Battery module

Abstract

To provide a battery module that can improve the cooling efficiency between a battery cell and a cooler while ensuring insulation between the battery cell and the cooler.SOLUTION: A battery module 10 according to the present disclosure includes a battery cell 1, a cooler 2 that cools the battery cell 1, an insulator 3 provided between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2, and a thermal conductor 4 provided between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The insulator 3 has a perforated portion 3a, and the thermal conductor 4 fills the perforated portion 3a and has insulating properties.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The battery module disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a battery cell, an insulating layer, a thermally conductive sheet, and a cooling unit. The insulating layer is provided on the entire bottom surface of the battery cell. The thermally conductive sheet is in contact with the lower surface of the insulating layer. The cooling unit cools the entire bottom surface of the battery cell via the insulating layer and the thermally conductive sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 066060 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present inventors have discovered the following problems. In such a battery module, heat is transferred from the battery cells to the entire area of ​​the main surface of the thermally conductive sheet through the insulating layer. The insulating layer electrically insulates the battery cells from the thermally conductive sheet. In many cases, the insulating layer has poorer thermal conductivity than the thermally conductive sheet. Therefore, there is room for consideration on the cooling efficiency between the cooling unit and the battery cells. In other words, it is desired to improve the cooling efficiency between the cooler and the battery cells while ensuring insulation between the battery cells and the thermally conductive sheet.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a battery module that can improve the cooling efficiency between the battery cells and the cooler while ensuring insulation between the battery cells and the cooler. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The battery module according to the present disclosure includes: Battery cells and A cooler that cools the battery cells; an insulator provided between the battery cell and the cooler; a thermal conductor provided between the battery cell and the cooler, The insulator has a perforated portion, The thermal conductor fills the perforated portion, The thermal conductor has insulating properties.

[0007] In the above-mentioned battery module, the cooler has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction, The piercing portions are arranged at intervals in a short direction intersecting the long direction, and have a shape extending in the long direction, The distance between the hole punching portions aligned in the short side direction near the center in the short side direction may be smaller than the distance between the hole punching portions aligned in the short side direction at the ends in the short side direction.

[0008] In the above-mentioned battery module, the cooler has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction, The piercing portions are arranged at intervals in a short direction intersecting the long direction, and have a shape extending in the long direction, An area of ​​the hole piercing portion arranged at the center in the short side direction may be larger than an area of ​​the hole piercing portion arranged at an end portion in the short side direction.

[0009] In the above-mentioned battery module, the cooler has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction, The piercing portions are arranged in the longitudinal direction at intervals and have a shape extending in a short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, The interval between the hole punching portions aligned in the short side direction near the center in the longitudinal direction may be smaller than the interval between the hole punching portions aligned in the short side direction at the end portions in the longitudinal direction.

[0010] In the above-mentioned battery module, the cooler has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction, The piercing portions are arranged in the longitudinal direction at intervals and have a shape extending in a short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, An area of ​​the perforation portion arranged at the center in the longitudinal direction may be larger than an area of ​​the perforation portion arranged at an end portion in the longitudinal direction. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency between the battery cell and the cooler while ensuring insulation between the battery cell and the cooler. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery module according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a view of a main part of the battery module according to the first embodiment as viewed from the direction of arrow II. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the battery module taken along line III-III. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of an insulator. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of an insulator. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a third modified example of an insulator. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth modified example of the insulator. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a fifth modified example of an insulator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, the following description and drawings are appropriately simplified for clarity of explanation.

[0014] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a front side of a battery module according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a view of a main part of the battery module shown in Fig. 1 as seen from an arrow II. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the battery module taken along the cutting line III-III shown in Fig. 1.

[0015] Naturally, the right-handed XYZ coordinate system shown in Figure 1 and other drawings is for the convenience of explaining the positional relationship of the components. Usually, the positive direction of the Z axis is vertically upward, and the XY plane is a horizontal plane, which is common among the drawings.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a battery module 10 includes a battery cell 1, a cooler 2, an insulator 3, and a thermal conductor 4.

