JP7837655B2 - Frame structure with battery for vehicle power - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a frame structure with a battery for vehicle power.

With advancements in battery technology, the use of relatively large-capacity batteries is becoming increasingly popular. Furthermore, there are cases where multiple batteries need to be installed. For example, multiple batteries used to charge electricity generated from solar power or biomass may be housed in enclosures like the one disclosed in Patent Document 1. Separately from this trend, there is a growing consideration of reusing vehicle power batteries used as the power source for electric vehicles. For instance, if vehicle power batteries removed from electric vehicles are collected, charged, and then used in facilities such as factories, housing the vehicle power batteries in enclosures like the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a possible solution.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-164914

However, the weight of a single battery for electric vehicle power is said to be approximately 250 kg to 500 kg. Therefore, a robust structure is required to support multiple battery units. Furthermore, if the number of battery units used varies depending on the operating environment, a fixed-size enclosure like that in Patent Document 1 cannot accommodate this.

The inventors of this invention have attempted to solve this problem through diligent study. The problem that this invention aims to solve is to facilitate adaptation to changes in the number of vehicle power storage batteries installed when using a collection of vehicle power storage batteries.

To solve the above problems, a frame structure with a vehicle power battery is provided, comprising a battery unit in which a vehicle power battery is fixed to a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame constructed using multiple frames, and connecting parts that can be used to connect the battery units to each other.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the battery fixing member used to secure the vehicle's power battery is configured to bridge the gap between opposing frames of the battery unit.

Furthermore, when the frame of a rectangular parallelepiped structure is configured such that the surface with the largest area enclosed by the frame is designated as the first virtual surface, and the other surfaces are designated as the second virtual surfaces, it is preferable that adjacent battery units are connected in a configuration where their first virtual surfaces face each other.

Furthermore, it is preferable to have a configuration that includes mounting parts on the frame to which suspension members can be attached.

Furthermore, it is preferable to provide multiple fixing points on the frame that can be used as fixing points for the battery fixing member, allowing the fixing point of the battery fixing member to be selected.

This invention makes it possible to easily accommodate changes in the number of vehicle power storage batteries installed when using a collection of vehicle power storage batteries.

This is a perspective view showing an example of a frame structure with a battery for vehicle power. Figure 1 is a side view of the frame structure with a battery for vehicle power, as seen from the side. Figure 1 is a partially enlarged view of the frame structure with a battery for vehicle power, as shown in Figure 1. This diagram shows an example of a method for securing the vehicle's power battery to the frame and the battery mounting member. Bolts and nuts are used for fastening. This diagram shows an example of connecting battery storage units together. This figure shows an example of changing the orientation of the frame structure with a battery for vehicle power, as shown in Figure 1. This figure shows an example of lifting the middle battery unit among the three battery units that make up the frame structure with a battery for vehicle power shown in Figure 7. This is a perspective view showing an example of a vehicle power storage battery fixed to a mounting base. This diagram shows an example of how the mounting platform for the vehicle's power storage battery is secured to the frame. Bolts and nuts are used for fastening. This figure shows the positional relationship between the guide section and the guide mark section when the mounting platform shown in Figure 9 is fixed to the frame. This figure shows the positional relationship between the mounting platform and the frame when the mounting platform shown in Figure 9 is fixed to the frame. This figure shows an example of a frame structure with vehicle power batteries, created by connecting two rectangular parallelepiped frames and fixing three vehicle power batteries to them.

The following describes embodiments for carrying out the invention. The frame structure with a vehicle power battery of this embodiment includes a battery unit BU in which a vehicle power battery Ba is fixed to a frame 4 constructed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape using multiple frames 3, and the frame 3 is provided with a connecting portion 51 that can be used to connect the battery units BU to each other. Therefore, when using a collection of vehicle power batteries Ba, it is easier to accommodate changes in the number of installed vehicle power batteries Ba. Note that the vehicle power battery Ba has a complex shape because it is formed to match the structure of the vehicle. Therefore, it is difficult to connect the vehicle power batteries Ba directly, for example, by stacking them. However, as described above, by housing the vehicle power batteries Ba in the frame structure, it becomes possible to easily connect the frame structures.

