Battery pack

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of suppressing a cover from vibrating.SOLUTION: A battery pack comprises: a cell module with at least one battery cell; a case that accommodates the cell module; a wire harness electrically connected with the cell module and arranged along an outer face of the case; a cover attached to the case to at least partially cover the wire harness, being configured by a magnetic substance; and a vibration control material provided on an outer face of the cover.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a battery pack. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack including a cell module having at least one battery cell, a case housing the cell module, a high-voltage wire harness electrically connected to the cell module and routed along the outer surface of the case, a cover at least partially covering the high-voltage wire harness, and vibration-damping material provided between the cover and the high-voltage wire harness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 31863 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the battery pack of Patent Document 1, high-frequency noise generated from a component to which the high-voltage wire harness is electrically connected may be transmitted to the high-voltage wire harness. In this case, a magnetic field varying at high frequency is generated near the high-voltage wire harness. The cover that at least partially covers the high-voltage wire harness vibrates due to the influence of the magnetic field varying at high frequency.

[0005] The present specification provides a technique capable of suppressing vibration of the cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect of the present technology, a battery pack includes a cell module having at least one battery cell, a case housing the cell module, a wire harness electrically connected to the cell module and routed along an outer surface of the case, a cover attached to the outer surface of the case and at least partially covering the wire harness, the cover being made of a magnetic material, and a vibration-damping material provided on the outer surface of the cover.

[0007] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the vibration-damping material is provided on the outer surface of the cover to suppress vibration of the cover, so that even if a magnetic field varying at a high frequency is generated near the high-voltage wire harness, the cover can be suppressed from vibrating.

[0008] In a second aspect of the present technology, in the first aspect, the cover may cover a section of the wire harness extending along a first direction and may be fixed to the case at a plurality of fixing points. The plurality of fixing points may include a first fixing point located on one side of the vibration-damping material in the first direction and a second fixing point located on the other side of the vibration-damping material.

[0009] According to the above configuration, in the first direction, the vibration-damping material is provided between the first fixing point and the second fixing point. The area between the first fixing point and the second fixing point has a lower rigidity than the area where the first fixing point and the second fixing point are provided, and is therefore more likely to vibrate. Therefore, by providing the vibration-damping material in the area that is more likely to vibrate, it is possible to appropriately suppress the vibration of the cover.

[0010] In a third aspect of the present technology, in the second aspect, the cover may have an upper surface, a side surface, or a lower surface extending along the first direction. The vibration-damping material may be provided on any of the upper surface, the side surface, or the lower surface.

[0011] According to the above configuration, vibration of the cover can be more appropriately suppressed.

[0012] In a fourth aspect of the present technology, in the third aspect, a recess may be formed on any one of the upper surface, the side surface, or the lower surface. The vibration-damping material may be provided across the inside and outside of the recess.

[0013] According to the above configuration, vibration of the cover can be suppressed more effectively than in a configuration in which the vibration-damping material is provided only inside the recess.

[0014] In a fifth aspect of the present technology, in any one of the third to fifth aspects above, the vibration-damping material may be a sheet material made of a viscoelastic material and attached to an outer surface of the cover.

[0015] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the vibration-damping material can be easily provided on the cover. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a battery pack 2 according to the embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of a part of a cross section taken along dashed line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a left cover 30 according to the embodiment as viewed from above on the front left side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] (Example) A battery pack 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The battery pack 2 according to the embodiment is used in, for example, an electric vehicle, and supplies power to a traction motor that drives the wheels. The electric vehicle referred to here is not particularly limited, but includes battery-powered electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles. The battery pack 2 is disposed under the floor of the electric vehicle.

[0018] 1, the battery pack 2 includes a tray 10, a battery cell case 12, and an electric unit case 14. The battery cell case 12 is disposed on the tray 10. The electric unit case 14 is connected to the center of the battery cell case 12 in the left-right direction. The electric unit case 14 extends forward from the battery cell case 12.

[0019] 2, the battery cell case 12 houses a cell module 22 having a plurality of battery cells 20. In this embodiment, the battery cells 20 are NiMH battery cells having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The battery cells 20 may also be lithium-ion battery cells or the like. The plurality of battery cells 20 are stacked in the vertical direction.

