JP7559549B2 - Vehicle Battery Pack - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle battery pack that is mounted on a vehicle.

Vehicles such as electric vehicles may be equipped with a vehicle battery pack for the purpose of electrically driving the vehicle. Typically, the vehicle battery pack has a cooling device capable of cooling the battery module therein, and the cooling device has a duct configured to pass a refrigerant for cooling the battery module. In addition, the vehicle battery pack is required to protect the vehicle battery pack from impacts even if the vehicle receives an external impact due to a vehicle collision or the like.

One example of a vehicle battery pack that takes such requirements into account is an on-board battery with a cooling structure in which at least one of the intake duct and exhaust duct that allow cooling air to pass through is arranged along the end of the battery pack in the vehicle width direction, and is set to have a lower breaking strength against input in the vehicle width direction than the battery pack. (See, for example, Patent Document 1.)

JP 2013-067335 A

Here, various devices may be provided inside the vehicle battery pack, such as electrical devices such as a battery control device that can control the battery module, and pumps such as a blower. In such a vehicle battery pack, if the vehicle receives an external impact, the devices may move and come into contact with the surrounding parts, which may result in damage to the devices. In contrast, in one example of the vehicle battery pack described above, the entire vehicle battery pack is only protected by at least one of the intake duct and the exhaust duct, and the devices inside the vehicle battery pack cannot be protected individually.

Given this situation, it is desirable to efficiently protect the equipment inside the vehicle battery pack from impacts applied to the vehicle.

In order to solve the problem, a vehicle battery pack according to one embodiment is a vehicle battery pack mounted on a vehicle, the vehicle battery pack including: a battery module; a pump configured to be able to discharge or suck a coolant that cools the battery module; and a cooling device having a connection duct extending horizontally from the pump and allowing the coolant to pass through; an electric device arranged at a distance from the pump in a specific direction of the horizontal direction and aligned with the pump in the specific direction ; and a support base that supports the pump and the electric device from below , the specific direction being a width direction of the vehicle, and the support base being a support base on which the pump and the electric device are placed. and a mounting portion having a lateral end region facing outward in the width direction of the vehicle, and legs extending downward from the lateral end regions of the mounting portion in the width direction, the legs being supported from below by a battery case that houses the battery module, the cooling device, and the electrical equipment, the battery case having an upper case and a lower case each including a flange protruding horizontally, the upper case and the lower case being attached to each other using an overlapping portion that overlaps and joins the flanges in the vertical direction, and the overlapping portion being positioned so as to overlap the legs in the vertical direction of the vehicle .

In one embodiment of the vehicle battery pack, the equipment inside the vehicle battery pack can be effectively protected from impacts applied to the vehicle.

FIG. 1 is a plan view that illustrates a schematic bottom portion of a vehicle body including a vehicle battery pack according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view that shows a schematic view of a mounting mechanism and its surroundings that are used to mount a vehicle battery pack according to one embodiment to a left side frame of a vehicle body. FIG. 3 is a plan view that shows a schematic view of the bottom of a vehicle body including a vehicle battery pack according to one embodiment, with a floor panel being seen through the transparent state. FIG. 4 is a plan view that shows a schematic view of a vehicle battery pack according to one embodiment with its upper case removed. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line WW in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion Y in FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the arrow Z as viewed from the arrow Z in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line WW in FIG. 1 during a vehicle side collision.

A vehicle battery pack according to one embodiment will be described together with a vehicle equipped with the battery pack. The vehicle equipped with the vehicle battery pack according to this embodiment (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "battery pack" as necessary) is an electric vehicle. However, the vehicle may also be an electric vehicle other than an electric vehicle that can be equipped with a battery pack.

In the drawings used in the description of this specification, directions relative to the vehicle are indicated as follows. In Figs. 1 to 4 and 6 to 8, the front and rear of the vehicle are indicated by single-sided arrows F and B, respectively. In Figs. 1 to 5, 7, and 9, the left and right when facing the front of the vehicle are indicated by single-sided arrows L and R, respectively. The vehicle width direction is indicated by single-sided arrows L and R. Furthermore, in Figs. 2, 5, 6, 8, and 9, the top and bottom of the vehicle are indicated by single-sided arrows U and D, respectively.

