JP2006074869A - Power supply for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The battery temperature is always accurately detected regardless of the operation of a cooling fan, and deterioration due to high temperature of the battery is effectively prevented.
A power supply device for a vehicle forcibly blows air to a plurality of battery modules, a battery case that houses the battery modules, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the battery modules, and the battery case. And a cooling fan 9. The power supply device includes a first temperature sensor 30A that detects the temperature of the battery module 10 that has the highest temperature when the cooling fan 9 is in operation, and a battery that has the highest temperature when the operation of the cooling fan 9 is stopped. The second temperature sensor 30B that detects the temperature of the module 10, the third temperature sensor 30C that detects the temperature of the battery module 10 that is the lowest in the state in which the cooling fan 9 is operated, and the operation of the cooling fan 9 And a fourth temperature sensor 30D that detects the temperature of the battery module 10 at which the temperature is the lowest.
[Selection] Figure 10

Description

  The present invention mainly relates to a power supply device for a vehicle that is mounted on a vehicle such as a fuel cell vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and an electric vehicle and is charged and discharged with a large current.

The power supply device for a vehicle increases the output voltage by connecting a number of batteries in series. In addition, when the battery is charged and discharged with a large current, the battery temperature increases. Since an increase in battery temperature decreases battery performance and shortens the life, an apparatus for controlling the charge / discharge current of the battery with the battery temperature has been developed (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-56962 A

  This publication describes a power supply device that enables stable charging and discharging when temperature variation occurs in a battery. This power supply device controls charging / discharging electric power of a secondary battery connected to a motor for running the vehicle based on the battery temperature. This device detects the temperature of the secondary battery at a plurality of locations with a temperature sensor. The magnitude relationship between the detected minimum temperature and a predetermined low temperature value and high temperature value is compared. Furthermore, when the temperature difference between the maximum temperature and the minimum temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a constant value that does not depend on the temperature is acquired as the upper limit value of the charging power, and the charging power of the secondary battery is controlled so as not to exceed the certain value. . Furthermore, this publication describes in the embodiment that the temperature of the secondary battery is detected by three temperature sensors. In this embodiment, three temperature sensors are arranged on the upper side (in the vicinity of the place where the cooling fine is installed) and the lower side of the secondary battery, and further between them. Temperature sensors are arranged at different locations so that the temperature of the secondary battery configured as an assembled battery can be accurately detected.

  As described above, the power supply device that detects the battery temperature at a plurality of locations can detect the battery temperature and control the charge / discharge of the battery to extend the battery life. In this device, it is important to accurately detect the maximum temperature of the battery and control the charging and discharging of the battery. This is because the battery having the highest temperature is greatly deteriorated. In order to realize this, a temperature sensor is arranged at a position where the maximum temperature of the battery is detected. However, the temperature distribution of the battery differs between when the cooling fan is operating and when it is stopped. Therefore, the temperature sensor that detects the maximum temperature when the cooling fan is operating is the highest temperature sensor when the cooling fan is stopped. The temperature cannot be detected. For this reason, in a state where the operation of the cooling fan is stopped, the maximum temperature of the battery becomes abnormally high, which causes deterioration of the battery.

  Furthermore, in a vehicle power supply device incorporating a plurality of temperature sensors, the temperature sensor may fail and the battery temperature may not be detected. If the charging / discharging of the battery is prohibited in this state, the hybrid vehicle cannot travel in a normal state and causes a problem such as a marked deterioration in acceleration. Moreover, in an electric vehicle and a fuel cell vehicle, it becomes impossible to travel when charging / discharging of the battery is prohibited. However, if the vehicle is driven with the battery charged / discharged in a state where the temperature of the battery cannot be detected, the battery temperature becomes abnormally high, which causes a problem that the battery is significantly deteriorated.

The present invention has been developed for the purpose of solving such drawbacks. An important object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device for a vehicle that can travel the vehicle while accurately detecting the maximum temperature of the battery regardless of the operation of the cooling fan, and effectively preventing deterioration of the battery due to high temperature. There is to do.
In addition, another important object of the present invention is for a vehicle that can travel a vehicle while preventing an abnormally high battery temperature in a state where any temperature sensor fails and the battery temperature cannot be detected. It is to provide a power supply device.

