Vehicle Power Supply Systems

Abstract

A vehicle power supply system (1) comprises: a battery pack (20) located below a left-and-right pair of front seats (2); and a service disconnect switch (30) located below one of the front seats (2) from among the left-and-right pair of front seats (2). The vehicle power supply system (1) further comprises: a DC / DC converter (50) located forward of the battery pack (20); and a cooling fan (40) disposed above the battery pack (20) and between the left-and-right pair of front seats (2).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle power supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] Power supply systems installed in the passenger compartment of an automobile or the like have been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a battery pack is disposed below the front seats, a fan is disposed in front of the battery pack and below the front seats, and a cooling duct is connected between the fan and the battery pack. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-63042 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If a large, high-capacity battery pack is placed under the front seat together with the fan, part of the battery pack may extend beyond the rear seat. Furthermore, if the battery pack is placed so that it fits under the front seat, the fan may have to extend beyond the rear seat. Placing the components of the vehicle power supply system so that they extend beyond the rear seat reduces the space available on the rear seat side.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a vehicle power supply system that can accommodate components without narrowing the space on the rear seat side. Under the front seat The aim is to place it in [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle power supply system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery pack disposed below a pair of front seats, and a fan disposed above the battery pack and between the pair of front seats.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle power supply system includes a battery pack disposed below a pair of left and right front seats, and a service disconnect switch disposed below one of the pair of left and right front seats. A converter is disposed in front of the battery pack, and a fan is disposed above the battery pack and between the pair of left and right front seats. The battery pack and the fan are connected by a first duct, and the converter and the fan are connected by a second duct. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the components constituting the vehicle power supply system can be mounted without narrowing the space on the rear seat side. Under the front seat can be placed in [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a vehicle power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the battery pack shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connection between the battery inside the battery pack and the service disconnect switch. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the battery pack. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery pack. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a vehicle power supply system according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0011] The configuration of a vehicle power supply system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In the drawings, the front side of the vehicle is designated as FR, the rear side of the vehicle as RR, the right side in the vehicle width direction as RH, and the left side in the vehicle width direction as LH.

[0012] The vehicle power supply system 1 is applied to a so-called left-hand drive vehicle. In a left-hand drive vehicle, the steering wheel (not shown) and the driver's seat are located on the left side of the vehicle interior, and the passenger seat is located on the right side of the vehicle interior.

[0013] In one embodiment, the vehicle power supply system 1 can be applied to a so-called right-hand drive vehicle. In a right-hand drive vehicle, the steering wheel (not shown) and the driver's seat are located on the right side of the vehicle interior, and the passenger seat is located on the left side of the vehicle interior.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, a pair of left and right front seats 2 are arranged in the front part of the vehicle interior, and a rear seat 3 is arranged in the rear part of the vehicle interior. Specifically, the front seat 2 arranged in the driver's seat on the left side in the vehicle width direction and the front seat 2 arranged in the passenger seat on the right side in the vehicle width direction are arranged in the front part of the vehicle interior.

[0015] Each front seat 2 has a seat frame 2a configured to slide in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on seat rails 4. Each front seat 2 also has a seat cushion 2b disposed on the seat surface portion of the seat frame 2a, and a seat back 2c disposed on the backrest portion of the seat frame 2a.

[0016] A center console 5 is disposed between the pair of left and right front seats 2. A shift knob 6, an armrest 7, etc. are disposed on the upper part of the center console 5. A console box 8 is also housed inside the center console 5.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a battery pack 20 (high-power battery) is disposed on the floor panel 9, extending in the vehicle width direction from the front seat 2 side (driver's seat side) on the left side in the vehicle width direction to the front seat 2 side (passenger's seat side) on the right side in the vehicle width direction. The battery pack 20 is long and extends from under the front seat 2 (driver's seat) on the left side in the vehicle width direction, through the center console 5, to under the front seat 2 (passenger's seat) on the right side in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the battery pack 20 is disposed below the two front seats 2 that are adjacent in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] A front cross member 10 extends in the vehicle width direction in front of the battery pack 20. A front joint 20a is provided at the front of the battery pack 20, and the front joint 20a is joined to the front cross member 10. Meanwhile, a rear cross member 11 extends in the vehicle width direction behind the battery pack 20. A rear joint 20b is provided at the rear of the battery pack 20, and the rear joint 20b is joined to the rear cross member 11.

