Battery module

Abstract

The utility model provides a battery module which can improve the cooling efficiency of end battery units. The battery module provided by the utility model comprises a battery stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery units; a cooling flow path provided on the lower side of the cell stack; and a cooling duct disposed on the inlet side of the cooling flow path. The cross-sectional area of the cooling duct is larger than the cross-sectional area of the cooling flow path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a battery module. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a cooling flow path is provided between an end plate and a battery cell in a battery module.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-119884

[0004] In the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement in the efficiency of refrigerant transport in the gap between the end plate and the end battery cell (battery cell arranged at the end). Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention is made in view of the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of improving the cooling efficiency of end battery cells.

[0006] The battery module of the present invention comprises: a battery stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; a cooling flow path provided on the lower side of the battery stack; and a cooling pipe arranged on the inlet side of the cooling flow path, wherein the cross-sectional area of the cooling pipe is larger than the cross-sectional area of the cooling flow path.

[0007] According to the present invention, a large amount of refrigerant can be sent to the side surfaces of the end plates (surfaces in the stacking direction of the battery cells), thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the end battery cells. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a plan view showing the configuration of a battery module according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery module according to the embodiment when viewed from the side.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a first modified example of the battery module according to the embodiment when viewed from the side.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a second modified example of the battery module according to the embodiment when viewed from the side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The battery module according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or are substantially the same.

[0013] Regarding the configuration of the battery module according to the embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery module according to the embodiment is mounted on a vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

[0014] Figure 1 : is a top view showing a state where the upper cover of the battery case of the battery module according to the embodiment is removed. Figure 2 : is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the battery module according to the embodiment when viewed from the side. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In FIG, W represents the width direction of the battery module, L represents the length direction of the battery module, and H represents the height direction of the battery module. In addition, the hollow arrows shown in the figure represent the flow direction of the coolant (coolant path).

[0015] The battery module 1 includes a battery stack 11 , a battery case 12 , a cooling duct 13 , a cooling flow path 14 , an end plate 15 , and a sealing member 16 .

[0016] The battery stack 11 is formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 111. An elastic body 112 is sandwiched between each battery cell 111. In addition, the direction in which the plurality of battery cells 111 are stacked (hereinafter referred to as the "stacking direction") is the same as the width direction W of the battery module 1. A cooling flow path 14 consisting of a predetermined space is provided on the lower side of the battery stack 11. The inlet side (opening side) of the cooling flow path 14 is connected to the cooling pipe 13. The refrigerant (such as air, etc.) introduced from the cooling pipe 13 is thereby supplied to the gaps between the battery cells 111 of the battery stack 11.

[0017] The battery case 12 houses the battery stack 11 and the end plates 15. The battery case 12 consists of an upper cover and a lower case (not shown). An opening 121 is provided in the lower portion of the battery case 12, where the cooling duct 13 is mounted. This opening 121 allows the refrigerant introduced from the cooling duct 13 to enter the cooling flow path 14.

[0018] The cooling duct 13 is used to introduce refrigerant into the cooling flow path 14. The cooling duct 13 is disposed on the inlet side of the cooling flow path 14. The cooling duct 13 is attached to the battery case 12 so as to communicate with the opening 151 of the end plate 15 and the cooling flow path 14.

[0019] The end plates 15 are components for holding the battery stack 11 in the stacking direction. Figure 2 Only the end plate 15 on the inlet side of the cooling flow path 14 is shown in the figure, but an end plate is also provided on the inner side of the cooling flow path 14.

[0020] The end plate 15 is positioned opposite the end battery cells (battery cells 111 arranged at the end). An opening 151, such as a notch, is provided in the lower center portion of the end plate 15. This opening 151 is used to deliver refrigerant into the battery case 12. The sides of the opening 151 are closed, as they are mounted (seated) on the inside of the battery case 12. Therefore, no cooling flow path is provided in this area.

[0021] The sealing member 16 is used to prevent air leakage from the contact surface between the end plate 15 and the battery case 12. The sealing member 16 is disposed between the end plate 15 and the battery case 12, above the opening 121. Furthermore, in the battery module 1, no cooling flow path is provided between the contact surface between the end plate 15 and the battery case 12, where the sealing member 16 is disposed. Instead, a cooling flow path is provided only between the end plate 15 and the end battery cells.

[0022] in addition, Figure 2 The figure shown in the bubble frame is a front view of the end plate 15 when viewed from the end battery cell side. In this embodiment, as shown by the arrows in the figure, the refrigerant introduced from the opening 151 in the lower center of the end plate 15 flows upward from the lower side of the end plate 15 and then branches to the left and right near the center. As a result, the refrigerant flows along the left and right inner surfaces (side surfaces) of the battery case 12. That is, in the battery module 1, the cooling flow path between the end plate 15 and the end battery cell is a T-shaped flow path.