[0020] The left high-voltage wire harness 24 and the left low-voltage wire harness 26 are electrically connected to the cell module 22. Hereinafter, the wire harness will be referred to as "W / H". In this specification, "high voltage" means an operating voltage exceeding 60V DC or an operating voltage exceeding 30V AC (effective value), and "low voltage" means an operating voltage equal to or lower than the high voltage. The left high-voltage W / H 24 and the left low-voltage W / H 26 are routed along the outer surface of the left side of the battery cell case 12. For example, the left high-voltage W / H 24 is routed in the left-right direction along the upper surface 12A of the battery cell case 12, and the left low-voltage W / H 26 is routed in the left-right direction along the front surface 12B of the battery cell case 12. The left high-voltage W / H 24 is provided above the left low-voltage W / H 26. The left high-voltage W / H 24 is electrically connected to a power control unit (PCU), a driving motor, etc. via the electric unit case 14. A right side high voltage W / H and a right side constant voltage W / H are electrically connected to the right surface of the cell module 22.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, a left cover 30 and a right cover 32 are attached to the battery cell case 12. The left cover 30 and the right cover 32 are made of a magnetic material, such as steel, and have the property of being magnetized under the influence of a magnetic field. The left cover 30 is attached to the left side of the front part of the battery cell case 12. The left cover 30 partially covers the left high-voltage W / H 24. Specifically, the left cover 30 covers the left high-voltage W / H 24 from the front and above. The distance between the left cover 30 and the left high-voltage W / H 24 is within 30 mm. The right cover 32 partially covers the right high-voltage W / H. Specifically, the left cover 30 covers the right high-voltage W / H from the front and above. The distance between the right cover 32 and the right high-voltage W / H is within 30 mm.

[0022] In this embodiment, the right cover 32 has a shape symmetrical with respect to the left cover 30. Below, the left cover 30 will be described, and a description of the right cover 32 will be omitted. In a modified example, the right cover 32 may have a shape asymmetrical with respect to the left cover 30.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, the left cover 30 includes an upper wall 40 and an inclined wall 42. The upper wall 40 is formed in a rectangular shape along the left-right direction. The inclined wall 42 extends forward from the front end of the upper wall 40. The inclined wall 42 is inclined such that the front side is inclined downward. The inclined wall 42 is formed in a rectangular shape along the left-right direction.

[0024] The left cover 30 further includes a first flange portion 46, a second flange portion 48, a third flange portion 50, and a fourth flange portion 52. The first flange portion 46 extends rightward from the right end of the upper wall 40. The second flange portion 48 extends rearward from the left end of the upper wall 40. The third flange portion 50 extends downward from the right end of the inclined wall 42. The fourth flange portion 52 extends downward from the left end of the inclined wall 42. The first flange portion 46 to the fourth flange portion 52 are respectively formed with a first screw hole 54A to a fourth screw hole 54D. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery cell case 12 is formed with a screw hole 12C corresponding to the second screw hole 54B. The battery cell case 12 is further formed with screw holes corresponding to the first screw hole 54A, the third screw hole 54C, and the fourth screw hole 54D. That is, the left cover 30 is fixed to the battery cell case 12 at four fastening points (fixing points).

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, a recess 56 recessed downward is formed on the upper surface 40A of the upper wall 40 of the left cover 30. The recess 56 is formed near the center of the upper surface 40A in the left-right direction. In the left-right direction, the first screw hole 54A and the third screw hole 54C are arranged to the right of the recess 56, and the second screw hole 54B and the fourth screw hole 54D are arranged to the left of the recess 56. That is, the recess 56 is arranged between the first screw hole 54A and the third screw hole 54C and the second screw hole 54B and the fourth screw hole 54D in the left-right direction.

[0026] The left cover 30 further includes a sheet-like vibration-damping material 60 made of a viscoelastic material. The vibration-damping material 60 is a member for suppressing vibration of the left cover 30. The vibration-damping material 60 is attached to the recess 56 and the upper surface 40A. That is, the vibration-damping material 60 is provided across the inside and outside of the recess 56. The vibration-damping material 60 is made of a viscoelastic material.

[0027] As described above, the battery pack 2 comprises a cell module 22 having at least one battery cell 20, a battery cell case 12 (an example of a "case") that houses the cell module 22, a left high-voltage W / H 24 (an example of a "wire harness") that is electrically connected to the cell module 22 and arranged along the outer surface of the battery cell case 12, a left cover 30 (an example of a "cover") that is attached to the outer surface of the battery cell case 12 and at least partially covers the high-voltage W / H 24 and is made of a magnetic material, and vibration-damping material 60 provided on an upper surface 40A of the left cover 30 ("an example of the outer surface of a cover").

[0028] In the battery pack 2 of this embodiment, the left high-voltage W / H 24 is electrically connected to the PCU. Therefore, high-frequency noise from the PCU propagates to the left high-voltage W / H 24, and a magnetic field that fluctuates at high frequency is generated near the left high-voltage W / H 24. Since the distance between the left high-voltage W / H 24 and the left cover 30 is relatively short (within 30 mm in this embodiment), the left cover 30 may vibrate due to the influence of the magnetic field that fluctuates at high frequency. According to the above configuration, the vibration-damping material 60 is provided on the upper surface 40A of the left cover 30 to suppress vibration of the left cover 30. Therefore, even if a magnetic field that fluctuates at high frequency is generated near the left high-voltage W / H 24, it is possible to suppress vibration of the left cover 30.

