JP6871183B2 - Heat dissipation structure and battery with it - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a heat radiating structure and a battery including the heat radiating structure.

Control systems for automobiles, aircraft, ships, and household or commercial electronic devices are becoming more accurate and complex, and the density of small electronic components on circuit boards is increasing. .. As a result, it is strongly desired to solve the failure and shortening of the life of electronic components due to heat generation around the circuit board.

In order to realize quick heat dissipation from the circuit board, conventionally, the circuit board itself is made of a material having excellent heat dissipation, a heat sink is attached, or a means of driving a heat dissipation fan is used alone or in combination. It is done. Of these, a method in which the circuit board itself is made of a material having excellent heat dissipation, for example, diamond, aluminum nitride (AlN), cBN, or the like, makes the cost of the circuit board extremely high. Further, the arrangement of the heat radiating fan causes problems such as failure of the rotating device called the fan, maintenance necessity for preventing the failure, and difficulty in securing the installation space. On the other hand, the heat radiating fin is a simple one that can increase the surface area and further improve the heat radiating property by forming many columnar or flat plate-shaped protruding parts using a metal having high thermal conductivity (for example, aluminum). Since it is a member, it is widely used as a heat-dissipating component (see Patent Document 1).

By the way, at present, there are active movements around the world to gradually convert conventional gasoline-powered vehicles or diesel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles for the purpose of reducing the burden on the global environment. In particular, in addition to European countries such as France, the Netherlands and Germany, China has also declared that it will completely switch from gasoline and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles by 2040. The spread of electric vehicles has issues such as the development of high-performance batteries and the installation of a large number of charging stations. In particular, technological development for enhancing the charge / discharge function of lithium-based automobile batteries has become a major issue. It is well known that the above-mentioned automobile battery cannot fully exert its charge / discharge function at a high temperature of 60 degrees Celsius or higher. For this reason, it is important to improve the heat dissipation of the battery as well as the circuit board described above.

In order to quickly dissipate heat from the battery, place the water-cooled pipe in a metal housing with excellent thermal conductivity such as aluminum, place a large number of battery cells in the housing, and place the battery cell and the bottom of the housing. A structure in which an adhesive rubber sheet is sandwiched between the two is adopted. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional battery. The battery 100 of FIG. 9 includes a large number of battery cells 101 on the inner bottom surface 103 of the housing 102 made of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy. The bottom 104 of the housing 102 is provided with a water cooling pipe 105 for flowing cooling water. The battery cell 101 is fixed in the housing 102 with a rubber sheet (for example, a sheet made of room temperature curable silicone rubber) 106 sandwiched between the battery cell 101 and the bottom portion 104. In the battery 100 having such a structure, the battery cell 101 transfers heat to the housing 102 through the rubber sheet 106, and the heat is effectively removed by water cooling.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-24399

However, the heat dissipation structure of the conventional battery 100 as shown in FIG. 9 has the following problems to be solved. Since the rubber sheet 106 has lower thermal conductivity than aluminum or graphite, it is difficult to efficiently transfer heat from the battery cell 101 to the housing 102. Further, a method of sandwiching a spacer such as graphite instead of the rubber sheet 106 is also conceivable. However, since the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 101 are not flat and have steps, a gap is generated between the battery cells 101 and the spacer, and the heat transfer efficiency is lowered. As seen in such an example, since the battery cell can take various forms (including unevenness such as a step or a surface state), it is possible to adapt to various forms of the battery cell and realize high heat transfer efficiency. The demand for is increasing. Further, it is required to make the material of the container of the battery cell lighter, and a heat radiating structure corresponding to the weight reduction of the battery cell is desired. This leads not only to battery cells, but also to other heat sources such as circuit boards, electronic components or electronics bodies.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a heat radiating structure that is adaptable to various forms of a heat source, is lightweight, and has excellent heat radiating efficiency, and a battery provided with the heat radiating structure. With the goal.

(1) The heat radiating structure according to the embodiment for achieving the above object is a heat radiating structure that enhances heat radiating from a heat source, and has a shape that proceeds while being wound in a spiral shape for transferring heat from the heat source. A heat conductive sheet and a cushion member provided on the annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet and easily deformed according to the surface shape of the heat source as compared with the heat conductive sheet, and penetrate in the traveling direction while winding the heat conductive sheet. Has a through-passage.

(2) The heat radiating structure according to another embodiment preferably further includes an adhesive layer on the annular surface of the heat conductive sheet, and is a cushion member, a heat conductive sheet, and an adhesive layer from the gangway to the outside in the radial direction. It is configured in order.

(3) In the heat radiating structure according to another embodiment, the cushion member is preferably a spiral cushion member that is spirally wound along the annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet.

(4) In the heat dissipation structure according to another embodiment, preferably, the cushion member is a tubular cushion member having a through path in the length direction thereof, and the heat conductive sheet is an outer surface of the tubular cushion member. Is wound in a spiral shape.

