KR20110048003A - Power supply and vehicle having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A power supply device is provided to exhibit maximum performance of a battery cell by reducing the temperature difference of battery cells. CONSTITUTION: A power supply device comprises: a plurality of rectangular battery cells(1); separators that are made of resin, each of the separators being interposed between the battery cells and in thermal contact with the surfaces of adjacent battery cells among the plurality of battery cells, and electrically insulating the adjacent battery cells from each other; a pair of end spacers(17) that cover end battery cells among the plurality of battery cells located on the end sides of a battery block, the battery block being composed of the plurality of battery cells and the separators that are alternately arranged side by side; a pair of metal end plates(10) that cover surfaces of the end spacers and are thicker than the end spacers; and coupling members that couple the pair of end plates to each other, wherein each of the separators forms cooling gaps on the sides in contact with the adjacent battery cells, cooling gas flowing through the cooling gaps, characterized in that each of the end spacers forms at least one hollow thermally-insulating layer that is located on a side of the end spacer in contact with the end battery cell.

Description

POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS AND VEHICLE WITH THE SAME

The present invention relates to a power supply device in which a plurality of battery cells are laminated via a separator, and a vehicle using the same.

BACKGROUND ART A power supply device or battery system in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and forcedly blown in a cooling gap between battery cells is used for a vehicle such as a hybrid car or an electric vehicle. In such a power supply device, a temperature difference arises in each battery cell because many battery cells are used. In particular, when the number of battery cells to be stacked increases, it becomes difficult to cool all the battery cells at a uniform temperature, that is, with a small temperature difference. In a battery system for a vehicle in which a large number of battery cells are stacked, it is very important to keep the temperature difference of the battery cells as small as possible. This is because the temperature difference of the battery cells makes the remaining capacity of each battery cell non-uniform, thereby shortening the life of a specific battery cell. Since the efficiency of charge / discharge varies with temperature, the difference in residual capacity occurs even when each battery is charged and discharged with the same current. If the residual capacity is different, a battery with a large residual capacity tends to be overcharged, and a battery with a small residual capacity tends to be overdischarged, accelerating deterioration of a specific battery cell due to overcharging or overdischarging, and thus life as a battery system for a vehicle. Cause shortening. In particular, since a battery system for a vehicle is used for stacking a plurality of batteries such as a hybrid car, a plug-in hybrid car, or an electric vehicle and charging and discharging with a large current, the manufacturing cost becomes very expensive. It is important to make it longer. In particular, as the battery system for a vehicle using a large number of batteries becomes more expensive to manufacture, it is required to lengthen the service life. However, as a plurality of batteries are stacked, a battery system for a vehicle has a characteristic in that a temperature difference is increased and its life is shortened.

A battery system for a vehicle having a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and a cooling gas is forcedly blown between the battery cells and cooled is developed (see Patent Document 1). In the battery system for a vehicle of Patent Literature 1, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 25, a cooling gap 103 is formed between the battery cells 101 of the battery block 110, and on both sides of the battery block 110. The supply duct 106 and the discharge duct 107 are formed. This vehicle battery system forcibly blows cooling gas from the supply duct 106 to the cooling gap 103, discharges it from the discharge duct 107, and cools the battery cell 101.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-250515

However, in the method of sequentially cooling the battery cells by the cooling gas, although the battery cells located near the supply duct are properly cooled by the cold cooling gas just supplied, the cooling gas is blown to exchange heat with the battery cells. As a result, the cooling gas is gradually heated. For this reason, there existed a problem that the temperature of the battery cell arrange | positioned along the longitudinal direction of a cooling duct differs by a position. Such a temperature difference of the battery cells causes a difference in the characteristics of the battery cells and the lifespan. In particular, since the output of the battery system is limited by the battery of the lowest temperature, it is ideal to bring? T, which is the difference between the battery maximum temperature and the minimum temperature close to zero, in order to extract the performance of the battery system as much as possible.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems. The main object of this invention is to provide the power supply apparatus which can reduce the temperature difference of a battery cell, and exhibit the performance of a battery cell to the maximum, and the vehicle provided with this.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the power supply device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of rectangular battery cells 1 and battery cells 1 inserted between adjacent battery cells 1 are adjacent to each other. ) Electrically insulate each other from each other, and alternately stack the resin separator 2 made of a resin in contact with the surface of the battery cell 1 in a thermally coupled state, and the battery cell 1 and the separator 2. The pair of end face spacers 17 covering the end face battery cells 1 positioned at opposite end faces of the battery block constituted, and the surfaces of the end face spacers 17, respectively, A power supply device having a pair of metal end plates 10 thicker than the end face spacers 17 and a connecting member 11 for fastening the pair of end plates 10 to each other, wherein the separator 2 includes: Cooling gap 4 for flowing a cooling gas on the surface in contact with the battery cell 1 Has been formed, the end surface spacer (17) may form a heat insulating layer (18) of the hollow shape in which the surface in contact with the battery cells (1), defining a closed space. As a result, the end plate is made of metal, while the mechanical fastening force is increased. Since the metal is made of metal, the thermal conductivity is high, and the cooling capacity of the battery cell facing the end plate is higher than that of other battery cells. It can reduce by the heat insulation layer which made it, and can improve mechanical strength and planarization.

Moreover, according to the power supply apparatus which concerns on a 2nd side surface, the said cooling clearance gap 4 is formed by forming the cross section of the said separator 2 into an uneven | corrugated shape, opening the edge of an edge, and the said heat insulation layer 18 is the said It can be formed by forming the cross section of the end face spacer 17 into an uneven shape and closing the edge of the end face. As a result, the shape of the separator and the end face spacer can be almost made common, and the end face spacer can be configured by closing the end edge of the cooling gap, so that the manufacturing cost of the separator and the end face spacer can be reduced.

Moreover, according to the power supply apparatus which concerns on a 3rd side surface, the said heat insulation layer 18 can be formed by closing the edge of the said cooling clearance 4. Thereby, the heat insulation layer of the same width | variety as a cooling gap can be formed easily, and the manufacturing cost of an end surface spacer can be reduced.

Moreover, according to the power supply apparatus which concerns on a 4th side surface, the said heat insulation layer 18 can further divide a closed space into a plurality by rib. Thereby, in addition to improving the strength of the end face spacers by the ribs, it is possible to divide into a plurality of occluded spaces and to increase the heat insulating effect due to air retention.

Moreover, according to the power supply apparatus which concerns on a 5th side surface, the said rib can be formed in mountain shape. Thereby, formation of a rib can be simplified and it can contribute also to the improvement of the bending strength of an end surface spacer.

Moreover, according to the power supply apparatus which concerns on the 6th side surface, the said end surface spacer 17 is equipped with the cooling clearance 4, and the cooling clearance 4 of the said separator 2 is the said end surface spacer 17 The number of cross sections of the flow path can be increased or the number can be larger than the cooling gap. Thereby, the cooling capacity can be balanced by suppressing the flow rate of the cooling gas compared with other battery cells while cooling the battery cells facing the end face spacers.

Moreover, according to the power supply apparatus which concerns on the 7th side surface, the said end surface spacer 17 is equipped with the said cooling clearance 4 in the substantially center of the height direction of the said battery cell 1, The said cooling clearance 4 The heat insulation layer 18 can be formed in both sides of the. Thereby, since the battery cell of an end surface can be cooled from an approximate center, cooling can be aimed equally to the height direction of a battery cell.

