Charge / discharge unit

Abstract

To provide a charge / discharge unit capable of easily preventing water reflected on a road surface from entering the inside of a housing through an air intake.SOLUTION: A charge / discharge unit includes a battery (20), electrical components (32, 42) that operate when the battery (20) is charged or discharged, and a housing (2) in which the battery (20) and the electrical components (32, 42) are housed. The housing (2) is provided with an air intake port (12a) for introducing air from the outside of the housing (2) into the inside of the housing (2) and exhaust ports (12b, 12c) for discharging air from the inside of the housing (2) to the outside of the housing (2). A waterproof plate (17) protruding laterally is provided below the air intake port (12a).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charge / discharge unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, portable battery devices are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the portable battery device described in Patent Document 1, an air intake port is provided at the bottom of the battery case and an exhaust port is provided at the top of the battery case, and the inside is cooled by air flowing in from the air intake port, and the heated air is discharged from the exhaust port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-129043 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the air intake is provided near the caster at the bottom of the battery case, and there is a problem in that water reflected from the road surface may enter the inside of the battery case through the air intake. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a charging / discharging unit that can easily prevent water reflected from the road surface from entering the inside of the housing through the air intake port. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The charge / discharge unit comprises a battery, electrical components that operate when the battery is charged or discharged, and a housing in which the battery and the electrical components are housed, wherein the housing is formed with an air intake port for introducing air from the outside of the housing into the inside of the housing, and an exhaust port for discharging air from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing, and a waterproof plate protruding laterally is provided below the air intake port. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a charge / discharge unit that can easily prevent water reflected from the road surface from entering the inside of the housing through the air intake port. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a charge / discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the rear surface of the housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an intake port and an exhaust port of the housing. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the front surface of the housing. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a DC / DC converter unit and an inverter unit from above. [Figure 7] 4 is a perspective view seen from above, showing the positions of a DC / DC converter unit and an inverter unit. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 7. [Figure 10] 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of an embodiment corresponding to FIG. 1 and different from FIG. 8; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, back, left, right, up and down will be described assuming that they correspond to the directions indicated by the symbols FR, RE, LH, RH, UP, and DO shown in each drawing. In other words, the symbols FR, RE, LH, RH, UP, and DO indicate the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower, respectively.

[0009] [Embodiment Mode] Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a charge / discharge unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. The charge / discharge unit 1 is a portable and mobile power supply device that discharges the charged power to operate an external device that is powered by an AC power source or a DC power source.

[0010] The charge / discharge unit 1 includes a housing 2. The housing 2 includes a framework 10 (see FIG. 2) and generally flat panels 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 supported by the frame 10. The panels 11 to 16 are supported by the frame 10 to form a closed box shape, thereby forming the housing 2 having an internal space. The housing 2 of this embodiment has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. Hereinafter, the panels 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 will be referred to as the front panel 11, the rear panel 12, the left panel 13, the right panel 14, the upper panel 15, and the lower panel 16, respectively.

[0011] In this embodiment, a pair of left and right wheels 3 are rotatably supported on the bottom panel 16 of the housing 2. The wheels 3 are rotatably supported by supporting the axles 3a on the underside of the bottom panel 16. A pair of left and right legs 4 are supported in front of the wheels 3. The wheels 3 and the legs 4 are in contact with the road surface (ground) R to hold the housing 2 in a stopped state. In addition, the wheels 3 and the legs 4 are in contact with the road surface R to hold the bottom panel 16 at a predetermined height separated from the road surface R. A movable handle portion 5 is provided in the front of the housing 2. By lifting the movable handle portion 5, the legs 4 can be separated from the road surface R, making it possible to carry and move the charging / discharging unit 1 by pushing it by hand.