Note that left and right refer to the left and right when facing forward on the vehicle. The horizontal direction refers to the direction along the front-to-rear and width directions of the vehicle. The top and bottom of the vehicle are sometimes simply called the top and bottom, respectively.

"Battery pack and vehicle overview"
An overview of a battery pack 10 and a vehicle according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. That is, the battery pack 10 and the vehicle according to this embodiment are generally configured as follows. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the battery pack 10 is mounted on the vehicle. As shown in Figures 4 to 8, the battery pack 10 has a plurality of battery modules 11.

The battery pack 10 has a cooling device 12 configured to be able to cool the multiple battery modules 11. The cooling device 12 has a pump 20 configured to be able to discharge the refrigerant that cools the multiple battery modules 11. However, the cooling device can also have a pump configured to be able to suck in the refrigerant instead of the pump configured to be able to discharge the refrigerant.

The battery pack 10 has an electric device 13 that is spaced apart from the pump 20 in a specific horizontal direction and aligned with the pump 20 in the specific direction. The cooling device 12 has a connection duct 21 that extends horizontally from the pump 20. The connection duct 21 is configured to allow the passage of a refrigerant.

The pump 20 has a pump body 20a. The pump 20 also has a pump side connection part 20b that is connected to the connection duct 21. The pump body 20a has a driving source 20c for the pump 20. The pump side connection part 20b extends from the pump body 20a. The connection duct 21 has a duct side connection part 21a that is connected to the pump side connection part 20b. The connection duct 21 has a crossing part 21b that passes through the space between the pump 20 and the electrical device 13. The crossing part 21b extends from the duct side connection part 21a.

Furthermore, the battery pack 10 and vehicle according to this embodiment can be generally configured as follows. As shown in Figs. 4 and 7, the pump side connection part 20b is disposed closer to the electric device 13 than the horizontal center 20d of the pump body 20a. Furthermore, this pump side connection part 20b can be disposed in the space between the pump 20 and the electric device 13.

The duct side connection part 21a extends at an angle from the pump side connection part 20b toward the crossing part 21b so as to approach the electrical equipment 13. The pump side connection part 20b extends at an angle from the pump body 20a toward the duct side connection part 21a so as to approach the electrical equipment 13.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6 to 8, the cooling device 12 has an intermediate duct 22 that extends to intersect with the transverse portion 21b of the connecting duct 21. The intermediate duct 22 has a cross-connection portion 22a that is connected to the transverse portion 21b of the connecting duct 21. The intermediate duct 22 has an intermediate main body portion 22b that extends horizontally from the cross-connection portion 22a to face the electrical equipment 13 on the electrical equipment 13 side in a specific direction relative to the cross-connection portion 22a.

As described below, if the intermediate duct 22 has an additional intermediate body portion 22c in addition to this intermediate body portion 22b, the intermediate body portion 22b will be referred to as the first intermediate body portion 22b and the additional intermediate body portion 22c will be referred to as the second intermediate body portion 22c, as necessary.

As shown in Figures 4 to 8, the pump 20 and the electric equipment 13 are aligned in the width direction of the vehicle. That is, the specific direction is the width direction of the vehicle. However, the specific direction can also be a horizontal direction other than the width direction of the vehicle. For example, the specific direction can be the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The battery pack 10 has a support base 14 that supports the pump 20 and the electric equipment 13 from below. The support base 14 has a mounting portion 30 on which the pump 20 and the electric equipment 13 are placed. The mounting portion 30 has a side end region 30a that faces outward in the width direction of the vehicle.

The support base 14 also has legs 31 extending downward from the side end region 30a of the mounting portion 30. The legs 31 are supported from below by the battery case 15 of the battery pack 10. The battery case 15 is configured to house the battery module 11, the cooling device 12, and the electrical equipment 13. The side end region 30a of the mounting portion 30 is located outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13.

"Vehicle Details"
1 to 3, the vehicle can be configured in detail as follows: As shown in Fig. 1 to 3, a vehicle body 1 has a floor panel 2 that constitutes a floor (not shown) of the vehicle interior. The battery pack 10 is disposed below the floor panel 2.

