JP2018037244A - Power supply device and vehicle including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply device in which short circuit current flowing when being submerged is reduced so that safety when being submerged is ensured.SOLUTION: A power supply device 100 includes a plurality of secondary batteries 1 arranged in a horizontal direction in an outer case 30. Through holes 40 are provided in first and second facing plates 39 arranged on facing surfaces of the outer case 30. In addition, through holes 40A and 40B of the first facing plate 39A and the second facing plate 39B are arranged such that respective lower edges are vertically deviated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device and a vehicle including the power supply device, and more particularly to a device that is mounted on an electric vehicle such as a hybrid car or an electric vehicle and supplies electric power to a motor that runs the vehicle, and an electric vehicle.

  A power supply device in which a plurality of chargeable / dischargeable battery cells are connected in series or in parallel is used as a power supply device that supplies electric power to a motor that runs on a vehicle. In such a power supply device, high voltage components such as a large number of battery cells and circuit boards are housed in an exterior case and mounted on a vehicle. The power supply device for a vehicle has a large output and charge / discharge capacity so that a large number of battery cells are connected in series to increase the output voltage and to supply a large amount of power to the motor. Vehicles are required to have high safety in a very wide usage environment. For example, sufficient safety is required even in a state where the vehicle is submerged and the power supply device is submerged. Since this type of power supply device has a high output voltage and can output a large current, a large short current flows through the conductive water when it is submerged. Since a large short-circuit current due to submergence causes a decrease in safety, a high-power power supply device needs a measure for ensuring safety against submergence.

  The battery can be housed in a watertight sealed case to make the battery itself waterproof. However, even if the battery itself has a waterproof structure, power is supplied to the motor from the output terminal of the power supply device, and a line for charging the battery is connected to the outside, so that it is difficult to achieve a complete insulation structure. Furthermore, in a power supply device having a structure in which air is forcibly blown into the case, it is necessary to blow cooling air into the case, and the battery cannot be stored in a completely sealed case.

  In order to prevent this problem, a structure for protecting the power supply device in a submerged state has been developed. (See Patent Document 1)

JP 2012-176669 A

  As shown in FIG. A, the power supply device for countermeasures against submergence has a battery housed in an upper part of a sealed case capable of storing air in the upper part. The sealed case in this figure opens the lower part and wires the lead wire to seal the upper part, so that the internal air accumulates in the upper part in a submerged state, and the battery can be placed in this part to prevent the battery from being submerged. .

  The power supply device with this structure can protect the battery in a submerged state. However, since the battery is disposed in the air reservoir, it is necessary to increase the content volume of the sealed case, and particularly to increase the content volume. In an electric vehicle, it is important to mount a high-output power supply device by reducing the space of the vehicle, so that a power supply device requiring a large storage space can be mounted on a vehicle.

  Furthermore, since the power supply device with this structure pulls out the output line from the sealed case and connects it to a motor or a generator, the battery can be prevented from being submerged. However, the output line is submerged and a large short-circuit current flows. In particular, since a battery that is not submerged is in a normal state in which a large current can flow, there is a drawback in that an extremely large short current flows when the output line is submerged and safety cannot be ensured.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device that secures safety during submergence by reducing a short-circuit current that flows to the output side when submerged, and a vehicle including the power supply device.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  The power supply device has a plurality of secondary batteries arranged in a horizontal direction in an outer case. The exterior case is provided with through holes in the first and second opposing plates arranged on the opposing surfaces, and the through holes of the first opposing plate and the second opposing plate are displaced in the vertical direction at the lower edge. Arranged.

  The power supply device described above has a feature that a short flow that flows to the output side when submerged is reduced and high safety can be realized when submerged. In the power supply device described above, the outer case housing the secondary battery is arranged with the lower edge of the through hole opened in the opposing plate arranged on the opposing surface being displaced up and down. Because. When the power supply unit is submerged by water immersion in the vehicle, water enters the outer case containing the secondary battery from the through hole, but the outer case has the lower edge of the through hole provided on the opposing surface. Since they are arranged so as to be displaced in the vertical direction, in the state of being submerged in water, water does not enter from both through holes provided in the opposing surface, but enters from one through hole. If water enters from both through holes in the submerged state, all the secondary batteries in the outer case are immersed in water together, and a large short current flows. In the above power supply device, the lower edge of the through hole is arranged so as to be displaced vertically, so that water does not enter from both through holes at the same time. Water entering from one side does not submerge all the secondary batteries at the same time, but submerses in order from some secondary batteries. If all the secondary batteries are submerged at the same time, the high-voltage output terminal is shorted through the water and a large short-circuit current flows.However, the above power supply device does not submerge all the secondary batteries at the same time. The secondary battery of the part discharges by passing a short current through water. Since the output voltage of some secondary batteries is lower than the output voltage of the whole secondary battery, the short-circuit current due to water is small. Further, since the above power supply device is discharged by flowing a short current in order from the submerged battery, when all the batteries are submerged, the submerged battery is already discharged and the remaining capacity is reduced. Therefore, in a state where all the batteries are submerged and a short current flows, there are already discharged batteries and the short current becomes small.

  The above power supply apparatus does not reduce the short-circuit current with a structure that does not submerge the battery. Without submerging all the batteries together, some batteries are submerged and the short-circuit current is reduced to discharge the batteries while submerging the batteries one after another to increase the short-circuit current. Thus, even if the short current increases, the short current can be reduced with a battery that has been submerged first and has already been discharged.

