Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle that can suppress deformation of or damage to battery cells.SOLUTION: A vehicle includes: a plurality of battery modules 420 having a plurality of battery cells 422 and binders 424 that connect the plurality of battery cells; a battery case for housing the plurality of battery modules; a collision sensor for detecting a collision of the vehicle; and a release mechanism for releasing connection of the plurality of battery cells by the binders in response to detection of a collision of the vehicle by the collision sensor. In the battery case, the plurality of battery modules are arranged separated from each other in the collision direction of the vehicle, and spaces that allows movement of the plurality of battery cells when the connection by the binders is released are formed between the separated plurality of battery modules.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle may be equipped with a driving motor and a battery that supplies power to the driving motor. The battery mounted on the vehicle is often a liquid-based battery such as a lithium-ion battery. Here, when a collision load or impact is applied, for example, in a vehicle accident, the lithium-ion battery may be deformed or damaged, causing an internal short circuit, resulting in thermal runaway, ignition or explosion, which may lead to a vehicle fire.

[0003] To prevent such vehicle fires, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of providing a dispenser in the internal space of a battery case that can be filled with a fire suppressant, a fire retardant, a fire extinguishing agent, etc. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of battery cells are housed inside the battery case, and the openings of the dispenser are arranged adjacent to each battery cell. Thereby, in the event of a vehicle accident, a fire suppressant, a fire retardant, a fire extinguishing agent, etc. can be introduced from the opening of the dispenser toward each battery cell, and vehicle fires can be prevented.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not suppress deformation or damage of battery cells that can cause vehicle fires. Therefore, if deformation or damage occurs in parts of the battery cells other than the parts facing the opening of the dispenser, and fire suppressants, fire retardants, fire extinguishers, etc. are not supplied to these parts, there is a risk of leading to a vehicle fire.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle capable of suppressing deformation or damage of battery cells.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, the vehicle of the present invention includes: a plurality of battery modules each having a plurality of battery cells and a binder for connecting the plurality of battery cells; a battery case for housing the plurality of battery modules; a collision sensor for detecting a collision of the vehicle; a release mechanism for releasing the connection of the plurality of battery cells by the binder in response to the detection of the collision of the vehicle by the collision sensor; and in the battery case, the plurality of battery modules are arranged at intervals in the collision direction of the vehicle, and a space is formed between the plurality of spaced-apart battery modules in which the plurality of battery cells can move when the connection by the binder is released.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, deformation or damage of battery cells can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific dimensions, materials, numerical values, etc. shown in such embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0011] Figure 1 is a side view showing the configuration of the vehicle 100 according to the present embodiment. In Figure 1, with the vehicle 100 as a reference, the up and down, and front and rear directions are indicated by arrows. In Figure 1, the arrow F indicates the front direction which is the forward direction of the vehicle 100, and the arrow B indicates the rear direction which is the reverse direction of the vehicle 100. Also, the arrow U indicates the upward direction of the vehicle 100, and the arrow D indicates the downward direction of the vehicle 100.

[0012] Vehicle 100 includes a collision sensor 200, an airbag 300, a battery pack 400, a release mechanism 500, and a control device 600.

[0013] The collision sensor 200 is a sensor that detects a collision of the vehicle 100. The collision sensor 200 is provided, for example, on a door disposed in the left - right direction of the vehicle 100. Based on the acceleration at which the collision sensor 200 moves due to the collision load generated during a side collision of the vehicle 100, the occurrence of a side collision of the vehicle 100 is detected. Hereinafter, an example in which the collision sensor 200 detects a side collision of the vehicle 100 will be described. However, it is not limited thereto, and the collision sensor 200 may detect a front collision or a rear collision of the vehicle 100.

