Power supply device fixation structure

Abstract

To solve a problem of an existing fixation structure where the safety of a power supply device when the power supply device is hit cannot be increased with a simple structure.SOLUTION: The fixation structure of the power supply device of the present invention is to fix a power supply device 11 to a vehicle, and includes: first belts 21, 24 for fixing the power supply device 11 to the vehicle; second belts 22, 23 for fixing the power supply device 11 to the vehicle, the second belts being more flexible than the first belts 21, 24; and a cutting member having an acute angle part designed so that the edges of the body member of the vehicle and a collision object which has hit the vehicle are directed to at least one of directions opposed to the force of pressing down the first belts 21, 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing structure for fixing a power supply device to a vehicle, for example.

Background Art

[0002] Many battery modules that house a plurality of battery cells stacked in a battery case have been proposed as power supply devices. When such a battery module is mounted on a vehicle, it is fixed to the vehicle. However, when an impact such as a collision occurs, it is necessary to release the fixing of the power supply device to the vehicle in order to prevent damage to the power supply device. Therefore, examples of techniques for fixing a power supply device are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] The hydrogen tank support device described in Patent Document 1 fixes a hydrogen tank inside a container having strength with an appropriate isolation distance provided with respect to the inner wall surface of the container, and when the container receives an impact equal to or greater than a specified value, the fixing portion is cut off. The structure or strength is such that, after the fixing portion is cut off when the hydrogen tank receives an impact equal to or greater than the specified value, the hydrogen tank collides with the inner wall surface to cause damped vibration.

[0004] The fixing structure of the power supply device described in Patent Document 2 is a fixing structure for fixing a power supply device to a vehicle, and includes a belt for fixing the power supply device to the vehicle, and a cutting member that displaces in response to an external force applied to the vehicle and cuts the belt.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The hydrogen tank support device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that a container for receiving the hydrogen tank must be prepared after the fixing part is cut, and the device becomes large. Further, in the fixing structure of the power supply device described in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that the power supply device cannot be fixed in a certain place after the belt is cut. That is, in the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a collision load caused by a collision occurs, there is a problem that the fixing of the power supply device cannot be released with a simple configuration and kept within a certain range.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to enhance the safety of a power supply device at the time of a collision with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] One aspect of the fixing structure of the power supply device according to the present invention is a fixing structure for fixing the power supply device to a vehicle, including a first belt for fixing the power supply device to the vehicle, a second belt for fixing the power supply device to the vehicle and having higher stretchability than the first belt, a vehicle body member constituting the vehicle, and a cutting member including an acute angle portion configured such that at least one of the tips thereof faces in a direction opposite to the force that a collision object colliding with the vehicle pushes the first belt.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the fixing structure of the power supply device of the present invention, the safety of the power supply device at the time of a collision can be enhanced with a simple configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] For the sake of clarity of explanation, the following descriptions and drawings are appropriately omitted and simplified. In each drawing, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0012] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 is a structure for fixing the power supply device 11 to the chassis 10. The chassis 10 is the chassis of a vehicle and is an example of an object to which the power supply device 11 is fixed. The power supply device 11 may be fixed to other structures. Further, the power supply device 11 is, for example, a battery module in which a battery pack composed of a plurality of battery cells connected in series is incorporated. However, the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 is a fixing structure applicable to devices other than the power supply device.

[0013] The fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 1 fixes the power supply device 11 to the chassis 10 by the first belt and the second belt. In the example shown in Fig. 1, rigid bands 21 and 24 are shown as the first belt. Also, flexible bands 22 and 23 are shown as the second belt. And, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the flexible bands 22 and 23 are arranged at positions sandwiched by the rigid bands 21 and 24. Both ends of the rigid band 21 are bolted to the power supply device 11 by bolts 31 so as to have a tension for pressing the power supply device 11. Both ends of the rigid band 24 are bolted to the power supply device 11 by bolts 34 so as to have a tension for pressing the power supply device 11.

[0014] The flexible bands 22 and 23 have higher stretchability than the rigid bands 21 and 24. Both ends of the flexible band 22 are bolted to the power supply device 11 by bolts 32 so as to have a tension for pressing the power supply device 11. Both ends of the flexible band 23 are bolted to the power supply device 11 by bolts 33 so as to have a tension for pressing the power supply device 11.

[0015] Here, the rigid band has lower stretchability than the flexible band and becomes the main member of the fixing force for fixing the power supply device 11 to the chassis 10. The flexible band has higher stretchability than the rigid band and holds the power supply device 11 within a certain range after the fixing force by the rigid band is released. Therefore, it is preferable that the flexible band has higher cut resistance than the rigid band.