[0012] A battery 20, a DC / DC converter unit 30, an inverter unit 40, an electrical component case 50, etc. are arranged inside the housing 2. The battery 20, the DC / DC converter unit 30, the inverter unit 40, the electrical component case 50, etc. are cooled by air flowing inside the housing 2.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the rear surface of the housing 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the intake port 12a and the exhaust ports 12b and 12c of the housing 2. An intake port 12a is formed in the rear panel 12 of the housing 2, penetrating in the thickness direction. The intake port 12a is an opening that takes in air from the outside into the inside of the housing 2. The intake port 12a is formed in the lower part of the rear panel 12. The intake port 12a is formed above the wheels 3. In other words, the intake port 12a is formed above a horizontal line L1 that passes through the uppermost end 3b of the wheels 3 (see FIG. 1). The intake port 12a is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction. Below (rear of) the intake port 12a, a protruding shielding plate (waterproof plate) 17 is provided rearward, as an example of a side of the housing 2.

[0014] The shielding plate 17 has a flat body portion 17a extending along the lower edge of the air intake port 12a. The body portion 17a inclines rearward as it advances upward. In other words, the body portion 17a moves rearward away from the air intake port 12a as it advances upward. Right-angled triangular side wall portions 17b are formed on both the left and right sides of the body portion 17a. The side wall portions 17b are disposed on the left and right outer sides of the air intake port 12a. The front ends of the side wall portions 17b are formed with fixing portions 17c that are fixed to the rear panel 12.

[0015] An intake guide (partition plate) 18 is supported above the intake port 12a. The intake guide 18 extends downward so as to cover the intake port 12a and the shield plate 17 from the rear. In detail, the intake guide 18 has a flat inclined portion 18a extending along the upper edge of the intake port 12a. The inclined portion 18a inclines downward as it advances rearward. A flat extending portion 18b extending downward is formed at the rear end of the inclined portion 18a. The extending portion 18b extends below the intake port 12a. A lower end (tip) 18b1 of the extending portion 18b is located above the lower panel 16 (see FIG. 1). Side wall portions 18c are formed on both the left and right sides of the inclined portion 18a and the extending portion 18b. A fixing portion 18d that is fixed to the rear panel 12 is formed at the front ends of the inclined portion 18a and the side wall portion 18c.

[0016] By fixing the fixing portion 18d to the rear panel 12, the inclined portion 18a, the extending portion 18b, and the side wall portion 18c cover the intake port 12a and the shielding plate 17 from the rear or from the left and right outer sides. In other words, in a rear view, which is an example of a side view of the housing 2, the intake port 12a and the intake guide 18 overlap. An upstream opening 18e (see FIG. 3) that communicates with the intake port 12a is formed by the surrounding shape of the lower end 18b1 of the extending portion 18b and the lower end 18c1 of the side wall portion 18c (see FIG. 4) and the rear panel 12. The upstream opening 18e is formed above the lower panel 16. Air can flow upward from the upstream opening 18e.

[0017] A mesh-like foreign object prevention member 29 is supported above the upstream opening 18e and below the shielding plate 17. The foreign object prevention member 29 is supported straddling the rear panel 12 and the intake guide 18 so as to block, so to speak, the flow path between the upstream opening 18e and the intake port 12a. The foreign object prevention member 29 prevents foreign objects such as stones from entering above the foreign object prevention member 29 while allowing air to pass. The foreign object prevention member 29 in this embodiment is plate-shaped. For example, expanded metal can be used as the foreign object prevention member 29. When air flows in from the upstream opening 18e, it passes through the foreign object prevention member 29 and moves upward, and then flows into the housing 2 through the air intake 12a while bypassing the shielding plate 17 and the like.

[0018] 1, the main body 17a of the shielding plate 17 is formed such that an imaginary line L2 extending from the rear end of the main body 17a in the normal direction of the main body 17a intersects with the extension 18b of the intake guide 18. That is, even if one tries to view the intake port 12a from below through the upstream opening 18e, the intake port 12a is blocked by the shielding plate 17 and cannot be seen. In addition, in the shielding plate 17, the distance W1 from the rear panel 12 to the rear end of the main body 17a is set to be smaller than the distance W2 from the rear end of the main body 17a to the extension 18b of the intake guide 18.

[0019] Exhaust ports 12b, 12c are provided above the intake guide 18, penetrating in the thickness direction. The exhaust ports 12b, 12c are openings for discharging air from the inside of the housing 2 to the outside. In this embodiment, the exhaust ports 12b, 12c are provided one on each of the left and right sides. The exhaust ports 12b, 12c open in a substantially rectangular shape.

