JP2006185670A - Battery outer packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery outer packaging realizing efficient cooling by a coolant such as cooling air without increasing weight and cost. <P>SOLUTION: The battery outer packaging houses unit cells on the inside and arranges a plurality of unit cells through a gap forming a passage through which cooling air flows in order to constitute a battery pack. The battery outer packaging is almost a rectangular parallelepiped and has a base surface facing a gap to an adjacent battery module 10, an inflow part 37 formed at the end part of the base surface perpendicularly crossing in the cooling air flowing direction as a part of the base surface and forming an inflow port 63 of the cooling air together with other battery module 10 facing through the gap, and a side end part formed at the end part of the base surface parallel to the cooling air flow direction as a part of the base surface. In the inflow part 37, the distance to the surface of the other battery module 10 is made larger toward the outside of the base surface, and the distance to the surface of the other battery module 10 at the end part is made larger than the distance to the surface of the other battery module 10 at the end part of the side end part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery outer package that houses battery elements, and to a battery outer package suitable for an assembled battery.

  There is known an assembled battery in which a plurality of batteries are arranged at predetermined intervals, and cooling air is circulated between the batteries to cool the batteries (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In such an assembled battery, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient distance between the batteries in order to distribute the cooling air between the batteries. This is because if the gap between the batteries is small, the inlet of the cooling air flow path becomes small and the cooling efficiency decreases.
JP 2001-229896 A

  However, if a sufficient distance is secured between the batteries, the flow resistance is reduced evenly in all directions. As a result, there is a problem that the cooling air easily flows into a place where cooling is not necessary, and the battery cannot be efficiently cooled.

  The above problem can be solved by providing a separate guide plate and controlling the path of the cooling air. However, if a separate guide plate is provided, a new problem of an increase in mass and cost is caused.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, and it aims at providing the battery exterior body which can achieve the efficient cooling by cooling media, such as cooling air, without increasing mass and cost.

  (1) The battery outer body of the present invention is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped battery in which a plurality of elements are arranged with a gap forming a passage through which a cooling medium flows in order to constitute an assembled battery. Another exterior body, which is formed as a part of the base surface at a base surface facing the gap and an end portion of the base surface perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling medium, and is opposed to the base surface through the gap. An inflow portion that forms an inflow port for the cooling medium together with the battery, and a side end portion formed as a part of the base surface at an end portion of the base surface parallel to the flow direction of the cooling medium. The inflow portion has a larger distance to the surface of the other battery, and the distance to the surface of the other battery at the end is larger at the end of the side end portion as it goes to the outside of the base surface. It is characterized by being larger than the distance to the surface of another battery.

  (2) The battery exterior body of the present invention is formed as a substantially rectangular base surface, a side surface extending substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral edge of the base surface, and a part of the base surface, and the base surface and the side surface A battery exterior body that can house a battery element therein, and the curvature of one set of the opposing boundary surfaces is that of the other set of opposing boundary surfaces. A battery outer body characterized by being larger than a curvature.

  According to the battery outer casing of the present invention of (1) above, the inflow portion has a distance to the surface of another battery at the end is larger than the distance to the surface of the other battery at the end of the side end. The flow resistance in the vicinity of the inflow portion is small, and the cooling medium can be easily guided between the batteries. On the other hand, since the flow resistance in the vicinity of the side end portion is large, the cooling medium between the batteries does not flow into an unnecessary place. The cooling medium can be circulated according to the original direction of the cooling medium distribution.

  In addition, since the inflow portion and the side end portion are formed as part of the base surface, it is not necessary to provide separate parts for controlling the flow of the cooling medium, and an increase in mass and cost can be prevented.

  According to the battery exterior body of the present invention of (2) above, the curvature of the pair of facing boundary surfaces is larger than the curvature of the other pair of facing boundary surfaces, so that the gap through which the cooling medium flows If a plurality of batteries are arranged with a gap therebetween and a cooling medium is caused to flow between the batteries, the flow resistance connecting the boundary surfaces having a large curvature is formed because the flow resistance is smaller in the vicinity of the boundary surface having a large curvature. Therefore, the cooling medium can be efficiently distributed on the battery surface.

