 1 to 5 show the battery pack 8 mounted in the concave section 7. Referring to Fig. The battery pack 8 comprises a battery module 9, an inverter 10, and a main housing 11, which accommodates the battery module 9 and the inverter 10. It should be noted that the inverter 10 serves, for example, as a high-voltage device according to the present invention.

[0027] The battery module 9 contains a plurality of assembled batteries; each of the assembled batteries consists of a plurality of assembled cells. Each cell is configured as a secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery, or as a capacitor. The inverter 10 is operational to convert a DC voltage supplied by the battery module 9 into a three-phase AC voltage and to supply the three-phase AC voltage to an electric motor (not shown).

[0028] Referring to Fig. 5 the main housing 11, which has a shape that can be installed in the concave section 7, consists of a lower housing 12 and an upper housing 13, each of which, for example, has the shape of an essentially rectangular parallelepiped.

[0029] Referring to the Fig. 6 to 8, each of the lower and upper housings 12 and 13 comprises a first end that opens and a second end, which is a closed base, located opposite it. The outer circumference of the first end of the lower housing 12 has a connecting piece 12A, which is designed as a flange projecting outwards from the outer circumference of the first end of the lower housing 12.

[0030] Referring to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 The outer circumference of the first end of the upper housing 13 has a connecting piece 13A, which is designed as a flange projecting outwards from the outer circumference of the first end of the upper housing 13. The connecting section 13A of the upper housing 13 is arranged such that it faces the connecting piece 12A of the lower housing 12, and the connecting piece 13A is connected to the connecting piece 12A by screws 16A and 16B, so that the main housing 11 is constructed such that it consists of the lower and the upper housings 12 and 13.

[0031] This results in a receiving space for the installation of the battery module 9 and the inverter 10, which are provided in the main housing 11. In particular, the battery module 9 and the inverter 10 are received in the receiving space of the main housing 11, which is designed as an assembly consisting of the upper and lower housings 12 and 13. The connecting piece 12A serves, for example, as a first connecting piece according to the present invention, and the connecting piece 13A serves, for example, as a second connecting piece according to the present invention.

[0032] Referring to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 A support 14 is attached to the main housing 11. The support 14 has, for example, a rectangular, plate-like shape with an area smaller than the area of ​​the opening of each of the lower and upper housings 12 and 13. Along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1, the support 14 has a front end 14a and a rear end 14b, which are opposite each other. The front end 14a is inserted between the front end of the connector 12A and the front end of the connector 13A, and the rear end 14b is inserted between the rear end of the connector 12A and the rear end of the connector 13A, thus providing the support 14 within the main housing 11.

[0033] Referring to the Fig. 6 to 8, the connecting piece 12A of the lower housing 12 has a left and a right end 12a and 12b in the direction of the vehicle width, which are opposite to each other. The left and the right ends 12a and 12b of the connecting piece 12A of the lower housing 12 in the direction of the vehicle width each have fastening sections 15A and 15B attached to them. Each of the fastening sections 15A and 15B is attached to a top surface of a corresponding left and right end 12a and 12b of the connecting piece 12A of the lower housing 12.

[0034] The concave section 7 of the base plate 3 has a left and a right inner wall in the direction of the vehicle width, and mounting elements 7A and 7B are attached to the respective left and right inner walls of the concave section 7. The mounting sections 15A and 15B are attached to the respective mounting elements 7A and 7B with the screws 16A (see Fig. 4).

[0035] Referring to Fig. Figure 8 includes the lower housing 12 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1, comprising a front wall 12B and a rear wall 12D, which is positioned opposite the front wall 12B. A mounting section 15C consists, for example, of an L-shaped support. The mounting section 15C has a first section that is attached to the outer surface of the front wall 12B. The front section has an upper end that abuts the front end of the connecting piece 12A. The mounting section 15C also has a second section that projects outwards from the upper end of the first section with respect to the front wall 12B.

[0036] The concave section 7 of the base plate 3 has a front inner wall, and a mounting element 7C is attached to the front inner wall of the concave section 7 (see Fig. 4) The fastening section 15C is attached to the mounting element 7C with the screws 16B.