[0020] An input port unit 70 is supported on the rear panel 12. The input port unit 70 protrudes rearward from the rear panel 12. The input port unit 70 has a DC input port 71 and an AC input port 72. For example, a high-speed charger is connected to the DC input port 71. For example, a commercial AC power source is connected to the AC input port 72. The battery 20 is charged via the DC input port 71 and the AC input port 72.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the rear panel 12 is covered from the rear by a rear cover 19. Thus, the rear cover 19 covers the intake guide 18 and the exhaust ports 12b, 12c from the rear. The rear cover 19 has an upper portion 19a, a lower portion 19b, and an intermediate portion 19c connecting the upper portion 19a and the lower portion 19b. The upper portion 19a protrudes rearward more than the lower portion 19b in accordance with the input port unit 70. A port opening 19a1 that exposes the input port unit 70 rearward is formed in the upper portion 19a.

[0022] The lower portion 19b is adjacent to and extends downward along the extending portion 18b of the intake guide 18. A downstream opening 19c1 that penetrates in the vertical direction is formed in the middle portion 19c. Air discharged from the exhaust ports 12b, 12c is discharged to the outside of the rear cover 19 through the downstream opening 19c1. Both the exhaust ports 12b, 12c and the downstream opening 19c1 of the rear cover 19 are located above the intake port 12a and the upstream opening 18e.

[0023] Here, the space between the rear cover 19 and the rear panel 12 of the housing 2 is divided by the intake guide 18 into a space connecting the upstream opening 18e and the intake port 12a and a space connecting the exhaust ports 12b, 12c and the downstream opening 19c1. Therefore, between the rear cover 19 and the rear panel 12, the air flowing into the intake port 12a, i.e., the intake air, and the air exhausted from the exhaust ports 12b, 12c, i.e., the exhaust air, are not mixed.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, a battery 20 is disposed inside the housing 2 in front of the air intake 12a. The battery 20 has a case 21 having a rectangular parallelepiped appearance and a battery main body 22 housed inside the case 21 and charged and discharged. A plurality of batteries 20 are disposed under the housing 2. In this embodiment, a plurality of batteries 20 are also disposed in the front-rear direction. The batteries 20 are disposed with a predetermined gap between them. A cylindrical spacer 23 is disposed between the lower battery 20 and the lower panel 16. A cylindrical spacer 24 is disposed between the upper battery 20 and the lower battery 20. The spacers 23 and 24 form a space around the battery 20 through which air can move.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the front surface of the housing 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, various electrical components 60, 61 are disposed in front of the battery 20. The height of the electrical components 60, 61 is formed to be approximately the same as the upper end surface of the battery 20. Thus, a space extending in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is formed above the battery 20 and the electrical components 60, 61. An output port unit 80 is disposed above the electrical components 60, 61. The output port unit 80 is provided with AC output ports 81, 82 and a DC output port 83. An external device is connected to the AC output ports 81, 82 and the DC output port 83 via wiring (not shown). As a result, power is supplied from the battery 20 to the external device.

[0026] Fig. 6 is a perspective view from above showing the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter unit 40. Fig. 7 is a perspective view from above showing the arrangement positions of the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter unit 40. A DC / DC converter unit 30 and an inverter unit 40 are arranged in the width direction (left-right direction) above the battery 20 and the electrical components 61, 62. The DC / DC converter unit 30 is arranged on the left side (one side in the left-right direction) within the housing 2. The inverter unit 40 is arranged on the right side (the other side in the left-right direction) within the housing 2.

[0027] The DC / DC converter unit 30 has a box 31 that has a rectangular parallelepiped appearance and extends in the front-rear direction. The box 31 has a length equal to or greater than half the length of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction. Inside the box 31, a DC / DC converter circuit board (electrical component) 32 that converts the voltage of DC power when the battery 20 is charged or discharged, heat dissipation fins 33 attached to elements of the DC / DC converter circuit board 32, and the like are arranged.

