Battery pack

The present invention relates to an assembled battery having a refrigerant passage formed inside and having good heat dissipation efficiency.

In recent years, in response to growing environmental problems, there is a movement to shift the power source of automobiles from engines that use fossil fuels to motors that use electric energy. At present, as an intermediate stage, hybrid vehicles equipped with both an engine and a motor and using a motor as a power source in a low speed region and an engine as a power source in other regions are being actively produced.

It is desirable that hybrid vehicles be equipped with batteries that are compact and lightweight and have excellent vibration resistance and heat dissipation that can frequently charge and discharge large amounts of electric power. As an assembled battery capable of supplying a large amount of electric power and having excellent heat dissipation, there is one as shown in Patent Document 1 below.

In the assembled battery disclosed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of flat batteries electrically connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel are arranged at predetermined intervals with a gap in the thickness direction of the batteries. However, a plurality of arranged cells are fixed by an exterior member. With such a structure, a gap is formed between the cells, so that the heat dissipation characteristics of the cells are improved and the cycle characteristics and rate characteristics of the assembled battery are improved.

Further, since the assembled battery disclosed in Reference 1 uses a flat battery as a cell, it is configured by using a battery other than the flat battery (for example, a cylindrical battery, a square battery, etc.). The energy density is higher than that of conventional assembled batteries, and batteries with the same power capacity can be considerably miniaturized. Therefore, it can be said that the assembled battery composed of the flat cell is suitable as a battery for mounting on an automobile in terms of small size and high energy density as compared with the conventional assembled battery.<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-195480</text></patcit>

<p> However, in such a conventional assembled battery, since it is necessary to provide a gap between the cells in consideration of the improvement of heat dissipation characteristics, it is difficult to further reduce the size and increase the energy density. Further, due to the gap, it is difficult to secure the rigidity as an assembled battery, and there is a limit to the improvement of vibration resistance.</p><p> In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is conceivable to stack flat batteries in close contact with each other in the thickness direction and insert a heat sink for each arbitrary layer. However, in such a structure, since the heat is indirectly dissipated through the heat sink, the heat is not uniformly dissipated as a matter of course, and the three-dimensional temperature distribution of the entire assembled battery becomes considerably unbalanced. .. In the case of flat batteries, excessive temperature distribution imbalances can reduce battery life.</p><p> The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides an assembled battery which is compact, has excellent heat dissipation, has a large energy density, and has high rigidity and excellent vibration resistance. With the goal.</p>

<p> The assembled battery according to the present invention for achieving the above object is configured by stacking a plurality of frames in which a plurality of flat cell batteries are held in a plane in close contact with each other in the thickness direction of the frame. In the assembled battery, the frame is formed with a refrigerant introduction port for introducing a refrigerant into the assembled battery and a refrigerant discharge port for discharging the refrigerant circulated in the assembled battery. It is a feature.</p><p> Therefore, the refrigerant introduced into the assembled battery from the refrigerant inlet of the frame flows through the gap between the flat cell and the frame, receives heat directly from the side surface (thickness direction) of the flat cell, and receives the heat directly from the side surface (thickness direction) of the flat cell, and the refrigerant of the frame. It is discharged from the discharge port. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the assembled battery as a whole is remarkably improved, and it is possible to provide an assembled battery which is small in size, has excellent heat dissipation, and has a high energy density.</p><p> Further, since the assembled battery according to the present invention is laminated in a state where the frames are in close contact with each other, the assembled battery has a solid structure integrated including the flat type single battery, and is highly rigid and has excellent vibration resistance. It becomes a battery.</p>

<p> According to the assembled battery according to the present invention configured as described above, the frame constituting the assembled battery is provided with a refrigerant introduction port and a refrigerant discharge port so that the refrigerant can flow in each layer in the assembled battery. The flat cell that constitutes the assembled battery is directly cooled by the refrigerant, and it is possible to form an assembled battery having excellent heat dissipation and a high energy density.</p><p> Further, since the frames are in close contact with each other and laminated, it is possible to construct a compact battery with high rigidity and excellent vibration resistance.</p>

Hereinafter, the assembled battery according to the present invention will be described in detail by dividing it into [Embodiment 1] to [Embodiment 5] according to the distribution mode of the refrigerant to be distributed in the assembled battery.

The structure of the assembled battery, which is premised in each embodiment, is that four flat-type single batteries (hereinafter, simply referred to as single batteries) are arranged in one frame in the width direction, and six of these frames are arranged. An intermediate heat sink is laminated for each stacking, and a total of 24 frames are laminated to form a battery unit, and the battery unit is pressed by a heat sink from both end surfaces in the stacking direction to be integrally held.

The assembled battery unit has 96 cells, but all the cells are connected in series by the connecting means provided on the frame or the heat sink.

[Embodiment 1]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the assembled battery according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view of a cooling device for cooling the assembled battery shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the assembled battery 100 according to the present invention, a battery unit 200 in which a plurality of plate-shaped frames 210 are stacked in the thickness direction is sandwiched between heat sinks 300 and 340 from both end faces in the stacking direction. It is pressurized and held integrally.