(5) The battery according to one embodiment is a battery having one or more battery cells as heat sources in a housing having a structure for flowing a cooling member, and has a heat dissipation structure that enhances heat dissipation from the heat source. A heat conductive sheet that travels while spirally winding around the heat dissipation structure to transfer heat from the heat source, and an annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet, which has a surface shape of the heat source compared to the heat conductive sheet. It is provided with a cushion member that is easily deformed according to the above, and has a through path that penetrates in the direction of traveling while winding the heat conductive sheet.

(6) In the battery according to another embodiment, preferably, the heat radiating structure further includes an adhesive layer on the annular surface of the heat conductive sheet, and the cushion member, the heat conductive sheet, from the through path to the outside in the radial direction. It is configured in the order of the adhesion layer.

(7) In the battery according to another embodiment, preferably, the cushion member is a spiral cushion member that is spirally wound along the annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet, and the heat radiating structure is at least a heat source. It is placed between the cooling member and the cooling member.

(8) In the battery according to another embodiment, preferably, the cushion member is a tubular cushion member having a through path in the length direction thereof, and the heat conductive sheet spirals the outer surface of the tubular cushion member. It is wound in a shape, and the heat radiating structure is arranged at least between the heat source and the cooling member.

(9) In the battery according to another embodiment, preferably, the cushion member is a tubular cushion member having a through path in the length direction thereof, and the heat conductive sheet spirals the outer surface of the tubular cushion member. It is wound in a shape, and the tubular cushion member is configured so that the cooling member can flow through the through path, and the heat dissipation structure is placed between the heat source and the housing and / or between the heat sources. It is arranged.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heat radiating structure that is adaptable to various forms of a heat source, is lightweight and has excellent heat radiating efficiency, and a battery including the heat radiating structure.

FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-sectional view (1A) of the heat radiating structure according to the first embodiment and a battery including the heat radiating structure, and a heat radiating structure before and after compressing the heat radiating structure by the battery cell in the (1A). The cross-sectional view (1B) of the morphological change is shown respectively. FIG. 2 shows a diagram for explaining a part of the method of manufacturing the heat radiating structure of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a state in which the heat radiating structure is arranged directly under the battery cell. FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view (4A) of the heat radiating structure according to the second embodiment and a battery provided with the heat radiating structure, a perspective view (4B) of a state in which the heat radiating structure is arranged directly under the battery cell, and a heat radiating structure. The plan view (4C) of the body is shown respectively. FIG. 5 shows a vertical cross-sectional view (5A) of the heat radiating structure according to the third embodiment and a battery including the heat radiating structure, and a perspective view (5B) of a situation in which a cooling member flows through the heat radiating structure. FIG. 6 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the heat radiating structure according to the fourth embodiment and a battery including the heat radiating structure, and a perspective view of a situation in which a cooling member flows through the heat radiating structure. FIG. 7 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the heat radiating structure according to the fifth embodiment and a battery including the heat radiating structure. FIG. 8 shows a part (8A) of the manufacturing state of the heat radiating structure of FIG. 7 and a plan view (8B) of the heat radiating structure completed by the manufacturing method of the (8A). FIG. 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional battery.

Next, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each of the embodiments described below does not limit the invention according to the claims, and all of the elements and combinations thereof described in each embodiment are the means for solving the present invention. Is not always required.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-sectional view (1A) of the heat radiating structure according to the first embodiment and a battery including the heat radiating structure, and a heat radiating structure before and after compressing the heat radiating structure by the battery cell in the (1A). The cross-sectional view (1B) of the morphological change is shown respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the battery 1 has a structure in which a plurality of battery cells 20 are provided in a housing 11 in which the cooling member 15 is brought into contact with the battery 1. The heat radiating structure 25 is located between an end (lower end) of the battery cell 20 near the cooling member 15 and a part of the housing 11 (bottom 12) near the cooling member 15, which is an example of a heat source. It is equipped. Here, one heat radiating structure 25 has two battery cells 20 mounted on it, but the number of battery cells 20 mounted on the heat radiating structure 25 is not limited to two.

The heat radiating structure 25 is a structure that enhances heat radiating from the battery cell 20. The heat radiating structure 25 is provided on a heat conductive sheet 30 having a shape of spirally winding to transfer heat from the battery cell 20 and traveling on the annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet 30, as compared with the heat conductive sheet 30. A cushion member 31 that is easily deformed according to the surface shape of the battery cell 20 is provided. The heat radiating structure 25 has a gangway 32 that penetrates in the direction of traveling while winding the heat conductive sheet 30. Further, the heat radiating structure 25 preferably further includes an adhesion layer 34 on the annular surface of the heat conduction sheet 30, and the cushion member 31, the heat conduction sheet 30, and the adhesion layer 34 are provided from the through-passage 32 toward the outside in the radial direction. It is configured in order. Here, the heat conductive sheet 30 is preferably made of a material having higher heat conductivity than the cushion member 31. The cushion member 31 is preferably a tubular cushion member having a through-passage 32 in the length direction thereof. The heat conductive sheet 30 spirally winds the outer surface of the tubular cushion member. The heat radiating structure 25 has a substantially cylindrical shape when the battery cell 20 is not mounted, but when the battery cell 20 is mounted, the heat radiating structure 25 is compressed by its weight and becomes a flat shape.