  If the power supply unit is submerged and an excessive short current flows at a time, the large short current causes the water to electrolyze and generate a large amount of flammable hydrogen, which is excessive when the hydrogen concentration in the air reaches a certain level. Because it ignites with the heat generated by the short current, safety cannot be ensured. This problem can be solved by reducing the short-circuit current when submerged and reducing the amount of hydrogen generated by electrolysis. This is because the amount of hydrogen generated can be reduced and the hydrogen concentration can be made below the explosion limit.

  The above power supply apparatus submerges only a part of the batteries and discharges the submerged battery with a short current, but the short current in this state can be considerably reduced as compared with a state where the whole is submerged. This is because the short-circuit current increases in proportion to the total voltage that increases in proportion to the number of submerged batteries connected in series. If the number of submerged batteries is small, the total voltage of the submerged batteries is reduced, and the short-circuit current is limited to a small value. The submerged battery is discharged with a limited short-circuit current, and the discharge capacity is reduced. Therefore, in a state where all the batteries are submerged, a battery having a reduced ability to be submerged and discharged and discharged first is included. For this reason, compared with the state where all the batteries are submerged at the same time, the short-circuit current can be considerably reduced, and the safety can be prevented from being lowered due to the large short-circuit current.

  The outer case of the power supply device of the present invention is a battery unit in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected, and is arranged in the outer case in the state of this battery unit. The battery unit is disposed on the second counter plate side, the lower edge of the through hole of the first counter plate is disposed below the lower edge of the through hole of the second counter plate, and the first The battery unit disposed on the opposite plate side can be disposed below the battery unit disposed on the second counter plate side.

  The power supply device described above is configured such that the lower edge of the through hole on the first counter plate side is disposed below the lower edge of the through hole on the second counter plate side, and is disposed on the first counter plate side. Since the battery unit is disposed below the battery unit disposed on the second counter plate side, the battery unit disposed on the first counter plate side is first submerged and the battery unit is short-circuited. Since the battery is discharged, the short-circuit current in this state can be limited to half of the submerged state of the entire battery. In this state, the battery unit disposed in the lower stage is discharged to reduce the discharge capacity. Since the entire battery unit is submerged by submerging the battery unit arranged on the opposite plate side, the short-circuit current is reduced by the already discharged battery in a state where all the batteries are submerged. By shortening the time to fully discharge to prevent an adverse effect due to excessive short-circuit current can be increased safety.

  The power supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a lower plate portion in which the bottom plate of the outer case is disposed on the first counter plate side, and an upper plate portion in which the bottom plate is disposed on the second counter plate side. The battery unit may be disposed below the upper plate portion, the battery units may be disposed on the lower plate portion and the upper plate portion, and the battery units may be displaced in the vertical direction.

  In the above power supply device, the battery unit disposed in the lower plate portion is first submerged and discharged with a short current that is half the submerged state of all the batteries, and then both battery units are submerged and discharged. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the short-circuit current when the battery unit of the lower plate part is submerged, and furthermore, when both battery units are submerged, the battery unit of the upper plate part is connected to the battery unit of the lower plate part that has already been discharged. Therefore, the short-circuit current in this state is small, and the time during which the short-circuit current flows can be shortened to improve safety.

  In the power supply device of the present invention, the through hole provided in the counter plate can be used as a blower opening for blowing and cooling the secondary battery of the battery unit disposed in the exterior case.

In the power supply device of the present invention, a partition wall is provided on the bottom plate between the lower plate portion and the upper plate portion.
The above power supply device partitions the battery unit disposed in the lower plate portion and the battery unit disposed in the upper plate portion with a partition wall, so that the battery unit of the lower plate portion is immersed in the upper plate portion. The battery unit is prevented from being flooded, and the initial short-circuit current can be reliably and stably limited.

  The power supply device of the present invention accommodates a secondary battery in a battery case having a waterproof structure, and arranges the secondary battery in an exterior case through the battery case. The battery case is provided with an inner opening for sending air to the secondary battery. The secondary battery can be cooled by disposing the opening at a position facing the through hole of the outer case and blowing cooling air passing through the through hole and the inner opening into the battery case.

  Since the above-described power supply device houses the secondary battery in a waterproof battery case, the waterproof battery case has a feature that the battery can be prevented from being flooded and the safety can be further improved. This is because the water in which the outer case is submerged soaks in the waterproof battery case and the secondary battery is submerged.

  Furthermore, the power supply device of the present invention can be disposed between a vehicle chassis and a seat.

It is the perspective view which looked at the power supply device concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention from the front slanting upper part. It is the perspective view which looked at the power supply device of FIG. 1 from the back side. It is the perspective view which looked at the power supply device of FIG. 1 from the diagonally downward front. It is the perspective view which looked at the power supply device of FIG. 1 from the back diagonally downward. It is a rear view of the power supply device of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the exterior case of the power supply device of FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which removed the exterior case from the power supply device of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which decomposed | disassembled the battery case from FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the battery case which shows the back side of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which decomposed | disassembled the battery unit from FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the power supply device has been arrange | positioned in the vehicle. It is a horizontal schematic cross section which shows the path | route which introduce | transduces and discharges cooling gas inside a power supply device. It is a vertical schematic cross section which shows the path | route which introduce | transduces and discharges cooling gas inside a power supply device. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a battery cell and a separator. It is a circuit diagram of a power supply device. It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the hybrid vehicle which drive | works with an engine and a motor. It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the electric vehicle which drive | works only with a motor.

