Frame structure with battery for vehicle power

Abstract

To make it easy to adapt to change in the installation number of storage batteries for vehicle power when collectively using the storage batteries for vehicle power.SOLUTION: There is provided a frame structure with storage batteries for vehicle power that comprises storage battery units BU which have the storage batteries Ba for vehicle power fixed to an engine frame 4 constituted in a rectangular parallelepiped shape using a plurality of frames 3, wherein each of the frames 3 comprises connection parts 51 usable to connect the storage battery units BU to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame structure with a battery for vehicle power.

Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of battery technology, the use of batteries with relatively large capacities has become popular. Also, there may be cases where a large number of batteries are to be installed. For this reason, for example, a plurality of batteries charged with electric power generated by sunlight or biomass may be housed in a housing as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Separately from this trend, it is considered to reuse vehicle power batteries used as power for electric vehicles. For example, when collecting vehicle power batteries removed from electric vehicles, charging them with electric power, and using that electric power in facilities such as factories, it is conceivable to house the vehicle power batteries in a housing as disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0004] However, the weight of a vehicle power battery for an electric vehicle is said to be about 250 kg to 500 kg per unit. For this reason, a strong structure for supporting a plurality of vehicle power batteries is required. Also, when the number of vehicle power batteries to be used varies depending on the usage environment, a housing with a fixed size such as that in Patent Document 1 cannot cope.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The inventors of this invention have attempted to solve this problem by diligently considering this issue. The problem that this invention aims to solve is to make it easier to respond to changes in the number of vehicle power storage batteries installed when using a collection of vehicle power storage batteries. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, a frame structure with a vehicle power battery is provided, which includes a battery unit in which a vehicle power battery is fixed to a frame structure made up in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped using multiple frames, and a connecting part that can be used to connect the battery units to each other.

[0007] Furthermore, it is preferable that the battery fixing member used to secure the vehicle's power battery is configured to bridge the gap between opposing frames of the battery unit.

[0008] Furthermore, when the frame of a rectangular parallelepiped structure is configured such that the surface with the largest area enclosed by the frame is designated as the first virtual surface, and the other surfaces are designated as the second virtual surfaces, it is preferable that adjacent battery units are connected in such a way that their first virtual surfaces face each other.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable to have a configuration in which the frame is equipped with a mounting section to which a suspension member can be attached.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable to provide the frame with multiple fixing points that can be used to fix the battery fixing member, allowing the fixing point of the battery fixing member to be selected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In this invention, when using a collection of battery systems for vehicle power, it becomes possible to easily respond to changes in the number of battery systems installed for vehicle power. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an example of a frame structure with a battery for vehicle power. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a side view of the frame structure with a battery for vehicle power, as seen from the side. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a partially enlarged view of the frame structure with a battery for vehicle power, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of a method for securing the vehicle's power battery to the frame and the battery mounting member. Bolts and nuts are used for fastening. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of connecting battery storage units together. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of changing the orientation of the frame structure with a battery for vehicle power, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of lifting the middle battery unit among the three battery units that make up the frame structure with a battery for vehicle power shown in Figure 7. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing an example of a vehicle power battery fixed to a mounting base. [Figure 9] This diagram shows an example of how the mounting platform for the vehicle's power battery is secured to the frame. Bolts and nuts are used for fastening. [Figure 10] This figure shows the positional relationship between the guide section and the guide mark section when the mounting platform shown in Figure 9 is fixed to the frame. [Figure 11] This figure shows the positional relationship between the mounting platform and the frame when the mounting platform shown in Figure 9 is fixed to the frame. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a frame structure with vehicle power batteries, created by connecting two rectangular parallelepiped frames and fixing three vehicle power batteries to them. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following shows a mode for carrying out the invention. The frame structure with a vehicle power storage battery according to this embodiment includes a battery unit BU in which a vehicle power storage battery Ba is fixed to a framework 4 configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape using a plurality of frames 3, and a connecting portion 51 that can be used to connect the battery units BU to each other is provided on the frame 3. Therefore, when collecting and using the vehicle power storage batteries Ba, it becomes easier to cope with changes in the number of installed vehicle power storage batteries Ba. Note that since the vehicle power storage battery Ba is formed in a shape adapted to the structure of the vehicle, it has a complex shape. Therefore, it is difficult to directly connect the vehicle power storage batteries Ba in a stepped manner or the like, but by housing the vehicle power storage batteries Ba in the frame structure as described above, it becomes possible to easily connect between the frame structures.

