JP2019142390A - Cooling structure of secondary battery for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cooling structure of a secondary battery for a vehicle which can homogenize temperatures of a plurality of the secondary batteries.SOLUTION: A cooling structure of a secondary battery for a vehicle comprises: a plurality of the secondary batteries which are aligned in one row; a refrigerant passage which is formed along an alignment direction of a plurality of the secondary batteries in a lower region of a plurality of the secondary batteries, and sets a lower face of a plurality of the secondary batteries as a part of a partitioning wall; a plurality of branch passages which are individually branched from the refrigerant passage toward a sideway of a plurality of the secondary batteries, and set a side face of the secondary batteries as a part of the partitioning wall; and a plurality of door bodies which are arranged in a boundary between a plurality of the branch passages and the refrigerant passage, and can open the branch passages by a rise of a temperature of the refrigerant which stays in each of a plurality of the branch passages.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a cooling structure for a vehicular secondary battery.

Patent Document 1 discloses a thermal management system for an electric vehicle. Such a thermal management system is coupled to an electric vehicle powertrain to supply power to an electric motor of the electric vehicle powertrain and an electrical energy storage system (ESS) and a coolant in a coolant loop that is in thermal communication with the ESS. A cooling system that includes a cooling liquid pump that pumps the cooling liquid through a cooling liquid loop, and a temperature control system coupled to the cooling system, the cooling system comprising: A temperature system under the control of the temperature control system.
The temperature control system is further an automobile status monitor, which outputs a first status signal when the electric vehicle is in operation and outputs a second status signal when the electric vehicle is stopped. An automotive status monitor for output; at least one temperature sensor in thermal communication with the ESS, the at least one temperature sensor monitoring the ESS temperature; and the ESS temperature as a preset temperature A comparator circuit for comparing, wherein the comparator circuit outputs a first signal when the ESS temperature is lower than a preset temperature, and outputs a second signal when the ESS temperature is higher than the preset temperature; A cooling system controller coupled to the cooling system, wherein the cooling system controller outputs a second status signal from the vehicle status monitor. The cooling system controller is further configured to receive the first and second signals from the comparator circuit, and the control signal is transmitted from the cooling system controller to the second signal. When received, the coolant pump is activated, and the control signal includes a cooling system controller that stops the coolant pump when the cooling system controller receives the first signal.
In the above-described thermal management system for an electric vehicle, the cooling system controller starts the coolant pump when the ESS temperature is higher than the preset temperature, and stops the coolant pump when the ESS temperature is lower than the preset temperature.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-200605

Since a secondary battery for vehicles has a plurality of secondary batteries mounted in a large case, temperature variation occurs inside. When the use upper limit temperature is partially reached in a plurality of secondary batteries, the battery performance cannot be sufficiently exhibited. Therefore, it is desired to make the temperatures of the plurality of secondary batteries uniform.
However, in the thermal management system for an electric vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, the temperature cannot be made uniform in ESS (a plurality of secondary batteries in a vehicle battery pack).

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a cooling structure for a vehicular secondary battery that can make the temperature uniform among a plurality of secondary batteries.

  (1) A vehicle secondary battery cooling structure according to at least one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of secondary batteries arranged in a row, and a plurality of secondary batteries in a lower region of the plurality of secondary batteries. A refrigerant passage provided along an alignment direction, the lower surface of the plurality of secondary batteries being a part of a partition wall, and individually branched from the refrigerant passage toward a side of the plurality of secondary batteries, The temperature of the refrigerant | coolant which is provided in the boundary of the some branch passage which makes the side surface of a secondary battery a part of partition wall, and each of the said some branch passage, and the said refrigerant passage, and retains in each of the said some branch passage A plurality of door bodies capable of individually opening each of the plurality of branch passages by ascending.

  According to the configuration of (1) above, since the plurality of doors individually open the plurality of branch passages due to the temperature rise of the refrigerant staying in each of the plurality of branch passages, the refrigerant staying in the opened branch passages The secondary battery that has been replaced is cooled. Thereby, temperature can be made uniform in a some secondary battery.

(2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of the above (1), the refrigerant passage is a circulation path through which the refrigerant can circulate in a lower region of the plurality of secondary batteries, and includes an outward path and a return path. The battery is disposed in a lower area of the plurality of secondary batteries.
According to the configuration of (2) above, the refrigerant passage is a circulation path through which the refrigerant can circulate in the lower area of the plurality of secondary batteries, and the forward path and the return path are arranged in the lower area of the plurality of secondary batteries. Therefore, the refrigerant circulates in the lower region of the plurality of secondary batteries, and the plurality of secondary batteries can be cooled in the forward path and the return path.

(3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of the above (1) or (2), the plurality of door bodies can be opened in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the refrigerant.
According to the configuration of (3) above, the plurality of door bodies open in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the refrigerant, so that the refrigerant can flow into the branch passage from the refrigerant passage, and the refrigerant stays in the branch passage. Can be discharged from the branch passage to the refrigerant passage.

(4) In some embodiments, in any one of the configurations (1) to (3), each of the plurality of door bodies is a bimetal obtained by bonding two metal plates having different thermal expansion coefficients. Consists of.
According to the configuration of (4) above, each of the plurality of door bodies is composed of a bimetal obtained by bonding two metal plates having different thermal expansion coefficients, so that the door is raised by the temperature rise of the refrigerant staying in the branch passage. The branch passages can be opened individually by deforming the body.

(5) In some embodiments, in any one of the configurations (1) to (3), each of the plurality of door bodies is a shape memory alloy that returns to an original shape memorized by a temperature change. Composed.
According to the configuration of (5) above, each of the plurality of door bodies is made of the shape memory alloy that returns to the original shape stored by the temperature rise of the refrigerant staying in the branch passage. The branch passage can be opened by returning to the original shape.

(6) In some embodiments, in any one of the configurations (1) to (3), each of the plurality of door bodies is closed with a string that can be expanded and contracted by a temperature change. .
According to the configuration of (6) above, since each of the plurality of door bodies is stretched and closed by the temperature increase of the refrigerant staying in the branch passage, the string is extended by the temperature increase. You can open the door.

  According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature can be made uniform in a plurality of secondary batteries.

It is a top view which shows roughly the cooling structure of the secondary battery for vehicles which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of the cooling structure of the vehicle secondary battery shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of the cooling structure for the vehicle secondary battery shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the structure which opens and closes the door body shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically another example of the structure which opens and closes the door body shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples. Absent.
For example, expressions expressing relative or absolute arrangements such as “in a certain direction”, “along a certain direction”, “parallel”, “orthogonal”, “center”, “concentric” or “coaxial” are strictly In addition to such an arrangement, it is also possible to represent a state of relative displacement with an angle or a distance such that tolerance or the same function can be obtained.
In addition, for example, expressions representing shapes such as quadrangular shapes and cylindrical shapes not only represent shapes such as quadrangular shapes and cylindrical shapes in a strict geometric sense, but also within the range where the same effect can be obtained. A shape including a chamfered portion or the like is also expressed.
On the other hand, the expressions “comprising”, “comprising”, “comprising”, “including”, or “having” one constituent element are not exclusive expressions for excluding the existence of the other constituent elements.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a cooling structure 1 for a vehicle secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of the vehicle secondary battery cooling structure 1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of the vehicle secondary battery shown in FIG. is there.

  A vehicle secondary battery cooling structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention provides power to a power source (motor) of an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid vehicle (HV), or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV). It is for cooling the secondary battery for vehicles which can be supplied.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle secondary battery cooling structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of secondary batteries 2, a refrigerant passage 3, a plurality of branch passages 4, and a plurality of door bodies. 5 is configured. The plurality of secondary batteries 2 are connected in series, for example. The secondary battery 2 is, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery, and the secondary battery 2 may be a battery cell or a battery module including a plurality of battery cells.

  The refrigerant passage 3 is a passage through which a refrigerant for cooling the plurality of secondary batteries 2 flows. The refrigerant is, for example, a liquid (refrigerant liquid), but is not limited to a liquid and may be a gas. When the refrigerant is a liquid, the refrigerant passage 3 is configured to be watertight, and when the refrigerant liquid is a gas, the refrigerant passage 3 is configured to be airtight. Further, the refrigerant passage 3 is provided, for example, in the lower region of the plurality of secondary batteries 2 along the alignment direction of the plurality of secondary batteries 2. Moreover, the refrigerant path 3 makes the lower surface of the some secondary battery 2 a part of partition wall, for example. Thereby, the secondary battery 2 is directly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 3 touching the lower surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 2.

  The refrigerant passage 3 is, for example, a circulation path through which refrigerant can circulate in the lower area of the plurality of secondary batteries 2, and the forward path 31 and the return path 32 are arranged in the lower area of the plurality of secondary batteries 2. Thereby, the refrigerant circulates in the lower region of the plurality of secondary batteries 2, and the plurality of secondary batteries 2 can be cooled in the forward path 31 and the return path 32. As a result, the refrigerant passage 3 can efficiently cool the plurality of secondary batteries 2.

  The refrigerant passage 3 includes a pump 6 and a cooler 7. The pump 6 is for supplying a refrigerant to the refrigerant passage 3, and causes the refrigerant to circulate in the refrigerant passage 3 in the refrigerant passage 3 provided so that the refrigerant circulates. The cooler 7 is for cooling the refrigerant. In the refrigerant passage 3 provided so that the refrigerant circulates, the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant passage 3 is cooled.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of branch passages 4 are passages in which refrigerants for individually cooling the plurality of secondary batteries 2 stay. Each of the plurality of branch passages 4 individually branches from the refrigerant passage 3 toward the side of the plurality of secondary batteries 2, for example. Each of the plurality of branch passages 4 has, for example, the side surface of the secondary battery 2 as a part of the partition wall. Thereby, the secondary battery 2 is directly cooled by the refrigerant staying in each of the plurality of branch passages 4 touching the side surface of the secondary battery 2. Each of the plurality of branch passages 4 has, for example, a hand-like (L-shaped) side cross section that partitions the branch passage 4 into the secondary battery 2 adjacent to the secondary battery 2 that is cooled by the refrigerant retained in the branch passage 4. Shaped member 41 is installed. The hand-like member 41 of the bag is made of, for example, an insulating material, and the secondary battery 2 and the secondary battery 2 adjacent to the secondary battery 2 are insulated.

  The plurality of door bodies 5 are for opening and closing each of the plurality of branch passages 4. Each of the plurality of door bodies 5 is provided at a boundary between the plurality of branch passages 4 and the refrigerant passage 3. The plurality of door bodies 5 can individually open each of the plurality of branch passages 4 due to, for example, an increase in the temperature of the refrigerant staying in each of the plurality of branch passages 4. Further, the plurality of door bodies 5 can individually block each of the plurality of branch passages 4 as the temperature of the refrigerant that convects each of the plurality of branch passages 4 decreases.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the plurality of door bodies 5 is supported by, for example, the above-described hand-shaped member 41 of the bag. The plurality of door bodies 5 can be opened in a direction opposite to the refrigerant flow direction (direction in which the refrigerant is received). In this way, when the door 5 is opened, the refrigerant can flow into the branch passage 4 from the refrigerant passage 3, and the refrigerant staying in the branch passage 4 can be discharged from the branch passage 4 to the refrigerant passage 3. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each of the plurality of door bodies 5 is made of, for example, bimetal. The bimetal is a laminate of two metal plates having different thermal expansion coefficients, and the branch passage 4 can be opened by a rise in the temperature of the refrigerant staying in the branch passage 4. If it does in this way, the branch channel | path 4 can be open | released separately because the door body 5 deform | transforms with the temperature rise of the refrigerant | coolant which retains in the branch channel | path 4. FIG. Also, the branch passage 4 can be closed by returning the door body 5 as the temperature of the refrigerant convection through the branch passage 4 decreases.

  Each of the plurality of door bodies 5 may be made of, for example, a shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy returns to the original shape memorized by the temperature change, and the branch passage 4 can be opened by the temperature rise of the refrigerant staying in the branch passage 4. If it does in this way, the branch channel | path 4 can be open | released separately because the door body 5 returns to the original shape by the temperature rise of the refrigerant | coolant which retains in the branch channel | path 4. FIG. Moreover, the branch channel | path 4 can be obstruct | occluded separately because the door body 5 deform | transforms when the temperature of the refrigerant | coolant which convects the branch channel | path 4 falls.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of door bodies 5 may be closed by, for example, a string 8 that can be expanded and contracted by a temperature change. The string 8 that can be expanded and contracted by a change in temperature is made of, for example, a shape memory fiber (for example, a shape memory polymer), and is extended by the temperature rise of the refrigerant staying in the branch passage 4. Open. If it does in this way, a string will extend by the temperature rise of the refrigerant | coolant which retains in the branch channel | path 4, and the door body 5 can open | release the branch channel | path 4 separately with dead weight. Further, the string 8 is reduced by the temperature of the refrigerant convection through the branch passage 4 being reduced, so that the door body 5 can individually block the branch passage 4 against its own weight.

  According to the vehicular secondary battery cooling structure 1 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of door bodies 5 pass through the plurality of branch passages 4 due to the rise in the temperature of the refrigerant convection to each of the plurality of branch passages 4. Since it opens separately, the refrigerant | coolant which stayed in the open branch passage 4 is replaced, and the secondary battery 2 which temperature rose is cooled. Thereby, the temperature can be made uniform in the plurality of secondary batteries 2.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes forms obtained by modifying the above-described embodiments and forms obtained by appropriately combining these forms.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooling structure of the secondary battery for vehicles 2 Secondary battery 3 Cooling passage 4 Branch passage 41 Hand-shaped member of a cage 5 Door body 6 Pump 7 Cooler 8 String

Claims (6)

A plurality of secondary batteries arranged in a row;
A refrigerant passage provided along a direction in which the plurality of secondary batteries are aligned in a lower region of the plurality of secondary batteries, and having a lower surface of the plurality of secondary batteries as a part of a partition wall;
A plurality of branch passages individually branching from the refrigerant passage toward a side of the plurality of secondary batteries, wherein the side surfaces of the secondary batteries are part of partition walls;
A plurality of door bodies provided at the boundary between each of the plurality of branch passages and the refrigerant passage and capable of opening each of the plurality of branch passages individually by a rise in temperature of the refrigerant staying in the plurality of branch passages When,
A cooling structure for a vehicular secondary battery, comprising:   The refrigerant passage is a circulation path through which the refrigerant can circulate in a lower area of the plurality of secondary batteries, and an outward path and a return path are arranged in the lower area of the plurality of secondary batteries. The cooling structure of the secondary battery for vehicles of Claim 1.   The cooling structure for a secondary battery for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of door bodies can be opened in a direction opposite to a flow direction of the refrigerant.   4. The vehicular secondary according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of doors is configured by a bimetal obtained by bonding two metal plates having different thermal expansion coefficients. 5. Battery cooling structure.   4. The secondary battery for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of doors is made of a shape memory alloy that returns to an original shape stored by a temperature change. 5. Cooling structure.   The cooling structure for a secondary battery for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the plurality of door bodies is closed by a string that can be expanded and contracted by a temperature change. .

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