WO2020026466A1

WO2020026466A1 - Battery device

Info

Publication number: WO2020026466A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/044083
Authority: WO
Inventors: 中濱　敬文; 正哲江川; 憲史三ッ本; 泰平小山
Original assignee: 株式会社東芝; 東芝エネルギーシステムズ株式会社
Priority date: 2018-08-03
Filing date: 2018-11-29
Publication date: 2020-02-06
Also published as: JP2020021699A; JP6995715B2

Abstract

A battery device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises, for example, a plurality of battery modules and a second housing. The plurality of battery modules each have a rectangular prism-shaped first housing, and are arranged while a first gap is maintained in a first direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first housings. The second housing has: a first wall section which supports a module row including the plurality of battery modules; a second wall section which is provided while a second gap is maintained in the first direction of the module row; and a third wall section which is provided while a third gap is maintained in a second direction intersecting the first direction of the module row when viewed in the longitudinal direction. A fluid introduction opening is provided in the longitudinal direction of the module row, and the second gap and the third gap are smaller than the first gap.

Description

Battery device

実施 The embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery device.

Conventionally, a battery device including a plurality of battery modules and a housing having a wall supporting the plurality of battery modules is known.

JP 2012-84486 A

電池 In this type of battery device, it would be advantageous if a new configuration with less inconvenience and an improved configuration could be obtained, such as a more compact configuration, higher cooling performance, etc.

The battery device according to the embodiment includes, for example, a plurality of battery modules and a second housing. The plurality of battery modules each have a rectangular parallelepiped first housing, and are arranged with a first gap in a first direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first housing. The second housing has a first wall supporting a module row including a plurality of battery modules, a second wall provided with a second gap in a first direction of the module row, and a line of sight in a longitudinal direction. A third wall portion provided with a third gap in a second direction intersecting the first direction of the module row, and a fluid inlet is provided in a longitudinal direction of the module row, and a second gap and Each of the third gaps is smaller than the first gap.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary and schematic cross-sectional view of the battery device according to the embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view of the battery device of the first modification, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. FIG. 7 is an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view of the battery device according to the second modification, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. FIG. 9 is an exemplary and schematic cross-sectional view of the battery device according to the third modification, and is a cross-sectional view along IX-IX in FIG. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. FIG. 11 is an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view of a battery device according to a fourth modification, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII of FIG. FIG. 13 is an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view of a battery device according to a fifth modification, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV of FIG.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments and modifications of the present invention will be disclosed. The configurations of the embodiments and the modifications described below, and the operations and effects provided by the configurations are examples. The present invention can be realized by configurations other than those disclosed in the following embodiments and modified examples. Further, according to the present invention, at least one of various effects (including derivative effects) obtained by the configuration can be obtained.

実施 In addition, embodiments and modifications disclosed below include the same components. Therefore, in the following, the same components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In this specification, ordinal numbers are used only for distinguishing parts, members, parts, positions, directions, and the like, and do not indicate an order or a priority.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the battery device 1, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery device 1 includes, for example, a plurality of battery modules 2 and a rack housing 10. In the present embodiment, for example, the battery device 1 is configured by installing a plurality of battery modules 2 on each shelf 15 of the rack housing 10 and connecting the plurality of battery modules 2 in series or in parallel. . The rack housing 10 is an example of a second housing.

The battery device 1 is installed in various devices, machines, facilities, and the like, and is used as a power source for the various devices, machines, facilities, and the like. For example, the battery device 1 can be used not only as a mobile power source such as a power source of an automobile, but also as a stationary power source such as a power source for a POS (Point of Sales) system. Further, a plurality of battery devices 1 shown in the present embodiment can be mounted as a set connected in series or in parallel to various devices. The battery device 1 is also called a battery rack, a storage battery device, or the like.

In the following description, three directions orthogonal to each other are defined for convenience, as shown in the drawings. The X direction is along the width direction (left-right direction) of the rack housing 10 and along the short direction of the module housing 20 in the battery module 2. The Y direction is along the depth direction (front-back direction) of the rack housing 10 and along the longitudinal direction of the module housing 20. The Z direction extends along the height direction (vertical direction) of the rack housing 10 and along the height direction of the module housing 20. The X direction is an example of a first direction, and the Z direction is an example of a second direction. The module housing 20 is an example of a first housing.

