Battery module support

Abstract

To provide a battery module support body which has a function where a cooling air flows, and with which it is possible to firmly support a battery module by a pair of support members the rigidity of which is increased.SOLUTION: A battery module support body 1 comprises a battery module 2, and a module bracket 3 by a pair of support members 4 and a pair of restraint members 5. The pair of support members 4 is provided with bead parts 42, 43 for flowing a cooling air C between the support members 4 and the battery module 2, the bead parts swelling more toward the outside than a facing part 41. The pair of restraint members 5 includes a pair of connection parts 52 that are formed at both ends of a restraint body part 51 by being bent from the restraint body part 51 and connected to the support members 4 by a screw 61. The pair of connection parts 52 is arranged in a recess that is formed in the inside of the bead parts 42, 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module support comprising a battery module and a module bracket. [Background technology]

[0002] A battery module, also known as a battery pack, is formed by stacking and electrically connecting multiple chargeable and dischargeable battery cells. The battery module is supported by a module bracket, which acts as a battery module support and is fixed to an installation location, such as the body of an automobile, with bolts or the like.

[0003] Module brackets of various structures are used. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a battery pack in which a pair of restraint plates are arranged on the outside of the battery cell arrangement direction, and a tightening beam is attached to bridge the pair of restraint plates. Then, by tightening both ends of the tightening beam to the respective restraint plates with screws, a predetermined restraint load is applied in the battery cell arrangement direction, thereby restraining the multiple battery cells. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-184470 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The battery pack heats up due to heat generated by the multiple battery cells, and is therefore cooled by cooling air, etc. In the battery pack of Patent Document 1, multiple battery cells and spacers with grooves formed as refrigerant passages are stacked alternately, and the battery cells are cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the grooves.

[0006] However, in the battery pack of Patent Document 1, both ends of the tightening beam are positioned outside the pair of restraint plates, and when both ends of the tightening beam are tightened to the pair of restraint plates with screws, the tightening force of the screws is unlikely to act on the pair of restraint plates. Furthermore, the battery pack of Patent Document 1 does not incorporate any measures to allow a refrigerant to circulate between the pair of restraint plates and the battery cells, nor does it incorporate any measures to increase the rigidity of the pair of restraint plates.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a battery module support that can firmly support a battery module using a pair of support members (restraint plates) that have the function of allowing cooling air to flow and have increased rigidity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is A battery module support body including a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, and a module bracket for supporting the battery module and installing it on an installation target, the module bracket includes a pair of support members arranged on a pair of support side surfaces located at both ends of the battery module in the stacking direction of the battery cells, and a pair of restraint members that are bridged across the pair of support members and configured to narrow the gap between the pair of support members when fastened with screws, The pair of support members are formed with facing portions facing the support side surfaces and bead portions that bulge outward from the facing portions to allow cooling air to flow between the support members and the battery modules, the pair of restraint members each have a restraint main body portion disposed opposite a pair of orthogonal side surfaces orthogonal to the pair of support side surfaces, and a pair of connecting portions formed by bending from the restraint main body portion at both ends of the restraint main body portion and connected to the support member by the screw, The pair of connecting portions are located on the battery module support, which is disposed in a recess formed inside the bead portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In one aspect of the battery module support body, the structure of the pair of support members and pair of restraint members that make up the module bracket is devised. Specifically, the pair of support members are formed with facing portions that face the support side surfaces of the battery modules and bead portions that bulge outward from the facing portions. The formation of the bead portions allows cooling air to flow between each support member and the battery module, cooling the battery modules and increasing the rigidity of each support member.

[0010] Each restraint member has a pair of connecting portions at both ends of its restraint body that are connected to the corresponding support member by screws, and each connecting portion is located in a recess formed inside the bead portion of the corresponding support member. Because the connecting portions of each restraint member are located in the recesses inside the bead portion, when the screws are tightened, each support member is drawn to the connecting portions and approaches the battery module. The opposing portions of each support member are pressed against the corresponding support side surfaces of the battery module, and are subjected to the tightening force of the screws, firmly constraining the multiple battery cells between the pair of support members. This allows the battery module to be firmly supported by the pair of support members and the pair of restraint members.

[0011] Therefore, according to the battery module support body of the above aspect, the battery module can be firmly supported by the pair of support members that have a function of allowing cooling air to flow and have increased rigidity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module support according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the battery module support body according to the embodiment as viewed from the width direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a battery module support body according to an embodiment as viewed from the stacking direction. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a part of a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the VV cross section in FIG. 3 according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a part of a cross section taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3 according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the battery module support body will be described with reference to the drawings. <Embodiment> 1 to 3, the battery module support body 1 of this embodiment includes a battery module 2 in which a plurality of battery cells 21 are stacked, and a module bracket 3 for supporting the battery module 2 and installing it on an installation target. The module bracket 3 includes a pair of support members 4 arranged on a pair of support side surfaces 201 located at both ends of the battery module 2 in the stacking direction D of the battery cells 21, and a pair of restraining members 5 that are bridged across the pair of support members 4 and configured to narrow the gap between the pair of support members 4 when screws 61 are tightened.

