JP2013105720A - Battery temperature control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a temperature difference between a first surface and a second surface in a thermoelectric element module.SOLUTION: A heat sink 21, exchanging heat with outer air, and a heat pipe 41 where a working fluid boiled by heat from a second surface 32 is sealed are thermally coupled to the second surface 32. Then, when a secondary battery 11 is cooled, a current is flowed in one direction relative to a thermoelectric element module 30 thereby causing a first surface 31 to absorb heat and causing the second surface 32 to radiate heat. Thus, the working fluid in the heat pipe 41 is boiled by the heat radiated by the second surface 32 and the second surface 32 is ebullient cooled.

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery temperature adjusting device including a thermoelectric element module.

  An example of this type of battery temperature control device is Patent Document 1. A temperature control device for a storage battery (secondary battery) in Patent Document 1 is a thermoelectric conversion device having a first surface and a second surface that act in opposition to heat dissipation and heat absorption in accordance with the direction of current flow ( Thermoelectric module). The first surface is thermally coupled to one or more accumulators, and the second surface is thermally coupled to a thermal action promoting medium (heat medium) that promotes thermal action of the face.

  For example, by flowing a current (electricity) to the thermoelectric conversion device in one direction, the first surface is cooled to absorb heat, and the second surface is heated to dissipate heat. The storage battery thermally coupled to the surface is cooled, and the temperature is adjusted so that the temperature of the storage battery does not rise above a predetermined temperature. In addition, for example, by flowing a current to the thermoelectric conversion device in the other direction, the first surface is heated to dissipate heat, and the second surface is cooled to absorb heat, and heat is applied to the first surface. The combined storage battery is heated, and the temperature of the storage battery is adjusted so as not to fall below a predetermined temperature.

JP 2003-7356 A

  By the way, in the thermoelectric conversion device like patent document 1, the temperature difference of a 1st surface and a 2nd surface becomes large gradually with flowing an electric current through a thermoelectric conversion device. The greater this temperature difference, the lower the thermoelectric conversion efficiency. Therefore, for example, the temperature of the second surface is adjusted using outside air as a thermal action promoting medium thermally coupled to the second surface, and the temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface is determined. It is possible to reduce it.

  Here, for example, consider a case where the storage battery is cooled in an environment where the outside air temperature is high. In this case, since the first surface absorbs heat and the second surface dissipates heat by flowing current in one direction with respect to the thermoelectric conversion device, the temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface is increased. In order to reduce the size, it is necessary to cool the second surface with outside air. However, in an environment where the outside air temperature is high, there is a possibility that the second surface is not sufficiently cooled by the outside air, and as a result, the temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface can be reduced. It becomes impossible.

  Note that such a problem is not limited to the case where outside air is used as the thermal action promoting medium. For example, even when water is used as the thermal action promoting medium, the same problem as the above problem occurs when the water is warm. Can happen.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery temperature adjusting device that can reduce a temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface of the thermoelectric element module. It is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has a first surface thermally coupled to the secondary battery and a second surface thermally coupled to the heat medium. A battery temperature control device comprising a thermoelectric module in which the first surface and the second surface absorb or radiate heat depending on the direction of current flow, and is thermally coupled to the second surface and A heat transfer member capable of exchanging heat with the heat medium, and a boiling cooler that is thermally coupled to the second surface and encloses a working fluid that is boiled by heat from the second surface. Is the gist.

  According to this invention, when the secondary battery is cooled, the first surface absorbs heat and the second surface dissipates heat by flowing current in one direction with respect to the thermoelectric element module. The working fluid in the boiling cooler is boiled by the heat radiation of the second surface, and the second surface can be cooled by boiling. Therefore, when the secondary battery is cooled using the thermoelectric element module, for example, the second surface can be efficiently cooled compared to the case where the second surface is cooled using outside air or the like. The temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface can be reduced. Further, when the secondary battery is heated, by passing a current in the other direction to the thermoelectric element module, the first surface dissipates heat and the second surface absorbs heat. At this time, the heat exchanged with the heat medium by the heat transfer member is transmitted to the second surface, whereby the second surface can be heated, and the temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface can be increased. Can be small.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the heat transfer member is integrally formed with the thermal coupling portion that is thermally coupled to the second surface and the thermal coupling portion. And a base portion located above the thermal coupling portion, the base portion has an extending surface extending upward as it goes away from the thermal coupling portion, and the boiling cooler is A storage section that stores the working fluid; and a condensing section that is continuous with the storage section and condenses the working fluid that has boiled and evaporated in the storage section, and the storage section extends along the second surface. The condensing part is formed so as to extend along the extended surface.