(1) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rack housing 10 is formed in, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped box shape elongated in the Z direction. The rack housing 10 has a plurality of walls such as a top wall 10a, a bottom wall (not shown), a side wall 10b, and a partition wall 10c. The top wall 10a (see FIG. 2) and the bottom wall both extend along a direction (XY plane) orthogonal to the Z direction, and are provided in parallel with each other at intervals in the Z direction. The top wall 10a is also called an upper wall or the like, and the bottom wall is also called a lower wall or the like.

Each of the side walls 10b (see FIG. 3) extends along a direction (YZ plane) orthogonal to the X direction, and includes a left wall 10b1 and a right wall 10b2 provided in parallel with each other at intervals in the X direction. Including. The left wall 10b1 extends between one end (left end) of the top wall 10a and the bottom wall in the X direction, and the right wall 10b2 extends between the other end (right end) of the top wall 10a and the bottom wall in the X direction. Over. The side wall is also called a peripheral wall or the like.

The partition wall 10c is located between the top wall 10a and the bottom wall, and extends between the left wall 10b1 and the right wall 10b2 in parallel with the top wall 10a. In the rack housing 10, a plurality of partition walls 10c are provided in parallel with each other at intervals in the Z direction. The partition wall 10c partitions the inside of the rack housing 10 into a plurality of shelves 15 as a plurality of spaces (accommodation rooms) in the Z direction. The partition wall 10c can be slidably, that is, pulled out along the Y direction on the side wall 10b, for example. The partition wall 10c is also called a shelf board, a partition wall, a separation wall, or the like.

棚 Each shelf unit 15 contains, for example, three battery modules 2 arranged in the X direction. In other words, the partition wall 10c supports module rows L11 and L12 each including three battery modules 2 arranged in the X direction. The rack housing 10 is provided with a plurality of module rows L11 and L12 (shelf 15) arranged in the Z direction. 2 and 3, only two of the plurality of module rows L11 and L12 are shown for convenience. The module row L11 is also called a first module row or the like. The module row L12 is also referred to as a second module row or the like, and is located on the other side (below) of the module row 11 in the Z direction.

In the present embodiment, the partition wall 10c is an example of a first wall portion, and forms a lower wall of each shelf 15. The side wall 10b (the left wall 10b1 and the right wall 10b2) is an example of a second wall, and forms a side wall of each shelf 15. In addition, the top wall 10a or the partition wall 10c is an example of a third wall portion, and constitutes an upper wall of each shelf 15.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, an introduction port 10 f as an opening is provided on one side (front) of the rack casing 10 in the Y direction (front), and on the other side (rear) in the Y direction as an opening. An outlet 10g is provided. In other words, no walls or the like are provided on both sides of the rack housing 10 in the Y direction, and the rack housing 10 is open. Fluid (cooling air) introduced into the rack casing 10 from the inlet 10f passes through a plurality of gaps S1 to S3 provided around the battery module 2 described later, and from the outlet 10g to the rack casing 10 through a plurality of gaps S1 to S3. It is discharged outside. The rack housing 10 is not limited to this example. For example, walls are provided on both sides in the Y direction, and the inlet 10 f and the outlet 10 g are connected to the walls so as to communicate with the respective shelves 15. It may be provided.

(4) The rack housing 10 is provided with a plurality of columns 10d. In the present embodiment, for example, four pillars 10d are provided corresponding to the corners (four corners) of the rack housing 10. Each of the columns 10d is formed in a rod shape extending along the Z direction, and extends between the top wall 10a and the bottom wall. The column 10d is formed, for example, in the shape of a hollow prism. The column 10d can also be called a strength member, a frame, a structural material, a reinforcing material, or the like. The support 10d is not limited to this example, and may be, for example, an L-shaped steel or an I-shaped steel. In the present embodiment, for example, the pillar 10d is fixed to the outer surface of the side wall 10b, that is, to the outside of the rack housing 10, by a fastener such as a screw or an adhesive.

