Retaining structure, battery module, and airframe

Abstract

The objective is to provide a holding structure, battery module, and aircraft that can distribute the load that may be applied from the battery module to the aircraft during assembly. [Solution] A holding structure 1 for detachably holding a battery module 10 to the vehicle body (vehicle frame 4), comprising a shaft portion 26 provided at the lower part of the battery module 10 and a receiving recess 61 provided on the vehicle body that opens upward, the shaft portion 26 is received in the receiving recess 61 so that the battery module 10 can be displaced to a usage position and a removal position where it can be removed, the battery module 10 includes a latching portion 31 provided above the shaft portion 26, and the vehicle body is provided with a support portion 53 that supports the side of the latching portion 31 that is away from the vehicle body when the battery module 10 is in the removal position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding structure for holding a battery module on a machine body such as a mobile body or a robot, and the battery module and the machine body that respectively constitute the holding structure.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In recent years, efforts toward realizing a low-carbon society or a decarbonized society have been intensified. For various mobile bodies including vehicles, robots and the like, various research and development related to electrification have been carried out to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency.

[0003] When electrifying a mobile body or a robot, it is necessary to mount a battery on the machine body constituting the mobile body or the robot. In consideration of workability during replacement, such a battery is preferably easily attachable to the machine body.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a housing and a battery module attached to the housing. The battery module includes a battery and a flat plate-shaped base plate that supports the battery, and the housing has an opening into which the base plate is fitted. The base plate is fitted into the opening of the housing by hooking one end side of the base plate on the opening edge of the opening and rotating the base plate around the opening edge as a rotation center. Thereby, the battery module is attached to the housing.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0005]

PATENT DOCUMENT 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] In mobile devices and robots, as described in Patent Document 1, the battery module may be attached to a part of the device by hooking it onto the device and rotating it. However, when the battery is hooked onto a part of the device, the load from the battery may be concentrated on that part of the device.

[0007] In view of the above background, the present invention aims to provide a holding structure, battery module, and aircraft that can distribute the load that may be applied from the battery module to the aircraft during assembly. This will ultimately contribute to energy efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a holding structure for detachably holding a battery module to an aircraft body, comprising: a shaft portion provided at the lower part of the battery module; and a receiving recess provided on the aircraft body, opening in an inclined direction that slopes upward toward the outside of the aircraft body; the shaft portion is rotatably received in the receiving recess so that the battery module can be displaced between a use position and a removal position in which the upper part is tilted toward the direction away from the aircraft body compared to the use position and can be removed along the inclined direction; the battery module includes a latching portion provided above the shaft portion; and the aircraft body is provided with a support portion that supports the side of the latching portion that is away from the aircraft body when the battery module is in the removal position.

[0009] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a battery module that is displaceable with respect to an aircraft, having a usage position and a removal position where the upper part is tilted away from the aircraft compared to the usage position and can be removed, comprising a main body, a shaft portion provided at the lower part of the main body and rotatably supported by the aircraft, and a latch portion provided above the shaft portion of the main body and supported by the aircraft at the removal position.

[0010] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a machine that supports a battery module so as to be displaceable between a usage position and a removal position in which the upper part is tilted compared to the usage position and the battery module can be removed, by rotatably supporting the shaft portion of the battery module, and the machine further provides a support portion that supports the battery module when the battery module is in the removal position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to provide a holding structure, battery module, and aircraft that can distribute the load that may be applied from the battery module to the aircraft during assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Side view of an electric vehicle equipped with a retaining structure. [Figure 2] A schematic side view showing the internal structure other than the outer shell of an electric vehicle equipped with a retaining structure. [Figure 3] Rear view of an electric vehicle equipped with a retaining structure. [Figure 4] Perspective view of the battery module and aircraft in the operational position. [Figure 5] Side view of the battery module and aircraft in the operating position. [Figure 6] Front view of the battery module [Figure 7] Exploded perspective view of mounting components [Figure 8] Perspective view of the battery module and aircraft in the insertion position. [Figure 9] Side view of the battery module and aircraft in the insertion position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the holding structure, battery module, and aircraft according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] The holding structure 1 is a structure for detachably holding a battery on a body of an electric moving body, a robot, or the like. Here, the case where the holding structure 1 is provided in the single-passenger electric vehicle 2 shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example.