[0037] That is, the main housing 11 is attached to the base plate 3 by means of the fastening sections 15A to 15C and the screws 16A and 16B. The front wall 12B of the lower housing 12 serves, for example, as a front wall of a lower housing in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle according to the present invention.

[0038] Each of the fastening sections 15A and 15B according to the embodiment serves, for example, as a first fastening section of the present invention, and the fastening section 15C serves, for example, as a second fastening section of the present invention. It should be noted that the fastening sections 15A to 15C can be attached to the upper housing 13.

[0039] Referring to Fig. 6 The support 14 has a width in the direction of the vehicle width, and the lower housing 12 has a width in the direction of the vehicle width. The width of the support 14 is less than the width of the lower housing 12, so that the support 14 is separated inwards in the direction of the vehicle width from both the left and right ends 12a and 12b of the lower housing 12.

[0040] The front end 14a of the support 14 is fastened to the front end of the connecting piece 12A of the lower housing 12 by screws 17A. The rear end 14b of the support 14 is fastened to the rear end of the connecting piece 12A of the lower housing 12 by screws 17B. The front end 14a of the support 14 serves, for example, as a front end of a support in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle according to the present invention. The rear end 14b of the support 14 serves, for example, as a rear end of a support in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0041] The front end 14a of the support 14 is inserted in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1 between the front end of the connecting piece 12A of the lower housing 12 and the front end of the connecting piece 13A of the upper housing 13, such that the front end 14a is attached to the connecting pieces 12A and 13A. The rear end 14b of the support 14 is inserted in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1 between the rear end of the connecting piece 12A of the lower housing 12 and the rear end of the connecting piece 13A of the upper housing 13, such that the rear end 14b is attached to the connecting pieces 12A and 13A.

[0042] This allows the carrier 14 to extend between the front end and the rear end of the main housing 11.

[0043] The front end 14a of the support 14 is arranged such that it overlaps, in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1, with the front end of the connecting piece 12A, to which the upper end of the first section of the fastening section 15C abuts. In particular, at least a portion of the fastening section 15C is arranged such that it overlaps the support 14 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1. It should be noted that the edge of the front end 14a of the support 14 can extend downwards such that it overlaps, in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1, with the front surface of the fastening section 15C.

[0044] The battery module 9 is installed in the lower housing 12 such that the battery module 9 is located below the support 14 and overlaps the support 14 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1.

[0045] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the support 14 consists of convex sections 14A and concave sections 14B, each extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The convex sections 14A and the concave sections 14B are arranged alternately in the direction of the vehicle's width. The front ends of the convex sections 14A and the concave sections 14B form the front end 14a of the support 14, and the rear ends of the convex sections 14A and the concave sections 14B form the rear end 14b of the support 14.

[0046] A pair of beams 18A and 18B is attached to a top surface of beam 14. Each of the beams 18A and 18B has a length with a substantially U-shaped cross-section along a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The beams 18A and 18B are arranged on the convex sections 14A of beam 14 such that the beams 18A and 18B face each other with a gap between them, and the longitudinal directions of the beams 18A and 18B are substantially perpendicular to the directions in which the convex and concave sections 14A and 14B extend.

[0047] Each of the supports 18A and 18B has an upper section extending in the direction of the vehicle width of the vehicle 1. The inverter 10 is mounted on the upper sections of the supports 18A and 18B such that it is fastened to the supports 18A and 18B with screws 19.

[0048] Referring to the Fig. Figures 3 to 5 show that the upper housing 13 has a raised section 13B. In particular, the raised section 13B consists of a central section of the upper housing 13 in the direction of the vehicle width. The central section of the upper housing 13 projects upwards convexly in the direction of the vehicle, such that the central section of the upper housing 13 is higher than the left and right ends of the upper housing 13 in the direction of the vehicle width, which are opposite to each other.

[0049] The inverter 10 is mounted in the main housing 11 such that the inverter 10 is located below the raised section 13B. That is, the raised section 13B is positioned so that, when viewed from above in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1, it overlaps the support 14.