[0019] 2, a service disconnect switch (hereinafter also referred to as an "SD switch") 30 is disposed below the front seat 2 (passenger seat) on the right side in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the SD switch 30 is disposed on the upper surface of the battery pack 20 at a position below the front seat 2 on the right side in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] The SD switch 30 is used to cut off the voltage circuit of the battery pack 20. As an emergency measure when the hood of the motor room where the high-voltage power cutoff fuse box is located cannot be opened, the fuse of the high-voltage circuit can be manually cut off by removing the plug inserted into the SD switch 30.

[0021] In one embodiment, the vehicle power supply system 1 may be applied to a right-hand drive vehicle, and the SD switch 30 may be disposed below the front seat 2 (passenger seat) on the left side in the vehicle width direction. In this case, the SD switch 30 may be disposed on the upper surface of the battery pack 20 at a position below the front seat 2 on the left side in the vehicle width direction.

[0022] 2 to 5, the battery pack 20 has a battery case 21. A first battery group 22 is arranged inside the battery case 21 below the front seat 2 (passenger seat) on the right side in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, a second battery group 23 is arranged inside the battery case 21 below the front seat 2 (driver's seat) on the left side in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] The first battery group 22 is configured by electrically connecting a plurality of first batteries 22a. A plurality of substantially rectangular parallelepiped first batteries 22a are arranged vertically and electrically connected in series or parallel. The first batteries 22a are arranged in two rows, one at the front and one at the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a first flow path 20c, which is a flow path for cooling air, is formed inside the battery case 21 between the first batteries 22a on the front row side and the first batteries 22a on the rear row side.

[0024] The second battery group 23 is configured by electrically connecting a plurality of second batteries 23a. A plurality of substantially rectangular parallelepiped second batteries 23a are arranged vertically and electrically connected in series or parallel. The second batteries 23a are arranged in two rows, one at the front and one at the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a second flow path 20d, which is a flow path for cooling air, is formed inside the battery case 21 between the front-row second batteries 23a and the rear-row second batteries 23a.

[0025] Furthermore, a collecting flow path 20e where the downstream ends of the first flow path 20c and the second flow path 20d converge is formed between the first battery group 22 and the second battery group 23 (at the center position in the vehicle width direction) inside the battery case 21. An internal duct 24 is disposed inside the battery case 21, and this internal duct 24 defines and defines the collecting flow path 20e.

[0026] The SD switch 30 and the first battery group 22 are electrically connected by a first bus bar 31 serving as a first electric wire (see FIG. 3). That is, the first battery group 22 disposed below the front seat 2 (passenger seat) on the right side in the vehicle width direction is connected to the SD switch 30 via the first bus bar 31.

[0027] In some embodiments, the SD switch 30 and the first battery group 22 may be connected using an electric wire (conductor) other than a bus bar.

[0028] On the other hand, the SD switch 30 and the second battery group 23 are electrically connected by a second bus bar 32 serving as a second electric wire (see FIG. 3). That is, the second battery group 23 disposed below the front seat 2 (driver's seat) on the left side in the vehicle width direction is connected to the SD switch 30 via the second bus bar 32.

[0029] In one embodiment, similar to the first battery group 22, the SD switch 30 and the second battery group 23 may be connected using an electric wire (conductor) other than a bus bar.

[0030] Battery ducts 25 are disposed at both ends of the battery pack 20 in the vehicle width direction (see FIG. 2). These battery ducts 25 have intake ports (not shown) that open downward. On the other hand, an opening 26 for discharging cooling air is provided at the center of the upper surface of the battery pack 20 in the vehicle width direction (see FIG. 4). In some embodiments, the intake ports of the battery ducts 25 may open to the side or upward.

[0031] By driving the cooling fan 40 (described later), air outside the battery pack 20 is introduced into the battery pack 20 as cooling air. Specifically, the cooling air is taken into the battery case 21 from the battery duct 25 on the right side in the vehicle width direction, passes through the first flow path 20c on the right side in the vehicle width direction and the collecting flow path 20e in the center in the vehicle width direction, and is discharged to the outside of the battery case 21 from the discharge opening 26. The cooling air is also taken into the battery case 21 from the battery duct 25 on the left side in the vehicle width direction, passes through the second flow path 20d on the left side in the vehicle width direction and the collecting flow path 20e in the center in the vehicle width direction, and is discharged to the outside of the battery case 21 from the discharge opening 26.

[0032] 1 and 2, a cooling fan 40 is disposed directly above the battery pack 20 and between the pair of left and right front seats 2. The cooling fan 40 is a centrifugal fan having a scroll casing 43 with an intake port 41 that opens downward and an exhaust port 42 that opens rearward, a rotor 44 disposed inside the scroll casing 43, and a motor 45 that drives the rotor 44 to rotate.

