JP6089980B2 - Battery cooling device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery cooling device that cools battery cells accommodated in a case.

  Conventionally, as a battery cooling device for cooling a battery, for example, devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known.

  The apparatus of patent document 1 has a cooling plate which contacts the battery block which is an aggregate | assembly of a some battery cell. A hollow portion of the cooling plate is filled with a cooling liquid and a heat exchanger is installed. A refrigerant passage to which a refrigerant is supplied is connected to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is cooled by the heat of vaporization of the supplied refrigerant. The heat exchanger cools the coolant and the cooling plate cools the battery cells.

  The apparatus of Patent Document 2 is a battery assembly formed by providing a heat medium passage for passing a heat medium between cells, a feeding means for feeding the heat medium, and supplying the heat medium to the heat medium passage. A discharge passage, and a discharge passage. The battery assembly, the feeding means, the feeding passage, and the discharge passage are provided inside the case. The heat medium fed by the feeding means flows in order through the feeding path, the heat medium path, and the discharge path, and returns to the feeding means. Therefore, the heat medium flows through the closed passage, and cools the plurality of single cells constituting the battery assembly while circulating through the respective parts as described above.

JP 2010-50000 A JP 2004-288527 A

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the battery is cooled by using the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle, there is a problem that the cost of the entire battery cooling device increases. In addition, when a refrigeration cycle is installed inside a case that accommodates a battery, it is necessary to pass a pipe through which a refrigerant circulates inside the case, and a structure for this is also required, resulting in an increase in product cost.

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 2, in order to adjust the temperature of the battery by circulating the heat medium in a closed cycle, the battery is installed in a sealed space inside the case. In the case of a system in which a battery installed in such a sealed space is cooled only by a circulating flow of the heat medium, heat radiation from the inside of the case to the outside is performed only by means having a low heat radiation effect such as natural convection, and sufficient battery cooling is performed. The effect is not obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery cooling device that does not require a large-scale device such as a refrigeration cycle and can realize effective air cooling of battery cells.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following technical means. That is, one of the inventions related to the disclosed battery cooling device accommodates a plurality of battery cells (3), a blowing means (4; 104) for blowing air for cooling the plurality of battery cells, and at least a plurality of battery cells. The passage (2; 102) that communicates with the inside and the outside of the case, and the discharge passage that flows out to the outside of the case after the air blown by the blowing means exchanges heat with the battery cell ( 620; 1620), and a passage extending from the discharge passage and provided outside the case for guiding the air flowing out from the discharge passage to blow out to the outer surface (20; 120) of the case. and 1640), a circulation passage of air is formed inside the case, after the air blown is thermally exchanged with the battery cell by blowing means provided inside of the case, blowing hand A circulation passage (5; 105) that forms a flow path of a series of air sucked into the air inlet, and a first inflow passage (54; 154) and a second inflow passage (630; 1630) that are sucked into the blowing means. ,
The first inflow passage is a part of the circulation passage, is provided inside the case, and is a passage into which air after heat exchange with the battery cell is sucked,
The second inflow passage is a passage that communicates the outside of the case with the air blowing means,
The air outside the case is sucked into the circulation passage through the second inflow passage by the suction force of the blowing means .

  The heat generated by the battery housed in the case moves to the air flowing through the inside of the case, and is released from the absorbed air to the outside of the case through the wall surface of the case, which is a heat radiating surface. Heat dissipation to the outside of the case through this exhaust heat path is equivalent to radiant heat transfer or natural convection heat dissipation through the wall surface of the case, but with this heat dissipation method, the heat dissipation amount that releases the heat generated by the battery to the outside of the case is not sufficient. . Therefore, according to the present invention, after exchanging heat with the battery cells inside the case, the air flowing out of the case from the discharge passage is guided to blow out to the outer surface of the case through the exhaust induction passage.

  According to this configuration, forced convection is generated in the nearby air with respect to the outer surface of the case that functions as a heat radiating surface, so that forced convection heat dissipation that exceeds natural convection heat dissipation via the case wall surface can be caused. Thereby, the heat dissipation effect to the outside of the case can be increased, and the heat dissipation to the outside of the case can be promoted. In this way, it is possible to construct an exhaust heat path that effectively exhausts heat generated by the battery to the outside of the case. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery cooling device that performs effective air cooling of battery cells without requiring a large-scale device such as a refrigeration cycle.

  In addition, the code | symbol in parentheses described in a claim and each said means is an example which shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later easily, and limits the content of invention is not.

It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the flow of the air for battery cooling about the battery cooling device of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the flow of the air for battery cooling about the battery cooling device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the heat dissipation promotion means which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  A plurality of modes for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described in each mode, the other modes described above can be applied to the other parts of the configuration. Not only combinations of parts that clearly indicate that the combination is possible in each embodiment, but also the embodiments are partially combined even if they are not clearly specified unless there is a problem with the combination. It is also possible.

(First embodiment)
A battery cooling device 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air flow for battery cooling in the battery cooling device 1 and illustrating an internal configuration of the case 2. The battery cooling device 1 is used in, for example, a hybrid vehicle using a traveling drive source by combining an internal combustion engine and a motor driven by electric power charged in a battery, an electric vehicle using a motor as a traveling drive source, and the like. The plurality of battery cells 3 included in the battery cooling device 1 are, for example, a nickel metal hydride secondary battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, or an organic radical battery.

