JP2003272974A - Electric double layer capacitor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve cooling characteristics and durability of an electric double layer capacitor. <P>SOLUTION: The electric double layer capacitor includes a capacitor cell 1 in which a plurality of positive and negative electrodes and separators are stored along with an electrolytic solution in a bag-shaped soft case, a radiating fin 5a projected in a belt form around a circumferential edge of the soft case, a heat exchanging frame (heat conductor) 15 sandwich the radiating fin 5a, and a metallic radiating hard case 21 for storing the plurality of capacitor cells 1 arranged through the heat exchanging frame 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an improvement of an electric double layer capacitor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electric double layer capacitors, which can be charged rapidly and have a long charge / discharge cycle life, have been attracting attention as power storage devices used in, for example, hybrid vehicles and wind power generation facilities.

As an electric double layer capacitor of this type, there has been provided a capacitor module in which a plurality of capacitor cells are arranged and housed in a hard case, and this capacitor module is used together with a substrate of a control circuit as a unit.

As a conventional capacitor cell, there is one in which a laminated body in which a plurality of positive electrode bodies and a negative electrode body and a separator interposed therebetween are laminated together in an bag-like soft case together with an electrolytic solution ( JP-A-3-203311,
reference).

[0005]

However, when the capacitor module is arranged in the hard case side by side, heat dissipation from the end faces of the capacitor cells contacting each other is suppressed, so that the capacitor module is housed in the hard case. It is difficult to ensure the heat dissipation of the capacitor cell, and for example, a cooling device that circulates a refrigerant around the capacitor module via an electric fan or the like is required, which causes a problem that the device becomes complicated and large. .

Further, when the capacitor module is mounted on a vehicle, there is a problem that it is difficult to secure the durability of the capacitor cell that can be accommodated in the bag-shaped soft case because vibration and impact are applied to the hard case.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the cooling property and durability of the electric double layer capacitor.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first invention is a capacitor cell in which a laminate of a plurality of positive electrodes, negative electrodes, and separators is housed together with an electrolytic solution in a bag-shaped soft case, and the plurality of capacitor cells. The heat dissipating hard case made of metal, which is arranged side by side, and the heat conductor interposed between the heat dissipating hard case and the capacitor cell are provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a radiating fin projecting like a strip is formed on the periphery of the soft case,
As a heat conductor, a heat transfer frame for sandwiching the heat radiation fin is provided.

According to a third invention, in the second invention, the heat transfer frame is formed of an elastic resin material, and the heat transfer frames adjacent to each other are compressed and elastically deformed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a radiating fin projecting like a belt is formed on the periphery of the soft case,
As a heat conductor, a caulking material that wraps the heat radiation fin is provided.

[0012]

In the first invention, charging,
The heat generated in the capacitor cell due to the discharge is transferred from the soft case to the heat dissipating hard case via the heat conductor, and is dissipated from the heat dissipating hard case to the outside air.

Since each capacitor cell is sufficiently cooled in this manner, a cooling device for circulating the refrigerant around the case via an electric fan or the like is not required, and the structure can be simplified.

In the second aspect of the invention, the heat generated in the capacitor cell is transferred to the heat transfer frame via the heat radiating fins of the soft case, and the cooling property of the capacitor cell can be enhanced.

By sandwiching the radiation fins in the slits, the displacement of the soft case 5 with respect to the heat transfer frame is prevented, and the respective capacitor cells can be easily aligned.

In the third invention, the heat transfer frames are compressed by the heat transfer frames adjacent to each other and elastically deformed, so that the heat transfer frames closely adhere to the soft case and the heat dissipating hard case without a gap, and the heat of the capacitor cells is transferred to the heat dissipating hard case. The heat transfer cross-section required to transfer is secured.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, the heat generated in the capacitor cell is transferred to the caulking layer via the heat radiating fin of the soft case, and the cooling performance of the capacitor cell can be improved.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (a) and 2 (b), a plurality of electric double layer capacitor cells 1 are housed in a line in a heat dissipating hard case 21, and one capacitor module is formed by these. 20 is formed.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the capacitor cell 1. The capacitor cell 1 includes a plurality of positive electrode bodies and a plurality of negative electrode bodies,
A separator interposed between the two is laminated, and this laminated body is housed in the bag-shaped soft case 5 together with the electrolytic solution.

The soft case 5 is formed by combining two flexible laminated sheets 6 and 7 into a bag shape. The flexible laminated sheets 6 and 7 have three layers, which are an intermediate layer of aluminum foil and a surface layer of resin sandwiching the intermediate layer.

Each of the flexible laminated sheets 6 and 7 is formed into a container by cold pressing, and has rectangular strip-shaped flange portions 6a and 7a on the periphery thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the soft case 5, the radiating fins 5a in the shape of a quadrangle band are formed by welding the flange portions 6a and 7a. The radiating fin 5a is formed to have a width larger than that required for welding the flange portions 6a and 7a, and serves to release heat generated in the laminated body of the capacitor cells 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, as a heat conductor for transmitting the heat of the capacitor cell 1 to the heat dissipating hard case 21, a heat transfer frame 15 for sandwiching the heat dissipating fins 5a of the soft case 5 is provided. The heat transfer frame 15 has a U-shape extending along the three sides of the heat dissipation fin 5a.

The capacitor cells 1 are housed side by side in the heat dissipation hard case 21 via the heat transfer frame 15. The heat transfer frame 15 is made of a composite material in which a metal powder such as aluminum is mixed with an elastic resin material such as silicon. The heat transfer frame 15 has a function of transmitting the heat generated in the laminated body of the capacitor cells 1 from the heat dissipation fins 5a to the heat dissipation hard case 21, and It functions to elastically support the capacitor cell 1 with respect to the hard case 21 and to insulate the capacitor cell 1 from the heat dissipation hard case 21.

