JP7478922B2 - Vehicle and battery pack - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to vehicles and battery packs.

Hybrid and electric vehicles are equipped with an on-board battery that supplies power to the motor that drives the vehicle. To prevent the temperature of the on-board battery from rising too high, a hybrid heat exchanger is known that simultaneously supplies both a refrigerant and a cooling liquid (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-50000 A

Hybrid heat exchangers handle both refrigerant and cooling liquid, and therefore have a more complex structure than heat exchangers that handle only refrigerant or only cooling liquid. As a result, there has been insufficient research into better hybrid heat exchanger structures.

The present disclosure aims to provide a battery pack and a vehicle equipped with a hybrid heat exchanger having a better configuration.

A vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery module group having a plurality of battery modules, a battery pack having a housing that houses the battery module group, a vehicle body that houses the battery pack, a refrigerant layer that circulates a refrigerant, a cooling liquid layer that circulates a cooling liquid, a first wheel and a second wheel that are coupled to the vehicle body, and an electric motor that drives at least the first wheel using power supplied from the battery module group, wherein the housing of the battery pack has a predetermined inner surface, the battery module group, the refrigerant layer, and the cooling liquid layer are arranged along the predetermined inner surface, and the cooling liquid layer is arranged outside the predetermined inner surface of the housing of the battery pack and inside the vehicle body.

A battery pack according to one aspect of the present disclosure can be housed in a vehicle having a vehicle body, a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the vehicle body, and an electric motor that drives at least the first wheel, and includes a battery module group having a plurality of battery modules, a housing that houses the battery module group, a refrigerant layer that circulates a refrigerant, and a cooling liquid layer that circulates a cooling liquid, the housing having a predetermined inner surface, the battery module group, the refrigerant layer, and the cooling liquid layer being arranged along the predetermined inner surface, and the cooling liquid layer being arranged outside the predetermined inner surface of the housing.

This disclosure makes it possible to provide a battery pack and a vehicle equipped with a hybrid heat exchanger having a better configuration.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a vehicle according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a left side view showing a configuration example of a vehicle according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of an electric circuit provided in a vehicle according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a battery pack according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a battery pack according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration example of a battery pack according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a coolant circuit and a refrigerant circuit according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a first interface arrangement according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a second interface arrangement according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of a cooling liquid layer and a refrigerant layer in a case where a first interface arrangement according to the first embodiment is provided; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of the cooling liquid layer and the refrigerant layer in the case of having a first interface arrangement according to the first embodiment; 11 is a diagram showing a third configuration example of a cooling liquid layer and a refrigerant layer when the first interface arrangement according to the first embodiment is provided; FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fourth configuration example of the coolant layer and the refrigerant layer when the second interface arrangement according to the first embodiment is provided. A figure showing a fifth configuration example of a coolant layer and a refrigerant layer when having a second interface arrangement in accordance with embodiment 1. A figure showing a sixth configuration example of a coolant layer and a refrigerant layer when having a second interface arrangement in accordance with embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a first interface arrangement when the battery pack according to the first embodiment has two heat exchange plates; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a second interface arrangement when the battery pack according to the first embodiment has two heat exchange plates; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cooling liquid layer and a refrigerant layer in a case where two heat exchange plates are provided according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a second interface arrangement using a refrigerant double pipe according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a heat exchange plate when a refrigerant double pipe according to the first embodiment is used; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a connection part when a refrigerant double pipe according to the first embodiment is directly connected to a refrigerant passage; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection part when a refrigerant double pipe according to the first embodiment is connected to a refrigerant passage by a flange. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration of a refrigerant double pipe when flange connection is performed according to the first embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a third interface arrangement according to the second embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth interface arrangement according to the second embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of a cooling liquid layer and a refrigerant layer in a case where a third interface arrangement according to the second embodiment is provided; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of the cooling liquid layer and the refrigerant layer in the case of the fourth interface arrangement according to the second embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a third interface arrangement when the battery pack according to the second embodiment has two heat exchange plates; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth interface arrangement when the battery pack according to the second embodiment has two heat exchange plates; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cooling liquid layer and a refrigerant layer in the case where there are two heat exchange plates according to the second embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth interface arrangement using a refrigerant double pipe according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a heat exchange plate when a refrigerant double pipe according to the second embodiment is used. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a first example of the configuration of a battery pack according to a third embodiment; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of the configuration of a battery pack according to the third embodiment; FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a first configuration example of a battery pack according to a third embodiment; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a coolant layer and a refrigerant layer 300 in a first configuration example of a battery pack according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a coolant layer and a refrigerant layer in a modified example of the first configuration of the battery pack according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a second configuration example of the battery pack according to the third embodiment; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a coolant layer and a refrigerant layer in a second configuration example of a battery pack according to embodiment 3. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a third configuration example of the battery pack according to the third embodiment;

Below, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters and duplicate explanation of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the attached drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
<Vehicle configuration>
Fig. 1A is a plan view showing a configuration example of a vehicle 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 1B is a left side view showing the configuration example of a vehicle 1 according to embodiment 1.

For ease of explanation, the axis extending in the height direction of the vehicle 1 is the Z-axis as shown in FIG. 1. The axis perpendicular to the Z-axis (i.e., parallel to the ground) and extending in the direction of travel of the vehicle 1 is the Y-axis. The axis perpendicular to the Y-axis and Z-axis (i.e., the axis in the width direction of the vehicle 1) is the X-axis. For ease of explanation, the positive direction of the Z-axis may be referred to as "up", the negative direction of the Z-axis as "down", the positive direction of the Y-axis as "front", the negative direction of the Y-axis as "rear", the positive direction of the X-axis as "right", and the negative direction of the X-axis as "left". These expressions are also used in other drawings that depict the XYZ axes. These expressions relating to directions are used for ease of explanation and are not intended to limit the position of the structure during actual use.

The vehicle 1 includes a body 2, wheels 3, an electric motor 4, and a battery pack 100.

The battery pack 100 is housed in the vehicle body 2. The battery pack 100 has a plurality of battery modules 103 that can be charged and discharged. Hereinafter, the plurality of battery modules 103 in the battery pack 100 are referred to as a battery module group 103GP. An example of the battery module 103 is a lithium ion battery. The battery module group 103GP supplies (discharges) stored power to the electric motor 4 and the like. The battery module group 103GP may store (charge) power generated by the electric motor 4 using regenerative energy. The battery pack 100 may be housed under the floor in the center of the vehicle body 2, as shown in FIG. 1. The battery pack 100 will be described in detail later.

The wheels 3 are coupled to the vehicle body 2. Although Figs. 1A and 1B show a car with four wheels 3, the vehicle 1 may have at least one wheel 3. For example, the vehicle 1 may be a motorcycle with two wheels 3, or a vehicle with three or five or more wheels 3. One of the wheels 3 of the vehicle 1 may be referred to as the first wheel 3a, and one of the wheels 3 other than the first wheel 3a may be referred to as the second wheel 3b. The first wheel 3a may be the front wheel of the vehicle 1, and the second wheel 3b may be the rear wheel of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 can move in a predetermined direction (for example, the forward and backward direction) by the first wheel 3a and the second wheel 3b.

The electric motor 4 drives at least one wheel 3 (e.g., the first wheel 3a) using power supplied from the battery module group 103GP. The vehicle 1 includes at least one electric motor 4. The vehicle 1 may be configured such that the electric motor 4 drives the front wheels (i.e., front-wheel drive). Alternatively, the vehicle 1 may be configured such that the electric motor 4 drives the rear wheels (i.e., rear-wheel drive), or such that the electric motor 4 drives both the front and rear wheels (i.e., four-wheel drive). Alternatively, the vehicle 1 may be configured such that multiple electric motors 4 each individually drive a wheel 3. The electric motor 4 may be installed in a motor room (engine room) located at the front of the vehicle 1.

<Electric circuit configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of an electric circuit provided in the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment.

The battery pack 100 including the battery module group 103GP has a high-voltage connector and a low-voltage connector. In this disclosure, the high-voltage connector and the low-voltage connector are referred to as electrical connector 115 (see FIG. 3A) without distinction.

A high-voltage distributor may be connected to the high-voltage connector. A drive inverter, a compressor 141 (see FIG. 4), an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), an on-board charger, and a quick-charge port may be connected to the high-voltage distributor. A CAN (Controller Area Network) and a 12V power supply system may be connected to the low-voltage connector.

The electric motor 4 may be connected to the drive inverter. That is, the power output from the battery module group 103GP may be supplied to the electric motor 4 via a high-voltage connector, a high-voltage distributor, and the drive inverter.

<Battery pack configuration>
Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the battery pack 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration example of the battery pack 100 according to the first embodiment. The cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the battery pack 100 shown in Fig. 3A. Fig. 3C is a front view (viewed from the positive direction of the Y axis) showing the configuration example of the battery pack 100 according to the first embodiment.

The battery pack 100 includes a housing 101, a heat exchange plate 102, and a battery module group 103GP. The housing 101 houses the heat exchange plate 102 and the battery module group 103GP.

The heat exchange plate 102 has, for example, a flattened, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a first surface 104 and a second surface 105 opposite (facing) the first surface 104. In this embodiment, the first surface 104 is described as the upper surface, and the second surface 105 is described as the lower surface. However, the first surface 104 may be the lower surface, and the second surface 105 may be the upper surface. The heat exchange plate 102 may also be read as a heat exchanger.

The heat exchange plate 102 has a cooling liquid layer 200 for circulating a cooling liquid and a refrigerant layer 300 for circulating a refrigerant between the first surface 104 and the second surface 105. An example of the cooling liquid is an antifreeze liquid containing ethylene glycol. An example of the refrigerant is HFC (hydrofluorocarbon).

In this embodiment, the heat exchange plate 102 is configured such that the cooling liquid layer 200 is disposed on the refrigerant layer 300. However, the heat exchange plate 102 may be configured such that the refrigerant layer 300 is disposed on the cooling liquid layer 200. The cooling liquid layer 200 may be read as a cooling liquid plate. The refrigerant layer 300 may be read as a refrigerant plate. Note that configuration examples of the cooling liquid layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 will be described later.

The housing 101 has a predetermined shape including a predetermined side in a plan view (i.e., when viewed from above). The predetermined shape may have a first side 106, which is a predetermined side, and a second side 107 opposite the first side 106. Furthermore, the predetermined shape may have a third side 108 and a fourth side 109 opposite the third side 108, in addition to the first side 106 and the second side 107. At least the third side 108 may be longer than the first side 106 and may be arranged along a predetermined direction (for example, the traveling direction of the vehicle 1). In other words, the housing 101 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and in a plan view, the short sides (the first side 106 and the second side 107) extend in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1, and the long sides (the third side 108 and the fourth side 109) extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. The housing 101 may have a predetermined surface (hereinafter referred to as the "front surface") 110 arranged along the direction from the first surface 104 to the second surface 105 of the heat exchange plate 102. The first side 106 of the housing 101 may be arranged between the second side 107 of the housing 101 and the electric motor 4. In other words, the predetermined side (first side 106) of the housing 101 may be the side that constitutes the front surface 110 of the housing 101 that is closer to the electric motor 4.