[0050] A support 20 is attached to the lower housing 12. The support 20 has, for example, a rectangular, plate-like shape and has a first and a second end 20a and 20b in its longitudinal direction, which are opposite to each other. It is assumed that a section of the left end 14c of the support 14, located in the direction of the vehicle width between the supports 18A and 18B, is designated as an intermediate section of the left end 14c of the support 14. Under this assumption, the support 20 is attached to the lower housing 12 such that (1) the first end 20a is attached with a support B and screws 30A to the fastening section 15A, which is attached to the left end 12a of the connecting section 12A of the lower housing 12, (2) the second end 20b is attached to the intermediate section of the left end 14c of the support 14 by screws 30B. In particular, the support 20 connects the intermediate section of the left end 14c of the support 14 to both the left end 12a of the connecting section 12A of the lower housing 12 and the left end (in Fig. 6 not shown) of the connecting section 13A of the upper housing 13.

[0051] The support 14 according to the embodiment serves, for example, as a first support according to the present invention, and each of the supports 18A and 18B serves, for example, as a second support according to the present invention. The support 20 serves, for example, as a third support according to the present invention.

[0052] The position where the left end 20a of the support 20 is coupled to the connecting pieces 12A and 13A of the lower and upper housings 12 and 13 is located in front of the fastening sections 15A and 15B; the connecting piece 13A is in Fig. 6 not shown.

[0053] The inverter 10 is positioned such that it extends from a central section of the support 14 in the direction of the vehicle width towards the support 20. The front end of the inverter 10 is fastened to the support 18A by screws 19, and the rear end is fastened to the support 18B by screws 19. The left end of the inverter 10 is fastened to the support 14 via the right end 20b of the support 20 by screws 30B.

[0054] Referring to Fig. 8 A plurality of convex sections 12C are formed on an inner surface of the bottom of the lower housing 12, i.e., the second end. Each of the convex sections 12C projects upwards and extends in the direction of the vehicle width. The convex sections 12C are arranged with intervals between them in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1.

[0055] Each of the convex sections 12C has both ends, i.e., the left and the right end, oriented in the direction of the vehicle width. A support beam 21A is arranged on the upper surfaces of the left ends of the convex sections 12C, and a support beam 21B is arranged on the upper surfaces of the right ends of the convex sections 12C. In other words, each of the support beams 21A and 21B connects the convex sections 12C to one another.

[0056] The battery module 9 is attached at its left and right ends to the respective support supports 21A and 21B, so that the battery module 9 is attached to the lower housing 12 via the support supports 21A and 21B.

[0057] Referring to Fig. 7 A battery module control device 22 is provided in the lower housing 12. In particular, the battery module control device 22 is arranged in a space in the lower housing 12; the space is surrounded in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 by the support 14, the battery module 9 and the front wall 12B of the lower housing 12.

[0058] The battery module control device 22 is connected to the battery module 9 via cable harnesses 23. The battery module control device 22 controls the battery module 9.

[0059] Referring to Fig. In Figure 1, an inlet duct 24, an inlet fan 25, and an inlet duct 26 are attached to the battery pack 8. In particular, the inlet duct 24 has an opening first end extending near the rear seat 5 and an opening second end located opposite the first opening end; the inlet duct 26 is coupled to the opening second end of the inlet duct 24 such that a connection can be established. The inlet duct 26 has an opening first end that is coupled to the inlet fan 25 such that a connection can be established, and an opening second end located opposite the first opening end. The opening second end of the inlet duct 26 is attached to the upper housing 13 of the main housing 11 such that a connection can be established between the opening second end of the inlet duct 26 and the interior of the upper housing 13.of the main housing 11, is manufacturable.

[0060] The inlet duct 24 allows air to be drawn in from the front of the rear seat 5. The inlet fan 25 conveys the air drawn in through the inlet duct 24 to the inlet duct 26 when activated, so that the drawn-in air is introduced from the inlet duct 26 into the main housing 11. This results in the introduced air cooling the battery module 9 and the inverter 10.

[0061] The battery module control device 22 includes a computer (not shown) and a temperature sensor (not shown) located near or directly on the battery module 9. The temperature sensor is connected to the computer and functions by measuring the temperature of the battery module 9 and sending a signal to the computer indicating the measured temperature. The inlet fan 25 is controllably connected to the computer of the battery module control device 22. In particular, the computer of the battery module control device 22 activates the inlet fan 25 when it determines that the measured temperature of the battery module 9 is below a certain threshold. This allows air drawn in through the inlet duct 24 to be introduced into the main housing 22 via the inlet duct 26.This results in the introduced air cooling the battery module 9 and the inverter 10.

