JP5239759B2 - Battery cooling device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery cooling device that cools a battery, for example, a device that cools a battery that is used as a drive power source for a motor for driving a car.

Conventionally, as a battery that requires this type of cooling, for example, an assembled battery described in Patent Document 1 is known. The assembled battery includes a plurality of unit cells, a plurality of bus bars that electrically connect the unit cells, and cooling fins that are provided in the bus bars that cool the unit cells. Each cooling fin is provided along the flow direction of the refrigerant and is shifted so as not to overlap the flow direction of the refrigerant. With such a configuration, the cooling fin does not hinder the flow of the refrigerant and generates a turbulent flow in the refrigerant, so that the cooling capacity of the assembled battery can be increased.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-71674

  However, in the above-described conventional assembled battery, positive and negative electrode terminal portions are provided on one side of the unit battery, and the electrode terminal portion is disposed on the upper surface of the assembled battery. For this reason, the heat radiation part for cooling a battery will be collected on the upper surface of an assembled battery, and there exists a problem that a heat radiation area cannot fully be ensured.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a battery cooling device capable of improving the cooling capacity of the battery.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following technical means can be employed. In addition, the code | symbol in the parenthesis as described in a claim and each means of the following shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later as one aspect.

The invention related to the battery cooling device according to claim 1 is a fluid battery for flowing a fluid that cools the assembled battery, and an assembled battery (10) in which a plurality of battery modules (11) connected so as to be energized are integrated. A flow means (20), and a first passage (40) and a second passage (41) which are at least two passages through which the fluid flowing by the fluid flow means flows,
The electrode terminal portions (12, 13) provided in each battery module are divided into a first group of electrode terminal portions (17) and a second group of electrode terminal portions (18) arranged in at least two groups in the assembled battery. The first group of electrode terminal portions are located in the first passage, and the second group of electrode terminal portions are located in the second passage ,
The fluid flow means includes a fan (21) and a casing (22) that sucks and discharges fluid by rotation of the housed fan. One of the suction port (22a) and the discharge port (22b) of the casing is one of them. Is connected to the first passage, the other is connected to the second passage, and the casing is configured integrally with the assembled battery,
The assembled battery (10A) is configured by stacking a plurality of stacked bodies (19) formed by stacking in the thickness direction of the battery module, and the casing (23) includes each of the first passage and the second passage. The connecting area (23a, 23b) is configured such that the passage area becomes narrower toward the area where the fan (21A) is accommodated .

According to this invention, the assembled battery has a first group of electrode terminal portions and a second group of electrode terminal portions arranged in at least two groups, and each electrode terminal portion is disposed in a separate passage. for a form, it is possible to reliably cool in each of a plurality of groups of electrode terminals of the plurality of passages radiating is made from the battery. Thereby, compared with the structure by which the electrode terminal part was collectively arrange | positioned on the upper surface of an assembled battery like the past, the heat dissipation from a battery can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to improve the cooling performance of the battery.
In addition, after the first group of electrode terminal portions is cooled by the fluid drawn into the first passage, the first group of electrode terminal portions is cooled by being drawn into the second passage, so that the fluid flowing through the at least two passages is reduced. It can be taken in from places. Thereby, since the flow volume which flows through the said each channel | path can fully be ensured, the cooling effect of a high battery is acquired with the size reduction of an apparatus. Further, it is possible to provide a battery cooling device that cools an assembled battery having a configuration in which a plurality of battery module stacks are arranged with high cooling performance without increasing the fluid flow means.

