Battery pack

Abstract

The goal is to suppress vibrations in the battery cells during transport and to cool the battery cells when they are in use. [Solution] A battery pack comprising a case for housing a battery pack, a support member for supporting the battery pack in the case, a heat conductive material for transferring heat from the battery cells to the case, wheels provided on the case, and a gripping member for gripping by the user, wherein the heat conductive material is installed away from the battery pack at a position opposite to the battery cells, the support member includes an elastic body interposed between the battery pack and the case, and as the battery pack approaches the heat conductive material, it receives a pressing load from the battery pack and elastically deforms, a first state in which the battery cells and the heat conductive material are separated by the support member inside the case when the gripping member is pulled out of the case, and a second state in which the battery cells and the heat conductive material are in contact as the support member elastically deforms under the pressing load inside the case.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack. <0​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ The present invention relates to a battery pack comprising: a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells; a case for housing the battery pack; a support member provided inside the case for supporting the battery pack in the case; a heat conductive material attached to the inner surface of the case for transferring heat from the battery cells to the case; wheels provided outside the case; and a gripping member that is removable from and retractable from the case and can be stored in the case, and is gripped by a user, wherein the heat conductive material is positioned away from the battery pack at a position opposite to the battery cells; the support member includes an elastic body interposed between the battery pack and the case; when the battery pack approaches the heat conductive material, it receives a pressing load from the battery pack and undergoes elastic deformation; when the gripping member is removed from the case, a first state is reached inside the case where the battery cells and the heat conductive material are separated by the support member; and when the gripping member is stored in the case, a second state is reached inside the case where the battery cells and the heat conductive material are in contact due to the elastic deformation of the support member upon receiving the pressing load. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This invention makes it possible to suppress vibrations of battery cells during transportation and to cool battery cells when the battery is in use. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the battery pack in the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating how to transport a battery pack. [Figure 3] This diagram schematically shows the battery pack of the first modified example. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the case where the battery pack of the first modified example is in a transport state. [Figure 5] This diagram schematically shows a battery pack for the second modified example. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the case where the battery pack in the second modified example is in a transport state. [Figure 7] This diagram schematically shows the battery pack of the third modified example. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the case where the battery pack in the third modified example is in a transport state. [Figure 9] This diagram schematically shows the battery pack of the fourth modified example. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the fourth modified example, showing the battery pack in a transport state. [Figure 11] This is a diagram illustrating the position in which the handle is removed, as a further variation of the fourth variation. [Figure 12] This diagram schematically shows the battery pack of the fifth modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes in detail the battery pack in the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery pack in an embodiment. Battery pack 1 is a detachable battery pack. Battery pack 1 is mounted on an electric vehicle 100, such as an electric car or electric motorcycle, as a power source for driving. Battery pack 1 can be attached to and detached from the electric vehicle 100 by the user, and is configured to be transportable by the user when detached from the electric vehicle 100.

[0011] The battery pack 1 comprises a battery pack 2, a case 3, a mount 4, a heat conductive material 5, a handle 6, wheels 7, and a connector 8.

[0012] The assembled battery 2 includes a plurality of battery cells. The battery cells are composed of lithium-ion batteries. The assembled battery 2 has a laminate in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked. The laminate includes a restraining member and is restrained by the restraining member. The restraining member includes a pair of end plates and a band member that connects the end plates to each other. The pair of end plates are arranged at both ends of the laminate. The band member is a restraining band whose both ends are attached to the pair of end plates and extends in the stacking direction. The assembled battery 2 is sandwiched between the pair of end plates from both ends in the stacking direction.

[0013] The case 3 is a battery pack case that houses the assembled battery 2. Inside the case 3, a mount 4 and a heat conductive material 5 are provided.

[0014] The mount 4 is a support member that supports the assembled battery 2 in the case 3. The assembled battery 2 is supported by the mount 4 in a state of being arranged at a position away from the inner surface of the case 3. The mount 4 includes an elastic body such as rubber. As an example, the mount 4 is entirely composed of an elastic body. The mount 4 is attached to the inner surface of the case 3 and is interposed between the assembled battery 2 and the case 3. For example, the mount 4 is attached to the end plate of the assembled battery 2, and the mount 4 is interposed between the end plate and the case 3. Also, the mount 4 can be elastically deformed between the assembled battery 2 and the case 3. When the mount 4 receives a pressing load from the assembled battery 2, the mount 4 elastically deforms so that the assembled battery 2 approaches the heat conductive material 5. When the mount 4 is compressed by the pressing load, the assembled battery 2 abuts against the heat conductive material 5. Since the assembled battery 2 is restrained by the restraining member, by interposing the mount 4 between the end plate and the case 3, when the assembled battery 2 is in a state of being separated from the heat conductive material 5, the mount 4 absorbs the vibration transmitted from the case 3 to the assembled battery 2.

