Battery case and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a battery case which can perform cooling of a battery which is installed on a vehicle further suitably.SOLUTION: A battery case 14 which is installed on a vehicle comprises a case 56 which stores a battery and a cooling medium passage 84 which distributes cooling medium for cooling the battery. The case 56 includes an external wall 66 which spreads to a vehicle height direction and a vehicle length direction DL of the vehicle. The cooling medium passage 84 is provided at the external wall 66 of the case 56.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery case and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery housing (battery case) provided in an electric two-wheeler (vehicle). The battery housing includes a body disposed at the center in the vehicle width direction, a left cover that closes an opening on the left side of the body, and a right cover that closes an opening on the right side of the body. Batteries are respectively housed in a space on the left side inside the body and a space on the right side inside the body. Further, a battery refrigerant passage is disposed at the center inside the body (between the battery on the left side and the battery on the right side). Each of the battery on the left side and the battery on the right side is cooled by a refrigerant flowing through the battery refrigerant passage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is desired to more suitably cool the battery.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a battery case provided in a vehicle, including a case that houses a battery and a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant for cooling the battery flows, the case having an outer wall that extends in the vehicle length direction of the vehicle, and the refrigerant passage being disposed on the outer wall of the case.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is a vehicle equipped with the battery case of the first aspect. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the battery can be cooled more suitably. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a left side view of the electric motorcycle 10. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the battery case according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the refrigerant passages and the battery as viewed from the left side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the refrigerant circuit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a battery case according to a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a battery case according to the second modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery case according to the second and third modified examples. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery case according to the second and third modified examples. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery case according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery case according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The battery case according to the present disclosure is configured to cool a battery housed inside the case with outside air and a refrigerant. The outer wall of the case extends in the vehicle length direction of the vehicle. A refrigerant passage is formed in the outer wall of the case. The refrigerant is exposed to outside air in the refrigerant passage in the outer wall of the case. That is, the refrigerant can absorb heat from the battery and release heat to the outside air in the outer wall of the case. Therefore, a rise in the temperature of the refrigerant is suppressed. As a result, the battery case according to the present disclosure can improve the cooling capacity of the battery by the refrigerant.

[0011] [1 Electric motorcycles 10] 1 is a left side view of an electric motorcycle 10. The electric motorcycle 10 is a vehicle (saddle-ride type vehicle). The electric motorcycle 10 includes a body frame 12, a battery case 14, an electric motor 16, a front fork 18, a swing arm 20, a front wheel 22, a rear wheel 24, and a seat 26. The body of the electric motorcycle 10 is made up of the body frame 12, the battery case 14, etc.

[0012] A battery case 14 and an electric motor 16 for driving the vehicle are supported on the body frame 12. A front fork 18 supporting a front wheel 22 is supported in a steerable manner on the front end of the body frame 12. A swing arm 20 supporting a rear wheel 24 is supported in a swingable manner on the rear part of the body frame 12. A seat 26 on which a rider sits astride is supported above the rear part of the body frame 12.

[0013] The body frame 12 includes a head pipe 30, a front frame 32, and a rear frame 34. The head pipe 30 is disposed at the front end of the body frame 12. The front frame 32 is disposed rearward of the head pipe 30. The rear frame 34 is disposed rearward of the front frame 32.

[0014] The front frame 32 is composed of an upper frame 32a, a sub-frame 32b, a down frame 32c, and a gusset 32d. The upper frame 32a, the sub-frame 32b, the down frame 32c, and the gusset 32d are disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle body, respectively.

[0015] The upper frame 32a extends rearward and downward from the upper end of the head pipe 30. A connection portion 32a1 is formed at the rear end of the upper frame 32a. The subframe 32b extends rearward and upward from the lower end of the head pipe 30. The rear end of the subframe 32b is connected to the upper frame 32a. The down frame 32c extends downward from the front end of the subframe 32b. A battery support portion 32c1 is formed at the lower end of the down frame 32c. The gusset 32d reinforces the connection portion between the subframe 32b and the down frame 32c.

[0016] The rear frame 34 is made up of an upper seat frame 36 and a lower pivot frame 38. The seat frame 36 is further made up of a seat rail 36a and a seat subframe 36b. The seat rail 36a and the seat subframe 36b are provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle body, respectively.

[0017] The seat rail 36a is connected to a connection portion 32a1 of the upper frame 32a. The seat rail 36a extends rearward and upward from the connection portion 32a1. The seat rail 36a extends to the rear end of the vehicle body. The seat subframe 36b is connected to a midway portion of the seat rail 36a in the extending direction. The seat subframe 36b extends downward from the seat rail 36a. A lower end of the seat subframe 36b is connected to a pivot frame 38. The pivot frame 38 supports a pivot shaft 40 extending in the vehicle width direction DW. An electric motor 16 is disposed above the pivot frame 38. A link mechanism 42 is connected to a rear end of the pivot frame 38.

