JP2013125772A - Cooling device of heating element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve miniaturization of a device and reduction in facility cost in a cooling device for suppressing the temperature rise in a heating element.SOLUTION: A tank 11 housing a heating element 10 therein is formed and the tank 11 is tightly sealed. The heating element 10 is supported in a fixed position in the tank 11 and a gap between the wall surface of the tank 11 and the outer surface of the heating element 10 is formed in a passage 13. An air flow area 15 where gas G flows is set in the same way as a liquid flow area 14 where liquid L flows in the passage 13 as a cooling medium, and the whole or a part of the heating element 10 is sunk in the liquid L of the liquid flow area 14.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling device that suppresses a temperature rise of a heating element.

  For example, in a vehicle (moving body), a part that becomes a heating element is mounted. One of them is a power storage device (for example, a lithium ion battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a lead battery, an electric double layer capacitor, etc.). In a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, the power storage device serves as a drive source for the vehicle. In addition, the capacity is large and the value of current flowing along with charging / discharging is also large. Therefore, the power storage device generates heat according to the internal resistance and the current that flows along with charging / discharging. When this amount of heat generation accumulates, the temperature of the power storage device rises, which not only further increases the electrical resistance, but may have a fatal effect on the performance and life of the power storage device.

  Therefore, a cooling device that suppresses the temperature rise of the heating element (power storage device) is provided. Cooling is performed by carrying out the heat quantity from a heat generating body outside via mediums, such as gas, liquid, and solid, and radiating heat (refer to patent documents 1-patent documents 4). Generally, the higher the density of the medium, the greater the effect of transferring the amount of heat of the heating element to the outside.

  In the technology using a liquid as a cooling medium, a coolant flow path is provided around the heating element, and a pump for circulating the coolant filling the flow path is provided. The pump is interposed in a circulation path that passes through a flow path (provided around the heating element). The circulation path is provided with a heat radiator for releasing the heat quantity of the cooling liquid to the outside.

JP 2006-303262 A Japanese Patent No. 4072476 Japanese Patent No. 4383121 JP 09-120916

  In such an apparatus, since the flow path is filled with the cooling liquid, an additional facility such as a circulation path and a pump is required to secure the effect of cooling the heating element, which increases the size of the cooling device and the equipment cost. The problem of incurring a rise can be considered. In particular, in a vehicle, the mounting (installation) space is limited, and there is a demand for avoiding the increase in size associated with the auxiliary equipment of the cooling device from the viewpoint of energy saving.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to realize a reduction in size and weight of a cooling device and a reduction in equipment cost in a cooling device that suppresses a temperature rise of a heating element.

  The present invention provides a cooling device for suppressing a temperature rise of a heating element, wherein a tank for storing the heating element is configured, the tank is sealed, the heating element is supported at a fixed position in the tank, and the wall surface of the tank And the outer surface of the heating element is formed in a flow path, and an air flow area in which a gas flows is set in the flow path as the liquid flow area in which the liquid flows as a cooling medium. The heating element cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all or part of the heating element is submerged.

  In this invention, since the flow path has the air flow region, the liquid in the liquid flow region can be flowed well. When the liquid in the liquid flow region flows, the liquid level rises and falls, so that the gas flow in the air flow region is also promoted. As a result, the amount of heat that the cooling medium takes out of the tank through the flow path increases, so that the temperature rise of the heating element can be effectively suppressed. In this case, it is not necessary to forcibly circulate the coolant with a pump as in the conventional case, so that the cooling device can be reduced in size and weight, and the equipment cost can be greatly reduced, saving electrical power (saving energy). ) Can also be promoted.

It is a schematic sectional drawing explaining embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. It is an operation explanatory view similarly. It is an operation explanatory view similarly. It is a schematic sectional drawing explaining another embodiment. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. 5 similarly. It is an operation explanatory view similarly. It is an operation explanatory view similarly. It is a schematic block diagram explaining another embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram explaining another embodiment.

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

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a power storage device (heating element) mounted on a vehicle (moving body), and the power storage device 10 is also disposed in the vehicle together with the tank 11.

  In the case shown in the drawing, the tank 11 is configured as an outer shape hexahedron having a bottom part and an upper part and four side parts (front and rear side parts and left and right side parts), and a power storage device is provided in a chamber (sealed chamber) surrounded by these. 10 is paid.

  The power storage device 10 is fixed to the bottom of the tank 11 via the support portion 12. A gap is set between the inner surface of the tank 11 and the outer surface of the power storage device 10, and the flow path 13 surrounds the power storage device 10. The flow path 13 is provided with a liquid flow region 14 in which the liquid L flows as a cooling medium and an air flow region 15 in which the gas G also flows. A predetermined amount of liquid L is sealed in the tank 11, the liquid flow region 14 is set, and the upper side of the liquid flow region 14 (above the liquid level Lf) is set as the air flow region 15.

