Vehicle and telescopic device

Abstract

This vehicle comprises a vehicle body, an electric motor, and a battery pack that supplies electric power to the electric motor. The battery pack comprises a first planar member and a second planar member located opposite to the first planar member. The second planar member of the battery pack is disposed along the bottom surface of the vehicle body. The vehicle body comprises a telescopic device disposed along the bottom surface in a state of corresponding to the second planar member of the battery pack between the bottom surface and the ground. The telescopic device comprises a third surface disposed along the bottom surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface. In a first condition, the telescopic device is in a first state in which the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface is a first distance. In a second condition different from the first condition, the telescopic device is in a second state in which the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface is a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

Description

Vehicle and telescopic device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle and a telescopic device.

[0002] Conventionally, in a vehicle including a secondary battery, when the external air temperature is low and the secondary battery is excessively cooled, a reduction in charging efficiency, performance degradation of the secondary battery, and the like occur. Patent Document 1 discloses that a battery module is housed in a case and heat insulation is provided around the battery module in the case.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-17426

[0004] However, in a configuration that merely insulates the periphery of a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle, for example, when the secondary battery becomes high temperature while the vehicle is traveling, the heat insulating material hinders heat dissipation.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a technology that can achieve both prevention of excessive cooling of a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle and natural heat dissipation of the secondary battery.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle including: a vehicle body; a first wheel and a second wheel attached to the vehicle body and set to be in contact with the ground; an electric motor that drives at least the first wheel; and a battery pack that supplies electric power to the electric motor, wherein the battery pack includes a first planar member and a second planar member located opposite to the first planar member, the second planar member of the battery pack is arranged along a bottom surface of the vehicle body, and the vehicle body includes a telescopic device arranged along the bottom surface, between the bottom surface and the ground, corresponding to the second planar member of the battery pack, the telescopic device includes a third surface arranged along the bottom surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, under a first condition, the telescopic device is in a first state where a distance between the third surface and the fourth surface is a first distance, and under a second condition different from the first condition, the telescopic device is in a second state where the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface is a second distance larger than the first distance.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a telescopic device comprising: a vehicle body; first wheels and second wheels attached to the vehicle body and set to make contact with the ground; an electric motor for driving at least the first wheels; and a battery pack for supplying power to the electric motor, wherein the battery pack comprises a first planar member and a second planar member located opposite to the first planar member, the second planar member of the battery pack is set to be mounted on a vehicle positioned along the bottom surface of the vehicle body, and a telescopic device positioned on the vehicle body along the bottom surface and between the bottom surface and the ground, corresponding to the second planar member of the battery pack, comprising a third surface positioned along the bottom surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, wherein under a first condition, the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface of the telescopic device is a first distance, and under a second condition different from the first condition, the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface of the telescopic device is a second distance greater than the first distance, which is a second state.

[0008] These comprehensive or specific embodiments may be implemented as systems, devices, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs, or recording media, or as any combination of systems, devices, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs, and recording media.

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to prevent excessive cooling of the secondary battery installed in the vehicle while simultaneously allowing the secondary battery to dissipate heat naturally.

[0010] Side view showing an example of the vehicle configuration according to Embodiment 1 and the state in which the telescopic device is retracted Side view showing an example of the vehicle configuration according to Embodiment 1 and the state in which the telescopic device is extended View of the vehicle according to Embodiment 1 from below Schematic diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the first example telescopic device according to Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing the operation of the first example telescopic device according to Embodiment 1 Schematic diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the second example telescopic device according to Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing the operation of the second example telescopic device according to Embodiment 1 Schematic diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the third example telescopic device according to Embodiment 1 Flowchart showing the operation of the third example telescopic device according to Embodiment 1 Side view showing an example of the vehicle configuration according to Embodiment 2 and the state in which the shielding device is stored Side view showing an example of the vehicle configuration according to Embodiment 2 and the state in which the shielding device is deployed View of the vehicle equipped with the shielding device according to Embodiment 2 from below Flowchart showing the operation of the shielding device according to Embodiment 2 Side view showing the relationship between an example of the parking system configuration according to Embodiment 2 and the vehicle View of the parking system according to Embodiment 2 from above Flowchart showing the operation of the parking system according to Embodiment 2

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below, with appropriate reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters and redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims.

[0012] (Background to this disclosure) Conventionally, when vehicles equipped with secondary batteries (e.g., electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles) are left in environments with low external temperatures (e.g., at night in winter), the secondary batteries can be excessively cooled by the air flowing under the vehicle and / or by radiant heat from the ground. To prevent such excessive cooling, it is conceivable to install insulating material under the secondary batteries, but if this is done, for example, when the secondary batteries become hot while the vehicle is running, the insulating material will hinder heat dissipation.

[0013] Therefore, this disclosure provides a technology that can prevent excessive cooling of a secondary battery mounted in a vehicle while simultaneously allowing the secondary battery to dissipate heat naturally.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) <Vehicle Configuration> Figure 1 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of vehicle 1 according to Embodiment 1 and the state in which the telescopic device 20 is retracted. Figure 2 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of vehicle 1 according to Embodiment 1 and the state in which the telescopic device 20 is extended. Figure 3 is a view of vehicle 1 according to Embodiment 1 from below.

[0015] For the sake of explanation, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the axis extending in the height direction of vehicle 1 is defined as the Z-axis. The axis perpendicular to the Z-axis (i.e., parallel to the ground G) and extending in the direction of vehicle 1's movement is defined as the Y-axis. The axis perpendicular to the Y-axis and Z-axis (i.e., the axis in the width direction of vehicle 1) is defined as the X-axis. Also, for the sake of explanation, the positive direction of the Z-axis may be referred to as "up," the negative direction of the Z-axis as "down," the positive direction of the Y-axis as "forward," the negative direction of the Y-axis as "backward," the positive direction of the X-axis as "right," and the negative direction of the X-axis as "left." These expressions are also used in other drawings that indicate the XYZ axes. These directional expressions are used for the sake of explanation and are not intended to limit the orientation of the structure during actual use.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the vehicle 1 comprises a body 2, wheels 3, an electric motor 4, a control device 5, a battery pack 10, a battery heat exchanger 7, an expandable / contractable device 20, and a charging port 40.

[0017] The wheels 3 are attached to the vehicle body 2 and are set to make contact with the ground G. Although Figures 1, 2, and 3 show a vehicle 1 having four wheels 3, the vehicle 1 only needs to have at least one wheel 3. For example, the vehicle 1 may be a motorcycle with two wheels 3, or a vehicle with three or five or more wheels 3. Furthermore, one of the multiple wheels 3 of the vehicle 1 may be called the first wheel 3a, and one of the multiple wheels 3 different from the first wheel 3a may be called the second wheel 3b. The first wheel 3a may be the front wheel of the vehicle 1, and the second wheel 3b may be the rear wheel of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is movable in a predetermined direction (for example, the front-to-back direction of the vehicle 1) by the first wheel 3a and the second wheel 3b.