The battery module 2 includes, for example, a module housing 20, a plurality of battery cells 3 housed in the module housing 20, a positive terminal 31 and a negative terminal 32 (see FIG. 2) of the plurality of battery cells 3, and a bus bar. It has an output terminal portion (not shown) and the like which are electrically connected via a conductive member. The battery module 2 is also referred to as a battery unit or a battery pack, and the battery cells 3 are also referred to as unit cells or the like. The number, arrangement, and the like of the battery cells 3 included in the battery module 2 are not limited to those disclosed in the present embodiment.

The battery cell 3 can be composed of, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery. The battery cell 3 may be another secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery or a nickel cadmium battery. A lithium ion secondary battery is a kind of non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and lithium ions in the electrolyte perform electric conduction. Examples of the positive electrode material include lithium manganese composite oxide, lithium nickel composite oxide, lithium cobalt composite oxide, lithium nickel cobalt composite oxide, lithium manganese cobalt composite oxide, spinel lithium manganese nickel composite oxide, and olivine. For example, an oxide material such as lithium titanate (LTO) or an oxide material such as a niobium composite oxide is used as a negative electrode material. Further, as an electrolyte (for example, an electrolytic solution), a lithium salt such as a fluorine complex salt (for example, LiBF4 or LiPF6) is blended. For example, ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, or the like is mixed. An organic solvent or the like is used alone or as a mixture of two or more.

The battery cell 3 has a cell housing 30, a positive electrode terminal 31, and a negative electrode terminal 32. The cell housing 30 is made of, for example, a metal material such as aluminum. The battery cell 3 is a so-called square can type, and is also called a can cell or the like. The positive electrode terminal 31 and the negative electrode terminal 32 are examples of an electrode unit, and the cell housing 30 is an example of a third housing.

電極 Inside the cell housing 30, for example, an electrode body, an electrolytic solution, and the like are housed. The electrode body has, for example, a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet, and an insulating layer (separator). The electrode body may be formed in a flat shape by winding a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet, and an insulating layer. The electrode body is a group of electrodes and functions as a power generation element.

(4) The positive electrode terminal 31 is electrically connected to the positive electrode sheet of the electrode body inside the cell housing 30, and the negative electrode terminal 32 is electrically connected to the negative electrode sheet of the electrode body inside the cell housing 30. In addition, between the positive electrode terminal 31 and the negative electrode terminal 32 on the terminal surface 30 a of the cell housing 30, it is opened when the pressure in the cell housing 30 becomes higher than a threshold, and the inside of the cell housing 30 is opened. A valve for reducing the pressure may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of battery cells 3 are arranged in, for example, three rows in the module housing 20. Specifically, the module housing 20 includes a row L1 having four battery cells 3 arranged in the X direction, and four battery cells 3 located in one (front) of the row L1 in the Y direction and arranged in the X direction. And a row L3 having four battery cells 3 located in one of the rows L2 in the Y direction and arranged in the X direction. The plurality of battery cells 3 are arranged such that the respective terminal surfaces 30a face one side (upward) in the same Z direction, and the longitudinal directions of the respective terminal surfaces 30a are along the same Y direction.

The module housing 20 is, for example, formed in a rectangular parallelepiped box shape that is horizontally long in the Y direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the module housing 20 includes a plurality of, for example, a top wall 20a, a bottom wall 20b, a front wall 20c, a left wall 20d, a rear wall 20e, a right wall 20f, and an intermediate wall 20g. It has a wall. The front wall 20c, the left wall 20d, the rear wall 20e, and the right wall 20f are also referred to as side walls and peripheral walls.

The intermediate wall 20g (see FIG. 2) is located between the top wall 20a and the bottom wall 20b, and extends between the front wall 20c and the rear wall 20e, and between the left wall 20d and the right wall 20f. . The intermediate wall 20g divides the inside of the module housing 20 into a space on the battery cell 3 side and a space on the heat generating component 17 side in the Z direction. The intermediate wall 20g is provided with a through hole through which the positive terminal 31 and the negative terminal 32 of the battery cell 3 pass.

The heating component 17 is, for example, a monitoring board for monitoring the voltage and temperature of the battery cell 3, a control board for controlling the battery, and the like. The heat generating component 17 is accommodated in a space between the intermediate wall 20g and the top wall 20a. The heat generating component 17 is not limited to this example, and includes, for example, a bus bar for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells 3 in series or in parallel.