[0014] The airbag 300 is, for example, a side airbag installed in response to an impact from the side direction, which is the left - right direction of the vehicle 100. The airbag 300 has an ignition device (not shown) and a gas generator (not shown). During a side collision of the vehicle 100, the ignition device of the airbag 300 ignites the gas generator. When the gas generator is ignited by the ignition device, it generates a gas that inflates the airbag 300. The inflation of the airbag 300 protects the body of the occupant riding in the vehicle 100. Hereinafter, an example in which the airbag 300 is a side airbag will be described. However, it is not limited thereto, and the airbag 300 may be an airbag configured to be inflatable in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 100, and the position, size, range, etc. where the airbag 300 is installed are not particularly limited.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the battery pack 400 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the arrow F indicates the front direction, which is the forward direction of the vehicle 100, and the arrow B indicates the rear direction, which is the reverse direction of the vehicle 100. Also, the arrow R indicates the right direction of the vehicle 100, and the arrow L indicates the left direction of the vehicle 100. Further, the arrow U indicates the upward direction of the vehicle 100, and the arrow D indicates the downward direction of the vehicle 100.

[0016] The battery pack 400 is disposed, for example, at the center of the lower part of the vehicle body of the vehicle 100 as shown in FIG. 1. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery pack 400 includes a battery case 410 and a plurality of battery modules 420. The battery case 410 is a case that houses the plurality of battery modules 420. In the present embodiment, the number of the plurality of battery modules 420 is two. The two battery modules 420 are provided spaced apart in the left-right direction within the battery case 410 as shown in FIG. 2, and a space S is provided between the two battery modules 420. However, the number of the plurality of battery modules 420 is not limited to two, and may be three or more. When there are three or more battery modules 420, the battery modules 420 may be arranged not only in the left-right direction but also in the front-rear direction. The plurality of battery modules 420 arranged in the front-rear direction may be spaced apart from each other with a space S therebetween, or may be adjacent to each other.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the battery module 420 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the battery module 420 includes a plurality of battery cells 422 and a binder 424.

[0018] The battery cell 422 is, for example, a lithium ion battery cell or the like, and is a secondary battery capable of charging and discharging. The battery cell 422 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Although not shown, the vehicle 100 includes a motor as a driving source for traveling. The battery cell 422 supplies power to the motor. In the present embodiment, the vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle.

[0019] The plurality of battery cells 422 are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction as will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9. For example, in one battery module 420, four battery cells 422 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction and 10 sets are arranged in the front-rear direction.

[0020] The binder 424 joins a plurality of battery cells 422. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a pair of binders 424 are provided in the vertical direction of the battery cells 422. Thus, a plurality of binders 424 for joining the plurality of battery cells 422 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of binders 424 for joining the plurality of battery cells 422 may be singular.

[0021] The binder 424 is provided so as to cover the periphery of the side surfaces of all the battery cells 422 included in one battery module 420. The binder 424 restricts the movement of the battery cells 422 in the left-right direction and the front-back direction.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the binder 424 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the binder 424 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. The binder 424 has a main body portion 424a and a weak portion 424b. The main body portion 424a is a rectangular frame. The weak portion 424b is formed in a part of the main body portion 424a which is a rectangular frame, and is a portion having a lower strength than the main body portion 424a. Thus, a weak portion 424b having a lower strength than other portions is provided in a part of the binder 424 of the present embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing the configuration of the weak portion 424b of the binder 424 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the weak portion 424b has a pair of semi-circular cutouts 426a, 426b and a V-shaped cutout groove 428.

[0024] The cutout 426a is formed at the upper end portion U side of the binder 424. The cutout 426b is formed at the lower end portion D side of the binder 424. The cutout 426a and the cutout 426b are formed side by side in the vertical direction while being separated from each other in the vertical direction.

[0025] The notch groove 428 is formed between a pair of notches 426a and 426b. The notch groove 428 is formed to extend in the vertical direction so as to connect the vertices of the pair of semi-circular notches 426a and 426b. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the battery cell 422 is provided on the inner surface on the rightward R side of the binder 424, and the notch groove 428 is formed on the outer surface on the leftward L side of the binder 424.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the release mechanism 500 according to the present embodiment. The release mechanism 500 of the present embodiment is, for example, an inflater. As shown in FIG. 6, the release mechanism 500 is disposed to face the notch groove 428 of the vulnerable portion 424b of the binder 424.

[0027] The release mechanism 500 includes an ignition device 510 and a gas generator 520. The ignition device 510 ignites the gas generator 520. When the gas generator 520 is ignited by the ignition device 510, it generates gas. The gas generated by the gas generator 520 is jetted at high speed toward the notch groove 428 of the vulnerable portion 424b of the binder 424. Due to the gas pressure of the gas generated from the gas generator 520, the notch groove 428 is broken, and the connection of the binder 424 is released.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle 100 according to the present embodiment. The control device 600 according to the present embodiment controls the ignition of the ignition device 510 of the release mechanism 500 in response to the detection of a collision of the vehicle 100 by the collision sensor 200. The control device 600 includes an I / F 610, a storage device 620, a system bus 630, one or more processors 640, and one or more memories 650. The I / F 610 is an interface for communicating with the collision sensor 200 and the ignition device 510. For example, the I / F 610 acquires data transmitted from the collision sensor 200. Further, the I / F 610 transmits a control signal as a control command for instructing the ignition device 510 to ignite.

[0029] The memory device 620 is composed of a RAM, a flash memory, an HDD, etc., and holds various information necessary for the processing of the processor 640 shown below. The system bus 630 is a transmission path that electrically connects the I / F 610, the memory device 620, the processor 640, and the memory 650, and transmits data between them.

[0030] The processor 640 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 650 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The ROM is a storage element that stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU. The RAM is a storage element that temporarily stores data such as variables and parameters used in the processing executed by the CPU.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device 600 according to the present embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device 600 includes an acquisition unit 600a and an ignition control unit 600b.

[0032] The processor 640 cooperates with the program included in the memory 650 and executes the program included in the memory 650, thereby realizing various processes including the processes described below performed by the above acquisition unit 600a and ignition control unit 600b.

[0033] The acquisition unit 600a acquires the data transmitted from the collision sensor 200. The ignition control unit 600b performs ignition control of the ignition device 510 based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit 600a. Details of the control of the ignition control unit 600b will be described later.

[0034] By the way, the battery mounted on the vehicle is often a liquid-based battery such as a Li-ion battery. Here, when a collision load or impact is applied, for example, in a vehicle accident, the Li-ion battery may be deformed or damaged, and an internal short circuit may occur, causing thermal runaway, ignition or explosion, leading to a vehicle fire.

[0035] Therefore, the battery module 420 of the present embodiment includes a release mechanism 500 that releases the connection of a plurality of battery cells 422 by a binder 424 in response to the detection of a collision of the vehicle 100 by the collision sensor 200. Hereinafter, the operation of the release mechanism 500 during a vehicle collision will be described in detail.

[0036] First, when the vehicle 100 collides and a collision load is generated on the vehicle 100, the collision sensor 200 detects the occurrence of the collision of the vehicle 100 based on the acceleration of the collision sensor 200 and transmits a detection signal indicating the occurrence of the collision of the vehicle 100 to the control device 600.

[0037] At this time, the acquisition unit 600a of the control device 600 acquires the detection signal transmitted from the collision sensor 200. When the detection signal is acquired by the acquisition unit 600a, the ignition control unit 600b transmits an ignition signal as a control command for igniting the gas generator 520 to the ignition device 510 of the release mechanism 500.

[0038] When the ignition device 510 receives the ignition signal from the ignition control unit 600b, it ignites the gas generator 520. When the gas generator 520 is ignited by the ignition device 510, it generates gas. The gas generated by the gas generator 520 is jetted at high speed toward the notch groove 428 of the weak part 424b of the binder 424. Due to the gas pressure of the gas generated from the gas generator 520, the notch groove 428 is broken, and the connection of the binder 424 is released.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the battery pack 400 during a side collision of the vehicle 100 according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 9, a state in which an object 700 collides with the side surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle 100 from the right direction R of the vehicle 100 is shown. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the case where the collision direction is the left - right direction of the vehicle 100 will be described. However, the collision direction may be the front - rear direction of the vehicle 100, or both the left - right direction and the front - rear direction.

