WO2019139022A1

WO2019139022A1 - Cooling device and battery system

Info

Publication number: WO2019139022A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/000300
Authority: WO
Inventors: 勝志谷口; 祐紀牧田; 圭俊野田
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2018-01-15
Filing date: 2019-01-09
Publication date: 2019-07-18
Also published as: JP7336713B2; JPWO2019139022A1; JP7138299B2; JP2022162023A; CN111033881B; CN111033881A; JP2023155255A

Abstract

A cooling liquid tank 30 has a first inner wall 32a and a second inner wall 32b that are opposed to each other. First to fourth refrigerant pipes 42a-42d extend along the first inner wall 32a and the second inner wall 32b inside the cooling liquid tank 30, and cause a refrigerant to flow therethrough. A partition plate 36 crosses the first to fourth refrigerant pipes 42a-42d from the first inner wall 32a inside the cooling liquid tank 30, extends to a position not reaching the second inner wall 32b, and thus partitions the inside of the cooling liquid tank 30. A cooling liquid flows through a flow path partitioned by the partition plate 36 inside the cooling liquid tank 30.

Description

Cooling device and battery system

The present disclosure relates to cooling technology, and more particularly to a cooling device and a battery system for cooling a battery.

In a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, a battery module (on-vehicle battery) for supplying electric power to a motor as a driving source is mounted. In order to suppress the temperature rise of the battery module, for example, cooling by the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant is performed. However, the temperature is low in the vicinity of the refrigerant passage, and uneven cooling occurs due to the inflow side of the cooling passage becoming cooler than the discharge side, and the temperature varies depending on the position in the battery module. In order to suppress uneven cooling, a heat exchanger for flowing the refrigerant is attached to the cooling liquid (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2010-50000, A

When cooling a vehicle-mounted battery, when a coolant flows, the dispersion | variation in the temperature of the refrigerant | coolant in a different position is not suppressed by the flowing direction. Therefore, it is necessary to flow the coolant in a direction to suppress the variation in temperature of the refrigerant at different positions.

This indication is made in view of such a situation, and the object is to provide the art which controls the variation in the temperature in a different position in the cooling device which cools a car-mounted battery.

In order to solve the above problems, a cooling device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a cooling fluid tank having a first inner wall and a second inner wall facing each other, and a first inner wall and a second inner wall inside the cooling fluid tank. The interior of the coolant tank by extending along the plurality of refrigerant pipes flowing the refrigerant and flowing the refrigerant, and from the first inner wall inside the coolant tank to the position where the second inner wall has not reached. And a partition plate for partitioning the Inside the coolant tank, the coolant flows through the flow path partitioned by the partition plate.

According to the present disclosure, in the cooling device for cooling the on-vehicle battery, it is possible to suppress temperature variations at different positions.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the battery system which concerns on an Example. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the cooling device of FIG. 3 (a) to 3 (c) are diagrams showing the structure of the cooling device of FIG. FIGS. 4 (a)-(b) are diagrams showing the structure of a cooling device to be compared with the cooling device of FIG. 3 (a). It is a figure which shows another structure of the cooling device of FIG. 6 (a)-(b) are diagrams showing still another structure of the cooling device of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the battery system of FIG. It is a figure which shows another structure of the battery system of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the battery system of FIG.

Before specifically describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, an outline will be described. An embodiment relates to a cooling device for cooling a battery module mounted in a vehicle. The battery module is installed on one side of the cooling device, and a plurality of refrigerant pipes branched from the main pipe are arranged along the one surface inside the cooling device. The refrigerant from the main pipe flows through each refrigerant pipe, but since the refrigerant flow rate in each refrigerant pipe varies, the temperature varies between the refrigerant pipes. Due to the variation in temperature among the refrigerant tubes, the temperature varies depending on the position in the battery module. It is effective to attach a plurality of refrigerant pipes to the cooling fluid in order to suppress temperature variations among the refrigerant pipes. On the other hand, in order to improve the cooling efficiency, it is preferable to also flow the cooling fluid. However, since the heat absorbed from the refrigerant pipe also flows due to the flow of the coolant, the variation in temperature among the refrigerant pipes is not suppressed depending on the direction of the flow of the coolant. Therefore, it is required to flow the coolant in such a direction as to suppress the temperature variation between the refrigerant pipes.

