JP6546339B2 - Battery device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relates to a battery equipment.

There is known a battery device provided with a plurality of batteries and a case accommodating the plurality of batteries.
Such battery devices are desired to have improved cooling performance.

Japan JP 2012-84486

An object of the present invention is to provide is to provide a battery equipment which can improve the cooling performance.

The battery device of the embodiment has a housing, a first module, a second module, a third module, and an intake fan . The housing has a first wall provided with an air inlet. The first module is accommodated in the housing, and is disposed with a first gap between the first module and the first wall. The second module is accommodated in the housing, is located on the side opposite to the first wall with respect to the first module, and is disposed with a second gap between the first module and the second module. . The third module is housed in the housing and is located on the opposite side of the first module to the second module. An intake fan causes a cooling fluid to flow into the housing from the intake port. The first gap has a smaller ventilation cross-sectional area than the second gap. The first module has a plurality of batteries, a substrate, and a case accommodating the plurality of batteries and the substrate. The case has a first case wall facing the substrate and exposed to the first gap, and a second case wall facing the plurality of batteries and exposed to the second gap. The housing has a second wall located opposite to the first wall and having a third gap with the third module. The ventilation cross-sectional area of the third gap is about 1/2 to 0.8 times as large as the ventilation cross-sectional area of the second gap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Sectional drawing which shows the battery apparatus of 1st Embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The perspective view which shows the battery module of 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the battery apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The graph which shows the relation between the lowest channel height ratio and heat resistance ratio. Sectional drawing which shows the battery apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the battery apparatus of 4th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the battery apparatus of 5th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the battery system of 6th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the battery system of 7th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a battery device and a battery system of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. And duplicate explanation of those composition may be omitted.

First Embodiment
First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery device 1 of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the battery device 1 of the present embodiment is a device provided with a plurality of battery modules 13 arranged in multiple stages and a cooling structure for cooling the plurality of battery modules 13. The battery device 1 may be called, for example, a "storage battery device", a "battery pack device", a "heating element cooling device" or the like. The battery device 1 is installed in various devices, machines, facilities, and the like, and is used as a power source for the various devices, machines, facilities, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the battery device 1 of the present embodiment includes a housing 11, a plurality of support portions (support shelves) 12, and a plurality of battery modules (battery packs) 13.

  The housing 11 is formed, for example, in a rectangular box shape, and integrally accommodates a plurality of battery modules 13 arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction. Specifically, the housing 11 has an upper wall 11a, a lower wall (bottom wall) 11b, and four side walls 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f.

  Here, the Z direction, the X direction, and the Y direction are defined. The Z direction is a direction in which the plurality of battery modules 13 are arranged (a direction arranged in multiple stages), and is, for example, a substantially vertical direction. The X direction and the Y direction are directions intersecting (for example, substantially orthogonal to) the Z direction, for example, substantially horizontal directions. The X direction is, for example, the longitudinal direction of each battery module 13, and is, for example, a direction in which a plurality of batteries 31 described later are arranged. The Y direction is a direction intersecting (eg, substantially orthogonal to) the X direction.

  The upper wall 11 a is an example of the “first wall”. The upper wall 11a is located at one end (upper end) of the battery device 1 in the Z direction. For example, the upper wall 11a is a flat wall along the X direction and the Y direction. The upper wall 11 a has an inlet 21 and an outlet 22. The intake port 21 is a vent that opens to the outside of the housing 11 and allows a cooling fluid (a refrigerant, for example, air) to flow into the inside of the housing 11 from the outside of the housing 11. On the other hand, the exhaust port 22 is a vent that opens to the outside of the housing 11 and allows the cooling fluid that has passed through the inside of the housing 11 to flow out of the housing 11. The intake port 21 and the exhaust port 22 are separately disposed on both sides of the battery module 13 (for example, the uppermost module 13A described later) in the X direction. The intake port 21 and the exhaust port 22 each open in the inside of the housing 11 in the Z direction.

  The lower wall 11 b is an example of the “second wall”. The lower wall 11 b is located at the other end (lower end) of the battery device 1 in the Z direction. In other words, the lower wall 11b is located on the opposite side of the upper wall 11a to the plurality of battery modules 13 arranged in multiple stages. For example, the lower wall 11b is a flat wall extending in the X direction and the Y direction, and is substantially parallel to the upper wall 11a. For example, the lower wall 11 b is installed on the installation surface of the battery device 1.

  The four side walls 11c, 11d, 11e and 11f extend in a direction (Z direction) substantially orthogonal to the upper wall 11a and the lower wall 11b, and connect the edge of the upper wall 11a and the edge of the lower wall 11b, respectively. There is. The pair of side walls 11c and 11d are separated from each other in the Y direction, and extend substantially parallel to each other along the X direction. The pair of side walls 11e and 11f are separated from each other in the X direction and extend substantially parallel to each other along the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the lower wall 11b and the four side walls 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f are closed walls, and do not have vent holes such as an inlet and an outlet.

