Energy storage device
The energy storage device addresses the issue of electrical short circuits by using a skeletal member to space apart and support relays, effectively preventing short circuits during impact loads.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
Smart Images
Figure 0007859562000001 
Figure 0007859562000002 
Figure 0007859562000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to Energy storage device mounted on a vehicle.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrolytic solution regenerator for a flow battery. This electrolytic solution regenerator is configured to separately store the oxidized or reduced electrolytic solution in a positive electrode electrolytic solution storage section and a negative electrode electrolytic solution storage section. A battery module including the flow battery as a unit cell is used as a power source for a vehicle or the like.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] For example, it is conceivable to accommodate positive electrode side devices and negative electrode side devices such as the positive electrode electrolytic solution storage section and the negative electrode electrolytic solution storage section described in Patent Document 1 together with one or more battery cells Energy storage device in a case. When such positive electrode side devices and negative electrode side devices are separately configured and arranged side by side in the case, Energy storage device it is required for the battery pack to have a structure capable of suppressing an electrical short circuit between the positive electrode side device and the negative electrode side device when an impact load acts.
[0005] This disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, Energy storage device and has a structure capable of suppressing an electrical short circuit between the positive electrode side relay and the negative electrode side relay with a simple structure when an impact load acts, Energy storage device and aims to provide such a
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] This disclosure First aspect related Energy storage device It is installed in the vehicle. The energy storage device comprises a plurality of battery cells stacked in the vehicle width direction, a positive-side relay and a negative-side relay arranged in the vehicle width direction, and a case housing the plurality of battery cells and the positive-side relay and negative-side relay. The case includes a first skeletal member that extends in the vehicle width direction and forms the framework of the case between the positive-side relay and negative-side relay and the plurality of battery cells. The distance between the positive-side relay and the negative-side relay in the vehicle width direction is greater than the length of each of the plurality of battery cells in the vehicle width direction.
[0007] In the first embodiment, the case may include a front end wall positioned in front of the positive and negative relays and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a second skeletal member connecting the front end wall and the first skeletal member.
[0008] In the first embodiment, the positive-side relay and the negative-side relay do not need to be fixed to the second skeletal member.
[0009] In the first embodiment, the case may be fixed to the vehicle via a vehicle fixing portion. In this case, the vehicle fixing portion may be positioned to overlap with the second skeletal member when viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]
[0010] Regarding this disclosure Energy storage device According to Furthermore, since the first skeletal member of the case extends in the vehicle width direction, even if an impact load is applied to the case from the vehicle width direction, the displacement of one of the relays (positive or negative) located on the impact load input side can be suppressed in the vehicle width direction. In addition, since the positive and negative relays are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, and the distance between the positive and negative relays in the vehicle width direction is greater than the length of each of the multiple battery cells in the vehicle width direction, even if one of the relays located on the impact load input side is displaced in the vehicle width direction, it is expected that interference with the other relay will be suppressed. With a simple structure, the positive electrode side relay and the negative electrode side relay This makes it possible to suppress electrical short circuits between them. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0011] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically shows the structure of an energy storage device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the effects of the structure of the energy storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure schematically shows the structure of a power storage device according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure schematically shows the structure of a power storage device according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments described below, when referring to numbers such as the number of elements, quantity, amount, range, etc., unless otherwise specified or clearly specified by the principle, the technical idea according to the present disclosure is not limited to the mentioned number. Further, the structures and the like described in the embodiments below are not necessarily essential to the technical idea according to the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or clearly specified by the principle.
[0013] 1. Energy storage device Structure of FIG. 1 schematically shows the Energy storage device structure of 10 according to an embodiment. Energy storage device 10 includes a battery cell 12, a positive electrode side relay 14, a negative electrode side relay 16, and a case 18. The battery cell 12 does not necessarily have to be plural and may be one, but basically it is plural as illustrated in FIG. 1. The case 18 houses the battery cell 12, the positive electrode side relay 14, and the negative electrode side relay 16. Energy storage device 10 is mounted on a vehicle and supplies power to an electric motor for vehicle running. FIG. 1 shows the Energy storage device internal structure of 10 when viewed from above the vehicle.
