JP2014078471A - Secondary battery and secondary battery system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a secondary battery which efficiently cools an electrode body, and to provide a secondary battery system.SOLUTION: According to one embodiment, a secondary battery includes: an electrode body 12; electrode terminals 13a, 13b extending from the electrode body; and a laminate external packaging 11 which covers the electrode body and the electrode terminals. The laminate external packaging integrally includes cylindrical parts 14a, 14b respectively forming refrigerant passages 16a, 16b in which a refrigerant may circulate.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a secondary battery and a secondary battery system.

  Generally, a secondary battery device such as a battery module or a battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells that are electrically connected to each other. In-vehicle and industrial battery modules are increasingly required to have a high volume energy density. When the battery module is operated at a high rate, the amount of heat generated from the battery cell is increased, and thus it is necessary to perform cooling according to the heat generation of the battery cell. As a general cooling method, heat removal by air cooling is considered, but air cooling has a problem that cooling capacity is small. As another cooling method, a method of arranging a water cooling jacket in the battery module or on the outer surface of the battery module and circulating the cooling water in the water cooling jacket is considered.

  On the other hand, in order to reduce the size and weight of battery modules, battery cells using a laminate outer package have been commercialized. A laminate-type battery cell is configured by covering an electrode body and an electrolyte with a laminate film. Laminated battery cells have a flexible exterior material, and the shape of the electrode body changes due to charging and discharging, so it is difficult to fix the battery cell directly to the module exterior material with screws or the like. Become. Therefore, in general, a fixing method in which individual laminated battery cells are sandwiched between aluminum plates or the like and then modularized, or a fixing method in which laminated battery cells are installed in a can have been proposed.

JP 2001-60465 A JP 2006-331874 A JP 2006-210185 A

  However, in the cooling method using the above-described water cooling jacket and the method for fixing the laminated battery cell, when the battery cell is assembled into a battery module (battery pack), the battery module or battery The weight energy efficiency and volume energy efficiency of the pack are significantly reduced.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above point, The subject is providing the secondary battery and secondary battery system which are excellent in weight energy efficiency and volume energy efficiency, and are high in cooling efficiency.

According to the embodiment, the secondary battery includes an electrode body, an electrode terminal extending from the electrode body, and a laminate exterior covering the electrode body and the electrode terminal,
The laminate exterior integrally has a cylindrical portion that forms a coolant channel through which the coolant can flow.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an appearance of the secondary battery according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view showing a plug portion of the secondary battery. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the secondary battery. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the secondary battery taken along line AA in FIG. 1A. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the secondary battery according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the secondary battery according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the secondary battery according to the third embodiment. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the secondary battery taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the secondary battery according to the fourth embodiment along a line corresponding to line BB. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the secondary battery according to the fifth embodiment. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the secondary battery taken along line CC in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing a secondary battery system including the secondary battery according to the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, a secondary battery and a secondary battery system according to embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
1A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the secondary battery according to the first embodiment, FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view showing a plug portion, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the secondary battery, and FIG. It is sectional drawing of the secondary battery along line AA of FIG. 1A.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 3, the secondary battery (battery cell) 10 uses a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, and is further configured as a laminate type secondary battery. The secondary battery 10 includes an electrode coil (electrode body) 12 formed by laminating a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate, a laminate exterior 11 that covers the electrode body together with an electrolyte, and the electrode coil 12 to the outside of the laminate exterior 11. A pair of positive and negative electrode terminals (connection terminals or tabs) 13a and 13b extending, and cylindrical portions 14a and 14b that are formed in the laminate exterior 11 so as to cross the electrode terminals 13a and 13b and form a refrigerant flow path, It is equipped with.

  The electrode coil 12 is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example, by winding and pressing a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate in a coil shape. Alternatively, the electrode body may be configured by alternately stacking a plurality of rectangular plate-like positive electrode plates and a plurality of rectangular plate-like negative electrode plates with a separator interposed therebetween.

  The positive electrode plate of the electrode coil 12 is obtained by, for example, applying a positive electrode active material to both surfaces of a metal foil as a positive electrode side current collector. The negative electrode plate is obtained by applying a negative electrode active material on both sides of a metal foil as a negative electrode side current collector.

  A plurality of electrode tabs are fixed to the positive electrode plate, and when the positive electrode plate is wound, the plurality of electrode tabs are overlapped with each other and joined to each other by laser welding or the like to form a strip-shaped electrode terminal 13a. Yes. Similarly, a plurality of electrode tabs are fixed to the negative electrode plate. When the negative electrode plate is wound, the plurality of electrode tabs are overlapped with each other and joined to each other by laser welding or the like, so that the belt-shaped electrode terminal 13b is Forming.