[0017] The battery cell 1 is, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery, and specifically may be an all-solid-state lithium ion secondary battery. The battery module 10 may include one or more battery cells 1.

[0018] The cooler 2 cools the battery cell 1. One example of the cooler 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a box-shaped body. The box-shaped body is made of a metal material and has a flow path 2a therein through which a cooling medium can flow. The cooler 2 may have a shape extending in the longitudinal direction (here, the X-axis direction). The cooler 2 may be supplied with a cooling medium as appropriate. The cooler 2 may have an opposing surface 2b that faces one surface 1a of the battery cell 1 with an insulator 3 and a thermal conductor 4 interposed therebetween.

[0019] The insulator 3 is provided between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The insulator 3 may be in close contact with the cooler 2. The insulator 3 is made of an insulating material having electrical insulation properties. Examples of insulating materials include polyethylene terephthalate and rubber. An example of the insulator 3 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 extends in a film or sheet shape on the opposing surface 2b of the cooler 2. The insulator 3 may cover substantially the entire area of ​​the opposing surface 2b of the cooler 2. The insulator 3 may be formed by applying an insulating material. As shown in Fig. 2, the insulator 3 has perforated portions 3a, 3b, and 3c. The perforated portions 3a, 3b, and 3c have a shape extending in the longitudinal direction (here, the X-axis direction) of the cooler 2, for example, a substantially rectangular shape. The perforated portions 3a, 3b, and 3c are arranged at intervals from each other in a short-side direction (here, the Y-axis direction) intersecting the longitudinal direction. The perforations 3a, 3b, and 3c may penetrate the insulator 3. In other words, the perforations 3a, 3b, and 3c may penetrate the insulator 3 from the surface on the cooler 2 side to the surface on the battery cell 1 side.

[0020] The thermal conductor 4 fills the perforated portions 3a, 3b, and 3c of the insulator 3. The thermal conductor 4 is provided between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The thermal conductor 4 may be in close contact with the insulator 3 and one surface 1a of the battery cell 1. An example of the thermal conductor 4 shown in FIG. 3 includes protruding portions 4a, 4b, and 4c that fill the perforated portions 3a, 3b, and 3c, respectively. The protruding portions 4a, 4b, and 4c protrude toward the cooler 2 (here, in the negative direction of the Z axis) and contact or are in close contact with the cooler 2. The thermal conductor 4 and the insulator 3 may be compressed by the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The thermal conductor 4 may thermally couple the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The thermal conductor 4 has insulating properties. The thermal conductor 4 may be made of, for example, a material that has electrical insulation and thermal conductivity. Examples of such materials include silicone, acrylic, and ceramic. The thermal conductor 4 may be formed by applying such a material to the insulator 3. The thermal conductor 4 may have, for example, a sheet shape.

[0021] As described above, according to the configuration of the battery module 10, the insulator 3 and the thermal conductor 4 are provided between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The insulator 3 and the thermal conductor 4 have insulating properties. These ensure insulation between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. The thermal conductor 4 also fills the perforated portions 3a, 3b, and 3c of the insulator 3 and comes into contact with the cooler 2. This increases the thermal conductivity between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2. This makes it possible to improve the cooling efficiency between the battery cell 1 and the cooler 2.

[0022] Next, various modified examples of the battery module 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 8. Each modified example of the battery module 10 has the same configuration as the battery module 10 shown in Fig. 1, except for the insulator. Figs. 4 to 8 each show various modified examples of the insulator 3 shown in Fig. 2. The thermal conductor 4 of each modified example of the battery module 10 has a shape corresponding to the respective insulator.

[0023] <First Modification> The first modified example of the battery module 10 includes an insulator 13 shown in FIG. 4. The insulator 13 has perforated portions 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e. The perforated portions 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e are arranged at intervals from each other in a short direction (here, the Y-axis direction) that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the cooler 2. The perforated portions 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e each have a shape that extends in the longitudinal direction, for example, a substantially rectangular shape. It is preferable that the perforated portions 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e have substantially the same width and area.

