Vehicle battery cooling structure

Abstract

This vehicle battery cooling structure is equipped with a battery provided in an underfloor space of a vehicle cabin, and a duct (3) that is provided between an interior base material of the cabin interior and an inner panel provided on the outside of the interior base material, and that draws in air inside the vehicle cabin from an intake port (4) and exhausts the air to the battery from an exhaust port (5). The duct (3) has a first portion (31) in which the intake port (4) is formed, a second portion (32) projecting downward from the first portion (31) directly below the intake port (4), and a third portion (33) continuous with the first portion (31), and at least a portion of the third portion (33) has a smaller flow passage area than the first portion (31).

Description

Vehicle battery cooling structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle battery cooling structure that cools a battery mounted in a vehicle by air taken in from the vehicle interior.

[0002] In vehicles such as electric vehicles (BEVs, Battery EVs) and hybrid vehicles (HEVs, Hybrid Electric Vehicles), the battery, which is the driving energy source for the electric motor, is known to be installed under the floor of the vehicle compartment. Since the battery is a component that generates heat when it is charged and discharged, it needs to be cooled to maintain battery performance. For this reason, it is known to cool the battery by taking in air from the vehicle compartment.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery cooling structure that includes a duct that connects a battery case located under the floor of the luggage compartment with the interior of the vehicle. Patent Document 1 also discloses a structure that provides a foreign object storage section in the duct, in consideration of the risk of the battery shorting out if a conductive foreign object such as a coin or ring accidentally falls into the duct. In Patent Document 1, the foreign object storage section is located below and spaced apart from the duct's air intake, branching off from the flow path of the cooling air that flows through the duct.

[0004] JP 2012-179979 A

[0005] It is preferable that foreign objects that have entered the duct be collected immediately after entering the duct. However, in the duct of Patent Document 1, the foreign object storage section is located away from the air intake, making it difficult to collect the foreign objects immediately after they enter the duct. In other words, the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in terms of collecting the foreign objects immediately after they enter the duct.

[0006] The present invention was devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objects is to provide a vehicle battery cooling structure that can recover foreign matter immediately after it enters the duct. However, this object is not limited to this object. Another object of the present invention is to achieve effects that cannot be obtained by conventional techniques, which are derived from the configurations shown in the below-described embodiments.

[0007] The disclosed vehicle battery cooling structure can be realized as the following embodiments or application examples, and solves at least part of the above-mentioned problems. (1) The vehicle battery cooling structure disclosed herein is a vehicle battery cooling structure including: a battery disposed under a floor of a vehicle compartment; and a duct disposed between an interior base material of the vehicle compartment and an inner panel provided on the outside of the interior base material, the duct taking in air from the vehicle compartment through an air intake port and exhausting air from an air exhaust port to the battery, the duct having a first portion where the air intake port is formed, a second portion directly below the air intake port and protruding downward from the first portion, and a third portion communicating with the first portion, and at least a portion of the third portion having a flow path area smaller than that of the first portion.

[0008] (2) In the case of (1) above, it is preferable that the flow path area of ​​the first portion becomes smaller as it approaches the third portion. (3) In the case of (2) above, it is preferable that the flow path area of ​​the entire third portion is smaller than that of the first portion.

[0009] (4) In any one of the above (1) to (3), the second portion preferably has a first bottom portion that slopes downward from the intake port side to the third portion side. (5) In the above (4), the second portion preferably has a first hole drilled on the first bottom portion on the third portion side.

[0010] (6) In any one of the cases (1) to (5) above, it is preferable that the first part has a second bottom portion located closer to the third part than the second part, and a vertical wall portion protruding upward from the second bottom portion.

[0011] (7) In any one of the above (1) to (6), it is preferable that the third portion extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In this case, it is preferable that the duct has a fourth portion that communicates with the third portion and extends in the vertical direction. (8) In the above (7), it is preferable that the duct has a fifth portion that communicates with the fourth portion and changes its extension direction from the vertical direction to the vehicle width direction. (9) In the above (8), it is preferable that at least a part of the fifth portion has a flow path area larger than that of the fourth portion.

[0012] (10) In the case of (8) or (9) above, it is preferable that the duct has a sixth part that communicates with the fifth part and in which the exhaust port is formed, and a seventh part that protrudes downward from the sixth part.

