WO2012147801A1

WO2012147801A1 - Power supply device and vehicle equipped with power supply device

Info

Publication number: WO2012147801A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/061101
Authority: WO
Inventors: 俊哉後藤; 高志瀬戸; 高橋　剛
Original assignee: 三洋電機株式会社
Priority date: 2011-04-27
Filing date: 2012-04-25
Publication date: 2012-11-01

Abstract

[Problem] To reduce the contact state non-uniformity between battery cells when the battery cells are made contact with a cooling plate. [Solution] A power supply device comprises: a battery stack body (5) in which a plurality of battery cells (1) are stacked; a cooling plate (61) connected to the bottom of the battery stack body (5) so as to be thermally coupled thereto and releasing the heat of the battery stack body (5); and a heat conduction sheet (12) interposed between the battery stack body (5) and the cooling plate (61). The heat conduction sheet (12) is provided with a plurality of deformable bodies on the surface to be contacted with the battery stack body (5), the deformable bodies being projected with respect to the battery stack body (5) and being elastically deformable. Projections (14) or cuts (15) can be used for the deformable bodies. Accordingly, even when the bottom conditions of the battery cells (1) included in the battery stack body (5) vary and some of the battery cells have different bottom heights, the height difference can be reduced by interposing the deformable bodies.

Description

Power supply device and vehicle equipped with power supply device

The present invention relates to a power supply device connected to a plurality of battery cells and a vehicle including the power supply device, and more particularly to a power supply for a motor that drives an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, an electric vehicle, and an electric motorcycle, or a household. The present invention relates to a power supply device that is optimal for a large-current power supply device used for power storage for factories and factories, and a vehicle equipped with the power supply device.

The power supply device can connect a large number of battery cells in series to increase the output voltage, and can be connected in parallel to increase the charge / discharge current. Therefore, a high-current, high-output power supply device used as a power supply for a motor that runs an automobile connects a plurality of battery cells in series to increase the output voltage. Since the power supply device used for this kind of application is charged and discharged with a large current, the battery cell generates heat. Therefore, a cooling mechanism that effectively cools the battery cells is required. Conventionally, an air cooling method has been used in which cooling air is forcibly blown between the battery cells to cool it. On the other hand, a method of cooling a cooling plate using a refrigerant, bringing a battery cell into contact with the cooling plate, and cooling by heat exchange has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this method, as shown in FIG. 15, a cooling plate 261 is disposed on the lower surface of the battery stack 205, and a cooling pipe 260 is provided on the cooling plate 261, so that the heat from the battery stack 205 is transferred via the cooling plate 261. To cool down. This cooling mechanism 269 excels in heat dissipation because heat is directly exchanged by the refrigerant. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a gap for blowing cooling air between the battery cells, there is an advantage that the battery stack 205 in which the battery cells are stacked can be reduced in size.

On the other hand, it is difficult to make the bottom surface of the battery stack 205 in which the battery cells are stacked completely the same plane. In fact, as shown in the side view of FIG. . As a result, as shown in the side view of FIG. 17, some of the battery cells are stacked and fastened in a state where they are lifted in the middle. As a result, the bottom surface of all the battery cells is not in a state of being in contact with the cooling plate in a uniform state, and some of the battery cells have insufficient contact with the cooling plate or have a gap, Sufficient heat dissipation cannot be obtained. As a result, nonuniformity occurs in the cooling capacity of the battery cell. In particular, the non-uniformity between the battery cells tends to increase as the number of battery cells stacked increases. If the power supply device continues to be used while the cooling state is not uniform, the battery cells with inferior cooling capacity deteriorate, the battery capacity is reduced, and the battery capacity that can be used in the entire power supply device is reduced.

In order to improve the thermal coupling at such a contact interface, an elastic heat conductive sheet is also interposed between the battery laminate and the cooling plate. The heat conductive sheet is composed of a member that is elastically deformed when the surface is pressed, and can be deformed to some extent. In such a heat conductive sheet, the thermal coupling can be maintained satisfactorily when the battery cell is pressed, but contact cannot be obtained when the battery cell is separated. For this reason, there existed a problem that sufficient effect was not acquired with respect to the floating of a battery cell.