Since four cells are arranged in parallel on each frame 210, four holding portions (not shown) are formed. In the battery unit 200, 24 frames 210 are laminated, and three intermediate heat sinks 310, 320, and 330 are inserted every six layers in the stacking direction. Therefore, the battery unit 200 has 24 cells arranged in parallel between each heat sink, and has a total of 96 cells.

Further, on both opposite side surfaces of each frame 210, a refrigerant introduction port 230 for introducing air as a refrigerant into the battery unit 200 and a refrigerant discharge port 250 for discharging the refrigerant circulated in the battery unit 200 are formed. Has been done. A refrigerant passage (not shown) is formed in the battery unit 200 for allowing air introduced from the refrigerant introduction port 230 to flow through a gap between the frame 210 and each cell and being discharged from the refrigerant discharge port 250. ..

The heat sinks 300 and 340 are fixed by attaching six pressurizing units connecting both heat sinks with nuts 400A to 400F. The pressurizing unit has shafts fixed to both ends of the tension coil spring with nuts 400A to 400F, and by attaching this between the heat sinks 300 and 340, all the cells that make up the battery unit 200 On the other hand, an appropriate surface pressure is applied in the stacking direction.

Further, the heat sinks 300, 340 and the intermediate heat sinks 310, 320, 330 are provided with a plurality of refrigerant flow ports 300A, 340A, 310A, 320A, 330A penetrating from one side surface to the other side surface.

When the assembled battery 100 is mounted on the vehicle, it is cooled by a cooling device 500 as shown in FIG. 2 provided in the vehicle. FIG. 2 is an external view of the cooling device for cooling the assembled battery shown in FIG.

The cooling device 500 includes an outer case 600 that houses the assembled battery 100, a refrigerant introduction duct 700 that introduces air into the outer case 600, and a refrigerant discharge duct 800 that discharges the air introduced into the outer case 600.

In the outer case 600, the assembled battery 100 is arranged so that the refrigerant inlet 230 of the assembled battery 100 is on the windward side and the refrigerant discharge port 250 is on the leeward side. Specifically, the refrigerant introduction port 230 of the assembled battery 100 is arranged toward the refrigerant introduction duct 700 side, and the refrigerant discharge port 250 of the assembled battery 100 is arranged toward the refrigerant discharge duct 800 side. A single or a plurality of assembled batteries 100 are arranged in the outer case 600.

An exhaust fan 850 is attached to the outer case 600 side of the refrigerant discharge duct 800. The exhaust fan 850 is equipped with a sensor that detects the temperature of the air discharged from the exterior case 600, and the rotation speed (displacement) of the exhaust fan 850 is adjusted according to the temperature detected by the sensor by a control device (not shown). Will be done.

Therefore, in the assembled battery 100 arranged in the outer case 600, the air that has entered from the refrigerant introduction port 230 is discharged from the refrigerant discharge port 250 through the refrigerant passage in the assembled battery 100, so that the single cell is directly cooled. The cell is also indirectly cooled by the inflow of air through the refrigerant flow ports 300A, 340A, 310A, 320A, 330A of the heat sinks 300, 340 and the intermediate heat sinks 310, 320, 330. It will be.

3 to 6 are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the frame forming the refrigerant introduction port, the refrigerant discharge port, and the refrigerant passage.

As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 210 is composed of a rectangular outer frame 212 and three columns 214A, 214B, and 214C hung in a ladder shape on two opposite sides of the outer frame 212. Notch 216A on one side of the outer frame 212, notch 216B on the strut 214A, notch 216C on the strut 214B, notch 216D on the strut 214C, on the other side of the outer frame 212 Notches 216E are formed respectively. The frame 210 may be integrally formed, but may be formed by assembling two parts line-symmetrical with respect to the center line in the arrangement direction of the cell.

When the frames 210 are closely laminated, the notch 216A functions as a refrigerant introduction port, and the notch 216E functions as a refrigerant discharge port. Further, the notches 216B, 216C and 216D function as a refrigerant passage.

The cross-sectional area (opening area) of the notch 216A that functions as the refrigerant inlet in the refrigerant flow direction is larger than the cross-sectional area of the notch 216E that functions as the refrigerant discharge port in the refrigerant flow direction. The size of is different.

The cross-sectional area of the notches 216B, 216C, and 216D that function as the refrigerant passage in the refrigerant flow direction is from the upstream side to the downstream side in the refrigerant flow direction so that the flow velocity of the refrigerant increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the refrigerant flow direction. It is getting smaller toward. That is, the notch 216B, 216C, respectively, so that the cross-sectional area of the notch 216B is larger than the cross-sectional area of the notch 216C and the cross-sectional area of the notch 216C is larger than the cross-sectional area of the notch 216D. The size of the 216D is different. In the case of the present embodiment, all the notches 216A to 216E are formed in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the frame 210, and the cross-sectional area of these notches is the largest in the cross-sectional area of the notch 216A. The cross-sectional area is reduced in the order of 216B, 216C, 216D, and 216E.

