JP2018170211A - Battery pack and battery pack module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery pack and a battery pack module, capable of being improved in heat dissipation and coolability.SOLUTION: A battery pack of the present embodiment includes: a plurality of secondary batteries; a metal housing which accommodates the plurality of secondary batteries therein; a non-conductive housing which covers open portions of the secondary batteries; a lattice-shaped rib which extends in an insertion direction of the secondary batteries in the metal housing; and at least one surface or more of heat exchange surfaces in at least one of the metal housing and the non-conductive housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an assembled battery and an assembled battery module.

Conventionally, there is an assembled battery in which a plurality of secondary batteries are housed in an electrically insulating resin casing. In such an assembled battery, it may be difficult to improve heat dissipation and cooling.

JP2015-210895A

Then, the problem which this invention tends to solve is providing the assembled battery and assembled battery module which can improve heat dissipation and cooling property.

In order to solve the above problems, the assembled battery of the present embodiment includes a plurality of secondary batteries, a metal housing that houses the plurality of secondary batteries, and a non-conductive covering the open portion of the secondary battery. At least one heat exchange surface on at least one of the conductive case, the grid-like ribs extending in the insertion direction of the secondary battery of the metal case, and the metal case and the non-conductive case It has the above.

The exploded view perspective view of the assembled battery concerning an embodiment. The perspective view of the metal housing | casing concerning embodiment. The top view of the metal housing | casing concerning embodiment. The exploded view perspective view of the assembled battery module concerning embodiment. The perspective view which shows the bottom face shape of the assembled battery concerning embodiment The exploded view perspective view of the assembled battery module concerning embodiment. The perspective view of the assembled battery concerning embodiment. The exploded view perspective view of the assembled battery module concerning embodiment. The perspective view of the fixed mount concerning embodiment The perspective view of the assembled battery concerning embodiment. The bottom view which shows the liquid cooling flow path shape of the assembled battery concerning embodiment. The bottom view which shows the liquid cooling flow path shape of the assembled battery concerning embodiment. The exploded view perspective view of the assembled battery module concerning embodiment. The perspective view of the assembled battery module concerning embodiment. The bottom view which shows the liquid cooling flow path shape of the assembled battery module concerning embodiment. The disassembled perspective view of the assembled battery concerning embodiment. The perspective view of the assembled battery module concerning embodiment. The disassembled perspective view of the assembled battery module concerning embodiment. The perspective view which shows the fixing plate concerning embodiment The perspective view which shows the back surface side of the fixed plate concerning embodiment The perspective view which shows the assembled battery concerning embodiment

    Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following exemplary embodiments include similar components. Therefore, below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the assembled battery 1 according to the embodiment includes a metal housing 2, a plurality of secondary batteries 3, a nonconductive housing 4, a plurality of bus bars 5, an electronic circuit board 6, and a nonconductive material. And a lid 7 of a sex. Further, the secondary battery 3 is covered with a covering member 8 that prevents contact with the metal casing 2.

The plurality of secondary batteries 3 are, for example, secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and nickel metal hydride batteries. For example, the electrode body and the electrolytic solution are enclosed in a metal outer container.

The covering member 8 has a minimum thickness required to electrically insulate between the metal casing 2 and the secondary battery 3, for example. The material of the covering member 8 preferably has elasticity and thermal conductivity in addition to non-conductivity. For example, a member in which a sheet-like resin material having high thermal conductivity is formed in the casing shape of the secondary battery 3 is used. .

Moreover, it is good also as a structure which provides the through-hole 8a extended in the direction which inserts the secondary battery 3 in the metal housing | casing 2, and is filled with a heat conductive filler. The filler is composed of, for example, a flowable viscosity gel, a two-part curable resin, or a paste.

The metal housing 2 includes a heat transfer surface 2e (see FIG. 5) for conducting heat to at least one surface. The shape of the heat transfer surface can take various shapes depending on the method for cooling an assembled battery described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the metal housing 2 includes a partition plate 2 b for separating a housing portion 2 a in which a plurality of secondary batteries 3 are housed. Since the partition plate 2b has the effect of moving the heat generated from the secondary battery 3, it is preferable to increase the height.

In addition, the metal housing 2 includes some kind of fitting portion 2 c in order to join the non-conductive housing 4. For example, it can be set as the structure provided with the snap fit shown in FIG. Since the non-conductive casing 4 is provided with a through-hole that fits into the snap fit, the metal casing 2 snap-fit and the through-hole of the non-conductive casing 4 are fitted to each other. The housing 4 can be joined. In addition, the method of joining the metal housing | casing 2 and the nonelectroconductive housing | casing 4 can also take means other than fitting, such as fastening with a screw | thread.

Furthermore, the assembled battery 1 includes a fixing portion 2d. The assembled battery 1 can be fixed by fastening the fixed part 2d with, for example, a screw that inserts a screw to fix the assembled battery 1.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the fixing portion 2 d can be arranged in a staggered manner with respect to opposite sides. By arranging the fixed part 2d in this way, when arranging a plurality of assembled batteries 1, it is possible to avoid interference between the fixed parts 2d provided in the adjacent assembled battery 1 or reduce interference,
The distance between the adjacent assembled batteries 1 can be reduced, and the energy density of the assembled battery module in which the assembled batteries 1 are combined can be increased.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows an example of an assembled battery module that is cooled using a liquid cooling plate.

The assembled battery 1 is installed on a liquid cooling plate 9 provided with an internal liquid cooling channel 9a through which cooling water flows and a fixing screw hole 9b for fixing the assembled battery 1.

The assembled battery 1 can be fixed by, for example, screws using the fixing portion 2 d provided in the assembled battery 1 and the screw holes 9 b provided in the liquid cooling plate 9.

Further, FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which the internal liquid cooling channel is linear, but the channel shape can take various shapes. The shape of the heat transfer surface 2e of the assembled battery 1 is preferably a smooth plane as shown in FIG. Furthermore, it is preferable to sandwich the heat conductive sheet 10 between the bottom surface of the assembled battery 1 and the liquid cooling plate 9.

Thus, the heat generated from the assembled battery 1 is transferred to the liquid cooling plate 9 via the heat transfer surface 2e of the assembled battery 1.
Therefore, the assembled battery 1 can be cooled. Further, since the shape of the heat transfer surface 2e is a smooth plane, the heat generated from the assembled battery 1 can be more uniformly transferred to the liquid cooling plate 9 on the heat transfer surface 2e. Furthermore, since the assembled battery 1 and the liquid cooling plate 9 are in contact with each other via the heat conductive sheet 10, the contact thermal resistance from the assembled battery 1 to the liquid cooling plate can be reduced. Heat transfer to 9 can be promoted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid cooling plate 9 can be replaced with an air cooling plate 11 having a wind tunnel portion 11a through which air flows.

The air cooling plate 11 is provided with a fixing screw hole 11c similarly to the liquid cooling plate 9, and the assembled battery 1 can be fixed by screw fastening.

The air cooling plate 11 is air cooled by flowing air through the cavity 11a. Moreover, it is also possible to provide the fin 11b inside the wind tunnel part 11a.

Air is forced to flow in with a fan, or in a moving body, the wind tunnel 1
It becomes possible to supply to 1a.

Since the heat generated from the assembled battery 1 can be transferred to the air cooling plate 11 via the heat transfer surface 2e of the assembled battery 1, the assembled battery 1 can be cooled. Further, since the shape of the heat transfer surface 2e is a smooth flat surface, the heat generated from the assembled battery 1 can be more uniformly transferred to the air cooling plate 11 on the heat transfer surface 2e. Furthermore, since the assembled battery 1 and the air cooling plate 11 are in contact via the heat conductive sheet 10, the contact thermal resistance from the assembled battery 1 to the air cooling plate 11 can be reduced, and the assembled battery 1 to the air cooling plate 11 can be reduced. Heat transport can be promoted. By providing the air cooling plate 11 with the fins 11b, the cooling performance of the air cooling plate 11 can be improved.

FIG. 7 shows different modifications of the method for cooling the assembled battery 1.

The assembled battery 1 includes fins 2 f on the heat transfer surface 2 e of the metal housing 2. Although the shape of the fin 2f can take various shapes depending on the use conditions, in FIG.
A fin extending in a strip shape from e is shown. Further, in consideration of assemblability, a load receiving fin 2f ′ having sufficient strength to receive its own weight or a load applied during assembly is provided. The position of the load receiving fin 2f ′ is preferably provided on the outer peripheral side where the temperature of the secondary battery 3 does not rise relatively.

Thus, since the fin 2f can be cooled by directing air to the fin 2f, the assembled battery 1 can be cooled from the fin 2f through the heat transfer surface 2e. Further, since the air also contacts the bottom surface of the direct assembled battery 1, the bottom surface 1 can be directly cooled.

Subsequently, an example of the assembled battery using the assembled battery 1 provided with the fins 2f on the bottom surface of the metal housing 2 is shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 shows an example of a fixed mount 12 for fixing the battery module having fins.

The fixed base 12 includes an opening 12c that can be inserted into the bottom of the assembled battery 1, an opening 12c through which the fin 2f is exposed, and a fixing screw hole 12b.

The assembled battery 1 can be fixed to the fixed mount 12 by, for example, screw fastening. The assembled battery 1
Is fixed to the fixed base 12, the fin 2 f provided in the assembled battery 1 is exposed to the opening 12 c.

By providing such a structure, when air flows to the opening 12c, the opening 12
The fin 2f exposed to c is air-cooled, and the assembled battery 1 can be cooled from the fin 2f through the heat transfer surface 2e. Further, since the air also contacts the bottom surface of the direct assembled battery 1, the bottom surface 1 can be directly cooled. As in the case where the air cooling plate 11 is used, the air can be forcibly supplied by a fan or can be supplied to the wind tunnel portion 12a by taking in the traveling wind.

Next, an example in which the refrigerant directly applied to the assembled battery 1 is replaced with liquid. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assembled battery 1 provided with a liquid cooling channel on the bottom surface of the metal casing 2, and FIG. 11 shows an example of the shape of the liquid cooling channel.

As shown in FIG. 11, the heat transfer surface 2e of the metal housing 2 includes a plurality of rib portions 2h, and a flow path 2i is formed between the rib portions 2h. A pipe (for example, a hose) 16 (see FIG. 13) is connected to the joint portion 13, and is connected to a cooling water supply device or another assembled battery.

Thus, by providing the liquid cooling channel on the heat transfer surface 2e of the metal casing 2, the cooling water is supplied to the joint portion 13.
Is supplied from a pipe (for example, a hose) 16 connected to, and wraps around the inlet / outlet 2g on the bottom of the battery module. And it flows through the flow path 2i and goes out of the assembled battery 1 from the other inlet / outlet 2g. Thereby, the heat transfer surface 2e is cooled by the cooling water, and the assembled battery 1 is also cooled.

In addition, the shape of the flow path 2i and the position of the inflow / outlet 2g are not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 11, and depending on the arrangement of the assembled battery 1, the straight flow path shape shown in FIG. .

Subsequently, an example of an assembled battery module using the assembled battery 1 provided with a liquid cooling channel on the heat transfer surface 2e will be described. FIG. 13 is an exploded view showing an example of an assembled battery module using the assembled battery 1 having a liquid cooling channel on the bottom surface, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the assembled battery module.

In FIG. 13, the some assembled battery 1 is attached with respect to the one fixed plate 15, and comprises the assembled battery module. The fixing plate 15 includes a sealing material groove 15a and a fixing screw hole 15b.

The seal material groove 15a is provided with a groove dimension that ensures an appropriate clearance allowance according to the crushing allowance,
The sealing material 14 can improve the sealing performance.

Further, by providing the fixing screw holes 15b with an appropriate pitch arrangement, an equal pressure load can be applied to the sealing material 14, and the sealing material 14 can improve the sealing performance.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a channel configuration of an assembled battery using a battery module having a liquid cooling channel on the bottom surface from the lower surface side. FIG. 15 exemplarily shows a flow path configuration connecting twelve assembled batteries 1 in series.
The flow path configuration can take various configurations depending on the calorific value and temperature upper limit when using the battery, the performance of the pump used, the performance of the cooler, and the like.

In this way, the flow path is formed by connecting the joint portion 13 on the outlet side of the adjacent assembled battery 1 and the joint portion 13 on the inlet side by the pipe 16. Thereby, the assembled battery module can cool the plurality of assembled batteries by circulating the cooling water to the plurality of assembled batteries 1.

Subsequently, an example in which one fixing plate 15 is attached to one assembled battery will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

16 is an exploded view of the assembled battery 1 using one fixed plate 15 for one assembled battery, and FIG. 17 is an arrangement example of the assembled battery 1 using one fixed plate 15 for one assembled battery. is there.

The fixing plate 15 includes a sealing material groove 15a and a fixing screw hole 15b as in FIG. When the fixing plate 15 is attached to one assembled battery 1, the assembled battery 1 can be moved independently with the flow path closed, so that the configuration of the assembled battery module using the assembled battery 1 The degree of freedom can be increased, and the assembled battery module can be installed even in a limited space.

Furthermore, the example which provides a flow path in a stationary plate, without using piping which connects the flow path between the assembled batteries 1 is demonstrated.

18 shows an example of a battery pack using a fixed plate 17 having a flow path therein, FIG. 19 shows an example of a fixed plate 17 having a flow path inside, and FIG. 20 shows a fixed plate 17 having a flow path inside. It is an example of the back side.

The fixing plate 17 having a flow path inside is similar to the fixing plate 15 in that the sealing material groove 17a and the fixing screw hole 1 are provided.
7b.

The fixing member 2d of the metal housing 2 is screwed into the fixing screw hole 17b so that the sealing material 14 is crushed and watertightness is ensured.

The fixed plate 17 includes a joint portion 18 and an internal liquid cooling channel 17d. The internal liquid cooling channel 17d can be watertight by welding the cover member 19 to the fixed plate 17 at the position of the welded portion 19a.

By using the fixed plate 17 in this way, the cooling water is supplied from the joint portion 18, flows through the internal liquid cooling channel 17 d inside the fixed plate 17, and is supplied from the inlet / outlet port 17 c to the bottom surface of the assembled battery 1.

Thereby, the assembled battery 1 can be cooled. In addition, by providing a flow path in the fixed plate 17,
The piping 16 that connects the flow paths between the assembled batteries 1 becomes unnecessary, and the number of parts can be reduced.
Further, the fixing plate 17 can be reduced in weight by providing the thinned portion 17e.

The assembled battery 1 described so far has a configuration including 24 secondary batteries 3, but the number of secondary batteries 3 is not limited to this. Depending on conditions, the number of battery cells, the number of series, and the number of parallel can be set. When the number of secondary batteries 3 is large and the weight increases, as shown in FIG.
The metal casing 2 may have a structure having a handle portion 2j on the side surface. At that time, the handle portion 2j
For example, a tool clearance hole 2k shown in FIG. 21 can be provided so that the tool can access the fixing portion 2d provided below the tool.

An appropriate material for each member will be described. The metal casing 2 is preferably made of a material having high thermal conductivity. Examples include aluminum and copper. In the case of using aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the productivity can be increased by forming it by casting.

The non-conductive casing 4 and the lid 7 are made of a synthetic resin material having an insulating property, such as PE, PP, PMP.
Olefin resin such as PET, polyester resin such as PBT, PBT, POM resin,
Polyamide resins such as PA6, PA66, PA12, crystalline resins such as PPS resin, LCP resin and their alloy resins, or PS, PC, PC / ABS, ABS, AS
, Non-crystalline resins such as modified PPE, PES, PEI, PSF and their alloy resins,
Can be used.

Further, thermosetting resins such as bakelite and fiber reinforced plastics such as FRP may be used. The bus bar 5 is made of aluminum or copper having a low electrical resistance. Further, a soft material is preferable in order to absorb relative displacement between the terminals and prevent a load from being applied to the terminals. For example, A
1050-O is suitable.

The liquid cooling plate 9 and the air cooling plate 11 are preferably formed of aluminum or copper having high thermal conductivity. On the other hand, the fixed base 12, the fixed plate 15, and the fixed plate 17 having a flow path therein can be made of an iron-based material with an emphasis on strength. A refrigerant other than water can be used. For example, when ethylene glycol is used, deterioration of the metal casing 2 can be suppressed.

According to at least one embodiment described above, by having the metal casing 2 that accommodates the plurality of secondary batteries 3, a decrease in the energy density of the assembled battery 1 is minimized, and heat dissipation performance and cooling performance are improved. The charge / discharge ability can be improved.

Furthermore, by having the covering member 8 that covers at least a part of the surface of the secondary battery 3, electrical insulation can be ensured between each secondary battery 3 and the metal housing 2. Then, the covering member 8 is formed of a sheet-like resin material having a high thermal conductivity, or the covering member 8 is provided with a through hole and filled with a heat conductive filler to efficiently heat the secondary battery 3. It can escape to the metal housing 2 well.

Further, by changing the shape of the heat transfer surface 2e provided on at least one surface of the metal housing 2, various cooling methods such as heat conduction, forced air cooling, and forced water cooling can be supported. Thereby, an appropriate cooling method can be selected according to the use conditions.

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 embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Can be replaced or changed. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery assembly 2 ... Metal housing | casing 2a ... Accommodating part 2b ... Partition plate 2c ... Fitting part 2d ... Fixed part 2e ... Heat-transfer surface;
2f ... Fin 2f '... Load receiving fin 2g ... Inlet / outlet 2h ... Rib part 2i ... Flow path 2j ... Handle part 2k ... Tool escape hole 3 ... Secondary battery 4 ... Non-conductive casing 5 ... Bus bar 6 ... Electronic Circuit board 7 ... Lid 8 ... Cover member 8a ... Through hole 9 ... Liquid cooling plate 9a ... Internal liquid cooling channel 9b ... Fixing screw hole 10 ... Heat conduction sheet 11 ... Air cooling plate +
11a ... Wind tunnel portion 11b ... Fin 11c ... Fixing screw hole;
12 ... Fixed stand 12a ... Wind tunnel 12b ... Fixing screw hole 12c ... Opening
13 ... Joint part
14 ... Sealing material
15 ... fixed plate
15a ... Sealing material groove 15b ... Fixing screw hole
16 ... Piping (hose)
17: Fixing plate with a flow path inside
17a ... Sealing material groove 17b ... Fixing screw hole 17c ... Inlet / outlet 17d ... Internal liquid cooling channel 17e ... Meat removal part 18 ... Joint part 19 ... Sealing plate 19a ... Welding part

Claims (8)

A plurality of secondary batteries;
A metal housing that houses the plurality of secondary batteries;
A non-conductive casing covering an open portion of the secondary battery;
Grid-like ribs extending in the insertion direction of the secondary battery of the metal casing;
At least one heat exchange surface is provided on at least one of the metal casing and the non-conductive casing.
More than the surface,
An assembled battery. The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein a bolt fastening portion is provided in the metal casing. The assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein the bolt fastening portion is provided in a staggered arrangement on two opposing surfaces of the metal casing. A liquid cooling plate with an internal liquid cooling channel;
A thermally conductive sheet on the liquid cooling plate;
The assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is arranged on the liquid cooling plate via the thermal conductive sheet,
An assembled battery module. An air cooling plate having a wind tunnel portion provided with cooling fins therein;
A thermally conductive sheet;
The assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is arranged on the air-cooling plate via the thermal conductive sheet,
An assembled battery module. The assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a plurality of fins on the heat exchange surface;
The air cooling plate further comprising an opening for inserting the wind tunnel portion and the plurality of fins into the wind tunnel portion;
The assembled battery module according to claim 5, comprising: The assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a liquid cooling channel on the heat exchange surface;
A cover member covering the liquid cooling channel;
An assembled battery module. The assembled battery module according to claim 7, wherein the assembled battery is connected to the cover member via a sealing material.

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