Temperature regulator

Abstract

To provide a temperature regulator that can be easily assembled with a reduced number of components.SOLUTION: The temperature regulator includes a lateral frame 15 through which fluid L flows internally, and multiple heat exchange plates 16 that regulate the temperature of the side surfaces of cells 11 in a first direction via heat exchange with the fluid L supplied from the lateral frame 15. The lateral frame 15 has a fitting recess Pa. Each heat exchange plate 16 has a fitting projection Qa that fits into the fitting recess Pa. In the fitted connection state in which the fitting projection Qa is fitted into the fitting recess Pa, the fluid L is supplied from the lateral frame 15 to the heat exchange plates 16 via a fitting connection portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature regulator. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, automobiles equipped with electric motors as a driving source (such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)) have become widespread. These electric automobiles are equipped with batteries that drive the electric motors.

[0003] Batteries installed in electric vehicles have a configuration in which a battery module having multiple battery cells is housed in a container. As a result, heat generated during use of the battery is not released to the outside of the container, causing the temperature inside the container to rise and leading to battery deterioration. Therefore, technologies for cooling batteries have been studied, as described in Patent Document 1.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a device for cooling a battery mounted on a vehicle. This device has a plurality of battery cells arranged in a plurality of rows, with water-cooled plate assemblies arranged adjacent to each of the battery cells arranged in a row, and these are housed in a case.

[0005] Each of the water-cooled plate assemblies has a coolant supply section at one end in the longitudinal direction, and the supply sections are connected by a supply-side tubular member. Each of the water-cooled plate assemblies has a coolant discharge section at the other end in the longitudinal direction, and the discharge sections are connected by a discharge-side tubular member.

[0006] The water-cooled plate assembly in Patent Document 1 has three channels inside that allow cooling fluid to flow longitudinally, and has a structure in which the cooling liquid supplied from a supply section at one longitudinal end is turned around at the other longitudinal end and sent toward the supply section, and the turned-around cooling water is turned around again and sent out from the discharge section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 114665188 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In order to adjust the temperature of multiple battery cells, as described in Patent Document 1, it is desirable to place a heat exchange unit (a water-cooled plate assembly in Patent Document 1) near each of the multiple battery cells and perform heat exchange by supplying a temperature-regulating fluid to the heat exchange unit.

[0009] However, as described in Patent Document 1, the supply section at one end of the heat exchange section for heat exchange is connected to form a tubular flow path, and the discharge section at the other end of the heat exchange section is connected to form a tubular flow path, which leads to a complex structure and an increase in the number of parts.

[0010] In particular, there is a concern that the process of assembling a flow path for temperature control using a plurality of parts will become complicated and the time required for assembly will become longer.

[0011] For these reasons, there is a demand for a temperature regulator that has a small number of parts and is easy to assemble. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A characteristic configuration of the temperature regulator of the present invention is a temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of a battery having a battery module with a plurality of cells arranged along a first direction, and includes a side frame through which a fluid flows, and a plurality of heat exchange plates that regulate the temperature of the side surfaces of the cells in the first direction by heat exchange with the fluid supplied from the side frame, wherein the side frame has a mating recess, the heat exchange plate has a mating protrusion that fits into the mating recess, and the fluid is supplied from the side frame to the heat exchange plate via the mating connection part that is in a mating connection state in which the mating protrusion is fitted into the mating recess.

[0013] According to this configuration, by fitting the fitting protrusions of the heat exchanger plate into the fitting recesses of the side frames, the side frames and the heat exchanger plate can be fitted together without the need for connecting tubular flow paths, thereby making effective use of the side frames to ensure battery space. Furthermore, in this fitted and connected state, fluid flowing through the side frames can be supplied to the heat exchanger plate through the fitting connections, allowing the temperature of multiple cells to be adjusted. Therefore, a temperature regulator with a small number of parts is constructed, which is easy to assemble. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the body frame and the battery. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 3 is a side view of the side frame as seen from the direction indicated by the line VV in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a side frame, an end of a heat exchange plate, and a part of a case body. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a mating recess and a mating protrusion in a mated state. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a temperature regulator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of a battery installed in a vehicle will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0016] [Basic configuration] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a car A that can run on electricity is constructed by supporting left and right front wheels 1 and left and right rear wheels 2 on a body frame F made of steel, with a battery B in the center of the body frame F and a drive unit 3 at the front of the body frame F that drives the front wheels 1.