The vehicle body 1 also has two side members 3 arranged at a distance from each other in the width direction of the vehicle. Each side member 3 is formed in an elongated shape. Each side member 3 is arranged along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The battery pack 10 is located between the two side members 3 in a plan view. The two side members 3 are located below the floor panel 2. The upper surface of each side member 3 is joined to the lower surface of the floor panel 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle body 1 has a cross member 4 that extends in the vehicle width direction so as to connect two side members 3. The cross member 4 is located above the battery pack 10. The cross member 4 also extends across the battery pack 10 in a plan view. In FIG. 3, the vehicle body 1 has two cross members 4. However, the vehicle body may have one or three or more cross members.

Battery Pack Details
1 to 8, the battery pack 10 can be configured in detail as follows: As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery pack 10 is configured to be attached to two side members 3. The battery pack 10 has an attachment mechanism 16 configured to attach the battery pack 10 to each side member 3. The battery pack 10 has a plurality of attachment mechanisms 16 configured to attach the battery pack 10 to each side member 3. However, the battery pack may also have one attachment mechanism configured to attach the battery pack to each side member.

As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the pump 20 of the cooling device 12 is located closer to the center of the battery pack 10 in a particular direction than the electrical equipment 13 of the battery pack 10. With reference to Figures 4 to 8, the electrical equipment 13 is a precision device that is easily damaged by external impact. The electrical equipment 13 can be a battery control device that can control the charging, discharging, etc. of the battery module 11. However, the electrical equipment is not limited to a battery control device. For example, the electrical equipment can also be an inverter, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, one of the multiple mounting mechanisms 16 configured to be attached to each side member 3 (hereinafter, as necessary, referred to as the "equipment-compatible mounting mechanism") 16 is arranged to correspond to the pump 20 and the electric equipment 13 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the equipment-compatible mounting mechanism 16 of each side member 3 is arranged to correspond to the support base 14 of the battery pack 10 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

Battery Module Details
4 to 8, the battery modules 11 can be configured in detail as follows. With reference to Figs. 4 to 8, each battery module 11 is configured to be capable of charging and discharging electric power used to drive the vehicle. The multiple battery modules 11 are arranged at intervals from one another in the horizontal direction. Some of the multiple battery modules 11 are arranged below the mounting portion 30 of the support base 14.

As shown in FIG. 4, the remaining portions of the multiple battery modules 11 are positioned offset in the horizontal direction relative to the mounting portion 30 of the support base 14. Specifically, the remaining portions of the multiple battery modules 11 are positioned offset in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle relative to the mounting portion 30 of the support base 14. More specifically, the remaining portions of the multiple battery modules 11 are positioned offset toward the front of the vehicle relative to the mounting portion 30 of the support base 14.

"Cooling system details"
4 to 8, the cooling device 12 can be configured in detail as follows. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the pump 20 of the cooling device 12 is a blower 20. In this case, the driving source 20c of the pump 20 can be a fan 20c that is configured to be rotatable so as to send air from the pump body 20a toward the pump side connection part 20b. The refrigerant is also air. However, the refrigerant can also be a gas other than air. Also, the pump can be something other than a blower. In this case, the refrigerant can also be a liquid such as water.

As shown in FIG. 7 in particular, the center of rotation of the driving source 20c can be approximately aligned with the horizontal center 20d of the pump body 20a. By rotating the driving source 20c, a swirling air flow can be generated around the center of rotation within the pump body 20a. This swirling air is discharged from the pump side connection part 20b of the pump 20.

The rotation direction of the drive source 20c is clockwise in a plan view, in which case the swirling air flow is clockwise in a plan view. However, the rotation direction of the drive source can also be counterclockwise in a plan view, in which case the swirling air flow is counterclockwise in a plan view, and the position of the specific direction of the electrical device relative to the pump is opposite to that in the clockwise direction.

As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the pump side connection part 20b of the pump 20 extends in a direction corresponding to the direction of the swirling air flow generated within the pump body 20a. The extension axis 20e extending in the extension direction of the pump side connection part 20b passes through the center 20d of the pump body 20a and is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ clockwise with respect to the reference axis 20f that passes through the center 20d of the pump body 20a and extends in the above-mentioned specific direction. This inclination angle θ can be an acute angle. However, the inclination angle is not limited to this.