The invention related to the battery cooling device according to claim 2 is a fluid that flows a fluid that cools the assembled battery, and an assembled battery (10) in which a plurality of battery modules (11) that are connected to be energized are integrated. A flow means (20), and a first passage (40) and a second passage (41) which are at least two passages through which the fluid flowing by the fluid flow means flows,
The electrode terminal portions (12, 13) provided in each battery module are divided into a first group of electrode terminal portions (17) and a second group of electrode terminal portions (18) arranged in at least two groups in the assembled battery. The first group of electrode terminal portions are located in the first passage, and the second group of electrode terminal portions are located in the second passage,
The fluid flow means includes a fan (21B) and a casing (24) that sucks and discharges fluid by rotation of the housed fan. The casing includes at least one suction port (24a) and at least 2 One discharge port (24b), the discharge port is connected to each of the first passage and the second passage, the casing is configured integrally with the assembled battery,
The assembled battery (10A) is configured by stacking a plurality of stacked bodies (19) formed by stacking in the thickness direction of the battery module, and the casing (23) includes each of the first passage and the second passage. The connecting area (23a, 23b) is configured such that the passage area becomes narrower toward the area where the fan (21A) is accommodated .

According to this invention, the assembled battery has a first group of electrode terminal portions and a second group of electrode terminal portions arranged in at least two groups, and each electrode terminal portion is disposed in a separate passage. Since it is a form, the plurality of groups of electrode terminal portions that release heat from the battery can be reliably cooled in each of the plurality of passages. Thereby, compared with the structure by which the electrode terminal part was collectively arrange | positioned on the upper surface of an assembled battery like the past, the heat dissipation from a battery can be increased. Therefore, the cooling performance of the battery can be improved. Further, the fluid flow means distributes at least the fluid sucked from at least one suction port to the first passage and the second passage, and cools the first group of electrode terminal portions and the second group of electrode terminal portions. In addition to ensuring the cooling performance provided by the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to provide a low flow rate and low noise device. Further, it is possible to provide a battery cooling device that cools an assembled battery having a configuration in which a plurality of battery module stacks are arranged with high cooling performance without increasing the fluid flow means.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shape of the assembled battery is a box shape, and the electrode terminal portion of the first group and the electrode terminal portion of the second group are: Projecting from the first surface (10a) and the second surface (10b) of the box-shaped battery pack, the first passage is adjacent to the first surface, and the second passage is adjacent to the second surface. It is characterized by that.

According to the present invention, by cooling the first group of electrode terminal portions and the second group of electrode terminal portions provided so as to protrude from the two surfaces of the box-shaped assembled battery, groups of various forms are obtained. It is possible to provide a battery cooling device capable of cooling the assembled battery having the electrode terminal portions summarized in (1).

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the shape of the assembled battery is a rectangular parallelepiped, and the first passage and the second passage are provided on both sides of the assembled battery so as to sandwich the assembled battery. It is characterized by being. According to this invention, since the length of the assembled battery between the side surfaces where the first passage and the second passage are not provided can be suppressed, the battery cooling that can cope with a narrow installation space and can improve the cooling performance. Equipment can be provided.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising a fin (15) through which heat from the electrode terminal portion is transmitted, wherein the fin includes the first passage and the fin. It is arranged in the second passage. According to this invention, since the heat radiation area of the battery can be expanded, further improvement in the cooling performance of the battery can be expected.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a battery monitoring unit (30) for monitoring at least a voltage state and a temperature state of the assembled battery, The battery monitoring unit is provided integrally with the assembled battery so as to be positioned between the fluid flowing through the first passage and the fluid flowing through the second passage. According to the present invention, the fluid flowing through both passages flows near the battery monitoring unit, so that the cooling performance of the battery monitoring unit can be improved at the same time as the cooling performance of the battery is improved.

  A plurality of modes for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described in each mode, the other modes described above can be applied to the other parts of the configuration. Not only combinations of parts that clearly show that combinations are possible in each embodiment, but also a combination of the embodiments even if they are not clearly shown unless there is a problem with the combination. It is also possible.

(First embodiment)
The battery cooling apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used in a well-known hybrid vehicle that uses an internal combustion engine and a battery drive motor as a travel drive source, and cools a battery that serves as a drive power source for the travel motor. Is. The battery is, for example, a nickel metal hydride secondary battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, or an organic radical battery, and is housed in a housing, under a car seat, between a rear seat and a trunk room, a driver seat and a passenger seat. It is arranged in the space between.