  The power storage device 10 has an outer shape 6 in which a required number of power storage elements (for example, electric double layer capacitors) are combined with one chamber (the chamber of the tank 11) in order to ensure required power storage performance and charge / discharge power output (power). It is configured by assembling a face body and wiring these elements in a predetermined connection state.

  The entire power storage device 10 is submerged in the liquid L in the liquid flow region 14. The entire outer surface of the power storage device 10 is sealed with a protective cover (not shown). The cover is formed of a thin sheet of resin or the like, and prevents the liquid L from entering the power storage device 10.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a wiring (cable) for supplying discharge power from the power storage device 10 to the outside and charging power to the power storage device 10 from the outside, and is drawn out of the tank 11. A grommet (not shown) for sealing the portion of the tank 11 through which the wiring 16 passes is provided, and the wiring 16 is inserted into the grommet without a gap.

  The liquid L may be water, but in this example, a liquid (for example, a fluorine-based inert liquid: trade name Florina) having good fluidity and excellent heat conductivity and electrical insulation is used. The gas G may be a special cooling gas, but is not particularly limited. In this example, air is used.

  In the tank 11, an internal pressure adjusting breather (not shown) for keeping the pressure in the airflow region 15 constant, a maintenance opening / closing liquid injection port (not shown), and a similarly openable / closable drain port ( (Not shown). Reference numeral 19 denotes a cooling fin, which is disposed on the outer surface of the tank 11. If necessary, a cooling fan may be arranged around the tank 11.

  The power storage device 10 generates heat according to the internal resistance and the current value flowing therethrough. The amount of heat is transmitted from the power storage device 10 to the liquid flow region 14 and the air flow region 15 of the flow path 13. Since the liquid L has a higher density than the gas G and has a larger heat transfer effect, the liquid L is mainly transferred to the outer surface of the tank 11 through the liquid flow region 14 and radiated from the outer surface of the tank 11 to the outside.

  The liquid L in the liquid flow region 14 and the gas G in the air flow region 15 flow (convection) in response to the amount of heat generated by the power storage device 10. Since the tank 11 is mounted on the vehicle together with the power storage device 10, the flow of the liquid L and the gas G is promoted as the vehicle is operated. For example, at the time of acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle, the flow of the liquid L and the gas G is promoted by the inertial force acting in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Further, when the vehicle turns, the flow of the liquid L and the gas G is promoted by the inertial force acting in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The liquid L in the liquid flow region 14 moves up and down as the liquid level Lf rises and lowers due to the promotion of the flow, so that the flow of the gas G is further promoted.

  The tank 11 is set in the vehicle so that the liquid L in the liquid flow region 14 and the gas G in the air flow region 15 easily flow due to inertial force accompanying the movement of the vehicle. In the case of illustration, the tank 11 is set so that the flow path 13 extends in the direction of action of the inertial force accompanying the movement (running) of the vehicle (the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the vehicle).

  With such a configuration, the heat generation amount of the power storage device 10 is efficiently transferred and radiated to the outside of the tank 11 through the cooling medium of the flow path 13. Therefore, since cooling can be performed satisfactorily, it is possible to effectively suppress an increase in temperature associated with charging / discharging of the power storage device 10 (heating element).

  When the entire volume of the flow path 13 is filled with the liquid L (which has a higher density than the gas G and is advantageous as a cooling medium), the air flow area 15 of the flow path 13 is eliminated, and the above-described promotion effect (promotion of the flow of the cooling medium). Can no longer be obtained. Therefore, it is necessary to forcibly circulate the liquid L filling the tank 11 with a pump, leading to an increase in the size of the cooling device and an increase in equipment costs.

  In this embodiment, a predetermined amount of liquid L is sealed in the tank 11, and the airflow area 15 is set on the upper side of the tank 11 (above the liquid flow area 14). The flow of the liquid L and the gas G is promoted, and the temperature distribution of the cooling medium is made uniform. For this reason, it is not necessary to forcibly circulate the cooling medium with a pump, and the size and weight of the cooling device can be reduced and the equipment cost can be greatly reduced.

  In the illustrated case, a one-way flap 20 is disposed in the flow path 13 in order to activate the flow of the cooling medium. The one-way flap 20 includes a flap 20a that blocks the flow path, a pivot 20b that supports the flap 20a so that the flap 20a can be opened and closed, and a stopper 20c that allows the flap 20a to open in only one direction (restricts opening in the opposite direction), And a spring (not shown) that urges the flap 20a lightly in the closing direction.