  The boiling cooler is a cooling system that repeats circulation in which the working fluid boils and evaporates in the reservoir, and the evaporated working fluid is condensed in the condenser and returned to the liquid again. In order to form a space for evaporating or condensing the working fluid, it is necessary to ensure a certain length. According to this invention, since the condensing part is formed so as to extend along the extending surface of the base part, the part where the condensing part protrudes upward from the base part can be reduced as much as possible. It can be miniaturized as much as possible.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the thermal coupling portion is in surface contact with the second surface, and the boiling cooler is connected to the second through the heat transfer member. It is summarized that it is thermally coupled to the second surface.

  According to the present invention, for example, the thermal coupling portion is not in surface contact with the second surface, and compared with the case where the thermal coupling is indirectly thermally coupled to the second surface, the second surface and the heat Heat exchange with the joint can be performed efficiently. Therefore, when cooling the secondary battery, the heat dissipated from the second surface is efficiently transferred to the heat transfer member, and the heat transferred to the heat transfer member is transferred to the working fluid of the boiling cooler. Since the working fluid boils, the second surface can be efficiently boiled and cooled. Further, when the secondary battery is heated, the heat of the heat transfer member exchanged with the heat medium is efficiently transmitted to the second surface via the heat coupling portion, and thus the second surface is efficiently heated. be able to.

The gist of the invention described in claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat medium is outside air.
For example, when water is used as the heat medium, piping for flowing water is required. However, as in the present invention, by using outside air as the heat medium, piping is not necessary as in the case of using water as the heat medium, and the battery temperature control device itself can be downsized.

  According to this invention, the temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface in the thermoelectric element module can be reduced.

The perspective view which shows the battery temperature control apparatus in embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. B arrow view in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the battery temperature control apparatus in another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The battery temperature adjusting device is mounted on a hybrid vehicle as a vehicle and used to adjust the temperature of a secondary battery for driving a travel motor. In the following description, when referring to “front-rear direction”, “left-right direction”, and “up-down direction”, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction indicated by arrows in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the thermoelectric element module 30 constituting the battery temperature adjusting device 20 includes a first surface 31 and a second surface that absorb or radiate heat depending on the direction in which a current supplied from a power supply unit (not shown) flows. 32 is formed. The first surface 31 is located on the front surface of the thermoelectric element module 30, and the second surface 32 is located on the rear surface of the thermoelectric element module 30. The heat exchanger 13 is attached to the first surface 31, and the first surface 31 and the heat exchanger 13 are thermally coupled. The battery pack 12 is disposed on the front side of the heat exchanger 13 (the side opposite to the first surface 31 in the heat exchanger 13), and a plurality of (four shown in FIG. 1) are provided in the battery pack 12. A secondary battery 11 is accommodated.

  A heat sink 21 as a heat transfer member is thermally coupled to the second surface 32. The heat sink 21 is a rectangular plate-shaped thermal coupling portion 24 disposed so as to extend along the second surface 32, and a rectangular plate integrally formed with the thermal coupling portion 24 and positioned above the thermal coupling portion 24. And a base 22 having a shape. The base 22 is disposed on the thermoelectric element module 30, the heat exchanger 13, and the battery pack 12. A heat insulating member (not shown) is interposed between the base portion 22 and the battery pack 12, and heat exchange between the base portion 22 and the battery pack 12 is blocked. The front surface of the thermal coupling portion 24 is in surface contact with the entire second surface 32. A plurality of (four in this embodiment) fins 23 are formed on the upper surface of the base portion 22 so as to protrude from the upper surface of the base portion 22 at regular intervals. Each fin 23 extends linearly along the front-rear direction of the base 22. Each fin 23 extends in parallel with the front-rear direction of the base 22.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the surface sandwiched between the fins 23 on the upper surface of the base portion 22 is an inclined surface that rises from the rear surface side (thermal coupling portion 24 side) toward the front surface side (side away from the thermal coupling portion 24). 22a. The inclined surface 22 a is an extended surface that extends upward as it goes away from the thermal coupling portion 24. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of grooves 25 (in this embodiment) are provided on the rear surface of the thermal coupling portion 24 and the rear surface of the base portion 22 that is continuous with the thermal coupling portion 24 so that the grooves 25 extending in the vertical direction are continuous with the inclined surfaces 22a. 3) formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heat sink 21 is provided with a plurality of heat pipes 41 as boiling coolers. Each heat pipe 41 includes a storage part 41a that stores the working fluid, and a condensing part 41b that is connected to the storage part 41a and condenses the working fluid that boiled and evaporated in the storage part 41a. Each storage portion 41a is formed to extend along each groove 25, and each condensing portion 41b is formed to bend toward each inclined surface 22a and extend along each inclined surface 22a. The heat pipe 41 is substantially L-shaped when viewed from the side. The storage portion 41 a is thermally coupled to the second surface 32 via a part of the thermal coupling portion 24 and the base portion 22, and is formed to extend along the second surface 32. The lower surface of the condensing part 41b is an inclined surface that rises from the proximal end toward the distal end along the inclined surface 22a.