  The plurality of support portions 12 are provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of side walls 11 c and 11 d of the housing 11. The plurality of support portions 12 are divided and disposed at a plurality of heights in the housing 11. The battery module 13 is placed on each support 12. In the present embodiment, each support 12 includes a pair of support pieces (support members) 12a and 12a. The pair of support pieces 12a, 12a are, for example, prismatic members extending in the X direction. The pair of support pieces 12a and 12a are separately attached to the inner surfaces of the pair of side walls 11c and 11d. In other words, the pair of support pieces 12a and 12a are disposed apart from each other in the Y direction.

  The plurality of battery modules 13 are separately accommodated in the housing 11 in multiple stages by being mounted on the support portions 12 respectively. Each battery module 13 is placed over the pair of support pieces 12a, 12a and supported from below by the pair of support pieces 12a, 12a. Therefore, the central portion of the lower surface of the battery module 13 (the central portion of the case lower wall 34b to be described later) is exposed to the inside of the housing 11 through the space between the pair of support pieces 12a and 12a.

Next, the configuration of each battery module 13 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery module 13 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, each battery module 13 has a plurality of batteries (battery cells) 31, a plurality of bus bars (see FIG. 1) 32, a substrate 33 (see FIG. 1), and a case 34. Each battery 31 is an example of a "heating element." The plurality of batteries 31 housed in one case 34 is an example of the “heating element group”.

  Each of the plurality of batteries 31 is, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery. Instead of this, the battery 31 may be another secondary battery such as a nickel hydrogen battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lead storage battery. The plurality of batteries 31 are arranged substantially parallel to one another. Each of the plurality of batteries 31 has a battery body 41 and a pair of terminals 42A and 42B.

  The battery body 41 has a case C that forms the outer shape of the battery body 41. Inside the case C, the positive electrode, the negative electrode, the insulating film, the electrolyte and the like which are components of the battery 31 are accommodated. The case C is formed in a flat rectangular shape. In other words, the battery 31 (battery main body 41) is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape.

  The pair of terminals 42A and 42B is provided at one end (upper end) of the battery body 41. The pair of terminals 42A and 42B includes a positive electrode terminal 42A and a negative electrode terminal 42B. The positive electrode terminal 42A is electrically connected to the positive electrode in the case C. The negative electrode terminal 42B is electrically connected to the negative electrode in the case C. The plurality of batteries 31 are arranged, for example, with the terminals 42A and 42B facing in the same direction. The plurality of batteries 31 need not have the terminals 42A and 42B facing in the same direction. The plurality of batteries 31 may be arranged with the terminals 42A and 42B facing in different directions (for example, opposite directions).

  The plurality of bus bars 32 are connected to the terminals 42A and 42B of the plurality of batteries 31, as shown in FIG. The plurality of bus bars 32 are an example of the “electrical connection portion”. The plurality of bus bars 32 electrically connect the terminals 42A and 42B of the plurality of batteries 31 to each other. For example, the bus bar 32 electrically connects the positive electrode terminal 42A of a certain battery 31 and the negative electrode terminal 42B of another battery 31. Thus, the plurality of batteries 31 are electrically connected in series or in parallel.

  The board (circuit board) 33 is, for example, a monitoring board that monitors the voltage and temperature of the battery 31. The substrate 33 may be a control substrate for controlling the charge and discharge of the battery 31 or may be a substrate having other functions.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the case 34 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and accommodates the plurality of batteries 31, the plurality of bus bars 32, and the substrate 33. The case 34 has a case upper wall 34a, a case lower wall 34b, and four case side walls 34c, 34d, 34e, 34f.

The case upper wall 34 a is an example of the “first case wall”. The case upper wall 34a is located at one end (upper end) of the battery module 13 in the Z direction. For example, the case upper wall 34a is a flat wall extending in the X and Y directions. The case upper wall 34a faces the plurality of bus bars 32 and the substrate 33 (see FIG. 1). The case upper wall 34 a is warmed by the heat of the upper portions of the plurality of bus bars 32, the substrate 33, and the plurality of batteries 31.
On the other hand, the case lower wall 34 b is an example of the “second case wall”. The case lower wall 34 b is located at the other end (lower end) of the battery device 1 in the Z direction. For example, the case lower wall 34b is a flat wall along the X direction and the Y direction. The case lower wall 34 b faces the battery bodies 41 of the plurality of batteries 31. The case lower wall 34 b is warmed by, for example, heat of lower portions of the plurality of batteries 31.
The four case side walls 34c, 34d, 34e, 34f extend in a direction (Z direction) substantially orthogonal to the case upper wall 34a and the case lower wall 34b, respectively, at the edge of the case upper wall 34a and the case lower wall 34b. It is connected with the edge.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the case 34 of the present embodiment is formed of a battery case 51 and a terminal portion case 52. The battery case (battery box, first case) 51 is formed in a box shape with one end opened, and integrally accommodates the battery bodies 41 of the plurality of batteries 31. The battery case 51 includes the whole of the case lower wall 34b and a part of each of four case side walls 34c, 34d, 34e, 34f.