[0033] In one embodiment, the front seats 2 and the cooling fans 40 may be arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the vehicle width direction. This allows the cooling fans 40 to be arranged between the pair of left and right front seats 2.

[0034] In another embodiment, in order to arrange the cooling fan 40 between the pair of left and right front seats 2, the cooling fan 40 may be arranged so that the entire cooling fan 40 is included in the outline of the front seat 2 when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The cooling fan 40 is disposed so that the rotation shaft 46 of the rotor blades 44 is tilted rearward. "Tilt rearward" means that the upper part of the rotation shaft 46 is tilted further rearward than the lower part of the rotation shaft 46 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0036] An opening 26 for discharging cooling air is provided on the top surface of the battery pack 20, and a cooling fan 40 is disposed so that the extension of the rotation axis 46 of the rotor 44 passes through the opening 26.

[0037] In one embodiment, the cooling fan 40 may be disposed so that the entire motor 45 of the cooling fan 40 overlaps the battery pack 20 in a plan view. This allows the cooling fan 40 to be disposed directly above the battery pack 20.

[0038] In another embodiment, in order to place the cooling fan 40 directly above the battery pack 20 , the cooling fan 40 may be placed so that the extension of the rotation axis 46 of the rotor 44 passes through the upper surface of the battery pack 20 .

[0039] Furthermore, a DC / DC converter 50 is disposed in front of the battery pack 20. A holding bracket (not shown) is coupled to the upper side of the battery pack 20, and the DC / DC converter 50 is held to the battery pack 20 by this holding bracket.

[0040] A DC / DC converter 50 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is placed horizontally. The horizontally placed DC / DC converter 50 has an intake port 51 that opens downward and an exhaust port 52 that opens rearward.

[0041] The DC / DC converter 50 is a device that converts DC power to DC power, and also has the function of changing voltage. The DC / DC converter 50 according to this embodiment is a step-down converter that steps down the power from the battery pack 20, which is a high-power battery, to a low-power battery (a so-called 12V battery) and supplies the power to the low-power battery.

[0042] In this embodiment, the DC / DC converter 50 is disposed so that the rearmost part of the DC / DC converter 50 is located forward of the frontmost part of the seat back 2c.

[0043] In this embodiment, the DC / DC converter 50 is disposed so that the front end of the DC / DC converter 50 is located forward of the front end of the battery pack 20 .

[0044] In one embodiment, the DC / DC converter 50 may be arranged so that the rearmost part of the DC / DC converter 50 is located forward of the frontmost part of the battery pack 20. This allows the DC / DC converter 50 to be arranged in front of the battery pack 20.

[0045] Furthermore, the DC / DC converter 50 is disposed in front of the cooling fan 40 so as to be aligned with the cooling fan 40 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, the DC / DC converter 50 is disposed in the area of ​​the center console 5 (the central position in the vehicle width direction).

[0046] In one embodiment, the cooling fan 40 and the DC / DC converter 50 may be arranged so that they are aligned at the same height level. This allows the DC / DC converter 50 to be arranged so that it is aligned with the cooling fan 40 in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0047] In another embodiment, in order to arrange the DC / DC converter 50 so that it is aligned with the cooling fan 40 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, the cooling fan 40 and the DC / DC converter 50 may be arranged so that they at least partially overlap when viewed in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0048] In yet another embodiment, the DC / DC converter 50 may be disposed so that its top is lower than the top of the cooling fan 40 and its bottom is higher than the bottom of the cooling fan 40. This allows the DC / DC converter 50 to be disposed so as to be aligned with the cooling fan 40 in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0049] A cooling duct (first duct 61) is disposed between the battery pack 20 and the cooling fan 40, and a cooling duct (second duct 62) is disposed between the DC / DC converter 50 and the cooling fan 40. Specifically, the first duct is connected between the discharge opening 26 of the battery pack 20 and the intake port 41 of the cooling fan 40, and the second duct 62 is connected between the discharge port 52 of the DC / DC converter 50 and the connecting port 61 a of the first duct 61.

[0050] By driving the cooling fan 40, air outside the battery pack 20 is introduced into the battery pack 20 as cooled air, and air outside the DC / DC converter 50 is introduced into the DC / DC converter 50 as cooled air.

