Storage device

Abstract

To provide a storage device capable of suppressing the concentration of stress applied to a connection portion with a battery.SOLUTION: A storage device according to the present disclosure which stores a replaceable battery that supplies power to a vehicle, comprises: a casing having a storage space in which the battery is stored and an opening at a front end that opens the storage space to the outside of the storage device; a lid provided at the opening so as to be openable and closable between the storage space and the outside of the storage device; a connector provided at a rear end of the casing and configured to be connectable to a connector of the battery within the storage space of the casing; a first member interlocked with opening / closing of the lid; and a pressing member that operates in linkage with the first member to press a side surface of the battery stored in the storage space of the casing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a containment device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle equipped with a detachable and replaceable battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-84843 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The storage space of the storage device that houses the replaceable battery needs to be provided with sufficient clearance to make it easy to insert and remove the replaceable battery. However, in this case, the replaceable battery stored in the storage device becomes unstable and unstable, causing the replaceable battery to shake due to external vibrations, etc., resulting in a problem of stress being concentrated at the connection between the connector of the replaceable battery and the connector of the storage device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above background, and aims to provide a storage device that can suppress the concentration of stress applied to the connection portion with a replaceable battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The storage device according to the present disclosure is a storage device for storing a replaceable battery that supplies power to a vehicle, and includes: a housing having a storage space for storing the replaceable battery and an opening at a front end that opens the storage space to the outside of the storage device; a lid provided at the opening so as to be able to open and close between the storage space and the outside of the storage device; a connector provided at a rear end of the housing and configured to be connectable to a connector of the replaceable battery in the storage space of the housing; a first member that operates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the lid; and a pressing member that operates in conjunction with the first member and presses against a side surface of the replaceable battery stored in the storage space of the housing. This storage device can secure the replaceable battery stored in the storage space using the pressing member that operates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the lid, even if the storage space has a sufficient gap to facilitate easy insertion and removal of the replaceable battery, thereby reducing the concentration of stress on the connection portion between the replaceable battery and the storage space.

[0007] The first member may be arranged to protrude from the storage space of the housing through the opening to the outside of the housing when the lid is open, and may be arranged so that the protruding first member is pushed into the storage space of the housing by the lid when the lid is closed. By linking the first member to the opening and closing of the lid through physical contact between the first member and the lid, it is possible to maintain ease of attachment and detachment of the replaceable battery without increasing the size of the replaceable battery or the storage device, and to suppress stress concentration on the connector due to external vibrations.

[0008] The storage device may further include a spring for releasing the pressure on the replaceable battery by the pressing member when the lid is opened. With a simple configuration, the pressure on the replaceable battery by the pressing member can be released, making it easier to remove the replaceable battery from the storage space.

[0009] The spring may be provided so as to exert a tension in a direction opposite to the direction of pressure applied to the replaceable battery by the pressing member when the cover is closed. With a simple configuration, the pressure applied to the replaceable battery by the pressing member can be eliminated, making it easier to remove the replaceable battery from the storage space.

[0010] The housing may further include a second pressing member on the inside of the lid that presses against the front end of the replaceable battery housed in the storage space of the case when the lid is closed. The second pressing member can more stably fix the replaceable battery housed in the storage space, thereby suppressing the concentration of stress on the connection part between the replaceable battery and the storage device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a storage device that can suppress the concentration of stress applied to the connection portion with the replaceable battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a replaceable battery accommodated in a accommodating device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the front end portion of the replaceable battery shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the rear end portion of the replaceable battery shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a storage device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a storage device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the flow of storing a replaceable battery in the storage device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a storage device according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0014] <First Embodiment> 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a replaceable battery 100 accommodated in a storage device 1 according to the first embodiment. The replaceable battery 100 is also called a battery pack, a battery module, or the like, and is detachably attached to a storage device 1 mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle that runs on a motor powered by electricity. The replaceable battery 100 is made small and lightweight so that, for example, an operator can easily insert and remove the battery from the storage device 1 of the electric vehicle. The operator also includes a work robot, etc.

