Support device

Abstract

To provide a support device that can release a battery that has overheated in the longitudinal direction of the battery. [Solution] The support device 1 that supports the battery 2 comprises thermal expansion members 10a and 10b positioned away from the battery on one side in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2, a pair of thermally conductive clamping members 11a and 11b that clamp the thermal expansion members 10a and 10b from the longitudinal direction, a first conductive portion 12 positioned to contact one end 21 in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2, and a first thermally conductive elastic member 13 positioned between the clamping member 11b located on the battery 2 side of the pair of clamping members 11a and 11b and the first conductive portion 12. The first elastic member 13 biases the battery 2 toward the other side in the longitudinal direction via the first conductive portion 12 when the thermal expansion members 10a and 10b expand due to thermal runaway of the battery 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a support device for supporting a battery.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various techniques for removing a battery in which an abnormality has occurred have been proposed. As an example of such a technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a safety device that cuts off the conduction of a battery by a bimetal disposed below the battery being deformed by heat generated by an overcurrent.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the safety device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that a thermally runaway battery cannot be taken out in the longitudinal direction of the battery.

[0005] The present disclosure is for solving such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a support device capable of taking out a thermally runaway battery in the longitudinal direction of the battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The support device for supporting a battery according to the present disclosure is a thermal expansion member disposed away from the battery on one side in the longitudinal direction of the battery, a pair of sandwiching members having thermal conductivity for sandwiching the thermal expansion member from the longitudinal direction, a first conduction part disposed so as to contact one side end part in the longitudinal direction of the battery, The device comprises a first elastic member having thermal conductivity, which is positioned between the clamping member located on the battery side of a pair of clamping members and the first conductive portion. The first elastic member biases the battery toward the other side in the longitudinal direction via the first conductive portion, as the thermal expansion member expands due to the battery's thermal runaway.

[0007] Furthermore, the support device is A pair of gripping parts that grip the battery from the short side, A pair of rotating members extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein one end of each of the pair of rotating members is connected to each of the pair of gripping parts so that they can rotate about a rotation axis perpendicular to the transverse direction, It comprises a pair of second conductive parts connected to the other end of each of the pair of rotating members and positioned to contact the other end of the battery in the longitudinal direction, The pair of rotating members rotate when a battery biased by a first elastic member pushes a pair of second conductive parts. The pair of second conductive parts move in the shorter direction so as the pair of rotating members rotate, causing them to move away from each other.

[0008] Furthermore, the support device is A pair of longitudinal members extending in the longitudinal direction, which are interlocked with a pair of rotating members and a pair of second conductive parts, It may include a second elastic member extending in the short direction, connected to the inner surfaces of a pair of longitudinal members.

[0009] Furthermore, the support device is The battery comprises a short-direction member that extends in the short-direction direction and includes a tip portion having an inclined surface, On the shorter side of the battery, a recess is formed that engages with the tip of the shorter member, such that the inclined surface of the tip of the shorter member faces one side in the longitudinal direction.

[0010] The short-axis member inserted into the recess of the battery can move in the short-axis direction as the battery is biased by the first elastic member.

[0011] The short-side direction member can be formed to be pullable in the short-side direction.

[0012] The first elastic member is arranged to press the first conduction part against the battery.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a support device capable of discharging a thermally runaway battery in the longitudinal direction of the battery.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a support device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view of the support device along the cross-section line I-I shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the support device when the battery undergoes thermal runaway. [Figure 4] It is a front view of the short-side direction member. [Figure 5] It is a side view of the short-side direction member. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view of the short-side direction member along the cross-section line II-II shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a front view of a pulling tool for pulling out the short-side direction member. [Figure 8] It is a side view of the pulling tool. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing a support device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view showing a support device according to a second embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] <The First Embodiment> Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a support device 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the support device 1 along the cross-sectional line I-I shown in Figure 1. The support device 1 is a support device for supporting a battery 2. The support device 1 comprises thermal expansion members 10a, 10b, a pair of clamping members 11a, 11b, a first conductive part 12, an elastic member 13, a pair of gripping parts 14a, 14b, a pair of rotating members 15a, 15b, a pair of second conductive parts 16a, 16b, and short-direction members 17a, 17b.