  In addition, since the boundary surface is formed as a part of the battery outer package, it is not necessary to provide separate parts for controlling the flow of the cooling medium, and an increase in mass and cost can be prevented.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The battery exterior body according to the present embodiment is a housing that forms the exterior of a battery module (battery). First, an outline of the battery module including the battery outer package will be described.

  1 is a perspective view showing an example of a battery module that is a unit unit when assembling a battery pack, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery module shown in FIG. 1 turned upside down and disassembled, and FIG. 3 is a flat type It is a perspective view which shows a battery.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery module 10 includes a cell unit (battery element) 20 and a battery outer package 30 that houses the cell unit 20.

  The cell unit 20 seals a power generation element composed of a laminate of a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator as shown in FIG. 3 and an electrolyte solution in an exterior such as a laminate film, and also has a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of flat batteries 40 (8 in the example shown in FIG. 2) with positive and negative electrodes alternately stacked are connected in series. The cell unit 20 includes an insulating spacer 21 that holds electrode tabs 41 and 42 extending from each flat battery 40, and positive and negative output terminals 22 and 23. The insulating spacer 21 is provided with an insertion port 24 into which a connector connected to the voltage detection terminal is inserted. The insertion port 24 is also exposed from the battery exterior body 30 when the cell unit 20 is accommodated in the battery exterior body. The positive and negative output terminals 22 and 23 are also exposed from the battery exterior body 30.

  The battery exterior body 30 includes a container 31 having an opening on one surface and a lid body 32 that closes the opening of the container 31.

  The container 31 includes a substantially rectangular base surface 33 and a side surface 34 extending substantially perpendicularly from the outer peripheral edge of the base surface 33. The side surface 34 is provided with notches 34a, 34b, and 34c for exposing the insertion port 24 and the positive and negative output terminals 22 and 23 when the cell unit 20 is housed.

  The lid 32 is wound around the side surface 34 of the container 31 by caulking (see an enlarged view of FIG. 1). Because of the caulking process, the joint 35 that joins the lid 32 and the container 31 protrudes along the side surface 34 of the container 31.

  The container 31 and the lid body 32 are formed from a relatively thin steel plate or aluminum plate, and are given a predetermined shape by pressing.

  When the cell unit 20 is housed, the positions of the through hole 25 provided in the insulating spacer 21 of the cell unit 20 and the hole 36 provided in the base surface 33 and the lid 32 match.

  An assembled battery 50 is configured by stacking a plurality of battery modules 10 vertically and horizontally.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the assembled battery.

  In the assembled battery 50 shown in FIG. 4, the battery modules 10 are stacked and arranged with the lid 32 facing downward. In the figure, battery modules 10 are stacked in three stages and arranged in four rows.

  Each battery module 10 is laminated by providing a spacer (not shown) between the battery modules, and a through bolt 51 is penetrated and fixed. Thereby, a gap is formed between the battery modules 10. This gap becomes a passage for a cooling medium to be described later.

  The through bolt 51 is also inserted through the restraint plate 52. Each battery module 10 is fixed in a planar direction by a restraining plate 52. The battery modules 10 are electrically connected by connecting the positive and negative output terminals 22 and 23 with a conductive plate (not shown).

  The assembled battery 50 generates heat during use. When the temperature becomes too high, the battery performance deteriorates. Therefore, when the assembled battery 50 is mounted on a vehicle, for example, it is disposed in the cooling structure and cooled.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a cooling structure for cooling the assembled battery.

  A path for circulating the cooling medium is formed around the assembled battery 50. Here, air is used as the cooling medium. However, the cooling medium is not limited to air. A coolant or the like can also be circulated.

  The paths 61 and 62 are provided on both sides of the assembled battery 50. As shown by the arrows in the figure, the cooling air flows in from the path 61, passes through the assembled battery 50, and is discharged from the opposite path 62. The cooling air passes through the gaps between the battery modules 10 constituting the assembled battery 50.

  The present embodiment is characterized by controlling the flow of cooling air, in particular, the flow of cooling air between stacked battery modules, by devising the shape of the battery outer body 30 that is the casing of the battery module 10. To do. Therefore, in the following, focusing on the cooling air passing between the battery modules 10, the shape characteristics of the battery outer package 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. 7 and 8, for the sake of easy understanding, only the battery outer package 30 is shown in the battery module 10, and other configurations such as the flat battery 40 are omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing how cooling air flows through the battery module, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the battery outer package taken along line 7-7 of the battery module shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is the battery shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the battery exterior body along line 8-8 of a module.

