JP2013037869A - Cooler and storage battery device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cooling device and a storage battery device capable of uniformly cooling a cooling surface while reducing a pressure loss of a cooling medium.
A cooling member (10A) having a flow path through which a cooling medium flows to cool a storage battery module is formed. The flow path includes a plurality of upstream main flow paths (21A to 21D). A plurality of sets of channel groups (14-17) branching off the branch channels (22A-22D) and joining to the downstream trunk channels (23A-23D) are provided, and the plurality of sets of channel groups (14-17) Of these, one channel group (14) and the other one channel group (17) are partially crossed to form a plurality of branch channels (22A) of one channel group (14) and the other. The plurality of branch channels (22D) of one channel group (17) are alternately arranged.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling device that cools a storage battery module and a storage battery device that includes the cooling device.

  In the past, an apparatus has been developed in which a flow path is formed in a cooling member to flow a cooling medium, and the cooling member is brought into contact with the storage battery module to cool the storage battery module (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

JP 2000-251953 A

  When the storage battery module is cooled by surface contact, uniform cooling of the cooling surface is required to reduce the temperature variation of the storage battery module.

  However, for example, when the flow path is formed so as to meander from one of the cooling members to the other, the entire cooling surface cannot be cooled uniformly. In such a channel, the temperature of the cooling medium is low in a range near the inlet of the channel, and the temperature is increased by heating the cooling medium in a range near the outlet of the channel. Therefore, the cooling action is greatly different between one range and the other range of the cooling member.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7A, the cooling surface can be uniformly cooled by devising the path of the flow path 81. In the example of FIG. 7A, the first-half path from the inlet 93 to the turn-back point 92 of the flow path 81 and the second-half path from the turn-back point 92 to the outlet 91 are arranged side by side. It is formed by meandering so as to spread throughout. With such a flow path 81, as in the region 83, the flow path in the vicinity of the inlet where the temperature of the cooling medium is low and the flow path in the vicinity of the outlet where the temperature is high are close to each other. Is planned. Moreover, since the flow path of the middle plate where the temperature is medium as in the other region 84 is close to the flow channels of the middle plate, the cooling action can be balanced over the entire cooling surface.

  However, in the flow path 81 as shown in FIG. 7A, as shown below, the pressure loss due to the flow path becomes large, and a problem arises that a pump having a large driving force is required to pump the cooling medium. That is, when the flow path 81 is meandering so as to spread over the entire cooling surface while arranging the first half path and the second half path of the flow path 81, the number of bent portions of the flow path becomes very large. At the bent portion of the flow path, the centrifugal force acts on the fluid and the resistance exerted on the fluid increases. In such a flow path, the resistance at the bent portion is superimposed and the pressure loss of the fluid becomes very large.

  The objective of this invention is providing the cooling device and storage battery apparatus which can cool the cooling surface of a storage battery module uniformly, reducing the pressure loss of fluid.

  A cooling device according to the present invention includes a cooling member in which a flow path for flowing a cooling medium is formed to cool a storage battery module, and a plurality of branch flow paths branch from an upstream main flow path. Then, a plurality of sets of flow paths that merge into the downstream main flow path are provided, and one of the plurality of sets of flow paths and one of the other flow paths are partially intersected. The plurality of branch channels of the one channel group and the plurality of branch channels of the other channel group are arranged so as to be alternately arranged.

  The storage battery device according to the present invention employs a configuration including a storage battery module and the cooling device that cools the storage battery module.

  According to the present invention, the cooling medium branches from the upstream trunk channel into a plurality of branch channels and flows to the downstream trunk channel, so that the cooling medium is spread over a wide range without increasing the pressure loss due to the bending of the channel. Can be made. Furthermore, since the plurality of branch channels of one channel group and the plurality of branch channels of the other channel group are alternately arranged, the cooling medium flowing through one channel group and the other Even if a large temperature difference occurs between the cooling medium flowing in one flow path group, the cooling action in this range can be balanced by flowing both alternately. Accordingly, a uniform cooling action can be obtained while reducing the pressure loss of the fluid.

The disassembled perspective view which shows the storage battery of embodiment of this invention The top view which shows the flow-path structure of the storage battery cooling device of FIG. The top view which shows the 1st flow path group and the 2nd flow path group among flow paths The top view which shows the 3rd flow path group and the 4th flow path group among flow paths The perspective view which shows the cross-sectional part of the arrow AA line of FIG. The figure which shows the simulation result of the temperature distribution and pressure loss of the cooling surface of the storage battery cooling device which concerns on this embodiment The top view which shows the flow-path structure (FIG. 7A) and effect | action (FIG. 7B) of the cooling device of a comparative example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a storage battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the storage battery 1 of the present embodiment includes a flat-plate storage battery cooling device 10 and battery modules 50, 50, 50 and the like installed on the upper surface of the storage battery cooling device 10.

  The battery module 50 is configured by packaging a plurality of battery cells 51, 51... Such as lithium ion batteries. The plurality of battery cells 51, 51... And the plurality of battery modules 50, 50, 50 generate heat uniformly, and thus are required to be uniformly cooled by the storage battery cooling device 10.

  The storage battery cooling device 10 includes a flat plate-shaped member 10A having a flow path formed therein, a cooling medium filled in the flow path, and a pump (not shown) that pumps the cooling medium along the flow path. Is done. An inlet 11 and an outlet 12 of the flow path are formed on the side surface of the member 10 </ b> A, and a pump is connected to the inlet 11 and the outlet 12.

  In FIG. 2, the top view showing the flow path of the storage battery cooling device 10 is shown. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the first flow path group 14 and the second flow path group 15 among the flow paths, and FIG. 4 shows the third flow path group 16 and the fourth flow path group. The top view showing the flow path group 17 is shown. 2 to 4, the flow paths formed inside the member 10 </ b> A are represented by solid lines and hatching. Further, the flow of the cooling medium is indicated by arrows. Further, in FIG. 2, the installation location 50a of the battery module 50 is represented by a two-dotted line (in FIG. 1, the storage battery cooling device 10 and the plurality of battery modules 50 are deformed so that the lateral width is shortened). Drawing).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the cooling medium flow path includes a first flow path group 14 and a second flow path group 15 (see FIG. 3), and a third flow path group 16 and a fourth flow path. The flow path group 17 (see FIG. 4). These first to fourth flow path groups 14 to 17 are predetermined from the cooling surface in the height direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) of the member 10A along the cooling surface (installation surface of the battery module 50) of the member 10A. It is provided in a low range.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first channel group 14 includes an upstream stem channel 21A, a plurality of branch channels 22A branched from the stem channel 21A, and a downstream trunk channel where these plurality of branch channels 22A merge. 23A.

  One trunk channel 21A is formed in the vicinity of one side of the cooling surface of the member 10A, and the other trunk channel 23A is formed in the vicinity of the other side facing the one side. These trunk channels 21A and 23A are each formed in a shape extending linearly along one side and the other side of the cooling surface.

  The plurality of branch channels 22A are formed so as to extend linearly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the trunk channels 21A and 23A with a space between the trunk channels 21A and 23A. Here, the total pressure loss of the plurality of branch channels 22A is the pressure of one channel having the same total cross-sectional area (for example, the area of the cross section along line BB in FIG. 3) as the plurality of branch channels 22A. It can be approximated as equivalent to loss. The size of the cross section of each branch channel 22A is designed in consideration of the balance between the total pressure loss of all the branch channels 22A and the pressure loss of each of the trunk channels 21A and 23A. Further, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of each branch channel 22A is designed so that the flow rate of the cooling medium does not vary greatly among the plurality of branch channels 22A. For example, one branch passage 22A close to the inlet 11 is formed with a narrow width because the cooling medium easily flows in.

  Similarly to the first flow path group 14, the second to fourth flow path groups 15 to 17 include upstream trunk flow paths 21B to 21D and a plurality of branch flow paths 22B branched from the upstream trunk flow paths 21B to 21D. To 22D and downstream trunk channels 23B to 23D where the plurality of branch channels 22B to 22D merge.

  One trunk channel 23B, 21C, 23D is formed in the vicinity of one side of the cooling surface so as to extend linearly along this side. The other trunk channels 21B, 23C, and 21D are formed in the vicinity of the other side of the cooling surface so as to extend linearly along this side. The plurality of branch channels 22B to 22D are linearly extended in directions orthogonal to the main channels 21B to 21D and 23B to 23D, respectively, with a space between the corresponding pair of main channels 21B to 21D and 23B to 23D. It is formed as follows.

  And as shown in FIG. 2, said 1st-4th flow-path groups 14-17 are provided so that it may overlap in the same height position of 10 A of members in the state which cross | intersected three-dimensionally. ing. Specifically, the first flow path group 14 and the fourth flow path group 17 are provided so as to overlap the left half region of the member 10A, and the second flow path group 15 and the third flow path group. The group 16 is provided so as to overlap with the right half region of the member 10A. In the left half region of the member 10A, the plurality of branch channels 22A of the first channel group 14 and the plurality of branch channels 22D of the fourth channel group 17 are alternately arranged, and the right half of the member 10A. In this region, the plurality of branch channels 22B of the second channel group 15 and the plurality of branch channels 22C of the third channel group 16 are alternately arranged.

  The plurality of branch channels 22A to 22D are arranged at substantially the same height of the member 10A in a range not overlapping with other channels.

  The overlapping portion of the branch flow path 22D and the main flow path 21A intersects three-dimensionally so that the entire main flow path 21A escapes to a lower position. In addition, the overlapping portion of the plurality of branch channels 22A and the trunk channel 21D intersects three-dimensionally so that the periphery of the overlapping portion of the plurality of branch channels 22A escapes to a lower position. In addition, the overlapping portion of the plurality of branch channels 22B and the main channel 23C intersects three-dimensionally so that the periphery of the overlapping portion of the plurality of branch channels 22B escapes to a lower position.

  Furthermore, the 1st-4th flow path groups 14-17 are connected in order between the inlet_port | entrance 11 and the exit 12 of a flow path as shown below. That is, the upstream flow path 21A of the first flow path group 14 is connected to the flow path inlet 11, and then the downstream flow path 23A and the second flow path group 15 of the first flow path group 14 are connected. The upstream trunk channel 21B is connected. The main flow path 23A of the first flow path group 14 and the main flow path 21B of the second flow path group 15 have the same cross-sectional shape and size, and are linearly connected. Further, the trunk channel 23B downstream of the second channel group 15 and the trunk channel 21C upstream of the third channel group 16 are formed as a common channel. Subsequently, the stem channel 23C downstream of the third channel group 16 and the stem channel 21D upstream of the fourth channel group 17 have the same cross-sectional shape and size, and are linearly connected. . A trunk channel 23D downstream of the fourth channel group 17 is connected to the outlet 12 of the channel.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cross-sectional portion taken along line AA in FIG. The figure shows a state in which the member 10A is cut along the line AA in FIG. 2 and crosses the member 10A at a height above each flow path.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the trunk channels 23 </ b> B and 21 </ b> C formed as a common channel include downstream ends of a plurality of branch channels 22 </ b> B of the second channel group 15 and a plurality of third channel groups 16. The upstream ends of the branch flow paths 22C are connected to face each other.

  In FIG. 6, the figure showing the temperature distribution and pressure loss of the cooling surface of the storage battery cooling device which concerns on this embodiment by simulation is shown. In FIG. 7, the top view showing the structure (FIG. 7A) and effect | action (FIG. 7B) of the flow path of a comparative example is shown.

  According to the storage battery cooling device 10 of the present embodiment, the temperature is increased by being connected to the first flow path group 14 that is connected to the flow path inlet 11 and through which the low-temperature cooling medium flows, and to the flow path outlet 12. The fourth flow path group 17 through which the cooling medium flows is arranged so as to overlap in one region. Further, the plurality of branch channels 22A of the first channel group 14 and the plurality of branch channels 22D of the fourth channel group 17 are arranged alternately. Therefore, the cooling medium having the low temperature and the cooling medium having the increased temperature are arranged close to each other, so that the cooling action is balanced on the cooling surface of the member 10A. In addition, since the second flow path group 15 and the third flow path group 16 corresponding to the middle of the flow path are arranged so as to overlap in another region, the cooling action is balanced over the entire cooling surface. It is supposed to be.

