Battery module

Abstract

Provided is a battery module capable of improving cooling efficiency between a battery cell and a cooler while ensuring insulation between the battery cell and the cooler. This battery module is provided with a battery cell, a cooler for cooling the battery cell, an insulator provided between the battery cell and the cooler, and a heat conductor provided between the battery cell and the cooler. The insulator has an opening portion, the heat conductor fills the opening portion, and the heat conductor has insulating properties.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module. Background Art

[0002] The battery module disclosed in International Publication No. 2020 / 066060 includes a battery cell, an insulating layer, a heat conducting sheet, and a cooling unit. The insulating layer is provided on the entire bottom surface of the battery cell. The heat conducting sheet contacts the lower surface of the insulating layer. The cooling unit cools the entire bottom surface of the battery cell via the insulating layer and the heat conducting sheet. Summary of the invention

[0003] The inventors of the present application have found the following problems.

[0004] In such a battery module, heat is transferred from the battery cell to the entire area of ​​the main surface of the heat transfer sheet via the insulating layer. The insulating layer electrically insulates the battery cell and the heat transfer sheet. In many cases, the insulating layer is inferior in thermal conductivity to the heat transfer sheet. Therefore, there is room for research on the cooling efficiency between the cooling unit and the battery cell. That is, it is hoped that both the insulation between the battery cell and the heat transfer sheet can be ensured and the cooling efficiency between the cooler and the battery cell can be improved.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a battery module capable of improving the cooling efficiency between the battery cells and the cooler while ensuring insulation between the battery cells and the cooler.

[0006] The battery module involved in the present disclosure comprises:

[0007] Battery cells;

[0008] A cooler for cooling the battery cell;

[0009] an insulator, disposed between the battery unit and the cooler; and

[0010] A heat conductor is disposed between the battery cell and the cooler,

[0011] Wherein, the insulator has an opening portion,

[0012] The heat conductor fills the opening.

[0013] The thermal conductor has insulating properties.

[0014] In addition, in the above-mentioned battery module, it may be that

[0015] The cooler has a shape extending in the long direction (length direction),

[0016] The openings are arranged in a plurality in a short direction intersecting the long direction at intervals from each other and have a shape extending in the long direction.

[0017] The intervals between the openings arranged in the short direction near the center in the short direction are smaller than the intervals between the openings arranged in the short direction at the ends in the short direction.

[0018] In addition, in the above-mentioned battery module, it may be that

[0019] The cooler has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction,

[0020] The openings are arranged in a plurality in a short direction intersecting the long direction at intervals from each other and have a shape extending in the long direction.

[0021] The area of ​​the opening portion arranged at the center in the short direction is larger than the area of ​​the opening portion arranged at the end portion in the short direction.

[0022] In addition, in the above-mentioned battery module, it may be that

[0023] The cooler has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction,

[0024] The openings are arranged in plurality in the longitudinal direction at intervals from each other and have a shape extending in a short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

[0025] The intervals between the openings arranged in the longitudinal direction near the center in the longitudinal direction are smaller than the intervals between the openings arranged in the longitudinal direction at the ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0026] In addition, in the above-mentioned battery module, it may be that

[0027] The cooler has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction,

[0028] The openings are arranged in plurality in the longitudinal direction at intervals from each other and have a shape extending in a short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

[0029] The area of ​​the opening portion arranged at the center in the longitudinal direction is larger than the area of ​​the opening portion arranged at the end portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency between the battery cell and the cooler while ensuring insulation between the battery cell and the cooler.

[0031] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings given below, which are given by way of example only and thus should not be construed as limiting the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a battery module according to the first embodiment.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a view when the main part of the battery module according to the first embodiment is viewed from the direction of arrow II.

[0034] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the battery module taken along the cutting line III-III.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of the insulator.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the insulator.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing a third modified example of the insulator.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing a fourth modified example of the insulator.

