Exhaust structure of fan for cooling battery

Abstract

This exhaust structure of a fan for cooling a battery comprises: a fan provided above a floor panel to cool a battery; a trim space at a vehicle-width-direction end portion of a vehicle; a spacer supporting a floor carpet; and an exhaust passage connected to the fan. The trim space is defined by a trim member provided at the vehicle-width-direction end portion of the vehicle, a vehicle-width-direction end portion of the floor panel, and a vehicle-width-direction inner portion of a side sill. The spacer is laid between a front seat and a rear seat of the vehicle, and between the floor panel and the floor carpet. The exhaust passage guides exhaust air from the fan to the trim space and causes a portion of the exhaust air from the fan to flow out to a gap formed between the floor panel and the spacer.　

Description

Exhaust structure for the fan that cools the battery

[0001] The present invention relates to an exhaust structure for a fan that cools a battery.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an exhaust device that includes an exhaust duct that extends from a battery in the lateral direction of the vehicle to a trim space, and that exhausts cooling air from the battery through the exhaust duct into the trim space.

[0003] International Publication No. 2023 / 162230

[0004] However, when battery cooling air is discharged into the trim space, the exhaust air discharged into the trim space may find its way around to the front seats and leak through through-holes, causing discomfort to front seat occupants.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to prevent exhaust air discharged into a trim space from circling around and leaking toward the front seat side in an exhaust structure for a fan that cools a battery.

[0006] An exhaust structure for a battery cooling fan according to one aspect of the present invention includes a fan for cooling the battery, which is provided above a floor panel, a trim space at a vehicle widthwise end, a spacer supporting a floor carpet, and an exhaust passage connected to the fan. The trim space is defined by a trim member provided at the vehicle widthwise end, the vehicle widthwise end of the floor panel, and an inner portion of the side sill. The spacer is installed between the front and rear seats of the vehicle and between the floor panel and the floor carpet. The exhaust passage guides exhaust air from the fan into the trim space and allows a portion of the exhaust air from the fan to flow into a gap formed between the floor panel and the spacer.

[0007] According to the above-described exhaust structure of the fan that cools the battery, it is possible to prevent the exhaust air discharged into the trim space from circulating around to the front seat side and leaking out.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an exhaust structure for a fan that cools a battery according to an embodiment, with a spacer removed. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the exhaust structure for a fan that cools a battery. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a spacer and a duct. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the internal structure of part A shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a side view showing the exhaust structure for a fan that cools a battery.

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an example will be described in which an exhaust structure for a fan for cooling a battery according to an embodiment is applied to a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle, that runs using an electric motor as a power source. In each figure, FR and RR indicate the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, respectively, UP and DN indicate the upper and lower in the vertical direction of the vehicle, respectively, and LH and RH indicate the left and right in the width direction of the vehicle, respectively. In the following description, the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the upper and lower in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the left and right in the width direction of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right, respectively. Furthermore, components having the same functions as those already described will be designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] The exhaust structure of the fan that cools the battery includes a fan 3 that cools the battery 2, a trim space T at the end of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, a spacer 11 that supports the floor carpet 5, and an exhaust passage 21 connected to the fan 3 (see Figure 1-6).

[0011] The battery 2 is disposed above the floor panel 1 (see FIG. 6 ). In the following description, the floor panel 1 includes a component that constitutes the floor of the vehicle body. The space above the floor panel 1 is defined as the vehicle interior. The battery 2 is, for example, contained in a battery pack that extends in the vehicle width direction. The battery 2 may be disposed below a pair of left and right front seats (not shown) that are adjacent in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] The fan 3 that cools the battery 2 is provided above the floor panel 1 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 6). The fan 3 may be disposed below a center console (not shown). As shown in FIG. 6, the fan 3 according to this embodiment is disposed behind the battery 2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0013] The following description will be given taking the trim space T formed on the right side of the vehicle as an example of the structure of the trim space T. The trim space T may be formed at both ends of the vehicle, but the structure of the left trim space T is similar to that of the right trim space T, and therefore will not be described here. The trim space T is defined by a trim member 4 provided at an end of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, an end 1A of the floor panel 1 in the vehicle width direction, and an inner portion of the side sill 1D in the vehicle width direction (see FIG. 4). Note that FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the internal structure of the trim space T in a cross section of part A in FIG. 2.

[0014] The trim member 4 is a kicking plate that covers the floor panel 1 and the side sill 1D from above, and forms the upper surface of the trim space T (see FIG. 4). The vehicle width direction end 1A of the floor panel 1 forms the lower surface of the trim space T (see FIG. 4). The side sill 1D is a skeletal structural member of the vehicle body, and the vehicle width direction inner portion of the side sill 1D forms the side surface of the trim space T (see FIG. 4). As illustrated in FIG. 4, a vertical wall 1B that is part of the floor panel 1 and an inclined portion 1C above the vertical wall 1B also form the side surface of the trim space T. An exhaust passage 21, which will be described later, guides exhaust gas discharged from the fan 3 to the trim space T. The exhaust gas discharged into the trim space T is diffused forward or rearward.

[0015] The spacer 11 is installed between the front seat (not shown) and the rear seat (not shown) of the vehicle, and between the floor panel 1 and the floor carpet 5 (see FIGS. 2 and 5). The spacer 11 is disposed, for example, between the front cross member and the rear cross member. The spacer 11 may also be disposed from both sides of the duct 31 in the vehicle width direction to the vehicle width direction ends. The spacer 11 supports the floor carpet 5 from below, suppressing deformation or depression of the floor carpet 5. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the spacer 11 is installed on the floor panel 1. That is, the lower surface of the spacer 11 and the upper surface of the floor panel 1 are not joined or tightly attached without a gap, and a small gap C exists between the spacer 11 and the floor panel 1 (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, no structure or sealing member is provided at the end of the spacer 11 to close the gap C. Therefore, the gap C communicates with the vehicle interior and the exhaust passage 21 described below. The spacer 11 may be formed, for example, from a foam having a suitable elastic restoring force, and may function as a buffer member between the floor panel 1 and the floor carpet 5 .

[0016] The exhaust passage 21 is connected to the fan 3 and guides the exhaust gas discharged from the fan 3 to the trim space T, while also allowing a portion of the exhaust gas to flow into a gap C formed between the floor panel 1 and the spacer 11. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the pair of exhaust passages 21 according to this embodiment include a duct 31 and a pair of first passages 41, which will be described later. The exhaust gas discharged from the fan 3 passes through the duct 31 and the pair of first passages 41 and is guided to the pair of trim spaces T. At this time, a portion of the exhaust gas flows into the gap C while passing through the pair of first passages 41. As a result, the amount of exhaust gas flowing into the pair of trim spaces T is reduced.

[0017] An inlet 31F of the duct 31 is connected to the fan 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The duct 31 is arranged along the floor panel 1 and extends rearward from the inlet 31F (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 6). As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the duct 31 branches into left and right channels at the rear, each of which extends outward in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) along a vertical wall 1B formed on the floor panel 1, forming a pair of second passages 51, 51. The vertical wall 1B of the floor panel 1 is formed, for example, below the front portion of the seating area of ​​the rear seat, so as to be continuous in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] The duct 31 has a cylindrical body with a generally rectangular cross section extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and an inlet portion 31F communicates with a pair of second passages 51 (see FIG. 3). The pair of second passages 51 are cylindrical bodies with a generally triangular cross section. The duct 31 has a sealed structure extending from the inlet portion 31F to the pair of second passages 51 (see FIG. 3).

[0019] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 , a flat bracket 8 covering the duct 31 is provided above the duct 31. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the bracket 8 is provided between the duct 31 and the spacer 11 in the up-down direction and fixed to the floor panel 1. The bracket 8 covers most of the housing of the duct 31. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the pair of second passages 51 extend outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the bracket 8 in a top view. Therefore, when the duct 31 is formed as a sealed structure from the inlet portion 31F to the pair of second passages 51, as described above, the duct 31 does not open to the bracket 8 in a top view. This prevents exhaust air from the fan 3 from flowing into the space between the duct 31 and the bracket 8 and thereby inhibits the function of on-board components, such as a DC-DC converter, located in front of the duct 31 from being affected.

[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the pair of second passages 51, 51 blow the exhaust gas from the fan 3 toward the vertical wall 1B of the floor panel 1. That is, the exhaust gas blown out from the pair of second passages 51, 51 is directed toward the vertical wall 1B and has a rearward component in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, the pair of second passages 51, 51 can efficiently direct the exhaust gas along the vertical wall 1B. Furthermore, a portion of the exhaust gas is reflected by the vertical wall 1B and flows into the gap C in front of the vertical wall 1B. This allows the exhaust gas to be appropriately guided to the trim space T and the gap C. Alternatively, the pair of second passages 51, 51 may extend along the vertical wall 1B of the floor panel 1, and the exhaust gas from the fan 3 may be blown out along the vertical wall 1B. In this case, the pair of second passages 51, 51 each have an opening facing substantially outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the pair of second passages 51, 51 can blow the exhaust gas discharged from the fan 3 along the vertical wall 1B.

