JP2007179944A - Cooling structure of electricity storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooling structure of an electricity storage device wherein temperature variation in an electricity storage part is held down to the minimum. <P>SOLUTION: The cooling structure of the electricity storage device is equipped with a battery case 12, a secondary battery 25, temperature sensors 27 and 28, and a valve 45. The battery case 12 has cooling air passing ports 21 and 22. A cooling airflow going toward the cooling air passing port 22 from the cooling air passing port 21 and a cooling airflow going toward the cooling air passing port 21 from the cooling air passing port 22 are selectively formed. The secondary battery 25 has a region 101 disposed relatively close to the cooling air passing port 21, and a region 102 disposed relatively at a distance. The temperature sensors 27 and 28 are provided in the regions 101 and 102 respectively, and detect the temperature of the secondary battery 25. The valve 45 switches the cooling airflow formed in the battery case 12 based on the temperature of the secondary battery 25 which has been detected by the temperature sensors 27 and 28. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates generally to a cooling structure for a power storage device, and more specifically to a cooling structure for a power storage device mounted on a vehicle as a power source for obtaining driving force.

  Regarding a conventional cooling structure for a power storage device, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-63681 discloses an assembled battery intended to suppress variation in the capacity of single cells constituting the assembled battery without being exposed to an overcharged state. A cooling control device is disclosed (Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a battery pack is provided with a voltage sensor and a temperature sensor. A cooling system for cooling the assembled battery includes a plurality of wind direction switching units. Each of the plurality of wind direction switching units is provided with an air distribution door for switching the direction of the cooling air with respect to the assembled battery.

  Based on the voltage of each single cell detected by the voltage sensor, the variation in SOC (State of Charge) of the assembled battery is obtained. When it is determined that the SOC variation is equal to or greater than the specified value and the temperature of the assembled battery detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than the temperature at which the charging efficiency decreases, the position of the exhaust door is switched. Thereby, the wind direction of the cooling air with respect to the assembled battery is reversed.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-142167 discloses a cooling control device for an assembled battery system that aims to improve the charging efficiency and the battery life by reducing the variation in SOC and the temperature difference between assembled battery blocks. It is disclosed (Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 2, when a difference in SOC or temperature between assembled battery blocks exceeds a threshold value, a cooling mode or a cooling control map by a cooling fan provided in each battery block is changed in a control unit.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-343447 discloses a battery power supply device that aims to quickly increase the temperature of the battery to a region that does not cause a decrease in battery performance while keeping the temperature of each battery uniform. (Patent Document 3).
JP 2005-63681 A JP 2003-142167 A JP 2002-343447 A

  In Patent Document 1 described above, one temperature sensor is provided in the assembled battery. For this reason, the variation in temperature between the single cells is not considered in determining whether to reverse the direction of the cooling air with respect to the assembled battery. Moreover, in patent document 1, in order to reverse the wind direction of the cooling air with respect to an assembled battery, the some air distribution door is provided. For this reason, there exists a possibility that the cooling structure of an electrical storage apparatus may become complicated.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to provide a cooling structure for a power storage device that suppresses variations in temperature of the power storage unit.

  A power storage device cooling structure according to the present invention includes a case body, a power storage unit, first and second temperature detection units, and a switching mechanism. The case body has first and second refrigerant passage ports through which refrigerant flows in and out. In the case body, a refrigerant flow from the first refrigerant passage port toward the second refrigerant passage port and a refrigerant flow from the second refrigerant passage port toward the first refrigerant passage port are selectively formed. The power storage unit is provided on a refrigerant flow path formed in the case body. The power storage unit includes a first region that is disposed relatively close to the first coolant passage port and a second region that is disposed relatively far away. The first and second temperature detection units are provided in the first and second regions, respectively, and detect the temperature of the power storage unit. The switching mechanism switches the refrigerant flow formed in the case body based on the temperature of the power storage unit detected by the first and second temperature detection units.

  According to the cooling structure of the power storage device configured as described above, by providing the first and second temperature detection units, it is possible to accurately determine that the temperature of the power storage unit varies due to the flow direction of the refrigerant. Can grasp. Therefore, by switching the refrigerant flow formed in the case body based on the temperature of the power storage unit detected by the first and second temperature detection units, variation in the temperature of the power storage unit can be reduced.

  Preferably, the cooling structure of the power storage device includes a refrigerant supply passage to which a refrigerant is supplied, and first and second branch passages branched from the refrigerant supply passage and connected to the first and second refrigerant passage ports, respectively. And further comprising. The switching mechanism is disposed at a position where the first and second branch passages branch from the refrigerant supply passage, and the refrigerant flow from the refrigerant supply passage to the first branch passage and from the refrigerant supply passage to the second branch passage. It has a valve that switches between the refrigerant flow to go. According to the cooling structure of the power storage device configured as described above, variation in the temperature of the power storage unit can be suppressed to be small while easily configuring the switching mechanism.

  Preferably, the cooling structure of the power storage device further includes a refrigerant discharge passage that is connected to a position where the first and second branch passages branch from the refrigerant supply passage and discharges the refrigerant flowing out of the case body. The valve simultaneously forms a refrigerant flow from the refrigerant supply passage to the first branch passage and a refrigerant flow from the second branch passage to the refrigerant discharge passage, and the refrigerant flow from the refrigerant supply passage to the second branch passage. And a refrigerant flow from the first branch passage toward the refrigerant discharge passage are simultaneously formed. According to the cooling structure of the power storage device configured as described above, the switching mechanism can be configured more simply.

  Preferably, the power storage device cooling structure further includes a refrigerant passage connected to the first and second refrigerant passage ports. The switching mechanism has a fan provided in the refrigerant passage. The fan reverses the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant passage by controlling the rotation direction to either forward rotation or reverse rotation. According to the cooling structure of the power storage device configured as described above, variation in the temperature of the power storage unit can be suppressed to be small while easily configuring the switching mechanism.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cooling structure for a power storage device that suppresses variations in temperature of the power storage unit.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
1 and 2 are diagrams schematically showing a cooling structure for a power storage device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the cooling structure for a power storage device according to the present invention is applied to a battery pack that houses a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery (battery). The battery pack is mounted on a hybrid vehicle that uses an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine and a motor supplied with power from a secondary battery as power sources.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooling structure of the power storage device is arranged in secondary battery 25, battery case 12 that houses secondary battery 25, battery case 12, and the temperature of secondary battery 25. Temperature sensors 27 and 28 to detect, cooling air passages 31 and 36 as first and second branch passages through which cooling air for cooling the secondary battery 25 flows, cooling air supply passage 32 as a refrigerant supply passage, and refrigerant discharge And a cooling air discharge passage 34 as a passage.

  The battery case 12 has cooling air passage openings 21 and 22 through which cooling air flows in or out. The cooling air passage port 21 and the cooling air passage port 22 are formed at positions separated from each other. The secondary battery 25 is arranged on the path of the cooling air flow that flows between the cooling air passage port 21 and the cooling air passage port 22. A cooling air flow from the cooling air passage port 21 toward the cooling air passage port 22 and a cooling air flow from the cooling air passage port 22 toward the cooling air passage port 21 are selectively formed in the battery case 12.

  The secondary battery 25 includes a region 101 disposed relatively close to the cooling air passage 21 on the cooling air flow path formed in the battery case 12 and a distance far from the cooling air passage 21. And an area 102 disposed in the area. In other words, the secondary battery 25 is relative to the cooling air passage port 22 and the region 101 disposed relatively far from the cooling air passage port 22 on the cooling air flow path formed in the battery case 12. And a region 102 arranged in the vicinity. The region 101 and the region 102 are aligned in the flow direction of the cooling air in the battery case 12. Temperature sensors 27 and 28 are disposed in regions 101 and 102, respectively. The temperature sensors 27 and 28 are provided in the vicinity of the cooling air passage ports 21 and 22, respectively.

  The cooling air supply passage 32 branches and communicates with the cooling air passages 31 and 36. An electric fan 41 that supplies cooling air from the cooling air supply passage 32 toward the cooling air passage 31 or the cooling air passage 36 is disposed on the cooling air supply passage 32. The type of fan 41 may be a sirocco fan, a cross flow type fan or a propeller fan.

  The cooling air passages 31 and 36 are branched from the same location of the cooling air supply passage 32. The cooling air passages 31 and 36 are connected to the cooling air passage ports 21 and 22, respectively. The cooling air discharge passage 34 is connected to a position where the cooling air passages 31 and 36 branch from the cooling air supply passage 32. That is, the cooling air supply passage 32, the cooling air passages 31 and 36, and the cooling air discharge passage 34 intersect at one place.

  A valve 45 that controls the flow of the cooling air is disposed at a position where the cooling air supply passage 32, the cooling air passages 31 and 36, and the cooling air discharge passage 34 intersect. The valve 45 is a butterfly valve having a rotating shaft 43. An actuator (not shown) for rotating the rotation shaft 43 is connected to the rotation shaft 43. The actuator is, for example, a motor.

  1, the valve 45 communicates the cooling air supply passage 32 and the cooling air passage 31 and connects the cooling air passage 36 and the cooling air discharge passage 34, as shown in FIG. The cooling air supply passage 32 and the cooling air passage 36 are communicated with each other, and the cooling air passage 31 and the cooling air discharge passage 34 are communicated with each other.

  When the valve 45 is driven to the position shown in FIG. 1, the cooling air supplied from the cooling air supply passage 32 to the cooling air passage 31 flows into the battery case 12 through the cooling air passage 21. The cooling air that has flowed out of the battery case 12 through the cooling air passage port 22 is discharged to the cooling air discharge passage 34 through the cooling air passage 36. In this case, a cooling air flow from the cooling air passage port 21 toward the cooling air passage port 22 is formed in the battery case 12. The region 101 of the secondary battery 25 is disposed on the upstream side of the cooling air flow, and the region 102 of the secondary battery 25 is disposed on the downstream side of the cooling air flow. In the region 101, the cooling of the secondary battery 25 by the cooling air is promoted as compared with the region 102.

  When the valve 45 is driven to the position shown in FIG. 2, the cooling air supplied from the cooling air supply passage 32 to the cooling air passage 36 flows into the battery case 12 through the cooling air passage port 22. The cooling air that has flowed out of the battery case 12 through the cooling air passage 21 is discharged to the cooling air discharge passage 34 through the cooling air passage 31. In this case, a cooling air flow from the cooling air passage port 22 toward the cooling air passage port 21 is formed in the battery case 12. The region 101 of the secondary battery 25 is disposed on the downstream side of the cooling air flow, and the region 102 of the secondary battery 25 is disposed on the upstream side of the cooling air flow. In the region 102, the cooling of the secondary battery 25 by the cooling air is promoted as compared with the region 101.

  In the present embodiment, the passage for supplying the cooling air to the battery case 12 and the passage for discharging the cooling air from the battery case 12 can be reversed only by arranging one valve 45 driven by the actuator. . For this reason, the cooling structure of the power storage device can be easily configured.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the cooling structure in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, battery case 12 further houses a battery ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 61 to which temperature sensors 27 and 28 are electrically connected. The actuator 62 that drives the valve 45 is electrically connected to the battery ECU 61.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the control system of the cooling structure in FIG. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the temperature data of secondary battery 25 arranged in region 101 detected by temperature sensor 27 and the secondary battery 25 arranged in region 102 detected by temperature sensor 28. The temperature data is sent to the battery ECU 61. Battery ECU 61 obtains temperature difference t of secondary battery 25 between region 101 and region 102 from the temperature data (S101).