  On the other hand, the terminal portion case (terminal box, second case) 52 is combined with the battery case 51 to close the internal space (housing portion) of the battery case 51. That is, the terminal portion case 52 is attached to the battery case 51 from the opposite side to the case lower wall 34 b and covers the internal space of the battery case 51. The terminal portion case 52 includes the whole of the case upper wall 34a and a part of each of the four case side walls 34c, 34d, 34e and 34f.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the terminal portion case 52 has a partition wall (partition plate) 52 a. The partition wall 52 a is located at the boundary between the battery case 51 and the terminal portion case 52. For example, the partition wall 52a is a flat wall substantially parallel to the case upper wall 34a. The partition wall 52a has a plurality of insertion holes 54 through which the terminals 42A and 42B of the plurality of batteries 31 pass. The terminals 42 </ b> A and 42 </ b> B of the plurality of batteries are passed through the insertion holes 54 of the partition wall 52 a and exposed to the inside of the terminal portion case 52. Inside the terminal portion case 52, a plurality of bus bars 32 and a substrate 33 are accommodated. The terminals 42A and 42B of the plurality of batteries 31 are electrically connected by the plurality of bus bars 32 housed in the terminal portion case 52.

Next, the arrangement structure of the plurality of battery modules 13 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of battery modules 13 of the present embodiment includes a top module 13A, at least one (for example, a plurality of) middle modules 13B, and a bottom module 13C. In FIG. 1 and the drawings after FIG. 3, only one middle module 13B is shown as a representative.

  The top module 13A is a module disposed at the highest position among the plurality of battery modules 13. The uppermost module 13A is an example of the “first module”. The uppermost module 13 </ b> A is closest to the upper wall 11 a of the housing 11 among the plurality of battery modules 13. The top module 13A is disposed between the top wall 11a of the housing 11 and the top module 13A with a first gap (first ventilation gap, top channel) δh. The first gap δh is formed between the upper wall 11a of the housing 11 and the case upper wall 34a of the top module 13A. The first gap δh extends in the X direction between the top wall 11a of the housing 11 and the top module 13A. The case upper wall 34a of the top module 13A is exposed in the first gap δh.

  The middle module 13B is a module disposed among the plurality of battery modules 13 between the top module 13A and the bottom module 13C. The middle module 13B is located on the opposite side of the top wall 11a of the housing 11 with respect to the top module 13A. The middle module 13B adjacent to the top module 13A (the middle module 13B located one below the top module) is an example of the “second module”. The middle module 13B is disposed between the top module 13A and the middle module 13B with a second gap (second ventilation gap, middle channel) δm. The second gap δm is formed between the case lower wall 34b of the top module 13A and the case upper wall 34a of the middle module 13B. The second gap δm extends in the X direction between the top module 13A and the middle module 13B. The case lower wall 34b of the top module 13A and the case upper wall 34a of the middle module 13B are exposed in the second gap δm.

  When a plurality of middle modules 13B are provided in the Z direction, the plurality of middle modules 13B are disposed with a second gap δm between them. The second gap δm is formed between the case lower wall 34b of one middle module 13B and the case upper wall 34a of another middle module 13B. The second gap δm extends in the X direction between the plurality of middle stage modules 13B. The case lower wall 34b of one middle module 13B and the case upper wall 34a of another middle module 13B are exposed in the second gap δm.

  Further, the middle module 13B adjacent to the lowermost module 13C (the middle module 13B positioned one on the lowermost module 13C) has a second gap δm between the lowermost module 13C and the middle module 13B. It is arranged. The second gap δm is formed between the case lower wall 34b of the middle module 13B and the case upper wall 34a of the lowermost module 13C. The second gap δm extends in the X direction between the middle module 13B and the lower module 13C. The case lower wall 34b of the middle module 13B and the case upper wall 34a of the lowermost module 13C are exposed in the second gap δm.

