Replaceable battery

Abstract

To provide a replaceable battery that can ensure the safety of workers even if gas is discharged from a relief valve during battery replacement.SOLUTION: A replaceable battery includes a cell stack in a rectangular cuboid shape composed of a plurality of stackced battery cells and a case for accommodating the cell stack, and can be detachably mounted on a vehicle by sliding in the longitudinal direction. The case includes a rectangular tube shape body, a first lid part closing one open end of the body, and a second lid part closing the other open end of the body. The first lid part is provided with a handle, and the second lid part is provided with a connector protruding outward and connected to the vehicle, as well as a relief valve for discharging gas generated from the cell stack.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a replaceable battery.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a replaceable battery that is detachably attached to a vehicle.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventors have developed a replaceable battery in which a rectangular parallelepiped cell stack is housed in a case. In such a replaceable battery, a relief valve is provided for discharging gas outside the case when gas is generated from the cell stack. Here, even if gas is discharged from the relief valve during the battery replacement work, it is necessary to ensure the safety of the operator.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a replaceable battery capable of ensuring the safety of an operator even if gas is discharged from a relief valve during battery replacement work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The replaceable battery according to the present disclosure is a rectangular parallelepiped cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a case that houses the cell stack, and is a replaceable battery that is slidable in the longitudinal direction and is detachably attached to a vehicle, The case includes a rectangular tube-shaped main body, a first lid portion that closes one open end of the main body, and a second lid portion that closes the other open end of the main body. The first lid portion is provided with a handle. The second lid portion is provided with a connector that protrudes outward and is connected to the vehicle, and a relief valve that discharges the gas generated from the cell stack.

[0007] In the replaceable battery according to the present disclosure, a handle is provided on the first lid portion that closes one open end of the main body portion of the case, and a connector that protrudes outward and is connected to the vehicle is provided on the second lid portion that closes the other open end of the main body portion, and a relief valve that discharges the gas generated from the cell stack is provided.

[0008] When replacing the battery, the operator works on the side of the first lid portion provided with the handle. Even if gas is discharged from the relief valve during the battery replacement work, since the relief valve is provided on the second lid portion located on the opposite side of the operator via the battery and the gas is discharged toward the opposite side of the operator, the safety of the operator can be ensured.

[0009] The relief valve may be provided at the upper edge portion of the second lid portion. With such a configuration, the gas generated from the cell stack can be efficiently discharged from the space region above the cell stack through the relief valve.

[0010] The connector may be covered on the side by a cylindrical metal cover. With such a configuration, even if gas is discharged from the relief valve, the connector can be protected by the metal cover.

[0011] The first lid portion may be provided so as to press one open end of the main body portion from the outside. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the leakage of gas from the side of the first lid portion where the operator is working before the gas is discharged from the relief valve provided on the second lid portion.

[0012] The first lid portion may be provided so as to press one open end of the main body portion from the outside. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress gas from leaking from the side of the first lid portion where the operator is working before gas is discharged from the relief valve provided in the second lid portion.

[0013] A handle is provided at the center of the upper edge portion of the second lid portion, and the handle may be provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending along the upper edge portion of the second lid portion from a state of being placed on the upper surface of the main body portion. With such a configuration, the replaceable battery can be carried by the handle without interfering with the connection of the connector.

[0014] A rib groove extends in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion on the upper surface of the main body portion, and the handle may be accommodated in the rib groove in a state of being placed on the upper surface of the main body portion. With such a configuration, it becomes easier to accommodate the replaceable battery in the storage space of the replaceable battery.

[0015] The main body portion may be composed of a first member having an L-shaped cross section including a first side plate and a bottom plate supporting the cell stack, and a second member having an L-shaped cross section including a second side plate and a top plate on which the handle is placed. With such a configuration, at the time of assembly, it becomes easy to accommodate the contents such as the cell stack into the case, and the workability of assembly is improved.

