JP5888166B2 - Battery module and vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module in which a temperature of a secondary battery is adjusted by circulating a heat medium through a temperature control channel adjacent to each of a plurality of secondary batteries arranged in parallel.

A secondary battery has a long life by being maintained at a specified temperature. For this reason, in Patent Document 1, the temperature of the secondary battery (battery module) is adjusted.
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of battery modules 103 are arranged in parallel inside the casing 102 of the assembled battery 101 described in Patent Document 1, and each battery module 103 is maintained at a constant interval. The battery holders 104 and 105 hold the battery. The battery holders 104 and 105 are provided so as to surround a group of battery modules 103 connected in series from the outside. A partition plate 107 is disposed between adjacent battery modules 103, and a flow path 106 is partitioned so as to be adjacent to each battery module 103. An inlet 108 through which air for cooling the battery module 103 is introduced is formed at one end of the battery holders 104 and 105 in the direction in which the battery modules 103 are arranged side by side. An introduction cooling passage 109 for introducing outside air into the battery holders 104 and 105 is connected to the introduction port 108.

  Then, the battery module 103 is cooled by the air supplied from the introduction cooling passage 109 into the battery holders 104 and 105 and flowing into each flow path 106.

JP 2010-244802 A

  By the way, the flow paths 106 at both ends of the battery modules 103 are formed between the battery modules 103 at both ends and the side walls of the battery holders 104 and 105. The side walls of the battery holders 104 and 105 are exchanged with the outside air. For this reason, the heat medium in the flow path 106 partitioned using the side walls of the battery holders 104 and 105 is heat-exchanged with the side walls of the battery holders 104 and 105. Therefore, the temperature of the battery modules 103 at both ends in the juxtaposed direction is adjusted by the heat medium after heat exchange, and the temperature adjustment efficiency is lowered. For this reason, the temperature varies among the plurality of battery modules 103 in the juxtaposed direction.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a vehicle that can suppress uneven temperature control efficiency among a plurality of secondary batteries. There is to do.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 includes a plurality of secondary batteries arranged in parallel and a temperature control flow path adjacent to each of the secondary batteries, and the temperature control flow path is provided in the temperature control flow path. A battery module in which the temperature of the secondary battery is adjusted by circulating a heat medium, and among the plurality of secondary batteries, outside the secondary batteries located at least one end in the juxtaposition direction, An end flow path through which the heat medium flows is provided, and the end flow path is partitioned into a temperature control flow path and an external flow path by a flow path forming member, and the external flow path is formed by the flow path formation. across member and the temperature control flow passages divided by the flow path forming member, said and Tsu case next to the secondary battery is located in at least one end of the arrangement direction, the flow path forming member, the secondary Provided from one end to the other in the length direction of the battery, The heat medium passing to the subject matter to function as a heat insulating layer.

According to this, the temperature control flow path (hereinafter referred to as the outer temperature control flow path) partitioned by the secondary battery positioned at least one end of the secondary battery in the juxtaposed direction and the flow path forming member is , Adjacent to the external flow path across the flow path forming member. For this reason, the heat medium in the external channel functions as a heat insulating layer, and the heat medium in the outer temperature control channel is prevented from being directly heat-exchanged with the outside. Therefore, compared with the case where there is no external flow path, heat exchange with the outside of the heat medium flowing through the outside temperature control flow path is suppressed, and the temperature regulation efficiency of the secondary batteries positioned at least at one end in the juxtaposed direction is reduced. Is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a deviation in temperature control efficiency between the secondary batteries .
The invention according to claim 2 includes a plurality of battery groups including a plurality of secondary batteries, and a temperature control channel adjacent to each of the battery groups, and a heat medium is provided in the temperature control channel. A battery module in which the temperature of the battery group is adjusted by circulating the heat medium, wherein the heat medium flows outside the battery group located at least at one end in the juxtaposition direction among the plurality of battery groups. An end channel is provided, the end channel is partitioned into a temperature control channel and an external channel by a channel forming member, and the external channel includes the channel forming member and the channel. across the temperature control flow passages divided by the forming member, said and Tsu case next to the battery unit located at least one end of the arrangement direction, the flow path forming member, in the longitudinal direction of the secondary battery Provided from one end to the other, and flows to the external flow path Serial heating medium is summarized in that the functions as a heat insulating layer.

  According to this, similarly to the first aspect, by causing the heat medium in the external flow path to function as a heat insulating layer, it is possible to suppress the bias of the temperature adjustment efficiency between the battery groups. That is, it is possible to suppress a bias in temperature regulation efficiency between secondary batteries constituting each battery group.

In the temperature adjustment channel, the channel cross-sectional area perpendicular to the flow direction of the heat medium may be the same in all temperature adjustment channels.
According to this, it is suppressed that the flow volume of the heat medium is uneven between the plurality of temperature control flow paths. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the deviation of the temperature adjustment efficiency between the secondary batteries.

The flow path forming member may be formed of a heat insulating material.
According to this, heat exchange between the heat medium that flows through the external flow path and the heat medium that flows through the outside temperature control flow path is suppressed by the heat insulating function of the flow path forming member. For this reason, the fall of the temperature control efficiency of the heat medium which distribute | circulates the flow path for outside temperature control is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the deviation of the temperature adjustment efficiency between the secondary batteries.

The invention according to claim 5 is a vehicle, and the gist thereof is that the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is mounted.
According to this, the bias of the temperature control efficiency among the plurality of secondary batteries is suppressed, and the vehicle can travel appropriately with the electric power from the secondary batteries.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the bias | inclination of the temperature control efficiency between several secondary batteries can be suppressed.

The schematic plan view which shows the battery module in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIG. 1 illustrating a battery module according to the first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the battery module of 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the battery module of another example. The schematic plan view which shows a prior art.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of prismatic batteries 21 as secondary batteries are accommodated in the case 11 of the battery module 10 mounted on the vehicle. The case 11 includes a bottom plate 12 having a rectangular plate shape, first side walls 13 a and 13 b erected from a pair of opposing sides of the bottom plate 12, and sides where the first side walls 13 a and 13 b are erected on the bottom plate 12. Are formed in a square box shape from the second side walls 14 a and 14 b erected from a pair of sides intersecting with the bottom plate 12 and the top plate 15 facing the bottom plate 12.

  A plurality of the prismatic batteries 21 are juxtaposed in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, the parallel arrangement direction of the square batteries 21 coincides with the opposing direction of the first side walls 13a and 13b. The plurality of prismatic batteries 21 are provided at intervals in the parallel direction. Thereby, between the square batteries 21 adjacent to each other in the juxtaposed direction, a first temperature control flow path 31 through which the heat medium flows is defined. The square batteries 21 are all the same square battery 21, but for convenience of explanation, the square batteries 21 positioned at both ends in the parallel arrangement direction of the square batteries 21 are appropriately denoted by reference numerals 21A. This will be described as an end-use square battery 21A.

  In the direction in which the prismatic batteries 21 are arranged side by side, an end channel 40 through which a heat medium flows is provided between the end prismatic battery 21A and each of the first side walls 13a and 13b. Each end flow path 40 is provided with a partition plate 33 as a flow path forming member extending in the facing direction of the second side walls 14a, 14b. Between each partition plate 33 and the square battery for end 21 </ b> A adjacent to each partition plate 33, a second temperature control flow path 32 is partitioned. An external channel 34 is defined between each partition plate 33 and the first side walls 13a and 13b. Each end channel 40 is partitioned by a partition plate 33 into a second temperature control channel 32 as an outer temperature control channel and an external channel 34. Each partition plate 33 is disposed on the side opposite to the end prismatic battery 21 </ b> A across the second temperature control flow path 32. Therefore, the external flow path 34 is adjacent to the end square battery 21 </ b> A across the second temperature control flow path 32 and the partition plate 33. Each partition plate 33 is formed of a heat insulating material (synthetic resin such as foamed polystyrene or foamed plastic).

  In each of the first temperature adjustment flow paths 31 and each of the second temperature adjustment flow paths 32, the flow path cross-sectional area perpendicular to the flow direction of the heat medium is equal to all of the first temperature adjustment flow paths 31 and the second temperature adjustment flow paths 32. It is the same.

