Battery pack structure

Abstract

The battery pack structure according to the present disclosure includes a housing that houses a battery, a duct that protrudes into the internal space of the housing and supplies cooling air to the internal space, and a water-absorbing member that is disposed in the internal space of the housing and is disposed around the duct.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known battery pack structures that supply cooling air into the interior space of a housing. The battery pack structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a main body case and a duct connected to the main body case to supply cooling air into the interior of the main body case. Sound-absorbing material is arranged on the inner surface of the duct. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-117450 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When cooling air is supplied to the internal space of such a housing, condensation is likely to occur due to the temperature difference between the cooling air and the internal space. In such a battery pack structure, it is preferable to dehumidify the internal space to prevent condensation.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery pack structure that can dehumidify the internal space of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The battery pack structure according to the present disclosure includes a housing that houses a battery, a duct that protrudes into the internal space of the housing and supplies cooling air to the internal space, and a water-absorbing member that is arranged around the duct in the internal space.

[0007] According to this battery pack structure, the cooling air coming out of the duct flows into the internal space of the housing while sucking in the gas around the duct. At this time, the gas around the duct passes through the water-absorbing member. This dehumidifies the gas around the duct. The dehumidified gas is supplied to the internal space together with the gas flowing from the duct. As a result, the internal space is dehumidified. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a battery pack structure capable of dehumidifying the internal space of the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack showing a battery pack structure according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a duct according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a duct according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a duct according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a duct according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a duct according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1, 2, and 3, a battery pack structure 1 according to a first embodiment includes a housing 2, a duct 4, a water-absorbing member 6, a space 8, and a receiving portion 10. The battery pack structure 1 of this embodiment is a battery pack structure that is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle that allows external charging / external power supply, and supplies stored electric power to a motor (not shown).

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 accommodates a battery in an internal space 14. The housing 2 has a top wall 2a, a bottom wall 2b, and a side wall 2c. In this embodiment, the housing 2 accommodates a battery module (an example of a battery) 2d configured by assembling lithium-ion batteries or the like. The top wall 2a covers the top of the battery module 2d. The bottom wall 2b covers the bottom of the battery module 2d and supports the battery module 2d. The side wall 2c connects the top wall 2a and the bottom wall 2b and covers the periphery of the battery module 2d.

[0013] The housing 2 of this embodiment is formed from resin or sheet metal and separates an internal space 14 that houses the battery module 2d from the external space of the housing 2. In addition to the battery module 2d, the internal space 14 of the housing 2 may also house a control device that controls the battery module 2d. The bottom wall 2b has a recess 2f that is recessed downward. The recess 2f collects condensed water that drips down the side wall 2c.

[0014] The duct 4 is a cylindrical member that protrudes into the internal space 14 of the housing and supplies cooling air to the internal space 14. The end of the duct 4 opposite the internal space 14 is connected to an air conditioning device that generates cooling air. The end of the duct 4 facing the internal space 14 is open to the internal space 14. In this embodiment, the duct 4 is made of resin. However, the duct 4 may be made of other materials, such as metal. The duct 4 is inserted into the housing 2 so as to form an acute angle (see angle α in FIG. 2) with respect to the horizontal direction (which is the same as the front-to-rear direction in this embodiment). This prevents condensed water from dripping. Furthermore, it is preferable that the end surface 4a of the duct 4 facing the internal space be at an acute angle (see angle β in FIG. 2) with respect to the extension direction of the duct 4. This prevents condensed water from dripping down the surface of the duct 4.

[0015] The inside of the duct 4 may have a honeycomb structure with a lattice 4b provided in a direction intersecting the direction of gas flow. By providing the inside of the duct 4 with a honeycomb structure in this way, the cooling air flowing from the air conditioner is easily rectified. This makes it easier for the cooling air to become a laminar flow, and the gas (air in this embodiment) in the internal space 14 to be easily sucked into the flow of the cooling air.

[0016] The water-absorbing member 6 is a member containing a water-absorbing agent, which is a substance that absorbs and retains moisture. As the water-absorbing material, materials that do not change shape when they absorb water, such as zeolite, silica, or activated carbon, are preferred. This stabilizes the flow of gas in the space 8. On the other hand, materials that change shape when they absorb water, such as calcium carbonate or hydrogel, are not preferred.

