JP6015573B2 - Cooling system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling device for cooling a battery and an electronic component.

  Patent Document 1 discloses that a battery housed inside a case is blown by a cooling fan unit to cool the battery. A junction box that is electrically connected to the battery is placed on the upper part of the case that houses the battery. Normally, a heating element such as a relay or a precharging resistor is provided inside the junction box.

JP 2007-296935 A

  The device of Patent Document 1 includes an air path for cooling the battery, but does not include an air path for blowing cooling air to the junction box. Therefore, the heating element inside the junction box cannot be directly cooled. In particular, since the relay is always energized when the vehicle is traveling, the amount of heat generated by the component itself is large. For this reason, there is a problem that the exciting coil temperature rises, the coil resistance increases, and the voltage required when the relay is restarted in summer or the like. In addition, the battery may be warmed by heat generated by the relay, which may cause a decrease in battery performance.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device that realizes cooling of both the battery and the electronic component and contributes to the performance of these.

  The present invention employs the following technical means to achieve the above object. It should be noted that the reference numerals in parentheses described in the claims and in this section indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later as one aspect, and the technical scope of the present invention It is not limited.

One of the inventions related to the disclosed cooling device is a battery housing that houses a plurality of batteries (2) and a battery, and a battery cooling passage (30) through which air for cooling the batteries flows. A case (3), a junction box (5) which is electrically connected to the battery and has electronic components ( 510, 511, 512 ) for current control inside, and external air flows into the battery housing case An air conveying means (6) and a passage formed in the junction box and provided with electronic components, the electronic component cooling passage (53) communicating the battery cooling passage and the outside of the junction box,
The junction box is placed on a pedestal portion (31) located at the top of the battery housing case, and the pedestal portion has a communication passage (311) that penetrates the pedestal portion and connects the battery cooling passage and the electronic component cooling passage. Formed,
The air conveying means cools the electronic component by flowing the air flowing into the battery housing case through the battery cooling passage to cool the battery, and then through the communication passage to the electronic component cooling passage before the junction. To the outside of the box ,
A plurality of communication passages are provided, and include a passage that opens below the electronic component so that the air flowing through the communication passage contacts the lower surface of the electronic component and flows from the lower part to the upper part of the electronic component. And

  According to this invention, the air conveying means forms an air path through which external air sequentially flows through the battery cooling passage and the electronic component cooling passage and is discharged to the outside of the junction box. As a result, the air that is forcibly taken into the battery housing case absorbs heat from the battery, and then absorbs heat from the electronic components in the junction box and the conductive member connected to the components, and dissipates this to the outside. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery from being warmed by the heat of the electronic component and to suppress the temperature rise of the electronic component itself. As mentioned above, according to this invention, the cooling device which implement | achieves cooling of both a battery and an electronic component and contributes to these performance display can be provided.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the cooling device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a connection diagram regarding the battery and electronic component which a cooling device makes into cooling object. It is a top view of a junction box. It is the top view which showed the state which removed the cover of the junction box. It is an arrow view of the VV cross section of FIG. FIG. 4 is an arrow view of the VI-VI cross section of FIG. 3. It is a top view which shows the positional relationship between the base part of a junction box, and the communication path formed in the base part.

(Embodiment)
An embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. The cooling device 1 according to this embodiment can be applied to various electric devices on which a plurality of batteries 2 that are unit cells are mounted. The cooling device 1 is a device that cools at least a plurality of batteries 2 and various electronic components 51 electrically connected to the batteries 2. The cooling device 1 may constitute a battery pack by packing the components included therein.

  Various electric devices are a device, a computer, a vehicle, etc. which have a storage battery. As an example, the cooling device 1 can be used in a hybrid vehicle that uses a combination of an internal combustion engine and a battery-driven motor as a travel drive source, an electric vehicle that uses a motor as a travel drive source, and the like. In this case, the cooling device 1 includes a storage battery serving as a driving power source for the traveling motor.