  1st Embodiment which is one Embodiment of this invention is described using FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the battery cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the cooling passage and the electrode terminal portion. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the relationship between the cooling passage and the electrode terminal portion when FIG. 1 is viewed in the III direction. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the relationship between the cooling passage and the electrode terminal portion when FIG. 1 is viewed in the IV direction. FIG. 5 is a front view showing an electrode terminal portion of the battery module cooled by the battery cooling device 1. 3 and 4, only the assembled battery 10 is shown by a solid line for easy understanding, and the air blowing member 20, the duct 42 forming the first passage 40, and the second passage 41 are formed. The duct 43 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the battery cooling device 1 mainly includes an assembled battery 10 as a module assembly that is an assembly of a plurality of battery modules 11, and air (fluid) for cooling the assembled battery 10. A blowing member 20 to be sent (fluid flow means), at least two passages (first passage 40 and second passage 41) through which air flowing by the blowing member 20 circulates, and at least voltage states of the plurality of battery modules 11; It consists of a battery monitoring unit that monitors the temperature state, and a unit in which these are integrated is mounted on a car as a battery pack.

  The battery module 11 is a rectangular battery, and is arranged so as to be stacked in the thickness direction to form at least one stacked body. The assembled battery 10 includes a plurality of battery modules 11 that are electrically connected in series, arranged in parallel with their longitudinal side surfaces facing each other, and a laminated body obtained by integrating them as a module assembly. This laminated body is fixed by being constrained by end plates 16 from both side ends in the laminating direction. The assembled battery 10 is housed in a housing (not shown). The housing is a rectangular parallelepiped case configured to be removable at least one surface for maintenance, and is formed of a resin or a steel plate. The casing is provided with an attachment portion for fixing the casing to the vehicle side by bolting or the like.

  A blower member 20 is provided at one end of the battery module 11 in the stacking direction (longitudinal direction of the assembled battery 10), and a control device box 30 in which a battery monitoring unit or the like is accommodated at the other end. Is provided. A first passage 40 and a second passage 41 through which a fluid for cooling the battery flows are disposed adjacent to both side surfaces of the lateral end of the assembled battery 10. That is, the 1st channel | path 40 and the 2nd channel | path 41 are provided in the both sides | surfaces of the horizontal direction edge part of the assembled battery 10 so that the assembled battery 10 may be pinched | interposed. The control device box 30 is positioned between the fluid flowing through the first passage 40 and the fluid flowing through the second passage 41, and is integrated with the assembled battery 10.

  The first passage 40 is a space surrounded by a flat duct 42. The duct 42 has a vertical length equal to the vertical length of the assembled battery 10 and a fluid flow direction length equal to the stacking direction length of the assembled battery 10. The 1st channel | path 40 is formed in the whole side surface. Similar to the first passage 40, the second passage 41 is a space surrounded by a flat duct 43. Similarly to the duct 42, the duct 43 has a vertical length equal to the vertical length of the assembled battery 10, and a fluid flow direction length equal to the stacking direction length of the assembled battery 10. On the other hand, the 2nd channel | path 41 is formed in the whole side surface of the horizontal direction edge part which on both sides of the assembled battery 10 is opposed.

  Each battery module 11 which comprises a laminated body is provided with the electrode terminal part (the positive electrode terminal 12 and the negative electrode terminal 13) which protrudes from the both side surfaces which are not adjacent (refer FIG. 5). Corresponding electrodes between the battery modules 11 are connected by a bus bar 14 which is a metal plate having excellent conductivity. The plurality of battery modules 11 constituting one laminated body are connected to be energized by a corresponding number of bus bars 14. The connection between the bus bar 14 and the electrode terminal portion is performed by, for example, screw tightening or ultrasonic welding. Therefore, power is transferred from the total terminal portions (not shown) arranged at both ends of the laminate that can be energized by the bus bar 14.