[0014] 4 to 6, the pair of support members 4 are formed with facing portions 41 facing the support side surfaces 201, and bead portions 42, 43 that bulge outward from the facing portions 41 to allow cooling air C to flow between the support members 4 and the battery modules 2. The pair of restraining members 5 have a restraining main body portion 51 disposed opposite a pair of orthogonal side surfaces 202 that are perpendicular to the pair of support side surfaces 201, and a pair of connecting portions 52 formed by bending from the restraining main body portion 51 at both ends of the restraining main body portion 51 and connected to the support members 4 with screws 61. The pair of connecting portions 52 are disposed in recesses 44 formed inside the bead portions 42, 43.

[0015] The battery module support body 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail below. As shown in Fig. 1, the battery module support body 1 of this embodiment is installed on the body of a vehicle. The module bracket 3 of the battery module support body 1 is installed on a frame 7 provided on the body of the vehicle. The frame 7 may be provided on the floor of the body.

[0016] Cooling air C is sent to the battery module support body 1 by a cooling fan provided on the installation object, such as the body of a vehicle. The cooling air C is blown onto the battery module support body 1 from below the battery module support body 1. The cooling air C cools the lower surface 203 of the battery module 2, and also flows into the gap between the battery module 2 and the support member 4, cooling the support side surface 201 of the battery module 2.

[0017] (Battery module 2) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery module 2 is formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 21. The plurality of battery cells 21 are connected in series or parallel, and the battery module 2 is capable of supplying power. The battery module 2 is formed as a rechargeable secondary battery. The battery module 2 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape by the plurality of battery cells 21. The pair of support side surfaces 201 are formed by surfaces of the battery cells 21 located on both sides at the outermost positions among the plurality of battery cells 21, and the pair of orthogonal side surfaces 202 are formed by end faces of the plurality of battery cells 21. In FIG. 2, some of the plurality of battery cells 21 are indicated by dashed lines.

[0018] (Stacking direction D, width direction W, height direction H) 1 to 6, in the battery module support body 1 of this embodiment, the direction in which the multiple battery cells 21 and the pair of support side surfaces 201 are aligned is referred to as the stacking direction D. The direction in which the pair of orthogonal side surfaces 202 are aligned perpendicular to the stacking direction D is referred to as the width direction W, and the direction perpendicular to both the stacking direction D and the width direction W is referred to as the height direction H.

[0019] (Support member 4) 1, the support member 4 is formed by pressing sheet metal to form bead portions 42, 43 that bulge outward relative to the facing portion 41. The bead portions 42, 43 are formed so as to intersect the width direction W and height direction H of the support member 4. The bead portions 42, 43 are composed of a continuous bead portion 42 that is formed parallel to the width direction W over the entire length of the support member 4 in the stacking direction D, and an intersecting bead portion 43 that is formed parallel to the height direction H from the lower end of the support member 4 upward in the height direction H.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the continuous bead portion 42 is formed continuously between a pair of side ends in the width direction W of the pair of support members 4 where the pair of restraining members 5 are connected. One continuous bead portion 42 is formed parallel to the width direction W at the center position in the height direction H of the support member 4. Bead expansion portions 421 are formed at both ends of the continuous bead portion 42, and their width is expanded in the height direction H relative to the general portion of the continuous bead portion 42, and in which the connecting portions 52 of the restraining members 5 are disposed. The recesses 44 formed on the inner side of the continuous bead portion 42 in the stacking direction D are formed as expanded recesses 441 in the bead expansion portion 421 whose width is expanded in the height direction H. The continuous bead portions 42 are formed to protrude outward in the stacking direction D more than the intersecting bead portions 43.

[0021] The cross bead portions 43 are formed at multiple locations in the formation direction (width direction W) of the pair of support members 4, so as to intersect (orthogonal to) the continuous bead portions 42. The multiple cross bead portions 43 are formed parallel to the height direction H. The multiple cross bead portions 43 are formed in the height direction H from the lower end position of the support members 4 to a position between the continuous bead portions 42 and the upper end position. Ventilation holes 431 are formed at the upper ends of the multiple cross bead portions 43 to discharge cooling air C that flows from the lower end positions of the cross bead portions 43, etc., to the inside of the cross bead portions 43 in the stacking direction D, to the outside of the cross bead portions 43 in the stacking direction D.