[0017] The drive unit 3 includes an electric motor for driving the vehicle, an inverter that controls the power supplied from the battery B to the electric motor, reduction gears that transmit the driving force of the electric motor to the left and right front wheels 1, and a housing that accommodates these components. The drive unit 3 may be disposed at the rear of the vehicle body so as to apply driving force to the rear wheels 2, or may be disposed at positions at the front or rear of the vehicle so as to drive the front wheels 1 and the rear wheels 2 separately.

[0018] The automobile A is configured as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), or the like.

[0019] 1 and 2, the body frame F is disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle body and includes left and right front side members 5 at the front of the vehicle body, left and right rocker frames 6 at the center of the vehicle body, and left and right rear side members 7 at the rear of the vehicle body. Also, impact absorbing frames 8 are provided below the left and right rocker frames 6 so as to overlap each rocker frame 6.

[0020] The impact absorbing frame 8 is made entirely of aluminum and has multiple member spaces 8a (see Figure 2) that extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. When the impact absorbing frame 8 comes into contact with, for example, another vehicle or a guardrail, it absorbs the impact by plastically deforming, thereby reducing the impact acting on the occupants and the equipment of the vehicle A.

[0021] [Temperature controller] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, battery B is a rechargeable secondary battery. Battery B contains a plurality of battery cells 11 (an example of a cell) composed of lithium ion batteries or the like housed in a battery case BC. In the following description, the direction along the front-to-rear of the vehicle body is referred to as a first direction X, the direction along the width of the vehicle body is referred to as a second direction Y, and the direction along the top-to-bottom of the vehicle body is referred to as a third direction Z.

[0022] The battery B is configured such that a battery module 11M is formed by arranging a plurality of battery cells 11 (cells) in a row in a first direction X (the front-rear direction of the vehicle body), and the plurality of battery modules 11M are housed in a battery case BC.

[0023] The battery case BC includes a case body 12 that is rectangular in plan view and opens upward, and a lid 13 that closes the opening at the top of the case body 12.

[0024] Battery B maintains high performance by being kept at an appropriate temperature. For example, it has a temperature regulator C that suppresses temperature rise when heat is generated as power is drawn from the battery, and promotes temperature rise when the temperature is low.

[0025] The temperature regulator C includes a side frame 15 that functions as a flow path section P through which a fluid L for temperature regulation flows, and a plurality of heat exchange plates 16 that function as a heat exchange section Q that regulates the temperature of the battery B by heat exchange with the fluid L supplied from the side frame 15.

[0026] The fluid L is a cooling water such as long-life coolant (LLC), insulating oil such as paraffin, or a refrigerant such as hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) or hydrofluoroolefin (HFO). In this embodiment, it is preferable to use a liquid with high electrical insulation such as cooling water such as long-life coolant (LLC) or insulating oil such as paraffin.

[0027] The battery case BC is provided with a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown) for measuring the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells 11. The vehicle body is also provided with a chiller for lowering the temperature of the fluid L, an electric heater for raising the temperature of the fluid L, and the like, and is also provided with a pump (not shown) that can start and stop the supply of the fluid L and control the flow rate during supply.

[0028] The vehicle body is equipped with a temperature control unit (not shown) that functions as an ECU to control the chiller and electric heater based on the measured values ​​of multiple temperature sensors and to control the pump. This control unit realizes control to maintain the battery cells 11 at an appropriate temperature.

[0029] [Temperature controller: side frame] 2 to 7, the side frame 15 (flow path portion P) has a rectangular outer cross-sectional shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction, and is made of a metal material such as aluminum or steel. The side frame 15 is formed so that a supply-side flow path 15F, to which the fluid L is supplied under pressure, and a discharge-side flow path 15E, to which the fluid L is returned, are arranged in parallel in the third direction Z.

