Discharge path for a battery compartment of an electric vehicle

• US 5,561,359 A
• Filed: 04/08/1994
• Issued: 10/01/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kuroki, Masahiko, Matsuura, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US08/224,773
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 320/5, 320/15, 290/1 B, 290/55, 180/68.1, 180/68.2, 180/68.5
• US Class Current: 180/68.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/00 Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposes; Monitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells B60L58/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/30 Means for ventilation within devices provided on the cycle, e.g. ventilation means in a battery container
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2202/00 Motorised scooters
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2204/00 Adaptations for driving cycles by electric motor for driving electrically assisted bicycles B62M6/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6556 Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange closed pipes H01M10/6552
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6563 with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/264 for cells or batteries, e.g. straps, tie rods or peripheral frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/30 Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

Concentration of hydrogen gas generated during a process of electrically recharging a battery of an electric vehicle is maintained by discharging the hydrogen gas during the process. An electric fan is installed inside a control unit box for accommodating a motor, an electric recharger and a control apparatus. The electric fan communicates ambient air to a motor through ducts. The air is further communicated to batteries through a duct and a nozzle member. Air directed by the electric fan during operation of the electric vehicle cools the motor driver and the motor. On the other hand, air communicated by the electric fan during a process of electrically recharging the batteries cools the electric recharger and then flows from the nozzle member to the batteries, blowing off hydrogen gas generated by the batteries during the electrical recharging process.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle driven by a motor powered by a rechargeable battery accommodated in a battery compartment comprising:

an electric fan rotated during operation of said electric vehicle and during a process of electrically recharging said battery; and

an air path for directing an air flow generated by said electric fan to said motor and thereafter to an upper portion of said battery compartment for first cooling said motor and subsequently discharging gases produced by said battery;

said air path is in communication with a control unit container for accommodating a motor driver and an electric recharger.

2. An electric vehicle driven by a rechargeable battery comprising:

a motor for propelling said vehicle, said motor being operatively connected to wheels rotatably mounted relative to said vehicle;

a battery compartment for containing said rechargeable battery;

a first air path in communication with ambient air;

an electric fan positioned in communication with said first air passage for supplying ambient air to said motor for cooling said motor; and

a second air path for directing air from said motor to an upper portion of said battery compartment for discharging gases produced by said battery;

wherein said electric fan is actuated during operation of said electric vehicle and during a process of electrically recharging said battery;

said first air path is in communication with a control unit container for accommodating a motor driver and an electric recharger.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said battery compartment includes a plurality of batteries operatively connected together for supplying power to said motor.

4. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said electric fan is positioned in an upper portion of said battery compartment for supplying ambient air downwardly for cooling said motor.

5. The electric vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said second air path extends upwardly from said motor for supplying ambient air to said battery compartment for discharging gases produced by said battery.

6. The electric vehicle according to claim 4, and further including an adjustable third duct for providing a connection between said first air path and said motor.

7. The electric vehicle according to claim 4, and further including an adjustable fourth duct for providing a connection between said second air path and said battery compartment.

8. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, and further including at least one nozzle affixed to a distal end of said second air path for facilitating the discharge of gases produced by said battery.

9. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, and further including a plurality of openings disposed in a surface of said battery compartment for assisting in the discharge of gases produced by said battery.

10. The electric vehicle according to claim 3, and further including a plurality of support brackets for securing said plurality of batteries within said battery compartment.

11. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, and further including a motor casing for positioning said motor, said motor casing includes a plurality of apertures for enabling air to flow from said first air path through said motor casing and into said second motor casing.

12. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, and further including an air cleaner operatively connected to said electric fan and said first air path for communicating ambient air to said motor and said battery compartment.

13. An electric vehicle driven by a rechargeable battery comprising:

a motor for propelling said vehicle, said motor being operatively connected to wheels rotatably mounted relative to said vehicle;

a battery compartment for containing said rechargeable battery;

a first air path in communication with ambient air;

an electric fan positioned in communication with said first air passage and being positioned in a portion of said battery compartment for supplying ambient air downwardly for cooling said motor; and

a second air path for redirecting air from said motor to an upper portion of said battery compartment for discharging gases produced by said battery;

wherein said electric fan is actuated during operation of said electric vehicle and during a process of electrically recharging said battery.

14. The electric vehicle according to claim 13, wherein said battery compartment includes a plurality of batteries operatively connected together for supplying power to said motor.

15. The electric vehicle according to claim 13, wherein said second air path extends upwardly from said motor for supplying ambient air to said upper portion of said battery compartment for discharging gases produced by said battery.

16. The electric vehicle according to claim 13, and further including an adjustable third duct for providing a connection between said first air path and said motor.

17. The electric vehicle according to claim 13, and further including an adjustable fourth duct for providing a connection between said second air path and said battery compartment.

18. The electric vehicle according to claim 13, and further including at least one nozzle affixed to a distal end of said second air path for facilitating the discharge of gases produced by said battery.

19. The electric vehicle according to claim 13, and further including a plurality of openings disposed in a surface of said battery compartment for assisting in the discharge of gases produced by said battery.

20. The electric vehicle according to claim 14, and further including a plurality of support brackets for securing said plurality of batteries within said battery compartment.

21. The electric vehicle according to claim 13, and further including a motor casing for positioning said motor, said motor casing includes a plurality of apertures for enabling air to flow from said first air path through said motor casing and into said second motor casing.

22. The electric vehicle according to claim 13, and further including an air cleaner operatively connected to said electric fan and said first air path for communicating ambient air to said motor and said battery compartment.

23. The electric vehicle according to claim 13, said first air duct being in communication with a control unit container for accommodating a motor driver and an electric recharger.