The entire duct side connection portion 21a of the connection duct 21 is arranged so as to overlap with the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the specific direction in a plan view. Furthermore, the entire duct side connection portion 21a can be arranged so as to overlap with the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 in the vehicle front-rear direction in a plan view. The duct side connection portion 21a extends in substantially the same direction as the pump side connection portion 20b of the pump 20.

The length of the duct side connection part 21a in the extension direction is longer than the length of the pump side connection part 20b in the extension direction. The crossing part 21b of the connection duct 21 is arranged along a direction substantially perpendicular to the specific direction. The crossing part 21b can be arranged along the vehicle longitudinal direction. In the specific direction, the distance between the crossing part 21b and the electrical device 13 can be equal to or less than the distance between the crossing part 21b and the pump body 20a.

As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the connection duct 21 is arranged so as to overlap a portion of the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 in the vertical direction when viewed in a specific direction. Furthermore, the connection duct 21 can be arranged so as to overlap the entirety of the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 in the vertical direction when viewed in a specific direction.

As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the intermediate duct 22 is arranged along a specific direction. The intermediate duct 22 can be arranged along the width direction of the vehicle. The cross-connection portion 22a of the intermediate duct 22 is approximately perpendicular to the transverse portion 21b of the connecting duct 21. The intermediate duct 22 has a second intermediate main body portion 22c that extends from the cross-connection portion 22a in the horizontal direction so as to face the pump 20 on the pump 20 side in the specific direction relative to the cross-connection portion 22a. The distance between the transverse portion 21b of the connecting duct 21 and the electrical equipment 13 in the specific direction is smaller than the distance between the first intermediate main body portion 22b of the intermediate duct 22 and the electrical equipment 13 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the specific direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower end of the first intermediate body portion 22b is located below the upper end of the electrical device 13. The upper end of the first intermediate body portion 22b is located above the upper end of the electrical device 13. With reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the cross section of the intermediate duct 22 is smaller than the cross section of the connection duct 21.

As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the cooling device 12 has a first distribution duct 23 configured to send the refrigerant passing through the first intermediate body portion 22b of the intermediate duct 22 to a portion of the plurality of battery modules 11. The first distribution duct 23 is connected to the first intermediate body portion 22b. The cooling device 12 has a second distribution duct 24 configured to send the refrigerant passing through the second intermediate body portion 22c of the intermediate duct 22 to another portion of the plurality of battery modules 11. The second distribution duct 24 is connected to the second intermediate body portion 22c.

Each of the connection duct 21, intermediate duct 22, first distribution duct 23, and second distribution duct 24 is made of resin. In this case, each of the connection duct 21, intermediate duct 22, first distribution duct 23, and second distribution duct 24 can be a resin molded product. However, at least one of the connection duct, intermediate duct, first distribution duct, and second distribution duct can also be made of metal. In this case, at least one of the connection duct, intermediate duct, first distribution duct, and second distribution duct can be a press molded product made of a metal plate material.

"Details of the support stand"
4 to 8, the support base 14 can be configured in detail as follows: As shown in Fig. 4 to 8, the support base 14 is located in a rear end region of the battery pack 10 in the vehicle front-rear direction. However, the support base can also be located in a front end region of the battery pack in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The mounting portion 30 of the support base 14 has a mounting surface 30b facing upward. The pump 20, the connection duct 21, and the intermediate duct 22 of the cooling device 12, as well as the electrical equipment 13, are placed directly or indirectly on this mounting surface 30b. The intermediate duct 22 is disposed in the front end area of the mounting surface 30b in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the mounting portion 30 of the support base 14. However, the intermediate duct can also be disposed in the rear end area of the mounting surface in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting portion 30 has two side end sections 30a each facing one side in the vehicle width direction. The support base 14 has two legs 31 each extending downward from the two side end sections 30a of the mounting portion 30. The two legs 31 of the support base 14 are positioned so as to correspond to the device-compatible mounting mechanisms 16 of the two side members 3 in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The two legs 31 are arranged to face the two battery modules 11 (indicated by dashed lines) arranged below the mounting portion 30 in the vehicle width direction. The entirety of each leg 31 is arranged to overlap the battery module 11 that faces the leg 31 in the vehicle front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the leg 31 has a lower flange 31a located at its lower end. The lower flange 31a is attached directly or indirectly to the battery case 15. The leg 31 has a leg body 31b formed to rise from the lower flange 31a. The leg body 31b inclines so as to approach the center of the battery case 15 in the vehicle width direction as it goes from bottom to top. The leg 31 has an upper end section 31c located at its upper end. The upper end section 31c of the leg 31 is connected to the leg body 31b. Furthermore, the upper end section 31c of the leg 31 is attached to the side end section 30a of the mounting portion 30.