In the present embodiment, the coolant flows in a direction perpendicular to the refrigerant pipe, and the temperature variation between the refrigerant pipes is suppressed by the coolant, and the direction in which the coolant flows is changed by the U-turn. Suppress. In the following description, "parallel" and "vertical" include not only perfect parallel and vertical but also cases where they are deviated from parallel and vertical within the range of error. In addition, “approximately” means that they are the same within the approximate range. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and redundant description will be omitted. Moreover, in each drawing, a part of component is suitably abbreviate | omitted for the facilities of description.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a battery system 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, an orthogonal coordinate system consisting of x-axis, y-axis and z-axis is defined. The x axis and the y axis are orthogonal to each other in the bottom of the battery system 100. The z-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis and extends in the height direction of the battery system 100. Also, the positive direction of each of the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis is defined in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and the negative direction is defined in the direction opposite to the arrow. Here, the positive direction side of the x axis is called "front side", the negative direction side of the x axis is called "rear side", the positive direction side of the y axis is called "right side", and the negative direction side of the y axis is " The positive side of the z-axis is sometimes referred to as the "upper side" and the negative side of the z-axis is sometimes referred to as the "lower side". Therefore, FIG. 1 is a perspective view including the front side of the battery system 100. FIG.

The battery module 10 has a box shape. The cooling device 20 is a device for cooling the battery module 10. Since the length in the height direction of the cooling device 20 is shorter than the length in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, the cooling device 20 has a low-profile plate shape. The cooling device 20 may be referred to as a cooling plate. The battery module 10 is installed on the upper surface of the cooling device 20. Therefore, the upper surface of the cooling device 20 and the lower surface of the battery module 10 are in contact with each other.

Further, on the front side surface of the cooling device 20, a first coolant pipe 22a collectively referred to as a coolant pipe 22, a second coolant pipe 22b, a first refrigerant pipe 24a collectively referred to as a refrigerant pipe 24, and a second refrigerant The pipe 24b is disposed. Specifically, the first refrigerant pipe 24a, the first cooling liquid pipe 22a, the second cooling liquid pipe 22b, and the second refrigerant pipe 24b are arranged from the left to the right of the front surface of the cooling device 20. That is, the two refrigerant pipes 24 are disposed to sandwich the two coolant pipes 22. Here, the coolant flows in from the first coolant pipe 22a, and the coolant flows out from the second coolant pipe 22b. Further, the refrigerant flows in from the first refrigerant pipe 24a, and the refrigerant flows out from the second refrigerant pipe 24b. An example of the refrigerant is HFC (Hydro Fluoro Carbon). The white arrows indicate the flow of the coolant, and the black arrows indicate the flow of the refrigerant.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the cooling device 20. As shown in FIG. The cooling device 20 includes a coolant tank 30, a first refrigerant header 40a collectively referred to as a refrigerant header 40, a second refrigerant header 40b, and first to fourth refrigerant pipes 42a to 42d collectively referred to as a refrigerant pipe 42 and an inner fin. 44, including the top plate 50. The coolant tank 30 also includes first to fourth inner walls 32a to 32d collectively referred to as an inner wall 32, a bottom 34, a partition plate 36, and first to fourth openings 38a to 38d collectively referred to as an opening 38. Here, although the number of refrigerant pipes 42 is “4”, it is not limited thereto.

The coolant tank 30 has a bowl-like shape that is open at the upper side and is hollow at the center. The inner side surface of the coolant tank 30 is formed by the first inner wall 32 a to the fourth inner wall 32 d. These have rectangular shapes whose height direction is shorter than the other direction, the first inner wall 32a and the second inner wall 32b face each other, and the third inner wall 32c and the fourth inner wall 32d face each other. In addition, the first inner wall 32a is disposed on the front side, and the second inner wall 32b is disposed on the rear side. A bottom surface 34 is disposed at the bottom of the recess of the coolant tank 30 so as to be surrounded by the first inner wall 32 a to the fourth inner wall 32 d. Here, the bottom surface 34 has a rectangular shape longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction.

A partition plate 36 is provided upright on the bottom surface 34. The partition plate 36 extends from the central portion in the left-right direction of the first inner wall 32a toward the rear side to a position where it has not reached the second inner wall 32b. On the upper side of the partition plate 36, four semicircular recessed grooves are provided. Further, another partition plate (not shown) is provided on the lower surface of the top plate 50 so as to face the partition plate 36. The refrigerant pipe 42 (from the first refrigerant pipe 42 a to the fourth refrigerant pipe 42 d) is sandwiched between the groove part of the partition plate 36 and the groove part (not shown) of another partition plate. With such a structure, a flow path for the coolant is formed between the second inner wall 32 b and the partition plate 36. The inside of the coolant tank 30 is partitioned by such a partition plate 36. The third opening 38c, the first opening 38a, the second opening 38b, and the fourth opening 38d are arranged in order from left to right so as to penetrate the first inner wall 32a. In particular, the third opening 38 c and the first opening 38 a are disposed on the left side of the partition plate 36, and the second opening 38 b and the fourth opening 38 d are disposed on the right side of the partition plate 36. The first opening 38a is connected to a cylindrical first coolant pipe 22a, and the second opening 38b is connected to a cylindrical second coolant pipe 22b. Here, the front end of the first coolant pipe 22a is open and leads to the first opening 38a. Further, the front end of the second coolant pipe 22b is open and leads to the second opening 38b.

