Battery case

Abstract

To improve drainage of a battery case.SOLUTION: A battery case to be mounted on a vehicle includes an upper member disposed vertically upward in a mounted state in which the battery case is mounted on the vehicle. The upper member has at least one inclined surface that slopes vertically downward toward the periphery of the upper member. A portion of the at least one inclined surface that is recessed vertically downward relative to the periphery has at least one groove that extends toward the periphery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery case.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with a battery case for storing a battery or the like. On the surface of the battery case, water droplets may adhere due to condensation in a high-humidity environment or splashing when the vehicle's tire passes through a puddle. As a technique for draining water droplets adhering to the battery case, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery housing having an outer surface on the upper surface of the battery housing portion that slopes downward in each of the left and right directions of the vehicle width.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to further improve the drainage performance on the upper surface of the battery housing portion, there is a problem that operations in a separate process such as performing a surface treatment such as a corrosion-resistant film or a water-repellent film, or assembling separate parts such as a vibrator are required.

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure is to improve the drainage performance of the battery case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a battery case mounted on a vehicle, comprising an upper member positioned vertically above the battery case when mounted on the vehicle. The upper member has at least one inclined surface that slopes vertically downward toward the periphery of the upper member. The at least one inclined surface is a portion that is vertically recessed downward toward the periphery and has at least one groove extending toward the periphery.

[0007] With this configuration, water droplets adhering to the grooves gather and become larger at the bottom of the grooves, making them easier to flow down the inclined surface. This improves the drainage of the battery case.

[0008] In one aspect of this disclosure, at least one groove may extend in a straight line. This configuration allows for improved drainage of the battery case. In one aspect of this disclosure, the upper member may be a press-formed product made of a plate-shaped member.

[0009] With this configuration, the upper member can be molded without surface treatment and without assembling any separate parts. In one aspect of this disclosure, in the mounted state, the upper member may have a top portion located vertically above the periphery. At least one inclined surface may have a plurality of inclined surfaces extending in a plurality of directions from the top portion.

[0010] With this configuration, the direction of drainage can be distributed in multiple directions. In one aspect of this disclosure, each of the multiple inclined surfaces may have at least one groove. This configuration allows for improved drainage on each of the multiple inclined surfaces. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the battery case. [Figure 2]This is a top view of the battery case. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the battery case, taken along line III-III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the battery case, taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5A illustrates a battery case of another embodiment in which the top is separated from the center of the upper member. Figure 5B illustrates a battery case of another embodiment in which the top forms a ridge. [Figure 6] Figure 6A is a top view of a battery case of another embodiment. Figure 6B is a top view of a battery case of another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Overall Structure] The battery case 1 shown in Figure 1 is a case that houses a plurality of battery cells 4 inside. An example of a battery cell 4 is a lithium-ion battery cell. The battery pack comprising the battery case 1 is mounted on the underside of a vehicle such as an automobile. Hereinafter, "up" and "down" in this disclosure refer to the up and down directions relative to the battery case 1 when it is mounted on a vehicle. The up and down direction may be read as the vertical direction. The battery pack may, for example, supply power to a motor for driving the vehicle, or it may supply power to components other than the motor. In this embodiment, as an example, the battery pack is located under the body of the vehicle.

[0013] The external shape of the battery case 1 in this embodiment is substantially that of a rectangular parallelepiped. The battery case 1 comprises an upper member 2 and a lower member 3. The upper member 2 and the lower member 3 are box-shaped members that form an internal space 5 for accommodating a plurality of battery cells 4. The lower side of the upper member 2 and the upper side of the lower member 3 are both open. The upper member 2 is disposed on the upper side of the lower member 3 so as to cover the opening of the lower member 3, and defines the internal space 5 between the upper member 2 and the lower member 3. A plurality of battery cells 4 are disposed in the internal space 5.

[0014] The material of the upper member 2 is metal. As an example of the material of the upper member 2, there is stainless steel. The material of the lower member 3 is not particularly limited. As an example of the material of the lower member 3, there are metal, resin, etc. In the present embodiment, the material of the lower member 3 is stainless steel.

[0015] The upper member 2 includes an upper plate-shaped portion 21, an upper wall portion 22, and an upper flange 23. The lower member 3 includes a lower plate-shaped portion 31, a lower wall portion 32, and a lower flange 33. Both the upper plate-shaped portion 21 and the lower plate-shaped portion 31 are substantially rectangular plate-shaped parts. The upper plate-shaped portion 21 and the lower plate-shaped portion 31 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction so as to face each other. An internal space 5 is formed between the upper plate-shaped portion 21 and the lower plate-shaped portion 31.