The module housing 20 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material having an insulating property such as modified PPE (polyphenylene ether) or PFA (perfluoroalkoxyalkane, tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkylvinyl ether copolymer). . As the synthetic resin material of the module housing 20, a thermoplastic resin can be used, for example, an olefin resin such as PE, PP, or PMP, a polyester resin such as PET, PBT, or PEN, a POM resin, Polyamide resins such as PA6, PA66, PA12, etc., crystalline resins such as PPS resin, LCP resin and alloy resins thereof, or non-polymer resins such as PS, PC, PC / ABS, ABS, AS, PES, PEI, PSF, etc. Crystalline resins and their alloy resins can be used.

よう As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the plurality of battery modules 2 are supported by the partition wall 10c with a gap S1 therebetween in the X direction. The gap S1 extends along the left wall 20d and the right wall 20f of the module housing 20, that is, along the Y direction and the Z direction. One end (front end) in the Y direction of the gap S1 faces the inlet 10f, and the other end (rear end) in the Y direction faces the outlet 10g. The gap S1 is an example of a first gap, and is also referred to as a first passage, an inter-module passage, a central passage, and the like.

In each of the module rows L11 and L12, between the battery module 2 at one end (left end) in the X direction and the left wall 10b1, and between the battery module 2 at the other end (right end) in the X direction and the right wall 10b2. Is provided with a gap S2. The gap S2 extends along the left walls 10b1 and 20d and the right walls 10b2 and 20f, that is, along the Y direction and the Z direction. One end in the Y direction of the gap S2 faces the inlet 10f, and the other end in the Y direction faces the outlet 10g. The gap S2 is an example of a second gap, and is also referred to as a second passage, an end passage, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, gaps S3 are provided between each of the module rows L11 and L12 and the top wall 10a or the partition wall 10c as the upper wall of the shelf 15, respectively. The gap S3 extends along the

top walls

10a, 20a and the partition wall 10c, that is, along the X direction and the Y direction. One end in the Y direction of the gap S3 faces the inlet 10f, and the other end in the Y direction faces the outlet 10g. The gap S3 is an example of a third gap, and is also referred to as a third passage, an upper passage, a lower shelf passage, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the present embodiment, the fluid (cooling air) introduced into the rack housing 10 from the inlet 10f passes through the passage P1 between the inlet 10f and the module rows L11 and L12. Via the (space), it is distributed to each of the gaps S1 to S3. In the process of passing through each of the gaps S1 to S3, heat exchange is performed with the plurality of battery modules 2, and the outlet 10g is passed through the passage P2 (space) between the module rows L11 and L12 and the outlet 10g. From the rack housing 10.

Here, in the present embodiment, the width W2 of the gap S2 along the X direction is set smaller than the width W1 of the gap S1 along the X direction. Further, the width W3 of the gap S3 along the Z direction is set to be smaller than the width W1 of the gap S1. Thereby, the gap S1 facing the two battery modules 2 is configured to be wider than the gaps S2 and S3, while suppressing an unnecessary increase in the size of the rack housing 10.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, since the gap S1 is wider than the gaps S2 and S3, for example, the air flow rate in the gap S1 is larger than the air flow rate in the gaps S2 and S3. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the cooling property of the battery module 2 by the fluid (cooling air), that is, the cooling property of the battery module 2 on the gap S1 side where the temperature of the battery module 2 tends to be higher than the gap S2 and S3 sides of the module rows L11 and L12 The heat radiation from the battery module 2 tends to increase.

In the present embodiment, the width W2 of the gap S2 and the width W3 of the gap S3 are set to be substantially the same. That is, W1> W2 = W3.

As described above, in the present embodiment, for example, the battery device 1 supports the plurality of battery modules 2 arranged with a gap S1 in the X direction and the module rows L11 and L12 including the plurality of battery modules 2. A partition wall 10c, a side wall 10b provided with a gap S2 in the X direction of the module rows L11 and L12, and a top wall 10a or a partition wall 10c provided with a gap S3 in the Z direction of the module rows L11 and L12. And a rack housing 10 provided with a fluid inlet 10f in the Y direction of the module rows L11 and L12, and the gap S2 and the gap S3 are each narrower than the gap S1.