  The battery 2 is, for example, a nickel hydrogen secondary battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, or an organic radical battery. The battery 2 includes a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal that protrude outward from the outer case. The electrode terminals exposed from the outer case, and the terminals of different polarities in the adjacent batteries 2 are electrically connected by a conductive member such as a bus bar. The connection between the bus bar and the electrode terminal is performed, for example, by screwing or welding. Therefore, the total terminal portions arranged at both ends of the plurality of batteries 2 electrically connected by a bus bar or the like are supplied with electric power or discharged toward other electric devices.

  The cooling device 1 further includes a battery case 3 that houses the battery 2, a junction box 5 that is electrically connected to the battery 2 and has an electronic component 51 that is related to current control, and an air carrier that flows air for cooling each part. And a blower 6 as an example of means. The battery case 3, the junction box 5, the battery management unit 4, and the blower 6 are provided inside the pack case 20. The cooling device 1 is a device included in the pack case 20 and can be referred to as a battery pack. The electronic component 51 includes a positive-side main relay 510, a negative-side main relay 511, a precharge relay 512, a precharge resistor 513, a current sensor 514, and the like, which are shown in the connection diagram of FIG.

  Devices that are electrically connected to the plurality of batteries 2 are a main relay 510, a main relay 511, a precharge relay 512, a precharge resistor 513, and a current sensor 514. Further, one of the devices is a positive output terminal 520, an input terminal 522, a negative output terminal 521, and an input terminal 523.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the output terminal 520 is located on the positive electrode side of the battery stack including the plurality of batteries 2 and is connected to the inverter. The output terminal 521 is located on the negative electrode side of the battery stack and is connected to the inverter. The connection terminal 522 is a terminal that connects the positive electrode side of the battery 2 and the junction box 5. The connection terminal 523 is a terminal that connects the negative electrode side of the battery 2 and the junction box 5.

  The main relay 511 is connected to the total terminal on the negative electrode side in the battery stack via a bus bar, and is connected to the output terminal 521 on the opposite side via the bus bar. The precharge relay 512 and the precharge resistor 513 are connected in series via a bus bar. The precharge relay 512 and the precharge resistor 513 are connected in parallel with the main relay 510. Further, instead of the bus bar, a wiring such as a lead wire may be used.

  A common connection portion of the main relay 510 and the precharge relay 512 is connected to a total terminal on the positive electrode side in the battery stack via a bus bar or wiring. A common connection portion of the main relay 510 and the precharge resistor 513 is connected via a bus bar or the like. Thus, the various electronic components 51 are electrically connected to other components by the bus bar or the like. When these main relays are turned on, the entire battery stack is energized, and when turned off, the entire battery stack is de-energized.

  The main relays 510 and 511, the precharge relay 512, the precharge resistor 513, and the current sensor 514 are provided inside the box case 50 that forms the junction box 5. The battery management unit 4 (Battery Management Unit) is a device that manages at least the amount of electricity stored in the battery 2, and is an example of a battery control unit that performs control related to the battery 2. Further, the battery management unit 4 may be a device that monitors the current, voltage, and temperature related to the battery 2 and manages an abnormality of the battery 2, an electric leakage abnormality, and the like. The battery management unit 4 also receives a signal related to the current value detected by the current sensor 514. The battery management unit 4 may be a device that controls the operation of the main relays 510 and 511 and the precharge relay 512. The battery management unit 4 is configured to be able to communicate with various electronic control devices mounted on the vehicle.