[0018] The battery case 14 houses one or more batteries 41. The battery case 14 is fixed to a battery support portion 32c1 of the down frame 32c, a connection portion 32a1 of the upper frame 32a, and the pivot frame 38. The battery case 14 will be described in detail later.

[0019] The front fork 18 is steerably attached to the head pipe 30. A steering handle 44 is attached to the upper part of the front fork 18. The front wheel 22 is supported on the lower end of the front fork 18 via a front wheel axle 22a.

[0020] The swing arm 20 is supported by a pivot shaft 40. The swing arm 20 is capable of swinging up and down about the pivot shaft 40. A rear cushion 46 is connected to the swing arm 20 via a link mechanism 42. A rear wheel 24 is supported at the rear end of the swing arm 20 via a rear wheel axle 24a.

[0021] The seat 26 is disposed above the rear frame 34. The seat 26 is supported by the rear frame 34.

[0022] A PCU (Power Control Unit) 48 is disposed above the battery case 14. The PCU 48 includes an inverter 106 (FIG. 6). The PCU 48 converts DC power supplied from the battery 41 into AC power, and supplies the converted AC power to the electric motor 16. Furthermore, during regeneration of the electric motor 16, the PCU 48 converts AC power generated by the electric motor 16 into DC power and charges the battery 41. The PCU 48 controls the electric motor 16 in response to the operation of the electric motorcycle 10.

[0023] The electric motor 16 is disposed behind the PCU 48 and above the pivot frame 38. The electric motor 16 transmits driving force to a power transmission mechanism 50 via a reduction gear (not shown). The power transmission mechanism 50 transmits the driving force from the electric motor 16 to the rear wheels 24.

[0024] Below the battery case 14, a radiator 52 and a pump 54 are arranged. The radiator 52 and the pump 54 are components of the refrigerant circuit 96 (Fig. 6).

[0025] [2 Battery Case 14 According to the First Embodiment] Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the battery case 14 according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 2, a refrigerant passage 84 formed inside the side wall 66 is indicated by a broken line. Fig. 3 is an arrangement diagram of the refrigerant passage 84 and the battery 41 in a left side view. The outer contour line of the case 56 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In Fig. 3, a refrigerant passage 84 formed inside the side wall 66 is indicated by a broken line. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of Fig. 2. The battery case 14 is attached to the frame of the electric two-wheeler 10. Hereinafter, as shown in Fig. 1, the form of the battery case 14 attached to the electric two-wheeler 10 will be described.

[0026] [2-1 Case 56] As shown in Fig. 2, the battery case 14 includes a case 56. The case 56 houses one or more batteries 41 inside. In the first embodiment, the case 56 houses four batteries 41 inside. The case 56 includes an upper wall 58, a lower wall 60, a front wall 62, a rear wall 64, and a pair of left and right side walls 66. The front wall 62 is arranged at the front end of the case 56. The front wall 62 extends along the sub-frame 32b and the down-frame 32c of the front frame 32. The upper wall 58 is arranged at the upper end of the case 56. The upper wall 58 extends rearward along the upper frame 32a from the upper end of the front wall 62. The lower wall 60 is arranged at the lower end of the case 56. The lower wall 60 extends rearward from the lower end of the front wall 62 substantially parallel to the upper wall 58. The upper wall 58 and the lower wall 60 are outer walls that extend in the vehicle length direction DL of the electric two-wheeler 10. Specifically, the upper wall 58 and the lower wall 60 are outer walls that extend in the vehicle length direction DL and the vehicle width direction DW of the electric two-wheeler 10.

[0027] The rear wall 64 is disposed at the rear end of the case 56. The rear wall 64 is connected to the rear end of the upper wall 58 and the rear end of the lower wall 60. The rear wall 64 has a stepped shape in a side view of the electric motorcycle 10. Specifically, the rear wall 64 has a first rear wall 64a, a second rear wall 64b, and a third rear wall 64c. The first rear wall 64a extends downward from the rear end of the upper wall 58. The second rear wall 64b extends rearward from the lower end of the first rear wall 64a. The third rear wall 64c extends downward from the rear end of the second rear wall 64b.