[0015] For convenience of description hereinafter, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are defined based on the front-rear direction of the electric vehicle 2. However, these directional descriptions are for the convenience of description, and the present invention is not limited to these directional descriptions. Further, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the description is made on the basis of the state where the battery is attached and fixed to the machine body.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the electric vehicle 2 is a so-called inverted pendulum type vehicle, and includes a vehicle body frame 4 (an example of the machine body), at least one drive unit 6 provided on the vehicle body frame 4 and movable on a floor surface 5, a seat 7 arranged above the vehicle body frame 4 and supporting the buttocks of a user, an elevating device 8 provided between the vehicle body frame 4 and the seat 7, and a control device 9 that controls the drive unit 6 and the elevating device 8.

[0017] The battery module 10 is coupled to the vehicle body frame 4 via the holding structure 1. The battery module 10 includes a battery (not shown), and the electric vehicle 2 travels with electric power supplied from the battery.

[0018] The seat 7 includes a frame portion 12 having a quadrangular shape in top view, leg portions 13 extending downward from the frame portion 12, a pad member 14 supported by the frame portion 12, and a skin material 15 covering the outer surface of the pad member 14. At the lower end of the leg portion 13, a roller 16 for causing the electric vehicle 2 to travel is provided.

[0019] The control device 9 is configured by a microcomputer including a processor and a memory. The control device 9 appropriately drives the lifting device 8 to raise the leg portions 13, and causes the electric vehicle 2 to travel by the drive unit 6 in a state where the leg portions 13 are separated from the floor surface 5. Further, the control device 9 drives the lifting device 8 as necessary to land on the floor surface 5, and causes the electric vehicle 2 to travel by the drive unit 6 in a state where the leg portions 13 are landed on the floor surface 5.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the seat 7 includes, as the leg portions 13, a pair of left and right front leg portions 13F located on the front side, and a pair of left and right rear leg portions 13R located on the rear side, and the front leg portions 13F and the rear leg portions 13R are respectively connected to corner portions of the frame portion 12. The battery module 10 is fixed to the vehicle body frame 4 between the left rear leg portion 13R and the right rear leg portion 13R in a rear view.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the electric vehicle 2 is provided with an outer shell 18 that covers the drive unit 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer shell 18 is provided with an opening 18A for taking out the battery module 10, and a lid 18B for closing the opening 18A.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, the battery module 10 includes a module main body 21 having a substantially trapezoidal box shape in a front view, and a grip portion 22 provided at the rear of the upper surface of the module main body 21. A battery is accommodated inside the module main body 21.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the battery module 10 includes a battery and a resin case 24. In the case 24, a case front portion 24A constituting the front half portion thereof and a case rear portion 24B constituting the rear half portion thereof are joined, thereby defining an accommodation chamber (not shown) for accommodating the battery.

[0024] The module body 21 includes at least one shaft portion 26. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the module body 21 includes a pair of left and right shaft portions 26. Each shaft portion 26 is provided at the lower part of the left and right sides of the module body 21 (i.e., the lower part of the battery module 10). Each shaft portion 26 is columnar in shape, projecting outward to the left and right from the left and right sides of the module body 21. As shown in Figure 6, the left shaft portion 26 and the right shaft portion 26 are symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry that passes through the center of the module body 21 and extends vertically.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the shaft portion 26 has an upper shaft portion 26U that constitutes its upper part and a lower shaft portion 26D that constitutes its lower part. The upper shaft portion 26U has a rectangular cross-section that extends in the vertical direction and is prism-shaped. The lower shaft portion 26D has a columnar shape with a vertical semi-elliptical cross-section. The lower shaft portion 26D is connected to the lower edge of the upper shaft portion 26U. The lower edge of the shaft portion 26 is provided with a gently curved shaft-side surface 28 that is convex and protrudes downward. The upper surface of the upper shaft portion 26U is provided with a flat shaft-side flat surface 27.

[0026] The module body 21 is provided with at least one latching portion 31. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the module body 21 is provided with a pair of left and right latching portions 31. Each latching portion 31 protrudes outward from the left and right sides of the module body 21. As shown in Figure 6, the left latching portion 31 and the right latching portion 31 are symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry that passes through the center of the module body 21 and extends vertically.