  A plurality of battery cells 3 and a blower 4 are housed inside the case 2. The case 2 houses a plurality of battery cells 3 that are electrically connected in series and stacked. Inside the case 2, a circulation passage 5 is formed that forms a circulation path of air that is forced to flow by the blower 4. The circulation passage 5 is a passage through which air formed inside the case 2 circulates. The circulation passage 5 forms a series of air flow paths that are sucked into the blower 4 after the air blown by the blower 4 exchanges heat with the battery cells 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the circulation passage 5 includes a series of passages connecting the first inflow passage 54, the blowout passage 50, the top plate side passage 51, the battery passage 52, and the collecting passage 53.

  The plurality of battery cells 3 are controlled by electronic components (not shown) used for charging and discharging or temperature control. The electronic component is, for example, a DC / DC converter, a motor that drives a blower member, an electronic component controlled by an inverter, various electronic control devices, and the like, and may be housed in the case 2. Further, the electronic component can be cooled together with the battery cell 3 by circulation of air by being installed in the circulation passage 5 inside the case 2. Further, a cell monitoring unit that monitors at least the voltage and temperature of the battery cell 3, a junction box, a service plug, and the like may be incorporated in the case 2.

  The case 2 has a box shape composed of a plurality of wall surfaces surrounding the internal space, and is formed of a molded product of an aluminum plate or an iron plate. Case 2 is a box which has at least 6 sides, for example. The case 2 can be manufactured by forming a box-like space inside by joining and assembling a plurality of case bodies. Moreover, you may make it form a convex part or a recessed part in a predetermined wall surface among the several wall surfaces of case 2 in order to enlarge a thermal radiation area.

  The plurality of battery cells 3 form a plurality of cell stacks in the internal space of the case 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the cell stack is installed at a predetermined interval in the internal space of the case 2, and is accommodated in the battery case 60 so as to be surrounded by the battery case 60. In each battery case 60, the top plate 20 side of the case 2 opens toward the internal space of the case 2, and the bottom plate 22 side of the case 2 is connected to the collecting duct 61. Thus, the passage in the battery case 60 that is a part of the circulation passage 5 and in which each cell stack is installed has an independent air inlet on the top plate 20 side, and one set on the bottom plate 22 side. An outlet for air gathering in the passage 53 is provided. The collective passage 53 extends along the bottom plate 22 from the lower part of all the cell aggregates arranged at a predetermined interval to the suction port of the casing 43, and is connected to the first inflow passage 54. The first inflow passage 54 is a part of the circulation passage 5 and is provided inside the case 2 and is a passage into which air after heat exchange with the battery cell 3 is sucked.

  Therefore, the air that has been blown by the blower 4 and has reached the top plate side passage 51 flows into the battery passage 52 from the inlet portion at the top of the battery case 60. The battery passage 52 may be an inter-cell passage formed between adjacent battery cells. The top plate side passage 51 is a passage formed between the top plate 20 and the plurality of battery cells 3. When the air flows through the battery passage 52, the air absorbs heat from the outer surface of each battery cell 3 and cools each battery cell 3. Air that has cooled each battery cell 3 is collected in the collecting passage 53 in the collecting duct 61 from the outlet at the bottom of the battery case 60, and is sucked into the blower 4 through the first inflow passage 54. In this case, one of the heat dissipation means of the battery cell 3 is the outer case surface of the cell.

  Moreover, since air also contacts the electrode terminal 30 of the battery cell 3 which consists of a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, and the bus bar which electrically connects between different polarity terminals, the electrode terminal 30 and the bus bar also serve as one of the heat dissipation means. Can be configured. In the battery case 60, the electrode terminal 30 and the bus bar are located on the upper side and the upstream side of the air flow.

  The blower 4 is an example of a blowing unit that circulates air that cools the plurality of battery cells 3 through the circulation passage 5. The blower 4 includes a motor 41, a sirocco fan 40 that is rotated by the motor 41, and a casing 43 that houses the sirocco fan 40. The casing 43 forms a first inflow passage 54 that is a part of the circulation passage 5. The plurality of battery cells 3 are controlled by electronic components (not shown) used for charging and discharging or temperature control.

  The blower 4 is controlled by a control device built in the cell monitoring unit. The battery cell 3 self-heats at the time of output from which current is taken out and at the time of input to be charged. The cell monitoring unit constantly monitors the temperature of the battery cell 3 and controls the operation of the blower 4 based on the temperature of the battery cell 3.

  The first inflow passage 54 includes a suction port of the casing 43 and extends in the direction of the rotation axis of the sirocco fan 40, and the air sucked by the sirocco fan 40 passes therethrough. As shown in FIG. 1, the sirocco fan 40 is installed in the lower part of the internal space of the case 2 and close to the side plate 21 of the case 2. The motor 41 is installed between the side plate 21 and the sirocco fan 40. The rotation axis of the sirocco fan 40 is installed in a posture that is parallel to the top plate 20 of the case 2. The first inflow passage 54 is a passage located on the battery cell 3 side, and is connected to a collecting passage 53 described later. That is, the suction port of the casing 43 is connected to the collecting duct 61 that forms the collecting passage 53.

  Further, the casing 43 forms an outlet passage 50 that is a part of the circulation passage 5. The blowout passage 50 is a passage extending in the centrifugal direction of the fan perpendicular to the rotation axis of the sirocco fan 40. The outlet passage 50 is a passage extending in a direction orthogonal to the first inflow passage 54. Accordingly, the outlet passage 50 extends upward in the internal space of the case 2. The blow-out part of the casing 43 is connected to a blower duct 44 extending upward. The air duct 44 opens at a site near the top plate 20 of the case 2. With this configuration, the blowout passage 50 communicates with a portion near the top plate 20 in the internal space of the case 2.