[0022] 4 to 6, cooling channels 30 through which cooling air C flows are formed on the inside of the continuous bead portion 42 and each cross bead portion 43 in the stacking direction D, in other words, between the pair of support side surfaces 201 of the battery module 2 and the continuous bead portion 42 and each cross bead portion 43. Furthermore, in each support member 4, a through hole 422 for inserting a screw 61 is formed in the bead expansion portion 421 of the continuous bead portion 42.

[0023] 1, 3, and 4, positioning holes 411 are formed in the facing portions 41 of the pair of support members 4, in which positioning protrusions 22 protruding from the support side surfaces 201 of the battery module 2 are disposed. This allows the battery module 2 and the pair of support members 4 to be positioned in the width direction W and height direction H.

[0024] 1, 2, 4, and 5, mounting portions 45 are formed at the lower end positions in the height direction H of the pair of support members 4, bending outward from the support members 4 in the stacking direction D and attached to the frame 7 of the vehicle body with bolts. Claw portions 46 are formed at the upper and lower end positions of the pair of support members 4 in the height direction H, bending inward from the support members 4 in the stacking direction D and preventing the battery module 2 from shifting in position in the height direction H. The claw portions 46 are formed at multiple locations in the width direction W of the pair of support members 4.

[0025] (Restraint member 5) 1, 2, and 6, each restraining member 5 is formed as a curved strip-like member for bringing a pair of support members 4 closer to each other. The plate surface (the surface with the largest area) of the restraining main body 51 of each restraining member 5 is disposed opposite the orthogonal side surface 202 of the battery module 2. This configuration of the restraining member 5 makes it possible to keep the size of the battery module support body 1 small.

[0026] 4 and 6, in each restraint member 5, a pair of connecting portions 52 are formed by bending 90° in the same direction from both ends of the restraint main body 51. A screw 61 is provided on the pair of connecting portions 52 of each restraint member 5 so as to protrude outward in the stacking direction D. The screw 61 is provided on the connecting portions 52 by welding or the like so as to be perpendicular to the plate surface of the connecting portions 52. The screw 61 is inserted into a through hole 422 formed in a bead expansion portion 421 of the continuous bead portion 42 of the support member 4.

[0027] (Cooling of battery module 2) 1, 2, and 5, the cooling air C blown out from the cooling fan can flow from below into the cooling flow passages 30 inside the multiple cross bead portions 43 and flow upward through these cooling flow passages 30. The cooling air C flowing through the cooling flow passages 30 inside the multiple cross bead portions 43 can also flow into the cooling flow passages 30 inside the continuous bead portion 42. The cooling air C flowing upward through the cooling flow passages 30 inside the multiple cross bead portions 43 flows out of the cooling flow passages 30 through the ventilation holes 431. The cooling air C flowing through the cooling flow passages 30 inside the continuous bead portion 42 can also flow out from the ends of the continuous bead portion 42 in the width direction W.

[0028] (Battery module 2 is held in place by module bracket 3) The module bracket 3 is excellent in three respects: cooling of the battery module 2, rigidity of the support member 4, and restraint of the multiple battery cells 21. The following innovations have been made to effectively restrain the multiple battery cells 21.

[0029] 1, 3, and 4, the pair of connecting portions 52 of each restraining member 5 are disposed in expanded recesses 441 formed inside the bead expansion portions 421 at both ends of the continuous bead portion 42 of each support member 4. To bring the facing portion 41 of each support member 4 into close contact with each support side surface 201 of the battery module 2, a gap S is formed between the pair of connecting portions 52 and each support side surface 201 of the battery module 2. Furthermore, the formation depth in the stacking direction D of the expanded recesses 441 in the bead expansion portions 421 is greater than the thickness in the stacking direction D of the connecting portions 52.

[0030] 4 and 6, the battery module support body 1 is configured so that the opposing portions 41 of the support members 4 are brought into close contact with the support side surfaces 201 of the battery modules 2 by tightening nuts 62 onto screws 61 from the outside of the stacking direction D of the support members 4. More specifically, the screws 61 in the connecting portions 52 of the restraining members 5 are inserted into the through holes 422 of the bead expansion portions 421 of the support members 4, and nuts 62 arranged on the surfaces of the bead expansion portions 421 are threadedly engaged with the screws 61.

[0031] When the nuts 62 are tightened onto the screws 61, the support members 4 are pulled toward the connecting portions 52, and the inner surfaces of the facing portions 41 of the support members 4 in the stacking direction D are positioned more inward in the stacking direction D than the inner surfaces of the connecting portions 52 in the stacking direction D. This brings the support members 4 closer to the battery modules 2 by the amount of the gaps S between the connecting portions 52 and each support side surface 201 of the battery modules 2, and the facing portions 41 of the support members 4 are pressed against the support side surfaces 201 of the battery modules 2. This configuration allows the module bracket 3 to effectively restrain the multiple battery cells 21.