[0030] The side frame 15 is disposed on the outside of the left side of the battery case BC in the second direction Y (vehicle width direction) with its longitudinal direction aligned with the first direction. This side frame 15 is used with a pair of side walls oriented vertically (longitudinal) and an upper wall and a lower wall oriented horizontally. Of the pair of side walls of the side frame 15, the one on the inside of the vehicle body in the second direction Y is sometimes referred to as an inner wall 15S1, and the one on the outside of the vehicle body is sometimes referred to as an outer wall 15S2.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 2, the outer surface of the side frame 15 is covered with a heat insulating material 21. A bracket 22 made of steel or the like is provided, which is connected to the upper surface of the left impact absorbing frame 8 in the second direction Y, and the side frame 15 is connected to the bracket 22 with a connecting bolt 10.

[0032] The case body 12 has a support plate 12a formed at a portion connected to the opening at the upper end, which extends outward in the second direction Y. The left portion of this support plate 12a is placed on and attached to a bracket 22 above the side frame 15.

[0033] Additionally, a support frame 23 is connected and fixed to the right impact absorbing frame 8 at a position on the inside of the vehicle body in the second direction Y. The right portion of the support plate 12a is placed and attached to this support frame 23. This determines the position of the case main body 12 in the second direction Y and the third direction Z.

[0034] 2, a buffer member 9 made of rubber, a flexibly deformable resin, or the like is sandwiched between the outer wall 15S2 of the side frame 15 (flow path portion P) and the shock absorbing frame 8. Note that the support frame 23 may be provided with a rubber or resin having a buffer function between the inside of the vehicle body in the second direction Y and the right vertical wall of the case main body 12.

[0035] To enable cushioning by the cushioning member 9, an elastic deformation portion 22a that allows elastic displacement is formed on the bracket 22 at a position on the bracket 22 that is closer to the vehicle body inside the impact absorbing frame 8 and outside the connecting bolt 10. As a result, when an impact is applied, for example, the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion 22a allows the impact absorbing frame 8 to be displaced closer to the side frame 15, and the impact is absorbed by the cushioning member 9, protecting the battery B.

[0036] In order to allow relative displacement between the side frame 15 and the impact absorbing frame 8, a long hole extending in the second direction Y may be formed in the bracket 22 at a location where the connecting bolt 10 is inserted.

[0037] The lid body 13 has a structure in which a portion thereof fits into the upper opening of the case body 12, and a plate portion 13a that protrudes outward in the second direction Y from the upper end of the lid body 13 is integrally formed. As a result, by fitting the lid body 13 into the upper opening of the case body 12 and abutting the plate portion 13a against the upper surface of the support plate 12a, the lid body 13 keeps the upper opening of the case body 12 closed.

[0038] 2 and 6, in order to accommodate the plurality of heat exchange plates 16 inside the battery case BC, the case body 12 is formed with a plurality of slit-shaped openings 12b into which the heat exchange plates 16 can be inserted. Note that the side frames 15 can also be accommodated inside the battery case BC, and in a configuration in which they are accommodated inside the battery case BC, the plurality of heat exchange plates 16 (heat exchange sections Q) are also accommodated in the battery case BC.

[0039] In this embodiment, the side frames 15 may be disposed on the right side of the vehicle body or on both the left and right sides of the vehicle body, regardless of whether they are disposed inside or outside the battery case BC. When the side frames 15 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the vehicle body, a configuration in which the heat exchange plates 16 are formed to protrude from each side frame 15 into the vehicle body may be considered.

[0040] [Temperature controller: heat exchange plate] 2 to 7, the heat exchange plate 16 (heat exchange section Q) is made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper. The base end portion of this heat exchange plate 16 is fitted and connected to the side frame 15 to form an integrated unit, and substantially the entire heat exchange plate 16, excluding the base end portion, is housed in the internal space of the battery case BC through the opening 12b. Details of the fitting and connection will be described later.

[0041] The heat exchange plate 16 is in the form of a plate whose width in the third direction Z is greater than its thickness in the first direction X. A plurality of upstream flow paths 16a are formed in the upper part of the heat exchange plate 16 in the form of parallel holes, through which the fluid L flows from the base end side to the tip end side (the right end in the second direction Y).