[0013] (11) In the case of (10) above, it is preferable that the seventh portion has a third bottom portion that is inclined downward in a direction away from the exhaust port. (12) In the case of (11) above, it is preferable that the seventh portion has a second hole drilled on the third bottom portion on the side away from the exhaust port.

[0014] According to the disclosed vehicle battery cooling structure, foreign matter can be collected immediately after it enters the duct.

[0015] 5 is a perspective view of a main part of a vehicle to which a vehicle battery cooling structure according to one embodiment is applied. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the vehicle taken along a vertical plane V in FIG. 1, viewed from the front side of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a top view of the main part of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1, excluding an interior base material and a duct. FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the duct provided in the vehicle battery cooling structure of FIG. 1, viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the duct of FIG. 4, viewed from the front side of the vehicle. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along an arrow W-W in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cross-section of the duct taken along a horizontal plane X and a vertical plane Y in FIG. 4, viewed from the front side and above of the vehicle. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of parts of the first part, the second part, the third part, and the fourth part of the duct of FIG. 4, viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along an arrow Z-Z in FIG. 4.

[0016] With reference to the drawings, a vehicle battery cooling structure will be described as an embodiment. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly stated in the following embodiments. The configurations of the present embodiment can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit thereof. Furthermore, they can be selected or combined as needed. In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle is referred to as the forward direction (front of the vehicle), and the opposite direction is referred to as the rearward direction (rear of the vehicle). Furthermore, left and right are defined based on the state in which the vehicle faces forward. The left and right directions are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Hereinafter, the left and right directions are also referred to as the "vehicle width direction," and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is simply referred to as the "front-to-rear direction."

[0017] [1. Configuration of Main Vehicle Parts] Fig. 1 shows main parts of a vehicle 1 to which a vehicle battery cooling structure (hereinafter simply referred to as the "cooling structure") according to this embodiment is applied. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the lower left portion of a luggage compartment forming the rear portion of the passenger compartment, as viewed from the front. The vehicle 1 is, for example, a three-row seat vehicle capable of accommodating a third seat (not shown) in the luggage compartment. The vehicle 1 is provided with a cargo board 11 and a quarter trim 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "trim 12") as interior base materials that form the luggage compartment. In this embodiment, the cooling structure includes a battery 2 to be cooled, which is located below the cargo board 11, and a duct 3 attached to the trim 12 and supplies air taken in from the passenger compartment to the battery 2.

[0018] The cargo board 11 is a panel material that forms the floor surface of the luggage compartment and extends in the longitudinal and transverse directions. As shown in Fig. 2, a rear floor panel 13 is deployed below the cargo board 11 with a vertical space therebetween. The rear floor panel 13 is a panel material that forms the floor of the vehicle 1 and is deployed in the longitudinal and transverse directions as shown in Fig. 3. In Figs. 2, 6, 7, and 9, the parts drawn with thick lines indicate cross sections, as do the hatched parts.

[0019] The battery 2, a spare tire (not shown), and the like are arranged in the space between the cargo board 11 and the rear floor panel 13. If the vehicle 1 has three rows of seats and the third row seats are not used as seats, the third row seats may be accommodated in this space.

[0020] 3, a cross member 14 is provided below the cargo board 11 and in front of the rear floor panel 13. The cross member 14 is a member that forms the vehicle frame together with side members (not shown) that extend in the fore-and-aft direction, and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] The trim 12 is a panel material that forms part of the side of the luggage compartment and is provided along the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions as shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the trim 12 has a crank-shaped portion formed such that a lower portion bulges inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the upper portion. A horizontal surface portion 12a that connects the lower portion and the upper portion has a downward recess that forms a cup holder 12h. The cup holder 12h is used, for example, when a third seat of the vehicle 1 is placed on the cargo board 11, by an occupant sitting in the third seat to place a drink container thereon.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, a sloped surface 12b is provided in front of the horizontal surface 12a, extending downward from the horizontal surface 12a and facing forward and inward in the vehicle width direction. An air intake grille 12g penetrates the sloped surface 12b. The air intake grille 12g has a mesh-like opening that communicates with an air intake port 4 (described later) of the duct 3. The air intake grille 12g opens below the horizontal surface 12a and faces forward and inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, an inner panel 15 is deployed outside the trim 12 in the vehicle width direction, with a space in the left-right direction. The inner panel 15 is a panel material that forms the side of the vehicle body together with an outer panel (not shown), and is provided along the front-rear and up-down directions, similar to the trim 12. A duct 3 is provided extending into the space between the trim 12 and the inner panel 15.