JP 2010-15788 A

The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems. A main object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device and a vehicle including the power supply device in which nonuniformity of the contact state between the battery cells is reduced when the battery cells are brought into contact with the cooling plate.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to achieve the above object, according to the power supply device of the first aspect of the present invention, the battery stack 5 in which a plurality of battery cells 1 are stacked, and the bottom surface of the battery stack 5 are in a thermally coupled state. A power supply apparatus comprising: a cooling plate 61 connected to dissipate the battery stack 5; and a heat conductive sheet 12 interposed between the battery stack 5 and the cooling plate 61, wherein the heat conduction The sheet 12 can be provided with a plurality of deformation bodies that protrude from the battery stack 5 and elastically deform on the contact surface with the battery stack 5. Thereby, even when there are variations in the state of the bottom surfaces of the battery cells included in the battery stack, and the heights of the bottom surfaces of some of the battery cells are different, the difference can be reduced by interposing the deformation body.

Further, according to the power supply device according to the second aspect, the deformable body can be the protruding portion 14 protruding from the heat conductive sheet 12. Thereby, a contact state can be maintained with respect to the variation in the height of the battery cell bottom by elastically deforming the protrusion, and the difference in heat conduction between the battery cells can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the third aspect, the protruding amount of the protruding portion 14 can be 5 to 80% with respect to the thickness of the heat conductive sheet 12.

Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the fourth aspect, the projecting portion 14 can be formed in any one of a net shape, a lattice shape, and a circular shape in plan view.

Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the fifth aspect, the deformable body can be a cut 15 provided on the surface of the heat conductive sheet 12. Thereby, the heat conduction sheet itself can be easily deformed by the cut shape, and the difference in heat conduction between the battery cells can be reduced by maintaining the contact state with respect to the variation in the height of the battery cell bottom surface.

Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the sixth aspect, the heat conductive sheet 12 can be made of any of acrylic, urethane, epoxy, and silicone resins.

Furthermore, the above power supply device can be used for a vehicle including the power supply device according to the seventh aspect.

It is a disassembled perspective view of a power supply device provided with the power supply device which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which mounts the assembled battery of FIG. 1 on a cooling plate. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the assembled battery of FIG. It is a schematic plan view which shows the arrangement state of a cooling pipe and a cooling mechanism. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which mounts a battery laminated body on a heat conductive sheet. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which mounted the battery laminated body on the heat conductive sheet of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the heat conductive sheet which provided the protrusion part. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the heat conductive sheet which provided the protrusion part. It is a perspective view which shows the further another example of the heat conductive sheet which provided the protrusion part. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat conductive sheet according to Example 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which mounted the battery laminated body on the heat conductive sheet shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the hybrid vehicle which drive | works with an engine and a motor. It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the electric vehicle which drive | works only with a motor. It is a block diagram which shows the example applied to the power supply device for electrical storage. It is a perspective view which shows the cooling mechanism of the conventional power supply device. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which mounts the conventional battery laminated body on a cooling plate. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which mounted the battery laminated body on the cooling plate of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies a power supply device for embodying the technical idea of the present invention and a vehicle including the power supply device, and the present invention includes the following power supply device and a vehicle including the power supply device. Not specified. Moreover, the member shown by the claim is not what specifies 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 to the description unless otherwise specified. It's just an example. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in the following description, the same name and symbol indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing. In addition, the contents described in some examples and embodiments may be used in other examples and embodiments.
Example 1

1 to 3, an example in which the power supply device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle power supply device will be described. In these drawings, FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply device 100, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery stack 5 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery stack 5 of FIG. Yes. This power supply device 100 is mainly mounted on an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and is used as a power source for supplying electric power to a traveling motor of the vehicle and causing the vehicle to travel. However, the power supply device of the present invention can be used for an electric vehicle other than a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and can also be used for an application requiring a high output other than an electric vehicle.
(Power supply device 100)

The external appearance of the power supply device 100 is a box shape whose upper surface is rectangular as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. In the power supply device 100, a box-shaped outer case 70 is divided into two, and a plurality of assembled batteries 10 are accommodated therein. The exterior case 70 includes a lower case 71, an upper case 72, and end plates 73 connected to both ends of the lower case 71 and the upper case 72. The upper case 72 and the lower case 71 have a flange portion 74 protruding outward, and the flange portion 74 is fixed with a bolt and a nut. The outer case 70 has a flange 74 disposed on the side surface of the outer case 70. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 1, two battery stacks 5 are housed in the lower case 71 in total, two in the longitudinal direction and two in the lateral direction. Each battery stack 5 is fixed at a fixed position inside the outer case 70. The end surface plate 73 is connected to both ends of the lower case 71 and the upper case 72 and closes both ends of the exterior case 70.