  The circulation passage 5 is not exposed to the wall surface of the case 2 in the passage formed by the air duct 44, the battery case 60, the collective duct 61, and the casing 43, but is exposed to the wall surface of the case 2 in the top plate side passage 51. Configure. The circulation passage 5 includes a passage portion through which circulating air circulating in the case 2 by operation of the blower 4 flows while contacting at least one wall surface among the plurality of wall surfaces forming the case 2. One of the wall surfaces in contact with air in the process of air circulation is the top plate 20, and one of the passage portions through which air flows while in contact with the top plate 20 is the top plate side passage 51. The air that reaches the top plate 20 through the blow-out passage 50 due to the operation of the blower 4 is air that flows through the top plate-side passage 51 after exchanging heat by contacting the battery cells 3 or the like. This circulating air flows through the top plate side passage 51, further flows into the battery passage 52 from the inlet of each battery case 60, and exchanges heat with the battery cell 3 again.

  When the circulating air flows through the top plate side passage 51, the heat absorbed during heat exchange with the battery cell 3 is radiated to the outside of the case 2 through the top plate 20. The heat released through the top plate 20 is radiated to the outside of the case 2 by natural convection. Therefore, the entire top plate 20 functions as a heat dissipation surface when the heat of the battery cell 3 accommodated in the case 2 is released to the outside. Further, the top plate 20 that contacts when the air circulating through the circulation passage 5 flows through the top plate side passage 51 is preferably a wall surface having the largest surface area among the plurality of wall surfaces forming the case 2. This is because the top plate 20 that is the heat radiating surface is the wall surface having the largest surface area in the wall surface of the case 2, so that the heat radiating effect to the outside can be increased and the battery can be effectively cooled. For example, when there are a plurality of wall surfaces having the largest surface area, such as when the case 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped, one of them corresponds to the top plate 20.

  The inflow passage of air sucked into the blower 4 includes at least two of the first inflow passage 54 and the second inflow passage 630. That is, at least one air inflow passage is provided in addition to the first inflow passage 54. The second inflow passage 630 is a passage that communicates the outside of the case 2 with the blower 4. The second inflow passage 630 is a passage having a smaller passage cross-sectional area than the first inflow passage 54. The second inflow passage 630 is an internal passage of the air supply duct 63 connected to the back side portion opposite to the suction port of the casing 43.

  The air supply duct 63 passes through the side plate 21 of the case 2 and connects the back side portion of the casing 43 and the outside of the case 2. The second inflow passage 630 is a passage that opens to the other wall surface except the top plate 20 that contacts when the air circulating through the circulation passage 5 flows through the top plate side passage 51.

  The air supply duct 63 extends upward along the side plate 21 outside the case 2. Therefore, the air inflow end of the air supply duct 63 is located at a height similar to that of the top plate 20, for example. Air sucked into the air supply duct 63 from the portion is introduced into the circulation path 5 through the second inflow passage 630 and taken into the internal space of the case 2.

  The battery cooling device 1 has a discharge passage 620 through which a part of the air circulating in the case 2 leaks to the outside of the case 2. The discharge passage 620 is a passage that communicates the inside and the outside of the case 2. The air outside the case 2 is sucked into the circulation passage 5 through the second inflow passage 630 with the suction force of the blower 4.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the exhaust guide passage 640 is a passage that extends from the discharge passage 620 and is provided outside the case 2 and is formed by the exhaust guide duct 64. The exhaust induction duct 64 is connected to the discharge passage 620 below the bottom plate 22, extends to the side plate 23 along the bottom plate 22, bends from there, and extends to the height of the top plate 20 along the side plate 23. . The outlet opening of the exhaust induction duct 64 extends along the top plate 20 slightly above the top plate 20.

  With the configuration of the exhaust guide duct 64, the exhaust guide passage 640 guides the air flowing out from the discharge passage 620 so as to blow out to the top plate 20 which is one of the outer surfaces of the case. That is, the air after cooling the battery cells 3 flows out of the case 2 from the discharge passage 620, is further guided to the exhaust guide passage 640, and is blown out to the top plate 20. As described above, the exhaust guide passage 640 guides the air in the case 2 that has flowed out of the discharge passage 620 so as to blow out to the top plate 20 positioned at the uppermost position among the plurality of wall surfaces forming the case 2. When the top plate 20 is a wall surface having the largest surface area among the plurality of wall surfaces, the exhaust guide passage 640 is relative to the top plate 20 that is one of the wall surfaces having the largest surface area among the wall surfaces forming the case 2. And induce the air to blow out.

  Further, the exhaust induction passage 640 has heat radiation promotion means that absorbs heat from the air flowing out from the discharge passage 620 and promotes heat radiation to the outside more than other parts. That is, the heat radiation promoting means is means for cooling the air that has flowed out of the discharge passage 620 before blowing it out along the outer surface of the case 2. As an example, the heat radiation promoting means can be composed of a plurality of plate-like fins 65 protruding from the outer surface of the exhaust induction duct 64. The fins 65 are members for increasing the surface area of the exhaust induction duct 64. Moreover, the fin installation part in the fin 65 and the exhaust induction duct 64 is comprised with the material with high heat conductivity, for example, is formed with aluminum, copper, or each alloy.

  The heat of the air flowing through the exhaust induction passage 640 is transferred to the exhaust induction duct 64 and further absorbed by heat conduction from the exhaust induction duct 64 through the fins 65 and is radiated to the external air that contacts the fins 65. The air flowing out from the discharge passage 620 is promoted to dissipate heat in the middle of the exhaust induction passage 640 by this heat path.

