Electricity storage device

Abstract

A power storage device is provided with: at least one power storage unit; a housing case that includes a lower case and an upper case provided so as to cover the lower case from above, and that houses the at least one power storage unit; a heat exchanger disposed below the lower case; a common panel that is disposed below the heat exchanger; a heat conduction member disposed between the at least one power storage unit and the lower case and / or between the heat exchanger and the lower case; and a support member that supports the heat exchanger toward the lower case.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to energy storage devices. Background Technology

[0002] Various energy storage devices have been proposed in the past. The energy storage device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-067737 includes a housing, multiple battery cells disposed within the housing, and a cooler disposed within the housing. An adhesive layer is disposed between the cooler and the battery cells.

[0003] In the aforementioned energy storage device, the energy storage unit expands and deforms due to charging and discharging. At this time, the heat conduction components positioned between the cooler and the energy storage unit may peel off or crack within them. Furthermore, air can enter the heat conduction components, reducing their thermal conductivity. This may lead to problems in effectively regulating the temperature of the energy storage unit. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure was made in view of the aforementioned issues, and its object is to provide an energy storage device that can effectively implement temperature regulation of the energy storage unit.

[0005] The energy storage device comprises: at least one energy storage unit; a housing including a lower housing and an upper housing configured to cover the lower housing from above, housing at least one energy storage unit; a heat exchanger disposed below the lower housing; a common panel disposed below the heat exchanger; a heat conduction member disposed between at least one of the at least one energy storage unit and the lower housing, and between the heat exchanger and the lower housing; and a support member supporting the heat exchanger toward the lower housing.

[0006] The aforementioned heat exchanger has multiple liquid medium passages arranged with open gaps, and a support member is formed to support the portion of the heat exchanger located between the liquid medium passages. The support member is formed of foamed polyurethane.

[0007] The aforementioned energy storage device further includes: a first fixing component for fixing a common panel and a second fixing component arranged at a distance from the first fixing component; a support component is arranged on the common panel; and the support component is arranged in the center between the first fixing component and the second fixing component.

[0008] The energy storage device includes: an energy storage unit; a heat exchange component disposed below the energy storage unit; a common panel disposed below the heat exchange component; a heat conduction component disposed between the energy storage unit and the heat exchange component; and a support component disposed between the common panel and the heat exchange component to support the heat exchange component toward the energy storage unit.

[0009] The energy storage device according to the present invention can effectively regulate the temperature of the energy storage unit. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 2 equipped with an energy storage device 1;

[0012] Figure 2 This is a top view showing the energy storage device 1;

[0013] Figure 3 This is a bottom view showing the energy storage device 1;

[0014] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the energy storage device 1;

[0015] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view representing the energy storage unit 30;

[0016] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the energy storage device 1;

[0017] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the heat exchange section 23A and its surrounding structure;

[0018] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A sectional view of line VIII-VIII in the middle;

[0019] Figure 9 It is a graph showing the temperature distribution during heating in the energy storage device 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 10 It is a graph showing the temperature distribution during heating in the comparative example energy storage device 100;

[0021] Figure 11 It is a graph showing the temperature of the energy storage unit 30 and the power limits of the charging and discharging of the energy storage device 1;

[0022] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view showing the energy storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or equivalent parts are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0024] Implementation Method 1

[0025] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 2 equipped with an energy storage device 1. The vehicle 2 includes a body 3 and an energy storage device 1, which is fixed to the lower surface of the body 3. Furthermore, in... Figure 1 In the diagram, L represents the front-to-back direction (L), H represents the vertical direction (H), and W represents the width direction (W).

[0026] The vehicle body 3 includes: a pair of longitudinal beams spaced apart in the width direction W and extending in the longitudinal direction L; and a plurality of crossbeams spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L and extending in the width direction W. An energy storage device 1 is, for example, fixed to the longitudinal beams.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a top view showing the energy storage device 1. Figure 3 This is a bottom view showing the energy storage device 1. The energy storage device 1 includes a housing 10, protective members 11 and 12, a common panel 13, and multiple support members 18. Protective members 11 and 12 are arranged on both sides of the housing 10 in the width direction W. The common panel 13 is arranged on the lower surface of the housing 10 and is fixed to the protective members 11 and 12.

[0028] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view showing the energy storage device 1. Additionally, in this... Figure 4 In the diagram, protective components 11 and 12 are not shown.

[0029] exist Figure 4 In the device, the energy storage device 1 includes: a housing 10, a heat exchanger 14 disposed on the lower surface of the housing 10, an energy storage module 15 housed in the housing 10, and the aforementioned common panel 13.