[0014] The case 18 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as an example. More specifically, the case 18 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped skeletal structure as a basic structure. The case 18 includes a vehicle mounting portion and is fixed to a vehicle structural member via the vehicle mounting portion. Typically, the case 18 is fastened to the vehicle structural member at the vehicle mounting portion using fasteners (not shown) such as bolts, but may be fixed by other methods such as welding. In FIG. 1, only the positive electrode side vehicle mounting portion 20 and the negative electrode side vehicle mounting portion 22 on the front side of the vehicle, which are part of the vehicle mounting portion, are shown. The vehicle mounting portions 20 and 22 are fastened to a vehicle structural member (for example, a suspension member) on the front side of the vehicle via fasteners. Note that the vehicle mounting portions 20 and 22 may be integrally formed with the case 18 or may be separate bodies.
[0015] Energy storage device Within the 10, multiple battery cells 12 are formed in a plate shape and arranged in a stack. In the example shown in Figure 1, the stacking direction of the battery cells 12 is parallel to the vehicle width direction (vehicle left-right direction) D1. However, the stacking direction is not particularly limited and may be parallel to the vehicle front-rear direction D2, for example. In the example shown in Figure 1, multiple battery cells 12 are connected in series. 6 The device has eight stacks of battery cells 12. These eight stacks are connected in series to form a battery assembly. Each stack of battery cells 12 is fixed to the case 18 via a pair of end plates (not shown).
[0016] Positive side relay 14 and negative electrode side relay 16 are arranged along the vehicle width direction D1 and are configured as separate units. Positive side relay 14 and negative electrode side relay 16 is positioned in the vehicle longitudinal direction D2, close to one end of the case 18 (in the example shown in Figure 1, the end on the front side of the vehicle) relative to the multiple battery cells 12, and is fixed to the case 18. In the example shown in Figure 1, the vehicle longitudinal direction D2 corresponds to an example of the "second direction" in this disclosure.
[0017] Positive side relay 14 and negative electrode side relay 16 is, for example , Stem Main Relay - Yes, there is. Specifically, the vehicles are, Energy storage device A power control unit (PCU) including an inverter is provided to control the power supplied from 10 to the electric motor. Positive and negative side relays 14 and 16 are located on the positive and negative sides, respectively, between the battery assembly of multiple battery cells 12 and the PCU. to It is arranged in this manner. In the example shown in Figure 1, the vehicle width direction D1 corresponds to an example of the "first direction" related to this disclosure.
[0018] Case 18 of this embodiment includes a first skeletal structural member 24, a second skeletal structural member 26, a positive electrode side skeletal structural member 28, and a negative electrode side skeletal structural member 30. In the following description, the end wall of case 18 on one end (i.e., the end on the front side of the vehicle) will be referred to as end wall 32. The end wall of case 18 located on the opposite side of that end (i.e., the rear side of the vehicle) in the vehicle longitudinal direction D2 will be referred to as end wall 34. End walls 32 and 34 are also included in the skeletal structural members that form the skeleton of case 18. In the example shown in Figure 1, end walls 32 and 34 extend along the vehicle width direction D1.
[0019] The second skeletal structural member 26 is on the positive electrode side relay 14 and negative electrode side relay It is positioned between 16 and multiple battery cells 12 (battery assemblies), extending along the vehicle width direction D1 and forming the framework of the case 18.
[0020] The first skeletal structural member 24 is on the positive electrode side relay 14 and the negative electrode side relay It extends along the vehicle's longitudinal direction D2 between itself and 16, and is formed to connect the end wall 32 on one end and the "framework S" of the case 18. In the example shown in Figure 1, the second skeletal structural member 26 corresponds to the framework S (the "framework" as referred to here) in this disclosure. That is, the first skeletal structural member 24 connects the end wall 32 and the second skeletal structural member 26.