The first refrigerant header 40a has a cylindrical shape and is connected to the first refrigerant pipe 24a at the front end, and the second refrigerant header 40b also has a cylindrical shape and is connected to the second refrigerant pipe 24b at the front end. Further, the front end of the first refrigerant pipe 24a is open and connected to the internal space of the first refrigerant header 40a. Furthermore, the front end of the second refrigerant pipe 24b is open and leads to the internal space of the second refrigerant header 40b. Four refrigerant pipes 42 extending in the left-right direction along the first inner wall 32a and the second inner wall 32b are connected to the first refrigerant header 40a and the second refrigerant header 40b. Here, the first refrigerant pipe 42a, the second refrigerant pipe 42b, the third refrigerant pipe 42c, and the fourth refrigerant pipe 42d are arranged in order from the front side to the rear side. Each refrigerant pipe 42 has a cylindrical shape, and the left end is connected to the internal space of the first refrigerant header 40a, and the right end is connected to the internal space of the second refrigerant header 40b. Further, a bellows-shaped inner fin 44 is disposed in a portion surrounded by the first refrigerant header 40a, the first refrigerant pipe 42a, the second refrigerant header 40b, and the fourth refrigerant pipe 42d. In FIG. 2, the inner fins 44 hide the second refrigerant pipe 42 b and the third refrigerant pipe 42 c.

The refrigerant pipe 24 and the refrigerant header 40 to the inner fins 44 combined as described above correspond to a heat exchanger for the refrigerant, and the heat exchanger is stored inside the coolant tank 30. As a result, the partition plate 36 is disposed to cross the plurality of refrigerant pipes 42 (the first refrigerant pipe 42a to the fourth refrigerant pipe 42d). Here, the first refrigerant pipe 24a penetrates the third opening 38c from the inside of the cooling liquid tank 30 to the outside and protrudes to the front side of the cooling liquid tank 30, and the second refrigerant pipe 24b cools the fourth opening 38d. It penetrates from the inside of the liquid tank 30 to the outside and protrudes to the front side of the cooling liquid tank 30. Furthermore, the top plate 50 is attached to the upper side of the coolant tank 30, so that the opening of the coolant tank 30 is closed. As described above, the lower surface of the top plate 50 is provided with another partition plate (not shown), and the other partition plate faces the partition plate 36.

FIGS. 3 (a)-(c) will be used to explain the flow of refrigerant and coolant in such a structure. 3 (a)-(c) show the structure of the cooling device 20. FIG. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the cooling device 20 from the upper side with the top plate 50 removed while leaving another partition plate of the top plate 50, and FIG. 3B is a plan view of the cooling device 20. FIG. 3 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA 'of FIG. 3 (a). In FIG. 3 (b), the front side is transparent. As described above, the first refrigerant header 40a is connected to the rear side of the first refrigerant pipe 24a, and the left ends of the first refrigerant pipe 42a to the fourth refrigerant pipe 42d are connected to the first refrigerant header 40a. The right ends of the first refrigerant pipe 42a to the fourth refrigerant pipe 42d are connected to the second refrigerant header 40b, and the second refrigerant pipe 24b is connected to the front side of the second refrigerant header 40b. These internal spaces are connected.

The refrigerant flows in from the first refrigerant pipe 24a and flows to the first refrigerant header 40a. The refrigerant is branched and flows from the first refrigerant pipe 42a to the fourth refrigerant pipe 42d in the first refrigerant header 40a. The refrigerant having flowed from the first refrigerant pipe 42a to the fourth refrigerant pipe 42d merges in the second refrigerant header 40b. The refrigerant flows from the second refrigerant header 40b to the second refrigerant pipe 24b and flows out of the second refrigerant pipe 24b. Thus, the refrigerant pipe 42 causes the refrigerant to flow in the cooling liquid tank 30.