  The power supply device for a vehicle according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules 10 that linearly connect the batteries 1, a battery case 2 that houses the plurality of battery modules 10, and a battery module 10. A temperature sensor 30 for detecting temperature and a cooling fan 9 for cooling the battery module 10 by forcibly blowing air to the battery case 2 are provided. The power supply device includes a first temperature sensor 30A that detects the temperature of the battery module 10 that has the highest temperature when the cooling fan 9 is in operation, and a battery that has the highest temperature when the operation of the cooling fan 9 is stopped. The second temperature sensor 30B that detects the temperature of the module 10, the third temperature sensor 30C that detects the temperature of the battery module 10 that is the lowest in the state in which the cooling fan 9 is operated, and the operation of the cooling fan 9 And a fourth temperature sensor 30D that detects the temperature of the battery module 10 at which the temperature is the lowest.

  In the power supply device for a vehicle of the present invention, the third temperature sensor 30C and the fourth temperature sensor 30D can be made into one temperature sensor.

  The power supply device for a vehicle according to claim 3 of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules 10 that linearly connect the batteries 1, a battery case 2 that houses the plurality of battery modules 10, and a battery module 10. A temperature sensor 30 for detecting temperature and a cooling fan 9 for cooling the battery module 10 by forcibly blowing air to the battery case 2 are provided. The battery case 2 is provided with a cooling duct 14 extending in the longitudinal direction at the central portion thereof, and a plurality of sets of sub cases 11 are arranged in parallel around the cooling duct 14 so that a plurality of battery modules are provided in the sub case 11. 10 is divided and stored. Each sub case 11 has a plurality of battery modules 10 arranged in parallel on the inner side facing the cooling duct 14 and the outer side located on the opposite side, and air blown from the cooling duct 14 is sent to the inner battery module 10. The battery module 10 is cooled by flowing between the battery module 10 and the outer battery module 10. The temperature sensor 30 includes a first temperature sensor 30 </ b> A that detects the temperature of the battery module 10 disposed outside the sub case 11 disposed at the uppermost or lowermost part, and an inner side of the sub case 11 disposed at the lowermost part. The second temperature sensor 30B for detecting the temperature of the battery module 10 arranged at the top and the second temperature sensor 30B for detecting the temperature of the battery module 10 arranged at the bottom inside the sub case 11 arranged at the bottom. 3 temperature sensors 30C. The power supply device detects the maximum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state where the cooling fan 9 is operated by the first temperature sensor 30A, and the maximum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state where the cooling fan 9 is stopped by the second temperature sensor 30B. And the third temperature sensor 30C detects the minimum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state where the cooling fan 9 is operated and stopped.

  The power supply device for a vehicle according to claim 4 of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules 10 that linearly connect the batteries 1, a battery case 2 that houses the plurality of battery modules 10, and a battery module 10. A temperature sensor 30 for detecting temperature and a cooling fan 9 for cooling the battery module 10 by forcibly blowing air to the battery case 2 are provided. The battery case 2 is provided with a cooling duct 14 extending in the longitudinal direction at the central portion thereof, and three rows of sub cases 11 are arranged in parallel around the cooling duct 14 so that a plurality of battery modules 10 are provided in the sub case 11. Is stored separately. The three sets of sub cases 11 include a lower sub case 11A arranged in two rows on both sides of the cooling duct 14, and an upper sub case 11B arranged above the lower sub case 11A. The lower subcase 11 </ b> A has the battery modules 10 arranged in parallel in a plurality of rows so as to be vertically separated from the inner side and the outer side, and the air blown from the cooling duct 14 is forced from the inner battery module 10 to the outer battery module 10. Then, the battery module 10 is cooled. The upper sub-case 11B has the battery modules 10 arranged in parallel in a plurality of rows on the lower side and the upper side, and forcibly blows air blown from the cooling duct 14 from the lower battery module 10 to the upper battery module 10. The battery module 10 is cooled. The temperature sensor 30 is disposed at the top of the first temperature sensor 30A for detecting the temperature of the battery module 10 disposed on the upper side of the upper subcase 11B or on the outer side of the lower subcase 11A, and on the inner side of the lower subcase 11A. A second temperature sensor 30B for detecting the temperature of the battery module 10 to be operated, and a third temperature sensor 30C for detecting the temperature of the battery module 10 disposed at the bottom inside the lower subcase 11A. The power supply device detects the maximum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state where the cooling fan 9 is operated by the first temperature sensor 30A, and the maximum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state where the cooling fan 9 is stopped by the second temperature sensor 30B. And the third temperature sensor 30C detects the minimum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state where the cooling fan 9 is operated and stopped.