The heat conductive sheet 30 is a strip-shaped sheet that travels in the length direction of a substantially cylindrical cylinder while spirally winding the outer surface of the heat radiating structure 25. The heat conductive sheet 30 is a sheet containing at least one of metal, carbon, and ceramics, and has a function of conducting heat from the battery cell 20 to the cooling member 15. In the present application, the "cross section" or "vertical cross section" means a cross section in the inner 14 of the housing 11 of the battery 1 in the direction of vertically cutting from the upper opening surface to the bottom 12.

Next, the schematic configuration of the battery and the constituent members of the heat radiating structure 25 will be described in more detail.

(1) Outline of Battery Configuration In this embodiment, the battery 1 is, for example, a battery for an electric vehicle and includes a large number of battery cells 20. The battery 1 includes a bottomed housing 11 that opens to one side. The housing 11 is preferably made of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy. The battery cell 20 is arranged inside 14 of the housing 11. An electrode (not shown) is provided above the battery cell 20 so as to project. The plurality of battery cells 20 are preferably brought into close contact with each other in the housing 11 by applying a force in the direction of compression from both sides thereof using screws or the like (not shown). The bottom 12 of the housing 11 is provided with one or more water cooling pipes 13 for flowing cooling water, which is an example of the cooling member 15. The battery cell 20 is arranged in the housing 11 so as to sandwich the heat radiating structure 25 with the bottom portion 12. In the battery 1 having such a structure, the battery cell 20 transfers heat to the housing 11 through the heat radiating structure 25, and the heat is effectively removed by water cooling. The cooling member 15 is not limited to cooling water, but is interpreted to include an organic solvent such as liquid nitrogen and ethanol. The cooling member 15 is not limited to a liquid under the conditions used for cooling, and may be a gas or a solid.

(2) Heat Conductive Sheet The heat conductive sheet 30 is preferably a sheet containing carbon, and more preferably a sheet containing a carbon filler and a resin. The term "carbon" as used in the present application includes any structure composed of carbon (element symbol: C) such as graphite, carbon black having lower crystallinity than graphite, expanded graphite, diamond, and diamond-like carbon having a structure similar to diamond. Is interpreted in a broad sense. In this embodiment, the heat conductive sheet 30 can be a thin sheet obtained by curing a material obtained by blending and dispersing graphite fibers and carbon particles in a resin. Expanded graphite filler may be used instead of graphite fibers and carbon particles. In expanded graphite, a graphite intercalation compound in which a substance is inserted into scaly graphite using a chemical reaction is rapidly heated to gasify the substance between the layers, and the gas between the layers expands due to the release of gas generated at that time, and the layers are stacked in the direction of stacking. Graphite in an expanded state. Further, the heat conductive sheet 30 may be carbon fiber knitted in a mesh shape, and may be blended or knitted. Note that graphite fibers, carbon particles, carbon fibers, or fillers made of expanded graphite are all included in the concept of carbon fillers.

When the heat conductive sheet 30 contains a resin, the resin may exceed 50% by mass or 50% by mass or less with respect to the total mass of the heat conductive sheet 30. That is, the heat conductive sheet 30 may or may not use resin as the main material as long as the heat conduction is not significantly hindered. As the resin, for example, a thermoplastic resin can be preferably used. As the thermoplastic resin, a resin having a high melting point that does not melt when conducting heat from the battery cell 20 which is an example of a heat source is preferable, and for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and the like. Polyamideimide (PAI) and the like can be preferably mentioned. The resin is dispersed in the gaps between the carbon fillers, for example, in the form of particles in the state before molding of the heat conductive sheet 30. In addition to the carbon filler and the resin, the heat conductive sheet 30 may be dispersed with AlN or diamond as a filler for further enhancing the heat conduction. Further, instead of the resin, an elastomer that is more flexible than the resin may be used.

The heat conductive sheet 30 can also be a sheet containing metals and / or ceramics in place of or with carbon as described above. As the metal, those having relatively high thermal conductivity such as aluminum, copper, and alloys containing at least one of them can be selected. Further, as the ceramics, ceramics having relatively high thermal conductivity such as AlN, cBN, and hBN can be selected.

It does not matter whether the heat conductive sheet 30 is excellent in conductivity or not. The thermal conductivity of the heat conductive sheet 30 is preferably 10 W / mK or more. In this embodiment, the heat conductive sheet 30 is a strip-shaped plate of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper or stainless steel, and is made of a material having excellent thermal conductivity and conductivity. The heat conductive sheet 30 is preferably a sheet having excellent curvature (or flexibility), and the thickness thereof is not limited, but 0.3 to 5 mm is preferable, and 0.3 to 1 mm is more preferable. However, since the thermal conductivity of the heat conductive sheet 30 decreases as the thickness increases, it is necessary to determine the thickness by comprehensively considering the strength, flexibility and heat conductivity of the sheet. preferable.