[0021] The pair of second passages 51, 51 may be formed so that their respective flow path cross-sectional areas are approximately equal. This allows the exhaust gas discharged from the fan 3 to be discharged approximately evenly into the pair of trim spaces T, T. The shapes of the pair of second passages 51, 51 are not limited to those described above. For example, one second passage 51 may extend further outward in the vehicle width direction than the other second passage 51. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of one second passage 51 may be different from the cross-sectional shape of the other second passage 51.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the pair of first passages 41, 41 are provided on the vehicle width direction outer sides of the pair of second passages 51, 51 and are connected to the pair of second passages 51, 51, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the pair of first passages 41, 41 are connected to the pair of trim spaces T, T, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the pair of first passages 41, 41 are formed as a space defined by the floor panel 1, the vertical wall 1B of the floor panel 1, and the rear end 11R of the spacer 11. More specifically, a cutout portion 12 having an R-shape with a corner cutout is provided at the lower part of the rear end 11R of the spacer 11 (see FIGS. 3 and 5 ). That is, the pair of first passages 41, 41 are spaces defined by the floor panel 1, the vertical wall 1B of the floor panel 1, and the cutout portion 12 of the spacer 11 and extending in the vehicle width direction. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the cutout portion 12 and the gap C are connected to each other. Therefore, when the exhaust gas passes through the pair of first passages 41, 41, the exhaust gas is guided to the pair of trim spaces T, T, and a portion of the exhaust gas is diffused into the gap C.

[0023] The configurations of the pair of exhaust passages 21, 21, the pair of first passages 41, 41, and the pair of second passages 51, 51 are not limited to those described above. For example, the above configurations may be provided on only one side in the vehicle width direction, rather than as a pair. Furthermore, the duct 31 may be extended to the pair of trim spaces T, T to form the pair of exhaust passages 21, 21. That is, the pair of first passages 41, 41 may be configured as part of the duct 31 or as separate components with a cylindrical cross section connected to the duct 31. In other words, the duct 31 may be directly connected to the pair of trim spaces T, T without passing through a space defined by the floor panel 1, the vertical wall 1B of the floor panel 1, and the cutout portion 12 of the spacer 11. In this case, for example, exhaust holes may be provided on the side surfaces on the front sides of the pair of exhaust passages 21, 21 (the pair of first passages 41, 41) to guide the exhaust gas into the trim space T, and some of the exhaust gas may leak from the exhaust holes and diffuse into the gap C.

[0024] (1) The exhaust structure for a fan that cools a battery according to the embodiment includes a fan 3 that is provided above a floor panel 1 and cools a battery 2, a trim space T at a vehicle width end of the vehicle, a spacer 11 that supports a floor carpet 5, and an exhaust passage 21 connected to the fan 3. The trim space T is defined by a trim member 4 provided at the vehicle width end, a vehicle width end 1A of the floor panel 1, and an inner portion of a side sill 1D in the vehicle width direction. The spacer 11 is installed between the front and rear seats of the vehicle and between the floor panel 1 and the floor carpet 5. The exhaust passage 21 guides exhaust air from the fan 3 into the trim space T and allows a portion of the exhaust air from the fan 3 to flow into a gap C formed between the floor panel 1 and the spacer 11.

[0025] With the above configuration, a portion of the exhaust gas guided into the exhaust passage 21 flows into the gap C. This reduces the amount of exhaust gas flowing into the trim space T and prevents the exhaust gas that has flowed into the trim space T from circulating toward the front seats. This prevents the passengers in the front seats from feeling uncomfortable.

[0026] (2) In the embodiment, the exhaust passage 21 includes a duct 31 connected to the fan 3 and extending rearward, and a first passage 41 connected to the duct 31, extending in the vehicle width direction, formed by the floor panel 1 and the rear end 11R of the spacer 11, and communicating with the trim space T and the gap C. Because the first passage 41 is formed by the floor panel 1 and the rear end 11R of the spacer 11, the first passage 41 can guide the exhaust gas discharged from the fan 3 to the trim space T and the gap C. In other words, because the first passage 41 can guide the exhaust gas discharged from the fan 3, it is not necessary to extend the duct 31 to the trim space T to form an exhaust passage. This reduces the weight of the duct 31 and the cost required to manufacture the duct 31.

[0027] (3) Furthermore, in the embodiment, a pair of second passages 51, 51 extending outward in the vehicle width direction is provided at the rear of the duct 31, a pair of first passages 41 are provided connected to the pair of second passages 51, 51, a pair of trim spaces T are provided at both ends of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, and the pair of first passages 41, 41 are connected to the pair of trim spaces T, T, respectively. In other words, exhaust air from the fan 3 can be discharged into the pair of trim spaces T, T via the duct 31, the pair of second passages 51, 51, and the pair of first passages 41, 41. This further prevents exhaust air flowing into the trim spaces T, T from circulating toward the front seats.

