JP2010097824A - Battery cooler - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery cooler capable of preventing ventilation resistance of a cooling air, and leading a wiring from respective battery modules to the external device such as a control device in space saving. <P>SOLUTION: A rotation axis 32 of a blast member 30 exists between heights of both end parts of the upper and the lower directions of a module assembly 1, and in the blast member 30, a range of a lateral direction of the cooling air is made nearly over the whole region of the module assembly 1 regarding the aligning direction X. A wiring unit 55 is installed at a side face of the respective battery modules 1. The wiring unit 55 forms a passage in which a wiring 27 pulled out from inside the respective battery modules 1 is arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery cooling device for air-cooling a battery used as a drive power source for a motor for driving an automobile.

Conventionally, as a battery cooling device for air-cooling a battery used as a driving power source for an automobile driving motor, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known. The battery cooling device described in Patent Document 1 has an important function of cooling a battery module, which is an important component, and includes a blower that provides cooling air to the battery module and the assembly of battery modules. . The battery cover that covers the module assembly and the casing that forms the exterior of the blower are connected above the module assembly to form a cooling air ventilation path.
JP 2003-346759 A

  Since the battery cooling device is used in a hybrid vehicle, it is required to be quiet in an eco-run mode or the like where the engine is stopped. In addition, since the battery cooling device is disposed on the back side of the trunk room of the hybrid vehicle, the device is required to be downsized. In the above-described prior art battery cooling device, in order to reduce the noise of the blower in response to the need for quietness, the module assembly is tilted with the blower side positioned downward with respect to the blowing direction of the blower. It is arranged. With this configuration, a predetermined ventilation path is formed between the top inner surface of the battery cover and the upper surface of the module assembly, so that the ventilation resistance is reduced and noise reduction can be realized.

  However, in the battery cooling device of the prior art, by securing a predetermined ventilation path, the physique of the device including the housing incorporating the blower and the battery cover becomes large, and conversely, when trying to reduce the size of the device, the ventilation path The volume of the battery becomes smaller, and the noise increases as the pressure loss increases. Thus, when trying to meet the demand for quietness, it is necessary to form a large air passage in order to reduce ventilation resistance and the like, and there is a problem that it is impossible to meet the demand for downsizing.

  Further, in the above-described prior art, in order to control each battery module with high accuracy, it is necessary to provide a sensor for each battery module, and various wirings for electrically connecting these sensors and the control device are provided. is necessary. If such wiring is led from each battery module to the control device without any ingenuity, there is a problem that the wiring becomes ventilation resistance.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and prevents cooling air from flowing, and leads the wiring from each battery module to an external device such as a control device in a space-saving manner. An object of the present invention is to provide a battery cooling device capable of performing the above.

  The present invention employs the following technical means in order to achieve the aforementioned object.

In the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of battery modules (5) each having the positive terminal (8) and the negative terminal (7) are arranged so that the side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the battery module are opposed to each other. A module assembly (1) arranged side by side in the direction (X);
An electrode part (4) provided on the upper surface of the module assembly and electrically connecting the different polarity terminals between the battery modules;
A housing (2) for housing the module assembly;
A blower member (30) provided on the side surface other than the upper and lower surfaces of the housing and facing the side surface extending in the arrangement direction of the battery modules;
A passage forming portion (55) that forms a passage in which wiring drawn from the inside of each battery module is disposed,
The rotating shaft (32) of the blower member is between the heights of both ends in the vertical direction of the module assembly,
The air blowing member blows out cooling air toward the upper surface of the module assembly, and the range of the cooling air in the lateral direction is configured to cover substantially the entire area of the opposing module assembly with respect to the arrangement direction.
The passage forming portion is a battery cooling device provided on a side surface other than the upper and lower surfaces of each battery module.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the height position of the rotating shaft of the blower member is not above or below the module assembly, the physique of the device including the blower member and the module assembly is in the height direction. Can be suppressed.

  In the present invention, since the passage forming portion is provided, the wiring can be provided using the passage of the passage forming portion. As the wiring, for example, there is a cable for detecting the internal state of each battery module, for example, temperature. Such a passage forming portion is provided on the side surface of each battery module. The cooling air passes through the upper surface of the module assembly by the blower member and cools the electrode portion provided on the upper surface. In the present invention, a passage forming portion is not provided in the ventilation path through which such cooling air passes. Therefore, it can prevent that a channel | path formation part becomes ventilation resistance.

  In addition, a configuration in which the passage forming portion is provided on the upper surface, the electrode portion is separated from the upper surface of the battery module so that the passage forming portion does not become passage resistance, and the upper portion of the passage forming portion becomes a ventilation path, In the case of such a configuration, the vertical dimension of the battery module becomes large. Therefore, the mountability of the battery cooling device is lowered. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the passage forming portion is provided on the side surface of the battery module, the vertical dimension is not increased by providing the passage forming portion. Therefore, the battery cooling device is installed in a flat installation space such as under the seat of the vehicle. Can be installed. Thus, a low noise and small battery cooling device can be provided.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the passage forming portion is provided so as to extend over substantially the entire area in the arrangement direction so as to cover at least a part of the side surface extending in the arrangement direction of each battery module, and is arranged inside the passage formation portion. A passage (56) continuous in the direction is formed.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, since the passage forming portion forms a passage continuous in the arrangement direction, the side surface extending in the arrangement direction of the battery modules arranged side by side in the arrangement direction is provided as one passage formation portion. Thus, all battery modules can use the passage. Therefore, the installation space for providing the passage forming portion can be made smaller than providing the passage forming portion individually for each battery module. As a result, the battery cooling device can be miniaturized and the mountability can be improved.

  Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the electrode portion is provided with a cooling fin (51) through which heat from the electrode portion is transmitted.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, by providing the cooling fin, the heat radiation area of the heat generated from the battery module can be expanded, so that the heat radiation performance is improved and the temperature variation of each battery module is improved. Can provide stable battery performance. In addition, when a predetermined cooling performance can be secured by expanding the heat radiation area by the cooling fin, it is not necessary to provide a gap as a ventilation path between the battery modules, so that the physique of the module assembly can be made compact, Arrangement in order to form the gap, for example, a resin frame for disposing individual battery modules at predetermined positions becomes unnecessary, and the number of assembly steps and the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly are separated from each other, and the cooling air flows between the electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly,
The cooling fin is provided between the electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly are separated from each other, and the cooling air flows between the electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly. By providing the cooling fin in such a portion, the heat radiation area of the heat generated from the battery module can be expanded, so that the heat radiation performance can be improved.

Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 5, the upper surface of the electrode portion is separated from the upper wall of the housing, and cooling air flows between the upper surface of the electrode portion and the upper wall of the housing,
The cooling fin is provided on the upper portion of the electrode portion.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the upper surface of the electrode portion is separated from the upper wall of the housing, and cooling air flows between the upper surface of the electrode portion and the upper wall of the housing. By providing the cooling fin in such a portion, the heat radiation area of the heat generated from the battery module can be expanded, so that the heat radiation performance can be improved.

Further, in the invention described in claim 6, a plurality of battery modules (5) each having a positive electrode terminal (8) and a negative electrode terminal (7) are opposed to the side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the battery module. A module assembly (1) arranged side by side in the arrangement direction (X);
An electrode part (4) provided on the upper surface of the module assembly, for electrically connecting different polarity terminals between the battery modules;
A housing (2) for housing the module assembly;
A blower member (30) provided on a side surface other than the upper and lower surfaces of the housing and facing the side surface extending in the arrangement direction (X) of the battery modules;
A cooling fin (51) provided in the electrode part,
The rotating shaft (32) of the blower member is between the heights of both ends in the vertical direction of the module assembly,
The blowing member blows out cooling air toward the cooling fin, and the range of the cooling air in the lateral direction is configured to cover substantially the entire area of the opposing module assembly with respect to the arrangement direction.
The electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly are separated from each other, and cooling air flows between the electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly,
The cooling fin is provided between the electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, since the height position of the rotating shaft of the blower member is not above or below the module assembly, the physique of the device including the blower member and the module assembly is in the height direction. Can be suppressed.

  Further, the electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly are separated from each other, and cooling air flows between the electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly. By providing cooling fins in such a part, the heat dissipation area of the heat generated from the battery module can be expanded, improving the heat dissipation performance and improving the temperature variation of each battery module and providing stable battery performance. Can be provided. In addition, when a predetermined cooling performance can be secured by expanding the heat radiation area by the cooling fin, it is not necessary to provide a gap as a ventilation path between the battery modules, so that the physique of the module assembly can be made compact, Arrangement in order to form the gap, for example, a resin frame for disposing individual battery modules at predetermined positions becomes unnecessary, and the number of assembly steps and the number of parts can be reduced.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each above-mentioned means is an example which shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Portions corresponding to the matters described in the preceding forms in each embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described, the other parts of the configuration are the same as those described in the preceding section. Not only the combination of the parts specifically described in each embodiment, but also the embodiments can be partially combined as long as the combination does not hinder.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the battery cooling device 100 of the first embodiment, the configuration of the module assembly 1 housed in the housing 2, and the flow of cooling air. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the battery cooling device 100 of the first embodiment, the configuration of the module assembly 1 housed in the housing 2, and the flow of cooling air. The battery cooling device 100 according to the first embodiment is used in a well-known hybrid vehicle that uses an internal combustion engine and a battery drive motor as a travel drive source, and cools a battery that serves as a drive power source for the travel motor. . The battery is, for example, a nickel metal hydride secondary battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, or an organic radical battery. In addition, the battery is disposed in the space under the seat of the automobile, between the rear seat and the trunk room, and between the driver seat and the passenger seat while being housed in the housing 2.

  The battery cooling device 100 mainly includes a module assembly 1 that is an assembly of a plurality of battery modules 5a to 5g (hereinafter, may be indicated by reference numeral 5 when an unspecified battery module is shown), and a module The unit includes an air blowing member 30 that supplies air for cooling the assembly 1, and a unit in which these members are integrated is mounted on the automobile as a battery pack. The module assembly 1 is configured by arranging a plurality of battery modules 5 electrically connected in series in parallel with their side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction Y facing each other, and integrating them. It is stored inside.

  Hereinafter, a direction in which each battery module 5 extends is referred to as a longitudinal direction Y (left-right direction in FIG. 1), a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Y is referred to as an arrangement direction X (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1), and the longitudinal direction Y A direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction X may be referred to as an up-down direction Z (up-down direction Z in FIG. 1).

