JP2014191916A - Cooling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy-to-assemble cooling device in which a refrigerant circulation path can be constituted only by coupling a panel inside which a flow passage is formed.SOLUTION: A cooling device 4 cools a cooling object by aligning plural panels 50 respectively having a first edge 501 and a second edge 502 positioned at a side opposite to it while the first edge 501 and the second edge 502 are faced to each other, and circulating a refrigerant W inside the panels 50. Then, each of the panels 50 comprises a first flow passage 51, a second flow passage 52, and a third flow passage 53 communicated to the second edge 502 from the first edge 501. The first flow passage 51 meanders in the panel 50. The third flow passage 53 has a maximum flow passage cross section area equal to or larger than an area obtained by adding a maximum flow passage cross section area of the first flow passage 51 and a maximum flow passage cross section area of the second flow passage 52.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling device using a combination of a plurality of panels each having a flow path for circulating a refrigerant formed therein.

  A battery pack mounted on a vehicle or the like generates heat during charging and discharging. Heat generation becomes energy loss and reduces energy efficiency. Therefore, a cooling device may be provided to cool the battery pack.

  The battery module described in Patent Document 1 includes a cooling and heating plate arranged under an assembled battery in which a plurality of battery cells are connected. The plate is provided with a plurality of plate-like pipes for flowing the refrigerant. One end of half of the plate-like pipes is connected with an inlet header, one end of the remaining half of the plate-like pipes is connected with an outlet header, and the other end of all the plate-like pipes is connected to an intermediate header. Yes. The inside of each plate-like pipe is divided into a plurality of small-diameter channels, and the refrigerant flows in parallel.

  Moreover, the battery module described in Patent Document 2 has a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged on a cooling plate. The cooling plate of the battery module is connected to the heat exchanger via a pump that circulates the refrigerant. When a plurality of battery modules are used at the same time, the cooling plates are connected in parallel by pipes branched from the supply pipe and the recovery pipe.

JP 2011-181224 A JP 2012-248299 A

  However, in the case of the configuration of Patent Document 1, the internal structure of the plate for cooling is complicated, and the manufacturing cost is increased. In the case of the configuration of Patent Document 2, the cooling plates of a plurality of battery modules (battery modules) are connected in parallel with each other by piping. At this time, in Patent Document 2, the pipe connected to the cooling plate of each battery module is configured to branch from the supply pipe and the recovery pipe. However, since the piping becomes complicated and the assembly work of the battery module becomes complicated, the number of work steps is increased and the manufacturing cost is increased.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a cooling device with a simple assembly that can constitute a refrigerant circulation path by simply connecting a panel having a flow path formed therein.

  A cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a state in which a plurality of panels each having a first edge and a second edge located on the opposite side of the first edge face each other. Are arranged side by side, and a cooling medium is circulated inside the panel to cool the object to be cooled. Each panel includes a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path. The first flow path meanders through the panel and communicates from the first edge to the second edge. The second flow path communicates through the panel from the first edge to the second edge. The third channel communicates through the panel from the first edge to the second edge, and adds the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the first channel and the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the second channel. It has a maximum channel cross-sectional area that is greater than the combined area.

  At this time, the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path respectively have nozzles that connect the panels to the first edge and the second edge. In addition, the first flow path is disposed between the second flow path and the third flow path and is used as a heat transfer path for transferring heat to the object to be cooled. The second flow path is used as a recovery path for recovering the refrigerant from the first flow path, and the nozzle of the first flow path is used as the third flow path. It arrange | positions in the position near the nozzle of a 2nd flow path rather than the nozzle of a path | route.

  Furthermore, the cooling device has a branch pipe. This branch pipe is arranged in one between adjacent panels, and connects one third flow path of the adjacent panels to both first flow paths of the adjacent panels.