Moreover, according to the power supply apparatus which concerns on the 8th side surface, the heat insulation layer 18 can be formed in the separator 2 which faced the said end surface spacer 17 among the said separator 2. Thereby, a heat insulation layer can also be formed also in the battery cell considered to be easy to cool following the battery cell of an end surface, and the temperature difference of a battery cell can be reduced.

In addition, according to the power supply device according to the ninth aspect, the cross-sectional area of the cooling gap 4 may be formed to be narrowest in the end face of the battery block and gradually increase as it faces inward. Thereby, the more the battery cell of the end surface side which is easy to cool down, the cross-sectional area of a cooling gap is made small, cooling ability can be reduced, and the temperature difference with the cell inside a battery block can be aimed at.

Moreover, according to the power supply apparatus which concerns on the 10th side surface, the duct which connects the forced ventilation mechanism 9 for forcibly flowing cooling gas to the said cooling clearance 4 can be provided. Thereby, cooling gas can be reliably supplied to the cooling gap of each separator, and cooling of a battery cell is attained.

Moreover, according to the power supply apparatus which concerns on the 11th side, the said connection material 11 can be screwed. Thereby, sufficient strength can be maintained with respect to a screw by making an end plate metal.

Moreover, according to the vehicle provided with the power supply apparatus which concerns on the 12th side, the said power supply apparatus can be provided.

1 is a perspective view of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the battery system shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a schematic perspective view of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the battery system shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged VV line sectional view of the battery system shown in FIG. 4. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of the battery system shown in FIG. 4; FIG.
FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery system shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
8 is an exploded perspective view of a battery block of the battery system shown in FIG. 2;
9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a laminated structure of a battery cell and a separator.
10 is a schematic perspective view of a battery system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the battery system shown in FIG. 10.
12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along a line XII-XII of the battery system shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery system shown in FIG. 10; FIG.
14 is a schematic perspective view of a battery system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
15 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the battery system shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged XVI-XVI cross-sectional view of the battery system shown in FIG. 15. FIG.
17 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery system shown in FIG. 14;
18 is a perspective view illustrating a modification of the bind bar.
19 is a perspective view illustrating an end face spacer;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the end face spacer of FIG. 19 seen from the back side; FIG.
21 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an end plate is fitted to an end face spacer;
22 is a cross-sectional view of the battery block.
Fig. 23 is a block diagram showing an example in which a power supply device is mounted on a hybrid car running by an engine and a motor.
24 is a block diagram showing an example in which a power supply device is mounted on an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor.
25 is a horizontal sectional view of a conventional power supply device;
Fig. 26 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a battery block is fixed by a bind bar.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiment of this invention is described based on drawing. However, embodiment described below illustrates the power supply apparatus for embodying the technical idea of this invention, the vehicle provided with this, and the charging / discharging control method of a power supply apparatus, This invention provides a power supply apparatus, the vehicle provided with this, and The charging / discharging control method of the power supply device is not specified below. In addition, it does not determine that the member described in a claim is specified to the member of embodiment. In particular, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the constituent members described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only thereto, unless otherwise specified, and are merely illustrative examples. In addition, the size, positional relationship, etc. of the member which each figure shows may be exaggerated for clarity. In addition, in the following description, about the same name and code | symbol, the same or same member is shown, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. Moreover, each element which comprises this invention may be made into the form which comprises several elements by the same member, and combines several elements by one member, and conversely shares the function of one member by multiple members. This can also be achieved. In addition, the content described in some Examples and Embodiments may be available to other Examples, Embodiments, etc.

Based on FIG. 1 thru | or 17, the example applied to the on-vehicle power supply apparatus as a power supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment is demonstrated. 1 to 9 show a power supply device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIGS. 10 to 13 show a power supply device 200 according to Embodiment 2, and FIG. 14 to 17 each show a power supply device 300 according to the third embodiment. 18 is a perspective view of a modified example of the bind bar, FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an end face spacer, FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the end face spacer of FIG. 19 from the back, and FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an end plate fitted to an end face spacer. 22 shows sectional views of the battery block, respectively. The power supply devices described in these embodiments are most suitable for power sources of electric vehicles, such as hybrid cars that mainly run on both engines and motors, and electric vehicles that run only by motors. However, this invention can be used for vehicles other than a hybrid car and an electric vehicle, and can also be used also for the use which requires large output other than an electric vehicle.

The power supply device shown in these figures includes a battery block 3 in which a battery cell 1 composed of a plurality of rectangular batteries is laminated in a state where a cooling gap 4 is formed, and the battery cell of the battery block 3. The forced air blowing mechanism 9 for forcibly blowing and cooling the cooling gas is provided in (1). The battery block 3 clamps the separator 2 between the stacked battery cells 1. As shown in FIG. 9, the separator 2 has a shape in which a cooling gap 4 is formed between the battery cells 1. In addition, the separator 2 of the figure is connected by the structure which clamps the battery cell 1 on both surfaces. The position shift of adjacent battery cells 1 is prevented and laminated via the separator 2 connected by the structure which fits into the battery cell 1, and is laminated | stacked.

The battery cell 1 of the square battery is a lithium ion secondary battery. However, the battery cell may be a secondary battery such as a nickel hydride battery or a nickel cadmium battery. The battery cell 1 in the figure is a quadrangle having a predetermined thickness, and is formed by protruding the electrode terminal 13 of the positive portion at both ends of the upper surface, and the opening 1A of the safety valve is formed in the center of the upper surface. Forming. The battery cells 1 to be stacked are connected to each other in series by connecting adjacent electrode terminals 13 with a connector (not shown). The power supply device connects the electrode terminals 13 of the adjacent battery cells 1 in a stacked state, and is connected in series with each other. The battery cells 1 can be connected in series with each other by connecting the electrode terminal 13 of the government unit by a bus bar (not shown). A power supply device that connects adjacent battery cells 1 in series with each other can increase the output voltage to increase the output. However, the power supply device can also connect adjacent battery cells in parallel. The battery cell 1 is produced by the metal exterior can. This battery cell 1 clamps the separator 2 of insulating material in order to prevent the shorting of the exterior can of the adjacent battery cell 1. The battery cell can also produce an outer can by an insulating material such as plastic. Since this battery cell does not need to insulate and stack an outer can, a separator can also be made from metal.

The separator 2 is made of an insulating material such as plastic to insulate the adjacent battery cells 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the separator 2 forms a cooling gap 4 that allows a cooling gas such as air to pass between the battery cells 1 so as to cool the battery cells 1. have. The separator 2 of FIG. 9 forms grooves 2A extending to both side edge portions on the opposite surface of the battery cell 1, and forms a cooling gap 4 between the battery cells 1. Doing. The separator 2 in the figure forms the plurality of grooves 2A at predetermined intervals in parallel with each other. The separator 2 in FIG. 9 forms grooves 2A on both surfaces, and forms a cooling gap 4 between the battery cells 1 and the separator 2 adjacent to each other. This structure is a cooling gap 4 formed in both sides of the separator 2, and has the characteristic that the battery cells 1 of both sides can be cooled effectively. However, the separator may form a groove only on one surface, and may form a cooling gap between the battery cell and the separator. The cooling gap 4 in the figure is formed in the horizontal direction so as to open to the left and right of the battery block 3. In addition, the separator 2 of FIG. 9 forms cutouts 2B on both sides. In the cutout part 2B formed in both sides, this separator 2 can make the gap | interval of the opposing surface of the adjacent battery cell 1 wide, and can reduce the passage resistance of cooling gas. Therefore, the cooling gas can be smoothly blown from the notch 2B to the cooling gap 4 between the separator 2 and the battery cell 1, so that the battery cell 1 can be cooled effectively. As described above, the air forcedly blown into the cooling gap 4 directly cools the exterior can of the battery cell 1 efficiently. This structure has a feature that the battery cells 1 can be cooled efficiently while effectively preventing thermal runaway of the battery cells 1.