[0039] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing a fifth modification of the insulator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In order to make the description clear, the following description and drawings are appropriately simplified.

[0041] <Implementation Method 1>

[0042] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 3 Implementation method 1 will be described below. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the front side of the battery module according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 Yes Figure 1 The main part of the battery module shown is viewed from the direction of arrow II. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a section of the battery module taken along line III-III is shown.

[0043] In addition, of course, Figure 1The right-handed XYZ coordinates shown in the other drawings are coordinates for convenience in explaining the positional relationship of components. Usually, the positive direction of the Z axis is the vertical upward direction, and the XY plane is a horizontal plane, which is common in the drawings.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the battery module 10 includes a battery cell 1 , a cooler 2 , an insulator 3 , and a heat conductor 4 .

[0045] The battery cell 1 is, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery, and more specifically, may be an all-solid-state lithium-ion secondary battery. The battery module 10 may include one or more battery cells 1 .

[0046] The cooler 2 cools the battery cells 1 . Figure 1 An example of the cooler 2 shown is a box-shaped body. The box-shaped body is made of a metal material and has a flow path 2a inside it through which a cooling medium can flow. The cooler 2 preferably has a shape extending in the long direction (here, the X-axis direction). The cooler 2 is preferably supplied with a cooling medium appropriately. The cooler 2 preferably has an opposing surface 2b that is opposite to one side 1a of the battery cell 1 through an insulator 3 and a heat conductor 4.

[0047] The insulator 3 is provided between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The insulator 3 can be in close contact with the cooler 2. The insulator 3 is made of an insulating material having electrical insulation properties. Examples of the insulating material include polyethylene terephthalate and rubber. Figure 1 to Figure 3 An example of the insulator 3 shown is extended in a film or sheet shape at the facing surface 2b of the cooler 2. It is preferable that the insulator 3 covers substantially the entire area of ​​the facing surface 2b of the cooler 2. The insulator 3 can be formed by coating an insulating material. Figure 2 As shown, the insulator 3 has openings 3a, 3b, and 3c. The openings 3a, 3b, and 3c have a shape extending in the long direction (here, the X-axis direction) of the cooler 2, for example, a substantially rectangular shape. The openings 3a, 3b, and 3c are arranged with intervals between each other in the short direction (here, the Y-axis direction) intersecting the long direction. It is preferable that the openings 3a, 3b, and 3c penetrate the insulator 3. In other words, it is preferable that the openings 3a, 3b, and 3c penetrate from the surface of the insulator 3 on the cooler 2 side to the surface of the insulator 3 on the battery cell 1 side.

[0048] The thermal conductor 4 fills the openings 3a, 3b, and 3c of the insulator 3. The thermal conductor 4 is provided between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The thermal conductor 4 can be in close contact with the insulator 3 and one surface 1a of the battery cell 1. Figure 3An example of the heat conductor 4 shown includes protrusions 4a, 4b, 4c that fill the openings 3a, 3b, 3c, respectively. The protrusions 4a, 4b, 4c protrude toward the cooler 2 side (here, the negative direction of the Z axis) and are in contact with or in close contact with the cooler 2. The heat conductor 4 and the insulator 3 can be compressed by the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The heat conductor 4 preferably thermally combines the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The heat conductor 4 has insulating properties. The heat conductor 4 is preferably made of a material having electrical insulation and thermal conductivity, for example. Examples of such materials include silicone, acrylic, and ceramics. The heat conductor 4 can be formed by applying such a material to the insulator 3. The heat conductor 4 is preferably in the shape of a sheet, for example.

[0049] As described above, according to the configuration of the battery module 10, the insulator 3 and the heat conductor 4 are provided between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The insulator 3 and the heat conductor 4 have insulating properties. Thus, the insulation between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2 is ensured. In addition, the heat conductor 4 fills the openings 3a, 3b, 3c of the insulator 3 and contacts the cooler 2. Thus, the thermal conductivity between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2 is improved. Thus, the cooling efficiency between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2 can be improved.