[0016] And the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 has a cutting member for cutting the rigid bands 21 and 24. In the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1, this cutting member is provided on the exterior of the power supply device 11. Therefore, FIG. 2 shows a diagram for explaining the structure related to the first band of the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1.

[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 2, a cutting member 12 is provided at a position on the exterior of the power supply device 11 that faces the rigid band 21 and does not touch the rigid band 21 in a state where the rigid band 21 presses the power supply device 11. The cutting member 12 includes an acute angle portion configured such that the tip faces in a direction opposite to the force with which a collision object that has collided with the vehicle pushes the rigid band 21. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the cutting member 12 is provided at a position facing the rear of the vehicle, but at least one cutting member 12 may be provided for one rigid band. For example, it is also possible to add a cutting member 12 to the side opposite to the side where the cutting member 12 is provided in FIG. 2.

[0018] Subsequently, the operation of the fixing structure of the power supply device when an impact caused by a collision object is applied to the power supply device 11 will be described. Therefore, FIG. 3 shows a diagram for explaining the state in which the rigid band 21 according to Embodiment 1 is cut. As shown in FIG. 3, when a collision object collides with the power supply device 11, the rigid band 21 is pushed into the collision object and is sandwiched between the cutting member 12 and the collision object. Then, when the rigid band 21 is further pushed toward the cutting member 12 by the collision object, the rigid band 21 is cut.

[0019] After that, the operation of the fixing structure of the power supply device when the collision object further pushes the power supply device 11 will be described. Therefore, FIG. 4 shows a diagram for explaining the state of the flexible band 22 after the rigid band 21 according to Embodiment 1 is cut. As shown in FIG. 4, the flexible band 22 continues to hold the power supply device 11 so that the displacement amount of the power supply device 11 remains within a certain range, although it extends according to the amount of pushing when the power supply device 11 that has become in an open state due to the cutting of the rigid band 21 is pushed by the collision object.

[0020] From the above description, in the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1, when a colliding object collides, the colliding object and the cutting member 12 sandwich the rigid band, and the rigid band is cut by the pressing force caused by the colliding object. Thereby, the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 releases the power supply device 11 from the fixed state and reduces the impact load applied to the power supply device 11.

[0021] Further, in the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1, by applying a flexible band having high stretchability to the power supply device 11, the power supply device 11 is kept within a certain range even after the rigid band is cut. Thereby, in the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1, it is possible to prevent the power supply device 11 from coming off the chassis 10 in an uncontrolled state when an impact object collides with the power supply device 11 and prevent damage to the power supply device 11.

[0022] Further, in the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1, since there is no configuration for detecting an impact load, a control circuit, or a structure for moving the cutting member, it is possible to prevent the structure for cutting from malfunctioning and unintentionally releasing the fixed state of the power supply device 11. Also, since there is no movable structure, the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 can simplify the structure required for fixing the power supply device 11 and facilitate assembly.

[0023] Embodiment 2 In Embodiment 2, another example of the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 1 will be described. In the description of Embodiment 2, the same components as those described in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0024] Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 5, in the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 2, the fixing methods of the rigid bands 21 and 24 are different from those in Embodiment 1. Specifically, in the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 2, a cutting member is provided near the bolts for fixing the rigid bands 21 and 24, and a wall surface is provided at a position on the chassis 40 facing the cutting member. Further, the power supply device 41 according to Embodiment 2 is obtained by removing the cutting member 12 from the power supply device 11.

[0025] Therefore, Fig. 6 shows a diagram for explaining the structure related to the first band of the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 6, in the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 2, a cutting member 42 is provided so as to be fixed to the bolt 31 that fixes the rigid band 21 to the chassis 40. This cutting member 42 has an acute angle portion facing the wall surface provided on the chassis 40. That is, the cutting member 42 is configured to have an acute angle portion whose tip faces in the direction opposite to the force with which the vehicle body member constituting the vehicle pushes in the rigid band 21. By adopting such a configuration, when the chassis 40 is crushed by a collision object, the rigid band 21 is cut by the chassis 40 and the cutting member 42.

[0026] Therefore, Fig. 7 shows a diagram for explaining the state in which the rigid band 21 according to Embodiment 2 is cut. As shown in Fig. 7, in the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 2, the chassis 40 is pushed in by the impact load of the collision object and presses the rigid band 21 against the cutting member 42, thereby cutting the rigid band 21.

[0027] From the above description, also in the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 2, by applying the collision load caused by the collision object to the rigid band 21 and pushing the rigid band 21 into the cutting member 42, the rigid band 21 is cut. Thereby, also in the fixing structure of the power supply device according to Embodiment 2, while reducing the impact load applied to the power supply device 41 in the same manner as in Embodiment 1, it becomes possible to keep the cutting member 42 within a certain range.