[0028] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, one side wall 66L of the pair of side walls 66 is disposed at the left end of the case 56. The side wall 66L is connected to each of the left end of the front wall 62, the left end of the upper wall 58, the left end of the lower wall 60, and the left end of the rear wall 64. The other side wall 66R of the pair of side walls 66 is disposed at the right end of the case 56. The side wall 66R is connected to each of the right end of the front wall 62, the right end of the upper wall 58, the right end of the lower wall 60, and the right end of the rear wall 64. The side wall 66L is disposed at the left part (side part) of the electric motorcycle 10. The side wall 66R is disposed at the right part (side part) of the electric motorcycle 10. The side wall 66L and the side wall 66R are outer walls extending in the vehicle length direction DL of the electric motorcycle 10. Specifically, the side wall 66L and the side wall 66R are outer walls that extend in the vehicle height direction DH and the vehicle length direction DL of the electric motorcycle 10.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the long dimension direction D1 of the side wall 66L is aligned with the vehicle length direction DL of the electric motorcycle 10. In addition, when viewed from the left side, the long dimension direction D1 of the side wall 66L may be parallel to the vehicle length direction DL of the electric motorcycle 10, or may be inclined clockwise within an angle range of less than 45° with respect to the vehicle length direction DL of the electric motorcycle 10. The short dimension direction D2 of the side wall 66L is aligned with the vehicle height direction DH of the electric motorcycle 10. In addition, in the left side view, the short dimension direction D2 of the side wall 66L may be parallel to the vehicle height direction DH of the electric motorcycle 10, or may be inclined clockwise within an angle range of less than 45° with respect to the vehicle height direction DH of the electric motorcycle 10. The structure of the side wall 66R is the same as the structure of the side wall 66L.

[0030] 4 and 5, the case 56 is composed of a plurality of case members. For example, the case 56 includes a housing 72 (first case member) and two plate members 74 (second case members). The housing 72 and the two plate members 74 are each formed of metal or resin. By making a portion of the case 56 out of resin, the case 56 becomes lightweight.

[0031] A space capable of accommodating one or more batteries 41 is formed inside the housing 72. The housing 72 has a left half 72L constituting the left half of the housing 72 and a right half 72R constituting the right half of the housing 72. The left half 72L and the right half 72R are symmetrical with respect to a plane parallel to the long direction D1 of the side wall 66 and the short direction D2 of the side wall 66. The left half 72L and the right half 72R are fastened to each other by a plurality of fastening members 76 (bolts, nuts, etc.).

[0032] The plate member 74L is disposed inside the housing 72. The plate member 74L is placed on an inner surface 80L of a left side wall portion 78L of the left half body 72L, and is fastened to the inner surface 80L of the left side wall portion 78L by a plurality of fastening members 82 (bolts, etc.). The side wall 66L disposed on the left side of the case 56 is formed by the left side wall portion 78L of the left half body 72L of the housing 72 and the plate member 74L. The outer surface of the side wall 66L is formed by the left half body 72L of the housing 72. The inner surface of the side wall 66L is formed by the plate member 74L.

[0033] The plate member 74R is disposed inside the housing 72. The plate member 74R is placed on an inner surface 80R of a right side wall portion 78R of the right half body 72R, and is fastened to the inner surface 80R of the right side wall portion 78R by a plurality of fastening members 82 (bolts, etc.). A side wall 66R disposed on the right side of the case 56 is formed by the right side wall portion 78R of the right half body 72R of the housing 72 and the plate member 74R. The outer surface of the side wall 66R is formed by the right half body 72R of the housing 72. The inner surface of the side wall 66R is formed by the plate member 74R.

[0034] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, two batteries 41 out of the four batteries 41 are fixed to the plate member 74L by a fixing member (not shown). Each of the two batteries 41 and the plate member 74L are in surface contact with each other. As a result, the plate member 74L supports the two batteries 41 inside the case 56. As shown in FIG. 3, the two batteries 41 are arranged in a direction along the short length direction of each battery. Furthermore, the two batteries 41 are arranged in a direction along the short length direction D2 of the side wall 66. In other words, the two batteries 41 are arranged in a direction along the vehicle height direction DH. As shown in FIG. 5, the remaining two batteries 41 out of the four batteries 41 are fixed to the plate member 74R by a fixing member (not shown). A description of the battery 41 fixed to the plate member 74R will be omitted.

[0035] [2-2 Refrigerant passage 84] 4 and 5, a refrigerant passage 84 is formed inside the side wall 66 (side wall 66L, side wall 66R) of the case 56. The refrigerant passage 84 allows a refrigerant for cooling the battery 41 to flow along the battery 41. The configuration of the refrigerant passage 84 formed in the side wall 66L is the same as the configuration of the refrigerant passage 84 formed in the side wall 66R. For this reason, the following will describe the refrigerant passage 84 formed in the side wall 66L, and a description of the refrigerant passage 84 formed in the side wall 66R will be omitted.

[0036] A groove 85 is formed in an inner surface 80L of the left side wall portion 78L of the left half body 72L. When the plate member 74L is placed on the inner surface 80L of the left side wall portion 78L of the left half body 72L, the plate member 74L closes the groove 85. This forms a refrigerant passage 84 between the left half body 72L and the plate member 74L. That is, the refrigerant passage 84 is formed by the inner surface of the groove 85 of the left half body 72L and the surface of the plate member 74L.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerant passage 84 has an inlet 86, an outlet 88, a first passage 90, a second passage 92, and a plurality of partial passages 94. A refrigerant circuit 96 (FIG. 6) described below is formed in the electric motorcycle 10. The refrigerant passage 84 forms a part of the refrigerant circuit 96. The inlet 86 connects a pipe 104c of the refrigerant circuit 96 to the refrigerant passage 84. The inlet 86 introduces refrigerant from the upstream pipe 104c of the refrigerant circuit 96 to the refrigerant passage 84. The inlet 86 is located at the rearmost position and the lowest position of the refrigerant passage 84. The outlet 88 connects the refrigerant passage 84 to a pipe 104d of the refrigerant circuit 96. The outlet 88 discharges refrigerant from the refrigerant passage 84 to the downstream pipe 104d of the refrigerant circuit 96. The outlet 88 is located at the frontmost position and the highest position of the refrigerant passage 84.

