Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle capable of effectively supplying a fire extinguishing agent to a power storage stack when the power storage stack generates heat.SOLUTION: A vehicle 1 includes: one or more storage stacks 51, 52, 53; a storage case 11; a cooler 20 which is arranged adjacent to the storage case 11 and is provided outside the storage case 11, and through which a refrigerant flows; and a refrigerant circulation path 30 which circulates the refrigerant such that the refrigerant discharged from the cooler 20 is introduced back into the cooler 20. The refrigerant circulation path 30 is provided with a fire extinguishing agent inlet 321 for introducing a fire extinguishing agent, and the cooler 20 is provided with a fragile portion 25 that breaks under the pressure of the fire extinguishing agent introduced from the fire extinguishing agent inlet 321 into the refrigerant circulation path 30, thereby connecting the inside of the storage case 11 with the refrigerant circulation path 30, and the storage case 11 is provided with a pressure release valve 40 at a position above the one or more storage stacks 51, 52, 53.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional vehicle, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-13266 (Patent Document 1) discloses a structure that includes a battery pack (energy storage device) in which a battery (energy storage stack) is housed in a pack case (storage case), and a heat absorption section located inside the pack case and a heat dissipation section located outside the pack case are connected by a coolant circulation path, cooling the battery by circulating the coolant.

[0003] The portion of the coolant circulation path located outside the pack case is provided with a fire extinguishant inlet through which a fire extinguishant can be injected, and the portion of the coolant circulation path located inside the pack case is provided with a fragile part that will break under the pressure of the fire extinguishant when the fire extinguishant is injected. By providing the fire extinguishant inlet and fragile part in the coolant circulation path in this way, the coolant circulation path can be used as a path for supplying the fire extinguishant into the pack case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-13266 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, after the extinguishing agent is introduced into the pack case, the introduced extinguishing agent remains in the pack case and is not replaced with new extinguishing agent. Furthermore, the introduction of the extinguishing agent increases the pressure inside the pack case, and it may not be possible to immerse the entire battery in the extinguishing agent. This raises concerns that the temperature of the battery placed inside the pack case may not be sufficiently reduced.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle that can effectively supply a fire extinguishing agent to an electricity storage stack when the electricity storage stack generates heat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A vehicle according to the present disclosure includes one or more power storage stacks, a housing case that houses the one or more power storage stacks, a cooler that is disposed adjacent to the housing case and through which a refrigerant flows for cooling the one or more power storage stacks, and a refrigerant circulation path that is provided outside the housing case and that circulates the refrigerant so that the refrigerant discharged from the cooler is introduced back into the cooler. The refrigerant circulation path is provided with a fire extinguishant inlet for introducing a fire extinguishant. The cooler is provided with a fragile part that breaks under the pressure of the fire extinguishant introduced from the fire extinguishant inlet into the refrigerant circulation path, thereby connecting the interior of the housing case with the refrigerant circulation path. The housing case is provided with a pressure release valve located above the one or more power storage stacks.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when one or more power storage stacks generate heat and it becomes necessary to supply a fire extinguishing agent to the one or more power storage stacks, the fragile portion provided in the cooler can be broken by introducing the fire extinguishing agent through the fire extinguishing agent inlet. This allows the interior of the cooler, and therefore the refrigerant circulation path, to communicate with the interior of the housing case, allowing the refrigerant and fire extinguishing agent flowing through the cooler to be introduced into the housing case. In this case, since a pressure release valve is provided at a position above the one or more power storage stacks, the pressure release valve opens if the pressure inside the housing case reaches or exceeds a predetermined level during the supply of the fire extinguishing agent. This allows the fire extinguishing agent to be supplied into the housing case up to the position of the pressure release valve, ensuring the one or more power storage stacks are immersed. In addition, because the fire extinguishing agent is discharged from the opened pressure release valve, new fire extinguishing agent at a low temperature can be effectively supplied into the housing case. This effectively reduces the temperature of the power storage stacks.

[0009] In the vehicle according to the present disclosure, the storage case has an opposing wall portion facing the cooler. In this case, a portion of the opposing wall portion facing the vulnerable portion may be provided with a case-side vulnerable portion that is broken by pressure of the fire extinguishing agent introduced into the refrigerant circulation path.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the fragile portion and the case-side fragile portion are damaged by the fire extinguishing agent introduced into the refrigerant circulation path, thereby allowing communication between the inside of the cooler and the inside of the storage case.