[0014] The frame structure with a vehicle power storage battery shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a vehicle power storage battery Ba and a battery unit BU formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape by a plurality of frames 3. Also, the battery units BU are connected to each other. The battery unit BU includes a framework 4 formed by assembling the frames 3 in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is configured such that all or most of the vehicle power storage batteries Ba can be housed inside this framework 4, and the frame 3 enables protection of the vehicle power storage battery Ba. Note that although the frame 3 of the embodiment is configured using metal, other materials may be used as long as they can support the vehicle power storage battery Ba. However, considering costs and the like, it is preferable that the frame 3 is made of metal.

[0015] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, four frames 3 extending in the vertical direction, four frames 3 extending in the horizontal direction, and four frames 3 extending in the depth direction, that is, a total of 12 frames 3 are combined to form a rectangular parallelepiped framework 4. In this example, the frames 3 are fixed to each other using bolts and nuts.

[0016] In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery fixing member 61 used to fix the vehicle power battery Ba bridges between the opposing frames 3 of the battery unit BU. Therefore, the heavy vehicle power battery Ba can be firmly supported. Also, since the vehicle power battery Ba is a heavy object, there are places where a reinforcing member 62 is passed between the opposing frames 3. The reinforcing member 62 can function as a support member capable of, for example, winding the wiring to the vehicle power battery Ba with a binding band.

[0017] Hole portions are provided at various locations of the battery unit BU, and these hole portions are used, for example, for the connection between the frames 3, the connection between the frame 3 and the battery fixing member 61, the connection between the frame 3 and the reinforcing member 62, and the connection between the battery units BU. Also, it is preferable to form an attachment portion on the frame 3 where a hanging member 91 such as an eye bolt can be attached. The attachment portion may be formed by providing a hole portion, but it is not necessary to be limited to such a mode.

[0018] Also, it is preferable to provide a plurality of fixing portions 33 on the frame 3 that can be the fixing locations of the battery fixing member 61 so that the fixing locations of the battery fixing member 61 can be selected. The fixing portion 33 may be formed by providing a hole portion, but it is not necessary to be limited to such a mode.

[0019] The hole portions used to connect the frame 3 and the battery fixing member 61 are preferably formed in plurality at intervals in the length direction with respect to the frame 3 corresponding to the longest side of the rectangular parallelepiped. Also, it is preferable to form a long hole. In this way, even if it becomes necessary to adjust the fixing position depending on the type of the vehicle power battery Ba fixed to the structure 4, it becomes possible to cope with it.

[0020] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 4, in this embodiment, the battery fixing member 61 connected to the vehicle power battery Ba is fixed across the frames 3 corresponding to the longest side of the rectangular parallelepiped frame 4. The battery fixing member 61 in this embodiment has a hat-shaped cross-section and is fixed to the frames 3 using bolts and nuts on the surfaces located at both ends of the hat shape.

[0021] This battery fixing member 61 is connected to the vehicle power battery Ba at the center of its hat shape. The connection between the vehicle power battery Ba and the battery fixing member 61 is also secured using bolts and nuts.

[0022] Furthermore, since the vehicle power battery Ba is a large battery, it generates a lot of heat. However, by fixing the battery fixing member 61 to the frame 3, the vehicle power battery Ba can be installed in a position that is elevated from the frame 3. This improves the heat dissipation of the vehicle power battery Ba. The battery unit BU of this embodiment is mainly composed of the frame 3, the battery fixing member 61, and the vehicle power battery Ba.

[0023] Incidentally, the required number of vehicle power storage batteries Ba and storage battery units BU varies and can fluctuate, but when multiple storage battery units BU are required, it is preferable to connect multiple storage battery units BU to prevent them from tipping over. In the example shown in Figure 5, the frame 3 is equipped with a fitting through which a bolt can be inserted, and the storage battery units BU are connected to each other using bolts and nuts. Furthermore, when the fitting attached to the frame 3 is used as the connecting part 51, the burden of processing the frame 3 can be reduced.