[0018] The electric motor 4 uses power supplied from a secondary battery to drive at least one wheel 3 (for example, the first wheel 3a). The vehicle 1 is equipped with at least one electric motor 4. The vehicle 1 may be configured such that the electric motor 4 drives the front wheels (i.e., front-wheel drive). Alternatively, the vehicle 1 may be configured such that the electric motor 4 drives the rear wheels (i.e., rear-wheel drive), or the electric motor 4 drives both the front and rear wheels (i.e., four-wheel drive). Alternatively, the vehicle 1 may be equipped with multiple electric motors 4, each of which drives a wheel 3 individually. The electric motors 4 may be installed in a motor room (or engine room) located at the front of the vehicle 1.

[0019] The control device 5 performs various controls on the vehicle 1. The control device 5 may also be read as a vehicle control device, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), processor, or controller, etc.

[0020] The battery pack 10 has one or more rechargeable secondary batteries. One or more battery packs 10 may be read as a group of secondary battery modules. An example of a secondary battery is a lithium-ion battery. The secondary battery supplies (discharges) the stored power to the motor 4, etc. The secondary battery may also store (charge) the power generated by the motor 4 through regenerative energy. The battery heat exchanger 7 and the battery pack 10 may be housed under the floor in the center of the vehicle body 2, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3.

[0021] The battery heat exchanger 7 may be positioned along the bottom surface 6 of the vehicle body 2. The battery heat exchanger 7 allows a cooling medium to flow inside, and the battery pack 10 can be temperature-controlled (heated or cooled) by heat exchange between the battery heat exchanger and the cooling medium. The cooling medium may be a liquid or a gas. Note that the battery heat exchanger 7 does not necessarily have to be positioned in the vehicle 1.

[0022] The battery pack 10 is positioned on the battery heat exchanger 7, in contact with the battery heat exchanger 7. The battery pack 10 and the battery heat exchanger 7 are housed in the vehicle body 2. The battery pack 10 comprises a first planar member 11 and a second planar member 12 located opposite the first planar member 11. The second planar member 12 is not limited to a flat surface and may have some irregularities. The second planar member 12 of the battery pack 10 is positioned along the bottom surface 6 of the vehicle body 2. If the battery heat exchanger 7 is not positioned in the vehicle 1, the battery pack 10 may be positioned in contact with the bottom surface 6 of the vehicle body 2.

[0023] The vehicle body 2 is equipped with an extendable device 20 positioned along the bottom surface 6 and between the bottom surface 6 and the ground G, corresponding to the second planar member 12 of the battery pack 10. The extendable device 20 is equipped with a third surface 23 positioned along the bottom surface 6 and a fourth surface 24 opposite to the third surface 23.

[0024] The control device 5 controls the telescopic device 20 to enter a first state where the distance between the third surface 23 and the fourth surface 24 is a first distance, in the case of the first condition. The control device 5 controls the telescopic device 20 to enter a second state where the distance between the third surface 23 and the fourth surface 24 is a second distance, which is greater than the first distance, in the case of a second condition, which is different from the first condition. In other words, in the case of the first condition, the telescopic device 20 enters a first state where it is contracted toward the bottom surface 6 of the vehicle body 2, as shown in Figure 1, and in the case of the second condition, it enters a second state where it is extended toward the ground G, as shown in Figure 2. In other words, the first condition is the condition in which the telescopic device 20 is contracted, and the second condition is the condition in which the telescopic device 20 is extended.

[0025] The first condition is that vehicle 1 is in motion, and the second condition is that vehicle 1 may be stopped. In other words, when vehicle 1 is in motion, the telescopic device 20 may be in a retracted first state, and when vehicle 1 is stopped, the telescopic device 20 may be in an extended second state. As a result, the telescopic device 20 does not prevent the heat from the battery pack 10 from being dissipated to the outside while vehicle 1 is in motion.

[0026] Furthermore, the second condition may be that, in addition to the vehicle 1 being stopped, the accessory power (ACC) is on, and / or the outside temperature is below a predetermined threshold. In other words, when the vehicle 1 is stopped, the accessory power is off, and / or the outside temperature is below a predetermined threshold, the telescopic device 20 may be in the extended second state. This allows the telescopic device 20 to be safely extended when the accessory power is off, that is, when the vehicle is completely stopped (parked). Also, the telescopic device 20 can be extended when the outside temperature is below a predetermined threshold, that is, when the outside temperature is low enough to suppress the temperature drop of the battery pack 10.

[0027] The first thermal conductivity between the third surface 23 and the fourth surface 24 when the expandable device 20 is in the first state may be greater than the second thermal conductivity between the third surface 23 and the fourth surface 24 when the expandable device 20 is in the second state. This makes it more difficult for heat to be transferred from the outside to the battery pack 10 when the expandable device 20 is in the second state, thereby suppressing the temperature drop of the battery pack 10.

[0028] Vehicle 1 may further be provided with a charging port 40 to which a charging cable can be connected. In this case, the second condition may be that, in addition to vehicle 1 being stopped, a charging cable is not connected to the charging port 40. That is, if a charging cable is connected to the charging port 40, the telescopic device 20 does not need to extend. This is because, when a charging cable is connected to the charging port 40, the battery pack 10 generates sufficient heat through charging, and there is no need to extend the telescopic device 20 to suppress the temperature drop of the battery pack 10.

[0029] Vehicle 1 may further be equipped with a wireless power receiving device 42 that receives wireless charging to the battery pack 10 from a wireless power transmission device 41 installed on the ground G. In this case, the second condition may be that, in addition to vehicle 1 being stopped, the wireless power receiving device 42 is not receiving wireless charging. That is, when vehicle 1 is receiving wireless charging to the battery pack 10, it does not need to extend the telescopic device 20. This is because when the battery pack 10 is receiving wireless charging, the battery pack 10 generates sufficient heat through wireless charging, and there is little need to extend the telescopic device 20 to suppress the temperature drop of the battery pack 10.

[0030] The telescopic device 20 may take on a folded shape and change between a first state and a second state by the operation of the actuator 43.

[0031] Alternatively, the expandable device 20 may have a balloon shape and change between a first state and a second state by inhaling and expelling gas or liquid. Here, the gas or liquid may be used for cooling the battery pack 10.

[0032] Furthermore, the telescopic device 20 may be integrated with the battery pack 10.

[0033] <First Example of Telescopic Device> Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the first example of telescopic device 20A according to Embodiment 1.