The housing 101 has a coolant input port 111, a coolant output port 112, a refrigerant input port 113, a refrigerant output port 114, and an electrical connector 115 as interfaces for the battery pack 100. The coolant input port 111, the coolant output port 112, the refrigerant input port 113, the refrigerant output port 114, and the electrical connector 115 may be arranged on a predetermined side (first side 106) of the housing 101 when the housing 101 is viewed in a plan view (i.e., when viewed from above). For example, the coolant input port 111, the coolant output port 112, the refrigerant input port 113, the refrigerant output port 114, and the electrical connector 115 may be arranged on the front surface 110 of the housing 101.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3C, the coolant input port 111, the coolant output port 112, the refrigerant input port 113, the refrigerant output port 114, and the electrical connector 115 may be disposed in the space on the front surface 110 between two fixing legs 118 that fix the vehicle body 2 and the battery pack 100.

The coolant input port 111 is an interface for inputting coolant from outside the battery pack 100 to the coolant layer 200. The coolant input port 111 may be read as a coolant input section. The coolant input section may be a part of a coolant input pipe 121 (see FIG. 5) that continues from the outside of the battery pack 100 to the coolant layer 200. The coolant input pipe 121 may be read as a first pipe. Note that the expression "outside" of the battery pack 100 means the outside of the battery pack 100 inside the vehicle 1, and does not mean the outside of the vehicle 1.

The coolant output port 112 is an interface for outputting the coolant from the coolant layer 200 to the outside of the battery pack 100. The coolant output port 112 may be read as a coolant output section. The coolant output section may be a part of a coolant output pipe 122 (see FIG. 5) that continues from the coolant layer 200 to the outside of the battery pack 100. The coolant output pipe 122 may be read as a second pipe.

The refrigerant input port 113 is an interface for inputting refrigerant from outside the battery pack 100 to the refrigerant layer 300. The refrigerant input port 113 may be read as a refrigerant input section. The refrigerant input section may be a part of the refrigerant input pipe 123 (see FIG. 5) that continues from outside the battery pack 100 to the refrigerant layer 300. The refrigerant input pipe 123 may be read as a third pipe.

The refrigerant output port 114 is an interface for outputting the refrigerant from the refrigerant layer 300 to the outside of the battery pack 100. The refrigerant output port 114 may be read as a refrigerant output section. The refrigerant output section may be a part of the refrigerant output tube 124 (see FIG. 5) that continues from the refrigerant layer 300 to the outside of the battery pack 100. The refrigerant output tube 124 may be read as a fourth tube.

The electrical connector 115 is a connector having electrical contacts, and is an interface for inputting and outputting power between the battery module group 103GP and the outside of the battery pack 100. The electrical connector 115 may be interpreted as a power input/output unit. The electrical connector 115 and the battery module group 103GP may be connected by a bus bar 116 (see FIG. 5). The electrical connector 115 may include a high-voltage connector and a low-voltage connector for inputting and outputting power to and from the battery module group 103GP, as well as a signal connector for inputting and outputting control signals to and from the battery module group 103GP.

The battery module group 103GP is arranged along the first surface 104 of the heat exchange plate 102. The battery module group 103GP is cooled by the coolant circulating through the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant layer 300 in the heat exchange plate 102. The configurations of the coolant circuit 130 through which the coolant circulates and the refrigerant circuit 140 through which the refrigerant circulates will be described later.

<Configuration of Coolant Circuit and Refrigerant Circuit>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the coolant circuit 130 and the refrigerant circuit 140 according to the first embodiment.

The vehicle 1 includes a battery pack 100, a coolant circuit 130, and a refrigerant circuit 140. The battery pack 100 includes a heat exchange plate 102, a battery module group 103GP, and a BMU (Battery Management Unit) 150.

First, the coolant circuit 130 will be described. The coolant circuit 130 constitutes a coolant circulation cycle including the coolant layer 200 in the heat exchange plate 102. The coolant circuit 130 is composed of a liquid pump 131, the coolant layer 200, a coolant output pipe 122 and a coolant input pipe 121 connected to the coolant layer 200, and a liquid tank 132. The coolant circuit 130 cools the battery module group 103GP through the following circulation cycle of S11 to S13.

(S 11 ) The liquid pump 131 draws up the cooling liquid from the liquid tank 132 and outputs it to the cooling liquid input pipe 121 .
(S12) The coolant input from the coolant input pipe 121 flows through the coolant layer 200 and is output from the coolant output pipe 122. The coolant flowing through the coolant layer 200 absorbs heat generated by the battery module group 103GP, and is cooled by the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant layer 300 in contact with the lower surface of the coolant layer 200.
(S13) The coolant output from the coolant output pipe 122 is input to the liquid tank 132 and is pumped up by the liquid pump 131 as described in S11.

Next, the refrigerant circuit 140 will be described. The refrigerant circuit 140 includes a first refrigerant circuit 140 that cools the battery module group 103GP and a second refrigerant circuit 140 that cools the air inside the vehicle.

First, the first refrigerant circuit 140 will be described. The first refrigerant circuit 140 constitutes a refrigeration cycle including a refrigerant layer 300 in the heat exchange plate 102. The first refrigerant circuit 140 is composed of a compressor 141, a condenser 142, a solenoid valve 143, a first expansion valve 144, a refrigerant layer 300, and a refrigerant output pipe 124 and a refrigerant input pipe 123 connected to the refrigerant layer 300. The first refrigerant circuit 140 cools the battery module group 103GP through the following refrigeration cycle of S21 to S25.

(S21) The low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant layer 300 absorbs heat through heat exchange with the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid layer 200 in contact with the upper surface of the refrigerant layer 300, and is output from the refrigerant output pipe 124.
(S22) The refrigerant output from the refrigerant output pipe 124 is input to the compressor 141. The compressor 141 compresses the input refrigerant and outputs high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant.
(S23) The high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant output from the compressor 141 is input to the condenser 142. The condenser 142 cools and condenses the input high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant, and outputs high-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant.
(S24) When the solenoid valve 143 is open, the high-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant output from the condenser 142 is input to the first expansion valve 144. The first expansion valve 144 reduces the pressure of the input high-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant and controls the flow rate, and outputs the low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant.
(S25) The low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant output from the first expansion valve 144 is input to the refrigerant input pipe 123 and flows within the refrigerant layer 300 as described in S11.

Next, the second refrigerant circuit 140 will be described. The second refrigerant circuit 140 constitutes a refrigeration cycle including an in-vehicle evaporator 146 (e.g., an in-vehicle air conditioner). The second refrigerant circuit 140 includes a compressor 141, a condenser 142, a second expansion valve 145, and an evaporator 146. The compressor 141 and the condenser 142 may be shared with the first refrigerant circuit 140. Alternatively, the second refrigerant circuit may include a compressor and a condenser separate from the first refrigerant circuit. In other words, the first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit may each form an individual refrigeration cycle. The second refrigerant circuit 140 cools the air in the vehicle through the refrigeration cycle of the following S31 to S35.

(S31) The low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 146 absorbs heat from the air inside the vehicle and is output from the evaporator 146.
(S32) The refrigerant output from the evaporator 146 is input to the compressor 141. The compressor 141 compresses the input refrigerant and outputs high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant.
(S33) The high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant output from the compressor 141 is input to the condenser 142. The condenser 142 cools and condenses the input high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant, and outputs high-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant.
(S34) The high-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant output from the condenser 142 is input to the second expansion valve 145. The second expansion valve 145 reduces the pressure of the input high-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant and controls the flow rate, and outputs the low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant.
(S35) The low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant output from the second expansion valve 145 is input to the evaporator 146 and flows through the evaporator 146.

The BMU 150 is a device that monitors and controls the battery module group 103GP, and performs the following operations, for example.
The BMU 150 monitors the temperature of the battery module group 103GP.
The BMU 150 receives a feedback signal from the compressor 141 indicating the status of the compressor 141 .
The BMU 150 receives a feedback signal from the liquid pump 131 indicating the status of the liquid pump 131 .
The BMU 150 sends operation commands to the compressor 141 depending on the situation.
The BMU 150 sends an open/close command to the solenoid valve 143 depending on the situation.
The BMU 150 sends a drive command to the liquid pump 131 depending on the situation.

For example, when the BMU 150 detects that the temperature of the battery module group 103GP is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold and determines that the temperature of the battery module group 103GP should be lowered, the BMU 150 performs the following operation. That is, the BMU 150 sends an open command to the solenoid valve 143, sends an operation start command to the compressor 141, and sends a drive start command to the liquid pump 131. This causes the refrigeration cycle of the first refrigerant circuit 140 and the circulation cycle of the coolant circuit 130 to operate, and the temperature of the battery module group 103GP decreases.

First Interface Arrangement
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a first interface arrangement according to the first embodiment.

Typically, the drive inverter that receives power from the battery module group 103GP, the compressor 141 to which the refrigerant output pipe 124 is connected, the condenser 142 to which the refrigerant input pipe 123 is connected, the liquid tank 132 to which the coolant output pipe 122 is connected, and the liquid pump 131 to which the coolant input pipe 121 is connected are housed in a motor room (engine room) at the front of the vehicle body 2.

Therefore, it is preferable that the interfaces connected to these, such as the electrical connector 115, the refrigerant input port 113, the refrigerant output port 114, the cooling liquid input port 111, and the cooling liquid output port 112, are concentrated on the front surface 110 (i.e., the surface closer to the motor room) of the housing 101 of the battery pack 100. In addition, due to the increase in size of the battery pack 100 associated with the increase in capacity, the width of the battery pack 100 becomes closer to the width of the vehicle body 2, making it difficult to arrange these interfaces on the side of the housing 101 of the battery pack 100. This is also one of the reasons why it is preferable that these interfaces are concentrated on the front surface 110 of the housing 101 of the battery pack 100. However, when the drive inverter, the compressor 141, the capacitor 142, the liquid tank 132, the liquid pump 131, etc. are housed in the motor room (engine room) at the rear of the vehicle body 2, the above interfaces may be concentrated on the rear surface of the housing 101 instead of the front surface 110 of the housing 101 of the battery pack 100.