[0024] While various configurations for connecting battery units BUs are conceivable, it is preferable to connect adjacent battery units BUs so that their first virtual faces face each other, assuming that the largest surface area enclosed by the frame 3 of the rectangular parallelepiped frame 4 is the first virtual surface and the other surfaces are the second virtual surfaces. In other words, it is preferable to connect them so that the widest surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped frame 4 face each other. This makes it possible to select either the first or second virtual surface to install on the installation surface, thus broadening the range of possible installation configurations.

[0025] Although not shown in the diagram, plate-like members such as a bottom plate, top plate, side plate, back plate, and front plate may be provided in the portion that becomes the first virtual surface and the portion that becomes the second virtual surface.

[0026] When using a frame structure with a vehicle power storage battery, it is necessary to connect wiring to the vehicle power storage battery Ba, and it is preferable that the wiring to the vehicle power storage battery Ba is done through a second virtual plane.

[0027] Incidentally, as can be seen from Figures 6 and 7, the device may be placed vertically with either of the second virtual surfaces as the base. In this case, it is preferable that the wiring is routed through the second virtual surface located on the top surface.

[0028] When the unit is placed vertically with either of the second virtual surfaces as the base, the central battery unit BU can be removed even if there are battery units BU on both sides. For example, as can be seen from Figures 6 and 7, when three battery units BU are connected, the central battery unit BU can be moved and replaced by using a crane to lift it using a rope 92 connected to a lifting member 91 fixed to the central battery unit BU, and then suspending and inserting the newly used battery unit BU. In this respect, it is more advantageous than the horizontal placement shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, when the unit is placed vertically as in Figure 6, the horizontally extending reinforcing member 62 can be used like a ladder. The horizontally extending reinforcing member 62 can also be used as a step stool when workers are wiring the vehicle power battery Ba or installing and removing eye bolts.

[0029] Incidentally, since the vehicle power battery Ba is a heavy object, it may be transported using a forklift or the like. For this reason, it is preferable to place and fix the vehicle power battery Ba on the mounting base 7 to facilitate handling of the vehicle power battery Ba. In the example shown in Figure 8, the battery fixing parts 71 are arranged at intervals on the upper surface of the mounting base 7.

[0030] The mounting base 7 is supported by the frame 3 that constitutes the frame 4 of the battery unit BU. In the example shown in Figure 9, mounting base fixing members 41 are fixed to the frame 3 at both ends of the frame 4, and the mounting base 7 is placed on these mounting base fixing members 41. The mounting base 7 has leg-shaped mounting parts 73 at both ends, and these mounting parts 73 are placed on the mounting base fixing members 41, and the mounting base 7 is fixed to the frame 4 by bolting. For this reason, holes are provided in the mounting parts 73 for passing bolts through.

[0031] It is preferable that the mounting platform 7 be provided with insertion parts 74 that can be inserted into the forks of a forklift to prevent the mounting platform 7 from shifting sideways. The insertion parts 74 shown in Figure 8 are recessed portions that are lowered, and two insertion parts 74 are provided on the mounting platform 7 with a gap between them.

[0032] The insertion portion 74 is preferably configured to be open at the bottom, or to be a hole with a length several times greater than the thickness of the forklift tines, so that the forklift tines can be withdrawn after the mounting portion 73 is placed on the mounting surface such as the mounting base fixing member 41.

[0033] Furthermore, the mounting platform 7 is provided with a guide section 75 to serve as a guide for the worker when using a forklift to place the vehicle power storage battery Ba on the frame 3 side. The guide section 75 shown in Figure 8 is an L-shaped member in cross-section, with the corner located on the lower side. In the example shown in Figure 8, the guide section 75 is positioned so as to be in the center of the mounting platform 7 in the left-right direction when viewed from the side.

[0034] In contrast, the frame 4 side is equipped with a guide mark 43 that is used together with the guide mark 75. The guide mark 43 shown in Figure 9 is an M-shaped section, and this section is formed by arranging L-shaped bending members 93 side by side.

[0035] In the examples shown in Figures 9 and 10, a receiving member 94 is provided, and the L-shaped bending member 93 is placed on and fixed to this receiving member 94. The receiving member 94 shown in Figure 10 has raised pieces 94a formed by bending both ends of a plate-shaped member. This receiving member 94 has a roughly U-shaped cross-section, and a nut 101 is provided on a fixing piece 94b provided between the raised pieces 94a. Since the nut 101 is welded to the fixing piece 94b, the effort required to fix the receiving member 94 can be reduced. Furthermore, if the nut 101 is fixed in advance, the receiving member 94 can be fixed even if the L-shaped bending member 93 is placed so as to cover the nut 101.