[0030] The housing 10 includes a lower housing 16 and an upper housing 17. The lower housing 16 includes a base plate 20, a peripheral wall 21, and a plurality of transverse members 22. The peripheral wall 21 is formed to extend upward from the outer periphery of the base plate 20. The transverse members 22 are disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 20 and are spaced apart in the front-rear direction L. Each transverse member 22 is formed to extend in the width direction W.

[0031] The heat exchanger 14 is fixed to the lower surface of the base plate 20. The heat exchanger 14 includes a plurality of unit heat exchange sections 25. The unit heat exchange sections 25 are arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction L and are formed to extend in the width direction W. A gap 26 is formed between each unit heat exchange section 25. A liquid medium supply pipe and a liquid medium discharge pipe (not shown) are connected to the heat exchanger 14, and the liquid medium flows within the heat exchanger 14.

[0032] A common panel 13 is positioned below the base plate 20 and the heat exchanger 14. The common panel 13 is configured to cover the heat exchanger 14.

[0033] Multiple support members 18 are disposed on the upper surface of the common panel 13 and configured to support the heat exchanger 14 toward the base plate 20.

[0034] The energy storage modules 15 are arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction L. Each energy storage module 15 includes a plurality of energy storage units 30 arranged in the width direction W, an end plate 28, and an end plate 29. The end plate 28 is located at one end of the energy storage module 15 in the front-to-back direction L, and the end plate 29 is located at the other end of the energy storage module 15. Furthermore, the end plates 28 and 29 are fixed to the bottom plate 20 of the lower housing 16. Moreover, the plurality of energy storage units 30 are constrained between the end plates 28 and 29.

[0035] Each energy storage unit 30 is formed in a flat cuboid shape, and the energy storage unit 30 is formed in a long strip. The energy storage units 30 are arranged in a manner that extends relatively long in the front-to-back direction L.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the energy storage unit 30. The energy storage unit 30 includes a unit housing 31, external terminals 32 and 33, and electrode bodies housed within the unit housing 31.

[0037] The unit housing 31 includes an upper plate 34, a lower plate 35, main plates 36A and 36B, and end plates 37A and 37B. The main plates 36A and 36B are arranged in the width direction W, and each main plate 36A and 36B is formed to extend in the front-rear direction L. The end plates 37A and 37B are arranged in the front-rear direction L. External terminals 32 and 33 are disposed on the upper plate 34.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the energy storage device 1. Figure 6 In this embodiment, the energy storage device 1 includes a fixing member 50 and a bracket 51. The bracket 51 is fixed to the lower surface of the base plate 20 by welding or the like. It is disposed in the gap 26 of the heat exchanger 14. Furthermore, the gap 26 and the bracket 51 are formed in a way that extends along the width direction W, and multiple gaps 26 and brackets 51 are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction L. The fixing member 50 fixes the common panel 13 to the bracket 51. In addition, a transverse member 22 is disposed above the bracket 51.

[0039] The heat exchanger 14 includes a unit heat exchange section 25 comprising heat exchange sections 23A and 23B, and a connecting member 24 located between the heat exchange sections 23A and 23B. The heat exchange sections 23A and 23B are arranged spaced apart in the front-rear direction L. The upper surfaces of the heat exchange sections 23A and 23B are formed as flat surfaces.

[0040] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the heat exchange section 23A and its surrounding structure. The energy storage unit 30 is disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 20, and a heat conduction component 41 is disposed between the energy storage unit 30 and the base plate 20.

[0041] The heat exchanger 14 is disposed on the lower surface of the base plate 20, and a heat conduction component 40 is disposed between the heat exchanger 14 and the base plate 20.

[0042] The heat conduction components 41 and 40 are made of materials with high thermal conductivity and adhesive properties. Thus, each energy storage unit 30 is fixed to the upper surface of the base plate 20 via the heat conduction component 41, and the heat exchanger 14 is fixed to the lower surface of the base plate 20 via the heat conduction component 40.

[0043] The heat exchanger 14 includes a lower plate 42 and an upper plate 43 disposed on the upper surface of the lower plate 42. A plurality of liquid medium passages 44 are formed between the lower plate 42 and the upper plate 43. The liquid medium passages 44 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction L and are formed to extend in the width direction W. Furthermore, a plurality of liquid medium passages 44 are formed within each heat exchange section 23A and heat exchange section 23B.

[0044] Furthermore, a plurality of recesses 45 and protrusions 46 are formed on the lower surface of the heat exchange section 23A. The recesses 45 and protrusions 46 are formed alternately in the front-rear direction L, and the recesses 45 and protrusions 46 are formed in a manner that extends in the width direction W. A liquid medium passage 44 is formed within the protrusion 46. In addition, the recesses 45 are formed by bending the lower plate 42 upward.

