Temperature regulator of battery

Abstract

To provide a temperature regulator of a battery which can suppress deterioration of the battery due to exhaust heat and raise temperature of the battery through the exhaust heat at the time of cold temperature.SOLUTION: A temperature regulator of a battery 10 arranged between a vehicle-driving battery 12 mounted on the vehicle 40 and an exhaust pipe 16 extended from an engine 42 includes: a heat-shielding member 18 which shields heat transmission therebetween; and a movement mechanism 20 which allows the heat-shielding member to move between a heat-shielding position where the heat-shielding member is positioned between the battery and the exhaust pipe and a separated position where the heat-shielding member is away from between the battery and the exhaust pipe to allow heat transmission therebetween.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery temperature regulation device, and more particularly to a battery temperature regulation device capable of regulating the temperature of a driving battery mounted in a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a traction motor as drive sources, a battery for driving the vehicle is mounted on the vehicle body, and an exhaust pipe extending from the engine is sometimes arranged to the side of the mounted battery. In such a hybrid vehicle, if the temperature of the battery rises excessively due to exhaust heat from the exhaust pipe, it will lead to deterioration of the battery, so a structure is adopted to suppress the effect of exhaust heat on the battery.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a heat shielding structure in which a heat shielding member is installed between a battery mounted on a hybrid vehicle and an exhaust pipe arranged to the side of the battery. The heat shielding member is arranged so as to cover the exhaust pipe and is fixedly installed on the vehicle body. In this heat shielding structure, the heat shielding member blocks the exhaust heat generated from the exhaust pipe, thereby preventing the battery from being affected by the exhaust heat and deteriorating. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-140678 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] While the drive battery deteriorates when it is overheated, in a low-temperature environment with a low outside air temperature, the output performance decreases due to a drop in battery temperature. Therefore, in a low-temperature environment, it is necessary to run the vehicle using the engine until the battery temperature reaches a temperature at which EV driving, which runs the vehicle using the battery's power, is possible, and in such a low-temperature environment, it is necessary to raise the battery temperature as soon as possible.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a battery temperature control device that can raise the temperature of the battery using exhaust heat at low temperatures while suppressing deterioration of the battery due to exhaust heat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one embodiment of the present invention is a battery temperature control device having a heat-shielding member disposed between a driving battery mounted on a vehicle and an exhaust pipe extending from an engine to block heat transfer between the two, the device being characterized in that it is provided with a moving mechanism for moving the heat-shielding member between a heat-shielding position located between the battery and the exhaust pipe and a separated position away from the battery and the exhaust pipe to allow heat transfer between them. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the battery temperature regulation device of the present invention, deterioration of the battery due to exhaust heat can be suppressed, while the battery can be warmed up by exhaust heat at low temperatures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a vehicle equipped with a battery temperature control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a battery temperature regulator; [Figure 3A] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the battery temperature regulator. [Figure 3B]3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the battery temperature regulator. [Figure 3C] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the battery temperature regulator. [Figure 4] 1 is a graph showing the change in temperature of a battery over time. [Figure 5A] 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the temperature control device for a battery according to the second embodiment; FIG. [Figure 5B] 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the temperature control device for a battery according to the second embodiment; FIG. [Figure 6A] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the temperature regulator for a battery according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6B] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the temperature regulator for a battery according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a vehicle equipped with a battery temperature regulator 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the battery temperature regulator 10 in a schematic manner. In FIG. 1, an engine 42, a traction motor 46, and the like installed inside a hybrid vehicle 40 are indicated by solid lines. The battery temperature regulator 10 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "temperature regulator 10") is mounted on a vehicle 10 equipped with an engine 42 and a traction motor 44. In this embodiment, the temperature regulator 10 is mounted on a hybrid vehicle 40 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "vehicle 40") equipped with an engine 42 and a traction motor 44 as a drive source for vehicle travel. This temperature regulator 10 is a device capable of adjusting the temperature of a drive battery 12 that supplies power to the traction motor 44.

[0011] In the hybrid vehicle 40, the engine 42 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle body, and the exhaust pipe 16 extends from the engine 42 toward the rear side of the vehicle body. The traction motor 44 is electrically connected to the battery 22, and is driven by electric power supplied from the battery 12. The battery 22 is disposed below a seat (not shown) of the vehicle 40.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 2, in a vehicle 40, a part of an exhaust pipe 16 is disposed at a distance to the side of the battery 12. The exhaust pipe 16 has a catalyst housing section 16A in which a catalyst for purifying exhaust gas is housed inside the pipe, and in this embodiment, the catalyst housing section 16A is adjacent to the side of the battery 12 at a distance. The outer diameter of the exhaust pipe 16 is larger at the catalyst housing section 16A. In this embodiment, the temperature adjustment device 10 is configured to be able to raise the temperature of the battery 12 by exhaust heat released from this catalyst housing section 16A.

[0013] 2, the temperature adjustment device 10 includes a temperature sensor 32 capable of detecting the temperature of the battery 12, a heat shielding member 18, a movement mechanism 20 that moves the heat shielding member 18, and a control device 34. The movement mechanism 20 includes a link mechanism 21 connected to the heat shielding member 18, and a drive unit that applies power to the link mechanism 21.

