Battery unit cooling system

Abstract

To provide a battery unit cooling system capable of cooling a battery without being influenced by the conditions of a vehicle and an engine while preventing consumption of washer fluid.SOLUTION: A battery unit cooling system includes a battery unit 14. The battery unit 14 has a housing 141. The housing 141 has a battery housing portion 141a for housing the battery 140. An intake passage 142 is connected to the battery housing portion 141a. A washer fluid supply unit of the battery unit cooling system has a washer fluid circulation path including a reservoir chamber 150d. By discharging the washer fluid from the reservoir chamber 150d in a state where a third door 159 is closed, air in the battery housing portion 141a is sucked through a labyrinth passage 158 into the reservoir chamber 150d. At this time, the air flow cools the battery 140 in the battery housing portion 141a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery unit cooling system, and more particularly to a battery unit cooling system mounted in an engine compartment of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Lead-acid batteries have traditionally been used as batteries mounted on vehicles, but in recent years, replacement with nonaqueous electrolyte batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, which have a higher energy density than lead-acid batteries, has been considered. As described above, nonaqueous electrolyte batteries have a higher energy density than lead-acid batteries, and therefore can be made smaller and lighter. Therefore, by replacing lead-acid batteries with nonaqueous electrolyte batteries, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the entire vehicle, and also to increase the freedom of vehicle design.

[0003] In vehicles, lead-acid batteries are typically installed in the engine compartment, and therefore, when replacing lead-acid batteries with non-aqueous electrolyte batteries, it is preferable from the standpoint of vehicle design to install the batteries in the engine compartment.

[0004] Here, since batteries generate power through electrochemical reactions, temperature management is important. In particular, temperature management for nonaqueous electrolyte batteries is more important than for conventional lead batteries. For example, when a nonaqueous electrolyte battery is placed in a high-temperature environment, problems such as a decrease in performance and shortened lifespan are likely to occur. For this reason, conventional lead batteries were cooled by the wind generated while the battery was running or by the wind from a radiator fan, but when replacing them with nonaqueous electrolyte batteries, the cooling means for the battery becomes an even more important issue. In response to such problems, various cooling means for batteries mounted in the engine room have been considered (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that configures a heat pipe cycle in which a refrigerant circulates inside and outside a housing that houses a lithium-ion battery. The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to spray washer fluid onto the portion of the heat pipe outside the housing to efficiently lower the temperature of the refrigerant when the temperature inside the housing exceeds a predetermined temperature, such as when the vehicle is stopped.

[0006] Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe are connected to a housing that houses a battery. The air inlet pipe is extended to a location where outside air can be introduced, and the air outlet pipe is connected to an air duct for sending air to the engine. When the engine is running, negative pressure is generated at the connection point of the air outlet pipe to the air duct, which creates an air flow from the air inlet pipe through the housing to the air duct, cooling the battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-105365 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2003-178814 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the configurations disclosed in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2 are likely to cause the following problems.

[0009] In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, when the temperature inside the housing containing the battery exceeds a predetermined temperature, washer fluid is sprayed onto the heat pipe to lower the temperature of the refrigerant, which raises concerns that a large amount of washer fluid may be consumed.

[0010] Furthermore, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, the battery is cooled using the air flow caused by the negative intake pressure, which poses the problem that the battery cannot be cooled during idling stop, etc.

[0011] Although it is possible to provide a dedicated fan for cooling the battery, this would require securing an area for the fan in the engine compartment, which would negate the advantage of compactness achieved by replacing the lead-acid battery with a non-aqueous electrolyte battery, and would also lead to increased costs.

[0012] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery unit cooling system that can cool the battery regardless of the condition of the vehicle and engine while preventing consumption of washer fluid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] A battery unit cooling system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery unit, a washer fluid supply unit, and a control unit. The battery unit is disposed in an engine compartment of a vehicle. The washer fluid supply unit is capable of spraying washer fluid onto a window of the vehicle. The control unit controls the washer fluid supply unit.

[0014] The battery unit includes a battery, a housing, and an air intake passage. The housing includes a battery housing portion that houses the battery. The air intake passage is connected to the battery housing portion and serves as a passage for introducing air from outside the engine compartment into the battery housing portion.

[0015] The washer fluid supply unit includes a circulation path and a pump. The circulation path is a path through which the washer fluid circulates. The pump circulates the washer fluid within the circulation path.

[0016] The circulation path includes a storage chamber, an intake section, a discharge section, and an air passage. The storage chamber is capable of storing the washer fluid. The intake section is a section for taking in the washer fluid into the storage chamber. The discharge section is a section for discharging the washer fluid from the storage chamber.

[0017] The washer fluid supply unit further has an air passage that allows air to flow between the battery housing portion and the storage chamber.

[0018] The storage chamber has a storage state in which the washer fluid is received from the intake portion with the discharge portion closed and the washer fluid is stored therein, and a negative pressure state is created in the storage chamber by discharging the washer fluid from the discharge portion with the intake portion closed, Ventilation The air outlet is configured to be switchable between a suction state and a suction state in which air is sucked from within the battery accommodating portion through the suction port.