[0029] Furthermore, left cover 30 covers a section extending along the left-right direction (an example of the "first direction") of left-side high-voltage W / H 24, and is fixed to battery cell case 12 at multiple fixing points. The multiple fixing points include a first screw hole 54A (an example of a "first fixing point") located on the right side of vibration-damping material 60 (an example of the "first side") and a third screw hole 54C (an example of a "second fixing point") located on the left side of vibration-damping material 60 (an example of the "other side") in the left-right direction.

[0030] According to the above configuration, the vibration-damping material 60 is provided between the first screw hole 54A and the third screw hole 54C in the left-right direction. The area between the first screw hole 54A and the third screw hole 54C has low rigidity compared to the area where the first screw hole 54A and the third screw hole 54C are provided (i.e., the area near the fastening point), and is therefore prone to vibration. Therefore, by providing the vibration-damping material 60 in the area prone to vibration, it is possible to appropriately suppress the vibration of the left cover 30.

[0031] Furthermore, the left cover 30 has an upper surface 40A extending along the left-right direction, and an inclined wall 42 having an inclined surface. The vibration-damping material 60 is provided on the upper surface 40A.

[0032] According to the above-described configuration, the left cover 30 can be appropriately prevented from vibrating.

[0033] Further, a recess 56 is formed on the upper surface 40A. The vibration-damping material 60 is provided across the inside and outside of the recess 56.

[0034] According to the above-described configuration, compared to a configuration in which the vibration-damping material 60 is provided only inside the recess 56, it is possible to suppress vibration of the left cover 30.

[0035] The vibration-damping material 60 is a sheet material made of a viscoelastic material, and is attached to the outer surface of the left cover 30.

[0036] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the vibration-damping material 60 can be easily provided on the left cover 30.

[0037] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples exemplified above.

[0038] (First Modification) Screw holes may be provided only on the right side or only on the left side of the vibration-damping material 60.

[0039] (Second Modification) The vibration-damping material 60 may be provided on an outer surface of the left cover 30 other than the upper surface 40A (for example, the outer surface of the inclined wall 42, and the outer surfaces of the first flange portion 46 to the fourth flange portion 52). In addition, in the case where the left cover 30 has a lower surface that constitutes the outer surface of the left cover 30, the vibration-damping material 60 may be provided on the lower surface of the left cover 30.

[0040] (Third Modification) The upper surface 40A of the left cover 30 does not necessarily have to be provided with the recess 56.

[0041] (Fourth Modification) The vibration-damping material 60 may be provided only inside the recess 56 .

[0042] (Fifth Modification) The vibration-damping material 60 may be provided on the outer surface of the left cover 30 by means of a fastening member or the like.

[0043] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings have technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 2: battery pack, 10: tray, 12: battery cell case, 12A: top surface, 12B: front surface, 12C: screw hole, 14: electric unit case, 20: battery cell, 22: cell module, 24: left side high voltage wire harness, 26: left side low voltage wire harness, 30: left side cover, 32: right side cover, 40: top wall, 40A: top surface, 42: inclined wall, 46: first flange portion, 48: second flange portion, 50: third flange portion, 52: fourth flange portion, 54A: first screw hole, 54B: second screw hole, 54C: third screw hole, 54D: fourth screw hole, 56: recess, 60: vibration damping material

Claims

1. A cell module having at least one battery cell; A case housing the cell module; a wire harness electrically connected to the cell module and routed along an outer surface of the case; a cover attached to the case, at least partially covering the wire harness, and made of a magnetic material; A vibration-damping material provided on an outer surface of the cover; A battery pack comprising:

2. The cover covers a section of the wire harness extending along a first direction and is fixed to the case at a plurality of fixing points, The plurality of fixing points include a first fixing point located on one side of the vibration-damping material in the first direction and a second fixing point located on the other side of the vibration-damping material. The battery pack according to claim 1 .

3. The cover has an upper surface, a side surface, or a lower surface extending along the first direction, The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the vibration-damping material is provided on any one of the top surface, the side surface, or the bottom surface.

4. A recess is formed on any one of the upper surface, the side surface, or the lower surface, The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the vibration-damping material is provided across an inside and an outside of the recess.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration-damping material is a sheet material made of a material having viscoelasticity and is attached to an outer surface of the cover.

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