[0028] The fins of the heat dissipation fins 33 extend in the front-rear direction (the longitudinal direction of the box 31) and are spaced apart in the vertical direction (see FIG. 2). A pair of openings 31a, 31b (see FIG. 7) are formed at both ends of the longitudinal direction of the box 31. Thus, air entering the box 31 from one of the openings 31a, 31b can pass through the inside of the box 31 and flow out from the other openings 31b, 31a. Note that the box 31 may have gaps. In other words, the box 31 does not need to have a sealed structure, and it is sufficient that most of the air entering from one of the openings 31a, 31b can pass through the inside of the box 31 and flow out from the other openings 31b, 31a.

[0029] A cooling fan (fan) 34 for blowing air into the box 31 is provided at the opening 31a of the box 31. In this embodiment, the cooling fan 34 is fixed to a duct 35. The duct 35 is fixed to the box 31 so as to communicate with the opening 31a. As a result, the cooling fan 34 is disposed at the opening 31a of the box 31 via the duct 35. The cooling fan 34 blows air into the box 31 via the duct 35. Thus, in the box 31 of the DC / DC converter unit 30, the opening 31a functions as an intake port of the box 31, and the opening 31b functions as an exhaust port of the box 31. The opening 31b is formed at least in the upper part of the box 31. In this embodiment, the opening 31b is formed from the upper part of the box 31 toward the lower part.

[0030] A fixing portion 31c is formed on the left surface (one side surface in the left-right direction) of the box 31. The fixing portion 31c protrudes leftward beyond the left surface of the box 31. The fixing portion 31c abuts against the left surface panel 13 and is fixed thereto. Therefore, in the DC / DC converter unit 30, a space is easily formed between the left surface panel 13 and the left surface of the box 31. The box 31 has an electrical unit fixing portion 31d formed in a protruding, strip-like shape on the right surface (the other side surface in the left-right direction) of the box 31. The box 31, the DC / DC converter circuit board 32, the heat dissipation fins 33, the cooling fan 34, the duct 35, and the like constitute a DC / DC converter unit 30 of this embodiment.

[0031] The inverter unit 40 is configured similarly to the DC / DC converter unit 30, except that the inverter unit 40 has an inverter circuit board (electrical components) 42 instead of the DC / DC converter circuit board 32. In detail, the inverter unit 40 has a box 41 having a rectangular parallelepiped appearance extending in the front-rear direction. The box 41 has a length equal to or more than half the length of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction. The box 41 has a length in the front-rear direction similar to that of the box 31 of the DC / DC converter unit 30. Inside the box 41, an inverter circuit board 42 that converts DC power into AC power when the battery 20 is charged or discharged, heat dissipation fins 43 attached to elements of the inverter circuit board 42, etc. are arranged.

[0032] Each fin of the heat dissipation fins 43 extends in the front-rear direction and is spaced apart in the up-down direction (see FIG. 2). A pair of openings 41a, 41b (see FIG. 7) is formed at both ends of the box 41 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, air entering the box 41 from one of the openings 41a, 41b can pass through the inside of the box 41 and flow out from the other openings 41b, 41a. Note that the box 41 may have a gap. In other words, the box 41 does not need to have a sealed structure, and it is sufficient that most of the air entering from one of the openings 41a, 41b can pass through the inside of the box 41 and flow out from the other openings 41b, 41a.

[0033] A cooling fan (fan) 44 for blowing air into the box 41 is provided in the opening 41a of the box 41. In this embodiment, the cooling fan 44 is fixed to a duct 45. The duct 45 is fixed to the box 41 so as to communicate with the opening 41a. As a result, the cooling fan 44 is disposed in the opening 41a of the box 41 via the duct 45. The cooling fan 44 blows air into the box 41 via the duct 45. Thus, in the box 41 of the inverter unit 40, the opening 41a functions as an intake port of the box 41, and the opening 41b functions as an exhaust port of the box 41. The opening 41b is formed at least in the upper part of the box 41. In this embodiment, the opening 41b is formed from the upper part of the box 41 toward the lower part.

[0034] Box fixing part 41c is formed on the right side (the other side in the left-right direction) of the front and rear faces of box 41. Box 41 is fixed to the housing 2 by box fixing part 41c. An electrical unit fixing part (not shown) formed in a protruding piece shape is formed on the left face (one side face in the left-right direction) of box 41. The box 41, the inverter circuit board 42, the heat dissipation fins 43, the cooling fan 44, the duct 45, and the like constitute the inverter unit 40 of the present embodiment.