[0015] The heat conductive material 5 is a member for transferring the heat of the assembled battery 2 to the case 3. The heat conductive material 5 is attached to the inner surface of the case 3 on the side where the mount 4 is installed at a position facing the battery cells of the assembled battery 2. The heat conductive material 5 is installed away from the battery cells. In the situation where the assembled battery 2 is used, the heat conductive material 5 comes into contact with the assembled battery 2. In the situation where the assembled battery 2 is not used, the heat conductive material 5 is separated from the assembled battery 2.

[0016] The situation where the assembled battery 2 is not used includes the situation where the battery pack 1 is being transported. The battery pack 1 is configured such that the inside of the case 3 changes to a different state when in use and when in transport. FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the battery pack 1 is in a use state. FIG. 2 illustrates the case where the battery pack 1 is in a transport state.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the case 3 functions as a carry case. A handle 6, wheels 7, and a connector 8 are provided outside the case 3.

[0018] The handle 6 is a gripping member that is gripped by a user who transports the battery pack 1. When viewing the battery pack 1 from the side surface side of the case 3, the handle 6 is formed in an L shape. The handle 6 can be pulled out from the case 3 and can be stored in the case 3. When the battery pack 1 is in use, as shown in FIG. 1, the handle 6 is in a state of being stored in the case 3. When the battery pack 1 is in transport, as shown in FIG. 2, the handle 6 is pulled out from the case 3 and is in a state where it can be gripped by the user.

[0019] The wheels 7 are rotatably supported with respect to the case 3. When the wheels 7 are in contact with the ground 20 and the user grips the handle 6 and pulls the case 3, the wheels 7 roll, and it is possible for the user alone to transport the battery pack 1. For example, the wheels 7 are provided on the side opposite to the side where the handle 6 is pulled out.

[0020] The connector 8 includes terminals for electrical connection to an external device. As shown in Figure 1, when the battery pack 1 is mounted on the electric vehicle 100, the connector 8 of the battery pack 1 is connected to the connection part of the electric vehicle 100.

[0021] The battery pack 1 is configured to reduce vibration of the battery cells during transport and to cool the battery cells during use. When the battery pack 2 is in contact with the heat conductive material 5 inside the case 3, the heat from the battery cells is transferred to the case 3 via the heat conductive material 5, effectively cooling the battery cells. However, in this case, the heat conductive material 5 is interposed between the battery cells and the case 3, so vibrations from the case 3 are transmitted to the battery cells via the heat conductive material 5, causing the battery cells to vibrate. Therefore, the battery pack 1 is configured so that the battery cells are separated from the heat conductive material 5 during transport, allowing the vibration damping effect of the mount 4 to be utilized.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, when the handle 6 is pulled out of the case 3, the battery cells and the heat conductive material 5 are separated by the mount 4 in a first state inside the case 3. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1, when the handle 6 is stored in the case 3, the mount 4 elastically deforms under the pressing load from the battery pack 2, resulting in a second state where the battery cells and the heat conductive material 5 are in contact.

[0023] The first state is a vibration-damped state in which the battery pack 2 is supported by the mount 4 at a position away from the heat conductive material 5. In the first state, the mount 4 supporting the battery pack 2 can elastically deform within a range that does not cause the battery pack 2 to come into contact with the heat conductive material 5, so that vibrations acting from the case 3 to the battery cells can be effectively absorbed by the mount 4. The effect of reducing vibrations to prevent vibrations from the case 3 from being transmitted to the battery cells is higher in the first state than in the second state. On the other hand, in the first state, the battery cells are separated from the heat conductive material 5, and no heat path is formed between the battery cells and the case 3 via the heat conductive material 5, so the cooling performance of the battery cells is lower than in the second state.