[0034] The first example of the expandable device 20 has a balloon shape and uses the cooling medium used to cool the battery pack 10 (i.e., the cooling medium flowing through the battery heat exchanger 7) to inflate (extend) the balloon.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the vehicle 1 may be equipped with a tank 53, a radiator 54, a three-way valve 52, a pump 50, and a three-way valve 51. As shown in Figure 4, the cooling circuit through which the cooling medium flows is arranged in the order of the tank 53, radiator 54, three-way valve 52, pump 50, three-way valve 51, and battery heat exchanger 7.

[0036] When the three-way valve 51 is ON, the cooling medium flows out toward the battery heat exchanger 7, and when the three-way valve 51 is OFF, the cooling medium flows out toward the expansion joint 20.

[0037] When the three-way valve 52 is ON, the cooling medium flows in from the expansion joint 20, and when the three-way valve 52 is OFF, the cooling medium flows in from the radiator.

[0038] When cooling the battery pack 10, as shown in Figure 4(a), the three-way valve 51 is turned on, the three-way valve 52 is turned off, and the pump 50 is activated. In this case, as shown in Figure 4(a), the cooling medium circulates in the order of tank 53, radiator 54, three-way valve 52, pump 50, three-way valve 52, and battery heat exchanger 7 to cool the battery pack 10. At this time, the expandable device 20 is in the first contracted state, and the cooling medium neither flows into nor out of the expandable device 20.

[0039] When the expansion mechanism 20 is extended (expanded) to begin insulating the battery pack 10, the three-way valve 51 turns off, the three-way valve 52 turns off, and the pump 50 starts operating. In this case, as shown in Figure 4(b), the cooling medium accumulated in the tank 53 flows into the expansion mechanism 20 through the radiator 54, the three-way valve 52, the pump 50, and the three-way valve 51. As a result, the expansion mechanism 20 extends (expands) and enters the second state. The control device 5 may stop the operation of the pump 50 and stop the flow of the cooling medium into the expansion mechanism 20 when the expansion mechanism 20 has expanded to a specified size. The control device 5 may also measure the pressure of the pump 50 using a pressure sensor, and if the measured value exceeds a predetermined threshold, it may determine that the expansion mechanism 20 has expanded to a specified size.

[0040] When the expansion joint 20 is to begin contracting in order to complete the insulation of the battery pack 10, the three-way valve 51 turns on, the three-way valve 52 turns on, and the pump 50 starts operating. In this case, as shown in Figure 4(c), the cooling medium is drawn out of the balloon of the expansion joint 20 by the pump 50 and stored (recovered) in the tank 53 via the three-way valve 52, the pump 50, the three-way valve 51, and the battery heat exchanger 7. As a result, the expansion joint 20 contracts and enters the first state.

[0041] <Flowchart of the telescopic device of the first example> Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the telescopic device 20A of the first example according to Embodiment 1. In the initial state, as shown in FIG. 4(a), it is assumed that the three-way valve 51 is on and the three-way valve 52 is off.

[0042] The control device 5 determines whether or not the accessory power supply (ACC) of the vehicle 1 is on (S101). That is, the control device 5 determines whether the vehicle 1 is in a drivable state or is completely stopped.

[0043] When the accessory power supply of the vehicle 1 is on (S101: YES), this process ends. This is because the vehicle 1 is in a drivable state and there is no need to extend the telescopic device 20A.

[0044] When the accessory power supply of the vehicle 1 is off (S101: NO), the control device 5 determines whether or not the outside air temperature is higher than a predetermined threshold T1 (S102). The predetermined threshold T1 is, for example, 5°C. However, the threshold T1 may be any temperature. Further, the outside air temperature may be measured by an outside air temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the vehicle 1.

[0045] When the outside air temperature is higher than the threshold T1 (S102: YES), this process ends. This is because the outside air temperature is not low enough to excessively cool the battery pack 10.

[0046] When the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than the threshold T1 (S102: NO), the control device 5 turns off the three-way valve 51 and turns on the pump 50 (S103). That is, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the extension (expansion) of the telescopic device 20A is started.

[0047] The control device 5 determines whether or not the pressure of the pump 50 is higher than a predetermined threshold P1 (S104). The threshold P1 is, for example, 5 kPaG. However, the threshold P1 may be any value.

[0048] When the pressure of the pump 50 is equal to or lower than the threshold P1 (S104: NO), the control device 5 repeats the process of step S104. That is, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the extension (expansion) operation of the telescopic device 20A is continued.

[0049] If the pressure of the pump 50 is greater than the threshold P1 (S104: YES), the control device 5 turns off the pump 50 (S105). In other words, the extension (inflation) of the telescopic device 20 is completed. As a result, the telescopic device 20A enters the second state of being extended (inflated).

[0050] The control device 5 determines whether the outside air temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S106).

[0051] If the ambient temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S106: YES), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0052] If the outside air temperature is below the threshold T1 (S106: NO), the control device 5 determines whether or not the accessory power supply of the vehicle 1 is on (S107).

[0053] If the accessory power supply for vehicle 1 is off (S107: NO), the process returns to step S106. In other words, the extended state of the telescopic device 20A is maintained.

[0054] If the accessory power of vehicle 1 is turned on (S107: YES), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0055] The control device 5 turns on the three-way valve 51, then the three-way valve 52, and then the pump 50 (S108). In other words, the vehicle 1 is now ready to drive, so the retraction of the telescopic device 20 begins, as shown in Figure 4(c).

[0056] The control device 5 determines whether the pressure of the pump 50 is less than a predetermined threshold P2 (S109). The threshold P2 is, for example, 1 kPaG. However, the threshold P2 may be any value as long as it is less than the threshold P1.

[0057] If the pressure of the pump 50 is equal to or greater than the threshold P2 (S109: NO), the control device 5 repeats the process of step S109. That is, as shown in Figure 4(c), the contraction operation of the telescopic device 20A continues.

[0058] If the pressure of the pump 50 is less than the threshold P2 (S109: YES), the control device 5 turns off the three-way valve 52 and turns off the pump 50 (S110). In other words, the contraction of the telescopic device 20A is completed. Then, this process ends.

[0059] <Second Example of Telescopic Device> Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the second example of the telescopic device 20B according to Embodiment 1.

[0060] The second example of the expandable device 20B has a balloon shape and uses external air to inflate (extend) the balloon.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, the vehicle 1 may be equipped with a three-way valve 61, a vacuum pump 60, and a three-way valve 62. As shown in Figure 6, an air path is formed connecting the expansion joint 20B to the outside, and the three-way valve 61, the vacuum pump 60, and the three-way valve 62 are arranged in the air path on the way from the expansion joint 20B to the outside.

[0062] When the three-way valve 61 is ON, air flows in from the expansion joint 20B, and when the three-way valve 61 is OFF, air flows in from the outside.

[0063] When the three-way valve 62 is ON, air flows out towards the expansion joint 20B. When the three-way valve 62 is OFF, air flows out to the outside.

[0064] When cooling the battery pack 10, the three-way valve 61 is turned off, and the three-way valve 62 is also turned off. In this case, as shown in Figure 6(a), the telescopic device 20B is in the first contracted state, and no air flows into or out of the telescopic device 20B.

[0065] When the expansion device 20B is extended (expanded) to begin insulating the battery pack 10, the three-way valve 61 is turned off, the three-way valve 62 is turned on, and the vacuum pump 60 is activated. In this case, as shown in Figure 6(b), the operation of the vacuum pump 60 causes air from the outside to flow into the three-way valve 61, and then into the expansion device 20B via the vacuum pump 60 and the three-way valve 62. As a result, the expansion device 20B extends (expands) and enters the second state. The control device 5 may stop the operation of the vacuum pump 60 and stop the flow of air into the expansion device 20 when the expansion device 20B has expanded to a specified size. The control device 5 may also measure the pressure of the vacuum pump 60 using a pressure sensor, and if the measured value exceeds a predetermined threshold, it may determine that the expansion device 20B has expanded to a specified size.

[0066] While the battery pack 10 is insulated, the three-way valve 61 and the three-way valve 62 are turned off. In this case, as shown in Figure 6(c), the expandable device 20B remains in the expanded state.

[0067] When the expansion joint 20B is to begin contracting in order to complete the insulation of the battery pack 10, the three-way valve 61 turns on, the three-way valve 62 turns off, and the vacuum pump 60 starts operating. In this case, as shown in Figure 6(d), the operation of the vacuum pump 60 causes air to be discharged from the expansion joint 20B to the three-way valve 61, and then the air flows out (is discharged) to the outside via the vacuum pump 60 and the three-way valve 62. As a result, the expansion joint 20B contracts and enters the first state.

[0068] <Flowchart of the second example of the expandable device> Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second example of the expandable device 20B according to Embodiment 1. In the initial state, as shown in Figure 6(a), the three-way valve 61 is off, the three-way valve 62 is off, and the vacuum pump 60 is off.

[0069] The control device 5 determines whether the accessory power (ACC) of the vehicle 1 is on or not (S201). In other words, the control device 5 determines whether the vehicle 1 is in a state where it can be driven or is completely stopped.

[0070] If the accessory power of vehicle 1 is turned on (S201: YES), this process will terminate.

[0071] If the accessory power supply of vehicle 1 is off (S201: NO), the control device 5 determines whether the outside air temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold T1 (S202).

[0072] If the ambient temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S202: YES), this process terminates.

[0073] If the ambient temperature is below the threshold T1 (S202: NO), the control device 5 turns off the three-way valve 61, turns on the three-way valve 62, and turns on the vacuum pump 60 (S203). In other words, as shown in Figure 6(b), the extension (expansion) of the expansion / contraction device 20B is started.

[0074] The control device 5 determines whether the pressure of the vacuum pump 60 is greater than a predetermined threshold P1 (S204).

[0075] If the pressure of the vacuum pump 60 is below the threshold P1 (S204: NO), the control device 5 repeats the process in step S204. In other words, it continues the extension (expansion) operation of the telescopic device 20B.

[0076] If the pressure of the vacuum pump 60 is greater than the threshold P1 (S204: YES), the control device 5 turns off the vacuum pump 60 and the three-way valve 62 (S205). In other words, as shown in Figure 6(c), the extension (inflation) of the telescopic device 20B is completed. As a result, the telescopic device 20B enters the second extended (inflated) state.

[0077] The control device 5 determines whether the outside air temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S206).

[0078] If the ambient temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S206: YES), the process proceeds to step S208.

[0079] If the outside air temperature is below the threshold T1 (S206: NO), the control device 5 determines whether or not the accessory power supply of the vehicle 1 is on (S207).

[0080] If the accessory power supply for vehicle 1 is off (S207: NO), the process returns to step S206. In other words, the extended state of the telescopic device 20A is maintained.

[0081] If the accessory power supply for vehicle 1 is turned on (S207: YES), the process proceeds to step S208.

[0082] The control device 5 turns on the three-way valve 61 and the vacuum pump 60 (S208). In other words, as shown in Figure 6(d), the contraction of the expandable device 20B begins.

[0083] The control device 5 determines whether the pressure of the vacuum pump 60 is less than a predetermined threshold P2 (S209).

[0084] If the pressure of the vacuum pump 60 is equal to or greater than the threshold P2 (S209: NO), the control device 5 repeats the process in step S209. That is, it continues the contraction operation of the telescopic device 20.

[0085] If the pressure of the vacuum pump 60 is less than the threshold P2 (S209: YES), the control device 5 turns off the three-way valve 61 and turns off the vacuum pump 60 (S210). In other words, as shown in Figure 6(a), the contraction of the expandable device 20 is completed. Then, this process is finished.

[0086] <Third Example of Telescopic Device> Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the third example of the telescopic device 20C according to Embodiment 1.

[0087] As shown in Figure 8, the telescopic device 20 has a folded shape and is equipped with an actuator 70 for mechanically extending and contracting the folded shape. For example, when the actuator 70 is off, as shown in Figure 8(a), the telescopic device 20C is contracted and enters a first state, and when the actuator 70 is on, as shown in Figure 8(b), the telescopic device 20C is extended and enters a second state.

[0088] <Flowchart of the third example of the telescopic device> Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third example of the telescopic device 20C according to Embodiment 1. In the initial state, the actuator 70 is off.

[0089] The control device 5 determines whether the accessory power (ACC) of the vehicle 1 is on or not (S301). In other words, the control device 5 determines whether the vehicle 1 is in a state where it can be driven or is completely stopped.

[0090] If the accessory power of vehicle 1 is turned on (S301: YES), this process will end.

[0091] If the accessory power supply of vehicle 1 is off (S301: NO), the control device 5 determines whether the outside air temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold T1 (S302).

[0092] If the ambient temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S302: YES), this process terminates.

[0093] If the ambient temperature is below the threshold T1 (S302: NO), the control device 5 turns on the actuator 70 (S303). In other words, as shown in Figure 8(b), the telescopic device 20 is extended.

[0094] The control device 5 determines whether the outside air temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold T1 (S304).

[0095] If the ambient temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S304: YES), the process proceeds to step S306.

[0096] If the outside temperature is below the threshold T1 (S304: NO), it is determined whether the accessory power supply of vehicle 1 is ON or OFF (S305).

[0097] If the accessory power supply of vehicle 1 is off (S305: NO), the process returns to step S304. That is, the extension state of the telescopic device 20C is maintained as shown in Figure 8(b).

[0098] If the accessory power of vehicle 1 is turned on (S305: YES), the process proceeds to step S306.

[0099] The control device 5 turns off the actuator 70 (S306). In other words, it retracts the telescopic device 20C as shown in Figure 8(c). Then, this process is completed.

[0100] (Summary of Embodiment 1) The following technology is disclosed based on the description of Embodiment 1 above.

