JP2013258023A - Battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery module capable of suppressing overheat of each battery cell and of strongly fixing a cell case in a module box.SOLUTION: A plurality of battery cells 2 are housed in a first housing space S1 of a cell case 3. A plurality of cell cases 3 are housed in a second housing space S2 of a module box 4. A panel-like heat transfer sheet material 5 formed of aluminum alloy and having many convex parts 6 on both sides is arranged between an outer surface of each cell case 3 housed in the second housing space S2 and an inner surface of the module box 4. A front end of each convex part 6 provided on the inner surface side of the heat transfer sheet material 5 contacts with the outer surface of each cell case 3, and a front end of each convex part 6 provided on the outer surface side contacts with the inner surface of the module box 4.

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module mounted on an electric vehicle or the like.

  Conventionally, many battery cells for supplying electric power to an electric motor of a power part are mounted on an electric vehicle or a hybrid car. A plurality of these battery cells are integrated into a single unit to facilitate assembly and replacement of the vehicle. For example, in Patent Document 1, six cylindrical battery cells and a cell opening that opens upward are provided. The battery cell is integrated with each other by housing the battery cells from the opening in a state in which the battery cells are arranged in parallel in the cell housing space.

  When mounting a plurality of cell cases as described above on an electric vehicle or a hybrid car, in recent years, there is a tendency to modularize the plurality of cell cases for the purpose of minimizing mounting space, improving assembling, cost reduction, etc. A plurality of cell cases are housed in a module box having a housing space inside and mounted as a battery module.

  By the way, in general, the assembly of each cell case to the module box is performed between the inner surface of the module box and the outer surface of each cell case in a state where each cell case is accommodated in the accommodation space in consideration of ease of assembly. A moderate gap is formed.

JP 2002-184374 A (paragraphs 0010 to 0023, FIG. 2)

  However, if a gap is formed between the inner surface of the module box and the outer surface of each cell case, heat generated from each battery cell is not easily transmitted to the module box by the gap, resulting in poor heat dissipation. Therefore, there is a possibility that each battery cell becomes too hot and causes a decrease in performance.

  In addition, fixing to the module box of each cell case is generally joining with an adhesive, but when the gap as described above is formed, the cell case is shaken in the module box due to vibration during use, Along with that, there is a risk that the joint will be disconnected due to repeated load on the joint.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module that can suppress overheating of each battery cell and can firmly fix the cell case in the module box. There is.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that a metal sheet material having a large number of convex portions on the front and back surfaces is disposed between the outer surface of the cell case and the inner surface of the module box.

  That is, in the first invention, a plurality of battery cells, a first housing space is formed inside, a cell case for housing the battery cells side by side in the first housing space, and a second housing space inside. A plurality of convex portions formed and disposed between the module box that accommodates a plurality of the cell cases in the second accommodation space, the outer surface of each of the cell cases accommodated in the second accommodation space, and the inner surface of the module box. Are projected on both sides, and the tip of each convex portion on one side is in contact with the outer surface of the cell case, and the tip of each convex portion on the other side is in contact with the inner surface of the module box. And a material.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the heat transfer sheet material has an insertion surface portion to be inserted between adjacent cell cases, and a tip of each convex portion on one side of the insertion surface portion is one cell case. The tip of each convex portion on the other side is in contact with the outer surface of the other cell case.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, each of the cell case, the module box, and the heat transfer sheet material is formed with at least one through hole, and each protrusion of the heat transfer sheet material is formed. The sections are separated from each other in the biaxial direction within each sheet surface.

  According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the module box is connected to an air supply / exhaust means for supplying / exhausting air to / from the second accommodation space. .

  In the first invention, the heat generated from each battery cell sequentially moves from the cell case to the module box via the heat transfer sheet material, and then dissipates from the module box. It is possible to prevent heat from being trapped in the gap formed between the battery cells and to suppress overheating of each battery cell. In addition, the heat transfer sheet material is disposed in the gap between the cell case and the module box, and is in contact with both the cell case and the module box by the respective convex portions of the heat transfer sheet material. The position is determined and fixed firmly in the second accommodation space by the heat transfer sheet material.

  In the second invention, the heat generated between the cell cases is dissipated from the module box through the insertion surface portion of the heat transfer sheet material. Without overheating of each battery cell.

  In 3rd invention, when gas generate | occur | produces from the battery cell which a malfunction generate | occur | produced, after the generated gas passes the through-hole of each cell case, the clearance gap between each cell case outer surface and a heat-transfer sheet | seat material is used. It passes through the through hole of the heat transfer sheet material, and then passes through the gap between the heat transfer sheet material and the inner surface of the module box and is discharged from the through hole of the module box to the outside of the module box. Therefore, even if a malfunction occurs in the battery cell and gas is generated from the battery cell, the gas can be safely discharged to the outside of the module box.

