JP2003249202A - Collective battery and battery system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a collective battery and a battery system wherein it is possible to suppress reduction of cooling efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The collective battery is provided with a battery assembly 11 composed of a plurality of battery cells or battery modules 22, a plurality of restraining members 8a, 8b to restrain a plurality of battery cells or battery modules 22, and coolant supply means 25, 24 to supply a coolant to the battery assembly 11 for cooling the battery assembly 11. Protrusions 21a to 21e are formed on the surface wherein the cooling material flows on the surface of the battery modules 22, and a plurality of restraining members 8a, 8b are arranged so as to be overlapped with the protrusions 21a to 21e in a direction 14 along which the coolant flows in the vicinity of the protrusions 21a to 21e. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an assembled battery and a battery system, and more particularly to an assembled battery and a battery system mounted on a vehicle using an electric motor such as an electric vehicle as a drive source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an electric vehicle using an electric motor as a drive source and a so-called hybrid car having a plurality of types of drive sources such as an electric motor and a gasoline engine have been put into practical use. A battery for supplying electricity, which is energy, to an electric motor is mounted on such an electric vehicle. As this battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery (Ni-Cd battery) or a nickel-hydrogen battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is used. An example of a battery system including such a battery will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 7
It is a perspective schematic diagram which shows the conventional battery system mounted in the motor vehicle. FIG. 8 is a developed schematic view of a battery pack portion which constitutes the battery system shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a battery pack portion taken along the line segment IX-IX in FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of the battery pack portion taken along the line XX in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, a conventional battery system used as an energy source for driving an automobile is
A battery pack portion 105 disposed between the rear tires of a vehicle of an automobile and including a module assembly in which a plurality of battery modules are laminated, a blower fan 131 for blowing cooling air for battery cooling to the battery pack portion 105, and a battery pack An exhaust duct 130 for exhausting the cooling air exhausted from the portion 105 to the outside of the vehicle, a battery computer (not shown) for controlling the battery system, and the like are provided.

The battery pack portion 105 of the battery system shown in FIG. 7 has a battery cover 1 as shown in FIG.
The module assembly 111 is housed inside an exterior member composed of 06 and the lower case 112. The module assembly 111 includes a plurality of battery modules 1
It is formed by stacking 22. In addition, a gap as a cooling air flow path is formed between the stacked battery modules 122 so that cooling air can flow. On the side wall of the battery module 122 facing the other adjacent battery module 122, the spacer protrusion 121 acting as a spacer for forming the gap is formed.
a to 121e (see FIG. 9) are formed. At both ends of the module assembly 111, restraint plates 110a, 1
10b is arranged. Restraint plates 110a, 11
0b are connected and fixed to each other by restraint pipes 108a and 108b. The restraint plates 110a, 1
10b is fixed to the lower case 112. Also,
Each battery module 122 is also fixed to the lower case 112.

Terminals 116 for charging / discharging current in the battery module are formed on each side surface of the battery module constituting the module assembly 111. Bus bar modules 109a and 109b are arranged on the side surfaces of the module assembly 111 to connect the terminals 116 of the battery module to each other. The busbar modules 109a and 109b are the battery modules 12
The battery modules 122 are electrically connected in series in the module assembly 111 by being connected to the respective two terminals 116.

An exhaust hose 107 for discharging hydrogen gas exhausted from the battery module 122 to the outside of the battery pack portion 105 is installed on the upper surface of the module assembly 111. Exhaust hose 107
Is connected to the exhaust terminal 115 of the battery module 122. Further, a temperature sensor 113 for measuring the temperature of the module assembly 111 is arranged on the upper surface of the module assembly 111. This temperature sensor 11
In order to maintain the temperature of the module assembly 111 within a predetermined range in accordance with the output of No. 3, cooling air is supplied to the battery pack portion 105 using the blower fan 131 (see FIG. 7). This is because the module assembly 111 generates heat as the battery system is charged and discharged, and the module assembly 111 is cooled for the purpose of maintaining the performance of the battery system and ensuring safety. As a cooling air supply method, as shown in FIG.
The cooling air flows from the lower surface side to the upper surface side.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the module assembly 111, the gaps 134 as the cooling air flow passage are formed between the battery modules as described above.
Therefore, the cooling air supplied from the direction of the arrow 135 on the lower side of the battery pack portion 105 has the gap 1 between the battery modules 122 in the module assembly 111.
As shown by an arrow 136, the fluid flows from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the module assembly 111 via the connector 34. After that, on the upper surface of the module assembly 111, the arrow 1
The cooling air is discharged in the direction indicated by 35.