[0101] <Technical A1> The vehicle (1) according to Embodiment 1 comprises a vehicle body (2), first wheels (3a) and second wheels (3b) attached to the vehicle body and set to make contact with the ground (G), an electric motor (4) that drives at least the first wheels, and a battery pack (10) that supplies power to the electric motor, wherein the battery pack comprises a first planar member (11) and a second planar member (12) located opposite to the first planar member, the second planar member of the battery pack is arranged along the bottom surface (6) of the vehicle body, and along the bottom surface, the A vehicle equipped with an extendable device (20) positioned between the bottom surface and the ground, corresponding to the second planar member of the battery pack, wherein the extendable device comprises a third surface (23) positioned along the bottom surface and a fourth surface (24) opposite to the third surface, wherein under the first condition, the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface of the extendable device is a first distance, and under the second condition, which differs from the first condition, the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface of the extendable device is a second distance greater than the first distance, resulting in a second state.

[0102] <Technology A2> In the vehicle described in Technology A1, the first thermal conductivity between the third surface and the fourth surface when the expansion joint is in the first state is greater than the second thermal conductivity between the third surface and the fourth surface when the expansion joint is in the second state.

[0103] <Technology A3> In the vehicle described in Technology A1 or A2, the first condition is that the vehicle is in motion, and the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped.

[0104] <Technical A4> In the vehicle described in Technical A3, the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped, the accessory power is off, and / or the outside temperature is below a predetermined threshold.

[0105] <Technical A5> The vehicle described in Technical A3 or A4 further comprises a charging port (40) to which a charging cable can be connected, wherein the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped and the charging cable is not connected to the charging port.

[0106] <Technology A6> The vehicle described in any one of technologies A3 to A5 is further equipped with a wireless power receiving device (42) that receives wireless charging to the battery pack from a wireless power transmission device (41) installed on the ground, wherein the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped and the wireless power receiving device is not receiving wireless charging.

[0107] <Technology A7> In the vehicle described in any one of technologies A1 to A6, the telescopic device has a folded shape and changes between the first state and the second state by the operation of an actuator.

[0108] <Technology A8> In the vehicle described in any one of technologies A1 to A6, the expandable device has a balloon shape and changes between the first state and the second state by inhaling and discharging gas or liquid.

[0109] <Technical A9> In the vehicle described in Technical A8, the gas or liquid is used for cooling the battery pack.

[0110] <Technology A10> In the vehicle described in any one of technologies A1 to A9, the telescopic device is configured integrally with the battery pack.

[0111] <Technical A11> The telescopic device (20) according to Embodiment 1 comprises a vehicle body, first wheels and second wheels attached to the vehicle body and set to make contact with the ground, an electric motor that drives at least the first wheels, and a battery pack that supplies power to the electric motor, wherein the battery pack comprises a first planar member and a second planar member located opposite to the first planar member, the second planar member of the battery pack is set to be mounted on a vehicle positioned along the bottom surface of the vehicle body, and the telescopic device is positioned on the vehicle body along the bottom surface and between the bottom surface and the ground, corresponding to the second planar member of the battery pack, comprising a third surface positioned along the bottom surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, wherein under the first condition, the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface of the telescopic device is a first distance, which is a first state, and under the second condition which is different from the first condition, the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface of the telescopic device is a second distance which is greater than the first distance, which is a second state.

[0112] <Technical A12> In the expansion joint described in Technical A11, the first thermal conductivity between the third surface and the fourth surface in the first state is greater than the second thermal conductivity between the third surface and the fourth surface in the second state.

[0113] <Technology A13> In the expandable device described in Technology A11 or A12, the first condition is that the vehicle is in motion, and the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped.

[0114] <Technical A14> In the expandable device described in Technical A13, the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped, the accessory power is off, and / or the outside temperature is below a predetermined threshold.

[0115] <Technology A15> In the telescopic device described in Technology A13 or A14, the vehicle further comprises a charging port to which a charging cable can be connected, and the second condition is that, in addition to the vehicle being stopped, the charging cable is not connected to the charging port.

[0116] <Technology A16> In the expandable device described in any one of technologies A13 to A15, the vehicle further comprises a wireless power receiving device that receives wireless charging to the battery pack from a wireless power transmission device installed on the ground, wherein the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped and the wireless power receiving device is not receiving wireless charging.

[0117] <Technology A17> The telescopic device described in any one of technologies A11 to A16 has a folded shape and changes between the first state and the second state by the operation of an actuator.

[0118] <Technology A18> The expandable device described in any one of Technology A11 to A16 has a balloon shape and changes between the first state and the second state by inhaling and discharging gas or liquid.

[0119] <Technical A19> In the expandable device described in Technical A18, the gas or liquid is used for cooling the battery pack.

[0120] <Technology A20> The expandable device described in any one of technologies A11 to A19 is configured integrally with the battery pack.

[0121] (Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 describes a vehicle 1 equipped with a mechanism to prevent excessive cooling of the battery pack 10, which differs from that of Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 2, components already described in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0122] Figure 10 is a side view showing an example configuration of vehicle 1 according to Embodiment 2 and the shielding device 80 in a retracted state. Figure 11 is a side view showing an example configuration of vehicle 1 according to Embodiment 2 and the shielding device 80 in an unfolded state. Figure 12 is a view from below of vehicle 1 equipped with the shielding device 80 according to Embodiment 2.

[0123] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the vehicle 1 comprises a body 2, wheels 3, an electric motor 4, a control device 5, a battery pack 10, and a shielding device 80.

[0124] The battery pack 10 comprises a first planar member 11 and a second planar member 12 located opposite the first planar member 11. The second planar member 12 of the battery pack 10 is positioned along the bottom surface 6 of the vehicle body 2.

[0125] The vehicle body 2 is equipped with a shielding device 80 that is continuously arranged between the bottom surface 6 and the ground G, corresponding to the edge of the second planar member 12 of the battery pack 10 on the bottom surface 6.

[0126] The shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 includes a bottom portion 82 on the bottom surface 6 side of the vehicle 1 and a top portion 83 on the ground G side.

[0127] In the first condition, the distance between the bottom 82 and the top 83 of the shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 is a first distance, resulting in a first state.

[0128] In the case of a second condition different from the first condition, the distance between the bottom 82 and the top 83 of the shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 becomes a second state, which is a second distance greater than the first distance.

[0129] The first and second conditions may be as described in Embodiment 1. For example, the first condition may be that vehicle 1 is in motion, and the second condition may be that vehicle 1 is stopped. For example, the second condition may be that vehicle 1 is stopped, the accessory power is off, and / or the outside temperature is below a predetermined threshold.

[0130] The second planar member 12 of the battery pack 10 may be rectangular in plan view. The edges of the second planar member 12 may include a first edge 91 corresponding to the first side of the rectangle, a second edge 92 corresponding to the second side of the rectangle, a third edge 93 corresponding to the third side of the rectangle, and a fourth edge 94 corresponding to the fourth side of the rectangle.