[0024] 2. Configuration of the vehicle battery cooling structure As described above, the cooling structure includes the battery 2 to be cooled, and the duct 3 that supplies air taken in from the vehicle interior to the battery 2. The cooling structure may also be provided with an exhaust duct that discharges the air that has cooled the battery 2 to the outside of the vehicle or returns it to the vehicle interior, and a fan that draws in air from the vehicle interior (neither of which is shown).

[0025] The battery 2 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery. The battery 2 is, for example, a secondary battery (high-voltage battery or medium-voltage battery) for driving a vehicle known as a mild hybrid. A mild hybrid vehicle charges the battery with electricity obtained from the deceleration energy of the vehicle, and supplies electricity to a motor (not shown) to reduce the burden on the engine (not shown) when the vehicle accelerates. Note that the battery 2 is not limited to a secondary battery for driving the vehicle, but may also be a secondary battery (low-voltage battery) for driving on-board electrical equipment. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 is not limited to a mild hybrid vehicle.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the cells of the battery 2 are housed inside a case 2c. A case opening 2h that opens outward in the vehicle width direction is formed through the left end of the case 2c. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the front part of the case 2c is placed on a cross member 14 and attached with fastening members. Furthermore, the rear part of the case 2c is attached to a rear floor panel 13 via a bracket, for example. The battery 2 is attached to the vehicle 1 by fixing the case 2c to the cross member 14 and the rear floor panel 13 in this way.

[0027] The duct 3 is a pipe member that draws air from the vehicle interior through an air intake 4 and exhausts it to the battery 2 through an air exhaust 5. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the duct 3 has a shape that resembles a substantially L-shape that is inverted upside down when viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, the duct 3 of this embodiment has a shape that resembles a substantially L-shape that is inverted left and right when viewed from the front.

[0028] 4 and 5 , the duct 3 has a first portion 31 in which the intake port 4 is formed, a second portion 32 that protrudes downward from the first portion 31 directly below the intake port 4, and a third portion 33 that communicates with the first portion 31. At least a part of the third portion 33 is formed to have a smaller flow path area than the first portion 31. The duct 3 further has a fourth portion 34 that communicates with the third portion 33, and a fifth portion 35 that communicates with the fourth portion 34. In addition, the duct 3 has a sixth portion 36 that communicates with the fifth portion 35 and in which the exhaust port 5 is formed, and a seventh portion 37 that protrudes downward from the sixth portion 36.

[0029] That is, in this embodiment, the duct 3 has a first portion 31 in which the intake port 4 is formed, a third portion 33, a fourth portion 34, a fifth portion 35, and a sixth portion 36 in which the exhaust port 5 is formed, which are connected in this order, thereby forming a flow path for exhausting air taken in from the vehicle cabin to the battery 2. As shown by thick dashed arrows in Figures 4 and 5 , the air taken in through the intake port 4 passes through the first portion 31, the third portion 33, the fourth portion 34, the fifth portion 35, and the sixth portion 36 in this order, and is exhausted from the exhaust port 5 to the battery 2 via the case opening 2h.

[0030] Hereinafter, upstream and downstream are defined along the flow direction of air flowing through the duct 3. In addition, in the following description, the term "flow path area" refers to the area of ​​the inside (flow path) of the duct 3 when the duct 3 is cut in a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction.

[0031] The second part 32 and the seventh part 37 protrude downward from the first part 31 and the sixth part 36, respectively, and have the function of collecting foreign matter contained in the air passing through the first part 31 and the sixth part 36, respectively.

[0032] The reasons for providing the second portion 32 and the seventh portion 37 will now be outlined. The air inside the vehicle cabin is often cooled by an air conditioner, even in summer. Therefore, by using the air inside the vehicle cabin to cool the battery 2, the battery 2 can be cooled efficiently without the need for a separate air conditioning device.

[0033] On the other hand, when using the air in the vehicle cabin, there is a possibility that foreign objects in the vehicle cabin may accidentally enter the duct 3. For example, if liquid in a container fitted in the cup holder 12h spills and enters the duct 3, there is a concern that the liquid may flood the battery 2. Note that the above-mentioned foreign objects may include, in addition to liquid, conductive objects such as coins and rings, paper, dust, and the like.