The cells 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D are lithium-ion batteries in which the power generation element is covered with a laminated film, and have a trapezoidal shape in which the power generation element portion protrudes as shown in the figure. As shown in FIG. 4, each cell battery 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D has a trapezoidal part from below in the space formed between the outer frame 212 of the frame 210 and the respective columns 214A, 214B, 214C. Arranged to be plugged in. Therefore, each of the cells 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D is held in a plane by the outer frame 212 of the frame 210 and the individual columns 214A, 214B, 214C.

The thickness of the frame 210 is slightly thicker than that of the cell 214. This is so that when the assembled battery 100 is formed, all the cell cells 214 are pressurized with a predetermined surface pressure, and all the frames 210 are also compressed with a slight deformation.

In the above, the refrigerant passage is formed by the notches 216B, 216C, 216D, but further, as shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral portions 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D of the cells 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D (Fig. A groove (not shown) for circulating air may be provided on the contact surface side of the outer frame 212 of the frame 210 and the columns 214A, 214B, and 214C with which the frame 210 (not shown) comes into contact, and this groove may be used as a cooling passage. .. In the present embodiment, this groove is formed in the frame 210. If air circulates in this groove, the heat of the cells 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D can be dissipated from the peripheral portions 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, six frames 210 holding the batteries 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D are brought into close contact with each other and laminated. When laminated, the cells and the frames are in direct contact with each other in the stacking direction, and the gap between the frame 210 and the unit 220 between the refrigerant introduction port 230 and the refrigerant discharge port 250 is formed between the frames 210. A refrigerant passage is formed by the formed grooves and notches 216B to 216D.

As shown in Fig. 1, the laminated products as described above are laminated with the intermediate heat sinks 310, 320, and 330 intervening, and the heat sinks 300 and 340 are positioned so as to be sandwiched from both sides of the laminated body with nuts 400A to 400F. It is firmly fixed to form the assembled battery 100. When the cooling device 500 of FIG. 2 is attached to the assembled battery 100 to operate the exhaust fan 850, the following air flow occurs between the frames 210 of the assembled battery 100.

Since each frame 210 is in close contact with each other in the stacking direction, air enters only from the refrigerant introduction port 230 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The air that has entered reaches the notch 216B of the support column 214A through the groove (not shown) of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220A and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220A. .. Next, the air that has entered through the notch 216B passes through the groove of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220B and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220B, and the notch 216C of the support column 214B. To reach. Then, the air that has entered from the notch 216C passes through the groove of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220C and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220C, and enters the notch 216D of the support column 214C. Reach. Finally, the air that has entered through the notch 216D is discharged from the refrigerant discharge port 250 through the groove of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220D and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220D. Will be done. Therefore, the cells 220A to 220D are directly cooled by the air flowing on the surfaces of the side surface portion and the peripheral portion thereof.

Further, the notch 216A forming the refrigerant introduction port 230, the notches 216B to 216D forming the refrigerant passage, and the notch 216E forming the refrigerant discharge port 250 have their cross-sectional areas from the refrigerant introduction port 230 to the refrigerant discharge port 250. Since the size is gradually reduced toward the direction, the air flow velocity increases from the refrigerant introduction port 230 toward the refrigerant discharge port 250. Therefore, the air that has entered from the refrigerant introduction port 230 flows along the gap between the inner surface of the frame 210 and the outer peripheral portion of each cell 220, gathers at the central portion of each column 214, and has a flow velocity toward the downstream side. Is raised and discharged from the refrigerant discharge port 250. The temperature of the air entering from the refrigerant introduction port 230 gradually rises toward the downstream side, but the flow velocity increases toward the refrigerant discharge port 250, so that the cooling capacity becomes almost the same on both the upstream side and the downstream side. All cells 220A to 220D will be cooled uniformly.

In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant introduction port 230 and the refrigerant discharge port 250 in the stacking direction of the frame 210 are the same regardless of the stacking position (vertical position) of the frame 210, but the cross-sectional areas thereof. May be changed in consideration of the cooling efficiency of the cell 220 located far from the heat sinks 300, 340 or the intermediate heat sinks 310, 320, 330. For example, the area of the refrigerant inlet 230 gradually increases from the laminated end (lower side) of the frame 210 toward the intermediate position and gradually decreases from the intermediate position toward the other laminated end (upper side), while the refrigerant discharge port. The area of 250 may be gradually decreased from the laminated end (lower side) of the frame 210 toward the intermediate position and gradually increased from the intermediate position toward the other laminated end (upper side). In this way, the air volume and wind speed to the cell 220 at a position where it is difficult to dissipate heat (far from the heat sink) is larger than the air volume and wind speed to the cell 220 at a position where it is easy to dissipate heat (close to the heat sink). Since it can be increased, the three-dimensional temperature distribution of the assembled battery 100 as a whole can be made uniform.

In the present embodiment, air is exemplified as the refrigerant, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an inert gas such as nitrogen or a liquid such as oil can be used depending on the required cooling capacity.

[Embodiment 2]

7 to 9 are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the frame according to the second embodiment.