[0036] In the examples shown in Figures 9 and 10, the two L-shaped bent members 93 are placed on the receiving member 94 with their apex at the top, forming a mountain shape, and creating a valley between the L-shaped bent members 93. It is preferable that the width of the two L-shaped bent members 93 placed side by side and the width between the raised pieces 94a of the receiving member 94 are approximately the same. This makes it easy to accurately form the position of the valley.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferable that the three members be fixed together by welding between the L-shaped bending members 93 and between the L-shaped bending members 93 and the receiving member 94 at the valley portion. In addition, if a gap is created between the guide portion 75 and the guide mark portion 43 as in the embodiment, problems are unlikely to occur even if there are some welding marks at the connection points between the L-shaped bending members 93.

[0038] By the way, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, when the guide mark section 43 is formed in an M-shape with two peaks side by side in a side view, if the width in the left-right direction from the bottom of the valley to the peak of the guide mark section 43 is A, and as shown in Figure 11, if the distance between the left-right ends of the mounting base 7 and the adjacent vertically extending frame 3 in the installed state is B, it is preferable to set the length of B to be longer than the length of A. In this way, the width of the valley of the guide mark section 43 (the width between the peaks of adjacent peaks; in the example shown in Figure 10, it is twice the length of A) can be used as the allowable error range in the initial stage of movement of the guide section 75, and adjustments can be made in stages. Therefore, it is easier to suppress the ends of the mounting base 7 from coming into contact with the vertically extending frame 3 of the frame 4 when the mounting base 7 is moved.

[0039] In this embodiment, the guide portion 75 and the guiding mark portion 43 are configured to be non-contact when the mounting base 7 is properly placed. This configuration is preferable when the guide portion 75 and the guiding mark portion 43 are made of materials that are resistant to deformation.

[0040] It is preferable that at least one of the guide section 75 and the guiding mark section 43 is configured to be at an angle to the installation surface. This configuration makes it easier for forklift operators to grasp the distance between the guide section 75 and the guiding mark section 43.

[0041] The vehicle power battery Ba may be mounted on the outside of the frame 4 of the battery unit BU (see Figure 12). This allows for efficient use of space. In this example, the vehicle power battery Ba is fixed to the mounting platform 7 and then placed on the frame 3 (battery unit BU) assembled with a forklift, with the mounting platform 7 and other components fixed in place. This method, where the heavy vehicle power battery Ba is placed on the pre-assembled frame 4 using a forklift and then fixed in place, improves work efficiency. The frame structure with the vehicle power battery shown in Figure 12 is equipped with a base 31 at the bottom.

[0042] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be made in various forms. For example, it is possible to manufacture the battery unit by fixing the vehicle power battery to the frame before assembling the frame structure.

[0043] Furthermore, the vehicle power frame structure may be formed using a single battery unit, rather than being limited to connecting multiple battery units together. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 3 frames 4 Frame 51 Connecting part 61 Battery fixing member 91 Suspension member

Claims

1. A frame structure with a vehicle power battery, comprising a battery unit in which a vehicle power battery is fixed so as to be housed within a frame structure formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped using multiple frames, and having connecting parts on the frame that can be used to connect the battery units together, The battery unit, when positioned vertically with the bottom facing a side other than the side with the largest area enclosed by the frame, is equipped with a suspension member that protrudes above the frame located at the top of the structure. A frame structure with a vehicle power battery, wherein a specific battery unit to be replaced can be lifted via the suspension member and pulled upward from between adjacent battery units.

2. A battery unit comprising a frame structure formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped using a plurality of frames, wherein a battery for vehicle power is fixed to the frame, A frame structure with a battery for vehicle power, which is provided on the frame with a connecting part that can be used to connect battery units together, The frame has a battery fixing member used to fix the vehicle power battery, A battery fixing member is bridged between the opposing frames of the battery unit and fixed to the upper surface of the frame from above, and the vehicle power battery is fixed to the battery fixing member in a frame structure with a vehicle power battery.

3. The frame structure with a vehicle power battery according to Claim 2, wherein the frame is provided with an inviting guide portion, the mounting base on which the vehicle power battery is placed and fixed is provided with a guide portion, and at least one of the inviting guide portion and the guide portion is configured to be at an angle with respect to the installation surface.

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