[0042] A plurality of parallel hole-shaped downstream flow paths 16b that return the fluid L from the tip end to the base end are formed in the lower part of the heat exchange plate 16. Furthermore, a return flow path 16c is formed in the protruding end of the heat exchange plate 16, which allows the fluid L that has reached the end of the upstream flow path 16a to flow into the downstream flow path 16b.

[0043] 3 and 4, in the temperature regulator C, a heat exchange plate 16 is disposed in a gap in the first direction X between the battery cells 11 constituting the battery module 11M. In addition, a heat transfer sheet 17 is disposed between the heat exchange surface (a pair of outer surfaces in the first direction X) of the heat exchange plate 16 and the side surface of the battery cell 11.

[0044] The heat transfer sheet 17 is made of a sheet-like resin material that is flexible and has good thermal conductivity, and by adhering to the outer surface of the heat exchange plate 16 and the side of the battery cell 11, it achieves good thermal conduction between the battery cell 11 and the heat exchange plate 16.

[0045] [Fitting and connecting structure] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the side frame 15 has supply side hole portions 15Fp (an example of a fitting recess Pa) and discharge side hole portions 15Ep (an example of a fitting recess Pa) formed in the shape of holes at a set interval T in a first direction X along the flow direction of the fluid L relative to the inner wall 15S1.

[0046] The supply-side hole 15Fp (fitting recess Pa) communicates with the supply-side flow path 15F, and the discharge-side hole 15Ep (fitting recess Pa) communicates with the discharge-side flow path 15E. As a result, the supply-side hole 15Fp and the discharge-side hole 15Ep are arranged side by side in the third direction Z.

[0047] 6 and 7, the heat exchange plate 16 is formed with upstream-side protrusions 16aq (an example of a fitting protrusion Qa) and downstream-side protrusions 16bq (an example of a fitting protrusion Qa). The upstream-side protrusions 16aq (fitting protrusion Qa) have an outer surface shape that allows them to fit snugly into the supply-side holes 15Fp. The downstream-side protrusions 16bq (fitting protrusion Qa) have a shape that allows them to fit snugly into the discharge-side holes 15Ep.

[0048] The cross-sectional shapes of the supply-side holes 15Fp, the discharge-side holes 15Ep, the upstream-side convex portions 16aq, and the downstream-side convex portions 16bq are rectangular, but are not limited to this shape and may be circular, elliptical, or polygonal.

[0049] The upstream convex portion 16aq (fitting convex portion Qa) communicates with the upstream flow passage 16a. Similarly, the downstream convex portion 16bq (fitting convex portion Qa) communicates with the downstream flow passage 16b.

[0050] With this configuration, the upstream-side protrusion 16aq is press-fitted into the supply-side hole 15Fp, and the downstream-side protrusion 16bq is press-fitted into the discharge-side hole 15Ep in the second direction Y. This press-fitting brings about a fitted state in which the outer surface of the upstream-side protrusion 16aq is in close contact with the inner surface of the supply-side hole 15Fp, and a fitted state in which the downstream-side protrusion 16bq is in close contact with the inner surface of the discharge-side hole 15Ep.

[0051] This fitting integrates the side frame 15 and the heat exchange plates 16. The fitting portion between the upstream protrusion 16aq and the supply-side hole 15Fp is called a fitting connection portion, and the supply-side flow path 15F communicates with the upstream flow path 16a at this fitting connection portion. The fitting portion between the upstream protrusion 16aq and the supply-side hole 15Fp is also called a fitting connection portion, and the discharge-side flow path 15E communicates with the downstream hole 16bh at this fitting connection portion.

[0052] After the above-mentioned press-fitting, the temperature controller C prevents leakage of the fluid L by filling the boundary between the fitting recess Pa and the fitting protrusion Qa (the boundary between the above-mentioned two fitting connection portions) with a sealant 24. Note that the heat insulating material 21 is formed on the outer surface of the side frame 15 after the sealant 24 is filled.

[0053] 3, the temperature regulator C is provided with resistors R formed of screws protruding from the inner surface of the upstream flow passages 16a so that the flow passage cross-sectional areas at the upstream positions of the upstream protrusions 16aq of the heat exchange plates 16 become smaller toward the upstream side. Note that the resistors R are not limited to screws and may be, for example, rivets.

