Sheet heat transfer device and heat treatment system

Abstract

A sheet-type heat exchanger capable of improving heat exchange efficiency is provided. The present invention is directed to the following sheet-type heat exchanger, comprising an outer bag (2) formed by forming an outer bag (20) into a flat bag shape, wherein a resin layer (22, 23) is provided on at least one side of a metal layer (21). A heat medium flowing into the outer bag (2) flows out of the outer bag (2) through the inner portion of the outer bag (2). A force applying unit for maintaining a gap between a pair of outer bag (20, 20) of outer bag (20, 20) facing each other in the thickness direction of the outer bag (2) is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet heat exchanger and a heat treatment system using the sheet heat exchanger, which uses a laminated material formed by laminating a metal layer with a resin layer as an outer bag and allows a heat medium to flow through the laminated material to cool or heat a member to be heat treated. Background Art

[0002] Hybrid vehicles (HVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) are equipped with battery packs (storage battery devices) that supply power to drive the electric motors. These automotive battery packs typically consist of multiple small cells connected in series or parallel to form a battery pack (battery module) composed of various secondary batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries. To ensure adequate performance and lifespan, lithium-ion batteries used in automotive battery packs must be used within an appropriate temperature range.

[0003] Under these circumstances, automotive battery packs generate significant heat due to repeated charging and discharging, necessitating cooling. On the other hand, since they are also used in cold climates, heating is also sometimes necessary. Consequently, conventional battery packs are known to incorporate water-cooled or air-cooled heat exchangers for cooling / heating purposes. One example of such heat exchangers in battery packs is a flat heat transfer tube made of metal or the like, through which a heating medium circulates. Each battery pack cell is arranged in contact with the heat transfer tube, allowing the heat medium flowing through the heat transfer tube to cool or heat each cell.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 38039040 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, conventional automotive battery packs are typically constructed as battery modules, consisting of multiple small cells connected in series or parallel. In such battery packs, individual cell dimensions vary, and due to expansion and contraction during charging and discharging, the dimensions of many cells vary. In thermal management systems for such battery packs, this variation in cell dimensions makes it difficult to ensure uniform and close contact between the heat transfer tubes and all of the cells. Gaps or poor contact may develop between the heat transfer tubes and some cells, preventing sufficient cooling or heating of these cells and hindering efficient heat exchange.

[0009] On the other hand, a technology has been proposed to improve the heat exchange efficiency by filling a heat conductive material (thermal interface material) as shown in the above-mentioned patent document 1 between the heat transfer tube and each single cell. However, the current situation is that the use of heat conductive materials not only leads to an increase in cost, but also makes it difficult to obtain sufficient heat exchange efficiency.

[0010] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above and / or other problems in the related art. The preferred embodiments of the present invention can significantly improve existing methods and / or devices.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a sheet-type heat exchanger and a heat treatment system that can closely contact a heat treatment target member such as a battery pack including a plurality of cells without a gap and can achieve sufficient heat exchange efficiency.

[0012] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following preferred embodiments.

[0013] Means for solving problems

[0014] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following means.

[0015] [1] A sheet-type heat exchanger comprising an outer bag formed by forming an outer bag-like shape of an outer layer laminated material with a resin layer provided on at least one side of a metal layer, wherein a heat medium flowing into the outer bag flows out of the outer bag through the inner part of the outer bag, characterized in that:

[0016] A force applying unit for maintaining a gap between the pair of outer packaging laminates is provided between the pair of outer packaging laminates facing each other in the thickness direction of the outer packaging bag.

[0017] [2] The sheet-type heat transfer device according to item 1 above,

[0018] The direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the outer bag is defined as the plane direction.

[0019] A plurality of force applying units are dispersedly arranged in a plane direction in the outer bag.

[0020] [3] The sheet-type heat transfer device according to item 1 or 2 above,

[0021] The urging unit is fixed to at least one of the pair of opposing outer cover laminates.

[0022] [4] The sheet-type heat transfer device according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 3,

[0023] The urging unit is fixed to both sides of the pair of opposing outer cover laminates.

[0024] [5] The sheet-type heat transfer device according to item 3 or 4 above,

[0025] The resin layer includes an inner surface side resin layer provided on the inner surface side of the outer cover laminate, the inner surface side resin layer being composed of a heat-fusible resin.

[0026] At least the portion of the urging means in contact with the outer cover laminate is made of a heat-fusible resin.