(End plate 10)

The battery block 3 forms the end plate 10 at both ends, connects the pair of end plates 10 with the connection material 11, and sandwiches the battery cell 1 and the separator 2 which are laminated | stacked. We fix in state to attach. The end plate 10 is made into the rectangle of the external shape which is substantially equivalent to the external shape of the battery cell 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the connecting member 11 is bent both ends inward to fix the bent piece 11d to the end plate 10 with the fixing screw 12. Although not shown in the drawing, the bent portion of the connecting member may be extended so as to surround the end plate and be fixed with a fixing screw. Alternatively, a female screw hole may be formed in the side surface of the end plate, and the fixing screw penetrating the connecting member may be twisted in and fixed. The connecting member fixed to the outer surface of the end plate is fixed to the end plate in a straight shape without forming a bent piece.

The end plate 10 of FIG. 8 is made of metal which is formed by integrally molding the reinforcing ribs 10A on the outside and reinforced. The end plate 10 made of metal has sufficient strength, and is also resistant to the fastening torque of the fixing screw 12. Moreover, the connection hole 10a which connects the bending piece 11d of the connection material 11 is formed in the outer surface of the end plate 10. As shown in FIG. The end plate 10 of FIG. 8 forms four connection holes 10a at four corner portions of the outer surface. The connecting hole 10a is a female screw hole. This end plate 10 can fix the connecting material 11 by inserting the fixing screw 12 which penetrates the connecting material 11 to a female screw hole.

(Connection material (11))

The connecting member 11 is a bind bar 11X having a predetermined upper and lower width. The connecting member 11 of the bind bar 11X is a metal plate having a predetermined width. The bind bars 11X, which are the connecting members 11 fixing both ends of the four corner portions of the end plate 10, are both sides of the battery cell 1 and are disposed above and below. In the battery block 3 in which the bind bars 11X are arranged on both sides, the upper and lower portions of the cooling gaps 4 formed between the battery cells 1 are closed by the bind bars 11X. That is, in the cooling gap 4 blocked by the bind bar 11X, cooling gas does not flow in from the opening part 14. Therefore, the opening part 14 of the cooling clearance 4 opened in the both sides of the battery cell 1 is 14A of upper and lower positions occluded by this bind bar 11X, and bind bar 11X. ), The opening 14 is partitioned into the exposed portion 14B which is not blocked. The exposed portion 14B is connected to the blower duct 5 between the upper and lower closed portions 14A. This exposed part 14B is connected to the supply duct 6, and cooling gas is forcibly blown from the supply duct 6. As shown in FIG. Since the battery block 3 arrange | positions the connection material 11 of the bind bar 11X on the upper and lower sides of the both sides, the cooling gap 4 opened to both sides is 14A of upper and lower closure parts by the bind bar 11X. And the exposed portion 14B. One exposed portion 14B is connected to the supply duct 6, the other exposed portion 14B is connected to the discharge duct 7, and the battery cell 1 is cooled by the cooling gas blown into the cooling gas. Is cooled.

The battery blocks 3 described above are arranged in two rows, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 7, and the air blowing ducts 5 are formed between the two rows of the battery blocks 3 and on the outside thereof. do. The power supply device in the figure forms a supply duct 6 connected to each cooling gap 4 between the two rows of battery blocks 3. Further, an exhaust duct 7 is formed outside the battery block 3 separated in two rows, and a plurality of cooling gaps 4 are connected in parallel between the exhaust duct 7 and the supply duct 6. . As shown by the arrows of Figs. 1 and 4, this power supply device forcibly blows cooling gas from the supply duct 6 toward the discharge duct 7 by means of the forced blow mechanism 9 to open the battery cell 1. Cool. The cooling gas forcibly blown from the supply duct 6 to the discharge duct 7 branches from the supply duct 6, blows into each cooling gap 4, and cools the battery cell 1. The cooling gas which cooled the battery cell 1 collects in the discharge duct 7, and is exhausted.

Although the power supply device of the figure forms the supply duct 6 between the battery blocks 3 of 2 rows, and the discharge duct 7 is formed in the outer side, the power supply device of this invention reverses a supply duct and a discharge duct. It can also be replaced. In the power supply device 200 according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, a supply duct 56 is formed outside the two rows of battery blocks 3, and between the two rows of battery blocks 3, respectively. A discharge duct 57 is connected to the cooling gap 4. 10 and 11, the power supply device 200 forcibly blows cooling gas from the outer supply duct 56 toward the intermediate discharge duct 57 by the forced blow mechanism 9. The battery cell 1 is cooled. The cooling gas forcibly blown from the outer supply duct 56 is blown into each cooling gap 4 to cool the battery cell 1. The cooling gas which cooled the battery cell 1 collects in the intermediate | middle discharge duct 57, and is exhausted. As cooling gas, the air heat exchanged with air, a refrigerant | coolant, a refrigerant | coolant, etc. can be used.

The power supply device of Figs. 1 to 5 and 10 to 13 is composed of four sets of battery blocks 3, and these four battery blocks 3 are arranged in two rows and two columns. The two battery blocks 3 constituting each row are arranged in two rows in parallel, and the blower ducts 5 and 55 are formed in the middle and the outside. In addition, the power supply device shown in the figure arranges two battery blocks 3 arranged in parallel to each other in two rows. That is, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, the intermediate blocking wall 19 is disposed between two battery blocks 3 constituting adjacent rows, and the middle of the battery blocks 3 in each row are disposed. Blowing ducts 5 and 55 formed on the outside and outside are blocked. Therefore, this power supply unit supplies cooling gas from the separate supply ducts 6 and 56 to the battery blocks 3 in each row, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, to the cooling gap 4. The forcedly blown cooling gas is discharged from the separate discharge ducts 7 and 57. The power supply device of the figure is forcibly blowing cooling gas to the supply ducts 6 and 56 and the discharge ducts 7 and 57 in the reverse direction to cool the battery cells 1.

In the above power supply device, two battery blocks 3 formed by arranging two columns in parallel are separated into two rows and are arranged in two rows and two columns as a whole. However, the power supply device may be composed of only two battery blocks formed in parallel in two columns, that is, arranged in one row and two columns. The power supply device can also cool the battery cell by forcibly blowing cooling gas in the reverse direction to the supply duct and the discharge duct, or can also cool the battery cell by forcibly blowing in the same direction. In addition, the four battery blocks arranged in two rows and two columns connect two battery blocks adjacent in the column direction in a straight line without arranging an intermediate blocking wall between the battery blocks in each row and the air blowing duct. These battery blocks may be arranged in two rows in parallel, and a ventilation duct may be formed in the middle and the outside. The power supply unit uses a cooling duct supplied from a supply duct, using either a blower duct formed in the middle of the battery blocks arranged in two rows and two columns, and a blower duct formed on the outside as a supply duct and the other as a discharge duct. Forced blow into the cooling gap and discharged from the discharge duct. The power supply device can also cool the battery cell by forcibly blowing cooling gas in the reverse direction to the supply duct and the discharge duct, or can also cool the battery cell by forcibly blowing in the same direction.