A perspective view of each battery stack 5 constituting the assembled battery 10 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery stack 5 is fixed on a cooling plate 61 for cooling the battery stack 5. Further, a connection structure for fixing the battery stack 5 on the cooling plate 61 is provided.
(Battery 10)

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the assembled battery 10 is interposed between a plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 and a surface on which the plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 are stacked to insulate the prismatic battery cells 1 from each other. A separator 2, a pair of end plates 3 disposed on an end surface in the stacking direction of a battery stack 5 in which a plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 and separators 2 are stacked alternately, and a pair of end plates 3 disposed on both end surfaces of the battery stack 5. A plurality of metal fastening members 4 for fastening the end plates 3 to each other are provided. Further, the battery stack 5 is fixed on a cooling plate 61 for cooling it (details will be described later).
(Battery laminate 5)

The assembled battery 10 includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 stacked via an insulating separator 2 to form a battery stack 5, and a pair of end plates 3 are disposed on both end faces of the battery stack 5, A pair of end plates 3 are connected by a fastening member 4. The assembled battery 10 shown in the above figure includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 and separators 2 by interposing a separator 2 that insulates the prismatic battery cells 1 adjacent to each other on the laminated surface of the prismatic battery cells 1. It is set as the battery laminated body 5 laminated | stacked alternately.

In the assembled battery, it is not always necessary to interpose a separator between the square battery cells. For example, a rectangular battery cell outer can is formed of an insulating material, or the outer periphery of the rectangular battery cell outer can is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube, an insulating sheet, an insulating paint, etc. By isolating the cells, a separator can be eliminated. In particular, a method of cooling a battery stack through a cooling pipe cooled by using a refrigerant or the like, instead of an air-cooling method in which cooling air is forcibly blown between prismatic battery cells to cool the prismatic battery cells. In the configuration to be adopted, it is not always necessary to interpose a separator between the square battery cells.
(Square battery cell 1)

The prismatic battery cell 1 has an outer can constituting the outer shape of a rectangular shape having a thickness smaller than a width. Positive and negative electrode terminals are provided on the sealing plate for closing the outer can, and a safety valve is provided between the electrode terminals. The safety valve is configured to open when the internal pressure of the outer can rises to a predetermined value or more, and to release the internal gas. The increase in the internal pressure of the outer can can be stopped by opening the safety valve. The unit cell constituting the rectangular battery cell 1 is a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, or a nickel-cadmium battery. In particular, when a lithium ion secondary battery is used for the prismatic battery cell 1, there is an advantage that the charging capacity with respect to the volume and mass of the entire battery cell can be increased. Furthermore, it is not limited to a square battery cell, and a cylindrical battery cell or a rectangular battery cell in which an exterior body is covered with a laminate material or other shape laminated battery cells may be used.

The square battery cells 1 that are stacked to form the battery stack 5 are connected in series by connecting adjacent positive and negative electrode terminals with a bus bar 6. The assembled battery 10 in which the adjacent rectangular battery cells 1 are connected in series can increase the output voltage and increase the output. However, the assembled battery can be connected in parallel with each other by connecting adjacent prismatic battery cells in parallel, or by combining serial connection and parallel connection. The square battery cell 1 is manufactured with a metal outer can. In this prismatic battery cell 1, an insulating separator 2 is sandwiched between the prismatic battery cells 1 in order to prevent short-circuiting of the outer cans of the adjacent prismatic battery cells 1. Note that the outer can of the square battery cell can also be made of an insulating material such as plastic. In this case, since it is not necessary for the rectangular battery cell to be laminated with the outer cans insulated, the separator can be made of metal or the separator can be made unnecessary.
(Separator 2)

