Battery case

Abstract

To provide a battery case that can suppress a decrease in the efficiency of maintenance and inspection.SOLUTION: In a battery case 12 arranged on the underside of a floor panel 11 of a vehicle, the battery case 12 includes an upper case 12b and a lower case 12a, a battery 13 housed in the lower case 12a, and accessories 14 arranged above the battery 13. The upper case 12b is provided with an opening O facing the accessories 14, and a removable first lid portion 21a that closes the opening O.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery case. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A battery pack is known that includes a battery module, a temperature-controlled air unit that blows temperature-controlled air, a junction box that supplies, cuts off, and distributes high-voltage electricity, and a battery controller (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-243449 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described conventional technology, when maintaining and inspecting the accessories housed in the junction box, the entire upper cover of the battery pack must be removed, which reduces the efficiency of maintenance and inspection.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery case that can suppress a decrease in the efficiency of maintenance and inspection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention solves the above problem in a battery case that is arranged on the underside of a vehicle floor panel, has an upper case and a lower case, and has a battery housed in the lower case and accessories arranged above the battery, by providing the upper case with an opening facing the accessories and a removable first lid that closes the opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in efficiency of maintenance and inspection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of a battery case according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view of a cross section of the vehicle body of FIG. 1 taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a first bulge portion of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view (part 1) showing the inside of the first bulging portion of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view (part 2) showing the inside of the first bulging portion of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of FIG. 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another example of a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the front side of a vehicle engine is defined as the front side. In addition, in the drawings, "front" refers to the front of the vehicle, "rear" refers to the rear of the vehicle, "right" refers to the right side of the vehicle, "left" refers to the left side of the vehicle, "up" refers to the top of the vehicle, and "down" refers to the bottom of the vehicle.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle body refers to a box-shaped structure (body shell) that constitutes a passenger compartment, an engine compartment, etc., and includes doors, a hood, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle body 10 includes a pan-shaped floor panel 11, which is one of the members that constitutes the bottom of the vehicle body. The vehicle body 10 including the floor panel 11 is manufactured from, for example, a high-tensile steel plate.

[0011] Wiring harnesses and passenger seat components are installed on the interior side (upper side, top surface side) of floor panel 11. For example, area X surrounded by a dashed line in Fig. 1 corresponds to the rear seat of the vehicle when the vehicle is viewed from above, and is where the frame, seat back, seat cushion, headrest, and other components of the rear seat are located. Meanwhile, a battery case 12 shown in Fig. 2 is located on the underside (lower side, bottom surface side) of floor panel 11.

[0012] 2 is a plan view showing an example of a battery case according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery case 12 is a housing made of metal (for example, aluminum alloy) and houses a battery and accessories that assist the operation of the battery. The battery is, for example, a battery module in which multiple battery cells are stacked. The accessories are devices for operating the battery in a predetermined environment (for example, a predetermined temperature), and include a motor, compressor, fuse, relay, etc.

[0013] The auxiliary devices include a first auxiliary device and a second auxiliary device that requires more frequent maintenance and inspection than the first auxiliary device. Examples of the first auxiliary devices that require less frequent maintenance and inspection include relays and fuses for the motor and inverter, and fuses for the OBC (On-Board Charger), and it is sufficient for the first auxiliary device to include at least one of these. On the other hand, examples of the second auxiliary devices that require more frequent maintenance and inspection than the first auxiliary device include an electric compressor, a cabin PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater, and fuses for the DC / DC converter, and it is sufficient for the first auxiliary device to include at least one of these. However, the second auxiliary devices are not limited to these, and the frequency of maintenance and inspection that is required for the first auxiliary device may generally be based on the frequency of maintenance and inspection recommended by each manufacturer, etc.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a cross section of the vehicle body 10 taken along line AA shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown in Fig. 3, a battery case 12 is provided on the underside of a floor panel 11 of the vehicle body 10. A pair of side sills extending in the front-to-rear direction are provided on each of the left and right ends of the floor panel 11, and the battery case 12 is attached to the side sills via brackets (not shown) or the like. For example, the battery case 12 is fastened to the side sills using bolts.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 3, battery case 12 has a box shape with an open top and is made up of lower case 12a that houses battery 13 and accessories 14, and upper case 12b that closes (blocks) the opening on the top of lower case 12a. Batteries 13a, 13b, and 13c are mounted on the bottom of lower case 12a shown in Fig. 3, and accessories 14 such as fuses and relays are mounted above battery 13c. Upper upper case 12b seals lower lower case 12a to prevent the housed batteries 13a, 13b, and 13c and accessories 14 from coming into contact with external water, etc.

