VEHICLE BATTERY HOUSING

Abstract

A battery housing comprises a lower housing. Near a corner on the rear of a lower plate of the housing, in the front-to-rear direction of a vehicle, a recess is provided, and the lower housing can store water in this recess. This allows the battery housing to increase the amount of water a battery module can be submerged in and prevents the battery module from being submerged in water, compared to a housing without a recess in the lower plate.

Description

STATE OF THE ART 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing for a vehicle battery. 2. Description of the related prior art

[0002] The unexamined Japanese patent application disclosure no. 2021-123227 (JP 2021-123227 A) describes a battery pack installed on the floor of a vehicle. The battery pack comprises a plurality of battery cells arranged in a battery pack housing. The battery pack housing includes a lower housing in which the battery cells are arranged side by side, and an upper housing that insulates the space within the lower housing containing the battery cells from the environment. Furthermore, the lower housing of the battery pack housing is fixed to the vehicle floor. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Incidentally, the lower casing of the battery housing, which is attached to a vehicle, can be splashed with or immersed in rainwater that has accumulated on the road surface. For this reason, rainwater easily adheres to the battery housing, and this adhering water can penetrate the interior of the battery housing. Because of the water penetrating and accumulating inside the battery housing, there is a risk that the accumulated water will adhere to the battery pack inside the housing and to the battery cells within the battery pack.

[0004] If the battery pack and the battery cell within the battery pack are immersed in water, the battery's performance decreases. Therefore, there is room for improvement regarding limiting water adhesion to the battery cell or limiting the immersion of the battery cell in water within the battery housing.

[0005] The present invention was made taking into account the circumstances mentioned above. The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle battery housing that can limit the adhesion of water, which has penetrated the interior of the battery housing, to battery cells, etc.

[0006] To achieve this goal, a housing for a vehicle battery, from a first perspective, comprises a housing body with a rectangular outline and an interior in which a battery module is accommodated by being mounted to an inner surface of a lower plate. The battery module comprises a multitude of stacked battery cells. The housing body has a recess that is open upwards at one corner on the inner surface of the lower plate.

[0007] In the vehicle battery housing, as described in the first point, the battery module is housed within the rectangular interior of the housing body. The battery module comprises a multitude of stacked battery cells and is mounted on the inner surface of the lower plate of the housing body.

[0008] The housing body features an upward-facing recess at the corner on the inner surface of the lower plate. This recess allows the housing body to collect some of the water that has entered the housing body and accumulated on the lower plate. Furthermore, this design helps to limit the immersion of the battery module and battery cells in the water if water does enter the housing body, compared to a housing without this recess.

[0009] According to a second point of view, the housing for the battery of a vehicle, in the first point of view, provides a recess on a rear side of the lower plate in a front-to-rear direction of a vehicle.

[0010] According to the second aspect, the battery housing of a vehicle features a recess on the rear side of the lower plate, oriented towards the front of the vehicle. Therefore, if water accumulates on the lower plate of the housing, it can enter the recess on the rear side of the lower plate, effectively preventing the battery module and battery cells from becoming submerged in the water.

[0011] According to a third point of view, the housing of a vehicle battery according to the first or second point of view is equipped with a water quantity detection unit that detects a quantity of water that has accumulated on the lower plate on a front side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0012] According to the third aspect, the battery housing is equipped with a water level detection unit that measures the amount of water that has accumulated on the lower plate at the front, in the direction from front to rear of the vehicle. This makes it possible to detect water entering the housing and prevent the battery module and battery cells from being submerged in the water.

[0013] According to the present invention, the recess provided on the rear side of the lower plate in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle allows some of the water that has penetrated to be stored in the recess. Therefore, compared to a housing without a recess, the vehicle battery housing has the effect of limiting the adhesion of the water to the battery module and the battery cells, or the immersion of the battery module and the battery cells in the water. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same symbols denote the same elements, and wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram representing a battery according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2 is a top view showing a major section of a sub-hull on a rear side in a front-to-rear direction of a vehicle; Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the main section of the lower housing on the rear side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle; Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a major section of the underbody on a front side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle; and Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the main section of the underbody on the front side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, with the view in a different direction than in Fig. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0015] A housing for a vehicle battery according to an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The housing for a vehicle battery is mounted for use in a vehicle.

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic representation of a battery (battery pack) 10 according to the exemplary embodiment. In the drawings, a forward direction in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, a direction to the right in a width direction of the vehicle by an arrow RH, and an upward direction by an arrow UP.