According to such a configuration, for example, the gaps S1 to S3 can suppress the useless increase in the size of the rack housing 10, and at the same time, the battery modules 2 are located closer to the gaps S2 and S3 than the module rows L11 and L12. On the side of the gap S1 where the temperature tends to increase, the cooling performance of the battery module 2 by the fluid (cooling air) can be improved. Therefore, for example, variation in the temperature of the battery module 2 depending on the location is easily suppressed, and the life of the battery device 1 can be extended.

In the present embodiment, for example, the pillar 10d is provided outside the side wall 10b (the rack housing 10). If the support 10d is provided inside the side wall 10b, the gap between the side wall 10b and the battery module 2 is required to avoid mutual interference between the partition wall 10c that can be pulled out and the battery module 2 and the support 10d. S2, and consequently, the rack housing 10 may be enlarged in the X direction. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, since the pillar 10d is provided outside the side wall 10b, the gap S2 between the side wall 10b and the battery module 2 can be set smaller, and the rack housing 10 can be moved in the X direction. Can be configured more compactly. In addition, for example, when a plurality of rack housings 10 are arranged in a container in the X direction, a space (dead space) between the columns 10d can be used for cable routing. is there.

[First Modification]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the battery device 1A of this modification, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. The battery device 1A has the same configuration as the battery device 1 of the above embodiment. Therefore, the battery device 1A can obtain the same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment based on the similar configuration.

However, this modified example is different from the above embodiment in that an opening 10r is provided in the partition wall 10c as shown in FIGS. Specifically, in the present modification, three openings 10r are provided in the partition wall 10c corresponding to the three battery modules 2 in the module rows L11 and L12. The plurality of openings 10r are arranged at intervals in the X direction. The opening 10r is an example of a first opening.

The opening 10r is, for example, an elongated hole that penetrates through the partition wall 10c in the Z direction, extends along the X direction and the Y direction, and is horizontally long in the Y direction. The opening 10r exposes at least a part of the bottom wall 20b of the battery module 2 to the other side (downward) in the Z direction. In other words, the bottom wall 20b faces the gap S3 below the partition wall 10c via the opening 10r.

As described above, according to this modification, since the opening 10r is provided in the partition wall 10c, for example, the fluid flowing through the battery module 2 in the module rows L11 and L12 through the gap S3 below the opening 10r ( (Cooling air). Therefore, for example, the cooling effect of the plurality of battery modules 2 is more likely to be enhanced.

In this modification, for example, the width W3 of the gap S3 facing the battery modules 2 of the two module rows L11 and L12 out of the plurality of gaps S3 is set to be substantially the same as or slightly larger than the width W2 of the gap S2. sell. That is, W1> W3 ≧ W2.

[Second Modification]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the battery device 1B of this modification, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 8, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. The battery device 1B has the same configuration as the battery device 1A of the first modification. Therefore, the battery device 1B can obtain the same operation and effect as those of the first modification based on the similar configuration.

However, this modified example is different from the first modified example in that a plurality of openings 10r are provided in the partition wall 10c at intervals in the Y direction, as shown in FIGS. ing. In other words, the opening 10r has a plurality of divided bodies 10r1 divided in the Y direction. In this modification, three divided bodies 10r1 (openings 10r) are provided corresponding to the rows L1 to L3 of the battery cells 3 of the battery module 2.

The divided body 10r1 is, for example, a round hole that penetrates the partition wall 10c in the Z direction and extends along the X direction and the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 8, in the present modification, in the gap S3 below the divided body 10c1, the opening of the divided body 10r1 and the wall of the partition wall 10c alternately face in the Y direction. The plurality of divided bodies 10r1 are an example of a turbulence promoting unit.

As described above, according to the present modification, since the plurality of divided bodies 10r1 (openings 10r) are provided in the partition wall 10c, for example, a turbulent flow is generated in the fluid (cooling wind) flowing along the gap S3. It will be easier. Therefore, for example, the heat transfer between the fluid and the two battery modules 2 adjacent to each other in the Z direction facing the gap S3 is improved, and the cooling effect of the plurality of battery modules 2 is further likely to be further enhanced.