[0131] The shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 may include a first shielding portion 101 corresponding to the first edge portion 91, a second shielding portion 102 corresponding to the second edge portion 92, a third shielding portion 103 corresponding to the third edge portion 93, and a fourth shielding portion 104 corresponding to the fourth edge portion 94.

[0132] The first shielding section 101, the second shielding section 102, the third shielding section 103, and the fourth shielding section 104 of the shielding device 80 may be continuous.

[0133] In the second state, the top 83 of the shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 may be in contact with the ground G.

[0134] Vehicle 1 may further be provided with a charging port 40 to which a charging cable can be connected. In this case, the second condition may be that, in addition to vehicle 1 being stopped, a charging cable is not connected to the charging port 40.

[0135] Vehicle 1 may further be equipped with a wireless power receiving device 42 that receives wireless charging to the battery pack 10 from a wireless power transmission device 41 installed on the ground G. In this case, the second condition may be that, in addition to vehicle 1 being stopped, the wireless power receiving device 42 is not receiving wireless charging.

[0136] The shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 may have the shape of a roll curtain, a blind, or a panel, and may change between a first state and a second state by the operation of the actuator 110.

[0137] Alternatively, the shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 may have a balloon shape or a lifebuoy shape and may change between a first state and a second state by inhaling and discharging gas or liquid. However, the shape of the shielding portion 81 is not limited to these, and any structure that can shield the cold air flowing under the vehicle body 2 is acceptable.

[0138] <Flowchart> Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the shielding device 80 according to Embodiment 2.

[0139] The control device 5 determines whether the accessory power (ACC) of the vehicle 1 is on or not (S301). In other words, the control device 5 determines whether the vehicle 1 is in a state where it can be driven or is completely stopped.

[0140] If the accessory power of vehicle 1 is on (S401: YES), this process ends. This is because vehicle 1 is in a drivable state and there is no need to deploy the shielding device 80 downwards.

[0141] If the accessory power supply of vehicle 1 is off (S401: NO), the control device 5 determines whether the ambient temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold T1 (S402). The predetermined threshold T1 is, for example, 5°C. However, the threshold T1 may be any temperature. The ambient temperature may also be measured by an ambient temperature sensor (not shown) provided in vehicle 1.

[0142] If the ambient temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S402: YES), this process is terminated. This is because the ambient temperature is not low enough to excessively cool the battery pack 10.

[0143] If the ambient temperature is below the threshold T1 (S402: NO), the control device 5 turns on the actuator 110 and deploys the shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 (S403). In other words, as shown in Figure 11, the shielding device 80 deploys downward and enters the second state.

[0144] The control device 5 determines whether the outside air temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S404).

[0145] If the ambient temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S404: YES), the process proceeds to step S406.

[0146] If the outside air temperature is below the threshold T1 (S404: NO), the control device 5 determines whether or not the accessory power supply of the vehicle 1 is on (S405).

[0147] If the accessory power supply for vehicle 1 is off (S405: NO), the process returns to step S404. In other words, the deployed state of the shielding device 80 is maintained.

[0148] If the accessory power of vehicle 1 is turned on (S405: YES), the process proceeds to step S406.

[0149] The control device 5 turns off the actuator 110 and retracts the shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 (S406). In other words, since the vehicle 1 is now in a state where it can be driven, the shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 is retracted upward, and the vehicle returns to the first state. Then, this process is completed.

[0150] As a result of the above process, when the vehicle 1 is stopped and the ambient temperature is below the threshold T1, the shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 is deployed, as shown in Figure 11, preventing cold air from passing below the battery pack 10. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery pack 10 from being overcooled. On the other hand, when the vehicle 1 is drivable, the shielding portion 81 of the shielding device 80 is retracted, as shown in Figure 10, so it does not hinder the dissipation of heat from the battery pack 10 to the outside while the vehicle 1 is running.

[0151] <Parking System> Figure 14 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the parking system 200 according to Embodiment 2 and its relationship to the vehicle 1. Figure 15 is a top view of the parking system 200 according to Embodiment 2.

[0152] The parking system 200 may be, for example, a charging space where vehicle 1 can be charged. Alternatively, the parking system 200 may be a paid or free parking lot and a system for managing it.

[0153] The parking system 200 is positioned on the ground G of the parking lot SP so as to surround the battery pack 10 from all sides when viewed from above on the bottom surface 6 of the vehicle body 2, and includes a shielding device 210 that can rise to approach the bottom surface 6 of the vehicle body 2 and lower away from the bottom surface 6 of the vehicle body 2. The parking system 200 is equipped with an actuator 220, and the shielding device 210 may rise when the actuator 220 is ON and lower when the actuator 220 is OFF.

[0154] The shielding device 210 may rise when it detects the start of parking of vehicle 1 in parking lot SP, and may lower when it detects the end of parking of vehicle 1 in parking lot SP. For example, the parking system 200 may detect the start of parking when vehicle 1 has been parked in parking lot SP for a predetermined time or longer, or when it detects that the accessory power of vehicle 1 parked in parking lot SP has been turned off. For example, the parking system 200 may detect the end of parking when the parking fee for vehicle 1 parked in parking lot SP has been paid (including free parking), or when it detects that the accessory power of vehicle 1 parked in parking lot SP has been turned on.

[0155] Furthermore, the shielding device 210 may rise when it detects the start of parking of vehicle 1 in parking lot SP and the outside air temperature is below a predetermined threshold. In other words, if the outside temperature is low enough to cause excessive cooling of the battery pack 10 of vehicle 1, the shielding device 210 will rise, but if the outside temperature is not low enough to cause excessive cooling of the battery pack 10 of vehicle 1, the shielding device 210 does not need to rise.

[0156] This makes it possible to prevent excessive cooling of the battery pack 10 of the parked vehicle 1 without adding any new mechanisms to the vehicle 1.

[0157] <Flowchart> Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the parking system according to Embodiment 2.

[0158] The parking system 200 determines whether or not it has detected the parking of vehicle 1 in parking lot SP (S501).

[0159] If no vehicle 1 is detected parked in parking lot SP (S501: NO), this process terminates.

[0160] When the control device 5 detects that vehicle 1 is parked in parking space SP (S501: YES), it determines whether the accessory power of vehicle 1 is on or not (S502). In other words, the control device 5 determines whether vehicle 1 is drivable or parked.

[0161] If the accessory power of vehicle 1 is on (S502: YES), this process ends. This is because vehicle 1 is in a drivable state and there is no need to deploy the shielding device 210.

[0162] If the accessory power supply of vehicle 1 is off (S502: NO), the parking system 200 determines whether the outside air temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold T1 (S503).