[0027] The urging unit is fixed to the outer cover laminate by heat-fusion bonding of the heat-fusion resin of the outer cover laminate and the heat-fusion resin of the urging unit.

[0028] [6] The sheet-type heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 5,

[0029] The outer bag is configured to expand and contract in the thickness direction due to the pressure of the heat medium flowing inside the outer bag.

[0030] The thickness of the outer bag in an operating state where heat medium flows in the outer bag is set to be less than 500% of the thickness of the outer bag in a non-operating state where heat medium does not flow in the outer bag.

[0031] [7] The sheet-type heat transfer device according to any one of 1 to 6 above,

[0032] The resin layer includes an outer surface side resin layer provided on the outer surface side of the outer clad laminate.

[0033] [8] The sheet-type heat transfer device according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 7,

[0034] Heat transfer fins are provided in a portion of the outer packaging material where the force applying unit is not provided.

[0035] [9] A heat treatment system for cooling or heating a heat treatment target component, characterized in that it comprises the sheet-type heat transfer device described in any one of 1 to 8 above,

[0036] The member to be heat-treated is arranged in a state of being in contact with or capable of being in contact with the outer cover laminate of the sheet-type heat exchanger.

[0037]

[10] A heat treatment system for cooling or heating a heat treatment target component, characterized in that:

[0038] A sheet-type heat exchanger as described in item 4 above is provided,

[0039] The outer bag is configured to expand and contract in the thickness direction due to the pressure of the heat medium flowing inside the outer bag.

[0040] The outer bag is configured such that the outer cover laminate material comes into contact with or separates from the member to be heat treated due to expansion and contraction deformation of the outer cover bag.

[0041]

[11] The heat treatment system according to item 9 or 10 above,

[0042] The member to be heat-treated is composed of a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells.

[0043] Effects of the Invention

[0044] According to the sheet-type heat exchanger of the invention [1], the outer package laminate can be reliably and tightly attached to the heat treatment target member by the force of the force applying unit, thereby sufficiently improving the heat transfer between the heat treatment target member and the heat medium in the outer package bag, and enabling efficient heat exchange.

[0045] According to the sheet-type heat exchanger of the invention [2], since a plurality of force applying units are dispersedly arranged in the outer bag, the outer bag laminate can be brought into close contact with the heat treatment target member over substantially the entire region, enabling more efficient heat exchange.

[0046] According to the sheet-type heat exchanger of invention [3], since the force-applying unit is fixed to the outer covering laminate, the position deviation of the force-applying unit can be prevented, the force-applying unit can be prevented from being configured in an offset state, and the outer covering laminate can be made to be in a more stable state in close contact with the heat treatment target component.

[0047] According to the sheet-type heat exchanger of invention [4], the force applying means applies force in a manner that suppresses expansion when the outer bag is deformed by the flow of heat medium, and acts in a manner that ensures the thickness of the outer bag when the outer bag is deformed by contraction due to the cessation of the flow of heat medium. Therefore, the elastic deformation of the outer bag between expansion and contraction can be reduced, and unnecessary expansion and contraction of the outer bag laminate can be suppressed, thereby reducing the pressure on the outer bag laminate. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the undesirable situation of "the outer bag laminate 20 not recovering its elongation in a short period of time, causing harmful plastic deformation such as relaxation or fatigue failure in the outer bag laminate 20" and to substantially improve durability.

[0048] According to the sheet-type heat exchanger of the invention [5], the urging unit can be reliably fixed to the outer cover laminate by heat welding.

[0049] According to the sheet-type heat exchanger of invention [6], the elastic deformation of the outer bag caused by expansion and contraction can be adjusted to within a predetermined range, thereby more reliably preventing adverse conditions such as harmful relaxation and other plastic deformation or fatigue failure in the outer laminate, and further improving durability.

[0050] According to the sheet-type heat exchanger of invention [7], since the outer surface side resin layer is provided on the outer surface side of the outer cladding laminate, the outer surface side resin layer functions as a protective layer, thereby achieving sufficient corrosion resistance and further improving durability.

[0051] According to the sheet-type heat exchanger of the invention [8], since heat transfer fins are arranged in the outer bag, the heat transfer performance can be further improved.

[0052] According to the heat treatment system of the invention [9], since the plate-type heat exchanger of the above invention is adopted, heat exchange can be performed efficiently in the same manner as described above.