  This heat radiation promotion means is provided apart from the other outer surface except for the outer surface of the case 2 where the air that has been absorbed by the heat radiation promotion means is blown out. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the heat radiation promoting means is provided apart from the side plate 23 which is one of the other outer surfaces excluding the top plate 20. That is, the fin 65 and the side plate 23 that form the heat radiation promoting means are provided apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and air is interposed between them.

  The discharge passage 620 is a passage that opens to other wall surfaces except the top plate 20 that contacts when the circulating air flows through the top plate side passage 51. The discharge passage 620 passes through the bottom plate 22 located below the collective duct 61 and communicates the inside and the outside of the case 2. The discharge passage 620 is formed by a small-diameter hole penetrating the case 2, and an annular portion thinner than other portions is formed around the hole. This small-diameter hole is set to such a size that air is not discharged outside through the discharge passage 620 in a situation where the outside air is not taken into the case 2 and the internal air of the case 2 continues to circulate through the circulation passage 5. Yes.

  The discharge passage 620 is constituted by a pressure valve 62. When air flows into the internal space of the case 2 through the second inflow passage 630, the internal pressure of the case 2 increases, the pressure valve 62 operates, and the air overflowing from the circulation passage 5 is discharged to the outside of the case 2. When outside air is taken into the case 2, the air in the vicinity of the bottom plate 22 is pushed out and leaks into the exhaust induction passage 640 through the discharge passage 620.

  The discharge passage 620 is located in the downstream of the battery passage 52 through which the air blown from the blower 4 exchanges heat with the battery cell 3 in the circulation passage 5 and upstream of the first inflow passage 54. To position. Therefore, the exhaust passage 620 is a passage through which a part of the air circulating in the circulation passage 5 overflows from the circulation passage 5 and leaks after heat exchange with the battery cells 3. The amount of air leaking from the discharge passage 620 to the exhaust induction passage 640 is the same as the amount of air taken from the outside of the case 2 through the second inflow passage 630. Therefore, the internal space of the case 2 forms a sealed space except for the discharge passage 620 and the second inflow passage 630.

  The battery cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of battery cells 3, a blower 4 that blows air that cools the plurality of battery cells 3, a case 2 that houses at least the plurality of battery cells 3, and a discharge passage 620. And an exhaust guide passage 640. The discharge passage 620 is a passage that communicates the inside and the outside of the case 2, and is a passage through which the air blown by the blower 4 flows out of the case 2 after exchanging heat with the battery cells 3. The exhaust guide passage 640 extends from the discharge passage 620 and is provided outside the case 2, and guides the air flowing out from the discharge passage 620 so as to blow out to the outer surface of the case 2 (for example, the top plate 20).

  According to the battery cooling device 1, after exchanging heat with the battery cells 3 inside the case 2, the air flowing out of the case 2 from the discharge passage 620 is blown out to the outer surface of the case 2 through the exhaust induction passage 640. Induce.

  In the conventional apparatus, the heat generated by the battery housed in the case moves to the air flowing through the case, and is released from the absorbed heat to the outside of the case through the wall surface of the case, which is a heat dissipation surface. Heat dissipation to the outside of the case through this exhaust heat path is equivalent to radiant heat transfer and natural convection heat dissipation through the wall surface of the case, but with this heat dissipation method, the amount of heat released from the case to the outside of the case is not sufficient. There is no problem.

  Therefore, according to the battery cooling device 1, in order to form forced convection in the nearby air with respect to the outer surface of the case 2 that functions as a heat radiating surface, forced convection heat dissipation that exceeds natural convection heat dissipation through the wall surface of the case 2 Can be generated. Thereby, the heat dissipation effect to the outside of the case 2 is increased, and the heat dissipation to the outside of the case 2 can be promoted. In this way, it is possible to construct an exhaust heat path that effectively exhausts heat generated by the battery to the outside of the case 2.

  Further, the exhaust guide passage 640 has a heat radiation promoting means that absorbs heat from the air flowing out from the discharge passage 620 and promotes heat radiation to the outside more than other parts. The air that has been absorbed by the heat dissipation promoting means is guided to the exhaust induction passage 640 and blown out along the outer surface of the case 2. According to this configuration, the temperature of the air blown out along the outer surface of the case 2 forming the heat radiating surface can be lowered than when the air flows out of the discharge passage 620. Thereby, the heat dissipation effect accompanied by the forced convection through the outer surface of the case 2 can be further increased.

  Further, the heat radiation promoting means is provided apart from the other outer surface except for the outer surface of the case 2 where the air that has been absorbed by the heat radiation promoting means is blown out. According to this structure, it can suppress that the heat | fever absorbed from the air which flowed out the discharge channel | path 620 transfers to the said other outer surface. Therefore, it can suppress that the heat dissipation effect to the exterior through the said other outer surface falls.

  Further, inside the case 2, a circulation passage 5 is formed that forms a series of air flow paths that are sucked into the blower 4 after the air blown by the blower 4 exchanges heat with the battery cells 3. The discharge passage 620 is a passage communicating between the inside and the outside of the case 2, and a part of the air leaks out of the case 2 after the air circulating through the circulation passage 5 exchanges heat with the battery cell 3. The inflow passage of air sucked into the case 2 by the blower 4 includes at least two of the first inflow passage 54 and the second inflow passage 630. The first inflow passage 54 is a part of the circulation passage 5 and is provided inside the case 2 and is a passage into which air after heat exchange with the battery cell 3 is sucked. The second inflow passage 630 is a passage that communicates the outside of the case 2 with the blower 4. Air outside the case 2 is sucked into the circulation passage 5 via the second inflow passage 630 by the suction force of the blower 4.