[0040] In the example shown in FIG. 9, an example is shown in which two battery modules 420 spaced apart in the left-right direction, which is the collision direction, are arranged inside the battery case 410. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of battery modules 420 arranged inside the battery case 410 may be three or more. In that case, three or more battery modules 420 spaced apart in the left-right direction, which is the collision direction, are arranged inside the battery case 410.

[0041] In addition, when the collision direction is the front-rear direction, three or more battery modules 420 spaced apart in the front-rear direction, which is the collision direction, are arranged inside the battery case 410. When the collision direction is the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, three or more battery modules 420 spaced apart in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, which are the collision directions, are arranged inside the battery case 410.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 9, inside the battery case 410, the two battery modules 420 are arranged at a predetermined interval L1 in the left-right direction, which is the collision direction of the vehicle 100. Here, the predetermined interval L1 is equal to or greater than the deformation amount of the battery case 410 when an object 700 collides with the vehicle 100 from the left-right direction, which is the collision direction. In this way, by arranging the plurality of battery modules 420 at the predetermined interval L1, a space S in which the plurality of battery cells 422 can move is formed between the plurality of battery modules 420 when the connection by the binder 424 is released.

[0043] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the battery pack 400 after a side collision of the vehicle 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, when an object 700 collides with the vehicle 100 from the left-right direction, the battery case 410 is deformed in the left-right direction by the collision load of the object 700. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the central portion of the right-direction R side wall of the battery case 410 is deformed so as to be recessed in the left direction L by the collision load of the object 700.

[0044] When an object 700 collides with the vehicle 100, the collision sensor 200 detects the collision of the vehicle 100, and the ignition control unit 600b controls to ignite the gas generator 520 in the ignition device 510 of the release mechanism 500 in response to the detection of the collision of the vehicle 100. As a result, the notch groove 428 of the binder 424 is broken, and the connection of the binder 424 is released. Therefore, each battery cell 422 of the battery module 420 can freely move within the space S in the battery case 410 because the restraint by the binder 424 is released.

[0045] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, even if the object 700 enters the right side wall of the battery case 410 by a predetermined distance L1 so as to dent it toward the left direction L, it is difficult for the plurality of battery cells 422 to be crushed by the object 700. Thus, deformation or damage of the plurality of battery cells 422 can be suppressed, and as a result, ignition or explosion of the battery cell 422 can be suppressed, and vehicle fires can be suppressed.

[0046] As described above, according to the present embodiment, a release mechanism 500 is provided that releases the connection of the plurality of battery cells 422 by the binder 424 in response to the detection of the collision of the vehicle 100 by the collision sensor 200. Also, in the battery case 410, the plurality of battery modules 420 are arranged at intervals in the collision direction of the vehicle 100. And between the plurality of spaced-apart battery modules 420, a space S in which the plurality of battery cells 422 can move is formed when the connection by the binder 424 is released. Therefore, at the time of a collision of the vehicle 100, deformation or damage of the plurality of battery cells 422 can be suppressed, and as a result, vehicle fires can be suppressed.

[0047] Further, a weak portion 424b with lower strength than other portions is provided in a part of the binder 424. When the ignition device 510 of the release mechanism 500 receives a detection signal from the collision sensor 200, it ignites the gas generator 520, breaks the weak portion 424b of the binder 424, and releases the connection of the plurality of battery cells 422 by the binder 424. Since the weak portion 424b is formed in the binder 424, it is easier to release the connection of the binder 424 compared to the case where the weak portion 424b is not formed.

[0048] Further, a notch groove 428 is formed in the weak portion 424b. The release mechanism 500 includes an inflator disposed opposite to the notch groove 428 of the weak portion 424b. In response to the detection of the collision of the vehicle 100, the notch groove 428 is broken by the gas pressure of the gas generated from the inflator, and the connection of the plurality of battery cells 422 by the binder 424 is released. Since the notch groove 428 is formed in the weak portion 424b and the inflator is disposed opposite to the notch groove 428, the binder 424 can be easily broken using the gas pressure injected from the inflator.

[0049] Also, inside the battery case 410, the plurality of battery modules 420 are arranged at a predetermined interval L1 in the left - right direction, which is the collision direction of the vehicle 100. The predetermined interval L1 is equal to or greater than the deformation amount of the battery case 410 of the battery pack 400 when an object 700 collides with the vehicle 100 from the left - right direction of the vehicle 100. Therefore, even if the object 700 enters from the left - right direction of the battery case 410 by the predetermined interval L1, the plurality of battery cells 422 can freely move within the space S of the battery case 410 without being crushed by the object 700. As a result, during a side collision of the vehicle 100, deformation or damage of the plurality of battery cells 422 can be suppressed.

[0050] Further, the collision sensor 200 is a sensor for the side airbag 300 mounted on the vehicle 100. In this way, the sensor for releasing the connection of the binder 424 by the release mechanism 500 can be shared with the sensor used for the side airbag 300. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a sensor for releasing the connection of the binder 424 by the release mechanism 500, and the complication of the configuration of the vehicle 100 can be suppressed.

[0051] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that they also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0052] In the above embodiment, an example in which the vulnerable portion 424b is formed in the binder 424 has been described. However, if the release mechanism 500 can release the connection of the binder 424, the vulnerable portion 424b is not an essential configuration.

[0053] In the above embodiment, an example in which the vulnerable portion 424b of the binder 424 has the notches 426a, 426b and the notch groove 428 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vulnerable portion 424b may not have the notches 426a, 426b and the notch groove 428. For example, the vulnerable portion 424b may be made of a material having a lower strength than the material of the main body portion 424a. Further, only the notches 426a, 426b may be formed in the vulnerable portion 424b without forming the notch groove 428. Further, only the notch groove 428 may be formed in the vulnerable portion 424b without forming the notches 426a, 426b.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the release mechanism 500 includes an inflater has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the release mechanism 500 may not include an inflater. In that case, for example, the release mechanism 500 may include a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electromagnetic actuator, and the actuator may be used to apply an impact to the weak portion 424b of the binder 424 to release the binding of the binder 424.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the collision sensor 200 is shared with the sensor of the side airbag has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the collision sensor 200 may be a sensor provided separately from the sensor used for the side airbag.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0056] S space 100 Vehicle 200 Collision sensor 300 Airbag 400 Battery pack 410 Battery case 420 Battery module 422 Battery cell 424 Binder 424a Main body portion 424b Weak portion 426a Notch 426b Notch 428 Notch groove 500 Release mechanism 510 Ignition device 520 Gas generator 600 Control device 600a Acquisition unit 600b Ignition control unit 640 Processor 650 Memory 700 Object

Claims

1. A plurality of battery modules each having a plurality of battery cells and a binder for connecting the plurality of battery cells, a battery case for housing the plurality of battery modules, a collision sensor for detecting a collision of the vehicle, and a release mechanism for releasing the connection of the plurality of battery cells by the binder in response to the detection of the collision of the vehicle by the collision sensor. The vehicle is provided with: In the battery case, the plurality of battery modules are arranged spaced apart in the collision direction of the vehicle, and a space is formed between the spaced-apart plurality of battery modules in which the plurality of battery cells can move when the connection by the binder is released. Vehicle.

2. A weak portion having a lower strength than other portions is provided in a part of the binder, and the release mechanism releases the connection of the plurality of battery cells by the binder by breaking the weak portion of the binder in response to the detection of the collision of the vehicle. The vehicle according to Claim 1.

3. A notch groove is formed in the weak portion, and the release mechanism includes an inflater arranged to face the notch groove of the weak portion, and releases the connection of the plurality of battery cells by the binder by breaking the notch groove by the gas pressure of the gas generated from the inflater in response to the detection of the collision of the vehicle. The vehicle according to Claim 2.

4. In the battery case, the plurality of battery modules are arranged spaced apart at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the predetermined interval is equal to or greater than the amount of deformation of the battery case when an object collides with the vehicle from the left-right direction of the vehicle. The vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The collision sensor is a sensor of a side airbag mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

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