[0035] The DC / DC converter unit 30 is disposed so that the opening 31b is shared with the exhaust port 12b of the housing 2. That is, the opening 31b functioning as the exhaust port of the box 31 is disposed so as to function as the exhaust port 12b of the housing 2. In this embodiment, a duct 36 (see FIG. 7) is connected between the opening 31b and the exhaust port 12b of the housing 2. The duct 36 in this embodiment extends in the horizontal direction. The duct 36 connects the opening 31b and the exhaust port 12b of the housing 2. As a result, in this embodiment, the opening 31b of the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the exhaust port 12b of the housing 2 are shared.

[0036] The inverter unit 40 is arranged so that the opening 41b is shared with the exhaust port 12c of the housing 2. That is, the opening 41b that functions as the exhaust port of the box 41 is arranged so as to function as the exhaust port 12c of the housing 2. In this embodiment, a duct 46 (see FIG. 7) is connected between the opening 41b and the exhaust port 12c of the housing 2. The duct 46 in this embodiment extends in the horizontal direction. The duct 46 connects the opening 41b and the exhaust port 12c of the housing 2. As a result, in this embodiment, the opening 41b of the inverter unit 40 and the exhaust port 12c of the housing 2 are shared.

[0037] By connecting the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter unit 40 to the exhaust ports 12b, 12c via the ducts 36, 46, even if the positions or sizes of the openings 31b, 41b of the boxes 31, 41 and the exhaust ports 12b, 12c are different, the openings 31b, 41b can easily be made common to the exhaust ports 12b, 12c. In this embodiment, the ducts 36, 46 are smaller than the left-right width of the boxes 31, 41. This allows air to move vertically on both sides of the ducts 36, 46. Therefore, air immediately after flowing in from the lower air intake port 12a can move upward from around the ducts 36, 46. In other words, air that is relatively low in temperature immediately after flowing in can easily flow throughout the entire housing 2.

[0038] An electrical case 50 is disposed between the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter unit 40. The electrical case 50 is fixed to the electrical unit fixing portion 31d between the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter unit 40. Various electrical components 51, 52, 53, etc. are disposed in the electrical case 50. The electrical components 51 to 53 generate less heat than the DC / DC converter circuit board 32 of the DC / DC converter unit 30 and the inverter circuit board 42 of the inverter unit 40. The bottom surface of the electrical case 50 is recessed upward in a stepped shape at the front. The front of the electrical case 50 is smaller in the vertical direction than the rear. A heat dissipating fin 54 is disposed between the front of the electrical case 50 and the battery 20. The heat dissipating fin 54 is supported by the case 21 of the battery 20 via a stay 55. The fins of the heat dissipating fin 54 extend in the left-right direction and are formed at intervals in the front-rear direction.

[0039] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of this embodiment corresponding to Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of this embodiment corresponding to Fig. 7. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the power supply of the charge / discharge unit 1 is turned on and the cooling fans 34, 44 are driven, the inside of the boxes 31, 41 becomes positive pressure due to the blowing action of the cooling fans 34, 44, and the outside of the boxes 31, 41 in the housing 2 becomes negative pressure. Air is exhausted from the exhaust ports 12b, 12c communicating with the boxes 31, 41, which are under positive pressure. Also, air is sucked in from the intake port 12a communicating with the inside of the housing 2, which is under negative pressure.

[0040] That is, in the charge / discharge unit 1, air moves from the intake port 12a toward the cooling fans 34, 44, as indicated by the thick solid arrows. Also, in the charge / discharge unit 1, air moves from the cooling fans 34, 44 toward the exhaust ports 12b, 12c, as indicated by the thick dashed arrows. Note that in Fig. 8, the positions of the thick arrows do not necessarily match in the left-right direction. Also, in Fig. 9, the positions of the thick arrows do not necessarily match in the up-down direction.

[0041] In this manner, in the charge / discharge unit 1, cooling air is generated that flows through the cooling fans 34 and 44 from the intake port 12a to the exhaust ports 12b and 12c.