[0050] Next, refer to Figures 4 to 8 Each modification of the battery module 10 is described below. Each modification of the battery module 10 includes, in addition to the insulator, Figure 1 The battery modules 10 shown have the same structure. Figures 4 to 8 Shown separately Figure 2 Each modification of the insulator 3 shown. In addition, the heat conductor 4 of each modification of the battery module 10 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the respective insulator.

[0051] <First Modification>

[0052] A first modification of the battery module 10 includes Figure 4 The insulator 13 shown. The insulator 13 has openings 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e. The openings 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e are arranged with a gap between each other in a short direction (here, the Y-axis direction) intersecting the long direction of the cooler 2. The openings 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e have a shape extending in the long direction, for example, a substantially rectangular shape. It is preferable that the openings 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e have substantially the same width and area.

[0053] The openings 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e are arranged in sequence in the short direction. The opening 13c is arranged at the center in the short direction. The openings 13a and 13e are arranged at the ends in the short direction. The openings 13b, 13c, and 13d are arranged near the center in the short direction. The openings 13a and 13b are arranged at the ends in the short direction. The openings 13d and 13e are arranged at the ends in the short direction.

[0054] The intervals between the openings 13b, 13c, and 13d arranged near the center in the short direction are smaller than the intervals between the openings 13a, 13b, 13d, and 13e arranged at the ends in the short direction. Specifically, the interval S1b between the openings 13b and 13c is smaller than the interval S1a between the openings 13a and 13b. The interval S1c between the openings 13c and 13d is smaller than the interval S1d between the openings 13d and 13e. The interval S1b is smaller than the interval S1d. The interval S1c is smaller than the interval S1a.

[0055] As described above, according to the configuration of the first modified example of the battery module 10, the intervals between the openings 13b, 13c, and 13d arranged near the center in the short direction are smaller than the intervals between the openings 13a, 13b, 13d, and 13e arranged at the ends in the short direction. Therefore, in the insulator 13, the concentration of the openings is higher near the center in the short direction than at the ends in the short direction. In addition, the heat conductor 4 not shown fills the openings 13a to 13e of the insulator 13 and contacts the cooler 2. Therefore, the cooling efficiency can be further improved near the center in the short direction. Figure 1 Since heat tends to concentrate more easily near the center of one side 1 a of the battery module 10 shown than at its end, it can be cooled appropriately.

[0056] <Second Modification>

[0057] A second modification of the battery module 10 includes Figure 5 The insulator 23 shown. The insulator 23 has openings 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e. The openings 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e are arranged with intervals between each other in a short direction (here, the Y-axis direction) intersecting the long direction of the cooler 2. It is preferable that the intervals between the openings 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e are approximately the same. The openings 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e have a shape extending in the long direction, for example, a substantially rectangular shape.

[0058] The openings 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e are arranged in order in the short direction. The opening 23c is arranged in the center in the short direction. The openings 23a and 23e are arranged at the ends in the short direction.

[0059] The area of ​​the opening 23c arranged in the center in the short direction is larger than the area of ​​the openings 23a and 23e arranged at the ends in the short direction. In addition, the openings 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e are preferably arranged in order from the center to the ends in the short direction so that their areas are from large to small. Specifically, the openings 23c, 23b, and 23a are preferably arranged in order from large to small in area. The openings 23c, 23d, and 23e are preferably arranged in order from large to small in area.

[0060] As described above, according to the configuration of the second modified example of the battery module 10, in the insulator 13, the area of ​​the opening 23c arranged in the center in the short direction is larger than the area of ​​the openings 23a and 23e arranged at the ends in the short direction. In addition, the heat conductor 4 (not shown) fills the openings 23a to 23e of the insulator 23 and contacts the cooler 2. Therefore, the cooling efficiency can be further improved near the center in the short direction. Figure 1 Since heat tends to concentrate more easily near the center of one side 1 a of the battery module 10 shown than at its end, it can be cooled appropriately.