  The power supply device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery cases 2 in which the battery modules 10 and the temperature sensor 30 are arranged in the same arrangement or in a symmetrical arrangement. In the state where the temperature sensor 30 does not detect the battery temperature, the temperature of the battery 1 where the battery temperature cannot be detected is detected by the temperature sensor 30 arranged at the same position of the other battery case 2 or at the symmetrical position. Can do.

  In the vehicle power supply device of the present invention, the temperature sensor 30 can be a thermistor. Furthermore, the vehicle power supply device includes a control circuit 31 that limits the maximum current that flows through the battery 1 using signals from the first temperature sensor 30A and the second temperature sensor 30B, and the battery that is detected by the temperature sensor 30. When the temperature of 1 increases, the control circuit 31 can control the maximum current to be small. Furthermore, the vehicle power supply device includes a control circuit 31 that limits the maximum current that flows through the battery 1 by a signal from the third temperature sensor 30C or the fourth temperature sensor 30D, and the battery that is detected by the temperature sensor 30. When the temperature of 1 decreases, the control circuit 31 can control the maximum current to be small.

  The power supply device for a vehicle of the present invention can accurately detect the maximum temperature of the battery in both the state where the cooling fan is operated and the state where the cooling fan is not operated, and can effectively prevent deterioration due to the high temperature of the battery. The power supply device of the present invention detects both the temperature of the battery module that reaches the maximum temperature when the cooling fan is operating and the temperature of the battery module that reaches the maximum temperature when the cooling fan is stopped by separate temperature sensors. Because it does.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiment exemplifies a power supply device for a vehicle for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention does not specify the power supply device as follows.

  Further, in this specification, in order to facilitate understanding of the scope of claims, numbers corresponding to the members shown in the examples are indicated in the “claims” and “means for solving problems” sections. It is added to the members. However, the members shown in the claims are not limited to the members in the embodiments.

  Hereinafter, as a power supply device for a vehicle, a power supply device used for powering a vehicle such as a hybrid car or an electric vehicle will be described in detail. However, the present invention does not specify the vehicle as an automobile. The power supply device of the present invention is a power source for a motor that drives an agricultural machine such as an electric vehicle such as an electric cart or a monorail, a vehicle used in an amusement park, or a cultivator. Can be used as

  1 to 6 realizes a battery case 2 that houses a plurality of batteries 1 and a control circuit 31 that controls charging / discharging of the battery 1 that is housed in the battery case 2. And an electrical component case 20 having a built-in electrical component 21.

  The battery case 2 blows air inside, and cools the battery 1 stored therein with air. The battery case 2 cools the battery 1 by blowing outside air outside the vehicle or blowing air inside the vehicle. The battery case 2 has a suction port 3 for sucking air and an exhaust port 4 for exhausting air sucked from the suction port 3 to the outside. As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply device that supplies outside air outside the vehicle to the battery case 2 connects the duct 5 to the suction port 3 of the battery case 2, and connects the suction port 3 to the outside of the vehicle via the duct 5. In the power supply apparatus, the exhaust port 4 is also connected to the outside of the vehicle via a duct (not shown). The battery case 2 sucks outside air from the suction port 3 through the duct 5 and exhausts the sucked air from the exhaust port 4 to the outside of the vehicle through the duct. However, the power supply device can also cool the battery 1 by blowing the air in the vehicle to the battery case 2. This power supply device opens the inlet 3 and the exhaust 4 in the vehicle.

  The power supply device of FIG. 5 includes two battery cases 2. The battery cases 2 are arranged apart from each other, and the outside is covered with an outer case 7. The battery case 2 has an elongated shape so that the elongated battery module 10 can be accommodated in parallel. The two elongated battery cases 2 are spaced apart from each other in a vertical row, and a suction gap 8 is provided therebetween.

  The outer case 7 is provided with a suction port 3 on the upper surface of the central portion and exhaust ports 4 at both ends. The suction port 3 is connected to a suction gap 8 between the battery cases 2. The battery case 2 is connected to the suction gap 8 and has a suction opening (not shown). The air sucked from the suction port 3 passes through the suction gap 8 provided between the battery cases 2 and flows into each battery case 2 from the suction opening. The air flowing into the battery case 2 cools the battery 1 housed inside and exhausts it to the outside.