  As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the electrode terminal portions provided in each battery module 11 are two on both sides of the assembled battery 10 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape with the plurality of battery modules 11 integrated as the assembled battery 10. It protrudes from the surface. A first group of electrode terminal portions 17 protrudes from the first surface 10a which is one of the two surfaces on both sides. The first group of electrode terminal portions 17 includes a plurality of electrode terminal portions arranged in the longitudinal direction of the first surface 10a. That is, the first group of electrode terminal portions 17 is a group of electrode terminal portions arranged in the stacking direction of the battery modules 11 on the first surface 10 a of the assembled battery 10. The first passage 40 is disposed adjacent to the first surface 10 a, and the first group of electrode terminal portions 17 exists in the first passage 40. With this configuration, the heat of each battery module 11 is transmitted to the first group of electrode terminal portions 17 existing in the first passage 40 and is cooled by the air (fluid) flowing through the first passage 40. .

  Further, a second group of electrode terminal portions 18 protrudes from the second surface 10b, which is the other of the two surfaces on both sides. The second group of electrode terminal portions 18 includes a plurality of electrode terminal portions arranged in the longitudinal direction of the second surface 10b. That is, the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 is a group of electrode terminal portions arranged in the stacking direction of the battery modules 11 on the second surface 10 b of the assembled battery 10. The second passage 41 is disposed adjacent to the second surface 10 b, and the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 exist in the second passage 41. With this configuration, the heat of each battery module 11 is transmitted to the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 present in the second passage 41 and is cooled by the air (fluid) flowing through the second passage 41. .

  The electrode terminal portions in the first group of electrode terminal portions 17 are electrically connected to the adjacent electrode terminal portions by the bus bars 14, and the electrode terminal portions in the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 are adjacent to the electrode terminal portions. Are electrically connected by a bus bar 14. Thereby, all the battery modules 11 which comprise a laminated body are zigzag-shaped or meandering from the battery module 11 located in the lamination | stacking direction one side edge part to the battery module 11 located in the lamination | stacking direction other side edge part. They are electrically connected in series so as to flow in a shape.

  Each bus bar 14 is provided with a plate-like fin 15 projecting outward. The fin 15 is formed of an aluminum material, an aluminum alloy material, or the like having excellent thermal conductivity, and is parallel to the direction in which the first passage 40 extends (in the stacking direction of the battery modules 11), in other words, along the fluid flow direction. It is composed of a plurality of extending plate materials. The heat of each battery module 11 is transmitted to the fins 15 existing in the first passage 40 via the electrode terminal portions and the bus bar 14 and is cooled by the air (fluid) flowing through the first passage 40.

  As with the first group of electrode terminal portions 17, the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 are also provided with bus bars 14 and fins 15, which are located in the second passage 41. The heat of each battery module 11 is transmitted to the fins 15 existing in the second passage 41 via the electrode terminal portion and the bus bar 14 and is cooled by the air (fluid) flowing through the second passage 41.

  Further, a wiring unit (not shown) may be passed through a gap between the bus bar 14 provided in the first passage 40 and the second passage 41 and the surface portion of the assembled battery 10. The wiring unit is, for example, various sensors that monitor the battery state, such as wiring that electrically connects the temperature sensor and the control circuit unit, and the gap is a space through which the wiring unit passes.

  Next, the air blowing member 20 which is an example of the fluid flow means will be described. The air blowing member 20 is integrally provided adjacent to one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the assembled battery 10. The blower member 20 includes a fan 21 that is driven by a motor or the like and capable of rotation speed control, and a casing 22 that sucks and discharges fluid by rotation of the fan 21 housed therein. The casing 22 has a suction port 22a that opens at the tip of the suction side duct portion 23c connected to the first passage 40, and a discharge port 22b that opens at the tip of the discharge side duct portion 23d connects to the second passage 41. The battery pack 10 is integrated with the battery pack 10 through the first passage 40 and the second passage 41.

  The fan 21 is not limited to the cross-flow fan shown in each drawing, and has a duct portion that can connect the suction side portion and the discharge side portion of the fan to the first passage 40 and the second passage 41, respectively. If it can flow from the first passage 40 to the second passage 41, another form of fan can be employed. For example, the fan 21 may be an axial flow fan, a mixed flow fan, or a centrifugal fan (sirocco fan, radial fan, turbo fan, etc.).