[0061] <Third Modification>

[0062] The third modification of the battery module 10 has the same configuration as the first modification of the battery module 10 except for the extending direction of the openings and the arrangement direction of the openings. Figure 6 The insulator 33 shown. The insulator 33 has openings 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e, 33f, 33g, 33h, and 33i. The openings 33a to 33i are arranged with a gap in the long direction (here, the X-axis direction) of the cooler 2. The openings 33a to 33i have a shape extending in the short direction, for example, a substantially rectangular shape. It is preferable that the width and area of ​​the openings 33a to 33i are substantially the same.

[0063] The openings 33a to 33i are arranged in sequence in the longitudinal direction. The opening 33e is arranged in the center in the longitudinal direction. The openings 33a and 33i are arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction. The openings 33d, 33e, and 33f are arranged near the center in the longitudinal direction. The opening 33a and the opening 33b are arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction. The opening 33h and the opening 33i are arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0064] The intervals between the openings 33d, 33e, and 33f arranged near the center in the long direction are smaller than the intervals between the openings 33a, 33b, 33h, and 33i arranged at the ends in the long direction. Specifically, the interval S3d between the opening 33d and the opening 33e is smaller than the interval S3a between the opening 33a and the opening 33b. The interval S3e between the opening 33e and the opening 33f is smaller than the interval S3h between the opening 33h and the opening 33i. The interval S3d is smaller than the interval S3h. The interval S3e is smaller than the interval S3a.

[0065] In addition, the intervals between the openings 33a to 33i are preferably arranged from the end in the longitudinal direction to the center in descending order. Specifically, the interval S3a, the interval S3b between the opening 33b and the opening 33c, the interval S3c between the opening 33c and the opening 33d, and the interval S3d are preferably arranged from the largest to the smallest in this order. The interval S3h, the interval S3g between the opening 33g and the opening 33h, the interval S3f between the opening 33f and the opening 33g, and the interval S3e are preferably arranged from the largest to the smallest in this order.

[0066] As described above, according to the configuration of the third variant of the battery module 10, the intervals between the openings 33d, 33e, and 33f arranged near the center in the longitudinal direction are smaller than the intervals between the openings 33a, 33b, 33h, and 33i arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, in the insulator 33, the concentration of the openings is higher near the center in the longitudinal direction than at the ends in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the heat conductor 4 not shown fills the openings 33a to 33i of the insulator 33 and contacts the cooler 2. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the cooling efficiency near the center in the longitudinal direction. Since heat tends to be easily concentrated near the center of one side 1a of the battery module 10 compared with its ends, it can be cooled appropriately.

[0067] <Fourth Modification>

[0068] The fourth modification of the battery module 10 has the same configuration as the second modification of the battery module 10 except for the extending direction of the openings and the arrangement direction of the openings. Figure 7 The insulator 43 shown. The insulator 43 has openings 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, 43f, 43g, 43h, and 43i. The openings 43a to 43i are arranged with a gap in the long direction (here, the X-axis direction) of the cooler 2. It is preferable that the gaps between the openings 43a to 43i are substantially the same. The openings 43a to 43i have a shape extending in the short direction, for example, a substantially rectangular shape.

[0069] The openings 43a to 43i are arranged in order in the longitudinal direction. The opening 43e is arranged in the center in the longitudinal direction. The openings 43a and 43i are arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0070] The area of ​​the opening 43e arranged in the center in the longitudinal direction is larger than the area of ​​the openings 43a and 43i arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction. In addition, it is preferable that the openings 43a to 43i are arranged in order from the center to the ends in the longitudinal direction so that their areas are from large to small. Specifically, the openings 43e, 43d, 43c, 43b, and 43a are arranged in order from large to small in area. The openings 43e, 43f, 43g, 43h, and 43i are arranged in order from large to small in area.