[0021] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 1, the end wall 34 located on the opposite side of the end wall 32 also corresponds to an example of the skeletal structure S. That is, the first skeletal structural member 24 connects the end wall 32 and the end wall 34. In other words, in the structural example shown in Figure 1, the first skeletal structural member 24 connects the end wall 32 and the second skeletal structural member 26, and is extended in the vehicle's longitudinal direction D2 so as to connect the second skeletal structural member 26 and the end wall 34.
[0022] By providing the first and second skeletal structural members 24 and 26, when viewed from above the vehicle (i.e., as shown in Figure 1), the outer wall of the case 18 (including the end wall 32) and the first and second skeletal structural members 24 and 26 form the positive side relayA skeletal structure can be formed surrounding 14. This is the negative electrode side relay The same applies to 16.
[0023] In addition, in the example shown in Figure 1, further skeletal structural members 36 are provided between adjacent stacks of battery cells 12 arranged in four rows along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each skeletal structural member 36 extends along the vehicle width direction D1, similar to the second skeletal structural member 26, to form a frame. Therefore, each skeletal structural member 36 can be said to correspond to another example of the skeletal part S described above.
[0024] Furthermore, the positive terminal vehicle mounting portion 20 described above is, more specifically, on the positive terminal side in the vehicle width direction D1. relay On the side of 14, there is a first fixed point P1 with respect to the vehicle at a position away from the end wall 32 in the vehicle longitudinal direction D2. The positive electrode side skeletal structure member 28 extends along the vehicle longitudinal direction D2 with a straight line L1 as its central axis, which passes through the first fixed point P1 and is parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction D2 when viewed from above the vehicle, and is formed to connect the end wall 32 and the second skeletal structure member 26. relay 14 is formed and positioned within the space enclosed by the outer wall (including the end wall 32) of the case 18 and the first and second skeletal structural members 24 and 26, so as to avoid the positive electrode side skeletal structural member 28.
[0025] Similarly, the negative electrode vehicle mounting portion 22 is on the negative electrode side in the vehicle width direction D1. relay On the side of 16, there is a second fixing point P2 with respect to the vehicle at a position away from the end wall 32 in the vehicle longitudinal direction D2. The negative electrode side skeletal structural member 30 extends along the vehicle longitudinal direction D2 with a straight line L2 that passes through the second fixing point P2 and is parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction D2 when viewed from above the vehicle as its central axis, and is formed to connect the end wall 32 and the second skeletal structural member 26. relay16 is formed and positioned within the space enclosed by the outer wall of case 18 and the first and second skeletal structural members 24 and 26, so as to avoid the negative electrode side skeletal structural member 30. Note that case 18 does not necessarily have to include both the positive electrode side vehicle mounting portion 20 and the negative electrode side vehicle mounting portion 22; it may include only one of them.
[0026] 2. Effects Figure 2 shows an embodiment. Energy storage device This is a diagram illustrating the effects of the 10 structures. More specifically, Figure 2 shows: Energy storage device Positive side in 10 relay 14 and negative electrode side relay Figure 16 shows only the structure around it. And Figure 2 shows a large impact load resulting from a collision of the front part of the vehicle, as an example, through the negative electrode side vehicle mounting part 22. Energy storage device This shows the situation in which 10 is affected.
[0027] In the case where the first skeletal structural member 24 is not provided, if an impact load as shown in Figure 2 is input to the negative electrode side vehicle mounting portion 22, the positive electrode side relay 14 side and negative electrode side relay On both sides of the 16 side, the case 18 is crushed so that the end wall 32 moves toward the rear of the vehicle, and the positive side relay 14 and negative electrode side relay Damage may occur to both sides of 16. As a result, the positive side relay 14 and the negative electrode side relay There is concern that an electrical short circuit may occur between this point and point 16.