Since the area of the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100 is relatively small, these interfaces are arranged close to each other (for example, within a predetermined area range). If the coolant input port 111 or the coolant output port 112 is arranged adjacent to the electrical connector 115, there is a risk, for example, that the following risk is present. That is, if the coolant leaks from the coolant input pipe 121 or the coolant output pipe 122 due to a collision of the vehicle 1 or deterioration of parts, there is a risk that the leaked coolant will get on the adjacent electrical connector 115 (or the electrical cable connected to the electrical connector 115), causing an electrical leakage.

Therefore, in the first interface arrangement, as shown in FIG. 5, the refrigerant input port 113 is arranged between the coolant input port 111 and the electrical connector 115, and the refrigerant output port 114 is arranged between the coolant output port 112 and the electrical connector 115.

According to the first interface arrangement, since the refrigerant input port 113 is present between the coolant input port 111 and the electrical connector 115, the risk of the coolant leaking from the coolant input tube 121 contacting the electrical connector 115 (or the electrical cable connected to the electrical connector 115) and causing a leakage current can be reduced. Similarly, according to the first interface arrangement, since the refrigerant output port 114 is present between the coolant output port 112 and the electrical connector 115, the risk of the coolant leaking from the coolant output tube 122 contacting the electrical connector 115 (or the electrical cable connected to the electrical connector 115) and causing a leakage current can be reduced.

5 shows an example in which the coolant output port 112, the refrigerant output port 114, the electrical connector 115, the refrigerant input port 113, and the coolant input port 111 are arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100 from the left in the drawing, but the first interface arrangement is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 5. For example, the first interface arrangement may be an arrangement in which the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 shown in FIG. 5 are swapped. The first interface arrangement may also be an arrangement in which the coolant input port 111 and the coolant output port 112 shown in FIG. 5 are swapped. That is, the first interface arrangement may be an arrangement such as the following, in addition to the arrangement shown in FIG. 5.

On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, a coolant output port 112, a refrigerant input port 113, an electrical connector 115, a refrigerant output port 114, and a coolant input port 111 are arranged in this order from the left in the drawing.
On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, a coolant input port 111, a refrigerant output port 114, an electrical connector 115, a refrigerant input port 113, and a coolant output port 112 are arranged in this order from the left in the drawing.
On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, a coolant output port 112, a refrigerant output port 114, an electrical connector 115, a refrigerant input port 113, and a coolant input port 111 are arranged in this order from the left in the drawing.

<Second Interface Arrangement>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a second interface arrangement according to the first embodiment.

In the second interface arrangement, as shown in FIG. 6, the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 are disposed between the coolant input port 111 and the coolant output port 112 and the electrical connector 115.

According to the second interface arrangement, the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 are located between the coolant input port 111 and the electrical connector 115, respectively, and the coolant output port 112, thereby reducing the risk that the coolant leaking from the coolant input pipe 121 or the coolant output pipe 122 will get onto the electrical connector 115 (or the electrical cable connected to the electrical connector 115), causing a leakage current.

Note that FIG. 6 shows an example in which the coolant input port 111, the coolant output port 112, the refrigerant output port 114, the refrigerant input port 113, and the electrical connector 115 are arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100 from the left in the drawing, but the second interface arrangement is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 5.

For example, the second interface arrangement may be an arrangement in which the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 shown in FIG. 6 are swapped. The second interface arrangement may also be an arrangement in which the coolant input port 111 and the coolant output port 112 shown in FIG. 6 are swapped. That is, in addition to the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, the second interface arrangement may be an arrangement such as the following.

On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, a coolant input port 111, a coolant output port 112, a refrigerant input port 113, a refrigerant output port 114, and an electrical connector 115 are arranged in this order from the left in the drawing.
On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, a coolant output port 112, a coolant input port 111, a refrigerant output port 114, a refrigerant input port 113, and an electrical connector 115 are arranged in this order from the left in the drawing.
On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, a coolant output port 112, a coolant input port 111, a refrigerant input port 113, a refrigerant output port 114, and an electrical connector 115 are arranged in this order from the left in the drawing.

<Examples of configurations of cooling liquid layer and refrigerant layer>
Next, some configuration examples of the cooling liquid layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the case where the above-mentioned first interface arrangement or second interface arrangement is provided will be described.

<<First Configuration Example>>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the case of the first interface arrangement according to the first embodiment.

In the first interface arrangement, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the electrical connector 115 is arranged on an imaginary center line C that extends in the front-rear direction and divides the heat exchange plate 102 into left and right halves. In addition, the refrigerant input port 113 is arranged to the right of the electrical connector 115, and the refrigerant output port 114 is arranged to the left of the electrical connector 115. In addition, the coolant input port 111 is arranged to the right of the refrigerant input port 113, and the coolant output port 112 is arranged to the left of the refrigerant output port 114.

The coolant layer 200 includes a coolant path 201 through which the coolant flows. The coolant path 201 has a coolant path inlet 202 through which the coolant is input, and a coolant path outlet 203 through which the coolant is output. A coolant input pipe 121, which includes a coolant input port 111 as a part of it, is connected to the coolant path inlet 202. A coolant output pipe 122, which includes a coolant output port 112 as a part of it, is connected to the coolant path outlet 203.

The refrigerant layer 300 includes a refrigerant path 301 through which the refrigerant flows. The refrigerant path 301 has a refrigerant path inlet 302 through which the refrigerant is input, and a refrigerant path outlet 303 through which the refrigerant is output. A refrigerant input pipe 123, which includes a refrigerant input port 113 as a part of it, is connected to the refrigerant path inlet 302. A refrigerant output pipe 124, which includes a refrigerant output port 114 as a part of it, is connected to the refrigerant path outlet 303.

The cooling liquid input pipe 121 and the cooling liquid output pipe 122 can be made of thin, highly flexible resin pipes or hoses. On the other hand, the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 are made of metal pipes or high-pressure hoses so that they can withstand the high-pressure gas-liquid two-phase gas flowing through them. In other words, the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 have less freedom in piping arrangement than the cooling liquid input pipe 121 and the cooling liquid output pipe 122.

Therefore, the coolant path inlet 302 and the coolant path outlet 303 may be concentrated and arranged near the coolant input port 113 and the coolant output port 114 (for example, within a processing distance). For example, the coolant path inlet 302 and the coolant path outlet 303 may be arranged within a width of less than 10% of the total width (width in the left-right direction) of the heat exchange plate 102, centered on the center line C. Alternatively, the coolant path inlet 302 and the coolant path outlet 303 may be arranged within a width of less than 10% of the total width (width in the left-right direction) of the battery pack 100, centered on the center line C. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the coolant path inlet 302 and the coolant path outlet 303 may be provided in the front.

This shortens the distance between the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant path inlet 302, making it easier to route the refrigerant input pipe 123 connecting the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant path inlet 302. Similarly, it also makes it easier to route the refrigerant output pipe 124 connecting the refrigerant output port 114 and the refrigerant path outlet 303.

Next, the configuration of the refrigerant path 301 and the cooling liquid path 201 shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

First, the configuration of the refrigerant path 301 will be described. The refrigerant path 301 includes a central refrigerant path 304 extending rearward from a refrigerant path inlet 302 provided on the center line C, a left refrigerant path 305 located to the left of the central refrigerant path 304 and parallel to the central refrigerant path 304, and a right refrigerant path 306 located to the right of the central refrigerant path 304 and parallel to the central refrigerant path 304.

In addition, the refrigerant path 301 includes a plurality of left branch refrigerant paths 307 connecting the central refrigerant path 304 and the left refrigerant path 305, and a plurality of right branch refrigerant paths 308 connecting the central refrigerant path 304 and the right refrigerant path 306. In addition, the refrigerant path 301 includes a left front refrigerant path 309 connecting the refrigerant path outlet 303, which is provided forward of the refrigerant path inlet 302 on the center line C, and the left refrigerant path 305, and a right front refrigerant path 310 connecting the refrigerant path outlet 303 and the right refrigerant path 306. The multiple left branch refrigerant paths 307 may be parallel to each other. The multiple right branch refrigerant paths 308 may be parallel to each other.

As shown by the white arrows in FIG. 7, the refrigerant input from the refrigerant path inlet 302 passes through the central refrigerant path 304, the multiple left branch refrigerant paths 307, the left refrigerant path 305, and the left front refrigerant path 309, and is output from the refrigerant path outlet 303. Similarly, the refrigerant input from the refrigerant path inlet 302 passes through the central refrigerant path 304, the multiple right branch refrigerant paths 308, the right refrigerant path 306, and the right front refrigerant path 310, and is output from the refrigerant path outlet 303.

Next, the configuration of the cooling liquid path 201 will be described. The cooling liquid path 201 includes a left cooling liquid path 204 that has a predetermined width and extends in the front-rear direction so as to intersect (e.g., perpendicularly) with the multiple left branch refrigerant paths 307, a right cooling liquid path 205 that has a predetermined width and extends in the front-rear direction so as to intersect (e.g., perpendicularly) with the multiple right branch refrigerant paths 308, and at least one rear cooling liquid path 206 that connects the left cooling liquid path 204 and the right cooling liquid path 205 at the rear. At least one rear cooling liquid path 206 may overlap at least one left branch refrigerant path 307 and at least one right branch refrigerant path 308. The cooling liquid path 201 may be configured to intersect with 60% or more of the area of the left branch refrigerant path 307 and the right branch refrigerant path 308.

A coolant path inlet 202 is provided in front of the right coolant path 205. A coolant path outlet 203 is provided in front of the left coolant path 204.

The coolant input from the coolant path inlet 202 passes through the right coolant path 205, the rear coolant path 206, and the left coolant path 204, as shown by the hatched arrows in Figure 7, and is output from the coolant path outlet 203. At this time, the coolant is cooled by the coolant flowing through the coolant path 301 as follows.

The cooling liquid flowing through the right cooling liquid path 205 is cooled by the cooling liquid flowing through the multiple right branch cooling liquid paths 308 that intersect with the right cooling liquid path 205. The cooling liquid flowing through the left cooling liquid path 204 is cooled by the cooling liquid flowing through the multiple left branch cooling liquid paths 307 that intersect with the left cooling liquid path 204. The cooling liquid flowing through the rear cooling liquid path 206 is cooled by the cooling liquid flowing through the left branch cooling liquid path 307 and the right branch cooling liquid path 308 that overlap with the rear cooling liquid path 206.

As shown in FIG. 7, the left coolant path 305 does not have to overlap with the left coolant path 204, and the right coolant path 306 does not have to overlap with the right coolant path 205. Alternatively, the left coolant path 305 may overlap with the left coolant path 204, and the right coolant path 306 may overlap with the right coolant path 205. Also, the central coolant path 304 does not have to overlap with the left coolant path 204 and the right coolant path 205.