The area of the blowing duct 5 formed between the two rows of battery blocks 3 arranged in parallel with each other is twice the area of the blowing duct 5 formed outside the two rows of battery blocks 3. In the power supply device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the discharge duct 7 formed by bifurcating the cooling gas forcibly blown into the supply duct 6 formed in the middle of the two battery blocks 3. 10 and 13, and in the power supply device shown in FIGS. 10-13, the cooling gas forcibly blown by the two supply ducts 56 formed in both sides is blown into the discharge duct 57 formed in the middle. This is because the exhaust. That is, in the power supply device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the supply duct 6 blows twice as much cooling gas as the discharge ducts 7 on both sides, so that the cross-sectional area is doubled to reduce the pressure loss. In the power supply device of FIG. 5, the horizontal width of the supply duct 6 is twice the horizontal width of the discharge duct 7 in order to increase the cross-sectional area of the supply duct 6, which is the intermediate blowing duct 5. In addition, in the power supply apparatus shown in FIGS. 10-13, since the intermediate | mold discharge supply duct 57 blows twice as much cooling gas as the supply duct 56 of both sides, the cross-sectional area is doubled and pressure loss is reduced. Make it small. In the power supply device of FIG. 12, the horizontal width of the discharge duct 57 is twice the horizontal width of the supply duct 56 in order to increase the cross-sectional area of the discharge duct 57, which is the intermediate blowing duct 55.

In the above power supply device, the battery blocks 3 are arranged in two rows in parallel with each other, and the air blowing ducts 5 and 55 are formed in the middle and the outside of the battery blocks 3 arranged in two rows. However, the power supply device can also be configured with one row of battery blocks. In the power supply device 300 according to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the blower ducts 75 are formed on both sides of the battery block 3 in one row, and the blower duct 75 is supplied to the supply duct 75. It is set as 76, and the other blowing duct 75 is used as the discharge duct 77. As shown in FIG. As shown by the arrows in Figs. 14 and 15, the power supply device 300 blows cooling gas from the supply duct 76 toward the discharge duct 77 by the forced air blowing mechanism 9 to force the battery cell ( Cool 1). The cooling gas forcedly blown from the supply duct 76 is blown into each cooling gap 4 to cool the battery cell 1. The cooling gas which cooled the battery cell 1 collects in the discharge duct 77, and is exhausted. Since the flow rate of the cooling gas blown to the supply duct 76 and the discharge duct 77 becomes equal, this power supply device 300 is provided with the supply duct 76 and the discharge duct 77 formed in the both sides of the battery block 3, respectively. ), The cross-sectional area is equal, that is, the width of the supply duct 76 and the width of the discharge duct 77 are equal.

(Temperature equalization plate 15)

This power supply device can fix the temperature equalization plate on the surface of the battery block. The temperature equalization plate is arranged to close the cooling gap 4 so as to inhibit the cooling gas so that the cooling of the upstream battery cell is more limited, and the blockage amount is configured to be small along the traveling direction of the cooling gas, The temperature difference of a battery cell can be made small. In the battery blocks shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the temperature equalization plate 15a formed wider as the width in the height direction is toward the end edge of the battery block. In addition, as a power supply device according to a modification, as illustrated in FIG. 18A, the temperature equalization plate 15 is fixed to the surface of the supply duct 6 side of the battery block 3 so that each battery cell ( The temperature difference of 1) can be reduced. The temperature equalization plate 15 is a metal plate or a heat resistant plastic plate, and forms the air volume adjusting opening 16 so as to penetrate through both surfaces. In the example of the bind bar 11B shown in FIG. 18A, the temperature equalization plate 15 is fixed to the outside of the battery block 3. The temperature equalization plate 15 is adhered to and fixed to the surface of the bind bar 11D. However, although not shown, the temperature equalization plate may be fixed to the surface of the bind bar by a fitting structure or by screwing. In addition, the power supply device may narrow and fix the temperature equalization plate between the bind bar and the battery block.

The temperature equalization plate 15 of FIG. 18A forms the air volume adjusting opening 16 so as to extend in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1 in the upper and lower middle. The temperature equalization plate 15 forms the occlusion bar 15A up and down, forms the air volume adjustment opening 16 between the upper and lower occlusion bars 15A, and connects both ends of the upper and lower occlusion bars 15A. It connects to (15B). The temperature equalization plate 15 of this figure is made into the external shape fixed to the bind bar 11 which connects the upper bar 11e and the lower bar 11f. Accurately, the temperature equalization plate 15 has a width at which the upper and lower widths are fixed between the horizontal ribs 11b of the upper bar 11e of the bind bar 11B and the horizontal ribs 11b of the lower bar 11f. The length is fixed to the outer surface of the connecting portion 11g connecting the both ends of the bind bar 11. The temperature equalization plate 15 arranges the upper and lower occlusion bars 15A on the surfaces of the upper bars 11e and the lower bars 11f of the bind bars 11B, and the occlusion bars 15A are bound bars 11B. It can arrange | position to 14A of occlusion parts. According to this structure, in the cooling gap 4 adjacent to the battery cell 1 whose temperature becomes high, while forming the blocking bar 15A above and below the temperature equalizing plate 15, the blocking bar 15A is formed of the cooling gas. The structure which does not inhibit the inflow to the cooling clearance 4 can be implement | achieved. In addition, the entire circumference of the temperature equalization plate 15 can be fixed to the bind bar 11B with an adhesive, a fixing screw, or a fitting structure to be firmly fixed. Moreover, the temperature equalization plate 15 which has the outer periphery as a rectangle and forms the air volume adjustment opening 16 inside it can be manufactured simply by cutting a metal plate or a plastic plate.

The bind bar 11B shown in FIG. 18A is arranged above and below both sides of the battery block 3, and both ends thereof are fixed to the end plate 10. The bind bar 11B shown in FIG. 18A shows an upper bar 11e disposed at the upper edge of the battery block 3 and a lower bar 11f disposed at the lower edge of the battery block 3. The both ends are connected to each other and the connecting portion 11g is fixed to the end plate 10. The connecting portion 11g of the bind bar 11B is bent inwardly along the surface from the outer circumferential surface of the end plate 10 to fix the bent portion 11h to the end plate 10. This bind bar 11B is produced by cutting a metal plate of iron or an iron alloy and pressing. In addition, the bind bar 11B of the figure has the cross-sectional shape of the upper bar 11e and the lower bar 11f as L shape, and it is set as the shape which connects the horizontal rib 11b to the vertical rib 11a. . This bind bar 11B can arrange | position the vertical rib 11a in parallel with the side surface of the battery block 3, and can reinforce the vertical rib 11a by the horizontal rib 11b. In addition, the bind bar 11B of FIG. 18 (a) has the connection hole 11c fixed to the flange part of an exterior case in the horizontal rib 11b formed in the upper edge of the upper bar 11e. .