  When the battery monitoring unit determines that the battery needs to be cooled, a driving voltage is supplied to the motor of the blower member 20 and the fan 21 rotates. Thereby, air (fluid) outside the battery cooling device 1 is sucked into the first passage 40 from the suction port 44 of the first passage 40. The air takes heat from the first group of electrode terminal portions 17 while flowing through the first passage 40, cools, flows through the casing 22 from the suction port 22a, and flows out from the discharge port 22b to the second passage 41. . The air flowing through the second passage 41 cools by taking heat from the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 and flows out from the discharge port 45 of the second passage 41 to the outside.

  As described above, the air flowing through the first passage 40 and the second passage 41 is a flow having a relatively high flow rate although it has a low air volume because the cross-sectional shape of both passages is an elongated rectangular shape. By having such both passages, it is possible to provide cooling air with high cooling effect with reduced noise.

  The battery monitoring unit is housed in the control device box 30 and receives detection results from various sensors that monitor the battery state (eg, voltage, temperature, etc.). The control device box 30 further stores a control circuit unit including a control circuit that performs drive control of the motor that drives the blower member 20 and battery control, a wire harness that connects each device, and the like. The control circuit unit is also a battery ECU that communicates with the battery monitoring unit and monitors the state of the assembled battery 10, and is connected to the assembled battery 10 through a number of wires. The control circuit unit is adapted to communicate with an external electronic control device. Further, the control circuit unit may be configured to issue a command necessary for the electronic control circuit in the assembled battery 10.

  The control circuit unit detects the number of rotations of the fan 21 of the blower member 20 and detects the temperature of the air sucked by the fan 21 using an intake air temperature sensor. The control circuit unit performs calculations based on the intake air temperature detected by the intake air temperature sensor, the battery temperature detected by the various sensors, and the control program stored in advance, and the fan 21 so that the battery temperature falls within an appropriate temperature range. The battery cooling is appropriately adjusted by controlling the number of revolutions. Further, the driving of the motor is controlled by the control circuit unit. The control circuit unit performs, for example, PWM control for modulation by changing the duty ratio of the voltage pulse wave. For example, the control circuit unit controls the temperature of the assembled battery 10 detected by a temperature sensor or the like by variably controlling the rotational speed of the fan according to the target cooling capacity by PWM control.

  The effect which the battery cooling device 1 of this embodiment brings is described. The battery cooling device 1 is flowed by an assembled battery 10 in which a plurality of battery modules 11 connected to be energized are integrated, a blower member 20 for flowing a fluid for cooling the assembled battery 10, and a blower member 20. The first passage 40 and the second passage 41, which are at least two passages through which fluid flows, are provided. The electrode terminal portion provided in each battery module 11 is divided into a first group of electrode terminal portions 17 and a second group of electrode terminal portions 18 arranged in at least two groups in the assembled battery 10, and the surface of the assembled battery 10. Protruding from. The first group of electrode terminal portions 17 is located in the first passage 40, and the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 is located in the second passage 41.

  According to this configuration, the assembled battery 10 includes the first group of electrode terminal portions 17 and the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 arranged in at least two groups. Since the first group of electrode terminal portions 17 are disposed in the first passage 40 and the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 are disposed in the second passage 41, the two groups of electrodes are separated by the fluid flowing in the separate passages. Each terminal part can be reliably cooled. As a result, compared with a configuration in which the electrode terminal portions are arranged on the upper surface of the assembled battery as in the conventional case, the amount of heat released from the battery is remarkably increased, and the cooling performance of the battery can be reliably improved. .

  The first group of electrode terminal portions 17 and the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 protrude from the first surface 10 a and the second surface 10 b of the box-shaped assembled battery 10, respectively. Is adjacent to the first surface 10a, and the second passage 41 is adjacent to the second surface 10b.

  According to this configuration, the first group of electrode terminal portions 17 and the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 provided so as to protrude from the two surfaces of the box-shaped assembled battery 10 can be cooled. Even if the terminal portion has a shape that protrudes from any two surfaces on the outer surface of the assembled battery, it is possible to provide a battery cooling device that is capable of cooling and has a high response capability.