[0053] According to the heat treatment system of the invention

[10] , the outer packaging laminate is configured to contact or separate from the heat treatment target member by the expansion and contraction deformation of the outer packaging bag. Therefore, when heat is supplied to the heat treatment target member, the outer packaging laminate is in close contact with the heat treatment target member, and when the heat supply is stopped, the outer packaging laminate is separated from the heat treatment target member. Therefore, the supply / cutoff of heat to the heat treatment target member can be switched appropriately without delay, and the heat exchange efficiency can be further improved.

[0054] According to the heat treatment system of the invention

[11] , it is possible to provide a power supply system that can appropriately cool or heat a battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Figure 1A It is a side cross-sectional view of a non-operating state of a thermal treatment system for an automotive battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 1B It is a side cross-sectional view showing the operating state of the thermal treatment system for the automotive battery pack according to the first embodiment.

[0057] Figure 2 3. The figures show a sheet-type heat exchanger applied to a heat treatment system for an automotive battery pack according to the first embodiment, wherein (a) is a top view, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2B-2B of (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2C-2C of (a).

[0058] Figure 3 These are diagrams showing a biasing unit (spring portion) applied to the sheet-type heat exchanger according to the first embodiment, (a) of the diagram is a front view, and (b) of the diagram is a top view.

[0059] Figure 4 The figures show a sheet-type heat exchanger applied to a heat treatment system for an automotive battery pack as a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4B-4B of (a).

[0060] Figure 5 These are diagrams showing a biasing unit (spring portion) applied to a sheet-type heat exchanger according to a second embodiment, (a) of the diagrams being a front view and (b) being a top view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] <First embodiment>

[0062] Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a side cross-sectional view showing a heat treatment system for an automotive battery pack to which a sheet-type heat exchanger according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. Figure 2 This is a diagram showing a sheet-type heat exchanger 1 in the heat treatment system for the automotive battery pack.

[0063] As shown in these figures, the automotive battery pack heat treatment system includes a battery pack (battery module) 5 comprising a battery assembly including a plurality of small cells 51 arranged in parallel, and a sheet-type heat exchanger 1 for cooling or heating each cell 51 of the battery pack 5 .

[0064] The sheet-type heat exchanger 1 includes a flat, bag-shaped outer bag 2 and a plurality of spring portions 3 serving as biasing means disposed within the outer bag 2. The outer bag 2 is rectangular in plan view and is formed by integrating two (a pair of) outer bag laminates 20 by thermally bonding (thermally fusing) their outer edges.

[0065] In addition, in the length direction of the outer bag 2 ( Figure 2 Inlet and outlet pipes 11, 11, also known as valves, are provided at both ends (in the left and right directions). These inlet and outlet pipes 11, 11 are made of a hard synthetic resin. While sandwiched between the ends of two outer covering laminates 20, 20 that constitute the outer bag 2, the outer peripheral surfaces of the inlet and outlet pipes 11, 11 are thermally bonded (thermally welded) to the inner surfaces of each outer covering laminate 20, 20. As a result, the two inlet and outlet pipes 11, 11 are attached to the outer bag 2 in an airtight and watertight manner. Furthermore, to improve adhesion to the outer bag 2, the inlet and outlet pipes 11 are preferably made of the same resin as that constituting the inner surface resin layer 23 of the outer bag 2, described later.

[0066] The space inside the outer bag 2 is configured as a heat medium flow path 25. Furthermore, a heat medium, such as a refrigerant such as cold water for cooling or a heat medium such as hot water for heating, flows from one of the two inlet and outlet pipes 11, 11 into the heat medium flow path 25 inside the outer bag 2. The heat medium flows through the heat medium flow path 25 and flows out of the other inlet and outlet pipe 11 to the outside of the outer bag 2.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the outer cover laminate 20 is composed of a flexible laminate sheet. The laminate sheet includes a metal layer 21 made of metal foil, an outer surface resin layer 22 made of a resin film or resin sheet laminated on the outer surface of the metal layer 21 via an adhesive, and an inner surface resin layer 23 made of a resin film or resin sheet laminated on the inner surface of the metal layer 21 via an adhesive. In this embodiment, the term "foil" is used to include films, thin plates, and sheets.

[0068] As the metal layer 21, a material selected from copper foil, aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, nickel foil, electroplated copper foil, and nickel-copper composite metal composed of a composite of nickel foil and copper foil can be appropriately used. In this embodiment, the terms "copper," "aluminum," and "nickel" are used to include alloys thereof.