[0011] In the vehicle based on the present disclosure, the weak portion may be located lower than the one or more power storage stacks.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the extinguishing agent can be introduced into the storage case from a position lower than one or more power storage stacks, and the extinguishing agent introduced into the storage case can be discharged to the outside from a pressure release valve provided at a position higher than one or more power storage stacks.

[0013] In the vehicle according to the present disclosure, the one or more power storage stacks may include a plurality of power storage stacks arranged in a first direction perpendicular to a vertical direction, and when viewed from the vertical direction, the weak portion may be disposed between power storage stacks adjacent to each other in the first direction.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the fire extinguishing agent can be introduced into the storage case by utilizing the gaps located between adjacent power storage stacks. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle that can effectively supply a fire extinguishing agent to an electricity storage stack when the electricity storage stack generates heat. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a fire extinguishing structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a fire extinguishing structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment is activated; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0019] The vehicle 1 is a hybrid vehicle that can run using at least one of the power of a motor and an engine, or an electric vehicle that runs using driving force obtained from electrical energy.

[0020] The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2, front wheels 5, rear wheels 6, a power storage device 10, a cooler 20, and a refrigerant circulation path 30. The power storage device 10 is fixed to a lower part of the vehicle body 2. An upper surface 10a of the power storage device 10 may function as a floor panel. The upper surface 10a does not have to function as a floor panel, in which case the power storage device 10 is disposed below the floor panel.

[0021] The cooler 20 is disposed adjacent to the power storage device 10. The cooler 20 is located, for example, below the power storage device 10. A refrigerant flows through the cooler 20 for cooling a plurality of power storage stacks 51, 52, and 53 (see FIG. 2) described below.

[0022] The refrigerant circulation path 30 is a path for circulating the refrigerant so that the refrigerant discharged from the cooler 20 is introduced back into the cooler 20. The refrigerant circulation path 30, like the cooler 20, is provided outside a housing case 11 (see FIG. 2 ) described below. This makes it possible to prevent the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circulation path 30 and the cooler 20 from entering the housing case 11 when cooling the multiple power storage stacks 51, 52, 53 under normal conditions. As a result, it is possible to prevent the multiple power storage stacks 51, 52, 53 from being short-circuited by the refrigerant under normal operation.

[0023] The refrigerant circulation path 30 includes a pipe 31, a tank 32, a heat radiating section 33, and a pump 34. The pipe 31 connects the tank 32, the heat radiating section 33, the pump 34, and the cooler 20 in series.

[0024] The tank 32 stores the refrigerant. The heat dissipation unit 33 is, for example, a heat exchanger. The heat dissipation unit 33 dissipates heat from the refrigerant discharged from the cooler 20 into the outside air. The pump 34 circulates the refrigerant in the direction AR1 in FIG. 1. The pump 34 is driven by an induction motor.

[0025] In Figure 1, the tank 32, heat dissipation unit 33, and pump 34 are shown as being located at the front side of the vehicle 1, but the tank 32, heat dissipation unit 33, and pump 34 can be located at any appropriate position and connected by piping 31.

[0026] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a fire extinguishing structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the fire extinguishing structure for a vehicle 1 is made up of an electricity storage device 10, a cooler 20, and a refrigerant circulation path 30.

[0027] The refrigerant circulation path 30 is provided with a fire extinguishing agent inlet 321 for introducing a fire extinguishing agent E (see FIG. 3). Specifically, the fire extinguishing agent inlet 321 is provided in the tank 32. More particularly, the fire extinguishing agent inlet 321 is provided on the upper wall of the tank 32. The fire extinguishing agent inlet 321 is provided so that a tip end (fire extinguishing agent discharge portion) of a water discharge hose 70 (see FIG. 3) or the like extending from a fire engine or firefighting equipment can be inserted into the fire extinguishing agent inlet 321. The fire extinguishing agent inlet 321 is provided so as to be openable and closable using a cover member or the like.

[0028] The power storage device 10 includes a plurality of power storage stacks 51, 52, and 53, and a housing case 11. The housing case 11 houses the plurality of power storage stacks 51, 52, and 53 therein.

[0029] The multiple power storage stacks 51, 52, 53 are arranged at intervals in a first direction (DR1 direction) perpendicular to the up-down direction. The first direction is, for example, parallel to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 1. Each of the multiple power storage stacks 51, 52, 53 includes multiple power storage cells 54 arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the first direction. The second direction is, for example, parallel to the width direction of the vehicle 1.