Such legs 31 are made of metal. In this case, the legs 31 can be press-molded products made of metal plate material. However, the legs can also be made of resin. In this case, the legs can be resin-molded products.

Battery Case Details
1 to 8, the battery case 15 can be configured in detail as follows. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the battery case 15 has an upper case 40 that forms an upper portion thereof. The battery case 15 also has a lower case 41 that forms a lower portion thereof. The upper case 40 and the lower case 41 are aligned in the up-down direction.

The battery case 15 can be made of metal. In this case, the upper and lower cases 40, 41 of the battery case 15 can be press-molded products made of metal plate material. However, the battery case can also be made of resin. In this case, at least one of the upper and lower cases of the battery case can be a resin molded product.

The upper case 40 has a top wall 40a located at its top end. The upper case 40 has side walls 40b extending downward from the outer periphery of the top wall 40a. The side walls 40b of the upper case 40 are inclined so as to approach the horizontal center of the battery case 15 as they move from the bottom to the top. The upper case 40 has a flange 40c that protrudes from the lower end of the side wall 40b toward the outside in the horizontal direction of the battery case 15.

The lower case 41 has a bottom wall 41a located at its lower end. The lower case 41 has a side wall 41b extending upward from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 41a. The side wall 41b of the lower case 41 slopes downward so as to approach the horizontal center of the battery case 15. The lower case 41 has a flange 41c that protrudes from the upper end of the side wall 41b toward the outside in the horizontal direction of the battery case 15.

The upper and lower cases 40, 41 are attached to each other using overlapping portions 15a that overlap and join the flanges 40c, 41c in the vertical direction. The overlapping portions 15a are located below the two side members 3. The entire overlapping portion 15a is positioned so as to overlap the leg body 31b in the vertical direction of the vehicle. As shown in Figures 1 to 8, multiple mounting mechanisms 16 are attached to the overlapping portions 15a. Therefore, the device-compatible mounting mechanisms 16 are attached to the overlapping portions 15a.

"Effects during vehicle side collisions"
The operation of the battery pack 10 according to this embodiment during a vehicle side collision will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows the device-compatible mounting mechanism 16 and its surroundings in a state after the vehicle side collision. The vehicle side collision described here is a state in which a force (indicated by a one-sided arrow J) from outside the vehicle is applied to the device-compatible mounting mechanism 16 and its surroundings from the side of the vehicle body 1.

During a vehicle side collision, the side member 3 bends so that its device-compatible mounting mechanism 16 and its surrounding parts protrude from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle body 1 toward the center. At this time, the device-compatible mounting mechanism 16 moves from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle body 1 toward the center. As a result, the side walls 40b, 41b of the upper and lower cases 40, 41 of the battery case 15 are curved and deformed so that the overlapping portion 15a protrudes from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle body 1 toward the center.

Next, the overlapping portion 15a pushes the leg body 31b of the leg 31 of the support base 14 from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle body 1 toward the center. As a result, the leg body 31b moves the mounting portion 30 of the support base 14 from the outside in the width direction toward the center so as to move it away from the side walls 40b, 41b of the upper and lower cases 40, 41. This movement of the mounting portion 30 allows the electrical equipment 13 on the mounting portion 30 to be moved away from the side walls 40b, 41b of the upper and lower cases 40, 41.

Furthermore, on the mounting base 30, the electrical equipment 13 tends to move in the vehicle width direction toward the pump 20 due to inertial forces and the like generated by the vehicle side collision. At this time, the duct side connection portion 21a of the connection duct 21 receives the electrical equipment 13 while cushioning it. As a result, it is possible to prevent the electrical equipment 13 from colliding strongly with the pump 20.

As described above, the vehicle battery pack 10 according to this embodiment is a vehicle battery pack 10 mounted on a vehicle, and includes a battery module 11, a pump 20 configured to be able to discharge or suck in a coolant that cools the battery module 11, a cooling device 12 that extends horizontally from the pump 20 and has a connection duct 21 that allows the coolant to pass through, and an electrical device 13 that is spaced apart from the pump 20 in a specific direction of the horizontal direction and is arranged in line with the pump 20 in the specific direction, and the pump 20 includes a pump body 20a having a drive source 20c, and a pump side connection portion 20b that extends from the pump body 20a and is connected to the connection duct 21, and the connection duct 21 includes a duct side connection portion 21a that is connected to the pump side connection portion 20b, and a crossing portion 21b that extends from the duct side connection portion 21a and passes through the space between the pump 20 and the electrical device 13.

With this battery pack 10, even if the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 are brought relatively close to each other due to a vehicle collision or the like, the crossing portion 21b of the connection duct 21 can mitigate the impact between the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 caused by an impact applied to the vehicle. This makes it possible to efficiently protect the equipment inside the battery pack 10 from an impact applied to the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the battery pack 10, the pump side connection part 20b is disposed closer to the electrical device 13 than the horizontal center 20d of the pump body 20a.

With this battery pack 10, even if the pump 20 and the electrical device 13 come relatively close to each other due to a vehicle collision or the like, the pump side connection portion 20b of the pump 20 and the duct side connection portion 21a of the connection duct 21 tend to move toward each other, making it difficult for the duct side connection portion 21a to separate from the pump side connection portion 20b. Therefore, the crossing portion 21b of the connection duct 21 is maintained between the pump 20 and the electrical device 13, and as a result, the crossing portion 21b of the connection duct 21 can reliably mitigate the impact that occurs between the pump 20 and the electrical device 13. Therefore, the equipment inside the battery pack 10 can be efficiently protected from impacts applied to the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the battery pack 10, the pump side connection portion 20b is disposed in the space between the pump 20 and the electrical device 13.

With this battery pack 10, even if the pump 20 and the electrical device 13 are brought relatively close to each other due to a vehicle collision or the like, the pump side connection 20b of the pump 20 and the duct side connection 21a of the connection duct 21 reliably move toward each other, so that the duct side connection 21a can be prevented from coming off the pump side connection 20b. Therefore, the duct side connection 21a and the crossing portion 21b of the connection duct 21 are maintained between the pump 20 and the electrical device 13, and as a result, the duct side connection 21a and the crossing portion 21b of the connection duct 21 can reliably mitigate the impact that occurs between the pump 20 and the electrical device 13. Therefore, the equipment inside the battery pack 10 can be efficiently protected from the impact applied to the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the battery pack 10, the duct side connection portion 21a extends at an angle from the pump side connection portion 20b toward the crossing portion 21b so as to approach the electrical device 13.

With this battery pack 10, even if the pump 20 and the electrical device 13 come relatively close to each other due to a vehicle collision or the like, the electrical device 13 can gently come into contact with the duct side connection portion 21a of the connection duct 21, which extends at an angle. Therefore, the duct side connection portion 21a can efficiently mitigate the impact that occurs between the pump 20 and the electrical device 13. Therefore, the equipment inside the battery pack 10 can be efficiently protected from impacts applied to the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the battery pack 10, the pump side connection portion 20b extends at an angle from the pump body 20a toward the duct side connection portion 21a so as to approach the electrical device 13.

With this battery pack 10, the pump side connection part 20b can be formed to protrude from the pump body 20a, and as a result, the duct side connection part 21a can be shortened according to the amount of protrusion of the pump side connection part 20b. In this case, the duct side connection part 21a can absorb the impact that occurs between the pump 20 and the electrical device 13, while the pump side connection part 20b can prevent the pump 20 and the electrical device 13 from approaching each other. Therefore, the equipment inside the battery pack 10 can be efficiently protected from impacts applied to the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the battery pack 10, the cooling device 12 includes an intermediate duct 22 that extends to intersect with the transverse portion 21b of the connection duct 21, and the intermediate duct 22 has a cross-connection portion 22a that is connected to the transverse portion 21b of the connection duct 21, and an opposing portion 22b that extends from the cross-connection portion 22a in the horizontal direction to face the electrical device 13.