[0017] For example, battery 10 is installed in a vehicle (not shown) that includes an electric motor serving as the drive source and outputs direct current (DC) that can be used to power the electric motor. The vehicle in which battery 10 is installed includes a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), and the like.

[0018] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the battery 10 comprises a battery housing 12, which serves as the vehicle battery housing, and a housing body according to the exemplary embodiment, and a battery pack 14 which is housed in the battery housing 12. The battery housing 12 has a substantially rectangular box shape, is arranged under a floor panel, which serves as the floor of the vehicle, and above an underbody cover, and is attached to a body of the vehicle (not shown).

[0019] The battery housing 12 comprises an upper housing 20 and a lower housing 22. The upper housing 20 and the lower housing 22 are opposite each other, with the upper housing 20 positioned on the top and the lower housing 22 on the bottom.

[0020] The lower housing 22 comprises a lower plate 24, which is substantially rectangular in plan view. The lower housing 22 includes a circumferential wall 26 constructed around the lower plate 24. A flanged section 28 is provided substantially around the entire circumference of the circumferential wall 26, such that the upper portion of the lower housing 22 is bent outwards from the lower housing 22. The lower housing 22 comprises the lower plate 24, the circumferential wall 26, and the flanged section 28, which are formed as a single piece, and the lower housing 22 has a substantially rectangular shell shape (or a basin shape).

[0021] The upper housing 20 comprises an upper plate 30, which is substantially perpendicular in plan view. Furthermore, the upper housing 20 comprises a circumferential wall 32 that projects downwards around the upper plate 30. A flange section 34 is provided in the upper housing 20 substantially around the entire circumference of the circumferential wall 32, such that an end section (lower end section) of the upper housing 20 is bent outwards. The upper housing 20 comprises the upper plate 30, the circumferential wall 32, and the flange section 34, which are provided as a single piece.

[0022] The battery housing 12 is stacked such that the flange section 34 of the upper housing 20 and the flange section 28 of the lower housing 22 face each other. Furthermore, the flange section 34 of the upper housing 20 and the flange section 28 of the lower housing 22 are assembled within the battery housing 12 by fastening them together using fasteners such as screws and nuts, and the interior is sealed against the environment (not shown).

[0023] In the housing 12 of the battery, the boundary between the upper plate 30 and the circumferential wall 32 of the upper housing 20 and the boundary between the lower plate 24 and the circumferential wall 26 of the lower housing 22, etc., are chamfered, so that the outer surface of the housing 12 of the battery is curved.

[0024] Battery 10 contains a battery pack 14 housed within the battery casing 12. At this stage, the battery pack 14 is covered from above and below by the upper plate 30 and the lower plate 24, and surrounded by the perimeter walls 26 and 32. The battery casing 12 functions as the battery pack housing, in which the battery pack 14 is located.

[0025] The battery pack 14 comprises one or more battery modules 16. The battery modules 16 each comprise a plurality of battery cells (not shown), and the battery cells are stacked. The battery housing 12 contains the battery modules 16. The housing 12 can be designed such that it contains only one battery module 16 and not multiple battery modules 16.

[0026] In battery 10 (battery pack 14), the battery modules 16 are connected, for example, in parallel or in series. Battery pack 14 includes auxiliary equipment 36 along with the battery modules 16. The auxiliary equipment 36 comprises various sensors and a controller (not shown) that, based on information acquired by the sensors, controls the operation of the battery modules 16 and the battery cells contained within the battery modules 16. During discharge, battery 10 (battery pack 14) outputs and receives direct current at a required voltage, thus charging each of the battery cells in the battery modules 16.

[0027] The battery housing 12 has a plurality of mounting sections 18 on the lower plate 24 of the sub-housing 22. The mounting sections 18 each have, for example, a rectangular block (or plate) shape. The longitudinal direction of each of the mounting sections 18 is aligned with the width direction of the vehicle. The mounting sections 18 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0028] In the lower housing 22, a section of the lower plate 24 (peripheral edge section of the lower plate 24) between the mounting sections 18 and the circumferential wall 26 is a lower section (deeper lower section) 24B, which is lower than an upper surface 24A, which is a central section of the lower plate 24. The battery modules 16 are mounted on the mounting sections 18, which are arranged on the lower plate 24 of the lower housing 22, and thus are located in the battery housing 12.