It is difficult to keep the refrigerant flow even under all operating conditions. That is, there may be a difference in the amount of refrigerant flowing through each of the multiple right branch refrigerant paths 308. Therefore, a temperature difference occurs between the multiple right branch refrigerant paths 308. In contrast, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the cooling liquid flowing through the right cooling liquid path 205 is cooled by the cooling liquid flowing through the multiple right branch refrigerant paths 308 that intersect with the right cooling liquid path 205. This is also true for the left branch refrigerant path 307 and the left cooling liquid path 204. Therefore, the temperature of the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 is uniformed. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature in the cooling liquid layer 200 has been uniformed.

<<Second Configuration Example>>
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the case of the first interface arrangement according to the first embodiment.

The second configuration example shown in FIG. 8 has a configuration having a refrigerant path 301 and a cooling liquid path 201 similar to the first configuration example shown in FIG. 7, but with the refrigerant path inlet 302 and the refrigerant path outlet 303 swapped.

In this case, the refrigerant input from the refrigerant path inlet 302 passes through the left front refrigerant path 309, the left refrigerant path 305, the multiple left branch refrigerant paths 307, and the central refrigerant path 304, as shown by the white arrows in Figure 8, and is output from the refrigerant path outlet 303. Similarly, the refrigerant input from the refrigerant path inlet 302 passes through the right front refrigerant path 310, the right refrigerant path 306, the multiple right branch refrigerant paths 308, and the central refrigerant path 304, and is output from the refrigerant path outlet 303.

The coolant path 201 shown in FIG. 8 may have a configuration similar to that of the coolant path 201 shown in FIG. 7.

Even in the second configuration example shown in FIG. 8, the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 is uniformly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature in the cooling liquid layer 200 has been made uniform.

<<Third Configuration Example>>
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a third configuration example of the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the case of the first interface arrangement according to the first embodiment.

The coolant path in the third configuration example shown in FIG. 9 has a coolant path inlet 302 to the right of the center line C and a coolant path outlet 303 to the left of the center line C.

In addition, the refrigerant path 301 includes a right front refrigerant path 310 extending to the right from the refrigerant path inlet 302, a left front refrigerant path 309 extending to the left from the refrigerant path outlet 303, a right refrigerant path 306 connecting to the right front refrigerant path 310 and extending rearward, a left refrigerant path 305 connecting to the left front refrigerant path 309 and extending rearward, and a plurality of branch refrigerant paths 311 connecting the right refrigerant path 306 and the left refrigerant path 305. The plurality of branch refrigerant paths 311 may be parallel to each other.

The refrigerant input from the refrigerant path inlet 302 passes through the right front refrigerant path 310, the right refrigerant path 306, the multiple branch refrigerant paths 311, the left refrigerant path 305, and the left front refrigerant path 309, as shown by the white arrows in Figure 9, and is output from the refrigerant path outlet 303.

The cooling liquid path 201 shown in FIG. 9 may have a configuration similar to that of the cooling liquid path 201 shown in FIG. 7. That is, the right cooling liquid path 205 and the left cooling liquid path 204 may intersect (e.g., perpendicular to) multiple branch cooling liquid paths 311, and at least one rear cooling liquid path 206 may overlap at least one branch cooling liquid path 311.

Even in the third configuration example shown in FIG. 9, the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 is uniformly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature in the cooling liquid layer 200 has been equalized.

<<Fourth Configuration Example>>
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth configuration example of the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the case of the second interface arrangement according to the first embodiment.

The coolant path 301 in the fourth configuration example shown in FIG. 10 may have a configuration similar to that of the coolant path 301 shown in FIG. 7.

The cooling liquid path 201 shown in FIG. 10 includes a left cooling liquid path 204 extending in the front-rear direction so as to intersect with a plurality of left branch refrigerant paths 307, a right cooling liquid path 205 extending in the front-rear direction so as to intersect with a plurality of right branch refrigerant paths 308, at least one rear cooling liquid path 206 connecting the left cooling liquid path 204 and the right cooling liquid path 205 at the rear, and at least one front cooling liquid path 207 extending leftward from the right cooling liquid path 205 at the front. At least one rear cooling liquid path 206 may overlap with at least one left branch refrigerant path 307 and right branch refrigerant path 308. At least one front cooling liquid path 207 may overlap with at least one left branch refrigerant path 307 and right branch refrigerant path 308.

A coolant path inlet 202 may be provided in front of the left coolant path 204, and a coolant path outlet 203 may be provided in front of the left of the front coolant path 207.

The coolant input from the coolant path inlet 202 passes through the left coolant path 204, the rear coolant path 206, the right coolant path 205, and the front coolant path 207, as shown by the hatched arrows in Figure 10, and is output from the coolant path outlet 203.

Even in the fourth configuration example shown in FIG. 10, the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 is uniformly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature in the cooling liquid layer 200 has been made uniform.

In addition, in FIG. 10, the refrigerant output port 114 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 may be provided to the right of the electrical connector 115.

<<Fifth Configuration Example>>
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fifth configuration example of the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the case of the second interface arrangement according to the first embodiment.

The fifth configuration example shown in FIG. 11 has a configuration having a refrigerant path 301 and a cooling liquid path 201 similar to the fourth configuration example shown in FIG. 10, but with the refrigerant path inlet 302 and the refrigerant path outlet 303 swapped.

In this case, the refrigerant input from the refrigerant path inlet 302 passes through the left front refrigerant path 309, the left refrigerant path 305, the multiple left branch refrigerant paths 307, and the central refrigerant path 304, as shown by the white arrows in Figure 11, and is output from the refrigerant path outlet 303. Similarly, the refrigerant input from the refrigerant path inlet 302 passes through the right front refrigerant path 310, the right refrigerant path 306, the multiple right branch refrigerant paths 308, and the central refrigerant path 304, and is output from the refrigerant path outlet 303.

The coolant path 201 shown in FIG. 11 may have a configuration similar to that of the coolant path 201 shown in FIG. 10.

Even in the fifth configuration example, the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 is uniformly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature in the cooling liquid layer 200 has been equalized.

In addition, in FIG. 11, the refrigerant output port 114 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 may be provided to the right of the electrical connector 115.

<<Sixth Configuration Example>>
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a sixth configuration example of the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the case of the second interface arrangement according to the first embodiment.

The refrigerant path showing the sixth configuration example shown in FIG. 12 has a configuration in which the refrigerant path inlet 302 and the refrigerant path outlet 303 of the refrigerant path 301 shown in FIG. 9 are swapped. The refrigerant input from the refrigerant path inlet 302 passes through the left front refrigerant path 309, the left refrigerant path 305, the multiple branch refrigerant paths 311, the right refrigerant path 306, and the right front refrigerant path 310, as shown by the white arrows in FIG. 12, and is output from the refrigerant path outlet 303.

The coolant path 201 in the sixth configuration example shown in FIG. 12 may have a configuration similar to that of the coolant path 201 shown in FIG. 10.

Even in the sixth configuration example, the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 is uniformly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature in the cooling liquid layer 200 has been equalized.

In addition, in FIG. 12, the refrigerant output port 114 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 may be provided to the right of the electrical connector 115.

<When using a component with an integrated refrigerant input pipe and refrigerant output pipe>
From the viewpoint of reducing the space occupied by the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 in the battery pack 100, a member in which the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 are integrated (hereinafter referred to as a "refrigerant pipe integration member") may be used. In this case, it is preferable that the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 are arranged adjacent to each other so that the refrigerant pipe integration member can be connected. For example, when a refrigerant pipe integration member is used, the battery pack 100 may adopt a second interface arrangement in which the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 are adjacent to each other.

<When the battery pack has two heat exchange plates>
Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a first interface arrangement when the battery pack 100 according to the first embodiment has two heat exchange plates 102. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a second interface arrangement when the battery pack 100 according to the first embodiment has two heat exchange plates 102.

In Figures 13 and 14, the two heat exchange plates 102 each have a refrigerant channel inlet 302, a refrigerant channel outlet 303, a cooling liquid channel inlet 202, and a cooling liquid channel outlet 203.

As described above, it is easy to make the cooling liquid input pipe 121 and the cooling liquid output pipe 122 flexible. Therefore, one cooling liquid input port 111 may be arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, and the cooling liquid input pipe 121 connected to the cooling liquid input port 111 may be branched into two on the way and connected to the cooling liquid path inlets 202 of the two cooling liquid layers 200. Similarly, one cooling liquid output port 112 may be arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, and the cooling liquid output pipe 122 connected to the cooling liquid output port 112 may be branched into two on the way and connected to the cooling liquid path outlets 203 of the two cooling liquid layers 200. This makes it possible to reduce the number of ports and reduce the space occupied by the cooling liquid input pipe 121 and the cooling liquid output pipe 122 in the battery pack 100.

On the other hand, as described above, it is difficult to provide sufficient flexibility to the refrigerant input tube 123 and the refrigerant output tube 124. Therefore, the first refrigerant input port 113 and the first refrigerant output port 114 connected to the left refrigerant layer 300, and the second refrigerant input port 113 and the second refrigerant output port 114 connected to the right refrigerant layer 300 may be arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100. The first refrigerant input port 113 and the first refrigerant output port 114 may be arranged adjacent to each other. Similarly, the second refrigerant input port 113 and the second refrigerant output port 114 may be arranged adjacent to each other. The above-mentioned refrigerant tube integration member can be connected to the first refrigerant input port 113 and the first refrigerant output port 114 arranged adjacent to each other. Similarly, the above-mentioned refrigerant tube integration member can be connected to the second refrigerant input port 113 and the second refrigerant output port 114 arranged adjacent to each other.

Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cooling liquid layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 when there are two heat exchange plates 102 according to embodiment 1. Figure 15 shows an example when the first interface arrangement is adopted.

First, the right heat exchange plate 102 will be described. The refrigerant passage 301 has a refrigerant passage inlet 302 and a refrigerant passage outlet 303 on a left end line D that extends in the front-rear direction along the left end of the right heat exchange plate 102. The refrigerant passage outlet 303 is located forward of the refrigerant passage inlet 302.

In addition, the refrigerant path 301 includes a left refrigerant path 305 extending rearward from the refrigerant path inlet 302, a right refrigerant path 306 located to the right of the left refrigerant path 305 and parallel to the left refrigerant path 305, a plurality of branch refrigerant paths 311 connecting the left refrigerant path 305 and the right refrigerant path 306, and a front refrigerant path 312 connecting the refrigerant path outlet 303 and the right refrigerant path 306. The plurality of branch refrigerant paths 311 may be parallel to each other.