  As indicated by white arrows in FIG. 6, the cooling air flows between the battery module 10 and an upper battery module 10 (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the battery outer package 30 of the battery module 10, an inflow portion 37 and an outflow portion 38 are formed as a part of the base surface 33 at an end portion orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling air on the base surface 33. ing. The inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38 together with the lid 32b of the lower battery module 10b form an inlet 63 and an outlet 64 for the cooling medium.

  The inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38 are formed as curved surfaces so that the distance from the lid 32b increases toward the outside of the base surface 33. The curvature of the flow direction of the cooling air in the inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38 is shown as a reference number R1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the battery outer body 30 of the battery module 10 has side end portions 39 formed as part of the base surface 33 at the end portions of the base surface 33 parallel to the flow direction of the cooling air. Yes. The side end 39 is formed in a curved surface so that the distance from the lid 32b of the lower battery module 10b increases toward the outside of the base surface 33. The curvature of the side end portion 39 in the direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling air is shown as a reference number R2.

  The curvature R1 of the inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38 is larger than the curvature R2 of the side end portion 39. Accordingly, the distance from the end of the inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38 to the other battery module 10 is larger than the distance from the end near the side end portion 39 to the other battery module 10. Therefore, the flow resistance of the cooling medium is smaller in the inflow port 63 and the outflow port 64 than in the vicinity of the side end portion 39.

  In particular, as described above, in the battery module 10, the joint portion 35 between the lid 32 and the container 31 protrudes so as to close the gap between the battery modules 10. Therefore, the gap between the battery modules 10 is closed by the joint portion 35 in the vicinity of the side end portion 39. On the other hand, in the vicinity of the inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38, the inflow port 63 and the outflow port 64 are not blocked due to the large curvature R <b> 1 without the protrusion of the joint portion 35. As a result, a cooling medium flow path from the inlet 63 toward the outlet 64 is formed without leakage of cooling air from the vicinity of the side end 39.

  As described above, according to the battery exterior body 30 of the present embodiment, the curvature R1 of the inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38 is larger than the curvature R2 of the side end portion 39. Therefore, even if the vicinity of the side end portion 39 is blocked by the joint portion 35 of the battery outer package 30, the inlet 63 and the outlet 64 are not blocked, so that the cooling medium between the battery modules 10 is unnecessary. Do not flow into. The cooling medium can be circulated according to the initial distribution direction of the cooling medium.

  Further, since the inflow portion 37 and the side end portion 39 are formed as a part of the base surface 33, it is not necessary to provide separate parts for controlling the flow of the cooling medium, and an increase in mass and cost can be prevented. .

  Furthermore, even if the joint portion 35 of the battery outer package 30 protrudes in the stacking direction of the battery module 10, the inflow port 63 and the outflow port 64 are not blocked by the large curvature R1 of the inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38. Therefore, in order to distribute the cooling air between the battery modules 10, it is not necessary to widen the interval between the battery modules 10, and as a result, the assembled battery 50 can be reduced in size and the volume efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, according to the battery exterior body 30, the container 31 and the lid body 32 are joined by winding. Therefore, high heat is not generated at the time of joining, and joining can be easily performed without affecting the flat battery 40 inside.