  The lowermost module 13C is a module disposed at the lowest position among the plurality of battery modules 13. The lowermost module 13C is located opposite to the uppermost module 13A with respect to the middle module 13B. The lowermost module 13C is an example of the “third module”. In addition, when there is no middle module 13B (when only two battery modules 13 are arranged in the Z direction), the lowermost module 13C corresponds to an example of the “second module”. The lowermost module 13 </ b> C is closest to the lower wall 11 b of the housing 11 among the plurality of battery modules 13. The lowermost module 13C is disposed between the lower wall 11b of the housing 11 and the lowermost module 13C with a third gap (third ventilation gap, lowermost flow path) δl. That is, the third gap δl is formed between the case lower wall 34b of the lowermost module 13C and the lower wall 11b of the housing 11. The third gap δl extends in the X direction between the lowermost module 13C and the lower wall 11b of the housing 11. The case lower wall 34b of the lowermost module 13C is exposed in the second gap δm.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of battery modules 13 are disposed apart from the side wall 11 e of the housing 11. Thus, a first ventilation passage (intake-side ventilation passage) 61 communicating with the air inlet 21 is formed between the plurality of battery modules 13 and the side wall 11 e of the housing 11. The first air passage 61 extends from the air inlet 21 along the Z direction to the entire height of the battery device 1. That is, the first ventilation passage 61 is formed across the sides (the first gap δh, the second gap δm, and the side of the third gap δl) of all the battery modules 13. The first air passage 61 communicates with the first gap δh, the second gap δm, and the third gap δl in the X direction.

  Similarly, the plurality of battery modules 13 are disposed apart from the side wall 11 f of the housing 11. Thus, a second air passage (exhaust side air passage) 62 communicating with the exhaust port 22 is formed between the plurality of battery modules 13 and the side wall 11 f of the housing 11. The second ventilation path 62 extends from the exhaust port 22 along the Z direction to the entire height of the battery device 1. That is, the second ventilation path 62 is formed across the sides (the first gap δh, the second gap δm, and the side of the third gap δl) of all the battery modules 13. The second ventilation passage 62 is located on the opposite side of the first ventilation passage 61 with respect to the plurality of battery modules 13 (with respect to the first gap δh, the second gap δm, and the third gap δl). The second ventilation passage 62 is a first clearance δh, a second clearance δm, and a third clearance from the side opposite to the first ventilation passage 61 with respect to the first clearance δh, the second clearance δm, and the third clearance δl. It communicates with each of δl.

  Thereby, the cooling fluid flowing into the housing 11 from the intake port 21 is divided into the first gap δh, the second gap δm, and the third gap δl from the first air passage 61, and flows into the first gap δh, It flows in the X direction through each of the second gap δm and the third gap δl. The cooling fluid having passed through the first gap δh, the second gap δm, and the third gap δl merges in the second air passage 62 and flows out of the exhaust port 22 to the outside of the housing 11.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the ventilation cross-sectional area of the first gap δh is smaller than the ventilation cross-sectional area of the second gap δm. Further, in the present embodiment, the ventilation cross-sectional area of the first gap δh is smaller than the ventilation cross-sectional area of the third gap δl. The ventilation cross-sectional area referred to in the present application is a cross-sectional area along a direction substantially orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling fluid (in the present embodiment, a cross-sectional area along the Y direction and the Z direction) It means the cross-sectional area. In the present embodiment, the widths in the Y direction of the first gap δh, the second gap δm, and the third gap δl (the width in the paper surface depth direction in FIG. 1) are substantially the same. For this reason, in the present embodiment, it can be said that the flow channel height Hh of the first gap δh is smaller than the flow channel height Hm of the second gap δm. Further, it can be said that the flow channel height Hh of the first gap δh is smaller than the flow channel height Hl of the third gap δl. The “flow path height” in the present application means a flow path width in the direction substantially orthogonal to the flow direction of the cooling fluid (in the present embodiment, the flow path width in the Z direction).

Next, the operation of the battery device 1 will be described.
As described above, the cooling fluid flowing into the housing 11 from the intake port 21 is divided into the first gap δh, the second gap δm, and the third gap δl from the first air passage 61, and flows into the first gap It flows in the X direction through each of δh, the second gap δm, and the third gap δl. In this process, the case upper wall 34a of the top module 13A is exposed to and cooled by the cooling fluid flowing through the first gap δh. Thereby, the heat dissipation of the bus bar 32 of the uppermost module 13A, the substrate 33, and the upper part of the battery 31 is promoted. On the other hand, the case lower wall 34b of the top module 13A is cooled by being exposed to the cooling fluid flowing through the second gap δm. Thereby, the heat radiation of the lower part of the battery 31 of the top module 13A is promoted.
Similarly, the case upper wall 34a of the middle module 13B is cooled by being exposed to the cooling fluid flowing through the second gap δm. Thereby, the heat dissipation of the upper part of the bus bar 32 of the middle module 13B, the substrate 33, and the battery 31 is promoted. On the other hand, the case lower wall 34b of the middle module 13B is exposed to and cooled by the cooling fluid flowing in the other second gap δm. Thereby, the heat radiation of the lower part of the battery 31 of the middle module 13B is promoted.
Further, the case upper wall 34a of the lowermost module 13C is exposed to and cooled by the cooling fluid flowing through the second gap δm. Thereby, the heat dissipation of the upper part of the bus bar 32 of the lowest module 13C, the substrate 33, and the battery 31 is promoted. On the other hand, the case lower wall 34b of the lowermost module 13C is cooled by being exposed to the cooling fluid flowing through the third gap δl. Thereby, the heat radiation of the lower part of the battery 31 of the lowermost module 13C is promoted.