The vehicle power battery frame structure shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a vehicle power battery Ba and a battery unit BU formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape by multiple frames 3. The battery units BU are connected to each other. The battery unit BU includes a frame 4 formed by assembling the frames 3 in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. This frame 4 is configured to house all or most of the vehicle power battery Ba internally, allowing the frames 3 to protect the vehicle power battery Ba. While the frames 3 in this embodiment are made of metal, other materials may be used as long as they can support the vehicle power battery Ba. However, considering cost, it is preferable that the frames 3 be made of metal.

In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, a rectangular parallelepiped frame 4 is formed by combining four vertically extending frames 3, four horizontally extending frames 3, and four depth-extending frames 3, for a total of twelve frames 3. In this example, the frames 3 are fixed to each other using bolts and nuts.

In the examples shown in Figures 1 and 2, the battery fixing member 61 used to secure the vehicle power battery Ba is bridged between opposing frames 3 of the battery unit BU. This allows for firm support of the heavy vehicle power battery Ba. Furthermore, because the vehicle power battery Ba is heavy, there are locations where a reinforcing member 62 is placed between the opposing frames 3. The reinforcing member 62 can function as a support member, allowing for the wrapping of wiring to the vehicle power battery Ba with cable ties, etc.

The battery unit BU has holes in various places, which are used, for example, to connect frames 3 to each other, to connect frames 3 to the battery fixing member 61, to connect frames 3 to the reinforcing member 62, and to connect battery unit BUs to each other. Furthermore, it is preferable to form mounting portions on the frame 3 to which suspension members 91, such as eye bolts, can be attached. While these mounting portions can be formed by providing holes, the configuration is not limited to this.

Furthermore, it is preferable to provide multiple fixing portions 33 on the frame 3 that can be used as fixing points for the battery fixing member 61, allowing selection of the fixing points for the battery fixing member 61. The fixing portions 33 can be formed by providing holes, but the configuration is not limited to this.

The holes used to connect the frame 3 and the battery fixing member 61 are preferably formed in multiple locations at intervals along the length of the frame 3, corresponding to the longest side of the rectangular parallelepiped. It is also preferable to form elongated holes. This allows for adjustment of the fixing position depending on the type of vehicle power battery Ba fixed to the frame 4.

As can be seen from Figures 1 to 4, in this embodiment, the battery fixing member 61 connected to the vehicle power battery Ba is fixed across the frames 3 corresponding to the longest sides of the rectangular parallelepiped frame 4. The battery fixing member 61 in this embodiment has a hat-shaped cross-section, and is fixed to the frames 3 using bolts and nuts at the surfaces located at both ends of the hat shape.

This battery fixing member 61 is connected to the vehicle power battery Ba at the center of its hat shape. The connection between the vehicle power battery Ba and the battery fixing member 61 is also secured using bolts and nuts.

Furthermore, since the vehicle power battery Ba is a large battery, it generates a significant amount of heat. However, by fixing the battery fixing member 61 to the frame 3, the vehicle power battery Ba can be installed in a position elevated from the frame 3. This improves the heat dissipation of the vehicle power battery Ba. The battery unit BU of this embodiment is primarily composed of the frame 3, the battery fixing member 61, and the vehicle power battery Ba.

Incidentally, the required number of vehicle power storage batteries Ba and battery units BU varies and can fluctuate. When multiple battery units BU are needed, it is preferable to connect them to prevent them from tipping over. In the example shown in Figure 5, the frame 3 is equipped with a fitting through which a bolt can be inserted, and the battery units BU are connected using bolts and nuts. Furthermore, using the fitting attached to the frame 3 as the connecting part 51 reduces the burden of processing the frame 3.

While various connection configurations for battery units BU are conceivable, it is preferable to connect adjacent battery units BU so that their first virtual surfaces face each other, assuming that the surface with the largest area enclosed by the frame 3 of the rectangular parallelepiped frame 4 is the first virtual surface, and the other surfaces are the second virtual surfaces. In other words, it is preferable to connect them so that the widest surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped frame 4 face each other. This allows for installation on the mounting surface using either the first or second virtual surface, thus broadening the range of possible installation configurations.