[0027] Each of the latching portions 31 is located above the shaft portion 26. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, each of the latching portions 31 is located approximately in the center of the module body 21 in the front-to-back direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 7, the latching portion 31 is columnar in shape and protrudes in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 5, the cross-section of the latching portion 31 is trapezoidal, formed by cutting a rectangle extending in the vertical direction at an oblique angle at the rear lower edge. The vertical width of the latching portion 31 is longer than the front-to-back width, and the latching portion 31 extends in the vertical direction. An inclined surface 31A is formed on the rear lower edge of the latching portion 31, sloping downward toward the front.

[0029] As shown in Figure 6, at least one power supply connector 33 is provided on the upper front of the module body 21. The power supply connector 33 is a connector for supplying power from the battery to the drive unit 6, the lifting device 8, and the control device 9. In this embodiment, the power supply connector 33 is a female connector and has a plurality of terminal chambers 33A that open toward the front. Metal female terminals 33B are provided inside the terminal chambers 33A.

[0030] The power supply connector 33 is located above the shaft portion 26. In this embodiment, the power supply connector 33 is located above the latch portion 31.

[0031] In addition, as shown in Figure 4, the module body 21 may be provided with a display unit 34 (also called an indicator) that displays the battery status. The display unit 34 may be composed of one or more light-emitting elements (such as light-emitting diodes). The display unit 34 may display the battery's charge status, or it may display whether the battery is functioning normally.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the electric vehicle 2 is provided with a mounting member 35 for attaching the battery module 10 to the vehicle frame 4. The mounting member 35 has a plate 37 made of a bent sheet metal member and a pair of left and right blocks 39 connected to the plate 37.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the plate 37 comprises a rectangular main portion 41 having a surface facing in the front-rear direction, and a pair of left and right side wall portions 43 extending rearward from the left and right edges of the main portion 41. As shown in Figure 7, bolt holes may be provided in appropriate places in the main portion 41, and the plate 37 may be fastened and fixed to the vehicle frame 4 by bolts 48 passing through these bolt holes. In addition, as shown in Figure 1, the plate 37 may be provided with an upper wall portion 47 extending rearward from the upper edge of the main portion 41.

[0034] As shown in Figure 7, a power receiving connector 49 is provided on the upper rear surface of the main body 41. The power receiving connector 49 is connected to the power supply connector 33 and is a connector for receiving power from the battery module 10. In this embodiment, the power receiving connector 49 is a male connector and has a plurality of male terminals 49A. The male terminals 49A are made of metal plate material, and when each male terminal 49A is inserted into the corresponding terminal chamber 33A, it makes electrical contact with a female terminal 33B provided inside the terminal chamber 33A.

[0035] Each side wall portion 43 is flat and has a surface facing left to right. The lower halves of the left and right side wall portions 43 are each provided with extensions 51 that extend backward. Each extension portion 51 is flat and has a surface facing left to right. The rear edges of each extension portion 51 are inclined downward toward the front. Each rear edge of each extension portion 51 is provided with a support portion 53 that extends toward each other.

[0036] The support portion 53 is a flat plate that slopes downward toward the front. Preferably, the length of the upper surface of the support portion 53 is longer than the vertical length of the rear side surface of the latching portion 31.

[0037] Each of the lower edges of the extension portion 51 is provided with a lower edge portion 55 that extends in a direction toward each other. Each of the lower edge portions 55 is flat and has a surface facing in the vertical direction. Each of the lower edge portions 55 is located below the support portion 53.

[0038] Each upper edge of the support portion 53 is provided with a flat, expanding portion 57 that curves and extends in directions away from each other.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7, each block 39 is a plate-like structure with surfaces facing left and right. In a side view, block 39 has a trapezoidal shape with a rectangle extending vertically having a triangular cutout at the upper rear portion. Block 39 is preferably made of a metal component.