[0069] The metal layer 21 is also called a heat transfer layer or a heat collecting layer, and preferably has a thickness of 8 μm to 300 μm, more preferably 100 μm or less.

[0070] As the resin constituting the outer surface side resin layer 22 , a resin selected from polyester-based resins, stretched nylon, and polyolefin-based resins (such as polyethylene resin and polypropylene resin) can be appropriately used.

[0071] The outer surface side resin layer 22 is also called an insulating layer or a coating layer, and preferably has a thickness of 1 μm to 100 μm, more preferably a thickness of 30 μm or less.

[0072] As the resin constituting the inner surface side resin layer 23, a heat-fusible resin film or resin coating film such as polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin (unoriented polypropylene (CPP)), its modified resin, fluorine resin, polyester resin, vinyl chloride resin, etc. can be appropriately used.

[0073] The inner surface side resin layer 23 is also called a heat-fusible resin layer, and preferably has a thickness of 20 μm to 5000 μm, more preferably a thickness of 1000 μm or less.

[0074] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the spring portion 3 disposed inside the outer bag 2 includes a spring body 31 composed of a coil spring and mounting plates 35 , 35 in a plan view disk shape fixed to both ends of the spring body 31 .

[0075] The material of the coil spring constituting the spring body 31 is not particularly limited, and in addition to metals such as general iron steel and phosphorus steel, non-metals such as rubber and plastic may be used.

[0076] A spring body mounting protrusion 36 is integrally formed on one side (inner surface side) of the mounting plate 35 so as to bulge in the center. With the spring body mounting protrusion 36 fitted into both ends of the spring body 35, the mounting plates 35, 35 are fixed to both ends of the spring body 31.

[0077] As the material for the mounting plate 35, a heat-fusible resin is preferably used, and more preferably, a resin of the same type as the resin layer 23 on the inner surface of the exterior laminate 20 is used. Specifically, the use of such a resin ensures reliable fusion when the mounting plate 35 of the spring portion 3 is heat-fused to the resin layer 23 on the inner surface of the exterior laminate 20, as described later. However, in the present invention, an adhesive may be used to bond the spring portion 3 to the exterior laminate 20. Furthermore, as will be understood from the following description, the spring portion 3 is not necessarily fixed to the exterior laminate 20. Therefore, the material of the portion of the spring portion 3 that contacts the exterior laminate 20, such as the mounting plate 35, is not particularly limited.

[0078] A plurality of spring portions 3 are arranged inside the outer bag 2 , and both ends of each spring portion 3 , namely, the mounting plates 35 are bonded and fixed to the inner surface side resin layer 23 of the outer laminate 20 by heat welding.

[0079] Here, in the first embodiment, the outer bag 2 is perpendicular to the thickness direction ( Figure 2 When the up, down, left, and right directions (a) are set as the planar direction, the plurality of spring portions 3 are arranged in a chimera pattern inside the outer bag 2, thereby being arranged in a dispersed state in the planar direction.

[0080] Although not shown, heat transfer fins are provided within the outer bag 2 in the area not containing the spring portion 3. While the material of the heat transfer fins is not particularly limited, metal or laminated metal heat transfer fins are preferably used to further enhance heat conductivity. When using metal heat transfer fins, they can be joined and integrated with the metal layer 21 of the outer laminate 20 of the outer bag 2 by arc welding or high-frequency sealing. The heat transfer fins are fixed to either of the pair of outer laminates 20, 20.

[0081] In the first embodiment, the fin-type heat exchanger 1 has the above-described structure, wherein a heat medium inlet pipe is fixedly connected to one of the two inlet and outlet pipes 11 as an outer pipe, and a heat medium outlet pipe is fixedly connected to the other inlet and outlet pipe 11 as an outer pipe.

[0082] Then, when the heat medium flows from the refrigerant inlet pipe into the outer bag 2 via one inlet and outlet pipe 11, the heat medium flows through the heat medium flow path 25 in the outer bag 2 and flows out to the refrigerant outflow pipe via the other inlet and outlet pipe 11. In this state where the heat medium circulates in the outer bag 2 (heat medium flow path 25), that is, in the working state, Figure 1B As shown, the water pressure (fluid pressure) of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow path 25 increases, causing the outer bag 2 to expand in the thickness direction, and the pair of outer laminates 20, 20 to expand and deform so as to separate. During this expansion and deformation, the spring portion 3 extends and enters an extended state. Therefore, a tensile force acts due to its elastic restoring force, and the expansion deformation is suppressed to prevent excessive expansion.