[0062] Referring to Fig. 1 includes the vehicle 1 rear wheels 27L and 27R, and the rear wheels 27L and 27R are arranged so that they are opposite each other over the base plate 3.

[0063] The support 14 of the battery pack 8 is arranged such that it is separated inwards in the direction of the vehicle width from both the left and right ends 12a and 12b of the lower housing 12. The front end 14a of the support 14 is attached to the front end of the connecting piece 12A of the lower housing 12, and the rear end 14b of the support 14 is attached to the rear end of the connecting piece 12A of the lower housing 12. This allows the support 14 to extend from the front end section to the rear end section of the main housing 11. Furthermore, the battery module 9 is installed in the lower housing 12 such that, in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1, the battery module 9 is positioned below the support 14 and overlaps with the support 14.

[0064] This makes it possible to increase the stiffness of the central section of the main housing 11 in the direction of the vehicle width, which includes the mounting sections 15A and 15B, more than the stiffness of either of the left and right end sections of the main housing 11 in the direction of the vehicle width.

[0065] Even if the left and right sections of the vehicle 1 vibrate strongly in the direction of the vehicle width in the vertical direction, for example when the vehicle 1 is driving on a bad road, so that the base plate 3 is deformed, the configuration of the battery pack 8 can allow the left and right sections of the main housing 11, which are attached to the base plate 3, to vibrate strongly in the direction of the vehicle width. Fig. Figure 3 illustrates the vibration direction of the left end section of the main housing 11 by arrow F1 and the vibration direction of the right end section of the main housing 11 by arrow F2. This allows the left and right end sections of the main housing 11 to absorb a load due to the deformation of the base plate 3.

[0066] Furthermore, the configuration of the battery pack 8 restricts deformation of the section of the main housing 11 to which the battery module 9 is attached; this section is located below the support. This makes it difficult to transfer a load to the battery module 9 due to deformation of the base plate 3, thus limiting the deformation of the battery module 9.

[0067] Referring to Fig. 2. The support can restrict deformation of the main housing 11 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, even if the base plate 3 is subjected to an external force F from the rear of the vehicle 1. This can prevent the battery module 9, which is located below the support 14, from colliding with the rear wall 12D of the lower housing 12 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1, thus preventing deformation of the battery module 9. This effectively protects the battery module 9.

[0068] The battery pack 8 according to the embodiment includes the mounting section 15C, which is attached to the front wall 12B of the lower housing 12. At least part of the mounting section 15C is arranged such that it overlaps the support 14 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1.

[0069] This enables stable attachment of the battery pack 8 to the base plate 3. This can prevent displacement of the battery pack 8 relative to the base plate 3, even if the vehicle 1 is driving on a bad road or the base plate 3 is subjected to an external force F, thus protecting the battery module 9 installed in the main housing 11 by the main housing 3.

[0070] The carrier 14 of the battery pack 8 according to the embodiment consists of the convex sections 14A and the concave sections 14B, each extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The convex sections 14A and the concave sections 14B are arranged alternately in the direction of the vehicle width.

[0071] This further increases the stiffness of the support 14. The increased stiffness of the support allows the stiffness of the central section of the main housing 11, which includes the mounting sections 15A and 15B, to be increased more than the stiffness of either of the left and right end sections of the main housing 11. This enables the left and right end sections of the main housing 11 to absorb a load resulting from deformation of the floor plate 3.

[0072] Furthermore, the configuration of the battery pack 8 more effectively restricts deformation of the section of the main housing 11 to which the battery module 9 is attached; this section is located below the support 14. This more effectively prevents the transfer of a load due to deformation of the base plate to the battery module 9, resulting in a more effective restriction of deformation of the battery module 9.

[0073] The support 14 with higher stiffness can more effectively restrict deformation of the main housing 11 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, even when the base plate 3 is subjected to an external force F from the rear of the vehicle 1. This can more effectively prevent the battery module 9, located below the support 14, from colliding with the rear wall 12D of the lower housing 12 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1, thus preventing deformation of the battery module 9. This protects the battery module 9 more effectively.