[0029] According to this arrangement, the battery modules 16 are positioned in the battery housing 12 such that the battery modules 16 are raised by the height of the mounting sections 18 relative to the upper surface 24A of the lower plate 24. Furthermore, the lower plate 24 of the housing 12 has a lower section 24B in its circumferential edge section, which is positioned opposite the upper surface 24A on which the battery 14 is arranged, so that the circumferential edge section is even lower relative to the lower surface of the battery 14.

[0030] The battery housing 12 has an essentially rectangular box shape and features 44 corners at its four corners. These four 44 corners are: a 44RF corner located on the front side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and on the right side in the vehicle's width direction; a 44LF corner located on the front side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and on the left side in the vehicle's width direction; a 44RB corner located on the rear side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and on the right side in the vehicle's width direction; and a 44LB corner located on the rear side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and on the left side in the vehicle's width direction.

[0031] In the lower housing 22 of the battery housing 12, recesses 40 are provided in some of the corners 44 of the lower plate 24. The recesses 40 serve as volume-increasing sections. Additionally, in the lower housing 22, bead sections are provided as projections and raised sections in some of the corners 44 of the lower plate 24, specifically in those corners 44 where the recesses 40 are not provided.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 is a top view showing a main section of the lower housing 22 on the rear side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, and Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the main section of the lower housing 22 on the rear side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a main section of the sub-housing 22 on the front in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, and Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the main section of the lower housing 22 on the front side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a different direction than in Fig. 4 shows. Fig. Figure 3 shows corner 44RB viewed from an oblique angle above the right front side. Fig. 4 shows corner 44RF viewed from a diagonal angle above the left rear side. Fig. 5 is a section near corner 44RF, shown viewed obliquely from above on the right front side.

[0033] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the recess 40 is located in the lower section 24B of the lower plate 24 of the lower housing 22 on the rear side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The recess 40 is located near each of the corners 44RB and 44LB in the lower housing 22. It should be noted that the recess 40 near corner 44RB and the recess 40 near corner 44LB have the same design, and the following description focuses primarily on the recess 40 near corner 44RB, while the description of the recess 40 near corner 44LB is omitted.

[0034] The recess 40 is provided in the lower section 24B of the lower plate 24 and has an upwardly open groove shape (bottom shape). The recess 40 extends from the side of corner 44RB to the front in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and also extends from the side of corner 44RB to the left side in the width direction of the vehicle. Therefore, viewed from above, the recess 40 is essentially L-shaped. In the lower housing 22, the recess 40 is provided in the lower plate 24, so that the volume of the lower housing 22 is increased by the volume of the recess 40.

[0035] Additionally, because of the recess provided in the lower housing 22, a bead section (not shown) is provided so that it projects from the underside of the lower plate 24, and the bead section corresponding to the recess 40 is essentially L-shaped and projects from the underside. Therefore, the bead section corresponding to the recess 40 has a section extending laterally along the vehicle and a section extending frontally and rearward along the vehicle, which are integrally joined. This prevents the plate thickness at the recess 40 from becoming thin and thus reducing its strength, even though the recess 40 is provided in the lower housing 22.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the lower plate 24 of the lower housing 22 is provided with the bead section 60 as a projection and a raised section on the lower section 24B at the front in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. In the lower housing 22, the bead sections 60 are provided near corners 44RF and 44LF. It should be noted that the bead section 60 near corner 44RF and the bead section 60 near corner 44LF have the same basic design, and the following description focuses primarily on the bead section 60 near corner 44RF, while the description of the bead section 60 near corner 44LF is omitted.

[0037] The bead section 60 is provided in the lower section 24B of the lower plate 24 such that it projects upwards. The bead section 60 is designed to extend inwards in the width direction of the vehicle (towards the left side in the width direction of the vehicle), while the bead section 60 extends from the side of corner 44RF to the rear in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The bead section 60 is inclined with respect to the front-to-rear direction and the width direction of the vehicle. According to the lower housing 22, the volume of the lower housing 22 is increased by the volume of the bead section 60 near the lower section 24B of the lower plate 24 at the front in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0038] In the lower housing 22 of the housing 12 of the battery, a water sensing sensor (water level sensing sensor) 50, which serves as a water quantity sensing unit and water detection unit, is arranged. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the water detection sensor 50 is located at the front of the vehicle in the lower housing 22 in the front-to-rear direction and, for example, near the bead section 60, which is located near corner 44RF.