[0016] The position of the accessory 14 is not particularly limited, but because the instrument panel and other components are located at the front of the vehicle and there is little space available for installation, it is preferable to place the accessory 14 at a position rearward of the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction. For example, the accessory 14 shown in Fig. 3 is located below the first lid portion 21a and at a position overlapping with at least one of the first bulge portion 21b and the first lid portion 21a when the vehicle is viewed from above.

[0017] Returning to FIG. 2, the battery case 12 has an opening overlooking the auxiliary device 14 (facing or facing the auxiliary device 14) in a portion of the upper case 12b above the auxiliary device 14 so that maintenance and inspection of the auxiliary device 14 can be performed without removing the upper case 12b from the lower case 12a. For example, the upper case 12b shown in FIG. 2 has an opening O shown by a dashed line in FIG. 2. This opening O is closed by a member separate from the upper case 12b. In the battery case 12 shown in FIG. 2, the opening O is closed by a first lid portion 21a and a second lid portion 22.

[0018] The first cover portion 21a includes a first bulging portion 21b, which is a box-shaped member that bulges upward of the vehicle when attached to the upper case 12b, and is provided in a position corresponding to the rear seat when the vehicle is viewed from above (range X shown in FIG. 1). The first bulging portion 21b is attached to the upper case 12b by appropriate means such as fastening with bolts, bonding with an adhesive, or welding. Note that the above-mentioned bulge includes protrusion.

[0019] The battery case 12 shown in Fig. 3 is provided in a portion of the upper case 12b corresponding to the seating surface of the rear seat (range Y shown in Fig. 1 and range Z shown in Fig. 3), and has a shape that bulges upward of the vehicle along the floor panel 11. The accessories 14 are housed below the first lid portion 21a or the first bulging portion 21b. This allows the first lid portion 21a, which is smaller than the upper case 12b, to be detachable without removing the upper case 12b, thereby facilitating maintenance and inspection of the accessories 14.

[0020] The second lid portion 22 is a lid-shaped member that is provided above the accessory 14 and is detachable from at least one of the first lid portion 21a and the first bulge portion 21b. The first lid portion 21a is also detachable from the upper case 12b. "Detachable" means that the second lid portion 22 can be removed before maintenance and inspection of the accessory 14, and can be attached again after maintenance and inspection of the accessory 14. For example, the second lid portion 22 that is bonded to the first lid portion 21a or the first bulge portion 21b with an adhesive, and the second lid portion 22 that is joined to the first bulge portion 21b by snap-fitting are detachable. Although not shown, "detachable" also includes joining that includes a watertight structure such as sealing.

[0021] 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the first bulging portion 21b and the second lid portion 22 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the first bulging portion 21b has a box-like shape that protrudes upward from the vehicle along the floor panel 11. The first bulging portion 21b is fastened to the upper case 12b with bolts. The first bulging portion 21b is provided with a second lid portion 22. The second lid portion 22 is a lid-shaped member that is fastened to the first bulging portion 21b with bolts. The second lid portion 22 has a smaller area (projected area) than the first lid portion 21a when the vehicle is viewed from above.

[0022] Furthermore, at least one of the first bulge 21b and the second lid 22 may be provided with a second bulge having a box shape that bulges out above the vehicle when attached to the battery case 12. For example, the second lid 22 shown in Fig. 4 has, as a part thereof, a second bulge 23 shown by a dashed line in Fig. 4.