[0045] Support member 18 is disposed on the upper surface of common panel 13. Specifically, support member 18 is disposed below energy storage unit 30 and between heat exchanger 14 and common panel 13. Support member 18 is formed of elastically deformable material. For example, support member 18 is formed of polyurethane foam.

[0046] The support member 18 includes a base 52, a plurality of protrusions 53, and a central protrusion 54. The base 52 is fixed to the upper surface of the common panel 13. The plurality of protrusions 53 are formed on the upper surface of the base 52, each protrusion 53 being formed to protrude upward from the upper surface of the base 52, with the upper end of the protrusion 53 entering the recess 45, and the protrusion 53 pressing the lower surface of the lower plate 42 toward the base plate 20 and the energy storage unit 30. The plurality of protrusions 53 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction L and are disposed in the recesses 45 of the heat exchange sections 23A and 23B.

[0047] In addition, each recess 45 is located between the liquid medium passages 44, and each protrusion 53 presses the portion of the heat exchanger 14 located between the liquid medium passages 44 in the front-rear direction L toward the base plate 20 and the energy storage unit 30.

[0048] The central protrusion 54 is disposed at the center of the upper surface of the base 52 in the front-rear direction L. The central protrusion 54 contacts the connecting member 24, pressing the connecting member 24 toward the base plate 20 and the energy storage unit 30.

[0049] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII. As shown in... Figure 8 As shown, the energy storage device 1 includes multiple support components 18A, 18B, and 18C.

[0050] Support members 18A, 18B, and 18C are arranged at intervals in the width direction W. Furthermore, support members 18A, 18B, and 18C are arranged at equal intervals in the front-to-back direction L. Support member 18B is positioned between support members 18A and 18C. Support member 18A is positioned on the side of protection member 11, and support member 18C is positioned on the side of protection member 12. That is, in the front-to-back direction L, support members 18A, 18B, and 18C are arranged close to the center of the energy storage module 15.

[0051] In the longitudinal direction L, the distance between support member 18A and support member 18B is defined as distance D1, and the distance between support member 18B and support member 18C is also defined as distance D1. In the longitudinal direction L, the distance between end plate 28 and support member 18A is defined as distance D2, and the distance between end plate 29 and support member 18B is defined as distance D3. Furthermore, distance D2 is shorter than distance D1, and distance D3 is shorter than distance D1.

[0052] In the energy storage device 1 configured as described above, when the temperature of the energy storage unit 30 becomes higher than the first threshold temperature, the heat exchanger 14 is activated, and a liquid medium cooled to a low temperature flows within the heat exchanger 14. Conversely, when the temperature of the energy storage unit 30 becomes lower than the second threshold temperature, a liquid medium heated to a predetermined temperature flows within the heat exchanger 14. In this way, the heat exchanger 14 can heat or cool each energy storage unit 30.

[0053] exist Figure 7 In the process, when the heat exchanger 14 cools or heats the energy storage unit 30, the temperature difference between the heat exchanger 14 and the base plate 20 increases.

[0054] For example, when the energy storage unit 30 reaches a high temperature, a low-temperature liquid medium flows within the heat exchanger 14, thereby increasing the distance between the base plate 20, which expands due to heat from the energy storage unit 30, and the heat exchanger 14, which contracts due to the low-temperature liquid medium. Even in this case, by pressing the heat exchanger 14 against the base plate 20 using the support member 18, it is possible to prevent the heat conduction member 40 from peeling off or cracking within it. Furthermore, even if cracks or the like occur within the heat conduction member 40, it is possible to prevent air from entering the heat conduction member 40. Thus, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the heat transfer performance of the heat conduction member 40.

[0055] It should be noted that when the energy storage unit 30 is cooled to a low temperature, it is also possible to prevent the heat conduction component 40 from peeling off, cracking inside the heat conduction component 40, or air from entering the heat conduction component 40.

[0056] As the energy storage device 1 configured as described above charges and discharges, each energy storage unit 30 expands and deforms. At this time, the energy storage module 15 is fixed to the base plate 20 at both ends in the front-rear direction L, so the energy storage module 15 bends upward away from the base plate 20. Moreover, each energy storage unit 30 is displaced away from the base plate 20.

[0057] The energy storage device 1 has a support member 18 that pushes the base plate 20 upward, which can suppress the peeling of the heat conduction member 41 formed between the base plate 20 and the energy storage unit 30.

[0058] Furthermore, even if cracks or fissures occur in the heat conduction component 41, the heat conduction component 41 is compressed by pressing the base plate 20 onto the energy storage unit 30 via the support component 18. This prevents air from entering the heat conduction component 41 and inhibits the decline in its heat transfer performance.

[0059] In the aforementioned energy storage device 1, Figure 8 In the process, when the energy storage module 15 moves upward, the center of the energy storage module 15 tends to move significantly upward in the front-rear direction L. This is because the energy storage module 15 is equipped with end plates 28 and 29 fixed to the base plate 20, and multiple energy storage units 30 are constrained by end plates 28 and 29.