[0016] The thermal expansion members 10a and 10b are members that expand as the temperature rises. The thermal expansion members 10a and 10b are made of a material that expands at the temperature at which the battery experiences thermal runaway (e.g., 200°C), such as thermal expansion rubber. A specific example of thermal expansion rubber is acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). As shown in Figure 1, the thermal expansion members 10a and 10b are positioned away from the battery 2 on one side in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 (the upper side in Figure 1). In the example shown in Figure 1, two thermal expansion members 10a and 10b are used, but in other examples, one thermal expansion member or three or more thermal expansion members may be used.

[0017] The clamping members 11a and 11b are thermally conductive. The clamping members 11a and 11b are members that clamp the thermal expansion members 10a and 10b from the longitudinal direction of the battery 2. Preferably, the clamping members 11a and 11b are made of a non-conductive material. Alternatively, a pair of clamping members 11a and 11b made of a conductive material may be insulated. The clamping member 11a is fixed by any fixing means so that its position does not change.

[0018] The first conductive portion 12 is a component formed of a conductive material. The first conductive portion 12 has thermal conductivity. As shown in Figure 2, the first conductive portion 12 is positioned to contact one end 21 in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2. One end 21 in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 is provided with either a positive or negative terminal, which is one of the terminals of the battery 2.

[0019] The elastic member 13 is an elastic member having thermal conductivity. Specific examples of the elastic member 13 include springs. It is preferable that the elastic member 13 be formed from a non-conductive material. Alternatively, an elastic member 13 formed from a conductive material may be subjected to an insulating treatment.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the elastic member 13 is positioned between the clamping member 11b, which is located on the battery 2 side of the pair of clamping members 11a and 11b, and the first conductive portion 12. The elastic member 13 is positioned so as to press the first conductive portion 12 against the battery 2 with its elastic force. Furthermore, the elastic member 13 biases the battery 2 toward the other longitudinal side (the lower side in Figure 1) via the first conductive portion 12 as the thermal expansion members 10a and 10b expand due to thermal runaway of the battery 2.

[0021] The gripping portions 14a and 14b are members that grip the battery 2 from the short side of the battery 2. The gripping portions 14a and 14b each have through holes 140a and 140b that extend in the short side direction. As shown in Figure 2, the short side members 17a and 17b are inserted into the through holes 140a and 140b, respectively.

[0022] The short-direction members 17a and 17b are members that extend in the short direction of the battery 2. Each of the short-direction members 17a and 17b has a tip with an inclined surface. The short-direction members 17a and 17b function as stoppers to hold the position of the battery 2.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, a recess 23 is formed on the short-side surface of the battery 2, which engages with the tip of the short-side member 17a. The recess 23 is formed such that the inclined surfaces of the tips of the short-side members 17a and 17b face one side in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 (the upper side in Figure 1), in other words, the opposite side from the direction of movement of the battery 2.

[0024] The rotating members 15a and 15b are rotatable members that extend in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 when the battery 2 is stationary. One end 151a of the rotating member 15a in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 is connected to the gripping portion 14a so that the rotating member 15a can rotate about the rotation axis Xa. The rotation axis Xa is a rotation axis perpendicular to the short direction of the battery 2. The other end 152a of the rotating member 15a in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 is connected to the second conductive portion 16a.

[0025] Similarly, one end 151b of the rotating member 15b in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 is connected to the gripping portion 14b so that the rotating member 15b can rotate about the rotation axis Xb. The rotation axis Xb is a rotation axis perpendicular to the short direction of the battery 2. The other end 152b of the rotating member 15b in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 is connected to the second conductive portion 16b.

[0026] The second conductive portions 16a and 16b are members formed of a conductive material. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second conductive portion 16a is connected to the other end 152a of the rotating member 15a and is positioned to contact the other longitudinal end 22 of the battery 2. Similarly, the second conductive portion 16b is connected to the other end 152b of the rotating member 15b and is positioned to contact the other longitudinal end 22 of the battery 2.

[0027] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the support device 1 when the battery 2 experiences thermal runaway. Figure 3 shows four states of the support device 1. State 1 shows the state of the support device 1 when the battery 2 is not experiencing thermal runaway. States 2 to 4 show the state of the support device 1 when the battery 2 is experiencing thermal runaway.