[0023] Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the first bulging portion 21b in Fig. 2, and shows the first bulging portion 21b in a state where the second lid portion 22 shown in Fig. 4 has been removed. As shown in Fig. 5, the first bulging portion 21b is provided with a third lid portion 24 below the second lid portion 22 (or the second bulging portion 23) at a position that overlaps with the second lid portion 22 (or the second bulging portion 23) when the vehicle is viewed from above.

[0024] The third lid 24 is a lid-shaped member, and like the first lid 21a, is detachable from the mounting portion. For example, the third lid 24 shown in Fig. 5 is mechanically joined to the base 24a by a snap fit or joint, and can be detached as needed when performing maintenance and inspection of the accessory 14 mounted on the base 24a. Although not shown, a watertight structure such as a seal may be provided.

[0025] 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the first bulge portion 21b of FIG. 2, and shows the first bulge portion 21b in a state in which the second lid portion 22 shown in FIG. 4 and the third lid portion 24 shown in FIG. 5 have been removed. As shown in FIG. 6, the second accessory 14b is provided on the base 24a. In this way, the second accessory 14b overlaps with the second bulge portion 23 when the vehicle is viewed from above, and is positioned below the third lid portion 24. The second accessory 14b may also be positioned so as to overlap with the second lid portion 22 when the vehicle is viewed from above.

[0026] 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening O in FIG. 2, showing the state in which the first lid portion 21a (including the first bulge portion 21b), the second accessory 14b, and the base 24a shown in FIG. 6 have been removed. As shown in FIG. 7, the first accessory 14a is disposed in a position lower than the second accessory 14b. In this way, the first accessory 14a overlaps with the first lid portion 21a when the vehicle is viewed from above, and is disposed in a position lower than the second accessory 14b.

[0027] The second lid portion 22 may be provided on the first bulging portion 21b, or may be provided at a position different from the first bulging portion 21b. Furthermore, the second lid portion 22 may be integral with the first bulging portion 21b. The third lid portion 24 may be formed to include part or all of the second bulging portion 23, or may be separate from the second bulging portion 23. Furthermore, the first lid portion 21a, the first bulging portion 21b, the second lid portion 22, the second bulging portion 23, and the third lid portion 24 may each be formed by casting.

[0028] The position of the highest part of first bulging portion 21b may be higher than the height of a part of floor panel 11 that corresponds to the seating surface of the rear seat (range Y shown in FIG. 1). Furthermore, the front side of first bulging portion 21b is higher in height from the battery 13 than the rear side of first bulging portion 21b. Similarly, the position of the highest part of second bulging portion 23 is arranged higher than the height of a part of floor panel 11 that corresponds to the seating surface of the rear seat (range Y shown in FIG. 1). Furthermore, the front side of second bulging portion 23 may be higher in height from the battery 13 than the rear side of second bulging portion 23.

[0029] Fig. 8 is a plan view showing another example of a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery case 12 of this embodiment may be disposed rearward of the battery case 12 and mounted on the vehicle together with a motor that drives the rear wheels. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the battery 13 housed in the battery case 12 is connected to the rear motor 15 via a connector (auxiliary device 14) and a wire harness 15a.

[0030] [Embodiments of the present invention] According to this embodiment, there is provided a battery case 12 that is disposed on the underside of a floor panel of a vehicle and includes an upper case 12b and a lower case 12a, the battery case 12 having a battery 13 housed in the lower case 12a and accessories 14 that are disposed above the battery 13 and assist the operation of the battery 13, the upper case 12b having an opening O facing the accessories 14, and a removable first lid 21a that closes the opening O of the upper case 12b. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in efficiency in maintenance and inspection of the battery 13. In other words, maintenance and inspection of the accessories 14 can be performed without removing the entire upper case 12b.

[0031] In the battery case 12 of this embodiment, the accessories 14 are disposed at a position rearward of the center in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, thereby making it possible to utilize the space between the floor panel 11 and the battery case 12.