Similar to the first embodiment, the frame 210 is formed of a rectangular outer frame 212 and three columns 214A, 214B, and 214C hung in a ladder shape on two opposite sides of the outer frame 212. Notches 216A on one side of the outer frame 212 at both ends₁, 216A₂However, the strut 214A has notches 216B at both ends.₁, 216B₂However, the strut 214B has notches 216C at both ends.₁, 216C₂However, the strut 214C has notches 216D at both ends.₁, 216D₂However, on the other side of the outer frame 212, there are notches 216E at both ends.₁, 216E₂Are formed respectively. Further, the frame 210 is formed with a groove similar to that of the first embodiment.

When the frames 210 are closely attached and laminated, the notch 216A₁, 216A₂Functions as a refrigerant inlet 230 and has a notch 216E₁, 216E₂Functions as a refrigerant outlet 250. Also, notch 216B₁, 216B₂, 216C₁, 216C₂, 216D₁, 216D₂Functions as a refrigerant passage.

Notch 216A in the refrigerant flow direction that functions as the refrigerant inlet 230₁And 216A₂216B₁And 216B₂, 216C₁And 216C₂, 216D₁And 216D₂, Also, a notch 216E that functions as a refrigerant outlet 250₁And 216E₂The individual cross-sectional areas of are also having the same cross-sectional area.

Also in the case of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the notches 216A are formed at both ends of the frame 210 in the longitudinal direction.₁And 216A₂The cross-sectional area of is the largest, and the notch 216B toward the downstream side₁And 216B₂, 216C₁And 216C₂, 216D₁And 216D₂, 216E₁And 216E₂The size of each notch is changed so that the cross-sectional area becomes smaller in the order of.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cells 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D have a trapezoidal portion inserted from below into the space formed between the outer frame 212 of the frame 210 and the respective columns 214A, 214B, and 214C. It is arranged in this way.

As shown in FIG. 9, six frames 210 holding the cells 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D in close contact with each other are laminated as described above. When laminated, the cells and the frames are in direct contact with each other in the stacking direction, and the gap between the frame 210 and the unit 220 between the refrigerant introduction port 230 and the refrigerant discharge port 250 is formed between the frames 210. Formed groove and notch 216B₁~ 216D₂A refrigerant passage is formed by.

As shown in Fig. 1, the laminated products as described above are laminated with the intermediate heat sinks 310, 320, and 330 intervening, and the heat sinks 300 and 340 are positioned so as to be sandwiched from both sides of the laminated body with nuts 400A to 400F. It is firmly fixed to form the assembled battery 100. When the cooling device 500 of FIG. 2 is attached to the assembled battery 100 to operate the exhaust fan 850, the following air flow occurs between the frames 210 of the assembled battery 100.

Since each frame 210 is in close contact with each other in the stacking direction, air enters only from the refrigerant introduction port 230 shown in FIG. The air that has entered passes through the groove (not shown) of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220A and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220A, and the notch 216B of the support column 214A.₁And 216B₂To reach. Next, notch 216B₁And 216B₂The air entering from is passed through the groove of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220B and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220B, and the notch 216C of the support column 214B.₁And 216C₂To reach. And notch 216C₁And 216C₂The air entering from is passed through the groove of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220C and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220C, and the notch 216D of the support column 214C.₁And 216D₂To reach. Finally, notch 216D₁And 216D₂The air that has entered from is discharged from the refrigerant discharge port 250 through the groove of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220D and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220D. Therefore, the cells 220A to 220D are directly cooled by the air flowing on the surfaces of the side surface portion and the peripheral portion thereof.

Notch 216A forming the refrigerant inlet 230₁And 216A₂, Notch 216B forming the refrigerant passage₁~ 216D₂And the notch 216E forming the refrigerant outlet 250₁And 216E₂Since the cross-sectional area of the air is gradually reduced from the refrigerant introduction port 230 toward the refrigerant discharge port 250, the flow velocity of air increases from the refrigerant introduction port 230 toward the refrigerant discharge port 250. Therefore, the air that has entered from the refrigerant introduction port 230 flows along the gap between the inner surface of the frame 210 and the outer peripheral portion of each cell 220, and when passing through each column 214, the flow velocity is directed toward the downstream side. Raise and discharge from the refrigerant discharge port 250. The temperature of the air entering from the refrigerant introduction port 230 gradually rises toward the downstream side, but the flow velocity increases toward the refrigerant discharge port 250, so that the cooling capacity becomes almost the same on both the upstream side and the downstream side. All cells 220A to 220D will be cooled uniformly.

[Embodiment 3]

10 to 12 are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the frame according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the frame 210 has three columns 214A and 214B, which are hung in a ladder shape on two opposite sides of the rectangular outer frame 212 and the outer frame 212, as in the first embodiment. It is formed from 214C. Notches 216A to 216H are formed on the front side of the outer frame 212 along the columns 214A, 214B, and 214C, and notches 216I to 216P are formed on the back side thereof at positions facing the notches 216A to 216H. ing. Further, the frame 210 is formed with a groove similar to that of the first embodiment.

