battery device

Abstract

To suppress dispersion between discharge amount of air from a first exhaust part to outside of a storage space and discharge amount of air from a second exhaust part to outside of the storage space.SOLUTION: A battery device 20 comprises: a battery pack 21 which is arranged in a storage space 17; a suction part 30 which is arranged at a first lateral direction LH side relative to the battery pack 21; a first exhaust part 41 which is arranged at the first lateral direction LH side relative to the battery pack 21 to exhaust warmed air by heat exchange with the battery pack 21; and a second exhaust part 42 which is arranged at a second lateral direction RH side relative to the battery pack 21 to exhaust warmed air by heat exchange with the battery pack 21. A first exhaust passage 51 that guides air passing through the battery pack 21 into the first exhaust part 41 and a second exhaust passage 52 that guides air passing through the battery pack 21 into the second exhaust part 42 are formed in the storage space 17. The battery device 20 includes a circulation regulation part 55 which regulates circulation of air passing through the battery pack 21 into the first exhaust passage 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery device including a battery pack provided in an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A battery pack for an electric vehicle is disposed between a floor panel and a floor carpet, and includes a battery module and a housing case that houses the battery module.

[0003] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, the battery device includes an intake section that introduces cooling air into the housing case and multiple exhaust sections that expel air warmed by heat exchange with the battery module to the outside of the housing case. A first exhaust section of the multiple exhaust sections is positioned to face the center pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle. Meanwhile, a second exhaust section of the multiple exhaust sections is positioned to face the center pillar on the passenger's side of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-128289 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The air discharged from the first exhaust section flows along the center pillar toward the driver sitting in the driver's seat. The exhaust air discharged from the second exhaust section flows along the center pillar on the driver's side toward the passenger sitting in the front passenger seat. Therefore, if the air discharge volume of one of the first and second exhaust sections is greater than the air discharge volume of the other exhaust section, the following problem may arise. That is, if the air discharge volume of the first exhaust section is greater than the air discharge volume of the second exhaust section, the driver may feel uncomfortable because a large amount of air is directed toward the driver sitting in the driver's seat from the center pillar. Conversely, if the air discharge volume of the second exhaust section is greater than the air discharge volume of the first exhaust section, the passenger may feel uncomfortable because a large amount of air is directed toward the driver sitting in the front passenger seat from the center pillar on the front passenger side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A battery device that solves the above problem includes a battery pack disposed in a storage space defined by a floor panel and a floor carpet disposed on the floor panel, an intake section disposed in a first direction in the vehicle width direction relative to the battery pack and configured to introduce air into the storage space, a first exhaust section disposed in the first direction relative to the battery pack and configured to discharge air heated by heat exchange with the battery pack to the storage space, and a second exhaust section disposed in a second direction in the vehicle width direction relative to the battery pack and configured to discharge air heated by heat exchange with the battery pack to the storage space. In the battery device, the floor carpet and the battery pack form within the storage space a first exhaust passage that guides air that has passed through the battery pack to the first exhaust section, and a second exhaust passage that guides air that has passed through the battery pack to the second exhaust section and has a higher air flow resistance than the first exhaust passage. The battery device further includes a flow restriction section that restricts the flow of air that has passed through the battery pack to the first exhaust passage.

[0007] Air introduced into the storage space through the intake section flows through the battery pack. The air warmed by heat exchange with the battery pack flows through the first exhaust passage and is discharged to the outside of the storage space through the first exhaust section, or flows through the second exhaust passage and is discharged to the outside of the storage space through the second exhaust section. The air flow resistance in the first exhaust passage is lower than the air flow resistance in the second exhaust passage. Therefore, the amount of air discharged to the outside of the storage space from the first exhaust section tends to be greater than the amount of air discharged to the outside of the storage space from the second exhaust section.