[0039] As one of the sensors arranged in the housing 12 of the battery, the water detection sensor 50 is arranged in the auxiliary equipment 36. The water detection sensor 50 comprises a pair of electrodes 54 projecting downwards from a sensor body 52, and each of the electrodes 54 projects from the sensor body 52 to the lower section 24B of the lower plate 24.

[0040] The electrodes 54 are either of equal length or one is longer than the other. In the water detection sensor 50, for example, electrode 54A is longer than electrode 54B. Accordingly, the water detection sensor 50 can detect that water has accumulated in the lower section 24B of the lower plate 24 of the lower housing 22 when the tips of electrodes 54A and 54B are immersed in water W.

[0041] Next, an operation of the exemplary embodiment is described. The battery 10 comprises the battery housing 12. The battery housing 12 comprises the upper housing 20 and the lower housing 22. In the battery housing 12, the battery modules 16, in which battery cells are stacked, are arranged (fixed) on the lower housing 22 and are covered by the upper housing 20. Accordingly, the battery 10 comprises the battery modules 16 (battery pack 14) that are housed in the housing 12.

[0042] In battery 10, each of the battery cells of the battery modules 16 is charged by receiving direct current at a required voltage. Furthermore, battery 10 outputs direct current at a required voltage to the charged battery cells.

[0043] If water W adheres to the battery cells or the battery modules 16 in which the battery cells are stacked in such a battery 10, or if the battery cells or the battery modules 16 are immersed in the water W, the battery performance deteriorates. For this reason, it is necessary in the battery 10 to limit the adhesion of water W to the battery modules 16 or the immersion of the battery modules 16 in water W in order to limit the deterioration of the battery performance or the like.

[0044] In battery 10, the battery housing 12 is mounted on a lower part of the vehicle's body. While the vehicle is in motion, rainwater that has accumulated on the road surface can splash onto the battery housing 12, or the battery housing 12 can be immersed in rainwater that has accumulated on the road surface. In battery 10, the water W that seeps into the battery housing 12 collects on the lower plate 24 of the lower housing 22.

[0045] In the lower housing 22, the circumferential edge section of the lower plate 24 is the lower section 24B, and the lower section 24B is lower than the upper surface 24A on which the battery modules 16 are mounted. Furthermore, in the lower housing 22, the mounting sections 18 are arranged on the upper surface 24A, and the battery modules 16 are arranged on the mounting sections 18.

[0046] Therefore, even if water W enters the housing 12 of the battery 10, the water W collects in the lower section 24B of the lower plate 24, so that it is possible to limit the adhesion of water W to the battery modules 16 and the immersion of the battery modules 16 in the water W.

[0047] On the other hand, as in Fig. 2 and Fig.Figure 3 shows the lower housing 22 being provided with the recesses 40 in the lower section 24B of the lower plate 24, and the recesses 40 increase the volume of the section near the lower section 24B of the lower housing 22. Therefore, in the battery housing 12, the amount of accumulated water W that reaches the battery modules 16 can be increased compared to a housing in which the recesses 40 are not provided in the lower section 24B. Thus, even if water W penetrates the interior of the battery housing 12, it is possible to effectively limit the adhesion of water W to the battery modules 16 and to effectively limit the immersion of the battery modules 16 in the water W.

[0048] Furthermore, the rear of the vehicle, in the front-to-rear direction, is often lower than the front, depending on the number of occupants and the amount of luggage. In the lower housing 22, recesses 40 are provided at the rear in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, so that it is possible to more effectively prevent water W from adhering to the battery modules 16 and to more effectively prevent the battery modules 16 from being immersed in the water W.

[0049] Furthermore, steering the vehicle generates an inertial force in the vehicle's lateral direction. For this reason, the amount of water in the lower housing 22 tends to increase (and changes significantly) near the left and right corners 44LB and 44RB. However, the recesses 40 are located near these corners. This design makes it possible to more effectively limit the adhesion of water W to the battery modules 16 within the housing 12 and to more effectively prevent the battery modules 16 from being immersed in the water W.

[0050] Furthermore, in the event of a vehicle emergency, a load can be applied to the rear in the front-to-rear direction or to the inside in the vehicle's width direction. Since the essentially L-shaped recesses 40 are provided in the lower housing 22, the bead sections are provided corresponding to the recesses 40. This limits the deformation of the lower housing 12, even if the lower housing 22 bears a load on the rear in the front-to-rear direction or on the inside in the vehicle's width direction in the event of a vehicle emergency. Therefore, the battery housing 12 makes it possible to protect the battery modules 16 in the event of a vehicle emergency or similar event.

