Detailed Description
Embodiments of the battery pack according to the present utility model will be described below. The present utility model is not limited to the present embodiment.
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment as viewed from above. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the battery pack 1 shown in fig. 1, A-A. The arrows Rr, UPR, and LH, which are appropriately shown in the figures, represent the rear direction of the vehicle, the upward direction of the vehicle, and the left direction of the vehicle, respectively, to which the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment is applied. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the vehicle front-rear direction indicates the battery pack width direction, the vehicle left-right direction indicates the battery pack length direction, and the vehicle up-down direction indicates the battery pack up-down direction.
The battery pack 1 according to the embodiment includes a storage case 2, a plurality of first battery packs 3A, a plurality of second battery packs 3B, a plurality of third battery packs 3C, a plurality of fourth battery packs 3D, a plurality of device members 6, and the like. In the following description, the first battery pack 3A, the second battery pack 3B, the third battery pack 3C, and the fourth battery pack 3D are collectively referred to as the respective battery packs 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, and if they are not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as the battery pack 3.
The storage case 2 is formed of a first side wall 20A, a second side wall 20B, a third side wall 20C, a fourth side wall 20D, a bottom plate 21, a first partition wall 22A, and a second partition wall 22B, and is a rectangular parallelepiped having an opening at an upper portion in the up-down direction of the battery pack. In the storage case 2, the first side wall 20A, the second side wall 20B, the third side wall 20C, the fourth side wall 20D, the bottom plate 21, the first partition wall 22A, and the second partition wall 22B are integrally configured. The housing case 2 is formed by, for example, aluminum die casting.
The first side wall 20A is located at one end of the battery pack in the width direction, and the second side wall 20B is located at the other end of the battery pack in the width direction. The third side wall 20C is located at one end in the longitudinal direction of the battery pack, and the fourth side wall 20D is located at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the battery pack. The first, second, third and fourth side walls 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are formed to stand upward from the outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom plate 21.
The first partition wall 22A extends in the pack width direction so as to connect inner side surfaces of the first side wall 20A and the second side wall 20B that face each other. The second partition wall 22B extends in the battery pack longitudinal direction so as to connect inner side surfaces of the third side wall 20C and the fourth side wall 20D that face each other. The first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B intersect each other when viewed from above in the up-down direction of the battery pack, and form a cross-shaped partition wall connecting the opposite side surfaces. The first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B also function as support members for supporting the first side wall 20A, the second side wall 20B, the third side wall 20C, and the fourth side wall 20D in the storage case 2. The housing case 2 is divided into 4 first housing portions 200A, second housing portions 200B, third housing portions 200C, and fourth housing portions 200D by first partition walls 22A and second partition walls 22B. The first housing portion 200A is formed by surrounding a first side wall 20A, a third side wall 20C, a first partition wall 22A, and a second partition wall 22B. The second housing portion 200B is formed by surrounding the first side wall 20A, the fourth side wall 20D, the first partition wall 22A, and the second partition wall 22B. The third housing portion 200C is surrounded by the second side wall 20B, the third side wall 20C, the first partition wall 22A, and the second partition wall 22B. The periphery of the fourth housing portion 200D is surrounded by the second side wall 20B, the fourth side wall 20D, the first partition wall 22A, and the second partition wall 22B.
Specifically, the first battery pack 3A is stored in the first storage unit 200A. In addition, the second battery pack 3B is stored in the second storage unit 200B. In addition, the third battery pack 3C is stored in the third storage unit 200C. In addition, the fourth storage unit 200D stores the fourth battery pack 3D. In the first housing portion 200A, the second housing portion 200B, the third housing portion 200C, and the fourth housing portion 200D, 4 battery packs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D are respectively housed from openings provided in the upper portion of the housing case 2 in the battery pack up-down direction.
The first battery pack 3A is configured such that a plurality of battery cells 31aA, 31bA, 31cA, 31dA, 31eA, 31fA, 31gA, 31hA, 31iA are arranged in the battery pack longitudinal direction from the third side wall 20C side toward the first partition wall 22A side in the battery pack longitudinal direction. In the following description, the plurality of battery cells 31aA, 31bA, 31cA, 31dA, 31eA, 31fA, 31gA, 31hA, 31iA will be simply referred to as "battery cell 31A" unless otherwise specified. In the first battery pack 3A, the positive electrode terminals and the negative electrode terminals of the adjacent battery cells 31A are electrically connected by a plurality of bus bars 4 as connecting members. Thus, the plurality of battery cells 31aA, 31bA, 31cA, 31dA, 31eA, 31fA, 31gA, 31hA, 31iA are electrically connected in series.
Further, harness connection portions 32aA, 32bA are provided at both ends in the battery pack longitudinal direction of the first battery pack 3A. Specifically, in the battery cells 31aA located on the most third side wall 20C side in the pack longitudinal direction of the first battery pack 3A, the harness connection portions 32aA are provided on the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cells 31bA through the bus bars 4. In addition, in the battery cells 31iA located closest to the first partition wall 22A in the battery pack longitudinal direction of the first battery pack 3A, the harness connection portion 32bA is provided at the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cells 31hA through the bus bar 4.
The second battery pack 3B is configured such that a plurality of battery cells 31aB, 31bB, 31cB, 31dB, 31eB, 31fB, 31gB, 31hB, 31iB are arranged in the battery pack longitudinal direction from the first partition wall 22A side toward the fourth side wall 20D side in the battery pack longitudinal direction. In the following description, the plurality of battery cells 31aB, 31bB, 31cB, 31dB, 31eB, 31fB, 31gB, 31hB, 31iB are also simply referred to as the battery cell 31B, unless otherwise specified. In the second battery pack 3B, the positive electrode terminals and the negative electrode terminals of the adjacent battery cells 31B are electrically connected by the plurality of bus bars 4. Thus, the plurality of battery cells 31aB, 31bB, 31cB, 31dB, 31eB, 31fB, 31gB, 31hB, 31iB are electrically connected in series.
Further, harness connection portions 32aB, 32bB are provided at both ends in the battery pack longitudinal direction of the second battery pack 3B. Specifically, in the battery cells 31aB located closest to the first partition wall 22A in the battery pack longitudinal direction of the second battery pack 3B, the harness connection portion 32aB is provided at the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cells 31bB through the bus bar 4. In addition, in the battery cells 31iB located on the most fourth side wall 20D side in the battery pack longitudinal direction of the second battery pack 3B, the harness connection portion 32bB is provided on the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cells 31hB through the bus bars 4.
The third battery pack 3C is configured such that a plurality of battery cells 31aC, 31bC, 31cC, 31dC, 31eC, 31fC, 31gC, 31hC, 31iC are arranged in the battery pack longitudinal direction from the third side wall 20C side toward the first partition wall 22A side in the battery pack longitudinal direction. In the following description, the plurality of battery cells 31aC, 31bC, 31cC, 31dC, 31eC, 31fC, 31gC, 31hC, 31iC will be simply referred to as "battery cell 31C" unless otherwise specified. In the third battery pack 3C, the positive electrode terminals and the negative electrode terminals of the adjacent battery cells 31C are electrically connected by the plurality of bus bars 4. Thus, the plurality of battery cells 31aC, 31bC, 31cC, 31dC, 31eC, 31fC, 31gC, 31hC, 31iC are electrically connected in series.
Further, harness connection portions 32aC, 32bC are provided at both ends in the battery pack longitudinal direction of the third battery pack 3C. Specifically, in the battery cells 31aC of the third battery pack 3C located on the most third side wall 20C side in the pack longitudinal direction, the harness connection portion 32aC is provided at the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cells 31bC through the bus bar 4. In addition, in the battery cells 31iC of the third battery pack 3C located on the most first partition wall 22A side in the battery pack longitudinal direction, harness connection portions 32bC are provided on the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cells 31hC through the bus bars 4.
The fourth battery pack 3D is configured such that a plurality of battery cells 31aD, 31bD, 31cD, 31dD, 31eD, 31fD, 31gD, 31hD, 31iD are arranged in the battery pack longitudinal direction from the partition wall 22A side toward the fourth side wall 20D side. In the following description, the plurality of battery cells 31aD, 31bD, 31cD, 31dD, 31eD, 31fD, 31gD, 31hD, 31iD will be simply referred to as "battery cell 31D" unless otherwise specified. In the fourth battery pack 3D, the positive electrode terminals and the negative electrode terminals of the adjacent battery cells 31D are electrically connected to each other by the plurality of bus bars 4. Thus, the plurality of battery cells 31aD, 31bD, 31cD, 31dD, 31eD, 31fD, 31gD, 31hD, 31iD are electrically connected in series.
Further, harness connection portions 32aD, 32bD are provided at both ends in the battery pack longitudinal direction of the fourth battery pack 3D. Specifically, among the battery cells 31aD located closest to the first partition wall 22A in the battery pack longitudinal direction of the fourth battery pack 3D, the harness connection portion 32aD is provided at the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cells 31bD through the bus bars 4. In addition, among the battery cells 31iD located on the most fourth side wall 20D side in the battery pack longitudinal direction of the fourth battery pack 3D, the harness connection portion 32bD is provided at the remaining terminals that are not electrically connected to the battery cells 31hD through the bus bars 4.
In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, the harness connection portion 32aA of the battery cell 31aA provided in the first battery pack 3A and the harness connection portion 32aC of the battery cell 31aC provided in the third battery pack 3C are electrically connected across the second partition wall 22B by the harness 5A.