The separator 2 is a spacer that laminates adjacent prismatic battery cells 1 in an electrically and thermally insulated manner. The separator 2 is made of an insulating material such as plastic, and is disposed between the adjacent rectangular battery cells 1 to insulate the adjacent rectangular battery cells 1.
(End plate 3)

A pair of end plates 3 are arranged on both end faces of the battery stack 5 in which the prismatic battery cells 1 and the separators 2 are alternately stacked, and the battery stack 5 is fastened by the pair of end plates 3. The end plate 3 is made of a material that exhibits sufficient strength, for example, metal. The end plate 3 has a fixing structure for fixing to the lower case 71 shown in FIG. However, the end plate may be made of a resin material, or the resin end plate may be reinforced with a member made of a metal material.
(Fastening member 4)

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the fastening members 4 are arranged on both side surfaces of the battery laminate 5 in which the end plates 3 are laminated at both ends, and are fixed to the pair of end plates 3 to attach the battery laminate 5 to each other. Conclude. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3, the fastening member 4 includes a main body 41 that covers the side surface of the battery stack 5, and a bent piece 42 that is bent at both ends of the main body 41 and fixed to the end plate 3. And an upper surface holding part 43 that is bent upward and holds the upper surface of the battery stack 5. Such a fastening member 4 is made of a material having sufficient strength, for example, metal. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the fastening member is provided in each battery laminated body 5, respectively, In this case, end plates located in each end surface are fixed to each battery laminated body 5 with a fastening member. However, both side surfaces can be integrally connected by the fastening members 4 in a state where the two battery stacks 5 are arranged in the stacking direction. In this configuration, the fastening member 4 is also used as a member for connecting the battery stacks 5 to each other. Here, the end plates 3 positioned on the end surfaces are fixed to each other by the fastening members 4, and the fastening members are not fixed to the end plates 3 facing each other between the two battery stacks 5. Furthermore, the end plate 3 which opposes between two battery laminated bodies 5 can also be shared as one component. The fixing of the end plate and the fastening member is not limited to the structure of fixing with the bolts described in the embodiments.
(Refrigerant circulation mechanism)

The cooling plate 61 is provided with a refrigerant circulation mechanism therein. FIG. 4 shows an example of such a refrigerant circulation mechanism. In the battery pack 10 shown in FIG. 4, a battery stack 5 in which a plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 are stacked is disposed on the upper surface of a cooling plate 61. The cooling plate 61 is disposed in a thermally coupled state to the prismatic battery cells 1 constituting the battery stack 5. The cooling plate 61 is provided with a refrigerant pipe, and the refrigerant pipe is connected to a cooling mechanism 69. The assembled battery 10 can be effectively cooled directly by bringing the battery stack 5 into contact with the cooling plate 61. Further, not only the battery stack, but also, for example, each member disposed on the end face of the battery stack can be cooled together. As described above, the cooling plate 61 including the cooling pipe 60 that circulates the refrigerant therein is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the battery stack 5 to be cooled, thereby improving heat dissipation and stable power supply apparatus even at high output. Can be used with
(Cooling plate 61)

The cooling plate 61 is a radiator for conducting heat of the rectangular battery cell 1 to dissipate it to the outside. In the example of FIG. The cooling plate 61 incorporates a cooling pipe 60 that is a refrigerant pipe made of copper, aluminum, or the like that circulates a liquefied refrigerant that is a cooling liquid as a heat exchanger. The cooling pipe 60 is thermally coupled to the upper surface plate of the cooling plate 61, and a heat insulating material is disposed between the cooling plate 60 and the bottom plate to insulate the space from the bottom plate. Further, in addition to the cooling function by such a refrigerant, the cooling plate 61 can be composed of only a metal plate. For example, it is made into the shape excellent in heat dissipation and heat transfer property, such as a metal body provided with a radiation fin. Or you may utilize not only metal but the heat-transfer sheet | seat which has insulation.

The cooling plate 61 is cooled by supplying the coolant from the cooling mechanism 69 to the refrigerant piping provided inside. The cooling plate 61 can cool the cooling liquid supplied from the cooling mechanism 69 more efficiently as a refrigerant that cools the cooling plate 61 with heat of vaporization that evaporates inside the refrigerant pipe.