[0024] The second state is a cooling state in which the battery cells of the battery pack 2 are in contact with the thermal conductive material 5, and a heat path is formed between the battery cells and the case 3 via the thermal conductive material 5. In the second state, the heat from the battery cells can be dissipated to the case 3 via the thermal conductive material 5, resulting in higher cooling performance for the battery cells than in the first state. On the other hand, in the second state, the presence of the thermal conductive material 5 between the battery pack 2 and the case 3 means that vibrations from the case 3 are transmitted to the battery cells via the thermal conductive material 5, resulting in a lower effect in reducing battery cell vibrations than in the first state.

[0025] The battery pack 2 is configured to be pushed towards the heat conductive material 5 by the load received from the handle 6. For example, the pressing load from the handle 6 acts on the intervening member against the battery pack 2. This intervening member is interposed between the handle 6 and the battery pack 2 when the handle is in its retracted state. If a restraining band is provided on the upper surface of the battery pack 2, the intervening member abuts against the upper surface of the restraining band. When the handle 6 is in its retracted state, a pressing load acts from the handle 6 onto the intervening member, and this pressing load acts on the restraining band via the intervening member, thereby pushing the battery pack 2 towards the heat conductive material 5 in its entirety in the stacking direction. In other words, a pressing load is applied to the battery pack 2.

[0026] In battery pack 1, the inside of case 3 enters a vibration-damping state (first state) when the handle 6 is extended, and a cooling state (second state) when the handle 6 is retracted. In other words, battery pack 1 enters a vibration-damping state (first state) during transport and a cooling state (second state) during use.

[0027] As described above, according to the embodiment, the mount 4 can reduce vibration of the battery cells when transporting the battery pack 1, and the heat conductive material 5 can transfer heat from the battery cells to the case 3 when using the battery pack 1. This makes it possible to achieve both reduced vibration of the battery cells during transport and cooling of the battery cells during use.

[0028] The number and arrangement of the wheels 7 in the battery pack 1 are not particularly limited. One wheel 7 may be provided at each of the four corners of the case 3.

[0029] Furthermore, the position of the connector 8 is not particularly limited. Depending on the shape of the battery pack 1, the connector 8 should be provided in a position where it can be connected to the electric vehicle 100.

[0030] Furthermore, the handle 6 only needs to be shaped in a way that allows the user to grasp it, and its shape and number are not particularly limited. In addition, the handle 6 may be a retractable handle. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the handle 6 was structured to be pulled out in the height direction of the battery pack 2, but the battery pack 1 is not limited to this structure. A modified example of this is shown in Figures 3 to 6.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the battery pack 1 of the first modified example is configured such that the handle 6 slides out in the stacking direction of the battery pack 2. Figure 3 illustrates the battery pack 1 of the first modified example in use. Figure 4 illustrates the battery pack 1 of the first modified example in transport.

[0032] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second modified battery pack 1 is equipped with a handle 6 and a handle 61. Figure 5 illustrates the second modified battery pack 1 in use. Figure 6 illustrates the second modified battery pack 1 in transport. Two handles 6 and 61 are provided on both ends of the battery pack 2 in the stacking direction, making it possible to apply a pressing load to the battery pack 2 from both ends of the stacking direction using the handles 6 and 61.

[0033] Furthermore, the shape and arrangement of the intervening member that applies the pressing load from the handle 6 to the restraining member of the battery pack 2 are not particularly limited. Examples of such modifications are shown in Figures 7 to 11.

[0034] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the third modified battery pack 1 includes an intervening member 9. Figure 7 illustrates the battery pack 1 of the third modified example in a usage state. Figure 8 illustrates the battery pack 1 of the third modified example in a transport state. The intervening member 9 is a member that applies a pressing load from the handle 6 to the battery pack 2, and is interposed between the restraining member of the battery pack 2 and the handle 6 in its stored state. The intervening member 9 is in contact with a pair of end plates and band members on the upper surface side of the battery pack 2. The intervening member 9 also has a stepped portion that the gripping portion of the handle 6 abuts against. The stepped portion of the intervening member 9 is formed on the upper surface side of the intervening member 9 and is formed in a shape that is recessed toward the battery pack 2 side in the height direction of the battery pack 2. As shown in Figure 8, the relationship A thickness > B depth > C gap holds for the thickness A of the gripping portion of the handle 6, the depth B of the stepped portion of the intervening member 9, and the size of the gap C between the battery cells of the battery pack 2 and the thermal conductive material 5 in the first state. This allows the battery cells to come into contact with the thermal conductive material 5 when the handle 6 is stored in the case 3.