[0051] On the other hand, an exhaust duct 63 is connected to the outlet 42 of the cooling fan 40. The exhaust duct 63 extends rearward through both sides of the trunk in the vehicle width direction, and exhausts the air from the cooling fan 40 to the outside of the vehicle compartment.

[0052] The effects of this embodiment will be described below.

[0053] (1) The vehicle power supply system 1 includes a battery pack 20 disposed below two front seats 2 adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle power supply system 1 also includes a fan (cooling fan 40) disposed above the battery pack 20 and between the two front seats 2, which introduces air from outside the battery pack 20 into the battery pack 20.

[0054] This allows for securing space for mounting the cooling fan 40, as well as securing space in front of and behind the battery pack 20. Therefore, it is possible to position the battery pack 20 so that it fits under the front seat 2, and also position the cooling fan 40 so that it does not protrude toward the rear seat 3.

[0055] Furthermore, it is possible to shorten the length of the cooling duct (first duct 61) connecting the battery pack 20 and the cooling fan 40. This makes it possible to suppress pressure loss of the cooling air due to the length of the first duct 61, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the battery pack 20.

[0056] (2) Vehicle power supply system 1 includes a converter (DC / DC converter 50) that is arranged in front of cooling fan 40 and aligned with cooling fan 40 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0057] By eliminating the right-angle bends in the cooling duct (second duct 62) connecting the DC / DC converter 50 and the cooling fan 40, it is possible to arrange the path of the second duct 62 linearly in a plan view. This makes it possible to suppress pressure loss of the cooling air due to the shape of the second duct 62, improving the cooling efficiency of the DC / DC converter 50.

[0058] (3) The DC / DC converter 50 is disposed in front of the battery pack 20.

[0059] When the DC / DC converter 50 is disposed below the console box 8 and between the two front seats 2, it may be necessary to reduce the capacity of the console box 8 in order to ensure a space for installing the DC / DC converter 50. By disposing the DC / DC converter 50 in front of the battery pack 20, it is possible to increase the capacity of the console box 8 compared to when the DC / DC converter 50 is disposed below the console box 8 and between the two front seats 2.

[0060] By arranging the DC / DC converter 50 in front of the battery pack 20, the DC / DC converter 50 is located further forward of the two front seats 2. Even if the seat frames 2a of the front seats 2 move toward the center of the vehicle width during a vehicle collision (side collision), interference between the seat frames 2a and the DC / DC converter 50 can be avoided.

[0061] (4) The vehicle power supply system 1 is provided with a service disconnect switch (SD switch) 30 that is disposed below one of the two front seats 2 and that cuts off the voltage circuit of the battery pack 20.

[0062] Conventionally, the SD switch 30 has been disposed in, for example, an area (approximately the center in the vehicle width direction) between the first battery group 22 disposed below one of the two front seats 2 and the second battery group 23 disposed below the other front seat 2. By disposing the SD switch 30 below one of the two front seats 2 (the passenger seat), the SD switch 30 is easier to access from outside the vehicle compared to when the SD switch 30 is disposed in a position approximately in the center in the vehicle width direction.

[0063] (5) The vehicle power supply system 1 includes a first battery group 22 arranged below one of the front seats 2 inside the battery pack 20 and configured by electrically connecting a plurality of first batteries 22a. The vehicle power supply system 1 includes a second battery group 23 arranged below the other of the front seats 2 inside the battery pack 20 and configured by electrically connecting a plurality of second batteries 23a. The vehicle power supply system 1 also includes a first electric wire (first bus bar 31) that electrically connects the SD switch 30 and the first battery group 22, and a second electric wire (second bus bar 32) that electrically connects the SD switch 30 and the second battery group 23.

[0064] The SD switch 30 can be disposed at the feet of the front seat 2 (passenger seat) away from the area (center console 5) between the first battery group 22 and the second battery group 23.

[0065] Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to provide an opening on the side of the center console 5 for accessing the SD switch 30, and the center console 5 can be given a good appearance and a sense of rigidity.

[0066] (6) Cooling fan 40 has a casing (scroll casing 43) in which suction port 41 opens downward and discharge port 42 opens rearward, and rotor 44 arranged inside scroll casing 43. Cooling fan 40 is arranged so that rotation axis 46 of rotor 44 is inclined rearward.

[0067] By arranging the cooling fan 40 (centrifugal fan) at an angle rearward, the outlet 42 of the cooling fan 40 is closer to the underfloor side. This allows the length of the exhaust duct 63 behind the cooling fan 40 to be shortened.