  Next, the battery ECU 61 determines whether or not the temperature difference t of the secondary battery 25 between the region 101 and the region 102 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature T. The temperature T is appropriately changed according to the load state and heat capacity of the secondary battery 25 (S102).

  When the temperature difference t is equal to or higher than the temperature T, the battery ECU 61 instructs the actuator 62 to drive the valve 45 to the position shown in FIG. Thereby, the flow direction of the cooling air in the battery case 12 is reversed. The region 101 disposed on the upstream side of the cooling air flow is disposed on the downstream side of the cooling air flow, and the region 102 disposed on the downstream side of the cooling air flow is disposed on the upstream side of the cooling air flow. On the other hand, when the temperature difference t is less than the temperature T, the valve 45 is held at the position shown in FIG. 1 (S103).

  By repeating the processing described above, the secondary battery 25 is controlled so that the temperature difference between the region 101 and the region 102 does not open beyond a predetermined value.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a form of a battery pack to which the cooling structure of the power storage device in FIGS. 1 and 2 is applied.

  Referring to FIG. 5, secondary battery 25 made of a lithium ion battery is accommodated in battery pack 10. The secondary battery 25 is not particularly limited as long as it is a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery, and may be, for example, a nickel metal hydride battery. Ventilation chambers 13 and 14 are formed on both sides of the secondary battery 25 in the battery case 12. Cooling air passage openings 21 and 22 are formed in battery case 12 so as to communicate with ventilation chambers 13 and 14, respectively.

  Cooling air ducts constituting cooling air passages 31 and 36 are connected to the cooling air passage ports 21 and 22, respectively. The cooling air supply duct that constitutes the cooling air supply passage 32 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 communicates with, for example, a luggage room provided in the vehicle interior or the rear of the vehicle. The cooling air discharge duct constituting the cooling air discharge passage shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 communicates with the outside of the vehicle, for example.

  The secondary battery 25 is composed of a plurality of stacked battery cells 26. In the present embodiment, the secondary battery 25 is configured by stacking a set of battery cells 26m and 26n arranged in parallel in a predetermined direction. The plurality of battery cells 26 are electrically connected to each other in series by a bus bar (not shown).

  A set of battery cells 26m and 26n is held by a resin frame 23 formed of a resin material such as polypropylene, for example. A plurality of resin frames 23 are arranged in the stacking direction of the battery cells 26 while holding the battery cells 26m and 26n. End plates 15 and 16 are arranged on both sides of the plurality of resin frames 23 arranged side by side. The end plate 15 and the end plate 16 are coupled to each other by a not-shown restraint band with a plurality of resin frames 23 sandwiched therebetween.

  The resin frame 23 is formed with a vent hole 18 extending between the battery cells 26 adjacent in the stacking direction. The vent hole 18 extends between the vent chamber 13 and the vent chamber 14. In the battery case 12, a cooling air flow that sequentially flows through the cooling air passage port 21, the ventilation chamber 13, the ventilation hole 18, the ventilation chamber 14 and the cooling air passage port 22, and the cooling air passage port 22, the ventilation chamber 14, the ventilation hole. 18, a cooling air flow that sequentially flows through the ventilation chamber 13 and the cooling air passage port 21 is selectively formed. Regardless of which cooling air flow is formed, the secondary battery 25 is cooled while the cooling air flows through the vent hole 18.

  When a cooling air flow that flows through the cooling air passage 21, the ventilation chamber 13, the ventilation hole 18, the ventilation chamber 14 and the cooling air passage 22 in order is formed in the battery case 12, the battery cell 26 m Arranged on the upstream side, the battery cell 26n is arranged on the downstream side of the cooling air flow. When a cooling air flow that flows through the cooling air passage port 22, the ventilation chamber 14, the ventilation hole 18, the ventilation chamber 13, and the cooling air passage port 21 in this order is formed in the battery case 12, the battery cell 26m Arranged on the downstream side, the battery cell 26n is arranged on the upstream side of the cooling air flow.

  That is, the battery cell 26m is disposed in the region 101 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the battery cell 26n is disposed in the region 102 in FIGS. In the battery pack 10 shown in FIG. 5, the secondary battery 25 is controlled so that the temperature difference between the battery cell 26m and the battery cell 26n does not open beyond a predetermined value.

  In addition, the structure of a battery pack is not limited to the form shown in FIG. The battery pack 10 shown in FIG. 5 employs a lateral flow method in which cooling air flows in the horizontal direction, but may employ a vertical flow method in which cooling air flows in the vertical direction. In the battery pack 10 shown in FIG. 5, there are a plurality of battery cells in the flow direction of the cooling air, but only one battery cell may exist. Even in this case, the temperature difference is controlled so as not to open more than a predetermined value in one battery cell. The secondary battery 25 does not necessarily need to be constituted by a plurality of battery cells 26. The form in which the plurality of battery cells 26 are stacked is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 5. For example, three or more battery cells 26 may be arranged in the flow direction of the cooling air.

  The power storage device cooling structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a battery case 12 as a case body, a secondary battery 25 as a power storage unit, and temperature sensors 27 and 28 as first and second temperature detection units. And a valve 45 as a switching mechanism. The battery case 12 has cooling air passages 21 and 22 as first and second refrigerant passages through which cooling air as refrigerant flows in and out. A cooling air flow from the cooling air passage port 21 toward the cooling air passage port 22 and a cooling air flow from the cooling air passage port 22 toward the cooling air passage port 21 are selectively formed in the battery case 12.

  The secondary battery 25 is provided on the cooling air flow path formed in the battery case 12. The secondary battery 25 has a region 101 as a first region disposed relatively close to the cooling air passage port 21 and a region 102 as a second region disposed relatively far away. . The temperature sensors 27 and 28 are provided in the regions 101 and 102, respectively, and detect the temperature of the secondary battery 25. The valve 45 switches the cooling air flow formed in the battery case 12 based on the temperature of the secondary battery 25 detected by the temperature sensors 27 and 28.

  According to the cooling structure for a power storage device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a temperature difference in secondary battery 25 due to the flow direction of cooling air. Thereby, the battery performance of the secondary battery 25 can be sufficiently exhibited, and the secondary battery 25 can be prevented from deteriorating at an early stage.

  The present invention can also be applied to a fuel cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV) or an electric vehicle (EV) using a fuel cell and a secondary battery as power sources. In the hybrid vehicle in the present embodiment, the internal combustion engine is driven at the fuel efficiency optimum operating point, whereas in the fuel cell hybrid vehicle, the fuel cell is driven at the power generation efficiency optimum operating point. The use of the secondary battery is basically the same for both hybrid vehicles. The present invention can be applied to a vehicle equipped with a power source for obtaining a driving force.

  In this embodiment, the power storage device cooling structure according to the present invention is applied to the battery pack that houses the secondary battery that creates electricity by chemical change or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is supplied by an external supply. The present invention may be applied to a power storage device such as a capacitor that stores electricity.

  The capacitor is an electric double layer capacitor based on the principle of operation of the electric double layer generated at the interface between the activated carbon and the electrolyte. When activated carbon is used as a solid and an electrolytic solution (odd sulfuric acid aqueous solution) is used as a liquid and brought into contact with each other, positive and negative electrodes are relatively distributed at an extremely short distance on the interface. When a pair of electrodes are immersed in an ionic solution and a voltage is applied to such an extent that electrolysis does not occur, ions are adsorbed on the surface of each electrode, and positive and negative electricity are stored (charging). When electricity is discharged to the outside, positive and negative ions leave the electrode and return to a neutral state (discharge).

(Embodiment 2)
6 and 7 are diagrams schematically showing a cooling structure for the power storage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The power storage device cooling structure in the present embodiment is basically similar to that of power storage device cooling structure in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description of the overlapping structure will not be repeated.

  6 and 7, in the present embodiment, cooling air discharge passages 34m and 34n are provided in place of cooling air discharge passage 34 in FIGS. The cooling air discharge passage 34 m is connected to the cooling air passage 31. The cooling air discharge passage 34 n is connected to the cooling air passage 36.

  A valve 70 is arranged in place of the valve 45 in FIGS. 1 and 2 at a position where the cooling air passages 31 and 36 branch from the cooling air supply passage 32. The valve 70 is connected to an actuator such as a motor. 6, the valve 70 communicates with the cooling air supply passage 32 and the cooling air passage 31 as shown in FIG. 6, and the position communicates between the cooling air supply passage 32 and the cooling air passage 36 as shown in FIG. 7. Drive between.

  A valve 71 is installed at a position where the cooling air discharge passage 34 m is connected to the cooling air passage 31. A valve 72 is installed at a position where the cooling air discharge passage 34n is connected to the cooling air passage 36. The valves 71 and 72 are valves that are driven by the pressure of the cooling air flowing through the cooling air passages 31 and 36 regardless of the actuator.

  When the valve 70 is driven to the position shown in FIG. 6, the pressure of the cooling air supplied from the cooling air supply passage 32 to the cooling air passage 31 causes the valve 71 to change between the cooling air passage 31 and the cooling air discharge passage 34m. The cooling air passage 31 is positioned at a position where the cooling air passage 31 is opened. The valve 72 is positioned at a position where the cooling air passage 36 communicating with the battery case 12 and the cooling air discharge passage 34n communicate with each other by elastic force or the like. Accordingly, the cooling air supplied from the cooling air supply passage 32 to the cooling air passage 31 flows into the battery case 12 through the cooling air passage port 21. The cooling air that has flowed out of the battery case 12 through the cooling air passage port 22 passes through the cooling air passage 36 and is discharged to the cooling air discharge passage 34n. In this case, a cooling air flow from the cooling air passage port 21 toward the cooling air passage port 22 is formed in the battery case 12.

  When the valve 70 is driven to the position shown in FIG. 7, the pressure of the cooling air supplied from the cooling air supply passage 32 to the cooling air passage 36 causes the valve 72 to change between the cooling air passage 36 and the cooling air discharge passage 34n. The cooling air passage 36 is positioned at a position where the cooling air passage 36 is opened. The valve 71 is positioned at a position where the cooling air passage 31 communicating with the battery case 12 and the cooling air discharge passage 34m communicate with each other by elastic force or the like. Thereby, the cooling air supplied from the cooling air supply passage 32 to the cooling air passage 36 flows into the battery case 12 through the cooling air passage port 22. The cooling air that has flowed out of the battery case 12 through the cooling air passage 21 is discharged through the cooling air passage 31 to the cooling air discharge passage 34m. In this case, a cooling air flow from the cooling air passage port 22 toward the cooling air passage port 21 is formed in the battery case 12.

  According to the power storage device cooling structure in the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the same effects as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Embodiment 3)
8 and 9 are diagrams schematically showing a cooling structure for the power storage device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The power storage device cooling structure in the present embodiment is basically similar to that of power storage device cooling structure in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the description of the overlapping structure will not be repeated.

  Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in the present embodiment, valve 70 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is not provided. A propeller fan 81 is provided on the cooling air passage 31 in place of the fan 41 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Propeller fan 81 has blade portions having symmetrical shapes on both sides along the axial direction of the rotation shaft. Propeller fan 81 has a blade portion whose rotation direction can be switched between forward rotation and reverse rotation.

  When the propeller fan 81 is rotating in a predetermined direction shown in FIG. 8, a cooling air flow introduced into the battery case 12 from the cooling air supply passage 32 through the cooling air passage 31 is formed. When the propeller fan 81 rotates in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction shown in FIG. 9, the cooling air flow introduced into the battery case 12 from the cooling air supply passage 32 through the cooling air passage 36 is It is formed.

  In the present embodiment, the propeller fan 81 is provided in the vicinity of the battery case 12 on the path of the cooling air passage 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the propeller fan 81 may be provided at any position of the cooling air passages 31 and 36. good.

  According to the power storage device cooling structure in the third embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the same effects as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in this embodiment, a valve driven by an actuator such as a motor is not necessary, and thus the cooling structure of the power storage device can be configured more simply.

  Note that the examples and modifications described in the first embodiment may be applied to the cooling structure for the power storage device in the second and third embodiments.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is the figure which represented typically the cooling structure of the electrical storage apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure showing typically the cooling structure of the electrical storage apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and is a figure when the cooling wind flow of the opposite direction to the case shown in FIG. 1 is formed in the battery case. . It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the cooling structure in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process implemented with the control system of the cooling structure in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the form of the battery pack to which the cooling structure of the electrical storage apparatus in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 was applied. It is the figure which represented typically the cooling structure of the electrical storage apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 7 schematically shows a cooling structure for a power storage device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and is a view when a cooling air flow in the opposite direction to that shown in FIG. 6 is formed in the battery case. . It is the figure which represented typically the cooling structure of the electrical storage apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. FIG. 10 schematically shows a cooling structure for a power storage device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and shows a case where a cooling air flow in the opposite direction to that shown in FIG. 8 is formed in the battery case. .

Explanation of symbols

  12 Battery case, 21, 22 Cooling air passage, 25 Secondary battery, 27, 28 Temperature sensor, 31, 36 Cooling air passage, 32 Cooling air supply passage, 34 Cooling air discharge passage, 45 Valve, 81 Propeller fan, 101 , 102 area.

Claims (4)

There are first and second refrigerant passage ports through which the refrigerant flows in and out, a refrigerant flow from the first refrigerant passage port toward the second refrigerant passage port, and the first refrigerant passage through the first refrigerant passage port. A case body in which a refrigerant flow toward the refrigerant passage is selectively formed;
A first region disposed on the refrigerant flow path formed in the case body and disposed relatively close to the first coolant passage port, and a second region disposed relatively far away. A power storage unit having a region of
First and second temperature detection units provided in the first and second regions, respectively, for detecting the temperature of the power storage unit;
A cooling structure for a power storage device, comprising: a switching mechanism that switches a refrigerant flow formed in the case body based on the temperature of the power storage unit detected by the first and second temperature detection units. A refrigerant supply passage through which a refrigerant is supplied; and
The first and second branch passages branched from the refrigerant supply passage and connected to the first and second refrigerant passage ports, respectively.
The switching mechanism is disposed at a position where the first and second branch passages branch from the refrigerant supply passage, and a refrigerant flow from the refrigerant supply passage toward the first branch passage, and from the refrigerant supply passage The cooling structure for a power storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a valve that switches a refrigerant flow toward the second branch passage. A refrigerant discharge passage which is connected to a position where the first and second branch passages branch from the refrigerant supply passage and discharges the refrigerant flowing out of the case body;
The valve simultaneously forms a refrigerant flow from the refrigerant supply passage to the first branch passage and a refrigerant flow from the second branch passage to the refrigerant discharge passage, and from the refrigerant supply passage to the second The cooling structure for a power storage device according to claim 2, wherein a refrigerant flow toward the first branch passage and a refrigerant flow toward the refrigerant discharge passage from the first branch passage are simultaneously formed. A refrigerant passage connected to the first and second refrigerant passages;
The switching mechanism has a fan provided in the refrigerant passage,
4. The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein the fan reverses the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant passage by controlling the rotation direction to be either forward rotation or reverse rotation. 5. Cooling structure.

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