  According to such a configuration, the cooling performance of the battery device 1 can be improved. Here, for comparison, a configuration is considered in which the ventilation cross-sectional area of the first gap δh, the ventilation cross-sectional area of the second gap δm, and the ventilation cross-sectional area of the third gap δl are all the same. In this case, the air flow rate distribution and the air temperature distribution flowing in the vicinity of the plurality of battery modules 13 are not uniform. The reason is that (a) air easily flows in the vicinity of the top module 13A near the intake 21 and the exhaust 22 and hardly flows in the vicinity of the other battery modules 13 far from the intake 21 and the exhaust 22; Because the flow rate distribution is uneven as a whole, (b) the cooling fluid flowing through the first gap δh and the third gap δl receives heat from only one battery module 13, but the cooling fluid flowing through the second gap δm is (C) The temperature rise of the cooling fluid is proportional to the amount of heat released from the surface of the battery module 13 because the heat is received from the plurality of battery modules arranged above and below, that is, the amount of heat received differs depending on the flow path. This is because it is in inverse proportion to the flow rate of the cooling fluid flowing near the battery module 13.

  For this reason, the flow rate and the temperature differ between the cooling fluid flowing through the first gap δh, the cooling fluid flowing through the second gap δm, and the cooling fluid flowing through the third gap δl. For this reason, the heat passing rate from the battery module 13 to the cooling fluid is different in the plurality of gaps δh, δm, δl. As a result, temperature variations occur in the plurality of battery modules 13, and the maximum temperature rise is larger than when the plurality of battery modules 13 are uniformly cooled. Therefore, the cooling performance, for example, the thermal resistance (unit: K / W) obtained by dividing the heating element maximum temperature rise by the calorific value may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, in the battery device 1 of the present embodiment, the ventilation cross-sectional area of the first gap δh is set smaller than the ventilation cross-sectional area of the second gap δm. According to such a configuration, the cooling fluid flows into the first gap δh by forming the first gap δh closest to the intake port 21 relatively narrow among the plurality of gaps δh, δm, δl. It becomes difficult. In other words, the flow rate of the cooling fluid flowing into the second gap δm can be increased. Here, the cooling fluid flowing through the second gap δm receives heat from the plurality of battery modules 13 on both sides of the gap. On the other hand, the cooling fluid flowing through the first gap δh receives heat only from one battery module 13. Therefore, even if the flow rate of the cooling fluid flowing into the first gap δh decreases relatively, the temperature rise of the cooling fluid flowing through the first gap δh is higher than the temperature rise of the cooling fluid flowing through the second gap δm. It is hard to grow up. In addition, although the first gap δh has a small ventilation cross-sectional area, the flow rate of the inflowing cooling fluid also decreases. For this reason, the average flow velocity of the cooling fluid in the first gap δh and the average flow velocity of the cooling fluid in the second gap δm become close to each other. Therefore, only the top module 13A does not have a temperature lower than that of the other battery modules 13, and temperature variations in the plurality of battery modules 13 can be reduced. Thereby, the maximum temperature rise in the plurality of battery modules 13 is reduced, and the resistance is reduced. Thereby, the cooling performance of the battery device 1 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the case 34 of the uppermost module 13A faces the substrate 33 and the case upper wall 34a exposed to the first gap δh, and faces the plurality of batteries 31 and is exposed to the second gap δm. And a wall 34b. According to such a configuration, the heat radiation of the upper portion and the lower portion of the uppermost module 13A is promoted by the cooling fluid flowing through the first gap δh and the cooling fluid flowing through the second gap δm. According to such a configuration, temperature variation is less likely to occur in the battery device 1, and the cooling performance can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, the intake port 21 and the exhaust port 22 are provided on the same wall, and are separately provided on both sides of the battery module 13. According to such a configuration, a uniform flow of the cooling fluid can be easily realized in the battery device 1. Therefore, temperature variations are less likely to occur in the battery device 1.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the fan 71 is provided and the ventilation cross-sectional area of the third gap δl is set to a predetermined size. The configuration other than that described below is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery device 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the battery device 1 of the present embodiment includes a fan 71. In the present embodiment, the fan 71 is provided at the intake port 21 as an air supply fan. The fan 71 causes the cooling fluid to flow into the housing 11 from the air inlet 21. The fan 71 sends cooling air along the direction in which the first air passage 61 extends. The place where the fan 71 is provided is not limited to the air intake 21, and may be in the middle of the first air passage 61.