  According to this configuration, a plurality of battery cells 3 are continuously cooled by taking in fresh air to the extent that a circulating air flow can be formed inside the case 2 and circulating the air through the circulation passage 5. Compared to the conventional method of taking in a large amount of cooling air from the outside, cooling the battery, and then exhausting this cooling method, the case does not have large inlets and outlets. Sound does not propagate. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the noise generated from the blower 4 and the like from propagating to the outside of the case 2. Further, it is possible to secure a circulation flow rate of air for sufficiently absorbing the heat of the battery cell 3, and the inside of the case 2 can be sufficiently stirred by the circulation flow, so that the heat absorption to the battery cell 3 is achieved. It is possible to increase the effect.

  Further, the circulation passage 5 provided inside the case 2 is surrounded by a plurality of wall surfaces forming the case 2. As described above, since the plurality of wall surfaces of the case 2 surrounding the circulation passage 5 can be used as a heat radiating medium, the heat radiation area to the outside can be increased, and the heat radiation to the outside of the case 2 can be promoted. Thereby, the heat path which exhausts heat of the battery effectively to the outside of the case 2 can be constructed. That is, it is possible to realize effective battery cooling utilizing the entire wall surface of the case 2 as a heat radiation area.

  Further, fresh air outside the case 2 is sucked into the circulation passage 5 from the second inflow passage 630, and an air amount corresponding to the suction flow rate is discharged from the discharge passage 620. Accordingly, it is possible to acquire fresh air that can newly exhibit the endothermic function while reliably releasing the heat accumulated in the air by the continuous endothermic action accompanying the continuation of the air circulation. Therefore, according to the battery cooling device 1, it is possible to achieve both noise suppression and effective air cooling of the battery cell 3 without requiring a large-scale device such as a refrigeration cycle as in the prior art.

  The discharge passage 620 is located downstream of the passage (battery passage 52) through which the air blown from the blower 4 exchanges heat with the battery cell 3 in the circulation passage 5, and the first inflow passage. Located upstream of 54. According to this configuration, the air whose temperature has risen after absorbing heat from the battery cell can be reliably discharged from the discharge passage 620 to the outside. Thereby, the heat | fever accumulate | stored in the air can be reliably discharge | released by the continuous heat absorption effect accompanying the continuation of air circulation.

  The circulation passage 5 is a passage portion (for example, a top plate side passage 51) through which the circulating air flows while contacting at least one wall surface (for example, the top plate 20) among the plurality of wall surfaces forming the case 2. Is included. According to this configuration, for example, since the top plate side passage 51 constitutes a part of the circulation passage 5, when the circulating air flows through the top plate side passage 51, heat is radiated to the outside of the case 2 through the top plate 20. Can do. As described above, since at least one wall surface of the case 2 can be used as a heat radiating medium, a heat radiating area to the outside can be secured, and a heat path for effectively discharging the heat generated by the battery to the outside of the case 2 is constructed. I can do this.

  Further, the second inflow passage 630 is a passage that opens to other wall surfaces (for example, the side plate 21) excluding the wall surface that contacts when the circulating air flows through the passage portion (for example, the top plate side passage 51). It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, the top plate 20 which is the heat radiating surface of the case 2 performs heat radiation to the outside, and fresh air is introduced from the second inflow passage 630 on the other wall surfaces. Thereby, the wall surface which accelerates | stimulates heat dissipation, and the wall surface which supplies air can be distinguished, and the air supply place and heat dissipation place in case 2 can be adapted to the surrounding environment of case 2. Further, when the second inflow passage 630 is provided on the heat radiating surface, the exhausted ambient air is supplied, and the heat absorbed from the battery cell is returned to the circulation passage 5 again. It can be. It is possible to provide the battery cooling device 1 that can avoid such a situation and can perform effective air supply and heat dissipation.

  Further, the wall surface (for example, the top plate 20) that contacts when the circulating air flows through the passage portion (for example, the top plate side passage 51) has the largest surface area among the plurality of wall surfaces forming the case 2. A wall surface is preferred. According to this structure, since the wall surface which comprises a heat radiating surface is a wall surface with the largest surface area in the wall surface of case 2, the heat dissipation effect to the exterior can be enlarged and the effect of battery cooling can be enlarged. The case 2 includes a case where there are a plurality of wall surfaces having the largest surface area.

  Further, the wall surface that contacts when the circulating air flows through the passage portion (for example, the top plate side passage 51) is located above the case 2 among the plurality of wall surfaces forming the case 2, with respect to the side plate 21. It is preferable that it is an upper wall surface (for example, the top plate 20) which makes an orthogonal surface.

  According to the inventor's verification, as one heat radiation mode in which the heat of the battery is released to the outside of the case 2, radiant heat transfer through the air flowing through the circulation passage 5 and the wall surface of the case 2 in contact with the air. Is known to be due to Further, it has been found that the heat radiation amount through the upper wall surface located at the upper part of the plurality of surfaces forming the case 2 is significant for this radiant heat transfer. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the air circulating through the circulation passage 5 is brought into contact with the upper wall surface (for example, the top plate 20) of the case 2 to promote radiant heat transfer and effectively dissipate heat to the outside of the case. Can be implemented.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the 2nd inflow channel | path 630 is a channel | path which connects a vehicle interior and the air blower 4. FIG. That is, the second inflow passage 630 is a passage extending from the blower 4 to the vehicle interior. According to this configuration, the air in the passenger compartment is introduced into the circulation passage 5 through the second inflow passage 630. Thereby, the battery cell 3 can be cooled using the air in the air-conditioned vehicle interior. For example, even when the case 2 is installed in an environment in which the ambient temperature is higher than the vehicle interior temperature, according to the above configuration, by introducing conditioned air having a temperature lower than the ambient temperature, the battery The effect of absorbing heat from the cell 3 can be enhanced.