[0068] Furthermore, a space is created between the intake port 41 of the cooling fan 40 (centrifugal fan) and the upper surface of the battery pack 20. A cooling duct (second duct 62) connecting between the DC / DC converter 50 and the cooling fan 40 can be connected to this space.

[0069] (7) The vehicle power supply system 1 includes a battery pack 20 disposed below two front seats 2 adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction, and a service disconnect switch (SD switch) 30 disposed below one of the two front seats 2. The vehicle power supply system 1 also includes a converter (DC / DC converter 50) disposed in front of the battery pack 20, and a fan (cooling fan 40) disposed above the battery pack 20 and between the two front seats 2. The vehicle power supply system 1 also includes a cooling duct (first duct 61) connected between the battery pack 20 and the cooling fan 40, and a cooling duct (second duct 62) connected between the DC / DC converter 50 and the cooling fan 40.

[0070] By placing the SD switch 30 under one of the two front seats 2 (the passenger seat), it becomes possible to mount the cooling fan 40 and the cooling ducts (first duct 61, second duct 62) on the top surface of the battery pack 20.

[0071] This ensures sufficient space for mounting the cooling fan 40 and the cooling ducts (first duct 61, second duct 62), as well as sufficient space in front of and behind the battery pack 20. This makes it possible to position the battery pack 20 so that it fits under the front seat 2, and to position the cooling fan 40 so that it does not protrude toward the rear seat 3.

[0072] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0073] For example, as in the vehicle power supply system 1A shown in Fig. 6, a space may be formed in the vertical position between the console box 8 and the cooling fan 40, and an air conditioning duct 64 for the rear seat 3 may be disposed in this space. In other words, by disposing the SD switch 30 at the feet of the front seat 2 (passenger seat) away from the center console 5, it becomes possible to form a space in the console box 8 for disposing the air conditioning duct 64. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1.1A Vehicle Power System 2 Front seats 20 Battery pack 22 Battery Group 1 22a No. 1 Battery 23 Second Battery Group 23a Second Battery 30 SD switch (service disconnect switch) 31 First bus bar (first electric wire) 32 Second bus bar (second electric wire) 40 Cooling fan 41 Intake port 42 Discharge port 43 Scroll casing (casing) 44 Rotor 50 DC / DC converter (converter) 61 First duct (cooling duct) 62 Second duct (cooling duct)

Claims

1. a battery pack disposed below two front seats adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction; a fan disposed above the battery pack and between the two front seats, the fan introducing air outside the battery pack into the battery pack; a converter disposed in front of the fan so as to be aligned with the fan in the vehicle longitudinal direction; a cooling duct that communicates between the battery pack and the fan and also communicates between the converter and the fan, The fan has a casing with an intake port that opens downward and an exhaust port that opens rearward, The cooling duct has a first duct that connects between an opening provided on an upper surface of the battery pack and an intake port of the fan, and a second duct that connects between an outlet provided in the converter and a connection port provided midway on the first duct. Vehicle power supply system.

2. The converter is disposed in front of the battery pack.

2. The vehicle power supply system according to claim 1.

3. a service disconnect switch disposed below one of the two front seats and configured to interrupt a voltage circuit of the battery pack; 3. The vehicle power supply system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a first battery group disposed inside the battery pack at a position below the one of the front seats and configured by electrically connecting a plurality of first batteries; a second battery group disposed inside the battery pack at a position below the other front seat and configured by electrically connecting a plurality of second batteries; a first electric wire electrically connecting the service disconnect switch and the first battery group; a second electric wire electrically connecting the service disconnect switch and the second battery group.

4. The vehicle power supply system according to claim 3.

5. The fan has a rotor disposed inside the casing, The fan is arranged so that the rotation axis of the rotor is inclined rearward.

5. The vehicle power supply system according to claim 1.

6. a battery pack disposed below two front seats adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction; a service disconnect switch located below one of the two front seats; a converter disposed in front of the battery pack; a fan disposed above the battery pack and between the two front seats; a cooling duct that communicates between the battery pack and the fan and also communicates between the converter and the fan, The fan has a casing with an intake port that opens downward and an exhaust port that opens rearward, The cooling duct has a first duct that connects between an opening provided on an upper surface of the battery pack and an intake port of the fan, and a second duct that connects between an outlet provided in the converter and a connection port provided midway on the first duct. Vehicle power supply system.

7. The fan has a rotor disposed inside the casing, The fan is arranged so that the rotation axis of the rotor is inclined rearward.

7. The vehicle power supply system according to claim 6.

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