Although not shown in the diagram, the first and second virtual surfaces may be provided with plate-like members such as a bottom panel, top panel, side panels, back panel, and front panel.

When using a frame structure with a vehicle power battery, it is necessary to connect wiring to the vehicle power battery Ba, and it is preferable that the wiring to the vehicle power battery Ba is routed through a second virtual plane.

Incidentally, as can be seen from Figures 6 and 7, the device may be placed vertically with either of the second virtual surfaces as the base. In this case, it is preferable that the wiring is routed through the second virtual surface located on the top surface.

When the units are placed vertically with either of the second virtual surfaces as the base, the central battery unit BU can be removed even if there are battery units BU on both sides. For example, as can be seen from Figures 6 and 7, when three battery units BU are connected, the central battery unit BU can be lifted by a crane using a rope 92 connected to a lifting member 91 fixed to the central battery unit BU, and the newly used battery unit BU can be lowered and inserted, allowing only the central battery unit BU to be moved and replaced. This is more advantageous than the horizontal placement shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, when the units are placed vertically as in Figure 6, the horizontally extending reinforcing member 62 can be used like a ladder. Furthermore, the horizontally extending reinforcing member 62 can also be used as a step stool when workers are wiring the vehicle power battery Ba or installing and removing eyebolts.

Incidentally, since the vehicle power battery Ba is a heavy object, it may be transported using a forklift or similar equipment. Therefore, it is preferable to place and secure the vehicle power battery Ba on the mounting base 7 to facilitate handling. In the example shown in Figure 8, the battery fixing sections 71 are arranged at intervals on the upper surface of the mounting base 7.

The mounting base 7 is supported by the frame 3 that constitutes the structure 4 of the battery unit BU. In the example shown in Figure 9, mounting base fixing members 41 are fixed to the frame 3 at both ends of the structure 4, and the mounting base 7 is placed on these mounting base fixing members 41. The mounting base 7 has leg-shaped mounting sections 73 at both ends, and these mounting sections 73 are placed on the mounting base fixing members 41. The mounting base 7 is then fixed to the structure 4 by bolts. Therefore, holes for passing bolts are provided in the mounting sections 73.

It is preferable to provide an insertion section 74 on the mounting platform 7 that prevents the platform 7 from shifting laterally when the forks of a forklift are inserted into it. The insertion section 74 shown in Figure 8 is a concave portion that is recessed downwards, and two insertion sections 74 are provided on the mounting platform 7 at intervals.

The insertion section 74 is preferably configured with an open bottom or a hole shape that provides several times the length of the forklift's forks in the vertical direction, in order to allow the forklift's tines to be withdrawn after the mounting section 73 has been placed on the mounting surface such as the mounting base fixing member 41.

Furthermore, the mounting platform 7 is provided with a guide section 75 to serve as a reference point for the operator when using a forklift to place the vehicle power battery Ba onto the frame 3. The guide section 75 shown in Figure 8 is an L-shaped member in cross-section, with the corner located on the lower side. In the example shown in Figure 8, the guide section 75 is positioned so as to be in the center of the mounting platform 7 in the left-right direction when viewed from the side.

In contrast, the frame 4 side is equipped with a guide mark 43 that is used together with the guide mark 75. The guide mark 43 shown in Figure 9 is an M-shaped section, formed by arranging L-shaped bending members 93 side by side.

In the examples shown in Figures 9 and 10, a receiving member 94 is provided, and the L-shaped bending member 93 is placed on and fixed to this receiving member 94. The receiving member 94 shown in Figure 10 has raised pieces 94a formed by bending both ends of a plate-shaped member. This receiving member 94 has a roughly U-shaped cross-section, and a nut 101 is provided on a fixing piece 94b located between the raised pieces 94a. Since the nut 101 is welded to the fixing piece 94b, the effort required to fix the receiving member 94 can be reduced. Furthermore, if the nut 101 is fixed in advance, the receiving member 94 can be fixed even if the L-shaped bending member 93 is placed so as to cover the nut 101.

In the examples shown in Figures 9 and 10, the two L-shaped bent members 93 are placed on the receiving member 94 with their apex at the top, forming a mountain shape, and creating a valley between the L-shaped bent members 93. It is preferable that the width of the two L-shaped bent members 93 placed side by side and the width between the raised pieces 94a of the receiving member 94 are approximately the same. This makes it easier to accurately form the position of the valley.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the three components be fixed together by welding at the valley portion between the L-shaped bending members 93 and between the L-shaped bending members 93 and the receiving member 94. Also, as in the embodiment, if a gap is created between the guide portion 75 and the guide mark portion 43, problems are unlikely to occur even if there are some welding marks at the connection points between the L-shaped bending members 93.

Incidentally, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, when the guide mark section 43 is formed in an M-shape with two peaks side by side in a side view, if the width from the bottom of the valley to the peak of the guide mark section 43 in the left-right direction is A, and as shown in Figure 11, if the distance between the left-right ends of the mounting base 7 and the adjacent vertically extending frame 3 is B, it is preferable to set the length of B to be longer than the length of A. In this way, the width of the valley of the guide mark section 43 (the width between the peaks of adjacent peaks; in the example shown in Figure 10, it is twice the length of A) can be used as the allowable error range in the initial stage of movement of the guide section 75, and adjustments can be made in stages. Therefore, it becomes easier to suppress contact between the ends of the mounting base 7 and the vertically extending frame 3 of the frame 4 when the mounting base 7 is moved.

In this embodiment, the guide portion 75 and the guiding mark portion 43 are configured to be non-contact when the mounting base 7 is properly placed. This configuration is preferable when the guide portion 75 and the guiding mark portion 43 are made of materials that are resistant to deformation.

It is preferable that at least one of the guide section 75 and the guiding marker section 43 be configured to be at an angle to the installation surface. This configuration makes it easier for forklift operators to grasp the distance between the guide section 75 and the guiding marker section 43.

The vehicle power battery Ba may be mounted on the outside of the frame 4 of the battery unit BU (see Figure 12). This allows for efficient use of space. In this example, the vehicle power battery Ba is fixed to the mounting base 7, and then placed on the frame 3 (battery unit BU) assembled with a forklift, with the mounting base 7 and other components secured. This method, where the heavy vehicle power battery Ba is placed and secured to the pre-assembled frame 4 using a forklift, improves work efficiency. The frame structure with the vehicle power battery shown in Figure 12 includes a base 31 at the bottom.

The present invention has been described above using embodiments as examples, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various ways. For example, it is possible to manufacture the battery unit by fixing the vehicle power battery to the frame before assembling the frame structure.

Furthermore, the vehicle power frame structure may be formed using a single battery unit, rather than being limited to connecting multiple battery units.

3 Frame 4 Framing 51 Connecting part 61 Battery fixing member 91 Suspension member

Claims (3)

A frame structure with a vehicle power battery, comprising a battery unit in which a vehicle power battery is fixed so as to be housed within a frame structure formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped using multiple frames, and having connecting parts on the frame that can be used to connect the battery units together ,
The battery unit, when positioned vertically with the bottom facing a side other than the side with the largest area enclosed by the frame, is equipped with a suspension member that protrudes above the frame located at the top of the structure.
A frame structure with a vehicle power battery, wherein a specific battery unit to be replaced can be lifted via the suspension member and pulled upward from between adjacent battery units. The battery unit comprises a frame structure formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape using multiple frames, with a vehicle power battery fixed to it.
A frame structure with a battery for vehicle power, which is provided on the frame with a connecting part that can be used to connect battery units together,
The frame has a battery fixing member used to fix the vehicle power battery,
A battery fixing member is bridged between the opposing frames of the battery unit and fixed to the upper surface of the frame from above, and the vehicle power battery is fixed to the battery fixing member in a frame structure with a vehicle power battery. The frame structure with a vehicle power battery according to claim 2, wherein the frame is provided with an inviting guide portion, the mounting base on which the vehicle power battery is placed and fixed is provided with a guide portion, and at least one of the inviting guide portion and the guide portion is configured to be at an angle with respect to the installation surface .