[0032] (Action and effect) In the battery module support body 1 of this embodiment, the structure of the pair of support members 4 and the pair of restraining members 5 that constitute the module bracket 3 is devised. Specifically, the pair of support members 4 are formed with a facing portion 41 that faces the support side surface 201 of the battery module 2, and a continuous bead portion 42 and a cross bead portion 43 that bulge outward in the stacking direction D from the facing portion 41. The battery module 2 can be cooled by flowing cooling air C through the cooling flow path 30 between the continuous bead portion 42 and the multiple cross bead portions 43 of each support member 4 and the support side surface 201 of the battery module 2. Furthermore, the uneven shape of the continuous bead portion 42 and the multiple cross bead portions 43 can increase the rigidity of each support member 4.

[0033] Each restraining member 5 has a pair of connecting portions 52 at both ends of the restraint main body 51 that are connected to the support member 4 by screws 61, and each connecting portion 52 is located in an expanded recess 441 formed inside the bead expansion portion 421 of the continuous bead portion 42 of each support member 4. With this configuration, when the nuts 62 are tightened onto the screws 61, each support member 4 is drawn toward each connecting portion 52 and approaches the battery module 2. The facing portion 41 of each support member 4 is then pressed against the corresponding support side surface 201 of the battery module 2, and the tightening force of the screws 61 and nuts 62 is applied, firmly restraining the multiple battery cells 21 between the pair of support members 4. This allows the pair of support members 4 and the pair of restraining members 5 to firmly support the battery module 2.

[0034] Therefore, according to the battery module support body 1 of this embodiment, the battery modules 2 can be firmly supported by the pair of support members 4 that have a function of allowing the cooling air C to flow and have increased rigidity.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the respective embodiments, and various other embodiments can be configured without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention also includes various modifications, modifications within the scope of equivalents, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Battery module support 2 Battery Module 201 Support side 202 Orthogonal Side 21 Battery Cells 3 Module Bracket 30 Cooling Channel 4 Support member 41 Facing section 42 Continuous bead section 421 Bead expansion part 422 through hole 43 Intersection bead 431 Ventilation hole 44 recess 441 Enlarged recess 45 Mounting part 46 Claw 5 Restraining member 51 Restraint body 52 Connecting part 61 screws 62 Nut 7 frames C cooling air D Stacking direction W width direction H Height direction

Claims

1. A battery module support body including a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, and a module bracket for supporting the battery module and installing it on an installation target, the module bracket includes a pair of support members arranged on a pair of support side surfaces located at both ends of the battery module in the stacking direction of the battery cells, and a pair of restraint members that are bridged across the pair of support members and configured to narrow the gap between the pair of support members when fastened with screws, The pair of support members are formed with facing portions facing the support side surfaces and bead portions that bulge outward from the facing portions to allow cooling air to flow between the support members and the battery modules, the pair of restraint members each have a restraint main body portion disposed opposite a pair of orthogonal side surfaces orthogonal to the pair of support side surfaces, and a pair of connecting portions formed by bending from the restraint main body portion at both ends of the restraint main body portion and connected to the support member by the screw, The pair of connecting portions are disposed in recesses formed inside the bead portions.

2. The bead portion is formed by a continuous bead portion formed continuously between a pair of side ends of the pair of support members where the pair of restraining members are connected, and a plurality of intersecting bead portions formed in the pair of support members at a plurality of locations in the formation direction of the continuous bead portion so as to intersect the continuous bead portion, The battery module support body according to claim 1 , wherein the pair of connecting portions are disposed in recesses formed inside both end portions of the continuous bead portion.

3. When the direction in which the pair of orthogonal side surfaces are aligned is defined as a width direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the stacking direction and the width direction is defined as a height direction, the continuous bead portion is formed parallel to the width direction, and the cross bead portion is formed parallel to the height direction, the plurality of cross bead portions are formed in the height direction from a lower end position of the support member to a position between the continuous bead portion and an upper end position, 3. The battery module support according to claim 2, wherein an air vent is formed at an upper end of each of the plurality of cross bead portions to discharge the cooling air that flows into the inside of the cross bead portion from a lower end position of the cross bead portion to an outside of the cross bead portion.

4. the screws are provided in a state of protruding outward at the pair of connecting portions of the pair of restraint members, and are inserted into through holes formed in the support member, a gap is formed between the pair of connecting portions and the battery module; The battery module support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, configured so that the facing portion of the support member is brought into close contact with the battery module by tightening a nut onto the screw from the outside of the support member.

Images