[0024] The hole punching portions 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e are arranged in this order in the short side direction. The hole punching portion 13c is arranged in the center in the short side direction. The hole punching portions 13a and 13e are arranged at the ends in the short side direction. The hole punching portions 13b, 13c, and 13d are arranged near the center in the short side direction. The hole punching portions 13a and 13b are arranged at the ends in the short side direction. The hole punching portions 13d and 13e are arranged at the ends in the short side direction.

[0025] The interval between the hole punching portions 13b, 13c, and 13d arranged near the center in the short side direction is smaller than the interval between the hole punching portions 13a, 13b, 13d, and 13e arranged at the ends in the short side direction. Specifically, the interval S1b between the hole punching portion 13b and the hole punching portion 13c is smaller than the interval S1a between the hole punching portion 13a and the hole punching portion 13b. The interval S1c between the hole punching portion 13c and the hole punching portion 13d is smaller than the interval S1d between the hole punching portion 13d and the hole punching portion 13e. The interval S1b is smaller than the interval S1d. The interval S1c is smaller than the interval S1a.

[0026] As described above, according to the configuration of the first modified example of the battery module 10, the interval between the perforated portions 13b, 13c, and 13d arranged near the center in the short side direction is smaller than the interval between the perforated portions 13a, 13b, 13d, and 13e arranged near the ends in the short side direction. Therefore, in the insulator 13, the concentration of the perforated portions is higher near the center in the short side direction than at the ends in the short side direction. In addition, the heat conductor 4 (not shown) fills the perforated portions 13a to 13e of the insulator 13 and contacts the cooler 2. Therefore, the cooling efficiency can be further improved near the center in the short side direction. The center of the surface 1a of the battery module 10 shown in FIG. 1 tends to be more easily concentrated with heat than the ends, so that the battery module 10 can be cooled favorably.

[0027] <Second Modification> The second modified example of the battery module 10 includes an insulator 23 shown in FIG. 5. The insulator 23 has perforated portions 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e. The perforated portions 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e are arranged at intervals from each other in a short direction (here, the Y-axis direction) intersecting the longitudinal direction of the cooler 2. The intervals between the perforated portions 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e may be approximately the same. The perforated portions 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e have a shape extending in the longitudinal direction, for example, a substantially rectangular shape.

[0028] The hole punching portions 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e are arranged in this order in the short side direction. The hole punching portion 23c is disposed in the center in the short side direction. The hole punching portions 23a and 23e are disposed at the ends in the short side direction.

[0029] The area of ​​the hole punching portion 23c arranged at the center in the short side direction is larger than the area of ​​the hole punching portions 23a and 23e arranged at the ends in the short side direction. The areas of the hole punching portions 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e may be larger in the order from the center to the ends in the short side direction. Specifically, the areas of the hole punching portions 23c, 23b, and 23a may be larger in this order. The areas of the hole punching portions 23c, 23d, and 23e may be larger in this order.

[0030] As described above, according to the configuration of the second modified example of the battery module 10, the area of ​​the perforated portion 23c arranged at the center in the short side direction of the insulator 13 is larger than the area of ​​the perforated portions 23a, 23e arranged at the ends in the short side direction. In addition, the thermal conductor 4 (not shown) fills the perforated portions 23a to 23e of the insulator 23 and contacts the cooler 2. Therefore, the cooling efficiency can be further improved near the center in the short side direction. The center of the surface 1a of the battery module 10 shown in FIG. 1 tends to be more easily concentrated with heat than the ends, and therefore can be suitably cooled.

[0031] <Third Modification> The third modified battery module 10 has the same configuration as the first modified battery module 10, except for the extending direction of the perforated portions and the arranging direction of the perforated portions. The third modified battery module 10 has an insulator 33 shown in FIG. 6. The insulator 33 has perforated portions 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e, 33f, 33g, 33h, and 33i. The perforated portions 33a to 33i are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the cooler 2 (here, the X-axis direction). The perforated portions 33a to 33i have a shape extending in the longitudinal direction, for example, a substantially rectangular shape. It is preferable that the perforated portions 33a to 33i have substantially the same width and area.