  The battery case 3 is a housing that forms a battery housing space in which a plurality of batteries 2 are housed, and is a battery housing case. The battery case 3 has a battery cooling passage 30 in which air for cooling the battery 2 flows. The battery cooling passage 30 is a passage through which air in contact with the outer case, electrode terminal, bus bar, wiring and the like of the battery 2 flows. The battery case 3 is provided with an inflow passage 301 through which air flows in from the outside and an outflow passage 311 through which air flowing through the battery cooling passage 30 flows out. Since the inflow passage 301 is connected to the opening 201 of the pack case 20 by the duct 200, the inflow passage 301 communicates with the outside of the pack case 20. Therefore, the outflow passage 311 is a communication passage that communicates with the outside of the pack case 20 through the opening 201, the inflow passage 301, and the battery cooling passage 30.

  Inside the box case 50, an electronic component passage 53 in which the electronic component 51 is provided is formed. The electronic component passage 53 is a passage that communicates the battery cooling passage 30 with the outside of the junction box 5, that is, the outside of the box case 50. The electronic component passage 53 constitutes an electronic component cooling passage through which air that contacts and cools the electronic component 51 flows. The electronic component passage 53 and the battery cooling passage 30 are connected via an outflow passage 311 formed through the pedestal portion 31.

  The battery management unit 4 and the junction box 5 are placed on a pedestal portion 31 located at the upper part of the battery case 3. Various electronic components 51 are fixed to the pedestal portion 31 without the box case 50 interposed therebetween. The pedestal portion 31 is, for example, a top plate portion of the battery case 3. The junction box 5 is provided in the pedestal portion 31 at a position closer to the suction portion 60 of the blower 6 than the battery management unit 4.

  Further, the junction box 5 is provided with an air discharge portion 530 through which air flowing through the electronic component passage 53 is discharged to the outside. The air discharge part 530 is a through-hole part that penetrates the wall part of the box case 50, and communicates the electronic component passage 53 with the outside of the box case 50. The air discharge part 530 is provided at a position adjacent to the suction part 60. It is preferable that the air discharge part 530 is provided in the position which adjoins the suction part 60 and faces.

  The battery management unit 4 is provided so as to be located on the opposite side of the air discharge part 530 with respect to the junction box 5. Therefore, the air discharged from the air discharge portion 530 to the outside of the box case 50 is directed toward the adjacent suction portion 60 and therefore does not flow toward the battery management unit 4 located on the opposite side.

  The main body of the blower 6 is located inside the pack case 20. The blowing part 61 of the blower 6 is provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the pack case 20. Therefore, when the blower 6 is operated, the air sucked from the suction part 60 is discharged to the outside of the pack case 20. Due to this suction flow, the air outside the pack case 20 flows into the battery cooling passage 30 through the opening 201 and the inflow passage 301 and cools by absorbing heat from the plurality of batteries 2 in the process of flowing through the battery cooling passage 30. . The air after cooling the plurality of batteries 2 flows into the electronic component passage 53 in the box case 50 through the outflow passage 311. The air flowing through the electronic component passage 53 comes into contact with various electronic components 51 and cools them, then flows out from the air discharge unit 530 and is sucked into the suction unit 60.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the junction box 5 as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 3, the box case 50 is formed by integrally assembling a base portion 502 positioned at a lower portion and a cover portion 501 that partially covers the base portion 502 from above. The box case 50 is fixed to the battery case 3 by attaching the base portion 502 to the battery case 3.

  Next, the electronic component passage 53 provided in the box case 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a plan view showing a state where the cover portion 501 is removed from the state shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the main relay 510, the main relay 511, and the precharge relay 512 are hatched in a lattice shape for easy viewing.

  The main relay 510, the main relay 511, the precharge relay 512, the precharge resistor 513, and the current sensor 514 are disposed at predetermined positions in the electronic component passage 53. The electronic component passage 53 has a plurality of passage inlet portions and one passage outlet portion formed in the box case 50. The electronic component passage 53 forms a plurality of passages in the box case 50 having a plurality of inlets and a number of outlets smaller than the number of the inlets. The electronic component passage 53 may constitute a plurality of passages having a plurality of inlets and a single outlet in the box case 50. That is, each passage inlet portion communicates with one passage outlet portion. Each passage inlet is connected to the outflow passage 311.