  The electrode terminal 13a on the positive electrode side extends from the electrode coil 12 to one side in the axial direction of the electrode coil (longitudinal direction or central axis direction of coil winding). The electrode terminal 13b on the negative electrode side extends from the electrode coil 12 to the other side in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the electrode body. That is, the electrode terminals 13a and 13b extend from the electrode coil 12 in opposite directions.

  Most of the electrode coil 12 and the electrode terminals 13a and 13b, that is, most of the electrode terminals on the electrode coil side are hermetically covered with a laminate sheath 11 made of a laminate film or the like. In the laminate sheath 11, an electrolyte is injected and filled around the electrode coil 12. The extending end portions of the electrode terminals 13a and 13b extend from the laminate exterior 11 to the outside.

  As the laminate film, for example, a laminate film having a three-layer structure in which a resin layer having heat melting property, a non-venting layer made of a metal thin film, and a protective layer made of nylon or the like are laminated in this order is used. The laminate sheath 11 is formed by pressing two laminate films with the electrode coil 12 and the electrode terminals 13a and 13b interposed therebetween. The two laminated films are heat-sealed in a hermetic manner, for example, by press working (heat fusion) with heating. Alternatively, the laminate exterior material 20 may be formed by folding a single long laminate film halfway and pressing it in a superposed state.

  In the laminate sheath 11, the lower surface side laminate film 11 a located on one side of the electrode coil 12, here, the lower surface side, is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and its length in the longitudinal direction protrudes from the electrode coil 12 and the electrode coil 12. The electrode terminals 13 a and 13 b are slightly shorter than the total length of the electrode terminals 13 a and 13 b, and the length in the width direction is longer than the width of the electrode coil 12. Thereby, the lower surface side laminated film 11a has covered most of the lower surface of the electrode coil 12, and electrode terminal 13a, 13b.

  The upper surface side laminate film 11b covering the other surface of the electrode coil 12, here the upper surface and the four side surfaces, has a length in the longitudinal direction after covering the electrode coil 12, equal to the length of the lower surface side laminate film 11a. In addition, the length in the width direction after covering the electrode coil 12 is formed to be equal to the width of the lower surface side laminate film 11a. Furthermore, the upper surface side laminate film 11b is integrally provided with cylindrical portions 14a and 14b that define a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant can flow.

In the present embodiment, one cylindrical portion 14 a is formed between one end of the electrode coil 12 and one end of the laminate sheath 11. The cylindrical portion 14 a extends across the electrode terminal 13 a and extends over the entire length in the width direction of the laminate exterior 11. The cylindrical portion 14a is formed by forming a part of the upper surface side laminate film 11b into an arc shape. And the refrigerant | coolant flow path 16a which can distribute | circulate a refrigerant | coolant is formed of the cylindrical part 14a and the lower surface side laminate film 11a. The refrigerant flow path 16 a is in contact with the upper surface of the electrode terminal 13 a and is open at both ends in the width direction of the laminate sheath 11.
A semicircular support frame 17a for forming the cylindrical portion 14a is fitted to both ends of the refrigerant flow path 16a, and a plug 15a is detachably attached to the support frame. .

The other cylindrical portion 14 b is formed between the other end of the electrode coil 12 and the other end of the laminate sheath 11. The cylindrical portion 14b extends across the electrode terminal 13b and extends over the entire length of the laminate exterior 11 in the width direction. The cylindrical portion 14b is formed by forming a part of the upper surface side laminate film 11b into an arc shape. And the refrigerant | coolant flow path 16b which can distribute | circulate a refrigerant | coolant is formed of the cylindrical part 14b and the lower surface side laminate film 11a. The refrigerant flow path 16b is in contact with the upper surface of the electrode terminal 13b and is open at both ends in the width direction of the laminate sheath 11.
A semicircular support frame 17b for forming the cylindrical portion 14b is fitted to the opening at both ends of the coolant channel 16b, and the plug body 15b is detachably attached to the support frame 17b. Yes.

  The support frames 17a and 17b are formed of, for example, heat-resistant plastic and are fixed to the laminate exterior 11. The plugs 15a and 15b are made of, for example, a synthetic resin and are detachably fitted to the support frame. The support frame and the plugs 15a and 15b prevent the refrigerant flow paths 16a and 16b from being crushed during the press working of the laminate outer casing 11, and assist the formation of the cylindrical portions 14a and 14b that define the refrigerant flow paths.