[0060] The energy storage device 1 has multiple support members 18A, 18B, and 18C arranged at the center in the front-rear direction L. Therefore, even if the central part of the energy storage module 15 is displaced upward, the support members 18A, 18B, and 18C will push the heat exchanger 14 and the base plate 20 towards the energy storage unit 30. This can prevent cracking in the heat conduction component 40 or air from entering the heat conduction component 40.

[0061] use Figures 9 to 11The comparison results between the energy storage device 100 of the comparative example and the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment 1 will be explained.

[0062] The energy storage device of the comparative example is constructed in the same way as the energy storage device 1 of Embodiment 1, except that it does not have the aforementioned support member 18.

[0063] Figure 9 It is a graph showing the temperature distribution during heating in the energy storage device 1 of Embodiment 1. Figure 10 This is a graph showing the temperature distribution during heating in the comparative example's energy storage device 100. Additionally, in Figure 9 and Figure 10 In the diagram, the horizontal axis represents the position of the energy storage units 30 arranged in the front-to-back direction L, and the vertical axis represents the temperature of each energy storage unit 30.

[0064] Depend on Figure 9 and Figure 10 It can be seen that the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment 1 can heat up the energy storage module 15 in the entire front-rear direction L.

[0065] Figure 11 This is a graph showing the temperature of the energy storage unit 30 and the power limits of the charging and discharging of the energy storage device 1. (As shown...) Figure 11 As shown, when the temperature of the energy storage unit 30 decreases or increases, the absolute values ​​of the discharge power limit and the charging power limit of the energy storage device 1 decrease.

[0066] On the other hand, in the energy storage device 1 of this embodiment 1, the heat conduction performance of the heat conduction components 40 and 41 can be maintained, and the temperature of the energy storage unit 30 can be kept within a specified range. As a result, the charging and discharging power of the energy storage device 1 can be prevented from being limited.

[0067] Implementation Method 2

[0068] use Figure 12 The energy storage device 1A of Embodiment 2 will now be described. In this energy storage device 1A, the structure is the same as that of the energy storage device 1 of Embodiment 1, except that the heat exchanger 14 and the base plate 20 are integrally formed.

[0069] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view showing the energy storage device 1A according to Embodiment 2. The energy storage device 1A includes a housing 10A. The housing 10A includes an upper housing 17, and the bottom plate of the lower housing of the housing 10A is a heat exchange member 14A. The heat exchange member 14A is formed in a plate shape. Furthermore, the peripheral wall 21 is formed to extend upward from the outer peripheral edge of the heat exchange member 14A.

[0070] The upper surface of the heat exchange component 14A is formed as a flat surface, and the upper surface of the heat exchange component 14A defines a housing space for the energy storage module 15 and the like. A plurality of liquid medium passages 44A are formed in the heat exchange component 14A. Each liquid medium passage 44A is formed at intervals in the front-rear direction L.

[0071] The energy storage device 1A includes a support member 18, the protrusion 53 of which contacts a portion of the heat exchange member 14A located between the liquid medium passage 44A. Furthermore, the heat exchange member 14A is pushed towards the energy storage unit 30.

[0072] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the peeling of the heat conduction component 41 disposed between the upper surface of the heat exchange component 14A and the energy storage module 15.

[0073] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, including all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. An energy storage device, wherein, The energy storage device includes: At least one energy storage unit; A housing comprising a lower housing and an upper housing disposed to cover the lower housing from above, and housing the at least one energy storage unit; A heat exchanger, the heat exchanger being disposed below the lower housing; A common panel is disposed below the heat exchanger; A heat conduction component, the heat conduction component being disposed between at least one of the at least one energy storage unit and the lower housing, and between the heat exchanger and the lower housing; as well as A support component that supports the heat exchanger toward the lower housing.

2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein, Multiple liquid medium passages are formed in the heat exchanger, arranged at intervals. The support member is configured to support the portion of the heat exchanger located between the liquid medium passages.

3. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein, The support component is formed of foamed polyurethane.

4. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein, The energy storage device further includes a first fixing component for fixing the common panel and a second fixing component that is spaced apart from the first fixing component. The support component is disposed on the common panel. The support member is positioned centrally between the first fixing member and the second fixing member.

5. An energy storage device, wherein, The energy storage device includes: Energy storage unit; A heat exchange component is disposed below the energy storage unit; A common panel is disposed below the heat exchange component; A heat conduction component is disposed between the energy storage unit and the heat exchange component; A support member is disposed between the common panel and the heat exchange member, supporting the heat exchange member toward the energy storage unit.

Images