[0028] (4) In the embodiment, the pair of second passages 51, 51 are formed with substantially equal flow path cross-sectional areas. This allows the exhaust air from the fan 3 to be discharged substantially equally into the pair of trim spaces T, T, further preventing the exhaust air from circulating toward the front seats.

[0029] (5) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the floor panel 1 is provided with a vertical wall 1B disposed below the rear seat, and the pair of second passages 51, 51 blow the exhaust air from the fan 3 toward the vertical wall 1B. That is, the exhaust air blown out from the pair of second passages 51, 51 is directed toward the vertical wall 1B and has a rearward component in the vehicle longitudinal direction. This configuration allows the exhaust air to flow efficiently along the vertical wall 1B. Furthermore, a portion of the exhaust air is reflected by the vertical wall 1B and flows into the gap C. Therefore, the exhaust air can be appropriately guided to the trim space T and the gap C.

[0030] (6) In the embodiment, the duct 31 has a sealed structure at a portion connecting the inlet 31F, which is connected to the fan 3, to the first passage 41. With the above configuration, the duct 31 does not open to the bracket 8 that covers the duct 31 from above when viewed from above. This prevents exhaust air from flowing into the space between the duct 31 and the bracket 8 and, for example, from circulating around the cooling intake port of the DCDC converter located in front of the duct 31. This prevents the cooling performance of the DCDC converter from being affected.

[0031] (7) Furthermore, in the embodiment, the first passage 41 is formed by the floor panel 1, the vertical wall 1B of the floor panel 1 provided below the rear seat, and the notch 12 formed in the lower part of the rear end 11R of the spacer 11. With the above configuration, the first passage 41 can be easily formed. Furthermore, because the first passage 41 does not have a sealed structure, a portion of the exhaust gas discharged from the duct 31 can easily flow out into the gap C, thereby reducing the amount of exhaust gas flowing into the trim space T.

[0032] The above-described embodiments are merely examples described to facilitate understanding of the invention. The technical scope of the invention is not limited to the specific technical matters disclosed in the above-described embodiments, but also includes various modifications, changes, alternative technologies, etc. that can be easily derived therefrom.

[0033] In the embodiment, the trim space T is defined by the trim member 4 provided at the vehicle width direction end of the vehicle, the vehicle width direction end 1A of the floor panel 1, and the vehicle width direction inner portion of the side sill 1D. However, part of the upper surface or side surface of the trim space T may be defined by the vehicle width direction end of the floor carpet 5, etc.

[0034] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Floor panel 1A Vehicle width direction end of floor panel 1B Vertical wall 1D Side sill 2 Battery 3 Fan 4 Trim member 5 Floor carpet 11 Spacer 11R Rear end 12 Notch 21 Exhaust passage 31 Duct 31F Inlet 41 First passage 51, 51 Pair of second passages C Gap T Trim space

Claims

1. An exhaust structure comprising: a fan provided above a floor panel for cooling a battery; a trim space defined by a trim member provided at the vehicle's widthwise end, the vehicle's widthwise end of the floor panel, and the vehicle's widthwise inner portion of a side sill; a spacer laid between the front and rear seats of the vehicle and between the floor panel and a floor carpet arranged above the floor panel to support the floor carpet; and an exhaust passage connected to the fan, which guides exhaust air from the fan into the trim space and causes a portion of the exhaust air from the fan to flow into a gap formed between the floor panel and the spacer.

2. An exhaust structure as described in claim 1, wherein the exhaust passage comprises: a duct connected to the fan and extending rearward; and a first passage connected to the duct, extending in the vehicle width direction, formed by the floor panel and the rear end of the spacer, and communicating with the trim space and the gap.

3. An exhaust structure as described in claim 2, wherein a pair of second passages are provided at the rear of the duct, each extending outward in the vehicle width direction; a pair of first passages are provided, each connected to a pair of the pair of second passages; a pair of trim spaces are provided at both ends of the vehicle width direction; and the pair of first passages are each connected to the pair of trim spaces.

4. The exhaust structure according to claim 3, wherein the pair of second passages are formed so that the flow passage cross-sectional areas of the respective passages are substantially equal.

5. An exhaust structure according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a vertical wall of the floor panel provided below the rear seat, wherein the pair of second passages blow the exhaust air from the fan toward the vertical wall.

6. An exhaust structure according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the duct has a sealed structure from an inlet connected to the fan to a portion connected to the first passage.

7. An exhaust structure as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the first passage is formed by: the floor panel; a vertical wall of the floor panel provided below the rear seat; and a cutout portion formed in the lower part of the rear end of the spacer.

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