[0032] The holed portions 33a to 33i are arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction. The holed portion 33e is arranged in the center in the longitudinal direction. The holed portions 33a and 33i are arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction. The holed portions 33d, 33e, and 33f are arranged near the center in the longitudinal direction. The holed portions 33a and 33b are arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction. The holed portions 33h and 33i are arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0033] The interval between the hole punching portions 33d, 33e, and 33f arranged near the center in the longitudinal direction is smaller than the interval between the hole punching portions 33a, 33b, 33h, and 33i arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the interval S3d between the hole punching portion 33d and the hole punching portion 33e is smaller than the interval S3a between the hole punching portion 33a and the hole punching portion 33b. The interval S3e between the hole punching portion 33e and the hole punching portion 33f is smaller than the interval S3h between the hole punching portion 33h and the hole punching portion 33i. The interval S3d is smaller than the interval S3h. The interval S3e is smaller than the interval S3a.

[0034] The intervals between the perforated portions 33a-33i should be greater in the order from the end to the center in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the interval S3a, the interval S3b between the perforated portions 33b and 33c, the interval S3c between the perforated portions 33c and 33d, and the interval S3d should be greater in this order. The interval S3h, the interval S3g between the perforated portions 33g and 33h, the interval S3f between the perforated portions 33f and 33g, and the interval S3e should be greater in this order.

[0035] As described above, according to the configuration of the third modified example of the battery module 10, the intervals between the perforated portions 33d, 33e, and 33f arranged near the center in the longitudinal direction are smaller than the intervals between the perforated portions 33a, 33b, 33h, and 33i arranged near the ends in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the concentration of the perforated portions is higher near the center in the longitudinal direction of the insulator 33 than at the ends in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the heat conductor 4 (not shown) fills the perforated portions 33a to 33i of the insulator 33 and contacts the cooler 2. Therefore, the cooling efficiency can be further improved near the center in the longitudinal direction. The center of the surface 1a of the battery module 10 tends to be more easily concentrated with heat than the ends, so that the battery module 10 can be cooled more effectively.

[0036] <Fourth modified example> The fourth modified battery module 10 has the same configuration as the second modified battery module 10, except for the extending direction of the perforated portions and the arranging direction of the perforated portions. The fourth modified battery module 10 has an insulator 43 shown in FIG. 7. The insulator 43 has perforated portions 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, 43f, 43g, 43h, and 43i. The perforated portions 43a to 43i are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the cooler 2 (here, the X-axis direction). The intervals between the perforated portions 43a to 43i may be approximately the same. The perforated portions 43a to 43i have a shape extending in the short side direction, for example, a substantially rectangular shape.

[0037] The perforated portions 43a to 43i are arranged in the stated order in the longitudinal direction. The perforated portion 43e is disposed in the center in the longitudinal direction. The perforated portions 43a and 43i are disposed at the ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0038] The area of ​​the holed portion 43e arranged at the center in the longitudinal direction is larger than the area of ​​the holed portions 43a and 43i arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction. The areas of the holed portions 43a to 43i may be larger in the order from the center to the ends in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the areas of the holed portions 43e, 43d, 43c, 43b, and 43a are larger in this order. The areas of the holed portions 43e, 43f, 43g, 43h, and 43i are larger in this order.

[0039] As described above, according to the configuration of the fourth modified example of the battery module 10, the area of ​​the perforated portion 43e arranged in the center in the longitudinal direction of the insulator 43 is larger than the area of ​​the perforated portions 43a, 43i arranged at the ends in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the thermal conductor 4 (not shown) fills the perforated portions 43a to 23i of the insulator 43 and contacts the cooler 2. Therefore, the cooling efficiency can be further improved near the center in the longitudinal direction. The center of the surface 1a of the battery module 10 tends to be more prone to heat concentration compared to the ends, and therefore can be cooled favorably.