[0015] 1, the outer shape of the replaceable battery 100 is defined as a rectangular parallelepiped by a case 101 that houses a cell stack made up of multiple battery cells. A connector 102 that protrudes outward and is connectable to a connector on the storage device 1 (vehicle side) is provided at the rear end (rear case) of the replaceable battery 100. A rail 106 that extends along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the replaceable battery 100 is provided on the bottom surface of the replaceable battery 100.

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged view of the area around the front end (front case) of the replacement battery 100. As shown in Figure 2, a pull tab 104 is provided at the front end of the replacement battery 100. An operator can slide the replacement battery 100 by grasping the pull tab 104 and pushing or pulling the replacement battery 100. In addition, a damper 105 is provided at the front end of the replacement battery 100 so as to protrude outward.

[0017] 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the rear end (rear case) of the replacement battery 100. As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the connector 102, a handle 103 and a relief valve 107 are provided at the rear end of the replacement battery 100.

[0018] The connector 102 includes a base 1021, a high-voltage terminal 1022, a low-voltage terminal 1023, an alignment pin 1024, and a metal cover 1025. The base 1021 is disposed on the main surface of the rear end (rear case) of the replaceable battery 100. The high-voltage terminal 1022, the low-voltage terminal 1023, and the alignment pin 1024 are all formed to protrude outward from the main surface of the base 1021. The cover 1025 is formed to surround the side surfaces of the high-voltage terminal 1022 and the low-voltage terminal 1023. The high-voltage terminal 1022 is a terminal for transmitting power output from a cell stack housed in the case 101 of the replaceable battery 100 to a vehicle in which the replaceable battery 100 is installed. The low voltage terminal 1023 is a terminal for transmitting control signals from the vehicle to the replaceable battery 100, and for transmitting signals representing the cell stack monitoring results (voltage measurement results, etc.) from the replaceable battery 100 to the vehicle.

[0019] The relief valve 107 discharges gas generated in the cell stack housed in the case 101 of the replaceable battery 100. Even if gas is discharged from the relief valve 107, the high-voltage terminal 1022 and the low-voltage terminal 1023 are protected by the metal cover 1025.

[0020] The handle 103 is rotatable around an axis extending along the upper edge of the rear end of the replaceable battery 100, and is placed on the top surface of the case 101 when not in use. Therefore, the rear end of the replaceable battery 100 can be hung by the handle 103 and carried without interfering with the connection of the connector 102.

[0021] More specifically, when carrying the replacement battery 100, the worker holds the rotatable handle 103 with one hand to lift the replacement battery 100, while holding the pull tab 104 with the other hand to support the replacement battery 100. This allows the worker to carry the replacement battery 100 while stabilizing its center of gravity (maintaining balance).

[0022] Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the storage device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 also shows a replaceable battery 100. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the storage device 1 as seen from the side (Y-axis direction). The storage device 1 is mounted on a vehicle and stores a replaceable battery 100 that supplies power to the vehicle. Specifically, the storage device 1 includes at least a housing 11, a lid 12, and a connector 15.

[0023] The housing 11 has a storage space 11a in which the replaceable battery 100 is stored, and an opening 11b at the front end that opens the storage space 11a to the outside of the storage device 1. A connector 15 is provided at the rear end of the housing 11 so as to be connectable to a connector 102 of the replaceable battery 100 stored in the storage space 11a. The connector 15 also protrudes outward from the rear end of the housing 11 and is connected to a vehicle (not shown).

[0024] The lid part 12 is provided at the opening 11b of the housing 11 so as to be able to open and close between the storage space 11a and the outside of the storage device 1. Specifically, the lid part 12 is provided so as to be able to rotate around an axis extending along the lower edge of the opening 11b of the housing 11.