(3) Cushion member The important functions of the cushion member 31 are deformability and resilience. Deformability is a characteristic necessary to follow the shape of the battery cell 20, and in particular, semi-solid materials such as lithium-ion batteries and contents having liquid properties are contained in a package that is easily deformable. In the case of the battery cell 20, there are many cases where the design dimensions are irregular or the dimensional accuracy cannot be improved. Therefore, it is important to maintain the deformability of the cushion member 31 and the resilience for maintaining the following force.

The cushion member 31 is a tubular cushion member provided with a gangway 32 in this embodiment. The cushion member 31 improves the contact between the heat conductive sheet 30 and the lower end portions even when the lower end portions of the plurality of battery cells 20 are not flat. Further, the gangway 32 has a function of contributing to facilitating the deformation of the cushion member 31 and enhancing the contact between the heat conductive sheet 30 and the lower end portion of the battery cell 20. The cushion member 31 has a function of exerting cushioning property between the battery cell 20 and the bottom portion 12, and also has a function of a protective member for preventing the heat conductive sheet 30 from being damaged by a load applied to the heat conductive sheet 30. Have. In this embodiment, the cushion member 31 is a member having a lower thermal conductivity than the heat conductive sheet 30.

The cushion member 31 is preferably a thermosetting elastomer such as silicone rubber, urethane rubber, isoprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, natural rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, nitrile rubber (NBR) or styrene butadiene rubber (SBR); urethane-based , Ester-based, styrene-based, olefin-based, butadiene-based, fluorine-based and other thermoplastic elastomers, or composites thereof. The cushion member 31 is preferably made of a material having high heat resistance that can maintain its shape without being melted or decomposed by the heat transmitted through the heat conductive sheet 30. In this embodiment, the cushion member 31 is more preferably made of a urethane-based elastomer impregnated with silicone or silicone rubber. The cushion member 31 may be configured by dispersing a filler typified by AlN, cBN, hBN, diamond particles, or the like in rubber in order to increase its thermal conductivity as much as possible. The cushion member 31 may contain air bubbles in the cushion member 31 or may not contain air bubbles. Further, the "cushion member" means a member that is highly flexible and can be deformed so as to be in close contact with the surface of a heat source, and in this sense, it can be read as a "rubber-like elastic body". Further, as a modification of the cushion member 31, a metal may be used instead of the rubber-like elastic body. For example, the cushion member can also be made of spring steel. Further, a coil spring can be arranged as a cushion member. Further, the spirally wound metal may be made of spring steel and arranged on the annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet 30 as a cushion member.

(4) Adhesion layer The adhesion layer 34 is a layer that can be further provided on the annular surface of the heat conductive sheet 30. The heat radiating structure 25 is configured in the order of the cushion member 31, the heat conductive sheet 30, and the adhesion layer 34 from the gangway 32 toward the outside in the radial direction. In the first embodiment and the second and subsequent embodiments, the adhesion layer 34 is provided on the surface of only the heat conductive sheet 30, but can also be provided on the cushion member 31. Further, a tubular body in which the heat conductive sheet 30 is spirally wound around the surface of the cushion member 31 may be covered with a tubular body as a form of the adhesion layer 34.

The adhesion layer 34 can be formed of various types of elastic bodies similar to the cushion member 31 described above, but is excellent in thermal conductivity because it is necessary to quickly transfer heat from the battery cell 20 to the heat conductive sheet 30. It is preferable that the sheet contains a silicone rubber. When the adhesion layer 34 is mainly composed of silicone rubber, it is preferable to disperse a highly thermally conductive filler such as AlN or aluminum in the silicone rubber. Further, as the adhesion layer 34 made of silicone rubber, a silicone rubber in which a silicone resin is combined with a bifunctional silicone raw rubber can be exemplified in order to enhance the adhesiveness. The silicone resin is preferably an MQ resin. MQ resin is a four-way branched Q unit with a structure in which oxygen atoms are bonded to four Si bonds, and is attached to one Si bond in order to stop the reactivity at the ends. It is a resin to which a one-branched M unit having a structure in which oxygen atoms are bonded is added. Further, as the silicone resin, it is preferable to use a resin having many hydroxyl groups bonded because the adhesiveness of the silicone rubber can be enhanced.