[0042] In detail, air is drawn into intake port 12a from below bottom panel 16 through upstream opening 18e. At this time, the air moving upward from upstream opening 18e moves upward while bypassing shielding plate 17 as shown by arrow A11 in Fig. 8. Then, as shown by arrow A12, the air is drawn into the inside of housing 2 through intake port 12a which is long in the left-right direction.

[0043] The sucked air moves up and down and left and right inside the housing 2 as it hits components inside the housing 2, such as the case 21 of the battery 20, and moves toward the cooling fans 34, 44 in the front.

[0044] The air that has moved to the bottom of the housing 2 moves forward through the space around the battery 20, as shown by arrow A21. The air that has passed through the battery 20 moves from bottom to top, as shown by arrow A22, toward the cooling fans 34, 44. The air flowing in the directions of arrows A21, A22 moves while cooling the battery 20 and electrical components 61, 62.

[0045] As shown by arrow A31, the air that has moved to the upper part of housing 2 moves forward above battery 20 as shown by arrow A32, and moves further upward as shown by arrow A41. The air moving as shown by the arrow A32 passes around the electrical component case 50 and moves toward the cooling fans 34, 44. The air moving as shown by the arrow A32 cools the electrical component case 50 and the heat dissipation fins 54.

[0046] Moreover, the air that has moved to the upper part of the housing 2 passes above the electrical component case 50, the DC / DC converter unit 30, the inverter unit 40, etc., and moves toward the cooling fans 34, 44 in the front, as indicated by arrow A42. Therefore, the air sucked in from the intake port 12a can move throughout the inside of the housing 2 outside the boxes 31, 41, and is sucked into the cooling fans 34, 44 while cooling the entire inside of the housing 2 outside the boxes 31, 41.

[0047] The air drawn into the cooling fans 34, 44 is blown toward the heat dissipation fins 33, 43 in each box 31, 41 as shown by arrows A51, A52, A61, A62. Thus, the heat dissipation fins 33, 43 are air-cooled, and the elements of the circuit boards 32, 42 are cooled via the heat dissipation fins 33, 43. The air that has cooled the heat dissipation fins 33, 43 and has been heated is discharged from the exhaust ports 12b, 12c as shown by arrows A53, A63, and then discharged to the outside of the housing 2 from the downstream opening 19c1. The air discharged from the downstream opening 19c1 is discharged to the center of the housing 2 in the vertical direction, and is easily discharged to a position away from the upstream opening 18e.

[0048] Here, the elements of the circuit boards 32, 42 are electrical components that generate a higher temperature than the battery 20 and the other electrical components 51-53, 60, 61. Therefore, even the air that has been heated after cooling the other electrical components 51-53, 60, 61 can cool the elements of the circuit boards 32, 42.

[0049] Therefore, in this embodiment, air can be introduced from the intake port 12a and exhausted from the exhaust ports 12b, 12c by driving the cooling fans 34, 44 provided in the boxes 31, 41. Since there is no need to provide intake fans or exhaust fans at the intake port 12a and the exhaust ports 12b, 12c, the number of fans can be reduced.

[0050] In particular, in this embodiment, the elements of the circuit boards 32, 42 that generate the most heat are arranged downstream of the air flow path in the housing 2, and are stored in a dedicated flow path called the boxes 31, 41. Therefore, even if the cooling fans 34, 44 are stopped, the property of high-temperature air rising can be used to exhaust high-temperature air to the outside of the boxes 31, 41 and the housing 2 from the openings 31b, 41b that open at the tops of the boxes 31, 41. At this time, when the air is exhausted to the outside of the housing 2, the air is sucked into the housing 2 from the intake port 12a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structure is such that heat is unlikely to build up in the housing 2 or the boxes 31, 41 even after the cooling fans 34, 44 are stopped.

[0051] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of this embodiment corresponding to FIG. 1 and different from FIG. In addition, in this embodiment, a shielding plate 17 that protrudes rearward is provided below the air intake 12a. Since the air intake 12a is provided in the lower part of the housing 2, there is a risk that the water 100 reflected by the road surface R may reach the air intake 12a. However, in this embodiment, the shielding plate 17 shields the air intake 12a from below. Therefore, the shielding plate 17 easily blocks the water 100 reflected by the road surface R from moving to the air intake 12a, and easily prevents the water 100 from entering the inside of the housing 2 through the air intake 12a.

