Battery pack and vehicle
The battery pack design with raised portions, grooves, and shielding bodies addresses the issue of foreign matter intrusion through gas ports, enhancing the housing's protective capabilities against contaminants.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing battery pack housings face challenges in preventing the intrusion of foreign matter such as water and dust through ports for gas exchange, which can compromise the internal space integrity.
The battery pack design incorporates raised portions and grooves on the housing, along with a shielding body, to manage gas flow while minimizing the entry of foreign substances, utilizing inclined grooves and strategically positioned breathers to direct foreign matter away from the internal space.
This configuration effectively suppresses the intrusion of foreign matter into the housing, maintaining the internal space's integrity and protecting the battery cells from contaminants.
Smart Images
Figure 2026060388000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle.
Background Art
[0002] In recent years, various battery packs have been developed. A battery pack includes a battery cell and a housing that houses the battery cell.
[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a battery pack mounted on a vehicle. The battery pack has an intake port opened toward the front of the vehicle and an exhaust port opened toward the rear of the vehicle.
[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a vehicle equipped with a battery pack. The battery pack is disposed in a recess formed in a floor panel below a rear seat of the vehicle. The battery pack includes a case that houses a battery stack and an exhaust duct.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0005]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0006] The housing that houses the battery cell may have a port such as a breather for allowing at least one of outflow and inflow of gas such as air between the internal space and the external space of the housing. When the housing has the port, it may be required to suppress intrusion of foreign matters such as water and dust into the internal space of the housing through the port.
[0007] One example of the object of the present invention is to prevent foreign matter from entering the internal space of the housing through ports for at least one of the outflow and inflow of gas between the internal and external spaces of the housing. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description herein. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] One aspect of the present invention is as follows: 1. Battery cell and, A housing for the aforementioned battery cell, Equipped with, The housing has a first raised portion having a port for at least one of gas outflow and inflow between the internal and external spaces of the housing, and a second raised portion located away from the first raised portion. The port is located on the side of the first protrusion where the second protrusion is located, in the battery pack. 2. The battery pack according to 1, wherein the housing defines a groove located between the first and second raised portions. 3. The battery pack according to 2, wherein the groove is at least partially inclined toward the side away from the plane perpendicular to the height of the first or second protrusion, including the port. 4. The battery pack according to any one of 1 to 3, wherein the first and second raised portions cover different battery cells. 5. A battery pack according to any one of 1 to 4, further comprising a shielding body facing the port. 6. A vehicle equipped with a battery pack as described in any one of items 1 to 5. 7. The vehicle according to 6, further comprising a shielding body facing the port. [Effects of the Invention]
[0009] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the internal space of the housing through a port for allowing at least one of gas outflow and inflow between the internal and external spaces of the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0010] [Figure 1] This is a side view of the vehicle according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the battery pack according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a side view of a battery pack according to an embodiment in which a shielding body is provided. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted where appropriate.
[0012] Figure 1 is a side view of the vehicle 2 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a side view of the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment with the shielding body 400 provided. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 2.
[0013] Each figure shows the X, Y, and Z directions for explanatory purposes. In Figures 1 and 3, the white circle with an X indicating the Y direction indicates that the tip of the arrow pointing in the Y direction is facing away from the page. In Figure 4, the white circle with an X indicating the X direction indicates that the tip of the arrow pointing in the X direction is facing away from the page. The X direction indicates the front-to-back direction of vehicle 2. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The Y direction indicates the left-to-right direction of vehicle 2. The Z direction is perpendicular to both the X and Y directions. The Z direction indicates the up-to-down direction of vehicle 2. The arrows pointing in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction indicate the front, left, and up directions of vehicle 2, respectively.
[0014] In an embodiment, the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the battery pack 10 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 are the same as the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the vehicle 2 shown in FIG. 1, respectively. However, the orientation of the battery pack 10 with respect to the vehicle 2 is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. For example, the relationships of the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction of the battery pack 10 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 may be different from the relationships of the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction of the vehicle 2 shown in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the battery pack 10 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 will be described as being the same as the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the vehicle 2 shown in FIG. 1, respectively.