In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, the harness connection portion 32bA provided in the battery cell 31iA of the first battery pack 3A and the harness connection portion 32aB provided in the battery cell 31aB of the second battery pack 3B are electrically connected across the first partition wall 22A by the harness 5B.
In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, the harness connection portion 32bC provided in the battery cell 31iC of the third battery pack 3C and the harness connection portion 32aD provided in the battery cell 31aD of the fourth battery pack 3D are electrically connected across the first partition wall 22A by the harness 5C.
The device component 6 includes a system main relay or other electrical components. The terminal of one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the device member 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32bB of the battery cell 31iB provided in the second battery pack 3B, across the fourth side wall 20D, by the harness 5D. The other of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the device member 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32bD of the battery cell 31iD provided in the fourth battery pack 3D, across the fourth side wall 20D, by the harness 5E.
In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, the harness connection portions 32 for electrically connecting the equipment member 6 with the harness 5 are provided at both ends in the battery pack longitudinal direction of the respective battery packs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D. This can improve the degree of freedom in handling the wire harness 5 electrically connecting the battery pack 1 (the battery pack 3) and the equipment member 6. Therefore, in the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost due to an increase in length of the wire harness 5, an increase in volume due to the wire harness processing, and the like, and to improve the degree of freedom in the mounting layout of the equipment members 6.
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a first example in which the mounting layout of the device components 6 is changed in the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment. In the battery pack 1 shown in fig. 3, a mounting layout in which the device members 6 are provided in the battery pack width direction of the battery pack 1 is adopted.
In the battery pack 1 shown in fig. 1, the harness connection portion 32bB of the battery cell 31iB provided in the second battery pack 3B, which is originally electrically connected to the device member 6, is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32bD of the battery cell 31iD provided in the fourth battery pack 3D across the second partition wall 22B via the harness 5F in the battery pack 1 shown in fig. 3.
The wire harness connection portion 32bC of the battery cell 31iC provided in the third battery pack 3C is electrically connected to one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the device member 6 across the second side wall 20B by the wire harness 5G. The other of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the device member 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32aD of the battery cell 31aD provided in the fourth battery pack 3D, across the second side wall 20B by the harness 5H. As a result, in the battery pack 1 shown in fig. 3, the lengths of the harnesses 5G and 5H can be shortened as compared with the case where the equipment member 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32bB and the harness connection portion 32bD in the same manner as in the battery pack 1 shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a second example in which the mounting layout of the device components 6 is changed in the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment. In the battery pack 1 shown in fig. 4, a mounting layout in which the device components 6 are provided on the battery pack 1 is adopted.
In the battery pack 1 shown in fig. 1, the harness connection portion 32bB of the battery cell 31iB provided in the second battery pack 3B, which is originally electrically connected to the device member 6, is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32bD of the battery cell 31iD provided in the fourth battery pack 3D across the second partition wall 22B via the harness 5F in the battery pack 1 shown in fig. 4.
The wire harness connection portion 32bA of the battery cell 31iA provided in the first battery pack 3A is electrically connected to one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the device member 6 across the first side wall 20A by the wire harness 5I. The other of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the device member 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32aB of the battery cell 31aB provided in the second battery pack 3B, across the first side wall 20A, by the harness 5J. As a result, in the battery pack 1 shown in fig. 4, the lengths of the harnesses 5I, 5J can be shortened as compared with the case where the equipment member 6 is electrically connected to the harness connection portion 32bB and the harness connection portion 32bD in the same manner as in the battery pack 1 shown in fig. 1.
In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, the storage case 2 is provided with cross-shaped partition walls intersecting the first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B, which are integrally configured with the first side wall 20A, the second side wall 20B, the third side wall 20C, the fourth side wall 20D, and the bottom plate 21. As a result, for example, compared to the case where the cross-shaped partition walls (the first partition wall 22A and the second partition wall 22B) are different from the storage case 2 (the first side wall 20A, the second side wall 20B, the third side wall 20C, the fourth side wall 20D, and the bottom plate 21), the case rigidity against the load F shown in fig. 1 inputted from the outside of the storage case 2 at the time of collision can be improved, and therefore, impact resistance can be ensured.
In the embodiment, each of the battery packs 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D in the battery pack 1 may be configured by a plurality of battery cells 31, a plurality of separators provided between adjacent battery cells 31, and a pair of end plates provided at both end portions of the battery pack 3. In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, a bus bar may be used instead of the wire harness as a connecting member for electrically connecting the adjacent battery packs 3 across the first partition wall 22A or the second partition wall 22B. In the battery pack 1 according to the embodiment, a wire harness may be used instead of the bus bar as a connecting member for electrically connecting the positive electrode terminals and the negative electrode terminals of the adjacent battery cells 31.