JP2004335578A - Electric double layer capacitor device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To keep a capacitor module forming a capacitor at a suitable temperature so as to improve it in performance and service life. <P>SOLUTION: Positive poles and negative poles are laminated as separators interposed between the positive poles and negative poles, and the laminate composed of the positive and negative poles and the separators is housed together with an electrolyte in a cell case 13 for the formation of a capacitor cell 12. A prescribed number of the capacitor cells 12 are assembled into a capacitor module 16 through the intermediary of assembly fittings 15. The capacitor modules 16 are arranged in a case 10, and fluid pathways 18 where heat transfer fluid is made to flow are provided along the capacitor modules 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric double layer capacitor device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, attention has been focused on an application technique of an electric double layer capacitor (electric double layer capacitor) that can be rapidly charged and has a long charge / discharge cycle life as various power storage devices (e.g., a driving power supply of an electric vehicle).
[0003]
An electric double layer capacitor is a capacitor cell in which a certain number of positive and negative electrodes are alternately stacked with a separator interposed therebetween, and the stacked body is immersed in an electrolytic solution and housed in a container together with the electrolytic solution. At the same time, a plurality of capacitor cells are used in combination depending on the required power.
[0004]
Such electric double layer capacitors have a fear of deterioration when the temperature rises. Therefore, when the temperature of the electric double layer capacitor reaches a predetermined high temperature, the electric double layer capacitor is discharged to reduce the amount of stored electricity (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-122811
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the temperature of the electric double layer capacitor becomes high in this way, suppressing the amount of stored power means that the expected performance cannot be maintained.
[0007]
In addition, when the temperature is low and the temperature of the electric double layer capacitor is low as in winter, the internal resistance increases, and it is difficult to increase the temperature to an appropriate temperature, so that the capacity cannot be used up sufficiently.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first aspect of the present invention is a capacitor module comprising a plurality of positive electrode bodies and a plurality of negative electrode bodies which are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween and which is housed in a cell container together with an electrolyte through a predetermined number of fittings. To arrange the plurality of capacitor modules in the case and to form a fluid passage through which the heat transfer medium passes along each of the capacitor modules.
[0010]
A second invention is the electric double layer capacitor device for a vehicle according to the first invention, wherein a duct capable of introducing air around the engine and outside air into the case is provided.
[0011]
In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the duct includes a shutter for selectively introducing air around the engine and outside air into the case.
[0012]
In a fourth aspect based on the first to third aspects, the assembly of the capacitor module has a frame structure.
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect, each capacitor module can be maintained at an appropriate temperature. Therefore, deterioration of the electric double layer capacitor can be prevented, and the desired performance of the electric double layer capacitor can be sufficiently exhibited.
[0014]
In the second and third aspects, each capacitor module can be maintained at an appropriate temperature by the air around the engine and the outside air. Therefore, deterioration of the electric double layer capacitor can be prevented, and the desired performance of the electric double layer capacitor can be sufficiently exhibited, so that the reliability of the electric double layer capacitor for a vehicle is improved.
[0015]
According to the fourth aspect, better heat exchange between each cell of the capacitor module and the heat transfer medium can be secured.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a state in which an electric double layer capacitor 11 is provided in a case 10, FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a capacitor cell 12.
[0018]
In the capacitor cell 12, a cell body (not shown) in which a fixed number of positive and negative electrode bodies are alternately stacked with a separator interposed therebetween is housed in a cell container 13 having a predetermined structure together with an electrolytic solution. The lead of the positive electrode body is connected to the terminal 14a, and the lead of the negative electrode body is connected to the terminal 14b.
[0019]
A predetermined number of the capacitor cells 12 are arranged and accommodated in a box-shaped unit assembly 15 to form a capacitor module 16.
[0020]
Then, a plurality of capacitor modules 16 are provided in the case 10.
[0021]
In this case, lattice-like beams and supports (not shown) are provided in the case 10 so as to provide a gap along the capacitor module 16 between the capacitor modules 16 and between the capacitor module 16 and the case 10. A fluid passage 18 is formed along each capacitor module 16 for passing a heat transfer medium.
[0022]
4 to 6 are a perspective view, a side view, and a plan view showing a configuration in a state where the electric double layer capacitor 11 is mounted on a vehicle.
[0023]
A collection duct 22 that collects air (warm air) around the engine 20 is formed on the exhaust manifold 21 side of the engine 20. An air intake (not shown) is formed on the front side (front side of the vehicle) of the collection duct 22.
[0024]