The refrigerant input from the refrigerant path inlet 302 passes through the left refrigerant path 305, multiple branch refrigerant paths 311, the right refrigerant path 306, and the front refrigerant path 312, as shown by the white arrows in Figure 15, and is output from the refrigerant path outlet 303.

The cooling liquid path 201 may have a configuration similar to the first configuration example shown in FIG. 7. That is, the right cooling liquid path 205 and the left cooling liquid path 204 may intersect with multiple branched cooling liquid paths 311. In addition, at least one rear cooling liquid path 206 may overlap at least one branched cooling liquid path 311.

The configuration of the refrigerant path 301 and the cooling liquid path 201 in the left heat exchange plate 102 may be a configuration in which the refrigerant path 301 and the cooling liquid path 201 in the right heat exchange plate 102 described above are reversed from left to right.

In FIG. 15, a coolant input pipe 121 may be used that branches from one coolant input port 111 to the coolant path inlets 202 of the left and right coolant paths 201. Also, in FIG. 15, a coolant output pipe 122 may be used that branches from one coolant output port 112 to the coolant path outlets 203 of the left and right coolant paths 201. This allows the space occupied by the coolant input pipe 121 and the coolant output pipe 122 in the battery pack 100 to be reduced.

Even with this configuration, the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 in each of the right-side heat exchange plate 102 and the left-side heat exchange plate 102 is uniformly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature has been equalized in the cooling liquid layer 200.

<When using double refrigerant pipes>
In order to reduce the space occupied by the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124, a double pipe (hereinafter referred to as a "refrigerant double pipe") 125 in which the refrigerant input pipe 123 is inserted into the refrigerant output pipe 124 may be used.

Figure 16 shows an example of a second interface arrangement using a refrigerant double pipe 125 according to embodiment 1.

In a second interface arrangement using a double refrigerant pipe 125, a refrigerant input/output port 117 in which the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 are integrated may be arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100. In this case, the refrigerant input/output port 117 may be part of the double refrigerant pipe 125.

This reduces the number of ports and the space occupied by the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 within the battery pack 100.

When the battery pack 100 has two heat exchange plates 102 as shown in FIG. 15, a refrigerant input/output port 117 corresponding to each of the two heat exchange plates 102 (i.e., two refrigerant input/output ports 117) may be arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100.

Figure 17 shows an example of the configuration of the heat exchange plate 102 when using the refrigerant double pipe 125 according to embodiment 1.

The refrigerant path has a configuration in which the refrigerant path inlet 302 and the refrigerant path outlet 303 in the sixth configuration example shown in FIG. 12 correspond to the refrigerant double pipe 125. The cooling liquid path 201 has a configuration similar to that of the sixth configuration example shown in FIG. 12.

Even with this configuration, the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 is uniformly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature has been equalized in the cooling liquid layer 200.

Figure 18 shows an example of a connection part when the refrigerant double pipe 125 according to embodiment 1 is directly connected to the refrigerant path 301.

As shown in FIG. 18, the double refrigerant pipe 125 may be directly inserted into the refrigerant passage 301 and brazed to connect the double refrigerant pipe 125 to the refrigerant passage inlet 302 and the refrigerant passage outlet 303. This reduces the space occupied by the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 in the battery pack 100.

Figure 19 is a diagram showing a connection portion when the refrigerant double pipe 125 according to the first embodiment is flange-connected to the refrigerant passage 301. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the refrigerant double pipe 125 when flange-connected according to the first embodiment.

As shown in Figures 19 and 20, a connection flange may be provided at the end of the double refrigerant pipe 125, and the double refrigerant pipe 125 may be connected to the refrigerant passage inlet 302 or the refrigerant passage outlet 303 of the refrigerant passage 301 in the same manner as with general piping. This allows the space occupied by the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 in the battery pack 100 to be reduced.

<When providing insulation to the refrigerant input pipe and refrigerant output pipe>
The refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 are generally made of metal members. Therefore, in the first interface arrangement (see FIG. 5), the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 may be covered with a heat insulating material. Alternatively, in the second interface arrangement (see FIG. 6), one of the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 that is closer to the electrical connector 115, or both of the pipes may be covered with a heat insulating material.

This makes it possible to prevent metal members from being exposed near (for example, next to) the electrical connector 115. In other words, it is possible to avoid the risk of metal members coming into contact with the electrical connector 115 due to a collision of the vehicle 1, etc. In addition, it is possible to prevent condensation from forming on the surfaces of the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124. In other words, it is possible to reduce the risk that water caused by condensation will come into contact with the electrical connector 115 and cause an electrical leak if the vehicle 1 is involved in a collision, etc.

(Embodiment 2)
A description will be given of a vehicle 1 and a battery pack 100 according to embodiment 2. Note that in embodiment 2, components common to embodiment 1 will be given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted in some cases.

The vehicle 1 according to the second embodiment may have a configuration similar to that of the vehicle 1 described in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. The coolant circuit 130 and the refrigerant circuit 140 according to the second embodiment may also have a configuration similar to that of the coolant circuit 130 and the refrigerant circuit 140 described in FIG. 4.

<Third Interface Arrangement>
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a third interface arrangement according to the second embodiment.

Since the area of the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100 is relatively small, the interfaces are arranged close to each other (for example, within a predetermined area). In general, the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 are made of a conductive metal (for example, aluminum). Therefore, within the battery pack 100, insulating space is required between the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 and the bus bar 116 connecting the electrical connector 115 and the battery module group 103GP.

On the other hand, the cooling liquid input pipe 121 and the cooling liquid output pipe 122 are often made of insulating resin such as PA12 or PA612. That is, the insulation of at least one of the cooling liquid input pipe 121 (first pipe) and the cooling liquid output pipe 122 (second pipe) is higher than the insulation of at least one of the refrigerant input pipe 123 (third pipe) and the refrigerant output pipe 124 (fourth pipe). Therefore, even if the cooling liquid input pipe 121 and the cooling liquid output pipe 122 are arranged close to (for example, next to) the bus bar 116, there is a low risk of a short circuit occurring.

Therefore, in the third interface arrangement according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the coolant input port 111 is arranged between the refrigerant input port 113 and the electrical connector 115, and the coolant output port 112 is arranged between the refrigerant output port 114 and the electrical connector 115. This allows the metal refrigerant input pipe 123 and refrigerant output pipe 124 to be arranged without being in close proximity to the bus bar 116 (e.g., without being next to each other).

Note that FIG. 21 shows an example in which the refrigerant output port 114, the coolant output port 112, the electrical connector 115, the coolant input port 111, and the refrigerant input port 113 are arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100 from the left in the drawing, but the third interface arrangement is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 21.

For example, the third interface arrangement may be an arrangement in which the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 shown in FIG. 21 are interchanged. The third interface arrangement may also be an arrangement in which the coolant input port 111 and the coolant output port 112 shown in FIG. 21 are interchanged. That is, in addition to the arrangement shown in FIG. 21, the third interface arrangement may be an arrangement such as the following.

On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, from the left in the drawing, a refrigerant input port 113, a coolant output port 112, an electrical connector 115, a coolant input port 111, and a refrigerant output port 114 are arranged.
On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, from the left in the drawing, a refrigerant output port 114, a coolant input port 111, an electrical connector 115, a coolant output port 112, and a refrigerant input port 113 are arranged.
On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, from the left in the drawing, a refrigerant input port 113, a cooling liquid input port 111, an electrical connector 115, a cooling liquid output port 112, and a refrigerant output port 114 are arranged.

<Fourth Interface Arrangement>
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth interface arrangement according to the second embodiment.

In the fourth interface arrangement, as shown in FIG. 22, the coolant input port 111 and the coolant output port 112 are arranged between the refrigerant input port 113 and the electrical connector 115, and between the refrigerant output port 114 and the electrical connector 115. This allows the metal refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 to be arranged without being in close proximity to the bus bar 116 (e.g., not adjacent to each other).

Note that FIG. 22 shows an example in which the refrigerant output port 114, the refrigerant input port 113, the cooling liquid input port 111, the cooling liquid output port 112, and the electrical connector 115 are arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100 from the left in the drawing, but the fourth interface arrangement is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 22.

For example, the fourth interface arrangement may be an arrangement in which the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 shown in FIG. 22 are swapped. The fourth interface arrangement may also be an arrangement in which the coolant input port 111 and the coolant output port 112 shown in FIG. 22 are swapped. That is, in addition to the arrangement shown in FIG. 22, the fourth interface arrangement may be an arrangement such as the following.

On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, a refrigerant input port 113, a refrigerant output port 114, a cooling liquid input port 111, a cooling liquid output port 112, and an electrical connector 115 are arranged in this order from the left in the drawing.
On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, from the left in the drawing, a refrigerant output port 114, a refrigerant input port 113, a coolant output port 112, a coolant input port 111, and an electrical connector 115 are arranged.
On the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, a refrigerant input port 113, a refrigerant output port 114, a coolant output port 112, a coolant input port 111, and an electrical connector 115 are arranged in this order from the left in the drawing.

<Examples of configurations of cooling liquid layer and refrigerant layer>
Next, some configuration examples of the cooling liquid layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the case of the third interface arrangement or the fourth interface arrangement will be described.

<<First Configuration Example>>
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the case of the third interface arrangement according to the second embodiment.

The cooling liquid input pipe 121 and the cooling liquid output pipe 122 can be made of thin, highly flexible resin pipes or hoses. On the other hand, the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 are made of metal pipes or high-pressure hoses so that they can withstand the high-pressure gas-liquid two-phase gas flowing through them. In other words, the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 have less freedom in piping arrangement than the cooling liquid input pipe 121 and the cooling liquid output pipe 122.

Therefore, the refrigerant path inlet 302 is provided near the refrigerant input port 113, and the refrigerant path outlet 303 is provided near the refrigerant output port 114. In addition, the refrigerant path inlet 302 may be provided at a position farther from the electrical connector 115 than the refrigerant input port 113, and the refrigerant path outlet 303 may be provided at a position farther from the electrical connector 115 than the refrigerant output port 114.

This shortens the distance between the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant path inlet 302, making it easier to route the refrigerant input pipe 123 connecting the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant path inlet 302. Similarly, it also makes it easier to route the refrigerant output pipe 124 connecting the refrigerant output port 114 and the refrigerant path outlet 303. In addition, the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 can be located away from the bus bar 116.

The coolant path inlet 202 and the coolant path outlet 203 may be concentrated near the coolant input port 111 and the coolant output port 112. For example, the coolant path inlet 202 and the coolant path outlet 203 may be arranged within a width of less than 25% of the total width (width in the left-right direction) of the heat exchange plate 102, centered on the center line C. Alternatively, the coolant path inlet 302 and the coolant path outlet 303 may be arranged within a width of less than 10% of the total width (width in the left-right direction) of the battery pack 100, centered on the center line C.

