BATTERY MODULE

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery module in which increasing size is avoided in a direction where batteries and thermal conduction parts are arranged in line.The battery module comprises: a plurality of batteries arranged in line in a first direction; a thermal conduction element comprising a plurality of thermal conduction parts arranged in line in the first direction, each being disposed between two batteries among the plurality of batteries to transfer heat from the batteries; and a clamping element comprising wall parts provided at one end side and the other end side of the plurality of batteries and the plurality of thermal conduction parts in the first direction, the wall parts being provided along a direction intersecting the first direction, the wall part at the first end side and the wall part at the other end side pressing the plurality of batteries and the plurality of thermal conduction parts. Selected drawing: Figure 5.

Description

Title of the invention: BATTERY MODULE

[0001] Technical domain.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module. State of the art

[0003] For some years now, in a battery module, a thermal conduction part and a battery are sometimes arranged in line in one direction.

[0004] By way of example, patent document 1 describes that a battery module is constructed in a module housing provided with a path for a first fin element on a lateral surface or on a lower end surface thereof in a state where the battery cells are arranged to be layered with the first fin element which is interposed.

[0005] List of citations

[0006] Patent literature documents

[0007] Patent document 1: Japanese National Patent Application Publication 2016-511509. Summary of the invention Technical problem

[0008] In the case where a battery module is provided with a plurality of batteries and a plurality of thermal conduction parts, the size of the battery module will likely have to be increased. In particular, in the case where the plurality of batteries and the plurality of thermal conduction parts are arranged in a line in one direction, there is a risk of obtaining a large battery module in the direction in which the batteries and the thermal conduction parts are arranged.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to prevent a battery module from being enlarged in a direction where batteries and thermal conduction parts are arranged.

[0010] Solution to this problem

[0011] According to the present invention implemented to achieve the above objective, a battery module comprises: a plurality of batteries arranged in line in a first direction; a thermal conduction element comprising a plurality of thermal conduction parts arranged in line in the first direction, each being disposed between two batteries among the plurality of batteries in order to transfer heat from the batteries; and a clamping element comprising wall portions provided at one end side and the other end side of the plurality of batteries and of the plurality of thermal conduction parts in the first direction, the wall parts being provided along a direction intersecting the first direction, the wall part at the first end side and the wall part at the other end side pressing the plurality of batteries and the plurality of thermal conduction parts.

[0012] Here, the clamping element may further include a support portion provided from the wall portion at the first end side to the wall portion at the other end side in order to support the plurality of batteries.

[0013] Furthermore, the battery module may further include an elastic element having elasticity and fixed to a portion of the wall part at the first end side, the portion facing the other end side.

[0014] The thermal conduction element may further comprise: a rod-type element made in the shape of a hollow rod in order to form a refrigerant flow path; and a connecting part, to one side of which the thermal conduction parts are connected and to the other side of which the rod-type element is connected.

[0015] Furthermore, a portion of the connecting part to be brought into contact with the rod-type element can be formed to follow an external shape of the rod-type element.

[0016] Each of the thermal conduction parts may include a curved part which is curved, a first part adjacent to the curved part and provided on a first side of the curved part and a second part adjacent to the curved part and provided on a side of the curved part opposite to the first side, the connecting part may include a concave part which is hollow, and, in a state where the curved part is inserted into the concave part, portions of the first part and the second part entered inside the concave part may exert a pressure in the concave part.

[0017] Furthermore, the connecting part and the plurality of thermal conduction parts can be formed as a single piece.

[0018] Each of the plurality of thermal conduction parts can be provided with the connecting part.

[0019] Additionally, each of the plurality of thermal conduction parts may be provided to allow the refrigerant to flow inside them and may include a receiving part receiving the refrigerant and a discharge part discharging the refrigerant and the discharge part of one of the thermal conduction parts may be connected to the receiving part of another of the thermal conduction parts.

[0020] Advantages provided by the invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a battery module from being enlarged in a direction where batteries and thermal conduction parts are arranged. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Fig. 1 represents an example of a schematic configuration of a battery module according to a first embodiment, which is a perspective view of the battery module;

[0023] Fig.2 represents the battery module in a state where battery cells and a cooling means are contained within a container element;

[0024] [Fig.3A] [Fig.3A] is a side view of a lid element as seen from the right side of the lid element in [Fig.1], and [Fig.3B] [Fig.3B] is a front view of the lid element as seen from the front side of the lid element;

[0025] [Fig.4A] [Fig.4A] is a front view of a fin as seen from the front side of the fin in [Fig.1], which is also an enlarged view of the fin, and Figures 4B [Fig.4B] and 4C [Fig.4C] illustrate a method of inserting the fin into the cover element;

[0026] [Fig.5A] [Fig.5A] represents a container element before containing the battery cells and fins, and [Fig.5B] [Fig.5B] represents the container element which contains the battery cells and fins;

[0027] Figures 6A [Fig.ôA] and 6B [Fig.ôB] represent cooling elements;

[0028] Fig.7 represents a battery module according to a second embodiment, which is a perspective view of the battery module;

[0029] [Fig.8A] [Fig.8A] is a perspective view of a first heat exchanger as seen from the right side of the first heat exchanger on [Fig.7], [Fig.8B] [Fig.8B] is a perspective view of the first heat exchanger as seen from the left side of the first heat exchanger, and [Fig.8C] [Fig.8C] is a cross-sectional view VIII-VIII of [Fig.8A];

[0030] [Fig.9A] [Fig.9A] is a perspective view of a second heat exchanger as seen from the right side of the second heat exchanger on [Fig.7], [Fig.9B] [Fig.9B] is a perspective view of the second heat exchanger as seen from the left side of the second heat exchanger, and Figures 9C [Fig.9C] and 9D [Fig.9D] illustrate a method of coupling the first heat exchangers and the second heat exchangers;

[0031] Figure 10 represents the battery module in a state where battery cells and a cooling means are contained within a container element; and

[0032] [Fig. 11 A] [Fig. 11 A] represents a clamping means, and [Fig. 1 IB] [Fig. 1 IB] represents a state where the clamping means clamps the battery cells and the cooling means. Description of the implementation methods

[0033] <Premier exemple de réalisation>

[0034] In what follows, examples of embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0035] Fig. 1 represents an example of a schematic configuration of a battery module 1 according to a first embodiment, which is a perspective view of the battery module 1.

[0036] Fig. 2 represents the battery module 1 in a state where battery cells 10 and a cooling means 20 are contained in a container element 30.

[0037] It should be noted that, in the following description, the upper side of the battery module Battery module 1 in [Fig. 1] is designated as the "upper side," its lower side as the "lower side," and these directions are sometimes referred to as the "vertical direction." Furthermore, in some cases, the left side of battery module 1 in [Fig. 1] is designated as the "left side," and the right side of battery module 1 in the image is designated as the "right side," and these directions are sometimes referred to as the "horizontal direction." Additionally, in some cases, the front side of battery module 1 in [Fig. 1] is designated as the "front side," and its rear side as the "rear side," and these directions are sometimes referred to as the "front-to-back direction."

[0038] The battery module 1 according to the exemplary embodiment supplies electrical power, for example, to a motor of a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, or the like, or to electronic equipment such as a charging station. The battery module 1 comprises the battery cells 10, the cooling means 20, and the container element 30.

[0039] The battery cell 10, by way of example of a battery, becomes charged upon receiving a current from a power supply (not shown) outside the battery module 1. The battery cell 10 supplies electrical power by discharging. When the battery cell 10 is charging or discharging, the battery cell 10 generates heat.

[0040] The exemplary embodiment uses pocket-shaped battery cells 10. The battery module 1 according to the exemplary embodiment is provided with twelve battery cells 10. The twelve battery cells 10 are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction. Each battery cell 10 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is in the front-to-back direction, its short direction is located in the vertical direction and its thickness direction is in the horizontal direction. The battery cell 10 comprises a positive electrode 11, a negative electrode 12 and a support element 13.