[0028] In contrast, the present invention Energy storage device 10 is the positive side, as described above. relay 14 and the negative electrode side relayThe case 18 is provided with a first skeletal structural member 24 positioned between 16 and 16. The first skeletal structural member 24 extends along the vehicle longitudinal direction D2 (second direction) and connects the end wall 32 and the skeletal part S of the case 18. As a result, when a large input is applied to the negative electrode side vehicle mounting part 22 from the vehicle longitudinal direction D2, as shown in the example in Figure 2, the case 18 deforms as follows. That is, the first skeletal structural member 24 functions as a reinforcing member, so that the case 18 is on the negative electrode side with respect to the connection point P3 between the end wall 32 and the first skeletal structural member 24 in the vehicle width direction D1 (first direction) relay The portion of the end wall 32 located on the 16 side acts like a seesaw with the connection point P3 as the pivot point, on the negative side. relay It deforms so as to fall towards the 16 side. Therefore, the negative electrode side relay Only pin 16 was damaged, on the positive side. relay This makes it less likely for deformation like that of case 18, which crushes 14, to occur. That is, the positive electrode side relay The impact on 14 is mitigated, positive side relay 14 becomes easier to protect. This is also true when an impact load is applied to the positive terminal vehicle mounting part 20, the opposite of the example shown in Figure 2, and the positive terminal relay Only pin 14 was damaged, on the negative side. relay 16 becomes easier to protect. In other words, against impact Energy storage device It can significantly improve resistance to level 10.
[0029] As described above, by providing the first skeletal structural member 24, the positive electrode side is reached from the vehicle longitudinal direction D2. relay 14 side or negative side relay When an impact load is applied to case 18 on side 16, the positive side relay 14 and negative electrode side relay It becomes possible to make it less likely for damage to occur to both of the 16. In this way, Energy storage device According to the structure of 10, the positive electrode side is a simple structure. relay 14 and the negative electrode side relay This will help to suppress electrical short circuits between 16 and the other element.
[0030] Furthermore, the above-mentioned effects using the first structural member 24 can be obtained even without the second structural member 26. Moreover, with the second structural member 26 extending in the vehicle width direction D1, the cooperation between the outer wall (including the end wall 32) of the case 18 and the first structural member 24 results in the positive electrode side relay 14 and negative electrode side relay A skeletal structure can be formed to enclose each of the 16. This allows the positive electrode side receiving the impact load input from the vehicle's longitudinal direction D2 to be affected. relay 14 or negative side relay This effectively suppresses deformation of case 18, which is located around 16.
[0031] In the example shown in Figure 1, the first structural member 24 is connected (extended) to the end wall 34 opposite to the end wall 32 that receives the impact load. This allows the first structural member 24, which is subjected to an impact load input from the vehicle's longitudinal direction D2 (the front of the vehicle in Figure 1), to be supported not only by the second structural member 26 but also by the end wall 34, compared to the example shown in Figure 3, which will be described later, where the first structural member 44 only extends to the second structural member 26. In other words, the movement of the first structural member 24 toward the rear of the vehicle due to the input can be suppressed more effectively. As a result, the deformation of case 18 (mainly the end wall 32) caused by the input is reduced to the positive side on the non-input side. relay 14 or negative side relay This allows for more effective suppression of the input reaching 16. In addition, in the example shown in Figure 1, a skeletal structural member 36 extending in the vehicle width direction D1 is provided between the stacks of adjacent battery cells 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction D2. The first skeletal structural member 24 is also connected to these skeletal structural members 36, which correspond to the skeletal part S. Therefore, by utilizing the skeletal structural member 36 as well, a structure is obtained that can more effectively receive the above input from the first skeletal structural member 24.
[0032] Furthermore, case 18 includes a positive electrode side skeletal structure member 28 and a negative electrode side skeletal structure member 30. This allows the end wall 32 to be supported at the position where the aforementioned impact load from the vehicle's longitudinal direction D2 acts, thus supporting the positive electrode side that receives the input of the impact load. relay 14 or negative side relay This allows for more effective suppression of deformation of case 18, which is located around 16.