[0083] In addition, in the state where the heat medium stops flowing into the outer bag 2, that is, in the non-operating state, as shown in FIG. Figure 1A As shown, the fluid pressure within the outer bag 2 decreases, causing the outer bag 2 to shrink in the thickness direction, shrinking and deforming the pair of outer laminates 20, 20 closer together. During this shrinkage and deformation, the spring portion 3 enters a natural state, a slightly compressed state, functioning as a spacer between the pair of outer laminates 20, 20, maintaining the gap between them and maintaining the outer bag 2 at a predetermined thickness. Furthermore, even in the non-operating state of the outer bag 2 after shrinkage and deformation, the spring portion 3 remains in a compressible state, allowing external forces, for example, to compress and deform the spring portion 3, further shrinking and deforming the outer bag 2.

[0084] The heat treatment system of the first embodiment is formed by integrating the sheet-type heat exchanger 1 into the battery pack 5 so that the end faces of the plurality of cells 51 of the battery pack 5 face the outer surface of the outer packaging laminate 20 of the outer packaging bag 2 of the sheet-type heat exchanger 1 constructed as described above. Figure 1A As shown, in the non-operating state where the outer bag 2 is contracted, a gap S is formed between each cell 51 and the outer surface of the outer laminate 20 .

[0085] In the heat treatment system for the automotive battery pack of the first embodiment constructed as described above, when cooling or heating each cell 51 of the battery pack 5, the sheet heat exchanger 1 is operated to circulate the heat medium for cooling or heating in the outer bag 2. Figure 1B As shown, the outer bag 2 expands, so that the outer cover laminate 20 is in close contact with all the cells 51 without any gap. In this way, each cell 51 is cooled or heated by the circulating heat medium through the outer cover laminate 20 in close contact with the outer cover laminate 20.

[0086] According to this heat treatment system, the outer bag 2 is expanded to bring the outer laminate 20 into close contact with each cell 51. Therefore, even if the dimensions of each cell 51 vary due to dimensional errors or repeated charging and discharging, the outer laminate 20 can be kept in close contact with all cells 51 without gaps. Furthermore, because the restoring force of the spring portion 3 applies a contraction force to the expanded and deformed outer bag 2, the outer laminate 20 expands uniformly across the entire planar region, preventing undesirable situations such as abnormal expansion of only a portion of the outer laminate 20, such as the center, compared to other portions. This also ensures that the outer laminate 20 is kept in close contact with all cells 51 without gaps. By ensuring that the sheet-type heat exchanger 1 is kept in close contact with all cells 51 without gaps, the heat transfer between each cell 51 and the heat medium is improved, enabling efficient heat exchange.

[0087] Furthermore, in the heat treatment system of the first embodiment, the spring portion 3 applies a force to suppress expansion during expansion of the outer bag 2 and to maintain the thickness of the outer bag 2 during contraction. This reduces the amount of elastic deformation of the outer bag 2 between expansion and contraction, suppresses unnecessary expansion and contraction of the outer laminate 20 of the outer bag 2, and reduces the pressure on the laminate 20. Consequently, the undesirable situation of "the outer laminate 20 not recovering from its elongation in a short period of time, causing harmful plastic deformation or fatigue failure in the outer laminate 20" can be reliably prevented, and durability can be substantially improved.

[0088] Furthermore, in the heat treatment system of this first embodiment, during operation, when the heat medium flows in, the outer laminate 20 of the sheet-type heat exchanger 1 is in close contact with each cell 51, supplying heat. Conversely, during non-operation, when the heat medium stops flowing in, the outer laminate 20 separates from each cell 51, cutting off the heat supply. Therefore, when the heat medium stops flowing in, the heat supply is immediately cut off, and when the heat medium resumes flowing in, the heat supply immediately resumes. This allows for appropriate switching between heat supply and heat cutoff without delay, enabling complex and delicate temperature control. This allows for more appropriate temperature management of heat treatment components, such as the cells 51, and further improves heat exchange efficiency.

[0089] Furthermore, in the heat treatment system of the first embodiment, since the spring portion 3 is fixed to the outer bag 2 by welding, problems such as positional displacement of the spring portion 3 can be prevented, and the product value can be further improved.