[0019] While the vehicle is stopped, the control unit controls the operation of the pump and the opening and closing of the intake unit and the discharge unit, thereby switching between the storage state and the suction state in the storage chamber.

[0020] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the washer fluid circulation path has a storage chamber that allows air to flow between the battery housing section and the storage chamber through an air passage. The storage chamber is configured to be switchable between a storage state and a suction state. The control unit controls the storage chamber to switch between the storage state and the suction state while the vehicle is stopped. Therefore, in the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, even when the vehicle is stopped and in an idle stop state, the battery can be cooled by the air flow formed by suctioning air from the battery housing section into the storage chamber.

[0021] Furthermore, in the battery unit cooling system according to the above embodiment, when cooling the battery, the washer fluid simply circulates through the circulation path and is not discarded to the outside, so there is no risk of washer fluid being consumed to cool the battery as in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 above.

[0022] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the circulation path may further include an outlet chamber arranged vertically below the storage chamber for receiving the washer fluid discharged from the storage chamber through the discharge section.

[0023] The battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect has an outlet chamber vertically below the storage chamber, and is configured to allow the washer fluid stored in the storage chamber to be discharged to the outlet chamber. Therefore, in the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, when discharging the washer fluid from the storage chamber to the outlet chamber, the washer fluid can be discharged by using gravity (natural fall) without providing a separate device such as a pump. Therefore, in the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the system configuration can be simplified to suppress increases in manufacturing costs and to achieve a compact system configuration.

[0024] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the outlet chamber may have an air vent portion at an upper portion in the vertical direction through which air can be discharged.

[0025] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, an air vent is provided at the vertical upper part of the outlet chamber. This makes it possible to prevent the residual air in the outlet chamber from acting as a resistance to the intake of the washer fluid when the washer fluid is discharged from the storage chamber to the outlet chamber. In addition, the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect makes it possible to prevent the washer fluid discharged to the outlet chamber from entraining air. This makes it possible to prevent air from being mixed in when the washer fluid discharged from the outlet chamber is sprayed onto the windshield via the circulation path.

[0026] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the storage chamber may be provided integrally with the housing of the battery unit.

[0027] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the storage chamber is provided integrally with the housing of the battery unit, and therefore the system configuration can be made more compact than in the case where the storage chamber is provided separately from the housing.

[0028] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the ventilation passage of the washer fluid supply unit may be formed by a labyrinth structure.

[0029] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the ventilation passage is formed by a labyrinth structure. Therefore, even when the reservoir chamber is in a reservoir state, it is possible to prevent the washer fluid from leaking into the battery housing. This makes it possible to prevent the water-soluble washer fluid from adhering to the battery housed in the battery housing, thereby ensuring high safety.

[0030] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the circulation path includes an intake door provided in the intake section that can be opened and closed, and a discharge door provided in the discharge section that can be opened and closed. The control unit may further include a control for opening and closing the intake unit door to control the opening and closing of the intake unit, and a control for opening and closing the discharge unit door to control the opening and closing of the discharge unit.

[0031] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the control unit controls the opening and closing of the intake door and the discharge door, and controls the drive of the pump, so that the storage chamber can be switched between a storage state and a suction state, and the battery can be cooled even when the vehicle is stopped.

[0032] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the battery unit is connected to the battery storage section and to a location that becomes a negative pressure state when the vehicle is running, and further has an exhaust passage for drawing air from the battery storage section to the outside of the housing by forming the negative pressure state, an air intake door provided in the air intake passage, and an exhaust outlet door provided in the exhaust passage, and the control unit also controls the opening and closing of the air intake door and the opening and closing of the exhaust outlet door, and it is also possible to keep the air intake door and the exhaust outlet door open and keep the intake door and the exhaust door closed while the vehicle is running.

[0033] The battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect has an exhaust passage connected at one end to a location that is in a negative pressure state while the vehicle is traveling. An intake door is provided in the intake passage, and an exhaust door is provided in the exhaust passage. When the vehicle is traveling (when the traveling speed exceeds a predetermined speed), the intake door and the exhaust door are opened, and the intake door and the exhaust door are closed. This allows the battery to be cooled by utilizing the traveling negative pressure while the vehicle is traveling.

[0034] In the battery unit cooling system of the above aspect, the washer fluid supply unit may further include a tank for storing the washer fluid in advance, the tank being connected to a location upstream of the pump in the circulation path; a spray nozzle for spraying the washer fluid onto the window, the spray nozzle being connected to a location downstream of the pump in the circulation path; a first valve provided at a joint of the tank in the circulation path for switching the flow path of the washer fluid between a flow path from the tank to the pump and a flow path from the storage chamber to the pump; and a second valve provided at a joint of the spray nozzle in the circulation path for switching the flow path of the washer fluid between a flow path from the pump to the spray nozzle and a flow path from the pump to the storage chamber.

[0035] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the tank and the injection nozzle are connected to the washer fluid circulation path, and the first valve and the second valve are provided at each connection point. Therefore, the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect can cool the battery by using the existing washer fluid supply unit in the vehicle, thereby reducing the space occupied in the engine room and preventing an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0036] In the battery unit cooling system according to the above aspect, the battery may be a non-aqueous electrolyte battery.

[0037] The battery unit cooling system according to the above embodiment employs a non-aqueous electrolyte battery as the battery. Although non-aqueous electrolyte batteries are prone to problems such as performance degradation and shortened life span when exposed to high temperatures, the battery can be cooled regardless of whether the vehicle is running / stopped or the engine is running / stopped as described above, and this can prevent the battery from deteriorating in performance or shortening in life span. Effect of the Invention

[0038] The battery unit cooling system according to each of the above aspects can cool the battery while preventing consumption of washer fluid, regardless of the conditions of the vehicle and engine. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of a vehicle to which a battery unit cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a washer fluid supply unit in the battery unit cooling system. FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery unit and a partial configuration of a washer fluid supply unit; FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to control in the battery unit cooling system. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a battery unit cooling method executed by a controller. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling state when the vehicle is running. [Figure 7] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which washer fluid is taken into the storage chamber. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the washer fluid is discharged from the storage chamber to the outlet chamber. FIG. [Figure 9] 11 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of a vehicle to which a battery unit cooling system according to a modified example is applied. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment except for the essential configuration.

[0041] In the drawings used in the following description, "Up" indicates vertically upward, "Lo" indicates vertically downward, "Fr" indicates the front of the vehicle, and "Re" indicates the rear of the vehicle.

[0042] [Embodiment] 1. Engine room 1a of vehicle 1 The configuration within an engine compartment 1a of a vehicle 1 to which a battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

[0043] 1, a vehicle 1 has an engine room 1a with an engine 10 mounted in the front, and a passenger compartment 1b provided behind the engine room 1a with a dash panel 1c in between. The lower part of the engine room 1a is covered with an undercover 1d.

[0044] In addition to the engine 10, the engine room 1a also includes a radiator 11, a fan 12, and a battery unit cooling system 13. The radiator 11 and the fan 12 are disposed in front of the engine 10 and are devices for cooling the coolant for the engine 10.

[0045] The battery unit cooling system 13 has a battery 140, a housing 141 that houses the battery 140, and an intake path 142 and an exhaust path 143 connected to the housing 141. The intake path 142 is adapted to pass through the dash panel 1c and to take in air from the vehicle interior 1b into the housing 141. The exhaust path 143 is connected to the outside of the vehicle 1 and is adapted to exhaust air from within the housing 141 to the outside of the vehicle 1 while the vehicle is traveling.

[0046] 2. Configuration of the battery unit cooling system 13 The configuration of the battery unit cooling system 13 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0047] 2, the battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment includes a battery unit 14 and a washer fluid supply unit 15. A detailed structure of the battery unit 14 will be described later, but as described above, while the vehicle 1 is traveling, air from within the passenger compartment 1b is taken into the housing 141 through the intake passage 142 (arrow A7), and after cooling the battery 140, the taken-in air is exhausted to the outside of the vehicle 1 through the exhaust passage 143 (arrow A8).

[0048] In the battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment, a non-aqueous electrolyte battery (for example, a lithium ion secondary battery) is used as the battery 140.

[0049] The washer fluid supply unit 15 has a circulation path 150, a tank 151, a spray nozzle 153, a pump 155, supply paths 152, 154, and valves 156, 157. In the washer fluid supply unit 15, the washer fluid stored in the tank 151 can be sprayed from the spray nozzle 153 to the front windshield seal of the vehicle 1 as needed (arrows A1 to A3).

[0050] The circulation path 150 is provided such that a portion of it passes through the inside of the housing 141 of the battery unit 14. In other words, a portion of the configuration of the circulation path 150 is formed integrally with the housing 141 of the battery unit 14. In the circulation path 150, the washer fluid can be circulated by driving the pump 155 (arrows A2, A4 to A6).

[0051] The valve 156 is provided at a connection point between the supply path 152 connected to the tank 151 and the circulation path 150, and is a switching valve that can switch the path of the washer fluid between the supply path 152 and the circulation path 150. Specifically, the valve 156 is a switching valve that selectively switches between a first path that connects the supply path 152 and a first section (a section between the valve 156 and the valve 157) 150a of the circulation path 150, and a second path that connects the first section 150a of the circulation path 150 and a third section (a section between the housing 141 of the battery unit 14 and the valve 156) 150c. In the following, the valve 156 will be referred to as the "first valve 156."

[0052] The valve 157 is provided at a connection point between the supply path 154 connected to the injection nozzle 153 and the circulation path 150, downstream of the first valve 156 in the flow direction of the washer fluid in the circulation path 150, and is a switching valve that can switch the path of the washer fluid between the supply path 154 and the circulation path 150. Specifically, the valve 157 is a switching valve that selectively switches between a first path connecting the first section 150a and the supply path 154 and a second path connecting the supply path 154 and a second section (a section between the valve 157 and the housing 141 of the battery unit 14) 150b of the circulation path 150. In the following, the valve 157 will be referred to as the "second valve 157".

[0053] The pump 155 is provided in the first section 150 a of the circulation path 150 .

[0054] 3, the circulation path 150 further includes a storage chamber 150d, an outlet chamber 150g, an intake section 150e, a discharge section 150f, an outlet section 150h, and an air vent section 150i. The outlet chamber 150g is disposed vertically below the storage chamber 150d.

[0055] The storage chamber 150d can take in the washer fluid through the intake portion 150e (arrow B1) and can store the taken in washer fluid (storage state). The intake portion 150e is provided with a third door (intake portion door) 159. When the third door 159 is in an open state, the washer fluid can be taken into the storage chamber 150d, and when the third door 159 is in a closed state, the intake of the washer fluid into the storage chamber 150d is stopped.

[0056] A discharge part 150f, which is a connection part with the discharge chamber 150g, is provided at the vertical lower part of the storage chamber 150d. A fifth door (discharge part door) 161 is provided at the discharge part 150f. When the fifth door 161 is closed, the washer fluid can be stored in the storage chamber 150d (storage state), and when the fifth door 161 is opened with the washer fluid stored in the storage chamber 150d, the washer fluid is discharged to the discharge chamber 150g by its own weight (natural fall) (arrow B3).

[0057] The outlet chamber 150g is a chamber into which the washer fluid discharged from the storage chamber 150d flows when the fifth door 161 is opened. The outlet chamber 150g is provided with an outlet section 150h at a lower part in the vertical direction and an air bleed section 150i at an upper part in the vertical direction. The outlet section 150h is a connection part between the outlet chamber 150g and the outside of the housing 141 in the circulation path 150. The outlet section 150h is provided with a fourth door 160. When the washer fluid discharged from the storage chamber 150d is stored in the outlet chamber 150g, the washer fluid is discharged from the outlet chamber 150g to the outside by opening the fourth door 160 (arrow B2).

[0058] The air bleeder 150i is a passage for discharging the remaining air in the outlet chamber 150g to the outside when the fifth door 161 is opened to discharge the washer fluid from the storage chamber 150d to the outlet chamber 150g (arrow B3). This keeps the resistance to the discharge of the washer fluid to the outlet chamber 150g low, and also prevents air from being mixed into the washer fluid.

[0059] The housing 141 in the battery unit 14 has a battery accommodating section 141a. The battery accommodating section 141a is a room in which the battery 140 is accommodated. An intake passage 142 and an exhaust passage 143 are connected to the battery accommodating section 141a. An eleventh door (intake port door) 144 is provided at a connection portion between the battery accommodating section 141a and the intake passage 142, and a second door (exhaust port door) 145 is provided at a connection portion between the battery accommodating section 141a and the exhaust passage 143. When the first door 144 is open, air in the vehicle interior 1b can be taken into the battery accommodating section 141a, as shown by an arrow B4. When the second door 145 is open, air in the battery accommodating section 141a can be exhausted to the outside of the vehicle 1, as shown by an arrow B5.

[0060] The battery accommodating section 141a and the storage chamber 150d are disposed adjacent to each other. The battery accommodating section 141a and the storage chamber 150d are connected to each other by a labyrinth passage 158. The labyrinth passage 158 is a passage formed with a labyrinth structure by a plurality of intricate walls, and is configured to allow air to flow but to suppress the movement of washer fluid from the storage chamber 150d to the battery accommodating section 141a.

[0061] 3. Configuration related to control in battery unit cooling system 13 The configuration relating to control in the battery unit cooling system 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0062] The battery unit cooling system 13 has an engine room temperature detection unit 171, a vehicle interior temperature detection unit 172, a unit housing temperature detection unit 173, a vehicle speed detection unit 174, a washer fluid injection flow rate detection unit 175, and a washer fluid discharge flow rate detection unit 176.

[0063] The engine room temperature detection unit 171 is disposed near the portion of the engine room 1a where the housing 141 of the battery unit 14 is disposed, and is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature Te of the portion. The vehicle interior temperature detection unit 172 is disposed near the connection portion of the intake passage 142 in the vehicle interior 1b, and is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature Tc of the portion. The unit housing temperature detection unit 173 is disposed in the battery storage unit 141a in the housing 141 of the battery unit 14, and is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature Tb of the battery 140.