In the example of FIG. 4, two battery stacks 5 are placed on each cooling plate 61. As described above, two battery stacks 5 are connected in the length direction, that is, the stacking direction of the rectangular battery cells 1 to form one battery stack continuous body 10B, and the two batteries in such a connected state are formed. The stacked body 5 is supported by one cooling plate 61. Two of these battery stack continuous bodies 10B are arranged in parallel to constitute the assembled battery 10.

In the example of FIG. 4, the cooling plate 61 is extended in the stacking direction of the rectangular battery cells 1, and the cooling pipe 60 piped inside is meandered so as to be folded back at the end edge, thereby forming three straight lines. A cooling pipe 60 is disposed on the lower surface of the battery stack 5. And the circulation path of a refrigerant | coolant is made common by connecting the cooling pipes 60 with battery lamination | stacking continuous bodies 10B. Thus, if it is set as the structure which mounts and cools the several battery laminated body 5 on the one cooling plate 61, a cooling mechanism can be shared and the cooling plate 61 is made common and cheaper and simplified cooling. The mechanism can be realized. However, a plurality of cooling pipes can be arranged on the lower surface of the battery stack. For example, a meandering cooling pipe can be divided at a folded portion to form a plurality of cooling pipes. Thereby, since the meandering portion can be eliminated, the weight can be reduced. At this time, the cooling pipes may be connected to share a refrigerant path. In addition, the structure and shape which arrange | position a cooling pipe can be changed suitably.

Furthermore, the cooling plate 61 also functions as a soaking means for equalizing the temperatures of the plurality of prismatic battery cells 1. That is, a region in which the cooling plate 61 adjusts the thermal energy absorbed from the prismatic battery cell 1 to efficiently cool the prismatic battery cell whose temperature increases, for example, the prismatic battery cell in the center, and the temperature decreases. For example, the cooling of the square battery cells at both ends is reduced to reduce the temperature difference between the square battery cells. As a result, the temperature unevenness of the prismatic battery cells can be reduced, and a situation in which deterioration of some of the prismatic battery cells proceeds and overcharge and overdischarge can be avoided.

In addition, although the example which arrange | positions the cooling plate 61 in the bottom face of the battery laminated body 5 was shown in FIG. 4, it is not restricted to this structure. For example, the cooling plate can be arranged on both side surfaces of the prismatic battery cell, or can be arranged only on the side surfaces.
(Thermal conductive sheet 12)

In addition, a heat transfer member such as the heat conductive sheet 12 is interposed between the cooling pipe 60 and the prismatic battery cell 1. The heat conductive sheet 12 is preferably made of a material that is insulating and excellent in heat conduction and has a certain degree of elasticity. Examples of such a material include acrylic, urethane, epoxy, and silicone resins. By doing in this way, between the battery laminated body 5 and the cooling pipe 60 is electrically insulated. In particular, when the outer can of the square battery cell 1 is made of metal and the cooling pipe 60 is made of metal, it is necessary to insulate the battery so as not to conduct at the bottom surface of the square battery cell 1. As described above, the surface of the outer can is covered and insulated with a heat-shrinkable tube or the like, and in order to further improve the insulation, the insulating heat conductive sheet 12 is interposed to enhance safety and reliability. In addition to the heat conductive sheet 12, a heat conductive paste or the like can also be used. Furthermore, an additional insulating film can be interposed in order to reliably maintain the insulating property. In addition, the cooling pipe can be made of an insulating material.
(Deformation)

As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the heat conductive sheet 12 has a substantially flat surface on the bottom side, that is, the contact surface with the cooling plate 61. On the other hand, a plurality of deformation bodies are provided on the top surface side, that is, the contact surface with the battery stack 5. The deformable body protrudes from the battery stack 5. Such a deformable body is also composed of an elastic member, and preferably the deformable body is integrally formed on the heat conductive sheet 12.

In the example of FIG. 5, the deformable body is a protruding portion 14 protruding in a protruding shape from the heat conductive sheet 12. When the battery stack 5 is placed on the upper surface of the heat conductive sheet 12 provided with such protrusions 14, the deformable body is elastically deformed as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. Here, even if the height of the bottom surface of each square battery cell 1 constituting the battery stack 5 varies, it can be adjusted by the deformation of the protruding portion 14. That is, in the part where the bottom surface of the prismatic battery cell 1 is at a high position, the deformation amount of the protrusion 14 is small, and in the part where the bottom surface is in a low position, the deformation amount of the protrusion part 14 is large. Even in the cell 1, the bottom surface can be brought into contact with the heat conductive sheet 12 through the protrusion 14. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which some of the square battery cells 1 are not in contact with the heat conductive sheet and heat dissipation is impaired.