[0017] The water-absorbing member 6 is disposed around the duct 4 in the internal space 14 of the housing 2. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the water-absorbing member 6 has a cylindrical holding member 6a that holds the water-absorbing member 6, and a plurality of struts 6b (three in this embodiment) that extend from the holding member 6a toward the outer circumferential surface of the duct 4. The holding member 6a holds the water-absorbing member 6 on its own inner circumferential surface. A flange 6c provided on the holding member 6a is tightened with a bolt 6d, causing the struts 6b to abut against the outer circumferential surface of the duct 4. The water-absorbing member 6 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the diameter of the inner circumferential surface is larger than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the duct.

[0018] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the center of the duct 4 is disposed so that it is offset downward relative to the center of the water-absorbing member 6. By disposing the center of the duct 4 so that it is offset downward relative to the center of the water-absorbing member 6 in this manner, a space 8 is formed above the duct 4, surrounded by the water-absorbing member 6 and the duct 4, when the support 6b is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the duct 4. The space 8 functions as a passage through which gas in the internal space 14 passes along the duct 4. In this embodiment, the duct 4 and the water-absorbing member 6 are disposed so that the lower end of the duct 4 is in contact with the lower end of the water-absorbing member 6. This makes it easier to collect condensed water adhering to the surface of the duct 4. As a result, condensed water can be prevented from dripping from the duct 4.

[0019] 2, a gap S is provided between the water absorbing member 6 and the mounting surface 2e of the housing 2 to which the duct 4 is attached. Gas in the internal space 14 is sucked into the space 8 through this gap S.

[0020] The water absorbing member 6 is arranged with a portion of the water absorbing member 6 in contact with the side wall 2c. In this embodiment, the lower end of the water absorbing member 6 on the mounting surface 2e side is arranged in contact with the side wall 2c. This allows the condensed water to drip down the side wall 2c when the amount of condensed water exceeds the amount that the water absorbing member 6 can absorb. The upper wall 2a of the housing 2 may be shaped to be inclined downward toward the water absorbing member 6. This allows the condensed water adhering to the upper wall 2a to be guided toward the water absorbing member 6.

[0021] The receiving portion 10 is a portion that receives condensed water discharged from the duct 4. In this embodiment, the water-absorbing member 6 protrudes further toward the internal space 14 than the duct 4, and the lower part of the protruding portion functions as the receiving portion 10. When condensed water flows into the receiving portion 10 formed in the lower part of the water-absorbing member 6, the condensed water is absorbed by the water-absorbing member 6.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, in the battery pack structure 1 configured as above, cooling air flows from the air conditioner through the duct 4 into the internal space 14. When the cooling air leaves the duct 4, it draws in gas inside the space 8, generating negative pressure in the space 8. When negative pressure is generated in the space 8, the gas in the internal space 14 is sucked into the space 8 through the gap S. The gas sucked into the space 8 is dehumidified by the water-absorbing member 6. The dehumidified gas mixes with the cooling air and diffuses into the housing 2. This makes it easy to dehumidify the entire internal space 14.

[0023] Furthermore, the cooling air flowing through the duct 4 cools the outer surface of the duct 4, increasing the temperature difference between the outer surface of the duct 4 and the gas drawn into the space 8. This promotes condensation of moisture in the space 8, resulting in the generation of condensed water. The condensed water generated in the space 8 is actively absorbed by the water-absorbing member 6 located close to the space 8, dehumidifying the gas in the space 8. The dehumidified gas mixes with the cooling air and diffuses into the housing 2. This facilitates dehumidification of the entire internal space 14. If the water-absorbing member 6 were to be tightly attached around the entire circumference of the duct 4, the inside of the duct 4 would be insulated by the water-absorbing member 6, preventing a temperature difference from occurring on the outer surface of the duct 4 and preventing efficient dehumidification of the gas in the internal space 14. This results in the greatest temperature difference between the gas in the internal space 14 and the cooling air at the end of the duct 4 facing the internal space 14. This facilitates the generation of condensed water at the tip of the duct 4.