  Further, the discharge passage 620 is configured as a passage that opens when a predetermined pressure is applied, so that air flows into and out of the case 2 when a predetermined pressure condition is satisfied. Thereby, unnecessary inflow and discharge of air can be prevented, and a noise suppression effect can be reliably obtained. Moreover, when it is not desired to lower the temperature inside the case 2, it is possible to suppress an unnecessary temperature drop and contribute to maintaining the temperature of the battery cell 3 at an appropriate temperature.

(Second Embodiment)
2nd Embodiment demonstrates the battery cooling device 101 which is another form of 1st Embodiment with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, components having the same configuration as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and exhibit similar operations and effects. The configuration, operation, and effects not particularly described in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below. Moreover, what has the structure similar to 1st Embodiment in 2nd Embodiment shall show | play the same effect | action and effect demonstrated in 1st Embodiment.

  The battery cooling device 101 accommodates a plurality of battery cells 3 and a blower 104 constituting the cell stack 103 inside the case 102. The cell stack 103 is installed in the lower part inside the case 102. A top plate side passage 153 forming a part of the circulation passage 105 is provided on the side and upper side of the cell stack 103.

  Inside the case 2, a circulation path 105 is formed that forms a circulation path of air that is forced to flow by the blower 104. The circulation passage 105 forms a series of air flow paths that are sucked into the blower 104 after the air blown by the blower 104 exchanges heat with the battery cells 3. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the circulation passage 105 includes a series of passages that connect the first inflow passage 154, the blowout passage 150, the battery passage 152, and the top plate side passage 153. The top plate side passage 153 includes a passage portion extending upward from the air outlet of the cell stack 103 along the side plate 122, a passage portion between the top plate 120 and the cell assembly 103, and the top plate 120 downward from the top plate 120. 1 is a passage that connects the passage portion toward one inflow passage 154.

  The cell stack 103 has an inter-cell passage formed between adjacent battery cells, and the inter-cell passage constitutes a battery passage 152. The battery passage 152 is surrounded by the battery case 160 and is partitioned from the top plate side passage 153.

  The blower 104 is configured by an axial fan having a propeller fan, for example. The blower 104 has a blowing guide part 144 that constitutes an orifice part that forms a suction port and a duct part for blowing out. The air blowing guide portion 144 forms a first inflow passage 154 that is a part of the circulation passage 5 on the suction side. The blower guide portion 144 forms a blowout passage 150 that is a part of the circulation passage 5 on the blowout side. The cell monitoring unit constantly monitors the temperature of the battery cell 3 and controls the operation of the blower 104 based on the temperature of the battery cell 3.

  The first inflow passage 154 is provided inside the case 102 and is a passage through which air after heat exchange with the battery cell 3 is sucked into the blower 104. The air blown to the blowing passage 150 by the blower 104 flows into the battery passage 152. When this air flows through the battery passage 152, it absorbs heat from the outer surface of each battery cell 3 and cools each battery cell 3. In this case, one of the heat dissipation means of the battery cell 3 is the outer case surface of the cell. The air that has cooled each battery cell 3 dissipates heat absorbed during heat exchange with the battery cell 3 to the outside of the case 102 through the top plate 120 when flowing through the top plate-side passage 153. The heat released through the top plate 120 is radiated to the outside of the case 102 by natural convection.

  Therefore, the entire top plate 120 functions as a heat radiating surface when the heat of the battery cells 3 accommodated in the case 102 is released to the outside. The top plate 120 that contacts when the air circulating through the circulation passage 105 flows through the top plate side passage 153 is preferably a wall surface having the largest surface area among the plurality of wall surfaces forming the case 102. This is because the top plate 120 as the heat radiating surface is the wall surface having the largest surface area in the wall surface of the case 102, so that the heat radiating effect to the outside can be increased and the battery can be effectively cooled.

  The circulation passage 105 constitutes a passage that is not exposed to the wall surface of the case 102 in the passage surrounded by the air blowing guide portion 144 and the battery case 160 and is exposed to the wall surface of the case 102 in other passages. The circulation passage 105 includes a passage portion through which circulating air circulating in the case 102 by the operation of the blower 104 flows while contacting at least one wall surface among the plurality of wall surfaces forming the case 102. One of the wall surfaces in contact with air in the process of air circulation is the top plate 120, the side plate 121, and the side plate 122, and one of the passage portions through which air flows while contacting the top plate 120, the side plate 121, and the side plate 122 is the top plate side. This is a passage 153. The air flowing through the top plate side passage 153 is air after heat exchange is made by contacting the battery cell 3 or the like. After the circulating air flows through the top plate side passage 153, it further flows through the first inflow passage 154, the blowout passage 150, and the battery passage 52 to exchange heat with the battery cell 3 again.

  The inflow passage of air sucked into the blower 104 includes at least two of the first inflow passage 154 and the second inflow passage 1630. That is, at least one air inflow passage is provided in addition to the first inflow passage 154. Second inflow passage 1630 is a passage through which the outside of case 102 communicates with blower 104. The second inflow passage 1630 is a passage having a smaller passage cross-sectional area than the first inflow passage 154. The second inflow passage 1630 is an internal passage of the air supply duct 163 that penetrates the side plate 121 located on the side opposite to the blowout passage 150. The air supply duct 163 connects the first inflow passage 154 and the outside of the case 2. Air outside the case 102 is sucked into the circulation passage 105 via the second inflow passage 1630 in accordance with the suction force of the blower 104.