[0008] In this regard, in the battery device, the flow restriction portion restricts the air that has passed through the battery pack from flowing toward the first exhaust passage. As a result, the amount of air flowing through the first exhaust passage toward the first exhaust portion is reduced. Therefore, in the battery device, the difference between the amount of air discharged from the first exhaust portion to the outside of the storage space and the amount of air discharged from the second exhaust portion to the outside of the storage space can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the front structure of an electric vehicle equipped with a battery device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the battery device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the battery device of FIG. 1 when viewed from above the vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the battery device of FIG. 1 taken along the imaginary plane shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the battery device will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. The front of the electric vehicle 10 is referred to as the "vehicle front Fr," and the rear of the electric vehicle 10, which is the opposite direction to the vehicle front Fr, is referred to as the "vehicle rear Rr." One of the vehicle width directions is referred to as the "first lateral direction LH," and the other is referred to as the "second lateral direction RH." The second lateral direction RH is the opposite direction to the first lateral direction LH. The top of the electric vehicle 10 is referred to as the "vehicle upper side UPR," and the bottom of the electric vehicle 10, which is the opposite direction to the vehicle upper side UPR, is referred to as the "vehicle lower side LWR."

[0011] <Outline of electric vehicle configuration> FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the front part of an electric vehicle 10 equipped with a battery device 20. A center console panel 11 and a plurality of seats are provided inside the vehicle cabin of the electric vehicle 10. Of the two seats shown in FIG. 1, the seat located in the second lateral direction RH is a driver's seat 12, and the seat located in the first lateral direction LH is a passenger seat 13. The battery device 20 is installed below the driver's seat 12 and passenger seat 13 on the LWR side of the vehicle.

[0012] <Battery device configuration> The battery device 20 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is an end view schematically showing the cross-sectional structure of the battery device 20 when cut along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the vehicle axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the battery device 20 when viewed from above the vehicle UPR. Figure 4 is an end view schematically showing the cross-sectional structure of the battery device 20 when cut along an imaginary plane HA perpendicular to the vehicle axis extending in the vehicle width direction. Note that arrows Z in Figures 2 to 4 indicate the flow of air within the accommodation space 17, which will be described later.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the battery device 20 is disposed in a storage space 17 formed on the vehicle lower left-hand side (LWR) of the two seats 12, 13 shown in Fig. 1. The storage space 17 is partitioned by a floor panel 15 of the electric vehicle 10 and a floor carpet 16 disposed on the floor panel 15.

[0014] 2 and 3, the battery device 20 includes a battery pack 21 and a component member 23. The component member 23 is disposed further in the second horizontal direction RH than the battery pack 21. The battery pack 21 has a pack body 21A. The pack body 21A includes a plurality of battery cells 22 stacked in the first horizontal direction LH from a portion adjacent to the component member 23, and a case that houses the plurality of battery cells 22.

[0015] 4, the battery pack 21 has a first flange 21a that protrudes from the pack body 21A toward the vehicle front (Fr) and a second flange 21b that protrudes from the pack body 21A toward the vehicle rear (Rr). The end of the battery pack 21 on the vehicle upper (UPR) side is referred to as the "upper portion 21c of the battery pack 21," and the end of the battery pack 21 on the vehicle lower (LWR) side is referred to as the "lower portion 21d of the battery pack 21." In this case, the first flange 21a and the second flange 21b are each located between the upper portion 21c and the lower portion 21d of the battery pack 21.

[0016] 2 and 3, the battery device 20 includes an intake section 30 and multiple exhaust sections 41, 42, and 43. The intake section 30 introduces air into the accommodation space 17 to cool the battery pack 21. The multiple exhaust sections 41, 42, and 43 discharge air that has been warmed by heat exchange with the battery pack 21 to the outside of the accommodation space 17.

[0017] The intake section 30 is disposed further in the first horizontal direction LH than the battery pack 21. The intake section 30 has a fan 31 that takes in air from outside the storage space 17, and an intake duct 32 that sends the air taken in by the fan 31 toward the battery pack 21. Although not shown in the figure, an intake port that communicates with the outside of the storage space 17 is connected to the fan 31.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the intake duct 32 sends air into the lower space 17a between the battery pack 21 and the floor panel 15. Therefore, the air sent out from the intake duct 32 flows within the lower space 17a as shown by arrow Z in Figure 2. In other words, the lower space 17a can be said to be an intake passage through which air guided from the intake section 30 into the accommodation space 17 flows. In this embodiment, the first lateral direction LH corresponds to the "first direction," and the second lateral direction RH corresponds to the "second direction."

[0019] The air flowing through the lower space 17a flows through the battery pack 21 toward the vehicle upper UPR as shown by arrow Z in Figure 2. Specifically, the air flows between adjacent battery cells 22 toward the vehicle upper UPR. As the air flows through the battery pack 21, heat is exchanged between the battery cells 22 and the air, warming the air. The air warmed by heat exchange with the battery pack 21 then flows into the upper space 17b, which is the space between the upper part 21c of the battery pack 21 and the floor carpet 16 within the accommodation space 17.