[0090] In this embodiment, the thickness of the outer bag 2 in the sheet-type heat spreader 1 during operation is preferably set to less than 500%, and more preferably less than 150%, of the thickness of the outer bag 2 during non-operation. Specifically, when the thickness of the outer bag 2 is set within the aforementioned range, even if the dimensions of the individual cells 51 in the battery pack 5 vary, the outer bag 20 of the outer bag can be more reliably adhered to the individual cells 51, and the expansion of the outer bag 2 can be limited. This more reliably prevents undesirable plastic deformation, such as relaxation, or fatigue failure of the outer bag 20, further improving durability.

[0091] <Second embodiment>

[0092] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a sheet-type heat exchanger 1 applied to a heat treatment system for an automotive battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the spring portion 3 applied to the sheet-type heat exchanger 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0093] As shown in both figures, in this second embodiment, the spring portion 3, serving as the biasing means for the sheet-type heat exchanger 1, is formed from an integrally molded synthetic resin such as polyethylene resin. This spring portion 3 comprises a spring body 31 integrally formed with a plurality of leaf springs 32 stacked in an up-and-down arrangement, and mounting plates 35, 35 integrally formed at both ends of the spring body 31. For the same reasons as above, namely, to ensure thermal adhesion with the inner surface resin layer 23 of the outer laminate 20, this spring portion 3 is preferably formed from the same resin as that of the inner surface resin layer 23.

[0094] The spring portion 3 is arranged in the longitudinal direction ( Figure 4 In a state where a plurality of spring parts 3 are arranged in parallel and dispersed inside the outer bag 2 with appropriate intervals in the left-right direction (a) and the width direction (the up-down direction in the figure), the mounting plates 35, 35 at the two ends of each spring part 3 are fixed to the inner surface side resin layer 23 of a pair of outer laminates 20 by heat welding.

[0095] This sheet-type heat exchanger 1 is incorporated into the automotive battery pack 5 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, thereby forming a thermal treatment system for the automotive battery pack according to the second embodiment.

[0096] In the heat treatment system for an automotive battery pack of the second embodiment, other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore identical or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description.

[0097] The same operational effects as those described above can also be obtained in the thermal treatment system for the automotive battery pack according to the second embodiment.

[0098] <Modification>

[0099] While the above embodiment illustrates a case where a gap S is provided between the sheet-type heat spreader 1 and the cells 51 of the battery pack 5 in the non-operating state, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The outer covering laminate 20 can also be arranged in contact with the cells 51 in the non-operating state. In this case, the spring portion 3, acting as a biasing element, exerts a restoring force against compression, i.e., an elongating force, thereby maintaining reliably close contact between the outer covering laminate 20 and all cells 51 without gaps. Consequently, as described above, the heat transfer between each cell 51 and the heat medium can be significantly improved, enabling efficient heat exchange.

[0100] Furthermore, when the outer covering laminate 20 and each cell 51 are elastically and tightly attached to each other by the force of the spring portion 3 in the non-operating state, it is not necessary to fix the spring portion 3 to the outer covering laminate 20 by bonding or the like. Even if the spring portion 3 is not fixed (not bonded) relative to the outer covering laminate 20, the outer covering laminate 20 and each cell 51 can be reliably and tightly attached to each other by the force of the spring portion 3. Therefore, in the present invention, only one of the two end portions of the spring portion 3 may be fixed to one outer covering laminate 20, while the other end portion may be not fixed relative to the other outer covering laminate 20. Alternatively, both end portions of the spring portion 3 may be not fixed relative to both outer covering laminates 20, 20.

[0101] However, when the tensile force of the spring portion 3 is applied when the outer bag 2 is expanded or when the spring portion 3 is positioned, it is preferable to fix the spring portion 3 to the laminate 20 by welding or the like as in the above embodiment.

[0102] In addition, in the above embodiment, although the case where a coil spring or a leaf spring is used as the spring body 31 of the spring portion 3 is described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the spring body 31 may have any configuration. Examples of configurations other than the above include coil springs of different shapes, and synthetic rubber or silicone rubber of different shapes and materials.

[0103] In addition, in the above embodiment, although the spring portion 3 as the urging means is composed of the spring body 31 and the mounting plates 35, 35 fixed to its two end portions, this is not limited to this. In the present invention, the urging means does not necessarily require the mounting plates and can also be composed of only the spring body.

[0104] In addition, although the above embodiment illustrates an example in which the outer bag 3 is formed using two sheets of laminated materials 20, 20, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a single sheet of laminated material may be folded into two layers, and the outer peripheral edges of the overlapping laminated materials (a pair of laminated materials) excluding the folded-back portion may be bonded by heat welding or the like to form a bag-shaped outer bag. Therefore, the invention also allows the outer bag to be formed using a single sheet of laminated material. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the invention also allows the outer bag to be formed using three or more sheets of laminated material.

[0105] In addition, in the above embodiment, although the mounting plate 35 of the spring portion 3 is made of the same resin material as the inner surface side resin layer 23 of the outer covering laminate 20, it is not limited to this. In the present invention, as long as at least the portion of the force unit that contacts the inner surface side resin layer 23 of the outer covering laminate 20 is made of the same resin material as the inner surface side resin layer 23, the force unit can be reliably fixed by bonding the force unit to the outer covering laminate.

[0106] In addition, although the above embodiment illustrates the case where the sheet-type heat exchanger (heat treatment system) of the present invention is used as a heat treatment device near an automotive battery pack, the present invention is not limited to this example. In the present invention, there are no restrictions on the components to be heat-treated. As heat-treated components other than the above-mentioned automotive battery pack, for example, components to be heat-treated may be used near power semiconductor elements (power modules) for controlling the main power of electric motors, industrial machinery, home appliances, information terminals, and other power-driven equipment, near the CPU (central processing unit) of a personal computer, near household or business batteries, near the battery pack (battery module) of a personal computer, near the display of an LCD TV, an organic EL TV, or a plasma TV, or as a heat treatment device or floor heating system, or as snow-melting equipment for roofs, pathways, roads, etc. in cold regions.

[0107] <Example>

[0108] according to Figure 2 The sheet-type heat exchanger 1 shown was produced as follows in the example.

[0109] (1) As the outer covering laminate (base material) 20, two sheets (PET12 / adhesive / AL100 / adhesive / LLDPE40) were prepared, in which a 12 μm thick outer surface side resin layer 22 made of PET was laminated on one side (outer surface) of a 100 μm thick aluminum foil (metal layer 21) via an adhesive, and a 40 μm thick inner surface side resin layer 23 made of LLDPE was laminated on the other side (inner surface) of the metal layer 21 via an adhesive. The sheets were embossed into a laminate sheet with a depth of 3 mm using a mold with a corner R4 in a size of 169 mm in length and 119 mm in width.

[0110] (2) As the mounting plate 35 of the spring part (force applying means) 3, a plurality of mounting plates 35 were prepared, each of which was formed by forming a spring main body mounting protrusion 36 by processing the upper portion from 0.5 mm in the thickness direction to a diameter of 10 mm in a cross-linked polyethylene mounting plate base material punched out to a diameter of 15 mm and a thickness of 1 mm. In addition, a plurality of spring main body 31 were prepared. A stainless steel coil spring with a coiled portion outer diameter of 12 mm and a height of 4 mm was prepared by fixing mounting plates 35 to both ends of the spring body 31 using its spring body mounting protrusions 36 to prepare a plurality of spring portions 3 with a height of 6 mm.

[0111] The four corners and the center of the inner surface resin layer 23 of one of the two outer covering laminates 20 and 20 produced in the above (1) are arranged on the spring portion 3 produced in the above (2), and the inner diameter is set at both ends in the longitudinal direction (both ends in the length direction). Inlet and outlet pipes (valves) 11, 11 made of cross-linked polyethylene were placed in this state. One outer covering laminate 20 was stacked on top of the other outer covering laminate 20. The outer peripheries of the two outer covering laminates 20, 20, including the inlet and outlet pipes 11, 11, were heat-welded and fixed using a sealing mold. Simultaneously, the mounting plates 35, 35 of each spring portion 3 were heat-welded and fixed to the inner surface resin layers 23, 23 of the two outer covering laminates 20, 20. This produced the sheet-type heat exchanger 1 of the embodiment. Heat sealing during heat welding was performed at a temperature of 200°C and a pressure of 0.2 MPa for 3 seconds.

[0112]

Table 1

[0113] water pressure Initial state 1st time 5th 10th 25th 50th 0.2Mpa — 15.8mm 16mm 16.5mm 17mm 17mm 0Mpa 6.4mm 6.5mm 6.5mm 6.7mm 6.8mm 6.8mm

[0114] The sheet heat exchanger 1 of the above-described embodiment was subjected to a test to determine the deformation of the outer covering laminates 20, 20. Specifically, a cycle of expansion and contraction treatment was repeated 50 times, with water flowing into the outer covering bag 2 from the inlet and outlet pipes 11 on one side of the sheet heat exchanger 1 at a pressure of 0.2 MPa and out from the other side of the inlet and outlet pipes 11 for three minutes before returning the water pressure to 0 MPa. The thickness of the outer covering laminate 20 at the center of the sheet heat exchanger 1, where the deformation was greatest, was measured after the expansion and contraction treatment had been repeated a predetermined number of times.