[0032] In the battery case 12 of this embodiment, the first lid portion 21a is provided with a first bulging portion 21b that bulges out above the vehicle and has a shape that conforms to the floor panel 11, at a position that corresponds to the rear seat of the vehicle when the vehicle is viewed from above. This makes it possible to utilize the space between the floor panel 11 and the battery case 12 and increase the capacity (volume) of the battery case.

[0033] In the battery case 12 of this embodiment, the accessories 14 are arranged at positions overlapping the first lid portion 21a and the first bulging portion 21b when the vehicle is viewed from above. This allows the accessories 14 to be concentrated in the first bulging portion 21b, and the battery 13 to be efficiently arranged inside the battery case 12.

[0034] In the battery case 12 of this embodiment, the first lid portion 21a is provided with a detachable second lid portion 22 that has a smaller area than the first lid portion 21a when the vehicle is viewed from above, and the second lid portion 22 has a second bulge portion 23 that bulges out above the vehicle. This allows the space between the floor panel 11 and the battery case 12 to be utilized.

[0035] In the battery case 12 of this embodiment, the auxiliary components 14 include a first auxiliary component 14a and a second auxiliary component 14b that requires more frequent maintenance and inspection than the first auxiliary component 14a. The first auxiliary component 14a overlaps the first lid portion 21a when the vehicle is viewed from above and is positioned lower than the second auxiliary component 14b. The second auxiliary component 14b is positioned to overlap the second lid portion 22 when the vehicle is viewed from above. This allows efficient maintenance and inspection of the second auxiliary component 14b below the third lid portion 24. Furthermore, during maintenance and inspection of the second auxiliary component 14b, exposure of the first auxiliary component 14a, which requires less frequent maintenance and inspection, to the external environment can be suppressed.

[0036] In the battery case 12 of the present embodiment, a third lid portion 24 for the second accessory 14b is provided below the second lid portion 22. This makes it possible to prevent the second accessory 14b from being exposed to the external environment.

[0037] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes any one of the battery cases 12 described above and a motor 15 that is disposed rearward of the battery case 12 and drives the rear wheels. This allows the wire harness 15a that connects the battery 13 and the motor 15 to be shortened. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10...Body 11...Floor panel 12...Battery case 12a…Lower case 12b...Upper case 13, 13a, 13b, 13c...Battery 14…Auxiliary equipment 14a...First auxiliary device 14b…Second auxiliary device 15...Motor 15a...Wire harness 21a...first lid part 21b...first bulge 22…Second lid part 23...Second bulge 24…Third lid part 24a...Pedestal O...Opening X, Y, Z... range

Claims

1. A battery case is disposed on the underside of a floor panel of a vehicle and includes an upper case and a lower case, The battery case includes: a battery housed in the lower case; an auxiliary device disposed above the battery and assisting the operation of the battery; The upper case is an opening facing the auxiliary device; The battery case is provided with a removable first lid portion that closes the opening of the upper case.

2. The battery case according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary device is disposed at a position rearward of a center of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction.

3. 2. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the first lid portion has a first bulge portion that bulges upward from the vehicle at a position corresponding to a rear seat of the vehicle when the vehicle is viewed from above and has a shape that conforms to the floor panel.

4. The battery case according to claim 3 , wherein the accessory is disposed at a position overlapping the first lid portion and the first bulge portion when the vehicle is viewed from above.

5. The first lid portion is provided with a detachable second lid portion having an area smaller than that of the first lid portion when the vehicle is viewed from above, The battery case according to claim 4 , wherein the second lid portion includes a second bulging portion that bulges upward from the vehicle.

6. The auxiliary devices include a first auxiliary device and a second auxiliary device that requires maintenance and inspection more frequently than the first auxiliary device, the first accessory overlaps with the first cover portion when the vehicle is viewed from above, and is disposed at a position lower than the second accessory; The battery case according to claim 5 , wherein the second accessory is disposed at a position overlapping the second lid portion when the vehicle is viewed from above.

7. The battery case according to claim 6 , further comprising a third lid portion for the second accessory provided below the second lid portion.

8. A vehicle comprising: the battery case according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a motor disposed rearward of the battery case and configured to drive rear wheels.

Images