[0015] Hereinafter, as necessary, the side indicated by the arrow indicating the X direction is referred to as the +X side, and the opposite side of the side indicated by the arrow indicating the X direction is referred to as the -X side. Hereinafter, as necessary, the side indicated by the arrow indicating the Y direction is referred to as the +Y side, and the opposite side of the side indicated by the arrow indicating the Y direction is referred to as the -Y side. Hereinafter, as necessary, the side indicated by the arrow indicating the Z direction is referred to as the +Z side, and the opposite side of the side indicated by the arrow indicating the Z direction is referred to as the -Z side.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle 2 according to the embodiment will be described.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 2 according to the embodiment includes the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, for the sake of explanation, the battery pack 10 mounted on the vehicle 2 is illustrated in a state of passing through the vehicle 2. In FIG. 1, for the sake of explanation, the outer contour line of the battery pack 10 is schematically illustrated by a dashed line. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 10 is mounted between the front wheels 4a and the rear wheels 4b of the vehicle 2. The position where the battery pack 10 of the vehicle 2 is mounted is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1. The use of the battery pack 10 is not limited to the vehicle 2. The battery pack 10 may be used for applications different from the vehicle 2.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment will be described.
[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the battery pack 10 comprises a plurality of battery cells 100 and a housing 200. In Figure 2, for illustrative purposes, the plurality of battery cells 100 housed in the internal space of the housing 200 are shown as if they were transparent to the housing 200. In Figure 2, for illustrative purposes, the outlines of each battery cell 100 are schematically shown with dashed lines.
[0020] In the example shown in Figure 2, the battery pack 10 comprises a plurality of battery cells 100 housed in the internal space of the front of the housing 200 on the +X side, and a plurality of other battery cells 100 housed in the internal space of the rear of the housing 200 on the -X side. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the plurality of battery cells 100 on the front side refers to the plurality of battery cells 100 housed in the internal space of the front of the housing 200 on the +X side, and the plurality of battery cells 100 on the rear side refers to the plurality of other battery cells 100 housed in the internal space of the rear of the housing 200 on the -X side.
[0021] As shown in Figure 2, each battery cell 100 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape with a pair of faces substantially perpendicular to the X direction, a pair of faces substantially perpendicular to the Y direction, and a pair of faces substantially perpendicular to the Z direction, and the dimension in the Z direction is less than the dimension in the X direction and greater than the dimension in the Y direction. The shape of each battery cell 100 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the front-side battery cells 100 are stacked in the Y direction and are electrically connected to each other in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel. As shown in Figure 2, the rear-side battery cells 100 are stacked in the Y direction and are electrically connected to each other in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel. The arrangement of the multiple battery cells 100 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 2. For example, the multiple battery cells 100 may be stacked in the X direction. In addition, multiple other battery cells 100 may be housed in addition to the multiple battery cells 100 at the front and rear.
[0022] The multiple battery cells 100 on the front side may be housed in a separate housing (not shown) provided separately from the housing 200, and then housed in the internal space of the front +X side of the housing 200. The multiple battery cells 100 and the housing provided separately from the housing 200 to house the multiple battery cells 100 may be referred to as a battery module. When the battery pack 10 comprises a battery module having the multiple battery cells 100 and the housing, the battery module is housed in the housing 200. Alternatively, the multiple battery cells 100 on the front side may be housed directly in the internal space of the front +X side of the housing 200 without being housed in a separate housing provided separately from the housing 200. The same applies to the multiple battery cells 100 on the rear side.
[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the housing 200 houses multiple battery cells 100. As shown in Figure 2, the housing 200 has a lower plate 210, a side frame 220, and an upper plate 230. The lower plate 210 and the side frame 220 are sometimes collectively referred to as the lower case. The upper plate 230 is sometimes referred to as the upper case.
[0024] The lower plate 210 is positioned approximately perpendicular to the Z direction. Multiple battery cells 100 are located on the +Z side relative to the +Z side surface of the lower plate 210. As shown in Figure 2, the lower plate 210 has a roughly rectangular shape with a pair of long sides approximately parallel to the X direction and a pair of short sides approximately parallel to the Y direction. The shape of the lower plate 210 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 2.
[0025] The side frame 220 extends from the entire circumference of the +Z-side surface of the lower plate 210 toward the +Z direction. Viewed from the Z direction, the side frame 220 surrounds the area where the multiple battery cells 100 are located.
[0026] The upper plate 230 is located on the +Z side relative to the multiple battery cells 100 and the side frame 220. Viewed from the Z direction, the lower plate 210 and the upper plate 230 have substantially the same shape. The side frame 220 and the portion of the upper plate 230 that overlaps with the side frame 220 in the Z direction are fastened to each other by fasteners such as bolts (not shown). With the side frame 220 and the portion of the upper plate 230 that overlaps with the side frame 220 in the Z direction fastened to each other, the lower plate 210, the side frame 220 and the upper plate 230 form an internal space that accommodates the multiple battery cells 100.