[0030] In this embodiment, the case where the number of power storage stacks is three is exemplified, but the number of power storage stacks is not limited to three, and may be one or more.

[0031] The storage cell 54 is a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. The storage cell 54 may use a liquid electrolyte or a solid electrolyte. The storage cell 54 may also be a chargeable and dischargeable capacitor.

[0032] The housing case 11 has a top wall 11a and a bottom wall 11b arranged in the vertical direction. The top wall 11a forms the upper surface 10a of the above-mentioned electricity storage device 10. The bottom wall 11b corresponds to an opposing wall that faces the cooler 20.

[0033] The housing case 11 is provided with a pressure release valve 40 at a position above the plurality of power storage stacks 51, 52, and 53. Specifically, the pressure release valve 40 is provided on the top wall portion 11a. The pressure release valve 40 opens when the internal pressure in the housing case 10 reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure. The pressure release valve 40 may have a function of discharging gas to the outside of the housing case 11 when gas is discharged from the plurality of power storage stacks 51, 52, and 53.

[0034] A case-side weak portion 15 is provided in a portion of the bottom wall portion 11b facing a weak portion 25 of the cooler 20, which will be described later. The case-side weak portion 15 is provided so as to be broken when subjected to the pressure of the fire-extinguishing agent E introduced into the refrigerant circulation path 30, as will be described later. The case-side weak portion 15 is provided to be thinner than other portions of the bottom wall portion 11b, for example.

[0035] The case-side fragile portions 15 are arranged between the power storage stacks adjacent to each other in the first direction when viewed in a plan view (when viewed from above). More specifically, the case-side fragile portions 15 are arranged, when viewed in a plan view, between the side wall portion of the storage case 11 located on one side in the first direction and the power storage stack 51 (the power storage stack of the multiple power storage stacks located on the most one side in the first direction), between the power storage stack 51 and the power storage stack 52, between the power storage stack 52 and the power storage stack 53, and between the side wall portion of the storage case 11 located on the other side in the first direction and the power storage stack 53 (the power storage stack of the multiple power storage stacks located on the most other side in the first direction).

[0036] The cooler 20 includes an upper wall portion 20a and a lower wall portion 20b. A flow path through which the refrigerant flows is provided between the upper wall portion 20a and the lower wall portion 20b.

[0037] The cooler 20 is provided with a weak portion 25 that breaks when subjected to the pressure of the fire extinguishing agent E introduced into the refrigerant circulation path 30 from the fire extinguishing agent inlet 321, thereby connecting the inside of the housing case 11 and the refrigerant circulation path 30. Specifically, the weak portion 25 is provided in a wall portion of the cooler 20 that is adjacent to the housing case 11. More particularly, the weak portion 25 is provided in the upper wall portion 20a. The weak portion 25 is provided at a position lower than the multiple electricity storage stacks 51, 52, 53. The weak portion 25 is provided to be thinner than other portions of the housing case 11, for example.

[0038] The fragile portions 25 are arranged between the power storage stacks adjacent to each other in the first direction when viewed in a plan view (when viewed from above). More specifically, the fragile portions 25 are arranged, when viewed in a plan view, between the side wall portion of the accommodating case 11 located on one side in the first direction and the power storage stack 51 (the power storage stack of the multiple power storage stacks located on the most one side in the first direction), between the power storage stack 51 and the power storage stack 52, between the power storage stack 52 and the power storage stack 53, and between the side wall portion of the accommodating case 11 located on the other side in the first direction and the power storage stack 53 (the power storage stack of the multiple power storage stacks located on the most other side in the first direction).

[0039] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the fire extinguishing structure for a vehicle according to the embodiment is activated. As shown in Fig. 3, when at least one of the plurality of power storage stacks 51, 52, and 53 generates heat and it becomes necessary to supply a fire extinguishing agent to the heated power storage stack, fire extinguishing agent inlet 321 is opened and fire extinguishing agent E is introduced into refrigerant circulation path 30. Specifically, for example, the tip of water discharge hose 70 or the like is inserted into fire extinguishing agent inlet 321 and water is discharged.

[0040] When extinguishing agent E is introduced into refrigerant circulation path 30 in this manner, fragile portion 25 of cooler 20 and case-side fragile portion 15 of housing case 11 are damaged by the pressure of extinguishing agent E. This allows the interior of cooler 20 to communicate with the interior of housing case 11, and the refrigerant and extinguishing agent E flowing inside cooler 20 to be introduced into housing case 11.