Next, the configuration of the refrigerant path 301 and the cooling liquid path 201 shown in FIG. 23 will be described.

First, the refrigerant path 301 will be described. The refrigerant path 301 has a refrigerant path inlet 302 to the right of the refrigerant input port 113, and a refrigerant path outlet 303 to the left of the refrigerant output port 114.

In addition, the refrigerant path 301 includes a right front refrigerant path 310 extending to the right from the refrigerant path inlet 302, a left front refrigerant path 309 extending to the left from the refrigerant path outlet 303, a right refrigerant path 306 connecting to the right front refrigerant path 310 and extending rearward, a left refrigerant path 305 connecting to the left front refrigerant path 309 and extending rearward, and a plurality of branch refrigerant paths 311 connecting the right refrigerant path 306 and the left refrigerant path 305. The plurality of branch refrigerant paths 311 may be parallel to each other.

The refrigerant input from the refrigerant path inlet 302 passes through the right front refrigerant path 310, the right refrigerant path 306, the multiple branch refrigerant paths 311, the left refrigerant path 305, and the left front refrigerant path 309, and is output from the refrigerant path outlet 303.

Next, the cooling liquid path 201 will be described. The cooling liquid path 201 includes a left cooling liquid path 204 extending in the front-rear direction so as to intersect (e.g., perpendicular to) the multiple branched cooling liquid paths 311, a right cooling liquid path 205 extending in the front-rear direction so as to intersect the multiple branched cooling liquid paths 311, and at least one rear cooling liquid path 206 connecting the left cooling liquid path 204 and the right cooling liquid path 205 at the rear. At least one rear cooling liquid path 206 may overlap at least one branched cooling liquid path 311. The cooling liquid path 201 may be configured to intersect with 60% or more of the area of the branched cooling liquid path 311.

A coolant path inlet 202 is provided in front of the right coolant path 205, and a coolant path outlet 203 is provided in front of the left coolant path 204.

The coolant input from the coolant path inlet 202 passes through the right coolant path 205, the rear coolant path 206, and the left coolant path 204, as shown by the white arrows in Figure 23, and is output from the coolant path outlet 203. At this time, the coolant is cooled by the coolant flowing through the coolant path 301 as follows.

The cooling liquid flowing through the right cooling liquid path 205 is cooled by the cooling liquid flowing through the multiple branch cooling liquid paths 311 that intersect with the right cooling liquid path 205. The cooling liquid flowing through the left cooling liquid path 204 is cooled by the cooling liquid flowing through the multiple branch cooling liquid paths 311 that intersect with the left cooling liquid path 204. The cooling liquid flowing through the rear cooling liquid path 206 is cooled by the cooling liquid flowing through the branch cooling liquid path 311 that overlaps with the rear cooling liquid path 206.

23, the left coolant path 305 does not have to overlap with the left coolant path 204, and the right coolant path 306 does not have to overlap with the right coolant path 205. Alternatively, the left coolant path 305 may overlap with the left coolant path 204, and the right coolant path 306 may overlap with the right coolant path 205.

It is difficult to keep the refrigerant flow even under all operating conditions. That is, there is a difference in the amount of refrigerant flowing through each of the multiple branch refrigerant paths 311. Therefore, a temperature difference occurs between the multiple branch refrigerant paths 311. In contrast, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 23, the cooling liquid flowing through the right cooling liquid path 205 is cooled by the cooling liquid flowing through the multiple branch refrigerant paths 311 that intersect with the right cooling liquid path 205. The same is true for the left cooling liquid path 204. Therefore, the temperature of the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 is uniformed. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature in the cooling liquid layer 200 has been uniformed.

<<Second Configuration Example>>
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the case of the fourth interface arrangement according to the second embodiment.

The refrigerant path 301 shown in FIG. 24 has a refrigerant path inlet 302 to the left of the refrigerant input port 113 and a refrigerant path outlet 303 to the left of the refrigerant output port 114.

In addition, the refrigerant path 301 includes a right front refrigerant path 310 extending to the right from the refrigerant path inlet 302, a left front refrigerant path 309 extending to the left from the refrigerant path outlet 303, a right refrigerant path 306 connecting to the right front refrigerant path 310 and extending rearward, a left refrigerant path 305 connecting to the left front refrigerant path 309 and extending rearward, and a plurality of branch refrigerant paths 311 connecting the right refrigerant path 306 and the left refrigerant path 305. The plurality of branch refrigerant paths 311 may be parallel to each other.

The cooling liquid path 201 shown in FIG. 24 may have the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 23. A cooling liquid path inlet 202 may be provided on the right front side of the left cooling liquid path 204, and a cooling liquid path outlet 203 may be provided on the left front side of the right cooling liquid path 205.

The coolant input from the coolant path inlet 202 passes through the left coolant path 204, the rear coolant path 206, and the right coolant path 205, as shown by the hatched arrows in Figure 24, and is output from the coolant path outlet 203.

Even in the second configuration example, the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 is uniformly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature in the cooling liquid layer 200 has been equalized.

In addition, in FIG. 24, the coolant output port 112 and the coolant output pipe 122 may be located to the right of the electrical connector 115.

<When using a component with an integrated refrigerant input pipe and refrigerant output pipe>
From the viewpoint of reducing the space occupied by the refrigerant input tube 123 and the refrigerant output tube 124, a member (refrigerant tube integration member) in which the refrigerant input tube 123 and the refrigerant output tube 124 are integrated may be used. In this case, it is preferable that the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 are arranged adjacent to each other so that the refrigerant tube integration member can be connected. For example, when the refrigerant tube integration member is used, the battery pack 100 may adopt a fourth interface arrangement in which the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 are adjacent to each other.

<When the battery pack has two heat exchange plates>
Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a third interface arrangement when the battery pack 100 according to the second embodiment has two heat exchange plates 102. Fig. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth interface arrangement when the battery pack 100 according to the second embodiment has two heat exchange plates 102.

In Figures 25 and 26, the two heat exchange plates 102 each have a refrigerant channel inlet 302, a refrigerant channel outlet 303, a cooling liquid channel inlet 202, and a cooling liquid channel outlet 203.

As described above, it is easy to make the cooling liquid input pipe 121 and the cooling liquid output pipe 122 flexible. Therefore, one cooling liquid input port 111 may be provided on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, and the cooling liquid input pipe 121 connected to the cooling liquid input port 111 may be branched into two on the way and connected to the cooling liquid path inlets 202 of the two cooling liquid layers 200. Similarly, one cooling liquid output port 112 may be provided on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100, and the cooling liquid output pipe 122 connected to the cooling liquid output port 112 may be branched into two on the way and connected to the cooling liquid path outlets 203 of the two cooling liquid layers 200. This makes it possible to reduce the number of ports and reduce the space occupied by the cooling liquid input pipe 121 and the cooling liquid output pipe 122 in the battery pack 100.

On the other hand, as described above, it is difficult to provide sufficient flexibility to the refrigerant input tube 123 and the refrigerant output tube 124. Therefore, the first refrigerant input port 113 and the first refrigerant output port 114 connected to the left refrigerant layer 300, and the second refrigerant input port 113 and the second refrigerant output port 114 connected to the right refrigerant layer 300 may be arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100. The first refrigerant input port 113 and the first refrigerant output port 114 may be arranged adjacent to each other. Similarly, the second refrigerant input port 113 and the second refrigerant output port 114 may be arranged adjacent to each other. The above-mentioned refrigerant tube integration member can be connected to the first refrigerant input port 113 and the first refrigerant output port 114 arranged adjacent to each other. Similarly, the above-mentioned refrigerant tube integration member can be connected to the second refrigerant input port 113 and the second refrigerant output port 114 arranged adjacent to each other.

Figure 27 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cooling liquid layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 when there are two heat exchange plates 102 according to embodiment 2. Figure 27 shows an example when the third interface arrangement is adopted.

First, the right heat exchange plate 102 will be described. The refrigerant passage 301 has a refrigerant passage inlet 302 and a refrigerant passage outlet 303 near the center front of the right heat exchange plate 102. The refrigerant passage inlet 302 is located to the left of the refrigerant passage outlet 303.

In addition, the refrigerant path 301 has a left refrigerant path 305 extending forward and backward along the left end of the right heat exchange plate 102, a right refrigerant path 306 extending forward and backward along the right end of the right heat exchange plate 102, a plurality of branch refrigerant paths 311 connecting the left refrigerant path 305 and the right refrigerant path 306, a left front refrigerant path 309 connecting the refrigerant path inlet 302 and the left refrigerant path 305, and a right front refrigerant path 310 connecting the refrigerant path outlet 303 and the right refrigerant path 306. The plurality of branch refrigerant paths 311 may be parallel to each other.

The refrigerant input from the refrigerant path inlet 302 is output from the refrigerant path outlet 303 via the left front refrigerant path 309, the left refrigerant path 305, the multiple branch refrigerant paths 311, the right refrigerant path 306, and the right front refrigerant path 310, as shown by the white arrows in Figure 27.

The cooling liquid path 201 includes a left cooling liquid path 204 extending in the front-rear direction so as to intersect with the multiple branched cooling liquid paths 311, a right cooling liquid path 205 extending in the front-rear direction so as to intersect with the multiple branched cooling liquid paths 311, at least one rear cooling liquid path 206 connecting the left cooling liquid path 204 and the right cooling liquid path 205 at the rear, and a front cooling liquid path 207 extending leftward from the right cooling liquid path 205 at the front. At least one rear cooling liquid path 206 may overlap with at least one branched cooling liquid path 311. The front cooling liquid path 207 may overlap with the left front cooling liquid path 309 and the right front cooling liquid path 310.

A coolant path inlet 202 is provided in front of the left coolant path 204, and a coolant path outlet 203 is provided at the left end of the front coolant path 207.

The coolant input from the coolant path inlet 202 passes through the left coolant path 204, rear coolant path 206, right coolant path 205, and front coolant path 207, as shown by the hatched arrows in Figure 27, and is output from the coolant path outlet 203.

The configuration of the refrigerant path 301 and the cooling liquid path 201 in the left heat exchange plate 102 may be a configuration in which the refrigerant path 301 and the cooling liquid path 201 in the right heat exchange plate 102 described above are reversed from left to right.

27, a coolant input pipe 121 may be used that branches from one coolant input port 111 to the coolant path inlets 202 of the left and right coolant paths 201. Also, in FIG. 27, a coolant output pipe 122 may be used that branches from one coolant output port 112 to the coolant path outlets 203 of the left and right coolant paths 201. This allows the space occupied by the coolant input pipe 121 and the coolant output pipe 122 in the battery pack 100 to be reduced.