[0008]

The conventional battery system described above has the following problems.

In the conventional battery system, as can be seen from FIG. 9, restraint pipes 108a and 108 are arranged on the upper surface and the lower surface of the module assembly 111, respectively. The space on the upper surface side and the space on the lower surface side of the module assembly 111 are flow passages through which cooling air flows. That is, the restraint pipes 108a, 1
08b is arrange | positioned inside the flow path of a cooling wind.

The restraint pipes 108a and 108b are used to maintain the shape of the module assembly 111 by fixing the battery module 122 and to give the module assembly 111 a predetermined strength. Therefore, the arrangement of the restraint pipes 108a and 108b has been determined based on the strength calculation or the like so that the module assembly 111 can have a predetermined strength.

As described above, the restraint pipes 108a, 10a
Since 8b is arranged in the flow path of the cooling air, the restraint pipes 108a and 108b serve as a resistance that obstructs the flow of the cooling air. However, the arrangement and shape of the restraint pipes 108a and 108b are determined based on the strength standard of the module assembly 111, and the flow of cooling air is not particularly considered. Therefore, the module assembly 11
In some cases, the cooling efficiency when cooling No. 1 with cooling air was reduced due to the presence of the restraint pipes 108a and 108b. If the module assembly 111 is not sufficiently cooled, there is a risk that the performance of the battery system may deteriorate or the module assembly 111 of the battery system may be damaged.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an assembled battery and a battery system capable of suppressing a decrease in cooling efficiency. Is.

[0013]

An assembled battery according to the present invention is a battery assembly comprising a plurality of battery cells or battery modules, a plurality of restraining members for restraining a plurality of battery cells or battery modules, and a battery assembly. A coolant supply means for supplying a coolant for cooling the body to the battery assembly is provided, and on the surface of the battery cell or the battery module, a convex portion is formed on the surface through which the coolant flows, and the plurality of restraint members are It is arranged so as to overlap the convex portion in the flowing direction of the coolant in the vicinity of the convex portion.

With this configuration, when the coolant also flows around the restraint member, in the direction in which the coolant flows,
It is possible to prevent the restraint member from interfering with the flow of the coolant due to the convex portion and the restraint member being formed in regions that do not overlap each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cooling efficiency of the battery assembly from decreasing due to the presence of the restraint member.

In the above-mentioned assembled battery, a plurality of protrusions may be formed on the surface of the battery cell or the battery module through which the coolant flows, and each of the plurality of restraining members may have a coolant in the vicinity of the plurality of protrusions. In the flowing direction of
It may be arranged so as to overlap with any one of the plurality of convex portions.

In this case, since the restraint member is arranged so as to overlap any one of the plurality of convex portions, the degree of freedom in arranging the plurality of restraint members can be increased.

In the above-mentioned assembled battery, the battery assembly may be constituted by stacking a plurality of battery cells or battery modules with a gap therebetween, and the convex portion may be arranged in the gap. In the above assembled battery, the cooling material may flow through the gap, and the restraint member is arranged in a region on the outer peripheral surface of the battery assembly, the region overlapping the convex portion in the direction in which the cooling material flows in the gap. May be.

In this case, since the constraining member is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the battery assembly, the structure of the battery assembly can be simplified as compared with the case where the constraining member is arranged so as to penetrate the inside of the battery assembly. With the above-described configuration, when the coolant flowing through the gap between the battery cells or the battery modules flows out to the region on the outer peripheral surface of the battery assembly in which the restraint member is arranged, or From the region on the outer peripheral surface of the battery assembly placed, when the coolant flows into the gap between the battery cells or battery modules,
It is possible to prevent the restraint member and the convex portion from becoming resistance that impedes the flow of the coolant at the same time. That is, in the case where the restraint member and the convex portion are arranged so as not to overlap with each other in the coolant flowing direction, the area of the restraint member and the convex portion when viewed from the upstream side in the coolant flowing direction (coolant Area of the part that closes the flow path of the coolant becomes large, but when the restraint member and the convex portion are arranged to overlap in the flowing direction of the coolant as in the present invention, The area is relatively small. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in cooling efficiency of the battery assembly.