[0163] If the ambient temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S503: YES), this process is terminated. This is because the ambient temperature is not low enough to excessively cool the battery pack 10.

[0164] If the outside air temperature is below the threshold T1 (S503: NO), the parking system 200 turns on the actuator 220 and raises the shielding device 210 (S504).

[0165] The control device 5 determines whether the outside air temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S505).

[0166] If the ambient temperature is greater than the threshold T1 (S505: YES), the process proceeds to step S507.

[0167] If the outside temperature is below the threshold T1 (S505: NO), the parking system 200 determines whether the accessory power of vehicle 1 is on or not (S506).

[0168] If the accessory power supply for vehicle 1 is off (S506: NO), the process returns to step S505. In other words, the shielding device 210 remains in the raised position.

[0169] If the accessory power of vehicle 1 is on (S506: YES), the process proceeds to step S507.

[0170] The parking system 200 lowers the shielding device 210 (S507). In other words, the shielding device 210 is lowered because vehicle 1 is now in a state where it can travel.

[0171] As a result of the above process, when vehicle 1 is parked and the outside air temperature is below threshold T1, the shielding device 210 of the parking system 200 rises, as shown in Figure 14, preventing cold air from passing below the battery pack 10. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery pack 10 from being overcooled. On the other hand, when vehicle 1 is drivable, the shielding device 210 of the parking system 200 lowers, so the shielding device 210 does not prevent vehicle 1 from leaving the parking SP. (Summary of Embodiment 2) The following technology is disclosed by describing Embodiment 2 above.

[0172] <Technical B1> The vehicle (1) according to Embodiment 2 comprises a vehicle body (2), first wheels (3a) and second wheels (3b) attached to the vehicle body and set to make contact with the ground (G), an electric motor (4) that drives at least the first wheels, and a battery pack (10) that supplies power to the electric motor, wherein the battery pack comprises a first planar member (11) and a second planar member (12) located opposite to the first planar member, the second planar member of the battery pack is arranged along the bottom surface (6) of the vehicle body, and between the bottom surface and the ground The vehicle is equipped with a shielding device (80) that is continuously arranged on the bottom surface corresponding to the edge of the second planar member of the battery pack, wherein the shielding portion (81) of the shielding device comprises a bottom portion (82) on the bottom surface side of the vehicle and a top portion (83) on the ground side, and in the case of the first condition, the distance between the bottom portion and the top portion of the shielding device is a first distance, which is the first state, and in the case of a second condition different from the first condition, the distance between the bottom portion and the top portion of the shielding device is a second distance which is greater than the first distance, which is the second state.

[0173] <Technology B2> In the vehicle described in Technology B1, the second planar member of the battery pack is rectangular in plan view, and the edge of the second planar member comprises a first edge (91) corresponding to the first side of the rectangle, a second edge (92) corresponding to the second side of the rectangle, a third edge (93) corresponding to the third side of the rectangle, and a fourth edge (94) corresponding to the fourth side of the rectangle, and the shielding portion of the shielding device comprises a first shielding portion (101) corresponding to the first edge, a second shielding portion (102) corresponding to the second edge, a third shielding portion (103) corresponding to the third edge, and a fourth shielding portion (104) corresponding to the fourth edge.

[0174] <Technical B3> In the vehicle described in Technical B2, the first shielding portion, the second shielding portion, the third shielding portion, and the fourth shielding portion of the shielding device are continuous.

[0175] <Technology B4> In the vehicle described in any one of technologies B1 to B3, in the second state, the top of the shielding portion of the shielding device is in contact with the ground.

[0176] <Technology B5> In the vehicle described in any one of Technologies B1 to B4, the first condition is that the vehicle is in motion, and the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped.

[0177] <Technical B6> In the vehicle described in Technical B5, the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped, the accessory power is off, and / or the outside temperature is below a predetermined threshold.

[0178] <Technology B7> The vehicle described in Technology B5 or B6 further comprises a charging port (40) to which a charging cable can be connected, and the second condition is that, in addition to the vehicle being stopped, the charging cable is not connected to the charging port.

[0179] <Technology B8> The vehicle described in any one of technologies B5 to B7 further comprises a wireless power receiving device (42) that receives wireless charging to the battery pack from a wireless power transmission device (41) installed on the ground, wherein the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped and the wireless power receiving device is not receiving wireless charging.

[0180] <Technology B9> In the vehicle described in any one of Technologies B1 to B8, the shielding portion of the shielding device has the shape of a roll curtain, a blind, or a panel, and changes between the first state and the second state by the operation of an actuator.

[0181] <Technology B10> In the vehicle described in any one of technologies B1 to B8, the shielding portion of the shielding device has a balloon shape or a lifebuoy shape and changes between the first state and the second state by inhaling and discharging gas or liquid.

[0182] <Technology B11> The shielding device (80) according to Embodiment 2 comprises a vehicle body, first wheels and second wheels attached to the vehicle body and set to make contact with the ground, an electric motor that drives at least the first wheels, and a battery pack that supplies power to the electric motor, wherein the battery pack comprises a first planar member and a second planar member located opposite to the first planar member, the second planar member of the battery pack is set to be mounted on a vehicle positioned along the bottom surface of the vehicle body, and the shielding device is continuously arranged on the vehicle body between the bottom surface and the ground, corresponding to the edge of the second planar member of the battery pack on the bottom surface, wherein the shielding portion of the shielding device comprises a bottom portion on the bottom surface side of the vehicle and a top portion on the ground side, in the first condition, the distance between the bottom portion and the top portion of the shielding portion of the shielding device is a first distance, in the second condition, which differs from the first condition, the distance between the bottom portion and the top portion of the shielding portion of the shielding device is a second distance which is greater than the first distance.

[0183] <Technical B12> In the shielding device described in Technical B11, the second planar member of the battery pack is rectangular in plan view, and the edge of the second planar member comprises a first edge corresponding to the first side of the rectangle, a second edge corresponding to the second side of the rectangle, a third edge corresponding to the third side of the rectangle, and a fourth edge corresponding to the fourth side of the rectangle, and the shielding portion of the shielding device comprises a first shielding portion corresponding to the first edge, a second shielding portion corresponding to the second edge, a third shielding portion corresponding to the third edge, and a fourth shielding portion corresponding to the fourth edge.

[0184] <Technical B13> In the shielding device described in Technical B12, the first shielding section, the second shielding section, the third shielding section, and the fourth shielding section are continuous.

[0185] <Technical B14> In the shielding device described in any one of Technical B11 to B13, the top of the shielding portion is in contact with the ground in the second state.

[0186] <Technology B15> A shielding device according to any one of technologies B11 to B14, wherein the first condition is that the vehicle is in motion, and the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped. Shielding device.

[0187] <Technical B16> In the shielding device described in Technical B15, the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped, the accessory power is off, and / or the outside air temperature is below a predetermined threshold.