[Third Modification]
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the battery device 1C of this modification, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 10, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. The battery device 1C has the same configuration as the battery device 1B of the second modified example. Therefore, the battery device 1 </ b> C can obtain the same operations and effects as those of the second modification based on the same configuration.

However, in this modification, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a plurality of divided bodies 10r1 to 10r3 (openings 10r) having different opening widths W11 to W13 (see FIG. 10) are provided on the partition wall 10c. This point is different from the second modification. The plurality of divided bodies 10r1 to 10r3 are arranged at intervals in the Y direction. The opening width W12 of the divided body 10r2 along the Y direction is smaller than the opening width W11 of the divided body 10r1 along the Y direction, and is wider than the opening width W13 of the divided body 10r3 along the Y direction. That is, W11> W12> W13.

In this modification, one divided body 10r1 is provided corresponding to the row L3 of the battery cells 3 on the side of the inlet 10f in the Y direction of the battery module 2. Further, two divided bodies 10r2 are provided corresponding to the row L2 of the battery cells 3 at the center in the Y direction of the battery module 2. Furthermore, three divided bodies 10r3 are provided corresponding to the row L1 of the battery cells 3 on the side of the outlet 10g in the Y direction of the battery module 2. In other words, the opening widths W11 to W13 of the plurality of divided bodies 10r1 to 10r3 gradually decrease from the inlet 10f on the upstream side to the outlet 10g on the downstream side. The plurality of divided bodies 10r1 to 10r3 are examples of a turbulence promoting unit.

As described above, according to the present modification, since the plurality of divided bodies 10r1 to 10r3 (openings 10r) are provided in the partition wall 10c, for example, the fluid (cooling air) flowing along the gap S3 is Y. The turbulence is more likely to occur toward the discharge port 10g side in the direction. Therefore, for example, the cooling effect of the battery module 2 by the fluid can be enhanced on the discharge port 10g side (downstream side) where the temperature of the battery module 2 tends to be higher than the inlet port 10f side (upstream side) in the Y direction. Therefore, for example, the variation in the temperature of the battery module 2 depending on the location can be easily suppressed, and the life of the battery device 1C can be extended.

[Fourth Modification]
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the battery device 1D of this modification, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 12, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of FIG. The battery device 1D has the same configuration as the battery device 1 of the above embodiment. Therefore, the battery device 1 </ b> D can obtain the same operation and effect as the above-described embodiment based on the similar configuration.

However, this modified example is different from the above embodiment in that a terminal cover 35 is provided on each of the battery modules 2 as shown in FIGS. The terminal cover 35 is a component constituting a part of the module housing 20 and covers an output terminal of the battery module 2. The terminal cover 35 protrudes from the top wall 20a into the gap S3, and extends between the left wall 20d and the right wall 20f. The terminal cover 35 is an example of a protruding portion.

As described above, according to the present modification, since the battery module 2 is provided with the terminal cover 35 as a protruding portion, for example, turbulent flow is likely to occur on the downstream side of the terminal cover 35 in the gap S3. Therefore, for example, the heat transfer between the battery module 2 and the fluid (cooling air) flowing through the gap S3 is improved, and the cooling effect of the plurality of battery modules 2 is more likely to be further enhanced. The protrusion is an example of the turbulence promoting unit.

In the present modification, the protruding portion is provided on the battery module 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the protruding portion may be provided on the top wall 10a or the partition wall 10c of the rack housing 10, or the battery may be provided. It may be provided on both the module 2 and the rack housing 10. Further, the protrusion is not limited to the inlet 10f side (upstream side) in the gap S3, and may be provided on the discharge port 10g side (downstream side) or the center side, and a plurality of protrusions may be provided in the Y direction. They may be provided at an interval from each other. Further, the protrusions may be provided at intervals in the X direction.

[Fifth Modification]
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the battery device 1E of the present modification, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 14, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV of FIG. The battery device 1E has the same configuration as the battery device 1 of the above embodiment. Therefore, the battery device 1E can obtain the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiment based on the similar configuration.