[0025] When the lid 12 is open, the bottom surface of the storage space 11a of the housing 11 and the inner surface of the lid 12 are located on the same plane (XY plane). Furthermore, guides 13 and 14 corresponding to the rails 106 of the replaceable battery 100 are provided on the bottom surface of the storage space 11a of the housing 11 and the inner surface of the lid 12, respectively. For example, when an operator presses the pull tab 104 of the replaceable battery 100, the replaceable battery 100 slides in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) along the guides 13 and 14 provided on the storage device 1 and is accommodated in the storage space 11a of the storage device 1. The connector 102 of the replaceable battery 100 accommodated in the storage space 11a of the storage device 1 is connected to the connector 15 of the storage device 1.

[0026] The replaceable battery 100 can be transported, for example, by placing it on a cart 200. When storing the replaceable battery 100 from the cart 200 in the storage device 1, the height of the cart 200 is matched to that of the storage device 1, and the handle 104 is pressed to store the replaceable battery 100 in the storage device 1. On the other hand, when removing the replaceable battery 100 from the storage device 1 and placing it on the cart 200, the height of the cart is matched to that of the storage device 1, and the handle 104 is pulled to remove the replaceable battery 100 from the storage device 1.

[0027] The storage device 1 further includes a first member 16, a connecting member 17, a pressing member 18, and a spring 19. The first member 16 is a flat-plate-shaped member and is provided along the upper surface of the storage space 11a of the housing 11. One end of the first member 16 is provided so as to protrude from the opening 11b. When the lid 12 is closed, the lid 12 presses one end of the first member 16, and the first member 16 is pushed into the storage space 11a of the housing 11. That is, the first member 16 moves in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) in response to the opening and closing of the lid 12. The pressing member 18 is a flat-plate-shaped member and is connected to the first member 16 via a connecting member 17. The pressing member 18 moves in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) in response to the movement of the first member 16 in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). Specifically, when the lid 12 is closed and the first member 16 is pressed into the storage space 11a of the housing 11, the pressing member 18 moves vertically downward (negative direction of the Z axis). In contrast, when the lid 12 is opened, the spring 19 provided between the first member 16 and the pressing member 18 lifts the pressing member 18 vertically upward (positive direction of the Z axis), and as a result, a part of the first member 16 is pushed out from the storage space 11a of the housing 11 through the opening 11b. In other words, the spring 19 is provided so as to exert a tension in the opposite direction to the pressing direction (negative direction of the Z axis) of the pressing member 18 against the replaceable battery 100 when the lid 12 is closed. By linking the first member 16 to the opening and closing of the lid portion 12 through physical contact between the first member 16 and the lid portion 12, it is possible to maintain the ease of attaching and detaching the replaceable battery 100 without increasing the size of the replaceable battery 100 or the storage device 1, while suppressing stress concentration on the connector due to external vibrations.

[0028] Although not shown, an exhaust port is provided on the wall of the storage space 11a of the storage device 1 facing the rear end (rear case) of the replaceable battery 100 to discharge gas discharged from the relief valve 107 of the replaceable battery 100 to the outside via the vehicle. The gas discharged from the relief valve 107 of the replaceable battery 100 is then discharged to the outside of the vehicle, for example, from below the vehicle, via a duct connected to the exhaust port. Therefore, even if gas is discharged from the relief valve 107 of the replaceable battery 100 stored in the storage device 1, the gas will not flow toward the worker, ensuring the safety of the worker.

[0029] Next, the process of storing a replaceable battery 100 in a storage device 1 mounted on a vehicle will be described using Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the process of storing a replaceable battery 100 in the storage device 1. Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the storage device 1 storing a replaceable battery 100. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the storage device 1 as seen from the side (Y-axis direction), and Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the storage device 1 as seen from the front (X-axis direction).

[0030] First, with the lid 12 of the storage device 1 open, an operator presses the front end of the replaceable battery 100 positioned near the opening 11b of the storage device 1, causing the replaceable battery 100 to slide into the storage space 11a of the storage device 1 along guides 13, 14 provided on the bottom surface of the storage space 11a of the storage device 1 and the inner surface of the lid 12, respectively (step S101 in Figure 6).

[0031] Thereafter, when the replaceable battery 100 is accommodated in the accommodation space 11a of the accommodation device 1, the connector 102 of the replaceable battery 100 is connected to the connector 15 of the accommodation device 1 in the accommodation space 11a (step S102 in FIG. 6). Then, the lid portion 12 is closed.

[0032] When the lid 12 is closed, the lid 12 presses one end of the first member 16, forcing the first member 16 into the storage space 11a of the housing 11. As the first member 16 is pressed into the storage space 11a of the housing 11, the pressing member 18 moves vertically downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis). In other words, the pressing member 18 presses from above against the side of the replaceable battery 100 housed in the storage space 11a of the storage device 1 (step S103 in FIGS. 6 and 7). As a result, the replaceable battery 100 is fixed in the storage space 11a of the storage device 1.

[0033] Furthermore, when the lid 12 is closed, the damper 105 of the replacement battery 100 is pressed by the guide 14 formed on the inner surface of the lid 12. This allows the replacement battery 100 to be more stably fixed in the storage space 11a of the storage device 1. Preferably, the damper 105 of the replacement battery 100 has an inclined surface that faces obliquely upward in the storage space 11a of the storage device 1, and the guide 14 formed on the inner surface of the lid 12 has an inclined surface that faces obliquely downward at the bottom of the storage space 11a when the lid 12 is closed. This allows the damper 105 of the replacement battery 100 to be pressed downward by the guide 14, allowing the replacement battery 100 to be more stably fixed in the storage space 11a of the storage device 1.

[0034] In this way, even if the storage device 1 of the present disclosure has sufficient gaps in the storage space 11a to make it easy to insert and remove the replaceable battery 100, the replaceable battery 100 stored in the storage space 11a can be fixed using a pressing member 18 that is linked to the opening and closing of the lid portion 12, thereby suppressing the concentration of stress on the connection portion between the replaceable battery 100.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0036] For example, the pressing member 18 is not limited to a flat member, but may be a balloon-shaped member whose internal gas volume is adjusted in conjunction with the first member 16. For example, when the lid portion 12 is closed, the balloon-shaped member expands, thereby pressing the replaceable battery 100 housed in the housing space 11a of the housing device 1. On the other hand, when the lid portion 12 is opened, the balloon-shaped member deflates, thereby releasing the pressure on the replaceable battery 100 housed in the housing space 11a of the housing device 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1. Containment device 11. Housing 11a Containment space 11b opening 12 Lid 13 Guide 14 Guide 15 Connectors 16 First member 17 Connecting member 18 Pressing member 19 Spring 100 Replaceable Battery 101 cases 102 Connector 103 Toride 104 Pull Handle 105 Damper 106 Rail 107 Relief valve 200 carts 1021 Pedestal 1022 High voltage terminal 1023 Low voltage terminal 1024 pins 1025 Cover

Claims

1. A storage device for storing a replaceable battery that supplies power to a vehicle, a housing having a storage space for storing the replaceable battery and an opening at a front end portion thereof for opening the storage space to the outside of the storage device; a cover provided at the opening so as to be able to open and close between the storage space and the outside of the storage device; a connector provided at a rear end of the housing and configured to be connectable to a connector of the replaceable battery in the housing accommodation space; a first member that is linked to the opening and closing of the lid; a pressing member that, in conjunction with the first member, presses a side surface of the replaceable battery housed in the housing; A storage device comprising:

2. the first member is provided so as to protrude from the storage space of the housing to the outside of the housing through the opening when the lid is opened, and is provided so as to be pushed into the storage space of the housing by the lid when the lid is closed. The storage device of claim 1 .

3. The storage device further includes a spring for releasing the pressure applied to the replaceable battery by the pressing member when the lid is opened. The storage device of claim 1 .

4. The spring is provided so as to exert a tension in a direction opposite to a pressing direction of the pressing member on the replaceable battery when the lid is closed. The storage device of claim 3 .

5. a second pressing member disposed inside the lid portion, the second pressing member pressing a front end of the replaceable battery housed in the housing when the lid portion is closed; The storage device of claim 1 .

Images