JP2001023703A - Battery temperature adjustment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently adjust the temperature of a battery with a simple structure. SOLUTION: A battery 1 is held by a battery holding frame 3a composed of a heat transfer plate 31 mounting the battery 1, a second heat transfer plate 321 tightly fitted to a side surface 101 of the battery 1 erected on the heat transfer plate 31, and a duct line 33 tightly fitted to a bottom of the heat transfer plate 31. Heat of the battery 1 is directly absorbed by heat conduction through the heat transfer plates 31, 321 and a duct wall of the duct line 33 without the intermediary of are e.g. by circulating a heat transportation material by a distribution means 2 in the duct line 33. An effective temperature adjustment is realized with a simple structure by constructing a case 6 which encloses the battery holding frame 3a holding the battery 1 with a heat insulator so as not to be effected from the outside air.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a battery temperature control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, attention has been paid to electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles from the viewpoint of energy saving and environmental consideration. Since electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles are equipped with a large number of batteries and are used as a power source, battery performance is important. In order for a battery to fully demonstrate and maintain its performance, it is necessary to control the temperature of the battery to an appropriate temperature. In particular, the battery needs to be cooled because it generates a lot of heat during charging and discharging and may become high in temperature.

Conventionally, natural air cooling has been used to control the temperature of the battery, but this is not sufficient. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-6796 discloses a ventilation structure in which the bottom wall of a case for storing a battery and a partition wall between the batteries have a hollow structure. A configuration is disclosed in which a passage is formed, a refrigerant pipe is inserted through the passage, and an airflow is formed by a blower fan to cool the battery.

[0004]

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
According to the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6796, the bottom wall and the partition wall of the case have a hollow structure, and a cooling pipe is inserted through the entire wall surrounding the battery and a blower fan is used to increase the cooling capacity. However, the configuration is complicated and the size cannot be denied.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact battery temperature control device with good temperature control efficiency and a simple configuration.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the battery is held by the first heat transfer plate on which the battery is mounted and the first heat transfer plate mounted on the heat transfer plate and closely attached to the side surface of the battery. 2
This is performed by a battery holding frame having a heat transfer plate described above and a pipe line closely attached to the lower surface of the first heat transfer plate. In addition, the battery holding frame is stored in a state where the battery is held by a sealed case made of a heat insulating material. The circulation means distributes a heat transport material that exchanges heat with the heat transfer plate through the pipe wall through the pipe.

[0007] The heat transport material exchanges heat with the battery via the pipe wall of the pipe and the heat transfer plate to control the temperature of the battery. At this time,
The heat transfer from the battery to the pipe is performed only by conduction in the heat transfer plate without passing through air having poor heat conduction. Moreover, since the battery holding frame itself is insulated by the sealed case, it is not affected by the ambient temperature outside the case. Therefore, the temperature of the battery can be efficiently controlled.

[0008] Further, the conduit itself that is in close contact with the lower surface of the first heat transfer plate increases the strength of the entire battery holding frame,
Further, since no ventilation path or ventilation fan is provided inside the case wall, the overall configuration can be made simple and compact.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the pipe is formed in a U-shape.

[0010] Since the heat transport material flows in the pipeline while performing heat exchange, the heat exchange capacity of the heat transport material decreases as it goes downstream of the pipeline. By forming the pipe in a U-shape, the upstream part having a relatively high heat exchange capacity and the downstream part having a relatively low heat exchange capacity are close to each other, and the heat exchange capacity can be averaged as a whole. it can.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a gap is formed between the wall of the closed case and the battery holding frame.

The presence of the air gap restricts the transfer of heat from the case wall to the battery holding frame, so that the temperature control efficiency can be further improved.

[0013] In the invention described in claim 4, the circulation means includes a compressor for increasing the temperature of the refrigerant as a heat transport substance, a condenser for liquefying the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and an expansion valve for expanding the liquefied refrigerant to reduce the temperature. And a refrigeration cycle is formed together with the piping.

A large amount of heat generated from the battery can be efficiently removed by the low-temperature refrigerant obtained by the refrigeration cycle.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the installation portion of the expansion valve is disposed in the closed case.

Since the temperature in the sealed case becomes relatively low while the battery is being cooled, thermal loss in the expansion valve can be suppressed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows is installed in the refrigerant pipe located in the closed case.

Even when the temperature of the outside air is low, the temperature in the closed case is relatively high as compared with the outside air. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine the presence or absence of the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe from the pressure detected by the pressure detecting means placed in the closed case.

[0019]

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a battery temperature control apparatus according to a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle. The battery temperature control device includes a refrigeration cycle for controlling the temperature of the battery 1, and includes a compressor 2.
1, a condenser 22, a receiver 23, an expansion valve 24a, and a battery cooler 3a, which is a battery holding frame, are connected by a refrigerant pipe 4 in this order.