[0027] The details of the upper plate 230 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4.
[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper plate 230 has a front ridge 232 and a rear ridge 234. The front ridge 232 and the rear ridge 234 are raised upward on the +X side relative to the lower plate 210 and the side frame 220. The front ridge 232 and the rear ridge 234 are located apart from each other in the X direction.
[0029] The front ridge 232 is located on the +X side of the front of the upper plate 230. As shown in Figure 2, the front ridge 232 covers a plurality of battery cells 100 on the front side. In the example shown in Figure 2, the front ridge 232 has a substantially rectangular base with a pair of sides substantially parallel to the X direction and another pair of sides substantially parallel to the Y direction. The shape of the front ridge 232 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 2.
[0030] The rear ridge 234 is located at the rear of the upper plate 230 on the -X side. As shown in Figure 2, the rear ridge 234 covers several other battery cells 100 at the rear. Thus, in the example shown in Figure 2, the front ridge 232 and the rear ridge 234 cover different battery cells 100. In the example shown in Figure 2, the rear ridge 234 has a roughly rectangular bottom with a pair of sides substantially parallel to the X direction and another pair of sides substantially parallel to the Y direction. The shape of the rear ridge 234 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 2.
[0031] In the example shown in Figure 3, the height of the front protrusion 232 in the Z direction is greater than the height of the rear protrusion 234 in the Z direction. In other words, the upper end of the front protrusion 232 on the +Z side is located above the plane perpendicular to the Z direction, including the upper end of the rear protrusion 234 on the +Z side. The relationship between the heights of the front protrusion 232 and the rear protrusion 234 in the Z direction is not limited to the example shown in Figure 3. The heights of the front protrusion 232 and the rear protrusion 234 in the Z direction may be equal, or the height of the front protrusion 232 in the Z direction may be less than the height of the rear protrusion 234 in the Z direction.
[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the front bulge 232 has a plurality of breathers 300. In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 4, two breathers 300 are provided side by side in the Y direction on the rear surface on the -X side of the -Y side portion of the front bulge 232. In the example shown in Figure 3, each breather 300 is located at least partially above the +Z side with respect to a plane perpendicular to the Z direction, including the upper end on the +Z side of the rear bulge 234. The number and arrangement of breathers 300 are not limited to the examples shown in Figures 2 to 4. For example, the front bulge 232 may have only one breather 300. The breather 300 and the upper end on the +Z side of the rear bulge 234 may be located substantially on the same plane perpendicular to the Z direction. The breather 300 may be located at least partially below the -Z side with respect to a plane perpendicular to the Z direction, including the upper end on the +Z side of the rear bulge 234. The breather 300 may be positioned opposite the front surface of the rear raised portion 234 on the +X side in the X direction. The breather 300 may be provided on the front surface of the rear raised portion 234 on the +X side instead of the rear surface of the front raised portion 232 on the -X side.
[0033] The breather 300 is provided to allow the outflow and inflow of gases such as air between the internal and external spaces of the housing 200. The breather 300 has a ventilation membrane to equalize the pressure in the internal space of the housing 200 and the pressure in the external space of the housing 200. Therefore, if the pressure in the internal space of the housing 200 is higher than the pressure in the external space of the housing 200, the breather 300 will allow gases such as air from the internal space of the housing 200 to flow out into the external space of the housing 200. Conversely, if the pressure in the external space of the housing 200 is higher than the pressure in the internal space of the housing 200, the breather 300 will allow gases such as air from the external space of the housing 200 to flow into the internal space of the housing 200. Furthermore, the breather 300 has a filter to block foreign matter such as water and dust. Therefore, the intrusion of foreign matter such as water and dust from the external space of the housing 200 to the internal space through the breather 300 can be suppressed.
[0034] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, each breather 300 is located on the side of the front raised portion 232 where the rear raised portion 234 is located. Therefore, compared to the case where the rear raised portion 234 is not provided and the upper surface on the +Z side of the rear of the -X side of the upper plate 230 is flat, the rear raised portion 234 can suppress the arrival of foreign matter such as water and dust from the rear of the housing 200 on the -X side to the breather 300. Therefore, compared to the case where the rear raised portion 234 is not provided and the upper surface on the +Z side of the rear of the -X side of the upper plate 230 is flat, the intrusion of foreign matter into the internal space of the housing 200 through the breather 300 can be suppressed.