Even with this configuration, the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 in each of the right-side heat exchange plate 102 and the left-side heat exchange plate 102 is uniformly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature has been equalized in the cooling liquid layer 200.

<When using double refrigerant pipes>
From the viewpoint of reducing the space occupied by the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124, a double pipe (refrigerant double pipe 125) in which the refrigerant input pipe 123 is inserted into the refrigerant output pipe 124 may be used.

Figure 28 shows an example of a fourth interface arrangement using a refrigerant double pipe 125 according to embodiment 2.

In a fourth interface arrangement using a double refrigerant pipe 125, a refrigerant input/output port 117 in which the refrigerant input port 113 and the refrigerant output port 114 are integrated may be arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100. In this case, the refrigerant input/output port 117 may be part of the double refrigerant pipe 127.

This allows for a reduction in the number of ports and a reduction in the space occupied by the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 within the battery pack 100.

When the battery pack 100 has two heat exchange plates 102 as shown in FIG. 27, a refrigerant input/output port 117 corresponding to each of the two heat exchange plates 102 (i.e., two refrigerant input/output ports 117) may be arranged on the front surface 110 of the battery pack 100.

Figure 29 shows an example of the configuration of the heat exchange plate 102 when using the refrigerant double pipe 125 according to embodiment 2.

The refrigerant path 301 has a configuration in which the refrigerant path inlet 302 and the refrigerant path outlet 303 in the configuration example shown in FIG. 24 correspond to the refrigerant double pipe 125. The cooling liquid path 201 has a configuration similar to the configuration example shown in FIG. 24.

Even with this configuration, the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 is uniformly cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled quickly and uniformly (without bias) by the cooling liquid whose temperature has been equalized in the cooling liquid layer 200.

The refrigerant double pipe 125 may be connected to the refrigerant path 301 by the method described in FIG. 18 or FIG. 19 of the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
A description will be given of a vehicle 1 and a battery pack 100 according to a third embodiment. In the third embodiment, components common to those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted in some cases.

As described in the first embodiment, the vehicle 1 according to the third embodiment includes a vehicle body 2, a first wheel 3a, a second wheel 3b, an electric motor 4, a battery module group 103GP consisting of a plurality of battery modules 103, a battery pack 100, a coolant layer 200, and a refrigerant layer 300. Next, the battery pack 100 according to the third embodiment will be described.

<Battery pack configuration>
Fig. 30A is a schematic diagram showing a first example of the configuration of the battery pack 100 according to embodiment 3. Fig. 30B is a schematic diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the battery pack 100 according to embodiment 3.

The battery pack 100 has a housing 400 that houses the battery module group 103GP. The housing 400 has a predetermined inner surface 401. The predetermined inner surface 401 is, for example, the inner bottom surface of the housing 400.

The battery module group 103GP, the cooling liquid layer 200, and the refrigerant layer 300 are arranged along a predetermined inner surface 401 of the housing 400. Here, the cooling liquid layer 200 is arranged outside the predetermined inner surface 401 of the housing 400 and inside the vehicle body 2.

If the coolant layer 200 is damaged due to an accident of the vehicle 1 or the like, the coolant may leak from the coolant layer 200. If the leaked coolant comes into contact with the battery module group 103GP, a short circuit may occur. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, the battery module group 103GP is contained in a housing 400, and the coolant layer 200 is disposed outside a predetermined inner surface 401 of the housing 400. Therefore, even if the coolant leaks from the coolant layer 200, the leaked coolant will not come into contact with the battery module group 103GP contained in the housing 400. This improves safety in the event that the coolant layer 200 is damaged.

At least a portion of the refrigerant layer 300 may be disposed between the battery module group 103GP and the cooling liquid layer 200.

The housing 400 of the battery pack 100 may have a planar member 402 having a predetermined thickness at a predetermined inner surface 401 of the housing 400, as shown in FIG. 30A. The planar member 402 may have a predetermined outer surface 403 that is opposite the predetermined inner surface 401 of the housing 400 and aligned with the predetermined inner surface 401 of the housing 400. The coolant layer 200 may be disposed along the outer surface 403 of the planar member 402, outside the housing 400, and inside the vehicle body 2, as shown in FIG. 30A.

Alternatively, the housing 400 of the battery pack 100 may have a planar member 402 having a predetermined thickness on a predetermined inner surface 401 of the housing 400, as shown in FIG. 30B. The cooling liquid layer 200 may be provided inside the planar member 402.

The cooling liquid layer 200 has a first surface 404 and a second surface 405 opposite the first surface 404. The first surface 404 of the cooling liquid layer 200 is disposed between the second surface 405 of the cooling liquid layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300.

The battery pack 100 may include a first adjacent member 406 disposed adjacent to the first surface 404 of the cooling liquid layer 200. The first adjacent member 406 may be disposed between the first surface 404 of the cooling liquid layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300, and may be disposed adjacent to the refrigerant layer 300.

The battery pack 100 may also include a second adjacent member 407 disposed adjacent to the second surface 405 of the cooling liquid layer 200.

The first thermal conductivity of the first adjacent member 406 may be greater than the second thermal conductivity of the second adjacent member 407. This allows efficient heat exchange between the coolant layer 200, the refrigerant layer 300, and the battery module group 103GP. The first adjacent member 406 may be planar. An example of the first adjacent member 406 is a heat transfer sheet.

The housing 400 of the battery pack 100 may be sealed. This can prevent the coolant leaking from the coolant layer 200 from entering the housing 400. However, the housing 400 does not have to be sealed. For example, a portion of the upper part of the housing 400 may be open.

The battery pack housing 400 may have a first housing member 408 and a second housing member 409. In this case, the first housing member 408 may have a predetermined inner surface 401 of the housing 400 described above. The battery module group 103GP may be disposed between the first housing member 408 and the second housing member 409.

Next, we will explain a specific example configuration of the battery pack 100 described above.

<First Configuration Example>
Fig. 31 is an exploded perspective view showing a first configuration example of the battery pack 100 according to embodiment 3. Fig. 32 is a diagram showing cross sections of the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the first configuration example of the battery pack 100 according to embodiment 3.

The battery pack 100 has a hollow box-shaped housing 400. The housing 400 is made up of a bottom cover 501 that forms the bottom half of the housing 400, and a top cover 502 that forms the top half of the housing 400. The bottom cover 501 is an example of a first housing member 408, and the top cover 502 is an example of a second housing member 409. The bottom cover 501 may be made of iron, for example.

The housing 400 contains a refrigerant path 301 constituting the refrigerant layer 300 and a battery module group 103GP. The refrigerant path 301 constituting the refrigerant layer 300 is arranged along the inner bottom surface (hereinafter referred to as the "inner bottom surface") 503 of the lower cover 501. The inner bottom surface 503 is an example of the specified inner surface 401 of the housing 400 described above. The battery module group 103GP is arranged on the refrigerant path 301. The refrigerant path 301 may be made of aluminum, for example.

The cooling liquid path 201 constituting the cooling liquid layer 200 is arranged along the outer bottom surface (hereinafter referred to as the "outer bottom surface") 504 of the lower cover 501. The cooling liquid path 201 may be made of iron, for example. However, the cooling liquid path 201 may also be made of resin.

The portion having a predetermined thickness sandwiched between the inner bottom surface 503 and the outer bottom surface 504 of the lower cover 501 is an example of the planar member 402 described above. As shown in FIG. 32, the planar member 402 may have a shape in which the portion through which the refrigerant path 301 passes is recessed.

In this way, by housing the battery module group 103GP in the housing 400 and arranging the cooling liquid layer 200 along the outer bottom surface 504 of the lower cover 501, even if the cooling liquid leaks from the cooling liquid path 201, the leaked cooling liquid will not come into contact with the battery module group 103GP housed in the housing 400.

Also, as shown in FIG. 31, the cooling liquid path 201 and the refrigerant path 301 may have a configuration as shown in FIG. 9. That is, the flow of the cooling liquid in the left cooling liquid path 204 and the right cooling liquid path 205 constituting the cooling liquid path 201 and the flow of the refrigerant in the branched refrigerant path 311 constituting the refrigerant path 301 may be perpendicular to each other. This allows the battery module group 103GP to be uniformly cooled.

32, a first heat transfer sheet 507 may be provided between the outer bottom surface 504 of the lower cover 501 and the upper surface 505 of the cooling liquid path 201. The upper surface 505 of the cooling liquid path 201 is an example of the first surface 404 of the cooling liquid layer 200 described above. The lower surface 506 of the cooling liquid path 201 is an example of the second surface 405 of the cooling liquid layer 200 described above. The first heat transfer sheet 507 is an example of the first adjacent member 406 described above. The cooling liquid path 201 may be disposed on a predetermined support member 509. The support member 509 is an example of the second adjacent member 407 described above. The first thermal conductivity of the first heat transfer sheet 507 may be greater than the second thermal conductivity of the support member 509. This allows efficient heat exchange between the cooling liquid path 201 and the lower cover 501.

32, a second heat transfer sheet 508 may be provided between the inner bottom surface 503 of the lower cover 501 and the refrigerant path 301. In addition, as shown in FIG. 32, a second heat transfer sheet 508 may be provided between the lower surface of the battery module group 103GP and the inner bottom surface 503 of the lower cover 501 and the upper surface 505 of the refrigerant path 301. This allows efficient heat exchange between the lower cover 501 and the refrigerant path 301, and between the refrigerant path 301 and the battery module group 103GP.

According to this configuration, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301 cools the battery module group 103GP through the second heat transfer sheet 508. In addition, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301 cools the coolant flowing through the coolant path 201 through the second heat transfer sheet 508, the lower cover 501, and the first heat transfer sheet 507. The coolant flowing through the coolant path 201 cools the battery module group 103GP through the first heat transfer sheet 507, the lower cover 501, and the second heat transfer sheet 508. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP can be cooled quickly and uniformly compared to cooling with only the refrigerant or only the coolant.

Figure 33 is a diagram showing a cross section of the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in a modified example of the first configuration of the battery pack 100 according to embodiment 3.

Figure 33 differs from Figure 32 in that at least a portion of the refrigerant path 301 that constitutes the refrigerant layer 300 is disposed between the first battery module 103-1 and the second battery module 103-2 that constitute the battery module group 103GP.

That is, a second heat transfer sheet 508 is provided between the inner bottom surface 503 of the lower cover 501 and the lower surface of the battery module group 103GP. The branch coolant path 311 constituting the coolant path 301 may be arranged on the second heat transfer sheet 508 along the gap between the first battery module 103-1 and the second battery module 103-2.