  In the present embodiment, the ventilation cross-sectional area (flow channel height Hl) of the third gap δl is set to a size of about 1⁄2 or more of the ventilation cross-sectional area (flow channel height Hm) of the second gap δm. ing. Furthermore, the ventilation cross-sectional area (flow channel height Hl) of the third gap δl is at least about 1/2 times and less than about 1.0 times the ventilation cross-sectional area (flow channel height Hm) of the second gap δm. Is set to the size of.

  Here, FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the lowermost stage flow path height ratio and the heat resistance ratio obtained by an experiment by the present inventors. The “lowermost stage flow path height ratio” is a ratio (= Hl / Hm) of the magnitude of the flow path height Hl of the third gap δl to the flow path height Hm of the second gap δm. The term "thermal resistance ratio" as used herein refers to the thermal resistance of the battery device 1 when the lowermost flow channel height ratio is various, and the thermal resistance ratio of the lowermost flow channel height ratio is 1.0. It is a non-dimensionalized index obtained by dividing by the thermal resistance. In the above experiment, the battery modules 13 are arranged in 12 steps in the Z direction and in 3 rows in the Y direction, the flow path height Hm of the second gap δm is 13 mm, and the flow path height Hh of the first gap δh is 0 mm. A flow passage width Hi of the first air flow passage 61 in the X direction is 336 mm, a flow passage width Ho of the second air flow passage in the X direction is 460 mm, and uniform cooling fluid flows in from the intake port 21 (for example, the fan 71 (If installed), based on a model where the vent was open to the atmosphere.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the heat resistance ratio is relatively small in a region where the flow channel height Hl of the third gap δl is approximately 1⁄2 times or more of the flow channel height Hm of the second gap δm. On the other hand, the thermal resistance ratio is rapidly increased in a region where the flow channel height Hl of the third gap δl is less than about 1⁄2 times the flow channel height Hm of the second gap δm. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the thermal resistance of the battery device 1 is reduced by setting the flow channel height Hl of the third gap δl to be approximately half or more of the flow channel height Hm of the second gap δm. There is.

  According to such a configuration, as in the first embodiment, the cooling performance can be improved. Further, in the present embodiment, a fan 71 for allowing the cooling fluid to flow into the housing 11 from the intake port 21 is provided. The ventilation cross-sectional area of the third gap δl is set to a size substantially equal to or more than half the ventilation cross-sectional area of the second gap δm. According to such a configuration, a sufficient amount of cooling fluid may be allowed to flow in the third gap δl even in a fluid environment in the housing 11 in which the cooling fluid is unlikely to flow in the third gap δl far from the intake port 21 it can. Thereby, the heat radiation of the lowermost module 13C can be promoted, and the temperature variation in the plurality of battery modules 13 including the lowermost module 13C can be further reduced.

  In addition, for example, the ventilation cross-sectional area of the third gap δl is set to a size that is approximately 1⁄2 or more and less than approximately 1.0 of the ventilation cross-sectional area of the second gap δm. According to such a configuration, the battery device 1 can be miniaturized while enhancing the cooling performance. In a specific example, the ventilation cross-sectional area of the third gap δl may be set to about 0.8 times the ventilation cross-sectional area of the second gap δm. According to such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, in the case where the lowermost flow path height ratio is 1.0 while achieving downsizing of the battery device 1 (the ventilation cross-sectional area of the third gap δl and the second The cooling performance can be enhanced as compared with the case where the ventilation cross section of the gap δm is the same.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that a heat sink 80 is provided. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery device 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the battery device 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of heat sinks 80. The plurality of heat sinks 80 are respectively disposed in the second gap δm and the third gap δl. For example, a plurality of heat sinks 80 are provided in the support 12 of each stage. The battery modules 13 of each stage are mounted on the heat sink 80 and thermally connected to the heat sink 80. The term "thermally connected" as used herein refers to the case where two members are in direct contact with each other, or the case where a member for thermal connection (such as a heat conductive sheet) is provided between the two members. means.

  Specifically, the heat sink 80 has a base 81 and a plurality of fins 82. The base 81 is formed in, for example, a flat plate shape along the X direction and the Y direction. The base 81 is attached so as to be stretched over the pair of support pieces 12a, 12a. The battery module 13 is mounted on the base 81 and thermally connected to the base 81. The plurality of fins 82 are provided on the base 81 and thermally connected to the base 81. Each fin 82 stands in a plate shape from the base 81 along the Z direction and extends in the X direction. The plurality of fins 82 extend substantially parallel to one another along the X direction. The cooling fluid flows in the X direction between the plurality of fins 82.