[0038] The first passage 90 is connected to the inlet 86. The first passage 90 extends forward and upward from the inlet 86 along the longitudinal direction D1 of the side wall 66. The second passage 92 is connected to the outlet 88. The second passage 92 extends rearward and downward from the outlet 88 along the longitudinal direction D1 of the side wall 66. The first passage 90 and the second passage 92 are parallel to each other.

[0039] The extension direction of each partial passage 94 is along the first direction. Furthermore, the partial passages 94 are arranged in a direction along a second direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the first direction. The first direction is along the vehicle height direction DH of the electric motorcycle 10, and the second direction is along the vehicle length direction DL of the electric motorcycle 10. In other words, each partial passage 94 extends along the vehicle height direction DH. Furthermore, the partial passages 94 are arranged in a direction along the vehicle length direction DL. The partial passages 94 are parallel to one another.

[0040] Of the multiple partial passages 94, a lower end of the partial passage 94R located most rearward is connected to the inlet 86. An upper end of the partial passage 94R is connected to the rear end of the second passage 92. Of the multiple partial passages 94, a lower end of the partial passage 94F located most forward is connected to the front end of the first passage 90. An upper end of the partial passage 94F is connected to the outlet 88. Lower ends of the partial passages 94 other than the partial passage 94R and the partial passage 94F are connected to the first passage 90. Upper ends of the partial passages 94 other than the partial passage 94R and the partial passage 94F are connected to the second passage 92. As a result, the lower end of each partial passage 94 is connected to the inlet 86, and the upper end of each partial passage 94 is connected to the outlet 88.

[0041] 3, in the left side view, each partial passage 94 and each battery 41 overlap with each other. That is, in the left side view, each partial passage 94 is disposed across two batteries 41. In the left side view, the first passage 90 and the battery 41 disposed below overlap with each other. In the left side view, the second passage 92 and the battery 41 disposed above overlap with each other. In this manner, the refrigerant passage 84 is disposed along the side surface of the battery 41.

[0042] The refrigerant flowing through the pipe 104c is introduced into the refrigerant passage 84 from the inlet 86. A portion of the refrigerant flows through the partial passage 94R and the second passage 92 and is discharged from the outlet 88 to the pipe 104d. A portion of the refrigerant flows through the first passage 90 and the partial passage 94F and is discharged from the outlet 88 to the pipe 104d. A portion of the refrigerant flows through the first passage 90, the partial passage 94 (partial passages 94 other than the partial passage 94R and the partial passage 94F) and the second passage 92 and is discharged from the outlet 88 to the pipe 104d.

[0043] [2-3 Refrigerant circuit 96] 6 is a circuit diagram of the refrigerant circuit 96. The refrigerant circuit 96 includes a pump 54, a refrigerant passage 98, a refrigerant passage 100, a refrigerant passage 84, a radiator 52, and a solenoid valve 102. When the pump 54 operates, the refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit 96.

[0044] The discharge port of the pump 54 is connected to the refrigerant passage 98 via a pipe 104a. The refrigerant passage 98 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the electric motor 16 or inside the electric motor 16. The refrigerant passage 98 is connected to the refrigerant passage 100 via a pipe 104b. The refrigerant passage 100 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the inverter 106 or inside the inverter 106. The refrigerant passage 100 is connected to the refrigerant passage 84 via a pipe 104c. The refrigerant passage 100 is connected to the radiator 52 via a branched pipe 104d and is connected to a first inlet of the solenoid valve 102. The radiator 52 is connected to a second inlet of the solenoid valve 102 via a pipe 104e. The discharge port of the solenoid valve 102 is connected to a suction port of the pump 54 via a pipe 104f.

[0045] When the battery 41 is at a high temperature, the solenoid valve 102 is switched to the cooling position. This allows the refrigerant passage 84 and the pump 54 to communicate with each other via the radiator 52. The refrigerant discharged from the pump 54 absorbs heat from the electric motor 16 in the refrigerant passage 98, and absorbs heat from the inverter 106 in the refrigerant passage 100. Furthermore, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the battery 41 in the refrigerant passage 84. The refrigerant releases heat to the outside air in the radiator 52 and returns to the pump 54. This allows the battery 41 to be cooled.