The heat transfer frame 15 has a slit 15a for sandwiching the radiating fins 5a, a pair of flange portions 15b joined to the sides of the soft case 5, a pair of sandwiching portions 15c for compressing the slits 15a, and a heat radiating hard case. There is a support portion 15d supported by 21, and these are formed by integral molding. Note that a plurality of heat transfer frames may be integrally formed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the heat transfer frame 15 is compressed by the heat transfer frames 15 adjacent to each other and elastically deformed, so that the flange portion 15b and the slit 15a of the heat transfer frame 15 have side portions of the soft case 5 and heat radiation fins. 5a is closely attached to the heat dissipation hard case 21 without any gap.

The cross sectional shape of the heat transfer frame is not limited to this.
For example, it may be formed in a substantially rectangular shape having a slit opened inside thereof.

The heat transfer frame is not limited to the U-shape extending along the three sides of the heat radiating fin, but may be formed in a rectangular frame shape extending along the four sides of the heat radiating fin. Further, the heat transfer frame may be formed by being divided into four sides of the radiation fin.

A pressure mechanism 30 is provided at the center of the capacitor module 20. When the capacitor cells 1 are pressed against each other by the pressing mechanism 30, the capacitor cells 1 are housed in the heat dissipating hard case 21 without a gap, and the capacitor cells 1 are compressed and held so as not to shift due to vibration or shock.

The pressing mechanism 30 includes a stopper plate 31 fixed to the upper portion of the heat dissipating hard case 21, and the stopper plate 31.
And push plates 32 and 33 which are surrounded by the heat dissipating hard case 21 and are slidable in the column direction of the capacitor cells 1, and a disc spring 34 which urges the push plates 32 and 33 away from each other.
A set bolt 35 for supporting the disc spring 34 is provided.

The heat generated in the capacitor cell 1 as it is charged and discharged is the heat radiation fin 5 of the soft case 5.
It is transmitted from a to the heat dissipation hard case 21 through the heat transfer frame 15, and is released from the heat dissipation hard case 21 to the outside air.

The heat transfer frame 15 made of an elastic resin material is compressed by the heat transfer frames 15 adjacent to each other and elastically deformed, so that the flange portion 15b and the slit 15a are formed on the side portion of the soft case 5 and the heat radiation fin 5a. Since the support portions 15d are in close contact with each other without a gap and the support portion 15d is in close contact with the heat dissipation hard case 21 without a gap, a heat transfer cross-sectional area required to transfer the heat of the capacitor cell 1 to the heat dissipation hard case 21 is secured.

Since each capacitor cell 1 is sufficiently cooled in this manner, a cooling device for circulating a refrigerant around the capacitor module is not required, and the structure can be simplified.

The heat transfer frame 15 made of an elastic resin material elastically supports the capacitor cell 1 with respect to the heat dissipating hard case 21, and transmits vibrations and shocks to each capacitor cell 1 even when the capacitor module 20 is mounted on a vehicle. This can be suppressed, and the durability of the capacitor cell 1 that can be accommodated in the bag-shaped soft case 5 can be ensured.

By sandwiching the radiating fins 5a in the slits 15a, the positional deviation of the soft case 5 with respect to the heat transfer frame 15 can be suppressed, and the capacitor cells 1 can be easily aligned.

Next, another embodiment shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The same components as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

A caulking material 19 such as silicon is filled between the soft case 5 and the heat dissipation hard case 21 as a heat conductor for transmitting the heat of the capacitor cell 1 to the heat dissipation hard case 21. The heat radiation fin 5 a of the capacitor cell 1 is bent and wrapped in the caulking material 19.

In this case, the caulking material 19 functions to transfer the heat generated in the laminated body of the capacitor cells 1 from the heat radiation fins 5a to the heat radiation hard case 21, and the heat radiation hard case 21.
With respect to the above, it functions to elastically support the capacitor cell 1 and to insulate the capacitor cell 1 from the heat dissipation hard case 21.

It is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea thereof.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a capacitor module showing an embodiment of the present invention.

2A is a plan view of the capacitor module, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the capacitor module.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same capacitor cell.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the heat transfer frame.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a heat transfer frame and the like.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a capacitor module showing another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Capacitor cell 5 soft cases 6,7 Flexible laminated sheet 15 Heat transfer frame (heat conductor) 19 Caulking layer (heat conductor) 20 Capacitor module 21 Heat dissipation hard case

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masakazu Sasaki             Saitama Prefecture Ageo City Oita Ichome Ichibanchi Nissan Di             Within Hazel Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A capacitor cell in which a laminated body of a plurality of positive electrode bodies, a negative electrode body, and a separator is housed together with an electrolytic solution in a bag-shaped soft case, and a metal heat-dissipating hardware for housing the plurality of capacitor cells side by side. An electric double layer capacitor comprising a case and a heat conductor interposed between the heat dissipation hard case and the capacitor cell. 2. The electric radiator according to claim 1, further comprising: a radiating fin projecting in a strip shape on the periphery of the soft case, and a heat transfer frame for sandwiching the radiating fin as the heat conductor. Multilayer capacitor. 3. The electric double layer capacitor according to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer frame is formed of an elastic resin material, and the heat transfer frames are elastically deformed by being compressed between adjacent heat transfer frames. 4. The electric double layer capacitor according to claim 1, wherein a radiating fin protruding in a strip shape is formed on a peripheral edge of the soft case, and a caulking material for wrapping the radiating fin is provided as the heat conductor. .