The inside of the coolant tank 30 is partitioned by the partition plate 36 into a space on the first opening 38 a side and a space on the second opening 38 b side. 3B and 3C, the partition plate 36 provided in the coolant tank 30 is referred to as a lower partition plate 36a1, and another partition plate provided in the top plate 50 is an upper partition plate. Shown as 36a2. The lower partition plate 36a1 and the upper partition plate 36a2 are collectively referred to as a partition plate 36 (or a first partition plate 36a). In addition, these spaces are connected on the rear side. Therefore, in the inside of the coolant tank 30, the flow path partitioned by the partition plate 36 is formed. The flow path goes from the first opening 38a to the rear side, then to the right side, and then to the front side to reach the second opening 38b. The second opening 38 b is provided on the first inner wall 32 a on the opposite side of the flow path to the first opening 38 a. The coolant flows into the coolant tank 30 from the first coolant pipe 22a, flows through the aforementioned flow path, and flows out of the coolant tank 30 from the second coolant pipe 24b.

Before explaining the temperature variation due to the flow of the refrigerant and the coolant, the temperature variation in the cooling device 120 to be compared will be described using FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). 4 (a)-(b) show the structure of the cooling device 120 to which the cooling device 20 is to be compared. FIGS. 4 (a)-(b) are all top views, and are similar to FIG. 3 (a). FIG. 4A shows the case where only the refrigerant flows without flowing the cooling fluid. The cooling device 120 includes a first refrigerant pipe 124a collectively referred to as a refrigerant pipe 124, a second refrigerant pipe 124b, and a first inner wall 132a collectively referred to as an inner wall 132, a second inner wall 132b, a third inner wall 132c, and a fourth inner wall 132d. The first refrigerant header 140a, the second refrigerant header 140b, and the first refrigerant pipe 142a, the second refrigerant pipe 142b, the third refrigerant pipe 142c, and the fourth refrigerant pipe 142d. Including. Here, the refrigerant pipe 124, the inner wall 132, the refrigerant header 140, and the refrigerant pipe 142 have the same structure as the refrigerant pipe 24, the inner wall 32, the refrigerant header 40, and the refrigerant pipe 42 in FIG. Therefore, the refrigerant also flows as described above.

In the portion branched from the refrigerant header 140 to the four refrigerant pipes 142, deviation of liquid state and gas state of the refrigerant occurs. At the point P1 in the fourth refrigerant pipe 142d which is far from the first refrigerant pipe 124a, there is a possibility that the amount of refrigerant in the liquid state increases when the flow velocity of the refrigerant is relatively fast. On the other hand, at the point P2 in the first refrigerant pipe 142a closer to the first refrigerant pipe 124a, the refrigerant in the gaseous state increases. Here, when the amount of refrigerant in the liquid state is large, the temperature is lower than when the amount of refrigerant in the gas state is large. Therefore, the temperature of the first refrigerant pipe 142a becomes the lowest, the temperature of the second refrigerant pipe 142b and the temperature of the third refrigerant pipe 142c increase, and the temperature of the fourth refrigerant pipe 142d becomes the highest. That is, due to the occurrence of the imbalance between the liquid state and the gas state of the refrigerant, the temperature varies among the refrigerant pipes 142, and the cooling is not uniform.

FIG. 4B includes, in addition to the structure of FIG. 4A, a coolant tank 130, a first coolant pipe 122a collectively referred to as a coolant pipe 122, and a second coolant pipe 122b. In FIG. 4B, the refrigerant flows as in FIG. 4A, and the cooling fluid flows from the right to the left. That is, both the refrigerant and the coolant flow in the left and right direction. As a result, since the amount of heat exchanged between the refrigerant pipes 142 is not large, the variation in temperature between the refrigerant pipes 142 does not become small.

In comparison with these, in the cooling device 20, as shown in FIG. 3A, the coolant flows in the direction in which the plurality of refrigerant pipes 42 are arranged. This corresponds to the flow of the coolant in the front-rear direction in which the temperature variation between the refrigerant pipes 42 occurs. Such flow of the coolant actively reduces the variation in temperature among the refrigerant pipes 42. Further, since the coolant flows through the flow path which is returned from the rear side to the front side by the partition plate 36, the temperature variation in the refrigerant pipe 42, that is, the temperature dispersion in the direction in which the refrigerant pipe 42 extends is also alleviated .