[0064] The vehicle speed detection unit 174 is a speed sensor for detecting the traveling speed Vv of the vehicle 1. The washer fluid injection flow rate detection unit 175 is disposed in the intake portion 150e of the storage chamber 150d and is a flow sensor for detecting the injection flow rate VLin of the washer fluid taken into the storage chamber 150d. The washer fluid discharge flow rate detection unit 176 is disposed in the discharge portion 150f of the storage chamber 150d and is a flow sensor for detecting the discharge flow rate VLout of the washer fluid discharged from the storage chamber 150d to the discharge chamber 150g.

[0065] The battery unit cooling system 13 also includes a controller (controller) 170, a first door actuator 146, a second door actuator 147, a third door actuator 162, a fourth door actuator 163, and a fifth door actuator 164. The first door actuator 146 is an actuator that opens and closes the first door 144. The second door actuator 147 is an actuator that opens and closes the second door 145. The third door actuator 162 is an actuator that opens and closes the third door 159. The fourth door actuator 163 is an actuator that opens and closes the fourth door 160. The fifth door actuator 164 is an actuator that opens and closes the fifth door 161.

[0066] The controller 170 is signal-connected to each of the detectors 171-176, each of the actuators 146, 147, 162-164, the pump 155, and each of the valves 156, 157. The controller 170 is configured to include a microprocessor including an MPU / CPU, an ASIC, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and a memory. The controller 170 executes firmware, etc., stored in advance in the memory, to thereby execute control of each of the actuators 146, 147, 162-164, the pump 155, and each of the valves 156, 157 based on detection information from each of the detectors 171-176.

[0067] 4. Control Executed by Controller 170 First, the controller 170 acquires information from each of the detectors 171 to 176. The controller 170 continuously acquires information while the vehicle 1 is in the key-on state. Then, the controller 170 sets both the first valve 156 and the second valve 157 to be the first path (step S1). That is, the controller 170 sets the valves 156 and 157 to connect the first section 150a of the circulation path 150 to the supply path 152 and the supply path 154. As a result, the washer fluid in the circulation path 150 is in a state where only the path connecting the tank 151 to the injection nozzle 153 is connected, and the washer fluid can be injected from the injection nozzle 153 to the front windshield by driving the pump 155 based on the driver's command.

[0068] Next, the controller 170 issues a command to each of the actuators 146, 147, 162 to 164 so that the first door 144 and the second door 145 are open, and the third door 159, the fourth door 160, and the fifth door 161 are closed (step S2).

[0069] 6, at the stage where the controller 170 executes step S2, by putting the doors 144, 145, 159 to 161 in the above-mentioned states, air from inside the vehicle compartment 1b is taken into the battery accommodating section 141a from the intake passage 142 (arrow C1), and after circulating inside the battery accommodating section 141a (arrow C2), the air is exhausted from the exhaust passage 143 to the outside of the vehicle 1 (arrow C3). This is because a negative pressure while traveling is generated at the outer end of the exhaust passage 143.

[0070] At this stage, since the third door 159 is closed, the washer fluid is not taken into the reservoir chamber 150d. A predetermined amount of the washer fluid FLw is stored in the outlet chamber 150g.

[0071] 5, the controller 170 judges whether the temperature Te of the engine room 1a is 60° C. or higher (step S3), whether the temperature Tc in the vehicle interior 1b is equal to or lower than the temperature Tb of the battery 140 (step S4), and whether the traveling speed Vv of the vehicle 1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed Vth (step S5). If the controller 170 judges any of the judgments from step S3 to step S5 as "NO", the controller 170 returns control.

[0072] The determination in step S5 is a determination as to whether or not the vehicle 1 is substantially stopped. Therefore, the predetermined speed Vth can be set to, for example, 5 km / h.

[0073] When the controller 170 judges that all of the judgments in steps S3 to S5 are "YES", it sets the first valve 156 and the second valve 157 to be the second path (step S6). That is, the controller 170 sets the valves 156 and 157 to connect the first section 150a of the circulation path 150 to the second section 150b and the third section 150c. As a result, the circulation path 150 of the washer fluid including the storage chamber 150d and the outlet chamber 150g is opened.

[0074] Next, the controller 170 issues a command to each of the actuators 146, 147, 162 to 164 so that the first door 144 and the fifth door 161 are closed and the second door 145, the third door 159 and the fourth door 160 are open (step S7), and drives the pump 155 (step S8). The controller 170 maintains the drive of the pump 155 until the injection flow rate VLin detected by the washer fluid inflow flow rate detection unit 175 reaches the preset flow rate VLth (step S9: NO). Then, when the injection flow rate VLin detected by the washer fluid inflow flow rate detection unit 175 reaches the preset flow rate VLth (step S9: YES), the controller 170 stops the drive of the pump 155 (step S10).

[0075] 7, the controller 170 executes steps S6 to S10, so that a predetermined amount VLth of the washer fluid FLw is taken into the storage chamber 150d (arrow D1), and the washer fluid FLw is discharged from the outlet chamber 150g, leaving only a predetermined amount (arrow D2). The predetermined amount VLth of the washer fluid FLw injected into the storage chamber 150d is preset to an amount that does not cause the washer fluid FLw to leak into the battery housing portion 141a. The predetermined amount of the washer fluid FLw left in the outlet chamber 150g is preset to prevent air from entering the third section 150c of the circulation path 150 from the outlet portion 150h.

[0076] When the washer fluid FLw is discharged from the outlet chamber 150g, air flows into the outlet chamber 150g from the air bleed portion 150i, so that the washer fluid FLw is discharged from the outlet chamber 150g with low resistance.

[0077] 5, after stopping the driving of pump 155, controller 170 issues commands to actuators 146, 147, 162, and 163 to open first door 144 and close second door 145, third door 159, and fourth door 160 (step S11). After that, controller 170 issues a command to actuator 164 to open fifth door 161 (step S12).

[0078] 8, the controller 170 executes step S12 after executing step S11, so that the washer fluid FLw stored in the storage chamber 150d moves to the outlet chamber 150g by gravity (natural fall) (arrow E1). At this time, the air remaining in the outlet chamber 150g passes through the air bleeder 150i and is discharged to the outside (arrow E2).

[0079] Also, since the third door 159 is closed, the inside of the storage chamber 150d from which the washer fluid FLw has been discharged is in a negative pressure state. Therefore, the air in the battery accommodating section 141a is sucked through the labyrinth passage section 158 connecting the storage chamber 150d and the battery accommodating section 141a (arrows E3 to E6). In other words, the storage chamber 150d is in a suction state by the controller 170 executing step S11 and then step S12. As a result, the battery 140 accommodated in the battery accommodating section 141a is cooled even when the vehicle 1 is stopped.

[0080] Returning to FIG. 5, the controller 170 waits until the discharge flow rate VLout detected by the washer fluid discharge flow rate detection unit 176 reaches a preset flow rate VLth (step S13: YES), and then returns control.

[0081] 5.Effects In the battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment, the washer fluid circulation path 150 has a storage chamber 150d that allows air to flow between the battery accommodating section 141a and the storage chamber 150d through a labyrinth passage section (air passage) 158. The storage chamber 150d is configured to be switchable between a storage state (the state shown in FIG. 7) and a suction state (the state shown in FIG. 8). The controller (control section) 170 executes control to switch between the storage state and the suction state of the storage chamber 150d while the vehicle 1 is stopped. Therefore, in the battery unit cooling system 13, even if the vehicle 1 is stopped and the engine 10 is in an idle stop state, the battery 140 can be cooled by the air flow formed by suctioning air from the battery accommodating section 141a to the storage chamber 150d.

[0082] Furthermore, in the battery unit cooling system 13, when cooling the battery 140, the washer fluid simply circulates through the circulation path 150 and is not discarded to the outside, so there is no risk of washer fluid being consumed to cool the battery as in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 above.

[0083] Moreover, the battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment has an outlet chamber 150g vertically below the storage chamber 150d, and is configured to be able to discharge the washer fluid stored in the storage chamber 150d to the outlet chamber 150g. Therefore, in the battery unit cooling system 13, when discharging the washer fluid from the storage chamber 150d to the outlet chamber 150g, the washer fluid can be discharged by using gravity (natural fall) without providing a separate device such as a pump. Therefore, in the battery unit cooling system 13, the system configuration can be simplified to suppress increases in manufacturing costs and to achieve a compact system configuration.

[0084] In addition, in the battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment, an air vent portion 150i is provided at the vertical upper portion of the outlet chamber 150g. This makes it possible to prevent the residual air in the outlet chamber 150g from acting as a resistance to the intake of the washer fluid when the washer fluid is discharged from the storage chamber 150d to the outlet chamber 150g. In addition, in the battery unit cooling system 13, it is possible to prevent the washer fluid discharged to the outlet chamber 150g from entraining air. This makes it possible to prevent air from being mixed in when the washer fluid discharged from the outlet chamber 150g to the section 150c is sprayed onto the windshield.

[0085] Moreover, in the battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment, the storage chamber 150d is provided integrally with the housing 141 of the battery unit 14. Therefore, in the battery unit cooling system 13, the system configuration can be made more compact than in the case where the storage chamber 150d is provided separately from the housing 141.

[0086] In addition, in the battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment, the storage chamber 150d and the battery housing section 141a are connected by a labyrinth passage section 158 formed by a labyrinth structure. Therefore, even when the washer fluid is stored in the storage chamber 150d (storage state), it is possible to prevent the washer fluid in the storage chamber 150d from leaking into the battery housing section 141a. This makes it possible to prevent the water-soluble washer fluid from adhering to the battery 140 housed in the battery housing section 141a, ensuring high safety.

[0087] In the battery unit cooling system according to this embodiment, the controller (controller) 170 controls the opening and closing of the third door (intake door) 159 and the fifth door (discharge door) 161. Therefore, by the controller 170 controlling the opening and closing of the third door 159 and the fifth door 161 and controlling the drive of the pump 155, it is possible to switch between a storage state and a suction state in the storage chamber 150d, and it is possible to cool the battery 140 even when the vehicle 1 is stopped.