[0071] As described above, according to the configuration of the fourth variant of the battery module 10, in the insulator 43, the area of ​​the opening 43e arranged in the center in the longitudinal direction is larger than the area of ​​the openings 43a and 43i arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the heat conductor 4 not shown fills the openings 43a to 23i of the insulator 43 and contacts the cooler 2. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the cooling efficiency near the center in the longitudinal direction. Since heat tends to be easily concentrated near the center of one side 1a of the battery module 10 compared with its ends, it can be cooled appropriately.

[0072] <Fifth Modification>

[0073] A fifth modification of the battery module 10 includes Figure 8 The insulator 53 shown. The insulator 53 has openings 3ab and 3bc. The openings 3a, 3b, 3c, 3ab, and 3bc are continuous and extend along a line. The opening 3ab connects the opening 3a and the opening 3b. The opening 3bc connects the opening 3b and the opening 3c.

[0074] Specifically, the opening portion 3ab extends from one end of the opening portion 3a to one end of the opening portion 3b, connecting one end of the opening portion 3a and one end of the opening portion 3b. The opening portion 3ab extends from one end of the opening portion 3a to the short direction (here, the Y-axis direction) of the cooler 2. The opening portion 3bc extends from the other end of the opening portion 3b to the other end of the opening portion 3c, connecting the other end of the opening portion 3b and the other end of the opening portion 3c. The opening portion 3bc extends from the other end of the opening portion 3b to the short direction of the cooler 2.

[0075] As described above, in the fifth modification of the battery module 10, Figure 1 Similarly, the battery module 10 shown can improve the cooling efficiency between the battery cells 1 and the cooler 2 while ensuring the insulation between the battery cells 1 and the cooler 2 .

[0076] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the main purpose. In addition, the present invention can also be implemented by appropriately combining the above-mentioned embodiment or one of its examples. For example, the heat conductor 4, the insulator 3 and the cooler 2 can also be arranged on a surface other than the one surface 1a of the battery cell 1. In other words, the battery module 10 can also have a plurality of surfaces on which the heat conductor 4, the insulator 3 and the cooler 2 are arranged. The number of openings is not limited, as long as it is one or more. In other words, although the battery module 10 has openings 3a, 3b, and 3c, it is preferable to have at least one opening. It is also preferable that each modified example of the battery module 10 also has at least one opening.

[0077] From the disclosure thus described, it is obvious that the embodiments of the disclosure may be modified in a variety of ways. These changes should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and all such modifications obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising: Battery cells; A cooler for cooling the battery cell; an insulator, disposed between the battery unit and the cooler; and A heat conductor is disposed between the battery cell and the cooler, in, The insulator has an opening portion, The thermal conductor fills the opening. The thermal conductor has insulating properties.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, The cooler has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction, The openings are arranged in a plurality in a short direction intersecting the long direction at intervals from each other and have a shape extending in the long direction. The intervals between the openings arranged in the short direction near the center in the short direction are smaller than the intervals between the openings arranged in the short direction at the ends in the short direction.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, The cooler has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction, The openings are arranged in a plurality in a short direction intersecting the long direction at intervals from each other and have a shape extending in the long direction. The area of ​​the opening portion arranged at the center in the short direction is larger than the area of ​​the opening portion arranged at the end portion in the short direction.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, The cooler has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction, The openings are arranged in plurality in the longitudinal direction at intervals from each other and have a shape extending in a short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The intervals between the openings arranged in the longitudinal direction near the center in the longitudinal direction are smaller than the intervals between the openings arranged in the longitudinal direction at the ends in the longitudinal direction.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, The cooler has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction, The openings are arranged in plurality in the longitudinal direction at intervals from each other and have a shape extending in a short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The area of ​​the opening portion arranged at the center in the longitudinal direction is larger than the area of ​​the opening portion arranged at the end portion in the longitudinal direction.

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