  Between each square battery 21 and one of the second side walls 14a, the first temperature control flow channel 31, the second temperature control flow channel 32, and one end of the external flow channel 34 communicate with each other, and the first temperature control flow An inflow path 35 through which the heat medium flows into the path 31, the second temperature adjustment path 32 and the external path 34 is formed. In addition, between each square battery 21 and the other second side wall 14b, the first temperature control channel 31, the second temperature control channel 32, and the other end of the external channel 34 communicate with each other, and the first A discharge path 36 is formed through which the heat medium flowing through the temperature control flow path 31, the second temperature control flow path 32, and the external flow path 34 is discharged.

  A supply port 37 for supplying a heat medium to the inflow path 35 is formed in the first side wall 13 a of the case 11. The supply port 37 is provided with a blower 38 that supplies a gaseous heat medium (for example, air or carbon dioxide) to the inflow path 35. The first side wall 13 b of the case 11 is formed with a discharge port 39 for discharging the heat medium discharged to the discharge path 36 to the outside of the case 11.

Next, the effect | action of the battery module 10 in this embodiment is demonstrated.
When the temperature of the prismatic battery 21 is adjusted, the heat heated or cooled by the temperature adjusting device (for example, a thermoelectric conversion module such as a Peltier element, a heater, or a cooler) (not shown) from the blower 38 toward the inflow path 35. Medium is supplied. The heat medium supplied from the blower 38 to the inflow path 35 flows from the inflow path 35 through the first temperature adjustment flow path 31, the second temperature adjustment flow path 32, and the external flow path 34.

  The heat medium flowing through the external flow path 34 is heat-exchanged with the first side walls 13 a and 13 b exchanged with the outside air existing outside the case 11. On the other hand, the heat medium flowing through the second temperature control channel 32 is not directly heat-exchanged with the first side walls 13a and 13b because the heat medium flowing through the external channel 34 functions as a heat insulating layer.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) A plurality of prismatic batteries 21 are juxtaposed in the opposing direction of the first side walls 13a and 13b, and a first temperature adjustment flow path 31 is defined between the prismatic batteries 21 adjacent in the juxtaposition direction. . In addition, partition plates 33 are provided in the end flow passages 40 provided on the outer sides of the end-type square batteries 21 </ b> A at both ends in the parallel arrangement direction of the square batteries 21. The end channel 40 is partitioned into a second temperature control channel 32 and an external channel 34 by a partition plate 33. Therefore, the heat medium of the external flow path 34 functions as a heat insulating layer, and the heat of the first side walls 13a and 13b is prevented from being directly transmitted to the second temperature control flow path 32. For this reason, when the heat medium of the second temperature control channel 32 and the heat medium of the external channel 34 are compared, the heat medium of the second temperature control channel 32 is less likely to have a decrease in temperature regulation efficiency. Therefore, heat exchange with the outside air of the heat medium flowing through the second temperature adjustment flow channel 32 is suppressed as compared with the case where the external flow channel 34 is not formed, and the second temperature adjustment flow channel 32 is used for the end by the heat medium. As a result of suppressing the decrease in the temperature adjustment efficiency of the prismatic battery 21A, it is possible to suppress the bias of the temperature adjustment efficiency among the plurality of prismatic batteries 21.

  (2) The cross-sectional areas of the first temperature control channels 31 and the second temperature control channels 32 are the same in all the first temperature control channels 31 and the second temperature control channels 32. . Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a deviation in the flow rates of the heat medium flowing through the first temperature control flow channel 31 and the heat medium flowing through the second temperature control flow channel 32. For this reason, the bias | inclination of the temperature control efficiency between each square-shaped battery 21 can further be suppressed.

  (3) The partition plate 33 is formed of a heat insulating material, and the external flow path 34 and the second temperature control flow path 32 are adjacent to each other via the partition plate 33. Therefore, heat exchange between the heat medium flowing through the external flow path 34 and the heat medium flowing through the second temperature adjustment flow path 32 adjacent to the external flow path 34 is suppressed. For this reason, the fall of the temperature control efficiency of the heat medium which distribute | circulates the flow path 32 for 2nd temperature control is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the temperature adjustment efficiency for the end prismatic battery 21 </ b> A from being lowered, and to further suppress the deviation of the temperature adjustment efficiency among the plurality of square batteries 21.

  (4) The battery module 10 is mounted on a vehicle. For this reason, the deviation of the direct temperature efficiency between the plurality of prismatic batteries 21 is suppressed, and the vehicle can travel appropriately with the electric power from the prismatic batteries 21.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the embodiments described below, the same components as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the prismatic batteries 21 of the battery module 50 are juxtaposed in the thickness direction, and a spacer for maintaining the spacing between the adjacent prismatic batteries 21 between the adjacent prismatic batteries 21. 53 is provided. The spacer 53 includes a placement portion 54 on which the prismatic battery 21 is placed, and a wall portion 55 erected from the placement portion 54. As a result, a first temperature control flow channel 71 is formed between one side surface (left surface in the figure) in the thickness direction of the rectangular battery 21 and the wall portion 55. The other side surface in the thickness direction of the rectangular battery 21 (the right surface in the drawing) is adjacent to the first temperature control flow channel 71 through the wall portion 55.

  In the prismatic battery 21A for one end at the one end in the parallel direction of the prismatic batteries 21 (left end in the figure), the one on the opposite side to the other side surface (right side in the figure) in the thickness direction of the prismatic battery 21A for the end provided with the spacer 53. An end plate 51 is disposed on the side surface (left surface in the drawing). In the end-side prismatic battery 21A at the other end (right end in the figure) of the prismatic batteries 21 on the opposite side to the side surface (left side in the figure) in the thickness direction of the end-side prismatic battery 21A provided with the spacer 53. An end plate 52 is disposed on the other side surface (right side in the figure). All the square batteries 21 and the spacers 53 are sandwiched by the end plates 51 and 52 in the direction in which the square batteries 21 are arranged side by side (the thickness direction of the square batteries 21).

  The end plate 51 that is in contact with one side surface in the thickness direction of the end prismatic battery 21A provided at one end (left end in the figure) of the prismatic batteries 21 in the juxtaposition direction is placed on the placement portion 56 on which the end square battery 21A is placed. And two wall portions 57 and 58 erected from the placement portion 56. An end channel 70 is defined by one side surface in the thickness direction of the end prismatic battery 21 </ b> A and the end plate 51. And the 2nd temperature control flow path 59 is formed by the 1st wall part 57 adjacent to the thickness direction one side face of the end square battery 21A, and the thickness direction one side face of the end square battery 21A. An external flow path 60 is formed by the first wall portion 57 and the second wall portion 58. In the end plate 51, the flow path forming member that divides the end flow path 70 into the second temperature control flow path 59 and the external flow path 60 is the first wall portion 57.

  The end plate 52 that is in contact with the other side in the thickness direction of the end prismatic battery 21A provided at the other end in the parallel direction of the prismatic batteries 21 (the right end in the figure) is a mounting portion on which the end prismatic battery 21A is mounted. 61 and three wall portions 62, 63, 64 erected from the placement portion 61. An end channel 70 is defined by the other side surface in the thickness direction of the end prismatic battery 21 </ b> A and the end plate 52. And the 2nd temperature control flow path 59 is formed by the 1st wall part 62 which contact | connects the thickness direction other side surface of 21 A of edge batteries, and the 2nd wall part 63 adjacent to the 1st wall part 62. As shown in FIG. . An external flow path 60 is formed by the second wall portion 63 and the third wall portion 64 opposite to the first wall portion 62 with the second wall portion 63 interposed therebetween. That is, the end plates 51 and 52 are configured such that two flow paths (second temperature control flow path 59 and external flow path 60) are formed outside the end-type square battery 21A. In the end plate 52, the flow path forming members that divide the end flow path 70 into the second temperature control flow path 59 and the external flow path 60 are the first wall portion 62 and the second wall portion 63.