[0040] <Fifth modified example> The fifth modified example of the battery module 10 includes an insulator 53 shown in FIG. 8. The insulator 53 has perforated portions 3ab and 3bc. The perforated portions 3a, 3b, 3c, 3ab, and 3bc are continuous and extend along a single line. The perforated portion 3ab connects the perforated portion 3a to the perforated portion 3b. The perforated portion 3bc connects the perforated portion 3b to the perforated portion 3c.

[0041] Specifically, the hole punching portion 3ab extends from one end of the hole punching portion 3a to one end of the hole punching portion 3b, and connects one end of the hole punching portion 3a to one end of the hole punching portion 3b. The hole punching portion 3ab extends from one end of the hole punching portion 3a in the short-side direction of the cooler 2 (here, the Y-axis direction). The hole punching portion 3bc extends from the other end of the hole punching portion 3b to the other end of the hole punching portion 3c, and connects the other end of the hole punching portion 3b to the other end of the hole punching portion 3c. The hole punching portion 3bc extends from the other end of the hole punching portion 3b in the short-side direction of the cooler 2.

[0042] As described above, in the fifth modified example of the battery module 10 described above, similarly to the battery module 10 shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency between the battery cells 1 and the cooler 2 while ensuring insulation between the battery cells 1 and the cooler 2.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention may be implemented by appropriately combining the above embodiment and examples thereof. For example, the thermal conductor 4, the insulator 3, and the cooler 2 may be arranged on a surface other than the surface 1a of the battery cell 1. In other words, the battery module 10 may have a plurality of surfaces on which the thermal conductor 4, the insulator 3, and the cooler 2 are arranged. The number of perforation parts is not limited, and may be one or more. In other words, the battery module 10 has the perforation parts 3a, 3b, and 3c, but it is preferable to have at least one perforation part. Similarly, each modified example of the battery module 10 may have at least one perforation part. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] Battery Module 10 Battery cell 1 cooler 2 Channel 2a Opposite surface 2b Insulator 3, 13, 23, 33, 43, 53 Hole holes 3a~3c, 3ab, 3bc, 13a~13e, 23a~23e, 33a~33i, 43a~43i, Thermal conductor 4, 4a, 4b, 4c Intervals S1a~S1d, S3a~S3h

Claims

1. A battery cell; A cooler that cools the battery cells; an insulator provided between the battery cell and the cooler; a thermal conductor provided between the battery cell and the cooler, The insulator has a perforated portion, The thermal conductor fills the perforated portion, The thermal conductor has insulating properties. Battery module.

2. The cooler has a longitudinally extending shape, The piercing portions are arranged at intervals in a short direction intersecting the long direction, and have a shape extending in the long direction, a distance between the hole punching portions arranged in the short side direction near a center in the short side direction is smaller than a distance between the hole punching portions arranged in the short side direction at an end portion in the short side direction; The battery module according to claim 1 .

3. The cooler has a longitudinally extending shape, The piercing portions are arranged at intervals in a short direction intersecting the long direction, and have a shape extending in the long direction, an area of ​​the piercing portion arranged at the center in the short side direction is larger than an area of ​​the piercing portion arranged at the end in the short side direction; The battery module according to claim 1 .

4. The cooler has a longitudinally extending shape, The piercing portions are arranged in the longitudinal direction at intervals and have a shape extending in a short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, a distance between the hole punching portions arranged in the short side direction near the center in the longitudinal direction is smaller than a distance between the hole punching portions arranged in the short side direction at an end portion in the longitudinal direction; The battery module according to claim 1 .

5. The cooler has a longitudinally extending shape, The piercing portions are arranged in the longitudinal direction at intervals and have a shape extending in a short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, an area of ​​the piercing portion arranged at the center in the longitudinal direction is larger than an area of ​​the piercing portion arranged at the end in the longitudinal direction; The battery module according to claim 1 .

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