  With such a configuration, by allowing the cooling medium to flow through the flow path when the battery module 50 generates heat, as shown in FIG. 6, a substantially uniform cooling action can be obtained over the entire cooling surface of the member 10A. It has become. In the temperature distribution of FIG. 6, a portion having a slightly large temperature difference is generated as compared with the temperature distribution in the comparative example of FIG. 7B. However, for example, by adjusting the ratio of the cooling medium flowing in the plurality of branch channels 22A (or the plurality of branch channels 22D) by changing the design of the cross-sectional area of the plurality of branch channels 22A (or the plurality of branch channels 22D), A more uniform temperature distribution can be easily realized.

  Furthermore, according to the storage battery cooling device 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of flow paths that extend over a wide range are formed by branching the plurality of branch flow paths 22A to 22D from the main flow paths 21A to 21D. Therefore, the number of times of bending of each flow path through which the cooling medium flows can be reduced as compared with the case where the flow path is spread over a wide range by meandering one flow path. Pressure loss can be reduced.

  Specifically, as in the comparative example of FIG. 7A, when the single flow path 81 is formed to meander so as to spread over the entire cooling surface, the pressure loss becomes as large as about 2400000 Pa, for example. On the other hand, in the simulation result (FIG. 6) of the flow path according to the present embodiment, the pressure loss is very small, for example, about 60000 Pa.

  As described above, according to the storage battery cooling device 10 of the present embodiment, the pressure loss due to the flow path is small, and a uniform cooling action can be obtained over the entire cooling surface. Since the pressure loss is small, the pump for pumping the cooling medium can be downsized and the power consumption can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path is illustrated as a rectangle, but the cross-sectional shape of the flow path may be circular or elliptical. Further, the corners of the flow path wall surfaces such as the branching points of the branch channels, the junctions of the branch channels, and the ends of the trunk channels may be curved so that the cooling medium flows gently.

  Further, in the above embodiment, four sets of flow path groups having upstream and downstream trunk flow paths and a plurality of branch flow paths are provided so that the two flow path groups overlap along each of the two regions of the cooling surface. Although an example of arrangement is shown, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which two sets of flow path groups are arranged so as to overlap along the entire region of the cooling surface. Moreover, it is good also as a structure arrange | positioned so that two flow path groups may overlap for every 1/3 area | region of a cooling surface by providing six sets of flow path groups.

  The present invention can be applied to a cooling device for a storage battery module mounted on an electric vehicle and the storage battery device. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a cooling device for cooling various storage battery modules and the storage battery device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Storage battery 10 Storage battery cooling device 10A Member 11 Inlet 12 Outlet 14-17 The 1st-4th channel group 21A-21D Upstream stem channel 22A-22D Branch channel 23A-23D Downstream stem channel 50 Battery module 51 Battery cell

Claims (6)

A cooling member in which a flow path for flowing a cooling medium is formed to cool the storage battery module;
In the channel,
A plurality of flow path groups are formed in which a plurality of branch flow paths branch from the upstream main flow path and merge into the downstream main flow path,
One channel group and the other channel group of the plurality of sets of channel groups are partially crossed to form a plurality of branch channels of the one channel group and the other channel group. A cooling device in which a plurality of branch channels in one channel group are arranged alternately. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sets of channel groups are sequentially connected between an inlet and an outlet of the channel. The plurality of sets of flow path groups are:
A first channel group in which an upstream trunk channel is connected to an inlet of the channel;
A second channel group in which an upstream stem channel is connected to a stem channel downstream of the first channel group;
A third flow path group in which the downstream main flow path and the upstream main flow path of the second flow path group are made common;
A fourth channel group in which an upstream stem channel is connected to a stem channel downstream of the third channel group and a downstream stem channel is connected to an outlet of the channel;
Comprising
The plurality of branch channels of the first channel group and the plurality of branch channels of the fourth channel group are alternately arranged, and the plurality of branch channels of the second channel group and the third channel group The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of branch flow paths are alternately arranged. The cooling member has a contact surface that contacts the storage battery,
The first flow path group and the fourth flow path group are disposed along a half region of the contact surface;
The cooling device according to claim 3, wherein the second flow path group and the third flow path group are disposed along the remaining half of the contact surface. The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cooling member has a flat plate shape and is installed in a direction in which a flat plate surface of the cooling member is horizontal. A storage battery module;
The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which cools the storage battery module;
A storage battery device comprising: