JP5518384B2 - Battery pack and vehicle equipped with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembled battery in which a plurality of prismatic battery cells are stacked and a vehicle including the assembled battery, and more particularly to a prism that constitutes an assembled battery used for a power source of a motor that drives a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle, a fuel vehicle, and an electric vehicle. The present invention relates to temperature control of battery cells.

  A high-current, high-output power supply device used as a power supply for driving a motor for driving an automobile has a plurality of batteries connected in series to increase the output voltage. This is to increase the output of the drive motor. A power supply device used for this type of application is charged and discharged with a large current. For example, in a hybrid vehicle or the like, when starting or accelerating, a motor is driven by a battery to accelerate the vehicle, and thus a very large current of 100 A or more flows. Furthermore, when regenerative braking is applied with sudden braking, the battery is charged with a large current.

  A power supply device used by passing a large current needs to be forcibly cooled because the temperature of the battery rises. This is because the performance decreases as the temperature of the battery increases. Therefore, a cooling mechanism has been developed that monitors the temperature of the battery cell and forcibly blows air to cool the battery cell when the temperature of the battery cell becomes higher than a set temperature.

  In the temperature control of a battery pack using a large number of battery cells, if there is a variation in cooling of each battery cell, the performance of the battery cell with insufficient cooling will progress, and the battery performance will vary with use, It is not preferable. Therefore, in the temperature control of the battery cells, it is not enough to efficiently cool the battery cells, and it is important to perform uniform temperature control so that there is no temperature difference between the battery cells.

  However, in an assembled battery using a large number of battery cells, it is extremely difficult to uniformly cool the battery cells so as not to cause a temperature difference. For example, in a cooling mechanism that forcibly blows cooling air with a fan, although the battery cell located near the cooling air discharge port can be efficiently cooled, the cooling capacity decreases as the distance from the discharge port decreases. Is insufficient. In particular, as the cooling mechanism using a refrigerant gas or refrigerant fluid having a large heat capacity in order to increase the cooling capacity, the battery cell close to the cooling mechanism is cooled better. There was a tendency to expand.

  In order to suppress such a temperature difference, attempts have been made to achieve uniform cooling by changing the interval between cooling air passages for sending cooling air in accordance with the distance or location, or changing the flow velocity. (For example, patent document 1).

  However, in a configuration in which a large number of battery cells are cooled by a limited cooling mechanism, it is inevitable that a portion where it is difficult to cool the battery cells depending on the location is unavoidable, and the temperature difference of the battery cells due to the difference in cooling capacity is unavoidable. It has occurred. In particular, in a cooling mechanism that blows cooling air, the temperature is low in the vicinity of the refrigerant passage, and the inflow side of the cooling passage is cooler than the discharge side. Therefore, there is a temperature difference between the cooling capacities depending on the location, which causes uneven cooling of the battery cells, and the temperature of the battery cells cannot be made uniform. The temperature difference of each battery cell unbalances the electrical characteristics of the battery. The unbalance of the electric characteristics of the battery cell not only reduces the capacity that can be substantially charged and discharged, but also shortens the life of the battery block. For example, when the temperature of a specific battery cell increases and the battery cell deteriorates and the actual capacity decreases, the battery cell is easily overcharged and overdischarged, and the deterioration is further promoted. Moreover, since the power supply apparatus for vehicles has connected many battery cells in series, deterioration of a specific battery cell will reduce the whole characteristic. For this reason, when a specific battery cell cannot be used, the entire battery block cannot be used. For this reason, it is important for the power supply device for a vehicle that the temperature of the battery cell is lower than the set temperature, but it is more important how the temperature difference between the battery cells can be reduced.

JP 2007-250515 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and its main object is to provide an assembled battery that can reduce the temperature difference between battery cells and use the battery cells with high reliability. It is in providing the vehicle provided.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to solve the above problems, according to the first assembled battery of the present invention, a plurality of battery cells having electrode terminals, a cooling mechanism for cooling the plurality of battery cells, and the plurality of battery cells And a heating element thermally coupled to at least one battery cell having a cooling capacity given by the cooling mechanism that is equal to or higher than the average in relation to other battery cells, and the cooling mechanism provides the plurality of the heating elements. When the battery cell is cooled, the battery cell having a cell temperature lower than the average temperature is heated by the heating element, whereby the temperature difference ΔT between the battery cells can be reduced. As a result, the battery cell in a position where the cooling capacity of the cooling mechanism can be sufficiently enjoyed, in other words, the battery cell that is cooled more than necessary can be heated with a heating element to raise the temperature, so that other battery cells And the temperature difference between the battery cells can be reduced, and the effect of reducing the unbalance between the battery cells due to variations in the cell temperature can be obtained.

  The second assembled battery further includes cell temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of at least a part of the plurality of battery cells, and the temperature information of the battery cell detected by the cell temperature detection means is included. Based on this, the operation of the heating element can be controlled. Thereby, operation | movement of a heat generating body can be controlled based on cell temperature, and appropriate temperature control is implement | achieved.

  Further, according to the third assembled battery, the battery temperature detecting means is a battery cell at a position where the temperature is considered to be highest based on at least a positional relationship with the cooling mechanism among the plurality of battery cells, and Each battery cell can be provided at a position where the temperature is considered to be the lowest. As a result, the temperature difference can be detected at the part where the temperature difference of the battery cells seems to be the largest, so the temperature control can be performed with the worst condition assumed, and the temperature control with improved safety and reliability. Can be realized.

  Furthermore, according to the fourth assembled battery, the heating element can be provided in a battery cell that is considered to have the lowest cell temperature among the battery cells provided with the cell temperature detecting means. Thereby, the battery cell cooled most by the cooling mechanism can be heated by the heating element, and an advantage that the temperature difference between the battery cells can be reduced can be obtained. In addition, since the position where the battery cell that becomes low temperature is provided is considered to be an area where the cooling by the cooling mechanism is easy to proceed, the adjacent battery cell is also heated by heating one battery cell in this area. As a result of being indirectly heated by conduction, it can be expected that the cooling capacity is relaxed and the temperature difference of the entire battery cell is also reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the fifth assembled battery, the heating element can be provided in the battery cell located closest to the cooling mechanism. Thereby, the advantage which can reduce the temperature difference between battery cells by heating the battery cell nearest to a cooling mechanism and cooled well is acquired.

  Furthermore, according to the sixth assembled battery, the heating element can be constituted by a PTC heater. Thereby, the advantage which can reduce the temperature difference between battery cells easily is acquired by providing a PTC heater by pinpoint with respect to the battery cell which is easy to cool.

  Furthermore, according to the seventh assembled battery, the separator further comprises a separator interposed between the plurality of battery cells and provided with a cooling gap on the surface of the battery cell, and the cooling mechanism includes the cooling gap. A forced air blowing mechanism for blowing cooling air can be used. As a result, even if there are battery cells that are difficult to cool using an air-cooled cooling mechanism, the temperature difference between the battery cells can be reduced by heating the temperature of the battery cells that are greatly cooled. can get.

  Furthermore, a vehicle provided with said assembled battery can also be obtained.

1 is a perspective view of a power supply device according to a first embodiment. It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows the internal structure of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which removed the battery block of the front row of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a horizontal sectional view of the power supply device shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of the power supply device of FIG. 5. It is a vertical cross-sectional view in the VII-VII line of the power supply device of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the battery block of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the laminated structure of a battery cell and a separator. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that a battery block is cooled with cooling gas. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a bind bar. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a bind bar. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a battery block of a power supply device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the battery block of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the battery block which concerns on a modification. It is sectional drawing of the separator which concerns on a modification. It is a schematic cross section showing an example of a vehicle equipped with a power supply device. It is a schematic cross section which shows the other example of the vehicle carrying a power supply device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies an assembled battery for embodying the technical idea of the present invention and a vehicle including the assembled battery, and the present invention includes the assembled battery and a vehicle including the assembled battery as follows. Not specified. Moreover, the member shown by the claim is not what specifies the member of embodiment. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in the following description, the same name and symbol indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing.
Example 1

  Hereinafter, an example in which the assembled battery is applied to an in-vehicle power supply device will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, a perspective view of the power supply device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the internal structure of the power supply device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the power supply device of FIG. 4 is a perspective view in which the battery block in the front row of the power supply device in FIG. 3 is removed, FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the power supply device in FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the battery block of the power supply device in FIG. 4, and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a laminated structure of battery cells and separators. ing.

The power supply devices shown in these embodiments are mainly suitable for the power source of an electric vehicle such as a hybrid car or a plug-in hybrid car that runs with both an engine and a motor, or an electric vehicle that runs with only a motor. However, the power supply device of the present invention can also be used for applications requiring high output other than electric vehicles.
(Power supply device 100)

As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1, the external appearance of the power supply apparatus 100 is a box shape whose upper surface is rectangular. In the power supply device 100, the battery block 3 is covered with an upper case 20B having a U-shaped cross section, and both end edges of the upper case 20B are covered with end face plates 26 and 27 , respectively. Further, a vertically projecting flange 21 is provided on the side surface in the longitudinal direction of the upper case 20B so that it can be easily fixed when mounted on a vehicle. A screw hole is opened in the flange 21 to facilitate screwing using the screw hole. In addition, air ducts 5 for inflow and outflow of a gas duct for cooling gas for cooling the battery cells are opened on the end face in the short direction. In this example, the cooling gas is caused to flow to the side surface of the battery block 3 so that the cooling gas passes through a cooling gap 4 (described later) provided between adjacent battery cells to absorb the temperature of the battery cell surface.

  A plurality of battery blocks 3 (four in the example of FIG. 2) are built in the power supply device 100. The battery block 3 has a plurality of battery cells 1 stacked in a state where a cooling gap 4 is formed. Further, as a cooling mechanism for cooling the battery block 3, a forced air blowing mechanism 9 that cools the battery cells 1 of the battery block 3 by forcibly blowing a cooling gas is provided. As shown in FIG. 8, the battery block 3 has a separator 2 sandwiched between stacked battery cells 1. As shown in FIG. 9, the separator 2 has a shape in which a cooling gap 4 is formed between the separator 2 and the battery cell 1. Furthermore, the separator 2 of the figure has connected the battery cell 1 with the fitting structure on both surfaces. Through the separator 2 connected to the battery cell 1 with a fitting structure, the adjacent battery cells 1 are stacked while being prevented from being displaced.

  In the power supply device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery blocks 3 are fixed to the exterior case 20 and arranged in two rows. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply apparatus 100 includes an outer case 20 composed of a lower case 20A and an upper case 20B. The upper case 20 </ b> B and the lower case 20 </ b> A have a flange 21 protruding outward, and the flange 21 is fixed with a bolt 24 and a nut 25. In the exterior case 20 of FIG. 1, the flange 21 is disposed on the side surface of the battery block 3. However, the flange can be arranged at the upper part, the lower part or the middle of the battery block. The outer case 20 fixes the battery block 3 by fixing the end plate 10 to the lower case 20A with a set screw (not shown). The set screw passes through the lower case 20 </ b> A and is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) of the end plate 10 to fix the battery block 3 to the exterior case 20. The set screw projects the head from the lower case 20A.

  Further, the outer case 20 has end plates 26 and 27 connected to both ends. The end face plates 26, 27 are connected to the outer case 20, and the connecting ducts 28, 29 connected to the blower duct 5 including the supply duct 6 and the discharge duct 7 are integrally molded with plastic or the like, and the outer side plates 26, 27 are outside. It is provided so as to protrude. In this example, the connecting duct 28 is connected to the forced air blowing mechanism 9, and the connecting duct 29 is connected to an external exhaust duct (not shown) that exhausts the cooling gas from the power supply device. These end face plates 26 and 27 are connected to the end plate 10 of the battery block 3 by screws. However, the end face plate can be connected to the battery block by a connecting structure other than screwing, or can be fixed to the outer case.

  In the power supply device 100 described above, the battery blocks 3 are arranged in two rows in parallel with each other, and the air ducts 5 are provided in the middle and outside of the battery blocks 3 arranged in two rows. However, the power supply device can also be configured with one row of battery blocks. Although not shown, this power supply device can be provided with air ducts on both sides of one row of battery blocks, with one air duct serving as a supply duct and the other air duct serving as a discharge duct. This power supply device can fix a temperature equalizing plate to either one or both of the surface on the supply duct side and the surface on the discharge duct side of the battery blocks arranged in a row. This temperature equalizing plate can also reduce the temperature difference between the battery cells by limiting the cooling area of the battery cells on the windward side by making the opening area on the windward side of the airflow adjustment opening smaller than that on the leeward side. This power supply device cools the battery cell by forcibly blowing cooling gas from the supply duct toward the discharge duct with a forced air blowing mechanism. In this power supply device, since the flow rates of the cooling gas blown to the supply duct and the discharge duct are equal, the cross-sectional areas of the supply duct and the discharge duct provided on both sides of the battery block are equal, that is, the width of the supply duct and the discharge duct Can be made equal to the width.

The battery block 3 included in the upper case 20B has a plurality of battery cells 1 stacked via separators 2 as shown in the exploded perspective views of FIGS. The separator 2 functions as a spacer that forms a cooling gap 4 between the battery cells 1. Cooling gas is forcibly blown into the cooling gap 4 by the forced air blowing mechanism 9, whereby the battery cell 1 is cooled. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a temperature sensor 41 is thermally coupled to some of the plurality of battery cells 1 as a cell temperature detecting means, and the temperature sensor 41 detects the temperature of the battery cell 1, thereby The temperature of the entire block 3 is estimated. The temperature control circuit 42 controls the cooling capacity or the charge / discharge current based on the temperature of the battery block 3.
(Battery cell 1)

  The battery cell 1 uses a thin outer can 1B whose thickness is thinner than the width of the upper side. The outer can 1B has a substantially box shape in which both corners are chamfered and the corners at the four corners of the outer can 1B are chamfered. The outer can 1B having this shape is also called a square battery for a round battery. The shape of the battery cell is not limited to a rectangular shape, and a cylindrical battery cell can also be used. Further, a sealing plate that seals the outer can 1B on the upper surface thereof has a pair of positive and negative electrode terminals 13 projecting, and a safety valve opening 1A is provided between the electrode terminals 13. The safety valve is configured to open when the internal pressure of the outer can 1B rises to a predetermined value or more, and to release the internal gas. The increase in the internal pressure of the outer can 1B can be stopped by opening the safety valve.

  The unit cell constituting the battery cell 1 is a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, or a nickel-cadmium battery. In particular, when a lithium ion battery is used for a thin battery, there is an advantage that the charge capacity with respect to the capacity of the whole pack battery can be increased.

  The battery cell 1 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 made of a square battery is a quadrangular shape having a predetermined thickness, and positive and negative electrode terminals 13 are provided at both end portions of the upper surface so as to protrude obliquely, and at the center portion of the upper surface. Is provided with an opening 1A of the safety valve. The battery cells 1 to be stacked are connected in series by connecting adjacent positive and negative electrode terminals 13 with a bus bar 17. The bus bar 17 has a set of screw holes into which the electrode terminals 13 can be inserted. The electrode terminals 13 are inserted into the screw holes, and the adjacent positive and negative electrode terminals 13 are electrically connected by screwing. Further, some of the battery cells include a heating element 50 described later. A power supply device that connects adjacent battery cells 1 in series can increase the output voltage and increase the output. However, the power supply device can also connect adjacent battery cells in parallel.

The battery cell 1 is manufactured with a metal outer can 1B. In this battery cell 1, an insulating separator 2 is sandwiched in order to prevent short-circuiting of the outer can 1 </ b> B of the adjacent battery cell 1. The outer can of the battery cell can be made of an insulating material such as plastic. In this case, since it is not necessary for the battery cell to insulate and laminate the outer can, the separator can be made of metal.
(Separator 2)

  The separator 2 is a spacer that stacks the battery cells 1 by being electrically and thermally insulated from each other. The separator 2 is made of an insulating material such as plastic and insulates adjacent battery cells 1. As shown in FIG. 9, the separator 2 is provided with a cooling gap 4 that allows a cooling gas such as air to pass therethrough in order to cool the battery cell 1. The separator 2 in FIG. 9 is provided with a groove 2 </ b> A extending to both side edges on the surface facing the battery cell 1, and a cooling gap 4 is provided between the separator 2 and the battery cell 1. In the illustrated separator 2, a plurality of grooves 2 </ b> A are provided in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval. In addition, the separator 2 is provided with grooves 2 </ b> A on both sides, and a cooling gap 4 is provided between the battery cell 1 and the separator 2 adjacent to each other. This structure has an advantage that the battery cells 1 on both sides can be effectively cooled by the cooling gaps 4 formed on both sides of the separator 2. However, the separator can be provided with a groove only on one side, and a cooling gap can be provided between the battery cell and the separator. The cooling gap 4 in the figure is provided in the horizontal direction so as to open to the left and right of the battery block 3. Furthermore, the separator 2 of FIG. 4 is provided with notches 2B on both sides. The separator 2 can reduce the passage resistance of the cooling gas by widening the interval between the opposing surfaces of the adjacent battery cells 1 in the notches 2B provided on both sides. Therefore, the cooling gas can be smoothly blown from the notch 2B to the cooling gap 4 between the separator 2 and the battery cell 1 to effectively cool the battery cell 1. As described above, the air forcedly blown into the cooling gap 4 directly and efficiently cools the outer can 1 </ b> B of the battery cell 1. This structure is characterized in that the battery cell can be efficiently cooled while effectively preventing thermal runaway of the battery cell.

In addition, a separator can also connect a battery cell by the fitting structure on both surfaces. By interposing the separator connected to the battery cell with the fitting structure, it is possible to prevent the positional deviation between the adjacent battery cells and stack them.
(End plate 10)

  As shown in FIG. 8, the battery block 3 includes a pair of end plates 10 arranged at both ends of the battery stack 8 in which the battery cells 1 are stacked, and the end plates 10 are connected by a bind bar 11. The battery stack 8 is fixed. The end plate 10 has a rectangular shape that is substantially equal to the outer shape of the battery cell 1.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the bind bar 11 is disposed on both side surfaces of the battery stack 8, and both ends thereof are bent inward, and the bent portion 11 </ b> D is fixed to the end plate 10 with a set screw 12. ing. Although not shown, the bind bar can be fixed to the outer surface of the end plate with a set screw. The end plate is provided with a female screw hole on the outer surface, and is fixed by screwing a set screw penetrating the bind bar. The bind bar fixed to the outer surface of the end plate is fixed to the end plate as a straight line without providing a bent portion.

  The bind bar is not limited to this shape, and various shapes can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, an example of an integrated bind bar 31 (details will be described later), or a bind bar divided into two as shown in FIG. 32 examples can be used as appropriate. In the bind bar 32 shown in FIG. 12, the air volume adjustment opening is not provided, and the battery stack is fastened at the upper part and the lower part so as not to close the cooling gap 4.

  The end plate 10 in FIG. 8 is reinforced by laminating a metal plate 10B on the outside of the main body 10A. The main body portion 10A of the end plate 10 is made of plastic or metal. However, the end plate can be made entirely of metal or plastic. The illustrated end plate 10 has four screw holes 10a at the four corners of the outer surface of the metal plate 10B. The bind bar 11 is fixed to the end plate 10 by screwing a set screw 12 penetrating the bent portion 11D into the screw hole 10a. The set screw 12 is screwed into a nut (not shown) fixed to the inner surface of the metal plate 10 </ b> B or the inner surface of the main body to fix the bind bar 11 to the end plate 10. Although not shown in the drawings, an end plate having a metal plate as a whole can be provided with a female screw hole, and a set screw can be screwed into the end plate to fix the bind bar.

  The bind bars 11 are arranged above and below both side surfaces of the battery stack 8, and both ends thereof are fixed to the end plate 10. The bind bar 11 shown in FIG. 8 connects an upper bar 11A disposed at the upper edge of the battery stack 8 and a lower bar 11B disposed at the lower edge of the battery stack 8 at both ends thereof. Thus, the connecting portion 11 </ b> C is fixed to the end plate 10. The connecting portion 11 </ b> C of the bind bar 11 is bent inward from the outer peripheral surface of the end plate 10 along the surface to fix the bent portion 11 </ b> D to the end plate 10. The bind bar 11 is manufactured by cutting and pressing a metal plate of iron or iron alloy. Furthermore, the bind bar 11 shown in the figure has an L-shaped cross section of the upper bar 11A and the lower bar 11B, and has a shape that connects the horizontal rib 11b to the vertical rib 11a. This bind bar 11 can reinforce the vertical rib 11a with the horizontal rib 11b by arranging the vertical rib 11a in parallel with the side surface of the battery stack 8. Further, the bind bar 11 shown in the figure is provided with a connecting hole 11c for fixing to the upper surface plate 19 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) in the horizontal rib 11b provided on the upper edge of the upper bar 11A.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the battery block 3 in which the bind bars 11 are arranged above and below the both side surfaces of the battery stack 8 has an opening 14 of the cooling gap 4 provided between the battery cells 1. The upper and lower parts are closed with the bind bar 11. That is, in the cooling gap 4 closed by the bind bar 11, the cooling gas does not flow from the opening 14. Therefore, the opening 14 of the cooling gap 4 that is open on both sides of the battery cell 1 includes a vertically closed portion 14A that is closed by the bind bar 11, and an exposed portion that is not closed by the bind bar 11. 14B. The exposed portion 14B is connected to the air duct 5 between the upper and lower closed portions 14A. The exposed portion 14 </ b> B is connected to the supply duct 6, and the cooling gas is forcibly blown from the supply duct 6. Since the battery block 3 has the bind bars 11 disposed on the upper and lower sides of the both sides, the cooling gap 4 opened on both sides is partitioned by the bind bar 11 into an upper and lower closed portion 14A and an exposed portion 14B. One exposed portion 14 </ b> B is connected to the supply duct 6, and the other exposed portion 14 </ b> B is connected to the discharge duct 7, and the battery cell 1 is cooled by the cooling gas blown into the cooling gap 4.

  2, 4, and 5, the temperature equalization plate 15 is fixed to the surface of the battery block 3 on the supply duct 6 side to reduce the temperature difference between the battery cells 1. The temperature equalizing plate 15 is a metal plate or a heat-resistant plastic plate, and is provided with an air volume adjustment opening 16 so as to penetrate both sides. 4 to 7, the temperature equalizing plate 15 is fixed by being laminated on the outside of the bind bar 11, as shown in FIG. The temperature equalizing plate 15 is adhered and fixed to the surface of the bind bar 11. However, although not shown, the temperature equalizing plate can be fixed to the surface of the bind bar with a fitting structure or by screwing. Furthermore, the power supply device can also be fixed by sandwiching a temperature equalizing plate between the bind bar and the battery stack.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the temperature equalizing plate 35 can be integrated with the bind bar 31 of a metal plate. The bind bar 31 also includes an upper bar 31A disposed on the upper edge of the battery stack 8 and a lower bar 31B disposed on the lower edge of the battery stack 8 at both ends thereof at the connecting portions 31C. The bent portion 31 </ b> D provided in the connecting portion 31 </ b> C is fixed to the end plate 10. The temperature equalizing plate 35 is provided with an air volume adjusting opening 36 having a different opening width in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1 between the upper bar 31A and the lower bar 31B. The temperature equalizing plate 35 is provided with an air volume adjustment opening 36 in the process of cutting the bind bar 31. In this battery block, the temperature equalizing plate 35 is constituted by the bind bar 31 that is firmly fixed, so that the positional deviation of the temperature equalizing plate 35 is reliably prevented, and the temperature difference of each battery cell 1 over a long period of time. Can be reduced.

  The temperature equalizing plates 15 and 35 allow the cooling gas of the supply duct 6 to pass through the air volume adjustment openings 16 and 36 and flow into the respective cooling gaps 4. This is because the opening 14 of the cooling gap 4 is opened to the supply duct 6 via the air volume adjustment openings 16 and 36. The air volume adjustment openings 16 and 36 have a shape extending in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1 so that the cooling gas can flow into each cooling gap 4. The temperature equalization plates 15 and 35 in FIGS. 8 and 11 have air volume adjustment openings 16 and 36 so that the cooling gas can flow into all the cooling gaps 4. However, this structure is an example, and in a battery cell in which the cell temperature is considerably low and cooling with a cooling gas is not required, a cooling gap in contact with the battery cell that does not require cooling is provided with an air flow rate adjustment opening. There is no need to open through the supply duct. Therefore, the air volume adjustment opening does not necessarily need to open all the cooling gaps to the supply duct. The temperature equalizing plates 15 and 35 adjust the area in which the opening 14 of the cooling gap 4 is opened to the supply duct 6 by the opening area of the air volume adjustment openings 16 and 36, and the cooling flows into each cooling gap 4. Control the air volume of the gas.

  In the battery block 3 in which a large number of battery cells 1 are stacked, when the opening areas of all the cooling gaps 4 are the same, the temperature of the battery cell 1 disposed on the windward side of the supply duct 6 is the battery cell on the leeward side. 1 or lower. This is because a large amount of the cooling gas forcedly blown into the supply duct 6 flows into the cooling gap 4 on the windward side and flows into the cooling gap 4 on the leeward side. The temperature equalizing plate 15 in FIG. 4 limits the cooling of the battery cell 1 on the leeward side and efficiently cools the battery cell 1 on the leeward side so that the opening area of the air volume adjustment opening 16 is directed toward the leeward side. It is getting bigger.

  The temperature equalizing plate 15 in FIG. 8 is provided with an air volume adjusting opening 16 extending in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1 in the middle between the upper and lower sides. The temperature equalizing plate 15 is provided with upper and lower closing bars 15A, an air volume adjusting opening 16 is provided between the upper and lower closing bars 15A, and both ends of the upper and lower closing bars 15A are connected by connecting bars 15B. The temperature equalizing plate 15 in the figure has an outer shape fixed to the bind bar 11 that connects the upper bar 11A and the lower bar 11B. Precisely, the temperature equalizing plate 15 has a vertical width that is fixed between the horizontal rib 11b of the upper bar 11A of the bind bar 11 and the horizontal rib 11b of the lower bar 11B, and the length of the temperature equalizing plate 15 is the bind bar. 11 can be fixed to the outer surface of the connecting portion 11C connecting both ends of the connecting portion 11C. In the temperature equalizing plate 15, the upper and lower closing bars 15 </ b> A can be disposed on the surfaces of the upper bar 11 </ b> A and the lower bar 11 </ b> B of the binding bar 11, and the closing bar 15 </ b> A can be disposed at the closing part of the bind bar 11. According to this structure, in the cooling gap 4 adjacent to the battery cell 1 where the temperature becomes high while providing the closing bars 15A above and below the temperature equalizing plate 15, the closing bar 15A is connected to the cooling gap 4 of the cooling gas. A structure that does not hinder inflow can be realized. Further, the entire circumference of the temperature equalizing plate 15 can be fixed firmly to the bind bar 11 by bonding, set screws, or a fitting structure.

  Note that the temperature equalizing plate 15 having a rectangular outer periphery and provided with an air volume adjusting opening 16 inside thereof can be easily manufactured by cutting a metal plate or a plastic plate.

  The temperature equalizing plate 15 in FIGS. 2 and 4 limits the cooling of the battery cell 1 on the windward side by making the opening area on the windward side of the airflow adjustment opening 16 smaller than that on the leeward side. The temperature difference is reduced. The air volume adjustment opening 16 of the temperature equalizing plate 15 adjusts the area where the cooling gap 4 is opened to the supply duct 6 and controls the flow rate of the cooling gas flowing into each cooling gap 4. It is not necessary to have the shape shown in the figure. For example, a temperature equalizing plate is provided with a large number of through holes, the density and size of the through holes are adjusted, or a large number of slits are provided in the stacking direction of the battery cells. The opening area can also be changed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the battery blocks 3 are arranged in two rows, and air ducts 5 are provided between and outside the two rows of battery blocks 3. 2, 3, and 5 includes four battery blocks 3, and the two battery blocks 3 are connected in a straight line to form one battery block, and the battery blocks are arranged in two rows in parallel. Are lined up. Two sets of battery blocks 3 connected in a straight line are connected in a state where end plates 10 are stacked. Furthermore, two sets of battery blocks 3 connected in a straight line are connected in series by connecting positive and negative electrode terminals 13 with a bus bar 17. The power supply apparatus shown in the figure has a supply duct 6 connected to each cooling gap 4 between two rows of battery blocks 3. Further, a discharge duct 7 is provided outside the battery blocks 3 separated in two rows, and a plurality of cooling gaps 4 are connected in parallel between the discharge duct 7 and the supply duct 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 7, this power supply device is provided on the surface of the supply block 6 side of the battery blocks 3 arranged in two rows, that is, inside the battery blocks 3 arranged in two rows. A temperature equalizing plate 15 is fixed facing the side surface. As shown by the arrows in FIGS. 2 and 5, this power supply device cools the battery cells 1 by forcibly blowing cooling gas from the supply duct 6 toward the discharge duct 7 with the forced air blowing mechanism 9. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cooling gas forcedly blown from the supply duct 6 to the discharge duct 7 is branched from the supply duct 6 through the air volume adjustment opening 16 of the temperature equalizing plate 15. The battery cell 1 is cooled by being blown into the cooling gap 4. The cooling gas that has cooled the battery cell 1 collects in the discharge duct 7 and is exhausted.

  In the above power supply device, the supply duct 6 is provided between the battery blocks 3 in two rows and the discharge duct 7 is provided outside. However, the power supply device of the present invention has the supply duct and the discharge duct arranged oppositely. You can also

In the above power supply device, the temperature equalizing plate 15 is fixed to the surface of the battery block 3 on the supply duct 6 side. This power supply device partially restricts the flow rate of the cooling gas flowing from the supply duct 6 into the cooling gap 4 of the battery block 3 by the air volume adjustment opening 16 of the temperature equalizing plate 15, and the temperature of each battery cell 1. The difference is reduced. However, in the power supply device of the present invention, the temperature equalizing plate is provided on the surface on the discharge duct side of the battery block, or the temperature equalizing plate is provided on both the surface on the supply duct side and the surface on the discharge duct side of the battery block. You can also.
(Heating element 50)

  Furthermore, the power supply device includes a heating element 50 in order to increase the temperature of the specific battery cell 1. The battery cell 1 provided with the heating element 50 is selected to have a particularly low cell temperature. Thereby, the temperature difference ΔT between the battery cells can be effectively reduced by relatively raising the temperature of the battery cell having a low temperature. This method has an advantage that ΔT can be surely suppressed as compared with a method of cooling a battery cell in which the temperature is hardly lowered. That is, the cooling power to each battery cell by the cooling mechanism is generally greatly influenced by the positional relationship and distance between the battery cell and the cooling mechanism. In particular, since the cooling capacity decreases as the distance from the cooling mechanism decreases, it becomes difficult to cool battery cells located far from the cooling mechanism. It is conceivable to increase the cooling capacity of the cooling mechanism itself if it is intended to cool such a battery cell that does not sufficiently enjoy the cooling capacity. However, in this method, the battery cell close to the cooling mechanism is cooled more than necessary. As a result, the cell temperature is further lowered, and as a result, the temperature difference ΔT between the battery cells cannot be reduced, and the low temperature side of ΔT becomes lower, so that the temperature difference opens further. Become. On the other hand, raising the temperature of a specific battery cell can be easily realized by providing the heating element 50. Therefore, by specifying a battery cell in a position where the cell temperature is likely to decrease in advance and providing the battery cell 1 with a heating element 50, it is possible to raise the low temperature side of ΔT and effectively suppress ΔT. Become.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the heating element 50 is connected to the outer can 1 </ b> B of the battery cell 1 in a thermally coupled state. In the example of FIG. 8, the heating element 50 is provided on the side surface of the outer can 1 </ b> B of one battery cell 1, but a heating element may be disposed between adjacent battery cells.

  The heating element 50 heats the contacted battery cell 1 and also heats the battery cell 1 adjacent to the battery cell 1 by heat conduction. In particular, in the configuration in which the plurality of battery cells 1 are cooled by the cooling mechanism, a region in which the battery cells are easily cooled and a region in which cooling is difficult are generated. ) Can be heated to increase the temperature of the battery cells located in the vicinity of the battery cell, thereby contributing to the overall soaking. The battery cell provided with the heating element 50 is a battery cell having a particularly low temperature (preferably the lowest temperature in the region) among the battery cells in the region that is easily cooled by the cooling mechanism. Thereby, the temperature difference between battery cells can be reduced most effectively. Moreover, not only the structure which provides a heat generating body only in one battery cell in an area | region but a heat generating body can also be provided in the some battery cell in an area | region.

As the heating element 50, a planar heating element having a planar outer shape can be suitably used. A member that generates heat when energized is preferable. Furthermore, if the element can control the amount of heat generation, more accurate temperature control is possible. For example, an element that can change the amount of heat generation according to the amount of energization can be used. In this embodiment, a PTC heater is used. The PTC heater can be thinned as a planar heating element, and a heating element for a desired battery cell can be added very easily. In particular, it can also be added to a power supply device having an existing cooling mechanism.
(Position where the heating element 50 is provided)

  The heating element 50 is connected to the battery cell at the position where the cooling capacity given by the cooling mechanism is the highest as described above. In other words, as a result of being more easily cooled than the other battery cells, the battery cell whose temperature is too low is heated by the heating element 50, thereby suppressing the temperature difference ΔT between the battery cells. In other words, the cooling power to the battery cell provided with the heating element 50 is reduced more than that of other batteries, and the temperature is relatively increased. It goes without saying that such a heating element 50 can be provided only in one battery cell or in two or more battery cells. Moreover, you may interpose a heat generating body between battery cells as above-mentioned. In the example of FIG. 10, the heating element 50 is arranged between the battery cells indicated by oblique lines.

  The selection of the battery cell in which the heating element 50 is provided is determined in advance based on the positional relationship between the cooling mechanism and the battery cell, the distribution of the cooling capacity, the method for determining the temperature difference between the battery cells, and the like. For example, the battery cell determined that the cooling capacity given to each battery cell by the cooling mechanism is higher than the average is selected. Thereby, temperature difference (DELTA) T between battery cells can be suppressed.

  ΔT is preferably the difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature of the battery cells. That is, by setting ΔT as the one where the temperature difference between the battery cells is the largest, the safety of the battery cells can be controlled based on the ΔT, thereby improving safety. Therefore, it can be said that it is optimal to provide the heating element 50 in the battery cell in the position where the cooling capacity given by the cooling mechanism is the highest, that is, the battery cell having the lowest cell temperature. Thus, by heating the battery cells that are cooled more than necessary, the temperature difference from other battery cells can be suppressed and the imbalance between the battery cells due to cell temperature variations can be reduced. .

  In general, it can be said that the closer the distance between the cooling mechanism and the battery cell, the more susceptible to the cooling capacity exhibited by the cooling mechanism and the higher the cooling capacity of the battery cell. For this reason, it is preferable to connect the heat generating body 50 to the battery cell located closest to the cooling mechanism.

  Further, not only the battery cell having the lowest cell temperature but also the second and third lowest battery cells may be included. In addition, when such battery cells having a low cell temperature are concentrated in a specific area, in addition to providing the heating elements 50 in these adjacent battery cells, the heating elements 50 may be provided in the battery cells located at a separated position. Good. This is because the battery cell adjacent to the battery cell provided with the heating element 50 can be expected to be indirectly heated by heat transfer.

As for which battery cell the heat generating element is thermally coupled, for example, the temperature distribution of the battery cell is examined in advance and the inverse distribution is obtained, that is, the heat generating element is provided in a lower temperature region in accordance with the cell temperature distribution. Arrange the heating element.
(Cell temperature detection means)

  The temperature difference ΔT between the battery cells is detected by cell temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the battery cell. In this example, the temperature sensor 41 is used as the cell temperature detecting means. The temperature sensor 41 is an element whose electric resistance changes with temperature, such as a thermistor. By thermally coupling the plurality of temperature sensors 41 to the plurality of battery cells, the temperature difference ΔT between the battery cells can be measured. The cell temperature detecting means only needs to measure the temperature difference ΔT between the battery cells instead of the value of the cell temperature. Therefore, a thermocouple or the like that can detect the temperature difference may be used as the temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor 41 is in thermal contact with the outer can of the battery cell. In the example of FIG. 8, the temperature sensor 41 is disposed between adjacent battery cells. Therefore, a notch for inserting the temperature sensor 41 is provided in a part of the separator.
(Selection of battery cell provided with cell temperature detection means)

  The battery cell provided with the temperature sensor 41 is preferably selected so that ΔT is maximized. If the temperature difference ΔT between battery cells is the difference between the highest cell temperature and the lowest cell temperature among the plurality of cell temperatures detected by the cell temperature detection means, the temperature environment is in the worst condition. Even in the case of assuming that the battery cell can be driven correctly, a safer operation is expected with a margin for control. For this reason, the temperature sensor 41 is thermally coupled to the battery cell having the lowest cell temperature and the battery cell having the highest cell temperature from the viewpoint of making ΔT as large as possible. The temperature cell having the lowest cell temperature and the highest temperature cell are determined by measuring the cell temperature distribution in advance. As a result, it can be said that it is preferable to provide the temperature sensor 41 in the battery cell 1 provided with at least the heating element 50. With this method, the temperature of the battery cell 1 that is considered to be the lowest temperature can be directly monitored by the temperature sensor 41, so that temperature control can be performed while monitoring the maximum value of ΔT.

  Further, not only the lowest and highest battery cells but also the second and third lowest battery cells may be included. However, when battery cells having low or high cell temperatures are concentrated in a specific region, in addition to providing individual temperature sensors for these adjacent battery cells, temperature sensors may be provided for battery cells located at separate positions. . In particular, in the embodiment in which the temperature sensor is inserted between the two battery cells as described above, the average temperature of the two battery cells can be detected, so that it is sufficient to insert every other temperature sensor. Moreover, even if it does not grasp | ascertain the temperature of each battery cell one by one, if a cell temperature is detected to some extent, rough temperature distribution can be grasped | ascertained. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10, temperature sensors are arranged on the left and right ends of the front side, the back side, and the middle side of the battery block 3.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the electrical signal detected by the temperature sensor 41 is sent to the temperature control circuit 42 and received as temperature information corresponding to the electrical signal on the temperature control circuit 42 side, and necessary temperature control, for example, a forced air blowing mechanism 9 is changed, or the charge / discharge current of the charge / discharge circuit is limited. In particular, since the cooling capacity can be controlled based on the actually measured temperature of the battery cell, appropriate temperature control is realized.

  The heating element 50 can be energized at all times to heat the battery cell, but is preferably controlled by the temperature sensor 41 according to the temperature of the battery cell. That is, based on ΔT detected by the temperature sensor 41, the heating element 50 is turned on / off and the amount of heat generated is controlled. Specifically, when ΔT exceeds a predetermined threshold, the heating element 50 is activated. Alternatively, when the temperature is detected by the temperature sensor 41, the heating element 50 is activated when the temperature of the battery cell falls below a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the time change of the cell temperature is recorded, the cell temperature is predicted from the gradient of the temperature change, and the heating element 50 is used when the predicted temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, or when the temperature gradient exceeds a predetermined value. Operate. In addition, when an element capable of controlling the amount of heat generation is used as the heating element, more precise control is possible. For example, the heating amount of the heating element is controlled according to the magnitude of ΔT. In this way, the heating element control method can be used as appropriate according to the required specifications and the characteristics of the heating element and temperature sensor employed.

  The assembled battery described above used an air-cooled forced air blowing mechanism that forcibly sends cooling air with a blower fan as a cooling mechanism. However, the cooling mechanism is not limited to the air cooling type, and can be appropriately used in other forms, for example, a water cooling type, a refrigerant type, or a method using a semiconductor element such as a Peltier element. In particular, the present invention can be suitably used as the cooling mechanism causes uneven cooling capacity.

  With the above configuration, the temperature difference ΔT between the battery cells can be effectively reduced, and uniform cooling can be easily realized while suppressing the expansion of the temperature difference between the battery cells as much as possible. This is because the cooling capacity of the cooling mechanism is improved as in the conventional case, and the battery cell temperature is raised, in other words, the battery is too cold, contrary to the conventional idea of reducing ΔT by lowering the upper limit of ΔT. It is intended to reduce ΔT by raising the lower limit of ΔT by heating the cell. In reality, it is inevitable that battery cells that cannot be sufficiently cooled are generated depending on the position of the cooling mechanism. That is, when the cooling capacity is increased in order to cool the battery cells that are difficult to cool by the cooling mechanism, the cooling of the other battery cells proceeds, and the temperature difference between the battery cells increases on the contrary. . Therefore, the present invention is intended to reduce ΔT by heating the battery cells in a position that is easily cooled rather than cooling the battery cells in a position that is difficult to cool. With this method, it is possible to reliably suppress ΔT by specifying battery cells to be heated in advance. In particular, by providing a heating element only in the battery cell to be heated, pinpoint heating can be realized, which is extremely effective in suppressing ΔT. In other words, it is much easier to heat a battery cell in a position that is easily cooled than to cool only a battery cell that is difficult to cool without affecting other battery cells. it can.

In addition, since the battery cell to be heated can be selected by specifying the battery cell that matches the conditions such as the position where it is difficult to cool based on the temperature distribution of the battery cell in advance, the capacity and arrangement of the actual cooling mechanism An appropriate battery cell can be selected according to the number of battery cells, the usage environment, and the like. That is, it is possible to obtain an excellent advantage that flexible ΔT suppression can be realized according to the actual use environment.
(Example 2)

  In addition to the configuration in which a separate heating element is arranged to increase the cell temperature, the same effect can be expected by arranging an obstacle that prevents the cooling mechanism from enjoying the cooling ability. Such a configuration is shown in FIG. In the power supply apparatus 200 shown in this figure, the same members as those in the example shown in FIG. In the power supply device 200 of FIG. 13, an obstacle is disposed in the cooling gap 4 instead of the heating element of FIG. 8. By arranging some obstacles in the cooling gap 4 in this way, the cross-sectional area of the cooling gap 4 becomes narrow, the flow of air flowing through the cooling gap 4 is obstructed, the cooling capacity is relatively lowered, and the temperature An increase can be expected.

  As the obstacle, for example, a cable CB that transmits an electric signal can be used. Since the cable CB needs to be wired around the battery block, the effective use of the space can be achieved by using such an essentially essential cable CB as an obstacle arranged in the cooling gap 4. It is done.

  Moreover, it is preferable to arrange | position an obstruction so that the surface of a battery cell may be contacted. For example, when the cable CB is used as an obstacle, the cable CB is inserted into the cooling gap 4 so that the surface of the cable CB contacts the outer can of the battery cell as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 13 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. To do. In particular, the cable CB that conducts electricity generates Joule heat when energized. Moreover, since the electric wire excellent in electroconductivity is also excellent in heat conduction, it also has the effect of transferring heat generated by other members. Thus, the effect of raising the temperature of a battery cell further is anticipated by utilizing the heat_generation | fever of cable CB itself, making it contact the surface of a battery cell, and heat-bonding. Thus, the structure which acquires the effect similar to a heat generating body using the cable CB can obtain the outstanding effect that a battery cell can attain temperature equalization, without using another member.

  In the example of FIG. 14, three cables CB are bundled and inserted into one of the plurality of cooling gaps 4. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration. For example, as illustrated in the modification of FIG. The cables CB may be arranged in a distributed manner in the cooling gap 4.

  Further, as the cable CB, for example, a wiring cable for the temperature sensor 41 or a cooling fan drive cable can be suitably used.

Furthermore, in addition to the configuration in which such separate obstacles are arranged in the cooling gap, the cooling gap is similarly relatively narrowed by changing the shape of the cooling gap itself to other cooling gaps. The cooling capacity to the battery cell in contact with can be reduced. For example, as shown in the example of the cross-sectional view of the separator shown in FIG. 16, a part of the cooling gap 4 is closed and the cooling air flows to this part for the battery cell whose cooling capacity is to be reduced and the temperature is increased. Do not. In addition to the configuration in which the cooling gap is completely closed, the cooling gap may be partially closed, or the whole or a part may be closed not only by one cooling gap but also by a plurality of cooling gaps. Or you may comprise so that an air flow may be inhibited by providing an unevenness | corrugation along a cooling gap. As described above, the separator itself is configured in advance so that the cooling gap becomes narrow, so that it is not necessary to separately arrange an obstacle, which is advantageous in terms of assembling property and the like.

  The above power supply apparatus can be used as an in-vehicle power supply apparatus. As a vehicle equipped with a power supply device, an electric vehicle such as a hybrid car or a plug-in hybrid car that runs with both an engine and a motor, or an electric car that runs only with a motor can be used, and it is used as a power source for these vehicles. .

  FIG. 17 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on a hybrid car that runs with both an engine and a motor. A vehicle HV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure includes an engine 96 and a travel motor 93 that travel the vehicle HV, a power supply device 100B that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator that charges a battery of the power supply device 100B. 94. The power supply device 100 </ b> B is connected to the motor 93 and the generator 94 via the DC / AC inverter 95. Vehicle HV travels by both motor 93 and engine 96 while charging and discharging the battery of power supply device 100B. The motor 93 is driven to drive the vehicle when the engine efficiency is low, for example, during acceleration or low-speed driving. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply apparatus 100B. The generator 94 is driven by the engine 96 or is driven by regenerative braking when the vehicle is braked, and charges the battery of the power supply device 100B.

  FIG. 18 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor. A vehicle EV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure has a traveling motor 93 for driving the vehicle EV, a power supply device 100C for supplying power to the motor 93, and a generator 94 for charging a battery of the power supply device 100C. And. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100C. The generator 94 is driven by energy when regeneratively braking the vehicle EV, and charges the battery of the power supply device 100C.

  The assembled battery and the vehicle including the same according to the present invention can be suitably used as an in-vehicle power supply device for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Moreover, it can utilize suitably also as power supply devices other than vehicle-mounted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 100B, 100C ... Power supply device 1 ... Battery cell 1A ... Opening part 1B ... Exterior can 2 ... Separator 2A ... Groove; 2B ... Notch part 3 ... Battery block 4 ... Cooling gap 5 ... Air duct 6 ... Supply duct 7 ... Discharge Duct 8 ... Battery stack 9 ... Forced air blow mechanism 10 ... End plate 10A ... Main body 10B ... Metal plate 10a ... Screw hole 11 ... Bind bar 11A ... Upper bar 11B ... Lower bar 11C ... Connection part 11D ... Bending part 11a ... Vertical rib 11b ... Horizontal rib 11c ... Connection hole 12 ... Set screw 13 ... Electrode terminal 14 ... Opening part 14A ... Closure part 14B ... Exposed part 15 ... Temperature equalization plate 15A ... Closure bar 15B ... Connection bar 16 ... Air volume adjustment opening 17 ... Bus bar 19 ... Top plate 20 ... Exterior case 20A ... Lower case 20B ... Upper case 21 ... Flange 24 ... Bolt 25 ... Nuts 26, 27 ... Face plate 28, 29 ... Connection duct 31 ... Bind bar 31A ... Upper bar 31B ... Lower bar 31C ... Connection part 31D ... Bending part 32 ... Bind bar 35 ... Temperature equalization plate 36 ... Air volume adjustment opening 41 ... Temperature sensor 42 ... Temperature control circuit 50 ... heating element 93 ... motor 94 ... generator 95 ... inverter 96 ... engine CB ... cable EV, HV ... vehicle

Claims (8)

A plurality of battery cells having electrode terminals;
A cooling mechanism for cooling the plurality of battery cells;
Among the plurality of battery cells, a heating element thermally coupled to at least one battery cell whose cooling capacity given from the cooling mechanism is greater than or equal to the average in relation to other battery cells;
With
When the plurality of battery cells are cooled by the cooling mechanism, the temperature difference ΔT between the battery cells can be reduced by heating the battery cells having a cell temperature lower than an average temperature with the heating element. A battery pack characterized by that. The assembled battery according to claim 1, further comprising:
Cell temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of at least some of the plurality of battery cells,
An assembled battery obtained by controlling the operation of the heating element based on temperature information of the battery cell detected by the cell temperature detecting means. The assembled battery according to claim 2,
The cell temperature detecting means is at least a battery cell at a position where the temperature is considered to be the highest based on a positional relationship with the cooling mechanism among a plurality of battery cells, and a position where the temperature is considered to be the lowest. A battery pack provided on each battery cell. The assembled battery according to claim 3,
An assembled battery, wherein the heating element is provided in a battery cell considered to have the lowest cell temperature among the battery cells provided with the cell temperature detecting means. The assembled battery according to claim 4,
An assembled battery, wherein the heating element is provided in a battery cell located closest to the cooling mechanism. The assembled battery according to claim 5,
The assembled battery, wherein the heating element is a PTC heater. The assembled battery according to claim 6, further comprising:
The separator is interposed between the plurality of battery cells and provided with a cooling gap on the surface of the battery cells,
The assembled battery, wherein the cooling mechanism is a forced air blowing mechanism that blows cooling air into the cooling gap. A vehicle comprising the assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .

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