[0020] The first exhaust portion 41 is disposed further in the first lateral direction LH than the battery pack 21. The first exhaust portion 41 is disposed facing the scuff plate or center pillar on the passenger seat 13 side.

[0021] The second exhaust section 42 is disposed further in the second lateral direction RH than the battery pack 21. The second exhaust section 42 is disposed facing the scuff plate or center pillar on the driver's seat 12 side.

[0022] The third exhaust section 43 is disposed further in the second lateral direction RH than the first exhaust section 41 and further in the first lateral direction LH than the second exhaust section 42. For example, the third exhaust section 43 is disposed further in the second lateral direction RH than the passenger seat 13 and further in the first lateral direction LH than the driver's seat 12. The third exhaust section 43 is disposed so that air discharged from the third exhaust section 43 is discharged toward the center console panel 11.

[0023] Within the accommodation space 17, a first exhaust passage 51 and a second exhaust passage 52 are formed by the floor carpet 16 and the battery pack 21. The first exhaust passage 51 is connected to the first exhaust section 41. The first exhaust passage 51 is a passage through which air warmed by heat exchange with the battery pack 21 flows toward the first exhaust section 41. The first exhaust passage 51 includes a space in the accommodation space 17 that is above the vehicle UPR and above the intake section 30.

[0024] Air passing through the battery pack 21 flows into an upper space 17b between an upper portion 21c of the battery pack 21 and the floor carpet 16. The air that flows into the upper space 17b flows from the upper space 17b to the vehicle front Fr or from the upper space 17b to the vehicle rear Rr. The air then flows in the first lateral direction LH through the space between the floor carpet 16 and a portion of the battery pack 21 that is closer to the vehicle upper UPR than the first flange 21a, and the air also flows in the first lateral direction LH through the space between the floor carpet 16 and a portion of the battery pack 21 that is closer to the vehicle upper UPR than the second flange 21b. This air passes through the space closer to the vehicle upper UPR than the intake section 30 and reaches the first exhaust section 41. The air is then discharged from the first exhaust section 41 to the outside of the accommodation space 17. The region of the accommodation space 17 through which the air flows toward the first exhaust section 41 functions as a first exhaust passage 51.

[0025] The second exhaust passage 52 is connected to the second exhaust section 42. The second exhaust passage 52 is a passage through which air warmed by heat exchange with the battery pack 21 flows toward the second exhaust section 42. The second exhaust passage 52 is located further in the second lateral direction RH than the first exhaust passage 51.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the second exhaust passage 52 is also connected to the third exhaust section 43. Therefore, the air flowing through the second exhaust passage 52 is discharged to the outside of the accommodation space 17 from the second exhaust section 42, or is discharged to the outside of the accommodation space 17 from the third exhaust section 43.

[0027] The air that passes through the battery pack 21 flows into the upper space 17b between the upper portion 21c of the battery pack 21 and the floor carpet 16. The air that flows into the upper space 17b flows from the upper space 17b to the vehicle front Fr or from the upper space 17b to the vehicle rear Rr. The air then flows in the second lateral direction RH through the space between the portion of the battery pack 21 that is above the first flange 21a of the UPR and the floor carpet 16, and the air also flows in the second lateral direction RH through the space between the portion of the battery pack 21 that is above the second flange 21b of the UPR and the floor carpet 16. When the air reaches the second exhaust section 42, it is discharged from the second exhaust section 42 to the outside of the accommodation space 17. When the air reaches the third exhaust section 43, it is discharged from the third exhaust section 43 to the outside of the accommodation space 17. The portion of the accommodation space 17 through which air flows toward the second exhaust portion 42 and the third exhaust portion 43 functions as a second exhaust passage 52.

[0028] The air flow resistance in the second exhaust passage 52 is greater than the air flow resistance in the first exhaust passage 51. For example, the passage length of the second exhaust passage 52 is longer than the passage length of the first exhaust passage 51.