[0034] The second portion 32 and the seventh portion 37 are provided to collect foreign matter including the liquid (water blocking) as described above. In addition, the duct 3 is also provided with structures in the portions 31, 33 to 36 to further prevent foreign matter from entering the battery 2.

[0035] As described above, the first portion 31 is a portion where the intake port 4 is formed. As shown in Fig. 4, in addition to the intake port 4, the first portion 31 is provided with a flow path portion 40 that forms a flow path between the intake port 4 and the third portion 33. The third portion 33 is, for example, a portion that extends in the front-rear direction behind the intake port 4, and its upstream end is connected to the downstream end of the flow path portion 40. Note that "connection" in this embodiment does not mean that separate parts are connected, but rather means that two parts of one part are continuous (connected).

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the air intake 4 opens in the same direction as the air intake grille 12g of the trim 12, i.e., facing forward and inward in the vehicle width direction, and communicates with the vehicle interior via the air intake grille 12g. As shown in Fig. 6, for example, the upstream end of the flow path 40 is connected to an edge of the air intake 4 excluding a lower edge 4e, and horizontally connects the air intake 4 and the third portion 33. An upstream wall portion 32a (described later) of the second portion 32 is connected to the lower edge 4e of the air intake 4.

[0037] The flow path section 40 is roughly divided into, for example, a top section 41, a bottom section 42 (second bottom section), and a side section 43. The top section 41 is a section that forms the upper part of the flow path section 40 and forms a surface that faces downward inside the flow path section 40. The bottom section 42 is a section that forms the lower part of the flow path 40 and forms a surface that faces upward inside the flow path section 40. The side section 43 forms a section that connects the top section 41 and the bottom section 42.

[0038] The upstream and downstream ends of the top portion 41 and the side portion 43 are connected to the intake port 4 and the third portion 33, respectively. On the other hand, the upstream end of the bottom portion 42 is not connected to the intake port 4, but is connected to a downstream wall portion 32c (described later) of the second portion 32. The downstream end of the bottom portion 42 is connected to the third portion 33. In other words, the bottom portion 42 is located closer to the third portion 33 (i.e., downstream) than the second portion 32.

[0039] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the bottom 42 is provided with a vertical wall 44 that protrudes upward from the bottom 42. The vertical wall 44 is provided, for example, on the upstream side of the bottom 42, protruding from the entire upstream end of the bottom 42 upward to form a flat wall surface toward the second portion 32. The height of the upper end of the vertical wall 44 is sufficient as long as it is at least higher than the vertical position of the bottom 42, and is preferably set to a level that does not excessively reduce the flow path area of ​​the flow path section 40 due to the provision of the vertical wall 44. The vertical wall 44 is provided, for example, as a separate member from the first portion 31 and the second portion 32, and is attached to the first portion 31 and the second portion 32 by rivets, for example.

[0040] Furthermore, the flow path portion 40 may be formed so that its flow path area becomes smaller as it approaches the third portion 33. For example, as shown in Figures 6 and 7 , the flow path portion 40 is formed so that a part of the top portion 41 approaches the bottom portion 42 as it approaches the third portion 33. In this embodiment, the flow path portion 40 is formed so that the outer portion of the top portion 41 in the vehicle width direction approaches the bottom portion 42. As a result, the end portion (downstream end) of the flow path portion 40 on the third portion 33 side forms an L-shape with a flow path area smaller than that of the other portions of the flow path portion 40 when viewed in the front-rear direction.

[0041] The third portion 33 has an upstream end corresponding to the downstream end of the flow path 40, i.e., an L-shape in a front-to-rear view, and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The third portion 33 may be formed in an L-shape with a recessed outer side in the vehicle width direction so that not only a portion of the third portion 33 but the entire front-to-rear direction has a flow path area smaller than that of the flow path 40 (i.e., the first portion 31), as shown in Fig. 8. The upper portion of the L-shaped third portion 33 is used as a space for recessing the cup holder 12h from the horizontal surface portion 12a of the trim 12, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0042] 6, the second portion 32 is provided directly below the intake port 4 so as to expand the space within the first portion 31 downward. By providing the second portion 32 so as to protrude from the first portion 31 directly below the intake port 4, foreign matter contained in the air can be collected immediately after the air is taken in through the intake port 4.