In addition, as shown in FIG. 18B, the temperature equalization plate may be integrally formed with the bind bar 11C of the metal plate. This bind bar 11C also has an upper bar 31A disposed at the upper edge of the battery block and a lower bar 31B disposed at the lower edge of the battery block 3 at the connecting portion 31C at both ends thereof. The bent part 31D formed in the connection part 31C is being fixed to the end plate by connecting to each other by this. This temperature equalization plate 35 forms the air volume adjustment opening 36 in which the opening width of the battery cell 1 differs between the upper bar 31A and the lower bar 31B. This temperature equalization plate 35 forms the air volume adjustment opening 36 by the process of cutting the bind bar 11C. Since the battery block 3 constitutes the temperature equalization plate 35 by the bind bar 11C which is firmly fixed, it prevents the position shift of the temperature equalization plate 35 and reliably prevents each battery over a long period of time. The temperature difference of the cell 1 can be made small.

The temperature equalization plates 15 and 35 pass the cooling gas of the supply duct 6 through the air volume adjusting openings 16 and 36 into the respective cooling gaps 4. This is because the opening 14 of the cooling gap 4 is opened to the supply duct 6 through the air volume adjusting openings 16 and 36. The air volume adjusting openings 16 and 36 are configured to extend in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1 so that the cooling gas can flow into the respective cooling gaps 4. The temperature equalization plates 15 and 35 of FIGS. 18A and 18B open the air volume adjusting openings 16 and 36 so that cooling gas can flow into all the cooling gaps 4. However, this structure is an example and is a battery cell whose cell temperature is considerably lowered. In the structure that does not require cooling by a cooling gas, a cooling gap in contact with the battery cell that does not require cooling is provided through the air volume adjusting opening. It is not necessary to open the supply duct. Therefore, the air volume adjusting opening does not necessarily need to open all the cooling gaps in the supply duct. The temperature equalization plates 15 and 35 adjust the area which opens the opening 14 of the cooling clearance 4 to the supply duct 6 by the opening area of the air volume adjustment opening 16 and 36, and respectively The air volume of the cooling gas flowing into the gap 4 is controlled.

The battery block 3 in which the plurality of battery cells 1 are stacked has the same opening area of all the cooling gaps 4 as the battery blocks 1 arranged upstream of the supply duct 6. The temperature becomes lower than the battery cell 1 on the downstream side. This is because more cooling gas forced into the supply duct 6 flows into the cooling gap 4 on the upstream side and less flows into the cooling gap 4 on the downstream side. The temperature equalization plate 15 of FIG. 18A restricts the cooling of the upstream battery cell 1 and efficiently cools the downstream battery cell 1 so that the air volume adjusting opening 16 of FIG. The opening area is enlarged toward the downstream side.

The temperature equalization plate 15 of FIGS. 18A and 18B makes the opening area of the upstream side of the air volume regulating opening 16 smaller than the downstream side, thereby limiting cooling of the upstream battery cell 1. Thus, the temperature difference between each battery cell 1 is reduced. The air volume adjusting opening 16 of the temperature equalization plate 15 adjusts the area opening of the cooling gap 4 in the supply duct 6 to control the flow rate of the cooling gas flowing into each cooling gap 4. It is not necessary to necessarily have the shape shown in the drawing, for example, by forming a plurality of through holes in the temperature equalization plate, adjusting the density or size of the through holes, or forming a plurality of slits, The opening area can also be changed in the stacking direction of the battery cells.

(Temperature equalization walls (8, 58, 78))

Moreover, the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 are arrange | positioned in the supply duct 6, 56, 76, and the temperature difference of the battery cell 1 is reduced. The temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 are elongate shape which makes the whole length of the cooling direction the blowing direction larger than horizontal width, and gradually tapers the edge part of an upstream side toward a front-end | tip. The temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 of FIGS. 5-7, 12, 13, 15, and 17 are gradually tapered toward the distal end of the downstream side of the cooling gas on the downstream side. It reduces the turbulence and allows the air to flow smoothly. Turbulence in the supply ducts 6, 56, and 76 causes the pressure loss to increase. Therefore, the structure of gradually thinning both the upstream side and the downstream side of the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 toward the tip can reduce the pressure loss due to the turbulence.

In addition, the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 of the figure are made into the shape which inclines so that the upstream side and the downstream side edge may narrow an up-down width toward a front-end | tip, and makes the whole shape into the mountain shape which makes a center part high. have. 7, 13, and 17, since the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 are arrange | positioned in the opposing position of the upper and lower sides of the supply duct 6, 56, 76, supply duct 6, 56, 76. The temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 arranged below the top face are inclined by the downhill gradient toward the tip, and the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 arranged above the top face toward the tip. It is set as the shape which inclines with a gradient, and the whole is made into the mountain shape. The structure of arranging the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 above and below the supply ducts 6, 56, 76 lowers the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78, i.e., narrows the temperature equalization walls. Since the temperature difference of a battery cell can be made small, the temperature difference of a battery cell can also be made small while reducing pressure loss. However, the power supply device of this invention does not necessarily need to arrange a temperature equalization wall above and below a supply duct, For example, although not shown in figure, you may arrange | position a temperature equalization wall only above or below a supply duct. .

5, 12, and 16, the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, and 78 form tapered portions 8A, 58A, and 78A that gradually narrow the horizontal width toward the top edge, and the battery block 3 ), The gap with the opposing surface is gradually widening toward the normal edge. The tapered portions 8A, 58A, 78A of the lower temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 gradually narrow the width toward the upper side, and gradually widen the interval between the opposing surfaces of the battery block 3. . The tapered portions 8A, 58A, 78A of the upper temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 gradually narrow the width toward the lower side, and gradually increase the distance from the opposing surface of the battery block 3. . The temperature equalization walls 8, 58, and 78 of Figs. 5, 7, 7, 12, 13, 16, and 17 do not have the taper portions 8A, 58A, and 78A in their entirety. (8A, 58A, 78A) and wide portions 8B, 58B, 78B are formed. The lower temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 form the wide portions 8B, 58B, 78B down and the taper portions 8A, 58A, 78A up, and the upper temperature equalization walls 8, 58 And 78, the wide portions 8B, 58B, 78B are formed with the tapered portions 8A, 58A, 78A down. The wide portions 8B, 58B, and 78B have a shape that does not change the width, or the ratio of changing the width in the vertical direction is less than that of the tapered portions 8A, 58A, and 78A so that both sides are close to the vertical to vertical planes. I am in a state.

The power supply device of FIGS. 5 to 7 forms a supply duct 6 between the two rows of battery blocks 3 and arranges the temperature equalization wall 8 therein, so that the tapered portion of the temperature equalization wall 8 is provided. (8A) makes the inclination angle (alpha) of both surfaces the same, and makes the space | interval with the opposing surface of the battery block 3 arrange | positioned on both surfaces the same. This is for uniformly cooling the battery cells 1 of the battery blocks 3 on both sides. In addition, since the power supply apparatus of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 forms the supply duct 56 on the outer side of the two rows of battery blocks 3, and arrange | positions the temperature equalization wall 58 here, the temperature equalization wall 58 is carried out. The tapered portion 58A has an inclined surface on the inner side, which is the opposite surface to the battery block 3, and an outer surface on the vertical side. The temperature equalization walls 58 disposed opposite the supply ducts 56 formed on both outer sides of the two rows of battery blocks 3 have the inclination angle α at the same angle, and are opposite to the opposing surfaces of the battery blocks 3. The intervals are symmetrical. This is to uniformly cool the battery cells 1 of the two rows of battery blocks 3. In addition, since the power supply device of FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 forms the supply duct 76 and the discharge duct 77 opposing both sides of the battery block 3 of 1 row, the supply duct which is one blowing duct 75 is shown. The temperature equalization wall 78 is disposed at 76. The taper portion 78A of the temperature equalization wall 78 has an inclined surface as an inclined surface and an outer surface as a vertical surface as opposed to the battery block 3.

Inclination angle (alpha) with respect to the horizontal surface of taper part 8A, 58A, 78A is specified from the horizontal width of wide part 8B, 58B, 78B, and the height of taper part 8A, 58A, 78A. The taper portion has a larger inclination angle α and a wider width portion of the wider portion to increase the taper portion, a smaller inclination angle α, and a smaller width width of the wide portion to make the taper portion low.

The temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 described above set the length and height of the taper part 8A, 58A, 78A of the blowing direction to the value from which the temperature difference of the battery cell 1 becomes the lowest. 4, 11 and 15, the temperature of the battery cell arrange | positioned downstream in a blowing direction becomes higher than the battery cell 1 of an upstream. The power supply devices of Figs. 4, 11, and 15 have a temperature on the downstream side of the supply ducts 6, 56, and 76 in order to lower the temperature of the downstream battery cell and reduce the temperature difference of the battery cell 1. The equalization walls 8, 58, 78 are arrange | positioned. The temperature equalization walls 8, 58, and 78 have a length in the blowing direction and a height of the tapered portions 8A, 58A, and 78A so as to reduce the temperature difference between the battery cells 1 disposed on the downstream half. It is specifying.

The power supply device which does not form a temperature equalization wall has nine battery cells arranged in the upstream side of the battery block, that is, nine battery cells and nine battery cells arranged in the downstream side. The temperature difference occurs in the battery cell. In particular, the nine battery cells arranged on the downstream side have a high temperature and a large temperature difference. The battery cells 1 disposed on the inflow side and the discharge side of the supply ducts 6, 56, and 76 are cooled from the end plates 10 on both sides, and the temperature is lowered. Moreover, since the gas cooled from the inflow side flows in, the temperature of the battery cell arrange | positioned downstream is highest. As for the nine battery cells arrange | positioned downstream, the temperature of the 14th battery cell arrange | positioned at the center becomes the highest. The temperature of the battery cell becomes lower as it becomes an upstream side or a downstream side than the battery cell arrange | positioned in the downstream center. For example, when the temperature of the battery cell arrange | positioned in the downstream center rises to about 34 degreeC, the temperature of the battery cell arrange | positioned at the both ends of downstream, ie, the 10th and 18th battery cells, is 30 degreeC. It becomes as follows. In this state, the temperature of the lowest temperature battery cell on the upstream side is about 23 ° C.

The power supply device shown in the figure is equalized to the temperature downstream of the supply ducts 6, 56, and 76 in order to cool the battery cells 1 disposed on the downstream side of the supply ducts 6, 56, and 76 more efficiently. The walls 8, 58, 78 are arrange | positioned. The temperature equalization walls 8, 58, and 78 have a length in the blowing direction and a tapered portion 8A, so as to lower the temperature of each battery cell 1 disposed on the downstream side and to reduce the temperature difference. 58A and 78A) are specified. The temperature equalization walls 8, 58, and 78 are inside the supply ducts 6, 56, and 76, and the forced cooling air flows into the cooling gap 4 more efficiently, whereby the temperature increases. Lowers the temperature.

5 to 7, the power supply device of Figs. 12, 13, 16 and 17 shows the wide portions 8B, 58B and 78B of the temperature equalization walls 8, 58 and 78 of the battery block 3. It is arrange | positioned in the position which opposes the bind bar 11X, and the taper part 8A, 58A, 78A of the temperature equalization wall 8, 58, 78 is located in the position which opposes the exposed part 14B of the battery block 3. I am placing it. That is, the wide portions 8B, 58B, 78B are disposed outside the closed portion 14A of the battery block 3, and the tapered portions 8A, 58A, 78A are disposed outside the exposed portion 14B. . The power supply device of FIG. 5 arranges the wide part 8B of the temperature equalization wall 8 between the bind bars 11X of the battery blocks 3 arranged in two rows, so that the temperature equalization wall 8 The tapered portions 8B are disposed between the exposed portions 14B of the two rows of battery blocks 3.

Here, since the blocking portion 14A closes the opening 14 by the bind bar 11X, even if the cooling gas is blown outside the blocking portion 14A, the cooling gas does not flow into the cooling gap 4. Does not. The power supply device shown in the sectional views of FIGS. 5, 11, and 16 includes the wide portions 8B, 58B, 78B of the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 disposed on the downstream side of the connecting member 11. Arrange so that there is no gap between the bind bar 11X or the bind bar. The power supply device of this structure does not blow cooling gas outside the closed portion 14A occluded by the bind bar 11X on the downstream side of the battery block 3, and blows all the cooling gas blown through the battery block. It blows to the exposed part 14B of (3), flows in into the cooling gap 4 smoothly and efficiently from the exposed part 14B, and cools the battery cell 1 efficiently.

Further, the tapered portions 8A, 58A, 78A protrude to the exposed portion 14B, and widen the upper and lower widths in the region where the battery temperature becomes high, and the tapered portions 8A, 58A, 78A) is arranged. Therefore, the cooling gas blown to the supply ducts 6, 56, 76 flows between the taper parts 8A, 58A, 78A, and the exposure part 14B, and flows by the taper parts 8A, 58A, 78A. This becomes faster and smoothly flows into the cooling gap 4 by the tapered portions 8A, 58A, and 78A, thereby efficiently cooling the battery cell 1. Therefore, the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, and 78 arrange | position the widest area | region of the upper and lower widths of the taper parts 8A, 58A, and 78A in the area | region where the temperature of the battery cell 1 becomes the highest, and the temperature becomes high. A battery cell can be cooled more efficiently than other battery cells, and battery temperature can be made low. Therefore, the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, and 78 specify the cooling efficiency of the battery cell which becomes high temperature in the upper and lower widths of the taper parts 8A, 58A, and 78A, and blows the taper parts 8A, 58A, and 78A. The battery cell which lowers a temperature by the length of a direction can be specified. The power supply device of FIGS. 4-7, 11-13, and 15-17 is equalized in temperature downstream of supply ducts 6, 56, and 76 in order to cool the downstream battery cell more efficiently. The walls 8, 58, and 78 are disposed, and the tapered portions 8A, 58A, and 78A are made high in the region of the battery cell where the temperature increases on the downstream side. As described above, the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, and 78 can control the number of battery cells to be cooled according to the length, or can specify the cooling efficiency of the battery cells that become high temperature by the vertical width. In the state where the temperature equalization walls 8, 58, 78 are not formed, the taper portions 8A, 58A, By specifying the height of 78A), it is possible to minimize the temperature difference of the power supply.

The above-described power supply device is fixed to the exterior case 20 with the battery block 3 placed in place. In the power supply device shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the outer case 20 includes the lower case 20A and the upper case 20B. The upper case 20B and the lower case 20A have a flange portion 21 projecting outward, and the flange portion 21 is fixed by the bolt 24 and the nut 25. The exterior case 20 of the figure arranges the flange part 21 in the side surface of the battery block 3. However, the flange portion may be disposed above or below the battery block, or in the middle thereof. This outer case 20 fixes the end plate 10 to the lower case 20A by fixing screws (not shown), and fixes the battery block 3. The fixing screw penetrates through the lower case 20A and is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) of the end plate 10 to fix the battery block 3 to the outer case 20. The fixing screw projects the head from the lower case 20A. In addition, the outer case 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 fixes the battery block 3 therein, and a blowing duct is provided between the outer surface of the battery block 3 and the inner surface of the side wall 22 of the outer case 20. (5) is formed.

In addition, the exterior case 20 connects the end face plate 30 to both ends. In the state in which the end face plate 30 is connected to the battery block 3, the connection duct 31 in which the supply duct 6 is connected to the blowing duct 5 made of the discharge duct 7 is integrated with plastic or the like. It is molded so as to protrude outward. This connecting duct 31 is connected to the forced blow mechanism 9 or to an external exhaust duct (not shown) which exhausts cooling gas from a power supply device. Although not shown, this end face plate is connected to the end plate of the battery block by a locking structure. However, the end face plate may be connected to the battery block by a connection structure other than the locking structure, or may be fixed to the outer case.

(Metal end plate 10)

In the power supply device, in general, a resin-made one has been used as an end plate because of its ease of molding or an insulating height. Moreover, in order to fix such a battery block in the lamination | stacking state of a battery cell and a separator, the structure which fixes end plates with a connection material has been employ | adopted. As the connecting material, for example, using the bind bar 11D as shown in FIG. 26, the bind bar 11D is bent in the U-shape at both ends to be hooked to the end plate 10D, and the fixing screw 12D is used. Thus, the battery block 3D in which the battery cells 1D and the separators 2D are alternately stacked is screwed. For screwing, screw holes are formed in the end plate 10D. For example, a screw hole is formed directly in the end plate 10D made of resin, or the metal cylinder which made the screw groove in the inner surface is insert-molded.

However, in either case, in the end plate 10D made of resin, there was a fear that the part of the screw fixing would be damaged by the stress in the case where a strong tightening torque was applied to the fixing screw 12D. Sufficient strength is required for fixing the battery block in order to reliably contact each battery cell with the separator. In particular, in-vehicle applications require high reliability that can withstand vibrations and shocks. For this reason, although the fastening torque of a fixing screw will be set high, as a result, there existed a possibility that it might become insufficient in strength in the resin end plate. Therefore, instead of the resin end plate, it is possible to use the metal end plate excellent in rigidity. If it is a metal end plate, even if a screw thread is directly formed in an end plate, it can fix with sufficient strength.

However, the metal end plate has a problem that the thermal conductivity is higher than that of the resin, and as a result, the temperature of the battery cell facing the end plate is lowered. Originally, even in the resin end plates, the battery cells at the edges tended to be easily cooled, but in the case of the metal end plates, the difference becomes more remarkable. The cooling of the battery cells is important not only to exhibit sufficient cooling ability, but also to keep the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells constant, that is, to prevent the temperature difference of the battery cells from occurring. If the temperature of the battery cell fluctuates, a difference also occurs in the battery capacity of the battery cell, which may cause overdischarge and overcharge, and thus deterioration of the battery cell may be considered.

As a result of earnest research, the inventors have found that the cause of the temperature of the battery cell located on the end face being lowered more than other battery cells is caused by the heat conduction by the metal end plate rather than by the cooling gas. Therefore, in order to suppress the heat conduction of this metal end plate and a battery cell, it has succeeded in suppressing heat conduction by interposing an end surface spacer between a metal end plate and a battery cell, and forming a heat insulation layer in an end surface spacer. The details will be described below.

(End face spacer 17)

19 and 20 show perspective views of the end face spacers 17. 21 is a perspective view of a state where the end plate 10 is fitted to the end face spacer 17. The end face spacers 17 shown in these figures are made almost the same as the separator 2 of FIG. 9, and are comprised by insulating members, such as resin. The difference from the separator 2 is the point which forms the heat insulation layer 18. FIG. The heat insulation layer 18 can be comprised by blocking the one end surface of the cooling gap for flowing a cooling gas. By closing the end face, the cooling gas cannot flow through the cooling gap, and the air stagnates inside to function as a heat insulating layer. In the example of FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, leaving the center cooling gap 4, the edge of the edge of the cooling gap outside is closed, and the two heat insulation layers 18 are formed. In addition, only the cooling gap 4 at the center of the three cooling gaps 4 in the center of FIG. 19 is left, and the cooling gaps at both sides thereof are fitted with the end plate 10 as shown in FIG. 21. (10) It is blocked by the shape of the end face.

Each heat insulating layer 18 defines a closed space without air circulation. As a result, air having a high thermal insulation effect is interposed between the battery cell 1 and the end plate 10, and the heat insulating property is further enhanced than that of the resin of the end plate 10 made of resin by remaining in the closed space so that there is no movement of air. Can be. In addition, the occlusion space does not need to be hermetically sealed, and it is sufficient that it can be defined so that large movement of air does not occur.

In addition, the heat insulation layer 18 divides the closed space into several with the rib. As a result, the movement of air is further suppressed, and the mechanical strength of the end face spacers 17 can be improved by the ribs. In addition, by remarkably changing the appearance with the separator, the effect of reducing the confusion mistake between the end face spacer and the separator during assembly work can also be obtained. In the example of FIG. 19, the ribs are formed in a linear, mountain-shaped continuous, saw-toothed shape in the closed space, simplifying the formation of the ribs in a simple shape and making the slanted ribs the bending strength of the end face spacers 17. It can also contribute to improvement.

Thus, by setting it as a hollow heat insulation layer, heat insulation can be improved rather than making a cooling gap the solid heat insulation layer completely filled by resin filling. In general, since the thermal conductivity of air is lower than that of the resin, the thermal insulation effect is high. In the filling of the resin, the molding accuracy deteriorates due to shrinkage, so-called "shrinkage," which occurs during curing after the resin molding, and this problem can be avoided, and the amount of resin used can be reduced to contribute to cost reduction and weight reduction. have. This increases the mechanical fastening force by using the end plate 10 as a metal, and is therefore a metal, so that the thermal conductivity is high and the cooling capacity of the battery cell facing the end plate 10 is higher than that of other battery cells. The heat insulation layer 18 which interposes air by space can be reduced, and mechanical strength can be improved and cracking can be aimed at.

Although only the heat insulation layer 18 may be formed in the end surface spacer 17, Preferably, the cooling clearance 4 is left as mentioned above. Thereby, cooling of the battery cell 1 which contacted the end surface spacer 17 is attained. In addition, since the battery cell 1 can be cooled from an approximately center by placing the cooling gap 4 in the center of the end face spacer 17, equal cooling is achieved in the height direction of the battery cell 1.

(Adjacent separator)

In addition, the heat insulation layer 18B can also be formed in a separator. The heat insulation layer 18B is not formed in every separator, Preferably it is formed in some separators, specifically, the separator which contact | connects the battery cell whose temperature of a battery cell is lower than other battery cells. In general, the temperature distribution of a battery cell has a tendency that the temperature of the battery cell on the inlet side and the outlet side of the cooling gas, that is, the battery cell on the other side relative to the end face of the battery block is relatively low, and the temperature of the battery cell located inside is increased. There is this. Therefore, the temperature gap ΔT between the battery cells can be reduced by reducing the cooling gap or adding a heat insulating layer to the separator of the battery cell which tends to have a low temperature to raise the temperature of the ionizing cell relatively.