[0028] As shown in state 2, when the battery 2 experiences thermal runaway, the heat is transferred to the thermal expansion members 10a and 10b via the first conductive part 12, the elastic member 13, and the clamping member 11b, causing the thermal expansion members 10a and 10b to expand. Subsequently, the expanded thermal expansion members 10a and 10b push the clamping member 11b toward the other side in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 (the lower side in Figure 3), compressing the elastic member 13. At this time, the clamping member 11a is fixed so as not to change its position.

[0029] When the elastic member 13 is compressed, as shown in state 3, the elastic member 13 biases the battery 2 via the first conductive portion 12 toward the other side in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 (the lower side in Figure 3). When the battery 2 is biased, the short-direction members 17a and 17b are pushed outward in the short direction of the battery 2, causing the battery 2 to move toward the other side in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 (the lower side in Figure 3). As the battery 2 moves in this way, it pushes the second conductive portions 16a and 16b, causing the rotating members 15a and 15b connected to the second conductive portions 16a and 16b to rotate, and the second conductive portions 16a and 16b move toward each other in the short direction.

[0030] When the short-direction members 17a and 17b, which act as stoppers, are completely released, the battery 2 falls due to its own weight, as shown in state 4. As a result, the battery 2 is released from the support device 1, and the electrical connection between the battery 2 and the first conductive part 12 and the second conductive parts 16a and 16b is lost.

[0031] Figure 4 is a front view of the short-side member 17a. The short-side member 17b has the same shape as the short-side member 17a. The short-side member 17a includes a tip portion 171a having an inclined surface and an end portion 172a located on the opposite side of the tip portion 171a in the longitudinal direction of the short-side member 17a.

[0032] Figure 5 is a side view of the short-side member 17a. Figure 5 shows the end portion 172a of the short-side member 17a. The end portion 172a is provided with an opening 173a having a pair of opposing notches 174a and 175a. The opening 173a is formed such that the diameter D1 of the circular portion of the opening 173a is smaller than the distance D2 between the notches 174a and 175a.

[0033] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the short-direction member 17a along the cross-sectional line II-II shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the short-direction member 17a has a protrusion 176a formed around the opening 173a.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, the support device 1 is provided with a cylindrical cavity 177a that is continuous with the opening 173a. The cavity 177a is formed such that its diameter D3 is larger than the diameter D1 of the opening 173a. Furthermore, the diameter D3 of the cavity 177a is greater than or equal to the distance D2 between the notches 174a and 175a.

[0035] Figure 7 is a front view of the extraction tool 30 for extracting the short-sided members 17a and 17b inserted into the battery 2. Figure 8 is a side view of the extraction tool 30. The extraction tool 30 comprises a head portion 31 and a body portion 32. The head portion 31 is inserted into the opening 173a of the short-sided member 17a. The head portion 31 can also be inserted into the opening of the short-sided member 17b. The height H1 of the head portion 31 is less than the distance D2 between the notches 174a and 175a of the short-sided member 17a, and less than the diameter D3 of the cavity 177a, and greater than the diameter D1 of the opening 173a of the short-sided member 17a.

[0036] The body portion 32 is an elongated member. One end of the body portion 32 is connected to another body portion 32. In the examples shown in Figures 7 and 8, the shape of the body portion 32 is cylindrical. The diameter D4 of the body portion 32 is less than the diameter D1 of the opening 173a of the short-side member 17a.

[0037] When removing the short-side member 17a from the battery 2, the head portion 31 of the extraction tool 30 is inserted into the cavity portion 177a of the short-side member 17a through the notches 174a and 175a of the short-side member 17a. Next, the extraction tool 30 is rotated around its longitudinal axis Y so that the head portion 31 contacts the protrusion 176a of the short-side member 17a. Then, with the head portion 31 in contact with the protrusion 176a of the short-side member 17a, the extraction tool 30 is moved outward in the short-side direction of the battery 2, thereby pulling out the short-side member 17a.

[0038] As described above, the support device 1 comprises thermal expansion members 10a and 10b, a pair of thermally conductive clamping members 11a and 11b, a first conductive portion 12, and a thermally conductive elastic member 13. The thermal expansion members 10a and 10b are positioned on one side of the battery 2 in the longitudinal direction, away from the battery 2. The pair of clamping members 11a and 11b clamp the thermal expansion members 10a and 10b from the longitudinal direction. The first conductive portion 12 is positioned to contact one end 21 in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2. The elastic member 13 is positioned between the clamping member 11b, which is on the battery 2 side of the pair of clamping members, and the first conductive portion 12. The elastic member 13 biases the battery 2 toward the other side in the longitudinal direction via the first conductive portion 12 when the thermal expansion members 10a and 10b expand due to thermal runaway of the battery 2.