[0051] The water detection sensor 50 is positioned in the lower housing 22 such that it faces the lower section 24B of the lower plate 24 at the front of the vehicle in the front-to-rear direction. The water detection sensor 50 can detect that water W has penetrated the lower plate 24 when both electrodes 54A, 54B are exposed to or immersed in the water W. Therefore, detection by the water detection sensor 50 allows the use of the battery 10 to be restricted, even if the water W penetrates the battery housing 12, if the water W adheres to the battery modules 16.

[0052] In the vehicle, an inertial force is generated forward when the vehicle is decelerated, an inertial force backward when the vehicle is accelerated, and an inertial force in the lateral direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is steered. In the lower housing 22, the water W flows (moves) due to an inertial force when the water W adheres to the lower section 24B.

[0053] Therefore, in the housing 12 of the battery, the water detection sensor 50 is arranged on the front side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, where the recesses 40 are not provided, so that the water detection sensor 50 can efficiently detect the water W while the vehicle is driving.

[0054] Furthermore, the lower housing 22 is provided with the beaded sections 60 near corners 44RF and 44LF on the front side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The water detection sensor 50 is located near corner 44RF, where the beaded section 60 is provided. Therefore, the water detection sensor 50 in the battery housing 12 can efficiently detect water ingress even if the amount of water W reaching a section of the lower part 24B near corner 44RF is small.

[0055] Furthermore, the lower housing 22 has bead sections 60 located near the corners 44RF, 44LF of the lower plate 24, and these bead sections 60 are inclined with respect to the front-to-rear direction and the width direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the battery housing 12 can protect the battery modules 16 from these loads, even if, in the event of a vehicle emergency, loads act from the front or from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0056] As described above, the battery housing 12 has recesses 40 in the lower housing 22 near corners 44LB and 44RB on the rear side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. Therefore, in the battery housing 12, it is possible to limit the immersion of the battery modules 16 in water W, compared to a housing without these recesses.

[0057] Furthermore, the battery housing 12 has bead sections 60 in the lower housing 22 near corners 44LF, 44RF on the front in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, and the water detection sensor 50 is located near corner 44RF. Therefore, it is possible to effectively detect when water W has entered the interior of the battery housing 12 and to limit the charging and discharging process with the water-immersed battery modules 16.

[0058] Furthermore, the bead sections in the battery housing 12 are designed to correspond to the recesses 40 on the rear side of the lower housing 22 in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, and the bead sections 60 are provided on the front side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible in the battery housing 12 to protect the battery modules 16 from environmental stresses that may occur in the event of a vehicle emergency, etc.

[0059] In the embodiment described above, the recesses 40 are located near corners 44LB, 44RB on the rear side of the vehicle in the front-to-rear direction. In addition to their location near corners 44LB, 44RB, recesses can also be provided in a substantially linear form in a section of the lower section 24B located between corners 44LB, 44RB. Furthermore, recesses can be provided in a substantially linear form in sections of the lower section 24B extending from corners 44LB, 44RB to the front side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. This increases the amount of water that the battery modules 16 can be immersed in, thereby limiting the immersion of the battery modules 16 in the water W.

[0060] Furthermore, the amount of water W that can be detected by the water sensing sensor 50 varies depending on the distance between the tip of the short electrode 54B and the upper surface of the lower section 24B. Accordingly, the water sensing sensor 50 can be designed such that the length of the electrode 54B is adjusted depending on the amount of water W to be detected. Therefore, it is possible to use the water sensing sensor 50 in the battery housing 12 to detect whether the amount of water W has reached a preset quantity.

[0061] In this embodiment, the water detection sensor 50 is located near corner 44RF. However, the water detection sensor 50 can also be located near corner 44LF or between corners 44LF and 44RF (in the middle in the width direction of the vehicle). QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2021-123227 A

[0002]

Claims

[1] Vehicle battery housing comprising a housing body having a rectangular contour and an interior in which a battery module is accommodated by being mounted on an inner surface side of a lower plate, the battery module comprising a plurality of stacked battery cells, the housing body having a recess open upwards at a corner on the inner surface side of the lower plate. [2] Vehicle battery housing according to claim 1, wherein the recess is provided on a rear side of the lower plate in a front-to-rear direction of a vehicle. [3] Vehicle battery housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing body is provided with a water quantity detection unit which detects a quantity of water accumulated on the lower plate, on a front side in a front-to-rear direction of a vehicle.

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