Next, a method for forming the laminate exterior 11 will be described.
Two laminate films 11a and 11b on the lower surface side and the upper surface side are overlapped, and between these laminate films, the electrode coil 12, the electrode terminal 13 protruding from the electrode coil 12, the support frames 17a and 17b, and the connector 15a , 15b. The electrode coil 12 is installed in the center part of the lower surface side laminate film 11a. Further, the left and right electrode terminals 13a and 13b are arranged so that the tip portions protrude in the longitudinal direction from both ends of the lower surface side laminate film 11a. The support frame and the plugs 15a and 15b are installed on both side edges of the lower surface side laminate film 11a on both sides of each electrode terminal 13a and 13b.

  Next, the two laminated films 11a and 11b are pressed and heated from above and below. Thus, the lower surface side laminate film 11a and the upper surface side laminate film 11b are heat-sealed in an airtight manner around the electrode coil 12 and at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the laminate film except for the cylindrical portions 14a and 14b. Moreover, a part of upper surface side laminate film 11b is shape | molded by circular arc shape and semi-cylindrical shape along support frame 17a, 17b and the plugs 15a, 15b, and forms cylindrical part 14a, 14b. Then, the refrigerant passages 16a and 16b crossing the electrode terminals 13a and 13b are formed by the cylindrical portions 14a and 14b. The support frame and the plugs 15 a and 15 b are sandwiched between the lower surface side laminate film 11 a and the upper surface side laminate film 11 b and are fixed to the laminate exterior 11.

  In order to inject the electrolytic solution, a part of the laminate film is not heat-sealed so as to be connected to the outside from the space in which the electrode coil 12 is stored, and a flow path for injecting the electrolytic solution is formed. Then, an electrolytic solution is injected around the electrode coil 12 from this flow path. After the injection, the fused portion is heated and pressed again to close the flow path for injecting the electrolytic solution by heat fusion, and the space containing the electrolytic solution is sealed.

  Note that the pressing of the laminate film may be performed in a place where vacuuming is performed so that the inner surface of the laminate sheath 11 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electrode coil 12. The method for forming the laminate exterior 11 is not limited to a specific method.

  When the secondary battery 10 is used, the plugs 15a and 15b are removed from the support frames 17a and 17b, and the refrigerant channels 16a and 16b are opened. Then, a supply pipe or tube for supplying the refrigerant is connected to one end side of the refrigerant flow paths 16a and 16b, and a refrigerant discharge pipe or tube is connected to the other end side of the refrigerant flow paths 16a and 16b. Then, the refrigerant is supplied and distributed to the refrigerant flow path of the secondary battery device 10 through these pipes or tubes. Thereby, electrode terminal 13a, 13b can be directly cooled with the refrigerant | coolant which flows through refrigerant flow path 16a, 16b. As the refrigerant, an electrically insulating liquid refrigerant, for example, insulating oil, trans oil, triphenyl phosphate, trioctyl phosphate, hydrofluoroether, fluorine-based inert liquid, water, or cooling air is used. be able to. The refrigerant is not limited to a specific substance.

  According to the secondary battery 10 configured as described above, the secondary battery can be efficiently cooled without using other members such as being sandwiched between aluminum plates, and a single cell is assembled. Thus, it becomes possible to provide a battery module, a battery pack, or the like in which a decrease in weight energy density and volume energy density is small with respect to a single cell. In addition, the cylindrical portion for forming the refrigerant flow path can be integrally formed simultaneously with the formation of the laminate exterior of the secondary battery, and the number of manufacturing steps for the cooling function portion can be significantly reduced. At the same time, the liquid leakage prevention treatment becomes easy.

Since the refrigerant distribution location is limited, the amount of refrigerant used is less than that of the conventional jacket system, and the weight and cost can be reduced. Since the coolant channel is provided so as to cross the electrode terminal (tab), the coolant can be directly applied to the electrode terminal portion having good thermal conductivity, and the electrode terminal and the secondary battery can be efficiently cooled. Further, it is possible to minimize the volume of the cylindrical portion and the amount of refrigerant used. Furthermore, since the periphery of the coolant channel is covered with an insulating laminate film, water can be used as the coolant, and the cooling cost can be reduced.
From the above, a secondary battery having excellent weight energy efficiency and volume energy efficiency and high cooling efficiency can be obtained.

  The cylindrical portion of the laminate exterior is not limited to the position crossing the electrode terminal, but may be provided along the other side edge of the laminate exterior or around the electrode body. Even in this case, the refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant can be circulated by the cylindrical portion can be formed integrally with the laminate exterior.

  Next, a secondary battery according to another embodiment will be described. In other embodiments described below, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The parts different from those in the first embodiment are mainly described. This will be explained in detail.

(Second Embodiment)
A secondary battery according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the secondary battery according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the appearance of the secondary battery according to the second embodiment.
In the second embodiment, the electrode terminals 13 a and 13 b extend from the electrode coil (electrode body) 12 in the same direction, and the cylindrical portion 14 that forms the refrigerant flow path extends along the long side of the laminate exterior 11. The configuration differs from that of the first embodiment in that it extends and is provided across the two electrode terminals 13a and 13b.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the secondary battery (battery cell) 10 uses a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, and is further configured as a laminate type secondary battery. The secondary battery 10 includes an electrode coil (electrode body) 12, a laminate sheath 11 that covers the electrode body together with an electrolyte, and a pair of positive and negative electrode terminals (connection terminals) that extend from the electrode coil 12 to the outside of the laminate sheath 11. Or tab) 13a, 13b, and the cylindrical part 14 which is formed in the laminate exterior 11 and forms a coolant flow path so as to cross the two electrode terminals 13a, 13b.

  The electrode coil 12 is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example, by winding and pressing a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate in a coil shape. A plurality of electrode tabs are fixed to the positive electrode plate at intervals, and when the positive electrode plate is wound, the plurality of electrode tabs are overlapped with each other and joined to each other by laser welding or the like, thereby forming the strip-shaped electrode terminal 13a. Is forming. Similarly, a plurality of electrode tabs are spaced apart from the negative electrode plate and alternately fixed to the positive electrode tabs. When the negative electrode plate is wound, the plurality of electrode tabs overlap each other and laser welding is performed. The band-shaped electrode terminals 13b are formed by being joined to each other.

  The positive electrode terminal 13a and the negative electrode terminal 13b extend from the electrode coil 12 in the same direction along the axial direction of the electrode coil (longitudinal direction or central axis direction of winding of the coil). The electrode terminals 13a and 13b are provided in parallel with each other and at intervals.

  The laminate sheath 11 is formed, for example, by folding a single laminate film in the middle, overlapping the electrode coil 12 and the electrode terminals 13a and 13b, and fusing the peripheral portions together. Yes. The lower surface side laminate film 11 a and the upper surface side laminate film 11 b formed by folding a single laminate film have a width and length larger than the width and length of the electrode coil 12. The electrode terminals 13 a and 13 b protrude outward from one long side of the laminate sheath 11.

  In the present embodiment, a part of the upper surface side laminate film 11b has a cylindrical portion 14 integrally. The cylindrical portion 14 is formed between one end of the electrode coil 12 and the long side of the laminate sheath 11 and extends parallel to the long side. The cylindrical portion 14 extends across the two electrode terminals 13 a and 13 b and extends over the entire length of the laminate sheath 11 in the longitudinal direction. The cylindrical portion 14 is formed by forming a part of the upper surface side laminate film 11b into an arc shape. And the refrigerant | coolant flow path 16 which can distribute | circulate a refrigerant | coolant is formed of the cylindrical part 14a and the lower surface side laminate film 11a. The coolant channel 16 is in contact with the upper surfaces of the electrode terminals 13 a and 13 b and is open at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the laminate sheath 11.

  A semicircular support frame 17a for forming the cylindrical portion 14 is fitted to both ends of the refrigerant flow path 16, and a plug 15a is detachably attached to the support frame. .

  When the secondary battery 10 is used, the plug 15a is removed from the support frame 17a, and the refrigerant flow path 16 is opened. Then, a supply pipe or tube for supplying the refrigerant is connected to one end side of the refrigerant flow path 16, and a refrigerant discharge pipe or tube is connected to the other end side of the refrigerant flow path 16. Then, the refrigerant is supplied and distributed to the refrigerant flow path of the secondary battery device 10 through these pipes or tubes. Thereby, electrode terminal 13a, 13b can be directly cooled with the refrigerant | coolant which flows through refrigerant flow path 16a, 16b.

  Also in the secondary battery 10 configured as described above, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. That is, a secondary battery having excellent weight energy efficiency and volume energy efficiency and high cooling efficiency can be obtained. Further, according to the secondary battery 10 according to the second embodiment, by using one refrigerant flow path, the configuration can be further simplified, the manufacturing can be facilitated, and the configuration of the cooling system can be simplified. It becomes possible. Further, the secondary battery according to the present embodiment has two electrode terminals 13a and 13b extending in the same direction. Therefore, the secondary battery can be installed in a different direction from the secondary battery according to the first embodiment. Can be formed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the secondary battery according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the secondary battery according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the secondary battery taken along line BB in FIG.

  In 3rd Embodiment, the electrode terminal 13a, 13b protrudes from the thickness direction center part of the electrode coil 12, and both a lower surface side laminate film and an upper surface side laminate film have a cylindrical part, These It differs from 1st Embodiment by the point by which the refrigerant | coolant flow path which contacts both surfaces of the electrode terminal 13 by the cylindrical part is formed. In the second embodiment, other configurations are the same as those of the secondary battery of the first embodiment described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the secondary battery 10 includes an electrode coil 12, two electrode terminals 13 a and 13 b extending from the electrode coil 12 in opposite directions, and the electrode coil 12 and electrode terminals 13 a and 13 b. A laminate outer covering 11 is provided. The laminate exterior 11 includes a lower surface side laminate film 11a and an upper surface side laminate film 11b. The electrode coil 12, the electrode terminals 13a and 13b, and the cylindrical support frames 17a and 17b are sandwiched between these laminate films, The peripheral portions are heat-sealed.

  The lower surface side laminate film 11a is press-molded so as to be in close contact with the lower half of the electrode coil 12 and the lower surfaces of the electrode terminals 13a, 13b. Similarly, the upper surface side laminate film 11b is formed of the upper half of the electrode coil 12 and the electrode terminals. It is press-molded so as to be in close contact with the upper surfaces of 13a and 13b. The tip portions of the electrode terminals 13 a and 13 b extending from the central portion in the thickness direction of the electrode coil 12 protrude outward from both end edges of the laminate sheath 11.

  The upper surface side laminate film 11b is integrally provided with cylindrical portions 14a and 14b that define a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant can flow. The cylindrical portion 14 a is formed between one end of the electrode coil 12 and one end of the laminate sheath 11. One cylindrical portion 14 a extends across the electrode terminal 13 a and extends over the entire length of the laminate exterior 11 in the width direction. The cylindrical portion 14a is formed by forming a part of the upper surface side laminate film 11b into an arc shape. The other cylindrical portion 14 b is formed between the other end of the electrode coil 12 and the other end of the laminate sheath 11. The cylindrical portion 14b extends across the electrode terminal 13b and extends over the entire length of the laminate exterior 11 in the width direction.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, the lower surface side laminate film 11a is integrally provided with the cylindrical portions 21a and 21b that define the refrigerant flow paths through which the refrigerant can flow. The cylindrical portion 21a is formed between one end of the electrode coil 12 and one end of the laminate sheath 11, and faces the cylindrical portion 14a of the upper surface side laminate film 11b. The cylindrical portion 21 a extends across the bottom of the electrode terminal 13 a and extends over the entire length in the width direction of the laminate sheath 11. The cylindrical portion 21a is formed by forming a part of the lower surface side laminate film 11a into an arc shape. The other cylindrical portion 21b is formed between the other end of the electrode coil 12 and the other end of the laminate sheath 11, and faces the cylindrical portion 14b of the upper surface side laminate film 11b. The cylindrical portion 21b extends across the bottom of the electrode terminal 13b and extends over the entire length in the width direction of the laminate exterior 11.

  The cylindrical part 14a and the cylindrical part 21a facing each other form a refrigerant channel 16a having a circular cross section through which the refrigerant can flow. The refrigerant flow path 16a is in contact with the upper surface and the lower surface of the electrode terminal 13a, and is open at both ends in the width direction of the laminate sheath 11. A circular support frame 17a for forming the cylindrical portions 14a and 21a is fitted to both ends of the refrigerant flow path 16a, and the plug body 15a is detachably attached to the support frame. Yes.

  Further, the cylindrical portion 14b and the cylindrical portion 21b facing each other form a refrigerant channel 16b having a circular cross section capable of circulating the refrigerant. The refrigerant flow path 16b is in contact with the upper surface and the lower surface of the electrode terminal 13a and is open at both ends in the width direction of the laminate sheath 11. A circular support frame 17b for forming the cylindrical portions 14b and 21b is fitted to both ends of the refrigerant flow path 16b, and the plug body 15b is detachably attached to the support frame. Yes.

  The support frames 17a and 17b are formed of, for example, heat-resistant plastic and are fixed to the laminate exterior 11. The plugs 15a and 15b are made of, for example, a synthetic resin and are detachably fitted to the support frame. The support frame and the plugs 15a and 15b prevent the refrigerant flow paths 16a and 16b from being crushed during the press working of the laminate outer casing 11, and assist the formation of the cylindrical portions 14a and 14b that define the refrigerant flow paths.