The compressor 21 operates by being driven by a belt 72 by an engine 71 to compress the vaporized refrigerant to a high temperature and a high pressure. The condenser 22 radiates heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to outside air supplied from the front of the vehicle, and liquefies the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant.
The receiver 23 separates gas and liquid and stores excess liquefied refrigerant. The expansion valve 24a decompresses the liquefied refrigerant to a low temperature and low pressure. The compressor 21, the condenser 22, the receiver 23, and the expansion valve 24 a constitute the circulation unit 2, and the low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant from the expansion valve 24 a is used for cooling the battery 1 in the battery cooler 3 a.

The compressor 21 and the condenser 2
2. The receiver 23 is also used as an air conditioner for cooling the interior of the passenger compartment 73. The refrigerant pipe 4 is branched in the middle, and another expansion valve 24b and an evaporator 3b are provided in parallel with the expansion valve 24a and the battery cooler 3a. .

The refrigerant pipe 4 has two solenoid valves 5a,
5b is provided, the solenoid valve 5a permits or prohibits the flow of the refrigerant to the battery cooler 3a, and the solenoid valve 5b permits or prohibits the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator 3b. The solenoid valves 5a and 5b are controlled by an unillustrated ECU.
a, 5b, the battery cooler 3a,
A low-temperature and low-pressure liquefied refrigerant flows through one or both of the evaporators 3b.

It is needless to say that the battery 1 can be heated by the battery cooler 3a in a heat pump cycle instead of a refrigeration cycle.

The evaporator 3b is provided in a duct 74 which opens into the passenger compartment 73. A blower fan 75 for blowing air is provided on the upstream side of the duct 74, and the evaporator 3b
The air that has radiated the air is supplied into the vehicle interior 73. The air taken in by the blower fan 75 is selected as inside air or outside air by switching the damper 76.

The battery cooler 3a is stored together with the battery 1 in a sealed case 6 for storing the battery 1.
Case 1 is of a configuration that is closed when the lid is closed.
Reciprocation of the refrigerant to and from the battery cooler 3a is performed via a joint 43 of the refrigerant pipe 4 attached to the outer wall surface of the case 6, and from the joint 43 to an outward pipe 41 for supplying the refrigerant to the battery cooler 3a. A return pipe 42 for recovering the refrigerant from the battery cooler 3a extends and penetrates the wall of the case 6. The case 6 is made of a heat insulating material, and the heat insulating property in the case 6 is enhanced in combination with the closed structure.

The battery cooler 3a holds the battery 1 by two kinds of aluminum members 31, 32. The first member 31 is a rectangular plate-like member slightly smaller than the plane shape of the case 6 and is horizontally installed. Second member 32
Is approximately the same width as the member 31, and is processed into an L-shaped cross section. A plurality of the second members 32 are used, and the long side portions 321 as the second heat transfer plates are erected on the upper surface of the member 31 as the first heat transfer plate at an interval like a screen. The member 31 and the member 32 are attached to the short side 322 of the member 32 on the surface of the member 31.
Are brazed and integrated. Hereinafter, the member 31 is called a heat transfer board, and the long side portion 321 of the member 32 is called a heat transfer fin.

The shape and arrangement interval of the heat transfer fins 321 are matched to the shape of the battery 1. One battery 1 is arranged between two adjacent heat transfer fins 321, and the bottom of the battery 1 is , And the side surface 101 of the battery 1 contacts the heat transfer fins 321. Two U-shaped stays 34 are provided to surround the heat transfer fins 321 and the outer periphery of the battery 1. The ends 341 of both stays 34 are bent in an L-shape, and are opposed to the ends 341 of the other stay 34, respectively. A pair of opposite ends 3
A battery 35 is inserted into the battery cooler 3a by inserting the bolt 35 through the bolt 41 and screwing the bolt 35 and the nut 36 together.
And the opposed surfaces of the battery 1 and the heat transfer fins 321 are brought into close contact with each other to enhance heat transfer. Note that heat transfer grease may be applied to the facing surface between the battery 1 and the heat transfer fins 321 to further enhance heat transfer. Further, an insulating coating may be formed on the heat transfer fins 321 to increase the resistance to short-circuits caused by the heat transfer fins 321 having good conductivity when the battery 1 leaks at a plurality of locations.

Below the heat transfer board 31, six fin tubes 331 and 332 are provided. The fin tubes 331 and 332 are tubular members having a rectangular cross section, and the upper surface thereof is brazed to the lower surface of the heat transfer substrate 31. A large number of fins protrude from the inner peripheral surfaces of the fin tubes 331 and 332 to increase the heat receiving area. The fin tubes 331,
The fin tubes 331 and 332 and the heat transfer substrate 31 may be fixed to the case 6 if the contact between the 332 and the heat transfer substrate 31 is sufficient. Fin tubes 331, 3
Numerals 32 are arranged in parallel with each other in the direction in which the heat transfer fins 321 cross at equal intervals, and are arranged uniformly below the battery 1. The adjacent fin tube 331 and fin tube 332 each have a turn pipe 3 at one end.
33, which are integrated by brazing. These two fin tubes 331, 332
A single U-shaped heat exchange pipe 33 is formed with the turn pipe 333 as a set.