[0046] When the battery 41 is at a low temperature, the solenoid valve 102 is switched to the heating position. This allows the refrigerant passage 84 and the pump 54 to communicate with each other without passing through the radiator 52. The refrigerant discharged from the pump 54 absorbs heat from the electric motor 16 in the refrigerant passage 98, and absorbs heat from the inverter 106 in the refrigerant passage 100. Next, the refrigerant releases heat to the battery 41 in the refrigerant passage 84 and returns to the pump 54. This allows the battery 41 to be heated.

[0047] The solenoid valve 102 may be switched by a driver's switch operation or the like, or may be automatically switched depending on the temperature of the refrigerant and the temperature of the battery 41.

[0048] [2-4 Cooling (or heating) of battery 41 by refrigerant] In the refrigerant passage 84, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the battery 41. When the temperature of the refrigerant is lower than the temperature of the battery 41, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the battery 41. That is, the battery 41 is cooled by supplying low-temperature refrigerant to the refrigerant passage 84. On the other hand, when the temperature of the refrigerant is higher than the temperature of the battery 41, the refrigerant releases heat to the battery 41. That is, the battery 41 is heated by supplying high-temperature refrigerant to the refrigerant passage 84.

[0049] 2, an inlet 86 of the refrigerant passage 84 is disposed rearward of an outlet 88 of the refrigerant passage 84. Therefore, in the refrigerant passage 84, the refrigerant flows from rear to front. When the temperature of the refrigerant is lower than the temperature of the battery 41, the temperature of the refrigerant gradually increases as the refrigerant flows forward. That is, when the battery 41 is cooled, the temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant passage 84 is lower at the rear of the refrigerant passage 84 and higher at the front of the refrigerant passage 84. Therefore, the cooling capacity of the battery 41 by the refrigerant is relatively highest at the rear of the case 56 and lowest at the front of the case 56.

[0050] On the other hand, when the electric motorcycle 10 is traveling, the side wall 66 of the case 56 is exposed to wind caused by traveling. The wind cools the side wall 66 and the refrigerant inside the side wall 66. The cooling capacity of the battery 41 and the refrigerant caused by the wind caused by traveling is relatively highest at the front part of the battery case 14 and lowest at the rear part of the battery case 14.

[0051] In the first embodiment, regardless of the traveling state (traveling or stopped) of the electric motorcycle 10, the battery 41 releases heat to the outside air through the side wall 66 of the case 56. The battery 41 is also cooled by the refrigerant. Since the refrigerant passage 84 is arranged in the side wall 66 of the case 56, the refrigerant releases heat to the outside air at the side wall 66 of the case 56. This suppresses a rise in temperature of the refrigerant. In other words, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to promote cooling of the battery 41 by the refrigerant. When the electric motorcycle 10 travels, the side wall 66 of the case 56 is exposed to the traveling wind. Therefore, when the electric motorcycle 10 is traveling, it is possible to further suppress a rise in temperature of the refrigerant, and it is possible to further promote cooling of the battery 41 by the refrigerant. According to the first embodiment, it is possible to more suitably cool the battery 41.

[0052] According to the first embodiment, multiple partial passages 94 are formed in parallel between the inlet 86 and the outlet 88, thereby suppressing a decrease in the cooling effect downstream of the refrigerant passage 84 compared to when the inlet 86 and the outlet 88 are connected by a single path.

[0053] According to the first embodiment, compared to the case where the partial passages 94 are arranged along the longitudinal direction D1 of the side wall 66, a decrease in the cooling effect on the downstream side of the refrigerant passage 84 can be suppressed.

[0054] In the battery case 14, the two batteries 41 are arranged in a direction parallel to their respective short lengths. The short length direction of the batteries 41 is parallel to the short length direction D2 of the side wall 66. Furthermore, a plurality of partial passages 94 are arranged across the two batteries 41. This arrangement allows the temperature of the two batteries 41 to be adjusted approximately uniformly.

[0055] [3 Variations] A number of modified examples are possible for the first embodiment, as described below. It is also possible to combine two or more of the modified examples.

[0056] [3-1 First Modification] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the battery case 14 according to the first modification. FIG. 7 shows a side view corresponding to the schematic side view of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7, in two adjacent partial passages 94, the cross-sectional area of ​​the partial passage 94 (first partial passage) disposed at the rear may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the partial passage 94 (second partial passage) disposed at the front. In this case, among the multiple partial passages 94, the cross-sectional area of ​​the partial passage 94R is the largest, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the partial passage 94F is the smallest. This can further promote cooling of the battery 41 by the refrigerant in the rear part of the case 56 that is difficult to cool by the running wind. The cross-sectional area referred to here is the area of ​​a cut surface in a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the partial passage 94.

[0057] [3-2 Second Modification] Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of the battery case 14 according to the second modified example. Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery case 14 according to the second modified example and the third modified example. Fig. 9 shows a cross-section corresponding to the schematic cross-sectional view of Fig. 4. Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery case 14 according to the second modified example and the third modified example. Fig. 10 shows a cross-section corresponding to the schematic cross-sectional view of Fig. 5.