  Therefore, the air that has flowed out of the battery cooling passage 30 and passed through the outflow passage 311 flows into the electronic component passage 53 from each passage entrance. And the air which flowed in from each channel | path entrance part distribute | circulates a some channel | path, and flows out of the box case 50 from the number of outlets reduced rather than the number of inlets so that an air flow may gather.

  The plurality of passage entrance portions are provided by forming a plurality of openings that penetrate the flat plate-like base portion 502 located in the lower portion of the box case 50. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the passage entrance portion of the passage where the main relay 510 is provided is an entrance portion 5021 below. An entrance portion of the passage where the main relay 511 is provided is an entrance portion 5022. A passage inlet portion of a passage where the precharge relay 512 is provided is an inlet portion 5023.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, each inlet portion opens below the corresponding electronic component 51. Each inlet portion corresponding to the main relay 510, the main relay 511, the precharge relay 512, and the current sensor 514 forms an opening having a size corresponding to the outer shape of each electronic component or a size larger than the outer shape.

  An inlet portion corresponding to each electronic component 51 is provided so as to communicate with an outflow passage 311 formed through the pedestal portion 31. A plurality of outflow passages 311 are provided in the pedestal portion 31. The outflow passage 311 includes a passage that opens below the electronic component 51.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of outflow passages 311 include passages that open below the main relay 510, the main relay 511, and the precharge relay 512. Each of the inlet portions 5021 to 5026 formed in the base portion 502 is provided so as to be connected to any outflow passage 311.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the air that has flowed into the electronic component passage 53 through the inlet portions 5021 to 5023 flows toward the air discharge portion 530 around each electronic component 51 and each bus bar. . FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the VV cross section shown in FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction of the arrow. FIG. 5 shows the electronic component passage 53 in which the air flowing through the passages in which the main relay 510 and the current sensor 514 exist each merge to form a flow toward the air discharge unit 530. The bus bar 5101 is a conductive member that penetrates through the core hole of the main relay 510 and the current sensor 514 and is electrically connected to the output terminal 520. Bus bar 5102 is a conductive member connected to main relay 510 and input terminal 522. The main relay 511 and the output terminal 521 are connected via a bus bar. Bus bars 5101 and 5102 are located above main relays 510 and 511 and current sensor 514. Further, the bus bars 5101 and 5102 are provided in a passage portion located in the upper part in the junction box 5 in the electronic component passage 53 formed in the box case 50.

  6 is a cross-sectional view of the VI-VI cross section shown in FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction of the arrow. FIG. 6 shows the electronic component passage 53 in which the air flowing in from the outflow passage 311 flows around the main relay 510 and the main relay 511.

  Therefore, the air that has flowed through the battery cooling passage 30 flows into the electronic component passage 53 from each of the inlet portions 5021 to 5023 through the plurality of outflow passages 311. The air cools each electronic component 51, bus bars 5101, 5102 and the like by contacting each electronic component 51 in the course of flowing through the electronic component passage 53. At this time, the air flowing through the electronic component passage 53 moves toward the air discharge unit 530 while flowing from the lower part toward the upper part in the box case 50. Then, the cooled air is discharged from the air discharge unit 530 to the outside of the box case 50 according to the suction force of the blower 6 and is sucked into the suction unit 60.

  Moreover, the cooling device 1 can be installed under the seat provided in the vehicle interior of the vehicle. For example, the cooling device 1 is installed under the seat in the passenger compartment in such a posture that the battery case 3 is positioned below the junction box 5. Further, the space where the cooling device 1 below the seat is installed may be communicated with the trunk room back space below the trunk room. The installation space can also be configured to communicate with the outside of the vehicle. According to this configuration, the air that has absorbed heat in the order of the battery 2 and the electronic component 51 by the forced air generated by the operation of the blower 6 can dissipate heat to the outside of the passenger compartment and reduce the thermal load on the passenger compartment.