  The battery case 2 has a cooling fan 9 fixed on the exhaust side. The cooling fans 9 are fixed to both ends of two battery cases 2 arranged in a vertical row. The two battery cases 2 fixing the cooling fan 9 are covered with an outer case 7 on the outside. The cooling fan 9 sucks the air in the battery case 2 and forcibly exhausts it. The power supply device that sucks outside air outside the vehicle into the battery case 2 prevents the outside air from being blown into the electrical component case 20. This is because when the outside air is blown to the electrical component case 20, the electrical component 21 of the electrical component case 20 is likely to break down due to salt mist containing dust and salt contained in the outside air.

  The power supply device that supplies the outside air to the battery case 2 exhausts the air in the battery case 2 with the cooling fan 9 and does not forcibly exhaust the air in the electrical component case 20. In this power supply device, the internal pressure of the battery case 2 is lower than the internal pressure of the electrical component case 20, and air from the battery case 2 can be prevented from flowing into the electrical component case 20. Therefore, this power supply device does not completely blow off the air between the electrical component case 20 and the battery case 2 and does not blow outside air to the electrical component case 20.

  In the illustrated power supply apparatus, cooling fans 9 are fixed to both ends of two battery cases 2 arranged in a vertical row. Both end portions of the battery case 2 are located at both end portions of the outer case 7. The outer case 7 has exhaust ports 4 at both ends. The cooling fans 9 are disposed at both ends of the outer case 7 and exhaust the exhausted air from the exhaust port 4 to the outside. The power supply device with this structure can cool the batteries 1 housed in both battery cases 2 in a well-balanced manner. This is because each cooling fan 9 forcibly circulates air through the battery case 2. That is, the battery 1 accommodated can be cooled by allowing air to pass through the inside of the battery case 2 from the suction port 3 provided at the center of the battery case 2 toward the exhaust ports 4 at both ends.

  The state in which the battery 1 is stored in each battery case 2 is shown in FIGS. The battery 1 is stored in the battery case 2 in the state of the battery module 10. The battery module 10 is obtained by connecting a plurality of batteries 1 in a straight line in series. In the illustrated battery module 10, six cylindrical batteries 1 are linearly connected in series. However, the battery module may be a battery in which 5 or less batteries are connected, or a battery module in which 7 or more batteries are connected.

  Further, the power supply apparatus shown in the figure stores a plurality of sub cases 11 in each battery case 2, and a plurality of battery modules 10 are stored in the sub cases 11. In the battery case 2, a cooling duct 14 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided at the center portion, and a plurality of sets of subcases 11 are arranged in parallel around the cooling duct 14. Is stored separately.

  Each sub-case 11 accommodates a plurality of battery modules 10 in parallel on the inner side facing the cooling duct 14 and the outer side located on the opposite side. The plurality of battery modules 10 are housed in the sub case 11 so that an air passage gap 13 is formed. Each sub case 11 cools the battery module 10 by flowing the air blown from the cooling duct 14 between the inner battery modules 10 to the outer battery modules 10.

  In the illustrated battery case 2, three rows of sub cases 11 are arranged in parallel, and a plurality of battery modules 10 are accommodated in the sub case 11 in a parallel posture. The three sets of sub cases 11 include a lower sub case 11A arranged in two rows on both sides of the cooling duct 14, and an upper sub case 11B arranged above the lower sub case 11A.

  The lower subcase 11 </ b> A has the battery modules 10 arranged in parallel in a plurality of rows so as to be vertically separated from the inner side and the outer side, and the air blown from the cooling duct 14 is forced from the inner battery module 10 to the outer battery module 10. Thus, the battery module 10 is cooled. In the lower subcase 11A in the figure, three battery modules 10 are arranged inside and two outside, and five battery modules 10 are accommodated in total.

  The upper sub-case 11B has the battery modules 10 arranged in parallel in a plurality of rows on the lower side that is the inner side and the upper side that is the outer side, and the air blown from the cooling duct 14 is sent from the lower battery module 10 to the upper battery. The module 10 is forcibly blown to cool the battery module 10. In the upper subcase 11B in the figure, three battery modules 10 are arranged on the lower side and two battery modules 10 on the upper side, and five battery modules 10 are accommodated. The subcase 11 shown in the figure accommodates three battery modules 10 on the inside and two battery modules 10 on the outside, for a total of five battery modules 10, but the subcase has four or fewer or six or more batteries. Modules can also be stored.