[0058] As shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the case 56 may have a plurality of fins 108 protruding from the side wall 66 to the side of the case 56. The housing 72 and the fins 108 are integral with each other. As shown in Fig. 8, the longitudinal direction of the fins 108 is along the vehicle length direction DL. The plurality of fins 108 are arranged in a direction along the vehicle height direction DH. The plurality of fins 108 are parallel to each other. The fins 108 intersect with the partial passages 94 of the refrigerant passage 84 in a side view. This can further promote cooling of the refrigerant.

[0059] [3-3 Third Modification] 9 and 10, each of the plate members 74L and 74R may have a protrusion 110 that protrudes into the refrigerant passage 84. For example, each of the plate members 74L and 74R has a protrusion 110 that protrudes laterally at a position where the partial passage 94 is formed. Each of the protrusions 110 extends in the extension direction of the partial passage 94. This can increase the contact area between the plate members 74L and 74R and the refrigerant, and can further promote heat exchange between the battery 41 and the refrigerant.

[0060] In the third modified example, the plate members 74L and 74R are preferably made of metal.

[0061] [3-4 Other variations] Instead of forming groove 85 in left half 72L of housing 72, groove 85 may be formed in plate member 74L. Similarly, instead of forming groove 85 in right half 72R of housing 72, groove 85 may be formed in plate member 74R.

[0062] Furthermore, the left half 72L of the housing 72 and the plate member 74L may be integrally formed. Similarly, the right half 72R of the housing 72 and the plate member 74R may be integrally formed.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the short dimension direction D2 of the side wall 66 is aligned along the vehicle height direction DH, and the long dimension direction D1 of the side wall 66 is aligned along the vehicle length direction DL. Alternatively, the short dimension direction D2 of the side wall 66 may be aligned along the vehicle length direction DL, and the long dimension direction D1 of the side wall 66 may be aligned along the vehicle height direction DH. Even in the case of such a battery case 14, each partial passage 94 is aligned along the short dimension direction D2 (vehicle length direction DL) of the side wall 66, and the first passage 90 and the second passage 92 are aligned along the long dimension direction D1 (vehicle height direction DH) of the side wall 66.

[0064] A refrigerant passage 84 may be formed inside at least one of the upper wall 58 and the lower wall 60 of the case 56. However, the side wall 66 is more exposed to the wind during running than the upper wall 58 and the lower wall 60. For this reason, the refrigerant passage 84 formed in the side wall 66 has a higher cooling capacity than the refrigerant passage 84 formed in the upper wall 58 or the lower wall 60.

[0065] [4 Battery case 14 according to the second embodiment] Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are schematic cross-sectional views of a battery case 14 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 11 shows a cross section corresponding to the schematic cross-sectional view of Fig. 4. Fig. 12 shows a cross section corresponding to the schematic cross-sectional view of Fig. 5.

[0066] The plate member 74L is disposed outside the housing 72. The plate member 74L is placed on the outer surface 112L of the left side wall portion 78L of the left half body 72L from the outside of the battery case 14, and is fastened to the outer surface 112L of the left side wall portion 78L by a fastening member 82 (such as a bolt). The side wall 66L disposed on the left part of the case 56 is formed by the left side wall portion 78L of the left half body 72L of the housing 72 and the plate member 74L. The outer surface of the side wall 66L is formed by the plate member 74L. The inner surface of the side wall 66L is formed by the left half body 72L of the housing 72.

[0067] The plate member 74R is disposed outside the housing 72. The plate member 74R is placed on the outer surface 112R of the right side wall portion 78R of the right half body 72R from the outside of the battery case 14, and is fastened to the outer surface 112R of the right side wall portion 78R by fastening members 82 (bolts, etc.). The side wall 66R disposed on the right side of the case 56 is formed by the right side wall portion 78R of the right half body 72R of the housing 72 and the plate member 74R. The outer surface of the side wall 66R is formed by the plate member 74R. The inner surface of the side wall 66R is formed by the right half body 72R of the housing 72.

[0068] A groove 85 is formed on the inner surface 114L of the plate member 74L. When the plate member 74L is placed on the outer surface 112L of the left side wall portion 78L of the left half body 72L, the left side wall portion 78L of the left half body 72L closes the groove 85. This forms a refrigerant passage 84 between the left half body 72L and the plate member 74L. That is, the refrigerant passage 84 is formed by the inner surface of the groove 85 of the left half body 72L and the surface of the plate member 74L. Similarly, the refrigerant passage 84 is formed by the inner surface of the groove 85 of the right half body 72R and the surface of the plate member 74R.

[0069] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Moreover, according to the second embodiment, since the refrigerant passage 84 is disposed outside the housing 72 that houses the battery 41, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of the refrigerant into the housing 72.

[0070] [5 Notes] In addition to the above disclosure, the following notes are also disclosed.

[0071] (Appendix 1) The battery case (14) is a battery case provided in a vehicle (10) and includes a case (56) that houses a battery (41) and a refrigerant passage (84) through which a refrigerant for cooling the battery circulates, the case having outer walls (58, 60, 66) extending in a vehicle length direction (DL) of the vehicle, and the refrigerant passage is arranged in the outer wall of the case.