  In the fourth invention, air circulates through a gap formed between the outer surface of each cell case and the inner surface of the module box, so that the circulating air absorbs heat generated from each battery cell and makes the battery module efficient. It can cool well.

It is a perspective view of the battery module which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the battery module which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the AA of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature.

  1 to 3 show a battery module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery module 1 is mounted on an electric vehicle (not shown) and supplies electric power to an electric motor as a power part. The battery module 1 has a plurality of substantially cylindrical battery cells 2 and six aluminum alloy cells having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A case 3 and one aluminum alloy module box 4 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape are provided.

  2 to 3, the connection terminals between the battery cells 2 and the internal structure of each battery cell 2 are omitted in order to make the drawings easier to see.

  The cell case 3 includes a case main body 3a in which a first accommodation space S1 that opens upward is formed, and a substantially rectangular plate-like case lid 3b that closes the upper opening of the case main body 3a. In one accommodation space S1, the six battery cells 2 are accommodated in a state of being arranged in two rows so that the positive electrode portions 2a all face upward.

  The inner side surface of the case body 3a is wavy around the entire circumference so as to correspond to the side surface of each battery cell 2 in a state where the six battery cells 2 are accommodated in the first accommodation space S1. The six battery cells 2 are firmly held in the first housing space S1.

  Further, the outer surface of the case body 3a, except for the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion, extends over the entire circumference so as to correspond to the outer surfaces of the six battery cells 2 in the state of being accommodated in the first accommodation space S1. It is rippled.

  Furthermore, a pair of first through holes 3c are formed through the case lid 3b at predetermined intervals in the case longitudinal direction.

  The module box 4 includes a box body 4a in which a second accommodation space S2 that opens upward is formed, and a rectangular plate-like box lid 4b that closes the upper opening of the box body 4a. In the accommodating space S2, three cell cases 3 arranged in the horizontal direction are accommodated in two upper and lower stages.

  A second through hole 4c is formed through substantially the center of one end side surface in the longitudinal direction of the box body 4a.

  Further, a pair of connection holes 4d are formed above and below the second through hole 4c, and an air supply / discharge device 7 (air supply / discharge unit) for supplying / exhausting air to / from the second accommodation space S2 is formed in the connection hole 4d. The discharge means) is connected.

  Panel-shaped aluminum alloy heat transfer in which a large number of projections 6 are provided on both surfaces by embossing between the outer surface of each cell case 3 accommodated in the second accommodation space S2 and the inner surface of the module box 4 A sheet material 5 is arranged, and the heat transfer sheet material 5 is composed of an upper heat transfer sheet material 5a and a lower heat transfer sheet material 5b formed by bending one sheet material.

  The upper heat transfer sheet material 5a includes a rectangular plate-like upper surface portion 51 corresponding to the lower surface of the box lid 4b, a pair of first upper side surface portions 52 extending downward from both long side edges of the upper surface portion 51, and A pair of second upper side surface portions 53 extending downward from both edges on the short side of the upper surface portion 51 are provided, and a third through hole 53a is formed through substantially at the center of the one second upper side surface portion 53. Yes.

  The tips of the convex portions 6 on the inner surface side (one side surface side) of the upper surface portion 51, both first upper side surface portions 52, and both second upper side surface portions 53 are on the upper surface and side surfaces of the upper three cell cases 3 on the outer surface side ( The tip of each convex portion 6 on the other side is in contact with the inner surface of the module box 4.

  Further, the convex portions 6 of the upper heat transfer sheet material 5a are separated from each other in the biaxial direction within the sheet surface, whereby the convex portions 6 are separated from each other by the first through hole 3c and the third through hole 53a. And the gap between the second through hole 4c and the third through hole 53a are not blocked.

  On the other hand, the lower heat transfer sheet material 5b includes a rectangular plate-shaped lower surface portion 54 corresponding to the lower surface of the box body 4a, and a pair of first lower side surface portions extending upward from both long side edges of the lower surface portion 54. 55, a pair of second lower side surface portions 56 extending upward from both edges on the short side of the lower surface portion 54, and an upper end edge of one first lower side surface portion 55 to the other first lower side surface portion 55. An insertion surface portion 57 extending in the horizontal direction toward the upper end edge is provided, and the insertion surface portion 57 is inserted between the cell cases 3 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction.

  Further, a fourth through hole 56 a is formed through substantially at the center of the one second lower side surface portion 56.

  Further, the tips of the convex portions 6 on the inner surface side (one side surface side) of the lower surface portion 54, the first lower side surface portions 55, and the second lower side surface portions 56 are formed on the lower surface and the side surface of the lower three cell cases 3. The tips of the protrusions 6 on the outer surface side (other surface side) are in contact with the inner surface of the module box 4.

  Further, the tip of each convex portion 6 on the lower surface side (one side surface) of the insertion surface portion 57 is on the upper surface of the lower three cell cases 3, and the tip of each convex portion 6 on the upper surface side (other side surface) is the upper three cell cases. 3 is in contact with the lower surface of each.