[0035] As shown in Figures 9 to 10, the fourth modified battery pack 1 comprises an intervening member 10, a fixing member 11, and a spring 12. Figure 9 illustrates the fourth modified battery pack 1 in use. Figure 9 also illustrates the fourth modified battery pack 1 in transport. The intervening member 10 is a member that applies a pressing load from the handle 6 to the battery pack 2 and is interposed between the fixing member 11 and the battery pack 2. The fixing member 11 is fixed to the inner surface of the case 3. The spring 12 provides a biasing force to the intervening member 10.

[0036] The intervening member 10 has its upper surface in contact with the fixing member 11, and its lower surface in contact with a pair of end plates and band members on the upper side of the battery pack 2. When the battery pack 1 is viewed from the side of the case 3, the upper surface of the intervening member 10 is formed as an inclined surface, and the lower surface of the fixing member 11 is formed as an inclined surface. One end of the intervening member 10 in the stacking direction abuts against the handle 6, and the other end in the stacking direction abuts against the spring 12. The intervening member 10 is formed so that its thickness gradually decreases from one end in the stacking direction to the other end in the stacking direction. The upper surface (inclined surface) of the intervening member 10 and the lower surface (inclined surface) of the fixing member 11 are in surface contact. The intervening member 10 is a movable member that can move in the stacking direction of the battery pack 2. When the intervening member 10 moves in the stacking direction, the upper surface of the intervening member 10 slides against the lower surface of the fixing member 11.

[0037] As shown in Figure 9, when the handle 6 is in its stored position, it pushes the intervening member 10 to one side in the stacking direction of the battery pack 2, causing the intervening member 10 to move to that side in the stacking direction and push the battery pack 2 toward the heat conductive material 5. The intervening member 10 acts a pressing load from the fixing member 11 onto the battery pack 2. In addition, both ends of the intervening member 10 in the stacking direction are sandwiched between the handle 6 and the spring 12. In this case, the spring 12 is compressed in the stacking direction, and a biasing force acts from the spring 12 on the intervening member 10 toward the handle 6.

[0038] As shown in Figure 10, when the handle 6 is pulled out, the intervening member 10 moves towards the handle 6 due to the biasing force of the spring 12, releasing the pressing load on the battery pack 2 and separating the battery cells from the heat conductive material 5. As shown in Figure 11, the position in which the handle 6 is pulled out and the position of the fulcrum of the handle 6 are not particularly limited.

[0039] Furthermore, the member that applies the pressing load to the battery pack 2 is not limited to the components of the battery pack 1. As shown in Figure 12, the structure may also involve a pressing member 101 provided on the electric vehicle 100 side pressing the battery pack 2 towards the heat conductive material 5. When the battery pack 1 is mounted on the electric vehicle 100, the pressing member 101 is inserted into the case 3 and comes into contact with the restraining member of the battery pack 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Battery pack 2 battery packs 3 cases 4. Mount (support member) 5. Thermal conductive material 6. Handle (gripping member) 7 wheels 8 connectors 9,10 Intervening members 11 Fixing member 12 springs 20 ground

Claims

1. It is a battery pack, A battery pack containing multiple battery cells, A case for housing the aforementioned battery pack, A support member provided inside the case, which supports the battery pack in the case, A heat conductive material attached to the inner surface of the case, which transmits the heat of the battery cell to the case, Wheels provided on the outside of the aforementioned case, A gripping member that can be pulled out from the case and stored in the case, and which is grasped by the user, Equipped with, The heat conductive material is installed away from the battery pack at a position opposite to the battery cell, The support member includes an elastic body interposed between the battery pack and the case, and as the battery pack approaches the heat conductive material, it receives a pressing load from the battery pack and undergoes elastic deformation. When the gripping member is pulled out of the case, the battery cell and the heat conductive material inside the case are separated by the support member, resulting in a first state. When the gripping member is housed in the case, the support member elastically deforms under the pressure load inside the case, resulting in a second state where the battery cell and the heat conductive material come into contact. A battery pack characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned battery pack is A laminate formed by stacking the aforementioned multiple battery cells, A pair of end plates are arranged at both ends of the laminate in the stacking direction of the laminate, It includes a band member that is arranged to connect the pair of end plates and extends in the stacking direction, The support member is interposed between the end plate and the case, and receives the pressing load from the end plate when the battery pack is pushed toward the heat conductive material while the battery cells are not in contact with the heat conductive material. The battery pack according to feature 1.

3. The battery pack is configured to be pushed toward the heat conductive material by the load received from the gripping member. The battery pack according to feature 2.

Images