[0016] The upper wall portion 22 is a wall-shaped part that protrudes downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper plate-shaped portion 21 and extends along the outer periphery of the upper plate-shaped portion 21. The lower peripheral edge portion of the upper wall portion 22 forms an opening in the upper member 2.

[0017] Similarly, the lower wall portion 32 is a wall-shaped part that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the lower plate-shaped portion 31 and extends along the outer periphery of the lower plate-shaped portion 31. The upper peripheral edge portion of the lower wall portion 32 forms an opening in the lower member 3.

[0018] The upper flange 23 is a flange-shaped part that protrudes from the lower end portion of the upper wall portion 22 along a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction to the opposite side of the internal space 5 and extends along the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall portion 22.

[0019] Similarly, the lower flange 33 is a flange-shaped portion that protrudes from the upper end of the lower wall portion 32 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, away from the internal space 5, and extends along the outer peripheral edge of the lower wall portion 32.

[0020] The upper flange 23 is positioned to cover the upper surface of the lower flange 33. The upper flange 23 is joined to the lower flange 33 by welding, adhesive, or other means. The internal space 5 is sealed by this joining.

[0021] [1-1-2. Structure of the upper plate-like part] The upper plate-like portion 21 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a square pyramidal member having height in the vertical direction. The thickness of the upper plate-like portion 21 is, for example, 3.0 millimeters or less. One method for forming the upper plate-like portion 21 is press forming. In this embodiment, the upper plate-like portion 21 is a press-formed product. The upper plate-like portion 21 has a top portion 24, at least one inclined surface 25, and a peripheral edge portion 26. The upper plate-like portion 21 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 has multiple inclined surfaces 25, with at least one inclined surface 25.

[0022] The peripheral portion 26 is the outer edge of the upper plate-like portion 21. The peripheral portion 26 has a plurality of edges 261. In this embodiment, the peripheral portion 26 is substantially rectangular and has four edges 261a, 261b, 261c, and 261d as the plurality of edges 261. The edges 261a and 261c are portions of the peripheral portion 26 that extend in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The edges 261b and 261d are portions of the peripheral portion 26 that extend in a second direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the first direction.

[0023] The apex 24 is the part located above the peripheral portion 26. In other words, the apex 24 corresponds to the vertex of the upper plate-like portion 21 of the square pyramidal shape. For example, the position of the apex 24 in the first and second directions lies on the intersection of the two diagonals of the peripheral portion 26 (in other words, the center of the upper plate-like portion 21).

[0024] The multiple inclined surfaces 25 extend in multiple directions from the apex 24. The upper plate-like portion 21 has four inclined surfaces 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d as the multiple inclined surfaces 25. Inclined surface 25a is the part that spreads out in a triangular shape from the apex 24 toward the edge 261a. Inclined surface 25b is the part that spreads out in a triangular shape from the apex 24 toward the edge 261b. Inclined surface 25c is the part that spreads out in a triangular shape from the apex 24 toward the edge 261c. Inclined surface 25d is the part that spreads out in a triangular shape from the apex 24 toward the edge 261d. In other words, the inclined surfaces 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d correspond to the four sides of the square pyramidal upper plate-like portion 21. In other words, the upper plate-like portion 21 has inclined surfaces 25b and 25d extending in a first direction from the top portion 24, and inclined surfaces 25a and 25c extending in a second direction from the top portion 24.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, each of the multiple inclined surfaces 25 slopes downward from the top 24 toward one of the multiple edges 261. In other words, inclined surface 25a slopes downward from the top 24 toward the edge 261a. Inclined surface 25b slopes downward from the top 24 toward the edge 261b. Inclined surface 25c slopes downward from the top 24 toward the edge 261c. Inclined surface 25d slopes downward from the top 24 toward the edge 261d.

[0026] Each of the multiple inclined surfaces 25 has at least one groove 27 that extends toward the peripheral edge 26. In this embodiment, four grooves 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d are formed as at least one groove 27, corresponding to each of the four inclined surfaces 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d. Specifically, groove 27a is formed on inclined surface 25a and extends in a second direction from the top 24 to the edge 261a. Groove 27b is formed on inclined surface 25b and extends in a first direction from the top 24 to the edge 261b. Groove 27c is formed on inclined surface 25c and extends in a second direction from the top 24 to the edge 261c. Groove 27d is formed on inclined surface 25d and extends in a first direction from the top 24 to the edge 261d.