In the example shown to the cross section of the battery block of FIG. 22, the heat insulation layer is shown with the broken line. In this battery block, the battery cell 1 of the end surface side which the end surface spacer 17 contact | connects, and the separator 2a arrange | positioned between the battery cell 1 inside it are made to be substantially close to the end surface spacer 17. As shown in FIG. It is set as the same shape. That is, leaving three cooling gaps 4 in the center, and closing the end faces of the two cooling gaps on the outside to form the heat insulating layer 18B. In the end face spacer 17, only one central cooling gap 4 is left, and the left and right cooling gaps are closed by the end plate 10, but the separator 2a does not have such a blockage. The cooling gap 4 is secured. Thereby, the cooling ability of the battery cell 1 is made higher than the end surface spacer 17, and the battery cell 1 located in the end surface and the battery cell 1 inside it can be effectively cooled.

Similarly, about the separator 2b located inward, four cooling gaps 4 are secured, and the remaining cooling paths are closed to form the heat insulating layer 18B. The inner separator 2c has five cooling gaps 4 and the inner separator 2d does not form a heat insulating layer with all of the cooling gaps 4 in the state. In this way, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the cooling gaps is narrowest at the end face of the battery block, and is gradually increased as it goes inward. In other words, by gradually increasing the number of cooling gaps from the end face of the battery block, or by gradually decreasing the number of heat insulating layers of the separator, the cooling capacity of the battery cell which tends to cool down toward the end face is gradually reduced, By raising the temperature of a battery cell relatively, the effect of equalizing the temperature of the whole battery cell is aimed at.

As described above, each of the battery cells is cooled by flowing a cooling gas into the cooling gap, while for the battery cells on the end face, the cooling effect is reduced by the heat insulation layer, the difference in the cooling capacity is reduced, and the temperature of the battery cells is made uniform. I can approach it. In addition, by combining the above-described temperature equalization wall and the temperature equalization plate with the end face spacer, cracking of the battery cell can be further achieved.

The above power supply device can be used as a vehicle-mounted battery system. As a vehicle on which the power supply device is mounted, an electric vehicle such as a hybrid car, a plug-in hybrid car, or an electric vehicle running only with a motor can be used and used as a power source for these vehicles.

FIG. 23 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted in a hybrid car that runs on both an engine and a motor. The vehicle HV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure includes an engine 96 for driving the vehicle HV, a motor 93 for driving, and a battery system 100B for supplying electric power to the motor 93. ) And a generator 94 for charging the battery of the battery system 100B. The battery system 100B is connected to the motor 93 and the generator 94 via the DC / AC inverter 95. The vehicle HV travels to both the motor 93 and the engine 96 while charging and discharging the battery of the battery system 100B. The motor 93 is driven to drive the vehicle in an area where the engine efficiency is poor, for example, during acceleration or at low speed. The motor 93 is driven with electric power supplied from the battery system 100B. The generator 94 is driven by the engine 96 or by regenerative braking when braking the vehicle to charge the battery of the battery system 100B.

24, the example which mounts a power supply device in the electric vehicle which runs only by a motor is shown. The vehicle EV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure includes a motor 93 for driving driving the vehicle EV, a battery system 100C for supplying electric power to the motor 93, and the battery system 100C. The generator 94 which charges the battery of () is provided. The motor 93 is driven by being powered from the battery system 100C. The generator 94 is driven by the energy at the time of regenerative braking of the vehicle EV to charge the battery system 100C battery.

Industrial availability

A capacity equalization method for a vehicle power supply device and a vehicle and a vehicle power supply device including the same according to the present invention is a capacity equalization method for a plug-recognized hybrid electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, and an electric vehicle that can switch between an EV driving mode and an HEV driving mode. It can be used suitably as.

100, 200, 300: power supply
100B, 100C: Battery System
1, 1D, 101: battery cell
1A, 14 opening
2, 2D, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d: Separator
2A: Home
2B: cutout
3, 3D, 110: battery block
4, 103: cooling gap
5, 55, 75: blower duct
6, 56, 76, 106: supply duct
7, 57, 77, 107: discharge duct
8, 58, 78: temperature equalization wall
8A, 58A, 78A: Taper
8B, 58B, 78B: wide part
9: forced blowing mechanism
10, 10D: end plate
10A: Reinforcement Rib
10a, 11c: connection hole
11: connecting material
11a: vertical rib
11b: horizontal rib
11d: bending piece
11e, 31A: Upper Bar
11f, 31B: Lower bar
11g, 31C: Connection
11h, 31D: Bends
Bind Bars: 11X, 11B, 11C, 11D
12, 12D: set screw
13: electrode terminal
14A: occlusion
14B: exposed part
15, 15a, 35: temperature equalization plate
15A: Occlusion Bar
15B: Connection Bar
16, 36: air volume adjustment opening
17: end face spacer
18, 18B: heat insulation layer
19: middle barrier
20: exterior case
20A: lower case
20B: Upper Case
21: flange portion
22: sidewall
24: Bolt
25: nuts
30: end face plate
31: connecting duct
93: motor
94: generator
95: DC / AC Inverter
96: engine
EV, HV: Vehicle

Claims (12)

A plurality of square battery cells 1,
The resin separator 2 which is inserted between the battery cells 1 and electrically insulates adjacent battery cells 1 from each other, and which is in contact with the surface of the battery cells 1 in a thermally bonded state; ,
A pair of end face spacers covering the end face battery cells 1 located at opposite end faces of the battery block 3 formed by alternately stacking the battery cells 1 and the separators 2. With 17,
A pair of metal end plates 10 thicker than the end face spacers 17 respectively covering the surfaces of the end face spacers 17,
It is a power supply device having a connecting member 11 for fastening the pair of end plates 10,
The separator 2 forms a cooling gap 4 for flowing a cooling gas on the surface in contact with the battery cell 1,
The end face spacer (17) is formed by forming a hollow heat insulating layer (18) defining a closed space on a surface in contact with the battery cell (1). The cooling gap 4 is formed by forming a cross section of the separator 2 into an uneven shape, and opening the end edge.
The said heat insulation layer (18) is formed by forming the cross section of the said end surface spacer (17) in an uneven | corrugated shape, and closing the edge of the power supply, The power supply apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the heat insulation layer (18) is formed by closing an edge of the cooling gap (4). The power supply device according to claim 3, wherein the heat insulation layer (18) is further divided into a plurality of occluded spaces by ribs. 5. The power supply device according to claim 4, wherein the rib is formed in a mountain shape. The end face spacer (17) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, having a cooling gap (4),
The power supply device characterized in that the cooling gap (4) of the separator (2) is larger than the cooling gap (4) of the end face spacer (17) or the cross-sectional area of the flow path is larger. The said end surface spacer 17 is equipped with the said cooling gap 4 in the substantially center of the height direction of the said battery cell 1, The heat insulation layer 18 is provided in both sides of the said cooling gap 4. A power supply, characterized in that is formed. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a separator (2) facing the end face spacer (17) of the separator (2) forms a heat insulating layer (18). 9. The power supply device according to claim 8, wherein a cross-sectional area of said cooling gap (4) is formed so as to be narrowest at the end face of said battery block (3) and gradually increases as it goes inward. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a duct connecting a forced blow mechanism (9) for forcibly flowing a cooling gas into the cooling gap (4). The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the connecting member (11) is screwed. A vehicle comprising the power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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