  Three sets of sub cases 11 housed in the battery case 2 have the same shape and house the battery modules 10 in the same arrangement. This power supply device has the advantage that it can be mass-produced efficiently at low cost by producing a large number of the same subcases 11.

  The sub case 11 opens an air transmission gap 15 in order to cool the battery module 10 to be stored. The battery case 2 is provided with an air duct 16 between the sub case 11. The air duct 16 is connected to the suction side of the cooling fan 9. The power supply apparatus shown in these drawings cools the battery 1 by forcibly blowing cooling air between the battery modules 10.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the power supply device fixes a temperature sensor 30 on the surface of a specific battery module 10 in order to detect the temperature of the battery module 10. However, the battery case 2 in FIG. 9 shows a state in which the sub case is removed for easy understanding of the arrangement of the temperature sensor 30. The temperature sensor 30 detects the temperature of the battery module having the highest temperature and the temperature of the battery module having the lowest temperature when the cooling fan 9 is operated and stopped. In particular, it is important to detect the temperature of the battery module that has the highest temperature. Since the battery module 10 has connected the some battery 1 linearly in series, Preferably, it detects the temperature of the battery which becomes the highest temperature, and a low temperature battery.

  Accordingly, the temperature sensor 30 is the first temperature sensor 30A that detects the temperature of the battery module having the highest temperature in the state in which the cooling fan 9 is operated, and the highest temperature in the state in which the operation of the cooling fan 9 is stopped. A second temperature sensor 30B for detecting the temperature of the battery module 10 is provided. Furthermore, the third temperature sensor 30C that detects the temperature of the battery module 10 that has the lowest temperature when the cooling fan 9 is in operation, and the battery module that has the lowest temperature when the operation of the cooling fan 9 is stopped. A fourth temperature sensor 30 </ b> D that detects 10 temperatures is also provided. The third temperature sensor 30C and the fourth temperature sensor 30D that detect the temperature of the battery module 10 having the lowest temperature can be a single temperature sensor.

  As shown in the figure, a power supply device in which a cooling duct 14 is provided in the center of the battery case 2 and a plurality of subcases 11 are arranged around the cooling duct 14 is housed outside the subcase 11 arranged at the top or bottom. The first temperature sensor 30A is arranged so as to detect the temperature of the battery module 10 to be detected, and the temperature of the battery module 10 arranged at the top is detected inside the sub case 11 arranged at the bottom. A second temperature sensor 30B is arranged. Further, the third temperature sensor 30C (fourth temperature sensor 30D) is arranged so as to detect the temperature of the battery module 10 arranged in the lowermost part inside the sub case 11 arranged in the lowest part.

  The first temperature sensor 30 </ b> A detects the maximum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state where the cooling fan 9 is operated. The second temperature sensor 30B detects the maximum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state where the cooling fan 9 is stopped. Further, the third temperature sensor 30C (fourth temperature sensor 30D) detects the minimum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state where the cooling fan 9 is operated and stopped.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the power supply apparatus in which three sets of sub cases 11 are arranged in the battery case 2 and the five battery modules 10 are accommodated in each sub case 11 is shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 10, the first temperature sensor 30A is arranged so as to detect the temperature of the battery module 10 arranged on the upper side of the upper subcase 11B or on the outer side of the lower subcase 11A. The second temperature sensor 30B is arranged so as to detect the temperature of the battery module 10 arranged on the innermost uppermost part. Further, the third temperature sensor 30C (fourth temperature sensor 30D) is arranged so as to detect the temperature of the battery module 10 arranged at the lowermost part inside the lower subcase 11A.

  The first temperature sensor 30 </ b> A and the second temperature sensor 30 </ b> B are fixed not to the battery 1 at both ends of the battery module 10 but to the surface of the intermediate battery 1 sandwiched between the batteries 1 at both ends. This is because the intermediate battery temperature is higher than the battery temperatures at both ends. Therefore, the temperature of the hottest battery of the battery module 10 can be detected by fixing the first temperature sensor 30A and the second temperature sensor 30B to the surface of the intermediate battery 1. The third temperature sensor 30 </ b> C (fourth temperature sensor 30 </ b> D) is fixed to the surface of the battery 1 disposed at the end of the battery module 10. Since the battery temperature at the end is lowest, the third temperature sensor 30C (fourth temperature sensor 30D) is fixed here, and the lowest temperature of the battery module 10 can be detected.