[0043] In this embodiment, the second portion 32 has a tub-like shape and includes an upstream wall portion 32a connected to the lower edge 4e of the intake port 4 and extending downward, a bottom portion 32b (first bottom portion) connected to the lower end of the upstream wall portion 32a, and a downstream wall portion 32c connected to the downstream end of the bottom portion 32b and extending upward. In addition to the upstream wall portion 32a and the downstream wall portion 32c, the second portion 32 may be provided with a wall portion connecting the bottom portion 32b and the first portion 31. The upper end of the downstream wall portion 32c is connected to the upstream end of the bottom portion 42 of the first portion 31.

[0044] The bottom 32b is a surface portion that extends substantially horizontally below the first portion 31 and forms a surface facing upward. In this embodiment, the bottom 32b slopes downward from the air intake port 4 side to the third portion 33 side. A drain hole 32h (first hole) drilled in the vertical direction is provided on the third portion 33 side of the bottom 32b.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 4, the fourth portion 34 is connected to the downstream end of the third portion 33 and extends in the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 5, the fifth portion 35 is connected to the downstream end of the fourth portion 34 and forms a portion whose extension direction changes from the vertical direction to the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the extension direction of the fifth portion 35 changes from the vertical direction toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] At least a part of the fifth portion 35 is preferably formed to have a larger flow path area than the fourth portion 34. In the present embodiment, the fifth portion 35 is formed so that the flow path area of ​​the portion where the extension direction of the fifth portion 35 is changed (hereinafter referred to as a "change portion 35p") is larger than the flow path area of ​​a lower portion 34p of the fourth portion 34, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 .

[0047] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, when viewed in the vehicle width direction, the length L1 of the transition portion 35p perpendicular to the airflow direction is set to be greater than the length L2 of the lower portion 34p perpendicular to the airflow direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, when viewed in the front-rear direction, the length L3 of the transition portion 35p perpendicular to the airflow direction is set to be greater than the length L4 of the lower portion 34p perpendicular to the airflow direction. This allows the air flow in the duct 3 to be slowed from the fourth portion 34 to the fifth portion 35.

[0048] As described above, the sixth portion 36 is a portion where the exhaust port 5 is formed. In addition to the exhaust port 5, the sixth portion 36 is provided with a flow path portion 50 that forms a flow path between the exhaust port 5 and the fifth portion 35. In this embodiment, the exhaust port 5 opens inward in the vehicle width direction in accordance with the opening direction of the above-described case opening 2h, and the flow path portion 50 (i.e., the sixth portion 36) extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0049] 9 , the flow path section 50 has its upstream end connected to the downstream end of the fifth section 35 and its downstream end connected to the exhaust port 5, smoothly connecting the fifth section 35 and the exhaust port 5. The flow path section 50 is roughly divided into, for example, a top section 51, a bottom section 52, and a side section 53.

[0050] The ceiling portion 51 is a portion that forms the upper part of the flow path portion 50 and forms a surface that faces downward inside the flow path portion 50. The bottom portion 52 is a portion that forms the lower part of the flow path 50 and forms a surface that faces upward inside the flow path portion 50. The side portion 53 forms a portion that connects the ceiling portion 51 and the bottom portion 52. The ceiling portion 51, the bottom portion 52, and the side portion 53 form a substantially rectangular flow path in the flow path portion 50.

[0051] The upstream and downstream ends of the top portion 51 and the side portion 53 are connected to the fifth portion 35 and the exhaust port 5, respectively. On the other hand, the upstream end of the bottom portion 52 is not connected to the fifth portion 35, but is connected to a bottom portion 37b (described later) of the seventh portion 37. The downstream end of the bottom portion 52 is connected to a lower edge 5e of the exhaust port 5.

[0052] The seventh portion 37 is provided so as to expand the space within the flow path portion 50 of the sixth portion 36 downward. In this embodiment, the seventh portion 37 is provided with a bottom 37b (third bottom) on the side away from the exhaust port 5, in other words, a bottom 37b that slopes downward from the exhaust port 5 side to the fifth portion 35 side. Here, the bottom 37b is illustrated as being connected to the upstream end of the bottom 52 of the sixth portion 36 and extending outward and downward in the vehicle width direction. A drain hole 37h (second hole) drilled in the vertical direction is provided on the side of the bottom 37b away from the exhaust port 5, i.e., on the upstream side.