[0074] Each of the convex sections 14A and the concave sections 14B of the carrier 14 of the battery pack 8 according to the embodiment is arranged such that it extends from the front end 14a to the rear end 14b of the carrier. The carrier 14 is attached to the main housing 11 such that 1. the front end 14a, which consists of the convex and concave sections 14A and 14B, is inserted between the front end of the connector 12A and the front end of the connector 13A, 2. the rear end 14b, which consists of the convex and concave sections 14A and 14B, is inserted between the rear end of the connector 12A and the rear end of the connector 13A.

[0075] This increases the stiffness of the support 14 more effectively, increasing the stiffness of the front and rear ends of the connecting pieces 12A and 13A between which the support 14 is inserted. This increases the stiffness of the central section of the main housing 11 in the direction of the vehicle width, which includes the mounting sections 15A and 15B, more than the stiffness of either of the left and right end sections of the main housing 11 in the direction of the vehicle width.

[0076] The front and rear ends of the connecting pieces 12A and 13A, between which the support 14 is inserted and which have a higher stiffness than the stiffness of the other sections of the connecting pieces 12A and 13A, can more effectively restrict deformation of the main housing 11 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, even when the base plate 3 is subjected to an external force F from the rear of the vehicle 1. This protects the battery module 9 more effectively.

[0077] Each of the front and rear ends 14a and 14b, consisting of the convex and concave sections 14A and 14B, is inserted between the front end of the connector 12A and the front end of the connector 13A. This provides slots 28 between the convex and concave sections 14A and 14B and the connectors 12A and 13A; the slots 28 allow the outer space of the main housing 11 to communicate with the interior of the main housing 11 (see Fig. 3) This allows a cooling airflow W to flow along the upper surfaces of the convex sections 14A in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 and then be discharged from the interior of the main housing 11 through the slots 28 into the outside space.

[0078] Even if a liquid flows into the interior of the main housing 11 through the slots 28, this configuration also allows the liquid to flow along the convex and concave sections 14A and 14B, so that it is evenly discharged into the exterior of the main housing 11 via the slots 28. This prevents the liquid from flowing into the battery module 9, thus protecting the battery module 9 from the liquid.

[0079] The supports 18A and 18B are mounted on the top of the support 14. Each of the supports 18A and 18B has a length and a substantially U-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction along its lateral direction. The supports 18A and 18B are arranged on the convex sections 14A of the support 14 such that the supports 18A and 18B face each other with a gap between them, and the longitudinal directions of the supports 18A and 18B are substantially perpendicular to the directions in which the convex and concave sections 14A and 14B extend. The inverter 10 is mounted on the upper sections of the supports 18A and 18B so that it is attached to the supports 18A and 18B.

[0080] The inverter 10 attached to the beams 18A and 18B restricts bending and / or deformation of the beams 18A and 18B, while the beams 18A and 18B provide the beam 14 with greater stiffness.

[0081] Thus, the configuration of the battery pack 8 increases the stiffness of the central section of the main housing 11 in the direction of the vehicle width, which includes the mounting sections 15A and 15B, more than the stiffness of either of the left and right end sections of the main housing 11 in the direction of the vehicle width. Furthermore, the higher stiffness of the battery pack 8's support 14 more effectively limits deformation of the main housing 11, even when the base plate 3 is subjected to an external force F from the rear of the vehicle 1.

[0082] The upper housing 13 of the battery pack 8 according to the embodiment has the raised section 13B. In particular, the raised section 13B consists of a central section of the upper housing 13 in the direction of the vehicle width, which projects convexly upwards in the direction of the vehicle, such that the central section of the upper housing 13 is higher than the left and right ends of the battery module 9 in the direction of the vehicle width. Furthermore, the inverter 10 is accommodated in the main housing 11 such that the inverter 10 is located below the raised section 13B. That is, when viewed from above in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1, the raised section 13B is positioned in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1 such that it overlaps the support 14.