[0054] In other words, the more downstream the heat exchange plates 16 are, the greater the protrusion of the screws (resistors R) in the upstream flow path 16a is, or the more the number of screws (resistors R) is increased, thereby adjusting the flow path cross-sectional area, and making the flow of fluid L easier for the more downstream heat exchange plates 16.

[0055] This prevents the inconvenience of a large amount of fluid L flowing to the upstream heat exchange plate 16, and also prevents the inconvenience of a large drop in the pressure of the fluid L downstream of the supply side flow path 15F, thereby suppressing a decrease in the flow rate of the fluid L flowing to the downstream heat exchange plate 16 and achieving an average flow rate of the fluid L supplied to multiple heat exchange plates 16.

[0056] In this embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area is set by providing a resistor R such as a screw protruding from the inner surface of the upstream flow path 16a of the upstream convex portion 16aq. However, instead of the resistor R, it is also possible to set the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the opening portion of the upstream flow path 16a to an arbitrary value, for example, by plastically deforming a portion of the upstream convex portion 16aq.

[0057] [Fluid flow] This temperature regulator C supplies the fluid L supplied to the supply-side flow path 15F of the side frame 15 to the upstream convex portions 16aq (fitting convex portions Qa) of the plurality of heat exchange plates 16 (heat exchange portions Q) via the fitting connection portions.

[0058] The fluid L thus supplied flows through the supply-side flow path 15F, the return flow path 16c, and the downstream-side flow path 16b in this order, thereby removing or providing heat to the plurality of battery cells 11. This allows temperature control of the battery cells 11 to be achieved.

[0059] In addition, in the temperature regulator C, the fluid L that flows into the downstream flow path 16b flows from the downstream protrusion 16bq through the fitting connection portion to the discharge side flow path 15E of the side frame 15, and is returned to the radiator by the pump and cooled.

[0060] [Effects of the embodiment]

[0061] The temperature controller C integrates the side frame 15 and multiple heat exchange plates 16 by fitting and connecting the upstream side convex portion 16aq (fitting convex portion Qa) into the supply side hole portion 15Fp (fitting concave portion Pa) formed in the side frame 15, and by fitting and connecting the downstream side convex portion 16bq (fitting convex portion Qa) into the discharge side hole portion 15Ep (fitting concave portion Pa).

[0062] This fitting and connection is performed by press-fitting, so that the outer surface of the upstream-side protrusion 16aq is tightly fitted to the inner surface of the supply-side hole 15Fp, and the outer surface of the downstream-side protrusion 16bq is tightly fitted to the inner surface of the discharge-side hole 15Ep, thereby eliminating the need for work such as welding or brazing, or fastening work using bolts.

[0063] Furthermore, in the temperature regulator C, the fluid L flowing into the supply side hole 15Fp is supplied from the upstream flow path 16a of the upstream convex portion 16aq to the upstream flow path 16a of the heat exchange plate 16 by the fitting connection, and this fluid L flows from the return flow path 16c to the downstream flow path 16b, and then flows from the downstream hole 16bh of the downstream convex portion 16bq to the discharge side flow path 15E, so there is no need to provide a pipe to form a flow path.

[0064] In particular, when the side frame 15 and multiple heat exchange plates 16 are integrated, the mating connection points are tightly fitted together, so that leakage of fluid L can be suppressed by simply applying sealing material 24, for example, and sealing rings, packing, etc. are not required.

[0065] When the temperature regulator C supplies fluid L from the side frame 15 to each supply side flow path 15F of the multiple heat exchange plates 16, the resistor R equalizes the flow rate of the fluid L flowing through each supply side flow path 15F, thereby achieving average temperature control of the multiple battery cells 11.

[0066] [Another embodiment] The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the above-described embodiments (common numbers and symbols are used to designate components having the same functions as those in the embodiments).

[0067] (a) As partially described in the embodiment, side frames 15 are arranged on the left and right sides of the vehicle body, and a plurality of heat exchange plates 16 divided at the center region are arranged in a comb-like shape so as to be fitted and connected to the left and right side frames 15 to form the temperature regulator C. With this configuration, the temperature of the battery B can be regulated more efficiently than when a single side frame 15 is used.