[0053] The seventh portion 37 may further be provided with a connecting portion 37c that connects the upstream end of the bottom portion 37b and the downstream end of the fifth portion 35. The connecting portion 37c extends downward from the downstream end of the fifth portion 35, bends inward in the vehicle width direction, and is connected to the upstream end of the bottom portion 37b. The seventh portion 37 may also be provided with a wall portion that connects the front-rear edge of the bottom portion 37b and the connecting portion 37c to the sixth portion 36.

[0054] 4 and 5 , the air taken in through the intake port 4 passes through the first portion 31, the third portion 33, the fourth portion 34, the fifth portion 35, and the sixth portion 36 in this order, and is then exhausted to the battery 2 through the exhaust port 5.

[0055] At this time, foreign matter, such as liquid, contained in the air taken in through the intake port 4 falls into the second portion 32 protruding directly below the intake port 4 as it passes through the passage 40 of the first portion 31, and is collected near the drainage holes 32h along the slope of the bottom 32b of the second portion 32. Alternatively, the foreign matter taken in through the intake port 4 is carried by the air flow, hits the downstream wall portion 32c, falls onto the bottom 32b, and is collected near the drainage holes 32h.

[0056] The foreign matter collected near the drain hole 32h is then discharged from the drain hole 32h to the outside of the duct 3 and collected on the rear floor panel 13, for example, via a cable (not shown) wired between the trim 12 and the inner panel 15.

[0057] Thus, according to the above-described cooling structure, the second part 32 is provided directly below the intake port 4, so that immediately after the air enters the duct 3, any foreign matter contained in the air can be dropped into the second part 32 and collected.

[0058] Furthermore, the bottom 32b, which slopes downward from the intake port 4 side to the third section 33 side, allows foreign matter collected in the second section 32 to be collected in one place. In addition, foreign matter collected in the second section 32 can be discharged to the outside of the duct 3 through the drain hole 32h, which more reliably prevents foreign matter from entering the battery 2.

[0059] In the above-described cooling structure, at least a portion of the third portion 33 is formed to have a smaller flow path area than the first portion 31. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inner side of the duct (downstream of the third portion 33).

[0060] Furthermore, the flow path area of ​​the first portion 31 becomes smaller as it approaches the third portion 33, which further prevents foreign matter from entering the inner part of the duct. In addition, the flow path area of ​​the entire third portion 33 is set to be smaller than that of the first portion 31. This further prevents foreign matter from entering the inner part of the duct, and also allows the flow velocity accelerated on the third portion 33 side (downstream side) of the first portion 31 to be maintained or even increased without slowing down in the third portion 33. Therefore, the air blowing efficiency of the duct 3 can be ensured.

[0061] According to the above-described cooling structure, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the inner part of the duct by the vertical wall portion 44 that protrudes from the bottom portion 42 of the first portion 31. Moreover, as described above, the vertical wall portion 44 of this embodiment forms a flat wall surface on the upstream side of the bottom portion 42, extending upward from the entire upstream end of the bottom portion 42 toward the second portion 32. This allows foreign matter that hits the wall surface of the vertical wall portion 44 to fall into the second portion 32, further facilitating collection of foreign matter in the second portion 32.

[0062] Within the duct 3, the air that has passed through the third portion 33 flows downward through the fourth portion 34, and then its flow direction is changed from downward to inward in the vehicle width direction at the fifth portion 35. In this way, the flow direction of the air that has passed through the fourth portion 34, which is extended in the vertical direction, is changed to the vehicle width direction at the fifth portion 35, so that even if foreign matter is contained in the air passing through the fourth portion 34 or the fifth portion 35, the foreign matter can be prevented from directly entering the battery 2.

[0063] As described above, the flow path area of ​​the change portion 35p of the fifth portion 35 is set to be larger than the flow path area of ​​the lower portion 34p of the fourth portion 34. This reduces the flow velocity of the air accelerated on the third portion 33 side (downstream side) of the first portion 31, so that foreign matter that reaches the change portion 35p of the fifth portion 35 without being collected by the second portion 32 can fall between the change portion 35p of the fifth portion 35 and the exhaust port 5 and remain in the duct 3. This further prevents foreign matter from entering the battery 2.