The adhesion layer 34 has a function of improving the adhesion between the battery cell 20 and the heat conductive sheet 30, or the adhesion between the periphery of the cooling member 15 (bottom 12, side wall of the housing 11 and the like) and the heat conductive sheet 30. .. The hardness of the adhesive layer 34 is not particularly limited as long as it has heat resistance and adhesiveness, but in the case of a sheet mainly made of silicone rubber, the temperature is 60 degrees or less, preferably 40, according to the shore OO standard (shore OO standard). The degree or less, more preferably 10 degrees or less. This is because the lower the hardness of the adhesion layer 34, the easier it is to absorb the unevenness on the surface of the battery cell 20. Further, the thickness of the adhesion layer 34 is preferably 0.005 to 0.5 mm, more preferably 0.01 to 0.3 mm, and even more preferably 0.02 to 0.02 to prevent the thermal resistance from being excessively increased. It is 0.2 mm. On the other hand, the thickness of the adhesive layer 34 is preferably large in order to increase the adhesive force. When the adhesive force of the adhesion layer 34 is increased, there is an advantage that the heat radiating structure 25 can easily follow the expansion and contraction of the battery cell 20. In particular, when not only the heat conductive sheet 30 but also the entire heat radiating structure 25d has a spiral shape as in the heat radiating structure 25d described later (see FIG. 8), the heat radiating structure 25d itself is the battery cell 20. Can follow expansion and contraction. From the viewpoint of harmony between lowering the thermal resistance of the adhesive layer 34 and increasing the adhesive force, the thickness of the adhesive layer 34 is preferably 0.02 to 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.05 to 0.7 mm. , Even more preferably 0.1 to 0.5 mm. However, the thickness of the adhesion layer 34 is preferably determined according to conditions such as unevenness on the surface of the battery cell 20 and rubber hardness. The adhesion layer 34 may be provided not on the heat radiating structure 25 side but on the battery cell 20 side or the like in contact with the heat radiating structure 25. The adhesion layer 34 is not an essential configuration for the heat radiating structure 25 or the battery 1, but is an additional configuration that can be suitably provided. This also applies to the second and subsequent embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram for explaining a part of the method of manufacturing the heat radiating structure of FIG.

First, the cushion member 31 is molded. Next, the band-shaped heat conductive sheet 30 provided with the adhesive layer 34 is spirally wound around the outer surface of the cushion member 31 by providing an adhesive or an adhesive sheet on the surface opposite to the adhesive layer 34. At this time, if the outer surface of the cushion member 31 has adhesiveness, no adhesive or the like is required. Finally, if there is a portion protruding from both ends of the cushion member 31 of the strip-shaped heat conductive sheet 30 with the adhesion layer 34, it is cut. The heat radiating structure 25 thus completed has a form in which the contact layer 34 and the heat conductive sheet 30 are projected from the outer surface of the cushion member 31 by the respective thicknesses. However, as in the example described later, the heat conductive sheet 30 and the cushion member 31, or the close contact layer 34 and the cushion member 31 may be flush with each other.

The adhesion layer 34 may be formed at the end of the manufacturing process of the heat radiating structure 25. For example, after the band-shaped heat conductive sheet 30 having no adhesive layer 34 is spirally wound around the outer surface of the cushion member 31, the adhesive layer 34 may be formed at least on the surface of the heat conductive sheet 30. good. As a method for forming the adhesive layer 34, at least the surface of the heat conductive sheet 30 is coated with a liquid curable composition that becomes the adhesive layer 34 after curing, or the tubular adhesive layer 34 is wound with the heat conductive sheet 30. An example can be exemplified of a method of covering the cushion member 31 after the heat has been placed.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a state in which the heat radiating structure is arranged directly under the battery cell.

As shown in FIG. 3, each heat radiating structure 25 in the housing 11 comes into contact with the lower end portion of the two battery cells 20 located on the opposite side of the electrodes 21 and 22, and is in a state of being compressed in the vertical direction. is there. The heat radiating structure 25 has a structure in which the heat conductive sheet 30 is spirally wound around the outer surface of the cushion member 31, and is not excessively restrained by the deformation of the cushion member 31.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the heat radiating structure according to the second embodiment and the battery including the heat radiating structure will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the first embodiment, and duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view (4A) of the heat radiating structure according to the second embodiment and a battery provided with the heat radiating structure, a perspective view (4B) of a state in which the heat radiating structure is arranged directly under the battery cell, and a heat radiating structure. The plan view (4C) of the body is shown respectively.

The heat radiating structure 25a according to the second embodiment is a tubular body having a diameter sufficient for mounting one battery cell 20, and the outer surface of the adhesion layer 34 and the cushion member in the heat radiating structure 25a. Unlike the heat radiating structure 25 according to the first embodiment, the heat radiating structure 25 according to the first embodiment is different from the heat radiating structure 25 in that it is flush with the outer surface of 31 (cylindrical cushion member), and other than that is common.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the heat radiating structures 25a are arranged in the same number as the battery cells 20 in the housing 11 of the battery 1a. Further, the heat conductive sheet 30 with the adhesion layer 34 bites slightly inward from the outer surface of the cushion member 31, so that the outer surface of the adhesion layer 34 and the outer surface of the cushion member 31 are flush with each other. Further, the surface of the heat conductive sheet 30 and the surface of the cushion member 31 may be flush with each other, and the adhesive layer 34 may slightly project outward. When the battery cell 20 is placed on the heat radiating structure 25a, the heat radiating structure 25a is compressed in the vertical direction by the weight of the battery cell 20 as in the heat radiating structure 25 according to the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, the heat radiating structure according to the third embodiment and the battery including the heat radiating structure will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the parts common to each of the above-described embodiments, and duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 5 shows a vertical cross-sectional view (5A) of the heat radiating structure according to the third embodiment and a battery including the heat radiating structure, and a perspective view (5B) of a situation in which a cooling member flows through the heat radiating structure.