  According to such a configuration, as in the first embodiment, the cooling performance can be improved. Further, in the present embodiment, the battery device 1 includes the heat sink 80 disposed in the second gap δm and the third gap δl. The heat sink 80 has a plurality of fins 82 along the X direction. According to such a configuration, the heat radiation area for radiating the heat from the battery module 13 is increased, and the heat transmission rate from the battery module 13 to the cooling fluid can be increased. Thereby, the maximum temperature rise in the plurality of battery modules 13 is reduced, and the cooling performance can be improved. The heat sink 80 may be attached to the inner surface of the housing 11 or the battery module 13 instead of being attached to the support 12. Also, the heat sink 80 may be thermally connected to both of the plurality of battery modules 13 located above and below the heat sink 80.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that the fins 82 of the heat sink 80 have a predetermined size or more. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery device 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the second gap δm includes a first area A1 and a second area A2. The first area A1 is a space area (so-called inter-fin area) located between the plurality of fins 82. On the other hand, the second area A2 is an area adjacent to the first area A1 in the Z direction and located outside the plurality of fins 82. From another point of view, the second area A2 is an area located outside the plurality of fins 82 and overlapping the first area A1 in a plan view as viewed along the Z direction. For example, the second area A2 is a space area between the tips of the plurality of fins 82 of the heat sink 80 and the case upper wall 34a of the battery module 13 facing the heat sink 80.

  And in this embodiment, the ventilation cross-sectional area of 1st area | region A1 is set larger than the ventilation cross-sectional area of 2nd area | region A2. The “ventilation cross-sectional area of the first region” means, for example, when one heat sink 80 is provided with three or more fins 82, a plurality of fins formed between the three or more fins 82. It is the total of the ventilation cross section of the space part.

  Similarly, in the present embodiment, the third gap δ1 has a first area A1 and a second area A2. The definition of the first region A1 and the second region A2 of the third gap δl is the same as the definition of the first region A1 and the second region A2 of the second gap δm. In the present embodiment, the ventilation cross-sectional area of the first region A1 of the third gap δl is set larger than the ventilation cross-sectional area of the second region A2 of the third gap δl.

  According to such a configuration, as in the first embodiment, the cooling performance can be improved. Further, in the present embodiment, the ventilation cross-sectional area of the first region A1 is set larger than the ventilation cross-sectional area of the second region A2. According to such a configuration, a large amount of cooling fluid can be made to flow between the plurality of fins 82 of the heat sink 80. That is, even if the ventilation resistance of the first area A1 is larger than that of the second area A2 due to the presence of the fins 82, more cooling fluid is made to flow into the first area A1 and the space between the plurality of fins 82 The flow rate of the cooling fluid through can be increased. Thereby, the heat transfer rate from the battery module 13 to the cooling fluid can be increased. Thereby, the maximum temperature rise in the plurality of battery modules 13 is reduced, and the cooling performance can be improved.

Fifth Embodiment
Next, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that a plurality of battery modules 13 are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the battery device 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the plurality of battery modules 13 are a plurality of battery modules (a plurality of top stage modules 13A) belonging to a first group G1 and a plurality of battery modules 13 (a plurality of battery modules 13 belonging to a second group G2 A plurality of middle-stage modules 13B) and a plurality of battery modules 13 (a plurality of lower-stage modules 13C) belonging to the third group G3 are included.

The plurality of uppermost-stage modules 13A belonging to the first group G1 are arranged side by side in the Y direction (e.g., substantially horizontal direction). The plurality of top tier modules 13A are disposed in contact with each other in the Y direction, and are thermally connected to each other. Each of the plurality of top tier modules 13A is an example of the “fourth module”.
Similarly, the plurality of middle modules 13B belonging to the second group G2 are arranged side by side in the Y direction (for example, substantially horizontal direction). The plurality of middle modules 13B are disposed in contact with each other in the Y direction, and are thermally connected to each other.
The plurality of lowermost modules 13C belonging to the third group G3 are arranged in the Y direction (for example, substantially horizontal direction). The plurality of lowermost modules 13C are disposed in contact with each other in the Y direction, and are thermally connected to each other.

  According to such a configuration, as in the first embodiment, the cooling performance can be improved. Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of battery modules 13 are arranged side by side in the Y direction and thermally connected to each other. According to such a configuration, the side surface of each battery module 13 in the Y direction is substantially adiabatic (no heat transfer), and the temperature of the battery 31 among the plurality of battery modules 13 arranged in the Y direction The difference is smaller. Thereby, the temperature variation in the plurality of battery modules 13 is reduced, and the cooling performance can be improved.

Sixth Embodiment
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that it relates to a battery system provided with a plurality of battery devices 1. The configuration other than that described below is the same as the configuration of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery system 91 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the battery system 91 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of battery devices 1. The battery system 91 may be referred to as a "battery cooling system", a "heating element cooling system" or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the plurality of battery devices 1 are arranged side by side in the Y direction (e.g., substantially horizontal direction). The plurality of battery devices 1 are disposed in contact with each other in the Y direction, and are thermally connected to each other.

  According to such a configuration, as in the first embodiment, the cooling performance can be improved. Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of battery devices 1 are arranged in the Y direction and thermally connected to each other. According to such a configuration, as in the fifth embodiment, the temperature difference of the battery 31 becomes smaller among the plurality of battery devices 1 arranged in the Y direction. Thereby, the cooling performance can be improved.

Seventh Embodiment
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the plurality of battery devices 1 are integrally provided with the intake sides of the plurality of battery devices 1 facing each other. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery system 91 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the battery system 91 includes a plurality of battery devices 1. The plurality of battery devices 1 are arranged in the Y direction. The plurality of battery devices 1 are provided integrally with each other with the intake sides of the plurality of battery devices 1 facing each other. In the present embodiment, the casings 11 and the support portions 12 of the plurality of battery devices 1 are integrally provided. Further, the intake ports 21 of the plurality of battery devices 1 are integrally provided. The intake port 21 is provided at the boundary between the plurality of battery devices 1.

  In the present embodiment, the fan 71 is provided at the exhaust port 22 as an exhaust fan. The fan 71 causes the cooling fluid in the housing 11 to flow out from the exhaust port 22. As a result, the internal pressure of the housing 11 decreases, and a new cooling fluid flows into the housing 11 from the intake port 21. The place where the fan 71 is provided is not limited to the exhaust port 22, and may be in the middle of the second air passage 62.

  From another point of view, the battery system 91 according to the present embodiment includes one case 11, a plurality of top modules 13A, a plurality of middle modules 13B, and a plurality of bottom modules 13C. The plurality of top tier modules 13 A, the plurality of middle tier modules 13 B, and the plurality of bottom tier modules 13 C are accommodated in the housing 11. The plurality of top-stage modules 13A are separately disposed on both sides of the intake port 21 in the X direction. Similarly, the plurality of middle stage modules 13B are separately disposed on both sides of the intake port 21 in the X direction. The plurality of lowermost modules 13C are disposed separately on both sides of the intake port 21 in the X direction.

  According to such a configuration, as in the first embodiment, the cooling performance can be improved. Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of battery devices 1 are integrally provided with the intake sides of the plurality of battery devices 1 facing each other. According to such a configuration, a compact battery system 91 with high cooling performance can be realized.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, the battery device is disposed with a first gap between the housing having the first wall provided with the intake port and the first wall. One module and a second module disposed with a second gap between the first module and the second module. The first gap has a smaller ventilation cross-sectional area than the second gap. According to such a configuration, the cooling performance can be improved.

  While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof as well as included in the scope and the gist of the invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery apparatus, 11 ... Housing | casing 11a ... Upper wall (1st wall) 11b ... Lower wall (2nd wall) 13 ... Battery module, 13A ... Top stage module (1st module), 13B ... Middle stage module (Second module), 13C: lowermost module (third module), 21: intake port, 22: exhaust port, 71: fan, 80: heat sink, 82: fin, 91: battery system, Δh: first gap, [delta] m: second gap, [delta] l: third gap, A1: first region, A2: second region.

Claims (5)

A housing having a first wall provided with an intake port;
A first module housed in the housing and disposed with a first gap between the first module and the first module;
A second module housed in the housing, located opposite to the first wall with respect to the first module, and disposed with a second gap between the first module and the second module;
A third module housed in the housing and located opposite to the first module with respect to the second module;
And an intake fan for causing a cooling fluid to flow from the intake port into the housing .
The first gap has a smaller ventilation cross-sectional area than the second gap,
The first module includes a plurality of batteries, a substrate, and a case accommodating the plurality of batteries and the substrate.
The case has a first case wall facing the substrate and exposed to the first gap, and a second case wall facing the plurality of batteries and exposed to the second gap .
The housing has a second wall opposite to the first wall and having a third gap with the third module.
The ventilation cross-sectional area of the third gap is about 1⁄2 to 0.8 times as large as the ventilation cross-sectional area of the second gap.
Battery device. The first wall has an exhaust port,
The air inlet and the air outlet are provided separately on both sides of the first module in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first module and the second module are arranged.
The battery device according to claim 1. And a heat sink disposed in the second gap and thermally connected to at least one of the first module and the second module,
The heat sink has a plurality of fins extending in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the first module and the second module are arranged.
The battery device according to claim 1. The second gap is adjacent to the first region in a direction in which the first module and the second module are arranged, and is positioned outside the plurality of fins. And the second region,
The first area has a larger ventilation cross-sectional area than the second area.
The battery device according to claim 3 . And a fourth module aligned with the first module in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first module and the second module are aligned,
The first module and the fourth module are thermally connected to each other,
The battery device according to claim 1.

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