According to this configuration, since the contact area is relatively smaller than that of a conventional heat conductive sheet having a flat surface, each of the square battery cells 1 has a reduced absolute thermal coupling, that is, heat dissipation. Therefore, the difference in heat dissipation capability between the prismatic battery cells 1 can be greatly reduced as compared with the prior art. This is extremely important from the viewpoint of stably using the power supply device for a long period of time. In other words, even if the absolute value of the cooling capacity is slightly reduced, it is possible to provide a power supply device with improved reliability by obtaining an even heat dissipation capability.

The protruding amount of the protruding portion 14 is set according to the expected variation in the bottom height of the rectangular battery cell 1. Preferably, the amount of protrusion 14 is 5 to 80%, more preferably 10 to 50% of the thickness of the heat conductive sheet in consideration of the ease of deformation of the protrusion 14 and the exertion of elastic force. Is set.

The protrusions 14 are preferably provided uniformly on almost the entire surface of the heat conductive sheet. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 7, the pattern in which the protrusions 14 are provided may have a mesh shape in a plan view of the heat conductive sheet 12, or may have a lattice shape as in the heat conductive sheet 12B according to the modification shown in FIG. . Alternatively, various patterns such as a columnar shape, a prismatic shape such as a triangle, a quadrangle, and a hexagon, or a spherical shape can be used as appropriate, as in the heat conductive sheet 12C according to another modification shown in FIG. Further, the cylindrical or prismatic tip portion can be flat, chamfered, curved, triangular pyramid, oblique truncated, or the like.
(Example 2)

Further, the deformable body is not limited to the protruding portion, and a configuration capable of changing the height of the surface of the heat conductive sheet can be used as appropriate. For example, as shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 10 and 11 as Example 2, a cut 15 provided on the surface of the heat conductive sheet 12D may be used. The cut-like deformed body adjusts the height by the heat conductive sheet 12D itself being pressed and deformed. In this configuration, the heat conductive sheet 12 </ b> D is formed thick in advance and is easily crushed by being pressed by the battery stack 5. For this reason, in the site | part with a high bottom face height of the square battery cell 1, the deformation amount of the heat conductive sheet 12D is small, and in the site | part with a low bottom face height, the heat conductive sheet 12D is crushed and adjusted. The thickness of the heat conductive sheet 12D is set according to the variation in the assumed height of the bottom surface of the rectangular battery cell 1. That is, in Example 1 which provides the protrusion part 14 mentioned above, the whole height of the heat conductive sheet 12 including the height of the protrusion part 14 becomes the thickness of the heat conductive sheet 12D in Example 2.

As described above, in the cooling method in which the battery stack is disposed on the cooling plate, the temperature variation between the battery cells can be reduced by adjusting the thermal conductance between the battery cells and the cooling plate to be uniform. Thus, it is possible to provide a power supply device with improved reliability that can be used stably over a long period of time, while maintaining no difference in the overall capacity of the battery cells.

The above power supply apparatus can be used as a vehicle-mounted power supply. As a vehicle equipped with a power supply device, an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle that runs with both an engine and a motor, or an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor can be used, and is used as a power source for these vehicles .
(Power supply for hybrid vehicles)

FIG. 12 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on a hybrid vehicle that runs with both an engine and a motor. A vehicle HV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure includes an engine 96 and a travel motor 93 that travel the vehicle HV, a power supply device 100 that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator that charges a battery of the power supply device 100. 94. The power supply apparatus 100 is connected to a motor 93 and a generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. The vehicle HV travels by both the motor 93 and the engine 96 while charging / discharging the battery of the power supply device 100. The motor 93 is driven to drive the vehicle when the engine efficiency is low, for example, during acceleration or low-speed driving. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100. The generator 94 is driven by the engine 96 or is driven by regenerative braking when the vehicle is braked to charge the battery of the power supply device 100.
(Power supply for electric vehicles)