In the above-mentioned assembled battery, the plurality of restraint members are arranged so as to sandwich the battery assembly in the direction in which the coolant flows in the gap, and are also arranged at asymmetrical positions when viewed from the battery assembly. May be.

Further, the assembled battery according to the present invention comprises a plurality of battery cells or battery modules, has a battery assembly having an upper surface, a restraining member for restraining the plurality of battery cells or battery modules, and a battery assembly. And a coolant supply means for supplying a coolant to cool the battery assembly from the upper surface side to the battery assembly. A restraint member is arranged on the downstream side of the convex portion while overlapping with the convex portion in the direction in which the coolant flows in the vicinity.

With this configuration, when the coolant also flows around the restraint member, the convex portions and the restraint member are formed in the regions that do not overlap each other in the direction in which the coolant flows. It is possible to prevent the restraint member from interfering with the flow of the coolant. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cooling efficiency of the battery assembly from decreasing due to the presence of the restraint member.

In the above assembled battery, the battery assembly may have a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, and the restraining member may be located on the lower surface. The assembled battery may further include another restraint member that is located on the upper surface and restrains the battery cell or the battery module, and the restraint member and the other restraint member are asymmetric when viewed from the battery assembly. It may be arranged at each position.

In the above-mentioned assembled battery, the convex portion may be a part of a partition wall separating a plurality of battery cells constituting the battery module.

In this case, since a constituent member necessary for the operation of the battery module, such as a part of the partition wall forming the battery module, is used as the convex portion, a new member is added to the assembled battery as the convex portion in the present invention. There is no need to do it. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the structure of the assembled battery according to the present invention from becoming complicated. As a result, the assembled battery according to the present invention can be realized without increasing the manufacturing cost.

In the above assembled battery, the convex portion may be a spacer for defining the distance between the battery cells or the battery modules in the battery assembly.

In this case, since the spacer required for forming the gap between the battery cells or the battery modules is used as the convex portion, it is not necessary to add a new member to the assembled battery as the convex portion in the present invention. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the structure of the assembled battery according to the present invention from becoming complicated. As a result, the assembled battery according to the present invention can be realized without increasing the manufacturing cost.

In many cases, the spacer is formed in advance in the coolant channel, but in this case, it is not necessary to add a new member to the channel as a convex portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the number of members that obstruct the flow of the coolant from increasing in the coolant flow path included in the coolant supply means.

Further, a battery system according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned assembled battery. In this case, it is possible to realize a battery system capable of preventing performance deterioration and damage.

The battery system may be installed in an automobile. Here, the battery system installed in an automobile is subject to severer vibration conditions and temperature conditions than ordinary stationary battery systems, and may be temporarily subjected to a high load. Used in. Further, in so-called hybrid cars and the like, charging / discharging of the battery system is frequently repeated, and therefore it is necessary to reliably remove heat generated from the battery system due to this charging / discharging. Under such severe operating conditions, it is extremely important to control the temperature of the battery assembly that constitutes the battery system in order to ensure the safety and soundness of the battery system, and it is necessary to keep the cooling efficiency of the battery system high. To be Therefore, it is particularly effective to apply the present invention to a battery system mounted on an automobile.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a battery pack portion constituting an embodiment of a battery system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automobile using the battery system including the battery pack portion shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a developed schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the battery pack portion shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective schematic view of the battery pack portion shown in FIG. An embodiment of a battery system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The battery system according to the present invention is a battery system mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile, and includes a battery pack portion 5 and a battery pack portion 5 as shown in FIG.
A fan for supplying cooling air to the vehicle, an exhaust duct for discharging the cooling air to the outside of the vehicle, a safety device used for maintenance of the battery system, and a battery computer for controlling the battery system .

As shown in FIG. 2, an automobile 1 to which the battery system according to the present invention is applied comprises a control unit 2, a battery unit 3 including the battery system according to the present invention, and a drive unit 4.
The control unit 2 controls the battery unit 3 and the driving unit 4. The drive unit 4 includes an electric motor such as a motor that is driven by the current supplied from the battery unit 3. The drive unit 4 may include an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine other than the electric motor. That is, the vehicle 1 is not only an electric vehicle that uses only an electric motor such as a motor driven by a current supplied from the battery unit 3 as a drive source, but also a so-called hybrid car that includes a drive means other than an electric motor such as a gasoline engine as a drive source. Is also included.