[0072] In the above configuration, regardless of the running state (running, stopped) of the vehicle (e.g., a saddle-type vehicle), the battery releases heat to the outside air through the outer wall (e.g., side wall) of the case. The battery is also cooled by the refrigerant. Since the refrigerant passage is arranged in the outer wall (e.g., side wall) of the case, the refrigerant releases heat to the outside air at the outer wall of the case. This suppresses the temperature rise of the refrigerant. In other words, the above configuration can promote the cooling of the battery by the refrigerant. When the vehicle is running, the outer wall of the case is exposed to the running wind. Therefore, when the vehicle is running, the temperature rise of the refrigerant can be further suppressed, and the cooling of the battery by the refrigerant can be further promoted. The above configuration can more effectively cool the battery.

[0073] (Appendix 2) In the battery case described in Supplementary Note 1, the refrigerant passage includes an inlet (86) for introducing the refrigerant into the refrigerant passage, an outlet (88) for discharging the refrigerant from the refrigerant passage, a first passage (90) connected to the inlet, a second passage (92) connected to the outlet, and a plurality of partial passages (94) connected to the inlet directly or via the first passage and connected to the outlet directly or via the second passage, the extension direction of the partial passages is along a first direction, and the plurality of partial passages are arranged in a direction along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0074] According to the above configuration, by forming multiple partial passages in parallel between the inlet and the outlet, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the cooling effect downstream of the refrigerant passage compared to when the inlet and the outlet are connected by a single path.

[0075] (Appendix 3) In the battery case described in Supplementary Note 2, the partial passage may be aligned along a short-length direction (D2) of the outer wall, and the first passage and the second passage may be aligned along a long-length direction (D1) of the outer wall.

[0076] According to the above configuration, a decrease in the cooling effect on the downstream side of the refrigerant passage can be suppressed compared to a case in which the partial passage is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the outer wall.

[0077] (Appendix 4) In the battery case described in Supplementary Note 2, when the case is attached to the vehicle, the first direction may be along a vehicle height direction (DH) of the vehicle, and the second direction may be along a vehicle length direction of the vehicle.

[0078] (Appendix 5) In the battery case described in Supplementary Note 2, when the case is attached to the vehicle, the exhaust port may be disposed forward of the inlet port.

[0079] According to the above-described configuration, the coolant flows from rear to front along the battery, which makes it possible to promote cooling of the battery by the coolant in the rear portion of the case that is difficult to cool by wind while traveling.

[0080] (Appendix 6) In the battery case described in Supplementary Note 2, a short dimension direction of the outer wall may be aligned along a vehicle height direction of the vehicle, and a long dimension direction of the outer wall may be aligned along a vehicle length direction of the vehicle.

[0081] (Appendix 7) In the battery case described in Supplementary Note 2, the case can support a plurality of the batteries arranged in a direction along the first direction, and in a side view, the partial passage and each of the batteries may overlap each other.

[0082] (Appendix 8) In the battery case described in Appendix 2, the case may have a plurality of fins (108) protruding from the outer wall to the side of the case, the longitudinal direction of the fins being aligned along the second direction, and the plurality of fins may be arranged in a direction along the first direction.

[0083] According to the above configuration, the fins can further promote cooling of the battery. In particular, according to the above configuration, since each fin extends along the longitudinal direction (the vehicle length direction), the running wind can be evenly applied to each fin. This further promotes cooling of the battery.

[0084] (Appendix 9) In the battery case described in Appendix 2, when the case is attached to the vehicle, a first of the plurality of partial passages may be arranged rearward of a second of the plurality of partial passages, and a cross-sectional area of ​​the first partial passage in a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the partial passage may be larger than a cross-sectional area of ​​the second partial passage in a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the partial passage.

[0085] According to the above-described configuration, the contact area between the refrigerant and the battery is increased at the rear of the battery, which makes it possible to more effectively cool the battery by the refrigerant at the rear of the case, which is less likely to be cooled by wind when the battery is running.

[0086] (Appendix 10) In the battery case described in Appendix 1, the outer wall may have a first case member (72) and a second case member (74) superimposed on the first case member, and a groove (85) may be formed in one of the first case member and the second case member, and the other of the first case member and the second case member may block the groove, thereby forming the refrigerant passage between the first case member and the second case member.

[0087] (Appendix 11) In the battery case described in Supplementary Note 10, one of the first case member and the second case member may be made of metal, and the other of the first case member and the second case member may be made of resin.

[0088] According to the above-described configuration, since a portion of the case is made of resin, the case becomes lightweight.

[0089] (Appendix 12) In the battery case according to Supplementary Note 10, the first case member may form the outer surface of the outer wall, and the second case member may form the inner surface of the outer wall and have a protrusion (110) protruding into the refrigerant passage.