One end of each of the three sets of pipes 33 is connected to a common outward pipe 41, and communicates with the expansion valve 24a via the outward pipe 41. In addition, the other end has a common return pipe 4.
2 and the compressor 21 through the return pipe 42.
Leads to. That is, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant from the expansion valve 24a is diverted from the outgoing pipe 41 to the three pipes 33, and merges again in the return pipe 42.

The operation of the battery temperature control device will be described. To cool the battery 1, the solenoid valve 5 a is opened, and the refrigerant flows from the compressor 21 to the condenser 22 to the receiver 2.
The refrigerant circuit that returns to the compressor 21 again through the 3-th expansion valve 24a-the battery cooler 3a is opened. As a result, the low-temperature and low-pressure liquefied refrigerant flows through the fin tubes 331 and 332 of the battery cooler 3a as shown by arrows in FIG. The liquefied refrigerant is supplied to the heat transfer board 31 and the fin tubes 33.
The heat generated by the battery 1 is received through the walls 1 and 332 or through the heat transfer fins 321, the heat transfer board 31, and the fin tubes 331 and 332, and the battery 1 is cooled. At this time, the fin tubes 331, 3
The heat transfer to the heat transfer fin 32 is performed only by the heat transfer between the heat transfer fin 321 and the heat transfer substrate 31. In addition, the battery cooler 3a itself is insulated by the case 6, and a gap 601 is provided between the case 6 and the battery cooler 3a to form the case 6
It regulates the transfer of heat from the wall to the battery cooler 3a. Therefore, the battery 1 can be efficiently cooled.

Further, by forming the pipe 33 for heat exchange in a U-shape, the flow direction of the refrigerant is reversed between the adjacent fin tubes 331 and 332, so that the upstream fin tube 331 and the fin tube 332 have the same flow direction. The downstream part close to the return pipe 42 is close, and the middle part separated from both the forward pipe 41 and the return pipe 42 is close. The refrigerant flows in the pipe 33 while performing heat exchange, and the heat exchange capacity of the refrigerant decreases as it goes downstream of the pipe 33, so that the heat exchange capacity in a portion close to the forward pipe 41 and the return pipe 42, Outbound piping 41,
The heat exchange capacity at a portion distant from the return pipe 42 becomes substantially equal. Thus, any of the batteries 1 can be uniformly cooled, and insufficient cooling or overcooling can be prevented.

Further, the pipe 33 itself, which is in close contact with the lower surface of the heat transfer board 31, is reinforced by inserting a beam into the heat transfer board 31 to increase the strength of the entire battery cooler 3a. Since no blower fan is provided, the overall configuration can be made simple and compact.

The battery cooler includes a first heat transfer plate on which the battery is placed, a second heat transfer plate which stands on the heat transfer plate and is in close contact with the side of the battery, and a first heat transfer plate. 3 and a heat exchange pipe tightly attached to the lower surface of the container.
Shows a modification of the battery cooler. In the figure, portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the configuration of FIG. 1 perform substantially the same operation, and therefore, the description will be focused on the differences from the configuration of FIG.
The member 37 is formed by bending a rectangular aluminum plate into a U-shaped cross section, has two long sides 371 opposed to each other, and has a long side 371 and a short side 372 which are heat transfer fins.
The space sandwiched between is adapted to the shape of the battery 1. The members 37 are arranged on the surface of the heat transfer substrate 31 at the same interval as the long sides 371 facing each other, and the short sides 372 are brazed to the heat transfer substrate 31. Battery 1 is arranged between two long sides 371.

The battery cooler of this configuration is substantially the same as that of FIG.
However, since two heat transfer fins 371 are formed on each heat transfer member 37, the number of parts can be reduced to about half.

Further, in the battery cooler shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the heat transfer board and the heat transfer fins are separate bodies, but may be integrated. FIG. 4 shows an example of the battery cooler according to FIG. The member 38 is formed by connecting a bottom plate 381 as a first heat transfer plate and a top plate 382 to form a plurality of vertical walls 383 as second heat transfer plates. They are arranged parallel to each other. The integral member 38 can be manufactured at a time by extrusion using a mold having a ladder-like cross section, for example. The structure is robust and the number of parts can be further reduced. Battery 1 is fitted in a space defined by bottom plate 381, top plate 382, and vertical wall 383.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a battery temperature controller according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 perform substantially the same operations as those in the first embodiment, and therefore, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment. The expansion valve 24a is installed at a portion of the refrigerant pipe 4 which is routed in the case 6. In addition, a pressure sensor 8 is provided at a position of the refrigerant pipe 4 in the case 6 in the case 6 at a position immediately downstream of the battery cooler 3a of the refrigerant pipe 4, and the pressure sensor 8 is provided before the compressor 21 is started, that is, the cooling of the battery 1 is started. Previously, the ECU measures the pressure in the refrigerant pipe 4 from the detection signal of the pressure sensor 8, and if the pressure value is lower than a preset lower limit value, it is determined that the refrigerant is out.