The battery pack portion 5 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a plurality of members as shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 3, in the battery pack portion 5, a module assembly 11 configured by stacking a plurality of box-shaped battery modules 22 is arranged inside an exterior member including a battery cover 6 and a lower case 12. There is. As the battery module 22 as a battery assembly, for example, a nickel-hydrogen battery can be used. As the battery module 22, any other type of battery may be used as long as it is a rechargeable secondary battery. The battery module 22 has a so-called rectangular flat plate shape.

At both ends of the module assembly 11, there are restraint plates 1 for fixing the stacked battery modules.
0a and 10b are arranged. Restraint plate 10a,
10b are connected and fixed to each other by restraint pipes 8a and 8b as restraint members. The restraint plate 10
a and 10b are fixed to the lower case 12. The individual battery modules 22 are also fixed to the lower case 12. The restraint pipes 8a and 8b are arranged on the upper surface and the lower surface of the module assembly 11, respectively. In this way, since the constraining pipes 8a and 8b are arranged on the surface of the module assembly 11, the structure of the module assembly 11 is simplified as compared with the case where the constraining pipes are arranged so as to penetrate the inside of the module assembly 11. Can be converted.

On the upper surface of the module assembly 11, exhaust terminals 15 for discharging a gas such as hydrogen gas released from the inside of the battery module 22 are formed in each battery module 22. An exhaust hose 7 connected to each exhaust terminal 15 and for exhausting the gas exhausted from the exhaust terminal 15 to the outside of the battery pack portion 5 is installed on the exhaust terminal 15. In addition, the temperature sensor 1 for detecting the temperature of the module assembly 11
3 are arranged on the upper surface of the module assembly 11.

On the side surface side of the module assembly 11, the battery module 22 is provided on the side surface of the battery module 22.
Terminals 16 for charging and discharging are provided. In order to connect each terminal 16 of the battery module 22,
Bus bar modules 9a and 9b are arranged. By connecting the respective terminals 16 of the battery module 22 with the bus bar modules 9a and 9b, the plurality of battery modules 2 constituting the module assembly 11 are connected.
2 is electrically connected in series.

The module assembly 11 as the battery pack portion is constructed by stacking a plurality of battery modules 22 as described above. And the battery module 22
A gap for circulating the cooling air is formed between them. On the side surface of the battery module 22 facing the gap (the surface extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery modules 22 stacked in the module assembly 11), as shown in FIG. 21e is formed. The spacer protrusions 21 a to 21 e are in a state of protruding from the side wall surface of the battery module 22 by a predetermined height. The battery module 22 is a combination of a plurality of battery cells, and a partition wall is formed between adjacent battery cells. The spacer convex portion 21
a to 21e form a part of the partition wall.

When stacking a plurality of battery modules 22, the spacer protrusions 21a ...
Due to the presence of 21e, a gap is formed between the battery modules 22 arranged adjacent to each other.
Through this gap, as shown by an arrow 14 in FIG. 1, the cooling air as a cooling medium constitutes the module assembly 11 from the flow path 25 (see FIG. 4) located on the upper surface side of the module assembly 11. The lower channel 24 of the module assembly 11 through the gap between the battery modules 22 (see FIG. 4).
Flows to. At this time, the heat of the module assembly 11 is removed by the cooling air. The cooling medium supply means is composed of a fan for sending cooling air to the flow path 25, the flow paths 24 and 25, an exhaust duct connected to the flow path 24 for discharging the cooling air to the outside, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, the flow path 25 is a region surrounded by the battery cover 6 and the upper surface of the module assembly 11. The flow path 24 is a space formed between the lower surface of the module assembly 11 and the cover case 12. Convex portion 2 formed on lower case 12
6a and 26b are in contact with both ends of the lower surface of the module assembly 11, respectively. Convex portion 26a,
26b is a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 4 (module assembly 11
In, the battery module 22 is formed so as to extend in the stacking direction). Also, the battery cover 6
The bottom wall surfaces of the recesses 27a and 27b formed in the above are arranged so as to contact both ends of the upper surface of the module assembly 11, respectively. The recesses 27a and 27b are also formed so as to extend along the stacking direction of the battery modules 22 of the module assembly 11. That is, the flow path 24,
25 is the module assembly 1 in the stacking direction in which the battery modules 22 are stacked in the module assembly 11.
It is formed so as to extend along 1. Further, since the concave portions 27a and 27b and the convex portions 26a and 26b are in contact with the surface of the module assembly 11, there is a gap between the flow path 25 and the battery module 22 (arrow 14 in FIG. 4).
The cooling air flowing to the flow path 24 (flowing in the direction shown in FIG.
Almost no inflow into a and 23b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the module assembly 11
The restraint pipe 8a serving as another restraint member arranged on the upper surface of the module assembly 11 for restraining the above-mentioned structure has spacer protrusions 21b and 21d and a direction in which cooling air flows (shown by an arrow 14 in FIG. 4). Direction) and are arranged at positions substantially overlapping with each other. Further, in the direction in which the cooling air flows indicated by the arrow 14, the restraint pipe 8b serving as a restraint member is arranged at a position overlapping the spacer protrusions 21a and 21e and on the downstream side. Restraint pipe 8
The a and 8b are arranged so as to sandwich the module assembly 11 in the direction in which the cooling air flows, and are also arranged at asymmetrical positions when viewed from the module assembly 11. Here, the direction in which the cooling air flows means the direction in which the cooling air flows in the gap between the battery modules 22.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cooling air flows in the direction shown by the arrow 14, the spacer protrusion 2 is formed.
Since the restraint pipe 8b is arranged so as to overlap the downstream side of the la 1a, it is possible to prevent the restraint pipe 8b from obstructing the flow of the cooling air. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the problem that the cooling efficiency is lowered due to the existence of the restraint pipe 8b.