[0040] Block 39 is provided with screw holes extending in the left-right direction, and through holes are provided in the side wall portion 43 at positions corresponding to the screw holes. Block 39 is fastened to the left and right inner surfaces of plate 37 by bolts 59 that pass through the through holes and are connected to the screw holes. In this way, block 39 is fixed to the vehicle body frame 4 via plate 37. At this time, as shown in Figure 1, it is preferable that the lower edge of block 39 abuts against the upper surface of the lower edge portion 55, and block 39 is supported from below by the support portion 53.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the block 39 is provided with a receiving recess 61 for receiving the shaft portion 26. The receiving recess 61 is a recess provided at the rear of the upper edge of the block 39 and extends in a direction that slopes downward toward the front (towards the vehicle body frame 4). The receiving recess 61 opens in a slope direction D that slopes upward toward away from the vehicle body frame 4 (i.e., toward the outside of the machine).

[0042] An opening 63 into which the shaft portion 26 can be inserted is provided at the upper end of the receiving recess 61. As shown in Figure 5, the portion defining the lower edge of the opening 63 is chamfered. As a result, a curved surface 65 on the machine side is formed at the lower edge of the opening of the receiving recess 61, which curves upward and protrudes.

[0043] A concave curved surface 67 is formed on the bottom (lower) surface of the receiving recess 61, which curves downwards with a convex shape. The radius (R) of the inscribed circle of the concave curved surface 67 may be larger than the radius (R) of the axial curved surface 28. This allows the rotation (rolling) of the shaft portion 26 to occur smoothly within the receiving recess 61.

[0044] In this embodiment, the lower half of the upper edge of the receiving recess 61 is cut out along the rolling trajectory of the shaft 26 so as not to hinder the rolling of the shaft 26. As a result, an expanded portion 69 that is recessed toward the front is formed in the lower half of the upper edge of the receiving recess 61.

[0045] A restricting portion 71 is provided on the upper half of the upper edge of the receiving recess 61, projecting toward the rear. As shown in Figure 2, the restricting portion 71 is preferably formed by cutting out the lower half of the upper edge of the receiving recess 61 (i.e., providing an extension portion 69). As shown in Figure 5, when the battery module 10 is in the use position, the restricting portion 71 faces the shaft portion 26 (specifically, the upper part of the shaft 26U) and restricts the upward movement of the shaft portion 26.

[0046] The lower surface of the restricting portion 71 is preferably provided with a restricting surface 73 that faces downward and is approximately horizontal. This ensures that when the battery module 10 is in use, the upper surface of the upper part of the shaft 26U is positioned approximately horizontal. As a result, the restricting surface 73 and the upper surface of the shaft portion 26 (shaft-side flat surface 27) face each other, allowing for more reliable restriction of the upward movement of the shaft portion 26. Furthermore, when the battery module 10 is in use, the shaft portion 26 is preferably in contact with the concave curved surface 67 and the restricting surface 73, and is clamped between the concave curved surface 67 and the restricting surface 73. This allows for more reliable restriction of the vertical movement of the shaft portion 26.

[0047] Since the shaft portion 26 is rotatably received in the receiving recess 61, the battery module 10 can be displaced between the usage position shown in Figures 4 and 5 and the removal position shown in Figures 8 and 9. For example, as shown by the arrows in Figures 8 and 9, when an operator grasps the gripping portion 22 and tilts the upper part of the battery module 10 in the usage position backward, the shaft portion 26 rolls within the receiving recess 61, and the battery module 10 is displaced to the removal position.

[0048] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the battery module 10 is in the removal position, the rear surface of the latching portion 31 (the side away from the vehicle frame 4) abuts against the support portion 53. As a result, the latching portion 31 is supported by the support portion 53 from the rear side (the side away from the vehicle frame 4). Note that when the battery module 10 is in the insertion position, a gap may be formed between the latching portion 31 and the curved surface 65 on the vehicle side.

[0049] When the battery module 10 is in the removal position, the operator can remove the battery module 10 from the vehicle frame 4 by grasping the gripping part 22 and pulling the battery module 10 diagonally upward and backward along the inclined direction D (see Figure 9).