  And each said convex part 6 of the said lower side heat transfer sheet material 5b is mutually spaced apart in the biaxial direction within each sheet | seat surface, and, thereby, each said convex part 6 becomes the 1st through-hole 3c and the 4th through-hole. 56a and the gap between the second through hole 4c and the fourth through hole 56a are not blocked.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the heat generated from each battery cell 2 sequentially moves from each cell case 3 to the module box 4 via the heat transfer sheet material 5 and is dissipated from the module box 4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heat from being accumulated in the gap formed between the module box 4 and each battery cell 2 and to suppress overheating of each battery cell 2. Further, the heat transfer sheet material 5 is disposed in a gap between the cell case 3 and the module box 4, and is provided on both the cell case 3 and the module box 4 by the respective convex portions 6 of the heat transfer sheet material 5. Since they abut, each cell case 3 is fixed in position in the second housing space S2 by the heat transfer sheet material 5 and is firmly fixed.

  Further, since heat generated between the cell cases 3 is dissipated from the module box 4 via the insertion surface portion 57 of the lower heat transfer sheet material 5b, it is possible to prevent the temperature between the cell cases 3 from becoming high. The overheating of each battery cell 2 can be suppressed without unevenness.

  Further, when gas is generated from the defective battery cell 2, the generated gas passes through the first through hole 3 c of each cell case 3, and then between each cell case 3 outer surface and the heat transfer sheet material 5. And passes through the third through hole 53a and the fourth through hole 56a of the heat transfer sheet material 5 and then passes through the gap between the heat transfer sheet material 5 and the inner surface of the module box 4 to form the module box. 4 is discharged to the outside of the module box 4 from the second through hole 4c. Therefore, even if a malfunction occurs in the battery cell and gas is generated from the battery cell 2, the gas is safely transferred to the outside of the module box 4 using the gap between the module box 4 and each cell case 3. Can be discharged.

  In addition, since air circulates through a gap formed between the outer surface of each cell case 3 and the inner surface of the module box 4, the circulated air absorbs heat generated from each battery cell 2 and the battery module 1 Can be efficiently cooled.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the case has been described in which three cell cases 3 arranged in the horizontal direction are accommodated in the second accommodation space S2 of the module box 4 in a state where the cell case 3 is arranged in two upper and lower stages. The structure of the present invention can be applied as long as a plurality of cell cases 3 are arranged and accommodated in the second accommodation space S2 of the module box 4.

  Moreover, in embodiment of this invention, although the heat-transfer sheet material 5 was formed with the aluminum alloy material, you may form not only this but with a copper plate or a plated steel plate, and it forms with a metal with high heat conductivity. preferable.

  Further, the heat transfer sheet material 5 does not have to be provided at all locations between the outer surface of each cell case 3 and the inner surface of the module box 4 of the second accommodation space S2, and may be provided at a part.

  Further, it is not necessary to insert the insertion surface portion 57 of the heat transfer sheet material 5 at all locations between the cell cases 3.

  Further, at least one of the first through hole 3c, the second through hole 4c, the third through hole 53a, and the fourth through hole 56a is formed in each of the cell case 3, the module box 4, and the heat transfer sheet material 5. It only has to be.

  The present invention is suitable for a battery module mounted on an electric vehicle or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery module 2 Battery cell 3 Cell case 3c 1st through-hole 4 Module box 4c 2nd through-hole 5 Heat-transfer sheet material 6 Convex part 7 Air supply / discharge device (air supply / discharge means)
53a 3rd through-hole 56a 4th through-hole 57 Insertion surface part S1 1st accommodation space S2 2nd accommodation space

Claims (4)

A plurality of battery cells;
A cell case in which a first housing space is formed, and the battery cells are housed side by side in the first housing space;
A second storage space is formed therein, and a module box that stores a plurality of the cell cases in the second storage space;
Arranged between the outer surface of each cell case and the inner surface of the module box housed in the second housing space, a plurality of convex portions projecting on both surfaces, and the tip of each convex portion on one side is the cell case A battery module comprising a panel-shaped metal heat transfer sheet material, wherein the front end of each convex portion on the other side is in contact with the inner surface of the module box. The battery module according to claim 1,
The heat transfer sheet material has an insertion surface portion to be inserted between adjacent cell cases,
A battery module, wherein the tip of each convex portion on one side of the insertion surface portion is in contact with the outer surface of one cell case, and the tip of each convex portion on the other side is in contact with the outer surface of the other cell case. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2,
Each of the cell case, the module box, and the heat transfer sheet material is formed with at least one through hole,
The battery module, wherein the convex portions of the heat transfer sheet material are spaced apart from each other in the biaxial direction within each sheet surface. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The battery module, wherein the module box is connected to air supply / discharge means for supplying and discharging air to and from the second housing space.

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