The battery 1b according to this embodiment is provided in the housing 11 by substituting the heat radiating structure 25b for the water cooling pipe 13 provided in the battery 1 according to the first embodiment. That is, the heat radiating structure 25b also has a function as a cooling pipe for flowing a cooling member (which may be referred to as a cooling medium) 13 in the through-passage. As shown in FIG. 5 (5A), the housing 11 preferably includes a recess in the inner bottom surface of the bottom portion 12 for fitting the heat radiating structure 25b. Here, one battery cell 20 is arranged in the housing 11 so as to come into contact with one heat dissipation structure 25b. The cushion member 31 constituting the heat radiating structure 25b preferably has sufficient hardness so that the weight of the battery cell 20 does not block the through-passage 32.

In FIG. 5, the running water pipes connected to both sides of the heat radiating structure 25b are omitted, but when the ends of the heat radiating structure 25b are connected by the running water pipes, the ends of one heat radiating structure 25b are omitted. A cooling member 13 such as cooling water can flow from the portion to construct a cooling path via a plurality of heat radiating structures 25b. Further, by preparing one long heat radiating structure 25b and arranging the heat radiating structure 25b so as to reciprocate in a snake shape, a cooling member such as cooling water flows from one end to the other end of the heat radiating structure 25b. You can also do it. That is, the heat radiating structure 25b can be used as the water cooling pipe itself.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, the heat radiating structure according to the fourth embodiment and the battery including the heat radiating structure will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the parts common to each of the above-described embodiments, and duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 6 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the heat radiating structure according to the fourth embodiment and a battery including the heat radiating structure, and a perspective view of a situation in which a cooling member flows through the heat radiating structure.

In the battery 1c according to this embodiment, the heat radiating structure 25c is provided not in the lower end of the battery cell 20 but in the gap between the battery cell 20 and the inner surface of the inner surface 14 of the housing 11 and the gap between the battery cells 20. In FIG. 6, a plurality of heat radiating structures 25c are arranged so that the length direction is the front and back directions of the paper surface. However, one long heat radiating structure 25c may be arranged so as to reciprocate in a snake shape and arranged in the above gap. In that case, the number of the above-mentioned gaps is sufficient for the heat radiating structure 25c. Furthermore, if one long heat radiating structure 25c is arranged in a snake shape in one gap and then arranged in a snake shape in the next gap, the heat radiating structure can be arranged in all the gaps. Only one body 25c is required.

Although the heat radiating structure 25c is not arranged between the lower end portion of the battery cell 20 and the inner bottom surface of the bottom portion 12 of the housing 11 in FIG. 6, it may be arranged. Further, the heat radiating structure 25c may be arranged so as to wind around the outer circumference of one battery cell 20. At that time, the heat radiating structure 25c may be wound around the outer circumference of the battery cell 20 and then wound around the outer circumference of the adjacent battery cell 20. The heat radiating structure 25c is used by flowing the cooling member 15 through the gangway 32, similarly to the heat radiating structure 25b described above. However, it is not necessary to arrange the water cooling pipe 13 on the bottom 12 or the like of the housing 11 as in the first embodiment and let the cooling member 15 flow through the heat radiating structure 25c.

(Fifth Embodiment)
Next, the heat radiating structure according to the fifth embodiment and the battery including the heat radiating structure will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the parts common to each of the above-described embodiments, and duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 7 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the heat radiating structure according to the fifth embodiment and a battery including the heat radiating structure. FIG. 8 shows a part (8A) of the manufacturing state of the heat radiating structure of FIG. 7 and a plan view (8B) of the heat radiating structure completed by the manufacturing method of the (8A).

The battery 1d according to the fifth embodiment includes a heat radiating structure 25d different from the heat radiating structure 25 arranged in the battery 1 according to the first embodiment, and has a structure common to the battery 1 in other cases. The heat radiating structure 25d used in this embodiment is a band-shaped cushion member provided on the back side of the heat conductive sheet 30 without using the cushion member 31 as a tubular cushion member, and is spirally wound together with the heat conductive sheet 30. It is a spiral cushion member that is being turned.

An example of a method for manufacturing the heat radiating structure 25d including the spiral cushion member 31 (also referred to as “spiral cushion member”) is as follows.

First, a laminated body 40 composed of three layers of an adhesion layer 34, a heat conductive sheet 30, and a cushion member 31 having substantially the same width is manufactured. Next, the laminated body 40 is wound in a spiral shape (may be referred to as a coil shape) so as to proceed in one direction. In this way, the elongated heat-dissipating structure 25d in which the laminated body 40 is wound in a spiral shape is completed. The adhesion layer 34 may be formed by finally coating it on the heat conductive sheet 30.

The heat radiating structure 25d includes a through-passage 33 penetrating in the length direction thereof, but unlike the heat radiating structure 25 according to the first embodiment, the heat radiating structure 25d also penetrates in the outer surface direction of the heat radiating structure 25d. Therefore, the through-passage 33 of the heat radiating structure 25d is not suitable for flowing the cooling member 15 such as cooling water. However, since the shape of the heat radiating structure 25d itself is spiral, it is easier to expand and contract in the length direction of the heat radiating structure 25d (the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 8 (8B)) as compared with the above-mentioned heat radiating structure 25. ..