Therefore, according to the said embodiment, in addition to the effect (1), (2), (4) of 1st Embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.
(5) The second temperature control channel 59 and the external channel 60 were formed using the end plates 51 and 52. For this reason, compared with the case where the member for forming the 2nd temperature control flow path 59 and the external flow path 60 is provided separately, the number of parts can be reduced.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
As shown in FIG. 4, the square battery 21 (battery cell) of the embodiment may be replaced with a battery group 80 including a plurality of secondary batteries 81. More specifically, a plurality of secondary batteries 81 are combined to form a battery group 80, and a plurality of the battery groups 80 are arranged side by side. Among the plurality of battery groups 80, batteries positioned at at least one end in the juxtaposition direction. The end channel 40 is provided outside the group 80A. The end channel 40 is partitioned into the second temperature control channel 32 and the external channel 34 by providing the partition plate 33 in the end channel 40. In this case as well, as in the case of the embodiment, the heat medium of the external flow path 34 functions as a heat insulating layer, and the bias of the temperature adjustment efficiency among the plurality of battery groups 80 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the bias of the temperature adjustment efficiency between the secondary batteries 81 constituting each battery group 80.

  (Circle) in 1st Embodiment, the partition plate 33 may be formed from the other heat insulating material. For example, foam rubber may be used. Moreover, the partition plate 33 may be formed from materials (for example, metal) other than a heat insulating material.

In each embodiment, a liquid heat medium may be used as the heat medium. In this case, a pump for supplying a liquid heat medium into the case 11 is used instead of the blower 38.
In each embodiment, a cylindrical battery, a laminated battery, or the like may be used as the secondary battery.

In each embodiment, the first temperature control channels 31, 71, the second temperature control channels 32, 59, and the external channels 34, 60 may have different channel cross-sectional areas.
In the first embodiment, the second temperature adjustment flow channel 32 and the external flow channel 34 may be formed by disposing a duct or the like instead of the partition plate 33. In this case, the duct becomes a flow path forming member.

In each embodiment, the battery modules 10 and 50 may be mounted other than the vehicle.
In each embodiment, the end flow channels 40 and 70 may be provided only outside the one end prismatic battery 21A among the end prismatic batteries 21A provided at one end in the juxtaposed direction.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,50 ... Battery module, 21 ... Square battery, 31, 71 ... 1st temperature control flow path, 32, 59 ... 2nd temperature control flow path, 33 ... Partition plate as flow path formation member, 34, 60 ... External flow path, 40, 70 ... end flow path, 80 ... battery group, 81 ... secondary battery.

Claims (5)

The secondary battery has a plurality of secondary batteries arranged side by side and a temperature control channel adjacent to each of the secondary batteries, and the temperature of the secondary battery is adjusted by circulating a heat medium through the temperature control channel. Battery module,
Of the plurality of secondary batteries, an end channel through which the heat medium flows is provided outside a secondary battery positioned at at least one end in the juxtaposed direction, and the end channel is a channel Partitioned by the forming member into the temperature control channel and the external channel;
It said outer flow path across the flow path forming member and the temperature control flow passages divided by the flow path forming member, and Tsu case next to the secondary battery is located in at least one end of the arrangement direction,
The flow path forming member is provided from one end to the other end in the length direction of the secondary battery, and the heat medium flowing through the external flow path functions as a heat insulating layer . The battery group includes a plurality of secondary batteries and a plurality of side-by-side battery groups, and a temperature control channel adjacent to each of the battery groups, and a heat medium is circulated through the temperature control channel. A battery module in which temperature is adjusted,
Of the plurality of battery groups, an end flow path through which the heat medium flows is provided outside a battery group positioned at at least one end in the juxtaposed direction, and the end flow path is a flow path forming member. Is divided into the temperature control channel and the external channel,
Said outer flow path across the flow path forming member and the temperature control flow passages divided by the flow path forming member, and Tsu case next to the battery unit located at least one end of the arrangement direction,
The flow path forming member is provided from one end to the other end in the length direction of the secondary battery, and the heat medium flowing through the external flow path functions as a heat insulating layer .   3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, in the temperature control flow path, a flow path cross-sectional area perpendicular to the flow direction of the heat medium is the same in all temperature control flow paths.   The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow path forming member is formed of a heat insulating material.   A vehicle comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4.