[0027] Thus, the upper plate-like portion 21 has grooves 27b and 27d extending from the top portion 24 in a first direction, and grooves 27a and 27c extending from the top portion 24 in a second direction. The grooves 27 formed on each of the multiple inclined surfaces 25 extend from the top 24 to a corresponding side 261 of the multiple sides 261. The corresponding side 261 is the side 261 that corresponds to the inclined surface 25 on which the groove 27 is provided.

[0028] The groove 27 has a portion that extends linearly from the top 24 to a corresponding side portion 261, and a portion that branches off from the middle of the extending portion and extends linearly to the corresponding side portion 261.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the groove 27 is a recessed portion on the inclined surface 25 that is lower than the portion corresponding to the periphery of the groove 27. The width and depth of the groove 27 are, for example, 10 millimeters or less each. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 27 is, for example, concave, V-shaped, U-shaped, or arc-shaped.

[0030] [1-2. Action and Effects] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following actions and effects can be obtained. (1a) Each of the multiple inclined surfaces 25 in the upper plate-like portion 21 is inclined downward from the top portion 24 toward one of the multiple side portions 261. Each of the multiple inclined surfaces 25 has at least one groove 27 that extends toward the peripheral portion 26. The groove 27 is a portion of the inclined surface 25 that is recessed downward relative to the portion corresponding to the periphery of the groove 27.

[0031] With this configuration, water droplets adhering to the groove 27 gather and become larger at the bottom of the groove 27, making them easier to flow down the inclined surface 25. Therefore, the drainage performance of the battery case 1 can be improved without surface treatment or the assembly of any additional parts.

[0032] Furthermore, because the groove 27 extends in a straight line, drainage performance can be improved compared to when the groove 27 is meandering. (1b) The multiple inclined surfaces 25 extend in multiple directions from the top 24. Each of the multiple inclined surfaces 25 has at least one groove 27 that extends toward the peripheral edge 26.

[0033] With this configuration, the direction of drainage can be distributed in multiple directions. By distributing the drainage direction, the areas that are corroded by water droplets drained from the upper plate-shaped part 21 can be dispersed in the drainage destination areas such as the upper wall portion 22 and the upper flange 23.

[0034] Furthermore, the groove 27 has a portion that extends linearly from the top 24 to a corresponding side 261, as well as a portion that branches off from the middle of the extending portion and extends linearly to the corresponding side 261. This allows for a greater dispersion of the drainage direction.

[0035] (1c) The groove 27 is a portion of the inclined surface 25 that is recessed downward relative to its surroundings. The upper plate-like portion 21 has grooves 27b and 27d extending in a first direction from the top portion 24, and grooves 27a and 27c extending in a second direction.

[0036] With this configuration, the rigidity of the upper plate-like portion 21 in the vertical direction, the first direction, and the second direction can be improved. Furthermore, the groove 27 has a portion that extends linearly from the top portion 24 to a corresponding side portion 261, as well as a portion that branches off from the middle of the extending portion and extends linearly to the corresponding side portion 261. This makes it possible to further improve the rigidity of the upper plate-like portion 21 in the vertical, first, and second directions.

[0037] (1d) The width and depth of the groove 27 are 10 millimeters or less, respectively. With this configuration, the reduction in the volume of the internal space 5 due to the formation of the groove 27 can be suppressed.

[0038] (1e) Since the upper plate-shaped portion 21 is a press-formed product, the upper plate-shaped portion 21 can be formed from a single plate-shaped member without surface treatment and without assembling separate parts. [1-3. Correspondence between terms] In the above embodiment, the vertical direction corresponds to an example of the vertical direction, and the peripheral edge portion 26 corresponds to an example of the peripheral edge of the upper member.

[0039] [2. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0040] (2a) In the above embodiment, the position of the top portion 24 in the first and second directions was at the center of the upper plate-like portion 21. However, the position of the top portion 24 in the first and second directions is not particularly limited and may be as long as it is inside the peripheral edge portion 26. For example, as shown in Figure 5A, the top portion 24 may be at a position away from the center of the upper plate-like portion 21. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5B, the top portion 24 may be formed in a linear shape.

[0041] As an example, when the battery case 1 is mounted on the vehicle, the top 24 may be positioned as high as possible so that the inclination angle of the inclined surface 25 becomes larger, taking into consideration the positional relationship with other parts of the vehicle. With such a configuration, drainage performance can be further improved.