When the frames 210 are closely laminated, the cutouts 216A to 216H function as the refrigerant inlet 230, and the cutouts 216I to 216P function as the refrigerant discharge port 250. The cross-sectional areas of all the notches 216A to 216P in the refrigerant flow direction are the same.

As shown in FIG. 11, the cells 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D have a trapezoidal portion inserted from below into the space formed between the outer frame 212 of the frame 210 and the respective columns 214A, 214B, and 214C. It is arranged in this way.

As shown in FIG. 12, six frames 210 holding the cells 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D in close contact with each other are laminated as described above. When laminated, the cells and the frames are in direct contact with each other in the stacking direction, and the gap between the frame 210 and the unit 220 between the frame 210 and the refrigerant inlet 230 to the refrigerant discharge port 250 is formed in the frame 210. A refrigerant passage is formed by the formed grooves.

As shown in Fig. 1, the laminated products as described above are laminated with the intermediate heat sinks 310, 320, and 330 intervening, and the heat sinks 300 and 340 are positioned so as to be sandwiched from both sides of the laminated body with nuts 400A to 400F. It is firmly fixed to form the assembled battery 100. When the cooling device 500 of FIG. 2 is attached to the assembled battery 100 to operate the exhaust fan 850, the following air flow occurs between the frames 210 of the assembled battery 100.

In the case of the present embodiment, the arrangement direction of the assembled battery 100 in the outer case 600 of the cooling device 500 is 90 degrees different from that of the first and second embodiments. In the assembled batteries 100 of the first and second embodiments, air is circulated in the longitudinal direction of the assembled battery 100 (horizontal direction in the figure), whereas in the present embodiment, air is circulated in the lateral direction of the assembled battery 100 (in the figure). This is because it is necessary to distribute in the vertical direction).

Since each frame 210 is in close contact with each other in the stacking direction, air enters only from the refrigerant introduction port 230 shown in FIG. The air that has entered is parallel through the groove (not shown) of the frame 210 formed at the gap between each cell 220A to 220D and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of each cell 220A to 220D. It flows into the air and is discharged from the refrigerant discharge port 250. Therefore, the cells 220A to 220D are mainly cooled directly by the air flowing on the surface of the side surface portion and the peripheral portion along the support column.

In the present embodiment, the flow velocity of the air entering from the refrigerant introduction port 230 is the same. Since the temperature and amount of air flowing into each of the cells 220A to 220D are the same, all the cells 220A to 220D are cooled more uniformly.

In the present embodiment as well, the cross-sectional area of the refrigerant introduction port 230 may be larger than that of the refrigerant discharge port 250, as in the first and second embodiments.

[Embodiment 4]

13 to 15 are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the frame according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, the frame 210 is formed of a rectangular outer frame 212 and three columns 214A, 214B, and 214C hung in a ladder shape on two opposite sides of the outer frame 212. Notch 216A on one side of the outer frame 212, notch 216B on the strut 214A, notch 216C on the strut 214B, notch 216D on the strut 214C, on the other side of the outer frame 212 Notches 216E are formed respectively. In the case of the first embodiment, the notches 216A to 216E are formed in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the frame 210, but in the case of the present embodiment, the notches 216A to 216E are formed along the diagonal line of the frame 210. It is arranged shifted from the central part. Further, the frame 210 is formed with a groove similar to that of the first embodiment.

When the frames 210 are closely laminated, the notch 216A functions as the refrigerant inlet 230, and the notch 216E functions as the refrigerant discharge port 250. Further, the notches 216B, 216C and 216D function as a refrigerant passage.

The cross-sectional area (opening area) of the notch 216A that functions as the refrigerant inlet 230 in the refrigerant flow direction is larger than the cross-sectional area of the notch 216E that functions as the refrigerant discharge port 250 in the refrigerant flow direction. , 216E is different in size.

The cross-sectional area of the notches 216B, 216C, and 216D that function as the refrigerant passage in the refrigerant flow direction is from the upstream side to the downstream side in the refrigerant flow direction so that the flow velocity of the refrigerant increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the refrigerant flow direction. It is getting smaller toward.

As shown in FIG. 14, each cell battery 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D has a trapezoidal part from below in the space formed between the outer frame 212 of the frame 210 and the respective columns 214A, 214B, 214C. Arranged so that it can be plugged in.

As shown in FIG. 15, six frames 210 holding the cells 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D in close contact with each other are laminated as described above. When laminated, the cells and the frames are in direct contact with each other in the stacking direction, and the gap between the frame 210 and the unit 220 between the refrigerant introduction port 230 and the refrigerant discharge port 250 is formed between the frames 210. A refrigerant passage is formed by the formed grooves and notches 216B to 216D.

As shown in Fig. 1, the laminated products as described above are laminated with the intermediate heat sinks 310, 320, and 330 intervening, and the heat sinks 300 and 340 are positioned so as to be sandwiched from both sides of the laminated body with nuts 400A to 400F. It is firmly fixed to form the assembled battery 100. When the cooling device 500 of FIG. 2 is attached to the assembled battery 100 to operate the exhaust fan 850, the following air flow occurs between the frames 210 of the assembled battery 100.

Since each frame 210 is in close contact with each other in the stacking direction, air enters only from the refrigerant introduction port 230 shown in FIG. The air that has entered reaches the notch 216B of the support column 214A through the groove (not shown) of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220A and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220A. .. Next, the air that has entered through the notch 216B passes through the groove of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220B and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220B, and the notch 216C of the support column 214B. To reach. Then, the air that has entered from the notch 216C passes through the groove of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220C and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220C, and enters the notch 216D of the support column 214C. Reach. Finally, the air that has entered through the notch 216D is discharged from the refrigerant discharge port 250 through the groove of the frame 210 formed at the gap between the cell 220D and the frame 210 and the contact position with the peripheral edge of the cell 220D. Will be done. Therefore, the cells 220A to 220D are directly cooled by the air flowing on the surfaces of the side surface portion and the peripheral portion thereof.

Further, the notch 216A forming the refrigerant introduction port 230, the notches 216B to 216D forming the refrigerant passage, and the notch 216E forming the refrigerant discharge port 250 have their cross-sectional areas from the refrigerant introduction port 230 to the refrigerant discharge port 250. Since the size is gradually reduced toward the direction, the air flow velocity increases from the refrigerant introduction port 230 toward the refrigerant discharge port 250. Therefore, the air that has entered from the refrigerant introduction port 230 flows along the gap between the inner surface of the frame 210 and the outer peripheral portion of each cell 220, and gradually increases the flow velocity toward the downstream side from the refrigerant discharge port 250. It is discharged. In the case of the present embodiment, since the air flows diagonally from the refrigerant introduction port 230 toward the refrigerant discharge port 250, it hits the four sides of the outer peripheral portion of each cell 220 evenly, resulting in higher cooling efficiency. Will increase. The temperature of the air entering from the refrigerant introduction port 230 gradually rises toward the downstream side, but the flow velocity increases toward the refrigerant discharge port 250, so that the cooling capacity is almost the same on both the upstream side and the downstream side. Therefore, all the cells 220A to 220D will be cooled uniformly.

[Evaluation of the above embodiment]

16A to 16D are diagrams showing the flow mode of the air circulating in the assembled battery 100, and FIGS. 17A and 17B show the positions, wind speeds, positions, and temperature rises of the cells constituting the assembled battery 100. It is a graph which showed the relationship.

The air flow mode shown in FIG. 16A is the same as the air flow mode of the first embodiment. That is, the air that has entered from the refrigerant introduction port 230 flows along the outer peripheral portion of the single battery 220A, gathers in the central portion to increase the flow velocity, and repeats the same for the single batteries 220B to 220D to the refrigerant discharge port 250. Is discharged from.

The air flow mode shown in FIG. 16B is the same as the air flow mode of the second embodiment. That is, the air that has entered from the refrigerant introduction port 230 flows mainly along the outer peripheral portions of the two sides of the cell 220A, increases the flow velocity when moving to the adjacent cell, and is similar to the cell 220B to 220D. This is repeated and the refrigerant is discharged from the refrigerant discharge port 250.

The air flow mode shown in FIG. 16C is the same as the air flow mode of the third embodiment. That is, the air that has entered from the refrigerant introduction port 230 flows in parallel mainly along the outer peripheral portions of the two sides of the cells 220A to 220D, and is discharged from the refrigerant discharge port 250.

The air flow mode shown in FIG. 16D is the same as that of the fourth embodiment. That is, the air is flowed in the diagonal direction of the assembled battery 100 in the same distribution mode as in the first embodiment.

The relationship between the position of the cell and the wind speed when air is flowed in the distribution mode of FIGS. 16A to 16D is obtained by experiment, and the graph is as shown in FIG. 17A. Further, the relationship between the position of the cell and the temperature rise when air is flowed in the distribution mode of FIGS. 16A to 16D is obtained by an experiment, and is shown in a graph as shown in FIG. 17B. In these graphs, the assembled battery having the conventional structure refers to the assembled battery having a structure in which the assembled battery 100 shown in FIG. 1 has only heat sinks 300 and 340 and intermediate heat sinks 310, 320 and 330.

Looking at these graphs, in all distribution modes, the flow velocity increases from the refrigerant introduction port 230 to the refrigerant discharge port 250, and the temperature rise of the cell is suppressed as compared with the conventional structure. You can see that there is.

The temperature variation of the cell is the smallest in the distribution mode of the third embodiment. It is the case of the fourth embodiment that the temperature variation of the cell cell is the second smallest after the third embodiment.

In the case of the third embodiment, the same air volume is supplied to each cell, but since the number of refrigerant introduction ports is large, it is necessary to use an exhaust fan having a large power consumption. However, in the case of the fourth embodiment, for example, 1.9 m³When an air volume of / min is given, the wind speed is around 2.0 m / S near the side surface of the cell 220A, but the wind speed is around 12.0 m / S near the side surface of the cell 220D. When the initial cooling air temperature is 35 ° C, the temperature of the cell 220A is around 38 ° C, and the temperature of the cell 220D is around 42 ° C. Therefore, it can be said that the fourth embodiment is more advantageous than the third embodiment in order to manufacture a small assembled battery without increasing the power consumption so much.