[0039] By adopting this configuration, the thermally runaway battery 2 is biased toward the other side in the longitudinal direction, making it easy to remove the thermally runaway battery 2. In addition, it is possible to lose electrical contact between the battery 2 and the conductive part provided in the support device 1.

[0040] The support device 1 also includes a pair of gripping parts 14a, 14b, a pair of rotating members 15a, 15b, and a pair of second conductive parts 16a, 16b. The pair of gripping parts 14a, 14b grip the battery 2 from the short side. The pair of rotating members 15a, 15b are rotating members that extend in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2. One end 151a, 151b of each of the pair of rotating members 15a, 15b is connected to the respective gripping parts 14a, 14b so that the pair of rotating members 15a, 15b can rotate around rotation axes Xa, Xb perpendicular to the short side of the battery 2. The pair of second conductive parts 16a, 16b are connected to the other end 152a, 152b of each of the pair of rotating members 15a, 15b and are positioned to contact the other longitudinal end 22 of the battery 2. The pair of rotating members 15a and 15b rotate when the battery 2, biased by the elastic member 13, pushes against the pair of second conductive parts 16a and 16b. As the pair of rotating members 15a and 15b rotate, the pair of second conductive parts 16a and 16b move in the shorter direction so as to move away from each other.

[0041] In this way, the pair of rotating members 15a and 15b rotate and move away from each other in the shorter direction, allowing the overheated battery 2 to move to the other side in the longer direction. Therefore, the overheated battery 2 can be easily removed. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, by arranging the support device 1 so that the overheated battery 2 is biased downward in the vertical direction, the overheated battery 2 is biased downward in the vertical direction and falls, thus allowing the overheated battery 2 to be automatically removed.

[0042] Furthermore, the support device 1 includes short-direction members 17a and 17b. The short-direction members 17a and 17b extend in the short direction of the battery 2 and have tip portions with inclined surfaces. The short-direction side surface of the battery 2 has recesses 23 formed therein that fit with the tip portions of the short-direction members 17a and 17b, such that the inclined surfaces of the short-direction members 17a and 17b face one side in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2.

[0043] By adopting this configuration, the short-direction members 17a and 17b function as stoppers to maintain the position of the battery 2. Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, even if the support device 1 is positioned so that the thermally runaway battery 2 is biased downward in the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent the battery 2 from falling due to its own weight.

[0044] Furthermore, the short-direction members 17a and 17b, which are inserted into the recess 23 of the battery 2, move in the short direction of the battery 2 as the battery 2 is biased by the elastic member 13.

[0045] By adopting this configuration, the short-direction members 17a and 17b, which act as stoppers, are released, allowing the thermally runaway battery 2 to move to the other side in the longitudinal direction.

[0046] Furthermore, the short-direction members 17a and 17b are formed to be removable in the short-direction direction of the battery 2. By adopting this configuration, the short-direction members 17a and 17b, which act as stoppers, can be removed, allowing the battery 2 to be removed when replacing the battery 2 or when disassembling the support device 1.

[0047] Furthermore, the elastic member 13 is positioned to press the first conductive portion 12 against the battery 2. This reduces the electrical resistance between the first conductive portion 12 and the battery 2.

[0048] In the first embodiment described above, the battery 2 is dispensed from the lower side of the support device 1. However, in other embodiments, the battery 2 may be dispensed from the upper side of the support device 1 by reversing its orientation.

[0049] <Second Embodiment> Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a support device 3 according to the second embodiment. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The support device 3, like the support device 1, comprises thermal expansion members 10a, 10b, a pair of clamping members 11a, 11b, a first conductive part 12, an elastic member 13, a pair of gripping parts 14a, 14b, a pair of rotating members 15a, 15b, a pair of second conductive parts 16a, 16b, and short-direction members 17a, 17b. These members are the same as those in the support device 1. The support device 3 further comprises a pair of longitudinal members 18a, 18b and a second elastic member 19.