FIG. 5 shows another structure of the cooling device 20. As shown in FIG. This is shown as in FIG. 3 (a). The cooling device 20 does not include the partition plate 36 as compared with FIG. 3A, and the first coolant pipe 22a and the first opening 38a are provided in the second inner wall 32b. That is, the first opening 38 a and the second opening 38 b are provided on the opposed inner wall 32. In such a structure, the coolant flowing from the first coolant pipe 22a flows from the rear side to the front side and flows out from the second coolant pipe 22b. Therefore, the coolant flows in the direction in which the plurality of refrigerant pipes 42 are arranged, and the variation in temperature between the refrigerant pipes 42 is positively mitigated. In addition, since the partition plate 36 is not disposed, the structure is simplified.

6 (a)-(b) show still another structure of the cooling device 20. FIG. These are structures in the case where a plurality of partition plates 36 are included, and are shown similarly to FIG. 3 (a). In FIG. 6A, the second partition plate 36b is included in the structure of FIG. 3A. The first partition plate 36a corresponds to the partition plate 36 of FIG. 3 (a). Similar to the first partition plate 36a, the second partition plate 36b is configured of a lower partition plate and an upper partition plate. Here, the first partition plate 36 a and the second partition plate 36 b are collectively referred to as a partition plate 36. The second partition plate 36b extends forward from the second inner wall 32b to a position where the first inner wall 32a has not reached. Therefore, the first partition plate 36 a and the second partition plate 36 b cross the plurality of refrigerant pipes 42. In addition, the second partition plate 36b is disposed on the right side of the first partition plate 36a. Further, the first coolant pipe 22a and the first opening 38a are provided in the first inner wall 32a, and the second coolant pipe 22b and the second opening 38b are provided in the second inner wall 32b.

With the first partition plate 36a and the second partition plate 36b, the interior of the coolant tank 30 is a space on the side of the first opening 38a and a space not including any of the first opening 38a and the second opening 38b. , And the space on the side of the second opening 38b. Adjacent spaces are connected on the rear side or the front side. Therefore, in the inside of the coolant tank 30, the flow path partitioned by the partition plate 36 is formed. The flow path goes from the first opening 38a to the rear side, then to the right side, then to the front side, further to the right side, and then to the second side by going to the second side. It can be said that the second opening 38 b is provided on the second inner wall 32 b on the opposite side of the flow path to the first opening 38 a. The coolant flows into the coolant tank 30 from the first coolant pipe 22a, flows through the above-mentioned flow path, and flows out of the coolant tank 30 from the second coolant pipe 22b.

In FIG. 6 (b), the third partition plate 36c is included in the structure of FIG. 6 (a). The first partition plate 36 a, the second partition plate 36 b, and the third partition plate 36 c are collectively referred to as a partition plate 36. The third partition plate 36c has the same structure as that of the first partition plate 36a, and is disposed in line with the first partition plate 36a so as to sandwich the second partition plate 36b inside the coolant tank 30. Thus, the third partition plate 36c is disposed on the right side of the second partition plate 36b. The first partition plate 36 a, the second partition plate 36 b, and the third partition plate 36 c cross the plurality of refrigerant pipes 42. Further, the first coolant pipe 22a and the first opening 38a are provided in the first inner wall 32a, and the second coolant pipe 22b and the second opening 38b are also provided in the first inner wall 32a.

With the first partition plate 36a, the second partition plate 36b, and the third partition plate 36c, the interior of the coolant tank 30 is either the space on the first opening 38a side, the first opening 38a or the second opening 38b. It is divided into two spaces which do not include the space, the space on the side of the second opening 38b. Adjacent spaces are connected on the rear side or the front side. Therefore, in the inside of the coolant tank 30, the flow path partitioned by the partition plate 36 is formed. The flow path proceeds to the rear side from the first opening 38 a and then to the right side and then to the front side. Furthermore, the flow path goes to the right side, goes to the rear side, goes to the right side, and then goes to the front side to reach the second opening 38 b. It can be said that the second opening 38 b is provided on the first inner wall 32 a on the opposite side of the flow path to the first opening 38 a. The coolant flows into the coolant tank 30 from the first coolant pipe 22a, flows through the above-mentioned flow path, and flows out of the coolant tank 30 from the second coolant pipe 22b. In FIGS. 6 (a)-(b), by increasing the number of partition plates 36, the flow velocity of the coolant is increased, and the heat exchange efficiency is increased.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of battery system 100. Referring to FIG. The battery system 100 includes a cooling device 20, a compressor 60, a condenser 62, an expansion valve 64, an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) 66, an expansion valve 68, a WP (Water Pomp) 70, and an HTR (HeaTeR) 72. The battery module 10 of FIG. 1 is omitted. The compressor 60, the condenser 62, the expansion valve 64, the HVAC 66, and the expansion valve 68 in FIG. 7 are included in the refrigerant circuit, and the WP 70 and the HTR 72 are included in the cooling liquid circuit.