In the case of the conventional assembled battery 100, 1.9 m as in the case of the fourth embodiment.³Even if the air volume of / min is given, the air volume flowing through the heat sink is the same regardless of the location. If the initial cooling air temperature is 35 ° C, even if the temperature of the cell 220A is around 38 ° C, it is simple. The temperature of the battery 220D will be around 48 ° C.

From the above graph, it can be seen how the present invention contributes to the improvement of the three-dimensional temperature distribution imbalance of the assembled battery 100.

[Embodiment 5]

18 to 20 are views for explaining the configuration of the frame and the heat sink according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 18, the frame 210 is formed of a rectangular outer frame 212 and three columns 214A, 214B, and 214C hung in a ladder shape on two opposite sides of the outer frame 212. Notch 216A on one side of the outer frame 212, notch 216B on the strut 214A, notch 216C on the strut 214B, notch 216D on the strut 214C, on the other side of the outer frame 212 Notches 216E are formed respectively. In the case of this embodiment, the cross-sectional areas of all the notches 216A to 216E in the refrigerant flow direction are the same.

On the other hand, the intermediate heat sink 330 laminated on the frame 210 is provided with protruding portions 332A to 332C at corresponding positions of the notches 216B to 216D provided in the respective columns 214A to 216C of the frame 210. As shown in FIG. 19A, the length of the protrusion 332A is shorter than the length of the protrusion 332B, and the length of the protrusion 332B is shorter than the length of the protrusion 332C. That is, the length of each protrusion 332 is gradually increased from the upstream side to the downstream side in the air flow direction.

The protrusions 332A to 332C are U-shaped slits 332A as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19B.₁~ 332C₂have. As shown in Figure 19B, slit 332A₁And slit 332A₂Width, slit 332B₁And slit 332B₂Width, slit 332C₁And slit 332C₂Width is the same, but slit 332A₁And slit 332A₂The width of is slit 332B₁And slit 332B₂Larger than the width of, slit 332B₁And slit 332B₂The width of is slit 332C₁And slit 332C₂It is larger than the width of. That is, the width of each slit 332 is gradually narrowed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the air flow direction.

As shown in FIG. 18, each cell battery 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D has a trapezoidal part from below in the space formed between the outer frame 212 of the frame 210 and the respective columns 214A, 214B, 214C. Arranged so that it can be plugged in.

When the intermediate heat sink 330 is put on the frame 210 from above and brought into close contact with the frame 210, the notch 216A functions as the refrigerant introduction port 230, and the notch 216E functions as the refrigerant discharge port 250. In addition, notches 216B, 216C, 216D, protrusions 332A, 332B, 332C and each slit 332A₁~ 332C₂Functions as a refrigerant passage.

As shown in FIG. 20, six frames 210 holding the cells 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D are laminated in close contact with each other as described above, and the seat sink 340 is further connected from both sides in the stacking direction. It is sandwiched between the intermediate heat sink 330. When the heat sinks 330 and 340 and the frame 210 are laminated in this way, the cell batteries 220 located at both ends in the stacking direction are in direct contact with the heat sink 330 and 340, and the cell cells 220 at other positions are in direct contact with each other. However, the frames 210 located at both ends in the stacking direction are in close contact with the heat sinks 330 and 340, and the frames 210 at other positions are in close contact with each other.

Assuming that the frame at the intermediate position that does not adhere to the heat sinks 330 and 340 has a notch formed in any of the above embodiments 1 to 4, the refrigerant is connected between the frames 210 from the refrigerant introduction port 230. A refrigerant passage is formed by a gap between the frame 210 and the cell 220, a groove formed in the frame 210, and notches 216B to 216D leading to the discharge port 250. Further, between the frame 210 and the heat sinks 330 and 340, there is a gap between the frame 210, the heat sink 330, 340 and the cell 220 between the refrigerant inlet 230 and the refrigerant discharge port 250, and a notch formed in the frame 210. The protrusions 332A to 332C formed on the portions 216B to 216D and the heat sinks 330 and 340, and the slits 332A included in the protrusions 332A to 332C.₁~ 332C₂A refrigerant passage is formed by.

The laminated batteries as described above are laminated as shown in FIG. 1, and the heat sinks 300 and 340 are positioned so as to be sandwiched from both sides of the laminated body and firmly fixed with nuts 400A to 400F to form the assembled battery 100. .. When the cooling device 500 of FIG. 2 is attached to the assembled battery 100 to operate the exhaust fan 850, the following air flow occurs between the frames 210 of the assembled battery 100.

Since the air flow mode between the frames 210 is as described in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted here. The air flow mode between the heat sinks 330 and 340 and the frame 210 will be described below.