[0052] In particular, in the main body 17a of the shielding plate 17 of this embodiment, the virtual line L2 is formed to intersect with the extension portion 18b of the intake guide 18. Therefore, even if water 100 reflected by the road surface R moves upward in a straight line as shown by the arrow B1 through the upstream opening 18e, the main body 17a of the shielding plate 17 is likely to block the water 100 moving in a straight line. Therefore, due to the presence of the rear cover 19 and the like, the shielding plate 17 is likely to block the water that draws a parabola.

[0053] Furthermore, in the shielding plate 17, the distance W1 to the rear end of the main body 17a is set to be smaller than the distance W2 from the rear end of the main body 17a to the extension 18b of the intake guide 18. This makes it possible to ensure a large flow path width between the shielding plate 17 and the intake guide 18 while preventing the entry of water 100 with the shielding plate 17, making it difficult to impede the flow of air to the intake port 12a.

[0054] Furthermore, the intake port 12a has a structure that is long from side to side and is slightly smaller than the upstream opening 18e. Therefore, air can be taken into the housing 2 through the intake port 12a while suppressing an increase in the flow rate of the air that has entered through the upstream opening 18e. Therefore, it is easy to prevent water 100 reflected from the road surface R from entering the inside of the housing 2 through the intake port 12a on the air flow. This is also true not only for water reflected from the road surface R, but also for water from the side of the housing 2, such as water that has been sprayed. That is, even if water is sucked into the upstream opening 18e from the side of the housing 2 by the wind, the flow rate of the air that has entered through the upstream opening 18e is suppressed from increasing, so the sucked water is unlikely to move to the intake port 12a on the air flow. Therefore, water from the side of the housing 2 is also easily prevented from entering the inside of the housing 2 through the intake port 12a.

[0055] As described above, according to this embodiment of the present invention, in a charge / discharge unit 1 including a battery 20, circuit boards 32, 42 that operate when charging / discharging the battery 20, and a housing 2 in which the battery 20 and the circuit boards 32, 42 are housed, the housing 2 is formed with an intake port 12a for introducing air from the outside of the housing 2 to the inside of the housing 2, and exhaust ports 12b, 12c for discharging air from the inside of the housing 2 to the outside of the housing 2, and a shielding plate 17 protruding rearward is provided below the intake port 12a. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide the charge / discharge unit 1 that can easily prevent the water 100 reflected from the road surface R from entering the inside of the housing 2 through the air intake 12a.

[0056] In this embodiment, an intake guide 18 serving as a partition plate is provided between intake port 12a and exhaust ports 12b and 12c. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the warm exhaust air from mixing with the intake air.

[0057] In addition, in this embodiment, the intake guide 18 overlaps with the intake port 12a in a side view from the rear. This configuration makes it possible to prevent water from entering the housing 2 from the rear side through the air intake port 12a.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the intake guide 18 extends below the lower end of the intake port 12a. According to this configuration, since the intake port 12a is easily covered from the rear, it is possible to make it difficult for the water 100 to reach the intake port 12a, and also to prevent the exhaust gas from being mixed with the intake air.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the intake guide 18 is located above the bottom panel 16 of the housing 2 . According to this configuration, even if the lower panel 16 of the housing 2 is submerged in water accumulated on the road surface R, the intake port 12a is unlikely to be blocked by the water accumulated on the road surface R.

[0060] In this embodiment, the shielding plate 17 is inclined upward as it advances rearward. With this configuration, the flow of intake air flowing from below to above can be made less likely to be obstructed.

[0061] In this embodiment, the vehicle is provided with wheels 3, and the intake port 12a is positioned above the wheels 3. According to this configuration, it is easy to ensure the height of the air intake port 12a, and water 100 reflected by the road surface R can be made less likely to reach the air intake port 12a.