  Moreover, the 1st channel | path 40 and the 2nd channel | path 41 are provided in the both sides of the assembled battery 10 so that the rectangular parallelepiped assembled battery 10 may be pinched | interposed. According to this configuration, since the length between the side surfaces of the assembled battery 10 in which the first passage 40 and the second passage 41 are not provided can be suppressed, the cooling performance is improved and the installation space with a small height and width is used. However, a battery cooling device that can be mounted is obtained.

  Further, one of the suction port 22 a and the discharge port 22 b of the casing 22 is connected to the first passage 40 and the other is connected to the second passage 41, and the casing 23 is configured integrally with the assembled battery 10. ing.

  According to this configuration, the first group of electrode terminal portions 17 is cooled by the fluid drawn into the first passage 40 and then drawn into the second passage 41 to cool the second group of electrode terminal portions 18, so that at least The fluid taken from one place can be circulated through the two passages. Thereby, the battery cooling device 1 can be miniaturized and a sufficient flow rate can be ensured through each passage.

  In addition, since the first passage 40 and the second passage 41 have a flat cross-sectional shape, they can provide a cooling air with a high flow speed even with a small air volume. Can secure the ability to do.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, a battery cooling device 1A that is another form of the battery cooling device 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the battery cooling device 1A according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the components given the same reference numerals as those in the drawing of the first embodiment described above are the same components and have the same effects.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the battery cooling device 1 </ b> A has a feature in the configuration of the air blowing member 20 </ b> A. The fan 21 </ b> A of the air blowing member 20 </ b> A is a fan having a rotation axis along the vertical direction, and is arranged such that the fan height is included between the vertical lengths of the assembled battery 10 </ b> A. The vertical length of the fan storage portion in which the fan 21A is stored is shorter than the vertical length of the assembled battery 10A.

  The suction port 23a and the discharge port 23b of the casing 23 are openings whose vertical length is larger than the vertical length of the fan 21A. That is, the casing 23 is configured such that the passage area is narrowed from the connection portion with each of the first passage 40 and the second passage 41 toward the portion housing the fan 21A. That is, the casing 23 forms a fan housing portion, a suction side duct portion 23c that forms a passage area that becomes narrower as it approaches the fan 21A from the suction port 23a, and a passage area that widens from the fan housing portion toward the discharge port 23b. And a discharge-side duct portion 23d.

  By providing the casing 23 having the above-described configuration, when the length of the assembled battery is large, for example, when cooling the assembled battery 10A in which the stacked body 19 of the battery module 11 is arranged in a plurality of stages as shown in FIG. Thus, it is possible to provide a battery cooling device that can be used without increasing the size of the fan 21A. In this configuration, since the stacked body 19 of the battery module 11 is provided in two stages in the vertical direction, the second group of electrode terminal portions 18A are arranged in two stages in the vertical direction. Electrode terminal portions (not shown) are also arranged in two stages in the vertical direction.

  Moreover, by adopting the blowing member 20A having the above-described configuration, the size of the blowing member can be reduced, and an empty space can be secured around the blowing member. For this reason, the mountability of the battery cooling device 1A is improved, and the empty space can be effectively used as a space for installing other components.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment is a battery cooling device having a configuration in which two sets of the battery cooling device 1 of the first embodiment are arranged in the horizontal direction. FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the battery cooling device according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 7, the components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the drawing of the first embodiment described above are similar components and have the same operational effects.

  As shown in FIG. 7, this battery cooling device is useful when the installation space is narrow in the vertical direction but relatively secured in the horizontal direction. Moreover, in such a battery cooling device, it is preferable that the direction of the air which flows through the cooling ventilation path in an adjacent position becomes the same direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a cooling air passage may be arranged so that the discharge ports 45 of the second passage are close to each other. Thereby, the cooling air which flows through the mutually adjacent ventilation path does not become a resistance, and a decrease in the wind speed can be prevented.

(Fourth embodiment)
In 4th Embodiment, the battery cooling device 1B which is the other form of the battery cooling device 1 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated according to FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the battery cooling device 1B according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the drawing of the first embodiment described above are similar components and exhibit the same operational effects.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the battery cooling device 1B is characterized by the structure of the air blowing member 20B. The blower member 20B has a rotating shaft along the vertical direction as the fan 21B, sucks air (fluid) in the direction along the rotating shaft, and discharges it in the centrifugal direction of the fan (for example, a sirocco fan or a radial fan). , Turbo fan, etc.). The casing 24 of the blower member 20B is a casing having a scroll portion surrounding the fan 21B, and includes a suction port 24a that is opened on the side surface in the rotation axis direction and two discharge-side duct portions that extend in the centrifugal direction of the fan 21B. 24c, 24d, and discharge ports 24b that open to the respective distal ends of the discharge side duct portions 24c, 24d.

  In the casing 24, the discharge port 24b at the distal end of the discharge side duct portion 24c is connected to the first passage 40, and the discharge port 24b at the distal end of the discharge side duct portion 24d is connected to the second passage 41. 40 and the second passage 41 are integrated with the assembled battery 10.

  When the battery monitoring unit determines that the battery needs to be cooled, a driving voltage is supplied to the motor of the blower member 20B, and the fan 21B rotates. As a result, air (fluid) outside the battery cooling device 1B is sucked in from the suction port 24a of the casing 24 in the direction of the rotation axis and discharged from both the discharge side duct portions 24c and 24d extending in the centrifugal direction. And flows into the second passage 41. The air that has flowed into both passages takes heat from the first group of electrode terminal portions 17 in the first passage 40 and cools it, and flows out from the discharge port 44A of the first passage 40 to the outside. Heat is taken from the electrode terminal portions 18 of the group and cooled to flow out from the discharge port 45 of the second passage 41 to the outside.

  According to the battery cooling device 1B of the present embodiment, the casing 24 of the blowing member 20B includes at least one suction port 24a and at least two discharge ports 24b, and the two discharge ports 24b are the first passage. The casing 24 is integrally formed with the assembled battery.

  With this configuration, the air blowing member 20B distributes at least the air sucked from the at least one suction port 24a to the first passage 40 and the second passage 41, and the first group of electrode terminal portions 17 and the second group of electrode terminal portions 18 are distributed. Therefore, in addition to the improvement in cooling performance brought about by each of the above-described inventions, low-noise battery cooling by a low flow rate fluid can be performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the air blowing member 20B includes a centrifugal fan, and distributes air sucked from one suction port 24a and discharges the air from the two discharge ports 24b to two cooling passages. Therefore, cooling air with high static pressure can be provided, and high cooling performance can be obtained even with a low air volume. Therefore, even when a narrow cooling passage accompanying downsizing of the battery cooling device is employed, an operation with low air volume and low noise is performed, and an energy saving battery cooling device can be provided.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is.

  For example, in the arrangement posture of the battery cooling device described in the above embodiment, at least two passages (first passage and second passage) through which a fluid for cooling the battery flows are arranged at both ends in the lateral direction of the assembled battery. Although it is a posture, it is not limited to this posture. For example, when installing the battery cooling device in an automobile or the like, the two passages may be installed above and below, or the extending direction of the two passages may be the vertical direction. May be installed.

  In the third embodiment, a plurality of the battery cooling devices 1 of the first embodiment are arranged in a horizontal direction and mounted in an automobile or the like. However, as another form, the battery cooling device 1 is arranged in the vertical direction. It may be used so that a plurality of them are stacked and mounted on an automobile or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the plurality of battery modules 11 may be arranged side by side with a predetermined gap in the flow direction of the cooling air from the blower member 20 in the casing, or may be contacted without providing a gap. They may be arranged side by side. Each battery module 11 has a square shape, but is not limited to this shape. For example, the battery module 11 has a round bar shape and is provided with electrode terminal portions protruding from both end surfaces in the axial direction. It may be a form.

It is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the battery cooling device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which showed the relationship between the channel | path for cooling, and an electrode terminal part. It is the side view which showed the relationship between the channel | path for cooling and an electrode terminal part when seeing FIG. 1 in III direction. It is the top view which showed the relationship between the channel | path for cooling and an electrode terminal part when seeing FIG. 1 in IV direction. It is the front view which showed the electrode terminal part in the battery module cooled by a battery cooling device. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the battery cooling device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the battery cooling device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the battery cooling device which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Battery assembly 10a ... 1st surface 10b ... 2nd surface 11 ... Battery module 12 ... Positive electrode terminal (electrode terminal part)
13. Negative electrode terminal (electrode terminal part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Fin 17 ... 1st group electrode terminal part 18 ... 2nd group electrode terminal part 20 ... Blower member (fluid flow means)
21, 21A, 21B ... fan 22, 23, 24 ... casing 22a, 24a ... suction port 22b, 24a ... discharge port 23a ... suction port (connection part)
23b: Discharge port (connection part)
30 ... Control equipment box (battery monitoring unit)
40 ... 1st passage 41 ... 2nd passage

Claims (6)

An assembled battery (10) in which a plurality of battery modules (11) connected to be energized are integrated;
Fluid flow means (20) for flowing a fluid for cooling the assembled battery;
A first passage (40) and a second passage (41) which are at least two passages through which the fluid flowing by the fluid flow means flows;
With
The electrode terminal portions (12, 13) provided in each of the battery modules include a first group of electrode terminal portions (17) and a second group of electrode terminal portions (18) arranged in at least two groups in the assembled battery. Projecting from the surface of the battery pack,
The first group of electrode terminal portions is located in the first passage, the second group of electrode terminal portions is located in the second passage ,
The fluid flow means includes a fan (21) and a casing (22) that sucks and discharges the fluid by rotation of the stored fan.
One of the suction port (22a) and the discharge port (22b) of the casing is connected to the first passage, the other is connected to the second passage, and the casing is configured integrally with the assembled battery,
The assembled battery (10A) is configured by stacking a plurality of stacked bodies (19) formed by stacking in the thickness direction of the battery module,
The casing (23) is configured such that a passage area becomes narrower from a connection portion (23a, 23b) to each of the first passage and the second passage toward a portion for housing the fan (21A). battery cooling apparatus characterized by there. An assembled battery (10) in which a plurality of battery modules (11) connected to be energized are integrated;
Fluid flow means (20) for flowing a fluid for cooling the assembled battery;
A first passage (40) and a second passage (41) which are at least two passages through which the fluid flowing by the fluid flow means flows;
With
The electrode terminal portions (12, 13) provided in each of the battery modules include a first group of electrode terminal portions (17) and a second group of electrode terminal portions (18) arranged in at least two groups in the assembled battery. Projecting from the surface of the battery pack,
The first group of electrode terminal portions is located in the first passage, the second group of electrode terminal portions is located in the second passage ,
The fluid flow means includes a fan (21B) and a casing (24) that sucks and discharges the fluid by rotation of the stored fan.
The casing includes at least one suction port (24a) and at least two discharge ports (24b),
The discharge port is connected to each of the first passage and the second passage, and the casing is configured integrally with the assembled battery,
The assembled battery (10A) is configured by stacking a plurality of stacked bodies (19) formed by stacking in the thickness direction of the battery module,
The casing (23) is configured such that a passage area becomes narrower from a connection portion (23a, 23b) to each of the first passage and the second passage toward a portion for housing the fan (21A). battery cooling apparatus characterized by there. The assembled battery has a box shape,
The electrode terminals of the first group and the electrode terminals of the second group protrude from the first surface (10a) and the second surface (10b) of the box-shaped assembled battery,
Said first passage is adjacent to said first surface, said second passage battery cooling device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that adjacent to the second surface. The shape of the assembled battery is a rectangular parallelepiped shape,
The battery cooling device according to claim 3 , wherein the first passage and the second passage are provided on both sides of the assembled battery so as to sandwich the assembled battery. Furthermore, a fin (15) through which heat from the electrode terminal portion is transmitted,
The battery cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the fins are disposed in the first passage and the second passage. Furthermore, a battery monitoring unit (30) for monitoring at least a voltage state and a temperature state of the assembled battery is provided,
The battery monitoring unit is provided integrally with the assembled battery so as to be positioned between a fluid flowing through the first passage and a fluid flowing through the second passage. The battery cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

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