[0028] Embodiment 3 In Embodiment 3, a service plug for stopping the function of the power supply device 11 after the fixing of the power supply device 11 becomes loose will be described. In the description of Embodiment 3, the same components as those described in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] FIG. 8 shows a diagram for explaining an arrangement example of the service plug according to Embodiment 3. As shown in FIG. 8, the power supply device 51 according to Embodiment 3 is obtained by adding a service plug 52 to the power supply device 11. The service plug 52 is arranged at a position where it is pressed by the rigid band 21. Further, in FIG. 8, although not shown, the power supply device 51 has a switch for switching between conduction and interruption of the current path provided inside. The service plug 52 is supported by the housing of the power supply device 51 by an elastic member such that the switch is in a conductive state when the pressure by the rigid band 21 is applied, and the switch is in an interrupted state when the rigid band 21 is cut. The switch is, for example, one that conducts or interrupts between the electrodes of the assembled battery, or conducts or interrupts the current path to the power supply circuit built in the power supply device 51.

[0030] Various forms are conceivable for this service plug 52. Hereinafter, three specific examples of the form of the service plug 52 will be described. First, FIG. 9 shows a diagram for explaining a first specific example of the service plug 52 according to Embodiment 3.

[0031] In the first specific example shown in FIG. 9, a plug 63 is supported by a disc spring 62 attached to the housing 61. The plug 63 is provided with a pin at its tip, and in a state where it is pressed by the rigid band 21, maintains the contacts of the switch 64 in a conductive state. On the other hand, when the rigid band 21 is cut and the rigid band 21 can no longer push in the plug 63, the plug 63 is pushed upward by the reaction force of the disc spring 62. As a result, the plug 63 can no longer apply pressure to the contacts of the switch 64, so the switch 64 becomes an interrupted state.

[0032] Next, a diagram for explaining a second specific example of the service plug 52 according to Embodiment 3 is shown in FIG. 10. In the second specific example shown in FIG. 10, a hole is provided in the housing 71, and a pin provided at the tip of the spring 72 is inserted into the housing 71 through the hole. Further, with the plug 73 being pushed into the rigid band 21, the pin of the plug 73 brings the contacts of the switch 64 into a conductive state. Then, a spring 72 is provided between the housing 71 and the plug 73. When the rigid band 21 is cut by this spring 72, the plug 73 is pushed upward, and the contacts of the switch 64 are switched to an open state.

[0033] Next, a diagram for explaining a third specific example of the service plug 52 according to Embodiment 3 is shown in FIG. 11. In the third specific example shown in FIG. 11, a slope having a shape corresponding to the slope surface of the plug 83 is provided on the housing 81 so that the housing 81 and the plug 83 are in close contact with each other with the plug 83 being pushed into the housing 81 by the rigid band 21. Then, with the plug 83 being pushed into the rigid band 21, the pin of the plug 83 brings the contacts of the switch 64 into a conductive state. When the rigid band 21 is cut, the plug 83 is pushed upward by the reaction force from the housing 81, and the contacts of the switch 64 are switched to an open state.

[0034] From the above description, by providing the service plug 52 according to Embodiment 3, it becomes possible to immediately stop the power supply device 51 when the rigid band 21 is cut. Further, since the service plug 52 does not require a configuration or a control circuit for detecting an impact load, etc., it is possible to enhance the safety when the rigid band 21 is cut with a simple configuration.

[0035] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0036] 10, 40 Chassis 11, 41, 51 Power supply device 12, 42 Cutting member 21, 24 Rigid band 22, 23 Flexible Band 31, 32, 33 Bolt 52 Service Plug 61, 71, 81 Housing 62 Dish Spring 63, 73, 83 Plug 64 Switch 72 Spring

Claims

1. A fixing structure for fixing a power supply device to a vehicle, a first belt for fixing the power supply device to the vehicle, a second belt for fixing the power supply device to the vehicle and having higher elasticity than the first belt, a vehicle body member constituting the vehicle, and a cutting member having an acute angle portion configured such that at least one of the tip portions faces in a direction opposite to the force that pushes the first belt by a collision object that has collided with the vehicle, A fixing structure for a power supply device having the same.

2. The fixing structure for a power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting member is provided so as to protrude from the housing of the power supply device toward the first belt.

3. The fixing structure for a power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting member is provided around a bolt for fixing the first belt.

4. The fixing structure for a power supply device according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle body member is provided at a position facing the acute angle portion of the cutting member.

5. The power supply device has a service plug at a position pressed by the first belt in a state of being fixed to the vehicle, The power supply device has a switch for switching between conduction and interruption of a current path provided inside, The fixing structure for a power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the service plug is supported by the housing of the power supply device by an elastic member so that the switch is in a conductive state when the pressure by the first belt is applied, and the switch is in an interrupted state when the first belt is cut.

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