[0062] [Other embodiments] The above-described embodiment merely shows one aspect of the present invention, and any modification and application can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0063] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which four batteries 20 of a predetermined shape are arranged has been described, but the number of batteries is not limited to four, and any number of batteries may be arranged. However, it is preferable to have a plurality of batteries so that air can easily pass between the batteries 20. Also, a configuration in which the batteries 20 are arranged in two tiers, one above the other, has been described, but they may be arranged in three or more tiers.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the openings 31b, 41b of the boxes 31, 41 are shared with the exhaust ports 12b, 12c. However, the openings 31a, 41a of the boxes 31, 41 may be shared with the intake port 12a.

[0065] In the above embodiment, it is preferable to provide the cooling fans 34, 44 at the openings 31a, 41a separated from the exhaust ports 12b, 12c in order to suppress water damage, noise, etc., but this is not limiting. For example, the fans may be provided at the openings 31b, 41b to create a negative pressure inside the boxes 31, 41.

[0066] In the above embodiment, it is preferable that the intake port 12a and the exhaust ports 12b and 12c are provided on the same surface in order to easily lengthen the flow path shape, but they may be provided on different surfaces. For example, the intake port 12a may be provided on any of the panels 11, 13, and 14. In this case, the side or lateral view is the view from the outside in the normal direction of the panels 11, 13, and 14, or the view from the outside in the normal direction.

[0067] [Configuration supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

[0068] (Configuration 1) A charging / discharging unit comprising a battery, electrical components that operate when the battery is charged or discharged, and a housing in which the battery and the electrical components are housed, wherein the housing is formed with an air intake port for introducing air from the outside of the housing into the inside of the housing, and an exhaust port for discharging air from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing, and a waterproof plate protruding laterally is provided below the air intake port. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a charge / discharge unit that can easily prevent water reflected from the road surface from entering the inside of the housing through the air intake port.

[0069] (Configuration 2) The charge / discharge unit according to configuration 1, further comprising a partition plate between the intake port and the exhaust port. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the warm exhaust air from mixing with the intake air.

[0070] (Configuration 3) The charge / discharge unit according to configuration 2, wherein the partition plate overlaps with the air intake port in a side view. This configuration makes it possible to prevent water from entering the housing from the side through the air intake port.

[0071] (Configuration 4) The charge / discharge unit according to configuration 2 or 3, wherein the partition plate extends below a lower end of the air intake port. With this configuration, the intake port is easily covered from the sides, making it difficult for water to reach the intake port and preventing exhaust gas from mixing with the intake air.

[0072] (Configuration 5) The charge / discharge unit according to any one of configurations 2 to 4, wherein the partition plate is located above the bottom surface of the housing. With this configuration, even if the bottom surface of the housing becomes submerged in water accumulated on the road surface, the air intake port is less likely to be blocked by water accumulated on the road surface.

[0073] (Configuration 6) A charge / discharge unit according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the waterproof board is inclined upward as it progresses to the side. With this configuration, the flow of intake air flowing from below to above can be made less likely to be obstructed.

[0074] (Configuration 7) The charge / discharge unit according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising wheels, the intake port being positioned above the wheels. With this configuration, it is easy to ensure the height of the air intake, and water reflected from the road surface is less likely to reach the air intake. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 2. Chassis 3 wheels 12a Air intake 12b Exhaust port 12c Exhaust port 16 Bottom panel (bottom) 17 Shielding plate (waterproof plate) 18 Intake guide (partition plate) 20 Battery 32 DC / DC converter circuit board (electrical components) 42 Inverter circuit board (electrical components)

Claims

1. A charge / discharge unit including a battery, electrical components that operate when the battery is charged or discharged, and a housing that houses the battery and the electrical components, The housing is formed with an intake port for introducing air from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing, and an exhaust port for discharging air from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing, A waterproof plate protruding laterally is provided below the air intake. A charging and discharging unit characterized by the above.

2. A partition plate is provided between the intake port and the exhaust port.

2. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 1 .

3. In a side view, the partition plate overlaps with the intake port.

3. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 2.

4. The partition plate extends below the lower end of the air intake port.

3. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 2.

5. The partition plate is located above the bottom surface of the housing.

3. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 2.

6. The water barrier slopes upward as it advances to the side.

2. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 1 .

7. Equipped with wheels, The air intake is located above the wheels.

7. The charge / discharge unit according to claim 1, wherein the charge / discharge unit is a charge / discharge unit for charging / discharging a battery.

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