[0041] In this case, since the pressure release valve 40 is provided at a position above the power storage stacks 51, 52, and 53, if the pressure inside the storage case 11 reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure when the fire extinguishing agent E is supplied, the pressure release valve 40 opens.

[0042] This allows the fire extinguishing agent E to be supplied into the housing case 11 up to the position of the pressure release valve 40, thereby reliably immersing the electricity storage stacks 51, 52, and 53. Furthermore, because the fire extinguishing agent E is discharged from the opened pressure release valve 40, new fire extinguishing agent E in a low temperature state can be effectively supplied into the housing case 11. This allows the temperature of the electricity storage stacks 51, 52, and 53 to be effectively lowered.

[0043] Furthermore, since the fragile portion 25 is provided at a position lower than the plurality of electricity storage stacks 51, 52, and 53, the fire extinguishing agent E can be introduced into the storage case 11 from a position lower than the plurality of electricity storage stacks. The fire extinguishing agent E introduced into the storage case 11 is discharged to the outside of the storage case 11 from the pressure release valve 40 provided at a position higher than the plurality of electricity storage stacks, so that the plurality of electricity storage stacks 51, 52, and 53 can be more reliably immersed.

[0044] Furthermore, when viewed in a plane, the weak portion 25 and the case side weak portion 15 are located between adjacent power storage stacks in the first direction, so that the gap located between the adjacent power storage stacks can be utilized to introduce a fire extinguishing agent into the storage case 11.

[0045] (Other variations) In the above-described embodiment, the cooler 20 is shown as being located below the energy storage device 10, but this is not limited to this, and the cooler 20 may be located to the side or above the energy storage device 10 as long as it is positioned so as to be able to cool the energy storage stack.

[0046] Furthermore, although the case where case-side weak portion 15 is provided in a portion of housing case 11 facing weak portion 25 has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. An opening may be provided instead of case-side weak portion 15. In this case, when weak portion 25 is damaged by the pressure of extinguishing agent E, the opening and weak portion 25 can communicate the inside of housing case 11 with the inside of cooler 20, and ultimately with refrigerant circulation path 30.

[0047] Furthermore, although an example has been described in which the extinguishing agent inlet 321 is provided in the tank 32, this is not limited to this, and as long as the extinguishing agent E can be introduced, it may be provided in the piping 31 or in another part of the refrigerant circulation path 30.

[0048] Furthermore, a detection unit may be provided that uses a sensor to detect abnormalities in the power storage stack, and when an abnormality is detected, the load on the pump 34 may be increased to increase the pressure of the refrigerant, thereby damaging the above-mentioned fragile portion 25 and the case side fragile portion 15.

[0049] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 vehicle, 2 vehicle body, 5 front wheels, 6 rear wheels, 10 power storage device, 10a top surface, 11 storage case, 11a top wall portion, 11b bottom wall portion, 15 case side weak portion, 20 cooler, 20a upper wall portion, 20b lower wall portion, 25 weak portion, 30 refrigerant circulation path, 31 piping, 32 tank, 33 heat dissipation portion, 34 pump, 40 pressure release valve, 51, 52, 53 power storage stack, 54 power storage cell, 70 water discharge hose, 321 fire extinguishing agent inlet, E fire extinguishing agent.

Claims

1. one or more power storage stacks; a housing case that houses the one or more power storage stacks; a cooler arranged adjacent to the housing case and through which a refrigerant flows for cooling the one or more power storage stacks; a refrigerant circulation path provided outside the accommodating case for circulating the refrigerant so that the refrigerant discharged from the cooler is introduced back into the cooler; a fire extinguishing agent inlet for introducing a fire extinguishing agent is provided in the refrigerant circulation path, the cooler is provided with a fragile portion that is broken by the pressure of the fire extinguishing agent introduced into the refrigerant circulation path from the fire extinguishing agent inlet, thereby establishing communication between the inside of the accommodation case and the refrigerant circulation path, the housing case is provided with a pressure release valve at a position above the one or more power storage stacks.

2. the housing case has an opposing wall portion facing the cooler, The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the opposing wall portion facing the weak portion is provided with a case-side weak portion that is broken by pressure of the fire extinguishing agent introduced into the refrigerant circulation path.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the weakened portion is provided at a position lower than the one or more power storage stacks.

4. the one or more power storage stacks include a plurality of power storage stacks arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein, in a plan view, the weak portion is disposed between the power storage stacks adjacent to each other in the first direction.

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