[0041] It should be noted that a square-shaped battery cell 10 can be used, which will be described below.

[0042] The positive electrode 11 is at a higher potential than the negative electrode 12. The positive electrode 11 is plate-shaped. The positive electrode 11 is designed so that a portion of it protrudes forward from the support element 13. For the positive electrode 11, a metallic material, such as aluminum or copper, is used as an example.

[0043] The negative electrode 12 is at a lower potential than the positive electrode 11. The negative electrode 12 is plate-shaped. The negative electrode 12 is designed so that a portion of it protrudes rearward from the support element 13. For the negative electrode 12, a metallic material, such as aluminum or copper, is used as an example.

[0044] The support element 13 supports the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12. The support element 13 is provided with a separator (not shown) separating the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12. The separator is made in the form of a thin film and is arranged between the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12. The support element 13 is provided with a laminated material (not shown). The laminated material is made in the form of a thin film. The positive electrode 11, the negative electrode 12, and the separator are enclosed within the laminated material. For example, a metallic material, such as aluminum, is used for the laminated material. An electrolytic solution is included within the laminated material.

[0045] It should be noted that each of the electrodes, either the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12, of each battery cell 10 is connected to a busbar (not shown) via a plate element (not shown) forming a bundle with either the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12.

[0046] The cooling means 20, by way of example of a thermal conduction element, cools the battery cells 10. The cooling means 20 comprises fins 21, a cooling pipe 22 and a cover element 23.

[0047] The fin 21, by way of example of a thermal conduction element, dissipates heat from the battery cells 10. The battery module 1 according to the embodiment is provided with eleven fins 21. The eleven fins 21 are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, in the embodiment, each of the fins 21 is provided to be inserted between two adjacent battery cells of the twelve battery cells 10 and, in this way, the battery cells 10 and the The fins 21 are arranged alternately in the horizontal direction. The fin 21 is plate-shaped. The fin 21 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is in the front-to-back direction, its short edge is in the vertical direction, and its thick edge is in the horizontal direction.

[0048] For the fin 21, it is preferable to use a material having, for example, a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 180 W / mK, a tensile strength greater than or equal to 120 MPa, and a Young's modulus of 60 MPa. Examples of materials meeting these requirements include a metallic material, such as aluminum alloy and copper. For aluminum alloy, it is preferable to use, for example, an aluminum alloy conforming to JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) A6063-T6 or an aluminum alloy conforming to JIS Al 100-H18. Since the above-described aluminum alloy has a density no greater than one-third that of copper, the battery module 1 can be made lighter.Furthermore, if the aforementioned aluminum alloy is used for the fin 21, the stiffness of the fin 21 becomes greater than the stiffness of the surface of the battery cell 10; consequently, the adhesion between the fin 21 and the battery cell 10 is increased. In this case, since heat from the battery cell 10 is easily transferred to the fin 21, the performance of the cooling means 20 in cooling the battery cells 10 can be enhanced.

[0049] The thickness of the fin 21 is determined according to the degree of need to dissipate heat from the battery cell 10. In the embodiment, the thickness of the fin 21 is preferably greater than 0.3 mm and less than 3 mm. If the thickness of the fin 21 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm, the heat flow from the battery cell 10 to the fin 21 is low; consequently, there is a risk of insufficient cooling of the battery cell 10. Furthermore, if the thickness of the fin 21 is greater than or equal to 3 mm, the heat flow from the battery cell 10 to the fin 21 becomes excessively high; consequently, in some cases the battery cell 10 is overcooled. In this case, there is a risk of decreased energy density of battery module 1.

[0050] Furthermore, to ensure the insulating properties between the fin 21 and the battery cell 10, a fin 21 coated with a thin-film resin can be used. The thickness of the resin film can, for example, be set in the range greater than or equal to 10 µm and less than or equal to 50 µm. Alternatively, a fin 21 coated with a resin material can also be used.

[0051] The cooling pipe 22, by way of example of a rod-shaped element, cools the battery cells 10 via the fins 21 and the cover element 23. For the cooling pipe 22, a metallic material, such as aluminum, is used by way of example. The cooling pipe 22 comprises: a right-side flow path forming portion 221; a left-side flow path forming portion 222; and a connecting portion 223. Each of the right-side flow path forming portion 221, the left-side flow path forming portion 222, and the connecting portion 223 is tubular in shape, within which a refrigerant flows.

[0052] The right-side flow path forming portion 221 forms a flow path for a refrigerant flowing to the right side. The right-side flow path forming portion 221 is designed to extend in the horizontal direction. The right-side flow path forming portion 221 receives a refrigerant from a feed unit (not shown) intended to supply the refrigerant.

[0053] The left-side flow path forming portion 222 forms a flow path for a refrigerant flowing to the left side. The left-side flow path forming portion 222 is shaped to extend in the horizontal direction.

[0054] The connecting part 223 links the right-side flow path forming part 221 and the left-side flow path forming part 222. The connecting part 223 is provided from a right-side end of the right-side flow path forming part 221 to a right-side end of the left-side flow path forming part 222.

[0055] The refrigerant enters the right-side flow path forming part 221 from its left side, flows to the right side in the right-side flow path forming part 221 and enters the connecting part 223. Then, the refrigerant flows from the front side to the rear side inside the connecting part 223 and enters the left-side flow path forming part 222. Then the refrigerant flows to the left side inside the left-side flow path forming part 222 and is discharged from the left-side flow path forming part 222.

[0056] It should be noted that the right-side flow path formation portion 221, the left-side flow path formation portion 222, and the connecting portion 223 do not have to have cross-sections with circular external shapes: for example, their cross-sections may be polygonal in shape, in the extent that the parts are hollow. In other words, the right-side flow path forming part 221, the left-side flow path forming part 222 and the connecting part 223 can be made in the form of hollow rods.

[0057] The cover element 23, by way of example of a connecting part, is a cover for the container element 30. The cover element 23 is plate-shaped. The cover element 23 is oriented such that its longitudinal direction is in the front-to-back direction, its short direction is in the horizontal direction, and its thick direction is in the vertical direction. The cover element 23 is designed to cover from the left side of the leftmost battery cell 10 to the right side of the rightmost battery cell 10. Furthermore, the cover element 23 is designed to cover from the front side of the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 to their rear side. A metallic material, such as aluminum, is used for the cover element 23.

[0058] As described in detail below, the cooling pipe 22 and the fins 21 are fixed to the upper surface 23A and the lower surface 23B, respectively, of the cover element 23. In this case, the right-side flow path forming portion 221 and the left-side flow path forming portion 222 of the cooling pipe 22 are arranged to cross each battery cell 10 and each fin 21 in the horizontal direction.

[0059] The cover element 23 transfers heat from the battery cells 10 to the cooling pipe 22 via the fins 21. The heat transferred to the cooling pipe 22 is transferred to the refrigerant inside the cooling pipe 22.

[0060] In the embodiment, the thickness of the cover element 23 is preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm and less than or equal to 25 mm. If the thickness of the cover element 23 is less than 5 mm, there is a risk of insufficient strength or rigidity of the cover element 23 housing the battery module 1. If the thickness of the cover element 23 is greater than 25 mm, there is a possibility of an increase in the weight of the battery module 1.

[0061] The container element 30 contains the battery cells 10 and the cooling means 20. The container element 30 is open on the front and rear sides. The container element 30 comprises a left wall portion 31, a right wall portion 32, and a bottom wall portion 33. Each of the left wall portion 31, the right wall portion 32, and the bottom wall portion 33 is made of a metallic material, such as aluminum.

[0062] The left wall portion 31 is a side wall of the container element 30. The left wall portion 31 is made in the form of a plate. The left wall portion 31 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is in the front-to-back direction, its short direction is in the vertical direction, and its thickness direction is in the horizontal direction.