Further, since the restraint pipe 8a is also arranged at a position overlapping the spacer protrusions 21b and 21d, the restraint pipe 8a is moved to the spacer protrusions 21b and 21d.
21d can reduce the resistance in the cooling flow path through which the cooling air flows, as compared with the case where the cooling air does not overlap with the cooling air flow direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cooling efficiency from decreasing due to the presence of the restraint pipe 8a. In addition, it is preferable that the restraint pipe 8a is arranged at a position such that the flow path 25 is equally divided in the width direction of the flow path 25 (direction substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery modules 22). For example, in the battery system shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the restraint pipe 8a is arranged at a position that divides the flow path 25 into three equal parts in the width direction. In this case, the cooling air can be uniformly supplied to the upper surface of the module assembly 11 in the width direction of the flow path 25.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the exhaust terminals 15, the exhaust hoses 7, etc. of the battery module are concentratedly arranged near the restraint pipe 8a to further reduce the resistance of these structures to the cooling air. can do.

Further, the battery module 22 is formed with a plurality of spacer projections 21a to 21e. Therefore, each of the restraint pipes 8a and 8b can be arranged so as to overlap with any of the plurality of spacer convex portions 21a to 21e in the direction in which the cooling air flows. In this case, the degree of freedom in arranging the restraint pipes 8a and 8b can be increased.

In addition, the component members (for example, the spacer protrusions 21a to 21a) installed in the battery module 22 from the beginning.
Since the restraint pipe 8b is arranged on the downstream side of 21e), it is not necessary to add a new member as compared with the conventional battery system. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the battery system according to the present invention can be prevented from increasing. Further, since the spacer convex portions 21a to 21e existing in the flow path of the cooling air from the beginning are used, the number of members that obstruct the circulation of the cooling air does not increase.

In addition, the temperature control of a battery system mounted on an electric vehicle or the like is extremely important for ensuring safety and soundness. Therefore, it is required to keep the cooling efficiency of the battery system high. Therefore, it is particularly effective to apply the battery system according to the present invention to an automobile.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing a modification of the battery system according to the present invention shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. A modified example of the embodiment of the battery system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 6, the battery pack portion 5 constituting the battery system basically has the same structure as the battery pack portion 5 of the battery system shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, but the restraint pipe 8b. The arrangement is different. That is, the restraint pipe 8b is arranged on the downstream side at a position overlapping the spacer convex portions 21b and 21d of the battery module 22 in the direction in which the cooling air flows (the direction indicated by the arrow 14).

In this way, the constraining pipe 8a, the spacer convex portions 21b and 21d, and the constraining pipe 8b can be arranged at positions where they are all overlapped with each other when viewed from the direction in which the cooling air flows. Therefore, the resistance of the cooling air can be further reduced by these structures. As a result,
Like the battery system shown in FIGS.
It is possible to suppress the occurrence of the problem that the cooling efficiency deteriorates due to the poor flow of the cooling air due to the presence of a and 8b.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where gas is used as the coolant has been described, but a substance in a state other than gas, for example, a liquid coolant may be used as the coolant. Also in this case, the same effect can be obtained.