[0050] When installing the battery module 10, the worker grasps the gripping portion 22 and inserts the lower end of the battery module 10 between the pair of left and right side wall portions 43. Then, the worker inserts the shaft portion 26 into the corresponding receiving recess 61 and hooks the shaft portion 26 onto the block 39. Next, the worker tilts the upper part of the battery module 10 backward until the rear surface of the hooking portion 31 abuts against the front surface of the support portion 53, so that the battery module 10 is in a removal position with its upper part tilted backward (i.e., tilted away from the vehicle frame 4). Then, the worker grasps the gripping portion 22 and pushes the upper part of the battery module 10 forward, so that the shaft portion 26 rolls in the receiving recess 61 and the battery module 10 stands upright, and the power supply connector 33 and the power receiving connector 49 are connected. This puts the battery module 10 in the use position.

[0051] In this way, the shaft portion 26 of the battery module 10 is rotatably received and supported in the corresponding receiving recess 61, so that the battery module 10 can be displaced between a usage position and a removal position in which the upper part is tilted backward compared to the usage position and can be removed. The shaft portion 26 and latch portion 31 of the battery module 10 and the mounting member 35 make the battery module 10 displaceable between the usage position and the removal position, and a holding structure 1 is formed for detachably holding the battery module 10 to the vehicle frame 4.

[0052] The retaining structure 1 may include a locking mechanism 80 for maintaining the battery module 10 in the usage position and locking it in the usage position, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The locking mechanism 80 may include a locking recess 81 (see also Figure 8) that is recessed downward on the upper surface of the battery module 10, and a locking member 82 that is fixed to the mounting member 35 and protrudes into the locking recess 81.

[0053] Next, the effects of the retaining structure 1 configured in this way will be explained. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the battery module 10 is in the removal position, the latching portion 31 abuts against the support portion 53 on its rear surface, and the battery module 10 is supported by the support portion 53 on the rear surface of the latching portion 31. As a result, when the battery module 10 is in the removal position, the battery module 10 is supported by the vehicle frame 4 at the shaft portion 26 and the latching portion 31, respectively.

[0054] If the latching portion 31 is not provided, the battery module 10 is supported by the shaft portion 26 when the battery module 10 is in the removal position. As a result, the load of the battery module 10 is concentrated on the bottom surface of the receiving recess 61. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the latching portion 31 is provided, the battery module 10 is supported by the vehicle frame 4 at both the shaft portion 26 and the latching portion 31. Thus, a holding structure 1, battery module 10, and vehicle frame 4 (body) can be provided that can distribute the load that may be applied from the battery module 10 to the vehicle frame 4 during assembly. This can, in turn, contribute to energy efficiency.

[0055] Furthermore, the vertical width of the latching portion 31 is longer than its front-to-back width, and in a side view, the latching portion 31 is configured to extend vertically on both the left and right sides of the battery module 10. As a result, it is possible to make contact between the latching portion 31 and the support portion 53 over a wider area, thereby better distributing the load that may be applied from the battery module 10 to the vehicle frame 4.

[0056] Furthermore, the block 39 is supported from below by its lower edge 55. Therefore, compared to the case where the lower edge 55 is not provided, the block 39 can be better supported when a load is applied from the battery module 10 to the bottom surface of the receiving recess 61.

[0057] When the battery module 10 is rotated around the shaft portion 26 to stand upright, the battery module 10 is displaced from the removal position to the usage position. However, the male terminal 49A begins to be inserted into the terminal chamber 33A before the battery module 10 is fully upright. The inclination angle of the battery module 10 with respect to the vertical when the male terminal 49A begins to be inserted into the terminal chamber 33A becomes larger the closer the power supply connector 33 and the shaft portion 26 are to each other.

[0058] In this embodiment, the power supply connector 33 is located at the top of the battery module 10. This allows the power supply connector 33 to be positioned further away from the shaft portion 26 compared to when it is located at the bottom of the battery module 10. As a result, the inclination angle of the battery module 10 with respect to the vertical when the male terminal 49A begins to be inserted into the terminal chamber 33A can be reduced, and the male terminal 49A can be inserted in a more horizontal direction relative to the terminal chamber 33A. Thus, the power supply connector 33 can be inserted into the power receiving connector 49 at a more appropriate insertion angle, and the two can be connected.

[0059] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, a curved surface 65 on the machine side is formed on the lower edge of the opening of the receiving recess 61, which curves upward and protrudes. As a result, the opening of the receiving recess 61 is widened compared to when the curved surface 65 is not provided, and the shaft portion 26 can be easily inserted into the receiving recess 61.