1 to 10 show examples of in-vehicle power supply devices. Specifically, the power supply device 100 is mounted mainly on an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and is used as a power source for supplying power to the vehicle running motor to drive the vehicle. However, the power supply device of the present invention can be used for an electric vehicle other than a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and can also be used for an application requiring a high output other than an electric vehicle such as a power storage device or an uninterruptible device. A power supply device mounted on an electric vehicle may be submerged by being immersed in the vehicle, and a power supply device used for a power storage device or an uninterruptible device may be submerged in a building due to a heavy rain or the like. The biggest cause of submergence of power supplies is due to torrential rain. Submergence due to heavy rain occurs when the water surface level gradually rises from the ground and the power supply device is submerged.
(Power supply device 100)

As shown in the exploded perspective views of FIGS. 7 to 9, the power supply device 100 includes an elongated, substantially box-shaped outer case 30 and a plurality of secondary batteries disposed in the outer case 30 via the battery case 20. 1. In the power supply device 100, a plurality of secondary batteries 1 are connected to form a battery unit 10, and the plurality of battery units 10 are arranged in a battery case 20. In the power supply device 100 in these drawings, four battery units 10 are arranged in the outer case 30 via the battery case 20. The four battery units 10 are formed by stacking prismatic batteries and are elongated in the stacking direction, and are arranged in two rows in parallel postures. A space is provided between the two battery units 10 that are linearly arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the two battery units 10 are arranged at both ends of the outer case 30.
(Exterior case 30)

  The outer case 30 has a plurality of battery units 10 arranged in the horizontal direction and arranged inside the peripheral wall 20 </ b> A via the battery case 20. The exterior case 30 has a long and narrow box shape, and is mounted on the vehicle in a horizontal posture with the longitudinal direction being the width direction of the vehicle. In the electric vehicle of FIG. 11, the exterior case 30 is fixed in the gap between the seat ST and the chassis 92, and the power supply device 100 is disposed here. In the illustrated electric vehicle, the power supply device 100 is disposed under the front seat ST.

  The outer case 30 is provided with a peripheral wall 37 around the bottom plate 35, and houses the battery unit 10 including the plurality of secondary batteries 1 through the battery case 20 inside the peripheral wall 37. The exterior case 30 has a side wall 38 connected to opposing surfaces on both sides of the bottom plate 35, and first and second opposing plates 39 connected to opposing surfaces on both ends. Is configured. Further, the exterior case 30 shown in the drawing has a part of the upper opening portion closed with a lid plate 34.

  The lid plate 34 and the bottom plate 35 of the outer case 30 are manufactured by bending a metal plate by press working. Moreover, in order to improve rigidity, the unevenness | corrugation and rib which were bent partially can also be formed. The metal plate can be made of high strength steel, general steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, etc., which are excellent in rigidity and heat conduction, or a combination thereof. The exterior case 30 shown in the figure is formed by bending both ends of the bottom plate 35 at right angles to connect the first and second opposing plates 39 to both ends, and bending both sides at right angles to provide side plates 38. Yes. The side plate 38 and the lid plate 34 are connected to each other by screws or the like via the side fixing pieces 36. The bottom plate 35 is formed by pressing a metal plate so that the opposing plate 39 and the side plate 38 are integrated. However, the bottom plate 35 may be manufactured by welding a plurality of metal plates.

  A peripheral wall 37 of the exterior case 30 in the figure is composed of first and second opposing plates 39 provided on opposing surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and side plates 38 provided on both sides. The first and second opposing plates 39 are provided with through holes 40 at positions where the inflow of water is controlled. In the illustrated power supply apparatus 100, the through holes 40 provided in the first and second opposing plates 39 are blown openings for forcibly blowing and cooling the battery unit 10 disposed in the exterior case 30. However, the power supply device of the present invention does not specify the through hole 40 provided in the counter plate 39 as a ventilation opening, but can also be a gradual opening provided for weight reduction.

  The exterior case 30 shown in the drawing cools the secondary battery 1 constituting the battery unit 10 by supplying cooling air from the through holes 40 provided in the first and second opposing plates 39 to the inside. The cooled cooling air is exhausted to the outside from an exhaust port 52 provided in the battery case. In the power supply device 100 described above, the through hole 40 provided in the first and second opposing plates 39 is used as an inlet for cooling air, but the through hole 40 can also be used as an outlet for cooling air. One of the plurality of through holes 40 provided in each counter plate 39 can be used as an inlet for cooling air, and the other through hole 40 can be used as an exhaust port.

  The through hole 40 provided in the facing plate 39 of the outer case 30 serves as a flow path through which water flows when the vehicle is submerged. In order to control the inflow of water from the through hole 40 in the submerged state, the power supply device 100 shown in FIG. 6 has a through hole 40A of the first counter plate 39A and a second counter plate as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. The position of the through hole 40B provided in the plate 39B, more precisely, the position of the lower edge of the through holes 40A, 40B is arranged so as to be displaced vertically, and a level difference D is provided at the lower edge. This is to prevent the power supply device 100 from being submerged so that water does not flow from all the through holes 40 at the same time. The level difference D is set to 20 mm, for example, and after one battery unit is short-circuited with water flowing in and sufficiently discharged, the other battery unit is short-circuited with water flowing in. After the level difference D of the lower edge of the through hole is increased, one battery unit is short-circuited with water flowing in and sufficiently discharged, and then the other battery unit is short-circuited with water flowing in to improve safety. However, since the height of the opposing plate is limited, the level difference D is, for example, 10 mm or more, preferably 15 mm or more, more preferably 20 mm or more, and for example, 50% or less, preferably 40% or less of the height of the opposing plate. More preferably, it is 30% or less.

  The state where the power supply unit is submerged and water flows into the outer case is a state where water is overflowing in the ground due to concentrated heavy rain, the water level gradually rises and the vehicle is immersed in water, the vehicle jumps into the water and the power supply unit There is a state where it is submerged instantaneously. It is not limited to the power supply device mounted on the vehicle that the power supply device is submerged by the heavy rain. Power storage devices and uninterruptible power supply devices installed in buildings may also be submerged by flooding under the floor due to heavy rain. The state in which the power supply device is submerged includes a state in which water gradually flows in due to heavy rain and the like, and a state in which the entire device instantaneously sinks in water. In the state where the entire battery is submerged instantaneously, the entire battery unit sinks in water at one time. Therefore, the water acts as a shield to protect the battery unit, thereby ensuring safety. On the other hand, when the water level gradually rises and water enters the outer case, such as in heavy rain, the entire battery unit is submerged even if water flows into the outer case. Because it does not become, water safety may not be guaranteed. This is because water entering the outer case 30 shorts the battery and causes a large short current to flow, the short current causes the water to electrolyze and generate combustible gas hydrogen, and the large short current generates heat due to Joule heat. This is because it may catch fire. In particular, when the invading water shorts all the batteries, the short-circuit current increases, which has a detrimental effect on safety.

  In order to eliminate the above-described adverse effects, the outer case 30 does not allow water to flow from all the through holes 40 at the same time, and the through holes 40A of the first counter plate 39A correspond to the through holes 40B of the second end plate 39B. It is arranged below the lower edge. When the power supply device 100 is submerged, first, the water does not enter from the through hole 40B of the second end plate 39B, and the first counter plate 39A penetrating the lower edge is disposed below. Water is allowed to flow only from the hole 40A. The water flowing only from the through hole 40A of the first counter plate 39A short-circuits the secondary battery disposed on the first counter plate 39A side, and is disposed on the second end plate 39B side. Do not short-circuit the next battery with water. That is, the secondary battery disposed on the first counter plate 39A side is discharged by the water flowing only from the through hole 40A of the first counter plate 39A.

  In order to make sure that only the secondary battery 1 on the first counter plate 39A side is short-circuited, the power supply device 100 shown in the figure includes the battery unit 10 arranged on the first counter plate 39A side in the first counter plate 39A side. It arrange | positions below rather than the battery unit 10 arrange | positioned at the 2nd opposing plate 39B side. Further, in the illustrated battery unit 10, a step is provided on the bottom plate 35, and the battery unit 10 on the first counter plate 39A side and the battery unit 10 on the second counter plate 39B side are arranged vertically. . The bottom plate 35 is provided with a lower plate portion 35A disposed on the first counter plate 39A side and an upper plate portion 35B disposed on the second counter plate 39B side. It arrange | positions below the upper stage plate part 35B. The battery units 10 are arranged on the lower plate portion 35A and the upper plate portion 35B, and the battery units 10 are arranged so as to be displaced vertically. Since the lower plate portion 35A is provided on the first counter plate 39A side and the battery unit 10 is disposed here, the battery unit 10 on the first counter plate 39A side is disposed on the second counter plate 39B side. It is arranged below the battery unit 10.

  Further, the bottom plate 35 is provided with a partition wall 35C between the lower plate portion 35A and the upper plate portion 35B, and the battery units 10 are arranged on both sides of the partition wall 35C. The outer case 30 divides the lower plate portion 35A and the upper plate portion 35B by a partition wall 35C, and the battery unit 10 disposed in the lower plate portion 35A and the battery unit 10 disposed in the upper plate portion 35B. Partition. In this structure, the lower plate portion 35A is submerged in the lower plate portion 35A from the through hole 40A of the first counter plate 39A, and the battery unit 10 disposed in the lower portion is submerged in this manner, to the battery unit 10 of the upper plate portion 35B. Can be prevented more reliably. For this reason, in a state where the battery unit 10 of the lower plate portion 35A is submerged, the short circuit current in this state can be reliably reduced without short-circuiting the battery unit 10 of the upper plate portion 35B with water. The height of the partition wall 35C is, for example, substantially equal to the level of the lower edge of the through hole 40B provided in the second facing plate 39B. The exterior case 30 is configured so that the timing at which water flows from the through hole 40B of the second opposing plate 39B is substantially equal to the timing at which water flows from the lower plate portion 35A over the partition wall 35C to the upper plate portion 35B. There is a feature that allows water to flow into the lower plate portion 35 </ b> A from both, and the battery unit 10 disposed here can be quickly submerged in water to make it safe. However, the partition wall 35C is higher or lower than the lower edge of the through hole 40 of the counter plate of the first counter plate 39A, and water flows from the through hole 40B of the second counter plate 39B to the upper plate portion 35B. The timing at which the water flows in and the timing at which the water in the lower plate portion 35A flows into the upper plate portion 35B can be shifted.

  Since the lower edge of the through hole 40A of the first counter plate 39A is disposed below the lower edge of the through hole 40B of the second counter plate 39B, it is disposed on the first counter plate 39A side. The secondary battery 1 of the battery unit 10 is first short-circuited by the flowing water and discharged by the short current. In this state, since only the secondary battery 1 of the battery unit 10 on the first counter plate 39A side is short-circuited by the flowing water, the short-circuit current is reduced by half compared to the short-circuit current that shorts the entire secondary battery 1. Can be limited. In this state, the secondary battery 1 of the battery unit 10 arranged in the lower stage is discharged, the remaining capacity is reduced, and the discharge capacity is reduced. Thereafter, water flows in from the through hole 40B on the second counter plate 39B side, and the secondary battery 1 of the battery unit 10 arranged here is also short-circuited with water. In this state, the secondary battery 1 of the entire battery unit 10 is short-circuited, but the short-circuit current is reduced by the lower-stage battery unit 10 that has been discharged first. In addition, since the lower battery unit 10 is discharged with a short current first, the time until the battery unit 10 is completely discharged is shortened.

  In the illustrated power supply apparatus 100, a side wall 38 of the outer case 30 is provided with a gradual opening 40C as a through hole for weight reduction. The slow-thickness opening 40C serves as a flow path for flowing water in a submerged state. When water flows in from the gradual opening 40C prior to the through hole 40 provided in the opposing plate 39 in a state where the power supply device 100 is submerged, the inflow of water from the through hole 40 of the opposing plate is controlled. In this case, the sheet cannot be discharged in order from the specific secondary battery 1, and the inflow of water cannot be controlled normally. In order to prevent this harmful effect, the lower edge of all the gradual openings 40C provided in the side plate 38 is arranged higher than the lower edge arranged at the lowest part of the through hole 40 provided in the counter plate 39, A structure is adopted in which water flows into the exterior case 30 from the through-hole 40 in which the lower edge is disposed at the lowest position, and the specific secondary battery 1 is discharged with a short current. After the water is introduced from the through hole 40 provided on the opposing plate 39 and having the lower edge located at the lowermost part, and a part of the secondary batteries 1 are discharged with a short current, the through hole 40B of the opposing plate 39 Water is allowed to flow from the gradual opening 40C provided in the side plate 38, and the remaining secondary battery 1 is discharged with a short current. The power supply device 100 shown in the figure has the lower edge of the through hole 40A of the first counter plate 39A disposed below the lower edge of the through hole 40B of the second counter plate 39B. The lower edge of 40C is disposed at the same position as or higher than the through hole 40 in the second counter plate 39B, and at the same timing as the through hole 40B of the second counter plate 39B, or the first Water is allowed to flow in later than the through hole 40A of the counter plate 39A.

  The exterior case 30 shown in the figure does not necessarily have a closed structure as a whole. The outer case 30 in the figure does not close the entire upper opening with the lid plate 34. The lid plate 34 closes both ends of the upper opening and opens the middle part to expose the battery case 20. The outer case 30 having this structure can reduce the weight of the metal plate corresponding to the portion that is not closed by reducing the lid plate 34 that closes the upper opening.

7 and 8, the lid plate 34 is divided into a first plate 31 and a second plate 32, and an opening is provided between the first plate 31 and the second plate 32. As a result, an exposed region 23 in which a part of the battery case 20 is exposed is formed between the first plate 31 and the second plate 32. In the exposed area 23, weight reduction and thickness reduction are achieved. In particular, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 11, in a configuration in which the power supply device 100 is disposed across the lower surfaces of two adjacent sheets ST, the second portion corresponding to the lower surface of the sheet ST where strength is required. While the 1 plate 31 and the 2nd plate 32 are each arrange | positioned, the exterior case 30 is abbreviate | omitted between these parts, the arrangement space of a required member can be ensured and a vehicle interior space can be utilized efficiently.
(Fixed piece 36)

The exterior case 30 has a fixed piece 36 protruding outward, and the lid plate 34 and the bottom plate 35 are fixed with bolts and nuts through screw holes opened in the fixed piece 36. In the example of FIG. 1, the fixing pieces 36 are provided at four locations on the top, bottom, left, and right in plan view. Furthermore, the fixed piece 36 is fixed to the cross member 91 of the vehicle, and fixes the power supply device 100 to the vehicle. In the vehicle, a cross member 91 extending in the width direction is fixed to a chassis 92 to increase rigidity. The power supply device 100 is disposed between the two rows of the cross members 91, and the fixing pieces on both sides are fixed to the cross member 91, so that the power supply device 100 is fixed in a space that can be formed under the seat.
(Battery case 20)

  As shown in the exploded perspective views of FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the battery case 20 houses the battery unit 10 therein. The battery unit 10 includes a battery stack 11 in which the secondary batteries 1 are stacked, a circuit board 42, and the like.

  Since the battery case 20 is made of resin and can be molded into various shapes, it is easy to realize a waterproof structure. The battery case 20 is housed in the exterior case 30, and the power supply device 100 ensures mechanical strength. Further, by surrounding the periphery with the metal outer case 30, heat dissipation can be enhanced, and noise resistance of the electronic circuit in the battery case 20 can also be improved by the shielding effect of the metal plate.

  The battery case 20 is divided into an upper case 21 and a lower case 22 as shown in the exploded perspective views of FIGS. By making the battery case 20 made of resin, there is an advantage that even a relatively complicated shape can be easily formed by resin molding. Moreover, it is light and inexpensive, and has the advantage of excellent insulation. As such a resin material, PP (polypropylene), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PA (polyamide / nylon (registered trademark)) or a composite material such as those with glass fiber and glass beads, and further carbon fiber resin are used. It can also be used. Furthermore, in order to further improve the electromagnetic noise resistance, a resin-metal composite material or the like in which a metal mesh, a metal plate, or the like is sandwiched with a resin during resin molding can be used.

  A fitting structure is provided at the joining interface where the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 are joined. Thereby, airtightness is improved. Furthermore, further waterproofness can be achieved by arranging the elastic member 24 in the fitting structure. In the example of FIG. 8, packing is interposed as an elastic member 24 at the joint interface between the upper case 21 and the lower case 22. In this way, the battery case 20 is waterproofed, and the secondary battery 1 and the electronic circuit inside the battery case 20 are protected from an unintended short circuit.

In the battery case 20, the battery stack 11, the circuit board 42, and the DC / DC converter 41 are accommodated. The battery stack 11 is formed by stacking a plurality of secondary batteries 1 via an insulating separator. Both end surfaces of the laminate are covered with end plates, and the end plates are fastened with a bind bar. The circuit board 42 is mounted with an electronic circuit such as a control circuit or a protection circuit that controls charging / discharging of the battery stack 11.
(DC / DC converter 41)

  The DC / DC converter 41 is a member for converting the output of the battery stack 11 into a predetermined voltage. Here, the DC / DC converter 41 converts the output of the battery stack 11 into 12V, 24V, or the like for power feeding to the electrical components of the vehicle. A circuit board 42 is disposed in the area covered with the second plate 32. Thereby, the heat generated by the circuit group mounted on the circuit board 42 can be dissipated through the second plate 32. Further, by covering the circuit board 42 with the second plate 32 made of metal, a shielding effect for an electronic circuit mounted on the circuit board 42 can be obtained, and noise resistance can be improved.

In the above example, the DC / DC converter 41 is disposed on the first plate 31 side and the circuit board 42 is disposed on the second plate 32 side. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Needless to say, the circuit board may be disposed on the first plate side and the DC / DC converter may be disposed on the second plate side.
(Cooling structure)

  Furthermore, the battery case 20 includes a cooling mechanism for radiating heat from the internal members. In the example of FIG. 8, cooling air is introduced from the outside, and forced air is supplied to the surface of the secondary battery 1 to cool it. Specifically, an intake port 51 for taking cooling air into the inside and an exhaust port 5252 for discharging the heat-exchanged cooling air are opened in a part of the battery case 20.

  The air inlet 51 is disposed at a position facing the through hole 40 provided in the exterior case 30. The power supply device 100 shown in the figure has a through hole 40 of the counter plate 39 at a position facing the air inlet 51. The power supply device 100 allows the cooling gas that passes through the through hole 40 of the outer case 30 to pass through the air inlet 51 of the battery case 20. The battery case 20 is provided with an exhaust port 52 for discharging cooling air that has cooled the secondary battery 1. The exhaust port 52 is open above the side plate 38 and at an open portion of the lid plate 34. The exhaust port 52 is formed so as to protrude upward from the surface of the battery case 20. The exhaust port 52 can increase the cooling area by increasing the opening area and increasing the air volume of the cooling air. In the example of FIG. 2, FIG. 5, etc., the exhaust port 52 is formed by projecting upward from the upper surface of the battery case 20 by a height d while opening the exhaust port 52 on the back side of the battery case 20. Such an exhaust port 52 is formed integrally with the upper case 21 of the battery case 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the protruding portion is provided with a gradient on the upper surface of the battery case 20 so as to gradually increase toward the exhaust port 52.

  The power supply apparatus 100 cools the secondary battery 1 of the battery unit 10 by sending air as shown in the schematic horizontal sectional view of FIG. In this example, four battery stacks 11 in which the secondary batteries 1 are stacked are arranged on the top, bottom, left, and right inside the battery case 20. It is bent in the direction and passed through the battery stack 11 to exchange heat, and this cooling air is further guided to the center in the longitudinal direction. The cooling air collected from the right and left to the center is discharged to the outside of the battery case 20 through an exhaust port 52 opened upward (back side). In order to guide the cooling air, an air duct or the like is appropriately provided inside the battery case 20. A blower fan 56 is provided in the vicinity of the exhaust port 52. The blower fan 56 forcibly discharges the cooling air taken into the battery case 20 from the exhaust port 52 to the outside. In this configuration, in particular, a plurality of intake ports 51 are provided to supply cooling air to many parts, while the exhaust ports 52 are made common so that the number of blower fans 56 can be reduced. In particular, the cooling air of the plurality of battery stacks 11 can be sucked into and exhausted into the battery case 20 with the single blower fan 56.

  Furthermore, a part of the cooling air is used for cooling other members in the battery case 20. In particular, it can be used to cool a circuit group mounted on a DC / DC converter 41 as a first heat source or a circuit board 42 as a second heat source. In the example shown in FIGS. 2, 9, etc., the first heat source air inlet 53 is opened on the side surface of the battery case 20 on the side where the DC / DC converter 41 is disposed. The first heat source inlet 53 communicates with the DC / DC converter 41, whereby cooling air is taken into the battery case 20 from the first heat source inlet 53 and exchanged with the DC / DC converter 41. Can be cooled. Further, the heat exchanged cooling air is discharged to the outside of the battery case 20 by the blower fan 56. The discharge path of the cooling air can be integrated with the discharge path of the cooling air that has cooled the battery stack 11 as described above. Therefore, a partition wall 58 for partitioning the cooling air path for the battery stack 11 and the cooling air path for the DC / DC converter 41 is provided in the battery case 20.

In the above example, the configuration in which the opening on the side surface of the battery case 20 is the intake port 51 and the opening formed on the back side of the exposed region 23 is the exhaust port 52 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the opening on the side of the battery case 20 may be the exhaust port 52, and the opening formed on the back side of the exposed region may be the intake port. In this case, the blower fan is on the inlet side, and the cooling air is forcibly sent to each part.
(Concave part 25)

Further, the battery case 20 has one or more recesses 25 whose surfaces are recessed in the exposed region 23. Such a recess 25 can be used for positioning and fixing the power supply device 100. The recess 25 is provided on the upper surface side of the battery case 20. By providing the recess 25 on the surface of the battery case 20 as described above, the battery case 20 is positioned on both sides, so that fixing stability and work efficiency can be improved.

(Battery unit 10)

  The battery unit 10 includes the battery stack 11 and the circuit board 42. An exploded perspective view of the battery unit 10 is shown in FIG. In this example, the battery unit 10 includes four battery stacks 11. In the battery stack 11, two sets of two battery stacks 11 arranged so that their longitudinal directions are adjacent to each other are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the battery case 20. However, the number and layout of the battery stack are not limited to this example.

As described above, by placing the resin battery case 20 inside the exterior case 30 while leaving the minimum exterior case 30 structure for ensuring the strength, while balancing the strength and weight reduction, A waterproof structure can also be realized. That is, since the battery case 20 is made of resin, it is easy to have a sealed structure, and it is possible to enhance dustproof and waterproof functions. In addition, as a result of enhancing the insulation on the bottom surface side and the side surface side of the power supply device 100, it is possible to adopt a structure in which the surface of the secondary battery 1 is exposed. Furthermore, it contributes to weight reduction of the power supply device 100.
(Battery laminate 11)

  Each battery stack 11 includes a plurality of secondary batteries 1, a separator 2 that is interposed between main surfaces where the plurality of secondary batteries 1 are stacked to insulate the secondary batteries 1, and a plurality of secondary batteries. 1 and a pair of end plates 3 disposed on end faces in the stacking direction in which separators 2 are alternately stacked, and a plurality of metal fastening members that are disposed on both side surfaces of battery stack 11 and fasten end plates 3 together. 4 is provided.

The secondary battery 1 exposes an outer can. As described above, the insulating property is enhanced by the configuration in which the battery stack 11 is housed in the battery case 20 made of resin. However, the surface of the secondary battery 1 can be covered with an insulating material. For example, the surface of the outer can other than the electrode portion of the secondary battery 1 may be thermally welded with a shrink tube such as a PET resin.
(Fastening member 4)

As shown in FIG. 10, the fastening member 4 is disposed on the side surface side of the battery stack 11 in which the end plate 3 is stacked on the opposite surface, and is fastened to the pair of end plates 3 to fasten the battery stack 11. The fastening member 4 is formed in a size that covers almost the entire side surface of the battery stack 11. Further, a through hole 40 minutes is provided so that cooling air can be blown between the secondary batteries 1. Note that the fastening member may have other shapes. For example, it is good also as a shape which bent the opposing surface of the metal plate extended in strip | belt shape in cross-sectional view U-shape. Further, the position where the fastening member is provided can be the upper surface in addition to the side surface of the battery stack 11. The structure for fixing the fastening member to the end plate is not limited to screwing, and known fixing structures such as rivets, caulking, welding, and adhesion can be used as appropriate.
(Secondary battery 1)

As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 14, the secondary battery 1 is a rectangular lithium ion secondary battery in which the outer can constituting the outer shape is thinner than the width. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery can increase the charge / discharge capacity with respect to capacity and weight. However, the present invention does not specify the secondary battery as a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. As the secondary battery, all rechargeable batteries other than the lithium ion secondary battery 1 can be used.
(Separator 2)

  As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 14, the separator 2 is interposed between the opposing main surfaces of the adjacent secondary batteries 1 to insulate them. The separator 2 is formed in a size that can cover the whole or most of the main surface of the secondary battery 1. Further, the separator has a cooling gap through which cooling air passes between the secondary batteries 1. Each separator is bent in a concavo-convex shape in a vertical sectional view so that a cooling gap 2 b is formed between the separator and the secondary battery 1. Thereby, the battery laminated body 11 has laminated | stacked the several secondary battery 1 in the state in which the cooling gap 2b is made. The cooling gap is connected to a cooling mechanism for cooling by forcibly blowing cooling air such as air or cooling gas. Further, the separator 2 has the secondary battery 1 connected to both surfaces thereof with a fitting structure. By using the separator 2 connected to the secondary battery 1 by the fitting structure, the adjacent secondary batteries 1 can be stacked while being prevented from being displaced.

  The separator material is insulative. For example, by using a resin such as plastic, it can be configured to be lightweight and inexpensive. In addition to a hard member, a flexible member may be used. In particular, a separator having no cooling gap can be made of a thin flexible material such as a tape. If a separator having an adhesive surface applied on one side is used as a tape shape, it is easy to apply it to a region requiring insulation, such as the main surface or part of the side surface of the secondary battery 1. In addition, the thickness of the separator can be easily reduced by using a tape, and an increase in thickness and weight of the battery stack 11 can be suppressed.

  By making the power supply device 100 having the above configuration, the resin battery case 20 ensures hermeticity while securing the strength by leaving the outer case 30 partially, and maintaining strength and exhibiting waterproofness, Weight reduction is achieved.

  FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram of the power supply device 100. In the power supply device 100, a fuse is connected between the battery units 10 connected in series. In the power supply device 100, two battery units 10 are connected in series to form one battery set, and two battery sets are connected in series via a fuse 12. Since the conventional power supply device 100 has the fuse 12 connected in series to the output side of the device, even if the fuse 12 is submerged and the fuse 12 is blown, the voltage on the output side of the battery unit 10 is the same as that of the four battery units 10. The sum of the voltages, that is, a voltage that is four times the voltage of each battery unit 10 is obtained. For this reason, even if the power supply apparatus 100 is submerged and the fuse 12 is blown, the voltage on the output side of the battery unit 10 is a quadruple voltage and a short current flows. In the power supply device 100 of FIG. 15, when the fuse 12 is submerged and the fuse 12 is blown, the two sets of assembled batteries are disconnected, and the output voltage of each assembled battery is the added value of the two sets of battery units 10, that is, the battery unit. 10 times the voltage. Therefore, when the power supply device 100 is submerged and the fuse 12 is blown, the short-circuit current flowing through each assembled battery is reduced to ½, and the safety when submerged can be further increased.

The power supply device 100 described above can be used as an in-vehicle power supply. As a vehicle equipped with the power supply device 100, a hybrid vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle that travels with both an engine and a motor, or an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle that travels with only a motor can be used, and is used as a power source for these vehicles. The
(Hybrid vehicle power supply device 100)

FIG. 16 shows an example in which the power supply device 100 is mounted on a hybrid vehicle that travels with both an engine and a motor. A vehicle HV equipped with the power supply device 100 shown in this figure includes an engine 96 and a running motor 93 that run the vehicle HV, a power supply device 100 that supplies power to the motor 93, and power generation that charges a battery of the power supply device 100. Machine 94. The power supply apparatus 100 is connected to a motor 93 and a generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. The vehicle HV travels by both the motor 93 and the engine 96 while charging / discharging the battery of the power supply device 100. The motor 93 is driven to drive the vehicle when the engine efficiency is low, for example, during acceleration or low-speed driving. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100. The generator 94 is driven by the engine 96 or is driven by regenerative braking when the vehicle is braked to charge the battery of the power supply device 100.
(Electric vehicle power supply device 100)

  FIG. 17 shows an example in which the power supply device 100 is mounted on an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor. A vehicle EV equipped with the power supply device 100 shown in this figure includes a traveling motor 93 for running the vehicle EV, a power supply device 100 that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator that charges a battery of the power supply device 100. 94. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100. The generator 94 is driven by energy when regeneratively braking the vehicle EV and charges the battery of the power supply device 100.

  The embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the above embodiments and examples are examples for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above. Moreover, this specification does not specify the member shown by the claim as the member of embodiment. In particular, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to specific examples unless otherwise specifically described. Only. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in the above description, the same name and symbol indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing.

  The vehicle including the power supply device according to the present invention can be suitably used as a power supply device for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, an electric vehicle, or the like that can switch between the EV traveling mode and the HEV traveling mode. In addition, the power supply device is a backup power supply device that can be mounted on a rack of a computer server, a backup power supply device for a radio base station such as a mobile phone, a power supply for household use, a power storage for a factory, a power supply for a street light, etc. The present invention can also be used as appropriate for uses such as a combined power storage device and a backup power source such as a traffic light.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Secondary battery 2 ... Separator 2b ... Cooling gap 3 ... End plate 4 ... Fastening member 10 ... Battery unit 11 ... Battery laminated body 12 ... Fuse 20 ... Battery case 21 ... Upper case 22 ... Lower case 23 ... Exposed area 24 ... elastic member 25 ... recess 30 ... exterior case
31 ... 1st plate 32 ... 2nd plate 34 ... Lid plate 35 ... Bottom plate 35A ... Lower plate part
35B ... Upper plate part
35C ... partition wall 36 ... fixed piece 37 ... peripheral wall 38 ... side plate 39 ... counter plate 39A ... first counter plate
39B ... 2nd opposing plate 40 ... Through-hole 40A ... Through-hole of 1st opposing plate
40B ... Through hole of second counter plate
40C ... Gradual opening 41 ... DC / DC converter 42 ... Circuit board 51 ... Intake port 52 ... Exhaust port 53 ... First heat source intake port 56 ... Blower fan 58 ... Upper and lower partition wall 91 ... Cross member 92 ... Chassis 93 ... Motor 94 ... Generator 95 ... DC / AC inverter 96 ... Engine 100 ... Power supply D ... Level difference d between 40A and 40B ... Height ST ... Seat HV ... Hybrid vehicle EV ... Electric vehicle

Claims (8)

A power supply device in which a plurality of secondary batteries are arranged in a horizontal direction in an outer case,
The first and second opposing plates arranged on the opposing surface of the exterior case have through holes,
The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the through holes of the first counter plate and the second counter plate are arranged with their lower edges vertically displaced. The power supply device according to claim 1,
The outer case is arranged inside as a battery unit formed by connecting a plurality of secondary batteries,
In the outer case, the battery unit is disposed on the first counter plate side and the second counter plate side,
The lower edge of the through hole of the first counter plate is disposed below the lower edge of the through hole of the second counter plate,
The power supply device, wherein the battery unit arranged on the first counter plate side is arranged below the battery unit arranged on the second counter plate side. The power supply device according to claim 2,
The bottom plate of the outer case has a lower plate portion arranged on the first counter plate side and an upper plate portion arranged on the second counter plate side,
The lower plate portion is disposed below the upper plate portion,
The power supply apparatus, wherein the battery unit is disposed on the lower plate portion and the upper plate portion, and the battery units are disposed so as to be displaced vertically. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the through hole is a blower opening that blows and cools the secondary battery disposed in the outer case. The power supply device according to claim 3 or 4,
The power supply apparatus, wherein the bottom plate is provided with a partition wall between the lower plate portion and the upper plate portion. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A waterproof battery case containing the secondary battery is provided,
The battery case has an inner opening for blowing air to the secondary battery,
The battery case is housed inside the outer wall of the outer case,
The inner opening is disposed at a position facing the through hole provided in the exterior case,
A power supply apparatus, wherein cooling air passing through the through hole and the inner opening is blown into the battery case to cool the secondary battery.   A vehicle provided with the power supply device according to claim 1. A vehicle comprising the power supply device according to claim 7,
A vehicle comprising the power supply device disposed between a vehicle chassis and a seat.

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