Battery pack unit

Abstract

The utility model provides a battery pack unit that can simplify the structure, has battery pack and supply device. Battery pack has: multiple single batteries are arranged and are configured with the prescribed interval in the prescribed direction, the separator that sets up in the prescribed direction adjacent single battery each other, is provided with the cooling gas flow path of cooling gas circulation, the import flow path part that imports the cooling gas to the cooling gas flow path, and the exhaust flow path part that imports the cooling gas circulating in the cooling gas flow path. Supply device supplies the cooling gas to the import flow path part. The exhaust flow path part can import the smoke generated in the single battery, has the exhaust part that at least one direction battery pack's outside exhausts the imported cooling gas and smoke.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery pack unit. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling structure comprising a vehicle battery with a battery module, cooling pipes and exhaust pipes disposed around the vehicle battery, and a gate mechanism disposed in the branch areas of the cooling pipes and exhaust pipes. In this cooling structure, cooling air for cooling the battery module flows through the cooling pipes, and toxic gases generated in the individual battery cells flow through the exhaust pipes.

[0003] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-216045.

[0004] However, the structure described in Patent Document 1 separates the cooling pipes and exhaust pipes around the vehicle battery. This, with two pipes within the vehicle battery, could potentially complicate the structure. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention takes into account the above facts and aims to obtain a battery pack unit that can simplify its construction.

[0006] The battery pack unit of the first embodiment includes a battery pack and a supply device. The battery pack has: a plurality of individual cells arranged at predetermined intervals in a predetermined direction; a partition disposed between the individual cells adjacent to each other in the predetermined direction and having a cooling gas flow path for cooling gas to flow through; an inlet flow path for introducing cooling gas into the cooling gas flow path; and an outlet flow path for introducing cooling gas flowing in the cooling gas flow path. The supply device supplies cooling gas to the inlet flow path, and the outlet flow path is capable of introducing smoke generated in the individual cells and has an outlet section for discharging at least one of the introduced cooling gas and smoke to the outside of the battery pack.

[0007] In the battery pack unit of the first embodiment, a supply device is provided to supply cooling gas to the inlet flow path section. Cooling gas is thus supplied from the supply device to the inlet flow path section. The cooling gas supplied to the inlet flow path section is guided to the outlet flow path section via a cooling gas flow path provided in the separator. At this time, the battery is cooled by the cooling gas flowing in the cooling gas flow path provided in the separator. Thus, the battery is normally cooled using cooling gas. On the other hand, in the battery pack unit of the first embodiment, smoke generated in a single cell can be introduced into the outlet flow path section. Therefore, when smoke is generated in a single cell, the generated smoke is introduced into the outlet flow path section.

[0008] Thus, in the battery pack unit of the first embodiment, both cooling gas and smoke are introduced into the exhaust flow path. That is, in the battery pack unit of the first embodiment, the exhaust path of the cooling gas is the same as the exhaust path of the smoke generated in the individual cells. Therefore, compared with the case where the exhaust paths of the cooling gas and the exhaust paths of the gas generated in the individual cells are set separately, the structure can be simplified.

[0009] The battery pack unit of the second embodiment includes, in the first embodiment,: an external conduit having an exhaust conduit connected to the exhaust section at its upstream end, a cooling gas conduit branching from the exhaust conduit, and a smoke conduit branching from the exhaust conduit; and a switching section disposed within the external conduit, capable of switching between a state in which gas flowing in the exhaust conduit is introduced into the cooling gas conduit and a state in which gas flowing in the exhaust conduit is introduced into the smoke conduit.

[0010] In the battery pack unit of the second type, there is a switching unit capable of switching between a state where gas flowing in the exhaust pipe is directed into a cooling gas pipe and a state where gas flowing in the exhaust pipe is directed into a smoke pipe. Therefore, the pipe guiding the gas can be changed depending on the type of gas discharged from the battery pack via the exhaust pipe. Thus, for example, if the gas flowing in the exhaust pipe is cooling gas, the cooling gas can be directed into the cooling gas pipe; if the gas flowing in the exhaust pipe contains smoke, the smoke can be directed into the smoke pipe.

[0011] Furthermore, in the battery pack unit of the second embodiment, the switching unit is located inside an external conduit. That is, the switching unit is located outside the battery pack. Therefore, compared to the case where the switching unit is located inside the battery pack, the battery pack can be miniaturized.