[0014] The temperature sensor 32 is disposed inside the accommodation chamber 14 in which the battery 12 is accommodated, and is configured to be able to detect the temperature of the battery 12 directly or indirectly.

[0015] The heat shield 18 has a heat shield plate 18a having an arc-shaped cross section that covers a portion of the circumferential direction of the catalyst housing section 16A of the exhaust pipe 16, and a substantially sector-shaped end heat shield plate 18b provided at both ends of the heat shield plate 18a (both ends in the axial direction of the exhaust pipe 16). The heat shield member 18 is configured to be movable in the circumferential direction of the exhaust pipe 16 via bearings 30 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe 16 connected to both ends of the catalyst housing section 16A.

[0016] The movement mechanism 20 moves the heat shielding member 18 between the heat shielding position shown in Fig. 3C and the separated position shown in Fig. 3A which is separated from the heat shielding position. At the heat shielding position, the heat shielding member 18 is disposed between the battery 12 and the exhaust pipe 16, thereby blocking heat transfer between the battery 12 and the exhaust pipe 16. At the separated position, the heat shielding member 18 is located away from between the battery 12 and the exhaust pipe 16, thereby allowing heat transfer between the battery 12 and the exhaust pipe 16. As described above, the movement mechanism 20 includes the link mechanism 21 and the actuator 22 which is a drive unit that applies power to the link mechanism 21.

[0017] The actuator 22 has a main body portion fixed to the vehicle body, and a rod member 22a that protrudes from the main body portion and moves linearly in the axial direction. The link mechanism 21 has a rod-shaped body 24 attached to the tip end of the rod member 22a, and a pair of link portions 26 provided at both ends of the rod-shaped body 24. A long hole 27 is formed in each link portion 16, and an end of the rod-shaped body 24 and a support shaft member 28 fixed to the vehicle body are inserted into the long hole 27. One end of the link portion 26 is rotatably connected to the end heat shield plate 18b of the heat shield member 18 via a joint member 19.

[0018] The control device 34 is composed of a computer equipped with an arithmetic processing circuit that performs various arithmetic processing, and a memory in which control programs and data are stored. The control device 34 receives a detection signal from the temperature sensor 32 and activates the actuator 22. The activation of the actuator 22 switches the heat shield 18 between the heat shield position and the remote position. A battery temperature threshold value for switching the position of the heat shield 18 to the heat shield position or the remote position is preset in the control device 34.

[0019] Next, the operation of the temperature control device 10 described above will be described. Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the temperature control device 10. As described above, the movement mechanism 20 moves the heat shielding member 18 between the heat shielding position shown in Figure 3C and the separated position shown in Figure 3A, which is away from the heat shielding position. As shown in Figure 3C, in the heat shielding position, the heat shielding member 18 is disposed between the battery 12 and the exhaust pipe 16. As shown in Figure 3A, in the separated position, the heat shielding member 18 is disposed on the opposite side of the battery 12 with the exhaust pipe 16 interposed therebetween so that the heat shielding member 18 is not disposed between the battery 12 and the exhaust pipe 16.

[0020] When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value preset in the control device 34, the temperature adjustment device 10 operates the actuator 22 to move the heat shielding member 18 to the separated position shown in Fig. 3A. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the temperature adjustment device 10 operates the actuator 22 to move the heat shielding member 18 toward the battery 12 as shown in Fig. 3B, to the heat shielding position as shown in Fig. 3C. In this embodiment, the actuator 22 is set so that when it is turned on and power is supplied, the rod member 22a retreats and the heat shielding member 18 is in the separated position, and when it is turned off and power supply is stopped, the rod member 22a advances and the heat shielding member 18 is in the heat shielding position.

[0021] In the temperature control device 10 described above, when the temperature of the battery 12 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the heat shielding member 18 is disposed in the heat shielding position, thereby preventing the battery 12 from being heated by the exhaust heat from the exhaust pipe 16. This makes it possible to suppress the battery 12 from being overheated and deteriorating. In addition, when the temperature of the battery 12 is in a low-temperature state where it is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, the heat shielding member 18 is moved to the separated position, thereby making it possible to increase the temperature of the battery 12 by utilizing the exhaust heat from the exhaust pipe 16 (see the arrows in Figs. 3B and 3C). This makes it possible to increase the temperature of the battery 12 in a short time by the exhaust heat from the exhaust pipe 16 in a situation where the output performance of the battery 12 is reduced due to a decrease in the battery temperature, such as when starting the vehicle 40 in a low-temperature environment where the outside air temperature is low.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the change in temperature of the battery 12 over time, and shows the time lapse until the temperature of the battery 12 in a low temperature state reaches a temperature BT1 at which EV driving is possible, in which the vehicle is driven using the power of the battery 12. In a conventional hybrid vehicle not equipped with the temperature adjustment device 10, as shown by the dashed line in the graph of FIG. 4, it takes a time t2 from starting the engine until the temperature reaches the temperature BT1 at which EV driving is possible. In contrast, in a hybrid vehicle 40 equipped with the temperature adjustment device 10 of the present embodiment, the battery 12 is heated by the exhaust heat from the exhaust pipe 16, so that the temperature BT1 at which EV driving is possible can be reached at a time t1 that is shorter than the conventional time t2. In this way, in the temperature adjustment device 10 of the present embodiment, the deterioration of the battery due to exhaust heat is suppressed by the heat shielding member 18, and the temperature of the battery 12 can be raised by using the exhaust heat when the battery 12 is low.

[0023] Next, a second embodiment of the battery temperature adjustment device 10 will be described. Figures 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the battery temperature adjustment device 10 of the second embodiment. In Figures 5A and 5B, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted here. In this embodiment, a drive unit that imparts power to the link mechanism 21 in the movement mechanism 20 is configured to move the heat shield member 18 by the pressure of a medium that expands and contracts according to the temperature of the battery 12.

[0024] In this embodiment, the expanding and contracting medium is cooling water 36a that cools the battery 12. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the drive unit of the movement mechanism 20 includes a cooling circuit 36 ​​through which the cooling water 36a that cools the battery 12 flows, and a rod member 37 that moves linearly due to the pressure of the cooling water 36a in the cooling circuit 36.

[0025] In the temperature adjustment device 10 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5A, when the temperature of the battery 12 is low, that is, when the temperature of the cooling water 36a is low and the volume is small, the rod member 37 retreats and the heat shielding member 18 is in the separated position. Also, as shown in Fig. 5B, when the temperature of the battery 12 is high, that is, when the temperature of the cooling water 36a increases and the volume expands and increases, the rod member 37 advances due to the water pressure of the cooling water 36a and the heat shielding member 18 is in the heat shielding position. In this way, by using the cooling water 36a whose volume changes depending on the temperature of the battery 12, it is possible to automatically move the heat shielding member 18 depending on the battery temperature without using a driving source such as the actuator 22.

[0026] Next, a third embodiment of the battery temperature adjustment device 10 will be described. Figures 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the battery temperature adjustment device 10 of the second embodiment. In Figures 6A and 6B, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted here. In this embodiment, a drive unit that imparts power to the link mechanism 21 in the movement mechanism 20 is configured to move the heat shield member 18 by the pressure of a medium that expands and contracts according to the temperature of the battery 12.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the air in the accommodation chamber 14 that accommodates the battery 12 is used as the expanding and contracting medium. Specifically, in the third embodiment, the drive unit of the movement mechanism 20 includes an air chamber 38 provided in the accommodation chamber 14, and a rod member 39 that moves linearly by the pressure of the air accommodated in the air chamber 38.

[0028] In the temperature control device 10 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the temperature of the battery 12 is low, that is, when the temperature of the air in the air chamber 38 arranged in the storage chamber 14 is low and the volume of the air is reduced, the rod member 39 retreats and the heat shielding member 18 is in the separated position. Also, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the temperature of the battery 12 is high, that is, when the temperature of the air in the air chamber 38 is high and the air expands, and the air pressure in the air chamber 38 is high, the rod member 37 is pushed forward by the air pressure. This allows the heat shielding member 18 to move to the heat shielding position. In this way, by using the air in the storage chamber 14, the volume of which changes depending on the temperature of the battery 12, it is possible to automatically move the heat shielding member 18 depending on the battery temperature without using a driving source such as the actuator 22.

[0029] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0030] For example, the heat shielding member 18 may be configured to be a flat heat shielding plate, and the heat shielding plate may be moved in the vertical direction of the vehicle 40 by the movement mechanism 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 10. Battery temperature control device 12 Battery 14 Battery Compartment 16 Exhaust pipe 18 Heat shielding material 18a Heat shield 20 Moving mechanism 21 Link mechanism 22 Actuator (drive unit) 36 Cooling water circuit 36a Cooling water 38 Air chamber 40 Hybrid vehicles 42 Engine 44 Driving motor

Claims

1. A temperature control device for a battery, the temperature control device being provided with a heat insulating member disposed between a driving battery mounted on a vehicle and an exhaust pipe extending from an engine to block heat transfer therebetween, A battery temperature adjustment device comprising a moving mechanism for moving the heat-shielding member between a heat-shielding position located between the battery and the exhaust pipe and a spaced position away from the battery and the exhaust pipe to allow heat transfer between them.

2. the heat shielding member is formed of a heat shielding plate having an arc-shaped cross section that covers a portion of the exhaust pipe in a circumferential direction, 2. The battery temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the movement mechanism comprises a link mechanism connected to the heat shield plate, and a drive unit that applies power to the link mechanism.

3. a temperature sensor capable of detecting a temperature of the battery; 3. The temperature control device for a battery according to claim 1, wherein the movement mechanism includes an actuator that moves the heat insulating member based on a detection result of the temperature sensor.

4. 3. The temperature control device for a battery according to claim 1, wherein the movement mechanism moves the heat insulating member by pressure of a medium that expands and contracts according to the temperature of the battery.

5. 5. The temperature adjustment device for a battery according to claim 4, wherein the medium is air in a housing chamber that houses the battery, or cooling water that cools the battery.

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