[0024] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the description of the second embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0025] The battery pack structure 201 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the center of the duct 204 and the center of the water-absorbing member 206 are located at the same position. This allows spaces 208 to be evenly distributed around the duct 204. More specifically, the water-absorbing member 206 has a cylindrical holding member 206a that holds the water-absorbing member 206, and multiple struts 206b (four in this embodiment) that extend from the holding member 206a toward the outer circumferential surface of the duct 204. The holding member 206a holds the water-absorbing member 206 on its inner circumferential surface. When a flange 206c provided on the holding member 206a is tightened with a bolt 206d, the struts 206b come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the duct 204, forming spaces 208 between the duct 204 and the water-absorbing member 206 that are evenly distributed around the periphery of the duct 204. Such a structure makes it easier for gas to flow evenly around the duct 204.

[0026] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In the description of the third embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0027] In a battery pack structure 301 of the third embodiment, a plurality of tubular water-absorbing members 306 with a triangular cross section are arranged around a duct 304. The tubular water-absorbing members 6 form a plurality of independent spaces 308 between the duct 304 and the tubular water-absorbing members 6. The plurality of water-absorbing members 306 may be independent of each other or may be continuous. In this embodiment, the plurality of water-absorbing members 306 are arranged around the entire periphery of the duct 304, and the respective water-absorbing members 306 are connected and continuous.

[0028] With this battery pack structure 301, the water absorbing member 306 can be arranged around the duct 304 without using a holding member.

[0029] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the description of the fourth embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0030] In the battery pack structure 401 of the fourth embodiment, a plurality of columnar water-absorbing members 406 are arranged at intervals along the periphery of the duct 404. The water-absorbing members 406 form a plurality of spaces 408 between adjacent water-absorbing members 406 and the duct 404. In this embodiment, the water-absorbing members 406 are bonded to the duct 404. The spaces 408 function as passages through which gas flows along the duct 404.

[0031] Even with this battery pack structure 401, the water absorbing member 406 can be arranged around the duct 404 without using a holding member.

[0032] As described above, the present disclosure can provide a battery pack structure capable of dehumidifying the internal space of the housing.

[0033] <Other embodiments> Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. In particular, the multiple modifications described in this specification can be combined as needed.

[0034] (a) In the above embodiment, the water-absorbing member 6 extends continuously in the front-rear direction from the mounting surface 2e side to the internal space 14, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the water-absorbing member 6 may be divided and disposed in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, in addition to the structure of the water-absorbing member 6 of the first embodiment, the divided water-absorbing member 6 may have the structure of at least one of the water-absorbing member 206 of the second embodiment and the water-absorbing member 406 of the fourth embodiment.

[0035] (b) In the above embodiments, the ducts 4, 204, 304, and 404 are cylindrical, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The duct 4 may have a rectangular cross section, for example.

[0036] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0037] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2023-173389) filed on October 5, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1,201,301,401:Battery pack structure 2: Housing, 2a: Top wall, 2b: Bottom wall, 2c: Side wall, 2f: Recess 4,204,304,404:Duct 6,206,306,406:Water-absorbing material, 8,208,308,408:Space, 10: Receiving part, 14: Internal space

Claims

1. a housing that houses a battery; a duct that protrudes into the internal space of the housing and supplies cooling air to the internal space; a water-absorbing member disposed around the duct in the internal space; A battery pack structure comprising:

2. A passage for gas to pass through is disposed along the duct; The passage and the water-absorbing member are in contact with each other. The battery pack structure according to claim 1 .

3. A space is further provided between the water absorbing member and the duct. The battery pack structure according to claim 1 .

4. Further, a receiver is provided below the duct to receive condensed water generated in the duct. The battery pack structure according to claim 1 .

5. the housing has a top wall that covers an upper portion of the battery, a bottom wall that covers a bottom portion of the battery, and a side wall that connects the top wall and the bottom wall; The water-absorbing member is in contact with the side wall. The battery pack structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The bottom wall includes a recess that is recessed downward. The battery pack structure according to claim 5 .

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