Since the heat sinks 330 and 340 and the frame 210 are in close contact with each other in the stacking direction, air enters only from the refrigerant introduction port 230 shown in FIG. The air that has entered reaches the notch 216B of the column 214A through the gap between the cell 220A, the frame 210, and the intermediate heat sink 330. As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the protrusion 332A of the heat sink 330 enters the notch 216B, and the slit 332A is further inserted into the protrusion 332A.₁, 332A₂The air is formed in the notch 216B and the protrusion 332A and the slit 332A.₁, 332A₂It circulates through the gap formed by. Next, the air that has entered through the notch 216B reaches the notch 216C of the column 214B through the gap between the cell 220B, the frame 210, and the intermediate heat sink 330. Notch 216C and protrusion 332B and slit 332B₁, 332B₂The air that has entered through the notch 216C through the gap formed in the above reaches the notch 216D of the column 214C through the gap between the cell 220C, the frame 210, and the intermediate heat sink 330. Finally, notch 216D and protrusion 332C and slit 332C₁, 332C₂The air that has entered through the notch 216D through the gap formed by is discharged from the refrigerant discharge port 250 through the gap between the cell 220D, the frame 210, and the intermediate heat sink 330. Therefore, the cells 220A to 220D are directly cooled by the air flowing on the surfaces of the side surface portion and the peripheral portion thereof, and are indirectly cooled via the intermediate heat sink 330.

In this embodiment, notches 216B to D, protrusions 332A to C, and slits 332A₁~ 332C₂The size of the area of the gap formed by is reduced from the upstream side to the downstream side. Therefore, the air flow velocity increases from the cell 220A to 220D.

Therefore, the air that has entered from the refrigerant introduction port 230 flows along the gap between the inner surface of the frame 210 and the intermediate heat sink 330 and the outer peripheral portion of each cell 220, and collects at the central portion of each column 214 on the downstream side. The flow velocity is increased toward and the refrigerant is discharged from the refrigerant discharge port 250. The temperature of the air entering from the refrigerant introduction port 230 gradually rises toward the downstream side, but the flow velocity increases toward the refrigerant discharge port 250, so that the cooling capacity becomes almost the same on both the upstream side and the downstream side. All cells 220A to 220D will be cooled uniformly.

In the present embodiment, the case where the protrusion 332 is formed on the intermediate heat sink 330 has been described, but the heat sinks 300 and 340 may be formed.

Further, the size of the notch 216 formed in the support column 214 of the frame 210 was made the same, and the flow velocity of the air was changed by changing the size of the protrusion 332 and the slit formed in the intermediate heat sink 330. On the contrary, the air flow velocity is changed by making the size of the protrusion 332 and the slit formed in the intermediate heat sink 330 the same and changing the size of the notch 216 formed in the support column 214 of the frame 210. Is also good.

It is possible to provide an assembled battery having a refrigerant passage formed inside and having good heat dissipation efficiency, and it can be applied in the field of a power battery such as an automobile.

<figref num="1">It is a perspective view which shows the appearance of the assembled battery which concerns on this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is an external view of the cooling device which cools the assembled battery shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="3">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 1. FIG.</figref><figref num="4">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 1. FIG.</figref><figref num="5">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 1. FIG.</figref><figref num="6">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 1. FIG.</figref><figref num="7">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 2. FIG.</figref><figref num="8">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 2. FIG.</figref><figref num="9">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 2. FIG.</figref><figref num="10">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 3. FIG.</figref><figref num="11">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 3. FIG.</figref><figref num="12">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 3. FIG.</figref><figref num="13">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 4. FIG.</figref><figref num="14">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 4. FIG.</figref><figref num="15">It is a figure which provides the explanation of the structure of the frame in Embodiment 4. FIG.</figref><figref num="16A">It is a figure which shows the circulation form of the air which circulates in the assembled battery.</figref><figref num="16B">It is a figure which shows the circulation form of the air which circulates in the assembled battery.</figref><figref num="16C">It is a figure which shows the circulation form of the air which circulates in the assembled battery.</figref><figref num="16D">It is a figure which shows the circulation form of the air which circulates in the assembled battery.</figref><figref num="17A">It is a graph which showed the relationship between the position of the cell which constitutes the assembled battery, and the wind speed.</figref><figref num="17B">It is a graph which showed the relationship between the position of the cell which constitutes the assembled battery, and the temperature rise.</figref><figref num="18">It is a figure which provides the description of the structure of the frame and the heat sink in Embodiment 5.</figref><figref num="19A">It is a figure which provides the description of the structure of the frame and the heat sink in Embodiment 5.</figref><figref num="19B">It is a figure which provides the description of the structure of the frame and the heat sink in Embodiment 5.</figref><figref num="20">It is a figure which provides the description of the structure of the frame and the heat sink in Embodiment 5.</figref>

Code description

100 sets of batteries, 200 battery units, 210 frames, 212 outer frames, 214A to 214C columns, 216A to 216E notches, 220A to 220D single batteries, 222A to 222D peripherals, 230 refrigerant inlets, 250 refrigerant outlets, 300, 340 heat sink, 310, 320, 330 intermediate heat sink, 300A, 310A, 320A, 330A, 340A refrigerant flow port, 332A ~ 332C protrusion, 332A₁~ 332C₁ Slit, 400A ~ 400F nut, 500 cooling device, 600 exterior case, 700 refrigerant introduction duct, 800 refrigerant discharge duct, 850 exhaust fan.