[0060] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 9, a curved axial surface 28 is formed on the lower edge of the shaft portion 26, which is convex and curved. This allows the shaft portion 26 to easily roll on the bottom surface of the receiving recess 61.

[0061] A flat, expanding portion 57 is provided on the upper edge of the support portion 53. Therefore, when an operator inserts the battery module 10 between the two plates 37, the expanding portion 57 can guide the battery module 10 to the correct position in the left-right direction.

[0062] When in use, the battery module 10 is supported by the vehicle frame 4 between the two rear legs 13R when viewed from the rear. Therefore, the battery module 10 can be easily attached and detached without being obstructed by the rear legs 13R.

[0063] This concludes the description of the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above configuration and can be broadly modified and implemented. Furthermore, the specific configuration, arrangement, and quantity of each member and part can be changed as appropriate, as long as it does not depart from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, some or all of the configurations of the above embodiments may be combined with each other. On the other hand, not all of the components shown in the above embodiments are necessarily essential and can be selected as appropriate.

[0064] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the holding structure 1 is applied to an inverted pendulum type vehicle, but the holding structure 1 can also be applied to any other battery-powered device (for example, an electric bicycle or a robot).

[0065] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the holding structure 1 is provided at the rear of the electric vehicle 2, but the holding structure 1 may also be provided at the front or left and right sides of the electric vehicle 2.

[0066] In conclusion, the above embodiments can be summarized as follows:

[0067] One embodiment is a holding structure 1 for detachably holding a battery module 10 to a vehicle body (vehicle frame 4), comprising a shaft portion 26 provided at the lower part of the battery module 10 and a receiving recess 61 provided on the vehicle body that opens in an inclination direction D that slopes upward toward the outside of the vehicle body, wherein the shaft portion 26 is rotatably received in the receiving recess 61 so that the battery module 10 can be displaced between a use position and a removal position in which the upper part is tilted away from the vehicle body compared to the use position and can be removed along the inclination direction D, the battery module 10 includes a latching portion 31 provided above the shaft portion 26, and the vehicle body is provided with a support portion 53 that supports the side of the latching portion 31 that is away from the vehicle body when the battery module 10 is in the removal position.

[0068] In this embodiment, when the battery module 10 is in the removal position, the battery module 10 is supported by the support portion 53 on the side of the latch portion 31 that is away from the aircraft body. Therefore, when the battery module 10 is in the removal position, the battery module 10 is supported by the latch portion 31 in addition to the shaft portion 26, thus providing a holding structure 1 that can distribute the load that may be applied from the battery module 10 to the aircraft body during assembly.

[0069] In the above embodiment, preferably, the battery module 10 is provided with a pair of left and right shaft portions 26 and a pair of latch portions 31.

[0070] In this embodiment, the battery module 10 in the removal position is stably supported by the aircraft.

[0071] In the above embodiment, preferably, the latching portion 31 protrudes from the side of the battery module 10 and extends in the vertical direction.

[0072] According to this embodiment, the distribution of the load that may be applied from the battery module 10 to the vehicle frame 4 can be improved.

[0073] In the above embodiment, preferably, the battery module 10 includes a power supply connector 33 for supplying power to the aircraft, the aircraft has a power receiving connector 49 that is connected to the power supply connector 33 when the battery module 10 is in the use position, and the power supply connector 33 is provided on the upper part of the battery module 10.

[0074] In this embodiment, since the power supply connector 33 is positioned away from the shaft portion 26, the power supply connector 33 can be connected to the power receiving connector 49 at an appropriate insertion angle.

[0075] In the above embodiment, preferably, each of the receiving recesses 61 is provided with a restricting portion 71 that is located above the shaft portion 26 when the battery module 10 is in the usage position and restricts the upward movement of the shaft portion 26.

[0076] According to this embodiment, upward movement of the battery module 10 can be restricted when it is in the operating position.

[0077] In the above embodiment, preferably, a flat restricting surface 73 facing downward is provided on the lower surface of the restricting portion 71.

[0078] According to this embodiment, upward movement of the battery module 10 can be effectively restricted when it is in the operating position.

[0079] In the above embodiment, preferably, a curved surface 65 on the machine side that curves upward and protrudes is formed on the lower edge of the opening of the receiving recess 61.