  In this example, the one-way flap 20 is disposed in the flow path portions 13a and 13b extending in parallel in the vehicle front-rear direction on both sides of the power storage device 10. One is disposed on the right side of the power storage device 10 (the right side in the left-right direction of the vehicle), and allows the flow of the cooling medium from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle in the flow path portion 13a and restricts the flow to the opposite side. To do. The other is disposed on the left side of the power storage device 10 (left side in the left-right direction of the vehicle), and allows the flow of the cooling medium from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle in the flow path portion 13b and the flow to the opposite side. regulate.

  For example, when the flow of the cooling medium is energized from the rear side to the front side of the power storage device 10 by the inertial force accompanying the movement of the vehicle, the flow on the left side of the power storage device 10 is regulated by the one-way flap 20L. It flows quickly and actively on the right side of the power storage device 10 through the one-way flap 20R (see FIG. 3). When the flow of the cooling medium is energized in the opposite direction, the flow on the right side of the power storage device 10 is regulated by the one-way flap 20R, and the cooling medium flows quickly and actively on the left side of the power storage device 10 through the one-way flap 20L. (See FIG. 4).

  Since the flow of the cooling medium is activated by the one-way flap 20, the heat transfer property of the flow path 13 can be improved.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment, and the width (interval) of the flow path 13 is changed in order to activate the flow of the cooling medium.

  Specifically, the power storage device 10 (outer hexahedron) is disposed on a bottom surface (in a horizontal plane) of the tank 11 in a support state that is inclined with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction. m is the center line of the power storage device 10, c is the center line of the tank 11 (extending parallel to the vehicle front-rear direction), and the power storage device 10 has the center line m having an angle θ with the center line c of the tank 11. It is supported in the arrangement | positioning state which cross | intersects (refer FIG. 6).

  With this angle θ, the space between the front left corner of the power storage device 10 and the wall surface on the left side of the tank 11 is narrowed, and the space between the left side surface of the power storage device 10 and the wall surface on the left side of the tank is It gradually expands toward the rear left side angle, the space between the rear right corner of the power storage device 10 and the right side wall surface of the tank 11 is narrowed, and the space between the right side surface of the power storage device 10 and the right side wall surface of the tank 11 is reduced. The power storage device 10 is set to gradually spread toward the rear left side angle. That is, the flow path 13 has a width between the front left corner of the power storage device 10 and the wall surface of the left side of the tank 11 and between the rear right corner of the power storage device 10 and the wall surface of the right side of the tank 11. The (interval) is particularly narrow, and is set so as to constitute the diaphragm portion 25 (25R, 25L).

  For example, when the flow of the liquid L is urged from the rear side to the front side of the power storage device 10 by the inertial force accompanying the movement (running) of the vehicle, the throttle is performed from the downstream side of the throttle unit 25R through the front side of the power storage device 10. The liquid L flowing to the portion 25L moves fast because the channel portion gradually expands. The liquid L flowing from the rear side of the power storage device 10 to the restricting portion 25R gradually expands, but is held down by the restricting portion 25R, so that the liquid level Lf greatly swells when trying to get over this and move forward. Actively flowing. In addition, the liquid L flowing from the rear side of the power storage device 10 to the throttle unit 25L gradually narrows the flow path portion, so that the flow slows down but is stopped by the throttle unit 25L. The liquid level Lf is greatly rippled and actively flows (see FIG. 7).

  In addition, when the flow of the liquid L is urged in the opposite direction, the liquid flowing from the immediately downstream side of the throttle unit 25L to the throttle unit 25R through the rear side of the power storage device 10 moves quickly because the flow path portion gradually expands. To do. Since the liquid L flowing from the front side of the power storage device 10 to the throttle unit 25L is stopped by the throttle unit 25L, the liquid level greatly swells and actively flows to move forward over this. Further, the liquid L flowing from the front side of the power storage device 10 to the throttle unit 25R becomes narrower and the flow becomes slower, but the liquid level is greatly waved and active to move backward over the throttle unit 25R. (See FIG. 8).

  Also in this embodiment, since the flow of the cooling medium is activated by the throttle portion 25 of the flow path 13, the heat transfer property of the flow path 13 can be improved.

  FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment, in which the power storage device 10 (configured in an outer shape hexahedron to match the chamber of the tank 11) can swing to a fixed position of the tank 11 via the support 30. Set to The support part 30 is comprised from the spherical convex part 30a and the spherical recessed part 30b which this fits slidably. The spherical concave portion 30b is disposed at the center of the bottom surface of the power storage device 10, and the spherical convex portion 30a is disposed at a fixed position at the bottom of the tank 11 (in this example, the central portion of the bottom surface of the tank). Therefore, the power storage device 10 is supported with respect to the bottom surface of the tank 11 so as to be swingable back and forth and right and left as the spherical concave portion 30b and the spherical convex portion 30a slide.