  Further, according to the battery exterior body 30, the cell unit 20 is housed inside such that the electrode tabs 41 and 42 extend toward the inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38. In the cell unit 20, the thickness cannot be adjusted at the main body portion of the flat battery 40, but the thickness can be adjusted at the electrode tabs 41 and 42 by reducing the distance between the electrode tabs 41 and 42. Accordingly, the large curvature R1 of the inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38 allows the battery to be thinned by adjusting the distance between the electrode tabs 41 and 42 of the cell unit 20 even when the storage volume of the corresponding portion is small. The cell unit 20 can be stored without increasing the thickness of the entire outer package 30. As a result, enlargement of the battery module 10 can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38 are formed in curved surfaces. However, it is not limited to this. The inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38 may be tapered so as to widen the inflow port 63 and the outflow port 64 toward the outside of the base surface 33.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, by making the curvature R1 of the inflow part 37 and the outflow part 38 larger than the curvature R2 of the side edge part 39, the channel | path of a cooling wind is controlled and the battery module 10 is cooled efficiently. . However, it is not limited to this. For example, the same effect can be obtained by adjusting the length of the joint portion 35 of the battery module 10. In this case, the length of the joint portion 35 orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling air is shortened, and the length of the joint portion 35 parallel to the flow direction is lengthened. Thereby, the inflow port 63 and the outflow port 64 of the battery module 10 are opened, and the side end part 39 is closed. Therefore, the flow direction of the cooling air can be controlled.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the curvature R1 of the inflow part 37 and the outflow part 38 is formed equally. However, it is not limited to this. The inflow portion 37 and the outflow portion 38 may be formed with different curvatures as long as the protruding joint portion 35 is not completely blocked.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the battery module which is a unit unit at the time of assembling an assembled battery. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery module shown in FIG. 1 turned upside down and further disassembled. It is a perspective view which shows a flat type battery. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of an assembled battery. It is a top view which shows an example of the cooling structure which cools an assembled battery. It is a top view which shows a mode that cooling air distribute | circulates on a battery module. It is sectional drawing of the battery exterior body along line 7-7 of the battery module shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the battery exterior body along line 8-8 of the battery module shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Battery module,
20 ... Cell unit,
21 ... Insulating spacer,
22: Output terminal,
24 ...
25 ... through hole,
30 ... Battery exterior body,
31 ... container,
32 ... the lid,
33 ... the base,
34 ... side,
35 ... Junction part,
36 ... hole,
37 ... Inflow part,
38 ... outflow part,
39 ... side end,
40 ... flat battery,
41, 42 ... electrode tabs,
50 ... assembled battery,
51 ... through bolt,
52. Restraint plate,
61, 62 ... route,
63 ... Inlet,
64: Outlet.

Claims (7)

In order to constitute a battery pack, a battery element is housed therein, and a plurality of batteries are arranged across a gap that forms a passage through which a cooling medium flows.
A base surface facing the gap;
An inflow portion formed as a part of the base surface at an end of the base surface perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling medium and forming an inlet of the cooling medium together with another battery facing through the gap; ,
A side end portion formed as a part of the base surface at an end portion of the base surface parallel to the flow direction of the cooling medium;
Have
The inflow portion has a larger distance to the surface of the other battery as it goes to the outside of the base surface, and the distance to the surface of the other battery at the end is the other at the end of the side end portion. A battery outer package characterized by being larger than the distance to the surface of the battery.   The battery outer package according to claim 1, wherein a curvature of the inflow portion in the flow direction is larger than a curvature of the side end portion in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction. A side surface extending substantially perpendicularly from the outer peripheral edge of the base surface, and forming a container having one surface open with the base surface;
A lid for closing the opening of the container;
Further comprising
3. The battery outer package according to claim 1, wherein the container and the lid are joined by a joint that protrudes along the side surface of the container.   The battery exterior body according to claim 3, wherein the joint portion is formed by winding and tightening a side surface of the container and the lid body. The battery element is formed by combining a plurality of flat batteries in which power generation elements are sealed,
The said flat type battery is a battery exterior body as described in any one of Claims 1-4 arrange | positioned so that an electrode may extend toward the said inflow part. An outflow portion that is formed as a part of the base surface at an end portion orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling medium on the base surface, and forms an outlet of the cooling medium together with other batteries facing through the gap. In addition,
The outflow portion has a larger distance to the surface of the other battery as it goes to the outside of the base surface, and the distance to the surface of the other battery at the end is the other at the end of the side end portion. The battery outer package according to claim 1, which is larger than a distance to the surface of the battery. A substantially rectangular base surface;
A side surface extending substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral edge of the base surface;
A boundary surface formed as a part of the base surface and connecting the base surface and the side surface;
A battery exterior body that can accommodate battery elements therein,
A battery outer package characterized in that a curvature of a pair of opposed boundary surfaces is larger than a curvature of another pair of opposed boundary surfaces.

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