The refrigerant circuit supplies a refrigerant to the cooling device 20, and the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant cools the cooling device 20. In the refrigerant circuit, the compressor 60 pressurizes the vaporized refrigerant, the condenser 62 cools and liquefies the refrigerant pressurized by the compressor 60, and the expansion valve 64 is connected to the condenser 62. The compressor 60 is driven by the engine or motor of the vehicle to pressurize the vaporized refrigerant. The condenser 62 cools and liquefies the vaporized refrigerant. In the hybrid car, the condenser 62 is disposed in front of a radiator that cools the engine coolant. The condenser 62 is also cooled by a fan that cools the radiator.

The cooling device 20 is connected at the discharge side to the compressor 60, and the compressor 60 sucks and pressurizes the vaporized refrigerant discharged from the cooling device 20. The pressurized refrigerant is cooled by the condenser 62 and liquefied. The liquefied refrigerant is supplied to the cooling device 20 via the expansion valve 64. The expansion valve 64 cools the cooling fluid with the temperature of the cooling device 20 as a set temperature. The expansion valve 64 is a control valve capable of controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant, or a capillary tube or the like consisting of thin tubes having a fixed flow rate which can not control the flow rate of the refrigerant. The refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve 64 is adiabatically expanded and vaporized inside the cooling device 20 to cool the coolant with the heat of vaporization. Further, a cooling HVAC 66 is connected to the refrigerant circuit via the expansion valve 68. The HVAC 66 includes an evaporator.

Here, in the coolant circuit, the HTR 72 heats the coolant if the engine is not warm enough. In this state, the engine that has been started and warmed sufficiently warms the internal coolant. The WP 70 circulates the coolant. The coolant that has been quickly warmed inside the engine circulates through the cooling device 20.

So far, one battery module 10 is installed on one side of the cooling device 20. Below, the structure in case two or more battery modules 10 are installed in one surface side of the cooling device 20 is demonstrated. FIG. 8 is a top view showing another structure of the battery system 100. As shown in FIG. The battery system 100 includes a first battery module 10 a and a second battery module 10 b collectively referred to as a battery module 10. Each battery module 10 has a rectangular upper surface longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction, and is arranged in the front-rear direction. Here, the first battery module 10a is disposed on the front side, and the second battery module 10b is disposed on the rear side.

Furthermore, the first temperature sensor 12a may be attached to the lower surface of the first battery module 10a, and the second temperature sensor 12b may be attached to the lower surface of the second battery module 10b. The first temperature sensor 12a and the second temperature sensor 12b are collectively referred to as a temperature sensor 12 and measure temperature. That is, the temperature sensor 12 measures the temperature of the lower surface of the battery module 10. The temperature sensor 12 may be attached to another position of the battery module 10.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the structure of battery system 100. Referring to FIG. In the battery system 100, the circulation valve 74 and the control device 80 are added to the configuration of FIG. The control device 80 includes an acquisition unit 82 and an adjustment unit 84. The acquisition unit 82 is connected to the first temperature sensor 12 a and the second temperature sensor 12 b of FIG. 8, and acquires the temperatures measured in each of them. That is, the temperature sensor 12 acquires the temperature of the first battery module 10a and the temperature of the second battery module 10b. These battery modules 10 are batteries to be cooled by the cooling device 20. The acquisition unit 82 acquires the degree of temperature variation of the first battery module 10a and the second battery module 10b by calculating the difference between the two temperatures. The acquisition unit 82 outputs the degree of variation to the adjustment unit 84.

The adjustment unit 84 receives the degree of temperature variation from the acquisition unit 82. The adjustment unit 84 adjusts the flow rate of the coolant to be supplied to the coolant tank 30 based on the degree of variation. Specifically, the adjustment unit 84 determines to increase the flow rate as the degree of variation is larger. The circulation valve 74 is connected to the coolant circuit. The circulation valve 74 changes the flow rate of the coolant according to the determination in the adjustment unit 84.

In terms of hardware, this configuration can be realized with the CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and with software, it can be realized by a program loaded into the memory, etc. Are drawing functional blocks. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms only by hardware and by a combination of hardware and software.