When the refrigerant becomes low temperature and low pressure in the expansion valve 24a, it absorbs heat from the atmosphere in which the expansion valve 24a is installed and causes a thermal loss. This loss increases as the temperature of the atmosphere in which the expansion valve 24a is installed increases. In the present embodiment, the expansion valve 24
a is placed insulated, and the battery 1
During the cooling, the temperature changes at a temperature lower than the temperature outside the case 6, so that the thermal loss in the expansion valve 24a can be suppressed to a small value.

Further, even when the pressure value obtained by the pressure sensor 8 is lower than the lower limit, when the outside air greatly decreases in an extremely cold region or the like, the saturated vapor pressure of the refrigerant may become lower than the atmospheric pressure depending on the temperature. In such a case, it cannot be generally determined that the refrigerant is out. In the present embodiment, the inside of the case 6 where the pressure sensor 8 is placed is insulated, and the battery 1 generates heat. The temperature is relatively higher than the outside of the case 6 before the compressor 21 is started. Refrigerant loss can be detected.

In each of the above embodiments, the refrigeration cycle may be dedicated to a battery. Further, instead of cooling by the refrigerating cycle, a configuration may be adopted in which water, gas, or the like as a heat transport substance is passed through the heat exchange pipe of the battery cooler.

Although the heat exchange pipe is formed in a U-shape, one end of the straight pipe is connected to the outward pipe and the other end is connected to the return pipe depending on the required uniformity of the heat exchange capacity. You may connect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is an overall configuration diagram of a battery temperature control device of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a view taken in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a battery cooler included in the battery temperature control device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a modification of the battery cooler constituting the battery temperature control device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another modified example of the battery cooler constituting the battery temperature control device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of another battery temperature control device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery 2 Distribution means 21 Compressor 22 Condenser 23 Receiver 24a, 24b Expansion valve 3a Battery cooler (battery holding frame) 31, 381 Heat transfer board (first heat transfer plate) 321, 371, 383 Heat transfer fin (second 33 Heat transfer plate 33 Pipe line 331,332 Fin tube 333 Turn pipe 3b Evaporator 4 Refrigerant pipe 5a, 5b Solenoid valve 6 Case 8 Pressure sensor

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hirohito Matsui 14 Iwatani Shimowa Kakucho, Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture Inside the Japan Automobile Parts Research Institute (72) Inventor Sadahisa Onimaru 14 Iwatani Shimowa Kakumachi Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture Nippon Automobile Co., Ltd. Inside the Parts Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Kan Fukuda 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyota Motor Corporation (72) Inventor Itsusaku Yamada 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyota Motor Corporation (72) Inventor Jun Okuda 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture F-term (reference) in Toyota Motor Corporation 5E322 AA01 AA05 AA11 AB01 AB08 BA02 BA03 BB03 DA01 DA02 DB02 FA01 5H020 AS11 CC11 KK11 KK13 5H031 AA09 KK01 KK08 5H115 PU15 PG04 PI PU21 QA02 SE06 TO05 TR19 TU11 TU16 UI28 UI35

Claims (6)

[Claims] In a battery temperature control device for cooling or heating a battery, a first heat transfer plate on which the battery is mounted and a second heat transfer plate which stands on the heat transfer plate and closely adheres to a side surface of the battery. A sealed case that includes a plate and a battery holding frame having a pipe line closely adhered to the lower surface of the first heat transfer plate, and is formed of a heat insulating material, and stores the battery holding frame while holding the battery. And a circulating means for circulating a heat transporting substance which exchanges heat with the heat transfer plate via a pipe wall in the pipe line. 2. The battery temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the conduit is formed in a U-shape. 3. The battery temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed between a wall of the sealed case and the battery holding frame. 4. The battery temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the circulating means includes: a compressor configured to liquefy the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant; a condenser configured to liquefy the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant; A battery temperature control device, comprising: an expansion valve for expanding the temperature of the fuel cell to lower the temperature, and forming a refrigeration cycle together with the pipe. 5. The battery temperature control device according to claim 4, wherein an installation portion of the expansion valve is disposed in the closed case. 6. The battery temperature controller according to claim 4, wherein a pressure detecting means for detecting a pressure in a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows is installed in the refrigerant pipe located in the closed case. Battery temperature controller.