[0083] This increases the stiffness of the upper housing 13 located above the battery module 9. This increases the stiffness of the central section of the main housing 11 in the direction of the vehicle width, which includes the mounting sections 15A and 15B, more than the stiffness of either of the left and right end sections of the main housing 11 in the direction of the vehicle width.

[0084] As a result, the carrier 14 of the battery pack 8 with the higher stiffness can more effectively limit deformation of the main housing 11, even when the base plate 3 is subjected to an external force F from the rear of the vehicle 1.

[0085] The inverter 10, which is housed in the main casing 11 and located below the raised section 13B, prevents an increase in the dimensions of the upper casing 13. This prevents an increase in the dimensions of the battery pack 8, thereby improving the installability of the battery pack 8 in vehicles.

[0086] The carrier 20 of the battery pack 8 according to the embodiment connects the intermediate section of the left end 14c of the carrier 14 to the left end 12a of the connecting section 12A of the lower housing 12 and to the left end of the connecting section 13A of the upper housing 13. The intermediate section is a portion of the left end 14c of the carrier 14 in the direction of the vehicle width, located in the direction of the vehicle width between the carriers 18A and 18B. The position in which the left end 20a of the carrier 20 is connected to the connecting pieces 12A and 13A of the lower and upper housings 12 and 13 is located in front of the mounting sections 15A and 15B. The left end 14c of the carrier 14 serves, for example, as one end of a carrier in one direction of the vehicle width according to the present invention.

[0087] This reinforces the support 14 with the support 20. This allows the central section of the main housing 11 in the direction of the vehicle width, which includes the mounting sections 15A and 15B, to have a higher stiffness than the stiffness of either of the left and right end sections of the main housing 11 in the direction of the vehicle width.

[0088] Furthermore, the position at which the support 20 is connected to the connecting pieces 12A and 13A, and which is in front of the fastening sections 15A and 15B, allows for the greater difference in stiffness between the fastening section 15A and the connecting section of the connecting piece 12A with the support 20.

[0089] Even if the left and right sections of vehicle 1 vibrate strongly in the vertical direction (in the direction of the vehicle's width), for example when the vehicle 1 is driving on a poor road, causing the base plate 3 to deform, this configuration allows the left and right sections of the main housing 11, which are attached to the base plate 3, to vibrate more strongly (in the direction of the vehicle's width). This enables the left and right end sections of the main housing 11 to absorb a load resulting from the deformation of the base plate 3 more effectively.

[0090] The inverter 10 of the battery pack 8 according to the embodiment is arranged such that it deviates from the central section of the support 14 in the direction of the vehicle width towards the support 20. This allows the inverter 10 to be mounted on the support 14, which has greater rigidity and is reinforced by the support 20, thereby effectively reducing vibrations of the inverter 10, which has a relatively high weight.

[0091] On the inner surface of the base, i.e., the second end, of the lower housing 12 of the battery pack 8 according to the embodiment, convex sections 12C are formed. Each of the convex sections 12C projects upwards and extends in the direction of the vehicle's width. The convex sections 12C are arranged longitudinally along the vehicle 1 with intervals between them. Each of the convex sections 12C has both ends, i.e., the left and the right ends, extending in the direction of the vehicle's width. The support bracket 21A is arranged on the upper surfaces of the left ends of the convex sections 12C, and the support bracket 21B is arranged on the upper surfaces of the right ends of the convex sections 12C. In other words, each of the support brackets 21A and 21B connects the convex sections 12C to one another.

[0092] This allows for greater rigidity of the base of the lower housing 12, which in turn enables the battery module 9 to be held more stably on the base of the lower housing 12 with its increased rigidity. This configuration can limit deformation of the base of the lower housing 12, thus preventing deformation of the battery module 9, even if the vehicle 1 is driving on a rough road, for example, causing the base plate 3 to deform. This protects the battery module 9 more effectively.

[0093] The battery pack 8 according to the embodiment includes the battery module control device 22. The battery module control device 22 is arranged in the space in the lower housing 12; the space is surrounded by the support 14, the battery module 9 and the front wall 12B of the lower housing 12 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1.

[0094] The support 14 can prevent excessive deformation of the main housing 11 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1, even when the base plate 3 is subjected to an external force F from the rear of the vehicle 1. This can limit the displacement of the battery module 9 from its original position towards the front of the vehicle 1. This prevents the battery module control device 22 from colliding with the battery module 9, thus providing reliable protection for the battery module control device 22.