  Each fin 23 and condensing part 41b of the heat sink 21 can exchange heat with outside air as a heat medium. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the hybrid vehicle is equipped with a fan 51 that sends air in the passenger compartment toward the heat exchanger 13, and the air sent from the fan 51 toward the heat exchanger 13 is After the heat exchange with the heat exchanger 13, the heat is sent to each secondary battery 11 through an opening (not shown) formed in the battery pack 12. The temperature of the secondary battery 11 is adjusted by the air sent to the secondary battery 11. Therefore, the first surface 31 is thermally coupled to the secondary battery 11 via the heat exchanger 13 and air. In the present embodiment, the battery temperature adjusting device 20 is configured by the thermoelectric element module 30, the heat sink 21, the heat pipe 41, and the heat exchanger 13.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
When the secondary battery 11 is cooled, the current is supplied to the thermoelectric element module 30 so that the current supplied from the power feeding unit flows in one direction. Then, the first surface 31 absorbs heat, and the heat exchanger 13 is cooled by the first surface 31. The air sent from the fan 51 toward the heat exchanger 13 is cooled by heat exchange with the heat exchanger 13, and the cooled air passes through the opening of the battery pack 12 to each secondary battery 11. Each secondary battery 11 is cooled by air.

  On the other hand, the second surface 32 dissipates heat, and the heat of the second surface 32 is transmitted to the heat coupling portion 24 of the heat sink 21 so that the heat coupling portion 24 is heated. By the heat exchange with the heat coupling part 24, the working fluid in the storage part 41a of the heat pipe 41 is heated and boiled, and the heat coupling part 24 is boiled and cooled by this boiling. Therefore, the second surface 32 is cooled by the cooled heat coupling part 24, and the temperature difference between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32 is reduced.

  The working fluid evaporated in the storage unit 41a moves toward the condensing unit 41b, and is condensed by the condensing unit 41b cooled by heat exchange with the outside air, thereby returning to the liquid in the condensing unit 41b. Then, the working fluid that has returned to the liquid descends the inclined surface of the condensing unit 41b and moves toward the storing unit 41a, whereby the working fluid is returned and stored in the storing unit 41a.

  When the secondary battery 11 is heated, the current is supplied to the thermoelectric element module 30 so that the current supplied from the power supply unit flows in the other direction. Then, the first surface 31 dissipates heat and the heat of the first surface 31 is transmitted to the heat exchanger 13 to heat the heat exchanger 13. The air sent from the fan 51 toward the heat exchanger 13 is heated by exchanging heat with the heat exchanger 13, and the heated air passes through each opening of the battery pack 12. Each secondary battery 11 is heated by air by being sent toward the battery 11.

  On the other hand, the second surface 32 absorbs heat and the heat coupling portion 24 of the heat sink 21 is cooled by heat exchange with the second surface 32. Since the heat sink 21 is heated by heat exchange between the fins 23 and the outside air, heat from the fins 23 is also transmitted to the heat coupling portion 24 cooled by the second surface 32. Heated. As a result, heat is transferred from the thermal coupling portion 24 to the second surface 32 and the second surface 32 is heated. As a result, the temperature difference between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32 is reduced. .

In the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The heat sink 21 that exchanges heat with the outside air and the heat pipe 41 in which the working fluid is sealed are thermally coupled to the second surface 32 of the thermoelectric element module 30. Therefore, when the secondary battery 11 is cooled, the first surface 31 absorbs heat and the second surface 32 dissipates heat by causing a current to flow in one direction with respect to the thermoelectric element module 30. The working fluid in the heat pipe 41 is boiled by the heat radiation of the surface 32, and the second surface 32 can be cooled by boiling. Therefore, when the secondary battery 11 is cooled using the thermoelectric element module 30, for example, the second surface 32 is efficiently cooled as compared to the case where the second surface 32 is cooled using outside air or the like. The temperature difference between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32 can be reduced. In addition, when the secondary battery 11 is heated, by passing a current in the other direction with respect to the thermoelectric element module 30, the first surface 31 dissipates heat and the second surface 32 absorbs heat. At this time, the heat exchanged with the outside air by the heat sink 21 is transmitted to the second surface 32, so that the second surface 32 can be heated, and the temperature of the first surface 31 and the second surface 32. The difference can be reduced.

  (2) An inclined surface 22 a as an extending surface extending upward is formed on the base portion 22 of the heat sink 21 toward the side away from the thermal coupling portion 24. And the heat pipe 41 was formed from the storage part 41a extended along the 2nd surface 32, and the condensation part 41b which continued to the storage part 41a, was bent toward the inclined surface 22a, and extended along the inclined surface 22a. . The heat pipe 41 is a cooling system that repeats circulation in which the working fluid boils and evaporates in the storage unit 41a, and the evaporated working fluid is condensed in the condensing unit 41b and returned to the liquid again. And the condensation part 41b needs to ensure a certain amount of length in order to form the space for evaporating or condensing a working fluid. According to the present embodiment, since the condensing part 41b is formed so as to extend along the inclined surface 22a of the base part 22, the part where the condensing part 41b protrudes upward from the base part 22 can be reduced as much as possible. The battery temperature control device 20 itself can be miniaturized as much as possible.

  (3) The thermal coupling portion 24 is brought into surface contact with the second surface 32. Then, the heat pipe 41 was thermally coupled to the second surface 32 via the heat sink 21. Therefore, for example, as compared with the case where the thermal coupling portion 24 is not in surface contact with the second surface 32 and is indirectly thermally coupled to the second surface 32, the second surface 32 and the heat sink. Heat exchange with 21 can be performed efficiently. Therefore, when the secondary battery 11 is cooled, the heat from the second surface 32 that has dissipated heat is efficiently transmitted to the heat sink 21, and the heat transmitted to the heat sink 21 is transmitted to the working fluid of the heat pipe 41. Since the working fluid is boiled, the second surface 32 can be efficiently boiled and cooled. Further, when the secondary battery 11 is heated, the heat of the heat sink 21 that has exchanged heat with the outside air is efficiently transmitted to the second surface 32 via the thermal coupling portion 24, so that the second surface 32 is efficiently transmitted. Can be heated.

  (4) In the present embodiment, outside air is used as the heat medium. For example, when water is used as the heat medium, piping for flowing water is required. However, as in the present embodiment, by using outside air as the heat medium, piping is not necessary as in the case of using water as the heat medium, and the battery temperature control device 20 itself can be downsized.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
As shown in FIG. 4, the stairs that rise as the surface sandwiched between the fins 23 on the upper surface of the base portion 22 moves from the rear surface side (thermal coupling portion 24 side) to the front surface side (side away from the thermal coupling portion 24). It may be formed in a shape (step shape). Specifically, the surface sandwiched between the fins 23 on the upper surface of the base portion 22 is formed by first to fifth extending portions 221, 222, 223, 224, and 225. The first extending portion 221 is continuous with the thermal coupling portion 24 and extends along the front-rear direction of the base portion 22. The second extending part 222 is connected to the first extending part 221 and extends upward along the vertical direction of the base part 22. The third extending portion 223 is connected to the second extending portion 222 and extends to the side away from the heat coupling portion 24 along the front-rear direction of the base portion 22. The fourth extending portion 224 is connected to the third extending portion 223 and extends upward along the vertical direction of the base portion 22. The fifth extending portion 225 is connected to the fourth extending portion 224 and extends to the side away from the heat coupling portion 24 along the front-rear direction of the base portion 22. The first to fifth extending portions 221, 222, 223, 224, and 225 form an extending surface that extends upward as it goes away from the thermal coupling portion 24. The lower surface of the condensing part 41b is formed in a staircase shape (step shape) that rises from the base end toward the tip end along the first to fifth extending parts 221, 222, 223, 224, 225. Note that the number of steps formed on the surface sandwiched between the fins 23 on the upper surface of the base 22 is not particularly limited. Further, only a part of the surface sandwiched between the fins 23 on the upper surface of the base 22 may be stepped (stepped).

In the embodiment, only a part of the surface sandwiched between the fins 23 on the upper surface of the base 22 may be an inclined surface.
In the embodiment, outside air is used as the heat medium. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a fluid having a heat exchanging action such as water.

  In embodiment, the condensation part 41b is not formed so that it may extend along the inclined surface 22a, for example, it is formed so that it may extend along the extending direction of the storage part 41a continuously to the storage part 41a. Also good.

In the embodiment, the heat coupling portion 24 of the heat sink 21 may not be in surface contact with the entire second surface 32, for example, may be in surface contact with a part of the second surface 32.
In the embodiment, a gap may be formed between the heat coupling portion 24 of the heat sink 21 and the second surface 32. In this case, the thermal coupling portion 24 and the second surface 32 are indirectly thermally coupled.

  In the embodiment, the heat coupling portion 24 of the heat sink 21 and the storage portion 41 a of the heat pipe 41 may be in contact with the second surface 32 alternately in the left-right direction of the second surface 32. That is, the storage part 41 a of the heat pipe 41 may be in direct contact with the second surface 32.

In the embodiment, the number of heat pipes 41 is not particularly limited.
In the embodiment, the temperature of the secondary battery 11 is adjusted by using the air in the passenger compartment sent by the fan. The temperature may be adjusted.

In the embodiment, the heat exchanger 13 may be deleted.
In the embodiment, the secondary battery 11 is brought into direct contact with the first surface 31 and the first surface 31 and the secondary battery 11 are thermally coupled to adjust the temperature of the secondary battery 11. It may be.

In the embodiment, the present invention is applied to a hybrid vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, an electric vehicle or an engine vehicle.
In embodiment, although it was set as the battery temperature control apparatus 20 for vehicles, it is good not only as this but the battery temperature control apparatus for housing | casings, for example.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and other examples will be described below.
(A) The battery temperature adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the battery temperature adjusting device is mounted on a vehicle.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Secondary battery, 20 ... Battery temperature control apparatus, 21 ... Heat sink as heat transfer member, 22 ... Base, 22a ... Inclined surface as extension surface, 24 ... Thermal coupling part, 30 ... Thermoelectric element module, 31 ... 1st surface, 32 ... 2nd surface, 41 ... Heat pipe as a boiling cooler, 41a ... Storage part, 41b ... Condensing part, 221-225 ... The 1st-5th extension part which forms an extension surface .

Claims (4)

A first surface thermally coupled to the secondary battery; a second surface thermally coupled to the heat medium; and the first surface and the second surface depending on a direction of current flow. Is a battery temperature control device comprising a thermoelectric element module that absorbs or dissipates heat,
A heat transfer member thermally coupled to the second surface and capable of exchanging heat with the heat medium; and a heat transfer member thermally coupled to the second surface and boiled by heat from the second surface. A battery temperature control device comprising: a boiling cooler in which a working fluid is sealed. The heat transfer member includes a thermal coupling portion that is thermally coupled to the second surface, and a base portion that is integrally formed with the thermal coupling portion and positioned above the thermal coupling portion,
The base portion has an extending surface extending upward as it goes away from the thermal coupling portion.
The boiling cooler includes a storage unit that stores the working fluid, and a condensing unit that is connected to the storage unit and condenses the working fluid that has boiled and evaporated in the storage unit,
The battery according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion is formed to extend along the second surface, and the condensing portion is formed to extend along the extended surface. Temperature control device.   The thermal coupling portion is in surface contact with the second surface, and the boiling cooler is thermally coupled to the second surface via the heat transfer member. 2. The battery temperature control apparatus according to 2.   The battery temperature adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat medium is outside air.