The front surface of the case 10 in which the electric double layer capacitor 11 is disposed is opened, and an introduction duct 23 is formed in this opening. The introduction duct 23 is formed obliquely on the engine 20 side, and is connected to the collection duct 22. An opening or an air outlet (not shown) is formed on the rear surface of the case 10.
[0025]
Opening / closing shutters 24 to 26 are provided on the downstream side of the collection duct 22, the connection between the collection duct 22 and the introduction duct 23, and the front part of the case 10 of the introduction duct 23.
[0026]
Each of the open / close shutters 24 to 26 is a louver type shutter. When the open / close shutter 24 is opened, the air in the collection duct 22 is discharged to the outside from the downstream part of the collection duct 22, and the open / close shutter 26 is opened. Then, the outside air is introduced into the case 10 from the introduction duct 23. When the opening / closing shutter 25 is opened, the air in the collection duct 22 passes through the introduction duct 23 and is introduced into the case 10.
[0027]
Opening and closing control of these shutters 24 to 26 is performed by the control device 30.
[0028]
Control device 30 controls opening and closing of shutters 24 to 26 based on a signal from capacitor temperature sensor 31 that detects the temperature of electric double layer capacitor 11 so as to keep the temperature of electric double layer capacitor 11 in an appropriate range. .
[0029]
When the temperature of the electric double layer capacitor 11 is high (not less than a predetermined high temperature value), the opening and closing shutters 24 and 26 are opened and the opening and closing shutter 25 is closed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the temperature of the electric double layer capacitor 11 is low (below a predetermined low temperature value), control is performed to close the open / close shutters 24 and 26 and open the open / close shutter 25 as shown in FIG.
[0030]
With this configuration, when the temperature of the electric double layer capacitor 11 is high, outside air is introduced into the case 10 from the introduction duct 23 and flows through the fluid passages 18 along the respective capacitor modules 16.
[0031]
Thus, each capacitor module 16 is cooled and maintained at an appropriate temperature.
[0032]
On the other hand, when the temperature of the electric double layer capacitor 11 is low, warm air around the engine 20 of the collection duct 22 is introduced into the case 10 through the introduction duct 23 and flows through the fluid passages 18 along the respective capacitor modules 16. .
[0033]
For this reason, each capacitor module 16 is heated and maintained at an appropriate temperature.
[0034]
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electric double layer capacitor 11 from being deteriorated by using the electric double layer capacitor 11 at a predetermined high temperature, and when the temperature of the electric double layer capacitor 11 is low as in winter, the electric double layer capacitor 11 11 can be heated to an appropriate temperature, the desired performance of the electric double-layer capacitor 11 can be sufficiently ensured, and the reliability of the electric double-layer capacitor 11 as a drive power source for a vehicle is improved.
[0035]
Although a box-shaped unit assembly 15 is used for the capacitor module 16, a frame-shaped unit assembly 40 may be used as shown in FIG. 9. In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes a pressure spring mechanism for applying a required surface pressure to each capacitor cell 12 (for maintaining uniform close contact of the stacked body of each cell 12 and maintaining good and stable performance of each cell 12). ). With such a frame-shaped unit assembly 40, it is possible to ensure better heat exchange between each cell 12 of the capacitor module 16 and the heat transfer medium.
[0036]
Further, although a gas is passed as a heat transfer medium through the fluid passage 18 along the capacitor module 16, a liquid such as water may be passed. In this case, a temperature adjusting device, a flow adjusting device, and the like for a liquid as a heat transfer medium may be provided in front of the case 10 (in front of the inlet).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of an electric double layer capacitor according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electric double layer capacitor.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a capacitor cell.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the electric double layer capacitor is mounted on a vehicle.
FIG. 5 is a side view thereof.
FIG. 6 is a plan view thereof.
FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram.
FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram.
FIG. 9 is a side view of a capacitor module according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 Case 11 Electric double layer capacitor 12 Capacitor cell 13 Cell container 15 Unit assembly 16 Capacitor module 18 Fluid passage 20 Engine 21 Exhaust manifold 22 Collection duct 23 Introductory duct 24 to 26 Open / close shutter 30 Control device 31 Capacitor temperature sensor

Claims (4)

A plurality of positive electrode bodies and negative electrode bodies are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween, and a capacitor module formed by stacking a predetermined number of capacitor cells housed in a cell container together with an electrolytic solution to form a capacitor module,
An electric double layer capacitor device, comprising a plurality of capacitor modules disposed in a case and a fluid passage for passing a heat transfer medium along each capacitor module. An electric double layer capacitor device for a vehicle,
The electric double layer capacitor device according to claim 1, further comprising a duct capable of introducing air around the engine and outside air into the case. The electric double layer capacitor device according to claim 2, wherein the duct includes a shutter for selectively introducing air around an engine and outside air into the case. The electric double layer capacitor device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the assembly of the capacitor module has a frame structure.

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