  The power supply device detects the maximum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state in which the cooling fan 9 is operated with the first temperature sensor 30A. The second temperature sensor 30B detects the maximum temperature of the battery module 10 when the cooling fan 9 is stopped. Further, the third temperature sensor 30C (fourth temperature sensor 30D) detects the minimum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state where the cooling fan 9 is operated and stopped.

  Further, the power supply device shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 includes the first temperature sensor 30A for both the battery module 10 disposed on the upper side of the upper subcase 11B and the battery module 10 disposed on the outer side of the lower subcase 11A. Is arranged. This power supply device detects the maximum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state in which the cooling fan 9 is operated with both the first temperature sensors 30A. This power supply device can set the highest battery temperature among the battery temperatures detected by the two first temperature sensors 30 </ b> A to the maximum temperature of the battery module 10 in a state where the cooling fan 9 is operated. Furthermore, this power supply device can set the battery temperature detected by the other normal temperature sensor as the maximum temperature of the battery module 10 when one of the two first temperature sensors 30A fails. . However, in the power supply device, the first temperature sensor is disposed only in one of the battery module disposed on the upper side of the upper subcase and the battery module disposed on the outer side of the lower subcase. It is also possible to detect the maximum temperature of the battery module in a state where the cooling fan is operated.

  5, 9, and 10 includes a plurality of battery cases 2, and the battery modules 10 and the cooling fans 9 are arranged in the battery case 2 in a symmetrical arrangement inside. ing. Thus, each battery case 2 which arrange | positions the battery module 10 and the cooling fan 9 cools the battery module 10 accommodated in an inside similarly. According to this structure, the temperature of the battery module 10 in a symmetrical position becomes substantially equal. The temperature sensor 30 is disposed at a symmetrical position of the battery module 10 housed in each battery case 2. In this power supply device, when the temperature sensor 30 of one of the battery cases 2 is in a state where the battery temperature is not detected, the battery whose temperature cannot be detected by the temperature sensor 30 arranged at the symmetrical position of the other battery case 2 Temperature can be detected. In the battery case 2 described above, the battery module 10, the cooling fan 9, and the temperature sensor 30 are arranged symmetrically. However, if the battery module, the cooling fan, and the temperature sensor are arranged at the same position, one of the temperature sensors fails. Sometimes, the temperature of the battery module can be detected by a temperature sensor at the same position in another battery case.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the power supply device includes a control circuit 31 that limits the maximum charge / discharge current that flows through the battery 1 using signals from the first temperature sensor 30 </ b> A and the second temperature sensor 30 </ b> B. The control circuit 31 is housed in the electrical component case 20 and limits the maximum current charged / discharged at the temperature of the battery 1 detected by the temperature sensor 30. The control circuit 31 performs control so as to decrease the maximum current as the battery temperature increases. In addition, the control circuit 31 charges and discharges at the lowest temperature of the battery 1 detected by the third temperature sensor 30C and the fourth temperature sensor 30D as well as the first temperature sensor 30A and the second temperature sensor 30B. It is also possible to limit the maximum current to be performed. When the minimum temperature of the battery 1 detected by the temperature sensor 30 falls below, for example, 0 ° C., the control circuit 31 reduces the maximum current to be charged / discharged. In particular, the maximum current to be charged and discharged is limited as the battery temperature decreases.

  The electrical component case 20 houses an electrical component 21 that is charged and discharged while protecting the battery 1 of the battery case 2. In the power supply apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 6, the electrical component case 20 is connected in a posture orthogonal to the middle of the battery case 2, and the battery case 2 and the electrical component case 20 are arranged in a T shape in a planar shape. . In this power supply device, the inlet 3 is opened on the upper surface of the central portion of the battery case 2, and the exhaust ports 4 are opened on the upper surfaces of both end portions.