The portion having a predetermined thickness sandwiched between the inner bottom surface 503 and the outer bottom surface 504 of the lower cover 501 is an example of the planar member 402 described above. As shown in FIG. 33, the planar member 402 may have a shape without any irregularities. Also, the planar member 402 may have a shape in which a cooling liquid path 201 is provided inside the planar member 402.

According to this configuration, the refrigerant flowing through the branch refrigerant path 311 cools the adjacent first battery module 103-1 and second battery module 103-2. In addition, the refrigerant cools the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 via the second heat transfer sheet 508, the lower cover 501, and the first heat transfer sheet 507. The cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 cools the underside of the battery module group 103GP via the first heat transfer sheet 507, the lower cover 501, and the second heat transfer sheet 508. Therefore, the battery module group 103GP can be cooled quickly and uniformly compared to cooling with only the refrigerant or only the cooling liquid.

<Second Configuration Example>
Fig. 34 is an exploded perspective view showing a second configuration example of the battery pack 100 according to embodiment 3. Fig. 35 is a diagram showing cross sections of the coolant layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 in the second configuration example of the battery pack 100 according to embodiment 3.

The second configuration example shown in Figures 34 and 35 differs from the first configuration example shown in Figures 31 and 32 in the configuration of the coolant path 201. That is, the coolant path 201 according to the second configuration example is composed of a left coolant path 204 extending forward and backward on the left side, a right coolant path 205 extending forward and backward on the right side, and a plurality of branch coolant paths 510 connecting the right coolant path 205 and the left coolant path 204. In this case, the flow of the coolant in the left coolant path 204 and the right coolant path 205 constituting the coolant path 201 and the flow of the coolant in the branch coolant path 311 constituting the coolant path 301 may be in the same direction or in opposite directions.

As with the first configuration example, with this configuration, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant path 301 and the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201 cool the battery module group 103GP. Therefore, compared to cooling with only the refrigerant or only the cooling liquid, the battery module group 103GP can be cooled quickly and uniformly.

<Third Configuration Example>
Fig. 36 is an exploded perspective view showing a third configuration example of the battery pack 100 according to embodiment 3. Note that in Fig. 36, the illustration of the upper cover 502 and the battery module group 103GP is omitted.

In the third configuration example, a liquid cover 511 of the same size as the inner bottom surface 503 is provided from above toward the inner bottom surface 503 of the lower cover 501, leaving a gap of a predetermined height. Then, a wall 512 for forming a flow path of the coolant is provided on the inner bottom surface 503 of the lower cover 501 so that the space formed by the inner bottom surface 503 of the lower cover 501 and the liquid cover 511 functions as the coolant path 201. For example, a wall 512 is provided on the inner bottom surface 503 of the lower cover 501 so that a branch coolant path 510 connecting the left coolant path 204 and the right coolant path 205 is formed.

In addition, the refrigerant path 301 is arranged in the space formed by the inner bottom surface 503 of the lower cover 501 and the liquid cover 511.

The liquid cover 511 may be connected to a cooling liquid input pipe 121 and a cooling liquid output pipe 122 that are connected to the cooling liquid path 201. This allows the cooling liquid input through the cooling liquid input pipe 121 to flow through the cooling liquid path 201 formed by the inner bottom surface 503 of the lower cover 501, the liquid cover 511, and the wall 512, and output from the cooling liquid output pipe 122.

The liquid cover 511 may also be provided with a refrigerant input pipe through hole 513 and a refrigerant output pipe through hole 514 for passing the refrigerant input pipe 123 and the refrigerant output pipe 124 connected to the refrigerant path 301.

Although not shown in FIG. 36, the battery module group 103GP may be disposed on the liquid cover 511. The lower cover 501 and the liquid cover 511 in FIG. 36 may be elements that constitute the planar member 402 described above. In other words, the cooling liquid layer 200 and the refrigerant layer 300 may be provided inside the planar member 402.

With this configuration, the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid layer 200 is cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant layer 300. Therefore, compared to cooling with only the refrigerant or only the cooling liquid, the battery module group 103GP arranged on the liquid cover 511 can be cooled quickly and uniformly by the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid path 201.

Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, corrections, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner as long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the invention.

The technology disclosed herein is useful for vehicles powered by onboard batteries.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle 2 vehicle body 3 wheel 3a first wheel 3b second wheel 4 electric motor 100 battery pack 101 housing 102 heat exchange plate 103 battery module 103GP battery module group 104 first surface 105 second surface 106 first side 107 second side 108 third side 109 fourth side 110 front surface 111 coolant input port 112 coolant output port 113 coolant input port 114 coolant output port 115 electrical connector 116 bus bar 117 coolant input/output port 118 fixed leg 121 coolant input pipe 122 coolant output pipe 123 refrigerant input pipe 124 refrigerant output pipe 125 double refrigerant pipe 130 coolant circuit 131 liquid pump 132 liquid tank 140 refrigerant circuit 141 Compressor 142 Condenser 143 Solenoid valve 144 First expansion valve 145 Second expansion valve 146 Evaporator 150 BMU
200 Cooling liquid layer 201 Cooling liquid path 202 Cooling liquid path inlet 203 Cooling liquid path outlet 204 Left cooling liquid path 205 Right cooling liquid path 206 Rear cooling liquid path 207 Front cooling liquid path 300 Cooling liquid layer 301 Cooling liquid path 302 Cooling liquid path inlet 303 Cooling liquid path outlet 304 Central cooling liquid path 305 Left cooling liquid path 306 Right cooling liquid path 307 Left branch cooling liquid path 308 Right branch cooling liquid path 309 Left front cooling liquid path 310 Right front cooling liquid path 311 Branch cooling liquid path 312 Front cooling liquid path 400 Housing 401 Inner surface 402 Planar member 403 Outer surface 404 First surface 405 Second surface 406 First adjacent member 407 Second adjacent member 408 First housing member 409 Second housing member 501 Lower cover 502 Upper cover 503 Inner bottom surface 504 Outer bottom surface 505 Upper surface 506 Lower surface 507 First heat transfer sheet 508 Second heat transfer sheet 509 Support member 510 Branched cooling liquid path 511 Liquid cover 512 Wall 513 Refrigerant input pipe through hole 514 Refrigerant output pipe through hole

Claims (18)

a battery module group having a plurality of battery modules;
a battery pack having a housing for accommodating the battery module group;
A vehicle body that houses the battery pack;
a refrigerant layer for circulating a refrigerant;
a cooling liquid layer for circulating a cooling liquid;
A first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the vehicle body;
an electric motor that drives at least the first wheel using electric power supplied from the battery module group,
the housing of the battery pack has a predetermined inner surface,
the battery module group, the refrigerant layer, and the cooling liquid layer are disposed along the predetermined inner surface;
the coolant layer is disposed outside the predetermined inner surface of the housing of the battery pack and inside the vehicle body;
At least a portion of the refrigerant layer is disposed between the battery module group and the coolant layer.
vehicle. 2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1,
the battery module group includes at least a first battery module and a second battery module;
At least a portion of the refrigerant layer is disposed between the first battery module and the second battery module.
vehicle. A vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 ,
the housing of the battery pack has a planar member having a predetermined thickness on the predetermined inner surface,
The cooling liquid layer is provided inside the planar member.
vehicle. A vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 ,
the housing of the battery pack has a planar member having a predetermined thickness on the predetermined inner surface,
the planar member has a predetermined outer surface that is opposite the predetermined inner surface and aligned with the predetermined inner surface;
The cooling liquid layer is disposed along the predetermined outer surface, outside the housing of the battery pack, and inside the vehicle body. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
the cooling liquid layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
the first surface of the cooling liquid layer is disposed between the second surface of the cooling liquid layer and the refrigerant layer;
a first adjacent member disposed adjacent the first surface of the cooling liquid layer;
a second adjacent member disposed adjacent to the second surface of the cooling liquid layer;
a first thermal conductivity of the first adjacent member is greater than a second thermal conductivity of the second adjacent member;
vehicle. 6. A vehicle according to claim 5 ,
The first adjacent member is planar.
vehicle. 2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1,
the housing of the battery pack has a planar member having a predetermined thickness on the predetermined inner surface,
The cooling liquid layer and the refrigerant layer are provided inside the planar member. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The housing of the battery pack is sealed.
vehicle. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
the housing of the battery pack includes a first housing member and a second housing member,
the first housing member has the predetermined inner surface,
the battery module group is disposed between the first housing member and the second housing member,
vehicle. The vehicle may be accommodated in a vehicle including a vehicle body, a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the vehicle body, and an electric motor that drives at least the first wheel,
a battery module group having a plurality of battery modules;
a housing that houses the battery module group;
a refrigerant layer for circulating a refrigerant;
A battery pack having a cooling liquid layer through which a cooling liquid is circulated,
The housing has a predetermined inner surface,
the battery module group, the refrigerant layer, and the cooling liquid layer are disposed along the predetermined inner surface;
the cooling liquid layer is disposed outside the predetermined inner surface of the housing,
At least a portion of the refrigerant layer is disposed between the battery module group and the cooling liquid layer.
Battery pack. 11. The battery pack according to claim 10 ,
the battery module group includes at least a first battery module and a second battery module;
At least a portion of the refrigerant layer is disposed between the first battery module and the second battery module.
Battery pack. The battery pack according to claim 10 or 11 ,
the housing has a planar member having a predetermined thickness on the predetermined inner surface,
The cooling liquid layer is provided inside the planar member.
Battery pack. The battery pack according to claim 10 or 11 ,
the housing has a planar member having a predetermined thickness on the predetermined inner surface,
the planar member has a predetermined outer surface that is opposite the predetermined inner surface and aligned with the predetermined inner surface;
The cooling liquid is disposed outside the housing along the predetermined outer surface. The battery pack according to any one of claims 10 to 13 ,
the cooling liquid layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
the first surface of the cooling liquid layer is disposed between the second surface of the cooling liquid layer and the refrigerant layer;
a first adjacent member disposed adjacent the first surface of the cooling liquid layer;
a second adjacent member disposed in contact with and spaced from the second surface of the cooling liquid layer;
a first thermal conductivity of the first adjacent member is greater than a second thermal conductivity of the second adjacent member;
Battery pack. 15. The battery pack of claim 14 ,
The first adjacent member is planar.
Battery pack. 11. The battery pack according to claim 10 ,
the housing of the battery pack has a planar member having a predetermined thickness on the predetermined inner surface,
the cooling liquid layer and the refrigerant layer are provided inside the planar member. The battery pack according to any one of claims 10 to 16 ,
The housing is sealed.
Battery pack. The battery pack according to any one of claims 10 to 17 ,
The housing includes a first housing member and a second housing member,
the first housing member has the predetermined inner surface,
the battery module group is disposed between the first housing member and the second housing member,
Battery pack.

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