[0115] The results are shown in Table 1. As is apparent from Table 1, regardless of the sheet thickness, whether it is the sheet thickness when the outer cover laminate 20 is expanded by applying water pressure or the sheet thickness when the outer cover laminate 20 is contracted by removing the water pressure, the deformation amount remains substantially constant, with little change observed, regardless of the number of expansion and contraction treatments. Therefore, it can be seen that the sheet-type heat exchanger 1 of the embodiment exhibits sufficient durability, even when subjected to repeated expansion and contraction over long periods of use, without causing harmful plastic deformation such as sagging or fatigue failure in the outer cover laminate 20.

[0116] Industrial applicability

[0117] The sheet-type heat exchanger of the present invention can be suitably used as a heat treatment system for an automotive battery pack for cooling or heating the automotive battery pack.

[0118] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-198566, filed on October 22, 2018, and the disclosure of which constitutes a part of this application.

[0119] The terms and expressions used herein are for descriptive purposes only and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. They do not exclude any equivalents of the features shown and described herein, and it should be understood that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0120] Label Description

[0121] 1: Sheet heat transfer

[0122] 2: Outer bag

[0123] 20: Outer cladding laminate

[0124] 21: Metal layer

[0125] 22: Outer surface side resin layer (resin layer)

[0126] 23: Inner surface side resin layer (resin layer)

[0127] 3: Spring part (force applying unit)

[0128] 5: Battery pack (battery module)

[0129] S: gap

Claims

1. A sheet-type heat exchanger comprising an outer bag formed by forming an outer bag-like shape of an outer layer laminate having a resin layer provided on at least one side of a metal layer, wherein a heat medium flowing into the outer bag passes through the inner portion of the outer bag and flows out of the outer bag, characterized in that: A biasing unit for applying a force to securely bring the outer cover laminates into close contact with the heat treatment target member is provided between a pair of outer cover laminates facing each other in the thickness direction of the outer cover bag.

2. The sheet-type heat transfer device according to claim 1, The direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the outer bag is defined as the plane direction. A plurality of force applying units are dispersedly arranged in a plane direction in the outer bag.

3. The sheet-type heat transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, The urging unit is fixed to at least one of the pair of opposing outer cover laminates.

4. The sheet-type heat transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, The urging unit is fixed to both sides of the pair of opposing outer cover laminates.

5. The sheet-type heat transfer device according to claim 3, The resin layer includes an inner surface side resin layer provided on the inner surface side of the outer cover laminate, the inner surface side resin layer being composed of a heat-fusible resin. At least the portion of the urging means in contact with the outer cover laminate is made of a heat-fusible resin. The urging unit is fixed to the outer cover laminate by heat-fusion bonding of the heat-fusion resin of the outer cover laminate and the heat-fusion resin of the urging unit.

6. The sheet-type heat transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, The outer bag is configured to expand and contract in the thickness direction due to the pressure of the heat medium flowing inside the outer bag. The thickness of the outer bag in an operating state where heat medium flows in the outer bag is set to be less than 500% of the thickness of the outer bag in a non-operating state where heat medium does not flow in the outer bag.

7. The sheet-type heat transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, The resin layer includes an outer surface side resin layer provided on the outer surface side of the outer clad laminate.

8. The sheet-type heat transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, Heat transfer fins are provided in a portion of the outer bag where the force applying unit is not provided.

9. A heat treatment system for cooling or heating a heat treatment target component, characterized in that: A sheet-type heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The member to be heat-treated is arranged in a state of being in contact with or capable of being in contact with the outer cover laminate of the sheet-type heat exchanger.

10. A heat treatment system for cooling or heating a heat treatment target component, characterized in that: A sheet-type heat exchanger according to claim 4, The outer bag is configured to expand and contract in the thickness direction due to the pressure of the heat medium flowing inside the outer bag. The outer bag is configured such that the outer cover laminate material comes into contact with or separates from the member to be heat treated due to expansion and contraction deformation of the outer cover bag.

11. The heat treatment system according to claim 9 or 10, The member to be heat-treated is composed of a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells.

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