[0188] <Technology B17> In the shielding device described in Technology B15 or B16, the vehicle further comprises a charging port to which a charging cable can be connected, and the second condition is that, in addition to the vehicle being stopped, the charging cable is not connected to the charging port.

[0189] <Technology B18> In the shielding device described in any one of technologies B15 to B17, the vehicle further comprises a wireless power receiving device that receives wireless charging to the battery pack from a wireless power transmission device installed on the ground, wherein the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped and the wireless power receiving device is not receiving wireless charging.

[0190] <Technology B19> In the shielding device described in any one of technologies B11 to B18, the shielding portion has the shape of a roll curtain, a blind, or a panel, and changes between the first state and the second state by the operation of an actuator.

[0191] <Technology B20> In the shielding device described in any one of technologies B11 to B19, the shielding portion has a balloon shape or a lifebuoy shape and changes between the first state and the second state by inhaling and discharging gas or liquid.

[0192] <Technical B21> The parking system (200) according to Embodiment 2 is a parking system for a vehicle comprising a vehicle body, first wheels and second wheels attached to the vehicle body, and a battery pack attached along the bottom surface of the vehicle body, and includes a shielding device (210) which is positioned on the ground of the parking lot so as to surround the battery pack from all four sides when viewed from above with the bottom surface of the vehicle body, and which can rise to approach the bottom surface of the vehicle body and lower away from the bottom surface of the vehicle body.

[0193] <Technical B22> In the parking system described in Technical B21, the shielding device rises when it detects the start of parking of the vehicle in the parking lot (SP).

[0194] <Technology B23> In the parking system described in Technology B22, the shielding device further rises when the outside air temperature is below a predetermined threshold.

[0195] <Technical B24> In the parking system described in Technical B22 or B23, the shielding device lowers when it detects that the vehicle has finished parking in the parking lot.

[0196] While embodiments have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, this disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the embodiments described above can be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0197] This application is based on Japanese patent applications filed on March 27, 2025 (JP 2025-053996 and JP 2025-053997), the contents of which are incorporated by reference within this application.

[0198] The technology disclosed herein is useful for preventing excessive cooling of automotive batteries.

[0199] 1 Vehicle 2 Body 3 Wheels 3a First wheel 3b Second wheel 4 Electric motor 5 Control device 6 Bottom surface 7 Battery heat exchanger 10 Battery pack 11 First planar member 12 Second planar member 20, 20A, 20B, 20C Expandable device 23 Third surface 24 Fourth surface 40 Charging port 41 Wireless power transmission device 42 Wireless power receiving device 43 Actuator 50 Pump 51, 52 Three-way valve 53 Tank 54 Radiator 60 Vacuum pump 61, 62 Three-way valve 70 Actuator 80 Shielding device 81 Shielding part 82 Bottom part 83 Top part 91 First edge part 92 Second edge part 93 Third edge part 94 Fourth edge part 101 First shielding part 102 Second shielding part 103 Third shielding section 104 Fourth shielding section 110 Actuator 200 Parking system 210 Shielding device 220 Actuator G Ground SP Parking

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; first wheels and second wheels attached to the vehicle body and set to make contact with the ground; an electric motor that drives at least the first wheels; and a battery pack that supplies power to the electric motor, wherein the battery pack comprises a first planar member and a second planar member located opposite to the first planar member, the second planar member of the battery pack is arranged along the bottom surface of the vehicle body, and the vehicle body is equipped with an extendable device arranged along the bottom surface and between the bottom surface and the ground, corresponding to the second planar member of the battery pack, wherein the extendable device comprises a third surface arranged along the bottom surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, in the case of a first condition, the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface of the extendable device is a first distance, which is a first state, and in the case of a second condition different from the first condition, the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface of the extendable device is a second distance greater than the first distance, which is a second state.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first thermal conductivity between the third and fourth surfaces when the expansion joint is in the first state is greater than the second thermal conductivity between the third and fourth surfaces when the expansion joint is in the second state.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first condition is that the vehicle is in motion, and the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the second condition is that, in addition to the vehicle being stopped, the accessory power is off and / or the outside temperature is below a predetermined threshold.

5. A vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising a charging port to which a charging cable can be connected, wherein the second condition is that, in addition to the vehicle being stopped, the charging cable is not connected to the charging port.

6. A vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising a wireless power receiving device that receives wireless charging to the battery pack from a wireless power transmission device installed on the ground, wherein the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped and the wireless power receiving device is not receiving wireless charging.

7. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic device has a folded shape and changes between the first state and the second state by the operation of an actuator.

8. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the expandable device has a balloon shape and changes between the first state and the second state by inhaling and discharging gas or liquid.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the gas or liquid is used for cooling the battery pack.

10. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic device is configured integrally with the battery pack.

11. A telescopic device comprising: a vehicle body; first wheels and second wheels attached to the vehicle body and set to make contact with the ground; an electric motor for driving at least the first wheels; and a battery pack for supplying power to the electric motor, wherein the battery pack comprises a first planar member and a second planar member located opposite to the first planar member, and the second planar member of the battery pack is set to be mounted on a vehicle positioned along the bottom surface of the vehicle body; and a telescopic device positioned on the vehicle body along the bottom surface and between the bottom surface and the ground, corresponding to the second planar member of the battery pack, comprising a third surface positioned along the bottom surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, wherein under the first condition, the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface of the telescopic device is a first distance, which is a first state; and under the second condition different from the first condition, the distance between the third surface and the fourth surface of the telescopic device is a second distance greater than the first distance, which is a second state.

12. An expandable apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first thermal conductivity between the third surface and the fourth surface in the first state is greater than the second thermal conductivity between the third surface and the fourth surface in the second state.

13. The telescopic device according to claim 11, wherein the first condition is that the vehicle is in motion, and the second condition is that the vehicle is stopped.

14. The telescopic device according to claim 13, wherein the second condition is that, in addition to the vehicle being stopped, the accessory power is off and / or the outside temperature is below a predetermined threshold.

15. The telescopic device according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle further comprises a charging port to which a charging cable can be connected, and the second condition is that, in addition to the vehicle being stopped, the charging cable is not connected to the charging port.

16. The telescopic device according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle further comprises a wireless power receiving device that receives wireless charging to the battery pack from a wireless power transmission device installed on the ground, and the second condition is that, in addition to the vehicle being stopped, the wireless power receiving device is not receiving wireless charging.

17. An expandable / contractable device according to claim 11, wherein the device has a folded shape and changes between the first state and the second state by the operation of an actuator.

18. An expandable / contractable device according to claim 11, which has a balloon shape and changes between the first state and the second state by inhaling and discharging gas or liquid.

19. The expandable device according to claim 18, wherein the gas or liquid is used for cooling the battery pack.

20. The telescopic device according to claim 11, wherein the telescopic device is configured integrally with the battery pack.

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