JP5985255B2 - Power supply device, vehicle including this power supply device, and power storage device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells, a vehicle including the power supply device, and a power storage device.

  A power supply device for a vehicle has a large number of battery cells connected in series to increase output voltage and output power. In addition, in order to increase the charge capacity with respect to the volume, a power supply device in which a large number of battery cells are arranged in a stacked state has been developed. Since this power supply device is discharged with a large current to accelerate and drive the vehicle, the discharge current becomes extremely large at 100 A or more. Further, since the power supply device for a vehicle is charged by regenerative braking of the vehicle, the charging current is considerably increased. Battery cells that are charged and discharged with a large current generate heat and cause deterioration of the battery. In order to prevent the deterioration of the battery cell that has generated heat, the power supply device needs to prevent the temperature of the battery cell from increasing in temperature. This is because an increase in the temperature of the battery cell not only decreases the electrical characteristics of the battery but also shortens the life of the battery and further hinders safety.

In order to prevent the temperature of the battery from rising, a power supply device that cools the battery with air has been developed (see Patent Document 1).
The power supply device described in Patent Document 1 cools the battery cell by forcibly blowing air over the surface of the battery cell. Since this power supply device cools the battery cells through air, it is necessary to provide a cooling gap between the stacked battery cells. For this reason, there exists a fault that the battery block formed by laminating a plurality of battery cells becomes large. In addition, since the battery cell is cooled via air, it is difficult to cool the battery cell quickly and so that there is no temperature difference between the battery cells.

On the other hand, a cooling method using a refrigerant has been proposed in order to increase the cooling capacity and uniformly cool the battery cells (see Patent Documents 2 to 4).
In these cooling methods, as shown in FIG. 37, the battery block 210 is placed on the cooling plate 230 and thermally coupled thereto, and the refrigerant is circulated through the cooling plate 230 for cooling. Specifically, the power supply device of FIG. 37 includes a battery block 210 to which a plurality of battery cells 201 are connected, a refrigerant flow path 203 that is thermally coupled to the battery block 210 and cools the battery cells 201, and a refrigerant flow path 203. And a cooling mechanism 204 for supplying a refrigerant. This power supply device cools the battery block 210 with the refrigerant supplied from the cooling mechanism 204 to the refrigerant flow path 203. With this method, it was expected that the battery cells could be cooled more uniformly than the method of circulating cooling air.

JP 2006-252847 A JP 2010-15788 A JP-A-6-338334 JP-A-5-151980

  In order to cool the battery block using such a refrigerant circulation cooling method, it is necessary to bring each battery cell constituting the battery block into contact with the cooling plate in a uniform state. However, since the battery block is a system in which the end plate on the end face is clamped and fixed with a bind bar or the like, the intermediate battery cell 201 may move in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. For this reason, the contact state between the cooling plate 230 and the battery cell 201 is not uniform, and the battery cell with insufficient contact with the cooling plate has a lower heat exchange on this surface than other battery cells. It has occurred that the capacity is relatively lowered, the battery cell is further deteriorated, and the battery cell partially deteriorated is included.

  In order to prevent this, it has been proposed to interpose a heat conductive sheet 340 between the cooling plate 330 and the battery block 310 as shown in FIG. By making the heat conductive sheet 340 flexible and deformable to some extent, even if the height of the bottom surface of the battery block 310 varies, this can be absorbed. However, a certain amount of thickness is required to absorb the variation in height with the heat conductive sheet. However, as the heat conductive sheet becomes thicker, the heat conductivity decreases, and thus the cooling capacity of the cooling plate is hindered. There was a problem. Further, the heat conductive sheet is expensive, and the cost increases as the thickness increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems. A main object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device capable of cooling a plurality of battery cells stacked on each other in a uniform state.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the power supply device of the first aspect of the present invention, a battery block 10 formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1 and each battery cell 1 constituting the battery block 10. And a cooling means 3 for cooling the battery cell 1 in a thermally coupled state. Furthermore, the power supply device includes a plurality of elastic plates 4 having elasticity and thermal conductivity, and the plurality of elastic plates 4 are disposed to face the first surface 1X of each battery cell 1, The cooling plate 3 is fixed in a thermally coupled state, and the elastic plate 4 further includes a movable portion 4X that is elastically deformed. The movable portion 4X is connected to the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1. The contact is made so as to be elastically pressed.

  With the above configuration, each battery cell can be thermally coupled to the cooling means via the elastic plate regardless of the relative position of the battery cell by elastically pressing and contacting the elastic plate to one surface of the battery cell. Thus, the plurality of battery cells can be cooled uniformly.

According to the power supply device of the second aspect of the present invention, the elastic plate 4 includes the fixed portion 4Y that is in an immobile state, and the fixed portion 4Y is fixed to the cooling means 3 in a thermally coupled state. The movable part 4X can be elastically deformed with respect to the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1.
With the above configuration, the movable portion can be elastically deformed and contacted with the first surface of the battery cell in a pressed state while fixing the plurality of elastic plates to the cooling means through the fixing portion in a thermally coupled state.

According to the power supply device of the third aspect of the present invention, the elastic plate 4 is formed in a strip shape, the movable portion 4X is disposed at the center of the strip shape, and the fixed portion 4Y is disposed in the movable portion 4X. Can be placed on both sides.
With the above configuration, the central portion of the elastic plate can be easily deformed by contacting the battery cell, and both sides can be fixed to the cooling means, and the fixed state can be stabilized by reducing the deformation at this portion.

According to the power supply device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the elastic plate 4 is formed in a strip shape, the fixed portion 4Y is disposed at the center of the strip shape, and the movable portion 4X is connected to the fixed portion 4Y. Can be placed on both sides.
With the above configuration, the elastic plate can be easily deformed by bringing both side portions of the elastic plate into contact with the battery cell, and the center can be fixed to the cooling means, and the fixed state can be stabilized by reducing deformation at this portion.

According to the power supply device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the elastic plate 4 can be formed smaller than the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1.
With the above configuration, each elastic plate can be individually deformed and can effectively cope with a change in the height of each battery cell.

According to the power supply device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of elastic plates 4 can be integrally connected via the elastic plate support 5.
With the above configuration, the plurality of elastic plates can be integrally connected to the elastic plate support with a predetermined interval, and each elastic plate can be reliably contacted with the first surface of the opposing battery cell.

According to the power supply device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the metal plate having elasticity and thermal conductivity is processed, and the plurality of elastic plates 4 and the elastic plate support 5 are integrally formed. Can do.
With the above-described configuration, the plurality of elastic plates and the elastic plate support can be easily formed from a metal plate.

According to the power supply device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of elastic plates 4 narrows the width of the movable portion 4X in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1 on the end face side of the battery block 10. Can do.
With the above configuration, the battery cell located on the end surface side is less than the other battery cells by suppressing the heat conduction by narrowing the contact area between the elastic plate and the cooling plate on the end surface side of the battery block where the cooling of the battery cell is easy to proceed. Can be prevented from being cooled. Thereby, in the cooling method using the cooling means, the battery cells positioned at both ends of the battery block are cooled more than the other battery cells while effectively cooling the plurality of battery cells constituting the battery block. It can suppress and can cool a some battery cell uniformly and can reduce the dispersion | variation in the temperature distribution of a some battery cell.

According to the power supply device of the ninth aspect of the present invention, the elastic plate 4 is arranged on the center side of the battery block 10 with respect to the thermal conductivity of the elastic plate 4 arranged on the end face side of the battery block 10. The thermal conductivity can be lower than 4.
With the above configuration, on the end face side of the battery block where the cooling of the battery cell is easy to proceed, the thermal conductivity of the elastic plate is lowered to suppress the heat conduction, and the battery cell located on the end face side is cooled more than the other battery cells. Can be prevented. Thereby, in the cooling method using the cooling means, the battery cells positioned at both ends of the battery block are cooled more than the other battery cells while effectively cooling the plurality of battery cells constituting the battery block. It can suppress and can cool a some battery cell uniformly and can reduce the dispersion | variation in the temperature distribution of a some battery cell.

According to the power supply device of the tenth aspect of the present invention, the cooling means 3 can be the cooling pipe 13 or the cooling plate 23 for circulating the refrigerant.
With the above configuration, the plurality of elastic plates can be efficiently cooled by the cooling pipe or the cooling plate that is cooled by the refrigerant, and the battery cells that are in contact with the elastic plates can be efficiently cooled.