  According to the above embodiment, the cooling device 1 includes the electronic component passage 53 that is formed inside the junction box 5 and in which the electronic component 51 is provided. The electronic component passage 53 is a passage that allows the battery cooling passage 30 to communicate with the outside of the junction box 5. The air flowing into the battery case 3 by the operation of the blower 6 flows through the battery cooling passage 30 to cool the battery 2, then flows through the electronic component passage 53 to cool the electronic component 51, and the outside of the junction box 5. To be discharged.

  According to this configuration, the blower 6 that is an air conveying unit forms an air path through which external air sequentially flows through the battery cooling passage 30 and the electronic component passage 53 and is discharged to the outside of the junction box 5. According to this, the air that is forcibly taken into the battery case 3 absorbs heat from the battery 2, and then absorbs heat from the electronic component 51 in the box case 50, the conductive member connected to the component, and the like. To the outside. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery 2 from being warmed by the heat of the electronic component 51 and to suppress the temperature rise of the electronic component 51 itself. Therefore, according to the cooling device 1, both the battery 2 and the electronic component 51 can be effectively cooled to contribute to the performance of these components.

  An outflow passage 311 that penetrates the pedestal portion 31 and connects the battery cooling passage 30 and the electronic component passage 53 is formed in the pedestal portion 31 located at the upper part of the battery case 3. The bus bar 5101 electrically connected to the electronic component 51 is provided in an upper part of the electronic component 51 and is provided in a passage portion located in the upper part of the junction box 5 in the electronic component passage 53.

  According to this configuration, by installing the junction box 5 above the battery case 3, it is possible to configure an air path through which air absorbed from the battery 2 in the battery cooling passage 30 flows to the upper electronic component passage 53. Further, the bus bars 5101 and 5102 to which the heat generated by the electronic component 51 is transmitted are positioned in the upper part of the electronic component 51 and in the passage located at the upper part, thereby effectively radiating the heat of each bus bar upward. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to provide the cooling device 1 having an effective heat radiation path for the electronic part 51 via the bus bars 5101 and 5102.

  The bus bars 5101 and 5102 are preferably provided along the passage in the electronic component passage 53. According to this, the cooling apparatus 1 which enlarges the air cooling area of the electronic component 51 can be provided by making a bus bar exist in the electronic component channel | path 53 long.

  The electronic component 51 is preferably at least one of the main relay 510, the main relay 511, and the precharge relay 512. According to this, while cooling the battery 2, the cooling device 1 which can suppress the temperature rise of components with a large calorific value of the relay can be provided. Furthermore, since the rise of the exciting coil temperature of the relay can be suppressed together with the cooling of the battery 2, the voltage necessary for restarting the relay can be reduced.

  In addition, it is preferable that a plurality of outflow passages 311 are provided and open under the electronic component 51. According to this, the air flowing through the battery cooling passage 30 can be smoothly brought into contact with the electronic component 51 through the outflow passage 311. Further, the air flowing through the battery cooling passage 30 can be directly applied to the lower surface of the electronic component 51. Therefore, air resistance when moving from the battery cooling passage 30 to the electronic component passage 53 can be suppressed. In addition, since the air can flow from the lower part to the upper part of the electronic component 51, the air can be brought into contact with almost the entire electronic component 51. Therefore, an air flow that enhances the cooling effect of the electronic component 51 can be formed.

  The battery management unit 4 is provided on the opposite side of the junction box 5 from the air discharge part 530 and adjacent to the junction box 5. According to this configuration, the air that flows through the electronic component passage 53 and is discharged to the outside from the air discharge portion 530 flows toward the suction portion 60 by the suction force of the blower 6. Accordingly, since an air flow from the air discharge unit 530 toward the suction unit 60 is formed, the air after cooling the electronic component 51 does not flow toward the battery management unit 4 located on the opposite side, and the air Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery management unit 4 from being warmed.