According to the present embodiment, the partition plate extending from the first inner wall to the position not reached to the second inner wall across the refrigerant pipe divides the interior of the coolant tank, so that the coolant pipe is traversed inside the coolant tank Flow path can be formed. In addition, since the coolant flows in the flow path in the direction crossing the coolant pipe inside the coolant tank, it is possible to suppress the temperature variation at different positions. Further, since the partition plate crosses the plurality of refrigerant pipes, it is possible to form a flow path in the direction crossing the plurality of refrigerant pipes. In addition, since the coolant flows in the flow path in the direction crossing the plurality of refrigerant pipes inside the cooling liquid tank, it is possible to suppress the temperature variation among the refrigerant pipes.

Further, since the second partition plate extends from the second inner wall facing the first inner wall to the position not reaching the first inner wall across the refrigerant pipe, the flow direction of the coolant can be changed. Further, since the first partition plate and the second partition plate cross the plurality of refrigerant pipes, it is possible to suppress variations in the temperatures of the plurality of refrigerant pipes. In addition, since the third partition plate is provided, the coolant can be made to meander. In addition, since the first partition plate, the second partition plate, and the third partition plate cross the plurality of refrigerant pipes, it is possible to suppress the temperature variation of the plurality of refrigerant pipes.

In addition, since the first opening and the second opening are provided in the first inner wall, the inflow and the outflow of the coolant can be performed from the same direction. In addition, since the first opening is provided in the first inner wall and the second opening is provided in the second inner wall, the inflow and the outflow of the coolant can be performed from different directions. In addition, since the flow rate of the coolant is adjusted based on the degree of the temperature variation of the battery, the temperature variation can be suppressed even if the temperature variation is large. Further, since the battery module and the cooling device are provided, it is possible to suppress temperature variations at different positions in the battery module.

The outline of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. A cooling device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a coolant tank having a first inner wall and a second inner wall opposite to each other, extends along the first inner wall and the second inner wall inside the coolant tank, and flows the refrigerant. A plurality of refrigerant pipes, and a partition plate which divides the interior of the coolant tank by extending from the first inner wall inside the coolant tank to the position where the second inner wall has not reached, across the plurality of coolant pipes. Inside the coolant tank, the coolant flows through the flow path partitioned by the partition plate.

According to this aspect, the partition plate extending from the first inner wall to the position not reaching the second inner wall across the plurality of refrigerant pipes partitions the inside of the coolant tank, and the inside of the coolant tank is partitioned by the partition plate Since the coolant flows through the flow path, temperature variations at different positions can be suppressed.

There may be further provided another partition plate for partitioning the inside of the coolant tank by extending across the plurality of refrigerant pipes from the second inner wall inside the coolant tank to a position where the first inner wall is not reached. In this case, since another partition plate extends from the second inner wall across the plurality of refrigerant pipes to the position where the first inner wall is not reached, the flow direction of the coolant can be changed.

The first opening provided in the first inner wall and the second opening provided on the opposite side of the flow passage from the first opening in the first inner wall may further be provided. The coolant may flow into the coolant tank from one of the first opening and the second opening, and the coolant may flow out of the coolant tank from the other of the first opening and the second opening. In this case, since the first opening and the second opening are provided in the first inner wall, the inflow and the outflow of the coolant can be performed from the same direction.

The display device may further include a first opening provided in the first inner wall and a second opening provided on the opposite side of the flow passage from the first opening in the second inner wall. The coolant may flow into the coolant tank from one of the first opening and the second opening, and the coolant may flow out of the coolant tank from the other of the first opening and the second opening. In this case, since the first opening is provided in the first inner wall and the second opening is provided in the second inner wall, the inflow and the outflow of the coolant can be performed from different directions.

It may further comprise an estimation unit that estimates the lower of the first temperature near the first opening and the second temperature near the second opening. When it is estimated that the first temperature is lower in the estimation unit, the coolant flows into the coolant tank from the first opening, and the coolant flows out of the coolant reservoir from the second opening, and the estimation unit If it is estimated that the second temperature is lower, the coolant may flow into the coolant tank from the second opening, and the coolant may flow out of the coolant tank from the first opening. In this case, since the coolant is allowed to flow in from the lower temperature side, the cooling efficiency can be improved.

An acquisition unit for acquiring the degree of variation of the temperature of the battery to be cooled by the cooling device, and a control unit for adjusting the flow rate of the coolant to be supplied to the coolant tank based on the degree of the dispersion acquired in the acquisition unit You may have. In this case, since the flow rate of the coolant is adjusted based on the degree of the temperature variation of the battery, the temperature variation can be suppressed even if the temperature variation is large.