  The housing | casing 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped case comprised so that at least one surface could be removed for a maintenance, and it is formed with resin or a steel plate. An attachment portion 23 and an equipment box 24 for fixing the housing 2 to the vehicle side by bolting or the like are provided on the side portion of the housing 2 in the arrangement direction X. The equipment box 24 includes a battery monitoring unit (not shown) such as various sensors 25 that monitor the battery state of each battery module 5, and a control device (not shown) that performs drive control and battery control of the motor 31 of the blower member 30. ), A wire harness (not shown) for connecting each device is housed.

  Each battery module 5 is a flat rectangular parallelepiped whose outer peripheral surface is covered with an exterior case of an electrically insulating resin. A battery unit 60 is provided in the exterior case of each battery module 5. The battery unit 60 is provided with a positive electrode terminal 8 and a negative electrode terminal 7. In each battery module 5, a positive electrode terminal 8 and a negative electrode terminal 7 are disposed apart from both ends in the longitudinal direction Y, and both the terminals 7 and 8 are exposed from the exterior case. Above the two terminals 7, 8, that is, above the module assembly 1, an electrode portion 4 that electrically connects the different polarity terminals 7, 8 between the battery modules 5 is provided. The longitudinal direction Y of the battery module 5 is substantially parallel to the blowing direction of the blower member 30.

  Next, the arrangement relationship of the battery modules 5a to 5g will be described with reference to FIG. Two battery modules 5 are arranged in the casing 2 so as to be vertically long with a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction Y. A set of two battery modules 5 arranged vertically are closely arranged so as to occupy the entire housing 2 in the arrangement direction X, and are stacked in the arrangement direction X. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, 11 sets of battery modules 5 are arranged.

  Thus, all the battery modules 5 arranged in the entire housing 2 start from the positive terminal 8 in the first battery module 5a in the lower left corner of FIG. Each electrode part 4 as a conductive member is connected in series so as to connect to one side X1 side (right side in FIG. 2) in the arrangement direction while reciprocating in the longitudinal direction Y in the case 2. 2 is connected to the negative electrode terminal 7 of the second battery module 5b at the upper right corner so as to be energized.

  Therefore, the electrode part 4 connected to the positive electrode terminal 8 on the one side Y1 side in the longitudinal direction of the first battery module 5a (the lower side in FIG. 2) in an energizable manner corresponds to the positive electrode part of the module assembly 1. The negative terminal 7 of the second battery module 5 b corresponds to the negative electrode portion of the module assembly 1. The negative electrode terminal 7 on the other Y2 side in the longitudinal direction of the first battery module 5a (upper side in FIG. 2) is an electrode portion 4 extending in the longitudinal direction Y to the positive electrode terminal 8 on the Y1 side in the longitudinal direction of the third battery module 5c. The two are energized.

  Further, the negative terminal 7 on the other side Y2 in the longitudinal direction of the third battery module 5c is a positive terminal on the other side Y2 in the longitudinal direction of the fourth battery module 5d adjacent to the one side X1 in the arrangement direction (the right side in FIG. 2). 8 are connected by an electrode portion 4 extending in the arrangement direction X, and both are energized. The positive electrode terminal 8 of the fifth battery module 5e located on the Y1 side in the longitudinal direction from the fourth battery module 5d is an electrode extending in the longitudinal direction Y on the negative electrode terminal 7 on the Y1 side in the longitudinal direction of the fourth battery module 5d. Connected by part 4. Further, the sixth battery module 5f adjacent to the first arrangement direction X1 of the fifth battery module 5e is energized with the fifth battery module 5e by the electrode portion 4 extending in the arrangement direction X.

  Similarly, the different polarity terminals (positive electrode terminal 8 and negative electrode terminal 7) at adjacent positions are reciprocated with respect to the longitudinal direction Y until reaching the second battery module 5b by the electrode part 4 connecting them. Are connected in series. The positive terminal 8 of the second battery module 5b is energized with the negative terminal 7 of the seventh battery module 5g in the lower right corner of FIG. 2, which is on the Y1 side in the longitudinal direction, by the electrode portion 4, and further the seventh battery module 5g. In this way, the electrode part 4 on the one Y1 side in the longitudinal direction is energized. In other words, all the battery modules 5 in the housing 2 are changed from the electrode part 4 on the first Y1 side in the longitudinal direction of the first battery module 5a to the electrode part 4 on the other Y2 side in the longitudinal direction of the second battery module 5b. Until then, the electrodes 4 are electrically connected in series so that the current flows in a zigzag shape or a meandering shape.

  The electrode part 4 and the upper surface of the module assembly 1 are separated as shown in FIG. In other words, the terminals 7 and 8 protrude from the upper surface of the battery module 5. The electrode unit 4 is close to the upper wall of the housing 2. The upper wall of the housing 2 is a wall portion extending in the arrangement direction X and the longitudinal direction Y on the upper Z1 side of the housing 2. Moreover, the electrode part 4 is provided in the position where cooling air can distribute | circulate the lower Z2. Therefore, the cooling air hardly flows between the electrode unit 4 and the upper wall of the housing, and the cooling air flows between the electrode unit 4 and the upper surface of the module assembly 1. In other words, the distance between the electrode part 4 and the upper wall of the housing 2 is smaller than the distance between the electrode part 4 and the upper surface of the module assembly 1.