Further, the positions of the restraint pipes 8a and 8b are other than the positions shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 as long as they are positions overlapping the spacer projections 21a to 21e in the cooling air flow direction. But it's okay.

In the above-described embodiment of the present invention,
The description has been given using the module assembly 11 (see FIG. 3) which is a laminated body of the battery modules 22 (see FIG. 4). However, the present invention is applicable.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above-described embodiments but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

[0055]

According to the present invention, since the convex portion located in the flow path of the coolant and the restraint member of the battery assembly forming the battery module are arranged so as to overlap in the flowing direction of the coolant, The resistance to the flow of material can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cooling efficiency of the assembled battery and the battery system from decreasing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a battery pack portion which constitutes an embodiment of a battery system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automobile using a battery system including the battery pack portion shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a developed schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the battery pack portion shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG.

5 is a partially enlarged perspective schematic view of the battery pack portion shown in FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the battery system according to the present invention shown in FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a conventional battery system mounted on an automobile.

8 is a development schematic diagram of a battery pack portion forming the battery system shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery pack portion taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 7.

10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery pack portion taken along line XX in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 automobile, 2 control unit, 3 battery unit, 4 drive unit, 5
Battery pack part, 6 battery cover, 7 exhaust hose, 8a, 8b restraint pipe, 9a, 9b bus bar module, 10a, 10b restraint plate, 11 module assembly, 12 lower case, 13 temperature sensor, 14 arrow, 15 exhaust terminal, 16 terminals, 21a
-21e Spacer protrusion, 22 Battery module, 2
3a, 23b Gap, 24, 25 Flow path, 26a, 26
b convex part, 27a, 27b concave part.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Keiji Sudani             1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Auto             Car Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takaki Morioka             Uchihama, 1 Miyashitagawara, Shigo Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture             Kasei Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5H031 AA02 AA03 AA09 CC05 KK01                       KK08                 5H040 AA28 AS07 AT06 AY10

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A battery assembly comprising a plurality of battery cells or battery modules, a plurality of restraining members for restraining the plurality of battery cells or battery modules, and a coolant for cooling the battery assembly, The surface of the battery cell or the battery module, a convex portion is formed on the surface through which the coolant flows, the plurality of restraint members, the plurality of restraint members in the vicinity of the convex portion. An assembled battery, which is arranged so as to overlap the convex portion in a direction in which a coolant flows. 2. A plurality of the protrusions are formed on a surface of the battery cell or the battery module through which the coolant flows, and each of the plurality of restraint members is formed of the coolant in the vicinity of the plurality of protrusions. The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the assembled battery is arranged so as to overlap with any one of the plurality of convex portions in a flowing direction. 3. The battery assembly is configured by stacking a plurality of the battery cells or battery modules with a gap between each other, the convex portion being disposed in the gap, and the coolant being the gap. 3. The restraint member is arranged in a region which is in circulation and on the outer peripheral surface of the battery assembly, and which overlaps with the convex portion in a direction in which the coolant flows in the gap.
The assembled battery described in. 4. The plurality of restraint members are arranged so as to sandwich the battery assembly in a direction in which the coolant flows in the gap, and are arranged at asymmetrical positions when viewed from the battery assembly. The assembled battery according to claim 3, wherein 5. A battery assembly comprising a plurality of battery cells or battery modules and having an upper surface, a restraining member for restraining the plurality of battery cells or battery modules, and a coolant for cooling the battery assembly. And a coolant supply means for supplying the battery assembly from the upper surface side, in the surface of the battery cell or battery module, a convex portion is formed on the surface through which the coolant flows, in the vicinity of the convex portion. An assembled battery in which the restraint member is arranged on the downstream side of the convex portion while overlapping the convex portion in the flowing direction of the coolant. 6. The battery assembly has a lower surface located opposite to the upper surface, the restraining member located on the lower surface, located on the upper surface, and the battery cell. The assembly according to claim 5, further comprising another restraint member that restrains the battery module, wherein the restraint member and the other restraint member are arranged at asymmetrical positions when viewed from the battery assembly. battery. 7. The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is a part of a partition wall that separates a plurality of battery cells that form the battery module. 8. The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is a spacer for defining a distance between the battery cells or battery modules in the battery assembly. 9. A battery system including the assembled battery according to claim 1. 10. The battery system according to claim 9, wherein the battery system is mounted on an automobile.