FIG. 13 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor. A vehicle EV equipped with the power supply device shown in FIG. 1 is a motor 93 for running the vehicle EV, a power supply device 100 that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator 94 that charges a battery of the power supply device 100. And. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100. The generator 94 is driven by energy when regeneratively braking the vehicle EV and charges the battery of the power supply device 100.
(Power storage device for power storage)

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

The load LD driven by the power supply device 100 is connected to the power supply device 100 via the discharge switch DS. In the discharge mode of the power supply apparatus 100, the power supply controller 84 switches the discharge switch DS to ON, connects to the load LD, and drives the load LD with the power from the power supply apparatus 100. As the discharge switch DS, a switching element such as an FET can be used. ON / OFF of the discharge switch DS is controlled by the power supply controller 84 of the power supply apparatus 100. The power controller 84 also includes a communication interface for communicating with external devices. In the example of FIG. 14, the host device HT is connected in accordance with an existing communication protocol such as UART or RS-232C. Further, if necessary, a user interface for the user to operate the power supply system can be provided.

Each battery pack 81 includes a signal terminal and a power supply terminal. The signal terminals include a pack input / output terminal DI, a pack abnormality output terminal DA, and a pack connection terminal DO. The pack input / output terminal DI is a terminal for inputting / outputting signals from other pack batteries and the power supply controller 84, and the pack connection terminal DO is for inputting / outputting signals to / from other pack batteries which are child packs. Terminal. The pack abnormality output terminal DA is a terminal for outputting the abnormality of the battery pack to the outside. Furthermore, the power supply terminal is a terminal for connecting the battery packs 81 in series and in parallel.

The power supply device according to the present invention and a vehicle including the power supply device can be suitably used as a power supply device for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, an electric vehicle, or the like that can switch between the EV traveling mode and the HEV traveling mode. Also, a backup power supply device that can be mounted on a rack of a computer server, a backup power supply device for a wireless base station such as a mobile phone, a power storage device for home use and a factory, a power supply for a street light, etc. Also, it can be used as appropriate for applications such as a backup power source such as a traffic light.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Power supply device 1 ... Battery cell 2 ... Separator 3 ... End plate 4 ... Fastening member 5 ... Battery laminated body 6 ... Bus bar 10 ... Battery assembly 10B ... Battery laminated

continuous body

12, 12B, 12C, 12D ... Thermal conductive sheet 14 ... Projection 15 ... notch 41 ... main body 42 ... bent piece 43 ... upper surface holding part 60 ... cooling pipe 61 ... cooling plate 69 ... cooling mechanism 70 ... outer case 71 ... lower case 72 ... upper case 73 ... end face plate 74 ... Unit 81 ... Battery pack 82 ... Battery unit 84 ... Power supply controller 93 ... Motor 94 ... Generator 95 ... DC / AC inverter 96 ... Engine 201 ... Battery cell 205 ... Battery stack 260 ... Cooling pipe 261 ... Cooling plate 269 ... Cooling mechanism EV, HV ... Vehicle LD ... Load; CP ... Charging power supply; DS ... Discharge switch; CS ... Charge switch HT ... Host machine DI ... pack input and output terminals; DA ... pack abnormal output terminal; DO ... pack connection terminal

Claims

A battery stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked;
A cooling plate connected to the bottom surface of the battery stack and thermally coupled to dissipate the battery stack;
A heat conductive sheet interposed between the battery stack and the cooling plate;
A power supply device comprising:
The heat conductive sheet is provided with a plurality of deformable bodies that protrude from the battery stack and elastically deform on the contact surface with the battery stack.
The power supply device according to claim 1,
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deformable body is a protruding portion protruding from the heat conductive sheet.
The power supply device according to claim 2,
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a protruding amount of the protruding portion is 5 to 80% with respect to a thickness of the heat conductive sheet.
The power supply device according to claim 2 or 3,
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is formed in a net shape, a lattice shape, or a circular shape in a plan view.
The power supply device according to claim 1,
The power supply apparatus, wherein the deformable body is a cut provided on a surface of the heat conductive sheet.
The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the heat conductive sheet is any one of acrylic, urethane, epoxy, and silicone resins.
A vehicle comprising the power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.