According to the power supply device of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the cooling means 3 is the heat radiating fin 25 provided on the elastic plate 4, and the heat radiating fin 25 is opposed to the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1. It can be provided on the opposite side of the surface.
With the above configuration, the heat dissipation of the elastic plate can be improved with the radiation fins, and the battery block can be cooled by the air cooling method.

According to the power supply device of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the cooling means 3 is disposed on the bottom surface side of the battery block 10, and the elastic plate has the bottom surface 1D of the battery cell 1 as the first surface 1X. 4 can be brought into contact in a pressed state.
By the said structure, an elastic body can be made to contact the bottom face of a battery cell and it can cool efficiently. In particular, the elastic plate is elastically pressed against the bottom surface of each battery cell so that the battery cell can be contacted regardless of the height of the battery cell, and each battery cell can be cooled uniformly. Furthermore, by arranging the elastic plate on the bottom surface of the battery cell, there is a feature that the elastic plate can absorb the vibration in the vertical direction due to its own weight. Accordingly, there is a feature that each battery cell is thermally coupled to the cooling means and efficiently cooled while preventing the relative positional shift in the vertical direction of the plurality of battery cells stacked on each other. In particular, in a structure in which this power supply device is mounted on a vehicle, each battery cell moves up and down due to vertical vibrations while the vehicle is running, and the relative position of adjacent battery cells is shifted. However, according to the above power supply device, the elastic plate that is elastically deformed also acts as a buffer member that absorbs the load in the vertical direction that acts on the battery cell due to vibration during traveling, so that the battery due to vertical vibration Features that can reduce adverse effects on blocks can be realized.

  According to a vehicle including the power supply device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the power supply device 100 described in any of the above, the traveling motor 93 supplied with power from the power supply device 100, and the power supply device 100 and the vehicle main body 90 which mounts the said motor 93, and the wheel 97 which drives the said motor main body 90 and runs the said vehicle main body 90, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a power storage device including the power supply device according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the power supply device 100 described above is provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the power supply device which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the battery block of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a schematic side view which shows the thermal coupling state of the battery block and cooling means of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a bottom view which shows the thermal coupling state of the battery block and cooling means shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection structure of the elastic board and cooling means shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of a fixing tool. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection structure of the elastic board and cooling means which concern on a modification. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the power supply device which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection structure of the elastic board and cooling means shown in FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the power supply device which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection structure of the elastic board and cooling means shown in FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the power supply device which concerns on Example 4 of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection structure of the elastic board and cooling means shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the elastic board which concerns on a modification. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the power supply device which concerns on Example 5 of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection structure of the elastic board and cooling means shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the elastic board which concerns on a modification. It is an enlarged side view of the cooling pipe which concerns on a modification. It is a general | schematic cross-sectional view of the power supply device which concerns on Example 6 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the connection structure of the elastic board and cooling means shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows an example which makes a some elastic board integral structure. It is a perspective view which shows another example which makes a some elastic board integral structure. It is a perspective view which shows another example which makes a some elastic board integral structure. It is a perspective view which shows another example of a cooling means. It is a general | schematic cross-sectional view of the power supply device which concerns on Example 7 of this invention. FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective view showing an elastic plate and cooling means of the power supply device shown in FIG. 26. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the power supply device which concerns on Example 8 of this invention. FIG. 29 is a bottom perspective view showing an elastic plate and cooling means of the power supply device shown in FIG. 28. It is a schematic bottom view of the power supply device which concerns on Example 9 of this invention. It is a schematic bottom view of the power supply device which concerns on Example 10 of this invention. It is a general | schematic cross-sectional view of the power supply device which concerns on Example 11 of this invention. It is a general | schematic cross-sectional view of the power supply device which concerns on Example 12 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the hybrid vehicle which drive | works with an engine and a motor. It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the electric vehicle which drive | works only with a motor. It is a block diagram which shows the example applied to the power supply device for electrical storage. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cooling system using the conventional refrigerant | coolant. It is the partially expanded schematic cross section which shows the contact state of a battery block and a cooling plate. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which interposes a heat conductive sheet between a battery block and a cooling plate.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies a power supply device for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, a vehicle including the power supply device, and a power storage device, and the present invention includes a power supply device, a vehicle including the power supply device, The power storage device is not specified as follows. Further, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the constituent members described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to the extent that there is no specific description. It is just an example. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Further, in the following description, the same name and reference sign indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description 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. In addition, the contents described in some examples and embodiments may be used in other examples and embodiments.

  Based on FIGS. 1-6, the example applied to the vehicle-mounted power supply device is demonstrated as a power supply device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view of the power supply device, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the power supply device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery block of the power supply device of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the battery block and the cooling means of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cooling means and the plurality of elastic plates shown in FIG. Each perspective view is shown. The power supply apparatus shown in these drawings is most suitable for the power source of an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle that travels by both an engine and a motor and an electric vehicle that travels by only a motor. However, the power supply device of the present invention can be used for vehicles other than hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, and can also be used for applications requiring high output other than electric vehicles.

1 to 6 includes a battery block 10 formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1, and cooling for cooling each battery cell 1 in a thermally coupled state with each battery cell 1 constituting the battery block 10. Means 3 and a plurality of elastic plates 4 interposed between the cooling means 3 and the battery block 10 and connecting the cooling means 3 to each battery cell 1 in a thermally coupled state are provided.
(Battery block)

The battery block 10 includes a battery stack 9 formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1 and a fixing member 6 for fastening the battery stack 9 in the stacking direction. In the illustrated battery stack 9, a plurality of battery cells 1 and insulating separators 2 are alternately stacked. The battery stack 9 is stacked with battery separators 1 adjacent to each other with an insulating separator 2 interposed therebetween, and the adjacent battery cells 1 are insulated from each other by the separator 2.
(Battery cell 1)

As shown in FIG. 3, the battery cell 1 has an outer can 1 x constituting its outer shape having a square shape that is wider than the thickness, that is, thinner than the width. Furthermore, the battery cell 1 has the opening part of the square-shaped bottomed outer can 1x closed with a sealing plate 1a. Here, the battery cell 1 having the outer shape of the outer can 1x as a square has a bottom surface 1D as a bottom surface of the bottomed outer can 1x and a facing surface between the battery cells 1 stacked on each other in the width direction. 1A, the outer surface 1B that extends in the thickness direction of the battery cell 1 and the sealing plate 1a that closes the opening of the outer can 1x. And a top surface 1C to be a surface. A plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 are stacked in the thickness direction to form a battery stack 9.
In this specification, the vertical direction of the battery cell 1 is the direction shown in the drawing, that is, the bottom side of the outer can 1x is the downward direction, and the sealing plate 1a side is the upward direction.

  The battery cell 1 is a lithium ion battery. However, the battery cell 1 can also be a rechargeable secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery or a nickel cadmium battery. The power supply device using a lithium ion secondary battery for the battery cell 1 has a feature that the charge capacity with respect to the volume and mass of the entire battery cell can be increased.

  Further, the battery cell 1 is provided with positive and negative electrode terminals 1b at both ends of the sealing plate 1a that closes the outer can 1x, and a safety valve 1c between the pair of electrode terminals 1b. The safety valve 1c is configured to open when the internal pressure of the outer can 1x rises to a predetermined value or more, and to release the internal gas. The battery cell 1 can stop the increase in the internal pressure of the outer can 1x by opening the safety valve 1c.

  Here, the battery cell 1 has a metal outer can. For this reason, in order to prevent the outer cans of the adjacent battery cells 1 from coming into contact with each other and short-circuiting, an insulating separator 2 is interposed between the battery cells 1. Thus, the battery cell 1 insulated and stacked by the separator 2 can have an outer can made of metal such as aluminum. In order to prevent a short circuit due to condensation or the like, the outer can may be covered with an insulating film, or the outer can may be coated with an insulating coating. In this case, high reliability can be realized by further increasing the insulation of the battery cell.

The plurality of battery cells 1 that are stacked on each other to form the battery stack 9 are connected in series and / or in parallel by connecting positive and negative electrode terminals 1b with a bus bar (not shown). The battery stack can increase the output voltage by connecting adjacent battery cells in series with each other, and can increase the charge / discharge current by connecting adjacent battery cells in parallel. However, the present invention does not specify the number of battery cells constituting the battery stack and the connection state thereof. In the battery block, the number of battery cells connected in parallel and in series can be changed variously, or all the battery cells can be connected in series or connected in parallel.
(Separator 2)

  The separator 2 is a spacer that insulates and laminates battery cells 1 adjacent to each other. The separator 2 is made of an insulating material such as plastic. The separator 2 is interposed between the battery cells 1 adjacent to each other to insulate the adjacent battery cells 1. The separator 2 is preferably made of a plastic excellent in heat resistance, for example, made of polybutylene terephthalate. However, the separator may be made of a plastic such as nylon resin or epoxy resin. The separator 2 shown in FIG. 3 includes a main body plate portion 2a having a size substantially equal to the main surface 1A of the battery cell 1, and the main body plate portion 2a is laminated between the battery cells 1 adjacent to each other. The battery cells 1 are insulated from each other. Furthermore, the separator 2 shown in the drawing is formed by integrally forming a top plate 2c that covers the top surface 1C of the adjacent battery cells 1 to prevent short-circuiting between the adjacent battery cells 1. Further, the separator 2 is provided with a protruding portion 2b on the side surface of the main body plate portion 2a so that the stacked battery cells 1 can be positioned.

Although not shown, a side wall can be provided along the outer periphery of the main body plate portion to form a storage portion for storing battery cells on both sides of the main body plate portion. In this separator, the shape of the storage portion is set to a shape that allows the battery cell to be fitted in a fixed position, and can prevent displacement of adjacent battery cells. The separator can be provided with an opening on the bottom side of the storage portion to expose the bottom surface of the battery cell. This separator is provided by connecting projecting pieces covering both ends of the bottom surface of the battery cell to the lower end of the side wall, thereby opening the opening between the pair of projecting pieces and forming the corner portion at the lower end of the battery cell. Can be held in place. However, the separator does not necessarily need to be provided with a side wall, a top plate, or a protruding piece, and can be laminated between the battery cells as a whole plate-like plate shape. Furthermore, the separator does not have to be a plastic plate, and can be an insulating sheet.
(Fixing member 6)

A battery stack 9 formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1 and separators 2 is fastened in the stacking direction via a fixing member 6. The fixing member 6 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is fixed to the end plate 7 at both ends of the battery stack 9 and the battery stack 9 is stacked in the stacking direction via the end plate 7. It consists of the connection fixture 8 to fasten. However, the fixing member is not necessarily specified as the end plate and the connecting fixture. Any other structure that can fasten the battery stack in the stacking direction can be used as the fixing member.
(End plate 7)

The end plates 7 are disposed at both ends of the battery stack 9 as shown in FIG. The end plate 7 is formed as a quadrangle having substantially the same shape and dimensions as the outer shape of the battery cell 1 and sandwiches the stacked battery stack 9 from both end faces. The end plate 7 is entirely made of metal. The metal end plate 7 can realize excellent strength and durability. However, the end plate can be made of plastic or a laminated structure of plastic and metal. As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of end plates 7 disposed at both ends of the battery block 10 are fastened via a connection fixture 8 disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the battery stack 9.
(Connecting fixture 8)

  The connection fixture 8 is fixed to the end plates 7 disposed at both ends of the battery stack 9 and fastens the battery stack 9 in the stacking direction via the end plates 7. 1 and 3 is extended in the stacking direction of the battery stack 9, both ends are fixed to a pair of end plates 7, and the battery stack 9 is fastened in the stacking direction. Both ends of the connection fixture 8 are fixed to the end plate 7 via set screws 29. The connecting fixture 8 shown in FIG. 2 is disposed to face the four corners of the battery block 10. As described above, the structure in which the connecting fixture 8 is arranged and fastened at the corner of the battery stack 9 is securely fastened in the stacking direction while preventing the relative displacement of the plurality of battery cells 1 in the vertical direction. it can. However, the connecting fixtures are not necessarily arranged at the four corners of the battery stack. The connection fixture can also be disposed on both side surfaces and the bottom surface of the battery stack.

Further, in the power supply device shown in FIG. 2, the connection fixture 8 disposed at the lower corner portion of the battery block 10 is also used as a fixing member for connecting the plurality of elastic plates 4 to the battery block 10. The connecting fixture 8 shown in the figure has an L-shaped cross section, and is arranged in a state where the horizontal portions of the L-shaped connecting fixture 8 are in contact with the lower surfaces of both end portions of the elastic plate 4. In this structure, both ends of a plurality of elastic plates 4 arranged below the battery block 10 are supported by a pair of connecting fixtures 8, and these elastic plates 4 are held in a predetermined pressed state on the first surface of the battery cell 1. 1X can be pressed.
(Cooling means)

  The cooling means 3 is a heat radiating body for conducting heat of the battery cell 1 to dissipate it to the outside. The cooling means 3 is disposed so as to face one surface of the battery block 10 and is connected to the first surface 1X of each battery cell 1 constituting the battery block 10 in a thermally coupled state. The power supply device shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 has the cooling means 3 disposed opposite the bottom surface of the battery block 10, and is in a state of being thermally coupled to the cooling means 3 with the bottom surface 1D of each battery cell 1 as the first surface 1X. It is connected.

In the example of FIGS. 1 to 6, the cooling means 3 is a cooling pipe 13 for flowing a refrigerant therein, and is disposed to face one surface of the battery block 10. The cooling pipe 13 is a material excellent in heat conduction, for example, a metal pipe. The cooling pipe 13 shown in FIG. 5 has a U-shaped intermediate part, and the entire shape is U-shaped. The cooling pipe 13 is formed into a shape formed by connecting a pair of linear portions 13X arranged in parallel to each other by a U-curved portion 13Y. The straight line portion 13 </ b> X of the cooling pipe 13 is disposed to face the first surface 1 </ b> X of each battery cell 1 constituting the battery block 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling pipe 13 is connected to a cooling mechanism 30, and a coolant is supplied from the cooling mechanism 30 to be cooled.
(Cooling mechanism 30)

  The cooling mechanism 30 cools the cooling pipe 13 by passing the refrigerant through the cooling pipe 13 that is the cooling means 3. The cooling mechanism 30 in FIG. 1 circulates a refrigerant such as Freon or carbon dioxide through the cooling pipe 13 and cools the cooling pipe 13 with heat of vaporization that evaporates inside the cooling pipe 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling mechanism 30 includes a compressor 31 that pressurizes a gaseous refrigerant discharged from the cooling pipe 13, a condenser 32 that cools and liquefies the refrigerant pressurized by the compressor 31, A receiver tank 33 for storing the liquid liquefied by the condenser 32 and an expansion valve 34 including a flow rate adjusting valve or a capillary tube 34A for supplying the refrigerant in the receiver tank 33 to the cooling pipe 13 are provided. The cooling mechanism 30 supplies the liquefied refrigerant to the cooling pipe 13 via the expansion valve 34, vaporizes the supplied refrigerant inside the cooling pipe 13, and cools the cooling pipe 13 with heat of vaporization. The refrigerant vaporized by cooling the cooling pipe 13 is sucked into the compressor 31 and circulated from the condenser 32 to the receiver tank 33.

  As the cooling mechanism 30 described above, an in-vehicle cooling compressor, condenser, and receiver tank mounted on the vehicle can be used. With such a configuration, the cooling mechanism including the compressor, the condenser, and the receiver tank can be used for both the cooling in the vehicle and the cooling mechanism of the power supply device. This structure can efficiently cool the battery block of the power supply device mounted on the vehicle without providing a dedicated cooling mechanism for cooling the battery block. In particular, the cooling calories for cooling the battery block are extremely small compared to the cooling calories required for cooling the vehicle. For this reason, even if the cooling mechanism for cooling the vehicle is also used for cooling the battery block, the battery block can be effectively cooled without substantially reducing the cooling capacity of the vehicle.

  Further, the cooling mechanism 30 includes a control circuit (not shown) that controls cooling of the cooling pipe 13, detects the temperature of the battery cell 1 with a temperature sensor (not shown), and cools the cooling pipe 13. Can also be controlled. This control circuit controls the on-off valve 35 that connects the inflow side of the cooling pipe 13 to the receiver tank 33. The on-off valve 35 is opened and closed by a control circuit to control the cooling state of the cooling pipe 13. When the on-off valve 35 is opened, the cooling pipe 13 is in a cooled state, and when the on-off valve 35 is closed, the refrigerant is not circulated through the cooling pipe 13 and the cooling pipe 13 is in an uncooled state. When the temperature of the battery cell 1 becomes higher than the preset cooling start temperature, the cooling mechanism 30 supplies the refrigerant to the cooling pipe 13 to cool it, and when the battery cell 1 becomes lower than the cooling stop temperature, the cooling pipe 30 The supply of the refrigerant to 13 can be stopped, and the battery cell 1 can be controlled within a preset temperature range.

Although the above cooling mechanism cools the cooling pipe to a low temperature by the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant, the cooling mechanism can also cool the heat pipe regardless of the heat of vaporization. This cooling mechanism supplies a cooling pipe such as brine cooled to a low temperature to cool the cooling pipe directly with a low-temperature refrigerant instead of the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant. The cooling mechanism that circulates the brine as the refrigerant may be configured to cool the brine with the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant. In particular, in a power supply device mounted on a vehicle, an existing cooling mechanism used for cooling the inside of the vehicle can be used for cooling the brine.
(Elastic plate)

  The plurality of elastic plates 4 are interposed between each battery cell 1 constituting the battery block 10 and the cooling means 3, and couple the cooling means 3 to each battery cell 1 in a thermally coupled state. The plurality of elastic plates 4 are fixed to the cooling means 3 in a thermally coupled state, and are disposed to face the first surface 1X of each battery cell 1. Each elastic plate 4 is a plate-like shape arranged in the long side direction of the first surface 1X, and includes a movable portion 4X that is elastically deformed. The plurality of elastic plates 4 are individually provided to face each battery cell 1, and the elastically deformable movable portion 4 </ b> X is independently elastically pressed against the first surface 1 </ b> X of the battery cell 1, The battery cell 1 is in contact with the first surface 1X. Each elastic plate 4 has a width (d) of the movable part 4X opposite to the first of the battery cells 1 so that the elastically deformable movable part 4X does not straddle the first surface 1X of the adjacent battery cell 1. It is formed smaller than the short side (D) of one surface 1X. Here, the width (d) of the elastic plate 4 is the width in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1, and the short side (D) of the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 is the thickness direction of the battery cell 1. Means the width of By interposing such an elastic plate 4 between the battery cell 1 and the cooling means 3, even if the positions of the first surfaces 1X of the plurality of battery cells 1 are not uniform, the first of each battery cell 1 is The elastic plate 4 can be elastically deformed according to the position of the surface 1X, and can contact the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 in a pressed state.

  Each elastic plate 4 is made of a material excellent in elasticity and thermal conductivity, for example, a metal plate. The metal elastic plate 4 is made of, for example, aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, iron alloy, or the like. The elastic plate 4 made of aluminum or aluminum alloy is light and inexpensive, is easy to process, and has an excellent thermal conductivity. However, metals other than those described above can also be used for the elastic plate. The metal elastic plate determines its material and thickness in consideration of elasticity and thermal conductivity. The thickness of the elastic plate made of a metal plate is 0.3 mm to 3 mm, preferably 0.4 mm to 2 mm, and more preferably 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

  On the other hand, the elastic plate 4 is required to have insulating properties in order to prevent a short circuit between adjacent battery cells 1. For this reason, the metal elastic plate 4 covers the surface with an insulating member so that it can be insulated at the joint with the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1. Although not shown, the elastic plate 4 can be insulated by sticking an insulating sheet on the facing surface facing the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 or by applying an insulating paint. Alternatively, an insulating film can be interposed between the elastic plate and the battery cell. However, in the structure in which the battery cell insulates the surface of the outer can, it is not always necessary to insulate the surface of the elastic plate. However, also in this case, the safety can be further improved by insulating the surface of the elastic plate.

  In the power supply apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 to 18, the plurality of elastic plates 4 are fixed to the cooling pipe 13 as the cooling means 3 independently in a thermally coupled state. Thus, the power supply device that thermally couples the cooling means 3 to the plurality of battery cells 1 constituting the battery block 10 via the plurality of elastic plates 4 brings the elastic plate 4 into contact with each battery cell 1 individually, All the battery cells 1 can be cooled by the cooling means 3 without unevenness. The plurality of elastic plates 4 are fixed to the cooling pipe 13 via a fixture 14, or directly fixed to the cooling pipe 13 by welding or a locking structure, or a fixing piece 18 provided on the elastic plate 4 is fixed. It can fix to the cooling pipe 13 via.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 5 to 15, each elastic plate 4 is an elongated strip-shaped metal plate, and the metal plate is bent or bent into a predetermined shape. These elastic plates 4 have the width in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1 narrower than the thickness of the battery cells 1, and the width (d) of the movable part 4 </ b> X is set to the short side of the first surface 1 </ b> X of the opposite battery cells 1. It is smaller than (D). Further, the elastic plate 4 is formed such that its entire length (L) is shorter than the long side (W) of the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1, and the outer shape of the elastic plate 4 is set to the first of the battery cell 1 facing the first. It is smaller than the outer shape of the bottom surface 1D which is the surface 1X. This structure prevents the both ends of the elastic plate 4 from projecting from both sides of the battery block 10 while bringing the elastic plate 4 into contact with the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 individually, and the power supply device has a large outer shape. Can be prevented.

  As described above, the elastic plate 4 made of a plurality of metal plates is fixed to the battery block 10 side (upper surface side in the drawing) of the cooling pipe 13 as shown in the figure. Each elastic plate 4 is fixed to the cooling pipe 13 such that the elastically deformable movable portion 4X protrudes toward the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 facing the elastic plate 4. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 10, 12, and 14, each elastic plate 4 is fixed to the straight portion 13 </ b> X of the cooling pipe 13 at a predetermined interval.

  The elastic plate 4A shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 is an elastic metal plate formed in a strip shape, curved in an arch shape, and cooled in a posture in which a curved central portion protrudes toward the battery cell 1. It is fixed to the pipe 13. The elastic plate 4A is fixed to the cooling pipe 13 in a thermally coupled state with both end portions as fixed portions 4Ya, so that the central portion is brought into contact with the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 as a movable portion 4Xa that is elastically deformed. The elastic plate 4A shown in the figure is disposed on the upper surface side of the cooling pipe 13 and is fixed to the cooling pipe 13 via a fixture 14 that holds the cooling pipe 13 from the lower surface side. The fixture 14A shown in the drawing is a plate shape along the elastic plate 4A, and includes curved holding portions 14Y that hold the cooling pipes 13 at both ends. In the fixing device 14A, the connecting portion 14X as an intermediate portion is fixed to the movable portion 4Xa of the elastic plate 4A in a state in which the linear portion 13X of the cooling pipe 13 is guided to the holding portions 14Y at both ends. The fixing tool 14 </ b> A shown in the drawing is fixed to the elastic plate 4 </ b> A via a rivet 15. However, the fixture can also be fixed to the elastic plate by welding, screwing, locking structure, or the like.

  The elastic plate 4A and the fixture 14A are fixed at a fixed position of the cooling pipe 13 with the cooling pipe 13 sandwiched from both the upper and lower sides. The fixing tool 14A having this shape can fix only the connecting portion 14X as the central portion to the elastic plate 4A and hold the cooling pipe 13 by the holding portions 14Y provided at both ends, so that the elastic plate 4A can be cooled easily and easily. It can be fixed to the pipe 13. The fixing tool 14A has a structure in which the connecting portion 14X fixed to the movable portion 4X of the elastic plate 4 is also elastically deformed to be movable. For this reason, this fixture 14A is shape | molded by the member which has elasticity so that the connection part 14X can be elastically deformed. Therefore, this power supply apparatus determines the material and thickness of the elastic plate 4A and the fixture 14A in consideration of the elasticity of the elastic plate 4A and the fixture 14A that are connected to each other.

  However, the fixture does not necessarily need to be fixed to the movable portion of the elastic plate, and can be fixed close to the fixing portion 4Ya of the elastic plate 4A as shown in FIG. The fixture 14B shown in the figure has a structure for fixing one cooling pipe 13 to the elastic plate 4A. The fixing tool 14B has fixing pieces 14Z at both ends of a U-curved holding portion 14Y that holds the cooling pipe 13, and the fixing piece 14Z is fixed to the elastic plate 4A so that the cooling pipe 13 is in a fixed position. It is fixed. In this structure, since the elasticity of the movable portion 4Xa of the elastic plate 4A is not affected by the fixture 14B, the elasticity can be specified by the material and thickness of the elastic plate 4A.

  As described above, the structure in which the elastic plate 4A is fixed to the cooling pipe 13 via the fixture 14 is the relative position between the elastic plate 4A and the cooling pipe 13 even when the movable portion 4Xa of the elastic plate 4A is elastically deformed. Therefore, the elastic plate 4A and the cooling pipe 13 can be reliably maintained in a thermally coupled state over a long period of time. However, the elastic plate does not necessarily need to be fixed to the cooling pipe with the fixture having the above structure, and can be fixed to the cooling pipe using a fixture having another structure. Furthermore, the elastic plate can be fixed to the cooling pipe directly by welding or using a locking structure without using a fixing tool.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of elastic plates 4A can be arranged while being positioned at predetermined intervals by interposing a spacer 12 between the adjacent elastic plates 4A. The spacer 12A shown in FIG. 6 has a cylindrical shape into which the cooling pipe 13 can be inserted or a ring shape that is partially cut, and the adjacent elastic plates 4A are arranged at predetermined intervals. However, in the structure in which the elastic plate is fixed at a fixed position of the cooling pipe by a fixture or welding, it is not always necessary to interpose a spacer between the elastic plates.

8 shows an example in which the elastic plate 4B is fixed to the cooling pipe 13 with a locking structure. The elastic plate 4 </ b> B and the cooling pipe 13 </ b> A shown in the drawing are connected to each other in a thermally coupled state with a connecting structure composed of the guide protrusion 16 and the guide groove 17. In the connecting structure shown in the figure, guide ridges 16 are provided on the cooling pipe 13A, and guide grooves 17 for guiding the guide ridges 16 are provided on the opposing surface of the elastic plate 4B. The guide ridges 16 and the guide grooves 17 are provided so as to extend in the axial direction of the linear portion 13X of the cooling pipe 13A. In this connection structure, guide ridges 16 are provided over almost the entire straight portion 13X of the cooling pipe 13A, and the elastic plate 4B provided with the guide grooves 17 can be slid along the guide ridges 16 to be connected. The elastic plate 4B shown in this figure also has a strip-shaped elastic metal plate that is curved in an arch shape. The curved central portion is a movable portion 4Xb that is elastically deformed, and both end portions are thermally coupled to the cooling pipe 13 with a fixed portion 4Yb. The state is fixed.

  Further, the elastic plate 4C shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is provided with a cylindrical fixing portion 4Yc that is inserted through and connected to the cooling pipe 13 at both ends of a strip-shaped metal plate. The fixed portion 4Yc in the figure is formed in a cylindrical shape in which both ends of the metal plate are curved and the cooling pipe 13 can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 10, the elastic plate 4B slides the elastic plate 4C in the axial direction of the cooling pipe 13 in a state where the cooling pipe 13 is inserted into the fixing portions 4Yc at both ends, thereby cooling the plurality of elastic plates 4C. It can be connected to the pipe 13. This structure is characterized in that it can be fixed to the cooling pipe 13 so as not to remove the plurality of elastic plates 4C. This elastic plate 4C also has a central portion of the strip-shaped elastic metal plate curved in an arch shape, and the curved central portion is made into a movable portion 4Xc that is elastically deformed, and both end portions are thermally coupled to the cooling pipe 13 as fixed portions 4Yc. The state is fixed. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the elastic plate 4C is disposed while being positioned at a predetermined interval with a spacer 12 interposed between the adjacent elastic plates 4C. The spacer 12B shown in FIG. 10 is arranged between adjacent elastic plates 4C as a plate shape having through holes 12a through which the cooling pipe 13 can be inserted at both ends. This spacer 12B has a feature that two cooling pipes 13 inserted through through holes 12a provided at both ends can be held at a predetermined interval.

  Furthermore, the elastic plate 4 shown in FIGS. 11 to 15 is fixed to the cooling pipe 13 with the central portion of the strip-shaped elastic metal plate as the fixed portion 4Y, and toward both the battery cells 1 with both ends as the movable portions 4X. It is molded into a shape that protrudes in a substantially parallel posture. The elastic plate 4D shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 has a movable portion 4Xd that elastically presses the first surface 1X by bending or bending both ends thereof and projecting into a shape along the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1. Is provided. In addition, in the elastic plates 4E and 4F shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the movable portion 4Xe facing the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 is provided in a shape in which both end portions are bent to the upper surface side. The elastic plates 4D, 4E, and 4F illustrated in these drawings have the movable portions 4Xd and 4Xe contact the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 so that the elastic plates 4D, 4E, and 4F can contact the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 in a wide area. Curved or bent so as to have a substantially parallel posture.

  The elastic plates 4D and 4E shown in FIGS. 11 to 15 are fixed portions 4Yd and 4Ye that are fixed in a flat state at the center, and the cooling pipe 13 is fixed to the fixed portions 4Yd and 4Ye. The elastic plates 4D and 4E shown in the drawing fix the cooling pipe 13 to the lower surface side of the stationary portions 4Yd and 4Ye that are not moved. Although not shown, the fixed part to which the cooling pipe is fixed can be formed thicker than the movable part, and can support the movable part in a pressed state more firmly. According to the above structure, the elastic plates 4D and 4E are in a state in which the fixing portions 4Yd and 4Ye are fixed to the cooling pipe 13 and are immovable, and the elastic portions of the movable portions 4Xd and 4Xe are elastically deformed. 4D and 4E and the battery cell 1 come into contact. With this structure, the elastic plates 4D and 4E can be reliably brought into contact with the bottom surface 1D of the opposing battery cell 1 regardless of the positional deviation of the battery cell 1 constituting the battery block 9. Here, the elastic plate 4D shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 has the cooling pipe 13 welded and fixed to the lower surface of the fixing portion 4Yd. According to this fixing method, the plurality of elastic plates 4D can be reliably fixed at fixed positions of the cooling pipe 13 at predetermined intervals.

  Further, the elastic plates 4E and 4F shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 are provided with fixing pieces 18 protruding downward from both side edges of the fixing portion 4Ye, and the cooling pipe 13 is inserted into the fixing pieces 18 to fix the fixing portion. The cooling pipe 13 is fixed to the lower surface of 4Ye. The fixed piece 18 in the figure is provided with a through hole 18a through which the cooling pipe 13 is inserted. The elastic plate 4E shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 is provided with two sets of fixing pieces 18A located on both sides of the fixing portion 4Ye and excluding the central portion, and through holes provided in the respective fixing pieces 18A. The cooling pipe 13 is inserted into the hole 18a, and the two cooling pipes 13 are fixed in place. The elastic plate 4F shown in FIG. 15 is provided with fixing pieces 18B along both side edges of the fixing portion 4Ye, and through holes 18a are opened at both ends of the fixing piece 18B. The elastic plate 4F can fix the fixing portion 4Ye by using the fixing pieces 18B provided along both sides of the fixing portion 4Ye as reinforcing ribs, and is inserted into through holes 18a provided at both ends of the fixing piece 18B. The two cooling pipes 13 can be held at a predetermined interval. The elastic plates 4E and 4F can be simply provided with the fixing pieces 18 by bending a metal plate.

  As described above, the structure in which the elastic plates 4E and 4F are fixed to the cooling pipe 13 via the fixed piece 18 is a state in which the elastic plates 4E and 4F are cooled in a state where the cooling pipe 13 is inserted into the through hole 18a of the fixed piece 18. The plurality of elastic plates 4E and 4F can be connected to the cooling pipe 13 by sliding in the axial direction of the pipe 13. This structure has a feature that it can be securely fixed to the cooling pipe 13 so that the plurality of elastic plates 4E and 4F are not detached. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the elastic plates 4E and 4F can be arranged while being positioned at a predetermined interval by interposing a spacer 12 between adjacent elastic plates 4E. The spacer 12A shown in FIG. 14 is disposed between the adjacent elastic plates 4E in a cylindrical shape through which the cooling pipe 13 can be inserted or a ring shape that is partially cut.

  Furthermore, the power supply device shown in FIGS. 9, 11, and 13 has a plurality of elastic plates 4 fixed to the cooling means 3 and a bottom surface of the battery block 10 via a connecting fixture 8B disposed in the fixing portion 4Y. It is arranged at a fixed position on the side. Both ends of the connection fixture 8B are fixed to the end plates 7 at both ends of the battery block 10, and the plurality of elastic plates 4 are fixed at fixed positions on the bottom surface side of the battery block 10.

  Further, the elastic plates 4G and 4H shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 are provided with substantially parallel cutting lines 19 along both side edges of the strip-shaped elastic metal plate, and an arch projecting to the inside of the cutting line 19 on one side. The movable portions 4Xg and 4Xh are provided in a curved shape. These elastic plates 4G and 4H can easily mold the movable portions 4Xg and 4Xh projecting to one side by press-molding the portion between the cutting lines 19. In these elastic plates 4G and 4H, the widths (d) of the movable parts 4Xg and 4Xh that are curved in an arch shape are made smaller than the short side (D) of the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 facing each other. Further, the elastic plates 4G and 4H are formed by forming the entire length (L ′) of the movable portions 4Xg and 4Xh shorter than the long side (W) of the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1, thereby forming the outer shapes of the movable portions 4Xg and 4Xh. Is made smaller than the outer shape of the bottom surface 1D, which is the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 facing each other. These elastic plates 4G and 4H are fixed to the cooling pipe 13 with the side edges separated from the movable parts 4Xg and 4Xh as fixed parts 4Yg and 4Yh in a stationary state. In the illustrated elastic plates 4G and 4H, the cooling pipe 13 is welded and fixed to the lower surfaces of the fixing portions 4Yg and 4Yh. However, these elastic plates can also be fixed to the cooling pipe via a fixture, in a locking structure, or by providing a fixing piece.

  Further, the elastic plate 4H of FIG. 18 is divided into two movable pieces 4x by cutting an intermediate portion of the movable portion 4Xh projecting upward in the central convex direction. Since the elastic plate 4H can elastically deform each movable piece 4x independently, the movable piece 4Xh can be more stably brought into contact with the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 in a pressed state.

  As described above, the structure in which the plurality of elastic plates 4 are independently fixed to the cooling pipe 13 can be a flexible structure as shown in FIG. The cooling pipe 13B shown in the figure has a structure in which a fixing portion 13x to which the elastic plate 4 is fixed is connected by a deformable joint portion 13y. In this structure, the relative positions of the elastic plates 4 adjacent to each other can be changed via the deforming joint portion 13y. In this structure, the displacement of the relative positions of the plurality of battery cells 1 is absorbed and reliably coupled through the cooling pipe 13B whose relative position changes in addition to the elastic plate 4 that is elastically deformed.

  In the above embodiment, the plurality of elastic plates 4 are independently fixed individually to the cooling pipe 13 that is the cooling means 3. However, the plurality of elastic plates can be integrally connected via an elastic plate support. For example, the elastic plate 4 having the structure shown in FIGS. 6 to 18 connects the fixing portions 4Y of the plurality of elastic plates 4 via elastic plate supports (not shown) arranged in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1. Thus, the entire structure can be integrated. Such an elastic plate support can fix a plurality of elastic plates to the fixing portion by a method such as welding, screwing, rivet, or a locking structure. Further, such an elastic plate support can also be used as the fixture 14 as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 show a state in which the elastic plate 4D having the structure shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is integrally connected via an elastic plate support 5C that is a fixture 14C. The elastic plate support 5C shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 is provided with holding grooves 5Y for guiding the cooling pipe 13 on both sides, and a fixing portion 4Yd of the elastic plate 4D is fixed to the central portion, thereby providing a plurality of elastic plates 4D. Are fixed at predetermined intervals.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, the plurality of elastic plates 4 can be formed into an integral structure by processing a single metal plate 20 having elasticity and thermal conductivity. In the example shown in FIG. 22, a plurality of rows of elastic plates 4I are provided so as to protrude from the center of a metal plate 20A having a rectangular outer shape. This metal plate 20A is provided with a plurality of rows of cutting lines 19 at a central portion in parallel at a predetermined interval, and a portion between a pair of adjacent cutting lines 19 projects toward one side (upper surface side in the figure). The elastic plate 4I is formed. In this structure, the portion between the cutting lines 19 provided on the metal plate 20A can be press-molded to easily form the elastic plate 4I protruding to one side. 20 A of this metal plate presses the 1st surface 1X of the battery cell 1 which opposes as the movable part 4Xi which elastically deforms the center part of the some elastic board 4I which protrudes. Further, both ends of the plurality of elastic plates 4I are integrally connected to both side portions 20a of the metal plate 20A, and both side portions 20a of the metal plate 20 are used as elastic plate supports 5I. As described above, the metal plate 20A provided with the plurality of elastic plates 4I has the bridging portion 20b remaining between the adjacent elastic plates 4I as a fixing portion, and the cooling pipe 13 is fixed to the lower surface thereof. Similarly to the elastic plate 4H shown in FIG. 18, the elastic plate 4I having this structure can also be divided into two movable pieces by cutting an intermediate portion of the movable portion protruding in the central projection.

  Further, in the example shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, a plurality of rows of elastic plates 4J and 4K are provided to protrude from both sides of the metal plates 20B and 20C. The metal plates 20B and 20C shown in the figure are provided with elastic plate supports 5J and 5K at the center, and a plurality of rows of elastic plates 4J and 4K formed in a comb shape on both sides. The plurality of elastic plates 4J and 4K are provided facing the first surfaces 1X of the plurality of battery cells 1 constituting the battery block 10, and are curved or folded so that the first surface 1X can be elastically pressed. It's a song. The elastic plate 4J shown in FIG. 23 is provided with a movable portion 4Xj that is bent or bent so as to protrude along the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 and elastically deforms. Further, the elastic plate 4K shown in FIG. 24 is provided with a movable portion 4Xk that is elastically deformed in a U-shaped shape and folded back to the upper surface side of the elastic plate support 5K. The elastic plates 4J and 4K shown in these drawings are also curved or bent so as to have a substantially parallel posture with respect to the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1. As described above, the metal plates 20B and 20C provided with the plurality of elastic plates 4J and 4K have the elastic plate supports 5J and 5K at the center as fixed portions, and the cooling pipe 13 is fixed to the lower surface thereof.

  In the above example, the cooling means 3 is the cooling pipe 13, but the cooling means may be a cooling plate. As shown in FIG. 25, the power supply device using the cooling means as the cooling plate has a metal plate 20 formed by integrally forming a plurality of elastic plates 4 arranged on the upper surface to cool the plurality of elastic plates 4. It can be thermally coupled to the cooling plate 23 as the means 3.

  Furthermore, the cooling means which is a cooling plate can also use the upper surface plate of the cooling plate as an elastic plate support. Although not shown, the cooling plate can fix the plurality of elastic plates at a predetermined interval by fixing the fixing portions of the plurality of elastic plates to the upper surface plate. Such an elastic plate can be fixed to the cooling plate by welding, screwing locking structure or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the cooling means that is a cooling plate has a refrigerant pipe 24 disposed therein, and the refrigerant pipe 24 is connected to the cooling mechanism 30. The cooling plate 23 incorporates a metal cooling pipe as the refrigerant pipe 24 through which the refrigerant passes. The cooling pipe is thermally coupled to the upper surface plate 23A of the cooling plate 23, and cools the upper surface plate 23A by allowing the refrigerant supplied from the cooling mechanism 30 to pass through the cooling pipe.

  In the above embodiment, the cooling means 3 is cooled by passing the refrigerant, but the cooling means may be air-cooled. The air-cooling type cooling means can be constituted by heat dissipating fins provided on a plurality of elastic plates. The elastic plates 4 </ b> L and 4 </ b> M shown in FIGS. 26 to 29 are provided with a plurality of radiating fins 25 on the outer surface opposite to the facing surface facing the battery cell 1. The plurality of radiating fins 25 are fixed in a posture that protrudes outward from the elastic plates 4L and 4M. The radiation fin 25 shown in the figure is a planar metal plate. However, the heat radiating fins may have all other shapes excellent in heat dissipation, for example, a shape made up of a plurality of convex portions and ribs.

  The elastic plate 4L shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 has a shape formed by curving a strip-shaped metal plate in an arch shape, and is pressed against the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 as a movable portion 4Xl that elastically deforms the central portion. In contact. In the illustrated elastic plate 4L, a plurality of heat radiation fins 25 are provided on the outer side surface at a predetermined interval over almost the entire surface excluding both ends. The elastic plate 4L is fixed to an elastic body support 5L that extends in a straight line with both ends being fixed portions 4Yl. As shown in FIG. 26, the plurality of elastic plates 4 </ b> L are fixed to both ends, and the elastic body support 5 </ b> L is connected to the battery block 10 via the connection fixture 8, and is disposed on the first surface 1 </ b> X of the battery cell 1. ing.