A battery and a cooling device for cooling the battery may be provided. In this case, since the battery and the cooling device are provided, temperature variations at different positions in the battery can be suppressed.

The present disclosure has been described above based on the examples. It is understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is an exemplification, and that various modifications can be made to their respective components or combinations of processing processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. .

In the present embodiment, the coolant is allowed to flow into the coolant tank 30 through the first opening 38a, and the coolant is allowed to flow out of the coolant tank 30 through the second opening 38b. However, not limited to this, for example, the flow direction of the coolant may be changed. The estimation unit (not shown) in the control device 80 of FIG. 9 stores in advance information on how the refrigerant is biased, that is, how the cooling device 20 is biased. The estimation unit estimates the lower one of the first temperature in the vicinity of the first opening 38a and the second temperature in the vicinity of the second opening 38b based on the bias. For example, the refrigerant in the liquid state is large in the part that is downward due to the deviation, and the refrigerant in the gaseous state is large in the part that is upward due to the deviation. Therefore, the temperature is lowered in the former and the temperature is increased in the latter. If the first opening 38a is lower than the second opening 38b, the estimation unit estimates that the first temperature is lower than the second temperature, and the second opening 38b becomes lower than the first opening 38a. If so, it is estimated that the second temperature is lower than the first temperature. The estimation unit estimates the lower one of the first temperature in the vicinity of the first opening 38a and the second temperature in the vicinity of the second opening 38b by sensing the direction of the refrigerant or the temperature of the battery module 10 It is also good.

In the coolant circuit, when it is estimated that the first temperature is lower in the estimation unit, the coolant flows into the coolant tank 30 from the first opening 38a, and out of the coolant tank 30 from the second opening 38b. The coolant is flowed so that the coolant can drain. On the other hand, in the coolant circuit, when it is estimated that the second temperature is lower in the estimation unit, the coolant flows into the coolant tank 30 through the second opening 38b, and the coolant tank 30 through the first opening 38a. The coolant is flowed so that the coolant can flow out. A known technique may be used to change the flow direction of the coolant, so the description is omitted here. According to this modification, since the coolant flows from the lower temperature to the higher temperature, the cooling efficiency can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 battery module, 12 temperature sensor, 20 cooling device, 22 coolant pipe, 24 refrigerant pipe, 30 coolant tank, 32 inner wall, 34 bottom face, 36 partition plate, 38 opening, 40 refrigerant header, 42 refrigerant pipe, 44 inner fin , 50 top board, 100 battery system.

Claims

A coolant tank having a first inner wall and a second inner wall facing each other;
A plurality of refrigerant pipes which extend along the first inner wall and the second inner wall inside the coolant tank and flow the refrigerant;
A partition plate for partitioning the inside of the coolant tank by extending from the first inner wall inside the coolant tank to the position where the second inner wall has not reached, across the plurality of refrigerant pipes;
A cooling device characterized in that a coolant flows through a flow path partitioned by the partition plate inside the coolant tank.
It further comprises another partition plate for partitioning the inside of the coolant tank by extending from the second inner wall inside the coolant tank to the position where the first inner wall is not reached across the plurality of refrigerant pipes. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that:
A first opening provided in the first inner wall;
The first inner wall further includes a second opening provided on the opposite side of the flow passage from the first opening,
The cooling fluid is introduced into the cooling fluid tank from one of the first opening and the second opening, and the cooling fluid flows out of the cooling fluid tank from the other of the first opening and the second opening. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that:
A first opening provided in the first inner wall;
The second inner wall further includes a second opening provided on the opposite side of the flow passage from the first opening,
The cooling fluid is introduced into the cooling fluid tank from one of the first opening and the second opening, and the cooling fluid flows out of the cooling fluid tank from the other of the first opening and the second opening. The cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that:
It further comprises an estimation unit for estimating the lower of the first temperature in the vicinity of the first opening and the second temperature in the vicinity of the second opening,
When it is estimated in the estimation unit that the first temperature is lower, the coolant flows into the coolant tank from the first opening, and the coolant flows out of the coolant tank from the second opening. If the second temperature is estimated to be lower in the estimation unit, the coolant flows from the second opening into the coolant tank, and the coolant from the first opening to the outside of the coolant tank The cooling device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the
An acquisition unit for acquiring the degree of variation in temperature of the battery to be cooled by the cooling device;
The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a control unit configured to control a flow rate of the coolant flowed to the coolant tank based on the degree of the variation acquired in the acquisition unit.
Battery,
The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the battery is cooled;
A battery system comprising: