Battery pack and electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a battery pack capable of securing waterproofness and high rigidity while suppressing the number of components, and an electric vehicle including the same.SOLUTION: The electric motorcycle 10 includes a battery pack 40 supported by the vehicle body frame 12. The battery pack 40 includes a first case 66. The first case 66 includes a first case main body 76 having a wall part 82 with an H-shaped cross section formed by a tubular part 84 with both ends open and a partition part 90 that partitions the inside of the tubular part 84 into a first housing part 86 and a second housing part 88, a first flange 78 formed on the outer periphery of a first end of the first case main body 76, and a second flange 80 formed on the outer periphery of a second end of the first case main body 76. The first plate member 72 is fixed to the first flange portion 78 so as to close the first accommodation portion 86, the second plate member 74 is fixed to the second flange portion 80 so as to close the second accommodation portion 88, the first assembled battery 126 is accommodated in the first accommodation portion 86, and the second assembled battery 128 is accommodated in the second accommodation portion 88.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an electric vehicle, and more particularly to a battery pack in which a plurality of assembled batteries are stacked, and an electric vehicle such as an electric motorcycle using the battery pack. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of this type of prior art, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric energy storage device for an automobile. This electric energy storage device includes a housing and a storage module accommodated in the housing. The housing includes a support element, an upper housing portion, and a lower housing portion. The support element includes an annular support frame made of fiber-reinforced plastic and a support plate made of metal. The annular support frame is adhesively bonded to the support plate by sandwiching the support plate from above and below, and the electric energy storage device can be connected to the body structure of the automobile using the annular support frame. The annular support frame is configured to absorb all forces and moments acting on the electric energy storage device, and the members constituting the housing other than the annular support frame are configured as non-load-bearing cover-type parts that do not absorb any forces or moments. In addition, sealing elements are positioned between the upper housing portion and the annular support frame and between the lower housing portion and the annular support frame, respectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5571713 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electric energy storage device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the annular support frame is made of fiber-reinforced plastic and is connected to the support plate by simply sandwiching the support plate from above and below so that the annular support frame can absorb all forces and moments acting on the electric energy storage device. However, there is no disclosure about increasing the rigidity of the support element including the annular support frame and the support plate. In addition, the annular support frame and the support plate are separate members made of different materials, and a separate sealing element is required to ensure waterproofing, resulting in a large number of parts.

[0005] Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and an electric vehicle including the same that can ensure waterproofness and high rigidity while reducing the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided a battery pack comprising: a first case including a first case body having a wall portion with an H-shaped cross section, which is composed of a cylindrical portion open at both ends and a partition portion that divides the interior of the cylindrical portion into a first storage portion and a second storage portion that are aligned axially; a first flange portion formed on the outer periphery of a first end of the first case body; and a second flange portion formed on the outer periphery of a second end of the first case body that is axially opposite to the first end; a first plate member fixed to the first flange portion to close the first storage portion; a second plate member fixed to the second flange portion to close the second storage portion; a first assembled battery housed in the first storage portion; and a second assembled battery housed in the second storage portion.

[0007] In this invention, the first case body has a wall portion integrally formed with an H-shaped cross section, which allows for increased rigidity of the first case while limiting the number of parts. Furthermore, the first plate member can be easily fixed to the first flange portion formed on the outer periphery of the first end of the first case body, and the waterproofing of the first housing portion can be ensured by closing the first housing portion. Similarly, the second plate member can be easily fixed to the second flange portion formed on the outer periphery of the second end of the first case body, and the waterproofing of the second housing portion can be ensured by closing the second housing portion.

[0008] Preferably, the battery pack further includes a first fin provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first case body. In this case, by providing the first fin on the outer peripheral surface of the first case body, the heat dissipation area can be increased, improving cooling performance. Also, a lightweight and highly rigid first case can be obtained.

[0009] Preferably, the battery pack further includes a second fin provided on the main surface of the partition. In this case, by providing the second fin on the main surface of the partition, the heat dissipation area can be increased, improving cooling performance. Also, a lightweight and highly rigid first case can be obtained.

[0010] More preferably, the battery pack further includes a third fin provided on the main surface of the first plate member. In this case, by providing the third fin on the main surface of the first plate member, the heat dissipation area can be increased, improving cooling performance. In addition, a lightweight and highly rigid first plate member can be obtained.

[0011] Preferably, the battery pack further includes a fourth fin provided on the main surface of the second plate member. In this case, by providing the fourth fin on the main surface of the second plate member, the heat dissipation area can be increased, improving cooling performance. In addition, a lightweight and highly rigid second plate member can be obtained.

[0012] Preferably, the battery pack further includes a first bus bar connecting the first assembled battery and the second assembled battery, and the partition section includes a first through hole providing a passage for the first bus bar. In this case, the first bus bar passes through the first through hole of the partition section, thereby easily connecting the first assembled battery housed in the first housing section and the second assembled battery housed in the second housing section.

[0013] More preferably, the battery pack further includes a second case including a second case body having an open end and a third flange portion formed on the outer periphery of the first end of the second case body, the first flange portion and the third flange portion being fastened together via a first plate member. In this case, fastening the first flange portion and the third flange portion together via the first plate member enables flange connection between the first case and the second case, thereby easily ensuring waterproofing of the first housing portion of the first case and the second case. By housing a battery pack not only in the first case but also in the second case, multiple batteries can be housed in the battery pack. By housing electrical components in the second case, the configuration around the battery pack can be made compact. For example, when the battery pack is used in an electric motorcycle in a vertical orientation with the first case positioned above and the second case positioned below, the outwardly projecting first flange portion and the third flange portion are located above the bottom of the battery pack. In other words, the first flange portion and the third flange portion can be positioned as close to the center as possible in the vertical direction. This makes it easier to ensure a good bank angle for the electric motorcycle, and allows for a good knee grip without sacrificing riding posture.

[0014] Preferably, the battery pack further includes a third assembled battery housed in the second case body and a second bus bar connecting the first assembled battery and the third assembled battery, and the first plate member includes a second through hole that serves as a passage for the second bus bar. In this case, the second bus bar passes through the second through hole of the first plate member, thereby easily connecting the first assembled battery housed in the first housing portion of the first case and the third assembled battery housed in the second case.

[0015] Preferably, the battery pack further includes a fifth fin provided on the main surface of the second case body. In this case, providing the fifth fin on the main surface of the second case body increases the heat dissipation area and improves cooling performance. Also, a lightweight and highly rigid second case can be obtained.

[0016] More preferably, the battery pack further includes a third case including a third case body having an open end and a fourth flange portion formed on the outer periphery of the third case body at one end, the second flange portion and the fourth flange portion being fastened together via a second plate member. In this case, fastening the second flange portion and the fourth flange portion together via the second plate member enables flange connection between the first case and the third case, thereby easily ensuring waterproofing of the second housing portion of the first case and the third case. By housing a battery pack not only in the first case but also in the third case, multiple batteries can be housed in the battery pack. By housing electrical components in the third case, the configuration around the battery pack can be made compact. For example, when the battery pack is used in an electric motorcycle in a vertical orientation with the third case positioned above and the first case positioned below, the outwardly protruding second flange portion and fourth flange portion are located below the top of the battery pack. In other words, the second flange portion and the fourth flange portion can be positioned as close to the center as possible in the vertical direction. This allows the battery pack to be easily accommodated within the body frame and, ultimately, the cowl of an electric motorcycle. Furthermore, when the battery pack, in which the first case is sandwiched between the second and third cases, is used on an electric motorcycle in a vertical orientation with the third case, first case, and second case positioned in that order from top to bottom, the first and third flanges are located above the bottom of the battery pack, and the second and fourth flanges are located below the top of the battery pack. In this case, the flanges can be concentrated in the vertical center of the battery pack, making the cross section of the battery pack roughly oval, which makes it easy to layout in motorcycles with a large central volume.

[0017] Preferably, the battery pack further includes a fourth assembled battery housed in the third case body and a third bus bar connecting the second assembled battery and the fourth assembled battery, and the second plate member includes a third through hole that serves as a passage for the third bus bar. In this case, the third bus bar passes through the third through hole of the second plate member, thereby easily connecting the second assembled battery housed in the second housing portion of the first case and the fourth assembled battery housed in the third case.

[0018] Preferably, the battery pack further includes electrical components provided above or below the first case, in which case the electrical components can be disposed within or near the battery pack, thereby shortening the wiring within or around the battery pack.

[0019] More preferably, the battery pack further includes wiring connected to the electrical equipment, and the partition portion includes a fourth through-hole that serves as a passage for the wiring. In this case, the wiring connected to the electrical equipment can be easily routed by passing through the fourth through-hole of the partition portion.

[0020] Preferably, the battery pack further includes wiring connected to an electrical component, and the first plate member includes a fifth through hole that serves as a passage for the wiring. In this case, the wiring connected to the electrical component can be easily routed by passing through the fifth through hole of the first plate member.

[0021] Preferably, the battery pack further includes wiring connected to the electrical equipment, and the second plate member includes a sixth through hole serving as a passage for the wiring. In this case, the wiring connected to the electrical equipment can be easily routed by passing through the sixth through hole of the second plate member.

[0022] An electric vehicle is provided that includes the above-described battery pack and a vehicle body frame that supports the battery pack.

[0023] The battery pack described above can be suitably used in an electric vehicle. In particular, since the rigidity of the first case of the battery pack can be increased, the first case itself can function as part of the body frame of the electric vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a battery pack and an electric vehicle including the battery pack, which can ensure waterproofness and high rigidity while reducing the number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing an electric motorcycle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the internal structure of the electric motorcycle of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the battery pack of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the battery pack of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the battery pack of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first case. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the first case. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the first case. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first plate member. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a first plate member. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the first plate member. [Figure 14] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5. [Figure 15] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 5. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery pack. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery pack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] In the embodiments of the present invention, left and right, front and rear, and up and down refer to the left and right, front and rear, and up and down with respect to a state in which a rider is seated on the seat 62 of the electric motorcycle 10 facing the handlebars 22. In the drawings, "Fr" indicates the front, "Rr" indicates the rear, "R" indicates the right, "L" indicates the left, "U" indicates the top, and "Lo" indicates the bottom.

[0028] 1 and 2, an electric motorcycle 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a body frame 12. The body frame 12 includes a head pipe 14, a front frame 16 extending diagonally downward and rearward from the head pipe 14, and a rear frame 18 connected to the rear of the front frame 16 and extending diagonally downward and rearward.

[0029] A steering shaft 20 is rotatably inserted through the head pipe 14. A handlebar 22 is attached to the upper end of the steering shaft 20. A front fork 24 is attached to the lower end of the steering shaft 20, and a front wheel 28 is rotatably attached to the lower end of the front fork 24 via an axle 26.

[0030] The front end of a swing arm 32 is attached to the lower part of the rear frame 18 via a pivot shaft 30, and the swing arm 32 is provided so as to be able to swing freely. A suspension 34 is provided to connect the connecting part of the front frame 16 and the rear frame 18 to the swing arm 32. A rear wheel 38 is rotatably supported on the rear end of the swing arm 32 via an axle 36.

[0031] In a side view, the battery pack 40 is disposed at a position overlapping with the front frame 16. In a plan view, the front frame 16 is formed in a substantially U-shape, and the battery pack 40 is disposed between both side portions of the front frame 16. In a side view, the rear end of the battery pack 40 is located forward of the swing arm 32, and the upper end of the battery pack 40 is located above the end of the handlebar 22 in the vehicle width direction. The battery pack 40 is supported by the body frame 12. A charger 42 for charging the battery pack 40 is disposed behind the battery pack 40, and the charger 42 is connected to the battery pack 40 via a connector 44. In a side view, an electric motor 46 is disposed so as to overlap with the rear frame 18 and behind the battery pack 40. An inverter 48 is provided below the battery pack 40 to convert DC power output from the battery pack 40 into AC power and supply the AC power to the electric motor 46. The driving force from the electric motor 46 is transmitted to the axle 36 via a power transmission mechanism 50, thereby driving and rotating the rear wheel 38. The power transmission mechanism 50 includes a sprocket 52 on the electric motor 46 side, a sprocket 54 on the rear wheel 38 side, and a chain 56 connecting the sprockets 52, 54.