[0050] The longitudinal members 18a and 18b are members that substantially extend in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 when the battery 2 is stationary. The longitudinal members 18a and 18b are connected to the second conductive parts 16a and 16b, respectively, and are linked to the rotating members 15a and 15b and the second conductive parts 16a and 16b.

[0051] The second elastic member 19 is a member connected to the inner surfaces of the longitudinal members 18a and 18b so as to extend in the short direction of the battery 2. The second elastic member 19 is made of any elastic material such as rubber. The second elastic member 19 functions as a receiving structure when the battery 2 falls.

[0052] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the support device 3 when the battery 2 experiences thermal runaway. Figure 10 shows three states of the support device 3. State 1 shows the state of the support device 3 when the battery 2 is not experiencing thermal runaway. States 2 and 3 show the state of the support device 3 when the battery 2 is experiencing thermal runaway.

[0053] Similar to the support device 1 according to the first embodiment, when the battery 2 overheats, as shown in state 2, the battery 2 is biased by the elastic member 13 via the first conductive part 12 and falls due to its own weight. At this time, the longitudinal members 18a and 18b move away from each other in conjunction with the rotating members 15a and 15b and the second conductive parts 16a and 16b. As a result, the second elastic member 19 is stretched in the short direction of the battery 2. Then, as shown in state 3, the stretched second elastic member 19 catches the fallen battery 2. At this time, due to the elastic force of the second elastic member 19, the longitudinal members 18a and 18b move closer to each other.

[0054] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1: Support device 2:Battery 3: Support device 10a: Thermal expansion member 10b: Thermal expansion member 11a: Holding member 11b: Holding member 12: First conductive part 13: Elastic member 14a: Grip part 14b: Grip part 15a: Rotating member 15b: Rotating member 16a: Second conductive part 16b: Second conductive part 17a: Short-direction member 17b: Short-direction member 18a: Longitudinal member 18b: Longitudinal member 19: Second elastic member 21: One end 22 :Other side end 23: Recess 30: Extraction equipment 31: Head section 32: Body part 140a: Through hole 140b: Through hole 151a: End 151b: End 152a: End 152b: End 171a:Tip 172a: End 173a:Aperture 174a: Notch 175a: Notch 176a: Convex part 177a: Cavity Xa: axis of rotation Xb: Rotation axis Y: Longitudinal axis

Claims

1. A support device for supporting a battery, A thermal expansion member is positioned away from the battery on one side in the longitudinal direction of the battery, A pair of thermally conductive clamping members that clamp the thermal expansion member from the longitudinal direction, A first conductive portion is positioned to contact one end of the battery in the longitudinal direction, The device comprises a first elastic member having thermal conductivity, which is positioned between the clamping member located on the battery side of the pair of clamping members and the first conductive portion. The first elastic member, when the thermal expansion member expands due to the thermal runaway of the battery, biases the battery toward the other side in the longitudinal direction via the first conductive portion. Support device.

2. A pair of gripping parts for gripping the battery from the short side of the battery, A pair of rotating members extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein one end of each of the pair of rotating members is connected to each of the pair of gripping portions so that they can rotate about a rotation axis perpendicular to the short direction, It comprises a pair of second conductive portions connected to the other end of each of the pair of rotating members and arranged to contact the other end of the battery in the longitudinal direction, The pair of rotating members rotate when the battery, which is biased by the first elastic member, pushes against the pair of second conductive parts. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of second conductive portions move in the shorter direction so as the pair of rotating members rotate, causing them to move away from each other.

3. A pair of longitudinal members extending in the longitudinal direction, which are interlocked with the pair of rotating members and the pair of second conductive portions, The support device according to claim 2, further comprising a second elastic member extending in the short direction and connected to the inner surfaces of the pair of longitudinal members.

4. The battery comprises a short-direction member that extends in the short-direction direction and includes a tip portion having an inclined surface, The support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side surface of the battery in the short direction has a recess formed therein that fits with the tip of the short direction member such that the inclined surface of the tip of the short direction member faces one side in the longitudinal direction.

5. The support device according to claim 4, wherein the short-direction member inserted into the recess of the battery moves in the short-direction direction as the battery is biased by the first elastic member.

6. The support device according to claim 4, wherein the short-direction member is formed to be removable in the short-direction direction.

7. The support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first elastic member is arranged to press the first conductive portion against the battery.

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