  As described above, a relatively high passage space is defined in the upper portion of the housing 2 by the electrode portion 4 and the module assembly 1. In the lower part of the housing 2, a sufficiently narrow space is formed as compared with the upper space, or the module assembly 1 is provided in contact with the housing 2. The upper passage space in the housing 2 is provided as a space for arranging the electrode unit 4 and is also provided as a ventilation path for cooling the module assembly 1.

  Between each electrode part 4 and the upper surface of the module assembly 1, cooling fins 51 a to 51 d (hereinafter referred to as an unspecified cooling fin are denoted by reference numeral 51) through which heat from the battery module 5 is transmitted. Is provided). Therefore, the cooling fin 51 is provided in the ventilation path of cooling air. The cooling fin 51 is provided for each terminal (positive electrode terminal 8 or negative electrode terminal 7) above the positive electrode terminal 8 and the negative electrode terminal 7 in the battery module 5 in the housing 2. The cooling fin 51 is electrically and mechanically connected to each electrode part 4. The cooling fins 51 are provided over the entire lower surface of each electrode unit 4.

  The cooling fins 51 are well-known corrugated fins made of an aluminum alloy or the like, and the crests and troughs are alternately repeated in the arrangement direction X, and flow between the crests and troughs in the blowing direction of the cooling air. Thus, it is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction Y. The cooling fins 51 are separated from the upper surface of the module assembly 1 in order to be electrically insulated.

  In the present embodiment, two battery modules 5 are arranged in the casing 2 so that two battery modules 5 are arranged vertically with a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction Y, so that there are four terminals 7 and 8. Accordingly, four cooling fins 51 are provided along the longitudinal direction Y. In the present embodiment, the cooling fin 51b located second from the end portion on the Y1 side in the longitudinal direction and the cooling fin 51c located third are integrally configured.

  A wiring unit 55 is provided on the side surface of the module assembly 1 that extends in the arrangement direction X. The wiring unit 55 is a passage forming portion, and forms a passage that communicates the side surface of each battery module 5 and the external space outside the housing 2. In other words, the wiring unit 55 forms a passage in which the wiring 27 drawn from the inside of each battery module 5 to the side surface of each battery module is arranged. In the module assembly 1, a set of two battery modules 5 arranged in a vertically long manner are stacked in the arrangement direction X, and therefore a wiring unit 55 is provided for each row of the two rows of battery modules 5. Each wiring unit 55 is provided so as to extend over substantially the entire area of the module assembly 1 in the arrangement direction X. The wiring unit 55 extends in the arrangement direction X so as to cover at least a part of the side surface extending in the arrangement direction X of each battery module 5, and forms an insertion space 56 continuous in the arrangement direction X inside.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wiring unit 55 has a substantially U-shaped cross section when cut along a virtual plane including the longitudinal direction Y and the vertical direction Z, and is provided so that one of the wiring units 55 is open. Accordingly, the wiring unit 55 forms a tubular insertion space 56 that covers the outside in cooperation with the side surface of the battery module 5. Therefore, the insertion space 56 is isolated from the space through which the cooling air flows.

  A sensor 25 for monitoring the battery state, for example, a temperature sensor is provided for each battery module 5, and the wiring 27 is drawn from the side surface of each battery module 5. The wiring 27 is led to the device box 24 located on the other side X2 in the arrangement direction of the battery modules 5. Therefore, the insertion space 56 is a space through which the wiring 27 and the like for electrically connecting the sensor 25 and the device box 24 are inserted. The insertion space 56 also functions as a passage for discharging gas generated inside the battery module 5 to the outer space.

  Next, the air blowing member 30 will be described. The blower member 30 is provided integrally with the housing 2 so as to face a surface other than the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 2 and orthogonal to a side surface extending in the longitudinal direction Y of the battery module 5. In other words, the blower member 30 is provided integrally with the housing 2 so as to face a side surface extending along the arrangement direction X of the longitudinal direction one Y1 of the housing 2. The air blowing member 30 blows cooling air toward the cooling fins 51. The blower member 30 mainly includes two sirocco fans 34 that are examples of centrifugal fans, one motor 31 that rotationally drives the sirocco fan 34, and two casings 33 in which the sirocco fan 34 is housed. It is configured. As the centrifugal fan, in addition to the sirocco fan 34 having a forward-facing blade, a radial fan having a radially-oriented blade can be used to form the blowing member 30 that is strong against high static pressure, low in air volume, and low in noise, similar to the sirocco fan 34. be able to.

  The sirocco fan 34 is fixed to both ends of the rotating shaft 32 of the motor 31 arranged substantially horizontally. The rotating shaft 32 is disposed so that the axial center height is included between both ends of the opposing module assembly 1 in the vertical (height) direction. In other words, the height of the rotating shaft 32 is located between the upper part and the lower part of the module assembly 1.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the radial dimension of the centrifugal fan, for example, the sirocco fan 34 and the radial fan, is equal to or less than the vertical dimension Z of the module assembly 1. Furthermore, it is preferable that the radial outer shape of the centrifugal fan is arranged so as to be included between both ends in the vertical direction Z of the module assembly 1. Further, it is preferable that the casing 33 is disposed so that the radial outer shape of the casing 33 is included between both ends in the vertical direction Z of the casing 2. Further, the lower end of the casing 33 in the radial direction is preferably disposed on the upper Z1 side with respect to the lower end of the vertical direction Z of the casing 2 and is formed in the lower Z2 with respect to the lower end of the casing 33 in the radial direction. The equipment box 24 can be arranged in the space thus formed, and the apparatus including the equipment box 24 can be downsized.