With this battery pack 10, the cross section 21b of the connection duct 21 is reliably supported between the pump side connection section 20b of the pump 20 and the cross connection section 22a of the intermediate duct 22 in the vicinity of the electrical equipment 13. Therefore, the cross section 21b of the connection duct 21 can absorb the impact between the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 while maintaining the shape of the cross section 21b so as to prevent the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 from approaching each other. Therefore, the equipment inside the battery pack 10 can be efficiently protected from impacts applied to the vehicle.

The battery pack 10 according to one embodiment includes a support base 14 that supports the pump 20 and the electric device 13 from below, and the specific direction is the width direction of the vehicle. The support base 14 has a mounting section 30 on which the pump 20 and the electric device 13 are mounted and which has a side end section 30a facing outward in the width direction of the vehicle, and legs 31 that extend downward from the side end section 30a in the width direction of the mounting section 30, and the legs 31 are supported from below by a battery case 15 that houses the battery module 11, the cooling device 12, and the electric device 13.

With this battery pack 10, when a load caused by an impact applied to the vehicle is transmitted to the legs 31 through the battery case 15, the legs 31 can be deformed to absorb the load. Therefore, the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 placed on the mounting part 30 supported by the legs 31 can be efficiently protected from the impact applied to the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the battery pack 10, the side end section 30a of the mounting portion 30 is located outboard of the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 in the width direction of the vehicle.

With this battery pack 10, even if an external impact is applied to the vehicle due to a vehicle collision or the like, the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 can be efficiently prevented from colliding with components such as the battery case 15 located around the mounting portion 30. Therefore, the pump 20 and the electrical equipment 13 can be efficiently protected from impacts applied to the vehicle.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and the present invention can be modified and changed based on its technical concept.

10...battery pack, 11...battery module, 12...cooling device, 13...electrical equipment, control device, 14...support stand, 15...battery case 20...pump, blower, 20a...pump body, 20b...pump side connection portion, 20c...driving source, fan, 20d...center 21...connecting duct, 21a...duct side connection portion, 21b...transverse portion 22...intermediate duct, 22a...cross connection portion, 22b...intermediate body portion, first intermediate body portion 30...mounting portion, 30a...side end region, 31...leg portion

Claims (8)

A vehicle battery pack to be mounted on a vehicle,
A battery module;
A cooling device having a pump configured to be able to discharge or suck a coolant that cools the battery module, and a connection duct extending from the pump along a horizontal direction and allowing the coolant to pass through;
an electric device disposed at a distance from the pump in a specific direction of the horizontal direction and aligned with the pump in the specific direction ;
a support base that supports the pump and the electric device from below;
Equipped with
The specific direction is a width direction of the vehicle,
the support base has a mounting portion on which the pump and the electric device are mounted and which has a side end region facing outward in a width direction of the vehicle, and legs extending downward from the side end regions of the mounting portion in the width direction,
the legs are supported from below by a battery case that accommodates the battery module, the cooling device, and the electrical equipment;
the battery case has an upper case and a lower case each including a flange protruding in a horizontal direction, the upper case and the lower case are attached to each other using an overlapping portion in which the flanges are overlapped and joined in a vertical direction,
The overlapping portion is disposed so as to overlap the leg portion in a vertical direction of the vehicle . the pump includes a pump body having a drive source, and a pump side connection portion extending from the pump body and connected to the connection duct,
2. The vehicle battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the connection duct includes a duct side connection portion connected to the pump side connection portion, and a transverse portion extending from the duct side connection portion and passing through a space between the pump and the electrical device. 3. The vehicle battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the pump side connection portion is disposed closer to the electric device than a horizontal center of the pump body. The vehicle battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the pump side connection portion is disposed in a space between the pump and the electric device. 5. The vehicle battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the duct-side connection portion extends at an incline from the pump-side connection portion toward the crossing portion so as to approach the electric device. The vehicle battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the pump side connection portion extends at an incline so as to approach the electric device from the pump body toward the duct side connection portion. The cooling device includes an intermediate duct extending to intersect a transverse portion of the connecting duct,
7. The vehicle battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate duct has a cross-connection portion connected to the transverse portion of the connection duct, and an intermediate main body portion extending from the cross-connection portion along the horizontal direction so as to face the electrical equipment on the electrical equipment side of the specific direction with respect to the cross -connection portion . The vehicle battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a side end region of the mounting portion is located outward in a width direction of the vehicle relative to the pump and the electric device.