  The electrical component case 20 is a case manufactured separately from the battery case 2, and has a structure that does not flow air circulated into the battery case 2. The battery case 2 and the electrical component case 20 are fixed to the upper surface of the base plate 19 and mounted on the vehicle. In the illustrated power supply apparatus, the top plate and the side plates on both sides of the electric component case 20 are connected to the side surface of the outer case 7, and the electric component case 20 is connected to the outer case 7. The electrical component case 20 is lower than the outer case 7. Furthermore, the electrical component case 20 has a stepped shape by further lowering the end portion away from the outer case 7.

  The electrical component case 20 houses an electrical component 21 composed of a high voltage component 21A and a low voltage component 21B. The high-voltage component 21A is a component connected to the output side that is increased by connecting a number of batteries 1 in series, and is, for example, a current sensor, a relay, a fuse, a resistor, or the like. The low-voltage component 21B is, for example, a charge / discharge control circuit that operates on a 12V electric battery, an arithmetic circuit for the remaining battery capacity, a protection circuit, and the like. The electrical component case 20 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 has a high voltage component 21A disposed at the bottom and a low voltage component 21B disposed at the top. The electrical component case 20 can be safely placed on the armrest of the rear seat of the automobile. This is because the low voltage component 21B is arranged on the upper part.

  Furthermore, the power supply device shown in the figure is suitable for disposing the outer case 7 on the back surface of the backrest of the rear seat and the electric component case 20 on the armrest. In particular, as shown in the drawing, the outer case 7 having both surfaces inclined so that the width becomes narrower upward is suitable for being placed on the opposite side of the backrest. The power supply device arranged here sucks air from the vicinity of the rear wheel of the vehicle and circulates it in the battery case 2.

It is a perspective view of the power supply device for vehicles concerning one example of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which connects a duct to the power supply device for vehicles shown in FIG. It is a top view of the power supply device for vehicles shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the vehicle power supply device shown in FIG. 3. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the power supply device for vehicles shown in FIG. It is a side view of the power supply device for vehicles shown in FIG. It is an expanded sectional view of the battery case of the power supply device for vehicles shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the battery case of the power supply device for vehicles shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the battery module accommodated in a battery case, and a temperature sensor. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the battery module and temperature sensor which are accommodated in a battery case. It is a circuit diagram of the power supply device for vehicles concerning one example of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery 2 ... Battery case 3 ... Intake port 4 ... Exhaust port 5 ... Duct 7 ... Outer case 8 ... Inlet gap 9 ... Cooling fan 10 ... Battery module 11 ... Subcase 11A ... Lower subcase
11B: Upper subcase 13 ... Air passage gap 14 ... Cooling duct 15 ... Transmission gap 16 ... Air duct 19 ... Base plate 20 ... Electrical component case 21 ... Electrical component 21A ... High voltage component
21B ... Low voltage component 30 ... Temperature sensor 30A ... First temperature sensor
30B ... Second temperature sensor
30C ... Third temperature sensor
30D ... Fourth temperature sensor 31 ... Control circuit

Claims (8)