[0068] (b) The side frames 15 are supported on the body frame F instead of on the impact absorbing frame 8. This support structure on the body frame F may include a structure that suppresses vibrations acting on the side frames 15 from the body frame F. Furthermore, the side frames 15 may be functionally integrated with the body frame F.

[0069] (c) Although the return flow passage 16c is formed at the protruding end of the heat exchange plate 16 to allow the fluid L that has reached the end of the upstream flow passage 16a to flow into the downstream flow passage 16b, the return flow passage 16c may be omitted and the upstream flow passage 16a and the downstream flow passage 16b may allow the fluid L to flow in the same direction. In this case, fitting recesses Pa may be formed in the left and right side frames 15 of the vehicle body, and supply-side holes 15Fp and discharge-side holes 15Ep may be formed therein.

[0070] (d) The flow path cross-sectional areas of the upstream convex portions 16aq of the plurality of heat exchange plates 16 may all be the same, or the flow path cross-sectional areas of the downstream convex portions 16bq may be made smaller toward the upstream side.

[0071] Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradictions arise. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the purpose of the present invention.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the following configurations are envisioned. (1) A temperature regulator C for adjusting the temperature of a battery B having a battery module 11M having a plurality of cells 11 arranged along a first direction, the temperature regulator comprising a side frame 15 through which a fluid L flows, and a plurality of heat exchange plates 16 for adjusting the temperature of the side surfaces of the cells 11 in the first direction by heat exchange with the fluid L supplied from the side frame 15, the side frame 15 having a mating recess Pa, the heat exchange plates 16 having mating protrusions Qa that fit into the mating recess Pa, and the fluid L being supplied from the side frame 15 to the heat exchange plates 16 via the mating connection parts that are in a mating connection state in which the mating protrusions Qa are fitted into the mating recess Pa.

[0073] According to this, the side frame 15 and the heat exchanger plate 16 are connected to each other by fitting the fitting protrusions Qa of the heat exchanger plate 16 into the fitting recesses Pa of the side frame 15, without the need for bolt tightening, welding, or other connecting work. In this fitted and connected state, the fluid L flowing through the side frame 15 can be supplied to the heat exchanger plate 16 via the fitting connection parts, thereby adjusting the temperature of the multiple cells 11.

[0074] (2) In the temperature regulator C of (1), the side frame 15 has a supply-side flow path 15F to which the fluid L is supplied and a discharge-side flow path 15E to which the fluid L is returned in a position parallel to the supply-side flow path 15F, and the heat exchange plate 16 has an upstream-side flow path 16a through which the fluid L flows from the supply-side flow path 15F, a downstream-side flow path 16b that returns the fluid L to the discharge-side flow path 15E, and a return flow path 16b that turns back the fluid from the end of the upstream-side flow path 16a to the start of the downstream-side flow path 16b. 16c, the mating recess Pa has a supply-side hole 15Fp formed in the supply-side flow path 15F and a discharge-side hole 15Ep formed in the discharge-side flow path 15E, the mating protrusion Qa has an upstream protrusion 16aq formed in the upstream flow path 16a and a downstream protrusion 16bq formed in the downstream flow path 16b, and it is preferable that the supply-side hole 15Fp and the upstream protrusion 16aq are mated and connected, and the discharge-side hole 15Ep and the downstream protrusion 16bq are mated and connected.

[0075] According to this, the side frame 15 and the heat exchange plate 16 are fitted and connected together by correspondingly fitting the upstream convex portions 16aq and downstream convex portions 16bq of the heat exchange plate 16 to the supply-side holes 15Fp and downstream convex portions 16bq formed in the side frame 15. Furthermore, fitting and connecting the upstream convex portions 16aq to the supply-side holes 15Fp allows the fluid L in the supply-side flow paths 15F to flow from the upstream flow paths 16a to the downstream flow paths 16b of the heat exchange plate 16, and enables the fluid L in this downstream flow path 16b to be sent to the discharge-side flow paths 15E.