[0064] The air that has passed through the fifth portion 35 passes through the sixth portion 36 and is discharged from the exhaust port 5. At this time, even if the air passing through the sixth portion 36 contains foreign matter, the foreign matter can be dropped into the seventh portion 37 that protrudes below the sixth portion 36 and collected. This further prevents foreign matter from entering the battery 2.

[0065] Furthermore, in the cooling structure described above, the seventh portion 37 has a bottom 37b that slopes downward in a direction away from the exhaust port 5. Such bottom 37b allows foreign matter to be collected at a position away from the exhaust port 5, in other words, at a position away from the battery 2, so that the collected foreign matter can be kept in the seventh portion 37 regardless of the tilt or vibration of the vehicle 1.

[0066] Furthermore, a drain hole 37h is drilled in the seventh portion 37 on the side of the bottom 37b away from the exhaust port 5, in other words, on the side away from the battery 2. This allows foreign matter collected along the slope of the bottom 37b to be efficiently discharged from the drain hole 37h to the outside of the duct 3, and also prevents the discharged foreign matter from getting wet in the case 2c of the battery 2, because the foreign matter can be discharged at a position away from the battery 2. Note that the foreign matter discharged from the drain hole 37h is collected on the rear floor panel 13, similar to the foreign matter discharged from the drain hole 32h of the second portion 32.

[0067] The cooling structure described above also includes a third portion 33 extending in the front-rear direction and a fourth portion 34 extending in the up-down direction and communicating with the third portion 33. By providing the third portion 33 and the fourth portion 34 along the extension direction of the trim 12 in this manner, the duct 3 can be disposed in the space between the trim 12 and the inner panel 15. This allows a larger interior space to be secured.

[0068] [4. Modifications] The above-described configuration of the cooling structure and the configuration of the vehicle 1 are examples. The duct 3 provided in the cooling structure is configured to at least draw in air from the vehicle cabin through the intake port 4 and exhaust it to the battery 2 through the exhaust port 5, and is required to have a first portion 31 in which the intake port 4 is formed, a second portion 32 that protrudes downward from the first portion 31 directly below the intake port 4, and a third portion 33 that communicates with the first portion 31; the above-described portions 34 to 37 may be omitted. Furthermore, the shapes of the above-described portions 31 to 37 are not limited to those described above.

[0069] For example, the bottom 42 may be omitted from the first portion 31. In this case, the vertical wall portion 44 may be omitted. The flow path area of ​​the first portion 31 may be configured to be approximately uniform from the intake port 4 side to the third portion 33 side. Furthermore, instead of forming the first portion 31 so that a portion of the top portion 41 approaches the bottom 42 as it approaches the third portion 33, the first portion 31 may be formed so that a portion of the bottom 42 approaches the top portion 41 as it approaches the third portion 33. The first portion 31 may be formed so that the entire top portion 41 approaches the bottom 42 as it approaches the third portion 33. The opening orientation of the intake port 4 formed in the first portion 31 is not limited to the above.

[0070] In the second portion 32, the bottom 32b may not be inclined, and the drain hole 32h may be omitted. The second portion 32 does not have to be tub-shaped with the upstream wall 32a, the bottom 32b, and the downstream wall 32c. For example, the second portion 32 may have the same shape as the bottom 37b and the connecting portion 37c of the seventh portion 37.

[0071] The third portion 33 may be formed so that at least a portion thereof has a smaller flow path area than the first portion 31, and as described above, the entire third portion 33 does not have to be formed so that the flow path area is smaller than the first portion 31. The third portion 33 does not have to extend in the front-rear direction. For example, if the duct 3 is disposed not in the trim 12 but between an interior base material extending in the vehicle width direction and an inner panel provided on the outside of the interior base material, the third portion 33 may extend in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, if the fourth portion 34 is not provided, the third portion 33 may extend in the up-down direction.

[0072] The flow path areas of the fourth portion 34 and the fifth portion 35 may be configured to be approximately uniform. Furthermore, when the battery 2 is provided in front of or behind the duct 3, the duct 3 may be provided with a portion whose extension direction changes from the up-down direction to the front-rear direction, instead of the fifth portion 35. In this case, the sixth portion 36 may extend in the front-rear direction instead of the vehicle width direction.