[0033] 3. Variant The "first skeletal structural member" relating to this disclosure may be configured, for example, as follows. Figure 3 shows a first modified example of the embodiment. Energy storage device This is a diagram illustrating the 40 structure. (See Figure 3) Energy storage device Case 42 of 40 includes a first skeletal structural member 44. The first skeletal structural member 44 is configured to connect only the end wall 32 and the second skeletal structural member 26. That is, the end of the first skeletal structural member 44 in the vehicle longitudinal direction D2 is supported by the second skeletal structural member 26 (skeletal part S). Therefore, even with this configuration example, the impact load acting on the first skeletal structural member 24 from the vehicle longitudinal direction D2 can be absorbed by the second skeletal structural member 26, so the positive side relay 14 and the negative electrode side relay This provides the effect of suppressing electrical short circuits between 16 and the other element.
[0034] Figure 4 shows a second modified example of the embodiment. Energy storage device This is a diagram illustrating the 50 structures. (See Figure 4) Energy storage device Case 52 of 50 is equipped with a first skeletal structural member 24, similar to Case 18 shown in Figure 1, but unlike Case 18, it is not equipped with a second skeletal structural member 26 and a skeletal structural member 36. Even with this configuration example, the impact load acting on the first skeletal structural member 24 from the vehicle's longitudinal direction D2 can be absorbed by the end wall 34 (skeletal part S) alone, so the positive side relay 14 and the negative electrode side relay This provides the effect of suppressing electrical short circuits between 16 and the other element.
[0035] In addition, in examples such as those shown in Figures 1 and 3 above, where a skeletal structural member 36 is provided between adjacent stacks of battery cells 12, the "first skeletal structural member" according to this disclosure may be configured to extend to a skeletal structural member 36 corresponding to another example of the "skeleton part S" instead of the end wall 34 or the second skeletal structural member 26.
[0036] Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 1 to 4, the positive electrode side relay 14 and negative electrode side relay 16 is located near the end wall 32 on the front side of the vehicle. However, instead of such an example, the “positive side” of the present disclosure relay " and "negative side relay The positive terminal may be located, for example, near the end wall of the case on the rear side of the vehicle. In such an example, in response to an impact load input from the rear side of the vehicle, the positive terminal side relay and the negative electrode side relay This provides the effect of suppressing electrical short circuits between them.
[0037] Furthermore, regarding this disclosure Energy storage device In this context, the "first direction" is not limited to the vehicle width direction D1, and therefore, the "second direction" is not limited to the vehicle's longitudinal direction. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0038] 10, 40, 50 Energy storage device 12 battery cells 14 Positive side relay 16 Negative side relay 18, 42, 52 Energy storage device case 20 Positive side vehicle mounting section 22 Negative side vehicle mounting section 24, 44 First skeletal structural member 26. Second skeletal structural member 28 Positive electrode side skeletal structure member 30 Negative electrode side skeletal structural member 32, 34 End walls 36. Structural components
Claims
1. A power storage device installed in a vehicle, Multiple battery cells stacked in the vehicle width direction, The positive and negative relays arranged in the vehicle width direction, A case housing the plurality of battery cells, the positive electrode relay and the negative electrode relay, Equipped with, The case includes a first skeletal member that extends in the vehicle width direction and forms the framework of the case between the positive electrode relay and the negative electrode relay and the plurality of battery cells, The positive-side relay and the negative-side relay are arranged spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The distance between the positive-side relay and the negative-side relay in the vehicle width direction is greater than the length of each of the plurality of battery cells in the vehicle width direction. Energy storage device.
2. The aforementioned case is, The front end wall is positioned in front of the positive and negative relays and extends across the vehicle width, The system includes a second skeletal member connecting the front end wall and the first skeletal member, The energy storage device according to claim 1.
3. The positive-side relay and the negative-side relay are not fixed to the second skeletal member. The energy storage device according to claim 2.
4. The case is fixed to the vehicle via a vehicle fixing part. The vehicle fixing portion is positioned so as to overlap with the second skeletal member when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The energy storage device according to claim 3.