[0076] (3) In the temperature regulator C of (1) or (2), the supply side flow path 15F has the same number of supply side holes 15Fp as the number of heat exchange plates 16, and in the mating connection state, it is preferable that the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the upstream convex portion 16aq is set to be smaller toward the upstream side in the flow direction in which the fluid L flows in the side frame 15.

[0077] As a result, the flow rate of the fluid L supplied from the supply-side flow path 15F to the heat exchange plate 16 located upstream of the supply-side flow path 15F is reduced compared to the flow rate of the fluid L supplied to the downstream heat exchange plate 16. Therefore, the pressure of the supply-side flow path 15F is not significantly reduced at the upstream position, and the fluid L at the required pressure can be supplied from the supply-side flow path 15F to the heat exchange plate 16 located downstream. In this way, the disadvantage of a decrease in the flow rate of the fluid L flowing to the downstream heat exchange plate 16 is suppressed, and as a result, the flow rates of the fluid L supplied to the multiple heat exchange plates 16 are averaged.

[0078] (4) In the temperature controller C of any one of (1) to (3), it is preferable that the side frame 15 is integrated with the shock absorbing frame 8 of the vehicle body, and that a buffer member 9 is arranged between the side frame 15 and the shock absorbing frame 8.

[0079] According to this, the shock absorbing frame 8 is disposed in a low position on the vehicle body, and the side frames 15 are disposed in a low position on the vehicle body, so it is possible to regulate the temperature of the cells 11 of the battery B located in a low position on the vehicle body. In addition, since the buffer members 9 are disposed between the side frames 15 and the shock absorbing frame 8, the buffer members 9 reduce the impact acting on the side frames 15 even when an external impact is applied to the shock absorbing frame 8. [Industrial Applicability]

[0080] The present invention can be used in a temperature regulator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 8: shock absorbing frame, 9: cushioning member, 11: battery cell (cell), 11M: battery module, 15: side frame, 15F: supply side flow path, 15Fp: supply side hole (fitting recess Pa), 15E: discharge side flow path, 15Ep: discharge side hole (fitting recess Pa), 16: heat exchange plate, 16a: upstream side flow path, 16b: downstream side flow path, 16c: return flow path, 16aq: upstream side convex portion (fitting protrusion Qa), 16bq: downstream side convex portion (fitting protrusion Qa), B: battery, C: temperature regulator, L: fluid, Pa: fitting recess, Qa: fitting protrusion, X: first direction

Claims

1. A temperature regulator for regulating a temperature of a battery including a battery module having a plurality of cells arranged along a first direction, a side frame through which a fluid flows; a plurality of heat exchange plates that adjust the temperature of the side surfaces of the cells in the first direction by heat exchange with the fluid supplied from the side frames, the side frames have fitting recesses, and the heat exchange plates have fitting protrusions that fit into the fitting recesses, a temperature regulator in which the fluid is supplied from the side frame to the heat exchange plate via the fitting connection portion that is in a fitting connection state in which the fitting protrusion portion is fitted into the fitting recess portion;

2. the side frame has a supply-side flow path to which the fluid is supplied and a discharge-side flow path to which the fluid is returned, the discharge-side flow path being located parallel to the supply-side flow path; the heat exchange plate has an upstream flow path through which the fluid flows from the supply flow path, a downstream flow path through which the fluid returns to the discharge flow path, and a return flow path through which the fluid flows from a terminal end of the upstream flow path to a starting end of the downstream flow path, the fitting recess has a supply-side hole formed in the supply-side flow path and a discharge-side hole formed in the discharge-side flow path, the fitting convex portion has an upstream convex portion formed in the upstream flow path and a downstream convex portion formed in the downstream flow path, The temperature regulator according to claim 1 , wherein the supply-side hole and the upstream-side protrusion are matingly connected, and the discharge-side hole and the downstream-side protrusion are matingly connected.

3. 3. The temperature controller according to claim 2, wherein the supply-side flow path has the same number of supply-side holes as the number of the heat exchange plates, and in the fitted and connected state, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the upstream convex portion is set to be smaller toward the upstream side in the flow direction of the fluid in the side frame.

4. The side frames are integrated with an impact absorbing frame of the vehicle body, 4. The temperature regulator according to claim 1, wherein a buffer member is disposed between the side frame and the shock absorbing frame.

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