[0016] The cell stack may be arranged closer to the first side plate than the second side plate. In this way, even when the center of gravity of the replaceable battery is offset, when the operator carries the replaceable battery, the operator can hold the rotatable handle with one hand and lift the replaceable battery while supporting the replaceable battery with the other hand. Therefore, the operator can carry the replaceable battery while maintaining balance.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a replaceable battery that can ensure the safety of an operator even if gas is discharged from a relief valve during the battery replacement operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are essential as means for solving the problems. For the sake of clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been appropriately omitted and simplified. In each drawing, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0020] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration of the Replaceable Battery 1> First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the configuration of the replaceable battery 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the replaceable battery 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the front case provided at the front end of the replaceable battery according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the rear case provided at the rear end of the replaceable battery according to Embodiment 1.

[0021] The replaceable battery 1 is also called a battery pack, a battery module, etc., and is detachably attached to a vehicle such as an electric vehicle that runs on a motor using electricity as a power source, for example. The replaceable battery 1 is miniaturized and lightweight so that an operator (including a work robot, etc.) can easily insert and remove it from the electric vehicle.

[0022] Of course, the right-handed XYZ orthogonal coordinates shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are for convenience in explaining the positional relationship of the components. Usually, in FIG. 1 and the like, the positive Z-axis direction is the vertically upward direction, the XY plane is the horizontal plane, and they are common among the drawings.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, in the replaceable battery 1, a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape is defined by a case 100 that houses a cell stack or the like. The case 100 includes a case body (main body part) 101 having a square tube shape, a front case 102 that is a lid for closing one open end (front end opening) of the case body 101, and a rear case 103 that is a lid for closing the other open end (rear end opening) of the case body 101.

[0024] In addition, the rear case 103 provided at the rear end of the replaceable battery 1 is provided with a connector 104 that protrudes outward and is formed to be connectable to a vehicle-side connector. Although not shown, for example, when an operator slides the replaceable battery 1 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and houses it in the accommodation space of the vehicle, the connector 104 of the replaceable battery 1 and the vehicle-side connector are connected.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, a front case (first lid portion) 102 is provided with a handle 141 for sliding the replaceable battery 1. Although not particularly limited, the handle 141 shown in FIG. 2 is a recessed handle. An operator can slide the replaceable battery 1 by gripping the handle 141 and pushing or pulling the replaceable battery 1.

[0026] Also, the replaceable battery 1 can be, for example, placed on a cart and transported. When the replaceable battery 1 is accommodated from the cart into the accommodation space, the height of the cart is made to match the accommodation space, and the handle 141 is pushed to accommodate the replaceable battery 1 in the accommodation space. On the other hand, when the replaceable battery 1 is taken out from the accommodation space and placed on the cart, the height of the cart is made to match the accommodation space, and the handle 141 is pulled to take out the replaceable battery 1 from the accommodation space.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to a connector 104, a handle 131 and a relief valve 132 are provided on a rear case (second lid portion) 103. Here, the connector 104 includes a pedestal 1041, a high-voltage terminal 1042, a low-voltage terminal 1043, an alignment pin 1044, and a metal cover 1045.

[0028] The pedestal 1041 is disposed on the main surface of the rear case 103. The high-voltage terminal 1042, the low-voltage terminal 1043, and the alignment pin 1044 are all formed so as to protrude outward from the main surface of the pedestal 1041. The cover 1045 is formed so as to surround the side surfaces of the high-voltage terminal 1042 and the low-voltage terminal 1043.

[0029] The high-voltage terminal 1042 is a terminal for transmitting the electricity output from the cell stack accommodated in the case 100 of the replaceable battery 1 to the vehicle in which the replaceable battery 1 is mounted. The low-voltage terminal 1043 is a terminal for transmitting a control signal from the vehicle to the replaceable battery 1 or for transmitting a signal representing the monitoring result (such as a voltage measurement result) of the cell stack from the replaceable battery 1 to the vehicle.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the handle 131 is rotatably provided about an axis extending along the upper edge of the rear case 103, and is placed on the upper surface of the case body 101 (i.e., the upper surface of the top plate) when not in use. Therefore, the replaceable battery 1 can be carried by the handle 131 without interfering with the connection of the connector 104.

[0031] More specifically, when carrying the replaceable battery 1, the operator holds the rotatable handle 131 with one hand to lift the replaceable battery 1, and holds, for example, the handle 141 with the other hand to support the replaceable battery 1. Therefore, the operator can carry the replaceable battery 1 while maintaining balance.

[0032] Although not particularly limited, the handle 131 shown in FIG. 3 is a single plate-like member. As shown in FIG. 3, the base of the handle 131 is rotatably provided about an axis extending along the upper edge of the rear case 103. A rectangular opening is provided at the tip of the handle 131. The operator inserts a finger into the opening, holds the handle 131, and lifts the replaceable battery 1.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, a rib groove 101c is formed on the upper surface of the case body 101 (i.e., the upper surface of the top plate) along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the case body 101. Therefore, the plate-like handle 131 is housed in the rib groove 101c when not in use. Thereby, it becomes easier for the operator to house the replaceable battery 1 in the storage space of the vehicle. Furthermore, by forming the rib groove 101c, the strength of the upper surface of the case body 101 is also improved.

[0034] Here, it is preferable that the thickness of the case body 101 is small and the thickness of the rear case 103 is larger than the thickness of the case body 101. For example, a die-cast member is used as the rear case 103. With such a configuration, the rigidity of the rear case 103 is improved, and the workability when using the handle 131 is also improved. Furthermore, by providing the handle 131 on the rear case 103 with a large thickness, deformation of the case 100 can also be suppressed.

[0035] By reducing the thickness of the case body 101 of the other party, the weight of the case 100 can be reduced. Further, if gas is generated in the cell stack 110, since the case body 101 deforms and bulges outward, a rapid increase in the internal pressure of the case 100 can be suppressed.

[0036] The relief valve 132 discharges the gas generated in the cell stack housed in the case 100 of the replaceable battery 1. As shown in FIG. 3, since the handle 131 is provided at the center of the upper edge of the rear case 103, the relief valve 132 is provided at the corner of the upper edge of the rear case 103. In addition, in FIG. 3, the relief valve 132 is provided at the corner on the negative Y-axis side of the upper edge of the rear case 103, but it may be provided at the corner on the positive Y-axis side.

[0037] Here, when replacing the replaceable battery 1, the operator works on the front case 102 side where the handle 141 is provided. Even if gas is discharged from the relief valve 132 during the replacement operation of the replaceable battery 1, the relief valve 132 is provided in the rear case 103 located on the opposite side of the operator via the replaceable battery 1, and the gas is discharged toward the opposite side of the operator. Therefore, the safety of the operator can be ensured. When the operator is a work robot or the like, the adverse effects of the gas can be reduced.

[0038] Further, when the operator holds the handle 131 and the handle 141 and carries the replaceable battery 1, even if gas is discharged from the relief valve 132, the gas is not discharged toward the operator. Therefore, the safety of the operator can be ensured.

[0039] Furthermore, even when gas is discharged from the relief valve 132, the high-voltage terminal 1042 and the low-voltage terminal 1043 can be protected by the metal cover 1045. The plastic cover may be damaged by gas, but the metal cover 1045 is not likely to be damaged by gas. In addition, since the connector 104 is repeatedly inserted and removed, the metal cover 1045 is excellent in durability and is suitable.

[0040] Although not shown in the drawings, an exhaust port for discharging the gas discharged from the relief valve 132 to the outside through the vehicle is provided on the wall surface facing the rear case 103 in the accommodation space of the vehicle in which the replaceable battery 1 is accommodated. Then, the gas discharged from the relief valve 132 is discharged to the outside of the vehicle, for example, from the lower side of the vehicle, through the duct connected to the exhaust port. Therefore, even if gas is discharged from the relief valve 132 with the replaceable battery 1 accommodated in the accommodation space of the vehicle, the gas does not flow into the operator side, ensuring the safety of the operator.

[0041] <Modification Example of Handle 131> Here, with reference to FIG. 4, a modification example of the handle 131 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a modification of the handle 131. As shown in FIG. 4, the handle 131 according to the modification example includes a support portion 131a and a pair of gripping portions 131b. The base portion of the plate-shaped support portion 131a is rotatably provided around an axis extending along the upper edge portion of the rear case 103. And the base portions of the pair of gripping portions 131b are rotatably connected to the tip portion of the support portion 131a. Therefore, the handle 131 according to the modification example shown in FIG. 4 can fold the pair of gripping portions 131b.

[0042] Although not shown in the drawings, when not in use, the longitudinal direction of the pair of gripping portions 131b is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support portion 131a, and it is in a folded state. In this state, the handle 131 is placed on the upper surface of the case body 101.

[0043] On the other hand, when in use, as shown in FIG. 4, the pair of gripping portions 131b are each rotated about 90 degrees so as to be separated from each other until they become linear. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the handle 131 as a whole becomes a T shape. The operator grips the pair of gripping portions 131b that are opened linearly.

[0044] In the handle 131 shown in FIG. 4, the width of the tip of the support portion 131a is smaller than the width of the base of the support portion 131a. However, it is not particularly limited, and for example, the width of the tip of the support portion 131a may be equal to the width of the base of the support portion 131a.

[0045] <Assembly of the replaceable battery 1> Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the assembly of the replaceable battery 1 will be described while explaining the contents of the case 100 of the replaceable battery 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the assembly of the replaceable battery 1. FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic perspective views for explaining the flow of the assembly of the replaceable battery 1. The display contents of steps S101 to S105 in FIGS. 6 and 7 correspond to the processing results of steps S101 to S105 in FIG. 5.

[0046] First, a lower case (second member) 101b that forms the bottom plate and one side plate (second side plate) of the case body 101 is arranged (step S101). The lower case 101b is formed such that its YZ cross-section is L-shaped and extends along the X-axis direction.

[0047] Thereafter, on the upper side of the bottom plate formed by the lower case 101b, a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped cell stack 110 is arranged close to one side plate formed by the lower case 101b (step S102). The cell stack 110 is configured by stacking a plurality of battery cells and is bundled into a rectangular parallelepiped shape by a bundling member 111 such as a binding band.

[0048] Thereafter, on the upper side of the bottom plate formed by the lower case 101b, an electronic device such as a junction box 108 including a relay or the like and a battery monitoring device 107 are further arranged (step S103). The battery monitoring device 107 includes a voltage measuring device that measures the voltage of the cell stack 110 or the voltage of each battery cell constituting the cell stack. The battery monitoring device 107 is arranged in a space region between the cell stack 110 and the other side plate of the case body 101 described later among the regions on the upper side of the bottom plate formed by the lower case 101b. This space region is formed by arranging the cell stack 110 close to one side plate of the case body 101. The junction box 108 is arranged in a space region between the rear end of the cell stack 110 and the rear case 103 described later.

[0049] Also, at the front end of the lower case 101b (case body 101), the inner case 102a of the front case 102 is arranged (step S103). At the rear end of the lower case 101b (case body 101), a rear case 103 having a connector 104 is arranged (step S103).

[0050] Thereafter, an upper case (first member) 101a that forms the top plate and the other side plate (first side plate) of the case body 101 is arranged so as to face the lower case 101b (step S104). The upper case 101a is formed such that the YZ cross-section is L-shaped and extends along the X-axis direction. The case body 101 having a rectangular tube shape is formed by the upper case 101a and the lower case 101b.

[0051] Among the internal regions of this case body 101, a space region 160 is provided above the cell stack 110. This space region 160 is also used as a smoke exhaust region for discharging the gas generated in the cell stack 110. For example, the gas generated in the cell stack 110 is discharged from the space region 160 to the outside of the case 100 via the relief valve 132. Since the relief valve 132 is provided at the upper edge of the rear case 103, the gas generated from the cell stack 110 can be efficiently discharged from the space region 160 above the cell stack 110 through the relief valve 132.

[0052] Also, the upper case 101a and the lower case 101b are fastened by fastening members 151 and 152 (step S104). FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the replaceable battery 1. As shown in FIG. 8, an end portion of one side plate formed by the lower case 101b that protrudes into the space region 160 and an end portion of the top plate formed by the upper case 101a are fastened by the fastening member 151. Also, an end portion of the other side plate formed by the upper case 101a and an end portion of the bottom plate formed by the lower case 101b are fastened by the fastening member 152.

[0053] With such a configuration, the cell stack 110 can be placed closer to one side plate formed by the lower case 101b without being interfered with by the fastening member 151. As a result, for example, a sufficient space region can be secured between the cell stack 110 and the other side plate formed by the upper case 101a to arrange the battery monitoring device 107.

[0054] After that, the outer case 102b of the front case 102 is arranged at the front end of the case body 101. Thereby, the replaceable battery 1 is completed (step S105). The outer case 102b has a cap shape and is attached so as to also wrap the opening (open end) at the front end of the case body 101 from the side. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the gas from leaking from the front case 102 side where the operator is working before the gas is discharged from the relief valve 132.

[0055] As described above, in the replaceable battery 1 according to the present disclosure, a connector 104 that protrudes outward and is connected to a vehicle is provided on a rear case 103 that closes the open end of the case main body 101, and a handle 131 for lifting the replaceable battery 1 is provided. The handle 131 is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending along the upper edge portion of the rear case 103, and is placed on the upper surface of the case main body 101 when not in use. Therefore, it is possible to provide a replaceable battery that can be carried by the handle 131 without interfering with the connection of the connector.

[0056] Further, in the replaceable battery 1 according to the present embodiment, a cell stack having a large mass is arranged close to one side plate in the case 100. That is, since the center of gravity of the replaceable battery 1 is offset, there is a risk of losing balance when an operator carries the replaceable battery 1. On the other hand, in the replaceable battery 1 according to the present disclosure, when carrying the replaceable battery 1, the operator can grip the rotatable handle 131 with one hand to lift the replaceable battery 1, and grip, for example, a pull handle 141 with the other hand to support the replaceable battery 1. Therefore, the operator can carry the replaceable battery 1 while maintaining balance. Note that the cell stack does not necessarily need to be arranged offset in the case 100, and may be arranged at the center in the case 100.

[0057] Furthermore, in the replaceable battery according to the present embodiment, since the case main body 101 is composed of a pair of upper cases 101a and lower cases 101b having an L-shaped cross section, the accommodation of contents such as a cell stack into the case becomes easy during assembly. That is, in the replaceable battery according to the present disclosure, the workability during assembly is improved. Note that the case main body 101 does not necessarily need to be composed of a pair of upper cases 101a and lower cases 101b having an L-shaped cross section. For example, the case main body 101 may be composed of an upper case having a U-shaped cross section and a flat lower case, or may be a single cylindrical member.

Description of Symbols

[0058] 1 Swappable battery 100 Case 101 Case body (main body part) 101a Upper case (first member) 101b Lower case (second member) 101c Rib groove 102 Front case (first lid part) 102a Inner case 102b Outer case 103 Rear case (second lid part) 104 Connector 107 Battery monitoring device 108 Junction box 110 Cell stack 111 Binding member 131 Handle 131a Support part 131b Gripping part 132 Relief valve 141 Pull handle 151, 152 Fastening members 160 Space area 1041 Pedestal 1042 High-voltage terminal 1043 Low-voltage terminal 1044 Pin 1045 Cover

Claims

1. A rectangular parallelepiped cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, and a case for accommodating the cell stack, and is a replaceable battery that slides in the longitudinal direction and is detachably attached to a vehicle, wherein the case includes a rectangular tube-shaped main body portion, a first lid portion that closes one open end of the main body portion, and a second lid portion that closes the other open end of the main body portion, a handle is provided on the first lid portion, a connector that protrudes outward and is connected to the vehicle is provided on the second lid portion, and a relief valve for discharging gas generated from the cell stack is provided, Replaceable battery.

2. The relief valve is provided at an upper edge portion of the second lid portion, The replaceable battery according to claim 1.

3. The connector is covered on the side by a cylindrical metal cover, The replaceable battery according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first lid portion is provided so as to press one open end of the main body portion from the outside, The replaceable battery according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A handle is provided at a central portion of an upper edge portion of the second lid portion, The handle is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending along the upper edge portion of the second lid portion from a state of being placed on the upper surface of the main body portion, The replaceable battery according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A rib groove extends in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion on the upper surface of the main body portion, The handle is accommodated in the rib groove in a state of being placed on the upper surface of the main body portion, The replaceable battery according to claim 5.

7. The main body portion, a first member having an L-shaped cross section including a first side plate and a bottom plate for supporting the cell stack, a second member having an L-shaped cross section including a second side plate and a top plate on which the handle is placed, The replaceable battery according to claim 5.

8. The cell stack is disposed closer to the first side plate than the second side plate, The replaceable battery according to claim 7. ​

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