[0073] The seventh portion 37 is not limited to the above-described shape as long as it at least protrudes downward from the sixth portion 36. For example, the seventh portion 37 may have a shape including the upstream wall portion 32a, bottom portion 32b, and downstream wall portion 32c of the second portion. In this case, the bottom portion 37b does not need to be inclined. Also, the drain hole 37h may be omitted from the seventh portion 37.

[0074] The vehicle 1 does not have to be a vehicle with three rows of seats. The location where the battery 2 is provided is not limited to under the cargo board 11, as long as it is under the floor of the passenger compartment. The location where the duct 3 is provided may be, for example, between the trim 12 and the inner panel 15 on the right side of the vehicle 1. The interior base material is not limited to the trim 12, as long as it is a base material disposed inside the inner panel 15.

[0075] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Vehicle 2 Battery 2c Case 2h Case opening 3 Duct 4 Intake port 4e Lower edge 5 Exhaust port 5e Lower edge 11 Cargo board 12 Trim (quarter trim, interior base material) 12a Horizontal surface portion 12b Sloped portion 12g Intake grille 12h Cup holder 13 Rear floor panel 14 Cross member 15 Inner panel 31 First portion 32 Second portion 32a Upstream wall portion 32b Bottom portion (first bottom portion) 32c Downstream wall portion 32h Drain hole (first hole) 33 Third portion 34 Fourth portion 34p Lower portion 35 Fifth portion 35p Change portion 36 Sixth portion 37 Seventh portion 37b Bottom portion (third bottom portion) 37c Connection portion 37h Drain hole (second hole) 40 Flow path portion 41 Top portion 42 Bottom portion (second bottom portion) 43 Side portion 44 Vertical wall portion 50 Flow path portion 51 Top portion 52 Bottom portion 53 Side portion L1 Length perpendicular to the flow direction at the change portion L2 Length perpendicular to the flow direction at the lower portion L3 Length perpendicular to the flow direction at the change portion L4 Length perpendicular to the flow direction at the lower portion

Claims

1. A vehicle battery cooling structure comprising: a battery arranged under a floor of a vehicle compartment; and a duct arranged between an interior base material of the vehicle compartment and an inner panel provided on the outside of the interior base material, for taking in air from an air intake port within the vehicle compartment and discharging air from an air exhaust port to the battery, the duct has a first portion in which the intake port is formed, a second portion protruding downward from the first portion immediately below the intake port, and a third portion communicating with the first portion; The first portion and the third portion extend substantially horizontally in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, At least a part of the third portion has a flow passage area smaller than that of the first portion. A vehicle battery cooling structure comprising:

2. The flow passage area of ​​the first portion becomes smaller toward the third portion.

2. The vehicle battery cooling structure according to claim 1,

3. The third portion has a flow passage area smaller than that of the first portion.

3. The vehicle battery cooling structure according to claim 2.

4. The second portion has a first bottom portion that slopes downward from the intake port side to the third portion side.

4. The vehicle battery cooling structure according to claim 1, wherein the battery is cooled by a heat exchanger.

5. The second portion has a first hole drilled on the first bottom portion on the third portion side.

5. The vehicle battery cooling structure according to claim 4.

6. The first portion has a second bottom portion located closer to the third portion than the second portion, and a vertical wall portion protruding upward from the second bottom portion.

6. The vehicle battery cooling structure according to claim 1,

7. The duct has a fourth portion that communicates with the third portion and extends in the vertical direction.

7. The vehicle battery cooling structure according to claim 1,

8. The duct has a fifth portion that communicates with the fourth portion and whose extending direction is changed from the vertical direction to the vehicle width direction.

8. The vehicle battery cooling structure according to claim 7.

9. At least a part of the fifth portion has a flow passage area larger than that of the fourth portion.

9. The vehicle battery cooling structure according to claim 8.

10. The duct has a sixth portion communicating with the fifth portion and having the exhaust port formed therein, and a seventh portion protruding downward from the sixth portion.

10. The vehicle battery cooling structure according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The seventh portion has a third bottom that slopes downwardly away from the exhaust port.

11. The vehicle battery cooling structure according to claim 10.

12. The seventh portion has a second hole drilled on a side of the third bottom portion away from the exhaust port. The vehicle battery cooling structure according to claim 11.

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