(Other embodiments)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The structure of the said embodiment is an illustration to the last, Comprising: The scope of the present invention is not limited to the range of these description. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the description of the scope of claims, and further includes meanings equivalent to the description of the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope.

  In the said embodiment, although the air discharge part 530 is provided in the position adjacent to the suction part 60, it is not limited to this form. The air discharge part 530 and the suction part 60 should just be in the positional relationship of the grade in which the air of the electronic component channel | path 53 is suck | inhaled by the suction part 60. FIG. Further, the air discharge part 530 and the suction part 60 may be directly connected by a duct.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic component passage 53 constitutes a plurality of passages having a plurality of inlets and one outlet in the box case 50, but is not limited to this form. For example, the electronic component passage 53 may constitute a plurality of passages having a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets in the box case 50.

  The cooling device 1 described in the above embodiment is arranged in a vehicle or the like in a posture in which the battery case 3 is positioned downward and the junction box 5 is positioned upward. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the installation posture of the cooling device 1 may be an orientation in which the battery case 3 is positioned upward and the junction box 5 is positioned downward, or the battery case 3 and the junction box 5 are aligned in the lateral direction. Good.

  In the said embodiment, although the air blower 6 is provided so that it may be located downstream from the battery cooling channel | path 30 and the electronic component channel | path 53, it is not limited to this form. The blower 6 may be configured to be located upstream of the battery cooling passage 30 and the electronic component passage 53 in the air flow.

  In the said embodiment, although the air blower 6 is accommodated in the inside of the pack case 20, it is not limited to this form. The blower 6 may be provided outside the pack case 20 and positioned upstream or downstream of the air flow with respect to the battery cooling passage 30 and the electronic component passage 53.

  In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of batteries 2 constituting the battery stack may be installed in the housing space of the case in a state where they are in contact with each other without providing a gap between adjacent cells. You may make it install with a predetermined clearance.

2 ... Battery 3 ... Battery case (battery housing case)
5 ... Junction box 6 ... Blower (air conveying means)
30 ... Battery cooling passage 51 ... Electronic component 53 ... Electronic component passage (electronic component cooling passage)

Claims (4)

A plurality of batteries (2);
A battery housing case (3) for housing the battery, wherein a battery cooling passage (30) through which air for cooling the battery flows flows;
A junction box (5) having an electronic component ( 510, 511, 512 ) electrically connected to the battery and related to current control;
Air conveying means (6) for flowing external air into the battery housing case;
A passage formed in the junction box and provided with the electronic component, the electronic component cooling passage (53) communicating the battery cooling passage and the outside of the junction box;
With
The junction box is placed on a pedestal (31) located at the top of the battery housing case,
The pedestal portion is formed with a communication passage (311) that penetrates the pedestal portion and connects the battery cooling passage and the electronic component cooling passage.
The air conveying means causes the air that has flowed into the battery housing case to flow through the battery cooling passage to cool the battery, and then to flow through the communication passage to the electronic component cooling passage. After cooling the electronic components, discharge them outside the junction box ,
A plurality of the communication passages are provided, and a passage that opens below the electronic component so that the air flowing through the communication passage is brought into contact with the lower surface of the electronic component and flows from the lower part to the upper part of the electronic component. A cooling device comprising: The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic component is a relay (510, 511, 512) . A battery control unit (4) for managing at least the amount of electricity stored in the battery;
The battery control unit is provided on the opposite side of the junction box from the air discharge part (530) of the junction box through which air flowing through the electronic component cooling passage is discharged to the outside. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. A bus bar (5101, 5102) connected to the electronic component;
The bus bar is located above the electronic component, and said one of the electronic component cooling passages, claim 1, characterized in that provided in the passage portion positioned above an internal of the junction box The cooling device according to any one of claims 3 to 3 .

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