[0032] 3, a front cowl 58 is provided to cover the front and sides of the head pipe 14, front frame 16, and battery pack 40. A battery cover 60 is provided to cover the top of the battery pack 40, a seat 62 is provided above the charger 42, and a tail cowl 64 is provided behind the seat 62. Therefore, when the electric motorcycle 10 is traveling, the riding position is such that the battery pack 40 is held in the arms.

[0033] The battery pack 40 will be described in detail below.

[0034] 4 to 7, battery pack 40 is formed in a generally oval shape and includes a first case 66, a second case 68, a third case 70, a first plate member 72, and a second plate member 74. As shown in FIG.

[0035] 8 to 10, the first case 66 is formed in an angular shape and includes a first case body 76, a first flange 78 formed on the outer periphery of a first end of the first case body 76, and a second flange 80 formed on the outer periphery of a second end of the first case body 76 axially opposite the first end. The first case body 76 has a wall 82 with an H-shaped cross section (see FIG. 14). The wall 82 is composed of a cylindrical portion 84 with open ends and a partition 90 that divides the interior of the cylindrical portion 84 into a first housing portion 86 and a second housing portion 88 that are aligned axially. The partition 90 is formed parallel to the first flange 78 and the second flange 80 in the axially intermediate portion of the cylindrical portion 84. In other words, the wall 82 is formed so that its vertical cross section is H-shaped not only in the front-rear and left-right directions but also in any direction. Therefore, the first case body 76 can have high rigidity in all directions. A first fin 92 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first case body 76 .

[0036] The partition portion 90 includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) first through holes 94 that can serve as passages for first bus bars 138 (described below) and a plurality of (two in this embodiment) fourth through holes 96 that can serve as passages for wiring 150 (described below). Two first through holes 94 and one fourth through hole 96 located between the two first through holes 94 are provided at one end (the front end in this embodiment) of the partition portion 90, and two first through holes 94 and one fourth through hole 96 located between the two first through holes 94 are provided at the other end (the rear end in this embodiment) of the partition portion 90. A second fin 98 is provided on a main surface (the back surface in this embodiment) of the partition portion 90.

[0037] 4 to 7 and 14, the second case 68 includes a second case body 100 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a bottom and one open end, and a third flange portion 102 formed on the outer periphery of one end of the second case body 100. A fifth fin 104 is provided on the main surface (the back surface in this embodiment) of the second case body 100. The third case 70 includes a third case body 106 formed in a substantially frustum shape with one open end, and a fourth flange portion 108 formed on the outer periphery of one end of the third case body 106.

[0038] 11 to 13, the first plate member 72 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) second through holes 110 that can serve as passages for second bus bars 140 (described below), and a plurality of (two in this embodiment) fifth through holes 112 that can serve as passages for wiring 150. Two second through holes 110 and one fifth through hole 112 located between the two second through holes 110 are provided at one end (the front end in this embodiment) of the first plate member 72, and two second through holes 110 and one fifth through hole 112 located between the two second through holes 110 are provided at the other end (the rear end in this embodiment) of the first plate member 72. A third fin 114 is provided on a main surface (the back surface in this embodiment) of the first plate member 72. The first flange portion 78 and the third flange portion 102 are fastened together with a plurality of fastening members 116, sandwiching the first plate member 72 therebetween (see FIG. 5). As a result, the first plate member 72 is fixed to the first flange portion 78 so as to close the first accommodating portion 86.

[0039] Similarly, the second plate member 74 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape and includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) third through holes 118 that can serve as passages for third bus bars 142 (described below) and a plurality of (two in this embodiment) sixth through holes 120 that can serve as passages for wiring 150. Two third through holes 118 and one sixth through hole 120 located between the two third through holes 118 are provided at one end (the front end in this embodiment) of the second plate member 74, and two third through holes 118 and one sixth through hole 120 located between the two third through holes 118 are provided at the other end (the rear end in this embodiment) of the second plate member 74. A fourth fin 122 is provided on a main surface (the back surface in this embodiment) of the second plate member 74. The second flange portion 80 and the fourth flange portion 108 are integrally fastened to each other via a plurality of fastening members 124, sandwiching the second plate member 74 therebetween (see FIG. 5 ). As a result, the second plate member 74 is fixed to the second flange portion 80 so as to close the second accommodating portion 88.

[0040] 14 and 15, the first housing portion 86 of the first case body 76 houses two first assembled batteries 126. The second housing portion 88 of the first case body 76 houses two second assembled batteries 128. The second case body 100 houses two third assembled batteries 130. The third case body 106 houses two fourth assembled batteries 132. In this manner, the first assembled batteries 126 to the fourth assembled batteries 132 are stacked. Each first assembled battery 126 is disposed on the first plate member 72 having a third fin 114 on its rear surface. Each second assembled battery 128 is disposed on the partition portion 90 having a second fin 98 on its rear surface. Each third assembled battery 130 is disposed on the second case body 100 having a fifth fin 104 on its rear surface. Each of the fourth assembled batteries 132 is disposed on a second plate member 74 having a fourth fin 122 provided on the rear surface thereof. This facilitates the transfer and dissipation of heat from the first assembled battery 126 to the fourth assembled battery 132. Each of the first assembled battery 126 to the fourth assembled battery 132 includes a plurality of cells, such as lithium ion batteries, and is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0041] The third case body 106 further houses a junction box 134 and a BMC (battery management controller) 136, i.e., electrical components. The junction box 134 is provided above the two fourth assembled batteries 132. The BMC 136 is disposed on the junction box 134. In this manner, the electrical components are provided above the first case 66. As described above, the inverter 48, which is an electrical component, is provided below the battery pack 40, and therefore below the first case 66.

[0042] 16 and 17 , each first assembled battery 126 is connected to the vertically adjacent second assembled battery 128 by a first bus bar 138 passing through the first through-hole 94, each first assembled battery 126 is connected to the vertically adjacent third assembled battery 130 by a second bus bar 140 passing through the second through-hole 110, each second assembled battery 128 is connected to the vertically adjacent fourth assembled battery 132 by a third bus bar 142 passing through the third through-hole 118, adjacent third assembled batteries 130 are connected to each other by a fourth bus bar 144, and each fourth assembled battery 132 is connected to the junction box 134 by a fifth bus bar 146. In this way, a total of eight first assembled batteries 126 to fourth assembled batteries 132 are connected in series. Furthermore, multiple wires 148a, 148b are connected to the BMC 136 to detect the current, voltage, and other conditions of the first to fourth assembled batteries 126 to 132. The wire 148a passes through the third through-hole 118, the first through-hole 94, and the second through-hole 110 on the front and left side, and is connected to the left first to fourth assembled batteries 126 to 132. The wire 148b passes through the third through-hole 118, the first through-hole 94, and the second through-hole 110 on the rear and right side, and is connected to the right first to fourth assembled batteries 126 to 132.

[0043] A charger 42 is connected to the junction box 134 via a connector 44. By connecting the charger 42 to, for example, a commercial power source, the first assembled battery 126 to the fourth assembled battery 132 of the battery pack 40 can be charged. In addition, an inverter 48 is connected to the junction box 134 via two wires (high-voltage wires in this embodiment) 150, and the inverter 48 is connected to the electric motor 46. Therefore, DC power from the battery pack 40 is converted into AC power by the inverter 48 and supplied to the electric motor 46, which drives the electric motor 46.

[0044] According to the battery pack 40 of the electric motorcycle 10, the first case body 76 has a wall portion 82 integrally formed with an H-shaped cross section, which increases the rigidity of the first case 66 while minimizing the number of parts. Also, the first plate member 72 can be easily fixed to the first flange portion 78 formed on the outer periphery of the first end of the first case body 76, and by closing the first housing portion 86, the waterproofness of the first housing portion 86 can be ensured. Similarly, the second plate member 74 can be easily fixed to the second flange portion 80 formed on the outer periphery of the second end of the first case body 76, and by closing the second housing portion 88, the waterproofness of the second housing portion 88 can be ensured.

[0045] By providing the first fins 92 on the outer peripheral surface of the first case body 76, the heat dissipation area can be increased, improving cooling performance. Also, the first case 66 can be made lightweight and highly rigid.

[0046] By providing the second fins 98 on the main surface of the partition 90, the heat dissipation area can be increased, improving the cooling performance. Also, the first case 66 can be made lightweight and highly rigid.

[0047] By providing the third fins 114 on the main surface of the first plate member 72, the heat dissipation area can be increased, improving the cooling performance. Also, the first plate member 72 can be made lightweight and highly rigid.

[0048] By providing the fourth fins 122 on the main surface of the second plate member 74, the heat dissipation area can be increased, improving the cooling performance. Also, the second plate member 74 can be obtained that is lightweight and has high rigidity.

[0049] The first bus bar 138 passes through the first through-hole 94 of the partition portion 90, thereby easily connecting the first assembled battery 126 housed in the first housing portion 86 and the second assembled battery 128 housed in the second housing portion 88.

[0050] Fastening the first flange portion 78 and the third flange portion 102 integrally across the first plate member 72 enables flange connection between the first case 66 and the second case 68, easily ensuring waterproofing of the first housing portion 86 of the first case 66 and the second case 68. By housing a battery pack not only in the first case 66 but also in the second case 68, a large number of batteries can be housed in the battery pack 40. Housing electrical components in the second case 68 allows for a more compact configuration around the battery pack 40. When the battery pack 40 is used in a vertical orientation with the first case 66 positioned above and the second case 68 positioned below, as in the case of the electric motorcycle 10, the outwardly projecting first flange portion 78 and the third flange portion 102 are positioned above the bottom of the battery pack 40. In other words, the first flange portion 78 and the third flange portion 102 can be positioned as close to the center as possible in the vertical direction. This makes it easier to ensure a certain bank angle for the electric motorcycle 10, and allows for knee grip without sacrificing riding posture.

[0051] The second bus bar 140 passes through the second through hole 110 of the first plate member 72, thereby easily connecting the first assembled battery 126 housed in the first housing portion 86 of the first case 66 and the third assembled battery 130 housed in the second case 68.

[0052] By providing the fifth fin 104 on the main surface of the second case body 100, the heat dissipation area can be increased, improving the cooling performance. Also, the second case 68 can be made lightweight and highly rigid.

[0053] Fastening the second flange portion 80 and the fourth flange portion 108 together via the second plate member 74 enables flange connection between the first case 66 and the third case 70, making it easy to ensure waterproofing of the second housing portion 88 of the first case 66 and the third case 70. By housing a battery pack not only in the first case 66 but also in the third case 70, a large number of batteries can be housed in the battery pack 40. Housing electrical components in the third case 70 allows for a compact configuration around the battery pack 40. When the battery pack 40 is used in a vertical orientation with the third case 70 positioned above and the first case 66 positioned below, as in the case of the electric motorcycle 10, the outwardly projecting second flange portion 80 and the fourth flange portion 108 are positioned below the top of the battery pack 40. In other words, the second flange portion 80 and the fourth flange portion 108 can be positioned as close to the center as possible in the vertical direction. Therefore, the battery pack 40 can be easily accommodated within the body frame 12 and, ultimately, within the cowl of the electric motorcycle 10. Furthermore, when the battery pack 40, in which the first case 66 is sandwiched between the second case 68 and the third case 70, is used in a vertical orientation, such as in the electric motorcycle 10, with the third case 70, the first case 66, and the second case 68 positioned in that order from top to bottom, the first flange 78 and the third flange 102 are positioned above the bottom of the battery pack 40, and the second flange 80 and the fourth flange 108 are positioned below the top of the battery pack 40. In this case, the flanges can be concentrated in the vertical center of the battery pack 40, making the cross section of the battery pack 40 approximately oval, which makes it easy to layout the battery pack 40 in a motorcycle with a large central volume.

[0054] The third bus bar 142 passes through the third through hole 118 of the second plate member 74, thereby easily connecting the second assembled battery 128 housed in the second housing portion 88 of the first case 66 and the fourth assembled battery 132 housed in the third case 70.

[0055] By providing the junction box 134 and the BMC 136 above the first case 66 and the inverter 48 below the first case 66, electrical components can be placed within or near the battery pack 40, and the wiring 148a, 148b, 150 within or around the battery pack 40 can be shortened.

[0056] The wiring 150 connected to the junction box 134 can be easily routed by passing through the sixth through hole 120 of the second plate member 74, the fourth through hole 96 of the partition portion 90, and the fifth through hole 112 of the first plate member 72.

[0057] The battery pack 40 can be suitably used in the electric motorcycle 10. In particular, since the rigidity of the first case 66 of the battery pack 40 can be increased, the first case 66 itself can function as part of the body frame of the electric motorcycle 10.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the junction box 134 and the BMC 136 are provided above the first case 66, the inverter 48 is provided below the first case 66, and the electrical components are provided either above or below the first case 66, but this is not limiting. The electrical components may be provided at least either above or below the first case 66.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the battery pack 40 is placed vertically, but is not limited to this and may be placed horizontally.

[0060] The first case body of the battery pack according to the present invention only needs to have at least a wall portion with an H-shaped cross section, and may also have other structures (for example, additional partition portions) or the like.

[0061] Cooling passages may be provided inside the first plate member and the second plate member, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery pack.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the present invention is described as being applied to an electric two-wheeled vehicle 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to any electric vehicle, such as an electric ATV or an electric four-wheeled vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 Electric motorcycles 12 Body frame 40 Battery Pack 42 Charger 46 Electric Motor 66 Case 1 68 Case 2 70 Case 3 72 First plate member 74 Second plate member 76 First case body 78 First flange 80 Second flange 82 Wall 84 Cylindrical part 86 First Storage Unit 88 Second storage section 90 Partition 92 First Fin 94 First through hole 96 4th Through Hole 98 Second Fin 100 Second case body 102 Third flange part 104 5th Fin 106 Third case body 108 Fourth flange 110 Second through hole 112 5th Through Hole 114 Third Fin 118 Third Through Hole 120 6th Through Hole 122 4th Fin 126 First battery pack 128 Second battery pack 130 Third battery pack 132 4th battery pack 134 Junction Box 136 BMC 138 First bus bar 140 Second bus bar 142 3rd bus bar 144 4th bus bar 146 5th bus bar 148a, 148b, 150 Wiring

Claims

1. a first case including a first case body having a wall portion with an H-shaped cross section, the wall portion being composed of a cylindrical portion with both ends open and a partition portion that divides the interior of the cylindrical portion into a first storage portion and a second storage portion that are aligned in the axial direction; a first flange portion formed on an outer periphery of a first end of the first case body; and a second flange portion formed on an outer periphery of a second end of the first case body that is axially opposite to the first end; a first plate member fixed to the first flange portion so as to close the first housing portion; a second plate member fixed to the second flange portion so as to close the second housing portion; a first assembled battery housed in the first housing portion; a second assembled battery housed in the second housing portion.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a first fin provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first case body.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a second fin provided on a main surface of the partition portion.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a third fin provided on a main surface of the first plate member.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a fourth fin provided on a main surface of the second plate member.

6. a first bus bar connecting the first assembled battery and the second assembled battery; The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the partition portion includes a first through hole that serves as a passage for the first bus bar.

7. a second case including a second case body having an open end and a third flange portion formed on an outer periphery of the second case body at one end; The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the first flange portion and the third flange portion are fastened together with the first plate member sandwiched therebetween.

8. a third assembled battery housed in the second case body; a second bus bar connecting the first assembled battery and the third assembled battery, The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the first plate member includes a second through hole that serves as a passage for the second bus bar.

9. The battery pack according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a fifth fin provided on a main surface of the second case body.

10. a third case including a third case body having an open end and a fourth flange portion formed on an outer periphery of the third case body at one end; The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the second flange portion and the fourth flange portion are fastened together with the second plate member sandwiched therebetween.

11. a fourth assembled battery housed in the third case body; a third bus bar connecting the second assembled battery and the fourth assembled battery, The battery pack according to claim 10 , wherein the second plate member includes a third through-hole that serves as a passage for the third bus bar.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrical component provided above or below the first case.

13. Further including wiring connected to the electrical equipment, The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein the partition portion includes a fourth through-hole that serves as a passage for the wiring.

14. Further including wiring connected to the electrical equipment, The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein the first plate member includes a fifth through-hole that serves as a passage for the wiring.

15. Further including wiring connected to the electrical equipment, The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein the second plate member includes a sixth through-hole that serves as a passage for the wiring.

16. A battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 15; and a body frame that supports the battery pack.

Images