The heat radiating structure 25d is not only between the battery cell 20 and the bottom portion 12 of the housing 11, but also the gap between the battery cell 20 and the inner surface of the housing 11 and the inner surface of the housing 11 as in the battery 1c according to the fourth embodiment. / Or it can be arranged in the gap between the battery cells 20. Further, one long heat dissipation structure 25d is prepared, and the outer circumference of one battery cell 20 is wound, or the outer circumference of one battery 20 is wound, and then the outer circumference of the adjacent battery cell 20 is wound. As described above, a plurality of batteries 20 can be wound in succession.

(Action / effect of each embodiment)
As described above, the heat radiating structures 25, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d (when the heat radiating structures are collectively referred to, they are also referred to as "heat radiating structure 25, etc.") enhance the heat radiating from the battery cell 20. Compared to the heat conductive sheet 30, it is provided on the annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet 30 and the heat conductive sheet 30 which is a heat radiating structure and has a shape of spirally winding to transfer heat from the battery cell 20. It is provided with a cushion member 31 that is easily deformed according to the surface shape of the battery cell 20, and has through paths 32 and 33 that penetrate in the direction of traveling while winding the heat conductive sheet 30. Further, the batteries 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d (also referred to as "battery 1 or the like" when the batteries are generically referred to) are one or two or more in the housing 11 having a structure for flowing the cooling member 15. The battery cell 20 is provided, and the heat dissipation structure 25 and the like are provided so as to be in contact with the battery cell 20.

Therefore, the heat radiating structure 25 and the like can adapt to various forms of the battery cell 20 due to the cushion member 31 and the through-passages 32 and 33 arranged on the back surface side of the heat conductive sheet 30, and the heat radiating efficiency can be improved. Is also an excellent structure. Further, the heat radiating structure 25 and the like become lighter due to the through-passages 32 and 33.

Further, the heat radiating structure 25 or the like further includes an adhesion layer 34 on the annular surface of the heat conduction sheet 30, and the cushion member 31, the heat conduction sheet 30, and the adhesion layer 34 are provided from the through passages 32 and 33 toward the outside in the radial direction. It is configured in order. Therefore, when the heat conductive sheet 30 is made of a relatively highly synthetic material such as metal or carbon, if the heat conductive sheet 30 is brought into contact with the surface of the battery cell 20 via the adhesion layer 34, the battery The thermal conductivity from the cell 20 to the thermal conductive sheet 30 can be further enhanced.

Further, in the heat radiating structure 25d, the cushion member 31 is a spiral cushion member that is spirally wound along the annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet 30. In the battery 1d, the heat radiating structure 25d is arranged at least between the battery 20 and the cooling member 15. The heat radiating structure 25d may be arranged between the inner surface of the housing 11 and the battery cells 20 and / or between the battery cells 20. Since the heat radiating structure 25d has a spiral shape as a whole, it is more easily adapted to various sizes of the battery cell 20. More specifically, it is as follows. Even when the heat conductive sheet 30 having high rigidity is provided, the heat conductive sheet 30 can be deformed with a low load so as to follow and adhere to the surface of the battery cell 20. Further, even if the amount of deformation is partially different, the adhesion followability is improved. Further, since the cushion member 31 is also cut in a spiral shape, it is possible to cause deformation as if the spirals for each rotation are substantially independent. Therefore, the heat radiating structure 25d can increase the degree of freedom of local deformation. In addition, the heat radiating structure 25d is lighter because it has a spiral-shaped through groove that penetrates not only the through-passage 33 but also the side surface from the through-passage 33.

Further, the cushion member 31 constituting the heat radiating structures 25, 25a, 25b, 25c is a tubular cushion member having a through-passage 32 in the length direction thereof, and the heat conductive sheet 30 is outside the tubular cushion member. The sides are wound in a spiral shape. The batteries 1, 1a, 1b, 1c are provided in the housing 11 by bringing the heat dissipation structures 25, 25a, 25b, 25c into contact with the battery cell 20. The heat conductive sheet 30 partially covers the outer surface of the tubular cushion member and is spirally wound in the length direction of the tubular cushion member. In the batteries 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the heat radiating structures 25, 25a, 25b, 25c are arranged at least between the battery 20 and the cooling member 15. Therefore, the heat radiating structures 25, 25a, 25b, and 25c are less likely to be constrained by the heat conductive sheet 30, and can be deformed by following the unevenness of the surface of the battery cell 20.