However, this modified example is different from the above embodiment in that an opening 10s is provided in the side wall 10b as shown in FIG. The opening 10s is, for example, a slit that penetrates the side wall 10b in the X direction, extends along the Y direction and the Z direction, and is vertically elongated in the Z direction. The opening 10s communicates, for example, the gaps S2 and S3 with the space outside the side wall 10b. That is, the opening 10s can introduce the fluid (cooling air) flowing outside the side wall 10b into the gaps S2 and S3. The opening 10s is an example of a second opening.

In the present modification, two openings 10s are provided in each of the left wall 10b1 and the right wall 10b2. The plurality of openings 10s are arranged at intervals in the Y direction. Further, the plurality of openings 10s are located on the discharge port 10g side (downstream side) with respect to the center position of the battery module 2 in the Y direction. In other words, the plurality of openings 10s are provided closer to the rear wall 20e on the side opposite to the inlet 10f than the front wall 20c on the inlet 10f side of the battery module 2. The front wall 20c is an example of one end, and the rear wall 20e is an example of the other end.

As described above, according to this modification, since the opening 10s is provided in the side wall 10b, for example, the fluid (cooling air) introduced into the gaps S2 and S3 from the opening 10s also allows the battery module 2 to be opened. Can be cooled. Further, the opening 10s enhances the cooling effect of the battery module 2 by the fluid on the discharge port 10g side (downstream side) where the temperature of the battery module 2 tends to be higher than the inlet port 10f side (upstream side) in the Y direction. Can be.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, in the present modification, at least one of the plurality of shelves 15 accommodates the control unit 6. The control unit 6 includes, for example, a heat-generating component 5 such as a board, and a casing 7 that houses the heat-generating component 5. The casing 7 has a plurality of walls, such as a bottom wall 7a, a front wall 7b, a rear wall 7c, and left and right walls.

導入 The front wall 7b is provided with an inlet 7b1 as an opening, and the rear wall 7c is provided with an outlet 7c1 as an opening. Therefore, according to this modification, the heat-generating component 5 can be cooled by the fluid (cooling air) introduced into the casing 7 from the inlet 7b1. The front wall 7b and the rear wall 7c may be provided with a covering member such as a mesh or a filter that covers each of the inlet 7b1 and the outlet 7c1.

In addition, in the present modification, a gap S3 is provided between the control unit 6 and the partition wall 10c as the upper wall of the shelf 15. The battery module 2 and the control unit 6 above the partition wall 10c face the gap S3. The width of the gap S3 along the Z direction is set substantially equal to the width W3 of the gap S3 between the battery module 2 and the top wall 10a.

As described above, according to the present modification, since the gap S3 is provided above the control unit 6, for example, the fluid (cooling air) flowing along the gap S3 causes the gap S3 via the opening 10r. There is an advantage that the battery module 2 and the control unit 6 can be cooled.

Although the embodiments and the modifications of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments and the modifications are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments and modifications can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, combinations, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, the specifications (structure, type, direction, type, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) of each configuration, shape, etc. may be changed as appropriate. Can be implemented.

Claims

A plurality of battery modules each having a rectangular parallelepiped first housing, and arranged with a first gap in a first direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first housing,
A first wall portion supporting a module row including the plurality of battery modules, a second wall portion provided with a second gap in the first direction of the module row, and the module in a line of sight in the longitudinal direction. A third wall portion provided with a third gap in a second direction intersecting with the first direction of the row, and a second inlet provided with a fluid inlet in the longitudinal direction of the module row. A housing,
With
The battery device, wherein the second gap and the third gap are each narrower than the first gap.
The battery device according to claim 1, wherein the first wall is provided with a first opening exposing at least a part of the battery module.
The second housing is provided with a plurality of the third gaps at intervals in the second direction,
The battery device according to claim 2, wherein the battery module faces the third gap via the first opening.
4. The battery device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the first openings are provided in the first wall at intervals in the longitudinal direction. 5.
5. The battery device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of first openings are provided so that opening widths along the longitudinal direction become narrower toward the side opposite to the inlet in the longitudinal direction.
(6) The battery device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein at least one of the battery module and the third wall portion is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes into the third gap.
The battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second wall has a second opening through which a fluid can be introduced into the second gap.
The battery device according to claim 7, wherein the second opening is provided closer to the other end of the battery module on the side opposite to the inlet than to one end of the battery module on the side of the inlet.