  The driving of the motor 31 is controlled by a control device (not shown). The control device performs, for example, PWM control for modulation by changing the duty ratio of the voltage pulse wave. The control device variably controls the rotational speed of the centrifugal fan according to the target cooling capacity by PWM control, and controls the surface temperature of the module assembly 1 detected by a temperature sensor or the like.

  Next, the casing 33 will be described. The casing 33 is a scroll casing that encloses and houses each of the two sirocco fans 34 fixedly supported on both sides of the motor 31, and includes suction ports 38 and 39 that open on both side surfaces in the rotation axis direction. The scroll casing is formed so that a passage formed between its inner wall surface and the forward-facing blade of the sirocco fan 34 gradually expands as it goes downstream. The casing 33 is fixed to the vehicle side by fastening the integrally formed mounting legs 40 with fastening means such as bolts.

  The casing 33 includes an air outlet 37 that blows out air sucked from the air inlets 38 and 39 toward the upper surface of the module assembly 1. The air outlet 37 faces the upper part in the housing 2 and is provided at substantially the same height as the cooling fins 51. As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 33 has, in plan view, an expanded portion 35 having a shape that expands from both sides in the rotational axis direction of the centrifugal fan to the outside in the rotational axis direction and toward the outlet 37, and the outlet from the expanded portion 35. And a cylindrical portion 36 extending in parallel toward 37. The blower outlet 37 is opened at a position higher than the centrifugal fan and closer to the module assembly 1 than the centrifugal fan. The casing 33 has a shape that bulges from the upper side Z1 of the centrifugal fan to the side of the centrifugal fan and the module assembly 1 side by the expanding portion 35, and further reaches the air outlet 37 via the cylindrical portion 36.

  The casing 33 provides a spiral flow path that gradually expands in a range directly facing the sirocco fan 34, and thereafter, in a flat arrangement direction X of the flat outlets 37, the casing 33 is divergent toward the outlet 37. An expanding part 35 is provided. The expanding portion 35 is disposed above the sirocco fan 34 in the Z1 direction. The expanding portion 35 is formed so as to be narrowed toward the air outlet 37 in the height direction of the flat air outlet 37, that is, the radial direction of the sirocco fan 34, and the height gradually decreases. The expanding portion 35 gradually increases the flow path cross-sectional area toward the blowout port 37. The expanding part 35 gradually changes its cross-sectional shape toward a flat outlet 37 corresponding to a flat passage space defined in the upper part of the housing 2.

  The cylindrical portion 36 is connected to the housing 2 by being fitted into the connection port of the housing 2 so that the air outlet 37 faces the upper portion in the housing 2. An air outlet 37 that is a flat opening whose height (vertical direction Z length) is shorter than the lateral width is provided at the tip of the cylindrical portion 36. The lateral width occupied by the two outlets 37 arranged in the direction of the rotation axis is approximately equal to the overall lateral width of the opposing module assembly 1, in other words, the dimension in the arrangement direction X of the module assembly 1. It is configured.

  Thus, by providing the expansion part 35 which forms the divergent flow path toward the blower outlet 37 side, the blowout air can be guided to the blower outlet 37 so as to be equalized over a wide range in the lateral direction in the housing 2. . Moreover, the longitudinal direction Y dimension (blowing direction dimension) of the casing 33 can be formed small.

  The housing 2 is provided with a discharge port 26 through which the air blown from the blowout port 37 absorbs heat by the cooling fins 51 and then is discharged. The discharge port 26 is provided on a side surface of the housing 2 that is disposed so as to face the air outlet 37. In other words, the discharge port 26 is provided on the other side Y2 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2 and above the side surface Z1 extending in the arrangement direction X. As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge port 26 is preferably provided at substantially the same height as the air outlet 37 and the cooling fin 51.

  Next, the flow of the cooling air blown from the blowout port 37 will be described. The cooling air blown out from the air outlet 37 has a low air volume with respect to the upper surface of the module assembly 1 but has a relatively high flow rate and a high static pressure. By providing the expanding portion 35 and the air outlet 37 as described above, it is possible to provide cooling air with reduced noise even in a narrow flow path formed in the downsized casing 33 and the housing 2.

  The cooling air sucked from the suction ports 38 and 39 is blown out from the blower outlet 37 through the ventilating passageway in the casing 33, and the height position thereof is the upper part in the housing 2, and its lateral direction. Since the range covers the substantially horizontal width of the module assembly 1 opposed to the air blowing member 30, the cooling air spreads over the entire upper part in the housing 2.

  The cooling air blown out from the blower outlet 37 flows toward the upper surface of the module assembly 1, reaches the upper surface of the battery module 5 on the downstream side of the blowout air and the battery module 5 on the upstream side, and reaches the upper part of the module assembly 1. Cool down. Specifically, the cooling air blown from the air outlet 37 flows toward the cooling fins 51 disposed in the upper Z1 of the module assembly 1, and the cooling fins 51a on the upstream side of the air blowing air and the middle cooling fins 51b. , 51c and the cooling fins 51d on the downstream side, when passing through these cooling fins 51, heat is absorbed from the fin surfaces to cool the cooling fins 51 and cool the module assembly 1. Then, the cooling air flows toward the discharge port 26 and is discharged from the discharge port 26 to the outside of the housing 2.