[0080] According to this embodiment, insertion of the shaft portion 26 into the receiving recess 61 becomes easier, and assembly of the battery module 10 to the aircraft body becomes easier.

[0081] In the above embodiment, preferably, a curved axial surface 28 that curves in a convex manner is formed on the lower edge of the shaft portion 26.

[0082] According to this embodiment, the battery module 10 can be easily rotated.

[0083] One embodiment provides a battery module 10 that is supported on an aircraft so as to be displaceable between a usage position and a removal position where the upper part is tilted away from the aircraft compared to the usage position and can be removed, comprising a main body (module body 21), a shaft portion 26 provided at the lower part of the main body and rotatably supported by the aircraft, and a latch portion 31 provided above the shaft portion of the main body and supported by the aircraft in the removal position.

[0084] According to this embodiment, by supporting the latching portion 31 with the aircraft body, it is possible to provide a battery module 10 that can distribute the load that may be applied from the battery module 10 to the aircraft body during assembly.

[0085] One embodiment is a device that supports the battery module 10 so as to be displaceable between a usage position and a removal position in which the upper part is tilted compared to the usage position and the battery module 10 can be removed, by rotatably supporting the shaft portion 26 of the battery module 10, and includes a support portion 53 that supports the battery module 10 when the battery module 10 is in the removal position.

[0086] According to this embodiment, since the battery module 10 can be supported by the support portion 53 when it is in the removal position, it is possible to provide an aircraft that can distribute the load that may be applied to the aircraft from the battery module 10 during assembly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1: Retention structure 4: Vehicle frame (an example of a vehicle) 10: Battery module 18A:Aperture 21: Module body (an example of a module body) 26: Shaft 28: Axial curved surface 31:Latching part 33: Power supply connector 49: Power receiving connector 53: Support part 61: Receptive recess 65: Curved surface on the aircraft side 71: Regulatory Department 73: Regulatory aspects D: Tilt direction

Claims

1. A retaining structure for detachably holding a battery module to the aircraft, A shaft portion provided at the bottom of the aforementioned battery module, The aircraft has a receiving recess provided on the aircraft body, which opens in a direction that slopes upward toward the outside of the aircraft body, The shaft portions are rotatably received in the receiving recesses so that the battery module can be displaced between a usage position and a removal position in which the upper part is tilted away from the aircraft body compared to the usage position and can be removed along the direction of the tilt. The battery module includes a latching portion provided above the shaft portion, The aircraft has a holding structure provided with a support portion that supports the side of the latching portion that is separated from the aircraft when the battery module is in the removal position.

2. The holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the battery module is provided with a pair of shaft portions and latching portions on the left and right sides, respectively.

3. The retaining structure according to claim 1, wherein the latching portion protrudes from the side of the battery module and extends in the vertical direction.

4. The battery module is equipped with a power supply connector for supplying power to the aircraft, The aforementioned aircraft has a power receiving connector that is connected to the power supply connector when the battery module is in the usage position, The holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the power supply connector is provided on the upper part of the battery module.

5. The retaining structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the receiving recesses is provided with a restricting portion that is located above the shaft portion when the battery module is in the usage position and restricts the upward movement of the shaft portion.

6. The retaining structure according to claim 5, wherein a flat restricting surface facing downward is provided on the lower surface of the restricting portion.

7. The retaining structure according to claim 1, wherein the lower edge of the opening of the receiving recess has a curved surface on the aircraft side that curves upward and protrudes.

8. The holding structure according to claim 1, wherein a curved surface on the shaft side is formed on the lower edge of the shaft portion, which is curved in a convex manner.

9. A battery module is supported on an aircraft so as to be displaceable between a usage position and a removal position where the upper part is tilted away from the aircraft compared to the usage position, allowing it to be removed. The main unit and A shaft portion provided at the lower part of the main body and rotatably supported by the machine body, A battery module provided above the shaft portion of the main body and having a latching portion that is supported by the machine body in the removal position.

10. A device that supports the battery module so that its shaft can be rotatably supported, thereby allowing the battery module to be displaced between a usage position and a removal position where its upper part is tilted compared to the usage position, making it removable, An aircraft comprising a support portion that supports the battery module when the battery module is in the removal position.

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