[0035] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper plate 230 defines a groove 236 located between the front ridge 232 and the rear ridge 234. As shown in Figure 2, viewed from the Z direction, the groove 236 extends in the Y direction. The groove 236 is defined by the front ridge 232 and the rear ridge 234. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the inner surface of the groove 236 on the +X side is at least a portion of the rear surface of the front ridge 232 on the -X side, and the outer surface of the groove 236 on the -X side is at least a portion of the front surface of the rear ridge 234 on the +X side. As shown in Figure 3, the groove 236 has a bottom surface located between the lower end on the -Z side of the rear surface of the front ridge 232 on the -X side and the upper end on the +Z side of the front surface of the rear ridge 234 on the +X side.
[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the grooves 236 are provided in the portion of the upper plate 230 that overlaps with the multiple battery cells 100 on the front side in the Z direction, and in the portion of the upper plate 230 that overlaps with the multiple battery cells 100 on the rear side in the Z direction. Therefore, the grooves 236 are provided in a position that does not overlap with the battery cells 100 in the Z direction. Consequently, compared to the case where the grooves 236 are provided in a position that overlaps with the battery cells 100 in the Z direction, it is easier to recess the grooves 236 downwards on the -Z side.
[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the bottom surface of the groove 236 on the -Z side is at least partially inclined downward on the -Z side as it moves away from the approximate center of the groove 236 in the Y direction toward both sides in the Y direction. In other words, the groove 236 is at least partially inclined toward the side away from the plane perpendicular to the Z direction that contains the breather 300. Therefore, compared to the case where the groove 236 is flat in the direction perpendicular to the Z direction, it is possible to more easily keep foreign matter such as water and dust that enters the groove 236 away from the breather 300. In the embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, both ends of the groove 236 in the Y direction are open. Therefore, foreign matter such as water and dust that enters the groove 236 can be discharged toward both sides of the housing 200 in the Y direction through the openings at both ends of the groove 236 in the Y direction.
[0038] As shown in Figure 3, a shielding body 400 may be provided behind the breather 300 on the -X side. The breather 300 and the shielding body 400 face each other in the X direction. The shielding body 400 may be part of the battery pack 10 or part of the vehicle 2. By providing the shielding body 400, the intrusion of foreign matter such as water and dust from the external space of the housing 200 into the internal space through the breather 300 can be suppressed by the shielding body 400. In the example shown in Figure 3, the shielding body 400 is at least partially fitted into the gap including the groove 236 between the rear surface of the front protrusion 232 on the -X side and the front surface of the rear protrusion 234 on the +X side. Therefore, compared to the case where the gap does not exist, it is easier to position the shielding body 400 so that the breather 300 and the shielding body 400 face each other in the X direction.
[0039] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.
[0040] The configuration of the front raised portion 232 and the rear raised portion 234 applied to the breather 300 according to this embodiment is applicable to a port for allowing at least one of the outflow and inflow of gas such as air between the internal and external spaces of the housing 200, including the breather 300. Examples of such ports include an outlet exclusively for gas outflow and an inlet exclusively for gas inflow.
[0041] In this embodiment, the front protrusion 232 and the rear protrusion 234 are exemplified as protrusions for suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter into the internal space of the housing 200 through the breather 300. The protrusions are not limited to the front protrusion 232 and the rear protrusion 234, but may be other protrusions that can be formed on the housing 200. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0042] 2 Vehicle, 4a Front wheel, 4b Rear wheel, 10 Battery pack, 100 Battery cell, 200 Housing, 210 Lower plate, 220 Side frame, 230 Upper plate, 232 Front bulge, 234 Rear bulge, 236 Groove, 300 Breather, 400 Shielding
Claims
1. Battery cell and A housing for the aforementioned battery cell, Equipped with, The housing has a first raised portion having a port for at least one of gas outflow and inflow between the internal and external spaces of the housing, and a second raised portion located away from the first raised portion. The port is located on the side of the first protrusion where the second protrusion is located, in the battery pack.
2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a groove located between the first and second raised portions.
3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the groove is at least partially inclined toward the side away from the plane perpendicular to the height of the first or second protrusion that includes the port.
4. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first raised portion and the second raised portion cover different battery cells.
5. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a shielding body facing the port.
6. A vehicle equipped with a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
7. The vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising a shielding body facing the port.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Battery pack cooling structure for electric vehicle
JP2013252731A
Battery pack mounting vehicle
JP2018062256A