  As described above, in the battery cooling device 100 according to the present embodiment, the axial center height of the rotating shaft 32 of the air blowing member 30 is located between the heights of the opposite ends of the module assembly 1 in the vertical direction Z. The blower member 30 blows cooling air toward the upper surface of the module assembly 1, and the range of the cooling air in the lateral direction is substantially the entire area of the module assembly 1 that is opposed in the arrangement direction X.

  According to this configuration, since the height position of the rotating shaft 32 is not located above the module assembly 1 in the upper Z1 or the lower Z2, the physique in the height direction of the device including the blower member 30 and the module assembly 1 can be suppressed. it can. Furthermore, since the cooling wind by the blower member 30 is directed toward the upper surface of the module assembly 1 and spreads over substantially the entire area of the module assembly 1 in the arrangement direction X, the air is blown at a relatively low air volume. Therefore, the battery cooling device 100 with low noise and high cooling performance can be provided.

  The casing 33 of the blower member 30 is provided with suction ports 38 and 39 for sucking air by the rotation of the sirocco fan 34 and a blower outlet for blowing air sucked from the suction ports 38 and 39 toward the upper surface of the module assembly 1. 37 and a flow path that widens toward the air outlet 37 side, the air outlet 37 is provided so as to face the upper part in the housing 2, and the arrangement direction X is longer than the height direction. It is an opening.

  When this configuration is adopted, cooling airflow with a uniform flow velocity distribution can be provided to the module assembly 1 by a divergent flow path, and in addition, by using a centrifugal fan such as the sirocco fan 34, a low airflow rate can be provided. Therefore, the battery cooling device 100 with low noise and energy saving can be obtained even when air is blown through a narrow flow passage having a relatively high ventilation resistance accompanying the downsizing of the device. Furthermore, since the flat air outlet 37 has a low height, a cooling air with a high flow rate is provided even with a small amount of air, so that a necessary cooling capacity can be ensured while satisfying a reduction in noise.

  In the present embodiment, cooling fins 51 are provided in each electrode unit 4. As a result, the heat radiation area of the heat generated from the battery module 5 can be expanded, so that the heat radiation performance can be improved and the battery cooling device 100 that can improve the temperature variation for each battery module 5 can be provided, and the stable battery performance can be achieved. It can be secured. Further, since the heat radiation area is enlarged by the cooling fins 51, there is no need to provide a gap as a ventilation path between the battery modules 5, so that the physique of the module assembly 1 can be made compact and the gap is formed. This eliminates the need for parts and reduces the number of assembly steps and the number of parts.

  Further, the electrode portion 4 and the upper surface of the module assembly 1 are separated from each other, and cooling air flows between the electrode portion 4 and the upper surface of the module assembly 1. Therefore, since the terminals 7 and 8 protrude from the upper surface of the battery module 5, the terminals 7 and 8 to which the heat inside the battery module 5 is directly transmitted can be cooled. Thereby, the battery module 5 can be efficiently cooled.

  Further, the air outlet 37 faces the upper part in the housing 2 and is provided at substantially the same height as the cooling fins 51. In the case of adopting this configuration, the amount of air that is absorbed by the cooling fins 51 is increased, the cooling performance is improved, and the passage from the outlet 37 to the cooling fins 51 is configured linearly, thereby reducing the ventilation resistance. it can.

  The air blown out from the air outlet 37 toward the cooling fins 51 is provided with a discharge port 26 that is discharged after the heat is absorbed by the cooling fins 51, and the air outlet 37 faces the upper part in the housing 2. 26 is provided on the surface of the housing 2 facing the air outlet 37. In the case of adopting this configuration, the passage from the blowout port 37 to the discharge port 26 via the cooling fin 51 is configured linearly, and the ventilation resistance can be reduced. Furthermore, when the discharge port 26, the blowout port 37, and the cooling fin 51 are provided so as to have substantially the same height, the ventilation resistance can be further reduced and noise reduction can be promoted.

  In the present embodiment, the wiring unit 55 is provided on the side surface of the module assembly 1. The wiring unit 55 is provided to extend over the entire region in the arrangement direction X so as to cover at least a part of the side surface of each battery module 5, and forms an insertion space 56 continuous in the arrangement direction X inside. Accordingly, the wiring 27 and the like can be provided using the insertion space 56 of the wiring unit 55. Since such a wiring unit 55 is provided on the side surface of each battery module 5, it is possible to prevent the cooling air from being prevented from flowing by providing the wiring unit 55.

  In the present embodiment, since the wiring unit 55 is provided on the side surface of the battery module 5, the vertical size is not increased by providing the wiring unit 55, so that the battery cooling device 100 can be installed in a flat installation space such as under a vehicle seat. Can be installed.

  Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described based on the relationship between noise and ventilation resistance. A noise value SPL indicating noise is expressed by the following equation (1), for example.

SPL = Ks + 10 Log (Va × ΔPa ² ) (1)
Here, Ks is specific noise (the sound of the blower itself), Va is the air volume, and ΔPa is the ventilation resistance. As shown in Expression (1), the noise value SPL is a parameter of the square of the ventilation resistance ΔPa, and thus it can be seen that the noise value SPL can be reduced by reducing the ventilation resistance ΔPa. In the present embodiment, as described above, only the members necessary for cooling such as the cooling fins 51 are provided in the ventilation path of the cooling air in the housing 2, and members not related to the cooling such as the wiring unit 55 are provided. Not arranged. Therefore, ventilation resistance can be reduced and noise can be reduced.

  In addition, since the wiring unit 55 forms an insertion space 56 that is continuous in the arrangement direction X, the side surfaces extending in the arrangement direction X of the battery modules 5 arranged side by side in the arrangement direction X are all formed by one wiring unit 55. The battery module 5 can use the passage. Therefore, the installation space for providing the wiring unit 55 can be made smaller than providing the wiring unit 55 for each battery module 5 individually. As a result, the battery cooling device can be miniaturized and the mountability can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the battery cooling device 100A of the second embodiment, the configuration of the module assembly 1 housed in the housing 2, and the flow of cooling air. The present embodiment is characterized by the configuration of each battery module 5.

  In the first embodiment described above, the cooling fin 51b located second from the end on the Y1 side in the longitudinal direction and the cooling fin 51c located third are configured integrally, but this embodiment Then, it is constituted separately. Accordingly, the configuration including the cooling fins 51 of the battery module 5 positioned on the one side Y1 in the longitudinal direction and the configuration including the cooling fins 51 of the battery module 5 positioned on the other Y2 side in the longitudinal direction can be made substantially the same.

  The module assembly 1 requires a plurality of battery modules 5. However, since the configuration of the plurality of battery modules 5 can be made substantially the same, the orientation of the battery modules 5 is taken into consideration when assembling work. There is no need to do. Therefore, assembly work can be facilitated.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the battery cooling device 100B of the third embodiment, the configuration of the module assembly 1 housed in the housing 2, and the flow of cooling air. The present embodiment is characterized by the configuration of each cooling fin 51B.

  The electrode unit 4 and the upper surface of the module assembly 1 are close to each other, and the electrode unit 4 and the upper wall of the housing 2 are separated from each other. Moreover, the electrode part 4 is provided in the position where cooling air can distribute | circulate through the upper direction Z1. Therefore, the cooling air easily flows between the electrode unit 4 and the upper wall of the housing, and the cooling air hardly flows between the electrode unit 4 and the upper surface of the module assembly 1. In other words, the distance between the electrode part 4 and the upper wall of the housing 2 is larger than the distance between the electrode part 4 and the upper surface of the module assembly 1.

  Between each electrode part 4 and the upper surface of the housing | casing 2, the cooling fin 51 in which the heat from the battery module 5 is transmitted is provided. Therefore, the cooling fin 51 is provided in the ventilation path of cooling air. The cooling fin 51 is provided for each terminal (positive electrode terminal 8 or negative electrode terminal 7) above the positive electrode terminal 8 and the negative electrode terminal 7 in the battery module 5 in the housing 2.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the cooling fin 51 is provided between the electrode portion 4 and the upper surface of the housing 2, so that the terminals 7 and 8 are connected from the upper surface of the battery module 5 as in the first embodiment. There is no need to protrude. If the terminals 7 and 8 protrude, the base portions of the terminals 7 and 8 are likely to be damaged. However, in this embodiment, the risk of damage can be reduced by reducing the protruding dimensions.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the battery cooling device 100C of the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the module assembly 1 housed in the housing 2, and the flow of cooling air. In the present embodiment, the cooling fin 51 is not used, and the configuration of the terminals 7 and 8 is characteristic.

  The electrode unit 4 and the upper surface of the module assembly 1 are separated from each other as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the terminals 7 and 8 protrude from the upper surface of the battery module 5. The terminals 7 and 8 are provided in the cooling air ventilation path. The terminals 7 and 8 are formed in a shape that repeats unevenness in the longitudinal direction Y, in other words, in a zigzag shape. Therefore, the terminals 7 and 8 have a shape that expands the heat dissipation area as compared with the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the heat radiation area of the heat generated from the battery module 5 can be expanded by the terminals 7 and 8 without using the cooling fins 51, the cooling fins 51 are not necessary and assembled. Man-hours and the number of parts can be reduced.

(Other embodiments)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment described above, the battery cooling device 100 is installed in the vehicle so that the rotating shaft 32 of the air blowing member 30 is in the horizontal direction. However, when the battery cooling device 100 is installed in an automobile, the air outlet 37 is You may install so that it may be located in upper Z1 with the form extended in a horizontal direction, or you may install in a vehicle so that the rotating shaft 32 may become a perpendicular direction. In the former case, the radial length of the casing 33 is suitable for an installation allowable space with a low height by arranging the radial length of the casing 33 in the height direction. In the latter case, the radial length of the casing 33 is arranged in the lateral direction. This installation is suitable for installation spaces with a narrow width.

  The blower member 30 is a double suction centrifugal blower having suction ports 38 and 39 on both side surfaces of the casing 33 in the rotation axis direction, but is not limited to this, and a single suction unit having a suction port on one side surface in the rotation axis direction. It may be a type centrifugal blower.

  In the first embodiment described above, the wiring unit 55 is provided on the side surface extending in the arrangement direction X among the side surfaces of the battery module 5, but may be provided on the side surface extending in the longitudinal direction Y. Further, a concave portion that functions as the wiring unit 55 may be provided on the side surface of each battery module 5.

  In the first embodiment described above, each battery module 5 has its outer peripheral surface covered with an electrically insulating resin outer case. However, in order to improve heat dissipation, the battery module 5 is exposed without covering the outer peripheral surface. It may be. When the outer peripheral surface of the battery module 5 is exposed, in order to ensure insulation with the terminals 7 and 8, for example, the insulating member is covered with the insulating member in the vicinity of the base of the terminals 7 and 8, and the cooling fin 51 and the battery The module 5 is separated from the surface so as not to conduct electricity.

  In the first embodiment described above, the plurality of battery modules 5 are arranged in the housing 2 side by side with a predetermined gap in the arrangement direction X perpendicular to the blowing direction of the cooling air from the blower member 30. You may do it. In this case, the cooling air flows along a plurality of predetermined gaps formed between the side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the battery modules 5 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the blowing direction, and passes through this into the housing 2. Each battery module 5 is cooled by absorbing heat while flowing toward the provided outlet, and discharged from the outlet to the outside of the housing 2.

It is the side view which showed the whole structure of the battery cooling device 100 of 1st Embodiment, the structure of the module assembly 1 accommodated in the housing | casing 2, and the flow of cooling air. 3 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the battery cooling device 100, the configuration of the module assembly 1 housed in the housing 2, and the flow of cooling air. FIG. It is the side view which showed the whole structure of battery cooling device 100A of 2nd Embodiment, the structure of the module assembly 1 accommodated in the housing | casing 2, and the flow of cooling air. It is the side view which showed the whole structure of the battery cooling device 100B of 3rd Embodiment, the structure of the module assembly 1 accommodated in the housing | casing 2, and the flow of cooling air. It is the side view which showed the whole structure of 100 C of battery cooling devices of 4th Embodiment, the structure of the module assembly 1 accommodated in the housing | casing 2, and the flow of cooling air.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Module assembly 2 ... Housing 4 ... Electrode part 5 ... Battery module 7 ... Negative electrode terminal 8 ... Positive electrode terminal 27 ... Wiring 30 ... Air blower member 32 ... Rotating shaft 51 ... Cooling fin 55 ... Wiring unit (passage formation part)
56 ... Insertion space 100 ... Battery cooling device

Claims (6)

A plurality of battery modules (5) each having a positive electrode terminal (8) and a negative electrode terminal (7) are arranged in the arrangement direction (X) so that the side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the battery module face each other. Module assembly (1)
An electrode part (4) provided on the upper surface of the module assembly and electrically connecting the different polarity terminals between the battery modules;
A housing (2) for housing the module assembly;
A blower member (30) provided on a side surface other than the upper and lower surfaces of the housing and facing a side surface extending in the arrangement direction of the battery modules;
A passage forming portion (55) that forms a passage in which wiring drawn from the inside of each battery module is disposed,
The rotating shaft (32) of the air blowing member is between the heights of both ends in the vertical direction of the module assembly,
The air blowing member blows out cooling air toward the upper surface of the module assembly, and the range of the cooling air in the lateral direction covers substantially the entire area of the opposing module assembly with respect to the arrangement direction. Configured,
The battery cooling device, wherein the passage forming portion is provided on a side surface other than the upper and lower surfaces of each battery module.   The passage forming portion is provided so as to extend over substantially the entire region in the arrangement direction so as to cover at least a part of the side surface of the battery modules extending in the arrangement direction, and is continuous in the arrangement direction inside the passage formation portion. The battery cooling device according to claim 1, wherein a passage is formed.   The battery cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrode part is provided with a cooling fin (51) through which heat from the electrode part is transmitted. The electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly are spaced apart, and the cooling air flows between the electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly,
The battery cooling device according to claim 3, wherein the cooling fin is provided between the electrode portion and an upper surface of the module assembly. The upper surface of the electrode part is separated from the upper wall of the casing, and the cooling air flows between the upper surface of the electrode part and the upper wall of the casing,
The battery cooling device according to claim 3, wherein the cooling fin is provided on an upper portion of the electrode portion. A plurality of battery modules (5) each having a positive electrode terminal (8) and a negative electrode terminal (7) are arranged in the arrangement direction (X) so that the side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the battery module face each other. Module assembly (1)
An electrode part (4) provided on the upper surface of the module assembly and electrically connecting the different polarity terminals between the battery modules;
A housing (2) for housing the module assembly;
A blower member (30) provided on a side surface other than the upper and lower surfaces of the housing and facing a side surface extending in the arrangement direction (X) of the battery modules;
A cooling fin (51) provided in the electrode part,
The rotating shaft (32) of the air blowing member is between the heights of both ends in the vertical direction of the module assembly,
The blower member blows out cooling air toward the cooling fin, and the range of the cooling air in the lateral direction is configured to cover substantially the entire area of the opposing module assembly with respect to the arrangement direction,
The electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly are spaced apart, and cooling air flows between the electrode portion and the upper surface of the module assembly,
The battery cooling device, wherein the cooling fin is provided between the electrode portion and an upper surface of the module assembly.

Images