[0012] The battery pack unit of the third method has a detection unit that detects smoke from the individual cells in the second method, and the switching unit, when the detection unit detects smoke from the individual cells, becomes a state in which gas flowing in the exhaust pipe is introduced into the smoke pipe.

[0013] In the battery pack unit of the third type, when the detection unit detects smoke from the battery, the switching unit enters a state where it introduces gas flowing in the exhaust pipe into the smoke pipe. Therefore, even when smoke is emitted from the battery, the smoke can be introduced into the smoke pipe. Thus, even when smoke is emitted from a single battery cell, the smoke can be properly handled.

[0014] As described above, the battery pack unit of this invention has the excellent effect of simplifying the structure. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1This is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the battery pack unit involved in this embodiment, showing the state during normal operation.

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0017] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Sectional view along line III-III.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the battery pack unit involved in this embodiment, showing the state of a single battery cell when it emits smoke.

[0019] Figure 5 express Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the deformed example. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The following is a reference. Figures 1 to 5 The implementation of the battery pack unit involved in this utility model will be described. Furthermore, for convenience, in this embodiment, arrow X shown in each figure is referred to as the width direction of the individual battery cell 21 (hereinafter referred to as the "width direction"); arrow Y is referred to as the thickness direction of the individual battery cell 21 (hereinafter referred to as the "thickness direction"); and arrow Z is referred to as the height direction of the individual battery cell 21 (hereinafter referred to as the "height direction"). In the width direction, thickness direction, and height direction, one of these directions is orthogonal to the remaining two directions.

[0021] Vehicles using the battery pack unit 10 of this embodiment are, for example, hybrid vehicles (HV). However, vehicles that can use the battery pack unit 10 of this embodiment are not limited to HVs. For example, the battery pack unit 10 of this embodiment can also be applied to battery electric vehicles (BEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the battery pack unit 10 includes a battery pack 20, an air supply device (supply device) 30 for supplying cooling air (cooling gas) to the battery pack 20, and a gas discharge section 40 for introducing gas discharged from the battery pack 20.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the battery pack 20 includes: a battery housing 26 forming the outer casing; a plurality of individual cells 21 arranged at predetermined intervals in the Y direction (a predetermined direction) within the battery housing 26; a resin frame 22 serving as a separator between adjacent individual cells 21 in the Y direction; an inlet flow path 23 provided on the lower side of the individual cells 21 and the resin frame 22; an outlet flow path 24 provided on the upper side of the individual cells 21 and the resin frame 22; and a pair of end plates 25 provided in a manner that clamps the plurality of individual cells 21 as a whole.

[0024] The single cell 21 has a single cell housing 21A forming the outer shell, an electrode body 21B housed inside the single cell housing 21A, and a sealing plate 21C disposed at the upper end of the single cell housing 21A.

[0025] As an example, the casing of the single-cell battery 21A is formed of aluminum. Figure 2 As shown, the single-cell battery housing 21A has an opening on its upper side in the height direction (Z direction) for inserting the electrode body 21B. Furthermore, the single-cell battery housing 21A is formed as a box-shaped rectangle with its length direction being the width direction (X direction).

[0026] The electrode body 21B is configured such that, by winding a positive electrode (not shown), a negative electrode (not shown), and a separator (not shown) in a stacked state, its cross-section, when viewed from the width direction (X direction), is approximately rectangular and flat in the thickness direction (Y direction). The electrode body 21B functions as a storage unit for electricity in the single cell 21.

[0027] As an example, the sealing plate 21C is made of aluminum. The sealing plate 21C is a rectangular plate with its thickness direction as its height direction (Z direction) and its length direction as its width direction (X direction). The sealing plate 21C seals the opening of the single-cell battery casing 21A. A safety valve (not shown) is provided on the sealing plate 21C. The safety valve is located at the center of the sealing plate 21C in the width direction (X direction). The safety valve opens when the internal pressure of the single-cell battery casing 21A reaches a predetermined pressure, releasing gas (e.g., smoke) from inside the single-cell battery casing 21A. Specifically, the safety valve releases the gas from inside the single-cell battery casing 21A into a discharge flow path 24 located on the upper side of the single-cell battery 21.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of resin frames 22 are provided. The plurality of resin frames 22 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the Y direction. Each resin frame 22 is disposed between adjacent individual cells 21 in the Y direction, serving to maintain the interval between individual cells 21 at a predetermined spacer.

[0029] The resin frame 22 is a one-piece molded product made of resin (e.g., polypropylene). For example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the resin frame 22 integrally comprises: a plate portion 22A; a pair of sidewalls 22B connected to both ends of the plate portion 22A in the X direction; a bottom plate portion 22C connected to the end of the plate portion 22A in the height direction (Z direction); and a plurality of ribs 22D provided on the plate surface of the plate portion 22A. The resin frame 22 is capable of elastic deformation.

[0030] Plate portion 22A is a rectangular plate-shaped component, arranged with its surface orthogonal to the Y direction. That is, plate portion 22A is configured such that its thickness direction is the Y direction. The length of plate portion 22A in the height direction (Z direction) is longer than the length of the individual cell 21 in the height direction (Z direction). Furthermore, the length of plate portion 22A in the width direction (X direction) is longer than the length of the individual cell 21 in the width direction (X direction). Plate portion 22A is connected to a pair of sidewalls 22B.

[0031] The side wall 22B is a rectangular plate-shaped component, arranged such that the plate surface is orthogonal to the X direction. That is, the side wall 22B is configured such that the thickness direction is the X direction. The end of the plate portion 22A in the width direction (X direction) is connected to the center of the side wall 22B in the Y direction.

[0032] The base plate 22C is a rectangular plate-shaped component, arranged with its surface orthogonal to the height direction (Z direction). That is, the base plate 22C is configured such that its thickness direction is the height direction (Z direction). The lower end of the plate 22A in the width direction (X direction) is connected to the center of the base plate 22C in the Y direction.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, rib 22D is provided on the surface of plate portion 22A. More specifically, rib 22D is provided on one side of the surface of plate portion 22A. Figure 3 The right side of the panel. For example... Figure 2 As shown, rib 22D is provided at the center of the plate surface of plate portion 22A in the width direction (X direction) and height direction (Z direction). In other words, there are areas where rib 22D is not provided at both ends of the plate surface in the width direction (X direction) and both ends of the plate surface in the height direction (Z direction).

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, rib 22D protrudes a predetermined length from the surface of plate portion 22A. The front end (end in the Y direction) of rib 22D contacts the single-cell housing 21A of the individual cell 21. Figure 2 As shown, rib 22D extends in a straight line in the height direction (Z direction). Multiple ribs 22D are provided. The multiple ribs 22D are arranged at specified intervals along the width direction (X direction).

[0035] Adjacent ribs 22D in the width direction (X direction) are provided with cooling air flow paths (cooling gas flow paths) 22E between them. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the cooling airflow path 22E is defined on both sides in the X direction by ribs 22D, and on both sides in the Y direction by plate portion 22A and single cell housing 21A. Figure 2 As shown, the cooling air flow path 22E extends in a straight line along the height direction (Z direction). An inlet opening is provided at the lower end of the cooling air flow path 22E. The inlet opening of the cooling air flow path 22E faces the inlet opening 23D of the inlet flow path section 23. Additionally, an outlet opening is provided at the upper end of the cooling air flow path 22E. The outlet opening of the cooling air flow path 22E faces the outlet opening 24D of the outlet flow path section 24. Multiple cooling air flow paths 22E are provided along the width direction (X direction).

[0036] A lower flow path wall 22F is provided on the plate portion 22A to guide cooling air discharged from the inlet opening 23D of the inlet flow path portion 23 to the inlet opening of the cooling air flow path 22E. In addition, an upper flow path wall 22G is provided on the plate portion 22A to guide cooling air discharged from the outlet opening of the cooling air flow path 22E to the outlet opening 24D of the outlet flow path portion 24.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the inlet flow path 23 extends in the Y direction. The inlet flow path 23 is provided throughout the entire Y direction region of the battery pack 20. The inlet flow path 23 has an internal space. The interior of the inlet flow path 23 is formed as a flow path for cooling gas.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, at one end of the inlet flow path section 23 in the Y direction ( Figure 1 An inlet opening 23A is provided at the left end of the inlet flow path 23. The inlet opening 23A is formed to connect the interior of the inlet flow path 23 to the outside. An air supply device 30 is connected to the inlet opening 23A. The other end of the inlet flow path 23 in the Y direction ( Figure 1 The right end was blocked.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the inlet flow path 23 has a bottom portion 23B and a pair of sidewall portions 23C extending upward from both ends of the bottom portion 23B in the X direction. Additionally, the inlet flow path 23 has an inlet opening 23D formed at its upper part. The inlet opening 23D is opposite to the lower end of the cooling air flow path 22E provided in the resin frame 22.

[0040] Cooling air flowing within the inlet flow path 23 is introduced into the cooling air flow path 22E via the inlet opening 23D. That is, the inlet flow path 23 guides the cooling air into the cooling air flow path 22E.

[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the discharge flow path 24 extends in the Y direction. The discharge flow path 24 is provided throughout the entire Y direction region of the battery pack 20. The discharge flow path 24 has an internal space. The interior of the discharge flow path 24 is formed as a flow path for cooling gas.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, at the other end of the discharge flow path 24 in the Y direction ( Figure 1 An outlet opening (discharge section) 24A is provided at the right end of the discharge flow path 24. The outlet opening 24A is formed as an opening that connects the interior of the discharge flow path 24 to the outside. A gas discharge section 40 is connected to the outlet opening 24A. One end of the discharge flow path 24 in the Y direction ( Figure 1 The left end was blocked.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the discharge flow path 24 has an upper portion 24B and a pair of sidewall portions 24C extending downward from both ends of the upper portion 24B in the X direction. Furthermore, the discharge flow path 24 has a discharge opening 24D formed at its lower portion. The discharge opening 24D faces the upper end of the cooling air flow path provided in the resin frame 22. Cooling air flowing in the cooling air flow path is discharged to the discharge flow path 24 via the discharge opening 24D. In other words, the discharge flow path 24 introduces cooling air flowing in the cooling air flow path.

[0044] Additionally, the discharge flow path 24 is opposite to the safety valve (not shown) of the individual cell 21. Sometimes, an abnormality occurs in the individual cell 21, and smoke is discharged from the safety valve of the individual cell 21. In this case, the discharge flow path 24 can introduce the smoke discharged from the individual cell 21. In this way, the discharge flow path 24 can introduce both the cooling air discharged from the cooling air flow path and the smoke discharged from the individual cell 21. The discharge flow path 24 discharges at least one of the introduced cooling air and smoke from the outlet opening 24A to the outside of the battery pack 20.

[0045] The air supply device 30 is, for example, a forced-flow blower. The air supply device 30 is connected to the inlet opening 23A of the inlet flow path section 23. The air supply device 30 supplies air into the inlet flow path section 23 through the inlet opening 23A.

[0046] The gas exhaust section 40 has an external pipe 45 for introducing cooling air or the like discharged from the battery pack 20, a switching valve 46 provided in the external pipe 45 as a switching section, and a detection section (not shown) for detecting smoke from the individual battery cells 21.

[0047] The external duct 45 has an exhaust duct 41 connected at its upstream end to the outlet opening 24A of the exhaust flow path 24, a cooling air duct (cooling gas duct) 42 branching from the downstream end of the exhaust duct 41, and a smoke duct 43 branching from the downstream end of the exhaust duct 41. At least one of cooling air and smoke flows inside the exhaust duct 41. Cooling air flows inside the cooling air duct 42. An opening opening into the vehicle interior is provided at the downstream end of the cooling air duct 42. Smoke and cooling air flow inside the smoke duct 43. An opening opening to the outside of the vehicle interior is provided at the downstream end of the smoke duct 43.

[0048] A switching valve 46 is located inside the external pipe 45 at the branch section between the cooling air pipe 42 and the smoke pipe 43. The switching valve 46 can switch between a state where gas (cooling gas or smoke) flowing in the exhaust pipe 41 is introduced into the cooling air pipe 42 and a state where gas (cooling gas or smoke) flowing in the exhaust pipe 41 is introduced into the smoke pipe 43. The switching valve 46 has a closing portion 46A that can move between a position where the opening at the upstream end of the cooling air pipe 42 is closed and a position where the opening at the upstream end of the smoke pipe 43 is closed. By moving this closing portion 46A, the state is switched.

[0049] The detection unit detects smoke emitted from the individual battery cell 21. The detection unit may include, for example, a thermometer installed in the discharge flow path 24, and a determination unit that determines whether smoke is emitted from the individual battery cell 21 based on the temperature measured by the thermometer within the discharge flow path 24. For example, if the temperature measured by the thermometer within the discharge flow path 24 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the determination unit may determine that smoke is emitted from the individual battery cell 21.

[0050] When the detection unit detects smoke from the individual battery 21, the switching valve 46 is in a state where it directs the gas flowing in the exhaust pipe 41 into the smoke pipe 43. On the other hand, when the detection unit has not detected smoke from the individual battery 21, the switching valve 46 is in a state where it directs the gas flowing in the exhaust pipe 41 into the cooling air pipe 42. The switching valve 46 can be switched automatically by a control device or the like, or it can be switched manually.

[0051] Next, the flow of gas in the battery pack unit 10 under normal conditions and under the condition of smoke emission from a single cell will be described.

[0052] First, the flow of gas in the battery pack unit 10 under normal conditions will be explained. The normal state of the battery pack unit 10 refers to the state in which the individual cells 21 of the battery pack 20 are not emitting smoke.

[0053] like Figure 1As shown, under normal conditions, cooling air is supplied from the air supply device 30 to the inlet flow path section 23 (refer to arrow A1). The cooling air supplied to the inlet flow path section 23 flows within the inlet flow path section 23 and flows into the cooling air flow path 22E provided in each resin frame 22 (refer to arrow A2). The cooling air flowing into the cooling air flow path 22E flows within the cooling air flow path 22E (refer to arrow A2). Figure 2 (Arrow A3). At this time, cooling air cools the individual battery cell 21.

[0054] Cooling air flowing in cooling airflow path 22E is discharged into discharge flow path 24 and flows through discharge flow path 24 (refer to arrow A4). Cooling air flowing in discharge flow path 24 is introduced into discharge pipe 41 via outlet opening 24A (refer to arrow A5). In the normal state of battery pack unit 10, switching valve 46 closes the opening provided at the upstream end of smoke pipe 43. Therefore, cooling air introduced into discharge pipe 41 is guided to cooling air pipe 42 via a branch (refer to arrow A6). Cooling air introduced into cooling air pipe 42 is discharged into the vehicle interior.

[0055] Next, the flow of gas emitted from the individual cells 21 in the battery pack unit 10 will be explained.

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, even when a single cell is emitting smoke, air is supplied from the air supply device 30 to the inlet flow path 23. The airflow to the outlet pipe 41 during the single cell emitting smoke state is the same as in the normal state, so the same reference numerals are used and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, if the internal pressure of a single battery cell 21 increases, smoke is discharged from the safety valve located at the upper end of the single battery cell 21. At this time, the smoke is discharged into the discharge flow path 24 (refer to arrow S1). The smoke discharged into the discharge flow path 24 flows together with the cooling air A4 in the discharge flow path 24 (refer to arrow S2). The smoke flowing in the discharge flow path 24 is introduced into the discharge pipe 41 through the outlet opening 24A (refer to arrow S3). When the single battery cell of the battery pack unit 10 is emitting smoke, the switching valve 46 closes the opening at the upstream end of the cooling air pipe 42. Therefore, the smoke introduced into the discharge pipe 41 is guided together with the cooling air through the branch section into the smoke pipe 43 (refer to arrow S4). The smoke introduced into the smoke pipe 43 is discharged together with the cooling air to the outside of the vehicle.

[0058] In this embodiment, an air supply device 30 is provided to supply cooling air to the inlet flow path 23. Cooling air is thus supplied from the air supply device 30 to the inlet flow path 23. The cooling air supplied to the inlet flow path 23 is guided to the outlet flow path 24 via a cooling air flow path 22E provided in the resin frame 22. At this time, the individual battery 21 is cooled using the cooling air flowing through the cooling air flow path 22E provided in the resin frame 22. Thus, the individual battery 21 is normally cooled using cooling air. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the outlet flow path 24 can introduce smoke generated in the individual battery 21. Therefore, when smoke occurs in the individual battery 21, the generated smoke is introduced into the outlet flow path 24. Thus, in this embodiment, both cooling air and smoke are introduced into the outlet flow path 24. That is, in this embodiment, the outlet path of the cooling air is the same as the outlet path of the smoke generated in the individual battery 21. Therefore, compared to the case where the outlet path of the cooling air and the outlet path of the gas generated in the individual battery 21 are provided separately, the structure can be simplified.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an air supply device 30 is provided to supply cooling air to the inlet flow path 23. As a result, the air supply device 30 generates a flow of fluid that is introduced into the inlet flow path 23, discharged to the outside of the battery pack 20 via the cooling air flow path 22E and the outlet flow path 24. Consequently, smoke introduced into the outlet flow path 24 is also discharged to the outside of the battery pack 20 from the outlet flow path 24 by the flow generated by the air supply device 30. Thus, smoke generated in the individual battery cells 21 by the power of the air supply device 30 can also be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 20. Therefore, even if smoke occurs in the individual battery cells 21, the smoke can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the battery pack 20.

[0060] Furthermore, this embodiment includes a switching valve 46 capable of switching between a state where gas flowing through the exhaust pipe 41 is directed to the cooling air pipe 42 and a state where gas flowing through the exhaust pipe 41 is directed to the smoke pipe 43. This allows the pipe guiding the gas to be changed depending on the type of gas discharged from the battery pack 20 via the exhaust pipe 41. Therefore, when the gas flowing through the exhaust pipe 41 is cooling air, the cooling air is directed into the vehicle interior via the cooling air pipe 42; and when the gas flowing through the exhaust pipe 41 contains smoke, the smoke is directed out of the vehicle interior via the smoke pipe 43.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the switching valve 46 is disposed within the external pipe 45. That is, the switching valve 46 is disposed outside the battery pack 20. Therefore, compared to the case where the switching valve 46 is disposed within the battery pack 20, the battery pack 20 can be miniaturized.

[0062] In this embodiment, when the detection unit detects smoke from the individual battery 21, the switching valve 46 is configured to introduce the gas flowing in the exhaust pipe 41 into the smoke pipe 43. Therefore, even when smoke is emitted from the individual battery 21, the smoke can be introduced into the smoke pipe 43. Thus, even when smoke is emitted from the individual battery 21, the smoke can be properly handled.

[0063] The battery pack unit involved in the embodiments has been described above, but the present invention can be appropriately modified without departing from its spirit.

[0064] For example, in the above embodiment, an example of rib 22D extending linearly along the height direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example Figure 5 As shown in the resin frame 52, the ribs 52D can also be bent so that their central portion in the height direction (Z direction) protrudes outward in the width direction (X direction) of the individual cell 21. Multiple ribs 52D are provided. Among the multiple ribs 52D, the rib 52DA located at the center in the width direction (X direction) is straight. The other ribs 52D are symmetrically arranged in the width direction based on the straight rib 52DA. Furthermore, the radius of curvature of the bent portion increases as it moves outward in the width direction, except for the straight rib 52DA. Because the ribs 52D are bent, the cooling airflow paths 52E provided between the ribs 52D are also bent in the same way as the ribs 52D. In the battery pack unit 50 according to this modified example, the cooling airflow paths 52E are bent so that their central portion in the height direction (Z direction) protrudes outward in the width direction (X direction) of the individual cell 21. This allows for cooling of a wide area of ​​the individual cell 21 in the width direction (X direction) using cooling air.

[0065] Furthermore, while the above embodiment illustrates an example of providing a forced-flow air supply device 30 upstream of the battery pack 20, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of a forced-flow air supply device 30, a suction-flow air supply device may be provided downstream of the battery pack 20. Specifically, as... Figure 1 As shown by the dashed line, a suction-type blower 130 can also be installed in the discharge pipe 41.

Claims

1. A battery cell, characterized by, have: A battery pack comprising: a plurality of individual cells arranged at predetermined intervals in a predetermined direction; a partition disposed between the individual cells adjacent to each other in the predetermined direction and having a cooling gas flow path for cooling gas to flow through; an inlet flow path for introducing cooling gas into the cooling gas flow path; and an outlet flow path for introducing cooling gas flowing in the cooling gas flow path. The supply device supplies cooling gas to the inlet flow path section. The discharge flow path can introduce the smoke generated in the single cell, and has a discharge section that discharges at least one direction of the introduced cooling gas and smoke to the outside of the battery pack.

2. The battery cell of claim 1, wherein, have: An external duct has an exhaust pipe connected to the exhaust section at its upstream end, a cooling gas pipe branching from the exhaust pipe, and a smoke pipe branching from the exhaust pipe; A switching unit, which is provided inside the external pipe, is capable of switching between a state in which gas flowing in the discharge pipe is introduced into the cooling gas pipe and a state in which gas flowing in the discharge pipe is introduced into the smoke pipe.

3. The battery pack unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, It has a detection unit for detecting smoke emitted from the individual battery cells. When the detection unit detects smoke from the individual battery, the switching unit switches to a state where the gas flowing in the exhaust pipe is introduced into the smoke pipe.

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