  A spring 31 (spring) that elastically supports the power storage device 10 is disposed. The springs 31 are interposed between the bottom surface of the power storage device 10 and the bottom (bottom surface) of the tank 11, and in this example, one spring 31 is disposed at each of the four corners of the bottom surface of the power storage device 11. Hold parallel to the bottom (horizontal plane). Each spring 31 is set to expand and contract along with the swing of the power storage device 10.

  With such a configuration, for example, when an inertial force acts as the vehicle moves (runs), the power storage device 10 swings in the direction of the inertial force around the support portion 30 while expanding and contracting the spring 31. As a result, the flow and agitation of the cooling medium are promoted along with this movement, and the heat transfer property of the flow path 13 is improved.

  Since the spring 31 expands and contracts as the power storage device 10 swings, the spring 31 functions as a means for accumulating the swing energy of the power storage device 10, so that the power storage device 10 (heating element) can be reciprocated.

  As a result, it is not necessary to forcibly circulate the cooling medium with a pump, so the cooling device can be reduced in size and weight, and the equipment cost can be greatly reduced, and the saving of electrical power (energy saving) can be promoted. .

  When there are a plurality of heating elements to be cooled, for example, a power electrical device 40 (for example, an inverter) in which one power storage device 10 and the other includes an electric device or an electronic device including a heating element in one assembly. In this case, it is assumed that the cooling devices for the heating elements 10 and 40 are connected to the closed loop via the pipe 45 as shown in FIG.

  In this case, the cooling device for the power storage device 10 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 (may be the same as that shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 9). The cooling device of the power electrical device 40 is configured in a sealed container 46 (cooling chamber), and the entire volume in the container 46 is filled with the liquid L. The power electrical device 40 is disposed so that one surface thereof is in contact with the container 46. Reference numeral 19 denotes a heat radiating fin, which is attached not only to the outer surface of the tank 11 of the power storage device 10 but also to the outer surface of the pipe 45 in order to use the pipe 45 as a heat radiator.

  For example, when an inertial force accompanying the movement (running) of the vehicle acts, the flow of the liquid L and the gas G is promoted in the tank 11 of the power storage device 10, and the flow of the liquid L in the tank 11 passes through the pipe 45 to the power electrical. It is transferred to the container 46 (cooling chamber) of the device 40. On the container 46 side, the amount of liquid L sent from the tank 11 through the pipe 45 is sent to the tank 11 through the pipe 45, and the amount of heat brought out by the liquid L is also efficiently radiated from the cooling fins 19 on the pipe 45. become.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of heating elements (power storage device 10 and power electrical device 40) can be satisfactorily cooled without forcibly circulating a cooling medium with a pump. Further, since it is not necessary to forcibly circulate the cooling medium with the pump, the cooling device can be reduced in size and weight and the equipment cost can be reduced, and the saving of electric power (energy saving) can be promoted.

  In addition, it is assumed that the cooling device for the power electrical device 40 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5, or FIG. In that case, since the flow of the liquid L is promoted and activated also in the tank on the power electrical device 40 side, the plurality of heating elements can be cooled more satisfactorily.

  5, 9, and 10, the same parts as those in FIG.

  The cooling device according to the present invention is not limited to the heating element mounted on the moving body, but is widely used as a device for cooling a stationary heating element (for example, a generator) installed at a predetermined place. be able to.

10 Power storage device (heating element)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Tank 12 Fixing support part 13 Flow path 14 Liquid flow area 15 Air flow area 19 Cooling fin 20 One-way flap 25 Constriction part 30 Oscillation support part 31 Spring 40 Power electrical device (heating element)
45 Piping 46 Container L Liquid as cooling medium G Gas as cooling medium

Claims (5)

In the cooling device that suppresses the temperature rise of the heating element,
A tank for storing the heating element is configured,
The tank is sealed, the heating element is supported at a fixed position in the tank, and a gap between the wall surface of the tank and the outer surface of the heating element is configured as a flow path,
An airflow region in which a gas flows is set in the flow path as well as a liquid flow region in which a liquid flows as a cooling medium,
All or part of the heating element is submerged in the liquid in the liquid flow region;
A cooling device for a heating element. The heating element is mounted on a moving body, and is fixed to a fixed position in the tank via a support portion.
Means are provided for defining a flow direction of the cooling medium in the flow path.
The cooling device according to claim 1. The heating element is mounted on a moving body, and uses an inertial force accompanying the movement of the moving body to promote the flow of the cooling medium via a support portion at a fixed position in the tank. Configured to be swingable,
The cooling device according to claim 1.   The said tank is equipped with the breather which adjusts the pressure of an airflow area | region, The cooling device as described in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. A plurality of the heating elements are arranged, the tanks are arranged one by one for each heating element, and include a pipe connecting between the liquid flow regions of the tanks.
The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cooling device is characterized in that

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