[0029] 3 and 4, the battery device 20 is provided with a flow restriction portion 55 that restricts the flow of air that has passed through the battery pack 21 into the first exhaust passage 51. As described above, the air introduced into the accommodation space 17 from the intake portion 30 flows through the battery pack 21 from the vehicle lower LWR toward the vehicle upper UPR, and reaches the upper space 17b between the upper portion 21c of the battery pack 21 and the floor carpet 16. The flow restriction portion 55 restricts the air that has reached the upper space 17b from flowing toward the first exhaust passage 51.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the flow restriction portion 55 is disposed further in the second lateral direction RH than the first exhaust passage 51 and further in the first lateral direction LH than the third exhaust portion 43. 3 and 4, the flow restriction portions 55 are provided in the upper space 17b at the front side Fr of the vehicle and at the rear side Rr of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the flow restriction portions 55 are configured by recessing a portion of the floor carpet 16 toward the battery pack 21. In FIG. 4, the flow restriction portions 55 are configured by recessing the floor carpet 16 so that a portion of the floor carpet 16 comes into contact with the battery pack 21. However, as long as the flow of air into the first exhaust passage 51 can be restricted, the flow restriction portions 55 may be configured by recessing the floor carpet 16 to an extent that the floor carpet 16 does not come into contact with the battery pack 21.

[0031] <Actions and Effects of This Embodiment> When air is introduced into the accommodation space 17 from the intake section 30, the air flows through the battery pack 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the air is guided by the intake duct 32 to the lower space 17a between the lower part 21d of the battery pack 21 and the floor panel 15. The air then flows from the lower space 17a into the battery pack 21. The air that has flowed through the battery pack 21 then flows into the upper space 17b between the upper part 21c of the battery pack 21 and the floor carpet 16. That is, the air that has been warmed by heat exchange with the battery pack 21 flows into the upper space 17b.

[0032] Here, the air flow resistance in the first exhaust passage 51 is lower than the air flow resistance in the second exhaust passage 52. Therefore, most of the air that has flowed into the upper space 17b flows through the first exhaust passage 51 and tends to head toward the first exhaust part 41.

[0033] 3 and 4, the battery device 20 is provided with a flow restriction portion 55 that restricts air that has flowed into the upper space 17b from inside the battery pack 21 from flowing into the first exhaust passage 51. This restricts the flow of air from the upper space 17b to the first exhaust passage 51. As a result, the amount of air flowing through the first exhaust passage 51 toward the first exhaust section 41 decreases. As the amount of air toward the first exhaust section 41 decreases in this manner, the amount of air toward the second exhaust section 42 increases. This makes it possible to reduce the variation between the amount of air discharged from the first exhaust section 41 to the outside of the storage space 17 and the amount of air discharged from the second exhaust section 42 to the outside of the storage space 17.

[0034] The battery device 20 can further provide the following effects. (1) Consider the case where the flow of air from the upper space 17b to the first exhaust passage 51 is restricted by providing a new partition member between the battery pack 21 and the floor carpet 16. Even in this case, the amount of air flowing through the first exhaust passage 51 toward the first exhaust section 41 can be reduced, but the number of parts in the battery device 20 increases.

[0035] In this regard, in the battery device 20, the flow restriction portion 55 is configured by recessing a portion of the floor carpet 16. This reduces the amount of air flowing through the first exhaust passage 51 toward the first exhaust portion 41 without increasing the number of parts in the battery device 20.

[0036] Furthermore, since the floor carpet 16 is recessed inward, the space on the LWR below the seat can be expanded, allowing the space on the LWR below the seat to be used effectively. (2) The battery device 20 also includes the third exhaust section 43. Therefore, the amount of air discharged from both the first exhaust section 41 and the second exhaust section 42 can be reduced.

[0037] (3) The battery pack 21 has a first flange 21a and a second flange 21b. As a result, air introduced from the intake section 30 flows through the vehicle lower LWR beyond the first flange 21a and the second flange 21b, while air that has exchanged heat with the battery pack 21 flows through the vehicle upper UPR beyond the first flange 21a and the second flange 21b. In other words, the flow of relatively low-temperature air before heat exchange with the battery pack 21 and the flow of relatively high-temperature air after heat exchange with the battery pack 21 are less likely to interfere with each other. This allows air to flow smoothly within the accommodation space 17, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the battery cells 22.

[0038] <Example of change> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0039] The battery pack 21 may not have the first flange portion 21a. The battery pack 21 may not have the second flange portion 21b. The battery device 20 may not have the third exhaust section 43.