  The elastic plate 4M shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 is fixed to the elastic plate support 5M with the central portion of the strip-shaped metal plate as the fixed portion 4Ym, and has both end portions as the movable portions 4Xm toward the battery cell 1. It is molded into a shape that protrudes in a parallel posture. The elastic plate 4M shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 is provided with a movable portion 4Xm that is elastically deformed by bending or bending both ends thereof and projecting into a shape along the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1. In the illustrated elastic plate 4M, a plurality of heat radiation fins 25 are provided at predetermined intervals on the outer surface except for the fixing portion 4Ym. As shown in FIG. 29, the plurality of elastic plates 4M are arranged on the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 via an elastic support 5M fixed to the fixing portion 4Ym. The elastic support 5M shown in the drawing is also used as a connection fixture 8B for fastening the battery block, and both end portions are fixed to the end plates 7 at both ends of the battery block 10 so as to be fixed to the battery block 10.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, in the battery block 10 formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells, the temperature of the battery cell 1 at the center is higher than that at the battery cells 1 at both ends. The battery cell 1 arranged in is more likely to be cooled than the center portion. For this reason, the plurality of battery cells 1 can be uniformly cooled by adjusting the thermal resistance of the elastic plate 4 at the center and both ends of the battery block 10.

  In the power supply device shown in FIG. 30, among the plurality of elastic plates 4 arranged in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1, the width of the elastic plate 4 </ b> N disposed facing the battery cells 1 located at both ends is narrowed. . The elastic plates 4N arranged at both ends are made narrow in width so that the thermal resistance is increased and the cooling state by the cooling means 3 is suppressed. The power supply device shown in the figure suppresses cooling of the battery cells 1 at both ends, which are particularly easily cooled, by narrowing the width of the elastic plate 4N located at both ends. Thereby, the several battery cell 1 laminated | stacked mutually can be cooled uniformly. However, the power supply device can be configured such that the width of the elastic plate gradually decreases toward both ends.

  Furthermore, although not shown, the power supply device can make the width of the elastic plate arranged opposite to the battery cells stacked at the center of the battery block wider than the width of the elastic plate arranged at both ends. . This structure can effectively cool the battery cell located at the center and easily rise in temperature, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the battery cells.

  Furthermore, the power supply device shown in FIG. 31 has the thermal conductivity of the elastic plates 4Q arranged facing the battery cells 1 located at both ends among the plurality of elastic plates 4 arranged in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1. The thermal conductivity of the elastic plate 4P disposed opposite to the battery cell 1 located in the center can be made lower. For example, the elastic plate 4P facing the battery cell 1 disposed in the center of the battery block 10 is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy having high thermal conductivity, and the elastic plate 4Q disposed facing both ends of the battery block 10. Can be formed of a material such as stainless steel having a low thermal conductivity. The power supply device with this structure also suppresses heat radiation by the elastic plates 4Q arranged at both ends as compared to the elastic plate 4P arranged at the center, so that the plurality of battery cells stacked on each other are uniformly cooled. be able to.

  In the power supply device described above, the cooling means 3 is disposed on the bottom surface of the battery block 10 and the bottom surface 1D of each battery cell 1 is thermally coupled to the cooling means 3 via the plurality of elastic plates 4 with the first surface 1X being the first surface 1X. . However, the power supply device does not necessarily need to be the first surface where the bottom surface of the battery cell is thermally coupled to the cooling means. As shown in FIG. 32, the cooling means 3 uses the outer surface 1B of the battery cell 1 as the first surface 1X. It is also possible to thermally couple to. In this power supply device, in the structure in which a plurality of battery cells 1 are stacked on each other in an upright posture (see FIG. 3), as shown in FIG. 32, the cooling means 3 is arranged facing the side surface of the battery block 10, That is, the cooling means 3 can be arranged in a vertical posture and can be cooled from the outer surface 1 </ b> B of the battery cell 1. In addition, although not shown, the power supply device has cooling means arranged in a horizontal posture, and on this upper surface, the battery stack is placed in a posture of lying down from a standing posture (see FIG. 3), that is, by providing positive and negative electrode terminals. It can also arrange | position with the attitude | position which makes the upper surface which makes it the side surface of a battery block, and can also cool from the outer surface of a battery cell.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 33, the power supply device can arrange the cooling means 3 in a thermally coupled state so as to face two different surfaces of the battery block 10. In the power supply device shown in the figure, the cooling pipe 13 is arranged as the first cooling means 3A on the bottom surface side of the battery block 10, and the radiation fins 25 are arranged as the second cooling means 3B on the side surface side of the battery block 10. . This power supply device has the bottom surface 1D of the battery cell 1 as the first surface 1X and is thermally coupled to the cooling pipe 13 via the elastic plate 4, and the outer surface 1B of the battery cell 1 as the second surface 1Y and the elastic plate 4 The heat is dissipated from the heat radiating fins 25. Thus, the structure which arrange | positions the cooling means 3 with respect to two different surfaces of the battery block 10 can cool the some battery cell 1 more effectively. Furthermore, although not shown, the power supply device can also arrange cooling means on three or four different surfaces of the battery block.

  In the above power supply device, the movable portion 4X of each elastic plate 4 is brought into contact with the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 in a pressed state. That is, the movable portion 4X is pressed against the first surface 1X of the battery cell 1 by the restoring force of the movable portion 4X that is elastically deformed. However, the elastic plate can also fix the opposing surface of the movable part to the first surface of the battery cell. The movable portion of the elastic plate fixed to the battery cell can be fixed to the first surface of the battery cell by adhesion, welding, a locking structure, or the like.

The power supply device described above can be used as an in-vehicle battery system. 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. .
(Power supply device for hybrid vehicles)

FIG. 34 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 100 that supplies power to the motor 93, and power generation that charges a battery cell of the power supply device 100. A vehicle body 90 on which a machine 94, an engine 96, a motor 93, a power supply device 100, and a generator 94 are mounted, and wheels 97 driven by the engine 96 or the motor 93 to drive the vehicle body 90. . The power supply apparatus 100 is connected to a motor 93 and a generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. The vehicle HV travels by both the motor 93 and the engine 96 while charging / discharging the battery cell of the power supply device 100. 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 device 100. The generator 94 is driven by the engine 96 or is driven by regenerative braking when the vehicle is braked, and charges the battery cell of the power supply device 100.
(Power supply for electric vehicles)

FIG. 35 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 FIG. 1 is a motor 93 for running the vehicle EV, a power supply device 100 that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator that charges a battery cell of the power supply device 100. 94, a vehicle main body 90 on which the motor 93, the power supply device 100, and the generator 94 are mounted, and wheels 97 that are driven by the motor 93 and run the vehicle main body 90. The power supply apparatus 100 is connected to a motor 93 and a generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100. The generator 94 is driven by energy when regeneratively braking the vehicle EV, and charges the battery cell of the power supply device 100.
(Power storage device for power storage)

  Furthermore, this power supply apparatus can be used not only as a power source for a moving body but also as a stationary power storage facility. For example, as a power source for home and factory use, a power supply system that is charged with sunlight or midnight power and discharged when necessary, or a streetlight power supply that charges sunlight during the day and discharges at night, or during a power outage It can also be used as a backup power source for driving signals. Such an example is shown in FIG. The power supply apparatus 100 shown in this figure forms a battery unit 82 by connecting a plurality of battery blocks 81 in a unit shape. Each battery block 81 has a plurality of battery cells 1 connected in series and / or in parallel. Each battery block 81 is controlled by a power supply controller 84. The power supply apparatus 100 drives the load LD after charging the battery unit 82 with the charging power supply CP. For this reason, the power supply apparatus 100 includes a charging mode and a discharging mode. The load LD and the charging power source CP are connected to the power supply device 100 via the discharging switch DS and the charging switch CS, respectively. ON / OFF of the discharge switch DS and the charge switch CS is switched by the power supply controller 84 of the power supply apparatus 100. In the charging mode, the power supply controller 84 switches the charging switch CS to ON and the discharging switch DS to OFF to permit charging from the charging power supply CP to the power supply apparatus 100. Further, when the charging is completed and the battery is fully charged, or in response to a request from the load LD in a state where a capacity of a predetermined value or more is charged, the power controller 84 turns off the charging switch CS and turns on the discharging switch DS to discharge. The mode is switched to permit discharge from the power supply apparatus 100 to the load LD. Further, if necessary, the charge switch CS can be turned on and the discharge switch DS can be turned on to supply power to the load LD and charge the power supply device 100 at the same time.

  A load LD driven by the power supply apparatus 100 is connected to the power supply apparatus 100 via a discharge switch DS. In the discharge mode of the power supply apparatus 100, the power supply controller 84 switches the discharge switch DS to ON, connects to the load LD, and drives the load LD with the power from the power supply apparatus 100. As the discharge switch DS, a switching element such as an FET can be used. ON / OFF of the discharge switch DS is controlled by the power supply controller 84 of the power supply apparatus 100. The power controller 84 also includes a communication interface for communicating with external devices. In the example of FIG. 36, the host device HT is connected according to an existing communication protocol such as UART or RS-232c. Further, if necessary, a user interface for the user to operate the power supply system can be provided.

  Each battery block 81 includes a signal terminal and a power supply terminal. The signal terminals include an input / output terminal DI, an abnormal output terminal DA, and a connection terminal DO. The input / output terminal DI is a terminal for inputting / outputting a signal from the other battery block 81 or the power supply controller 84, and the connection terminal DO is a terminal for inputting / outputting a signal to / from the other battery block 81. . The abnormality output terminal DA is a terminal for outputting abnormality of the battery block 81 to the outside. Furthermore, the power supply terminal is a terminal for connecting the battery blocks 81 in series and in parallel. The battery units 82 are connected to the output line OL via the parallel connection switch 85 and are connected in parallel to each other.

  The power supply apparatus according to the present invention can be suitably used as a power supply apparatus for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, an electric vehicle, or the like that can switch between the EV traveling mode and the HEV traveling mode. In addition, a backup power supply that can be mounted on a rack of a computer server, a backup power supply for a wireless base station such as a mobile phone, a power supply for household use and a factory, a power supply for a street light, etc. It can also be used as appropriate for applications such as backup power supplies for devices and traffic lights.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Power supply device 1 ... Battery cell 1X ... 1st surface; 1Y ... 2nd surface 1A ... Main surface; 1B ... Outer surface; 1C ... Top surface; 1D ... Bottom surface 1x ... Exterior can 1a ... Sealing plate; DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1c ... Safety valve 2 ... Separator 2a ... Main body plate part; 2b ... Projection part; 2c ... Top plate 3 ... Cooling means 3A ... First cooling means; 3B ... Second cooling means 4 ... Elastic plate 4A ... Elastic plate; 4B ... elastic plate; 4C ... elastic plate; 4D ... elastic plate 4E ... elastic plate; 4F ... elastic plate; 4G ... elastic plate; 4H ... elastic plate 4I ... elastic plate; 4J ... elastic plate; Elastic plate 4M ... Elastic plate; 4N ... Elastic plate; 4P ... Elastic plate; 4Q ... Elastic plate 4X ... Movable part; 4x ... Movable piece 4Xa ... Movable part; 4Xb ... Movable part; 4Xc ... Movable part; 4Xd ... Movable part 4Xe ... Movable part; 4Xg ... Movable part; 4Xh ... Movable part; 4Xi ... Movable part 4Xj ... Movable part; 4 k ... movable part; 4Xl ... movable part; 4Xm ... movable part 4Y ... fixed part 4Ya ... fixed part; 4Yb ... fixed part; 4Yc ... fixed part; 4Yd ... fixed part 4Ye ... fixed part; 4Yg ... fixed part; 4Yl ... fixed part 4Ym ... fixed part 5 ... elastic plate support 5C ... elastic plate support; 5I ... elastic plate support; 5J ... elastic plate support 5K ... elastic plate support; 5L ... elastic plate support; 5M ... Elastic plate support 5Y ... Holding groove 6 ... Fixing member 7 ... End plate 8 ... Connection fixture 8B ... Connection fixture 9 ... Battery stack 10 ... Battery block 12 ... Spacer 12A ... Spacer; 12B ... Spacer 12a ... Through Hole 13 ... Cooling pipe 13A ... Cooling pipe; 13B ... Cooling pipe 13X ... Linear part; 13Y ... U-curved part 13x ... Fixing part; 13y ... Joint part 14 ... Fixing tool 14A ... Fixing tool; 14B ... Fixing tool; ... fixing tool 14X ... connecting part; 14Y ... holding part; 14Z ... fixing piece 15 ... rivet 16 ... guide protrusion 17 ... guide groove 18 ... fixing piece 18A ... fixing piece; 18B ... fixing piece 18a ... through hole 19 ... cutting line DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Metal plate 20A ... Metal plate; 20B ... Metal plate; 20C ... Metal plate 20a ... Both sides; 20b ... Bridging part 23 ... Cooling plate 23A ... Top plate 24 ... Refrigerant piping 25 ... Cooling fin 29 ... Set screw 30 ... Cooling Mechanism 31 ... Compressor 32 ... Condenser 33 ... Receiver tank 34 ... Expansion valve 34A ... Capillary tube 35 ... Open / close valve 81 ... Battery block 82 ... Battery unit 84 ... Power supply controller 85 ... Parallel connection switch 90 ... Vehicle main body 93 ... Motor 94 ... Generator 95 ... DC / AC inverter 96 ... engine 97 ... wheel 201 ... battery cell 203 ... refrigerant flow path 204 ... cold Rejection mechanism 210 ... Battery block 230 ... Cooling plate 310 ... Battery block 330 ... Cooling plate 340 ... Heat conduction sheet EV, HV ... Vehicle LD ... Load; CP ... Charge power supply DS ... Discharge switch; CS ... Charge switch OL ... Output line HT: Host device DI ... Input / output terminal; DA ... Abnormal output terminal; DO ... Connection terminal

Claims (12)

A battery block formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells;
A cooling means for cooling the battery cells in a thermally coupled state with each battery cell constituting the battery block;
A plurality of elastic plates having elasticity and thermal conductivity,
The plurality of elastic plates are arranged to face the first surface of each battery cell, and are fixed to the cooling means in a thermally coupled state.
Further, the elastic plate includes a movable part that is elastically deformed and a fixed part that is in an immobile state, and the fixed part is fixed to the cooling means in a thermally coupled state, and the movable part is fixed to the battery cell. A power supply device in contact with the first surface so as to be elastically pressed,
The elastic plate is formed in a strip shape,
The power supply device, wherein the movable part is arranged in the center of the strip shape, and the fixed part is arranged on both sides of the movable part. A battery block formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells;
A cooling means for cooling the battery cells in a thermally coupled state with each battery cell constituting the battery block;
A plurality of elastic plates having elasticity and thermal conductivity,
The plurality of elastic plates are arranged to face the first surface of each battery cell, and are fixed to the cooling means in a thermally coupled state.
Further, the elastic plate includes a movable part that is elastically deformed and a fixed part that is in an immobile state, and the fixed part is fixed to the cooling means in a thermally coupled state, and the movable part is fixed to the battery cell. A power supply device in contact with the first surface so as to be elastically pressed,
The elastic plate is formed in a strip shape,
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixed portion is arranged at the center of the strip shape, and the movable portion is arranged on both sides of the fixed portion. The power supply device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The power supply apparatus, wherein the elastic plate is formed smaller than the first surface of the battery cell. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A power supply device in which the plurality of elastic plates are integrally connected via an elastic plate support. The power supply device according to claim 4,
A power supply device obtained by processing a metal plate having elasticity and thermal conductivity and integrally molding the plurality of elastic plates and the elastic plate support. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The plurality of elastic plates are formed by narrowing the width of the movable part in the stacking direction of the battery cells on the end face side of the battery block. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal conductivity of the elastic plate disposed on the end face side of the battery block is lower than the thermal conductivity of the elastic plate disposed on the center side of the battery block. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling means is a cooling pipe or a cooling plate for circulating a refrigerant therein. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling means is a heat radiating fin provided on the elastic plate, and the heat radiating fin is provided on the opposite side of the surface facing the first surface of the battery cell. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The power supply device, wherein the cooling means is disposed on a bottom surface side of the battery block, and the elastic plate is brought into contact in a pressed state with the bottom surface of the battery cell as the first surface. A vehicle comprising the power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
The power supply device, a traveling motor supplied with power from the power supply device, a vehicle main body on which the power supply device and the motor are mounted, and wheels that are driven by the motor and cause the vehicle main body to travel. A vehicle provided with the power supply device characterized by the above. Power storage device including a power supply device according to any of claims 1 9.

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