[0088] The battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment has an exhaust passage 143, one end of which is connected to a location (outside the engine room 1a in this embodiment) that is in a negative pressure state while the vehicle 1 is traveling. A first door (intake port door) 144 is provided in the intake passage 142, and a second door (exhaust port door) 145 is provided in the exhaust passage 143. When the vehicle 1 is traveling (when the traveling speed Vv exceeds a predetermined speed Vth), the first door 144 and the second port door 145 are opened, and the third door 159 and the fifth door 161 are closed. This allows the battery 140 to be cooled by utilizing the traveling negative pressure while the vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0089] In the battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment, the tank 151 and the injection nozzle 153 are connected to the washer fluid circulation path 150, and a first valve 156 and a second valve 157 are provided at each connection point. Therefore, the battery unit cooling system 13 can cool the battery 140 by utilizing an existing washer fluid supply unit in the vehicle 1, thereby making it possible to reduce the space occupied in the engine room 1a and prevent an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0090] Moreover, the battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment employs a nonaqueous electrolyte battery as the battery 140. A nonaqueous electrolyte battery is prone to problems such as performance degradation and shortened lifespan when it becomes hot, but as described above, the battery 140 can be cooled regardless of whether the vehicle 1 is running / stopped or whether the engine 10 is running / stopped, and the performance degradation and shortened lifespan of the battery 140 can be suppressed.

[0091] As described above, the battery unit cooling system 13 according to this embodiment can cool the battery 140 regardless of the conditions of the vehicle 1 and the engine 10 while preventing consumption of the washer fluid FLw.

[0092] [Variations] The configuration of a battery unit cooling system 23 according to a modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Note that the battery unit cooling system 23 according to this modified example differs from the battery unit cooling system 13 according to the above embodiment only in the destinations to which the intake path 242 and the exhaust path 243 are connected, and therefore the following mainly describes the differences.

[0093] 9, in the battery unit cooling system 23 according to this modification, the intake path 242 extends to the front portion of the engine compartment 1a. The intake path 242 is capable of taking in air from the front of the vehicle 1.

[0094] Moreover, the exhaust passage 243 is connected to an air duct 17 which is connected to an intake manifold of the engine 10. The intake passage 243 is connected to a downstream portion of the air flow in the air duct 17, specifically, a portion immediately before the air filter 18.

[0095] In the battery unit cooling system 23 according to this modified example, when the engine 10 is running, the battery 140 is cooled in the state described with reference to Fig. 6. That is, when the engine 10 is running, the air duct 17 to which the exhaust path 243 is connected is in a negative pressure state. Therefore, outside air is taken into the battery accommodating section 141a of the battery unit 14 from the intake path 242, cools the battery 10, and the air flows from the exhaust path 243 to the air duct 17.

[0096] However, when the outside air temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature (e.g., 60°C), it is difficult to cool the battery 140 with the air introduced through the intake passage 242, so the battery 140 is cooled by circulating the washer fluid FLw as described using Figures 7 and 8.

[0097] The battery unit cooling system 23 according to this modified example can also achieve the same effects as the battery unit cooling system 13 according to the above embodiment.

[0098] [Other variations] In the battery unit cooling system 13 according to the embodiment and the battery unit cooling system 23 according to the modified example, the fourth door 160 is provided in the outlet portion 150h in the circulation path 150 of the washer fluid supply unit 15. However, in the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a door in the outlet portion 150h. By providing the outlet portion 150h at a position lower in the vertical direction relative to the outlet chamber 150g, it is possible to prevent air from being entrapped in the washer fluid FLw that is returned to the third section 150c of the circulation path 150.

[0099] In the battery unit cooling system 13 according to the embodiment and the battery unit cooling system 23 according to the modified example, the outlet chamber 150g is provided vertically below the storage chamber 150d in the circulation path 150 of the washer fluid supply unit 15. However, in the present invention, it is not necessary to provide the outlet chamber 150g vertically below the storage chamber 150d. For example, the outlet chamber may be provided at a position horizontally adjacent to the storage chamber. In this case, a pump or the like may be provided to discharge the washer fluid from the storage chamber to the outlet chamber.

[0100] Furthermore, in the battery unit cooling system 13 according to the above embodiment and the battery unit cooling system 23 according to the above modified example, the storage chamber 150d is provided integrally with the housing 141 of the battery unit 14, but in the present invention, it is also possible to provide the storage chamber separately from the housing of the battery unit.

[0101] It is also possible to combine the configuration of the battery unit cooling system 13 according to the above embodiment with the configuration of the battery unit cooling system 23 according to the above modified example. Specifically, it is also possible to connect multiple intake paths and multiple exhaust paths to the battery unit housing. This makes it possible to appropriately select the form of air flow for cooling the battery depending on the running state of the vehicle and the driving state of the engine.