  The battery cooling device 101 has a discharge passage 1620 through which part of the air circulating in the case 102 leaks out of the case 102. The discharge passage 1620 is a passage that communicates the inside and the outside of the case 102.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust guide passage 1640 is a passage formed by the exhaust guide duct 164 that extends from the discharge passage 1620 and is provided outside the case 102. The exhaust induction duct 164 is connected to the discharge passage 1620 at the side of the side plate 122, and extends to the height of the top plate 120 along the side plate 122. The outlet opening of the exhaust induction duct 164 extends along the top plate 120 slightly above the top plate 120.

  With the configuration of the exhaust guide duct 164, the exhaust guide passage 1640 guides the air flowing out from the discharge passage 1620 to blow out to the top plate 120 which is one of the outer surfaces of the case. That is, the air after cooling the battery cells 3 flows out of the case 102 from the discharge passage 1620, is further guided to the exhaust guide passage 1640, and is blown out to the top plate 120. In this way, the exhaust guide passage 1640 guides the air in the case 102 that has flowed out of the discharge passage 1620 so as to blow out to the top plate 120 positioned at the uppermost position among the plurality of wall surfaces forming the case 102. When the top plate 120 is a wall surface having the largest surface area among the plurality of wall surfaces, the exhaust guide passage 1640 is in contrast to the top plate 120 which is one of the wall surfaces having the largest surface area among the wall surfaces forming the case 102. And induce the air to blow out.

  Further, the exhaust guide passage 1640 has heat release promotion means that absorbs heat from the air flowing out from the discharge passage 1620 and promotes heat release to the outside more than other portions. This heat dissipation promoting means has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, and has the same functions and effects.

  The discharge passage 1620 passes through the side plate 122 and communicates the inside and the outside of the case 102. The discharge passage 1620 is formed by a small-diameter hole that penetrates the case 102, and an annular portion that is thinner than the other portions is formed around the hole. This small-diameter hole is set to such a size that air is not discharged outside through the discharge passage 1620 in a situation where the outside air is not taken into the case 102 and the internal air of the case 102 continues to circulate through the circulation passage 105. Yes.

  The discharge passage 1620 is constituted by a pressure valve 162. When air flows into the internal space of the case 102 through the second inflow passage 1630, the internal pressure of the case 102 increases, the pressure valve 162 operates, and the air overflowing from the circulation passage 105 is discharged to the outside of the case 102. When outside air is taken into the case 102, the air near the side plate 122 is pushed out and leaks into the exhaust induction passage 1640 through the discharge passage 1620.

  The discharge passage 1620 is located downstream from the battery passage 152 through which the air blown from the blower 104 exchanges heat with the battery cell 3 in the circulation passage 105, and upstream from the first inflow passage 154. To position. Therefore, the exhaust passage 1620 is a passage through which a part of the air circulating in the circulation passage 105 overflows from the circulation passage 105 and leaks after heat exchange with the battery cells 3. The amount of air leaking from the discharge passage 1620 to the outside of the case 102 is the same as the amount of air taken from the outside of the case 102 through the second inflow passage 1630. Therefore, the internal space of the case 102 forms a sealed space except for the discharge passage 1620 and the second inflow passage 1630.

  The battery cooling device 101 has the following unique configuration and exhibits the effects associated therewith. The wall surface with which the air circulating through the circulation path 105 comes into contact is the side surface (for example, the side plates 121 and 122) of the case 102 that forms a vertical surface and the upper wall surface (for example, the top plate 120) that is orthogonal to the side plate 121. It is preferable that at least one of the above is included.

  According to the inventor's verification, as one heat dissipation mode in which the heat of the battery is released to the outside of the case 102, radiant heat transfer through the air flowing through the circulation passage 105 and the wall surface of the case 102 in contact with the air. It is known that this is due to natural convection heat dissipation. Furthermore, this radiant heat transfer is as described in the first embodiment, and it has been found that the amount of heat released through the upper wall surface of the case 102 is significant. Regarding natural convection heat radiation, it has been found that the amount of heat radiation through the side plates 121 and 122 forming the vertical surface is significant.

  So, according to the said structure, when the air which circulates through the circulation path 105 is made to contact the top plate 120, a radiant heat transfer can be promoted, and the air which circulates through the circulation path 105 contacts the side plates 121 and 122. When this is done, natural convection heat dissipation can be promoted. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, when the air circulating through the circulation passage 105 is brought into contact with the top plate 120 and the side plates 121 and 122, radiation heat transfer and natural convection heat dissipation can be promoted. Therefore, according to the above configuration, effective heat radiation to the outside of the case can be performed by utilizing the heat radiation action by at least one of radiant heat transfer and natural convection heat radiation.

(Third embodiment)
In 3rd Embodiment, the battery cooling device 201 which is the other form of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and have the same functions and effects. The configuration, operation, and effects not particularly described in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below. Moreover, what has the structure similar to 1st Embodiment in 3rd Embodiment shall show | play the same effect | action and effect demonstrated in 1st Embodiment.

  The battery cooling device 201 is different from the battery cooling device 1 in the specific form of the heat radiation promoting means. As shown in FIG. 3, the heat radiation promoting means of the battery cooling device 201 includes a heat exchange device 265 that cools the exhaust gas in the exhaust induction duct 64 by heat exchange with water, a refrigerant, and the like. The heat exchange device 265 includes a heat exchange duct 70 through which a cooling fluid flows, and a predetermined portion of an exhaust induction duct 64 that is provided integrally with the heat exchange duct 70. The predetermined portion of the exhaust induction duct 64 and the contact portion of the heat exchange duct 70 are made of a material having high thermal conductivity, and are made of, for example, aluminum, copper, or an alloy thereof. Further, a sheet having a high thermal conductivity and a soft material may be interposed in the contact portion between the exhaust induction duct 64 and the heat exchange duct 70 to enhance the adhesion between them.

  According to this heat dissipation promoting means, after absorbing heat from the battery cell 3, the air flowing out from the discharge passage 620 is cooled by heat exchange with the cooling fluid in the course of flowing through the exhaust guide passage 640, It can be blown out toward the plate 20. By controlling the flow rate and temperature of the cooling fluid, the temperature of the air blown toward the top plate 20 can be controlled appropriately. Therefore, the amount of heat released from the top plate 20 can be increased, and the battery cooling device 201 with improved cooling capacity of the battery cells 3 can be provided.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is. The structure of the said embodiment is an illustration to the last, Comprising: The scope of the present invention is not limited to the range of these description. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the description of the scope of claims, and further includes meanings equivalent to the description of the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope.

  In the above embodiment, the air flowing inside the cases 2 and 102 to cool the plurality of battery cells 3 forms a circulation flow that circulates inside the cases 2 and 102, but the cooling included in the disclosed invention The air flow is not limited to such an air flow. The cooling air flow included in the disclosed invention may be in a form that does not form a flow circulating inside the case 2. For example, after the air taken in from the outside of the cases 2 and 102 is cooled by exchanging heat with the battery cells, the air is discharged to the outside of the cases 2 and 102, that is, the battery cell 3 is one-pass. Form may be sufficient.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 described in each of the above embodiments, the air inflow passage sucked into the blowers 4 and 104 is constituted by one second inflow passage in addition to the first inflow passages 54 and 154. However, it is not limited to one and may be two or more.

  In the said embodiment, although the wall surface with the largest surface area is the top surface of each case in the cases 2 and 102, the said wall surface is not limited to a top surface, A side surface and a bottom face may be sufficient.

  The heat radiation promotion means included in the disclosed invention is not limited to the heat exchange device 265 by heat exchange with the fins 65 and 165, water, refrigerant, and the like described in the above embodiment. The heat dissipation promoting means may be, for example, a device that cools the exhaust with forced air for the exhaust induction ducts 64 and 164.

  The heat dissipation promotion means disclosed in each of the above embodiments is a form provided apart from the outer surface other than the outer surface of the case where the air after being absorbed by the heat dissipation promotion means is blown out. It is not limited. For example, the heat radiation promoting means may be provided so as to come into contact with the outer surface of the case via a heat insulating member or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101,201 ... Battery cooling device 2,102 ... Case 3 ... Battery cell 4,104 ... Blower (blower means)
20, 120 ... Top plate (outer surface of the case)
620, 1620 ... discharge passage 640, 1640 ... exhaust guide passage

Claims (7)

A plurality of battery cells (3);
Air blowing means (4; 104) for blowing air for cooling the plurality of battery cells;
A case (2; 102) for accommodating at least the plurality of battery cells;
A passage communicating between the inside and the outside of the case, wherein the air blown by the blowing means exchanges heat with the battery cell and then flows out to the outside of the case (620; 1620); ,
A passage provided outside of said casing and extending from said discharge passage, the air flowing out of the discharge passage an outer surface of said casing; exhaust guide passage for inducing to blow in (20 120) (640; 1640),
A series of air, which is a circulation path of air formed inside the case, and is sucked into the blowing unit after the air blown by the blowing unit provided inside the case exchanges heat with the battery cell. A circulation passage (5; 105) forming a distribution route of
A first inflow passage (54; 154) and a second inflow passage (630; 1630) sucked into the blowing means;
With
The first inflow passage is a part of the circulation passage, is provided inside the case, and is a passage through which air after heat exchange with the battery cell is sucked,
The second inflow passage is a passage that communicates the outside of the case with the air blowing means,
The battery cooling device according to claim 1, wherein air outside the case is sucked into the circulation passage through the second inflow passage by the suction force of the blowing means . The discharge passage is located downstream of the passage (52; 152) through which the air blown from the blower in the circulation passage exchanges heat with the battery cell, and the first inflow passage ( 54; 154) is located upstream from the battery cooling device according to claim 1. Inside of the case at the site of the outer surface of the said air induced by exhaust guide passage is blown out, according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the air circulating through the circulation passage is flowing The battery cooling device described in 1. The exhaust induction passage (640; 1640) has heat radiation promotion means (65; 165) that absorbs heat from the air flowing out from the discharge passage and promotes heat radiation to the outside more than other parts.
4. The air after being absorbed by the heat radiation promoting means is guided to the exhaust induction passage and blown out along the outer surface of the case. 5. The battery cooling device described in 1. The heat dissipation promotion means is provided apart from the other outer surface (23; 122) except for the outer surface (20; 120) of the case from which the air absorbed by the heat dissipation promotion means is blown out. The battery cooling device according to claim 4 , wherein The exhaust guide passage (640; 1640) guides the air in the case that has flowed out of the discharge passage so as to blow out to the uppermost wall surface of the plurality of wall surfaces forming the case. The battery cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the battery cooling device is characterized. The exhaust guide passage (640; 1640) guides the air in the case that has flowed out of the discharge passage so as to blow out to the wall surface having the largest surface area among the plurality of wall surfaces forming the case. The battery cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the battery cooling device is characterized.

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