  Moreover, in this cooling device, the cooling object is a plurality of battery modules stored in the case. The plurality of panels are installed in contact with the outer surface of the case. And it is further provided with a 1st coupling, a 2nd coupling, a 3rd coupling, and a folding joint. A 1st coupling connects a 1st flow path in places other than the location where distribution piping is arrange | positioned among adjacent panels. The second joint connects the second flow path between adjacent panels. The third joint connects the third flow path between the panels arranged on the side where the distribution pipe is connected to the third flow path. The folded joint connects the first channel of the panel at the end opposite to the side where the distribution pipe is connected to the third channel to the second channel. Then, the refrigerant is supplied to the third flow path of the end panel on the side where the distribution pipe is connected to the third flow path, and the first flow path and the second flow path on the end where the refrigerant is supplied. The refrigerant is recovered from the flow path.

  In a cooling device according to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of panels each having a first edge and a second edge located opposite to the first edge are opposed to the first edge and the second edge. It arranges in a state and distribute | circulates a refrigerant | coolant through the inside of a panel, and cools the object to be cooled. The plurality of arranged panels include a first panel arranged on one side and a second panel arranged on the other side. The first panel includes a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path. The first flow path meanders through the first panel and communicates from the first edge to the second edge. The second flow path communicates in the first panel from the first edge to the second edge. The third channel communicates through the first panel from the first edge to the second edge, and the channel cross-sectional area of the first channel and the channel cross-sectional area of the second channel are It has a channel cross-sectional area larger than the combined area. The second panel includes a fourth channel and a fifth channel. The fourth flow path meanders through the second panel and communicates from the first edge to the second edge. The fifth flow path communicates in the second panel from the first edge to the second edge. The third flow path is connected to the first flow path and the fourth flow path between the first panel and the second panel, and the second flow path is connected to the first panel. A fifth channel is connected to the second panel.

  The cooling device according to the present invention has a simple structure and is easy to assemble. At this time, by directly connecting the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path of adjacent panels so that the refrigerant circulates, a path for circulating the refrigerant is established in the panel. As a result, piping for circulating the refrigerant can be reduced. And since the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the third channel is equal to or larger than the area obtained by adding the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the first channel and the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the second channel, When the refrigerant is supplied to the two first flow paths using the third flow path, the load on the pump for circulating the refrigerant can be reduced. Moreover, according to the cooling device of the invention that includes the nozzles at the ends of the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path, it is easy to perform the connection work when connecting the panels.

  Further, the first flow path is disposed between the second flow path and the third flow path, and the first flow path is used as a heat transfer path for transferring heat by the cooling target and the refrigerant. When the third flow path is used as the supply path for supplying the refrigerant to the first flow path and the second flow path is used as the recovery path for recovering the refrigerant from the first flow path, According to the cooling device of the invention in which the nozzle of the first flow path is disposed closer to the nozzle of the second flow path than the nozzle of the third flow path, when assembling the path for circulating the refrigerant, The connection between the roads is simplified.

  Furthermore, it has a branch pipe, this branch pipe is arrange | positioned at one between adjacent panels, and one 3rd flow path of the adjacent panel is connected to the 1st flow path of both the adjacent panels According to the cooling device of the present invention, the object to be cooled can be cooled from the central portion where heat is likely to accumulate, so that the temperature distribution in the cooling device is not easily biased. When the object to be cooled is a battery module, the panel of the cooling device is installed in contact with a case that stores a plurality of battery modules. The battery module arranged in the central part of the case is likely to accumulate heat due to the heat generated by the adjacent battery modules. However, in this cooling device, the refrigerant is supplied to the central part by the third flow path, and the battery in the central part. It is cooled in order from the module to the battery module closer to the edge. Therefore, the temperature difference between the plurality of battery modules can be reduced.

The perspective view which shows the vehicle which mounts the cooling device of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention with a battery pack. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack and the cooling module in FIG. 1. Sectional drawing which crosses the battery pack of FIG. 1 in a vehicle width direction. The disassembled perspective view of the panel of FIG. Sectional drawing of the nozzle part of the panel of FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the cooling module and holder of FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the connection part of the panel of FIG. Sectional drawing of the connection part of the panels along the F8-F8 line | wire in FIG. The perspective view which shows the modification of the connection part of the panels of FIG. Sectional drawing which combined the connection part of the panels of FIG. The top view which shows typically the flow of the refrigerant | coolant of the cooling module of FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the battery pack of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. The top view which shows typically an example of the flow of the refrigerant | coolant of the cooling module of FIG. The top view which shows typically another example of the flow of the refrigerant | coolant of the cooling module of FIG. The top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the panel of the cooling device of 3rd Embodiment which concerns on this invention.

  The case where the battery pack 1 equipped with the cooling device 4 of the first embodiment according to the present invention is mounted on the vehicle 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 as an example. A vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a battery pack 1 disposed at the rear of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery pack 1 includes a plurality of battery modules 2, a case 3 that stores these battery modules 2, and a cooling module 5 that is installed in contact with a lower portion of the case 3. The cooling module 5 is configured by connecting a plurality of cooling panels 50 together. In this embodiment, the battery pack 1 has five battery modules 2, and the cooling module 5 has four panels 50.

  The cooling module 5 is connected to the radiator 41 installed in the front portion of the vehicle 100 shown in FIG. The cooling device 4 shown in FIG. 1 has a pump 42 for circulating a refrigerant through the cooling module 5 and the radiator 41. The radiator 41 and the pump 42 of the cooling device 4 may be provided exclusively, and are also used as a radiator and a pump of an air conditioner in the vehicle interior or a radiator and a pump that exchange heat of cooling water for cooling the engine. May be.

  For convenience of explanation in this specification, “front”, “rear”, “right”, and “left” are respectively defined when viewed from the driver based on the traveling direction of the vehicle 100, and “up” based on gravity. , “Bottom” is defined. Further, the direction toward the center of the battery pack 1 may be referred to as “inside” and the direction away from the battery pack 1 may be referred to as “outside”. The battery pack 1 in FIG. 1 is arranged in a so-called “vertical position” in which the long dimension is along the traveling direction of the vehicle. Depending on the layout of each component of the vehicle 100, the battery pack 1 may be arranged in a so-called “lateral position” in which the long dimension is along the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the case 3 of the battery pack 1 includes a tray 31 on which the battery module 2 is installed, a cover 32 that covers the top of the battery module 2 and is joined to the tray 31, and the tray 31 and the cover. And a sealing member 33 that seals the space between them. The case 3 is a so-called sheet metal processed product made by joining materials having excellent thermal conductivity, for example, parts obtained by bending structural steel plates. As shown in FIG. 3, the tray 31 includes an outer 311, an inner 312, and a support 313.

  The outer 311 has a bottom wall 311A that contacts the bottom surface of the battery module 2 and an outer wall 311B that surrounds the outer periphery. The inner 312 is joined to the upper surface of the bottom wall 311A outside the area in contact with the battery module 2 and extends along the inner side of the outer wall 311B of the outer 311 and the inner wall 312B outward from the upper end of the inner wall 312B. And a lower flange 312C extending to the bottom.

  The outer peripheral edge of the lower flange 312C is joined to the outer edge of the outer wall 311B. A groove 312D for positioning the seal member 33 is formed on the upper surface of the lower flange 312C. The support 313 is joined to the bottom wall 311A and the outer wall 311B of the outer 311 as shown in FIG. The support 313 is fixed to the side member and cross member of the vehicle 100 with bolts. In the cover 32, an upper wall 32A, an upper side wall 32B, and an upper flange 32C are integrally formed. The cover 32 is pressed against the tray 31 with a bolt or the like.

  The cooling module 5 includes a plurality of panels 50 as shown in FIG. In the case of this embodiment, the four panels 50 are arranged in a line. Each panel 50 includes a first channel 51, a second channel 52, and a third channel 53. The panel 50 has a first edge 501 and a second edge 502 located on the opposite side. The plurality of panels 50 are arranged side by side in a state where the first edge 501 and the second edge 502 face each other between adjacent panels 50.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the panel 50 includes two plates 50 </ b> A having the same shape divided by planes passing through the centers of the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53. It is constructed by joining facing each other. In the case of the present embodiment, the plate 50A joins all areas where the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53 are not formed by brazing. The plate 50A may be fastened with bolts using a range where the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53 are not formed, and the outer periphery is sealed and welded. May be.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first flow path 51 meanders through the panel 50 and communicates from the first edge 501 to the second edge 502. The second flow channel 52 communicates linearly in the panel 50 from the first edge 501 to the second edge 502, and is substantially the same flow channel as the cross-sectional area of the first flow channel 51. It has a cross-sectional area. The third channel 53 communicates linearly in the panel 50 from the first edge 501 to the second edge 502 in the same manner as the second channel 52. The channel cross-sectional area larger than the channel cross-sectional area of the second channel 52, preferably the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the first channel 51 and the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the second channel 52 are added together It has a maximum channel cross-sectional area greater than the area. In FIG. 4, the diameter of the first channel 51 (channel cross-sectional area), the diameter of the second channel 52 (channel cross-sectional area), and the diameter of the third channel 53 (channel cross-sectional area). However, although the example formed uniformly along each flow path is shown, the cross-sectional area of each flow path is not uniform, that is, the diameter (internal dimension) is different in one flow path. Even when the third channel 53 is formed so as to have a portion, the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the first channel 51 and the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the second channel 52 are added together. It is assumed that it has a maximum channel cross-sectional area that is greater than or equal to the area.

  In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the first flow path 51 is disposed between the second flow path 52 and the third flow path 53 and is a battery module to be cooled. 2 and heat transfer, that is, used as a heat transfer path for exchanging heat for cooling the battery module. The third flow path 53 is used as a supply path for supplying the refrigerant W from between the two panels 50 positioned in the central portion of the cooling module 5 to the two first flow paths 51 positioned on both sides thereof. The Therefore, the channel cross-sectional area of the third channel 53 is provided at least twice the channel cross-sectional area of the first channel 51. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the second flow path 52 is an end on the other side of the cooling module 5 on the opposite side with respect to one side to which the refrigerant W is supplied via the third flow path 53. This is used as a recovery path for recovering the refrigerant W that has flowed through the first flow path 51 to the end of one side of the cooling module 5. In addition, even if it is not necessary to double the cross-sectional area of the third flow channel 53, it is sufficient if sufficient refrigerant can be supplied to the first flow channel 51. It is only necessary to match the total flow rate flowing through the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 42.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the panel 50 is respectively connected to the first edge 501 and the second edge 502 where the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53 are opened. It has nozzles 511, 521 and 531. These nozzles 511, 521 and 531 are sandwiched and brazed at the same time when the plates 50A are joined. At this time, the first channel 51 is disposed between the second channel 52 and the third channel 53, and the nozzle 511 of the first channel 51 is the nozzle of the third channel 53. It is arranged at a position closer to the nozzle 521 of the second flow path 52 than 531. That is, the nozzle 521 of the second flow path 52 and the nozzle 531 of the third flow path 53 are arranged at positions opposite to each other with the nozzle 511 of the first flow path 51 interposed therebetween.

  The plurality of panels 50 configured as described above are arranged as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11 to form one cooling module 50. A distribution pipe 54 is arranged in the crossing part M set to one between adjacent panels 50. In the case of this embodiment, since there are four panels 50, the crossing portion M is set so that two panels 50 are arranged on each side. The distribution pipe 54 connects the third flow path 53 on one side of the adjacent panels 50 to the first flow paths 51 on both sides of the adjacent panels 50. Therefore, the distribution pipe 54 is arranged so that the channel cross-sectional area at the end connected to the third flow channel 53 is at least twice the cross-sectional area at the end connected to the first flow channel 51. It is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the first flow paths 51 of adjacent panels 50 except for the crossing portion M are connected by a first joint 71 attached to a nozzle 511. The second flow paths 52 of adjacent panels 50 are connected by a second joint 72 attached to the nozzle 521. The third flow paths 53 between the panels 50 arranged on the side to which the distribution pipe 54 is connected are connected by a third joint 73 attached to the nozzle 531. The first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 of the panel 50 at the end on the side where the distribution pipe 54 is not connected to the third flow path 53 are connected by a turn-up joint 55.

  The first joint 71, the second joint 72, and the third joint 73 are all inserted into nozzles located on both sides, as shown in FIG. The joint shown in FIG. 5 is a so-called “bamboo nipple” pipe joint. These joints may be nipples each having a tapered right-hand thread and a tapered left-hand thread.

  The flow passage cross-sectional area of the first joint 71 is substantially equal to the first flow path 51 and the flow passage cross-sectional area of the second joint 72 is the second so that the flow resistance and stagnation associated with the connection do not occur. The flow path cross-sectional area of the third flow path 53 is set substantially equal to the flow path cross-sectional area of the third flow path 53. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first flow channel 51 has a flow channel cross-sectional shape that is flat along the joint surface of the plate 50 </ b> A. The nozzle 511 attached to the first flow path 51 may be formed in a shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of the flow path of the first flow path 51, but in consideration of assembly workability, the second flow path 52. It is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the flow path is the same as that of the nozzle 521. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, a buffer part B having an expanded flow path is provided so as not to generate a flow resistance due to discontinuously changing the flow path cross-sectional shape.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the cooling module 5 including a plurality of panels 50 each having a flow path connected to each other is attached to the lower portion of the tray 31 via a holder 81 as shown in FIG. 3. The holder 81 is mounted along the direction intersecting the first edge 501 and the second edge 502 so as to fit in a groove 503 formed on the outer surface of the panel 50 as shown in FIG. It fixes with the pin and screw so that each panel 50 may not move with respect to the holder 81 with which it was mounted | worn. The holder 81 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 may be formed continuously with the connected panel 50, or is provided partially corresponding to the position where the individual panel 50 is fixed to the lower portion of the tray 31. It may be done. By forming the holder 81 in a continuous manner, the nozzles 511, 521, 531 connecting the panels 50, the distribution pipe 54, the first joint 71, the second joint 72, the third joint 73, etc. Can be reduced.

  In the cross section M, the panel 50 in which the distribution pipe 54 is not connected to the third flow path 53 and the panel 50 arranged on the same side as the third flow path are between the adjacent panels 50. 53 is not connected. Therefore, in order to increase the connection strength between the adjacent panels 50, a reinforcing plate 82 is attached as shown in FIGS. The reinforcing plate 82 is inserted into a slot 504 provided in each of the first edge 501 and the second edge 502 of the panel 50, and is a bolt 83 passed through a hole 505 that is opened in a direction to overlap the plates 50A. Tightened.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the slot 504 is formed in the same way on either side of the plate 50A. Therefore, the side where the bolt 83 can be easily tightened is used in the assembling work. The bolt 83 shown in FIG. 7 is a hexagon socket head cap screw, but may be a general hexagon bolt. The holes 505 may have a length in the insertion direction of the reinforcing plate 82 so that the distance between the panels 50 can be finely adjusted.

  Moreover, the modification for improving the appearance while protecting the distribution pipe 54, the 1st coupling 71, the 2nd coupling 72, and the 3rd coupling 73 with which it mounts between the adjacent panels 50 is shown in FIG. 10 shows. The panel 50 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has a flange 506 extending from the first edge 501 to the second edge 502 of the plate 50A of the adjacent panel 50 along the outer surface of the plate 50A. Since the distribution pipe 54 is arranged in the transverse portion M, the reinforcing plate 82 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 cannot be attached. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, if the collar 506 is provided, the collar 506 may be joined to the adjacent panels 50. The joining method may be brazing or may be fixed with a countersunk screw so as not to protrude to the outer surface.

  In the cooling module 5 of the cooling device 4 configured as described above, in order to remove heat when the battery module 2 is charged or discharged, as shown in FIG. The refrigerant W cooled by the radiator 41 is supplied by the pump 42 to the third flow path 53 of the panel 50 located at the end on the side to which 54 is connected. The refrigerant W passes through the third flow path 53 to the distribution pipe 54, and is distributed to the first flow paths 51 of the panel 50 positioned on both sides of the transverse portion M in the distribution pipe 54.

  The refrigerant W that has flowed into the first flow path 51 of the panel 50 on the side where the distribution pipe 54 is connected to the third flow path 53, that is, the refrigerant W that has flowed into the first flow path 51 on the upstream side is the first While flowing through the flow path 51, the heat of the battery module 2 in the corresponding section is absorbed via the bottom wall 311A of the tray 31. The refrigerant W that has flowed up to the end of the first flow path 51 on the upstream side is recovered by the radiator 41.

  The refrigerant W that has flowed into the first flow path 51 of the panel 50 on the side where the distribution pipe 54 is not connected to the third flow path 53, that is, the refrigerant W that has flowed into the first flow path 51 on the downstream side, While flowing through one flow path 51, the heat of the battery module 2 in the corresponding section is absorbed via the bottom wall 311A of the tray 31. The refrigerant W that has flowed to the end of the first flow path 51 on the downstream side enters the second flow path 52 through the turn-up joint 55. The refrigerant W that has flowed from the downstream side to the upstream side through the second flow path 52 is recovered to the radiator 41 together with the refrigerant W recovered from the end portion of the first flow path 51 on the upstream side.

  As described above, in the cooling device 4, the cooling module 5 including the plurality of panels 50 is mounted on the lower portion of the case 3 of the battery pack 1 in order to cool the battery pack 1. The first flow path 51 meandering through each panel 50 of the cooling module 5 is used as a heat transfer path (cooling flow path). The third flow path 53 is used as a supply path for guiding the refrigerant W to the middle position between the plurality of panels 50 and supplying the refrigerant W to the first flow path 51. The second flow path 52 is a first flow path of the downstream panel 50 arranged on the opposite side of the cooling module 5 with respect to the upstream panel 50 in which the refrigerant W is passed through the third flow path 53. This is used as a recovery path for returning the refrigerant W flowed to 51 to the upstream side.

  The first flow paths 51, the second flow paths 52, and the third flow paths 53 of the adjacent panels 50 are connected by a first joint 71, a second joint 72, and a third joint 73. Each is connected. Therefore, the cooling module 5 of the cooling device 4 does not require piping for connecting the panels 50 in order to circulate the refrigerant W through the plurality of panels 50.

  The structure of the cooling module 5 and the cooling panel 50 is simple, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed by using the common parts and mass-producing them. In addition, the cooling device 4 including the cooling module 5 in which a plurality of panels 50 are connected, while the structure of each panel 50 is simple, supplies the refrigerant W to the central portion of the battery pack 1 where heat is likely to accumulate. Therefore, the difference in temperature distribution of the battery pack 1 can be reduced. And the cooling device 4 which connected this panel 50 in multiple numbers and comprised the cooling module 5 is easy to assemble. At this time, since almost no piping is required, the appearance of the battery pack 1 is good even when installed at the bottom of the battery pack 1.

  Further, the panel 50 is made of a member having high thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or copper or a copper alloy, thereby shielding electromagnetic waves emitted downward from the battery pack 1. be able to. The cooling module 5 is mounted under the tray 31. Therefore, even if the refrigerant W leaks out, the battery module 2 is not immersed in the refrigerant W.

  A battery pack 1 equipped with a cooling module 5 of a cooling device 4 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Configurations having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the respective drawings, and the detailed description refers to the corresponding description of the first embodiment. Moreover, since the detailed structure of the cooling module 5 and the panel 50 is the same as the cooling module 5 and the panel 50 of 1st Embodiment, the detailed description about these also considers 1st Embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the battery pack 1 stores three battery modules 2 in a case 3, and has a cooling module 5 composed of two panels 50 at the bottom of the case 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the crossing portion M is set between the two panels 50, that is, at a position that becomes the central portion of the battery pack 1 in the direction in which the panels 50 are arranged, and the distribution pipe 54 is disposed. The refrigerant W is supplied to the third flow path 53 of the panel 50 in which the distribution pipe 54 is connected to the third flow path 53. When the panel 50 through which the refrigerant W is passed through the third flow path 53 is the upstream side, the refrigerant W passes from the third flow path 53 through the distribution pipe 54 to the upstream and downstream panels 50 respectively. The first flow path 51 is distributed.

  The refrigerant W supplied to the position corresponding to the central portion of the battery pack 1 absorbs the heat of the battery module 2 while flowing through the first flow path 51. The refrigerant W that has flowed into the first flow path 51 on the upstream side is recovered by the radiator 41 from the end of the first flow path 51 on the side to which the refrigerant W is supplied. The refrigerant W that has flowed to the first flow path 51 on the downstream side flows from the first flow path 51 to the second flow path 52 connected by the turn-back joint 55, and from the end on the side to which the refrigerant W is supplied. It is collected by the radiator 41.

  In the second embodiment, the battery pack 1 has three battery modules 2, and the cooling module 5 of the cooling device 4 has two panels 50 installed in the battery pack 1. In this way, when the circulation path of the refrigerant W is short and the temperature difference is small, the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 are connected in series as shown in FIG. May be. As described above, the panel 50 that is commonly used to configure the cooling module 5 in the first embodiment and the second embodiment can also change the circulation path of the refrigerant W according to the usage mode. In either case, since the piping is hardly required to connect the panels 50 of the cooling module 5, the structure is simple. Therefore, the assembling work is easy and the appearance is good.

  The cooling module 5 of the cooling device 4 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The configurations having the same functions as those of the cooling module 5 and the panel 50 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. 15 and the following description, and the detailed description thereof is the first embodiment. And the corresponding description of the second embodiment. In addition, the structure in which the cooling module 5 is attached to the refrigeration apparatus 4 and the battery pack 1 including the battery module 2 to be cooled is the same as the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Each embodiment is also taken into consideration for this.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the cooling module 5 of the cooling device 4 includes a plurality of panels 50 arranged in a state where the first edge 501 and the second edge 502 face each other, as in the other embodiments. In this embodiment, two panels 50 are arranged side by side. The plurality of panels 50 include a first panel (panel 50) disposed on one side of the cooling module 5 and a second panel (sub-panel 50N) disposed on the other side. In the present embodiment, one side is an upstream side to which the refrigerant W is supplied from the radiator 41, and the other side is a downstream side opposite to the upstream side to which the refrigerant W is supplied.

  The first panel has the same function and configuration as the panel 50 of the first and second embodiments. That is, the first panel is the panel 50 and includes the first flow path 51, the second flow path 52, and the third flow path 53. Hereinafter, the first panel will be described as the panel 50. On the other hand, the second panel (sub-panel 50N) includes a fourth channel 51N and a fifth channel 52N. The fourth flow path 51N meanders through the second panel and communicates from the first edge 501 to the second edge 502. That is, the fourth flow path 51N functions in the same manner as the first flow path 51 of the panel 50. The fifth flow path 52N communicates linearly from the first edge 501 to the second edge 502 in the second panel. That is, the fifth flow path 52N functions in the same manner as the second flow path 52 of the panel 50.

  The second panel (sub-panel 50N) does not have a configuration corresponding to the first panel, that is, the third flow path 53 of the panel 50. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the second panel (sub-panel 50N) has a transverse portion where a distribution pipe is arranged among adjacent panels when the cooling module 5 is arranged with a plurality of panels arranged side by side. Adopted as a panel located downstream of M. Since the sub-panel 50N does not have a configuration corresponding to the third flow path 53 as described above, the nozzle 531 that can be taken by the third flow path 53 is also unnecessary. That is, the manufacturing cost of the sub panel 50N is reduced. In addition, since the structure that is not used is not provided, processing and quality control due to the part are not required, and thus the sub-panel 50N can be manufactured more cheaply than the panel 50.

  Further, since there is no configuration corresponding to the third flow path, the part is manufactured solidly, so that it is easy to conduct heat, and the object to be cooled can be effectively cooled. In addition, when the object to be cooled is not so large, the refrigerant W may be circulated as shown in FIG. 14 using the sub-panel 50N.

  4 ... Cooling device, 5 ... Cooling module, 31 ... Tray, 32 ... Cover, 50 ... Panel (first panel), 50N ... Sub-panel (second panel), 50A ... Plate, 51 ... First flow path, 52 ... 2nd flow path, 53 ... 3rd flow path, 51N ... 4th flow path, 52N ... 5th flow path, 54 ... Distribution pipe, 55 ... Flap joint, 71 ... 1st joint, 72 2nd joint, 73 ... 3rd joint, 501 ... 1st edge, 502 ... 2nd edge, 511 ... (1st flow path) nozzle, 521 ... (2nd flow path) nozzle 531 ... Nozzle (in the third flow path), W ... Refrigerant.

Claims (6)

A plurality of panels each having a first edge and a second edge located on the opposite side of the first edge and the second edge are arranged side by side so that the first edge and the second edge face each other. In the cooling device for circulating the refrigerant and cooling the object to be cooled,
Each said panel is
A first flow path that meanders through the panel and communicates from the first edge to the second edge;
A second flow path communicating in the panel from the first edge to the second edge;
An area obtained by adding the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the first channel and the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the second channel to the inside of the panel from the first edge to the second edge And a third flow path having the maximum flow path cross-sectional area as described above. The first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path have nozzles that connect the panel to the first edge and the second edge, respectively. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein The first flow path is disposed between the second flow path and the third flow path and is used as a heat transfer path for transferring heat to the object to be cooled.
The third flow path is used as a supply path for supplying the refrigerant to the first flow path,
The second flow path is used as a recovery path for recovering the refrigerant from the first flow path,
3. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle of the first channel is disposed closer to the nozzle of the second channel than the nozzle of the third channel. Distributing pipes arranged in one of the adjacent panels and connecting one third flow path of the adjacent panels to both first flow paths of the adjacent panels. It has, The cooling device described in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The cooling object is a plurality of battery modules stored in a case,
The plurality of panels are installed in contact with the outer surface of the case,
A first joint that connects the first flow path at a location other than the location where the distribution pipe is arranged among the adjacent panels;
A second joint connecting the second flow path between the adjacent panels;
A third joint connecting the third flow path between the panels arranged on the side where the distribution pipe is connected to the third flow path;
A folding joint for connecting the first channel of the panel at the end opposite to the side where the distribution pipe is connected to the third channel to the second channel;
Refrigerant is supplied to the third flow path of the panel on the end where the distribution pipe is connected to the third flow path, and the first flow path on the end where the refrigerant is supplied The cooling device according to claim 4, wherein the refrigerant is recovered from the second flow path. A plurality of panels each having a first edge and a second edge located opposite to the first edge are arranged in a state where the first edge and the second edge face each other, and are arranged inside the panel. In the cooling device for circulating the refrigerant and cooling the object to be cooled,
The plurality of arranged panels include a first panel arranged on one side and a second panel arranged on the other side,
The first panel is
A first flow path that meanders through the first panel and communicates from the first edge to the second edge;
A second flow path that communicates in the first panel from the first edge to the second edge;
The inside of the first panel is communicated from the first edge to the second edge, and the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the first channel and the maximum channel cross-sectional area of the second channel are matched. A third channel having a maximum channel cross-sectional area equal to or greater than the area,
The second panel is
A fourth flow path that meanders through the second panel and communicates from the first edge to the second edge;
A fifth flow path that communicates in the second panel from the first edge to the second edge,
The third flow path is connected to the first flow path and the fourth flow path between the first panel and the second panel,
The cooling apparatus, wherein the second flow path is connected to the fifth flow path between the first panel and the second panel.

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