[0090] According to the above configuration, since the contact area between the case and the refrigerant can be increased, the cooling of the battery can be further promoted.

[0091] (Supplementary Note 13) In the battery case according to Supplementary Note 10, the first case member may be a housing (72) that houses the battery, and the second case member may be a plate member (74) that is stacked on the first case member from the outside of the battery case.

[0092] According to the above configuration, since the refrigerant passage is arranged outside the housing that houses the battery, the intrusion of the refrigerant into the housing can be suppressed.

[0093] (Supplementary Note 14) The vehicle includes the battery case according to Supplementary Note 1.

[0094] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described disclosure, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0095] 10... Electric two-wheeler (vehicle) 14... Battery case 41... Battery 56... Case 58... Upper wall (outer wall) 60... Lower wall (outer wall) 66... Side wall (outer wall) 72... Housing (first case member) 74... Plate member (second case member) 84... Refrigerant passage 85... Groove 86... Inlet 88... Outlet 90... First passage 92... Second passage 94... Partial passage 108... Fin 110... Protrusion D2... Short dimension direction D1... Long dimension direction DH…Vehicle height direction DL…Vehicle length direction

Claims

1. A battery case (14) provided in a vehicle (10), A case (56) for accommodating a battery (41); a refrigerant passage (84) for circulating a refrigerant for cooling the battery (41); Equipped with The case has outer walls (58, 60, 66) extending in a vehicle length direction (DL) of the vehicle (10), The refrigerant passage (84) is disposed in the outer wall (58, 60, 66) of the battery case (14).

2. The battery case (14) according to claim 1, The refrigerant passage (84) an inlet (86) for introducing the refrigerant into the refrigerant passage (84); an outlet (88) for discharging the refrigerant from the refrigerant passage (84); a first passage (90) connected to the inlet (86); a second passage (92) connected to the outlet (88); a plurality of partial passages (94) connected to the inlet (86) directly or via the first passages (90) and connected to the outlet (88) directly or via the second passages (92); having The extension direction of the partial passage (94) is along a first direction, The battery case (14), wherein the partial passages (94) are arranged in a direction along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

3. The battery case (14) according to claim 2, The partial passage (94) is along the short direction of the outer wall (58, 60, 66), The first passage (90) and the second passage (92) extend along a longitudinal direction (D1) of the outer wall (58, 60, 66).

4. The battery case (14) according to claim 2, A battery case (14) in which, when the case (56) is attached to the vehicle (10), the first direction is along a vehicle height direction (DH) of the vehicle (10) and the second direction is along a vehicle length direction (DL) of the vehicle (10).

5. The battery case (14) according to claim 2, The battery case (14), wherein when the case (56) is attached to the vehicle (10), the exhaust port (88) is disposed forward of the inlet port (86).

6. The battery case (14) according to claim 2, The short-length direction (D2) of the outer walls (58, 60, 66) is aligned along the vehicle height direction (DH) of the vehicle (10), The battery case (14) has a longitudinal direction (D1) of the outer walls (58, 60, 66) aligned along a vehicle length direction (DL) of the vehicle (10).

7. The battery case (14) according to claim 2, The case (56) is capable of supporting a plurality of the batteries (41) arranged in a direction along the first direction, In a side view, the partial passages (94) and each of the batteries (41) overlap each other in the battery case (14).

8. The battery case (14) according to claim 2, The case (56) has a plurality of fins (108) protruding from the outer wall (58, 60, 66) laterally of the case (56), The longitudinal direction of the fin (108) is aligned along the second direction, The battery case (14), wherein the plurality of fins (108) are arranged in a direction along the first direction.

9. The battery case (14) according to claim 2, When the case (56) is attached to the vehicle (10), a first partial passage of the plurality of partial passages (94) is disposed rearward of a second partial passage of the plurality of partial passages, A battery case (14), wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​the first partial passage in a plane perpendicular to an extension direction of the partial passage (94) is larger than a cross-sectional area of ​​the second partial passage in a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the partial passage (94).

10. The battery case (14) according to claim 1, The outer wall (58, 60, 66) has a first case member and a second case member overlapped on the first case member, A battery case (14) in which a groove (85) is formed in one of the first case member and the second case member, and the other of the first case member and the second case member blocks the groove (85), thereby forming the refrigerant passage (84) between the first case member and the second case member.

11. The battery case (14) according to claim 10, A battery case (14), wherein one of the first case member and the second case member is made of metal, and the other of the first case member and the second case member is made of resin.

12. The battery case (14) according to claim 10, The first case member forms an outer surface of the outer wall (58, 60, 66); The second case member forms an inner surface of the outer wall (58, 60, 66) and has a projection (110) that projects into the inside of the refrigerant passage (84).

13. The battery case (14) according to claim 10, The first case member is a housing (72) that houses the battery, The second case member is a plate member that is placed on the first case member from the outside of the battery case (14).

14. A vehicle (10) comprising the battery case (14) according to claim 1.

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