[0095] The aforementioned structure, designed to prevent the battery module control device 22 from colliding with the battery module 9, allows the battery module control device 22 to be positioned closer to the battery module 9. This simplifies the configuration of the cable harnesses 23 that connect the battery module control device 22 and the battery module 9.

[0096] It should be noted that, according to the embodiment, the battery pack 8 is attached to the base plate 3 of the vehicle 1; the base plate 3 is part of the body of the vehicle 1. The battery pack 8 can be attached to another part of the body of the vehicle 1.

[0097] The embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed. It is evident that a person skilled in the art can modify the embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. All modified or equivalent articles are to be included in the following claims. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 2 Vehicle body 3 Base plate 4 Back panel 5 rear seats 6 luggage compartment 7 concave section of the base plate 7A Mounting element 7B Mounting element 7C Mounting element 8 battery pack 9 Battery module 10 inverters (high-voltage devices) 11 Main case 12 lower case 12A Connector (first connector) 12a, 12b left and right ends of the connector 12A 12B Wall section (front wall of the lower housing in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) 12C convex section 12D rear wall of the lower case 13 upper case 13A Connector (second connector) 13B raised section 14 carriers (first carrier) 14A convex section 14B concave section 14a front end (front end of the carrier in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) 14b rear end (rear end of the carrier in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) 14c left end (one end of the carrier in the direction of the vehicle width) 15A, 15B Mounting section (first mounting section) 15C Mounting section (second mounting section) 16A, 16B screws 18A, 18B carrier (second carrier) 19 screws 20 carriers (third carrier) 20a first end of the support (left end) 20b second end of the carrier (right end) 21A, 21B Support carriers (first and second support carriers) 22 Battery module control device 23 cable strands 24 Inlet channel 25 Inlet fan 26 Inlet channel 27L left rear wheel 27R right rear wheel 28 slots 30A, 30B screws F external force F1, F2 arrows W cooling breeze