[0102] In the battery unit cooling system 13 according to the embodiment and the battery unit cooling system 23 according to the modified example, the connection portion between the battery accommodating portion 141a and the storage chamber 150d ( Ventilation ) is formed by labyrinth passage portion 158, but the present invention is not limited to this. Various structures can be adopted as long as the washer fluid taken into the storage chamber does not adhere to the battery.

[0103] In addition, in the vehicle 1 to which the battery unit cooling system 13 according to the above embodiment and the battery unit cooling system 23 according to the above modified example are applied, a configuration in which an engine room 1a is provided at the front is adopted as an example, but the present invention may also have an engine room at the rear.

[0104] In addition, in the battery unit cooling system 13 according to the above embodiment and the battery unit cooling system 23 according to the above modification, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is used as an example of the battery 140, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a lead battery or an all-solid-state secondary battery may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 vehicle 1a Engine Room 1b Cabin 13 Battery unit cooling system 14 Battery unit 15 Washer fluid supply unit 140 batteries 141 Case 141a Battery compartment 144, 145, 159~161 Door 150 Circulation path 150d Reservoir Chamber 150e Intake section 150f discharge section 150g outlet chamber 150h Derivation part 150i Air bleeder 151 Tank 155 Pump 156,157 Valve 158 Labyrinth passage ( Ventilation ) 170 Controller (control unit)

Claims

1. A battery unit disposed in an engine compartment of a vehicle; a washer fluid supply unit capable of injecting washer fluid onto a window of the vehicle; A control unit for controlling the washer fluid supply unit; Equipped with The battery unit includes: Batteries and a housing having a battery housing portion for housing the battery; an intake passage connected to the battery accommodating section for introducing air from outside the engine compartment into the battery accommodating section; having The washer fluid supply unit includes: A circulation path for the washer fluid; a pump that circulates the washer fluid through the circulation path; having The circulation path includes: A storage chamber capable of storing the washer fluid; an intake for the washer fluid into the reservoir chamber; a drain for the washer fluid from the reservoir chamber; Including, The washer fluid supply unit further includes an air passage that allows air to flow between the battery housing portion and the storage chamber, The storage chamber is configured to be switchable between a storage state in which the washer fluid is received from the intake portion with the discharge portion closed and the washer fluid is stored therein, and a suction state in which the washer fluid is discharged from the discharge portion with the intake portion closed to create a negative pressure state within the storage chamber and to draw air within the battery housing portion through the air passage; The control unit controls the operation of the pump and the opening and closing of the intake unit and the discharge unit while the vehicle is stopped, thereby switching between the storage state and the suction state in the storage chamber. Battery unit cooling system.

2. The battery unit cooling system according to claim 1, The circulation path further includes an outlet chamber arranged vertically below the storage chamber and configured to receive the washer fluid discharged from the storage chamber through the discharge portion. Battery unit cooling system.

3. The battery unit cooling system according to claim 2, The discharge chamber has an air vent portion at the top in the vertical direction through which air can be discharged. Battery unit cooling system.

4. The battery unit cooling system according to claim 1, The storage chamber is integrally formed with the housing of the battery unit. Battery unit cooling system.

5. The battery unit cooling system according to claim 4, The ventilation passage of the washer fluid supply unit is formed by a labyrinth structure. Battery unit cooling system.

6. The battery unit cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The circulation path includes: An intake door provided in the intake section that can be opened and closed; A discharge section door provided in the discharge section and capable of being opened and closed; Further comprising: The control unit executes the opening and closing control of the intake unit by controlling the opening and closing of the intake unit door, and executes the opening and closing control of the discharge unit by controlling the opening and closing of the discharge unit door. Battery unit cooling system.

7. 7. The battery unit cooling system according to claim 6, The battery unit includes: an exhaust passage connected to the battery accommodating section and a location that is in a negative pressure state when the vehicle is running, for drawing air from the battery accommodating section to the outside of the housing when the negative pressure state is formed; an intake door provided in the intake passage; An exhaust port door provided in the exhaust path; and The control unit also controls the opening and closing of the intake port door and the exhaust port door, and while the vehicle is running, the intake port door and the exhaust port door are in an open state, and the intake unit door and the exhaust unit door are in a closed state. Battery unit cooling system.

8. The battery unit cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The washer fluid supply unit includes: a tank connected to a location upstream of the pump in the circulation path, the tank storing the washer fluid in advance; an injection nozzle connected to a location downstream of the pump in the circulation path, the injection nozzle injecting the washer fluid onto the window; a first valve provided at a joint of the tank in the circulation path and configured to switch a flow path of the washer fluid between a flow path from the tank to the pump and a flow path from the storage chamber to the pump; a second valve provided at a joint of the injection nozzle in the circulation path and configured to switch a flow path of the washer fluid between a flow path from the pump to the injection nozzle and a flow path from the pump to the storage chamber; Further comprising Battery unit cooling system.

9. The battery unit cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The battery is a non-aqueous electrolyte battery. Battery unit cooling system.

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