[0023] Here, in conventional battery modules, for example, a sealing member for preventing air leakage is provided at the position of the opening 151 in this embodiment, which causes a problem in that the refrigerant has difficulty flowing through the gap between the end plate and the end battery cell.

[0024] Furthermore, in existing battery modules, the cross-sectional area of the cooling channel must be adjusted, for example, by making it wider on the inlet side (opening side) and narrower on the back side (opposite side). Therefore, if the required cross-sectional area for coolant flow is to be ensured on the back side of the cooling channel, the cross-sectional area on the inlet side of the cooling channel increases, which in turn increases the size of the battery case.

[0025] Therefore, in this embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, an opening 121 is provided at the lower portion of the battery case 12 and an opening 151 is provided at the lower center portion of the end plate 15 , and the cross-sectional area A of the cooling duct 13 is larger than the cross-sectional area B of the cooling flow path 14 .

[0026] That is, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional area A of the cooling duct 13 on the inlet side of the cooling flow path 14 is enlarged compared to the conventional battery module, and is communicated with the opening 151. Figure 2 As shown by arrow F, more refrigerant can be delivered to the side surface of the end plate 15 (the surface in the stacking direction of the battery cells 111), thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the end battery cells. In addition, the size of the battery case 12 can be prevented from increasing, which can achieve miniaturization.

[0027] Next, the first modification will be described. Figure 3 The structure of the first modified example of the battery module according to the embodiment will be described. This figure is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of this modified example when viewed from the side. In addition, the top view when viewing the structure of this modified example from above is similar to the top view. Figure 1 same.

[0028] The battery module 1A includes a battery stack 11 , a battery case 12 , a cooling duct 13 , a cooling flow path 14 , an end plate 15 , and a sealing member 16 , similarly to the battery module 1 described above.

[0029] In battery module 1A, an opening 121, such as a notch, is provided in the lower portion of battery case 12. Also, in battery module 1A, an opening 151 is provided in the lower center portion of end plate 15. Similarly to battery module 1, in battery module 1A, the cross-sectional area A of cooling duct 13 is larger than the cross-sectional area B of cooling flow path 14.

[0030] Furthermore, in the battery module 1A, for example, by changing the structure (shape) of the end plate 15, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown in the bubble box, the refrigerant introduced through the opening 151 in the lower center of the end plate 15 is branched upward in addition to the left and right sides. That is, in battery module 1A, the cooling flow path between the end plate 15 and the end battery cells forms a T-shaped and I-shaped flow path. This allows the refrigerant to flow along the upper inner surface (top surface) in addition to the left and right inner surfaces (side surfaces) of the battery case 12, further improving the cooling efficiency of each battery cell 111.

[0031] Next, the second modification example will be described. Figure 4 The second modification of the battery module according to the embodiment will be described. This figure is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of this modification when viewed from the side. Figure 1 same.

[0032] The battery module 1B includes a battery stack 11 , a battery case 12 , a cooling duct 13 , a cooling flow path 14 , an end plate 15 , and a sealing member 16 , similarly to the battery module 1 described above.

[0033] In the battery module 1B, an opening 151 such as a notch is provided at the center of the end plate 15. In the battery module 1B, an opening 121 is provided at the center of the battery case 12 at a position corresponding to the opening 151 of the end plate 15.

[0034] Specifically, in battery module 1B, openings 151 are provided at locations other than the lower center of end plate 15, and openings 121 are provided at locations other than the lower portion of battery case 12. The locations and number of openings 121 and 151 are not particularly limited and can be adjusted based on the required cooling capacity. Furthermore, in battery module 1B, similar to battery modules 1 and 1A, the cross-sectional area A of cooling duct 13 is larger than the cross-sectional area B of cooling flow path 14.

[0035] Furthermore, in the battery module 1B, as Figure 4 As shown in the bubble box, the refrigerant introduced through the central opening 151 of the end plate 15 is branched to the upper left and right sides and the lower left and right sides. In other words, in battery module 1B, the cooling flow path between the end plate 15 and the end battery cells is a cross-shaped flow path. This allows the refrigerant to flow in multiple paths along the left and right inner surfaces (side surfaces) of the battery case 12, further improving the cooling efficiency of the battery cells 111.

[0036] According to the battery module according to the embodiment described above, a large amount of coolant can be sent to the side surfaces of the end plates 15 (surfaces in the direction of stacking the battery cells), thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the end battery cells.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will readily derive further effects and variations. Therefore, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Therefore, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general concept of the invention as defined by the technical solutions and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that: have: A battery stack is made up of multiple battery cells stacked together; a cooling flow path provided on the lower side of the battery stack; and A cooling pipe is arranged at the inlet side of the cooling flow path, The cross-sectional area of the cooling pipe is larger than the cross-sectional area of the cooling flow path.

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