  A semicircular support frame 17a for forming the cylindrical portion 14 is fitted to both ends of the refrigerant flow path 16, and a plug 15a is detachably attached to the support frame. .

  When the secondary battery 10 is used, the plug 15a is removed from the support frame 17a, and the refrigerant flow path 16 is opened. Then, a supply pipe or tube for supplying the refrigerant is connected to one end side of the refrigerant flow path 16, and a refrigerant discharge pipe or tube is connected to the other end side of the refrigerant flow path 16. Then, the refrigerant is supplied and distributed to the refrigerant flow path of the secondary battery device 10 through these pipes or tubes. Thereby, electrode terminal 13a, 13b can be directly cooled with the refrigerant | coolant which flows through refrigerant flow path 16a, 16b.

Also in the secondary battery 10 configured as described above, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. That is, a secondary battery having excellent weight energy efficiency and volume energy efficiency and high cooling efficiency can be obtained. Further, according to the secondary battery 10 according to the third embodiment, since the refrigerant flow paths 16a and 16b are in contact with both surfaces of the electrode terminals 13a and 13b, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path is the electrode terminals 13a, 13b can be contacted to both surfaces, and an electrode terminal can be cooled more effectively.
In addition, although the cylindrical part and the refrigerant | coolant flow path are making circular cross-sectional shape, it is not restricted to this, It is good also as other shapes, such as an ellipse and a polygon. The structure unique to the third embodiment may be applied to the secondary battery according to the second embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, the secondary battery according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the secondary battery 10 taken along a line corresponding to the line BB in FIG. 6.
As shown in FIG. 8, in the secondary battery 10 according to this embodiment, a tube 22 is installed in the refrigerant flow path 16a defined by the cylindrical portions 14a and 21a of the upper surface side and lower surface side laminate films 11a and 11b. The tube 22 is in close contact with the upper and lower laminate films 11a and 11b. A refrigerant can be circulated through the tube 22. The electrode terminal 13 a extends along the outer peripheral surface of the tube 22 and is in close contact with the tube 22.

  The tube 22 is formed of a material having insulating properties, excellent heat conductivity, and hardly transmitting moisture, such as an insulating metal. By configuring the tube 22 with an insulator, it is possible to prevent the electrode terminal from being short-circuited even when a conductive liquid refrigerant such as water is used as the refrigerant. Moreover, it can prevent that an electrode terminal produces rust by comprising the tube 22 with the material which does not permeate | transmit a water | moisture content. Then, by flowing the coolant through the tube 22, the electrode terminal 13 a can be efficiently cooled through the tube 22.

  Other configurations of the secondary battery 10 are the same as those in the first embodiment or the third embodiment described above. The cooling process when using the secondary battery 10 is the same as in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof is omitted. In addition, the structure peculiar to 4th Embodiment is applicable also to the secondary battery which concerns on 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, the secondary battery according to the fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the secondary battery 10 according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the secondary battery taken along the line CC in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the laminate exterior 11 of the secondary battery 10 has a fusion part (seal part or fusion area) 24 in which the upper and lower laminate films 11 a and 11 b are fused to each other. Yes. The fused portion 17 is formed around the electrode coil 12, between the electrode coil 12 and the coolant channel 16, and between the coolant channel and one end edge of the laminate sheath 11.

  According to the present embodiment, at the fusion part 24 located between the electrode coil 12 and the refrigerant flow path 16, at least a part or all of the fusion part 24 has a fusion width larger than the other part of the fusion part. It is formed and fused as a narrow narrow portion 26. For example, the narrow portion 26 is provided between the two electrode terminals 13a and 13b. The narrow width portion 26 has a lower fusion strength than the other regions of the fusion portion 24 due to the narrow width. The narrow width portion 26 can be formed by forming a part of the press die corresponding to the narrow width portion 26 thinner than the other portions when the laminate film is fused by pressing.

  By providing such a narrow portion 26 between the electrode coil 12 and the refrigerant flow path 16, the pressure in the space 19 in which the electrode coil is housed rises above a predetermined pressure due to gas generation from the electrode coil 12. In this case, the fusion of the narrow width portion 26 having a low fusion strength is peeled off, and a flow path connecting the space 19 and the refrigerant flow path 16 is formed. Thereby, the gas generated in the space 19 is released to the refrigerant flow path 16 through the narrow width portion 26. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the generated gas from flowing out, to specify a gas leak portion and to control the gas flow path when the gas is generated.

  In the fifth embodiment, the other configuration of the secondary battery 10 is the same as that of the secondary battery according to the second embodiment described above, and a detailed description thereof is omitted. The structure peculiar to the fifth embodiment may be applied to the secondary battery according to the first embodiment and the third embodiment.

(Secondary battery system)
Next, a secondary battery system including the secondary battery according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the secondary battery system.
As shown in FIG. 11, the secondary battery system 30 includes a battery module 32 in which a plurality of secondary batteries 10a to 10n are arranged and a refrigerant that supplies and circulates a refrigerant, for example, a liquid refrigerant, to the secondary batteries 10a to 10n. A supply mechanism. The refrigerant supply mechanism includes a pump 41, a radiator (heat exchanger) 42, a blower 43, a reservoir tank 44, a pipe 45, and the like. The pipe 45 is filled with the liquid refrigerant 46. The secondary battery system 30 includes a secondary battery and a controller (not shown) that controls the operation of the refrigerant supply mechanism.

  Each of the secondary batteries 10a to 10n has the same configuration as that of the secondary battery 10 according to the first embodiment. The secondary batteries 10a to 10n are arranged in parallel with each other with a slight gap. The secondary batteries 10a to 10n are connected to each other in series or in parallel by electrically connecting the electrode terminals 13a and 13b to each other by a bus bar (not shown). Note that the number of secondary batteries included in the secondary battery system 30 is not limited to a specific number.

  In the refrigerant supply mechanism, the pipe 45a connected to the discharge port of the pump 41 is branched into pipes 45b and 45c on the way. The pipe 45b extends substantially in parallel with the battery module 32 and is connected to one end of the refrigerant flow path 16a or 16b on the upper side of the secondary batteries 10a to 10n. The pipe 45b extends substantially parallel to the battery module 32, and is positioned below the pipe 46b in the vertical direction, and is connected to one end of the refrigerant channel 16a or 16b below the secondary batteries 10a to 10n.

  A pipe 45d is arranged on the opposite side of the pipe 45b across the secondary batteries 10a to 10n, and a pipe 45e is arranged on the opposite side of the pipe 45c, and each extends substantially parallel to the battery module 32. The pipe 45b is connected to the other end of the refrigerant flow path 16a or 16b on the upper side of the secondary batteries 10a to 10n. The pipe 45c is connected to the other end of the refrigerant flow path 16a or 16b on the lower side of the secondary batteries 10a to 10n.

  The pipes 45d and 45e are integrated with the pipe 45f, and the pipe 45f is connected to the inlet of the radiator 42. Further, the outlet of the radiator 42 is connected to the suction port of the pump 41 through the pipe 45g.

  The reservoir tank 44 is connected to the middle part of the pipe 45f. The reservoir tank 44 stores liquid refrigerant. The reservoir tank 44 collects the liquid refrigerant when the amount of the liquid refrigerant in the cooling system including the pipe and the secondary battery is excessively increased, and conversely, when the amount of the liquid refrigerant in the cooling system is insufficient. Supply liquid refrigerant to piping. The reservoir tank 44 keeps the amount of the liquid refrigerant 46 flowing through the secondary battery system 30 constant.

  The blower device 43 is constituted by, for example, a blower fan, and is provided to face the radiator 42. The blower device 43 blows cooling air to the radiator 42 and promotes heat dissipation and cooling of the liquid refrigerant in the radiator 42. The blower device 43 is, for example, a fan, but is not limited to a specific device. Although the radiator 42 and the blower 43 are cooling devices for cooling the liquid refrigerant 46, the cooling device is not limited to a specific configuration. For example, when a sufficient cooling effect is obtained only by the natural heat radiation of the radiator 42, the blower device 43 can be omitted. Further, the liquid refrigerant 46 may be cooled by a cooling method that does not use the radiator 42 and the blower 43.

  In the present embodiment, as the liquid refrigerant 46, a liquid refrigerant having electrical insulation, for example, insulating oil, trans oil, triphenyl phosphate, trioctyl phosphate, or the like can be used. The refrigerant is not limited to a specific refrigerant.

  The controller controls the operation of the entire secondary battery system 30. The controller includes a processor such as a CPU, various memories, various interfaces, and the like. The controller may be configured by, for example, a personal computer (PC).

  The controller is connected to each part of the secondary battery system 30, such as the pump 41, the blower 43, a pressure sensor (not shown), a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the secondary battery 10, and the like. The controller acquires various measurement data and the like from each part of the secondary battery system 30, and controls the operation of the entire secondary battery system 30 based on the acquired various measurement data and the like.

Next, an operation example of the secondary battery system 30 will be described.
When the pump 41 is operated, the liquid refrigerant 46 is sent from the discharge port of the pump 41 to the pipe 45a and further sent out to the pipes 45b and 45c. The sent out liquid refrigerant 46 flows from the pipe 45b into the refrigerant flow path 16a or 16b on the upper side of each of the secondary batteries 10a to 10b, passes through the refrigerant flow path, and then is sent to the pipe 45d. The liquid refrigerant 46 sent out to the pipe 45c flows from the pipe 45c into the lower refrigerant passage 16a or 16b of the secondary batteries 10a to 10b, passes through the refrigerant passage, and then is sent to the pipe 45e. It is done. While the liquid refrigerant 46 flows through the refrigerant flow paths 16a and 16b, the liquid refrigerant 46 directly contacts the electrode terminals 13a and 13b of the secondary batteries 10a to 10n to cool the electrode terminals 13a and 13b.

  The liquid refrigerant 46 that has flowed into the pipes 45d and 45e from the refrigerant flow paths 16a and 16b passes through these pipes, is sent to the pipe 45f, and is further sent to the radiator 42 through the pipe 45f. When flowing into the radiator 42, the liquid refrigerant 46 is air-cooled by heat radiation from the radiator and air blowing from the blower 43. The cooled liquid refrigerant 46 is sent to the suction port of the pump 41 through the pipe 45g, and is sent out again to the pipe 45a by the pump 41.

  The liquid refrigerant 46 continuously cools the electrode terminals 13a and 13b of the secondary batteries 10a to 10n by repeating the above flow.

  According to the secondary battery system configured as described above, it is excellent in weight energy efficiency and volume energy efficiency, and the battery module can be downsized and the entire system can be downsized. Moreover, the secondary battery system which can cool a some secondary battery efficiently is obtained.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

10 ... secondary battery, 11 ... laminate exterior, 11a ... bottom side laminate film,
11b ... top side laminated film, 12 ... electrode coil,
13, 13a, 13b ... electrode terminal, 14a, 14b ... cylindrical part,
15a, 15b ... plug body, 16, 16a, 16b ... refrigerant flow path,
17a, 17b ... support frame, 21a, 21b ... cylindrical part, 22 ... tube,
24 ... Fusion part, 26 ... Narrow part, 40 ... Secondary battery system, 41 ... Pump,
42 ... Radiator, 43 ... Blower, 44 ... Reservoir tank,
45 ... Piping, 46 ... Liquid refrigerant

Claims (9)

An electrode body;
An electrode terminal extending from the electrode body;
A laminate sheath covering the electrode body and the electrode terminal, and
The laminate exterior is a secondary battery that integrally has a cylindrical portion that forms a coolant channel through which a coolant can flow.   The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical portion extends across the electrode terminal, and the electrode terminal is in contact with the refrigerant flow path. The laminate exterior includes a lower surface side laminate film and an upper surface side laminate film that are overlapped with each other with the electrode body and the electrode terminal interposed therebetween,
The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lower surface side laminate film and the upper surface side laminate film integrally includes the cylindrical portion.   The lower surface side laminate film and the upper surface side laminate film are each integrally provided with the cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portions are arranged to face each other, and a refrigerant flow path is formed by the two cylindrical portions. Secondary battery. The electrode terminal includes a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal extending from the electrode body, the two electrode terminals project in opposite directions from the electrode body,
The secondary battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the laminate sheath is integrally provided with two cylindrical portions each extending across the electrode terminal. The electrode terminal includes a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal extending from the electrode body, and the two electrode terminals protrude in the same direction from the electrode body,
The secondary battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cylindrical portion of the laminate exterior extends across the two electrode terminals.   An insulating tube that is fitted in the refrigerant flow path and is in close contact with the laminate sheath is provided, and a part of the electrode terminal is formed along the outer surface of the tube, and the laminate sheath and the tube The secondary battery according to claim 1, which is sandwiched between the two.   The laminate exterior includes a lower surface side laminate film and an upper surface side laminate film, and the lower surface side laminate film and the upper surface side laminate film are overlapped with each other with the electrode body and the electrode terminal interposed therebetween, and are fused to each other. In the fused portion having a plurality of fused portions and positioned between the electrode body and the coolant channel, at least a part of the fused portion is narrower than the other portion of the fused portion. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the narrow portion is formed. A secondary battery according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A refrigerant supply mechanism for circulating the refrigerant through the refrigerant flow path of the secondary battery;
A secondary battery system comprising:

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