A plurality of battery modules (10) connecting the batteries (1) in a straight line, a battery case (2) containing the plurality of battery modules (10), and the temperature of the battery module (10) are detected. A power supply device for a vehicle comprising a temperature sensor (30) and a cooling fan (9) for cooling the battery module (10) by forcibly blowing air to the battery case (2),
The first temperature sensor (30A) that detects the temperature of the battery module (10) where the temperature is highest when the cooling fan (9) is in operation, and the highest temperature when the operation of the cooling fan (9) is stopped. The second temperature sensor (30B) that detects the temperature of the battery module (10) where the temperature rises and the second temperature sensor (30B) that detects the temperature of the battery module (10) where the temperature becomes the lowest while the cooling fan (9) is in operation 3 for a vehicle equipped with a third temperature sensor (30C) and a fourth temperature sensor (30D) for detecting the temperature of the battery module (10) where the temperature is lowest when the cooling fan (9) is stopped. Power supply.   The power supply device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the third temperature sensor (30C) and the fourth temperature sensor (30D) are one temperature sensor. A plurality of battery modules (10) connecting the batteries (1) in a straight line, a battery case (2) containing the plurality of battery modules (10), and the temperature of the battery module (10) are detected. A power supply device for a vehicle comprising a temperature sensor (30) and a cooling fan (9) for cooling the battery module (10) by forcibly blowing air to the battery case (2),
The battery case (2) is provided with a cooling duct (14) extending in the longitudinal direction in the central portion thereof, and a plurality of sets of sub cases (11) are arranged in parallel around the cooling duct (14). The battery module (10) is divided and stored in the case (11),
Each sub case (11) has a plurality of battery modules (10) arranged in parallel on the inner side facing the cooling duct (14) and the outer side located on the opposite side, and is blown from the cooling duct (14). Air is passed between the inner battery module (10) and the outer battery module (10) to cool the battery module (10),
The temperature sensor (30) has a first temperature sensor (30A) for detecting the temperature of the battery module (10) arranged outside the sub case (11) arranged at the top or bottom, and at the bottom A second temperature sensor (30B) for detecting the temperature of the battery module (10) arranged at the top inside the sub case (11) arranged, and the inside of the sub case (11) arranged at the bottom And a third temperature sensor (30C) for detecting the temperature of the battery module (10) disposed at the bottom.
The first temperature sensor (30A) detects the maximum temperature of the battery module (10) when the cooling fan (9) is operated, and the second temperature sensor (30B) stops the cooling fan (9). The maximum temperature of the battery module (10) is detected, and the third temperature sensor (30C) detects the minimum temperature of the battery module (10) when the cooling fan (9) is operated and stopped. A power supply device for a vehicle. A plurality of battery modules (10) connecting the batteries (1) in a straight line, a battery case (2) containing the plurality of battery modules (10), and the temperature of the battery module (10) are detected. A power supply device for a vehicle comprising a temperature sensor (30) and a cooling fan (9) for cooling the battery module (10) by forcibly blowing air to the battery case (2),
The battery case (2) is provided with a cooling duct (14) extending in the longitudinal direction at the central portion thereof, and three rows of sub cases (11) are arranged in parallel around the cooling duct (14) The battery module (10) is divided and stored in the case (11),
The three subcases (11) consist of a lower subcase (11A) arranged in two rows on both sides of the cooling duct (14) and an upper subcase arranged above the lower subcase (11A). (11B)
The lower subcase (11A) has battery modules (10) arranged in parallel in a plurality of rows separated vertically inside and outside, and air blown from the cooling duct (14) is sent from the inner battery module (10). The battery module (10) is forcibly ventilated to cool the battery module (10),
The upper sub-case (11B) has the battery modules (10) arranged in parallel in a plurality of rows on the lower side and the upper side, and air blown from the cooling duct (14) is sent to the upper side from the lower battery module (10). The battery module (10) is forcibly blown to cool the battery module (10).
A temperature sensor (30) detects a temperature of the battery module (10) disposed on the upper side of the upper subcase (11B) or the battery module (10) disposed on the outer side of the lower subcase (11A). A temperature sensor (30A), a second temperature sensor (30B) for detecting the temperature of the battery module (10) arranged at the top inside the lower subcase (11A), and an inner side of the lower subcase (11A) And a third temperature sensor (30C) for detecting the temperature of the battery module (10) disposed at the bottom.
The first temperature sensor (30A) detects the maximum temperature of the battery module (10) when the cooling fan (9) is operated, and the second temperature sensor (30B) stops the cooling fan (9). The maximum temperature of the battery module (10) is detected, and the third temperature sensor (30C) detects the minimum temperature of the battery module (10) when the cooling fan (9) is operated and stopped. A power supply device for a vehicle.   It is equipped with a plurality of battery cases (2) in which the battery modules (10) and temperature sensors (30) are arranged in the same arrangement or in a symmetrical arrangement, and the temperature of one of the battery cases (2) is provided. In a state where the sensor (30) cannot detect the battery temperature, the battery (1) which cannot detect the battery temperature with the temperature sensor (30) disposed at the same position of the other battery case (2) or at the symmetrical position. The power supply device for a vehicle according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the temperature is detected.   The power supply device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the temperature sensor (30) is a thermistor.   The control circuit (31) is provided with a control circuit (31) that limits the maximum current that flows to the battery (1) by signals from the first temperature sensor (30A) and the second temperature sensor (30B). The power supply device for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein when the temperature of the battery (1) detected by the temperature sensor (30) increases, the maximum current is controlled to be small. The control circuit (31) is provided with a control circuit (31) that limits the maximum current that flows to the battery (1) by the signal from the third temperature sensor (30C) or the fourth temperature sensor (30D). The power supply device for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the maximum current is controlled to be small when the temperature of the battery (1) detected by the sensor (30) is low.

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