[0040] While the battery device 20 in the above embodiment is configured to have the flow restriction portion 55 on both the front side Fr and the rear side Rr of the vehicle as shown in Fig. 4, this is not limiting. In other words, the battery device may be configured to have the flow restriction portion 55 on only one of the front side Fr and the rear side Rr of the vehicle, as long as it can reduce the amount of air flowing through the first exhaust passage 51 toward the first exhaust portion 41.

[0041] A partition member may be newly provided between the battery cell 22 and the floor carpet 16 to reduce the amount of air flowing through the first exhaust passage 51 toward the first exhaust section 41. In this case, the partition member functions as a flow restriction section, so there is no need to recess part of the floor carpet 16 toward the battery pack 21.

[0042] The battery device 20 may be installed on the electric vehicle 10 so that the second lateral direction RH corresponds to the first direction, and the first lateral direction LH corresponds to the second direction. <Technical philosophy> The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and several modified examples will be described as supplementary notes.

[0043] [Appendix 1] A battery pack disposed in a storage space defined by a floor panel and a floor carpet disposed on the floor panel; an intake section that is provided in a first direction in the vehicle width direction relative to the battery pack and that introduces air into the accommodation space; a first exhaust portion disposed in the first direction relative to the battery pack and configured to exhaust air heated by heat exchange with the battery pack to the outside of the accommodation space; a second exhaust portion that is disposed in a second direction in the vehicle width direction relative to the battery pack and that exhausts air that has been warmed by heat exchange with the battery pack to the outside of the accommodation space, Within the accommodation space, the floor carpet and the battery pack form a first exhaust passage that guides air that has passed through the battery pack to the first exhaust section, and a second exhaust passage that guides air that has passed through the battery pack to the second exhaust section and has a higher air flow resistance than the air flow resistance in the first exhaust passage, The battery device includes a flow restriction portion that restricts the flow of air that has passed through the battery pack to the first exhaust passage.

[0044] [Appendix 2] The battery device described in Appendix 1, wherein the flow restriction portion is configured by recessing a portion of the floor carpet toward the battery pack. [Appendix 3] A third exhaust section is provided to exhaust air that has passed through the battery pack toward a center console panel, The battery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third exhaust section is positioned in the second direction relative to the flow restriction section and in the first direction relative to the second exhaust section.

[0045] [Appendix 4] The battery device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the battery pack has a first flange portion that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle and a second flange portion that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle. [Appendix 5] The first flange portion and the second flange portion are each disposed below the flow restriction portion, 5. The battery device according to claim 4, wherein the intake section blows air downwardly relative to the battery pack. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10...Electric vehicles 11...Center console panel 15...Floor panel 16...Floor carpet 17...Containment space 20…Battery device 21a…1st collar part 21b…Second collar part 21...Battery pack 30...Intake section 41...First exhaust section 42...Second exhaust section 43...Third exhaust section 51...First exhaust passage 52...Second exhaust passage 55…Distribution Regulation Department

Claims

1. a battery pack disposed in a storage space defined by a floor panel and a floor carpet disposed on the floor panel; an intake portion that is provided in a first direction in the vehicle width direction relative to the battery pack and that introduces air into the accommodation space; a first exhaust portion disposed in the first direction relative to the battery pack and configured to exhaust air heated by heat exchange with the battery pack to the outside of the accommodation space; a second exhaust portion disposed in a second direction in the vehicle width direction relative to the battery pack and configured to exhaust air heated by heat exchange with the battery pack to the outside of the accommodation space, Within the accommodation space, the floor carpet and the battery pack form a first exhaust passage that guides air that has passed through the battery pack to the first exhaust section, and a second exhaust passage that guides air that has passed through the battery pack to the second exhaust section and has a higher air flow resistance than the air flow resistance in the first exhaust passage, The battery device includes a flow restriction portion that restricts the flow of air that has passed through the battery pack to the first exhaust passage. battery device.

2. The flow restriction portion is configured by recessing a portion of the floor carpet toward the battery pack. The battery device according to claim 1 .

3. a third exhaust section that exhausts air that has passed through the battery pack toward a center console panel; The third exhaust section is disposed in the second direction relative to the flow restriction section and in the first direction relative to the second exhaust section. The battery device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The battery pack has a first flange portion that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle and a second flange portion that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle. The battery device according to claim 1 .

5. The first flange portion and the second flange portion are each disposed below the flow restriction portion, The intake section blows air downwardly relative to the battery pack. The battery device according to claim 4 .

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