Claims

[1] Battery pack to be attached to a vehicle body (2) of a vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle body (2) comprises a base plate (3), wherein the battery pack comprises: a battery module (9) and a main housing (11) with a first and a second end separated in one direction of the vehicle width and a front and a rear end separated in one longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1), the main housing (11) comprising: a lower housing (12) having an outer circumference with a first connecting piece (12A) designed as a flange, and an upper housing (13) having an outer circumference with a second connecting piece (13A) designed as a flange, wherein the second connecting piece (13A) of the upper housing (13) is connected to the first connecting piece (12A) of the lower housing (12) to provide a receiving space in the main housing (11), wherein the battery module (9) is received in the receiving space, wherein the front end of the lower housing (12) and the front end of the upper housing (13) form a front end of the main housing (11), wherein the rear end of the lower housing (12) and the rear end of the upper housing (13) form a rear end of the main housing (11), wherein the first connecting piece (12A) has a front and a rear end in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1) which are separate, wherein the second connecting piece (13A) has a front and a rear end in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1) which are separate, wherein the first connecting piece (12A) has a first and a second end (12a, 12b) which are separated in the width direction of the vehicle (1) to define the first and second end of the main housing (11), wherein the first connecting piece (12A) has at its first end (12a) and its second end (12b) a fastening section (15A, 15B) for fastening the main housing (11) to the base plate (3), characterized by , that: the battery pack comprises a carrier (14) having a front end (14a) and a rear end (14b); the battery module (9) is arranged in the vertical direction of the vehicle (1) in the lower housing (12) below the support (14) and overlaps the support (14); the carrier (14) is attached to the main housing (11), its front end being inserted between and attached to the front end of the first connecting piece (12A) and the front end of the second connecting piece (13A), and its rear end being inserted between and attached to the rear end of the first connecting piece (12A) and the rear end of the second connecting piece (13A), and wherein the support (14) extends from the front end of the main housing (11) to the rear end of the main housing (11) and is separated inwards from both the first and second ends of the main housing (11) to reinforce the central section of the main housing (11), with the exception of the remaining end sections of the main housing (11), between the support (14) and one of the mounting sections (15A, 15B), in order to allow the remaining end sections to bear the load due to the deformation of the base plate (3) when the vehicle (1) travels through rough terrain, wherein the support (14) comprises a plurality of convex sections (14A) and a plurality of concave sections (14B), each of the convex sections (14A) and the concave sections (14B) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1), the convex sections (14A) and the concave sections (14B) being arranged alternately in the direction of the vehicle width, and the battery pack further includes: second supports (18A, 18B) which are attached to the support (14) which is a first support, each of the second supports (18A, 18B) having a length and a U-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction along the lateral direction, wherein the second supports (18A, 18B) are arranged on the convex sections (14A) of the first support (14) such that the second supports (18A, 18B) are opposite each other and the longitudinal directions of the second supports (18A, 18B) are perpendicular to the directions in which the convex and concave sections (14A, 14B) extend; and a high-voltage device (10) which is attached to the second supports (18A, 18B). [2] Battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising: a second fastening section (15C) provided at one of the front ends of the first connecting piece (12A) of the lower housing (12) and the front end of the second connecting piece (13A) of the upper housing (13), wherein at least part of the second fastening section (15C) is arranged such that it overlaps the support (14) in the vertical direction of the vehicle (1). [3] Battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that each of the convex sections (14A) and the concave sections (14B) is arranged such that it extends from the front end of the support (14) to the rear end of the support (14); and the carrier (14) is attached to the main housing (11) in such a way that the front end, which consists of the convex and concave sections (14A, 14B) of the support (14), is inserted between the front end of the first connecting piece (12A) and the front end of the second connecting piece (13A); and the rear end, which consists of the convex and concave sections (14A, 14B), is inserted between the rear end of the first connector (12A) and the rear end of the second connector (13A). [4] Battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the upper housing (13) has a first and a second end in the direction of the vehicle width, which are opposite to each other; the upper housing (13) has a raised section (13B), wherein the raised section (13B) comprises a central section of the upper housing (13) in the direction of the vehicle width, which is raised convexly upwards in one direction of the vehicle (1), such that the central section of the upper housing (13) in the direction of the vehicle width is higher than the first and second ends of the upper housing (13); the high-voltage device (10) is received in the main housing (11) such that the high-voltage device (10) is arranged below the raised section (13B), and the raised section (13B) is arranged such that, when viewed from above in the vertical direction of the vehicle (1), it overlaps the support (14) in the vertical direction of the vehicle (1). [5] Battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a third support (20) connecting an intermediate section of one end of the support (14) in the direction of the vehicle width with a corresponding section of the first end and the second end of the main housing (11) in the direction of the vehicle width, wherein the intermediate section of one end of the support (14) is located in the direction of the vehicle width in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1) between the second supports (18A, 18B), wherein a position in which one end of the carrier (14) is connected to a corresponding one of the first end and the second end of the main housing (11) in the direction of the vehicle width is arranged in front of the fastening sections (15A, 15B). [6] Battery pack according to claim 5, characterized by , that the high-voltage device (10) is arranged such that it deviates in the direction of the vehicle width from a central section of the support (14) in the direction of the third support (20). [7] Battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the lower housing (12) has a bottom and comprises a plurality of convex sections (12C) on an inner surface of the bottom, each of the convex sections (12C) of the lower housing (12) projects upwards and extends in the direction of the vehicle width, the convex sections (12C) of the lower housing (12) are arranged with intervals between them in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1), Each of the convex sections (12C) of the lower housing (12) has a first and a second end in the direction of the vehicle width, which are separate, the battery pack further includes: a first support (21A) arranged on the top surfaces of the first ends of the convex sections (12C); and a second support (21B) which is arranged on the upper surfaces of the second ends of the convex sections (12C), wherein each of the first and second support supports (21A, 21B) connects the convex sections (12C) together, wherein the battery module (9) is attached to the first and second support supports (21A, 21B). [8] Battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the lower housing (12) has a front wall (12B) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1), the battery pack further comprising: a battery module control device (22) for controlling the battery module (9), wherein the battery module control device (22) is arranged in an intermediate space surrounded by the support (14), the battery module (9) and the front wall (12B) of the lower housing (12).

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