Further, in the batteries 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the cushion member 31 is a tubular cushion member having a through-passage 32 in the length direction thereof, and the heat conductive sheet 30 spirals the outer surface of the tubular cushion member. It is wound in a shape, and the tubular cushion member is configured so that the cooling member 15 can flow through the gangway 32. In the batteries 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the heat radiating structures 25, 25a, 25b, 25c are arranged between the battery cells 20 and the housing 11 and / or between the battery cells 20. Therefore, since the heat radiating structures 25, 25a, 25b, 25c also have a function as a water cooling pipe (also referred to as a cooling pipe), the housing 11 of the batteries 1, 1a, 1b, 1c does not have to be provided with the water cooling pipe 13. good. This also contributes to further weight reduction of the batteries 1, 1a, 1b, 1c.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to these, and can be implemented in various modifications.

For example, the heat source includes not only the battery cell 20, but also all objects that generate heat, such as a circuit board and an electronic device main body. For example, the heat source may be an electronic component such as a capacitor and an IC chip. Similarly, the cooling member 15 may be not only cooling water but also an organic solvent, liquid nitrogen, or a cooling gas. Further, the heat radiating structure 25 and the like may be arranged in a structure other than the battery 1 and the like, for example, an electronic device, a home appliance, a power generation device and the like.

Further, the spiral cushion member 31 in the heat radiating structure 25d is not limited to the same width as the heat conductive sheet 30, and may be larger or smaller than the width of the heat conductive sheet 30. The heat radiating structure 25b is not limited to the form of being fitted or embedded in the bottom portion 12, and may be arranged on the inner bottom surface of the bottom portion 12 or in the form of being fitted and embedded in the inner side surface of the housing 11. good. The adhesion layer 34 may be formed not on the entire surface of the front surface of the heat conductive sheet 30 but only in the contact region with the heat source such as the battery cell 20. For example, the adhesive layer 34 may not be provided between the heat conductive sheet 30 and the bottom 12 of the housing 11, and the adhesive layer 34 may be provided in the contact region between the heat conductive sheet 30 and the battery cell 20.

Further, the plurality of components of each of the above-described embodiments can be freely combined except when they cannot be combined with each other. For example, the heat radiating structure 25d according to the fifth embodiment may be arranged in place of the heat radiating structure 25b according to the third embodiment. In that case, the cooling member 15 needs to be separately flown to the bottom 12 and the side wall of the housing 11.

The heat dissipation structure according to the present invention can be used not only for automobile batteries, but also for various electronic devices such as automobiles, industrial robots, power generation devices, PCs, and household electric appliances. Further, the battery according to the present invention can be used not only as a battery for automobiles but also as a rechargeable battery for home use and a battery for electronic devices such as PCs.

1,1a, 1b, 1c, 1d ... Battery, 11 ... Housing, 15 ... Cooling member, 20 ... Battery cell (an example of heat source), 25, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d ... .. Heat dissipation structure, 30 ... heat conductive sheet, 31 ... cushion member, 32, 33 ... through-passage, 34 ... adhesion layer.

Claims (9)

A heat dissipation structure that enhances heat dissipation from a heat source.
A heat conductive sheet that travels while winding in a spiral shape to transfer heat from the heat source,
A cushion member provided on the annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet and easily deformed according to the surface shape of the heat source as compared with the heat conductive sheet.
With
A heat radiating structure having a through-passage that penetrates in a traveling direction while winding the heat conductive sheet. An adhesion layer is further provided on the annular surface of the heat conductive sheet, and the heat conductive sheet is further provided with an adhesion layer.
The heat radiating structure according to claim 1, wherein the cushion member, the heat conductive sheet, and the adhesion layer are configured in this order from the gangway to the outside in the radial direction. The heat-dissipating structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cushion member is a spiral cushion member that is spirally wound along the annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet. The cushion member is a tubular cushion member having the gangway in the length direction thereof.
The heat radiating structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat conductive sheet spirally winds an outer surface of the tubular cushion member. A battery having one or more battery cells as a heat source in a housing having a structure for flowing a cooling member.
It is equipped with a heat dissipation structure that enhances heat dissipation from the heat source.
In the heat dissipation structure,
A heat conductive sheet that travels while winding in a spiral shape to transfer heat from the heat source,
A cushion member provided on the annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet and easily deformed according to the surface shape of the heat source as compared with the heat conductive sheet.
With
A battery having a through-passage that penetrates in a traveling direction while winding the heat conductive sheet. The heat radiating structure is further provided with an adhesion layer on the annular surface of the heat conduction sheet, and is configured in the order of the cushion member, the heat conduction sheet, and the adhesion layer from the gangway to the outside in the radial direction. Item 5. The battery according to item 5. The cushion member is a spiral cushion member that is spirally wound along the annular back surface of the heat conductive sheet.
The battery according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the heat radiating structure is arranged at least between the heat source and the cooling member. The cushion member is a tubular cushion member having the gangway in the length direction thereof.
The heat conductive sheet spirally winds the outer surface of the tubular cushion member.
The battery according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the heat radiating structure is arranged at least between the heat source and the cooling member. The cushion member is a tubular cushion member having the gangway in the length direction thereof.
The heat conductive sheet spirally winds the outer surface of the tubular cushion member.
The tubular cushion member is configured so that the cooling member can flow through the gangway.
The battery according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the heat radiating structure is arranged between the heat source and the housing, and / or between the heat sources.

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