[0042] (2b) In the above embodiment, the groove 27 had a portion that extended linearly from the top 24 to a corresponding side 261, and a portion that branched off from the middle of the extending portion and extended linearly to the corresponding side 261. However, the portion to which the groove 27 extends is not limited to the above, and it is sufficient if it extends toward the peripheral edge 26. The groove 27 does not have to extend from the top 24.

[0043] For example, as shown in Figure 6A, the groove 27 may extend from a position between the top 24 and the corner 262 of the peripheral edge 26, so as to merge with other grooves 27 at the peripheral edge 26. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6B, the groove 27 may extend toward the peripheral edge 26 from a position between the top 24 and the corner 262 of the peripheral edge 26, so as to be parallel or perpendicular to other grooves 27.

[0044] (2c) In the above embodiment, the upper plate-like portion 21 was a square pyramidal member having four inclined surfaces 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d. Four grooves 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d were formed as at least one groove 27 formed on each of the multiple inclined surfaces 25, corresponding to each of the four inclined surfaces 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d. However, the number of inclined surfaces 25 and grooves 27 that the upper plate-like portion 21 has is not limited to the above, and the upper plate-like portion 21 only needs to have at least one inclined surface 25 and at least one groove 27. The groove 27 only needs to be formed on at least one inclined surface 25, and there may be inclined surfaces 25 on which no groove 27 is formed. The groove 27 formed on one inclined surface 25 may be one or two or more.

[0045] For example, the upper plate-like portion 21 may be a conical member having one inclined surface 25, and at least one groove 27 may be formed on the inclined surface 25. Alternatively, the upper plate-like portion 21 may be a polygonal pyramidal member having a plurality of inclined surfaces 25, with at least one groove 27 formed on any one of the inclined surfaces 25. At least one groove 27 may be formed on two or more of the plurality of inclined surfaces 25. At least one groove 27 may be formed on all of the plurality of inclined surfaces 25.

[0046] (2d) In the above embodiment, the shape of the peripheral edge portion 26, which is the outer edge of the upper plate-like portion 21, was substantially rectangular. However, the shape of the peripheral edge portion 26 is not limited to substantially rectangular, and may be polygonal, for example. Alternatively, the shape of the peripheral edge portion 26 may be a shape having an arc.

[0047] (2e) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configurations of other above embodiments.

[0048] [Technical concepts disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] A battery case installed in a vehicle, In the mounted state, which is the state in which it is mounted on the vehicle, it is equipped with an upper member that is positioned vertically upward, The upper member has at least one inclined surface that slopes downward in the vertical direction toward the periphery of the upper member, The at least one inclined surface is a portion recessed vertically downward with respect to the surroundings and has at least one groove extending toward the periphery. Battery case.

[0049] [Item 2] The battery case described in item 1, The at least one groove extends in a straight line, Battery case.

[0050] [Item 3] A battery case as described in item 1 or item 2, The aforementioned upper member is a press-formed product made of a plate-shaped member. Battery case.

[0051] [Item 4] A battery case described in any one of items 1 through 3, In the aforementioned mounting state, The upper member has a top portion located above the peripheral edge in the vertical direction, The at least one inclined surface has a plurality of inclined surfaces extending in a plurality of directions from the top, Battery case.

[0052] [Item 5] The battery case described in item 4, Each of the plurality of inclined surfaces has at least one groove, Battery case. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1... Battery case, 2... Upper member, 25, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d... Inclined surface, 26... Periphery, 27, 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d... Groove.

Claims

1. A battery case installed in a vehicle, In the mounted state, which is the state in which it is mounted on the vehicle, it is equipped with an upper member that is positioned vertically upward, The upper member has at least one inclined surface that slopes downward in the vertical direction toward the periphery of the upper member, The at least one inclined surface is a portion recessed downward in the vertical direction relative to the surroundings and has at least one groove extending toward the periphery. Battery case.

2. A battery case according to claim 1, The at least one groove extends in a straight line, Battery case.

3. A battery case according to claim 1, The aforementioned upper member is a press-formed product made of a plate-shaped member. Battery case.

4. A battery case according to any one of claims 1 to 3, In the aforementioned mounting state, The upper member has a top portion located above the peripheral edge in the vertical direction, The at least one inclined surface has a plurality of inclined surfaces extending in a plurality of directions from the top. Battery case.

5. A battery case according to claim 4, Each of the plurality of inclined surfaces has at least one groove, Battery case.

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