[0063] The right wall portion 32 is a side wall of the container element 30. The right wall portion 32 is provided on the right side of the left wall portion 31. The right wall portion 32 is made in the form of a plate. The right wall portion 32 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is in the front-to-back direction, its short direction is in the vertical direction, and its thickness direction is in the horizontal direction.

[0064] The bottom wall portion 33, by way of example of a support portion, is provided at the deepest part of the container element 30. The bottom wall portion 33 extends from the left wall portion 31 to the right wall portion 32. More specifically, the bottom wall portion 33 extends from one lower end of the left wall portion 31 to one lower end of the right wall portion 32. The bottom wall portion 33 is plate-shaped. The bottom wall portion 33 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is in the front-to-back direction, its short direction is in the horizontal direction, and its thickness direction is in the vertical direction.

[0065] The battery module 1 is provided with a left-expandable element 34 and a right-expandable element 35. For example, a material exhibiting elasticity is used for the left-expandable element 34 and the right-expandable element 35. Additionally, a material exhibiting insulating properties may be included for the left-expandable element 34 and the right-expandable element 35. In the embodiment shown, the left-expandable element 34 and the right-expandable element 35 use a resin material.

[0066] The left-hand expanding element 34, by way of example of an elastic element, is fixed to a right-side surface 31A of the left wall portion 31. The left-hand expanding element 34 is made in the form of a plate. The left-hand expanding element 34 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is in the front-to-back direction, its short direction is in the vertical direction, and its thickness direction is in the horizontal direction.

[0067] The right-hand expanding element 35, by way of example of the elastic element, is fixed to a left-side surface 32A of the right-hand wall portion 32. The right-hand expanding element 35 is plate-shaped. The right-hand expanding element 35 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction lies in the direction front to back, its short direction is in the vertical direction and its thickness direction is in the horizontal direction.

[0068] When a pressure force is received from one side in the horizontal direction, each of the elements—the left-hand expanding element 34 and the right-hand expanding element 35—contracts in the horizontal direction while transferring the pressure force received from the first side to the opposite side. In this case, the pressure force to be transferred to the opposite side is reduced by the amount corresponding to the contraction. In other words, each of the elements—the left-hand expanding element 34 and the right-hand expanding element 35—regulates the pressure force received while transferring the pressure force received from the first side to the other side in the horizontal direction.

[0069] In the configuration where the battery cells 10 and the cooling means 20 are contained in the container element 30, the leftmost battery cell 10 faces the left expandable element 34 and the rightmost battery cell 10 faces the right expandable element 35. As described in detail below, in the exemplary embodiment the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 are clamped by the container element 30 in the configuration where the battery cells 10 and the cooling means 20 are contained in the container element 30.

[0070] In the embodiment example, in the configuration where the battery cells 10 and the cooling means 20 are contained in the container element 30, a space in the vertical direction is provided between the lower surface 23B of the cover element 23 and each battery cell 10. However, in the configuration where the battery cells 10 and the cooling means 20 are contained in the container element 30, a space may not be provided between the lower surface 23B of the cover element 23 and each battery cell 10.

[0071] In what follows, a configuration of the cover element 23 will be described.

[0072] Fig. 3A is a side view of the cover element 23 as seen from the right side of cover element 23 in [Fig.1], and [Fig.3B] is a front view of cover element 23 as seen from the front side of cover element 23.

[0073] As shown in [Fig.3A], a front support part 231 and a rear support part 232 are provided on the upper surface 23A of the cover element 23. The front support part 231 and the rear support part 232 extend from the right end of the cover element 23 to the left end of the cover element 23.

[0074] The front-side support portion 231 supports the cooling pipe 22 (see [Fig. 1]). The front-side support portion 231 is provided at the front end portion of the cover element 23, projecting from the surface The upper part 23A of the cover element 23. The front-side support portion 231 has a downward recess. The surface 231A of the recess in the front-side support portion 231 is shaped to match the external shape of the right-side flow path forming portion 221 of the cooling pipe 22, namely a curved surface. The right-side flow path forming portion 221 is positioned on the surface 231A of the recess; in this way, the cooling pipe 22 is supported by the front-side support portion 231.

[0075] The rear support portion 232 also supports the cooling pipe 22. The rear support portion 232 is located at the rear end portion of the cover element 23, projecting beyond the upper surface 23A of the cover element 23. The rear support portion 232 has a downward recess. The surface 232A of the recess in the rear support portion 232 is shaped to match the external shape of the left-side flow path forming portion 222 of the cooling pipe 22, namely a curved surface. The left-side flow path forming portion 222 is positioned on the surface 232A of the recess; in this way, the cooling pipe 22 is supported by the rear support portion 232.

[0076] It will be noted that the radius of curvature of the surface 231A of the recess in the front-side support portion 231 may be slightly less than the radius of curvature of the surface of the right-side flow path forming portion 221. Then, in the configuration where the right-side flow path forming portion 221 is placed on the front-side support portion 231, the right-side flow path forming portion 221 is pushed into the recess in the front-side support portion 231 using a push-insertion unit (not shown) designed to push an object. In this case, the right-side flow path forming portion 221 is deformed to decrease the radius of curvature of its surface and is installed in the recess of the front-side support portion 231; In this way, the right-side flow path formation part 221 is matrixed onto the front-side support part 231.Similarly, the radius of curvature of the surface 232A of the recess in the rear support part 232 may be slightly less than the radius of curvature of the surface of the left flow path forming part 222, in order to, in this way, matrix the left flow path forming part 222 onto the rear support part 232.

[0077] Furthermore, as shown in [Fig. 3B], on the lower surface 23B of the cover element 23, a plurality of concave portions 233, concave upwards, are provided. In the embodiment shown, the concave portions 233 are provided at eleven locations on the cover element 23. That is to say, the The concave parts 233 are provided in the same quantity as the fins 21. As described in detail below, in the example embodiment the fins 21 are inserted into the concave parts 233 and, in this way, the fins 21 are fixed to the cover element 23.

[0078] The concave portions 233 are provided at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction. The concave portions 233 extend through the cover element 23 from its front end to its rear end. The concave portion 233 comprises a top surface 233A located at the deepest portion of the concave portion 233, a left-side surface 233B located on the left side of the concave portion 233, and a right-side surface 233C located on the right side of the concave portion 233. The top surface 233A of the concave portion 233 is linear in the horizontal direction. The left-side surface 233B and the right-side surface 233C of the concave portion 233 are linear in the vertical direction. The length in the horizontal direction from the left side surface 233B to the right side surface 233C, namely the length of the upper surface 233A in the horizontal direction, is Wl.

[0079] Fig. 4A is a front view of the fin 21 as seen from the front side of the fin 21 in Fig. 1, which is also an enlarged view of the fin 21. Figures 4B and 4C illustrate a method of inserting the fin 21 into the cover element 23.

[0080] As shown in [Fig.4A], the fin 21 comprises a linear part 211, a curved part 212 and a deployed part 213.

[0081] In the figure, the linear part 211, as an example of a first part, is formed to extend linearly in the vertical direction.

[0082] The curved portion 212, by way of example of a curved portion, is V-shaped. More specifically, the curved portion 212 is curved downwards and to the left from the upper end of the linear portion 211. The upper surface 212A of the curved portion 212 is formed linearly in the horizontal direction. The length of the upper surface 212A in the horizontal direction is W2. The length W2 is slightly shorter than the length W1 (see [Fig. 3B]).

[0083] The extended portion 213, by way of example of a second portion, is designed to extend linearly from the end of the curved portion 212, the end being on a side opposite the side where the linear portion 211 is designed. The length in the horizontal direction, from the point where the left-side surface 213A and the bottom surface 213B of the extended portion 213 intersect the right-side surface 211IA of the linear portion 211, is W3. The length W3 is longer than the length WL

[0084] In what follows, the method of inserting the fins 21 into the concave parts 233 of the cover element 23 will be described.

[0085] As described above, the length W2 of the upper surface 212A in the curved part 212 of the fin 21 is slightly shorter than the length W1 (see [Fig.3B]) of the concave part 233 in the horizontal direction in the cover element 23. For this reason, as shown in [Fig.4B], the upper surface 212A of the curved part 212 can be inserted into the concave part 233. Furthermore, the length W3, from the point where the left-side surface 213A and the lower surface 213B of the deployed part 213 intersect the right-side surface 21 IA of the linear part 211, is longer than the length W1 of the concave part 233; Therefore, the deployed part 213 cannot be completely inserted into the concave part 233 and is in contact with the concave part 233.

[0086] Next, the fin 21 is pushed into the concave portion 233 using the push-insertion unit (not shown) designed to push an object. At this point, the extended portion 213 of the fin 21 exerts a pressure force on the concave portion 233 and receives a reaction force Fl against the pressure force from the concave portion 233. When the extended portion 213 receives the reaction force Fl, the fin 21 is deformed. More specifically, the fin 21 is deformed to bring the linear portion 211 and the extended portion 213 closer together in the horizontal direction. With this deformation, the length W3 is reduced.

[0087] Because the length W3 becomes slightly less than the length W1 when the fin 21 is pushed by the push-insertion unit, the extended portion 213 is inserted into the concave portion 233 as shown in [Fig. 4C]. The upper surface 212A of the curved portion 212 reaches the upper surface 233A of the concave portion 233. Thus, the fin 21 is inserted into the concave portion 233. Furthermore, when the fin 21 receives the reaction force Fl to be deformed, the elastic force acting on the deformation also acts on the fin 21. The elastic force separates the extended portion 213 and the linear portion 211 in the horizontal direction. Due to the elastic force, the deployed part 213 exerts pressure on the left side surface 233B of the concave part 233 and the linear part 211 exerts pressure on the right side surface 233C of the concave part 233.At that moment, the right-side surface 21 IA of the linear part 211 of the fin 21 is in contact with the right-side surface 233C of the concave part 233, the upper surface 212A of the curved part 212 is in contact with the upper surface 233A of the concave part 233 and the left-side surface 213A of the deployed part 213 is in contact with the left-side surface 233B of the concave part 233. .

[0088] Thus, in the embodiment example, the fin 21 is forcibly inserted into each of the concave parts 233 at the eleven locations in the cover element 23.

[0089] It should be noted that, in the case where the fins 21 are press-fitted into the cover element 23, it is preferable to use the cover element 23 made of a material conforming to JIS A6063-T5 and the fins 21 made of a material conforming to JIS Al 100-H24. In this case, the contact areas between the cover element 23 and the fins 21 are increased, thereby improving the adhesion between the cover element 23 and the fins 21. This allows for easy transfer of heat from the fins 21 to the cover element 23.

[0090] The method of attaching the fins 21 to the cover element 23 is not limited to that above.

[0091] By way of example, the fins 21 can be connected to the cover element 23 by inserting the fins 21 with a clamping force into the concave parts 233 of the cover element 23. The fins 21 can also be connected to the cover element 23 by a contraction fitting of the fins 21 into the concave parts 233 of the cover element 23.

[0092] In what follows, a method enabling the container element 30 to press the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 will be described.

[0093] Fig. 5A represents the container element 30 before it contains the battery cells 10 and the fins 21. Fig. 5B represents the container element 30 which contains the battery cells 10 and the fins 21.

[0094] As shown in [Fig. 5A], the angle a1 formed by the left wall portion 31 and the bottom wall portion 33 of the container element 30 and the angle a2 formed by the right wall portion 32 and the bottom wall portion 33 are obtuse angles. In this state, firstly, the worker who is to assemble the battery module 1 places the twelve battery cells 10 inside the container element 30 so that they are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction. At that moment, the battery cells 10 rest against the left wall part 31 or the right wall part 32 of the container element 30 in the state where they are placed on the bottom wall part 33. Then, the worker inserts each of the eleven fins 21 attached to the lid element 23 between two adjacent battery cells 10 out of the twelve battery cells 10.At that moment, given that the upper space S in the container element 30 is enlarged in the horizontal direction relative to the lower space, even in the state where the twelve battery cells 10 are placed on the bottom wall part 33, it is easier for the worker to provide a space between the battery cells 10 in the space S. In this case, the work of inserting the fin 21 between the battery cells 10 by the worker is simplified.

[0095] Each of the fins 21 is inserted between two adjacent battery cells 10 out of the twelve battery cells 10; therefore, the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 are arranged alternately in the horizontal direction.

[0096] Next, as shown in [Fig. 5B], the worker applies a rightward pressure force F2 to the left wall portion 31 of the container element 30 and a leftward pressure force F3 to the right wall portion 32 using a pressure unit (not shown) designed to compress an object. When the left wall portion 31 receives the pressure force F2, the container element 30 deforms plastically to decrease the angle α1 formed by the left wall portion 31 and the bottom wall portion 33. When the right wall portion 32 receives the pressure force F3, the container element 30 deforms plastically to decrease the angle α2 formed by the right wall portion 32 and the bottom wall portion 33.Thus, with the left wall section 31 and the right wall section 32 moving closer together, the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 are pressed by the left wall section 31 and the right wall section 32 and brought into close contact with each other. The left wall section 31 is brought into close contact with the leftmost battery cell 10 via the left-hand expandable element 34. The right wall section 32 is brought into close contact with the rightmost battery cell 10 via the right-hand expandable element 35.

[0097] The expandable element on the left 34 receives a reaction force from the battery cells 10 and the fins 21, the reaction force being against the pressure force acting on the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 by the left wall part 31. At that moment, the expandable element on the left 34 contracts upon receiving the reaction force and provides the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 with the elastic force generated by the contraction. The expandable element on the right 35 receives a reaction force from the battery cells 10 and the fins 21, the reaction force being against the pressure force acting on the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 by the right wall part 32. At that moment, the expandable element on the right 35 contracts upon receiving the reaction force and provides the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 with the elastic force generated by the contraction.In this case, the forces that the left wall part 31 and the right wall part 32 receive from the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 are reduced by the elastic forces supplied on the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 by the left expandable element 34 and the right expandable element 35. For this reason, it is unlikely that the left wall part 31 and the right wall part 32 will open in the horizontal direction, even if they are pressed by the battery cells 10 and the fins 21.

[0098] As described above, the battery module 1 according to the embodiment comprises the left wall portion 31 and the right wall portion 32 provided on the left and right sides, respectively, of the plurality of battery cells 10 and the plurality of fins 21 in the horizontal direction. The left wall portion 31 and the right wall part 32 press the battery cells 10 and the fins 21. Therefore, the left wall part 31 and the right wall part 32 can be used as clamping elements.

[0099] In this case, compared to a configuration in which the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 are not pressed together, the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 will likely be brought into close contact with each other in the horizontal direction. Thus, the area occupied by the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 in the horizontal direction is reduced; in this way, the increase in the size of the battery module 1 in the horizontal direction can be avoided.

[0100] Furthermore, in the embodiment example, the container element 30 includes the bottom wall portion 33 designed to extend from the left wall portion 31 to the right wall portion 32 in order to support the plurality of battery cells 10.

[0101] In this case, the worker is able to perform the work to insert the fin 21 between the battery cells 10 in the state where the battery cells 10 are placed on the bottom wall part 33 of the container element 30. Therefore, the work of assembling the battery module 1 can be simplified.

[0102] Furthermore, the battery module 1 according to the embodiment includes the expandable left-hand element 34 fixed to a portion of the left-hand wall section 31 facing the right-hand wall section 32 and provided with elasticity. The battery module 1 further includes the expandable right-hand element 35 fixed to a portion of the right-hand wall section 32 facing the left-hand wall section 31 and provided with elasticity.

[0103] In this case, the forces acting on the container element 30 from the battery cells 10 and the fins 21 are reduced.

[0104] In the embodiment example, the fins 21 are connected to the cover element 23 on its lower side and the cooling pipe 22 is connected to the cover element 23 on its upper side.

[0105] In this case, compared to a configuration in which an element for connecting the fins 21 and an element for connecting the cooling pipe 22 are supplied separately, the heat from the fins 21 is easily transferred to the cooling pipe 22.

[0106] Furthermore, in the cover element 23 in the embodiment example, portions to be brought into contact with the cooling pipe 22, i.e. the front support part 231 and the rear support part 232, are formed to follow the external shape of the cooling pipe 22.

[0107] In this case, compared to the case where the surface 231A of the recess in the front-side support portion 231 and the surface 232A of the recess in the rear-side support portion 232 on the cover element 23 have different shapes of the shape of the outer circumferential portion of the cooling pipe 22, the heat from the cover element 23 is easily transferred to the cooling pipe 22.

[0108] Furthermore, in the embodiment example, in the state where the curved part 212 of the fin 21 is inserted into the concave part 233 of the cover element 23, a portion of the linear part 211 and the deployed part 213 inserted into the concave part 233 exert pressure in the concave part 233.

[0109] In this case, compared to a configuration in which the fin 21 does not exert pressure in the concave part 233 of the cover element 23, it is unlikely that the fin 21 will detach from the concave part 233.

[0110] (Modified example of the cooling means)

[0111] In what follows, a modified example of the cooling means will be described. The cooling means according to the embodiment shown is not limited to the cooling means 20 shown in Figures 1 to 5.

[0112] Figures 6A and 6B represent cooling elements 24.

[0113] The cooling element 24 is provided with a fin 241 and a cover part 242.

[0114] The fin 241 shown in [Fig. 6A] corresponds to the fin 21 (see [Fig. 1]). The fin 241 is designed to extend linearly and is plate-shaped. The fin 241 has a front opening portion 2411 and a rear opening portion 2412.

[0115] The front-side opening portion 2411 is provided on an upper-side end portion and a front-side end portion in the fin 241. In the front-side opening portion 2411, an opening is formed. The opening is formed from a right-side surface 241A to a left-side surface 241B of the fin 241. On the inner circumferential surface of the front-side opening portion 2411, a female thread (not shown) is formed.

[0116] The rear-side opening portion 2412 is provided on an upper end portion and a rear end portion in the fin 241. In the rear-side opening portion 2412, an opening is formed. The opening is formed from the right-side surface 241A to the left-side surface 241B of the fin 241. On the inner circumferential surface of the rear-side opening portion 2412, a female thread (not shown) is formed.

[0117] The cover portion 242, by way of example of a connecting portion, functions as part of a cover for the container element 30. The cover portion 242 is made in the form of a bar extending in the front-to-back direction and also in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped. The cover portion 242 is provided with a part concave front side 2421 and a concave part rear side 2422 on a surface right side 242A of it.

[0118] The concave front side portion 2421 is provided on a front end portion in the right side surface 242A of the cover portion 242. The concave front side portion 2421 is concave to the left from the right side surface 242A of the cover portion 242. On the inner circumferential surface of the concave front side portion 2421, a female thread (not shown) is formed.

[0119] The rear-side concave portion 2422 is provided on a rear-side end portion in the right-side surface 242A of the cover portion 242. The rear-side concave portion 2422 is concave to the left from the right-side surface 242A of the cover portion 242. On the inner circumferential surface of the rear-side concave portion 2422, a female thread (not shown) is formed.

[0120] The cooling element 24 is provided with a first screw SI and a second screw S2. The first screw SI is inserted into the front-side opening portion 2411 in the fin 241 and the front-side concave portion 2421 into the cover portion 242. The second screw S2 is inserted into the rear-side opening portion 2412 in the fin 241 and the rear-side concave portion 2422 into the cover portion 242. Therefore, as shown in [Fig. B], the cover portion 242 and the fin 241 are tightly fastened by the first screw SI and the second screw S2, and in this way, the fin 241 is fixed to the cover portion 242.

[0121] In the modified example, the battery module 1 is provided with eleven pairs of cooling elements 24. Each of the fins 241 in the eleven pairs of cooling elements 24 is inserted between two adjacent battery cells 10 out of twelve battery cells and is contained within the container element 30. In the configuration where each fin 241 is contained within the container element 30, the cover portions 242 are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction above the container element 30 and the battery cells 10. This allows the cover portions 242 in the eleven pairs of cooling elements 24 to function as a cover for the battery module 1.

[0122] Although not illustrated, it will be noted that the cooling pipe 22 is connected to the upper surface of the cooling elements 24. In the cooling elements 24, in the same way as in the cover element 23 (see [Fig.3A]), the portions to which the cooling pipe 22 is connected can be formed to follow the external shape of the cooling pipe 22.

[0123] As described above in the modified example, the connecting part, an example of which is the cover part 242, is provided on each of the plurality of thermal conduction parts, an example of which is the fin 241.

[0124] In this case, a worker performs the work to insert each of the plurality of thermal conduction parts between the two battery cells 10 and consequently, each thermal conduction part can be inserted between the adjacent battery cells 10 among the plurality of battery cells 10. Therefore, the need to simultaneously insert the plurality of thermal conduction parts between the plurality of battery cells 10 is eliminated.

[0125] It should be noted that the example embodiment describes that the connecting part and the thermal conduction part were configured separately; but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0126] By way of example, the connecting part and the thermal conduction part can be formed as a single unit. In this case, by way of example, it may be possible to provide an element in which the connecting part and the thermal conduction part are configured as a single unit by extrusion molding.

[0127] Alternatively, the connecting portion and the thermal conduction portion may be joined by welding. Examples of welding processes include ultrasonic welding, vibratory friction welding, resistance welding, impulse welding, MIG (metal inert gas) welding, and TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding. When the connecting portion and the thermal conduction portion are joined by welding, the increase in thermal resistance at the junction between the connecting and thermal conduction portions can be eliminated, and the strength of the connecting portion is maintained.In particular, in the case where the connecting part and the thermal conduction part are joined by ultrasonic welding, vibratory friction welding, or impulse welding, the vicinity of the welded part is not subjected to high temperatures; consequently, any degradation of the resistance of the vicinity of the welded part due to high temperatures within it can be eliminated.

[0128] Furthermore, by way of example, the connecting portion and the thermal conduction portion can be joined by friction pressure welding or by friction stir welding. In addition, by way of example, the thermal conduction portion can be bonded to the connecting portion using an adhesive agent.

[0129] In the embodiment shown, the cooling pipe 22 is provided along the direction in which the battery cells 10 are arranged in line; but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0130] By way of example, the cooling pipe 22 may be provided on the battery cells 10 along the longitudinal direction of the battery cells 10. Additionally, the cooling pipe 22 may be made, for example, in a corrugated shape, rather than in a linear shape. There may be any number of cooling pipes 22 to be provided on the battery cells 10.

[0131] <Second exemple de réalisation>

[0132] In what follows, a second example of implementation will be described.

[0133] The second embodiment shares the common feature that the parts of Thermal conduction, transferring heat from the batteries, is provided between the plurality of batteries according to the first embodiment. However, the second embodiment differs from the first in that the refrigerant flows through the plurality of batteries, whereas the first embodiment has a configuration in which the refrigerant does not flow through the plurality of batteries.

[0134] Fig. 7 represents battery module 1 according to the second embodiment, which is a perspective view of battery module 1. Note that, in the second embodiment, the description of configurations identical to those of the first embodiment will not be repeated.

[0135] As shown in [Fig.7], the battery module 1 according to the exemplary embodiment comprises battery cells 100, a cooling means 40 and a container element 50.

[0136] The exemplary embodiment uses rectangular battery cells 100. The battery module 1 according to the exemplary embodiment is provided with eleven battery cells 100. The battery cells 100, by way of example of a battery, are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction. Each battery cell 100 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is in the vertical direction, its short direction is in the front-to-back direction, and its thickness direction is in the horizontal direction. The battery cell 100 comprises a positive electrode 101, a negative electrode 102, and a support element 103.

[0137] It should be noted that, for battery cell 100, the above-described pocket-shaped battery cell can be used.

[0138] The positive electrode 101 is at a higher potential than the negative electrode 102. The positive electrode 101 is provided above the negative electrode 102. The positive electrode 101 is plate-shaped. The positive electrode 101 is provided such that a portion of it protrudes forward from the support element 103. For the positive electrode 101, a metallic material, such as aluminum or copper, is used as an example.

[0139] The negative electrode 102 is at a lower potential than the positive electrode 101. The negative electrode 102 is plate-shaped. The negative electrode 102 is designed so that a portion of it protrudes forward from the support element 103. For the negative electrode 102, a metallic material, such as aluminum or copper, is used as an example.

[0140] The support element 103 supports the positive electrode 101 and the negative electrode 102. The support element 103 is provided with a separator (not shown) separating the positive electrode 101 and the negative electrode 102. The separator is made in the form of a thin film and is positioned between the positive electrode 101 and the negative electrode 102. The support element 103 is provided with a square tube element (not shown). The square tube element is made in the form of a cylindrical rectangular parallelepiped. A portion of the positive electrode 101, a portion of the negative electrode 102, and the separator are enclosed within the square tube element.

[0141] In order to increase the adhesion between the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40, a support element 103 coated with liquid silicon (Si) or covered with a thermal conductive element in the form of a thin film can be used.

[0142] The cooling means 40, by way of example of the heat conduction element, cools the battery cells 100. The cooling means 40 comprises a first heat exchanger 41 and a second heat exchanger 42. The first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42 dissipate heat from the battery cells 100. The surface of each of the heat exchangers, the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42, is stratified. For the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42, it is preferable to use, by way of example, a material exhibiting resistance against internal pressure or external forces, or a material increasing adhesion to the battery cells 100.

[0143] The battery module 1 according to the embodiment is provided with five first heat exchangers 41 and five second heat exchangers 42. These first heat exchangers 41 and second heat exchangers 42 are arranged alternately in a line in the horizontal direction. As described in detail below in the embodiment, the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42 can be coupled.

[0144] The configurations of the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42 will be described in detail below.

[0145] The container element 50, by way of example of the clamping element, contains the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40. The container element 50 is open at the front and rear sides. The container element 50 comprises a left wall portion 51, a right wall portion 52, and a bottom wall portion 53. Each of the left wall portion 51, the right wall portion 52, and the bottom wall portion 53 is made of a metallic material, such as aluminum.

[0146] The left wall portion 51 is a side wall of the container element 50. The left wall portion 51 is plate-shaped. The left wall portion 51 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is vertical, its short direction is front-to-back, and its thickness direction is horizontal. The left wall portion 51 has a front opening portion 511 and a rear opening portion 512. The front opening portion 511 and the rear opening portion 512 are provided on an upper end portion of the left wall portion 51 to be arranged in line in the front-to-back direction with a predetermined interval. The rear opening portion 512 is provided on the rear side of the front opening portion 511.Each of the parts between the front opening part 511 and the rear opening part 512 is provided with an opening formed from the right side surface 51A to the left side surface 51B of the left wall part 51. .

[0147] The right-hand wall portion 52 is a side wall of the container element 50. The right-hand wall portion 52 is provided on the right side of the left-hand wall portion 51. The right-hand wall portion 52 is plate-shaped. The right-hand wall portion 52 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is vertical, its short length is front-to-back, and its thickness is horizontal. The right-hand wall portion 52 has a front-side opening portion 521 and a rear-side opening portion 522. The front-side opening portion 521 and the rear-side opening portion 522 are provided on an upper end portion of the right-hand wall portion 52 to be arranged in line in the front-to-back direction at a predetermined interval.The rear opening portion 522 is provided on the rear side of the front opening portion 521. Each of the parts between the front opening portion 521 and the rear opening portion 522 is provided with an opening formed from the right side surface 52A to the left side surface 52B of the right wall portion 52.

[0148] The bottom wall portion 53 is provided at the deepest part of the container element 50. The bottom wall portion 53 extends from one lower end of the left wall portion 51 to one lower end of the right wall portion 52. The bottom wall portion 53 is plate-shaped. The bottom wall portion 53 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is horizontal, its short length is front-to-back, and its thickness is vertical.

[0149] The container element 50 is provided with a left-expandable element 54 and a right-expandable element 55. For the left-expandable element 54 and the right-expandable element 55, the same material is used as the left-expandable element 34 and the right-expandable element 35 shown in [Fig.1].

[0150] The left-hand expandable element 54 is fixed to a right-side surface 51A of the left wall portion 51. The left-hand expandable element 54 is plate-shaped. The left-hand expandable element 54 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is vertical, its short direction is front-to-back, and its thickness direction is horizontal.

[0151] The right-hand expanding element 55 is fixed to a left-side surface 52B of the right-hand wall portion 52. The right-hand expanding element 55 is plate-shaped. The right-hand expanding element 55 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is vertical, its short direction is front-to-back, and its thickness direction is horizontal.

[0152] [Fig.8A] is a perspective view of the first heat exchanger 41 as seen from the right side of the first heat exchanger 41 in [Fig.7], and [Fig.8B] is a perspective view of the first heat exchanger 41 as seen from the left side of the first heat exchanger 4L. [Fig.8C] is a cross-sectional view VIII-VIII of [Fig.8A].

[0153] The first heat exchanger 41, by way of example of the thermal conduction part, is provided with a supply / receiving part 411 and a heat exchange part 412.

[0154] The supply / receiving portion 411 supplies and receives the refrigerant. The supply / receiving portion 411 is designed to extend in the front-to-back direction and is hollow in shape. The supply / receiving portion 411 has an opening portion 4111 and a convex portion 4112 on a surface 41 IA on its right side. The supply / receiving portion 411 also has a tube portion 4113 and a concave portion 4114 on a surface 41 IB on its left side.

[0155] The opening portion 4111 and the convex portion 4112 are spaced at a predetermined interval in the front-to-back direction. The tube portion 4113 and the concave portion 4114 are spaced at a predetermined interval in the front-to-back direction.

[0156] The opening portion 4111, by way of example of a receiving portion, is provided at the front relative to the convex portion 4112. In the opening portion 4111, an opening is formed. The opening leads to a hollow portion in the feed / receiving portion 411.

[0157] The convex part 4112 protrudes from the right-hand side surface 41 IA of the feed / receive part 411. The convex part 4112 is made in a columnar shape.

[0158] The tube portion 4113, by way of example of a discharge portion, is provided rearward relative to the concave portion 4114. The tube portion 4113 is provided to project from the left-side surface 41 IB of the inlet / outlet portion 411 and is tubular in shape. The interior of the tube portion 4113 leads to a hollow portion in the inlet / outlet portion 411.

[0159] The concave part 4114 is intended to be hollowed out from the left side surface 41 IB of the feed / receive part 411. The hollowing in the concave part 4114 is made in a columnar shape.

[0160] The heat exchange portion 412 is plate-shaped. The heat exchange portion 412 has openings inside it, and the refrigerant can flow through portions of these openings. The openings inside the heat exchange portion 412 lead to a hollow portion in the supply / receiving portion 411. The heat exchange portion 412 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is vertical, its short direction is front-to-back, and its thickness direction is horizontal.

[0161] The thickness of the heat exchange portion 412 is preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 4 mm. If the thickness of the heat exchange portion 412 is less than 0.5 mm, the refrigerant flow path inside the heat exchange portion 412 becomes narrower; consequently, the pressure loss when the refrigerant flows inside the heat exchange portion 412 is increased, and the cooling performance of the first heat exchanger 41 deteriorates. Furthermore, if the thickness of the heat exchange portion 412 is greater than 4 mm, the amount of refrigerant flowing inside the heat exchange portion 412 is increased; Consequently, the heat flow moving from the battery cells 100 to the heat exchange part 412 becomes excessively large and the battery cells 100 are in some cases overcooled.In this case, there is a risk of decreased energy density of battery module 1. Additionally, there is a risk of increased weight of battery module 1 due to the increased amount of refrigerant included in the heat exchange part 412.

[0162] The heat exchange part 412 is provided with a housing 4121 and flow path forming parts 4122.

[0163] The flow path forming portions 4122 are provided inside the housing 4121 to form a flow path for the refrigerant. As shown in [Fig. 8C], the heat exchange portion 412 is provided with seven Flow path forming parts 4122. The flow path forming parts 4122 are designed to extend in the vertical direction. The seven flow path forming parts 4122 are arranged in a line at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction.

[0164] The supply / receiving section 411 receives the refrigerant from the supply unit (not shown) intended to supply the refrigerant through the opening section 4111. The refrigerant received by the supply / receiving section 411 enters the heat exchange section 412 from the inside of the supply / receiving section 411 in order to flow between the casing 4121 and the flow path forming section 4122, or between adjacent flow path forming sections 4122. When the refrigerant is stored inside the first heat exchanger 41, a portion of the stored refrigerant is discharged from the first heat exchanger 41 through the tube section 4113.

[0165] Fig. 9A is a perspective view of the second heat exchanger 42 as seen from the right side of the second heat exchanger 42 in Fig. 7, and Fig. 9B is a perspective view of the second heat exchanger 42 as seen from the left side of the second heat exchanger 42. Figures 9C and 9D illustrate a coupling method of the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42.

[0166] The second heat exchanger 42, by way of example of the thermal conduction part, is provided with a supply / receiving part 421 and a heat exchange part 422.

[0167] The supply / receiving portion 421 supplies and receives the refrigerant. The supply / receiving portion 421 is designed to extend in the front-to-back direction and is hollow in shape. The supply / receiving portion 421 has an opening portion 4211 and a convex portion 4212 on a right-hand side surface 421A thereof. The supply / receiving portion 421 also has a tube portion 4213 and a concave portion 4214 on a left-hand side surface 421B thereof.

[0168] The opening portion 4211 and the convex portion 4212 are spaced at a predetermined interval in the front-to-back direction. The tube portion 4213 and the concave portion 4214 are spaced at a predetermined interval in the front-to-back direction.

[0169] The opening portion 4211, by way of example of a receiving portion, is provided on the rear side of the convex portion 4212. In the opening portion 4211, an opening is formed. The opening leads to a hollow portion of the feed / receiving portion 421.

[0170] The convex part 4212 protrudes from the right-hand side surface 421A of the feed / receive part 421. The convex part 4212 is made in a columnar shape.

[0171] The tube portion 4213, by way of example of a feed portion, is provided on the front side of the concave portion 4214. The tube portion 4213 is provided to project from the left-side surface 421B of the feed / receiving portion 421 and is tubular in shape. The interior of the tube portion 4213 leads to a hollow portion in the feed / receiving portion 421.

[0172] The concave part 4214 is intended to be hollowed out from the left side surface 421B of the feed / receive part 421. The hollowing in the concave part 4214 is made in a columnar shape.

[0173] The heat exchange portion 422, by way of example of the thermal conduction portion, has openings inside it, and the open portions lead to a hollow portion of the supply / receive portion 421. The heat exchange portion 422 has the same configuration as the heat exchange portion 412 of the first heat exchanger 4L. In other words, the heat exchange portion 422 is provided with a housing 4221 and flow path forming portions 4222. The housing 4221 has the same configuration as the housing 4121 of the first heat exchanger 41, and the flow path forming portions 4222 have the same configuration as the flow path forming portions 4122 of the first heat exchanger 4L.

[0174] In what follows, the coupling method of the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42 will be described. In Figures 9C and 9D, the first rightmost heat exchanger 41 is designated as a first right-side heat exchanger 41 and the first leftmost heat exchanger 41 is designated as a first left-side heat exchanger 4L

[0175] The worker performing the work to couple the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42 first inserts the tube portion 4113 into the supply / receipt portion 411 of the first heat exchanger on the right side 41, and then into the opening portion 4211 in the supply / receipt portion 421 of the second heat exchanger 42. At this point, the worker installs the convex portion 4212 of the second heat exchanger 42 into the concave portion 4114 of the first heat exchanger on the right side 41.

[0176] In addition, the worker inserts the tube part 4213 of the second heat exchanger 42 into the opening part 4111 in the supply / receiving part 411 of the first heat exchanger left side 4L At that time, the worker installs the convex part 4112 of the first heat exchanger left side 41 into the concave part 4214 of the second heat exchanger 42.

[0177] Consequently, as shown in [Fig. 9D], the first right-side heat exchanger 41, the second heat exchanger 42, and the first left-side heat exchanger 41 are coupled. At this point, the left-side surface 41 IB of the The first right-side heat exchanger 41 faces the right-side surface 421A of the second heat exchanger 42. The left-side surface 421B of the second heat exchanger 42 faces the right-side surface 411A of the first left-side heat exchanger 41.

[0178] Thus, in the embodiment example, the first heat exchangers 41 and the second heat exchanger 42 are arranged to be arranged alternately in line in the horizontal direction.

[0179] When the refrigerant is stored inside the first right-side heat exchanger 41, the refrigerant is fed into the second heat exchanger 42 from the tube portion 4113 of the first right-side heat exchanger 41 through the opening portion 4211 of the second heat exchanger 42. Furthermore, when the refrigerant is stored inside the second heat exchanger 42, the refrigerant is fed into the first left-side heat exchanger 41 from the tube portion 4213 of the second heat exchanger 42 through the opening portion 4111 of the first left-side heat exchanger 4L. In this way, the refrigerant flows into each of the exchangers between the first heat exchangers 41 and the second heat exchanger 42 that have been coupled.

[0180] Fig. 10 represents the battery module 1 in a configuration where the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40 are contained within the containing element 50.

[0181] In the embodiment example, the battery cells 100, the heat exchange parts 412 of the first heat exchangers 41 and the heat exchange parts 422 of the second heat exchangers 42 are arranged to be arranged alternately in a line in the horizontal direction. The supply / receiving parts 411 of the first heat exchangers 41 and the supply / receiving parts 421 of the first heat exchangers 42 are positioned above the battery cells 100. On the right side of the supply / receiving part 411 in the first rightmost heat exchanger 41, the front opening part 521 is positioned in the right wall part 52 of the container element 50. On the left side of the tube part 4213 in the second leftmost heat exchanger 42, the front opening part 511 is positioned in the left wall part 51 of the container element 50.

[0182] In the exemplary embodiment, one end of a tubular supply element Su, which supplies the refrigerant, passes through the inside of the front-side opening 521 in the right-hand wall portion 52 to be connected to the opening 4111 (see [Fig. 8A]) of the first right-hand heat exchanger 4L. The refrigerant flowing through the supply element Su is fed into the first right-hand heat exchanger 41 via the portion opening 4111 of the first rightmost heat exchanger 41. When the refrigerant supply continues, the refrigerant flows to the left through the first heat exchangers 41 and the second heat exchangers 42 which have been coupled.

[0183] In the exemplary embodiment, one end of a discharge element Di, made tubular in shape and discharging the refrigerant, passes through the inside of the front-side opening 511 in the left wall part 51 to be connected to the tube part 4213 of the second leftmost heat exchanger 42. Then the refrigerant flows from the tube part 4213 of the second leftmost heat exchanger 42 to the discharge element Di; in this way, the refrigerant is discharged from the battery module 1.

[0184] In the exemplary embodiment, identically to the first exemplary embodiment, the container element 50 can be opened in the horizontal direction before the container element 50 contains the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40. Once the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40 are contained in the container element 50, the container element 50 can be plastically deformed so that the left wall part 51 and the right wall part 52 approach each other in order to bring the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40 into intimate contact and to bring the container element 50 and the battery cells 100 into intimate contact.

[0185] As described above, the embodiment includes first heat exchangers 41 and second heat exchangers 42 designed to allow the refrigerant to flow inside them, a receiving portion receiving the refrigerant, and a discharge portion discharging the refrigerant. Examples of the receiving portion include the opening portion 4111 of the first heat exchanger 41 and the opening portion 4211 of the second heat exchanger 42. Examples of the discharge portion include the tube portion 4113 of the first heat exchanger 41 and the tube portion 4213 of the second heat exchanger 42. The tube portion 4113 of the first heat exchanger 41 is connected to the opening portion 4211 of the second heat exchanger 42.

[0186] The present case may eliminate the need to provide separately a configuration for connecting the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42 and a configuration for supplying the refrigerant inside the first heat exchanger 41 to the second heat exchanger 42.

[0187] (Modified example of the clamping element)

[0188] In the example described above, it was described that the battery cells and the cooling means were pressed together by means of the container element. The element of clamping intended to press battery cells or the cooling means is not limited to the containing element.

[0189] Fig. IIA represents a clamping means 60. Fig. IIB represents a configuration in which the clamping means 60 press the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40.

[0190] As shown in [Fig. 1 IB], the modified example battery module 1 is provided with clamping means 60. Clamping means 60 presses the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40.

[0191] The clamping means 60 is provided with two clamping elements 61. The two clamping elements 61 are arranged to face each other in the front-to-back direction. The clamping element 61 is provided with a plate-shaped portion 62 and a bar-shaped portion 63.

[0192] The plate-shaped portion 62 is formed in the shape of a plate. The plate-shaped portion 62 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is horizontal, its short direction is vertical, and its thickness direction is front-to-back. The plate-shaped portion 62 has four opening portions 621. Two of the four opening portions 621 are provided on the upper end portion of the plate-shaped portion 62 with a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction. The other two of the four opening portions 621 are provided on the lower end portion of the plate-shaped portion 62 with a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction. In each opening portion 621, an opening is formed from the front surface 62A to the rear surface 62B of the plate-shaped portion 62.

[0193] The bar-shaped portion 63 is connected to the right-hand end of the plate-shaped portion 62. The bar-shaped portion 63 is designed to extend vertically and is rectangular in shape. The bar-shaped portion 63 is thicker than the plate-shaped portion 62 in the front-to-back direction. The bar-shaped portion 63 has two opening portions 631. The two opening portions 631 are spaced at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction of the bar-shaped portion 63. In each opening portion 631, an opening is formed from the front surface 63A to the rear surface 63B of the bar-shaped portion 63.

[0194] The clamping means 60 is provided with four pins P and eight nuts N. In each of the four pins P, male threads (not shown) are formed at the ends of the two end portions.

[0195] In the modified examples, the battery cells 100, the first heat exchangers 41 and the second heat exchangers 42 are arranged to be connected alternately in line in the front-to-back direction. The battery cells 100, the first heat exchangers 41 and the second heat exchangers 42 are arranged such that their longitudinal direction is in the horizontal direction, their short direction is in the vertical direction and their thickness direction is in the front-to-back direction.

[0196] The two clamping elements 61 are arranged to sandwich the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40. More specifically, the plate-shaped portions 62 of the two clamping elements 61 are arranged to sandwich the battery cells 100, the heat exchange portions 412 of the first heat exchangers 41 and the heat exchange portions 422 of the second heat exchangers 42. The bar-shaped portions 63 of the two clamping elements 61 are arranged to sandwich the supply / receiving portions 411 of the first heat exchangers 41 and the supply / receiving portions 421 of the second heat exchangers 42.

[0197] In the state where the two clamping elements 61 sandwich the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40, the pins P are inserted into the four opening portions 621 provided in each plate-shaped portion 62 and the two end portions of each pin P are tightly fixed with the nuts N. In this case, the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40 are pressed by the two clamping elements 61. Consequently, the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40 are brought into intimate contact, and the clamping means 60 and the battery cells 100 are brought into intimate contact.

[0198] One end of a tubular supply element (not shown) supplying the refrigerant is connected to the opening 4111 (see [Fig.8A]) of the first forward heat exchanger 41 via the opening 631 provided on the bar-shaped portion 63 of the front-side clamping element 61. The refrigerant flowing inside the supply element is fed into the first forward heat exchanger 41 via the opening 4111 of the first forward heat exchanger 4L. When the refrigerant supply continues, the refrigerant flows backward through the first heat exchangers 41 and the second heat exchangers 42 which have been coupled.

[0199] One end of a discharge element (not shown) made of tubular form and discharging the coolant is connected to the tube portion 4213 (see [Fig. 9B]) of the second rearmost heat exchanger 42 via the opening portion 631 provided on the bar-shaped portion 63 of the rear-side clamping element 61. The coolant then flows from the tube portion 4213 of the second heat exchanger. of heat from the leftmost 42 to the discharge element; in this way, the refrigerant is discharged from battery module 1.

[0200] Thus, the battery module 1 can be used in which the battery cells 100 and the cooling means 40 are sandwiched by the clamping means 60. Even in this case, it is possible to avoid increasing the size of the battery module 1 in the direction where the first heat exchangers 41 and the second heat exchangers 42 are arranged in line.

[0201] Examples of embodiments according to the present invention have been described so far, However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the embodiments described above. It will become clear from the following claims that various modifications and improvements to the aforementioned embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. List of reference signs

[0202] 1 Battery Module

[0203] 10 Battery cell

[0204] 20 Cooling means

[0205] 21 Fin

[0206] 22 Cooling hose

[0207] 23 Lid element

[0208] 24 Cooling element

[0209] 30 Container element

[0210] 34 Left-expandable element

[0211] 35 Right-expandable element

[0212] 40 Cooling means

[0213] 41 First heat exchanger

[0214] 42 Second heat exchanger

[0215] 50 Container element

[0216] 60 Clamping means

[0217] 61 Clamping element

[0218] 100 Battery cell

Claims

Demands

1. Battery module comprising: a plurality of batteries arranged in line in a first direction; a thermal conduction element comprising a plurality of thermal conduction parts arranged in line in the first direction, each being disposed between two batteries among the plurality of batteries to transfer heat from the batteries; and a clamping element comprising wall parts provided at one end side and the other end side of the plurality of batteries and the plurality of thermal conduction parts in the first direction, the wall parts being provided along a direction intersecting the first direction, the wall part at the first end side and the wall part at the other end side pressing the plurality of batteries and the plurality of thermal conduction parts,wherein the clamping element further comprises a support portion provided from the wall portion at the first end side to the wall portion at the other end side in order to support the plurality of batteries, wherein the thermal conduction element further comprises a rod-type element made in the shape of a hollow rod in order to form a refrigerant flow path, and a connecting portion, to a first side of which the thermal conduction portions are connected and to the other side of which the rod-type element is connected, and wherein the connecting portion is disposed on the other side of the plurality of batteries relative to the support portion.

2. Battery module according to claim 1, further comprising: an elastic element having elasticity and fixed to a portion of the wall part at the first end side, the portion facing the other end side.

3. Battery module according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the connecting part to be brought into contact with the rod-type element is formed to follow an external shape of the rod-type element.

4. Battery module according to claim 1, wherein Each of the thermal conduction parts includes a curved part which is curved, a first part adjacent to the curved part and provided on a first side of the curved part and a second part adjacent to the curved part and provided on a side of the curved part opposite to the first side, the connecting part includes a concave part which is hollow, and, in a state where the curved part is inserted into the concave part, portions of the first part and the second part entered inside the concave part exert a pressure in the concave part.

5. Battery module according to claim 1, wherein the connecting part and the plurality of thermal conduction parts are formed as a single unit.

6. Battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of thermal conduction parts is provided with the linking part.

7. Battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of thermal conduction parts is provided to permit the refrigerant to flow inside them and comprises a receiving part receiving the refrigerant and a discharge part discharging the refrigerant and the discharge part of one of the thermal conduction parts is connected to the receiving part of another of the thermal conduction parts.

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